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.
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'Venice: April 1610, 16-30', 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/pp465-476 [accessed 25 November 2024].
'Venice: April 1610, 16-30', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 11, 1607-1610. Edited by Horatio F Brown( London, 1904), British History Online, accessed November 25, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol11/pp465-476.
"Venice: April 1610, 16-30". 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. Web. 25 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol11/pp465-476.
April 1610, 16–30
April 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 859. Gregorio Barbarigo, Venetian Ambassador in Savoy, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Yesterday evening M. de Bullion (Bolleò) entered Turin. He insisted on being received as an ambassador, and this was granted. Lesdiguières will be at Exilles (Esiglies) on Sunday evening, on the pretext of acting as god-father to the Governor's daughter. It is expected that the Duke will meet him at some place beyond Rivoli. | ||||
Turin, 16th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; deciphered.] | ||||
April 17. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 860. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The galleons of Sicily and others in their company have disembarked about a thousand men on the island of Schato and harried the poor Greek peasants. | ||||
Two English bertons have arrived with a cargo of steel, tin and harquebusses. Two others are expected, and they propose to attack the Corsairs. I hear that the proposal does not arouse enthusiasm and that they dread the proffered courtesy. The Pasha has told the English Ambassador that they had better attend to their trading and go quietly. | ||||
Dalle Vigne di Pera, 17th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; deciphered.] | ||||
April 17. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 861. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in Rome, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
News by courier express that the Prince of Condé has arrived in Milan. He passed as a Fleming both in speech and in dress. He came by way of Trent. He has been well received by Fuentes and has a guard of halbardiers. | ||||
Rome, 17th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 862. Gregorio Barbarigo, Venetian Ambassador in Savoy, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
On Friday the Duke gave first audience to M. de Bullion (Bolleò). The Duke and Lesdiguières are expected to meet at a place called Brusol. (fn. 1) | ||||
Turin, 18th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] | ||||
April 19. Senato, Secreta. Despatches from Milan. Venetian Archives. | 863. Giovanni Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Resident in Milan, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The Ambassador of Savoy announces that a meeting of the Duke and Lesdiguières will take place near Susa. | ||||
News from France that England and Denmark will take part in the Cleves enterprise. I am told that the Doctor of his Most Christian Majesty who brought me letters of recommendation from the Ambassador Foscarini had been to the Secretary Ceresa to obtain leave to visit the Prince of Condé. This was granted, as it was not thought he would open negotiations. The Doctor, however, assured the Prince that he would be pardoned if he returned, that his Majesty would pay his debts and would give him twenty thousand crowns a year and the Duchy of Anjou. The Doctor was to carry the answer back to M. de Bullion at Turin. The Prince took time to reply, and at once informed Fuentes. Yesterday the Doctor left for Turin, in a fright, without having gone back to the Prince for an answer, and he will not come again to Milan. I hear the Prince will not go to France on any other terms as he is not sure of his life, and in order not to renounce his pretensions, which he supports on grounds that give little or no satisfaction to those who are neither daft nor obstinate. | ||||
Milan, 19th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 864. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The King told me that the Prince of Condé was at Milan. He walks about the town with a guard of fifty Swiss. He is lodged at the Castle, where he is a prisoner without knowing it. The King enquired if I knew whether he had passed through your Excellencies' territory. He said he heard that the Prince went by Trent and was taken to a house belonging to Gaudenzio Madruzzo on the lake of Garda, but he did not believe it. | ||||
The Ambassador excused the Republic from taking an active part in the Italian projects of the King on the ground of fear of the Turk. He looked surprised; stopped walking and gazed straight at the Ambassador. After a brief pause, in which he obviously made an effort to control himself, he went on to say that as for Italy he was so strong in allies that it would be a mere step from peace to victory, especially in the present weakness of Spain. The Moriscoes will certainly receive support on the frontiers; the French Ambassador in Constantinople reports that the Persian war is spreading, and that the Pasha is to go over there; that on this score Venice need not fear. Foscarini saw Villeroy later on and he advises his Government to temporise, to send an answer that may soothe the King without binding themselves. M. de Champigny is, he hears, commissioned to address them on the subject. | ||||
