remaining under the condition of your Protection When things were well with us we despised the Counsel of our Friends and if we may so express it the Respects of our Native Country even until all is lost let us find at least if you please Sir in your Justice that which we have now no more means of recovering 1628. May. by the Clemency of the King our Soveraign God hath furnished us yet with life and vigour enough though with Wounds altogether fresh and bleeding to expect your relief yet one Month more Let your Majesty second this Miracle and to your Immortal Glory see us raised and the Churches of this Kingdom restored who without your aid cannot expect less than the stroke of the Knife that iss held so near our Throats Behold Sir our most humble and most ardent Supplications or to express it better in one word it is our Testament which we shall leave written upon your Throne before Heaven and Earth for a Memorial to Posterity of the most strange and memorable Desolation that an Innocent people ever suffered the incomparable occasion whereof may ever serve to sum up the Might and Puissance of a great King as you Pardon Sir to Women little Children Mothers and Fathers dragged together to the same punishment if they cannot speak at this time but with cutting words the face of dying persons is always frightful but the anguish of Death shall never make us deny to be for all this your Serene Majesties Rochel May 18. 1628. SIR Most humble and most obedient Servants the Mayor Sheriffs Councellors Peers Burgers and Inhabitants of Rochel and for all Guitton Mayor 1628. June JVNE The first of June in the night the Rochellers sent out two Shalloops one full of Fire-works and the other a Fire-ship to blow up some of the Vessels of the Pallisade to the end to make way for the Galliots which they were to send into England but having set fire too soon one wherein were the Fire-works flew in pieces before her arrival at the Pallisade and the other run ashore toward Port-Neuf which obliged the Galliots to return into the City The same day about six or seven in the morning the Sieur Tallement came into Rochel as well about some Affairs of his own as to sound the Rochellers if they would come to a Treaty but making no advance in it returned in the Evening The same day the Sieur Grandzy Colonel of a Regiment of light Horse came to the Port Coigne demanding to speak with the Mayor or with some on his behalf Immediately the Sieurs Proâ— Pierre Toupet Defos and Mosquay were nominated by the Council to whom he offered on the behalf of Monsieur Bassompier as having Power from the King to do all he could for procuring them a good Peace they answered him speaking in the Name of all the Body and following their Instructions that they desired to remain under the Obedience they owe the King but that they could do nothing before they had communicated it to their Deputies in England the Duke of Rohan and the Churches so that after returning most humble thanks to Monsieur Bassompier they supplicated him to mediate for them to the King 1628. June for necessary Pass-Ports and in the mean time permission for some competent Provisions to come into the City that during the Negotiation they might spare their Magazines After this Answer he parted promising to return the next day in the morning to bring them an Answer which he also did and declared to them that the King would not receive their Propositions but that his will was that they should submit to an Entire Obedience to which it was told him that the City could not understand that and that they would rather expect such Event as it should please God to give them and so they separated The 7th with the Night-tide betwixt ten and eleven in the Evening the Rochellers sent out a Galliot to cross the Pallisade which he found impossible for him to do because those of the Pollisade kept good Guards with their Galliots and pursued him unto the Haven making a great many Cannon-shot at him The 10th in the morning at the opening of the Port S. Nicholas entred the Sieur de la Land du Lac coming from England bringing a Letter from the King of Great Britain signed Charles Rex dated the 19th of May old stile directed to the Mayor Sheriffs Peers Burgers and Inhabitants of the City of Rochel without having any from their Deputies which caused great jealousie in the Rochellers they not being able to believe that the King had writ because their Deputies who were near his Person did not advise of it by which Letter he gave them an assurance of a puissant succour within a few days and of his good will towards them and concern for them exhorting them to be of good courage and that in a short 1628. June time they should â—eâ— themselves delivered The Letter is as followeth Gentlemen BE not discomforted though my Fleet be returned hold out unto the last for I am resolved that all my Fleet she ll perish rather than you should not be relieved and to this end I have countermanded it and have sâ—nt Ships to make them change their design that they had taken to come back I shall shortly send you some number of Ships to reinforce it and with the help of God the success will be happy for your Deliverance May 19. N. Stile Your good Friend CHARLES R. A Messieurs les Maire Escheuin c. The 15th the Rochellers writ this Letter to their Deputies in England as well to let them understand thâ—ir nâ—cessities as to cause them to hasten the succours A Letter from the Rochellers to their Deputies in England Gentlemen This is the seventh since our last perplexity and is to press you being on our parts strangely pressed and almost oppressed even to that degree that our total loss seems not far off if you come not readily to relieve us We have Provisions but for one Month to reckon 1628. June from this day notwithstanding the best order that we can take there is already many Families in horrible extremity and who live only of Herbs yet nevertheless we hope by the help of God to draw out our lives until the middle of July and do you raise Arguments from hence for your pressing with diligence and importunity without end his Serene Majesty from whom notwithstanding our extreme necessity and the Artifice which men have used it hath not been in any kind possible to divide us Some days passed they made us new Invitations to Treat but having demanded Pass ports for sending to his Majesty and the Duke of Rohan upon the refusal thereof the Treaty is broke Fail not to represent this to him as also the confidence that we put in his Royal Word which next to God is our only support We promise our selves as much his relief as we know the facility to it is
certain and if the Earl of Denby had desired it he had infallibly carried away the Pallisade Now our fear is that if they there delay they will not here be guilty of neglect but finish the Digue by Masons work If the Count had stayed he had famished the Kings Camp and maintained in us a strong hope as also the Affairs of the Duke of Rohan in great Reputation you know how to make your Conjectures To conclude Gentlemen we send you these words of Consolation that God in mercy hath revived us more than ever in this Common Calamity we being all resolved to expect speedily from you an assured Life or to take Death patiently rather than survive the loss of 1628. June our Religion Country and the butchery of our Families These are from Messieurs Your most affectionate servants the Mayor Sheriffs Councellors Peers and Burgers and for all Guitton Mayor Rochel June 5. 1628. This Week some Souldiers killed Horses and sold the Flesh for Beef at ten or eleven Sols the pound but being discovered they were imprisoned for it because they were not then reduced to eat such Meat having yet Beef Mutton and Poultry which they sold publickly The â—1th in the morning there came to Rochel from England a Souldier called la Paillette bringing a Letter from the King of Great Britain dated the â—7th of May old stile sealed with the Arms of England subscribed Your good Friend Charles R. and another from our Deputies writ at Plymouth the ninth of June the tenure of which confirmed that of Sieur de la Land du Lac as also did that brought by another Gentleman called S. Martin who arrived the 24th about eleven or twelve in the Evening sealed with the Kings Seal and red Wax subscribed your good Friend Charles R. which is as followeth Gentlemen I Have been troubled to hear that my Fleet was upon the point of returning without answering my Commands which was to force the entry of your Provisions 1628. June whatever came of it and have given new Orders to return into your Road and not stir until it hath relieved you with Victuals or that I have sent them an additional strength for which I have caused men to work with all diligence Be assured that I will never abandon you and that I will imploy all the force of my Kingdom for your deliverance until it please God to bless me with giving you an assured Peace Given at our Palace of Westminster May 27. 1628. old stile Gentlemen Your good Friend CHARLES R. During this time the Digue was made by Stone-work every day stronger than other and was advanced in such sort on both sides that there remained but a little Channel to shut where passed the Current of the Tide and this Channel was filled from one end to the other with Vessels and Engines besides that there was before the Digue a Pallisade of floating Vessels anchored and tyed one to another by great Cables and Chains of Iron which rose and fell with the Sea as it came in and went out with many Engines and Candlesticks an Engine called so because made in the form of a Candlestick to the end that their intanglement might render the access more difficult and perilous for those that would undertake to force it and enter Rochel At this time died in the City the Sieur de Loudriere of a Burning Fever and was honourably interred according as his Rank and Quality of Chief Justice required 1628. July JVLY About the end of this Month and beginning of July they began to kill Horses Asses Mules Dogs Cats and other such Creatures the Fâ—â—â—h of which was sold for ten and eleven Sols the pound that of Horse-flesh was above all savoury there being little difference betwixt it and Seâ—f In the mean time the Famine so increased every one reserving to themselves their Provisions that the greatest part were in great want and Bread failing they had recourse to Brazil Sugar Dregs Colworts Frigased with a little Tallow and such other nourishment A little before and above aâ— when the English shewed themselves at the Head of the Bay in the Month of May the Mayor and hâ—s Council caused more than two hundred