thoughts were enclined rather to surrender than to gain time in hopes of relief The Duke of Buckingham supposing it impossible that they should be relieved considering his engines and the great number of his Ships which lay in the Roade before the place sought rather to face the besieged by famine than to run new hazards by assaulting them after his first ill successe In the mean while as necessity doth quicken industry so the Sieur de Thoyras found means to send three Soldiers to the Main Land by swimming to give his Majesty notice of the condition in which he was to hasten away relief One of them called Le Pierre passed the Sea forcing its waves to yeild to his resolution He came to the Army before Rochel and delivered the Letters which he had for the King and others the Sieur de Thoyras his friends The Duke of Angoulesme dispatched that to his Majesty then at Villeroy and his cares for sending the relief were doubled so that the Sieur de Thoyras his friends knowing in what condition he was and how important it was to the Kings honour to assist him did use their utmost endeavours to heasten away his relief Politique Observation ONe of the greatest difficulties to which a man can be brought in ordinary seiges is the inability of sending intelligence to them from whom he doth expect relief and one of them greatest cares of the who besiege a place is to stop all wayes that nothing way passe in or out Some have made use of the night for this purpose as the Goths did when they would send news to Vitigez being besieged in Ormuz by Belligarius they made a great noise at one of the Gates pretending as if they would sally out upon their enemies to the intent that Bellisarius might draw all his Forces theither and leave but a few at that quarter by which they designed to send away their Messenger A Stratagem indeed very advantagious when managed with prudence The same Goths as Procopus reports used another devise upon the same occasion to send news to Vitigez which was They corrupted some sentinels for mony an invention easy to be practised in civil wars where both parties are acquainted with one another But that which is the most certain way which they who are besieged may make use of to send a broad intelligence ought to be guided by discretion according as occasions present themselves and executed them with all possible addresse for it is an art not to be laid down by certain Rules neither can it be learned by precepts but natural industry infuseth it by diverse instincts and experience teacheth it in war I shall onely add that there are sundry and divers means to be met with in History which great Captains have used on this occasion The Campany being besiged by the Romans sent a man who counterfeyted himself mad with letters for the Carthaginians in his girdle Hircius Consul writ to Decius Brutus then besieged in Modena by Antonius and sent his Letters made up in lead fastned to the Arms of those who swam over the River The same man did some times keep up Pidgeons in the dark without giving them to eat and then finding them almost famished carried them as near the place as possibly he could then let them go which flying to the houses with their letters about their necks were either taken down or killed by Brutus Justine reports that Harpagus that he might conveigh Letters to Cyrus put them up in the belly of an hare and sent them by a faithful Servant who passed through King Arbactus guardes for an Huntsman Others have used as many different devised as their wits and opportunities could attaine to That which ought to be observed is this that such Letters ought not to be writ in Characters or such cyphers which are legible We are not now in Caesars dayes who designing to send Cicero word that he was at hand to relieve him writ to him onely in Greek At this time there are no cyphers which are not easily found out It were fit that they were like the Characters of Chinenses which signifie things not Letters who writing as many different Characters as there are things it must needs be an hard matter to decypher them These Characters too for the greater security should be writ with the juyce of Limmons or Onyons between the Lines of Letters in which there is nothing of concern because that which is writ with this juyce cannot be read but by water or fire It were not amisse too if he who is Governour before the siedg agree with him to whom he would send intelligences of the manner he would write to him and there might be onely certain words in each line which composed together should discover his thoughts and yet taken with the rest would be thought to treat of other businesse than that which is really intended The I le of Ree relieved THE Relief of the Island was due to the Cardinal after his great or rather extream care One of the chiefest means he used to effect it was this He sent to Bayonne for 15 flat vessels called Primaces built both to sail and row and withal very fleet and able to endure a storm He judged by his prudence that the English having none of this fashion they might easily get to Ree in the night without being discovered The order was dispatched to the Count de Grand-Mont with command to put them under the conduct of the Sieur de Chalar Captain of one of the Kings Ships then in Spain and in case he should not be come back then to whom he thought fit The Count provided the 15 Primaces with all haste he armed then with Musquets and piks the best he could in each of them he put 20 seamen and took care if nothing was wanting The Sieur de Chalar not being returned he committed the conduct of them to Captain Baslin one of the most experienced and stoutest Sea Captain in those Parts About the end of August he came with his Primaces to the Sands of Olonne where the Abbot of Marsillac received him with great joy and his vessels being well stored with victuals add ammunition he lent him six score men of the Regiment de Champany with some Voluntiers to put off upon the first occasion Upon the fifth of September he set sail in the head of his little Fleet about 6 of the clock at night Soon after he knew that he was near the Enemies Fleet he spead abroad his great sailes and was presently discovered But the Primaces going very swift could not be stopped by the English Vessels they went without losse onely some sails and one or two Masts were shattered and one shot through with a bullet Baslin having thus passed the Enemies fell upon the Baracado which they had made to hunder relief which consisted of great Masts linked together with iron chains and tied with Cabels fastned to great Anchors however many of
