Venice: May 1609 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 11, 1607-1610. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

Citation:

'Venice: May 1609', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 11, 1607-1610, ed. Horatio F Brown( London, 1904), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol11/pp267-278 [accessed 25 November 2024].

May 1609



May 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	492. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Ambassador in order to induce the Grand Vizir to grant justice in the case of goods stolen by pirates, produces the sentence of the English Courts.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 2nd May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
Enclosed in preceding Despatch.	493. The Imperial orders for the closing of the port of Alexandretta on account of mischief wrought by foreign vessels in those waters and for its transference to Tripoli.
Enclosed in preceding Despatch.	[Italian.]
May 4. Inquisitors of State. Despatches to the Ambassador in Constantinople. Busta 416. Venetian Archives.	494. Note of a letter from the Inquisitors of State to Simon Contarini referring to Hieronimo Meoli, Secretary to the English Ambassador.
	[Italian.]
May 4. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	495. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Persian Ambassadors arrived on the last day of April. One is a Persian called Alicolibech, the other is an Englishman called Robert Sherley (Sciarner sic), brother of the man who was at this Court once in a similar capacity. By his Majesty's orders they were very honourably treated. They are lodged and entertained free of charge. Yesterday the Nuncio visited them, and I will do so to morrow. Their mission is to urge a war against the Turk.
	Prague, 4th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 6. Original Despatch. Venetian Archives.	496. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Ambassador of England on Wednesday in Holy Week went from Antwerp to the Hague, where the Dutch Deputies are assembled to discuss their constitution. President Jeannin followed and they will both give their assistance.
	All imports and exports for Antwerp by way of the sea are to pay three per cent.
	I have just received a complaint that a Venetian pirate, Girolamo Memmo, has assassinated the French Consul at Alexandretta. I replied that this Girolamo Memmo was a great Venetian gentleman entrusted by your Sereinty to protect merchants against pirates.
	Paris, 6th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 6. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	497. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	From an English ship that left Syria on the 10th of March, I learned the unfortunate accident that happened to the “Salvetta,” which after being abandoned by the pirates sank near Acre about the end of January last. Her owner, many of the crew and some soldiers went down with her. Over twenty of the crew escaped. The Arabs at once seized all that was swept ashore.
	The ship that has just arrived brings a cargo worth about one hundred and fifty thousand crowns in silk, indigo, gall-nuts, cotton webs. The speed with which she made the journey is remarkable though not uncommon in this nation, which is wont to navigate with great security, because, apart from their seamanship, they fit out their vessels excellently, and never let themselves be tempted to take such cargo as would hamper the navigation of the vessel or hinder them from fighting if occasion offered.
	Flanders is already beginning to enjoy the benefits of the truce, thanks to freedom of commerce.
	The Flemish especially have indulged in every demonstration of joy, fireworks and banquets. The people of Antwerp are somewhat suspicious about the customs which the Zealanders are going to impose upon goods that pass through their country, not merely for the profit to be derived therefrom, but in the interest of Middelburg, Amsterdam and other mercantile cities, whose trade will fall off as Antwerp developes.
	The King of Denmark is preparing to attack Lubeck, which although it has always governed itself, has nevertheless admitted a certain sovereignty in his Majesty, who on the strength of ancient claims of his family of Holstein now demands absolute dominion. Sinclair (fn. 1) (Mons. di Sancler), a Scottish gentleman, is expected here from Denmark; it is supposed he will ask for assistance for the King of Denmark and more especially the recall of certain Scotch troops in the pay of the King of Sweden, who, it is feared, may defend Lubeck. He will also ask that the Scotch disbanded in Holland may be enrolled for that enterprise.
	The Markgrave of Brandenburgh is pushing forward in the Duchy of Cleves, which is now said to have declared its devotion and to have raised his ensign.
	Last Sunday, the Feast of St. George, the King made the usual procession and gave a banquet to all the Knights of the Garter. The King expressed a wish that the French Ambassador should be present, as his Master is a Knight, but the Ambassador declined because last year he had to dine in a separate room and was introduced while the King was still at table and so had to wait there to his little dignity.