Hogsheads of Pilchers which were a little spoiled â—o be cast away for fear they should bring a Contagion in the City believing they should have â—o need of them succours being at their Gates but in this necessity they would have been of â—reat use for want of other Victuals the people scattered themselves upon the Fens where tâ—e Salt-pans were to make War with Eels and other little Fishes and on the Coast to fish for Cockles and after that eat all sorts of Herbs as Puâ—slain Savage Sampire water Caltrops good and bad boiling them in two or three waters to take away the bitterness and ill taste and filled themselves with them In the end they sell on Leather Hides and every thing that they could steep and boil and cutting them into little morsels they sold them in the Tripe-Market making Frigases of them with a little Tallow and Water in the 1628. July Stewing-pan others did it with Gelly and Sugar from this time the Famine increased exceedingly Besides other Evils with which the City found it self pressed ill Diet begot in many a Disease in the Mouth which caused the Gums to rot a shortness of breath the Jaws black and by little and little kill'd those that were infected with it being such or very near it as they call the Scurvy which is but too well known to those that make long Voyages by Sea when their Victuals corrupt At first there was many died of this Disease but a Physitian of the City called Matthias Goyer a knowing and experienced man in his Art advised a Remedy which they had used in another sickness succesfully and found the same as to this It was Mustard in Herbs of which the Hillocks in the Fens afforded as great quantities as was needful the which they bruised in a Mortar and mingled it with White-Wine and gave the quantity of an ordinary Glass thereof in the morning fasting and though this Medicine neither wrought by Stool or Urin or caused any other effects which appeared it nevertheless healed infallibly in eight or ten days At first some would have concealed this Remedy for the Physitians profit as indeed it was enough to have made him rich but he said he would not make the Publick Calamity the means of his inrichment and that since God as by Inspiration had discovered this secret to him he would give the Receipt of it gratis to every one as he also did and therein merited much from the Publick and saved the lives of a multitude of people As to the Gout Gravel and other such sicknesses there was then none heard of The second of July was seen on the side of Estre 1628. July and from de la Lieu many Horse and Foot in Battel which troubled much the Rochellers but in the
he returned not a little discontented The 22. between Nine and Ten in the morning the Duke of Soubize followed by Mr. Baker Agent for the Duke of Buckingham came to the Gate of S. Nicholas desiring entrance into the City The Guard before the admitting of him acquainting the Mayor therewith he immediately repaired thither and sinding him betwixt the two Gates remonstrated to him the consequence of his coming into the City intreating of him if he desired the good and Conservation of Rochel and the Church of France to return to the Duke of Buckingham but the old Dutchess of Rohan his Mother who was some Months before retired hither coming to meet her Son after Salutations and Imbraces took him by the hand saying with a loud voice that she might be heard by the Mayor and the multitude that were there My Son come 1627. July see your Sister who is very sick At which words without demanding leave of the Mayor who found himself surprized and durst not openly and by force oppose him he went into the City with her as did also Mr. Baker who demanding to be heard in Council which was held after Dinner he made this Speech as followeth Gentlemen I am sent by my Lord the Duke of Buckingham High-Admiral of England to declare to you the Reasons for which by the Command of the King my Master he is come to the place where he now is and in sight of you accompanied with a Fleet of Ships laden with Souldiers Artillery and Ammunition ready to make a descent if occasion require It is sufficiently known to the World how the King of Great Britain our Master having Personally by an Adventure very rare and by a Prudence exceeding much his Age discovered before and since his coming to the Crown the danger ready to fall upon him and the rest of Christendom by the Ambition Fraud and Power of the House of Austria hath used all industry to prevent this danger and that not only by his own Forces but also by those of his Allies to which Resolution as he hath been pressed by almost all Princes and Estates of Christendom so none hath done it with more vehemency and efficacy than the French King his Brother-in-law and his Ministers not only by Arguments but also by Promises of Union and Assistance in that Common Cause And to conserve this Mutual Interest against a Common Enemy or suspected Friend was the reason why the King our Master hath more desired 1627. July the Amity and Alliance of France than of all the World besides hoping by this means to have the Power to divert the thoughts of this Great King from the ruine of his best Subjects those of the Reformed Religion and humbling the true Enemies of his Estate who keeps from him so many brave Provinces and Kingdoms possessed by his Predecessors In the prosecution of which Design he was willing to have sacrificed all his Interest for Common Good and securing of Christendom But his Majesty hath found by too dear experience that being ingaged in a War with Spain he did not only not receive the favour and assistance of France which with reason he might have expected but by expecting it received more prejudice and hinderances than from Spain it self and the reason hereof is most apparent for the grand design of this Estate is to take the advantage of the Ingagement of the King our Master with Spain to ruine and extirpate at the same time those of the Reformed Religion in France not that his Majesty will believe that this proceeds from the French King his Brother-in-law or the Queen his Mother being so great Princes and so nearly Allied to him but you Gentlemen know better than we the Powerful Influences that the Jesuits and Spanish Faction have upon the Councils of France which are said to be so strong that even with a high-hand Affairs are often carried against the King himself and by the force of this Faction proceeded the refusal of a passage to Mansfields Army raised and furnished in England 1624. at the very instant of their departure contrary to a Solemn Article 1627. July agreed upon with the French King for their passage by which refusal the Liberty of Germany hath been betrayed and twelve thousand English near totally destroyed The King our Master having interposed his Ambassadours for appeasing the last Wars against those of the Religion and with the consent of the French King himself becoming Guarrantee for the Peace and that those of the Religion were willing to submit to harder terms than at that time their Condition considered they needed to have done in hopes that the designs of this Estate would turn against their Common Enemies in Italy by the Power of this Faction it is nevertheless come to pass that not only the Confederates of the King in Italy have been abandoned but the Arms imployed there have since been made use of to reduce you to the extremity of Poverty and Famine of which I need not say more than that the Complaints of this City and all the Body of the Reformed Religion do still continue the Dukes of Rohan and Soubize having represented them to the King our Master Finally when this Faction perceived that all was to no purpose without prohibiting this City all Trade to Sea under pretext of an Imaginary Society of Commerce they have built a number of Ships of War but doubting that it would be sufficient to their design to fortifie themselves at Sea without at the same time weakning there the King our Master by an unexampled and unheard of Injustice in the midst of a full and perfect Peace and at a time when the King our Master was deeply ingaged in War by whch the Assurance and Riches of France increased they 1627. July made seizure of 120 Ships of his Subjects with Artillery Merchandize and Marriners and what other design could they have in it than to assure themselves of the ruine of this City For these Reasons alledged and many other of the same nature the King our Master the most Religious and Pious Prince in the World setting aside all other Respects than that of his Conscience hath a Sympathy of your Sufferings and his own Honour and finding himself obliged by Promise to procure the accomplishment of the Articles agreed upon especially being invited thereunto by my Lords the Dukes of Rohan and Soubize in the Name of the whole Body of the Reformed Religion he hath therefore sent hither my Lord the Duke of Buckingham who hath given me in Charge to make you an Offer in his Name of a powerful assistance as well by Land as Sea in case you resolve to accept of it for redeeming your Liberty by joyning with you in an actual War which he will do upon such Conditions as you your selves Gentlemen and all the World shall acknowledge that the King our Master hath no Eye to his own advantage but vour good the vindication of his Honour and discharge
