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| March 8. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
651. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Huguenot deputies demand for Monsieur that his government of Picardy, in which province he does not consider himself safe, should be exchanged for Metz, Toulon, and Verdun, or as the French partisans of the Queen of England desire, for Normandy. |
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Paris, 8th March 1576. |
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[Italian.] |
| March 20. Original Letter, Venetian Archives. |
652. Diogene Franceschini to Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador at the Court of France. |
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I have deferred answering your letter of the 22nd ultimo, with the hope that I might be able to give you some good news concerning the license granted to Acerbo Velutelli, but notwithstanding all the diligence we have used, we have not been able to obtain any answer whatever to the letter which we presented publicly to the Queen's Majesty, in whose name the Secretary of State subsequently informed us that our case had been referred by her Majesty to her Council; and although we forthwith presented a copy of the petition herewith enclosed, to the Lords of the Council, and have been several times before them to hear their decision, we have been continually put off, and have faint hopes of being able to obtain any concession. This result proceeds from the great influence of the Earl of Leicester, who appears to have been the personage who favoured the demand for the privilege, and now endeavours to sustain it in every possible way, so that if favour should prevail over justice and reason, we have no course but to submit with good patience, although, if this privilege continue to exist, both the public and private interests of Venice will suffer damage of material importance. We know the course which you have taken with the English Ambassador, and your exertions in our favour, and although the English Ambassador has not yet been able to obtain such a result as is desired, fearing, probably, lest he might offend the Earl of Leicester, we tender you our grateful thanks for the assistance you have rendered in every possible way. As the Marquis of Winchester has returned, he will not fail to answer your letter, to which he has hitherto delayed to give a reply, believing that he might defer it to a more opportune occasion. We hear by the last letters from Venice, that there they indulged in some hope that the Signory would shortly
accredit an Ambassador here, and if this decision be true and carried into effect, I believe it will be very well received and appreciated on this side, as an embassy from the Signory has been greatly desired by all parties, and may God speed the Signory to do what is best for their subjects. |
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Three days ago an “urcha” arrived here from Lisbon, laden with twenty-five butts of currants and about fifty butts of wines, consigned to one of our nation. The goods of both qualities were unloaded, and the currants were delivered without paying any impost, under an Order of the Council providing that vessels which were on the voyage might unload without being liable to further duties. |
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The Lombard vessels, which are shortly expected, will have the advantage of the same decree, but with regard to the other vessels laden with wool and other goods, which have lately sailed from Venice, if between that date and their arrival here the license of Velutelli be not revoked, the consignee will be compelled to send them to other destinations, which will result in an incredible loss. I, for my part, have never been able to arrive at any settlement, notwithstanding that I have been prepared to make any concessions which might not prejudice our case, nor have I permitted any others to do so; nevertheless your Excellency, of your own mature judgment, will advise us, and we will do our best to carry into effect your instructions. |
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London, 20th March 1575–6. |
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[Italian.] |
