Venice: July 1634 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 23, 1632-1636. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1921.

Citation:

'Venice: July 1634', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 23, 1632-1636, ed. Allen B Hinds( London, 1921), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol23/pp240-252 [accessed 25 November 2024].

July 1634



July 7. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	313. Francesco Zonca, Venetian Secretary in England, to the Doge and Senate. The Ambassador Oxisterna left the day before yesterday on a Dutch man of war, followed by a favourable wind. The king's barques took him to Gravesend. He left extremely dissatisfied, as I reported and thoroughly impressed during his stay here with all the infirmities of the existing government and of their policy which aims at preserving a general neutrality and a firm determination to avoid complications of every sort. He informed some of his intimates that he had perceived that the views of the leading councillors of the king tended to impress his Majesty with the idea that the representations put forward by him that the Swedes and the United Princes were for abandoning the Palatinate and for granting Filipsburg to France, were merely a pretence calculated to constrain England to do what they wanted, while at the same time they contrived to make his Majesty believe that such succour as could at present be sent abroad by this crown could not possibly be strong enough. That if the Austrian party should prevail it was enough to defend that province, as the Princess Palatine strongly urged. Being thus inferior or equal in force every thing goes to show that it is to the interest of the princes themselves to preserve it by their own fortune and arms. Accordingly they conclude that it is not possible to supply any appreciable succour to that distressed country without upsetting things here greatly. He characterises these ideas as execrable and rotten (concetti pessimi per quello dice corotti), and supplied by the Spanish Resident. He asserts that that party is so strong in the very Council, that nothing can make head against that nation, even though the king felt differently, being entirely ruled by them. He said he was aware of the shortage of money even for the king's household requirements, owing to his strained relations with his people, and accordingly he had not urged the financial side very strongly, but the refusal of levies, whether openly or by connivance, as requested, showed that it was due to the efforts of the Spanish partisans alone. Fulvio Pergami, secretary of Prince Tomaso has returned from the Court. Some say that he made proposals in the interest of the Spaniards and of his own master. But I am advised on sound authority that he only saw the king once, with whom he conferred in a garden for the space of half an hour. There he presented the letter and after some conversation took his leave. He also spoke with the Treasurer and with the first secretary of state, but only once with each likewise. He is now here waiting for an English ship to take him to Spain, where he is to proceed. He has certain connections here as for some years he discharged the office of minister for the Duke of Savoy. He has dropped a word to some of his closest intimates that he has been sent to expedite the affairs of his master at the Spanish Court. It is believed that he may be going to reside there as Agent in ordinary. I have sent all the particulars to the Ambassador Cornaro. The other gentleman for the kingdom of Poland, embarked for Holland after the conclusion of his audience of the king, with whom he stayed a very short time. They say he has some business to transact there. It is impossible to discover any authentic information upon what he set forth here, as he spoke with his Majesty alone ; but it is thought that the matter was of no great consequence seeing the celerity he showed in going away. Anstruther writes from Hamburg on the 12th ult. acknowledging the receipt of his instructions about going to Frankfort, for which he was to leave on the following day. The Company of merchants here who trade in the Levant have presented a petition to the Council in which they ask that the departure of Sir Sacfil Cro may be postponed in view of what has happened in Constantinople against the merchants of this nation. This person has already been selected by his Majesty as ambassador to the Porte in place of the one who is now there and whose time has expired. In the petition the Company state that as the Grand Turk has inflicted this injury and loss upon the merchants it is not seemly to send him a new ambassador so soon, with the usual presents for the Sultan and his ministers, to prevent the act being misinterpreted by the avarice of that race, and as an encouragement to them to go even further in the future. They add that if it is his Majesty's good pleasure, the merchants of the Company would like to recall the ambassador now at Constantinople in order to show some resentment at their late behaviour, feeling sure that the ministers there will not allow him to go before his successor arrives. In that case they would write to him secretly to stay on, and after a year has passed Cro might set out in that direction. (fn. 1) They feel sure of obtaining from his Majesty what they want, both because of the cost of the embassy, which with the exception of some small pension paid by the king, is supported by the community of the merchants here, and is maintained out of consideration for the said