needs meet him with his Sword in his hand Not a day how holy soever but he would profane by his Duels no place how publique soever which he would not bath with the blood of some one or other so little reckoning did he make of the Kings Prohibition after the comming out of the Edict he had fought with the Count de Thorigny and slain him about the end of the foregoing year and the begining of this he had another Duel with la Frete where his second was killed which quarrels of his were so much the less to be connived at in regard those of the best quality were still parties in it So the King resolved to punish him which he having notice of withdrew himself into Flanders where he found means to perswade the Archduchess to Interest her self in his affairs upon the score of the Damoizelle de Montmorency her favorite who writ to his Majesty to beg his pardon The King took advice of his Confessor and as there was no reason to forgive such offences so he counselled him not to grant it and made it evident to him that he could not do it with a safe conscience but that his Majesty might not seem totally to deny the Infante he sent her word that at her request he should not be questioned for what was past provided he came not either to Paris or the Court. This was as much as a Just Mercy could well do But the same fury which had formerly ingaged Bouteville in those quarrels did so provoke him upon his Majesties denial of a total pardon that he openly vowed he would ere long fight in Paris nay and in the Place Royal it self accordingly not long after thither he came and having given notice of it to the Marquis de Beuuron with whom he had a quarrel that he was ready to give him satisfaction for those differences between them which he had not the liberty to do in Flanders whither Beuuron had come to find him out by reason of the promise which he had ingaged to the Infante not to fight on any of her Territories So they made choise of the Place Royal for their combats where being met three against three Bouteville des Chapelles and La Berte against Beuvron Bussi d' Amboyse and Bouquet they fought and Beuvron was killed out right by Chapelles La Barte desperately wounded by Bouquet and Bouteville with Beruuron close grapling together with a good will to be at it with their daggers but having cast away their Swords it is reported how in this equality of advantage they mutually asked one anothers life to go part their friends This was all that could be got from their neglecting the Kings will and the fury which led them to entertain such detestiable offences The King heard of it and soon after that Bussy's Mother had arrested Bouteville by a Gentleman of hers and des Chapelles at Vitry from whence they were conducted to safe Custodie to Paris and there delivered over to the Parliament to be proceeded against his Majesty having absolutely refused to shew them any favour though their kindred made great requests for it and at last their heads were struck off at the Greve by order of the Parliament Politique Observation HE who defendeth the wicked and he who offendeth the good are both in equal abomination before the Lord as Salomon saith in his Proverb 's I should therefore submit to that of St. Chrisostome who saith That as Justice without Mercy is not Justice but cruelty So Mercy without Justice is not Mercy but extream rashness It were not lesse improper to pardon all Crimes then to use on all occasions the extremity of Justice Both ought to be moderated by discretion without which there are as many inconveniences which will follow gentleness as severity Philip advised his son Alexander to be very courteous to his subjects whilst he was not King for it would not be fit for him to use so great indulgence towards them when as he should arrive to the Throne Judging with great wisdome that it is impossible for him who ruleth to treat all with clemency not only because the Interest of his subjects doth sometimes compel him to be severe but also because unlesse he punish the wicked it will be a dimination of his own authority The Heathens say Jupiter himself cannot raign without Justice And Plutarch in the Life of Demetrius saith nothing is more becoming a Prince then the excercise of this vertue and doth not Solomon who is much more authentique say The Throne of a King is established by Justice St. Cyprian in his Tract of the twelve abuses saith the Justice of the King is the Peace of the people the Nurse of Children the defence of the Country the comfort of the poor and himself the hope of Heaven to come And if a Soveraign ever may make use of it he ought not to let it lye idle when it sends to the purging of his Court from such seditious companions as engage his nobles daily to cut one anothers throats It is a Crime more then Brutal for the instinct of nature forbideth beasts to fall upon one another It is reported that Neurians are Wolves one six mouths of the year men t'other six mouths but I should with more Justice imagine their swash bucklers not to be men at all but that by their greediness of spilling mans blood that are beasts Wolves and Tigres all their lives Their courage is not courage but a fury which hurrieth them on to dip their hands in their brothers blood not a courage but a Rage which maketh them madly expose their bodies to death and their souls to damnation It is not any just Law of Arms which obligeth that to be thus barbarous but a Devilish Charm which deprives them of their reason The foolish passion of an imaginary honour which animateth them is a monster begot by vanity brought up by fury and nourished by blood as it is said of that in Habacuc the greatest the noblest and most courageous serve it for a prey What apparency of reason can there be alledged for renuing the old Butchery of Haman flesh before the images not of a Moloc a Saturn but a vain fantasie of honour What Justice to tollerate that which God hath so expresly forbid and condemned to be punished with death which heaven abhors which the Laws detest and which is only worthy of Hell fier But above all things it ought not to be permitted when committed in dirsion of the Regal authority for once admitting a Kings power to be trampled on the next thing which follows will be the peoples revolt and a general confusion in the whole Kingdom The King of England's and divers other Princes endeavours to divert the King from his resolution against Rochel THough the design of besieging Rochel were kept very secret yet some little suspitions there were of it which allarumd all the neighbouring Princes The English who had already concluded upon
their respective Commands put the English to the Rout Their Horse were all lost in the maâ—n their Cornet and 24. Colours and four Cannon were taken The French did nothing but kill and slay in so much that there lay above six hundred dead upon the place besides what were drowned in the Sea Divers of their Collonels Gentlement of quality and above one hundred and fifty Officers of all sorts were killed above three thousand Arms taken in the field and above fifteen hundred Souldiers laden with their Spoyles Thus the Marshal de Schomberg in the same day landed saw the siedge raised and beat his Enemies It is reported that the English had at their first setting foot on the Island at least seven thousand men and that a recruit of three thousand came afterwards to them but they carried off only eighteen hundred the rest being either dead with sickness or killed and of them too the greatest part dyed soon after their return to England by reason of the discommodities they there suffered Politique Observation JOhn James Triuulae Marshal of France saith it is a great imprudence to give Battaile in a man 's own Country if not invited to it by some great advantage or forced by necessity He who adventureth to do it runs no lesse hazard then the losse of his Kingdome Darius saw himself despoyled of his Kingdome by being guided by his Courage and fighting a Pitch Battaile with Alexander He might well have harraised him with his Horse on many occasions as the Partheans did the Romans whereas being eager to meet him in the field and fearing least he would return into his own Country and not be fought with he made after him to give him Battaile Alexander seeing him near at hand assaulted him and reduced him to that deplorable condition as is not unknown by History to every one Fabius was wiser