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Dec. 3.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
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52. To the Secretary in England.
The Master of the Posts at Antwerp writes to his correspondent
here that the commissioners of parliament at Rochester have
opened his packet directed to us, but he adds no particulars.
Nevertheless the packet has arrived this week. You will find out,
with caution, what has happened, without betraying knowledge
of the incident, so that you may not be induced to make a complaint
without cause. You will send full particulars, using the
cipher freely, in order not to interrupt the course of your most
fruitful services, especially in reporting events. The last letters
received from you are of the 13th ult.
Ayes, 137. Noes, 2. Neutral, 6.
[Italian.]
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Dec. 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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53. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
Having lost 1,000 men, mostly citizens of London, in the
two assaults on Basing House, Waller wished to make a third,
careless of washing out his own dishonour with the blood of others.
But his conduct is blamed, all refuse obedience ; many of the
trained bands which were with him have returned to London,
others have deserted to the king, so that enfeebled and abandoned
in the face of Obton he has retired to Farnham, whence he is
imploring help. In order to discover the fugitives and make an
example for the rest, parliament has had every house searched
at night, even those unoccupied, and has sent him the few men
that it had ready. They wanted to send more regiments of the
trained bands thither, but when the outcry about this reached
the ears of the mayor, who was changed at the beginning of last
month and governs more moderately than the other, he persuaded
the Common Council to send the aldermen to parliament to
point out the disturbance that would result if the city lost so
many workmen, their own safety resting upon the defence of
these men, who were privileged not to go abroad for any cause
soever, as they had objected to do with all the kings. (fn. 1) This
representation of the city being considered, they suspended the
order and are discussing how they may maintain constantly
two moderate armies, i.e. one for Essex of 10,000 foot with 3,000
horse ; and the other for Waller of 6,000 foot and 2,000 horse,
which are to be paid regularly every month by commissioners
expressly deputed for the purpose, who will be subject to enquiry
whenever desired.
General Essex has returned here and it is not believed that he will
support this idea, since the sole object of the regulation is to deprive
the leaders of the exorbitant advantages they derived from the lack of
order in the past, drawing double pay for themselves and never
satisfying the soldiers. In any case such efforts will afford a fresh
inducement to the city to provide a safe fund for this purpose. It
would seem that parliament, flattering itself with the hope of its
stability is proceeding to arrange the method of government. They
have decided that the Houses shall meet every other day in the
week, and on the other days the commissioners shall discuss their
various affairs to bring them when matured to public decision.
They began this last week and it is going on. Some difficulty
however has arisen about the form of oath for the commissioners
of the new great seal, and as this has not been settled the use of
the seal is deferred. By the ordinance annulling the acts since the
chancellor's flight, parliament pretends to take away the dignities
with which the king has rewarded his deserving subjects.
The principal foundation on which the English build is
assistance from the Scots. Although the latter have not yet
received the 50,000l. sent by sea, or even prepared an army of
consideration, have quite recently afforded strong evidence that
they think nothing of their internal dissensions and that they
mean to defend this cause at all risks. For the king having with
fresh orders and protests forbidden them to meddle in these
affairs, has received a very sharp and impertinent reply, as they
sent his Majesty a copy of the articles signed when he was in
Scotland, which he disowned later as extorted. (fn. 2) They also complain
in the same letter of his detention in prison at Oxford
of the Commissioner Lodun who negotiated in France the renewal
of the alliance between Scotland and that crown, pretending that
they are the competent judges of that minister and not his Majesty.
The king upholds his own party the more for this, and he has
honoured the Marquis of Hamilton with the title of duke, although
he is not considered sincere in his devotion to his Majesty's interests
by everyone. The king also does not neglect to send officers to
the border counties, to keep the people there ready for defence.
He would go there personally, but is waiting for some reply
from the Ambassador Harcourt about the peace. That minister
has been expecting to hear the views of parliament about his
paper, but did not get them until late yesterday evening, although
commissioners had been sent to him on the preceding day with
reference to his complaints about the opening of his packets
and the ill treatment of couriers, with assurances that it should
not happen again. The reply is in the terms I reported, indeed,
to hinder the negotiations still more, they have preceded it by a
general order that foreign ministers who have any business to
transact with parliament, must present a paper signed with their
own hand to the President of one of the two Houses, as they will
no longer treat under hand, as was the custom formerly, and they
have informed him of this order.
The French ministers are beginning to recognise the difficulties of
terminating this great affair with honour, as well as the disinclination
of parliament and their aim to advance themselves to sovereignty
by means of France. But since Cressi pledged himself to his mistress
that they desired an accommodation here, he is now trying to amend
his fault by laying the blame on the Spanish Council of the king. I
understand that words have passed between him and Harcourt on
the subject. Nothing more is said about the ambassador's plate.
