summs of money or assist him with Ships according to the Proportion of that which was lent them That they should cause such French Regiments as should be entertained in Holland to be conducted to Calais or Diepe And thus in one and the same moneth the Cardinal made his entrance upon the Administration very remarkable by the resolution of the Match with England which ingaged the King of Great Brittain in his Majesties interests by the entertaining of the Spanish Forces in the Low Countries by which he diverted them from assisting the Valtolines so powerfully as otherwise they had done Politick Observation IF Marriages serve to augment the Power of a King certainly those Alliances which are made with neighbour States for reciprocal assistance in War do no less contribute towards it provided they be well established Two States well united are undoubtedly stronger then one alone and as an ancient Author saith if an enemy should prevail against one yet two would be able to oppose him Partnership is that which inricheth Merchants in Trading and Alliances enable Princes to make forraign invasions with their Forces and if there be such profit to be made out of it I suppose they are very necessary for the divine wisdome hath so disposed all Kindomes that they have all need one of another Aristotle saith nibil pâ—r se subsist it nothing is able to subsist by it self onely and if in the Microcosm every part is needfull for one another not excepting the most noble God hath also imparted Power to Soveraigns with such equality that they are never able to increase it without mutual assistance from one another Upon this foundation it is that all Alliances are established It is absurd to beleeve that the bare friendship of Princes can be a sufficient Bond seeing that it is interest which onely ties them effectually as is apparent to all men for that they usually break them when once they appear against their concernments If ever there be occasion to unite them together it is chiefly when there is danger of a common enemy and that they would hinder his growing strength and prevent him from making attempts upon their bordering neighbours and consequently upon themselves In fine it was upon that score that the Iâ—alian Ambassadors perswaded King Antiochus to league himself with them against the Romans representing to him that if he did not keep them in continual exercise they would render themselves Masters of his Allyes and then enter upon his own Country too And it was for the same reason that the Princes of the house of Orleans finding themselves too weak to make head against the Burguignions allied themselves with the English though otherwise they hated them and that Ferdinand King of Naples allyed himself with Lewis Sforza Tutor to John Galeazzi his Nephew and Laurence de Medicis that they might oppose the French who then threatned them Colonel Ornano is made Prisoner in the Bastile and thence sent to the Castle of Caen. VVHilest the King negotiated these two important Treaties and that the Cardinal gave a happy progress to them by his Counsails the Marquis de la Vieville who for the two last years had a great hand in the affairs inform'd the King that the Colonel d' Ornano Governour to the Duke of Orleans his Brother took such a course as would in time trouble the State The he had not forgot any artifice to render himself agreeable to the Monsieur and to gain such a power over his spirit that the Honour which he had to be his Governour gave him a great power in his Family That before he had gained the Mounsieurs affection he made his brags openly that he would get the Mastery over him to the intent he might raise his fortune to a higher pitch That he began to sow distrusts in the mind of that Prince and to extinguish the seeds of that Respect Love and Obedience which Nature had given to him in creating him That he took advantage of his good favour to make himself feared and that he vaunted to have done many things contrary to his duty of which there were many particulars and that he was observed to take great care to hold Intelligence with the Grandees of the Court This was so much the more to be feared for that the greatest misfortunes and the most part of Civil Wars have no other beginning then misunderstandings of Princes against their Kings The King thought good to impart it to the Cardinal and having demanded his advice of what was proper to be done in that occasion he did not at all dissemble the danger it would be to permit this procedure of the Colonel But the moderation of his spirit would not suffer him to carry him on to use such violent remedies as others did advise him to but on the contrary he represented to him that the Laws of Mercy obliged Kings to pardon the first faults of Grandees provided that they would confesse their errors especially if there be a meanes to prevent any consequence of danger That the wisest are sometimes subject to miscarriages and are also capable to repent them and afterwards to doe great services That the moderation which many wise Princes have shewed towards such offenders hath made them more faithful and affectionate then those who never committed any miscarriage at all That this Repentance was the more reasonably to be hoped from the Colonel d' Ornano who till then had lived within those limits which ought to be observed by those of his condition that his Father had given him a good example by those services which he had done until his death That he had indeed forgot himself but that his omission might be remedied which seemed to deserve pardon so much the more in regard it is almost impossible for the greatest part of Mankind not to forget themselves whenas fortune shall advance them into a place of Eminency Moreover there was reason to hope that the onely removing him for some time from the Monsieur would make him reassume his former countenance would make him sensible of his fault and he himself would easily be induced to judge that this embroyl wherein he had suffered himself to be surprised would undoubtedly precipitate him into utter ruin instead of raising him into a higher condition This counsel was accompanied with a much Prudence as Moderation and the King who is ever carried of himself to follow the best advice onely commanded the Collonel d' Ornano to retire himself to his Government of Pont-Sainct-Esprit untill he were permitted to return to the Court but the Collonel being confident that there were nothing but surmises and conjectures against him had the boldness to refuse obedience to this order perswading the Monsieur to keep him near him and to procure from the King by any extraordinary instances that he might not be forced from the Court The Monsieur beseeched his Majesties with all possible affection However the King gave him to understand that
his Counsels of making himself absolute Master of Italy it being most probable that who so once seizeth on the dore would likewise enter upon the whole house It being thus manifestly necessary to oppose the progress of this ambitious design it could not be better effected then by the assaulting of Genoa which is the onely Port of entrance on this side of the Alps which being shut up and preventing his ingress on that side he could hardly bring in any Troops at all especially if the Forts of the Valtoline were no longer in his possession Withall the State of Genoa did not onely serve the Spaniards as an Inlet into Italy but also to convey souldiers into Germany and the Low Countries and for a Mine from whence they extracted good store of mony so that the depriving them of it would be no small weakning to him These were the true reasons which invited the King to this attempt which were so just that it appeared lawfull that State being the onely Flower which the negligence of some of our Kings have suffered to be pulled out of this Crown and the Spaniard could have no more reason to complain of his Majesties entring upon Genoa which was under their Kings Protection then the King of France had to lament his seizure of the Valtoline of which his Majesty of France had had the Protection for many years together The King was necessitated to make use of the Duke of Savoy in this affair both that he might have free passage thither and also furnish himself by that means of Cannon and provisions for the Army The Cardinal perswaded the King to make him chief of the expedition whereby the more to ingage him All this was dispatched in a conference had with him at Suze by the Constable of Lesdigâ—ieres The Marshal de Crequis returned to the Court after October in the last year to give an accompt to his Majesty of what might be expected from him and the Sieur de St. Gerry was sent back to the Duke and Constable with those resolutions which had been concluded on in relation to their Proposals and with order to the Constable to raise forces necessary for the design The Duke was the more inclined to it seeing the injuries which the Genoeses had done him but lately were a just cause to begin a War He declared in his Manifest that they had destroyed the limits which parted the Lands of Genoa and Piedmont and had incroached upon his Territories that they had violently taken away the Fee of Zuccarel and withall offered indignities to his Effigies as a mark of the hatred which they did bear him These just offences did oblige him to resent them but he being too weak to carry on a War against them where he should quickly find the Spaniard in the head of them was very glad of the Kings assistance and willingly accepted of the honour of commanding in chief all such Forces as should be sent which being thus contrived they could onely passe under the notion of Auxiliaries And if it were honourable for the Duke to be the head of such an enterprise it was not lesse advantagious for the King to raise by this means a diversion able to find work for all the Powers of the House of Austria without making an absolute breach with them The Cessation preserved at that time the Forts in the Valtoline and ingaged the Duke by so many Interests and concerns in the War that it was impossible for him to fall off or be unfaithfull and not find his own ruine in it And the Cardinals counsel in this particular passed for an effect of his incomparable Prudence These things being thus concluded on and orders given out accordingly the King commanded the Marshal de Crequis to return back to the Constable of Lesdiguierres with further confirmation of what ever had formerly been sent to him by the Sieur de St. Gerry in order to his Proposals It would not have been amiss to have ingaged the Venetians in this design which was attempted but Common-wealths are so long and so hardly induced to resolve upon any great affair that it was done without them The Constable passed over the hills about the beginning of the year with ten thousand foot and two thousand horse and there met with the Marshal On the second of February the whole body of the Army consisted of five and twenty thousand foot and four thousand horse every one ready to march about the end of February which strook such a terrour into Rome that the Pope and the most part of them knew not what to think of it but apprehending that they should shortly see all Italy in a flame of War and fearing lest the sparkles of them might fall on them and consume that sweet repose which they then injoyed Politique Observation JT is great Prudence in a King who would enterprize a forraign War to make himself sure of that Prince which is nearest the Country he would assault it was for this reason that Scipio designing to carry the War in Affrica against the Carthaginians procured a League to be made between the Romans and Cyphax but as it is a thing very difficult to keep Princes Confederates in a War any long time together in which they have little interest So it is a great peece of Wisdome to make him chief of it when a design cannot be executed without him by reason he is master of the passages and it is from him onely that recruits can be had as also Ammunitions of War for the subsistance of the Army To avoid the ordinary mis-fortunes of Leagues it were necessary that those Princes with whom one doth ingage were obliged by other tyes then those of Fidelity which is due to their words and if it be so important for all Allies it is much more necessary for him Had Lewis the Moor Duke of Milan been touched with this fear and beleeved he could not have broke off the Alliance with France without losing his Estate he had never been worse then his word with those of our Kings who had not carried their Arms into Italy but upon the assurance he had given him of his Fidelity And who seeth not that the King that doth thus hath an advantage of assaulting his enemy without making an absolute breach with him He hath an advantage very considerable seeing it serves him to put his own Estates in safety and that he doth ingage that Prince so much the more strictly whom he makes chief of his design to keep his word with him because if he once break off he may freely abandon him and suffer him to perish under his enemies Arms without putting himself to the trouble of making a Treaty of Peace or breaking the Laws of Alliance which do not oblige to any further assisting of him who hath once broke his word The Pope sends the Cardinal Barberine in the quality of a Legate into France to negotiate the Peace between his Majesty and
ALthough it be expedient to detect the chief contrivers of a compiracy either against the Publique quiet or their Kings person yet wise Politicians have not thought it proper to prey too exactly into all the complices or the plot it self if any great number of potent leading men have ingaged in it It being to be feared least either their quality or number might draw others in or that the pretences of their design might be so specious that many persons might be concerned in it who never knew at all the true depth of the business It was upon this accompt that the Senate of Rome condemned Lucius Vectius and Tarquinius for discovering that Caesar and Cressus were parties in Catalines conspiracie it being by them feared and that with reason least a greater number who were admirers of those two eminent persons might betake themselves to the same party A little dissembling upon such an occasion will be more then the strictest inquisition as Pompey made appear upon Sertorius his death for Perpenna having sent him a great chest full of Letters which the Romans had sent to Sertorius ingaging themselves in his quarrel he would not read one of them but cast them all into the fire fearing least instead of one Sertorius twenty might spring up in Rome when they should find themselves discovered and for his part it was not his desire to force or oblige them by violence to unite themselves together for their own defence Thus Alexander having intercepted some of Darius his letters by which he had incouraged certain Grecians of his own Army to kill him was in a great doubt whether he should suppresse or discover them at least to those to whom they were directed but having asked Parmenios advise in the business he was counselled not to speak of it to any one whatever because in a multitude there are never wanting some seditious persons who only lack a head and prop to make the wickednes of their hearts apparent and are naturally so base-minded that the bare report of a Faction is ground enough to ingage them in it Certain Broyles sprung up in the Court of England by the ill Counsel of some of the Queens household THe Court of France was not the only Scean of Factions England was no lesse pestered with imbroyles by those divisions which happened between the King and Queen but ended by the returning into France all the Queens officers though by the Articles of marriage it had been concluded That her Majesty should be attended by officers who were French and Catholiques But it was most certain the English never intended long to keep them which they sufficiently shewed by the entertainment given them at Dover where they could hardly get meat for their mony and soon after their arrival they laid hold on several occasions to put what that had concluded on in execution It is reported that some Ecclesiastiques and women did sow jealousies and discontents between the King and Queen which exasperated the King very much against them whereupon the Duke of Buckingham designed that his Wife Sister and Niece might be her Bed-chamber Women which being contrarie to the Articles of Marriage which did prohibit any to bear office in the Queen's Family who were not Catholiques it was denied him which angered him the more in regard he had used to dispose of all affairs in England with a great deal of Authority It was indeed proposed not long after to do that Honour to his Mother who was a Catholique and to his Wife who was that way inclined but he being unsatisfied with it did from that time forward use his utmost endeavours to foment and revenge it But it is on the other side reported that Madam de Cheuureuse discontented in the French Court and having got a good acquaintance in England blew the Coales of this division only to be revenged and withal that Buckingham was much blamed by the Parliament of England for having admitted of divers Articles the Treaty of Marriage which were prejudicial to the Religion of the Country and threatned to be called to an accompt for a vast summe of mony which was pretended he had diverted to his own use Now to satisfie the Parliament who are of great power in England he made it his business to fall upon the Catholiques especially the Queens officers and all that he might testifie to the Parliament how he would conform himself to their pleasure in every thing But he was vexed most of all when he went into Holland upon some affairs with design to passe to the Court of France and the King gave the King of England to understand that he did not like of the Journy The Earle of Holland too did not a little set on those divisions for that the French who were neer the Queen had hindred him from being over-seer of her Majesties Revenue and had perswaded her to bestow that place upon the Bishop of Mande which exasperated him very much so that he made use of his power both with the King and Bukingham to drive on the business to such a height that it was at last concluded that all her Majesties officers should be returned into France which was accordingly performed and about the beginning of August they were forced to crosse the Sea Politique Observation IT is Common upon the marrying of great Princesses with a Forraign King to give them officers of their own Country but it is seldome seen that they continue any long time neer them It cannot be avoided but that there will jealousies and heart burnings arise between them and the Natives of the Country concerning their enjoying those offices which they believe are due to themselves which jealousie doth usually raise such storms that their ruine is included in it but admit no jealousie did arise yet the meer diversity of their language and Customes were enough to create differences and divisions between them Forraign officers cannot forbear discoursing together in their own language which createth suspitions in those who understand it not By reason of the diversity of their fashions they laugh at one another which commonly breeds quarrels between them and withall let a man be never so complaisant in his humour yet there is alwayes a jealous eye upon them that they contrive some thing against the State Of this there are divers examples in all times as particularly in the raign of Francis the first in which Bellay reporteth that Affairs were very much imbroyled by strangers instancing the Bishop of Liege the Prince of Orange the Marquis of Mantua and Andreas Doria hence Bodin in his Commonwealth doeth much blame the Venetians for admitting of all kind of strangers amongst them Lypsius observeth That as when many crickets come into a house it is one assured sign of their sodaine destruction so when a great multitude of strangers shall live in a Nation it is a certain Index of some revolution neer at hand Indeed they have not usually any great deal of affection
a Deity They knew Heaven would be very severe in punishing those who violated it and they would not only be overwhelmed with Infamie but that it would be of ill consequence to the State considering how true it is that Justice and Fidelity are the two chief things which support the Thrones of all Kings Prosecution of the Subject I Cannot omit the great assistance which the Venetians did this year send unto the Duke of Mantua it being impossible for his Majesties whole Army to have been with him soon enough although some few Troops had already come to him The King had by his Ambassador negotiated those Succours with the Venetians upon the first discovery of the House of Austria's design Now the Venetians were the easier enclined to send these Succours it being their very great Interest to hinder the Spaniards growing power in Italy especially so neer them they having so often and so long had designs upon them Besides they well knew that they had at that present several good Towns and places which formerly belonged to the Dutchy of Milan but had been taken from it by their Common-wealth which peradventure the Spaniard might have a mind to recover from them In conclusion they send divers times Mony Victuals and some Troops unto the Duke of Mantua which did not a little help to preserve him Politique Observation THere is not any thing more dangerous then to suffer a potent Ambitious King to seize on a Neighbour Princes Country by violence seeing his conquest will only serve for a Bridge to the next Kingdome An Ambitious King is like a great River ever eating into it's Banks without regard had either to the Justice or Injustice of his designs When he hath once proposed his end he careth not by what means it is atchieved His chief care is how to make a party in his Neighbours Country how to raise a division which may open an entrance for his Ambitious designs He spareth no cost to corrupt their Officers and Ministers He is like some people in Affrick who sleep with their eyes alwayes open and as he believeth the greatest glory to consist in possessing the greatest empire so he imagineth the design of Command to be a just cause of War If his Forces be not strong enough he bloweth division amongst his Neighbours to make them revolt and maketh use of those who are credulous that he may subject their fellows to his Dominion He winks at Justice not that he may Judg with Equity but that he may not behold if possible the injustice of his own intentions In short there is not any thing which he will not do if it lead him to new conquests Which being thus who can be ignorant of the obligation which lyeth upon all Allyes to assist one another when any attempt is made upon any single Country amongst them The assistance which they lend is a security to their own States and in fighting for him they confirm their own quiet But above all they who are nearest bordering upon one another ought to be careful in this particular because they run a greater hazard When an Army is at our Gates it is little worth then to call upon a relief far from us for great Armies do not flye no they march but slowly and before they can arrive to assist us we are lost and taken He who being unable with his own strength to defend himself calleth in a friend far distant from him is like a sick person who being taken with a sodaine dangerous fit sendeth for an able Physitian to another place twenty miles distant and in the mean time before his Doctor arrives becomes incurable Antiquity hath furnished us with an admirable example of the thing in that of Sâ—gâ—nte which being besieged by the Carthaginians was taken before the relief from Rome could come up to it And of later times the City of Sienna being besieged by the Imperialists was in expectation of the French assistance but to little purpose they being at too great a distance to come up to them In such occasions those Countries neerest at hand are to be employed they being in reason bound to rise in their behalf and hereupon it is that Alliances and Leagues made with them are much more advantageous then any others whatever Prosecution of the History NOtwithstanding that the Treaty of Peace and the Renewing of Alliance between France and England had been concluded in April whilst his Majesty was at Suze yet the final confirmation of it was used to be done by oath and by extraordinary Ambassadors interchangeably sent which Ceremony had been put off until his Majesties return back to Paris from his Italian-Expedition and was now performed in September at Fontain-bleau whither the Lord Esmond came from the King of Britain for that purpose The King caused him to be entertained with very great honour as had been accustomed on such occasions particularly invited him to dine with him at his own Table that day when the Ceremony was celebrated The appointed hour being come he was conducted into the Church of Bourg magnificently prepared for that purpose where the King and all the Princes of the Court wayting on him hear'd Vespers At his entrance he saluted with great respect the King and Queens after which he took his place in a Scaffold made ready for him The King made the oath in his presence and swore upon the Holy Evangelists to observe and perform all the Conditions of the Treaty which he had signed The same oath was made at London the same day with no lesse Ceremony by the King of England in the presence of the Marquis de Chasteauneuf Extraordinary Ambassador there forth at purpose Politique Observation AS Sacraments render Actions the more venerable so have all people thought it fit to confirm their Treaties therewith that Princes might be obliged the more Religiously to observe them But in all times they have been as various as Nations That which was most universally observed was to drink in the same Glasse It is true those of Thracia and Aegypt did not use the same Cup but the same Ox-horn The Jewes used to kill certain Beasts and divide their entrailes The Caldeans passed through certain Flames holding a Sword in their hand to confirm their oaths But the Ceremonies of the Arabians seem to me more extraordinary then all the rest Some eminent Person of the Treaters placed himself in the midd'st and beating his hand with a sharp stone drew bloud which was gather'd up with some part of their Cloths wherewith they besmeared seven other stones about which they stood invocating the names of Denis Vrania The Scythians mingled blond with Wine dipp'd their Arrows their Hatchet and Javelins in it with several Protestations of Fidelity and then drank it up causing the witnesses of their oath to do the same The Romans were accustomed to call their Great Priest who raised an Altar of Turf placed a Hog on it which he smit with a
stone in their presence beseeching Jupiter to strike them in the same manner if they should break the Treaty We likewise read in the History of the Sieur de Join'eville that St. Lewis the King being at Caesarea a Knight of the House of Concy came to him and desired him for a greater assurance of his fidelity that he would be pleased that his Majesties Souldiers and his might in token of a strait alliance mingle blond with Wine and drink it one to t'other and that the King approved thereof and the same History addeth that moreover they forced a Dog to passe between their Ranks at which every one struck with his Sword saying so may he be struck that fails of his word The Monsieurs retreit into Lorain AFter the Kings return from Languedoc the Queen Mother passionately desiring that Monsieur should marry one of the Princes of Florence though he could no way resolve to love her shee being no beauty saving the Honour of her Family otherwise little recommendable suffered with great impatience that Monsieur should bear any good will unto the Princesse Marie Whereupon she was very earnest with his Majesty that he would expresly prohibite him to marry her without his Royal permission Now though the King seemed to have a good esteem of this Princesse yet however the rule which he had alwayes imposed on himself to give the Queen Mother al content obliged him to forbid and respect and obedience the other to accept of it but which such discontent it was that unable longer to stay at Court he retired into Lorain The Duke of Lorain received him with great Honour whether it were because he was bound to respect him or because himself being already discontented with France and of the Spanish faction did hope to find some occasion to satisfie his own hatred His faithful Servants indeed would gladly have diverted him from this retreat but as most great men become jealous and suspicious of them who give them not such Counsels as tend to extremity but endeavour to moderate their actions so they durst not speak their thoughts to him The most judicious among them found themselves reduced to the condition of the Romans who seeing their City on fire by Nero's command durst not endeavour to quench it lest they might anger the Emperour for that they saw several of his servants adding more fuel to the fire whereby they might please him Neither wanted there some persons about Monsieur who having no other design then to flatter him for their own ends perswaded him to such resolutions as in their own consciences they could not but condemne I may add that they endeavoured from that time more then ever to raise distrusts in him against the King and the Cardinal whereby they might possesse him with fear and they became so much the more considerable unto him in that they found means to oblige him to look upon themselves as the onely means of his safety They having been thus the principal causes of his departure deserved much more to be blamed then he did because he having once confided in them it would be an hard matter for him to defend himself from their treacheries The Queen Mother was not to be excused shee having something contributed to drive him into these extremities which could be advantagious to no one but very dangerous to France as experience hath made it appear and withal the Cabal which was then at Court having grounded all those broils which since hapned upon his departure The Cardinal foresaw the ill consequences if not remedied therefore he omitted nothing in his power which might induce his Majesty to sollicite him to return but the discontents of Grandees are like those sicknesses which must necessarily have their course and cannot be cured until the natural heat hath overpowered the maligne powers in the body so there was a necessity of expecting what time might produce that he might be perswaded to return Politique Observation PRinces of the Bloud Royal cannot possibly follow worse counsel than to withdraw themselves from the place of their birth There it is that the Center of their glory is and where they are respected with more honour than they can hope for there they onely see the King above them whereas in other Countries they are inferiour to many The Stars in the Firmanent have not any light but when they are within sight of the Sun and Princes are never so glorious as when in their Kings presence it being their greatest glory to be of his bloud they are like burning-glasses which out of the Sun are of no use Their King is as their soul and all their greatness consisteth in his Majesty and the splendor â—â—ich they receive from him gives them so great Authority that they may upon the matter do whatsoever they desire whereas when once they go out of the limits of their own Country they change their Commands into intreaties It is onely near their King that they live in the abundance of pleasure and delight but when once they forsake him they are presently reduced to want and necessity Here they are onely restrained from being Prodigal nothing is refused them that is necessary whereas among strangers they are forced to be contented with that which at home would hardly maintain their Officers neither have they that without submission Is it not then with little reason pretended that they retire for more liberty seeing they are never so much observed as amongst strangers where every thing they do is suspected If they have any liberty it is to foment divisions in their own Country But why do they not consider that in so doing they act against themselves against their own greatnesse for that they are not at all considerable but by the Kingdom from whence they are extracted The Reasons and Causes of Monsieurs Retirement AS it is natural to seek pretences for the hiding of faults so Monsieur gave divers reasons of his departure for his own justification Those Grandees who complain of a State where they are born cannot better be compared then to those who are in a deep water where they lay hold on every thing to secure themselves from danger He first of all complained of the disorders in the State a thing usual in all those that revolt as if the true reason of their discontent were not known when the truth is nothing but their own particular interest withdraws them They who had been with him should have informed him what alterations the Cardinal had made in France since he first came to the State He found it in the most deplorable condition that could be by the ill management of certain Ministers who unable to second the Kings prudent and generous intentions had cast all things into confusion The Hugonot party was then so strong that they would shake off the yoke of obedience at their own pleasures The Princes of the Bloud would usually revolt upon the least discontents The Governours of
Provinces were like so many petty Kings The Kings family was maintained by two or three years advance of the Treasury before hand exhausted to inrich those who were factiously inclined and without any honour to the King The Allies of the Crown were left to the mercie of their enemies of whom the Kingdome stood in fear The case was now altered the Heretick faction was brought upon their knees the Princes of the blond were forced to live in obedience the Governours of Provinces durst do nothing but what was just the Treasuries were well regulated and employed for the Kings Honour and State In short the whole body of France heretofore sick and languishing began to recover strength with assurance of perfect health when as its Forraign and Domestick enemies did not at all divert the Cardinals designs All these things were so apparent that the Cimmerian darknesse could not hinder the sight of them but who knows not that the strongest reasons cannot touch them who are over-mastered with Passion as we have reason to beleeve they could not those about Monsieur seeing they were so blind in perswading him to a course so directly contrary to that which the Cardinal had projected for the establishment of the Kingdom They should have learned that as the Planets do not immit their influences here beneath without causing of great alterations in the world so neither do the Princes of the Blood ever separate themselves from their King and Country but they cause great troubles and disorders and in case there were any others in the State this were to remedy it by a worse a thing contrary to the Laws of Prudence but a thing not much by them regarded so they could but overcome their Masters spirit that they might afterwards lead him to whatever they desired Politique Observation IF Divine Providence doth not appear with more splendour in any one thing then the Government of the Universe then true it is that humane wisedom is never more admirable then in the Conduct of Kingdomes especially when they are fallen from their first height and that there is a necessity to re-establish them This re-establishment doth undeniably depend upon that particular Minister who governeth affairs next under the Authority of his Prince for he is in the State as the Sun in the World as the eye to the Body and as the Primum mobile among the Heavens Yet however two truths cannot be gain-said the first is that a State being a society of free men who not exactly following the motions which their chief minister gives them it cannot be avoided but that some disorder must follow unlesse divers others besides himself be assistant The principal causes share indeed the chief glory in producing their effects but not of being the onely producers of them and the Sun himself could not enamel the earth with the Flowers of the Spring unlesse other causes did co-operate and as no Labourer how vigilant soever can hinder the fields from producing Weeds so it is likewise impossible that a chief Minister how prudent soever should so settle a State that no disorder should appear in it seeing it is no lesse natural for people to he unruly then for the earth to bring forth weeds The second that it is a work of time to re-establish a State once fallen into confusion Nature works slowly produceth the seed out of the grain the sien from the seed the tree from the sien the flower from the tree and at last the fruit Thus likewise a Minister of State how excellent soever he be cannot reduce confusion into order but by little and little and by setting his Engines on work one after another There must needs be some time spent in inquiring into the true causes of these evils it being impossible to apply convenient remedies without discovering the original defect He had need be instructed with Prudence and experience to consider those things which have heretofore conduced to make that State flourish which he would now restore and also that which hath been glorious for other States He ought to imitate good Physitians who having observed those ill humours which cause the sicknesse use their art first to purge them out and then to bring their Patient to a good temper The principal causes of the ruine of a State are civil Wars disrespect of authority the too great Power of Princes of the Blood Strangers and Governours Factions negligence in Judges to punish publick disorders want of good Discipline among Souldiers and the oppressures of the people now what a deal of time must there be to redresse all these and establish one quite contrary It cannot be done but by time and labour nay impossible if the Kingdom be either in civil or forraign War Lastly the Minister hath need of some time to reduce the neighbour Countries into such a condition that they may not indanger his Physitians are carefull for the restoring of their Patient to perfect health that neither the ayr nor any thing about him may be offensive to him and a Prudent Minister is no lesse obliged to be carefull not onely that his neighbours may not injure him but that they may be serviceable to him He must keep a strict intelligence with his Allies not injuring them but assisting them in all occasions as the Romans did who sent their Embassadours from Town to Town to make a friendship with them and to divert them from the Carthaginians He ought to indeavour the breaking off all Leagues between forraign Princes whose strength by their uniting might become suspected whence it follows that he ought not to be over-hasty in extinguishing any Wars between them nay some he is bound to foment as Lewis the Eleventh did to divert those storms which else would have fallen upon France These are the chief means which can contribute to the establishment of a State but who seeth not that amongst a thousand different causes it is impossible totally to effect it unlesse after a long time and with extream care and diligence The Marshal de Marillac is send by the King to Monsieur THey of the Queen Mothers faction would by no means let slip Monsieur's retreat without making advantage of it They despaired of ever overcoming his Majesty considering how great an esteem be professed to have of the Cardinals services They very well knew that the Queen Mother could not countenance any one against him so powerfully as Monsieur whereupon they did their utmost to breed a good understanding between them and when his Majesty had sent divers to Monsieur they did at last work the Queen Mother to procure Marillac to be sent to him a person whom they knew to be fit for their design The Cardinal gave him his instructions as to what he should say from his Majesty which tended to remember him how really his Majesty did affect him heretofore to assure him he was not at all altered at that present That his Majesty did not complain of him for his departure
