Mareschal de la Meillerare who notwithstanding the Hâ—tred born his Uncle was generally acknowledg'd a man Skillfull in the trade of War For he had newly taken Aire a strong place in Aâ—â—ois and tho' the Cardinal Infant had recover'd it yet had he not the less repute The Viscount de Turenne having ever been desirous to fight in the Kings Presence was overjoy'd at his being Chosen to serve in his Army and thinking he lay under an Obligation of making his acknowledgments for it to the Cardinal of whom he had several times begg'd this favour he mention'd it so handsomely to him that this still the more redoubl'd the kindness that Minister had for him In the mean while the rumour which ran of the Kings journey prov'd true and the Viscount de Turenne his having kiss'd Majesties Hand this Prince took him aside and confirm'd to him by word of Mouth what he had Written to him several times namely that he had much regard for him and that on his account he had so soon forgot the Offence of his Brother the Duke of Bouillon The Viscount de Turenne not knowing what thanks and humilities to pay his Majesty for his Grace and Bounty and as the Duke of Bouillon had been newly nominated to go Command in Italy under the Authority of Prince Thomas so many favours at a time seem'd to incapacitate him of being ever able to acknowledge such great obligations He testify'd to the King the Sentiments he entertain'd but the King Embracing him tenderly told him that he was too well satisfy'd with him that he had it from good hands all possible Endeavours had been us'd to Embark him in the affair of the Count de Soissons but that before he knew his answer he had rightly judg'd he would do nothing contrary to his Duty The Viscount de Turenne begg'd his Majesty to believe he had never had that matter mention'd to him but if they had he wou'd not have fail'd of informing his Majesty But the King taking him up short told him that he ought to be content he was satisfy'd with his Conduct and that as so near a Relation of his had been concern'd in that occasion he had been the first to excuse him In the Interim the Army assembl'd around Perpignan and as we had not been able to hinder Provisions from being convey'd into that place from Couilloure which was continually supply'd by Sea the French resolv'd to attack Couilloure and to shut up Perpignan so close as should barr all Entrance and Conveyance into 't for the future The Mareschal de la Meilleraye directing his Maâ—â—h to Couilloure with the Viscount de Turenne attack'd it on the Land side while the Kings Fleet batter'd it from Sea The Marquis of Montarre was in the Town with a strong Garrison and had built several Forts around to hinder the Approaches The Mareschal de la Meilleraye having thereupon judg'd convenient first of all to take in those Forts sent thither the Viscount de Turenne who carry'd them by dint of Sword but before he cou'd render himself Master of the Town the Spaniards seeing Perpignan lost unless they reliev'd Couilloure they entred Cani with a Body of Horse and Reformed Officers while la Motte Houdancourt who had an eye to their Motions took the Field on his side The Spaniards who had their Design wou'd have declin'd fighting but la Motte having overtaken them at a Pass made 'em face about against their wills and after having defeated their Rear press'd 'em so close that he forc'd 'em to a second Engagement The success now was as little to their advantage as before and they lost full Eight Hundred men more However la Motte not being yet satisfy'd pursu'd 'em Night and Day into the Mountains of the Copsi and having overtaken them near Villa-franca he so compleated their Defeat that what remain'd of 'em were either slain upon the spot or taken Prisoners The King whom this Army had giv'n some Disquiet was overjoy'd to see it so happily defeated and as he had already receiv'd great Services from la Motte and that his last actions recall'd others into his mind he sent him the Staff of Mareschal of France Couilloure was quickly forc'd after so signal a Victory Yet as the Marquis de Montarre had fulfill'd the Duty of a Good Captain and of a Brave Souldier the Mareschal de la Meilleraye wou'd not refuse him the three days he still required before he surrendred rather to save his Honour than in hopes of any Succours The three days being Expired the Garrison march'd out and was found still Eighteen Hundred men strong This Conquest having much facilitated the Reduction of the rest of Roussillon the Blocade of Perpignan was converted into a Siege and the King meaning to be there in Person leâ—t Langue doc where he had staid some time and arriv'd at Pia whither came the Mareschal de la Meilleraye to give him an account of all his Actions In the mean while this Town lay under all sorts of wants except Mâ—n of whom it had a sufficient number but as they had no Provisions the French resolv'd not to Press it but to husband the Souldiers as much as they cou'd The Marquis de Flores d'Avila perceiving after what manner we design'd to have him