in it being hindred by more urgent affairs which the Duke had then beyond the Mountains This Prince willing to try the Syndicks affections towards him desired them to send him three pieces of the Cannon left by Bonnivard which being refused him he thereupon conceived a deadly hatred against the City which was fomented by one of his Courtiers called Claudius of Seyssel who had been Professor of the Civil Law at Turin and since Master of the Requests under the French King Lewis the twelfth afterwards Bishop of Marseilles and lastly Archbishop of Turin He Counselled the Duke not to suffer two Bishopricks in the heart of his Countries to wit Geneva and Lausane The City was frequently disturbed by disagreements among themselves There was no small strife once amongst them upon a very silly occasion about a Mules skin The Bishop had an Officer called Claudius Grossi who was at variance with a young man of the City who was related to his wife named Andrew Malvenda his father came of a Noble Family at Valence in Spain This young man aforementioned having one day hamstringed Grossi his Mule in the Stable spread a report it was the Children of the houses Master who had done it and not content with this he gets ten or twelve young men of the Town of which Berthelier was one and took along with them a fool called little John with whom they walked about the City all night making him bawl out at every turning O yes if any person wants a skin of the grossest beast in all the Town they may be furnished at a very reasonable rate alluding to the name of Grossi whereat he makes his complaint to the Vidame and Episcopal Council telling them that they were not content in putting this trick upon him who was in Office but they must needs expose it in raillery throughout the Town The Council ordered the Vidame to search into the matter which having done he found Berthelier whom he mortally hated to be one of the Crew he would have apprehended them but fearing they would be too strong for him he requires the Syndicks and Council to assist him which they did but the young men hearing of it hid themselves They were publickly summoned to appear in the Castle of the Isle on forfeiture of a hundred Florins a piece which turned to their advantage for it being contrary to the custom of the City to lay any greater Fine than a Crown unless in case of Felony or such like they complained by their Attorny that they observed not the Statutes in their particular this not being a Orime their complaint was brought before the Episcopal Council where it was declared they might defend themselves being at liberty pede non ligato they came forth therefore from the places where they had hid themselves and came and followed their suit in the mean time the Duke and Bishop being informed of the matter came to Geneva with the Archbishop of Turin who advised them not to be too hasty in taking vengeance that this was not sufficient to make the Cardinals consent to the taking away their Temporalities but this might serve to continue the disunion amongst the people The Bishop sends for the persons accused and particularly those whom he knew were not against him to whom he makes a remonstrance by the Archbishop of Turin shewing them they had committed an action for which they might be justly punished having affronted the Bishop and his Lieutenant yet their Pastour was more inclinable to mercy than justice having respect to their youth and would therefore pardon all but the Authors whom he said were Berthelier and his Confederates desiring them not to take part with him which having heard they thanked him and promised him they would submit to what he had enjoyned them being glad they had thus escaped The Duke returned to Chambery from whence he sent his Brother the Earl of Genevois to Geneva He makes a hunting match and the place appointed to meet in was at Wache The Bishop the Abbot of Beaumont and several other persons of quality accompanied him whom he liberally treated consulting privately with the Bishop about what they were suddenly to enterprize The Bishop withdrew to a seat he had in Focigny called Thy accompanied with some gentlemen belonging to the Earl whom he sent to the Village of Presinge where were two Genevoises Claudius Servant and John Pecolat whom having apprehended they brought them to the Bishop who committed them to Prison but he soon released the first of these which caused it to be suspected that the said Servant had betrayed his companion which made him odious to the people Pecolat was questioned about the Fish pyes and the words he had spoken non videbis dies Petri it being laid to his charge that he and his companions whom they charged him to discover had a design to poyson the Bishop he was Racked three times without confessing any thing at length the Bishop caused him to be hanged up by the arms all the time he was at Dinner his servants blaming him for his folly in suffering himself to be thus tormented rather than confess the truth telling him Servant had confessed the whole matter and named particular persons amongst others the Bishop of Maurienne and the Abbot of Beaumont whom his accomplices would make their Bishop after they had dispatched John of Savoy and entertaining him with these words they made him say what they pleased not being able any longer to endure the torments After this the Bishop chiefly desired to get Berthelier into his power but he kept in the City and stood upon his guard and at length got away being attired like a Herald of Fribourg where he went in company of some Merchants of that Canton the Bishop and Vidame hearing of his escape summoned him publickly to appear and answer to his Accusation He addresseth himself to the Council of Fribourg complaining to them of the unjust dealings he met with at Geneva adding moreover that all this had hapned to him for no other reason but because he had been a Citizen of Fribourg that they would entreat the Council of Geneva to inform the Duke and Bishop that if they would send any one to Fribourg to impeach him he would render himself Prisoner or if he could obtain of them a safe-conduct to make his defence at Geneva before the Syndicks his lawful Judges he would there make his appearance provided they of Fribourg would depute some person to be present at the hearing of the Tryal the Fribourgers granted his request and sent an Express to the Princes lodging Berthelier in the mean time who was but poor in the Hospital The Messenger found the Princes at Geneva who had purposely come there in expectation of meeting with Berthelier They returned answer that they would gratifie them of Fribourg in any reasonable request but as to the sending one to prosecute Berthelier they could in no wise consent to
a considerable time was at length drove out from Arpentras by his own Subjects who rebelled against him and killed one of his Sons whereupon he in revenge having taken again the City demolish'd it and seeking a new place whereon to build another he came to the end of the Lake whence issues forth the Rhosne and finding a little Hill of Genevriers or Shrubs he layes there the foundations of a City which he call'd for this reason Genevra or Genebra This was in the year of the Worlds Creation 2833. and fifty years after the destruction of Troy and three hundred seventy nine years before the Building of Rome and eleven hundred and thirty years before the Birth of our Saviour After Lemannus who dyed whilst they were building Geneva his Son Eructonius reigned eight and twenty years leaving three Sons who divided the Kingdom betwixt them viz. Sequanus Allobrox and Helvetius This Chronicle likewise makes mention of several other Kings of these Countreys as Milius Ergogus Tigurus Epantalus Aviticus Carphas and his three Sons Conodus Gavotus and Equester Caturigus Flenans Arulus Centronius Benevits Algurus Ciricus and Oblius who built a Fortress at Geneva in the Isle of Rhosne These names readily offer themselves for the finding out the Founders of Cities and the Etymology of the names of Provinces which gives us plainly to understand that this is a History devised at pleasure seeing there are many of these Latin words although that Tongue was not known till some Ages after Sequanus sayes the Chronicle gave his name to the County of Burgundy from whence the people were call'd Sequaeni Allobrox gave his name to the Countrey of the Allobroges Equester to the Country of Vaud where was Colonia Equestris Ergogus to that of Ergau Helvetius to that of Helvetia Aventica Helvetius his Concubine to Avanche Centronius to the Centrons who are them of Tarantoise Arulus to Arles Gavotus to Gavots Benevits to the City of the same name and in short Ciricus to St. Ciergâ—e Now that which I find the worst contriv'd in all this account is the Etymology of the word Geneva which it derives from Genévres or Jumper Shrubs with which this little Hill on which the City was built was over-spread as if the Latin or French Tongue were spoken four Ages before Rome was built for the word Genévre comes from the Latin Juniperus So it is also with the word Equestris which was never heard of in the Countrey of Vaud till Caesur's time as we shall have occasion to mention