which makes them apprehend, that it will be highly resented by England
which will draw their Ships into the Mediterranean Seat.
From Ittaly they write likewise, that there is one, a Commander now
at Sea, who declares himselfe against the Parliament.
The Marquesss of Carazena, Governour of Milan for Spaine is unfortunate,
for not having effected that, which the Court expected to have
been done by him, and another is designed in his place.
The Vanetians cannot tell how safely to accept of the mediation offered
by Spaine, betweene them and the Turke, as knowing the one as well as
the other, to be an Enemy to their Republique. The Resident sent by that
Republique into Germany, to raise some Regiments of that Nation,
and particularly of the Bavarian Army to be disbanded, according to the
Treaty of Munster, finds now that he hath spent his money in vaine, for
it seemes the Duke doth intend to make use of them himselfe, which is
an evident signe that that peace is not like to take effect.
Ghendt, the 26. of December, 1649.
Sir, The Affaires of Germany, touching the execution of the Peace in
the Empire are going backward, and therefore the Swedes have provisionally
taken their Winter Quarters for their Souldiers in severall
places, not without great charge and prejudice to the poore
Countrey folke and Inhabitants, who have payd their Taxes in Money,
in hope to be free of such insolent Guests and Strangers. In
the poore Countrey and Citty of Liege, things doe grow worse and
worse, for a Taxe of 10000. Patagons, or Richdollers hath no sooner
been demanded and payed by the Citizens, but that the Bishop,
their Prince, hath demanded 2500. Pistolls more, under paine of execution.
And besides the Souldiers of the Garrison, are come to
such excesse (for want of payment, and consequently of Military
discipline) that they come into the Shops and Taverns, and doe
take there by force, what they please to eate, and make their Patrons
to pay either willingly, or forceably, what they can have:
which makes the sayd poore Liegeois madd, for from being free, without
paying Excise neither upon their goods, nor the wine, they are become
slaves, and do pay imposts and Excise upon all things, besides the
particular Taxes. Thus much for the sayd City of Liege; now for the
Country. The Lorrain Forces having wasted & eaten all the Villages,
Market-Townes, and small Cityes of the sayd Countrey, and having
marched towards the Frontiers, as farr as the borders of the
King of Spaine, and of the States of Holland, what did they to fill
their Purses, and jeere the more Liegeois after they had eaten them up?