sorts of wickednesses which are not powerful enough to entertain the minds of women especially when they believe that the subject they work upon would set bounds to their Authority and hinder them in their Governing according to their own Fancies The greediness of absolute command hurries them with a greater impetuosity to revenge then any other cause whatsoever without this consideration that God hath not created their Sex for Government and experience hath evidenced it upon many occasions that they are very unfit for that purpose But as Ambition is a blind Passion we do many times see great obstacles opposed to their Powers when they think to increase their Authorities and the greatest props of their Grandeur ruined whilest they use their greatest endeavours to render themselves more absolute The great Qualities of the Cardinal ALL the Artifices of the Queen mother made no other Impression upon his Majesty then to carry him to recollect and reiterate in his mind the Fidelity of the Cardinals services the great affection wherewith he had behaved himself in all occasions where his Majesties glory was concern'd the good success which accompanied his Conduct of his Armies the Incomparable Prudence wherewith he was endued with which he did penetrate into what was to come and foresaw effects in their Causes and accordingly prepared Remedies before they hapned the indefatigable vigilance which made him so intent both day and on the affairs of State that though he gave Orders in the greatest yet he never forgot the least and that prodigious promptitude which produc'd effects from resolution in Counsel before one knew whether it were resolv'd on or no These were those just considerations which the King recalled into his mind to oppugne the divers Artifices of the Cardinals enemies and one may say they did so fix his Majesty against those violences with which they would as it were shake him that to the end he might evade those perpetual instances which the Queen-mother hourly made to him he resolved to go to pass away some days at Verfilles In effect that was the cause of the King 's going from Paris and the Queen-mother could get no other satisfaction from his Majesty then that of Respect and hearty affection by his taking leave of her Politique Observation THe King well knew that the disgraces of a grand Minister are as dis-advantagious to a State as his services have been profitable and that in it a Prince receives as much blame as he had once gotten glory in drawing him neer to Person An excellent Workman never uses to throw away his Instruments wherewith he is accustomed to make rare pieces of his Art and a King doth much recede from a great Conduct if he doth drive from the Government of his State-affairs such a Minister whose admirable Genius is the principal instrument of his glory Undoubtedly the Counter-blow of such a stroke might rebound against his Authority He ought to know that it is easie to blame those who govern and to lament their Conduct and that many more find it very perfect and compleat seeing it doth not give them leave to do whatever they would in their own particular and that the Estate of Publick Affairs ought not to be judged by those of their own houses There need no more but to consult with experience to evince that it is very difficult to find a great Genius on whose Prudence they may confidently rely for that two or three whole ages do hardly bring forth one only such How many Kings have been constrained to leave both their Courages and States as unusefull for that their Country produc'd none such in their times He who is so happy as to meet with one ought to preserve him with as much care as the most assured foundation of his Kingdomes happinesse How frequent are the misfortunes which happen in Battels for the only losse of an expert great Captain And how many confusions arrive to States by the loss of one grand Minister his only conservation is of greater importance then that I will not say of Towns but of whole Provinces for he is not only capable of regaining them but conquering new ones whereas the losse of him is irrepairable for that hardly many ages produce one that doth resemble him Why the King went from Paris and caused the Lord Keeper of the Broad-Seal and his Brother the Marshal de Marillac to be Arrested THe King went from Paris only to give himself more liberty to negotiate in his important affairs and to withdraw himself from those importunities not to say violences of the Queen-Mother In whose presence the respect which he had for her hindred him from doing any thing which might displease her His Majesty knew that it was necessary for the good of his Estate to chastise those contrivers of Intreagues and on the other side he cemented himself in an unalterable resolution which being an effect of his own onely Prudence acquired him so much the more Glory never to part from the Cardinal Now it was often seen that these Cabals had no other beginning then from the Lord Keeper and the Marshal de Marillac therefore his Majesty took away the Seal from the former as the Arms of a mad man which he had imployed to do evil causing him to be carried to Lysieux and sent Orders to the Marshal de la Force and Schomberg to arrest the t'other and send him Prisoner to the Castle of St. Menehoud What reason was there to suffer any longer the insolence of these two ambitious humours who had been so audacious to commit such offences between the King and Queen-Mother and to breed a division between their Majesties which keeps them at a dislaâ—â—e to this very day Was it possible to suffer their unbridled Ambition which made them aspire to the Government of the State by the destruction of him who had established it in so sublime a pitch of Glory that it is not only more honoured but more feared too by strangers Again could it be that the Ingratitude of these two Brothers should not pull down as it were by force the Kings Justice to dash them as with a Thunder-Bolt and to punish their devices which they used with the Queen-Mother to carry her on to the ruining of him by whose Counsel his Majesty had raised them to the highest degrees of their profession winking at their unworthy actions which had heretofore rendred them culpable and by which they made their first attempts His Majesty knew in how many occasions the Cardinal had favoured them the great gifts which he had obtained of him for them and how that in som affairs he had become their Protector when in their conduct there was just reason to complain of them And on the other side when he reflected on the extremity of their ingratitude he could no longer permit that one of them should be any more imployed in affairs or that the other should remain unpunished for those many Crimes of
reason is very dangerous so are the consequences which attend it especially in matters of great concernment God hath ordained reason to govern in Mans Soul as in a Throne that she might guide all his Actions He hath appointed reason to be the rule of his motions as the little fish which marcheth before the Whale to lead him through the Waters lest his unweildinesse should carry him against the Rocks We are all bound to follow the dictates of Reason but of all others Princes are most concerned so to do for if once they shut their eyes to reason and suffer themselves to be transported by the violence of their Passion what do they but open a Gate to Usher in disorders and confusions into their States This violence may well be liâ—ened to that of a Torrent which rooteth up Trees teareth up Rocks and overthrows whatever it meeteth for just thus is it when reason is once extinguished the judgement is then spoiled and Prudence is of no more use then feathers to a Bird caught in Lime Is not this the thing which hath destroyed most if not all Kingdomes which hath trodden Crowns under foot which hath excited people to revolt and Cities to mutiny which hath profaned sacred places abused Altars and whatever is most reverenced by mankind How many have there been seen who in their fury have not cared to lose themselves provided they might ruine them in that Precipice which themselves could not avoid It is great wisedom to suppress anger and to stifle it in the Cradle for by permission and toleration it grows to be head-strong Violence by giving way to it becomes invincible insomuch that in time it will be difficult nay impossible to overcome it it is like Lightning which once broke out from the Cloud which restrained it is not by any means to be again reduced The Queen-mothers entrance into Bruxels THe Queen mother was no sooner come into the Infantas Territories but the Baron de Creve-Coeur received her in the Town of Avennes as Governor of Haynault She then gave notice of her arrival unto the Infanta by the Baron de Guaypre and her Highness presently dispatched the Marquis d' Ayetone to offer unto her Majesty all the Power and Authority which she had in the Low-countries and to beseech her absolutely to dispose of it Don Philip Albert de Valesques Captain of her Highnesse Life-guard came at the same time with his Company to serve her as Guards from Avennes she went to Mons where the Prince d' Espinoy put the Towns-men all in Arms to receive her with the greater splendour Thither came the Infanta to meet her who entertained her with all imaginable respects and confirmed to her the Proposals which she had made of delivering her power in the Low Countries into her Majesties hands Two days being thus spent they went both together to Bruxels where she was received with the same honour as if she had been King of Spain She was entertained with all the satisfaction and diversions that could be imagined It cannot be expressed with what honour the Spanish Nobility did attend her but we may conceive that their designs were far different from those of the Infanta who good Princess had in her whole life time testified a great deal of goodness sincerity and holiness it self so that what she did cannot be ascribed but to her civility and the particular kindnesse which she had both for the Queen-mother and France Whereas the Spaniards had other ends in it They knew that Women are bewitched wish Honour and by this means did they endeavour to ingage her more and more to them that they might make use of her to ruine the Cardinal whose Prudence alone held their Noses to the Grind-stone more then an Army of a hundred thousand men Politique Observation IT is great discretion in Kings to receive with honour such Princes who discontented with their own Countries come to make addresses to them The qualities of their birth make them venerable in what condition soever though they were vanquish'd yet ought they to be treated with respect Eâ—nones King of the Adorses is highly applauded by Tacitus for his courteous entertaining of Mithridates King of Bosphorus when his evil fortune forced him though his enemy to â—â—st himself into his hands And if the quality of stranger Princes be an obligation on Kings to receive them with respect amidst the misfortunes in which they are sometimes involv'd yet Prudence doth much more advise nay require it for the honour done to them is a Tie which doth engage them to wish well to their Countries upon the score of the good usage and kindnesse which was there shewed them Besides and which is not a little considerable it is a most infallible way to foment and exasperate divisions in those Countries from whence they retire They may at any time be placed in the head of an Army to go raise a War there and yet not break with their King A thing of great concernment to the Spaniards whose Countries being separated from one another cannot well be preserved in obedience but by their setting on foot dissentions and wars amongst their neighbours as hath been observed by one of themselves who hath treated of the Politick secrets by them used A wise Prince is never sorry at any partiality in his neighbouring Countries He knows that he is by that means safe from them and that whilest they are ingaged in Wars he many have leave and leisure to execute his own designs and oftentimes to make great advantages by it The Infanta dispatcheth the Sieur de Carondelet to the King to negotiate the Queen-mothers accommodation SHortly after the Queen-mothers abode at Bruxels and about the moneth of August the Infanta desirous of Peace sent the Sieur de Caro delâ—t Doyen of Cambray her extraordinary Embassadour unto the King then at Monceaux for to assure his Majesty that she had not received her into her Country but ouâ— of the affection and respect which she was bound to pay unto her that she had not for her part any thought of making any advantage against France but would contribute her utmost endeavours to the tranquility thereof The King who was not naturally enclin'd to war but when it was necessary in order to the establishment of Peace in his Dominions would have easily been induc'd to an accord had he not been certainly inform'd that those about the Queen-Mother and the Spaniards procur'd this Embassie only the better to conceal the designes they had against the Publike Peace of his Kingdom Nevertheless as Kings are politiquely oblig'd to dissemble their actions and to acknowledge apparent civilities by apparent testimonies the Cardinal by his appointment received him with all possible demonstrations of honour and kindness to flatter his vain ambition and to render him at least seemingly serviceable to France knowing he had in charge to make divers agreeable Propositions He made divers journies betwixt the Court and Bruxels and
the force and strength of the Kingdom but the King smelling their designe commanded them to return and tell their Master he could not be just who would invade a Country not belonging to him Cambyses receiving this answer became so enflamed with anger that he presently advanced his Army towards Aethiopia without making provisions necessary for so long and great an expedition insomuch that before he had marched one quarter of his way his Army was forced to eat Horses and not long after his Souldiers eat one another himself being forced to return into his own Country after a great loss of his Souldiers and to his perpetual dishonour by reason of his rashness The King goeth to Orleans With the true Motives of his journey THe King well acquainted with all these contrivances thought fit to go in his own person that he might dissipate the storm he well knew that the presence of a King is like that of the Sun which soon dispelleth all those thick clouds which attempt to obscure his light About the beginning of March he set forward towards Estampes and thence to Orlean as Monsieur had resolved His Majesty did verily believe that coming to discourse with him it wouâ—d be no hard matter to efface those evil impressions which his creatures had infused into him that however the expected levies would not dare to come near Orleans whilest he was there and that peradventure he might ingage him in the match which had been proposed by laying down before him the many advantages which might from thence arise These were the true motives of his Majesties journey which they who were about Monsieur endeavoured to obstruct by sending the Sieur de Chaudâ—bonne unto him with a Letter which they had perswaded Monsieur to write in which he made protestations of obedience and beseeched his Majesty not to give credit unto such reports as were spread abroad to his disadvantage But however the King who knew that no time ought to be lost in matters of revolt did not forbear to prosecute his journey He was no sooner come unto Estampes but he received intelligence that Monsieur was departed from Orleans towards Bourgogne His attendants had perswaded him to ground his departure upon pretence of his Majesties comming and gave out that he only came thither to make sure of Monsieurs person A report without foundation for his Majestly had been acquainted at the least fifteen dayes before that time by the Sieur de Bellegarâ—e how that Monsieur had told him he would shortly go into Bourgogne and that before his Majesty had designed his journey unto Orleans It cannot be expressed how sensibly the King was troubled at Monsieurs departure But it had been effeminate only to bewail amidst their present misfortunes and take no care for the future the King advanc'd with all diligence unto the same Province that he might keep the Towns in obedience and pursued him so closely that he had not the time to make himself Master of any place which doubtlesse he would have done had he not been followed at hand by some or other who might prevent his designs Before the end of March the King came to Dijon and having secured the Town and Castle gave order to the Sieur de la Grange Mestre de Camp to march with his Regiment into Bellegarde which place Monsieur had left behind him he sent the Regiment de Piedmont into Auxerre and St. Jean de Lone he left three hundred horse in garrison on the Frontiers in such places as were most requisite to secure Bourgogne from any incursions and the Sieur de Hauterine to command them as Marshal de Camp Monsieur's Ministers did every where give out that he had not forsaken the Kingdom but only to secure himself from them who pursued him but it was without truth His Agents indeed having designed under his name to fortifie themselves in that frontier of the Kingdom his Majesty was obliged to follow them at hand to prevent their effecting what they had contrived it being of great consequence not to lose any time in such occasions his longer delay could but have given them leave to second their own with forraign forces which as was well known they had negotiated But if he would not have left the Kingdom why did he not condiscend to those fair proposals made to him both at Orleans and Auxerre The King was ready to imbrace him and to give him fresh testimonies of that affection which he had alwaies born to him but his not assenting to them forced his Majesty to pursue him that he might divert the storm which seemed to threaten not only Bourgogne but France it self Politique Observation IT is a great misfortune to a Kingdom when a Faction is once fomented within its bosome but that once being so it were a great imprudence in the King of that Country go give time and opportunity to the heads of the Conspirators to draw their forces together wherewith they might carry on a War against him He ought to be before hand with them and not to stay until revolted Princes are in a condition to put their designs in execution He must not indeed be too credulous in beleeving all reports nor take the field upon the first news of a Revolt but being once well informed and assured he ought no longer to delay Thus Alexander the Great made not the least stop that he might prevent the rising of his enemies in Greece and he came so suddenly upon them with his Army that himself brought the first news of his comming It was his usual saying that a quick dispatch in preventing an enemy is the thing which obtains great advantages against him for this reason it was that Apelles painted him with lightning in his hand which hath a motion so swift that how little soever it be yet it reduceth every thing to ashes Grandees when once revolted want neither courage nor power provided they have but time to raise their Forces They have for the most part persons of knowledge and valour neer them who are capable of setling their affairs in a good equipage if they have but leisure to effect it For this cause is a King obliged to go in person and encounter them whereby he may break the neck of their Rebellion A small matter will sometimes suffice to set all right again the Kings presence is a terrour to Rebels and takes away their courages who are not yet come up that they have but little will to ingage themselves and in case they return not to their obedience by fair means he is then in a capacity to compel them by force seeing they cannot be in a condition to defend themselves Henry the third committed a great oversight by withdrawing himself from Paris at the mutiny of the Barricadoes for a Kings obedience diminisheth the respect due to him imboldneth the Ring-leaders of a faction and animateth the fury of the people Bajazet the second did not thus in the rebellion of
at one time to be obeyed We see if it he otherwise jealousie takes place among them and every one in particular is carefull that no one obtain any advantage which may procure him greater honour then himself insomuch that they make a difficulty to support and assist one another so many men so many minds This approveth one Counsel he another and in this diversity of opinions the thing commonly is left undone Was it not to prevent this inconvenience that the Romans having two Consuls would not that both together should have the marks of Soveraign authority but that each should take his turn Did they not also Ordain that they should not both together command the Armies but each in his day And yet notwithstanding that care some divisions happened amongst them A well governed Army ought to be like the Body of Man whose Members are joyned and united to the Head by invisible Nerves and Arteries which enable him to move them according as he listeth And thus to prevent divisions it were expedient there were but one Head to command the motion of all the Forces according as he shall think fit Agesilaus King of the Lacedemonians though one of the greatest men of Antiquity yet that he might countermine Lysander and discredit his Authority abrogated his sentences and acted quite contrary to his advises And usually it happens where there are two Commanders of an Army the one thwarts the others designs then hatred envy and obstinacy â—riâ—g all things into disorder which obstruct the carrying on of every small inconsiderable enterprize For this cause was it that Lycurgus one of the wisest Legislators among the Ancients ordained in his Laws that the Kings of Sparta in times of Peace should act joyntly with their Magistrates but in War should have Soveraign authority and that all thing should depend upon their Wills Another Commission to Monsieur le Comte de Soissons AS in times of revolt and the Soveraign's absence the insurrections which Rebels may make ought to be mistrusted his Majesty before his departure from the adjacent Provinces of Paris gave the like power to Monsieur le Comte de Soissons in Paris and the Isle of France as also over the Army in Picardy with instructions to repair thither as occasions should require By this means the Provinces thereabout remained in great quiet But that I may say somewhat concerning that Army left by his Majesty in Picardy and in that particular evince the Cardinal 's usual prudence I shal observe the advantages which might there by have been made in the present conjucture of affairs It cannot be doubted but that it was the securing of those Provinces and the awing of such factious spirits at were inclinable to foment the troubles for in case the least insurrection had been that Army had soon fallen in upon them and buried them in their own ruines Moreover it was neer about that time when the leading men of the Low-countries weary of the Spanish Tyranny insupportable to the common people layed the design of shaking off that yoke and setting their Country at liberty The had recourse unto the King to implore his protection and made divers overtures unto him to enter upon the Comtez d' Artois and Flanders which belonged to him by a just Title But his Majesty who never approveth of Revolts in other Princes Subjects more then in his own made a scruple of absolute ingaging with them or of passing his word to assist them in that design though the Spaniards being less religious in the observation of Treaties and who preserve the greatnesse of their State only by fomenting divisions among their neighbours were at that very time ingag'd to support Monsieur in his revolt and to furnish him with Forces for the over-running of Languedoc His Majesty did not totally refuse them but kept himself in a condition of sending them forces in case the Spaniard invaded France as they had promised Thus did this Army serve to keep off the Spaniards in the Bay of Languedoc from landing they mistrusting to be repayed in the Low-countries and doubting if they entred France the French would do the like to assist those Lords who were sufficiently disposed for revolt It is likewise true that it served to beget such jealousie in the Spaniards that they were forced to retain many of their Troops in the Low countries Hainaut and Artois which would have done them more service at Mastrich against the Dutch whom by this means his Majesty did equally succour as if he had sent the Marshal d'Estree with the Army in the Country of Treves according to their own desires and proposals Politique Observation THough Armies for the most part are raised to fight yet sometimes they are designed for other ends wise Princes having oftentimes obtain'd great advantages by them without striking a blow The meer jealousie which their motion may strike into an enemy obligeth him to stand upon his guard who otherwise had design'd to assault some place and in case he have assaulted it to recall some part of his Forces to prevent any attempts This effect is not of mean consequence because it divideth an enemies force and consequently rendreth him more easie to be conquered Whilest the Waters of a great River are all shut up in their own Channel their torrent is more impetuous their force the greater and who so then indeavoureth to waft over them runneth no small hazard whereas if dispersed into several Rivulets their course is more slow their depth lesse so that they are both safely and easily to be Forded Thus an enemies Army may sometimes be so strong that he is to be feared and then nothing better then to divide him and force him to separate himself by some motions which may fill him with suspicions How oft have Princes been compell'd to stay at home in their own defence by their apprehensions of an Army appearing on their own Frontiers just when they have been upon the point of invading their Neighbours Besides what Armies soever a Prince placeth on his Frontiers in times of War they alwaies give him this advantage of keeping his own Country in security either as to Forreigners who commonly make use of any pretensions about the Borders of a Country to colour their attempts or as to the discontented persons of a Kingdom who possibly may stir in their Prince's absence To preserve Peace without making war is an effect advantagious enough and indeed a cause sufficient always to keep an Army on Foot A thing in my sense of the more use in regard War ought not to be made but in order to Peace and withal it being more useful for to preserve Peace by a shew of War then by War it self that common Usher of Fire and Sword For this reason it is that a Prince ought not then to raise his Army when a Forreiner is upon the point of invading his Kingdom or when factious spirits are just ready to revolt No He ought to
Assembly very remarkable of the three States in which it was resolved to make the Treasurers render an accompt and to intrust the disposal of the Publick Money into the hands of the Ecclesiasticks and Noble Men who it was hoped would manage them with more Fidelity In fine a Commission was granted to the Abbots of Marmostier and Corby and they had joyned to them for Counsel four Bishops and four Knights Pierre des Essars Treasurer of France was then clapt up in Prison and severall Financiers condemned to pay great Fines The Affairs of the Valtoline AFter the declaring what Empires Death and Fortune exercised during this year in the State the prosecution of Affairs ingageth me to inform you of what passed in the businesse of the Valtoline but that I may write it with more perspicuity I think it necessary to take the rise of this Affair and to observe to you that the Valtoline is a Country scituated at the foot of the Alps not unlike a great Ditch separated by the high Mountains from the Grisons and those which are on the Coast of Italy It is not of very large extent not being above twenty leagues in length and one in breadth but is very fertile and of great importance serving as a Gate to the Spaniards and Venetians to bring Forces out of Germany into Italy as well to defend as to increase their States The Venetians were not ignorant of it when they were imbroyled with Pope Paul the fifth Anno 1603. they made a League with the Grisons who are natural Lords of it to have free passage through it as their occasions should require though France had the onely Power to dispose of it according to the Treaty made with them by Lewis the 12th and renewed by Henry the Great Anno 1602. during the time of his own life the life of the present King and eight years after his decease Which Alliance with them gives great offence to the Spaniards which caused them to make another League with the Grisons to whom the same Passages were assured for the safeguard of Milan However after a long Treaty made in the year 1631. these two new Alliances were turned topsie turvey and that of France re-setled it is true it was not for any long time because the Venetians having been at variance with the Arch-Duke Ferdinand and the house of Austria sent Secretary Patavin to the Grisons who contracted another league with them which made the Spaniards re-assume those former intelligences of theirs insomuch that there were two parties formed amongst them that of Plauta for the Spaniards and that of Deslia for the Venetians which kindled such a fire as could not be extinguished to this present day The difference was such that from the year 1617 to the year 1621. there were nine insurrections among them in which sometimes one party sometimes another had the better of it At last the Valtolines annoyed by the Injustices and Extorsions which the Protestant Grisons used over them and otherwhiles pretending that they would abolish the Catholick Religion from amongst them they made a general revolt and at the perswasion of the Governour of Milan massacred all the Protestants they met with In July 1620 the Grisons could easily have chastised them for this cruell act whereas they to secure themselves from the revenge which they expected had recourse to the Governour of Milan who glad at heart to make an advantage in this occasion was not backward in sending them souldiers and building them Forts in their Valley The King being then ingaged in re-taking those Towns which the Hugonots had gotten into their possession could not succour the Grisons with his Armies but however he sent the Marshal de Bassompiere extraordinary Ambassadour into Spain to require and in his name to demand that the Valtoline might be restored and all things re-placed into their former state and condition The Marshal took extraordinary paines to procure it and at last obtained it and accordingly it was signed at a Treaty in Madrid in May 1621. on condition that certain great Liberties might be accorded to the Catholiques there and with a Proviso that the Cantons of the Swisses and the Valtolines should incline the Grisons to consent to what had been agreed upon But the Spaniards proceeding with little Faith to execute the Treaty procured the Catholique Cantons by their mony to deny their consents which one thing being deficient they would put off the whole execution of the Treaty and moreover made one at Milan with the Deputies of the Grisons and two others with the same Grisons and the Archduke Leopold by which they got great advantages in those Countries and so kept to themselves the power of passing any Forces thorough that Country This Procedure made the Duke of Savoy very jealous as also the Princes of Italy and Germany which were not interessed in the designs of the House of Austria and having made their complaints to his Majesty his Majesty who is as much concern'd for them as the Grisons concluded a Treaty of Alliance with the Duke of Savoy and Republique of Venice in February 1623 for the executing the Treaty at Madrid and the re-establishing the Grisons in their Soveraignty of the Valtoline This League made the King of Spain suspect that they began to smel the Usurpation which he had made so that ghuessing he should find a hard task to preserve it â—he offered the King to put all those Forts which the Governour of Milan had built in deposit in Pope Gregory the fifteenth's hands and those of the Holy Seat to be by them kept until the conclusion of the Treaty which should be made to end all those differences The King could hardly be drawn to agree to to the deposit both because there was no need of any other Treaty then that of Madrid as also by reason of the liberty of passages which the Spaniard would keep However his Majesty being pressed unto it by the Pope consented to it upon condition that all those Forts should be demolished within three months during which time the Articles of Accommodation should be agreed on at Rome The Commander of Sylleri was then Ambassador at Rome for France and the Duke de Pastrane had the same charge from Spain and both having received power from their Masters to treat and negotiate this Affair there were divers Proposals made France never made any difficulty of according to any thing which might contribute to the exercise of the Catholique Religion in the Valtoline or for security of all such as made profession thereof But they would never agree to those demands which the Spaniards made concerning the having of Passages with so much peremptoriness During which time Pope Gregory the fifteenth dyed and Vrban the eighth being set in his place after his first entrance upon the Popedom proposed new Articles of Accommodation which comprised as much as could be of advantage for the Church and Catholiques which were readily accepted
he resolved to send the Marquess de Coevures into Swizzerland at the same time that the Sieur de Bethune was dispatched towards Rome There were two Instructions delivered to him by the first he was ordered to re-unite all the Swisse Cantons with his Majesty to dispose the Catholicks to give their assent to the Treaty of Madrid and to espy if in this re-union there might not some way be found out for to re-place the Grisons into the Soveraignty of the Valtonine The second was to be kept private if the first took effect else he was commanded to incourage the Grisons to rise who should receive assistance from his Majesty of such Troops as should be necessary according to such orders as should be received there went with the Marquess all the Grisons Captains who were at that time in the Swiss Regiment who were thought most able to be made use of in the Valtoline to fish out any thing which might be thought proper to be known and to give intelligence to the Marquess of those Countries But that which was the best guide of all was to see six hundred and sixty thousand Livres pass in a Convoy to be distributed some part amongst the Swisses upon whose natures nothing hath so great an influence as mony and the other part upon the first expences of the war if there should be any occasion to begin it Upon his comming into Swisserland he found the Spaniards had made strong Parties there so that it was impossible for him on the sudden to open the peoples eyes that they might see how they precipitated themselves into their own ruine He imployed the Sieurs de Mesnim du Mesnil to negotiate with them in smal Assemblies and presently after his arrival he went to Baden but it was with little success untill the General meeting in August at Souleur In the ixterim he laboured very diligently to gain the Principal Captains either by distributing the Kings money amongst them or by instilling such other reasons as might be able to move them To the Catholicks he gave assurances that his Majesty did not interess himself for the re-stating the Grisons in the government of the Valtoline but withall necessary conditions for the exercise of the Catholick Religion which made those suspicions which had been infused by the Spaniards to vanish As for the Interest of the Church and the good of their State it was evidently demonstrated to them that the losse of the Valtoline would presently be followed by that of the three Grisons which were inleagued together and of which the Arch-Duke Leopold had already gotten a good part That after the dis-uniting of those confederates the Spaniard being master of the Passages would not much trouble himself about those little Cantons which brought into them a great profit and made them upon that score very considerable In brief that it would quickly be easie for to invade their Country and that he would the sooner attempt it for that he did not want any pretensions to intitle himself to the Mastery of it These important reasons strenthened with the payment of their Pensions did so shake some of the Cantons that those of Berne and Zurich did first consent that there should be souldiers levied for the King and such Provisions of Ammunition as every place should require But the Martquess chief endeavour was at the Assembly at Souleur where he shewed a Master-peece of Prudence speaking very highly of his Masters name and succours and making use of the mony which he had brought with him both together served him to good purpose for obtaining of them if not all yet the most part of his desires The Catholicks accorded to ratifie the Treaty of Madrid declaring however that they did not intend to become bound to recover the Valtoline by force Then he got such assurances as himself liked from those of Berue and Zurich for the Levies of those Souldiers which they had promised and withall got it to be approved by all the Cantons onely that of Souleur excepted which by the means of Ladnoyer Rool's Faction refused to declare it self It is true the Catholicks consented to it but upon condition onely it were for France but there was a little more then so intended in it for the Marquess demanded them for the service of his Master and of his Allies without openly declaring that it was for the Grisons In Prosecution of time and not hoping to procure any greater assistance he began to prepare all things to enter with an Army upon the Valtoline but however it was after he had informed his Majesty of the condition of affairs amongst the Grisons where the Sieur de Landâ—e de Vaux imployed by his Majesty had put things into a very good posture and untill he had received his Majesties expresse orders and commands Politick Observation COmmonwealthâ— especially Popular are hardly perswaded to any great undertakingâ— they are naturally so in love with Peace That there is not any Warre how glorious or profitable soever which they would prefer before it Princes are capable of being ingaged upon divers considerations either for the love which they bear to their Allies or out of a sense of honour which they are commonly touched with or out of an apprehension of what may follow or out of such jealousie as a puissant Neighbour may oblige them to have or by neernesse of blood or by the compassion which they have of others miseries and the Ambition to become Protectors of their States But Republicks are not touched with any of these considerations All such as are called to a Common Councel think of nothing but their own particular Interest and they imagine that whatsoever hinders the injoyment of their Revenue or stops their Commerce or their Labors as War is a greater and more considerable evil then any others which you can make them sensible of and they can be drawn to nothing but in case of absolute desperate extremity Not but that there may be amongst the people some Souls and Courages more daring then others but as most voices carries it not their merit who advise it so they are no more regarded then Reason is when as a multitude of different Passions entertain the Will upon some pernicions object It is to no purpose for a man to attempt to shew them any consequences which may happen in future for their spirits have not a thing so noble as to look further then the time present they are sensible of nothing but what is beaten into them and they will much sooner be perswaded to beleeve that Fortune who they thinks disposeth of all humane affairs because themselves want wit to govern them will defend them from those evils which they are threatned with then be induced to take their own defences by Force of Amrs. Moreover their closer covetous homou abhominates any thoughts of expences without which War cannot be maintained and the noise of Guns and Drums onely do so beat their