hereafter Not that this great Antiquity of eight and twenty Ages need be suspected seeing there are Cities as that of Athens ancienter by five hundred years But we are never obliged to believe without proof neither do we find Homer to mention Lemannus Paris his Son although it may well be expected he should say something of him to inform us of the posterity of that Heroe in his Poem 'T is certainly a very idle humour of some people who would needs perswade the World their Ancestors were sprung from the Ashes of Troy and were no less than Founders of Cities as if Troy had been sufficient to people all the World after it self had been ruin'd Be it how it will concerning these eleven Ages before the coming of our Saviour we read of no considerable matters or Warlike feats performed by the Genevoises during that time but what we have from this Chronicle They laid waste the City of Benevits which stood distant from that place where now standeth Nyons because it would Lord it over the neighbouring Countreys and exact Tribute It addeth that this Oblius dyed without Children and left all these Countreys to the disposal of their own people who by this means became free and under no Monarchy The Genevoises had the advantage of the Lake and the Rhosne which serv'd them instead of Ditches and the Alps which sheltered them as Ramparts They separated them especially from the Romans whose neighbourhood was chiefly to be feared and against whom they have signalized their Valour with the rest of the Allobrogeses who extended their Borders as far as Isere The Air of the Mountains which they breathed and the ignorance of carnal delights which renders us soft and effeminate made them Warlike and Dreadful to their Neighbours The Romans have tryed them sufficiently in their Wars against them The first proof which they gave of their Courage was under the Consul Marcus Fulvius in the year six hundred twenty eight from the Building of Rome and one hundred twenty five years before the Birth of our Saviour The Auvergnats and them of Roüergue were joyned with the Allobroges The Romans bragg'd they had defeated them though 't is certain the Consul obtain'd not the Triumph which is a sufficient proof that the loss on the Gaules side was not great and in effect the War broke out again three years after and the Allobroges raised greater Forces They fought the Romans near Orange not far from the place where the Sorgue dischargeth it self into the Rhosne the Romans got the Victory by a Stratagem after they had for a long time vigorously disputed it They had brought with them Elephants which they had caused to march against the Allobroges believing the Gaules having never seen them would be affrighted as it indeed fell out their Horses being startled set a running after the same manner as it had happened heretofore to the Romans themselves when Pyrrhus who first brought them into Italy fought against them so bloody a Battel in which they were overthrown the Gaules lost in this Conflict twenty thousand men and Bituitus King of Auvergne one of their chiefest Captains was taken Prisoner and led away in Triumph by the Consul Domitius Ahenobarbus to whom the care of this War was committed Notwithstanding this overthrow the Allobroges who had been overcome rather by their Enemies Craft than through their own want of Courage took again the Field the year following with their Confederates and advanc'd as far as Isere offering the Romans Battel The Consul Fabius Maximus who was General lost his Quartan Ague in the heat of the fight and accompanied with his usual good fortune obtain'd a signal Victory Twenty six thousand Gaules were cut in pieces and the Consul obtain'd the glorious Title of Allobrogick and the great Triumph at his return to Rome There might have been seen not many years since in the Village of Versoy about a League distant from Geneva an old Marble Stone on which was engraven the Elogy of the Conqueror of the Allobroges Caesar hath observ'd in the Conference which he had with Arioviste that after this Victory the Romans generously forgave the Auvergnats and them of Rouergue not exacting of them any Tribute nor so much as reducing them into a Province From whence 't is likely that the Allobroges who were their Allies in this War were no worse us'd and that the Romans considering them rather as
debaucheries and the Duke being young himself and a great lover of these pleasures it is no wonder if these pomps and divertisements were as so many charms to lay asleep the Genevoises Eyria escaping out of Prison at Chilon flies to Berne and makes his complaint to the Council there against René beseeching them to shelter him under their protection and to shew to the Duke his brothers oppressions which they did so that he began to lessen his affection towards him There was at that time a Preacher belonging to the Dukes Court of the Order of Dechausser or bare-legged called Frater Mulet who set before him one day in his Sermons The poverty and misery of his Subjects exhorting him to help them thenceforward in driving away the Thieves from about him the real blood-suckers of the People He compared the Duke to a great purse full of little purses filled with mony the biggest of which was empty meaning thereby them who enriched themselves at the Dukes cost and advising that all the little purses should be emptied into the great The Duke and those present perceived very plainly that he designed the Bastard by these words who was the greatest of those Tyrants that robbed the people and indeed his credit from that time diminisht as well for what had past in the Pulpit as his great pride for he had ordinarily a greater attendance than his Master The Duke beginning to slight him his followers likewise deserted him this abated a little his pride and fearing he should be shamefully sent away he thought it was better handsomely to ask leave than to stay till it was granted him without asking He came then one day to the Duke to whom he held this discourse My Lord I have ever been and am still your most humble Servant and Subject and moreover your poor Bastard brother for your deceased father acknowledged me as such I have served you hitherto with that zeal and devotion as might be expected from a servant and brother so that if my service hath not been such as you deserve yet hath it been to the best of my power but for as much as I perceive of late that my service hath not been acceptable to you therefore I am not willing to trouble you any longer wherefore I beseech you to suffer me to retire into my own house notwithstanding which you shall find me most ready to obey you as often as you shall please to command me To whom the Earl thus answered Bastard you say you have truly and faithfully served me be it so yet am I glad you ask leave to be gone and I will have you depart not only from the Court but likewise out of my Dominions in three days upon pain of death The wretched René finding his brother so angry departed weeping attended only by his Domesticks and made what haste he could to be gone of which the Syndicks having notice notwithstanding his oppressions came to take leave of him offering him their service He went into France to King Lewis the Eleventh whom he endeavoured to exasperate against the Savoyards At the same time Duke Philbert and Margaret his Dutchess departed for Chambery being informed by the President of Divonne and Amblard Goyet Deputies of the Town that they had no right to that City The Dutchess then perceiving Geneva belonged not to the Duke she built not there a Church and Monastery as she intended but at Brou near the Borough in Bresse After René's departure Eyria was called home and entertained in the Princes Service and thus Geneva was freed from a great deal of trouble and vexation by René and the Dukes departure but instead of this it had worser sorrows for besides the plague which raged violently in the City there hapned another sad accident the Syndicks kept in Prison one called Cotton sufficiently convicted of a crime deserving no less than death but it being customary not to pronounce sentence before the Prisoner confessed his crime he was therefore put upon the Rack but whatsoever torment he suffered he would not make any acknowledgement At length a certain Person of the Country of Piedmont informed them that the way of his Country was in such like cases to put a napkin with water in it down the throat of the malefactor to his stomach and then at one jerk they pulled it out again The Syndicks would needs try this fellows experiment which was immediately followed by the death of the Malefactor which put the Council and City into a great fear leâ—t their enemies should lay hold on this occasion to trouble them as indeed it happened for some belonging to the Duke and who had the same kindness for the City as René represented this mishap to the Duke with the greatest aggravations imaginable adding they deserved to have their priviledges taken away from them and that moreover he might justly do it seeing the City by right belonged to him the Duke hearkning to them Commanded his chief Attorny to undertake the business the Syndicks sent Bonna and Levreri their Deputies who