Venice: June 1632 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 22, 1629-1632. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1919.

Citation:

'Venice: June 1632 ', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 22, 1629-1632, ed. Allen B Hinds( London, 1919), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol22/pp623-631 [accessed 28 November 2024].

June 1632



June 3. Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni, Corti. Venetian Archives.	821. To the Ambassador in England.
	Last week we had no letters from you. Those of the 30th April and 7th ult. have just arrived. You made a prudent reply to the Palatine's agent upon his hint about our alliance with the House of Austria. If the matter is raised again, you will answer as you have done. We may add that in addition to putting aside Rabatta's proposal for an alliance, our treatment of more furtive proposals in Germany shows clearly that we do not desire this union.
	Ayes, 87.	Noes, 2.	Neutral, 4.
	[Italian.]
June 4. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	822. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	We have heard simultaneously of the Most Christian's arrival at Calais and his very speedy departure, and of the dispatch thence to this Court of the Count of Sansciomon as ambassador extraordinary. The ordinary minister of France here, being advertised of this by special letters, sent with all speed, went forthwith to inform them at the palace. It was immediately made public, while before this it was the general opinion that this visit up to the frontiers of this island was intended to make more sure of the government of the fortresses there, and especially for the instant dismissal of Valanse, the governor of Calais, under his Majesty's own eyes. As no one has yet been appointed to succeed to that post, the Ambassador Fontane here, as he himself has hinted to me, seems very hopeful of obtaining it for his brother-in-law, M. di Fosse, at present governor of Montpellier.
	Sansciomon arrived soon after the report of his dispatch got about. He was received with the usual ceremonies, and made his entry accompanied by the royal coaches and those of France, Venice and Holland. On the following day he had his first audience, a short distance from this city, at a country pleasure resort. His office was purely complimentary, and so far he has not shown commissions for any negotiations. He intimated that his king had taken the occasion of his visit to the shores of these waters to send him over to confirm their friendship and good relations. He touched lightly on the journey being intended to establish security better in his own kingdom. The king has provided the ambassador with a house and every other commodity, but with nothing for food. According to custom, I went to see him, and he showed me every consideration due to a minister of the most serene republic. He afterwards went on, with some show of confidence, to speak about his Majesty's move, saying that French arms would very soon be compelled to make themselves felt again in Lorraine. He touched on the instability and disingenuousness of that duke, and confirmed the understanding between him and Monsieur. He told me that he had express orders from his Majesty not to stay in London more than eight or ten days, and from the information I have so far received on equally good authority I do not find that he has come for anything but mere compliment. I am told by some of the ministers here that the king wishes to select someone on purpose to respond, and there are already those who desire and contemplate this office.
	From Brussels they write of Monsieur's departure from Lorraine, and Sansciomon and Fontane confirm it. The last despatches of the Senate, dated the 7th May, have arrived.
	London, the 4th June, 1632.
	[Italian.]
June 10. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	823. ALVISE CONTARINI, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The son of the Ambassador Camerarius, who is with the King of Sweden, writes to his father that the Ambassador Ven is about to leave without concluding anything for the advantage of the Palatine. The news astounds him. It may be that they are waiting to hear of the arrival of the son, who is making a wide circuit through Switzerland to join his father with despatches from England.
	The Hague, 10th June, 1632.
	[Italian.]
June 11. Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni, Corti. Venetian Archives.	824. To the Ambassador in England.
	Your letters of the 14th ult. have arrived this morning. The news they bring is worthy of our attention. You will make every effort to obtain accurate information about the operations and designs of the Most Christian, as well as about the understanding between the French and the States. We note your application and your special attention to assist our deliberations.
	Ayes, 74.	Noes, 3.	Neutral, 5.
	[Italian.]
