highest consequence sent for those about her immediately she could most confide in doubles the Palace Guards and causes those to be seiz'd in fine who had resolv'd her ruine makes her manifesto those very Persons were intended to take away the young Duke and carry him to Spain which is more then I can say they meant not knowing whether true or not or whether only a Sham to render them the more odious to the People Be it as 't will the Dutchess having once retriev'd her self from so very great a danger order'd the French Forces to March into the Town thereby to shew she trusted more to them then to those of the Country A certain Print for all this remain'd with the young Duke of what had been remonstrated insomuch that though his Equipage was gone already before to Portugal and himself soon to follow after he talk't no more of the Voyage And as still some body there was in place about him who privately cherisht the suspicion they had rais'd broke him clean off order'd his Family to return their ways home again to the unspeakable satisfaction of his whole People France only remain'd much mortifid promising already to it self the conjunction of Savoy to that Kingdom and to enchase it amongst the fairest Flowers of the Crown The dissatisfaction conceiv'd lay not long hid the Count of Soisson who in case of decease of the young Duke was Heir presumptive to the Dukedom of Savoy after the Death of Prince Carignan his Uncle was then in love with a private Damosel in France call'd Madamoseille de Beauais all the Relations had thitherto opposed the thing in fear of his design to marry her the King himself had signifi'd as much and that he ought to think of bestowing himself some other way but being thus disoblig'd by the Grandees of Savoy he suffer'd Count Soisson to do what he had most mind to to humble him and that Count did do what his passion persuaded This what past in Piemont let us now go see a little what a doing in Germany France for a long time had a Months mind to the City of Strasburgh it had defeated them a number of its measures during the late War and France had so well felt the importance of that place to resolve upon the having it cost it ne're so much To speak of having it by force lookt a little difficult and to do that a War must be openly declar'd and the adjacent Princes round about would have engag'd in her defence The easier way then seem'd the getting it by trick A Resident they kept at Strasburgh in Character more of Spy then public Minister whose Business was to observe all that past he had given the King often times account no good was to be done till those Burgemasters of the Town in present station were out of place when new came to be made had by that time gain'd a great many of the Votes got Persons elected to the Magistracy affection'd to the Interests of France ready fitted to make sale of their Country for a piece of Money with these after that he strikes a Bargain for the delivery of the Town upon the first occasion and they for their Reward to have each a Hundred Thousand Crowns a Man The Market being thus set these Traytors give the Town to consider the great Burthens of their Debt they stood charg'd with occasion'd by her vast Expences incurr'd in the late War and that now in time of Peace they should reduce the Garison which was too numerous That the King of France whom they had the most cause to fear had his whole thoughts took up towards Italy whither he had drawn the best part of all his Forces and that before he could march them back again they should have time enough to implore the assistance of their Neighbours whose proper concern in their preservation was too great not to afford them aid happen what would they had the Winter before to look about them which was now at hand That the King was great way distant from them as indeed he was and Summer then near spent there was no manner of likelihood he durst undertake any thing actually that season by the means save a good Sum of Money in their Purses that when Spring time came they then should see what other measures were fittest to be taken The advice took with the People who were all for the sparing point and for all the ablest men amongst them could formally oppose what the People once would have of necessity to be there was no withstanding one part of the Garison must then be dismist and which was remarkable of those the Forces of the Eldest standing But as the King of France lay perdue but for the occasion took Journey forthwith from Fountain-bleau at the same time caus'd his Men to draw down with expedition and invests the City at a time they imagin'd him in the midst of his Kingdom Some playing with the Cannon there was upon both sides to take off all suspicion off Intelligence which hinder'd not but those of Strasburgh well enough understood themselves betray'd And tho they now understood so with the latest they yet entertain'd thoughts of making a Defence But a rable of People hired at the same time by the French Resident or it may be as well by the Burgemasters themselves came flocking to the Town-house crying out for a surrender of the Town which otherwise would be suddenly consum'd by the Fire of the Booms and by the red hot Bullets The Burgemasters soon listn'd to that demand cause beat a Parly set up the White Colours for token of a general readiness to capitulate and in a word to say all yields up the Town I do not condemn France for an act of this importance since not of humor to matter much her Faith in point of Treaty but what I am most scandal'd at to have the Face to colour it with a shew of Justice The Emperor indeed having sent Count Mansfeld to complain of the Breach of Peace was answer'd that they much wonder'd the Emperor would concern himself where he had not to do that it was but lawful for the King to reduce a rebellious City That Strasburgh as the Capital of Alsace did belong to him by Vertue of the Munster Treaty and if he did not lay hold on 't sooner 't was because he had more pressing work in Hand But any would but answer me if that City had been granted him as pretended why entertain'd he there his public Ministers so long time why did he in the last War treat with her in Order to her remaining Neuter and why so often complaining of her not remaining so But all that France can say upon the subject is indeed not so much as worth an answer so I proceed to her Enterprizes elsewhere The taking of Strasburgh open'd the Eyes of a great many German Princes lull'd for a long time like England in a profound
