Venice: June 1609 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 11, 1607-1610. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

Citation:

'Venice: June 1609', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 11, 1607-1610, ed. Horatio F Brown( London, 1904), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol11/pp279-291 [accessed 27 July 2024].

June 1609



June 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	518. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	On Thursday the English Ambassador told me that in conversation with the Spanish Ambassador he had pointed out to him that his Catholic Majesty, although he has made a truce in Flanders, cannot help keeping up an army for the dignity of the Crown and the safety of his many kingdoms; nor, having an army, can he keep it idle, and he pointed to the large force in Italy and the opportunity offered in that country. The Spanish Ambassador answered that it was necessary for his Master to have an army and to use it, but as for Italy his Majesty was already master of it, as he held Naples, Sicily and Milan, the larger part, the rest being occupied by little Princes, most of them his pensioners, who are obliged to seek the placet of his Majesty. The English Ambassador observed that the State of Milan once included places now in the possession of your Excellencies; to which the Catholic Ambassador replied “I will speak frankly, it does not suit my master to think of that, for the gain would be, at most, some five or six districts, and their conquest would require a force large enough, if employed elsewhere, to conquer an entire kingdom. Moreover, the other Italian Princes might join the Republic or more important still, there was the doubt whether some great foreign Prince might imperil the vast possessions which his Catholic Majesty now held there in peace. It would be a safer game for my Master to employ his forces in Africa, as he will do; there he might conquer a kingdom and would receive the assistance rather than the opposition of the great powers of Christendom, and would retain his preponderance in Italy while awaiting a more favourable opportunity.” The English Ambassador assured me that he had introduced the subject on purpose in order to extract some idea of the Spanish attitude towards your Excellencies, who at present have no cause to fear the forces of Spain. I replied that by the grace of God and the prudence of the government the Republic was quite able to defend herself.
	The King of France has declared that Spain has need of some enterprize in Africa.
	Morette, 2 June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	519. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	On Tuesday the Nuncio had audience of the King and also of the Queen. I have discovered that he made a lively appeal on behalf of Cotton, the Jesuit, who, thanks to Sully's action, is not in that favour he formerly enjoyed.
	Morette, 2nd June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 3. Consiglio dei Dieci, Processi Criminali. Venetian Archives.	520. That Henry, son of John Craz, of England, arrested in Mestre, and brought here to-day along with the report of his trial be immediately set free and all his goods, arms and money be restored to him. That the said Henry Craz be handed over to the Secretary of the English Ambassador, with an intimation that this was done to gratify the Ambassador and to prove the weight that is attached to his requests.
	That the Podestà of Mestre be instructed to release Adam, son of the late George Trù, of Botzen, imprisoned for the same offence.
	Ayes	16.
	Noes	0.
	Neutrals	1.
	[Italian.]
June 6. Minutes of the Senate, Venetian Archives.	521. Orders to an Avogador di Commum to report on the case of Honorato Gassendi, Agent of the French Vice-Consul in Alexandretta, and of Girolamo Memmo. (fn. 1)
	Ayes	117.
	Noes	9.
	Neutrals	42.
	[Italian.]
June 6. Minutes of the Senate, Mar. Venetian Archives.	522. That the gold chain given by the King of Great Britain to Pietro Vico, our faithful Notary-in-ordinary to the Chancery, Secretary to the Ambassador Giustinian, be restored to him of grace.
	Ayes	150.
	Noes	4.	4/5 150.
	Neutrals	2.
	1609, 9th June. Carried in the Cabinet while sitting in the Senate.
	Ayes	25.
	Noes	0.	4/5
	Neutrals	0.
	[Italian.]
June 6. Minutes of the Senate, Mar. Venetian Archives.	523. Seeing that our beloved Noble Zorzi Giustinian, Chevalier, has lent such good and honourable service in his mission to the King of Great Britain which he filled for three consecutive years, in difficult times, with great ability, and with that splendour and decorum required by the dignity of the State, without consideration of his private purse, it is right that we should show to him our complete satisfaction no less than our ordinary gratitude: be it moved that the silver, the ring, and the cabinet presented to him by the King and Queen of England be freely restored to him.
