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April 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives.
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494. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
This crown is trying to obtain troops from Ireland and sent
ships to fetch them. Although parliament is pleased to see the
Catholics disarmed in this way it is not without suspicion that
arms and money may be introduced into that kingdom under this
pretext. They have accordingly decided to scour the sea and to
search the ships they meet. This action appeared strange to
them here, but when it was discussed in the council of war they
decided to dissemble and not to consider any incident as an
affront, as the ships are the property of merchants and have not
the flag or name of this crown.
The Ambassador Bellievre is asking for leave to return home,
as he feels that he is at once disliked and slighted, but they have
not granted it yet. The rest of the London news is in the enclosed
sheet.
Paris, the 2nd April, 1647.
[Italian.]
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Enclosure.
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495. Advices from London, the 21st March, 1647.
The king has written a second letter from Humby to parliament
naming twelve preachers to his liking and asking that two of
these, selected by them, may be sent to him. They have not yet
answered, but incline to refuse and they are only waiting for the
arrival of the Scottish commissioners to make a final demand on
his Majesty to accept the Covenant and peace proposals, and if he
will not they seem inclined to imprison him in a castle in the heart
of the kingdom, and then to dispose of the government and the
crown as they see fit. They have also thought of sending some one
to France, without much ceremony, to persuade the Prince of
Wales to return to this country. The Houses are apprehensive
lest the prince should go to Ireland, where the Catholic party
would be extremely glad to see him.
They have had long discussions about reforming the army and
have at last decided that General Fairfax, shall be confirmed as its
commander, and that it shall consist of 10,000 foot and 5,000
horse, to preserve the internal peace of the country. It was
further decided that 8,400 foot, 3,000 horse and 1,200 dragoons
should cross to Ireland so that the war there may be ended more
quickly. General Lesle has already arrived there and the marquis
of Ormond, having given hostages, is treating seriously for an
accommodation with parliament.
They have not answered the Ambassador Bellievre. So far
parliament has merely asked for his exposition in writing.
Although his audience was a mark of recognition, for which
parliament is extremely anxious, yet there was little ceremony.
The master of the ceremonies alone went to fetch him and
accompanied him home, and they made the ambassador himself
wait a long time in a small room before admitting him to audience.
[Italian.]
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April 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives.
|
496. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The queen of England had some intention of proceeding to
Ireland, but parliament is closely on the watch and is having
the sea scoured by its ships. Forwards the sheet of advices.
Paris, the 9th April, 1647.
[Italian.]
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Enclosure.
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497. Advices from London, the 28th March, 1647.
The English parliament has sent commissioners to the Scottish
to treat for the restoration of Belfast, which the Scots hold in
North Ireland. News has come that the Catholics have occupied
Dublin, but this has often been reported and never confirmed.
It seems more certain that they have occupied Cork, an important
position. The two Houses are devoting all their energy to raising
a force to end that war as soon as possible. They have decided
to set apart 60,000l. sterling a month for those requirements for
a whole year.
They have not yet answered his Majesty's request about the
ministers, or made up their minds, and with the Scottish commissioners
arrived at Humby they have not yet decided the
important question of the disposal of the king's person. The
prisoners of war have been released by the Houses, but they
make the most careful note of all who have followed the royal
side.
Many ships have been sent to the coasts of Ireland to prevent
the passage of any assistance.
The counties are sending deputies to London to complain about
the winter quarters and ask that the troops may be reduced, but
a decree has been issued giving Gen. Fairfax complete liberty
to do as he pleases about billeting.
[Italian.]
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April 10.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives.
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498. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople,
to the Doge and Senate.
For the despatch of the English ship Triangle it behoved the
deputy of the English merchants to go to audience of the Grand
Vizier. Since then he has made it known that the Vizier had
information from the Captain Pasha that of the English ships the
greater number are in the fleet of your Excellencies. The Vizier
protested that if they did not have them taken away and did not
prevent others from going there, the deputy and all the other
merchants would lose their heads. He required that the order
should be sent by the ships aforesaid. I gather that he wanted to
make use of this pretext to prevent that ship going to Venice,
lest it should be pressed for war service. I have made counter
representations and I hope that the ship will be released.
The Vigne di Pera, the 10th April, 1647.
[Italian, deciphered.]
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April 16.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives.
|
499. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Paris, the 16th April, 1647.
[Italian.]
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Enclosure.
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500. Advices from London, the 4th April, 1647.
The Upper House granted Bellievre's request to enlist Irish for
service under his crown, but the Lower is holding up the decision.
Parliament has assigned 50 Jacobus a day for the king's expenses
and has ordered that his children, who are in London, shall be
taken to spend the summer in one of the royal houses in the
country. (fn. 1) In Fairfax's army several soldiers were combining to
sign a very seditious demand. The officers found it out and
adroitly put a stop to it. Ormond is negotiating seriously with
parliament. His hostages, including his own son, have already
reached Chester. If Dublin falls into the hands of the parliamentarians
the Catholics will be in evil case. But there are
divisions and tumults in the city, most of the people being
estranged from the marquis by this negotiation.
Instead of fresh commissioners parliament has decided to send
only the earl of Ladredaine who, with the Scottish deputies now
in London, will join the English in presenting the final demands
to the king about signing the peace. In Scotland itself the earl
of Antrim and the others still in arms against parliament, have
added to their numbers and are established in such strong mountainous
country that it will be difficult to drive them out.
