into the hands of such as Ferdinand had deputed The Garrisons also in Pontestura and Nizza were withdrawn all with great applause to the Court of Spain if further actings and the period of the calamity of Italy might have stopped here Concerning this restitution there had been drawn an hasty Writing betwixt the Prince and the Marquess Crivelli assisted therein for Savoy and Annibal Chieppio for Mantua in which mention was only made of the Consignation and not a word spoken of their reciprocal pretensions nor of the reparation of damages which Mantua required or an Act of pardon for those of Monferrat which Carlo desired Moreover besides having spoiled the Magazins of Arms Cannon and Victuals at his going out of Trin the Count de Verua protested that Carlo would sharply revenge whatsoever molestation should be offered to St. Giorge because he knew well that Ferdinand had an implacable hatred to him who afterwards proscribing him with others as Rebels caused his house to be razed to the ground Such roots not plucked up in time quickly begot jealousies and soon after hostility with new disasters nor indeed were all men in Italy pleased with such a Peace because it appeared that the Governour hastening the performance of the resolutions to put himself out of ingagement and to preserve the appearance had not sincerely separated himself from confidence with Carlo but as if they two had colluded together for some secret and unknown designs the Duke at the time the places were rendred re-inforced his Troops and the Governour armed Ferdinand standing exposed betwixt the artifices of the one and the power of the other was in great fear and thereupon the Venetians continued to him the payment of the 3000 Foot and strengthning themselves with 2000 others they sollicited passage and Levies in Switzerland Gregory Barberigo who was going Ambassador to the King of England staying some time at Zurich for that purpose The first disturbance to the quiet was the reparation of damages and the oblivion to Rebels For Ferdinand would not give way to the one and chose to keep the other on foot to oppose it to some of Carlo's pretensions Carlo on the other side publishes in discourse and in print that the Governour had promised him to restore the banished into the possession of favour and their Estates abolishing all mention of damages provided he consented to have the Infant Princess brought to Milan In effect the Governour pours forth threatnings and protests against Ferdinand if he should not acquiesce in his will and that with such vehemency that thence forward all the Princes being aware that under the pretext of a long Peace servitude was slipt in were offended at the terms of obedience and command in which he declared himself Monferrat was the chief sufferer both from the frequent Incursions of Carlo and the Quarters which the Spaniards under the title of protection kept there whence it was universally believed that the Governour of Milan had brought things to that pass that without Peace and without War he thought it the most probable way to get it for that Crown Other Princes made it their business to allay the disgusts and Castiglione particularly in the name of the Emperour admonishes the Marquess to use more complacency towards the Princes whereupon from threatnings turning himself to intreaties and friendly offices the effect was that Ferdinand induced thereto by the Councils of the Republick offers to refer all his rights to the Pope the Emperour and the King But Inoiosa not approving to admit Companions to his King neither in the preheminence nor in the business in place of an answer which was expected sends to Mantua Anthony Piementelli Governour of the light Horse to demand afresh the Princess The Order came from Spain and the Governour who had suggested it executed it with such urgency that it looked as if he had a mind to take her away by force Piementelli represents seriously to Ferdinand That the King himself took due care for the education of the Niece That she belonged to him not only by blood but by authority and interest and being advantaged by his alliance and affection she might be brought up in Milan as in her own house That the King was so far from trusting her unto Savoy that he had imposed upon him the respect due to the interests of Mantua The pledge of the quiet of Italy being placed in the Child it was in every respect fit she should be deposited into the hands of the King who even to jealousie professed himself her security and Guardian Of what was Ferdinand afraid if his Countries were so happily recovered under the Royal protection Can he possibly distrust that she who is near to them both may not be in safety and with a decorum under it Can he possibly fear that by such means the Child should be ravished from him by him who restores him to his State repairs his damages and protects the Family That he was to remember that the resentments and power of great Princes are not to be sweetned and appeased but by obedience The Duke was vexed at such discourses knowing Piementellis perswasions accompanied with authority and power and his own replies assisted only with reason and intreaties yet he defended his negatives with alledging the respect which he professed to the Emperour and Queen Regent of France who had seriously pressed upon him not to alienate the Niece and to justifie himself required time to send some Minister of his to Madrid But Piementelli being not at all satisfied therewith refuses to depart without the Princess when she falling sick and he being brought to see that she was not in a condition to be hazarded in a journey it served for a just excuse for his departure The Duke with all speed sends into Spain Scipione Pasquali Reserendarie and another Minister into France to represent his excuses to the one and sollicite the assistance and good offices of the other Court The Governor at the same time he sent Piementelli to Mantua not to shew partiality had dispatched Sanchio Luna Castellan of Milan to Turin to signifie to the Duke he must disarm Carlo foreseeing that his disagreeing with Ferdinand tended to make them both fall under the Dominion of Spain not being willing flatly to deny it carries himself with several pretexts and in particular that hearing there was a Rendez-vous of some French upon his Borders An. Dom. 1614 it belonged to him to be upon his guard and therefore desired that he might be permitted to levy some foreign Forces and for a greater pledge of his fidelity to the King and disposition to peace he desires some Spanish Regiments to quarter in Piedmont to the end he might be in readiness to march whithersoever need should require The Spanish Ministers observed well that his aims were either to draw in and at the same time set on the French or betwixt ill Quarters and bad accommodation to consume the flower of
the Forces of Milan Rejecting therefore the Proposition they pressed him to disarm and the Secretary Vargas going into Spain passed by Turin to know Carlo his positive intentions He in the presence of Vargas caused a shew to be made of disbanding some Troops but it was rather a reforming because sending home the Militia of the Country which might easily come together again he kept on foot the Strangers Neither did the Governour proceed in forms disproportionable whereupon not being able to penetrate into the present Councils nor make a judgment of future accidents the minds of the Princes remained perplexed amidst the several Interests and in no less suspicions The Venetians making these Interests their business remonstrated to the Catholick King the glory of moderation and the securing of the Peace They put France in mind that the Interest and Honour of the Nation would suffer prejudice if they should wholly abandon the arbitrement of the affairs of Italy to others They demanded from the Pope the care of his Pastoral Office and of Matthias the Authority of the Imperial name to confirm quiet But the Spaniards in place of facilitating peace and doing offices to the Princes for it imposed such conditions as appeared to all no less displeasing than a War because they at Madrid finally expressed the Kings intentions to be That the points of the Rebels and damages should be referred to the Pope the Emperour and himself That the Princess should be brought to Milan the Mother marry with Ferdinand and both the Dukes disarm the Forces of the King being sufficient to execute whatever should be needful for relieving the oppressed and suppressing the refractory Carlo stormed and Ferdinand resents highly that at one and the same time his Niece should be violently taken out of his house from him and his own will forced to the Marriage Nevertheless not seeming to dissent he interposes for excuse that it was fit that together with the Marriage all diffidences should be reconciled and the Rights of the States adjusted In this uncertain state of affairs ends the year 1613 in which for what concerns the Venetians at Sea besides what we have related of the Vscocchi four Gallies of Barbary meeting at Saseno to rob were by Girolamo Cornaro Proveditor of the Fleet chastised with the taking of one and putting the rest to flight two Christian Ships with many Slaves being by this means rescued out of the Pirates hands This served rather for an example than was of much consequence There appeared a greater danger arising from the attempt of Octavio d' Arragona who with eight Gallies of Sicily passing beyond the Island of Scio had surprised twelve Turkish Gallies and taken seven with a very rich booty and a great number of Slaves The Ottoman Port taking the outrage to be as great as the loss published their threatnings to revenge themselves without distinction upon all Christians and in the Spring to put a powerful Fleet to Sea The Venetians as nearest and most exposed made ready some armed Ships and ordered the number of Gallies in Candia to be increased James King of England upon this rumour of preparations and threatnings though in such Interests he may with reason be said to be separate from the World offers the Republick in magnificent terms his Forces when they should be invaded by the Turks The Republick publishing the offer that it might serve for a terrour to the Turks and an example to the Christians answered both with thanks and applause Carlo Duke of Nivers about this time had conceived grievous thoughts against the Turks and much greater than those which the condition of a private Prince could bear and under the name of a Christian Militia had ingaged in several Provinces where he had been for that purpose several men to follow him In the parts of France he had some few Vessels ready and carried on an Intelligence in Morea Being now at liberty from that business which had so long kept him in Monferrat he went to Rome to communicate his designs to the Pope demand a Squadron of his Gallies and the authority of his endeavours to move the Princes of Christendom to set upon that vast Empire not with Leagues which were long and doubtful in treating but every one with the Arms which lay proper for him The Pope encourages the Venetians as the most powerful at Sea in great earnest but they measuring the business according to piety and prudence offered considerations to the Pope of how much mischief might happen from provoking so powerful an Enemy without hope of bringing him under Nevertheless offered having above all others just provocations of interest and revenge to concur with all their power when the other Princes of Christendom should resolve upon it indeed and lay aside those jealousies which unseasonably distracted Italy at present The Popes zeal being applauded in other Courts all offering and no body performing the project fell quickly into silence ANNO MDCXIV With the new year the affairs of Italy were much changed for the two Crowns having reposed in the Marriages concluded the secret of their union and power for the oppression of others under the pretext of removing the War out of that Country introduced servitude there The Dukes of Savoy and Mantua made their complaints upon like terms the one that his Army and his Daughter were violently taken from him and the other that his will and his Niece were disposed of without his consent Carlo aggravated with greater vehemence telling the publick Ministers of Princes which resided with him What signifies the requiring of my laying down Arms else but to exact from Italy a Tribute of the basest slavery I respecting the greatness and the authority of the King my Kinsman have yielded up at his beck my Conquests and my hopes and now am paid with ingratitude and scorn My rights are buried Marriages are imposed upon me I am commanded to disarm Can slavery have any thing in it more base and miserable Shall I then give up for Hostages the Guard of my security and shall my Countries Subjects my Family and my own Person remain disarmed and exposed to the ambition of another What testimonies of most partial affections have not I given to Spain One of my Sons though in great Command is notwithstanding if I may say so a Prisoner and a Slave amidst the Spanish Guards The other who is the Heir to my Estates I have delivered into the Kings hand for a pledge of Fidelity All this is not sufficient but now it is imposed upon me to disarm Who shall secure my Fortresses from a potent Neighbour Can the Spaniards possibly think to satisfie the jealousies of my mind by the same way they make it lawful to dispose of my Daughter The Governour of Milan disarms not though protected by the name and defended with the shadow of so great a Monarchy and shall Piedmont be left destitute of all help It belongs to the weaker to beware of
