Venice: September 1609, 21-30 | 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: September 1609, 21-30', 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/pp347-358 [accessed 27 July 2024].

September 1609, 21–30



Sept. 23. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	633. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Ambassador of Brandenburg has taken leave of the King to go on to England.
	Paris, 23rd September, 1609.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 23. Senato Secreta. Despatches from Milan. Venetian Archives.	634. Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Resident in Milan, to the Doge and Senate.
	Acknowledges receipt of information about the violent representations made by the English Ambassador, and copies of documents relating thereto.
	Milan, 23rd September, 1609.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 24. Original Despatch. Venetian Archives.	635. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	On Monday morning I received your Serenity's despatches of the 10th and 11th of this month, brought me by Giovanni Pietro Carrara, who has made the journey in nine days. I left at once for Theobalds in my desire to anticipate the arrival of the ordinary courier who was hourly expected with the despatches of the 4th. I learned that the King had gone hunting and was to sleep at Wanstead. I set out for that place and sent my secretary on ahead to inform the Duke of Lennox that I desired to speak to his Majesty as soon as possible. His Majesty arrived shortly before sundown after the death. The whole of that day it poured. My secretary used terms of regard which the hour and his Majesty's tiredness required, and the King was graciously pleased to receive me at once and half dressed as he was. I begged pardon for my hardihood in venturing to trouble him and thanked him for such an extraordinary and unexpected favour. I said I had to speak of two matters. I would take the least important first, as it was also the less delicate. I touched on the question of the Flemish priest in terms which your Serenity will gather from the following despatch. I then said “Sire, I never thought to have to touch on a subject which, by express courier, I am ordered by the Senate now to broach. Certain it is a matter far beyond my capacity, nor does it conform to the ideas of the Serene Republic, common opinion throughout the world and above all your own gracious and wise intentions, that there should be a shadow of doubt thrown upon your amity towards our Republic. I implore you, while listening to what I am about to narrate, to help me with your wonted benevolence, and before forming any opinion on the matter to consider what my country can, ought to, or may do without changing her constitution.” The King was somewhat amazed, and awaited what I had to say after such an exordium. I proceeded to relate how your Serenity had received the royal book with readiness, and your obligation for this fresh proof of affection, and returned thanks for his renewed offers. I then went on: “This is what the Republic deemed due to your book; but on the other hand the Inquisition which has the supervision of all books that in any way touch on religion has thought it right that this book should not be circulated.” I related the dexterous and cautious way in which the booksellers had been told not to sell it, and I dwelt on all the particulars relating to the Congregation of the Inquisition which might help to clear up the case. I then set forth the reiterated complaints made by Ambassador Wotton, the extent of his extraordinary resentment, the protestations that the friendship with this Crown was injured and curtailed, his resolve to lay down his quality of Ambassador without considering that which your Serenity can do or ought to do, rather than what his superabundant zeal of office blindly led him to wish you to do. I set forth the emotions with which such an exhibition of anger was received by each one of your Excellencies and by the whole Government, which had caused the despatch of a courier express to me and the appointment of an Ambassador-Extraordinary to the King, a gentleman of singular ability and for many years fully versed in all the important affairs of the Republic, to assure his Majesty that it was quite impossible to do more than had been done up to this date. I added that your Serenity had always considered his Majesty's affection as something sure and constant and never dreamed that it could be so lightly shaken without any sufficient cause or reason, as though it were made of glass or bound together by the weakest thread; that in spite of this episode your Excellencies still cherished this belief, that they are well aware that this outburst is due to the Ambassador alone, who by his zeal has allowed himself to be swept into such disagreeable representations, which, we trust, will prove equally displeasing to his Majesty. I then repeated that the book is addressed to Sovereigns, not to peoples. The Serene Republic, like a wise and friendly Sovreign, has received the book willingly, without any regard to the pleasure or displeasure of others. If the Inquisition think fit to forbid the book to the populace, that is no