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Nov. 1.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
164. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
No decision has yet been taken upon the affair of the Palatine.
A few consultations have been held at Fontenblo. His minister
is now pressing the matter and in his master's name is trying to
dissipate the suspicions caused by the Prince's journey to London.
He asserts absolutely and persistently that two considerations
alone impelled him. The first was the necessity of procuring
from parliament a continuance of the assistance which he receives
from England alone to relieve the narrowness of his fortunes ;
the other that in the articles of peace which are being discussed
between the king and the parliament there may be included the
point of the re-establishment of his house in the whole of its
patrimony. For the rest there is no truth in the reports that he
aspires to the sovereignty of that kingdom. The minister
protests that no such idea ever entered the prince's mind and that
he had never attempted anything to the prejudice of the king.
Paris, the 1st November, 1644.
[Italian.] |
165. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The queen of England has arrived at Fontenblo. Consultations
are being held about the form of her reception. It is expected
that she will prefer a private welcome. Meanwhile the English
ambassador Goring is taking leave, yielding the place to his own
queen.
Paris, the 1st November, 1644.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
166. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The king has issued a proclamation announcing his intention
to approach London to put an end to these calamities and give a
happy peace to this kingdom, with the punishment they deserve
to certain rebels who obstruct it. He invites his loving subjects
to assist him. Preceded by this announcement, his Majesty was
marching with (fn. 1) determination to give (fn. 1)
On this supposition parliament has decided not to refuse
battle, so as to avoid encouragement to the royal party in the
city, which is suppressed but not extinct. They have assembled
all the forces possible at Basingstoke, even sending for several
garrisons. With these it is the more numerous army, but not
the more alert or determined. The Generals Essex and
Manchester, the first more advanced than the others, has made
a prompt retreat, avoiding by a few hours the blow which the
royalists had prepared for him. Parliament has accordingly
sent two commissioners to communicate the public wishes, to
prevent dissension, to assist and to advise. On Tuesday they
celebrated a solemn fast and expected a bloody battle on Wednesday
(fn. 1) to the amazement of everyone (fn. 1) that
his Majesty (fn. 1) prudent, that the king, having given up
his design, is going there to take up winter quarters, and keep
idle such large forces in a country already wasted by the parliamentary
soldiers, who have been there so long, or he may think
it safer to wait for the troops which Prince Rupert is collecting
near Bristol, and for the release of the force besieging Plymouth,
when that place is taken.
(fn. 1) made by those of Cornwall of 20,000 men paid for
the enterprise of London. It may be that his Majesty hopes that
time will do more for the wasting of these forces, than an engagement,
with all its risks, and already, from lack of food they have been
obliged to retire to Reading, whence we hear that a regiment of infantry
of Essex has deserted to the other side.
They have not yet found a means of sending the peace proposals
to the king. They know these to be outrageous and unworthy of
his consideration. The others fear that the introduction of negotiations
on any terms soever may prejudice them, although as his
Majesty has grown strong and is determined to conquer or die, he
will not surrender any part of his prerogative.
The Irish remain together in Scotland and do not lose heart
with (fn. 1) leader of the royalists to harass the Scots, on whose
cavalry he has inflicted a severe blow, so that Lesle has been
obliged to succour it with a part of the cavalry he kept in England,
leaving him with but few troops in the season (fn. 1) under
Newcastle. (fn. 1) of the breach, by the news which arrives
to-day, has arranged terms of surrender. (fn. 2) This footing in England
which the Scots have never before possessed, gives them a great
advantage over London, because of the control of coal supplies.
It will add force to the instances of the Scottish commissioners for
the payments due, of which they have received little or nothing, and
for the introduction of Presbyterianism and the destruction of the
sects allowed by the English, but which they detest, and to bring
pressure on the English to co-operate in their present aims. Thus the
hurt suffered by the king through the loss of this place may easily
be compensated by dissensions between the two kingdoms.
The Prince Palatine, disappointed in the promises made to him
by everyone remains here because he does not know where (fn. 1)
to remind the parliamentarians of him by his unsuccessful hypocrisies.
He has asked parliament to allow him to take part in the synod, in
order to hear the discussion on points of religion, and this has been
granted.
The French resident has returned from the royal army. He
treated to obtain permission from the king for French ships
to trade at his ports, hoping to obtain the same here, a point
on which the Dutch ambassadors have met with considerable
difficulties (fn. 1) his Majesty pointed out (fn. 1) at
the end with a declaration to abandon his own interest to serve
France.
