Venice: October 1635 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 23, 1632-1636. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1921.

'Venice: October 1635', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 23, 1632-1636, (London, 1921) pp. 457-470. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol23/pp457-470 [accessed 25 April 2024]

October 1635



Oct. 2. Collegio, Secreat. Esposizioni Principi. Venetian Archives.	550. The Ambassador of the King of Great Britain came into the Collegio and the Senate's deliberation of the 29th ult. was read to him, he said : I thank your Serenity, as this is what I asked on behalf of the ship Hercules. I do not intend by my requests to injure your interests, but to encourage good relations and mutual trade, which are so necessary between nations. Owing to my weakness in the language I cannot answer the office at once, and I beg your Serenity to allow me to take a copy, so that after due consideration I may represent everything in England and see that things are done in concert. The doge answered, We have really done everything in our power, and all these days we have been seeking for ways to satisfy you, because we love you much and desire to give you every satisfaction, but our very just claims, the fact that such a thing had never been done before and many other important considerations stood in the way. You will see this and you can withdraw into the other room and take a copy, as we shall always be ready to gratify you where possible. The ambassador replied, I will not try and I did not mean to try for anything affecting the laws of this republic. The laws do not affect this case, at least I have not been able to find it, and that is why I made my request, hoping that it would benefit trade and help all. Thereupon he bowed and left, withdrawing to take down a copy of all in his own hand. [Italian.]
Oct. 4. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Haya. Venetian Archives.	551. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague, to the Doge and Senate. The Ambassador Joachimi is instructed to ask for the release of the ship, but as mildly as possible, to avoid friction, and they hope thai through the ambassador extraordinary all will be adjusted in the end. In this turmoil the Spaniards announce that they have won over England by promising to make strong representations to Caesar in favour of satisfying the Palatine. This is considered an invention to encourage suspicion since it is not believed that the king will be satisfied with mere words, though the statement agrees with the obvious unfriendliness of that crown. The Hague, the 4th October, 1635. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.
Oct. 5. Senato, Secreta. Dispaci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	552. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate. The Secretary Cuch has been staying for some days at a country house of his 6 miles from here (fn. 1) on some private affairs of his own. As it was some time since I had had an opportunity of seeing him I thought I would seize this opportunity to gain some information upon the last offices passed by the Ambassador Fildia with your Serenity. Accordingly I referred adroitly to the value your Excellencies attached to the good will of his Majesty towards the peace of Italy and especially to the tranquillity of the most serene republic. He replied that his Majesty sincerely desired to see concord between all the princes of Christendom. I then approached the subject more closely, but, he dropped the matter entirely and only spoke in generalities, so feel perfectly certain that the ambassador only had general instructions to express his Majesty's goodwill and that he made use of this opening to present the memorials of the English merchants. When his Majesty comes nearer and I can see him without disturbing his hunting, I will perform the offices commanded. Fildin's courier who arrived last week came expressly on his private affairs and his despatches contain nothing but requests for money, which has not been supplied to him so promptly since the Treasurer's death. General Linze sailed a few days ago with the fleet, intending to carry out the royal instructions ; but finding himself very soon destitute of the most necessary articles of food, owing to the remainder of the old supplies going bad, he returned to the Downs, where he is awaiting fresh orders from his Majesty. It is said, though it may be a mask, that the king will be obliged to allow the fleet to withdraw altogether for this year. The General has reported to his Majesty that having been requested by M. di San Sciomon, who is going as ambassador extraordinary of the Most Christian to Germany, to give him an escort of one of the royal ships for his sea passage, he promptly obliged him. (fn. 2) His Majesty fully approved the general's action, commended him highly and was highly pleased at the confidence shown in him by the French in looking to his ships for protection. The Council here has devoted special attention to the question propounded by the Ambassador Schidmore as to whether or no he should visit the Cardinal. With the approval of his Majesty they have decided that he must on no account do so, and the late Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Carlisle and the Earl of Holland were greatly censured at the Court for having acted differently. For the rest it seems that they are not entirely pleased with Scudamore's behaviour. They greatly dissapprove of his choosing to us no language but English in his audiences and in the representations he has made in writing, as he could quite well use French. This makes him appear very haughty and prejudices his Majesty's service, because disgusted with such