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
taken Prisoner by the Kings Forces who whilst they strove whose prisoner he should be Count Rosan came in with five Squadrons and charged the Kings men so briskly as Marsilliack making use of this confusion freed himself from these Foot and though he were on foot and wounded took a Horse from a Souldier and got away with Count Mà tha Grance being reinforced in this skirmish by some of his own Squadrons fell so furiously upon the Enemy as he routed them immediately Roson was mortally Wounded and taken Prisoner together with divers other Officers and as many as were not slain Whereupon Grance marched into la Brie sackt the Castles of Lasegny Sercon and Villemenon and assaulted the very Town of Brie which was begirt with an ancient Wall and defended by the Inhabitants but he forced them to surrender the Town The said deputed persons were brought before the Queen as she sat in the midst of the Council where having done their due reverence Tallon told her how a Herauld had appeared at the Gate of St. Honoré just as the Parliament was sate to speak with the Assembly from her Majesty Whereat all the Councellors being surprised they knew not what to think of it but that it was to try her Subjects fidelity and to see whether they would treat with the King their Master in another manner than Vassals do when they receive his Commands That they therefore thought they had not disobeyed knowing that Heraulds are not sent but to Enemies or equals wherefore they pretending to continue the glorious Title of most humble Subjects thought it the lesser evil to dismiss him and to take the course which they had taken Wherefore they presented themselves before her Majesty with sorrowful Souls and humble Hearts to intreat her to accept of her Parliaments excuse who had not heard her Herauld for fear of offending her Royal Dignity or prejudicing her Soveraignty of the preservation whereof they had a greater care than all the World besides by which refusal she might finde the obedience of devoted Subjects and the innocency of their Councils which aimed at nothing but the preservation of Regal Authority against the power of the Enemies of France concluding that if she had sent him as to Soveraign personages she might see their respects and that they acknowledge their happiness consisted onely in their obedience To assure her Majesty whereof was the express cause of this their coming But if she sent him as to criminal people they were come to submit themselves to her Will and to be punisht by her The Queen heard these words with her wonted goodness and afterwards commanded the Chancellor to assure them that she was satisfied with the Declaration which they had made but that she could not be fully content unless their Words were accompanied by Effects and they might then assure themselves of her good will toward them and of her care for preservation of the Persons and the Fortune of all of them without exception The Duke of Orleans added That he wondred exceedingly why the Parliament did not readily render obedience to the Queen being in all reason obliged to do it and since they might promise themselves all fair dealing both in general and particular from their Majesties Clemency Condé spoke to the same purpose adding That the Queen aimed at nothing but the good of the State and the preservation of the Regal Authority and the welfare of every particular person These men returning to Paris made their report unto the Parliament whereupon they no sooner began to treat but Don Ieusippe Arnolsini was brought in to disturb it who was sent from Brussels by the Arch-Duke on the 24 th of February to Paris incognito with Letters of Credence which he presented to the Prince of Conâ—y whilst he was in private conference in L'Hostelle d'Elbâ—â—ufe with the Dukes of Beaufort and Bulliâ—n the Marshal de la Motte the Coadjutor the Presidents Conieux Navion Viola and Brousel the Counsellor The onâ— of these Letters was sealed and sent to the Prince of Conty The other was sent open to the Parliament He was privately treated with by Saraâ—ine Secretary to the Prince of Conty to finde out what he would â—e at the Spaniards by him made specious proâ—fers to advance onely as the Princes and Heads of that party should please and that they desired nothing but to free Paris and to procure a general Peace This was the Hood that caught the Prince of Conty for he thought iâ— a glorious thing if the Kingdom might be restored to Peace at the first unsheathing of Swords He therefore dispatcht away the Marquiss of Noirsmonstere Monsieur Laigne Monsieur Roussiere and Briqâ—igny who was stopt at Quinteyns The sum of Arnolfini's business was that the Arch-Duke would advance the Spanish Troops and those of Lorain to free Paris for which the Spaniards required a cautionary Town La Motte propounded Corbie but with small hopes of getting it out of his Brothers hands who was Governour thereof and was firm for the King There were better hopes in the Treaties between the Dutchess of Monbason and the Marquiss of Oquincourt who being in love with her it was