I have learned from a person who has seen the letters written
this week by the secretary of state to this minister, that the duke
of Orleans, moved by affection for his sister, has suggested to the
Council the desirability of assisting her with 4 millions of florins,
and this was approved by the princes. Thus it is probable that
when the queen arrives at the Court she will obtain the order and
the payment, unless Cardinal Mazarini is strong enough to
prevent it. This will prove a considerable and opportune
succour for the king in his present circumstances.
London, the 4th November, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Nov. 8.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
167. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The queen of England was received at Fontenblo by the
Commendatore Soure and the count of Berlise, on behalf of the
queen regent and the Princess Maria de Nevers. She proceeded
slowly towards Paris, where she arrived on Saturday evening.
The duke of Orleans and Mademoiselle d'Orleans, his daughter,
went out to meet her. The Regent, the king and little Monsieur
awaited her just outside the suburbs, where compliments were
exchanged. She was then escorted to the Louvre, where the
crowd of people that gathered was the most remarkable circumstance
of all the function. Their Majesties will defray her for
ten days, after which she will have an assignment of 12,000 ducats
a month. They have given her guards both horse and foot, all
dressed in her colours and wearing her device. The parliamentarians
will keep a very sharp look out upon her negotiations,
but here they will endeavour with every possible art to diminish
the suspicions which will be conceived from her merely staying
here.
Since the death of the queen of Spain there has been some idea
of the possibility of Mademoiselle marrying the widowed king. (fn. 3)
That is likely to be a difficult matter ; many also believe that the
queen of England, before her departure may bring on to the carpet
some such proposal for the Prince of Wales, her son.
Paris, the 8th November, 1644.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 11.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
168. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
Avoiding a battle, the king proceeded from Newbury to
Donington castle his army entrenching with the aid of a small
stream. But pressed by the parliamentarians, who grew stronger
every day, through being so near this city, he decided to retire,
as he did on Sunday, after a few skirmishes, in which the loss on
both sides did not exceed 600.
The hurry as well as the (fn. 4) obliged his Majesty to
abandon eight inferior pieces of artillery of which the enemy
promptly took possession, 7 other pieces of more importance
being left guarded by some royalist troops at that castle, though
not without danger that it might fall if besieged, as is threatened.
With a part of the cavalry the king has returned towards Bristol,
unsuccessfully followed by the parliamentarians, as falling in on
the road with Prince Rupert (fn. 4) arrived there
without further loss. The rest of the cavalry with many of the
infantry have betaken themselves to Wallingford and Oxford,
to secure those places, which are subject to the danger of a
siege in the difficulty of aiding them with a field army so far
away, with the season so far advanced and more severe than usual.
From the result it may be inferred that his Majesty's coming with
the declaration reported was prompted by the dissensions among the
parliamentary commanders, and even more upon the hope of some rising
in the city than upon his own forces, which were not in themselves
capable of making such an effort. But these vain hopes have vanished
and delay will not help him since his own party keeps growing weaker,
unless misunderstandings between the two kingdoms increase, or the
dissensions among the commanders and other parliamentarians.
The incident has some compensation in the chasing away of
some parliamentary troops which were going to besiege Banbury
again (fn. 4) compelled to abandon some guns (fn. 4)
come out with troops from Oxford (fn. 4)
Confirmation has arrived from the North of the capture of
Newcastle by the Scots, making them masters of the coal mines,
so necessary to this city. Tynemouth, at the mouth of the river
is still in his Majesty's power, but it is invested and cannot hold out
for long. This loss is of great disadvantage to his Majesty, for while
on the one hand he was able to inconvenience this city enormously by
preventing the coal from coming, he supplied Holland with what they
required. On the other hand many believe that this place may in the
end prove a stone of offence between the two nations, as the Scots now
they have a firm footing in England and such an advantage over
London may press their claims vigorously both for the sums due to
them and for the establishment of religion. This bridge will not be
crossed without great divisions, and those are the most vigorous arms
from which the royal house can hope for advantage.
The Common Council of London has presented to parliament
the articles which they claim must be granted by the king for
peace, to be combined with those decided on by parliament.
As they are very numerous and insubstantial they have been sent
back for revision, and so time is wasted, to the end that with
changing circumstances the leaders may prosecute their designs.
Having obtained permission to sit in the synod the Prince
Palatine has been there for the first time, accompanied by the
master of the Ceremonies and one of the ministers, when, in a
brief speech, he commended its zeal, though he did not escape
censure and general merriment (che non va esente pero dalla censura
e riso universale). The king has written him a high toned and
disdainful letter, of which I enclose a copy. He has replied
briefly pointing out that his interests compel him to neutrality
that he would like the king to believe that he professes (fn. 1)
[The French resident returned] from the royal army with his
Majesty's permission for the trade which I reported ; he has
presented to parliament a paper with the same request, but first
complains that he has had no reply to another request on the
same subject made two months ago. He is entirely taken up
with this affair, in which he will receive no better satisfaction
than the Dutch ambassadors.