others the same acknowledgment which as they thought was unavoidable having without so much as hesitating seen the Rinegrave Count perform the like submissions but when the Count on his side expected they should keep their Word with him was told they were not the Masters and that he must make his Applications to the Court thither then must he take a Journey little to the purpose for instead of gaining the thing he made demand of they e'en told him he might go as he came and wonder'd in their Hearts such a petty Fellow as he should be unwilling to hold his Country in Fee of so great a King as was the great King of France A little before such another Answer had been made to the Palatine Elector who sending to the Court of France to complain of his Country being made daily havoc of by the Licentiousness of the French Forces to an infringement of the late Peace the complainer was answer'd when a little Prince like that Elector had the Honour to be Neighbour to so great a King 't was not for such as he to be that nice Short and sweet this hitherto Roses but in conclusion we shall have Thorn and all France still claims on their right of Dependencys and finding Spain weak apparently helpless the County of Alost is demanded of them as an appertenance of the late Conquests Spain troubled at the demand because Oudermond with other Towns and Villages did all belong to the same County let France understand the great Iniquity of her pretended right but whilst this was under debate between the Spanish Embassador and the Ministers they yet made more demands as intricate all out and as perplext as their first The County of Chini had been granted France by the Tenure of the Treaty with all its appertenancies and as those Dependancies had not receiv'd their full Explanation in the wording of the Peace France now become what Spain did use to be to say a wrangler and full of her fetches and quibling tricks alledged the Dependancies of Chini reacht to the very Gates of Luxemburg and therefore requir'd to have possession thereof given them by the Spaniards if not they would give it themselves The Spanish Embassador as very able Man as he was was puzzled at the new quiddity and demanded time to make his Master acquainted the time he ask't was granted him but when expir'd France finding Spain endeavouring to elude its pretensions causes Forces openly to march into the Country of Luxemburg blocks up all the High-ways that lead to the County Town raises Forts round about and tho then in the midst of a profound Peace commits all the acts of an actual Hostility which could possibly be committed in a declar'd War the Governor of Luxemburg sends his Trumpet to the Commander in chief of those Forces to know if France mean'd a Declaration of a War with Spain But he was answer'd they meant no such thing and that they only were about taking possession of what belong'd to them Mean while under the Notion of possession-taking they hindred every thing from coming into the Town of Luxemburg and every thing from going out on 't and if any offer'd to pass their way they sent them back to the Town again pretending they came out as Spies upon their actions and if there came any from the Country such as their Market-people or the like with Provisions to sell in Town as they were us'd to do they sent them back too having first strip't them of all they had to teach them not to come again a second time and if those Country People offer'd to pass them without Provisions were suffer'd to go by after a due Examine of all they had about them but when they would repass home again were drove back into the Town that so the Provisions of the Place might be consumed the sooner When for my part I reflect upon these violent Courses I could not but be extreamly surpriz'd to see England the Mediator and Garanty of the Peace troubled themselves no further in its due execution they saw before their Eyes what pass'd but without the least concern for the visible infraction and as if France had made all sure upon that hand pursued in their constant and daily acts of open Hostility but yet offer'd still to make England the Umpire of their debate which left Spain without all sort of hope for upon one side not having confidence enough in England to trust its Interest in their hands upon t'other knew not what well to say to the King of France so fairly offering to refer the Matter Perplext on both hands Spain resolves to put something to the venture of a chance and seeing the Town of Luxemburg must apparently be lost for want of Provisions sent the Governour of the place private Orders to open a passage by force come what will The Governour who for a long time desir'd no better sallies out at a time when the French least expected him and setting upon one of their Quarters charged them home as they just were upon the point of making head to dispute the passage The French made a great resistance but over-power'd by number being forc't to give way the Governour advancing and joining his convoy which he of long hand held before in a readiness put his relief into the Town Some two hundred of the French were killed in the action and about Eighteen or Twenty of the Spanish but among all these not a Man of note lost nor so much as one Officer France no sooner had the News but thunder'd it against the Spaniards as much indeed to blame they quietly would not endure starving Drew every where presently their Forces down towards the Towns that held for Spain but at the instant of acting with them England hinder'd from further proceeding by making France get full satisfaction in the point from Spain who disown'd not only all the Governor of Luxemburg had done but offering even to discharge him of his Government and in short so supinely weak paid for the Damage in conclusion sustain'd by the French for a certain Sum of Money agreed upon After this delicate Treaty the Blocus of Luxemburg was afresh begun again and the French reinforc't their Quarter and patrol'd the Avenues duly for their greater security of being in haste catcht as they before had been Truly I can't contain from a little digression here and say Posterity will be hardly made believe that in the mid'st of Peace the one side shall be allow'd them to make War but the other shall be punisht because they submit not in every thing their Enemies would impose upon them Howbeit the Luxemburg Garrison being large and the Convoy not sufficient for a long supply began again to feel the same inconveniences it had before The Governour being a brave Man who had much rather have chose to die with his Arms in his Hand then lead out a life so very shameful and so unworthy of