Company, and also because the object of their representations is to uphold the dignity of the crown and for the benefit of trade at those marts. A certain rumour has circulated at the Court that the Cardinal Infant, now that he is married, as reported from all quarters, will resign the Archbishopric of Toledo to the Cardinal of Savoy, though reserving a substantial pension for himself. The latest news from Brussels reports a most sumptuous banquet given by the Abbot Scaglia to Prince Tomaso and to the Marquis of Aytona, at his own house. Also that after the banquet the Marquis mounted his horse to follow the army which had already set out by his orders towards the Province of Limburg. Some extracts of letters have appeared here which were sent from Brazil to Spain and intercepted by the Dutch en route. I enclose them as the contents seem to me worthy of the notice of your Serenity. The barque which was taking the courier of this city from Dover to Calais with the despatches of the past week, fell in with four Dunkirkers at sea and was plundered, the letters being torn up and thrown into the sea. The Master of the Posts has just informed me. (fn. 2) I will gather further information and do my utmost to recover those of your Serenity. I received yesterday the state despatches of the 16th ult. London, the 7th July, 1634. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
Enclosure.	314. Extract from a letter of Captain Salvador Pinero, late governor of Tamaraca, from Pariba, the 18th December, 1633, to the Count of Monte Santo. Blockaded at Pariba for two months by the enemy's ships and unable to sail for Portugal. Arrival of Dutch troops and munitions and the capture of Rio Grande. Every place is left at the mercy of any small reinforcements of the enemy that may arrive. The Dutch are already doing a great business in the country. [Italian.]
	315. Extract from a letter of Battista d'Asylva of the 15th February, 1634, from the port of Basirette, to Pasqual Goelso, at Lisbon. The Dutch have taken everything ; nothing is safe. Only alive by a miracle. Captures made by the enemy, who are now before Pariva, which will doubtless fall. [Italian.]
	316. Extract from a letter of Francesco Perveca at San Antonio di Capo San. Augustin, Fernambuco, on the 18th February, 1634, to Don Lopes di Alveda, at Lisbon. Distress caused by the war with the Dutch, who have taken Tamaraca and Rio Grande. This place is the only one left. If it is taken the Dutch are masters of all Brazil. Complete blockade. [Italian.]
	317. The same to Emanuelo Cauelo. Military movements. [Italian.]
July 11. Senato, Secreat. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	318. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Difficulty of adjusting the affairs of the Count of Cesi. The English here make a great outcry and declare that if they cannot have justice they will recoup themselves by plundering the Marseillais. Paris, the 11th July, 1634. [Italian.]
	319. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. The Sieur de Poigni has left for England as ambassador in ordinary. (fn. 3) From what I hear he will exert his efforts in support of the Lord Treasurer. Paris, the 11th July, 1634. [Italian.]
July 14. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	320. Francesco Zonca, Venetian Secretary in England, to the Doge and Senate. In consideration of the offices performed by the Ambassador Gussoni, and continued by me after his departure, about the appointment of a new ordinary ambassador to reside with your Serenity, in place of the deceased Cari the king has declared Lord Fildin, eldest son of Earl Denbigh and of a sister of the late Duke of Buckingham, and consequently born a baron of this kingdom. As it is unusual to employ persons of this quality as ambassadors in ordinary anywhere soever, and not often as extraordinary, the royal will was heard with general wonderment and commented upon as a clear argument of his Majesty's affection and esteem for your Excellencies, as some of the lords here have remarked to me. I replied that it would be highly appreciated at Venice where you would show a corresponding regard. I added that the ambassador would be welcome and worthily received as was the custom of the republic towards the ministers of this crown. He is a young man of about twenty six, of good manner and the best education and capacity. He is clever for his age and much esteemed at Court, for his own prospects as he will be an earl after his father's death, and as the son in law of the Lord Treasurer, which means favour with the king. From these circumstances we may predict an excellent success in his appointment. They already talk of his having the title of ambassador extraordinary to all the princes where he will pass on his journey, and it is believed that his father in law has procured this charge for him as a good means of introducing him into the Council. The satisfaction felt by the Resident Nicolaldi at the success of his operations against the negotiations of Oxisterna is not a little dashed by his annoyance at the judgment delivered about the ship, after such a long litigation. The chief ground for his dissatisfaction is his being deceived, so he claims, in the promises made to him by the king himself and the treasurer as well, who assured him several times that the sentence would be favourable, and that the ship and cargo would be placed at the disposition of those interested. He goes about telling this to every one with the utmost freedom. He complains that the result has been quite different, and laments