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| Sept. 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
162. Giovanni Moro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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There is a rumour that the King of Spain became master of the Azores on July 26th. |
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The King of Scotland is in safety. The Queen of England has sent her Principal Secretary to treat with him. |
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The waiting lady of the Queen of Navarre has been arrested and threatened with torture unless she spoke the truth. They say that the King himself took down her depositions, which revealed not what he had looked for, but this, that the Queen of Navarre and Monsieur were in conspiracy to slay him. But she is thought to have spoken out of dread of torture and desire to please the King, who was seeking some sufficient pretext for the scandal of expelling the Queen. The King regrets having pushed matters so far; and has caused the liberation of all concerned. The King has ordered the Queen of Navarre to remain in Anjou, and her husband has forbidden her to move towards him, and is considering a repudiation of her. |
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Paris, 2nd September 1588. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Sept. 13. Original Minute, Venetian Archives. Deliberations of the Senate, Constantinople Reg. VI. |
163. To the Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople. |
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We gave orders to you, as well as to your predecessor at the Porte, to oppose the negotiations of the English, which might prove of great damage to us. And although as you advise us English operations are now far on, all the same the question is so important that you must not omit any step which will conduce to the desired end. All the more so as the Queen has put a check upon our commerce with England by imposing heavy duties, and has conferred the monopoly of trade on a few of her own English merchants to the express exclusion of the Venetians. For your guidance we will order you to use all your ability to thwart the Queen in her desire to establish an Ambassador at the Porte and to open commercial relations with the Turk. If you see that you cannot effect anything except by the method usual with the Turk, and you think it opportune to use it, then we give you authority to spend up to 15 thousand sequins in bribes to the Magnificent Pasha; to be paid him, however, only after favours received. You may also employ two thousand sequins in securing other persons. |
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You will co-operate with and support the French Ambassador, and will communicate our orders to him. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. Memorie Publiche, MS. at the Murcian, Library, Cl.vii.Cod. DCCCXI. |
164. In the past months the Queen of England has sent a representative, with gifts to the Sultan, to act as Ambassador to the Porte. He was well received. His mission was to establish commercial relations which would seriously damage us. The French Ambassador had done all he could to prevent the Englishman from being received, but without success. Our Government wrote to the Bailo that he was to act in concert with France. The Bailo replied that he did not see how the. end was to be gained. |
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On September 7 motion was made to vote 15,000 sequins to the Bailo, to secure the removal of the English Ambassador. |
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There was an opposition to the proposal, led by Francesco di Priuli, Savio Grande, Alvise Soranzo, Savio di Terraferina, and Alvise Salamon; Morosini Savio agli ordeni replied. To the great disgust of the Senate the votes fell— |
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For the motion |
25 |
No decision. |
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For Priuli's opposition |
56 |
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Neutrals |
54 |
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The Papalisti were excluded to the surprise of all. But the Savii said that the league would be discussed. After a long discussion in the Senate it was resolved to write to England only, and not to attempt anything at Constantinople just now. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
165. Giovanni Moro. Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The King of France has explained to the King of Navarre that the expulsion of the Queen was dictated solely by a regard for her honour and his own. The King of Navarre instantly sent a gentleman to demand explanations. But the King, who already repented his harsh orders to his sister and the consequent scandal, replied that the departure of the Queen was rendered necessary because she refused to dismiss certain ladies in waiting whose conduct was scandalous. |
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The Queen, seeing her honour so smirched, speaks of the King with all the freedom imaginable pouring out, under an impetuous disdain all the details of the King's post life, which was more licentious than his high position permitted. And now they say that in order to soften her, the King will recall her to Court. |
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Paris, 16th September 1583. |
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[Italian, the part in italies deciphered.] |
| Sept. 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
166. Matheo Zane, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Nuncio had an audience. I understand that the Pope, at the instance of France it is thought, is endcarouring to arrange a
league between the Crown of France or Alençon, and his Catholic Majesty, and proposes an attack on England, under certain conditions, which however seem calculated rather to raise discussion than to produce effect. The King is not at all disinelined to entertain the proposal, partly with a view to avoid, irritating the Pope in face of his own endeacours to renew the Turkish trace, partly also from. his desire to remove Alençon and the French altogather from Flanders. The Pope is acting at the request of France, and in the interests of the Church. |
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The Marquis of Santa, Crus is in Cadiz with almost all his fleet. He is in need of rictuals and medicines for the sick, and of all other necessaries. He allows no one to go on shore. |
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The preparations all point to some other expedition, but no one knows what it may be, for the King has declared that he does not intend to attempt Arachia (el Arisch); some say these forces are destined to serve the Pope. |
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Madrid, 24th September 1583. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Sept. 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
167. Matheo Zane, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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His Holiness is urging that these forces of the King, which are now collected, should not be disbanded without undertaking some enterprise for the benefit of Christianity, but it only ends in talk The Armada will either attack Racchia (el Arisch), if the consent of the Sceriff is obtained, or the King will send the troops to Flanders It would then remain for discussion whether they take the way of Italy or the short sea route, using Dunquerque and Nieuport for landing-places. The present season is the most favourable for this object as the rivers are in flood, and render the shoals along the shore less dangerous. But the King is advised that in case of storm he ought to secure a harbour of refuge either in France or in England. All these difficulties make people think that the old route by Italy will be chosen. |
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A general embargo on all ships for the service of the King has been declared in the Spanish ports. |
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Madrid, 26th September 1583. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
168. Giovanni Moro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The King of Scotland by his escape not merely freed himself from his gaolers, who were all creatures of the Queen of England, but has regained his original liberty in full. For the party which has always been faithful to him is in the majority, but did not dare to speak while the King was a prisoner, fearing that his gaolers might put him to death, or send him in custody into England. The King has taken no steps against the guilty except to exhort them to be better vassals for the future. He has ordered some of the more suspect to go to their castles, and to wait there till summoned; and
should they be obliged to come to Court for the future a Duke may bring twelve attendants only, an Earl eight, and a gentleman four. |
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Paris, 30th September 1583. |
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[Italian.] |