offence to the book itself, which is neither written for nor addressed to the populace, nor is such action opposed to his Majesty's intentions. Certain it is that the acceptance of the book means honour to the book and a declaration that it may be seen by persons of intelligence; the prohibition of the book implies that not everyone is able to grasp the scope of the disquisitions it contains. The book deals with two topics, one is political the other religious. The former is the province of Princes and of those who govern; the latter, in the opinion of the Inquisition, ought not to be communicated to the people, who are not competent to grasp the reasons which have induced your Majesty to put forth a profession of your faith. I know your Majesty for a Prince prudent as pious. Such have all your actions proved you, such were you represented by your Ambassador Wotton when he proffered your book, such I am confident I shall find you at this present juncture by showing yourself content and satisfied of the sincere good-will of the Republic in all that it can honestly do without changing her ancient and accustomed form of government. I humbly beg your Majesty not to allow those few bad friends of your Majesty and of our Republic, those who are little pleased to note this conjunction of affection, this union of the two Powers, to enjoy the consolation of believing that this friendship is weak and timid. Nor is it well that we ourselves should convince them that it is like a flower that in the morning is fair and full-coloured but towards evening grows pale and droops, rather should we show that it resembles marble of the closest grain which becomes ever finer with age.” This last observation, which I made with a certain warmth and wealth of words, deeply moved his Majesty; of this he gave some proof on the spot but more so later on by means of Lord Salisbury. I then went on to say “I have no intention of entering on the questions whether the book was read or not read to the Senate, what is the custom of the Republic, whether all or a part of the Senate have seen the book, whether the Inquisition had full information, for, although the Ambassador Wotton insisted on these points, I know that your Majesty without going into such details of our administration, will presuppose that those who govern our procedure act upon full knowledge, light and information, and so I do not doubt but that your Majesty will order your Ambassador to abandon such ideas and return to the ordinary discharge of his duties. And seeing that he has ever been loved, esteemed and held dear by the Serene Republic, so I am confident that in the future he will find the same good and loving disposition.”
	His Majesty listened with close attention and showed his pleasure that I displayed some warmth in the matter. He then said that he had always held dear the friendship of the Republic; that he considered your Excellencies the surest allies he possessed, and for this reason he always received your representatives gladly, to which I could bear testimony. That if matters stood as I stated this would in no way change his sentiments. He asked me whether the prohibition was made in general terms or whether the cause of the prohibition was specified. I replied that a simple order not to sell the book was issued with no allusion to any cause and without naming his Majesty. “How was the bool described then?” he asked. I answered “By its title not by its author.” He went on to say that his Ambassador in his despatches was wont to praise the Republic, and to attest its good-will towards his Majesty. As I took an opportunity to repeat certain arguments he broke in “You are quite right. We all seek salvation by the road that seems to us best, one takes one road, another another. Let each follow his own. If the Republic were to send to England for circulation a book which attacked the Religion I maintain, my friendship for her would not suffice to induce me to tolerate it; I should certainly prohibit it. I never doubted but that those gentlemen would accept my book, because, as you remarked to me in the garden at Greenwich, persons of intelligence take what suits them, and what does not they leave alone, if I recall your words aright. Every Prince is bound, even for the preservation of his temporal power, to keep his people firm in their religion. Take nothing for an answer, for I must wait the report of my Ambassador; but rest assured I will not support his temper. Perhaps he presumed too far on the good-will of the Republic. As soon as I hear something from Venice I will let you know.”
	I replied that I had sought his Majesty anxious and apprehensive, though not without a profound belief in his affection towards the Republic, still disturbed by the bad impression of the Ambassador. Now I left convinced of the good-will of his Majesty, consoled and happy, and especially obliged by his deigning to admit me at an hour more suited to repose than to business after so fatiguing a day of hunting in such rain. I had no doubt but that what I had said would be confirmed, for it was based on two sources, one was the observations of the Ambassador Wotton, the other the reply of the Senate, about which there could be no variation.
