the Counsells of Cardinal Antonio because he had no great kindness for M. de Novailies He is gone with Orders to comport himself with all respect to the Pope and to serve the whole Family of the Barberini particularly your Patron It would shew a great peice of Levity and make it appear to themselves whom we are desirous to favour in sending him that we are as little capable of Constancy as we are esteemed Vain and Fickle by all the World Both our Friends and Enemies would never believe we could withstand any vigorous Resolution that should be taken against our designs I must confess I do not believe 't was either for yours or our benefit to change in such a manner from White to Black it being certain that whatever favour you might obtain by his being recall'd it could never be so much to your Advantage as the Discovery which people would thereby make that it being in your power to remove him you must have also the same share in his being sent which it behoves yee always to deny would be to your prejudice 'T is your Business to govern your self in such a manner that Cardinal Barberini may not think that you have ever undertaken any thing contrary to his Desires Marshal d' Estrees will demean himself with so much Modesty that the Pope and his Nephews shall have no other cause but to speak well of him assuring my self that they will not take any occasion to complain of him for being zealous in maintaining the Interests of France To this purpose 't is impossible for me but I must tell yee that his Holinesses Usage of Monsieur of Parma is unsufferable and that it is altogether contrary to the ends of a good Peace Had the Pope thunder'd out his Excommunications against the Spaniards that are in Arms within his Territories as he has done against the Duke of Parmaâ— in case he does not lay down his Armes within such a time he had taken from us in the judgment of men who are not partial to either side all occasion of complaint but to pour the Extremity of his Rigour upon Monsieur of Parma and to say nothing to the Spaniards to speak freely and ingeniously is to encourage the Spaniards to invade his Country and give the World an occasion to believe that his Holiness is agreed with 'em to share the Spoils of that poor Prince which will render the Intercession of a Legate altogether suspected at the Treaty of Peace to all those who are not favourers of the House of Austria This affair so nearly concerns his Majesty that if the Pope does not take such Resolutions as may hinder the Spaniards from ruining that Prince under pretence of his Allowance many will believe that France having no more to hope from his Holiness has as little to fear on that side I defire yee to take some pains in this Affair as being of great importance to his Holinesses Reputation and all his Family and the advancement of the Peace I must confess that only the Italians and particularly the Giulii know how to do business as they should do In time of Peace they scatter about their sweet Powders and throw about their Thunders in time of War All that I can say more upon this subject is that I shall always make use of the latter against the Enemies of the Church and his Holiness when there shall be any occasion for it LETTER CXCII To the same Monsieur the Count of Fiesque being sent by the Duke of Parma tells us that he is extreamly alarum'd at two things The one is That His Holiness after he had been sick was no sooner recover'd but he decreed an Excommunication against the said Duke The Second is That the said Duke has receiv'd a Dispatch from the King which gives him three sorts of Advice which are very harsh and ruinous He says That the Purport of the Dispatch is that he should humble himself to the Pope which he is willing to do That he should not make any Scruple of going to Rome which he believes to be very pernicious to his Person And That he should not be afraid of laying down his Arms which he holds to be the Ruin of his Territories I told him that the King had advis'd him plainly and uprightly to humble himself to His Holiness That he had also sent him word that the Agreement being made he was not to make any Scruple either of going to Rome or of laying down Arms before the Pope when His Holiness should have engag'd his Word to His Majesty and other Princes of Christendom for the Performance of his Promise The said Count told me that the Dispatch speaks nothing of these Circumstances which render the King's Counsels very reasonable but only that it speaks cursorily However I know that the Siâ—ur de Lionne's Dispatch which was not arriv'd till the said Count was gone sets down all the Circumstances at large calling to mind that we did it both together But to tell yee the Truth I never saw the rest The said Duke's Affairs are in a bad Condition as far as I can understand by the Count and I see he is greatly afraid of being strip'd of his Territories I must confess 't is a very strange thing that they are so harsh at Rome to a Prince who is guilty of no more then a piece of inconsiderate Conduct which it were to be wish'd had never happen'd For my own part I see to my Sorrow the Spiritual Power of the Church employ'd to render the Temporal Power of the Popes more potent and more effectual to decide certain Differences to their Advantage which are much more prejudiciaâ— then advantageous to the Safety of Souls I am apt to believe that the Sieur de Lionne's â—ourney will take effect both at Parma from whence Mareschal d'Estrees is not yet departed and at Rome where His Holiness will better consider the King 's importunate Desires when he shall find himself press'd by a new Envoy Monsieur of Parma has Fifteen Hunder'd Horse and between Four and Five Thousand Foot Things are now reduc'd to that Point that he will not separate from an Alliance with the Barberini which I would have continue between you and I. LETTER CXCIII To the King of Poland I Assure my self that when Your Majesty knows the particular Circumstances upon which Prince Casimir was seiz'd in France you will not think it strange seeing he was going about to League himself with Spain between which Kingdom and France there has been open Wars for some Years as Your Majesty knows and that instead of going by Sea as he might have safely done he would needs go by Land on purpose to take a View of the Fortresses and Ports upon the Coast of Provence upon which Spain has already divers times had several Designs Now in regard that the Security of Kingdoms does not permit that upon such Occasions any Respect should be shewn to the Quality of Persons it
what Natural Civility Dexterity and Wit inspires into those that are to make use of their Parts Only you must observe That for avoiding all manner of Jealousie there needs no other Order in the Visits that are to be made to Princes and Imperial Cities then what your Journey shall prescribe And that one of the most important things to persuade 'em is that we put a high Value upon their Alliance and that we have an unexpressible Care to preserve 'em and that upon all Occasions they shall receive our Assistance This is that which will slide into their Minds greatly to our Benefit if dexterously insinuated into the Compliments that shall be made 'em if in order to make 'em believe what we promise 'em for the future you artificially lay before 'em what we have formerly done for 'em and how that Henry II. carried his Arms into Germany in Defence of Princes prosecuted to the utmost Extremity How that Henry the Great always protected and favour'd em was strictly united with 'em by the Treaty of Hall and a little before his Death set a powerful Army on foot upon the Supplications of some of the Princes As to the Particular Means they are various according to the various Interests of Princes who have any thing of Quarrel with us The Memoirs presented by their Agents will inform yee of their Pretensions and our Answers annex'd to 'em will let yee know how far we can now go in order to treat 'em civilly upon their Demands After the execrable Parricide committed upon Henry the Great of immortal Memory upon the 14th of May 1610. the Queen being declar'd Regent by the King her Son sitting in Parliament upon his Seat of Justice and being as soon acknowledg'd by the common Consent of the Princes and Lords the Sovereign Courts of the Kingdom and in a Word by all France the first thing she set before her Eyes was the maintaining of Peace and keeping the King's Subjects fix'd to his Person by the Ties of Favours and Benefits To attain this End she renew'd the Edict of Nantes and by that means removes all manner of Jealousie out of the Minds of her Subjects She re-calls Monsieur the Prince of Conde and retrieves him out of the Arms of the King of Spain into which he had thrown himself enlarges his Pensions upon his Arrival makes him great Presents and heaps her Favours upon him opens her Hand of Bounty to all the rest of the Princes and Lords and engages 'em by great Sums of Money Considering that the â—trength of a Prince lies as much in his Counsel as in his Arms and being desirous in all things as much as possibly might be to follow the Steps of the deceased King his Lord and Father she makes use