will cause floods of stranger Nations to come down into Italy whither the Spaniards can have no passage but with slow voyages by Sea and most tedious marches by Land If France will not be with us it will not be against us And when War is once declared it cannot be but that the French at least privately will run to our Colours To a duplicated vigorous Invasion how will the Milanese be able to resist lull'd asleep in a long Peace and under the shadow of an imaginary reputation with weak places an unwarlike people and so remote from succours I invite the Republick to the spoils not to dangers I will be the first that shall invade I will take some place or other and then if the Republick will go before and give the Princes of Italy an example we shall not be alone Those that cover themselves most under the wings of that Monarchy will be the first to pluck the feathers out of them The Indies Spain and Flanders are not places we ought to be afraid of but the States of Italy are the fetters of our slavery Let us free our selves from them at last for in the Milanese as in the Center the Register of all the Monarchy being kept disorder that the rest will lye dismembred and remote nor shall we any more fear to have the Spaniards our enemies when we shall not have them so near Neighbours Such generous conceptions were heard but not approved by the Senate so long as there appeared any hopes of Peace and believing withal that Carlo in the love of a great War and general Conflagration to enlarge amidst fire and destruction the greatness of his States and the lustre of his Name did refuse to prefer his own and common quiet before the vast ambition of his nature The Duke failed not to do the like with others using the same instigations to the King of England the States of Holland and the Princes of the Union in the Empire and with the same success For the first as ready as he was to interpose good offices was as backward to consent to the War The Hollanders professed to follow the Kings example and Germany did not yet owne its Authority and Power The Governour of Milan to second the maritime undertaking yielding to the reproofs and accusations of those that envied them rather than following his own inclination in Autumn moved the Army though afflicted with several sicknesses and in their march incommodated by excessive rains which overflowed all the Country Having passed the Tanaro in view of the Duke who endeavoured to hinder him he found himself perplexed because the Siege of Asti considering the season and the Dukes strength who was there in person was not advisable To quarter at large served the Enemy for pastime who being vigilant and bold would harass it with continual surprises He resolves therefore to retire in all haste into the Country about Alessandria against the opinion of Giovanni Vives Spanish Ambassadour in Genoua the fierce incendiary of this War and of other principal Ministers who would have rather disposed of the Armies lodging into the Territory of Asti while the Troops of Santa Croce should have taken their Quarters about Ceva and Mondovi to torment and oppress Piedmont Carlo on the other side commodiously enjoys his Lodgings upon the intermixtures of the Fiefs of the Empire to the great relief and sparing of his own Countries In the Spring the Armies were re-inforced and great provisions made but the Duke with a new blow of a Treaty being sollicited by the Mediators signs a paper for Peace in which he consents to disarm retaining only wonted and necessary Garrisons It was promised him that within fifteen or twenty days after the Governour should also disband his Army and give his word to the Pope and King of France not to offend him and in case of default the Princes called the Defenders of the Faith of Inoiosa and Vindicators of the Duke should do it with Arms. The Prisoners and places taken were to be reciprocally rendred and Ferdinand was to restore to Carlo the Dowry and Jewels of Margaret other things in controversie betwixt these two houses were to be decided within six months after or to be determined by Law if any difficulty arose The Dowry of Blanche was to be restored within two years and the Rebels to be pardoned It was much doubted whether to this project which secured few things and left many undecided Carlo for the desire of quiet and apprehension of the Enemies Forces or to gain applause and to interest the Mediators in his cause would give his consent But if that were his intention the design deceived him not for the Treaty being carried by the Nuntio and Rambogliet to Inoiosa with an assured hope that he would approve it because the Ambassador of Spain at Paris had also notified the Proposition to the Court they found that by a late Commission from Madrid all power concerning Peace was taken from him It is not to be believed how much they were offended at it but not being able to obtain more they demanded at least a suspension of Arms for forty days The Governour denies that also An. Dom. 1615 knowing nevertheless that the season of it self did it But the Prince Thomaso who was Carlo's youngest Son marching out of Vercelli with twenty Companies of Foot and 700 Horse surprises Candia a great Town in the Milanese and giving it to fire and spoil brought away a great booty For which the Governour and the Mediators equally complaining the Duke endeavours to excuse what had happened by his Sons being far off and not knowing of the Treaty but the Spaniards compensated themselves with the taking of Monbaldona and Denice Towns in the Mountains of Piedmont ANNO MDCXV King Philip being not to be perswaded to treat with Carlo de pari all endeavour was in vain to get the Treaty approved at Madrid notwithstanding the Pope with his own hand wrote earnestly to him about it Neither were the French much pleased with it because Rambogliet more desirous of the glory to conclude it than applying himself to the means of having it well executed had not well provided for the Interests of Ferdinand Divers Princes of Italy in the vanity of their obsequiousness had offered to the Governour of Milan their Militia and he seasonably accepting the offer either to take from Carlo the hope of assistance or to boast his predominancy intimates to all they should either according to the band of Capitulations or in testimony of their affection perform it By the investiture of Siena he required 4000 of the Grand Duke of Modena Parma and Vrbin each a Regiment of Foot of Genoua as much and a certain number of Luca. Cosmo sends 2000 Foot on condition they should not go out of the Confines of the Milanese and disburses besides pay for 400 Horse From the Dukes of Parma and Vrbin was sent a third Modena alone his excuse was
kept them on foot With this incouragement la Cadé and the Directorships took Arms pretending by forcible remedies to keep the Grisa in the ancient Union Pompeo Pianta the supposed chief Contriver of the disagreements was killed and Visconti with many of the Faction of Spain were forced to retire in great haste out of the Country because to the first fury of that inraged people nothing being able to resist the Catholick Switzers also with their Colonel Betlinger retired leaving Cannon and Baggage behind La Lega Grisa then joyned themselves to the other but Feria in hopes which quickly vanished to keep the Torrent of these armed people far from the Valley did not only strengthen the Forts but to facilitate the gaining of Chiavena caused an Invasion to be made into the Valley of Musocco which alone of the three Leagues is situate on this side the Mountains The Inhabitants though Catholicks yet for all that not inclined to the Spaniards having cold and ice for the defence of their situation hid themselves behind a great Trench of Snow whence sallying without being observed they so unexpectedly charged the Spanish Troops that leaving five hundred dead upon the place they retired dispersed by several ways into the Milanese Thus every day were their minds as well as Troops more and more imbrued in blood and the Venetians finding in the Princes of Italy more apprehension of the evil than resolution for the remedy had recourse again to the King of England by the means of Girolamo Lando ordinary Ambassadour representing to him the state of things to be in a condition of great contingency James with wonted magnificence of words answers That he took to heart the security and safety of Europe That the Interests of Italy were always in his eye and in his cares That he held the Republick above all in a choice confidence and constant friendship And did therefore declare that if his Son-in-law were despoiled of his Patrimonial Countries he would send a powerful Army into Germany to uphold him If the Hollanders should be invaded he would not spare his assistance and if the Venetians should suffer any molestation he would succour them with the Forces of all his Kingdoms and for an earnest offered a present Levy in England of ten thousand Souldiers The Senate by Letters express renders him thanks in abundance esteeming those magnificat offers for a grace if not an assistance It was now no secret that at this time the Spaniards themselves kept the King in hope of the Marriage of Mary second Daughter of Philip with the Prince of Wales to the end to make him suspected by all and beget a belief in himself that the restitution of the Palatinate should be one of the chief Articles in that agreement He nevertheless at Madrid presses also effectually for the restitution of the Valteline and Bassompiere arriving thereupon pursues the same the Popes Nuntio also and the Ambassadour of the Venetians contributing thereto their endeavours But the death of Philip the Third leaves for some days the business in suspence The face of the Court was a little before this much changed for although Lerma with the Purple of a Cardinal had thought to cover himself from changes and accidents yet it being difficult by honest means to maintain the ascendant over the Genius of Princes he escaped not the accustomed malignant influence of Envy and of Fortune Publick discourses ran abroad that he had with poyson procured the death of the Queen Margaret by the cooperation of Roderigo Calderone who had a power over her mind equal to that which he exercised over the will of the King The disorders in the Government being over and above imputed to him and in many things calumny envy and the interest of a few being joyned to what was true his disgrace from the hatred of all was fiercely promoted Having for some time since wrestled with many in this narrow path of the ambition of Court he met with no more fierce Competitor than the Duke D'Vceda his own Son closely oyned up with Father Luigio Aliaga he Kings Confessor so that there was not a corner that was not cunningly beset even to the inward retirement of Conscience and the most secret Colloquies of the Soul The King at last yields to the general desire of the Court and Kingdoms and in honour of the Purple silencing his accusations commands him to retire It remained a doubt whether in an age proclaimed by the wrath of Heaven to the mocquery of Favourites the King would not have taken upon himself the Government when death in the forty third year of his age takes him away from the troubles which Empire carries with it His years would surely have been more memorable if he had been born a private man rather than a King because being better adorned with the ornaments of life than endowed with the skill to command as goodness piety and continuance placed him in a degree higher than ordinary Subjects so the disapplication to Government rendred him lower than was fit or necessary By publick defects private vertues being corrupted and in particular keeping his mind in idleness it was believed that he had reserved nothing for himself to do but to consent to all that which the Favourite had a mind to Thus the Government of the World recommended to Princes as to the true Shepherds falls into mercenary hands making themselves not understood but by the sound voice of interest and the authority of ambition the people suffer ruine and calamity and the Princes themselves render account to God of that Talent which they have suffered their Ministers to make merchandize of It is certain that Philip in the agony of death was not so much comforted with the calling to mind his innocent life as he was troubled with the sting of conscience for his omissions in Government The report was that the Maxims of Interest yielding in that instant to the Law of God the restitution of the Valteline was precisely ordered The Son Philip the Fourth comes to the Kingdom in an age so young being but sixteen years old that the World had cause heedfully to observe whether ambition the common disease of Princes would sooner move or satiate him But it quickly appeared that the Ascendant of Favourites was not yet set for dispatches being brought to the King he delivers them to Gasparo di Gusman Conde d'Olivares and he shewing himself backward though he desired it commanded they should be given to whom the Count would appoint He feigning modesty assigns them to Balthasar di Zuniga an old Minister and of great credit but yet by concert for Zuniga being his Uncle they had agreed to support one another whereupon taking off the Mask the Power fell to the Count who quickly honoured besides with the Title of Duke will be found with this double attribute in the following relation to be more famous than fortunate From the Republick according to custom were appointed an
