|
|
Oct. 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Zante.
Venetian
Archives. |
119. Marco Foscolo, Venetian Proveditore of Zante, to
the Doge and Senate.
Encloses account of the amount received in respect of the tax
of 5 ducats per thousand, which account is kept separately.
Zante, the 29th September, 1640, old style.
[Italian.] |
| Enclosure. |
120. Note of currants laded on ships which were not furnished
with a guarantee from the Five Savii alla Mercanzia. |
| 1640. |
thousands. |
ducats. |
|
| 26 Mar. from Marco Corcondilo |
for |
7, |
43,209 |
|
| 26 Mar. " Spencer Cuper |
" |
20, |
124, |
|
| 26 May " Simon Coppio in the name
of Abram Coppio |
" |
177,884 |
1164,44 |
|
| 8 Aug. " Gefer De |
" |
,800 |
4,48 |
|
| 19 Aug. " Antony Fen |
" |
1,800 |
11,8 |
|
| 19 Aug. " Giovanni Hemens |
" |
,900 |
5,29 |
|
| 20 Aug. " Thomas Davis |
" |
48, |
297,30 |
|
| 21 Aug. ", Thomas Langster |
" |
5, |
31, |
|
| 21 Aug. ,, Richard Colmen |
" |
,500 |
3,5 |
|
| 21 Aug. " Thomas Fid |
" |
1,200 |
7,22 |
|
| 21 Aug. " Antony Fen |
" |
,250 |
1,27 |
3 |
| 22 Aug. " Thomas Davis |
" |
1,839 |
11,22 |
|
| 24 Aug. " Thomas II |
" |
4,988 |
30,46 |
1 |
| 25 Aug. " Marco Fanle Pedotta |
" |
10,200 |
63,12 |
|
| 25 Aug. " Marco Fanle Pedotta |
" |
,388 |
2,20 |
1 |
|
|
1802,339 |
5 |
| In addition for the respective exactions
(tanti scossi) (fn. 1) as by the account sent, from
1st August, 1639 to 19th March, 1640 |
|
17718,159 |
|
|
|
19520,499 |
|
Nicolo Aragon, fiscal auditor.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 12.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
121. Giovanni Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
On Thursday last week the nobles of the realm assembled
before His Majesty at York, in accordance with their summons.
In a grave voice the king explained to them that in sudden
invasions in the past his predecessors had been accustomed to send
for the peers of the realm in order, by their help and advice to
provide for the safety of the country and valiantly to repel the
enemy. Profiting by this example he felt sure that on the present
occasion he would find them prompt and loyal for the same
purpose. He added that he desired nothing more earnestly
than to make known to the people his excellent intentions. He
had decided to summon parliament without further delay, and
in the presence of the assembly he commanded the Lord Keeper
to send forthwith commissions to the secretary of state to have
it proclaimed for the 13th of next month. This was done, to
the general satisfaction.
After this despatch His Majesty continued his speech, asking
for their opinion as to how he should bear himself to the rebels,
and what answer he should give to their petition, which he had
read for all to hear. In the second place he said it was necessary
to give their attention to the measures requisite for the support
of the army until parliament had granted the subsidies required
to maintain it, insisting with great urgency that it was not safe or
decent to dismiss the troops at a time when the Scots had a
strong footing in England.
With these offices of His Majesty as well as at the summons of
parliament, the Assembly expressed complete satisfaction, and
it was decided to send to the Council of this city four of the
leading nobles in the name of the whole peerage (fn. 2) to induce them
to make a prompt loan of 200,000l. offering to bind all the peers
of England for the security of the capital, and with a definite
promise to cause compensation to be paid out of the first contributions
granted by parliament. With this they adjourned
the discussion of other matters to another day and so this first
meeting was dissolved.
Shortly after this a person sent expressly from the Scottish
camp arrived unexpectedly, with a petition from that people
conceived in the most humble terms, beseeching His Majesty to
be pleased to send sixteen members of the English nobility to
meet a like number from their side at a place equidistant from
each army, to try and arrange some settlement which would
put an end to the present differences, with mutual satisfaction.