from Father to Son and by this means render the Vines of the Government unprofitable and so concluded that they should not admit their offer save only as to Corn The Merchants proposing Remonstrated hereupon that for two reasons they could not make this contract for Corn alone The one that they should lose by it without hopes of recompensing their loss otherwise than by Wine Secondly That if they should carry away their 1627. July Corn without buying Wine the thing would be subject to suspition seeing that in Holland whither they pretended to send it had more need of Wine than Corn. In conclusion to ingage the City they offered to pay a Crown Custom for every Tun but notwithstanding all that they could say the interested prevailed alledging that the English being powerful at Sea and near to them could every hour send them Corn Wine and other Provisions and Commodities more then they wanted but this obstinate Counsel cost them dear in the end After the descent and Fight made by the Duke of Buckingham in the Isle of Ree three days passed without any attempt made by either party one upon the other only Monsieur Thoiras by little Skirmishes kept his enemies in breath but expecting another Fight retired to the Burrough of St. Martins and from thence into the Citadel with all that he was able to bring thither The Duke of Buckingham fortified and intrenched himself in the place where he made his descent as well because he had not the knowledg of the Country as that he dreaded the Forces of the Isle which he feared were great and gathering together to fall upon his people who had not well recovered their hardship at Sea and misfortunes at Land Nevertheless in common opinion if he had briskly followed Monsieur Thoiras he had carried the Citadel at one of the Gates which was not finished where ten or twelve men on brest might have entered besides that it was ill provided with Victuals and other necessaries which during this delay they carried day and night thither and also industriously repaired the weakest parts of the Fortifications 1627. July The 26th the Duke of Buckingham with his Armies of 7 or 8000 Foot and 100 Horse marched in Battail to St. Martins which he possessed himself off and approaching with in half Musket shot of the Trenches and ditch of the Citadel did with great dilligence in six days finish his Batteries and one of them being upon the Haven of the Burrough put the assieged in great fear because it lay right upon their Mills yet nevertheless they found means to defend them Soon after the Duke of Buckingham's descent In the Isle of Re particular Citizens of Rochel being allured by gain and the beauty of Jacobus's gold furnished his Army for their refreshment with all sorts of Provisions which they continued to do so long until they left their own City unprovided of Victuals Thursday the 29. it was debated in the Council whether they should send deputies to complement the Duke of Angoulesme who lay at Marans a great Burrough about 10 or 12 English Miles from Rochel many were against it least the English should thereby be discouraged and there upon leave their Town as a prey to their enemies But others on the contrary said that since they had sentto the Duke of Buckingham Lieutenant to the King of England with more reason they ought to do the same to the Duke of Angoulesme Lieutenant to the King their Soveraign and that if it were for no other reason then to give him thanks for that he had not committed any Act of Hostilitie against their government As also to beg leave of him for reaping and gathering in their Harvest besides that they might possibly gather from him that which might serve to help forward the peace betwixt 1627. July the two Kings which ought to be desired by them above all things since whatever the Event of the War might be Rochel would have cause of fear from their own King if he drive out the English who will consider them as having drawn them thither and from the English should they remain Masters of the Isles because thereby they would have a Bit in their Mouths to curb them as they pleased if peradventure they did not totally Master them and therefore it behoved them whilst in the beginning of the Difference to endeavour to pacifie it and by paying their Respects to this Prince they might open a way to it In the end after great Contest they resolved to send to him and to that purpose named certain Commissioners on the behalf both of the Magistracy and Citizens and on Saturday the last of the Month they waited upon him at Maran where he received them with great Friendship and sent them back on Munday following with Promises to suffer them to reap and gather in their Harvest so long as they remained good French and not otherwise The 30th the Sicur de Loudriere crossed the Sea which is two or three hours sail from Rochel to the Isle of Re with six or seven hundred men to strengthen the Duke of Buckingham who some days after commanded all the Papists of the Isle to retire to the Continent and appointed them Ships to carry them over which he did from an Opinion That they gave Intelligence to the Citadel of all that passed in the English Army Nevertheless he did not oblige the Capuchins that were in St. Martins to leave their Convent but provided for their nourishment 1627. August AVGVST The 6th day of August the Mayor and Council sent Deputies to the Duke of Buckingham to desire him not to hinder any more the Vessels and Commodities which would come from the Isle of Re or other places to Rochel all which he agreeed unto and received them very kindly Tuesday the 10th The Duke of Angoulesme came by break of day with a Party of Horse and Foot to the Gates of Rochel giving a very hot Alarm to the Town who immediately sent to him to assure him That they were the Kings good Servants and had no hand in the coming of the English to the Isle of Re As also That they were not in conjunction with them He answered them amicably so that it was permitted to such of his Servants as would to come into the City and buy what Commodities they pleased The same day after Dinner the said Duke went with the Sieur Marillot and Pompee Targon Engineer to view the point of Coureil and all the Coast without having any shot made at them from the City there not being yet any Declaration of War on either side The 13th The said Duke writ to the Mayor and Corporation of the City That if they should continue to assist the English he would approach with his Army to the Gates of their City And as they were in deliberation thereof he came the next day to Estrce la Moulinette Bongrenne and Coureille his Army being composed of some Regiments of Navarre
this Fort and furnishing it so much appeared sufficiently by the several Enterprises that had been made upon the City This was the occasion which moved the Duke of Rohan with whom the Peace of 1622 had been Treated to take Arms and give cause to the Duke of Soubize to make an Enterprize upon Blavet and to assure himself of the Isle of Re and the City and to joyn with them because that though they had not declar'd but sent Deputies to the King to obtain the justice of having this Fort demolished instead of the King 's effectual agreeing thereunto the Marshal Praslin was come against them in Arms committing Acts of Hostility That the following Peace having been made by the Intercession of the Ambassadors of the King of Great Brittain and of the States of Holland under divers Articles and above all apon the word of a King even given to the said Ambassadours in writing that within six Months the Fort should be demolished yet nothing of it had been observed That instead of suffering them to bring back their Goods the Sieur Thoiras had seized them and carryed away all their Salt and built a Citadel in the Isle of Re. That instead of reducing the Garrisons to the number agreed upon they had been increased in such sort that there was alwayes near eight or ten thousand men round the City That upon the passages to Maran and other places they had built new Forts which blocked the City and hindred the bringing in of Corn and Provisions That the Sieur Thoiras did 1627. Octob. the same by Sea by the help of Vessels which he contrary to the Treaty had lying in the Road at the head of the Bay That the Sieur Briel sent as Intendant of the Court of Justice had committed unheard of Injustice as the putting a Souldier to death upon suspicion of having broken a Crucifix in time of War which afterwards was proved false the Crucifix being found That contrary to the priviledges agreed to with the City by the King which was not of Grace but under Covenant given to France That they charged the City as belonging to the Domane establishing Offices for taxing the Corn and Wine of the Government sent Commands to Sieur Thoiras Governour of the City to build the said Fort and Citadel That besides these Injuries done them in particular those of the Religion in general were ill used thorough the whole Kingdom and their Edicts violated in all the heads That hereupon the King of England who on behalf of the King was to them Garrantee of the Peace which was so little observed having ineffectually imployed his Intercession resolved upon taking Arms and having sent his Army into these Quarters they sent Deputies to the Duke of Angoulesm who was in Arms so near to them as Maran to satisfie him by protestation That they desired to remain inviolable in their Fidelity and Obedience to the King and to beseech him to intercede with the King for their enjoyment of the last Treaty of Peace That instead of hearkening thereunto he declar'd War against them plundering their Houses building of Forts too near to them and committing openly all acts of Hostlity whilst they yet held themselves 1627. October in suspence In the end there fell into their hands the Kings Letters to the said Duke of the 13th of September where they found the Map of their ruine and the Order for besieging them both by Sea and Land That being reduced to this point they saw themselves forced to take Arms and to joyn with the English praying all their good Country-men and all good Kings and Princes to approve of their Design and to assist them therein under protestation nevertheless to remain alwayes in the duty of Subjection and Fidelity due to the King and that they should be ready to submit themselves to him when it should please him to receive them into his favour and cause the breach which had been made upon the Edicts to be repaired and to establish them in their ancient Liberties and Priviledges To this Manifest was published an ample Answer the sum of which was That if the Treaty aâ— Montpelier had not in all points been executed the Rochellers were the cause of it they having first broken it in that the Exercise of the Romish Religion ought to have been re-established fully and peaceably in their City which they would not suffer when the Commissioners of the King were sent nor suffer the publick practise of the Popish Ceremonies besides that the King by the same Treaty having ordered the dissolving of the new Order of forty eight Burgesses they would not do it adding that to their other disobedience which made his Majesty believe that it behoved him to stop that demolishment which they pressed so much for that they might be at the more liberty for a new Insurrection That the Armies levyed afterwards by the Duke of Rohan in Languedoc and the King's Vessels seized by the Duke of Soubize 1627. October at Blavet were Rebellious Attempts without Example and that the whole had been agreed with them who nevertheless was willing to amuse the King with feigned pretences of Loyalty but he did not think it reasonable to suffer himself to be so deceived by them As to the Treaty of Peace which followed it was false that Strangers had acted therein as Mediators that the King had given his word to them or consented to that Injury of their Master's being Garrantees to his Subjects as the Ambassadors of England have since told him That if after this Treaty the King thought good to build a Citadel in the Isle of Re and Forts in the Passages from the Isle of Maran it was no more than what was too apparently necessary for bridling a Rebellious City who then tampered with the English and further that it was contrary to truth that on that side they had committed any act of Hostility as all France knows but that the Passages for going and coming and bringing all sorts of Commodities was free to all As to the Offices established contrary to their pretended Priviledges and the Commands of the Governour given to the Sieur Thoiras that as these Priviledges were from the King's Grace and not as they say by Covenant so when they were fallen from their Duty it was most just to revoke them as in the time of Francis the First who dissolv'd their Common-Hall and gave them a Governour and never received them to Mercy until upon their Knees and with Tears they all made supplication for Mercy That the Judgment given against him who broke a Crucifix was judiciously done upon sufficient Informations That the Complaints of 1627. Octob. the generality of their Religion in the rest of the Kingdom was without Vouchers and refuted by the free and entire Exercise the King granted them and his protection under which they lived peaceably That the Invasions of the English and their descent in Arms in the Isle of Re made in full