June 11. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	825. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	M. di Sansciomon came to this house on purpose to pay me a complimentary visit. He told me that already, in these few days, he had fulfilled all the duties of his charge, which he intimated were merely ceremonious. He told me it was customary in France, every time the king in person came to the shores of this sea, to send an embassy, which they call one of good credence, to the neighbouring Courts of England and Flanders. Under present circumstances, with the existing illfeeling, it was not thought proper that his Majesty should send to the latter. He told me that he was getting ready to go, and that the day before he had received letters sent to him from the Court by special messenger, to go to Calais on his return, where he would find more definite orders from the king about another employment for him. He is a man of the sword, and seems eager to use it in war. He speaks boastfully of his military actions when he was, as he says, with the Marshal de la Force, in a position of command, as well as at the affair of Moianuich, at the defeat of Colonel Mars on the frontier of Flanders. In taking leave of me he repeated how friendly his king was towards the republic, to which I made a suitable reply. He has received and returned visits with all the grandees of this Court. Having worked off all these compliments, he took leave of the king, who desired first to take him with all his suite to enjoy some hunting. He left two days ago, Fontane accompanying him as far as Gravesend. From there he went to Dover to cross the sea. About a day after he had gone the royal present arrived of 2,000 ounces of silver gilt. It has been put for the time being in the house of the ordinary ambassador, who has undertaken to transmit it to France at the earliest opportunity.
	The progress of Sweden and the movements of the Prince of Orange keep the whole of this Court intently interested. Of the first they continue to hear of his uninterrupted successes, with numerous conquests in Bavaria and the rest of Germany, up to the neighbourhood of the very passes into Italy. They desire and hope to hear very soon of some effective attack by the second which shall produce the effect of a powerful diversion. Indeed the Ambassador Joachim recently represented to the king that by merely taking the field the Dutch forces have already conferred considerable benefits on the interests of Sweden and the Palatine, as the Infanta, according to advices sent to Joachim with all speed, has recalled Don Gonzales di Cordova with all his forces, who had gone not long before to help the Imperialists in the Palatinate.
	The departure of Monsieur with so many presents from the Infanta and with the command over so many men gives rise to much comment here, from which all sorts of opinions are formed. The generality, however, agree in concluding, what the French themselves who are here do not deny, that if an agreement does not follow between the Duke of Lorraine and the Most Christian, French arms will soon make themselves felt either in Lorraine or in Germany. I hear on good authority that this opinion was also confirmed recently by Sansciomon and Fontane in their conversations with the ministers here.
	The usual delay over the succour for Sweden goes on worse than ever. Vane continues his negotiations with that king, but concludes nothing. It is certain that the king here is most ready to make the payment, and is trying to get the money together; but the Lord Treasurer, who knows the difficulty of collecting it without calling parliament, which he and the king alike abhor, temporises and creates obstacles which will certainly prevent anything being arranged. Those who read this minister best believe that he aims more at keeping the negotiations alive for their own sake than for any conclusion.
	The king, who leaves nothing undone to show his constant affection for the Lord Treasurer's house, wishes the marriage of his son to the Duchess of Lennox to take place before he leaves for his embassy extraordinary to the Duke of Savoy.
	Your Serenity's last are of the 13th ult., giving me the sequel of the advices. I have not had an opportunity of saying any more in the matter of the merchant Richaut. The cunning of his adversaries, who obtained possession of the deposit in his absence, has deprived him of the means of presenting new papers, as he intended.
	London, the 11th June, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
June 13. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	826. GIOVANNI SORANZO, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	Just as I am sealing these letters the news reaches me from Paris of the death of the English Ambassador Wake. (fn. 1)
	Rens, the 13th June, 1632.
	[Italian.]
June 18. Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni, Corti. Venetian Archives.	827. To the Ambassador in England.
	Your letters of the 21st ult. reached us yesterday. Besides other curious particulars, they tell us of the decision to make prompt payment to the King of Sweden of 100,000 crowns. We shall wait to see if this is done, because it seems to us that they do not appreciate the difficulties which may arise and the journeys and other interests of that sovereign. We shall be glad of all particulars.
	Ayes, 98.	Noes, 2.	Neutral, 2.
	[Italian.]
June 18. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	828. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The death of the Ambassador Wake has taken place almost suddenly at the French Court these last days. Stake instructions were forthwith despatched from here with remarkable diligence, in order not to leave that embassy without support in present affairs. They appointed provisionally M. di Vich, in the capacity of resident or secretary, assisted by Burlamacchi, who has also received royal orders to take charge of affairs in the meantime, which the lords here consider to be of great importance.
