WLADYSLAW IV VASA: (1595-1648)

WLADYSLAW IV VASA: (1595-1648) King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania 1632-48 and the disputed Tsar of Russia 1610-13. L.S., Vladislaus Rex, one page, folio, Warsaw, 27th December 1642, to Onorato Visconti, in Latin. The King sends his compliments and good wishes on the elevation of his correspondent to an honorary title, in part, 'Rev[erendissi]mo signor, Quando finance Vs. non ci havesse certificate il suo affetto sicome abbondanta[men]te ha fatto nell'uff[icio] che con Noi ha passato per le Feste del santo Natale, l'haveressimo nulladimento molto ben compreso dalla sua amorevolezza……L'accertiamo di haverlo aggradito pienam[en]te e di corrisponderle con ogni volonta in desiderar all'incontro a Lei ogni maggior bene' (Partial translation: 'We assure you that we have fully accepted it and that we correspond to it with every will in desiring every greater good for you'). With integral address leaf and affixed seal (causing a small oval area of light discolouration to the body of text). Loosely contained in the original paper wrappers bearing a contemporary annotation. About VG Onorato Visconti (1585-1645) Italian Roman Catholic cleric and papal diplomat who was appointed inquisitor for Malta by Pope Urban VIII in 1624 and as apostolic nuncio in Warsaw in 1630. Visconti was recalled to Rome in 1636 and although Urban VIII did not consider Visconti's performance satisfactory, Wladyslaw IV took the opposite view and proposed him for elevation to the cardinal's dignity because of his imperial privilege. However, the Pope found Poland's demand unacceptable, referring to a decree of the Council of Trent which said that only those candidates who belonged to the respective nation would be admitted, and to a bull of Pius IV that only Princes could make a recommendation in whose jurisdiction the candidate lived. The dispute over this continued for four years without reaching a conclusion. Despite repeated requests from Wladyslaw IV, the Barberini Pope never considered Visconti for the cardinalate and even ignored him at his last cardinal elevation on 13th July 1643.