of those whom she finds to have been employ'd by him in the Management of Affairs Things being thus settl'd as she thought to have enjoy'd the Repose which France enjoy'd a Repose so entire that we may truly say she had no other Trouble but that of her Sorrow and her Tears her next Business was to take care of Foreign Affairs The Death of the Duke of Cleves and Juliers being attended with a great Dispute about the Succession the Competitors had Recourse to Arms upon which she takes the same Resolution which the deceased King had taken to interpose her Authority She sends Forces thither to render the Reasons for her composing that Difference more prevalent and powerful Having accomplish'd her Design to the great Reputation of this Crown she preserves the glorious Title which that great Monarch had acquir'd of Arbitratrix of Christendom This Foreign Tempest was no sooner calm'd but a Storm threatens France However she immediately procur'd fair Weather by dissipating the evil Designs of several factious Spirits who to take the Advantage of our Misfortunes would fain in the Assembly of Saumur have engag'd the Kingdom in a War Having warded off this Blow she maintains all things in Peace till the Troubles began at Mavieres in the fourth Year of her Regency Troubles which she stifl'd in the Birth by the Treaty of Monehould Following her Inclination which persuaded her to Clemency she pardons all the King her Son's Enemies and despoils him of some of his Towns to deliver 'em into their Hands opens his Treasure imitating in so doing that same ancient Prince who thought it behoov'd him to give away for the Good of the People what had been hoarded up to that End She endeavours to hold fast those turbulent Spirits with Chains of Gold But her Hands were no sooner empty'd of the Treasure which she had given away to purchase Peace but the Clouds began to thicken again presaging a new â—torm And now the Tempest pouring down she is not daunted but because she did not think fitting to avoid the Tempest by giving way to the Waves she resolves to resist the Weather and make head against the Whirl-wind And indeed her Resolution was attended with such good Success that marching against her Enemies she reduc'd 'em by Force to what she could not bring 'em by Reason Poictou and Bretagne being swept clean she returns in Glory with her Son to Paris The Peace of France being more firmly settl'd by this Progress a War broke out in Italy Thither she sends to quench it and she prov'd so successful that she accomplish'd what she undertook At the same time she declares her Son to be of Age causes the Edicts of Pacification to be re-publish'd and having a little before summon'd together the States of the Kingdom to regulate the Disorders of the Realm and remedy the Oppressions of the Subjects she most industriously labours to render the Fruit of that Assembly conformable to her Designs and being disturb'd in her Design by Branglings Factions and a Thousand Artifices she disappointed 'em all as much as possibly she could That Assembly applauded and thank'd His Majesty for that after he came of Age he had unloaded the Burthen of his Affairs upon her Vigilancy Presently to preserve the King's Dignity she re-demands the City and Castle of Amboise which had been granted to Monsieur the Prince and has 'em surrender'd She importunes the King to consummate tâ—… Marriage projected by the deceased King his Father and decreed by the Queen-Mother and all the Princes and Lords of the Council The King consents to her Request and resolves to accomplish it All those that wish'd him ill oppos'd it and to attain their Ends make use of all manner of Artifices The King departs that he might not perform what he had resolv'd upon with the Consent of the whole Kingdom Monsieur the Prince betakes himself to Arms and some Hugâ—nâ—… and some Catholicks forgetful of their Duty join with him Foreigners are also introduc'd into the Kingdom and nothing but Acts of Hostility firing of Houses Rapes and other Cruelties and Inhumanities are discours'd of The King's Journey is cross'd by the Sickness of Madam his Sister which gave
them from discerning Things such as they are nor a Will that carries 'em contrary to their Knowledge find very little to urge against all this but only to what the Misfortune of Times customary to the Weakness of Minorities introduces for which there is no Remedy to be apply'd But some disaffected Persons like those envenom'd Stomachs that convert into Poison the best of Nourishments observe in the Government many Things which being rightly consider'd deserve rather to be applauded then sound fault with The first Action which they censure is the Marriage with Spain which they put in the first place as a Hidra with several Heads since as they reckon from thence proceeds the Division of France the Rupture of ancient Amities and the Scorn of Foreign Alliances with England Italy and Germany The Second is the Waste of the Treasury The Third is the Fortune of some Foreigners The Fourth and Last is the Seizing of the Prince of Conde so clearly justify'd by what we have said that it would be superfluouâ— to say any more of it here By these Heads artificially disguiz'd and publish'd they decry the Government which however being duly consider'd will appear as worthy as they would render it infamous after we have cut off all the Heads of this monstrous Hydra To make 'em approve the Alliance between France and Spain I shall not insist much upon it that 't is an ordinary thing for those two Kingdoms to unite themselves by Marriages History containing a great Number of Examples Of the most remarkable were the Marriage of Charlemaine with Galiena the Daughter of the King of Toledo Of Lâ—wis VII with Constance the Daughter of Alphonso King of Spain and Galicia Of Lewis VIII with Blanch the Daughter of the King of Castille to which Marriage we are beholding to the Birth of St. Lewis and all the Happiness we enjoy by the Regency of his Mother Of Philip the Bald with Isabel the Daughter of the King of Arragon Of Francis I. with Elenor Sister to the Emperor Charles V. Of Charles IX with Elizabeth of Austria Daughter of the Emperor Maximilian and Grand-daughter to Ferdinand King of Spain I will not urge that because the Enmities between great Personages are frequently pacify'd by Marriages that therefore this Match was useful to establish a Peace between the two Crowns I will not insist that there was nothing remaining for this Monarchy to do being assur'd of all her Neighbours but to secure her self by an Alliance with this Crown to the end that being in no danger from without she might be the more at liberty to reduce those that endeavour'd to trouble the Kingdom within I will not set forth that we have already gain'd this Advantage by Marriages that they have at least depriv'd those who have gone about to trouble the Repose of France the way to make a Benefit of Spain which was formerly wont to foment our Divisions and sow 'em also among us 'T is sufficient to stop the Mouths of those that condemn 'em to justifie 'em and cause 'em to be approv'd by all the World to declare that they were design'd and desir'd by the deceased King that they were agreed to by the Princes Lords and Officers of the Crown transacted by the Duke of Maine commended and desir'd by the Three Orders of the Kingdom imparted to the King of England by the Duke of Bouillon and to other Princes Republicks and Confederates of this Crown by the Ambassadors residing near their Persons and lastly happily accomplish'd And that instead of a bloody War of which as it was given out they were to be the Fore-runners they have been attended with a general Peace over all France which Their Majesties being desirous always to preserve among their People as they have sufficiently made it appear there is no Occasion to fear that contrary to their Words and the Edicts of the deceased Henry the Great they will attempt any thing that may infringe it 'T is to no purpose to urge the daring Humour of the Spaniard seeing that without diving into their Intentions and Designs we should do our selves an Injury to believe that we cannot keep our own and preserve our selves from those who justly ought to fear us Then again 't is an idle Terrour to fear that the Alliance of the two Crowns should occasion the Division of France For no Man will readily believe that a Man will burn his own House to do his Neighbour a Kindness Or that a Man will hate and ruin himself for the Love of another Different Beliefs do not render us different Kingdoms We are all united under one in whose Service no Catholick is so blind as to think a Spaniard better then a French Huguenot There will be found a real Division not in this World but in the other not occasion'd by the Matches between France and Spain but by the Diversity of our Religions If this Match contain'd any Article contrary to the Edicts of Pacification there might be some Reason to fear But there being no such thing quite the contrary seeing the Articles are sign'd and decreed since it is done and consummated seeing the Edicts have been renew'd no less then four times upon the Death of the late King upon the King's