Venice: January 1605 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 10, 1603-1607. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1900.

Citation:

'Venice: January 1605', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 10, 1603-1607, ed. Horatio F Brown( London, 1900), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol10/pp204-215 [accessed 25 November 2024].

January 1605



Jan. 3. Collegio Secreta. Esposizioni Principi. Venetian Archives.	318. The English Ambassador summoned to the Cabinet and the resolution of the Senate, in date December 30th, read to him.
	He replied, “Most Serene Prince, if I understand rightly the three questions of Pontois, Roland and the English merchants' lighters are exhausted. On the remaining points I am not so well able to grasp the meaning, and so I beg your Serenity to let the Secretary read again.”
	The Doge answered that the Secretary would, in another chamber, read and re-read the resolution, and the Ambassador might take notes if he pleased.
	The Ambassador then opened a memorandum, read it over to himself, and said that he could not refrain from complaining that the just requests of his master were met by a proposal to grant them on condition that certain concessions were made. That is not the way Ambassador Molin is treated in England. He had hoped for a ready consent; but if the Republic intend to deal with these questions in the way it seemed inclined to, he begged them to waste no time over their decision, for the excuse of stress of business was of no weight in the face of so many able and experienced Senators.
	He added, “I must tell your Serenity that I have letters from he English Ambassador in Constantinople, offering of his own accord to be of all service to your Serenity.”
	The Doge returned thanks for these offers of help, but added that he desired to disabuse the mind of the Ambassador of an error. In every Court of Europe it takes a long time to reach a decision, even though everything depends upon the will of a single Sovereign; in the Republic the number of councillors rendered the process even longer. He assured the Ambassador that everything that was possible would be done to please him. As regards the letter young Antonio Dotto wrote to the Ambassador, he denies that he wrote it, nor can it be proved to be in his hand.
	The Ambassador replied that in showing the letter he had no desire to injure Dotto; and that it was nothing to him that steps should be taken against Dotto.
	The Doge answered: “But it is something to the Republic, ho insist on respect being paid to your person.”
	He then passed into another room, where the resolution of the Senate was read to him by the Secretary. He kept on repeating that it is a strange answer to a just demand to say, “I'll grant your request if you grant me mine.” He said he would put together all the papers on the subject. On taking his leave he pressed to be given back the letter of Antonio Dotto.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 4. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	319. Anzolo Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	M. de. Rosny, though close in all other respects, shows himself liberal towards the States. He advises the King to continue the four hundred and fifty thousand crowns subvention to the States, although he King of England refuses to continue his share of the contribution, namely, one hundred and fifty thousand crowns.
	The party opposed to this policy declare that the King of Spain will not stand this covert war much longer, but will be forced to declare war openly against France.
	Paris, 4th January, 1605.
	[Italian; deciphered.]
Jan. 4. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	320. Anzolo Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	Among the Marquise de Verneuil's papers they have found a number of love letters and also a portrait of Marshal de Biron with a red sash, the sign of the Spanish faction; also a note, in her father's handwriting, of the information furnished by him to the Spanish Ambassador. The Duke of Lennox is expected at Court as Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of England as a return for the Embassy of M. de Rosny.
	Paris, 4th January, 1605.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 7. Collegio, Secreta Esposizioni Principi. Venetian Archives.	321. The English Ambassador announces the appointment of Secretary Herbert to deal with the commercial relations between England and Venice. He complains of the seizure of two English vessels, and demands their restitution. Begs for a better distinction between privateers and honest merchants.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 8. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	322. Ottaviano Bon, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Ambassador makes representations, in order to secure that pirates should not be sheltered in Modon, Coron, Lepanto and Patras.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 8th January, 1604 [m.v.].
	[Italian,.]