being come within a League of it they soon sent their desires to be admitted to Composition The Castle made some difficulty of surrendring but when the Governour had once seen a Battery raised on the points of the Rocks where five hundred Nissars had drawn the Cannon by the strength of their Arms he resolved to do as the Town had Thus in the moneths of March April and May did the Armies of Savoy over-run in the State of Genoa all that did resist them and made themselves Masters not onely of the places by us named but of divers others to the number of one hundred seventy four strong and weak so favourable is Fortune to those who undertake any thing with extraordinary boldnesse and courage Politique Observation FOrtune or to speak more properly Divine Providence doth commonly favour those who being truly generous do attempt any great enterprise Not that God worketh miracles for the crowning them with successe but indeed because couragiousness giveth them great advantages especially when it is accompanied with Prudence and that the Divine Providence co-operating with second Causes doth assist their indeavours Courage begetteth a certain hope which like a Spur stirreth up to great attempts from which Fear had formerly diverted them courage alone is sufficient to strike terrour into an enemy who fighting more by constraint then good will do usually give ground when once they find themselves vigorously assaulted Who knoweth not that it is courage which perswadeth to invade and subject other Countries Experience hath often evinced that an invading Prince hath a great advantage over him who is onely intent how to defend himself especially if he be Prudent in falling on him in a favourable conjuncture of time as when his forces are diverted into other imployments or worn out or unarmed They who have most judiciously weighed the Victories of Caesar do much ascribe them to his native Generousness which carried him on to attempt any thing without the least fear insomuch that he despised the un-relenting fury both of the Sea and Winds which spare no man and commanded the Pylot who conducted him not to fear since he carried Caesars Fortune in his Boat Never did his Souldiers shew their backs no danger could affright him well he knew death to be the end of life but not that it was a mis-fortune He built his Glory upon Conquests and the difficulty of his enterprizes re-doubled the Force of his Courage Fortune was alwaies his friend and he made it apparent that nothing was impossible to a man of Resolution The Prosecution of War in Italy FOrtune indeed did much adde to the Courage of the Arms of France and Savoy for the obtaining such great Conquests in so little time but much of the honour must be ascribed unto the Cardinal who first advised the expedition who issued out all Orders under the Kings Authority who executed them in so happy a conjuncture of time that neither the Spaniards or Genoeses could possibly defend those places which were assaulted by reason of their want of Forces And lastly who had so good intelligence in the States of Genoa that he did not a little contribute to the good success of this design Yet however Fortune or rather Divine Providence which over-ruleth Armies doth but laugh at mans Wisdome and seemeth to delight in distributing both good and bad success to their designs Thus was it with the French and Savoyards for the Scales seemed to turn against them and their Conquests came to a Period The Fame of these great Victories did so trouble the house of Austria that extraordinary preparations were made in Germany for the sending of a Potent Army under the command of Feria Governour of Milan for the assisting of the Genoeses The Marquess de St. Croix was likewise commanded to put to Sea a Fleet designed for that purpose who had imbarked neer four thousand Souldiers in twenty five Gallies and five Gallions of Sicilia These Forces of the Enemy came with a great advantage the Plague having consumed at least two thirds of the French since their arrival in Italy The Marshal de Crequy fell sick of it and not long after the Constable Besides divers Cities of Genoa seemed to shake off the yoke of their Obedience with joy and delight they turned about and before the end of June rise against their new Governours and Garisons with great violence as if Fortune had purposely done it to shew that misfortunes seldome come single And lastly the ill-management of the Artillery and want of Waggons for the Carriage of Provisions for the Army of all which the Duke of Savoy was in fault occasioned more disasters then all the rest besides the jealousies which grew between him and the Constable did not a little add to compleat them Things being in this posture did much incourage the Spaniards and the Duke de Feria that he might not lose the advantage of it entred into Montferrat about the beginning of July where he took Spione by force and not long after Acqui which the Constable had made his Magazine of Arms and had therin placed 3. Regiments to guard the munitions which he had there stowed up The taking of this place necessitated the Prince of Piedmont and the Constable to recall the Forces then marching towards Savonne that they might joyntly fall on upon the Duke of Feria but they found him incamp'd so advantagiously at Ferzo between Bistague and Acqui that they could not possibly come neer him the Passages being so narrow that onely two men could march a Breast At the same time the inhabitants of Albengua Novy and Acquy revolted against the French Garisons and shortly after divers other lesse places and six thousand Genoeses comming before Gavio the Governour and his son cowardly surrendred the place upon condition to be carried safely into France The Genoeses received them upon this Composition and conducted them accordingly but being there arrived their Treachery was not long unpunished by the Parliament of Provence Gonvernon the son being hanged the Fathers body taken up burned and his Ashes thrown into the Ayr death having prevented the execution of judgment upon him True it is Courage doth oftentimes compell Fortune to be favourable and the French Army though thus persecuted did yet make head against the Duke de Feria and prevented his further progress so that he was forced to make some other diversion by entring upon Piedmont and lying down before Ast with design to besiege it The Constable was yet there very weak it being thought he would have died so that he went off and the Marshal de Crequy upon the thirtieth of August came into his place with four thousand French The same day he made a Sally with the Prince of Carignan forced the enemy from a Bridge which they had kept six dayes and made them run away with shame though they had eighteen thousand foot and seven hundred horse Was not this a generous exploit of the French and
did it not sufficiently testifie that had they been near enough to have had recruits and ammunitions from France or had the Duke of Savoy caused those refreshments to have been brought for the Army which by the Articles of the Treaty he was obliged they had not so easily lost what they had so happily obtained But they were induced to under goe those disasters which are incident to all men who invade a Forraign Country upon the hopes of a League Politique Observation ALthough those Wars which are begun by Princes leagued together have oftentimes happy beginnings yet it seldome comes to passe that they do end in a good success There need no other proof then that of the Wars which our Kings have made in Italy for six score years last past But that we may not dwell upon examples is not that Prince who trusteth in the promise of his Confederates like the man who exposeth all his Goods upon the Sea in a leaky Vessel Experience hath shewed us in a thousand incounters that Princes have so many overtures made by which one may win upon them and with-draw them from Leagues that it is almost impossible to have any absolute assurance of them One of the chiefest ties which holdeth them fast is to have in possession some strong place for a gage of their Fidelity but there are few who will thus dispossess themselves doubting least he into whose hands it be intrusted will retain it for good and all by saying or perswading them that they have been defective in their word in some one thing or other as Charls the eighth did after he had received the Florentine Towns in deposit It is likewise dubious lest the several Troops or divers Princes in an Army together should grow jealous of one another and then the least distrust or broyls which might arise between them were enough to withdraw him who imagineth himself offended and if there were nothing else there need no more but this to draw off Confederates from a League barely to satisfie them in their particular Interests for seeing that is it which is the onely end and aim of all Princes they will no longer hold together then it may bee for their advantage There do oftentimes too happen very great inconveniences especially when their united Forces are to march into far distant places they who border upon those Countries which are to be assaulted take no care to refresh themselves either by new troops or necessary provisions for the War for that those who inhabit further off not being easily able to provide for this defect fall into ruine of themselves or else their enemies quickly put them to flight Many united Princes are never comparable to one alone nor ever capable of encompassing such great enterprises as a single Prince with his own Subjects though much inferiour to them in point of numbers The Hugonots by the Spaniards Instigation Arm themselves very potently against the King WHilest Italy served as a Theater for the acting of several Warlike exployts the Hugonots inspired not onely with that mutinous humour which is common to them but also incited by the contrivances of Spain used their utmost indeavours to divert the Kings Army as also to fortifie and strengthen themselves both in Languedoc and Poictou The Duke of Rohan and the Sieur de Soubize were the chief of the Revolt the former took the Command upon himself of those Forces in Languedoc the latter those in Poictou Now though the Sieur de Soubize had been repulsed from before the Port of Blavet yet he got no small advantage by it for by that means he made himself Master of six great Ships which were the Kings and the Duke of Nemoure which gave him opportunity of doing very considerable damages He had formerly got together about eleven Ships of War all very good and a greater number of Shallops and small Boats which being assisted with these he had the ambition to hope he might become Master of the Ocean In conclusion he roved up and down upon the Coasts of Poictou and Guien and committed such savage Cruelties that more the Turks could not possibly have done and to secure himself of a near and safe retreat he seized on the Islands of Ree and Oleron where he hastned on with the Forts which those of his party had began to build Withall finding the Duke of Espernon drawn off towards Montauban whither he was gone to ransack as shall be anon declared he assembled together a Fleet of about seventy four Sails of all Sizes and entring into the Girond towards Bourdeaux they landed about mid June three thousand men in Medoc and seized on the Castle a small place scituated on the Rivers side where he intrenched himself and so over-running the Plains where the Burdelois have several houses of Pleasure he Pillaged them and committed all other imaginable outrages But he soon found the Sieur de Thoyras in Front of him to whom the Cardinal had given Orders from the King to fall upon them in case they should make any incursions thereabouts who presently went to find them out with his Troop of light-horse and thirteen others of the Regiment of Campagne one Company of the Garrison of Bergerac commanded by the Sieur de Plessis sent by the Duke of Espernon and some few others who had been raised thereabouts for the same purpose Now the Sieur de Thoyras finding himself backed with these Troops fell upon him so resolutely that he forced him to give ground and to weigh their Anchors and flie towards Rochel leaving good store of Arms Cannon Ammunition and their Baggage in their Trenches behind them This Rebuke was so sensible to him that he was possessed with an extream desire to be revenged for it so that seeing the Sieur de Thoyras retire he let go some of his Ships and sent them under the Conduct of Verger Malagnâ—t to make a second attempt on Medoc who accordingly landed about the Point of Ambes and committed great Devastations about the plain Country But the Cardinal had caused Order to be given to the Country people to bee alwaies in a readinesse against any who should attempt upon their goods who compelled them presently to re-imbark and joyn with the others under the Sieur de Soâ—bize by both which it was apparent that there was no accident which the Cardinal did not foresee and apply a remedy to before they did appear Politique observation A Grand Minister is obliged incessantly to watch after the necessities of the State for prevention of any enterprizes which may be made it will escape him very narrowly if taking an especial care to be informed of all Passages in the Provinces he be not acquainted withall the Combinations and Contrivances which are on foot as also the preparations which are in agitation for a Revolt it being impossible that those several Artifices which are used for the gaining in of divers and many men and the most secret preparations of War should
appear in an an excellent discourse upon the beginning of the Civil War between Ottho and Vittellius as Tacitus reporteth it that it would be necessary for Vittellius to be diligent but that Orthoes Party would get advantage to execute their designe by delaying of it until they had nothing else to do The Dictator Cneus Sulpitius after a great deal of consideration resolved not to hasten on the War against the Gauls upon this reason that he would not hazard any thing upon an enemy who was every day declining and out of his Countries too Indeed he had endangered himself had he fought when they pressed him to it whereas shortly after he might overcome them with ease He which gives good advice for the State ought not to be blamed for it but the discreet Minister deserveth more praise who not onely knows that it is not enough to consider by the resolutions of State that which is just to be done in the Theory but also that which the time permits and complies with opportunities and necessity The Kings Army in Italy is recruited with six or seven thousand men under the Marquis de Vignolles THough the peace with the Hugonots was not fully concluded yet the Cardinal being informed of the necessity of recruiting the Army in Italy was not defective to procure his Majesty to give orders for it The Marquis de Vignolles was dispatched with six or seven thousand men Who coming into Piedmont with his Forces found the Siedge still before Veriie a small Town upon the Po very slenderly inhabited but defended by a Castle built on a Rock at the end of a little Hill which was none of the worst The Duke of Ferià drawing his Troops out of Ast had brought them up thither hoping for a good success in it But the Duke of Savoy having intelligence of his resolution caused the Marquis de Saint Reyran a Gentleman of Prussia to march up within view of the Spaniards with a thousand Foot and by the advice of the Marshal de Cregny he likewise caused his Army to advance and Incamp at the foot of the Hill in certain Intrenchments which were much stronger then the place it self Above three Moneths were spent in continnual Sallies and Assaults The Duke of Feria intrenched himself to his greatest advantage The Cannon thundred on the place with a great deal of fury and having made at several times six or seven great breaches The Spaniards did as often assault them and were repulsed with a great deal of courage They opened several Mines one of which had seven mouthes which they called the Hydra but every day brought them some misfortune so that they lost more then the besieged In short they got not one foot of land which was not assoon retaken from them In the mean time the ill weather began to come in and the Po to swell up which did not a little perplex them for they were forced to quit one part of their Trenches by reason it was filled with water which brought their Battery into such disorder that most of their Cannon stuck in the Mud and much adoe they had to get them clear off again These disgraces happening to them did much add to the French courage So that on the seventeenth of November the Constable the Marshal de Cregny and the Marquis de Vignolles who was but lately arrived having considered together what was to be done cast their thoughts on those Forts which the Spaniards had in the Plain and resolved to assault them The Constable gave orders for the attaquing of them and the Troops being put into Battalia they began a Combate which lasted above three hours with such heat and success to the French that they carryed all the Forts in a trice In the interim the Duke of Savoy arrived and the enemy having drawn up three great Squadrons of Foot and two of Horse came Matching up in good order against the French to try if they could recover what they had lost but they onely retook one single Fort which was resolved to be quitted and the night coming on ended the Fray in which they lost above two thousand men and the French not above one hundred After this Disaster they being in great want of victuals and having small hopes of being Masters of the place Don Gonsalâ—s de Câ—rdova raised the Seige privately in the night without noise of Drum or Trumpet and without giving the Horse any other signe but by beating certain flint stones one against the other They lost before this paltry Town an Army of forty thousand men Their Commanders lost their honour their Armes got no little discredit by it and it should seem God was pleased to abase the vanity of their glory which hurried them on with extream ambition to the attempting of unjust designs Politique Observation AMbitious Princes can never raise their designs so high as that God who humbleth the Proud and abates their power should exempt them from divine Justice which is pleased to pull down the mighty His Providence doth always confine theâ—r force by keeping their Interests and those of their neighbors in an equal Ballance for the tranquillity of the people He who is born with a fixed and contented mind and is satisfied with those limits which he may justly pretend to and in the protection of his Allies is not subject to these misfortunes Honour and glory never depart from him whereas he who resteth not within his own bounds but attempteth all ways tryeth all means to extend them is usually liable to ruin for that every one runs upon him to oppose his designs and God too is delighted to abase him The divine wisdom cannot be enough admired in this particular which having placed two great Kingdoms near one another maketh the one serve to moderate the ambition of the other and to break the neck of his designs for the preservation of his neighbours It usually endeth in nothing when one shall take from another to enrich himself The divine wisdom doth bound in the ambition of such and brings all their designs that way tending to confusion It is true God is sometimes pleased to chastise a Soveraign and permits another to destroy him but it is but seldom whereas he doth commonly throw down him who raiseth himself upon the ruines of others Darius was so insolent that he caused himself to be stiled the King of Kings but what befell him Did not Alexander whom he had scorned and undervalued take away his Life and Estates too In the same manner it was with Arphaxates King of the Mâ—des who after he had brought divers Nations under his Empire and built the famous City Ecbatan became so proud as to think nothing was able to resist him but how quickly God did let him see the contrary by suffering him to be chastised and conquered by the King of Niniveh How is he delighted to shew by these examples unto Soveraignes that Humility in their conduct is that which makes
some places in Languedoc either that he might get some advantage whereby to make himself the more considerable which might induce the King to give him that employment in Italy which he desired or some other favourable conditions He made an attempt upon Tillet in Albigeois sending five hundred men to surprize it by night but they were stoutly repulsed and forced to retire He had sometime before caused the Towns of Masdazil Pamiers and several others of Foix to revolt from which places he sent out his Scouts who committed great havocks in the plain Country Now the evil treating of the Country people forced the Consuls of some Towns thereabouts to desire the Marshal de Themines to come with his Majesties Army to assist them and make himself Master of those Towns Divers were of opinion that this Proposition ought to be rejected because admitting it should be followed it would leave the Duke of Rohan at liberty to go whither he list whom at that time the Army kept in such awe that he durst not stir a foot or attempt any new design But however the Count de Carmain considering this proffer of the Consuls and in regard they undertook in behalf of the Towns to contribute to the charge of the War and to refresh the Army which was much distressed before Castres he let himself be perswaded by their entreaties to go and assist them and taking some small Forces with him he went and fell on Calmont a little Town near Mazeres from whence several of the Rebels would make frequent excursions and pillage the neighbour Country They endured the siedge onely three daies and then finding themselves ill handled by the Cannon they ran away in the night but the Marquis d' Ambres who was not farre off with his Troop of Light Horse hearing the noise of their flight charged them and cut the most part of them in peeces Shortly after they took six or seven other small places some by storm and some by composition They of Masdazil hearing of these successes began to be afraid and sent for a Pass to the Army to make their Accomodation But the Duke of Rohan found a means to conveigh in some Forces to them which made them resolve to hold out so that they changed their former resolution and defended themselves which drew down the Marshal de Themines and the Count de Carmaine to besiege them On the fifteenth of September the Town was encompassed round about and shortly after the Cannon made a Breach but whilst the Question was in debate for the giving an Assault the Breach was repaired so that a second was made and they within grown very resolute repelled the Kings Army with great loss and that which was worst of all was the Rains falling encreased the River and so filled up the Trenches with water that Siege was forced to be raised which much troubled the Marquis but it was somwhat moderated by that advantage which the Marquis d' Ambres got over the Duke of Rohan's Troop of Light Horse which he killed took and put to flight The Duke of Rohan was much afflicted at the loss of them and seeing that the holding out of Masdazil did not serve his turn for that it would at another time be taken with ease and that the could not make any further good progress he went to the Assembly at Milhaud where he made those of his party send a Courrier to the King to accept of the Articles of Peace which his Majesty had granted to them His Majesty confirmed them though they had rendred themselves unworthy by their new acts of Rebellion But it was necessary so to be for the better opposing of the enterprises of Spain though Rochel was still excepted by reason of the little inclination they had testified of keeping themselves within their duty Politick Observation THE Ambition of Grandees in a State is oftentimes cause of many evils and every one knows that they are the principal motives either to begin or continue a War There is not any excess into which Ambition doth not hurry them to attain those ends which they propose to themselves It loveth none but it self and it will easily violate all the rights of obedience for the procuring of a happy issue to all their designs It never makes a question of the equity of any cause but looketh on the advantages which will follow it if it succeed well Whence it cometh that the first thing it doth is to shut close the eyes against Justice that it may the more confidently begin or continue it's design They who are possessed with this same Ambition never look on any thing but through a false glass which doth still represent things either more specious or bigger than really they are And by this device it so charmeth their thoughts that they begin to presume that Fortune which hath bestowed some favours on them will never forsake them The rash and fond confidence of their own abilities makes them despise any fair overtures of Peace but they ought to remember that Fortune is like a Glass which falls down when a man thinks he hath it fast enough and that God too who delighteth in peace doth often send down upon them those troubles and calamities which they proposed amongst themselves to measure out to others The Huntsman that he may take the Panther knowing that he loveth Henbane hangeth a good quantity of it up in the air somewhat out of her reach whence it happens that she having once seen it never leaves off leaping and frisking up and down untill she become at last so weary that she falls down unable any longer to stand and so dyeth on the place May it not safely be said that Fortune doth the self same thing with Grandees And that she useth the very same artifices to destroy ambitious persons She proposeth advantages to them Victories and Conquests but which are beyond their reach and above their power and knowing this to be the surest way to allure their minds and that for the obtaining of their extravagant ends they will use any endeavours or run into any rash heady attempts she still draweth them further on untill in fine they are forced to sink under the weight of them and meet with their shame and confusion in those designs where they well hoped for Honour and Glory Prosecution of the History IT was matter of astonishment to see the Hugonots so reduced considering the strong resistances which they had made against the King but a few years before and those great Armies which had been kept in Languedoc all little enough to quel them But they who will but reflect on the strange alteration which the Cardinal brought with him will not much wonder at it I might safely say that the Army which he caused to be maintained about Rochel was one cause of it seeing it did in effect keep under the Country of Aunis and Poicton that neither of them durst to stir I could likewise attribute
Francis Count of Vaudmont his brother ought to be admitted to the succession he being within the fourth degree of the Ordinances and that reducing Liege Princes to the condition of ordinary Vassals that which is permitted to ordinary Vassals ought at least to be granted and allowed unto them They likewise answered in reply to the Treaty at Guerrande that that example could not prejudice the right which Francis Count de Vaudmont had to the succession for that a single example createth no Law as the Lawyers say because particular persons not well informed may be defective in using their own rights in their utmost extension of Power And lastly they said it was easie to answer all those Allegations brought to make void the Will and that Reynards own Act could not nullifie it for that no Testator whatever contradicting any one Article of his Will during his life doth at all hinder the standing good of all the rest Besides that the Ratification made by the States two years after did sufficiently evince that he did not at all pretend to abrogate those Lands which he had left to his son Anthony and that it might safely be said he had onely desired Letters of Naturalization from Lewis the twelfth that he might make the daughters of his Son Claudius capable of succeeding in those Lands which he had left him not that he did pretend by it to prefer them before the far remote Males but because it might happen in time that they alone might remain to enter upon their Fathers Possessions and in that case it would be needfull that their Father were naturalized to bring them into Possession That the same thing might be said in answer to the Dutchies of Guise and Aumalle and the Principallities of Joinville as also of the Treaty made between King Charls the ninth and Charls the second Duke of Lorrain for that there was no colour of reason to beleeve that the Messieurs de Guise who drew on the said Treaty would act against that Will which called them into the Succession of Lorrain by excluding of the daughters seeing it had not as yet been contradicted there not having hitherto been any daughters who could pretend to the Succession of the Dutchies of Barr and Lorrain in exclusion of the Males but onely Madam Nicole and Claudius of Lorrain who were then in competition That as to the form of renunciation made by Anne daughter to Duke Anthony and Christian daughter to Duke Charls they could not null the Will for that both did protest to be maintained in those rights which did really belong to them which thing did not however give them any right at all These answers seemed plausible enough whence it followed that those exceptions made against the Will not being considerable in their Judgements they presently concluded that the Will ought to be in its full force and put in execution and these were the reasons alledged by both Parties but the King could onely judge of them as to what related to his Crown for that he alone is Soveraign judge of all that concerneth his own interests and he hath no power but God above which can Arbitrate concerning it Politique Observation THe substitution of Soveraignties made in favour of men seemeth to be so much the more lawfull in regard it is conformable to the Order of Gods Providence who hath created women onely to obey who knoweth not that Moses the Law-giver of Gods people whose Councels were inspired by the holy Ghost hath not permitted the daughters to accept of the Succession but in default of sons And doth not Plato in the second book of his Laws say that it is reasonable that they should fall to the nearest of kin still observing this Order The Male should be preferred before the Female and that at least the Testator should chuse one of the Males for his next heir Solâ—n one of the wisest Law-givers of Antiquity made a Law to establish this rule in his Commonwealth as Demosthenes testifies in his Oration against Leocrates And the Law of the Athenians gave not any right of succession to the daughters if the sons should present themselves to accept of it as it may be seen in the Book of Theodosian Euripides giveth a good reason of it in his Iphigenia when he saith the Male children are the Pillars of houses that to them it belongeth to take up Arms for the good of the People that the Sacrifices are made in their names that it belongeth to them to transact Publick affairs and the daughters instead of preserving those Families into which they are born do weaken them by dividing the inheritances of them and carrying them into other places And if this priviledge of Males hath been judged heretofore reasonable amongst private families it is incomparably much more in Soveraignties where the daughters have been alwaies esteemed uncapable by the most discreet It is true that Liege Lords being onely to gather the profits of their possessions are bound for the making of these substitutions valuable to procure the consents of their Estates in whom the proptiety remains But an absolute Soveraign ought not to make any difficulty at all of it because it is very advantagious for them especially if it be done in the favour of those whose greatnesse is not to be suspected This will be a means to preserve the Estate that belongs to him in the hands of a small Prince whose power he will never have any reason to fear which is no small advantage to him whereas letting it fall into the hands of daughters who may marry with Potent Princes they may become their Masters and may not onely not render that service which is due by Liege men but on the contrary may bring such troubles to them as may oblige them still to attend them as enemies who may make a War upon him It seemeth likewise to be without any ground that he should pretend a power to hinder them seeing his right extend onely to the investiture to the Homage to the Tribute to the Service of War and fidelity in which he cannot be damaged if they are preserved to him Of what importance is it then whether it be a son or a daughter which payeth him his Homage Tribute and other duties as a token of submission In that case it ought to be indifferent for it hath onely relation to the Liege Prince whence it comes that every one being in a capacity to dispose his rights as shal best please himself especially when no one is prejudiced by it there can be no impediment for the substituting his estate in the favour of the Males Provided he alwaies oblige them to pay that that is due to their chief Lord without great reason no alterations ought to be made in fundamental Customes of Countries and as it seems not to be allowable in France to abrogate the Salique Law which excludeth the daughters from the Crown so it is very doubtfull whether it be in the
perfection the design of uniting the Auseatique Towns and the Princes of Germany and accordingly his Majesty sent them Troops and Forces and such monies as he had ingaged to them as also to keep an Army of twelve or fifteen thousand men upon the Frontiers of Campaign to ingage some part of the Emperours forces to stay in Alsatia by which means he might give the more advantage to those of the League who did in the revolution of the year make a great progresse by this means against the Emperours Armies It is the highest peece of Prudence to assault ones enemy by a third Person IF it is advantagious for the King to settle a Peace at home in his own Kingdome it will be no lesse needfull for him to drive on some War among his neighbouring Princes to the intent that they being forced to defend themselves might be so prevented from attempting any thing against France It is one of the best peeces of Policy for which Lewis the eleventh is commended in History for he knowing the designs which the English and the Duke of Bourgogne had contrived against him did raise them so many new broyls that he hrought them to an impossibility of executing their wicked intensions against him Above all this one means ought to be made use of when as a Soveraign doth once begin to grow so Potent by his Arms that he becomes terrible by reason of his Victories The safety of States doth consist in the equality of the neighbouring Princes and there is great reason of fear if any one of them shall grow to be too Potent for that Ambition which is natural to all Princes cannot well contain it self within bounds when it is once accompanied with Power It is the highest point of Wisedome to assault ones enemy by a third hand to raise a League against him in which one is not any thing concerned but onely to contribute some monies or send some Troops thither which may be as occasion serves disowned for is not this the way to obtain the end which a man doth propose without any great expence and without putting any thing in hazard or danger An Enemy is sometimes overcome by this way with more advantage then if the whole force of a State had been imployed against him at least he will by this means be so busied that he will not have any time to think of attempting any thing on his neighbours but rather how he may best defend himself and yet one is not all this while forced to break with him but preserveth Peace in his own Country one is at little or no charge and the Souldiers will be spent who under go many great inconveniences in strange Countries The Embassadour who is to negotiate such a Treaty after he hath resolved upon and set down this truth for the foundation of his good successe That Princes have no other motives in their designs then their own particular Interest is obliged to induce them to whom he is sent to have a good opinion in his Audiences and to represent all those things and reasons which may further and countenance the design which he would insinnuate and perswade them to He ought to let them know that the Peace in which a great Prince is left doth raise great suspicions and serves to no other end but onely to augment his Force and establish his Power that not long after he may attempt new designs That many Princes have in fine been ruined by being two great Lovers of the Sweets of Peace That it is much better to prevent an Enemy then to stay in expectation of him by which means he may be taken unprovided and consequently be the easilier ruined whereas staying for him will give the lesse abilities to our selves for our defences by letting him take what advantages he pleaseth against us That those who love quiet in an over great measure do never subsist long for it is to their enemies a most evident sign of little courage and lesse resolution to repulse any attempts which may be made upon them That nothing is more shamefull then a Peace which giveth way to our enemies to fortifie themselves for the commencing a War and that he who neglecteth first to fall on them when he hath reason on his side both but adde to their Insolences and Courages That a false glosse of Peace will at last deprave into a base and true servitude That after all it will be easie for them to vanquish and overcome their enemies if they will joyn and unite their Forces for by every ones contributing the to War they will have a greater power and with lesse charge then their enemies That it will be very honourable and glorious for them to have curbed his Ambition whose Arms begin to strike a terrour into all the World and by thus insinuating to them the glory utility and facility of the design they cannot but let themselves be perswaded to ingage in it with a great deal of readinesse and affection Combinations of divers Grandees of the Court against the King and State IT is as impossible long to keep France in quiet as to prevent the agitation of the Sea by Winds The humour of the French is full of Action and they are no sooner clear of one broyl or War but they are desirous of beginning another The Cardinal had used his utmost indeavour to settle the Kingdome in quiet but divers young Princes and Lords of the Court not able to relish the sweetnesse of such a Calm did still ingage it in some new Commotions Peace indeed did not so much grate upon their humours as the cause which gave it which was nothing else but the Authority with which his Majesty dispatched the Affairs of the Realm and the necessities which he layed upon them to live within the limits of their duties Now as they had much adoe to submit after they had many years lived in an intire licentiousnesse they resolved to employ all their indeavours to shake off the yoke The most expert amongst them acquainted the rest how the Cardinal was the man who had perswaded his Majesty to take this power into his own hands whence if followed that they layed their heads together and contrived how they might bring him into some disgrace or remove him by what means soever it were from the Stern As their design was extravagant so the wayes which they proposed to accomplish it were extreamly difficult They despaired of doing any good upon the Kings mind towards it for that he was too clear sighted not to be mindfull of those signal advantages which he had received from the sage advices of this great Minister and too too indulgent of his States good to deprive it of so prudent a supporter so that they concluded there remained onely 2 ways proper to attain their end The first was to put all things into confusion then to force the Scepter out of the Kings hand by which means they might bring
