NEVVES FROM Millaine and Spaine.
The Copy of a Letter written from Millaine to Venice, by Signior Padre, concerning a strange Prince, called Prince Mammon, who is lately come into that State.
A Proclamation made in the name of his Maiesty of Spaine, for the search, finding out and apprehending of all such persons, as shall be suspected to be sent out of Millaine, by Prince Mammon and his confederates, to worke the [...]e vi [...]any in these kingdomes, as the [...] haue [...]one in the S [...]a [...]e of Millaine, by their Diuelish powder.
A Letter written from S. Lucas, concerning the Iustice and execution in Millaine, done vpon two of the principall Conspirators in the dispersing of infectious Oyntment and Powders made by the diuell.
Translated out of the Spanish Copy.
LONDON. Printed for Nat. Butter, and Nic. Bourne, 1630.
THE COPIE OF A LETter, written from Millaine to Venice, on the nineteenth of September: Nouo stilo by Signior Padre, as followeth.
THE great wonders wee see in these our Times, presse me to impart the same to you, that you may bee truely informed what hath hapned in the City of Millaine, within this fortnight: whereof I will set downe nothing, but what I haue seene with my owne eyes. On the sixt of this instant Moneth of September, here appeared a Spirit (for so I must call him) that tooke vpon him a humane shape, which calles himselfe Prince Mammon, he seemes to bee about the age of fifty yeares, he weares his beard very long and square cut, hee is neyther leane nor fat, great nor little, high nor low, the colour of his skinne is neyther white nor blacke, but is a man of a midling stature, and of a very cleare complexion. At his entrance into the City, hee appeared in a very faire Caroach of greene Veluet, embrodered within and without with Gold, Pearle, and precious Stones; which Caroach was drawne with sixe such Horses, as nature neuer flamed goodlier Creatures, all trapped with rich imbrodered Harnesse, suteable to the Caroach; hee was attended with sixeteene Footmen, young, proper, and beardlesse, who with the Coachman and postilian were all suted in Liueries of greene Veluet, imbrodered with [Page] Gold, Pearle [...]s and precious Stones, sutable to the Caroach & Horses. The Horses seemed like Turkish lennets, and were of such a composure for colour, and shape so vndescriable for curiosity, that there was no imperfection to be found in them; because, when so many excellencies meet together, they make a thing Supernatural. This Spirit thus humanized, rode through the City, in the State and Equipage of an Embassadour, in a slow motion, till he came to a goodly Palace of the Earle Triuolehet, which is soitua [...]e in the Romane Street, where he commanded his Caroach to stay, and finding the doores thereof fast barred vp with lockes and, iron bo [...]ts (the said Earle hauing left his sayd House, for feare of the infection of the Plague) he commanded his Servants to enter, but being told the doores were fast, he alighted, and came to the doores, and immediately without any violence the doores fl [...]w open, and he entred, and furnished the same House with fourty Beds, for himselfe and his retinue, where hee gaue great entertainment to all that came, and cured all diseases; but especially the Plague, which at this time rageth very sore in this place. He can transforme his shape at his pleasure, and day and night he trauaileth through this City: And when he visits the Soke, he asketh them, whether they will be healed, and doe such things as he shall require of them to doe: if they say they will, he heales them immediately, but if they refuse, or sticke at the motion, he strikes them with a Rod that he hath in his hand, and the party so strucke dyeth presently, as it hath happened to many in this City. This being knowne to the State, they consult with the Prelates; namely, the Cardinall and Bishop of this Diocesse, and when the Senate of the Clergy had attempted all wayes, both Spirituall, and Temporall, that could be imagined, for the chasing hence of this Fury, and could not doe it: at the last they concluded, that it was the will and pleasure of the