Majority at Bourdeaux and at Laudun though those of the Religion had greatly offendeâ— the King in joining with the Rebels what Reason is there to fear that he will give any Interruption to what the deceased King Henry the Great has establish'd for the Union and Tranquility of his Subjects What Reason have they of the pretended Reformed Religion to complain seeing their Edicts have been renew'd under this Reign and confirm'd several times their Pensions augmented and paid notwithstanding all the Exigencies of State Themselves also assisted against the most zealous and furious Catholicks as the Difference between the Rochellers and M. d' Espernon can justifie and lastly favour'd to that degree that we may say that many Enterprizes have been unpunish'd for their sakes You must not forget to insinuate how that we sent back the Spaniards that waited upon the Queen which clearly justifies our Design to make our selves Spaniards in France Moreover You must take an Occasion to signifie to 'em to our Advantage that we desire not the Advancement of Spain We offer 'em tho' discreetly to assist 'em against the Attempts of the King of Spain to set the Crowns of Hungary Bohemia the King of the Romans and the Empire upon the Head of a Child of Spain And to give 'em Proofs of our Affection and to let 'em see that we have no Designs but the Good of the Empire 't were well that you should let 'em know that we pretend to no other thing but only to concurr with 'em to set the said Crowns upon the Head of that Person whom they shall deem most acceptable to His Imperial Majesty and most useful to Christendom Seeing then this Match can create no Jealousie by
without us as things are now If it be a Contempt to suffer Prejudice that we may do another a Kindness we despise our Alliances and which is more we are resolv'd to despise 'em in that manner to the end that by that Contempt we may give 'em all the Cause imaginable not of Complaint but of Content and Satisfaction It appears from hence that our Confederates have all the reason in the World to be satisfied with us and now let us see whether we can satisfie those who are discontented at our Expences The good Husbandry of the deceased King's Treasury left us when he was taken from us Five millions in the Basteille and in the hands of the Treasurer of the Exchequer between seven and eight millions more which he had appointed for the payment of the Army which he had rais'd with an intention to have enlarg'd the Bounds of his Fame which could admit of no other than the Limits of the Universe But the Uncertainty wherein that fatal Accident plung'd us requiring that we should secure our affairs by the counterpoise of a considerable strength we were constrain'd to employ one part of those Finances toward the maintaining for some months a great number of Soldiers that had been raised before so that the said Expence the King's Funeral Charges and the Coronation of the Queen in a short time very much lessened the reserve After the death of that great Prince who was the true Pattern of Government it was impossible to prevent Disorders from growing to such a head while several measuring their Merits by their Ambition were not asham'd to demand and importunately to sollicit where they durst not so much as wish for during the King's Life But they made their Advantage of the Necessity of the Times they offer'd their Service they boast their Abilities to serve or otherwise to do mischief and at length clearly show that they will not be brought to their Duties but upon advantageous Conditions behaving themselves in such a manner that they themselves who had assisted the King in hoarding up his mony advise the Queen to comply with the Times by opening her hands and giving largely to every body In pursuance of this Counsel she augments the Pensions and Maintenances of the Princes Lords and old Servants she gives 'em new ones she augments the Garrisons of their Towns as well for the satisfaction of those that kept 'em as for the security of the Kingdom and keeps in Pay more Soldiers than she was accustom'd to do The augmentation of these Pensions one with another amounted to three millions every year The Roll of the Light Horse and Regiments in Pay is now at Three millions and three hundred thousand Livres whereas in the year 1600 they were no more than Fifteen hundred thousand Livres She bestowed a great number of Presents and so by Advice and Counsel without encreasing her Receipt but decreasing it Two millions and Five hundred thousand Livres upon the Salt every year she encreased her Expences to that degree that upon an exact examination of it and considering the Condition to which we are reduced by so many necessary Expences we are rather to be commended than blamed for being at so great a charge Monsieur the Prince in six years received Three millions six hundred and sixty thousand Livres Monsieur and Madam the Princess of Conti above Fourteen hundred thousand Livres Monsieur de Guise near Seventeen hundred thousand Livres Monsieur de Nevers Sixteen hundred thousand Livres M. de Langueville Twelve hundred thousand Livres Messieurs de Mayenne Father and Son Two millions and odd thousand Livres M. de Vendosm near Six hundred thousand Livres M. d'Espernon and his Children near Seventeen hundred thousand Livres and M. de Bouillon near a million of Livres All the Marshals of France whose number is encreased above half in half received four times as much as they had before their Pensions being augmented to 24000 Livres apiece within six years for every one to 144000 Livres and for eight as they were always wont to be one with another to One million one hundred fifty two thousand Livres Six other Dukes or Officers of the Crown received the same Gratification amounting in six Years to Eight hundred sixty four thousand Livres By this it is easie to see how the Treasure of France was exhausted seeing that eleven or twelve Articles in favour of the Grandees of the Kingdom amount to near seventeen millions not including their Salaries and the Fees belonging to their Employments besides the encrease of Pay for their â—roops of Gens d'Arms the Extraordinaries of War for the Garrisons of their Towns nor reckoning in the last place the Troubles occasion'd by some of 'em Troubles which having three times caused us to betake our selves to Arms have put us to the Charges of Twenty millions in extraordinary expences These things being consider'd can their Majesties be accused of wasting their Treasure must it not be clearly acknowledg'd that if France be in Debt 't is by reason of the Expences she has been constrain'd to be at for her own Children If they who are mentioned have received so many Benefits what have others done They were not remiss either in begging or receiving By consequence the publick Exigencies having constrained the giving not only to those that serv'd us but also to be liberal to the greatest part of those that begged of 'em as it appears by this that the encrease of Pensions concerning which we have spoken in general those of the Princes and Lords being deducted amounts for the last six Years since the King's death to seventeen millions those of the Soldiers in pay to above nine millions and the Gifts bestowed to one or other not to speak of those presented to the Grandees above mentioned to Sums almost incredible If the deceased King who was at liberty to be sparing in his expences because of his absolute Authority could not in ten years of uninterrupted Peace hoard up besides the payment of some Debts above thirteen or fourteen millions can it be a Wonder that in six years of continual Trouble wherein the weakness or misfortune of the times obliged us to have our Hands continually open we should be somewhat in Debt No body ever did so much with so little in so much time never did Vessel resist so great a Tempest with so few Wrecks as were observ'd in ours After this exact account of Expences who will not acknowledge the Blindness and Passion of those who impute the miseries and necessities of this Kingdom to the advancement of some Foreigners Who will not acknowledge that such People blame a Government which is not to be found fault with That they complain when there is no occasion that they condemn Expences which they know in their Consciences were made for their sakes 'T is no strange thing that a Foreigner should make his Fortune out of his Country that in this Kingdom such persons may be advanced
