wavering amidst divers considerations not desiring to be ingaged against the power and rage of the Austrians nor seeing willingly the power of the Spaniards to be increased in Italy or the Authority and Name of the Emperour greatly suspicious to the Popes to be awakned He not only approved the remonstrance of the Venetians but in a manner promoted it frequently complaining to their Ambassadour of the iniquity of the times in which from a cause most unjust the ambition of Princes was going to subvert the repose of Italy scarce yet setled He offered his interposition with powerful offices but added What can be promised from reason without Arms in dealing with him who places Reason and Justice in nothing but Arms The excess of power in Princes makes little account of the Popes prayers and their Mediation is reduced almost to nothing else but to adorn the Frontispice of Treaties with their name It is meet since offices do no good to apply to other remedies more powerful To improve the thought of uniting the Princes of Italy in their own and the common Interest But besides his own Forces and those of the Republick of whom was there any account to be made The Duke of Savoy renouncing the ancient Glory of maintaining the Liberty of Italy unmindful of his age and of a Grave at hand contrives new Stratagems The Government of Tuscany was inclined to the advantages of the Austrians In the others power was wanting or will The Senate therefore was seriously to consider if the Forces alone of the Church and theirs would be a sufficient defence against the approaching evils and to maintain the Cause of Mantua threatned and may be said oppressed by the prosperity of the Emperour and the Potency of Spain That he was ready with counsels and action to run the common Fate of Italy but that it was also a common Interest to lean to the more powerful for the upholding of themselves and friends That he thought application to France was necessary whose friendship though by its inconstancy it seemed dangerous by its power made it self seasonable That he was disposed with his intentions offices and endeavours to second the resolutions of that Crown and the Common-wealth The aims of Vrban were not in truth conformable to his expressions He desired to maintain Nevers in the succession of Mantua but abhorred to ingage himself so far as to be obliged to come to a Declaration or taking up of Arms. He encouraged the Venetians to the end he might enjoy their support in whatsoever should happen and flattered the French with hopes of adhering to their Party for if he had the luck to bring him into Italy in favour of Nevers he doubted not but things would proceed with such a ballance that he might reserve to himself the glory of the mediation and the merit of making the Peace Frequent advertisements were then sent from Venice and from Rome to King Lewis of the State of Italy disquieted by great apprehensions and threatned by greater dangers solliciting him to imploy Authority Negotiation and Force for the saving of the Country and the Princes his Friends France in effect was greatly sensible and the principal Ministers confessed the Reputation and Honour of the Crown ruined if it failed to assist Nevers But the Ingagement before Rochel was equally important whereupon they turn their counsels anew to prevail upon the mind of the Duke of Savoy because he it seemed was the Arbiter of the Peace or of the War whilst if it could be brought about to separate him from the Spaniards their taking Arms would be diverted or at least weakned The center therefore of the business lay in Turin the Venetians on the one side assaulting him with reasons and perswasions and the French on the other tempting him with promises and advantages St. Simon besides the ceading of so much Land in Monferrat as should amount to twelve thousand Crowns of yearly Revenue proposes to him secret and great hopes that France with a more powerful assistance should joyn in promoting his undertakings against the Genouese the differences with whom assumed by the Crowns with the title of an authoritave mediation remained yet undecided But the Duke mindful of former accidents relinquished not for the uncertainty of things to come the designs of present advantages Clogging the Treaty therefore by the demand of Trin a place of most important situation because it was opposite to Casal and drawing it into length he no less precipitated the resolutions and getting into Arms. Upon the news of the death of Duke Vincenzo and what had happened in Mantua the Bishop of Mondovi and Serbellone were returned back to relate it to the Duke and to Cordua who agreeing in their aims aggravated also with uniform dissatisfactions That the young Princess Niece of the Catholick King and also of the Duke was without their knowledge forced rather upon the dead body of the deceased Duke amidst sobs and tears than married by her own free consent Then Cordua charges Rhetel with the contempt of having intruded himself into a State in contest contrary to the Commissions Patents of the Emperor Soveraign and Judge of the Parties to whom being required to refer the cognizance of the cause and the penalty of the boldness he refused the Letters which he had written to him concerning the Title assumed of Prince of Mantua The eyes of all men were to say truth turned towards Ferdinand some sheltering themselves under his Authority and others considering his Power Amongst the first were the Princes of Guastalla whose interest served not but for a bounded prospect and stalking Horse for the Arms of Spain and Margaret Dutchess of Lorrain who as eldest Sister of the last Dukes deceased pretended that the Males of the other Branch being excluded the Succession belonged to her but her Rights being very little considered they could amount to no more but to usher in those of Leonora the Empress her younger Sister Whilst the decision was like to proceed with great length of time the new Duke of Mantua and the Princes that adhered to him apprehended the Emperours Forces jealously observing an Army of sixteen thousand men under a Count of Mansfelt in Suaben kept on foot there under pretext of bridling the motions of the Marquess of Dourlach and the Protestants but in effect as a body of reserve for the Affairs of Italy at the disposition of the Crown of Spain the which not only by benefits and pensions held dependent on it the Emperours chief Ministers but upbraided to himself the holding the Imperial Dignity as but the fruit of their counsels and assistance Since therefore Ferdinand was obliged to depend on anothers will the pressing instances of the Popes Ministers and the Venetians availed little who perswaded him not to interest himself but with his Authority in favour of the cause which should appear most just and to prefer Negotiation before a Rupture Nevertheless to cover the designs which were
those Forts possessed by them near Loreo provided in some measure on that side against the disturbance which resulted from thence on the borders The Austrian Ministers bore with great impatience to be excluded from this Treaty and the Emperours Ambassador shews in Venice a Plenipotence to assist at the meetings but the Confederates easily excused it For the conditions of Peace being by the Barberins put into the hand of the French Mediator they could not but lend their ear to him that brought more ample and the securest propositions The Treaty therefore went on although some millitary accidents interposed for the Venetians had contrived the surprise of the Fort of Lagoscuro on the other side of the Po but by uncessant rains for three whole days the ways being overflowed the design was hindred and Cardinal Antonio having got the Wind of it strengtheus the Garrison and for fear of intelligence changes the Commander Marino Badoaro also from Figarolo attempts that of that other Fort on this side but some few Souldiers coming like labourers to possess it being discovered the others that followed were constrained to retire Giacomo Riva had success in beating up the quarters of the Pontificians at Zecca and the armed Barques of the Venetians after some contest carried away from Premiero some Vessels laden with Corn. To make themselves amends for these insults the Pontificians assaulted a quarter of the Venetians at Schienta but being repulsed and pursued by Giovanni Paulo Gradenigo Paymaster in the field and by la Valetta the encounter grew hot near to Lagoscuro on the other side of the River and ended in the flight and loss of the aggressors so that the Cardinal Antonio who sallying out of Ferrara attempted to countenance the faction was hardly able to save himself with the swiftness of his Horse leaving more than a hundred of his men dead upon the place and about an hundred and fifty Prisoners amongst which were the Vice Legate of Ferrara Carassa Antonio Doria Governour of that Fort and other Officers and French Captains The death if it had hapned of Vrban fallen now extreamly sick might have caused a great alteration in the Treaty whereupon Cardinal Bichi hastens the conclusion and fearing not to compass it time enough proposes a suspension of Arms lest perchance there might happen a vacant See The Confederates although such an accident which could not pass without great revolutions in the Dominions of the Church and in the Court of Rome would open to them a way to many advantages were not against it by reason of that respect which they professed towards the holy See and because with the death of the Pope the authority also of the Nephews expiring those motives would fall to the ground which had been the cause of taking Arms. Nay the Grand Duke upon the first notice of Vrbans sickness which was thought deadly dispatches Letters to the Cardinal Montalto in the which justifying his intentions to the future Conclave offers himself to interpose with the other Princes for the consenting to a Truce The Senate also wrote to Cardinal Bragadino requiring him by provision if there should be a vacancy in the See to assure the Conclave of their upright intentions for Peace but it was in truth believed that the Grand Duke had been transported too far by separating his endeavours and offering that of which the League had not as yet been desired by the Court of Rome Wherefore he excusing the speed of his dispatch with the doubt that the Popes life would not have lasted so many days as were requisite to understand the judgments of others recalls his orders to Montalto and leaves the instances of Cardinal Bichi to be consulted of in the wonted Assemblies in Venice Edward remonstrates the fit conjuncture to revenge themselves of the Barberins to attempt Conquests and by the means of them to secure Peace The Duke of Modena shews also the opportunity which was opened for advantages but fell back notwithstanding as at last Edward also did to more wholsom counsels so that it was concluded That the Truce should be accepted during the vacancy of the See and some certain days after the election of a new Pope provided nevertheless it should be desired in the name of the Conclave and that in that interim a Letter should be written to the Cardinals in the name of all the League to justifie the necessity of their past resolutions to inform them of their intentions tending to Peace and to offer all their Forces for the security and liberty of the said Conclave But as they were ready to send their answer to Bichi the notice of the Popes recovering induces them omitting further Treaty of a Truce to hasten the conclusion of a Peace The Articles proposed by the Cardinal had in several Assemblies been ventilated where rejecting some and correcting others they were at last concluded by the common consent of the Confederates and the Cardinal having a mind to carry them with all speed to Rome was received in all places of the Ecclesiastick State with the acclamations and prayers of the people longing for Peace Nor in approving of the project was there any difficulty made by the Pope or his Nephews by whom were only altered some few words but of no importance Passing then with the same diligence through Florence he returns to Venice with the Treaty signed by Donghi and with his Powers in which the Confederates having desired some amendment in the expressions no difficulty was made The Duke of Parma refused to admit the Treaty in other form than that agreed at Venice but he was by the League given to know that there being an agreement in substance and the few words changed at Rome not altering it at all the end being accomplished for which the Princes had united when the Powers of Donghi should be received in the form desired their intention was to proceed to the conclusion though without his consent With this protest and a Voyage Cardinal Bichi made to Parma to render him that respect which was the thing he aimed at he also was perswaded to approve it So that it was subscribed in Venice for France by the Cardinal Bichi for the Republick by Giovanni Nani Cavalier and Procurator by the Cavalier Giovanni Battista Gondi for the Grand Duke and for Modena by the Marquess Hippolito Estense Tassoni in whom the Plenipotence appeared to be The Capitulations were divided the one agreed by France with the Pope in that which concerned the Duke of Parma who for the observance of what was promised had given a Writing to the said King the other concluded immediately betwixt the Pope and the Confederates In the first some wonted expressions being premised concerning the Popes zeal to Peace The King besought him for absolution and pardon for Edward That so the Excommunication being taken off from his Dominion he might be restored into the favour of Urban desired by the Duke himself with the humility which was expedient
the makers of it themselves divulged the conclusion and endeavoured to suppress the Articles gave cause for due considerations Nor was the business so secretly carried betwixt the two Kings but that the Princes Confederate with France had a scent of it But the appearances of War the refuse given to the Popes mediation and the firm assurances of the principal Ministers of that Crown had made them confident of the contrary From the time the Cardinal Legate was at the Court of France it was discovered that the Marquess de Mirabel Ambassadour of Spain had insinuated that it belonged to the greatness and authority of the Crowns to convert the mediation of others to their own arbitrement and by agreeing betwixt themselves to impose the Law to others Olivares afterwards in Spain dealt with Fargis the French Ambassadour to the same purpose with such instance that to sound the bottom Monsieur de Rambogliet under pretext to congratulate the delivery of the Queen was sent from Paris to Madrid From discourse they passed quickly to the Treaty and from the Treaty to the conclusion During the Negotiation frequent Courriers ran to and fro and as it was no easie matter to discover the precise conditions the knowledge so much as of a Treaty being kept from every body but the two Favourites and very few of their Confidents so it was manifest that some great matter was in Treaty and the secrecy made it the more suspicious The Ambassadours of the Republick and of the Prince of Piedmont who were in the Court of France to sollicite the re-inforcement of their Armies concealed not their Jealousies because besides the obligation to which the League did bind not to treat or conclude a part expedience required that they should be Parties to the Treaty who had a common interest in the charge and hazard of the War But some believing though falsely the loss of reputation and faith less than that of private interest it was so far that the chief Ministers had communicated the project or the conditions which were negotiated in Spain that rather with constant asseverations and oaths they denied that there was a Treaty At last that secret being slippery which though the tongue concealed the face declared the Confederates found themselves to be deluded and complained bitterly of it Schomberg in conclusion confessed the Treaty affirming then that some Propositions were come from Olivares but so unworthy that being scorned and rejected by France they had not deserved communication to the Princes their Friends That the Ambassadour Fargis had since transgressed in signing certain Articles prejudicial and contrary to the designs of the Confederates but that the King was not only resolved to disavow them but to recal Fargis and severely to punish him All this aimed only to temper the taste of the Venetians and Savoyards imbittered to extremity to digest by little and little a business so displeasing for the truth was the Articles by direction and approbation of both the Crowns had been sealed in Barcellona where the Catholick King was though they appeared to have been under-written some days before in Monzone and therefore the Cardinal Barberins landing just at that time in Barcellona was believed in some measure to cover the dis-respect which accrued to his own reputation and the dignity of the Pope by not giving way nor place to his Mediation The Treaty which was called of Monzone contained many Articles in the beginning whereof the Worship alone of the Catholick Religion being established in the Valley and in the two Counties adjacent it seemed that other Affairs were to be restored to the state in which they were found to be in the beginning of the year 1617. with abolition of all Treaties and every other thing which had been made or had happened since that time But this came to be destroyed rather than restrained by other conditions for taking away all substance of Soveraignty from the Grisons free Election of Judges and Magistrates was yielded to those of the Valteline the three Leagues were prohibited in a manner to oppose themselves nay were so straightly obliged to the confirmation that they remained deprived also of this apparent right if they should but prolong or deny it In recompence a certain yearly Pension was assigned which the people of the Valley were to pay the Grisons the sum to be limited by Deputies of both sides and this and every other Prerogative should be forfeited besides the resentment of both the Crowns by Arms if the three Leagues should not content themselves with thus much and should in any manner disquiet the Valley or pretend to impose Garrisons there The care over the exercise of Religion was committed to the Pope who in case of innovation advertising the two Kings of it was to sollicite the remedy from them the Forts in like manner were to be delivered into his hands to demolish those which had been built from the year 1620. forwards It was imposed upon the Grisons to lay down Arms and the Crowns were presently to suspend their Auxiliaries in the difference of Duke Carlo with the Genouese offering themselves to interpose that both Parties might perform it and that cause be made an end of They reserve to themselves at last the interpretation in case of any difficulty in the present Treaty which by other private Articles was yet made worse for the Grisons and those of the Valteline not agreeing about the Pension or the Duke of Savoy not according with the Genouese about the business of Zuccarello the Crowns assumed the decision to themselves In sum capitulating all rather like Arbitrators than as Princes of contrary Parties and different Interests Many believed that the two Kings and their chief Ministers being with so much secrecy thus agreed had their aim to divide the care or rather the Dominion of the World prescribing Laws to inferiours and promising themselves reciprocal assistances to oppress their Envyers and Enemies subdue the Protestants and Hereticks divide England and share Europe betwixt them But others considered that the interests of France and Spain being incompatible what between the emulation and the power no other effect in this Conjuncture could happen but that which is seen in bodies which possessed by two spirits are strangely tossed up and down and from thence did foretel that the present friendship would quickly break out into greater contests and a more sharp War In effect the Treaty was penned in terms very differing from those which lodged in the heart of their Authors such a Union so extemporary taking its measures at that time only from occasion and interest The two Ministers had no other aim but to deceive each other Richelieu sacrificed all considerations whatsoever to appease a furious storm which with danger to involve the Kingdom in a Civil War was rising against his Authority He had besides a great desire to subdue Rochel and humble the Huguenots and no less passion drove him to vent his revenge against