Almighty God, to permit and suffer him to be there; for this I know, that after they had sent the Marshall with 200 men, well furnished with Pistols, and other munition to apprehend [Page 2] him, imagining him [...]o, be some Witch, or such like Impostor, he suffered himselfe to be attached and carryed to the Prison gate, where he made himselfe inuisible, and so got out of the Officers hands, and shortly after, he was found at his Palace, feasting & entertaining such as came to him▪ Moreouer I heard, that hereupon the Cardinal with the consent of the rest of the Clergy, determined to summon him to the Cathedrall Church of the City, to, giue an accompt to them, what he intended there to doe: which Summons was giuen on the Friday fortnight after his appearing in the Ci [...]y, as he was riding in his Caroach; vnto which Summons he did yeeld obedience, but with this Prouiso that the said Cathedrall might be adorned in sitting manner, to receiue a Prince of his Honour and Dignity: for (as he affirmed) he was a Prince or 15. Legions, whereupon there was prepared to receiue him, a Sumptuous Cloth of Estate, with Chayres a [...]d Cushions su [...]able, and vnder his feete was layd a curious Carpet of Tapestrie: wrought with silke and gold. The night of lowing his, Summons, and preceding his Appearance, he seemed to scatter much Dust in the said Cathedrall, and in the Greeke Street, where he knew the most of the People of the City would be, by which meanes it is conceiued▪ that a great number of the people were infected; for the next day following, there dyed of the Plague between 6. and 7000. of this City; but at the time prefixed, he being come vnto the Cathedrall, where all the learned of the City were assembled, he was interrogated, and vnto foure of their Que [...]tions he made direct Answeres. But then said, it was Noblenesse, and Prince like to vouchsafe to answer, and therefore of his Benignity and humane Clemency, he had answered accordingly; but said he would not further answer them, vnlesse with more; and greater authority he were compelled thereunto. Whereupon a Post is dispatched for Rome, that the Popes Authority may be had.
[Page 3]But after they had stayed all further questioning of him: voluntarily, and of his owne accord, he fell vpon a serious discourse of the high misteries of the most sacred Trinity, deliuering such truthes thereof, as their owne Iudgments and vnderstandings could not chuse but ratifie, wherein he shewed such great learning, that all that were present, and could not vnderstand him, stood amazed and astonished to heare him: Which discourse when he had ended, hee tooke a sollemne leaue, and weekely departed to his Pallace, aforesayd. By which time the Earle [...]riuoleheos, hearing how his house was entred, returned thither full of indignation, but when he came in presence of the Prince, he was strucken with such awe and reuerence, that his anger turned into Courtly Complement, saying▪ hee was infinitely bound vnto his Highnesse, that he had so honored him, as to make vse of so meane a Cottage to bee his receptacle: Whereto the Prince rep [...]ied, that hee would not proue vngratefull, and there with tooke a Viall of cleare water out of his pocket, and said to the Earle, I giue this liquor to your Honor, which you must esteeme as deere as your owne life, the vertue where of, is this; that if you take a drain thereof in pure wine euery morning fasting, neither you, nor your Court, shall be in any danger of the infection of the Plague, but may without feare lay your hand vpon a running sore. We shortly expect the returne of the Popes Authority, which wee beleeue will be here with the next Post, and after that I shall enforme you of many, and almost incredible things: the Prince continues both night and day passing through all the parts of the City, at his plesure: he spends liberally, and eates and drinkes plentifully, and when he will, he can, and doth goe inuisibly, and when hee thinkes good, resumes his humane shape. I haue many things to write vnto you, which I am forced to omit, vntill the next Post, and in the meane time I kisse your hands.