Jan. 12. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	323. Nicolo Molin, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The eve of the Epiphany, St. Stephen's day, old style, Sir Lewis Lewkenor, the receiver of Ambassadors, visited me, to tell me in his Majesty's name that the next day the marriage of Sir Philip Herbert (Arber), Groom-of-the-Chamber and prime favourite of his Majesty, would be celebrated at Court. (fn. 1) Sir Philip is brother of the Earl of Pembroke, who is married to a niece of Secretary Cecil. The King invited me to be present, and in the name of the couple begged me to honour their wedding. I replied that I felt highly flattered and would attend. I asked if any other Ambassadors were to be invited; Sir Lewis replied that if they came at all it would be incognito, so as to avoid all quarrel about precedence. I asked if I was to dine at the King's table; he said that detail was not yet settled, but that when he came to fetch me next morning he would tell me. This he did, and informed me that the King and Queen would dine in their own private apartments, and I would sit at the bride and bridegroom's table along with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Holstein. I enquired as to the arrangement of the guests, and Sir Lewis said the bride would take the head of the table, the Prince on her right, I opposite the Prince, and the Duke next me; the rest of the table would be filled with the Lords of Council and Court officials with their wives. This seemed to me a position sufficiently honourable for your Serenity's Ambassador, so I went to Court. After the service we took our places at table in the order explained. I could see that the Duke of Holstein was rather put out. After the banquet was over, and very sumptuous it was, everyone retired to his own apartments till the servants had prepared the room for dancing till suppertime. But so great was the crowd that dancing was out of the question, and so everybody kept his room till supper. As suppertime approached someone said to me that the crush was so great that he feared they would not be able to serve it. Presently someone said that the bride had taken her place, but such was the confusion that many guests had left. While I was waiting for the Chamberlain to conduct me to table, as he had done in the morning, I heard that the bride and the Prince were seated and that the Duke had got my place. I had just sent one of my suite to see whether it was true, when Sir Lewis arrived in a passion, swearing that he would go and find out what the Chamberlain meant by neglecting to conduct me to table; at that moment the Chamberlain himself appeared and begged most earnestly to be pardoned, as the error was great it was true, but it had happened through inadvertence. I replied that such errors were easily pardoned, but that I feared this was a ruse; and any way, in order to avoid being exposed to further mistakes, I intended to go home. He implored me to wait till he had spoken to the King. I consented, but informed him positively that I would not attend the masquerade unless my place of the morning was secured for me. Meantime they served me supper in Cecil's rooms; and presently there came thither Sir (Roger) Aston, gentleman-in-waiting to the King, to beg me in his Majesty's name to excuse the occurrence and to believe that it was entirely due to the crowd and confusion, and to say that he was waiting me in his own rooms to take me with him to the masquerade. I replied that I thanked the King, but that I was waiting an answer from the Chamberlain as to certain questions I had addressed to him. The Chamberlain shortly after appeared and said the King was still waiting me, and assured me that I should have my place. I accordingly went at once to the King's rooms, which I found full of ladies and the Lords of the Council. They one and all begged me not to take in bad part what was the result of pure accident, as I should presently be convinced. At this moment their Majesties left their rooms; I bowed to them, and the King took me by the hand and walking towards the hall, where the masque was prepared, he said that in such a confusion it was impossible to avoid some such accident, but that I might rest assured that his intention was to do all honour to the representative of the Republic. I replied that the affection which the Republic bore to his person merited the regard he felt for her. With this we reached the hall of the masque; the Duke of Holstein walking in front uncovered. We entered a box by five or six steps; in it were two chairs; the King took one, the Queen the other, a stool was prepared for me on the King's right, and another for the Duke on the Queen's left, but he would not sit down; he preferred to stand uncovered for the three hours the masque and ballo lasted. This has convinced me that the mistake was really an accident, or at least was not within the cognisance of his Majesty. If I had left the scene at once, as I at first intended, I should not have discovered his Majesty's real feelings, nor demonstrated them to the whole Court.
	London, 12th January, 1604 [m.v.].
	[Italian.]
Jan. 12. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	324. Agostino Nani, Venetian Ambassador in Rome, to the Doge and Senate.
	In the last meeting of the Congregation on England it was decided that certain Fathers already appointed for service in England are to set out now. Among these are some of the order of Saint Benedict, Englishmen by birth, who will be useful in spreading Catholic doctrine, and helping our religion. And in order that they may not be discovered and to avoid injuring the dignity of the Pontiff they have been verbally entrusted with ample powers to absolve, dispense and so on.