that in the mean time he has pledged himself to the Court of Spain, where, on the strength of the assurances given him here he had assured them of the victory, which was so greatly desired, both on the point of honour and because of the advantage therefrom that would result to the Catholic, if the ships captured from the Spaniards by the Dutch could not enjoy the benefit of the ports of this kingdom. He has sent due notice of all this to his king, representing to his own advantage the ill success of Oxisterna's mission in particular, and the mutual dissatisfaction, of the ambassador because of the refusal given to all his demands, and of the Court because of the ambassador's refusal of the present offered to him. After the most strenuous efforts to find out about the letters intercepted at sea, I learn that the ship which seized the barque with the courier was a Dutch one. The reason as said to be that the barque in question was being carried by the tide and wind very strongly towards the coast of Flanders, and the Dutch suspected that it meant to enter Dunkirk. Their suspicions were increased when in the valise of the courier they found a great packet for Nicolaldi. This was seized with all the other letters, except those which were directed for France. These they sent with the barque and the crew to the Governor of Calais, who had asked for them. My packet for your Serenity was directed as usual to the Master of the Posts at Antwerp, so it will be detained. The king and the Court have expressed great annoyance and I know that the secretary of state has orders from his Majesty to speak forcibly on the subject to the Ambassador Joachimi. They declare it is a most pernicious example and not to be borne However no remonstrance has been made to the ambassador yet. This much is quite clear that both the Spaniards and the Dutch abuse to excess his Majesty's patience, and the former with words and the latter with deeds contemn this crown more than is seemly. They know full well its present weakness and this renders them bolder than is right. Nicolaldi makes a greater outcry than anyone else, asserting that he has lost most important despatches for Spain, Germany, Italy and Flanders. The Agent of Florence complains similarly. I have sent the necessary information to the Ambassador Contarini at the Hague, so that, if possible, he may recover my packet. Pergami, secretary of Prince Tomaso has left. He had no further negotiations at this Court beyond what I reported. He embarked on the first ship to hand intending to land at any point in Spain that he could, to proceed thence to the Court with all speed by the posts. Bosuel also has gone to Holland, with the instructions reported and orders in addition to make forcible remonstrances about the seizure of ships and about the intercepted letters in particular. The Agent Douglas writes from Frankfort on the 24th ult. that the deputies of the Elector of Saxony have disseminated various ill offices in order to stir up disputes between the Princes there, by the publication of some paper and other crafty inventions. But they have not succeeded owing to the beneficial influence of the Landgrave of Hesse in particular. He reports that they have confirmed again the union between four Circles and those of Lower and Upper Saxony, for the maintenance of the war. That they have already taken in hand the accounts of the contributions paid, and that the Landgrave of Darmstadt turned out to owe a great quantity of corn. They had sent him a reminder to provide this at once, otherwise they would proceed against his dominions, in accordance with the agreements. He states in addition that they are sending from that city under suitable convoy provisions for those armies where there is a shortage, and in particular to the army of Duke Bernard. Letters from Brussels of the present week report a rumour circulating through all Flanders that the Catholic proposes to maintain a perpetual garrison of 12,000 Spaniards in that province. This has caused a great sensation among the people there and they are afraid of a general revolt if the intention is carried out. The familiars of Prince Tomaso say that a patent has reached him to levy 1000 horse and that he will command the troops which come from Italy with the Cardinal. But here they hold fast to their opinion that the Cardinal will not be able to force the passage and consequently that his route will not be through Lower but by Upper Germany. I received yesterday the state despatches of the 23rd ult. London, the 14th July, 1634. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 15. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Costantinopoli. Venetian Archives.	321. Piero Foscarini, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. On the 28th ult. the disputes between the merchants of the four nations were finally adjusted, the expenses, amounting to 72,500 reals being apportioned as follows : out of eight parts, three to the English, two to the French, two to the Venetians and one half to the Flemings the remaining half being divided into eight portions, three to England, two each to Venice and Flanders and one to France. As the reckoning and expenses were arrived at by a majority of votes and not by a judgment, 2000 reals were remitted from the impost laid on the deputies of Marseilles, who were not of the number of merchants who had a written agreement among themselves, as well as 1000 reals for a sentence against the Secretary of England, who was not included either. The Vigne of Pera, the 15th July, 1634. [Italian.]
