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| June 6. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1081. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The object of Count Maurice is to raise the siege of Ostend which has been going on now for more than a year. The States have eighteen thousand infantry, not counting the troops in the town; besides, they are expecting six thousand more which the Queen of England has raised and placed under the command of Colonel
Vere, and these have probably arrived; further, they have four thousand horse. On the other hand, his Highness has fifteen thousand infantry in Flanders and eight thousand in Brabant, as well as three thousand horse; he is waiting the troops expected from Italy. It cannot be long before we see how their plans will work out. In his Highness's absence the Infanta remains at Nieuport in command of the siege. The platform for bombarding the city is being pushed on. So too the works for blocking the entrance to the harbour. The troops are being paid out of the million and a half which came from Spain. |
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Orleans, 6th June 1602. |
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[Italian.] |
| June 9. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1082. Agostino Nani, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The English Ambassador declares that his mistress is making great preparations against the King of Spain. And the French Ambassador is spreading abroad certain information about Christendom, to suit his usual objects. Mehamet Pasha asked me if I had any news from Europe, for the French Ambassador had furnished a great deal, much of which, however, proved false. I said that the Pasha must not be surprised if the representatives of the Republic supplied little news for they loathed lies. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera, 9th June 1602. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| June 12. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1083. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The object of sending troops into Portugal is to protect the country from an English attack, and in case of the Queen's death to have them ready if occasion served. It is generally thought that a fresh attempt may be made on Ireland. But the favourable season is slipping away. |
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On the coast of Portugal eight English ships recently disembarked seven hundred soldiers and sacked Figueira and Buarcos, two places of small importance. All the same they made some prizes. |
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Valladolid, 12th June 1602. |
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[Italian.] |
| June 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1084. Marin Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Baron de Thou (?) (Tu) is on the point of starting as Ambassador resident in ordinary at the Court of the King of Scotland, who, as things go at present, is considered on the high road to succeed when the Queen of England's hour has come. |
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Paris, 16th June 1602 |
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[Italian.] |
| June 22. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1085. Simon Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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One of the ships of the Portuguese Indies, missing for two years, and bringing a cargo worth two millions of gold, has arrived. She wintered at Mozambique, and on the 11th instant, with only thirty men left of her crew, she reached the harbour of Almada, but could not make it for want of a pilot. The governor, in dread lest the ship should fall into the hands of the enemy, sent three hundred soldiers a board, and the galleys of Spinola as an escort. But the eight Englishmen whose deeds I reported in my last fell on her with such determination that after a stiff fight, she remained their prize. The Viceroy come down to the shore in person with all his troops; of the twelve galleys two were burned; and the crew of one mutinied and went over to the English. Many of the Spanish troops are killed and the Marquis of Santa Cruz severely wounded. |
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Valladolid, 22nd June 1602. |
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[Italian.] |