	Hard by the Court, the Earl of Salisbury has built two great galleries, decorated, especially outside, with much carving and sculpture. Inside each of these galleries, on either hand, are rows of shops for the sale of all kinds of goods. These will bring in an immense revenue. Last week he took the King, the Queen, and the Princes to see them. He has fitted up one of the shops very beautifully, and over it ran the motto: “All other places give for money, here all is given for love.” To the King he gave a Cabinet, to the Queen a silver plaque of the Annunciation worth, they say, four thousand crowns. To the Prince he gave a horse's trappings of great value, nor was there any one of the Suite who did not receive at the very least a gold ring. The King named the place Britain's Burse. (fn. 2) (Il Signor Conte di Salisburi ha fatte fabricar ricino alla Corte doi gran Gallerie, ornate specialmente al di fuori di molti intagli et sculture. Dentro di ogn' una di esse dall' una et l'altra parte stanno botteghe per tutte sorti di merceria, che gli renderà un utile immenso. Ha condotto la settimana passata il Re, la Serenissima Regina et li Principi a rederle, et haveva fatto molto ben ornare una di esse botteghe con un motto sopra che diceva, ogn' altro luoco da per denari, qui tutto si dona per amore. Et da essa levò per il Re un Gabinetto, et per la Regina un quadro d'argento dell' Annontiata, che tutti dicono importare quattromilla scudi. Al Principe ha donato un fornimento da cavallo di gran valore, ne fu persona della compagnia che per il meno non ricevesse un anello d'oro. Et sua Maesta diede il nome a questo luoco chiamandolo Bursa Britanica.)
	The King's book is not reprinted yet. I hear that the quotations from the Fathers are in many places found to be erroneous. At present four Bishops are at work on it. His Majesty is much annoyed, as he hears that the answer has already been drawn up in Flanders. He declares he has been betrayed, as the book must have been shown before it was printed.
	The rumour that in Venice they preach sermons against certain dogmas of the Catholic faith and the Papal authority are more persistent than ever. In Court they say that the King has letters direct in this sense and that in Venice a Minister of the Protestant persuasion has made friends with some of our preachers and is holding out a bait to them, and that these are the very words written to the King. I did not think it well to let such an opinion grow, and I fancy that from my own declaration and that of my suite that this is merely a report spread by those who wish to damage a certain preacher on other grounds every one is convinced, all the more so that I have been at pains to inform them of the diligence which your Serenity has used in order to assure yourself of the falsity of this report.
	London, 6th May, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
May 9. Minutes of the Senate, Mar. Venetian Archives.	497A. The community of Zante, by its Ambassadors, has represented its unhappy plight since the passage of the law forbidding them to export currants to any other place than Venice. Formerly the export was free; export to the West was subject to the new impost established in this assembly on 26th January, 1580. This produced excellent results for the inhabitants and for the State, which used to draw from thirty-six to forty (? thousand) ducats a year from Zante and Cephalonia. Upon this petition we have the report of the present governors, of Maffio Michiel and Geronimo Corner, the late governors, and of the Cinque Savii sopra la Mercanzia. It becomes the benignity of our Republic to regard with paternal eye the interests of our most loyal and beloved subjects, dear to us as sons:—
	Motion is made that all other provisions be revoked and the impost of 26th January, 1580, restored in its integrity; that the tax be farmed for the next year by the Cinque Savii alla Mercantia; that the governors of Zante and Cephalonia publish an announcement that those who wish to compete for the contract in person or by their agents must come to Venice by the 15th of July, on which day the tax will be put up to auction by the Savii, who are in the meantime to draw up the terms; that the present deliberation be communicated to Emanuel Volterra, the Ambassador from Zante.
	Ayes	133.
	Noes	2.
	Neutrals	16.
	[Italian.]
