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Oct. 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
427. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Sir John Douglas, a Scot, who left the service of your
Excellencies four years ago for that of the Duke of Parma, is
most anxious to return to it, under present circumstances. He
has come here on purpose to offer himself. He states moreover
that some money and arrears of pay are due to him.
The advices of London are attached.
Moret, the 2nd October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
428. Advices from London, the 20th September, 1646.
They are still trying to find a way to secure to the Scots the
payment of the sums promised them for withdrawing. The
assembly has been held at Edinburgh, in which they decided to
ask the English to admit the king to London and to parliament,
and then treat amicably for peace. They also ask that, in
accordance with the agreement between the two countries, the
question of religion may be decided among the first. This will
not please the English, religion being in the utmost confusion,
while they wish to have the king as a prisoner rather than as a
leader.
The quarrels between the Presbyterians and Independents
continue and some trouble between them is the only thing that
can give the king any opportunity of improving his fortunes.
With the plague working great havoc in London they have
decided that his Majesty's children shall be taken to a country
house, but under guard and with orders that no one who took the
royal side may approach them. (fn. 1)
With all England acknowledging parliament General Fairfax
is dividing his army among the counties, in their quarters. Many
castles are being demolished and the garrisons disbanded, so that
the country may not be eaten up by revolutions.
In Ireland the army of the Protestants is being restored and
many ships are scouring the sea to prevent that country from
communicating with foreigners. In spite of this Digby has crossed
to Scotland with some troops to reinforce those who still cling to
the royal side.
[Italian.]
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Oct. 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives. |
429. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople,
to the Doge and Senate.
Four days ago an English ship arrived here with a very rich
cargo of woollen, silk and gold cloth. They would not permit it
to enter the Castelle until the English merchants here obtained
a command to that effect giving pledges that the goods were on their
account. This has never been done before to a ship coming in,
although it has been customary to stop them for three days on leaving
and to search them thoroughly, for goods and slaves. There may be
two reasons for this procedure, first that under the pretext of trade
ships may introduce enemy goods ; and second that ships coming
from Venice to our merchants may masquerade as English.
This particular ship left Leghorn fifty days ago. Two other
English ships are expected. The business of that nation multiplies
exceedingly, although they are so loaded with debts that they are
accounted bankrupt. By the last ships that sailed the merchants
say they have written and sent letters of the first Vizier to have a
new ambassador sent. I do not see how that king can send any orders
in favour of the ambassador here and it may possibly happen that
parliament will send one. In such case I shall be glad of instructions
how to proceed as it is probable that the French ambassador will
support the present minister.
The Vigne di Pera, the 2nd October, 1646.
[Italian ; deciphered.]
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Oct. 6.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Roma.
Venetian
Archives. |
430. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at Rome,
to the Doge and Senate.
I had audience of the pope the day before yesterday. Among
other things I pointed out the republic's urgent need of help. I
reminded him of the briefs and the help for the Christians of
Bosnia, I intimated that if the piety of his Holiness thought fit to
employ it in Ireland, it would be no less profitable in this quarter,
which is so near the States of the Church, against an enemy
much more formidable. He answered that he had given some
orders. But there was a difference as Ireland is a Catholic
kingdom, and it is necessary to preserve it, having begun to do so.
I retorted that it was much more important to defend onesself
against an enemy who utterly destroys both religion and the
church. With his eyes on the ground he admitted that was
right, but it was necessary to think of arming at sea and of
assisting Poland. Following on this he has referred the matter
to the congregation de propaganda fide.
Rome, the 6th October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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431. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at Rome,
to the Doge and Senate.
Digbi the Resident of England has arrived from France. His
journey was retarded owing to a personal attack made upon him
when on the way.
