Venice: September 1607 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 11, 1607-1610. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

Citation:

'Venice: September 1607', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 11, 1607-1610, ed. Horatio F Brown( London, 1904), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol11/pp28-40 [accessed 28 November 2024].

September 1607



Sept. 5. Consiglio dei Dieei, Parti Communi, Venetian Archives.	55. Whereas Mattheo Guagnini, in close confinement under sentence of this Council, is declared by the following medical certificates to be seriously ill, motion made that he be allowed to finish his sentence in the Courtyard of the Palace.
	Ayes	6.
	Noes	2.
	Neutrals	1.
	[Italian.]
Covered by preceding document.	56. 1. Petition of Mateo Guagnino “languishing now for seven years in prison.”
	2. Proclamation against Guagnino, published Friday 15th September, 1600, in Verona.
	3. Sentence of banishment for eight years, published 12th September, 1600, in Venice.
	4. Medical certificates.
	[Italian.]
	57. Zorzi Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Royal Commissioners (Winwood and Spencer) have finally left for Holland. Their instructions are those which I have already reported to you. After their arrival they will see what comes of their co-operation with the French Commissioners, by whom they are eagerly expected. But as far as can be gathered from the attitude here, nothing that will hinder the peace need be looked for from this mission; it is easily understood that it is sent chiefly to please the Dutch and also to preserve that reputation which the English desire to possess in Holland, and not with any view to breaking off negotiations for peace, or to mix themselves up in the continuation of the war. As this is very well understood by both parties the result will be that the Dutch will make up their minds more and more to peace, while the Spanish, aware of their inclination, will avail themselves of it in order to bring the business to that termination towards which they have been always tending. In proof of this comes the news that the Archduke through the Audientiary (Vereyken) has obtained a promise from the Dutch that they will withdraw their fleet from the sea. This is a sign that peace is absolutely needful to them. The French point out that this line of conduct will lead to the absolute subjection of the Dutch, but here they pay little heed to this point of view.
	The rumour of the great fleet which Spain is to put upon the sea causes some suspicion here and much talk; but as the Government do not appear to make much of it it is supposed that they are well assured that the fleet will do them no harm. It is said that this threat of a great Spanish fleet is the cause of the recall of the Dutch fleet; for they wish to show that such a step was taken upon Spanish request rather than upon Spanish orders, as they know they are not strong enough to face the Spanish on the sea.
	The news of the failure of the Grand Duke's attempt on Famagosta has greatly lowered the reputation of that Prince. The Court and the King himself speak slightingly of the Grand Duke, and it is possible that the Cavass may take an opportunity to complain of the assistance the Grand Duke receives from England.
	London, 5th September, 1607.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 12. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	58. Zorzi Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	So many despatches and with such unwonted celerity have been passing lately between the Spanish Envoys and the Court that it is natural to conclude that something extraordinary is to the fore; that can only be in connection with the peace negotiations and speculation is rife about that subject. They say that the Spanish, in order to increase the suspicion of France, which they have discovered in the King's mind, are thinking of asking his Majesty, as the friend of both parties, to mediate, and this would have the effect of preventing French and English co-operation to the damage of Spain, and would upset all the negotiations which may take place between the Commissioners of England and France in Holland. Although I have this from a source that I can not absolutely guarantee, for the absence of the Court affects not only the certainty but also the quantity of news, still I seem to discover some traces of such a design in the conversation of the Spanish and Flemish Ambassadors, and the French Ambassador is openly suspicious of it, and daily grows less hopeful of any effective issue to the union of the Commissioners in Holland.
	Some ships have been sighted in the Channel and are supposed to be the Dutch fleet, which is beginning to come back. All the same there is no news from Holland that any such orders have been issued; nay they even boast that for this year their fleet has prevented the Spanish from putting out.
	London, 12th September, 1607.
	[Italian.]
	59. Zorzi Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The King has come to Windsor from Salisbury and so he may be expected in a few days to come to the neighbourhood of the City. The Councillors who have been appointed to raise the subsidy are here already; and it is clear that the question of supplying money for the Court will for this year take precedence of the refitting and increase of the Navy. About that there are no signs, and it seems certain that they have no intention of disturbing the calm, although the populace would dearly like to, on the excuse of this rumour of a Spanish Armada.
