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Aug. 3.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives. |
849. GIOVANNI SORANZO, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the DOGE and SENATE. |
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They talk of the queen mother going to Cambrai to renew her intelligences from that quarter, although the Commandeur de Valanze, who recently went to England, tried to induce the king to approve of her proceeding to that realm, offices which have resulted in the same way as previous ones. |
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The English agent Oger, who was thought to have gone, decided to send an express messenger to impart the information, and that it would be better for him to remain here and watch developments touching those interests. |
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Paris, the 3rd August, 1632. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Aug. 6.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives. |
850. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and Senate. |
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The ambassador of the Most Christian in Germany gives them much cause for reflection here. They imagine, not without bitterness and jealousy, that some business and understanding has been arranged between France and Sweden, without the participation or knowledge of the king here, whereby the French forces will take upon themselves the custody and possession of the places in the Palatinate conquered by Sweden. This stroke, owing to the very important consequences, is little to the taste or reputation of England. The ministers here attach the more importance to this since Oger, the English secretary at the French Court, having found out about the understanding and transactions in question, reports in addition that the ministers of that Crown have told him frankly that since Great Britain has so far neglected to do anything, in spite of the Palatine's interests, she may possibly find herself compelled in the future to have recourse to France, who is doing so much for the public weal, in the interests of that prince. It is known that the employment of French forces so far inside Germany is chiefly intended, besides more immediate reasons, to divide the Catholic League from the Austrians by something solid. Here they laugh at this, and say that Bavaria will never come to this in good faith, notwithstanding the voluntary declaration of Treves, the forced one of Mayence, to avoid more wounds, and the credible one of Cologne, owing to the advanced negotiations of Tiene, who has received orders to proceed from there to Bavaria, who will disclose his usual artifices in the end, so they insist here that these oft repeated manœuvres will have no result or else a deceptive one. On the other hand they are led to believe here that the French are at present intent on the conclusion of this, and that even the King of Sweden desires it more than he used. The lords here are trying in their discourse to excuse themselves to that monarch, on the ground that suitable resolutions have been carried into effect. They make a great deal in the first place of the costly expedition of Colonel Hamilton, as they did recently, I understand, with the French minister. They represent the steadfast desire of the king here to do more, and the orders given in conformity to Vane, to propose and establish, subject to some reasonable conditions, a subsidy of 300,000 crowns, to be contributed in instalments. If, after all these offers, Vane had not been able to persuade the King of Sweden to agree to some reasonable articles for their fulfilment, the fault must not be laid at England's door. Fontane told me that in a moderate reply he had suggested, smilingly, that the circumstances require something more effective than negotiations. He went on to talk to me about Crichi's mission to Rome, asserting that France could not have entrusted that embassy to anyone more suitable or better able to stand up against the Spaniards at that Court. He added in confidence these very words: They cannot employ him in France because of some suspicion of favouring the queen mother, and still less in Savoy, because of quarrels with the duke there; but at Rome he will be most useful, not only
to resist the Spaniards, but also to command an army, if the pope has occasion to make use of him. |
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The latest advices from Brussels all go to confirm the opinion that the chief hopes at that Court for the relief of Maastricht depend on the speedy arrival of Popnain's troops. People talk a great deal about Monsieur's journey to Spain. The king here is advised that in France they are contemplating a convocation of the estates and generality of the kingdom in order to issue some decree against him. But time may be expected to show where the truth lies among the various opinions expressed here, in accordance with different sympathies. |
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No letters, either public or private, have appeared in this kingdom from Italy this week. |
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London, the 6th August, 1632. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Aug. 13.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives. |
851. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE. |
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The king and all the Court have welcomed the decision of the Most Christian to render powerful assistance to the interests of Germany by keeping up a union and good understanding with Sweden. On the other hand they correspondingly disapprove, supposing it can be carried out, of the unlooked for proposal discussed without any reference to Great Britain, that the French forces shall take charge of the places in the Palatinate conquered by Sweden. This news, sent by Oger, but not confirmed by the French minister here, who does not wish to declare himself about it, was received and discussed in the Royal Council here. From what I hear on good authority they considered that it went to confirm what the Ambassador Vane had written previously about the dissatisfaction of the King of Sweden at the long and hitherto fruitless negotiations of this Crown. On the other hand, they desire here that the remaining English troops under the Marquis of Hamilton shall be set apart and divided among the best places of the Palatinate, and that the monthly assignment of money to be contributed from this quarter shall be devoted in the first place to the payment of these English troops, while that sovereign may do what he pleases with the balance. Vane has not so far been able to arrange these conditions, as well as some other articles, similarly rejected, in spite of his strenuous and repeated offices. Upon this they base their most plausible pretexts for what they have done in this long delayed and still unsettled matter. A report is now circulating here, which has made a great impression on the king and excited much comment at Court, of a fresh outbreak by Memoransi, San Giran and other great personages of that party in France. The lords here fear that France will weaken in what she has undertaken in Germany, and will have to gather her forces at home to make herself stronger to resist internal disorders. From their conversation one sees clearly that with respect to the interests of the Palatine they would not regret any circumstances which would serve, without going so far as to lose French help for Germany, to dissipate the unpleasant idea