of the same name is commodiously situate upon the Roer a little River but in the middle betwixt the Rhine and Mase doth not less cover Guelders on that side than opens the way which leads into the very heart of the United Provinces Maurice laboured exceedingly to put relief into it but at first waited upon by Spinola afterwards hindred by a strong Circumvallation at last drawn away by another body of men which from Brabant-side threatned Holland he was forced to see it rendred after some months resistance Upon the motion of these Armies the States sent to several Courts for succours and demanded of the Venetians those disbursements to which the League obliged and which being comprehended in the Article stipulated of Invasion were by the Republick accordingly paid unto them ANNO M.DC.XXII The Prince of Echemberg Favourite and chief Minister of the Emperour having in the end of the year past in the name of his Master espoused in Mantua Eleonora Gonzaga Sister of the Duke a Princess which over and above her Portion brought rare Beauty and singular Vertue the most convenient passage for the Bride lying through the Territory of the Venetians about Trent she was received and defrayed by Andrea Paruta General di Terra firma by order of the Senate with suitable Magnificence But at the same time the Count d'Ognate disputed in Vienna the Rank and Dignity with Pietro Gritti Ambassadour of the Republick denying him the same Treatment and Title which always formerly had been practised and although Ferdinand to whom Ognate in other respects had made himself sufficiently odious shewed his great dislike of it yet the Spaniard persisting in his conceit the Senate was necessitated to recal their Minister leaving at the Court Marco Anthonio Padavino Secretary till such time that by the alteration of affairs minds coming to change and be pacified they might as after a year or two happened send again an Ambassadour to reside there Amidst a heap of so many cross things it served for some kind of satisfaction that in Naples the Vice-King Cardinal Zappata restored at last the Gallies formerly taken with the Merchandize remaining undevoured by Ossuna nothing was spoken of the remainder nor more of the Ships because there having been much hurt done on either side the liquidation would have been difficult The Admiral Ship of Naples was alone as hath been said rendred by the Venetians Another molestation at Sea ceased about this time for Freletich famous for many rapines and villanies discharged out of the Spaniards service was entertained by the Grand Duke in Ligorn but being weary of quiet and hungring after pillage enters into the Adriatick to attempt in the Quarnaro wonted surprisals upon the Islands or Ships of Venetians but being taken by the Men of War paid at last with many of his Companions for his folly with his life Amidst foreign relations domestick examples and testimonies of the well regulated Discipline of the Common-wealth must not be omitted It is forbidden the Sons of the Dukes for important reasons which regard that temperance which is most necessary among Citizens during the life of the Father to accept Benefices of the Church It happened that the Pope conferred upon Mattheo Cardinal Priuli the Bishoprick of Bergamo and he mindful of enjoying the freedom of his Country and to uphold in his Father the chief Dignity of the Common-wealth refused it with great applause of his Fellow-Citizens and probably to the admiration of those who know no other Law but that of Ambition and Interest But amidst the moderation of such an example another above measure abominable pollutes the City For Anthonio Foscarini Cavalier and Senator was seen hanged upon the Gallows upon a calumny to have held a secret Correspondence with Strangers The fraud of some of the wickedest of men proposing to themselves rewards had conspired against the life of the most innocent and eminent Patricians for as much as the Government in turbulent times calling to mind past Treacheries and considering the present hatreds suspicions alone were easily disguised into crimes They addressed themselves to the Magistrate of the greatest Inquisitors of State and dividing the parts some of Accusers others of Witnesses they betrayed Justice and the Just But this infamous Conspiracy could not last long for the hainousness of the offence being discovered Girolamo Vano da Salo and Domenico da Venetia as the principal suffered just punishment Foscarini by a publick declaration of his innocency was restored if not to life at least to his good name and his family to their former lustre and from common compassion promoted to greater degrees of Honour And now returning to the successes of the French Armies whose motion was depending also upon those of Italy they proceeded against the Hugenots with some sort of prosperity for that Soubize being driven out of the Islands of Rochel the King in the mouth of the Chanel planted the Fort Louis which though it did not shut up the Town and Port did nevertheless incommodate and was afterward the foundation of that memorable Siege The small places of Guyenne and Languedock were all rendred being so much the more weak as they were more numerous whilst the Hugenot Party composed of many equal in authority no less than in interest instead of strengthening the vital and more noble parts applied themselves to the defence of obscure places which at the appearance of an Army or the first Volley of shot were obliged to yield But gaining the Chiefs of that Faction turned to a far greater damage La Force upon a secret promise to be created Mareshal of France abandons it and Chastillon pretending to be ill satisfied with Rohan retires himself Dediguieres declaring himself Catholick obtained by it the Charge of Constable which is the highest in the Armies whereupon by example and other benefits magnifying his own advantages he drew many that considered such notable rewards were not to be had from other than the King A Peace therefore with the Hugenots being procured by the Ambassadours of England and Venice to the end the King might apply himself to foreign occurrences was diverted the endeavours besides the allurements of present advantages of the Apostolick Nuntio who wholly opposed himself against it the artifice of the Ministers of Spain who craftily nourished the division and the judgment of the Prince of Conde who with great aversion to the belief in which he was born implacably sollicited the War prevailing But to the affairs of the Valteline the greatest stop was put by the inclination of Monsieur de Pisieux Secretary of State who succeeded to Luines in the favour shewing himself irresolute in business inconstant in his word and in all things a Minister of greater cunning than ability He professed great respect to the Spaniards and in the affairs of the Grisons published himself above measure solicitous to terminate them by Negotiation but particularly with ambitious designs and hopes imbarking in the pretensions of the
greatly moved but withal believing the occasion favourable to publish the War against the Spaniards formerly resolved on they sent to the Infanta to require with the restitution of the Country the liberty of the Elector But he referring the answer to the Emperour as professing to have only obeyed his orders a Herald was sent by King Lewis to Brussels to denounce in the ancient forms War and almost at the same time moved in the Month of May his Troops The French Army by the Mareshals of Chastiglion and Brezé were rendesvouz'd near Mezieres and as it is usual in the first beginnings especially when a War is undertaken through animosity and revenge all things did superabound so that the number of the Army exceeded the Agreement and the warlike provisions seemed to be greater than was needful For France being at the height of reputation and power reckoned at that time to have under its Colours in several parts one hundred and thirty thousand Foot and fifteen thousand Horse with an infinite number of Artillery and abundance of all other provisions The French then marching towards Maestricht with above thirty thousand fighting men and forty pieces of Cannons Prince Thomas with weak Forces near to Avesnes attempts to dispute the passage and was with much slaughter beaten so that going on without resistance they joined Orange who waited for them with twenty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse and fourscore pieces of Artillery The Army appeared formidable for number and valour and the world already supposed the felicity of the enterprise equal to the Force But Victuals for so great a multitude being quickly wanting the Army began to devour it self through want and to be consumed with sickness and suffering Brabant was invaded and Tirlemont a great Town but weak taken by force experienced with cruelty in the slaughter and plunder the first fury of Military license The Spaniards were encamped with their gross near to Lovain to cover that City which is of a great circuit but weak and together with the City the Country near to it The Confederates to draw them to a Battel made shew to advance towards Brussels not without hope but that in the universal consternation they might have the luck to take it But Orange retarding the march gave time to the Spaniards to draw nearer to it The Confederates then commanded their march towards Lovain and on a sudden besiege it with great violence but the defence was no less vigorous maintained by the Baron of Grobbendonk the Governour with the assistance of a good number of Scholars of that famous University who strengthened the Garrison The fierceness of the assailants being hereby abated the Army began to waste for the Hollanders supplying their Army punctually with whatsoever they had need of kept Victuals from the French who though by force and courage they were able to overcome any danger found that hunger and necessity was an enemy invincible Many dyed and the rest disbanding were in great numbers killed by the Peasants so that the Forces being weakned and Victuals wanting the Generals were forced to raise the Siege and give leave to those that were alive every one to provide for his safety and escape The Commanders and the Reliques of the Army were reduced to imbark in Holland scoffed at by the people and scorned that of so many men which aspired to so great Conquests so small a remainder appeared and they in disorder fugitives and in so faint a condition There is no doubt but as the United Provinces in making of the League consented to any conditions which might oblige the French to an open breach with Spain so having obtained their purpose abhorred no one thing more than to have them instead of friends neighbours To the common concerns of the Provinces was added the private resentments of the Prince of Orange for that Richelieu amidst flatteries and confidences had some years before endeavoured to surprise in France the Town of Orange it self but the blow not succeeding he quickly silenced the fact and noise of it But the other dissembling with equal artifice reserved himself for an opportunity to be even with him and now he enjoyed this that if by taking most important Towns from the Spaniards he had gained by Arms the glory of valour and courage in over-reaching Richelieu now in wit the world attributed to him the renown of great policy and prudence Yet the Cardinal having by reason of the War undertaken need of the adherence of