DOn Philip, by the Grace of God, King of Caslile, of Leon, of Arragon, of the two Sicilies, of Ierusalem, of Portugall, of Nauarre, of Granada, of Toledo, of Ʋalencia, of Gallicia, of Maiorca, of Siuill, of Cordennia, of Cordeua, of Corcega, of Murcia, of Iaen, Lord of Biscay, and of Molnia, &c. To you Don Diego Ilustado de Mendoca, Viscount of Corzana, and our Assistant of the City of Siuill, and our Lieutenant in the same Office, and to euery one of you, to whom these letters shall bee shewed, Greeting. Know ye that we haue bin giuen to vnderstand, by persons zealous of the seruice of God, and of vs, that certaine enemies of Mankind doe conspire how to sow and disperse those powders or dust here, which hath caused so rigorous a pestilence in the State of Millain, & in other States allyed in friendship to this Crowne; and that for the same purpose are come into these kingdomes certaine persons, whose pictures and markes be in the power or custody of vs, and of the Gouernour of our Counsell. And because so enormous and horible a crime could not be intended nor executed by any but by such as hauing giuen themselues to the Diuell, doe endeauour to destroy the whole race of Mankinde; and seeing it is iust, that they haue condigne punishment, if temporall torments may suffice for so hainons and exorbitant a crime. And because it is agreeable to the seruice of God and of vs, as a thing so important [Page 6] for the good of our kingdomes, to vse all meanes for the searching out of those persons, who are come to perpetrate the sayd crime, and for their apprehension, so that no man may hide or conceale them; by the deliberate aduise of vs and our Counsell it was agreed, that wee should send these our letters vnto you for the same reason and we hold it for good.
Wherefore we will and command you, that so soone as it shall be deliuered vnto you, you cause it to be proclaimed in the sayd City, and in the townes, and places within the iurisdiction thereof, that we promise presently to giue, and there shall be giuen 20000. Ducats, besides other honours and sauours to all and euery person and persons, as well natiues as strangers, who either personally by themselues, or by papers, or letters, shall man fest, declare, and bewray vnto you, and those other Iustices of the townes and places of that iurisdiction, the persons which are come to commit the crime, and haue conspired so to do. And in case the person which shall make the said discouery, be one of the complices, if he come in voluntarily▪ and giue notice of the rest, the sayd reward of 20000. Ducats is promised, and shall bee giuen him; and besides, from that time forward, we giue and grant him immunity and pardon of the sayd crime or any o [...]her crimes whatsoeuer, bee they neuer so hainous, or grieuous so merly cōmitted by him, and we do free him and his goods from the danger of the same, to the end that no Iudge, or Iudges of these realmes may haue power to proceed against him or any good of his And a [...]l and euery person and persons of what estate, quality or condition soeuer, which haue or shall know or vnderstand or haue heard in any sort, what persons haue conspired and doe conspire to commit the sayd crime, or shall know, or vnderstand, any thing concerning the same matter, shall come and reueale the same vnto you, and to the Iustices of the said townes and places of that precinct, within two daies after they be accquainted therewith, vpon paine of loosing their liues and goods. And for asmuch as from the first [Page 7] day of August of this present yeere, wee haue notice giuen vs of many strangers entred into these our kingdomes, and that by their entrance and aboad, there may bee much hazard and occasion of scarcity of bread and other prouisions: wee will and command, that within three dayes after the publication of these our letters, they depart out of the said City and place of the same iurisdiction, and within 15. dayes out of these our kingdomes, vpon paine of their liues, vnlesse they haue obtained the licence of vs of our Councels therein to abide, which licences shall be giuen thē, the cause & necessity of their stay being examined; except those who are come to inhabit and people the Countrey, and for the same cause shall bee admitted into many other places. We doe also commaund, that of the said strangers which haue arriued since the first of August, you make a register before they departe, and that you strictly examine them of the cause of their comming into these kingdomes, without troubling them with any other iudiciall act, vnlesse out of the confession of themselues or others, there resulte a nec [...]ssity of a Iudiciall proceeding. And you shall giue them there certificates and Passeportes, sitting down the place from whence they depart, and the markes which they beare about them. Which performe they must, vpon paine of losse of life