giving Laws to his Country Thales one of the Sages of Greece made no difficulty to imploy part of his time therein and Plato himself did the same thing to get the charges of his voyage into Egypt by carrying Oyls thither to sell that he might purchase knowledge Withall we live not now so much by the Commerce of Elements as by that of Gold and Silver those are the great Springs which more all the rest and without them Kingdomes can neither be Potent in War or flourish in Peace Politicians acknowledge them for the Sinews of War and as for Peace never any poor State was yet considerable or ever came to any great height and what brings greater riches then Commerce France aboundeth in many sorts of Grain but wanteth Gold and Silver Now the onely means which it hath to come by it is to send abroad to its neighbours who want many of those commodities what it can well spare by way of Commerce a means so powerfull that sending onely what is superfluous it may bring in the greatest part of their wealth Monsieur the Cardinal is made by the King grand Master and Super-intendent of the Traffique and Commerce of France IT was necessary upon setling the Company of Trade to appoint them a head who might have a full power amongst them and whose reputation and knowledge might countenance their undertakings it being most certain that such designs as are out of the common road fall to nothing if not upheld by some particular favour or an extraordinary understanding To the Admirals care it could not be committed unlesse their speedy ruine had been intended for that he assumed of late so great a power over all Traders that instead of assisting he undid them The onely difficulty was that it being fit the head of this Company should be absolute there would every day arise some disputes between the Admiral and him but the King to avoid this inconvenience was of opinion rather to cease the Admiralty then to break off the setling of Trade for that the Admirals were no lesse chargeable to the State then to the Merchants they drawing at least one hundred thousand Livres out of the Treasury every year without any advantage by it Hereupon the King resolved about the beginning of the year to take the Admiralty out of Montmorency's hands who seemed willing enough to part with it by his readinesse to treat thereupon and in conclusion he had a good round sum paid him for it This resolution was of such concernment that without it not onely the Trading of France had been quite broke but the Kings Subjects had been lyable to dayly Inroads and Pillagings for that of late years above four thousand Christians had been been made Slaves by the Turks above one hundred Vessels taken sunk and burned by which means a great many families were brought to Beggery The King too good just and generous to suffer such injuries which by diminishing his Peoples goods did no lesse take off from his reputation and glory resolved to contrive some remedy for it It was ordered that the Admiralty should be suppressed and that a chief grand Master and super-intendent of Commerce of France should be set up instead of it endowing him with full power to execute the Office of Admiral in such cases as might advantage the benefit of Trade or the Kingdom and cutting off all other power which might prejudice either of them There was now onely wanting a person of quality to execute this charge who ought to be resolute and clear from all private Interest in regard of honour or the publick good The Cardinal had made it apparent that these qualifications are eminent in himself so his Majesty made choice of him who accepted of it but in receiving the Office he would not take those Allowances and Pays which had formerly been due to the Admiralty for that his Majesty had suppressed that Office partly to save the expence of it so that instead of contracting any charge in this new Office his Majesty saved above one hundred thousand Livres per annum heretofore assigned to the Admiralty besides he had now the power of commanding his Fleets wheresoever he pleased but before the command of them was annexed to the Admirals though they were not indued with qualifications necessary for such a charge and which is most to be observed that though the Cardinal might as easily have obtained the Office of Admiral and executed it with the same advantage for the King the benefit of France and Trade as that of super-intendent of the Sea yet he waved that honour and contended himself with the means to serve him in a condition lesse honourable and lesse subject to emulation Politique Observation IT is great discretion in a Minister to wave those Titles which onely serve by reason of their noise to expose him unto Envy They are but low Souls which affect ayry Titles neither do they consider how that by ambition they do provoke Fortune and instead of making their authority respected they do most commonly render themselves ridiculous in the eyes of all wise men Modesty is the thing which makes greatness honoured whereas ostentation offending every one atracts the hatred of all the World and becomes insupportable Who so is advanced to any eminent pitch of Honour ought to imitate great Rivers which glide a long with little murmuring though great profit to the people whereas torrents being lesse profitable do perpetually vex the head with their noise Great men ought more especially to shun such titles of Honour as may render them odious Scipio Affricanus a man who wanted neither courage nor discretion gave us a notable example of this particular as Titus Livy hath observed when as the Spaniards called him King and he refused that little which he knew would be dis-rellished by the Commonwealth and told them that that of General of the Army was the greatest Honour he did aspire to That having indeed a royall soul he should not much take it amisse if they thought him worthy of that Honour but he beseeched them to forbear the other least that might breed a jealousie upon his Person Did not Augustus in the same manner testifie a great deal of Prudence when in taking upon him the Emperial Crown he refused to be called Emperours and contented himself with the name of Prince which could not exasperate the Roman people it being a name in use amongst them and a fashion to create a Prince of the Senate his discretion told him That the Romans would easilier undergo slavery it self then the name of it and therefore he would prudently sweeten the displeasure which they might apprehend at their being brought under his command by a Title full of modesty He also aimed at the names of Consul Father of his Country Tribune and High Priests only because the people did not mislike them designing rather to add a new power to an old Title then to assume upon himself such odious
with reason declared by giving him his eldest Daughter to wife that she should be the true Inheretrix of his States and that he should only enjoy them in her right He also made his entry into Nancy with Balls and publique rejoycings in his Court and all that he might celebrate with the more Honour his arrival to the Crown of Lorrain hereupon he pretended to do Homage to the King in his own name for the Dutche of Bar as appertaining to him in Fee and not in right of his wife but he therein met with greater obstacles then in that of the Bishop of Verdun It was presently given him to understand that he had not a little offended his Majesty in that he had upon his own head assumed upon himself the Investiture of Bar and not expected his Majesties introduction to whom the Soverainty did belong That he had expedited all letters Patents in his own name without mentioning that of the Dutchess his wife for that no vassal hath any thing by descent in his Fee until he be invested by his Soverain to whom he doth Homage That he gave a just ground to be disseised of it if he should possesse himself thereof before he were lawfully introduced That he had also committed no small fault when as he attempted to alter the quality of Tenure of Bar and so create it Masculine whereas the Chief Soveraign could only alter the nature of Fees and dispence with Customes The inconsiderate and lofty humour of this Prince was such that he could have wished he had not been dependant on any other and gave him not leave to consider the Justice of these reasons he answered those Ministers with whom he treated that it being indifferent to his Majesty whether the Homage of Bar were Masculine or Feminine he imagined that Râ—ynard King of Sicily his great Grandfather had lawfully constituted it upon the Males in exclusion of the Females and that in consequence it was become his own right that he was ready to pay unto his Majesty that homage which is due unto him and lastly he added that in his judgement he had no power to annul the right which he had acquired He made use of the Duke de Châ—ureuse who made many journies too and fro to make his argument passe amongst the Ministers for good and some others too which being inconsiderable I shall passe by But he was ever told that his Majesty had reason enough and interest withall to oppose that an Homage dependant upon his Crown might be altered in quality that the Customes of Countries and succession of States were not at all altered seeing such changes are reserved in his onely power and in no other whatever That he ought to know the Customes of Bar were never changeable but by his Majesties permission and moreover on condition that they were confirmed by the Parliament of Paris That he could not be ignorant how the custom of both Bar and all those lands bordering upon the Rhine did grant the succession to daughters in exclusion of any Males descended from a second Brother they beâ—ng daughters of the eldest and that he had so much the lesse reason to change this custom without the Kings Authority in regard this one Article was of greater concern then all the rest that such a change was contrary to the fundamental Laws of Lorrain and that he debarred the Dutchesse his wife of the right which indubitâ—bly belonged to her Now as he could not possibly make any satisfactory answer to these objections so he was forced to return without doing any thing at all in it onely he procured some time to make out his pretensions and to furnish himself with Titles and Reasons to second and uphold them Politique Observation THE wisest Politicians have thought it dangerous to the good of the State to alter any Laws without urgent occasion or unlesse the change carry some great advantage with it Aristotle saith it makes subjects slight rules and powers and doth much diminish their Authority Thucydidâ—s hath gone a little further thinking it safer and more proper inviolably to continue the Laws of a Country though ill ordered rather then set up new ones and better in their place St. Austin saith that as in sicknesse it is good to continue the use of those medicines which till then the sick person had used so likewise it is the effect of a great discretion to preserve the observation of those Laws which had formerly enough in them to remedy any inconveniences in the State Which if true of Laws in general is then much more necessary in Fundamentals which have been the establishers of a State seeing they are no lesse conducing to its preservation then the Foundation of a house for the subsistence of it To speak ingeniously such Laws are the Pillars which uphold Authority and as a building if the Foundation be undermined and shaken soon falls to the earth so a State too quickly comes to ruine if those Laws upon which it is established once come to destruction or alteration For this reason Adrian ordained that no one should intraduce any new Customes into Rome Plato in his Common-wealth prohibiteth the changing of any thing in it even Childrens-play for novelties alter manners and bring antiquity into dis-esteem a thing of great consequence I should like well of the alteration of some rules of Justice because the manners of men are variable and the punishing of Crimes too may admit of change according to the disposition of men and times But it is not the same thing in fundamentals which rule the government and which settle the election which God hath made of a Soveraign which do authorize the order established by former Princes for the ordering of the people and which are the known rules for the preservation of the common good indeed such ought no more to be changed then the Laws of nature for both are equally founded upon Gods Law He it is who divideth the earth amongst Nations who establisheth Kings families and inheritances so that without his will no alteration may be intraduced to change those Customes which have been anciently in use The Dutchess of Orleans death upon her lying in of a Daughter THE King was much troubled soon after the Duke of Lorrain's departure for the Dutchess of Orleans his Sister in Law We have in the former yeart related how many broils the marrying of this Princess did raise at Court and how most of the Princes of Christendome indeavoured to hinder it now we are come to wonder at the blindnesse of Grandees who turmoil themselves in extremity who move heaven and earth by their broils and all for those things which death and the inconstancy of humane affairs cause to vanish in a moment The marriage was concluded but more for discretion than love in his part yet God so blessed it that Love had quickly united both their affections very strongly notwithstanding all the indeavours or devices of Monsieurs Favourites
contained the depth of his employment and it was the happier for France that he was so improvident to carry such papers about him which could only serve to cause him be taken and put to great trouble It was about the end of September that he was arrested and at first carried into Coffie The Duke of Orleans hearing of it took his part made a great noise about it and fancying to himself that the English were landed in the I le of Ree that they and the Marshal de Thoyras were close ingaged together he dispatched the Sieurs de Ville and de Leven-Court one in the neck of t'other to the Queen Mother then at Paris in his Majesty absence to demand Mountagu of her and in case she did refuse it to let him know it within foure and twenty howers time protesting withal that he well knew how to carve his own satisfaction for this injurie which he pretended had been done him because he said Mountagu had been taken in his territories He had at that time his Arms in his hand to second the English and Duke of Savoy and at the same time that he send to the Queen Mother he resolved to besiedg Coffie where Mountagu was then Prisoner as also to assault divers other Frontier Towns whilst his Majesty was busied in resisting the English But the dilligence used in removing of Mountagu from Coiffie to Paris together with the defeat given the English at Ree as shall anon be declared made him and the Duke of Savoy too change their resolutions for that they found the King in a condition able to deal with both of them at once They were likewise told that in case they would oblige his Majesty to come out of Poictou they might both of them pay the charges of his Journey So the Duke of Savoy turned his design upon Genoua which he thought to surprise by a Stratugem which had been contrived and the Duke of Lorrain was contented to be quiet upon assurance given him that Mountagu should be set at liberty soon after his Majesties return to Paris His anger was like storms which after much noise are quelled in a moment she resolved without any great intreaty to expect the Kings return to Paris whither he soon after arrived Mountaigu's Person not being so considerable as his Papers from which there had been discovered as much as was desired his Majesty brought him out of the Bastile and delivered him up unto him reserving that punishment for another time which he had resolved for the Duke of Lorrain and which he had deserved by his engaging in such intreagues In the mean time the King was very glad to see in these Papers that the Duke of Savoy knew of the English design to land in Ree that he had promised to assist them That he had perswade the Duke of Rohan to revolt that he had assisted him with succours That he had ingaged to fall upon the Dauphine with six thousand foot and twelve hundred Horse There was by them likewise discovered the design which the English had projected against Toulon for the sending certain Ships pretending to trade in the Levant and how the Duke of Savoy engaged to assist them with men and Gallies That the same Duke had a hand too in that attempt which was afterwards made against Montpelier That he had intended to have surprised Brecon and Valence and besides all this there were amongst them divers bloudy Manifests against the King his Ministers of State and the Government of his affairs Politique Observation TO be imployed without good cause for the troubling of a Forrain Princes State is a Commission as little happy as honourable If it tend to the Arming of his subjects against him It hath ever had such ill successe that one may say of him who arms them that in shaking the Pillars of the State Justice and obedience he only burries them in their own ruines If it be for the making of confederacies with neighbouring Princes to make a war upon another they last so little that there is not any hopes of more expectation from them Either of the Chiefs would have more power in the Army then his companion Then comes distruct between them no one obtains any glory which t'other doth not envy nay and hinder too if he can Great designs raised upon such weak grounds fall to ruine like structures built upon a foundation of sand War is of it self so uncertain that he who begins it is not sure to gain any thing by it A Command mis-apprehended an Order ill executed an enterprise not well timed an inconsiderate rashness and in short one poor single word may sometimes put a whole Army to the rout Besides negotiations being often considered by their Events all the blame will be assuredly laid in his dish who first perswaded to the design On the other side God favoureth Just Arms and vallour signifies nothing saith Bâ—llisarius without Justice so that he who ingageth any without a lawful cause may expect nothing but mis-fortune and confusion But to waht dangers doth he expose himself whilst he passeth thorough his States against whom he attempteth to make a war Not to stop him were a madness in any Prince and a greater not to punish him for his rashness But admit he escape that mis-fortune his very Commission is contemptible seeing it usually brings trouble and charge to his Country I have ever much esteemed of Phocions words in Plutarch to Leosthenes who in an Oration endeavoured to engage the Ethenians in the Lamian war after Alexanders death Thy speech quoth he is like a Cypres large and full but beareth no fruit for just thus thou makest the people conceive victories and thy words puff them up with signal advantages but indeed there is not any just ground to hope for any certain fruit from such a war tending to the States good so inconstant misfortunate and expensive are all wars whatever What did all those turbulent Souls carry away but blame and misfortune who employed their whole time provoked to it only by their particular passions any unjust reasons to raise wars amongst Princes The Count de St. Paul may serve for a notable example in this kinde After he had spent all his dayes in Broyles and turmoyles his glory vanished like smoak and at last he payd for those Treacheries by death which he had put upon Lewis the Eleventh In the same manner Savanorolla had passed for a Saint amongst the Florentines but for that seditious Spirit which animated him against the house of Medicis and excited him to make a war even against his own Cittizens but the blame he reaped by it sullyed all his glory and in my opinion whoever engageth himself in such a Commission may not expect any greater honour by it Turbulent Spirits clapt up in the Bastille THese Forrain designs were not a lone to be feared there were divers other Grandees of the Kingdom sediously disposed who had some notice of
their respective Commands put the English to the Rout Their Horse were all lost in the maâ—n their Cornet and 24. Colours and four Cannon were taken The French did nothing but kill and slay in so much that there lay above six hundred dead upon the place besides what were drowned in the Sea Divers of their Collonels Gentlement of quality and above one hundred and fifty Officers of all sorts were killed above three thousand Arms taken in the field and above fifteen hundred Souldiers laden with their Spoyles Thus the Marshal de Schomberg in the same day landed saw the siedge raised and beat his Enemies It is reported that the English had at their first setting foot on the Island at least seven thousand men and that a recruit of three thousand came afterwards to them but they carried off only eighteen hundred the rest being either dead with sickness or killed and of them too the greatest part dyed soon after their return to England by reason of the discommodities they there suffered Politique Observation JOhn James Triuulae Marshal of France saith it is a great imprudence to give Battaile in a man 's own Country if not invited to it by some great advantage or forced by necessity He who adventureth to do it runs no lesse hazard then the losse of his Kingdome Darius saw himself despoyled of his Kingdome by being guided by his Courage and fighting a Pitch Battaile with Alexander He might well have harraised him with his Horse on many occasions as the Partheans did the Romans whereas being eager to meet him in the field and fearing least he would return into his own Country and not be fought with he made after him to give him Battaile Alexander seeing him near at hand assaulted him and reduced him to that deplorable condition as is not unknown by History to every one Fabius was wiser then so he was contented only to follow Hanibals Army and to pull him down in divers conflicts and by the great Inconveniences which an Army endureth when it passeth through an enemies Country destitute of Towns to refresh them and where they meet with resistances on every hand By these delayes he discomfited Hanibal without endangering his Souldiers lives a thing very considerable among the Romans who thought it a greater Honour to wear the Civique-Crown bestowed on those who had saved any Citizens life then that which is called Muralis given to them who had first scaled the Walls of their Enemies or the naval Crown granted to such as had done some notable exploit at Sea hence Guiccardiâ— tells us there is no victory more beneficial or glorious then that which is obtained without hazarding the bloud and lives of the Souldiers when an Enemy hath entred upon a State he is sufficiently beaten and overcome with Glory and Honour if he be only wearied out and tyred so that he have but little mind to return a second time In fine the Title of victory and the Honour of a Battail doth not appertain to him who killeth most enemies or taketh most Prisoners but to him who obtains the end of his design Which made Don Alphonso King of Naples say When he was provoked by Monsieur d' Anjou to give him Battail That it was the part of a Captain to overcome and not to fight Philip de Valois fought a pitcht Battail with the English at Cressy but he was overcome King John confiding in his Forces chose rather to give the same English Battail near Poictiers then to vanquish them by famine and those other Incommodities which an Army undergoeth in a strange Country but he was taken and died a prisoner Charles the fifth following the advice of Fabius would never be drawn to hazard a Battail with them but deprived them of all provisions and by that means took all Guyenne over their heads and made himself Master of most of the Duke of Bretaigns Chief Citties Prosecution of the Subject THE English were hard put to it in the Marisb so that divers of them were taken prisoners and amongst others my Lord Mountjoy the Earle of Hollands Brother Gray Livetenant of the Artillery The General of the Horse thirty five Captains and Officers twelve Gentlemen and one hundred or sixscore Souldiers but they served for an object of the Kings Bounty and Clemency For hearing many of them were strip'd he caused them to be cloathed and shortly after causing the chief of them to be brought to him he paid down their ransomes to those who had taken them sent them on their words to the Queen of England Commanding de Meau to present them to her with this assurance that it was only for her sake he had given them their Freedoms nothing could be more noble and the Cardinal had no small share in it But it was an usage much different from that of the English towards the French whom they had taken in divers encounters For the English would not stick to deny them meat for money some of whom assured his Majesty that in case My Lord Mountjoy and some others had not been taken themselves had been starved to death He was by others informed that they had seen the English throw some Prisoners into the water whom they so tyed that they could not save themselves by swimming Indeed his Majesties Civil treatment of the English engaged the King of England to deal better with the French for presently after they were more courteously entertained and so returned into France Politick Observation IT is no little Glory to treat Prisoners of War with civility either by testifying a sence of compassion for the condition whereunto they are reduced or by doing them all the good Offices they might expect It as a mark of true generousness in a Prince and that which sets off his Glory and Clemency with Luster and Splendor the two best flowers in his Crown He ought to remember himself to be Gods Image here on Earth and that as nothing is more essential to God then Bounty so likewise his Glory can never appear more Illustrious them by conferring favours on them who are taken in fight by the Chance of War It is reported that Cleomens being asked what a good King ought to do answered that he must do no good for his friends and all the mischief he could to his Enemies But Aristo answered him with much reason that it was much more commendable to do good not only to friends but even to Enemies For by that means a King makes himself beloved by all the World It is no small advantage to be esteemed merciful to the conquered Plato gives a good reason for it for saith he it doth encrease the Souldiers Courage for admitting their Enemies should take them yet they were obliged not to deal harshly with them Besides Prisoners do become so sencible of those kindneses which are heaped on them that they often are the Instruments of Peace Lewis the Eleventh found it so when as he kindly entertained the Sâ—igâ—eor
as well as himself and opposed those first attempts which were made against his Kingdome Francis Sforzza from a private Souldier became Duke of Milan and his Children who were Princes and Dukes became private Gentlemen for want of experience in the war and because they would deceive others by their cheats rather than render themselves famours by battles Lesse than this cannot befall a King who suffers the Rebellion of a strong Town to go away unpunished especially when it serves for a prop to uphold the revolt of any great party or to countenance the attempts of stangers He ought to be in the field as soon as they begin to declare themselves and to take up arms with so much the more courage for that Trasan saith God doth usually overwhelm the enemies of peace and those who are the disturbers of others by war as heretofore in the example of Pyrchus and of later ages in that of Charles Duke of Bourgoign I shall add that for the quicker and more secure reducing of his subjects to obedience he ought not to expect till their revolts make Levies He ought alwayes to have Regiments ready in Garrisons as the Macedonians had their Argyraspiâ—es the Romans their Legions the Sultans of Aegypt their Mammalukes and the Turks their Janisariâ—s By this means a Town shall no sooner seem to mutiny but it will be assaulted and if any of their Forces shall appear in the field they will be soon cut in pieces Prosecution of the Historie IT were of small consequence to have shut up the Rochelois by Land had they not also been blocked up by Sea The Cardinal acquainted the King with the necessity of it and those contrivances formerly resolved on for that purpose were put in execution The Cardinal had the Chief conduct of it because he had examined with an extraordinary care all the means of finishing the siege with good successe and was more capable than any other to effect it He was so modest that he suffered himself to be directed by Pompâ—jus Targon an Italian Ingineer who had wrought with the Spaniards in blocking up the Channel of Ostende he thought good to make a chaine of Masts and other great pieces linked together with Harping Irons and Cables but the first shot forced them in sunder and spoiled the work He built certain Castles upon Ships some floating and some fixed in the Sea He contrived other engines which were Square and of great pieces of timber such as he called Bridges for the planting of Cannon upon them levelled just between wind and water But all these inventions were more for shew than use though very chargeable so the Cardinal was forced to follow his own thoughts and the design which himself had contrived for stopping the passage and as there is no soul like his so no invention could equal that whicâ— himself had projected It was to raise a certain banck thwart the Channel leaving onely an entrance in the middle for the ebbing of the Sea This design seemed difficult for that the Sea is uncapable of any obstacles which humane industry can raise against it But as the starres obey great Souls so it was unjust that the Elements should resist his will Two things induced him to judge that this banck would easlier be raised than divers imagined First the advantage of stones which might be had on both sides of the Channel and the great multitude of labourers which might be drawn out of the bordering Countries and from the Army it self for a quick dispatch of the work It was began in a place where the River is seven hundred and forty fathom broad where the Cannon of Rochel could not reach but at random so that the work could not be hindred The Cardinal allowed 12 fathom of depth which quickly passing over they left a stoping in the bottome and made a plat form of four fathome upon the surface which should be raised to such an height that the highest tyde could not reach it It was built of dry stones laid upon one another without other morter than what the Sea brought and to strengthen it the better at every 12 foot there was an addition of great timber This grand Minâ—ster knowing the taking of Rochel depended on this Bank did oftentimes go to see it not regarding the Cannon shot which the Rochelois continually made He spared no money for the encouragement of the work-men and he obliged them by the charms of his words which carry men on to whatever he pleaseth It was so advanced in two moneths time that the Rochelois who had hoped that it would onely serve for a laughing-stock to the Ocean could now onely at several times passe four or five small Vessels over it However it was a vast work such as passed beleef neither was it finished till 7 or 8 moneths were ended Besides this the passages in the middle for the ebbing of the Sea was to be stopped up to hinder the going in or out of any Vessels Three great Fences were found out such as could not be bettered The first was a Range of about 40 Vessels filled with Stones and sunk to the bottome The second was a kind of Pallisado made about as many floating Vessels linked together with Chains and Cables which were guarded by a whole Regiment The third was of great stakes fastned in the bottome of the Sea made Taper waies which for that reason were called Chandelieâ—s Thus was the Passage quite blocked up and there was no other way for the Rochelo to be relieved by Sea unlesse the English whose assistance they implored should send them a puissant Fleet which might break through all these obstacles Politique Observation IT of so great importance to hinder the comming in of Provision to besieged Towns that that being once secured the taking of them cannot be avoided they who have forced them by famine have by the Ancients been more honoured then those who have taken them by the sword because they are lest subject to hazards and their Souldiers lives not in danger A thing very considerable In long sieges the onely thing intended is by necessity to force the besieged to open their Gates the truth is most commonly this is a work of time and consequently of great expence but on the other side it saves a great many Souldiers lives which is a recompence great enough It was one of Caesars advices in forcing of Towns rather to do it by Famine then the Sword as the Physitian saveth his Patients more by abstinence then forcible Medicines The truth is I imagine this to be the better and safer way in regard necessity is such a thing as nothing whatever can resist Now as it is a way very advantagious so is not lesse difficult especially in Sea Towns heretofore esteemed impregnable because of the incertainty of the Sea and weather which seldome lets a Fleet lie long in safety to prevent relief as also by reason of its violence which commonly laughs at
protect the execution of Justice Besides they have by so doing a great and notable advantage to themselves in abating the insolent and ambitious pretensions of those who would usurp their Subjects rights and become terrible to their neighbours by their too great power If this rule be worth consideration in general it is much more to be observed in respect of the rights which may befall his Majesties Subjects in Italy where it is absolutely necessary to prevent the increasing greatnesse of the house of Austria They have already become Masters of the greatest part of Germany and there is not any more certain way to ballance their growing power then by Alliances with the Princes of Italy by finding out some means to set foot in their Country be it either by gaining some of their States as divers of our late Kings have attempted or by establishing such French in them as want not pretences to them and which might be able to let in the Arms of France when the Princes of Italy should have occasion to make use of them and there is no doubt but the Princes of Italy would be very glad to see the Arms of our Kings in their Country opposing those of the Spaniard whom they hate because they fear To speak the truth it is an action which doth beget both glory and affection in those who shall succeed the honour which is to be atchieved in so doing will shine thorough all parts and render them venerable amongst all strangers The Marriage of the Prince de Rethelois with the Princess Maria the Inheritrix of Mantua UPon the news which his Majesty recived by the Marquesse de St. Chaumont that there was little hopes of Duke Vincents long life he concluded it to be very necessary that he should use his utmost indeavours to make up the Match between the Prince de Rethelois and the Princesse Maria as also to procure that he might be declared the Successor to the States of Mantua and Montferrat after the decease of his Father the Duke de Nevers The Cardinal by his Councels seconded his Majesties judgement and that with the more eagernesse in regard the Duke of Savoy and Governour of Milan did both begin to declare their pretences This made his Majesty resolve upon sending away the Marquesse de Saint Chaumont into Italy The Instruction which he received was onely of two particulars in which he was to bestir himself The first was in his Majesties name to make an end of those differences between the Duke of Savoy and Mantua to which end he was to passe by Turin to dispose Duke Ferdinand to the making of some other overtures for their accommodation and then to propose them to the Duke of Mantua to see if any conclusion could be had withal to let them both know that a good correspondence were not amisse for the good of their States in regard their enemies by their divisions would be furnished with opportunities to make attempts upon them The second was to labour very earnestly with the Duke of Mantua for the concluding of the Match between his Neece and the Prince de Rethelois and that he might be declared successor to his States after the decease of his Father the Duke of Nevers At that present it was the easier to be effected in regard the Pope had solemnly protested he would never grant a dispensation of his first marriage He was also commanded to shew unto him that as this marriage was of great advantage and benefit to the Duke of Nevers and Rethelois whom he loved by assuring them of the succession so it was not lesse necessary to defend and secure himself from the attempts which the Spaniard and Duke of Savoy might make upon his life and State for that they did already begin to discover their intentions against him He was farther Commanded That if Duke Vincent should chance to die whilst he was near him then to animate in his Majesty name the Chief leading men of the States of Montua and Montferrat by all arguments of reason and perswasion to preserve the liberties of their Country to keep the faith obedience which they did owe unto Monsieur de Nevers as their Lawful Prince and to declare him for successour to Duke Vincent according to the usual Forms of those Countries and lastly to assure them that his Majesty would protect them against any Forces that should molest or trouble them that himself would invite the Pope and all other Princes of Italy to joyne with them in defence of their liberties These were the Chief Instructions in the Marquis his Commission In order to them he went to the Duke of Savoy to perswade him to some agreement with Mounsieur de Mantua He told him how the report went of his being in league with the Spaniards for the deviding of Montferrat But the Duke seemed to be angry at it and wondred that after the having done such good Offices to his Majesty be should imagine such a thing of them Yet he did not disown his apprehensions of the advantage which he might now take during Duke Vincents sickness to regain that which did belong to him in Montferrat adding withal that it would be much more for his Majesties Interest if it were is his hands rather then the Spaniards and that at last in case he were joyned with the Spaniards yet it was no more then his Majesty himself had done seeing they sent him a Fleet to Rochel But the Marquis that he might lay the foundation of an agreement proposed to him to renew the Treaty which had been between the late Duke Ferdinand and himself as to that which was in dispute between them in Montferrat all the answer he could get was this he demanded fifteen thousand Crowns rent for his pretentions there and twenty thousand for the Damages he had sustained for want of execution of his promises made of marrying his little Daughter with the Cardinal his Son By these his unreasonable demands he evidenced that he only sought an occasion to justifie his breach with him and the Marquis finding after divers other conferences had with him that there was no good to be done made no longer stay there but went to Mantua he came thither so opportunely as if Fortune had lead him by the hand for within five dayes after his arrival there the Duke dyed He found that the Marquis de Strigio had disposed the Duke with a great deal of addresse to all that could be desired That he had stirred him up on the designs which his Enemies might set on foot both against his life and State to declare by his Letters Patents the Duke de Nevers his only and Lawful successour in all his States and the Duke de Rethelois his Livetenant General ordering him to marry his Niece the Princesse Marie before his decease and to cause the Governours of all strong places faithfully to keep them for the Duke de Nevers There wanted indeed a dispense for the marriage