May 10 Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	498. Girolamo Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	News that the truce has been published. The main points are that independence is granted and absolute dominion, that the India navigation is free but right to trade is limited to those ports which do not belong to the King; nothing said about religion; restitution of property. Count Maurice of Nassau is appointed commander for life with 70,000 florins a year as salary, 28,000 to his descendants, and 60,000 crowns a year from the King of Spain while the truce lasts. It is generally supposed that this state of affairs cannot last for long. Serious incidents will follow at sea and the States themselves will always be at something, for they are puffed up and elated at having treated with his Majesty in this fashion. Even more grave considerations will cross the minds of the loyal provinces, for they will note that the rebels have achieved real independence while they themselves remain subjects. The King is pleased with the truce, but Lerma much more so, for he thinks he can now dispose of the revenues and forces of this Kingdom which have hitherto been engaged in those parts. The King of France is recognised as having brought the negotiations to an issue. He was moved by two main considerations, first to save the subsidies he was obliged to furnish to the States, which usually amounted to six hundred thousand crowns a year besides many extra payments, and as his Majesty has grown very close he is delighted at the opportunity to save money. The second reason is that he considers it for the safety of his Kingdom and of his posterity that his Catholic Majesty should disband a veteran and powerful army which is lying on the confines of France.
	Madrid, 10th May, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
May 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	499. Girolamo Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Armada, of above eight galleys, which is being concentrated at Naples, is intended to protect that kingdom should a Turkish fleet put out. They cherish a design to undertake operations in Turkish territory, a pet scheme of the Duke of Lerma, who has been very favourable to the truce in Flanders on this account. He wishes to attack the Ottoman and if territory is acquired he is intoxicated with the dream of a kingly title. During many years they have had experience of the sinister nature of the African coast and lean now to some enterprise in the Levant.
	Madrid, 10th May, 1609.
	[Italian; deciphered.]
May 11. Despatches from Zante. Venetian Archives.	500. Zuan Marco da Molin, Venetian Governor in Zante, to the Doge and Senate.
	Twenty days ago a French saettia arrived in this harbour. She hailed from Marseilles. She brought news that the Flemish pirate Danzicher was in western waters with five privateers, all well found both in men and munitions. Among them is the ship “Bollina” captured by him last year on her way from Sicily to Spain with the son of the Viceroy. He has captured many ships in those parts and intimated to the fortress of Ivica that if it would not surrender he would starve it out by attacking every grain-ship he came across. Moreover I had news that nine bertons had put out from Tunis under that scoundrel Ward, the Englishman. Five of these had been sighted off the island of St. Pietro near Sardinia. They opened fire on the fort and then stood out to sea, where they captured an English berton but set the crew at liberty. I have not been able to penetrate the designs of these pirates.
	Zante, 11th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 12. Minutes of the enate, Roma. Venetian Archives.	501. To the Ambassador in Germany giving him information about the Papal complaints of Fra Fulgentio's sermons; of the introduction of Bibles and prohibited books into Venice; of the English Ambassador and the ill effects the Ambassadors of that Court may bring about.
	Information about Vangadizza and the case of Fra Paolo of the Minorites, Confessor at the Frari, who refused to absolve a penitent who possessed Fra Paolo Sarpi's writings and sent him to the Inquisitor with the books. The Inquisitor tore them up and informed the penitent that he was excommunicated for possessing them, but he absolved him and sent him back to the Confessor, who again sent him to the Inquisitor for having attended Fra Fulgentio's sermons. Thereupon the Government for these “illegal and scandalous operations” expelled Fra Paolo of the Frari from the city at twenty-four hours' notice and at three days' notice from all Venetian territory on pain of death. The Government sent for the Inquisitor and told him that although they could and ought to take severe steps against him, still moved by clemency they warned him to take heed that he acted differently in the future from what he had done in the past, otherwise they would adopt those measures which his demerits deserved and added that he would be carefully watched. The Inquisitor feigned not to understand the reason of this reprimand, and was told it was not for him to tear up papers which defended the cause of the Republic.
	Ayes	137.
	Noes	3.
	Neutrals	7.
	The same to France, Spain, England, Savoy, Naples, Milan, Florence.
	[Italian.]