hoped that she might get Peronne from him but neither did this hit For Oquincourt's affection to the King and his honour prevailed over his love to Monbason besides that this Proposal was refused by the Parliament who thought it unbecoming them to assigne over a Town of France to the Enemies of France whilst they were in treaty of a general Peace which would prove a perpetual reproach to the Loyalty which they professed to bear unto their King There was nothing therefore done in it more than that Arnolfini was heard in the Parliament where he appeared and explained the Arch-Duke's Letter and then gave in his Commission the Contents whereof was That he was sent by his Master the Arch-Duke to the Parliament where he could not think but he should be welcome since he brought the offer of Peace which was by all Christendom so much desired and so necessary for the quiet of the two Crowns That it was true that Cardinal Mazarine would not make Peace two years ago though he might have done it upon very advantageous terms for France But that after the King went from Paris the Cardinal propounded an Agreement with Spain upon very large terms saying that his chief motive therein was to chastise the Parliament-Rebels and to reduce them to reason But that the Catholick King did not think these exhibitions fair nor safe at this conjuncture of time thinking that it would be a shame for him to make use of such means so to oppress the Capital City of the Kingdom That his Majesty thought it not safe to treat with one who was condemned by Parliament as an Enemy to the King and Kingdom since the Parliament is to register and authenticate the Treaties of Peace But that as his King would make no other advantage of this conjuncture than an
fifth of that Moneth Whilest they were upon this discourse Beaufort came in who appeared much astonished that he should be blamed for the last days sedition and that a Soldier should be imprisoned that swore against him But the Duke of Orleans was not well satisfied with Ballieule that the meeting of the Parliament should be denied The same night whilest President Maison was going to L'Hostelle d'Orleans as he came out he was followed by many Plebeians who cried A Mazarinian and kill him He got into the next House the door whereof was assaulted that they might have him out but Beaufort and Conde coming in kept him from danger and brought him to L'Hostelle d'Orleans assuring the people That he was no Mazarinian At last on the Twenty fifth of Iune the Assemblies met being assured by the Princes that they should not be injured by the people And here Orleans and Conde declared That if the King would send the Cardinal away according to his Declaration of the Sixth of September last they would readily do what was desired inthe Kings Letter which was brought by their Commissioners After this there was no more rubs in the business only whether this Declaration should be sent by the Kings men or by the Commissioners of Parliament who had been imployed formerly or by others that should be chosen out of each Chamber whereunto all the Princes consented excepting Nesmond whom they suspected to have brought Moneys in his late imployments from the Court and that he held secret Conference with Mazarines friends This clause caused no little confusion in the Assembly all the Counsellors holding it very strange that they should be guided by the will of the Princes where their Votes ought to be free and independent This business was argued three hours and the wiser sort thinking the Princes pretentions to be unsupportable bewailed the misfortune of the times And finding palpably that to shun obedience to the King they fell into the subjection of the Princes they found that they must use the Princes as the Court had done the Parliament refusing all things that might proceed from another authority For in such cases by degrees desires turn to commands and he who would not be forced to obey ought not suffer commands They therefore resolved to send back the same Nesmond and the other Commissioners to tell the King That if the Cardinal were sent away according to the Declaration of the Sixth of September the Princes would lay down Arms and do all that his Majesty demanded of the Parliament Thus the Assembly ended and at the coming forth the Counsellors were kept back by a croud of people crying out Peace and union with the Princes whereby it appeared that their design was to make the Parliament and the City declare for many of the Soldiers of the Army were got among the Plebeians which caused a dangerous commotion against the whole Parliament many of the Counsellors whereof were pursued into the Neighboring Houses not without danger of life for many shot were made at them Many men were slain and many wounded President Noion had great fortune to escape for he was pursued by the people thorough two or three Streets The Lieutenant of Civil Causes got into the Castle with some Counsellors where he was beset by the rout who thought to fire it not being able to get in by reason of the number of Guard that defended it and they had fired it had it not been for