July 17. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	322. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the Doge and Senate. The ships of war of these States have captured a barque coming from England with various packets of letters of the Spanish Resident at that Court. The letters were opened. Among other things that minister, in writing to the Catholic about the sentence in favour of the States for the Portuguese ship laden with sugar, which the Dutch took, complains saying he had been promised that the sentence should be in his favour. He considers that the example will prove most harmful because henceforward the ships of these States will be able to betake themselves safely to the ports of that island with the ships and goods taken from his Majesty's subjects. The Hague, the 17th July, 1634. [Italian.]
	323. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the Doge and Senate. The Resident Bosuel and the Secretary Dingli have arrived a short while since from England. It is thought that they can bring but little good for the Princess Palatine here. The arrival of the Ambassador Anstruther at Frankfort is known. Owing to the absence of the Chancellor Oxensterna, he will not yet have made his proposals. An express messenger, who passed this way, has been sent to him with letters. The Hague, the 17th July, 1634. [Italian.]
July 21. Senato. Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	324. Francesco Zonca, Venetian Secretary in England, to the Doge and Senate. The arrival of the Sieur de Poygni, the French ambassador in ordinary to this Court is as opportune as it is necessary. (fn. 4) The Spanish Resident has made the most of the opportunity afforded by the long absence of any royal ministers to spread abroad the most injurious ideas of the ambitious intentions of that Court, according to his version. He has also availed himself of the recent mission of the ambassadors extraordinary from Holland to the Most Christian to draw fresh material to increase the suspicions of this nation, already very strong, declaring that they are taking proposals prejudicial to the House of Austria and not less so to Great Britain, according as circumstances may decide. He points out that they ought to look to this and, for the common benefit, try to prevent any further and closer union between France and the Dutch. This is designed to make the king think it necessary to unite with the Spaniards and to offer a strenuous opposition to the progress of those arms. These crafty notions were put forward by his partisans in the Council at favourable opportunities and enlarged upon at the Court without any one speaking out in favour of the French, for whom, indeed, there is no affection among the generality here. The Ambassador made his state entry last Sunday evening, the 16th inst. with all the most honourable demonstrations and ceremonies usual upon such occasions, being met, accompanied and the rest. The queen who was here in order to celebrate the Holy Jubilee, seemed anxious to speak with him in private, although he had not yet seen the king. When this was reported to him he went on the following day to kiss her hand. Yesterday he went to his first public audience at Tibols, 12 miles from here, where their Majesties are at present staying for the usual pleasures of the chase, scouring the country. From the information which reaches me from the Court, his offices were merely complimentary, although mingled with certain phrases well calculated to clear away the clouds of sinister impressions which prevail here. He asserted that the king, his master, would always display the most fraternal affection towards this crown in the punctual fulfilment of the peace solemnly sworn to with every regard to the mutual good feeling and the relationship between their Majesties. The reply expressed a complete appreciation of the good intentions of that king to which they would fully respond on this side, with every testimony of friendliness and neighbourliness, together with similar compliments, while his Majesty expressed his great satisfaction at the employment of M. de Poigny in this embassy, who afterwards turned to the queen, there present and handed her his letters of credence, as he had done before to the king, and thus did his duty by her in the usual way, in accordance with his instructions. When the ambassador has come back to the city I also will perform the usual offices required to win his confidence, followting the use of the Court. The Ambassador Anstruther writes that he has arrived at Frankfort after six days of hard travelling. He says he set forth his first offices in the Diet in accordance with his instructions, and that commissioners have been deputed to treat with him. He also reports that he observes he is in great discredit with the princes because of the notion which they formed of him in their last diet at Haylbrun. There, in addition to the 60,000 reichs thalers to be paid down by England, when the Palatinate should be restored, he further promised, with his Majesty's approval, a sum of money, though not much, for the maintenance of the garrison there, and the princes are already complaining to him that they have never been able to get anything. He goes on to say that they attach little importance there to his advent, especially as the feelings of the Chancellor Oxisterna and of some of the other princes are greatly excited by the ill satisfaction received here by their ambassador, who left a little while ago. They say openly that they have made the last trial of what they may promise themselves from England, a country which in many respects is as much beholden as any of them to