Peace and without any precedent Denunciation of War was contrary to Justice and the Law of Nations which the King will make them repent in the end That if the Rochellers at first deferred declaring for them and sent Deputies to the Duke of Angoulesme it was in design to gain time and during that delay to make their Harvest for the King was most certainly advertis'd that the coming of the English was agreed upon with them and though they had not yet in words declar'd for them it was done in effect in receiving Deputies from the Duke of Buckingham and sending theirs to him and aiding him every day with Provisions that so the King had just cause to declare them Guilty of High-Treason and make them suffer for their Rebellion and he hopes in the end to make them Examples for it The said day with the Morning-tide the Sieurs David and Dehinsse went to the Isle of Re to joyn with the Sieur Salbret who was with the Duke of Buckingham and from thence to go into England to return that Prince thanks for his Assistance and to beg the continuance of it representing to him their State and Condition with them went to the said Isle of Re to reside near the person of the Duke of Buckingham the Sieurs Desherbiers and Bragneau for the City-Hall and Goyer Junier a good man and experienced Sea-Captain for the 1627. Octob. Burgesses without being prejudic'd by any Cannon-shot though many were made at them The same day with the Morning-tide thirteen Barks with six or seven hundred men got into the Fort la Pree without any Rencounter or Impediment from the English The 27th with the morning-tide there went out from Rochel to Re fifteen Sail as well Pinaces as Barks to the end to hinder the passages of those that would go to the Citadel and Fort la Pree the Enemy made many a Cannon-shot at them from their Batteries but without doing them any harm And the same day in the morning two Capuchins were brought in Prisoners which they sent back after Dinner without offering them any Injury And the Curriers did likewise bring Prisoner a Spanish Jeweller who had several precious Stones by him which caused a Debate in Council whether they should be declared good price some contradicted it and particularly the Sieur Vincent the Minister who having entertained this man and found him one of Sense was for gratifying him and to manage by him the beginning of a Treaty with the King of Spain which he maintained with many Reasons and expressed great diffidence of the Duke of Buckingham and the English but his motion was not relished The 28. those of Rochel sent forth nine other Sail as well Pinnaces as Barks equipped for War with three Companies of Infantry and some Voluntier Gentlemen which passed in spight of their Batteries from whence they played upon them with their Cannon but without effect 1627. October This same day the Sieur Salbert being excused going for England the Sieur Philip Vincent one of the City Ministers was by the Church and City-Hall appointed in his place and went the same day to the Isle of Re to joyn with the other Deputies that were there The 30. about four or five a Clock In the Evening twelve or thirteen hundred men commanded by the Sieur Canaples Master of the Camp to a Regiment of Guards were shipped at the Plomp for the Fort la Pre which passing without any obstruction and having a great Party there on Land endeavoured to make a descent but were at first by the English and French who joyned to hinder their Landing after a long Combat with the loss of fifty or sixty of those that were furthest advanced on shore forced to return to their Barks for saving of themselves in which Retreat many were drowned nevertheless the Night coming on which was so favourable to them that they found themselves very obscure they not only finished their descent to the Fort but even constrained the English to retreat with the loss of ten or twelve men and some wounded NOVEMBER The third of Novemb. there came fifteen Barks from the Isle of Re into Rochel some laden with Wines others with Commodities at which was shot sixty or more Cannon-shot from the Forts and Batteries without touching any of them The same day the Sieur Vincent came from the Isle of Re to Rochel to confer with the Mayor and Council upon some particulars relating to his Voyage for England and desired a commodious and safe 1627. Novemb. Vessel to be ready to sail with the first The Duke of Buckingham considering the supplies which the King sent to the Fort of la Pre and foreseeing that the design was to attack him and that he found himself weak he resolved upon a final Attempt and upon the sixth of Novemb. between seven and eight in the morning he assaulted the Citadel in two places the French making it on one side and the English on another At first they carried all before them gaining the Ditch and planting their Ladders against the Wall and Terraces but their Ladders proving too short and having to do with people who received them with much resolution they were in the end after two hours contest constrained to retreat with the loss of many men besides wounded which were sent the next day to Rochel to be treated and cured The same day about nine and ten a Clock in the Evening a House in Rochel was fired near the Bellfry to the Church S. Saviour where being lodged several combustible Commodities as Hemp Flax and Rosin c. it burnt so suddenly that the people in their Shifts were hard put to it to gain the top of the House and so to save themselves by their next Neighbours House The seventh Ditto there went from Rochel to Re nineteen Pinnaces and Barks in one of which was the Sieur Vincent who went to joyn with the other Deputies for England The eighth the Duke of Buckingham after this last attempt upon the Citadel despairing of gaining it and of being able to stay much longer in the Isle especially seeing there arrived from day to day considerable succours to come into the Field with and that his own Army was diminished more 1627. Novemb. than one third part proceeding from the eating too many Grapes according to Sieur de Comminges Prophesie resolved to raise the Siege and to imbark with the more security ordered his Retreat by the Isle of Lois which a small Channel of the Sea separates from that of Re and having made a Bridge for his passage in case he should be thereunto forced he marched his Troops putting in the Reer one of his best Regiments and Colonel Montjoy with his Cavalry to defend the Infantry if need were This Providence was of great use to him for the Night before his Retreat besides the Troops of the King which were already in the Isle Marshal Scomberg arrived there with three or four thousand Foot and two
to Monsieur Dehinse to tell you the advantage that we have made of Monsieur de Bossays arrival and to testifie his worthy acquitting the hazardous Commission that you have given him and now there remains nothing save our prayers to God to fortifie you and to pour out his Blessing upon the Justice of your Arms until we iâ— the end obtain a good Peace And this is the Prayers of those that are Messieurs Your most humble and most obedient Servants David Vincent London Jan. 29. 1628. Gentlemen IF the two last we sent by Land since the arrival of Sieur Gorribon are come to your hands they will acquaint you with the substance of what we shall more particularly hereby inform you Our 1628. March instant sollicitations having in the end obtained a Convoy of Corn Bisquet Beer Flesh and other Provisions and judging it necessary that one of us should accompany it Monsieur Dehinse went hence to that end the thirtieth passed and is the Messenger of the good words his Majesty hath given us according as we have mentioned in those we have sent you by him But having the same day met Sieur Gorribon he informed us of the success of his Voyage which he had been constrained to take by Sea and how he met at the height of Bell-Isle the Naval Army who assuredly intended to go to you but they judging that the Men of War ordered for the security of this Convoy could not prevent its falling into the hands of those who block you up they returned hither with the Sieur Gorribon who gave us yours dated Decemb. 