|
|
Sept. 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
144. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
While awaiting the development of the monstruous machinations
of the leaders here, there is a scarcity of news and events. Contrary
winds have kept the Palatine on the other side of the sea, though he
is eagerly expected to excite the king's jealousy and force him to give
in the sooner. As the object in sending for the Prince has not been
disclosed to the Scots they cannot discover their attitude towards the
question, but on account of reports about it which are widely spread,
they have pushed on this week with the articles for peace to be proposed
to the king and have settled them. This would seem to argue a
disinclination among them to make so great a change, with dishonour
and loss to the king and the nation too. There have been great and
warm disputes, as some of the influential English cannot be persuaded
to make the offer to his Majesty, although they know quite well that
consent to the exorbitant conditions proposed (fn. 1)
in parliament. The Scots have decided upon two courses touching
(fn. 1) of the royal House, for their own advantage and the
punishment of his Majesty's followers, restricting these to a definite
number in each count, as that will serve sufficiently as an example
and to overawe the rest, whose goods will not be exempted, since such a
copious destruction of notable families and persons is not good for
the country. These articles are to be sent to General Essex to forward
to his Majesty. But others must first be examined, presented only
yesterday by the city of London for their own interests and to indicate
the persons who may not be pardoned, to be sent with the others.
Thus although the Lower House has already decided, these additions
involve fresh consultations, and may afford an opportunity to the
opposition to have them withdrawn or to stop them being sent. If
the king refuses them, as seems most likely, he exposes himself and
his posterity to damaging judgment and pronouncements, to escape
from which he needs greater resources than he commands at this
moment (sottomette se medesimo e la posterita a pregiudiciali
censura e decreti da quali ha bisogno di maggior forza e che
di presente non tiene per redimersi).
After his Majesty's attempt to win over Essex by the letter
reported, of which I enclose a copy, he continues to confine him
in the same place without giving battle, the conservation of
his army being too important. Some skirmishes have occurred
and the royalists have recently taken a very considerable place
which prevents food and munitions from reaching Essex by sea. (fn. 2)
After long discussion parliament has at last decided to send
General Waller with 6,000 foot and 4,000 horse to the West to
attack the king there and force him to retire or to fight. The
murmurs of the people have stimulated this decision, which has been
resisted by the dislike of Essex, and by others because (fn. 3) Waller,
and by many from fear that this reinforcement may put an end to
the business, which they want to go on, for their own advantage.
The Marquis of Arghil has gone with 6,000 foot to meet the
Earl of Antrim, who with a few Irish raised for the king's service,
has been so ill advised as to invade Scotland. The defeat of those
poor folk is expected soon as they cannot receive any assistance,
since the Protestant rising in Ireland is holding its own and help
will be sent to them from here.
Prince Rupert is staying in Cheshire without moving and
without other pretension except to preserve himself as best he
can. Some horse and foot have gathered for the king's side in
Cumberland and Westmorland, where they do not like the Scots
so near, but they do not venture to attack them under Newcastle,
whose capture draws nearer.
Although no reply has yet been given to the Dutch ambassadors
or contemplated, yet the seizure by the States of English goods
has roused parliament, which has deputed commissioners to give
them satisfaction about the ships seized, while some have already
been released.
The French resident has refused audience in the manner
offered, as he claims parity with the Dutch ambassadors, considering
that the superiority of his master more than counterbalances
the inferiority of title ; but as he was not going to propose anything
acceptable, parliament is indifferent about making the
way easy. He has asked for a passport to send to the king,
but has not yet received a reply, indeed the ministry here suspect
that he has letters from the queen to send to the king.
London, the 2nd September, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Enclosure. |
145. The King to Essex.
Sure he would embrace an opportunity to relieve this suffering
kingdom. The time is now. Let him join the king. If any
oppose they shall be made happy in spite of themselves.
From Liskeard, the 16th August, 1644. (fn. 4)
[Italian, from the English ; two pages.] |
Sept. 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Minister.