then so he was contented only to follow Hanibals Army and to pull him down in divers conflicts and by the great Inconveniences which an Army endureth when it passeth through an enemies Country destitute of Towns to refresh them and where they meet with resistances on every hand By these delayes he discomfited Hanibal without endangering his Souldiers lives a thing very considerable among the Romans who thought it a greater Honour to wear the Civique-Crown bestowed on those who had saved any Citizens life then that which is called Muralis given to them who had first scaled the Walls of their Enemies or the naval Crown granted to such as had done some notable exploit at Sea hence Guiccardiâ— tells us there is no victory more beneficial or glorious then that which is obtained without hazarding the bloud and lives of the Souldiers when an Enemy hath entred upon a State he is sufficiently beaten and overcome with Glory and Honour if he be only wearied out and tyred so that he have but little mind to return a second time In fine the Title of victory and the Honour of a Battail doth not appertain to him who killeth most enemies or taketh most Prisoners but to him who obtains the end of his design Which made Don Alphonso King of Naples say When he was provoked by Monsieur d' Anjou to give him Battail That it was the part of a Captain to overcome and not to fight Philip de Valois fought a pitcht Battail with the English at Cressy but he was overcome King John confiding in his Forces chose rather to give the same English Battail near Poictiers then to vanquish them by famine and those other Incommodities which an Army undergoeth in a strange Country but he was taken and died a prisoner Charles the fifth following the advice of Fabius would never be drawn to hazard a Battail with them but deprived them of all provisions and by that means took all Guyenne over their heads and made himself Master of most of the Duke of Bretaigns Chief Citties Prosecution of the Subject THE English were hard put to it in the Marisb so that divers of them were taken prisoners and amongst others my Lord Mountjoy the Earle of Hollands Brother Gray Livetenant of the Artillery The General of the Horse thirty five Captains and Officers twelve Gentlemen and one hundred or sixscore Souldiers but they served for an object of the Kings Bounty and Clemency For hearing many of them were strip'd he caused them to be cloathed and shortly after causing the chief of them to be brought to him he paid down their ransomes to those who had taken them sent them on their words to the Queen of England Commanding de Meau to present them to her with this assurance that it was only for her sake he had given them their Freedoms nothing could be more noble and the Cardinal had no small share in it But it was an usage much different from that of the English towards the French whom they had taken in divers encounters For the English would not stick to deny them meat for money some of whom assured his Majesty that in case My Lord Mountjoy and some others had not been taken themselves had been starved to death He was by others informed that they had seen the English throw some Prisoners into the water whom they so tyed that they could not save themselves by swimming Indeed his Majesties Civil treatment of the English engaged the King of England to deal better with the French for presently after they were more courteously entertained and so returned into France Politick Observation IT is no little Glory to treat Prisoners of War with civility either by testifying a sence of compassion for the condition whereunto they are reduced or by doing them all the good Offices they might expect It as a mark of true generousness in a Prince and that which sets off his Glory and Clemency with Luster and Splendor the two best flowers in his Crown He ought to remember himself to be Gods Image here on Earth and that as nothing is more essential to God then Bounty so likewise his Glory can never appear more Illustrious them by conferring favours on them who are taken in fight by the Chance of War It is reported that Cleomens being asked what a good King ought to do answered that he must do no good for his friends and all the mischief he could to his Enemies But Aristo answered him with much reason that it was much more commendable to do good not only to friends but even to Enemies For by that means a King makes himself beloved by all the World It is no small advantage to be esteemed merciful to the conquered Plato gives a good reason for it for saith he it doth encrease the Souldiers Courage for admitting their Enemies should take them yet they were obliged not to deal harshly with them Besides Prisoners do become so sencible of those kindneses which are heaped on them that they often are the Instruments of Peace Lewis the Eleventh found it so when as he kindly entertained the Sâ—igâ—eor
to caresse such strangers as at any time passed through his Court besides it passeth for a mark of Courage and Resolution whereas insolencie is only an Index of lowness and meanness of Spirit This courtesie ought to be accompanied with magnificence that it may be the more considerable for words and behaviour do lightly passe away if not followed by some other effects This magnifience consisteth in Treating them with splendor for that the good entertainment which is given them serveth no lesse to testifie the affection then the great and noble mind of him who maketh it Paulus Aemilius was very industrious in making all people welcome who came to visit him and being one day asked the reason of it he answered that there was as great prudence in the well disposal of a feast as in the Marshalling of an Army for the Battail for the one is to become terrible to ones Enemies and t'other agreeable to his friends Next he is bound to make them presents according to their qualities A little expence of this nature gives Princes a great reputation amongst strangers for they on whom it is bestowed are careful of preserving it in their families as a testimony of the Honour which they have received by such a head which they keep as Proofs of his magnificence and I should think it much better to cut off from any other expences then from this Agesilaus said That which appeared most Illustrious and glorious in all Kings was the doing good to divers persons the Ambassadors of Corinth refusing to receive Dionysius of Siracusa's Presents he seemed to be much offended at it and told them that this was one of the chief means which Kings had to make themselves glorious In fine who so wants liberality is never heartily served by his own nor honoured by strangers The Duke de Rohan despaireth of doing any good in Languedoc THE Duke of Rohan finding that his Majesty began to raise works about Rochel to take it prosecuted his designs with the more vigor in Languedoc that by making a Revolt he might if possible oblige his Majesty to it quite designs But the Duke had several misfortunes which crossed him and that in the beginning of the year at Montpellier was none of the least He had Commanded his Kinsman the Baron de Bretigni to come to this Town under pretence of a certain suit of Law in the Court of Aydes there but with design to surprise the Cittadell if possible it might be effected Bretagny set his engines on work so gain the Baron de Millay last Captain of the Regiment of Normandie and one of his old acquaintance unto his purpose He pretended himself very willing and ready to heaken to his propositions and