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| Sept. 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
302. Marco Venier, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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I have received the accounts of the moneys disbursed by the late Ambassador Lippomano for the purchase of grain, and, in particular, of the six thousand sequins paid over to Paulo Mariani, but all these documents were to be found here already, though without any specifications, as are these which have now been sent to me. The originals are missing, so are the statements of obligation and of caution on the part of Mariani. It seems that he was not mentioned by name, but represented by the letter N. The documents are said to registered in the Chancery, but in the Chancery there is no trace of them to be found. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 2nd September 1594. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 8. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
303. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Ambassadors of France, England, the States of Holland, and some German Princes are to meet in Scotland, at the baptism of the King of Scotland's son. The occasion is considered important on account of the understanding which may then be reached. |
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Ratisbon, 8th September 1594. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
304. Francesco Vendramin, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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There has been an action off the Straits between fourteen Spanish galleys, commanded by the Admiral, and ten English hulks. Two of these were captured, but the Spanish lost many men, both rowers and soldiers. |
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Madrid, 10th September 1594. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
305. Francesco Vendramin, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Enclosed will be found some reports just arrived from Lisbon. They come from a good source, so I send them. |
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Madrid, 24th September 1594. |
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[Italian.] |
| Enclosed in preceding Despatch. |
306. From Lisbon, 17th September 1594. |
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On the 11th September six hulks from Flanders reached this port, after a journey of twenty-three days, having sailed on the 18th August. They report as follows:— |
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Nothing new after the capture of Grœningen by Count Maurice. |
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The States have sent deputies to Scotland to act as proxies for Count Maurice at the baptism of the King of Scotland's son. |
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Rumour declares that Count Maurice will wed the daughter of the King of Denmark, sister-in-law of the King of Scotland. |
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In many English ports ships have been seen embarking infantry for Brittany. The ships number, perhaps, twenty; there are no ships of the royal navy among them, nor is there any other fleet ready in England. |
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Eight ships have sailed from la Rochelle and Bordeaux, to protect the merchant marine against the Biscayans. |
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In Flanders and in England there is a dearth of grain; the whole crop is lost because of the heavy rains. The same is the case in France. Accordingly a general order was published in Notre Dame that, on pain of death and confiscation of goods, no one might export grain or any other munitions to the Spanish kingdom. |
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On the 13th December (? September) a ship reached Lisbon from Brittany, and reports as follows:— |
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Don Juan d'Aquila with his troops has retired to Blauet. |
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The Duke of Mercœur, after the landing of the English has retired to Nantes. |
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The French in Brittany, who hold for Navarre, are said to contemplate an expedition to Brazil. |
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The King of Navarre is negotiating a marriage between his sister and the Prince of Condè; the only difficulty is the question of religion. |
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The King of Spain has sent orders to the Adelantado that on the smallest sign from the governors of Lisbon that an English fleet is threatening, he is to return at once to this port. |
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On the 15th a man arrived from Cape St. Vincent, sent by Don Francesco Colom, commander of the Seville squadron. He reports that on the 19th of July the West India fleet sailed from Havana. It numbered one hundred and fifty sail. Every night four galleons sailed round the fleet and suffered no vessels to drop behind. The fleet is coming on well. |
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Not more than seventeen millions will be brought, for the tithes and the salaries had not yet reached Cartagena. |
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No sign of the enemy. |
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[Italian.] |