and giving life and liberty to all except the Mother and Sister of Rohan who by perswasions and example having prolonged the Surrender he commanded to be kept in Arrest not so much for punishment as to have the means to bring the Duke more easily to obedience He dis-infranchised the City demolished the Walls except on the side towards the Sea leaving Rochel little else remarkable but the memory of a strong place and the renown of a memorable Siege True it is that it was much contested in the Kings Council whether Rochel thus reduced ought not to be kept with a strong Garrison as a bridle to the Huguenots and the repulsing of Strangers and the Cardinal did not disapprove it as he aspired to take the direction and government of it but discovering that the King with whom he did not yet enjoy that absolute power which length of time and happiness of success afterwards gave him had secretly promised it to Monsieur de Thoiras he chose rather to see the place razed to the ground than in the hands of another Whereupon from the labouriousness of the Siege recollecting the danger which from the Commanders themselves if they should revolt from the King might happen of falling into the former evils and shewing that Brouage which but a few Leagues off upon the Sea he had caused to be fortified for security of the Salt-pits did plentifully supply the benefits pretended he easily brought to pass that the pulling down the Walls was reputed the most remarkable Trophy and greatest advantage of this Conquest By this most happy issue of the enterprise which had been believed by few and was envied by many the counsels of the Cardinal got more credit and esteem and the King publickly attributing the merit of it to him heaped honours upon him to such a degree that his Fortune as a sign from Heaven was venerated as the destiny of the French with predictions of greater Dignities and was looked at by Italy as the Pole of their own hopes The season far advanced furnished therefore those of the Queen-mothers Faction with pretexts considerable to reprove the thought of succouring Casal and in particular the Kings going into Italy The discourses in the Council were That the Army was wearied out and the Souldiers in disorder from the sufferings in so long a Siege That an unreasonable Voyage was now proposed to traverse the whole Kingdom and to pass over the narrow and steep passages of the Alps subject to Treacheries and disputed by the Enemies Forces That Winter was coming on and how an Army could march and the Cannon pass through the Snow and over the Ice The nature of those craggie situations had at other times been overcome by Art but now by the rigour of the season Art it self was overcome by Nature The Forts Arms and Strengths of the Savoyards were to be considered who if with a handful of men they repulsed Uxelles in the Summer how will they not shut the passage at present when all things contribute to their advantage The Countries near to Italy were found to be infected with the plague In Italy it self the people perish for want of bread To what purpose then expose to hazard the Army that conquered Rochel or rather the remainder of them that beat the English not only to military Factions but to Plague and Famine That Souldiers who had overcome the Sea repulsed the Enemy and chastised the Rebels deserved other rewards than to be carried beyond the Mountains to a Grave as the scraps of glory and no less of obedience That it was uncertain whether Casal could endure the length of such a March and if it should yield to necessity whilst the Alps were forcing and the Army was getting into Italy what way remained there more open for going forward than that of a dishonourable return That it was therefore judged the most warrantable counsel since the season necessitated the delay to except the issue of things sound the minds of the Princes and after resolve upon the way either of Treaty or Arms. To these considerations were added the complaints and tears of both the Queens for Lewis having a feeling of some little indisposition they exclaimed that Richelieu not content to have kept the King in the Marishes of Rochel and the unwholesom Air of the Sea would now expose him to the colds and inconveniencies of the sharpness of the Alps. Many were of opinion that before ingaging the Forces elsewhere it was fit to conclude a Peace with England knowing also that Rohan had an Army in Languedoc and some Towns and that the Duke of Savoy to encourage him offered to enter into Dauphiné and assistances were promised from the Spaniards and to adjust them in the Name of Rohan himself Monsieur de Clausel going with the Abbot de Scaglia to Madrid had made an agreement with Olivares that money being furnished him by that Crown he together with his Party should continue the War in France And therefore Richelieu having often experienced that in the attempt of great things Fortune made them succeed above expectation greater insinuated to the King the just motive to shew the Spaniards his resentment of former injuries and the offences of a later date by justly revenging himself for the assistance they had promised to the Huguenots by maintaining the just cause of a Prince in his own Kingdom and by redeeming Italy from present oppressions and thereby satisfying the perswasions of the Pope and the instances of the Venetians His considerations were That the difficulties which opposed the succours were the Mountains the Season and the Enemy but that nothing was invincible to the courage of the Nation nothing impossible to the power to the greatness and felicity of a King so pious That when he had once set foot in Italy the affections and partialities of several Princes would be stirred up and those who under the yoke for present fear bemoan silently their condition would be the first that with greediness would breathe liberty again and shake off the Chains That the Forces of Carlo Emanuel were weak to make resistance in so many situations and parts as there are passages leading to the Mountains and if the Spaniards would joyn to make opposition at the foot of the Alps they would be forced to rise from before Casal So that Fame and Glory being the fore-runners the Victory would be without hazard without blood and without contest But that nothing could be atchieved without the Royal Presence by reason of the Genius of the Nation which though it undertakes with heat yet quickly grows cool when the eye of the King does not quicken and inflame it That it drew along with it the Guards a People inured to War and faithful it attracted the flourishing and valiant Gentry preserved Obedience and Discipline made difficulties and wants be born dangers be overcome battels won and impossibility it self conquered where the Person of the King distinguished courage from baseness
Citizens rather than by her own strength or the assistances of Strangers With these better times began the Principality of Francesco Erizzo assumed to be Duke after the death of Nicholo Contarini with great applause for having through the course of many years assisted the Country with counsel and joyntly defended it by Arms. And because he held the Generalship of the Terra firma there was put into that Charge as his Successor Luigi Giorgio at that time Proveditor in the Army But States being like the Sea where it fluctuates though there be no storm there arose at this time several diversities in opinion and unkindnesses with the Pope which though they molested not Italy with Arms distracted nevertheless mens minds with troublesom business Vrban after the death of Francesco Maria della Rovere the last Duke of Vrbin had united to the Church that most noble Fief And because during the life of the Duke who was now grown very old he kept a Prelate in that Country which assisted in all affairs he had after his death so little trouble to possess himself of it that Taddeo Barberino Prince of Palestrina entring into it with Souldiers to take quietly possession of it it looked as if the old Dominion was rather continued than another new one introduced The Pope under the pretext of the Commotions of Italy was already in Arms expecting this accident to the end that if in so great a confusion of affairs any body should go about to disturb him he might be able to maintain his right with a puissant Force But the Princes rather offered him to strives their assistance and exhorted him to invest his Nephews with it some believing to oblige him others by dismembring that State desiring that the Church should not so much increase its temporal Dominion The Pope having regard to the severe Bulls of his Predecessors and apprehending to leave to his House a Patrimony of unquietness and trouble rather than a peaceable Dominion made shew to think his Kinsmen more worthy of the Principality by refusing it than by retaining it He only confers as the Spoils of so noble a Conquest upon his Nephew Taddeo the Government of Rome a long time enjoyed by the Family of Rovere This dignity retains a certain ancient and venerable memory of the Praetor Praetorii in the times of the Caesars of so much esteem and authority though at present there remained nothing of it but the dress and the name From hence brake forth a great distaste with the Princes because the Prefect or Governour pretending precedency of Ambassadours who in the most solemn Functions assisting at the Popes Chair of State representing the members of all Christendom united to their head did all dissent from it The Barberins attempted to gain the Emperour because from his example other great Princes would certainly depend and they omitted not any means offering him great succours and powerful assistances But in vain for the Emperour resolving not to depart from what was fit and complaining that Merchandize for private respects was made of his necessity pulled upon him by maintaining of a cause in which Religion had the chief part orders his Ambassadour to abstain from the Churches and the other Ministers of the Crown followed him considering the Pope in his own house and in the cause of his Kindred Uncle and Party no less than a Prince From this common distaste of the Princes rose afterwards a particular one of the Venetians for Giovanni Pesari Cavalier Ambassadour of the Republick meeting casually in a street with the Prefect who stopping his Coach and the other not observing it by reason of the obscurity it being now late though he civilly caused an excuse to be made for it yet the Prefect taking offence at it meets him another time on purpose having corrupted the Ambassadours Coach-man who feigning that his Hat was fallen off staid the Horses and run his way Pesary was no sooner got home to his house but the Coach-mans flight was backed by some armed men to rescue him from the punishment he deserved The Court of Rome always talking and always greedy of occasions for it measuring things by appearances and shadows judges such Formalities to be of no less account than bloody Battels and important Conquests use to be esteemed elsewhere An. Dom. 1632 It being on this occasion in some disorder and the other Ambassadors taking it for their common interest offer themselves to the Venetian to do him right The Senate knowing that by the support of the Uncle the party of the Barberins would be too strong in Rome order Pesary that for a publick resentment he should immediately leave the City without taking leave of the Pope or his Nephews and at Venice they suspend giving audience to the Nuntio With this another disgust was interwoven upon occasion that Vrban at a time which was judged very unseasonable while Christendom was in a flame and Italy destroyed betwixt War and Plague had in the year past by his Bull decreed to the Cardinals the Ecclesiastical Electors and the great Master of Malta the Title of Eminence forbidding them to receive any other except from Kings The Republick notwithstanding continued to write in the stile accustomed but some of the Cardinals taking occasion from the affliction which they saw it would be to the Pope and his Kindred refused the Letters to the great resentment of the Senate There were added sharp contests betwixt those of Loreo subjects to the Venetians and those of Arriano which belong to those of Ferrara where the Cardinal Palotta the Legate disturbing the undoubted Confines of the Venetians by imprisonings and other mischiefs shewed an intention to attempt greater novelties by erecting new high-ways making the Po useless and changing the course of the Waters Nor were the Venetians wanting by equal mischiefs to repair themselves but Luca Pesaro Captain of the Gulph entring into the Sacca di Goro with certain Gallies and armed Barques stopped the Ships which with Victuals and Merchandise contrary to the Decrees of the Republick passed by Sea towards Ferrara He destroyed also in the River the works newly made to divert its course whereupon spirits imbittering it looked as if things would have proceeded further because Troops increasing on both sides the Ecclesiasticks on their Confines raised a Fort called delle Bocchette and the Venetians opposed another calling it della Donzella ANNO MDCXXXII To the end this first heat of Arms might not proceed to greater ingagements the French Ministers interposed proposing a suspension of offences and that the Souldiers should be withdrawn from those Borders where just at that time the Agreement was ready to be concluded it hapned that in an occasion some of those of the Popes were killed and thirty three taken Prisoners with hurt on the Venetians side But the Pope and the Republick giving their promise to King Lewis not to offend one another by Arms and to remove the souldiery there remained a larger field
Conquests and it was agreed That the King coming towards Italy the end of the year should somewhere near the Alps speak with his Sister to concert the succours and give her reputation among Strangers and the people by so evident an appearance of his protection and kindness But a more lamentable accident confounded and cast affairs into greater disorder for that Leganes marching to relieve Cuneo and divert the French from that enterprise Prince Thomas secretly separates from the Army with a thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and with Ladders and Pettards coming to Turin where he wanted not Intelligence climbing by night that which was called the Green Bastion and throwing down the Gate of the Castle putting some few French to flight which upon the sudden Alarm were flocked thither takes the Town The confusion was such as in surprises uses to proceed from the darkness the noise and fury of the Conquerours and from the distraction and terrour of the conquered The Prince restrains though with trouble the Souldiers from pillage not to provoke the people so well affected to his name Upon this success the French were forced to rise immediately from Cuneo and come near to the Citadel of Turin to strengthen it and to withdraw the Dutchess who had scarce had time that night to save her self half cloathed with some Ladies and certain Ministers Leganes with excess of pride for so great prosperities coming into Turin would have the Citadel besieged for that taken as it seemed not difficult to him in that constitution of things French succours would be excluded out of Italy and Casal remain a secure conquest to him But in regard he pretended to garrison it with his own Souldiers the Princes with opposite ends ere they would apply themselves to the Siege required security that that and other places gained undoubtedly rather by the reputation and favour of their presence than the power of the Spanish Arms might be consigned into their hands Thus discord beginning to insinuate it self the felicity of those Arms was then at a stand when it appeared to proceed with the greatest prosperity This state of things caused great apprehensions in Italy it being doubted lest all at last making way for the advantage of the more powerful the Spanish Greatness would extend it self to the Alps. The French making use of this reflection stirred up the Princes of Italy both with the fear of the progresses of Spain and with the hopes of their succours to take part in the Cause of the Savoyards The Pope doubting that all tended to divide that Country betwixt the two Crowns endeavoured by all sorts of offices to reconcile the Princes to their Sister-in-law Nor were the Venetians notwithstanding the distraction towards the Levant exempt from the instances of both the Crowns for Monsieur d' Vssé for France sollicited that they would give assistance to the Duke of Savoy and conspire in the aims of that Crown nay from instances passing to the considerations of common concern and weighty dangers he did in a manner upbraid them That forgetting their ancient Customs they neglected the publick good for private offences That the present business did not concern Vittorio deceased but an innocent Orphan Do then hatreds betwixt Princes last eternally The friendship of the Republick was deserved by all those that equally loved the liberty of this Country and have a common interest in it That the question now was concerning the enslaving of all Italy and while uncertain dangers were feared from the Turks side evident mischiefs were advanced by the yoke of Spain To what purpose had she heretofore defended Piedmont and in Piedmont Italy with money blood and counsel nay with indangering her self if at last neglecting it she should now leave all in prey to the Spaniards That in other times on appearances and threatnings and not only upon Invasions she had been justly moved had called in Friends stirred up the World opposed Forces but now unlike her self forgetting in a manner the recent Hostilities of the one and abhorring the ancient friendships of the other carelesly beheld the issue of things By the Conquests of Monferrat and Piedmont succours are excluded out of Italy and the Alps shut up to France but what does that import King Lewis bating his great care of his friends who might elsewhere more profitably extend his Confines and enlarge his Conquests The Senate was to consider of it and the other Princes to give their minds to it for the disadvantages were at present such as could not be repaired with good offices much less with desires or counsels That States were defended Friends preserved and Publick Good protected with resolutions with arms and with actions not with cautions and reserves interpreted by the Enemy for fear and a superfluous awe To such apprehensions the Count della Rocca the Ambassadour of Spain to remove Jealousies opposed a Discourse no less effectual he assured That his King had no intention but to assist the Princes for the advantage of the Duke whose Countries under pretext of aid and protection were seen possessed by the French That the Governour of Milan did not though on a subject so just ingage so much of his own accord as exhorted intreated and implored by the Princes themselves and the people Whilst the Dutchess opened the Gates and the Towns to French Garrisons why should it not be lawful for the Spanish Armies to oppose and prevent those that designed by the Vsurpation of Piedmont the oppression of Italy Are then the Spanish Garrisons more to be suspected by the Princes than the supplies of French Forces Let them behold in Pignarol and in Casal what was the issue of the Tutelage or of the assistances given by that Crown Let there be a composure of all things let its own be restored by all to the House of Savoy and of Mantua let Italy be put into its pristine state and the disturbers of the publick quiet excluded and let the World afterwards be Judge which of the two Kings with a mind more upright is inclined to Justice and to Peace He pressed besides that the Count della Manta might be admitted to Audience sent by the Princes to Venice under pretence to inform the Republick of their Reasons and Rights but aiming peradventure more secretly to procure them some private assistance to form that party which they had in their thoughts independent from the Crowns But the Senate refused to hear him answering as to the rest in the same expressions equally used to the Ambassadours of France and Spain exhorting to a general Peace and above all to the tranquillity of Italy They alledged their just suspicions of the Arms of the Turks which if at present they involved the Republick in apprehensions and troubles tended to greater advantages against all Christians If such reasons had any force to render the two Kings satisfied with the Republicks Neutrality they availed nothing for conciliating a Peace it appearing every day more
Then sixty days after the Ratifications Edward was to retire out of the Stellata and Bondeno the Fortifications being demolished and Castro was to be rendred by the Pope with every thing confiscated and possessed the Fortifications also to be razed and the Ammunition and Arms any where introduced to be reciprocally withdrawn To the Montists remained their Rights as before the War Prisoners were restored and those pardoned which had served on either side the Duke obliging himself to disarm Garrisons necessary for his Country being excepted All this as hath been said passed betwixt the Pope and the King who by consent of the Pope himself promised to imploy his Arms against him that on his side should fail in performing the things promised The other Capitulation correlative to the above-said and subscribed the same day declared The Confederates to have taken Arms for no other cause but for the redintegration of Duke Edward firm as to other things in their most constant obedience towards the Pope and the Holy See it was agreed after the subscribing to suspend Hostility and the Vnited Princes promised the Ratifications being dispatched to retire their Forces within their own Confines leaving only necessary Garrisons in the places possessed and them also after sixty days to quit the Fortifications being demolished the Ammunition and Arms belonging to them being withdrawn It was reciprocally agreed to demolish within each others Country the Fortifications towards the others Confines which had been raised by the occasion of this War giving each to other the List of those he pretended should be razed and having the liberty to send Ministers to see it executed Betwixt the State Ecclesiastick and Tuscany not any novelty of moment having happened all was left in the condition things were at present the Controversie of the Chiani being referred to the ancient Capitulations betwixt the Pope and the Grand Duke To the persons and places which had served or had rendred themselves to the other Party pardon was granted the Duke of Cornia being expresly named and Prisoners were set at liberty the Religious persons who had withdrawn themselves having permission to return and the Sequestration of the Rents of the Knights of Malta being taken off All Rights were clearly reserved to the parties as before the War all pretension to satisfaction for damages received was excluded and disarming was promised except that of the Venetians who accustomed before this War to keep a body of men promised to dispose of them into such places as should give the Ecclesiastick State no jealousie For the execution of all this Hostages were given to the King of France and the King to the satisfaction of the Pope and of the Confederates declared that his Arms should be in favour of him that executed the accord and against those that observed it not The Powers of Donghi being come adjusted to the satisfaction of the Confederates the Peace upon the first day of May was published with a publick Mass in the Church of St. Mark at Venice The Hostages delivered at Casal were for the Pope the Count Frederick Mirogli for the Venetians Ridolfo Sbrogliavacca both Serjeant Majors de Battaille the Commendator Grifoni for the Grand Duke and for Modena the Marquess Tassoni The Duke of Parma coming to Venice renders thanks for protection to the Senate from which he declared to acknowledge the restauration of his Country The entire execution of the Treaty was by common consent prolonged for thirty days because the work of demolitions required a greater time and labour than had been supposed and the Venetians lent Pioneers for that of Bondeno and that of the Stellata Duke Edward taking little care for them as places far distant from his Countries And yet there hapned a difficulty for it being pretended by the Venetians that some Works about Comacchio should be slighted the Pontificians refused to do it as of a place not so near the Frontiers not without suspicion that they from thence sought to put a stop to the Peace But the Republick to take away all pretext consents that they should proceed in the rest leaving this point undecided being ready to refer it to the interpretation of the King of France as Mediator of the Peace Thus Castro was rendred and the accord on all sides executed to the great commendation of the Cardinal Bichi who in the Mediation confirmed the opinion of his no less dexterity than wisdom The Senate caused most ample thanks to be rendred to the Crown of France for its interposition by their Ambassadour in Ordinary Battista Nani Author of the present History Son and Nephew of Giovanni and Battista both Brothers by reason of many Imployments frequently mentioned The Grand Duke sent thither a Gentleman of his express and the World from this particular adjustment of Italy conceived good Presages of the general one of the Crowns to the end that Wars after so many years continuance ceasing the felicity of Peace might at last reign every where with a blessing FINIS Errata perverting the sense PAg. 5. l. 12. r. if at all times l. 13. r. gotten great commendations p. 8. l. 42. r. who still p. 9. l. 18. r. that for the succession p. 10. l. 10. r. with great plainness l. 41. r. and that the Princes p. 11. l. 10. r. of l. 11. encompass them p. 12. l. 20. r. saw Italy in ashes l. 28. in resenting injuries l. 33. Town shut for p. 13. l. 13. robbing by night l. 18. by the major part p. 18. l. 12. of Land and Sea p. 19. l. 33. sacking the Territory p. 20. l. 29. with twelve Ships p. 21. l. 10. blood swilled l. 14. and tears l. 23. here the Carkasses p. 23. l. 7. with Treaties p. 25. l. 3. and to their friendly p. 27. l. 6. assisting p. 28. l. ult covers himself p. 29. l. 22. the security of p. 38. l. 44. than they are p. 36. l. 24. one of their Barks l. 25. dele this l. 26. Albania they still p. 41. l. 40. but that is an imperfect p. 42. l. 13. scourges and tortures l. 34. it The Indies p. 43. l. 21. enjoys his quarters p. 44. l. 23. perform it For the. l. 29. was sent a Regiment p. 45. l. 7. had with liberty l. 14. pension of 4000 p. 17. l. 34. pleasantly rises p. 48. l. 7. the Town of Castilione l. 28. beyond him p. 49. l. 12. with five Batteries p. 55. l. 11. little more open p. 56. l. 28. so many Posts p. 57. l. 24. yet near by l. 32. to have Ice and. p. 63. l. 12. to regain their l. 37. now the Republick p. 64. l. 36. del Don. p. 65. l. 35. in induced l. 46. the Governour p. 67. l. 42. your States your Treasures l. 46. your interests p. 69. l. 34. Remora to the. l. 39. shall be overcome with p. 70 l. 21. directed them p. 73. l. 29. The Assailants joined p. 77. l. 23. with ten Companies p. 81. l.