London, the 4th December, 1643.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
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Dec. 5.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
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54. To the Secretary in England.
Acknowledge the receipt of his letters of the 20th ult., and
forward the advices of Italy. There is nothing to add. To make
every effort to secure the free transit of currants from the Levant
islands to that kingdom, adopting such methods as he deems
most sure and likely to facilitate the introduction.
Ayes, 137. Noes, 1. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.]
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Dec. 11.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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55. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
General Waller who retired to Farnham, being abandoned by
most of his soldiers, wanted to come here, but parliament has
charged him to stay so as not to lose the rest, and sent him a few
troops that were ready here, though all told he will not have more
than 2,000 combatants. Obton on the other hand has 8,000
and is waiting for an opportunity to destroy him entirely, before
proceeding to Kent. Some skirmishes in his favour have already
taken place.
Essex remains here, pressing for money. His army, divided
between St. Albans and Newport, is already much enfeebled and
dwindles daily. On this account they have all this week been
debating how to maintain two armies on a solid basis and well
regulated. But as this is the most difficult of all their questions
the step from the will to the act is not an easy one. There are
difficulties not only in the matter of money but of soldiers also,
and they are touting every day for volunteers, under specious
pretexts, without result, while the citizens are prevented from
going out by the demands of the city and their own inclination.
Amid all these agitations hope of assistance from the Scots alone
keeps them in heart. Their entry into England is announced
every day although actually they are not ready, being hindered
by various obstacles, as your Serenity shall hear. The arrival of
plenipotentiaries from that government is awaited with impatience,
with whom parliament can proceed in union in all deliberations
and negotiations. There is no news however of their departure or
even of the arrival of the ship which went to that country with
commissioners and 50,000l. but we hear that some royal ships
are lying in wait for it off the northern coast.
While nothing but hopes are coming from Scotland the truce in
Ireland is producing results for the king. 4,000 armed Irish have
landed in Lancashire, against whom parliament has sent Bruerton
with some troops. But Biron is advancing from Oxford with
2,000 horse to assist them and it is not thought that the other
can resist him. His Majesty has gone to Reading, determined
not to delay any longer to squeeze this city. For this he is
summoning all the forces he can gather from all parts of the
kingdom. The Earl of Newcastle, having furnished all the places
of the North and left that district in charge of General Chingh,
with half of his army, is marching with the rest towards Cambridge
to this end. The royalists feel confident that with their party
maintaining its vigour in Scotland, the others will not venture far
away, especially as they cannot expect the contributions promised
them here which will be stopped either by their own needs or by the
confusion caused by the neighbouring forces, not to speak of the
energetic preparations being made by the border counties, which are
armed and determined.
Two men were arrested bringing to the mayor of London
proclamations of the king and letters to others. One of them
sentenced by a Court Martial, was publicly executed on Monday.
Although their action is condemned, yet the severity shown is not
approved, as people like the laws and not the judge to condemn in
this country. (fn. 3)
I enclose a copy of the reply given by parliament to the French
ambassador Harcourt. It contains pretensions destructive of all
negotiations either on the part of the Most Christian or of the king
here, as they claim that he shall acknowledge himself ambassador
to them, and state that they will be prepared to listen to his
negotiations if they are in conformity with the last league and
covenant, which destroys the monarchy. The ambassador sent
two of his gentlemen, one to France and the other to the king. The
latter suffered the usual fate of arrest when leaving the city,
although he had a passport. It is believed that the ambassador
will not make any move until both of them have returned.
Meanwhile the parliamentarians announce that they have intercepted
letters written by the secretary Nicolas to the Ambassador Gorin
in Holland, commanding him, in his Majesty's name to remain
there some time yet to thwart the audiences and negotiations of the
Deputy Stricland intimating that there is no hurry for him to arrive
in France, since Alarcurgh has sent a courier to the Court there with
the requests of the king, and this serves to discredit him with the people.
London, the 11th December, 1643.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
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Enclosure.
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56. Copy of the Parliament's Reply to the Memorial of the
French Ambassador.
Desire for peace with honour to the king, the preservation of
the true religion, the privileges of parliament and the liberty of
the subject in the three kingdoms, in conformity with their last
solemn league and covenant. If the Prince of Harcourt will
make some proposal to parliament they will do what is proper and
justify their procedure to the world. (fn. 4)
[Italian.]
