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May 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
216. Giovanni Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in
France, to the Doge and Senate.
The Princess Anne de Nevers has suddenly married the Palatine
Prince Edward. (fn. 1) She was previously engaged to the Duke of
Guise and then to the son of the Duke d'Elboeuf, but this young
and vigorous prince intervened and the wedding was celebrated
ere announced. At the house of a certain Abbot d'Aubigny
the contract was signed, the marriage consummated and this
scion of a House which has done so much harm to the faith,
became a Catholic, all on the same day. The attendants and
confidents of the princess were all left in the dark, so her mother
will have less reason to complain of the step being taken without
her consent, since its completion depended on secrecy. The Queen
of England was the most secret mediatrix, glad of the opportunity
of marrying and providing for her nephew in this country. The
queen regent also lent her assent, granting him a pension to make
up for the expected loss of the pension furnished him by England
and Holland. The Court does not approve of the marriage, considering
that the princess has chosen an inferior, the youngest of
many brothers and an exile, entirely dependent on her property.
The queen of England is as usual still ill with fever, but receives
frequent visits from their Majesties and the Cardinal Mazarini.
Paris, the 2nd May, 1645.
[Italian.] |
May 4.
Collegio
Secreta.
Esposizioni
Principi.
Venetian
Archives. |
217. The Resident of England came into the Collegio and
spoke as follows :
I am so anxious to depart to report my negotiations to his
Majesty that I must ask your Serenity to be good enough to reply
to my last requests when your other occupations permit.
The doge replied that the reply was ready and would be read
to him. After it was read he said, When I left his Majesty had
not heard of the trouble with the Turk and I was instructed on
the foundation of the gracious declarations of your Serenity to
speak and ask, as I have done. Owing to this new crisis his
Majesty would be satisfied with a pledge from your Serenity that
would do you no hurt. However, if you think it would, his
Majesty must be satisfied with your good will and regard.
The doge replied that the regard was certain and could not be
greater. They were also obliged to more through what his
Majesty's predecessors had done for the republic, but their troubles
and expenses prevented them from doing more. If this is represented
to his Majesty they are sure he will be satisfied. They
wished him every content and prosperity.
The Resident returned thanks and said he would be leaving
immediately leaving a secretary until his Majesty would have an
opportunity to do more. He gave a letter of the king, which
was read, in favour of the merchant Recaut, for whom he also left
a memorial, asking for despatch, and making his bow he went out.
The letter and memorial were removed and placed with the
packet for the decision of the 15th September, 1645.
[Italian.] |
| Venetian
Transcripts
Public Record
Office. |
218. Carolus D.G. Mag. Brit. etc. Rex, Ser. Principi
Francisco Eritio Venetarum Duci etc. (fn. 2)
Serenissimo Princeps etc. Quantis in angustiis versemur, ex
quorundam rebellium conjuratione Ser. Vram. latere non potest.
Qui non in nos solum odia sua scelerata exercent, sed et infidos
quosque et ab obedientia nobis debita non recedentes subditos
haud dubitant convertere. Quo fit ut societas mercatorum
Indiae Orientalis etsi a nobis fundata, multisque privilegiis
aucta et ornata fuerit a dilecto nobis Petro de Richaut equite
optime alioquin ab ea merito, maximam pecuniarum vim detinere
audeat, nulla alia comperta causa nisi quod sui in nos officii
memor, nefariorum consiliorum, quibus cum prefatis rebellibus
conjungebatur illa societas particeps sese noluerat. Quocirca
nos illius rei, ut par est, consulentes, cum illius societatis merces
bonaque permulta in ser. rep. vestrae dominum delata esse
intelligeremus aequum esse judicavimus ser. V. rogare, ut per
vos liceat procuratoribus ejusdem de Richaut bona ea prehendere
et occupare, vel tortio alicui servanda committere, donec illi de
debita pecunia in integrum satisfactum fuerit. Facit equitas
causae perspectusque in ser. V. justitiae cultus, ne dubitemus quin
virum nobis multis nominibus charum plurima indigna jamdiu
perferendum, vestra patrocinio vestraque authoritate conservatum
satisque fortunis restitutum velitis. Nobis certerem longe gratissimam
facietis amicitiaeque arctissimae quae nobis cum ser. V.
ser. que rep. intercedit maxime consentaneam. Cui gratiae ubi
se occasio obtulerit vicem referre non dubitamus. Deus ser. V.
prosperrimam salutem indulgeat, nee non bonis omnibus cumulet
at que adaugeat.