	They are very anxious here to know what has happened in the Scottish Parliament on the subject of the Union. There is a rumour that it was on the point of being approved, with consent to the clauses inserted in the English Parliament, that is to say the abolition of the hostile laws. It is hoped that after this first step has been taken they will be able to proceed to the rest. English Parliament is convened for Michelmas, and the King will not desist from his endeavours until he sees the matter, if not concluded, at least in a fair way to be so.
	The archpriest (Blackwell), who is in prison, has caused great satisfaction by taking the oath of supremacy, and by advising others to do so too. Although he is the Pope's chief minister here and as head of the Catholics deeply suspected of complicity in past events, it is thought that he will not fare so ill as they believed at first. By his Majesty's orders he is treated in prison in a manner that shows a kindly disposition towards him.
	The crop of corn this year promises to be very good.
	London, 12th September, 1607.
	[Italian.]
	60. Piero Priuli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	The King told me that the Franciscan Friar (Neyen) who had been to Spain, had left incognito and wished to pass through France unobserved. Villeroi, however, gave orders to the Post that no horses were to be supplied without his knowledge. When the Friar heard that, he thought he was discovered and resolved to announce himself to Villeroy. He said he wished to pay his respects to the King. The King received him and enquired as to the object of his mission to Spain. He said he had gone to clear himself of certain calumnies which his enemies spread about him, namely that being born of heretic parents it was only natural that in treating with the Dutch he should favour them.
	As to the question of the sovereignity of the States, the King thought the Spanish would have granted it freely had they not feared that the object of the Dutch was to get this title inserted in the treaty for the truce and then to continue the war as independent states with the help of France, England and the Protestants.
	Paris, 12th September, 1607.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 17. Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni Principi. Files. Venetian Archives.	61. A Gentleman, who declared he was sent by Sir Anthony Sherley, came to the Cabinet and said:—
	“Most Serene Prince, my master the Viceroy of Naples has given orders that I should accompany the Count Anthony Sherley, General of the Galleons of the Kingdom of Naples, who by order of his Catholic Majesty is on his way to Germany. Count Anthony has commissioned me to present myself in his name to your Serenity and to beg you to grant him free passage through your states. Along with these letters your Serenity will find the patent granted by his Catholic Majesty to the Count.” With that he handed in the following letters and patent. After the letters and the patent had been read his Serenity declared that the contents gave him pleasure, and as his Catholic Majesty was not in the habit of employing any whom he did not know to be qualified, it was necessary to conclude that, in giving this highly honourable post to the said Count Sherley, he was well assured of his worthiness to fill it.
	His Serenity was pleased to see that in the patent his Catholic Majesty gave orders that the galleys of the Republic are to be respected, nor are they to be searched for Jews or Turks, nor on any other pretext. This furnished a proof of his Majesty's good-will and of his knowledge that the Republic preserved a friendly attitude towards that Crown. As to the person of Count Sherley, his Serenity wished him all happiness and prosperity. The gentleman said that the Abbe Bernardin Rossi had orders from the Emperor to deal with Sherley while in this city, and that his petition was that the said Count Anthony Sherley might have leave to pass through Venetian dominions on his way to Germany, if that were granted him he would probably come this way as it was the shortest. The Doge replied that the Savii would take the petition into consideration and would signify their answer; and with that the gentleman took his leave.
	[Italian.]
Covered by preceding documents.	62. After reading the foregoing communication the Illustrious Giovanni Morosini, Savio for the week, went into the tribune and said that the Cabinet intended to make no motion as regards Sherley, because the Imperial Secretary had informed them that he intended to go to Ferrara to confer with Sherley, who, on learning that the question was one for the Council of Ten and would take some time to resolve had made up his mind to go from Ferrara to Trent merely passing through Venetian territory; to which communication the Illustrious Signory had made no reply.
Covered by preceding documents.	[Italian.]
Covered by preceding documents.	63. Your Serene Highness,
	I am sending, by the hands of Captain Hepburn (?) (Hebrun) agent of his Catholic Majesty, and commissioned by the Viceroy of Naples to accompany me, a copy of the commission which his Majesty has given me in his service, in order that your Serenity may see the respect and regard in which he holds your Serene Republic, and that it may be manifest in what just and royal terms his Majesty ever deals with his friends. And I, not merely because I hold it so in command from him, but thanks to the desire I have as a chevalier of honour, to serve great Princes and States, will never fail on all occasions that present themselves to serve your Serenity and the Serene Republic, as a friend and ally of my sovereign; nor, if your Serenity commands me, will I fail in punctual obedience. I pray God to grant to you and your thrice ample Republic all the honour and prosperity that I ever desire it.