and goods; which punishment shall irremissibly be executed against all that shall disobey the aforesaid order or any part thereof. And those Natiues or Strangers which shall receiue, or harbour, and shall not discouer those that haue come in since the said 1 day of August of this yeare, or shall hereafter come in, doe incurre, and fall into the same punishment without possibility of remission or moderation, for so is our will and pleasure. And whereas we are giuen to vnderstand, that many strangers are newly come into these our kingdomes, by reason of the sterility and want of victuals in other Kingdomes and Prouinces, and for feare of the contagion and pestilence which raigneth there, in respect of the danger they bring along with them of infecting these kingdomes with the said contegion and pestilence; we command vnder paine of death, that none of [Page 8] the said new come strangers, shall enter into any part of our kingdomes, although he be a continuall passenger, vnlesse it be found that he haue immediatly before aboade, in a place known to be void of the suspicion of the Contagion forty daies together, and vnlesse hee haue obtained your licence, which you shall giue him, hauing examined the cause, and necessity of his comming, and shall name therein the Porte by which hee entred. And as touching those strangers which were in these our kingdomes before the said first day of August, it shall suffice them to get licence and certificate from the Iustices of the place where they haue resided, who are to admonsh them not to enter into this our Court without the licence of vs or our Counsell, vpon paine of their lines. In the said prohibition are not comprized those Carriers, which come with dispatches from farre parts vnto our Royal person. And you shall both day and night keepe so strict and vigilant a Guard vpon that City, and vpon the townes and places within that iurisdiction, and vpon the parts thereto belonging, as that no stranger may enter, but with such licence, and in such manner, and forme, as is declared and intimated in this our letter and prouision. And the same also is to be vnderstood of the naturall subiects of these kingdomes, which shall come from forraigne parts. And those strangers which we command to depart these our kingdomes, must take their certificates according as they haue beene registred.
Those that shall departour of this our Court, being Flemings of the low Countries, and high Dutche before the Conde de Sora, Captaine of the Archers of our Guard, and of our Counsell of Flanders. Those of the French nation before the Conde de Castrillio, one of our counsell of estate, and of our Cabinet Counsell. And the Subiects of Great Brittaine before the Conde de la Puebla de Maestre, of our Counsell of State, the Gouernour of our Counsell of the Indies. And the Neapolitans, Sicilians, Millanesses, and Italians before Don Ioseph de Napoles, Regent of our Counsell of Italy. In which Registers & certificates so to be taken out by them, it must appeare, that they haue presented themselues with the same before the Lincetiat Don Antonio Chumacero [Page 9] de Sotemayer, Alcalde of this our house and Court. From whome hee is to goe, carrying his reason and cause with him in the saide certificate and register: and you shal not admit them in any other manner, but shal detaine them till you haue giuen aduise vnto those of our Counsell. And wee command that no Merchant, or Factor, or any other person of what estate, quality, or condition soeuer, to whom letters or billes shall come directed forraine partes, of mony to be payd thereupon, may or doe pay any summe of money by vertue thereof, nor shall accept the same from the person in fauour of whom they were sent, not from any other in his name, without first making you out said assistant acquainted therewith, vpon paine that doing the contrary, such punishment shall bee infflicted vpon him and his goods as may be answerable to his crime, and both parties shall be accounted Complices and guilty in the act. And the summe being small, or the person knowne, in full satisfaction you may giue licence to haue it payd: and in most cases you shall adulse those of our Counsell. And we commaund you to make a register of all strangers which shall be found in that City, or those townes and places of the same iurisdiction, setting downe the time how long they haue beene here, and their busines, and that none depart thence without your licence and passeport, putting it vpon recorde in the Register, which shall be made for that purpose; for making of which Register commaunded by vs you shall not raise any fee; and the Notary before whom it shall be past shall take a quarto onely of each person. Faile you not of doing this vpon paine of our displeasure, and of forfeiting 20. thousand Marauedis to our Chamber. Giuen in the Towne of Madrid the 4. day of Oct. 1630.
