Page images
PDF
EPUB

of Mantua, his Majesty desires that you will continue to encourage them, as you have already had so much part in originating them. His arrival at Casale, and the journey of the Count Matthioli into France, will show more clearly his inclinations with regard to delivering up that place to his Majesty.

*

*

POMPONNE.

No. 33.

ESTRADES TO LEWIS THE FOURTEENTH.

Good dispositions of the Duke of Mantua, and of the

[blocks in formation]

The Count Matthioli arrived here the day before yesterday, and he goes away this evening

From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at

N

to Mantua. He only came here to assure me, that he would set off infallibly in the first week of next month, to go to your Majesty, as he has done himself the honour of sending you word himself; that the Duke of Mantua is always firm in his design of putting himself under the protection of your Majesty; that all those who have any command in Casale, are devoted to the will of that Prince, and inclined to the French; and that there is so exact a guard kept in that place, that nothing can enter or go out of it, except by the order of the Commandants. I exhorted him not to defer his departure beyond the time he had stated, and I told him that he would be as well received by your Majesty, as he could possibly wish.

*

*

THE ABBÉ D'ESTRADES.†

+From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris.

SIR,

No. 34.

PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE.

Venice, September 3, 1678.

*

The Count Matthioli has sent word to the Ambassador by the Sieur Giuliani, (whom he had despatched to Padua, to learn news respecting his health) that his illness begins to diminish, and that he hopes it will soon permit him to commence his journey to the Court, about the time he agreed on with him.

*

DE PINCHESNE.+

No. 35.

MATTHIOLI TO LEWIS THE FOURTEENTH.

Excuses his own delay.

Padua, September 12th, 1678.

SIRE,

The illness, which came upon me while I was getting ready for my departure, has, (as your Ma

Paris.

From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at

jesty has deigned to be informed by the Abbé d'Estrades, your Ambassador at Venice,) occasioned, to my extreme grief, the necessity for me to delay my journey to you. The eagerness I have is extraordinary, to be able with all possible celerity to throw myself at your Majesty's feet. As soon as I shall have recovered in some degree my strength, I will not fail to set off. The present emergency of the Genoese seems to me very opportune for the designs we have in view. I hope to be able, with all respect, to suggest upon this subject also to your Majesty some points of importance. I bow myself before you most humbly. Of your Majesty, &c.

HERCULES A. MATTHIOLI.†

SIR,

No. 36.

PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE.

Venice, September 17th, 1678.

*

The Sieur Giuliani, having gone one day this week to gain information of the state of health of

From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at

the Count Matthioli, brought back to the Ambassador the letter which the Count had done himself the honour of writing to you,t and which I take the liberty, Sir, of sending you. He sent word at the same time to his Excellency, that now, as he has no more fever, he will return to Mantua, in order to satisfy the impatience of the Duke of Mantua to see him; and that as soon as he shall have regained a little strength, he will not fail to set off, in order that he may arrive at the Court as soon as possible.

*

DE PINCHESNE.‡

No. 37.

- POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE.

Fontainebleau, October 6, 1678.

I have received, Sir, this week, your letter of the 17th, together with the two others from M. Matthioli, which were joined to it; but I cannot reply to them till the next post, not having as yet had an opportunity of rendering an account of + This letter is not published.

From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at

« PreviousContinue »