and advertise them when it was done returned the next day to Court The Parliament met and the aforesaid Decree was propounded but of 200 that were there there were but nine that voted against the Cardinal For the securing of Paris and the Suburbs they ordered such Guards as none durst carry forth any Arms or Baggage either by day or night That all Governours of Towns should suffer Victuals and other necessaries to be brought to Paris And that no Cities should receive any Garrisons or Souldiers These Orders were observed in Paris where the people were bound to obey but were laugh'd at by all every where else but the greater part of the Parliaments of the Kingdom adhered to that of Paris and had they sent out Letters greater novelties would certainly have ensued Before the King went out of Paris he writ a Letter to the Provost of Merchants and to the Consuls which was delivered them the next Morning after he was gone wherein he declared That he would not have gone out by night had he not been advertised that some of the Parliament holding intelligence with others of the Kingdoms Enemies would attempt something against him This Letter was accompanied by three others one from the Regent another from the Duke of Orleans and another from the Prince of Conde wherein they affirmed that it was they who had perswaded the King to go out of Paris knowing for certain what Plots were in hand prejudicial to his Majesties service The next day the King sent a Letter by Monsieur Sordiere Lieutenant of the Guards wherein he commanded the Parliament to remove to Montargis but notice being had hereof it was not received and they decreed That the King's Servants should return to their Majesties to desire them to nominate who they were that held intelligence with the Enemy that they might be proceeded against as guilty of High Treason Hereupon the Court sent to know whether they came resolved to render obedience and to remove the Parliament to Montargis but they answered They had no other order but to desire his Majesty to nominate those who held intelligence with the Enemies to the Crown So by the Prince of Condé's counsel they were dismist without further Audience For he contrary to the opinion of all the rest said they ought not to be heard for it made for him that there should be troubles to the end that he might make himself necessary and carry on his own Interests But he seemed to be moved hereunto thinking that the people would not be averse unto it whilst Forniere one of the Sheriffs of Paris coming with some other Deputies to have Audience of the Queen assured her that the People were ready to render obedience moreover that Monsieur Bignon had private orders from the Frondeurs that if he could not do otherwise he should yield and pass his word that they would withdraw for they feared that the People growing desperate at the King 's leaving of Paris might turn against them as the occasioners of this disorder But the Court by Condé's means would give no Audience which served for an occasion to the Frondeurs to make it appear that their Interests were defended by the Peoples publick cause and made them take up Arms and to oppose the King's Authority whereby the Parliament being encouraged they fell to make Decrees against the Cardinal which put all things into confusion and disorder This removing of the Parliament was the first thing wherewith the King made the Parisians affraid for next to the Court this Parliament is of most advantage to the City by reason of the many Presidents Councellors Advocates Notaries Proctors and Sutors The Chamber of Accounts was ordered to remove to Orleans and that of the great Council to Orleans The latter sent their Deputies to the King to acquaint him with their grievances which not being listned unto did exasperate mens mindes the more and brought many over to adhere to the Frondeurs who had been otherwise minded finding what prejudice they were likely to receive by this removal The Frondeurs making use of this for their own ends on the 8 th of Ianuary the Decree against the Cardinal being past in Parliament he was commanded thereby to be gone from Court and to go out of France within eight daies all men being forbidden to receive him and every one permitted to persecute him The execution of this was humbly desired from the Queen as shall be said and by the advice of Brousel and the other Frondeurs the Provost of Merchants who is like our Lord-Mayor and the Sheriffs were obliged to chuse Commissaries to raise men under the colour of conveying Victuals to Paris The Council of State made a severe Prohibition be presently published That none should sell either Beeves or Sheep or any other Victuals to any Parisian To begin the Siege St. Denis was presently seized on a Wall'd Town two Leagues distant from Paris where the King's Army was quartered which quarter was commanded by Marshal Plessis Pâ—â—â—â— under the Duke of Orleans who was the King's Lieutenant-General and the Troops under Condé were quartered at St. Clou a Town standing upon the River of Seine at the same distance from Paris as St. Denis commanded by Marshal Grammont The High-Dutch having sâ—ckâ— Bercy were quartered at Charenton these had express orders to deal moderately with the Parisians and not to do any thing but hinder the carrying in 〈◊〉 Victuals without any noise or scandal to keep so from irritating the People who have â—o other fault but in too easily believing a few seditious folk wâ—o are enemies to quiet Thus the passion of the Male-content predominating over the ignorance of the common People who feed upon the desire of Novelty all fair proceedings being interpreted the effects of fear the resolution of continuing War was established Paris may be called the Eye of the whole Body of France a compendium of the whole Kingdom a World in a little for it abounds in all things desirable either for conveniency or delight It is divided into three parts the one is called the City the other the Town and the third the Vniversity which are divided by the Seine which taking her original in Burgundy falls into the Sea at Havre de Grace In the beginning of the City it divides its self into two parts and then joyning again makes two Islands one whereof is that of Nostre Dame the other of the Palace These three parts are joyned together by ten Bridges of which those of Nostre Dame the Exchange and St. Michael are worth observing being all of them covered with Houses and Shops but above all the new Bridge which was begun to be built by Henry the 3 d and was finished by Henry the 4 th is most considerable both for scituation and structure This City is thought to contain above a Million of souls it wants not stately Ediâ—â—ces richly furnished it hath in it above 200 Churches richly adorned it brings unto the
not be done without jealousies amongst themselves and in the Parliament it self which was desirous to inlarge its Authority which being usurped must needs have been to the prejudice of the Princes whose Maxim it was to keep the Court weak and flexible to their pretentions but not to increase the power of Parliaments which was the reason why they abstained from all violence and meddled not with the Government not forbearing notwithstanding to bereave the Queen as much as in them lay of her faithfullest servants that they might place their friends and confidents about her which though it were foreseen by her and her State-Officers yet they suffered that cloud to discharge it self upon the Cardinal and they instead of giving themselves over to the contrary party did stoutly maintain Regal greatness so to find out means how to bring the Cardinal back so the remainder of that year past on as shall be by degrees related 4 The Spaniards in Flanders were this mean while intent upon what the issues of the Novelties which were budding forth in France would be upon which other considerable consequences for them did depend They sent to the Dutchess of Longueville and to Marishal Turenne in Steney to mind them of the agreement made between them never to separate till the Princes were set at liberty and the peace between the two Crowns were concluded They answered that they would go to Paris to co-operate therein as much as they could and that if the Spaniards should not be content and that their Mediation should do no good they would return again to Steney and make good their promise where with all were fully satisfied whereupon the Dutchess went from Steney and sent Monsieur Sarasine Secretary to the Prince of County to Brussels to thank the Arch-Duke and Count Fuensaldaglia to assure them that when they should be at Paris they would indeavour the perfecting of the treaty by which the Princes after their disimprisonment had obliged themselves to continue the War till such time as peace were concluded between the two Crowns The Dutchess came to Paris on the 15 th of March with great applause of the People and was met without the City by the Princes her Brothers by her Husband and by a great many Lords and Ladies and this the rather because her coming brought with it some appearance of a general peace which the people did very much desire so as if her departure from Paris were cause of great disorder her return was no less noble and glorious The Gates of Paris were still guarded as before with Armed Citizens for they still suspected the Queen would carry away the King and now the Court nor L' Hostelle de Orleans were no more frequented with visits but Conde's house and Longuevilles the famousest Warriers flocking to the one and all the Ladies to the other the Prince of Conde and his Sister Longueville might have then become Arbitrators of the Kingdom if actually keeping that inclination to peace as they seemed by their words to do they had made use of the favourable conjuncture of time for they coveted nothing more than reality in proceeding of the Treaty of peace nor was there any that doubted the truth of their desires for the Dutchess of Longueville sent away Monsieur Croisy to Steney with power from the Court to conclude peace or a general Truce This treaty was so carried on as though neither the Spaniards nor the Princes faction did really desire it it afforded Turenne a fair pretence to withdraw from the Spaniards imployment so as that Orleans as shall be hereafter related being afterwards offended by the innovations of Paris for the permission given by the Council to the Marquess of Chasteauneuf the Flanders Agents thought it now a fit time to listen to the proposals of peace made by Croisy For the whole negotiation was reduced to a particular conference between the Duke of Orleans and the Archduke without the intervening of Mediators and it being believed that the Queen would not trust the Duke of Orleans with such a negotiation the Archduke made his good intentions towards peace appear unto the people which if refused would increase the troubles in France for all the stops that should be met with therein would be imputed to the Court but it proved otherwise for the Duke of Orleans being in some sort reconciled to the Queen the Spanish Agents though they gloried in this their desire by sending Don Gabriel di Toledo to Paris and by assenting to the particular conference which was agreed should be held between Peroun and Cambrey Croisy having declared that the Duke of Orleans the Duke of Longueville the first President and Count Servient would be there their little desire thereunto appeared when they said that they must first expect orders from Spain and that though they knew it was the Catholick King 's intention that this treaty should be commenced they could proceed no further therein till they had received Commission from the Catholick Court which was by the going of Marquess Sillery to Brussels who by his proposal puzled the whole business wherefore Turenne knowing that he had fully satisfied his promise of procuring peace took occasion to retire and to fall totally off from the interest of Spain and went likewise from Steney to Paris But Conde being intent upon making himself great and professing much gratitude and affection to the Duke of Orleans that he might come more vigorously with him in withstanding the violences of the Court and to bind themselves to a more faithful confederacy concluded articles of marriage between the Princess of Alanson and the Duke of Anguienne Conde's eldest Son which though peradventure it might not be pleasing at Court by reason of the consequences which it drew after it yet it behoved the Court to seem to like it for the prejudice which might have been otherwise received by the increase of popular tumults Conde's indeavour to break the Marriage between the Dutchess of Chevereux and his Brother was very prejudicial to him for thereby he provoked a Ladies hatred who was apt to bring much trouble upon him the success whereof by reason of what insued thereupon being worthy to be known I will briefly acquaint you with it The Dutchess of Chevereux was always no less noble than generous in her proceedings wherefore the first time that the Prince of Conde visited her after he was at liberty she delivered up unto him the promise which her friends had gotten in writing for the marriage between his Brother and her Daughter saying that she had not desired that writing to oblige him thereunto otherwise than to assure him by such an earnest of her indeavouring his liberty This noble action was much talkt of at Court whereat the Queen was much troubled as if she did triumph over her misfortunes so as not only for the Queens dislike thereof but in respect of the interest of the Crown these insuing marriages were held to be the
into the Territory of the Venetians where she was received upon the Confines by Anthonio Bernardi Captain of Brescia Royally served and her Charges defrayed through all that State From thence she continued her Voyage through Tiroll where she was generally Treated by the Arch-Duke Charles Ferdinand and in the Moneth of Iune following came to Monaco the Residence of his Electoral Highness where she was received by the Elector her Spouse with such tender Love and Affection as is peculiar to one who had long wished for and expected her and as was due to the Rare Beauties and Perfections of such a Princess When the Coronation of the King of the Romans was to be performed the Emperour caused Notice to be given unto the French Ambassadour That he might if he pleased be present at the Ceremony but that in case he came he must needs give the Precedency to the Ambassadour of Spain Vautort answered That as for coming thither he would do as he saw best but as for the Precedence he knew not any person who could take it from his King who was undoubtedly the first of Christendome He forbore notwithstanding to go thither because he would not stand in an ill posture with the House of Austria but might apply himself to those Affairs for which he came which were to continue and encrease the good intelligence between the States of the Empire and the Crown of France that he might be watchful to prevent all prejudice might come unto the Interests of that Crown or its Friends and Confederates by the Resolutions which should there be taken to get the investiture of the places held by the French in Alsatia and to countenance the Interests of Savoy in the investiture he pretended unto of the Towns in Monferrat according to the before mentioned Treaty of Chierasco After the Coronation the Ambassadour Vautort going for Audience unto his Imperial-Majesty he was received with shews of great Esteem and courtesie the Emperour excusing himself modestly That he could not do otherwise The Ambassadour replyed with all Civility to his Complements but defended the Interests and Prerogative of his King with all freedome and boldness The Crown of Sweden sent to this Diet the young Count Oxenstern with the Title of Ambassadour Extraordinary to have the Investiture of the Towns of Pomerania assigned unto the Swedes by the Treaty of Munster but the Emperour refusing to receive him under that title because he came to perform the Office of a Feudatary some differences arose which notwithstanding were after laid aside There were also in this Diet great Controversies between the Emperour and the States who set on foot a bold and a very distastful Pretension which was That they conceived there ought to be an Election of Iudges who might Censure and Iudge the Actions of the Emperours themselves with power to revoke and adnul all Decrees which they conceived to be contrary to Iustice or the Constitution of the Municipal Lawes This Affair as it pressed hard upon the Emperour was very warmly impugned and rejected it being censured as an audacious boldness to go about to prescribe Laws unto him who had the power of making them The Contest was long as being full of knotty Points and tedious difficulties and was solicited with great earnestness and fervour by a person depending on the Emperour himself who having had a Judgment passed against him before his Majestie feared he should not be able to find a good dispatch hereafter of his Causes there but the Endeavours and Artifices of those who laboured therein found such opposition that the Pretenders were finally inforced to give it over without being able to make a farther progress in it At this Meeting the Marquess of Castle Rodrigo Ambassadour from the Catholick King a Person of great Virtue and deep foresight managed divers things advantageous to the Interests of his Master He endeavoured by all means to engage his Imperial Majesty in some Treaty with the Count d' Hâ—rcourt who was in Brisac being upon ill terms with the Court of France to gain out of his hands that most Important Fortress which he said was the Gate by which the French might at their pleasure pass the Rhine and come into the heart of Germany and a Key which would keep them shut up in their own bounds That France shook hands by means thereof with the States Princes of the Empire and Protestant Cantons their Friends so as the Circles of the Empire having alwayes at hand the assistance which upon all occasions they might draw from that united Kingdome so well armed would by consequence swell with such high Pretensions as must necessarily either disturb the Publick Quiet or much weaken and eclipse the Imperial Authority That Caesar being so highly concerned for the general Good ought not to let slip an occasion presented him by Fortune to regain by Art a Place which was never to be won by force of Arms. He shewed farther That Lorrain being beyond Burgundy and Alsatia although the Duke should be restored by the General Peace it would instead of being what it was formerly a Knot that united the Low-Countries with the Franche Comtè and the Austrian Countries be rather a barr and partition to continue them divided from each other which was the greatest prejudice could happen to the Dominions of his Catholick Majesty and of the whole House of Austria whose weakness consisted principally in this That their Countries being dis-joyned they could not without great difficulty communicate those Succours to each other which are necessary for their subsistence in time of Warr. Besides that the French being freed from all Iealousies on that side would with more confidence employ their whole strength in other places But all his Endeavours were without effect as well by reason of the noble disposition of the Emperour who was resolved to observe inviolably the Peace of Munster as of the Ingenuity of Harecourt who would never give ear unto the Propositions reiterated to him from the Spaniards who used their utmost endeavour to make him enter into a Treaty with them by their own and by the Duke of Lorrain's means whom they made sensible what advantage the dislodging of the French out of Alsatia would be unto the Interests of his House and particularly out of Brisac which would alwayes be a bridle upon Lorrain if he should hereafter recover it by any Treaty But Harecourt preferring his Honour and Reputation before all other advantages that might befal him although he might perhaps give ear unto some Propositions and Invitations to a Treaty refused notwithstanding to enter into any or to negotiate touching this Affair Castle Rodrigo sped notwithstanding well touching the Imprisonment of Charles Duke of Lorrain with whom the Spaniards were ill satisfied because they found not in his actions that correspondence which they expected from his gratitude They represented therefore to his Imperial Majestie That the said Duke was not sincere and cordial in his union
