John, of Austria, 1547-1578; Spain -- History -- Philip II, 1556-1598
The King sent D. John of Austria his commission and instructions to
Lombardy, ordering him to go direct from Milan to Flanders with the
haste and caution that the disturbance of these States demanded. But
this, however, was not D. John's idea; he wished, beyond anything, to
come to Spain, and, avoiding the dishonesty of intermediaries, to treat
in person with his brother about the resources on which he might count,
and the soldiers he could dispose of in his new and difficult command;
he wished also to learn D. Philip's schemes about the English
expedition, of which the Nuncio had already spoken to him a second time,
because, although it was D. John's greatest wish, he did not desire to
do anything in the least against his brother's will; and, lastly, he
wanted to plead for his recognition as "Infante," in order to have some
rank which would give him sufficient authority as Governor of Flanders,
also in England, if the expedition took place. So he wrote to Antonio
Pérez announcing his arrival; but the secretary, fearing frank and clear
explanations between the two brothers, as much as the King himself did,
planned, with him, to stop D. John's arrival by this letter from D.
Philip:
[Illustration:
ANTONIO PÉREZ
_By Sir Antonio More_
]
"I sent you a messenger by land ordering you to prevent this,
and, above all, your coming here, because of the great mistake
it would be. I wish to repeat here, and to charge you that in
nowise or for any reason whatever you should come, and when your
coming will be suitable, nobody will know it or inform you
better than I."
D. John, however, was so firm in his intention that, without hesitating
even after such a peremptory order, he sent Escovedo on ahead with
letters to announce his coming, and himself embarked at Genoa in a
galley belonging to Marcelo Doria, with another as escort, so as to
arrive at the beginning of September at Barcelona. D. Philip showed his
displeasure by sending the following note to meet him:
"Last night Escovedo gave me your letter and advised me of your
arrival at Barcelona, and I cannot help saying that great as is
the pleasure and wish to have you here, you have taken away much
of the joy that it will give me."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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