shewed the Duke it neither belonged to him or his Council to take cognisance of that affair The Duke not much moved by this tart reply tells them it should be put to Arbitration He for his part chuses some of his Counsellors who with the rest of the Arbitrators were sworn to be impartial and judge according to Right The Titles of both parties were diligently enquired into but they of Geneva got the better the Arbitrators declaring by joynt consent that he had no right or title to the said Town which having said he plainly declared himself in these words I have been given to understand otherwise but seeing it is as you say I vow to God and S. Peter to contest no farther and touching this particular cause I confess and acknowledge it belongeth to the Bishop my brother to take cognisance of it and not to me so that I refer the whole matter to him when he shall be of age to judge of it After this manner all was pacified The plague which continued at Geneva was attended with a great want of rain which brought along with it a scarcity of provision which forced the Country people who dared not before approach the Town to come into it whether moved by devotion or urged by want for they came in procession from all parts to our Lady of Grace to desire of her Rain but they could not obtain it and the scarcity continuing the next year following a bushel of Corn which was worth before but two shillings was now valued at a Crown the Crown going but for three shillings and two pence so that the poor Peasants were forced to live on herbs and roots which sometimes they had not patience to dress One Le Mortel a famous Thief made himself much talked of in those times it was known by all what trade he followed the people about the Town securing
of Savoâ—'s Sister he thereupon intreats the Pope to confirm the Concession which the Bishop had made him of his Rights over Geneva which he granted him but it was opposed by the Conclave of Cardinals affirming the Prelate had not power to renounce his Temporal Jurisdiction neither could the Pope confirm such a renunciation unless the Subjects had conspired against their Prelate and that he had not strength sufficient to chastise them so that this design could not take effect The Duke remaining in Piedmont and the Bishop of Geneva in his Abby of Pignerol which fell to him by the decease of Bonnivard he abode there with small attendance taking mony from all hands to pay the Pope and Duke the first-fruits of his benefice and the charge he had been at in the Court of Rome at his Election a certain person beseeching him one day to be favourable to a friend of his Condemned to pay a Fine he answered that he could not remit it for as for his part he had nothing but a Crosiers Staff and a Mitre the Duke of Savoy having the Bishoprick and Abby and in effect the Duke had appointed one to receive the Revenue of the Abby allowing him only enough to maintain him he would have done the same with the Bishoprick had not the Bishop hindered him by returning to Geneva where he was no sooner arrived but he quarrelled with a certain person named Pasquet who was accused of Usury but this was contrary to the Laws of Geneva which forbad Citizens should be brought in trouble for this reason There was great formalities upon this point between the Bishop and Citizens who could not obtain the Prisoners deliverance His relations found out an expedient which was that having married his Daughter to a Citizen of Berne his Son-in-law came with letters in his behalf from his Superiors and managed so well his Father-in-laws cause that he was delivered for small charge The Bishop John of Savoy conceived a mortal hatred against a Lawyer called Claudiâ—s Vandel because he had pleaded a Cause against one of his Servants whereupon he imprisons him upon a false accusation being esteemed a very honest Man the Syndicks and Counsel desired that the Informations should be put into their hands to proceed thereupon as Judges in criminal Cases on the other side the Bishop and Vidame would have it brought under their cognisance and fearing a sedition they would have conveyed him privately out of the Town that they might deal with him as they thought fit But Vandel had four Sons one of which named Thomas Curate of S. Morges knew how to use a Sword as well as a Prayer-book Robert was of his Fathers calling who with the other two having notice of the design resolved to rescue their Father but they lost their aim by mistaking the time but the next morning they failed not to discover to the people what was become of him the people enraged at this action set upon the Bishops Pensioners telling them they loved their Mony better than the Cities Liberties The Council being Assembled the people made their Complaints to them that the Priviledges of the City were violated and that the Bishops Pensions occasioned it the Pensioners informed of the business presented themselves bringing with them the Letters of their pension which they tore before the Council protesting they were not so much the Bishops servants as to forget their Obligations to the City desiring nothing more than to manifest their zeal for the publick interest for which they were willing to sacrifice both their lives and fortunes The people flocked from all parts John Bernard ran to the Steeple to Ring the great Bell and Convocate the general Council which was then of as dangerous consequence as to fire the Beacon in the Valley which was a signal of some great emotion Bernard finding the Steeple door shut would have broke it open had not he been withheld by much entreaty The Syndicks went to the Bishop beseeching him not to anger the people whose rage was ever to be feared but to preserve their Liberties according to the Oath taken at his entrance delivering to them his Prisoner The Bishop being alarmed at these Tumults would not be obstinate but released Vandel and desisted from prosecuting him He bore notwithstanding a deadly hatred against Bernard in his mind for his forwardness and not daring to meddle with him in Geneva he watcht him one day when he was gone out of the City upon some occasion where some persons planted by him for that purpose seised on him and led him away bound to Jussy where he determined to punish him yet he released him at the request of the Earl of Genevois and some Ladies the Earl being then in the City only making him to ask him forgiveness The Bishop and his Steward could not inrich themselves in Geneva seeing the City had so little kindness for them but their Covetousness set them on the poor Priests of the Diocess which rendred this Prelate extream odious his person could not be acceptable to them and his mind was as ill shaped as his body so that he became the subject of every mans raillery One John Pecolat a pleasant fellow and boon companion dining one day with the Bishop of Maurienne Chantre and Chanon of Geneva incompany likewise of the Abbot of Beaumont who discoursing of some unjust dealing which he had received from the Bishop John of Savoy Pecolat bids him not be troubled for says he non videbit dies Petri he will never live to S. Peter ' s days as is commonly said of all Popes meaning he was taken with an incurable distemper to wit the French Pox and so by consequence he could not live long which words were taken notice of by two spyes who made report of them to the Bishop interpreting them as if he had a design to take away his life which he either believed or pretended he did that he might make this serviceable to his purpose which was to bring the City into subjection He dissembled his resentment the best he could in expectation of a fit opportunity which at length thus offers it self after the Duke had been a while at Lyons to visit the Queen his Neece he sent to the Bishop to come to him which he did commanding his Caterer to provide Fish-pyes to eat as they travelled the Caterer to save charges had bought stale fish one of which pyes being brought to the Table the Bishop either not having a stomack or disliking the fish would eat none of it it therefore fell to the servants share who eat it up every bit now there was not one who had eaten of it but either died or fell dangerous ill The Bishop glad of this occasion although sorry for his servants loss caused his Vidame to draw up an accusation privately against Pecolat who was not a man of that temper to throw water on this fire yet they proceeded no farther