the Hollanders and friendship of the Prince of Orange to apply himself to the greater neglected lesser revenges This acting against Flanders with the noise and appearance of better success than was met with had displeased the King of England who willingly could not suffer the greatning of the Crown of France in those parts Putting therefore on that occasion a Fleet to Sea observed the issue of things and the Emperour considering of what importance those Provinces were to the common interest of Germany sends six thousand Foot and four thousand Horse with Piccolominy to the assistance of the Infante The French Army was no sooner dispersed but the fear which at first troubled the Subjects of Spain pierced interchangeably into the heart of the Hollanders For the Count of Embden by order of the Infante surprised Schinche Schans which lies in a situation above any other important where the Rhine divided into two Branches keeps on the right hand its name and on the left assumes that of Waaghe so that the Fort commanding the Navigation and the Dikes can overflow the Country gives an entrance into the Bottowe and on the one side cutting off the Towns and Provinces which are beyond the River opens on the other passage into the bowels of Holland Orange comes immediately to inclose it with a strong Siege drawing abundance of Works longst the side of the River So great a flame of War betwixt two so powerful Kings could not be contained only within those Provinces but spreading it self every where broke forth also in Italy taking its beginning in the Grisons where Monsieur de la Lande for the custody of the Passes for some time past kept three Regiments of that Nation and some French and now having sent a l'improvisto by the Mountain of Spluga six Companies possesses without opposition Chiavanna Riva il Sasso Corbeio and those other places longst the Lake heretofore named then Rohan following by the way of Poschiavo with five thousand Foot and four hundred Horse gets Morbegno and every other place remaining in possession of all the Valteline and the Counties adjacent The Cardinal Albornoz who after the Infanta's departure governed Milan by profession averse to Arms was upon this emergency beyond measure confused Sends nevertheless Troops towards Lago di Como but expected his chief succours and diversions from Germany and no one thing could happen more disturbing to the Austrians than to see the passages shut and communication interrupted The French knew that
and of the ingaging the Army in that Country whilst he lost Alsace and Banier increased to little less than thirty thousand fighting men was wandring towards Bohemia to gain quarters there The Spaniards counselled the Emperour to go himself into the Field and command the Army being in great disorder through the discords and emulations of the Chiefs and in requital of the succours which they received from him in Flanders besides the payment of six thousand Hungarians they furnished him with a great sum of money But Ferdinand abhorring the charge and the danger which the assuming of the command of the Army carried with it allots it to the Archduke Leopold Guilielmo his Brother but to make an effort capable to drive the Swedes out of Germany he had recourse to the Pope demanding of him a powerful assistance Vrban excuses himself because the differences of the Venetians with the Turks being not yet appeased he professed that for that cause abandoned by every body else he was ingaged to imploy his mind and all his Forces The hopes then of Ferdinand depending upon Spain alone and the recovery of Alsace highly concerning him he sends Hannibal Gonzagha Ambassadour Extraordinary to Madrid by whom a Treaty was concluded to raise at common Charge an Army for that purpose to be commanded by Melo This Levy went not forward to designs of War the hopes of a Treaty intervening for Duke Bernard of Weimar dying at Neoburg in the thirty sixth year of his Age snatcht away by a short sickness in the greatest progress of Glory the Austrians believed with money and advantages to gain Erlach and other principal Commanders that had the Command of Brisach and the places of consequence But Richelieu with his wonted Ascendant of Wit and Fortune concludes a more speedy and happy Treaty with them for captivating with a vast sum of money the mind of those to whom the Duke in his Testament had committed the care of the Army he agreed with them That they should accept the Duke of Longueville for their General and be obliged to make War for the advantages and interests of France who was to pay the Army and Garrison of Brisach which under the Government of Erlach should be composed of Germans and French It happened that Charles Lodowick Palatine who was then at London no sooner heard the News of Weimars death but posting incognito through France endeavours to get to that Army in hope not only by conformity of Religion Manners and Tongue but by money and promises from the King of England to induce it to accept him for their Chief by which means he afterwards proposed to himself either by Force or Treaty for the exchange of Alsace to recover the Palatinate Richelieu who by many Spies had his eyes every where being advertised of such an intention caused him at Molins in the Borbonnois to be arrested and did not release him though the King of England not without complaints pressed it till the Treaty with the Weimarians was finished Thus in a moment fell into the power of France a Town a Province an Army not without great reflections of the Swedes and greater of the Germans who would have wished that Crown an Assistant and Neighbour but not so much advanced into the Empire Neither were other prosperities in the Provinces of Flanders wanting to the same for though in the beginning of the Campagnia Piccolomini had beaten Monsieur de Fichieres who besieged Thionville and with many Arts brought him with many others into that Town Prisoner yet on the other side Monsieur de la Meillerey passing through the County of St. Paul incamps with ten thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse before Hesdin a place of great accounts and having sprung two Mines and given three assaults took it being rendred on conditions The King who to countenance the action abode with the Cardinal at Abbeville entring into Hesdin by the breach and adding reward to Merit created him Mareshal of France The Infanta having taken Post at Bourbourg had attempted in vain to succour it for Orange seconding the design somtimes threatning to attacque Guelder and then attempting to dis-imbark at the Sas of Gant he had been obliged to divide his Forces The chief counsel of Richelieu consisted in incommodating the Spaniards upon their own Frontiers demonstrating to King Lodowick That the Enemy being invaded at home would discover his weakness and that Monarchy want strength to supply in so many parts foreign accidents that many Provinces would quickly appear mutinous all groaning under the Government of insolent Ministers with few Fortresses and they without trusty Garrisons with Souldiers for the most part mercenary and Strangers especially when they should be aware that they were under a Government burdensom in Peace and in War unhappy An imagination which came to pass perhaps beyond the belief of the Author himself through such casualties and sad emergencies that the World had occasion to believe that though for the most part humane counsels depend upon events Fortune did adjust events to the counsels of Richelieu He laid the foundations of it in this year by sending the Prince of Conde towards the Pirenei who took Salces the first place that lies nearest to the Mediterranean Sea on the Confines of Spain though after some months it was recovered by Philip Spinola He had conceived greater hopes of the Naval Army which commanded by the Archbishop of Bourdeaux in number about sixty Vessels plyed to and again upon the Coast in the Ocean but the effects proved not suitable for it effected nothing but the landing at Laredo taking and burning certain Ships and plundering some weak maritime places On the other side Spain received a notable blow for after Bourdeaux was retired into the Ports of France 67 Ships amongst which some were of a vast burden spread their Sails towards Flanders having upon them many Souldiers a great quantity of money and other provisions to carry a powerful relief into the Low Countries The way to pass into those Provinces by Land being on all sides stopt and to provide them money the exchange devouring a great part it had been resolved in Madrid to make an effort by Sea in concert with the King of England who jealous of the Greatness and of the Designs of France desiring to see them succoured and provided permitted retreat and security for the Spanish Ships into his Ports But this Fleet no sooner appeared in the Chanel but Martin Tromp Admiral of Holland with thirteen small but nimble and well appointed Ships comes up with it provoking it with incredible boldness to fight Sixteen others a while after joyned themselves to him and by the nearness of the Ports of Zeland and Holland receiving daily Renfort was quickly increased to such a face of a strong Fleet that Anthonio Oquendo General of the Spanish though superiour in number and in the bulk of Ships thought good to retreat into the Downs in England hoping that the Hollanders
for many Years disturb it she notwithstanding observed a constant neutrality The whole Country setling afterward into a most Happy Peace kept not without jealousy by the Foreigners themselves the Venetians made it their business to preserve that present tranquillity sometime diverting the storm at the first appearance and sometimes according to the occasion opposing themselves with Declarations and Treaties The War which hapned betwixt France and Spain in the beginning of this present Age did not penetrate into Italy Some stirs occasioned by the Interest of the Grisons were quieted The differences risen with Pope Paul the Fifth were terminated with increase of reputation and advantage for the Republick and that thunder of War which was threatned by Henry the Fourth vanished with his death All things thus contributing to the Peace of Italy Wisemen nevertheless were not free from fear lest many disgusts lurking secretly in the hearts and several designs in the minds of Princes there would be a new Rupture so soon as any occasion or pretext for it did appear And in that thought they were not long deceived for in the brightest Serenity of this Peace the blow hapned at unawares with so much slaughter and so many mischiefs that defiling Italy it hath put Europe into confusion This shall be the subject and first part of this work of mine because as the Interests of the Republick refer principally to those two great powers of Austria and the Turks with whom it borders so the Narrative shall be divided And I will describe in this the most notable events which have troubled Italy and in which the Republick hath assisted with their Counsels Arms and Treasures And for the other part shall be reserved the Memorials of its long and generous defence against the Ottoman Empire And because Italy being the heart of Europe cannot suffer a shaking but the rest must be moved and have a feeling of it you shall read herein connexed the Affairs and Actions of the chief Princes of the World the Conduct and Maxims of their chief Ministers with the Revolutions of States and so many other accidents as make the Age no less Unhappy than Famous and the Relation equally important For the better knowledge of the things to follow it is needful to look a little back Princes though Mortal are the Genii of the World The effects of their Counsels out-live their Lives and are like the Stars whose influences remain long though they disappear from our sight When Arragon in the Person of Ferdinand the Catholick was joined to Castile and all the Kingdoms within the compass of Spain were in a manner united together comprehending also the Islands of the Mediterranean and both the Sicilies there was laid the Foundation of a vast Monarchy Fortune to second the design with vast Riches about this time discovered a new World The Provinces of Flanders fell afterwards in changing only the Line of Blood but without the least alteration in the series of their Maxims and Interests In Charles the Fifth the Crowns of the Empire and Spain and their great power were conjoined together He neither wanted Wisedom nor Fortune to establish an Universal Hereditary Monarchy but as all ages are for the most part barren of Princes of consideration so his seemed as fruitful having Francis the first King of France and Solyman Emperour of Turky to oppose him The first his Peer in courage the other equal if not Superiour in Power Charles therefore thought it best to leave the hopes and means to his Successors Italy by reason of its scituation