Italy As to the other Business about which your Secretary spoke to me I communicated it to the King and Queen alone by themselves They desire you would sift it a little farther as Opportunities offer to the end you may not only discover the things themselves but who they are that give the Counsel You know well that you are to carry your self nicely in this Affair So that I shall say no more but only that I am c. LETTER XCVII To the Sieur de Lingendes Secretary to the Spanish Ambassador I Have taken a Resolution to send the Sieur de Puy to those Quarters where you are to buy me five and twenty Spanish Horses if he can meet with so many to his liking I make no question but that for my sake you will assist him as much as lies in your Power and chiefly for the obtaining such Pasports as will be necessary for the Exportation of the said Horses Upon which Account I desire you to deliver to the Count d'Olivarez the Letter of which I send you the Copy And if by chance you meet with any Difficulty or that according to the Spanish Custom they go about to put yee off by delaying their Dispatches never trouble your self to dance Attendance after 'em or to follow 'em with Requests and Importunities But tell the Count d'Olivarez that you will send back the said M. de Puy to give me an Account that he could not effect what he came for You are too sufficiently clear-sighted not to give us notice of the Movements you shall observe upon this Occasion So that I shall add no more but that I am c. LETTER XCVIII To M. de Nouailles Ambassador at Rome THE King having done the Marquiss of Sourdis's Daughter a Nun in the Abby of Mâ—…-Maitre the Honour to appoint her Coadjutrix in the said Abby as deeming her worthy of it my affection to her Father and all his Family has induc'd me to write you these lines to beg of you upon that consideration to be earnest with his Holiness and his Nephews not only for the dispatch of the Bulls requisite but also for obtaining a Dispensation by reason of her Age which is necessary for the said Nun so that her whole Family who are not a little glad of this her Preferment may have reason to know of what weight my Recommendation is with you and what esteem you put upon it Assuring you that in all other things wherein I shall have an occasion to testify my acknowledgment you shall find that I am really c. LETTER XCIX To M. de Fontenay Ambassador at Rome THE King being just now going to make great preparations of Men and particularly of Foreigners I thought fit by this Letter once more to renew my request to yee that you would be pleas'd to agree with Cardinal Antonio for raising of 3000 Men according to the proposals which he caus'd to be made to the King so that His Majesty may know the exact time when they will be ready for his Service And to shew the Cardinal how much the King depends upon that Levy he desires they may be sent into France rather then be left in Italy where they will be more apt to desert They may be embark'd at Civita Veechia and landed at Marseilles and by that means the Pope will have no reason to complain seeing the King intends to make use of 'em for the Defence of his Kingdom and not to employ 'em against his Enemies in Italy I beg of yee to hasten this Affair and to send me a speedy answer to what I have written upon this accompt LETTER C. To M. de Marillac Keeper of the Seals I Send you back the Declaration for the maim'd Soldiers with the memoir of what Monsieur the Marshal Schomberg and my self had thought of upon that Subject however submitting the whole to what M. the Cardinal of Rochefoucaut and you shall judge more proper And indeed it is of great importance just and necessary that care should be taken of the lives of those poor Soldiers who can so well contemn it when there is an occasion for the service of His Majesty I am very glad that Monsieur has succeeded so well in his Business I beseech God with all my heart that for the future he may meet with no more Spirits of Division I have been extreamly troubl'd to hear that the King has been indispos'd though it were but slightly and more glad that he is now well again God be thanked as they write me word LETTER CI. To the same Person I Received your Letter of the 4th of this Month in answer to which I must tell you I am very glad to understand there is such a good Correspondence between you and Monsieur the Surintendant it being a thing which I have always desir'd for the good of the King's Affairs not doubting but that it will continue and grow more united every day then other As for the slanders which you mention in your Letter you know how I have been persecuted with ' em But in regard they are altogether groundless there is no heed to be given to 'em they exercise the Patience of those upon whom they are thrown and redound to the honour of those to whose disgrace and mischief they were first intended LETTER CII To the same Person I was desirous to impart to you in this Letter the News which is come to the King which in my Opinion will not be unacceptable to you seeing it is advantageous to His Majesty's Affairs The Enemy designing to hinder the joining of the Army in Savoy with that in Piedmont by stopping up the Passage were so vigorously repuls'd that Eight Hundred were slain upon the place and two Hundred taken Prisoners among which is the Brother of Prince Doria General of the Spanish Cavalry with several other Officers of Note besides Nineteen Colours of Foot and three Cornets of Horse taken I promise my self from the Goodness of God that this happy beginning will be attended with many successes equal to it I pray for it with all my heart and beg of you to believe c. LETTER CIII To M. de Chasteau-neuf Keeper of the Seals I Found M. de Leuville to be of Opinion just as you sent me word After you have heard M. de Castelane I believe M. d' Toyras will submit I send you the Memoir which the said Sieur de Castelane sent me with my Reflections upon it M. de Toiras is one of your distemper'd Spirits who as I am apt to believe with a little help would cure himself I desire it for his own good and for the King's satisfaction because I know he would be well pleas'd to see that he has not sow'd his favours in barren Ground This day I set forward with an intention to get to Paris with that weakness which usually remains after great sickness and with a desire to let you know that I am c. LETTER CIV To the
his Enemies Leisure to multiply in such a manner that they had the Boldness upon His Majesty's Return to dispute his Passage Nevertheless he attains his Ends his Marriage is accomplish'd He passes in view of his Enemies who stood their Ground because that full of Clemency he would not fall upon 'em to the end he might give 'em Time to repent He stops at Poictiers he fights 'em at St. Maixant pursues his Enemies who to avoid the Rigour of his Arms betake themselves for Security to Flight and the Protection of the Night Being quell'd and reduc'd to Extremity he admits 'em to a Treaty with him he buys their Allegiance and besides six Millions which he gave 'em to return to their Duty he gave to the Prince of Conde the City and Castle of Chinon the City and Tower of Bourges the Government of Berry and several Places in that Government and the greatest part of the Demesnes by way of Engagement And thus he puts an End to the War concludes a Peace and restores Rest and Quiet to the People harass'd beyond Measure and eaten to the Bone The good Intentions of these Reformers appear'd in this That instead of discharging the People which serv'd 'em for the pretence of their Discontents their insatiable Appetites oblig'd us to lay heavier Burthens upon 'em that instead of releasing their Pensions which they offer'd to do for the Benefit of the King's Affairs they demanded an Augmentation of 'em and exacted above six Millions more clear Money out of his Coffers The King returns to Paris the Queen advises him to recall Monsieur the Prince to be near his Personâ— and so he in like manner gave Liberty to all that had alâ—…ted themselves to attend His Majesty Monsieur the Prince being arriv'd she shares with him that Authority which she exercis'd with the Permission of the King her Son Nay she does more she despoils her self of it altogether to invest him in it absenting her self from the Councils and leaving to him the entire Administration of the Finances a thing as extraordinary as unheard of But this Obligation was no sooner laid upon Monsieur the Prince but it was forgotten Hardly was a Month expir'd before it was perceiv'd that he was possess'd by those Evil Spirits who always instigated him to the Ruin of France 'T was perceiv'd that he render'd Evil for Good desiring the Government and sowing a Thousand Reports among the People to the Disadvantage of the Queen He goes farther He throws himself into the first Factions cabals all the Societies and endeavours to make sure to himself all the Corporations of Paris To these Ends several Assemblies were held in the Night-time Darkness being proper to cover the Shame which Conspiracies imprint in the Foreheads of their Contrivers The Curates and Preachers were tamper'd with and Publick Faith was violated Peronne was taken by the Arms of the Sieur de Longueville but by the Counsels of Monsieur the Prince and his Adherents This open'd the Eyes of all the World the Aposteme breaks and the Matter appears several discharge their Consciences accuse themselves and testifie their Acknowledgment one Prince deposes a Princess talks two Dukes intervene a Prelate declares what he knows several discover what came to their Knowledge and all unanimously agree to reveal a pernicious Plot against the King his Kingdom and his Government 'T is confirm'd that they assure themselves of Soldiers Lastly Monsieur the Prince speaks believing his Plot discover'd he confesses it to the Queen palliating his Offence as much as he can tells her that the King and