King a yearly revenue of above a Million of Pistols All Arts and Sciences do flourish there In it are 59 Colledges 18 â—â—â—es 972 Streets 25 Piazza's It hath 9 Suburbs all very well peopled there being in some of them above 30000 souls It is environed with Walls partly ancient partly modern but without any rules of Fortification The strength thereof consists in the number of People whereof there are above 100000 men inrolled under the Captains and Colonels of Wards It abounds in all things for the Country being every where fertile furnisheth it with all necessaries and there being plenty of Money Merchandize are brought thither from the farthest parts And because at the first breaking out of the War many Courtiers Officers of War and Gentlemen were shut up in Paris it was resolved that none of them should be suffered to go out contrary to the use of Besieged Towns where people are not forbid to go out but kept from coming in This was done out of consideration that many persons of quality and who were well respected at Court and many of their Wives who were most ingaged for the Cardinal and the kindred of those that commanded the City might be the better dealt with by the Kings Forces Moreover no Munition nor Arms of any sort being suffered to be carried out the King's Troops were much weakned for there were not Arms enough to be found within an hundred Leagues of Paris and the Court was no less incommodated by the Courtiers having neither Cloathes Money nor Credit as they use to have in the City by means of Merchants and Friends But at last most of those that would went forth dignified in Clownish and Country Apparrel Lords and Ladieâ— past thus disguised as if they went to the neighbouring Villages to sport themselves but not without being searched whether they had any Arms of Provision which afterwards occasioned much miâ—th at St. Germains and many merry tales Yet leave was given to many who desired it to return to their own homes thinking it better out to interrupt Commerce Paris not being yet fully surrounded 〈◊〉 this interim many Cattle much Corn and Provisions of all sorts was brought into the City The Marquiss of Vxelles brought many of the King's Forces before Corbeâ—â—e a Walled Town upon the Banks of Seine â— Leagues from Paris which Town they took without much resistance and fortified it Hereby it appeared how negligenâ— the Parisians were in not securing that place which was of such importance to the preservation of Paris but they excused it saying That they would not be the first that would break with the King At this time came the Duke d'Elboeufe to the Parliament where he sate as Duke and Peer of France he was much sollicited by the Parliament and the City that he would be their Protector and head them which offer he accepted and offered his three Sons to serve them the Prince Harcourt the Courts of Rieux and of â—abona all of them valiant and considerable men This action was so applauded by the Parisians and Parliament that the Inhabitants cried as he past through the Street Vive le Roy Vive d'Elboeufe The next day he was declared General of the Parisians Armies had 〈◊〉 Oath given him and his three Sons were made Colonels of Horse He sought to ingage the Duke of Orleans in the quarrel but in vain Wherefore finding his Authority eclipsed by the Prince of Conty his unexpected coming to Paris he thought to face about and serve the King which he endeavoured by means of the Duke of Orleans who wrought his peace with the Court and into favour with his Majesty to the great satisfaction of the Court where he was prefer'd was made one of the Privy Council and was made Governour of Picardy The Dutchess of Longueville growing hereupon jealous and in danger of being arrested since it might be thought her Brother and Husband held intelligence with the Court wherefore she thought to clear her self by the Coadjutor and chief of the Frondeurs and to make known why those Princes came not and together with the Counsellor Longueville and the Son of President Maisons told Gourville that he must go to St. Germains to acquaint the Princes that the Decree was past against the Cardinal and that therefore they muâ—â— needs come to Paris that very day where they should be waited for till an hour after midnight for otherwise they were resolved to make the Duke d'Elboeufe Generalissimo the next Morning who would use all the means he could to hinder their coming Gourville went presently to St. Germains and told how affairs went Prince Marsilliack went to finde out the Prince of Conty and Duke of Longueville who was come thither the Thursday before and they agreed to go all together that very night to Paris And Marsilliack having left his Horses and those of Longueville and of the Marquiss of Noirsmonstere with his Groom in the Castle-court he went to wait for them at Bevaratoio Conty Longueville Rochefancault the Marquisses of Ronsiere and Noirsmonstere went together with Gourville thorough the Yard following the Marquiss St. Maigrin The Prince of Conty's Hat fell off as he went thorough the Castle-gate which he recovered not without danger of being known by Monsieur Tillier who chanc'd to pass by at the same time which was the cause why Prince Marsilliack went another way without them It was strange that a thing done so publickly should not be observed They came all about midnight to Porte St. Honoré and past freely through the Kings Guards for Noirsmonstere was Marshal of the Army Marsilliack seeing Dongions Gate shut which is a Tower that stands over the Castle-gate or Kings Palace it being neer midnight thought the Princes had been taken Prisoners and thought to save himself But not finding the Horses where he left them he knew they were gone so he went along the River that night to the Suburbs of St. Germains where he found that neither Conty nor Longueville were come and that the Parliament had already declared d'Elboeufe General but being seen with the chief Counsellors of the Treaty of Noisy and knowing what had past the Princes were at last received upon their Artestate though the Duke d'Elboeufe's friends being jealous gave out that Conty was come from his Brother to deceive them which caused such jealousies in the Parisians as they set a Guard upon L'Hostelle di Longueville where they were all lodged Conty sent his Secretary Baracine to Councellor Longueville offering to go liâ—â— in the publick Palace of the City as they did and the Duke of Longueville sent for his Wife and Daughter thither shewing thereby that he put himself into the hands of the people which made them confide in him and here his Wife was delivered of her second Son called Count St. Paul who was Baptized with great solemnity by the Coadjutor and had the City of Paris and the Dutchess of Boullion for his God-mothers and was
the greatest part of the Convoy taken before they could get into Vitry And they would have fared worse had not the Marshal de la Motte who was come out with some Forces that very morning and was joyned to Marsilliack appeared in time and so opportunely as falling together with Marsilliack upon the Kings men who were already gotten into Vitry they drove them back to their main Body so they entred all of them into Villejeuf and fortified it Marshal Grammont having staid a while to expect a recruit thought it not fit to assault Villejeuf which was already fortified especially since the night drew on and he so neer Paris so far from his own quarters as he might have been surprized with prejudice to the Court and therefore being contented with having taken the Convoy he retreated to Medune and so to St. Clou. Beaufort's Name was so celebrated by the Parisians as it was no sooner known that he was out of danger but above 30000 people what Men what Women ran to where the fight had been shewing their particular joy towards him who had fought hand to hand with the Count di Briole a bold and courageous Gentleman Though Longueville was obeyed in Normandy by almost all the Province and that more than 20 Gentlemen had taken Commissions to be Colonels under him yet being not able for want of Moneys to raise the men that he had promised the Parisians began to conceive that he had failed the Parliament which expected much from him that he held secret intelligence with the Court and that he sought excuses to evade the assistance which he had promised the Parisians It was true he had had some Treaty with the Marquiss St. Luke but without concluding any thing The Parisians being thus troubled as well for the irresolution of the Princes and Commanders as for the backwardness of the other Provinces and Parliaments of the Kingdom who though they had been much sollicited could never be brought to declare any thing against Regal Authority found how little stedfast those hopes are which are grounded upon other means assistance and began to desire that Peace which they had abused The Passes over the Rivers and chief Avenues by Land being this mean while blockt up the Kings Camp grew daily greater and the Besieged's courage failed Divers succours came to the King amongst which that which was brought by the Count di St. Aignan was a very considerable one He of himself brought 400 Gentlemen his friends and such as depended in the Province of Berry where he was much beloved and came with them and as many other Servants to St. Germains much to his praise and to the Kings satisfaction They were quartered not far from the Court that they might be ready upon any sudden occasion Monsieur Boisack brought other Forces to Chastres and Linoy seven Leagues from Paris so as Paris was also blockt up on that side and began to be less eager and to see that they must have Peace be it either with or without the Cardinal So the first heat of War began to cool and Peace to be desired whereunto the Court did no less incline The Parliament forbore sending their Deputies to St. Germains lesâ— they should be denied Audience the second time and it became not the King's honour to send Proposals of Agreement to a disobedient City and to Subjects who in all reason ought to humble themselves At last it was thought fit by some that were well minded to send Loyaque Herauld of France from the Court to Paris with two Trumpets to intimate his Majesties Intentions and Orders to the Parliament City and to the Prince of Conty that occasion might be given of a Treaty as fortunately was On the 1â— of February the Herauld was sent with Instructions in Writing which being a thing seldom heard of it will not be amiss to relate them The Herauld being come to Paris was brought to the Parliament where he spoke as followeth My King and your Master hath sent me by the advice of the Queen Regent to you Presidents and Councellors and to give you this Declaration whereby his Majesty doth discharge you of all your Employments in case you go not out of Paris within 8 days Being notwithstanding willing that those shall enjoy their places who shall come unto his Majesty within the said time And because his Majesty understands that this Declaration which was sent on the 23 day of the last moneth hath not come to the knowledge of the most of you by reason of the diligence that was made to hinder it His Majesty besides the eight days which ought to be numbred from the day of the Date which time is already expired grants you four days more to begin on this day wherein I give you notice of it And his Majesty being sensible of the miseries and sufferings of his poor people of Paris and that he will leave nothing undone to free them thereof be by the advice of the Queen his Mother to the end that none of you may have any pretence to continue longer in your disobedience hath commanded me to signifie unto you That he promiseth and granteth full security for the Persons Places and Goods of all those without any exception who shall go out of Paris within the aforesaid time And this his Majesty doth assure you on the Word and Faith of a King But if you shall abuse this his Majesty's so great Clemency and Goodness and shall continue in disobedience to your Master and Soveraign I am commanded to tell you that you must not afterwards hope for Pardon since you will be the ruine of all the Parisians and the occasion of all the evils that shall ensue When he had said this he gave the King's Declaration and the same Instruction From thence he came to the publick Hall of the City whereinto being brought he said My King and your Master hath sent me to you the Provost of Merchants the Sheriffs Councellors Quartermans and People of Paris to give you this Declaration which I am commanded to read unto you Which when he had done he said The chief reasons which moved his Majesty to send Testimonies of his goodness to the Parliament to the Prince of Conty and to the other Princes and their adherents was as they should finde by his Declaration to give rest to his good City of Paris to withdrâ—w the Inhabitants from the evil ways whereinto they had suffered themselves to be seduced and to free them from the misfortunes which it was impossible for them to escape if they should still continue in their Rebellion that they might easily see his Majesty's tenderness towards them by his endeavouring to give them proof thereof now when God had pleased to favour the right of his Cause by the late happy successes He then desired to be brought to the Prince of Conty to whom he spoke thus My King and thy Master hath sent me to thee Armande di Bourbon to tell thee
were as yet open on two or three sides writ to Count Fuenseldagne That the City was in danger to be lost unless it were speedily relieved and mentioned the way to do it which was to march straight forward with the body of the Army towards the Fortifications feigning to fall upon one Quarter and to send 2000 Foot to another Quarter which was not yet intrenched so as the one or the other of them might easily enter where they were least looked for This Letter was intercepted by the French and being decifer'd was sent to Count Harcourt that he might so order his Affairs as to disappoint the Enemies The Spaniards assaulted the Quarters The French thought assuredly either to take or to cut in pieces the 2000 men that came to relieve the Town but notwithstanding they got in no man knew how nor no man withstanding them Some would have it that it was by the negligence of an Officer who quitted a Barricado to run to hear a noise that was made in another part but be it what you will it hapned so unexpectedly as all were amazed at it yea even the Spaniards themselves The French imputed it to the Germans who as strangers might perchance have been favourable to the Enemy But the common Opinion was That it hapned by a very great Mist that fell then and by the negligence of an Officer that guarded the Barricado Harcourt hereupon rais'd the Camp to the great discontent of the Court for it was thought his Forces were such as he might have taken it although the relief was entered He retreated to Cambresi whereat the Arch-Duke being very much joy'd as having saved a place of such importance he sent the Marquiss Sfondrato with 6000 men toward the Washes of Flanders to observe Palvan's proceedings propounding nothing to himself during that Campagnia but how to keep the French from making more attempts Thus the Armies kept for some days neer one another wanting many necessaries The King and Court kept still at Compeigne and were the more displeased with this accident for that they saw the Frondeurs and other Male-contents of Paris rejoyced thereat as if they had thereby received a great Victory being so blinded with hatred as the French were seen to rejoyce at their own ruine left good success might have increased the Cardinal's Reputation Beaufort and the Coadjutor and others who envied his fortune gave out That he was the cause why the King did not return to Paris rendring him thereby hateful to the Inhabitants who got much by the Courts being at Paris and so highly were they incensed against those that were of the Royal Party as in scorn the Frondeurs called them Mazaâ—inians Two things did much trouble the Court and the Cardinal to whom as chief Director all both good and bad success were attributed so as he resolved to go himself to the Camp upon pretence to treat of general Peace with the Spanish Plenipotentiary Pignoranda who was to that purpose to be at Valenciennes as was agreed upon by the Pope's Nuntio and the Venetian Embassador On the 22 of Iuly he went to Chasteau-Cambrey where the King's Army lay and was accompanied by the Dukes Vandosm and Mercoeur the Mareshal Villeroy and Pâ—essis Prasin together with dâ—ierâ— others of the Court He was received in the Camp with all applause due to his Eminency Where he had divers consultations with the prime men whom he admitted to the Treaty and inviting them frequently encouraged them to shew their Worth and Valour Then causing the Army to be mustered he presented them with considerable Donatives particularly the Dutch Commanders declaring That he never had the least suspition that Cambray was relieved through any miscarriage of theirs and that the King was of the same opinion from whom he brought Letters to General Ohem wherein his Majesty expressed his opinion of their innocency and by these and other civilities endeavoured to sweeten them who for the imputation falsly laid upon them threatned to forsake the Service as being freemen and Forreigners and did win upon their affections for all the French could do to their prejudice And there being nothing that makes Souldiers willinger to hazard their Lives than to shew them a means how to make amends for their sufferings he moved that they should march into the Island of St. Armand a rich and plentiful Country seated between the Rivers Scheld and Scarpe Which being agreed upon the French marched into that fruitful Island and entred into the midst of it without any opposition for their coming was unexpected and pillaged whatsoever they pleased to the as great confusion of the Inhabitants as grief of the Spaniards who were generally blamed by all Flanders for their inadvertency therein The Arch-Duke went thither to see whether the Enemy were to be fought with or no and driven from thence and took up his Quarters there where the Scarpe falls into the Scheld to keep the French from advancing further And since his Army could not fight the French being fewer in number he by the advantage of scituation defended the Passes and sent for Souldiers from Flanders and from all the neighbouring Provinces to increase his Army The French quartered in this opulent Country for above two Moneths running up and down without doing any thing till finding it needful to possess themselves of some place behinde them whereby they might facilitate the bringing of necessaries to the Camp and keep their Cavalry without any trouble in the Enemy's Country Count Harcourt rose on the 7 th of August from the Abby of Denaim where he was encamped after the Spaniards had retreated to Valenciennes and went to Arleux between Doway and Bocheim which is a small tract of Ground Islanded by the River Scarpe and by the Rivolets of Sluce and Sally five Leagues from Arras where he staid some days as well to hinder the Spaniards from bringing Provisions to their Camp from Doway Cambray Bocheim and other places as to get Victuals for his Army And not long after parting from thence he encamped within sight of Valenciennes and went himself in person with 1500 Horse and 2000 Commanded Foot to assault the Town of Condé scituated in a place where it is not overlooked any where having a no contemptible Castle which is watered by the Rivers Escaut and Aisne Count Broglio had the charge of assaulting the Town given him which he did with incredible speed and lodged suddainly upon the Counterscarp of the Town and forced the Enemy quickly to surrender it Colonel Grondes marching out of it on the 24 th of August with 500 Foot and 50 Horse which were Convoy'd by Monsieur Beauvais to Valenciennes Upon this advice the Arch-Duke advanc'd to Morteigne but hearing that that place was lost went neer Tourney summoning together all the scattered Souldiery and the Country-Militia to keep the French from making further progress who marched even within sight of Brussels though not without the inconveniency of want of