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Dec. 11.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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57. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
I have carried out your Serenity's instructions about the
currants, and enclose copies of my letter to the secretary of state
and of his reply. He assures me not only of a final decision and
the king's consent, but that the Bristol merchants are ready to
take up the trade. This shows his Majesty's intention to draw
trade to that side to hamper London. This will not be difficult
since their ships which come from the Strait will suffer great
inconvenience in not being able to take refuge in the west, of which
coast the king will remain absolute master once Plymouth is
taken, and that cannot hold out. They have already had a first
taste of this, the Bristol men having captured two ships laden
with wine at Bordeaux for here.
In spite of all this, for the sake of competition and for the
benefit of your subjects in the islands, in conformity with my
instructions, I have got my confidants to communicate, with
suitable considerations, the decision about the reduction of
the duty to the governor of the Levant Company here. I am
assured that he has called the company together twice, but with
the lack of business on the mart, many merchants living in
retirement in the country to avoid the dangers and vexations
of the present times, he has not been able to form a quorum.
When he does succeed, the activity of the Bristol men being
already known, I hope that jealously and envy will mitigate their
unreasonable obstinacy.
London, the 11th December, 1643.
[Italian.]
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Enclosure.
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58. Letter to the Secretary of State Nicolas, the 19th
November, 1643.
I have informed the Signory of his Majesty's orders for the
transport of currants to Bristol and your efforts to induce the
merchants there to proceed with their own ships to the islands
of Zante and Cephalonia to fetch them. Your letter has also
afforded them great satisfaction. To facilitate this mutual trade
the Senate has decided to reduce the duty on currants, and this
may prove a further inducement to the merchants of Bristol
to send their ships. I shall await the final decision about this
and your courteous reply.
[Italian.]
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59. Reply to the Secretary of State Nicolas of the 30th
November, 1643.
Acknowledges his letter of the 19th which communicated to
his Majesty who is gratified by the sentiments of the republic
and at the decree reducing the duty. He has ordered this to be
communicated to the merchants of Bristol, who are busy equipping
ships to carry goods from this kingdom and bring back currants
and other foreign goods which are needed. Will not fail to
communicate anything further.
[Italian : from the English.]
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Dec. 15.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Munster.
Venetian
Archives.
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60. Advices from the Hague, of the 15th December, 1643,
forwarded by Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to
the Congress at Munster.
The ambassadors for England have not yet started, although
provided with 16,000 francs for their expenses and with two
ships of war for the sea passage. The Province of Holland is
still hesitating, having misgivings that this embassy may not be
viewed favourably either by the king or by the parliament,
particularly as parliament is withholding its decision about
granting a passport to the Baron di Dona, who in a private
character is to visit their Majesties in the name of the Prince of
Orange and to cross the sea with the ambassadors aforesaid.
The Resident of England has handed in a memorial against
some preachers who have spoken ill of the king from their pulpits.
It is not known what satisfaction to give him owing to doubts
about the parliament.
[Italian, from the French.]
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Dec. 18.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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61. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
Viscount Obton, to second the king's design to squeeze this
city, good subjects being forewarned with incitements and orders
to help him, has twice attempted to pass from Hampshire into
Kent, but the softness of the ground in the winter season has
prevented him, from bringing his guns. The parliamentarians,
profiting by this are reinforcing their party in that quarter, and
are trying to block the most convenient ways. His Majesty
is not altogether satisfied with that commander, who by his
careless delays has lost the opportunity of defeating Waller and
of pushing on to occupy the positions on the river in that county,
which is the most essential point for the realisation of these
designs. But Waller's army, assembled at Farnham, is as weak
or weaker than ever, so that he has been obliged to come here in
person by night. He stayed a few hours and represented the
need by word of mouth, obtaining a little money and assurances
of succour as well. The latter is to be sent to him from the army
of Essex which is also languishing from the weakness caused by
the withdrawal of the trained bands and by the constant desertion
of the volunteers. He is here insisting upon the assignment of
a fund of 27,000l. a month for the maintenance of a proper army.
So is Admiral the Earl of Warwick, who has orders to leave with
all the merchantmen, ready to sail for the relief of Plymouth,
but the royalists being already masters of the fort and having
secured the mouth of the port, do not seem to fear that enterprise,
which involves great consequences.
One of the commissioners chosen for the new great seal has
refused to take the oath, representing that he is personally
unskilled in the law (si e escusato con la propria incapita nelle
leggi). (fn. 5) The others have taken it without scruple, and are to
use the seal next week. I hear that the king is preparing a
declaration, not yet issued, in which he shows that legally, if the
great seal he has is invalid, that of the present parliament is
equally so, which was convoked under it. But all appeal to
reason and law is now superfluous, where will and force dominate,
and those who dared to take arms against the ordainer will not
be afraid of contravening any ordinances.