Ser. V. consanguineus et amicus benevolentissimus.
Charles R.
Datae Oxoniae 8vo Calend. Feb. 1644/5. |
Memorial. (fn. 3)
219. Sir Peter Rycaut of London has preferred to suffer every
sort of calamity and the loss of all his property by the violence of
parliament, rather than desert his Majesty. In consequence he
is now living in poverty at Rouen, though his loyalty deserves the
strongest recommendation.
The East India Company owes him 40,509 bank ducats, and
refuses payment of this enormous sum on the plea of an illegal
confiscation made by parliament of his effects, so that for the space
of many years he has been unable to obtain anything. By Divine
providence effects belonging to this Company have reached this
city, the asylum of perfect justice, addressed to the merchants
Walter and Isaac Vandervort. An attachment was laid on the
goods but the merchants plead the confiscation made by parliament,
contrary to all right and justice. Rycaut will thus have to
engage in a long and costly suit unless he is protected by your
Serenity, as his Majesty asks. I beseech you to have this matter
despatched by the Collegio so that it may be settled forthwith.
If the preoccupations of the state prevent this it is humbly
suggested that the Senate appoint a committee of its members
to decide the case without delay, thus affording an example of
the incorruptible justice of the state.
[Italian.] |
May 6.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
220. To the King of Great Britain.
Acknowledge receipt through Talbot of his letter in favour of
Rychaut. Always pleased to give him satisfaction and Rycaut
will experience their desire to show their good will, and whenever
the parties concerned plead their cause they will be heard and
despatched with all speed. Compliments.
Ayes, 99. Noes, 1. Neutral, 9.
[Italian.] |
May 6.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Rome.
Venetian
Archives. |
221. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to
the Doge and Senate.
An Englishman, Sir Kenelm Digbi, has arrived at Rome,
sent by the queen of England. He comes in the capacity of
gentleman to treat of the affairs of that sovereign at this Court.
Rome, the 6th May, 1645.
[Italian.] |
May 8.
Collegio,
Secreta.
Esposizioni,
Principi.
Venetian
Archives. |
222. In fulfilment of your Excellencies' commands, I Vicenzo
Schietti, Ragionato of the Collegio went to the residence of the
Resident of England to return his Majesty's letter and give him
the chain voted. Those of the house admitted me and said that
the Resident set out yesterday morning at 16 hours, and showed
me a sheet which they asked me to read. I glanced through it
and saw that it said that if any one came in the name of the
state to bring anything, they should not receive it, since he had not
been received as his quality required. Pretending that I had
read nothing I said it was not my business to read such things
and I had only been sent to give him this ducal missive and a
chain and to wish him a pleasant journey in the name of the state.
They made no answer, and I returned bringing back the letter and
the chain.
[Italian.] |
May 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
223. Giovanni Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in
France, to the Doge and Senate.
The first extasies over the marriage of the Princess Anne to
the Palatine have been followed by a speedy repentance. The
Queen of England undoubtedly helped the business though the
regent received it coldly. The lovers believed she would eventually
consent, whereas when she got scent of it she sent the Count de
Brienne to ask the Princess if the report was true. The Princess
denied it, but the fact being ascertained, the regent sent M. de
Brienne again to order the Prince to quit the country at once and
to forbid the Princess to leave her house. The Prince has gone,
travelling by easy stages to allow time for a recall to reach him.
He has leave to stay 4 or 6 days at Rouen, sailing thence to Holland
with one of the king's gentlemen, who is to consign him to his
mother and the Prince of Orange. To induce the curate to marry
him he announced his intention of changing his religion, but owing
to the ensuing confusion he has not yet embraced Catholicism
publicly. It is probable that his relations in Holland will do their
utmost to confirm him in their old creed. This would favour
the argument of the nullity of the marriage, if the regent opposes
it, in earnest, though the arrival of Monsieur is awaited for a
more positive decision. Meanwhile the Duke d'Enghien is
petitioning in favour of the couple.
