Basel March 13.23 .

THe Imperiall Ambassadours have desired of the Switzers , in their meeting at Baden , passe and re-passe thorow their Countrey , provision and certain troops of souldiers for their money ; but they have received no answer as yet : in the meane time , the City of Rhynefelden , Shletstat , Colmar , but especially Bryssack , are fortified still more and more , and round about the Eckers Hill at Bryssack a strong wall is already built .

Venice March 13.23 .

The French with some men , both horse and foot , have surprised in the suburbs of Cuneo six Spanish Companies of horse , dispersed them , and obtained above an hundred horses ; whereupon , they pillaged the said suburbs , and other neighboring places , and afterwards fired them : they have likewise taken , contrary to their promise , from an Expresse comming from Millaine , who was going towards Thurino , as also from a barge , comming from Barcellona towards Genoa , all the letters .

Basel March 14.24 .

Last Munday , the Imperiall Ambassadours delivered their proposition to the Switzers , in their meeting at Baden ; namely , they desired some 1000. men , and a firme conjunction of armes for the recovering of Bryssack , and other Cities in Italie , and other things ; but the Cantons would condescend unto nothing else , but that they should have leave to buy some 1000. sacks of corne in Switzerland , and that they should have free passage to carry the same away , but these demands in those particulars were absoultely denied .

From the River of Maine March 20.30 .

Of the last thirty waggons , which were going from Frankford towards Collen , the Weymarish have not onely taken away all the goods , but also killed almost all the convoy and waggoners , for of the waggoners no more but two escaped alive , and nine souldiers came back againe to Frankford , and as we are certified , 43. men were buried in one hole ; of the Weymarish were likewise many slaip , amongst which was their Commander , and many wounded ; the losse of those waggons is an incredible losse , and will fall heavie upon many men : It is certaine that the Weymarish and French have relieved Bingen ; the Electour of Mentz is very much incensed against Don Verdugo and other Officers , because they forsook so soon the siege before Bingen , and left the Artillerie behinde them ; we heare nothing as yet , which way the Weymarish took from thence : At Hoechst they will suffer no more that any ship may go downward the Rhyne .

Vienna March 18.28 .

The fourth of May the Emperour is to go from hence to Regenspurg , whether he will stay there or go further , is not known . Archduke Leopold William hath sent his Deputies hither to the Emperour to solicite money and quarter for the armie ; and at this instant we heare , that ten Regiments shall be enquartered in Austria , the said Archduke Leopold William is to have his headquarter at Newhause , and Generall Piccolomini at Thabor .

Prague March 21.31 .

From hence we have nothing else to write , but that the 13 , 14 , 15. and 25. of this moneth passed thorow this City great forces , together with the Artillerie , whom Archduke Leopold William followed the 16.26 . of this moneth , his first quarter was at Shlan , foure leagues from home , and the second at Laun , three leagues from thence , and questionlesse they are now not far from the Swedish army , which lies about Caden , Cometau and Brixen ; and being the Swedes stay so long there , many are of opinion , that he cannot go forward , others are of opinion , that he will expect there the Imperiall armie : The Swedish Officers are much discontented and incensed against the French King , that he keeps not his promise unto them ; but what that promise is , we know not , and we heare also , that Bannier before he forsook Leutmaritz , hath not spoke a word with the French Resident within the space of a fortnight .