Monsieur Mitton Colonel of that Quarter who with his Company made them retreat Other Counsellors and Presidents shifted for themselves the best they could the sedition lasted till night drew on with much horror and confusion It was mightily declaimed against not only in Parliament but in the Town-house and it was resolved to provide for the common safety When the Parliament met Monsieur Champrond was ordered to make process against the chief Authors of the Sedition as also against those that had printed and published infamous Libels against the Court and Parliament moreover a Monatorio Ecclesiastico a Declaration of the Clergy was given out against the Complices of the aforesaid things and the Provost des Merchants Consuls and Sheriffs and other chief Citizens resolved That the Captains and Colonels of each quarter should have their Guards in readiness and should place a Corps de Guard about the publick Palace to keep off further insolences and preserve the freedom of Parliament But sufficient provision not being had for the desired quiet there being more that followed the party of the Princes then of the Parliament and Council of the City it was concluded That the most expedient means for the indempnity of Paris and the Parliament should be taken in a General Assembly of all the Inhabitants on the Fourth of Iuly The Duke of Lorrain being this mean while dis-incamped from Villa Nova he went on the Seventeenth of Iune to Briacomte Rubert from thence by Columniere to Secana and so by degrees till he got out of the Kingdom which caused apprehensions that he had betrayed the Princes and which caused great trepidations in those that were of the contrary faction to the Court It being thought that the Kings Army being free from the Lorrainers should incamp before Paris and that the Princes should be forced to comply but when the truth was known the Duke was justified and it was known that all was caused by the Spaniards who were afraid That if the Duke of Lorrain should stay in France and joyn with the Princes the King would be forced to make peace and the Cardinal would be dismissed Wherefore they sent for him back to the end That the Court being strengthned by his retreat might not moderate her pretentions but maintain those divisions which it made for them to soment The Kings Army being gone from Estampes where there was no more Corn and the place much infected by the dead bodies of Men and Horses which lay unburied the rest of the Forces were made to remove and abandon that Town which was more then half distroyed when through the news that was given out that Lorrain had betrayed the Princes whose Army was thereby exposed to the iujuries of the Kings Forces who might pass over the Seene upon the Bridge of Boats which was surrendred by the Lorrainers The Prince went out with only twenty Horse amongst which were the Dukes of Rochefaucolt and Nemeurs and Prince Marilliack and went not without danger of being taken to joyn with his men who were marching towards Paris and came with them to the Seene over against Villanova S. George where the Kings Army lay And the next day hearing what had past in treaty with Duke Charles he came to between S. Clow and Surenne within two leagues of Paris on the River side and upon the way to S. Germans whither those few Forces that they had in Paris were also sent wherewith they made a Camp of about Five thousand men Which Army was provided of
rather by jealousies and suspicions than natural passions had estranged themselves from their Obedience to his Majesty the first effects of which wise conduct were seen in the Pardon which the King by the Madiation of the Mareschal De la Motte granted unto the Baron of Sant Annes Governour of Leucata who had forsaken his Majestie 's Service upon several sinister impressions till by this way of sweetness he was otherwise convinced and satisfied This Cavalier had revolted by the suggestion of some unquiet Spirits and some distaste taken unto the Court by reason his pretensions were discountenanced but he was quieted and sweetned by the dextrous management and civil means used towards him by the said Marquess a person of great abilities with whom the last of November he made an Accord That pardon should be given to him and all the Inhabitants of Leucata his Sons who were Prisoners in Paris should be released the goods belonging to himself or his friends restored the Castle of Termes to be put into the hands of the Arch-bishop of Narbon to be restored to the said St. Annes after six months or otherwise in case his Majesty should not be pleased to ratifie this Article the two Troops of Horse raised by the said St. Annes should be put into his Majesty's Service and there should be paid unto him 860 Doubloons for his Charges in the said Levy and 415 for the Losses of the Inhabitants of Leucata and the Ransom of Poder his Cousin all the Prisoners to be freed all Treaties with the Spaniards or the Princes recalled and an assurance upon his Honour and Parol given never to swerve again from the obedience of the King The Cardinal had caused also a strict negotiation to be made with the Prince