	Ferrara, 12th September, 1607. The Count Don Sherley Antonio.
	[Spanish.]
Covered by preceding documents.	64. Anthony Sherley's patent.
	After titles. Being resolved to cut off the passage and traffic of the Mediterranean to my rebels of Holland and Zealand, and to repress the attacks of the Turks and Moors, and to prevent Christians from supplying them with arms and munitions to the injury of Christianity, I have given orders to commission a certain number of great vessels to be mustered in the kingdom of Naples
	I have appointed to the command of them, you, Count Anthony Sherley, of whose qualities I am very favourably informed. You will discharge your office to the service of God and of myself.
	As to what you are to do with these ships, I grant you liberty, faculty and authority to muster them in the Kingdom of Naples, and to fit them out, and with them to inflict as much damage as you can on the said rebels, Turks and Moors. But you are not to touch the ships or goods of any subject of mine, of any one obedient to the Archduke and the Infanta, of any subject of my natural allies and confederates.
	In conformity with the orders issued to the Viceroys of Naples and of Sicily and to my Captains General, that they are not to molest any Venetian ships, although they may have on board Turks or Jews, and goods belonging to them, you too will abstain from meddling in any way with the Venetians.
	I grant you leave to sell the ships, merchandize, and goods that you may capture generally from rebels, Turks or Moors.
	Madrid, 26th March, 1607. I, the King.
	Andrea de Prada.
	[Spanish.]
Sept. 17. Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni Principi. Venetian Archives.	65. The late English Ambassador at Constantinople (fn. 1), now on his way home, came to the Cabinet and spoke as follows:—
	He desires to pay his respects, and offers his services.
	The Doge replies that they are always glad to see the representatives of his Majesty, to whom he sends his cordial greetings and thanks for the interest taken in recent events.
	The Ambassador said nothing, so the Doge went on to ask him how long it was since he left Constantinople, and what sort of a journey he had made. The Ambassador said he left Constantinople three months ago on board an English ship for Crete, thence he took passage in another for Zante, thence to Corfu, where the Commander and the Governor had treated him with great honour and banquetted him; in fact, being overwhelmed by these compliments he would report them to his Majesty, as they certainly were intended for him.
	The Doge enquired how matters stood at Constantinople, and the Ambassador replied that as far as he could see the Turkish Empire was in great decline—almost ruined. “The Sultan is going from bad to worse, being now entirely given up to pleasure, and paying small heed to affairs of State. Moreover he has dismissed almost all his older and more able ministers, and has bestowed most offices upon creatures of his own, reared in the Serraglio, people of little ability and no experience. And these incompetent ministers find the task of governing all the more difficult owing to the want of money which they can not supply by any other means than by taking off the head now of one, now of another, and confiscating their property, or else by the sale of offices, which thus fall into the hands of base-born people whose sole object is to recoup themselves for the money they have laid out; and hence the constant rebellions throughout the Kingdom. Just before I left there was a Council held to decide whether they should attack the Persians or the rebels, but either plan presented many difficulties. It is true that they expected great things from the quarrel between your Serenity and the Pope, for they thought that while the Princes of Christendom were fighting among themselves they could safely direct all their forces towards Asia without dread of any trouble from Spain. They resolved to move first against the rebels and to attack the Pasha of Damascus, who had declared himself in revolt, then the Pasha of Aleppo, then the Pasha of Tripoli. After that they intended in the spring to attack the Persian. The accommodation between the Republic and the Pope has left them in doubt and great trouble, for they fear that the Princes of Christendom will not let slip the opportunity to harass them, and if that happened, in my humble opinion the ruin of their Empire could easily be accomplished, especially as, to the rebellion in Asia, we must add the rebellion in Greece, which gives them no less anxiety. I must not omit to say that I greatly desire that your Serenity should occupy Greece and the Morea before the Spanish, who are said to have an eye on them. And on the course of my journey I had occasion to note your flourishing fleet, and I can promise your Serenity that you could go all about the Arcipelago conquering and occupying all you had a mind to without the smallest opposition.” This desire, he said, was strengthened by the knowledge that the King, his Master, shared it, because any expansion of Venice would go to strengthen a State that was friendly to Great Britain.
