DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0329
CASTIGLIONE S COMPLAINT
291
and frequent appeals to the Emperor, he at length
succeeded in recovering the sum of 20,000 ducats
that were due to the Apostolic Chamber. As Papal
Collector he had the right to retain a tenth part of
this sum, but had, in point of fact, only kept 1,000
ducats to repay the money which he had borrowed
in Rome before starting on his journey. Now, to
his surprise, the Datary informed him that the Pope
objected to his action, and wished to deprive him
of this modest remuneration. The Count felt the
injustice bitterly, more especially as he was still
sudering from frequent attacks of fever.
' I hope soon to recover my health/ he wrote to
the Archbishop of Capua on February 4, 'all the
more that my illness has been a long and tedious one,
and is chiefly ascribed by the doctors to my un-
willingness to put aside these negotiations, especially
those relating to the affairs of the Apostolic Chamber.
. . . But at least I have ensured its honour and
authority. Indeed, if this had not been done, the
smallest and most miserable clerk in Spain could have
snapped his lingers at the Nuncio and the Papal
claims. And yet His Holiness grudges me a
paltry 1,000 ducats! It appears to me that this is
a proof that he is dissatished with me, which would
be the greatest vexation and trouble that I could
have in the world, since I am sure that I have done
nothing worthy of blame. I implore V. S. to relieve
my mind on this point, and tell me if His Holiness is
content with me or not. For the rest, I am writing
fully on the matter to the Datary, being well aware,
as V. S. has often said, that this is not an axe for
your grindstone, although good workmen can turn
their hands to many trades. Once more I beg V. S. to
satisfy me in this respect, because I am very sick at
heart, feeling that I am punished where I deserve to
be rewarded, a thing that would annoy me at any
19—2
291
and frequent appeals to the Emperor, he at length
succeeded in recovering the sum of 20,000 ducats
that were due to the Apostolic Chamber. As Papal
Collector he had the right to retain a tenth part of
this sum, but had, in point of fact, only kept 1,000
ducats to repay the money which he had borrowed
in Rome before starting on his journey. Now, to
his surprise, the Datary informed him that the Pope
objected to his action, and wished to deprive him
of this modest remuneration. The Count felt the
injustice bitterly, more especially as he was still
sudering from frequent attacks of fever.
' I hope soon to recover my health/ he wrote to
the Archbishop of Capua on February 4, 'all the
more that my illness has been a long and tedious one,
and is chiefly ascribed by the doctors to my un-
willingness to put aside these negotiations, especially
those relating to the affairs of the Apostolic Chamber.
. . . But at least I have ensured its honour and
authority. Indeed, if this had not been done, the
smallest and most miserable clerk in Spain could have
snapped his lingers at the Nuncio and the Papal
claims. And yet His Holiness grudges me a
paltry 1,000 ducats! It appears to me that this is
a proof that he is dissatished with me, which would
be the greatest vexation and trouble that I could
have in the world, since I am sure that I have done
nothing worthy of blame. I implore V. S. to relieve
my mind on this point, and tell me if His Holiness is
content with me or not. For the rest, I am writing
fully on the matter to the Datary, being well aware,
as V. S. has often said, that this is not an axe for
your grindstone, although good workmen can turn
their hands to many trades. Once more I beg V. S. to
satisfy me in this respect, because I am very sick at
heart, feeling that I am punished where I deserve to
be rewarded, a thing that would annoy me at any
19—2