BHO

Venice: October 1649

Pages 120-124

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.

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October 1649

Oct. 2.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Germania. Venetian Archives.
339. Niccolo Sagredo, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
The gentleman of England here asserts that the queen of Sweden has sent a present to his master of weapons for 10,000 men with ten pieces of artillery, a quantity of gunpowder and other military stores. She has further promised to assist him with a large number of troops the moment her forces are disengaged from the empire. Here also there is a strong disposition to do something for the king but they do not see their way clear. In the mean time the assistance offered by Sweden gives rise to a report that the queen of Sweden thinks of taking the king of England for her husband. I have even had it from the mouth of a leading minister but I only report it as a popular rumour.
Vienna, the 2nd October, 1649.
[Italian.]
Oct. 5.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.
340. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 5th October, 1649.
[Italian.]
Enclosure. 341. Advices from London, the 27th September, 1649.
Eight days ago Gen. Fairfax came to this city because of the disturbance the day before, to give orders to prevent any mischief that the people might commit. The same day he removed the guards from the gates and other places, in which he forestalled the mayor, who was beginning to give the same orders. After this the preacher was set at liberty.
The Levellers, after Oxford, have taken Vualinfort, a place of great consequence. With the money taken all passed quietly, as they claimed arrears of pay. They have presented a declaration claiming that the Council of State and parliament shall be changed every year. They were satisfied with fair words and with good hope they have restored the towns to their former state, so the country is untroubled for the moment.
From Ireland we hear that there has been a sanguinary encounter at Droghedach, in which this side was worsted. (fn. 1) This is confirmed by demands for succour brought by Colonel Brun, who arrived here in haste yesterday evening.
[Italian.]
Oct. 12.
Collegio, Secreta. Esposizioni, Principi. Venetian Archives.
342. The Resident of Modena came into the Collegio and spoke in accordance with a memorial, which he left with the secretary. The doge promised that the matter should be considered, at which the resident bowed and went out.
The memorial asks that he may have possession of a house of the nuns of S. Gerolamo which he has taken to dwell in, but to which the present occupant refuses him admission.
Memorial of Raffael Chias, secretary of Sir Gilbert Talbot, representing that the house was taken on hire by Talbot many years ago, and still has his Majesty's arms on it. Two days ago he was ordered to leave the house by the Collegio at the instance of the Resident of Modena. The rent has been paid up to the 15th December next, and the lease lasts until March, 1650. It would be a slight to his Majesty to turn them out in favour of the Resident.
[Italian.]
Oct. 17.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Costantinopoli. Venetian Archives.
343. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Bailo at Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
The English ambassador has sustained with great vigour his case against those here who claimed the restitution of the money given to the ships which went to Candia. Not only has he escaped this repayment but he has also overcome the difficulty which they raised about allowing those at Smyrna to lade, and so the concession followed hard after the prohibition, and things have already settled down. But everyone has a safe game since the Turks are inflexible with us alone.
There are fifteen ships at Smyrna, but they are lading for the usual Western ports. With regard to the particulars in the letter of Morgan Read some copies have appeared here of letters which they say he wrote to Venice (costa) from Smyrna about the concession of ships to the Turks. It is stated by his fellow countrymen, and he confirms it, that these letters have been printed there. Accordingly efforts have been made, particularly by the captains of the ships at Smyrna, to get the ambassador to have him sent in irons to England. He has taken refuge in the house of the French consul and says he wishes to proceed to Venice. The ambassador readily becomes heated over the question of this same concession and takes severe measures against those merchants who disapprove of it. He has had one carried off from here by force and sent in irons to Smyrna, (fn. 2) with the intention of having him sent to England, but here they show great determination and say openly that before long they will deal with this ambassador in the same way as they did with the other.
The Vigne di Pera, the 17th October, 1640.
[Italian ; deciphered.]
Oct. 21.
Bibl. S. Marco, Cl. VII. Cod. 1928.
344. Amerigo Salvetti, Resident of Tuscany in England, to Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at the Congress of Munster.