Paris, 20th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; deciphered.] | ||||
April 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 865. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The Queen is pressing on her coronation. The King has announced his intention of leaving by the middle of next month, coronation or no coronation. Triumphal arches are being erected and things cannot be ready before the 10th or 12th of next month. The absence of all the Princes on the preparations for war will rob the ceremony of much of its splendour. | ||||
The Marchese Botti, who was to have gone to England, has received orders to remain here as Ambassador Extraordinary. | ||||
Every day they are picking up vagabonds in this city to serve as sappers (guastatori) in the war. | ||||
Two hours ago the Dutch Ambassadors, three in number, arrived; one is Vandermyle. They are lodged in the Gondi Palace at the King's charges. It will be settled in a few days whether they are to declare war openly on Spain or only to help the “possessioners.” | ||||
Paris, 20th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 866. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
One of the Princes of Wirtemberg is to go to England in the name of the Princes assembled in Hall. Last night a courier arrived from the “possessioners,” imploring the King to hurry up his aid. They report that Leopold is grown very strong and that they fear he will strike the first blow. The King at once issued orders to hasten, and to-day he held a Council at the Arsenal. Two days ago the King despatched the Marquis de Bonnivet to reconnoitre Juliers and the forces of Leopold. | ||||
The rising in Utrecht was brought to an end by negotiation, within two days of siege being laid to the town. | ||||
The Jesuits have recently done all they could to gain over the Mutaferika and to induce him to write to Constantinople in favour of their order. I, who was forewarned, took steps to render their action nugatory. | ||||
Paris, 20th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 867. Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
On Thursday news from Turin that Spain has raised her offers. The Duke asserts his resolve to abide by the promises made to his Most Christian Majesty, but as Spain is raising six thousand Germans, six thousand Swiss and a large body of Lombards and Neapolitans, the aid of twelve thousand men promised by France is now insufficient; nothing short of twenty thousand foot and two thousand horse will do. He offers at a sign from his Majesty to begin his levies of six thousand foot and one thousand horse. A Council was held on the receipt of this news and a courier despatched to Lesdiguières and a message to the Duke that he would receive an answer from the Marshal. | ||||
Letters from Lesdiguières that Bullion (Boleò) had arrived at Gap on Maunday Thursday, where he found the Marshal, and that the Duke expressed his intention to meet the Marshal on the fifteenth; that the Duke showed a desire to see Crequì and wished Lesdiguières to bring him with him to Susa, where the meeting is to take place. | ||||
Further letters from the Marshal are anxiously looked for. | ||||
Paris, 20th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; deciphered.] | ||||
April 20. Minutes of the Senate. Venetian Archives. | 868. Reply to Johann Baptist Lenk (Lenchio), agent for the Princes and United Provinces assembled in Hall. | |||
That the reply already resolved on be recalled by the Cabinet and the undermentioned titles bestowed. | ||||
Further that in the future the titles of “Serene” and “Highness” be always given to the Count Palatine of the Rhine and to the Marquis of Brandenburg as long as they address our Signory by the title of “Serene.” | ||||
Ayes | 79. | Second Vote—Ayes | 74. | |
Noes | 24. | Noes | 26. | |
Neutrals | 76. | Neutrals | 86. | |
[Italian.] | ||||
April 22. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 869. Girolamo Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The French Ambassador openly declares, and he has told the Ministers, that if they will abandon the protection of the Prince of Condé they need fear no hurt from his master; but that if they continue to protect him and furnish him with money as heretofore—for the Ambassador says that the Prince has been assigned three thousand ducats a month—then his master is resolved to put out his whole might in order to have the Prince in his hands. We have heard that the Prince has left Flanders, but know nothing more about him. | ||||
Madrid, 22nd April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; deciphered.] | ||||
April 24. Senato, Secreta. Despatches from Milan. Venetian Archives. | 870. Giovanni Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Resident in Milan, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
