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Aug. 14.
Collegio,
Secreta.
Esposizioni,
Principi.
Venetian
Archives.
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510. Late yesterday I Angelo Ciera went to the houses of
the Receiver of Malta and of the Residents of France, England,
Florence, Mantua and Modena, to inform them of the success of
the victorious arms of the republic. (fn. 1)
The Resident of England, lamenting by signs the difficulty of
language, got the consul, who was there, to speak for him, who said
he was afraid they might succumb to the effects of over joy. If
the forces of the republic had achieved such glory, those of his
king also enjoyed the favours of fortune, as by letters of a leading
minister he was advised of the capture made by Prince Rupert
of five ships of the Catholic king with cargoes worth two millions
of gold and more. By other letters of the Duke of York he was
almost assured of a considerable victory gained after three days'
fighting, six leagues from Edinburgh, with great slaughter of the
enemy, and some hope that Cronuel was among the slain. He
considered the news certain, as the king had three armies, one of
2,000 commanded by himself, the second a flying one of 12,000,
and the third of 15,000, and he was determined to try and dissipate
the rebels everywhere by the sword. When the royal despatches
arrive he will give your Excellencies a fuller account. In the
mean time he rejoiced at the news I gave him and that the flags
of his country were fighting under the happy auspices of General
Mocenigo.
[Italian.]
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Aug. 15.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Spagna.
Venetian
Archives.
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511. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to
the Doge and Senate.
The letters from London having arrived I asked Don Luis what he
had heard from Cardenas about preventing the Anglo Turkish
alliance. He sent at once for the despatches, evidently intending
to show them to me ; but after glancing through them he checked
himself and merely said that the ambassador had made the remonstrance
and there was no reason to apprehend any mischief from that quarter.
He repeated this two or three times declaring that the matter should
never be lost to sight. I cannot guess why he changed his mind
when on the point of showing me the letter. It may be he wished to
prevent me giving any hint to France of the indifferent understanding
which exists at present between Spain and the parliament, because the
commonwealth has not complied with the demands of Spain or has
raised difficulties about granting the promised succour. As the
Spaniards were the first to acknowledge the parliament, they considered
that they had bought it and could dictate the course of its foreign
policy. This is far from being the case and so frequent bickerings
arise. The Spanish ministers complain that they have been unable
to prevent the negotiations with Portugal or to stay those with Holland,
and although both have taken a bad turn this does not prevent the fact
from prejudicing the influence which Spain claimed. In addition
to this the English acted in these matters with marked contempt for
Spanish opinion and in every other respect they deal harshly with
this Court and affect superiority.
Madrid, the 15th August, 1651.
[Italian ; deciphered.]
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Aug. 16.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives.
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512. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to
the Doge and Senate.
A report issued from the quarters of the queen of England that
the king with 22,000 foot and 12,000 horse had inflicted a great
defeat on Cromwell ; but it proves without foundation. It is
true, however, that the king's army, from almost inaccessible
mountains is harassing the enemy with its guns, and has little
fear of attack, as the advantage of position would certainly give
it the victory.
English privateers are harassing French craft so seriously
that scarce a week passes without the news of considerable losses,
thus correcting by force the abuses which the negligence of the
ministers here permitted to the manifest ruin of the country.
Paris, the 16th August, 1651.
[Italian.]
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Aug. 20.
Collegio,
Secreta.
Esposizioni,
Principi.
Venetian
Archives.
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513. On Saturday evening, the 19th, I Iseppo Cavanis, notary
of the ducal chancery, went to the house of the Resident of England
to read him the office decided, handed to me by the Secretary
Bon. After I was introduced and had read the office relating the
victory, of which he took a copy, he said he was very sorry he had
not enough command of Italian to express his satisfaction at
this victory, obtained by the Venetians without help from the
other Christian powers. He would at once inform his king,
knowing that he would be delighted, more especially as this is
for the benefit of all Christendom. He was sorry his master was in
such distress, as he would have shown the republic the most
cordial affection he bore it. He prayed the Almighty that matters
would adjust themselves so that the republic might know his
regard. He remarked to me, I am sorry you do not understand
my Flemish speech, to report to his Serenity our affection for
this republic. As he said no more I took leave and came away.
[Italian.]
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Aug. 25.
Collegio,
Secreta.
Esposizioni,
Principi.
Venetian
Archives.
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514. The Resident of England came into the Collegio and
handed in a memorial which was read :
The doge said, We regret the accident, but it is necessary to
see that such things do not happen. The man was an outlaw
and behaved scandalously everywhere. You know that such
things are not tolerated. The Resident said, I knew nothing about
it. He served the Resident of France two years and has been
two years with me. It is right that your Serenity should have
satisfaction, but I am innocent and I ask you to take some step
to give me satisfaction. Without saying more he made his bow
and went out.
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Memorial.
The day before yesterday in the public street a short distance
from my house Gasparo di Battista Picolo of Monselice, one of my
gondoliers, was attacked by the Capitan Grande, followed by some
15 sbirri, wounded, dragged into a boat and carried off. I am
amazed at the incident and cannot imagine the reason for such
scandalous and undeserved treatment. As I believe this has been
done without the order or even the knowledge of your Serenity
I come to tell you of it as soon as possible, feeling sure that
you will uphold the rights of public ministers and not suffer such
treatment of an old friend and ally.
Venice, the 25th August, 1651.
Thomas Chillegreus, Resident of the King of Great Britain.
[Italian.]
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Aug. 30.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Spagna.
Venetian
Archives.
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515. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain,
to the Doge and Senate.
At the close of our conversation Don Luis began to tell me of his
own accord that he had read the letters from England a second time
and could confirm that Cardenas had been unable to find any trace
of an alliance between parliament and the Turks, but he would keep
his eyes open and make his remonstrances at the right moment.
Don Luis added that by more recent advices from London he learned
that the affairs of parliament were less successful than usual. The
king had become so powerful in Scotland that with forces now superior
to those of the enemy, he contemplated entering England, with the
hope of making a great stir among the people, who admit the justice
of his cause and are weary of the violence of the present government.
Don Luis showed little sign of regret for this and may enjoy the reverses
of the Commonwealth because it has not attached so much value to
the recognition and friendship of this crown as was expected.
Madrid, the 30th August, 1651.
[Italian ; deciphered.]
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