Some of the members of the Levant Company have been to see me. They supposed that your Excellency by this time would have received a reply from the most serene republic to the paper which I forwarded to you on their behalf. They came to ask me if I had heard and if not to request me to remind you. They are most anxious to fall in with the views of the republic in the matter of the proposals set forth in that paper, and in accordance therewith to continue in the usual harmonious relations with her. I beg you to let me know the reply, if any has yet come.
Asks if there is any hope of the repayment of 50l. sterling which he lent to Agostini, the late resident of the republic, in his necessity.
London, the 21st October, 1649.
[Italian.]
Oct. 23.
Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni. Corti. Venetian Archives.
345. To the Ambassador in France.
Approval of the tenor of his remarks to Henry Hyde, consul designate to the Levant for the king of England. To assure him of the republic's friendly sentiments either when he returns to Court or on some other occasion when it can be done effectively, in order to keep adding fuel to keep warm the friendly disposition of his Majesty.
Ayes, 71. Noes, 1. Neutral, 10.
[Italian.]
Oct. 26.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Munster. Venetian Archives.
346. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to the Congress of Munster, to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses copy of his letter to Salvetti. Has contrived to postpone sending the chain in order to see whether he will earn it by bringing to a satisfactory conclusion the agreement about the ships.
Nieuretta near Paris, the 26th October, 1649.
[Italian.]
Enclosure. 347. Alvise Contarini, to Amerigo Salvetti, Resident of Tuscany in England.
In reply to the memorial of the Levant Company, the republic accepts the suggestion of the Company, to wit that the Venetian fleet permit up to three ships to enter the channel of the Dardanelles, which desire to proceed to Constantinople for the requirements of their trade, on the condition of not permitting entry to others in like manner until those which have already entered come out, to the end that, with the number in that port never exceeding three, the Turks may be deprived of the opportunity of seizing them by force or using them by agreement. He may pledge the ambassador's word for this and the Company should inform the ambassador at the Porte and their consuls and captains of the agreement.
Suggests that Salvetti should present an account of the money lent to the late Secretary Agostini.
Dated, the 23rd October, 1649.
[Italian.]
Oct. 26.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.
348. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
Encloses sheet of events of London.
Paris, the 26th October, 1649.
[Italian.]
Enclosure. 349. Advices from London, the 21st October, 1649.
Gen. Cromuell has reported to London the capture of Drogheda, (fn. 3) and orders were immediately issued for thanksgiving to God. A considerable disturbance occurred recently at Sturbridge caused by a private soldier, who roused all the people against a commissioner sent by parliament in its interests. This obliged Gen. Fairfax to despatch in haste some one to quiet matters and to lay hands on the chief author of the mischief. (fn. 4)
After the capture of Drogheda Gen. Cromuell moved with the bulk of his army on Wexford, where he is likely to meet with great difficulties and greater resistance, as it is well supplied for defence. The Marquis of Ormond has not neglected to send thither Lord Inchquin, with a small flying force to stop and break the attack of Cromuell, who has taken the bulk of his army there, leaving only 150 men in Drogheda.
[Italian.]
Oct. 27.
Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Cap. Gen. da Mar. Venetian Archives.
350. Alvise Mocenigo, Venetian Captain General at Sea, to the Doge and Senate.
Commander Riva reports the objection of the Flemish and English captains to go to the Dardanelles. He says they are pressing for money and talk about taking themselves off if they do not get it. He adds that on the 24th they all met together on the ship San Marco and he understands that they have drawn up a paper to be forwarded to me. I have already written of the mischievous consequences of such gatherings and the need of dealing with it, using suave and mild methods, and I would suggest paying off the first ship on which any such meeting is held.
Candia, the 27th October, 1649.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Drogheda was stormed by Cromwell on the 11/21 September.
  • 2. Possibly Giles Davies, who wrote to this Company complaining of his harsh treatment and imprisonment by the ambassador. S.P. For. Archives, Vol. 112, 4 June, 1650 ; Vol. 151, fol. 69.
  • 3. On 11/21 September.
  • 4. Caused by one Den, a Leveller. Reported in parliament on 27th September, O.S. Fairfax sent the governor of Stafford to put down this disturbance. Whitlocke ; Memorials, Vol. III, page 110.