me in the World that I had received no Answer upon any of them That they might easily imagine that this neglect of theirs could not but be a signal addition to my Misery but that however I did flatter my self that there was something more than ordinary in it and therefore I desired some of them to come forthwith to Paris and to endeavour to see me I took the opportunity of the Evening when it was just dusky and so threw this Letter into the Road which leads to St. Anthony's Gate and it was taken up as I suppose the next morning early and carried safely to the place whither it was directed By this means my Spouse was informed how matters stood and soon after I had the good fortune to send to her several other Letters by the assistance of one of my Fellow-Prisoners in the Bastile who having obtained leave to see his Family I conveyed my Letters to him through a hole I had made for that purpose My Wife happening at that time to be very ill and consequently being not in a condition to undertake the Journey she prevailed upon my eldest Daughter and her Husband to come to Paris Accordingly she address'd her self to the Governor of the Bastile who began to rehearse the old Story to her and to tell her that she would act a very imprudent part to see me in that Condition I was in then and that tho' her Husband were never so fond of her it could not but be a great dissatisfaction to him to see his Father-in-Law act the mad-Man which in process of time might turn to her Disadvantage My Daughter answered the Governor That she had all the reason in the World to be surprized at what he told her because she had seen lately several of my Letters written to her Mother which did not contain the least thing that had any resemblance to what might be supposed to come from a mad-Man's hands The Governor stood amazed when he heard her say that they had received Letters from me which made him ask her several times whether she was certain that these Letters had been of my own hand Writing for as he kept me under Lock and Key and did not believe that I could have any Pen Ink or Paper without his permission he was extreamly puzzled to find out how this came to pass But finding my Daughter very positive in what she had told him before and being a Man of an extraordinary presence of Mind and who knows how to disentangle himself upon any Emergency of which I shall give you several instances in a peculiar Treatise I intend if God be pleased to spare my Life of the Bastile He being as I told you before a Man of a great Presence of Mind upon any Emergency he answered my Daughter That he had indeed observed me to have certain lucid Intervals and that possibly it might be that I had written those Letters when my Frenzy had left me To be short These and such like Persuasions had so strong an influence upon my Daughter that she thought it best not to see me and so both her Husband and she returned into the Country with a full Confirmation of the dismal News my Spouse had received before of my pretended Madness My Servant who at that time lived in the same Monastery where my Sister was was the only Person in the World who could have convinced them of the untruth of the matter but besides that he had not parted very fairly from me my Sister took care to set him more and more against me so that in lieu of undeceiving my Family he did what he could to spread it about the Country that the thing was really so as the Governour had told my Daughter Thus having for a considerable time lived in expectation of an Answer to my several Letters but in vain I studied several ways to write to them again and to give them to understand how much surprized I was at their silence and to see me thus neglected by my nearest Friends My Spouse who has a good Natural Understanding finding that there was not the least tincture of Extravagancy in all these Letters could not forbear to take our Eldest Daughter to Task and to ask her What could be the meaning of it My Daughter being prepossess'd with what she had heard the Governour of the Bastile say concerning my Distemper answer'd her That it must be that I had writ these Letters in my lucid Intervals which indeed did give the Physicians no small hopes of my Recovery provided I were not disturbed by the sight of any of my Family My Spouse being thus again overcome by these apparent Reasons I found my self destitute of all human Aid which put me upon a desperate Resolution to take the next opportunity when our Turn-Key should come to bring us our Supper to Lock him up in the Chamber with Villeroy who had given his Consent in the mean while to try my fortune whether I could not find out a conveniency of conveying another Letter to my Spouse You must know that among others the Marquis de Crussol was at that time Prisoner in the Bastile but knowing him to have the liberty of the Court I flattered my self that by his assistance I might have a Letter sent to my Spouse for not having received the least Answer upon all those I had writ before I could not but imagine that they had miscarried I did I say flatter my self that the Marquess de Crussol being a Person of Quality his Inclinations would be answerable to his Extraction and that consequently he would be glad to put an Obligation upon another Gentleman his Fellow-Prisoner in a case which might be done without the least trouble on his side because all those who are Prisoners at large in the Bastile have the liberty of sending their Servants abroad when and where they please and of seeing their Friends without Controul I did put my design in Execution without much difficulty and so streight I went to the Marquis de Crussol his Chamber which I was not unacquainted with because I could look to it by the means of a hole I had made on one side of mine from whence I used to see him look frequently out of his Window After I had pay'd him the usual respect I told him what my Request was which he promised me generously to do but I soon found to my Cost that there is a vast difference betwixt promising and performing for instead of keeping his Word with me he gave both my Letter and another of my Chamber-Fellows Villeroy which he had desired me to deliver to him at the same time to the Governour Monsieur de Baisenaux I did not think it my best way to tarry long with the Marquess de Crussol for fear the Turn-Key should make a noise at our Chamber-Door for I had taken care to nail a Board on the inside of our Window to prevent his calling for help