co-operate for the common cause. Orders have been issued at once to prepare instructions for the Ambassador Fildin, recently chosen to reside at Venice. He is busy with his preparations and announces his departure for about the end of next September. He will take his wife with him, so it is not considered likely that he will wait any longer, so as to avoid the discomforts of a winter journey. In the mean time he has been confirmed in his capacity of ambassador extraordinary to the princes of the places on his way. There has been some talk recently of the passage incognito this way of a secretary of Monsieur, who embarked for Spain, after the example of the secretary of Prince Tomaso. In spite of every effort I have been unable to discover anything certain about this, beyond the assertions of certain individuals who maintain that it is so. This much at least I am sure of, that if such a one has been here he has not seen either of their Majesties or any of the leading ministers of state. The confirmation which has come from Brussels about the negotiations between Monsieur and the Marquis of Aytona makes one inclined to credit the passage of such a secretary, sent for the establishment of the conditions, which have not yet transpired. I have sent the requisite information to the ambassador in Spain and I will inform him about the secretary in my next despatch to that Court. On the subject of the army of Flanders they write from Brussels that the Marquis of Aytona, after the capture of Argenteau, (fn. 5) in addition to building bridges over the Meuse and a few forts to deprive Maastrich of the commodities it was receiving from the city of Liege by that river, proposed to besiege the fortress of Maastrich. But the advices which arrive about its being well provided and able to sustain a long siege, while he will have the army of the Prince of Orange on his flanks, make it likely that the report or the event will come to nothing. But others reputed to be very wise argue that this is a trick to keep the attention of the Dutch fixed on the defence of that place, and that his plan is to hasten to assist the passage of the Cardinal Infant, always supposing that he succeeds in getting as far as those frontiers. Monsieur and Prince Tomaso are busy with their preparations to follow the army, according to the reports they have had spread, but so far we do not see that anything has come of it. Don Carlo Coloma has left Flanders for Milan, where he is appointed custodian of the Castello, according to more correct information, and not governor of the state as they wrote by mistake. Having written thus far I have just been informed that there has been some slight miscarriage over the ceremony of the French ambassador. It is usual to send an English earl for such functions, but the order was changed, with what object is not known, and the duty was performed by a Scottish earl. The ambassador noticed this and would not allow it to pass without remark, speaking about it to the queen rather than suffer any prejudice. Accordingly he told her, though with the utmost moderation, that he had been invited here to serve her Majesty, and that without her advice he would not suffer himself to be dealt with by a person of quality inferior to those who had been employed with his predecessors. The queen considered it the wisest course to advise him to pass it over and accept what had been done, so he calmed down and was accompanied by this Scottish earl. The Scots took exception to this action of his, but he made it good, telling them that if he had been in Scotland he would have asked for a Scottish earl, who would have precedence there, but that being in England he had desired an English earl, who has precedence here. I have received this week the state despatches of the 29th ult. London, the 21st July, 1634. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 24. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	325. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the Doge and Senate. The Resident Bosuel called on me to-day after his return from England. In talking about the interests of the Princess Palatine he said that they will first try to obtain a good and safe peace. If they could not get this, they would then decide upon the best means for supporting the war. The Ambassador Anstruther was to speak to this effect at Frankfort, and before resolving upon anything in England they would await the decision of that diet. A gentleman of Poland is here from England. (fn. 6) There is some talk of it being because of some intention on the part of that king to take to wife the eldest daughter of the Princess Palatine, but many put no faith in such a report. The Hague, the 24th July, 1634. [Italian.]
July 28. Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni. Corti. Venetian Archives.	326. To the Secretary Zonca in England. You will receive with these a copy of the despatches from the Bailo at Constantinople touching the action of the English ambassador there in the common interests of the merchants in that place. These are to serve for information with the other advices. As the Ambassador Correr is ready to start immediately for his post we believe that the appointment of an ambassador in ordinary to Venice will not be long delayed, as a matter of correspondence. If this does not occur you will tactfully raise the question where it may be advisable, as on your own responsibility, so that the appointment may be made without delay, but without committing yourself to anything in the name of the Senate. There is nothing else to add. Your letters of this week have not yet arrived. Ayes, 101. Noes, 1. Neutral, 4. [Italian.]