	The Doge returned thanks for his observations and expressions of regard; and enquired about the mission of the Persian Ambassador in Constantinople. The Ambassador said that a Persian Envoy had arrived with a letter for the Grand Vizir who had been strangled. The contents of the letter announced that the King of Persia was not adverse to peace after he had conquered all that belonged to his crown and to his ancestors. The Doge said he heard that the rebel Pashas were not in accord. The Ambassador replied that if that were so it would be of great help to the Turk, but that at the time of his departure he had not heard anything about it and did not believe it. The cause of the rising in Greece was the attempt to compel the Greeks to go to the war in Asia.
	The Doge spoke about the Ciaus (fn. 2) in England, his mission was probably to secure a present. The Ambassador said this was the Ciaus who had served M. de Breves three years ago on his journey to Jerusalem. After that he was sent to France with orders to go to England. His mission is said to be to complain of the damage done by English ships in Turkish waters. “When I heard of this I went to ask the Grand Vizir if it was true. He said 'No;' but one of his clerks told me they were going to send an Envoy to complain about the pirates. At this I was very angry, and said that by sending an Envoy without letting me know they would secure for him a very bad reception, and any way the mission was superfluous. Finally he has been sent. His only real object must be to get a donation as is the custom with the Turks.”
	The Doge then begged the Ambassador to present his salutations to the King and to the Prince of Wales who in the recent troubles had shown himself full of affection towards the Republic. The Ambassador begged leave to be allowed to see the Arsen al and the Chamber of the Council of Ten. This was granted.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 18. Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni Principi. Files. Venetian Archives.	66. The Secretary to the English Ambassador came to the Cabinet and spoke as follows:—
	His Excellency has sent me to make the following statement to your Serenity. For various reasons he has thought it better not to come in person. His Excellency has learned that certain subjects of his Majesty have had audience of your Serenity; they were sent by another English subject, namely Don Anthony Sherley, well known to your Serenity. As these persons have never informed the Ambassador about their coming or their business, he conjectures that it can only be on 'disservice of the King,' his Master. He thinks so on this ground that, Sherley was formerly in Barbary, and subsequently owed those honours to which he has been promoted to the favour of Anthony Creswell, a Jesuit very ill affected towards the crown of England, and who, during the reign of Elizabeth and down to the present day, has done all he can to set England on fire, and, what is worse, was the head and author of the late plot against the King and all his House, nay against the whole Kingdom—it is therefore to be presumed that Sherley too nourishes some evil designs. This I am charged to tell you, being sure that you will give it due weight.
	The Doge said the Cabinet would take the matter into consideration and reply to the Ambassador.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 18. Consiglio dei Dieci. Parti Secrete. Venetian Archives.	67. That the Savii del Collegio be informed that, in spite of the order of this Council, dated Dec. 1, 1604, in virtue of which Anthony Sherley was expelled from this City and State with prohibition ever to return, they, together with the Senate, may take what resolution they think fit to allow, for this one time, the passage of Sherley through our State.
	Ayes	16.
	Noes	0.
	Neutrals	0.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 18. Enclosed in preceding document.	68. The College had sent to inquire if there was anything against Sherley. The Ten replied that there was the sentence of the Ten against him; and they sent for the dossier of the said Sherley; it contained letters of 13th March, 3rd April, and 10th July from Rome to the Inquisitors of State; a report by Secretary Scaramelli, and a report by the police officer who brought Sherley before the Ten.
Sept. 18. Enclosed in preceding document.	[Italian.]
Cited by preceding document, Inquisitori di Stato, Busta 201, p. 4. Venetian Archives.	69. Proceedings against Don Antonio Sherley, Englishman, ordered to leave the State and not to return under pain of death.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 19. Consiglio dei Dieci, Parti Communi, Venetian Archives.	70. Order to show the Treasury of S. Mark's and the Sale d'Armi of this Council to the English Ambassador who is on his way through Venice.
	Ayes	16.
	Noes	0.
	Neutrals	0.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	71. Zorzi Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	The King reached Windsor in the course of his Progress. He had frequently been asked for audience by the Ciaus, and finally consented to receive him there. For that purpose he summoned the Council and the Court to attend him with fitting pomp. There the Ciaus was received and presented the letters of the Grand Signor, and confined his remarks to a simple request that they would make provision against the damage inflicted by the English in the waters and territory of the Turkish Empire. To this a very vague answer was returned. However the Ciaus is to have a private audience in a very few days, and from that we shall learn whether this or some other business was the real object of his mission, or whether he came merely to observe how affairs are going in Christendom. About this I shall be able to give your Serenity further news in a subsequent despatch. The Court still continues far away from London as the Plague has recently made great strides in the City. Everything is quiet here; only the populous take the excuse of this rumoured Spanish fleet to show how much they long for a rupture with Spain.