whether I would go a Hunting with him which we did but with some reluctancy on my side being perhaps as uneasie all the while as himself because I was not ignorant that Jealousie prompts Men to all the Extravagancies in the World After we were return'd from hunting each to his respective home I resolv'd to be more spering in my Visits in hopes thereby to cure him of his Jealousie tho' I can declare it that I never gave him any real occasion as having not the least intention against his Honour and tho' I never took the opportunity to try her Virtue I believe her to be a very Vertuous Woman at least she had the reputation as such in the Country At last a certain Gentleman a near Kinsman of mine who had been smitten with her willing to improve this opportunity to insinuate himself into this Jealous Man's Favour whisper'd it in his Ears as if he had gather'd something more than should be from my own Discourse encouraging him at the same time to revenge the Affront and offering his Service as an unfeign'd Testimony of his Affection towards him The jealous Husband being inveigl'd by these Insinuations they challeng'd me to fight with them And notwithstanding the severe prohibition against Duels they rather challeng'd me to an Engagement than a single Combat for they sent me word that I must look out for some of my Friends to be my Seconds there being three on their side resolv'd to stand and fall by one another I gave answer to those who brought the Challenge that I would not accept of the Challenge but that if they attack'd me first they might look to it The jealous Husband was so much exasperated at this Answer that pursuant to the advice of his evil Councellors he took a resolution to assassinate me I was advertis'd of their design which made me be always upon my guard and when I went abroad a Hunting I had at least two Friends along with me One day as I was riding thus along with them I saw several Horsemen making up towards me which made me tell them that it was I they aim'd at One of them seeing the unequality of our Number left me immediately but the other seem'd as if he would stand by me and follow'd me closely towards an Enclosure which I was endeavouring to get into before they could come up close with me Here it was we resolv'd to stand the brunt but those who pursu'd me being come within Musquet shot of us cry'd out to him who was with me that they had no Quarrel against him that his best way would be to retire from thence else they would spare him as little as me There needed no more to make him leave me in the lurch as the other had done before and tho' I did not know where to turn my self in this extremity yet I put on the best Countenance I could when one of the Assassins fir'd at me and wounded me in Hip I fell immediately sprawling upon the Ground and they believing I was kill'd outright rid away full speed In the mean while one of my Companions he that left me first of all had made the best of his way to a Neighbouring Town where having given the Alarm the Inhabitants who came to my assistance did carry me to my Father's House where I was six Months before I could be cured of my Wounds There was scarce any body who believ'd I could escape with Life and I being of the same opinion my self desir'd my Father to recall my Sister out of a Nunnery where she had been Eleven Years without the least hopes of being prevail'd upon to embrace the Religious Life which my Father had often endeavour'd to perswade her to and was just then upon the point of having forc'd her to it according to the Custom of some Parents who are not able to give Portions to their Daughters or else will not part with their Money for fear of impoverishing the Family You may imagine that this was joyful News for her flattering herself that by my Death she should forever be freed from what she dreaded most But contrary to the opinion of all I was cured once more tho' for a whole Year together I was so weak as not to be able to mount on Horseback which was the reason that in two Campaigns I did not appear in the Field I afterwards obtain'd a Commission of a Cornet in the Marquess de Lamberts Company in the great Royal Regiment for which I stood indebted to the Courtesie of Monsieur de Bordeaux Whilst I was Employ'd in the Army my Father prosecuted those who attempted to Assassinate me so vigorously that being out-law'd they were forc'd to fly the Country I told you before that pursuant to a Treaty betwixt France and Cromwel the last was to furnish us with Six Thousand Foot and Thirty Men of War These were to be employ'd against Dunkirk under condition that the place after it was taken should be surrender'd to the English So soon as the King had receiv'd Intelligence that the English Fleet was put to Sea and that these 6000 Men were join'd our Forces Dunkirk was besieg'd in the Month of May in the Year 1658. The Spaniards advanc'd with an Army to