Erfurd 21.31 . March

We feare , that Generall Bannier , who lyes yet on the frontiers of Bohemia will march hitherwards , because every one of the whole Countrie must bring hither presently and without any delay the halfe part of their corne and provision , and th'other halfe they shall keepe , till they receive further order , insomuch that many are of opinion that Generall Bannier will pitch his campe not far from hence on the river of Saala or Unstrat , because the Magazin heere must be fill'd with all speede , and by all appearance Generall Bannier strives to draw unto him the Weymarish and Hessish forces , and being the Swedish Colonell Coningsmark with his troopes is gone againe towards Quickaw , wherfore the Saxon Regiments are gone againe from Leipzigk towards Zeitz , Naumberg and other places to their old quarters . The Imperiall troopes under the command of Colonel Gils de Haas haveleft the siege before Masfeld , and are gone towards Coningshoven , because the Weymarish Colonell Rosa is gon with 1000. horsmen towards Mainungen . Betwixt the City and the Duke of Brunswick is likely to be a new warre , because the Duke will not permit unto the Citie to keepe the 2 new yearely faires or Marts , which priviledge was given unto them by the Emperour , they have contradicted it and protested against it , and they have likewise caused all the cattels to be taken away in the open field from the outlandish merchants , which they had bought at Brunswick . The King of Denmark will not diminish the custome in the Sound , but rather raise the same at Tangermund . 2000. Brandenburgish Souldiers passed the River of Elve to free againe the old Marquisate of the Swedes , but the Swedes draw likewise their forces together to oppose them .

Dresden 20.30 . March .

The Imperiall Armie lyes now about S●atz , Cometau & other places there abouts ; Many are of opinion , that the Swedish Generall Bannier cannot well get forward , who arrived the 17.27 . of this month with his whole Armie at Annaberg ; the prisoners relate , that Bannier is resolved to pitch his campe about Qwickaw and to expect there the imperiall Armie , to which end Colonell Coningsmark with his troopes is likewise marching againe thitherwards : the Swedish troopes , that lye in Kemnitz , keepe themselves in readinesse every howre to march forward , and the chiefest Townsmen of the said City are departed from thence .

Leipzig 21.31 . March .

The Swedish Commanders in Kemnitz and Qwickaw demand a great summe of mony and great store of corne of the Townsmen , threatning them with fire and sword ; the like hath done Colonell Coningsmark with those of Zeitz , Pegaw , Weissenfels , Naumburg , and other places , and made them pay great sums of mony , his souldiers dealt cruelly with the inhabitants which rose againe from their quarters the 16.26 . of this month & march to Generall Bannier , who hath commanded some 100. men through the woods towards Egra and other places ; and at this instant we receive avisoes , that Colonell Coningsmark with his troops is comming back again , whither he is forced by the Imperiallists to retire , and whether He intends to ruinate fully our Countrie , time will shew : which causeth great terror and lamenting amongst the Inhabitants . Some say , that there be but two Swedish Regiments , which are to conduct Generall Banniers Ladie and his daughter to Erfurd , the said troopes stragle already as farre as Altenburg .

Collen 22. March 1 Ap.

The Elector of Collen , who within these two dayes , will bee here or at Bon , hath caused throughout the whole Countrie to be published , none of his subjects shal take service under any outlandish Prince because himselfe intends to leavy eight Regiments , whereof the Colonells are nominated already ; to what end is not knowne . From Spain is written , that a great part of Madril happened on fire which hath consumed a great part of the Kings Court with other costly things . Marquis de Leden is to goe as Spanish Ambassadour to Dusseldorp and to demand of the Duke of Newburg an absolute answer , whether He will remaine constant to the house of Austria or no , because he drawes the Hessish troopes so farre into his Countrie , which have taken already their quarter in diverse Townes in the Country of Gulik and Bergk , and into Siegberg shall likewise be put three companies .

Metz 16.26 . March .

The Count of Enkenfort was to depart from Paris the 7.17 . of this month , but being that Monsieur de Fequiers two sonnes arrived there and certified the French King of their fathers death , wherefore the said Count of Enkenfort , was carried againe to Boys de Viceneres .

