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Nov. 2.
Capitano
General da
Mar.
Venetian
Archives. |
443. Note of Zuane Capello, Capitano General da Mar, of
the 2nd November, 1646.
The vessels which have at present contracted for service are
three in number, as follows :—
Lefort or Fortezza, Captain Laffey, burthen 2,000 salme.
The English (l'Inglese), Captain Colony, burthen 2,000 salme
or thereabouts.
Another.
[Italian.]
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Nov. 3.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Roma.
Venetian
Archives. |
444. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at Rome,
to the Doge and Senate.
Sir [Kenelm] Digbi, Resident of the Queen of England, called
upon me yesterday and passed a complimentary office with me in
her name. I responded in a manner that seemed suitable to
the time and the occasion. He then began to tell me that since
he left here he had informed me of his ideas for the service of your
Excellencies, and he has been constantly engaged in seeing whether
they can be profitably carried into effect. He did not treat the
matter lightly, but on a perfectly sound basis. He had not
confided in the good will expressed towards him personally by
various Englishmen, but on his return from France he had
passed through Leghorn and had entered into negotiations with
the consul of his country, who has the control of business amounting
to more than 300,000 crowns. He found that he could count
upon having sixteen well armed English ships east of the Strait,
and that with the help of his friends he could have eight more,
making 24 in all, admirably equipped. With these he would
undertake to search out the Turkish fleet next spring, meet it in
the Dardanelles or wherever else they pleased, engage and defeat
it. He would guarantee the result even if they numbered 200
galleys. For this they would give security or pledges for the sum
claimed until that time, at Amsterdam or any other mart. They
would require 30 to 40 frigates for use in calm weather and to tow
the ships, or your Serenity's galleys might serve the purpose.
They would not ask these to take any part in the fight, but only
to tow the ships forward to the place where they were wanted.
They would remain in the background until the enemy fleet was
crushed, when they could advance and finish off the victory. They
did not want any of our nobles to take command, but only a
Proveditore or two to assist at the payment of the ships, take part
in deliberation and see what was being done. They knew quite
well from the disasters of this year and last that these nobles are
rather a hindrance and a cause of confusion than any help. He
was not surprised at this because in England also he had observed
that young nobles, lacking experience and failing in spirit and
courage, had caused similar mishaps. This might be made good
in time, but meanwhile your Serenity has to consider your
interests and not to allow the Turk to prevail another year as
they have done in the two preceding. It was quite certain that
as they could not prevent single vessels from entering Canea,
so it was impossible to believe that a whole fleet could not have
been brought to combat if any opposition had been offered.
He did not wish to have any interest in this matter beyond the
good will of your Serenity, and it would be enough for him to
refer you to the individual with whom he had negotiated, that is
to say the English consul referred to. Your Serenity would
thereby effect a considerable saving and receive much better
service.
I thanked him for the offer but said I did not think the republic
was in the habit of entrusting the command at sea to any but
its own citizens. There were many difficulties. Wind and
numerous other untoward circumstances had prevented the
Venetian fleet from opposing the Turks.
He replied that it was not always necessary to cling to the same
principles. This was a question in which great damage was
threatened to Christendom and to the republic itself. The
commanders of the ships in question are men of honour and of
courage, who would take their orders from any minister of the
republic we liked and carry them out with perfect loyalty.
Rome, the 3rd November, 1646.
[Italian.]
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Nov. 6.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
445. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Paris, the 6th November, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
446. Advices from London, the 25th October, 1646.
The deputies of the two Houses have long and frequent meetings
with the Scottish commissioners, but they have not yet come to
any decision about the king. The English persist in their claim
that the care of his person belongs to them, to which the Scots
so far will not agree. The king still insists on being allowed to
come to London or near it and, pending the result of the conference,
he does not give his assent to the proposals. The marquis of
Argyle urges him in the name of the Scots, but has not yet
succeeded in persuading him. Meanwhile the Houses have
appointed three persons to guard and use the great seal of the
realm, to be changed every six months.
To prevent the growing confusion in matters of religion the
synod has presented a confession of faith to the two Houses.
