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Post by francois on Feb 5, 2020 9:46:34 GMT
Monsieur d'Blancheur,
a fine idea and I will also contribute 100 gc.
Abbe Robin
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Post by gaston on Feb 5, 2020 10:01:38 GMT
Gentlemen,
It appears that we now have more than enough to secure Major Marsaud's release.
Might I suggest that we deposit the monies with Messire Massimo Visconti, a well-respected banker at the House of Visconti on the Pont au Change, and request that he handles the negotiations?
I have always found Messire Visconti to be both diligent and circumspect in all his dealings with me, and the Austrians might be more amenable to an approach made by a gentleman who is not French?
Helen Bacque
P.S. In case Messire Visconti's efforts come to naught, do any of you gentlemen speak German ?
OOC
Helen would be happy to (have Messire Visconti) handle this. Since my orders are already in could you add this to my pre orders please Sam ?
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Post by Ymbert Montgomery on Feb 5, 2020 11:10:54 GMT
Helen would be happy to (have Messire Visconti) handle this. Since my orders are already in could you add this to my pre orders please Sam ? OOC: Sure. You just need to decide what's happening with the money if the offer is rejected.
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Post by Father William Souris on Feb 5, 2020 11:12:56 GMT
OOC: So do we give the money to Helen, Messire Visconti, or just specify Fund?
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Post by Father William Souris on Feb 5, 2020 11:14:15 GMT
We hold the money for future cases? As for any surplus (100 Livres by my calc).
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Post by gaston on Feb 5, 2020 13:39:38 GMT
OOC: So do we give the money to Helen, Messire Visconti, or just specify Fund? Messire Visconti, I expect, with instructions to return it to its owners if the ransom offer is rejected. (Certainly so in Helen's case. I suggest that any contingency fund is set up separately).
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Post by gaston on Feb 9, 2020 18:45:02 GMT
At the House of Visconti, Pont au Change...
First Voice: Ah, Madame Bacque, a pleasure to see you, as always...
Second Voice: Thank you Messire Visconti. I have the last monies for the proposed ransom for your safekeeping. I'm sorry the information I gave you last time was so vague. All I knew was that Major Jean Paul Marsaud of the Languedoc Regiment had been captured by the Austrians in the wake of a sortie.
First Voice: Well, I've made further enquiries and discovered where Major Marsaud is being held (at the Monastery of Staffarda) and by whom (Markgraf Manfred von Bresse). Major Marsaud was part of the garrison of Pinerolo, a strategic fortification which was taken over by France this year and kept by them as part of the Peace of Regensburg which was signed in October, Duke Vittorio Amedeo of Savoy gaining some minor concessions in return. Until recently Pinerola was part of the Marquisate of Saluzzo, which was given to Manfred von Bresse, an Austrian Soldier of Fortune, by Duke Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy in 1628.
Second Voice: So Manfred von Bresse is Marquis of Saluzzo and a vassal of the new Duke of Savoy, Vittorio Amedeo? I expect he was less than pleased at losing Pinerolo ?
First Voice: Correct on both counts, Madame. From what I can make out, Markgraf Manfred (he prefers the Austrian title, which is probably why Major Marsaud was reported as being 'captured by the Austrians') ordered a contingent of the Saluzzo Militia to patrol rather closer to Pinerolo than the garrisson commander considered appropriate given that His Majesty was present. He ordered the Languedoc Regiment to drive them away - which they did most effectively - but Major Marsaud was a little too enthusiastic for his own good and ended up in the hands of the Markgraf.
Second Voice: I see. Well, hopefully the Markgraf will accept the offer of ransom. I believe that Duke Vittorio Amedeo of Savoy is to visit the Royal Court at the Tuilleries Palace at the end of January and, if Major Marsaud is still languishing in captivity, it cannot but sour proceedings. Thank you for all the work you have put into this, Messire. Perhaps some payment for your time might be appropriate?
First Voice: You are too kind, Madame, but I couldn't possibly put a price upon helping to free a brave French soldier. It you could put any paying business my way in the future, however, I would be grateful.
Second Voice: I believe that Captain le Baron Huillaume Lagarde de BĂ©arne of the Royal Foot Guards is looking to mortgage his Baronial estate shortly, if that would be of interest? He's one of those contributing to Major Marsaud's ransom and I'd be happy to have a word with him on your behalf.
First Voice: That would be most kind, Madame. Mortgaging noble estates is excellent business for us, bringing in a 10% annual return with further 20% return on outlay at redemption. Might I also say, Madame, that your grasp of the Italian tongue is indeed excellent.
Second Voice: Why, thank you Messire Visconti. I learned Italian from one of the Sisters at the St.Denis Ursuline convent.
First Voice: The daughter of a noble Italian house, no doubt...
[OOC: The above is the fruit of a little historical research into Savoy in 1630. Markgraf Manfred von Bresse is fictional, as of course is Major Marsaud, but the other characters and events are historical.]
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