Venice 20.30 . March

The differences betwixt the Pope and the French King grow still greater and greater , and it is likewise confirmed , that all the Clergie in France must receive their benefices of the French Bishops & not of the Pope : After the holidais the Governor of Millane is resolved to go to field with 24000. men both horse and foote , to which end He causeth a bridge to bee laid over the River of Ponere Valenza , and hath sent unto Prince Thomas of Savoy a succour of 2000. foote and 2000. horse , who hath block'd up the City of Chivas and ruinated already the mills . The French garrison in the Gastle of Thurino is not above 600. strong , the rest died of the sicknesse , wherefore the French Generall Count of Harcourt drawes together at Pignarola all the French forces , and gathers great store of provision and ammunition to relieve both places , which are in great distresse : through Languedok are marching also 15. French Regiments of foot and six Regiments of horse toward Piemont . The Turkes have taken not farre from Cadix two English ships with some 100 barrs of Silver to the value of 800000. Crownes , which were appointed for the Cardinal Infant in the Low Countries : two Turkey Pirats which were kept block'd up by our galleys at Modoy , are got of the harbour by a faire winde , but our Galleys persued presently after them , and sunck them : and from Constantinople they certifie , that fourty thousand Tartarians have already made an invasion into Poland , wherefore the King of Poland hath sent already diverse troopes and peeces of ordinance towards the frontiers to oppose the Tartarians , He hath likewise called a Diet against the 3.13 . of Aprill . The letters from Basel bring no other newes , but that a great summe of mony is remitted to the French Armie , and that foure thousand foot and a thousand horse are marching thitherwards to reinforce that Armie .

Vienna 25. March 4. Ap.

His Imperiall Majesty is resolved yet , to goe from hence the second of May to Regenspurg , the report goes that He will not stay long at Regenspurg , but whether He will goe from thence , time will shew . The Imperiall Fieldmarshall Hatsfeld is departed from hence and gone againe to the Armie in Bohemia , whether He will goe into Wesphalia or against the Wemarish Armie , will shortly appeare .

Prague the 28. of March , the 7. of April .

At this time we have but little newes to write , onely we heare , that the Swedish Gen : Bannier is marching through Misnia towards Erfurd , whether hee will take his way from thence , is not knowne : Some Regiments of the Imperiall forces are to goe into Austria to refresh themselves . Erfurd the 27. of March . the 6. of Apr :

Gen : Bannier hath a very bad march in his comming back from Bohemia , and in these deep wayes he was faine to put before divers wagons loaden with baggage , 16. and more horses , and before divers peeces of ordnance , he was faine to put from 60. to 70. horses , yet they were not able to draw them through the mire , wherefore Gen : Bannier was forced to put his owne horses before the Canons , and hath commanded from 5. to 800. musquetiers to draw together with the horses and to get them forward : On wednesday last General Bannier had his head quarter at Qwickaw , and at this present he lyes about Altenburg , by al appearance , he wil march through Misnia , , and come to this Citie and pitch his Campe here abouts , to which end divers of his Officers as also his own Nephew are arrived heere with 400. horse men and divers other troopes are to follow them , on th' other side the Imperiall General Piccolomini followeth likewise close , who kept on Sunday last his Randevouz at Annaberg , but he hath onely his horse men about him , & the foot forces together with Arch-Duke Leopold William and the Artillerie follow as fast as they can , which puts these Countries into great terrour , every one in the Countrie must bring presently the halfe part of his provision into the Magazin , insomuch that Gen : Banniers comming into these parts prognosticates , that he will draw the Weymarish forces unto him , & if they doe not come unto him it is thought , that hee will passe againe the River of Elve and goe towards Lusatia , to which end Colon : Coningsmarck hath about him some 100. Carpenters to build not onely bridges over the River of Muldaw at Grimma and Coldits , but over the River of Elve at Torgaw , that he may joyne there with Gen : Major Stollhans , the said Col : Coningsmarck hath entertained the 15.25 . and 16.26 . of this moneth about Taucha a hot Skirmish with the Saxon troopes , in which those of Leipzig tooke many prisoners , amongst which was a Captaine of horse , and obtained 3. Standards , most men are of opinion , that Gen : Bannier will at once turne away , where they imagine lest of it , in the meane time the Countrie of Misnia and Duringen wil be fully ruinated . The Electour of Brandenburg his troopelie yet about Tangermunde , which are not yet passed the River of Elve , the reason is not knowne . The Duke of Luneburg makes great preparations to goe to field , who causeth his Campe about Northeim to be repaired , and in haste to be brought together 300. strong horses for the Artillerie , it is thought , that he intends , if any forces should come that way , to turne thē away betimes . In Prussia are likewislevied great forces for the King of Poland , Lievtenant General Baudissen hath likewise taken service under the said King . The King of Denmarck his forces lie yet in and about Pinneberg , many are of opinion , that some strange businesses will fall out that way , because the Count of Shaumburg is gone towards Holland , who as the report goes , hath taken service under the States .