distributed his Victualls in such small parcels that he made them last much longer than was expected and in the interim had hopes of Succours or of some Change in our Affairs for the Kings health rather impair'd than augmented and besides that of the Cardinal was in so bad a Condition as had oblig'd him to stay at Narbonne where he suffer'd inconceivable pains But what troubl'd him most was the account he had of the Cabals then on foot against him which so topsy-turvy'd the King's mind that he was contriving to rid himself of this Great Man whose exalted Genius was nevertheless the Cause of all his Prosperities Cinqmars the Mareschal d'Essiaâ—'s Son whom the Cardinal had been the means to introduce very far into the King's Favour but whose Destruction he endeavour'd for a Recompence was the most Dangerous of his Enemies This Young Man being not content with his Favour nor with the Charge of Master of Horse which he possess'd pretended himself to the Ministry and as he fancy'd the King near his end he enter'd into so particular an Engagement with the Duke of Orleans that he promis'd him not only to Kill the Cardinal but also to do all he requir'd The Duke of Orleans being naturally fearfull and dreading least after the Cardinals Death his Relations and friends might take up Arms he engag'd Cinqmars to send into Spain for Succours so as while the King endeavour'd to ruine that Crown his Brother did his utmost to uphold it The King of Spain seeing no other ressource but this to save Roussillon Entertain'd with great Caresses the Person sent him by Cinqmars and promis'd him all his Demands as well as to the
before that cou'd be effected For tho' the Frondeurs were seemingly in a strict Union with her Majesty they had a very different Aim They were in the Interests of Châteauneuf Keeper of the Seales who after having posses'd the first Place in the Council had try'd a Reverse of fortune that had distanc'd him thence Yet the most part did not despair of his being restor'd and not a Person besides the Coadjutour but wisht it as not being of a humour to leave to another what made him do so many things unbeseeming his Character However being one day at the Palais he happen'd into a great perplexity for going out of the Great Chamber to hinder any Disorder from happening between his Friends and those of the Prince of Conde that staid in the Great-Hall he saw himself all of a suddain Surrounded with Swords and if every Individuall had not retired to his own Company he wou'd have fancy'd that not a man of 'em All but had his Person for the mark of his Revenge At length having distinguisht his friends from his Foes he rang'd himself among the Former while that the Duke de la Rochefoucaut plac'd himself at the Head of the Latter Thus a man wou'd have said they were just going to fight but the fear they were under of discrediting their Party in the Parliament occasion'd their resting satisfy'd with threatning one another After this they wou'd both return into the Great Chamber But as the Duke de la Rochefoucaut had got the Start he wayted the others coming behind the Bar-Door and just upon his passing he Clapt it strongly to and Caught his Head between the other half of the Door that remain'd shut The Coadjutour schream'd-out as if he had been upon the point of being Assassinated and the Parliament being interrupted by all these things was rather contriving how to appease this Disorder than to deliberate about the matters for which it was Assembled The Duke de la Rochefoucaut that he might not shock the Parliament answer'd the Complaints the Coadjutour made immediately against him that he had â—â—d no Design of insulting him in any manner and that if he had shut the Door it was only to hinder those of his Party who pursu'd him from wanting Respect to so August a Body But the Respect born it was so small that the Duke de Brissac the Coadjutours near Relation fell to using bitter Words which the Duke de la Rochefoucaut wou'd never have suffer'd without taking satisfaction if the Duke of Orleans had not interpos'd to bring 'em to an accommodation This was a more vexatious Bus'ness to the Coadjutour than can be imagin'd he was Universally blam'd for offering to measure himself with the first Prince of the Blood and as his Profession did not allow him to do any thing Violent of which all his Actions had the Appearance what the Prince of Conde gave out of him found the more easy Credit namely that he had a Design of Assassinating him As the Queen cou'd not doubt of the hatred they bore one another she look'd upon it as a great piece of Merit from the Coadjutour to her Majesty and for th'engaging him to continue as he began she promis'd him the first Cardinals Cap which the Court of Rome should grant to France Thus in that time of Disorder and Confusion Vice had the Compensation of Virtue for sufficient was it for a man to be in a capacity to make himself fear'd by his Intrigues Cabals and provided one did not directly thwart the Queens Intentions he had fair hopes of obtaining any sort