	Ayes	150.
	Noes	3.	4/5 150.
	Neutrals	1.
	On same date in Cabinet sitting in the Senate.
	Ayes	24.
	Noes	1.	4/5.
	Neutrals	0.
	[Italian.]
June 8. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	524. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Persian Ambassadors are still here at the Emperor's charges. The Englishman has a suit against a certain Venetian called Angelo Gradenigo for a large sum of money belonging to the King of Persia, the price of twenty bales (some) of silk which he sold in Venice and should have invested, and on which he has remitted nothing during the last seven years. Gradenigo is in prison. He says the King of Persia is in his debt for a case of crystal brought here from Marseilles and sold, they say, for 12,000 ducats, for which he has never been paid.
	Prague, 8th June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	525. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	I shall use all diligence to inform myself as to all officers and Engineers who might possibly suit your Serenity. In Flanders there are very few English and the States of Holland have engaged all the distinguished ones without any reduction of salary. All they have done is to weed (rafinate) the companies and reduce their numbers. At this moment they have on foot about twenty thousand men and three thousand horse. I do not anticipate any difficulty however, as the English have always displayed great good-will towards your Serenity.
	The debt of the Dutch to this Crown amounts to three millions of gold. The King has promised that for two years he will not ask for payment. All the same Count Maurice was anxious to raise a certain sum, so that the King might withdraw his troops from Flushing. But this neither they have the means to do nor does the King intend to make any restitution until the entire debt is paid off.
	The Provinces of Flanders have conceded five hundred thousand crowns to the Archdukes to discharge the German troops. All the same they are extremely hard up for money, as they do not find his Catholic Majesty as prompt as they desire and as the circumstances call for.
	Until the amount of the duty to be levied on goods that reach Antwerp through Zealand has been settled the merchants are required to pay caution money for the satisfaction of the duty when it is settled. It will be fairly arranged, for the Archduke has let it be known that otherwise he will open a port at Bruges or at some other place on the Flemish Coast.
	Recently many soldiers have left for Sweden. A captain has also gone to Poland to offer troops to fight against English troops in Russia. There would be no difficulty in raising troops owing to the great abundance of men in this kingdom and his Majesty's affairs being everywhere quiet. In Ireland, which is most subject to revolutions, for some time now the partizans of the Earl of Tyrone have been quite quiet; nor do they give him another thought here, as they understand that he is content to live quietly in the Catholic religion.
	I am informed that the courier with the post of April 29th and 6th May was found dead twenty leagues from Antwerp, and the packets torn open, perhaps to see if there were jewels in them.
	The arrival of a vessel from Syria is announced. She took fifty days. Her cargo is worth one hundred and fifty thousand crowns. From her I learned the sad misfortune of the “Salvetta.”
	The French Ambassador would not attend the Ceremony of the Garter on St. George's day because last year he dined in a separate room and had to wait till the King rose from table.
	London, 10th June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	526. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	Every day news of fresh depredations by the pirates comes to hand. Only this week have we learned the loss of three English ships, one on her way from Venice, named the “Pearl,” one from Candia and one on her way from England to Leghorn. The first two fell into the hands of Ward, the other was taken by the Dutchman Danziker. The news was brought by a ship that had fallen in with both Ward and Danziker, but had been allowed to go free as neither her cargo nor herself suited the pirates.
	The merchants are all in confusion on this account; no ships venture to put out nor is there any one who will insure except at excessive rates. The merchants have petitioned Council and have offered to contribute to the cost of an armament or to assent to taxation; but as yet no steps have been taken, for the Council is afraid of alarming other Sovereigns.
	The wrath against pirates makes this a favourable occasion for settling the affair of the “Soderina.” I intend to make strong representations to his Majesty against any modification of the original sentence. I am sending a full report to the Agents of the interested parties so as not to weary your Serenity.