London, the 11th November, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Enclosure. |
169. Letter of the King to the Prince Palatine.
Asks the reason for his coming and who invited him. Only
curious for the sake of his mother. (fn. 5)
[Italian, from the English ; 3 pages.] |
Nov. 15.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian.
Archives. |
170. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The queen of England has received the ambassadors in audience
and they have paid their respects to her. She thanked me and
spoke gratefully of the services of the republic's ministers in
London. She is now much better, though still weak and
extenuated. The movement of one hand and arm are practically
entirely gone, and the signs of her beauty, once so renowned, are
utterly extinguished as the consequence of her afflictions and
illnesses.
Paris, the 15th November, 1644.
[Italian.] |
Nov. 18.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
171. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England,
to the Doge and Senate.
The king retired with more loss to the enemy than himself,
the loss of the guns being compensated by the capture of 5 taken
at the same time from the parliamentarians who fled from
Banbury, which is now safe and provided for all emergencies,
as it opens the way from Oxford to Bristol. Donington castle,
where his Majesty left the most important guns and munitions
remains free from a siege, not having (fn. 1) parliamentarians
approached (fn. 1) and the garrison
itself has introduced provisions taken from the enemy.
The king, who on this occasion has given extraordinary proofs
of his high spirit and courage returned at once to Oxford and with
the addition of 4,000 soldiers under Prince Rupert joined to the
rest of his army he is now 16,000 men strong. Determined not
to leave the enemy quiet this winter, he is preparing to march
with these either towards the associated counties to keep the
soldiers amused, or towards this city, as is announced.
(fn. 1) diminishing and deteriorating, as General Essex
has come to London seriously ill, and Manchester is summoned
to the defence of the associated counties, which support him.
So the charge is laid upon Waller, put there rather for the zeal
he has shown for the party than for his experience and courage ;
but what is worse, fallen into the lowest estimation with the
soldiers. With all this it will be difficult even when Essex is
better. (fn. 1)
The king's cause is also prospering in Wales, his people having
recaptured Monmouth, but it is being greatly enfeebled by the
losses in the North which grow worse. Besides Newcastle, Tynemouth
has surrendered to the Scots and Liverpool, the capital
of Lancashire, to the parliamentarians. Though these successes
of the Scots may lead to quarrels with the English, hope of future
prosperity does not compensate for present loss. Moreover, for
their own interests and safety, both nations will be prevented from
re-establishing the original royal authority. Occasions for dissension
have not been long in putting in an appearance. The Scots have
written to parliament stating that they propose to enjoy the benefit
of the coal in satisfaction of their debts and the current payments.
They also demand the destruction of the numerous sects and the
establishment of a single rite. If this last point is pressed it will
lead to great and perilous confusion. They have tried to prevent
the letter being read publicly in parliament, but without success.
The matter being discussed and to give an apparent satisfaction to
the Scots and gain time, they have directed the synod to consider
the question and report. It is believed, however, that the Scots will
persist in this demand until it is definitely complied with.
The much discussed peace proposals are not yet ready, since
the claims of the city of London, exalted with having contributed
so much, had to be referred back for revision. This has been
done and they are reduced to six, but these have not yet been
examined.
The reception of the queen of England (fn. 1) by herself
privately ; but is represented here as honourable and affectionate.
This causes no small anxiety and apprehension that her demands
may be satisfied, both by private individuals and by the Court.
According to reports received she remarked to Conde that her husband
would not deserve to be a king unless he hanged all the members of
both Houses of parliament. A rumour that the queen is going soon
to Normandy arouses the suspicion that she aspires to introduce
Frenchmen into the neighbouring islands of Jersey and Guernsey,
where the inhabitants are opposed to his Majesty, although he holds
a strong castle on the sea which may secure the landing. (fn. 6) Such
a diversion of a foreign army, near but not incorporated in the kingdom,
may cause great alarm among the people here and produce
results beneficial to the king, who has now to contemplate even the
most perilous measures. To obtain advice of what is happening
besides numerous spies parliament has sent M. Oger, a Frenchman
but a Protestant, who was formerly the king's agent at that Court. (fn. 7)
London, the 18th November, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Nov. 25.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
172. Gerolamo Agostini, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
In face of the enemy's army the king, with a body of 8,000
men has recovered from Donington castle the guns, munitions
and money which he left there at his late retirement. The
parliamentary commanders with all their forces were at Newbury,
in sight of the castle. On the advance of the royal troops they
held a Council of War, in which only five considered that they
ought to fight. So the contrary opinion prevailed and the
royal forces returned to Wallingford at their ease, without harm.