and Horse beget a Horse they having some part of his glory by the honour which they have of being his Subjects and God himself jealous though he be of his own glory as he protesteth in one of the Prophets hath he not commanded us to honour his Saints as the second causes of Miracles to build Churches raise Altars make Vows unto them and to publish their praises for those Miracles which his omnipotent hand hath wrought by them his instruments And were he not besotted who should refuse this honour to the Prince of the Apostles when his very shadow cured so many diseases though effected by a divine power really lesse inhaerent in him then that which grand Ministers have in themselves for the publick good If perverse obstinacy should transport any one to deny them this respect may they not easily be convinced by Gods own example when he spake unto Moses saying Thou hast led my people out of Aegypt though indeed it was the work of his own hand God well knew that he had made use of Moses his servant as the chief Minister of his Kingdome and for the Conductor of his people and therefore how jealous so ever he were of his own glory yet he would ascribe it to him as well knowing that the honour attributed to second causes doth not at all diminish that which is due unto the first This is the true image of honour which ought to be given unto Ministers for the services which they pay unto their Soveraigns and who need be jealous of it seeing God is not A King and his Minister are so strictly united as the hand and instrument in the Artificer so that nothing but malice and envy can oppose that praise which is due to a Minister who hath effected any enterprise with successe tending to the publick good of the Kingdome As the King is first and chief so the first and chief honour is his but then without injustice his Miniser cannot be denied the sharing of some part with him who hath been his instrument to obtain it The expences of the Siege of Rochel amount unto forty millions of Livres THe greatnesse of the expence before Rochel can hardly be imagined without considering the particulars as the punctual paying of the whole Army the building of the Bank Munitions of all sorts and the like They who disbursed the several sums reckon it at forty Millions but the particular diligence and care of the Marquesse d' Effat Superintendent of the Exchequer to provide all that there might not be any want deserveth and undoubtedly so will to passe in History for a particular commendation He entred upon the Treasuries at a time when they were fifty millions of Livres in debt and the Treasurers hardly perswadable to assist his Majesty in any of his occasions by reason of the review which had so lately been made amongst them the Parliament too had much ado to be perswaded to rat fie Edâ—cts for to raise money yet he used such addresse and diligence that not onely there was no want of money but the charge was lesse then formerly it had used to be and in such expeditions where the Souldiers were hardly paid at all such and so great care did he use in the charge of the Treasuries There was a necessity of making some new Edicts but the chief means he used were according to the Cardinals instructions to cut off all superfluous expences to commit the management of those sums which were expended unto persons of known fidelity and trust The Cardinal did not onely lend out upon this occasion what monies he had in his own Coffers but ingaged his credit as far as it would go to raise more amongst his kindred and friends He was not so sittle affectionate to his Masters service as the Cardianal d' Amienâ— was 〈◊〉 who stil sent out of the Kingdom all those gratifications which he received like unto those Courtisans who love the money better then the man and measure their pleasure by their profit whereas the Cardinal prefered his Masters glory before the whole Indiaes he studied nothing but the increase of it and the continuation of himself in his favour that he might to that purpose contribute his utmost care and devoir Politique Observation PHysitians tell us that mans body could neither stand nor go without Nerves Muscles and the like and it is no lesse certain that the body of an Army cannot march or long subsist without a great masse of money to maintain them That Prince who hath no Silver will presently want meat for his Forces be can neither provide them Arms or Cloaths and necessity once pinching upon them away they all flie if any perchance stay behind they are weak as water faint and unable to do any service whereas Plenty of money maketh an Army flourish and in heart one of the greatest means the Duke of Parma used to uphold the Wars in Flanders and France was to see a dayly distribution of the Ammunitions and bread delivered out unto the Souldiers to see them once a year cloathed from head to foot and monethly paid without which he could never have had preserved his army so flourishing and victorious as he did It is true indeed 〈◊〉 was to blame so highly to vaunt before Solon the Athenian when he shewed him his 〈…〉 riches Solon told him he did not esteem him any whit the more potent because war was made with Iron not with Gold however it cannot be denied but that as Levies cannot be made without money so in some sort money is as necessary as Souldiers A small Prince if he have great treasures may have the command of a great army though his Subjects are but few others will willingly let him make Levies in their Countries but he who wants money how great soever he be can neither raise any or keep them long together wheâ—… they are raised I have alwaies much esteemed the advice of Pericles one of the ablest Captains of his time who said that Victories were commonly obtained by these three means Money Souldiers and Councel and to speak the truth who is defective in either of the three must not expect an happy successe in his enter prises Caesar was not ignorant how necessary a thing money was for the incouragement of Souldiers as I have heretofore observed and History reports of him that he was liberal in distributing it among them when by any exploit they had well deserved it of which he hath left behind him one notable example when after that his forces had indured much hardship before Berry he made a Donative of 2000 Sesterces to every man To conclude it is no lesse requisite to settle an order in the Treasuries then to have as good foundation of money for the effecting of which it were good to imploy understanding faithfull men for the payment of Souldiers and the punishing of those who commit offences to make a weekly pay-day to all the Souldiers it being more
proper to pay them often and little then seldome and by great sums which they consume in a short time by a natural ill husbandry without considering that that once gone they are liable to a thousand wants and inconveniences which may happen by sicknesse to the very great decay of them Courages and Resolutions The Kings Forces are Masters of the Field in Languedoc THe revolt of the Towns in Languedoc which the Duke of Rohan had gotten into about the beginning of the year did at first make a great noise but soon after Monsieur the Prince the Dukes of Montmorency and Vantadour who commanded his Majesties forces become Masters of the field and before the end of it repossessed themselves of all those palces which were capable of being forced in a few days for they thought it improper to ingage themselves in any long sieges because that might have given the Duke of Rohan opportunity to seize upon others Monsieur the Prince presently took Poussin and many other places upon the Rhone which were of great importance in those Countries by reason of the hinderance they brought to Commerce Not long afterwards he marched towards Tholouze that he might confer with the Duke of Montmorency Vantadour and d' Espernon who were to be there to consider what was fit to be done Now as he passed by Tarascon he had intelligence given that those of Nismes had seized of the Castle de Vauvert belonging to the Duke of Vantadour and he finding himself obliged by many considerations concludeth to pursue them but they of Nismes seeing him come up neer unto them forthwith surrendred it up into his power His Courage made his journey to Tholouze the longer but having had the satisfaction of reducing this place he arrived there with great content and after some conferences had with those Lords who met there it was ordered that the Duke of Vantadour should take some forces into Vivaretz to impede the Duke of Rohans proceedings in the Sevennes that the Duke of Espernon should march towards Milhaud in Rovengue the Count de Carmain with some Regiments to Foix which the Duke of Rohan had much ruined and that the Prince and Duke of Montmorency should remain in Tholouze untill March. Whilest they were yet there the Parliament made the processe against the Duke of Rohan and condemn'd him to be executed in Effigies declaring his Goods to be confiscated to the King who bestowed them on Monsieur the Prince The States of the Province were at the same time assembled together as well to consult of the means for keeping their people in obedience as to raise contributions and taxes for the maintenance of the forces The Kings Officers pressed hard on the Rebels to ingage them to fight and sometimes met with them for they well knew that long deliberation is an enemy to good successe especially in matters of War The Duke of Vantadour went from Tholouze towards Vivaretz about the end of January and passing as near the Rebels as possibly he could he had notice given him that all their Cavalry were issued out of Nisms scouring up and down the Country and that they committed all kind of disorder under the command of the Sieurs de Laignes de la Chassagne and d' Aubay Hereupon he commanded his Troop of Curasiers and that of his guard to follow him whom he carried up so near and advantagiously to the enemy that he ingaged them broke their ranks cut some in peeces took divers Prisoners and put the rest to flight The taking of Pamiers and other places by the Prince of Conde ABout the same time the Sieur de Perant Governour of Vsez fell upon six hundred foot of Mamoirac's Regiment seconded with a hundred Curassiers and fought with them Marmoirac two of his Captains one Ensign and about one hundred Souldiers were killed upon the place the rest were pursued to the very Gates As for Monsieur the Prince and the Duke de Montmorency they departed from Tholouze directly to Pamiers where Beaufort the Duke of Rohans Lievtenant General in Foix had built a Cittadel which by the leasure he had was made very strong they led up the Army to it and made their approaches so happily that they onely lost two men Monsieur the Prince raised a Battery filled up the Ditches and prepared every thing for a Breach the Battery was so quick that in a few hours there was a reasonable way open which the Prince having notice of he would needs go with the Marshals of the Camp to view it who drew out some of every Regiment to fall in upon the Town which they did and being got over lodged themselves under the Wall being unable to passe further on by reason of the Trench they met with but the standing which they had was so advantagious that the inhabitants could not offend them at all and not a man of the Town could appear but they presently fetcht him off with their Musquets insomuch that they forced them to demand quarter which the Prince caused to be given unto them from thence he went to â—ealmont a strong Town in Alkigeois against which place he raised three Batteries which thundring upon them forced them to surrender upon composition The next thing he did was to dispatch the Marquesse de Ragny with the fore guard towards Castle Franc which they reduced under his Majesties obedience and thence he caused some Troops to face Cosâ—â— and Saint Seveâ— Brassao and Castebrian which places were forced to open their Gates The Harvest now was comminâ—â—on and the Cardinal gave him and the Officers under him notice that his Majesty thought it not amisse to Forrage round a hour Montaâ—â—an Casâ—res Nismes and divers other principal Towns in Languedoc These orders drew the Prince neer to Castres the Duke de Montmorency before Nismes and the Duke â— Espernon before Montauâ—â—â— They 〈◊〉 Castre having notice of the Princes design drew all the Forces they could make out of the neighbouring Towns and Garrisons to prevent the Forragers and at first comming they made some skirmishes with his Souldiers and upon those who came within shot they leâ—â—flie their great Guns The Prince was not dismayed at it but onely looked on it as an occasion to increase his glory They whom he commanded to make the wast fell lustily to their work to the admiration of all those in the Town who with their whole forces made a salley out upon them Their first was a very violent encounter and maintained with great courage untill at last they were beaten back to the very Ditches from which time they did no more attempt to beat off the Forragers from their work The Duke de Montmorancy for his part took Poussin in his march a Town re-fortified by the Duke of Rohan and Mirabel a place of importance and then joyning his forces to those the Duke de Vantadour and Marquesse Desporsez he went to Forrage about Nismes where the Duke of Vantadour cut off about one
hundred foot whom he fell upon at unawares in a Village not far from the Town They were so fortunate that they did not onely bring Nismes to famine but Vsez Aletz Aduze and all the Sevennes having burned above fifty Villages with all the Corn then standing on the ground both old and new neither durst the Duke of Rohan once attempt to prevent it The Duke of Espernon did the like about Montauban and not long after the Duke de Vantadours Troops of Curassiers his Gardes and Carabines which were in garrison at Beaucair being commanded to march up towards Nâ—smes that they might draw out their Forces to fight with them went up and drove away all their Cattel in sight of the Town on purpose to invite them out they presently made their sally and were so resolutely charged that their horse was broken and the Dukes Forces broke quite thorough to the foot left threescore and seventeen dead upon the place and about fifty wounded After this blow the Rebels durst not appear any where their luck 's was so bad so that the Kings Army were Masters of the field The Prince finding his presence was no more usefull in those parts obtained leave of his Majesty to return to Berry Politique Observation HE who hath perswaded any Towns to revolt must not expect to keep them any long time unlesse he be Master of the Field his hopes of maintaining them in his own power will vanish and he will soon see them re-taken by his Soveraign before his face if once he be master of the Country For as there is not any place how weak soever which doth not hold out some small time especially if it be assisted so there is not any place how strong soever that can alwaies hold out it not releeved that is unlesse there be a sufficient power on foot to force him who is sate down before it to raise his siege or at least to send Forces and Ammunitions into it Places cannot defend themselves but must have men to do it for them neither can the men ever do it unlesse they have refreshments both of victuals munitions and Souldiers otherwise the troubles necessities and discommodities of a Siege will inforce them to surrender whether they will or no. It is evident that if the Soveraign be Master of the field then the revolted Towns can hardly be releeved or assisted because of his greater power to prevent and hinder it Those places I must confesse which are strong indeed seem to command and keep the Country in subjection but this power of theirs can be of no long date unlesse their fellow Rebels have a potent Army to assist them with Convoys both of Men Victuals and Munition The Tyrians were so insolent by reason their Town was so strongly built upon a Rock in the Sea that they mocked at Alexander when he besieged them and made a Bank about them to keep off any relief from comming unto them they asked of him if he designed to make himself greater then Neptune by that device of his to overcome the Sea his Souldiers they called Asses and beasts because they laboured without ceasing in carrying matterials towards the Bank but at last Alexander having reduced the neighbouring Country finished his works which he had projected and finally forced them to render at his mercy Which being so the best advice that can be given to a Soveraign for the preventing of a Revolt or the progress of it is forthwith to make himself master of the field and to fall upon them and their Towns without giving them leasure to increase their numbers or fortifie their Cities For shewing a resolution to force them by Arms if they submit not by fair means is a most powerful way to open the strongest gates whatever Maharbal General of Hannibals horse was not ignorant of this particular when his advice was forthwith to march up to the Gates to Rome after that famous Battel of Cannes telling him that there being hardly any forces at all neer or about the City he would infallibly in a little while become Master of that too Hannibal followed not his Councel but those who perswaded him to give his Souldiers breath but yet every one concluded he lost a most fair opportunity it having been a most easie thing in that conjuncture of time to have carried his victorious Troops to Rome and to have forced the Citizens to set open their Gates unto him Caesar never did so but when ever he found himself master of the field any where presently went on to the perfecting of his Conquest which he could not think compleat whilest there remained any thing undone or any small place untaken The Duke of Savoy enters into a League with the Governor of Milan to fall upon the States of the Duke de Nevers and Mantua WHilest his Majesty was thus ingaged before Rochel and in Languedoc the Duke of Savoy and Doâ—n Joncales de Cordona Governour of Milan seeing the Duke of Nevers had taken possession of the Dutchesse of Mantua and Montferrat made a League together The Articles imported that the Duke of Savoy should indeavour to make himself master of all the places in Montferrat excepting Casal Poâ—t Desture Nice Aqui and some other places and that the Marquesse de Montenigro should fall in upon the State of Mantoua and get what he could there The Emperour being wrought to it by the Spaniards commanded without regard had to the Duke of Nevers submissions which he had sent to him by the Arch-Bishop of Mantua that those Dutchies should be in sequestration until the claim of Prince Gastles who pretended himself heir to them were adjudged and determined and sent the Comte Jâ—an de Nassan in the quality of an Imperial Commissary to seize on them and there to fortifie himself that the King nor Princes of Italy might enter upon it In brief the Duke of Savoy having his Army ready upon the first news of Duke Vincents death seized upon Albe Sainct Damien Dian Trin Gabian and Motecalvo Don Joncales went with his Army to Casal where finding himself opposed he made himself Master of the adjacent places and the Marquesse de Montenigro invaded Mantua to get what advantages he could The Duke of Matnua hereupon dispatched one in all hast unto his Majesty for those succours which had been promised to him and in the mean time he himself had raised an Army of about twelve thousand foot and two thousand horse part he sent into Montferrat the rest he kept in Mantua and thereabouts to binder the Marquesse de Montiningro's progresse in the Mantuâ—â— The King being informed of these violent emotions permitted all Monsieur de Mantua's friends to go to his assistance and his Highnesse to ralse what Forces he thought fit in the Kingdome of France insomuch that shortly after the Marquesse de Beuuron carried with him store of French over the Mountains of Savoy who cast themselves into Cazal and so incouraged the inhabitants that Don
Joncales began to lose his former hopes of so speedily taking it The Sieur de Guron was likewise sent by his Majesty thither presently after who so got the good Will of the people there that they parted willingly with any thing they had nay the Women would deliver up their Rings and Jewels that the Souldiers might not want their pay The Spaniards in the mean time were not idle but used their best indeavours to gain the place but were alwaies repulsed with such courage that they never went off but to their great losse The Marquesse de Bâ—uuron made divers Sallies upon them and did as often put them to disorder but was at last killed after he had on many occasions testified that fear had no corner in his heart and that his courage could have make him withstand a Puissant Army with a handfull of men The Sieur de Guron commanded in the town after his death where he so behaved himself that the Townsmen were perswaded to hold out in expectation of relief from France The King having give leave to the Marquess d' Vxelles to make Levies for Monsieur de Mantua he had at last raised as many as he thought would be sufficient for the business which was about fifteen of sixteen thousand men effective The Rendezvouz was appointed in the Bailiages of Ambrun Gap and Briancon where being all come together they who had the orders to make the muster and pay them and make provisions necessary for their passage over the Mountains were so neglectfull that they were forced to stay thereabouts in those Bailiages about twenty dayes time during which they committed many insolencies and wasts which the Marquesse de Vxelles finding he was almost in despair to see such disorders all that he could do to remedy it was he procured the Country people to provide a certain quantity of Provisions both for Man and War and to carry them after the Army over the Mountains some part of their money he paid them down in hand and for the residue he obliged himself in his own name to pay them upon the first Muster Whereupon he began to march and on the twenty seventh of July entred into the Mountains where he no sooner appeared but the Duke of Savoy came up to them and opposed them where-ever they went The resistance which he here met did not very much trouble him for he often beat them before him but it was his mis-fortune that the Provisions promised by those of Dauphine did not follow the Army insomuch that the Souldiers having marched some dayes without any bread he was at last forced to resolve upon returning back again their retreat indeed was honourable enough for the Sieur de la Ferte Marshal de Campe facing the enemy with three Regiments upon the tops of two Mountains gave opportunity to the rest of the Troops to retire into Dauphine which the Duke of Savoy could not perceive untill they were quite gone Politique Observation THE Laws of military policy require the preparing of great Magazines near the places designed for an enterprize before the first attempt and especially not to enter upon an enemies Countrey without making sure of a dayly provision for the Souldiers that they are not brought to want Armies are oftner ruined by hunger then by Battel whence it happens that he who is not very carefull of carrying his Provisions with him or sure of finding them where he comes will soon see himself destitute of Troops and in such confusion as will render him contemptible to his enemies and despicable to his friends This was one of the rules Cambises taught his son Cyrus as Xenophon relateth it and Cyrus was no lesse carefull to practise it in the Wars which he made against the Assyrians as the same Author observeth The Turks are very exact at it indeed their temperance gives them one great advantage because the carriage of them is not very difficult amongst them who use neither Wine nor other dainties It were to be wished that ours would follow their example because the plenty in which most of our Commanders have used to live renders them unable for labour or to make any great enterprizes upon the Spaniard by reason of the difficulty of carrying provisions with them The Romans were not ignorant of this truth when their Empire was in its most flourishing condition and for this reason it was that they accustomed their forces to great abstinency and those Nations which were least brought up in delicacies were alwaies by them esteemed the most war-like Thus Julius Caesar thought the Flemmings more valiant then the rest of the Gauls because they lived upon harder fare Hannibal to his cost found what losses befell his Army after they had been accustomed to a lithe ease and plenty when after the battel of Cannes warring with lesse fear of the Romans he permitted them to live in all pleasure and abundance and afterwards being to make use of them he found that by that means they had lost their courages A Captain however in avoiding this delicacy ought not to be defective in carrying that which is necessary for his Souldiers The inconveniences which will follow by such neglect are not onely as hath been said that he will see them disband but withall he will find them to run to his enemies Quarters in hope to find there better maintenance Thus did the most part of Afranius and Petrius souldiers flie to Caesars Camp and those of Caesar upon the like necessity went unto Pompey besides all this want occasioneth diseases as the French found at Carignan as Guieciardin reporteth and sometimes causeth a Mutiny In fine it is impossible in such occasions but a Commander must soon see his forces in confusion among themselves and vanquished by their enemies as Vegetius hath very judicially observed The King takes care of the Affairs of his Allies the Grisons ALthough his Majesty was carefull of Monsieur de Mantua his affairs yet did he not abandon those of the Grisons his ancient Allies but indeavoured to put them into the enjoyment of that which had been accorded them by the Treaty at Mouson He had about the end of the last year sent a Declaration to the Sieur Nesmin his Embassadour with those people which imported that according to a Clause of the first Article in that Treaty the agreements made at Lindan and Coire between the Arch-Duke Leopold the Governours of Milan and the three Cantons of the Grisons in the year 1617 until the day and date of the Treaty at Mouson ought to be null and void and that all the Embassadours assembled in Treating with the Spaniards were promised as much yet now the Spaniards would needs give other interpretations for their own advantage to that first Article though in it self nothing could be clearer upon which great contests did arise between the Grisons the Spaniards and the Arch-Duke Leopold Now the Grisons desiring his Majesty would clear the doubt he could not onely not
homage in that form which should be thought reasonable and in the mean while to beseech him that he would excuse him for some little time He presented unto his Majesty a Kennel of as find hounds as could be seen which his Majesty kindly accepted of and yet to let him see that he looked upon hunting onely as a diversion when other important State affairs gave him some leisure time he hereupon made him a discourse which is not amisse to be observed in this place for the instruction of Soveraigns in what degree they ought to hold those recreations which tend to their pleasure Cozen said he I have left off hunting I must confesse I delight in it when other affairs give me leave but at present my thoughts are altogether taken up to show how affectinately I interest my self with my Allies after I shall have relieved the Duke of Mantua I may perchance return to my old recreations till some other of my friends may have occasion to make use of me And most certain it is his pleasures never withdrew him from theears of his State He would be informed very exactly of all affairs how mean soever neither would he allot any time for the recreations which other Princes used to allow themselves because his piety forbid him as knowing them to be contrary to the Laws of God Politique Observation HUnting is a kind of war not onely not misbeseeming but sometimes very comendable in a Prince It was Xenophons advice in his Cyropaedia It teacheth them saith he to rise betimes It inures them to heats and colds habituates them to riding and all other labours The resistance which salvage beasts make against them teacheth them to fight and to use their Weapons seeing they ought to observe a time when to beat them when to prevent them and to have the free command of their body to cast themselves to and fro when once they come up upon the pursuit Doth not the chasing of those who may endanger them accustome them not to fear any perils I have often observed that those Princes who are great hunters have been likewise esteemed very valiant History tells us so in the examples of Vlysses Pelopidas Pompei Alexander The Prince of Roman eloquence saith that a man at hunting useth a kind of military exercise Plinius Secundus thought it the more agreeable for Princes it being a solitary and silent exercise and giving them leisure to think on their State affairs to which give me leave to add one effect more which renders this recreation very commendable in Kings and that is it keeps them from vice It is reported that Hippolytus Theseus his Son did use this diversion to live chastly and avoid idlenesse the source of all vices and evills The Poets feigned that Diana spent most part of her time in that manner in the company of Arethusae Calista Cranae and divers other Nymphs who were all desirous to preserve their virginities each of them knowing that they were exposed to many Shipwracks by the divers companies with whom they conversed Plutarch observed upon the life of Pompey that this great conquerour imagined that Princes get no little honour by this exercise and after he had vanquished Domitius in Affricque and reduced all in those Countries to his power himself spent some dayes in hunâ—ing Lions and Elephants to the end quoth he that the stoutest beasts themselves might not be ignorant of the Romans good fortune and courage A Victory obtained by the Kings Forces against those of the Duke of Savoy upon the 14. of February 1629. THe King departing from Chaalons passed by Lyons but did not go into the Citie by reason of the sicknesse to Grenoble where he staid 7. or 8. dayes during which he oftentimes sent to the Duke of Savoy to acquaint him that he was come thither resolved to relieve Cazal and to demand passage through his States which he was obliged by Treaties to grant under assurance of not doing any acts of hostility or any other damage The Duke being engaged with the Spaniard and having promised them to assist them in the taking of Cazal as Comte Louâ—s d'Ast one of his Residents at Rome had openly declared had recourse to his usual artifices and returned many complements and fairs words he beseeched his Majesty to give him leave to find out some expedient to dis-engage him of those promises he had made to the Spaniard The Duke proposed several overtures but so void of reason and Justice that it was no hard matter to discern his intent was onely to stay the King until Cazal was taken which as was well known could not hold out above dayes but it was all in vain for the King a person not to be delayed but with just reasons and who was well assured that Cazal would yet hold out in expectation of him two full moneths marched from Grenoble and by great Journies came to Oux a place bordering upon the Frontire and passage of Suze The Duke having but ill intelligence heard not of his Majesties advancing for indeed he made such haste that it was hardly credible but by them who were eye witnesses of it The Duke thougâ—t he had been still at Grenoble when indeed he was not far off Suze But for fear of that storm which threatned him he resolved to send the Prince of Piedmoâ—t his Son to delay his Majesty by giving him some hopes of opening the passages not without expectation that Cazal would in the mean while be taken The Prince was hardly come to Chamberry but he heard the Kings Army was passed the Mount of Geneva this made him return directly to Chaumont where he found the Cardinal already arrived with the Vanguard He had at that place a long discourse with his Eminence who no lesse powerful in his words than arms entertained him with a great deal of addresse and pressed upon him such reasons that he at last promised to do whatever should be desired of him The Cardinal at first told him he was much astonished that notwithstanding the Treaties between France and Savoy that his Majesty and his Army should be denied to passe his Country to assist one of his Allyes Hee remonstrated to him how injurious this procedure was to the honour of a Prince it being contrary to his word and faith that his Majesties Arms marched in a just cause but that his did unjustly protect injustices That if he should have the advantage at any time to hinder his Majesty from entring into Italy which however he could not well hope for yet it would be as great a discredit to him to support an unjust oppression as the design of a protecting a Prince would be glorious to his Majesty withal that he did apparently deceive himself if he imagined to raise any advantage by assisting the Spaniard in the taking of Cazal that his hopes of sharing the Montferrat between them was vain and that they would suffer him to have no greater a part than in six