Venetian
Archives. |
146. Advices from the Hague, of the 2nd September, 1644,
forwarded by Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at
the Congress at Munster.
The States have provided two ships for the passage of the Prince
Palatine to England. He refused a ship sent by parliament, as
it appeared laden with a large sum in ready money, the exportation
of which is forbidden by the laws of the country.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
147. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
The king's forces, increased in numbers though short of arms,
are still holding Essex, with the parliamentary army, in a space
of five miles in Cornwall. As he can only receive scanty provision
of food by sea, he is suffering from an unbearable shortage of
every sort of provision, especially for horses. The nature of
the position does not allow him to give battle, which the royalists
would not willingly engage (fn. 5) on which his Majesty's hopes
at present rest. Waller has set out with a very powerful army
from here to effect a diversion, but his soldiers are disaffected
and as he does not wish well to Essex on personal grounds, it is
doubtful if he will effect what is desired. Essex for his part leaves
no means untried, even to laying snares for the king's person. Viscount
Wilmot, lieutenant colonel (commissario) of the royal cavalry
has been arrested and sent prisoner to Exeter, the secretary of state
having intercepted letters from him to the general concerting with him
a way to get the king into his power. There are other accomplices,
to examine whom his Majesty has gone himself to Exeter with only
50 horse. If he again shows clemency on this occasion he will reap
a bitter harvest for himself. Opton has been appointed to Wilmot's
post of lieutenant colonel, and it is said that General the Earl of
Brancfort, a Scot, somewhat suspected of disloyalty, is about to resign,
possibly because he is afraid of being dismissed with dishonour.
The affairs of the North are so depressed that in spite of the
rising in the king's favour in Cumberland and Westmorland, which
was considerable, they receive no relief, and some forces from
Lancashire have gone against the insurgents. The Scots, to be
free to go to their help, have again demanded the surrender of
Newcastle, but the governor replied that he would hold out to
the last, and if he was compelled to surrender, he would let in an
English garrison and not a Scottish one.
The forces of Prince Rupert attacked in their quarters near
Chester by Cromvel, a parliament leader, have lost 300 horse. (fn. 6)
The Prince is in Wales, where he is supposed to be trying to raise
reinforcements which will have to be strong to enable him to
recover York and repair the damage which the king has suffered
by his fault.
The risings continue in Ireland against the peace there, but they
move slowly here in sending the help required. But they have
decided to get together 80,000l. for the purpose, and this will be
found easily by the merchants concerned in the first payments,
whose hopes are raised of gaining possession of the lands promised
by parliament as a reward.
The Prince Palatine arrived at Gravesend yesterday, and it is
expected he will proceed to Greenwich to stay there a day or two.
The ministry here wanted to give him a formal reception, but he
seems to wish to make the entry private. He will be lodged
in the royal palace, and it is remarked that parliament has had
made ready the room where the royal Council used to be held.
The articles of peace have made no progress this week or even
been considered, under the pretext of parliament being busy over
the despatch of the army.
The Dutch ambassadors and the French Resident are still
slighted, without any reply, and the first have received scant
satisfaction even over the recovery of their ships.
London, the 9th September, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Sept. 10.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci.
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
148. Antonio Barbarigo, Venetian Proveditore of Zante,
to the Doge and Senate.
Some four days ago an English ship arrived in the port here,
having come from Leghorn to lade currants, its capacity being a
million or thereabouts. The price was fixed at 22 reals the
thousand, though with the greatest difficulty, because Mr. Charles
Vivian, the merchant to whom this ship was directed would not
rise to 18 reals, the opinion being held that there would be some
amount of competition between rival buyers and that the currants
of these islands will all find a market, especially as the harvest
has been small.
Zante, the 31st August, 1644, old style.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 13.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
149. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The king and queen with Cardinal Mazarini and the ministers
have gone to Fontainebleau. This is due chiefly to the queen's
desire to get away from the crowd. There is also the further
consideration of the queen of England who, thanks to the waters
of the baths, has recovered in great measure from her indisposition
and will very soon make her appearance before their Majesties.