	The Earl of Salisbury, who is also out of the city, gave me still fuller confirmation of what his Majesty had said. He begged me to put off an audience with him for one day; perhaps in order that he might receive instructions from the King. His Excellency showed me a long letter written by his Majesty's own hand. In it he displayed great displeasure at what had happened. His Majesty highly values this friendship and desires its solid duration. He enlarged on the prudence of the Venetian Government, and feared lest this outburst of anger on the part of his Ambassador should become public. He asked me if the Ambassador had said in the Cabinet that he would give up his Embassy, and he showed great emotion on learning that the Ambassador declared he had despatches from his Majesty which he would not present. Lord Salisbury said that as soon as he received despatches from the Ambassador he would consider what steps were to be taken to prevent any damage to the credit of this Alliance in the eyes of the world. The King is convinced that I have told him the exact truth; however, before giving a decisive answer, it was necessary to wait the Ambassador's letters. He then read me part of a letter from Wotton, dated August 28th, in which he simply reported that he had heard that there was an intention to intimate to the booksellers that the book might not be sold. The letter went on to say that such an intimation would not deprive the book of its value, but all the same he would demand its revocation. Lord Salisbury took a note of the dates on which the Ambassador made his request and received his reply. These will serve to fix the date when the despatches will arrive, that ought to be this week and next.
	Sir Julius Cæsar was present during the interview, and he and Lord Salisbury begged me to pray your Serenity not to feel resentment against the Ambassador, for verily they knew not where to lay hands on a person more skilfull or more attached to your service. I replied that the Ambassador was recognised as a person of high qualities and of deep affection for the Republic and was, therefore, always beloved. I could assure them that your Excellencies would continue these sentiments, for errors committed out of zeal deserved to be condoned.
	A few days ago the King had news from Venice that his book would be printed in Italian. This pleased him much. Perhaps this explains the Ambassador's remark that the prohibition would not rob the book of its value. I can assure your Serenity that as his Majesty is of a most upright and incontaminated intent, the more the satisfaction for the prohibition of his book is tempered the higher esteem will he conceive for you. I must report what Lord Salisbury told me, namely, that the King has a higher regard for the Government of the Republic than for that of any other State even though it be of a religion opposed to the Pope. I have not delayed to send back the courier with this despatch, for although the King and Lord Salisbury have said I must wait for a positive answer, still I told them that I take these answers for such, as it is impossible that the Ambassador should report in any other sense.
	London, 24th September, 1609.
	I have delayed one day expecting the arrival of the ordinary courier hour by hour, in order to let me see how the Ambassador represents the affair, but I will not keep the express back. I have paid him through Sig. Fedrigo Fedrighi two hundred and fifty ducats for the journey. Will your Serenity be pleased to reimburse the same to Messrs. Lorenzo and Alessandro Strozzi?
	28th.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
	Endorsed:—Expulsis Papalistis.
Sept. 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	636. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	On Friday last the Earl of Salisbury informed me in the King's name, that, being assured that the book entitled “Pruritanus” did not come from Flanders, he set the Flemish priest at liberty but desired that he should leave the kingdom, and that if I wished for a safe-conduct in writing, or that some of his Majesty's officers should accompany mine as far as the sea shore, or any other precautionary steps, they would be granted. He added that his Majesty would not fail to thank me in person when I next went to him. I replied that nothing I could do for his Majesty's service would overstep the bounds of my duty; that since it pleased him to be so humane towards these two scoundrels I would instantly dismiss the porter of the Embassy which he had wronged so deeply, and as for the priest I had no intention of giving him an escort nor of making any other demand, but that I waited to learn whether his Majesty wished me to get rid of him in the same way as I intended to get rid of the porter, or whether his Excellency desired to take other steps to insure his not remaining in the kingdom. On Sunday he sent to say that he would charge some one to see that the priest was escorted to the place of embarkation. After receiving your Serenity's instructions by courier express I went to the King and explained how deeply grieved was your Serenity that this priest should have introduced into the Embassy so infamous a book, and I added that one cannot say that the sea is the receptacle of carrion, for it often rejects and throws back on the land carrion that is cast into it. The porter is an octogenarian and therefore almost outside the number of men. The priest had been admitted only a few weeks before, but not as a permanent addition to my household, and was lodged, fed and dwelt apart from the rest. The Embassy was still virgin and intact as regards its pure respect towards his Majesty; that your Serenity had only one expectation from all those she sent here, that was that they should honour his Majesty; that in matters of such moment not only did I renounce every liberty and privilege but offered all my diligence and of those under me for the service and convenience of his Majesty. That I had received orders from your Serenity to hand over the porter and the priest for his Majesty to dispose of freely; and although I had already dismissed the porter I could easily have him in my hands again.