Army and commanded them not to shoot whilst he was there which was accordingly obeyed as being a Respect always used to be paid to the King's person But his Majesty being gone and the Cardinal staying behind they began to shoot again and his Eminence was in great danger by a shot which killed one of his Servants that stood close by him The next day the besieged articled to deliver the place upon fair Quarter if they were not relieved before the 20th day and a general Pardon for all within the Town the principal of which were the Count Tavanes Monsieur de St. Mecaud the Count de Coligny and several others of the Princes friends The Cardinal having gained great honour by this Action caused his Majesty to return to Dijon and from thence upon the 2d day of May to Paris Two days after his Majesty's coming thither the old Princess of Condé who during the King's absence was come privately to Paris with designe to have raised some Commotion in favour of her Sons and Son-in-law was commanded to retire out of Town unto Argeville a house belonging to the President Perault and the Superintendance over the Admiralty was conferred upon the Duke Beaufort notwithstanding it had before been promised unto the Duke Mercoeur his elder Brother Meantime the Dutchess of Longueville having staid some days at Roterdam went to Mastrick where Don Gabriel de Toledo came in the Arch-Duke's name to complement her and to propose a Treaty with his Highness which the Dutchess refused to enter into until she had first spoken with Monsieur de Turenne who expected her in Stenay Don Gabriel being satisfied with this Answer resolved to wait upon her thither When she came within two days journey of the place Turenne came to meet her with all the Troops and Officers he had with him and brought her into the Town with the general applause of all Presently after her coming she and Turenne began a Treaty with the Arch-Duke and upon the 30th of April following they concluded an Agreement with him upon the terms hereafter mentioned That they should unitetheir Forces under the Protection of his Catholick Majesty and should employ them for the attaining of two things that is for the obtaining a just equal and sincere Peace between the two Crowns and for procuring the release of the Princes from their Imprisonment That they would not lay down Arms till both those ends were first obtained his Catholick Majesty promising that he would not consent unto a Peace with France but upon that condition unless the Princes were first released by other means And in case the Princes before any general Peace should be released they should notwithstanding be bound to employ their Forces to compel the French to such a Peace The King of Spain should pay 200000 Crowns unto the Dutchess and Turenne whereof 100000 should be paid fifteen days after the signing of the Articles and 100000 more within a month after all which moneys were to be employed in raising Forces for the Publick Cause Vnto the Dutchess and Turenne for maintenance of their Troops and for their own subsistance should be paid 40000 Crowns monthly from the subscription of the Articles and 60000 Crowns more yearly to be paid at three payments for their own expences There should also be added by the Catholick King 2000 Foot and 3000 Horse with all Ammunition necessary for the whole Army which were to be commanded by Turenne and march into France for the enforcing of those two things from the Cardinal The Dutchess and Marshal should put the Spaniard into possession of all strong Towns and places which they held except the Citadel of Stenay into which his Majesty might put what men he pleased to keep them in depositum till the delivery of the Princes and conclusion of the Peace at which time they were to be restored unto the Princes his Majesty being permitted to take away his Cannon and Ammunition out of them as in such Cases is usual The Places in France which should be taken upon the Frontiers should be also kept by the Spaniard till the Peace between the two Crowns but those within the Country should be kept by the Princes All the said Moneys excepting onely the 60000 Crowns designed for the particular Expences of the Dutchess and Turenne were to be paid according to the Orders of Turenne and of the Controler or Pagador general who was to be appointed in that Army by the King of Spain The 2000 Foot and 3000 Horse should be commanded by a Spaniard who was notwithstanding to receive Orders from Turenne The said 5000 men were to live in France and be paid by the Spaniard onely the Princes were obliged to finde them Ammunition-bread whilst they were in France unless they were in Quarters or sat down to besiege a Town within Eight leagues of Flanders in which Case the said Ammunition-bread was to be provided by his Majesty and a Confirmation of the Agreement was to be procured from Spain within three months from the Subscription of the Treaty The League between Longueville Turenne and the Spaniard being thus concluded the Duke of Bovillon who was then in Turenne and the Prince Marsilliac who was at his own house began to cast about and consider how they might be assistant to them and because of themselves wanting both Men and Money they could do nothing they resolved to engage Bourdeaux upon pretence of getting the Duke of Espernon to be removed from that Government as those people desired and had been at Court to have it done In this mean time Monsieur Todias one of the Prince of Condé's Gentlemen had been several times to confer sometimes with the Duke de Rochefaucault and sometimes with the Duke de St. Simon who was Governour of the most important Fort of Blaye scituate upon the mouth of the Garonne where it disgorges it self into the Sea and it was proposed that a Conference should be between those two Dukes and the Dukes of Bovillon and de la Force at which two Counsellours of Bourdeaux were also to intervene The designe was to have the Duke d' Aâ—guien onely Son to the Prince of Condé to be received into that City â—or which purpose Gourville went to the Princess his Mother who was then at Chantilly to propose it to her which she at first could not consent unto but gave two thousand Ducatoons which she had received unto Gourville and with that small sum of Money they gave beginning to so great a War Monsieur Todias went from Blaye to the Duke Rochefaucault to appoint the day and place for the meeting but two hours after his coming a Gentleman was sent from the Duke San Simon who in his name prayed to be excused if he did not proceed in that affair because having found that they intended to break with the Court and set up a party against it he was resolved not to engage therein it being contrary to the duty of a good
next day as the Assembly rose a great noise â—as heard in the outward Hall of the Palace made by divers who were hired to do it amongst which one was so bold as to say and swear to President Mesnies in an outragious manner that they would have justice and a fig for Mazerine which made the President return into the Chamber fearing worse The Duke of Orleans answered to the desire made unto him by the two aforesaid That he would not come to the Assembly for that there was so great tumultuating and that when he should come it should be to the cost of some body who made it lawful to publish that the Princes were removed from Marcousi to Haure de Grace without his consent that knowing they would not meet without he were present to treat of affairs of such importance he would not come to them but let them do what they would nothing was to be done but to remit that business to the Queen to do what she pleased therein and that it had never been heard that the Parliament did meddle in any such affairs That whereas it seemed strange unto them that Monsieur di Bar should guard the Princes let them consider that the late Prince was guarded in the Castle of Vincennes by a Lieutenant of the Navarre Regiment Notwithstanding they continued to treat of the Princes and the aforesaid Dandales moved that a Remonstrance might be made both by word of mouth and in writing to the King that Haure de Grace not being a sitting Prison for Princes of the blood nor la Bar of a sitting condition to be their keeper it being a place belonging to the Guards of the Kings body the Princes might be removed to the Louvre and be there guarded by the Kings Officers Crespin being of the Kings party asked where the Parliaments Artillery was to force Bar to let loose the Princes and whether they had 50000. Ussieri or Serjeants to make an Army and besiege him in case he refused to obey them Thus the Assembly ended without concluding any thing and adjourned till the next day When the Marishal de L' Hospital being in the great Hall and hearing himself called a Mazarinian turned about and said aloud who is he that calls me a Mazarinian one of the insolent people replied I am he that says so but who are you that ask me The Marishal wisely said nothing finding that they were people who desired nothing but to raise Tumults When the Assembly met again the same Dislandes propounding what he had done before added that if the Parliament should think good to fall upon the Cardinals bad Administration of Government he would lend his helping hand but that then the other Parliaments must be invited to co-operate joyntly for the good of the State this being well liked by many afforded occasion to many to commence the discourse Counsellor Brussels seconding Dislandes added that all the Evils that had befaln France for the four last years had proceeded from the Cardinals bad guiding of affairs he imputed unto him that he had appropriated unto himself almost all the Revenues of the King that he detain'd the pay of the Armies and of the Fleets for his own use which occasioned the Soldiers plundering and extortions even to the Gates of Paris That it was a shame for France to tolerate a stranger so long he then fell to speak of the Prince of Conde shewing that in the Kings own Declaration he was charged chiefly with being too ambitious of having the places of Government bestowed upon his Friends which if it were a fault in him it might much more be called guilt in the Cardinal there not being any strong place whereof he was not now absolute master that his going to Rethel was only to treat of Charleville and of Monte Olimpe and alledging divers other examples and reasons concluded that in their Remonstrances they must mention the Cardinal and declare unto the King in writing the unless speedy remedy were taken he went about to undo the State Champound Refuge Meusiner Sevin Coqueley and others continued to inveigh mightily against the Cardinal but nothing was resolved upon for the delight of backbiting spun out the time till it grew late nor was there any thing concluded the Munday following For news coming that the Battel of Rethel was won the Chambers were invited to assist at Te Deum which was no pleasing news to many for that it was altogether in praise of the Cardinal in whose behalf Malnerdeau Champre advancing said that all the good Fortune of France proceeded from the Cardinal who was the cause of obtaining that Victory and of all the advantages gotten by the former Champagnias He commended his Government and joined in opinion with those that were for the King And for what concerned the Prince they were to be given into the Cardinals custody who would have a particular care of them but he was not listned unto The Parliament met the following days and the Coadjutor discoursed vehemently against the disorders of the State not naming any body he said that the Victory being gotten and the Enemy being so reduced as they could do nothing they must think upon home affairs and free the Kingdom from the bad Administration of the Finances but that all things could not be done without setting the Princes at liberty which was a point of State and ought to be done though they should not prove innocent Barine master of the requests Aisne and other Councellors continued still to blame the Government but President Viola was more passionate than all the rest he discoursed largely of the Princes affairs he spoke of the Cardinal as of the common Enemy He quoted a place of Scripture where it is said that Forreigners ought not to be received into the Government of States nor be acquainted with publick affairs adding that all the Kings confederates did abandon him by reason of the bad satisfaction they received from the Favourite when they were to negotiate any thing That the few Princes of Italy who were yet Friends to France were in doubt whether they should continue still so or no that Catalonia which had cost the King above 60. Millions was about to be lost That the English did threaten that all France was full of fire wherefore he concluded for the Remonstrances Blanmenill and Gilbert shewed examples â—out of History of what disorders had besaln States which have been governed by Forreigners and how that all Princes that ever made use of them have been forced to abandon them and to send them away and here amongst other examples he alledged the Declaration made by the late King Lewis the 13 th when the late Prince of Conde was set at liberty after a long imprisonment occasioned by the ambition of the Marquess de Ancere a Florentine Gilbert remembring violences committed by Ministers of State against the chief Lords of the Land added that Favorites thought themselves out of credit when they did
removed by the removing the cause some others of the Cardinals Domesticks taking offence at the strange proceeding of the Frondeurs and Male-contents said That he was to maintain himself by force and to asswage the tumor before it did more insistolize these said That the King was absolute Master and that the Subjects were to renounce not to censure the Kings actions that all the strong holds Soldiers Subjects and greatest part of the Nobles were for the King Wherefore they ought not to foregoe the Resolutions of suppressing of some ambitious Spirits who were incouraged only by the popular breath of Paris which being a populous City was subject to the fatality of wavering according to the fury of the rabble rout That the strength of the Duke of Orleans of the Frondeurs Parliament and people lay only in their opinion of the Courts weakness which the more reservedly it proceeded against them it made them the prouder and made one contumacious act a ladder whereby to climb up to greater so as to be feared they must appear not to fear that the people seeing a Masculine resolution put on would rather think of saving themselves than of precipitating themselves into a party which was not able to sustain them That the friends of the imprisoned Princes fearing that their lives might be indangered would forbear those attempts which might force the Court to use violence that friends would be incouraged and that it being in the Kings power to bestow all places and honours the desire of merit would prevail more with most men than the unquiet party That therefore they must be no longer in resolving for slow resolutions in such cases shewed weakness and fear which was the only reason of the rashness of the seditious nor did they forbear to say that absolute power might be used upon the Parliament Commissioners yea even to life if their associates should transgress the bounds of duty The Cardinal thought this advice was not to be contemned and had he accepted it it might peradventure have done the deed but the Cardinal though he wanted neither courage nor wit to have done it answered that since the business concerned only himself he would not ingage the Kings Authority in his defence against a Nation to which he intended glory and advantage not misery and troubles being confident that the Duke of Orleans the Parliament and people would at last clearly discern the cunning of those that were Enemies to quiet and that when this cloud should be once over the innocency of his actions would in time appear more clearly he therefore did only feel the pulse of the Provost de Merchants of the Sheriffs Field-Officers and Colonels and finding them readier to obey Orleans than the King he resolved to yield to the Popular violence believing that like an high going Sea it would grow calm when the winds should cease Nor would he indeavour to carry the King and Court out of Paris as well for that it would be very hard to do by reason of the strict guards that were kept in all the Streets as also that the Court being gone that powerful City would rest at the disposal of his Enemies which was the thing they would be at Being thus resolved to be gone he acquainted the Queen with it saying That if the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament would be satisfied with this things would go well the loss of his person not being to be considered if thereby the publick peace might be purchased But that if no good should accrue by his absence her Majesty might then believe there were some conceal'd plots against her service that she should therefore in such a case keep conceal'd and indeavour by all means to get the King out of Paris and that she should not by any means suffer her self to be perswaded to set the Princes at liberty for when he should be gone and that pretences should not thereby cease they were not to be set at liberty unless upon such conditions as that they should owe the Obligation only to the King's goodness and to no body besides He caused a Letter to be sent to La Bar subscribed by the Queens own hand with order to obey what she should command and to set the Princes at liberty if agreement were made with them or else to detain them till they might in time be set free with more safety things being thus setled he left the Abbate Vndedey with the Queen to have a care of what should occur and in the Evening upon the sixth of February he called for Count Brienne the first Secretary and acquainted him with his Resolution of being gone recommending the Kings interest unto him whose Authority he said was several ways plotted against and without more ado went down stairs got on Horse back and accompanied by only three went by the Rue St. Honore toward the gate de Conferance but hearing that many were run before to the Twilleries where Madamoselle d' Orleans then was for they had had some inckling of his departure he turned about and went by Porte Richelieu and got into the Fields where many of his friends waited for him he went towards St. Germans accompanied by the Counts of Harcourt and Palaw by the Marquesses of Ronserolles Brevall Plessis Belliere by Baron Camilliack and by many others of good condition who in all might make about four hundred Horse He staid at St. Germans and sent speedily to Monsieur Lyon who was gone before to Haure de Grace to negociate with the Princes to know what their intentions were touching agreements and to know of La Bar if coming thither with orders from the Regent he should be received and obey'd But Lyons negotiation proved imperfect by reason of the novelties which had hapned at Paris by which the Queen was compell'd to send orders for their Releasement without any manner of conditions She also sent Count Broglio to Tillier with a Letter acquainting him that the Council stood firm to their resolution of not setting the Princes at liberty till that acknowledging their obligation only from her they might have no occasion to reconcile themselves with the Frondeurs but neither did this hit for one of the Lords of the Privy Council acquainted Chasteauneuf that the Cardinal had conceal'd that the Princes should be set at liberty by none but him This man though he were then an open Enemy to Conde did notwithstanding consent to his liberty so to sweeten him and to let him see that he had forgot all former injuries wherefore it being given out that Mazarine was gone to free the Princes their Enemies fell to consider what prejudice might redound to them if Conde should come out meerly by means of the Cardinal wherefore that they might prevent him they began with great ardor to procure his liberty And Chasteauneuf caused President Perault a great friend of Conde's to be let loose out of the Bastile without order from the Queen but howsoever the Cardinal
