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| July 13. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
91. Giovanni Moro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Prince of Parma has compelled Oudenard to come to terms with him, and it will probably be obliged to surrender. The Duke of Alençon is trying to relieve the place. |
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The fleet of Don Antonio has been sighted off Finisterre. Its route is unknown; but it is expected to go to the Azores to encourage his supporters, and in the hope of seizing St. Michel's and Madeira. |
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Paris, 13th July 1582. |
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[Italian.] |
| July 14. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
92. Matheo Zane, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Seven daughters of Don Antonio have been taken from Portugal to Castille and kept there imprisoned in a nunnery, where they live in desparation. They are often made to write letters to their father begging him to return to his obedience to the King, and to throw himself on the Kings clemency. The mother of the Count of Vimiosa, who is in a similar plight, when asked to perform a like office to her son replied that his Majesty did her too much honour in supposing that she had any weight with the Count, her son, for his Majesty knew quite well that nowadays not even a father's authority was sufficient to keep sons in order when they had become men, far less then could mothers do, and least of all herself, a woman of no strong character, now in prison and illtreated. With thai they ceased to urge her. |
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Madrid, 14th July 1582. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| July 14. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
93. Matheo Zane, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Armada is well found in all but sailors, of whom there is a great lack, and chiefly of those Portuguese who know the waters, for rather than serve against Don Antonio the larger number take to flight, and hide themselves, while the few that are on board perforce have to be kept almost in chains. |
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Madrid, 14th July 1582. |
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[Italian.] |
| July 23. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
94. Matheo Zane, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Cardinal Archduke on the 10th inst. accompanied out of the port (of Lisbon) the fleet which, on the 11th, set sail to join the other fleet from Cadiz, and to go in search of Don Antonio. After the Marquis of Santa Cruz went on board his flag-ship some sixty-Portuguese mariners deserted, and so did a large number from the other ships. They adopted all sorts of devices, even going the length of dressing like the women, and going ashore with these who had come on board to visit their husbands and relations, so that for two or three days all attention was directed to pressing as many as were able-bodied sailors; but the full compliment could not be made out. The fleet was not well found in sailors. The Marquis protested, and they say that the Duke of Alva voted against the departure of this fleet on the ground that it could not be in fit order, and that if his Majesty continued in Lisbon it was dangerous to denude him of troops and fleet. The Marquis's orders are to secure the fleet first of all, and then to recover the Azores if occasion offers. I enclose a printed sheet, setting forth the strength of the fleet; it is printed in Lisbon on the order of the Ministers. |
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Madrid, 23rd July 1582. |
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[Italian.] |
| Enclosed in preceding Despatch. |
95. A list of the forces which sailed from the port of Lisbon for the Azores, on Tuesday of July 1582. Captain-General the Marquis of Santa Cruz. |
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Totals. |
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Troops |
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8,442 |
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Sailors |
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3,431 |
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11,873 |
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Ships |
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54 |
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Galleys |
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12 |
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Azabras |
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7 |
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Carvels |
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4 |
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Boats |
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50 |
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[Spanish.] |
| July 28. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
96. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate. |
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News from Antwerp that a short distance off the coast of England the flag-ship of Don Antonio took fire. The burning wood was scattered among the other ships, some of it fell on the vessel where Don Antonio was, and wounded him in the face. They say he is dead. |
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Augsburg, 28th July 1582. |
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[Italian.] |