They have thought it better that the meeting should take place
in the country, where it will be less observed and more brief
as they do not like to have that princess making a long stay in
Paris. After this she will have Sciatothieri assigned to her as a
residence ; where she will be able to live more in accordance with
her tastes, with less show and expense.
Paris, the 13th September, 1644.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 16.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci.
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
150. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
Thwarted by the perverse ill fortune which has usually dogged
his enterprises the king has failed in an effort to strike an important
blow against the army of General Essex. His Majesty had
schemed with the help of some soldiers, to set fire to his munitions.
The apparatus was ready, the matches lighted and the army
in battle array to attack at the same moment, in the hope of
winning victory in the confusion, and of purifying the rebel blood
by fire. But the fire was discovered and put out in a few minutes,
the co-operators escaping. Yet they are suffering great hardship,
and the cavalry, rendered daring by impatience, attempted to
force a quarter of the royalists, from which they were repulsed
with considerable loss. For the relief of the general they have
constant recourse to prayer, and they lament the time lost through
indecision. Meanwhile the king grows stronger every day,
although with unarmed and inexperienced troops. Waller, who
was sent that way some days ago with a strong army, has got no
further than Farnham, the soldiers being indignant at marching
under the command of his wife, who being zealous in religion,
grown ambitious of the popular favour and predominant over her
husband, has usurped the general's baton. To please them
parliament has recalled her, and sent fresh and urgent orders to
Waller to advance without delay, and not content with this
they have sent orders to Manchester to go there also with his
troops.
Prince Rupert, abandoning the North in despair, since the
troops he left behind have been defeated by Bruerton, has gone
to Bristol with 500 horse, and is marching to join the king, so
that most of the armies of the kingdom will soon be concentrated
in the narrowest corner of the West, and from the issue his
Majesty will either put himself into a state to continue the war,
or will have to yield to adverse fortune.
The Prince Palatine arrived in London on Saturday evening
and went to lodge at the royal palace prepared for him. There
were lively disputes in parliament as to the form of the compliment
to be paid him in the public name, since the generality do not approve
of his coming. The controllers of this machine decided upon the
form of which I enclose a copy, which they chose to have read to him by
commissioners, four of the Upper and eight of the Lower House,
who went to him. They have assigned him 30l. sterling a day for
his expenses but have limited the time to fourteen days. I enclose a
copy of his reply, which he afterwards gave in writing at their request,
displaying an obsequiousness and reverence to parliament only
equalled by his perversity against his uncle. For the rest, guided
by councillors of his nation, there is no hypocrisy that he does not
practise. While they were preaching privately, he appeared on
Sunday in the chapel of parliament, while he has visitea the most
zealous ministers of the synod with great respect. He does not yet,
however, meet with the entire approbation of the people, although he
attracts an extraordinary amount of attention, being rendered more
conspicuous by reason of the reports circulating about his pretensions,
than he ever did before when he visited England in time of peace.
He is receiving visits from the foreign ministers, and although
the Dutch ambassadors claimed the right hand in the palace, they
accommodated themselves to the ancient use. Audience is
appointed for me on Sunday morning as I wanted to let the
French resident go before, to follow his example. Meanwhile
his chief councillor has paid his respects to me, expressing the
indebtedness of his Highness to your Serenity, for the orders given
to the Ambassador Contarini at Munster. I replied suitably.
The Scottish forces are still besieging Newcastle. After its
capture, which they hope for soon, they mean to have an understanding
with the English, with whom they are ill satisfied, as they
are not behaving straightforwardly with them or with the same
intentions. They are creditors for the old debt and for the recent one
of 900,000l. sterling, and yet the English do not think of satisfying
them or of observing their other compacts. Here they only want to
live amid the confusion of religions, and with authority shared by a
few, sustained by chimaeras and new inventions without coming
to an end. But the Scots must have relief, as they are so deeply
involved with the burdens of their own country, which is poor and
barren and cannot hold out any longer. The Scots so modified the
articles that if the king could not embrace the peace with authority
he might at least do so with convenience ; but these have been laid aside,
and for the last two weeks not a word has been said about them either
in parliament or in the Council.