	Rome, 12th February, 1605.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 13. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	325. Nicolo Molin, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate
	Many merchants have recently appeared before Council complaining of the treatment that they have received at the hands of the Spanish Customs officers. They have been obliged to pay not only the thirty per cent., but much more, in spite of the clauses of the treaty of peace. They say that, though the thirty per cent. is not exacted by name, yet with one difficulty and another the total amounts to forty per cent. There are some, however, who think that this is all fictitious, or that if it be proved in fact it will be found that the Spaniards were justified in using some rigour; for the merchants of this nation complain on very slight grounds, but it all ends in smoke, as is the case of their complaints against the galleys of your Serenity, about which I hear nothing more.
	Parliament is prorogued to Michael as. There are many, who know the King's mind, who think it will not meet again.
	The question of the marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Infanta is not only kept on the tapis but is publicly discussed, though the Spanish Ambassador has not opened the subject to his Majesty yet. I am told that a few days ago a number of Privy Councillors were in the Queen's apartments, and either by accident or on purpose the subject was touched on. Almost all of them, and the Queen foremost, showed themselves very favourable to this match; much more so than to the French match. They say that the daughters of France can bring no dower but a little money, and that by the Salic law, which is most rigidly observed in that kingdom, they cannot inherit any territory; whereas the daughters of Spain may not only bring territory in dower but may even succeed to the throne. This has caused great suspicion in the mind of the French Ambassador. This jealousy is increased by the French Ambassador's inability to make progress with two negotiations; one, the renewal of the ancient alliance between France and Scotland; the other, to procure invitations to public ceremonies with precedence over the Spanish Ambassador, and he bases his claim on the practice at Rome and Venice. He has obtained nothing yet.
	M. de Caron found out in the first interview he had with the King that his Majesty was not at all anxious for the arrival of the Dutch Commissioners, nor indeed are the Council; accordingly he begged his Majesty to graciously permit them to remain away; though they were ready to come at any inconvenience to themselves out of regard for his Majesty, not because they thought it necessary. The King replied that he had no desire to inconvenience them, and said they might do as they liked, for he had invited them only on the earnest representations of the Spanish Ambassador, in the hope of putting an end to this long and troublesome war. M. de Caron replied that there was only one way to end the war, and that was that the King of Spain should recognise the Dutch as a free and independent Republic.
	London, 13th January, 1604 [m.v.].
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
Jan. 14. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	326. Francesco Priuli, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	The delay in the arrival of the English High Admiral is disliked here. After the peace was sworn, instructions were sent to Taxis to raise a regiment of three thousand English for service with the Archduke. Their object is partly to show that Spain has acquired greater forces, thanks to the peace with England, and also to give them an opportunity for scattering money and buying followers, in order to encourage the Catholic party.
	Valladolid, 14th January, 1604 [m.v.].
	[Italian; deciphered.]
Jan. 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	327. Anzolo Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	Three days ago the Duke of Lennox arrived. He was met on his way to Paris; and accompanied into the city, where he is lodged with all his suite, numbering about one hundred and twenty persons, at the King's charges. As the Marquise de Verneuil was imprisoned in a house near the lodging of the Duke of Lennox, her first cousin, (fn. 2) they removed her to another house far away.
	It is now certain that her father intended to take her and her son into Spain.
	Paris, 18th January, 1605.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 19. Minutes of the Senate. Venetian Archives.	328. Motion made that the Eeglish Ambassador be summoned and that what follows be read to him.
	As regards the ship “Angelo” of London, Captain Thomas Garnar, we find that the disturbance was brought about by that vessel refusing to allow our Commander in those waters to search her, as he has a right to do. As to the two per cent., which your Lordship declares that the Governor of Zante exacts on the value of the ship's cargo, we have no information other than is furnished by your Lordship; if you will give us further particulars we will do all we can to satisfy the subjects of his Majesty.
	As regards the other English ship, the “Sacra,” which in July last off Zante refused to be searched, we have sent instructions to our Ambassador in London; but all the same we must inform you that the aspect of the affair is very different from that which is represented in England; for the crew of the ship refused to allow our officers to search or even to approach their vessel, although they knew that the galleys were vessels of the Republic, who search every ship they come across, because of the continual damage which is inflicted on us by pirates. We assure you that, as soon as the English abandon this opposition to being searched, which we are sure your Lordship will induce them to do, they will receive every consideration from our officers.