relieve the Place The Marshal de Hoquincourt who had quitted the King's Party came with a Body to view our Lines and Engag'd our main Guard where he was kill'd in the Engagement Monsieur de Turenne observing that the Enemy were resolv'd to Attack us in our Lines drew out his Forces to make Head against them The Battle was fought with great obstinacy for some time on both sides but the Spanish Horse beginning first to give way were so warmly ply'd by ours that they were forc'd to abandon the Foot Four of their Regiments seeing themselves enclos'd on all sides threw down their Arms without striking a stroak and cry'd out for Quarter The rest discourag'd by their Example durst not stand it out much longer so that in the pursuit we kill'd a great number of them and got abundance of Prisoners In the pursuit I was wounded by a Musquetoon The Ball went into the left Cheek about an inch under the Eye and pass'd through the Head coming out again near the Ear on the same side I was carried to Monsieur de Sangoin Son-in-Law to Monsieur de Bordeaux who was then Master of the King's Houshold from whom I receiv'd very singular Marks of his Affection Whilst I lay under cure Dunkirk surrender'd to the King and Turenne made some other Conquests in these parts The Spaniards seeing their Affairs to be in a declining condition were willing to make Peace now which they had refus'd before So I was disbanded and return'd to Paris where I found I had other Fish to fry You must know that my English Spouse had all this while continued her amorous Intrigues with Monsieur de Bordeaux But the face of Affairs was much changed of late in
some little distance three Servants more with two Fuzee's But they looking upon this only as a Rhodomontado told us that if we did meddle with them it would be to our cost which we matter'd but little and cocking our Pistols at them bid the Messenger to unlock the Padlock of the Chains which were fastned to their Feet and went under the Horses Bellies He told us that not he but one of the Provost's Men had the Keys of them and having shew'd us the Person we commanded him to unlock them He refus'd to comply which made one of the Gentlemen knock him down with the But end of his Fuzee the rest seeing us in earnest betook themselves to their Heels so that he was forc'd to unlock the Chains and we deliver'd the two Prisoners whom we conducted to these two Gentlemen's Father's House who was very angry with us as fearing that this might prove the occasion of great trouble to us But the Mother who was mov'd with Compassion to them as well as we got the young Woman in the Night time convey'd to Fontrevaure where she had a Sister that was a Nun and the young Fellow she sent to a neighbouring Gentleman who was listing of Soldiers and might have the opportunity to convey him to a place of Safety We were so fortunate as to hear no more of the Business the Judges after they had examin'd the Provost's Men being not very forward to prosecute the matter any further out of Compassion to the two Condemn'd Persons However I thought it the surest way for me not to stay much longer in this place for fear of a bad Issue and therefore went to a Gentleman's House whose Name was Naze and liv'd betwixt Lude and Samur One day a Friend of his call'd Noyer coming to see him and understanding that I was one who had nothing to lose he pitch'd upon me as a fit Instrument to assist him in carrying away a certain young Widow whom he pretended to be in Love with There were two other Gentlemen whose Names were St. Bonnets that were to be concern'd in this matter and the Marquiss de Courcelles Brother-in-law to the Marshal de Villeroy offer'd us his House for a safe retreat and lent his Coach for the more commodious carrying off of the Lady We went accordingly to her own House and as she was coming down Stairs with one of us who had given her a Visit we took her up and hurried her into the Coach Monsieur de Noyer begg'd her pardon for this Outrage the fault of which he laid upon the excess of his Love that he should never have had boldness enough to make such an attempt if he had not been inform'd that her Relations were urging her every day to prefer one Turpin before him who indeed had a better Estate but was not by far of so good a Family neither had he the same respect for her Person Thus we carried her to the Castle of Courcelles where they stay'd fourteen Days during which time they constantly Eat Drank and Bedded together In the mean while Turpin had taken out Warrants against them in the Name of her nearest Relations and the Provost of Man was sent with his Followers to take us up but durst not venture to come into the Castle of Courcelles knowing our Company to be too strong for him there The Widow was so cunning as to perswade Monsieur du Noyer with whom she liv'd very lovingly in all outward appeara 〈…〉 that if he would but let her go to her Relatio 〈…〉 would soon put a stop to all these Proceedings by declaring that what had been done was transacted with her own consent Monsieur de Courcelles and his Lady who had seen her Caress Monsieur du Noyer to the highest degree and who had heard her say frequently that she was overjoy'd the thing had happen'd thus not imagining any deceit in the matter were of opinion to consent to her going But she was no sooner got out of our Clutches but the first time she talk'd with Turpin she told him that if he held still his resolution of marrying her she would stand to every thing he had done Turpin swore that he had no other Intention upon which in lieu of performing her promise to us she was the first that made her Complaints both against Noyer and all the rest who had been aiding