she are beholding to him for their Lives and promises never to procure any Meetings and to desist from his factious Beginnings The Queen pardons him resolves to forget all that is past but understanding by undeniable Proofs that the Prince's Acknowledgments were all counterfeited that he had new Meetings that he was resolv'd as before to make himself Master of the King her Son's Person and hers Nature could not permit her to suffer more She shew'd her self to be a Mother she shew'd her self to be a Queen by securing those that sought her Ruin For this Reason she arrested Monsieur the Prince and without doing any Injury to his Person procures the Good of the whole Kingdom by that Means disappointing his pernicious Designs After this Arrest some other Princes and Lords adviâ—…d by their own Fears or by their Consciences withdrew from the Court made a Bustle and a great Noise The Queen without losing her Courage advis'd the King to put himself into a Condition to reduce 'em by Force then to stretch forth his Arms of Mercy and admit 'em to acknowledge their Faults or that if innocent they might justifie themselves if guilty that they might have Recourse to his Compassion To this Effect the King goes to his Parliament and gives 'em an Account of all that had pass'd and imparts to all the World what he need not have done the Reasons which forc'd him to that Resolution promises a strict Performance of the Treaty of Laudâ—n offers Pardon to all those who having render'd themselves guilty by their Actions should deserve it by a quick Return Several Persons interpose complain of these Proceedings find fault with the Arrest though commended by all good Men approv'd by Foreigners as also by Monsieur the Prince though the Person most interested who touch'd in Conscience confesses ingenuously that by securing his Person they secur'd the Person of the King They are offer'd all the Security they could desire they accept of it the King forgets their withdrawing themselves and all that was past Their Majesties receive 'em into their Favour as if they had never given any Cause of Offence All things being now quiet People were astonish'd that M. de Nevers who was never known to have tamper'd with these Factions displeas'd at something that had happen'd between the Governor and him gives himself the Liberty to speak disrespectfully of the Queen and to the disaduantage of His Majesty People wonder'd that he should permit himself to run out into Actions which exceeded the Bounds which no true Subject can transgress in a Sovereign State or ought to exceed in reference to his Prince He provides Arms lists Soldiers takes the Field with some re-inforces his Garisons and fortifies his Towns Intelligence comes from all Parts that they gave out salfe Reports among the People Upon this our Eyes are open'd again the King resolves by the Advioe of all his Council to send Forces to the Places where those Disorders were committed not so much to do any Harm to any Body as to prevent Mischiefs He sends Commissioners into his Mutinous Provinces to inform themselves of such as deviated from their Duties and after an exact Cognizance thereof to apply requisite Remedies This is an exact Recital and as it were a Picture in short of the Government of this Kingdom for these six Years They who have nothing before their Eyes that may hinder
any Condition inserted in those Articles 't is past all Doubt that if they have any Cause to except against it 't is by reason that the Alliance with Spain is of it self odious and prejudicial to Christendom In which Case England deserves more justly to be blam'd then we since she has so passionately sought the same Alliance that we have accepted This Match ought also to give as little Jealousie to the Foreign Protestants as to the French since the Interests of State that bind Princes are different from the Interests of the Salvation of Souls which obliging us to live and die in the Church wherein we were born bind us only in respect of others to desire 'em by fair Means not to hall 'em by Force and Constraint Several Christians have been so united with Mis-believers that their Arms have never been separated in Conquests of this World though in those which they pretend to Heaven they have been divided Since Errour insinuated it self into Europe into England and among our selves these Crowns have been united together by the same Bonds Philip King of Spain having married Elizabeth the Daughter of Henry II. these two Kings being greatly puissant Henry naturally Warlike and an Enemy to the Huguenots the Crown of England enjoy'd by a Woman the Catholicks potent in her Country Scotland was Leagu'd to France by the Marriage of Francis the Dauphin to Mary Steuart The Huguenots were every where weak they had not any Province in Flanders not one in France Liberty of Conscience was forbid nevertheless these two Crowns were so far from making any Advantage of their Union against the Queen of England and other neighbouring Countries that on the other side the Huguenots in France rebell'd against their King in Flanders against their Prince and in Scotland against their Queen All that we desire is to preserve our selves in such a manner that they may make no Attempts upon us In that Case we shall shew that no People surpass us in desiring to maintain our ancient Alliances for which we have a high Value Does not our desire to renew our Union with England appear by the Tye which binds us to Spain It appears by the Conditions which we have coveted to that end that we wholly desire that Alliance and by the proceeding of the English who have relax'd in their pursuit of it in prosecution of new Alliances with Spain that there is Cunning if not Malice in what they do to render us odious in order to make themselves acceptable Can it be call'd a Contempt of our ancient Alliances with Spain that we keep in Pay four thousand Foot for the preservation of the Protestants in that Kingdom whereas we were not bound by the Treaty to pay 'em above two years Is it not sufficient for us that we know it was one of the last marks of the deceased King's Good-will to bestow upon 'em Seventeen millions all at once Is it a Contempt of our ancient Alliances to take care of the continuance of the Treaties between them and the Arch-Duke of Austria To give the Republic of Genâ—a a Pension of 24000 Crowns which was paid in the midst of our Necessities and for the maintenance of the Garrison necessary for their defence Is it a Contempt of our ancient Alliances with Germany to set an Army on foot in order to compose the Differences that happened about the affair of Cleves and Juliers Does the Treaty of Kempen at the Instance and by the Authority of France does that I say testifie our Scorn of ' em If it be not perform'd where lies the fault but among those who possessing the thing in Contest as it were in deposito will not let go their hold for the turning of their Titular Possession into succession of Time Have they not themselves forg'd Difficulties to bring about their ends Has not France offer'd to become Guarantee of the Treaty with England Has she not often renew'd her importunity as now she does Is it a Contempt of our ancient Alliances in Italy to take Arms to hinder the Duke of Savoy from oppressing the Duke of Mantua and afterwards to interpose on purpose to prevent Spain who comes in for her Stakes from ruining the Duke of Savoy The Conclusion of the Treaty of Ast does it not shew our great Care of our Neighbors If the Treaty have not taken effect are the mediators the cause of it If the Parties are not so free to perform as to promise the Conditious shall they who have taken their Words be accountedâ— guilty If afterwards they slip in some obscure Article into their Treaties to the end that by putting their own Interpretation upon them they may take from thence a plausible Pretence to disclaim em when they please as it has fallen out in that particular where lies the Fault The Spaniard obliges himself to remove from the Duke of Savoy the Jealousie of his Arms the Duke interprets this Article to be an absolute laying down of Arms The Spaniard averrs That his meaning was never to oblige himself to stand to that Condition are we to be responsible for these Shifts and Artifices Is it not sufficient that His Majesty interposes afresh to reconcile this Dispute Does he not satisfie by so doing what he may be thought to owe the Duke of Savoy out of Civility by permitting his Subjects freely to assist him That his whole Army consists of Twenty thousand men Is this a feeble Succour to a Prince What have we done that it might not be thought we have broken the Laws of our alliance with that Prince We permitted a passage to the Duke of Nemours but how With such assurance that he should have no Benefit by the Permission when the Embassadors of Savoy agreed to it judging before us that in so doing we should oblige Spain without opening her Purse since his Master could receive no Prejudice People are too apt to observe what with most probability be said against us but not what really justifies us They raise Causes of Complaint but pass over in silence that for which they ought in Justice to thank us Then again where is there any Englishman German Hollander or Reiter to be found in the Duke of Savoy's Army Yet these are the Nations who tacitely find fault with us doing in this like him who standing upon the brink of a River assists in words his drowning Friend but blames another who to save him from the danger ventures the drowning himself Is it a Contempt of our ancient Alliances with Spain to grant the Venetians a passage through the Grisons which they cannot have without us and without which the Arch-Duke de Grets would have had great Advantages over ' em Is it a dealing unkindly with that Republic not only to grant 'em a free passage but also to permit 'em to allye themselves with the Grisons to the end that afterwards without our intermediating they might enjoy that passage which they could not have