of favour During these Transactions the Parliament being back'd by the Duke of Orleans who through his natural inconstancy chang'd his Party as often as his Shirt dayly perceiving more and more that the Queens whole aim tended to bring about the Cardinals return who in lieu of distancing himself from France as she had promis'd staid at Liege pass'd new Arrests against him importing that not any Cardinal tho' of the same Nation shou'd thenceforward have admittance into the King's Council The Queen not daring openly to declare her Intensions was oblig'd to subscribe to so hard a Condition by causing an Edict to be expedited in Conformity with the Arrest This did not hinder her however from sending him money and the Duke of Orleans caus'd a Carriage design'd for him to be stopt that came from the Provinces bordering upon the Loire where the Blood of the People was not spar'd no more than the rest of the Kingdom which was lavisht upon him to facilitate his Return The Cardinal by the means of this money rais'd Forces and having wherewithall to keep in with his Quondam-Friends and get new he Fortify'd his Party as much as he cou'd and did not yet renounce the hopes he had of becoming more than ever Potent The People suffering by all these Novelties complain'd in the mean while that for the interest of one single man the whole State was near it's Ruine but withall most of the Grandees were glad that they had this Pretext given them to render themselves the more Powerfull and tho' that amid their Disobedience they had ever the Publique Good in their Mouth when it came to the making of Proposalls all turn'd upon their Interests and not a Word was there about the Poor People In the mean while the King entred into his fourteenth year being the time six'd for the Majority of our Kings and People hop'd that being a Major he might possibly apply some Remedy to the Evils that afflicted the Realm principally when he shou'd be let know whence they proceeded and the Means to be made use of to put a Stop to them But the wisest Expected but little Ease from that side they said it to be a great mistake to believe that a Child foster'd in the Love of his Mother and in the hatred of the Princes of the Blood whom he was made to believe had a Design to bereave him of his Crown had the judgement to discern truth from falshood that if Our Kings were declar'd Majors at fourteen years of Age 't was rather thro' Custom than Reason that well known it was that at that Age a Man was not capable of any great matter that it was also Manifest they needed Council more than Ever by cause that beginning to have some Intentions yet without being able to distinguish what was wholesome from what injurious they were to be redress'd and set to Rights when they had made a false Step. And in truth this Ceremony was perform'd with more Pomp and Lustre than Profit and all the Change there was consisted in there being no more than the Kings name in the Declarations whereas that of the Queen was there allso before But the same Maximes and the same Sentiments still appear'd so as that it was plainly seen the Peace of the Realm was not hence to be expected In the mean while the Parliament still continu'd it's Sessions and
man had more joy than the Viscount de Turenne who had often discourst the King and discover'd in his Conversation many great things which Others knew not so well as he yet as he cou'd not testify it to him orally he testify'd it to him by Letters to which the King made a most obliging Answer signifying to him among other things that what he dayly perform'd for his Service persuaded him sufficiently of his good will without its being necessary for his confirming it to him by Letters This having giv'n him still the more desire to Sacrifice himself for his Majesty he pursu'd his Conquests which be still augmented with that ef Bergues Furnes and Dixmuyden But when he was preparing to push things further several Seditions broke out in the Provinces of France which occasion'd the sending Troups thither As there were no considerable Persons that buoy'd-up the Rebells they were quickly reduc'd to Obedience by the punishment of some Bonneson was Beheaded some others were hang'd all this having requir'd only the time of going and coming there remain'd still enow to terminate this Campagne as it had been begun Whereupon Orders were dispatcht to the Mareschal de la Ferté to Advance with the Troups that had Winter'd in his Government and the Viscount de Terenne having promis'd to make head against the Enemies La Ferté Besieg'd Gravelines which we had lost again in the time of our Civil Wars The Mareschal de la Ferté having accomplisht this Enterprize the Viscount de Turenne took Oudenarde and Menin after which he march'd against City of Ypres The Prince de Ligne who Commanded the Spanish Cavalry knowing we were coming to invest it quitted the Neighbourhood of that Place under which he was Encamp'd and advanc'd as far as a Defilé where he not only disputed the pass but allso repuls'd two or three thousand House