Leipzig the 28. of March . the 7. of Apr :

After that the Swedish Generall Bannier was arrived the 18.28 . of this moneth with his whole Armie and 72. peeces of ordnance at Annaberg and Grimma , hee enquartered his Regiments in those parts , and in the meane time commanded Col : Conings marck with 6. Regiments of horse , and 1 Regiment of Dragoners towards Pirna , which arrived thereabouts on Monday last , and the next day after they marched forwards towards Taucha , and from thence over the River of Bahra , and came within a league of this Citie , wherefore all the Saxon Regiments of horse together with 400. musqueriers of the Regiments of foot , that lie here were commanded abroad to surprise Colonel Coningsmarck with his troopes , which on Tewesday last about 6. of the clock in the evening skirmished together , in which skirmish 30. of the Saxons were slaine , many taken prisoners and many wounded , amongst the prisoners is Lievtenant Col : Callenberger & one Captaine of horse , and the Swedes obtained the most part of the baggage of Colonell Shleinitz his Regiment , on the Swedish side were likewise many slaine , for at Mockan they digged a great hole , and buried many in it , and fired thereabouts 2. Countrie houses , the Saxons obtained 2. Standards and many prisoners , whereupon the aforesaid Colonel Coningsmarck returned back againe to Grimma and from thence to General Bannier , because the report went , that the Imperiall forces were arrived about Mariaberg , wherefore Gen : Bannier caused his Ladie with 4. Regiments of horse and foot to be conducted from Annaberg to Erfurd , & hath likewise called unto him al the foot forces , that lay at Kemnitz except 150. horse men , and to Pirna he hath sent for the safeguard , as also for other troopes that lay thereabouts to come unto him to Qwickaw with all speed , some are of opinion , that he aimes at this Citie of Leipzig , because hee hath alreadie sent about 200. Carpenters towards Grimmato build a bridge there , as also one at Torgaw to draw unto him the Swedish troopes under the command of Gen : Major Stollhans & Axell Lillie . Colien the 26. of March the 5. of Apr :

Th' other night hath beene heere and in the Countrie of Gulick and berg a great earthquake , which hath put every one into a great feare ; The Hessish forces possesse now the whole Countrie of Berg excepting Wipperfurt .

Franckford the 4.14 . of Aprill .

Gen : Bannierlies now with his whole Armie about Erfurd to expect there the Imperiall Armie , the Weymarish forces are drawing together from all places to joyne with the said Generall Bannier .

Prague the 14.24 . of March .

The 7.17 . of this moneth the Swedish Gen : Bannier forsooke the Citie of Brandeyes , burned and ruinated the mills and bridges of the Citie , and demolished all the works , the like he did at Melnick , and went from thence towards Leutmaritz where his whole Armie passed the River of Elve , where he ruinated the walls , gates , and all other fortications in the like manner : The bridge he tooke up , and all the provision , which he could not take along with him , hee spoiled : Because of this unexpected retreate our Gen : came th' other day hither again , & tooke his head quarter in these 3. Cities , the Crabats and other troopes were immediately commanded over the white Hill , and all the boates were carried towards Melnick to transport the Imperiall Armie over the River All the Regiments excepting Colleredos , Wallensteins , and Lesleys , which remaine heere for a guarrison , are marching with all speed towards the Imperiall Camps Teussing , Leutits , Plaan and Topel the Swedes have pilladged , and got of those places above 30000. Rixdallers , and thereupon drew all their Safeguards unto them .

