Venice: April 1650

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1927.

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'Venice: April 1650', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652, (London, 1927) pp. 142-146. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol28/pp142-146 [accessed 24 March 2024]

April 1650

April 6.
Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni, Principi. Venetian Archives.
396. Matthias Poniatowski, Internuncio of Poland, came into the Collegio and gave the doge a letter, in Latin, which was read. This related how in 1635 a truce for 26 years was arranged between Sweden and Poland, with provision that if a perpetual peace was to be negotiated in that period it should be with the mediation of the kings of France and Great Britain and the States of Flanders. The present king of Poland and Sweden is ready to submit his case to the arbitrament of the mediators, but as the king of Great Britain has been barbarously put to death, he has chosen the most serene republic to act in his place.
The doge replied that they would be pleased to act as requested with perfect sincerity and would show his Majesty how much they appreciated his confidence and regard. The internuncio then rose without saying more and after making the usual reverence, went out.
[Italian.]
April 11.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.
397. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 11th April, 1650.
[Italian.]
Enclosure. 398. Advices from London, the 4th April, 1650.
Gen. Cromuell, having reduced all the county of Tiperari, except Clonuel, which is invested, is preparing to enter Limerich for the purpose of bringing the royal forces to battle, young Cromuell having arrived at Iugal with all the troops he embarked at Milford Haven.
The Scottish commissioners appointed to treat with his Majesty at Breda have not yet left Edinburgh. Good results are expected. In the Orkney Islands the royal forces are steadily gaining strength. It is reported from Ireland that Sir Charles Coot has been completely defeated by the Marquis of Ormond.
[Italian.]
April 23.
Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni. Corti. Venetian Archives.
399. To the Ambassador in France.
Acknowledge receipt of his letters of the 29th ult. The circumstance of the departure of the numerous fleet of merchantmen which are leaving England convoyed by thirty armed ships is worthy of attention. Your vigilance is required to notice what ensues so that you may keep us fully informed.
Ayes, 93. Noes, 1. Neutral, 3.
[Italian.]
April 28.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.
400. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
Intelligence has reached Madrid of the arrival at Port St. Mary's on board an English ship, of a minister accredited to this Court by the parliament. (fn. 1) The ambassadors of King [Charles] are doing their utmost for his exclusion, but the general belief is that they will fail, as the government mean to try their luck in all quarters, if only to render their enemies uneasy. In the present case the reception of this person is supposed to be settled, since very plausible suspicions prevail that an arrangement has already been made between Cardenas, the Spanish ambassador in London, and the parliament, coupled with projects for an alliance and league, to include several of the northern powers.
Madrid, the 28th April, 1650.
[Italian.]
April 28.
Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni, Principi. Venetian Archives.
401. The Resident of the King of England came into the Collegio and presented a paper, which was read, and is as follows :
Apologises for not having appeared before, but due to sickness. Thanks them for the most friendly confirmation of the sacred treaty by their letter to the king of Great Britain. This friendly demonstration of the Venetians will be engraved indelibly in the king's heart.
Rerum autem nostratium faciem quantum spectat, Ego pro meo erga serenitatem vestram debito officio facio eandem certiorem ambos Principes Palatinos ad Rhenum Rupertum atque Mauritium xii Domini mei navibus instructos secum in hasce ora[s] cursum jam dirigere ; utrumque autem Principem Ser. reipublicae omnibus ejusdem Serenitatis vobis atque inceptis sincere amicissimum fidem firmo. Atque utinam vere superiore hie loci interesse potuissent Principes Generosissimi, Hae palam illi fecissent orbi universo Christiano quam invisum ipsis bonisque omnibus acciderit improbum illud atque viri Christiani indignissimum auxilium, quod a nonnullis gentis nostrae Apostatis (sed et id nutu novae, si Dis placet, Reipublicae Anglicanae) fuit hosti communi adversus hanc Christianam Rempublicam suppeditatum. Contra quod Flagitium Dom. Rex non solum in suis, quae mihi commisit in scriptis monitis generalibus, sed et suomet ipsius Regio ore mandavit mihi suam Majestatem uti vindicem apud hanc ser. Rempublicam, addens insuper sese non factum id solum detestari verum etiam vel eo nomine abdicare se prorsus ejusdem auctorem. Is autem fuit Thomas Bendischius, eques cum legati munere olim a Divo parente Dom. mei ad Portam missus, quem ego hic jussu Domini Mei reum dico lesae Majestatis, cujus ultio si foret in manu Domini mei aeque atque ejusdem abdicatio haberet ser. haec respublica luculentiora documenta publici illius odii, quo prosequuntur boni omnes tum flagitium ipsum tum etiam proditorem illum cujus vecors animus eo degeneravit perfidiae uti suo jam sacellano interdixerit omni prorsus mentione Regis Domini sui in suffragiis publicis quin ejusdem loco jussit commemorari novos Angliæ ordines. Ad quem scelerum cumulum unica deesse videtur ejusdem circumcisio seu genuinum illius quam profligata factio videtur profiteri velle religionis sacramentum.