that That if he would have Justice done he must come to Geneva where he should not fail of it provided no stranger assisted at the Tryal it being contrary to the Cities priviledges which assert the Syndicks to be the only Judges in criminal Cases not suffering any others to assist at the Judgment but their own Council In the mean time the Duke resolves upon a journey to the Cantons for some reasons of State particularly about the difference which was not only at Geneva betwixt the Bishop and the Citizens thereof but likewise betwixt the Citizens of Lausane and their Prelate The Bishop of Geneva had the Duke on his side and the Genevoises the Confederate Cantons on the contrary the Bishop of Lausane had the Cantons for him and the people the Duke of Savoy for them He went first to Fribourg about Bertheliers business fearing they might decide the business in his favour from whence he went to Berne to confirm the ancient Alliances and to add some new Articles He had passed through Lausane in his way to Switzerland and had offered his mediation to them of that City which they accepted but he deferred it till his return after which he gave his judgment which was far from contenting both parties as he had promised himself for there was neither of them but was very much dissatisfied for instead of calling himself an arbitrary Judge he terms himself a natural Judge as if he had been their Prince and Soveraign at which both the Bishop and People were so offended that they agreed without him and began to seek an Alliance with the Cantons After this the Duke returned to Geneva where he awhile about Pecolat and Berthelier's business although his occasions required his presence in Piedmont and it having been shewed him at Fribourg that the Bishop of Geneva had acted contrary to their priviledges in imprisoning Pecolat out of the City he therefore caused him to be brought back and to be imprisoned in the Bishops name in the Isle causing him to be examined again by the Syndicks he retracted his former confession being before them as having been extorted The Duke and Bishop would have him again be put on the Rack but the Syndicks refused it without greater evidence the Princes proposed the matter to the consideration of several foreign Lawyers as well as to their own Council to shew they were not carried away by passion but these differed in their judgment for the Civilians being led by their Masters the Bishops interest condemned him and on the contrary the others acquitted him The Syndicks whose Province it was to pronounce judgment knew not what to resolve of temporizing as much as possible to justifie these two Lords desire of revenge the Duke and Bishop hastning this business to a conclusion started a matter which they were not aware of viz. That the Prisoner was a Clerk and by consequence a Subject of the Ecclesiastical Court and belonged not to the Syndicks jurisdiction They transported him then out of the Prison of the Isle to that of the Bishoprick where they were resolved not to spare him but being sick he was visited by the Physitians to see whether he was able to endure the Rack they differed in their opinions but they who affirmed he was able to endure it were soonest believed but because at Thy he was observed to be very constant in enduring the Torment and being suspected to have some Magical charm in his beard which rendred him insensible he therefore had a Barber sent him to shave him close for his beard was very long Pecolat in this extremity ruminated in his mind how to keep himself from being overcome by these torments which he saw were making ready for him the Barber having washed his chin turned aside to empty his Bason carelessly laying down his Razor near him which Pecolat snatching up cut out a great part of his tongue the Barber seeing him bleeding in the mouth wholly astonished called up the guards and Jaylor notice being sent to the Princes of this they took care to preserve him for greater sorrows being recovered they would have him again to the Rack and because he could not speak they would therefore have him write but the Episcopal Council could never agree and particularly the Judge of the Clergies excesses whose office was to pronounce sentence being the Syndick Levrerâ—'s son whom the Duke hated as much as his Father whose head he at length caused to be cut off This Judge told his Friends in private what a dreadful thing it was to let this poor Man be so long misused that for his part he would never give his consent that he should be again put on the Rack and that were it not out of respect to the Princes he would have long since acquitted him and to procure his Release they must have recourse to the Archbishop of Vienna Metropolitan of Geneva His counsel was followed and an Order was obtained from Vienna by which the Advocate of the Treasury was cited to give an account of the detaining of Pecolat and forbidding him and all other Episcopal Officers yea the Bishop himself to touch the Prisoners person Which Order being brought there was no Body found who durst publish it although the Duke and Bishop were not at Geneva the bringers of these Acts were cudgelled for their pains One Bonnivard Governor of S. Victor was so bold as to carry it to the Bishop this Victor was a young Man more daring than wise a Citizen of the confederate Cities of good Kindred as well in Savoy as Piedmont so that he valued neither Duke nor Bishop but hated the later and favoured Pecolat and was very zealous for his Countries Liberty He took then a Serjeant along with him and as the Bishop came from parting with the Duke he delivered to him the Archbishop of Vienna's Order The Bishop being galled at it complained to the Duke the Duke sent for Bonnivard and told him the Bishops Complaints To which he boldly answered My Lord 't is true That the Bishop of Geneva detains one of my Servants and hath put him on the Rack and I have protected him in acknowledgement of his Services but what I have done is justifiable by Law having not suffered my self to be carried away by Passion neither do I think you can take it ill that I have executed the Metropolitan's Order you who are a Prince and a lover of Justice and who would not hinder Right though your own Interest lay at Stake The Duke pretended to be satisfied and parted the next Morning for Piedmont having first caused Pecolat to be removed into the Castle of Penay We read in the Chronicles of Geneva That in this Year before the Dukes departure the Bishop John of Savoy lying sick of the Gout and hearing a noise in the Street asked what was the matter His Nurse answered him 'T was a Thief who was led to be Hang'd whom added she if you will pardon my
one Evening to be in it above four thousand men and amongst others several Lords as Messieurs of Guise Elboeuf Espernon Guiche and Biron the last of these walking with some Councellors of Geneva as he came to S. Gervais upon some discourse begun he clapt his hand to his Sword and told them Gentlemen This shall do your work or I will lose my life They thanked him for his good will but he made it appear afterwards that he meant otherwise than they understood him Monsieur Sully who came likewise eased them of their trouble in being so crouded with people having ordered his Horse and several Volunteers to return to the Camp. The Fort capitulated soon after the Trench was made they within promising to surrender if they were not succoured in ten days which was only a formal business seeing it was well known the Duke was not in a capacity to relieve them The Garrison marched out beating their Drums and their Colours flying with three pieces of Ordnance Monsieur Sully blew up immediately the Bastions by means of the Mine of which the Genevoises having notice according to the Kings Order there came so many of them and fell so wholly to their work that within a day or two there was not the least trace to be seen the King gave them six Cannons which were found in the Fort. There hapned three months before a thing very remarkable After several great Claps of Thunder which lasted all the Morning the Rhosne after several ebbings and flowings at length became dry in some places where it was wont to be five foot deep the Boats which were at the Lakes mouth relying on the ground so that children took up little Fish and Smiths who dwelt on the Bridge came down and picked up old Iron but the waters immediately returning happy was he who could soonest get away If one of these refluxes had lasted but one quarter of an hour the houses on the Bridge and part of S. Gervais would have been drowned it is very likely that this prodigy was occasioned by some kind of Earthquake or uprising of the Earth by which the ground where the Rhosne issues forth from the Lake being twice or thrice lifted up by the subterranean agitated vapours hindred the Rhosne from running and that the same ground sinking down again by reason of its own weight it took again its ordinary course The same hapned in the year 1584. in that great Earthquake which raised up that heap of Earth which we have already mentioned and caused the Lake to overflow twenty paces which instance may serve to confirm the other All the difference lies here that these exhalations were not strong enough to force a passage and to shake the neighbouring parts That which makes this more clear was an Earthquake which reached from Geneva as far as Switzerland which hapned a year after in the same month with so great a violence that Monsieur James Godefroy observed in his Memoires that he was rocked in his bed with it after the same manner as if he had been in a Cradle The War with Savoy was ended by the interposition of the Legat Aldobrandin the Duke exchanging with the King the Marquisdom of Saluces for Bresse His Majesty declared in his Letters dated the thirteenth of August 1601. that Geneva although not expressed in the Treaty yet was understood and ought to enjoy the benefit of the Peace The Duke yielded likewise the Bailliage