France and upon the Reputation which Conde had won in Arms. Fuenseldaglia's order was revoked nay he was forbidden to hold any correspondency with the Cardinal to avoid giving jealousie to Conde's party which was well minded to joyn with the Spanish faction but before the Cardinal went from Dorlans after having received orders from the Queen by Belingau and Ravigny he writ a Letter to her Majesty of these contents Madame HAving seen the Letter which your Majesty was pleased to honour me with all and heard what Monsieur Ravigny delivered me from your Majesty by word of mouth touching what concerns your Majesties service to wit that together with my departure from Court I be speedily gone out of the Kingdom I have willingly obey'd your pleasure whose commands shall always be the only law and rule of my life I have sent a Gentleman to find me out some Sanctuary though I want all necessaries for a long journey To morrow without all fail I will go towards Sedam and from thence to any place I can get for my abode I am so much bound to observe your Majesties orders as I will not give way to retard the willing obeying of them yet Madame there are many who were they in my condition and had they justice and number of friends that I have would find ways to defend themselves from the persecution which I undergo and whereon I will not think chosing rather to content mine Enemies than do any thing that may prove prejudicial to the State or displeasing to your Majesty and though upon this occasion they have been able to keep his Royal Highness from seconding the motions of his innate goodness they have notwithstanding witnessed unto him though contrary to their wills the good opinion which he is forced to have of my intire obedience as also of my zeal for the good of the State For did they not know that I were not to be removed from this sense they would not have been so unwise as to reduce me to these extreams without reflecting upon the knowledg that I have of the secret and most important affairs of the Kingdom whereof I have by your Majesties favour had the Government so long and have served you faithfully as is known to all the world But Madame I am too much obliged to your Majesties goodness to dream of any thing contrary to your liking and would the sacrificing of my life give you the least satisfaction I would readily do it and I do protest that I am very well satisfied when I shall know that in this my misfortune your Majesty will be pleased to remember what service I have done the State after the late King of glorious Memory was pleased to honor me and to trust me with directing all things and did often before his death desire your Majesty to keep me in the same imployment with what integrity zeal and unconcernment to my self I have discharged it your Majesty knows and if I may be permitted to say so with what good success for the wisest and even the Spaniards themselves do confess that they do less wonder at the conquests made by your Majesties Armies in the first five years of your Regency than to see how you have been able for these three last years to manage affairs and to save the Ship from Shipwrack which hath been plaid upon from so many parts and agitated by the storms of home divisions I wish Madame that I could conceal from strangers the ill dealing which I receive for fencing off the blame from a Nation which I have always loved and reverenced But when they shall see me go to seek whither I may retire to live in safety with those that are nearest unto me they will have too much reason to wonder to see a Cardinal so treated who hath the honour to be the King's Godfather and that two and twenty years of faithfull service have not been able to procure a safe place to retire unto in this Kingdom whose confines the world knows are much increased by his means I beseech God Madame that as what hath befaln me shall never alter the passion which I shall preserve till death for the Grandezza of your Majesty and for the flourishing of your State it may also make all disorders cease making it appear that those who have declared against me have done it only against my person Having written this Letter and being come to Bovillion where he received new orders to go further from the confines of the Kingdom he thought fit to write another Letter to Count Brien the first Secretary of State wherein many things being touched upon which may give more light to what is here treated on I hope it will not prove tedious to relate them I send you an answer to the Letters written unto me by her Majesty I should have been some days ago upon the Rhine had I been the only guilty party but my nearest Relations being likewise involved in my faults and sentenced to be sent out of the Kingdom I could not possibly be more diligent since I was to carry them with me and to cross an Enemies Country full of Armed men without a Pasport I am very much perplext in performing the orders which are sent me since I cannot imagine that their Majesties intend that I should expose my self to apparent danger of either being slain or taken Prisoner as I am told for certain his intention is who boasts amongst those of his party to have framed the decrees against me before they came into Parliament and that he had sufficient means to make the Court acquiesce therein For I may easily conceive what his intentions are touching the State and me after his punctuality in seducing a Collegue of his to imbrangle the Parliament Nobility Clergy and People and to bring all to ruine unless he were chosen Cardinal And I very well see how he labors incessantly to cause orders be given me and at the same time to keep me from obeying them that so he may have a pretence to raise a hubbub in Paris and to compass his ends by my utter ruine If this could be any way advantagious or acceptable to the King or Queen I would concur therein with all my heart But I must then have known it for being given to their Majesties I cannot dispose of my self otherwise than as they shall command me it was their pleasure that I should go from Court and out of the Kingdom together with all my nearest Relations and Domesticks and that at the same time I should be brought to the common Goal at Paris Now that I am out of France they will have me go yet further and at the same time they lay traps and ambushes to hinder me I desired to be conducted to Charleville and Mesieres but was denied I must not go into the King of Spain's Dominions and they have requested several Princes not to suffer me to come into their States They leave nothing undone at
Rome to incense the Pope against me Seven of the Duke of Lorrain ' s Regiments are come within four leagues of this place and lye upon the way that I am to go for Germany Marishal Turen sent some Horse out against me when I went from Retel and two days after he sent 100. Horse to sack a village but one league from hence who after having taken all things from me and evilly intreated the Master of the Place they dispersed abroad great store of Tickets wherein was contained that if Cardinal Mazarine should be received into any Towns in the Country of Leige those Towns should be plundered as you may see by one of the Tickets which I herewith send you I do very much wonder that one whom I have served so much and whom I have so tenderly loved and so highly esteemed should so much insult over me in my present condition I must believe my persecutors think me some body since they leave nothing undone to ruine me whilst they are so much troubled about me but I promise you if they saw how I bear all this it would lessen their delight in persecuting me for having always served the King well and faithfully as all men know I am at peace within my conscience not upbraiding me with any thing that I have done amiss And could my desire of the good and welfare of the State be greater than it is it should be so much the greater by how much greater my troubles are never was any man of my condition treated as I have been But thereby they afford me matter of consolation knowing that it is interest and not justice that prevails with them they have rob'd me of all as well of what I had got in serving the late King as of all the best and most curious things which I brought from Rome which as all men know I intended to bequeath to Paris as I had bequeathed my self to France Of all the favours I have received from his Majesty they have left me nothing but the Cardinals Cap which his Majesty procured me after twelve years service wherein he hath experienced my Loyalty and my zeal I was the means of taking many places which are now under the Dominion of this Crown and as the King hath said often whilst he was alive I contributed boldly to the glory won by his Armies in Italy particularly at Casal where without loss of one drop of blood they gave the Law I ended the negotiation of Pinarolle by my means the Princes of Savoy Mauritius and Thomaso did the second time forgo the Catholick King 's party whereby many Towns in Piemont were gotten from the Spaniards at which being highly distasted they did always afterwards oppose my promotion which I had deserved as well as any other for my service done to the Holy Church I was the cause that Sedam and many other Towns fell into the King of France his hand as is well kâ—own to all the World I conjure you to desire their Majesties from me that they will procure from Rome that the Cardinals Cardinals Cap may be taken from me and that it may be bestowed upon some more deserving person who may serve them better and I shall be very well pleased when after being berest of all I shall in my heart bear more affection to their service than ever I beg but one only favour of them which is that they will be just to me in the preservation of my honour which they ought not suffer to be question'd by my Enemies since it is apparent that the preservation and increase thereof hath been that which I have only aimed at during the course of my whole life If any persecutors have reason to punish me methinks they should do it by the usual course of Law and not by unpractised violence I hear of no accusers and yet they have begun with me by a sentence and have done by me as we hear in holy Scriptures that God had wont to do but with infallible wisdom punish whole Families for the sins of their Forefathers After they have punish'd me no fault appearing they have left nothing untried to make the meaner sort of people believe there lives not a worse man than I you know whether it was I that hindred the conclusion of the general peace and with what sincerity the Duke of Longueville hath always spoken therein though he was not then bound to defend me and how often after his return from Munster he hath said in Council that he could never find what it was the Spaniards would be at You know also that the Plenipotentiaries did not extend their power so far as they might to make peace and that in their Letters they alledged reasons which diverted them from doing otherwise amongst which one was that the result of making peace would be to manifest their own weakness without doing any good The Spanish agents being bent to spin on the business with France that they might draw on the conclusion of peace with Holland believing that being free from War on that side they might the more easily turn all their forces against France You may remember that when it was known the Holland Agents had power to make peace with Spain without France they used all possible diligence that it might be joyntly done and therefore resolved to sweeten all points that the Spaniards stuck upon You may also remember that it was then held fit to have extraordinary Councils which were held in L' Hostelle de Orleans and sometimes in my House by his Highness orders wherein the dispatches of Munster were read the points examined and answers resolved upon which being done they were again read over in Council to see whether there were any thing to be amended added or diminished every one striving to do or say something which might contribute to the perfecting of so good a work but all this diligence did nothing and Pignoranda made known what his orders were for when he had concluded with the Hollanders he was never at quiet till he was retired from Munster to avoid being prest by the Mediators to accommodation with this Crown I had not only been persidious but out of my wits if I had not done what in me lay to make peace for the Kingdom being thus quieted I should not only have shared of the good which this peace would have produced but should have purchased much glory and thanks Those who to render me odious to the people labour'd to make it seem that it was I who did impede peace know the contrary and there needs no more to make their malice notorious to the whole world than the knowledge of all the dispatches sent to Munster the particular Letters written to the Duke of Longueville Monsieur de Avaux and to Count Servient and what answers they received These bad minded Criticks were apt to backbite and to puzzle all that could be done in the Assembly and much more if peace had been
that he made use of the Cardinals name to foment the divisions of the State he said he had nothing to do in any thing that had been said or done against him before his disimprisonment and that if he had afterwards joyn'd with the sense of all the Parliaments of the Kingdom and with the Votes of all the people it was only to maintain the quiet which might be disturb'd by his return and that if the Kings Council had been so diligent as they ought to have been in taking away the jealousies occasioned by so many sendings to Colen the Parliament should not have needed to be troubled at his return nor to desire a Declaration in confirmation of the Decrees which had been made which it seems was indeavoured to be deluded by that writing which wanting the usual form ought to be of no consideration That though this were enough to say That he had no need to answer that notwithstanding since it had been said in the presence of that Assembly and in the rest of the body of the City and which had moreover been Printed he thought it fit to convince all men of the calumnies which were laid upon him for what concern'd the favours conferred upon his Family by the King he said he had deserved them by the service he had done the Crown That Sfenay and Claremont had been given him in recompence for the place of Admeralty and for the settlement of his Brother in Law the late Duke of Bresse which by his death was lost That the Governments had been justly confirm'd upon him having been held by the Prince his Father that he held his liberty from the favour of their Majesties at the desire of the Duke of Orleans and Parliament that he thought he should be faulty in gratitude if he should partly alledge justice for this obligation and that the Declaration made by her Majesty of his innocency was a sufficient proof of the violence which he had suffered under that he thought it strange that after Thirteen months imprisonment without any known cause his liberty must be acknowledged as an act of Grace and that he did no less wonder that it should be said he was restored to the Kings Council since that place having been given to the Prince his Father by the late King and since the time of Regency he could not attribute that to favour which did of right belong unto him as Prince of the blood and whereof he could be no more be justly deprived without apparent injustice than of his Towns and Governments That it was ridiculous that the Cardinals new confidents who as it was likely had dictated that writing should give out that he strove rather to make himself be feared than loved by reason of thenumber of Towns which he past though he had no more besides Stenay and Claremont than those that had formerly been in his Family no complaint having ever been made of any violence by those that commanded and that he was not troubled to defend himself against any thing that was upbraided unto him had he not in some sort sacrificed his interest and glory to the obedience which he ought unto the King whereof his Enemies made use of now to discredite him and that he refer'd himself to the judgment of the Parliament whether or no these intrigues of the Cardinal were enough to upbraid him with the number of his Governments since the Cardinal and his Domesticks possest Pinarole in Italy Salse Perpignone and Roses in Rosiglion Dunkirk Mardike Bergue Dorlans Bapumes la Bassea Ypre Cotra in Flanders besides Portalongone and Piombino which he had suffer'd to be lost not reckoning an infinity of other places the Governours whereof did wholly depend upon him which was sufficient to denote that more than words were requisite to secure the Kingdom of the absence of one who had so many gates to enter by and when it was experimentally known too fatall to France that his policy was always to make himself formidable to all men That for what was said that the Forces which the King had given him might make a whole Army it was well known to all France that the advantages which his Majesty had gotten over his Enemies were partly got by them that his having changed the Government of Burgundy for Guienne was occasioned by the Queens desire merely for the peace of that Province which could no longer tollerate the Duke of Espernoun that he had preserved the Towns which he held in Burgundy because none were given him in Guieâ—ne and that having bought them it was not just they should be taken from him without having some others given him in charge or at least without having the monies repaid that his Father had given the Duke of Bellegrade That he had not received above 5000 pounds for all that had been assigned to him as well for maintaining the King's Kitchin as for the maintenance of his Troops and all this because the monies were otherwise diverted by the Cardinal and his friends as he could prove unto the Parliament that his having solicited the sending of Count Servient Lyon and Tillier from the Court could not be termed an undertaking against the Regal Authority since the Parliament justified him therein by their Demonstrances and for that he had seen their Majesties but once it was by reason of their new ordering the Council putting in persons newly ingaged in the Cardinals interest without his knowledg or consent it being most certain that none were admitted into the Council but such as did depend upon and were partial to Mazariâ—e wherefore he could not hazard himself any more in their hands who were swaid by ambition and who consequently had given him just occasion to apprehend their Counsels and to declare that whilst they were without his advice of the Council he could have no safety there That for these reasons he had forborn coming to Council not having any other considerations than those which he had declared to the Duke of Orleans in his last Declaration That his having written to the Parliaments of the Kingdom and to several Cities was done to give them an account of his actions and to make them lose the opinion which was given out that he would introduce civil wars into France in consequence of the Letters which the King writ to all the Provinces after his retreat to St. Maure with the faults therein imputed unto him it being false that he had written to raise any men more than usual as also that he had re-inforced the Garrisons in his Governments and fortified them of late forcing the people of the neighbouring Towns to work which had he done ought rather to be commended in him than blamed and that it were to be wish'd that all Governours of Frontier Towns would do the like That the retreating of his Wife and of his Sister the Dutchess of Longueville was upon the consideration that they were to preserve his Family which after so many jealousies