The Queen of England has got rid of her fever, and thinks of
trying a change of air in order to hasten her recovery.
Paris, the 9th May, 1645.
[Italian.] |
224. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The coadjutor Padavino has returned from London, having
punctually carried out his instructions. He caused all the papers
and the cipher to be burned, as well as the other things in the
hands of Giovanni Battista Capella, together with the registers of
the letters of the Secretary Agostini to the Senate. He received
assurances that the cipher had been sealed up before Agostini
died. To all appearance it was untouched, but there is no
certainty of this as the chaplain remained in London and the
seal remained in the hands of this cleric and of Capella, who were
in a position to use it and to write whenever they wished.
I am forwarding letters which the Directors of the East
India Company consigned to Padavino, on behalf of Sir Peter
Richault, together with a copy of the act of sequestration, which
I also enclose. They further intimated that if the sequestration
be not raised all Englishmen will be prevented from sending their
capital into the territory of your Excellencies, since the liability
to seizure affects not only their property there, but all their
future consignments. Padavino very properly told them that
in respect of the law as between private individuals, some agent
should be empowered to act in Venice for the parties concerned,
according to the ordinary procedure.
Paris, the 9th May, 1645.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
225. Serenissime Princeps :
Postquam nobis Praeses et Societas mercatorum Londinensium
in Indiis Orientalibus negociantium, questi sunt Petrum Ricautium
equitem detentionem ccc. piperis sarcinarum, pro compensatione
nummorum et bonorum quae non ita pridem in communi
dictae societatis peculia habuit, sub vestrae Serenitatis jurisdictione
procurasse : nos justitiae nostrae asserendae causa V. Ser.
officiose interpellandam et edocendam duximus, quod praefatus
Ricautius Angliae subditus et nuper ex eadem mercatorum
societate unus nostro contra perduelles promulgato decreto,
fuit declaratus perduellionis reus, atque sententia de sequestrandis
perduellium Anglorum bonis lata damnatus : et unde omnia et
singula ejus bona, mobilia et immobilia, terra marique existentia,
confiscationi subjecta, atque ad publicam Regni utilitatem
adhibenda ; adeo ut etiam ea quae in dictae Societatis potestate
fuerunt secundum leges, et nostro jussu de eadem societate prehensa
et rei nostrae publicae, applicata jure fuerunt. Haec
cum ita se habeant enixe rogamus, ut sublata piperis illius
detenti causa effectum etidem et malam hane malae Ricautis
causae litem, et alias, si quas movere velet lites cessare dictorumque
bonorum relaxationem sine mora fieri V. Ser. jubeat et faciat ;
atque si quid est de quo Ricautius legitime conqueri ausit et
possit Eundem quamprimum patrio juri sese steterit, justitiamque
hie postulaverit aeque justeque habitum iri, persuasum habeat.
Haec pro veteri utrinque intercedente amicitia quam usque
duraturam speramus, cupimusque a solita V. Ser. et inclytae
reip. aequitati et in Britannicas gentes benevolentia instanter
petimus et expectamus ; iisdemque omne nostrorum grati
vicissim animi officiorum, omnisque prosperitatis genus ex animo
vovemus.
Dat. ex palatio Parlamentarii Westmonasteriensi xxiv. Aprilis
MDXLV.
Vestrae Serenitatis Officiosissimi et studiosissimi Proceres et
Ordines Parliamenti Angliae.
Grey de Wark, Prolocutor Procerus p.t.
Gulielmus Lenthall Prolocutor dom. Commun. in Parliamento
Angliae. (fn. 4)
|
226. Protest of the East India Company.
Dns. Petrus Richault, miles Angliae subditus et unus e societate
mercatorum Londinensium comertium exercentem ad partes
Indiae Orientalis, cui dicta societas aliquot pecuniarum summas
debebat, et qui ratione comertii sui in dicta societate habuit
nonnullas bonorum portiones sibi debitas, pronunciatus est
authoritate Parliamenti Angliae delinquens esse, et infra ordinationem
Parl. pro sequestratione bonorum delinquentium comprehendi,
et omnia ejus bona tam super mare quam super terram
existentia, necnon omnia debita et catulla ejus, subjiciuntur
seizurae in usum reip. applicanda. Exinde omnia debita,
portiones et alia quaecumque ad dictum Dom. P. Richault
spectantia, quae in manibus dictae societatis existebant, seizita
sunt authoritate Parl. et a manibus dictae societatis abrepta et
in usum reip. applicata.
