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| Jan. 4. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
993. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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At an audience which I had of his Majesty, I touched upon the question of the Venetian ships, and more especially that of the artillery of the “Regazzona,” which were lying safe at Corunna, and had been employed in the defence of that place against the English. His Majesty said that as regards the ships he would give orders to despatch that business, and as regards the artillery, he would take further information. |
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Madrid, 4th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
994. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Every time during my residence here that I am advised of the preparation of a great fleet, I do my best to find out the purpose for which it is being constructed. As I have already told your Serenity, the policy of the Turks is to keep all European powers in a state of anxiety and doubt, so as the more easily to induce them to grant any request that the Sultan may prefer. |
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The Queen of England is exerting herself, by making large promises, to persuade the Sultan to attack the King of Spain, in order to prevent that Sovereign from acquiring still greater power through the discomfiture of Navarre and the Nun of France. She hopes to counterbalance the power of Spain by support from the Turk. As yet, however, she has spoken to deaf ears. But now the arrival of a vessel with despatches and fresh petitions has given occasion to the English Ambassador to present a new
memorandum, couched in the form which I here enclose, this enclosure being a copy taken from the original, The result is that the Grand, Vizir has issued orders to the Capudan Pasha and to the Agà of the Janizaries to prepare an armament with all speed; and these orders are expressed in such positive terms that it is clear that they are the result not of chance bat of a premeditated design. |
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They are raising money, and the Sultan is ordering the construction of fifty galleys on his own account, ten from the Grand Vizir, six from each of the other Pashas, two from each Beglierbèy, one from each principal Bey, and one from each two minor Beys. Those who hold governments inland are to send money to fulfil their obligations at the rate of three thousand ducats per galley. |
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An examination of the galleys in the Arsenal showed that of the ninety old ones only twenty-five were fit for service. But taking the whole sum of those which can be repaired, and those which are to be built, it is calculated that by March of 1592 the Turks will have a fleet of three hundred galleys and eighteen galleasses. Orders, too, have been issued for wood, pitch, grease, sails, cables, and iron fittings. The artillery, both naval and field, has been examined. In fact, they are making very much the same preparations as were made the year after the destruction of the Turkish fleet (at Lepanto.) The Grand Vizir openly declares that he desires to take the command in person. |
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These preparations are not designed for one year only, nor for any single enterprise, but rather to show that the Sultan is as firm and determined in naval matters as he is in the Persian war. |
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Great is the excitement, and genuine the preparations as yet at the beginning. Consultations between the Grand Vizir, the Capudan, the Agà, the Sultan's secretary, the English Ambassador and David Passi take place almost daily. But in spite of all their efforts it is impossible that more than forty, or at the most fifty, extra galleys shoidd take the sea this coming year. With this fleet the Capudan Pasha will sail to Africa to effect a junction with the Barbary squadron, which will bring his fleet up to about one hundred sail. With this he may support England, make a diversion in favour of Navarre, cause a rising in favour of Don Antonio, and capture some four or five thousand slaves in Andalusia on the Mediterranean sea-board. Then either on his outward or his homeward journey he may attack Calabria and Apulia, and sack the buildings sacred and secular. The Capudan's principal object is to sack, and among other places he has his eye on some of the Pontifical territory. They also indulge hopes of capturing some port in Provençe, perhaps Villefranche, or Toulon, or Marseilles. This idea was suggested to them not by England alone, but by those two spies. David Passi and Vielmo (Guglielmo) di Savoy. |
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In the meantime, while those preparations are in progress, the Sultan has requested that the Queen of England will place a son of Don Antonio of Portugal on board the Turkish fleet This lad is
twelve years old, or perhaps fourteen, and he is at present in Fez. The Sultan wishes to hold him as a hostage under colour that he will be useful in raising Portugal. |
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As to the operations of 1592, for which year most of this armament is being prepared, it is impossible to say whether any special enterprise is in view, unless it be lying hid in his Majesty's breast. |
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The Agà of the Janizaries, whose word has great weight with the Sultan, said that most of the evil intentions of the Turks can be traced to the instigations of the Queen of England, who promises gifts, offers means, suggests ways to harass Christendom, and Spain in particular. |