30. We went immediately to the Duke and by his means presented a new Request to the Council representing your extremity and that if you were not with all speed relieved you would be lost without recovery This gave a hot Allarm and the Admiralty sent us word that assuredly they should within six Weeks set out a Fleet puissant enough to shock those that are in your Road and in the mean time since your necessities are so great they were resolved to lade with all diligence the Provisions in small Ships for to send them you under the favour of a good Wind that they may pass by stealth This is the advice that we sent you by Land by two several Messengers who went hence the fourth Current Since this all our imployment hath been to sollicit the speedy dispatching of the Provisions for which we have obtained a promise and that the 1628. March Earl of Denby the Dukes Brother-in-law should with all diligence go to Plymouth to give necessary orders for the same Whilst these things were in doing Monsieur David delivered us yours of the 24th passed and informed us of your Condition by word of mouth having arrived here the seventh in the Evening In the Morning we waited upon the Duke and delivered him a Letter as from you which was one of your signed Blanks and after Dinner we were conducted by him and the Duke of Soubize to his Majesty to whom we presented yours which we seconded with new and most instant supplications and in terms which shewed a vehement Emotion His Answer was that he had prevented our Demands for that orders for all that we desired was given After which he having enquired of us the particular Estate of the City and being answered by us according as you had particularly writ touching the Propositions which had been made you and your Answer he said it was done like honest men and he assured for his part he would never forsake you Much contented with these good words we passed away the day following expecting some effects and the next day we waited upon the Duke begging of him that the departure of his Brother-in-law might not be longer deferred but the Dutchess his Lady being in Labour we could not come to speak with him but understanding in the Evening that she was happily delivered of a Son we took occasion in the morning to go and testifie the share we took and that which we knew you would take in his Joy in which having evidenced a particular satisfaction 1628. March he assured us that without doubt his Brother-in-law would depart next morning which is to day and that a Resolution was taken to Convoy by Men of War all the small Vessels laden with Provisions conducting them to the height of Bayonne and there wait a good Wind to make all pass at once And to that end they expected that we should furnish them with good Pilots they having put them in hopes at Plymouth that we should send them some thither Upon this we again assured the same and that Sieur Dehinse should to that end go to Plymouth and if need were should imbark himself with the Earl of Denby to assist him with his advice as there should be occasion not judging that at present he would sail directly to your City This he seem'd to accept of as very agreeable and accordingly Sieur Dehinse hath prepared to depart to morrow and will write you more particularly of the success of the Voyage In the mean time we commit this to the care of Captain David to the end that if he come first to you as he hopes by the assistance of God to do you may be informed of the Progress we have been able to make hitherto he will tell you by word of mouth the good words we have from his Majesty having carried him with us when we went to deliver him yours the thing we have only in doubt is whether the Fleet can be ready in the time they put you in hopes of But we assure our selves that if you can be refreshed with Victuals you may well patient your selves some Weeks in expectation from hence However it is it seems by all that we can see that it is in good earnest that they imbrace your Affairs and 1628. March because it requires an Immense Expence they have resolved of having a Parliament the seventeenth of March next from whom they hope for good on your behalf In the mean time they assure us that they have at present a Fond for the the War and that it need not be feared but the Parliament will provide for us Yesterday we were with the Duke â—aving communicated to him yours for Holland he was of advice not only to send them but further that one of us should go thither and take the occasion of going with Monsieur Dolbier who his Majesty sends thither as well to buy a quantity of Arms and some Horse as to oblige the States to joyn with him for your defence Upon this we are agreed that Sieur Vincent who hath Acquaintance there shall undertake this Voyage and besides the Instructions that you have given us we have given him others that are new whereof we send you a Copy having conceived them so as you will find by the advice of the Duke and Sieur Vincent hath prepared himself to part hence to morrow In the mean time we expect to
little pause for fear that the word Time would not be taken by us according to his intention I mean said he the season and so soon as the Spring shall be come To which having returned him most humble thanks he said yet further Be assured that I will assist you so powerfully 1628. March as shall obtain you a good Peace The Duke added that all War was for arriving at Peace and that his Majesty in speaking intended none but such a one as was good To which having answered that we should receive from his Majesty such a Peace as himself should esteem reasonable and good I had rather said he it should be ill for me than for you for for me I can always conteâ—d it but as to you you will be totally lost After these words Sieur Dehinse bowing himself to receive his Commands Assure said he to him those of Rochel that I will not abandon them Upon which the Duke told us you see Gentlemen you have the Word of a King As to your Articles that you communicated to me yesterday the King likes them well and goes now to have them ratified in Council and cause the Confirmation thereof to be delivered to you Very much contented with these good words we withdrew and the next morning heard that the Earl of Denby prepared for Plymouth which obliged Sieur Dehinse our Collegue to begin his journey thither What passed since on the occasion of Sieur Gorribon's arrival which occasioned the retarding the sending of the Provisions is contained in our Letter of the eleventh of February This is the Contents of the Packet which Captain Sacremore delivered the Mayor and his Council by which they had a full account of all the proceedings of their Deputies and commended the diligence and care they had had of sending them divers Duplicates of their Packets to the end that one might come to hands if the other should miscarry as it fell out The 24th ditto was cast in Rochel four Pieces of 1628. March Cannon two of 28 pound Ball and the other two of 10 pound Ball of which there were but three good one of the greatest miscarrying by the Mould not being well dry The 30th the Mayor Sheriffs Counsellors Peers Burgers and Souldiers being assembled in the City-Hall swore and promised to keep the Treaty which their Deputies had made with the King of England for their protection and safeguard which they did without disowning their Fidelity and Obedience that they owed to the most Christian King their Natural Lord and Soveraign APRIL The first of April 1628. arrived at Rochel a young man one Vivier servant to Sieur Vincent dispatched by him from Holland where following the order that was given him he passed to give account of the Negotiation of his Master for procuring some relief of Victuals and Munition for the City and delivered to the Mayor this Letter dated the sixth of March of this Tenure in Cyphers Sieur Vincent's Letter from Holland to the Rochellers dated March 6. New Stile 1628. Gentlemen BEsides two men that I have sent you from this Country this third follows to give you an account how I left Affairs in England and how it is with me here I may tell you that there they dispose themselves to relieve you with great Forces both by Sea and Land and have resolved to furnish you with 1628. April Provisions and to further it Messieurs Bragneau and Dehinse were set forward from London to Plymouth the 14th passed and the Earl of Denby was speedily to follow them I hope you have e're this received something from thence I came from London the 17th with Monsieur Dolbier who came hither to buy Arms and Horses and arrived the 21th in Zealand where I stayed eight days for to dispose some particular persons to the lading of Corn to send to you which having put in order I hope you will find the effects thereof and that there will go from thence to you 150 Tun I am here where I spoke yesterday with the Prince of Orange who received me very well and I am not without hopes that we shall under-hand receive from hence some assistance at least of Money I hope to make a great Cargaison at Amsterdam whither I shall presently go having already disposed by Letters many Merchants to enter upon it Above all I believe that it is of greatest import to you to have advice and not to spare Money in Messengers but send them frequently that of many one at least may come to you I have given a hundred Livres to this Man and I pray if he acquit himself well of his promise deal honestly with him I am Gentlemen Your most humble and most obedient Deputy and Servant Ph. Vincent The hopes that men had of the speedy arrival of the Earl of Denby according to these Letters rejoyced greatly the Rochellers 1628. April The 8th in the night the Battery Royal and the Forts Louys Meroeil called S. Esprite which had never yet shot and la Fons shot Fire-Bullets from nine in the Evening until four in the Morning without killing or hurting any Person or setting any House on fire being prevented by the care they took having set Centinels in the Steeples who as soon as the Bullet was fallen gave notice of the place whither men went to search for it with a Hook of Iron made expresly for that end with which they easily seized them and carried them into the Street otherwise their burning was such that letting them lye never so little they would presently set the Floor of the Rooms on fire which are ordinarily of Fir and it was found that in a little time they would pierce three Stories The 10th the Mayor having had advice that the Besiegers mined in the first Houses of de la Fons at five hundred paces from the City they sallied out from the Port Coigne with two Companies of Foot and fifteen or twenty Horse to know the truth At first they sent out eight Horse and a Party of fifteen Souldiers conducted by a Serjeant to discover what force there was whilst the rest stole along under Covert of the great high way until they came to the Houses of which they hoped to render themselves Masters but the succours which came to their relief from the next Forts forced them to retire and the greatest part of them to put themselves into the Mill-Houses and Arbours at three hundred paces from the Counterscarp whither the others came presently to skirmish and though few enough to draw them into the Ambuscade which they had 1628. April laid for them at a hundred paces from thence in a low bottom of the High-way it was without effect they maintaining themselves in their Fort until succours coming from the City inabled them to retire Of those without a Serjeant was wounded to death with a shot of a Fire-lock cross the Body and was interred at the Port Coigne of those within a Souldier was slightly wounded in the Leg.