Dom. P. Ricault jam in regno Galliae commorans constituit
sibi procuratores vel agentes apud Ligorne qui ad ejus sectam
seu promotionem arrestarent omnia et quaecumque bona ad
dictum societatem spectantia in quorumcunque manibus
existentia, unde nonnulla bona ad dictam societatem spectantia
fuerunt illic arrestata. Dux Florentiae certior factus praemissorum
et secum reputans in hac lite hoc potissimum discutiendum
fore utrum Dom. P. Richault juste pronunciatus est
delinquens per Pari. Angliae, et bona ejus et debita juste
sequestrata seizata qui sane articulis statum regni Angliae (si
quis unquam alius in summo gradu concernit) noluit ut de dicto
articulo ullibi infra sua territoria discussio haberetur et jussit
bona arrestata relaxari quod ita justum est.
Dom. P. Richault simili modo prosecutus est bona ad dictum
societatem spectantia arrestata sunt ad dicti dom. P. Richault
sectam seu promotionem coeterum simili informatione Genoae
data quae an tea dabatur Florentiae, bona similiter ac Florentiae
relaxata sunt ab arresto.
Dom. P. Richault constituit procuratorem suum Dom. di Re
Venetiis, ut arrestare faciat sub eodem pretextu ad ejus sectam
seu promotionem omnia bona ad dictam societatem spectantium
et in manibus diversarum personarum illic habitantium existentium
sic arrestatae sunt. Humiliter praecunt Gubernator et
alii mercatores dicti societatis ab Illus. Venetiarum statu ut
habita sufficienti informatione de veritate praemissorum, viz, de
processu parliament i contra dictum Dom. P. Richault de seizura
et abreptione bonorum et pecuniarum ejusdem domini e manibus
et possessione dictae societatis et etiam de processu Florentiae
et Genoae, prout hic antea dictum est, decernere velit, et mandare
ut societas praedicta possit obtinere relaxationem bonorum
suorum sicut praemittitur Venetiis arrestatorum prout Florentiae
et Genoae obtinuerunt.
Gulielmus Cokayne, Gubernator.
Gulielmus Methevoldus, Deputatus. |
May 12.
Senato.
Secreta.
Dispccai,
Munster.
Venetian
Archives. |
227. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at the
Congress of Munster, to the Doge and Senate.
In England it would appear as if the wind was blowing favourably
for the king. Parliament is beginning to suffer from internal
disorders. The renewal of the patents of the earls of Essex and
Manchester for the command of the land forces and those of the
earl of Warwick for the naval ones and subsequently granted to
Farfax, an individual of much lower rank (di molto minore consideratione),
and the need of large sums of money to pay the
army, have given rise to dissensions between the Upper and the
Lower House of no slight consequence. Moreover the violence
which is used to persons of every description to force them to
serve in the army of the parliament is having a great effect in
cooling off the favour of the common people, on which alone
the parliament subsists (raffredda in gran maniera anche le
inclinationi della plebe per le quali il Parlamento unicamente
sussiste.)
After the departure of the Dutch ambassadors the French
Resident Sabran pressed for a new congress of deputies, but
without success, the season being too far advanced for military
operations and because the party of the king greatly preponderated
over that of the parliamentarians, not only in England but
in Scotland and Ireland as well. Accordingly as the result of
the warlike operations depends upon fortune, no one can consider
himself sure of prevailing unless disarming takes place previously.
Munster, the 12th May, 1645.
[Italian.] |
May 12.
Esecutori
contra.
Bestemmie
Reg. Sentenze.
Venetian
Archives. |
228. Sentence of Giacomo Soranzo, Battista Erizzo and
Zuane Barbarigo, Esecutori against Oliva called Chiozzotta,
dwelling at S. Giovanni Bragora, for lodging Englishmen and
other foreigners without the usual bulletin, for letting rooms to
public harlots and other scandals, to a fine of 4 ducats and costs
together with an admonition.
[Italian.] |
May 13.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives. |
229. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople,
to the Doge and Senate.