	The loss of a person known universally here as very useful to England is said to have grieved the king more than the other ministers, some perhaps because it was said that the king, who loved him greatly, reserved for him the office of Secretary of State, while others emulated his meritorious services, not without feelings of envy, they say. Many are mentioned as his successor. The king is thought to incline most to Sir [William] Bichier, secretary of the Council, or to Trombol, who for a long time acted as resident at the Court of Brussels, although Sir [Kenelm] Digby, once a pirate, but now a courtier with the merit of being a Catholic turned Protestant, claims the employment as being high in his Majesty's favour.
	The unexpected emergency of having to find a new ambassador for the Most Christian has also again raised the question of the one who should already have been despatched to your Serenity. I keep my eyes and ears open, as the matter requires, and have touched on it again with some of the ministers, but I fancy that now they mean to postpone that mission, which recently seemed so near accomplishment, either from the private interests of Lord Spencer, who seems, for reasons of his own, to be reluctant now to undertake the position, or for some more recondite reason, for which I shall keep on the look out, or else, as I have gathered from a very secret and confidential source, to honour the Lord Treasurer's son more highly, by sending him after his embassy to Savoy to Venice also as ambassador extraordinary. I will watch this very closely.
	Sansciomon writes to Fontane from Calais of his arrival there. He adds that he is to stay there to superintend the troops, by his king's command, owing to the jealousies, which do not diminish on those frontiers. He also confirms the news of the junction of Monsieur's force with that of the Duke of Lorraine, calculating that they may form a very considerable army. He says that the Most Christian will very soon be strong enough to meet not only that duke, but anyone else, and impose his will, at the same time keeping his kingdom in security.
	The ministers here are jealous because of some news from Germany that an accommodation or neutrality is in treaty between Bavaria and Sweden. The mere whisper of such a treaty seems most distasteful to them, solely because of the doubt that the Palatine's interests may not be thoroughly considered therein.
	The Lord Treasurer, to whom the breeze of the royal favour becomes daily more propitious and favourable, has recently obtained from his Majesty the title of Earl of Chinsfort, an honour very highly esteemed here. His eldest son has also newly received the rank of baron. (fn. 2) Next Thursday his marriage with the Duchess of Lennox is to be celebrated, at which his Majesty himself will be present.
	London, the 18th June, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
June 18. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	829. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The news of the capture by the Dutch of the forts so near Antwerp reached the Ambassador Joachim before anyone else at this Court. Shortly before the news came of the success in Guelders over the fortresses of Venlo and Stralen, and involving Ruremond. He was the first to make it public. Little expected so soon after the Dutch forces taking the field, it excites the greater applause in the Court, among the ministers and from the king himself. They no longer doubt the speedy recall to Flanders of all the auxiliary Spanish forces which had already gone to defend the Palatinate under the command of Don Gonzales. Joachim does not fail to make the most of this with the ministers, in order to make them see more clearly the advantages which he claims the Palatine, the King of Sweden and the common cause derive from the arms of his masters. Everyone is talking about the victories in question, attributing them to a previous understanding arranged by the States with the commanders of the troops subject to the service of the Spaniards, with other subjects of theirs, of high esteem and with a great following.
	The reported arrival of M. di Fosse, governor of Montpellier at the Court of Brussels, leads some of the lords here to believe that he is staying there to arrange an accommodation for the queen mother.
	The last state despatch of the 21st ult. has arrived with the courier of the present week.
	London, the 18th June, 1632.
	[Italian.]
June 19. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Germania. Venetian Archives.	830. PIETRO VICO, Venetian Secretary in Germany, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The Count of Werdembergh told me that the Infanta writes that the Kings of France and Sweden have urged the King of England to recall his ambassador here, offering to recover the Palatinate jointly by force. In spite of this that monarch has not made up his mind and remains neutral, thinking it better to reinstate his brother-in-law by negotiation than by arms. So the ambassador stays on here. Some fresh overtures were made for the Palatine, about whom it is impossible to treat at present, as he is with the King of Sweden and the declared enemy of this house. He tried to make me believe that they were powerful enough to resist all their enemies.
	Vienna, the 19th June, 1632.
	[Italian; copy.]
June 25. Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni, Corti. Venetian Archives.	831. To the Ambassador in England.
	The ordinary of Augsburg arrived yesterday, but brought no letters from you. We are sending by him various particulars about Germany and elsewhere for your information, so that you may compare them with other news from that nation which reaches the Court.
	Ayes, 99.	Noes, 2.	Neutral, 3.