Many are persuaded that the King of France is resolved to have himself nominated King of the Romans; but though the Protestant Princes of Germany wish to lower the House of Austria they have no desire to aggrandise France. They would rather have no head, but if they must have one they would be inclined to the Prince of England, though his Father is not much disposed towards that. | ||||
Milan, 24th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 24. Senato, Secreta. Despatches from Milan. Venetian Archives. | 871. Giovanni Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Resident in Milan, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
His Excellency (Fuentes) cannot keep the Prince of Condè indoors as he would like to do, and he is, in consequence, very ill pleased. | ||||
Milan, 24th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 872. Gregorio Barbarigo, Venetian Ambassador in Savoy, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
Bullion (Bolleò) left on Monday for Exilles to join Lesdiguières. He brought the portrait of the Princess of France. On Wednesday afternoon the Duke left for Rivoli. | ||||
Turin, 24th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 873. Gregorio Barbarigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The Duke not back yet from Brusol where he met Lesdiguières. When he left he calculated that he could be back by Friday evening or yesterday morning. He was accompanied by the Duke of Nemours, the Marchese di Lanz, Marchese di Lolin, M. de Jacob and a few others. M. de Jacob was thrown out of his carriage between Rivoli and Vigliana. The Count Francesco Martinengo, who was with him, was injured by blows and cuts on his head, and has sent for a litter to take him back to Turin. The Count was lodged in one of the four towers at the angles of the Castle. The others were occupied by his Highness, the Duke of Nemours, and Lesdiguières. The Marshal was sumptuously entertained. They had long conferences. Yesterday evening the Marshal took his leave, and to-day the Duke should return towards Rivoli. | ||||
Turin, 25th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
Enclosed in preceding despatch. | 874. Letter from Count Martinengo to his Secretary, Scorzoli; dated at a place two miles out of Susa. | |||
24th April, 1610. | ||||
April 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 875. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
Saturday, the 24th of this month, the Prince of Wirtemberg arrived as Ambassador from the Protestant Princes. With him were two others, one from the Count Palatine of Heidelberg, the other from the Duke of Wirtemberg. The same day four Ambassadors from the States also arrived, Sig. de Waremendt, the fifth, and head of the Embassy, having died at the moment of embarcation. All have been received most honourably. With Wirtemberg came an Envoy from the Duke of Neuberg, but he would not take part in the public audience of Monday; he claims to negotiate apart. | ||||
On Tuesday the Dutch Embassy went to Court in royal carriages and was received by the King, the Princes, Brunswick, the Lords of Council and all the Court. The Spanish do not like this. It was observed, however, that neither the Dutch Embassy nor that of the Protestant Princes was ever covered; the King held his hat in his hand the whole time. The Envoys began by apologising for delay on various grounds; they then returned thanks for various favours; finally they commended the affairs of Cleves and the cause of Brandenburg and Neuburg. The Dutch urge his Majesty to make ready powder, cordage, bales, boats, waggons and all munitions necessary to enable the troops to march; they recommended that a few small pieces of artillery should also be sent. But it is doubtful whether his Majesty will consent to this or whether he will maintain that all these provisions should be made by the “possessioners.” The Ambassadors likewise point out that it is necessary that all the troops which move from Holland should obey one single leader until such time as they shall come under command of the Prince of Anhault. They suggest that this leader should be Count Henry of Nassau. They declare that their Masters will contribute four thousand infantry and one thousand five hundred horse, also five pieces of artillery fully found in powder, shot, horses and all that may be necessary; so that if these troops are joined to the four thousand infantry and two companies of cavalry, the French troops now in the Low Countries, and to the English troops, they will form a body of 12,000 men and 1,600 horse. These troops are not to move from Holland till the troops the French King is preparing in France have begun to march. The United Provinces are not without suspicion of the troops which the Archduke Albert is raising, and the munitions of war he is amassing. He is also fortifying Artois and other frontier towns. On this account the subject Provinces (i.e. Flanders) have made some contributions, and the journey of Don Fernando Giron into Spain is said to be caused by the want of larger provision. | ||||
Here they have always hoped that the mere rumour of such a combination would be sufficient to induce the Archduke Leopold to leave the possession of Cleves free to the two “possessioners”; and in this way to strengthen the Protestant party and to render it secure and formidable to all—which has been, perhaps, the leading inducement to make the King declare his hand. This is the reason why they proceed so slowly to the effectuation of the aid promised and destined for Cleves. His Majesty will not readily submit to such an expense. | ||||