of Gex with La Bresse which was held by the Genevoises who desired the King to let it remain in their possession as a place whereon depended the safeguard of their State but the King told them he could not grant their request seeing that by the Treaty held at Lyons betwixt him and the Duke La Bresse Veromey and Gex were to be incorporated into the Crown and were never to be cut off from it upon any occasion Immediately after this Liberty of Conscience was granted and the Mass said in S. Peters Church at Gex The Savoyards did not forbear their insultings over the Genevoises having possessed themselves of the Villages of Focenay and Thonex and would have in like manner seized on Vandoeuvres but this Village was defended by James des Arts accompanied by a Minister and some Soldiers who kept the Church and drove out thence the Priests who were brought in by force In the Summer following the Jubilee was celebrated at Thonon where was contrived the famous enterprize of scaling Geneva Certain Frenchmen whose occasions led them to and from the City got notice of the design and gave an account of it to their friends at Geneva which the Citizens could hardly believe the Articles of Peace having been sworn to by both parties to be observed resting secure on the two Treaties held at Verins and Lyons not considering that the Invasion of these Villages and the seizure of several Impropriations were the sparks of a fire which would soon break out into a flame There were complaints made of this to the Sieur Albigny Lieutenant General on this side of the Mountains his proper name was De Gordes son to him who had been Governor of Dauphiny but he had left the Kings service for his Highnesses He made answer to the Messengers from Geneva two several times that it was both his own and his Masters intention to let them live in peace and that his Highness meant the Treaty should be religiously observed Moreover the President Rochelle Counsellor of State was arrived at Geneva some days before this Scalado for to lull the Magistrates asleep to observe their countenance and to understand the condition of the City telling them it was expedient to make some lasting agreement profering his assistance for the carrying on so good a work Whereupon the Genevoises resting secure and distrusting nothing neglected the guarding of the City although they had warning given them even by the Dukes Subjects Amongst others there came one from Chesne who drawing near to the Gate the day before the execution of the enterprize told them positively that the Enemy was coming and that they should stand upon their guard but this advertisment was slighted either for want of due heed or else that they reputed this person to be some dealer in Visions The Duke had caused several Troops to advance undiscerned into â—ocigny the Duke of Nemour's Country yet under the jurisdiction of Savoy amongst the rest the Regiment of the Baron of La val d'Iseare who was born in Picardy which Regiment consisted of near eight hundred men the most part of them French fugitives and people who would undertake any thing right or wrong Brunaulieu this Barons Lieutenant had with some others viewed the City at his ease taken the height of the walls and the depths of the ditches in the night and had assured Albigny of the facility of the enterprize moreover the intelligence which they held with the
three of the Clock in the Morning on Sunday the Twelfth of the said Month he standing in the Ditch and encouraging them so that having gotten down into the City some of them marched directly to the new Gate endeavouring to force it open and to bring in their main body to assist them which lay at Plein-Palais others would have gained the Gate of Monnoye to enter by this means into the heart of the City but it hath pleased our good God to look down upon us with an eye of pitty and to encourage our men in such a manner that they drove them back and slew the greatest part of them some have been taken and hanged since by our Order The remaining part have cast themselves down from the Walls so that several of them being wounded have died thereupon This is a marvelous deliverance which God hath wrought for us and for which we are bound to praise him But it being very likely that the said Sieur Albigny intends to prosecute his design and in as much as we do also understand that his Highness lies not far hence we therefore earnestly intreat you that you would please to take into your Consideration the prejudice his Majesty would suffer by the taking of this City and to continue your favour towards us and to assist us by your wise and prudent Counsel The King was immediately informed that Geneva was taken the design appearing so likely to take effect that there was less reason to doubt of it than to believe it He was not undeceived till he received Letters from the Sieur de la Guiche which preceded the account which the City published His Majesty vouchsafed to write to them of Geneva Letters full of sincere affection and becoming the generosity of so glorious a Monarch The Contents of the Letter were as follows Most dear and well beloved I Have heard to my great grief of the enterprize made on your City by the Duke of Savoy's Subjects and having known how couragiously ye have repelled and chastised them let me tell you I am heartily glad thereat I have promised my assistance to preserve your City and have told the Duke as much by word of mouth when I last saw him and likewise them who have come from him an occasion then now offering it self I am resolved to shew you effectually what I then did put promise hoping that God will revenge the breach of those Protestations and Oaths which have been made at the Treaties of Vervins and Lyons I cannot yet guess what the Dukes after-Designs may be nor yet what need you may have of my help which shall neither be refused you nor deferred and having not as yet understood what resolutions ye have taken in this affair with our other Allies and Confederates I shall defer the discovering of my thoughts to you till I understand yours and then I shall be better able to judge of the Remedy which we must use in a matter of so great importance you will oblige me in sending notice of whatsoever shall occur and what you shall resolve upon touching this last occasion In the mean time I will tell you if the Duke sets upon you either by open force or fraud you shall not want my assistance and if occasion requires it my person too howsoever let me have notice how he deals with you I intend without delay to Write to all the Governors and Lieutenant-Generals of my Provinces who are near you to watch diligently over you and assist you at your need to their utmost power and that with the same care and diligence as if it were for the saving of the most important places of my Kingdom under their Government I beseech God most dear and loving friends to have you in his holy keeping Written at Paris the Eighth of January 1603. Signed Henry and underneath de Neuf-ville The day wherein the Walls were scaled had been a day of trouble and confusion to every body in general but it had like to have proved double dangerous to the Syndicks for on Saturday night a man came to the Gate of Rive to give notice of the Enemies approaches which news was carried to the chief Syndick who remitted the affair to the fourth Syndick who was a savourer of the Enemy so that this was like sending a Patient from the Physician to the Hangman The people who could not brook this proceeding considering the danger threatning them and what they had already sufferred determined thereupon to be revenged on these two Syndicks but they were so prudent or fearful as to keep their Chambers till noon the time when the Prisoners were led to execution the people then running to behold this spectacle were taken off from the thoughts of being revenged on them The Sermons at night allayed the heats of some One of the Senators had made answer when they went to him for the keys of the Arsenal to take out Arms Surely these are not Birds to flie thus over the Walls not believing it was possible for them to get in In the beginning of the Year there arose a great difference in the general Council in the choice of Syndicks by reason of the scaling the Walls which had hapned three weeks before for fear they should fall into the hands of some Magistrates ill affected to the publick At length there was chosen John Maillet John du Pan John Favres and John Budé which gave occasion to this Proverb We are at S. John ' s and because that the Lieutenant too was named John Rillet Maillet was soon after clapt up in Prison upon suspicion of Treason and likewise for that contrary to his Oath he had betrayed the Liberties of the City in the case of the Village of Moin at the instance of one of his Creditors who was a Counsellor in Berne He remained a Prisoner seven years and at length was released and withdrew with his family into Savoy where he had a small Pension allowed him but not sufficient to maintain him so that he was forced to live very sparingly he died in the year 1625. having persevered in his Religion amongst them of the contrary party He was much pittied being a man learned for it was he who composed those neat Inscriptions which are to be seen in the Bishops Palace The Duke gave out that the principal motive which induced him to make the late attempt on Geneva was the establishment of the Catholick Religion amongst them for the promoting of so good a work he having neither spared his Soldiers his Treasure nor his Person But the Genevoises replied thereupon that he took not the way to shew himself zealous for Religion when he gave such a plain demonstration how little he valued his Oath and that doubtless God would not let them escape unpunished who had taken his name in vain On the other side the Earl of Tournon his Hignesses Resident amongst the Cantons came from Fribourg to Berne for to make