	The Vice-Admiral who arrested two individuals who were with Ward at the capture of the “Soderina,” has arrived in London with reports of several trials. Six Judges of his Majesty's Council with supreme authority are to sit on these. I will press that the prisoners be brought up to London. I am encouraging the Vice-Admiral, and he says he can introduce to me another companion of Ward.
	London, 10th June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. Expulsis Papalistis.	527. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	I have received with due reverence the instructions it has pleased your Serenity to give me as to the expulsion of Fra Paolo, the Conventual Minorite, about the negotiations at Rome concerning the Abbey of Vangadizza, and about the sermons of Fra Fulgentio.
	I will now merely repeat that the King has letters from Venice advising him that they are preaching there against certain dogmas of the Catholic faith and of Papal authority; that a Minister of the Protestant persuasion had made friends with one of our preachers and was “holding out a bait”—these are the very words of the letter. I did not think it well to let this idea spread and I believe that my own attestations and those of my suite have convinced them that these are malicious reports put about by those who are hostile to some of our preachers.
	The King's book appeared a few days ago in Latin and in English. His Majesty had ordered it to be translated into French and Italian, but I hear he was not satisfied with the way it was done. The corrections on the first impression turn on little other than quotations from Scripture, and the addition of a declaration that where he speaks against Puritans he refers to his own subjects only. For he holds that all sovereigns may regulate the outward form of the church ceremonial as they please. This is done to avert the hatred of the Calvinists, as though it were affirmed that between them and the Lutherans there was no other difference than one of outward form. The King has had many copies bound in velvet with arms and corner-pieces of solid gold stamped with the rose, the thistle, the lion and the lilies, and these will be sent to all the English Ambassadors resident abroad to be presented to the various Sovereigns. M. Barclay (fn. 2) (Barclè) a Frenchman, has been charged to take it to Lorraine, Bavaria and Savoy. A Scotch gentleman named Heton (fn. 3) is named for various Princes of Germany, and perhaps will go to Denmark. They intend sending it to the Emperor and King Mathias by means of Ghundrot (fn. 4), a Bohemian who had once been an exile at this Court. They desire, however, to secure in some way or other that it shall not be rejected, especially by his Cœsarean Majesty, to whom in particular it is dedicated. Three other books are being printed; one by the Bishop of Chichester in reply to Bellarmin's chaplain; one in answer to Parsons, the Jesuit, and a work by the father of the said Barclay, “De auctoritate pontificia,” in which, as a Catholic, the author admits the spiritual but denies any shadow of temporal authority. Everyone thinks that the Pope and the Court of Rome will greatly resent it and may even take steps. And so these unfortunate Catholics live in fear of some thunderbolt after such a cyclone.
	The Scottish Parliament is summoned for the end of the month. These may be the last days of the President (Elphinstone). His execution may have been delayed till this happened, so as to justify the steps more completely. The King has granted to Baron Carr the emoluments of the President's Secretaryship, and to Montgomery leave to take eighty thousand ducats worth of recusants' property.
	The Archpriest (fn. 5) of Scotland was arrested. He will be sent here and that alarms the Catholics who fear to be found out. His name is Hamilton. At the time of the League he was a member of the Sorbonne and secured the hanging of President Brisson of the King's party.
	London, 10th June, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
June 13. Minutes of the Senate, Constantinople. Venetian Archives.	528. To the Ambassador in Constantinople.
	We approve your conduct in the dispute between the English and the French Ambassadors. You are to continue to maintain a strict neutrality.
	Ayes	130.
	Noes	1.
	Neutrals	1.
	[Italian.]
June 13. Minutes of the Senate, Constantinople. Venetian Archives.	529. To the Ambassador in Constantinople.
	Instructions that in the business of changing the port from Alexandretta to Tripoli the Venetian Consuls and merchants are to act strictly together with the French and English. For if Venetians alone moved to Tripoli the whole business would fall into the hands of the French and English. The attention of the Ambassador and of the Consul Sagredo is directed to this point.
	Ayes	130.
	Noes	1.
	Neutrals	1.
	[Italian.]
June 13. Minutes of the Senate, Constantinople. Venetian Archives.	530. To the Consul at Aleppo.