him in the matter She sent also several Provosts with Warrants after us in the Country to take us so that thinking it our best way to seek for refuge elsewhere and knowing that Monsieur de Courcelles had likewise been Summon'd to appear upon the same account we left his House Monsieur du Noyer parted from us and absconded in some Friends House till he found means to accommodate the matter under hand with Turpin who had now Married the Widow Turpin having acquitted Noyer for a Summ of Money he pretended the like from each of us but as that did not agree with our present Circumstances so we resolv'd not to part but to make head against the Provosts and their Followers There was one among our Company who ow'd a spite to the Provost of Ferte Besnard who was the chief Man that had undertaken the Business and being resolv'd to be reveng'd upon him at any rate he found means to give the Provost to understand that he with only one more were in an Inn in the Town call'd Marolles en Beauce whereas in lieu of two there were a dozen of us The Provost not suspecting the matter entred the Inn with four more of his Followers leaving four or five more at the Out Gates for fear we should make an escape and he was very careful to lock the Doors through which he enter'd behind him and thus put his Neck himself in the Noose We soon disarm'd him the very sight of so many of us having robb'd him of all his Senses It was his ill Fortune to fall into the Hands of a Company of young hair brain'd Fellows and who besides that bore him a grudge so that those four of his Followers that enter'd the Room with him had their Ears cut off But the Provost himself did not escape so well for we would not part with him till we had made him a true Eunuch It happen'd just that we had a Chirurgeon in our Company who was fain to abscond because he had kill'd his Brother-in-Law and it was he who gave the main stroak to rob the poor Fellow of his Manhood but did it however with so much dexterity that the Provost escap'd with Life and I understood that he was yet living about five or six Years ago But being sensible that we must expect to be most severely prosecuted the two St. Bonnets resolv'd to take us along with them into their Castle which being very strong we might be in a Capacity to defend us against those that should attempt to take us and a good number of such as were under the
the absence of his General He ordered two Hundred French Horse to swim over the River with express Orders to their Commander to Nail up the Cannon of a Battery which gall'd his Souldiers which was bravely executed before the Turks were able to prevent it The Infidels having been convinc'd by this Action that they could not expect any great success on that side where the French were Posted resolved to lay a Bridge over the River near the German Quarter on which they were at work all that night knowing that the Imperialists had been extreamly fatigu'd all the Campaign they did not question but to surprize them which succeeded so well that twelve Thousand pass'd the River before the Imperialists had any notice of it So that being Charg'd furiously by the Turks they were brought into Confusion The Duke de la Fevillade was no sooner advertis'd of what had happen'd upon the Right Wing but he march'd straight to their Relief and at the same time Commanded a Detachment to ruine their Bridge to prevent the rest from passing the River that way This Detachment which was in no small danger of having been over-powered by the Enemy was seconded so seasonably by fresh Forces that notwithstanding the vigorous Resistance made by the Enemy they broke the Bridge The swiftness of the Current did indeed contribute much to the executing of their Design for as soon as they had broke down some part of it the rest was carried away by the violence of the Stream The Turks being now without any hopes of being seconded he Charg'd them at his ease and the Imperialists had thereby leasure given them to rally so that these 12000 Turks were no longer able to stand the brunt but betook themselves to Flight the most of them were drowned as they were endeavouring to re-pass the River very few of them that were on this side escaping with their Lives This Victory prov'd the occasion of the following Peace betwixt these two Empires The most were of opinion that it would be for the Emperor's Interest to pursue his Victory but it seems he had conceiv'd such a Jealousie at the bravery the French shew'd in that Days Action that setting aside all other Considerations he thought it best to send them forthwith back which induc'd him to conclude a Truce with the Turks for a good many Years The Prince of Courland was likewise Discharg'd with his Troops but they were not disbanded by their Prince partly because the Muscovites were in motion upon the Frontiers and partly because there was great appearance of a Rupture betwixt Holland and the Bishop of Munster and the Duke of Courland the Father of him who brought me along with him out of France did wisely consider that he might treat about these Troops with either of these two Parties in case he should have no occasion for them himself Knowing my self a Stranger in this Country I thought it to be my Interest to look about for some Friend whose Authority might be able to support me in a Court where as well as in all others Strangers are not look'd upon with a good Eye if they are preferr'd before the Natives It was upon this account I made my Addresses to the Governour of the young Prince whose Name was Vanaubin and who besides this was President of the Council He was a Person of great Integrity and very obliging and I must own that I met with a very kind