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Nov. 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
351. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 2nd November, 1649.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
352. Advices from London, the 28th October, 1649.
Although no news has arrived from Ireland on account of the
bad weather the general opinion is that Cromuell will conquer the
whole country in a few months, either by the sword or with money,
because the king's party in Scotland, at these reports, seems to be
losing courage and dwindles steadily in numbers.
The parliament admiral (fn. 1) has taken his fleet towards Gerze
to keep a watch on the king personally and discover his designs.
The Master of the Ceremonies has notified the ambassadors of
Spain and Holland that they will not be considered as public
persons and ministers of state unless they present letters of
credence from their princes and recognise this republic as sovereign.
Parliament has demanded of Mons. Crollet, who has been writing
to France since the departure of the Sieur de Grignon, in what
capacity he is staying in London, to which he replied, as secretary
of the Ambassador Grignon. (fn. 2) Nothing has happened since.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 12.
Bibl. S. Marco.
Cl. VII.
Cod. 1928. |
353. Amerigo Salvetti, Resident of Tuscany in England,
to Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at the Congress
of Munster.
Acknowledges his letter of the 23rd containing that the most
serene republic approves of the proposal of the Levant Company
to send not more than three ships at a time to Constantinople.
That will suit them admirably.
Expresses pleasure at the intimation that the republic proposes
to give him a gold chain, as a token of regard.
London, the 12th November, 1649.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 14.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Spagna.
Venetian
Archives. |
354. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain,
to the Doge and Senate.
An Ambassador from the king of England has reached the port
of San Sebastian (fn. 3) and is expected here at Court soon. Preparations
are being made for his reception in the most becoming form.
It may be they are anxious to give satisfaction in this respect
because they are unable to do so in others.
Madrid, the 14th November, 1649.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 22.
Bibl. S. Marco.
Cl. VII.
Cod. 1928. |
355. Amerigo Salvetti, Resident of Tuscany in England,
to Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at the Congress
of Munster.
I had audience of the Levant Company last Saturday and
explained to them the consent of the most serene republic to
allow their ships to enter and to leave the Porte, two or three at
a time, in the assurance that they would respond with equal
frankness, the republic's desire being solely to protect itself
against invasion by the barbarians and to preserve friendly
relations with this nation. I suggested that they should supply
me with a copy of their orders on the subject to their ambassador
and consuls in the Ottoman empire, and the captains of their
ships, and I would give them a copy of the republic's orders to
its officials. They seemed very pleased at the republic's acceptance
of their offer and promised to give a reply in writing about
communicating their orders. I am waiting to forward their
letter.
I fancy that the Company is much upset at a fresh extortion
which they say has been imposed by the Turks, of 200,000 thalers
because their ships refused to fight when they were compelled to
accompany the relief for Candia. I hear further that from
fear of worse their ambassador at the Porte has turned back some
of their ships which wished to proceed to Constantinople, laden
with goods, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the
Turks. If this is true it might make a difference to the understanding
which the nation has always maintained, for the sake of
the trade with the Turks.
Asks that the present for him may be sent in note of exchange,
or by way of Antwerp.
London, the 22nd November, 1649.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 22.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives. |
356. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople,
to the Doge and Senate.
I am now on perfectly friendly terms with the English ambassador.
His wife died recently and I did all that was proper to the occasion.
I must add that all these relations between ministers are very closely
watched by the Turks. With regard to Salvetti's negotiations about
the ships, I think that the best way will be to let them enter turn and
turn about. This will give some satisfaction to England but it may
not succeed with the Turks when they find out about the arrangement.
The Vigne di Pera, the 22nd November, 1649.
[Italian ; deciphered.] |
Nov. 23.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
357. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
It is reported here that the English have definitely offered
assistance to the people of Bordeaux. This is denied absolutely
by the ministers here, but I know that the deputies of the parliament
of Bordeaux told the Marshal Plessis Pralin that if he would
not grant them reasonable terms they would be prepared to accept
help from any quarter. So it is not unlikely, even if there has
been no declaration from England so far, that there may easily
be one before long. There is a strong inducement in the resolutions
of La Force, and although these are made under the cloak of
serving the king it is not credible that they have been taken
without some more substantial arrangement. It is equally out
of the question that the new government of England will refrain
from using all its arts to keep alive the disturbances in France,
as they see quite well that their present form of government may
be upset above all others by this kingdom, owing to its ties with
the House of Stuart.
Paris, the 23rd November, 1649.
[Italian.] |
358. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The ducali of the 23rd ult. charge me to express to the king of
England the gratification of the state at the mission of Sir Henry
Hyde, and the friendly expressions with which he accompanied
it ; but as his Majesty's absence prevents this, I will perform the
same office with the queen, his mother, when she arrives from St.
Germain.
Encloses the sheet of London.
Paris, the 23rd November, 1649.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
359. Advices from Chester, the, 1649.
Gen. Cromuell took Vexfort by storm, with the loss of only
7 of his men, (fn. 4) making great booty in the sack of the place where
about 1,500 of the besieged were slain. He then marched on
Rosse, which surrendered after a bombardment of 7 hours, on
terms. (fn. 5) He is now advancing on Dencanon castle, his force
reduced to 6,000 effectives, both by sickness and by the need
of garrisoning the places taken. Col. Venable has taken Carlingfort
for parliament, where, besides a quantity of arms he found 7
pieces of artillery, many barrels of powder and a great quantity
of other munitions.
Lord Liberton embarked recently at Edinburgh to go and find
the king (fn. 6) . It is said that he is taking him many advantageous
proposals on behalf of the estates of Scotland. The royalist
forces under the Marquis of Ormond are 5 miles from Rosse,
appointed as the rendezvous of the forces of that party in the
province.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Zante.
Venetian
Archives. |
360. Ambroso Bembo, Venetian Proveditore at Zante, to
the Doge and Senate.
I receive exact information about the proceedings of the enemy
from the English consul Francis, who lives near here on the
mainland. I do my best to maintain friendly relations with him.
Zante, the 17th November, 1649, old style.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 30.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
361. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 30th November, 1649.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
362. Advices from London, the 22nd November, 1649.
This week's letters report that Cromuel has taken Vanford by
assault, capturing the castle by dint of much cash. (fn. 7) The losses
are considered great, many letters reporting 4,000 royalists slain
besides 2,000 who were drowned in trying to escape by the river.
After much discussion in parliament they have finally banished
from the state all the Catholics who took arms for the king, with
forfeiture of all their goods. It is also decreed that the other
Catholics who did not serve will be required to leave the state
with the loss of only half their property.
[Italian.] |