	Instructions to act in strict accord with the Consuls of France and England in the case of the removal of the port from Alexandretta to Tripoli, the Pasha having already begun to pull down the warehouses.
	Ayes	130.
	Noes	1.
	Neutrals	1.
	[Italian.]
June 15. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	531. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Persian Ambassadors are still waiting their congé.
	Prague, 15th June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	532. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	Sully admits the justice of the Venetian complaint about the French Consulate in Syria which protected pirates and stolen goods; Sully offered his offices with the King. D'Ærssens, Agent for the States, tells the Ambassador that on the third of this month the President Jeannin had proposed to the Dutch that they should allow a limited exercise of the Catholic rite; the day following the English Ambassador made a proposal almost diametrically opposed, demonstrating that for a new state more than one creed was a dangerous thing. The Deputies unanimously accepted the English advice and rejected the other. D'Aerssens also said that the States had prepared three ships laden with arms for the King of Morocco. They were for safety to be escorted by two other larger vessels, on board which would be an agent sent to conclude a convention which the King of Morocco had stipulated five years ago with his Most Christian Majesty and themselves. The convention allowed them three harbours for refitting and secret trading. The Archduke protested, but Count Maurice despatched the ships unexpectedly one morning. As the King of Morocco is now King of Fez, the agent will endeavour to obtain trading concessions in Fez.
	The term of three months allowed for the ratification by Spain will expire on the 9th of next month. The ratification is certain owing to the bad condition of the Spanish in Flanders. The moment it arrives the Dutch will appoint ambassadors to various Courts, especially to France and England.
	The Archduke has given twenty thousand francs' worth of gold plate to the French and English Ambassadors at his Court and the same to those at the Hague. The States have given thirty thousand francs' worth of plate to each of the four Ambassadors. President Jeannin and the English Ambassador were to leave soon, but as fresh despatches have just been sent from France their departure may be delayed. The King of England and the States do not wish to see the Margrave of Brandenburg master of Cleves. I have given to M. Thomas de Focas, who has written the history of Venice, (fn. 6) the chain worth two hundred crowns as ordered.
	Paris, 16 June, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
June 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	533. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	M. d'Ærssens has frequently visited the Ambassador. He announces the conclusion of the alliance between England, France and the Dutch. Urges Venice to join it. The Ambassador points out that this is safe for England and France.
	Paris, 16th June, 1609.
	[Italian; deciphered.]
June 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	534. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	I send a despatch received from the Consul at Aleppo to whom I sent some days ago the orders for the removal of the port to Aleppo in company with the English and the French.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 16th June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	535. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	Last Tuesday, the last feast of Pentecost, the King bade me to dinner at Greenwich. His Majesty has shown me such honour both in the invitation, in sending to my house to fetch me, in word and in every other way that I could not record it without blushing. He summoned to attend him that day all the members of the Council, by whom he was served in high state. The King pledged me to the health of your Serenity and the preservation of the Republic. I invited the Prince to join in the toast and he accepted gladly, and both the King and he stood up till the pledge was drunk.
	By the Queen too, with whom I went to see the bear and bull baiting, I was highly honoured. Their Royal Highnesses, moreover, displayed extraordinary benignity towards my son; and as all these favours are due to the high esteem in which your Serenity is held, I think it my duty to report them. I must add that for the last two months your Embassy has been more than usually visited by the principal ladies and gentlemen of the Court, who have, now one now another, been invited to dine with me.
	I had occasion to remark to his Majesty on the good understanding that existed everywhere between the two nations. He showed great satisfaction at this and said he read nothing with greater pleasure than the letters of his Ambassador resident in Venice, who informed him that he was universally well received. I have never missed an opportunity to assure his Majesty of the prudence and the merit of that gentleman, and of the great satisfaction your Serenity receives from his worthy qualities. These remarks were not only pleasing to the King, but he himself bestowed high praise on the Ambassador, declaring that he knew his worth long before he came to the crown, and that he had recalled him from Italy on purpose to send him to Venice.