behaviour many avoid having communication with him, and they feel it very bitterly that he will not call Mademoiselle and the Princesses of the blood "Highnesses." The ambassadors here condemn his conduct strongly. They are no longer conducting any negotiations for the continuation of those already introduced by them, nor do they contemplate taking any further step until the arrival of the ambassador extraordinary whom the States have decided to send to this Court. They are waiting for this occasion to make a final and more strenuous effort, but the difficulties that remain in the way are so great and the profit which they have won up to the present is so slight that one may consider vain the hopes of those who expect to achieve some advantage in the end. The other day the Ambassador Senneterre spoke very strongly to one of the ministers here, in a manner that gave great offence, about an Englishman giving two blows with his fists to one of his servants at the very door of his house. He said he would not have complained or disclosed the name of the delinquent, not because he wished him punished but because he was sure if he had not complained they would not have done him justice, as they are not accustomed here to make more account of ambassadors than of the vilest and lowest of the people. By this conduct they wished to intimate that they had no regard for the ambassadors of any prince here, and they did not take into consideration that English ambassadors resident at other Courts might also be ill used. He thus alluded to the severity shown to my servant and to the insults to the house of M. de Poygne, when they made no move of any kind. I believe however, that his Majesty will give up my servant without passing through the ordinary forms, as the Secretary Cuch told me so positively, adding that it would be a mark of great favour, especially as it had been refused to Oxenstern in a like case. Gordon is returning to Poland, having finished his business which did not amount to much. He divests himself of his character as ambassador of Poland and resumes that of Agent for England. He will report to the king there the excellent disposition in this quarter in favour of his interests, and the utmost readiness for the conclusion of his marriage with the Palatine princess. Gordon announces that this will certainly take place shortly and that Polish ambassadors will very soon put in an appearance at Court for this purpose. Here they will certainly look forward gladly to the conclusion of that affair, which they desire eagerly. Gordon confirms the conclusion of the truces with the Swedes with more assurance than ever, and adds in particular that on the 8th inst. a diet is to assemble at Warsaw for the full confirmation of the things agreed, by virtue of which the Swedes are to give up Prussia, and the Pole is to contribute a certain sum of money to the troops quartered there. They are all ready to march to Germany under the direction of Oxisterna, who says he will send them into Saxony. But private letters state that matters are moving towards a breach rather than to an adjustment. I have just received information on good authority that a fleet of twenty ships from Spain is about to proceed to Dunkirk. The news greatly troubles the Ambassador Joachimi, who sent a ship on purpose to inform his masters. It is quite clear that they will not be able to help themselves, because the English fleet is in the Downs and so placed as to be able to prevent any steps being taken by the Dutch. It is considered certain that the General took up this position with the sole object of securing the passage of those ships, and in order to avoid suspicion he made use of the pretext of the lack of munitions. This may be deduced the more certainly because a few days ago when a squadron of English ships prevented a Dunkirker from taking a Dutch vessel, they took the opportunity to declare that they meant to keep the passage through these waters free for all alike. Such are the principles and pretexts by dint of which the Spaniards always obtain every advantage at this Court, with incredible facility. I have received this week the state despatches of the 25th and 31st of August and of the 7th September. London, the 5th October, 1635. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
	553. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to Senato, the Doge and Senate. In execution of your Serenity's orders of the 8th August about he trade of this mart at Constantinople, I find that the Levant Company which has the sole right of trading there, sends sometimes four, sometimes six ships a year, half of which go to Constantinople and the other half to Syria. Those which go to Constantinople take between 12,000 and 15,000 pieces, mostly purple (pavonazze) in colour, and a certain quantity of crimson (mezi scarlati). The cloth is for the most part of common quality and only suitable for poor people, the price being only about 3 reals, more or less, the yard (braccio) by their measure, so the greater quantity costs only two reals. Only one merchant, named Samuel Vasel, has introduced the cloth with fringes (cimozze) and then only as an experiment. He told my informant, and others confirm it, that he has not had occasion to send more than some fifty pieces of that kind of work a year, but all of the highest quality. He has them made much finer than the Venetian, although he uses nearly half as much wool again ; but it is because he has it woven very finely. They all say that the price of this work is not stable, because it is only sold to great personages, indeed the greater part serves for presents, but they charge about half as much again for what they sell as is paid for the finest made at Venice. Vassel himself says that