|
|
May 1.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
40. To the Ambassador in England.
Acknowledge receipt of his last letters, although they have not
answered the last two. Commendation of his offices and advices.
Confidence that he will do his utmost in the affair of the currants,
to preserve the trade unhampered by private interests or by
those of the Company. He will pay his respects to the ambassador
selected to reside at Venice at the earliest opportunity,
in anticipation of the time when he will be able to perform a like
office with the king. Enclose the sheet of advices.
Ayes, 107. Noes, 1. Neutral, 3.
[Italian.]
|
May 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
41. Giovanni Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
After many discussions they have settled on their reply to
his Majesty's proposal touching his proceeding to Ireland, ostensibly
in order to reduce the rebels. On Saturday they sent to
York three commissioners, one of the Upper and two of the
Lower House, (fn. 1) with instructions to read their resolution and
present it to the king. Although they do not allow this to be
seen before the return of the deputies I gather that it consists
in dissuading him from that journey, and that in a very insolent
manner they point out to him the personal inconvenience involved
and the certain peril to which he will expose himself if
he acts upon his orignial resolution since parliament is determined
not to grant him the assistance for which he asks, in such an
event, with other sentiments which ill become their duty as obedient
subjects. In conclusion they state that if he leaves the kingdom the
ordinary supplies for the maintenance of his royal household will
not be continued. On the other hand they beseech him to join
with them for the interests of his people, not to remain away
from this city any longer, to assist parliament by his presence
and the government of the monarchy. What his Majesty will
reply to such insolent declarations is not yet known. The return
of the commissioners is awaited with the utmost impatience to
learn the particulars of his latest intentions, from which it is
reasonable to suppose some inference may be safely drawn as
to the hopes of a speedy accommodation or about the persistence
of the disorders which trouble this island.
All the reports which come from York refer to the inflexible
determination of the king to proceed to Ireland speedily and
that after the celebration of the Gaiter ceremony, he will proceed
to Carlil and cross from there to that kingdom. Of the more
secret purposes which lie hidden in his breast they speak ambiguously,
and everyone forms his opinion according to his
personal bias. Accordingly one must wait for the event itself
to supply that sound information which is so much to be desired.
Meanwhile the unfriendly parliamentarians try with all their
might to render this decision distasteful to the people, as though they
do not believe that it will be carried into effect. They declare that
when his Majesty arrives in that island he proposes to put an end to
the disturbances there by an agreement, upon any terms, no matter
how disadvantageous, and by permitting the exercise of the Catholic
religion. He will thus win the affection of the rebels, keep them
firmly to their obedience and at the same time invite them to cross
armed to England with him, in order with this assistance to reestablish
himself in his ancient greatness, with the ruin of the laws
and the country. This has had some effect on the feelings of the most
zealous and has likewise served to stop the spread of a sentiment in
favour of his Majesty, which many had recently expressed.
All those who in the past offered considerable sums of money
down for the defence of that island, on condition that they received
in return a portion of the goods confiscated from the rebels, are
now refusing to fulfil their promises, because of these fresh
circumstances, being persuaded that if his Majesty goes there,
he will very soon bring the contest to an end by a general pardon,
and this troubles the ill-affected not a little. Nevertheless they
do not relax their energy over the levies of the English for that
campaign, and it is said that these will be commanded by the
Earl of Essex, one who has made himself known more than any
other as the declared enemy of his Majesty's interests and also as an
inexorable persecutor of the Catholic faith.
In the midst of all these suspicions which parliament betrays,
they repeated with urgency their request to the king to give
permission for the removal from Uls to the Tower here of all the
munitions which are in that fortress. But by persisting in his
refusal, with some sharpness, the king has increased the ill feeling
and suspicion of the interested parties. After many perilous
disputes they have decided to send a squadron of armed ships
to those waters in order to carry this out by force, considering
it unlikely that they can get this from his Majesty by way of
insinuation or negotiation ; but so far they have not issued orders
for this to be done. As many of the Upper House have protested
against this men of experience are inclined to believe that they will
move with caution, in order not to increase disorder by such a step
or add incitements to the opposing parties to rush to extremes.