Another from Prague the 17.27 . of March

After that the Swedish forces for want of provision had risen from the River of Lippe , where they lay strongly entrenched , the Imperiall forces recovered and guarded again the Castle and Citie of Brandeys , where the Swedes had blowne up the walls on 4. severall places , the 8.18 . of this moneth they recovered the passage of Melnick . The 9.19 . the Citte of Leutmaritz and the 11.21 . the strong Castle of Tershen , finding all those places without guarrisons , and all the fortifications and outworkes ruinated . From Leutmaritz the Swedes have taken along with them some Capucyn Fryers and other Clergie men , as also some of the Senate . Some of the Imperial troopes passed the River of Elve at Brandeys because the bridge at Leutmaritz could not so speedely bee repaired again . The 11.21 . of this moneth passed through this Citie the Crabats to pursue after the Swedes . The 12.22 . the Artillerie ; The 13.23 the Hatzfeldish , and 14.24 . the Piccolominish Armie , whereupon Arch Duke-Leopold William followed the next day after , the Imperiallists striue to cut off the passage from the Swedes , if so be they take their way to wards Annaburg or Mariaberg ; Many wagons which the Swedes could not take along with them they broke in peeces and left them behind , and they have non ore along with them but 1500. wagons loaden with baggage . About Costelits were found 2. peeces of ordnance which the Swedes had sunk into the River of Elve . Holland . Iena the 18.28 . of M.

Wee are here again in great distresse and miserie , and are like to be totally ruinated , because Colonell Coningsmarck with his troopes is gone through Gera towards Zeitz , and Colonel Slangh towards Pirna with a resolution to surprise the Saxons in their quarters . The Saxon troopes , that lay at Naumburg and in Voitland are all upon flight , and are retired by Magdeburg into the Principalitie of Anhalt . By this unexpected invasion all the winter corne in the field will be totally spoiled & ruinated , & the Inhabitants will perish for want of foode . Colonel Gilles de Haas writes to Duke William of Weymar , that he hath order from the Emperour to block up the Citie of Erfurd . The 14.24 . of this moneth passed through this Citie of Ieva 300. Swedish horsemen , which relate , that Gen : Bannier with his Armie lay in a good posture about Cometaw , & that the Imperiallists lay yet far off from him . The Imperial Army is stronger then the Swedish Army , but the most part of them unexperienced souldiers . Yeasterday we received avisoes ; that the whole Swedish Armie was comming towards Annaberg , which demands of the Citie of Altenburg 2000 quarters of corne . Erfurd the 19.29 . of M.

Gen : Bannier writes from Cometaw to our Governour , that he shall gather a great quantitie of provision , which makes us beleeve , that the Armie will come this way .

Paris the 21.31 . of March .

In Italie both Armies are not yet strong enough to undertake any thing . 2000. French horse & foote have defeated in the Suburbes of Cuneo 2. Companies of Prince Thomas his Life-guard , and afterward fired the said Suburbes .

Mounsieur Senantes is to leade 2000. foot and 500. horse towards Italie for the reinforcing of the French Armie ; Monsieur de Bordeaux is gone towards Provenze to command there the Armie by Sea and Land . The Prince of Conde is going towards Languedock , and Marshall de Chastilion towards Champaigne . Mounsieur de Milleray commands the greatest Armie in Piccardie , and the Duke of Chaune is to command the Voluntiers . Vlussingen the 26. of M. the 5. Apr :

Captaine Abraham Corunissen is arrived here with Saint Malo ships , and hath met with no Dunkerkers at Sea . Heere lye readie 4. men of warre which are to goe to Sea with the first wind .