be imbarked till a favourable Bize should carry them in a short time to Geneva As to what concerned the Horse they were to meet about Anecy under pretence of the Marriage of the Duke of Nemours But this design could not be so privately carried on but the Genevoises got some intimations thereof although they could not dive into the bottom of it The greatest knowledge they had of it was this Du Terrail having plaid at Tennis in Chambery till he sweated whilst he was rubbed and dried la Bastide and some others presented him a Paper wherein was contained a draught of Geneva discoursing together softly as in matters of great importance yet the Valet who warmed his Shirt heard them talk of Geneva which made him give the greater attention and he comprehended they talked about some Enterprize designed against it having heard these words from Terrail They are taken there is no remedy This Valet who had a Brother in Geneva went and reported this to a Merchant of that City who was then at Chambery desiring him to give his Brother notice to the end he might save himself from this danger The Merchant at his return not only advertised his Brother but likewise the Magistrates who did not slight this warning yet they held it secret and sent Spies throughout all Savoy to discover and pry into all Terrail's practices They got his Picture and having understood that he was coming to Geneva to view the City they sent Tokens to several Persons how to know him that he might be apprehended Some days being past over du Terrail and la Bastide having set forth from Turin to pass over into Flenders to take their leave of the Arch-dukes and to fetch their Baggage which they had left there and having received an Order from the Duke of Savoy to bring along with them as many as they should judge fit and able Persons to help forward their Enterprize they were discovered as they passed over the Mountains Notice hereof was given to the Bayliffs of the Countries belonging to Berne Whereas they suspecting nothing crossed over the Lake and part of the Country of Vaud lodging only in Villages and Hamlets and so arrived at Yverdun a little City belonging to the Bernoises which lay on the borders of Franche-Comté Du Terrail passing over the Bridge which leads into the City saluted the Bailiff who met him and took no notice of him but a Deacon who was in his Garden and to whom a Syndick had sent marks whereby he might know him seeing him coming afar off saluted him and doubting that he was the Person he observed whether he was bald which perceiving he went immediately to the Bayliff and gave him notice of it who sent two Men after him to watch which way they took their course and to follow them till they took up their abode Which they did and viewed them more nearly compared them with their Pictures which had been given them One of these returned to Yverdun to give notice that they had taken up their Lodgings in the Village of Villebeuf Whereupon immediately the Bailiff sent four Troopers with an Order to apprehend them by main force and to bring them away they found them ready to mount their Horses and brought them back to Yverdun Du Terrail told the Bailiff that his name was Paul de Constans and that he went to Lorrain to prosecute a suit of Law but the Bayliff took not this answer for payment wherefore he wrote to Geneva to the end there might be some person sent who knew him two Soldiers one of whom had belonged to his Company were dispatched to Yverdun and were caused to come into his Chamber when he was at Supper the Souldier knew him again Du Terrail who suspected the occasion of his being there draws him aside and promises him a thousand Crowns if he would go and advertise the Earl of Chamite in Franche Compté of the danger he was in La Bastide offered him a hundred more but the Soldier refused both their proffers Du Terrail being after this manner known was committed to prison in the Castle of Yverdun the Genevoises deputed one of their Syndicks to desire the Bernoises to deliver them into their hands which was granted and they were both conveyed to Geneva La Bastide being first put on the Rack confessed the whole design after his confession he was confronted with Terrail who at first earnestly denied it but seeing that Bastide persisted in his confession and he being threatned with the Rack likewise with tears in his eyes he confessed the whole project and requested that he might be shut up for ever between four Walls hoping that his relations would come and intercede for him as indeed they did as soon as they knew he was taken but for reasons of State the Council quickly dispatched his Tryal and condemned him to be beheaded at Molard two daies after La Bastide was hanged Du Terrail was much lamented for he was a person of a very good mien and extream courteous In his going to the place of execution he begged the peoples pardon and the people on the other hand wept bitterly for him some people blamed the Magistrates of Geneva for their severity but they replied that they did not consider them so much as Enemies but as authors of a Conspiracy in a time of peace Monsieur de L' Esdiguieres who had interceded for him and his relations were very much inraged at this execution The first of these came never after that into Geneva as he was wont and his kindred were made to believe that he had been forced to change his Religion but being informed of the contrary they comforted themselves the best they could This their design appeared very easie which they were resolved to put in execution in the time when they of Geneva make a King of the Harquebuze because then all the people are in Plein-Palais and these Soldiers upon this occasion might be taken for them who belonged to the City and it had been an easie matter to have fastned the Gates against them The Republick suffered a great loss by the death of Michael Roset who had composed a Chronicle of Geneva He was a person of great gravity and a real lover of his Country he had been Deputy in Ordinary to the Cantons having been fifty years a Counsellor and Master of a Colledge twenty years more An Italian named Giovani coming from Rome maintained that a certain honourable person of the Council was a Traytor and that he had seen his Picture in the Dukes Closet which he could easily verifie When his Lord was brought to him whom they thought he meant he said this was not the person which caused him to be hanged as a Calumniator and Impostor It appeared afterwards that they had been too rash in their judgment seeing there were two persons of the same name one of which often frequented Savoy the
not hear him He died at length being aged Eighty years and was interred in the Cloyster where is a kind of Epitaph or Testament which he left to his Children Composed by himself which is as well remarkable for its Latin as ingenuity of matter It was about this time that the Swede entred into Germany The Chevalier Rache was sent to the Switzers to engage them in this party He had likewise an order to visit Geneva to assure that City of the Kings good will. He was received with extraordinary respect and stayed there some time A while after there was a person executed whose death caused as great a noise as that of Servetus His name was Nicholas Antoine who had Apostatized from the Christian Religion Some people murmured and were displeased at the proceedings saying they were too severe to put people to death meerly for an opinion But the Council considered him not only as an Apostate and Blasphemer who treated the Blessed Trinity as a Cerberus or three-headed monster but likewise as a seditious Impostor and perjured Villain who Preached his false Doctrine contrary to the Oath which he had taken at his reception Here follows an account of his Tryal and Condemnation by which it may be judged whether the Genevoises were to blame in their proceedings against him A Criminal Process Made and formed before Us the most Honourable Lords Syndicks and Counsellors of this City at the instance and pursuit of the Lord Lieutenant in those Causes against Nicholas Son of John Anthony of Berry in Lorrain who being committed Prisoner hath freely confessed That from his Youth he had diligently set himself to the study of Philosophy and conceived damnable and execrable Opinions touching our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ITEM That about seven or eight Years since he had applied himself to the study of the false doctrine of the Jews and for to be