	As regards the reciprocal abolition of customs in order to leave trade free, as your Lordship has told us that the King has just appointed Secretary Herbert to open negotiations on this subject with our Ambassador Molin, we will await the issue.
	That a copy of this answer and the Ambassador's reply be sent to Ambassador Molin in England.
	Ayes	147.
	Noes	1.
	Neutrals	25.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 20. Original Despatch Venetian Archives.	329. Ottaviano Bon, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	Mustaphà Pasha, Lieutenant Grand Vizir, a man of the highest authority, who ruled the Empire as he pleased, a favourite of the Sultan, and constantly receiving presents, even down to the Sultan's own robes, a man who everyone thought had a long lease of power before him, for he knew how to humour the Sultan and the Sultana, giving the one a thousand sequins a week to squander on his pleasures, and the other lovely dresses and adornments; — this Mustaphà, I say, on Monday last, the 10th of this month, was in Divan, in excellent humour, joking with everybody and especially with Borisi, when the Sultan sent to say he desired him to come to him alone. Mustaphà rose and declaring he would soon be back, passed into the inner apartments. As he entered he met a mute, who made a sign to call the chief executioner. “Mustaphà, in alarm, made signs to the mute, asking what this meant? The mute merely invited him to enter; the executioner followed immediately, and in the time it takes to say a Credo he came out again with a bloody scimitar, which he was wiping; then the body of the Pasha was dragged out; the head was half split; the executioner had stripped the body of all its clothes, more especially of a lovely purple velvet vest, reaching down to the feet, lined with fur. The body was dragged to the door of the serraglio, and there, near a fountain, it was thrown to the dogs, to the amazement of all who crowded the Divan. The body was buried late at night.
	The reason for this unlooked-for event is the lack of money to pay the troops. The Sultan was heard to cry out when the Pasha came before him, “Where is the pay for the troops? Is this how you keep your promise to me? “This delay in the payment had caused many to sell their orders on the treasury at half their value. Then again some creditors presented a memorial to the Sultan, setting forth that, in spite of his commands that they should be paid, the Pasha had simply mocked at them. Further, the Sultan was rather annoyed with the Pasha for opposing the return of Mehmet, Grand Vizir, from Hungary. Finally the Sultan, the night before the execution, had slept with the Sultana, who had recently conceived a dislike for the Pasha because he had secured for his Majesty some handsome youths—the Pasha himself was of the profession and a good judge of the wares; and so the Sultana, when she found the Sultan angry, seized the opportunity to give the Pasha the last blow. Any way he died the death he inflicted a few months ago on Hassan Pasha, and has paid the penalty for his many sins. I, however, deeply lament his decease, for he was a good friend to me, and promised much in the service of your Serenity. But the world is like that here, and it is only too clear that those who govern at the Porte have brittle-heads (teste di vetro) and live with death an inch from their throats.
	Instead of Mustaphà they have made Skoffi Sinan Lieutenant. He is an old man of seventy, placid, benign, blunt, not sharp; favourable to the Republic. The day after the execution his Majesty went to the Kiosk. He saw a galley coming in with a ship in tow. He called the Captain on shore and asked what the ship was; the Captain said it was a pirate captured by him. The Sultan made him land three of the principal pirates, and for his mere amusement he caused them to be dashed head foremost on the ground and then flung into the sea. Everyone is terror-stricken. On his way back the Sultan came to a little lake inside the Serraglio grounds; they say it is about a quarter of an acre in extent and has two feet of water in it. It was frozen over and covered with snow. As he approached, some, who were playing by the lake, fled. He called them back, and, throwing a handfull of sequins into the lake he made them plunge for them. Then finding he liked the sport he sent for a purse full of a thousand sultanini, and in two or three goes he threw them all into the lake.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 20th January, 1604. [m.v.].
	[Italian; deciphered.]
Jan. 23. Collegio Secreta Esposizioni Principi. Venetian Archives.	330. The English Ambassador renders thanks for the resolution Senate of January 19th. Is sure that favourable treatment will bring many English to trade in Venice. Begs to be told what conduct Venice expects from English ships in Venetian waters. Gathers that on the subject of taxation of English subjects the Republic wishes to wait till it hears what Ambassador Molin reports from England. As to the ship “Angelo” sequestrated in Zante he has no further information.