The earl of Warwick still remains in the river with the fleet,
patiently waiting for a favourable wind to put to sea. As the
wind is blowing from the right quarter to-day he may put out
from the Thames in a few hours. The precise number of ships
that he may take with him is not quite certain as yet, since all
are not completely fitted out. So far he has met with prompt
obedience from the captains of ships and the sailors, but it is
freely stated that he is not looked on with a friendly eye (che sia
poco ben veduto). Men of a cautious disposition do not approve
of his decision to undertake the exercise of this charge without the
royal good will. They consider his remaining there undesirable
and augur for him a very unhappy fate in the course of time. But
those who look more deeply into these disturbances consider that the
command of this force will tend to facilitate an advantageous settlement
with his Majesty in every eventuality, not only for Warwick,
but for the earls of Holland and Niuborgh, his brothers, as well,
who without apprehension of punishment, have made themselves
leaders of the party of the malcontents. The French ambassador
has not neglected to contribute his share, with adroitness, for
the appointment of Warwick to this fleet, in the hope that as an
enemy of the Spaniards he may give rise to some incident which will
lead to quarrels between the two crowns and so injure both.
Lengthy discussions have taken place over the conditions
suggested by his Majesty for putting the kingdom in a state of
defence. In the end parliament laid aside the rigour of its first
demands and two days ago was disposed to accept them, with
the sole difference that instead of one year which the king offers,
the control of these forces should continue for two years in the
hands of those chosen. It does not seem that his Majesty would
object to this. He has thus gained the point on this question
of reducing the most haughty parliamentarians to yield to his
most righteous satisfaction, while on the one hand he has preserved
intact his own royal prerogatives, and on the other he has
damped the hopes of those ambitious to strike if they should attempt
some fresh schemes in the future to the detriment of his prerogatives.
The incident has encouraged good men and given them some confidence
of seeing these differences composed by friendly means.
There are some now who think of devoting themselves to inducing
the queen, who is staying in Holland, to take up negotiations for a
sincere adjustment. Many of the parliamentarians even, struck
by the suspicion that the people of Kent may persist in their move
in favour of the king, express themselves to the effect that this will
not be difficult. God grant it may happen for the good of this
royal house and of the whole realm as well (s' e da un canto
conservato illeso il dritto della propria realita e dall' altro ha
inlanguite le speranze agli ambitiosi di colpir, quando novelle
inventioni tentassero in avvenire di derogar alle sue prerogative,
successo che ha inalzato gl' animi dei buoni a qualche confidenza
di vedere con mezzi amichevoli composte queste differenze et
hormai vi e chi pensa di impiegarsi con disporre la Regina, che
sta in Olanda a maneggi di un sincero aggiustamento, il quale
molti Parlamentarii medesimi percossi dalli sospetti che li sudditi
di Cancio continuino li mossi a favore del Re, si lascianointender
che non sara di si difficile riuscità. Che voglia Dio segua per il
bene di questa serenissima casa et del regno tutto ugualmente).
The earl of Bristol has been set at liberty and the sincerity of
his conduct recognised, (fn. 2) while the incorruptible loyalty of this
nobleman to his legitimate sovereign is admired.
London, the 2nd May, 1642.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
|
May 3.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Germania.
Venetian
Archives. |
42. Thadio Vico, Venetian Resident in Germany, to the
Doge and Senate.
The English ambassador, not satisfied with the paper recently
given to the mediators about the affair of the Palatine, has sent
an answer to the emperor by Lesle, who took it to him, that
unless his Majesty makes a more open and more substantial
declaration for the most just cause and satisfaction of that prince
he will put a final term to the negotiation by his departure.
Subsequently with Lesle himself he expressed the opinion that
if no satisfactory resolution should be obtained from the emperor
this time, it would be necessary for England, Denmark and others
to come to a rupture, making an alliance with the Swedes and
the opposite party to secure that justice should be done to the
Palatine, and instead of damping down the fire in the empire,
to make it burn up more by war.
Vienna, the 3rd May, 1642.
[Italian.]
|
May 5.
Senato,
Secreta,
Dispacci,
Haya.
Venetian
Archives. |
43. Zuanne Zon, Venetian Secretary at the Hague, to
the Doge and Senate.
The deputies of Holland met as announced to discuss the
decision of the States General to send promptly an embassy extraordinary
to England. But the session was spoiled by the absence
of four of the leading men of that Assembly, and so they could not
settle the matter. They adjourned it to another meeting, to be
held in six days, when the government hope that the matter will
be satisfactorily settled, and that it may take this opportunity to
provide a sufficient sum of money for the first requirements of
this mission.
To gratify the queen the Prince would like to see this matter
settled harmoniously before he takes the field with his army, and
he is making every effort to secure this without delay. But the
Dutch disclose their disinclination to the Prince, defending their
aversion for going on with this matter by the absence of the king
from London, so as not to do anything prejudicial to the dignity
of the state. It is therefore believed that the matter may be
involved in very prolonged delays, to the annoyance of the Prince.
The Hague, the 5th May, 1642.
[Italian.]
|
May 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
44. To the Ambassador in England.
Acknowledge his letters of the 18th inst. His diligence gives
complete satisfaction. Nothing more to add. Enclose sheet of
advices.