Reception from him He had two very handsom Daughters who learn'd to Dance from a French Master who came every day to their House The Prince had a Niece whose Name was Princess Sophia Emilia she us'd often to come and see these two young Ladies with whom she frequently pass'd her time in Dancing The Dancing Master having told her once that he saw a certain Frenchman go into Vanaubin's House who Danc'd very well the Princess was no sooner Inform'd that it was the Cornet belonging to her Cousins Guards but she sent me word that I should come to wait on her Vanaubin seeing one of her Servants speak to me ask'd what he wanted with me and having told him without the least reserve what Errand he came upon he was the first who advis'd me to go immediately because perhaps the Princess Sophia had a mind to Dance with me And it prov'd just as he told me for she so much delighted in Dancing that as often as she went to Monsieur Vanaubin's Daughters she would be sure to let me know that I might not fail to be there In the mean while the Muscovites began to give every day more and more Umbrage to this Court which made Vanaubin who had heard me say that one of the Chief Ministers of the Czar was my Countryman advise the Duke to send me into Muscovy My Commission was to endeavour to prevent an Invasion from the Muscovites by the assistance of this Minister He was a Frenchman by Birth his Name was Desjardins being Cousin German to Madamoiselle Desjardins who has made her self known in France by several of her pieces of Gallantry He very favourably receiv'd my Proposition and a Truce was concluded betwixt these two States for two Years during which time the Differences about the Limits might be brought to a fair Accommodation it being impossible to be done at present because the Czar was somewhat crazed at that time After my return from Muscovy the Duke shew'd himself so extreamly well satisfy'd with my Negotiation that he dispatch'd me forthwith into Holland to offer to the States General who were Engag'd in a War with the Bishop of Munster the same 4000 Men that were not long before return'd out of Hungary They did not think fit to accept of them being in hopes of a considerable Succour from his Most Christian Majesty who soon after sent them some Forces under the Command of Lieutenant General de Pondelles I had Orders sent me to offer them likewise to the Bishop of Munster in my return from Holland but the Bishop foreseeing that by the powerful Assistance of France he would soon be oblig'd to make Peace with the Dutch and knowing besides that they were not offer'd to him till after they had been refus'd by them he gave us many thanks for our kind offers This Journey proving thus fruitless I return'd into Courland where in a little while after there happen'd an Accident which oblig'd me to leave that Country The Count de Ossane was fallen in Love with the before mention'd Princess Sophia whom he desir'd in Marriage The Duke her Unkle did not disapprove of the Match but she could not love the Count and did not stick to shew her aversion to him to all the World She would sometimes make me take particular notice of his odd Behaviour One Day the Count perceiving that we talk'd together concerning him he stay'd till I had left the Princess and then ask'd me what it was she had told me I answer'd that we had talk'd nothing but
with him he desir'd him to come to him This was an unexpected Complement to Monsieur de Pommerevil who did not imagine that my Friend durst have made thus bold with him but he who knew the Marshal de Estrees to be upon the spot did put no great value upon the Intendant's Displeasure Monsieur de Pommerevil who was no less sensible of the Marshal's Prerogative did think it most adviseable to make his Applications to him which he did accordingly and requir'd that these Four Soldiers might be taken into Custody again The Marshal who was resolv'd not to lose an Inch of his Authority told him that he would send for the Captain who should deliver up the Four Soldiers into his Hands which being done accordingly the Intendant committed them for the present to the Gaol of Brest till he could have them convey'd to Morlaix where he intended to have them severely punish'd In the mean while my Friend writ without delay to the Marquess de Louvois to Inform him of what had pass'd but before they could receive an Answer from that Minister he put another Affront upon the Intendant which he relish'd worse than the first and would have made him feel the effects of his Anger if the Marshal de Estrees had not been so near at Hand You must know the Intendant sent to my Friend to let him have some Soldiers with an under Officer to Conduct the beforementioned Prisoners to Morlaix but he sent him word that he did not stand under his Command neither would obey his Orders that his Soldiers were to serve the King and not him with this he went to the Marshal unto whom he gave an account of the Matter and how the Intendant would have put upon him as well as upon the Authority of the Marshal whose Orders he was ready to Obey if he thought fit he should detach a Party for that purpose The Marshal told him that he had done what he ought to do in having refused these Men and that he order'd him to do it again if he did give him another such like occasion Monsieur de Pommereville finding the Captain back'd by the Marshal was forc'd to rest satisfied and the Captain gain'd the good will of all the Officers of the Army for his boldness to dare to make head alone against the Intendant of the Province Within a few days after Monsieur de Pommereville receiv'd an Answer from the Marquiss de Louvois upon his Letter writ upon that Subject