The Viscount de Turenne was strangely amaz'd to see 'em come back in Disorder and having Commanded the Count de Roye to march with the Regiment Royale Aranger of which he was Colonel he retriev'd the Others Reputation and oblig'd the Prince de Ligne to retreat whereupon the Place having been invested by this Count who was the Viscount de Turenne's Nephew the Siege was quickly form'd and had the Success as so many Others had had This startl'd the Spaniards who saw so many good Towns wrested out of their hands without being able to use any Prevention for as their Dominions are divided from one another the Succours they might draw thence were reduc'd to a small matter before they arriv'd where they were necessary In the mean while little more prosperous were they in Italy where the Neighbourhood of so many Principalities and Kingdoms seem'd to shelter them from such like Disgraces for they had not been wanting to lose allso that Campagne the City of Trin which they had kept at least Six or Seaven Years that is to say since our Domestique Divisions had render'd our Allys unprovided of all sort of Defence They endeavour'd to repair this Loss by the taking of Valence which they pretended to Surprize by Scalado but they were so well repell'd that they lost three or four hundred men in that Action Besides this we took Mortare and having made Inroads as far as the Gates of Milan the Inhabitants of that Town thought themselves irrecoverably lost tho' the Spaniards had put their Principal Forces into that Plâ—ce We were not alltogether so Successfull in Catalonia where having Beleaguer'd Campredon we were compell'd to raise the Siege However as this was a small matter in Comparison of what had happen'd in Flanders and Italy all the Neighbouring Potentates were wonderfully Surpriz'd to see so great an Alteration in the Spanish Monarchy which gave as I may say the Law to all Europe not above fifteen or sixteen years afore Yet it self was startled and as it saw no Remedy iâ— held divers Councels to stop the Course of our good fortune Many were of Opinion to conclude the Infanta's Marriage with the King but the Difficulty mention'd a little afore still subsisted the King of Spain cou'd not resolve upon 't so as that recourse was to be had to other means The Court of France knowing the Repugnance the Spaniards had to this Match set their thoughts to work to provide for the King on another side and there being not a more agreeable Princess in Europe nor that better suted his Majesty than the Daughter of the Duke of Savoy Her Picture was sent for which so pleas'd the King that he resolv'd to go see the Original whereupon the Court took a Progress to Lion whither the Dutchess of Savoy repair'd with her Children The Princess of Savoy did not by her Presence deface the agreeable Ideas the King had form'd of her and as he was susceptible of Amorous Impressions he was in a great Disposition to Love her when the Spaniards seeing the War Eternal if this Match came to be consummated sent Pimentel to Lions to break it off His coming Extremely pleas'd the Queen Mother who above all this wish'd that the King her Son might not Engage in any Allyance with any other than the Infanta of Spain Mr. de Lionne was commissionated to Conferr with him and these two Ministers having agreed most of the points the rest was remitted to the Discretion of Cardinal Mazarin and of Don Lewis de Haro the two Crowns two Principal Ministers In the mean while the Spaniards fearing lest the Rest of Flanders wou'd be â—on in the following Campâ—gne demanded a Truce which was graâ—â—â—d them and the two Ministers repairing to the Frontier agreed upon what remain'd â—o regulate Insomuch that after a War of so long a 〈◊〉 ance the people began to tast the fruits of Peace The King knowing that all things were regulated made Preparations to go receive his Bride who was to be brought him as far as the Entrance of his Dominions He wou'd needs have the Viscount de Turenne to attend him in this journey and sent for him on purpose from the Army whither he had sent him to have an Eye to all things For as in Truces a Surprize is more particularly to be apprehended the Viscount de Turenne himself had been of Opinion to repair to the Army The King being come to St. Jean de Luz was very willing to see the Infanta without making himself known but the King of Spain who wou'd needs conduct his Daughter himself and had often seen the Kings Picture easily knew him the King being discover'd no longer conceal'd himself The two Kings Embrac'd with great Cordiality after which they presented to one another the Principal Lords of their Court The Viscount de Turenne not advancing one of the first the King of Spain ask'd to see him saying he was very willing to make his Peace with him that he franckly confess'd he had often born him an ill will considering he had been several times the Cause that he had
