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May 4.
Senato,
Mar.
Venetian
Archives. |
264. Agreement made with Samuel Stanton, captain of the
ship Elizabeth, carrying 40 men and 24 guns, for the hire of his
ship to transport munitions and troops to the port of Standia.
Approved in the Senate on the 4th May, 1649.
Ayes, 103. Noes, 0. Neutral, 2.
[Italian.] |
May 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
265. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Paris, the 4th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
266. Advices from London, of the 25th April, 1649.
The letters from London this week confirm the news of the
capture of Pontefract and state that after the surrender of
Clittaro and some other small places, all of them will be demolished
by order of the Commons.
Major Gen. Langorn, Colonels Poier and Pouel and Capt. Ouen,
brought before the Council of War on the charge of betraying
parliament and joining the enemies of the republic, (fn. 1) have asked
for time to prepare their defence, and this has been granted.
The Council of State having intimated to the House of Commons
that everything necessary is ready to send to Ireland and it
only remained to provide money, it was decided that 13 persons,
members of parliament and Gen. Fairfax, with the Earl of
Pembroke, should go through the city to raise a loan of 120,000l.
to be repaid upon the revenues of the next two months.
[Italian.] |
May 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Munster.
Venetian
Archives. |
267. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to the Congress
of Munster, to Michiel Morosini, his colleague in
France.
The moves of the king of England remain entirely in suspense
and it looks as if he is waiting for some enlightenment as to how
to proceed from the counsel of those in France (costa) and from
his mother, but without peace between the two crowns he can have
neither security not facilities for any course he may take.
Munster, the 4th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |
May 5.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives. |
268. Giulio Cesare Alberto, Venetian Secretary at Constantinople, (fn. )
to the Doge and Senate.
The fleet sailed on the 1st and the Captain Pasha is determined to
pass. News is momentarily expected. All the machinations of
the English ambassador here are at length disclosed with the return
from Smyrna of the French renegade Bairan. He brings word that
13 vessels of that nation have not only placed themselves at the service
of the Turk, but they have also compelled the 3 French and 4 Flemish
ships by force to do the like. Some of the English merchants protest
to their fellow countrymen that they do not agree with such a rascally
measure and they make protest to the ambassador and the merchants
Fog, Ciapel, Perla and Erest, who together and secretly have negotiated
and concluded this affair with the Vizier and Captain Pasha. Il Sot, (fn. 3)
another English merchant, has informed me that his ambassador,
alarmed by the serious disapprobation of these men, of his most
improper handiwork, and fearing that the report of it may be generally
circulated, has succeeded in getting the Vizier to issue a commination
under severe penalties, that no one, whoever he may be, shall venture
to write or to send letters without an express permission. They
say that the ships are to serve through the whole of the summer, the
larger ones for 2,000 and the lesser for 1,800 reals a month. It remains
uncertain whether they are to come to the Castelli to give encouragement
to the galleys inside, or if they are merely to be devoted to the
transport of food, men and troops to the kingdom of Candia.
The Vigne di Pera, the 5th May, 1649.
[Italian ; deciphered.] |
May 7.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
269. To the Ambassador at Munster.
Approval of his letter of reply to the memorial sent by Salvetti.
To the English Levant Company the Senate professes the most
friendly disposition. They shall never receive any injury from
the republic or incommodity of any kind, but every facility and
favour whenever it is possible. The republic is certain that its
good will towards the ships of that nation is punctually realised in
action by its representatives and by the Bailo at Constantinople
in particular who has suitable instructions on the subject. If any
English ship has encountered difficulties at the Dardanelles, it
is due to accident and never to lack of good will. The Senate
hopes that the English will respond to this friendliness by not
allowing their ships to serve the Turks, as they seem to have done
by taking money to Barbary. With reference to the point raised
by the English that their ships were prevented from going to
Constantinople and obliged to discharge their cargoes at Smyrna
with consequent loss, the fact is that the ships went to Smyrna
of their own accord knowing that they were in danger of suffering
violence at Constantinople.
Ayes, 93. Noes, 1. Neutral, 4.
[Italian.] |
May 11.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
270. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to
the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Paris, the 11th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
271. Advices from London, the 3rd May, 1649.
The time for their defence having expired Gen. Langhorn and
Colonels Pouell and Poier have been condemned to be shot, (fn. 4)
but the sentence has not yet been carried out because of numerous
petitions in their favour.
Deputies have been chosen to punish those who declaim in
public against the late procedure of parliament. News has also
arrived that the troops in Ulster have declared for the Prince of
Wales and have taken possession of Carrickfergus, Coleraine and
Belfast.
[Italian.] |
May 15.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives. |
272. Giulio Cesare Alberti and Pietro Vianuol, Venetian
Secretaries at Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
The renegade Bairan reports that the English ships at Smyrna are
ready to serve the Turks and are trying to induce the French and
Flemings to do the like. The English demand, however, to have
2,000 reals paid down for each ship ; that they shall not be required
to take more than 150 men on each, and so disposed that the sailors
shall always be the stronger ; that they shall not be required to go
under any fortress but to embark the men in open places. The
ambassador sends them a definite order to serve, in a written and
stamped form. They demanded this to cover themselves in regard
to their owners, and the ambassador will have to render account
in England. These demands seem to have thrown cold water on the
business and it is no longer discussed with the same freedom.
The Vigne di Pera, the 15th May, 1649.
[Italian ; deciphered.] |
May 17.
Senato,
Secreta,
Dispacci,
Prov. Gen.
da Mar.