to the said Minister which was no small addition to his Vexation For the Captain had been so vigilant as by his reiterated Letters to represent to the said Minister that the Intendant acted in this point more out of a motive of Envy and Passion than love of Justice the Soldiers having been discharg'd by due course of Law before which made the Marquiss de Louvois order the Intendant not to meddle any further in the matter I receiv'd much about the same time Orders from the said Minister to Embark with all the rest of the Officers who were ready to go for Ireland in the first Vessel I could meet with At the same time Monsieur de Gerse who was likewise to go for Ireland was expected at Brest which made several of the Officers that were with me at Camaret leave us and return to Brest imagining and not without reason that by reason of his near relation to the Marquess de Segnelay he would be provided with a good Convoy to facilitate his Passage thither If I had been as wise as I ought to have been I should have done as they did but considering that Monsieur de Gerse was not come as yet to Brest and that it would cost me a great deal of Money there to expect his coming what with Covetousness and what with Love I was not so careful as I ought to have been of my own safety There were also several Officers who tho' Love had not the least share in their Resolution for fear of spending their Money at Brest resolv'd to take the same Course as I did THE MEMOIRS OF JOHN BAPTIST De La Fontaine Kt. LIB V. THE Master of the Vessel who as I told you before was to have Transported us from Camaret into Ireland being disappointed of his Bargain for want of a Pass had left this Port which made us take a Resolution to go to Croisil where as we were certainly inform'd we could not miss of a Vessel fit for our purpose which indeed prov'd true for we were no sooner arriv'd there but we met with one which was lately come from Ireland and having taken in her Cargo of Salt was just ready to set Sail again for that Kingdom Thus we Embark'd but at our going out of that Port the Entrance of which is very difficult we were in great danger of being lost there being a very dangerous Rock upon which many Vessels split in pieces and we were in the utmost hazard to have run upon it by the neglect of our Pilot who was drunk As good Fortune would have it it was low Tide and no Wind stirring so that with the next high Tide we got clear of that dangerous Rock This Sinister Accident seem'd to be an ill Omen of what befell us hereafter for the very first Night we were by a most furious Tempest driven near the Coast of Bell-Isle where we cast Anchor and being shelter'd from the Wind remain'd there two Days The Storm being somewhat abated we set sail again but were the same Night overtaken again by another Tempest which lasted whole twelve Days during which time having been toss'd up and down along the Coast we were at last forc'd among the Rocks in Conquet Road. My Advice was to make the Port of Camaret where we might buy us some fresh Provisions the greatest part of what we had taken along with us being consumed already so that if we should happen to meet with another disappointment by reason of the Winds or otherwise we might be in great danger of want of Victuals But the other Officers who had been before with me at Camaret and had a suspicion that I had a more than ordinary Kindness for Madam ..... whom I spoke of before imagining that this Advice of mine proceeded rather from the great inclination I had to see her than from any consideration of our necessity were against it and their Surliness prov'd the occasion of that Misfortune which befel us not long after For if we had made that Port we should questionless have been advertis'd that the English and Dutch Fleets were come to the height of the Westsand to Attack Monsieur de Tourville in his return from the Mediterranean They were also to prevent the Squadron design'd for Ireland from coming out of Brest and they were at that time much concern'd at Court which way those that were intended for that Service should avoid meeting with them But which way soever the rest escap'd their Hands our
spot and according as I found it to represent his case at Court which he would look upon as a most infinite obligation which he would be ready to acknowledge upon all occasions I sent him Word That I would do it with all my Heart but that my advice was he should make his applications to Monsieur de Beauregard because he standing under his immediate Command and the thing being done there his Testimony would avail him more in this case than mine which perhaps might be look'd upon as partial I told him at the same time that I would not have him think in the least as if I had offered this Advice because I was unwilling to serve him and that to convince him on the contrary of my good intentions I would undertake to speak my self if he thought fit about it to Monsieur de Beauregard to try whether I could perswade him to join his Interest with mine for his good But his Friend Answered me that they did not think it for their purpose to make use of Monsieur de Beauregard having some occasion to fear that he was more a Friend of the Commissary's than his and that therefore he desired me not to mention any thing of it to him for fear if it should come to the Commissary's Ears he should Casheir these six Soldiers at the next Muster which would turn to his Friends prejudice considering that the main advantage he had against him was that had let the same Soldiers pass Muster in another Company whom he had Casheir'd in his I told him that I would follow his Directions and do him what Service possibly I could