|
| July 8. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1071. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
A few days ago we had news that the Adelentado of Castille had captured twenty English ships near San Lucar. But while confirmation of this news was being awaited we learned that the ships were not English, but from the northern provinces with grain for Italy, and more especially for Leghorn. They were all set at liberty except five, which were said to have cargoes for English merchants. |
|
It is true that the Adelentado some days back, with ten of his ships, engaged near Gibraltar three Englishmen which were bound for England with alum and other goods. He captured two of them, though he lost forty of his own men, and was himself wounded in the face. The third ship, despairing of her safety, was fired by her captain and crew. |
|
A man who has arrived from England declares that the Queen's fleet is in Florida, a place in the West Indies very well suited for observing and attacking the flotilla that sails from Havana. The Seville squadron, which usually sails at this season, was on the point of departure. But whereas this squadron used to consist of forty to sixty sail, now it will number only nine or ten, that line of traffic being in great disorder, and the commerce steadily declining. |
|
For the protection of that squadron the fleet in Galicia and Biscay is being got ready. The fleet is to sail for the Azores, and to push on as much further as may seem advisable. |
|
Madrid, 8th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| July 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1072. Lorenzo Bernardo, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
Nothing is settled as yet about the destination of the fleet The only certain thing is that England never ceases to urge that it should be directed to the damage of Spain. The Capudan Pasha wishes it to be employed against Fez. |
|
Dalle Vigne di Pera, 10th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| July 13. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1073. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The army does not move from these quarters, partly because four thousand English are expected, partly because everyone it resting. Preparations are going forward continually, and this leads to the
belief that his Majesty intends to take some decisive step as regards Paris. |
|
Having heard that large supplies of provisions were to be thrown into Paris from the direction of Meaux (Meos), his Majesty last night sent off the English regiment to effect a junction with M. de Viel (Vie), Governor of St. Denis, and to prevent this relief. |
|
The English did not reach St. Denis in time, and so the provisions were brought safely into Paris, which by its obstinate resistance is leading the King to think of acquiring it by means other than force. |
|
From the Camp at Mantes, 13th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| July 15. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1074. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
I. went to see the King to receive orders either to follow him or to kiss his hand before he left camp. The King said “I know what inconveniences you suffer in camp, and so I wish you not to leave this place for some time, as I am about to carry out some operations of which you will be glad to hear. I shall soon be back, unless some turn in the campaign should cause me to change my plans; for I am obliged to regulate my movements in accordance with information from Germany and England.” He then went on to talk of the Pope's action and added “By August 18 th I shall be at the head of a large army, and I shall be able either to compel the enemy to give me battle or to cut off his supplies. |
|
From the Camp at Mantes, 15th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| July 15. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1075. Lorenzo Bernardo, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The Grand Vizir has caused the Jew, David Passi, to be publicly placed in irons with a chain round his neck, in his own house. Shortly afterwards Passi was sent on board a galley, and rumour goes that he is to be deported to Tunis; but it is thought that as soon as the galley is out of harbour, he will be thrown into the sea. He was a man who was filled to the full with vanity. This will be a lesson to others not to meddle in affairs of State. The cause of his fall was the discovery of certain letters which he had written to the Grand Chancellor of Poland. |
|
The Capudan Pasha is dead. On his return from the arsenal he sat down to eat, but could not swallow the first mouthful. He took one cup of sherbert, and as he was drinking the second a severe pain in the head overtook him. He fell into a violent sweat and was put to bed, where in half an hour his soul went to the Devil. Some think that he was poisoned the evening before when supping with the Grand Vizir, nevertheless his physician affirms that death was caused by his excesses in his harem. Instantly on his death Ferrat Pasha sent to seize all his money and jewels;
but it is certain that his wives had hidden most. All the same they found thirty-three thousand sequins; a casket of pearls stolen from a Portuguese ship, an emerald box. All was at once sent to the Grand Signor, universal heir in this country. |
|
Dalle Vigne di Pera, 15th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; the parts in italics deciphered.] |
| July 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1076. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
His Majesty left this place yesterday at the head of all his cavalry, and went towards St. Denis. His designs are not known. Some say all this is intended to draw the Duke of Maine out of Rouen, which, the King might then attack with the help of the English; others say he is drawing away towards Champagne and Loraine to meet the German troops. |
|
From the Camp at Mantes, 18th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| July 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1077. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
As regards the Agent sent by the French League to Constantinople, I have been able to discover nothing except that it is said that money had been paid by this Crown in Marsailles to a Frenchman who was on his way to Pera. |
|
Madrid, 19th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| July 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1078. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
M. de Lansac, who is considered a skilful officer, makes proposals chiefly to harass England and France if the King will give him a small fleet. He will leave his wife and children in Spain as hostages. Though he is admitted to the Council when such matters are under discussion, yet I am informed that not much attention is paid to him as he is held to be very talkative, not judicious, and variable in his opinion. |
|
Madrid, 20th July 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