Every day they artfully announce the entry of the Scots, having
no other means to compensate their own weakness which they
cannot hide much as they would like to. It is certain, however,
that no considerable army is assembled in that kingdom where the
50,000l. have not yet arrived, being stopped at Uls, possibly by
order, with the intention of seeing some preparations before the
payment is made.
Meanwhile regiments arrive daily from Ireland to serve his
Majesty, and bring arms for others besides themselves. Another
army is being formed in Wales to join them, so the king will soon
have 60,000 armed men in his various armies. The Marquis
of Newcastle who has rested his troops at Lincoln, is not advancing
but is now in Nottinghamshire, to prevent the parliamentary
troops in Lancashire from entering Yorkshire, from whence they
might advance to Cambridge.
The French ambassador is disputing about the manner of treating.
He gives sound reasons for evading the presentation of
credentials, which they ask, excusing by the king's absence those
already presented to his councillor in Scotland by the French
gentleman. He refuses also to give a paper signed by himself,
as required by their decree of all foreign ministers, and intimates
that he would like to have commissioners appointed. But he
has received an absolute refusal on both points, because the
parliamentarians have no sincere desire for peace, their only
object being to obtain some advantage for the sovereignty. Yet
the ambassador would not be so stiff had not the king earnestly
desired him not to prejudice him on this very ticklish point, and
seemed to prefer the abandonment of all negotiations. It would
seem, however, that in the city Council there is rising, if not a
disposition to peace, at least a diminution in their obstinacy for
war. Harcourt is aware of this and is trying through Cressi
to foment it.
In pursuance of the intentions expressed in the letter of which
I forwarded a copy, of diverting trade from London, his Majesty
has issued the enclosed proclamation.
London, the 18th December, 1643.
[Italian.]
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Enclosure.
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62. Proclamation issued at Oxford, the 2nd December, 1643.
Permission to take cloth or other woollen goods to any part
under his Majesty's obedience, and to transport the same to any
places abroad in friendship with his Majesty, on paying the
duties.
[Italian, from the English.]
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Dec. 25.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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63. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
Weakness and impossibility of execution have prevented the
fulfilment of the orders for giving Waller the reinforcements for
which he asked and which he required to take the field against
Obton. So securing himself as best he may at Farnham he is
waiting for time to bring him the convenience and opportunity to
move which the other is hoping to secure from his own exertions.
Thus he has abandoned his route which he found too hard for his
guns, and drawing near the sea has captured Arundel, (fn. 6) where he
has fortified the castle, to secure his retreat, in case, when he
enters Kent he does not meet with the help from the rural population
which he hopes for, or is compelled to wait for help from the
king.
His Majesty persists in his determination to approach London
with a powerful army. He has issued a declaration to the inhabitants
and promises a sack, in which those of his party shall assist. But
with the increasing difficulties in the way of this design, which become
more apparent every day, this may be intended rather to intimidate
and cause divisions, now the city is less obstinate than at first against
peace, as your Serenity shall hear.
John Pym is dead, (fn. 7) a solicitor of civil causes but the promoter
of the present rebellion and the director of the whole machine. His
body has been shown to the people in his own house for two days, and
on Wednesday it was buried in Westminster, in the presence of the
two Houses and a great concourse. This hydra is not therefore left
without a head, but so far no one has appeared of equal application
and ability. Indeed it would seem that rivalry for the lead gives
hope of divisions and parties, which affords the easiest and safest
means for restoring the king to his former greatness.
Every effort is being made to bring up the parliamentary forces
to strength, as the two armies do not exceed 8,000 combatants.
Essex has gone back to his after obtaining assignments of 30,000l.
sterling a month, with an undertaking to maintain with good pay
10,000 foot and 3,000 horse. But the assignment is not secure nor
is the levy easy. They have closed all the recruiting stations in the
city, which laboured in vain, there being no more volunteers for this
service. Thus their chief hopes rest upon the Scots. This
assistance languishes from the delays occasioned by difficulties
which may be due to the opposition of the royalist party in that
kingdom. A price of 500l. has been put on the head of the Duke
of Hamilton, its leader, but the Scots excuse themselves by the
need for more money. They have received the first sent and
have had orders printed for the gathering of the army, which is
to be ready on the 29th inst., old style. If it is not prevented, and
the king is not without hope, the delay will at least serve to
prepare a vigorous resistance on the frontier, for which his
Majesty's officers and ministers are working with all their might,
8,000 men of the four border counties being inscribed for carrying
arms, besides the armies already on foot, while Newcastle and
other places are well provided.