for whilest they who are possessed with it indeavour to execute their wills upon persons in power upon the least resistance they she out into extremities and by force attempt to repel force but who are more prone to revenge then women their natural fearfulnesse doth the more easily ingage them because they attribute the most part of their faults unto some neglect or dis-esteem They have not wit enough to dissemble those many defects which are in them though it were most for their advantage especially in such miscarriages as happen more by their weaknesse then malice Their Soul is offended at the least touch whereas great personages ought to know that it is more glorious to pardon then to punish Briefly the irresolution which they discover in all their actions and which they cannot for their lives hide is the cause of a thousand disorders especially when any one ingageth to follow their advices and directions now they counsel one thing and by and by another then they know not what to resolve and the least difficulty they meet with maketh them change a thousand times over Not but that they have a reasonable Soul as well as the greatest Princes that have governed on the earth but are as it is said of the Flowers of Aegypt alwaies soaked with the vapours of Nile which being grosse and earthy are the cause that they do not yeeld such fragrant smels as those in other Countries just so their Souls being troubled with a thousand Passions which proceed from their weaknesse and violence are unable to produce such generous Counsels as those of men who are endued with a stronger and more vigorous constitution I could alledge several other reasons but I shall content my self with that saying of God himself speaking by the mouth of Isaiah the Prophet The Government of women saith he is one of those afflictions wherewith heaven punisheth Mankind and that other amongst the Verses of the Sybils A Womans Reign shall be esteemed as the overthrow of the whole world Prosecution of the Subject THE King both Prudent and Just would not condemn Monsieur where he was not guilty and yet that he might give some satisfaction to the Queen Mother and not diminish the Authority which he had committed to her in his absence by a dis-owning of her he resolved on a â—edium which was this he sent the Comte de Noient unto Monsieur then at Orleans to tell him that his Majesty would be very much pleased if he would send unto the Queen Mother to beseech her to let the Princesse be freed from the Boys de Vincennes and at the same time he writ to the Queen Mother that she had done discreetly to hinder Monsieurs marriage for which he thanked her and assured her he could not willingly consent to it Whilest she was against it onely he desired her to deliver the Princesse from the Boys de Vincennes in case Monsieur should desire it of her This was as respectfull and satisfactory as the Queen Mother could have desired for the King did not condemn her proceedings but seemed to beleeve her information that Monsieur would have married the Princesse Maria without his Majesties permission and did moreover so confirm her Authority that he would not of himself order the Princesses being set at liberty but referred it to her whole dssposalâ— and desired she would rather not do it unlesse at Monsieurs intreaty Yet notwithstanding all this those who got the Mastry over her soul were become so dexterous in putting into her such thoughts and motions as were proper for their own interests and designs onely that they perswaded her this answer of his Majesty was a disguisement and not ample enough to justifie her Procedure and that it was in some kind a disowning of her They who were the craftiest amongst them durst not openly as yet accuse Monsieur the Cardinal unto her or â—ot contributing his utmost power in the procuring her a full satisfaction in this businesse lest they should have split themselves upon that Râ—ck which they designed for his destruction but they insinuated unto the Queen Mother that it had not been much amisse if the Cardinal had perswaded his Majesty to send the Princesse Mari out of France without any more ado because now Morsiâ—ur might still watch his opportunity and marry her By this they knew that no Logick could so soon learn the deducing of consequences as that of a Womans choiler and ambition which can quickly do it without teaching and thus it cannot be imagined what and how many contrivances and devices they made use of to incense her against the Cardinal who in the mean while imployed his utmost both of Prudence and Justice to hide the violence of her Proceedings Politique Observation VVHen it happeneth as oftentimes it doth that Ministers are to redresse the disorders committed by Grandees who are persons tenderly to be dealt withal they ought to follow the example of the wise Pilot who though the Wind be contrary yet he so ordereth his Sails by turning and winding too and fro that he neverthelesse goeth on in his voyage It is with them as with Mettals the noblest are the most flexible and if they want discretion and addresse to bend and comply when occasion is they will be sure to meet with enemies who will stick upon their skirts If there be any Ulcer in their minds they must never open it with Iron unlesse there be first of all some soft cotten tied about it though in a case of extremity I must confesse they are bound to make use of fire and Rasors to cut and burn out that which corrodeth within them or grateth without them Great freedom of speaking the naked truth is not proper in a Court or amongst Grandees with whom all kinds of devices and Artifices are to be used for the disguising of it nay some disguise it how you will do not willingly love to hear it The respect which is paid unto them in this kind is not so much a bare complaisance or simple submission as an effect of a good judgement which knoweth that their discontent doth often raise great broils in the State which by this means are prevented because it keepeth them from anger and allayeth any of their heats and emotions When Ministers are as oftentimes it happeneth to treat with Women who are persons of quality and concernment in affairs they ought to remember there is no way to satisfie them but by doing whatever they desire good or bad their Souls being uncapable of bearing a denial how just and reasonable soever when as they are once bent upon it wherefore it is not safe to discommend their Proceedings unlesse they have a mind to have their eyes scratched out But at last Prudence doth oblige them to do that which is fittest and most proper to be done so that having once done that which is just and reasonable they ought to sit still and leave the rest to Gods Providence who is
he sung the Te Deum assisted by all that could throng in as well Catholicks as Hugonots so much were they delighted to behold him and indeed his sweetnesse his agreeablenesse his Civility and the Bounty which his word and behaviour testified to all the World did not a little captivate them and charm their courages Thence he went to alight at the lodging which had been prepared for him where the whole Town waited to receive him he entertained them with such familiarity and freedome that they could never enough be satisfied with his sight And that I may the better describe the content they took in beholding him give me leave to add this one thing that never any one yet saw him but loved him He gave so discreet Orders for the Government of his Souldiers that not a man had any cause to complain of Rudeness or abuse for he severly punished the leaft insolency whatever which did not a little please and content them of the City They would gladly have kept him loâ—ger amongst them but his time drew on and he had not now any other affair to detain him in those parts he having â—ettled alâ— things in Peace to the great Glory and happiness of his Majesty and the whole Kingdome that he provided for his return to his Majesty who desired even to longing to see him that he might take order for the affairs of Italy which began to be re-imbroyled Politique Observation ARms are not all the means for the obtaining of victories Prudence hath some if the victory be nothing but the attainment of that end for which a War is began and provided that a man once Master his design what matter is it whether it be by one or t'other It is the end that is all in all So that he who overthrows a City or wins a pitched Battail is not the onely man according to Quintus Curtus who is victorious but he may justly be likewise termed a Conqueror who by his Prudence forceth them to surrender and lay down their Arms. In the History of Italy we read of a great Contestation between the French and Italians concerning the Battail of Tar each of them ascribing the victory to his own Nation The Italians they pretended they were Masters of the field because their Quarters and Bagage were safe and whole whereas they had pillaged all the French even to the Kings Tent The French on the other side pretended they had the better of the day because they only lost two hundred men and the Italians left three thousand behind them and were also forced to quiet the field and passe over the Tar and that which was more then all the rest was they had obtained that end for which they began the fight to wit for a free passage to return into France and foâ—â—his reason iâ— was adjudged that the French indeed had the better of them it beâ—â—g certain that the Honour of a victory doth not alone belong to him who hâ—th killed most of his Enemies or indeed hath lost fewest of his own but likewise to him who in conclusion of the fight obtains that end for which he began the Battail Besides 〈◊〉 esteem those victories which are got by prudence much more to be commendeâ— then those which are got by Force of Battails in regard the one is aâ—â—chieved with little noyses with safety and without diminution of the strength or losse of mens Lives whereas the other doth obtain but the self same thing by a way quite contrary that is fuâ—l of trouble danger losse and expence Those Victories which are atchieved by Force have Violence for their Chief cause whereas those which are obtained by Prudence have the Rule of all other vertues for theirs and besides who will not more esteem these then the former if only because there is lesse bloud spilt Tygers who delight to shed bloud may perchance rejoyce to see the earth dyed with 〈◊〉 But true Honour and Glory which proceedeth from sweetness and humanity cannot but abhor such sights which are so far from being accompanied with real Honour that rather on the contrary nothing can be more ignoble or unnatural Prosecution of the History AT this time France was happy indeed having overcome that Monster called Heresie which had been long conquering The Power of France was now become the greater in regard it was not divided as heretofore within it self Those Forces which had of late so often drew their Swords within their own Country were now at Liberty to be employed abroad in defence of the Allyes of the Crown The house of Austria was no longer such a Bugbear neither was there any fear of discontented persons Who formerly with the help of fifty thousand Crowns could raise a civil War at their own pleasures Those great Taxes did now cease which were of necessity to be kept on foot whilst the Kingdome was governed at randome Those Expenses which the State was forced to bear for the suppressing the Hugonots in Pensions Fortifications Garrisons Colledges and the like were now layed up The King was absolute Master of Poictou Guyenne Languedoc and Dauphinè which formerly he had only at six and seven But how much then was the whole Nation beholding unto the Cardinal seeing the King had principally made use of his Prudence and Courage to bring all these glorious things to passe as his Majesty himself had often published and declared in his letters and on many other occasions There cannot be any reasonable indifferent Judg but will conclude he deserved all monuments both of Honour and Glory and that such as should be ingrateful for these his services or attempt to procure him any displeasure ought to be punished with shame and confusion But alas that Passion of Private Interest like a thick vail which takes away the sight would not let those of the Cabal neer the Queen Mother behold his deserts and the praises which were due to him But on the contrary led them to take advantages by his absence to invent new devices and contrive sundry Artifices whereby they might incense that great Princesse against him If the King acted any thing not agreeable with her humour presently some one or other would acquaint her with it and add It was the Cardinals doings When once they perceived that she began to be jealous because his Majesty did no longer follow her Counsels which indeed were not much to be commended they were never quiet until they had entertained her with some discourse to that purpose which might blow the Coals of her passion and discontent If at any time she could not presently effect whatever she designed then the Cardinals power was to be lamented either by words at length or perchance because that was not at all times permitted by the language of their Eyes no lesse powerful than the other I should be too to long if I should describe all their tricks But who could endure that they should thus employ their time whiles he
the principal strength of a Kingdome and their dis-union is the cause of their ruin whence Lycurgus assured the Lacedemonians that nothing could so much contribute to the encrease and preservation of their State as an invincible courage against their enemies and an inviolable concord among themselves The devise which Philip of Macedon made use of to overcome the Precians was the fomenting of some differences between them he assisted one part of them against the other and so long preserved the division between them till at last they were both easily to be overcome and who knoweth not that that which heretofore brought France into the power of the English was onely the division which the house of Burgonie and several other Countries had raised within it The Stars which are in an ill aspect cannot but produce very ill consequences here below so likewise when confederated Provinces shall begin to look awry one upon another and with animosity they cannot but endanger one another The stateliest Palaces are soon ruined by little cracks and the greatest people by small divisions I might insert here that the greatness of the God-head consists in its unity and that if it could be divided it would not be infinite Thus that which renders a State invincible is concord and that which destroyeth a Kingdome is division that same thing too that it doth in publick it doth in private families The House of Austria entereth very strong into the Duke of Mantua's Country THE taking of Coir and Meyenfeld was the Gate by which War entred into Italy For the House of Austria presently after the taking of Suze sent two Armies into Montferrat under the Marquis Spinola The Spaniard had caused the said Marquis to quite the Low-Countries and to come into Italy His first business was to set all things right between his Master the State of Gâ—noa which Common-wealth was upon the point of revolting He came thither in July and used his utmost to make a good Intelligence between them and indeed he was so successful in it that he did the Spaniard one of the best pieces of service that he had ever yet done The next thing he did was to store up great quantities of Corn a Comodity very necessary in those parts for the entertaining of any War though never so little by reason of the Scarcety in that Country He declared every where that his Master desired Peace but it was only until his Forces were got together and that he was in a condition to begin the War for as soon as ever he found himself provided he entred into Montserrat took some small places and amongst the rest Pontdesture and made his approaches towards Cazal but would not absolutely lye down a second time before it until he saw an impossibility for France to relieâ—e it The ruine of the Hugonot party did not a little stagger him for that now his Majesties forces were at full Liberty to march out of the Kingdome but he conceived us to have been so weakned and entangled by the divisions which those of the Spanish party had raised in the Kings Family as also by the very doubt in which the Cardinal himself was that his Majesty would not be perswaded to repasse the Alpes Winter now comming on that he hoped by this means he might effect his design and the sooner seeing Canzal and Mantua were assaulted at the same time which would so surprise us that we could hardly tell which we should first assist For the German Lutheran Armie led by Colalte had entered into Mantua at the same instant that he did into Montferrat and thus instead of the Justice which the Emperor had promised the Sieur de Sabran and published by a Declaration wherein he undertook to restore it to the right owner the Army Committed such cruelties as are incredible burning and pillaging Churches wiâ—h greater violence and fury then ever the Iconoclasts did breaking all Crosses Images Saints and what not The Souldiers would commonly tye the Images with Cords and so dragg them up and down sometimes they would throw them into the water profane the consecrated Plate ravish Women and Maydes and fill the whole Country which mourning and blond in short they made it apparent that that Cloak of Religion which they so boast of in Germany was only a Pretence to cover their Ambition This great violence seconded and upheld by Force of Armes gave them the Libâ—rty of overrunning almost all Mantua most part of the Natives flying from them a as heretofore they had from Alaricus and Attila by which means at last they came up to Mantua it self and besieged it But Colonel Duranâ— had gotten in a liâ—tle before them with a thousand expert Souldiers well commanded and Monsieur de Mantua had likewise drawn in thither the choysest of his own men so that the Spaniard resolved to sit down before the Town though their Army was equally pestered with the Plague and Famine which at last forced them to retire yet before they went off they committed the most infamous peece of treachery was ever yet heard They made several propositions of Peace and Monsieur de Mantua seeing how willing they were of an accomodation consented to a Truce of three hours During which and in confidence of their faith he opened the Port Fort-Bourg which is on t'other side the Bridge now they more regarding their advantage then the Fidelity which ought to be inviolable between Princes after about three thousand of them were got in seized on it A Treachery very strange but as few base actions succeed well so that served them but to small purpose for Colonel Durand made a Sally out upon them during which there was a Trench raised and Cannon planted on it which Commanded all the Fort-Bourg by which means it came unserviceable to the Imperialists Politique Observation THE faith of them who Command Armies hath been ever esteemed sacred He who once breaketh it looseth his Honour And indeed if there were not an obligation to keep it to what passe would things come There could be no security in Treaties One Prince could not trust another and in Leagues every one would be catching at all advantages which he should find A General ought to respect nothing more then his Honour now there is not any one thing which can more obscure it then Infidelity which breaketh the Justice of Military Act which gives a Liberty to do any unreasonable thing and converts War into Pyracy He who would have his Souldiers be true to him must be Just to his Enemies Neither may he recede from one single word passed to them Besides he is so much the more bound to the observance of it as it is of consequence to them Stratagem are allowable but they must be of War not Infidelity The Romans were such strict observers of this particular that they placed the Image of Fidelity next to that of Jupiter in their Capitol to the end every one might respect it as
infirmity and another injunction made to the Bayliffs in the year thirteen hundred and four commanding all Prelates and Ecclesiasticks who were bound to attend his Majesties service that they should be ready to wait on his person These examples may serve to demonstrate that Prelates have heretofore been accustomed to serve our Kings so that there cannot be any just exceptions made against their following of his Majesty in Arms. Politique Observation THe General of an Army being the second person of a Kingdom had need be indued with all the qualities necessary to the King himself but those which do most contribute to his glory and the good successe of the Armies under his command are Prudence Courage and Reputation Prudence is like the eye which beholds those things that are proper to be done and what is fit to be commanded Courage is that which executeth them and Reputation is like the soul in couragious Battels which gives motion to the Souldiers with so extraordinary a generosity that it is easie to know when they are commanded by a General in whom they have a confidence Prudence is necessary for him to deliberate with judgment what is sound and fit and to command them to good purpose which teacheth him to keep his Army in good order which acquainteth him with the humour and disposition not onely of those Officers who command under him but likewise of his Souldiers that he may the more readily know how to command them upon his designs which teacheth him the observation of military Laws which helpeth him to foresee and prevent great dangers which gives him means to judge of Treaties and make advantages of them as occasion shall happen which furnisheth him with resolution to prosecute his designs with courage of mind to bear mis-fortunes and with moderation in good successe These are some of those effects of that Prudence which is requisite in a General I could add a thousand other subjects in which it is needfull but for the present I shall onely say in general terms that Prudence ought to be the rule by which he squareth all his actions Thus did the Egyptians acknowledge it for an inseparable companion of command whiles they represented it by an eye placed over a Scepter If a General have need of Prudence surely Courage is no lesse necessary for him that he may break through all obstacles which may happen for the assaulting of his enemies with rigour that he may adventure upon dangers without fear that himself may be in the fights and that in his own person he may lead up his forces to infuse the greater resolutions in them It is not that he should rashly run into dangers but to look them in the face and to send others on without apprehension of fear It is an errour in young men who think that a General cannot be couragious unlesse he run madly into dangers that were rather fury and would procure him the discredit of being rash rather then the honour of being couragious If he had an heart without judgement to what purpose were it He being the Soul of War and others lives depending on his he is bound to preserve himself for the preservation of others Not that he ought to be absent when orders are to be given or his Souldiers incouraged but that he ought not to run headlong into the heat of the Battel unlesse when he finds the Victory wavering and that his example is requisite to renew the courage of his Souldiers and to carry the day by some extraordinary attempt In such occasions he may adventure himself else not His staffe of command being to force others on and the Sword in the Souldiers hand to execute his commands Lastly Reputation is requisite in a General for without it the Souldiers have not any confidence in him whereas when they once esteem him it intitles him to a greater power over them then any other thing when they shall have oftentimes seen him break through dangers they will not flinch at any thing The Sun his vigour maketh all things the more fruitfull and it is most certain that the reputation of a General is that which makes him more resplendant amongst his forces and adds a great life to his commands The Souldier moves but by halfs under a low spirited Commander and is hardly perswaded to any extraordinary enterprises He seems onely to have Arms for his own defence but when his Commander is a person of reputation it is far otherwise I am of the same judgement with him who said Opinion hath so great an Empire that it governs the whole world at least it is so far true for that virtue her self would have but small authority in commanding without being beholding to her Thus an ancient and that wisely held that the happinesse of successe was the daughter of authority and of the reputation of great men The End of the First Book THE HISTORY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE Cardinal de Richelieu Second Part. Anno 1630. IF Antiquity hath made Afrique to passe for one of the most wonderfull Countries of the World because it every day produceth something which is both new and Monstrous I am most confident that this years History will enforce the judgments of those who shall consider it to confesse that Europe runs the same Parallel and the extraordinary diversity which is here met with is ground enough for it seeing every Sun brings to light somewhat which is not common and seems to give a new face to all State affairs Bellona sets all parts on fire with the flames of War Peace endeavoured which all it's might to extinguish it in Italy Honour and disgrace breed strange effects Ingratitude will cause us to behold such Monsters that the Age to come will want faith to believe the qualities of them Love and hatred will a like strenuously act their parts The Stars of Heaven in their malignities one against t'other seem to conspire the ruin of Nations and Armies In a word there is not any one thing which a man may call strang or unheard of but I find acted to the life in this years compasse not to say in Europe but even in France it self If should seem that Heaven which cannot justly be more admired at for any thing then that of its various twinking lights the Stars is sometimes delighted to shew us an extraordinary diversity in Negotiations of States and partly to afford those who govern fit opportunities to testifie their Prudence to the World The Divine wisdom permits their Splendor to be somtime Eclipsed with thick clouds which are soon after dissipated and blown over to make their light appear the more glorious Such is the condition both of Kingdoms and particular men that they are both equally subject to the changes of Fortune But as the wise and prudent Pilot saves and keeps his vessel in the greatest and most violent storm not losing his judgment either at the flashes of lightning or the claps of Thunder which
Honour to encounter the Duke of Savoy's Forces they being reâ—ired with him to Thurin and not daring to attend the first charge of the French Valour which nothing is able to withstand so the Army passed the â—oria without any trouble and quartered at Rivol where the Duke of Savoy hath a house of Pleasure which the Cardinal preserved with a great deal of care and respect and the Country people were treated with much kindness and the Army contented to be served with such provisions as were brought from Suze Then began the Duke to declare himself openly and did many Acts of Hostility amongst the rest he seized upon all the French in his Territories not so much as excepting the Merchants and Religious Orders An Act very strange against both the Laws of Traffique and Piety The Cardinal he did the same seeing it was no time to hope for any thing by fair means The Glory of his Majesty the Honour of France and his own reputation ingaged him to pursue his resolutions with his Arms of reducing the Duke to Reason It was then concluded on in a secret Counsel between himself and the Marshals of France that the Army should sit down before Pignerol and make themselves Masters of it Stratagems do many times entitle men to great advantages So that the Cardinal with more ease to take in Pignerol upon a surprise made as if he would march directly to beleaguer Thurin if self Accordingly the Cannon and Army began to bend towards it which the Duke of Savoy perceiving presently dispatched orders to withdraw those Forces from Pignerol which he had that morning clapt in there The Marshal of Crequy advanced directly to Pignerol with a 1000 Horse 6000 foot and some Cannon and upon the 20 of March about Sun set lay down before the Place leaving the rest of the Army to ingage any party that might attempt the relieving it upon the 21 about 4 in the morning the Cardinal came up with the Marshals of Crequy La Force and Schomberg and they so belaboured themselves that about 10 the next morning there were 3 piece of Cannon mounted upon the very Ditch ready to make a Breach Politique Observation STratagems have been much used and commended by great Commanders skill and craft do many times as much as force and strength and are so much the more to be esteemed because they shed lesse blood This Prudence hath no certain rules to be learnt by but must be acquired by it self It 's true we are made capable of it by nature but it is formed and confirmed by use and Experience So Sciâ—io that valiant Commander who being desirous to take in a strong hold in Africk which was well provided by the Carthaginians made as if he had other designs and caused his Army to march another way by this means he surprised Haribal who drawing forth all his Garrison to pursue him with the more strength left the place undefended and gave Scipio an advantage of facing about and sending a party under the Conduct of Massanissa to surprise and make himself Master of it which he effected with a handfull of men the inhabitants not having strength enough to defend themselves The Reducing Pignerol under the Kings Obedience THus stood the State of Affairs in Pignerol they saw their Town besieged and found the Cardinal did summon them to render if they would not hazard the force of his Majâ—sties Army which had reason to treat them with more rigour then indeed they afterwards did they found the Canon ready to make a breach by the Prudent Conduct of the Cardinal and a resolute Army of men who seemed to wish for nothing more then to be brought on to the breach that they might carry the place by assault The Presence of the Cardinal redoubled their fear and they had learnt that his Majesties Army under his command had vanquished and overcome all enemies for the last six years in which the King had done him the honour to commit it to his care that particularly the last year he did onely appear upon the top of the Alps and that was enough to force the Spaniards to raise their Siege of Cazal Upon the 22 of March they sent seven Deputies to make an honourable surrender and after they had obtained such conditions as they desired their lives and goods saved their Priviledges and Franchises preserved to them they yeelded themselves the same day with much joy and content to his Majesties obedience and the same time the French army marched and took possession of the Town Politique Observation HE that commands an Army ought to think himself very happy if his first attempt have good successe with it Just as in the Orbs of the Heavens the Primum mobile gives motion to all the rest so if the first enterprise end advantagiously it hath so great an influence on the spirits of the vanquished that they are more then half stagger'd to give way for their second overthrow Fortune doth most commonly adopt ends to their beginnings and as the Fountain head doth much contribute to the cleernesse and purity of those Waters which flow from it so the first good successe is a happy Omen of a prosperous issue even to the very end of the War Tacitus saith they are the first chances which beget and breed either courage or cowardize in the hearts of the Souldiers Orators in their pleadings use to place in the Front their strongest reasons and arguments knowing that by it they do so arrest and commit a force upon the minds of their Auditors that when they have but once inclined and perswaded them by those their prime and principal motions and inductions the rest appear too much the more plausible and effective A General ought to imploy his very best forces in the assaults of his first siege or in his first ingagement of Battel and rest confident that his first Action will give a great stroke in the successe of the rest of the War Thus Charles the Eighth came into Tuscany by the Road of Pontremole and being neer Serezzanella which was in his way seated on a most impregnable Rock he resolved to take it that he might give a reputation and credit to his Army that the World might conceive an opinion that there was not any thing which could withstand the courages and resolution of his Souldiers and Commanders in a short while he carried it and by it gained so great an esteem and wonder that his enemies were astonished at the report of it The bringing of the Cittadel of Pignerol under the Kings Subjection AFter the Town of Pignerol was yeelded the Count Vrban Lescalanga who was Governour retired into the Cittadel with 800 Souldiers but the Cardinal pursued him to his Trenches and raised works so quickly that upon our Ladydaies Eve one of the Bastions of the Castle was entred the circumvallation finished and the Camp so strongly fortified with Lines of Communication Redoubts and Forts that all the strength
of the Emperour Spaniard and Duke of Savoy joined together could not bring them any releef so that they had much rather render themselves upon such honourable conditions as were accorded them then expect that rigour of the Kings army which was impossible for them to avoid and accordingly surrender they did upon our Lady-day a day which hath ever been fortunate for France in their Italian expeditions for on that day they won the Battels of Cerssolles and Ravennes Politique Observation IT must be confessed that the reputation of a General of an army giveth a great stroke either in Sieges or other Incounters Their very name is a Thunder-bolt which strikes amazement into the whole world they are accustomed as by their trade to vanquish and those whom they do at any time besiege give themselves for lost as soon as ever they see them appear before their Walls and resolve to set open their Gates to them having no other hopes but of being forced with dishonour I am of opinion with that ancient Authour who saith that great Captains carry good fortune along with them and cannot blame Caesar who forbad such as were with him to be afraid onely because they were in his Company Câ—riolanus made it apparent to the Romans when he was banished by them and retired himself to the Volsians who made him General of their Army which he led up directly to the Walls of Rome to revenge the injury they had done him and there overcame them though they had not long before beaten and triumphed over the Volsians and this made Titus Livy to say the Common-wealth of Rome hath gained as much reputation and glory by their Commanders as by their multitude of Souldiers Credit is to a General the same as 't is to a Merchant and it hath been often seen that by it little Armies have defeated very great ones that is it which keepeth Confederates close to their promises which renders the Souldiers couragious which removes all obstructions opens all Passages which doth facilitate the waies for Provisions and finally which doth attempt many things with good success which otherwise would appear to be impossibilities The Passages from France to Piedmont were open after the reducing of certain Towns of the Duke of Savoy DUring the Siege of Pignerol the Cardinal gave order for the besieging the Fort of Perousa which held out but a small time and thereupon sent the Marshal of Scâ—omberg with a Regiment of foot and 22 Troops of Horse to seize upon the Town of Briqueras which as soon yeelded it self The same day he followed on his design'd way and formed a foundation for a Fort which was finished with extraordinary diligence that he might thereby make himself master of many Vallies which adjoyned to the Mountains of Dauphine and secure himself of a safe Passe which strook such a terrour into the inhabitants of the Vallies of St. Lucerz Augroaque and St. Martin that they forthwith rendred themselves under the Kings Obedience and went to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Cardinal accordingly There was one onely Fort remained called Mirebourg lying at the foot of the Valley of Lucern which was besieged and soon taken by which means the Passages between Piedmont and France were open clear and safe not onely for the Army to march without danger but for the conveying of Recruits Provisions of Victuals and Monies and other necessaries for the Army as often as need should require Politique Observation THere is not any one thing which a General ought to have a more especial care in then that he leave no Place behind him which may afterwards trouble or indanger him Charlemaign gained a very great deal of honour amongst other our Kings by his Arms and withall he was much blamed when he passed into Spain for not making himself Master of those places which he passed by in the Mountains It cannot be denied but he deserved that blame considering the consequences which followed it for that the greatest part of his Forces were cut in pieces upon their return and all the Baggage rifled by the Mountainers Caesar in his Commentaries upon the War with the Gauls holdeth it for one of the greatest maximes in the Art of War that marching through a strange Country one ought to secure himself of all such places which are in his way and that it was a great joy and satisfaction to him being there making War to find those of Therovanne voluntarily proffering to render themselves after some little resistance because willingly he would not leave an enemy behind him One of the greatest oversights which Charles the Eighth commited in his voyage into Italy was his relying upon the Duke of Milan's promise instead of making himself master of such places as were needfull for his safe Passage The Duke being in league with other Princes appeared in the head of the Passage of Tar to obstruct and hinder his further proceeding and this Prince returned not into France but by the Battel of Fornone where he ran very great dangers and hazards But if in their return they o not ingage them yet two hundred Musquetiers in a Fort behind them will so gall those that come to bring Recruits that the whole Army may be much annoyed by it The Mutiny in Dijon VVHilest the Cardinal was atchieving these glorious exploits the King was advancing toward Lyon and marching by Fountainbleau his Majesty received intelligence of a great sedition which had happened at Dyon on the 28 of February by the mutiny of a Company of Vineyard Dressers who had the boldnesse to pillage and rifle some of the chief Officers houses They which blowed the fire of this sedition informed the people that the establishing the Elections in Borgogne was to no other intent or purpose then in conclusion to settle the taxes and other impositions though in reality his Majesties intentions were onely to rectifie and redresse the ordinary contributions which were made by all the Provinces The insolencies of Mutineers hurrieth them on to the greater extremities by how much Magistrates are more remisse or negligent in confronting and punishing their first emotions and rebellions His Majesty presently dispatched Monsieur de Bellegarde Governour of that Province who had a great power and influence upon the affections of the people not onely in respect of his Office but in relation to the great love and repute he had particularly got a long time amongst them He quickly allayed and quieted all things and not long after his Majesty going to Lyon would passe through it to take course for a better order in future forcing those great multitudes of Vineyard-keepers to pack away and setling new Magistrates and Officers who should be diligent to keep the people in their due obedience not forgetting to give a charge to the Parliament that some of the principal Mutineers and Assistants of those destructions and spoils should be punished and thereby be made examples of his Justice and their own follies