Accordingly Monsieur de Vaux and I went some days after to Bell Isle where among others we took a review of this Company and according to the best information I could get I found that the Captains Friend had told me nothing but what was very true and If ound these 6 Soldiers very fit for Service for though they were somewhat young yet they were strong body'd fellows and such as might hereafter pass for chosen Men they were also of a good seize and in short such as that I am sure the King had above Thirty Thousand worse in every respect among his Troops Being therefore fully convinced of the injustice done to the Captain by the Commissary I drew up the true State of the case in Writing which being Signed likewise by Monsieur de Vaux I sent it to the Marquess de Louvois But being obliged pursuant to our Orders from Court to leave Port Lewis in some days after and to pursue our Journey into Poictou I can't tell what course this Minister was pleased to take with the Commissary and whether this Captain who had been so unjustly dealt withal by him had any redress against him or not THE MEMOIRS OF JOHN BAPTIST De La Fontaine Kt. LIB VII SO soon as Monsieur de Beauregard Deputy Governour of Port Lewis had notice of our arrival there he returned with all imaginable speed to his Government After we had shew'd him our Orders he gave us a Pilot to sound the Coast from the mouth of the River which Exonerates it self into the Sea about Two Leagues on this side of Port Lewis as far as to Quimperlei We found five several places where an Enemy might make a descent without reckoning the Bay near Quimperlei The Entrance also of this River was so deep that Ships of great burthen might go up a considerable way without danger We set down in Writing how we had found matters as well upon the Coast as also what was wanting on the Fortifications of Port Lewis which after our return to Paris we sent to Court to the Marquess de Louvois to let him see that we had acquitted our selves as we ought to do of our Commission Whilst we were viewing the Coast Monsieur de Beauregard had received a Packet of Letters for me from the Marquess de Louvois which he delivered to me and among the rest there was a Letter directed to me from the French Officers I told you I left behind me in England in which they acquainted me that pursuant to the Orders received from the Marquess de Louvois through my hands they had endeavoured by all possible means to get into Ireland but had found all the Passages leading to that Kingdom so narrowly guarded that they had been forced to return to London for fear of being discover'd and that they desired me to send them further Instructions what they were to do next and they being destitute again of Money I could put no greater an Obligation upon them than if I would send them another supply to enable them to obey those Orders I should send them from Court When I saw the Marquess de Louvois he ask'd me what was best to be done in this case and remembring that at the same time when I gave him first an account of my Transactions in England he had ask'd me by what means I had procured the Money I then gave to these Officers and that I had told him by my own Credit which I had with a Banker in London whose Name I told him also he Commanded me to Write to the said Banker and to Order him upon sight of my Letter to pay the Summ of Four Thousand One Hundred Livers to the Sieur du Mesnil the same Officer who was first sent to me by the others and had introduced them into my acquaintance he ordered me also to Write a Letter at the same time to Monsieur du Mesnil that immediately after the receipt of this Money he should divide it share and share a like among all these Officers he being to be comprehended in their number and that they should all take the first opportunity to return to Paris where they should address themselves to one Jalet Steward to the Duke of Luxemburgh by whom they might be inform'd where I was and where they might hear of me These Four Thousand One Hundred Livers were to be divided equally betwixt Forty One Officers at the rate of One Hundred Livers a piece for though there were Forty Three in all yet the Marquess de Louvois had thought fit to except Two of them to whom the King would not extend his Gracious Pardon their Crime being of so high a Nature as not to be left unpunish'd I charged him to be very punctual in observing my Directions that I might not hereafter meet with Reproaches instead of Thanks for having interceeded in their behalf It is to be observed That those two Officers who were excluded from being partakers of the Kings mercy had made themselves very notorious their misdemeanour having made a great Noise not only in Paris but all over the Kingdom some Years before For they had had the boldness to break one of the chains of Paris to rescue one of their Brothers who being fastened with it fled with the other two to England The Marquess de Louvois Commanded me at the