	The King replied that from time to time he had been informed of my zeal in this affair and that he had frequently given orders that I should be thanked. That he was fully convinced of my affection towards him, nor could he doubt your Excellencies'. This book was so abominable that it insulted himself and his predecessors, and all the Scottish race, it attacked the Most Holy Trinity, and nobody of any judgement could doubt for a moment but that it must be abhorred by the whole Venetian Republic, his dear and good friends. That he had found out that it was printed in England by an English writer, whom he hoped soon to have in his hands. That once assured that the book did not come from Flanders he would have been very willing to set the priest free; that he would rather see forty others put to death than one priest, towards whom he felt reverence though of a different religion. (Che vedeva conmanco dispiacere la morte di quarant' altri che d'un sacerdote al quale porta riverenza se bene di diversa religione.) He thanked your Serenity for the representations made, and assured you that he was completely satisfied with this Embassy and that he hoped I would not be put out by this accident. Of the porter he did not speak specifically; he has never held him of any account, nay Sir Julius Cæsar has undertaken to intercede for him, that he may remain in my service, to which I could never consent. To Lord Salisbury I said that although the King had shown no anger against the priest nor said anything about the porter, I was ready to do whatever they commanded me. Lord Salisbury replied that they never made any count of that poor old man. As for the priest he would be as well out of the country, but it remained to be seen how one could secure that he did pass the sea, for it might be that if they sent anyone to take him it would be interpreted as an imperious act of the King, diminishing the prestige of the Embassy, which his Majesty greatly loves and esteems. I said I would send the priest to his Excellency and he might do what he liked with him. He said “Consider well if this meets the case,” and he showed a desire that I should send the priest to the port in custody of some of my own people, but when he found that I would not hear of it he said we must consider whether the priest was to be fed gratis on his journey, for he must not be able to complain that he was driven out in destitution till he reached his home in Flanders, he would give him money rather. I replied that although we do not know positively that the priest had knowledge of this book when he introduced it into the Embassy, still the mere mixing in such affairs was a great crime and a great offence against me in particular, and he did not deserve such kindness; he had foreseen what would happen to him and had sold some of his effects, and he would not easily starve. I sent him to Lord Salisbury the following day. I must add that when the Council desired to interrogate him I sent him with Messer Giovanni Piloni and told Piloni to return at once. This they would not allow, but insisted that Piloni should bring him back. It is absolutely false that I was either accused, inculpated or suspected by the King, as his Ambassador in Venice represents. It is equally false that the priest passed from the Flemish Embassy to mine; for many months of my sojourn here and before he came to me he lived at the French Embassy. I took him in on the urgent request of Italian merchants, because the other Embassies, which kept many chaplains, had left London. At that time in the interests of health I ought to have had very few persons in this small Chapel, where a Portuguese housekeeper, who had attended Mass, died the following day. I will take care to be reserved and cautious in this matter, but I am sure neither the King nor anyone else belonging to the Government has conceived the shadow of displeasure against this house.
	Yesterday Sir Lewis Lewkenor came to see me and told me, in the King's name, that his Majesty feared, from my audience of Monday, that I was not fully persuaded that he held me entirely justified in the matter of the book, and he now sent to swear to me on the word of a King that if I did not entirely trust him I would be doing him a great wrong, and other expressions of regard which I will not report, and excused himself for the discomfort I had undergone at Wanstead. I replied that I was overwhelmed by the kindness of his Majesty; I had never doubted his graciousness. I had already reported to your Serenity the extraordinary honour I had received. This was followed by repeated entreaty that I should take back the porter. I was told that the King was sorry that, on his account, an old man who had served all my predecessors should be deprived of sustenance and that the King himself made the request. I replied that the King could command me in this house but that I did not believe that he desired me to have ever before my eyes the cause of such disorder. I saw the porter out of the door, and gave orders that he was never to be allowed near it again.