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I have been forced to admit David Passi, the Jew, to my confidence, for I found that the Sultan himself had ordered the Grand Vizir to consult with Passi, to listen to him, to favour him. The Grand Vizir refused, whereupon the Sultan said that slaves like the Vizir he hart in abundance, but never a one like David, probably alluding to all the information about Christendom with which Passi furnishes the Sultan. Passi is a man of natural ability, and sufficient knowledge. I carefully weigh and balance all he says, but I have frequently had occasion to find him correct; and so I think it well to attach him as much as may be, for he is able to do great harm and great good. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 5th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Enclosed in preceding Despatch. |
994. Petition of England to the Grand Signor. |
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The petition of poor and powerless me, which I make on the ground at the feet of the thrice happy Emperor. I trust that it is already known to your Majesty that the Duke of Parma, General of the King of Spain, has entered Paris, capital of the King of France. The King of France retired to la Rochelle, a strong place in the same kingdom. The King of Spain is putting forth all his strength and activity to make himself master of the kingdom of France. God knows, and so does your Imperial Majesty, how my mistress, and your most attached, without regard for treasure or for the blood of her armies, has for seven years continuously, at the smallest sign from your Imperial Majesty, made war on the King of Spain, and has done her best to ruin him and to cause his destruction. But what power can a woman like that have when she sets herself to measure arms with a King of that sort; all the more so that every King and Prince who is an idolater has thereby become her enemy, and joined in a common accord to make war on her. And your Imperial Majesty is the cause of all the ills which now surround or may befall my mistress, for, on the faith of your promised help, she has broken her peace with the King of Spain. For this I at present have no wish to complain; that which grieves me, that which I lament, is this, unless it obtain God's grace and favour in the first place and your Imperial Majesty's help in the second, the kingdom of France, the ancient
ally of this Sublime Porte, will fall for certain into the hands of the King of Spain for the want of a fleet from this Sublime Porte. The King of Spain, knowing quite well that your Majesty has entirely abandoned any idea of attacking him, has withdrawn all his troops and his forces from Apulia, from Sicily, from the seaboard of Spain, and has sent them into France, so that all the above-named places, and all other maritime territories are quite denuded, and the population unprepared; they are also driven to despair by the injustice which is practised upon them; and it is quite certain that if even a small fleet sailed for Spain it would make itself master of those places, or else the inhabitants would fly and leave all their goods behind them so that the soldiers of the Sublime Porte would acquire great riches. |
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The Sultan Suliman, of blessed memory, whom God pardon, on the merest request of the King of France, sent out a vast armament to prevent the King of Spain from growing in power and in forces. It is written in history; and if your Majesty would consider the actions of your predecessors, and take pity on the King of France by sending out an armament in his aid, France would be freed and become your friend and ready to serve you; whereas if this assistance is refused the King of Spain will conquer France, and it is clear that his power will greatly increase to the probable injury of this happy Porte. |
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Now is the time to acquire infinite glory, and to confer vast benefits upon the empire which is committed to your charge. By acting thus you will bestow an inestimable favour upon my mistress and upon the poor King of France; but should this opportunity be lost, and should the King of Spain conquer France and occupy it, then, indeed, no remedy will be found, whereas at this present moment even a small squadron would be of infinite service. This is a question which concerns the faith, for, by acting as requested, all idolaters will be undone; and should your Majesty take the matter under your protection then, with the help of God, you will arrive at all your desires; however, your Imperial orders be fulfilled. |
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The Ambassador of England. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Jan. 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
995. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The English merchantman that arrived here brings information that the English acquire arms and halberts in Zante. And in very truth these heretics, both on account of their suggestions and of their actions, are of incredible damage to Christendom. |
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The Pasha of Buda drowned thirteen Janizaries in one night, and next morning other thirty-six were found hung, and now all is quiet. |
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The Grand Vizir has sent to beg me to order in Venice six cables and four anchors of vast proportions for the great galleon which he proposes to give to the Sultan. He declares that here they have not the instruments for making them of this size. |
