Matthioli did not set off so soon as he had promised the Abbé d'Estrades. We must wait for his arrival to know what he has to propose to the King. POMPONNE.† No. 44. POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE. Versailles, November 18th, 1678. Neither the Count Matthioli, nor the Sieur Giuliani, are yet arrived here. * POMPONNE. + From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 45. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Venice, November 19th, 1678. SIR, I have just received a letter from the Count Matthioli, written from Zurich on the 5th of this month, in which he informs me, that the bad roads have been the cause, which has prevented him from travelling as quick as he could wish in his journey to the Court, but that he hopes to be there in a few days, and perhaps may be arrived before you receive this. * DE PINCHESNE.+ SIR, No. 46. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Venice, November 26th, 1678. I have received this week the two letters which you did me the honour to write to me, on the 4th + From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at and on the 7th of this month. I see by both of them, how much the King is disposed to receive the Count Matthioli favourably, and to listen willingly to his propositions, as soon as he shall be arrived at the Court. I think he must be there at present, as I have again received to-day a letter from him, from Soleure, dated the 9th of this month, in which he informs me that he has made as much expedition as possible, in order to arrive there quickly. * * DE PINCHESNE.+ No. 47. POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE. December 2d, 1678. * I send you only a packet belonging to the Count Matthioli, who arrived here some days ago, and who acquaints the Duke of Mantua with the circumstance. You must take great care to send From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at the letters that are in this packet to their desti nation. I am, &c. POMPONNE.* No. 48. Powers granted to Pomponne, to treat with Matthioli. The Duke of Mantua having testified to his Majesty, through the medium of the Count Matthioli, the extreme desire he has to make known his zeal for his interests; and to acquire for himself, by the most intimate alliances into which he can enter with him, the same friendship and the same protection, which his predecessors have received from France on great and important occasions : His Majesty, therefore, who has always preserved a sincere affection for the family of the aforesaid Duke and for his person, has received with pleasure the sentiments that he has manifested to him; and in order to take the necessary mea * From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at sures with him for an alliance, which shall be both most intimate and most advantageous to the aforesaid Duke, he has given full power to the Sieur de Pomponne, counsellor in ordinary in all his councils, secretary of state and of his commandments and finances, in order to, with the aforesaid Count Matthioli, agree, treat, and sign such articles as to him shall seem good, for this particular alliance with the aforesaid Duke of Mantua; promising, on the honour and word of a king, to consent to, and to confirm and establish now and always, all that the aforesaid Sieur de Pomponne shall, for this effect, conclude and settle, without contravening, or suffering the contravention of any part of it, in any manner whatsoever, and to furnish his ratification of it in proper form, within the time that shall be stipulated by the treaty. In witness whereof his Majesty has signed the present with his hand, and has caused to be affixed to it his privy seal. Done at Versailles, the 5th day of December, 1678. LEWIS.* * From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. |