his business in this cloth is prospering ; that he proposes to go on with it and to derive considerable profit therefrom ; but all the others of the same company declare that they have not yet learned the way to make it well and that, so far he has got very little out of it, so that it is difficult to find out the truth from anything but the results, if he goes on. The other goods sent from here to Constantinople are tin, in great quantity, and a small amount of kerseys, the latter being mostly disposed of at Ragusa. The goods they take away are sables, silk and gall. They also sometimes export hides but do not trouble to bring them back here, and take them where it suits them, generally to Ancona. To Syria, that is to say to Aleppo and Smyrna they send other 12,000 to 15,000 cloths every year and some quantity of kerseys, but all very ordinary goods and inferior to those for Constantinople. The manufacture of wool has always been great in this kingdom, and it is now at the height of its ascendancy, because although they produce little or nothing in this city, in the country they manufacture over 300,000 pieces of cloth every year, besides a countless quantity of kerseys, and almost all is disposed of outside the kingdom, without difficulty. This is all that I can inform your Excellencies at present. If I find out anything else remarkable I will not fail to send you word. London, the 5th October, 1635. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
Oct. 11. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Haya. Venetian Archives.	554. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague, to the Doge and Senate. The States General referred the choice of the ambassador extraordinary to England to the Assembly of Holland. These nominated the Sieur de Semerdich, a capable man, who has been ambassador in France and to your Serenity as well as to England. I hear that he asked to be excused on the ground of age, and being weary of work. The States begged him not to refuse, but he cannot be forced to go. The English Resident has made remonstrance to the States General because the Province of Holland is infringing the chief privileges of the company of merchants. These are : exemption from the duties on imported cloth ; permission to have their own magistrate to judge the civil affairs of the Company ; liberty to trade where they like ; freedom to bring cloth of any colour, whereas the Assembly insist that it must be white, to have the profit of the dyeing. The Secretary spoke very strongly, pointing out that the Company received these privileges as a reward for abandoning Antwerp fifty three years ago (fn. 3) and the Assembly of Holland could not take away what all the Provinces had granted. He intimated that as the merchants had not met with justice they would go away and good relations with this state would never be renewed, while the king might well take up the interests of his subjects and avenge the offence. Two days ago he came here and made his complaint to me, saying that if anything untoward occurred the fault would be here. Many here wanted to get rid of the Company in the interest of their own trade. I said I felt sure his ability would overcome this difficulty. But with such constant causes of friction it is feared that matters may proceed to a rupture. It may be only too true that the mischief arises in great measure from private passions, which have frequently proved of ill augury for this unhappy government, whose aims are not always directed for the public welfare but frequently for the convenience and interests of private individuals. The Hague, the 11th October, 1635. [Italian.]
Oct. 12. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	555. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate. Although the Ambassador Joachimi has earnestly repeated his offices several times for the recovery of the ship seized, he has not moved them from their decision not to give it up, to which it is believed they have made up their minds. They give enigmatic and contemptuous answers, which can only give offence to their High Mightinesses and leave them with a desire for revenge, which they will no doubt promptly put into action when Fortune is more propitious to them. The ambassador talks openly to this effect and goes even further, but neither the humble nor the angry manner helps him in the least. He is determined, all the same, to try every way before the ambassador extraordinary arrives. Meanwhile the fleet still remains in the Downs, strong and resolute to protect the passage of the Spanish fleet to Dunkirk, not without suspicion that the Dutch are preparing to attack it. Great consultations have been held about the seizure by the French of a English merchant ship off the coasts of Barbary, of which the news arrived a month ago. (fn. 4) A fresh meeting is arranged for his Majesty to attend as soon as he arrives a little nearer the city. They are very indignant as the French treated the sailors with extraordinary severity. They think more of the disdain shown and the disappointment about their own forces than of the incident itself, and seem very eager in their desire for revenge. The ambassadors try to smoothe matters, indicating that it was not done by order or with the permission ; of the Most Christian and expressing the readiness of France to punish the culprits. But the slightest thing is enough to kindle the fiercest and most inextinguishable flames in the minds of the ministers here, who are so ready for mischief that if once the king agreed there is no doubt but they would be taking the most headlong decisions (ma ogni poca. fatica basta, per accender negli animi di questi ministri gia disposti alla male le piu grandi e inestinguibili fiamme si che concorrendo il