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I know that to supply the Turks with such things is against all law, human and divine; I have accordingly put him off with an excuse so as not to anger him by a flat refusal. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 5th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Jan. 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
996. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The ships “Stella” and “Barozza,” which were lying in Cadiz with cargo for Lisbon, did not venture to put to sea on account of the English pirates who are at Cape St. Vincent, and plunder everything as far as Cascaes. |
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I hear from Lisbon that letters, dated Hamburg, 29th August, announce the lading of many ships with grain in that port for Venice. More grain would be sent from Hamburg were it not that the ships have to pass through the English Channel which is swarming with pirates. |
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The Queen of England has raised some companies of German cavalry for service under Navarre. |
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Madrid, 5th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
997. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Hennebont has at last fallen to the Duke of Mercure; the troops marched out with arms and horses. |
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Paris, 10th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 14. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
998. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Another galley is being got ready to go to Algiers as soon as the weather will permit. Orders for as many ships as possible have been issued. Request sent to the King of Fez to provide victuals and munition for the fleet, and to surrender the son of Don Antonio of Portugal. All this is supposed to be the result of despatches from England, as your Serenity will see from the enclosed, which I obtained by the usual safe methods. |
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It is possible that these preparations may be directed really against the Island of Candia, on the calculation that as the King of Spain is now occupied with England and Navarre he will be unable to help your Serenity in case of war. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 14th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Enclosed in preceding Despatch. |
999. Letter from the Grand Signor to the Queen of England. |
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As you have informed my Sublime Porte by Utter the King of Spain has driven out of Portugal the King Don Antonio, moreover
he is putting out his hand to increase his dominions day by day, and among other acts he is endeavouring, might and main, to drive out the King of France, named Henry, who, ab antiquo, has been a loyal ally of my Sublime Porte. Your Ambassador at my Porte also tells me that Don Antonio begged the Governor of Fez to assist him, and that the Governor promised assistance on condition that if Don Antonio did recover his kingdom he was to pay all expenses; in pledge whereof Don Antonio sent his son to the Governor, but, presently seeing that no aid was forthcoming Don Antonio, by an Ambassador, demanded his son back again. The Governor put the Embassy in prison. All this has been made known to the lofty steps of my Imperial throne and to my Imperial and Cæsarian intelligence. |
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Be it now known to you that, please God, this year we will send out a fleet of three hundred galleys and maone, with suitable army, and for this purpose my Imperial order is already gone forth, and my Grand Vizir, Sinan Pasha, is named General, and will go to the country of Spain. |
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Now, when this letter reaches you, you will begin at once, and will use all diligence to make even greater preparations than you have made in the past, both of army and navy; and on the arrival of this my Imperial sign make no delay, but see that your forces are ready to effect a junction with mine. Then we, taking and conquering many places by the grace of God, will display and bring to light our infinity victories. Here in my arsencds work goes on continuously day and night, and do you on your side see that your ships are ready in time; well armed, fully equipped. Let the King of France pluck up heart, and let him not move from his kingdom, but let him abide in expectation of the army, which is to come from hence. An Imperial letter of encouragement is to be sent to him. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Enclosed in preceding Despatch. |
1000. Letter from the Grand Signor to the King of France. |
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The Queen of England has sent a letter, and her Ambassador has presented a memorial, and has informed me that as the King of Spain has enjoyed a peace with my Porte for some years past, he has employed the time in expelling the King of Portugal; and not content with that he has attacked you also, and has intentions of seizing your country. Now, seeing that for many years past your ancestors have dwelt in sincere and genuine amity with my Port, which is the glory of the world; and seeing that the people of France core to me as my own people, it is against my Imperial will that they should suffer wrong or that this should go further; accordingly, if it please God this year I shall make great armament of galleys, and they shall be sent out And for next year my Imperial order has been issued which appoints as General my Vizir Sinan Pasha, who will take command of three hundred galleys and maone, and a suitable army. And already in the
kingdom under my protection they have begun to build a sufficient number of galleys. I have also sent an Imperial letter to the Queen of England that she too on her side may make provision for an army. |