a Jealousy in the Prince of Condé that he caus'd his Wife to pack up carry'd her to Bruxelles In the mean while the Mareschal D'Ancre possessing the Queen Mother's favour had caus'd him to be confin'd shortly after his Return and tho' this Mareschal was some time after kill'd upon the Bridge of the Louvre by Command from the Court yet this Prince was not releas'd out of Prison 'till other great Changes had happen'd in the State But to return to my Subject the Prince of Condé having Written to the Viscount de Turenne as I have newly said the Viscount made him so modest an Answer that this Prince his Relation had him still in the more esteem In the mean while some days after an occasion serv'd to shew his Courage and this was the taking of Klundert and Willemstadt which Prince Frederick Henry caus'd to be attack'd He behav'd himself in that Occasion not only as might be expected from a young Prince for whom the World had a peculiar value but seeing his Souldiers suffer'd themselves to be hurry'd on so inconsiderately by their Courage that they broke their Ranks and march'd in Disorder he staid the hottest and by his Wisdom prevented the Enemies from advantaging themselves of their Imprudence After this he fought and underwent as much of the Peril and Drudgery of the Assault as the meanest Souldier and having torn up a Palisade with his own hand he made a Passage for Others to advance much farther The Enemies after a vigorous Defence were at length compell'd to abandon their R trenchments and betake themselves to their heels The victorious Souldier committed great Disorders in those two Places and tho the Inhabitants by their own fault seem'd to have incurred that Calamity for they had taken up Arms with the Garrison the Viscount de Turenne cou'd not see so much blood shed without giving tokens of his Good Disposition Being come into Gertruidemberg in the head of his Company a Woman perceiving more respect paid him than to the other Captains made her addresses to him for Justice against a Souldier who after having plunder'd her House of All wou'd needs into the Bargain violate her Daughter a Girle of about Fifteen Years old The Viscount de Turenne told her at first that she must address her self to the Commander of the Regiment meaning thereby to express the Obedience that People are bound to pay to their Superiours but understanding the Case to be urgent he hasten'd into her House where having sound the Souldier striving to commit violence upon her Daughter he put himself into a Posture to disarm him The Souldier being found in the very Action judging he was lost resolv'd to sell his Life Dearly and drew his Sword in his own Defence but the Viscount de Turenne without considering his Desperateness which render'd him much stronger than ordinary attack'd him so briskly that he push'd him up to the very wall but others coming in help'd him to take him Put he was into the hands of Justice and found to be related to a number of Worthy Persons who came to intercede for him Thus was the Viscount de Turenne dayly importun'd to grant him as I may say his Pardon for tho' he was not the Party to be address'd to for that purpose yet they had recourse to him as knowing him to be in the Generals favour besides his being concern'd in the Principal Offence for 't was a terrible Crime in a Souldier to have dar'd to draw his Sword against a Captain not only so but the Nephew too of him who Commanded the Army But the Viscount de Turenne without being wrought upon by their Persuasions told those who spoke in this man's behalf that as for what he had done against him he willingly forgave him nay and wou'd employ his Offices to procure his Pardon but that God forbid he shou'd beg for a man's Life who having Power in his hand wou'd use it not only to content his Avarice but also his Brutality Wherefore he left to the Council of War to judge him as they pleas'd and the Council having Sentenc'd him to have his hand Cut off and to be hang'd the Viscount de Turenne exerted the effect of his Promises for knowing they cut off his hand only for what he had done against him he so importun'd Prince Frederick Henry that notwithstanding the repugnance he had to grant a Pardon of that nature he cou'd not refuse him what he required After this the Souldiers Relations who had hitherto found Prince Frederick Henry inexorable threw themselves at his feet to implore that the Souldiers Pardon might be absolute and this Prince who had done a violence to his humour in granting a thing contrary to the rigour of Discipline found it more easy to grant another tho' God in it was more offended In the mean while matter was preparing in France for his acquiring more Glory The Peace between Spain and Us was dayly upon the point of being broken and whatever inclination the Queen Mother had for it's Continuance things hourly occurr'd which made it presum'd the two Crowns wou'd not be long without coming to a Rupture The Spaniards had seiz'd on the Valteline some time since and All Italy being by this means menac'd with falling under their Power had recourse to the King as the only Prince capable of freeing them from servitude The Kings Inclination dispos'd him