They have decided to discuss a certain point with the whole body
of parliament at an opportune time and meanwhile they have
permitted it to be printed. It contains propositions at once
impious and absurd. (fn. 1)
It is confirmed that the marquis of Ormond has come over to
parliament, indeed his deputies have arrived in London bringing
most ample offers for him and all his forces, with professions of
his readiness to leave Ireland if his stay there is suspect and to go
where they may direct him. What little remains to the king in
Ireland is thus depressed and the enemy's strength invigorated.
He asks prompt succour for Dublin because the Catholics who
refuse the peace are pressing it hard.
The Marquis of Antrim has left Scotland and has gone to the
neighbouring islands with the scanty remnants of his forces.
[Italian.]
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Nov. 13.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
447. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Paris, the 13th November, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
448. Advices from London, the 1st November, 1646.
The king has at last sent some peace proposals to London
after Montreuil's arrival at Newcastle. Briefly he offers to leave
to parliament the control of the army and appointments for 10
years ; that bishops shall be suspended for three years and he will
accept the form of religion determined by a synod to which 20
preachers nominated by himself shall have entry. There is little
hope of these proposals bringing peace when the Houses have heard
them.
Parliament is assembled in Scotland to decide what shall be
done with the king. The commissioners in London continue
to meet without any sign of results. Strange ideas are now on the
lips of members, one of whom maintained in full council that
having won the kingdom by the sword they can dispose of it as
a just conquest. The mayor and council of London do not
agree with the Houses in their severity towards the king, but
seem to incline to his side and to allow him to come to London.
The revenues of the bishops have been granted them for 10 years
to recoup them for the 200,000l. furnished to the Scots. The city
has also made an offer to find money for the war in Ireland on the
understanding that all that is recovered shall belong to them.
Parliament is sending five persons to that country to receive the
offers of the marquis of Ormond and of the city of Dublin. (fn. 2)
The Houses have no great confidence in the marquis, because
they think that necessity and the difficulty of holding out against
the Catholics made him change sides.
[Italian.]
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Nov. 20.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
449. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The deputies of Dunkirk have come to the Court to protest to
the king their constant loyalty and obedience. They further
propose that in that town a custom house shall be opened and
that they be given liberty to trade in England and Holland,
promising half a million of crowns a year certain, in revenue.
[Advices of London enclosed.]
Paris, the 20th November, 1646.
[Italian.]
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| Enclosure. |
450. Advices from London, the 8th November, 1646.
It seems certain that the sole object of the proposals sent by the
king to parliament is to afford a pretext to some who still adhere
to his Majesty to declare themselves, as the refusal of such offers
will show clearly that they do not mean to accept peace on any
terms soever. It seems to have produced the effect already, as
the matter was hotly debated in parliament, some supporting it
with all their might, others steadily rejecting it. The dispute
waxed so hot that some even drew their swords in the house.
To prevent any favourable impression that might be made on
the people, they have stopped the printing which was beginning
to circulate in the city, and have tried to withdraw the copies
already issued.
It appears that the Scottish parliament has issued a decree
to stand solid with the English in the treaty, but that the
monarchy shall be maintained and the king's prerogatives and
crown retained, a point which by no means pleases the English
parliament. If peace cannot be arranged on the conditions
suggested by the king some think that his Majesty will give
his consent to those proposed by parliament, but only during
his life, leaving the royal authority and claims to his son unimpaired.
Lord Digby has sailed from Ireland for France after conferring
with the marquis of Ormond. This conference has roused the
suspicions of the parliamentarians and they are sending the
commissioners reported to make sure of him and of Dublin, which
is seriously menaced by the Catholic forces.
All foreign soldiers have been dismissed from the armies,
especially the French, as a nation suspect and because, for the
sake of pushing their conquests in Flanders they lend a hand to
trouble in this country rather than to peace.
[Italian.]
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Nov. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
451. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
I have replied as instructed to Sir [John] Douglas, encouraging
him to raise some troops. He is quite willing and we have
discussed how he could enlist English or Irish men. Owing to
the risks and obstacles he is devising expedients and discussing
means with his friends to see what can be done. For the rest, if
your Serenity wishes to engage him personally, as he has occupied
a high position in the king's service, he would desire a somewhat
higher rank and salary than he had before, and if he brings
troops, some payment in advance or the money he says is due to
him for his past services. I enclose a packet from Spain but as
the London mail has not arrived this week, possibly owing to the
weather, I have been unable to compile the usual news letter.
Paris, the 27th November, 1646.
[Italian.]
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