Mastricht the 28. of March , the 7. of April .

Yeasterday were brought in heere 18. horses together with 5. horsemen , which are in stead of hostages for some others , that were wounded . This partie being 43. strong was defeated in Braband by one of our parties , the wagons , which they conducted saved themselves , the aforesaid 18. horses are sold here for 2000. guilders .

Hamborough the 28. of March the 7. of Aprill .

From Bohemia we have received the confirmation , that Gen : Bannier hath forsaken Leutmaritz , fired the wooden bridge , taken along with him great store of corne , & the rest he hath sold unto the Magistrates at 3. yeares payment . The Castle of Brix & Rotenhausen Gen : Bannier hath taken , and found in it great store of provision , which hee tooke along with him , and forsooke the places againe , insomuch that the seat of warre will be againe in Misnia .

The Swe : Gen : Major Axel Lillie writes from Witstock , that he lay for some weekes round about the said Citie being in hope to ruinate the Brandenburgish troopes , & to secure the River of Elve , but being he received Letters from Gen : Bannier , that he should send most part of the foot forces towards Silesia , wherefore he caused immediately a Regiment of 700 men together with an Esquadron of Iohn Oxenstern & other troopes to march towards Franckford on the Oder . Colonel Kerberg hath received order from the said Axel Lillie to leavie a Regiment of horse , whose Randevouz shall be in the Middie Marquisate . The City of Witstock is guarded by 200 foote and 1. Companie of Swedish horse . In Pomerania and Mecklenburg the Swedes continue to levie strong forces .

Franckford the 31. of March the 10. of Aprill .

Gen : Bannier writes from Annaberg of the 12.29 . of Mar : as followeth : Colonel Slangh , who hitherto lay at Keden , with the Avantguard , to keepe back the enemie , hath met an Imperiall partie of 3000. horse under the command of Colonell Saradetzky , who marched at Melnick over the bridge & led the Avantguard to surprise Col: Slangh in his Poste , & after a long and bloodie fight Col : Slangh put the Imperiallists to flight , inso much that the aforesaid Colonell Saradetzky with much adoe saved himself a foot into the wood , all those that would not yeeld prisoners presently , were slaine , and many Officers , the number whereof are not yet known are brought prisoners into the Campe , and the rest that saved themselves by flight , the peasants made fully an end of them .

From Voitland of the 21.31 . of March is confirmed the overthrow of Col : Saradetzky , & that he saved himselfe with 18. horsemen into Shlackawald . The 19.29 . of Mar. Gen : Bannier was come within 6. leagues of Eysenberg , & went at Gera over the bridge towards Naumburg & Leipzig . Colon : Coningsmarck had his quarter at Mildenfort . Gen : Piccolomini is likewise comming towards Misnia .

Ambsterdam the 4. 14. of Aprill .

The great and heavie peeces of ordnance are carried from Dort towards Nimmegen , & the little shipbridge is likewise embarked . This weeke are arrived in the Texel , Some ships , which came from St. Haves , which bring newes , that the 10. of March wrs arrived there a barge with avisoe of newes , that reports he had seene 22 ships of Fernambourg , amongst which were some fire ships , which met and amounted with ( upon the Height of Capo St. Augustine ) 30. or 26. Spanish ships & Pinnaces , which had gone to Sea from the Bay in Ianuary , but could not tel who had gotten the victory , because he could not stay to see the end .

Captaine Peter Bancker an Adventurer of Sealand hath brought up at Rochal a prise of Rio Genero with 400 Chests of Sugar , wherewith he is expected in Sealand every day . Another Adventurer who went to sea without Commission hath likewise mastered about the Ilands divers Portugal barges . The great boates and shloopes are brought from Dort to Vlussingen , Some 100. Marriners with divers Shloopes are come to Santulikt which have some designe in hand , against which our Souldiers lye in waite .