to march to the succours of those who reclaim'd his Protection but being Susceptible of all the Impressions People were minded to give him a Moments Conversation with the Queen-Mother or the Ministers some of whom were Wedded to the Interests of that Princess Others to the Crown of Spain quasht his Noblest Designs Villeroy especially was suspected of obstructing the effect of his Resolutions and the Imputation he had had during the League of being a Partizan of Spain still corroborated the Opinion People entertain'd that he would not be Sorry if that Nation subdued Italy However his Death having made better hopes to be conceived by those who desired the Crown of France should Embrace Italy's Defence they Expected this Event from Puisieux then entring into favour and whom the King had declared Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Room of Villeroy And indeed the Beginnings were answerable to the hopes People had Conceived Puisieux in the King's name assured all the Princes who had Interest in the thing that they should be powerfully and speedily assisted The Mareschal de Bassompiere was dispatcht into Swisserland to take Measures with the Cantons who were in like manner threatened with the loss of their Liberty But when People were just upon the point of seeing great things Midwiv'd the Money of Spain cool'd Puisieux's Zeal and under the Pretext of reducing the Hughonots he made the King let fall the Design he had of relieving Italy The Duke de Luines then in great favour with the King and who without ever having been in War was all of
a Suddain become Constable by having had the trick to ingratiate himself with his Majesty by teaching several sorts of Birds to fly promoted this Expedition which he might have hinder'd by his Credit But being very willing not to Embroil himself further with the Queen-Mother with whom already he stood not in over-good terms by reason of the Murther of the Mareschal d'Ancre of which he was the Principal Cause for he it was Whisper'd the King that this Mareschal was more in a Certain Princesse's favour than suted with her Honour and as the King had already admitted some suspicion from certain occurrences the Duke found little Difficulty to obtain Orders to Kill him In Effect their Intrigue was become so much the Publick Discourse that nothing was more Common than the hearing it talk'd of and the Count de Lude was banish'd on that account for this Lord who to the Prejudice of his fortune lov'd to flush a Wittycisme when Occasion serv'd had one day answer'd a Lady who said she was going to fetch that Princess's Vail there 's no need of a Sail for a Frigat that rides at Anchor Great Preparations were made for the War against the Hughonots out of whose hands the Court was minded to wrest the Places they had demanded for their Security Four Armies were brought on foot one of which was design'd against the Places in the Neighbourhood of Rochel another against the Hughenots of Berry another against those of Guyenne and the King in Person March'd against St. Jean d'Angelâ— with the most Powerfull This War was quickly terminated the King Subdued all the Places he undertook with more ease than he durst have hoped for Division reigned in the Party where the very heads were the First that Betray'd 'em For under Colour of giving all contentment they took Care of a great many Places that cou'd do 'em no Good and left Others that were Strong and Desensible wholly unprovided Lâ—sdiguires was made Constable in the Room of Luines Dead of sickness for the Good Services he did in that Occasion and Chang'd his Religion La Force had the Staff of Marechal of France and Chatillon had money so as the whole Party had no hopes save in Messieurs de Rohan Soubize who remained faithfull Montpellier having by their means made a vigorous Defence the King was compell'd to stay a long time before the Town to reduce it but fearing his inability to compass that Design and the hazzarding his Reputation he made a Treaty with the Hughenots which prov'd short-liv'd In the mean while the Princes of Italy not listen'd to while the War continu'd nicking the advantage of this Peace brought the affairs of the Valteline again into consultation and having accus'd Puisjeux either of corresponding with the Spaniard or of Male-administration in the King's Service he was expell'd the Court and Chancellour de Sillery his Father involv'd in his Downfall The Chancellour's Brother was likewise recall'd from Rome being there in Quality of Ambassadour on the Pretence he had exceeded his Instructions insomuch that the Count de Bethunes was sent in his stead for the Pope began to understand the Affair of the Valteline and necessary was it to have about him a man in whom Confidence might be put All this as I have said made the world conclude that a War was drawing on with the Spaniards for they far from listening to any Restitution built Forts in several places to secure their Conquests Besides this they endeavour'd to gain over England or at least to amuse it with some Hopes that