Nevertheless I have not suffered my self to be defiled with partiality but passing by the priviledge of venerable antiquity which to a face of Truth hath another closely adjoining that of Falshood I have chosen to expose my self to tryal and perhaps to reproof and that I might render a testimony of more authority to posterity to write of the present Age to the Age it self I know it is a sacred thing to compose Histories and not to be undertaken but with an upright mind and undefiled hands and that for that cause the memory of them was consigned to the Temple under the faithful custody of the Chief Priests as the witness or trust of those that went before and the treasure of those that should come after not to be handled but as a religious thing and with great caution In sum the Historian taking to himself an absolute Dictatorship nay an authority more than humane over times persons and actions governs fame measures desert penetrates intentions discloses secrets is with an undistinguished arbitrement over Kings and People the Judge of Ages past and Master of those to come absolves or punishes deceives or instructs Whence not without reason the Pen of Writers may be compared to that Lightning which striking out but one Letter from the Name Caesar Augustus made him a God because praise is a thing so tender that one dash makes illustrious and a little blot infamous and the censure of the world thereupon is so severe that it either consecrates to eternity or proscribes to infamy For my self Most Excellent Prince I know not what else to wish but that every one would take upon him to read this work with the same disinterest and innocent mind with which I have writ it confining my confidence to this one thing that the present Age will not be so unjust to me nor so ungrateful to posterity as to deny me the opinion of sincerity and the merit of obedience For the rest the August name of your Serenity which will be one of the principal subjects of my ensuing labour when I shall come to adorn it with the years made signal by your glorious Government is chosen the Tutelar Deity of this first part to that end the work may defended by the shadow of your protection at present as it will in a little time be made famous by the splendour of your Heroick Virtues which being acknowledged by this our Age for peculiar gifts from Heaven to our Country will be reverenced in time to come as Examples in a free Common-wealth of a great Patriot and a greater Prince I presume not to insert my private observances towards your Serenity amidst the publick considerations of my duty I only implore a benign reflection of your powerful approbation as a comfortable Ray of that fortune with which your Serenity Governing with happiness and wisdom after glory gotten in the dangers of so long a War shall confirm with Victory and Peace perpetuity and security to our Country Of Your Serenity The most humble and most devoted Servant BATTISTA NANI THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1613 THE FIRST BOOK THE Republick of Venice consecrated from its very beginning to Religion and Liberty had its prosperous birth in the fifth Age of our Redemption If it may be said that the age of States is better measured by power than time its Infancy lasted for many Ages during which with uncorrupted Laws and Manners and the security of their scituation they frustrated the fierce assaults of barbarous Nations and the ambition of other Princes The first time she took up Arms was in defence of Piety and Justice afterwards they were imployed against those who envying their Liberty went about to disturb their Quiet And so the Francks and Huns being repulsed in the inmost parts of their Chanels and Ports she began to be more considered and the Government through the Concord of the Citizens and the Authority of the Laws to settle and grow up into a more strong complexion Liberty was no sooner secured but there arose Contests about Empires The first undertakings in that Age were against the Dalmatians and Istrians Those of Ancona and others of the Sea-Coasts were also conquered so that having gotten with the price of Blood the dominion of the Adriatick Sea as a Patrimony she increased in Wealth and Power to such a degree that she not only repulsed but very often overcame the Hungarians Sarazens Greeks Normans and those of Pisa and Genova enriching her self with their States and spoils Her expeditions into the Holy-Land were very powerful united with the Francks she destroyed the Grecian Empire and alone undertook the Defence of Pope Alexander III with the success of her Arms abroad a thing that seldom happens she rectified all things at home and brought her self to that Constitution which at this Day we see her in equally durable and wonderful No body was able now to resist her at Sea and in the 15th Age of Christ she impowred her self with considerable additions at Land She got Friuli Padua Verona and Vincenza with large Territories and passing the Mineio squaring her Empire extended her Borders to the River Adda and Po. She had Romagna under Protection and Puglia in Mortgage But as she grew Great others grew Envious whereupon after the Year 1500. all the Princes of Christendom and some of them against the stile of their own Interest united to restrain her encreasing Power This was a terrible shock the Destiny of the Common-wealth alone being exposed to hazard against the Fortune of all Europe But the Prudence of the Government the Constancy of their Minds the Faithfulness of the Common People and the Reconciliation with France extricated all their difficulties Liberty in the close remaining unviolated and the Empire for the most part confirmed But her State which was to be looked at as the Basis of all Italy could not be in trouble without putting the whole Country into a Convulsion Insomuch that although the Venetians after the Peace of Bologn saw themselves in a Calm the rest lay for the most part under the slavery of Strangers The Common-wealth at this time was incompassed by Sea and by Land with two great Powers divided according to the four Cardinal points of the World East and South with the Ottoman Family and West and North with the House of Austria She therefore fixed her thoughts in the Arts of Preservation and of Peace watching upon what was fit for her and her Friends and for her own and common Liberty The Turks gave her two great Attacques by Sea in the Years 1537 and 1570. carrying away rich and great spoils But the famous Victory of Curzolary signed Peace for a long time during which they strengthned the Defence of their Empire beautified their City gave vigour to their Forces furnished their Arsenals and layed up a no small Treasure She maintained a very long quiet in Italy and though the Wars betwixt France and Spain did
Succession That the Daughter ought to go with the Mother not to separate the affections of Nature and to bring her up with that tenderness which is proper for a mothers care Under such appearances was hid a more secret mystery for as the Fief of Mantua did not admit to the Succession any but Males so by that of Monferrat Women were not excluded In Mary therefore was considered the security of that important State and therefore Carlo desired to have her in his power For grant that Practice and Right have excluded Women when any of the Male-line is remaining of a degree never so remote nevertheless if to his own right he should have been able to joyn that of the Princess there was no doubt but it would have much strengthened the cause Ferdinand that well knew what those instances meant defended himself with several conveniencies and excuses That the Dutchess could not stir from Mantua while she carried in her womb the pawn of the felicity of that State That it was not the custom that the Princes of Gonzagui should be born in any other place than where they command That his Niece much less ought not to be removed out of that house where possibly Fortune designed her Heir and Mistress If the object of the Palace of Mantua were a place too sad and mournful others were not wanting and particularly that of Goito wherein to divertisement was joyned safety and convenience But Carlo 's to the Governour of Milan who was John Mendoza Marquess of Inoiosa intimates that that business was to be managed by the Authority of Spain Was it fit that the Child Niece of the King should be brought up by him who was Vncle by the Fathers side and Competitor of the Command where should this tender Pledge of the Fortune of Italy be better placed than under the Royal care of him who is the Arbiter of it That the Child did possess in her self the right of Monferrat so near and important to the Milanese If she should carry it in Dowry to some troublesom and unquiet Prince and if wanting Issue male as from the Complection of the Princess was prognosticated the Line of Nivers now naturalized in France should come to succeed what would become of the Affairs of Italy and the Authority which without controul the King at present enjoys there These reasons which as the Report went were quickned with rich gifts moved the Governour to speed the Prince of Ascoli with a great number of Souldiers to demand with a high hand both the Child and the Mother Ferdinand was astonished betwixt wrath and danger It seemed a great matter that the only Issue of that Family should be ravished from its Fathers house But on the other side to the power and will of so great a Monarch there was no resisting Nevertheless taking counsel suitable to his fear and pretexts from the present state of Affairs he answers That his Niece being Niece to the Emperour and Queen of France he was not to dispose of her alone That he declined contest with his sister-in-law about the Guardianship and referred it to him who is Soveraign of the State With this Ascoli and the Prince of Piedmont depart either respecting the name of so great Princes or rather because unexpectedly meeting with a reluctancy in Ferdinand things were not yet concerted and adjusted to proceed further Ferdinand presently gives notice to the Imperial Court and into France of this jealous accident in which it appeared that the security liberty and dignity of all was concerned because betwixt power and violence there being no mean but that of reason if to will and interest right should give place nothing in the World would any longer be safe and unviolated Matthias of Austria was now Emperour of Germany and his Counsels as the World thought governed by Melchior Cardinal Gleselius and supposed that as the Prince so the Minister was little inclined to the Spaniards And therefore naturally abhorring all that was pleasing to them and holding it for a Maxime that the shadow of their Authority in Italy would more serve to oppress the Emperours than augment it the Emperour decrees That the Tutelage of the Niece did belong to Ferdinand absolving him from any defect of age required by the Common Law neither did the Queen Regent of France differ from that Judgment and being angry at the proceedings of the Savoyards declares her self to maintain the Decree giving them to understand that she would not endure that the Niece should be removed from her Fathers house and State not without some kind of threatning Carlo to resent it whensoever he should imploy Art or Force about it and with this it was believed that the designs of Savoy were for the present suppressed and the thoughts of Spain laid aside All this was seconded by the Council of the Venetians who having after the death of Francisco sent to Mantua under the pretext of private Affairs Ferrante da Rossi their General of the Artillery a great Confident of the Gonzagui had charged him to observe the tendency of things and the accidents thereupon By this means Ferdinand held a strict communication of all things with the Republick and still incouraged him not to bend under the weight and troubles of the new Government to maintain his Interest and the Decorum of it and to lose no time to make use of his dexterity among the great Princes and to procure with all his power the good offices and assistances of his Allies so to be able to make a counterbalance to Spain The Senate also pressed seriously Pope Paul V. the Emperour and the Crowns to awaken necessary reflections for the diverting these calamities and imbroilments which mature Judgment foresaw to be at hand But Margaret's supposed being with Child being now vanished with time Ferdinand above his Purple assumes the Title and Power of Duke and at the same time the Prince of Piedmont appears at Goito to carry away his Sister and his Niece now the pretext of her being with Child ceased There was there besides Isabella Dutchess of Modena only Sister of Margaret And here by artifices and fears Ferdinand was overcome to be content that his Sister-in-law retiring her self to Modena her Daughter should be carried thither also with solemn promises that she should be sent back to Mantua whensoever Margaret should have a mind to return into Piedmont But this Concert was no sooner divulged but France in particular ascribing the Dukes consent to his own inexperience and the corruption of his Ministers it was remonstrated to him to how many hazards he exposed that only Child and to how many cross interests he abandoned the Family What was the Duke of Modena able to do against the artifices of Carlos or the commanding power of Inoiosa He should have considered that by the Succession if God should inrich her with Posterity there would remain betwixt Mary and her Sons divided hopes pretensions and designs Ferdinand acknowledging
be invaded by a Prince who aspired to greater matters and who if he durst at present in the face of the Spanish Ensigns reputed with their shadow alone sufficient safeguards to those that depended on them possess himself of Monferrat would not be long before he set on foot his known designs upon the Milanese Mendoza was wavering betwixt publick considerations and his private affections and Carlos Emanuel to keep him in perplexities making as may be said a War of Wit with him now sending his Son the Prince Vittorio then dispatching Ministers and then again changing the persons all with various and vast projects with pressing instances excuses and submissions becalmed and confounded him His most special Offices consisted in Treaties that he would not interrupt his progress offering to render all again upon the recompense and satisfaction of his Rights Sometimes he declared that in the places taken by him he would set up Spanish Colours but would keep them by his own Garrisons He gave out that he would refer all his pretensions to the Arbitrement of the most Catholick King but his chief bait was to offer the Conquest of Casal to Spain contenting himself with the open Country if the King would consent to his keeping of Monferrat The Governour was not in a condition to embrace such offers how specious soever because besides the artifices of the Duke who before he could well consider one did still to confound his mind propose another of more hard digestion he knew that being disarmed if he should consent to the Dukes Propositions he left not only Monferrat as a prey but the Milanese it self exposed and that Carlo either to conserve his Conquests or to advance himself to greater designs might with the same facility either by calling in the French or stirring up the Italians have the opportunity to make use of the occasion to drive the Spaniards out of that Country For that cause shewing himself in appearance severe he intimates to him an entire restitution of every thing believing that the Authority of that Monarchy would have been a Weapon of sufficient strength even without force By the Pomp of the same he incourages the Princes not to fear disturbances in Italy and in particular Alphonso della Queva Marquess of Bedmar King Philips Ambassador with the Venetians assures them that without noise or trouble one of the Dukes should be restored and the other chastised That for maintaining the Peace of Italy the intentions of the King did concur with theirs That there was no cause to fear any body or any thing to be troubled at whilst the Power of Philip was still the same That his goodness would not admit novelty or disturbance in that Peace which was so happily enjoyed under the shadow of his Authority The Governour with various Arts fenced with the Duke of Mantua who often repeated the instance of succours perswading him to put himself into Casal to give courage with his presence to those Troops which he prepared for his assistance and to speak with him as he passed by Others admonished Ferdinand to the contrary because the Prince his Brother being in Monferrat it seemed not fit that both should go and expose themselves and be put in the power of the Spanish Ministers leaving the Niece in Mantua open to any treachery or surprise Yet to shew his respect to Inoiosa which was only that to which he pretended and to render that Civility which Savoy had practised by so often sending the Prince of Piedmont his Son he was willing to go to Milan whence from the discourse he had with him he brought away nothing but riddles and dark sayings and returned to Mantua with a terrible jealousie that the Governour were already overcome by Interests or affections of the Enemies Family Inoiosa having in former times born Arms under Carlos's Command and for a reward having the Marquisate of St. German conferred on him professed himself so straitly obliged to him that at his coming to Milan before he entred on the Government he had a desire to speak with him and carried both Presents and Favours This confidence thus begun was even to this present nourished by the Duke sometimes with publick Offices and then with means more secret From whence though in the Council of State discourses of the business and the motion of Troops were carried on against him with some kind of sharpness yet it was well known that there was a more secret Juncto of three persons only his Confidents which governed the mind of the Marquess and sweetned all This made the Duke so confident that although some Troops long in raising were sent to the Confines of Piedmont he nevertheless over-run all Monferrat laid it waste with Sword and Fire and devoured in his hopes the keeping of the rest All that therefore being insufferable to him which contested his pretensions and opposed his vast designs or discountenanced his taking up Arms he could not bear that the Venetians should give assistance to the Gonzaghi Provoked therefore with a vehement spight he calls Vincenzo Gussoni who resided with him Ambassadour for the Republick and complaining to him of it exhorted him to withdraw himself out of his Countries because the people having an ill impression of the assistance given against him he could not assure him of that security in his Court which the Law of Nations required to his Character The Senate from thence conceiving that the presence of their Minister was disliked by the Duke or suspected commanded him to depart But the Duke having resolved to set Italy on fire that he might make his advantage of the ruines and ashes ambition and wrath blowing him up seeing now the Spanish Army to face him threatned to bring the French into its bowels and when the Pope exhorted him to Peace he protested to overflow the Country with Hereticks and if the Venetians should succour Ferdinand he boasts that he would incite the Turks and bring Pirats into the Adriatick Sea The Spaniards proposing to themselves to make a War of Authority and to regulate the Interests of the Princes with their Mediation or the shew of their power by their Army were not at all willing that any body else should meddle with it But the Emperour believing his Authority so much lessened as that of the Spaniards increased deputed Francisco di Castilione that in his name he might bring things to a Treaty admonish Carlo and besides intimate to him the Imperial Ban if laying down Arms and restoring every thing he should not contain himself within more moderate bounds Mendoza provoked by the general clamor saw at last a necessity to arm And thereupon distributing numerous Patents throughout Italy Germany and Switzerland had in a little while a very gallant Army on foot Neither was Carlo wanting to himself but to his warlike Provisions interposes Treaty offering to deposite in the hand of the King of Spain his rights and the places possessed provided the Princess Mary
Precipices and Rocks and separated from the Milanese with narrow Ditches only How often may the seasons and the snow contest for me the passages from France The King hath the name the Queen the power The Marriages are desired the bonds to joyn interest with Spain are hastning If that Crown abandon me falling I shall be laughed at when I am down If I lay down Arms in the fear of my armed Enemy who shall secure me from blows Vpon the dispatch of a Courrier Armies are not so quickly ready for motion Whither shall I direct my complaints and who shall be the judge of my wrongs and my offences Reason without force is little differing from a trick of wit and on the other side force without reason passes for the height of justice With such reasonings the Duke counselled himself not to yield and Julio Savelli the Popes Nuntio having proposed that the Army might be consigned to the French Ambassador to the end the disbanding might be treated by a Peer with equal dignity he refuses it not to subject himself to the judgment of both while he contended with the predominancy but of one of the Crowns All the Spanish Ministers in Italy seeing it difficult to bend the Duke to the respect pretended by them sollicited Inoiosa that since he had threatned with so much earnest that he would not imploy force so faintly it seeming to them that the Arms of that Monarchy were fallen below that opinion of Invincible into which they had endeavoured to invest her But the edge of the affairs at Land by the Governours slackness seeming to be blunted they deliberate to imploy a maritime power to torment Piedmont on all sides The Fleet making a course into Sicily to defend it from the attempts which the Turks threatned in requital of what had passed the year before sailed within sight of Navarino where the Turks lay but without hazarding a Fight they losing two of their Gallies which were sent out to discover both retired Part of the Spanish with Philibert sailed into Spain but the Squadron of Italy with the Merchant Ships of Genoa which were in the Kings Service making a good body attempt the enterprise upon Oneglia The Dukes Territories face two ways towards the Mediterrarean the one where towards the West the River of Genoua terminates betwixt this and France the County of Nizza interposing it self with very strong places and a very safe Bay The other in the midst of the same River opening amongst craggy Rocks ashore where Oneglia is situate A little Town but more inward commands certain Vallies with many Villages The Spaniard finding they had not a power to attempt Nizza nor being willing by such an undertaking to make France jealous turned their design towards this other which being incompassed by the Genouese and divided from Piedmont by the cragginess of the Appenine was not to be relieved Alvaro Bassano Marquess de St. Croix coming near it with twenty four Gallies disbarks in the Territory of the Genouese and from within their Confines so near are they to the Town plants his Cannon to batter it The Marquess Dogliani defended that very weak place for five days having made some little Fortification at a Monastery At last renders it with honourable conditions and a part of the Garrison with the Cavalier Broglio enters into Marro a Castle upon certain steep Rocks which commanded the Vallies With the arrival of the Gallies of Sicily the Spanish Forces being increased to 5000 men Giovanni Girolamo Doria attempts to take it and succeeds sooner than could have been imagined because the Governour in a certain Faction was killed The Genouese having denied passage for the succours which under the Command of St. Georgio the Duke had sent he revenges himself by taking Zuccarello a Fief of the Empire protected by the Genouese and situated to do them great mischief In further resentment he had in his mind greater designs by the surprisal of the Citadel of the Capital City it self which was to be executed by certain English Ships but being discovered gave only to understand that amidst the straights of a most dangerous War his mind was still carried forth to great Conquests To manifest the friendship renewed with the Republick he had received in Asti the Ambassadour Zeno with all possible honour and having heard the inclinations and Councils of the Senate tending to Peace one day all fire and courage he spake to this purpose I deny not but the deliciousness of Soveraignty the good of Italy and the felicity of the World are placed in Peace But what is that Peace which an Enemy offers who hath War in his heart and in his hands Let us I pray draw it out in its proper shape and well consider if we can tell how to distinguish it from baseness servitude and infamy I do not see but an imperfect mixture which is compounded of these two Elements only Empire and Obedience The one I hold from Heaven common with the King The other is not known in my Family Liberty is a Twin of Dignity they have Chance Fate Accidents common the one is not offended but the other resents it Oh let us once resolve to attempt great things and not distrust Fortune We shall find that power which in perspective appears terrible to grow less from it self and vanish like a shadow if we shall have hearts to go near it Let us joyn our selves together and in that union vindicate the contempt Strangers have of Italy because at discord What cause more just to shake off the yoke which is made more insufferable by our own patience where can the Republick better imploy their Power their greatness of Mind and their Treasures than to the relief of an oppressed Prince and oppressed for no other occasion but because he would live and dye like a Prince The Republick hath large Confines with Spain but by this League may enlarge them even to Piedmont This State shall be all at her devotion and she shall be able to say that she environs the Milanese more than she is encompassed by it My own breast and those of my Sons shall be the Frontiers of the Republick If she attacque we will draw the gross of the Enemies force on this side if invaded we will divert the mischief with the hazard of our lives and blood God hath given to the Republick and to me two flourishing States which are balances to Italy scourges and tongs to the Milanese We have need to bind and unite our selves without delay for if the Spaniards should come to disadvantage one part the other will be made of no use We are both armed and to what purpose consume our selves betwixt jealousies and expences without other advantage but not to be overcome The Republick abounds in Arms and Money and to me men are not wanting What a number of people should we have begging passage if we had once declared War and I have the Keys of the Mountains We