Ayes, 115. Noes, 0. Neutral, 3.
[Italian.]
|
45. To the Resident at the Hague.
In response to the offers of Prince Rupert he did well to follow
the lines of the reply to the English Resident, who spoke to him,
and to the Princess, Rupert's mother. He is to express to the
prince the state's appreciation of his offer and to assure the
Palatine family of the regard the most serene republic entertains
for them and its readiness to serve them. He may be profuse
with every demonstration of esteem, but without any commitment.
Ayes, 115. Noes, 0. Neutral, 3.
[Italian.]
|
May 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
46. Giovanni Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
The hopes of a speedy accommodation between his Majesty and
the parliament have been interrupted by the inroad of fresh
accidents. As these subject affairs here to ever increasing hazards
they may possibly constrain the king to the most desperate
resolutions (li quali ponendo sotto contingenze sempre maggiori
questi affari possono per avventura constringer il Re alle piu disperate
rissolutioni).
The arrival in Yorkshire of the news of the order issued for the
arms and munitions stored in the fortress of Uls to be transported
to the Tower here, aroused hostile feelings in the breasts of many
of that district, and among the lower nobility in particular.
These being impelled by the desire to prevent the transfer being
made petitioned his Majesty both orally and in writing not to
permit provisions intended for the defence of those frontiers to be
taken elsewhere at a time of so much disturbance. As this
happened to coincide with the king's own sentiments, he granted
their request. Considering that this would be a favourable
pretext for securing to himself a fortress of such importance,
without noise, he took counsel to proceed thither with the intention
of confirming its loyalty by his presence, and subsequently
to facilitate by its possession those schemes which the condition
of the time and circumstances might persuade him to undertake
(prese consiglio di portarvisi a disegno con la presenza di bene confirmarla
alla propria divotione et con il possesso francheggiare poscia
quei tentativi che la conditione del tempo et le congionture lo persuadessero
ad intraprendere).
To sound the intentions of the governor, who is a member
of parliament and by no means disposed to promote the king's
interests, his Majesty sent thither, ostensibly for recreation, his
second son, the duke of York with the Prince Palatine. On
arriving they were brought into the town with every demonstration
of respect, and they immediately informed the king of what
had happened. Being persuaded wrongly that he would find
the same style of reception the king also advanced in that direction
with expedition, accompanied by only 150 men of his household,
and warned the governor of his approach a few hours
before. That individual made up his mind not to permit him to
enter, and without hesitation he caused the bridges of the town
to be raised and the gates shut. When his Majesty arrived and
sent orders to the governor to open, instead of doing so he
appeared on the walls, and with every sign of humbleness said
in a loud voice that he was the king's faithful subject, but he
could not obey this order without prejudicing the duty which
he owed to parliament, and consequently he begged his Majesty
to excuse him. The king, in great wrath, endeavoured by repeated
and severe threats to induce him to obey, but as the
governor persisted in his refusal it soon became apparent that
nothing was to be gained by further insistence. Accordingly
deeply sensible of so public an affront the king declared the
governor guilty of treason, and withdrawing a short distance
from the town he recalled his son and nephew. Together with
them he was compelled to return to his original station at York
with no little shame and wrathful compassion on the part of
his loyal subjects at seeing their natural prince so shamefully
scorned by the ambition of a few malcontents.
After his Majesty's departure, the governor sent a courier to
parliament with an account of this most serious incident. The
king also sent the same news accompanied by very vigorous
denunciations of the governor, demanding that he shall be
severely punished and reparation afforded for his own dignity
and that of the nation, by public demonstrations, both being
so deeply offended by an act of disobedience for which there is
no possible excuse. On the other hand parliament, which is
only attended at present by those who can find salvation in no other
way than by keeping the crown in the midst of such troublous agitations,
has heard of this incident with complete gratification.
They hope that the incautious zeal of this commander may serve
as an example for keeping the others steadfast in devotion to
their interests, and instead of punishing they sent him letters of
commendation, with sums of money for the garrison, in order to
encourage them to continue so in the future. Under severe
penalties they have forbidden any one to impede in any way the
couriers who pass to and fro between this city and Uls, charging
the ministers of justice to prosecute those who may infringe this
order ; and finally they have passed a resolution that the declaration
of his Majesty against the governor, who is a member of
parliament, is an infringement of the privileges of that Senate
and of the liberty of the subject.