of Conde by means of some Confidents of his to pacifie him and make him quit the Spaniards Service offering him the Soveraignty of some Country out of France But whether it were that the Prince found himself too far engaged with the Spaniard or that the generosity of his Mind would not permit him to falsifie his word without some apparent cause or pretext or that he thought this Dignity too mean or were taken with the pleasant gust of those advantages he received from Spain and in particular with the great Assignations made unto him or whether he were led by other Suspicions Reasons or Respects amongst which probably that which held the first place was the desire of the occasions to use his Sword his great heart being unable without trouble to return into the calm of Peace the Propositions vanished without effect The Prince declared That he was no wayes ambitious of being a Soveraign Prince contenting himself with the Quality he had of being first Prince of the Blood that he knew not how again to trust a person that had once deceived him nor believe that person would be faithful to him who had before shewed himself not to be such that these Offers were like those Gifts which had formerly passed between Hector and Ajax that we ought to give least credit unto those things which appear most probable and that we must consider that how much more is promised for necessity so much more likely are we to fail thereof when that is over That he knew the Cardinal sufficiently for a person as apt to promise much as he was afterwards industrious to perform onely what suited to his own ends And he protested in fine That he would never consent to any Accommodation wherein the King of Spain should not also be included to whom he professed himself highly obliged The person imployed endeavoured to take from him all sinister Impressions and represented to him that he should call to mind he was a French-man and one of the Blood-Royal that he had too much Reputation and Glory not to be made the Butt of Envy and Jealousie to a Nation that had so much emulation with France and were ambitious to have no dependance but on themselves that to build his hopes upon those who proposed to themselves ends different from his was to make a ruinous building That Friends follow the Fortune not the Bodies of their Friends and that in quitting France he should be abandoned by all the French-men that ones Countrey ought to be as dear unto a prudent Man as his Shell is to the Snail and that being his true and faithful Servant he took the freedome to tell him It was much more honourable for such a Princes as he to be Cousin to the King of France than Servant to the King of Spain He added hereunto many efficatious reasons but all in vain because the hatred and disdain of the Cardinal were prevalent in the imagïnation of the Prince and the opinion he had firmly conceived that he should be the next Campagne too powerful for the King's Forces and be enabled thereby to return to Paris The Cardinal therefore not being able to prevail with the Prince thought of the means how to divide his Brother Conty from him He caused advantageous Conditions to be proposed unto him and thought that having once gained him he should thereby restore Bourdeaux and Guienne to their Pristine Obedience because the Factions of this Prince were very powerful in that City and Province and the effects thereof were likely to be very advantageous to the King's Service and the reduction of his Brother by reason of the Jealousies which peradventure the Spaniards might upon that occasion have of his Person and the ill usage which it was probable he should receive from them when he should be deprived of that support which rendred him so much the more considerable But although Conty were not a friend unto his Brother and that his mind was much more apt to receive satisfaction yet he was so fixed not to disoblige the Dutchess of Longueville his Sister that without her he would resolve of nothing and she remaining firm in the good Intelligence she held with Conde and the hopes which the generosity of her own mind suggested to her all those attempts proved useless and consequently all the other attempts and practises of those in Bourdeaux who were affectionate to the King's Party fell to the ground their indeavours tending onely to bring things unto that pass that the City should second such resolutions as should be taken by the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess The Cardinal therefore took in hand other expedients and since he could not gain the Princes indeavoured by new Orders to deprive by little and little both them and the Town of Bourdeaux from those Subjects and Places which fomented their pretensions and therefore the Duke of Vendosme was ordered to Sail with the Fleet into the Garonne unto the Duke of Candale who was already departed to Govern the Forces in Guienne were dispatched all the Troops which could be got together in the neighbouring Provinces and the Negotiations with the Count D' Ognon and others to divide them from the contrary Faction were