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On the receipt of this my Imperial sign see that you move not from your own country, but stand firm in that place where from of old you were wont to stand. Put together and unite your armies. Be ready and armed, so that if the troops of the King of Spain shall come to attack you, they may not find you unprepared. We, with God's help, will man a vast fleet, and when the right season arrives we too will arrive, and we will determine on the plan of campaign in the place appointed for our meeting. And not only shall we repair any damage that has been done, but, phase God, you shall take many countries and provinces, to your great honour. Use all diligence and keep this Porte continually informed of all that is going on. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Jan. 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1001. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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I am sending this despatch by an express, who is leaving for Italy on behalf of some private merchants. This method used to be both safer and more expeditious, but now it is considered a piece of good fortune if the courier is not delayed or robbed. |
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Don Juan d'Aquila, Captain of the troops which were left in Brittany, sends information that the ships and galleasses which remained behind in Nantes have gone to Vannes (Blanes), a town upon a great and commodious harbour; and with help of the Duke of Mercure they have captured and fortified it as a harbour of refuge for the fleet. They went on to Hennebont (Hennebon), another maritime city, and finding that they were unable to capture it by assault they prepared to bombard it The said Captain complains that all the Spaniards are injured by the enemy and ill-treated by their friends, for no sooner have they captured one place than another, which was cdready captured, revolts; and in the midst of such confusion nothing solid can be achieved. He adds that his men are reduced in numbers, and exposed to many discomforts, that he is without money and ammunition; and he therefore begged his Majesty either for help or for leave to return to Spain, unless he desired them all to be destroyed. I believe no answer to this appeal has been sent. |
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Madrid, 18th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Jan. 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1002. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Here they have been considering the question of building a fort at Palermo as a protection against a sudden descent of the Turkish fleet. |
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Madrid, 18th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Jan. 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1003. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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By letter from Lisbon I hear that some days ago the English corsairs captured a ship on its way from the Mino to that city, with one hundred thousand crowns in gold and the like sum in goods. |
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The English also captured a Catalan ship which, with all its crew and all its cargo, was sent to Barbary, where the people were sold to the Turks and Moors as slaves. |
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Those Christians who saved themselves from slavery, by seizing the galleys on which they were, have been provided for by his Majesty on board his galleys in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The two ringleaders have received a pension of twenty crowns a month, some others six crowns a month, and the rest three crowns a month, though in truth these are pensions that are seldom paid. |
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Madrid, 18th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Jan. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1004. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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In order to raise money for the fleet they propose to sell the bachi, that is, the taxes in arrears for the last twenty years; but as no purchaser offered himself, the Sultan has ordered each Beglierbey and Sanjac to furnish half of this sum in ready money and half at the end of a certain period, recouping themselves out of the property or persons of the debtors or their heirs. This will bring in one million in gold. |
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The Grand Vizir is in frequent and secret conference with a Chavass, who was for a long time the slave of Don Juan de Cardona, and is therefore well acquainted with the possessions of King Philip. He declares that one hundred thousand men will rise in Granada on the appearance of the Turkish fleet in those waters; and that for long these men have had their weapons hidden under ground in expectation of such an event. David Passi, the Jew, is present at all these conferences. It is he who suggested the method of raising money by selling the old debts, as explained above. David Passi is also in continual relations with the Capudan Pasha, and communicates to the Capudan all his information about Christendom before furnishing it to the Sultan in writing. I learn this from a Venetian renegade, who is his intimate friend, valued by Passi on account of his penmanship; this Venetian aspires to making his escape some day, and desires to return to the true faith in which he was honourably born. I am endeavouring to establish similar secret relations with some one who is in personal attendance on the Sultan; but the Grand Vizir, in order to prevent state secrets from being divulged, has warned his Majesty to be on his guard especially against his mutes, who chatter more than the others. The result is that the Sultan either returns all papers to the Grand Vizir or destroys them with his own hand. |