	London, 24th September, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
Sept. 26. Senato, Secreta. Despatches from Florence. Venetian Archives.	637. Giacomo Vendramin, Venetian Resident in Florence, to the Doge and Senate.
	The order to burn the King of England's book was suspended by the Confessor himself. He is going to reply to it. He is an Augustine Friar of great learning.
	Florence, 26th September, 1609.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	638. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in Rome, to the Doge and Senate.
	Few at this Court know the real reasons why your Serenity is sending an Ambassador-Extraordinary to England, but the Palace is well informed. The Spanish are suspicious of some close alliance between the Republic and England into which France would enter.
	Rome, 26th September, 1609.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 26. Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni, Principi Venetian Archives.	639. The English Ambassador came to the Cabinet and said in substance:—
	Most Serene Prince, I informed his Majesty about the little disagreement on the subject of his book and of your Serenity's election of an Ambassador to pay respects to him. I also informed his Majesty of the merits of the Envoy who has recently visited me, and I have had the honour to return his visit and have found him prudent, wise, mature and of a genius as I take it very like his Majesty's. I assure you that I have represented everything calmly, and without passion. This morning I am come to present a letter from his Majesty, and with that he handed it to the Doge who gave it to me (the Secretary) to read and it runs thus:—
	“Jacobus Dei gratia Magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ Rex, fidei defensor, etc. Serenissimo Principi ac Domino Leonardo Donato, eadem gratia Venetiarum Duci, amico nostro carissimo salutem. Nec satis exploratum habemus quid in his litteris scribendum sit et causam tamen videmus justissimam cur a nobis conscribi debeant, non enim aliud earum est argumentum nisi ut idipsum de quo antehac per litter as et per legatum nostrum vobiscum egimus, iterum a vobis rogemus, nimirum ut subditis, et mercatoribus illis nostris satisfiat qui Navem Suam Anglice nuncupatam 'The Costley,' una cum magni pretii mercibus in eam navem congestis ante biennium a triremibus vestris captam, et in insulam Candiæ abductam ibique detentam esse conquerebantur. Qua de re, si æquitatem vestræ responsionis eamque benevolentiam quam erga nos profitemini consideramus, nihil videtur magis proclive esse aut voluntati vestræ consentaneum quam ut illis satisfiat, nec quidquam minus necesse quam ut vos ea de causa rursus compellemus. Sed si illorum querimoniæ fides est habenda, tantum certe abest ut illis satis sit factum ut neque navem ipsam recuperaverint et magna pars mercium adhuc detineatur. Nam quod dicitur decreto ac mandato vestro navis recuperandæ et abducendæ potestatem iis esse factam, primum ne quidem illis licuisse aiunt nisi longo post tempore quam mandatum a vobis legatus noster obtinuisse, deinde navam ipsam oblatam procuratori illorum fatentur, sed ruinosam, spoliatam omnibus armamentis, denique ita labefactatam ut opereprætium non fuerit eam abducere; Quod vero ad merces attinet, magnam earum partem, ut antea dictum est, se nondum recepisse, et eas quas receperunt longa temporis dilatione et mora adeo corruptas fuisse et vitium contraxisse ut in illis grave damnum perpessi sint. Hæc præter voluntatem vestram accidisse non dubitamus, satisque ex Senatus decreto constat eam fuisse mentem vostram ut navis integra atque omnibus armamentis instructa mercesque omnes sine mercatorum damno aut impensis ullis restituerentur. Sed utcunque hæc contra acciderunt, quoniam quidem mercatores ipsi omni culpa vacant, nec ulla justa fuit causa cur navis illorum in eum modum caperetur et detineretur æquissimum certe est ut illorum damna resarciantur, nec si istius modi offensiones inter subditos nonnunquam solent accidere contra eorum voluntatem quorum imperio subjecti sunt, illos qui injuriam acceseperunt remedio carere oportet. Sed de vestra justitia et æquitate minime ambigimus, ideoque ut in principio istarum litterarum diximus vix nobis erat compertum quiduam ad vos scribendum esset de quorum propensissima voluntate satis nobis antea constabat. Verumtamen illis subditis nostris injuriæ damnique remedium quærentibus ulla ratione quam sibi profuturam putant, deesse non possumus eorum postulationi quatenus justitiæ conveniat et æquitati ut quamprimum satisfiat magnopere cupimus. Deus Opt. Max. Celsitudinem Vestram quamdiutissime salvam et incolumem conservet. Dat. e Palatio Nostro Westmonasterii die xxiiii Mensis Junii, 1609. Celsitudinis Vestræ amicus amantissimus.
