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| Oct. 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1106. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France to the Doge and Senate. |
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As his Majesty had news from Flanders that the Spanish were ready to enter France he called up the German horse, and it is thought certain that the King, at the head of one thousand five hundred men, has effected a junction with the Germans, who number six thousand horse and eight thousand, foot, in Champagne. The Marshal d' Umon is to join this army with three thousand Swiss, and a large contingent of French horse and foot, while the King will summon the English under Marshal de Biron, from Normandy. |
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Chartres, 2nd October 1591. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Oct. 5. Minute of the Senate, Venetian Archives. |
1107. Motion made to write to the Queen of England begging protection for the galleon “Patti,” and for all other ships which go to England for corn. |
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—94—0—5. |
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[Italian.] |
| Oct. 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1108. Lorenzo Bernardo, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The answer to Navarre has not been sent off yet. I hear that the English Ambassador is to have a conference one of these days, in the Grand Vizir's house, to discuss the size and the place of muster for the fleet, as well as its object when it has put to sea. I do not believe that anything will actually be carried out. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 5th October 1591. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Oct. 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1109. Lorenzo Bernardo, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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I have procured a copy of the Utter written by the King of Navarre to the Sultan and to the Grand Vizir. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 5th October 1591. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Oct. 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1110. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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As news has been received that the Duke of Parma is withdrawing his troops from the French frontier, either to oppose Duke
Maurice or to support the Duke of Lorraine, and the Papal army. Marshal de Biron has not moved from Normandy, where he is able to receive munitions from England and Holland. |
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Chartres (Sciartres), 16th October 1591. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Oct. 17. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1111. Lorenzo Bernardo, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Grand Vizir asked me if it was true that the Grand Duke of Tuscany has sent a fleet in support of Navarre. I replied that I knew nothing about it, but that the Ambassadors of France and England probably were better informed. He laughed and said, “This English Ambassador says many things to which one can give but little credence, and I could wish that he did his business as Ambassador better.” |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 17th October 1591. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Oct. 17. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1112. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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When the English, under the Marshal de Biron, had joined the King's troops, they laid siege to Gournay (Gorneone). After five shots of artillery the besieged demanded a parliament; and without much discussion they came to terms. The leaders and the rebels in the city were to remain at the discretion of the Marshal; the troops were to march out with a stick in hand. The army then proceeded to besiege Caudebec (Codebut), a town on the river, the fall of which would prevent relief reaching Rouen from the sea. As there is no garrison in the town the Marshal expects the keys to be sent to him. Honfleur (Onepleur) will offer no resistance, and thus Rouen will be cut off on all sides. It is generally hoped that Rouen will soon be in the King's hands, and the Queen of England's determination is recognised in these operations of war. |
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Chartres (Sciartres), 17th October 1591. |
| Oct. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1113. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The members of the French League have informed his Majesty that unless they receive such support during this year as will enable them to put an end to the war, or at least to better their position, they will be forced to come to terms with the King of Navarre. They have made their resolution quite clear. This has had the effect of causing the Ministers to repeat to the Duke of Parma the previous orders to march into France with his army. The Nuncio does all he can to hasten on the preparations, which, after all, move very slowly. |
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The Duke of Joyeuse has informed his Majesty that the German and Spanish infantry in France are not sufficient to permit of
any active operations being undertaken, nor yet so insignificant but that they cause great mischief to the country. For in lack of their pay they go plundering. |
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From Lisbon we hear, by a vessel from Havana, that the West India fleet sailed on July 27th. It numbered sixty sail, with merchandise. The gold and silver was left behind to be brought by a subsequent convoy of lighter vessels, which, keeping a different latitude, are wont to come more safely to Spain. The English are cruising in those seas, where they have captured two ships, one with two hundred thousand crowns on board, the other with various merchandise of great value. Besides these two they have also captured seven others of less importance. |
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Madrid, 19th October 1591. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Oct. 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1114. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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News from Seville, conveyed by one of the India fleet from Havana, that in a great storm some ships have gone to the bottom. At night the fleet was attacked by the English; an engagement followed. The English flagship was captured, and many of her crew slain, as you will see from the enclosed. |
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Madrid, 20th October 1591. |
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[Italian.] |
| Enclosed in preceding Despatch. |
1115. Deposition of Juan Lopez, master of the ship “Buon Jesù.” |
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Off Florida twenty-eight sail of the English fleet appeared towards evening. They engaged, and the “St. Filippo,” of the Biscayan squadron, attacked the English flagship and slew three hundred men, taking two hundred alive. The ship was brought to the Azores. |
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The English flagship, before she was captured, had sunk our flagship and the galleon “Ascension,” of the Andalusian squadron, only twenty-six men at most being saved. Two other Englishmen went to the bottom, and the rest fled in confusion. |
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The fleet reached the Azores, and left them in a storm of north wind. Deponent, when off Cape St. Vincent, sighted two Englishmen of one hundred and fifty tons. He followed them all day long, and towards evening he beat up to windward, and made the port of San Lucar. |
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Asked if our fleet received any other damage from the English he replied that he was not aware of any further damage inflicted by the English. The prisoners declare that off Cape St. Vincent is another English squadron of twenty-eight sail lying in wait for the fleet. |
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[Spanish.] |
| Oct. 28. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1116. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Don Juan d'Aquila, who is commander of the Spanish troops in Brittany, announces that the affairs of the League are progressing favourably, and that the Spanish are always making their position surer and surer. |
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Madrid, 28th October 1591. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