Re non e dubio non siano per prender le risolutioni piu precipitose). It seems that the ambassadors in the most serious gatherings go about circulating ideas of peace. They represent the inclinations of the Most Christian as being truly disposed thereto. This was his real object when he decided on an open declaration of war, as he recognised that while hostile acts were being committed on one side and the other covertly and under a mask, he could not help things going badly without any hope of remedy but now that the veil has been raised and operations are carried on in the open, it is much more easy and decorous to negotiate for an adjustment. The ambassadors say that the French cannot long support such heavy expenditure, and as the Spaniards are also exhausted, peace is an absolute necessity. They have spoken thus not only to me but at Court ; some think in order to discover if his Majesty is inclined to take up negotiations. But others do not consider this is the right place and gauge the real feelings of the Court tvhich are believed to be that things shall remain balanced as they now are, and it is not to their advantage to try and bring about any change. On the other hand it is announced that the king is on the point of deciding any day to send an ambassador extraordinary to France some say in order to start negotiations about peace, but I am informed from a better source that if he decides to send one it will be expressly to arrange an adjustment for the Queen Mother and her return to France, and this opinion fits in very well, because the queen here is very desirous of seeing her settled, and the king himself, tired of the constant irritation and the incitements which he is always receiving with demands to receive her in this kingdom, and fearful that he may be obliged on account of the steps he has already taken, to have her supplied with money, is certainly extraordinarily anxious to see her once and for all in a place and in a position in which she will no longer have need of him. The remarkable way in which the Ambassador Scudamore has begun his charge at Paris has afforded material for various comment here. Some condemn him severely while others sympathise. Those who disapprove lay all the blame on his natural haughtiness, from which they augur ill for the course of his embassy. The sympathisers think that he is not exceeding the forms prescribed in his instructions, which they think were drawn up with the deliberate intention of augmenting the differences with France under the cloak of the weaknesses of the ambassador. This opinion is held by the most sensible and especially by those whose long experience enables them to penetrate deeply into the practices of the Spaniards at this Court. The Resident of Savoy has published a pamphlet upon the claims of his master to the royal title. Its chief argument is that the pope ought to concede to his ambassadors the Sala Regia. I enclose a copy though your Excellencies will probably have seen the work. London, the 12th October, 1635. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
Oct. 16. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	556. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. The English ambassador has not yet visited Mademoiselle, daughter of Monsieur, or the Princes and Princesses of the Blood. They claim the title of "Highness," a term he says has never been used by his predecessors and he refuses to use it without orders from England. He says he wishes to know how the members of his master's house will be treated, as it is fitting that the use should be reciprocal. Paris, the 16th October, 1635. [Italian.]
Oct. 18. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Haya. Venetian Archives.	557. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague, to the Doge and Senate. A petition has been presented to the Council of State in the name of the celebrated painter Rubens, asking for leave to come here with two sons on his way to England with pictures. He has previously been employed by the Spaniards on serious affairs, and there is some suspicion that the Spaniards intend to propose a truce. The Secretary of France says that his coming will cause his king to be very suspicious and he does his utmost to prevent the grant of a passport. It is also suspected that he will go to England to treat about the Palatinate, as he did a few years ago. The Assembly of Holland has held long consultations on the matter without arriving at any decision. Some weeks ago two gentlemen were in England on behalf of the Queen Mother. I hear that one of them was a Jesuit with very secret business, to offer that queen's interposition for the restitution of the Palatinate. After a short stay they left for the Imperial Court, and Teler, the envoy to Cæsar, has instructions not to see the emperor before consulting with them, and to be guided by their advice in everything. These are believed to be devices to win England, or to keep her trifling, to prevent any declaration against the Austrians. The Sieur de Somerdich has gone to the Prince to obtain his release from the mission to England, or at least that he need not conduct any business except what is common with the French and with leave to return when the Ambassador Seneterre goes ; as he feels sure that otherwise, with the numerous difficulties, he will have to stay at that Court for years. It is not thought that the States will consent to this as he is a person of great reputation and will render good service. The Prince Palatine is preparing to go to England, encouraged by the signs of a favourable disposition there, and to make fresh requests. They say also that he is to speak about his sister's marriage to the King of Poland. The Hague, the 18th October, 1635. [Italian.]