	Doge replied: You will be told if anything else is expected of English ships in Venetian waters.
	We must wait news from England before we appoint anyone to deal with commercial relations.
	The Ambassador said: Then we will wait to discuss the conduct of English ships until we can discuss both points together.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	331. Nicolo Molin, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	For some days past I have foreseen that many of these English privateers, who have taken service with Count Maurice, intend to pass the Straits of Gibraltar, nominally to attack Spain; really to reach the Levant and to harry and plunder the ships and subjects of your Serenity. One especially, name Sacheverell (?) (Sechieruel), who was with the ship that plundered the “Balbiana,” said to her Captain, “You should come with me to the Levant to find those sound and solid Venetian ducats, which one may take without any risk.” I complained to Cecil, who said that if this fellow comes into his hands he will have him hanged, not for these words but because he is a well-known pirate. I also approached M. de Caron on the subject. He answered me that the intention of his masters was excellent; and that they were resolved to exact caution-money from these ships against any damage done to the shipping of friendly states. If the States really imposed this caution-money it will be an efficacious check, but I don't see how people of such low birth as these corsairs are going to find sufficient security to cover fifty or sixty thousand crowns worth of plundered goods.
	I am in receipt of your instructions, which will assist me in the answer I am to make when the Council communicates with me on the subject of the English merchants' complaints, as Secretary Cecil tells me they will shortly do. Cecil himself declines to discuss the subject, as he says he is not informed. The case of the ship that was fired upon when on her way to Constantinople, is being allowed to drop in the absence of any proof of what was alleged at first. I have not presented the letters to the King, as he left this day week for Royston on a hunting party. I thought of going there, but Cecil councilled me to wait, for the King cares to see no one except his few personal attendants.
	London, 26th January, 1604. [m.v.].
	[Italian.]
Jan. 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	332. Nicolo Molin, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	On the 16th of this month, Epiphany old style, the King created his second son Duke of York, and made twelve Knights of the Bath, so called because at their creation they are dipped. The morning of that day, the Chamberlain sent to say that if I cared to see the Queen's masque that evening he would secure a convenient seat for myself and three or four of my suite. He explained that all the Ambassadors were being invited privately, so as to avoid quarrels for precedence. I said I would gladly attend. Meantime the Spanish Ambassador hearing that the French Ambassador was confined to his bed made vigorous representations at Court to secure for himself a public invitation; and he succeeded. Sir Lewis Lewkenor presently went to visit the French Ambassador, who having got wind of what the Spaniard was about, received Lewkenor very haughtily. Lewkenor said he had come on behalf of his Majesty to enquire how the Ambassador was, and to say how much his Majesty regretted that the Ambassador would be prevented from attending the Queen's masque. The Ambassador burst out into a fury and said he knew what was going on and that it was all the work of seven or eight officials, of whom Lewkenor was the chief, whose sole object was to discredit the French and aggrandise the Spanish Ambassador, who was so insolent that the Ambassador of France had to put up with some fresh slight every day. He said he was well aware that it was impossible for him to stay long in a country corrupted with Spanish doublons if the honour and reputation of his master were to be cared for; and that the King of France was quite aware that he was held in but little esteem at this Court. Sir Lewis endeavoured to make apologies, but the Ambassador would not let him speak, but held on himself in the same strain; finally he said, “Off with you, off with you, Sir Lewis; I won't speak about the matter,” and with that he led him to the door of the antechamber, about which stood many of his suite and strangers also, and there he added in a loud voice, so that all might hear, “I am glad they have this idea of my illness, for his Majesty will get this pleasure out of it that he can more freely enjoy his Ambassadors,” Sir Lewis with that went away in confusion (disse ad alta voce che ogn uno lo intese, ho piacer dell' opinione che si vuol haver del mio male, poiche da questo Sua Maestà ne cava questo gusto di poter goder più liberamente li suoi Ambasciatori; con che parti il Cavaliere tutto confuso.) In obedience to his orders he came on to tell me that I was to go publicly to Court. He did not find me in, but left a message that I was to be at the Spanish Ambassador's house at the fourth hour of night, and to go together to Court. That was done, and we were conducted to the King's chambers, where his Majesty appeared about the seventh hour, and moved on to the place where they gave the Masque, which was very beautiful and sumptuous.