that French garrisons may enter the Palatinate. The French minister here is well aware of this, and without any reference or declaration on this subject, declares that the Most Christian's attention is devoted to the party which has placed itself under the protection of France in Germany. Amid these doubts he has chosen to communicate to the Lords of the Council the despatch of the Marshal d'Etre, who has gone, he declares, followed by M. d'Altariva, without waiting a moment, to take command of the troops formerly led by the late Marshal d'Effiat. He further states that when the king has arrived where he means to go about his brother's affairs, he will undoubtedly put everything straight, and the sun of the royal presence besides other provisions, will suffice of itself to dissipate every cloud of disturbance that has arisen in his kingdom. |
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A great part of the equipage and household of the Ambassador Vane has been observed to arrive in this city. From this everyone naturally concludes that he himself will very soon return also; but as they have not yet proceeded to choose definitely anyone else for that place many believe that the king will not leave affairs there without the assistance of a minister of his, although they have not gone very well so far. |
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The Lord Treasurer, rendered anxious by some unfavourable reports, has tried to make sure that his son, chosen for the four embassies I have written of, will be acceptable in the one to France. The Ambassador Fontane has given him the fullest assurances, both for himself, and afterwards by command of his king, and even wished to show him the king's own letters, which prove that he will be extremely welcome at that Court, both as minister of the king here, and as the Treasurer's son. With this exceedingly gratifying assurance the son is hastening his departure. He has been twice to this house to pay his respects, and I responded suitably. He left this city yesterday on his way to his passage across the sea. |
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All talk about an ambassador in ordinary to your Serenity has entirely died away, although it seemed to be revived from the remarks I reported, made to me by the Earl of Dorset, who has a place in the Royal Council. |
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The last letters which have reached me from your Excellencies are of the 9th and 15th ult. |
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London, the 13th August, 1632. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Aug. 20.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives. |
852. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE. |
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Two couriers from France, sent express, arrived here the day before yesterday within a few hours of each other. From the one sent by the English secretary to the Lord Treasurer, they hear of the considerable progress made by the disturbances in Languedoc, the prompt and resolute departure of the king in person, followed already by a declaration formally made in parliament against the rebels. The other, sent by the Most
Christian to the Ambassador Fontane, in addition to these particulars, which are substantially the same, also brings instructions to inform his Majesty and the ministers about it, but expressing complete confidence and the most abundant assurance that everything will soon be put straight. The French minister seems fully aware of the ill-will and continued assistance which it is believed here that the Spaniards supply to keep alive the fire kindled inside the kingdom. He asserts and maintains that it will be a fire of straw, easy to extinguish at his Majesty's mere appearance. The lords here do not seem to accept this view readily, since they believe that the departure from Germany of the oldest and best French regiments, recalled to unite with the army for Languedoc, means what I have mentioned before, the eventual weakening of the task they have undertaken in Germany, in order to gather their forces together in the interior and thus render themselves more vigorous to resist their own internal fluctuations. |
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A few hours ago news arrived from Calais of another despatch to remove M. di Sansciomon from that place, who was recently ambassador extraordinary here, with the intention, so they say, of employing him for these same military exigencies. When he was here he always seemed eager for this, as being the profession in which he had experience. |
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The Commandeur Valanse, who was sent several times from Flanders to this and the Spanish Court, and returned straight from Spain to this kingdom, by sea, left here for Brussels without arranging anything, when he found all his negotiations vain. According to very precise advices to the Royal Council here, he has now arranged there to make some diversion on the frontier of Picardy in the interests of Monsieur. The French, on the other hand, apprehensive of the character of this person, whom they consider bold and venturesome, and Fontane bears this out, propose to meet him with a flying force on that same frontier, which shall be commanded by the Count of Soissons. But I know that the Lord Treasurer remarked that he was advised on good authority that the Infanta was not at present disposed to grant troops of any kind to Valanse so long as the siege of Maastricht lasts. According to the ministers here that operation involves consequences in no way inferior to the affairs of Sweden. In Germany also it attracts the attention of everyone, with the more interest, because it shows the marvellous endurance in the resistance of the besieged. The Spaniards and Austrians have made the most strenuous efforts, and after so many bloody and fruitless attempts, they seem at present to repose their hopes of succour solely on the arrival of Popenain's troops. |