On hearing this news parliament was so incensed that it directed
the commissioners to send persons to the army on purpose to make
enquiry into the cause of such a miscarriage ; for as no military
excuse was admissible there must of necessity be suspicion of
intelligence and betrayal. But these have vanished from a more
complete knowledge of the facts, showing that the dissensions
among the commanders arise from this new canker of religion
which divides them in their aims and forms. This, which has
hitherto served as a pretext for the war is apparently now becoming a
principal cause, and if that is so it will in the end eat into the very
vitals of this realm. The vigorous endeavours of the Scots to subject
consciences to the presbytery and set up uniform rites conformable
to those practised by the Huguenots in France and in Holland, have
roused the separatists to unite in opposition, so that there is not only
division in the army, as indicated above, but in the synod and in
parliament itself. There after a long discussion they have this week put
to the vote and given leave to the separatists to produce reasons in favour
of their doctrines, as the others have done. It will not be easy to grant
this, as among these separatists the sect of Independents prevails,
who are the exact opposite of the Presbyterians. So the Scots will
have to support their pretensions by force, and if they wish to defeat
the others they will either form a third party or unite with the king,
whose interest it is to take every means to gain his ends.
Amid these confusions they have at last decided to send the
peace proposals to the king, and to facilitate them by admitting
to pardon the two Palatine Princes, Rupert and Maurice, who have
borne arms for his Majesty, although by so many articles they
take the crown altogether from his head. Four members of the
Lower House and two of the Upper have been selected to take
them ; but their instructions are only to present them, and
after waiting a suitable time for a reply, to return, without any
negotiation. They proposed to send Sir [Peter] Chiligre for the
passports, but changed their minds and sent a simple trumpet,
who has not yet returned. The Dutch ambassadors, seizing
the opportunity, have presented a paper in parliament with fresh
offers to act. They have been thanked dryly, as they are by no
means pleased at the appointment of commissioners by each side
to examine the business which they wish to introduce.
All indications point to this effort proving vain, and so they are
devising means for carrying on the war all through the winter
without giving the enemy any repose. The king has supplied
the most important places about Oxford with provisions for 3
months, and having little confidence in his Scottish general, has
deposed him and substituted the Prince of Wales, Prince Rupert
being declared his Lieutenant General. (fn. 8) His Majesty's advantage
will be the greater because the religious differences compel parliament
to divide its army, especially as they cannot send out General Essex
supreme over all, because he is ill and under suspicion for reasons
frequently stated.
A petition signed by a great number of the inhabitants of
London has been presented to parliament asking that great care
may be had of Windsor Castle, a considerable post for the safety
of this city ; that the vacant seats in the Lower House be filled
by fresh elections ; and that the Archbishop of Canterbury be
punished. All these motions were promoted by the leaders of
the party to strengthen themselves and ensure the success of
their designs. At once, although after a long trial which began
with this parliament at the outset, they found no crime against
the archbishop which would make him worthy of death by the
laws of the realm, he has been condemned to execution by decree
of the Lower House as a person pernicious to the state. They
have sent this to the Upper House for its consent, which will
follow as usual. For the rest Windsor castle has been provisioned,
but the most difficult point, the nomination of members of
parliament, is yet undecided.
M. Oger left for the French Court four days ago. He takes
letters of credence from parliament to the king and queen, as a gentleman
envoy, but he will not present them unless obliged, as he feels
confident that he can introduce himself to treat with Cardinal
Mazarini, under the pretext of regulating trade, of which the French
resident here makes so much. But his chief object is to spy out the
most secret designs of the Court, and the transactions of the queen of
England. They have been much excited here over a report, which is
not confirmed, that the king has sent the order of the garter to the Duke
of Epernon, and declared him general. As a precaution they have
sent troops to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey and they are busily
preparing the fleet to prevent any troops crossing from Ireland,
France or Holland, of which they are afraid.
London, the 25th November, 1644.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Nov. 26.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
173. To the Ambassador in France.
When the queen of England arrives there you will be guided
as to the time and manner of going to audience of her by what is
done by the other representatives friendly with that crown. You
will express to her in the fullest possible manner the cordial desire
of the republic that the king her husband may enjoy the most
complete and tranquil felicity.
Ayes, 87. Noes, 2. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.] |