Venice: October 1650 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1927.

Citation:

'Venice: October 1650', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652, ed. Allen B Hinds( London, 1927), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol28/pp157-158 [accessed 25 November 2024].

October 1650



Oct. 12. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	428. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. The Scottish army, although vastly superior in numbers to that of Cromwell, has been completely defeated. 4,000 were slain, 12,000 taken and 6,000 put to flight, (fn. 1) so the king is more immersed in misery and trouble than ever. Yet he is busy gathering troops and collecting fugitives from the late battle. Prince Rupert has defeated the English fleet off Portugal. It is now going to London, being recalled by parliament, as hostilities at sea are unceasing against the French, who suffer serious hurt every day from reprisals. Paris, the 12th October, 1650. [Italian.]
Oct. 12. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.	429. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. The parliamentary fleet blockading Prince Rupert in Lisbon has had a great measure of success in its plan of intercepting the Portuguese ships from Brazil. These to the number of 20, of a good class, favoured by a very fair westerly wind, were attacked furiously by the English who, without loss to themselves, captured seven sail freighted with sugar, hides and dyewood, and sank four, while nine contrived in a shattered state to get under the protection of the guns of the castle and of Prince Rupert's squadron. (fn. 2) This news has been received with the greatest joy here, as they hope that the English will now be able to take charge of Portugal, while Spain is occupied elsewhere. Couriers have been sent with congratulations, both to the commanders of the fleet and to London ; and in order to give satisfaction to the parliament the king has issued a special decree that the case of the poor English prisoners, who by two successive sentences had been declared entitled to sanctuary, is to be re-examined. Madrid, the 12th October, 1650. [Italian.]
Oct. 15. Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni. Corti. Venetian Archives.	430. To the Ambassador at the Imperial Court. Satisfaction at the choice of Count Lesle to be General of Slavonia. To thank him for his courteous offers and to endeavour always to cultivate his good will. Ayes, 83. Noes, 1. Neutral, 2. [Italian.]
Oct. 27. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.	431. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. A courier from London who reached the Court three days ago reports a considerable defeat suffered by the royal army in Scotland from the parliament forces. The object of the despatch was to warn the government here not to offend that body in the affair of the prisoners, as this battle is considered as deciding the question of supremacy in Great Britain. Accordingly the king, without reference to other decrees, has made a fresh one, in which he desires the ordinary court of law to pass sentence, enjoining the judges to consign their award to him in writing and sealed. Well informed men consider this a bad sign for those poor people, as they infer that the Council of State will judge them by the dictates of policy, and screen themselves by this secret procedure. The ambassadors of the King are busy urging the nuncio to defend the right of sanctuary claimed by the church, to which the prisoners were to have been restored in accordance with two successive decrees. But might generally prevails over right, and there is now a general misgiving about the result. Madrid, the 20th October, 1650. [Italian.]