Venice: September 1622, 26-30 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 17, 1621-1623. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

'Venice: September 1622, 26-30', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 17, 1621-1623, (London, 1911) pp. 463-466. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol17/pp463-466 [accessed 24 April 2024]

September 1622



Sept. 26. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives	606. CHRISTOFFORO SURIAN, Venetian Secretary in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	Their High Mightinesses are much rejoiced by letters written by their ambassadors with the King of Great Britain on the 19th inst., saying very explicitly they have good hope that their negotiations will proceed very differently from what they have done so far, as many points have already been settled, more especially the contentious one about the restitution.
	They add that the king now seems to understand better that the Spaniards are playing with him, and some of his ministers seem to be of the same opinion. But they are afraid here that it is simply an artifice on the part of the latter for the service of the Spaniards, to pass the time in deliberation and allow the king's wrath to cool.
	The queen told me that she had similar news about her father, and confirmed the news that Sciombergh had gone to him to learn his opinion as to the course to be pursued by her husband, and whither he can go for greater safety.
	She told me that Heidelberg was resisting bravely, but news from Frankfort which reached Amsterdam yesterday stated that it had surrendered on the 18th.
	Weston still remains at Brussels. The English ambassador remarked to me that he foresaw that if the Spaniards could not maintain, which the appearance of their forces did not show, one might expect that his king would receive every satisfaction; otherwise—he shrugged his shoulders and said no more.
	Weston has written fully to his king and expected to be recalled. Lord Chichester also has gone to Frankfort, possibly in order to escape the ignominy of seeing the remaining fortresses taken under his eyes, despite the negotiations.
	The Hague, the 26th September, 1622.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 28. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.	607. ALVISE CORNER, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The emperor has sent orders to his ambassador here to tell the king that he cannot break his promise to Bavaria about the electorate, and is determined to announce it at the diet, the more so because Saxony offers no opposition. It is probable that this decision is approved here, but in order to pacify the English ambassador, Don Baldassare, in the king's name, has complained about the emperor in their presence, lamenting that he acts so contrary to the Catholic's wishes, despite all his obligations, without foreseeing that Bavaria may one day set the imperial crown on his head. Don Baldassare professed that his king would render no assistance in Germany, as he recognised what trouble this odious step would cause. All this was said for Digby's benefit, but it is quite true that they do not wish Bavaria to become an elector.
	Madrid, the 28th September, 1622.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 29. Senato, Mar. Venetian Archives.	608. That the silver gilt presented by the King of Great Britain to Gieronimo Lando, on his leaving the embassy at that Court, be left in his possession by the public favour, in honour of his merits.
	Ayes, 192.	Noes, 10.	Neutral, 9.
	On the 20th September in the Collegio:
	Ayes, 21.	Noes, 0.	Neutral, 0.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 30. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	609. ALVISE VALARESSO, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	Some of the councillors continue their remonstrances and representations to induce his Majesty to take some generous resolution. It is not easy to discover what may be the motives of some of them. I am assured that among the others the prince has laid stress upon the frauds they have practised upon his Majesty about the Palatinate. All remark that Digby's last letters, without a word of the Palatinate, speak merely of hopes about the marriage, while the King of Spain's recent letter to his Majesty, without mentioning the marriage, simply promises all good offices with the emperor for the restitution of the Palatinate and nothing more. The advices of the Ambassador Weston from Brussels simply reiterate the desperate state of the negotiations there. The noise of the events in the Palatinate and of the cannon fired against Heidelberg agrees with all these things, and after the destruction of the castle it is thought that they will have carried the place by now.