Don Alonzo de Cabrera The Licentiate Don Fernando Ramirez de Farina. The Licentiate Don Iohn de Cheues and Merdeca The Licentiate Alarchon. Ilazato de los Rios Angulo, Secretary of the King our Lord, and Notary of his Chamber, haue caused it to be written at his commandement, with the consent of those of his Councell Registred, Don Diego de Alarcon, Chancellour ▪ Don Diego de Alarchon. Concordateum originale.
And the said Vicount Assistant, commaunded the said Royall prouision to be proclaimed in the place of Saint Francis, and in the Exchange of the said Citty, as the most pabli (que) and most frequented places.
IN primis, that they bee carried to the accustomed place of execution, and torment with burning tonges, in all places where they haue intended their deuilish project, by conueying aed strowing their contagious and pestilent powder. And before the said shop of the said Barber Iuan Xacom Mora, to cut of both their right hands, and afterwards put vpon the wheele of torment, and their to breake the bones of their armes and legs, and there to hang vpon the top of the wheele [...]. houres aliue, and afterward their skin to be flayed off them, and their bodies burnt, and the ashes throwne into the Riuer; the house of the sayd Barber Mora, to be raced to the ground, and in the place a pillar erected called Infamous, with this Epitaph, William Plateo and Xacom Mora, for being Traytors to their Country and City augmenting the Plague with inventions, were here executed. At their going to execution, to carry before them two Trumpets declaring the Treason, with a sufficient guard accompanying them, and the stage whereon they are executed, fenced about with Rayles, to preuent the wicked intent of their complices if any should intend to infect the place: to proclaime that those that are shut vp in their houses vpon suspition of being infected, that they come not forth to be executed vntill Iuly 13.
The Gouernours sonne of Millain was apprehended, whom the aforesayd Barber Mora confessed to be one of their complices, whereupon he was committed to safe keeping with a guard, Since it is reported, that hee was secretly made away with poyson, eyther by his friends, or some of his complices.
[Page 11]The Senateur M [...]unty, is occupied night and day, onely in examining of suspitious persons, of which the prisons are full, and there are aboue 15 [...]0. persons found guilty. The sayd Senatour doth the office of an Inquisito [...]n, Notary, and Iudge, and afterwards giues accompt thereof to the Senate Much diligence is vsed and with great secrecy in the aforesayd matter, thereby to preuent it from their complices notice what they are; because they are of seueral Nations. It is imagined that there will be a great and severe execution. Also it is reported that now there is no Iustice in Millain Superiour or Inferiour.
The Gouernours sonne aboue mentioned Charles Rose Knight of the Order of St. Iohn, a Spaniard, Nephew to the President of the Contration in Sivill, is sayd to haue got away and fled to Rome, with 20 others of the complices, and that the Pope deliuered him to the Millanesses, and that they did expect him in Millain hourely. But this of his taking in Rome is contradicted, and it is reported that he and his companions escaped thence, and tooke their iourney for Spaine, so that now in Madred great vigilancy and search is made to apprehend them.
Before the execution of the aforesayd Plateo and Mora, the complices had intended to vndermine the prison, with a determination to haue blowne vp their infernall fraternity to preuent their discouery. But the Mine was discouered, and their proiect frustrated, and diuers of them apprehended.
Also, before the execution of the aforesayd, they were demanded by the Iustices and Churchmen, what preseruatiue they had to defend themselues from infection, and if they could make an Antidote against it. They answered that nothing could bee inuented of efficacy sufficient to withstand the opperation of that pestiferous oyntment, and powder: for that it was made by direction of the Diuell.
There is prisoner a Master and treasurer of the banke, for [Page 12] hauing paid aboue 100000. ducats, to seuerall persons, who were hired to disperse the infection with the oyntment and powder.
The aforesaid executed persons likewise declared, that whosoeuer did once receiue money to disperse this contagious venome, cannot abstaine from putting it in practise vpon euery one he meets, yea euen his owne Father, For this is the Compact they haue made with the Deuill, and in the performance thereof, stands their owne defence or Antidote, against the operation of the contagion against themselues.
They haue asked licence of the Commissioners of the Inquisition, to make a preseruatiue for the City by Magicke Art, but was not granted.