At this overture His Majesty decided to assemble the nobles
afresh, to whom he communicated the proposal. They subsequently
resolved to accept promptly, and at the same time made
choice of the deputies. It has not escaped observation that these
persons so chosen have all declared themselves in the past in
favour of the Scots, and equally zealous for the calling of parliament.
It is believed that by this the king aims at sending
persons acceptable to the Scots and at the same time to conciliate
some of the most seditious to himself by the honour of such an
employment.
Without waiting the Assembly sent the news of this decision
to the Scots by the Sig. di Bolat. (fn. 3) Gratified at the promptness
with which the king embraced their proposals and at the nomination
of the delegates, the Scots sent back letters to His Majesty
and the Assembly full of the utmost respect and thanks, notifying
them that on the 11th of this month their deputies will be at
Ripton, a place 30 miles from York, and will there await the
English, to discuss terms of peace. Supposing that the enemy
sincerely desires this, of which many are very doubtful, it is
thought that the chief difficulty will be in finding a prompt
means of satisfying them for the compensation they claim for
the expenses and losses suffered, and in especial to induce them
to withdraw to Scotland, before the meeting of parliament, a
point upon which His Majesty insists more than any other, and
rightly, not only as being seemly but because the sojourn of such
large hostile forces in the realm in time of parliament may encourage
the license of the members, whose demands are expected
to be most insolent.
While attention has been occupied with negotiation the Castellan
of Edinburgh, having exhausted all his food after a long
siege, has been obliged to surrender the place to the Scots, being
allowed by the terms to go to Berwick with the whole garrison, as
they have done escorted by the enemy cavalry.
The Ambassadors of Denmark have not yet returned from
York. Their business is discussed with the same uncertainty as
before. When they return to this city we shall learn more
particulars. It matters very little amid these civil disturbances,
which render this crown incapable of transacting effective business
of any sort with foreign princes.
In response to the compliment paid by the Most Christian in
sending a special gentleman about the birth of the new prince, the
queen has appointed another individual who will soon proceed
to that court in the same capacity, to express their Majesties'
gratification at the happy delivery of the Most Christian queen,
still further securing the dynasty. (fn. 4)
Amid the fluctuations of the present disturbances the negotiations
of the ambassadors of the Catholic are suspended.
Nevertheless recent orders have reached them from Spain to
continue their sojourn at this Court.
London, the 12th October, 1640.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 18.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
122. Giovanni Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
While engaged upon my preparations to proceed to the Imperial
Court and only waiting for His Majesty's return, from whom I have
not yet taken leave, the Senate's letters of the 28th ult. have reached
me today, being brought in haste from Paris by courier, with instructions
to suspend my departure until further orders. As His
Majesty has so greatly delayed his return to this city, it is impossible
for me to undertake so long and difficult a journey in the approach
of winter, with a numerous company in a freezing and incommodious
country. The public requirements will be fulfilled in every respect,
and this accident will only involve personal discomfort, as regards
the orders given by me at Vienna and the provision made for the
journey.
As regards the instructions due to the new circumstances, the
movements of armies and the summoning of parliament have
tripled the difficulties. Even the Secretary Agustini has not
escaped trouble, as he is bound to pay the rent of the house
already hired. None the less these inconveniences will only serve
to illustrate my zeal to serve my country.
On his Majesty's return I will present the letters sent about the
concession made to Douglas, with the offices enjoined. If anything
fresh is said to me about the detention of Bordet, I will
make use of the reasons supplied, and of the views that I have
previously exjDressed upon the same subject.
London, the 18th October, 1640.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
123. Giovanni Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
After the Ambassadors of Denmark had set forth their instructions
and heard His Majesty's views on the proposals, they
returned here, determined to travel home with all speed before
navigation is stopped by the ice in that freezing climate. Their
offices consisted of a vigorous invitation to the king here to join
in a new alliance with the Catholic and their master against the
Dutch and the crown of Sweden also. They enlarged upon their
grievances against the ministers of the latter state, complaining
bitterly that they had not allowed the widowed queen to marry
her young daughter to the second son of Denmark, as she was
disposed to do. They asserted that for this reason alone she
had fled from that kingdom, with the bitterest feelings. In the
second place they offered their interposition to promote an agreement
with the Scots, promising that if the Scots did not recognise
their duty and were not disposed to accept a reasonable accomodation
their master would promptly agree to supply the strongest
aid to his Majesty's cause. There were other matters concerning
the agreements already established with mutual satisfaction by
the Ambassador Roe at that Court.