	Amidst the din of such things, calculated to awake the soundest sleeper, there appear signs of some better resolution in his Majesty. It is certain that he has written to Digby in Spain saying that he will not allow the negotiations for the marriage to proceed apart from those about the Palatinate. He has also sent instructions to Weston at Brussels that if within eight days they do not dislodge from under Heidelberg and the truce is not arranged, he must come home declaring that the king his master would find a way to procure the keeping of things so repeatedly promised. The Spanish ambassador was also summoned to a fresh audience last Monday and was warmly spoken to upon the present commotions to the same effect. This minister bears a reputation for great sincerity. Like Gondomar, he goes hourly to discussions with the king. In any case, they certainly will not have failed in their promise even in the mouth of the present ambassador. Whatever may happen, and even if the results of withdrawing the army from the Palatinate aim at other objects, thus giving the king any real and sincere satisfaction, he remains in incertitude.
	It also remains even more uncertain whether his Majesty will vigorously follow up the resolutions he has begun with when an opportunity arises. The hope of good results must be set against past experience, while on the other hand are all the desires and needs. We shall have some indication in a little while. It is true that the approaching season may itself prevent the greatest results, but if it does not cool their resolution it will serve for the preparation of ships and men and will prove opportune. Some time will also be necessary for calling a parliament and providing the money.
	By his Majesty's command the Archbishop of Canterbury has regulated the constitutions recently made which I forwarded to your Serenity, enlarging them practically to their original form. Last Sunday he delivered an eagerly anticipated sermon in St. Pauls, praising his Majesty's prudence and his firmness in his religion. (fn. 1)
	As the ambassadors of the States disagreed with the Council upon some point in their negotiations about the Indies, both went to his Majesty, who after hearing them decided absolutely in favour of the Dutch; and indeed this affair, which might become endless and dangerous in the Council, can have no better moderator than the king himself. The same ambassadors, as ordered by their masters, have informed his Majesty of the proposals about the West Indies. They introduced an invitation to him if he should find the company good for his interests. This offer pleased the king greatly and he would not altogether decline the invitation, saying he would give them an answer before they returned home. The enterprise would certainly prove most useful, as it would not only mean a war of diversion, but would strike at the very heart of the Spanish might. In reporting this to me Aerssens remarked that there would be room for your Serenity also. Enlarging upon the services of his masters, he remarked that they paid Mansfelt as much for his services in three months as your Serenity contributed in a year.
	I thought fit to communicate to these ambassadors what I had learned from my confidential agent of a licence granted by his Majesty to the Spanish ambassador to take away shot and other munitions. As they did not know this, they took it as a favour and thanked me warmly. On other occasions they have succeeded in upsetting similar grants, to which the king is led by the neutrality he has hitherto professed, as he cannot refuse to his friends what he has over and above his own requirements.
	The Palatine will go to his wife in Holland. He has obtained a passport from the Most Christian for his journey. In the hands of a very leading lady I saw a letter from his queen, in which, among matters unnecessary to repeat, she says they have found letters of the Infanta among Cordova's baggage, ordering him to give up thinking of Sedan and to go with all speed to Berghen op Zoom.
	One of the larger of the Dunkirk ships which has done many bold exploits was driven by a high wind on to the shores of this country, when chasing some Dutch fishermen, and wrecked.
	Two ships have arrived here from the Indies laden with pepper to the value of some 300,000 ducats. They made the voyage with two others, much larger, having the same cargo, which went to Holland.
	There is news among the merchants that the King of Persia, availing himself by force of seven English ships, has captured Ormuz. They declare that island brought the Spaniards little less than a million of gold. In any case, they do not think that the Persian will retain it easily for lack of naval power. We also hear that the carrack of Goa, worth about two millions, has been taken by the English and Dutch together.
	His Majesty recently has suffered from diarrhœa, which seems to come regularly every year at this season, and although it preserves him from something worse, it is recognised as the good result of a bad cause.
	I have received your Serenity's letters of the 30th ult. God knows my ardent desire to render good service.
	Captain Bernardino Rota has arrived here. I identified him by what was told me and by some letters shown to me, as I only knew him by name. I received him at the embassy and supplied his necessities with money. He told me that he had written to your Serenity about his imprisonment and other matters. Desperation may reduce this man to evil courses, and that is why I decided to help him. He is leaving for the Hague, where he will find Mansfeld and, from what he says, will receive the orders of your Serenity.
	London, the last day of September, 1622.
	[Italian.]