May 13. Senato, Secreta. Despatches from Milan. Venetian Archives.	502. Giovanni Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Resident in Milan, to the Doge and Senate.
	News from Genoa that two ships belonging to the pirate Simon Danziker, an Englishman, have been captured by a ship of Marseilles; one was burned, the other taken into Marseilles.
	Milan, 13th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 14. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	503. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The President of Scotland (Elphinstone), who was first of all found guilty on the capital charge, has been sentenced to be beheaded and quartered and his property confiscated. But he is still alive, and as the sentence has not been carried out before the appearance of the King's book, it is to be hoped that he may enjoy a share of the royal benignity and the intercession of the Queen. He admits his error in writing in the King's name to Pope Clement VIII. in support of a Bishop, a relation of his (William Chisholm), who was aspiring to the Cardinalate. He declares it was all done solely in the King's interest at the moment when he was passing to the English Crown, and not under the influence of kinship.
	As the four Bishops are working on the book it should not be long ere it is reprinted. This is the sole reason that keeps the Court in London. They would have left for the country, following the custom of past years, and they are all the more urged to do so as the heat has begun to make itself felt very early and the plague is unusually active.
	Those who have charge of the City are beginning to think of taking steps for the care of the sick and the safety of the sound. The other day the Earl of Salisbury asked me for details as to the steps which were taken in Venice in such circumstances. Among other provisions they proposed to elect six doctors to undertake this duty, but as the City declined to submit to the annual stipend of four hundred crowns for each physician, which is what they asked, nothing has been done as yet.
	The day before yesterday the French Ambassador complained to Lord Salisbury of the piracies committed by the English, and claimed a cargo of sugar plundered from a French vessel and sent from Barbary to England.
	The King of Denmark is raising troops and is sending a Scotch gentleman to this court. It is uncertain whether the troops are intended for service against Lubeck or for the dispute about frontiers between Sweden and Denmark. Meantime the King of Sweden is raising troops in Scotland and Ireland for Russia, they say. Captain Nicholas Pinner (Pinard) who offered himself to your Serenity, has taken service with Sweden. He has been put in charge of two hundred foot and one hundred horse, all Irish. They are armed and mounted in Sweden, as exportation of arms and horses from England is forbidden.
	The truce proclaimed in Amsterdam on the 5th of this month. Few signs of joy, as the maritime towns do not like it. The Dutch are altering their constitution and will omit nothing that may confirm them in their position as independent. The French and English Ambassadors will remain there for the present. The Archdukes have written to Spain for instructions about the disposition of the garrisons and for money to pay their creditors. The King of Spain left the disbanding of the troops to the Archdukes, but said nothing about sending money. They have despatched the Dominican father Confessor (Brizuela) again to Spain to make more vigorous representations.
	London, 14th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	504. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	The English Ambassador (Glover) came to see me and touched on the dispute he has with the French Ambassador as to the protection of the Flemish at the Porte. After a long digression he begged me to support him. I replied in my usual general terms, allowing him to gather nothing except the great regard your Serenity has for his Master.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 16th May, 1609.
	[Italian; deciphered.]
May 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	505. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	I am involved with these Ambassadors of France and England owing to the joint order as to the removal of the port, consuls and merchandize of Aleppo to Tripoli; both of them desire to be named first in the document and each desires me with him. As this is impossible I expressed my opinion, which they accepted, that each should apply for an order separately, and I would join with each of them in his order.
	The Casnadar who is the Cha'usch who was in France, England and Venice (Mustapha) has asked me to cover a letter to your Serenity begging for free passage for Granadan Moriscoes through Venice, on their way to Constantinople.
	Merchants subjects are beginning to reaccustom themselves to paying the cottimo (fn. 3) on caravans that reach this city overland. I expect to draw considerable profit, for the two that have come in as yet have paid upwards of two hundred and fifty sequins.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 16 May, 1690.
	[Italian.]
May 16. Collegio, Secreta, Lettere. Venetian Archives.	506. To the Ambassador in France.
	The conclusion of the truce in Flanders induces us to believe that there may be military men, both officers and engineers, who are ready to take service with other Sovereigns; we require you to furnish a note of all such, the terms on which they served, and indications of those who would take service with us.
