possible to penetrate what it is, suspicions falling upon Casale, upon Geneva, upon Savoy, and more particularly upon the Republic of Genoa, on account of what has lately passed there: I even know that M. Contarini[248] has written in these terms to Venice. There are also two couriers, arrived during the last eight or ten days from Turin, at Milan; the one despatched by _Madame Royale_[249] to her envoy, and the other by the Duke of Gioninazze[250] to the government of Milan, to give them intelligence of these movements. The Count Matthioli has told us, that the Duke of Mantua intended to make an excuse for his journey to Casale, by saying, that the fear he is in of the designs of France, obliges him to go to that place, to give the necessary orders for its security. I have just now learnt, that a courier is arrived to the Spanish Ambassador from Milan. I am persuaded he is sent for the same reasons I have before stated. * * * * * * DE PINCHESNE.[251] [247] See note, page 18. [248] Contarini was at this time Ambassador from the Republic of Venice to the Court of Lewis the Fourteenth. [249] The Duchess of Savoy. For an account of her, see note, page 32. [250] The Spanish Envoy at the Court of Turin. [251] From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 67. POMPONNE TO MATTHIOLI. February 21st, 1679. SIR, I have received the letters, that you have taken the trouble to write to me, and I think I cannot do better than address my answer to them to the care of the Abbé d’Estrades, as you intend making a journey to Turin. I have not failed to give an account to the King of your sorrow at the long delay of an affair, which was commenced and is to be concluded through your means. His Majesty is still willing to promise himself a good success in it, and will not entertain any doubt of the promise which has been so solemnly given to him being kept. You know how much you may promise yourself from his goodness when you shall have accomplished the success of the project, of which you yourself laid the foundation. Upon this subject the Abbé d’Estrades will speak to you still more in detail, and therefore I will not lengthen this letter any more than to assure you, that I am, &c. POMPONNE.[252] [252] From the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 68. PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE. Arrangements for the Exchange of the Ratifications of the Treaty. Venice, February 25th, 1679. SIR, * * * * * *