His Majesty made a prudent reply that under present circumstances
he was not advised to consider negotiations for a new
alliance, but he would postpone it to a better season. As regards
his relations with his people he hoped to arrange a composition
with them by himself, though he was duly grateful for the assistance
offered. Thus the two ministers were persuaded by the
troubled state of affairs and by His Majesty's decisive opinions,
to take leave without insisting any more. They are now only
awaiting the customary present before taking their departure,
and under existing circumstances there is likely to be delay.
The news of what takes place at Ripon in the conference
between the delegates of the king and those of Scotland is awaited
with great impatience. The Scots grown more daring than ever
by their successes have freely intimated that before they enter
into any conference His Majesty must declare that he treats with
them as with deputies of the last parliament of Scotland, and
obedient people, annulling the charge of rebellion laid against
them. It is thought that the king, in his desire for quiet will
oblige them, but it does not increase the hope of a speedy peace,
since the people here also raise their pretensions very high.
They demand the immediate payment of two million crowns in
compensation for the loss and expense incurred in the present
movements of arms. They protest that they will not evacuate
this kingdom before all the articles agreed upon are first fulfilled
and afterwards submitted to parliament.
Meanwhile they persist that large assignments shall be given
to them for the support of their army, which, instead of diminishing,
receives reinforcements daily. Since the surrender of
Edinburgh castle 10,000 more Scots have joined them who have
been quartered out by General Leslie at Newcastle and Durham.
This shows clearly that on the enemy's side they are not acting
sincerely about peace, but all their proposals are aimed at multiplying
his Majesty's requirements by delay and to give them
sufficient time to complete the fortifications begun, with which
they can more easily resist the attack of the royal forces, and at
the same time retain possession of what they have won, which is
of large extent and of no less value, owing to the situation and
fertility of the land.
The four lords sent from York by the Assembly of peers of the
realm to the Council of London arrived on Friday in last week.
They set forth the requirements of the crown, and by dint of
much persuasion they obtained their consent to a prompt loan
to the king of 200,000l., one half within 15 days and the remainder
in the middle of next month. With this His Majesty will have
the means to support the troops for some months, until he can
receive fresh succour from the parliament. Misgivings increase
that the deliberations of that body will be violent and prejudicial
to the interests of the royal house.
The confessor of the Infante has arrived here from Flanders,
who is proceeding with all speed to Spain. He circulates reports
that he is taking overtures to that Court for a truce with the
Dutch, but wise men characterise such revelations as fictitious
and merely intended to excite alarm in the minds of the French.
This is all that I have to report today of events here, in the
short time before sending back the courier to Paris.
London, the 18th October, 1640.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haya.
Venetian
Archives. |
124. Girolamo Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador at the
Hague, to the Doge and Senate.
By order of the king of England the Resident Bosuel went
recently to the Assembly to request the States to prohibit the
supply of any kind of munitions of war to the Scots. He obtained
an entirely satisfactory reply. It is probable, all the same, that
the results will not prove equally satisfactory, since it is not
possible to bridle the career of self interest here.
The Hague, the 27th October, 1640.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 31.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
125. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in France, to
the Doge and Senate.
The day before yesterday the English ambassador brought
up the subject of the reluctance of the ministers here to send an
ambassador to his master, intimating that if this is not done he
may be recalled. I took the opportunity to inform him of my
offices in the matter, in the interest of the public tranquillity and
chiefly to preserve good relations between two princes for whom
the republic had once before had the good fortune to make peace.
But I did not tell him of what the Cardinal had said to me in
confidence, indeed I gave him to understand that they were not
disinclined, only the pressure of business and the lack of suitable
individuals had hitherto delayed a decision, more than anything
else. The ambassador seemed pleased that I had spoken about
it and assured me that he would inform his king. He asked me
not to relax my representations, and I readily promised.
St. Germains, the last day of October, 1640.
[Italian.] |