St. Germain, Dec. 30, 1678. SIR, You will receive this letter by the hands of M. d’Asfeld, who goes to Venice, for an affair which he will communicate to you himself, and of which you will have had, before his arrival, a more particular instruction by my letters. All that I will therefore add is, that you will put an entire reliance on what he tells you, and that you will contribute, in every way that depends on you, to the success of his particular interests at the place where you are. I am, &c. POMPONNE.[234] [234] From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 56. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Venice, Dec. 31, 1678. SIR, In order to deliver to Don Joseph Varano the letter, which I have received for him from the Count Matthioli, at the same time with that which you did me the favour to write on the 9th of this month, I have made use of the same means which I had the honour to acquaint you with in my last letter, and which we had agreed upon together, for the time during which the Duke of Mantua should remain at Venice. He told me, when he received it, that this prince had experienced great pleasure by learning from the first, that the affair was in a good state; and that he was most impatient to hear of the conclusion of it; to which I answered him in two words, that that was a hope which his Highness might, with reason, flatter himself to see realized. * * * DE PINCHESNE.[235] [235] From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 57. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Venice, Jan. 7, 1679. SIR, * * * * * * As soon as the Count Matthioli shall arrive at Venice, I will immediately deliver into his hands the letter which the King has done the Duke of Mantua the honour of writing to him. That prince left this place the day before yesterday, to return to his own States; but he is to come back to Venice towards the end of this month, to pass the rest of the Carnival there. I will keep the journey of the Count Matthioli secret, as you order me; but I beg you to believe, Sir, that it was not necessary you should take the trouble to recommend this to me, since I know very well of what importance it is to preserve an inviolable secrecy in this affair. * * * * * * DE PINCHESNE.[236] [236] From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 58. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Venice, Jan. 15th, 1679. SIR, * * * * * *