Unprejudiced men express the strongest resentment against this
deliberation and at so monstrous an action and they announce
with great frankness that the scandal of approving such open disobedience
will make a very serious impression on the people and
provide still further justification for the line the king had taken
(publicano a piena bocca che il scandolo di approvare si aperta
disobedienza riuscira a populi ben grave e sempre piu giustifichera
li consigli del Re). What this may be amid the anxieties of so
many troublesome incidents, does not yet appear. Some think
that with the diminution of the hopes of reattaining the seat of his
former authority without great peril, he may incline to humble
himself to the wishes of the most seditious and wait for time to bring
about better conditions. Others are of opinion that he will attempt
by arms to avenge himself for such great insults. Thus amid these
various opinions the decisions which may emerge are as interesting
in themselves as their consequences are great.
Meanwhile the king's replies have appeared to the outspoken
remonstrances of parliament to divert him from the journey to
Ireland and induce him to return and live here. As these are
couched in prudent language and equally adapted to the posture
of events here, they meet with the approval of right minded
men. In the course of them he refers in terms of moderate
resentment to the license which the parliamentarians at present
permit themselves, defends the motives from which he acted on
that occasion, reiterates the sincere zeal which he bears in his
heart for the propagation of the Protestant religion and for the
service of his subjects and his perfect readiness to sacrifice even
his life for these objects He represents the advantage that his
presence will bring to affairs in those parts, and promises that
before he undertakes the journey he will give notice again to
Parliament. By this he has made it quite apparent that he
does not persist in the idea and confirms the opinion I reported
that the offer of his person for that enterprise was for the purpose
of dissipating the false reports that he had given encouragement
to those rebels.
With regard to his presence with the parliament he declares
that he will agree if provision is made beforehand for his safety
or that he may go to another city. (fn. 3)
Although favourable winds have been blowing these last days
Warwick has not yet put to sea with the fleet. He remains in
the Downs and it is uncertain whether he will go any further.
He has thirty one ships with him, sixteen royal ones and fifteen
hired from merchants. All are provided with supplies for six
months, and for the rest powerfully armed.
In the Garter celebrations the king only gave the order to the
Duke of York. (fn. 4) He has not yet disposed of any of the vacant
appointments. Those who lost them are making great efforts
to recover them, but it is believed that all their pains will be in
vain.
News has come from Ireland of fresh encounters there with
advantage to the Catholics, of which better authenticated particulars
are awaited with impatience. It is said that a great
number of the heretics have been slain. This increases their
hatred of the true faith, and this very week they have caused
three priests to suffer by the hand of the executioner the glorious
pains of martyrdom, two in the city of York, and one here, (fn. 5)
arousing the regrets of those who are less thirsty for innocent
blood.
London, the 9th May, 1642.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
|
May 10.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Germania.
Venetian
Archives. |
47. Thadio Vico, Venetian Resident in Germany, to the
Doge and Senate.
The mediators have not yet imparted to the English ambassador
the emperor's paper about the affair of the Palatine,
since the nuncio had previously demanded in a memorial written
on purpose that the point should be inserted with reservations
about the Catholic religion and its free exercise in those states
in case any agreement should be concluded. However, few
believe in it, including the English ambassador himself, owing
to the objections in the way.
Vienna, the 10th May, 1642.
[Italian.]
|
May 12.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haia.
Venetian
Archives. |
48. Zuanne Zon, Venetian Secretary at the Hague, to the
Doge and Senate.
The Prince's influence has prevailed over the inclinations of
the States of Holland, and they have come to a unanimous
decision to consent to the prompt sending of an embassy extraordinary
to England. Their consent was intimated to the
Assembly General the day before yesterday. They also nominated
from their Province a person of standing, (fn. 6) and after
he has received the approval of the government and taken up
his charge together with another, who will be sent by the Provinces
in common ; he is to leave at once unless they come to some
new decision, to send the quality of extraordinary to the ordinary
now resident there. But in any case it is decided that they will
give him a colleague in that eventuality. So far the choice of
the States General rests on the two persons I reported, Gaspar
Vosbergh and the noble from the province of Utrecht. The
Dutch have chosen the Pensionary Borelli, of Amsterdam, who
has already made excuses against accepting this embassy. Everyone
believes that this important mission will be entrusted to him
and to Vosbergh. Owing to the consequences involved the
government consider it possibly the most serious that ever called
for their attention. This decision having been effected by those
of Holland, and a sum of 1,500,000 florins having been provided
for the first and most necessary requirements of the campaign,
they dissolved their Assembly and returned to their homes, and
they will not reassemble at the Hague for a long time.
They are expecting from the French Court a certain Cressi,
sent by his Majesty to return a complimentary office with his
sister and at the same time to impart to the government and to
Tullerie some special commissions of the king.
The Hague, the 12th May, 1642.
[Italian.]
|