Oct. 19. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	558. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate. So far is the ambassador Joachimi from obtaining the release of his ship, that the more he insists the more austere and reserved the ministers show themselves. But as an indication of the desperate nature of the affair, in the midst of the negotiations and to please some of the merchants here a decree has been issued unexpectedly by the Council and communicated to him to the effect that unless the Dutch indemnify the English for all the acts of piracy committed against them within a certain time, not only will the fleet seize all their ships which they fall in with, but the king will issue letters of marque against them without any reserve. (fn. 5) Joachimi is thoroughly staggered by this new, unexpected and most serious blow. Although he shows great constancy in facing so many reiterated unfortunate incidents, nevertheless there remains no means of remedying the evil, as neither lamentations nor complaints avail him anything at all. It is thought that the event will induce the States to hasten the departure of their ambassador extraordinary, for which the French ambassadors here are most anxious, in order to bring to a conclusion in one way or another their duties here. Gordon had taken leave of the Court and was about to sail when a despatch reached him from the King of Poland, so he had to return to present letters to the king, to thank him for his endeavours to bring about peace between that crown and Sweden. He then resumed his journey. Of the affair of the marriage with the Palatine princess nothing is said and the letters contain no reference to it. Here, however, they cling more firmly than ever to the belief that it is arranged and they assert that nothing is lacking for the complete settlement of the business except the mission of the Polish ambassadors. The Levant Company has at length ceased to oppose the appointment made long ago of an ambassador to Constantinople. He has received his commissions and is urging the departure of the ship appointed for him, but he anticipates fresh difficulties. They have also chosen two new consuls, for Aleppo and Smyrna. These are ordered to start at the earliest moment. (fn. 6) The king is still sporting in the country, (fn. 7) enjoying the unusually fine weather and not meaning to return for a fortnight. Even then he will not approach nearer than Hampton Court, where he proposes to remain some time with the queen. Meanwhile the greater part of the nobility is gathering in this city. But with the Court away idleness and ennui abound, and they try to divert themselves by discussing what are considered the most essential affairs. So far as the special interests of the crown are concerned, some represent matters as they really feel them, others as they wish them to be. The one thing that they all join in maintaining with vigour is the report that parliament will meet soon. Their confidence in this is due to the necessity in which they believe the king to be placed to assist the cause of the Palatinate. They think that the accumulation of ill treatment received from the Austrians must have exhausted his forbearance and supplied sufficient stimulus to make him rely for once on the justice of his sword. But although this is a very essential point, it does not trouble them much at Court, indeed they seem to have abandoned all measures until they hear something of Teller's negotiations at the imperial Court. But whatever measures they may take as the result of this they will not be such as to induce the king to take the parliamentary way, as he has always shown by so many indications that he abhors it. The reports about collecting a new and powerful fleet for next year becomes stronger as their difficulties with their neighbours increase. The despatch of the ambassador extraordinary to France for the reason advised is announced as certain, indeed they say the Earl of Holland will be selected to go. The nomination of the new treasurer is expected daily. Lord Cottington is considered certain to have it in the end, as the offices of the archbishop of Canterbury against him, though very powerful, are expected only to delay not to prevent it. For the release of my servant I have never consented, although advised otherwise, to agree to the case being submitted to the ordinary judge, as I consider that derogatory to my character. By private offices and through the secretaries of state I tried to win over his Majesty, to obtain the decision from him and from no one else. Although the secretaries had little hope, they have worked hard to please me, so that in spite of the strong opposition of the Lord Keeper and of all the lawyers of his Majesty who contended that he ought not to intervene to pardon until after sentence, they have succeeded in obtaining his release by supreme order of the king, and a declaration absolving from all blame all the others of my house who were in the matter. The secretaries imparted this to the Council by his Majesty's order. When some of them objected, urging custom and the rigour of the law, they told them that they had not come to ask their advice but to inform them of something already decided, and that they must bow to the king's will, as they did. The secretaries informed me this morning and promised to send me the order tomorrow, signed and sealed by the king. Thus I have nothing left to desire in this matter, and contrary to the general opinion I have overcome all difficulties, with advantage to my position and I hope to the satisfaction of your Excellencies, whose letters of the 20th ult. have just reached me with the expression of your wishes in this matter. London, the 19th October, 1635. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
Oct. 25. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Haya. Venetian Archives.	559. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague, to the Doge and Senate. The English fleet, seeing a Dutch ship chased by a Dunkirker, detached some ships to rescue it. The English claim that this shows their friendly feeling to these Provinces, but their High Mightinesses say that the real question is about the ship seized, with no sign of its release, while the ministers only give ambiguous answers to Joachimi's offices. On the same lines they say that the English ought to have seized the Dunkirkers which attacked their ship, and that the favour shown to the latter is per accidens. In this way the English show their prejudice against this state and their partiality to the Spaniards. They say this but all the same, they will appear to believe what the English wish, to prevent mischief. The Sieur de Somerdich is still reluctant to go to England, and affects to be ill, having kept his bed two days this week. The French secretary urges his despatch. England is a woman who at the present moment finds herself in great request with the Austrians and French who court and flatter her, while she is watched with great jealousy by the States here, who are trying to win her friendship by means of presents and by patience. The Hague, the 25th October, 1635. [Italian.]