himself returned towards the Garonne unto another Body of his men commanded by the Marquess de Camilla Lieutenant-General of the Army Some few days after being advertised that Monsieur de San Mico marched towards Roquefort a place in the Countrey d' Albret beyond Mont de Marsan and Prazas with the Regiment of Conti consisting of 400 Foot and with 100 Horse to possess that place by means of the Intellgence he had with some of the Inhabitants corrupted by Monsieur de Pruque Captain of the Regiment of Guitaur he marched to encounter him with the greatest force he could draw out of his Garrisons and overtaking them as they were taking up their Quarters in the very Suburbs of Roquefort he commanded the Cavalier Birague to make an attempt upon them with the Forlorn-hope assuring him that he should be relieved and seconded which being punctually executed more than forty Souldiers of the Enemy were slain and the rest enforced to shut themselves up in another Suburb which was entrenched at the same time there appeared beyond the River a Squadron of Horse which was violently pursued even to the Town-gates into which Aubeterre sent a Trumpet unto the Baron de Marsan who was Governour of the Town to offer him relief which he refused assuring him He was in a condition to defend himself with the strength he had and that he need not doubt his fidelity to the King's Service This good Answer made Aubeterre get to Horse that he might find and fight the Enemy but having notice by the way that they came with de Mico from facing San Iustin a place within the County d' Albret scituated between the Rivers Gelixe and Douse pursued by the Cavalier de Paris and Monsieur de Serigeux with so good fortune that the Commander of them had hardly saved himself with only five Horse of threescore that he had with him he resolved to pursue the Run-aways and clear that Country from the Prince's Forces But being at the same time advertised that the Town of Roquefort and the Baron of Marsan against his Parole given instead of defending the Town for the King had received Colonel Baltassar with the Princes Forces he marched forthwith thitherward with those few Horse he had then with him that he might be revenged upon them but hearing upon the way that Baltassar had taken San Iustin and la Bastida shamefully rendred to him where he was fortifying to make himself a Winter-quarter he forthwith changed his Design and thought it better to march against Bastida within which were the Regiments of Leran and di Guitauld with 200 Foot and 100 Horse of Conti's under the Command of the said Leran who was a Mareschal de Campo He joyned himself for this Design with the Monsieurs Dalidor and â—eilch who had with them a good Body of Horse and upon the 26th of Ianuary they drew near unto the place Dâ—â—idor with some Horse that dismounted attacqued the Gate and forced iâ— giving entrance to Aubeterre and his Companions but finding a strong Bâ—â—ricado notably defended by de Leran and his Souldiers the King's Forces were with some loss repulsed and forced to seek â— better way to gain their purpose They caused therefore the Barricado to be attacqued on three sides by a false Alâ—arm and in the mean time the Souldiers entred into some Houses upon another side from whence firing upon the backs of those who defended the Barricado they forced them to quit it and retire into the great Church which standing in the middle of a large Piazza they fortified themselves within iâ— Dalidor forthwith without loss of time advancing under the Wall gained with great Valour the Breast-work drawn by the Enemy before the Doors and then the Cavalier d' Aubeterre gave sudden notice to Leran that he should lay down Arms and yield or otherwise he should have no Quarter Leran made Articles That liberty being given to himself and the Staff-Officers to retire themselves where they thought good the Souldiers and the other Officers should remain Prisoners of War Which being executed there remained Prisoners with the Kings Forces more than 200 Foot and about 300 Horse with all their Baggage The Enterprise was Noble and very Honourable to the King's Commanders although they lost therein about forty of their own men together with Monsieur della Chappelle and this fortunate encounter facilitated also the gaining of Mas d' Aginois which presently rendred it self without much resistance after this Action the King and Princes Forces scouring every where over that fertile and late peaceable Campagne rendred the Inhabitants thereof as unhappy as the Bourdelois had shewed themselves imprudent in drawing on their own shoulders a War only to please others whereby they could reap nothing but an irrevocable ruine an eternal infamy and in case the Arms of the Male-contents should have prevailed a slavery to themselves instead of the mild Government of their lawful and most gracious Soveraign These Maximes were notwithstanding understood by some and had possibly been followed with effect in case the wavering multitude without cause oâ— reason had not suffered themselves to be governed by a blind fury and inconsiderate ambition In this mean the Scâ—nes for the Ballet were preparing in