	The same to the Ambassador in England.
	Ayes	20.
	Noes	0.
	Neutrals	0.
	[Italian.]
May 18. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	507. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Persian Ambassadors have not had audience yet.
	Prague, 18th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	508. Girolamo Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	Don Alonso di Velasco, a relation of the Constable, is appointed Lieger in England.
	Madrid, 20th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	509. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Cordelier (Neyen) has received the Bishopric of Ypres and a son of Richardot the Archbishopric of Cambray.
	The King of England has formed an alliance with the States which is to last as long as the truce.
	M. de la Boderie, French Ambassador in England, has forwarded the King of England's book against Papal authority.
	Paris, 20th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
Enclosed in preceding Despatch.	510. 1. An account of the arrest and execution of de Terraile for his proposed attempt on Geneva.
	2. Terms of the alliance between his Most Christian Majesty and the States.
	[Italian.]
May 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	511. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Dutch are putting their affairs in order and establishing a sound Republic. Latest news does not indicate that they have begun to disband their troops yet. It seems that the Archdukes intend to keep twelve thousand infantry and one thousand five hundred horse.
	The Ambassadors of France and Flanders resident at this Court have obtained leave from their Sovereigns to retire on the conclusion of the truce. The King will set out on his Progress in spite of the fact that their successors are not yet named.
	The King has caused a revised edition of his book to be printed. It will appear shortly. His Majesty, freed from this care, set out yesterday for Greenwich. The King began his stag hunts recently. They had been suspended during the winter. He is so keen about it (et con tanto di cuore) that on the 16th of this month he and the Prince—worn out by the gallop, in which a number of horses died, one under the Prince himself,—were forced to sleep at a village cottage. The Queen and the Court were in great anxiety that night, for a gentleman sent by the King to her Majesty stopped half-way, as he was tired like the others. He is now paying the penalty in prison.
	Last Monday the King, the Prince and some of the principal members of the Council went to see a ship of 1,500 tons (fn. 4) which is being built in his Highness' name, eight miles away. They are working on others in various places, as the number of ships that used to be in this kingdom is greatly diminished. His Majesty is also showing himself much more careful about forests than formerly, as a lack of wood is beginning to be felt. (fn. 5) The King is more pleased than usual to have the Prince near him, for not only is his Highness most highly accomplished in all bodily exercises but he shows himself in all his deeds both judicious and prudent, and this renders him beloved by everyone. The Queen especially caresses him and tries by every means in her power to secure his good-will, her object is to secure her fortune and increase her income in case of accidents.
	An order has been issued forbidding foreigners to fish in home waters. This will remove the occasion of frequent quarrels, for which many fishermen are now in prison. It will also deprive the Dutch of the large gains they made out of this fishery. (fn. 6)
	Danziker, the Dutch pirate, has just plundered two English ships on their way from Spain with sugar and other goods. He only took their lighter goods and then let them go without injuring anyone on board.
	The new proof produced in the affair of the “Soderina” consists solely in the demonstration that at the time these goods were bought in Tunis there were other goods of the same quality belonging to other owners. This will do them no good, for they are bound to demonstrate that the goods in question are not Venetian. It will be published one of these days and I will not fail to do all I can to aid the interested parties, but owing to the nature of the laws I have as yet got little but fair words and weak hopes.
	London, 20th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 21. Despatches from Zante. Venetian Archives.	512. Zuan Marco da Molin, Venetian Governor in Zante, to the Doge and Senate.
	Report of the burning of a Venetian ship, the “Sta. Maria,” of Sabioncello, by Amurat Rais, Sanjack of the Morea.
	Zante, 21st May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 28. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	513. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The arrears due to the troops in Flanders are calculated at five millions of gold. The Archdukes have agreed to pay a third of this sum against a receipt in full. They have already disbanded the Germans, English, and Walloons who are not in garrison, and almost all the cavalry. Meantime the Court at Brussels is entirely given up to festivities, which will go on for many days.
