|
| Mar. 1. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
916. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The rumours of an English fleet persist here, and in Lisbon the panic continues. Although they say that the fleet will not be very large yet it seems that once panic stricken the Portuguese cannot shake off their alarm. And so in order to quiet the population, and to garrison the town, some companies have been ordered to march to Lisbon. |
|
Four hundred and seventy Spanish soldiers, who were prisoners in England, have been liberated; their ransome was sixteen scudi apiece. The King paid a part of this sum. The negotiations were carried on by the Duke of Parma, who, on his Majesty's orders, sent a Commissioner to England to conduct the affair. When all the difficulties were removed these men were placed on board two ships which reached Corunna at the middle of last month. While negotiations were going on for the liberation of some important personages such as Don Pedro de Valdes and Don Alonzo de Luffon as
well, such serious difficulties were encountered that the whole matter was abandoned. |
|
In Cordova a furious fire has destroyed a great number of houses. It was caused by the carelessness of those who were in charge of the powder manufactory. This has created the greatest alarm, for the populace is more terrified by omens of ill success than by actual disasters. |
|
Madrid, 1st March 1590. |
|
[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| March 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
917. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The Queen of England sent one of her gentlemen to the States of Holland, it is supposed with a view to urge them to make provision so that at some near period they may undertake operations in Flanders. Drake is already prepared with a considerable fleet. |
|
Tours, 2nd March 1590. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| March 31. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
918. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
Letters from Lisbon bring news that a Ragusan, who has reached that city from England, reports that owing to an almost contagious sickness which has broken out among the soldiers and sailors, slaying or disabling many, it will be impossible to arm more than forty great vessels and ten galleons this year. They would be under the command of a certain John, an Englishman, who some years ago was in the Indies, where he suffered at the hands of the Spanish, and has conceived such a hatred for this nation that he is resolved to inflict some damage upon them. |
|
The Ragusan added that the Queen was seriously angry with Drake and Don Antonio though, in appearance at least, she received them with affection. She blames them for having failed in their design; for when under the walls of Lisbon the very slightest attack would have given them access to the city. And then when they should have done everything in their power to hold their ground, they ignominously retired, and in doing so lost a large number of men. On the strength of this report, which is confirmed, and seeing that the English will be unable to do anything else except to plunder, the Spanish have resolved not to man any more ships just now, except those which are lying in the ports of Portugal, Galicia, and Biscay. This fleet, though not strong enough to take the offensive, is yet thought sufficient for purposes of defence if it is got ready with all convenient speed. In Corunna they say that the portion of the fleet which is lying there cannot be ready till the end of May, and it is thought that this will leave the road open to the enemy to strike some blow, as many of their ships are actually now cruising in Portuguese waters. Accordingly, with a view to protecting the convoy which is bringing the gold from the Azores, the
soldiers who have just been ransomed from England, have been sent to Corunna, whence they are to take the route to the Azores. They say that next year the Spanish will again attempt an attack upon England; but the preparations may, after all, be directed to other ends. |
|
Both Biscayans and Flemish are bound by the capitulation which I enclose, to maintain a large number of ships in commission for six years. |
|
I do all I can for the service of your Serenity, sparing neither pains nor money. But it grieves me at the centre of my heart to see that everything I write is known here, precisely as if the Spanish Ministers had been present at the reading of my despatches. |
|
The necessary information about the ship “Salvagna,” which was seized at Muros, have arrived. The presence of the two English pilots on board complicated matters; but so efficacious were the representations made, that I am just now informed that the ship will be released. |
|
Madrid, 31st March 1590. |
|
[Italian: the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Enclosed in preceding Despatch. |
919. Conditions imposed by the Admiral Don Alonso Gutierrez. |
|
Ships to be built within a Year. |
|
One flag ship of four hundred tons. |
|
One admiral ship of three hundred and fifty tons. |
|
Twenty-five ships of two hundred tons each. |
|
Fifteen ships of one hundred and fifty tons each. |
|
All found in riggings, sailors, soldiers, to make three voyages a year in the English Channel. |
|
A Captain-General to command the fleet. |
|
The King gives to Don Alonzo Gutierrez one hundred and fifty thousand ducats, for which he is to present accounts in three years. |
|
The people who serve on board are to receive no pay except their food. |
|
In the lading of salt and all other merchandise, these ships shall have the preference over all other ships, whether foreign or Spanish, in any part soever of Spain, under the Crowns of Castile and Portugal. |
|
This contract is to last six years. |
|
[Spanish.] |