At a solemne Procession which they made in Millaine with great Deuotion, thereby to appease the wrath of God (as sayth the originall) and that hee would vouchsafe to deliuer the City from so great a danger, the Delinquents strowed their Pestiferous powders about the streets, so that there dyed vpon that occasion aboue 10000 persons.
They haue brought to Millaine horse-loades of these powders, and at the entry of the gates, and to passe them by the custome house, they did enter them for gold wyer, and for such paid they custome, and past cleare.
These pestiferous powders, are said to bee made with Inuocation of the Deuill, who hath written vpon the gate of the Presidents house in great letters, Doe what thou caust, for by the day of Saint Michaell there will bee few people left.
Those that spread the contagion in Millaine, carry about them little bottles of their pestilent powders, and all those they can come at they be sprinkle, and vpon whomsoeuer it falles onely vpon the clothes, he is infected and dyeth, so that in Millain it is prohibited to weare cloakes, or long garments, because if they touch it, but with the hemme of a cloake, or a long garment, they dye.
[Page 13]There is aboue 10000. Confederates, that haue all receiued money to bee imployed in executing this abominable and infernali act, and the number of them increaseth daily. There is already dead in Millaine aboue 80000. and there dyeth dayly aboue 1500 persons, insomuch that the dead bodies lie in the houses, and none to fetch them away and giue them buriall, and though the City bee rounded day and night with companies of horsemen, yet the contagion increaseth. The Cleargy are all dead, and the Churches become desert.
In Fortona which is neere by, the contagion is not yet entred, but the people are much terrified, they haue cut the wayes, and keepe streight watch neuerthelesse, and will not suffer any to enter. Millaine, Parma, Padua, Cremonta and Placentia, are wholly depopulated, and diuerse other neighbouring townes. It is not come to his Maiesties Campe. There is not a French man dead, nor Venetian, neither is the infection come to any towne of theirs. The State of Ʋenice is part in the infection. The holy Father as sayth the originall) hath entred a Capitall processe, or sute in law against the Deuill and nominated a Fiscall or Officer to accuse him, and a Procurator to defend him, and hath aggrauated his punishment, to induce him to appeare, and declare, what moued him to worke so great a mischiefe, and of the contrary what will follow.
Thus much the 13. of August. 1630.
Translated out of Spanish verbatm.
I am perswaded the most part of it is true. For they write from Madrid, that there is now come to the Court with the Protraitures and signes of some of this Confederacy which are come for Spayne, with an intent to disperse the contagion in those parts, so that great diligence is vsed to apprehend them, and throughout all Spayne a most strict watch, and no man, stranger, nor naturall of the Country, can passe from Towne to Towne without a Passeport from the Maior [Page 14] declaring his person, age, and signes, and his businesse euery Family is registred, and euery house-keeper, Inne-keeper and priuate man is bound vpon payne of 500. Duckets, not to receiue one of another Towne into his house, nor without his doores, till he carry him before the Commissary of the Inquisition to be examined. Yesterday here was a proclamation publisht, that all strangers arriuing in any Ports of Spaine, since the first of August last, should within 3. dayes repayre a Shipbord, and all Shipping arriuing since the sayd time, should within 15. dayes depart the Country, vpon paine of death, whereunto diuerse haue opposed and dispatcht away to the Court, in the interim till the sixteene dayes be expired. There can but onely the Master and two more of a Ship come a shore, neither can they come a shore alone, but the counsell of this Nation, or some of the principall Merchants whom heere the Duke, in other places the Major, nominateth [...]mu fetch them ashore, and carry them aboard, and keepe them company while they are a shoare. These things put all Trade to a stand. God grant all to his glory, and vs grace to make a good vse thereof. They report the sicknesse is at Lysbon. Yesterday here was taken a French man, and tormented and shall as it is thought be burnt, for making of false gold, and false peeces of eight.
St. Lucas the 18. of October, 1630.