This Sally not discovering what they had a desire to know the Mayor at all adventure caused the making of a Mine in the middle of the Trench from the said Port unto the Bullwark The 12th at night or about four or five a Clock next morning a Fire-Bullet coming from the Port Louis set one of the Houses of the Hospital on fire which being full of Hay and Straw was hard to extinguish and there was one man slain and another hurt with a Cannon-shot from the Fort Louis which discharged twenty times during the Fire the Hospital nevertheless received no damage by reason of succours which were diligent The 15th in the night a Fire-Bullet coming from the Royal Battery killed one going the Round as he went from the Court of Guard of the Port Coigne to that of the Bastion of the great Coney Warren The 17th in the morning by break of day the Mayor caused to sally out by the Port Coigne twenty five Horse and five Companies of Insantry with some Volunteers to discover if the Besiegers continued to work as was said at the first House de la Fons but they found not any body there nor any appearance of working 1628. April The 19th in the night those of de la fons came to raise and demolish to the ground some of the Houses of the Mills near the City which were half broke and from thence set three Mills on fire nearest to the City from which there went up a very high flame in the Air which made those of the Forts Louis Miroet and the Royal Battery believe that the Fire was in many Houses within and occasioned them to shoot all the rest of the night with Fire-bullets and others cross the City This was nevertheless without killing or wounding any person though there was shot that night a hundred sixty five Cannon-shot The 23th about two or three a Clock in the Afternoon the King arrived the second time before Rochel having kept his Easter at Surgres for his welcome they discharged three times the Cannon round the Batteries and Ships and above all there were many Fire-bullets shot against the City and in the Evening the same Musick was heard without other effect than the breaking the Roofs of some Houses His Majesty had been absent from the tenth of February to the three and twentieth of April that is two Months and thirteen days The 24th came to the Port of Coigne a Drum and two Trumpets to know if those of the City would receive a Herald in case the King would send one to them but they made no Answer forasmuch as that they knew not yet that his Majesty was in the Camp The same day about eleven a Clock a Fire-bullet from the Royal Battery set fire on a House full of Hay and Straw before the Steeple of S. Bartholomew joyning to the great School which is one of the Magazines of the City 1628. April and this House was almost all burnt without damaging the Magazine as well because the walls were good and very thick on that side as because there was great endeavours for extinguishing it with Oxe-Hides and other such like things MAY. The 2d of May was Elected Mayor in place of John Godfrey Esq Sieur Richard John Guitton Esq the same who had been Admiral for the Rochellers in the Wars of 1621. and 1625. The 4th ditto there was found on the Coast of St. Nicholas a little Box of Deal-boards very tite and close in which was a Note or Billet advertising the Rochellers to look to themselves for that in a few days they would be attacqued in several places and principally at the Chain and Fort of Tadon and that there would be thrown into the City great quantity of Fire-works which made them double their Guards and be in a ready posture The eleventh about two or three in the Afternoon the English Army Commanded by the Earl of Denby Brother-in-law to the Duke of Buckingham appeared at the entry between the Isle of Re and the Main Land composed of eleven of the Kings Ships thirty or forty lesser Men of War and as many other Vessels laden with Corn and Provisions and about four or five a Clock in the Evening came to Anchor at the Head of the Bay At his arrival the Army of the King which was in the Road put themselves under the Covert of of the Digue and Batteries at the Points of Coureille and the Head of the Bay which the King had made there on purpose to batter in the said Road 1628. May. and hinder the Ships which would pass for â—rrying Provisions into Rochel These Batteries 〈◊〉 so incommode the English Army and amongst â—thers the Admiral who had moved nearest to 〈◊〉 Land that in the Evening he disanchored to 〈◊〉 more at large and out of the reach of the â—annon of the said Batteries The 14th the Sieurs Bragneau and Gobert Deâ—uties for Rochel and all the French Captains seeâ—â—g that the Earl of Denby and his Council did â—ot endeavour to force the Pallisades for making â—is way with relief into Rochel and that time was â—pent without doing any thing they presented to â—im and his Council a Writing signed by them â—oth by which they supplicated them to put in execution the Commands that the King their Master had given them which was so soon as he â—hould arrive before Rochel to force the entry of â—he succours sent thither and told them that to effect the same it was necessary 1. To furnish the French Barks wherein was Victuals with a sufficient number of Souldiers for defending them against the Pinnaces and Galliots which kept the Pallisades 2. That each Fire-ship ought to have beside his Shalloop a good great Boat well armed and equipped with men to defend them against the Impediments which they might meet with in their execution 3. That all the English Ships as well those of his Majesty as others ought by their Command to advance to the Pallisades that with the French Men of War they might make the Besiegants retire and in doing of that make way for the passage of the Ships into the City as well French as English laden with Victuals 1628. May. And the better to incourage them they promised by vertue of their Commission as well in their own private names as in the name of the City that in case they should by this Enterprise come to lose any Ships the just value thereof should be paid to the King or to those whose loss it should be And further that being got into the City if they could not come out their Expences should be born at the charge of the Publick This Writing being presented to the Earl and his Council and the Deputies having livelily represented by word of mouth all they could to animate them they answered that their Commission was not to Fight but that it was only to conduct them to the place where they were to the end that their presence might
Army should return into England The 15th the English sent a Fire-ship full of Fire-works in the fashion of Petars into the Kings Fleet to set fire on them but taking fire before its time the Fire-Ship and those that were in it perished miserably without any being saved The 18th betwixt two and three a Clock Afternoon the English Fleet set sail for England having been eight days in the Road at the Head of the Bay without making any attempt or Essaying to send any relief into Rochel which greatly dejected the Rochellers and put them in great pain and perplexity nevertheless they resolved to suffer the greatest Extremity before they would render and to that end bought one of another all sorts of Provisions and that they might hold out the longer retrenched their Ordinary to the moyety of that which they had accustomed to eat 1628. May. and above all the Bread which they began now to weigh This following is a Relation composed by the Sieur Gobert THe same day that the English Army set sail the Sieur Bragneau and Gobert 〈◊〉 â—n the morning the assembling of all the French Captains aboard Sieur Bragneau and upon the resoâ—â—tion that the English Fleet had taken to set sail foâ— Eâ—gland without being prevailed with to the contrary by all the Remonstrances Prayers and Supplications that they could make to give thâ—m their assistance for facilitating the entry of the Ships into Rochel with relief it was judged necessary and was agreed upon with the unanimous consent of all that the Sieur Gobert should prâ—sently take the Pinnace of Captain Guillet to carry him with all diligence into England to represent un oâ— the King the small endeavours that his Naval Army had made and the eminent danger that it lâ—ft Rochel in to the end that it might please his Majâ—sty to remedy it Sieur Gobert accepted of it and the Wind being favourable arrived the 22th present at the Isle of Wight from thence he went to Portsmouth and took Post for London where being arrived he immediately waited upon the Duke of Soubize to whom having given an account of what had passed in his Voyage and of the return of the English Fleet without having done any thing they went together to carry the ill news to the Duke of Buckingham who seemed to resent it very much and carried them presently to the King to whom Sieur Gobert giving a particular Relation of all 1628. May. he was thereat very much concerned and enquired