Troops continue to come from Ireland, and Bruerton who tried
to offer resistance with a few parliamentary troops has been
defeated and put to flight. Parliament has written to the
magistracy of Dublin remonstrating with them for accepting the
truce ; but they have replied in good form sending them a copy
of all the promises which have reached them in letters, which
have never been fulfilled.
The French ambassador's negotiations have been spiked by the
pretensions of parliament to recognition and the signed paper.
It does not become the honour of France to concede this and the
king here will not allow it. He did not even like the first memorial
presented by the ambassador, although addressed to a simple
member of one of the Houses, and not to the president, as the
decree ordains. In virtue of the general passport which he
obtained at the beginning, he is sending to-day one of his gentlemen
to Oxford, and he talks of going there himself one of these
days, more to wish them the compliments of the season than for
any business.
The militia of London which in addition to other burdens and hardships,
is bound to guard the fortifications eight days and eight nights
consecutively in two watches, is inclined to support the petitions
made by the mayor and aldermen to parliament for peace. The
king does not miss the opportunity, and is trying to encourage this
disposition all he can. He is trying in particular to separate them
from the parliament but success is difficult since the fear of receiving
too hard conditions will keep them together, at any disadvantage.
So this good will is suppressed by the objections of the parliamentarians,
without producing any good results as yet.
London, the 25th December, 1643.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Dec. 26.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Munster.
Venetian
Archives.
|
64. Advices from the Hague, of the 26th December, 1643,
forwarded by Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to
the Congress at Munster.
The embassy for England, although much progress has been
made, appears more inclined to recede into the background. The
States of Holland wish to be sure that parliament does not
disapprove of it. Parliament claims to be treated on an equality
with the king, and the king takes offence at this. Thus the
Count d'Arcurt, not having chosen to satisfy the parliament in
this particular, is unable to make the smallest progress in his
affairs, under various pretexts, which cover other more recondite
ends. Parliament does not wish it otherwise while waiting for
the arrival of the Scots, and so the mischief gradually becomes
unmeasurable.
[Italian, from the French.]
|
Dec. 29.
Collegio,
Secreta.
Esposizioni,
Roma.
Venetian
Archives.
|
65. The Secretary of England came into the Collegio and
spoke as follows :
My Master, the King of Great Britain deeply regrets the present
war with his Holiness, not only because of the inconvenience and
expense to your Serenity, but because owing to his own civil
disturbances he cannot intervene as he would have done, to help
the public cause, as he has upon other occasions. He cannot
even employ his offices, because he has no credit for correspondence
with the enemy. He does not wish to be altogether useless,
and so, in spite of his difficulties through internal disorders, and
as a sign of the friendship he has always professed for the republic,
he directed me to say that he will permit his subjects to come and
serve your Serenity and you may levy as many as you please.
He asks you to accept this in place of what he wishes he could do
to show his sincere affection. I ask your Serenity to accept the
memorial which I present, for a levy, about which I have treated
with the Savio alla Scrittura.
After the memorial had been read the doge said, the republic
appreciates his Majesty's good will highly and we thank him from
our heart. We pray God to deliver him from trouble, for the
gratification of his friends, who desire it. We wish him all
prosperity and we retain the esteem for him we have always
expressed. The Savio alla Scrittura will see about the memorial
and report. We thank you also for your affection for our country.
With this the secretary made a reverence and departed.
Most Serene Prince :
Having been invited by the Savio alla Scrittura to try and make
a levy of 4,000 English or Scots to serve the most serene republic,
I took the matter up with great pleasure as I have for many years
desired an opportunity of showing my devotion to your Serenity.
Two difficulties stood in the way, one that there was no security
that the men would come, the other that if they came they might
not arrive in time. It now seems to me that I have not adequately
expressed my devotion unless the offer is carried into effect.
I have therefore thought fit to represent to your Serenity how
easily this affair can be managed. In the first place this levy
can only be prevented by the king or the parliament. His
Majesty should not make use of these troops, because he has
already declared his wish to assist the most serene republic ; and
moreover it will serve his purpose for such people to quit the
realm, as they will be levied from those who are disaffected
against him or from those of turbulent opinions. Parliament
can neither prevent the levy nor their passage, because the
provinces where they will be raised are absolutely dominated
by the king, and the ships of parliament are not in those waters.
The time required for bringing them here will depend upon my
despatch from here, on the diligence shown about the voyage,
on the vigorous representations I will make to his Majesty and
on the prompt equipment of the soldiers and ships. I engage
my honour that if I am despatched before new year's day I will
have half the troops here before the end of March, and the rest
by the middle of April.
[Italian.]
|