Nobleness Strength Riches and a certain fatality which destines her to bear Rule hath always been the first Object of great Conquerours and Charles failed not to increase his Dominion thus joining the Milanese to Spain and putting a foot into Tuscany But he quickly found that every foot of ground cost a Battel That the Princes were impatient of the yoke and Strangers were ready to assist He therefore thinking the Counsel most safe to encompass her without that so at last she might fall insensibly into his hand attempted to cajole Germany and leave the Empire to his Son The design failing him and he from a religious consideration a satiety of Fortune or from domestick Interests betaking himself to a private life and the repentance of having been so great leaves to Philip the Second the hereditary Kingdoms of Spain with their vast appurtenances The Peace of Italy passed as in a mystery and by tradition from Father to Son who no less wise than great applied his Ax to the root of that which might most disturb the design of his Monarchy He employs therefore all his power against England and France but having consumed Armies and Treasure in vain while he was distracted by the revolt in Holland and although he had added Portugal to Castile and with it the increase of a vast power yet at the end of a few years he found sufficiently his Credit Money and Strength weakned He then makes trial of peaceable means giving to the Provinces of Flanders remaining in their obedience to the end to re-unite the rest a Prince of their own He left France to the destiny of its domestick revolts and Italy charmed with the deliciousness of Peace and the opinion of their present felicity Philip the third succeeded him a young Prince of singular Piety but wholly unacquainted with Government and contenting himself with the Royal dignity left the power to his Council Favourites and Ministers These judged it necessary to go on in the same Maxims of Peace because in France they found Henry the Fourth a formidable and vigilant King who having gloriously made his passage through the jaws of an adverse fortune suffered not himself to be gulled by prosperity but would be ready to disturb and prevent whatever designs they should have against him Truce was therefore concluded with the United Provinces of the Low-Countries and to divert the scourge of the French Arms from Italy procuring the Duke of Savoy to make Peace upon disadvantageous terms they thought it a great conquest that they had shut out the French beyond the Alps. And now fixing their thoughts on those advantages which time and occasion uses to offer to those in Power silently extending themselves by little and little they got their limits inlarged and their Kingdoms and Territories better united and last of all under the title of Honour and Protection holding dependent and in a manner subject divers Princes of Italy who being not able to resist and believing themselves abandoned by the French yielded to what they thought their advantage or rather to necessity And so besides the places in Mount Argentaro in Tuscany and Porto Longone in Elba the Forte Fuentes built in the entrance of the Valtelline and Garrisons put into Final Monaco Piombino Correggio and other little Fiefs of the Empire the Net was spread and the design made publick These things going thus on one by one some by
the custom of the Ottoman Emperours perserved him for the Empire But the Barbarians making Destiny guilty and Author of their villanies Mustapha excuses himself saying that he knew he had oftentimes decreed his death but that God would not permit it Left then in prey to the Janissaries and conducted to the seven Towers amidst the concourse and execrations of the people who having during his Reign endured all kinds of calamity Hunger Pestilence and War detested him as the fatal occasion of their evils his Head was cut off Delivert grand Visir in this interim fled but taken at Scutari and brought back to Constantinople he was killed with his blood and a few others of the chief Ministers and the pillaging of some house the Tumult ceasing Nevertheless Mustapha destinated to frequent passages from a Prison to a Throne remains not long upon the Stage An. Dom. 1623 for his incapacity by new experience being confirmed he was anew deposed and Amurath Brother of Osman being very young was assumed to the Crown He sends to Venice Mustapha Chiaus with wonted respects of friendship and peace and the Republick corresponded as usual by sending Simeon Contarini Cavalier and Procurator Ambassador Extraordinary to his Court. ANNO M.DC.XXIII Bohemia being not alone but the Imperial Crown the object and reward of the War which inflamed Germany the Austrians rejoyced so much the more in the Victories they had gotten by how much with the spoils of the Palatine having taken away a Vote from the Protestant the Empire seemed to be confirmed in their Family and the Catholick Party The Pope with motives of Religion pressed that the Electorate might be disposed of and recommended Bavaria not only a Kinsman in blood to the proscribed Palatine but worthily deserving it for his piety promising also great assistances if it should be necessary to maintain the disposal and decree by Arms. Nor was Ferdinand against it but rather found himself ingaged in his word and interest for Maximilian and he by the almost entire possession of both the Palatinates by his own Forces and those of the Catholick Ligue made himself so much considered and almost feared that it was not easie to dispose of it to another The Emperour was very earnest to get out of his hands by this change the Upper Austria which Bavaria held engaged for thirteen millions of Florins which in subduing the Rebels he affirmed to have spent but great difficulties crossed his desires The Protestants were inraged and in particular Saxony vexed besides at the Reformation of Religion which was practised in Bohemia many had compassion of the calamities of the Palatine and the innocence of his Children and not a few pretended to be sharers in his ruine But the most considerable opposition rose from the Spaniards who irritated that Bavaria had by Arms possessed himself of a part of the Lower Palatinate openly opposed Ferdinands intentions and that with a pretext that it was not fit so publickly to offend the King of England and with reasons besides that it was not convenient to set him up so high who might one day dispute the Empire with the Austrians but that resolving to maintain the Investiture by Arms it was better to come to extremities and bestowing it upon some of their own Kindred to advance the greatness of the Family with an Electoral Vote But the Emperour aiming to recover his own and to amuse those of both Religions in the Empire sends to Saxe the Archduke Carlo his Brother to perswade and appease him and into Spain some Religious persons to represent motives by which he was induced and in a manner forced to resolve There happened at this time the sudden Voyage of Charles Prince of England to the Court of Spain which put into admiration all Europe doubtful which was greatest the artifice on the one side in solliciting it or the happiness on the other in performing it In Madrid Digby resided Ambassadour for King James so much enamoured with such a Negotiation that proposing to himself great rewards according to his desires and proper interest he continually represented facility and safety The project consisted on the one side of promises to restore the Palatine into his Country and Vote and on the other of a connivence or rather assistance to oppress the United Provinces of Holland There resided then in London for the Catholick King the Count of Gondomar who with a stupendious acuteness of wit so confounded pleasant things with serious that it was not easie to be discerned when he spoke of business and when he rallied He had marvellously possessed the mind of the King and the inclination of the Prince and so insinuating himself into the hopes and inclination of both with mysterious speeches and facetious discourses he perswades him in earnest to resolve that Charles himself incognito should surprise them at Madrid to conclude the Marriage and bring back the Bride to London The Prince then parting in great silence passes disguised by Post through France accompanied by few others but the Duke of Buckingham Director of the whole Affair and who with an unusual example enjoyed no less favour from the King in being than from the Prince his Successor Not many resolutions haply are to be found which made a noise equal to this Of a Prince that was foreseeing to a wonder who was over-shadowed with jealousie the people made it their discourse and the English more than any murmured at it the only Son of the King the Heir of the Kingdom hazard himself in such a long Voyage carry himself as an Hostage rather than a Spouse to a Court of contrary Maxims of Religion and State humbly to supplicate for a Wife Most men would not be perswaded but the business was concluded so that many discourses were made of secret Alliances and the Protestants feared it nay some of the Catholicks themselves no less suspiciously apprehended it Bavaria in particular doubting lest the Country and Dignity in favour of the Marriage should be restored to Frederick and France was jealous lest if Great Brittany should adhere to the Austrians their Power in Europe would be without a ballance In England the Hereticks were afraid lest the King inclined to change Religion to effect it with greater security had a mind to support himself by the Forces and Countenance of great Princes and the Catholicks rejoyced hoping by such a Marriage for Liberty of Conscience and security for their lives In Ratisbone where the Diet was assembled the Spanish Ambassadour pretended that without disposing of the Electorate the Emperour should at least stay to see the issue of this Voyage and of so great an Emergency But those of the Popes party and the Bavarians with unusual and incessant instances pressed him to declare himself and end the business Notwithstanding then that the major part of the Empire were of opinion that the Authority did not belong to the Emperour alone in a matter of so great importance to deprive
resolved to apply themselves to the same Arts which the Enemy practised by endeavouring to overcome famine with famine and by hindering Victuals from the Camp to reduce Spinola to the fortune of the besieged But he with the prudence of an excellent Captain foreseeing the necessity had also provided for it by a flying body causing the Convoys to be so strongly conducted that the Hollanders either durst not attacque them or attempting it could not break them It happened that for the securing of one the Garrison of the Castle of Antwerp was much weakned Maurice whom Fortune seldom reproached for neglecting of occasions attempts to surprise it and having chosen a dark night with Bridges made for that purpose passes the Ditch though very broad and raising the Ladders which at the head of them were so fastened that with Ropes they were easily set up he was now upon the Rampart when one of the Ladders falling back upon its bridge made such a noise that the Sentinels heeding it and they with some shot advertizing the Guards the Alarm was given in the Castle The Hollanders taking fright retired leaving some of their Engines behind and now Force not being sufficient nor Art succeeding the hope of preserving the place was reduced to succours which with great earnestness the States sollicited from the Crowns of England and France Which last besides the money promised in their Treaty would not meddle further in that cause having obtained their purpose to keep a great part of the Spanish Power ingaged in that Country It maintained over and above the War in Italy nor were unquietnesses wanting within the Kingdom whilst Soubize either foreseeing from far the Siege of Rochel or moved to it by those that desired to divert the Crown from foreign occurrences had endeavoured to possess himself of some of the Ships Royal in the Port of Blavet and although the design succeeded not nevertheless to the Kings great resentment he possessed the Islands near to Rochel and infested the Sea with Piracy and the Land with disbarkings To oppose and suppress Rohan who in Languedoc and other parts was contriving Commotions the Kings Fleet assembles under Command of the Duke of Monmorency and Souldiers were sent into several places to no small disturbance of the Wars in Italy and the necessities of Flanders But England had its Forces at liberty and minds inflamed for James in the month of March of this year being dead it looked as if the spirit of quiet would have extinguished with him whilst his Successor Charles as vigorous in his age as in the desire of Glory and hatred against the Spaniards was believed that with his Fathers Crown he would