to Honours and Employments History produces so many Examples of it that instead of being troubled to find 'em out a man may make his choice of such as he pleases to make use of That which is so much discoursed of is far from the Degree of Preferment to which others have attain'd he is only a Foreigner born but so much a French Foreigner that he shows his Fortune to none but French How many of the best Families of this Kingdom have been advanced by his procurement Where is that man whom we loaded with his Master's Favours who is not obliged to their Majesties for ' em In England all the Scotch are advanced and no Englishman in France but one Stranger only all the rest French What cause for Complaint in this If there be any 't is they that make it are to be blamed and not they who are complained against Since it may be truly said to conclude all in three words the Government was such that if we consider it without Passion there can be nothing found in answer to this Article nor to any thing else here set down but that there may be seen to have been in it too much Clemency without Rigor too many Favours without Punishment Signed RICHELIEV The Instruction sent to M. Miron going into Switzerland in 1617 signed also DE RICHLIEU was all the same only that it began with these words After the most execrable Parricide committed upon the Person c. And that some lines were left out about the middle after these words You must not forget to insinuate how we send c. to these words exclusively This Marriage not being able to give any Jealousie c. Instructions for Monsieur de Marquemont Archbishop of Lyons for Rome 1617. From Mr. du Puy 's Study M.S. 504. THE King sent his Commands to the Marquess de Tersnel by his Secretary to go back to Rome in case he met him in any part of Italy to continue to serve his Majesty there in the Quality of his Ambassadour in ordinary judging it necessary in the present Conjunture of Affairs to give his Holiness a constant and perfect Knowledge thereof But the said Secretary found him so forward on his way that the Marquess could not easily comply with the said Order and therefore proceeded towards the Court where at his Arrival he has confirmed his Majesty's Resolution about the sending of some Mâ—n of Quality and Merit whose Person might be acceptable to the Pope and Sacred College until another be sent thither to reside there with the Title of his Ambassador in Ordinary in the usual manner There is indeed at Rome Cardinal Vicenzo late Vice Protector whose Fidelity and Affection the King is fully satisfied with and Cardinal Vrsini lately honoured with the Comprotectorship who both take Care of his said Majesty's Affairs in his Ambassador's Absence But whereas there seems to be a certain Emulation between them concerning the Mannagement and Direction of the said Affairs and that it is highly important to represent the true State and Constitution thereof to his Holiness together with the Causes and Motives of the Counsels and Resolutions that have been taken by his Majesty which can never be performed so well as by Persons sent on purpose with fresh Informations of whatsoever has been transacted there his Majesty has been induced by the aforesaid Considerations to send the Archbishop of Lyons expresly to Rome being perswaded that he could chuse no person more fit for the executing of that Office by reason of the Experience the late King of glorious Memory had of him there when he served the Holy See and his late Majesty in the Quality of Auditor in the Rota and the Reputation he has left there of his Virtue and Probity which will give him the more Credit with his Holiness and the sacred College whenever any Occasion shall happen to treat with them for his Majesty's Service There are Two Affairs depending at this Time which require this Ministry the one general relating to the Publick Tranquility of Italy and indeed of Christendom the other particular respecting the Welfare of this Kingdom and both of them the Honour and Satisfaction of his Majesty The said Archbishop is to begin the performing of his Office by kissing the Feet of his Beatitude in the King's Name by presenting the Letters his Majesty has written to him with his own Hand by assuring him of the Perseverance of his Devotion and Filial Observance of his Zeal and Desire for the Increase and Propagation of the Holy Name of God and of the Catholick Apostolick Roman Religion according to the Example of the Kings his Predecessors and of his Affection and Care to promote and settle the general Repose of Christendom as also to maintain Union and Concord among all the Princes his good Friends Allies and Neighbours to make them Sharers of that Peace with which it has pleased God to bless his Kingdom by the Death of the Marshal d'Ancre who was the sole Incendiary and real Cause of the Troubles that have been raised of late Years and the Spring of those Divisions that have perplexed all the parts of the State and the Minds of the Grandees thereof making use of both to advance himself to increase his Credit and Authority under the King's Minority the Weakness of a Regency and a confused Government That having attained such a degree of Power and Insolence by means as unjust as base and after having received more Favours and Honours than ever he could deserve or at first durst hope for he had reduced the Power of his Sovereign to the necessity of serving his unruly Passions and made it the Instrument of his insatiable Avarice and unbounded Ambition insomuch that after he had caused most of the Princes and ancient Officers of the Crown to be removed from his Majesty's Person in order to mannage and dispose all things with greater Liberty and to imbezle and order the King's Revenue at his Pleasure under Pretence of doing him Service in respect to the principal Affairs of State he brought the Kingdom into Confusion that he might govern alone according to his own Fancy to the Disgrace and Prejudice of the Dignity and Authority Royal and took the Advantage at the Expence of his Majesty's innocent afflicted Subjects of the Calamities and Miseries of the War of which he was the principal Author and Contriver to secure the Fortune he had built upon such illegal Foundations which his Majesty after having born too long has been forced to destroy in order to restore Peace to his People and deliver the Kingdom from the Persecution of a Man that was so Ingrateful and Wicked the Consequence whereof has immediately convinced every one how pernicious and destructive his Life was to the State which has recovered its Vigor and former Peace by his Death The Princes and Lords who had taken up Arms presently returned to their Duty and assured the King of their entire
been so pleas'd but only to give him a constant Account thereof His Majesty having no Interest in the matter provided the Catholick Religion be thereby promoted he preferring that Consideration to all the Policies that can occurr upon this Account though perhaps others would not deal with so much Candour towards him But whereas his Majesty is of Opinion that this proposition of Alliance is only to gain time and to improve occasions on both sides as it appears sufficiently by all their proceedings in relation to the general affairs in which they are concern'd so his Majesty thinks fit not to trouble himself any further with it but to refer it all to the Prudences and wise Consideration of his Beatitude Who must needs be sensible by the good Offices lately done at Venice for the restauration of the Jesuits in their Demean what care his Majesty takes to promote whatever tends towards his Holiness's satisfaction who has express'd a great deal of concern in this Affair as a thing tending to the service of God the honour of which might have been rais'd had the Republick been pleas'd to adhere to his Holiness's and his Majesty's good Councils and Salutery Remonstrances And though his Majesty has some reason to be dissatisfy'd with the refusal he has incur'd at his Holinesses Intreaty he having expos'd his Name and Dignity in this Business contrary to his first intentions fore-seeing this resistance from the Seignory Nevertheless in order to do well in all things whenever any reasonable likelihood of success shall appear in the issue of the said Recommendation his Majesty will freely undertake it a new But at present his Majesty is of