The Dutch ambassadors have given up thinking about getting
an answer, but are devoting all their attention to trade and have
obtained that foreign ships will be permitted to go to any port
soever, even of the king, provided they do not take money, arms
or munitions of war.
The French Resident wanted to go to his Majesty to hand him
back all the instructions and letters given to him for the treaty
of peace, apologising for not having been able so much as to get
a hearing, but they have refused him a passport, which makes
him more disgusted than ever. Yet they are somewhat anxious
about France. Quite recently they arrested near Exeter a courier
sent by the queen of England to the king. The letters have been
read in the Council but they maintain a strict silence about them,
and they have secretly sent to that Court, under the pretext of private
affairs, a French Huguenot who used to be employed as agent
of his Majesty, (fn. 7) to observe the proceedings there and to keep in touch
with the leaders of his party.
London, the 16th September, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Enclosure. |
151. Office read and presented to the Prince Palatine by a
Committee of 4 Lords and 8 Commons, on the 30th August, 1644.
Parliament only knew of his coming at 12 o'clock on Thursday.
Surprised at not being informed before. Parliament has always
had his affairs at heart.
Reply of His Highness.
Obligation for this and past favours. Made the journey to
show his sincere regard for the good cause they uphold, and hopes
his being present with them may prevent misunderstandings.
Wishes them all success in the great work they have undertaken
for the good of the Protestant cause. He hopes to satisfy both
Houses more amply of the reasons for his coming, and he will
gladly follow any advice which the Houses may be pleased to give
him. (fn. 8)
[Italian, from the English ; 4 pages.] |
Sept. 17.
Cinque Savii
alla
Mercanzia.
Risposte
Venetian
Archives. |
152. John Brumel, who is indebted to various persons of
Cephalonia for currants, which were entrusted upon his word to
Thomas Simons, general factor of the English Company and
creditor of the Company for large sums, supported by letters
from his king, asks for a safe conduct to go and meet the charges
of the Company and to satisfy his debts. The request seems to be
a reasonable one.
Dated at the office, the 17th September, 1644. |
| Matteo del Leze |
Savii. |
| Gabriele Zorzi |
| Vincenzo Correr |
| [Italian.] |
Sept. 22.
Senato.
Secreta,
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
153. To the Resident in London.
Acknowledge receipt of his letters of the 26th ult. The coming
of the Palatine amid all the doubts and pretexts calls for close
attention, amid the successes and the ever increasing pretensions
of the parliamentarians. We observe also the lack of friendliness
in the relations with the Dutch and the curt manner of treating
with the minister of France. All this calls for consideration and
demands fresh diligence and accurate reporting of the news.
Advices of Italy ; election of Pope Innocent X. (fn. 9)
Ayes, 118. Noes, 7. Neutral, 4.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 23.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
154. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
Thanks to his steady persistence the king has at length defeated
the army of General Essex, which he was besieging in the West,
and without a battle has won the greatest victory gained by
either side in the present war. All ways of succour being closed
the besieged suffered greatly from shortage of food, the more so
because the country people were so bitter against them that they
buried their things to prevent them having them. Accordingly
Essex, seeing the delay of the army to open a road for him,
and no help from Waller, with all the adverse circumstances, no
prompt obedience from his men and no valiant determination in
himself, by an act of cowardice rather than disloyalty stole away
by night with a few from his quarters, and taking a small boat
went by sea to Plymouth. The cavalry led by desperation,
crossed by the same place with a loss in men and horses that
may well be imagined. The infantry implored and obtained
quarter, only the men being allowed to go, and leaving in his
Majesty's power 36 guns, all their most copious munitions and
10,000 arms, which come in very usefully for his Majesty's needs,
as nearly half his army, consisting of 20,000 foot and 12,000 horse,
was without arms. (fn. 10)
The general did not dare to come here and wished to go by sea
to Portsmouth, but was driven back by the wind. He is doing
his utmost to assemble troops. Parliament has written to
Manchester, Waller, Cromvel and Brun to join him to stop his
Majesty's advance by a battle, as they fear his coming this way.