	The Duke of Lennox has arrived and has informed the King that he has dismissed the Scottish Parliament from which he had obtained the confirmation of everything that the English Parliament had decided, and he further promises that as far as the Scottish are concerned his Majesty will never be cheated of his wish in this matter. Though the King is pleased, his pleasure is out-weighed by his displeasure that the same Parliament has refused to grant two of his requests preferred by the Duke in his name. The first was his claim to the headship of the Scottish Kirk. The Puritans displayed a great repugnance to granting this supremacy in the form in which it is held in England. The other point was the privilege of peers; for in Scotland the privileges are far greater than in England and the Scottish will not submit to any diminution of the same. Both points are of such importance to the question of the Union that unless they are settled the Union can never take place, and so it is no wonder that their rejection has greatly disturbed the King.
	We learn from Brussels that the Archduke is in daily expectation of the Franciscan's (John Neyen) return from Spain, in the certain hope that he will bring the ratification in the form desired by the Dutch. There is confirmation that the Dutch have ordered the withdrawal of their fleet.
	At the moment of closing this despatch the merchants interested in the ship “Condilieno” (sic), which was recently seized by your Serenity's great galleys, have asked me to appeal to your Serenity for its restoration. I made an answer explaining the justification for the seizure. More in my next.
	London, 19th September, 1607.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 25. Minutes of the Senate. Venetian Archives.	72. That the English Ambassador be summoned to the Cabinet to hear what follows:—
	Out of regard for his Majesty, and in spite of many objections, we release his subjects from the Anchorage Tax, in the certainty that his Majesty will concede to our vessels in his Kingdom the same treatment that is accorded them in France and Spain.
	As for the complaint you have lodged about that English berton arrested by our great galleys, we have no further information, and therefore nothing more to say; but to prove our goodwill we will give instructions to our Admiral that he is to close his eyes to the disobedience, and, if the ship turns out to be really a merchant and not a pirate, he is to let her go.
	As to Sherley, the communication made by your Secretary was superfluous, for we have the interests of your Sovereign as much at heart as our own. Sherley begged for leave to pass through our dominions as he required to speak with the Imperial Secretary; but subsequently we learned that the Secretary had gone to meet him at Ferrara, and so there was no need to take any steps about his petition.
	That these communications be made to our Ambassador in England.
	That orders be issued to the Admiral in command of the great galleys, that if the English ship he captured off Prodono be really a merchant and not a pirate he is to set her free.
	Ayes	168.
	Noes	2.
	Neutrals	13.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	73. Zorzi Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	Last week I wrote to your Serenity about the demand made by the merchants interested in the ship “Corsaletta” (sic) recently captured by your Serenity's great galleys. I had no time then to enter upon details. I am assured that they first of all made a great complaint before the Council alleging that, as the seizure took place in the sea round the Morea, the Venetian galleys had no right to exact the signs of submission which they claim in virtue of the convention, which only holds good in the waters belonging to Venice. They, as I suppose, represented the matter in a different light from the true light, and endeavoured to persuade the Council that it was impossible, without serious damage to commerce, to comply with the terms of the convention, which is abused by the officers of the Republic, whose real object is to exclude the English from traffic in the Levant. They wish for the revocation of the convention, and beg the Council to press upon me the restitution of the ship and her whole cargo, though as yet the Council has taken no steps in that direction. It is true that I was informed that the Merchants of the Levant Company had made great complaints to the Cians, pointing out to him the damage done to them by Venetian galleys in the waters of the Grand Turk. They also insisted that if this was allowed to continue the interests and the dignity of the Turkish Empire would suffer, and the trade with England would be completely broken off. I was further told that the Lords of Council approved of these representations and that the Ciaus had promised that on his return a remedy would be applied. In order to get further insight into this business and also to prevent the Ciaus from returning home with an idea which might encourage the Turks to keep guard-ships in those waters where this affair took place, I paid a visit to him and led him on to a discussion of the injuries inflicted by the privateers in the Levant. He then told me under seal of secresy that, in the name of the Council, the Levant Merchants had made representations to him about this capture, and had pointed out that for Venetian ships to exact signs of submission in Turkish waters was a derogation from the Sultan's dignity, and if this were insisted upon it would put an end to the commerce between England and Turkey. He therefore suggested that it would be as well for Venice to abandon this claim, for he was bound to report the complaint upon his return home, and he was unwilling that any inconvenience should be caused to your Serenity by his action. I knew that I must bring him step by step to approve the conduct of the Republic and so I began by thanking him for the confidence displayed in me; I then asked whether it was not the object of both the Sultan and the Republic to suppress piracy, was not that the object of his mission, and if so how could that be done except by applying the right of search, and was not that the right of men-of-war in any waters? The Ciaus admitted these points one by one. “Well then,” I said, “those who endeavour to persuade you otherwise are trying to bring you to make false representations hostile to commerce and to your own intention; but as a matter of fact these men care for nothing but to secure that their vessels shall not be searched, so as to facilitate their piratical operations. They will not succeed, for such is not the will of the Republic nor yet of the King of England between whom there reigns a perfect accord.” The Ciaus appeared to be convinced by these arguments, of which he admitted the truth, and he praised the action of the Republic. I do not know whether the representations of the Merchants were really made to him by order of the Council as he says. It seems to me more likely that if they had desired the liberation of the ship, they would have applied to me; although it is possible that as he has some complaints of piracy to present to the Council they may have taken advantage of the episode of this ship to show that they too had counter complaints that English ships are being molested in Turkish waters by the galleys of the Republic, more especially as they have a suspicion that your Serenity desires to break up English trade completely.