Owing to the dispute about Lorenzi the English ambassador
has behaved in an extraordinary way. When I sent, as usual,
to wish him a happy Easter he refused to receive my secretary.
Fortune has so willed it that this year we both celebrated that
feast on the same day. (fn. 5) If, as usual, they had celebrated it
ten days after us, he would have been the first to send to me,
and if he had not sent I should have thus discovered his ill will.
However I do not allow public affairs to be affected by private
quarrels. One can only feel compassion for him, both for his
failure to realise the position which he holds, and for the
dependent position which he must necessarily occupy in regard
to the merchants of his nation, who maintain him here to act as
the protector of trade rather than as a royal minister. In the
future I shall be forced to avoid having any relations with him.
The Vigne of Pera, the 13th May, 1645.
[Italian.] |
May 26.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
230. To the Ambassador in France.
Talbot, who had been secretary to the English ambassador,
remaining some time after his departure, arrived here again
last April with letters from his Majesty. Before making his
appearance he enquired how he should be received. Finding
that in the letters he was styled "Ablegatus" we decided to let
him know that he would be received like the residents of foreign
powers. He made no reply and seemed satisfied, for he came
into the Collegio and was allowed to put on his hat, although he
had been here before as a mere secretary of embassy, and his
actual credentials gave him no fresh title requiring any additional
honour, though we stretched a point in our desire to show esteem
for his king.
He made a request for money, which we were constrained to
deny, while expressing our regret. We also gave him a becoming
answer to the letter. Soon after this he came again into the
Collegio and said he had received letters from the king who wrote
to say he realised it was impossible for the republic to oblige him,
as he had heard of the Turkish affairs. Subsequently he presented
a letter on behalf of a merchant, and took leave. We sent to
make him a present of a gold chain and to give him a letter for
the king. But on the 9th inst. when the official went to execute
our order, he was told that Talbot had left the morning before.
They handed him a written paper to read to the effect that if
anyone brought him anything it was to be refused, as he had not
been received according to his quality. The official pretended to
have read nothing, saying that it was not his business, and he
brought back the letter and the chain. The former was sent to
the Ambassador Contarini at Munster with instructions to
forward it as he might see fit. From Talbot's behaviour we are
convinced that he will make an unfavourable report. We have
accordingly acquainted you with the circumstances, in order
that, as the queen of England is at Paris, you may represent to
her that the affection of the republic towards the crown of Great
Britain is greater than ever and we know that it cannot be
affected by the misstatements of a minister already known
to be prejudiced. You will try to convince her that we could
not make any greater demonstration in favour of Talbot
without confounding the usual styles and proper rules. You
will assure her of our regard and our desire for his Majesty's
success.
Ayes, 95. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.] |
May 30.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
231. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
In response to some request on behalf of this crown, addressed
to the parliament of England, it has been decided to arrest the
Scevrosa in the isle of Wight and to interrogate her with respect
to the objects of her journey towards the king's party. A commissioner
has been sent from London for the purpose. If some
suspicion is occasioned by what she says, she will be taken to
London and kept under guard there ; otherwise they will let her
pursue her journey in the direction of Flanders.
Monsignor Raniccini has arrived here, (fn. 6) the nuncio selected by
the pope for Ireland to satisfy the instances of the clergy who
petitioned his Holiness for a director and minister. He will
treat with their Majesties here upon those interests. He
announces that his instructions consist in a single and very brief
point, namely to exhort the people there to obey God and the
king. It seems that the queen of England does not welcome
a mission of this sort, because the residence of such a minister
with that people, who are already very strong and also well armed,
amounts in a way to declaring them sovereign, and renders the
Protestants more jealous and the king's party more open to
suspicion. However, many accidents may yet prevent him
going there. His journey being made a matter of common
knowledge parliament will make no scruple about taking steps to
bring it to naught, either by force or by art.
All the property and ships pertaining to the English which were
detained in the ports here have been released upon nothing but
the hope that parliament will do the same. They pretend by
this action to put that body under an obligation, so that it may
allow the interests of Flanders to slide and pay no attention
thereto, as circumstances could not be more favourable to France
for pushing her successes in that province.
Paris, the 30th May, 1645.
[Italian.] |