what was the cause of his Fleet making so speedy a return before having first fought and relieved Rochel And then taking Sieur Gobert by the hand â—ed him to a Window and leaning upon his shoulder weeping reiterated to him the same demand in these words What cause have my people had to retreat and to abandon this poor City To which he answered that he knew none save a Panick Fear which seized them upon an uncertain noise of a Spanish Naval Fleet ready to come to those Coasts of France and the fear they had of running the adventure of losing their Ships His Majesty at this being moved more than before stepping three or four paces back said What are my Ships made to fear and not to hazard themselves in Fight and immediately commanded the Duke of Buckingham to call the â—ouncil which was presently done where Sieur Gobert being called and enquired of what day the Fleâ—t arrived before Rochel what Fight it had been constrained to make how many slain and what damage it had received there He declared that the Fleet arrived before the City the Eleventh and for Fights they had had none the King of Frances Fleet retreating near the Digue but that only from the Land and the Points which advanceth the Admiral had received from the Batteries which are there a Cannon-shot without so much as hurting any Person Upon which the King and Council resolved to dispatch a Gentleman with Sieur Gobert in the same Vessel that brought him to the English Fleet where-ever it should be with express Command to the Earl of Denby to return and come to Anchor in the Road of Rochel and to expect there the Aid that he was 1628. May. further preparing for the City and at the same time commanded the Sieur Gobert to write a Letter to those of Rochel advising them not to be astonished at the retreat of his Fleet without doing any thing for that he would prepare them a puissant succour which he assured them would relieve them In brief that he would lose the Moiety of his Kingdom rather than suffer them to perish which Sieur Gobert did write in the presence of all the Council and the King having signed it it was sent by an Express to those of the City After which the above-said Gentleman and Gobert took Post for Portsmouth where being arrived they imbarked in the said Pinnace endeavouring to meet the English Fleet as they did the fourth day after their departure from Portsmouth on the Coast of Cornwal but for the most part already dissipated there not being more than four or five Men of War with the Admiral all the rest being retired to the nearest Harbours in England nevertheless they went aboard the Admiral and presented to the Earl of Denby the Packet they had to him from the King and Council and the Commands of his Majesty to return to the Coast of France To which he answered that that was altogether impossible for him to do because his Fleet was dissipated and his Victuals for the most part consumed and continuing his course he came to Anchor betwixt the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth The English Fleet thus retreated and the Rochellers notwithstanding resolving to stand out they made choice of Sieur Grosetiere a Gentleman of Poictue to go into England to advertise the King of Great Britain and their Deputies of their condition 1628. May. and necessities and hasten relief He parted the 21th and was the Messenger of this Letter The Rochellers Letter to the King of Great Britain dated the 28th of May 1628. SIR WE are assured that the Image of our Miseries have prevented our Complaints and that your Serene Majesty having a sensible impression of them in your Spirit these cannot fail of a favourable Audience from a Heart so generous and great as yours Sir you have vowed us your Grace and promised us Deliverance you have also taken Arms to force them to keep the Publick Faith of Treaties that they have deposited with you but your People Sir have abandoned us contrary to your Magnanimous and most faithful Instructions your General not daring to breathe near nor look upon the danger of the glorious execution of your Sacred Word What sort of Excess or Prodigy can it be that hath â—o conspired against the Dignity of your Name and the Condition of our poor Country Sir we speak to you with Tears in our Eyes glaspâ—d Hands Hearts struck thorough with many Wounds whilst we have the Honour of
our parts we shall do our duty who are Rochel Aug. 20. 1628. Gentlemen Your most affectionate Servants the Mayor Sheriffs Councellors and Peers of the City of Rochel and for all Guitton Mayor The Superscription Messieurs David Vincent Bragneau Dehinse and Gobert The 22th the Rochellers received advice that the Sieur Grossetiere who had been taken returning from England whither he was sent to hasten succours 1628. Aug. had been carried to the Kings Camp to be proceeded against by way of Process whereupon besides that from the first news of the taking him they had writ to the Camp demanding the having him treated as a Prisoner of War and to be used in his Quarters as had been hitherto practised by one to another declaring that they should do the same to the Sieur Fiquere their Prisoner as they should do to others belonging to them They writ also to Cardinal Richelieu by a Drummer who found him at Chatiliers Barlot whither he was gone for change of Air because of the Contagion that was in the Army and delivered him this Letter following The Rochellers Letter to Cardinal Richelieu in favour of Grossetiere My Lord IT is some time since we understood the taking of the Sieur Grossetiere a Gentleman gone from hence in the imployment of this City under our Commissions who passing thorough one of the Provinces of this Kingdom was taken arrested and brought into the Kings Army We immediately writ thereof to one of the Generals relying upon the Common Right of War and of the quarter that hath been always given hitherto by the one to the other but we now hear this morning that they pretend to draw up Process against him and deliver him over to the Court of Justice to condemn him to Death as if he were accused of some Crime as a man without Authority at which we are most justly concerned he not having undertaken either Voyage or any action since this War but with Commission from us by which he hath been Authorised It is therefore 1628. Aug. that we address our selves finally to you my Lord who knows perfectly the intentions of the King and to manage them with most excellent prudence and by your Authority to keep men within bounds contrary to the natural heat of particular persons to the end to supplicate your Greatness that the said Sieur Grossetiere may not meet with any evil treatment who hath not in his Comportment done any thing to be spoke against having had our Order and Commission for all his Transactions according as we now certifie you and let it please you that we dare from your bounty promise our selves that by the present Messenger who is an Express you will let us know that this Address will not be fruitless and that you will cure us of the perplexity we are in upon this occasion and of all troublesome Events which may proceed from this Occurrence Above all we remain Rochel Aug. 22. 1628. Monseigneur Your most humble and most obedient Servants the Mayor Sheriffs Councellors Peers Burgers and Inhabitants of the City of Rochel Guitton Mayor Cardinal Richelieu's Answer to the Rochellers by the same Messenger that carried theirs Gentlemen IAm sorry that your Actions beg not the favour you desire from the bounty of the King rather than your words but I am greatly astonished that hindering 1628. Aug. all the City where you are from receiving the effects of his Majesties mercy you seek it upon a particular account wherein the generality of your Citizens have not any interest you are not in a state or condition to treat as Equals with your Master and to desire it is Criminal Nevertheless not to augment by this way the number of your faults I do not know what is the Kings pleasure whose Bounty is infinite upon the subject of Grossetiere But this I know that he cannot receive any punishment that is not less than his demerits It is your duty to keep those that are in the City where you are within the Circuit of your Walls his Majesty being resolved not to suffer any longer that his Souldiers pass the Line towards Rochel nor those of Rochel approach the same bounds and pass unpunished I advertise you hereof to the end that none of you be taken by inadvertency In the mean time I pray you believe that I have with passion desired that you may give me cause to evidence my affection and that I am very glad of an occasion to let you know that I am From Chastellier Aug. 23. 