Paris and the Prince of Conti in Bourdeaux together with the Princesses his Cousin and Sister being invited by the Carneval-Season that they might win upon the minds and please the simple People and especially the rude multitude greedy of Novelties and delighted with pompous Shews celebrated the Solemnity of the Christening of the Prince of Conde his Second Son born the Sept. before wherein according to the Prince of Conde's Orders were God-fathers the Jurates of the City and the Dutchess of Longueville his Sister who adorned pompously with all her Jewels went to the Cathedral of the City attended by the Cavalier Todias first Jurate and the Count Marsin who held the Infant the Prince of Conti the Duke of Anguien and all the Principal Cavaliers and Officers of the Party being also present The City after made a magnificent Feast and Banquet which was scrambled at by those of the Olmiera and there were also made for some days following other Balls and Bonfires with Justs Tiltings Comedies and Masques as if that Countrey had felt nothing of War or Misery In the mean time divers secret Plots were driven on for the reducing of Bourdeaux to his Majesties Obedience and it was a matter of difficulty to reduce that powerful and warlike City so they made use of Industry and Art for the effecting of it The Father Faur a Franciscan who was after made Bishop of Glandeues a man subtle and zealous in his Majesties Service who had much contributed to the reduction of Paris proposed also the forming of some Intelligence in the City of Bourdeaux it self by means of the Fathers of his Order To this effect there was sent thither Father Bertaut Guardian of Breda to settle an Intelligence with the Father
Filoukes from the Creeks in the said places they surprized the Galley without resistance the rather because she lay off the Castle so as she could not be thereby defended and brought her safe into the Port of Genoua to which the other Spanish Galleys were retired This Accident was falsly reported to the French General suggesting that those of Arassi and others Subjects of the Republique had concurred to the recovery of this Galley which being also confirmed by the common discourse at Thoulon and Marseilles and reported in the French Court gave occasion unto the Count d' Harcourt being Admiral to engage himself in demanding the restitution of this Galley to which purpose coming with his great Ships near Genoua he sent with much Civility and Courtesie to request of the Republick that they would put into his hands this Galley which being gotten in a just Warr from the Enemy was possessed by their Subjects The Senate gave order that a relation of the truth of the fact should be given unto Harcourt that she had been taken not by their Subjects but by Spaniards and that for the satisfaction of France they would make strict enquiry to see if any of their Subjects had hand in it Harcourt passed in shew well satisfied with the ingenuous proceeding of the Republick who failed not to use their best diligence to be informed of the truth and it was found that among so many who joyned in the recovery of the Vessel there were three poor Mariners who were Genoueses whom they caused to be severely punished and sent due information thereof unto Gio. Baptista Salazzo their Ambassadour in France that he might satisfie the Court and thought they had given sufficient satisfaction and made it to appear that 't was far from their intention the least damage should be done by any of their Subjects But on the contrary that two Galleys being in the same Fight taken from the French by the Spaniard and brought into Genoua wherein were many wounded persons and Prisoners the common Souldiers were forthwith taken into Hospitals and the Officers and Persons of Quality by particular Gentlemen into their Houses where they were treated with much magnificence and Courtesie amongst them two Captains of the Gallies lodged by Gio. Battista Raggi confessed that they had never found any where so much Courtesie as they had experienced in Genoua This Raggi was Nephew to the deceased and Brother to the living Cardinal of that name who after he had for five moneths defrayed their charges got them their liberties without Ransome But as there is never wanting in great Princes Courts envious persons and back-biters who do ill offices and turn the sweetest and most obliging actions into poyson it was insinuated to Harcourt that he had been abused by the State of Genoua in his demand under colour of taking information touching the manner of the recovery of the Spanish Galley This Prince fierce by Nature and apt to resent Injuries the year following being at Sea with the Fleet under his Command sailed to the River of Genoua passing within two miles of St. Remy and two Senators of Genoua being there about Publick Affairs upon the notice they had of the appearing of the French Fleet sent a Gentleman with a Galley and several Provisions to refresh and Complement the French General but after the usual Salutes coming aboard the French Admiral without the least suspicion of Hostility the Galley was surprised whilest the