July 28. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	327. Francesco Zonca, Venetian Secretary in England, to the Doge and Senate. After the French ambassador had returned from his audience of the king, I went to pay my respects, congratulating myself on his safe arrival in this kingdom in good health and on his introduction to his new appointment. Here I took a favourable opportunity to remark to him upon the mutual and admirable correspondence in every place between the ministers of the Most Christian and those of your Serenity. I promised to observe this. He approved my office with very courteous expressions. He asserted the good will of France towards the republic and ended by saying that in fulfilment of special orders which he has he would preserve a warm friendship with the ministers of Venice. He admitted that in the present crisis of the world's affairs it was most helpful that those of the right side should have a good understanding among themselves, in order to co-operate better in the service of the common cause. He is a cavalier of mature age and of admirable and open nature, from what has appeared hitherto, well adapted to win the confidence of the members of the government here. The queen makes much of him, and in fine his behaviour meets with general approval. It is true that observers at Court have remarked that he is a minister of better intentions than of proved experience in matters of state, since this is the first ambassadorial appointment that has passed through his hands. They therefore argue that this noviciate of his cannot prove strong enough to counteract Nicolaldi, who is well supported here, and a skilful and most sagacious Spanish minister but this is the talk of idle folk who are governed by the defects of their own passions. Two days after his return from his first audience he went again to a private conference with their Majesties at Tibol. According to the information supplied to me by my confidant, who follows the Courts, he told them that the king, his master, intent by observation and application on serving the public cause, will be sending an ambassador extraordinary to Poland and to Sweden, to negotiate a perpetual peace or a prolongation of the truce between those two kingdoms, which is on the point of expiring. He pointed out the disservice which would result to their common friends in Germany if Sweden was occupied elsewhere and diverted from rendering the assistance she contributed to an enterprise which has been launched so successfully. In a very sound office he said that as Great Britain had been the mediatrix of the first truce between those two crowns, she was invited by the Most Christian to continue this good work, by sending another ambassador as companion to the French one, so that by negotiating in concert they might more easily achieve this point which is so necessary to the common interests. This sign of confidence from France pleased the king extremely, so my informant asserts. He thanked her warmly for the suggestion and said he would give the matter due consideration and would then let him know his views through the ministers. The ambassador is at present paying his respects to the members of the government who are staying in this neighbourhood, and also to the foreign ministers, thus employing the proper means for the best service of his sovereign. Brasser, who was sent here five years ago by the Dutch India Company in the capacity of deputy of the Provinces of Holland, in order to assist the three commissioners to adjust the inextricable difficulties which have arisen between their Companies and those of England after a practically fruitless sojourn at this Court of twenty eight months, has at last, by permission of his masters, taken his final leave of their Majesties at Tibol, always in the company of the Ambassador Gioachimi. He will leave for the Hague with the first favourable wind. The commissioners remain here under the direction of this same ambassador to continue the affair, which is not even yet ripe, but subject to many disputes and delays on one side and the other. This Brasser was dubbed knight by his Majesty, it being adroitly suggested to him as the envoy was taking leave. As the king was not wearing a sword, he borrowed one from a gentleman who was present at the function. The Ambassador Joachimi made an amusing mistake when he took leave of the queen, as he paid his respects to her little dwarf, (fn. 7) who happened to be there under the impression that he was the young prince. Becoming aware of this error too late, he apologised, which only made her Majesty and the others who were standing by, laugh the more. The last letters from Brussels speak of the departure of Monsieur for the army, and of some fear among the citizens that while the Spanish forces are employed in the neighbourhood of Maastrich, the Prince of Orange may make an incursion to that city and sack it. They add, though this is uncertain as yet, that according to some reports, provision of money has reached prince Tomaso from Spain for raising levies of cavalry and infantry for the service of the Catholic League in Westphalia, where he is to command in the capacity of general. No preparation is being made for the arrival of the Cardinal in Flanders, indeed a report is circulating that his army is to join with that of the King of Hungary and that he is to proceed to Vienna to perform his marriage. Last Monday their Majesties began their ordinary progress of the present season, which will end at York, 100 miles from here, visiting the most charming places of the country there, where they will spend six weeks of the time, and on their return they will pass the rest of the summer in places in this neighbourhood. (fn. 8) All the gentlemen of the government, except a few of the royal Council, who stay here to deal with matters that crop up, have kissed their Majesties' hands and withdrawn to their own villa residences. Your Serenity's commands of the 26th May reached me yesterday with letters of the 6th inst. As regards the appointment of an English ambassador to your Serenity, that is already settled. London the 28th July, 1634. [Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 31. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	328. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the Doge and Senate. The Princess Palatine has gone with Prince Charles, her eldest son, to Renem, a pleasure resort, because he has been ailing for some time and so decided on a change of air. That is why he has not joined the Prince with the Army, as was decided. The Hague, the 31st July, 1634. [Italian.]