began to be scarce by the unworthy Artifices of the Lord Treasurer his Brother and those of his Cabal He found himself obliged to return to the King at Lyon Where it was a very great satisfaction to him to find his Majesty in sy good health after the apprehensions which he had lest those fits of a Feaver might have ended in some more dangerous sickness but one cannot imagine how sensibly he was troubled to find the Queen Mothers Spirit so extreamly exasperated against him though the King indeed undertook his protection upon all occasions He believed that the Lord Keeper who had ravished from him the good will of his Mistress was able to re-estate him in it again and though it be very difficult to pay honour and respect to a person who cannot be called other then a Monster of Ingratitude yet he went several times to wayt upon him and endeavoured by all sorts of kindnesses and good Offices to draw him to acknowledge the service which he owed and the great obligations which were due to him Now although Honor and good Actions break even rocks and are the most powerful means which a man can imploy to move the mind yet Ambition which had taken up the possession of this turbulent man so hindered him that he could not addresse himself to any thing but a constrain'd dissimulation which under the appearance of a counterfeited compliance concealed that fire which could never be extinguished after the Combination and which then consumed him in so blind a passion that he preferred the Interests of Spain before those of his own Country and did a thousand things unworthy of his quality The Honor and favours which the Cardinal did him could not as I said quench that seditious fire which insteed of being put out lay raked up under the Cinders of a dissembled and counterfeited Soul Insomuch that the Soul of this make-bate could not rest but continued and kept up those Cabals neer the Queen Mother not only blowing up her passion that it might not entinguish but sometimes casting Oile upon it but with such dexterousnesse that there were not any but such as were very neer this great Princesse which could ever perceive it Politique Observation A Man may easily hide his natural inclinations and sometimes he may deminish them but it is almost impossible totally to extinguish them Judgment may oppose it's utmost to the violence of Nature but it is ordinarily seen that at laâ—t being weary of the Combat nature reassumes it self and becomes more violent Happy he saith an Antient whose birth inclineth him to lean towards vertue And it is most true that there needs as much constraint to re-estate a man in good habits who is borne with wicked ones as to make a tree strait which hath had time to grow bigg and crooked Repel nature as much as the will saith another it will however have it's course And as he who is in the middest of a Torrent is sometimes forced to suffer himself to be carried by the Current of the waters so that soul which nature hath made to be borne accompanied with evil habits hath a World of trouble to overcome and Master them Who ever attempts to overcome them ladeth himself with a Burthen under which he may sink down sooner or later if he be not very vigilant especially if he be in imployments which sooth his inclinations For although Nature may have lain in a slumber a long time yet at last opportunity revives it his thoughts themselves seizing upon him and giving new vigour to his inclinations There is not any thing so joyful to us as to embrace those objects to which nature doth addict us and the wills carry us insensibly to them A fight wherein the French were worsted by the Spaniards FOrtune like the Sun never at high noon but soon after sets was not contented after so many glorious victories obtained in Savoy and Piedmont to afflict his Majesty with the sickness in his Army but would add to it the trouble of causing him to see the losse of the Duke of Mantua's Chief Town Those preparations of War which were made in the beginning of the year with so much prudence had not so happy a success as was expected Colalte assisted by a confident of the Duke of Savoy and by Panigaole in the behalf of Spinola being incouraged by the Spaniards was not wanting to urge the Emperor for the obtaining of some new Troops and to assure him of the taking of Mantua before the end of the Sommer which being granted he appeared in the head of a strong Army which had given him the means of attempting any thing he would in Italy had he not met with the Venetians Army in front of him who though they had not the Glory to overcome him had however the power to impede the course of his designs It was not long before these two Armies met at Villebone but the Venetians not being disciplined to War gave ground so that only the French the Corses and Capelets continued the fight their courage carrying them on to resolve to perish in that incounter in which the smalnesse of the number to which they were reduced did not give them any hopes of overcoming only they would not loose their reputation by a shameful flight so the most part were taken kild or wounded so much did the heat of their courages ingage them They had doubtlesse had a happier success had they been seconded by the Venetians though never so few who not being accustomed to fight were dazled with the brightness of the Arms and affrighted with the noise of the musquet shot Politique Observation THere is nothing more dangerous to a State then the want of well disciplined Troops War is an Art to be learn't as other Arts are and they whose courages are not fixed by experience are commonly seized upon by some fears in their first encounters The Romans quickly found their Empire rent and devided between their Enemies after their Peace had disaccustomed their Souldiers from flights Their wisest Politicians thought themselves very unfortunate when they had no more Enemies to keep their Troops in Breath and looked upon the taking of Carthage which from time to time kept them in Action as a greater mis-fortune to them then the losse of some great Country That which renders France so redoutable is the happinesse it hath in the Cardinals being Chief Minister of his Majesties will and pleasure whose Arme is stil provided and store of Troops abroad who want not any manner of imployment That which gives so great a facility to the invation of Italy is their want of disciplined Troops for those which it furnisheth to the House of Austria do most of them perish in forraign Countries I cannot but much wonder that Machiavile did so much forget himself in this point of Prudence as to aver That it was dangerous to accustome a people to War For though their courages be prejudicial in civil
Wars yet they are necessary to oppose themselves against the incursion of Forrainers And a Sage Politician that he might avoid the inconveniences of civil Wars followed this example which the Cardinal hath given to all Princes and which preserved France in the happiness of a long Peace by keeping Troops still on foot who were still ready to suppresse any insurrections which might arise and not suffering them to be vanting in other Countries and amongst our Neighbours The taking of Mantua by the Imperialists PResently after the Imperialists were become Masters of the field they resolved to attaque Mantua either by surprise or an orderly siege and they address't themselves with so much the more readiness to execute their design because they knew that a great number of the Souldiers in Garrison there were much discreased in several losses which they received upon divers assaults that the Plague had killed above 25000 in 3 months Aldringuer and Galas looked out all those Places where they might make an assault which was the easier for them to do they having good intelligence in Mantua by the means of Guastale who pretended to the Dutche before the Duke of Mantua as we have declared about the latter end of the last year They understood that it might be surprised upon the Bourg side and St. George's Bridge by a Trench which was upon the Lakes side where no great Guard was kept for that the Place was thought to be â—naccessible and few there were who durst attempt it because of two Trenches made upon the Bridge and certain chains reaching to the Gate and the new Tower so that no boat could passe there for at least half a mile downwards However there they resolved to surprise it by means of certain Souldiers who were clapt in there upon the design of assaulting the Town in several places at the same time that they should enter This enterprise was accordingly executed under favour of the night about the 18 of Italy an hour before day with so much violence and courage that all the resistence which the Duke of Mantua and the Marshal d' Estrée could make and they did all that could be expected from valiant men on that occasion was to no purpose and could not defend them from being compelled to render themselves upon composition after they had behaved themselves stoutly in every place that was capable of defence Politique Observation THere are hardly any Towns which are not lyable to surprises Breda a place extreamly strong was surprised by Prince Maurice by making use of a Boatman who using to carry Turf into the Castle filled his Boat with armed Souldiers covered both above and beneath with Turfs who by this means entred upon the Castle and made themselves Masters both of it and the Town being seconded by Troops and Companies who expected to be let in Watchtendone upon the River of Niers was surprised by a Bark full of straw in which Mattheo Dulchan and 13 others were concealed and one Souldier who used to guide in the straw who being known to the Sentinel desired him to lend him his hand to help him out and so drew him into the Water giving oportunity to the rest to land undiscovered to seize on the Corps du Guard and to kill the Souldiers on the Bridge where they let in Henry de Bergue who was neer at hand to second them with 400 men Thus one might produce many the like examples it being difficult for a Town to be so fortified on all sides that it cannot be surprised in some place or other The Causes of the taking of Mantua THE losse of Mantua is principaly attributed to three causes The first was Guastale who gave Intelligence to the Imperialists from within so that they were not only well informed of that Avenue which was inaccessible to men who were not acquainted with the condition and quality of the place and what courses they ought to take to arrive there by the-Inhabitants themselves but were also seconded by some of the Inhabitants after they were once entred The Venetians bore another part of the Blame by reason of the long delayes which they used in revictualling of Mantua for the last convoy which they sent could not enter the Imperialists having stop't up the Avenues as also for that they defferred the raising of their Troups it being certain that had they made their levies and advanced at the beginning of the year they might have taken all Imperial Garisons and cut them in pieces whereas they stayed until the new German Army came and their Souldiers being al unskilful and not trained up the Wars it was not difficult for the Imperialists to defeat them to make themselves Masters of the field and to take in all the little holds thereabouts The Duke of Mantua is somewhat blamed too for not being careful enough to reinforce his Garrison with fresh supplies at the same times that the sickness decreased them whatever instances the Marshal d' Estree used to him from the King to that effect The neglect whereof was the cause that the Enemies found not men enough in the Town to oppose their fury or beat them off which doubtlesse might have been done had there been barely a thousand men in it Politique Observation IT is too great an excesse of bounty and very hurtful to a new Prince who takes possession of the Estate by some extraordinary change which may clash with the minds of the people to permit those to live in liberty under him who have pretended to the same Government and may peradventure hinder him in the enjoyment of it To do so were to leave fire amongst straw which wil soon raise great flames and he may be very sure his Country will not long continue without troubles The rules of Tyrannie oblige him to put such a one to death and declare to us that to take away his State and not his life were a cruel pitty But not regarding those the Laws of Justice which permit him to restrain him of his liberty exempt him from all blame for that his possession being just he is obliged to make use of all his Authority to preserve his State by all warrantable means and wayes whatever Besides when there is a Question of setting an Army on foot he ought not to be a little careful of preventing his Enemies and their designs We have already declared how necessary and profitable celerity and a dexterous dispatch is in warfare and no one can doubt but that it is a great piece of Prudence to fall upon our Enemies before they have assembled their forces to assault us For besides the infallibleness of a good successe the Victory doth mightly augment the courage of the Souldiers and the custome of overcoming is one of the greatest advantages which can be thought upon in all enterprises which are afterwards to be attempted Above all the keeping of necessary Souldiers in a Town which the Enemies have either invested or made their
approaches unto must not be neglected for such a deficiency were to put their Armes for a prey and to render their being taken infallible There is no need of a surprisal for in such assaults as are made the Enemy not finding any to resist them do as it were seize upon it The slighting which we make of our Enemies in neglecting to fortefie our selves against them exposeth us to the danger of receiving a far greater losse and in consequence the shame to be overcome by them which is almost inevitable Cazal assaulted by the Marquis of Spinola THE Cardinal had too much Prudence and Generosity not to secure Cazal against such an accident though exposed to a far greater danger But for the better understanding of his Conduct it will be good to look back upon the beginning of the Siege After the taking of Pignoral both the Cardinal and Spinola had the same designs of quitting Piedmont the one that he might joyn with the King at Grenoble and accompany him in the Conquest of Savoy the t'other to lay siege to Cazal and to recover if possible the honour he had there lost the precedent year when he drew off at the same time that he had the news of the Kings arrival at Suze without abiding that his Majesties Army might approach his neerer then six great dayes march He was provoked in point of Honour in the design his courage inflamed his passion and the shame he had to find the glory which he had got by so many victories blasted with this disgrace gave him an extream impatiency to repair that fault which occasioned it He resolved either to perish or carry the place not being able to survive the losse of his Honour and in prosecution thereof there was no Stratageme or force omitted which might render him Master of it Never was place so vigorously assaulted as never more stoutly defended Few dayes passed without fresh assaults or sallies Nothing which the Cannon could do was left unassayed almost continually the Place was undermined on every side wild-fires were made use of in such abundance that the Town had been sundry times burn't to Ashes had then not taken a very great care to hinder the effect of them In a word the discontent which accompanied his Courage suffered him not to forget any invention that the art of War or Passion could suggest to overcome Politique Observation SHame is a venemous root from whence we sometimes see excellent effects produced and it cannot better be compared then to certain plants which we observe in Nature whose roots are deadly and whose leaves on the contrary proper to cure many diseases Is it not that which hath often excited the courages of the greatest Commanders to that height that perceiving Victory to encline to their Enemies they have precipitated themselves into the fight and goared their Weapons and their hands in the Blood of their Enemies by which they have ingaged their own party to make new endeavour and fortune hath thereupon accorded them that glory which they were upon the very point of loosing Have we not seen the like amongst Souldiers who after they behaved themselves ill one day have presently after appeared like so many Lions in the pursuit of their Enemies and so have defended themselves from that disgrace with which they had been branded The shame which the Persians had as Justin reports to see their wife 's come towards them with their Coats trust up made them face about and charge the Enemy before whence they fled And T. Livie writes how that the Roman Consul Agrippa did commonly use to throw some of Ensigns among the middest of his Enemies to the end the shame the Souldiers should have had to loose them might oblige them to redouble their courages and regain them Both the Greek and Roman Histories are fall of such like examples needless to the rehearsed The shame that Caesar had seeing the the Image of Alexander who had won so many remarkable victories as soon as ever age had made him fit to bear Armes so touched him that afterwards he never ceased bending his mind to generous actions which have eternized his glory A Treaty to renew the Alliance with Holland NOw for the perserving of this place notwithstanding Spinola's extraordinary passion to take it two things were necessary First to hinder the Spaniards from having such numbers of men as they would have desired Secondly that the Kings Army might want nothing but be recruited from time to time by the supply of new Troops in the place of those whom the plague had wasted The Cardinal had foreseen and provided for the first before he parted from Paris giving such exercise to the Spaniards in the Low Countries that they had much a do to furnish themselves with the Troops there requisite without diverting them to new enterprises especially seeing the King of Swede of whom we shall speak hereafter began to give them employment in Germany The Cardinal having discovered about the end of the Precedent year that the Sparniards were upon the design of offering great advantages to the Hollanders to bring them to a truce whereby to have means to draw Troops out of the Low Countries to send into Italy acquainted the King how much this truce was prejudicial to the rest of Europe giving way to the Spaniards to maintain themselves in the injust user patation of the States of many Princes of Germany as well as of the Duke of Mantua's The King apprehended that danger and his Majesty thereupon impowered Monsieur de Bangy his Embassador in Holland to renew with them the ancient Treaties of alliance upon condition that they might not for some years come to any truce with their Enemies That power was given him from the month of December of the Precedent year 1629. and yet as affairs of that nature are not so readily determined the Treaty was not signed till the month of June of the Present year The Cardinal thus preventing by his unparralel'd Prudence the most crafty subtilities of the Spaniard Politique Observation AS it is glorious for a Minister to prevent the force of the Enemies by a contrary force as we have said so is it very honourable to prevent the effects of their Prudence by an opposite Prudence He ought to be like a good Pilate who have attained great experince at Sea can discover a Tempest before it comes and prepears all that is necessary to resist it or I will compear him to a wise Physician who preserves those he takes into his care not only from sickness but even from the danger of falling-sick and to say the truth therein consists one of the highest points of Politique wisdome and I have alwayes esteem'd that one of the greatest services he can render that Governes a State is to prevent by his Prudence the craft from which the Enemy pretends to draw advantage to avoid his undermining by a Counter-mine and by his good conduct to slight all the works of
could nor live contented after the Cabal which had beleagured her Soul had once perswaded her that she was obliged to ruine the Cardinal She did neer upon the matter equally divide the honour with the King All the French did indeavour in emulation of one another to testifie by their respects and obediences the sweetnesse which did shine in all her actions The Revenues which she injoyed were greater then those of three Queen Dowagers of France all together There was no charge or expence which she was not able to go through with witnesse that magnificent structure of Luxenbourg which contends with the Louvre and is the most accomplished piece of all that ever any of our Kings have attempted She could not deny but that she injoyed upon the matter an absolute Authority in the State The King permitted her to take upon her self as much as she could wish in the administration of affairs He resolved upon no one thing of importance in his Counsel but upon her advice When necessity enforced the King from Paris and that she would remain there he still left the government in her hands and also ordered that Embassadours should attend upon her to communicate forreign affairs to her and to receive from her mouth resolutions thereupon Was not this to possesse all that is glorious and noble in a Government Was not this indeed to injoy her self with more pleasure then the King seeing she was exempted in what she pleased from those great troubles which accompany the Conduct of Affairs and from those embroils which are frequent in Wars and Voyages all which the King was obliged to under-go but she tied to nothing but what she pleased her self excepting those affairs only which related to the good of the Kingdom Last of all that Cabal factious as it was being so much favoured by her what did it but abuse her bounty to serve the Passions of some particular persons Did it not so trouble her repose by sinister impressions which were infused into heâ— concerning the Government and by those suspicions which were instilled into her against the Cardinal by her eagernesse and desire to intermeddle in affairs with greater power insomuch that the good order established in the State wrought no other effect in her mind then to make her doubt that the most glorious victories of his Majesty instead of transporting her with joy would fill her Soul with Fears and that Forraigners would invade his Country Thus the most sublime Acts of the Cardinal which strook both terrour and admiration into strangers were no otherwise considered by her then as so many tricks and deceits Whence it happened that instead of acknowledging his Majesties bounty and the respects which he shewed her she repayed his kindnesses with complaints and instead of enjoying quiet and content which she had reason to imbrace her life was filled only with vexatious inquietudes Politique Observation GReat personages though raised up a little above other men yet are neither more happy or contented If they suffer themselves to be transported with Passions it is with them as with the Sea which being of a vast circumference is no whit the lesse subject to the agitations of the Winds so they being raised a little above others are not the lesse subject to be vexed with inquietudes Though they possesse more then enough wherewith to content themselves yet they giving themselves the liberty of desiring still more rather out of a humour then a necessity are never in quiet or repose but give us just reasons to believe that although Fortune hath denied Crowns to poor men yet nature hath made them happier in requital of it by giving them minds desirous of lesse That shining flame which we may behold at the end of a Torch dwells not there but by the force of that matter which feedeth it and is continually raising it self towards the Heavens as disdaining the place where it then is desiring as it were to get up into the Concave of the Moon so grand persons though cloathed with such splendour as makes them shine in the eyes of all other men cannot rest with quietness of mind in that authority from whence they receive it but their aspiring souls carries them still onwards to new designs of raising themselves above all things They can never be contented with the command over men unlesse they can also command their Passions which nature hath created in them as in other men Without this all their glory serves only to stir up in them violent desires to get still more Whereas on the contrary he who hath circumscribed his will with reason hath added this happinesse to his greatnesse that he will be exempted from the troubles of the World The Queen Mothers hatred against the Cardinal THe desire of destroying the Cardinal was the chief cause of the Queen Mothers discontents and no one can imagine with what impatiency she designed it Her most faithfull servants were astonished at it considering that meeknesse was the quality which every one saw to shine with so much splendour in her whole deportment So that her Majesty cannot be accused with that violence but to set the saddle on the right horse it ought to be imputed to certain imbroiling spirits who had ingaged her in it before she was aware of it Whoever hath had the honour to be often neer her Majesty cannot but conclude so and they who have had never so little knowledge of the Intreagues of those times cannot be ignorant that her Majesty did openly drive on at a meeting at Dupes the design of ruining the Cardinal to that extream and utmost verge after she was counselled to it by the enemies of that great Minister for two chief reasons The one was they concluded that the King could not in fine deny the abandoning of him if her Majesty should continue to urge him to it with fresh and continued instances A Mother having but too too attractive powers over a son to draw him to her own desires especially such a son so full of respect and observance as the King was The second because in case the Cardinal should get the better of them he would then sit on their skirts for those seditious Assemblies which they had contrived against the Kings service and against his own particular Interests which if it should so fall out 't were better for them to drive on their first design to the very utmost Intreagues of the Ladies neer the Queen Mother THe Ministers of Spain who had great interest in the ruining of the Cardinal did endeavour with their utmost the heat of these flames to which infamous intent they employed several Ladies who were neer the Queen Mother but especially three great Princesses to whom her particular favours gave most free accesse viz. the Princesse of Conti the Dutchesses of Elbaeuf and d' Ornano Several other great persons of the Court were of the same party some of them not so much caring for the good successe of
those Edicts which did contribute thereunto when brought unto them but it was not so with the Messieurs of the Court of Aydes of Paris Mensieur le Comte having informed them that he was going to their Chamber from the King to do as much they fell into such disorder that they all departed thinking by this to disengage themselves from their duty of confirming them so that Monsieur de Compte comming thither found no body there This their inconsideratenesse could not be without mis-prision of the royal Authority and was looked upon as an example the more dangerous in regard Magistrates are like the Primum mobile which draw all the inferior Orbs after it so their motion might be capable of making the people mutiny and refuse succours which they owed the King and which his Majesty might lawfully demand from them to help discharge the necessities of the State as we have formerly said Justice and Prudence did both require that they should be made exemplary they were suspended from the exercise of their Offices and a Commission issued out to some of the Messieurs Masters of Requests and Counsellours of the grand Councel to do justice in their rooms and to determine those affairs which were depending before them This continued for some moneths to teach them against another time how they run into such mis-prisions of his Majesties will which made them unworthy to sit upon the Flower de Luces seeing they had been so little affectionate in contributing to the means necessary to preserve them in their beauty Politique Observation THere is no offence which Kings are more obliged to punish then those which are accompanied with dis-respect for as he who is much respected doth easily retain his Subjects in their obedience so being once fallen into disesteem his commands are little regarded The wisest Polititians have alwaies thought respect to be the greatest support of Authority The lustre of the Sun is that which causeth people to regard it with the more reverence and the authority of a Soveraign is that which doth most of all oblige his subjects to pay him respect and obedience which if violated by disrespect remaineth inconsiderable His Ordinances are laughed at his Will not regarded and attempts are often made against him I think for my part that scorn is more dangerous then hatred for peradventure a King who is hated may yet be feared and fear is of it self sufficient to keep subjects in obedience but he who is once fallen into dis-esteem is neither hated nor feared so that his affairs will soon fall into extream disorder Hatred is a frequent cause of Insurrections but dis-respect is more effectually so because it not only causeth the fear of offending to cease but adds confidence to it Now of all disrespects none is more dangerous then when Magistrates are guilty of it by withdrawing themselves from their Princes Will and Command No one will easily attempt against him whom he sees honoured by his Magistrate and on the contrary men will readily provoke him who is not regarded by them Magistrates are the more obliged to continue their respects unto Authority because their example is sufficient to hold the people in submission They ought rather to comply obediently with their Soveraigns then by denying him to show an example of Rebellion to his Subjects their resistance tends only to raise an irreparable disorder in affairs and obligeth the use of constraint for the ratifying of such Edicts which presently make the people believe them to be unjust In fine they are no less bound to render respect and obedience unto him then justice to his Subiects They flatter themselves with a dangerous vanity if they believe themselves to have been instituted to bound in his power seeing it was only to supply his presence and perform his will All their power vanisheth at his presence as that of the Stars when the Sun appeareth neither ought they to take notice of his Commands further then he gives them liberty Now that liberty which he gives them is by their humble Remonstrances to represent their grievances not absolutely to deny and that with disrespect the execution of his commands especially seeing the custome of confirming of Edicts was not introduced by necessity or for any dependance which Kings have upon Soveraign Courts but that they might be executed with more submission and to discharge them from those commands which the importunity of Courtiers might wrest from their Majesties without regard of Justice or the good of the State The Treaty of Alliance between the King and Duke of Bavaria IT behoved the King so much the more to secure himself against the Emperors Forces in regard he did at this time seem to be discontented concerning the Succours given to the German Princes and the designe of retaking Moyâ—nvic with other lands alienated from the Bishoprick of Metz This induced the Cardinal whose eyes are alwaies open to the interests of State to represent unto the King that it were necessary to make sure of those who might any ways assist him in his enterprises against France and that there being no other persons from whom he could receive a greater support in his desire then the Duke of Bavier and the Elector of Trâ—ves who have the principal Passes by which he must come unto us it would be very advantagious to contract an Alliance with them that they might hinder his Forces or at least that they might not joyn theirs with his The King apprehended this Counsel as an effect of his innate Prudence and this great Ministers foresight having already laid the ground-work of these Alliances his Majesty issued out Orders for the prosecution of them There was concluded by the Treaty that there should be a sincere good and constant Friendship between them and an firm and strict league offensive and defensive for eight yeers in consideration whereof the King bound himself to furnish him with nine thousand Foot two thousand Horse Cannons and Ammunitions of War fit and necessary for the defence of him and his Dominions leaving it to the Electors choice to demand of his Majesty instead of the nine thousand Foot and the rest such monies as might defray the charges The Elector of Bavier did likewise engage himself to furnish his Majesty with three thousand Foot and one thousand Horse and Ammunitions of war necessary for the defence of his Dominions in case of an Invasion with liberty for his Majesty to demand instead of the Souldiers so much money sufficient to pay them Besides they interchangeably promised not to bâ—aâ— Arms one against the other directly or indirectly Thus was France assured on that quarter and the taking of Moyenvic might be attempted without fear or hâ—zard the Emperour not being able to hinder it by reason of the King of Swede's diversion without the Duke of Bavier's assistance Politique Observation DEfensive Alliances cannot but be very useful to all Princes how great soever Few can subsist by themselves and if
Goncales de Cordoue MOnsieur perceiving the Spring to come on and the time for leading Armies into the Field draw neer resolved to leave Bruxelles and joyn with Dom Gonçcales de Cordoue who expected him at Treves Before his departure he took leave of the Infanta at a publick Audience who after he had been re-conducted by all the great Lords of the Court unto his Lodgings sent him a Present to three Coffers which bespoke her no lesse magnificence then noblenesse of mind The first was of perfumed Leather imbroidred the Lock Key and Arms of Gold enamelled within were two suits very rich the second was of crimson Velvet embroidered fill'd with very fine linnen and the third was full of all sorts of sweet meats She likewise presented him with a Suit of Arms and two handsom Horses fitter for shew then use neither was she unmindful of gratifying the chief Gentlemen of his Retinue some with Rings some with Diamonds and others with Chains of Gold having Meddals of the King of Spain hanging at the ends of them Monsieur being once departed from Bruxels made his usual speed towards Treves whither Dom Gonçales de Cordoue was advanced with design to fall upon the Palatinate as he pretended and there to establish his Masters affairs which the Swedes had much disordered but in truth to invade France with Monsieur which was most probable The King of Spain had dispatched him from Court about the beginning of January with Commission to command the Army in the Palatinate and Order to go into France as an extraordinary Embassadour to indeavour some way of accommodation for the affairs of Germany and from thence to go unto the Arch Dutchess who should give him instructions for his further procedure Accordingly he came to Paris and thence went to Saint Germain en Lare about mid March the King being then there His Majesty treated him with a great deal of splendour and caused his Musquetiers to exercise before him that he might see how dextrous he was to imbattle an Army and to lead them on to fight with more judgement then the ablest Commander in his Kingdom The next thing he did was to visit the Cardinal by whom he was very civilly receiv'd but having never seen him before he thought to surprize him and in his discourses upon the affairs of Germany to make him swallow shadows for real substances But his Eminency let him perceive that the Emperors and his Masters designs were but too well known and that it was but a trick â—o perswade the World that the War of Germany was a War of Religion and not of State so that in conclusion he saw his devices were eluded and that there is not any Fetch able to circumvent the prudence oâ— that grand Minister Hereupon he made no long stay at Court his design thither being for other ends then to receive bare complements and civilities yet in going off he committed one Act absolutely contrary to the custom of all Embassadours viz. his refusing of a Sword beset with Diamonds which with the Scabbard was worth ten thousand Crowns sent unto him from the King for a Present shewing by this Action that having left Spain to trouble France he would not receive any Present which might oblige him to lessen his ill will Not but that he was soon payed in his own coin and that by the Sieur de Guron who was the presenter of the Sword for Dom Gonçales his Secretary coming to him and offering him some Present from his Master was told that he would not receive any thing from a Minister of Spain who had refused the Liberalities of his Master and that it was hard to surprize him at Paris as at Cazal After he had continued some few days in this Court he departed towards Bruxels and from thence having received Orders from the Infanta went towards Treves in expectation of Monsieur who came to him about the end of May. Dom Gonçales received him with all imaginable honour went to meet him with the Spanish Nobility entertain'd him and his retinue at Supper with a great deal of splendour and in fine left his own lodgings unto him Treves was the Randezvouz for the forces of Dom Gonçales of the Comte de Mâ—rode of the Comte de Embden had he not been diverted Monsieur was in consultation with them hoping he might carry most of their Forces into France but they let him see how the Spaniards have not yet lost their old custom of promising much and performing little to such as expect relief from them The King indeed had by the Cardinals perswasion taken a good course to divert their designs viz. by giving them work enough in Germany and the Low-countries so to keep them off from invading their neighbours For just at that nick of time it was that the Hollanders by his advice went and besieged Maestry with so potent an Army that the whole force of Spain and the Empire could not possibly relieve it Dom Gonçales found himself necessitated to draw thither that one affair being work enough to imploy his utmost force so that Monsieur was necessitated to be satisfied with such few men as could be spared and to dispatch the Sieur de Fargis unto Spain there to negotiate a greater assistance in the interim he advanced towards Nancy hoping to supply this defect by the forces which he expected from the Duke of Lorrain Politique Observation IT is great Prudence in a Minister of State having once discovered that the designs of a Forraign Prince are to foment and support Revolts in his State to cause an enemy to encounter him that being a most infallible way to break his resolutions for most certain it is every one will sooner bestir himself to quench the fire which burneth his own house then to kindle a fire in his neighbours Prevention and Diversion are too great advantages in War saith Alphonsus de Arragon thus did the Syracusians procure the Lacedemonians to invade the Athenlans whereby they might prevent their sending of succors to Nice in Sicily Thus Hannibal advised Anâ—iochus to go and Forrage the country of Philip to the end that finding new work for his Forces he might be disabled from sending them to the Romans to fight against him and thus Avitus a Roman Captain invaded the Country of Tentari to hinder them from assisting the Ansibarians with their Forces To provide great Armies for the defence of a State and for the suppressing of an insurrection is not all no there ought to be prudence and discretion in the management of affairs and to make a strong diversion is as necessary as to fight well Besides Prudence is of so much the more advantage in regard by such diversions it weakneth those who revolt reduceth them to exigencies and inability of doing any thing considerable and in fine maketh them easie to be overcome wheras without it it would be a hard matter to secure any thing from their violence The Indictment of the