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Here they are raising numerous recruits for four regiments, three Scotch and one Irish, which are in the service of the States. To obtain permission for them both, Dutch ministers went recently to audience of his Majesty. In the end they obtained all they wished from him, although with great difficulty, solely on the point of beating the drum publicly throughout the realm. On the other hand, the king and ministers adduced this consideration
only, that in consequence of the peace the Spaniards might have the same concession. |
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A certain number of troops is also being gathered here to be taken to serve the Muscovites, who have similarly received the permission. |
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Two days ago, merely for the compliment of leave taking, there came to this house Carleton and Bosuel, the ministers of this Crown who are going to Holland, whence the former will return in a few days after he has handed over the residence to the second. The Abbot Scaglia still remains at Brussels, and keeps up his usual correspondence with this Court. By order of the Lord Treasurer, he has received a remittance upon the merchants, instead of the present which in the ordinary way should have been made to him at his departure. |
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There is talk of Anstruther, who is now in Germany, being sent as ordinary ambassador to France; but this is a rumour of the lower Court, not yet confirmed in the upper. Meanwhile Weston is going as extraordinary, with the assurances reported. He has seen letters written by Cardinal Richelieu's own hand to the Lord Treasurer to the same effect, which were presented to him in the most effusive manner by the French minister here. |
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Your Serenity's last despatches of the 22nd ult. have reached me. |
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London, the 20th August, 1632. |
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[Italian.] |
Aug. 26.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives. |
853. ALVISE CONTARINI, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE. |
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I can at last report the surrender of Maastricht. On the 17th Pappenheim decided to attack the camp, but was driven off with a loss of 1,500 slain. The conflict lasted from midday until the evening. The people of Maastricht made two sorties at the same time. That same evening the English fired a mine under the walls, making a practicable breach. On the following morning they delivered a courageous attack, but could make no progress owing to the vigorous defence. They made a truce that day, to bury the dead. The inhabitants took this opportunity to signify that they would treat, and on the 23rd the Prince of Orange entered the place. |
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The Hague, the 26th August, 1632. |
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[Italian.] |
Aug. 27.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives. |
854. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE. |
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No couriers have arrived in this kingdom this week from any quarter. The total absence of letters renders the deprivation of the advices they are expecting here the more irritating. They are eagerly waiting to hear, on the one hand, what concerns the affairs of Sweden in Germany, and on the other the revolts which are taking place in Languedoc of Monsieur's followers. The Spaniards have already begun to speak contemptuously about
the first, while on the other hand they talk of the forces and achievements of Volestain, not without the usual exaggeration. Of the second, although the French insist that his party is weak, the lords here, when they happen to discuss the subject, betray an opinion contrary to this report, as they are impressed by the understandings which Monsieur has at home and abroad. |
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The Dutch ambassadors still retain the hope that Maastricht will fall. On the other hand they do not conceal their anxiety about the difficulties which the Prince of Orange's army may encounter, on one side and the other surrounded by hostile armies, whose strength and courage is increased by the arrival of Popenain's troops. Nicolaldi and Teilleur, the ministers of Spain and the Infanta, when speaking of this, agree with the views of the Dutch, greatly to the astonishment of this Court. They freely admit that the loss of the place is very near, but they add that the army of the States, being hemmed in on every side, will not be able to secure its rear and a safe retreat without a most disadvantageous amount of bloodshed. |
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Meanwhile the levies for Holland are pushed on diligently both in this kingdom and in Scotland. The Ambassador Joachim declares that he wishes at all costs to have the men ready very soon, so that his masters may receive some service from them even before the end of the present campaign. It is known that the residents of Spain and of Brussels have both made every effort, although without success, to prevent or at least to delay this grant. But their failure in this is compensated in the other and no less important matter of navigation, since they keep the royal judgment in suspense, when it was thought recently that the question was brought to the point of a decision, about the goods and ship which have long been sequestrated at the instance of the Spaniards, after being seized in the ports of this island. |
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Ready money in reals to the amount of some 150,000 crowns, brought in ships from Spain to this city, are now being transmitted by remittances of the merchants by way of letters of exchange of this mart on that of Antwerp. |
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The Deputy of Hamburg, after producing his complaint about the reprisals made by Scottish ships on those of his city, is labouring to induce the king and his ministers to withdraw the letters of marque granted by his Majesty to the Scots for upholding their interests in the matter of commerce at sea. But this will be a long business, and one involving many difficulties. |
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London, the 27th August, 1632. |
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[Italian.] |