had appointed the Rendevouz of the Forces which he had raised in Champagnia and Picardy to be about Laon to joyn with the Cardinal and those that he had raised to come with him into France so as the appointment being made to meet about Dormans and Esperney upon the Marne on the beginning of Ianuary the Marishal went from Peroune on the 18 th of December and accompanied by many other Nobles he past through Han and Fera and coming to Nisis he found there 2000 what Foot what Horse and divers other Regiments wherewith he marched the next day towards the River Aisue passing over the Bridge Arcy and la Merne and staid at Troisy expecting the Cardinal who having left his alliances at Sedam marched towards Esperney whither he came the second of Ianuary with about 5000 choice men and he was met there by several other Forces and three pieces of Canon Oquincourt met the Cardinal at Esperney where it was concluded that Oquincourt should advance with 1000 Horse and possess himself of the passes of the Rivers Aube and Senna which he did then passing over the Aube without any obstacle near Auglure and la Senna at Mery he met with the Foot and Horse Regiments of Monsieur St. Moore Where hearing that the Duke of Orleans had sent out four Companies of the Langnedock Brigade to Pont sur Iona Oquincourt advanced with 1000 Horse indeavouring to get to that Town before the Enemy should be aware of his march On the 9 th of Ianuary he was upon Albā where being informed that two of the Counsellors of the Parliament of Paris Bytant and Cowdrey Genies were come thither to break the Bridge and to raise the Country against the Cardinal he made a party of his men ford over the River to discry some Horse with whom they skirmished and slew some of them and took Bitant Prisoner but Coudrey escaped to Sens. The Marishal being come to the head of the Bridge which the Towns-men broke down he acquainted them with the Kings orders and speaking with Monsieur Morandiere who commanded Orleans his Forces and had orders to resist him he caused some of his Horse-men to light who fell so couragiously upon the Bridge as Morandiere articled to return to his Master leaving the pass free to the Cardinal it was thought that he had secret orders from the Princes not to hinder him though he could for finding their business grow desperate since the whole Kingdom inclined to the King they knew nothing could keep them from ruine but some new pretence whereby to justifie their cause and keep the Subjects from assisting their Sovereign and that therefore they did not all they were able to oppose their march But because Marishal Turenne having honourably disingaged himself of the Spaniards service and had refused all the offers made by Conde and was reconciled to the King Conde gave the command of his Forces in Flanders to the Duke of Nemeurs who in the beginning of the year 1652 went privately from Burdeaux giving it out that he went by Sea into Flanders but came first to Paris by bie-ways where the Duke of Orleans seemed to be very well pleased as having need of opportune succour and he was received with extraordinary applause by the Parisians and because the Coadjutor thought to make the Duke of Orleans foment a third party of French Male-contents and Enemies to the Cardinal he used all his industry to effect it to the end that making the Queen affraid that the Duke might adhere more narrowly to Conde he thought she might be necessitated to keep the Cardinal away for ever in which case the Duke by joyning with the Court interest and strengthning himself by the Lorrain Forces he should also undo Conde for ever But Count Chavigny with other of the Prince his friends held the Duke of Orleans stedfast they made him see that he could not subsist but by joyning with the Prince Nemeurs stipulated the agreement in the Prince his name with the Duke the contents whereof were the keeping the Cardinal away and a general peace The news being known in Paris and the orders given by the King contrary to his former Declarations it is not to be said how incensed those were who were of a contrary spirit but all they could do was to make a noise in Paris for the Kings power prevailed in the Kingdom And though the Cardinal was withstood in one place he was fomented in another The Parliament of Britanny being desired by that of Paris to make the like decree with them in favour of the Princes against the Cardinal did order on the contrary that proceedings against him should be suspended till the Prince should perform his duty and till the Spanish Forces should be gone out of the Kingdom but though the rancor of the Parliament of Paris and of the Frondeurs could not be greater than it was yet could not the Parisians be brought to disburss monies for the raising of men and to provide against the threatning occurrances but were always readier to lay on their mouths than to lay out their monies the noise continued still in the Palace The first week of Ianuary the Parliament ordered the Cardinals moveables to be sold and not to make good the Kings Declarations against the Prince till that against the Cardinal were effected Wherefore the Cardinal must be gone out of the Kingdom again ere the Parliament would pass the said verification to which purpose they made many resolves which were great in appearance but weak in substance and some Deputations were sent unto the King The Court spoke ambiguously and spun out business at length hoping the time would alay the bitterness of turbulent spirits The Queen sent Monsieur Rovigny to exhort the Duke of Orleans earnestly to remove from Paris so to take away the apprehensions which were had of him but it did no good The Parliament added to their instructions given to their Deputies which they sent unto the King that they should press Bitaut's Releasement and that Marishal Milleray should not be made a Duke till he had given satisfaction to the Parliament of Rheims in Britanny and moreover that no Duke Marishal of France or other Officer should execute their function afterwards till the Cardinal were withdrawn from the Kingdom which was thought was done to take away the great credit which he had in disposing of the Offices of the Crown and making those his friends whom he had preferred thereunto But the Nobility made small account of this the more incens'd the Parliament grew against the Court the less did they value any of its decrees since they might be anull'd by the King's Authority And therefore those who sounded affairs to the bottome found it was best to keep the paths of obedience and not walk in the crooked ways of precipice therefore the Princess Palatine who at first was Conde's friend grew a great confident to the Queen and Cardinal The Queen sent for her to
lessened The King staid at St. Germans whither a Deputation was sent unto him in the name of the Duke of Orleans and Prince of Conde from Count Chavigny and Secretary Goulas and the Duke of Rohan but not without jealousie of one another for it was thought their private instructions differed from their publick ones doubtless Chavigny was the ablest and wisest and he was for Conde Goulas was for Orleans and Rohan for them both these went with seeming orders not to confer with the Cardinal but by private agreement to treat with him as soon as they were come to Court and had made their Commission known they were told the better to cloke the cause of their coming that they had taken pains to no purpose and that so they might return so after having shewn some reluctancy they obeyed the Kings will without any contradiction whilst all were curious to know the contents of this conference they were struck with wonder when it was known that the Gentlemen were shut up with the Cardinal in his Cabinet and that they did privately negotiate with him but they were much more a stonished when they heard that Count Chavigny had himself alone private conference that night with the Cardinal to whom he propounded the Prince his full agreement if four things might be granted him viz. That Count de Ognone might be made Duke and Peer of France Count Marsin Marishal of France Prince County Governour of Provence and Conde himself Plenipotentiary of the general peace The Court would have yielded willingly to the first two nor would the Cardinal have opposed it much since it only concerned Titles But the Government of Provence and the Plenipotentiariship were totally rejected for the Cardinal declared he would never suffer his Majesties Authority should be prejudiced for his particular interest This Deputation did much injure the Princes for it was made in a time when the Parliament and Parisians were most incensed against the Cardinal and when all the chief Companies had resolved to desire he might be sent away when the Commonalty of Paris began to be of the same mind and when the Duke of Orleans and the Prince had declared in Parliament that they demanded no other satisfaction but that the Cardinal might be sent away wherefore they began to suspect them when they saw them act contrary to their former express declarations and many that were very well inclined to them grew cooler in the business which as shall be seen was one of their chiefest ruins After the Gentlemen were gone to Court from the Princes the Parliament Commissioners came thither with Remonstrances to their Majesties for sending away the Cardinal against whom President Nesmond spoke very freely The King listned unto them very graciously and told them that he was very well informed of his Parliaments good meaning and wished that they were so of him that he would confer with his Privy Council and would declare himself within three days thus with these general answers which were no ways positive did the Commissioners return to Paris They likewise that were sent from the Chamber of accounts and from the Court de Aides had audience the same day and had the like answer The Provost the Merchants the Sheriffs Procurator General the Communalties Notary and other Parisians came also to his Majesty representing unto him the miserable condition of his subjects and what necessity there was to send away the Cardinal who was the sole cause of all the mischiefs and misunderstandings The Guarde de Seaux answered that his Majesty was very certain of the love of his good City of Paris for whose further satisfaction he promised to return thither as soon as the passages should be open This he did to flout them for that at the same time when they made these representations to him they indeavored to hinder his journey by breaking the Bridges of Seene and Marne The Chambers were already met to know what answer their Commissioners brought from the Court and Orleans Conde and all the chief of the faction were there when news was brought that the Kings Forces assaulted the Bridge of S. Clow which was guarded by a small Fort whereupon the Prince got presently on Horsback crying aloud as he rid along the Streets Let us go to relieve our Friends This caused such a hubbub in Paris as above Eight thousand Armed Men ran on Foot towards the Wood of Bullonia not far from S. Clow with such fervor and readiness as if they had been old Soldiers and it was observed that there were Counsellors and Officers of Justice amongst them The Prince appeared at the Head of the Bridge accompanied with about Three hundred Voluntiers amongst which was the Count di Rieux the Dukes of Rohan Rochefaucolt and Sully Prince Marsilliack and other of the Gentry and the Cannon shot which the Kings men made at them shewed that they themselves were not come to conquer but rather to retreat as they did The day was fair and the Parisians very glad to see themselves under the famous Conde and their welbeloved Beaufort who drew them forth into Squadrons with no less delight for the novelty then labor for their unskilfulness The Kings men being retreated from S. Clow the Prince went to Madrid this is a Palace built by Francis the First King of France to keep his word to the King of Spain That he would not go from Madrid when being taken Prisoner his Ransom was in Treaty And here he resolved to fall upon S. Dennis a league from Paris begirt with weak and ill composed Walls and kept by Two hundred of the Switzers Guard But before he went about it he sent to know the Duke of Orleans opinion who having consented thereunto he marched with all those Horse and with about Five thousand Armed Parisians backed by Six hundred Soldiers of Fortune which were newly raised to recruit Condes Brigade and that of Burgondy Beaufort went with some Horse to the Highway from whence relief might be brought from S. Germans and Conde came by night to certain unperfected Earth-works from whence he sent to the Switzers to yield and march out But they answering by the Mouths of their Muskets those who were with him were so struck with such a panick fear though they were experienced Men and had shewn their courage in a thousand other Incounters as they all began to flie none staying with the Prince but Duke Rochefaucolt Prince Marsilliack Messieurs Berset Guitaut S. Ibar Gurville and Fontrailles So as if but twenty Horse had then come out of the Town they might easily have taken the Prince and the Seven that were with him prisoners But this fear being over and the Prince have rallied his men which were run away he went himself on Horsback on the Head of his Men and lighting at the same time got upon the Wall which was there broken down and entering in overcame two or three Baracadoes and made himself master of the place charging
Kingdom That Marcouse and Vaubecourt should be given for Hostages on the Kings behalf and Count Linville and the General of the Artillery on the Dukes with promise that no Hostility should be committed in his march the treaty was thus stipulated by Turenne much to his glory which being concluded in the face of both Armies the Lorrainers began presently to march towards Bria Whilst things went thus in these parts the Parliament who now that Lorrain was come thought they had hit the nail on the head raising their pretensions still higher sent President Nesmond again to the Court to insist upon sending the Cardinal away the Commissioners being come to Melune made the Parliaments desire known adding that it was a small business for a King to deprive himself of a Servant whereby he was to regain the obedience of so many who had withdrawn themselves from it only out of that respect The King returned his answer in writing That having often heard the Remonstrances made by his Parliament wherein they still asserted their intentions to maintain regal Authority and that they would always contribute their chiefest power to the advantage of his service and that finding the wound did now begin to Gangrene without speedy remedy he desired that their Commissioners might meet with his Privy Council to the end that they might joyntly find some remedy for the threatning mischief and to keep his people from the apparent ruine whereinto they were ready to fall through the capricious unquietness and ambition of some sew and that his Majesty indeavoured nothing more than how to restore his Kingdom to its former splendor When Nesmond had read this answer he reply'd That the only way to satisfie all was to send away the Cardinal The King thus interrupted him and with a serious aspect said You have heard my pleasure no more words The Commissioners returned to Paris where they gave an exact account to their Companions of what had past Many were for accepting the propounded Conferences but Brussels with an appearing zeal to the common welfare was firm that there needed no other Conference or negotiation since all was reduced to one sole head which was the sending away the Cardinal who being the sole occasion of all resentments they must stand upon it for this being had all controversies would be ended And the more averse he found the King to part with him the more he prest it not for that he cared much for it but that knowing how difficult a business it would be he might nourish the diffidences and maintain discord For it was apparent that if the Parliament had believed that the King would have parted with the Cardinal and with that re-unite the Princes to his service he would never have pretended thereunto but would have underhand indeavoured his tarrying for it did not make for him that the Kings Authority should be the more fortified by the joyning of the Princes with his Majesty and that consequently the pretences of the Parliament should languish Brussels opinion being adhered unto it was decreed that the Commissioners without any delay should return again to the King and tell his Majesty that they had nothing to add nor to propose but the effectual dismissing of the Cardinal in conformity to the decrees and Declarations made by his Majesty and to the protestation made by the Princes who were ready to lay down Arms as soon as the Cardinal should be gon out of the Kingdom Letters written from the Queen of Sweeden to the Parliament were given to the Commissioners to be delivered to the King the content whereof was her offering her self to interpose as a friend and confederate to the Crown of France in agreeing all parties The Commissioners came to Melune the 12 th of Iune and had Audience two days after they represented the desolation of the State by the Cardinals return which they said was the only cause of all the disturbances of the Kingdom The business was referred to the Council of State and the answers examined the Cardinal renued his many former desires that he might be dismist saying it was not fit that the peace of the Kingdom should be confounded merely for him This the King denyed saying that he was master and was to be served by whom he pleased and that none but God could prescribe laws to him The next Sunday the Commissioners had Audience again wherein the King gave them a writing saying that thereby they should know his pleasure Monsieur Vrilliere read it and gave it to President Nesmond wherewith he went to Paris the contents of the Letter were these That the King did very much wonder seeing there were so many wise and well advised Subjects in the Parliament that they should not know the desire of dismissing the Cardinal was but a specious and nice pretence since the true cause of all the troubles appeared to be the interest and ambition of those who had took up Arms and waged War when the Cardinal was in Germany dismist from the Court and Government which made it clearly appear that the maladies of a State are not cured whilst pretences are stood upon the roots whereof produce as many mischiefs as by those pretences are desired to be cut off so there was no remedy that would do good but to pluck up the chiefest and deepest evil by the Root That if his Majesty should permit the Cardinal to withdraw himself into some forreign imployment with due respect to his honour how should he be secured that the Male-contents would be quieted since his departure in the beginning of the last year had rather augmented than moderated the troubles so as it was not to be hoped it should fall out otherwise when he should be gone again unless the cause which produced the effect were presently taken away That his Majesty did desire speedy and permanent quiet to his Subjects that they might not fall into the former inconveniences the rather for that he knew well that at the same time when the Princes declared they were ready to lay down Arms if the Cardinal were sent away they provided for the contrary by strengthning their party with Forreigners and by seducing other of his Majesties Subjects from their obedience that what the Duke of Orleans had said some days before to the Commonalty of Paris touching his having no power over the Duke of Lorrains men which he had boasted to have brought was not like to that which he had affirmed in Parliament that the treaty made with the Spaniards by the Prince of Conde mentioned not laying down of Arms if the Cardinal were sent away nor indeed could it be spoken of since he was in Germany when it was made That therefore the Princes were to give real and positive security for performing what they promised wherefore he desired to know whether they renounced all leagues and associations made with Forreigners and all particular treaties had and made with his Majesties Subjects against his Royal service