to serve him in that particular design But in the mean while the Baron de Milay gave notice of it to the Marquis de Fossez who was very glad of this discovery and advised him not to loose the oportunity of getting advantages from his Majestie by this piece of service The Baron assured him by all protestations of his fidelity and zeal and in fine he got out all the designs of the Duke de Rohan by which he pretended to steer himself and he behaved himself in this affair with so much addresse that the Duke Imagined he had not a more faithful friend then the Baron was In this confidence the Duke advanced his Troops about the beginning of the year towards Montpellier giving out he intended to besiedg Corcown and about two or three at night came to execute his design But the Marquis de Fossez who had punctual Intelligence of all his designs made preparation to receive him according to his deserts He ordered every thing in the Cittadel that nothing could fall out amisse and then he hid in Ambush neer the Gate by which they were to march in the most choise Souldiers which he had he ordered one of his Souldiers to cut the Cord of the Port-Cullis when they were once got in that he might make sure of them and cut them off In this interim the Duke of Rohan sent one of his Captains to the Baron of Millay to be informed of the State of the place and to learn what order should be observed for their coming in The Baron shewed him all the City and every place adjoyning only excepting that where the Souldiers were hid The Captain fully informed and satisfied returns to the Duke gives him an accompt of what he had seen and concluded The Duke hereupon advanceth his Troops to the Counterscarp and Bretigny leading them on the Baron de Mellay forthwith opened the Port. Bretigny enters with fifty persons of quality and the Baron d' Aubes following of him with the second train of fifty more all which got in at the same dore Now he who was commanded to cut the Cord of the Port-Cullis did it sooner then he should have done which vexed the Marquis de Fossez to the very heart for had he let it alone but a little longer the Duke had lost at least four thousand men But however to punish those who had been so hardy as to enter the Souldiers in Ambush let fly at them and cut them all off thirty nine of them were Officers and of good quality and the Marquis Spinola being then at Rochel when the news came openly said that this blow was of greater concern to the Duke of Rohan then if he had lost two thousand Souldiers Neither was this all for the Marquis de Fessez made the great Guns be shot off at random upon those Troops which had not come in and the morning following there was good store of bloud to be seen in several places which made the Marquis conclude there were many more killed and wonded but that the Duke had caused them to be carried off with him Politique Observation NAture which hath given Arms to all Creatures to defend themselves hath bestowed on man understanding that by it he is able to protect himself from any dangers which threaten him which Arms are more to be esteemed then those of Force One of the greatest perfections of it is to deceive a publique Enemy and to repel Force by Force and Mines by Countermines Amongst other Inventions which it affordeth That of pretending as correspondence with an Enemy is not one of the least considerable as Zenophon saith It being certain that a pretended Intelligence with an Enemy and well mannaged doth often effect greater things then Force it self I shall add too That they are much more glorious and that the greatest reputation of a Chieftain is to break an Enemies strength by Plots and contrivances and to destroy him by his own designs It is indeed commendable to repulse an Enemy from an assault by valour and courage but much more to ruin an Enemies intents and purposes by designs in which the Souldiers lives are not endangered In Sparta he was much more esteemed who gained a victory by pollicy then he who carried
hundred foot whom he fell upon at unawares in a Village not far from the Town They were so fortunate that they did not onely bring Nismes to famine but Vsez Aletz Aduze and all the Sevennes having burned above fifty Villages with all the Corn then standing on the ground both old and new neither durst the Duke of Rohan once attempt to prevent it The Duke of Espernon did the like about Montauban and not long after the Duke de Vantadours Troops of Curassiers his Gardes and Carabines which were in garrison at Beaucair being commanded to march up towards Nâ—smes that they might draw out their Forces to fight with them went up and drove away all their Cattel in sight of the Town on purpose to invite them out they presently made their sally and were so resolutely charged that their horse was broken and the Dukes Forces broke quite thorough to the foot left threescore and seventeen dead upon the place and about fifty wounded After this blow the Rebels durst not appear any where their luck 's was so bad so that the Kings Army were Masters of the field The Prince finding his presence was no more usefull in those parts obtained leave of his Majesty to return to Berry Politique Observation HE who hath perswaded any Towns to revolt must not expect to keep them any long time unlesse he be Master of the Field his hopes of maintaining them in his own power will vanish and he will soon see them re-taken by his Soveraign before his face if once he be master of the Country For as there is not any place how weak soever which doth not hold out some small time especially if it be assisted so there is not any place how strong soever that can alwaies hold out it not releeved that is unlesse there be a sufficient power on foot to force him who is sate down before it to raise his siege or at least to send Forces and Ammunitions into it Places cannot defend themselves but must have men to do it for them neither can the men ever do it unlesse they have refreshments both of victuals munitions and Souldiers otherwise the troubles necessities and discommodities of a Siege will inforce them to surrender whether they will or no. It is evident that if the Soveraign be Master of the field then the revolted Towns can hardly be releeved or assisted because of his greater power to prevent and hinder it Those places I must confesse which are strong indeed seem to command and keep the Country in subjection but this power of theirs can be of no long date unlesse their fellow Rebels have a potent Army to assist them with Convoys both of Men Victuals and Munition The Tyrians were so insolent by reason their Town was so strongly built upon a Rock in the Sea that they mocked at Alexander when he besieged them and made a Bank about them to keep off any relief from comming unto them they asked of him if he designed to make himself greater then Neptune by that device of his to overcome the Sea his Souldiers they called Asses and beasts because they laboured without ceasing in carrying matterials towards the Bank but at last Alexander having reduced the neighbouring Country finished his works which he had projected and finally forced them to render at his mercy Which being so the best advice that can be given to a Soveraign for the preventing of a Revolt or the progress of it is forthwith to make himself master of the field and to fall upon them and their Towns without giving them leasure to increase their numbers or fortifie their Cities For shewing a resolution to force them by Arms if they submit