	Jacobus Rex.
	A tergo— Serenissimo Principi ac Domino, Leonardo Donato, Dei gratia Venetiarum Duci, amico nostro charissimo.”
	When the letter had been read he went on “I received this letter some weeks ago but delayed to present it because your Serenity was fully informed of all that has passed in this business and because I thought it well to allow that little storm to blow over and to wait fairer weather. Your Serenity may make use of the Embassy-Extraordinary to give some satisfaction to his Majesty on this point. I can assure your Serenity that of all the questions which have arisen between the subjects of one side and the other during his Majesty's reign, not one has made such a noise nor been so tiresome as this one, for his Majesty cannot go out of doors without hearing petitions, complaints, laments from the interested parties; and this annoys him. I have reported everything with due moderation and regard for my duty towards you. I have affirmed that I have seen the official statement in the State papers that the most excellent Sagredo never received the first order, only the second, and to this he gave effect. But Cordall, a London merchant more deeply affected than the rest, went to the Earl of Salisbury, and declared that my statements are in contradiction, for I had reported that Sagredo was willing to consign the ship and the cargo to Arthur the Englishman before the second order reached him and that Arthur has declined acceptance. Cordall declares that there is contradiction between the statements that Sagredo was ready to consign and that he had not received the first order, for without orders he would not consign. Cordall concludes that either he had received the first order or that he never consented to consignment. Your Serenity is therefore begged to take the matter in hand again and to issue some instructions which would satisfy his Majesty.”
	The Doge replied that he greatly praised the prudence of his Lordship in representing the matter with that discretion and caution which should mark a wise Envoy. As to the ship he did not know what he could add to what had already been said. It was clear from his Majesty's letter that he recognised the good will of the Republic, and that she had done all she could. No one is obliged to attempt the impossible. It often happens that between subjects of different Princes there arise difficulties that could not be foreseen by the rulers, and each party should be content if the other does all that lies in its power. It is quite clear that the ship brought this treatment on herself by her own conduct, especially in times of such danger from pirates and scoundrels. The Doge did not see what could be done further, the Cabinet however would consult and might find out some way that he could not see. The Ambassador returned thanks and begged to be informed whether Sagredo had professed willingness to consign before he received orders or not, so that he might know what to report. Accordingly Sagredo, having obtained leave from the Doge, said “I see that there is a misunderstanding here. The first order was not addressed to me, but to the commander of the great galleys. This order was in the hands of the interested parties and was never presented. Meantime the ship was sent to Canea, a hundred miles away from Candia, where I resided. My authority did not cover the captain of the great galleys and I took no steps. When a second order arrived containing reference to the order addressed to the captain of the great galleys and instructing me to carry it into effect, I at once went to Canea and offered to consign everything. I used all courtesy and kindness to the parties concerned, more than I would have done for my own son.”
	The Ambassador said he was glad of this information, as he now knew what to write. But he still begged the Doge to give the Ambassador-Extraordinary some commission on the subject in order to restore the ancient amity.