Quod reliquum est litterae ad me novissime perlatae significant Regem jam versari Bredae ubi loci opperitur Scotorum sindicos quibuscum fama refert Regem jam etiam transegisse. Ad haec legati Caesareus, Gallicus, Danicus, Suecus, Polonus atque Hollandus una cum Procuratoribus regiis peregre passim degentibus consilia agitatum eunt circa regia negotia quae Rex ipsorum deliberationi permisit suum uti pacis modo decore desiderium Orbi universo contestificetur eosque maxime principes a quibus auxilia expectat suae ipsius integritatis atque etiam justorum iniquorumve Populi sui postulatorum constituat arbitros. De qua Regis singulari aequanimitate universi Regiarum partium Asseclae successum sibi pollicentur secundiorem. Interea in Hibernia Ormundus Regius Imperator castrorum potitor adeoque ab ultimo suo Diribitorio ad Hiberna[m] processit stipatus milite adusque viginti millia numeroso.
Cromuellus vero Perduellium antesignanus enervatus est adeo tam gladio quam peste uti vix compareat. Expectata quippe ejusdem subsidia, quae transvehebantur navibus novem praetoriis ad usque decem mille doliorum (uti vulgo loquuntur) capacitatem, singulis instructis insuper quinquaginta tormentis majoribus aeneis tempestate periere, earum quippe navium sex submersae duae autem a Regiis fautoribus fuerunt interceptae. Preterea Montrosius appulit in Scotiam cum Danorum millibus octo, atque hoc ipso vere promissum feoderatorum Principum omnium auxilium opportunam nanciscetur ansam sive in Scotia sive in Hibernia introducendi Regis Majestatem in unam aliquam suarum Ditionum amplissimarum : quando autem auspicata tandem illa dies affulgebit qua Regem Dominum meum cum gladio districto progredi intellexero, tum ego ejusdem regio nomine non omittam Rei veritate imbuere ser. Principem ser. que rempub. a cujus utriusque serenitate nullius dubbito quin liceat ea subsidia et sperare et impetrare quae Domini mei conditioni videbuntur esse posse maxime conducibilia atque etiam contributu maxime opportuna ipsis commoditatibus Amplissimi Senatus cujus decus atque ornamenta D.O.M. eternum sospitare dignetur.
Venetiis xxiiii Aprilis A.D. MDCL Thomas Killigreus, prolegatus.
Ser. Princeps atque Ser. Respublica.
Litterae ad me datae novissime Lutetia ultima die Martii superiores significant ad Regem Dom. meum adventare jam Bredam delegatos Scoticos. Insuper factus sum certior quod cordatissimus Rex Dom. meus (pro sua erga ser. Rempublicam amicitia integerrima) suam versus Bendischium nuper ad Portum legatum ob praestitum contra ser. Rempublicam hosti barbaro auxilium Regiam indignationem testificari studens eundem Bendishium vel eo nomine abidcavit prorsus atque in ejusdem locum suffecit nob. equitem Joannem Berkelium Regiae nuper educationi celsissimi Ducis Eboracensis praefectum nunc vero legatum Constantinopolim amandatum. Is mihi significat sese suum in orientem iter hue propediem dirigere velle. Ego vero omnia Christiani officii atque adfectus documenta ausim spondere huic ser. reipublicae ab eo, qui mihi cujusve Serenitatis cultori observantissimo non minus studio erga ser. rempublicam, quam sanguinis vinculo est conjunctissimus.
Insuper intelligo afflictissimam Reginam Mag. Brit. seculi pertaesam dimissa familia Regia universa secesisse in monasterium Carmelitarum Parisientium suamque pensionem Regio filio Dom. meo addixisse in subsidium. Denique accepi ser. Ducem Eboracensem permunitum ire Insulam Cesaream (vulgo Gearsey) Galliae praetentam Anglici tamen juris atque usus antiqui indubitati.
Delegati ex Scotia ad Regem missi sunt : Comites Casseliensis, Lothianensis ; Magistri Libbertonus, Grodiius ; Ministri tres ecclesiastici.
Venetiis 26 Aprilis, 1650.
Thomas Killigreus.
After the reading of the first the doge said : We rejoice to hear his Majesty's cordial expressions towards the republic, to which we shall always respond. We also appreciate the information you have given us of his Majesty's interests, and we wish him every prosperity.
The Resident then said, I have some news which your Serenity may like to hear. He then handed a sheet to the secretary, which was read.
After the reading of the second sheet, without any further reply, the Resident bowed and went out.
[Italian.]
April 29.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.
402. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
The envoy from the English parliament is still at Port St. Mary's waiting for the return of the courier whom he sent to the Court. The ambassadors of King Charles are trying to prevent his reception though the best informed persons believe it was all arranged in London by Cardenas. A member of the Council of State told me that as the king of England had been the first of all to receive an ambassador from the Duke of Braganza, Spain was now fairly entitled to follow that example. He also alluded to the advantage England could afford to Spain against Portugal, as they are already on bad terms. From this one can guess how matters stand and the understanding may be considered as established.
Madrid, the 29th April, 1650.
[Italian ; deciphered.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Anthony Ascham, selected by the Council of State on 16 January, O.S. Cal. S.P. Dom., 1649-50, page 482.