	I commended to his Majesty the case of the booty of the “Soderina,” begging that it might be wound up and that the judgment already issued might be executed. I declared I was asking for nothing new. The King told me to present a memorandum on the subject. I would have liked to discuss certain points with him to prevent him from receiving a wrong impression from the merchants, who are very vigorous, but I could not find an opportunity before I received my leave, and as the Queen came in and stood waiting on foot to follow the King, I cut the argument short. If I see that a further answer is required I will take the opportunity when I beg that the pirates who are prisoners in Plymouth may be sent up to London, and that the estate of Gibbons may be applied to the benefit of the parties interested in the Malmsey he took into Scotland, in which I hope to find every support.
	It did not seem to me a fit occasion to raise the question of precedence. I see I must remove from the King's mind certain doubts as to precedents. I will avail myself of information I have from France. All the same I think it necessary to proceed herein very gently. Before the Flemish Ambassador left this Court the King had recalled his Ambassador from Flanders and successors have as yet been appointed by neither side.
	The Prince of Orange is in Holland and wishes the Dutch to withdraw the garrison from Breda, which he desires to erect into an independent city.
	In Flanders they are only waiting money in order to disband.
	The Spanish despatches have not brought the ratification yet, though the Archdukes hope to have it.
	London, 18th June, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
June 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. Expulsis Papalistis.	536. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	Last week the Earl of Salisbury was informed that the Pope had conferred the title of King of Ireland on Tyrone. The man who reported this offered his head as guarantee of the truth. From the description furnished about this man I gather that he is a baseborn fellow in the service of the Treasurer as a spy. It is said that Tyrone has passed secretly to Venice. They show here that they hold him in no account and that they are quite sure of the attitude of his Catholic Majesty without whose support no attempt can succeed. The King himself said to me that the Earl is an old man of sixty-five and could not live much longer. His Majesty added that he had never given Tyrone any occasion for disgust, when in London he was highly honoured and had been out hunting with the King. All the same this report about the title is kept a profound secret and is not known at Court. They are sending the troops that arrive from Holland over to Ireland.
	The day after this news arrived the King came to London, and Council met earlier than usual. It met again on three successive days over the question between the Judges and the Bishops. The Bishops claim final jurisdiction in certain cases and are warmly supported by his Majesty; on the other hand four or five leading members of the Council are opposed; they maintain that the King himself is subject to the law. The discussion grew so hot that one day the King exclaimed to one of these “Then don't you recognise that I am your King?” He replied “Yes,” but that Parliament made the law.
	The persons charged to carry the King's book to various Princes are on the point of departure. James Murray (fn. 7) (Mori), a Scotchman, has recently received orders to take the book to Denmark and Poland. Barclay on his way to Lorraine and Savoy will take it to Switzerland, and it is possible that he may go as far as Venice if it is considered that his presence would add safety, for there is a doubt that in Italy especially some have been warned to retain the book.
	On Tuesday on my arrival at Court Lord Hay sent one of his gentlemen to tell me that last Saturday he had had orders from the King to bring me one of these books, but as at that moment he was called away into the country to see his wife, who was very ill, he had taken the liberty to put off his commission, but begged me to thank the King as for a gift received, and said I would greatly please his Majesty if I praised the book. He urged the same upon me in person very earnestly. I, knowing that the French Ambassador had received a copy from the Queen, thanked the King without expressly saying whether I had actually got the book or not, for from some expressions which were used I did not feel sure that Lord Hay had not made his request with the King's knowledge, and for various reasons I abstained from any remarks upon the book at all. The King said to me, “If I sent it to the Spanish Ambassador I don't know what he would say.” I, thinking that the King was relying too much on me in this matter, replied that I believed the Ambassador had authority, as I had, to read every kind of book, and I added, smiling, “What does not fall in with my views I leave on one side.” (Io . . . . . ringratiai il Rè senza dirgli de haverlo o non haverlo ricevuto, poiche da alcuna diversitià di parole dubitai che l'ufficio non fosse fatto senza sua saputa, et stimai anco bene per degni rispetti astenermi di muover alcun ragionamento sopra di esso. Disse il Rè se lo mandassi all' ambasciator di Spagna non so che direbbe. Io dubitando che sua Maestà confidasse quasi soverchiamente di me in tal proposito, resposi che credero che il Signor Ambasciatore havesse come ho io auttorità de leger ogni libro, et soridendo aggiunsi che quello che non si accomoda al mio senso lo lascio da parte.)