Opinion that it is proper to refer it to another Season when time shall have made the Venetians sensible of the fault they have committed and of the misfortunes which may arise in their State by the Banishment of the said Fathers If his Holiness should put the said Commandore upon the subject of the Enterprise of Geneva to which he has lately invited his Majesty by a person sent on purpose he is to make him sensible according as it has already been freely declar'd to his Nuncio and to Father Barnabite sent on purpose on that subject that this would be directly contrary to the design his Majesty has propos'd to himself in this Kingdom to remove the Opinion which some malicious persons publish that by the War he makes against his rebellious Subjects he aims at their Religion and not at the Faction which would make them all Unite again not only in France but those of the same Sect out of the Kingdom who hitherto have only been Spectators of this Tragedy which the said Revolters have been the cause of his Majesty having all along told and satisfy'd them that without respect to Religion he only attacks Disobedience and that if any of his Catholick Subjects should lay aside their Allegiance he would use them in the same manner for the good of the publick Peace and for the security of his Authority Had he consented to this Enterprize against Geneva these publick Causes failing he would be at a loss for the prosecution of this project which is in such forwardness And therefore when the said Nuncio and the Ministers of Savoy have press'd him upon that affair they have sound the solidity of his Reasons by his Answers besides the reasons of State which his Majesty does not alledge at this time and which have always been held in great consideration by the late King his Father when the said Duke as he has often done has propos'd the said design But possibly he has thought that his Majesty being imploy'd at home could not so easily divert him from the said design or that his Holiness would have more power to persuade him If the Duke speaks to the said Commandore about it he is to make the same answer to him and that his Majesty for these Reasons which have been known to him heretofore cannot agree to the said Enterprize and that when he has put a good order to his Affairs according to his good beginning it will then be more â—asie for him to resolve about it and to consider of means to favour his Highnesses designs who at this time would do better to joyn with his Holiness to seek out and propose good expedients to promote the advancement of his Majesty's good design in his Kingdom the rather because the security of his Neighbours and the Publick Peace partly depends on the good Condition thereof by the counterpoise every body knows his Majesty's power keeps against other Kings and States which might make attempts to the prejudice of the Common Liberty The said Commandore is also to represent that his Holiness has good informations thereof his Majesty's happy Progresses the last Year and the advantage he has gain'd by the reduction of upwards of Sixty Garrisons his being resolv'd to prosecute his Fortune a great deal farther yet unless the said Revolters submit to their Duty of their own accord on such conditions and submissions as are requir'd from Subjects to Soveraigns That he is persuaded that as God has been pleas'd hitherto to favour his Arms he will still assist him for the future since he has no other end but the maintaining of his Authority and the promoting of Religion under the favour of the Edicts as much as justice and their behaviour will permit him being now ready to march under the protection of God whom he intreats his Holiness to implore for him as he has hitherto done in order to prosecute the success of his just and pious design And the said Commandore is to take care to acquaint his said Holiness with his Majesty's Moral and Pious Life a true example for his Age to all other Kings He assures himself that God will grant the Vows and Prayers of his Holiness and of all his Majesty's good Subjects thus following the paths of Honour and Vertue which gives hopes besides that being seconded by his Holiness's good Advice he will daily fructify for the better and employ those advantages bestow'd on him by Providence to the Honour of his Holy Name and unto the benefit of the Christian Common-wealth And it is highly important for the promotion of this good Work that it be favour'd and that all the World may know that it was undertaken by the Authority of his Holiness his Predecessors having lost many favourable occasions to advance the publick good for want of so doing His Majesty expects from the Justice and Wisdom of his Beatitude that making his profit of their Faults and Omissions in what relates to him he will be more careful of it and will look upon him as the most Christian King first Son of the Church who in his private and publick Conduct aims at nothing but the Exaltation of the Holy Name of God Equity and the general Good and Peace of Christendom These things appear particularly in the Actions which are done in
affection imaginable from his Majesty They are to do the same to Porre and to the Mayor of the City and to acquaint his Majesty what rewards they think fit for them The King consents to receive Gajis into some City in the middle of his Kingdom to make him Sergeant Major there and to allow him a perpetual Pension of Two Thousand Livers upon a particular receipt of the Tailles in order thereunto Letters Patent shall be expedited for him the Preamble whereof shall be for having secur'd Cazal from Treason The said Cardinal and the said Sieur d' Hemery are to send him away as soon as he shall desire it and are to give him a thousand Crowns for his Journey out of the money which is due from Bresme which shall be reimplac'd if necessary As to what relates to the Garrison and Fortifications of Cazal Monsieur de Noyers has taken upon him not only to get the Bill of Exchange of 30000 Livers accepted but also to provide for all other things that are necessary The said Ambassador in order to justify his Majesty's Actions is to give a particular account from himself of all the Transactions at Cazal to the Marshal d' Estrâ—… du Houssay de la Thuillerie and la Tour because his Majesty referrs all to him The King having Examin'd the propositions made by the Dutchess of Savoy about the renewing the Treaty of the Offensive and Defensive League sends a project of Treaty with the Preamble to the Cardinal de la Valette and the said Sieur d' Emery such as they themselves have esteem'd reasonable and Authorises them to pass it immediately This they are to apply themselves to to settle the Dutchess's mind which otherwise might be agitated by the divers propositions that are daily made to her The said Cardinal de la Valette and Emery are to observe not to give the said Dutchess the Title of Royal Highness in the Treaty because His Majesty is resolv'd not to alter his wonted manner of treating with the Duke of Savoy This they are to acquaint the said Dutchess with in a very civil manner assuring her that if the King does not do every thing according to her desire it is only because time and occasions are not fit for it since he has all the affection for her she can desire The Article which relates to the Princess of Mantua is worded in such a manner That the King does not oblige himself to include her into the Treaty which point it is not likely the Dutchess of Savoy will insist upon by reason of the sentiments which we may suppose she is in at this time But in case she should do it it might be requir'd of her to include the Duke of Modena into the League since the Duke of Savoy has promis'd to do it by the Treaty of Rivole and thus her desire in this point may be evaded The King Orders the said Cardinal and Emery to take care not to ingage His Majesty into new Expences for the 3000. Foot and 1200 Horse he is to maintain for the Dutchess of Savoy and in order thereunto they are to use their endeavours to get the 5th Article past according to the Note in the Nargin But in case the said Dutchess should insist upon the Effective payment of the intire Summ of 840000 Livers they are to consent to it telling her that the King makes that Effort out of respect to her only As to what relates to the 6th Article the King could wish it might pass as it is worded in the project sent by him however if it cannot be done His Majesty is willing that additions be made to it according to the said Cardinal and said Ambassadors Notes The said Cardinal and said Ambassador are to consider the 11th Article of the Project annex'd hereunto which obviates the inconveniences they think may arise in case it were drawn in the form desir'd by the said Durches's Ministers It is thought she will make no maâ—…er of â—…ficulty of passing it as it is drawn in the Project since it is much to her advantage The Summs that were due for the Years 1636. and 1637 have been retrench'd out of the 13th Article The said Cardinal and Ambassador are to pass the 14th Article as it is worded by the said Dutchesses's Ministers making her sensible how great a demonstration this is of the sincerity of his Majesty's Intentions and of his desire to give her all manner of Satisfaction The King is willing the said Cardinal and Ambassador should sign the secret Article as it was agreed on at the Treaty of Rivole If it were possible to avoid mentioning the War of Genoa it would be very proper But the said Cardinal and Ambassador are not to insist upon it neither are they to make any overture about it if they think it may provoke the said Dutchess of Savoy Done at Compiegne May. 22. 