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Aug. 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Munster.
Venetian
Archives. |
166. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to the
Congress at Munster, to Michiel Morosini, his colleague in
France.
The Prince of Wales and the duke of York have finally embarked
on the fleet as they did not want to betray lack of confidence.
So great a trustfulness is not commended by everybody and the
results are awaited with curiosity. The Palatine Princes Rupert
and Maurice were unwilling to take the risk and have remained
in Holland with other English military men. They will embark,
however, when the Princes of England send ships to fetch them in
which they can feel confidence.
Munster, the 4th August, 1648.
[Italian ; copy.] |
Aug. 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
167. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 4th August, 1648.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
168. Advices from London, [the 23rd July], 1648.
The party formed in Surrey for the king of England under the
Earl of Holland, instead of advancing, has dissolved. To this
end parliament has declared the Duke of that county (fn. 1) and the
Earls of Holland and Peterborough traitors, having ordered the
seizure of all their goods and intending to proceed against them
according to the rigour of the laws. The Commons have also
directed the raising of a new army corps, consisting of cavalry
only, commanded by Colonel Butler. The Scottish army has
practically entered England in a body in the king's service. The
town of Colchester is still holding out bravely, but the cavalry of
the insurgents has been almost totally dispersed by the parliamentary
army and the Earl of Holland taken prisoner. (fn. 2)
[Italian.] |
Aug. 11.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
169. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to
the Doge and Senate.
Encloses sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 11th August, 1648.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
170. Advices from London, the 1st August, 1648.
Before entering upon any personal negotiations with the king
the Commons require the signature of three propositions, i.e.
control of the militia for ten years, Presbyterian government
and the revocation of all declarations against parliament, having
ordained that claims upon any particulars shall be carried before
that House. Many sittings were devoted to settling where the
negotiations should be held, and it was agreed that his Majesty
should name three places from which parliament should select one.
It is established that the Scots together with the English
who have declared for the king's side have entered the northern
counties, with which they have an excellent understanding, and
in 8 or 10 days they reckon to have 20,000 men. At the news of
this invasion of 14,000 Scots 12,000 of the inhabitants of London
signed a great petition to parliament asking that the king should
be brought to London. (fn. 3) There is also the capture of some
parliament ships made by the Prince of Wales at the mouth of
the Thames. He went there with the fixed intention of trying
to deliver his father by force.
[Italian.] |
Aug. 14.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
171. To the Ambassador in France.
For such time as Castelli remains in England you should supply
him with the means for his support and to return, as the Ambassador
Nani has done, entering the cost in your accounts. You will
try to make sure that his stay will prove successful, otherwise
you will put a stop to it, to avoid any further fruitless expenditure.
Ayes, 105. Noes, 0. Neutral, 7.
[Italian.] |
Aug. 18.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
172. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to
the Doge and Senate.
Encloses the sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 18th August, 1648.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
173. Advices from London, [the 8th August], 1648.
They still claim the signing of the three articles before consenting
to treat for the liberation of the king. The Scots are
declared rebels and enemies of the kingdom as well as the English
who have joined them. The Scots following the publication of
their last manifesto, have entered Westmoreland and captured
Appleby, where there was a parliamentary garrison. (fn. 4) Major
General Lambert has retired into Yorkshire and the Earl of
Calender has arrived at Bauirch with 10,000 Scots to unite with
the Duke of Hamilton. The army, English and Scots together,
consists of 20,000 men and Colonel Lambert is retiring, considering
himself too weak to resist them.
The Prince of Wales arrived at Tarmurt, where he stayed two
days without landing. (fn. 5) A deputation was sent by the town to
pay their respects and to apologise for not receiving him in the
town because of the disorder throughout the county.
The Scots make five demands, the observation of the Presbyterian
religion and the covenant ; the release of the king and his
re-establishment on the throne ; the preservation of the authority
of parliament ; the ratification of the city of London ; the disbanding
of Fairfax's troops or at least of the sectaries, so they call
them.
[Italian.] |
Aug. 25.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
174. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The Marquis of Ormont has withdrawn his offer of a levy on the
ground of the employment which he has with the Prince of Wales.
He apologised profusely and expressed his deep regret at this
impediment which diverted him from a service which he was most
ambitious to render.
Castelli writes from Bristol that the three ships will leave at the
end of this week, after which it will certainly be impossible to
enlist a single man ; so he will return.
The sheet of the events of London is enclosed.
Paris, the 25th August, 1648.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
175. Advices from London, [the 16th August], 1648.
We hear from London that the Prince of Wales is in the Downs
with six ships where he has stopped five London ships laden with
goods worth two million pounds, which has caused a great clamour
as they fear trade may be stopped altogether. Scarborough, a
town of importance, has declared for the king with some others.
Lambert's defeat is confirmed and the bridges he crossed were
broken for fear of pursuit by the Scots. They were awaiting a
satisfactory reply from parliament to the city of London, otherwise
it was feared that all the shops would be closed for everyone
to attend to his own defence and safety. But as the letters did
not arrive from those parts with the ordinary yesterday, it is
presumed that great disorder reigns in London, where the city is
divided into three parties, i.e. the Scots, the Presbyterians and
the Royalists. Letters have come at last reporting that parliament
has decided upon a personal treaty with the king, but they
wish this to take place at the Isle of Wight, to which the king
will never consent.
[Italian.] |