Monsieur de Vaux his Master had accosted the other as if they had been very old Acquaintance and that they parted from one another with all the expressions of a mutual kindness I must confess that when I understood how Matters had been carried on by de Vaux against me I could scarce contain my self within the bounds of Moderation for what could be more base than to treat thus a Friend from whom he had received many Obligations and it was evident to me beyond all contradiction that their meeting at Samur had been appointed on purpose and that the young Fellow whom I saw in my House and talk'd with him in private had been sent to make the said Appointment which could not but be very surprizing to me considering I never had given him the least occasion to deal thus treacherously with me but on the contrary had been ready to oblige him in all manner of ways I was not a little puzzled how to find out the Peron his Servant had described to mine for according to his description there were two several Persons who being both mine Enemies did both resemble so near to it that indeed I shrewdly guessed it must be one of the two but could not tell upon which of them to fix for fear I might be mistaken in my guess One of them I have had occasion to mention before to wit the Councellor des Isles and as for the other I think I need not be very scrupulous to name him it being sufficiently known among our Neighbourhood in the Country that we have been at variance together for some time past which makes me believe that with a safe Conscience I might well mistrust him that upon an occasion he would not stick to do me an Injury His Name was Ternai which he had borrow'd from his Estate which lay about half a French League from my Seat the true Name of his Family being d'Arsac He was a Nephew of the Prior of Ternai whom I have mentioned before His Great Grand-Father had been Steward of the Duke of Tremoville one of the Ancestors of the Duke of Tremoville now living So much for his Extraction which bearing but a slender proportion with the Title of a Marquess which he has taken up of late this proved the first occasion of our Quarrel because I used now and then to laugh at it and so did almost all the Gentlemen of that Province as well as I. But that which I believe made him bear a particular grudge to me was That I discovered in some of the Deeds belonging to my Estate that he was only stiled Monsieur d'Arsac Lord of the Manner of Faie without as much as giving him the Title of Esquire His Estate call'd Ternai may be worth about One Hundred and Fifty Pounds Sterling per Annum at the most and was purchased by this pretended Marquess his Grand-Father for Fourteen Thousand Livers yet so that he did not pay one Farthing of ready Money for it this being given him as an Equivalent for the Death of his Father who as I told you before was Steward to one of the Ancestors of the present Duke of Tremoville He was Murdered by some of the Marquess de Beauveau his Servants and it being proved that the fact had been committed upon their Masters Command and the Duke of Tremoville siding with the Heirs of his Domestick and backing their cause by his Authority the said Marquess de Beauveau was by vertue of a Judgment obtained against him to pay the said Summ for Damages Costs and Interest which he being either unwilling or unable to do the Heirs of the Deceased got into possession of this Estate 'T is true the Father of this Marquess de Ternai was a Captain of Horse and married Madamoiselle de Palluau Sister to the Count de Palluau Major General of the Light-Horse and who afterwards was Marshal of France under the name of Clerambaut whether this gives him any Title to what his Son pretends to be to wit Marquess of Ternai I am not able to tell But however it may be the Marquess and I lived very Friendly together for some time after I had bought my Seat and we used frequently to meet like good Neighbours and as honest Gentlemen do in the Country till Interest which divides all the World set us at variance when I did not in the least expect it for he brought an Action against me under pretence that some part of my Estate was dependant on his but the Duke de Tremoville siding with me took up the Cudgels and entred an Appeal to the Parliament of Paris The Marquess de Ternai fearing not without reason that his Sword would scarce be long enough to measure it with the Duke's thought it best to let the business drop for that time But it was not long before he gave me a new cause of Displeasure for which I was fain to call him to an Account at Law For he would not only Fish in my River but even in the very Ponds and Ditches belonging to my House which I believe he did meerly out of spite because I refused to lend him some Money of which he stood much in need at that time to carry on a Law Suit against the Marquess de Clerambaut about an Inheritance of the Bishop of Poictiers who had disinherited him When I seriously reflected that I had no other Enemies but this Marquess and the Councellor des Isles in the whole Province of Poictou I could not but fix the Matter upon one of these two and it was not long before I had sufficient reason to lay it altogether at the Door of the Marquess de Ternai for happening one day to speak of him before Monsieur de Vaux he unawares let slip some Words which gave me the first hint of him for he told me that I had but a bad Neighbour of him that he was none of my Friend and that he believed if it should fall in his way to do me an ill turn he would not fail to do it I reply'd coldly that I was well enough satisfied of it and so turned our Discourse another way for fear of saying any thing that might give him an intimation that I was not ignorant of what had lately pass'd betwixt them at Samur which might perhaps have raised my Passion to that pitch as to have proved the occasion of a fatal Quarrel whereas it has always been with me a Fundamental Principle which ought to be Religiously observed by every Body not to violate the Law of Hospitality From what I have told you it is no difficult matter to judge that these malicious Insinuations of the Marquess de Ternai had chiefly their Off spring from what I told you before concerning my Spouse's Mother-in-law who had set some at work to make an enquiry after my Affairs at Loudun but of all the rest nothing went so near me as Monsieur de Vaux's odd behaviour which was such as to be past