	The Doge said that the amity was as it ever had been, nor could it be broken by episodes affecting private subjects.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 26. Minutes of the Senate, Rome. Venetian Archives.	640. To the Ambassador in France.
	Announcing the amicable settlement of the question about the Abbey of Vangadizza. The Pope named Matteo Priuli Abbot and Commendatore, while he has assigned to Cardinal Borghese a pension of five thousand Venetian ducats. The Camaldolese Fathers reserve their rights.
	The same to England and other Courts.
	Ayes	165.
	Noes	0.
	Neutrals	2.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	641. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The King, after a few days at Hampton Court, passed to Theobalds, a delightful place which he had from the Earl of Salisbury, in exchange for another of great value. (fn. 1) The same morning before he left he gave public audience to the Tuscan Ambassador (Salviati), who had been seeking it for some days, and who would have liked a separate audience of the King at a more convenient hour. He has no commission to negotiate about the vessels captured by the Tuscan bertons. The King is much displeased at this; the topic was touched on in audience, and the Ambassador said he knew nothing about it.
	I have taken all the steps required by etiquette and for the preservation of friendly relations.
	There is a rumour that his Most Christian Majesty will send back to England as Ambassador-Extraordinary M. de la Boderie, who was Lieger here these last months. Rumour says he is to negotiate about Cleves. He will stay longer than is usual with an Embassy-Extraordinary and his Most Christian Majesty is making this appointment not merely because of the good work done by M. de la Boderie but with a view to some negotiations for a marriage between the Princess of France and the Prince.
	The Count of Neuburg, third brother of the pretender to the State of Cleves, arrived here a few days ago on his journey through Spain and France, which he had undertaken out of curiosity. The King received him very well. Compliments rather than business occupied the audience. The Count Solms, Ambassador of Brandenburg and Neuburg, who is at present in France on this business, will soon come over to England. It seems that things are tending to an accommodation, asnews has been received that the Archduke Leopold has retired from Juliers. Solms will therefore have to return thanks rather than to petition.
	The English Ambassador (Winwood) who has gone to reside in Holland was most joyfully welcomed. He has announced his master's intention to support Brandenburg and Neuburg.
	The death of President Richardot has delayed, for a few days, the Congress at the Hague, which was to discuss certain difficulties on the subject of commerce between the subjects of the Archdukes and those of the States.
	The Audientiary Verrieken gave notice of the demise to the States, who have agreed to allow the Archduke to elect another Commissioner. About passage of goods to Antwerp the people of Zealand would gladly consent to the simple re-establishment of the ancient duty, provided his Highness would promise to insist upon all his subjects using that port; but he will not agree to inflict this injury on the other ports of Flanders. Richardot was a Fleming and that province has suffered a severe loss by his death. The two ships of Spain and Holland which are to sail to the East Indies to notify the conclusion of an accord are to leave about the eighth of October. The Spanish ship will take the route to Goa and will cruise about as far as Bantam; the other will begin at Bantam and finish at Goa.
	Three of the ships which the Dutch have launched to put down the pirates have sailed; the rest will soon be ready.
	A ship of 400 tons has arrived. She has a cargo of currants and oil smuggled at Zante by night.
	In London a few days ago a Scottish Capuchin has been arrested. He was at one time much sought after and flattered by the Scotch Ministers of the Crown. He had gone to the house of a certain knight, his countryman, whom he examined and confessed in France. In friendship he revealed himself to this man, who, however, either because he had changed his religion or mastered by a desire to ingratiate himself with the King, caused him to be arrested. He has been taken to the Tower, which is a bad sign for him.
	London, 26th September, 1609.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 29. Minutes of the Senate. Venetian Archives.	642. To the Ambassador in France.
	Sig. Daniel Hutton, Councillor of the Count Palatine of the Rhine, arrived in this city. He made a confidential representation about the affairs of Cleves and his master's claims to it. Begged the assistance of the Republic towards the maintenance of peace. You are to communicate this to his Majesty.
	The same to Germany, Spain, England, Turin.
	Ayes	143.
	Noes	0.
	Neutrals	4.
	[Italian.]