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| Nov. 12. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxiii. p. 188, tergo. |
322. Doge Pietro Lando to King Francis I. |
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His most Christian Majesty's fleet has seized two Venetian ships 'on their voyage to England with Malmsies, which are their own merchandise, without which, Venetian vessels never make that voyage. On their departure the Signory gave the owners assurance, in virtue of the promise made at Rheims (Rens) by the Cardinal de Tournon and the Vice-Chancellor, in the King's name, when he published his edict (la pragmatica soa), to the Doge's ambassador Venier, that provided the Doge's subjects did not embark their effects on board the ships of the enemies of his most Christian Majesty, or of persons suspected by him, they might make their usual voyages in safety. Has therefore with extreme regret heard of the aforesaid seizure, as although the vessels belong to his private noblemen and citizens, he holds them in more account than if they were the Signory's. Requests the King to take to himself the judgment of this matter, and to order the free release of the vessels and their crews, and their entire cargoes. Trusts he will do so, by reason of the love always evinced by him for the Signory; they likewise, on their part, having at all time shown all friendship, and had all possible regard for the ships and subjects of his most Christian Majesty, as becoming the Republic's natural observance towards him, which they cannot but hope is graciously reciprocated. |
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Ayes, 162. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 5. |
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[Original draft, Italian.] |
| Nov. 13. Senato Terra, v. xxxiii. p. 147. |
323. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador in France, about the release of Venetian Merchantmen bound to England. |
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Have heard with great regret from the owners and merchants of the Venetian ships “Contarima and Regazzona,” Philippo Mauricio, master, and “Foscarina,” Manoli da Paris, master, that both those vessels, having been sent by them on the voyage to England with malmsies from Candia, after leaving Hampton for Margate, were fallen in with by his Majesty's fleet, which captured and took them into Havre de Grace, with the entire cargoes and crews. |
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The ambassador will comprehend how much the Signory has been disturbed by this, being constantly on the watch, above all other things, to defend the interests of their nobles and citizens. Not knowing therefore from what accident this capture arose, as these ships on two former occasions when making this same voyage met the French fleet (the first encounter being with the galleys of Majorca, and the other with the gallions at the Gut of Cadiz), and were always treated in a friendly manner, and allowed to pass. Have therefore chosen to give him immediate orders to present himself to his most Christian Majesty, and tell him how much they are troubled by the detention of the said ships, which, although (as above mentioned) the property of their noblemen and citizens, and freighted solely with property belonging to the subjects of the Signory, which is so devoted to his Majesty, and although bound on private business to England and for no other purpose, nevertheless for their greater security, in consequence of the hostilities in those seas, had also a patent with them from the Reverend French ambassador resident in Venice. |
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To request the King to order their immediate release, and that of the crews and cargoes, as also compensation, in case they have incurred loss. |
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To perform every possible office to this effect, with the Dauphin and the Dauphiness [Catherine de' Medici], the Admiral, and the other Lords of the Council. |
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Ayes, 162. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 5. |
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[Italian.] |
| Nov. 22. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta) v. lxiii. p. 192, tergo. |
324. The Same to the Ambassador at Constantinople. |
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The King of England has taken Boulogne by capitulation, and the most Christian King sent his army to recover it, but found the place furnished with troops, ammunition, and victuals, so they blockaded it by land and by sea. The King of England, having thus garrisoned Bulogne and his other places beyond sea, returned home with the rest of his forces. At Calais, peace is being negotiated between the Kings of France and England, and the Emperor is said to favour it. |
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To communicate these advices to the Bashaws. |
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Ayes, 137. Noes, 2. Neutral, 1. |
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[Italian.] |
