|
| Sept. 9. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
559. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
|
The Marshal de Retz writes that he has crossed the sea, and expects to attend the Court on the following day, and to expedite his mission so as to return immediately. |
|
The latest advices from Flanders are from the postmaster of Cambray, who states that ships with soldiers and ammunition frequently arrive at Flushing (Fleslinge), and that it is impossible to prevent these coming, as the distance is only thirty or forty leagues, which can be traversed with almost any wind. |
|
Paris, 9th September 1573. |
|
[Italian.] |
| Sept. 9. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
560. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Signory. |
|
The English Ambassador [Dale] has asked my opinion concerning the affairs of Poland. I replied that in my judgment the Poles had every reason to be satisfied with these Majesties, because they had been well treated, and every promise which had been made to them amply fulfilled. The Ambassador rejoined, “I have no doubt about the good treatment, but with regard to the fulfilment of promises, what you say is not quite accurate, for the King of Poland has failed to swear to two articles which were promised to all the States without reserve. The first of these is an obligation
to discharge all the debts of the Crown. The second, an undertaking to bring into Poland every year 450 florins of his own revenues. His Majesty has said that it was impossible for him to observe this last condition, because he cannot increase the revenues which he formerly possessed, and which he surrendered when he went to Poland. With regard to the first article his Majesty's construction is that the promise made was to pay the debts due by the State, but not those due by the King, and the expression 'State debts' is intended to refer to the debts which were incurred after the death of the late King, and which are unimportant; but the King denies any liability in respect of the other class of debts, which are of greater amount and consist principally of a large sum of money owing to the King of Sweden. The most Christian King has also refused to observe any of the particulars of the article promised and sworn to by his Ambassadors in favour of those who profess the new religion in Poland.” |
|
After saying this the English Ambassador gave me the particulars, and when I said that I had never heard of any such obligations he undertook to show me an authentic copy of them, and he sent it to me the following day by his Secretary. I have caused these documents to be re-copied, and I now forward them. He has obtained this information and these instructions from the heretic Ambassadors from Poland, with whom he has a good understanding, which is the case with all these heretics, however widely they may differ in opinion. |
|
Having ascertained that the Marshal de Retz had returned, I asked the English Ambassador what good had resulted from the Marshal's negotiations. He answered me that the Marshal had been sent for three purposes. First, to confirm the league which had been concluded last year between England and France, because after the death of the Admiral and the many changes which had intervened, the league had become weakened and in part suspended; secondly, on account of the trade which the English carry on in the northern seas; and, thirdly, concerning the marriage of the the Duke of Alençon. |
|
Upon the first point the league had been confirmed with the addition of supplementary articles for its greater security, and if it came to be more strictly observed, great benefits would result for the general good. Upon the question of trade, the Marshal had been sent according to the Ambassador's wish, and in order that the Queen of England might be induced to prohibit her subjects from carrying merchandise to ports subject to Muscovy, and to order them to unload at Dantzic, where their privileges and advantages would be greatly increased by the King of Poland, and the like would be accorded by the Queen to the subjects of the King who might be trading in her seas. |
|
Concerning the marriage, the Ambassador said his Queen had replied that, under the persuasion of her councillors, she desired its accomplishment, but that it was necessary to communicate the project to the Lords and Barons of her kingdom, and more especially because she knew that they were then greatly incensed against the
French on account of so many Huguenots having been put to death, and for this reason she doubted whether this marriage would not be displeasing to many of them; but she was about to proceed forthwith to London to negotiate with these Lords upon this question, and to take all possible means to satisfy them, and she would send a courier by post to announce her decision. |
|
Paris, 9th September 1573. |
|
[Italian.] |
