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| Nov. 11. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
173. Giovanni Moro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Queen of Navarre is still in the same place (Herach), awaiting the result of the negotiations; about the issue of these there is doubt, as it is well known that the King of Navarre has sent an emissary to the Queen of England with orders to proceed subsequently to Casimir; and has also forwarded money to Germany to raise troops. He has been informed of the object of Mons. de Bellievre's mission to him, and has prepared his answer, which is that, since the King declares that the ladies in waiting were the sole cause of his conduct towards his sister, and that all beyond this is pure calumny, he should publish the names of these calumniators, and inflict due punishment on them. To save the Duke of Epernon, whom public opinion indicates as the origin of all this, they may fasten on some one else, guilty of some other fault, and attribute all to him, punish him, and so give satisfaction to the King of Navarre. |
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Paris, 11th November 1583. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Nov. 25. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
174. Giovanni Moro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The King of Scotland after securing himself against his rebels took an opportunity upon another pretext to arrest one of the two Earls who were the chief cause of his imprisonment. The Queen of England sent her Principal Secretary at once to plead for him. The King showed himself willing to set him at liberty, the more so as he had been unable to arrest the other Earl, and did not desire to punish one without the other. The King wished to satisfy the Queen on this point; and also gave his promise that he would not change his religion. The Queen made this request because she suspected constant solicitations from France, the more so as the son of the late Mons. d'Aubigny had gone to Scotland. |
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Paris, 25th November 1583. |
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[Italian.] |
| Nov. 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
175. Matheo Zane and Vicenzo Gradenigo, Venetian Ambassadors in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Cardinal Granvelle sent for the Nuncio, and in his Majesty's name replied to the representations of Sega, telling him that as regards the attack on England, there was no need to add anything to what had been written, to his Holiness, especially as the particular conditions which, recommended the enterprise no longer existed. |
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Madrid, 27th November 1583. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Nov. 29. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
176. Giovanni Francesco Moresini, Venetian Ambassador at Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
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I have already told your Serenity that the French Ambassador here had orders from his sovereign to procure the expulsion of the English Ambassador, and of the action I took, in obedience to your
orders, with a view to assisting the French Ambassador. That Ambassador went to the Pasha and made vigorous representations; but the Pasha was ill-disposed: he asked if the Ambassador had letters from the King of France for the Grand Signior on this subject; on the Ambassador reply lug that he had no letters, but what he said vivâ voce was enough, and ought to be more potent than a thousand letters, the Pasha answered that he did not know what to do, for the alliance and treaty with the Queen of England were not made in his day; that the French Ambassador should get letters from his master to the Grand Signior on this subject, and that they would then be presented. But the Pasha said he could not see how the English Ambassador was to be expelled, and that the French Ambassador should have spoken at the time that the negotiation was pending. The Ambassador replied, that he had never faded to protest, and that after agreeing to the treaty with England the Sultan had twice written to his master promising that the English should not be received here, except under the protection of the French flag. As the Sultan had broken his word and his faith to the King of France the King would feel himself freed from his friendly obligations unless the Sultan took the steps necessary to satisfy French honour. He could not write any more on this subject for his orders were to present himself to the Sultan and to make him understand the insult to the King. If no steps were taken he should be obliged to follow out his further instructions. It was impossible for an Ambassador of England and an Ambassador of France both to remain here; and if they wished to help the English Ambassador he would leave at once. The Pasha replied that he thought there was no occasion for such a row (che a lui non pareva che devesse far tanto strepito); that any way the Ambassador had better put into writing all his demands and the grounds for them. Without troubling the Sultan these claims could be considered, and an answer given. On the retirement of the Ambassador, Benvenistcs made such excellent representations to the Pasha that he has persuaded him to embrace this French point of view. When the Ambassador returned with a petition (arz) he found the Pasha very well disposed, and he thanks your Serenity for the good offices done him through the agency of Benveniste. But to further this affair, the Pasha has persuaded the Ambassador to present himself to the Sultan the first day he goes a hunting, and to complain of the Pasha, so that the Sultan may not think that the Pasha has received some douceur to help forward this object; after that the Pasha will do all he cam with the Sultan to secure the expulsion of the English Ambassador. The French Ambassador has not yet presented the petition (arz) to the Sultan, as he has not been out lately owing to wind and. rain; but the first day he goes a hunting the Ambassador will follow the Pashas advice. The petition is all ready. Benveniste tells me he has seen what the Pasha has written when reporting on the French petition to the Sultan, and that nothing could be more favourable, as he points out the immense difference between the King of France and the Queen of England as an ally; that the English are of little use to the Tark; that the expulsion of their Ambassador would do no, hurt to Turkish commerce for goods which now come
under the English name would come all the same under the name of France; and adding that the French Ambassador would himself present a petition in person to his Majesty. The Sultan replied to the Pasha that he did not see how he could expel anyone who came to seek his alliance, but that he would wait till he saw what the Ambassador said. |
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Dalle Vigne di Pera. 29th November 1583. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Enclosed in Despatch of November 29. |
177. Copy of a Petition presented to the Magnificent Pasha. |
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When I informed my Sovereign the Emperor (sic) of France of what had taken place at the Porte in the matter of the English alliance, his Majesty showed great indignation against me. He said that he could not believe that, if I had used all means in my power to point out to the Grand Signior his breach of faith, his Highness would ever have concluded this new treaty with that Queen, to the damage of his own honour and of the dignity of my master. His Majesty says that when a friendly Prince breaks faith with an ally he cannot expect that ally to be bound to the prejudice of honour and dignity, and consequently his ally is free and absolved from his engagement. His Majesty has ordered me to present myself with all due reverence before your Royal and Sublime Person, in order to inform you of the most righteous reasons which he has to complain of this conduct, unless it be remedied as is fitting. |
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I have thought it right to present myself first to your Excellency, and to beg you to petition his Highness in the most suitable manner for the continuance and preservation of this ancient alliance, by pointing out how much the Emperors of France have always valued their honour, so that his Highness may see how just a cause for complaint my master has; and that he may decide which alliance is the more honourable and useful for him; the alliance he has inherited from his fathers, or that of the Queen of England, and to favour me with a reply, that I may, as soon as possible, obey my master's orders. |
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[Italian.] |
| Enclosed in Despatch of November 29. |
178. Copy of Petition presented to the Grand Signior. |
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Repeats the preceding note, and adds that his master can only suppose that his Highness has been misinformed on subject, and has therefore ordered his Ambassador to explain the matter personally to his Highness. The Ambassador had twice had an audience of the Vizir Asem (Hassan), but only received in reply the statement that the negotiations with England did not take. place when the Vizir was in power. He therefore made representations direct to his Highness, pointing out the violation of the French flag, of the terms of the treaty, and of the Imperial letters; and adding that when one Prince violates his treaties with an ally he cannot expect the other to remain faithful to the prejudice of his honour and his dignity, and that he therefore is absolved from his obligations. The Ambassador
waited his Highness reply, which of the two alliances he preferred, that which his ancestors had left him as a legacy, or that with the Queen of England. |
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[Italian.] |