not by fair means is a most powerful way to open the strongest gates whatever Maharbal General of Hannibals horse was not ignorant of this particular when his advice was forthwith to march up to the Gates to Rome after that famous Battel of Cannes telling him that there being hardly any forces at all neer or about the City he would infallibly in a little while become Master of that too Hannibal followed not his Councel but those who perswaded him to give his Souldiers breath but yet every one concluded he lost a most fair opportunity it having been a most easie thing in that conjuncture of time to have carried his victorious Troops to Rome and to have forced the Citizens to set open their Gates unto him Caesar never did so but when ever he found himself master of the field any where presently went on to the perfecting of his Conquest which he could not think compleat whilest there remained any thing undone or any small place untaken The Duke of Savoy enters into a League with the Governor of Milan to fall upon the States of the Duke de Nevers and Mantua WHilest his Majesty was thus ingaged before Rochel and in Languedoc the Duke of Savoy and Doâ—n Joncales de Cordona Governour of Milan seeing the Duke of Nevers had taken possession of the Dutchesse of Mantua and Montferrat made a League together The Articles imported that the Duke of Savoy should indeavour to make himself master of all the places in Montferrat excepting Casal Poâ—t Desture Nice Aqui and some other places and that the Marquesse de Montenigro should fall in upon the State of Mantoua and get what he could there The Emperour being wrought to it by the Spaniards commanded without regard had to the Duke of Nevers submissions which he had sent to him by the Arch-Bishop of Mantua that those Dutchies should be in sequestration until the claim of Prince Gastles who pretended himself heir to them were adjudged and determined and sent the Comte Jâ—an de Nassan in the quality of an Imperial Commissary to seize on them and there to fortifie himself that the King nor Princes of Italy might enter upon it In brief the Duke of Savoy having his Army ready upon the first news of Duke Vincents death seized upon Albe Sainct Damien Dian Trin Gabian and Motecalvo Don Joncales went with his Army to Casal where finding himself opposed he made himself Master of the adjacent places and the Marquesse de Montenigro invaded Mantua to get what advantages he could The Duke of Matnua hereupon dispatched one in all hast unto his Majesty for those succours which had been promised to him and in the mean time he himself had raised an Army of about twelve thousand foot and two thousand horse part he sent into Montferrat the rest he kept in Mantua and thereabouts to binder the Marquesse de Montiningro's progresse in the Mantuâ—â— The King being informed of these violent emotions permitted all Monsieur de Mantua's friends to go to his assistance and his Highnesse to ralse what Forces he thought fit in the Kingdome of France insomuch that shortly after the Marquesse de Beuuron carried with him store of French over the Mountains of Savoy who cast themselves into Cazal and so incouraged the inhabitants that Don
who doth not onely communicate part of its light and influence to the Stars to the end they might contribute to the generation and conservation of all things here below but doth likewise himself daily go round the world to co-operate with all particular causes and doth in some sence do all in every thing thus likewise a great Prince ought to watch whatever happens of importance in his Army to passe from Quarter to Quarter and to issue out all principal Orders from himself without relying on his Officers but in things of lesse consequence remembring the excellent Counsel which Salust gave Caesar when he told him that they who are advanced to an high degree of honour in a State are obliged to be much more vigilant and careful than others Who can expresse the advantage which happens to a King by being himself the Oracle of his Counsels who obligeth his Soldiers to observe his Orders as well by his example as command The example of a King needs not indeed any words of command for it insinuateth it self into their courages and animateth them with such resolution that it leads them to all enterprises how dangerous soever his courage is the fire which heats all his Soldiers and the least action which he shall do among them will more powerfully perswade them to fight then any words he can give them be they never so many or fair Was it not for this reason that Germanicus as Tacitus relateth used to open his Helmet in his Battels that he might make himself known to his Soldiers that the Kings of Persia went bare-headed and that Cyrus as Xenophon witnesseth would often call his Captains and Soldiers by their names and give them such Orders as himself saw fit and doth he not give a good reason for it where he saith that if a Physitian were to be blamed for not knowing the names of his medicines and the artificer for being ignorant of the use of his instruments a Prince deserves much more to be discommended if he knoweth not the names of his Officers and Soldiers the instruments of the glory which he acquireth in Armes The Prosecution of the History THe Duke of Savoy had great advantages in this fight the passages were of themselves very strait and uncouth that there was no great need of any forces to hinder their ascent a few persons are enough to stop them excepting against his Majesty whom all things obey he had placed for the defence of them the very choisest troops of his Army whereas those of his Majesty were newly come off from the disorders of a siege which had lasted above a year and had also suffered the hardships of a march near 200 leagues long during all which they had been fought by the rains snows and colds of a sharp winter But his Majesty knowing what mettle his presence infused into his Soldiers and seeing there was not a man amongst them who thought not himself happy in being exposed to all sorts of hazards he resolved that all those hardships should not divert him from acquiring fresh victories However knowing that it is Gods providence which doth contribute more then mans force to happy successes he would hear Masse before he engaged with the Enemy to recommend his enterprise to God then he came into the field with the Cardinal between 6 and 7 in the morning and gave order what troops should make the onset The Duke of Savoy had formed 3 Baracados before the passages the first a Quarter of a league from Chaumont near upon the borders between France and Savoy the 2 about a quarter of a league farther of and the 3 under the Fort de Gelasse scituated upon a rock at the foot of which they must of necessity passe at the mercy of the Cannons and musket All 3 were 12 foot thick and large 20 high the Ditch deep and 8 foot over to defend the Avenues He had likewise made between 25 and 30 Redoubts guarded by 2700 choise men Upon the first discovery of their scituation the victory was thought difficult but as there is nothing impossible to the King and the Cardinal they lead up their forces at the first peep of day The King had sent the Sieur de Comminges to the first Baracado to demand passage for the Marshals of his Majesties Army to the intent they might go to Suze as friends and under assurance of doing no hurt The Comte de VerruÌ„e appeared and demanded some time to acquaint the Duke of Savoy with it who was not then far off and told him that he did