Sons and arrives in October upon the Confines of Spain whither King Philip was come also The Kingdoms shewing equal magnificence each giving and receiving the Brides it looked nevertheless as if France only were to change Interest The little River Vidasso which separates the two Kingdoms joyns together at present the Spouses and nothing was wanting of that which from ambition and luxury could be added to the greatness of the Princes At the same instant of time the two Princesses in Boats loosing from the respective shores and it being observed that in the Spanish Boat there was a Globe representing the World placed under the Crown and Trophies of Arms the French would have it put out presaging as time the ordinary Judge of Events hath since made appear that from this Marriage in which the Spaniards placed the strongest foundation of the universal Monarchy is seasonably sprung up that contention which more than ever hath opposed it The Queen-Mother receiving her Daughter-in-law at Bourdeaux the Marriage being not consummate by reason of her tender age brings her to Paris The united Princes notwithstanding the opposition of Boisdauphin had passed the Loire but Conde being fallen sick in Poictiers the rest were easily perswaded to hearken to Propositions which the English Ambassadour and the Duke of Nevers made for an agreement whereupon the Treaty was concluded in Londun the Princes and others of their party according to custom rewarded An. Dom. 1616 who for their own profit easily gave over the pretext of their Arms. But the Spouses were no sooner exchanged in France but the Councils in Spain began to inveigh against the Capitulation of Asti because it was out of the way of the Dignity of that Crown and the usual Arts of its Ministers Above all others no man declaimed so much against it as Pietro di Toledo Marquess de Villa Franca a Minister who with bold and vehement counsels upheld the credit of those that shewed themselves zealous against it He was allied in blood to the Duke of Mantua and shewed himself so much the more averse to that of Savoy and emulating Inoiosa From his judgment therefore and from his inclinations he appeared fit for the Government of Milan and was thereto chosen with this clear argument that he was not a fit Minister for Peace who was the publick Author of Councils for War A forerunning order for shew at least was dispatched to Inoiosa that the Duke having disarmed he also should license stranger Souldiers whereupon Claudio Marini Resident of France at Turin bringing an attest to the Governour that there remained nothing to be desired on Carlo's part to fulfil the agreement he discharging only the Auxiliaries of the Italian Princes begins to reform the rest But behold Toledo unlooked for now arrives with a great supply of money and Inoiosa not able to bear the sight of him because as one that envied him he came in word and deed to discredit the past Government takes his Journey for Spain where the Governours of Milan having been accustomed to arrive with applause for having increased authority and enlarged advantages he being accused to have given occasion for discredit by having managed the Army weakly and the Treasure with little fidelity was subjected to censure in which being protected by the favour of Lerma the Judges differing in their opinions the King assuming the cause to himself absolves him Toledo now in Milan giving no credit to the disarming of the Duke excluding Marini from negotiating and declaring no more to acknowledge him for a Minister of the Crown of France laying aside the reformation of the Militia applies himself presently to the raising of new Forces ANNO MDCXVI In the very end of the year past Marco Anthonio Memo Duke of Venice dying Giovanni Bembo gave happy presages to the Commonwealth being taken up from the Procuratorship of St. Marco into the highest dignity after having gone through considerable Imployments and the Command of the Sea a person of much vertue and a decrepit age as is usual in the Government in which men rise to the height by long steps of merit and not by the favorable wings of Fortune The Venetians in the beginning of this currant year acquainting the Princes with the motion of their Arms and informing them of the necessity of making use of them added also their intentions to be as much distant from the desire of Conquests or the enlarging their State as they should be inclined to Peace when the causes of so many calamities being removed the Treaty of Vienna should be put in practice the Vscocchi should be sent far from the Sea that is they which imploy themselves in Piracy and under three distinct names of Adventurers Hirelings and Outlawed formed but one Colluvies of people who without other profession but thieving had wickedness for their trade The Archduke on his part failed not to represent to the Courts his sense and complaints of being invaded in his own Country which were variously hearkned to according to the diversity of interests and dispositions The Pope and France declared themselves to imploy their offices for Peace with equal zeal and affection In Spain the Ministers at first seemed in suspence yet offered their interposition and Toledo contented perhaps that the War should go on declared publickly in Milan that the Venetians had reason to seek just reparations but soon after seeking War more than the cause they changed their mind Although some discourses to give jealousie to the Venetians were scattered abroad of Ferdinands nearest Kindred the Emperor and Maximilian Archduke of Insbruch yet neither of them departed from Neutrality and the Grand Duke of Tuscany went no further than intreaties for the Peace and good Offices The Venetians appointing Ottavian Bono for Ambassadour Extraordinary in France caused Vincenzo Gussoni who had served in that Court for Ordinary to take his way to the Rhine to improve the affections of those Princes of Germany which called themselves of the Union to the end to oppose them to the Emperour if he should take part in the Interests of his Cousin with Arms and in the mean time inform them of the whole affair and of their reasons not at all separated from sincere desires of Peace which produced such an effect that the Duke of Wittemberg Head of it offered to send an Ambassadour to Vienna to mediate the Peace and the Elector Palatine moved Matthias with Letters very effectual But with Ferdinand the Negotiation proceeded not with a pace equal to the common desire for that Matthias solliciting him for a suspension of Arms accepted by the Venetians he offended at the Invasion of his Country sends Ecchemberg to the Emperour to offer him considerations how great the resentment ought to be after such offences and in case it should be thought necessary to admit of a Truce he yet understood that the places taken should be first restored On the other side the Venetians scorned such an extravagant Proposition
But to lose generously the State is a courting of Fortune to stand the shock of death is to yield a little before-hand to the right of Nature but to make himself a Slave what will it be else but to subscribe to the perpetual reproaches of Fame and to the contempt of Posterity Hitherto the Duke hath made resistance he hath done himself right and repaid injuries Mendoza 's provocations have not gone scot-free and now Toledo would overcome him with treaties promises and threatnings But Carlo supported by your constant friendship will equally despise their flatteries and their frights It properly belongs to your greatness and wisdom to blunt the edge of that injury which is offered to the Word and Honour of Princes and to resist that pride which thinks it self of no authority if not feared Does Philip possibly forget the so many Kingdoms which he enjoys largely scattered in all the parts of the world Do not the States of Italy suffice which heretofore made several Princes great If Piedmont be not added to it Monarchy it seems they conclude will fall to the ground without glory discredited and neglected It is O Fathers too true that ambition hath placed the Centre and from thence it seems they draw the circumference The Conquest of Piedmont is but a step of ascent to the Monarchy of Europe the States the Treasures Liberty Dignity this very Capital City which is the representative of the felicity and beauty of Italy is destinated in their hopes to spoil to fire and to slavery Now at length they thrust themselves into your rights they assume the interests they divert resentments and just revenge and under the specious title of assisting the weaker they aim at nothing but establishing Authority and Power What more remains there in Italy free and beautiful when the glory of this Republick and the generosity of my Prince shall be laid low Let those dangers and the foreboding of them be far from us O Senators let us joyn here that we may not fear their threatnings nor experience the loss of our Arms and if we shall be necessitated to make use of them the labour will be gloriously crowned by our constancy Carlo is displeased to be a burden before he can be of service to you but he has heretofore offered you all he hath and now he makes a present of his very will to you Direct his Arms by your counsels who therein will be your faithful friend and an inseparable follower in this cause in which not glory only but common safety is in question Scaglia by this discourse aimed to incite mens minds to those two affections which in Republicks composed of many are powerful enough the one relating to private men the other to Princes that is scorn and suspicion But Carlo at Turin to the Ambassadour Anthonio Donato used with great art incitements yet more moving for discoursing things more narrowly with themselves and of the means of defence he represented his state wasted with the late Wars incapable to withstand the burden for the time to come leaving him to comprehend that the Common-wealth not stepping in with effectual assistance he should be forced by necessity to some kind of agreement though disadvantagious in which case the whole power of the Arms of Spain besides that of the Archdukes might fall upon them alone The Senate being obliged to deliberate upon so weighty a matter it was the opinion of some that so many other Princes equally Trustees for the Peace of Asti standing Spectators or at least interposing nothing but desires and endeavours the Republick alone ought neither to espouse so great a quarrel against so potent a King Saying That Wars were the Crisis and most dangerous sickness of States subject to chance to accidents and the uncertainty of the remedies themselves If the Republick found one War at present not a little burdensom why would they distract their thoughts and forces into two several parts Have they possibly so much assurance of the Dukes faith or so great proof of his constancy that it is firmly to be believed that one day either beaten or flattered he will not abandon us must the Army of Piedmont be maintained by the Treasure of the Republick But what Treasury will be able sufficiently to supply two such devouring Gulphs The beginning of a War was ready and easie the progress of it difficult and the issue uncertain In sum that Fortune makes sport with Princes and that of Princes those prevail who with the greatest powers are able to weary the adversity of Fortune That the Republick in times of greatest straight was wont to make use of the prudence of Councils before the noise of Arms whilst in affairs most difficult time is the fittest and most wary Counsellor which oftentimes gains that which Fortune cannot give To the most powerful what is the benefit of being Conquerours And of the conquered how many are the dangers and losses which they reckon Their Judgment therefore was not to pass beyond the offices of a good amity with Carlo and that in other Courts they should imploy their exhortations to Peace But Nicolo Contarini a Senator of a warm spirit abhorring such slow opinions spake in this manner Whilst we lose the occasion of the present Conjuncture and thereby declare our opinions that affairs for the future will go on prosperously without our mingling in them we our selves by our own Counsels greaten the Enemy We have so long neglected injuries that now being proceeded to violence we ought no longer to suffer them nor indeed can we God presents us an occasion for our constancy and withal gives us for a Companion in it a Prince generous in common Interest Can we possibly have a mind to expect the enjoyment of our liberty precariously at the will of the Governour of Milan He violates Faith and Treaties forces Savoy to obedience threatens our Dominions which to you is so much the more compulsive or more miserable by how much reason and justice trod under foot by the more powerful do not give their votes for the Princes Shall free Princes then take up just Arms but at the good pleasure of another and must they expect no Peace but upon servile Conditions Let the generosity of Italy once awaken and let us hear words worthy of Princes But I would to God it were permitted at present to resolve upon that which the Dignity the Decorum and Expediency requires and that necessity interposed not with Counsels more resolute and precise Fathers if we will not have the War in our bowels we must resolve to nourish and keep it afar off Well is that Treasure spent and most happy those cares if they can remove from us the miseries the calamities and the mischiefs which Armies bring with them From Carlo what hostage of gratitude and what pledge of faith can we have more sincere than the drawing the Enemy into his own Country And if we will have him yet more secure how
where they were received with great applause of that Government which to the prejudice of their Trade receiving very unwillingly Law from the Venetians upon the Sea gladly heard this novelty of Ossuna's and incouraging it with publick services permitted that upon these Ships many of their Subjects should take imployment But Belegno following with seven Ships four great Gallies thirteen Lighters and fifteen armed Vessels Riviera doubting to be assaulted with disadvantage in that place setting sail with a fair wind crossed the Sea and came to Brindisi The Venetians followed him and not being able to fight them in that Port which was well defended with several Forts the Admiral which was Lorenzo Veniero letting fall his Sails defied him four hours long with Cannonades but the other not willing to come out to an ingagement he ransacks all the Coast of Puglia This motion of the Spaniards had not only disturbed the Venetians but greatly alarmed the Turks who taking jealousie came down in great numbers to the guard and preservation of their marine Coast and because Ossuna to the end he might ingage with him the Gallies of the Pope of Malta and of Florence published that he would attempt upon the Ottoman State The Ministers of the Venetians caused the contrary to sound aloud in all the Courts it appearing that he had sent to the Grand Visier Slaves and Peasants to gain him and with all sorts of offices incite him to make War against the Republick For this cause the said Princes did not only abstain from giving their Gallies to Ossuna but used all effectual means to divert him from sending abroad such rumours knowing that they tended to nought else but to provoke the Turk and draw him into the Adriatick to the disturbance of the Kingdom of Naples and the Ecclesiastical State also But Ossuna stopping at nothing so that he might gain at present from the boldness of the attempt fruit equal to the rashness of the counsel despising the conscience of the fact had brought into Naples as in triumph certain Merchandize as if it had been taken at Sea by his Ships though in truth it was the lading of the sequestred Ship of Rossi and meaning by this applause to spread his designs he sends Pietro Leiva with nineteen Gallies to joyn with Riviera They passed altogether to Santa Croce which belongs likewise to those of Ragusa and found at Lesina the Venetians inferiour in strength the Gallies of Candia being not yet joyned nor those ten others with some Ships which with all speed were making ready at Venice The Commanders then themselves not only crossed by the wind but counselled chiefly by the disparity of force applied to nothing but their defence placing on the Land certain pieces of Artillery in convenient places So the Fleets cannoned a whole day at random with more shots than blows and night coming on the Spaniards stood away before the wind taking a Ship of Sali There fell into their power also a Vessel of Holland which sailing with some Souldiers of those Levies was like to be taken by the Ships of Ossuna and thought to find in the Port of Ragusa a safe retreat but that Government permitting the Souldiery to pass by Land to Cattaro put the Vessel into the Spaniards hands who causing the Captain to be hanged turned their course towards Brindisi From such passages as these the Venetians more and more understood what weight lay upon them of Arms Jealousies and Negotiations resolving therefore to maintain themselves in liberty and safety they deliberate greatly to re-inforce their Fleet without weakening or distracting their Forces by Land Conferring the Title with the Authority of Captain General upon Giovanni Giacomo Zane they caused besides other provisions ten Gallies to be armed in Candia which with a 1000 Souldiers raised in that Island arrive at last in the Gulph to joyn with the Fleet after some retardment caused partly for fear of falling amongst the Spanish Ships which they knew were laid for them and partly for some regard had of the Turks Fleet which with two great Hulks and seven and thirty Gallies plyed to and again in the white Sea not so much to be taken notice of for their force or the courage of the Turkish Officers as for the Negotiations of Ossuna who commanding a nimble Frigat to the Captain Bassa had sent him for a Present a Kinsman of his till then kept Prisoner with the Spaniards and giving liberty to a hundred other Slaves invited him with such flatteries and with express Offices to infest the State of the Venetians and particularly to command their Fleet to fall upon Candia But the Turks themselves abhorring such wicked counsels set themselves rather to make a course longst the Coast of Calabria but without doing hurt that was of the least importance The Port being indeed throughly moved threatned the Ragusians for the reception given to Ossuna's Ships and invited the Republick to joyn Forces with them to suppress as they called those Magistrates the common Enemies But the Senate though provoked by the example of the Vice-King and invited by so grievous injuries not willing to confound the interest of State with Religion placed their defence in the justice of their cause and their own Arms not omitting every where and in all Courts the diligence offices and forces to resist so great a power The Spanish Ministers to terrifie with the fame of vast preparations gave out that the Fleet of Gallions accustomed only to the imployments of the Ocean coming within the straights of Gibraltar should advance into the Adriatick and that there was a new Armature of many Ships in Sicily rumours in a good measure believed from the proceedings of the Viceroy of Naples who strengthened the Squadron of Leiva with certain Gallies commanded by Octavio d'Arragona and gave liberty to the Vscocchi to rove every where and rejoyced already in the conceit that with their Barks they would brave it within the sight of the Ports of the Capital City taking Prises and doing mischief This obliged the Senate to dispose of certain Gallies for the guard of the Chioggia and to pick out in Venice a number of people fit to bear Arms who being new and therefore more apt to be discoursed of than they that were wont to be seen in War kept the people in no small unquiet During these apprehensions a false and short joy was the fore-runner of greater trouble The Mariners of a Packet-boat bringing Letters with information of what had happened about Lesina scattered a report every where as they passed either from their own invention or a willing credulity of others that the Venetians had obtained a great Victory of which some bringing the first notice the people greedy of the news and desirous of good success without giving time for greater certainty overflowed with such an excess of satisfaction that running up and down with crys of applause and making Bonfires in all the streets they were very near
is the highest part of Germany so it hath always been the most eminent Theatre of Rebellion and of Heresie and their minds almost in all times have been divided into various Sects That of the Communion under both Species exceeded any other having risen to that growth amidst the past dissentions of the Emperours Rudolphus and Matthias who to gain that sort of people had to strives inlarged the liberty of Coâ—science and consented to such Priviledges that the Protestants making use of the facility of the Concessions were by degrees through urgent importunities arrived to a parity with the Catholicks saving in the Crown and the Majesty of the Government These Indulgences were commonly called Letters of the Royal Authority so much the more tenaciously kept by the people by how much less pleasing to the Princes who by an ambitious necessity had granted them For this cause if any doubt arose they procured a restraint of them by judgments in favour of the Catholicks and Matthias being no sooner gone to hold a Diet in Hungary but there came forth a certain Decree in favour of the Archbishop of Prague and the Abbot of Bruno who had opposed the building of two Temples for the Hereticks upon ground belonging to them The Bohemians free from the bridle which the presence of Princes carries with it assembled about this in Prague and requiring a general Diet of the Kingdom to bring their grievances thither and to promote their advantages whilst Matthias so counselled by his chief Ministers denied and deferred it they parted in a Rout from the Colledge Carolino the 23. of May in the morning and coming to the Castle and going into the quarter of the Chancery and asking for the Authors of such a refusal finding the Counts Martinitz and Slavata with Philip Fabritius the Secretary esteemed the most zealous for the Catholick Religion they flung them out of the Windows The miracle of the success is convinced from the situation the view whereof gives the lye to the imprudence of those who with false inventions have gone about to blemish it because to the place from whence they fell there joyning a Precipice of a dreadful height before you come to the earth and being continued with a steep declining to the foot of the Wall forming a most craggy Ditch for the Castle all three of them falling right down and certain shots of muskets made after them were taken up without hurt only Slavata lightly scratched by the resistance he made nevertheless he was able to save himself in a house adjoyning Martinitz disguised went out of the City that very day and the Secretary hasted immediately to Vienna to be the first should bring the News The Mutineers bethought themselves that together with the chief Ministers they had precipitated peace hopes and pardon And therefore easily possessing and fortifying the Castle the ordinary Residence of the King they set themselves to maintain by a proportionable force what they had begun with so great violence The head of this commotion appeared to be Henry Count de la Tour who to his private emulation to Martinitz to whom had been granted the Government of Carlestein the place where the Crown of the Kingdom is kept taken away by Matthias from la Tour expresly from the suspicion of his haughty mind conjoyned the publick concerns of his Religion rather than his own interests for he by occasion of the same having been driven by Ferdinand out of his Countries with the loss of his Goods expected when he should come to the Crown of Bohemia to be used in the same kind The people therefore being moved with crys of liberty a name dear above all others when it is not as it often happens from ambition and interest abused and calling together the chief of them to a particular Conference he thus spake I call you not hither to yield me your obedience or your oaths neither do I aspire to the Crown or Scepter of this unhappy Kingdom but ready to run equal hazards with you I invite you to be Companions in your own liberty I see by your silence amazement united to the assent and not without reason because this unexpected light which Heaven here opens amidst the calamities to which we are accustomed comforts together and dazles Let us now begin to enjoy life and liberty the Soul it self Where are the most worthy Priviledges of the Kingdom of Bohemia Where is the reverent Authority of this unconquered People Where is the exercise of Religion so many times sworn to God forbid that Conscience that rare gift from Heaven should depend upon the will and promises of Princes This usurped Crown passes from head to head as the Revenue and Inheritance of one House and to establish an everlasting Tyranny being ravished before its time from Successors in spite of death is never suffered to be vacant Is not Dominion without peradventure the peoples Patrimony and the Dowry of the Common wealth and yet the Austrians without our consent have arrogated it to themselves What have we not hitherto suffered The use of life comes now to be denied us and the usufruit of the soul contested but all our past miseries will not be able to call to your remembrance but some imperfect representative of the Calamities to come In sum Rudolphus lived amongst us Matthias hath reaped us as the first fruit of his ambitious desires but what may we expect from Ferdinand unknown to us and in himself rigorous directed by the Counsels of Spain and governed by that sort of Religious Priests and people who detest with an equal aversion our Liberty and our Belief He hath been born and bred up in the abhorrency of us Protestants and why should we be forward to make tryal of it if the persons banished the Families displanted the Goods violently taken away demonstrate too cruelly to us that he would abolish our very being if he could as easily command Nature as he uses force Wo to you Bohemians to your Children to your Estates to your Consciences if you suffer Ferdinand to keep his footing in the Throne And when will you attempt to shake off the yoke if you have not courage to do it at a time when without power without guard the Kingdom is in your own power and that you have two Kings to oppose you one whereof is fallen and the other totters Assuredly you shall not be alone but as many Companions as you have in your Religion so many friends shall you have in Arms. All Europe will be moved and you shall see in your favour in some rise up the provocations of piety and in others undistinguished considerations of Religion and State Such commotions are like the great Rivers which rising from very small Springs increased by many as they run carry into the Sea the name of one and the waters of many Look upon those happy people of Holland who with more zeal than fear undertaking their deliverance from Captivity enjoy at present the