have assumed differing thoughts He ingages himself presently to a great arming by Sea with which he publishes to attempt upon Spain it self the Head and Seat of its great Power and at the same time raises an Army to put under Mansfelts Command for the restoring the out-lawed Palatine into his Countries for which purpose making a League with the King of Denmark he disburses money to him to the end that making War with the same design in the Empire he should not make Peace with Ferdinand without the Kings knowledge and the restoring the Palatine But Breda that had been many months besieged could not expect concerts so remote King Charles therefore to preserve it applies means more ready it serving also his ends to keep the Spanish Forces imployed in the Low Countries lest sending them into the Empire they might hinder the principal design which was the restoring of Frederick Hoping then that France would concur in the same intention he resolves that Mansfelt with a good number of English Foot should pass the Sea and landing at Calais should first joyn Halverstat with two thousand Horse and afterwards altogether the Prince of Orange to relieve the Town But betwixt England and France it was found that after the Marriage the interest of State or rather the passion of Favourites converted the bonds of affection into causes of hatred Europe in those times reckoned amidst its unhappy destiny that the Government of it depended upon three young Kings yet in the flower of their age Princes of great power desirous of glory and in interest contrary but in this alone by Genius agreeing that they committed the burden of their affairs to the will of their Ministers for with an equal independency France was governed by Richelieu and Spain by Olivares and Great Britany by Buckingham confounding affections with interest as well publick as private Betwixt the Cardinal and Buckingham open animosities discovered themselves for causes so much the more unadvised as they were more hard to be known Buckingham being in France to carry back Charles his Bride it seemed that in the free conversations of that Court he had taken the boldness to discover something of his inclination to the Queen whilst the Cardinal was inflamed with the same passions or rather feigned to be so with aversion in her who with vertue equal to the nobleness of blood equally despised the vanity of the one and abhorred the artifices of the other Whereupon the Factions arising amongst the Ladies of the Court were not so secret but that the King was obliged to make a noise and banish some But the contention betwixt the two Favourites was for power and Richelieu by reason of the favour of the King in his own Kingdom prevailing in Authority procured to Buckingham many mortifications and disgusts The other was no sooner arrived at London with the Bride but to make shew of a power not inferiour by ill using her thought to revenge himself The Catholick Religion served for a pretext whilst the Family brought out of France according to the Contract of Marriage practised it whence distasts brake forth to such a degree that the minds of the Spouses being alienated and affections betwixt the Crowns themselves disturbed it looked as if discord had been the Bride-maid at that Wedding All this passed to the prejudice of the Interests of the Palatine and of Holland For Mansfelt at the instant that he had imbarked the English Army France denying him the Port of Calais and entry into the Kingdom was forced to land in Holland after having negotiated several days betwixt the two Kings But the Souldiers remaining on board the Ships wasted time and almost themselves and in their passage weather-beaten by a great storm troubled with rains and many inconveniences they arrived so diminished and languishing that the succours was found to be less than was needful and fame had made them Nevertheless at the noise of their landing the Spanish Ministers being moved and Spinola resolved not to stir from the place now reduced to extremity assembled in an instant with the pomp of their great power another Army of thirty thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse of the Trained-bands of the Country intermixed with some old Souldiers drawn out of Garrisons with which and the succours together
might be denied to those of the Austrians To find out some composure betwixt those of the Valteline and the Grisons which might serve to maintain the defence with minds united or facilitate the Peace Coevre and Giorgio assembled their Deputies in Sondrio but without fruit the one not resolving to lose their Soveraignty and the profits and the other fancying to themselves that pardon was more to be suspected than revenge Seeds of greater calamities sprung now up in all parts for as much as that in Germany also the Victories of Ferdinand served rather to exasperate than terminate the War whilst his prosperity rendred his power as much burdensom to his Neighbours as hazardous to the Empire For this purpose a Meeting was held at the Hague to which coming the Ministers of France England Denmark Sweden Gabor and of other Princes of the North they made the World believe that they aimed not so much at the moderation of the greatness of the Austrians as totally to suppress it Nevertheless according to the destiny attending such an Assembly every one amidst the common interest driving his own peculiar designs it was discovered that the French did not intend to charge themselves with ought else but to give the Hollanders the Subsidy stipulated that they would refuse the Truce offered by the Spaniards with other large Conditions The Kings of Sweden and Denmark desired to make a War and demanded great sums of money to maintain it and the Transilvanian not regarding the Conditions lately made with the Emperour offered to break anew provided he might have a vigorous assistance In such sort that every one demanding considerable assistances and none being willing to give them to another the Meeting separates like one of those great Engines which split when they are ready for motion taking pretext that some especially the Transilvanian had not sufficient powers whereupon the Meeting was put off to the year following to the end that by a better concert the League might then be finished No body had shewed himself more earnest in this business than the King of England as both younger and more provoked whereupon dispatching his Favourite Buckingham and the Earl of Holland for his Ambassadours to the Hague impatient of longer delay he concludes with the United Provinces a Treaty of offence and defence for fifteen years by means whereof he pretended to restore the Palatine Frederick into his Patrimony concerting a diversion by Sea on the Coast of Spain and to send an Army by Land at a common charge But of this for want of money which could not be raised without the odious calling of a Parliament the design vanished and of the other Fortune frustrated the effect although the Fleet consisted of more than ninety Ships a Squadron of Holland being therein comprehended so well furnished with Souldiers and all other necessaries that if in the inconstancy of the waves reason or force might have commanded any attempt whatsoever seemed likely to succeed But carrying Fredericks Colours for a shew sailing longst the Coast of Spain and casting Anchor in the Baye of Cadiz in design to take that Port and to pillage the rich Fleet which was expected from America they land at Puntal to cut off succours from the Town and shut up certain Gallies and Gallions in the Port which would have easily succeeded if they had not spent a great deal of time to no purpose in fortifying themselves Spain that was wont rather to provoke her Enemies afar off than to see them before her face and in her bosom was in disorder and the King would have gone in person to oppose them if Olivares had not diverted him considering the remedy too late and unbecoming the grandeur and gravity of that Nation Ferdinand Giron who commanded in that Quarter with a stupendious stoutness transported in a few Gallies from the Terra firma and in sight of the Enemy Ammunition and Souldiers with which the Garrison was strengthened they so molested the English with Sallies that judging the gaining of it would be long and difficult they re-imbarked applying themselves to what they could light on at Sea Many Barks were dispatched from the Coast of Spain to meet the Fleet to the end that changing their course and keeping aloof from the Cape of St. Vincent where the English waited for them they might put in at the Corogne One of them falling seasonably into their hands saved the rest for taking it for granted that the Fleet would make for this Port they sailed thither whilst in the mean time having had no advice it arrived happily at Cadiz And now the English Weather-beaten and sickness increasing returned into their own Country not without mutual dissatisfaction with the Hollander the one imputing to the other the ill success of the Expedition But greater were the jars and jealousies which after the Conference in Holland increased more and more betwixt England and France for the one attributed to the other the loss of Breda by denying passage to Mansfelt and upbraided him with the ruine of the Palatine and the other interests in Germany whilst designing in his own Kingdom the destruction of the Huguenots he desired the lessening of the Protestants every where Nor did France want complaints reciprocal for the many reprisals happened at Sea the retreat of Soubize to London the assistances promised before the Peace to the Rochellois and the caution given to that Peace as though England intended to make a Party with its Subjects besides the unhandsom intreatment of the Queen and her Family contrary to the Conditions of Marriage The Austrians hoping for great advantages from such disagreements the common friends to both interposed themselves to put a stop to them or remove them and particularly the Venetians who charged Marco Anthonio Corraro and Angelo Contarini Cavalieri Ambassadours Extraordinary An. Dom. 1626 to congratulate King Charles his Succession with express and most effectual offices for that purpose which nevertheless had no effect the minds of the Favourites being much more exasperated than the interest of the Crowns discordant ANNO M.DC.XXVI In the beginning of this year Torquato Conti with the Popes Army being entred into the Milanese put mens minds greatly to a stand betwixt the report which he published to invade the Valley joyntly with Papenhaim and the slowness of his march as if he desired retardments and expected accidents which might divert him from doing of it The Venetians with a body of their Army coasted upon him longst the Borders resolving according to his motion to advance into the Valteline and defend it But before any undertaking and ingagement of Arms arrives the news that as to the Affairs of the Valteline France and Spain had betwixt themselves concluded a Peace a report so surprizing that it is not to be said how much it universally struck mens minds in regard that though the name of Peace was very pleasing yet the secret management of it and the almost shame with which