Rome, the 6th October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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Oct. 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
432. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The nuncio and the clergy of Ireland have sent an express to
this Court to complain that Lord Digby who has concluded a
peace for the Protestants with the Catholics there which is
disadvantageous to the latter and infamous, has been profuse
both with the money and the name of this crown to induce many
to agree to it, and that the treaty may be authorised by the
presence of the French minister resident there. Here they do not
deny having promoted the peace, but they had nothing to do with
the terms, their sole object being to raise the king's name and
party, which were beaten down in Ireland also. They are,
however, devising some way to modify the treaty in order to calm
down the dissensions which have arisen, as your Excellencies will
learn from the enclosed sheet.
Paris, the 9th October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
433. Advices from London, the 27th September, 1646.
They are still considering how to find the money for the Scots.
The two Houses sent for the mayor and council of London to get
the city to supply a great part, but found them reluctant and a
claim was made in their behalf for a reduction in their contributions
equivalent to the money they decide to pay out.
For the rest arms are laid aside in England, there being no one
left to conquer, and the king is at Newcastle in his usual state,
with Bellievre at his side, uncertain what his fate will be. The
Independents and the Upper House as well seem ever less averse
from the royal name. It looks as if they were beginning to open
their eyes and to perceive the plight into which they would fall
themselves if a popular and irregular government were established.
Commissioners of Scotland are with his Majesty and they urge
him to accept and sign the conditions of peace proposed.
The peace concluded in Ireland has given rise to fresh trouble
there, because all the conditions are unfavourable and dishonourable
to the Catholics and the religion there. The clergy have
unanimously rejected them and sent an express to the pope at
Rome, protesting that they will not accept it. The people are
divided, some accepting the arrangement, others witholding their
approval. Quarrels have arisen over this and the clergy have
fulminated excommunication against those who have accepted
it or who do accept it in the future. Some towns have opened
their gates to the Protestants of the royal side, with whom the
agreement is concluded ; others will not admit them. Thus the
Catholics are in confusion and consequently weakened, making
themselves a prey for the parliamentarians, who will soon be
hastening to subdue them with all their power.
[Italian.]
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Oct. 13.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
434. To the Ambassador in France.
We will consider the proposal of a levy of Englishmen and advise
you of the public will.
Ayes, 122. Noes, 1. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.]
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Oct. 16.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
435. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Paris, the 16th October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
436. Advices from London, the 4th October, 1646.
The earl of Essex, commander in chief of the parliament forces
at the beginning of the civil war, is dead, (fn. 2) and the Presbyterian
party has lost one of its strongest leaders.
The Houses have held a long discussion about what they shall
do with his Majesty and decided that, as he is in England, he shall
remain at the disposition of the parliament in London. They
are therefore anxious to get the Scots out of the country and are
busy collecting the 200,000l. promised them. The Scots are also
pressing his Majesty to order those of his party in their country
to lay down their arms as promised. The king pleads that he
has not the power. To content the Scots he has repeated his
orders, but they are not obeyed. The Scots are also pressing the
king to accept the peace, but he says he cannot bring himself to
abolish the episcopal order, which he swore to preserve when he
mounted the throne. To give some mark of his sovereign
authority the king has created various knights and lords. Before
deciding upon a positive answer about the peace he is waiting
for a reply to the despatches sent by the Ambassador Bellievre.
Montreuil who carries them has arrived in London, but the
Houses have not yet answered his request for a pass to go to his
Majesty.
The Scilly Islands are on the point of surrendering to the
parliament of London. The dissensions among the Irish
Catholics continue. The marquis of Ormond, his Majesty's
viceroy there, when on his way to a town with 1,000 men to assist
those who wished to carry out the peace, was nearly cut to pieces
in an ambush. Being warned he just succeeded in escaping.
[Italian.]
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Oct. 23.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
437. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
We hear from Brussels on the most excellent authority that all
the industry of the Spanish ministers is devoted at present to
stirring up the Dutch and the parliament of London and to
disseminate misgivings among them that the power of this crown
at sea will become too extended.
To bridle the English they are seeking every means for raising
up the royal party in Scotland and Ireland, as well as to give some
substance to the royal name, for the purpose of keeping up the
internal divisions of that kingdom and to prevent it from attending
to foreign affairs.