Barracado with such boldness not to call it rashness as the Kings men being astonished were it either fatality or that the presence of great Personages have out of some hidden cause great prerogative in difficult undertakings did abandon it and the Princes who did so gallantly take it would have kept it had not the Enemy continually fired upon them from both sides the Street that it was impossible for them to tarry there The Duke of Nemeurs received Thirteen Musquet shot on his Armor and two on his right hand Rochefaucolt was wounded between the eyes and Beaufort and Marsilliack being bound to help the wounded were forced to quit the place which when the Kings men saw they made hast to take those that were wounded Prisoners which they would suddenly and safely have done had not Conde with his wonted undauntedness come in on the head of some Gentlemen that followed him whereby he afforded them time and opportunity to retreat as they did with much wonder and applause Guitaut Bercenet Lullery and Martiniere were wounded all the rest witnessed what danger they had run by the shot which they received in their Armor and by having their Horses slain under them At the same time that they were fighting without the Parisians were at as much strife in words within the Walls some were for the going out of such Citizens as had Arms to help the assaulted and for opening the Gates that they might retreat others said that by suffering Conde to be lost who was the occasion of all their misfortune there would be an end of their misery and the City would be put into her former quiet condition but at last amongst all these differences wherein nothing was concluded in favour of the Princes Madamoselle came forth into the Streets accompanied by the Dutchesses of Rohan Monbason and Chastilion and by the young Countess of Fiesco and went to the Town-house where she told the Citizens that without any more dispute or loss of time the people were to take up Arms and to assist the Princes suffering the Baggage and Forces of their friends to come into the Town The pressures of this couragious and generous Princess were so perswasive as the sad and horrid spectacle of so many Lords of high condition who ever and anon came into the Town half dead wounded and besmeared with blood amongst which that of Rochefaucolt was most compassionate whose eyes were well nigh shot out as it was resolved the Gates should be opened and they should be received into the Town and every one with tears cryed out that the Prince must be relieved who put his life and the lives of many good French men into apparent and almost inevitable danger for the publick cause whereupon about 300 Inhabitants went out who by the Prince were put to Guard some stations and then Rohan causing some of the baggage to march by the Temple Gate and Beaufort bringing in the rest by that of St. Antoine the Prince was told that the Kings Army being divided into two parts went by the way of Soronne and Neully wherefore thinking that this might be with design to keep his men out between the Suburbs and the Gate he placed Count Hollack with his German Regiment at the entrance of the Street of Saronne to assist the retreat which was begun and sent word to Monsieur Lovieres who then commanded the Bastile instead of his Father Brussels to let the Canon play upon the Kings men which being forborn as a thing unbecoming a Subject Madamoselle came instantly thither and getting upon the Walls with more than a man-like spirit and as if she her self would share in the glory and danger commanding that in her presence the Guns might be fired against the Kings Forces it was done Then orders being given for the retreat the Horse and Foot marched speedily with the Canon the Burgundian Brigade keeping in the Reer commanded by Marquess Sasse whose Horse Regiment was then govern'd by Monsieur St. Mars When the Canon plaid first from the Battile it was thought they plaid upon the Princes Forces for the Kings friends in Paris had promised as much but being found to play upon the Kings men and that the Inhabitants falling of their promise the baggage was already got in and the Troops began to enter Paris those of the Kings party were astonished as were also the Kings General being somewhat blamed for their slovvness and negligence and for being defrauded of their hopes in the very nick of Victory so as they returned tovvards St. Denis not less sad for the loss of so many gallant Subjects vvhereof besides St. Magrine Marquess Nantalliet vvas one and Count Maipos and Mancini the Cardinals Nephevv vvere so mortally wounded as they soon after died and Count di Tre with divers others of quality was taken prisoners The King did very graciously visit Mancini often as he did also S. Magrins afflicted Widow The Princes Army not without wonder past through Paris it being unusual to see an Army with Baggage pass through those Streets These lodged in the Countrey about Tury without the Suburbs of S. Marseilles and in two days plundered all the Villages and Houses that were within three leagues and brought what they had so gotten to the Camp where the Soldiers sold all things as if it had been in a Fair. Madamoiselle would see them pass and caused moneys be given to the wounded Count Chavigny gave them store of Victuals not so much out of charity as policy And because it hath always been a custom in Military Actions to have some sign whereby to discern Friends from Enemies Madamoiselle put a straw upon her head wherein being followed by all that would not be accountred Mazarinians you might in a moment see not only all the Inhabitants but Foreigners of every Nation yea even the Fryers and Agents of stranger Princes do the same to shun the insolencies which were done by the common people to those that bore not this Badge Thus ended the memorable Action of S. Antoines Suburbs on the Second of Iuly wherein the quality was more considerable then the number of those that were slain The Prince of Conde not valuing his own life but running like Lightning sometimes to one place sometimes to another where the business was most bloody and his men in most danger performed the office of a private Soldier as well as of a Captain was oft-times upon the very edge of the Grave being miraculously perserved by Fortune his Horse vvas killed under him his Cloaths shot thorow in divers places his Feathers and his Hair burnt and yet was he miraculously kept unhurt Marquess Turenne behaved himself no less valiantly who by his presence gave great proof of his valor and experience every where And he was heard to say That he had met with above six Princes of Conde for wheresoever he turned himself he found the Prince in the Head of the Enemy with his Sword in hand All other
to the other misfortunes of France we will resume those Affairs a little higher that they may be the better known It is already sufficiently known why Charles the First Duke of Mantua put Cassalle into the King of France his hands and it is also known That the Mantuans not being well pleased with the French-mens too high carriage of themselves made them bear with what was not answerable to their expectation The business went on therefore without any notice-taking till by reason of Civil Wars that Crown began to be less fit for Forreign Affairs the Spaniards making use of the same Conjunctures made great progress in Flanders Catalonia and in Italy whereby they became dreaded Wherefore Duke Charles the Second of Mantua found himself bound to have a care of preserving that place which he had recommended to the Protection of France Affairs standing thus in the year 1651 the King of France Commanded Count Argenson to go immediately as Embassador from him to Venice in order whereunto Argenson took his Journey in the beginning of May but soon after his Arrival at Venice he died of a Feaver His Son succeeded him in his Embassy in November and in his passage negotiated in Piemont Parma and Mantua but as soon as he had had publick Audience he returned to Mantua to manage the Agreement between that Family and Savoy It is long since known that the Treaty at Chierasco was the chiefest cause of discord between these two Princes Savoy did always demand the performance thereof which Mantua always opposed Yet this Treaty was confirm'd by many other Treaties which were had â—fterwards and is much strengthened by the last Treaty which was held at Munster The Emperor and King of France are bound to maintain it by Arms so as Mantua câ—n hardly withdraw himself out of it yet till now by reason of his near Alliance with Caesar he hath staved off the blow and kept Savoy out of possession which he continually prest for At first the Mantuan Agents said the Emperor could not give it because the Christian King had not done what he was by the same Treaty obliged to do to wit he had not paid the Mony which was promised on the behalf of Savoy This made it be believed that Duke Charles would end the business and to this purpose Argenson had order That as soon as he should be come to Venice that he should go and let Mantua know that France was ready to make payment so as he would yield to Savoy's pretended Investure The Embassador perform'd his Order about the end of the year 1651 but he found Mantua to be otherwise minded than he was said to be in the French Court. The Dukes Answer was That the refusal which he made at the Emperor's Court was not to the end that they imagined but that he was resolved never to yield to the Treaty of Chierasco till he had been righted for the great wrong which had been done him yet he would advise with his Council how to give his Majesty all possible satisfaction Not long after Marquess Francisco Rolando della Val Monferino the Dukes Chief Minister of State went to acquaint the Embassador with the Dukes resolution which was That his Highness did not oppose the desired Inâ—â—stiture so much for the non-payment of the Monies due to him by the Treaty of Chierasco as for the prejudice he should receive in the Execution thereof that he had oft-times made his Reasons known and made his Protestations at the Meeting at Munster And this was all the Ambassadour could get concerning this The Mantuans offer'd many things to find some way to an Agreement but never could hit upon any for it was of too great consequence to part from the Treaty of Chierasco whereof no one point was to be altered The Ambassadour was contented to carry the Copy of the Orders and the Proxy which the Duke had sent to his Agent at Vienna to oppose the business which was in hand Argenson was not only sent foâ— the above-said business but for another thing which did much trouble the Court of France which was to keep Cassalle from falling into the Spaniards hands promising to restore it to the Duke upon some Conditions viz. To remove all the French out of it to put a Garrison of Swizzers into it which wâ—â—e to take an Oath to the King and to the Duke That his Majesty should pay half the Garrison the Duke a fourth part and that they should endeavour to engage the other Princes of Italy for the rest to the end that they might all have a share in the preservation of that place which was of such importance for the Common Liberty All these Proposals were agreed upon and they would have been fully effected had it not been for the Disorders which hapned in France The Ambassador being returned from Mantua desired the Commonwealth to contribute to the perfecting of the business and received great demonstrations of good will towards the quite of Italy But withal how impossible it was for them to mind the preservation of other men's Estates she being to defend her self without any assistance from others against so potent an Enemy as the Turk Wherefore the French not being able to rely upon the Venetians Affairs were suspended Argenson writ to the Court that they must begin some new Treaty to put the place into the Duke's hands to keep the Spaniard from besieging it But the King's Council found it not necessary to do so and their home Disorders made them not mind forreign Interests This mean while the French Forces parted from Piemont as hath been said with Marquess St. Andrea Monbran which was followed with the loss of Trino and Cressentino which facilitated the like of Cassalle The Duke of Mantua did again and again desire the King of France that he would put on some resolution for the maintenance and preservation of that place which wanted Victuals Men and Commanders and in such a condition as though the Spaniards should want sufficient Forces for such an Enterprise they might notwithstanding think upon it now that France was so weak Wherefore he cunningly held the Spaniards in hand that he might afford the French time to accommodate their Home-Affairs and to relieve Cassalle or to restore it handsomely He made his desires first known by Girolimo Pirandi a Gentleman of Montferrat his Agent in France when the Court was at St. Germains where the Cardinal weighing the importance of the business caused presently 15000 Doubloones be assigned over to the end that Victuals being thereby provided and the Militia paid the City might not need fear the Enemies attempts but through the misery of those times the Payments were so neglected and diverted as Cassalle languished still more and the Spaniards were daily more encouraged Pirandi did therefore reiterate the same desires to whom the Duke sent express Messengers when the Court was at Pontois where the Cardinal caused another Assignment be made besides the
by no means enter into a Treaty unless Poland would raze out of their Writings and Commissions the Title of King of Sweden before used and would also reform their great Seal by leaving out the Three Crowns which are the Arms of Swâ—den The Polanders by perswasion of the Mediatours agreed to raze it out of their Commissions having first made a Protestation apart wherein they declared the same was not to prejudice their right But as to the Seal the same being the particular Arms of the King's Family not of the Kingdome this pretence was by the Arbitratours esteemed very slight and therefore Morosini together with the Deputies of Holland who arrived there about the end of Ianuary 1653. because the French were of the Swede's party endeavoured of themselves to perswade the Swedes that they would quit the same and fall upon the Treaty but they being positive to have the Commission changed with the omission of the Title and the reformation of the Seal the matter stuck so as no perswasion of the Mediators was able to advance it whereupon the Affair becoming desperate because the Polanders could not alter their Instructions without a new Diet impowering them to do it the business fell and in the Moneth of February the Meeting was dissolved without coming to any resolution The Sâ—edes shewed themselves little desirous of this accommodation bâ—cause they hoped seeing Poland engaged in a great War to find a time more favourable to their Interests that they might either make a Peace upon their own Terms or breaking it advantage themselves extraordinarily during the weakness of that Kingdom The French adhered unto their sence for which they were much blamed whereby 't was manifest it concerned them the Swedes should continue armed that in case the face of Affairs should alter and the French Arms should gain any advantage over the Spaniards the Emperour standing in doubt of the Swedes might not be able to assist them The Polanders therefore parted for their own Countrey and the like did all the other Plenipotentiaries and Mediators only the Hollanders staid some days after having received Orders to negotiate with the Hans-Towns and draw them to some Declaration in their favour against the English Mean while the Ministers of Spain were not negligent in their prosperity but prosecuting their good fortune sent Orders to their Fleet in Biscay to attaque Blage a most important place scituate at the mouth of the Gâ—ronne wherein was Governour as you before heard the Duke of San Simon a most faithful person to his Prince The Spaniards had fancied this Enterprize not to be difficult because the French Armada being taken and destroyed by the English they supposed it could not be in a condition speedily to relieve it and they believed the Forces of the Bourdelois joyned with those of the Princes in Guienne would be sufficient to block it up by Land Battevile therefore sollicited the execution of the King's Orders and with all diligence possible appeared with his Shipping in the Garonne but he found things in a far different condition from that which divers discontented French had represented to the Court of Spain so as 't was necessary for him without any attempt made to return and winter in the Port of Passage where he discovered the Artifices of some who to ingratiate themselves with his Catholick Majesty and obtain rewards from him represented things very different from truth magnifying small matters and lessening those of greater consequence Thereby it happened that discords and unkindnesses grew shortly after between Battevile Marsin and Lenet which were followed with Calumnies and Accusations exhibited by those French Commanders against Battevile himself that they might get him removed out of Guienne they blamed him that there were not in Bourg 1000 of the 1500 Irish paid by the Spaniard that his dispatches had been altered and accounts given of exorbitant expences and that having changed the Spanish money into French he had thereby gained 25 in the hundred Don Lewis who loved and protected Battevile ordered him to retire to St. Sebastians declaring That he was obliged not to give any disgust unto the Princes But in the Court of Spain it appeared not a thing blame-worthy although it had been true that this Lord continuing faithful to the King's Interest should be so cunning as to make his own particular advantage because it declared him to be a man of spirit which was a thing displeasing to the French and principally to Lenet who having used to domineer without controul in Bourdeaux could not endure to have any dependence upon the Ministers of Spain In execution of the abovesaid Orders Battevile having first imbarked upon two Vessels the most trusty of his Officers and divers of his best Souldiers in the Garrison at Bourg the ninth of December began his Voyage with no less bitterness than indignation against Marsin and Lenet who he pretended had wrongfully slandered him for no other cause but that they found him a faithful and useful Servant to the King from whose favour he had easily fallen had he not been supported by the same Don Lewis D'aro who protected him with that sincerity and justice which are the But of all his Actions To Don Ioseph Osorio was confirmed the Command of the Forces in Bourg and the manage of the Treasure was conferred upon the Governour of St. Sebastians Câ—ntelino at that time returned unto the Catholick Court and was sent back with a Present of Jewels to the Princess of Conde valued at 40000 Crowns and a Bracelet of Diamonds for himself But the Cardinal Mazarin who during all these Blustering storms had preserved the Royal Authority from the eminent danger of a Ship-wrack and shewed himself to all the world to be one of the most expert and daring Mariners that ever sailed upon the Sea of Politick Affairs as soon as he perceived the troublesome Commotions and storms which had so furiously agitated the whole Kingdom to be dispersed by his Majestie 's presence and access to Paris gave himself wholly to the study and practice of such fit Expedients as might not only calm the intestine Motions but also raise up the lost credit and reputation of the Royalty and he believed the way to make the â—ame more reverenced and observed was rather by Pardon than Chastisement it being a Maxime fixed in the Cardinal's mind That the generous spirits of the French Nation were sooner to be gained by courteous usage than by the violence of Arms which was the cause he set on foot Treaties with each one of the contumacious Persons holding that love unto the King ought to be the fifth Element and to preserve that concord between Subjects which is not interrupted but by the apprehensions of hatred or revenge He revived new Treaties and Propositions of Peace with the Prince of Conti the Parliament of Bourdeaux with the Counts of Harcourt and Ogran and with all the other Princes great Lords and men of Spirit who possessed