progress but let us pass to some other matter this being but trifle in comparison with what I have yet to say The King of Poland had ever been a Friend of France 't was by her means he got the Crown which every foot was sending him presents in token of her Friendship had given him her Order of Holy Ghost and the only Prince she in fine thought well of in Europe besides Now let us see how they came to break with him and at whose Door lies the fault 't is indeed with difficulty I must discover this but out it must being got so far there is no going back The Money sent by France to Teckely was no useless supply he had for it engag'd the Turks to fall upon the Emperor and France having due Intelligence of all that past both of time and place and of the other side preferr'd the carrying on of her Intregues to all other concerns made no Bones of Soliciting the King of Poland at that time to attack the Emperors Country upon his side as the right of conveniency was an attractive sort of right in her Eyes which sway'd with her imagin'd it might do the same with the King of Poland and propos'd to him the Conquest of Silesia where in probability he was not like to meet with any great resistance from the Moment the Ottoman Forces had made their descent into Hungary the King of Poland who is a sharp Prince and who needs no prompters to teach him his Lesson thought it improper to his own Honour as to that of his Crown to make use of the advice on the contrary he accepts of an Alliance with the Emperor then propos'd him by which they mutually engaged by League Offensive and Defensive to assist each other against the Turk France had no sooner learnt what the King of Poland had done but her former Kindness was immediately chang'd into an irreconcilable hate sends to the Marquis of Vitry her Ambassadour in that Court a Man of Parts and good at an Intregue to employ his skill to set all at work in creating misunderstandings betwixt him and his people and Morstein high Treasurer of Poland who was a Pentioner of France and where he had thoughts to settle himself and where he already had purchas'd great possessions assists Vitry in his design already had they tamper'd with some of the discontented Senators who talk't at no lower rates then the obliging the King of Poland to relinquish the Government For the purpose already cast their Eyes upon a Person they had design'd the Throne to in his stead When as good fortune would have it the King of Poland intercepted a Letter of Morstein's writ in Cyphers he sends for him forthwith and having enquir'd of him the meaning of the Letter and finding he endeavour'd to shift the Truth bid him give the Key Morstein reply'd 't was with his Wite which forc't the King to send for her when she came and found for what the King had sent for her told she had burnt the Key and not being able to get out any better account commanded the Commitment of them both under a strong Guard till he sifted the affair a little more narrowly I shall say no more upon this Chapter every one knows the French Embassador convinc'd of Tampering in the Business a certain Senator out of pure love to his King and Country was bold enough to say in full assembly speaking of Morstan that for attempts of a less nature the Turks had given Two hundred Bastinadoes to an Embassadour of France and 't was his Opinion Mr. De Vitry deserv'd four hundred The King of Poland a sagacious Prince and great Politician would suffer him to say no more for fear the heat he was in might transport him too far hinder'd also the Entry of his Opinion upon their publick Records contenting himself to let Mr. De Vitry know he had strain'd his Character of Embassadour Mr. De Vitry remain'd not long after this in Poland and if ever he have Embassy elsewhere I make no doubt the Princes they fend him to will take due care to watch his Water I have formerly toucht upon some circumstances of Luxemburg but as insensibly I fell to other subjects 't is yet not unseasonable to relate what was the success though to have done things exactly methodical it should have been before handled As the Conquest of Strasburgh and the acquisition of Casal had strangely alarm'd both Emperor and Spaniard had been instant with all their Neigbouring Princes to use their Endeavours for their regaining of them again but as some were feeble in all respects others gain'd by the French they remitted all to the Diet of Franckfort where whole Months were spent in canvasing a Pass-port four or five Months more took up in a debate whether they should speak Latin high Dutch or French that so far from hopes of some Redress that way our Disease became the more incurable These delatories then making the Imperialists and Spain despair of gaining their point by means of the Diet they by concerted Measures march their Forces towards Strasburgh and Casal which the French was then beginning to fortifie which lay almost every where open for that the old works had been thrown down to put new in the room The Emperor Spaniard were but in an ill condition to go through with any thing they undertook But the King of France newly settled in his Conquest of those two places imagining they marcht not their Forces but with some design and might not be without holding some private Intelligence in both the Towns raises the Blocus of Luxemburgh to have Forces in readiness to oppose Now as he was willing to have the thanks of that action sends for the Marquis of Fuentes Embassadour of Spain to tell him that upon the advice he had receiv'd the Turk was falling upon Hungary he thought good to withdraw his Forces from Luxemburg that so the King of Spain might have the greater liberty to assist the Emperor The Marquis of Fuentes who knew well enough what to think of the Business made his Compliment of thanks to his Majesty notwithstanding as an act of great grace and favor but amongst Friends where he could be free would be telling them what was the real cause of so great a change which was in every Bodies mouth already who had but the least smackering in publick Affairs And indeed if I may be allow'd a little to argue the point who is it does not see the art of this management was too too gross to pass upon good Eyes For if true France had such good natur'd and such pious considerations why has she since contradicted them by so many of her actions to the contrary why a correspondence with Teckely why Intregues carried on in Poland why those Alliances with Denmark and Brandenburgh why Princes so warmly ply'd to draw them to her side And in short why those Huffs at the Imperial Diet if they