so it might not beard and thwart their Ambition For this purpose they had propos'd the Marriage of their Infanta with the Prince of Wales Heir Apparent of the Crown and the Pourtraict of that Princess flattering the Original being seconded with plausible offers and Assurances invited this Prince to undertake a journey into Spain which Court was in reality no wise inclin'd to conclude this Allyance for that Crown aspiring to the Universal Monarchy and thinking to attain it by affecting a zealous steddyness to the Court of Rome was far from closing-up this Match and deferr'd it from day to day under various Pretences At length the Prince of Wales finding the Pageantry of the Spaniards proceedings and the insincerity and trifling of their Conduct towards him return'd thence Extreamly Piqu'd against that Nation and resolv'd when occasion serv'd to make 'em feel his resentment The Marquess de la Vieuville succeeding into favour at the French Court after Puisieux's Disgrace and willing to avail himself of this Discontent to do his Countrey service propos'd then the Marriage of that Prince with a Daughter of France and the thing having been approved of by all the Parties concern'd the Allyance was quickly concluded on with a War against the Spaniard For besides what I have newly instanc'd England was Wonderfully Edg'd against the House of Austria that had stript the Elector of Palatine of his Dominions and Vow'd his Ruine for having accepted the Crown of Bohemia to the Prejudice of it's Interests Nevertheless this Allyance which must have produc'd a good effect between the two Nations only serv'd to alienate their minds by the Interest of the two Ministers for the Duke of Buckingham being come into France in Quality of Embassadour Extraordinary fell in Love with a Lady of the first rank whom Richelieu loving also became jealous and made use of the credit he began to have with the King to mortify the Duke so as instead of concuring together to the Ruine of the Spaniard their thoughts were wholly taken up how to ruine one another and their animosity drew-on in a little time that of the two Nations The Prince of Wales coming suddainly after to the Crown was not wanting to Arm powerfully by Sea to Execute his first Intentions But Richelieu to be reveng'd on Buckingham who had a great Ascendant at the Court of England not only refus'd him the Succours which the French were bound to supply him with by the Treaty but likewise prevail'd with his most Christian Majesty to forbid that Duke Entrance into the Kingdom whither his Master meant to send him in Quality of Embassadour And the pretext for all this was a pretended ill treatment to the Queen of England and her Domesticks part of whom for their Insolencies were sent back into France and the others disturb'd in the exercise of their Religion Besides the Feud between those two Ministers some Reasons were there of Policy which induc'd Richelieu to act in this manner for his being in favour had Created him a considerable number of Enemies among whom was the Duke of Orleans with most of the Princes of the Blood Thus he fear'd that if he undertook a War against the Spaniard they wou'd have the more means to harm him joyn'd to this that the Queen Mother tho' much declin'd in her Credit never ceas'd threatning to ruine him if he was so hardy as to undertake it
not Slept heartily but that since the Peace was made he was content to pardon him The Viscount de Turenne receiv'd as became him these testimonies of Esteem and this first Interview of the two Kings being terminated with much Civility on either side each withdrew his own Ways In the mean while all things were put in readiness to forward the Marriage and Don Lewis de Haro to whom the King had sent his Procuration to Marry the Infanta having satisfy'd this Ceremony she was put into the King her Husband's hands who after having Marry'd her anew in the face of the Church return'd to Paris where a Magnificent Entry was prepared for his Majesty The Viscount de Turenne did not leave him one step in all this journey and from his Goodness he receiv'd Sundry takens of Esteem and Acknowledgment for the King being not contented with giving him the Charge of Colonel-General of the Horse vacated allso that of Mareschal de Camp General with which he gratifâ—'d the Viscount The King wou'd have conferr'd on him many other savours if he had not been chill'd in those his kind Intentions by the Aversion he bore People of the Religion for which reason he himself propos'd to him to turn Catholique and made him hope that in case of Conformity he wou'd revive the Charge of Constable in his favour that had been Suppress'd after Lesdiguicre's Death who had last possess'd it but after having thank'd the King for his goodness towards him he desir'd to be Excus'd if he cou'd not obey him in this point adding that he would not betray his Conscience for all the Riches and the Honours in the World The King did not Esteem him the less for this nor did any of the Courtiers knowing the Offers he had slightâ—d In