	There has fallen into the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury, from France, a book written in Latin, which in the words of holy writ make answer to various witty and ridiculous questions at the expense of this Kingdom. It touches on all the most secret affections of its Sovereigns, especially of Queen Elizabeth and King Henry VIII. who is drawn as Anti-Christ, the one who usurped pontifical authority. The King is very much put out and is little pleased that the Archbishop of Canterbury has not used greater diligence in finding out whence it comes.
	(E capitato di Francia in mano dell' Arcivescovo di Canturberi un libro in lingua latina il quale con passi della sacra scrittura va rispondendo a diverse interogationi argute et ridiculose (sic) fatte in obrobrio di questo Regno, toccando tutti li più intrinsechi affetti de' Principi specialmente della Regina Helisabeta morta et del Rè Henrico ottavo il quale finge esser stato anticristo come quello che si usurpò l'auttorità Pontificia. Il Rè se ne è rissentito grandemente, et resta poco sodisfatto dell' Arcivescovo perchè non habbia fatta maggior diligenza in saper di dove viene.)
	London, 18th June, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
June 20. Senato Secreta. Despatches from Florence. Venetian Archives.	537. Giacomo Vendramin, Venetian Resident in Florence, to the Doge and Senate.
	Vincenzo Salviati is appointed to England in place of Bardo Corsi. From Leghorn news of the pirate Danziker having captured an English ship.
	Florence, 20th June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 22. Minutes of the Senate. Venetian Archives.	538. To the Ambassador in France.
	M. de Champigny, French Ambassador, has entered a protest about the murder of the agent of the French Vice-Consul in Alexandretta. Basadonna has been appointed to report on the matter.
	Ayes	136.
	Noes	1.
	Neutrals	4.
	[Italian.]
June 25. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	539. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The King is occupied with nothing else just now than in watching how his book will be received. In the vivacity of his ideas, by which he is fired, he is intent on despatching those who are to carry the book to the various Sovereigns. They are all to leave within two days. To Barclay, who has had the largest hand in translating it into Latin, (fn. 8) have been assigned one thousand five hundred crowns (fn. 9) to go to Lorraine, Savoy, Switzerland, Bavaria, Vienna, and Prague, unless indeed this route is published on purpose to hide some other order for the greater security of his person. He is commissioned to apologise for the passages that touch on dogma and to declare that they are not intended to shake anyone in his own belief. Ayton (Quelton) (fn. 10) has had one thousand two hundred to take the book to the Protestant Princes in Germany. Murray, (Mora) one thousand for Denmark and Poland, and Chevalier Chiz (?) seven hundred and fifty for Sweden. On Saturday last the book was sent to the Spanish Ambassador to be forwarded to the King, his Master, perhaps in the hope that it would be more easily accepted here than in Spain; but in spite of repeated entreaties the Ambassador could not be induced to receive it. I hear that the Earl of Northampton before the book was brought to the Embassy implored him to burn it rather than to reject it. The King has sent a courier express to Spain to take the book to his Ambassador there resident. His Majesty is very angry and under colour of fatigue at the chase he, on Sunday, recalled the audience he had granted for that day. Yesterday some of the Judges refused to hear a case that the Ambassador was protecting in the Spanish interest. They answered very haughtily to the petitioner that they would set the case down for hearing when it suited them. This may end in the Ambassador leaving sooner than he intended; his successor has already been named. The Secretary for Flanders lets it be understood that in his opinion the book will not be accepted by the Archdukes, at whose Court the King has stayed his Ambassador for this very purpose. I am told that his Majesty will not change any of his Ambassadors at the various Courts until he sees how the Princes conduct themselves on this occasion towards his representatives. The Ambassador of France shows no sort of doubt but that his master will refuse to receive the book as a present from the King. As his most Christian Majesty has frequently urged the King to abandon his design, so now on the receipt of the book he will show his displeasure at its publication. The French Ambassador also has news that a French ship that sailed in company with four others, from Harve-de-Grace, fell in with two English corsairs off the Straits of Gibraltar, engaged them and captured one on board which were forty guns, eighteen men, and a lot of cloth stolen from English merchants. They put the pirate to death and took the prize into Brest; and then went to Havre-de-Grace to refit as they had suffered somewhat in the fight. The King has been attending council daily not merely to put an end to the mischief wrought by the pirates but also to take steps to prevent them being supported by his ministers for the future.