All the same there have been bestowed on Colonel Cecil patents appointing him to the command of four thousand foot and conferring on him a salary of six hundred ducats a month during the continuance of the enterprise. Colonel Cecil has passed over into Holland, and orders have been given to remit to the Pay-Master in Flushing twenty thousand ducats to furnish one month's pay, which, however, will not be disbursed until the troops are on the point of marching. Colonel Cecil remains in the service of the States as captain of a company of horse, nay, the States are pledged to take back into their pay all the English troops as soon as the war of Cleves is at an end. On the other hand they are not without hopes that this affair may be settled without further negotiation, thanks to the proposals made by the Archduke Maximilian to the Duke of Neuburg to join him. His Ambassador here will touch on this. All the same they lose no opportunity of attacking each other. The King of Denmark has gone to Berlin, where the Elector of Bradenburg resides, and he thinks of going on to Dresden (Tresnè) to see the Duke of Saxony, to endeavour to bring about some accommodation, to which end the Margrave of Baden is also labouring. | ||||
The French here exaggerate the preparations of his Most Christian Majesty. They say that the flight of Condé compels him to assure the succession by times. They do not deny the ideas about Milan, and they point to Flanders, declaring that one will not take place without the other. The King of England dislikes the designs against Flanders and Milan, nor does he believe in the Franco-Savoyard match; he loathes any mention of the proposal to transfer the Imperial Crown to France and anything that may increase the greatness or the prestige of his Most Christian Majesty. | ||||
The English are more pressing than ever for the repayment of the debt due from the French Crown to Queen Elizabeth. The question has been raised again by the English Ambassador in France, and negotiations have been entrusted to M. de la Boderie to his great trouble. They claim here that the debt amounts to one million four hundred thousand ducats of gold, in France they seek to reduce it to three hundred thousand ducats on the plea that the King of England was bound to make good to the King of France one third of the money his Most Christian Majesty disbursed in aid of the States. To this the King of England, after various replies, consented on condition that the King of France induced the States to bind themselves to repay the money. That they refused to do, declaring that they had not received the money on any such condition. The way to reach an agreement will not be so easy to find; for here they desire prompt payment to meet present needs and in France they plead poverty and heavy burdens. | ||||
I have paid my respects to these German Princes and to the Ambassadors, and assured them of the esteem in which your Serenity ever holds them. | ||||
London, 26th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] | ||||
April 26. Senato, Secreta. Despatches from Milan. Venetian Archives. | 876. Giovanni Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Resident in Milan, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The Abbè d'Aumale (Humala) has arrived here; sent from Rome by the French Ambassador. He makes various proposals to the Prince of Condé. The Prince replies that at present he is attached to the King of Spain and can come to no resolution which will not satisfy his Catholic Majesty. The Abbè left with no hope of success. The Prince wants to live in Milan, but independently in his own house. He requests, both on account of his rank and for his own pleasure, that a company of light horse should be placed at his disposal. He communicated his wish to the Marchese Spinola, in whom he confides, in order that it might be brought to the notice of his Catholic Majesty. But as it would be a dangerous step it is not likely to be adopted. The Prince is so desirous of going about that he cannot bear to be shut up in the Palace. And, in fact, on Saturday he went to the Certosa along with the Ambassador Borgia and some light horse, who went far ahead scouting. The Prince talks much about his own pretensions to the throne, in which he is encouraged by the Spanish. The Prince says openly, and has also told Fuentes and the Ministers, that there is an excellent understanding between the King of France and the Republic, but more in appearance than in reality. He complains that the Ambassador Priuli has not visited him. The Ambassador put off the visit, though Sig. Cesare Marino was sent, on the ground that he must leave at once so as not to miss the galleys. The Prince warns the Spanish not to trust the Duke of Mantua, who most certainly follows the French faction. He boasts many supporters in France. I heard that the Prince declared that he was warned by his mother that the King's doctor, who professed an ancient devotion to him, was sent to offer him terms in writing but also to seize the opportunity to poison him. It is possible that he put this about the more fully to secure his Catholic Majesty's favour. I report, with all due submission, what the Prince confided to a person who professes great devotion to your Serenity. | ||||