not come to demand it with any shew of peace but however they should be sure to guard their passages and that they had not now to do with the English The Sieur de Comminges replied he had not any order to wait and that he should shortly find the French knew as well to beat the Piedmontois as the English at the same instant it being no longer time to dally the Marshals de Crâ—quy and de Bassompierre assisted by the Sieurs d'Auriac the Commandeur de Valençay and de Thoiras Marshals of the Camp made ready for the fight Le Comte de Sault advanced with the forlorne hope being about six score next to them followed the Kings Muskettiers and the Regiment of the Guard the Duke de Langueville being in the head of the Voluntier Nobility The Dukes de la TrimouÌ„ille and de Halloin led up the files as also the Sieurs de Lyon Court de Breze and de S. Simon the troups being seconded by the Regiment of Suisses d'Estissac de Navarre who advanced upon the left wing The Comte d'Essault falling on with his Forces came up to the Barricado's defended by Marc Antiâ—io Belon one of Piedmont assaulted and forced them in the midst of a shower of musket shot which fell upon them The Enemies endured the first charge with great courage both parts being equally resolute so that the one defended themselves as gallantly as the others assaulted them till at last a party of the French foot opening one of the passages fell like lightning upon the Duke of Savoy's forces and Barricado's presently forced them and became Masters of the passage and also of Suze after they had slaine wounded and routed whatever resisted them Amongst those who were wounded the Comte de VerruÌ„e was observed to have a shot in his cheek and the Marquâ—sse de Vâ—lle General of the Horse had his shoulder broken by a musket shot There were 9 Colours taken which were without any great trouble presented to his Majesty because he was himself in that action and amongst diverse Prisoners there were 10 or 12 Captains Lieutenants and Ensigns Politique Observation A Generous mind is never dismaid at the fear of danger or if perchance it make any impression on him it is onely to oblige him to give necessary orders to overcome them It is enough that he know he must vanguish and that his duty obligeth him to make a virtue
a Deity They knew Heaven would be very severe in punishing those who violated it and they would not only be overwhelmed with Infamie but that it would be of ill consequence to the State considering how true it is that Justice and Fidelity are the two chief things which support the Thrones of all Kings Prosecution of the Subject I Cannot omit the great assistance which the Venetians did this year send unto the Duke of Mantua it being impossible for his Majesties whole Army to have been with him soon enough although some few Troops had already come to him The King had by his Ambassador negotiated those Succours with the Venetians upon the first discovery of the House of Austria's design Now the Venetians were the easier enclined to send these Succours it being their very great Interest to hinder the Spaniards growing power in Italy especially so neer them they having so often and so long had designs upon them Besides they well knew that they had at that present several good Towns and places which formerly belonged to the Dutchy of Milan but had been taken from it by their Common-wealth which peradventure the Spaniard might have a mind to recover from them In conclusion they send divers times Mony Victuals and some Troops unto the Duke of Mantua which did not a little help to preserve him Politique Observation THere is not any thing more dangerous then to suffer a potent Ambitious King to seize on a Neighbour Princes Country by violence seeing his conquest will only serve for a Bridge to the next Kingdome An Ambitious King is like a great River ever eating into it's Banks without regard had either to the Justice or Injustice of his designs When he hath once proposed his end he careth not by what means it is atchieved His chief care is how to make a party in his Neighbours Country how to raise a division which may open an entrance for his Ambitious designs He spareth no cost to corrupt their Officers and Ministers He is like some people in Affrick who sleep with their eyes alwayes open and as he believeth the greatest glory to consist in possessing the greatest empire so he imagineth the design of Command to be a just cause of War If his Forces be not strong enough he bloweth division amongst his Neighbours to make them revolt and maketh use of those who are credulous that he may subject their fellows to his Dominion He winks at Justice not that he may Judg with Equity but that he may not behold if possible the injustice of his own intentions In short there is not any thing which he will not do if it lead him to new conquests Which being thus who can be ignorant of the obligation which lyeth upon all Allyes to assist one another when any attempt is made upon any single Country amongst them The assistance which they lend is a security to their own States and in fighting for him they confirm their own quiet But above all they who are nearest bordering upon one another ought to be careful in this particular because they run a greater hazard When an Army is at our Gates it is little worth then to call upon a relief far from us for great Armies do not flye no they march but slowly and before they can arrive to assist us we are lost and taken He who being unable with his own strength to defend himself calleth in a friend far distant from him is like a sick person who being taken with a sodaine dangerous fit sendeth for an able Physitian to another place twenty miles distant and in the mean time before his Doctor arrives becomes incurable Antiquity hath furnished us with an admirable example of the thing in that of Sâ—gâ—nte which being besieged by the Carthaginians was taken before the relief from Rome could come up to it And of later times the City of Sienna being besieged by the Imperialists was in expectation of the French assistance but to little purpose they being at too great a distance to come up to them In such occasions those Countries neerest at hand are to be employed they being in reason bound to rise in their behalf and hereupon it is that Alliances and Leagues made with them are much more advantageous then any others whatever Prosecution of the History NOtwithstanding that the Treaty of Peace and the Renewing of Alliance between France and England had been concluded in April whilst his Majesty was at Suze yet the final confirmation of it was used to be done by oath and by extraordinary Ambassadors interchangeably sent which Ceremony had been put off until his Majesties return back to Paris from his Italian-Expedition and was now performed in September at Fontain-bleau whither the Lord Esmond came from the King of Britain for that purpose The King caused him to be entertained with very great honour as had been accustomed on such occasions particularly invited him to dine with him at his own Table that day when the Ceremony was celebrated The appointed hour being come he was conducted into the Church of Bourg magnificently prepared for that purpose where the King and all the Princes of the Court wayting on him hear'd Vespers At his entrance he saluted with great respect the King and Queens after which he took his place in a Scaffold made ready for him The King made the oath in his presence and swore upon the Holy Evangelists to observe and