the mean while the King being come to Paris was receiv'd there with an admirable Magnificence Every Individual with Emulation striving to testify the Value and Affection he had for his Majesty and this Prince began from that time to attract the Admiration of his People by the manner of his management of the Government But it became quite another thing after the Cardinals Death which happen'd suddainly For as all Transactions cou'd only be attributed solely to his Majesty they plainly saw that nothing but great matters were to be Expected from this Prince who from the beginnings gave such great Marks of Prudence and Wisdom Both which were principally manifested in the Choice he made of his Ministers after he had caus'd Fouquet the Superintendant of the Finances to be Confin'd who being become Suspected to his Majesty by the Memoires the Cardinal had left him Compleated his own Downfall by an Expence above the Pow'r of a Subjâ—ct For besides his Houses and his Moveables wherein Profusion equally reign'd he gave the King one Entertainment that cost him above fifty thousand Crowns He was secur'd at Nants and the King having intimation that he had gain'd many of the Governours of the Places by the means of his Money he bid the Viscount de Turenne follow him that if any thing happen'd he might have him ready at hand to serve him with his Counsel and to Execute what he shou'd Command But no Body stirring tho' Memoires were found among his Papers that justify'd the Intelligences I have mention'd the Court return'd to Fountain-Bleau where the Young Queen had staid with the Queen-Mother In the mean while this Superintendants Process was drawn-up But the Desire that Colbert His Successour in the management of the Finances had to destroy him having made him seek after shamefull means to bring that Design about this latter Crime made the other appear the more Innocent so as that the Judges sav'd him In effect as if Colbert had been afraid of his justifying himself he caus'd his Papers to be taken away from his House of Saint Mandé but it being the Will of God that Berier whom he had Employ'd in that business should leave there out of Carelessness a Request that was Presented to Colbert This justify'd the Robbery that Fouquet had Suffer'd and this later alledging it to be impossible for him to make his Defence since he was bereav'd of the means by taking his Papers from him he was only condemned to Banishment tho' there was more than needed to put him to Death Colbert's favour occasion'd his Punishment to be commuted into a perpetuall Imprisonment wherein he remain'd till his Death which did not happen till above twenty years after but this may be said to have been for his happyness for making a good use of his Prison he acknowledg'd his faults and repented his having liv'd as he had done amid Disorder he compos'd in his Confinement some Books of Devotion and Morality which were publish'd in his Life time but out of Modesty wou'd not attribute them to himself Be it as it will the long Penitence he underwent attracted him the Compassion of the People and as they extremely hated Colberts Ministry they regretted his and they express'd as much grief for his Death as they had express'd joy for his imprisonment During these Transactions the young Queen was brought to Bed of a Son which rejoyc'd all France All the Grandees complimented the King on this occasion and the Viscount de Turenne having acquitted himself of it as well as Others the King told him he shou'd be very glad he wou'd be one day like him but that his Religion wou'd be the Cause he cou'd not commit to him the Care of his Education which he wou'd have willingly have desir'd for th'inspiring Sentiments into him worthy of his Birth The Viscount de â—urenne did not answer this new Onset otherwise than with a low Bow but the King not for this desisting was dayly attacquing him with the like Discourses which did not at all perplex the Viscount de Turenne for he was still so zealous for his Religion that the Offer of a Crown wou'd not have been capable of Making him Change it Three or Four years Slipt away in this manner without any considerable matter occurring in that State unless that the Warr that had been Extinguish'd had like to have been reinflam'd by an Unexpected Accident The Count d'Esirades was th' Ambassadour of France at London and the Baron de Vatteville that of Spain In an Entry made by another Ambassadour as it is usuall with those possess'd of the Same Dignity to send their Coaches to such a Solemnity the Baron de Vatteville brib'd some Englishmen to favour his Design of getting his to pass before that of the Count d'Estrades In effect th' Ambassadour of France his Coach coming up they cut his Horses Harness and while he was setting them again to rights the Baron de Vatteville's took the First place which oblig'd th' other to return Home As this was a signal Affront for the Crown the King made a great noise at this Action and having demanded satisfaction for it in Spain without prevailing he sent Orders to his