From Constantinople our Letters say, That the chief Visie
causeth them to labor night and day in the Arsenal of the said
City, for the setting out 22 new Galleys, and three Mahones,
instead of those became unserviceable this last Campagn,
and that the common opinion is, that they are to be
imployed only against the Bassa ussaim, who seems to disobey
the orders sent from thence, and pretends that he will by
force hold his Government in Candia; And that for this
cause, the Ministers of the Divan had resolved to send a
powerful Fleet thither, with 6000 men to reduce him to obedience.
Nevertheless, we look upon it as a meer pretext
invented to blind this Republick from taking notice or suspicion
of this force; but she takes the Alarm, and for fear of
a surprize, labors here with the like care and industrie to be
in a readiness of Arms, as if there were no Treaty at all on
foot for an accomodation having begun to deal with the
Marquis Fachinassi, for the raising of 2000 men in the Church
Dominions.
On the 8 instant, the Lord Du Plessis Besancon Ambassador
in ordinary of France, made his entry here with great
state, and the next morning was by many of our Nobility
conducted to his first Audience, with all the accustomed
ceremonies of respect and honor.
From the Hague, January 5.
Since my last, we have certain news that the City of Elbing
is surrendred unto the King of Sweden upon faire terms without
any blows : hereupon his Majesty (having placed my
Lord Rix Chancell[unr]r for Generall Governour over Prussia and
Lievtenant Generall Linde Governor of Elbing and the whole
Militia of Prussia) advanced with his Army and took his
march through Melsack and the Bishoplick of Ermnaldt,
towards Konigsberg, where the Prince Elector of Brandenburg
now is with all his Cavallerie; the foot with the Artillery
were yet quartered about Marienburg according to my last