1638. Sign'd LEWIS c. An important and secret Memoire sent from the King to Marshal Chastillon WHEN Monsieur de Chastillon was forc'd to raise the Siege of St. Omers Monsieur de la Force and he sent the Sieur Pagan to the King to acquaint him that it was absolutely necessary to raise the said Siege and that they were both of Opinion at their removal from thence to besiege Hesdin The King according to this Advice sent them word that since they could do no better he did adhere to their Proposition and in order to enable them the better to put it in Execution he resolv'd to advance as far as Amiens Saligny came to the King at Amiens sent by those Gentlemen to acquaint his Majesty that they were still of Opinion that it was fit to besiege some place but only they were in doubt whither it should be Hesdin or Arras His Majesty's Opinion was that Arras requir'd too large a Circumvallation for the return of an Army and that there was too much difficulty to carry Provisions thither and thus the Attack of Hesdin was resolv'd upon The Question is now What is most proper to be done equally weighing the Considerations which may induce to do something and those that may hinder it as well as the present State of His Majesty's Forces His Majesty's Reputation requires that the Misfortuâ—e happen'd before St. Omers should be repair'd The Consideration of his Person which hitherto has never been expos'd without Effect seems also to desire it The Desire of a Peace which cannot be expected unless our Affairs are successful is an absolute Obligation to do it as well as His Majesty's Engagement with his Allies who expect some considerable Performance from him in order to enable them to do the same This is so absolutely necessary that in case neither of them should do any thing one of these things will infallibly happen either we shall never have a general Peace or some of our Allies making theirs separately France will be involv'd in an eternal War with all the Disadvantages that can be
expected of a Kingdom that will be oblig'd alone to sustain all the Efforts of the House of Austria that is of all Germany Spain Flanders and Italy To avoid these Inconveniencies it is necessary to resolve what is to be done taking as much Care not to engage in a Design manifestly impossible as not to undertake those that are possible because they are difficult Messieurs de la Force and de Chastillon's Armies must not be reckon'd to consist of upwards of 22000 Men for fear of being deceived The Mareschal de Breze's of 8000. The King including the Body commanded by St. Prcuil may have about 4000 Men Horse and Foot We are raising about 10000 Men for Recruits which are not to be depended upon for upwards of 6000. We have abundance of Warlike Ammunitions and Provisions and of all things necessary for a great Design The Enemies having put Men into several Garisons as it is represented cannot have upwards of 15000 Men in the Field The King desires the Generals of his Armies without shewing this Memoir to any body under pain of Treason to send him their Opinion speedily in Writing at the bottom thereof The Mareschal of Chastillon 's Answer to the said Memoir SInce His Majesty by the Advice of His Eminency is resolv'd to employ the remainder of this Campaign on some Design that may maintain his Credit with his Allies and be advantageous for his own Affairs as it is reasonable not to propose any thing the Success of which may be uncertain and bordering upon Impossibility as well as not to stop upon Difficulties which might hinder the undertaking of some Design worthy of the Reputation of his Arms. I find that the Opinion of the King's Council as well as ours fixes upon Hâ—sden which seems at present to be the only important Place proper to besiege by reason of the Conveniency for the Subsistence of the Army there the Convoys for the Provisions and Warlike Ammunitions being at small distance from each other without the Enemies being able to obstruct them in the least considering also that the quantity of Cannons Powder and Bullets lies ready almost upon the very Spot and adjacent Frontier-Towns which is a great Advantage for that Undertaking besides our being favour'd by the Woods and the River great Conveniences for a Seige We must also consider what is against us The Place in question is incomparably well fortify'd provided with Ordnance and all manner of Warlike Ammunitions and a Garison consisting of 2500 Men chosen out of the best Forces of the Netherlands Therefore I am of Opinion that this Siege cannot be undertaken with less than 15000 effective Foot and all the Horse in Mareschal de la Force's Army and that under my Command The Body commanded by St. Preuil and that which is with the King joining the Mareschal de la Force's Men and mine will supply the Loss of Men we have sustain'd either by Sickness or Deserters which have weaken'd us since we remov'd from St. Omers The Mareschal de la Force will acquaint His Majesty by Word of Mouth with the Number of Men both Horse and Foot under our Command By this means the Mareschal de Breze's Army will remain free to succour those that shall stand most in need of it according to the Resolution which the Commanders of the Enemies Armies may take when they find us engag'd in a long Siege In case they come up directly to us when the new Forces they expect are join'd with them the Body of Men commanded by Mareschal de Breze not being far from us joining our Army in case of need we shall be able to maintain the Siege against all the Forces that can fall upon us and to guard the Frontier of Picardy as far as it extends from Calais to Peronne But if the Enemies should attempt a Diversion at a greater distance drawing towards Guise or father towards the Frontier of Champagne I am of Opinion that it will be necessary to detach an Army sufficiently considerable to oppose the Designs of the Enemies In such a Case a Detachment might be made of half the Horse of the Mareschal de la Force's Army as well as of that under my Command to join with the Mareschal de Brezâ— which together with his Foot may compose an Army considerable enough to observe the Enemies Motions along the Frontier being favour'd by the chief Towns which will easily furnish him with all things necessary Thus the General who shall command that Army may easily hinder the Enemies from forming any considerable Siege or from entring into Champagne to make any considerable Spoil there Some Regiments of Foot that have been sent under the Conduct of Monsieur de Bellefonds may re-inforce the Army going into those Parts It seems to me by this means that all things may be provided for and the Siege propos'd carry'd on In which after the Circumvallation is made 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse effective must be employ'd and encamp'd within our Lines and Quarters We must make two different Approaches the Guard of each consisting of 1500 Men considering the Force of the Garison We daily find our Armies weaken'd by Distempers therefore we must be sure of the Arrival of the 6000 effective Men of the Recruits by the 15th or 20th of September to maintain the Army and keep it in the Field until the middle of November this Siege being likely to employ us till then Provided this be done I am of Opinion that this Design may be undertaken If His Majesty does me the Honour to employ me alone it or with such a Collegue as he shall think fit to chuse I will use my utmost Care Industry and Pains to perform it But as to answer for the Events which may happen by Accidents unforeseen I do not think that any General having the least Experience would undertake to command on such Conditions The King who is very skilful in our Trade and His Eminency who is very clear-sighted in all things will easily resolve with the Advice of those that are about His Majesty upon what is sit to be undertaken without losing Time and I will always boldly and faithfully execute whatever I am commanded Instructions for the Baron d' Oysonville THE King having receiv'd Notice of the Duke of Weymar's Death and being desirous to provide for all things relating to his Service and the Advantage of the common Cause upon an Accident so unexpected and of such Consequence His Majesty has thought fit to dispatch unto Count Guebriant Mareschal of his Camps and Armies commanding his Forces under the said Duke's Command a trusty Person well instructed with his Intentions on this Subject and to that end he has chosen the Baron d'Oysonville Captain of a Troop of Chevaux Leyers in his Sereice The said Oysonville is to repair with all speed to the said Count Guebriant and is to know that the chief End of his Journey is to fix and secure those Forces into His