	When the interested parties interviewed me I pointed out that even if the case had occured as represented by them, still the galleys of Venice were in the right. They admitted that the master of the ship had made an error, but they begged me to intercede for the liberation of the ship and its cargo; I represented that, as I was informed, the master of the ship had refused to vail before the Venetian galleys because he feared to lose a parcel of currents that he had shipped at Zante in defiance of your Serenity's orders. I must inform your Serenity that from my own observation since I have been here I am convinced that the larger part of the currants imported into England come from Zante; and this makes me wonder whether, if an agent of Venice were here, it would not be possible to discover a remedy for this mischief. There is the recent precedent of the case in which the Spanish Ambassador recovered a quantity of sugar which had been bought in Brazil in defiance of the orders of his Catholic Majesty. I am wondering whether I could not advance a similar claim in the case of the currants shipped at Zante.
	London, 26th September, 1607.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
Sept. 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	74. Zorzi Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
	Four days ago by order of the Council Sir Thomas Sherley, brother of Anthony, who is now in Spain in command of the Royal galleys, was sent to the Tower. This gives rise to the conjecture that some plot against the peace of this Kingdom may have been discovered. The popular mind is much excited by rumours of Spanish armaments, and as it is impossible to discover, as yet, the real object for which they are designed, the common opinion is that Sherley's arrest is connected with these suspicions. I, however, from certain phrases employed by the Ciaus, am inclined to believe that Sherley has been arrested at his request; for it seems that Sherley was once arrested at Constantinople upon some suspicion, and it would appear that out of revenge he has done the Turk a bad turn here with the King and Council, by endeavouring to represent him as an impostor and to induce people to regard him as a spy. The arrest has been carried out to please the Ciaus by those who are anxious to send him away well satisfied; and they have succeeded; for as he held a commission from his Master to find out on his journey to what nation the privateers belong, he now asserts that he found only one English berton and she had her head-quarters in Tunis, and did little harm to the Turks; whereas, not receiving satisfaction in France, he now reports that the whole blame lies at their door, and he will do them as bad a turn as he can when he reaches home.
	The Prince of Tangri (Tingry), son of the Duke of Luxembourg, has arrived with a large suite. He is merely come to see the country. The King is at Theobalds; the Queen at Hampton Court, very sorry about the indisposition of her daughter, to whom the King is devotedly attached, and it is thought he will give up the chace to go to her, nor will he come to London until the plague diminishes.
	From Brussels they write that after the return of the Franciscan (Neyen) from Spain the hopes of peace have grown feebler; for he brings nothing that can fully satisfy the States.
	London, 26th September, 1607.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	75. Francesco Priuli, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	Don Pedro de Zuniga, Spanish Ambassador in England, constantly reports fresh ill-offices. A servant of the English Ambassador here was arrested on the charge of bearing arms. In spite of his master's protests he is still in prison.
	Madrid, 30th September, 1607.
	[Italian.]
Enclosed in preceding despatch.	76. The cargo of the fleet of New Spain for the year 1607, in accordance with the Customs Registers.
	Silver for the King, pieces of 8 reals	1,471,425
	Silver for private individuals, pieces of eight	2,493,210
		3,964,635
	[Italian.]