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| Dec. 13. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
663. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Spanish Ambassador having heard that Mons. de Fontpertuis, accompanied by two deputies from the States of Flanders, had returned from Brussels, with an offer to cede territory to the King or to Monsieur, if they would take the States under their protection, made a lengthened and violent complaint to his Majesty on the subject. The future seems very doubtful, but it is said that the King of Navarre gives out very plainly that if his Majesty or Monsieur think fit to lose this opportunity, he will not by any means do so, and, on the other hand, the States of Flanders threaten that they will approach the Queen of England if they find themselves abandoned by this Crown. |
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San Dye, 13th December 1576. |
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[Italian.] |
| Dec. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
664. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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An English gentleman [Sir Thomas Smith?] has arrived here who is on his way to Spain, whither he has been sent by his Queen; it is said he will reside at that Court if he finds himself well treated and well received, otherwise he will use endeavours to induce the King of Spain to make peace in every possible way with his vassals in Flanders, and to concede to them the free exercise of their religion. He went to-day to attend an audience with her Majesty; to-morrow he will depart by post for his voyage ; he has been to see me and held very courteous language, and I will not fail to return his visit. With regard to the question of the privilege to be conceded to
Acerbo Velutelli, I am obliged to tell your Serenity that if you do not choose to take steps to please the Queen, the negotiation will go forward, and when once the privilege has been established it will be useless to think of obtaining its revocation. Your Serenity knows best what ought to be done, nevertheless I am unable to express any different opinion than the above with regard to this matter. |
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San Dye, 19th December 1576. |
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[Italian.] |
| Dec. 29. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
665. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Spanish Ambassador has told me that he knew for certain that it had been determined in the Council to dismiss the Baron d'Aubigny, because neither the Council nor their Majesties nor Monsieur would receive his overtures. The Baron d'Aubigny, after he had been dismissed by the King, came to this village to seek the English Ambassador [Sir Amyas Paulet], and after a lengthened interview departed by post to Brussels. This event has caused everybody, and especially those who are most interested, to suspect that as the Baron d'Aubigny has lost all hope of obtaining assistance from hence, he intends to have recourse to the Queen of England or at all events, to make their Majesties and the Ministers of the King of Spain suspect that this is his intention, in order to induce either the former to come to a better conclusion, or the latter to ameliorate the conditions of their agreement. |
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San Dye, 29th December 1576. |
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[Italian.] |