	In Holland they find some difficulty in coming to an accord. Guelderland refuses to contribute in time of peace proportionately to time of war, because trade will flow through Zealand to Antwerp, and Guelderland will be deprived of great profit from dues and taxes. Up to the 15th inst. they had not disbanded any considerable part of their troops, and those who dislike the truce are not without hope that it may be disturbed.
	The Ambassadors of France and England announce their speedy departure.
	The King's book which has been reprinted is not published yet as they are translating it into Latin (fn. 7) and French and want the translations to appear simultaneously. His Majesty intends to send it to all Princes of Christendom, and I hear that he means to present it by the hands of his Ambassadors at the various Courts.
	The Court is very ill affected to this child-birth of his Majesty, fearing that it may not prove acceptable to the world. A person of importance about Court told me that the King himself is in doubt lest by some Princes it be not received and by others not esteemed, and if it were not so far forward it might very well be withdrawn (et persona di qualche qualità in essa Corte mi ha affirmato che il medesimo Rè dubita o che non sia ricevuto d'alcun' Prinicipe o d'altro incontra di poca reputatione; onde se non fosse tanto innanti non sarebbe gran cosa che se ne retirasse). It may be before they circulate it they will send to the Courts in order to guard themselves against a prohibition from Rome (potrebbe esser che prima che divulgar qui questo libro fosse mandato alle Corti per assicurarsi da qualche prohibitione di Roma).
	This morning the chevalier Lewkenor, Master of the Ceremonies, came to bring me, on behalf of the King, a splendid stag, with a message that his Majesty desired that I should enjoy the first fruits of his chase. I returned thanks, said it was impossible to augment the reverence which I had brought with me from Venice and that all these favours should be laid to the credit of the Republic.
	On many occasions I have touched cautiously on the question of precedence with several of these gentlemen; and finding it impossible to persuade the King to make any verbal declaration on the matter, without renouncing our claim I have urged that his Majesty should at least provide that the dignity of the Republic should suffer no injury, by always inviting your Ambassadors to Court ceremonies if other Ambassadors were invited. If I receive no further instructions from your Serenity I will prefer a similar request the first time I find myself with his Majesty. I understand here that Baron (sic) Wotton has made some representations to your Serenity on this subject. It would illuminate me to know what was said in detail; but if it so please you I will endeavour to find out here.
	Baron Harrington, who lives eight miles out of London, and has charge of the Princess, has sent one of his gentlemen to give thanks for the many favours he hears that your Serenity has bestowed upon his son. I replied that this nation was always welcomed by your Serenity, but that you were particularly glad to show any kindness to this person, both for himself and as son of Lord Harrington; and as a matter of fact in view of their noble blood, their personal qualities and their weight at Court, any show of regard for them will be very well invested.
	London, 28th May, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
May 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	514. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	A pirate berton, manned promiscuously in Barbary, came into the Archipelago. The crew quarrelled and the English slew all the Turks.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 30th May, 1609.
	[Italian; deciphered.]
May 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	515. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
	Eight ships of the Barbary pirates have been recently in the Archipelago. They have done much damage, especially at Sipanto, which they swept bare. Four of them were wrecked in a storm.
	I enclose the orders for the transport of the port, consuls and merchandize of Aleppo to Tripoli.
	Dalle Vigne di Pera, 30th May, 1609.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
May 30. Senato, Secreta. Despatches from Florence. Venetian Archives.	516. Giacomo Vendramin, Venetian Resident in Florence, to the Doge and Senate.
	Sig. Bardo Corsi, destined as Ambassador to England, is very ill. He greatly desires to go, but it is doubtful whether he can. His Highness will be obliged to appoint another.
	Florence, 30th May, 1609.
	[Italian.]
May 31. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	517. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Persian Ambassadors are awaiting their conge. The Persian will depart for Rome in company with an ex-Jesuit called Francesco de Costa, a Portuguese; the Englishman will go to Italy and perhaps to Venice, but will wait to hear the wishes of Venice on the matter.
	Prague, 31st May, 1609.
	[Italian.]