five watered by the River Adda situate in the midst of the Mountains in the extremity of Italy and seems cut out by Nature to divide States and separate Confines It hath Tirol towards the East and the Milanese towards the West on the North Rhetia commands it and on the South it borders with Brescia and Bergamo Territories of the Venetians The River discharges it self into the Lake of Como and on the one side and on the other a Plain is extended peopled therefore with many Towns and where the Mountains are any thing low abounds with Corn Wine and Cattel which feed it and by imparting thereof to Strangers inriches it also At its beginning and ending it hath as Appendixes the Counties of Bormio and Chiavena the first joyns to Tirol and pierces with vast high Mountains deep into Rhetia the other on this side of the Spluga declining into a little Plain faces to a Lake which though it be a narrow part of that of Como yet under a divers name is called the Lake of Chiavena All this Country subject to the Grisons sought with all impatience conjunctures and pretexts to withdraw themselves from their Dominion and matter of Conscience suggested to the people motives very effectual because the Leagues sending them Judges and Magistrates for the most part infected with Heresie it seemed by their founding of Colledges and building of Churches as if their aim were not only to spread it through the Valley but also to introduce it into Italy where the true Religion residing as under Wardship errours cannot be admitted or tolerated Upon this stock of universal piety the banished grounded their desire of being restored to their Country and Princes their interest the Austrians in particular who considered the Valtelline as in effect it is as a Gallery which uniting the Countries of Germany with those of Spain separates the Venetians and Italy from the assistance of Strangers The Count of Fuentes who more than any former Governour of Milan had inlarged his authority in that Province was wont to counsel his King that to put Fetters upon Italy Monaco Final and the Valtelline were to be possessed by him Of the two first the design proving easie the last as the most difficult was reserved for a better conjuncture the Grisons making themselves considerable by their adherencies as well as their strength and it appearing that the Venetians not only for their own but were easily moved for anothers interest The Count notwithstanding layes the first stone planting the Fort which commands the entrance into the Valley Ferdinand by fast bonds being now indissolvably united to Spain nothing was wanting for the convenience and strengthening of the common Monarchy but to conjoyn their States and if by possessing the Lower Palatinate a great passage was opened for Germany to communicate with Flanders by making themselves Masters of the Valtelline the one and the other were linked unto Italy The principal persons of that Valley and in particular the Piantaes and the Cavalier Robustelli offered to seize it with so much facility that Feria had no other thought but to enjoy the prize They represented the desires and invitations of the people groaning under the yoke of a base Government which having avarice for a Law sold Authority to Magistrates that they might expose Justice to sale to the people They considered the Order of Nature it self in that unhappy Country perverted where the worst possessing more authority than the better there remained nothing that was not venal Goods Life Honour nay Conscience it self nor could more wickedness be practised by the Judges nor more misery be endured by the people What better opportunity was to be looked for than this in which Rhetia torn to pieces with Factions is neither capable to command nor to obey no not to it self France was incumbred with its own discords and the Venetians while the Conjuncture favoured them did rather divert blows than resent them if given on a sudden they came to succeed happily Though Peace in Italy was at that time most necessary for Spain Feria nevertheless quickly assents to the Proposition for if it succeeded not it cost only the banishment or lives of some few and if it took effect he thought the advantage such as might deserve at least some little hazard and pains Besides the desire to signalize his Government he did believe he should not want excuses and accidents to colour his attempt nor devices or a Treaty to divert coming to Arms. These were the causes of the new War in Italy in the banished desire of liberty in the people zeal to Religion and in the Princes Interest of State and mutual Jealousies In the month of July began the Revolt of the Valteline into which there coming down by concert three hundred men out of Tirol the whole Country rising in a tumult of a sudden it seemed like a flash of Lightning which over-ran it in a moment The Governours of the Protestants in particular the Heads of the Families which were to the number of three hundred were killed and under the Cloak of Religion were committed execrable villanies much innocent blood shed Estates violently taken away and private revenges exercised The Catholicks immediately chose new Magistrates to sway this new Government and fortified certain places of importance with money from Spain From the Milanese also Souldiers came filing on and from the Fort Fuentes Cannon descended otherwise without this strengthening the fire would have been quenched while it was kindling The Count Giovanni Serbellione raised men for Feria but the name of the Pope was pretended the better to cover the design The Venetians more than any other seemed strucken with this accident because besides the increase of power to the Austrians by whom they saw themselves encompassed with a line of little less than five hundred miles they saw also the way stopped for any succours but from Levies in their own Countries And for that cause both to the Pope and to the Austrians they made serious remonstrances for Peace prognosticating the evils to come and shewed the distractions which would arise upon it Bur all offices being vain they apply to strengthen themselves stir up their friends and give vigour to the oppressed Judging that their advantage consisted in not giving time to the Spaniards and the formerly banished to settle themselves in the possession they exhorted the Grisons to a sudden attempt to recover what they had lost by alluring the people with a general pardon and security to the Catholick Religion in the Valley They perswaded also the Switzers upon the ground of their Alliance with the Grisons to take Arms and promised on their side to be assistant disbursing money to the Grisons and sixteen thousand Ducats to the two Cities of Bern and Zurich to arm two Regiments Indignation and common interest not prevailing so much with that people as gold and private profit moves them in Rhetia with that impulse of money they raised twenty
kept them on foot With this incouragement la Cadé and the Directorships took Arms pretending by forcible remedies to keep the Grisa in the ancient Union Pompeo Pianta the supposed chief Contriver of the disagreements was killed and Visconti with many of the Faction of Spain were forced to retire in great haste out of the Country because to the first fury of that inraged people nothing being able to resist the Catholick Switzers also with their Colonel Betlinger retired leaving Cannon and Baggage behind La Lega Grisa then joyned themselves to the other but Feria in hopes which quickly vanished to keep the Torrent of these armed people far from the Valley did not only strengthen the Forts but to facilitate the gaining of Chiavena caused an Invasion to be made into the Valley of Musocco which alone of the three Leagues is situate on this side the Mountains The Inhabitants though Catholicks yet for all that not inclined to the Spaniards having cold and ice for the defence of their situation hid themselves behind a great Trench of Snow whence sallying without being observed they so unexpectedly charged the Spanish Troops that leaving five hundred dead upon the place they retired dispersed by several ways into the Milanese Thus every day were their minds as well as Troops more and more imbrued in blood and the Venetians finding in the Princes of Italy more apprehension of the evil than resolution for the remedy had recourse again to the King of England by the means of Girolamo Lando ordinary Ambassadour representing to him the state of things to be in a condition of great contingency James with wonted magnificence of words answers That he took to heart the security and safety of Europe That the Interests of Italy were always in his eye and in his cares That he held the Republick above all in a choice confidence and constant friendship And did therefore declare that if his Son-in-law were despoiled of his Patrimonial Countries he would send a powerful Army into Germany to uphold him If the Hollanders should be invaded he would not spare his assistance and if the Venetians should suffer any molestation he would succour them with the Forces of all his Kingdoms and for an earnest offered a present Levy in England of ten thousand Souldiers The Senate by Letters express renders him thanks in abundance esteeming those magnificat offers for a grace if not an assistance It was now no secret that at this time the Spaniards themselves kept the King in hope of the Marriage of Mary second Daughter of Philip with the Prince of Wales to the end to make him suspected by all and beget a belief in himself that the restitution of the Palatinate should be one of the chief Articles in that agreement He nevertheless at Madrid presses also effectually for the restitution of the Valteline and Bassompiere arriving thereupon pursues the same the Popes Nuntio also and the Ambassadour of the Venetians contributing thereto their endeavours But the death of Philip the Third leaves for some days the business in suspence The face of the Court was a little before this much changed for although Lerma with the Purple of a Cardinal had thought to cover himself from changes and accidents yet it being difficult by honest means to maintain the ascendant over the Genius of Princes he escaped not the accustomed malignant influence of Envy and of Fortune Publick discourses ran abroad that he had with poyson procured the death of the Queen Margaret by the cooperation of Roderigo Calderone who had a power over her mind equal to that which he exercised over the will of the King The disorders in the Government being over and above imputed to him and in many things calumny envy and the interest of a few being joyned to what was true his disgrace from the hatred of all was fiercely promoted Having for some time since wrestled with many in this narrow path of the ambition of Court he met with no more fierce Competitor than the Duke D'Vceda his own Son closely oyned up with Father Luigio Aliaga he Kings Confessor so that there was not a corner that was not cunningly beset even to the inward retirement of Conscience and the most secret Colloquies of the Soul The King at last yields to the general desire of the Court and Kingdoms and in honour of the Purple silencing his accusations commands him to retire It remained a doubt whether in an age proclaimed by the wrath of Heaven to the mocquery of Favourites the King would not have taken upon himself the Government when death in the forty third year of his age takes him away from the troubles which Empire carries with it His years would surely have been more memorable if he had been born a private man rather than a King because being better adorned with the ornaments of life than endowed with the skill to command as goodness piety and continuance placed him in a degree higher than ordinary Subjects so the disapplication to Government rendred him lower than was fit or necessary By publick defects private vertues being corrupted and in particular keeping his mind in idleness it was believed that he had reserved nothing for himself to do but to consent to all that which the Favourite had a mind to Thus the Government of the World recommended to Princes as to the true Shepherds falls into mercenary hands making themselves not understood but by the sound voice of interest and the authority of ambition the people suffer ruine and calamity and the Princes themselves render account to God of that Talent which they have suffered their Ministers to make merchandize of It is certain that Philip in the agony of death was not so much comforted with the calling to mind his innocent life as he was troubled with the sting of conscience for his omissions in Government The report was that the Maxims of Interest yielding in that instant to the Law of God the restitution of the Valteline was precisely ordered The Son Philip the Fourth comes to the Kingdom in an age so young being but sixteen years old that the World had cause heedfully to observe whether ambition the common disease of Princes would sooner move or satiate him But it quickly appeared that the Ascendant of Favourites was not yet set for dispatches being brought to the King he delivers them to Gasparo di Gusman Conde d'Olivares and he shewing himself backward though he desired it commanded they should be given to whom the Count would appoint He feigning modesty assigns them to Balthasar di Zuniga an old Minister and of great credit but yet by concert for Zuniga being his Uncle they had agreed to support one another whereupon taking off the Mask the Power fell to the Count who quickly honoured besides with the Title of Duke will be found with this double attribute in the following relation to be more famous than fortunate From the Republick according to custom were appointed an
not promise themselves at present from the powerful assistances of the Kingdom of France whilst England Holland the Kingdoms of the North and the Protestants conspired in the same designs He shewed how Europe was divided and that the Party which bore Arms against the House of Austria was much stronger than that which was subjected to their power for he designed that on the one side Mansfelt should make a diversion in Burgundy Hungary on the other should be invaded by the Transilvanian the War should be continued in the Provinces of Flanders the King of Denmark with the Princes of the Lower Saxony should make War in the Empire and the Seas and Coasts of Spain be infested by the English Fleet. Whence he concluded that they were to remain always in fear or at once make themselves to be feared the opportunity was now offered by a great War to free themselves from greater dangers and seizing speedily the Passes of the Valteline and excluding succours invade powerfully the Monarchy of Spain in the Milanese which is its Center for the Conquests whereof he generously offered his Forces his Countries and his own person preferring Glory and Liberty before idleness and the greatest dangers The Venetians haply might not have been averse from such counsels although they knew the attempt laborious and difficult from the disgusts which now for a long time had rendred the neighbourhood of the Spanish Armies so troublesom and grievous if the French had been sincerely willing to imploy their utmost power but they keeping to their aim not to break openly with Spain gave it sufficiently to be understood that by engaging their friends more than themselves they desired to have them Dependants rather than Confederates The Duke then who was wont to have several designs in a readiness to the end that amidst many attempts Fortune might favour some one knowing France as much impatient of quiet as irresolute to the War projected with subtil reaches of interest and advantage that the Crown would at least undertake the Conquest of Genoua He had observed from a long time with a covetous eye that City grown rich by their long Peace the Country open the Citizens at discord and his avarice was fomented by Claudio Marini a Genouese but Ledger Ambassadour with him for the Crown of France who ill satisfied with his own Country fought amidst the ruines of it either to exalt his name or bury the ungrateful Fortune of his native Country He offered Intelligences and served as an instrument to corrupt several in particular has own Kindred whereupon by the heat of his inclinations the Duke earnestly pressed King Lewis that if he would not spread his Colours against the Milanese he would at least lend them him to imploy them against the Genouese This he looked at to be a meet diversion in favour of Rhetia which was sought elsewhere in vain whilst by this Conquest Milan being disarmed of its Forces and the Monarchy of money the Mines would hardly supply nor the Indies satisfie contingencies and other vast expences if the Genouese with equal care and covetousness did not provide Treasures for the Gulph of Wars They squeez out the wealth of others to pour it forth into Spain who with the money of all makes War to all What was there to be expected from that Government where private interest setting publick liberty to sale that of others is prejudiced Their Ports were open to the Spanish Fleets their Gallies augmented the Kings Squadrons Passage was free Quarters secure their friendship was by obligation their wills obedient the chief ones were ready and private men no less either to serve in person in their Armies or maintain them with their Riches The Genouese then was to be invaded not only as the door but as part of the Domination of the Spaniards in Italy by the taking whereof the Milanese is encompassed Succours are cut off Correspondence Commerce Navigation and Aids are all broken That that River was a Line which to force it had no greater difficulty but to attempt it a short march would bring the Army under the Walls of the City great in circuit strong by situation but by the barrenness of the Country may be said besieged The Mountains themselves serve for a Circumvallation of Intrenchment the Vallies and Passages were shut up in a manner by themselves The Fleet of France might with ease keep out succours In Common-wealths with the Metropolis all is conquered because the seat of liberty and Empire being overthrown the Union is lost of which the Government is formed There wanted not even within the Walls friendships and correspondencies with those Citizens who have more than once attempted to sell their liberty with their Country Let France call to mind the Dominion it once had over that State awaken its Rights extend its Frontiers into the Land and Sea replant the Flower-de-luces in Italy and greatning it self with so glorious a Conquest satiate his Armies with the spoils of the richest Emporium of Europe All this was suggested by the Duke and to him by ambition and interest although he endeavoured to hide it with the cause of Zuccarello elsewhere mentioned to be a little and ignoble Fief of the Empire in the Mountains but esteemed by the Genouese important because it lies in their bowels by that fatality which Italy hath always been subject to that things in themselves but small being esteemed great by their Princes have frequently opened the way to Strangers to usurp the greatest part of it It was anciently the possession of the Family of Carretta and the Genouese had formerly attempted to get a right to it They in particular bought of Scipio one of the Marquesses a certain annual Rent with a condition of preference in case the Fief it self should one day come to be sold But it happened that the same Scipio to prevent an Imperial Sentence which he feared in punishment for a murder he had committed sold it to the Savoyards The Emperour nevertheless not enduring a fraud so manifest calls the business to himself and commits the care of it to the Genouese who aspired to it At last being sold in these late times by Confiscation it was not doubted but the gold and favour of the Genouese contributed much to it and perhaps the consideration of not enlarging the Duke in that Quarter whence he might have been able to infest them and greaten himself All this was published by the Duke with a great train of protests and reasons to which he added other disgusts seeing himself hated by the Government of Genoua and the people and his name and reputation on all occasions vilified Nevertheless the common opinion seemed to be that he rather sought an occasion for War rather than he had cause for it But in France although the Crown besides an universal inclination of the more powerful to oppress the weak had no other cause of enmity with the Genouese but the discrepancy of interests and
resolved to apply themselves to the same Arts which the Enemy practised by endeavouring to overcome famine with famine and by hindering Victuals from the Camp to reduce Spinola to the fortune of the besieged But he with the prudence of an excellent Captain foreseeing the necessity had also provided for it by a flying body causing the Convoys to be so strongly conducted that the Hollanders either durst not attacque them or attempting it could not break them It happened that for the securing of one the Garrison of the Castle of Antwerp was much weakned Maurice whom Fortune seldom reproached for neglecting of occasions attempts to surprise it and having chosen a dark night with Bridges made for that purpose passes the Ditch though very broad and raising the Ladders which at the head of them were so fastened that with Ropes they were easily set up he was now upon the Rampart when one of the Ladders falling back upon its bridge made such a noise that the Sentinels heeding it and they with some shot advertizing the Guards the Alarm was given in the Castle The Hollanders taking fright retired leaving some of their Engines behind and now Force not being sufficient nor Art succeeding the hope of preserving the place was reduced to succours which with great earnestness the States sollicited from the Crowns of England and France Which last besides the money promised in their Treaty would not meddle further in that cause having obtained their purpose to keep a great part of the Spanish Power ingaged in that Country It maintained over and above the War in Italy nor were unquietnesses wanting within the Kingdom whilst Soubize either foreseeing from far the Siege of Rochel or moved to it by those that desired to divert the Crown from foreign occurrences had endeavoured to possess himself of some of the Ships Royal in the Port of Blavet and although the design succeeded not nevertheless to the Kings great resentment he possessed the Islands near to Rochel and infested the Sea with Piracy and the Land with disbarkings To oppose and suppress Rohan who in Languedoc and other parts was contriving Commotions the Kings Fleet assembles under Command of the Duke of Monmorency and Souldiers were sent into several places to no small disturbance of the Wars in Italy and the necessities of Flanders But England had its Forces at liberty and minds inflamed for James in the month of March of this year being dead it looked as if the spirit of quiet would have extinguished with him whilst his Successor Charles as vigorous in his age as in the desire of Glory and hatred against the Spaniards was believed that with his Fathers Crown he would have assumed differing thoughts He ingages himself presently to a great arming by Sea with which he publishes to attempt upon Spain it self the Head and Seat of its great Power and at the same time raises an Army to put under Mansfelts Command for the restoring the out-lawed Palatine into his Countries for which purpose making a League with the King of Denmark he disburses money to him to the end that making War with the same design in the Empire he should not make Peace with Ferdinand without the Kings knowledge and the restoring the Palatine But Breda that had been many months besieged could not expect concerts so remote King Charles therefore to preserve it applies means more ready it serving also his ends to keep the Spanish Forces imployed in the Low Countries lest sending them into the Empire they might hinder the principal design which was the restoring of Frederick Hoping then that France would concur in the same intention he resolves that Mansfelt with a good number of English Foot should pass the Sea and landing at Calais should first joyn Halverstat with two thousand Horse and afterwards altogether the Prince of Orange to relieve the Town But betwixt England and France it was found that after the Marriage the interest of State or rather the passion of Favourites converted the bonds of affection into causes of hatred Europe in those times reckoned amidst its unhappy destiny that the Government of it depended upon three young Kings yet in the flower of their age Princes of great power desirous of glory and in interest contrary but in this alone by Genius agreeing that they committed the burden of their affairs to the will of their Ministers for with an equal independency France was governed by Richelieu and Spain by Olivares and Great Britany by Buckingham confounding affections with interest as well publick as private Betwixt the Cardinal and Buckingham open animosities discovered themselves for causes so much the more unadvised as they were more hard to be known Buckingham being in France to carry back Charles his Bride it seemed that in the free conversations of that Court he had taken the boldness to discover something of his inclination to the Queen whilst the Cardinal was inflamed with the same passions or rather feigned to be so with aversion in her who with vertue equal to the nobleness of blood equally despised the vanity of the one and abhorred the artifices of the other Whereupon the Factions arising amongst the Ladies of the Court were not so secret but that the King was obliged to make a noise and banish some But the contention betwixt the two Favourites was for power and Richelieu by reason of the favour of the King in his own Kingdom prevailing in Authority procured to Buckingham many mortifications and disgusts The other was no sooner arrived at London with the Bride but to make shew of a power not inferiour by ill using her thought to revenge himself The Catholick Religion served for a pretext whilst the Family brought out of France according to the Contract of Marriage practised it whence distasts brake forth to such a degree that the minds of the Spouses being alienated and affections betwixt the Crowns themselves disturbed it looked as if discord had been the Bride-maid at that Wedding All this passed to the prejudice of the Interests of the Palatine and of Holland For Mansfelt at the instant that he had imbarked the English Army France denying him the Port of Calais and entry into the Kingdom was forced to land in Holland after having negotiated several days betwixt the two Kings But the Souldiers remaining on board the Ships wasted time and almost themselves and in their passage weather-beaten by a great storm troubled with rains and many inconveniences they arrived so diminished and languishing that the succours was found to be less than was needful and fame had made them Nevertheless at the noise of their landing the Spanish Ministers being moved and Spinola resolved not to stir from the place now reduced to extremity assembled in an instant with the pomp of their great power another Army of thirty thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse of the Trained-bands of the Country intermixed with some old Souldiers drawn out of Garrisons with which and the succours together
the Valley the way of the Mountains being too steep a Street is continued longst the Lake cut out of the Rock which is called Corbeio This begun at the Riva which taking name from the same use for which it serves is no other but a cover upon the brink of the water for the convenience of Passengers and safety of Merchandize which pass by that place There is upon a height some marks rather than the form of a small Castle and there are besides betwixt the Valteline and the Riva certain Villages as Campo and Nova and some other that lie higher which would never have been taken notice of if in this ingagement betwixt so powerful Princes in such a narrow corner every Rock had not served for an attacque and every span of ground for an occasion of War Into this Post of Riva kept by fifteen Souldiers of the Popes and a Commander the Governour of Milan amusing them with shews and in a manner forcing of them were introduced the Spaniards and into the adjacent Villages to the number of four thousand with two Companies of Horse under the Command of the Count Giovanni Serbellone and enlarging it with many Intrenchments kept it as a pledge of their hopes to recover what was lost Nor indeed could any be fitter for their purpose because keeping a Foot in the County of Chiavena and being defended by force and the situation it had ready assistance from behind them by the way of the Lake commanded by a great number of armed Barks The Confederates though late attempt ro drive the Enemy thence and making the way of the Rock passable again which the Spaniards had demolished assault and possess the Town of Vico lying above that of Campo But here was the dispute greater there lodging 800 Souldiers in it who making use of a certain Wall instead of an Intrenchment had the Assaillants point blank exposed to their Musket-shot Two thousand five hundred Foot with some Horse were appointed for the attacque the Army standing in Arms within a little distance After the first Salvo with loss on both sides the Confederate-Troops advanced in such sort that the Albanois nimbly getting over the Wall obliged the Spaniards to abandon that defence and also retire out of the place But in their March towards Riva meeting with a thousand Foot which came to their relief taking courage again they returned altogether and that so opportunely that re-entring unawares into the place whilst those of the Confederates either weary or dispersed minded nothing less than the return of an Enemy obliged them to quit it and betake themselves to flight and could not be stopped by those Troops left more behind them The Spaniards nevertheless not to separate themselves into so many parts in the night quit it and the Confederates without further contest possessed and fortified it Captain Ruinelli sent by night with four hundred Foot to take in Montagnuola so situate as to command Riva and greatly to infest it found it prevented by great Guards of the Spaniards and fortified with many Works To cut off relief from Riva without which it was judged difficult to straighten it and take it the Confederates applied themselves to several Expedients Shipwrights were sent from Venice to build Barks upon the Lake it self to dispute the possession of it with the Enemy It was resolved also to place a Fort upon the Canal which separated the two Lakes but le Coevre made scruple to execute it finding the place to belong to Milan within whose Confines he had no authority to make War Harcourt also who on the other side of the Mera had taken in Archetto a Post upon the Lake thought fit to leave it because Riva being re-inforced with three thousand Germans commanded by Papenheim gave cause to apprehend for Chiavena out of which Coevre had taken the two Regiments of Salice and Berna to strengthen the Posts of the entrance into the Valteline Codera a small place but which facilitated Commerce with Chiavena and relief the Confederates took with a Pettard But the Spaniards sufficiently strengthened extended their Quarters and Trenches to Nova and Colico threatning to enter again into the Valley whiles the Army of the Confederates was weakned and although three thousand Grisons more were levying yet that Nation thinking of nothing but enjoying their present condition they were long in raising and as men that were new could not serve for much The Regiment of Normandy consisting of sixteen hundred men came now out of France and the Republick sent two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse into the Valley And now without question the power of the Crown of Spain appeared in that besides naval Forces and potent Armies elsewhere imployed Feria had in the Milanese forty thousand Foot and four thousand Horse The Dukes of Parma Modena and Vrbin had sent their Regiments and the Catholick Switzers of Helvetia notwithstanding all endeavours of the Confederates against it had consented a Levy of seven thousand of their Nation and free passage to all those who from beyond the Mountains should flock to the Service of the Milanois Great numbers of Souldiers besides were levied in several places and principally in the Provinces of Austria near to the Venetians to touch them the more to the quick with jealousie They nevertheless though in great streights and perplexity by reason the burden of the War of the Valteline was greatest upon them and of the difficulty which they met with France being elsewhere distracted and the State environed with suspicions threatnings and Arms would not recede from the Union with King Lewis although amidst these extremities and hostile appearances allured by Spain by the sending of Christofero Benevento de Benavides Ambassadour to Venice and of Ferdinand Duke of Mantua who moved unto by the Spaniards came expresly to that City they were invited with full advantages and offers if they would adhere to the Austrian Party Fortune had now beyond dispute conducted the Emperour to such an height of reputation and glory that what with fear and what with Armies quartered in most of the Provinces of the Empire he kept under or in quiet as well those that envied him as his Enemies The King of Denmark only with the assistance of money which England contributed to him and a certain sum which France with greater caution gave him shewed his resentment taking upon him the Title of General of the Lower Saxony which that Circle to the Emperours great displeasure conferred upon him The King notwithstanding proceeded with some sort of respect and first sending Ambassadours to Ferdinand demanded the pardon and restitution of Frederick But the Emperour making answer to the business with an Army sent Tilly into those parts to bridle him and to give countenance as he passed to the Election of a Catholick into the Bishoprick of Osnabrug which also succeeded notwithstanding that the disagreement of the Chapter had given great hopes to the Protestants to obtain it That