perform all the Conditions of the Treaty which he had signed The same oath was made at London the same day with no lesse Ceremony by the King of England in the presence of the Marquis de Chasteauneuf Extraordinary Ambassador there forth at purpose Politique Observation AS Sacraments render Actions the more venerable so have all people thought it fit to confirm their Treaties therewith that Princes might be obliged the more Religiously to observe them But in all times they have been as various as Nations That which was most universally observed was to drink in the same Glasse It is true those of Thracia and Aegypt did not use the same Cup but the same Ox-horn The Jewes used to kill certain Beasts and divide their entrailes The Caldeans passed through certain Flames holding a Sword in their hand to confirm their oaths But the Ceremonies of the Arabians seem to me more extraordinary then all the rest Some eminent Person of the Treaters placed himself in the midd'st and beating his hand with a sharp stone drew bloud which was gather'd up with some part of their Cloths wherewith they besmeared seven other stones about which they stood invocating the names of Denis Vrania The Scythians mingled blond with Wine dipp'd their Arrows their Hatchet and Javelins in it with several Protestations of Fidelity and then drank it up causing the witnesses of their oath to do the same The Romans were accustomed to call their Great Priest who raised an Altar of Turf placed a Hog on it which he smit with a
with the Prince of Piedmont upon the Bridge of Beauvoisin there to determine what should be done designing that this interview should entertain them with specious hopes and so prevent their absolute breach with him and seizure on the Passages by force of Arms. The Cardinal very well knew there was nothing to be thought on but to be done that was to open the Passages and furnish the Markets as it had been resolved on so that after a full debate with himself what honour he was bound to render to this Prince being the Kings Brother-in-law he concluded that in going to confer with him who had falsified his word and intended nothing but to surprize him he should do an act quite contrary to the Kings Majesties Grandeur who had done him the honour to make him Lievtenant of his Army so that he absolutely declined this meeting as well knowing that the Duke of Savoy's design in it was to amuse and delay the Army in their march and by this means to disperse and bring them by little and little to nothing so the Cardinal advanced to Embrun not being willing to come near Suze lest in case the Army should want rest they should there meet with many inconveniences and eat out all their store of Provisions Politique Observation IT cannot be denied but that it is a basenesse in a General to go meet him who hath broke his word and who designs in his interview nothing more then the losse of his Army If he will needs go meet him let it be with his sword in his hand to chastise him for the injuries he hath done I am of the same opinion with the Grand Cosmo de Medicis who said a man may forgive his enemies their faults but its fit to punish the offences of such as call themselves our friends and under that notion betray us But if a King or he who represents his person do not desire satisfaction or to revenge the injuries which are offered unto them yet it would be ignominious to go meet and confer with a Prince who aims at nothing but his own interest and advantage This were to be defective both in the Rules of Prudence and Valour Besides those conferences of face to face between incensed Princes do rather increase their hatred then breed any hearty good will between them and of this Plutarch hath well adjudged upon that conference between Pompey and Lucullus And Tacitus in his Annales upon the meeting between Germanicus and Pison It 's true the place design'd by the Duke of Savoy was proper enough and such as hath been sometimes used between Princes and great Commanders who have chosen to meet upon Bridges in the middest of which Rails and Barriers have been set up to prevent any attempts of either party And thus Lewis the Eleventh met Edward King of England as Philip de Commines hath it upon the Bridge of Pequinis But the same Historian doth much dis-approve of such meetings between Princes in the midst of their discontents and esteemeth it more to the Purpose that they should refer the accommodation of such mis-understandings to their Officers and Ministers of State who have not resented any offence done to their private and particular persons The Duke of Savoy's Artifices discovered by the Cardinal of Richelieu BY this refusal of the Cardinal the Duke of Savoy concluded that all his designs were discovered and misdoubting that a just punishment would follow he had another trick to take to which was he granted the Passages and Marts but in such places as were accessible by none but Bears and if those were not approved of he promised others but with this reserved resolution that he would so long delay the furnishing the Army with Victuals and other necessaries that in effect it should not passe at all The Cardinal whose Soul fore-sees the Effects in their Causes guessing he would flie to such tricks and shifts gave advice of it to the King His Majesties Orders soon came which were to accept of no other ways then those usually called the military it being impossible to lodge the Troops in any of the other Passages but most facile for his Majesties enemies if they had but as much power as they had ill will both to impede their march and indeed totally to ruine them So the Cardinal utterly refused any other ways the difference now was concerning the Markets which the Duke indeavoured to retard with all his might and main that the Imperialists and Spaniards might have time enough to fortifie themselves in their Passages and places of Mantua and Montferrat and that he might force the Army to break up either by mutiny or famine The Duke gave out that theâ—e was no Corn in Savoy though it was well known there had been great quantities brought thither from Bresse Dauphine and Bourgogne and that which the King sent from Nice had been likewise already received He demanded a greater rate too for Provisions then had been agreed on which however the Cardinal submitted to that he might take away all occasions of excuses and paid down the advance money Notwithstanding all this there were fifteen days spun out in which he had not provided one loaf for the whole Army creating every day new difficulties and in conclusion would open no other Passage but that of Candâ—n which in Summer was good enough but at that present so full of Boggs and Quagmires that they could not be passed but with very great danger so that all his whole proceeding for some time was nothing but a continued imposture and cheat that he might render his promises made to the King of opening the Passages and providing Victuals for the Souldiers ineffectual and to no purpose Politique Observation IT s usual amongst Princes who would deny any thing to their Allies rather to pretend an Impossibility or at least a most extraordinary difficulty then point blank to refuse them it must be granted for a prudent put off when such excuses are not contradictory to any promises formerly made which if they be they rather serve to condemn them of injustice If any great or notable losse insue as the destruction of an Army or the breaking a design it renders them for enemies and administers a good reason of commencing a War upon the Authors without breaking any Treaty He being reputed the first breaker of the Peace who gives the first occasion by his unjust Combinations and Practises not he who first takes up Arms. As Procope the Armenian Embassadour suggested to Cosroes King of Persia when he advised him to take up Arms against Justinian Indeed he who would serve himself with such excuses had need be well assured that he is the stronger for admitting him to be the weaker the punishment of his falsenesse will be unavoidable there being no one thing so difficult as for a weak and low person to attempt and enterprise the deceiving and crafty undermining of others who are more able and want neither