the better instructed in it he had addressed himself to them of the City of Metz who after several Conferences had sent him to other Jews and namely to them of Venice Item He hath confessed That had it not been for fear of being discovered he had undertaken to have perswaded his Kindred and Relations to return to Judaism Item That about five Years past he went to Sedan and there perverted a young Student of that place and inticed him along with him into Italy entertaining him in their way thither with the Articles of his abominable Creed Item That being arrived at Venice they went and visited the Jews the said Anthony desiring them to admit him into their Synagogue and to Circumcise him but they refused him fearing lest they should fall under the Magistrates severity Whereat he remained satisfied being told by them That he might live amongst the Christians and yet be a Jew in his heart and that he was told the same by the Jews of Padoua Item That embracing this detestable doctrine he came to this City under pretence of studying Divinity and offered to dispute in Philosophy and for some time had exercised the charge of chief Regent in a Colledge yet all this while counterfeiting himself a Christian although privately he lived and prayed after the Jewish manner not daring to make an open profession of his belief Item That being called by a Church near the City to be their Minister after his examination and consent to the Doctrine of the Orthodox Religion he took an Oath to live and teach according to the confession of the reformed Churches although in his heart he believed in the Jewish Faith and by a cursed equivocation his meaning was different from his Oath Item That instead of preaching Jesus Christ according to the Oath he had taken he had only insisted in his Pulpit on the explication of the Old Testament and falsly wrested and applied passages thereof pointing to our Saviour and appropriated them to other Persons and above all in his last Sermon from whence it followed by the just Judgment of God that he the said Anthony became deprived of his Senses and ran about the Field like a distracted person and came bare-legged into the City uttering horrid blasphemies against our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Item That after he had been under the hands of Physicians and carefully looked after in the Hospital of this City coming again to his Senses and being out of his mad fits he had persisted in his blaspemies against the Holy Trinity and the Person of our Blessed God and Saviour maintaining as well by word of mouth as writing That Jesus Christ was an Idol and that the New Testament was but a meer fable Item He hath confessed That in Administring the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the Exhortation to the People he said only Remember your Saviour And that in reciting the words of the Apostles Creed where our Saviour is mentioned he pronounced not those words but muttered them betwixt his Teeth Finally That notwithstanding the serious exhortations and remonstrances which have been made him since he hath been in custody as well by the Magistrates as venerable Pastors of this Church tending to perswade him to renounce these cursed and damnable Opinions yet hath he persisted in his horrible and impious blasphemies having compiled and signed a Treatise in which he endeavours to combat and overthrow the Holy Trinity still obstinately denying the Deity and Incarnation of our Blessed Saviour having several times renounced his Baptism as it plainly appeared at his Trial. Here follows his Sentence The Sentence of Condemnation against Nicolas Anthony which was read and executed on the 20th of April 1632. WEE the most Honourable Lords Syndicks and Council of this City having seen the Criminal Process made and formed before Us at the instant suit of the Lord Lieutenant in the said Cases against Nicolas Anthony by which and by his own confessions it appeareth That he forgetting the fear of God hath been guilty of the crime of Apostasie and High Treason against God his Creator and Saviour having fought against the Holy Trinity denied our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ blasphemed his Holy Name renounced his Baptism for to imbrace the Jewish Religion and hath been perjured in dogmatising and teaching his damnable doctrine a case and crime deserving the greatest punishment For these and other causes moving the said Lords sitting in the Tribunal of their Ancestors according to ancient custom having the fear of God and the Holy Scriptures before their Eyes and having invoked his Holy Name that they might thereby be able to make a right Judgment beginning in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost do by this final Sentence which they have committed now to writing condemn the said Anthony to be bound and led to the place of Plein-Palais to be there fastned to a stake on a pile of Wood and strangled according to the usual manner and afterwards to have his Body burnt and consumed to ashes and thus
the usual Watch the four Beadles belonging to the Council of two hundred and the two Majors who never failed to perform their Office in their own persons and by this means the Sentinels had no opportunity to sleep the Watch who lay without the City were reinforced and some placed in Boats on the Lake For better security in the day time the Sentinels were doubled and they who stood on the Draw-Bridge were enjoyned to wear Breast-plates to prevent Poynarding there were new Percullices fitted to the Gates and other machins to prevent surprisals and new Barrs or Pallisado's a hundred paces distant from them All the Hedges and Trees were cut down within a Musket shot of the City Gates especially those towards the Gates of Rive to the end there might be made a clearer discovery of those who should approach them besides the persons whose Office was to watch at the Gates there were others appointed by the Council of two hundred called Notables to search all strangers whether they were armed The Hay-Carts were likewise pierced to find if any person was hid therein and several other such like precautions At the Chains which went cross the Lake there stood a guard of Citizens the Chains were always extended neither were the Boats suffered to pass till the Guard belonging to the Port had searched them at Nilons Stone and had given the sign that there was no danger Moreover every House-keepers arms were viewed and every person was obliged according to his ability to furnish himself with Corn Powder and Bullet and all things else that were necessary It was ordered that every Citizen should wear a Sword and that all Merchants and Tradesmen should continually have their arms lying ready by them in their Shops to the end they might be in readiness on the first occasion Two hundred of the wealthiest Citizens were obliged to keep each of them an able Horse besides others which are kept commonly in the City There were several strangers especially French-men quartered on the rest of the Citizens who came from all parts to offer their service to the City and M. de Balthazard the Quarter-Master-General offered to command the Horse In the mean time there was care taken to send several Spyes into Savoy but especially in those places where the Troops lay to the end they might have notice of their motions and that their Councels might not be divulged there was setled a private Council which consisted only of seven chosen men who had full power in all Cases unless of extraordinary importance for such matters were brought before the general Council In Switzerland they of Zurich and Berne raised a considerable number of Soldiers to assist Geneva and to the end they might not be burdensom to the City before they had need of them they were quartered in the Cities and Boroughs near the Lake that so they might be in a readiness in a short time at Geneva when occasion required by means of a sign which they had agreed upon The Bernoises moreover caused two great Gallies to be made which were able to hold two hundred men a piece The Genevoises likewise built a great one Monsieur Joffery called du Torrent hath been since made Commander of these Vessels one of which carried fourteen and the other ten cast Guns This is the nearest account of the preparations on both sides which yet served to no purpose It is almost impossible to imagine how desirous and well disposed the Genevoises were to receive their Enemies several of them being troubled that the Savoyards should remain all this while armed and yet not declare a War and indeed it is strange that the Duke should maintain such considerable Forces about Geneva during eight or nine months time it being unknown for what end it is likely he had some design on the Genevoises but their preparations and watchfulness hindred it We must not here forget how chearfully the people in general laboured at the fortifications all the Corporations of Merchants Artists and other professions strived to out-do one another marching round the City with a Drum beating to shew themselves The Students and Divinity-Professors went before them with four Drums every man endeavouring to exceed his companion they thought it