Oct. 26. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	560. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate. With the approach of winter and the fleet's lack of most of the absolutely necessary provisions, the king has decided to recall it. General Linze has been to Court to receive his orders for disarming the ships and to learn which are to be kept in commission for the guard of the most important ports. This dismantling will begin in a few days, nothing further being said about the coming of the Spanish fleet, whose voyage to Dunkirk it was to secure. Fresh and vigorous complaints have been made to the French ambassadors by His Majesty's order ahout the English ship seized and scuttled off the coast of Barbary. (fn. 8) They spoke openly about claiming compensation and even used threats. The ambassadors cannot deny the facts or impute them to the violence of pirates. They excuse them by saying that the captain had a cargo of prohibited metals for Turkey, and refused to obey a summons given by the French, so they had to use force. This afterthought is not accepted. Such an incident, encouraging ill feeling between the two nations, helps to increase the clouds which are never thoroughly cleared away between them, and affords the Spaniards a fine opportunity for creating difficulty and confusion in the negotiations of Senneterre, while advancing their own interests. In spite of this people continue to talk of pacific intentions as necessary for the welfare of Christendom. The French say freely that now is the time to secure quiet for poor Christendom distracted by war for so many years, and the best way will be by disarming by means of an honourable composition, or they will be compelled to it by exhaustion. But so far as moving them here to interpose everything that they can think of saying fails to make any great impression, because the English rejoice and glory in their present quiet, being secure from trouble from their neighbours, and without any effort being required on their part they perceive that they receive the respect and esteem of all the nations much more easily than they would if the nations were not in difficulties or if they themselves had sided openly with one of the parties. The Prince Palatine in person is expected here soon. He informed his Majesty of his wish to come and of his start simultaneously, it is supposed in order not to have to wait for the reply and so meet with some hindrance. Although his Majesty did not like the manner, he seemed pleased at the news, and has ordered all to be in readiness to meet him, as he feels sure he will appear at one of the ports of this realm with the first fair wind. The coming of this prince will certainly be greeted with acclamations from the general, with whom he is very popular, because of his mother. It pleases individuals because everyone wishes to see him, and it is expected to be wonderfully opportune for his interests, as it is hoped that the king's compassion will be moved when he sees him, when offices and instances have never sufficed to produce the effect desired. There really is hope of deriving some advantages from this Court, as with the mere announcement of his coming even those who in the past have not cared much about his affairs, have expressed their sympathy and declared his cause to be most just. In the future his cause will be more negotiable because the prince comes out of wardship in December next and will be free to look after his own interests. The news was received with more pleasure by those who fervently desire a parliament than by any others. They build the most solid hopes upon it, as it is practically certain that the king will not refuse to assume openly the protection of his nephew when he comes to ask it in person ; but although the impulse will be very strong the real consequences can only be judged from the issue. They consider all the difficulties in the way of the marriage between the King of Poland and the sister of this prince as resolved, indeed letters from Poland have appeared this week referring to the departure of the ambassador destined to this Court for the purpose. With regard to the despatch of an ambassador extraordinary to France, the longer this mission is delayed the feebler does belief in it grow, since it hardly seems adequate that the decision should be withheld merely because of the news of the indisposition of the Queen Mother. There is great anxiety here about the plague, which is reported to be raging furiously at neighbouring ports, especially Dunkirk. The Lords of the Council have discussed the matter, but as they are unwilling to forbid trade, they do not see any remedy. They have certainly told the merchants here to proceed with caution, but little can be expected from this since it is not the habit of merchants to look any further than their own private advantage. (fn. 9) A Spanish ship was brought here recently by some Englishmen. They say it was booty of the Turks and bought by them for a good price. No outcry was raised about this, but because it was announced that 19 chests of silver had been found in the hold, the Spanish Resident here is making efforts to have it placed under arrest, so that by way of a judicial enquiry it may appear how the ship came into their hands, and claiming that even if it was purchased the sale cannot be valid to the prejudice of the owners. His Majesty remains in the country, (fn. 10) attended by a few persons, most of the ministers having come back to this city. It is thought that he also will come here at the beginning of next month, but their decisions vary according to what chances to happen so one does not know what to expect with certainty. London, the 26th October, 1635. [Italian.]
Oct. 29. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.	561. Giovanni Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. It has been finally arranged with the English Secretary that the ship which brought to Coruna the English ambassador, who is momentarily expected at Madrid, shall take to England 170 cases of reals for Flanders. (fn. 11) Madrid, the 29th October, 1635. [Italian.]