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It is quite clear, in spite of all gossip to the contrary, that there is no real determination to make a naval expedition; although the English Agent has pledged his word that, as the result of secret understandings with France, the Turkish fleet will be able to winter in Toulon (havendo l'Agente d' Inghilterra assolutamente promesso che l'Armata Turchescha haverà modo per intelligenze secrete gia accordate in Francia di svernare in Tolone). The said Agent came to visit me, and of his own accord declared that he was obliged to act as he was doing in obedience to orders from the Queen, but that if the Turks kept the promises they had given, they would always maintain an amicable attitude towards Venice, in order to secure her neutrality, and to avoid rousing suspicions which would induce her to make an alliance with the King of Spain, who desires nothing better. |
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I greatly praised his prudence, and confirmed him in his views. It seems to me, however, a very serious undertaking to send a fleet of three hundred galleys and three hundred provision ships all the way from the Dardanelles to Gibraltar; and so I am doing my best to reach the opinion of those competent to judge. Accordingly I went to the Capudan Pasha, and he, in his usual disingenuous fashion, declared that the whole movement was due to him; that he had found out the way to raise this armament at small expense to the Sultan; that he intended to frighten Venice, and would like to sack Apulia and Loretto, and take Rimini. But I believe that if they succeed in building thirty galleys beyond the ordinary guard it will be the very limit of their powers. The Capudan asked me to beg your Serenity to urge England and Navarre to send persons of importance to Constantinople this year, declaring that the results would be most satisfactory for the Republic. |
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I have been told by the Grand Vizir's Secretary that the Capudan Pasha has again urged the Sultan to claim Crete from the Republic; telling him that if it is refused nothing is easier than to capture it, owing to the temper of the population. One result of such a conquest would be the acquisition of great treasure, which might be employed in making war on the King of Spain. The Grand Vizir, however, does not agree in this policy of the Capudan, declaring that they must attend to others first, and leave the Venetians to the last. The Grand Vizir is well disposed towards the Republic, and is ready to reduce the power of Spain, who certainly aspires to the mainland territory of Venice; I have therefore been urged to keep the Grand Vizir on our side by making him a present; it is pointed out that quite recently the Emperor has paid a large sum for the preservation of the peace, and Orembey tells me that the King of Spain will also try the same means, as he is going shortly to send here Giovanni Stefano Ferrari, with thirty or forty thousand crowns, to be distributed in securing a truce. In short, a large present to the Grand Vizir would certainly prevent the appearance of the Turkish fleet in the Adriatic this year. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 19th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Jan. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1005. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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We have just heard that the two galleys which were bringing presents from the King of Fez to the Sultan and the Pashas, have been carried off into Christendom by a rising of the slaves on board. The Capudan declares that he has lost upwards of forty thousand ducats by this. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 19th January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Jan. 22. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1006. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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These last few days the Duke of Mercure has lost his only son. The Viscount of Turrene writes that he has obtained from the Queen of England all that he requested for his Majesty's service. |
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Paris, 22nd January 1590 [m.v.]. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Jan. 30. Minute of the Senate, Venetian Archives. |
1007. Motion made by Donà Morsini to elect an Ambassador to England, who shall leave at once with a suite of five or six. |
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He may not refuse to serve, under the penalties by law prescribed for those who refuse Embassies to crowned heads. |
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He shall receive a salary of two hundred ducats of gold in gold per month, for which he need show no accounts. |
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He shall also receive three hundred ducats for expenses. |
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His secretary shall receive one hundred ducats. |
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Ayes |
71 |
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No |
2 |
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Neutrals |
16 |
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Motion made by the Sages that the proposition be deferred. |
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Ayes |
104 |
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[Italian.] |
