Venice: June 1668

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 35, 1666-1668. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1935.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Venice: June 1668', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 35, 1666-1668, (London, 1935) pp. 220-222. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol35/pp220-222 [accessed 19 March 2024]

June 1668

June 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
294. To the Secretary Marchesini.
We hope that you have already started for London, to carry out your instructions. The Ambassador Mocenigo destined as ambassador in ordinary resident with his Majesty is about to start at any moment. You will continue your employment in those parts in your efforts to obtain some relief for the public cause.
Ayes, 135. Noes, 0. Neutral, 0.
[Italian.]
June 7.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haia.
Venetian
Archives.
295. Giovanni Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Secretary at the Hague, to the Doge and Senate.
The Swedish ambassador Donna has passed to the other life in London after a few hours of illness. (fn. 1) This event causes more than ordinary sorrow here chiefly on account of the derangement and delay that his death will involve for the negotiations for the triple alliance which was being negotiated at that Court and was making great strides towards a final conclusion.
The Hague, the 7th June, 1668.
[Italian.]
June 12.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Spagna.
Venetian
Archives.
296. Catterin Belegno, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
Neither the Muscovite (fn. 2) nor the English ambassador has as yet left this Court. Sandovich is waiting for a ship to take him from St. Ander to London. Presents of equal quality have been sent by the queen to both; to the English ambassador a very rich one and 4000 doubles as a contribution to his maintenance.
Madrid, the 12th June, 1668.
[Italian.]
June 14.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
297. To the Secretary Marchesini.
On receiving the reply of the Assembly he is to proceed to London, there to extend his efforts for securing the best advantage for the state. If he meets with opposition from the Levant trade he is to point out that they will be able to give succour in a cautious manner.
For his own information he is to know that the Ambassador Mocenigo is starting for his embassy at the end of the present month.
Ayes, 133. Noes, 12. Neutral, 4.
[Italian].
June 16.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives.
298. Marc Antonio Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
The two most powerful fleets of England and Holland which are on the point of forming a conjunction are keeping every one on the watch to see in what direction they propose to steer their course. The displeasure felt by his Britannic Majesty at seeing the deposition of his brother-in-law the king of Portugal suggests that that monarch may possibly trouble the new governor, Don Pedro, from his side. The debt which the Dutch claim from the Portuguese, which is not yet paid, makes it likely that the two northern powers have come to an understanding to have themselves righted by arms on each of these two points. Here they are afraid that these fleets mean to scour the seas, showing their power everywhere for the purpose of causing themselves to be recognised as masters of the Ocean and the Mediterranean, the exclusive sovereigns and masters of every trade route. They have caused an urgent message to be sent to the Admiral Bofford so that he may withdraw to the ports and avoid exposing himself to conflicts. The two powers in their pride would certainly claim to make him lower his flag and to obtain from him recognition of sovereignty. Besides this there are some who feel absolutely certain that the two will pass by the Portuguese without molesting them, and the two nations ill pleased at the constant injuries which their ships are experiencing from the corsairs of Algiers, have resolved to make a landing in those parts and to destroy utterly that nest of barbarous people. That would be of some advantage to the public cause and God grant that it happen.
Paris, the 16th June, 1668.
[Italian.]
1668.
June 20.
Inquisitori
di Stato,
Busta 418.
Venetian
Archives.
299. Tomaso Gobbato to the Inquisitors of State.
My sudden departure from Adrianople caused much talk and I hear that the ambassadors of France and England expressed displeasure, because it was unexpected by them and I did not tell them about it, the Englishman in particular. This gentleman acts from caprice and does not consider things deeply, while at times he performs reckless offices with the Turks (questo signore si governa di capriccio ne fa molto riflesso alle cose, et alle volte con Turchi fa passar precipitosi ufficii). I have made my excuses to both of them and left them satisfied. I knew that my journey to Adrianople would cause a stir and waited until the business was secure. I fancy that the Dragoman has begun offices here and on his return he will be continuing his efforts for the deposition of the Prince of Moldavia, so that the Prince Duca may return, his master being deposed. (fn. 3) This is most prejudicial to the state seeing that the actual prince is set up by his Excellency of England and by the Turks interested in the Principality, so that if this takes place disturbances will certainly ensue. At the present moment I suspect some malignant office.
Pera of Constantinople, 20th June, 1668.
[Italian; deciphered.]
June 22.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
300. To the Secretary Marchesini.
The Senate supposes him to be well on his way to London, where he can make use of the example of France to obtain help from that crown. He will also make representations to the ambassador of Holland in that country to get a declaration of some definite succour.
Ayes, 132. Noes, 1. Neutral, 3.
[Italian.]
June 25.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
301. Pietro Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador to England, to the Doge and Senate.
Has started on his journey to England. Knowing the importance of this embassy has devoted his substance to the service of their Excellencies. Proceeding by Bassano to-morrow and will endeavour to reach London as soon as possible.
Padua, the 25th June, 1668.
[Italian.]
June 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
302. To the Ambassador Mocenigo, destined for England.
The Senate's satisfaction at hearing that he has started on his journey is not inferior to their desire to see him arrived at his destination, owing to their opinion of his ability. They only regret the obstacles which have delayed him and the inconvenience to which he has been put. They pray God that he may arrive safely at his journey's end in the assurance that his talents promise a fruitful service for which they will always be grateful.
Ayes, 117. Noes, 1. Neutral, 2.
[Italian.]
June 30.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
303. To the Secretary Marchesini.
Confidence in the goodwill of the king of England and reliance on the force of the example of the king of France and Duke Frederick of Brunswick. The Ambassador Mocenigo left some days ago for his embassy. It is desirable that he should visit the ambassador of Portugal (fn. 4) and perform the usual civilities with every other minister because of the advantages that may be reaped thereby. It is hoped that the correspondent of Amsterdam will have made a new letter from London for the 1000 ducats already sent.
Ayes, 168. Noes, 0. Neutral, 2.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. On the 21st May, o.s., at his house in Covent Garden, of a violent fever attended with a pleurisy. Rugge's Diary, fol. 222d. Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 10117.
  • 2. Potemkin. Bain: The First Romanovs, p. 181.
  • 3. George Duca had been made Hospodar of Moldavia in 1666 but was replaced by Elias in that same year. Duca was restored to his position in 1669. Stockvis: Manuel d'Histoire, Vol. ii, p. 514.
  • 4. Telles de Menezes. Prestage: Diplomatic Relations of Portugal, p. 169.