Interests in any thing That Town is of no small consideration it having formerly given the English when and as often as they desired an uncontrouled entrance into the Kingdom and with them Monsieur held but too strict an intelligence at this very time This was a disease not to be suffered to grow any older yet the cure of it had been almost desperate to any other but the King for Calais as it is far removed from Paris so is it likewise more distant from Lorrain But his Majesty whose vigilance doth oftentimes give him great Victories did easily endure the troubles of the Journey He knew from his cradle it was not without great reason that an Emperour designing to represent upon the Reverse of a Medail the means which the Roman Republique had used in conquering the Universe contrived a Rome with wings upon its feet and hands intimating that Vigilance had made her Mistress of the world In order whereunto he never apprehended any embroyl elther within or without the Kingdom which he did not readily encounter in his own person upon the least assurance that he might take them unproprovided who had contrived any thing against his State or person and thereby overcome them with less trouble and more ease The King departed then from Saint Germain about the beginning of May and not long after came to Calais where being arrived he placed six Companies of the Regiment of Navarre in the Cittadel commanded the Sieur de Vaâ—ance to retire himself to one of his Houses left the Sieur de Râ—mbures to command it until his Majesty should otherwise dispose of it and having stay'd two days he departed towards Lorrain that he might let the Duke know his proceedings had made him guilty both of Injustice and Rashness which two things he was come to chastise by the force of his Arms. Politique Observation GOd having constituted Kings as the Images of his Power doth no less require them to punish any injuries committed against their Majesty then the crimes of their Subjects To what other end is it that they have the sword of Justice intrusted with them unless it be as an assured testimony of the power they have to Right themselves for any injuries He who hath so little courage as to pass them by will soon become the object of his Neighbours scorn every one will trample on him and God himself being offended at his little care in preserving those stamps of his Majesty which he hath imprinted on his Forehead will justly permit him to be despoyled of that honour which he had bestowed upon him God hath unto private men given no other means to repel the injuries offered unto them then the Justice of their Soveraigns whom he hath commanded to right them but otherwise it is with Kings unto them he hath given power to punish those who offend them be they of what quality soever There is not a man above them who can arbitrate their differences themselves are the only Judges of their own Rights and they may lawfully take up Arms both when and as often as their Prudence and Justice shall think fit The Primum Mobile hath no dependence on any other Orb in point of his motion and Kings those primary causes of a State have no superiour authority over them to direct them in point of War It is sufficient that they against whom they take up Arms have given them cause so to do Hence it is that one of the eminent'st lights of the Church calleth that War just which is undertaken to revenge injuries And Archidamus in Thucydides saith Every War is just which is made to revenge any groundless injury Now amongst all the things which may provoke a Prince to take up Arms that of raising Forces to invade his Kingdom of violating Treaties and recommencing old Quarrels are most justifiable The Rules of Politique Justice do not only permit a War as lawful against them who come and besiege Towns and commit disorders in another State no they are not bound to sit still in expectation of that storm but it sufficeth to have only known discovered their designs and malicious intentions for otherwise it were a very great imprudence the ablest Commanders having ever concluded it better to carry a war into his Country who designeth to invade then to expect him in our own In fine The Breach of Treaties and Promises hath alwaies been accounted highly injurious unto Princes Gentlemen have their throats cut for breach of word and Princes may not put it up if it be of never so little concernment without making war upon it With the Spaniards indeed it is proverbial Wind carries Words and Feathers The wisest Politicians do tell us That to promise in a Treaty what is not intended to be performed is to scorn a Prince and Homer saith He who promiseth one thing and intendeth another ought to be reputed for an Enemy Mounsieur entreth Lorrain in Arms. THe King being at Laon was inform'd by a Courier from the Mareschal de la Force that Monsieur had pass'd by Malatour a little Village between Verdun and Mets and that his Forces were joyned with the Duke's and by another near the same time that Monsieur no sooner arrived but he began the war having cut off a Troop of Carabines sent by the Mareschal d' Effiat in peace the Duke being obliged to give his Ma Majesties Troops free passage and in fine that he was entred the Kingdom in Arms. Hereupon the King advanced in â—ast towards the Army which was numerous and strong the Mareschal d' Effiat being arrived from Germany and commanded the Duke de Chaune and Mareschal d' Effiat to draw together the Nobility which came to attend him upon the Frontiers To make short he came to Saint Monehoust the 15. of June ready to fall with his Army upon the Duke of Lorrain in case he offered to stir a foot or send and Forces with Monsieur into France but he was better advised as it fell out then so to do The Mareschal d' Effiat without more loss of time presented his Army before Pont-a Mousson which so terrified the Inhabitants that they opened their Garet without resistance The Duke of Lorrain was no less astonished and now beginning to foresee his ruine desired a meeting with the Mareschal d' Effiat where he accused Monsieur's arrival at Nancy protesting it was not by his procurement and telling him he would give his Majesty any satisfaction or assurance of his fidelity The Mareschal acquainted his Majesty therewith who thought it not best to pardon him a second time without some kind of revenge especially seeing there was no trust to be given to his promises after so manifest a discovery of his malice and designs against France whereupon he drew up to Vaubecourt to enter upon Lorrain In the mean time having Intelligence brought that a Regiment of the Duke's Horse commanded by the Sieur de Lenoncourt was not far from Rouuray that he might teach him
desired not to live but to serve his Majesty that he dayly begg'd of God that his services might be the boundaries of his life and that his health would soon be recruited since he found his Majesty in so good condition After this they retired two hours in private together to consider of divers affairs which his Majesty would not conclude without him after which his Majesty returned to Paris Politique Observation EXtraordinary honours are justly due to great Ministers of State as the only lustre of their fair attempts The joy of their return from a long voyage hath often invited the people to go forth and meet them and to render them all imaginable respects Thus Pompey returning after he had been some time detained at Naples by a dangerous sicknesse the greatest part of the Romans marched out of the City the ways the Port and the streets were so full that there was hardly any Passage Some were offering sacrifice for his health others feasting and making merry in sign of joy some march'd before him with Torches and others strewd the way with flowers Thus likewise Scipio returning from Germany where he atchieved glorious exploits every one long'd to see him return triumphing to Rome that they might render him the glory which he deserved yet because the Triumph was not a custom to be granted to such who were neither Pro-consuls nor Magistrates the Senate could not resolve to grant him that honour neither did he desire it but on the other side it is observed in History that there never was so great a concourse of people in Rome as at his return either to see him or to testifie their acknowledgements they had of his services by their going out to receive him I will passe a little further and add that justice and prudence do oblige Kings to joyn with their people on such occasions and so render extraordinary honours unto their Ministers either for the more ample acknowledgement of the services they have receiv'd from them or for the more countenancing of them in the execution of their commands or to incourage others to be affectionate to their service Acknowledgement is a Virtue requisite both in Prince and people and seeing the service done to a State is of no lesse advantage to a Prince then to his Subjects he is no lesse obliged to testifie his gratitude if these proofs of his good will confer a great honour on those who have served him himself receives no mean advantage thereby because the Nobility who are extream sensible of honour will not then sticke at any thing which may tend to his service and the Agents of his Will have more credit and authority to execute his Commands It there any thing more glorious said the great Chancellor of Thiery King of the Goths then to deserve praise and approbation who by reason of their Soveraignty are not to be suspected of Flattery Surely no the honour which they confer upon any one proceeding from the favourable Judgements which they give of his actions and their authority permitting not them to be guilty of adulation Which if true as doubtlesse it is there is not any thing then which doth more incourage Nobility then the glory wherewith Princes honour their servants nor is there any thing which doth more impower a Minister then the carresses which his Prince bestoweth upon him they confer no lesse credit upon their Ministers then their stamps do on their monies Tiberius one of the wisest Roman Emperours did well understand the importance of this maxime in the honours which he bestowed on the Consuls those chief Ministers of his Will when he went to receive them at the Gate of his Palace at such time as they came to sup with him and waited on them back again when they took their leaves Ferdinand King of Spain the man who layed the foundation of that great power which this Monarchy hath since obtained was not to seek in it when as Gonzalve one of his greatest Captains returning to Burgos after having rendred him such important services as are well known to every one he went out to receive him with such honour as cannot be exprest Neither was the manner of his entertaining Cardinal Xinimes lesse remarkable for he seldom spake to him but bare headed and sometimes received him upon his knee He well knew that the honour wherewith he acknowledged his services did animate others to follow his example and gave that grand Minister so powerfull an authority to execute his commands that there was not a person of what condition soever durst oppose him A dispatch sent to the Hollanders to hinder the Treaty IT being of great concernment to prevent the conclusion of any Treaty between the Spaniard and Hollander his Majesty bent his chief care to take order accordingly Indeed it was at that time a matter of so great concernment that the Fortunes of most Princes of Europe seemed to depend thereupon and so much the more circumspection ought his Majesty to use in regard of the Procedures of the Spaniard who had contrary to form permitted the States of the Provinces obeying the Low Countries to negotiate the particulars of the Treaty with the Hollanders and the advantagious proffers by him made to obtain it gave great cause to look about lest they might be induced to assent thereunto Neither was it unknown how that he designed the League once concluded to assist the Duke of Orleans with an Army as also the Duke of Lorrain to invade France and to send the residue of his Forces unto the Emperour the better to curb the Swede and to prosecute those advantages he had lately obtained against them The Cardinal who pierceth into the depth of their pretensions was industrious to fortifie his Majesty in the resolution of preventing the conclusion of that Treaty in order to which he likewise made him certain Proposals well-becomming the acutenesse of his more then humane spirit He committed the management of that negotiation unto the Sieur of Charnace who was newly returned from Germany where he had given such sundry proofs of his prudence amongst divers Princes that his well-acquitting himself of that imployment could not be any ways suspected I shall not say any thing concerning his instructions onely this the Orders contained in them were so many incomparable effects of the Cardinal to whom nothing was impossible but I shall passe on to the addresse which he used in the execution of it so happy I say it was that he obtained all that could be desired After having pass'd the usual Complements in his Majesties behalf to the Prince of Orange the Governours and Deputies of the States of Holland he told them that his Majesty was very solicitous of such a League which may conclude their differences in an happy peace but not finding any likelihood thereof in that now proposed unto them he was pleased out of his affection and good will to their interests to send him unto them to communicate such
not only because they would no more esteem their conduct after they should fee them run on to so disadvantagious a resolution but the more in regard they did in such a conjuncture of time as would be very prejudicial to their neighbours especially those of Germany who finding themselves thereby dis-obliged could not for the future be so assisting to them as formerly they had been He beseeched them to remember that a State which injureth its Allies injureth it self and that in fine if after so many victories they should humonr the Spaniard in his passionate desire of the Treaty there could no other esteem be had of them but such as Caesar had of Pompey when he was well handled by him at Duras but not prosecuted who openly said Pompey knows not how to overcome This was the substance of most of the reasons no lesse judicious then powerfull which the Sieur de Charnace imployed at divers meetings had with the Ministers of Holland to prevent the Treaty so dextrously did he manage them so vigorously and with such addresse that he easily convinc'd the Prince of Orange who for some particular interest was indifferent well inclined thereunto and perswaded the Governours and Deputies of the States to confesse that there was no more to be thought but how to force the Spaniard by Arms to an absolute relinquishing his pretensions over their country in a Treaty of Peace wherein all the Princes their Allies should be included to oblige him the more firmly to observe the conditions thereof neither satisfied with this resolution he assured them according as he was commanded that they might the more readily take the field how the King would cause a succour of then or twelve thousand men to be sent unto them from the Swede who accordingly were conducted unto them about August by the Collonell Melander so that about the beginning of Spring the Prince of Orange besieged Rimberg and carried it and sent Count William of Nassau to the confines of Flanders to divert the Spaniard Politique Observation VVHatever terrour the horrour of Arms do naturally carry with them yet do I think that Peace ought not to be concluded but on four occasions The first is when there is a just ground to believe that it will carry things to an advantagious Peace for seeing War ought not to be undertaken but in order to the obtaining of a good Peace and that the end is ever to be preferred before the means it cannot be doubted but that Arms are to be layed by when there are any more likely means to obtain it The Olive Trees true Symbols of Peace bearing fruit use-full for mans life are doubtlesse more to be esteemed then Lawrels which only put forth unprofitable berries and the great advantages which are obtained by Peace are more to be esteemed then the greatest glory acquired to Wars I have formerly sufficiently proved this truth nor wil I longer dwel upon it The second is when the eexpences and incommodities of War do in force a Treaty There is not any courage which is not obliged to submit to the law of necessity and the impossibility of prosecuting an enterprize how just and glorious soever hath exempted the greatest Princes from any blame War ought not to be continued but to obtain Victory which when there is no likelihood of amidst the ruines of a Country it is then much more expedient to make a League then totally to fall The Gods themselves saith an Ancient do submit to necessity there is nothing stronger then it and the greatest vertue must stoop to it neither is any valour or prudence obliged to oppose it The third is when it may reasonably be hoped that the League will weaken the enemy whom at that time we despair to overcome and that either by sowing some division among them or by effeminating them by the discontinuation of their warlike exercise The wise Pilot doth not obstinately withstand the Tempest when he seeth his Vessel extreamly bruised but letting fall the Sails runneth into some shelter where he may ride at Anchor untill such time as the fury of the Winds be abated that he may put to Sea again Thus is it an effect of discretion to lay by the Sword for some time when an enemy is so potent that there is no likelihood of any thing but losse by the prosecution of the War The fourth is that a League ought to be concluded when it will afford the means of taking more advantage War is a kind of sicknesse in the State and as sick people are permitted to rest the better to recover their lost strength so I think it cannot but be commendable in a Prince to surcease the War for some time the better to refresh his forces to recruit them and to raise monies necessary to maintain them If on such occasions it be reasonable to conclude a Treaty it will then be very improper to conclude it when a Country is flourishing and raiseth more advantages by War then Peace Most certain it is that sometimes so it happens and Hannibal well knew it when seeing the Carthaginians weep upon the first demand of the Tribute granted to the Romans at the end of the second Punick War he reproached them as Livy observeth it Ye had much more reason quoth he to have weep'd when you were prohibited to War against strangers that was the would which killed you The Lacedemonians and the Romans were not ignorant of it it being upon this ground that they would never discontinue the use of Arms unlesse when Fortune designing the ruine of their Empires perswaded them to taste the sweets of Idlenesse which opening the door to delight and luxury might in a little time dul their courages and make them easily conquered by their enemies This if true among most States it is certainly much more apparent in relation to those who have received their Beings from War nor can be preserved but by War It were likewise great imprudence to make a League which might afford an enemy time to recruit Had King Perseus known the condition of the Romans he would have been more wary in concluding that Peace with them which he did as Livy recordeth which gave their Ambassadours accasion at their return to laugh at him for having suffered himself to be surprized by them for he had then ready all provisions necessary for the War of which the Romans were altogether unprovided so that concluding a League he gave them time to settle their affairs and take an advantage upon him besides all these considerations if a League doth not at least serve to obtain an happy peace it cannot but be esteemed for disadvantagious For what reason can there be to deprive ones self of power and to give a weakned enemy leave and leisure to re-inforce himself when there is not an assurance that it will end in a peace of use and profit So to proceed were some kind of blindnesse neither can any one so act unlesse
in Germany and the Duke de Feria in Italy to meet neer Constance and from thence to march into Alsace and Lorrain to secure him from ruine The Duke had intelligence thereof and for this reason it was that he used many delays and indeavours to get into the Low Countries ' hoping that if Nancy could hold out six weeks or two moneths these two Armies might come in good time to defend his interest Upon this score it was that the Cardinal who knoweth how to remedy inconveniences before they happen pressed so hard upon him that he forc'd him to conclude the Treaty perswaded his Majesty to send the Swedes to come to meet Feria and Aldringuer to hinder their march into Alsace and to leave the Marshal de la Force in Lorrain with an army of twenty thousand men He had order to hinder any insurrections or enterprises which might be made by the Dukes indeavours as also to send such assistance to the Swedes as they should desire the better to give a check to the proceedings of these two Generals The strict intelligence between the King and Swedes obliged Marshal Horn to march towards Feria's Quarters and as there is nothing seems impossible to Conquerors he used his utmost to get into Constance a place by which the Duke of Feria must of necessity passe into Germany but the approach of his Army and the irruption which he might have made into Wirtenberg together with the strong assistance which the besieged had received as also the improbability of cutting off their Commerce by the Lake forc'd him upon the Duke de Rohan's pressing him on the Kings behalf to draw off so that Feria and Aldringuer joyned their Armies together In the interim Bernard Duc de Wimar to divert them from entring into Alsace besieged Ratisbone and took it as also Stroubinguin with some other places upon the Danube However Feria and Aldringuer prosecuting their design pass'd the Rhine and march'd into Alsace by the Territory of Basle The Marshal Horn and the Palatine de Birkenfield receiving intelligence thereof followed them so close that having pass'd the Rhine at Strasbourg they soon got before them neer Colemaer with a resolution to fight them but their Generals who had no other design then to assist the Duke of Lorrain would not ingage but drew off the further when they heard the Marshal de la Force had sent to offer the Swedes some Forces Aldringuer seeing there was no good to be done re-pass'd the Rhine at Brisac and the Marshal Horn without losing any time repass'd it likewise and pursued him so briskly that he defeated part of his Army so that finding himself too weak he got into Brisac where the Duke de Feria who remain'd in Alsace infested by the Palatine de Birkenfield and the Rhingrave Otho came to rejoyn with him and both together pass'd over the Svave to seek a better Fortune but found it not for the Duke de Feria died some moneths after without effecting his design and the most of his forces disbanded for hunger cold and diseases This was not the only advantage the King made of the Swedes the interest of his Allies being no lesse dear to him than his own for he imploy'd them to succour the Duke de Wirtenberg and the Comte de Hanau who had put themselves under his protection into whose countries those two Generals of the House of Austria who take all for enemies that favour not their designs had a great desire to enter to refresh their Souldiers by giving them leave to plunder it but they assisted them with such good successe that they received no damage that year They were not indeed alone imploy'd in the defence of those two Princes for the Marshal de la Force sent by his Majesties order part of his Army into some of their Towns the Marquesse de Bourbonne one of the Marshals de Camp marched with six hundred men into Morbelliard belonging to the Duke de Wirtenberg and secur'd it from all violence by his valour prudence vigilance and zeal for his Majesties glory four fortifications able to secure any place The Marshal likewise sent other Forces into Buswiller Suswiller and Neuwiller belonging to the Comte de Hanau who knew how to defend them Thus were the Allies of France protected the Duke of Lorrain unreliev'd and Monsieur le Cardinal acquired the glory of having by his counsels and management of the Allies of France stop'd the course of those two Armies which were marching into Lorrain to trouble his Majesty in the possession of his conquests That it is wisdom to assault an Enemy with the forces of allied Princes in his march A Prince who seeth his enemies Army resolute to assault him amidst his new conquests doth a great deal better to prevent him by meeting him than to expect him I have in other place given the reasons This course did the Romans take in all their great expeditions excepting in the War with the Gaules and second Punick which they could never terminate until they had pass'd the Sea and Alps with their Armies He who would spare his Troops or employ them in other designes shall do it best if he send to stop his march and so to divert him either in his own Countrey or in the passages by the interposition of his Alleys that he may not be able to advance Thus Hannibal despairing to overcome the Romans in Asrick with Antiochus to go fight them in Italy which succeeded very fortunately Thus likewise Gensericus King of the Vandals being routed by Basilius Patricius in a great Sea-fight perswaded the Ostrogoths and Visigoths to invade the Roman empire by which means he secur'd himself from the imminent danger of being taken To adde some reasons to examples is it not true which Craesus said to Cyrus when he exhorted him to assault Thomyris in her own Countrey if you expect your enemy to come to you he 'l commit a thousand devastations and in case you should loose a Battle he will not be content with the Victory but will prosecute it to the overrunning of your whole Country Besides there is little hazarded by causing him to be assaulted in his march by Allies or in his own Country for it preserveth an Army entire against a time of need Besides if he be assaulted by his neighbor Allies they will be alwaies better acquainted with the waies and passages and may easily be assisted with provisions and recruits An Enemies Army likewise marching through anothers Coutrey where he sindeth opposition must necessarily diminish his forces by sickness fighting and the like whereas his will remain in its full vigour and consequently the better able to resist him Thus will he be able to obtain his design which is to prevent his comming into his Countrey a thing of the more advantage in regard he may effect it without danger and preserve his Army fresh to assist his Alleys in case they are unable of themselfs to make good
for the Country where they live so that they do not heartily embrace the Interests of it and in case a war should break out none would be so ready as they to entertain intelligence and give advices to the enemies They are also easily provoked against the natural inhabitants of the Country upon any suspition that they are lesse esteemed by them then others which induceth them to stick close together and to raise Factions against the State withal their bodies may not be punished though there be some kind of reason for it least they should generally resent it and raise up a thousand Broyles These are the chief reasons why it is impossible to preserve a Family of Officers Strangers in a Queens Court This was it which did oblige those of Sparta as Xenophon reporteth it not to suffer any strangers to live in their Commonwealth which made the Athenians take the same resolution as Plutarch observeth in the life of Pericles and which made Suetonius commend Augustus that he would rarely grant to any the being free or naturals of his Kingdome and which induced Polydore Virgil to say in his History of England That it was not the custome of English to admit of many strangers amongst them least the difference of their customes and fashions might cause them not to live in a good intelligence with the natives of the Country The King sends the Marshal de Bassompierre into England THe Queen Mother having been acquainted with the disorder which had hapened in the Queen of Englands Family first sent the Sieur de Barre to her to testifie to her that she was sorry for her and took part in her discontents and shortly after there being no reason to put up such an injurie the Cardinal advised his Majesty to dispatch the Marshal de Bassompierre as extraordinary Ambassador to the King of England for a redresse in the business Amongst divers others he was more particularly made choise of for that employment because there had been many of his near kindred retained near the Queen who were now all sent back again So that it was thought considering the near Interest of his family that he would be the more zealously affectionate in dispatching such instructions as should from time to time be sent to him He was but coldly entertained in England because audience had been denied to the Lord Montague who was sent into France upon the return of those Officers however he was no whit discouraged at it knowing that any Ambassador ought to shut his eyes at all little difficulties and obstructions so he may carry on his Masters work to a good issue The King of England appointed Commissioners to treat with him upon that affair who being met together he represented to them in order to his instructions that amongst other things comprehended in the Articles of Marriage it had been concluded and agreed on That the Queen of England should have free excercise of her Religion that she should have a Bishop and a certain number of Priests to exercise the Offices of her Religion That all her houshold should be Catholiques and French and that all the English Catholiques should in general receive greater priviledges then had been granted them if the Treaty with Spain had been effected That the late King James and the present King Charls his son then Prince of Wales had confirmed it by oath and that King James had commanded his Officers not to trouble or molest the Catholiques any more whereupon that the King his Master had conceived great hopes of prosperity and happiness for the Queen his Sister neither could he believe that the King of England his Brother in Law would break his word given upon the consideration of Royal Marriage who until then had amongst other virtues the reputation of being Just to his promises That this new Alliance instead of reuniting their persons and Interests would now rather breed great divisions between them and at such a time when they had most need of being in amity with one another both for assisting of their Allyes and their own particular preservation And that notwithstanding all these premises the King of England had sent back all those Officers of the Queen contrarie to the Treaty which had been confirmed by oath that he placed about her Officers who were English and of a Religion contrary to hers and besides all this that the Catholiques in General were every where troubled and ill treated for their Religion sake So that the King his Master unable to abandon the Queen his Sisters Interest had sent him to his Majesty of Great Britain to put him in mind of his promises and to perswade him That her Majesties Catholique Officers might be re-admitted to her as also that his Catholique subjects might be more favourably dealt withal The English Commissioners could not deny what had been concluded in the Treaty but they would lay the fault of the Officers return upon their own shoulders pretending that they had raised troubles in the Kingdome in his Majesties own Family and that of his dear consort the Queen but they did not produce any sufficient proofs upon the business And as to that which concerned the English Catholiques they pleaded that it had only been granted for formalities sake and to satisfie the Pope But the Marshal producing before them the late Kings Oaths confirmed too by another of the present King then Prince of Wales they could no longer tell what to say to the business but fled to other complaints not material or any wayes relating to the matter in question The Marshal replyed and that very tartly that he could not sufficiently admire that the Articles of Marriage and confirmed by Oath were not observed That the Queens Officers were sent back under pretence that they troubled the State without giving the King his Master any notice of it and without acquainting him in the least with those crimes which were presented to be committed That presently thereupon English Officers and those Protestants should be placed in their rooms That indeed those accusations were to be esteemed as frivolous and admitting them for just yet ought they to be chastised only and others French and Catholique put into their places by the rules of the Treaty But that indeed those pretended quarrels or Jarrs raised by the Queens French Officers were so far from being the true cause of their return that on the contrary the Lord Moâ—ntague had been at Nantes not many dayes before their being sent over to congratulate the King and Queen Mother concerning the good understanding which was between their Majesties of Great Britain and concerning the great satisfaction which the King received at the Queen his wifes behaviour That of the suddain and unlookt for discharge of her Officers happening so immediately upon the neck of this joy could not but appear strange and that as it did much wound the King of Englands Reputation so it likewise injured the King his Masters Generosity who was
any alone be able to defend themselves from their enemies it cannot be without danger and somtimes loss to their Countries whereas if they unite themselves with others that are powerful no one will think of invading them Though the Head be the noblest Members of the Body yet it standeth in need of those others and God who hath crowned the greatest Monarchs hath so established them that they have all occasion to make use of one another This may be said in general of the advantage of Defensive Alliances but it is more particularly advantagious to have recourse unto them when a Neighbour Prince is so successeful in Arms that he begins to be terrible On such occasions it is great prudence to contract alliances with those which may joyn their Forces as is usual amongst such Princes whose Powers are indifferent to follow the Fortune of the Conquerors because contracting an Alliance with such they not only augment their own Power but weaken that of their enemy and make him incapable of further mischief It is great prudence in him who hath one enemy to take a care that he hath not two for their power being united will be more terrible Thus the Comte de Chaâ—olois son to Philip Duke de Burgogne was very sollicitous to contract an Alliance with Charls Duke of Normandy only brother to Lewis 11. knowing that by this means the King will be weakned one third and the less able to hurt him His Majesty sendeth Ambassadors to the King of Morocco THe Cardinal was not satisfied with the bare contributing to render his Majesty the most renowned Prince in Europe by land but endeavoured to make him likewise the most powerful by Sea by causing divers Ships to be rig'd out and taking care to furnish them with able Seamen In order hereunto the Sieurs de Moleres de Razilly and de Chaalar were sent to the King of Morocco that an Alliance might be contracted with him and a safe Commerce obtained upon the Coasts of Barbary He had before by under-hand Treaties so disposed of affairs that they were well received The Commander de Razilly was Admiral of the Squadron and the Sieur de Chaalar Vice-Admiral At â—heir landing they were receiv'd by two Alcaides and two Companies of Souldiers The King gave them present audience and with as much honour as they could wish so venerable was his Majesties Name amongst Strangers Their first demand was in the behalf of an hundred and fourscore French slaves who were in his Dominions whose liberty was presently granted the King of Morocco not taking any thing for their ransom to testifie how much he esteemed his Majesty It is true indeed he accepted a Present of Stuffs worth an hundred thousand Livres which the King sent to him â—et his Proveydor would not receive them but on condition that his Majesty would accept of such Horses as the King his Master would send unto him to testifie the desire he had to hold a good Correspondency with him The next thing under consideration was the articles of alliance for securing the French upon their Coasts and safe passage into his Countries which was presently accorded the substance of it was thus that all French which should enter into his Ports with his Most Christian Majesties Pass should not in future be made slaves nor be compelled to pay above the Tavaly or tenth of their goods according to their usual custome that for the better continuing their correspondence Ambassadors should be interchangeably sent and that all Religious persons might live in the King of Morocco's States but on condition not to exercise their Functions unless only to the French The Treaty was signed and the Sieur de Razilly presently established three Consuls at Morocco Male and Saphy In fine The French had full Liberty to Trade in any Commodities of that Country Politique Observation IF Commerce in general brings riches to a Kingdom without doubt that of the Sea is more considerable the gains being greater and more just That of the Land how advantagious soever seldom yeilds above 15. or 20. per Cent. and many times is forced to such things as savour of Usury whereas the Sea doth oftentimes yeild Cent per Cent and somtimes more and that without giving the least cause of complaint Commerce at Sea is that which hath made small States very considerable and great States vastly rich and abounding with all sorts of commodities There is another reason which rendreth it the more important and that is Princes being bound to make themselves powerful as well by Sea as by Land which double Power is the highest pitch of their greatness for it renders them the more redoubted It is in vain to drive a commerce by Sea unless a provision of Ships be made to secure them otherwise their riches will be exposed as a prey to Pirats and is Prince who maketh himself powerful on this Element is the more feared by his Neighbours in regard he may make his attempts upon them both by Sea and Land in case they should presume to offend him Cosmo de Medicis first Duke of Tuscany and the ablest Politician of his time said That a Soveraign can never gain an high repute unless he joyn both those Powers together which are to a State as the Arms to the Body This Sea Power is that which makes England considerable were they but deprived of it they would soon grow weak and poor but maintaining that Power as they do in a good equipage by a long tract of time they want nothing but are capable of undertaking great expeditions Hath not this enabled the Hollanders though their Common-wealth may be reduced to a small number of men to sustain the whole power of Spain What makes Gâ—noa so rich but this power by Sea And what but this makes the great Duke of Tuscany one of the richest Princes in Italy Thus we see all our Neighbours have been sollicitous to establish commerce by Sea in their Territories and we know that our late King Henry le grand whose Prudence was no less advantagious to this Kingdom then his Courage was extreamly desirous to settle it in France after he allayed those storms of Civil War to which end he gave order unto the President Janin when he was treating with the Hollanders to learn of them what was necessary in that particular The Establishment of a Chamber of Justice in Paris AFter those great difficulties which the Parliament of Paris had raised against the proclaiming of his Majesties Declaration against such as had carried Monsieur out of the Kingdom his Majesty finding it necessary to proceed in the Instruction of their Processe and to chastise those who were found guilty was not willing to let it fall into their cognizance He well knew that Kings ought not to expose their authority to be dis-respected as his would have been if the Parliament instead of punishing offenders should neglect to prosecute them as was much to be feared they would Those