Advices of England enclosed.
Paris, the 23rd October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
438. Advices from London, the 11th October, 1646.
The estates of Scotland have agreed to accept the 200,000l.
offered by the English, and to withdraw their troops from England
as the payments are made. The city of London offers to supply
the sum, the revenues of suppressed bishoprics being assigned as
security. These same estates have conferred full powers on their
commissioners in London, to treat about the disposal of the king's
person, a long step towards leaving him in the hands of the
English, destroying his Majesty's hopes that they would never
consent to this but would take him with them. The Upper House
has deputed 12 leading men and the Lower 24 to negotiate and
settle this matter with the commissioners. The isle of Scilly
has surrendered to parliament. The earl of Antrim, holding out
in the Highlands of Scotland, roundly refuses to lay down his arms
until honourable and secure terms of peace are granted to him.
The Spanish ambassador asked audience of the Upper House to
inform them about Flanders and of the hurt which the loss of
Dunkirk would inflict upon England. He was referred to the
committee for foreign affairs.
Clothes and provisions have been sent to the army in Ireland,
and to support it better they are looking about for funds and have
sold the goods of some of those excluded from the peace and
pardon, whom parliament considered its enemies.
[Italian.]
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Oct. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Roma.
Venetian
Archives. |
439. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to
the Doge and Senate.
Sir Kenelm Digbi, Resident of the King of England, is a man
full of imagination and idle fancies (pieno d'inventioni e di chimere).
He has offered to the pope that if he is supplied with 800,000
crowns he will undertake, entirely at his own cost, to collect
and assemble forty English ships, from those which have passed
through the Strait of Gibraltar, and will set out this spring to
attack and destroy the Turkish fleet. That to find this money
it would be a good thing to urge your Serenity to disarm and to
leave this enterprise to him, since it would be to your advantage
to do so, as you spend 800,000 ducats a month, while for him
800,000 for a whole year would suffice to provide for everything.
I see no indication that this suggestion has met with approval, as
the pope has not said anything to me about it, since he knows
quite well the insuperable difficulties in the way.
Rome, the 27th October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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Oct. 28.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives. |
440. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople,
to the Doge and Senate.
Reports the arrival of a Flemish ship. Most of the cargo was
laded at Venice by Englishmen and Jews. Suffers greatly by the
loss of the cottimo, since they pay it extensively even now to the new
resident of the English merchants, so that over 4,000 reals have been
lost to the cottimo on the goods brought by the last four ships.
The Vigne di Pera, the 28th October, 1646.
[Italian ; deciphered.]
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Oct. 30.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
441. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses the usual sheet of London.
Paris, the 30th October, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
442. Advices from London, the 18th October, 1646.
The Houses granted Montreuil his pass to Newcastle, and on
the road he announced that he was taking to his Majesty from
France exhortations to agree to the peace. The Scots about the
king seem somewhat more content as he seems inclined to consent
to what has already been agreed between the two countries
and has allowed the preachers to remove some doubts which
most troubled his conscience about religion and the bishops.
In London they have agreed that the 200,000l. shall be paid to
the Scots on the frontier. Parliament has 4,000 horse and 4,000
foot in that district ready to enter the towns immediately the
Scottish troops leave. The deputies of the two nations are still
meeting to decide what shall be done with the king for the benefit
of the kingdom. They have held numerous meetings, but whither
these tend does not transpire. Many of the Upper House are in
favour of allowing his Majesty to come to London or near by, to
negotiate near the spot, but others oppose this.
It is said that the marquis of Ormond, seeing that the peace
treaty in Ireland is impossible, has declared for parliament and
is sending deputies to London to arrange terms. If this be true
it will be a great lift for the parliament party there, as the marquis
would bring with him the towns and forces which still stand by the
king. They are sending reinforcements from England and as the
soldiers are unwilling to go to that country, they give them
three months' pay in advance.
[Italian.]
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