	His Majesty with the help of the Earl of Northampton has discovered endless abuses in the Admiralty. (fn. 11) Many of them have been fully proved. Persons have been sent down on purpose to the coast to open the trials, but seeing that the authority of and regard for the High Admiral are great, the trials are either suppressed or confided to his own servants.
	In accordance with his Majesty's wishes I presented a memorial on the subject of the ship “Reniera and Soderina.” In it I laid bare the ribaldry of the English merchants who, it is proved, sold to English pirates in Tunis corn, ropes, powder and other munitions. The King has ordered the case to come on and the 20th of next month is fixed for the hearing. And although the Chevalier Paris has frequently assured me that nothing shall be changed in the last sentence I will not let the King set out on his Progress without renewing the recommendation for the despatch of the case and the execution of the sentence in that part which offers no difficulty. Whenever I have touched on the subject I have found great readiness in his Majesty, a thing I have observed in no other Minister. And now all my hopes are grown cold and I see that the English are well supported and help one another.
	The question of Episcopal Jurisdiction remains unsettled owing to the strong opposition of certain Councillors. This is prejudicial to the Bishops and little pleasing to the King.
	Gibbons who was arrested in Scotland for the malmsey wine belonging to Tizzoni, will be brought here, for this I have the word of the Secretary for Scotland. I will not fail to secure all possible relief for the injured parties and the punishment of this villain.
	In Flanders there is still great lack of money and little hope of having it in any quantity from Spain. The Archdukes have retired to Bens, a country place two days' journey from Brussels. They leave the disbanding of the troops to Spinola.
	The Dutch so far have discharged three thousand English and Scotch and five thousand of other nationalities, a thousand horse and one thousand four hundred and fifty pack-horses [roncini]. They are thinking of discharging other four thousand. That would make fourteen thousand in all. They have called for a note of all the private debts of the soldiery to hosts and taverners, who are to be paid first.
	The Ambassadors of France and England are still in Holland and will receive presents of value; meantime every one is enjoying the fruits of peace and quiet.
	The truce has induced many captains and colonels who were in London to go over to wind up their affairs, and this and the fact that many are far away from the City cause me to defer sending the information your Serenity called for.
	London, 25th June, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
June 27. Minutes of the Senate, Venetian Archives.	540. To the Ambassador at the Imperial Court.
	Information about the abbey of Vangadizza, the decision of the Rota and the opinion of Fra Paolo and dal Ben.
	The same to the Ambassador in England.
	Ayes	159.
	Noes	5.
	Neutrals	14.
	[Italian.]
June 29. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	541. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Persian Ambassadors have not been dismissed yet, though still at his Majesty's charges.
	Prague, 29th June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	542. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	Thursday last week the English Ambassador presented to his Majesty the King of England's book. The Ambassador says that where the question of the authority of princes is dealt with the King argues soundly; he would speak more clearly did not the presence of Huguenots in this Kingdom render him liable to suspicion of interested motives.
	Melun, the last day of June, 1609.
	[Italian.]
June 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	543. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	Cardinal du Perron and Cotton, the Jesuit, are those who have seen the King of England's book. Cotton reports that the King's attitude is moderate; that he treats the Pope as the Primate and in many passages writes modestly. He excuses the passages where it is maintained that the Pontiff has no dispensing power to free subjects from allegiance.
	Melun, the last day of June, 1609.
	[Italian.]