1628. Gentlemen Your affectionate Servant Cardinal Richelieu The 24th ditto the Rochellers sent a Letter to their Deputies in England of this Tenure Gentlemen WE have expected three Months ago the effects of the excellent Letters that we received from the King of England but we do not hear by what disaster it is that we remain here miserable without seeing 1628. Aug. any succours appear Our Souldiers can do no more they die of Famine in the Streets and all our Families are frightened with groans sighs indigency and uncertainties nevertheless we shall hold out until the last day But in the Name of God stay not longer or we shall perish Rochel Aug. 24. 1628. Yours c. The 26th ditto about eight or nine a Clock in the Evening the Rochellers sent out by Land an Inhabitant of the City called Beron a Watch-maker as a Messenger into England to hasten their relief but being in the Kings Quarters at Estre he was discovered and as soon taken and having found by him a Billet in his Doublet behind betwixt the shoulders where he had hid it they condemned him to be hanged as they did also two others who went out at the same time SEPTEMBER The 4th of September the Sieur Arnault Master of the Camp of the Carrabines of the King came on behalf of his Majesty to the Port de Coigne to speak to them making his pretence to be the desire of treating for the exchange of Sieur Fequiere his Brother-in-law with the Sieur Grossetiere Immediately there was sent thither on behalf of the Mayor and his Council the Sieurs de Fiefmignou and Riffault for the Common-Hall and Defos and Moquay for the Burgers carrying also with them the Sieur Fiquiere They remained with him in Conference from eight in the morning until one in the afternoon and continued 1628. Septemb. the same Conference the ninth as also the twelfth thirteenth and fourteenth following and in the end after these long Debates it was decreed that the next day in the morning there should be Deputies sent to Cardinal Richelieu and to that end were nominated Sieurs Riffault and Journault who after having had Pass-ports of the King went to wait upon the Cardinal at Ronsay with whom they conferred until the Evening and then returned to their City with hopes of obtaining their Peace under Conditions good enough but the coming of two Natives of the City viz. Mesnier and Beaumont who arrived the same day from England
to him opening the Gates of the City which they will actually deliver into his hands to dispose thereof as it shall please him and to prescribe to them such manner of living as he shall think most proper for the time to come without other Conditions than such as it shall please his Majesty in bounty to give them which they implore with humility beseeching him to treat them as his Subjects who will hereafter live and die in the most perfect obedience that hath ever been rendered to any Soveraign The King having regard to the repentance of his Subjects the Inhabitants of the City of Rochel and to their Protestations of living for the time to come as they are obliged by their Birth and that they will the thirtieth of October give Evidence thereof by opening the Gates of the said City of Rochel and deliver the City up to his Majesty for him to dispose thereof as shall seem good unto him hath commanded and given in charge to the Sieurs Marillac and du Halier 1628. October Marshals de Camp of his Armies to promise them in his Name as followeth First The pardon of their Faults and Rebellions committed since the last Commotion with all security for their Lives and the exercise of the Reformed Religion in Rochel Secondly That they shall be established in all their Estates moveable and immoveable of what nature soever they be notwithstanding all Condemnations Gifts and Confiscations which may have been made by reason of Rebellion except the enjoying the Revenue of their Lands their Moveables Woods that have been cut and Debts which have been actually and without fraud hither to received Thirdly That all Souldiers Subjects of the King who are at this time in the City of Rochel though not Burgers or Inhabitants of the said City shall of grace enjoy what is above expressed and the Heads Captains and Gentlemen shall go out of the City with their Swords by their sides and the Souldiers with white Staves in their hands after the Names and Sirnames of every one and their Oaths is taken never to bear Arms more against the service of his Majesty upon pain of forfeiting the present Grace And as to the Captains and Souldiers that are English who are in the said City they shall if it please his Majesty be conducted by Sea into England without any prejudice done to them Fourthly The said Rochellers as well Inhabitants as Souldiers shall be discharged of all acts of Hostility in general whatever Negotiations in strange Countries and of all others without being proceeded against for any of them except such as are excepted for their execrableness by the Edicts and such as may concern the Person of the King 1628. October Fifthly In like manner the said Rochellers shall remain discharged for casting of Cannon minting of Money seizing and taking of Money as well belonging to the King as Ecclesiasticks and others in the said City together with Contributions ordained for the maintenance of Souldiers decreed against the absent and even constrained by the demolition of their houses and of all other employments in things abovesaid in the said City Sixthly All the Inhabitants and Souldiers shall in like manner remain discharged of all Judgments Sentences and Decrees which possibly may have been given against them for their Rebellion during these troubles Seventhly That all Judgments as well Civil as Criminal given in the Councils held extraordinarily in the said City the Judges and Commissaries who have assisted therein shall not therefore be proceeded against nor even for the particular profits received by Prizes or Spoils and above all silence herein is imposed upon the Attorney General and his Substitutes Eighthly That the Judgments Amercements Condemnations Suspensions and Interdictions given by the Chief Judges as well against the Mayors of the said City as those that assisted them shall remain null and void as if they had never been And also in like manner the proceedings made against any of the said Judges shall remain null and void and none of those that have been imployed on either side shall be molested Ninthly The Judgment for the death of Tourvert shall remain null and those who are therewith charged by the said Judgment shall not for that cause be troubled Tenthly That all the Contents abovesaid shall be 1628. October ratified by the Mayor Sheriffs Peers Burgers and Inhabitants of the said City and the said Ratification thereof shall be delivered this day by two a Clock after Dinner in good and authentick form After which the King will be pleased to deliver to the said Deputies Pattents of Declaration which shall approve and ratifie the abovesaid Articles Eleventhly The said Ratification being delivered the Gates of the City shall be opened and put into the hands of such as it shall please his Majesty to appoint to the end that after this he may make his entry in person when and in such manner as shall please him his Majesty promising in bounty to cause such ordâ—r â—t the entry and quartering of the Souldiers in the said City that no Inhabitants Women or Children shall receive any prejudice either in person or goods Acted and Ordained in the Castle of Sausay the twenty ninth of Octob. 1628. Signed Lowis de Mavillac John Berne Peter Viette Riffault de la Goute de la Coste and Mocquay At the same time the Deputies which were with the English Fleet and sent by them made their Treaty apart after that for the City was concluded and because that their management being secret and their arrival in the Camp unexpected many have had a desire to know the particular Transactions I have taken care to inform my self thereof and believe it my duty to impart it to the Publick as a thing belonging to this History which follows word for word as it hath been communicated to me extracted from the 1628. October Journals of Sieur Vincent whereof I have seen the Original The seventh of Octob. 1628. a Shalloop coming from the Kings Army and staying in the middle of the way called la Pallice with a white Flag demanded to communicate with the Deputies of Rochel and the French By the permission of the English General the Sieur Forin Deputy for the Duke of Rohan with some others and Mr. Montague who was since made Abbot of Pontoise in France went aboard the Shalloop where they found the Sieur Treillebois one of the Kings Captains and one that made profession of the Reformed Religion with the Sieur Lisle Adjutant-Major in the same Army who made Propositions to all the French in the English Army to retire and seek the Kings Grace and Pardon assuring them that he would receive them to mercy and would like it if they should intercede with him for the City of Rochel upon which they broke only Montague making himself known desired the above-mentioned Treillebois to present his service to Cardinal Richelieu The thirteenth there returned four English who had been taken Prisoners by the Kings