much the more applause as to have got the day after he was little less than overcome so that Chance which in Battels usurps so great a share could not in this by the Victory upbraid the one with its favours or by the loss blemish the praise of the other At the price of such a days work not only the remainder of the conquered who straitned in Luther rendred at discretion but Northeim and all the Countries of Luneburg and Brunswick with many other Cities and places yielded consequences prosperous to Ferdinand spreading themselves into every part of the Empire Nor could it fall out at a time more unseasonable for the King of Denmark for that England and France ready to break betwixt themselves denied him the assistance he hoped for The States of Holland only who apprehended Tilli his old design of getting into Frizland by the way of Embden sent him some succours of men being able to do it with so much the greater convenience as that in this year besides the taking of Oldensel which was of no great moment they had stood either attentive on the Affairs of the Empire or only imployed themselves to hinder the cutting off a Chanel which the Spaniards attempted in vain to unite the Maze with the Rhine The King himself within a while took new vigour from six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse sent him by the Administrator of Hall and from Recruits of his own Subjects whereupon marching out of the Country of Holstein whither he was retired for refuge he was able to take Hoye though himself hurt there with a Musket-shot and his Son by a double stroke much more dangerously Taking his Quarters afterwards in the Bishoprick of Bremen Tilli also divided his throughout the Lower Saxony for a bridle and punishment of those refractory Provinces But the defeat at Luther had given its counter-blow in every other part To reduce the Upper Austria whose stirring carried great danger with it Ferdinand had invited Bavaria to signalize himself by the recovery of that Province once more to God and the Austrians But he wont above all men in all Negotiations to joyn together two things so contrary as are Religion and Interest offers to do it at his own charge provided nevertheless for his re-imbursement that the Country as a fresh pledge might remain in his hand Ferdinand doubtful if another Country should be offered him of recovering this and recompensing him was contented that he should only lend him some Souldiers with which joyning some Horse under the Command of Papenhaim the Peasants were forced to remove from Lintz and having their Quarters afterwards beaten up at Entz were at last wholly subdued with much blood and a mighty slaughter In Silesia Mansfelt had lost the opportunity of going forward by a Truce interposed by Gabor that he might joyn with him so that the Imperialists had him shut in betwixt two Rivers but when they thought to keep him so inclosed he gets loose from them by stealth and advances into the Mountains of Hungary where at last Gabors Brother joyns him with three thousand Horse and a little after a great Body of Turks with which he might have had the better of the Enemy by reason of the number of his Forces and the inclination of the people if the fame of the Victory of Luther had not been to Wallestain in place of a great supply For Gabor applying himself to new projects of Peace separates from Mansfelt and by his example the Turks retire so that the Count environed in the Mountains by the Imperialists without victuals without money and with Troops almost disbanded and consumed leaving order to the small reliques of his Army that they should endeavour to joyn with the Transilvanian slips away almost alone and by a desperate counsel getting into the Turkish Dominions proposes new Unions and Treaties to the Ottoman Ministers and takes his way towards Dalmatia so to get to Venice and from thence pass to those Princes which had formerly assisted him But being come to Vracoviz an obscure place in Bosnia near to the Confines of the Venetians wearied with cares and wants he dies ordering his Corps to be buried in the Territories belonging to the Republick And so Ernest Count of Mansfelt having sought for a glorious death amongst so many famous occasions was ignobly surprized by it there where he least expected to the end it might be said that Fortune had defrauded him both in his birth and death A man otherwise that without envy may be called Famous and be celebrated without blame for great An. Dom. 1627 in an Age wherein some are chosen from Heaven for Ministers of Divine Justice and publick Calamities He had the courage to provoke alone and by his own private Authority and Conduct the formidable power of the Austrians He was alone overcome in Battel but by his felicity of getting up again no less renowned than the Conquerours Superiour in Negotiations to the greatest Wits Bold in encountring dangers and highly subtil in winding himself out of them a Lover of disorders and novelties enduring hunger watchings and excess eloquent wise and vigilant prodigal of his own covetous of anothers lived amidst great hopes and designs and dyed without Lordships and without Treasure The Marquess of Dourlach thought by his example to be able to attempt Alsatia having raised some Troops in Basil by encouragement of the Protestant Switzers and some little money with which France and England secretly furnished him but not with an equal success for the greatness of the Austrians so firmly rooted with so many Victories being no more to be moved with little shocks the Marquess no sooner began to put himself in order but an Army of Ferdinands arriving in those parts ruined the design intimidated the Switzers and obliged those of Basil to discharge him He therefore passes into Denmark but had first sent to Venice the Colonel Niccolas Boet to communicate his intentions to the Republick and desired assistance at a time that the King of Denmark also by Joachim Cratz and the effectual interposition of the Ambassadours of England and Holland demanded money for the maintaining of five or six Regiments The Senate having fully deduced the obligation which the Republick had to the common Cause by what had been done in the course of many years in Italy shewed their sense in the importunity without engaging themselves further ANNO M.DC.XXVII Ferdinand now feared by many and respected by all kept under the Empire with an armed hand keeping his Armies dispersed in the Countries of the Electors and Princes that where any held up his head they were ready to suppress and chastise them Nor seemed the design longer concealed to reduce Christian Religion and the Authority of the Austrians to an Union in Germany The discourse now was to make the Empire successive Walestain in particular not dissembling his thoughts so to moderate the power of the Electors that like Grandees of Spain according to
as a spectacle of humane misery dyes at Collen in a poor and hired house driven by the Parliament from London rejected by the Hollanders and forsaken by the Spaniards This accident also was by the Cardinal as a despiser of Fame numbred amongst his felicities risen to say truth in the eye of the World to the highest point but in himself contaminated by unquietness of mind and infirmities of body He had discovered many of the Kings Guards participants in the contrivances of St. Mars and in particular Monsieur de Treville Captain of the Musquetiers For the last proof of his Authority and of the Kings patience he desires that he would discharge him and moreover that he would come out of St. Germans to speak with him and give way that his Guards might mingle with the Kings for his greater security The King was truly troubled at it as loving Treville and comprehending how insolent the demand was yet after certain days reluctancy the Cardinal otherwise protesting he would retire he complies with him out of a belief that the War promoted by his ambition and the affairs imbroiled by his Arts could not be supported and dis-intangled but by his abilities But when the Cardinal thought himself in a manner delivered from the changeableness of Fortune Nature would exercise her rights for wasted with many diseases death took him away upon the 4. of December in the fifty eighth year of his age Armand Cardinal and Duke of Richelieu of noble but ordinary Parents and as it happens that the beginnings of our lives buried in the deepest darkness give no discerning whither the Laws of Destiny will be extended he applies himself in his Youth to Studies and afterwards to the life of a Church-man Aspiring always to the greatest things he made it visible that from every corner of Fortune the highest degrees are to be attained to provided a man have the confidence to promote and believe himself worthy of them Insinuating himself into the Court he intrudes himself into the Factions and succeeds either in sowing discords or composing them so excellent that Art never failed him and was seldom abandoned by Fortune If he introduced himself into favour if he enjoyed it it was always against the inclination of the Prince that raised him He sets the King at enmity with his Mother with his Brother and it may be said with his own self constraining him to give up his Authority to him though he denied him his affection He ballanced favour against envy supported by the King but always hated by the Princes execrated by the people and sought to be intrapped by Strangers He never grew remiss in prosperity nor despaired in the crosness of affairs in which either chance furnished him with accidents or his wit suggested counsels Having disarmed the Huguenots in France laid low the Great Ones weakned the people and the Parliaments he established the vigour of the Kingly Government On the other side usurping all power to himself fearing the security of Peace and thinking himself more secure amidst the revolutions of Arms he was the Author of Wars and of long and grievous calamities with so much shedding of blood and tears within and without the Kingdom that it is no wonder that many have published him for a man fallacious in his word cruel in his hatred and inflexible in revenge But certainly leaving to God the more exact judgment of his intentions and deeds those gifts cannot be denied him which the World is accustomed to attribute to great Personages his Enemies agreeing in a confession with his Friends that he possessed such and so many that whithersoever he had directed affairs he had reaped success and power This may be said that having united France succoured Italy confounded the Empire divided England and weakned Spain he was the Instrument chosen by Divine Providence for the ruine of Europe The King honouring his death with tears and his memory with praises fluctuated amidst many thoughts in the choice of another Minister doubting lest after one so great and so accredited every one else would be despised by his Subjects and not esteemed by the Princes his Friends Yet he now tasted the liberty of Government without the shadow of a troublesom Favourite But being rather accustomed to leave execution to others than to set forth his own counsels he proved timid and irresolute Richelieu disposing also as he was dying of the Kings Will had left Mazarine Heir to the Post he possessed beseeching the King to establish him in it and to maintain him for the important Service of the Crown whilst instructed by him in the Affairs Interests and Designs he had in all found him of so excellent an ingenuity that he seemed born for that alone in which he had according to occurrences been variously imployed The King perswaded by his Wife inclined not to leave the direction of things to a Confident of the deceased by reason of the hatred which he saw universally of his name Many others therefore aspired to the favour and thereto imployed the Arts of Court which is as much as to say An. Dom. 1643 Frauds and Intrigues which the King abhorring or fearing that with the change and novelty of Ministers the Train of Affairs and the felicity of his Arms would be interrupted confirms those of the Council and confers on Mazarine the primacy and the favour His Ancestors being of Sicily he was born at Rome with noble but slender beginnings of Fortune but scorning his first foundation from the Militia in which he commanded a Company of Foot in the Valteline passing to the Treaty of Piedmont from that to Prelacy and the Nuntiature of France and from thence to the strict confidence of that Crown by the nomination thereof to the Cardinalat he seemed arrived whither not so much as his own hopes had pointed him out the way Seeing Richelieu falling at Perpignan he thought of withdrawing from the thunder stroak and got himself to be sent into Italy under pretext to adjust the differences of Parma with the Pope but the Duke rejecting him as distrusted by him or for old distasts by reason of the dependency which Mazarine had upon the Cardinal Antonio this hinderance served as a rebound to his Fortune for by Richelieu's surmounting the snares laid for him continuing at the Court he was also in a capacity to succeed him in his station He though a stranger and without support nay rather with the hatred which from the very ashes of Richelieu rose up against those which had been his Confidents knew how to exercise a precarious authority Therefore governed himself in such sort that leaving to Lewis the pleasure of the Government and easing him of the burden he seemed rather a Minister than director of the Royal intentions Then towards others he endeavoured that that which is so envious should in him be rendred acceptable from his modesty So with obsequiousness to the Prince with liberality to the Courtiers to all