pacifie the Austrians but all in vain because interest lying thwart and looking at him born in France and brought up there with Goods Countries and Governments they could never be perswaded that he would sincerely separate himself from that Crown King Lewis declared himself that he would maintain him in his Right with all his Forces and with his own Person if it were necessary to go into Italy but finding himself ingaged with the Huguenots and the English such a report served only for an appearance and the King well knowing it made tryal of the way of a Treaty having sent Monsieur de Saint Simon to the Duke of Mantua to the end he might dispose him to strengthen the Rights of Nevers by the Marriage formerly proposed The Ambassadour found the Duke still deluded with the hopes he should live long so that he obtained nothing else but the gaining of the Marquess Striggio upon whose counsels Vincenzo mostly relyed to promote the cause and advantages of Nevers when the occasion should be presented He returns then into France but the designs of the Savoyards discovering themselves to advance in proportion as the dissolution of the Marriage was scrupled at Rome and the indispositions of the Duke increased in Mantua he was sent back to Carlo Emanuel to offer him Revenues and Lands in Monferrat in exchange of his pretensions and withal to demonstrate to him How much it was better for him rather to preserve Peace in Italy than give nourishment to the Potency of Spain against which he having in other times made his breast a defence he ought not to obscure the Glory of it by new Maxims foreign to his own advantage and his ancient practices But the Duke so much the more high and lofty as he was smoothed and sought to not thinking the advantages proposed equal to his hopes pretended a great Party of the Monferrat not only on the score of his old Rights but as a kind of revenge that Ferdinand had not performed the agreement some few years before concluded and turning the state of affairs and times to his own advantage considered that Spain remaining resolute to hinder that a Prince protected by or rather subject to France should have Soveraignty in Italy it was best for him to make use of his own connivence and force for the possessing of Monferrat rather than leave it in prey to the more powerful Whilst he had his thoughts bent upon this in Turin greater inducements fell out in Mantua where the Duke by the craziness he had contracted fallen very sick gave occasion for many treacheries and designs Caesar Son of the Prince of Guastalla was then in Milan to promote the interest of his Family or rather to have his Name made use of by the Spaniards who laying hold of any pretext armed powerfully and ordered many contrivances and preparations to prevent the attempts which Nevers might make and sending four thousand Foot and one thousand Horse to the Confines of Mantua under the Count de Guerrara waited only till the Duke should expire to enter and take possession of it But Vincenzo An. Dom. 1628 by the perswasions of Striggio had in great secrecy called to him Rhetel that he might marry the Princess and be in the City at the time of his death the better to secure to himself the Succession and Principality and he with a seasonable diligence being arrived there unlooked for dissipated a great storm before it brake forth for many of the chief persons being averse to the very name of the French abhorred to have Nivers their Soveraign and entertained Treaties and Intelligences to raise as soon as the Duke should be dead and before some commotion in favour of Guastalla and of Spain for which purpose Francesco Rota Serjeant Major had been corrupted and many Arms were gathered together in the house of Frederick Gonzagha But so soon as Rhetel was arrived the Duke immediately made him Lieutenant General and the better to corroborate his Right by a solemn Testament declares him Heir To perfect the Marriage nothing was wanting but the Dispensation of the Pope by reason of the Kindred St. Simon was come to Mantua to sollicite it and the Count of Serbellone was dispatched from Milan by his endeavours and protestations to hinder it and from the Duke of Savoy the Bishop of Mondovi but they came too late For the dispence from Rome seasonably arriving at the instant that the night after Christmas-day the Duke dyed the Marriage was consummated that very hour the Corps of Vincenzo being yet warm who it was given out had by his last words ordained it The day following the Bridegroom together with mourning assumes the Title of Prince of Mantua and having in his power the Garrison and the Citadel called Porto requires from the people the Oath of Fidelity in the Name of his Father Guastalla publishes a Patent of the Emperours Commissary secretly afterwards obtained by the favour of the Spanish Ministers in which Ferdinand enjoyns to him to take possession in the Emperours Name of the Country of Mantua till the right should be declared without innovating any thing requiring Cordua that now governed Milan to maintain the Decree by force if need required He had thoughts of going himself to Mantua but seeing the passage stopt by the anticipations of Rhetel he sends the Count Mandelli to Casale to cooperate in practices which Cordua had set on foot there and to alienate the minds of that people from acknowledging the new Prince But all in vain because the name of Nevers by the endeavours chiefly of Trajano Viscardi great Chancellor was by those of Casale and the Monferrins with universal applause cryed up ANNO M.DC.XXVIII The Interests of Princes being now discovered and the secrets unveiled Reason or Justice were no longer debated in the Cause of Mantua but calculations made of force opportunity and advantage so that it was like a fluctuant Sea from which proceeded and whither tended the affections of Princes as they were more or less inclined to the one or other Party At Venice they were all agreed to maintain the liberty of Italy and their own safety which was understood to be in danger by the oppression of a neighbour State but they were as much differing about the means some with offices alone desiring to divert the dangers others by open declarations not declining to oppose the designs of the Austrians There wanted not inclinations to enter into Alliance with France but others calling to mind the late proceedings of that Crown in the Affairs of the Valteline and esteeming the assistance of Strangers little less disadvantagious to this Country than the injuries of War preferred a League with the Pope and other Princes of Italy with whom forming a middle Party they believed it easie to protect the Justice of Nevers by Negotiation and defend themselves on all occasions against violence This opinion was represented by the Senate to Vrban who no whit perplexed was
Troops straightens Casale taking away at last the entry of Victuals and Succours by the possessing of Ponzone Rossignano St. Giorgio and other Posts on the Hill The place nevertheless defended it self with brave and frequent Sallies in one of which Monsieur de Bevron a French man being come in as a Voluntier and having given proof of singular courage was killed and in another the Serjeant Major Luzzago a Brescian seeing amongst the Enemy the Traitor Spadino ingaged himself so far to take off his head that he there lost his life The Marquess Rivara observing relief would be difficult and tedious and fearing that the consumption of the Victuals in the Town would at last bring it to extremity got store into the Citadel to maintain himself the longer there exhorting the Inhabitants to stint Victuals as they did with great proof of their constancy and fidelity Nor did the besiegers experience little less necessity for Italy overflowed this year by the Rivers had given such a slender harvest of Corn that Famine was an affliction every where and especially in the Milanese whence that which could be taken serving for nourishment though very scanty to the Army the people in the City of Milan perished In Provence the French had restrained the liberty of transport The Duke of Mantua shut up the passage of the Po and the Venetians who also suffered very much were careful that no grain should pass into the Milanese So that the people being famished brake out into a kind of Tumult which constrained the Governour to go thither and quiet it and must have raised the Siege if in that instant from Sicily and elsewhere some Vessels arriving in the River of Genoua there had not been a supply seasonable to the necessity In the Imperial Court to divert the Imperial Ban and the vigorous consequences which it uses to carry with it it was proposed by the Bishop of Mantua that in token of the Emperours Authority to content Guastalla some place of the Mantuan should be delivered to him and a suspension of Arms be in the mean time in Monferrat to treat some Accord with the Savoyards But the Spanish Ministers accepting of no Propositions perswaded Ferdinand to new intimations carried to Mantua by Doctor Foppis a Counsellor of the Court that the Duke within the space of a month was to yield obedience to the Commissary He always to gain time and commiseration sends the Prince his Eldest Son to Vienna to shew his Duty to Ferdinand and to offer also upon the obtaining the Investiture of Mantua to deposite Casal and the Monferrat into the hand of some Prince of confidence to be kept in the Name and by a Garrison of the Emperours for a certain time within which the cause should be decided provided notwithstanding that the Spaniards and Savoyards should do the same in what they possessed The Prince instead of being well received which the Spanish Ambassadour opposed even to protests was scarce privately admitted but although he carried back little advantage by the Journey the Duke nevertheless got himself great applause by it shewing that having on his side omitted nothing of his bounden duty towards the Emperour on the other side was discovered the desire and intention of the others for it was answered That Casal being in the Emperours Name put into the Custody of the Germans which served under the Ensigns of Spain the Emperours will was that the Governour should keep what he possessed on the account of the pretensions of Guastalla and that the Savoyards should keep what they held in consideration of their own Rights till an Agreement or Sentence should be declared and then there should be a suspension in the Mantuan From which was plainly discovered the design to put the Spaniards in possession of Casal and deprive the Duke of Mantua of Monferrat whereupon the Prince denying to have power concerning that departs though the Empress had first given him counsel to lay the whole Concern at the Emperours foot and receive Law from that Authority which he had no power to resist Yet to give time to the French that they might apply themselves to the Affairs of Italy the Duke not wholly breaking off the Negotiation shews himself inclined to some kind of Exchange and a Meeting in Piacenza to adjust it was negotiated by the Nuntio Scappi but Cordua dissents from it alledging to have no power but to reduce Carlo to acknowledge respect due to the Emperour at the same time notwithstanding secretly proposes to him great advantages if he would deliver Casal to himself The Duke to let it be known that the actions of the Governor had had no other thing in aim but the zeal for the Emperours Authority sends to the besieged some Ensigns with Eagles in them that being set up in the Castle Citadel and the City they might procure respect to the Emperours Colours but the Governour getting notice of it suffered them not to go in Amidst these Negotiations Casal holding out though there being daily gained on the Duke of Mantua's side if not advantages at least hopes arrives the news which was so much longed for in Italy that Rochel was at last taken The King of England to maintain it had not failed to use his utmost force though Buckingham being dead much of that heat was quenched which inflamed the War for having sent a third Float under the Earl of Denby to its assistance it made a new attempt to bring it in but the French Ships making a brave opposition the Dike was maintained against all attempts The Sea afterwards swelling with a great tempest dispersed and disordered the English Ships and and on the other side had such respect to the Dike as if it had conspired to the overthrow of the one and the glory of the other the Tides which in the month of July and about the Equinox were wont to be more than ordinarily violent and forcible passed that year so calmly that they did no hurt Denby perceiving that he could not compass his purpose making a Truce for a few days to the end to retire with greater security goes his way and the Rochelois having spent their Victuals and the uncleanest things now failing to satisfie hunger seeing all hope of succours and safety vanished rendred themselves at discretion upon the 29. of October The place to say truth suffered during the Siege all that which by humane patience could be endured or which in any former times may have been suggested by despair The streets covered with dead Carcasses made a shew rather of a Church-yard of bones unburied than of a City of living men and those few that were found alive either languished like men or almost like Skeletons seemed no less to represent the Funerals of that proud City than to signalize the Triumph of the Conquerours The King causing it for two days to be cleansed of the dead and sick made his solemn Entry the first of November restoring the Divine Worship
storms But the World that discerns not things to come adored the Fortune of Ferdinand as perpetual and Italy in particular ballanced the hopes of the French succours with the fears of an Inundation of the Germans Besides these important cares the Venetians not neglecting the Affairs of the Sea infested by many Pirates had armed two great Gallions under the Command of Giovanni Paulo Gradenigo which in Company of two Galliasses whereof Anthonio Cappello called Terzo was Captain arrived at Alessandretta There rode there at Anchor five French Ships when as many English Pirates coming in on a sudden set upon them with assured hopes to make them their prey The Venetians not being able in view of their own Colours to suffer the insult taking into protection the French who were the weaker after a hard Encounter made the English to be gone The Turks were pleased with the defence of the Port and the French with the safety of their Ships the complaints which the English made being with reason quickly stilled In Venice happened afterwards some distraction of minds for private interests which because unusual deserve to be taken notice of They drew their original from disgusts betwixt two Patrician Families to wit that of Cornaro of Giovanni that was Duke and that of Zeno di Renieri Cavalier This last a man of a haughty spirit had in several occasions inveighed against the other and being one of the three Heads of the Council of Ten had made use of the Authority of that Tribunal to rebuke the Duke himself for suffering his Sons to run out into divers and dissolute liberties At which Giorgio on whom it seemed these reproaches reflected falling into great fury without his Fathers knowledge a Prince of singular piety and highest moderation not far from the publick Palace sets upon Zeno when by night coming out of the Council of Ten he was come down the Stairs and attempts with blows of Hatchets followed by other Murderers to kill him Wounded in several parts he was nevertheless preserved alive but the dignity of the Publick the Council esteemed in the Common-wealth sacred and the liberty it self of the Government remained violated Cornaro by a quick Sentence was banished by the Council of Ten with capital and grievous penalties the Character of his Gentility was cancelled and in the place of the offence a Memorial in Marble erected in execration of the Fact Whereupon Justice being rather satisfied than mens minds quieted Zeno being recovered continued to inveigh often in publick Harangues against all the Family and many adhering to the one and to the other either for affection or kindred it was evident that mens minds grew imbittered in the discourses of Assemblies and the Walks of the Market-place Passing then from private affections to publick affairs also a desire waxed big in many that to the Authority of the Council of Ten which is one of the supremest in the Republick there might be some seasonable regulation made whereupon in the Election of persons whereof it is composed wont to be renewed in the month of August almost all those who were proposed in the great Council met with exclusion The most experienced Citizens apprehended danger from novelty always prejudicial when under the pretext of reformation change makes a forcible entry the worst of Moths which if not killed at first quickly destroys and corrodes the best ordered Governments Nevertheless it being necessary to give equal contentment to the major part by the great Council were elected Niccolo Contarini Anthonio da Ponte Pietro Bondumieri Baptista Nani and Zacharia Sagredo as Reformers to the end that concerning the Authority of the Councils and principally of that of Ten they should within a little time propound the Rules judged needful or convenient There followed with full Votes for the Election of Secretaries for the granting of safe Conducts and doing other things of no great moment several Consultations amongst which the chief was the abolition of the Authority which by the ancient Laws were given it to revoke the Decrees of the great Council it self where as is usual in things most important they were not bound up to particular Conditions and the strictness of Votes There was also proposed by the Reformers the Confirmation of the Authority which belonged to the Council of Ten with the enumeration of many cases and with the power to be the sole Judge of the Patricians in criminal Causes active and passive with a choice nevertheless to commit to other Magistrates those which were of lesser moment The contest hereupon was very sore because it was the very thing wherein many desired an alteration it appearing too strange that even in the most trivial cases the Nobles alone should be subject to the most severe Judicature where the way of proceeding is by Inquisition with secrecy and a certain rigour which they call the Custom But our wise Ancestors knowing that the chief bond of Aristocracy is the chastity and moderation of that part which governs have been willing to put a bridle upon it because from betwixt Rule and Licence there would be too short a distance if the Authority of the Laws and the severity of Judgments did not interpose The first day it was proposed no Decree passed in the Great Council but the Votes and Inclinations fully tended to reject it Being taken into debate another day it was sharply spoken against by Renieri Zeno Cavalier and defended by Niccolo Contarini but Francesco Contarini Head of the Council of the Quaranta Criminali replying for the opposite Party with an eloquent discourse so moved the minds of the major part that many not keeping silence prevented the Votes with their cryes when Baptista Nani beginning to speak making silence by the authority of what he was going to say and by his gray hairs and the gravity of his behaviour giving credit to his reasons and discourse thus spake It is no new thing to me that he is more applauded and acceptable who speaks to the liking of others than for the publick Good But liberty in Councils truth in judging and courage in difficulties shall never abandon me The itch of insatiable Ambition disquiets me not the common hope of Honours disturbs me not nor am I moved with the desire of applause Constant in the adversity of my Country I fear nothing moderate in its prosperity I gain nothing I look up to no other Pole nor have other scope than that which hath been prescribed by our Ancestors always venerable from the duration of the Country We are all strictly bound to this duty to transmit unviolable and unextinguished that light of Glory and Liberty which our Fathers have so many Ages ago consigned to us I know that man hath no office savouring more of Divinity than that of governing others but it is a thing of great difficulty and if such be the government over inferiours how much more hard will it be to command over equals But this is our glory that Majesty
and Obedience take their turns that we are equally capable to govern and to be governed that to the ambitious dignity of Command is associated the vertuous moderation of a private life and the most easie yoke of the Laws So that our Republick is ordered like the Heaven in which the Citizens in resemblance to the Stars have by office in the universal felicity influence and light but with various Situations divers Aspects and different Motions enjoying sometimes a fulness of light lending it often to others and then themselves suffering an Eclipse Ought we then to accuse the Divine Providence because it hath not distributed to all the same offices and stations Shall we then also in our Country where Ten make a supreme Council which by annual change give place to the merits of others stir our selves up to envy and anger because we all cannot be capable of it at once I dread to think that there is any that detests the rigour of Justice the severity of the Laws and the Authority of the Council of Ten. Let us in this case then suppose our selves guilty from our selves and to offend without punishment will we quite abolish Justice and Government it self Let us I pray turn these invectives against the offences let us abhor the Delinquents let us make Decrees against faults and on the contrary let us venerate that Ray of Divinity which though it strike the wicked with Thunder is a guide to the innocent I account the antiquity of such a Council always venerable and the Ages by which its Authority hath been established a Council chosen by our selves composed of our selves is the Maintainer of the Laws the Protection of Liberty and the Bridle of Subjects But what shall become of us and our Posterity if wanting the sacred refuge of our defence we shall think to offend without punishment and be audaciously despised What protects the Dignity of Persons and of Families the security of quiet and civil living the liberty it self of the Government but the Council of Ten alone which sharply punishing offences restrains with their Name and Authority the thoughts also of attempting them We by weakening it and exposing it to contempt think by it to diminish punishment and by it provoke injuries Do any perhaps under the pretext of regulating abuses go about to abase the Power of the Government A sad design which betrays to himself and his posterity the hopes of those rewards which the Country with considerable dignity largely imparts Let such go out from amongst us let them not be esteemed worthy to be Sons of so great a Common-wealth and he that would withdraw himself from the Laws and from punishments contriving rather to make himself a Criminal than aspiring to be a Judge like a Monster of Vice An. Dom. 1629 let him be separated from us and cut off In our Republick this is the just equality not to do and not to suffer wrongs Away with such conceits that those in Power ought to have a greater liberty and that punishments on Delinquents can be either too heavy or judgments too severe This is the bond of our quiet and the quiet of our Subjects Some Law givers have omitted to mention punishments for certain outragious faults believing that they could never happen in a well ordered Government Our Ancestors on the other side have been willing even in small matters to assign a more severe judgment to the end that not so much as the least offences should give encouragement of coming near to discompose the good order and integrity of the Common-wealth Happy the Country most happy the People and the Government to be admired which hath for its Foundation Law and for its Crown Liberty where those of the better sort excel in example where he finds more restraint that enjoys greater authority Fathers in point of Renown we have no cause to envy any of the ancient States or modern Soveraignties In the largeness of ovr Dominion we have wherewithal to content the moderation of our minds In the duration of liberty we surpass any Common-wealth whatsoever But the deliberation of this day is to overcome our selves therein we give comfort to our Subjects example to Strangers and occasion for a good Report Let the Venetian Nobility all in a body in the most majestical and authoritative of their Assemblies unanimously determine that if Empire and liberty at one and the same birth be acknowledged from God they willingly consecrate themselves to Justice and will govern the people with such moderation and sweetness that for the prevention of offences they make choice for their Court of Justice of the gravest for Laws the severest and for punishments the heaviest Upon these or like words delivered with gravity and received with great attention opinions and minds were so changed that many blushing that they had thought otherwise the Decree with a great number of Votes was willingly embraced and two days after followed the Election of Persons proposed for the new Council of Ten amongst which with great applause Nani was received and what had passed was registred in the publick Records with an honourable memory of his Name ANNO M.DC.XXIX Italy expecting succours from the Alps and by succours safety Lewis arrives there with thirty thousand men having left his Mother Regent at Paris But before the King moved Luigi Contarini the Ambassadour of Venice had gotten a promise from the King of England that he would not interrupt the enterprise and a while after the Peace was concluded which by the death of Buckingham the private passions of Favourities being extinguished consisted in few Articles To renew the ancient Treaties restore Commerce silence reciprocally pretensions about Reprisals prevent them for the future and perform the Conditions of the Marriage if any difficulty should intervene amicably to agree it Each King reserved himself the liberty to assist his Allies without breach of the Peace The Copies of the Treaty till the Ratification were deposited in the hands of the Ministers of the Republick who by the Mediation had gotten great reputation especially Contarini who within a while passed to the Embassy in Ordinary of France The King then freed from that distraction marches towards Italy having first sent to Mantua Monsieur de Landel to carry the News of it to the Duke at a time very seasonable when the Governour of Milan assaulted him with secret promises and Nassau pinched hard upon him who being gone against Mantua and requiring a positive declaration of obedience or resistance while the Duke fenced with general conceptions denounced to him War and Force To the noise hereof the effects afterwards following the Emperour orders to please the Spaniards greatly troubled at the march of the French that his Army should descend into Italy The Duke hereupon in trouble betwixt the hopes of succours and the fear of dangers equally near sending Pomar again to Venice sollicites together with the French Ministers the Republick to declare it self and