not enough to work themselves but brought workmen along with them one man ten and another twenty there was a rich Dutch Merchant then at Geneva who brought a long with him two hundred workmen In the mean time there was carried on a kind of Process or Law-suit between Savoy Geneva and the French Ambassador which was managed before the Confederates upon account at first of an inconsiderable difference which yet had given occasion to all this bustle In the Month of March in the Year 1667. The Curates of Megny and of Choulex gave the Sacrament to a sick person lying in a house at Coursinge which depended on the Soveraignty of Jussy although the rest of the Village belonged to Savoy The State sent the elder Syndick Colladon to be informed further of the matter who cites these Curates to appear on such a day The Senate of Chambery on the other side cite Colladon to make his personal appearance before them and publish a Declaration against him by beat of Drum with an Order to have him apprehended that he might have his Tryal The Council marveiling at this proceeding sent the Syndick Liffort to Chambery to the chief President of La Perouse Commandant in Savoy to make their complaints to him and to shew him their Title and to justifie their right of Soveraignty over that House but he refused to peruse it and to hear their reasons which put the Syndicks and Council to send Deputies into Switzerland who made several journeys to the Dyets of Arau and Baden where the Baron of Greisy the Ambassador from Savoy alledged his reasons he published a Factum which was answered by another At length towards the latter part of the year the State deputed André Pictet and John Dupan to Turin to end this difference with his Highness himself who caused them to be received and treated with much civility and respect in all his Dominions but the Marquiss of Pianezze and other Commissaries whom the Duke had appointed to regulate this affair used such delays that the Deputies were forced to tarry three Months at Turin without concluding any thing At length the King wrote a Letter to the Lords of Geneva which was brought by Monsieur of Lionne and M. of Servient his Majesties Ambassador at Turin desired the Deputies for his Masters sake and to preserve the peace they would release this house at Coursinge which they did They were yet at Turin and the Forces of Savoy were still in the field whilst a matter hapned at Geneva which lacked but little of ruining it for the Council of twenty five and the Council of two hundred could not agree but were divided which difference lasted all Sunday being the 7. of December
I would here relate all the particulars of it but it having been ordered to be scratched out of the Council Registers to the end that it might be for ever forgotten it will be sufficient to say that John Sarrasin the Auditor having presided in the Council of two hundred in the Syndicks absence and over the Council of twenty five the lesser Council committed him to Prison and set a guard over him belonging to the Garrison The Council of two hundred not being able to endure that he should be used as a Criminal who had been guilty of no other fault but of being their head resolved to release him by force finding themselves backed by all the people who were assembled at S. Peters where the two hundred sat in Council The lesser Council who had the Garrison on their side would not endure to be imposed upon At length when they were just ready to fall upon one another the Prisoner was discharged and all things quieted On the 27. of Jan. at night 1670. there hapned a fire amongst the Houses on the Bridge of Rhosne which being all Timber-Houses the greatest part of them were burnt down in less than two hours space six score persons perishing in the flames A Miller chose rather to save his Mother than his Wife but she followed after in a rage wading in the water up to her chin and escaped another Woman who lay sick and was to take Physick the next morning cast her self out at the window and recovered both her life and health in the Rhosne having had the good hap to escape out of the water after she had shunned the fire In short this Conflagration had done more mischief had it not been stopped by the Towers of Monnoye and of the Isle which served as barrs against the flames and it is observable that several pieces of Timber kept burning in the water so great was the violence of the flames but that which was more strange and which all the inhabitants beheld was that the Channel of Rhosne between the Isle and the City which contained two hundred sixty five foot in breadth was filled and dried up by the ruins of the Houses The other Channel although commonly running very swift and swelled by the overflowings of the other yet four days after was frozen up There were collections made for the relief of those families who were sufferers by this fire There were six thousand Crowns gathered for them of Geneva and the Bernoises made liberal contributions The Prince Elector Palatine came to Geneva in the Year 1671. and stayed there some Months he came there in the Evening and therefore had not such reception as was intended but the City being sensible of their obligations to that family during his abode in the City he had all the respect they were able to shew him But that which appeared most considerable was his entertainment on the Lake for the great Gally was fitted out and manned by the flower of the Youth of the City M. the Prince was received on Board her with part of the Council All the Morning was spent in the sport of fishing when at Noon they landed at Secheron and went to the Castle of Roset to eat the large Trouts they had taken there was a stately dinner provided and made ready for them where the Prince was attended by the sons of persons of quality belonging to the City and the Lords of the Council by the Princes Gentlemen After Dinner they walked forth on the Lakes side the Cannons which thundred from the Gally were answered by the Drums and Trumpets from the Boats which were to the number of thirty attending on the Gally there was nothing thought of but mirth and divertisement when on a suddain there appeared a Frigate having fifty Moors on Board her and an Algerine Flag on her main top Whereupon immediately all the people made ready to fight and several Guns discharged on both sides and at length they came to boarding but in the end the Algerine was vanquished there being good reason for it and the Captain of the Frigate came to Complement the Prince At last they returned into the City towards the Evening but the night was kept off a while by the light of the Cannon which were discharged from all the batteries of the City and other places along the Port. Some weeks after the Prince fell dangerously sick of the small Pox and Prayers were made for his recovery in all the Churches which at length obtaining he set out for Grenoble being very well satisfied with his entertainment at Geneva The Citizens and the Garrison appeared in their arms for to do him honour and the Council accompanied him and the Cannons were not silent in this occasion It is not above six years since an enterprize was discovered on Geneva which hath been known to few In the year 1673. on a Communion day in September the chief Syndick found at his House at his return from Church a Letter which a person unknown had left in his absence the Contents whereof were That upon a Proviso of a proportionable reward he would make such a considerable discovery that the publick safety depended on it and if they desired to speak with this person next morning about it the Superiour of the Convent of the Capuchines of Gex would inform them where he was but if they neglected this advertisement they might be certain of finding the City in a short time reduced to the greatest extremity Wherefore the Council failed not to send the next Morning the Advocat Dunant to Gex who discoursed this unknown person in the Capuchin's garden and dexterously drew from him part of the secret he learnt that what he had to discover was an enterprize against the City the particulars whereof he might well discover seeing himself was the Author of it that having conceived some distaste-against the Duke of Savoy he was resolved to discover the design but first desired to be rewarded with a thousand pounds and that he might have a place where he might live secure Dunant replied that he had no power to treat with him about that particular and that it would be more convenient for him to come to Geneva where he might more easily treat with the Council about it in his own person And whereas he desired to have a Letter of safe-conduct he answered him that this was not their Custom but that he had power given him to engage the Publick Faith upon it and that he might come into the City with the same surety as others had done before him This person was contented with this and came the next morning and presented himself before the Council at Geneva telling them that his name was John Baptiste Noroy of Nozeray in Burgundy that having found out an easie way to surprize Geneva he had passed over into Piedmont some months since for to make it known to the Duke which he did in a