the makers of it themselves divulged the conclusion and endeavoured to suppress the Articles gave cause for due considerations Nor was the business so secretly carried betwixt the two Kings but that the Princes Confederate with France had a scent of it But the appearances of War the refuse given to the Popes mediation and the firm assurances of the principal Ministers of that Crown had made them confident of the contrary From the time the Cardinal Legate was at the Court of France it was discovered that the Marquess de Mirabel Ambassadour of Spain had insinuated that it belonged to the greatness and authority of the Crowns to convert the mediation of others to their own arbitrement and by agreeing betwixt themselves to impose the Law to others Olivares afterwards in Spain dealt with Fargis the French Ambassadour to the same purpose with such instance that to sound the bottom Monsieur de Rambogliet under pretext to congratulate the delivery of the Queen was sent from Paris to Madrid From discourse they passed quickly to the Treaty and from the Treaty to the conclusion During the Negotiation frequent Courriers ran to and fro and as it was no easie matter to discover the precise conditions the knowledge so much as of a Treaty being kept from every body but the two Favourites and very few of their Confidents so it was manifest that some great matter was in Treaty and the secrecy made it the more suspicious The Ambassadours of the Republick and of the Prince of Piedmont who were in the Court of France to sollicite the re-inforcement of their Armies concealed not their Jealousies because besides the obligation to which the League did bind not to treat or conclude a part expedience required that they should be Parties to the Treaty who had a common interest in the charge and hazard of the War But some believing though falsely the loss of reputation and faith less than that of private interest it was so far that the chief Ministers had communicated the project or the conditions which were negotiated in Spain that rather with constant asseverations and oaths they denied that there was a Treaty At last that secret being slippery which though the tongue concealed the face declared the Confederates found themselves to be deluded and complained bitterly of it Schomberg in conclusion confessed the Treaty affirming then that some Propositions were come from Olivares but so unworthy that being scorned and rejected by France they had not deserved communication to the Princes their Friends That the Ambassadour Fargis had since transgressed in signing certain Articles prejudicial and contrary to the designs of the Confederates but that the King was not only resolved to disavow them but to recal Fargis and severely to punish him All this aimed only to temper the taste of the Venetians and Savoyards imbittered to extremity to digest by little and little a business so displeasing for the truth was the Articles by direction and approbation of both the Crowns had been sealed in Barcellona where the Catholick King was though they appeared to have been under-written some days before in Monzone and therefore the Cardinal Barberins landing just at that time in Barcellona was believed in some measure to cover the dis-respect which accrued to his own reputation and the dignity of the Pope by not giving way nor place to his Mediation The Treaty which was called of Monzone contained many Articles in the beginning whereof the Worship alone of the Catholick Religion being established in the Valley and in the two Counties adjacent it seemed that other Affairs were to be restored to the state in which they were found to be in the beginning of the year 1617. with abolition of all Treaties and every other thing which had been made or had happened since that time But this came to be destroyed rather than restrained by other conditions for taking away all substance of Soveraignty from the Grisons free Election of Judges and Magistrates was yielded to those of the Valteline the three Leagues were prohibited in a manner to oppose themselves nay were so straightly obliged to the confirmation that they remained deprived also of this apparent right if they should but prolong or deny it In recompence a certain yearly Pension was assigned which the people of the Valley were to pay the Grisons the sum to be limited by Deputies of both sides and this and every other Prerogative should be forfeited besides the resentment of both the Crowns by Arms if the three Leagues should not content themselves with thus much and should in any manner disquiet the Valley or pretend to impose Garrisons there The care over the exercise of Religion was committed to the Pope who in case of innovation advertising the two Kings of it was to sollicite the remedy from them the Forts in like manner were to be delivered into his hands to demolish those which had been built from the year 1620. forwards It was imposed upon the Grisons to lay down Arms and the Crowns were presently to suspend their Auxiliaries in the difference of Duke Carlo with the Genouese offering themselves to interpose that both Parties might perform it and that cause be made an end of They reserve to themselves at last the interpretation in case of any difficulty in the present Treaty which by other private Articles was yet made worse for the Grisons and those of the Valteline not agreeing about the Pension or the Duke of Savoy not according with the Genouese about the business of Zuccarello the Crowns assumed the decision to themselves In sum capitulating all rather like Arbitrators than as Princes of contrary Parties and different Interests Many believed that the two Kings and their chief Ministers being with so much secrecy thus agreed had their aim to divide the care or rather the Dominion of the World prescribing Laws to inferiours and promising themselves reciprocal assistances to oppress their Envyers and Enemies subdue the Protestants and Hereticks divide England and share Europe betwixt them But others considered that the interests of France and Spain being incompatible what between the emulation and the power no other effect in this Conjuncture could happen but that which is seen in bodies which possessed by two spirits are strangely tossed up and down and from thence did foretel that the present friendship would quickly break out into greater contests and a more sharp War In effect the Treaty was penned in terms very differing from those which lodged in the heart of their Authors such a Union so extemporary taking its measures at that time only from occasion and interest The two Ministers had no other aim but to deceive each other Richelieu sacrificed all considerations whatsoever to appease a furious storm which with danger to involve the Kingdom in a Civil War was rising against his Authority He had besides a great desire to subdue Rochel and humble the Huguenots and no less passion drove him to vent his revenge against
England and Buckingham On the other side Olivares thought that by amusing France either in Intestine discord or Foreign hopes and the designs of great profit he should without opposition arrive at the height of all advantages in Italy Germany and Flanders thinking by great attempts to legitimate that Title of Great which in the beginning of his Power he had caused the King to assume Nevertheless upon the first divulging of a Peace so unexpected men could not so soon penetrate into the designs of it but in the confusion of the causes and discourses all stood amazed and many afraid The Venetians shewed themselves greatly affected with it and stood at gaze with so much the more wonder because that the very self same day but a little before the news came Monsieur d' Aligre the French Ambassadour had been in the Senate to give them assurance that without the knowledge and consent of its Confederates the Crown would not so much as hearken to Propositions much less conclude the Treaty Many doubts hereupon were tossed to and fro in mens minds but that which clearly appeared was the omission not only of the consent of the Confederates but of their interest and security which was not perceived so much as mentioned the Grisons besides all this remained prejudged and indeed oppressed contrary to that protection which with so much reason the League had undertaken of them and those of the Valteline saw themselves by the liberty they had gotten necessarily bound up to Spain which bating the name would certainly enjoy the disposition of the Valley and the passages The Duke of Savoy raged not a little whilst besides the publick Interests trodden under foot he complained that his own proper Concerns were exposed if not abandoned In this grievous resentment recalling his Son from Paris upon his old disgusts he heaps up new complaints bewailing himself that the friendship and assistance of the French had served for nothing but to traverse his designs and greatness calling to his remembrance how before Asti when he had Inoiosa and his Army at an advantage and in a manner consumed the Ministers of that Crown by protests and threatnings had extorted his consent to a Peace and added over and above of a fresh date that by Desdiguieres and Crequi he had several times been forbidden rather than perswaded not to invade the Milanese at a time when upon Feria's retreat he had hopes with great ease to have made great progress Amidst dissatisfaction therefore and disdain he meditated on resentment and revenge But at Venice the Senate ballanced with great deliberation the conjunctures and the times and some hesitating to approve the Peace Girolamo Trevisano one of the gravest Senators spake to this purpose It hath seldom happened that in friendships with the more powerful the happiness of success is answerable to the hopes in the beginning In the Treaties which unite us to France we cannot deny but that the thought of increasing the strength of our Arms and the necessity to add security to our affairs did induce us to it It is now certain that in the present Treaties the Ministers of that Crown have neglected the interest of the Republick sailed in their faith and truth forgotten their friends violated their own honour and that which is common to all the League But it is true also that to us remains the glory to have opposed our selves against Princes the most powerful to have by force and counsels maintained our Neighbours performed the parts of punctuality and of friendship nay ex abundanti born almost alone the burden of the War Let the blame then of the Treaties fall upon them that have negotiated and concluded them Certainly the friendships with the French are fatal to the Republick and great good and great evils have our Ancestors experienced from them But she hath always in whatsoever Fortune held her constancy for her Dowry and having truth for her guide hath been delivered with safety and applause even from shipwrack it self And now setting aside anger and fear it concerns us to consider what is our part to do and to debate whether the negligence of the French in their own advantages should be preferred before the institution of this Senate the fatality of the times present the importance of our own and the universal Interest The French Ministers in the Treaty of Monzone have omitted the naming their Confederates but shall we then reject the Treaty it self and if that do not include us why shall we exclude our selves also from the affection of one of the greatest Kings and while we are afraid to be exposed to the Arms of Spain renounce wholly to the protection of the friendship of the French Fortune is now become the portion of the Austrians Reputation and Power are their Ministers Prosperity and Victory fight under their Ensigns Most powerful Countries and Armies as strong encompass us on all sides and though jealousies may for a time be stifled they will never be reconciled Whither shall we run in our dangers To whom shall we trust our suspicions The Pope pretends to be offended it is at least true that he is displeased with us Amongst the Princes of Italy Carlo excepted who runs the common risque with us but for the most part hath thoughts and designs apart to whom can we trust our selves or our security or the publick liberty The friendship then of the French Crown is necessary for us though perhaps dangerous It behoves us therefore to dissemble much for all our safety is placed in an Equilibrium which their power alone is able to give to Spain Nor let the report disturb us which gives out as if these two potent Crowns had united themselves to the oppression of all else Heaven hath prescribed limits to Empires as also to the Elements and if the divers and contrary qualities of these by contending for mastery one over the other preserves the order and duration of the World it is not to be feared that interests as discrepant being radically ingrafted in France and Spain they can ever conspire to destroy the Constitution of Europe The hearts of Politicians have Caverns and secret retiring places into which there is no penetrating but by the wary guide of their ends and advantages that errs not nor deceives and from thence I could easily ingage to you that the present Peace is a false shadow which seems formed from a light yet more false from some concern of a great Minister which disorders the publick ones of that Kingdom and the universal ones of the World But it will surely vanish while the cooperating of France for the advantages and greatness of Spain is a force against Nature which will languish and quickly fall when that short violence that moves it shall be at an end We see the Kingdom already in a confusion the Court divided the favour tottering but this tempest will soon vanish it being the custom of the French Climate not long to