consequence convenient for the Navigation of the River and for passage by Land and driving the Siege to a conclusion forces it to render having frustrated all diligence of the Austrians to relieve it This was the most renowned action which happened in Germany for in consequence of it Oxenstern being passed into Sweden to dispose and sollicite the Senate for succours landed in Pomerania with new supplies for the Army with which Banier being rendred more vigorous and bold possesses many places which Gallas retiring abandoned Charles Lodowick Son of the deceased Palatine who was elect King of Bohemia with the assistance of the King of England and the favour of the Swedes who assigned to him for his place of Arms Minden and Osnabrug had raised in Westphalia ten thousand men with which joyning with Melander General for the Hessens he designed to attempt the recovery of the Palatinate or the Conquest of some other Country which might be equal to it but being met so soon as he began to march by the Count of Hatsfelt General of that Circle and for the Catholick Electors was in such sort defeated that his Troops could never re-unite and Osnabrug rendred it self to the Conquerours who with very little blood obtained a very notable Victory Amongst the Prisoners remained in the hands of the Imperialists Robert Brother to Charles Lodowick who conducted to Lintz obtained of the Emperour to be exchanged with John Casimir Brother of Vladislaus King of Poland fallen into the hands of the French as he was passing by Sea out of Italy into Spain But France would not yield their consent for pretending for cause of the arrest that the Prince went to bear Arms in favour of the Spaniards and remembring the mischiefs heretofore done by the Polach Cavalry under the Emperours Colours Richelieu thought it a very seasonable occasion treating with that Kingdom to make a friendship and drawing profit from the accident hinder the Austrians of those conveniencies which they were wont to enjoy in Poland especially Levies And therefore were of little avail for the liberty of the Prince the offices of the Venetians who being expresly desired by the King Vladislaus through the means of the Baron Biboni his Envoyé Extraordinary to interpose themselves had for that purpose made choice of Angelo Contarini Cavalier for Ambassadour Extraordinary to King Lodowick But getting knowledge of the inclination of the King and of the Minister the Mission was suspended whereupon Vladislaus was obliged to dispatch thither an Embassie express by which he obtained the liberty of his Brother with a solemn promise that he would never more bear Arms against France that the King and the Kingdom should not pretend disgust by this arrest that by Poland Levies should not in future be permitted to the Enemies of France nor Alliances made with them to its prejudice The business of the Peace languished this year as formerly notwithstanding the pressing of the Mediators to obtain the Pass ports because besides the Fate of great businesses to find the beginning always full of trouble delays and difficulties were on all sides affected to gain time for designs and the hopes of their Arms. But in the month of March was concluded in Hamburg betwixt Monsieur d' Avo for France and John Salvius for the Swedes a Treaty with promise Not to send their Plenipotentiaries to any Meeting without Pass-ports first had for their Ministers and for those of their Confederates in the form required that in the Treaty they should proceed pari passu in the Interest of both the Crowns concluding or breaking conjoyntly that in case of a long Truce each should remain in the possession of what they held and a Peace coming to be concluded the one Crown should break for the others sake if the conditions to any of them were not by the contrary party punctually observed The accident which was most taken notice of and rendred this year memorable was the Birth in France of a Dolphin upon the 5. of September who after many years of fruitless Wedlock given from Heaven to King Lewis's piety infinitely rejoyced that Kingdom and seemed to serve as an Augure of future felicity for the Arms managed hitherto with equality and a ballance brought Fortune afterwards to incline to the favour of France THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE ELEVENTH BOOK AMurath the Fourth ruled at this time the Ottoman Empire in the prime of his age and the height of ambition nourished by warlike spirits and a capacity no less for Arms than Counsel He had his mind fixed on the glory of his Ancestors ruminating on their Chronicles and studying incessantly the Annals and famous Actions especially of Soliman The strength of his body the arrogance of his mind the desire of Empire and the greediness of wealth equal to that of blood rendred him venerable to the Barbarians amongst whom Terrour possesses the place of Virtue He cast in his mind vast designs against Christendom and if at all times the concord of Christian Princes uses to be the Guardian of the Barbarians faith Amurath conceived he might violate it without danger now that he saw it torn into pieces and weakned with unquenchable hatreds But for the present leaving them involved in their discords he applied himself to shut the door by which the Persians might advance deep into several Provinces of the Ottoman Empire They had possessed more by intelligence than force Babylon famous for its name though it be but a heap of the reliques and a shadow of its ancient stateliness whilst the Turks during the former years made an unsuccessful War with the Polacks Amurath had once before attempted it with a formidable Army but after some inconsiderable Conquest unworthy of his presence and of so great preparations the season the want of victuals and many other difficulties fighting against him he returned to Constantinople rather irritated than disswaded by the infelicity of the enterprise In this year he returns with such a disposition of things as shewed the power of a mighty Prince and the wisdom of an excellent Captain for to an Army which was said to exceed three hundred thousand men not only Arms Cannon and Ammunition abounded but Victuals and every other kind of provisions and things that might be needful with such order and method that the multitude was not disordered in their march nor did the length of the way or the extent of the vast desarts waste the multitude So great preparations at Land weakned the arming at Sea whereupon to the end that that might not remain unguarded and exposed he had enjoined the Pirates of Barbary to come with their Gallies into the Archipelago to join with the Ottoman Squadrons They were encreased to such a degree that they were now at last able to command the Sea rather than commit spoil in it For in the Mediterranean the Christian Fleets by the War betwixt the Crowns by factions and by other accidents being weakned gave liberty
this time come to the Frontiers of Persia where Bairan the Grand Visier dying a man of a moderate spirit and naturally averse from complaints he had substituted in his place Mehemet Bassa of Diarbechir one more lofty and unquiet He agreed better with the inclinations of the King rendred by his severities terrible to his Ministers and to all for under the shew of Military Discipline he vented without distinction his cruelties for the lightest offences executing sometimes with his own hands hideous punishments He particularly could not endure the smoke or smell of Tobacco so much used by the Turks and having forbid it he punished with death him that durst use it Always entertaining himself either with suspicions or tortures sometimes incognito and by night he went into the Camp and walked betwixt the Circles and the Tents observing what was said and done and then on a sudden punishing with atrocity of torments sometimes one sometimes another Death with the blow of a Sword from the hand of the common Hangman seemed to him too gentle and merciful He rather to the barbarous manner of the Turks of the Gancio the Palo and Fleaing often added new inventions of punishments However all this served him for respect with his own and terrour to his Enemies There is no doubt that had he not been so far ingaged against the Persians what for the business of Vallona and the instigation of the Sultaness he would have returned to Constantinople and turned his Arms against the Venetians But being not so soon able to dis-intangle himself there by an express dispatch he commands that for the present the Bailo should be put in arrest that the Corsaires should in some measure be recompensed with ten Gallies of his own that to preserve the remainder of the Slaves they should be conveyed to Constantinople to go forth in the Spring together with the Ottoman Fleet In his absence nothing else was to be altered protesting with severe threatnings upon the heads of the Ministers whom he suspected of venality not to hearken to any proposition that contained not the effectual restitution of the Gallies carried away So that will and violence serving the Turks for just and right the Order did no sooner arrive but the Caimecan sending for the Bailo shewing a visible trouble to be the unjust Minister of a most unjust command intimates to him his imprisonment keeping him all night in the house of his Checaia Nor was it to any purpose that the Bailo with great constancy did with his great reasons mingle complaints for the violence done to common right and the breach of faith nor that the other Ministers of Princes greatly offended did make effectual instances about it For Mussa confessing the proceeding unjust but excusing himself by the danger of his head caused him to be brought into a little house of Galata keeping him there with Guards and placed some at the Bailo's ordinary place of Residence but leaving the Family in liberty and permitting him visits of conversation and business The Ships of the Nation being at the same time stopped were after a few days released the Turks having considered that the interruption of Commerce and a reciprocal arrest tended equally to their own damage As to the Corsaires the promise of ten Gallies was not performed for doubting lest if the Slaves were carried to Constantinople the King should make use of them for his own Gallies they avoided it with several pretexts and had news of thirty Ships of Barbary in the Archipelago come express to fetch them away with design to winter in those Seas and offer in the Spring to join with the Turks against the Republick But they perceiving the Corsaires already too powerful and fearing lest they should superfluously provoke in that conjuncture the Christian Nations or break off all Commerce with the Ottoman States discharged them The Ministers of Constantinople knowing that the Venetians had sunk the Gallies which were taken to avoid troublesom instances for restoring them insolently required of the Bailo that as many of their own might be delivered to them otherwise threatning War The Senate in order to it by Heralds of War received the advise of the arrest of the Bailo together with the same demands but constant not to consent to any thing of prejudice or indignity resolved rather to expose themselves to any how unfortunate soever ingagement They communicated to the Christian Princes the fury of Amurath the arrest of the Bailo the arrogant demands of the Turks and their own resolves to the end that great and universal dangers impending they might equally dispose their Forces for succours and their minds for Peace it seeming both reasonable and of necessity that against the common Enemy there should be an agreement even of the greatest Enemies The resentment was every where not inferiour to the approbation Yet some offered only to mediate and others excused themselves upon the conjuncture The Spaniards and the Grand Duke of Tuscany offered their Forces but these appearing to be weak and those distracted the Republick was given to understand that they could not for the present make any certain state but of their own strength It being a safe counsel never to despise the fame and threats of the Turks the Senate for that cause was willing to govern it self with such prudence that for their own security making advantage of the absence of Amurath and of time the evils by superfluous jealousies might not be hastened or that Prince diverted from his present ingagements Willing then not to provoke him nor leave him cause of offence as provisions were not omitted so they were not greatly divulged or speeded Command was given to the Islands and in Dalmatia that all should be in a readiness for the occasions that in Candia sixteen Gallies should be effectually armed that to the Galliasses two should be added the one commanded by Anthonio Pisari who had the command of them all the other by Sebastian Veniero In the Arsenal every thing for a greater arming was disposed into an order and the Maritime places were provided with recruits of Foot and Horse The custody of Cattaro was committed to Giovanni Paulo Gradenigo and to Marino Molino that of Novegradi as Proveditors extraordinary Not omitting amidst the orders for defence the more secure way of Treaty the Senate wrote Letters to Amurath and to the Grand Visier aggravating the assault and boldness of the Pirates justifying with expediency and the capitulations their chastisement and professing a sincere and constant will not to interrupt the ancient friendship with the Ottoman Empire But the undertaking in Asia upon which the counsels and resolutions of the Turks were chiefly to depend proceeded with steps faster than was supposed for Amurath appearing no sooner in the Confines of Persia but the Town of Revan weakly guarded was rendred to him At the same time by instigation of the Turks Osbeck a Tartar and the Grand Mogor took Arms against the Persians
up to Arms the concourse was so great in a few minutes that as if the same Spirit moved the people there was none that dissented or were wavering One Company of Castiglians that entred upon the Guard in the Palace An. Dom. 1641 was by the fury of the common people forced to fly Anthonio Tello with others that followed him forcing the Lodgings of Vasconcellos who hearing the noise had shut himself into a certain Cupboard finds him and having killed him flung him out of the Window that he might be a spectacle in the Court-yard to the hatred of the Commonalty and a testimony withal how little blood the change of a Kingdom had cost The Infanta kept in the power of the Conspirators was used with much respect and therefore obliged to command the Governour of the Castle to forbear to shoot with the Cannon otherwise all the Castiglians in the City should be cut in pieces He not only obeys the order to abstain from doing harm but immediately for fear or necessity makes haste to render it alledging to be so unprovided that he could not have been able to resist an assault of the people It was a wonder to see a City as Lisbone great populous and in commotion to setle in so short a space in its own power but with so much order and silence that no man commanding all sorts of persons readily payed obedience to the name of the new King Giovanni understanding what had hapned at Lisbon causing himself to be proclaimed King in his own Dominions enters into that City the sixth day of the same Month with unspeakable pomp and having received the Oath of the people he reciprocally took that of the observance of priviledges The fame hereof being dispersed through the Kingdom every place hasted to follow the example with so much unity of minds that there appeared not to be a mutation of Government but only that the King had changed his name to the extraordinary joy of the people The Castiglians scattered in some Garrisons and those of St. Gian a Fortress of an invincible situation surprised with a fatal stupidity quit it without dispute The Infanta was accompanied to the Borders and some of the Castiglian Ministers were kept Prisoners for the security of those Portuguais which were stayed at Madrid In eight days the whole Kingdom was reduced to a quiet obedience Whilst in the East-Indies in Brasil on the Coast of Africk and in the Islands which are reckoned amongst the Conquests of the Portuguais when by Curriers dispatched in diligence the advice was brought it was no sooner heard but abjuring with an universal consent the obedience to Castile the name of John the Fourth was acknowledged and proclaimed ANNO MDCXLI If upon the first invasions on the Borders of the Pirenei it had appeared that Spain empty of Victuals money and people had scarce been able to make resistance at home greater evils were now presaged when so many Enemies discovered themselves in its very bowels Olivares perceiving that instead of promoting the Monarchy and the pre-eminence of power it self was forced to contend for its own safety not being able to resist in two places stood in doubt which way he should turn his chief cares and Forces At last he judged it best to apply himself against Catalogna hoping that the enterprise would not last long and withal fearing lest with giving time the strength of the Country the fierceness of the people and the succours of the French should make it much more difficult On the other side the Borders being open assistances remote the people less inured to War and the whole Kingdom being to be conquered in Lisbon alone he fancied to himself that leaving the Portuguais in security and unmolested they would have no care to strengthen themselves and that the Nobles proud by Nature would not long suffer the command of one envied by many and equal to all Nor would that thought perhaps have fallen out otherwise if his counsels had not always been fatally opposed by a certain disaster which in some crossed the opportunity in others took away the force and equally condemned all to most unhappy events Then pursuing in Catalogna the War again in the Spring Los Veles comes to the Siege of Tarragona which after the Metropolis of the Country is accounted for largeness and nobleness the chief place but being invironed but with an old Wall though Monsieur d' Espenan with some French got into it was quickly rendred the relief availing nought but to capitulate under the name of the French safety also to the Inhabitants of life and goods By this loss the affairs and minds of the Catalans seemed much dejected and as it happens in improsperous events betwixt them and the French passed words of reproach they finding fault with the slenderness of the succours and these proverbiating the baseness of the resistance But Los Velez coming in sight of Barcelona against all his belief found the defence so resolute and well ordered and the Mongiovino so well fortified that not being able to take any one Fort he retired either for the rigour of the season or for the want of Victuals and Provisions It is not credible how much the Catalans from this were animated despising the Kings displeasure and arms and seeing themselves supported with a more forcible pulse of French arrived in great numbers under the command of Monsieur de la Mothe Houdancourt He presently besieges Tarragona but the Spaniards were resolved to succour it at any rate and the Duke de Ferandina with forty Gallies executes it not without dispute with the Naval Army of France who having none but great Ships and so not able to do much more than fulminate with the Cannon at random effected nothing but that many of the Gallies taking fright did not adventure so that eleven only made their passage through the Ships and Guns into the Port. The Town for all this could not hold out long whereupon the Spanish Fleet augmented to seventy sail renews again the attempt with success and because that of the French through great negligence suffered it self to be surprised at Anchor a great number of Barques and lesser Vessels entred into Terragona The French for this cause were obliged to remove raising the Siege and to raise the courage of the Catalans with something of prosperous advanced into Aragon and took Tamarit and succouring Almenas constrained the Castiglians who had posted their Camp there to raise it To open the Passes of the Pirenei for succours the Prince of Condé entring into Rossillion took there Canet Argiliers and Elma From these uncertainties in Catalogna the Portuguais made their advantage quietly bringing their new Government into train and strengthening themselves with foreign friendships With France they renewed the former Treaties with a liberty to the Portuguais to supply themselves in that Kingdom with Ammunition Arms and Men and to ratifie them the Mareshal de Brezé goes to Lisbon in
demolish the Fortifications of Castro and disband the Garrison it otherwise declared him to have incurred Rebellion and Excommunication The Thunder whereof was now foreseen to be near at hand for the Barberins raising Souldiers in all haste six thousand Foot and five hundred Horse with some Cannon joined at Viterbo under the Prefect as Generalissimo and the Marquess Luigi Mathei Master de Camp General with other Chiefs and great provisions This sudden arming awakened attention in the Princes and various discourses amongst the people for in the Pope who while he was yet not so old had with so much care cultivated Peace they were obliged to believe great thoughts and strange designs if in the extremity of his years he should resolve to disturb it and so much the more in a Conjuncture that Christendom mangled and languishing required from his fatherly care quiet and restauration and Italy exposed as a prey to Strangers gasped after remedy and safety from the concord of its Princes All was imputed to the Nephews and their intentions were accused as either bent to secure themselves of the Duke by depriving him of his Estate near them or extended as was rather believed to more vast objects The Viceroy of Naples shewed himself above all jealous at it because he knew that to the contrivances of the French upon that Kingdom the Barberins had lent their ear and perhaps their help in concert with some of the Barons Ferdinand also the Grand Duke was no less displeased to see the Pope armed upon his Confines and in design of making new Conquests having besides his own and common considerations not to suffer him to increase in power found the will of the Barberins originary of his Country so averse from giving him satisfaction as in whatsoever business he had with them to obtain nothing but prejudices or disgusts Nor did differing thoughts reside in the minds of others every one shewing himself at a stand at this novelty and some covering with the appearing jealousie of War the hope of advantages if any disturbance should be promoted The Viceroy above all afflicting himself because this new suspicion on the Confines kept him from sending into Spain and Milan the succours demanded and necessary became more earnest in his Mediation requiring from the Pope that the proceeding against Edward might be only in an equal and judicial way The Grand Duke also interposes his offices to the same effect and believing that Parma also stood in need to have the heat of his Spirits moderated dispatches the Marquess Guicciardini to perswade the Duke to mitigate his passion and give way to a Treaty and to induce him to it in a manner by force had denied the passage of Souldiers which Edward was sending to Castro and prohibited some Provisions which for the better providing of the place were to be drawn out of Tuscany The Pope with opposite and concise replies without other expressions but a resolution to maintain inviolated the Decorum of humbling his Vassal and make himself be obeyed gave no place for a Treaty At this time the Republick had no other Minister at Rome but Girolamo Bon a Secretary the Ambassador Extraordinary the causes ceasing which induced to send him having been recalled and for an ordinary no care was taken to send one until the Elogium should come to be restored The Nuntio was seldom admitted into the Colledge to Audience and he comprehending of what importance the Declaration of the Senate in the present affairs would be not being able to suppose it favourable to the Barberins endeavoured to keep their minds either diverted or in a slumber sometimes with artifice considering the evils imminent upon Italy from foreign Armies and at others scoffing with derision at the affair of Castro as a thing of a slight importance At last when provisions increased and Forces assembled and that towards the Bolognese he assured that all was in order to Peace and to suppress a certain capricious attempt of the Duke of Parma though the Pope should possibly be obliged to send some few Souldiers to Melara on this side the Po and on the Borders of the Republick But the Count Ferdinando Scotti who though under pay of the Republick served in this occasion the Duke of Parma whose Vassal by birth he was with opposite offices represented in the present affairs the causes of the hatreds and the intentions of the Barberins much differing He alledged the Right of the Duke aggravated the violence which was done him and together with the ill example the prejudices which would redound from it to all the Princes He demanded of the Senate counsel the better to govern himself in the business and assistance to resist the force He communicates the intention of the Duke if Castro were assaulted to go himself to its relief whilst that place being maintained the Barberins being humbled would without doubt incline to Peace but if he should yield they by the felicity of it being rendred more lofty the heat of the War might be transported into Lombardy and draw to take part the Arms of the Crowns greedy above measure to interest the Italians in their differences He expressed the intentions of the Duke as much inclined to a just accord as resolved notwithstanding any hazard or ingagement to maintain his affairs and his right The Senate in so weighty an emergency could not but stand perplexed concerning the manner how to govern it self being equally displeased at the causes of new stirs in Italy and the effects of the attempts of the Barberins Whereupon opinions differing the Senate being assembled Giovanni Pisari Cavalier and Procurator endeavors to perswade that the Duke might be received into the protection of the Republick haranguing to this purpose From the prudent and generous Customs of our Ancestors to succour the weak and assist the oppressed practised so many times by our selves with glory and advantage the Duke of Parma hath taken a rational confidence to have recourse to the Patronage of our Republick The cause may seem remote to some and perhaps the interest not great but the Barbarins passing from private Contests to a War from Acts judiciary to Arms the example is certainly of consequence to all and the danger of it near at hand This Senate hath voluntarily espoused the glory of being the Guardian of the Liberty of Italy and the Protector of Princes oppressed But in what cause can it imploy it self more justly than in that in which if on the one side passion contends with interest on the other right appears destitute of power That a Pope almost fourscore years of age arms is a great consideration But that his Nephews manage the Treasuries and the Armies resolve upon Invasions and trample upon Princes is very much done Certainly the blow tends not only where it aims but if all be threatned 't is reason that all should interest themselves in resisting Ambition hath its Center but limits not the Circumference It covets