year before to represent the Injuries done by the Parliament of Paris to Cardinal Mazarine against all Humane and Divine Laws without any legal accusation or just authority contrary to the King's Pleasure who justified and owned him for his Faithful Servant when a reward of 50000 Crowns was set upon his head besides the Confiscation of all his Goods the Pope had not concerned himself at all in his protection who had then no other support but his Holiness the King's Authority being trodden under foot and violated whereas there was now so great a Noise for the Imprisonment onely of the Cardinal de Retz to which his Majesty was necessitated for the Publike good and maintenance of the Royal Authority against which Retz was accused to have long plotted and the rather because his Christian Majesty had no other intention but to hinder his proceedings therein not to make his Process and much less to judge him as knowing well the same belonged onely unto Christ's Vicar Although the Parliament had arrogated to themselves an authority to do it against Mazarine without any of those cautions necessary to be used by any who bear Reverence to Holy Church These and the like Reasons were given by the French who also urged the President of Lewis the 11 th King of France that imprisoned and kept the Cardinal Ballua many years in restraint holding correspondence with his Majestie 's Brother and the Duke of Burgundy and yet the Pope interposed onely by Fatherly Admonitions and Requests for his delivery although the things whereof he was accused were nothing in comparison of what de Retz was charged withal They said farther That the King had procured this Dignity for his Subject to oblige him unto a greater diligence in his Service not to protect him in any thing prejudicial unto his Crown That all things necessary for maintenance of their Kingdoms were lawful unto Soveraign Princes but all things were not permitted to Subjects which conduced unto their satisfaction That none ingaged himself in the defence or gave a more intire obedience unto the Popes in matters of the Church then the Most Christian King for which he had been alwaies willing to expose his Crown but he ought likewise in the Interests of State to take to heart the good and quiet of his Subjects unto whom he was a most indulgent Father The disgust which the choice of Monsieur Corsino gave to the Court of France sprang hence his Majestie 's Ambassadour at Rome having received some inckling that the Pope intended to send another Nuntio in lieu of Monsieur the Marquess of Bagni gave notice to his Holiness That in case he intended such a thing 't were fit he should first declare what Prelate he intended to intrust with that Imployment that he might know whether he were a person would be grateful to his Majestie The Pope pretended to have no such thought but â—ome few days after published the Election of the said Monsignior Corsino The Ambassadour gave present notice of the disgust his Majesty would take at the manner of this Election rather then for the quality of the person who was in himself very considerable and one to whom his Majesty had no other exception But the Pope insisting That he had no obligation to send onely such Nuntio's as should be pleasing to the Princes unto whom they went as he obliged not them to send him onely such Ambassadours as he approved continued positive in what he had before resolved as conceiving that to alter him would prejudice the Reputation of the Holy See and commanded the Nuntio to prosecute his Voyage The Kings of France pretend chiefly in time of Warr not to receive any Nuntio's or Legate from the Pope but one that shall be to their satisfaction for a reason which obliges no other Prince besides the Popes viz. Because it happens often that those Prelates who are sent are not Subjects of the Church but of some other Italian Prince as this Corsino was being a Florentine and because although they were the Churches Subjects they might be Pensioners to other Princes therefore France hath not thought fit to accept any before an Information given of his quality lest they might otherwise receive into their house one who was an enemy or of their party For this cause therefore and no other the Kings of France have used to require that they may be advertised before a Nuntio be chosen and therefore Monsignior Corsino was stopped in Provence but afterwards upon Treaty it being known that this Prelate was independent of any but the Pope he was admitted and had been certainly received had not the accident of Cardinal Retz and sending of the Archbishop of Avignon given a stop to the whole Business The Imprisonment of this Cardinal who was one of the principal supports of the Faction Della Fronda did break and totally destroy it because although there remained yet some reliques of this fire they were such feeble sparks as of themselves could raise no flame and therefore the King's Authority growing more vigorous proceeded in the Execution of all those Councels which were esteemed proper for restoring the Kingdome into its pristine splendour The King's Revenues were by these Troubles very much diminished and therefore the business for Money was very pressing vast Debts being contracted and the Credit of the Court being reduced unto the utmost extremity notwithstanding that his Majestie 's Annual Revenue amounted to more than Eight Millions of Dobloones of Gold There were therefore many Decrees for raising Money made by his Majesty which were the last day of December verified and Registred in Parliament in his Majestie 's presence with all readiness although they were Thirteen in number To which was added one Clause to sweeten them viz. That this Relief should be employed in the most urgent Business of the Kingdom and particularly in payment of the Souldiery And those Edicts the 7th of Ianuary following were also verified in the Chamber of Accompts and the Court of Ayds in presence of the Duke of Anjou who was sent thither by his Majesty to that purpose Together with these good Reliefs unto the Civil Government the Martial Affairs began to be managed with a new vigour and good success considering the loss and ruines which had happened to the King and the whole Kingdom not only in the parts of Flanders and Guienne but also in Italy and Catalonia in which Province Cardinal Mazarine having resolved to maintain a brisk Warr that the Spaniard might be thereby diverted from sending great supplies to other parts had caused the Town of Roses to be seasonably relieved with some Barks of Provision sent thither from Provence by the Duke of Mercoeur and with the Regiment of Foot of Anjou commanded by Monsieur Friquembaut by whose arrival there was discovered a notable Treason plotted in the place by one Ganot an Intendant married to a Catalonian Woman handsome enough and wanton and therefore much frequented by the Garrison
of the Prince of Conde that it was evident the Victories obtained in the Year 1652 were rather a weakening than a strength unto that Monarchy The Prince therefore being disabled to perform things whereof he had given hopes unto the French that followed him was forced to dismiss the best part of them and to permit them with his good leave to return to the obedience of his Majesty which was done by many of them for that onely reason And the Duke of Rochefaucaut being disabled by the Wounds he received in the last Fight at the Fauxbough of St. Anthonie in Paris to serve farther in the War accepted by his consent of a Pardon and quitted the Prince's Party with his intire good liking and consent The King's Council in Spain did notwithstanding what it was able in those straits for Provisions both for Guienne and Flanders and was not wanting by means of their Ambassadour at London to try all means of engaging the English against the French but 't was observed that in the Propositions for their sending of Men into Guienne the Catholick Ambassadour moved very warily he was willing Spain should have a footing in that Province but 't was against his Maximes That the English should nestle there whose power ought to be suspected unto the Spaniard their Dominions not onely in Europe but also in America being exposed to the Invasion of their formidable Fleets mann'd by a Nation ill affected to the Professors of the Roman Catholick Religion And because the Neapolitans and particularly the Nobles complained and every one cryed out against the rigours of the Count d' Ognate Vice-Roy there murmuring that Pardons were not sincerely kept so as there was no end of punishment the Catholick King resolved his three years being long since past to recall him into Spain The King's Council considered that 't was hard not to say impossible that Minister should be perswaded to act with more sweetness because it appeared manifestly that the Maximes of his Government tending onely to depress the Baronage and secure the People to him by good turns and a rigid Justice he would make use of his Majestie 's Authority upon all occasions to put the same in execution principally against those who were suspected or accused to have had hand in the late Revolutions Those who were his Enemies at Court had also the better means to do ill offices not only by reason of the small correspondence he held with Don Iohn of Austria and his part taking with the Brothers of Cardinal Barberin but most especially by reason of his Wealth and the absolute Authority he exercised in his Government which encreased the Envy and Emulation against him To all this was added the ill satisfaction of his Holiness who protested That he was cause of the small correspondence between him and the King of Spain by reason of those continual prejudices the matters of the Church received by the Discords he entertained with the Archbishop Cardinal Philomarini the nature of which though they were such as of themselves might be some Motives of distrust against him yet they were reported to have had another cause the said Archbishop being charged not to have dealt sincrrely in the beginning of the Tumults and in the progress of the Treaty so as if he had encouraged the People covering his partiality under the pretence of maintaining that confidence with them which might render his interposition the more useful That he had done many Actions esteemed prejudicial and such as shewed no good intention particularly in receiving the Duke of Guise in a manner refused unto Don John of Austria with the Ceremonies onely due to lawful Princes That he had discovered many Councels and Designs to the Enemy and in particular although too late the last Plot whereby the City was recovered by the Vice-Roy That nourishing Factions without regard unto the danger of the Times he had bred Troubles and prosecuted all his Actions and Designs with violence To the Count dâ— Ognate was appointed Successour the Count of Castriglio either to remove him from Court or to sweeten the Rigours of Ognate he being a Cavalier very dextrous affable and full of courtesie In the mean time Cardinal Mazarine being encouraged by the good Success of his Enterprises undertook also the Investing of Rhetel and St. Menhou and rallying together all the Troops of Mareschal Turenne and de la Ferte Seneterre marched that way hoping to perform this before the Souldiers went into Quarters but by reason of the strong Garrisons wherewith the Prince of Conde had reinforced these places and the sharpness of the Season he gave over the attempt and in lieu thereof sent the Marquess Castelnau and the Count Broglia to attack Vervins which they did the 27th of Ianuary forcing the Garrison which was 300 Foot and 200 Horse to quit the place next day towards Night And the Cardinal leaving there for Governour Monsieur de Rinville with a strong Guard dismissed the Troops into their Quarters and so ended the Campagne of 1652 In Chasteau Porcien was left for Commander the Count de Grand Pre and the Frontiers of Champagne being provided with sufficient strength against the attempts might be made by the Garrisons of Mouson St. Menhou Clermont and Stenay the Cardinal accompanied with a great number of Noble Persons and Officers of the Army went to Paris whither he had been invited by frequent Courriers from their Majesties The Marquess Pallavicin Treated at the same time the Affair touching the Restitution of the Galley taken by the Count d' Harcourt from the Genoueses and the Justice of that Common-wealths Demand appearing to the Court of France his Majesty whose intentions were to preserve Friendship and good correspondence with them overcame all difficulties and with great Equity and Justice gave order for the restitution commanding that the Galley fitted up and fully armed should by a Gentleman sent expressly for that purpose be brought unto the Town of Genoua and there restored as it was the August following where the Senate in acknowledgment of his Majestie 's generous goodness caused the Gentleman to be Treated at the publick charge in the said Marquess Pollavicin his House and dismissed him with a Present of 1000 Duckets in Plate This Galley had been thus taken in the Encounter which past in the Year 1638. between 15 Gallies of France and as many of Spain as hath been elsewhere said There were 5. taken by the French from the Spaniard one of which in that long Fight having lost all her Men and Tackle it was impossible for the French General to bring her into Provence and therefore putting some few Marriners and Souldiers into her he left her in the Fosse D' Arrassi himself following on his way towards the Islands of St. Margaret and St. Honorato Notice hereof being given unto the Spanish Garrison in Finall and to the People of Loano Subjects to the Prince Doria the same Night with certain Barks and
the Queen-Mother of the late King and intended to seize upon that great City as is written in the History of those times and now at last shewed a great Loyalty in preserving it by his generous Actions for his Majesty as also did the Marquiss his Nephew who was Lieutenant General of Poictou who without any regard of the Expence went to meet and serve the King when he came into that Province with a good number of Gentlemen and kept open house for the Court two moneths together The Bishop had another Nephew an Abbot Brother to the Marquiss a person replete with virtuous qualities it was great reason that for the merits of the Brother of the whole Family and for those also of the Abbot himself that Dignity should have been conferred upon him and the Court esteeming likewise that 't was just intended to gratifie him with it But in Governments it happens often that Princes and their Ministers are by emergent occasions enforced to prefer Publick Interest before the satisfaction of private persons and the Abbot after the hopes given him thereof for a year and a half was at last excluded without the least cause on his part given for his being deprived of it The Abbot notwithstanding acquiesced without resentment unto the King and Cardinal's pleasure preferring his Majestie 's Satisfaction before any particular concernments of his own and that no suspicion might be had that he intended to engage himself amongst the Malecontents retired himself and went to make his residence in Rome comforted in this That both his merit and the wrong done to him were publickly notorious The Cardinal Anthonio being informed of the great Worth of the Abbot condoled with him and by an Act suitable unto the generosity of his nature declared a readiness to make a resignation thereof to him but he with a greatness of mind equal to such an offer returned him thanks and refused to accept of it And with Patience which is the Scene of all the Virtues considered that the Favours of Princes though slow are like the soft and gentle motion of benign Planets which fail not in due season to communicate their influences unto the bodies which they govern The Archbishoprick of Lions was given to Monsieur Villeroy Brother to the Mareschal of France a Person of Eminent and singular Parts Of many other Ecclesiastical Benefices and Abbeys which were void Mazarine though he gave promises to several yet refused to dispose any that he might keep all in hopes and consequently make them more obsequious and that he might be alwaies master of something whereby to reward and gratifie those who should best serve him to his satisfaction which was a thing very ill taken by divers who thinking they had sufficiently merited by their long patience could not without much trouble suffer this delay and exclaiming against this Maxime said The Cardinal was like him who gâ—ve not the Medicine till the Patient was dead The Duke of Guise and the Mareschals de Turenne and Grammont were about the same time made Ministers of State as well in reward of their Services as for their great Capacities and Wisedome And now the King leaving the Reins of the Government wholly unto the Cardinal's management to avoid Idleness gave himself unto those sprightly Exercises which are commonly most suitable unto the Lively Chearfulness of Generous Youth that was unto a wondrous Ball danced often by his Majesty and several other great Cavaliers with general Applause and Commendation in the great Hall of the Petit Bourbon excellently set out and adorned by Scenes and Machines invented by Giacomo Torrelli an Italian his Majestie 's Engineer to which being very much assisted therein by Signior Ascunio Amaltei a famous Priest it was danced the first time upon the 23. of February at Night in presence of the Queen of all the Princes Princesses Grandees of the Court and Ministers of Forâ—ain Princes It was divided into four parts or nights wherein there were Forty three Acts or changes all of them so extreamly splendid both for the novelty of what was represented the goodness of the matter therein recited the Sumptuous Magnificence of the Cloaths and Gracefulness of all the persons who acted in it that the Spectators had been at a stand unto which they should have attributed most of Gallantry had not the King like to a Radiant Sun behind a Cloud from the disguise of those Habits shot forth such Rayes of his Majestick Looks and graceful Action as dazeling the Eyes of all enforced them with just reason to acknowledge that there was none could equal the Grace or Majesty of his deportment In the beginning of the Action fire catched accidentally upon the Hangings which were before the entrance on the Stage and was like to have disturbed and confounded the whole order of it but the fearless Courage of his Majestie and care of those who had charge of ordering things restored all forthwith to its pristine quiet And this was taken for a Presage of what should follow like to the Auguries of the Assyrians and Persians who regulated all their Enterprises by the Omens gathered from that Element Truly those who made this Observation were not deceived because the day before that very night the Count Beauvais Lieutenant General of his Majestie 's Forces in Champaigne having notice that the Prince of Conde being come to Stenay had lodged about 1400 Horse and Foot in the Village of Therme marched thither privately and about an hour after midnight fell upon them with so much fury that more than 300 Foot and 200 Horse were taken prisoners and the rest with the Count de Briol Commander by the darkness of the night made shift to disperse and get away This good Military Rencounter was attended by another Fortunate Success in Civil Matters of no slight consequence which was the Commitment of Monsieur Croissy Fouquet a Counsellour of Parliament one of the Prince of Conde's part and who had been a great Stickler amongst the Faction des Frondeurs which was raised against the Cardinal He was taken in Paris not so much because he was a banished person as for holding private intelligence with the Prince of Conde and because he had made use of a pretended Pass from Court to Treat and Advertise him what passed and manage a new Cabal with those of the Prince's party He had alwaies shewed himself a bitter Enemy of the Cardinal 's and it being thought a matter of importance unto the settlement of his Majestie 's Authority that some example should be made and especially of some Member of Parliament there was a resolution taken to make his Process Upon which he desired to be brought from the Bois de Vincennes unto the Bastile where he thought the Parliament amongst whom he had much credit and many Friends would favour him there were assigned Commissaries for judging of him and the Monsieurs de Lâ—sco and Bison were appointed to draw his Process but he continuing firm
