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| Feb. 12. Sanuto Diaries, v. xiii. p. 361. |
145. Report of the Receipt of Letters dated London, 8th January, by Alvise and Francesco Pasqualigo from their brother Lorenzo, how all England was in arms, the reason being, it was said, because the King of Scotland, King Henry's brother-in-law, was waging war against him at the request of France, and that by Candlemas day all England would be in battle array. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 27. Senato Mar, v. xvii. p. 149. |
146. Decree of the Senate, concerning the Trade with England. |
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Allusion to the very great advantages derived from the manufacture of woollens by Venice, where it afforded a livelihood to upwards of 30,000 poor people. Necessity therefore to keep the city well supplied with wools. An estimate made on the 24th July 1511, showed only 562 bags in Venice, including such wool as was mildewed, spoilt, and old. Subsequently 200 bags had been sold, so that the residue would not give employment for three months. It was therefore requisite to make immediate provision, without regard either for drapers or wool merchants, but merely for the good of the community, apart from all private interests. Motion made accordingly that in like manner as when the voyages of the Flanders galleys were suspended, both Venetians and aliens had been allowed to import wools, cloths, and tin from England, Flanders and Brabant, the same privilege be now conceded, to remain in force until the close of October 1512, the goods being conveyed either by land or water, by any vessels soever, even foreign bottoms. The wools thus loaded to pay half freight to the arsenal, as paid heretofore to the Flanders galleys; and the merchants to be at liberty to insure the goods thus shipped in foreign vessels, any law to the contrary notwithstanding. |
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Ayes 109. |
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Proposed amendment to the foregoing decree:— |
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That, were the foregoing motion carried, it would be decreed not to put the Flanders galleys on the berth, either in the present year or in the year to come; which, besides being contrary to the intention of the Senate, would be highly injurious to the merchants and people of Venice, and also to the duties and to trade, moreover, causing suspicion and displeasure to the Kings of Spain and England, the allies of the Signory, who might reasonably suppose that the Flanders and Barbary galleys would now perform their voyages annually. |
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Motion made accordingly that, under penalty of 500 golden ducats, each member of the College do within ten days state his opinion concerning the Flanders and Barbary voyages respectively, that such decision may be formed as shall seem fit to the Senate. |
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Ayes 50. Noes 3. Neutrals 4. |