In reply to the English request for the restitution of Belfast
the Scots have answered that as the place is very convenient
for the retirement of their forces in that country, they cannot
deprive themselves of it until those forces are able to subsist
in the country, but if parliament will satisfy them for what
they have spent and for what is due for that war, they will gladly
hand it over and will leave the country.
[Italian.]
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April 23.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives.
|
501. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The Palatine is very active in London over his personal interests.
He sent an intimation to parliament there that he had to impart
to it a matter of the gravest consequence for the Protestant
religion, and for this reason he desired that the Houses would
select a deputation of persons who might treat with him upon
an affair of so much importance. Parliament was not disposed
to satisfy him and he has nominated persons to communicate
what touches his restitution to his dominions, asking their
advice and assistance for his right conduct.
The English themselves have decided to send an ambassador
to Holland to arrange together about their common interests
and the course they shall follow. They contemplate a close
alliance, and if these two great republics join together they will
be much more powerful than any of the monarchies. These
vast designs are far from pleasing to the French, but all the same
they practice dissimulation, although they do not fail to observe
and they remark that parliament by levies and in other ways
shows much more inclination to the Spaniards than to this crown.
The advices of London are enclosed.
Paris, the 23rd April, 1647.
[Italian.]
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Enclosure.
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502. Advices from London, the 11th April, 1647.
Many disbanded officers of the army have presented a petition
to parliament asking consideration of their interests and of the
government of the country. The Houses told them they should
receive the money due to them ; the affairs to the country would
be considered at the proper time but it did not behove them to
instruct the Houses. They pardon them this time in consideration
of past services and their presumed good will though
expressed imprudently.
The Dutch ambassador has asked for a pass to go and inform
the king of the death of the Prince of Orange, (fn. 2) but has not yet
been able to get it. The marquis of Ormond has made a truce
with the Catholics in Ireland, until the 10th inst. English style,
and it is hoped that this will allow time for the troops being sent
by parliament to arrive and take possession without resistance
of the places he holds.
In the absence of many Independents the Presbyterians seized
the opportunity to carry a resolution in the Lower House that the
army should go further away from London and the neighbouring
counties. The others think themselves injured and are trying to
get the decree rescinded in a full parliament.
They have never answered the king's request to have two
chaplains of his faith. Parliament has been warned that a
petition is preparing, in the name of the whole army, with over
10,000 signatures, to be presented to them, asking that an act
of oblivion for all that has happened in the war be signed by the
king. The Houses do not approve and have directed Gen.
Fairfax to prevent the presentation. It is also whispered that
they will order Fairfax to come to London and that they contemplate
appointing some one to his place.
[Italian.]
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April 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Roma.
Venetian
Archives.
|
503. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to
the Doge and Denate.
The English Resident has requested pecuniary assistance for
his king ; but the pope excused himself, saying that he could not
do this as he wished to supply subsidised troops and galleys to
the most serene republic. The Resident told me that he had
commended this decision but had told them at the same time
that they might find other ways without taxing their purses.
He complains that when at the first the pope was asked if he would
succour that sovereign supposing he did certain things in favour
of the Catholic religion, he answered, Yes, and now they are
left in the lurch. He attributes all the misfortunes which have
happened in Ireland to the fault of Mons. Rannuccini, because he
would not act in harmony with the Catholics there, but drew over
to himself several bishops. Afterwards he went back to treat
with them, but it was then too late. He fears that the Viceroy
will have delivered Dublin into the hands of the parliament.
He says Rannuccini has shown himself a zealot rather than a
politician. He wanted them all to become Catholics at the same
time, a thing that was not possible then. The pope defended
himself saying he had not chosen him, but others had suggested
him as a good man. Nevertheless his auditor is here to remit the
60,000 crowns and more which have been ready so long. But the
pope makes difficulties about the payment although in France
they have given their consent to the letter being received. Some
of the Cardinals themselves warn the pope that Dublin will be
lost through his slowness and owing to the difficulties thrown
in the way of this payment, declaring that with the capture
of that place the war will be finished in that island, and there
will be an end of all the advantages for the Catholic faith.
Rome, the 27th April, 1647.
[Italian.]
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April 30.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives.
|
504. Gio. Battista Nani, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses advices of London.
Paris, the 30th April, 1647.
[Italian.]
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Enclosure.
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505. Advices from London, the 18th April, 1647.
The city of London has agreed to lend parliament 200,000
Jacobus for the war in Ireland and as security the Houses have
asked the city to ask the best that they can desire.
They have at last answered the king's letter about the chaplains
with a refusal, stating that all those named by his Majesty belong
to the ones who have not accepted the Covenant or the form of
religion established in the kingdom.
The Irish Catholics have sent 3,000 men to help the earl of
Ciletto, (fn. 3) who is still in arms in Scotland, so that he may make a
diversion there and resist the longer. General Lesle has defeated
some troops called Gurdoni in that country, who took arms for
the king, (fn. 4) and the marquis of Argyle supplied the troops to enter
the Highlands and destroy that party. The earl of Ladredagne
is momentarily expected in London to join with the other Scottish
deputies to take the king the final word about accepting or refusing
the peace.
General Fairfax has written for himself and the whole army that
none of them had any intention of preferring requests contrary
to the good of the realm or to the satisfaction of the Houses
themselves, but they are ready to render the most prompt
obedience and to carry out their commands both in England and
in the war in Ireland. For that war General Skippon has been
appointed commander in chief. He will be assisted by commissioners
and the civil government will be entrusted to two presidents
and some committees, as was usual before the war.
[Italian.]
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