But the discords and quarrels between these leaders may easily
lead to disorders among them, and all together they will not be
able to get together an army half as large as the king's, who in
the meantime has summoned Plymouth to surrender and sent
forward 2,000 horse relieving the strong house of Basing, which
has been besieged for so long.
As a different issue in the West meant a lost cause, so this
great victory raises the king from the dust and puts the sword
again in his hand to seek a successful conclusion to this affair,
which this city disputes with him more than all the rest of the
kingdom.
It would help the king greatly if matters were re-established in
the North. There has been a feeble ray of light, as the Scots
make no progress at Newcastle. Only a few remain there, as a
part has been obliged to go against the insurgents in Westmorland
and Cumberland, who are increasing while three regiments have
been recalled to their own country, greatly disturbed by the few
Irish who landed there under the command of the Earl of Antrim,
who joined with a party of malcontents are causing the Marquis
of Arghil no slight preoccupation.
The insurgents in Ireland will also have to yield, as the
Catholics are withstanding them stoutly, and the provision made
by parliament for that kingdom will now have to be employed
elsewhere, owing to immediate requirements, as has happened
before, affairs at hand are more urgent than those far off.
All these events, making the issue doubtful again, have put an
end here to the idea of going on with the peace proposals, since the
king will not submit to the laws which they propose for him.
The Dutch ambassadors, busy with their commercial transactions,
are apparently doing nothing in the matter, knowing it to be
useless. The chancellor of Scotland, who arrived quite recently,
is also disappointed, finding them very far from the disposition
which he hoped.
The Prince Palatine still remains here, with his hopes dissipated,
not having found the slightest whiff to second them. Even those by
whose advice he came, influential as they are, seeing the strong
opposition in parliament, have not ventured openly to suggest
anything in his favour. He will have to leave in a few days, with the
stigma of an ambition more reprehensible than his father's since it
involves disloyalty to his uncle, which renders him odious to foreign
princes and to parliament itself. I have seen him and he showed
me the greatest courtesy. He urged me to thank your Serenity
for the instructions given to the Ambassador Contarini at
Munster.
The French Resident Sabran, after a great struggle has received
his passport to go to the king, in good form, as the first one sent
him left out his titles.
A gentleman of the Duke of Lorraine has arrived here with
letters to parliament for the release of his Agent, who has been in
prison a long time and his goods sequestrated. He is negotiating
but has not yet obtained what he wants.
Two leading Irishmen have escaped from the Tower. (fn. 11) Suspecting
that they had taken refuge in the house of the Spanish
ambassador parliament sent commissioners on purpose to search
it. He resisted this and spoke very warmly. In spite of this
they have arrested a Scottish servant of his and threaten him with
torture to find out all about them and about the goods of the
Catholics which he holds.
London, the 23rd September, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Sept. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
155. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
A courier has passed this way with all speed to Borbon to take
to the queen the great news of the victory over Essex. Her
Majesty is so happy in her native air of France that she finds it
equally salubrious for her bodily ailments and for the relief of
her mind as well.
Paris, the 27th September, 1644.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 28.
Senato.
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
156. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
With the victory in the West the aspect of affairs here has
promptly changed, and his Majesty's party has taken heart
everywhere. With his numerous army divided into three corps
he approached Plymouth without delay, and although he has
not succeeded in taking it in three vigorous assaults, yet he has
it closely invested and is hopeful of success. Meanwhile, Warwick
has come into the Downs with the fleet, well supplied with victuals.
The king has also taken Barnstaple and other inferior places,
towards a complete occupation of that part of the West, which
will be of great advantage to him, as well for the help from
France, whence a ship has arrived with munitions and arms, as
for other things, if he takes Plymouth.
