Venice: November 1649 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1927.

Citation:

'Venice: November 1649', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652, ed. Allen B Hinds( London, 1927), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol28/pp124-128 [accessed 25 November 2024].

November 1649



Nov. 2. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	351. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Encloses sheet of events of London. Paris, the 2nd November, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	352. Advices from London, the 28th October, 1649. Although no news has arrived from Ireland on account of the bad weather the general opinion is that Cromuell will conquer the whole country in a few months, either by the sword or with money, because the king's party in Scotland, at these reports, seems to be losing courage and dwindles steadily in numbers. The parliament admiral (fn. 1) has taken his fleet towards Gerze to keep a watch on the king personally and discover his designs. The Master of the Ceremonies has notified the ambassadors of Spain and Holland that they will not be considered as public persons and ministers of state unless they present letters of credence from their princes and recognise this republic as sovereign. Parliament has demanded of Mons. Crollet, who has been writing to France since the departure of the Sieur de Grignon, in what capacity he is staying in London, to which he replied, as secretary of the Ambassador Grignon. (fn. 2) Nothing has happened since. [Italian.]
Nov. 12. Bibl. S. Marco. Cl. VII. Cod. 1928.	353. Amerigo Salvetti, Resident of Tuscany in England, to Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at the Congress of Munster. Acknowledges his letter of the 23rd containing that the most serene republic approves of the proposal of the Levant Company to send not more than three ships at a time to Constantinople. That will suit them admirably. Expresses pleasure at the intimation that the republic proposes to give him a gold chain, as a token of regard. London, the 12th November, 1649. [Italian.]
Nov. 14. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.	354. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. An Ambassador from the king of England has reached the port of San Sebastian (fn. 3) and is expected here at Court soon. Preparations are being made for his reception in the most becoming form. It may be they are anxious to give satisfaction in this respect because they are unable to do so in others. Madrid, the 14th November, 1649. [Italian.]
Nov. 22. Bibl. S. Marco. Cl. VII. Cod. 1928.	355. Amerigo Salvetti, Resident of Tuscany in England, to Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at the Congress of Munster. I had audience of the Levant Company last Saturday and explained to them the consent of the most serene republic to allow their ships to enter and to leave the Porte, two or three at a time, in the assurance that they would respond with equal frankness, the republic's desire being solely to protect itself against invasion by the barbarians and to preserve friendly relations with this nation. I suggested that they should supply me with a copy of their orders on the subject to their ambassador and consuls in the Ottoman empire, and the captains of their ships, and I would give them a copy of the republic's orders to its officials. They seemed very pleased at the republic's acceptance of their offer and promised to give a reply in writing about communicating their orders. I am waiting to forward their letter. I fancy that the Company is much upset at a fresh extortion which they say has been imposed by the Turks, of 200,000 thalers because their ships refused to fight when they were compelled to accompany the relief for Candia. I hear further that from fear of worse their ambassador at the Porte has turned back some of their ships which wished to proceed to Constantinople, laden with goods, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Turks. If this is true it might make a difference to the understanding which the nation has always maintained, for the sake of the trade with the Turks. Asks that the present for him may be sent in note of exchange, or by way of Antwerp. London, the 22nd November, 1649. [Italian.]
Nov. 22. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Costantinopoli. Venetian Archives.	356. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. I am now on perfectly friendly terms with the English ambassador. His wife died recently and I did all that was proper to the occasion. I must add that all these relations between ministers are very closely watched by the Turks. With regard to Salvetti's negotiations about the ships, I think that the best way will be to let them enter turn and turn about. This will give some satisfaction to England but it may not succeed with the Turks when they find out about the arrangement. The Vigne di Pera, the 22nd November, 1649. [Italian ; deciphered.]
Nov. 23. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	357. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. It is reported here that the English have definitely offered assistance to the people of Bordeaux. This is denied absolutely by the ministers here, but I know that the deputies of the parliament of Bordeaux told the Marshal Plessis Pralin that if he would not grant them reasonable terms they would be prepared to accept help from any quarter. So it is not unlikely, even if there has been no declaration from England so far, that there may easily be one before long. There is a strong inducement in the resolutions of La Force, and although these are made under the cloak of serving the king it is not credible that they have been taken without some more substantial arrangement. It is equally out of the question that the new government of England will refrain from using all its arts to keep alive the disturbances in France, as they see quite well that their present form of government may be upset above all others by this kingdom, owing to its ties with the House of Stuart. Paris, the 23rd November, 1649. [Italian.]
	358. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. The ducali of the 23rd ult. charge me to express to the king of England the gratification of the state at the mission of Sir Henry Hyde, and the friendly expressions with which he accompanied it ; but as his Majesty's absence prevents this, I will perform the same office with the queen, his mother, when she arrives from St. Germain. Encloses the sheet of London. Paris, the 23rd November, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	359. Advices from Chester, the, 1649. Gen. Cromuell took Vexfort by storm, with the loss of only 7 of his men, (fn. 4) making great booty in the sack of the place where about 1,500 of the besieged were slain. He then marched on Rosse, which surrendered after a bombardment of 7 hours, on terms. (fn. 5) He is now advancing on Dencanon castle, his force reduced to 6,000 effectives, both by sickness and by the need of garrisoning the places taken. Col. Venable has taken Carlingfort for parliament, where, besides a quantity of arms he found 7 pieces of artillery, many barrels of powder and a great quantity of other munitions. Lord Liberton embarked recently at Edinburgh to go and find the king (fn. 6). It is said that he is taking him many advantageous proposals on behalf of the estates of Scotland. The royalist forces under the Marquis of Ormond are 5 miles from Rosse, appointed as the rendezvous of the forces of that party in the province. [Italian.]
Nov. 27. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Zante. Venetian Archives.	360. Ambroso Bembo, Venetian Proveditore at Zante, to the Doge and Senate. I receive exact information about the proceedings of the enemy from the English consul Francis, who lives near here on the mainland. I do my best to maintain friendly relations with him. Zante, the 17th November, 1649, old style. [Italian.]
Nov. 30. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	361. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Encloses sheet of events of London. Paris, the 30th November, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	362. Advices from London, the 22nd November, 1649. This week's letters report that Cromuel has taken Vanford by assault, capturing the castle by dint of much cash. (fn. 7) The losses are considered great, many letters reporting 4,000 royalists slain besides 2,000 who were drowned in trying to escape by the river. After much discussion in parliament they have finally banished from the state all the Catholics who took arms for the king, with forfeiture of all their goods. It is also decreed that the other Catholics who did not serve will be required to leave the state with the loss of only half their property. [Italian.]