of the nature and interests of all Nations we must not wonder that he was able to take all advantages and to give a suddain cure to that disease which but for his care and fore-sight had gangrened and grown to an incurable disease But whilest the Court of Spain was thinking of Expedients whereby to nourish the French Troubles and the Cardinal in France was casting in his mind how to restore the declined greatness of that Potent Kingdome the Generals of the Forces were vigilant to make such progresses as they esteemed to be for the advantage of their Princes The Count Marsin General of the Prince of Conde's Forces in Guienne desirous to enlarge his Souldiers Quarters by taking of some Neighbouring places easie to be gotten sent Colonel Baltasar with a Recruit of 〈◊〉 Irish to take Grenade upon the Garonne in the County of Gaure thereby to facilitate his Entry into the Countries of Armagnac and Aâ—ches Monsieur de Baz Mareschal de Camp endeavoured to possess a Pass upon the River of Lâ—don whereby he hoped to oblige Monsieur d' Aâ—â—eterrâ— to abandon that Countrey and to gain a notable advantage unto himself and his Souldiers by getting thither but Aâ—beterre being advertised of it with 300 Horse and 50 Musquetiers marching speedily unto the place chaâ—ged â—uriously â—00 Horse and so many Foot who were already passed that puâ—ting 〈◊〉 to flight part were drowned in the River and others killed and taken prisoners the Horse saved themselves in great disorders at Tartas one of the best places which the Princes had thereabouts being followed by the King's men to the Town Gates where they took prisoner Monsieur de Fagâ—â— first Captain of Baltasar's Regiment and Monsieur Doroâ—â—in was mortally wounded This happy Encounter made the Inhabitants of Sarlat taâ—e heart who being greatly discontented at the injuries they suffered from the Souldiers of the Regiment of Anguien commanded by Monsieur Saâ—â—gnac Governour of the Place sent to the Marquiss de Sambeuf That iâ—â—afe he would 〈◊〉 thither with his Troops they would give him Entrance at a Channel which râ—â—s under the Wall But that design not taking the same Toâ—nâ—â—men Treated with certain Officers of the Garrison who were discontented with Marsin and having concluded with them they gave notice thereof unto the Duke of Candale who immediately sent Count Marin thither with 400 men The Inhabitants took Arms and by the Assistance of the said Officers happily brought in the King's Souldiers the 23. of March an hour before day where being met by Monsieur Boriel an Advocate and Consul of the City they went joyntly to assault the Bishop's Palace where Sâ—vagnac was quartered who hearing the noise leaping out of bed endeavoured to save himself in his shirt by flight but pursued by the Citizens was taken prisoner the Guard at the place of Arms made some small resistance but Monsieur de Boisâ—â—le Lieutenant of Aâ—gâ—ien and three Captains wiâ—h other Officers being killed Monsieur de Chaâ—â—elloy Maistre de Câ—â—â— and Monsieur de â—a Roche Major General and all the other Officers who had barâ—â—cadoed themselves up in the house yielded freely and took Imployment under the King This good fortune was followed by the taking of several other Towns and walled places where the Prince's men were quartered so as the King's Forces always advancing towards Bourdeaux and the City being thereby straitned the samâ— was no small cause of fear and apprehension unto judicious persons who considered of it They thought what end this thing would have and saw a speedy and seanoble succour was necessary or otherwise the King's Party growing daily stronger in that Province would be afterwards much more difficult to hinder him from making farther progress there The Bourdelois could not then receive aid but from Spain or England Monsieur de Choppes and the Count Marsin's Secretary were therefore sent away to Saint Sebastians and from thence to the Court of Spain to solicite the effect of the promises had been made unto them for keeping up that Party which being now forsaken by the other Cities and Provinces of France there remained only Bourdeaux ready to become a Prey either of those who defended it or of those who fought against it Monsieur d' Agolin had not been wanting to sollicite continually in Spain the sending of more Money and of the Fleet and at last protested in the Prince of Conde his Patrons Name that in case no Money were advanced before the end of February he would be gone there had been already sent to Bourdeaux 10000 Crowns but the Catholick Court being informed by the coming of Choppes who was also followed by a Deputy of the Council d'Olmiere of the danger Guienne ran by the endeavours used by Mazarine for the reduction of it there were 30000 Doubloons forthwith dispatcht unto the Port of Passage in Biscay with order that they should forthwith put to Sea six great Vessels and four Fire-ships to enter into the Garonne and make opposition to the French The said Envoye's had also farther satisfaction by 15000 Crowns for the Prince of Conde and because there was an opinion that Monsieur Lenet did not observe the respect due to the Prince of Conty by reason of the great dearness between him and Marsin who did also fail in his duty towards the said Prince there were therefore some Instructions given by the Spaniards touching the manner of their Conduct that the Prince of Conde's Party might be kept up But the Count d'Ognon's agreement with the King of France gave a great trouble unto Don Lewis d' Aro and the other Grandees of the Council wanting thereby that foundation which they had built on the adherence of that Cavalier for supporting of the Troubles in Guienne where the King's Forces daily increased and those of the Prince's hourly lessened and this being one of the greatest inconveniences apprehended by the Court of Spain they failed not upon this occasion to send Orders and Instructions and to contribute supplies of Men and Money according to the extent of their abilities There was afterwards represented unto the Court by the Baron de Batteville the difficulty of bringing Ships into the Garonne unless they were reinforced by a more considerable strength Whereupon there were forthwith sent unto him 20000 Crowns with Orders to take Sea immediately with those six Vessels and to carry 500 Irish unto Bourdeaux but as things daily change face so was it necessary to vary also in their Counsels and Batteville could not effect the Spanish Orders without being provided of a greater Force which being wanting it followed consequently that the things resolved upon were spoken of but could not be put in execution The Marquiss of Lusignan was a while after sent from Bourdeaux to Madrid in shew to congratulate with their Majesties for the recovery of the Queen who had been sick of the small Pox and in great danger and of his Majesty who had been for some days sick of a Feaver
with a body of Horse presently yielded without expecting the coming of the Cannon The King who was the first of September come out of Paris and after the Voyage of Amiens had been at Soissons came the 30th of the Month unto Laon to give countenance unto the relief of Rocroy which was intended to have been attempted and for which purpose the Duke of Elbeuf had been sent for from Picardy who with about 3000 men incamped thereabouts and with them also joyned the most part of his Majesties Guards bâ— the Town being rendred before all things were in a readiness the thoughts of that Enterprize ceased and they changed them for another design undertaken by the Cardinal with great courage and undaunted boldness The Court thought good to entertain themselves out of Paris that they might more vigorously assist the Army with Forces and with Counsel The resolutions being soon made and a great number of Nobility following the King besides his ordinary Guards of Horse and Foot both which would be ready to assist on all occasions It had not been amiss that their Majesties had staid in Paris to crush the accidents might happen in that City where the sinister intentions of some against the Government were not entirely quelled principally because the Arch-Bishop being in a declining Age and Retz being to succeed him the same might cause new motions amongst the people upon pretence they could not be without their Pastour who was highly valued and esteemed for his generosity But there being a necessity of going into the Campagne the Court thought that they might prevent all accidents and deprive Paris of that Prelate who had such high and wandring thoughts by offering him his liberty and the King's favour upon condition he would renounce the hope of his future succession and would go to Rome with promise to stay there without returning into France in recompence whereof there was something offered him of equal value although his Uncle were yet living and an Aiuda de Costa that he might live splendidly The Cardinal although he suffered the troubles of a Prison preferred the glory of constancy before his own private gains and being full of hope to see the face of things changed quickly either by the Arch-Bishops death or endeavour of his friends at Rome who were emulous of Cardinal Mazarine was fixed not to quit his Dignity declaring that he would for his Majesty do that or any other thing to the effusion of his blood but that knowing it to be only the Artifice and interest of Mazarine he could not swallow so bitter a Pill presented to him by his mortal Enemy The Pope notwithstanding he inclined not much unto the satisfaction of France declared that the proposition seemed to him fair and fit to be embraced and the Prisoner had notice of it but this would not suffice to make him lay aside the bitterness he had conceived in his mind which by constant suffering of the blows of adverse fortune increased in him the opinion of being more generous and daring and having found means to write unto the Congregation of Cardinals in Rome Letters full of complaint and earnest desires to be assisted by their protection whereof he thought he ought not to be deprived by reason of that prejudice the example might bring unto the Dignity of Cardinals One of the Cardinals of great credit seeing they were about to answer him to think of some expedient in his favour declar'd in givnig his opinion That he could not see any reason why they should ingage themselves in that Affaire which was rather to prejudice the Dignity of Holy Church then advantage the Prisoner since they could give him no other assistance but by words which would perswade much better by the way of sweetness then of rigour He said farther That although the Cardinal Mazarine had fallen into the same and worse intrigues with the Parliament there was nothing done for his assistance although the Service of the King his Master were also concern'd in it and that therefore they had much less reason to interest themselves in behalf of Retz who stood in opposition against his Majesty The said Cardinals advice being considered and approved of as the best the resolution taken was That his Holiness should be desired to exhort the King by Fatherly admonitions to grant his liberty His most Christian Majesty shewed himself most ready to do it and after several Negotiations at last the Dutchess of Chevreux undertook it together with that of Charles Duke of Lorrain and although he was afterwards as shall be shewed arrested by the Spaniard yet that for the Cardinal was not intermitted but was at last concluded upon this condition That he should renounce the Office of being Coadjutor of Paris other benefices of the value of the Arch-Bishoprick of Paris which amounted to a considerable Sum being conferred upon him in lieu thereof This affair was upon the point of being ended and all the difficulty rested only upon two points one was touching the number of the benefices and the other about the security to be given for performance of his Parole The death of the Arch-Bishop his Uncle brought some change in it the Curates of Paris being all of his Faction and his friends having spread abroad some new rumours but de Retz notwithstanding resolved to accept of the conditions offered to him and coming out of the Bois de Vincennes was consigned into the hands of the Mareschal de Mallery who brought him to Nantes to abide there till the conditions were performed after which it was resolved to send him unto Rome and give him money for his Voyage and for an Ayuda de Costa but he going afterwards privately from the said City all things were left at large as in its proper place shall be declared In the mean time Cardinal Mazarine's Enemies seeing all the Artifices and Cabals used by them to ruine him were come to nothing resolved by fraud and treachery to take away his life which being effected and he once out o' th' way they hoped then to compass their ends which by the Cardinal's providence had hitherto been disappointed and 't was a publick report that the Prince of Conde made use of such means upon the knowledge or at least suspition that the Cardinal had made the like attempt upon him which time notwithstanding shewed to be false and an invention onely of the common Enemy For the giving of this stroke there were hired or perswaded one Rigau ' and another called Bertau who being resolved to attempt it began to haunt the Lowvre that they might spy out a fit time and place for puting it in Execution It happened that some Letters were casually intercepted which gave cause of suspition sufficient to seise upon them after which upon Examination they confessed they had resolved to kill the Cardinal by stabbing him with Knives as he went up which he did every night to the King's lodgings by a private narrow pair
notwithstanding that he might escape by Night either by favour of the Citizens or some other way kept a most strict watch at the Gates the next day the news was spread abroad over the City and coming to the Duke's ears he answered I fear not Night being come a while before Sun-set the Duke being with a Father Confessor at the Magdalenes in their little Church he saw Count Garcia Sergeant Major General come in with many Officers attending on him the sight of whom made him change colour The Count told him That the Arch-Duke was to confer with him immediately about several Affairs of great importance to the Crown and expected him at the Palace The Duke answered He thought the hour something late and that in the morning he would perform his Duty The Count then replyed That he had order to bring his Highness to Court that Night Upon which the Duke said Your Lordship may please to go and I will follow When they came unto the street before the Palace where the Courtiers use to walk the Count said to him Your Highness is to go towards yonder other appartment for I have the King's order to arrest you The Duke then stood and after he had with a frank speech ripped up the Services he had done the House of Austria to the total ruine of his own he highly blamed the Spaniards usage and refused to go farther till he had spoken to the Arch-Duke But he could not obtain that satisfaction for Garices had told him That in case he refused to go willingly he must be enforced to carry him by violence Finally the Duke being perswaded was brought into the lodgings appointed for him shewing at first an extraordinary cheerfulness but the Cavaliers being afterwards retired he resolved 't were better since by force he could not do it to endeavour his own release by submission He writ very calmly to the Arch-Duke and recommended to him the Countess Cantacroy his wife though their marriage was at Rome declared unlawful Whilst he was writing the Secretary Navarre entred the Chamber and made him subscribe an order unto his Troops That for the time to come they should be obedient to the Arch-Duke That night he was served at Table by principal Cavaliers and when Bed time came two of his own Valets de Chambre were appointed to wait upon him at their first entrance into the Chamber he cryed out with a great sigh See the remainder of my Fortune That night all the Citizens had order to be in Arms to prevent any inconveniences which was presently executed there being none that dis-approved what had been done In the morning they waked him but he would not rise saying 't was yet too early to which no reply was made but he was left to his own liberty At last when he thought good he arose and after he was dressed they brought him several Dishes of Meat and he was served by the Arch-Dukes Camariers in extraordinary The Count Garcies after came in and told him That he came to wait upon his Highness to Antwerp upon which the Duke rose up presently without reply Being come out into the Hall in presence of a numerous Guard he opened his Doublet and shewing his Breast said aloud to them I am a Souldier and fear not all these preparations made for me I only desire that some of you would take my Life and by my Death all troubles will be ended Many would have it that he believed they were absolutely resolved to kill him by some lingring death but Garcies with all sweetness told him He wondred his Highness should entertaine such thoughts that the King his Master intended nothing but to secure him for some time He then went on and it being now late all the people ran togehther to see him pass in a Coach being Guarded through the City by 300 Horse The Duke made no shew of sadness to the people but with courtesie and in a pleasant manner saluted the Citizens by name and passing by a lodging wherein some French belonging to the Prince of Conde lay he said to them Ah! What will the World say that the Duke of Lorrain should be made a Prisoner by the Spaniard for whom he hath lost all his own Country Being come out of the City the said Count Garcie who was something sickly had License to return and the Guard of him was assigned to another Colonel when he took leave the Duke told him with Tears in his Eyes That he had brought him through the City at Noon day to make him a laughing stock unto the People Garcie answered His Highness had been cause of that by remaining so long in his Bed The Duke replyed That he was a faithful Servant to the King and his actions would speak him so and that he had never done any dis-service to the House of Austria and prayed him to inform and assure the Arch-Duke thereof when he should relate uno him what had passed and that he would also give an assurance unto Fuensaldagne of his affection He was conducted unto the Castle of Antwerp where he was kept for some time before he was sent into Spain his House was after searched his Papers seised and all the Goods sequestred which were found in his or the Countess Contueroy her house which were amongst other things Jewels of the value of 500000 Crowns which belonged to the House of Lorrain and amongst the rest a very fair Diamond given heretofore by the Emperour Charles the fifth unto a Duke of Lorrain one of his Ancestors which was called Charles the fifth his Diamond What sum of money there was found was not declared and although the general report was that the Duke was considerably rich therein yet 't was thought the Spaniards did not find him to be so But in regard the Ministers of Spain suspected that the Lorrain Souldiers and particularly the Nobility who purely for affection towards their natural Prince had followed him preferring his service before their own particular interests even to the leaving of their Country and loss of their estates would not endure the injury done to their Soveraigne Prince but rise up against the Spaniard and put things into confusion The Count of Ligneville therefore who was Lieutenant General and the other principal Commanders were gained by money and other promises to the affecting whereof the Antipathy between them and the French to whom they bear a natural hatred contributed in a great measure So as by means thereof and the declarations which the Arch-Duke made that he put the command and whatsoever else belonged unto the Duke into the hands of the Duke Francis his Brother the Souldiery was quieted and all those stirs they feared were avoided The Arch-Duke after published a Manifesto setting forth the reasons which moved his Catholick Majesty unto this Resolution the substance whereof was That when the Duke retired into the Dominions of Spain to preserve himself from the violence exercised by France against