of no import to it self The Pope therefore seemed to hear with trouble the offices brought to him by order of the Senate and rather making light of them not without scorn refuses to stop the course of Law and admit Mediators betwixt Soveraign and Vassal of whom he intended to require humiliations persisting to have him come in person to render him the respect was due to him Nor had the Barberins greater apprehensions of the other Princes observing that the Ministers of Spain though fluctuant amidst most weighty jealousies proceeded nevertheless with great moderation and the Ambassador of France notwithstanding the protection which his King shewed to have Prince Edward in proceeded with coolness and reserve both the Crowns agreeing in the maxims and the interests rather to gain than make themselves Enemies with the Pope and his House Moreover the Grand Duke and the other Italian Princes the Pope being armed seemed rather in suspicion to receive disturbance than capable to give it and so much the more by how much the Barberins amused them in Treaty with greater gentleness discoursing in particular of several expedients with the Marquess Montecucoli sent to Rome by the Duke of Modena and those consisted in depositing Castro in hand of the Cardinal d' Este Brother of the Duke of the same name for so long till that the purchase of Pontremoli being concluded by the Barberins which for want of money the Spaniards were treating to sell this might be consigned to Edward and that remain to the Church or that the Camera undertaking the obligation to pay the Montisis should recompense the Farnesi with other Fiefs in lieu of Castro It was also proposed that to secure present suspicions an Ecclesiastical Garrison should remain in that place for some years and then jealousies being removed every thing to return freely to their first owners Yet the Cardinal Barbarin not long after declares himself that any expedient would hardly be admitted which required the restitution of Castro and Montalto but as to the more open Country seems to think that to render that the Pope would not be found much against it There was great difficulty in all the parties agreeing in one point only to make use of equal art to gain the advantage of time and protract with delusions the Treaty the Barberins on the one side proposing conditions to consume the Duke and weary the Mediators and the Duke on the other giving them the hearing though resolved to grant nothing the better to arm himself make himself Friends and well impress his rights and interests in all the Courts But the Duke of Mâ—dena quickly comprehending to what end the Treaty tended recalls his Minister from Rome and the great Duke shewed himself weary having not been able to obtain of Vrban any limitation of time and retardment of the sentence nor of the Duke that in token of obedience he would send his eldest Son to Rome he resolutely refusing to put the Successor of his Country into the hands of his Enemies The Venetians kept themselves silent but the Barberins interpreting it as in effect it was rather an argument of discontent than a token of satisfaction in the answers received repenting the harshness of them commanded the Nuntio that he should piece up the Treaty again He with the wonted forms shewed By the gaining of Castro the War ended the Popes honour satisfied the Law of Justice fulfilled provided the Duke would remain quiet The Army afterwards by the assistance of the Prefect being remarkably increased at Ferrara and Bologna and Forts on this side the Po raised at Figarolo and Melara with strong Guards the Nuntio represented it as a necessary caution and bridle to the Dukes transports who turbulent and fierce armed as if he would headily contend with the Pope about power and dispute right with his Soveraign This served not at all to mitigate jealousies and disgusts for the fortifying on the Banks of the Po was not only against ancient Covenants with those of Ferrara but might prove of extream prejudice to the Polesine a Country betwixt the Adica and the Po subject to the overflowings of many waters and indowed with as much population and wealth as it was destitute of Towns and exposed without other defence but that which the nature of the situation with the Dikes of the Water-courses and Rivers gives it With all this the Senate not at all amused with the Nuntios expressions strengthened the neighbouring Garrisons An. Dom. 1642 and sent to that border four thousand Foot with some Companies of Horse At Rome in this interim Monitories and Bulls thundred one after the other citing the Duke to the Court with a safe conduct in which was prescribed him a train of fifty persons only But the Duke published a long Manifest in print which though a while after answered by the Ecclesiastick party was nevertheless relished by the world with great applause because with much moderation and modesty it deduced the Treaties Priviledges and Rights which supported his cause He declares withal his intention to send an Ambassador to Vrban to carry him his obedience and those motives which he had not been able to alledge in the Process but the Pope excluded his admission The publication nevertheless of the sentence was deferred for some days not so much for certain terms which they call contumacious as because Raggi the Auditor della Camera to whom the publication of Bulls belonged being of the number of those promoted to the Cardinalat that charge was for some days vacant In the foresaid promotion Vrban at last was willing knowing that it was not his interest to continue for this cause in greater disgusts to flatter the Princes with exalting to the Cardinal dignity the Prince of Esté Mazarine and Peretti named by the Emperour and both the Crowns For the Republick was promoted Mark Antonio Bragadino Bishop of Vicenza whose Grandfather barbarously starved in Cyprus by Mustasa after his valorous defence of Famagosta rendred the Nephew so much the more worthy of that Purple which is so fitly dyed in the Blood of the Martyrs for the Christian Faith ANNO MDCXLII The jealousies and thoughts what would become of the affair of Castro were extended also to Strangers who seeing the Princes of Italy arm so eagerly either not thinking the cause deserved it or believing that it being easily composed they would turn themselves to greater designs endeavoured to strifes to assure themselves of their intentions and draw them to their party The Spaniards in particular propounded that laying aside for the present the dispute of Castro or agreeing it with some easie expedient the Princes of Italy should unite in a League with their Crown and concert the defence and common quiet by upholding the present state of things To say truth in Italy mens minds stood in suspence concerning the motion of the French Armies for that in the beginning of the year in the cold season the King with the Cardinal
being come from Paris to Lions and the Mareshal della Meilleray being advanced before them with a very flourishing Army left it doubtful whether so great a preparation tended towards Catalogna or Italy And though within a while after the Forces were seen engaged before the Fortress of Perpignan nevertheless the Cardinals mind was discovered to be inclined the place quickly taken as he hoped to send the Army into Italy before the Campania should be at an end And this he thought to do upon so much the better ground by how much that in Piedmont the Princes of Savoy were agreed with their Sister-in-Law and by consequence declared of the French party by a Treaty in which to Mauritio besides the promising him to Wife the Princess Lodovica Maria his Neece was left in Government Nizza with its appurtenances as also to Prince Thomaso Inurea and the Biellesa with title of the Dukes Lieutenant for so long as the Duke remained in his minority To the Dutchess remained the quality and authority of Regent without other obligation but to admit her Brothers-in-Law into the Council when they should be at Court and to communicate to them the most weighty matters concerning the State With this agreement the Princes being composed but the Country dismembred little else was left the Duke but the name and that great gate of Italy was thought to be set wide open to the French which was wont to be kept shut by the Savoyards with force or to be opened with great caution The French besides had promised the Princes great advantages and in particular kept Thomaso in secret hopes and agreements to assign him an ample part of the Milanese in Soveraignty when it should be conquered with united Forces To say truth the Governour of Milan failed not to employ all his endeavours to keep those Princes adhering to Spain but found that it was in their name demanded that there appearing in the King of France a disposition to withdraw the Garrisons from those places which in the past revolutions the Dutchess had trusted to him the Spaniards would also restore those others except Vercelli and Trino which they might keep in their possession till a general Peace and so long as the French should enjoy Pignerol and Casal The answer was such as before the instance made had been supposed for the Governour alledging that he kept those places the better to facilitate a Peace in the Treaty whereof it would be fit to speak of them refused to withdraw the Garrisons Yet though vexed at Thomaso that he would not accept of his propositions and comply with his will he recalls some hundred of Souldiers out of Inurea by a precipitate Council but to the great joy of the Prince who shaking off the yoak caused the Gates to be shut before their face when Sirvela repenting his oversight countermanded them with earnest instances that they might be readmitted On the other side the Garrison which with the Camp Master Tuttavilla was in Nizza not willing to leave it by fair means was constrained by the threatnings of Mauritio who having assembled three thousand men of the Country put himself in a posture to force them Thus the Scene being changed in Piedmont Fortune smiling on the French sollicited them to undertake most assured Conquests in Italy and for that cause the Spaniards proposition to close in a union came to be hearkened to by the Princes of it and more than formerly considered but in the turbulent conjuncture of the present contests all being not able to unite themselves in one party that might be of force to withstand Strangers thought it a less evil not to adhere to any of the Crowns Therefore were also rejected the Propositions of the French who instigated particularly the Pope by remonstrating to him the glory and the opportunity to make advantage of so many Troops raised for a more noble design than the gaining of Castro tempting him together with the puissant Forces of their Crown to drive the Spaniards out of Italy which in the present state that that power could no longer be said distracted but lacerated into so many pieces and in a manner ruined they represented easie to be done To flatter him the more they left to his arbitrement the disposal of the Conquests and offered the Crown of Naples to his Nephews promising to be assisting with six thousand Foot and a Naval Army by Sea to assist the enterprise esteemed so much the easier as that besides the ancient intelligences with many of the Barons the people weary of the intolerable impositions desired a change of Government Vrban knowing the propositions more specious than easie refused them In this uncertain state of things Monsieur de Lionne was sent by France into Italy to add warmth to the offices in the cause of Parma but much more to observe and lay hold of the conjunctures seasonable to perswade the Princes of Italy into the party of that Crown till Cardinal Mazarine designed for that service should arrive As for Parma the Affairs were quickly brought to a desperate issue for there being not obtained from the pressing endeavours of many Princes and those which the Venetians rebuted a new with severe answers were willing to reiterate any delay of the sentence after these accidents which for a few days as hath been said the order of the cause carried with it Edward was declared to have incurred the greater Excommunication deprived of his Dominions and Fiefs of the dignity he held of the holy See and condemned in all charges done and to be done In execution whereof his Palaces and the Goods in Rome were exposed to sale and the Camera took possession of Castro Vrban as yet deferring the Declaration to comprehend it in the rigorous Bulls of Pius Quintus which forbid any alienation of that which was reunited to the holy Chair The Princes were greatly moved as if all their instances had been despised by the Barberins Edward stirs himself up so much the more against them shewing therefore not the least fear calling together the Nobility and the Chief of the people with power and eloquence deduces the causes of the War the hatred of the Barberins and his own right exhorting them to fidelity and constancy Being heard with applause there were not any that promised not obedience He thereupon causes the Religious persons that were Strangers and the Bishop of Piacenza to depart his Dominion that by observance of the censures or other means they might not stir up the people Lionne passes to Parma and to Rome with several propositions but in the Barberins was clearly discovered an aversion to render and a repugnancy in the Duke to hearken to any expedient whatsoever because to the exchange in which those that interposed insisted more than in ought else and especially the Duke of Modena who had again dispatched Montecucculi to Rome the obstacle was the impossibility to find another Soveraignty which for the quality the extent and
conceived hopes of greater succours Offices at Rome for a suspension being at this very time not intermitted there were read to the Ministers of Venice and Florence by Monsignor Bichi Auditor di Rota in the name of Barberin certain ambiguous answers in which it seemed to be expressed that the Pope would suspend offences when he should be assured to receive none but withal added that if he possessed the Dukes Countries he would restore them when and to whom it should be thought beseeming the honour of the holy See To the Ambassador of France it was plainly said that to take away Jealousies a suspension of Arms should be imbraced when by the Dukes friends promise should be given that he should bear respect to the Ecclesiastical State yet the Sentence for that Cause not to be intermitted nor more words made of the restoring Castro which by reason of the debt to the Montists and the charge of the War the Camera reputed their own Such answers satisfied not the Princes and they were much more displeased with the instances which the Prefect to the Duke of Modena by Carpegna reiterated that six days after which happened to be the 10. of August in conformity to the promise the pass should be open for the Army Believing then more resolute courses necessary and that above all the march was to be hindred for the diverting those accidents which were apprehended from the successes of the War the Republick resolved to send three thousand Foot and three hundred Horse under the Command of Alphonso Anthonini Commissary of the Cavalry that joyning with two thousand which under the Conduct of the Marquess Guicciardini were sent by the Grand Duke they might defend the Modenese that Duke being perswaded to promise opposition and dispute the pass with such assistance and the assurance which Giovanni Baptista Ballarino Secretary of the Republick brought him of greater supplies if need should require All this had been reciprocally concerted under promise and faith given there having not been time for more express Treaties but it being judged necessary to conclude one by reason of future casualties there arrived at Venice the Prince Luigi and the Secretary Giovanni Dominico Pandolfini the one for the Grand Duke and the other for the Duke of Modena and the Senate deputed to treat with them Baptista Nani and Vincenzo Gussoni Cavalier to the end they should discuss the means of common defence and the ways to preserve Peace But as on the Princes side and that also of the Barberins it was believed that with shewing resolution and by advancing some steps it would be obtained so each one going on in the way of ingaging stumbled at last into a War The Barberins were now greatly perplexed at the rumours of the Marches and Treaties and their Army which composed of new men thought to go into the Country of Parma as to an easie and secure Triumph was intimidated in such sort that the Souldiers in great Troops running away was in a short time greatly diminished The Prefect publishes that he would delay his March and sends Carpegna to Modena to demand that in case of Edwards opposition he might have leave to halt in the Modenese He foresaw before-hand the answer which was just what he looked for that the Duke of Modena could no longer dispose of his Country and of himself without participation and the consent of the Republick and the Grand Duke nor did he desire it other to the end that he might have occasion to defer his March and giving in that interim informations to Rome of the state of Affairs receive Orders and also Supplies Vrban contrary to his belief seeing by the stirring of the neighbour Princes the opposition great calling to him the Ambassadour of France of his own accord for he had not at present been desired consents to a suspension of Arms for fifteen days Just at this time happens a hurly-burly in Rome which though it was foreign to the present interests served greatly to increase the confusion in the Barberins minds And it was that the Bishop of Lamego sent Ambassadour from Portugal to render obedience to the Pope although not admitted in that Quality remaining nevertheless as a Prelate in Rome met with the Marquess de los Velez Ambassadour of Spain in a certain Street and their Retinues quarrelling there arose a Skirmish that made such a noise that the French coming in to the aid of the Bishop in so great numbers the Spaniards were obliged to retire some of them being killed the Marquess hardly saving himself by flight The Spaniards imputing this disorder though accidental to the Barberins because they had admitted the Bishop and neglecting those cautions which might hinder such rash confusions shewed themselves so highly offended that the Ambassadour went his way to Naples and the Cardinals of the Nation except la Queva that was sick retired to Frascati The Emperours Ambassadour also to shew an equal sense in the common interests of the Family goes to Albano In Rome a City naturally talkative many discourses were made of more dangerous consequences minds being inflamed betwixt the Factions of France and Spain so that the Barberins being in trouble were forced to strengthen the Militia and place Guards with such orders as might keep the Peace Upon this occasion distracted in mind betwixt apprehension and negotiation they so much the more willingly promoted the suspension of Arms upon notice whereof the Troops of the Republick already on their way made a halt in the Mantuana and the Florentines in the Lunigiana The Duke of Parma thereupon bewailed himself that he was sinking under the burden of the Souldiery and of jealousies and the other Princes also perceived the dangers rather suspended than ceased judging they would rather in future be so much the greater by how much the Barberins discovered themselves not only incensed against the Duke of Parma but irritated against all those that had declared themselves contrary to their designs The Deputies therefore of the Republick and those of the Grand Duke and of Modena had secret and frequent meetings to communicate Councils and concert resolutions in case that after the fifteen days of suspension the Barberins should continue their march Some were of opinion and particularly the Modonese making use of the present confusion to prevent and move the Army into the Ecclesiastical State to disburden themselves of their own Souldiery and by bringing the Barberins to a Peace by force secure themselves of the doubt that having recovered courage and strength they should not attempt greater and more notable revenge They had in their aim also to get for their Duke out of the present troubles some considerable profit so that under the countenance of the League getting into possession of something he might happen to do himself right in part of that which he pretended was detained from him by the Pontificians But the Venetians with more dis-interessed Councils content to have saved the Duke
acts past and to the excommunication he should legitimate the crimes of Felony which were laid to his charge But no sooner was this exhibited to the French Ministers but Barbarino sollicites the Spanish Cardinals to propose to the Grand Duke a suspension of Arms and the depositing Castro into his hand with a Brief apart which should give him power to render it to the Duke of Parma when he should perform those humiliations which should be agreed on The Confederates besides displeasure conceived at the late manner of proceeding in the Treaty found many doubtful significations and sly evasions to be contained in the present Propositions and above all become jealous that Mediators and Propositions were so often changed refused the suspension of Arms declaring notwithstanding to the Ambassadours of both the Crowns their will to be most inclined to Peace when it might be obtained upon conditions that might render it lasting honourable and safe The Count della Rocca Ambassadour Extraordinary from Spain being at this time arrived at Venice and Giovanni d'Frasso at Florence and they insisting upon things already rejected obtained answers not differing The Spanish Cardinals thereupon at Rome hearkened to new Propositions of Union betwixt the Pope and King Philip which the Cardinal Barberino ceased not to suggest to give jealousie to the Confederates but the Republick in the name of all the League made so lively complaints of it at Madrid with a protest that the League on the other side would accept the invitations which France had so long made them to close with that Crown that the King immediately orders that all such practices should be broken off Nay the Vice-King of Naples upon the Popes demand of nine hundred Horse due for the investiture of that Kingdom in case the Ecclesiastick State should be invaded denys them this not being the cause of the holy See but of his Family and Kindred And to say truth the Crowns by reason of the employments wherein they were ingaged and much more for the condition of their domestick affairs had little reason to interest themselves but by mediation and offices for in Spain with the disgrace of the Minister and in France with the death of the King Government was changed King Philip returned from Saragossa to Madrid had in his heart somewhat cooled his affection towards the Condé Duke whether it was that by reason of continual disgraces the unhappy director of his Affairs was become troublesom to him or that he had perceived things had been hitherto represented to him by the Favourite in a prospective differing from the truth And now many from necessity saw themselves bound laying flattery and fear aside to speak plain but none durst be the first till the Queen supported by the Emperour with Letters under his own hand to the King and with the discourse of the Marquess di Grana his Ambassador resolved to break through the vail and discover the secrets All then took the Cue and the very meanest persons either by notes in writing or by word of mouth sollicited the King to put away the Minister and assume the Government to himself He marvelling within himself to have ignored till now the causes of this disgrace overcome with the light of so many advertisements which all at a time unvailed him was wavering at first with himself apprehending the burden of the Government and doubting lest the wonted frauds of Court were practised against the Favourite but at last not able to resist the consent of all orders him one day on a sudden to retire himself to Loeches Olivares undaunted readily obeys going disguised out of the Court for fear of the people who if they are wont to follow Favourites whilst they shine in the station of favour and greatness endeavour much more to tread them under foot when they are precipitated by Fortune This resolution was applauded by all with excess of joy The Grandees formerly sent away and oppressed returned to serve the King and render the Court more majestical and the People offered to strifes men and money animated by the report that the King would take upon him the care of the Government hitherto neglected But either fainting at the burden or new to business and with more new Ministers in the tediousness of business and the difficulties of various accidents he had fallen back insensibly into the former affection towards Olivares if all the Court had not with an unanimous murmuring opposed it nay if Olivares himself had not rather precipitated his hopes for willing by the publishing of certain Writings to clear himself he offended many in such sort that the King thought it best to send him yet further off and confine him to Toro There not accustomed to quiet and afflicting himself as great wits are wont to do he dyes within a while of grief It cannot be denyed but that he had great parts of vivacity of wit and application to business but they were either corrupted by a rash violence which oftentimes in counsel carried him to extremities or were frustrated by fortune which always crost his designs He never suffered himself to be corrupted by Strangers but it was imputed to him that with flattery or not opposing he sometimes betrayed the Kings service He possessed with great jealousie the Kings favour and the power which to arrogate it to himself alone he took from the Council and every body else He employed few and those of his dependants but he proved so unfortunate a Judge of abilities that of all those he employed some wanting diligence many capacities and all approbation he was very often for the faults and errours of others condemned by the world He always vainly shewed his power but he laid up no great riches nor fortified his private power against the publick authority with Places Armies and Governments For this cause if his Government was not applauded his fall made no great noise nor was his death considered The King in truth though he published the contrary could not or would not govern by himself alone Whereupon Luigi d' Haro Nephew but withall an Enemy to Olivares insinuates himself by little and little and with great modesty shewing his obedience to the King in a short time takes upon him the administration of the Government But in France conformable to the nature of the people the changes passed with a greater noise for that Lewis amidst the cares of his mind and the unquietness of his body was fallen sick even to extream languishing By reason of the tender age of his Son he was exercised in difficult thoughts about the direction of affairs and no less were troubled the principal Ministers the reliques of Richelieu's Faction fearing lest the Queen coming to the authority of the Regency should for former disgusts revenge her self against them Mazarine therefore Bottiglier Superintendent of the Finances and his Son Chavigni Secretary of State being reduced to serious consults about their Fortune endeavoured to possess the King with the