	[Italian.]
June 25. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	832. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	Two days ago the Ambassador Joachim and the Deputy Brasser had jointly a very long interview with the king at a special and extraordinary audience. They informed him of the recent great successes in Guelders and Brabant, where they hope for even more, and referred to their hopes of the fall of Maastricht, which they say the Prince of Orange is bombarding vigorously, and news is eagerly awaited in conformity with the general desires. I hear on good authority that the king expressed his appreciation of the importance of these happy events, and he desired those ministers to give him very full details of the circumstances of which the advices had reached him only a little while before. He also told them that the articles of the capitulation of Venlo, which I enclose, had also reached him, sent with all speed. Here they comment a great deal upon the article, granting free and public exercise of the Roman Catholic faith to the inhabitants there. This is sufficiently remarkable in itself, especially as it is known that in the past the States have never consented to grant it to places which they have acquired jure bello, and Venlo is the first place taken by force which has obtained such conditions. Everyone concludes, although all sorts of opinions are expressed, that the States have adopted this course in order that they may have less difficulty in attracting the people of the other Catholic towns of the Infants, who, in their dissatisfaction with the Spanish rule, might possibly not shrink from the opportunity of changing their present state of subjection and servitude into one of liberty and much greater advantage. I am assured on good authority that the last letters which have reached the royal Council by way of Antwerp bring word of confusion, discontent and excessive fear among the people of Brabant; and it seems that the people of Antwerp, in particular, are determined that they will refuse to receive the Spanish garrisons. Since the loss of the forts so near the gates of their city, they have sent deputies to Brussels on purpose to point out that Antwerp can defend itself unaided, without a garrison from the king, against the attempts of enemies, a suggestion deeply resented by the Infanta, who does not approve of the defence of such an important place remaining in the hands of burgesses alone.
	No further news has arrived this week of any advance of the Swedish arms, but there is a persistent rumour, though a very hazy one as yet, of some accommodation between that king and the Duke of Bavaria. The lords here seem to be watching this very closely, because of the Palatine, whose interests form the most pressing concern of this Court, as they would now like to see him safely established in the possession of his own dominions, after his long sufferings and exile.
	With respect to the contributions from this quarter for the King of Sweden, about which they are always treating, but have not yet concluded, they seem to have postponed the matter until they see what sum in ready cash Burlamachi will bring on his return from France. For the debt of the king here he has undoubtedly obtained assignments such as will permit him to bring the ready money, although with some discount. The king here, firmer than ever in his determination not to convoke parliament, is reduced, so they say, to greater and greater penury, to such an extent that to supply current requirements he taxes his ingenuity for all sorts of inventions, which they call here vexations upon the people (s'aplica il pensiero ad ogni invention che chiamano qui vessatione sopra i popoli). Already the new Attorney General, Noie, has invented a way of obtaining a considerable yearly contribution, based on ancient laws, but which have fallen into desuetude and oblivion, whereby those who have houses in the country, even without rent, or on the banks of the Thames, are bound to pay a certain sum yearly, as his Majesty claims that this property has been usurped by those who cannot produce the royal investiture in writing. They also propose, by a general decree, to have an enrolment made of all persons bound to serve on horseback, remitting this obligation for a certain sum payable yearly, and in addition they propose to obtain money from those who are bound to render homage to his Majesty at a stated time, and for some reason or other have omitted to perform this duty.
	The last commissions sent from this Court to the Ambassador Vane express the desire of the king here that the English in the army of Sweden shall be reserved for the defence of the Palatinate. By the same despatch they intimate to the Marquis of Hamilton that for his own reputation and that of this kingdom they do not think he should be placed in command of any troops save those of this nation, although with the reservation on both these points, not to insist on them in such a way as to offend the King of Sweden, if he should express a contrary opinion.
	A stately funeral and obsequies have been ordained at his Majesty's expense for the late Ambassador Wake. The body was transported from France to this kingdom to the great church at Dover, on the coast. (fn. 3) By the royal command also he will have a remarkable monument and memorial of his meritorious services.
	Your Serenity's last despatches are of the 28th ult.
	London, the 25th June, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
Enclosure.	833. Articles granted by the Prince of Orange to the people of Venlo.
	Dated the 3rd June, 1632. (fn. 4)
	[Italian.]