Gentleman was aboard of Harcourt's Ship performing of his Message to him The Senators were much astonished and surprized with the unwonted strangeness of this Action of the French Admiral who sailing as a Friend upon the Seas of the Republick aad being saluted as such by them the Hostility committed by him could be nothing else but an apparent breach of Publick Faith and a violation of the Law of Nations The Gentleman and Captain of the Galley complained to the General charging him with a Fact so detestible and unusual He replyed sharply to them That they being of the Republick of Venice who had taken a Galley which on the King's behalf he had demanded but could not get he was bound to take satisfaction himself where he could find it He caused the Galley to be plundered released the Captain and Mariners and brought the Vessel with the Tackle to Thoulon The news of this Accident coming to Genoua was the more sensible to the Senators and the whole City by how much it was known to be less just and reasonable and the rather because in this Action and other occasions the Republick had alwaies shewed a good correspondence with France so as if the great wisdom of the Senate had not shewed it self in regulating the Motions of the People and City not suffering them to fall tumultously upon those resolutions which must be undertaken upon mature advice there was some danger left the Genoueses should have fallen upon the French and deprived them of their Goods and Lives in revenge of so apparent an Injury The Commonwealth failed not amongst other Provisions to dispatch presently a Courrier to their Ambassadour in France with orders to represent unto his Majesty this Accident so unexpected without reason and contrary to all Lawes of Hospitality letting him know They hoped from his Majestie 's Iustice not only restitution of the Galley taken but satisfaction also for the Injury which with so much violence was done unto them The Ambassadour espoused the cause declaimed against the strangeness of the Action and set forth the injustice of it with so much evidence of Reason that the Cardinal Richelieu after he had excused it upon pretence of reprisal by reason of an injury of the like nature received from the Genoueses told him That if the Common-Wealth would by their Letters to his Majesty desire a Restitution of the Galley he doubted not but that his Majesty would please to do it But this Business the dispatch whereof was thought so easie by reason of the delayes used in it which are proper to great Courts took not effect but at the time and in the manner above rehearsed The Marquess Pallavicin ceased not at the same time to make continual applications unto his Majestie 's Ministers at Court That they would give order to have the Common-Wealths Ambassadours treated with the same Ceremonies are usual unto those of Crown'd Princes He shewed that this Demand was founded upon Justice Forasmuch as besides that Liguria had been often called a Kingdome this Common-Wealth had for many Ages past been Owners of that of Sardinia conquered by force of Arms and that of Cyprus rendred it Tributary for many years and taken from the French that of Corfu which it still holds besides so many Glorious Conquests in the Levant which rendred it formidable unto all its Enemies and especially the Infidels against whom the Christian Princes never almost undertook a Warr without receiving powerful assistance from this Common-Wealth Which hath been therefore Honoured by many
assault the Town as soon as the Ammunition which they expected from Narbonne was come that so in case the Enemy should put their Foot into Girone to defend it they might attaque the Mountain and if they did it not the Town might be with the more ease besieged and taken Girone is a great City scituated upon the hanging of a Hill encompassed with Walls flanked with some little Towers the Houses whereof served for Parapets unto that part of the River Fer which glideâ— on the right side of it so as it would not be hard to take it if there were not in it a great Garrison The French were Masters of the Field their Conveys came without danger and in all Skirmishes and Encounters which were frequent enough the Spaniards always had the worst Belliere practised Intelligence by all the means he could their Souldiers both Horse and Foot came from time to time in good numbers to yield themselves so as the Officers themselves were forced very often to keep guard over their own Souldiers The Irish had promised to come with their whole Companies into the French Service the Besieged began already to suffer much and some days were passed that the Horse had nothing to maintain them but the Grass and Weeds they got from the Parapet of the Town Walls The Spanish Generals perceiving that their Troops daily wasted to preserve the said Mountain had built three Forts and designed as was gathered by Letters which were intercepted to pass a part of their Cavalry to Barcellonâ— to relieve them from their Sufferings there and to joyn with the Army which the Constable of Castile was raising for the succour of Girone so as the French were