Parliament is making the most strenuous efforts to have an
army capable of meeting him. They have sent for several
commanders here, with their men, and have arranged for five
regiments of citizens to take the field from this city. But with
money scarce they are short of all requisites, having lost a
considerable number of the best guns in the kingdom and a
quantity of arms and munitions. The commanders themselves
do not show that obedience which is desirable and they quarrel
with one another.
General Essex is at Southampton, collecting troops, but with
scant success. Balfur, lieutenant general of the cavalry, has
reported the losses suffered in passing through the royal forces,
and asks for money. His men are dejected and he is marching
with 2,000 to meet the general. Manchester, who has the most
flourishing corps of 7,000 men, has been to parliament to point
out the necessity for a reserve. This is in order to avoid putting
himself under the general, but the present crisis does not admit of
excuses or reserves, and they have sent him away with orders to
continue his march. However he can find plenty of excuses to
enable him to get off, if he wishes to, as his obligations are to the
associated counties.
If Plymouth is taken it will be a great achievement ; but those
most devoted to his Majesty would have liked him, before the winter, to
have made an effort to march into Kent. This is the only stroke that
can win him back his crown, and they are afraid that the chance may
slip. The delay enables the parliamentarians to perfect their
preparations, with a disadvantage to the king as great as he experienced
at Gloucester, after the capture of Bristol.
The inhabitants of York, encouraged by these successes, which
draw the enemy's forces away from them, have made a rising
against the parliamentary garrison, which has evacuated it of
its own free will, to avoid greater danger, and leaving the town
free, so they write. This much is certain : the Scottish army is
divided. One part has returned to Scotland, to put down
disturbances, which are increasing ; and another portion has gone
to Cumberland and Westmorland against the insurgents, leaving
only a few at Newcastle, who have suffered loss from a sortie of
the besieged. That town is mined in some parts, but the mines
have not been fired, as it is hoped that fear of them will prove
more effective, because the country there near the sea is not
suitable for mines.
In spite of all these advantages the king is generously renewing
his offers of peace. He has sent to parliament by a trumpet the
letter of which I enclose a copy. Owing to an objection raised
by the Council of State that the address was faulty, it was only
read in the Houses yesterday. At the same time they proposed
to settle and despatch to his Majesty the articles they have had
in hand such a long time, merely for the purpose of gaining time,
so as to parry this thrust, which may give occasion to the Scots
and others, who wish for peace, to speak in favour of it, in the
present weakness.
The Palatine no longer pays or receives visits. He regrets the
credulity and confidence he placed in those who sent for him, whereby
this ill advised prince sacrificed his honour and interest to gratify
the passions of those who made the experiment at his expense for the
sake of forwarding their own audacious designs, which have encountered
such fierce opposition that they have not ventured to do battle
for them. It is said that the Palatine will issue a manifesto, but it
would be better for him to conceal the reason for his coming, rather
than to put forward a proposal or demand to parliament in his own
interest. But whatever he does he will find it difficult to remove the
general opinion and impression, which is only too well justified
by his reply to the parliamentary commissioners, which I forwarded.
The Dutch ambassadors, immersed in their commercial affairs,
did not meet with the response which they desired and left last
week, with protests and angry words to the commissioners
appointed to treat with them.
The Spanish ambassador, since the examination of his servant,
fearing the wrath of parliament at his being concerned in the
escape of the two Irish prisoners, has handed in two very humble
papers in justification of his action. But to-day these men have
been found in the house of a Flemish Catholic, and sent back at
once to prison. Parliament is acting with great severity in the
matter, and this causes the ambassador a great deal of anxiety.
London, the 30th September, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Enclosure. |
157. Letter of the King to Parliament, dated from Tavistock,
the 8th September, 1644.
Renews offer of peace and reconciliation, in spite of his recent
victory and suggests the consideration of his neglected message
from Evesham of the 4th July. (fn. 12)
[Italian, from the English ; 3 pages.] |