Everyone is waiting to see the result of the interview between the Duke of Savoy and Lesdiguières, upon which much will depend. Vives writes that as soon as the Duke heard that Lesdiguières was near Rivoli he went out by post to meet him, and on approaching the Marshal he dismounted and went to embrace him and then got into the Marshal's carriage. M. de Crequì, Lesdiguières' son-in-law, is with him and the Duke pardoned Crequì for the death of his Highness' brother. Crequì declared he knew not how to merit such a favour save by exposing his life for his Highness. Lesdiguières' suite comprised two Masters of the Camp, two Captains of horse and others to the number of ten or twelve; all of them dined at his Highness' table. | ||||
Fuentes said that if Vives had acted as he advised he would never have staid so long in Turin; that he never trusted the Duke's word, and that if now, under the very eyes of Vives, an agreement with France was arrived at it would be to the greater dishonour of his Catholic Majesty. | ||||
Milan, 26th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 27. Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni Principi. Venetian Archives. | 877. The French Ambassador received in audience said that Condé left Brussels and had gone to Milan. He must have passed through Venetian territory. His Majesty is quite aware that the Prince set out on the 28th and went to Trent, where he was received by Colonel Madruzzo and escorted with a large band of armed men as far as Riva. There they armed some boats and went to Desenzano. They hired horses, went to eat at Rivoltella and thence entered Cremonese territory. The whole business was arranged by a valet, a certain Ottavio Facchinetti and a Captain Gennaro—all creatures of Madruzzo. | |||
The Doge replied that they had no notion that the Prince had actually passed through Venetian territory; when they heard it they could hardly believe it. After all, however, it would not be so difficult for him to do so in disguise. They had been informed of a well-dressed personage, in the habit of a priest, who had passed through. Passengers crossing the Lake of Garda were not watched; outlook was kept for contraband only. Once landed they would be in the Cremonese in a moment; the frontier was only twenty miles off and the road open. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 28. Senato. Secreta. Despatches from Milan. Venetian Archvies. | 878. Giovanni Francesco Marchesini, Venetian Resident in Milan, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The Duke of Savoy took no one of the Spanish party with him when he went to meet Lesdiguières. Yesterday the Prince of Condé announced that the Franco-Savoyard match was certainly arranged. | ||||
Milan, 28th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 28. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 879. Gregorio Barbarigo, Venetian Ambassador in Savoy, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
The Duke returned last evening from his meeting with Lesdiguières. Lesdiguières proposed to invite the King of England to join the League. The Duke said he would be delighted to welcome him later, but not just now. Objected to a non-Catholic Ambassador accompanying their Ambassadors to the Princes of Italy. Lesdiguières declared that the injuries inflicted by the Spanish on his Most Christian Majesty were so great, especially this last one touching the flight of the Prince of Condé, that the French were obliged to draw the sword. For the affair of Cleves the King can dispose of fifty thousand foot and seven thousand horse, with fifty pieces of artillery. The French forces are thirty thousand, composed of twenty thousand French, six thousand Swiss, and other four thousand French who were in Holland; ten thousand English, eight thousand from the States and the rest from Denmark and the Protestant Princes of Germany. | ||||
Turin, 28 April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; deciphered.] | ||||
April 29. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 880. Marc' Antonio Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate. | |||
A day or two ago an officer of the Admiralty Court came to inform me that he had at his house, in custody, Captain Tomkins, who had been present at the capture of the ship “Balbiana.” | ||||
This fellow presented a petition to the King, who remembered the name and asked him if he had ever been a pirate; the man could not deny it and his Majesty ordered his arrest and gave instructions that he was not to be set at liberty without my knowledge and consent. I, having heard from the agents of the interested parties that they claim from Tomkins a large sum of money, caused him to be put in a close prison with irons at his feet. I will not fail to do all I can to extract the utmost profit from so just and loving a disposition of his Majesty, to whom meanwhile I have returned due thanks. I am also endeavouring to get some support to enable me to compel the three sureties, who are in prison, to pay what is due, and I hope very soon to bring this business to a conclusion. On the other hand I have little hope of making any way against the English merchants, who are too strong in the favour they have acquired by the methods they know how to use. As the whole government of this City is in the hands of the merchants, they have acquired great power on account of the need which the King and his Ministers always have of them in realising the revenue and the subsidies (nel valersi delle entrate et contributioni). | ||||