constrained to be extreamly vigilant and to keep their Horse alwaies sadled in the Camp Whilest the Siege passed in this manner Plessis Belliere Treated with the Inhabitants of San Feâ—ion a little Town with a Castle indifferently strong situate upon the Sea beyond Palamos and Blanes the Garrison whereof having no suspition of what happened kept not so good Watch as they ought to have done The Enterprise succeeded luckily and Monsieur de Massarmes who was sent thither to effect it took the Town Castle and Garrison the 26th day of Iuly in the Night he found there 7. Brass Pieces of Canon and 4. of Iron with some Ammunition and for a complement of the good fortune a Bark going to Barcellona loaded with divers Merchandises of value which lay there was boarded before they heard the newes and instead of Spaniards whom they expected become a prey unto the French Things standing in this posture the Mareschal d'Oquincourt taking leave at Coure went into Languedoc where assembling the Souldiers appointed to serve under his Command he provided to march and joyn with the Army before Girone Plessis Belliere as soon as he had notice of it dispatched Monsieur de Rabaliere his Kinsman away to him to complement him and give him an account of what had passed in the Siege He let him know the wâ—nt there was of Powder that it was necessary to send that which was to come unto Narbonne and in the mean time to borrow a quantity from the Governour of Perpignan or Rose that in case he would force Girone or continue the Siege 't was necessary to speed the Levies of the Catalonians in Rossillon and cause Monsieur Lochman his Regiment of Swisses which had stayed there to advance as also those of the Queen of Anjou and of Languedoc who refused to march with the rest by reason of the precedency challenged by those of Auvergne who were in Conflans under the Command of Monsieur de Tilly. The Mareschal did what was desired of him by Belliere he brought with him those Regiments who renewed their said Pretensions and insisted so far upon them that it was necessary to put all the Officers of Auvergne under Arrest upon that occasion where they remained till Girone was relieved he brought 3000 pound weight of Powder from Perpignan Belliere went to meet him a League and half from the Camp accompanied by all the principal Officers of the Army and brought him thither upon the 27th of Iuly informing him how all things stood The Mareschal took the Command of all his Majestie 's Forces in those Parts and the Marquiss du Plessis Belliere fell sick of a continual Feaver which enforced him to keep his bed for five weeks time Mean while the French being resolved upon the taking of Girone battered the Walls made a breach and tryed to gain it by Assault but whether it were that the breach was not sufficiently large or that the Parapets and defences made to flank the Souldiers were not well lined with Earth oâ— that those who were commanded upon the Assault were wanting to their Duty in not following their Commanders they failed in the Onset and were forced to desist from any farther attempt upon hopes that the besieged being reduced unto necessity for want of Victuals would of themselves yield and in truth they were put unto the last extremity when their relief began to appear which entred into the Town upon the 24th of September being Mules loaded with Corn upon that side of the Town which was of most difficult access where were placed the Sâ—isses and the Queens Regiment seconded by Monsieur Carâ—iâ—ton's Regiment of Horse who were no sooner charged by the Spaniard but they fled and thereby gave them opportunity to joyn with those of the City who â—allied out The Mareschal was gone to visit certain Posts where having notice that those Regiments were ingaged he went forthwith to relieve them but coming thither he found his own men fled and the enemy joyned Plessis Belliere who had also notice of it hastened thither and meeting the Mareschal who gave him notice of the accident and consulting together they resolved to quit the Enterprise which being to be forthwith executed for avoyding loss of time and of some difficulty Oquincourt desired Belliere to take the charge thereof In order whereunto he gave Orders forthwith unto his own Regiment of Foot that of Poictoâ— and the Swisses that they should keep the Posts which the French held at Pont Maggior to facilitate their passage over the River he caused afterwards the Army to march in good order and pass the River to incamp at Madignan as they advanced and as soon as the Guard at Pont Maggior was drawn off the Spaniards seised upon it and the Constable of Castile drew about 400 horse over the River and some Musquetiers who placed themselves in the houses beyond the River The Horse were no sooner drawn out into the field but the French facing about charg'd them so briskly that they pursued them to the River side taking a good number of them Prisoners which defeat made the Enemy keep in his own bounds and forbear the farther following of the French From Madignan Oquincourt marched to Barca and the next morning being the 26th of September he marched