	The King, however, was told that the French Ambassador was too ill to leave the house. On Tuesday the Ambassador went in person to the King and complained very loudly of what had taken place; though he laid the blame on five or six officials, who had done him this wrong and his master this disservice. He charged them with being thoroughly corrupted by Spain, and declared with great vehemence that he must report all to his master, whose honour and reputation were too closely concerned. The King replied that his own affection for the King of France was so well known that he was sure his most Christian Majesty would never have made so much of a mere bagatelle as his Ambassador was doing. He said he knew that he had been deceived by his officials and could not trust them for the future. “If you,” he said, “will report the whole to your master exactly as it happened I think he will not attach such importance to it as you do, for you know your illness was the cause of it all; but if you exaggerate I will inform your master myself, and I think he will trust my account. If you will be satisfied with reasonable amends I will see that you shall have nothing to complain of.” The Ambassador left. The King called his officials and the Council, and loudly resented the occurrence. He threatened to punish the guilty, and declared that the Ambassador must receive such satisfaction that the matter should be heard of no more, and that the culprits should regret having meddled with what was no affair of theirs and having reported facts falsely. Lord Wotton has been appointed to deal with the business. The Ambassador demands the dismissal of Lewkenor, He has informed his master. We shall see how the news is received there. The officials maintain that they have done no wrong; that the King will never make a declaration of precedence, and, therefore, will never invite Ambassadors to public ceremonies; that a Masque is not a public function, and that his Majesty is quite entitled to invite any Ambassador he may choose, not as an Ambassador, but as a friend.
	London, 27th January, 1604 [m.v.].
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
Jan. 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	333. Nicolo Molin, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	M. de Caron has full powers to deal with all questions affecting his masters. He has accordingly been in conference with three Commissioners, representing English merchants, over the question of free trade with Flanders and Spain. The question is full of difficulties. The Dutch claim that no goods shall be imported to Flanders and Spain in English bottoms; and they say that if the King is really what he professes, a neutral, he ought to observe on their side the clause of his treaty with Spain, by which he pledges himself to allow no Spanish goods to be conveyed to Holland in English bottoms. The Dutch also insist that all goods for Flanders and Spain exported from Holland and found on any ship whatsoever shall be confiscated.
	The day before the King left for Royston the Spanish Ambassador waited on him and said that he was disappointed in the non-appearance of the Dutch Commissioners, and must now point out to the King certain subjects on which his master felt aggrieved. His Majesty, he said, had promised not to help the Dutch either directly or indirectly, nor to allow his subjects to take service with them; and yet now, ships and sailors were daily crossing the water. The King replied that he did not know how the Ambassador interpreted the clauses of the treaty, but he must remember that he had told both the Ambassador and the Constable that he had no intention of depriving himself of the right to grant leave to his subjects to take service where ever they pleased; that he had merely promised his good offices on the subject of free trade with Flanders and Spain, but had never pledged himself to go to war with the Dutch on the subject; that if the Commissioners were not in England there was always M. de Caron. He complained of the conduct of the Spanish towards English merchants, to satisfy whom he had been obliged to send Sir Thomas Wilson (Vuilzon) on a mission to Spain, to obtain an indemnity, until such time as his Ambassador could go.
	Baron (?) (Sulz), who was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary to Flanders, has managed to be released from this service; and in his stead will go the Earl of Hertford.
	The Spanish Ambassador, in order to remove certain ill-humours between him and the Duke of Holstein, has offered him a sumptuous banquet.
	London, 27th January, 1604 [m.v.].
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
Jan. 29. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	334. Agostino Nani, Venetian Ambassador in Rome, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Congregation on England has met a second time; but the opinion prevails that it is the Pope's zeal for religion which is at the bottom of the whole matter. A great Cardinal said to me that it would be better not to convoke the Congregation than to go on with nothing certain in hand; for that would give the King an opportunity against the Catholics. The Scotchman (fn. 3) who is here is, I learn, to leave soon for Spain; a sign that he will not take back any answer to England.
	Rome, 29th January, 1605.
	[Italian.]