A ship lately come to port here brings news that in the Mediterranean she fell in with the ship “Marigold” (?) (Mengold) belonging to Messer Giacomo Albinoni, a Venetian. She had on board a rich cargo for Lisbon. She was seen bravely engaging some pirates. Subsequent vessels reported her capture. These seas are swarming with pirates, and every day one hears of fresh damage, to the travail and ruin of the poor merchants. Nor does the King's displeasure suffice for their extinction. Orders are issued to fit out more ships. | ||||
I hear that the relief sent by Archduke Leopold to Brendenberg was under the command of the engineer Francesco Tencini, of Crema, who has received, in recompense for his valour in this fight, the command of a company of two hundred foot which was rendered vacant by the death of Baron Kettler when storming the trenches. This young man (Tencini), who for ten years has laboured as soldier and engineer in Flanders after he was banished from his native town under the government of the illustrious Signor Nicholo Bon, would gladly take service with your Serenity, to whom he is most devoted, if he were able to obtain release from his sentence. With this object in view he has sent to show the many testimonials from generals, colonels and other officers, which declare that he fortified Linghen, an important fortress on the French frontier, and repaired Oldenzel, Groll and many other strong places; that he has entered with reliefs into various leaguered places and has employed trenches, mines and artificial fires in many engagements. I also hear that the Archduke Leopold is about to confer the post of general of artillery on Colonel Giacomo dei Franceschi, a Venetian, who is in Flanders; this is a sign that his Highness is not so averse from our nation as is the case in Flanders, where Venetians are rarely advanced to posts of importance, as those Ministers do not think it prudent to allow them to acquire experience and prestige. | ||||
There was here with me a few days ago Count Marc' Antonio, son of Count Lunardo Valmarana. He is also engaged by the Archduke Albert with a promise of the first company that falls vacant. He attributes to the above cause the delay in fulfilling this promise. He makes offer of his services to your Serenity. | ||||
Parliament has been adjourned for fifteen days for the Easter recess. They begin sitting again early this week. It is supposed that it will pass a bill providing that the oath of allegiance, which was formerly administered to Catholics only, shall be administered to all who have reached the age of seventeen. This is disturbing to many who were concealed Catholics, but who lived thus, without any remorse of conscience. | ||||
The House is awaiting the King's reply to their offer as regards the question of Wardships. If they thought it would be entirely abolished they would not be niggard of money. They promise the Earl of Salisbury, who held the office of Guardian of Wards, that in return for the income which he drew from that post they would give him four thousand ducats a year and a lump sum of one hundred and twenty thousand. But as Parliament is resolved to abolish all prerogatives a conclusion will be reached with difficulty, especially as the King is held back by the Prince and by others who hope for much gain from the law of Wardships. | ||||
The property of the Earl of Tyrone and of other rebels in Ireland have been at last divided into three parts, one part is assigned to the original English Colony in that kingdom, one to the New Colony they are sending just now, (fn. 2) the third part is erected into various Baronies, which the King bestows on the lords of his Council, who draw lots for them. They are bound to found two cities besides the one which the City of London is pledged to create, and there are other obligations touching the security of the Country, Religion and Education. | ||||
London, 29th April, 1610. | ||||
[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] | ||||
April 29. Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni Roma. Venetian Archives. | 881. The French Ambassador makes representations in favour of the Jesuits at Constantinople, who are being opposed by the Venetian Ambassador there. Presents a letter from Henry IV. begging that steps may be taken in the interests of the Jesuits. | |||
Doge replies that the orders given to the Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople are those usually issued, namely, to see to the support of the established orders. | ||||
[Italian.] | ||||
April 30. Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni Principi. Venetian Archives. | 882. Lenk received in audience on the point of titles. | |||
[Italian.] |