Venetian
Archives. |
273. Antonio Bernardo, Venetian Proveditore General at
Sea, to the Doge and Senate.
A tartana brings word from Alexandria that 34 ships have
sailed from that port, mostly Flemish, English and French.
Another reports that the Barbary ships are going in that direction.
These united with the 18 ships at Smyrna granted by the English
ambassador, as reported from Scios, and the eight in this port will
constitute the most powerful fleet that the Sultan has ever had.
The galeasse at Standia, the 17th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |
May 18.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Munster.
Venetian
Archives. |
274. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at the
Congress of Munster, to Michiel Morosini, his colleague in
France.
Dr. Doreslaus who had come to the Hague to arrange with the
States General, in the name of the parliament of England, for the
despatch of ambassadors on both sides, has been assassinated
in his own house. (fn. 5) It is the well merited punishment of his
temerity, as he was one of the officials (fiscali) who demanded and
contrived the death of the late king Charles and he had the audacity
to betake himself to Holland where the king's son was ; but
these are the judgments of God.
Munster, the 18th May, 1649.
[Italian ; copy.] |
May 19.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives. |
275. Giulio Cesare Alberti and Pietro Vianuol, Venetian
Secretaries at Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
The English ambassador has made representations to the Grand
Vizier on behalf of the Bailo. There is only too much reason for
fearing that these ostensible offices are only used as a cloak for his
more recondite and prejudicial intrigues about the ships of his
nation at Smyrna, and that he is also aiming at arousing suspicion
in the mind of the French ambassador.
It seems that the Turks ceased to care much about the English ships
at Smyrna when their fleet was outside the Castelli, but since the
Captain Pasha sent word of his difficulties they have resumed their
negotiations with the ambassador, and Bairan has been sent back
with all speed. The ambassador has sent to inform us that he has
been summoned to audience by the Vizier, presumably in order to
demand of him the ships at Smyrna. He asserts, however, that he
knows quite well how to take care of himself and he will not lose the
opportunity of doing something in the interests of your Serenity
and in favour of the Bailo. He added that it was possible the Vizier
had got scent of our having taken refuge in his house and wanted
to get us into his hands. In that case he asked what he should do.
We told him that we put ourselves in his hands. He said that he
would find a more secret place to hide us.
Report the deposition of the Grand Vizier and his replacement by
Murat, Aga of the Janissaries. This gives rise to hopes of a great
improvement in the state of affairs.
The Vigne di Pera, the 19th May, 1649.
[Italian ; deciphered.] |
May 20.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Zante.
Venetian
Archives. |
276. Ambrogio Bembo, Venetian Proveditore of Zante, to
the Doge and Senate.
Forwards account of action from the Captain of the ships.
Zante, the 20th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
277. Report of Giacomo di Riva, Captain of the ships.
Gives particulars of the action with the Turkish fleet on the
12th inst. Before the engagement the captains of the foreign
ships demanded compensation in the event of injury to their
ships and men in the fight. In the course of the fight the Scottish
ship (fn. 6) was laid aboard by a galeasse and the enemy climbing up
tried to carry her, but Riva came up to the rescue and drove them
off. Repairing damages and proposes to proceed to Smyrna.
Sent a letter to the captains of the ships there to learn their
intentions. His appearance has caused great confusion in these
parts. In the end all the English captains at Smyrna have signed
a paper and taken an oath that they will not accept the proposal
of the Turks to take troops to the places arranged. Proceeding
to Scios.
The ship in the channel of Snaim, the 19th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |
May 20.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
278. To the Ambassador at Munster.
It is proposed by the Turks to use a good number of English
ships against the republic. This would be most discreditable
and a blow against all Christendom. The republic has always
professed the most friendly feelings towards that nation and
proved them by deeds. The ambassador is to write to Salvetti
and get him to persuade the Levant Company to make sure that
their ships are not used by the Turks against Christendom.
Ayes, 90. Noes, 0. Neutral, 0.
[Italian.] |
May 24.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
279. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Compiegne, the 24th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
280. Advices from London, the 13th May, 1649.
They are still busy establishing their republic with public and
private acts. The House of Commons recently issued an order
giving power to all parliamentary ships to chase and capture all
those who have withdrawn from obedience to parliament and to
do the same with those which claim to belong to Charles Stuart
and his heirs, and which are found in the rivers and ports of
England and Ireland and indeed with all others which are found
armed against parliament, granting one half the booty to those
who take it, the other half being assigned to the wounded, maimed
and sick of the present war.
The Council of State has presented to parliament various
designs for money coined under the authority of the republic.
They chose one with the cross on one side, which is the arms of
England, surrounded by laurel and palms and the words "the
commonwealth of England," and on the other a cross with an
harp, the arms of Ireland, and the inscription "God with Us."
They have ordered the Attorney General to issue this money at
once. (fn. 7)
[Italian.] |
May 28.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Munster.
Venetian
Archives. |
281. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to the
Congress of Munster, to the Doge and Senate.
The king of England has not succeeded in obtaining either
money or ships from the United Provinces for his assistance.
They wish their dilatoriness in answering to serve for a refusal.
Accordingly he is contemplating going to France and thence to
Ireland, although he will find this a difficult thing to accomplish
without assistance. The parliamentarians have sixty armed
ships at sea and they have set apart funds for the maintenance of
these and of the land army as well for the whole of the coming
year. The king's partisans, on the other hand, are disheartened,
disordered and divided, both in Scotland and in England. The
party is certainly stronger in Ireland but that country is extremely
poor and it is the weakest of all as well.
Munster, the 28th May, 1649.
[Italian.] |