him lies the friendship of the Princes of the blood it being most certain that a good intelligence and correspondence with them is as advantagious to the State as a breach with them is unfortunate and ominous And as their greatest inclination is to command so one cannot more oblige them then by giving them imployment But one ought to be well assured and carefull of their truth and fidelity and that the stedfastnesse of their minds be not to be shaken by the dangerous suggestions of such as are about them who are alwaies sure of endeavouring to render themselves agreeable that they may instil into them more Ambition then they ought to have and induce them to revolt with the Army and those powers which are intrusted under their command Isocrates did well advise Nicocles never to prefer those of his blood to imployments untill he was extreamly well assured of them for that the desire of rule doth so much the more charm the kindred of a Prince by how much they are neerer related unto him as T. Livy very well observeth Blood hath no tie so strong â—hich ambition doth not oftentimes break when it finds it self with Arms in its hand They ought to be so much the lesse intrusted by how much they have lesse true affection or friendship as Plutarch hath verified by many examples in the life of Demetrius If a King be obliged for any just reason to confide his Armies into the hands of any Prince of the Blond I imagine he must follow the Prudence of Tiberius who when he sent Germanicus to command his Army into Syria he recalled Creticus Syllanus from the Government of that Province who was an intimate friend to Germanicus fearing lest their intelligence and correspondence might lend a helping hand to advance him into the power of Soveraignty and placed in his room Cneus Piso whose violent humour would make him oppose any designs of his if they should be contrary to the duty of his Office In a word a King ought to such a person to associate some one whose valour and fidelity may be able to counterpoise or ballance any enterprizes which hee may attempt The King came to Lion then to Grenoble where the Cardinal came to meet him THe King passed by Dijon that he might there give such orders as we have already said and thence came to Lyon but rested there a very little while for the great desire he had to be at Grenoble where he had directed the Cardinal to meet him as soon as the Passages of Italy were open The Cardinal was passionately desirous to be neer his Majesty to pay him his usual services and to ease him of the care and trouble of his estate and his Majesty was no lesse impatient to see the Cardinal as he testified by his extraordinary care and caresses with which he honoured him at his arrival and which were proofs not onely of the affection but of the extream tenderness which he had for him Politique Observation THe Passion of Love produceth the same effects in the Souls of great Kings as it doth in those of private persons It is that which carrieth their minds so naturally towards those whom they honour with their favours that they take a singular delight to see them alwaies neer them Alexander could not be without the sight of Hephestion And it is most sure that the greatest successes which Princes have be it in War be it in Peace are but lame and do nothing neer so much affect their minds with joy if they have not neer them some persons with whom they use to discourse with freedom and familiarity And what greater satisfaction or content can there be to a Prince then the Prudence of a couragious and faithfull Minister who he assuredly knows to have no Passion so great as that which tends to his honour and glory What an honour is it to have neer him a person to whom his Majesty may lay open his bosome and intrust with his grandest secrets without the least suspicion or doubt of his fidelity What a great satisfaction and content is it to have by one so noble a Genius whose discourses disburthen his cares whose councels facilitate his greatest State-difficulties whose vigilance secures him from dangers and whose courage conducts him to a happy successe in all his enterprises The happy succeess of the Treaty of Peace by the Cardinal Mazarini between the King and Duke of Savoy THe King no sooner arrived at Grenoble but Mazarini was ready to make propositions of Peace to his Majesty The Duke who till then had been deaf to all overtures how reasonable soever as well as the Marquesse Spinola caused word to be sent to his Majesty that if his Majesty would be pleased to restore him Pignerol he would accord to any Articles which should seem just The King who desired nothing more then Peace provided it were honourable and advantagious to his Allies received the message with much joy and thought fit that the Marshal of Crequy the Sieur of Chasteauneus de Bullion and Bauttillier should assemble with the Cardinals Bagni and Mazarini to prepare such Articles as might be for the contentment of all parties however he would not be obliged to quit his design of prosecuting the War untill the Treaty was intirely concluded and resolved on for his Majesty knew of what importance the restitution of Pignerol was without which they did not so much as name or speak of any accomodation Politique Observation SEeing Peace when it is certain is to be preferred before a doubtful victory that being in the hand of a Prince but this subject to the Laws of Fortune it is not prudence to refuse it in Treaties said Hannibal to Scipio in T. Livy But Thucydides teacheth us in his History that a Prince who would treat with his Enemy should not cease to prosecute the War in such manner as if there were no hope of an agreement otherwayes great Inconveniences might follow adding Thus did the Lacedemonians when they treated a Peace with the Atbâ—nians and Peace is then soonest made when both sides appear in the field with their Swords in their hands and an equal power following them for if either hath the least advantage he will be the more peremptory and demand the harder conditions in his Treaties as Caesar hath observed in his History of civil Wars The taking of Chambery from the Duke of Savoy HOwever the King assembled his Counsel to take advice whether it were not propper to prosecute the Victories of his Army and to make himself Master of all Savoy and so secure himself more and more of the Passes Many offered to his Majesties consideration that the Duke of Savoy and Marques Spinola would never hearken to any Peace but by necessity and to regain Pignerol having until that time refused to do it but upon dishonorable terms for his Majesty That there was little reason to trust him as to that of the Duke of Mantua for whose
Luzern and Roche-Britant and in fine by that of the Cardinal led by the Marquis de Mony and Coeslin so that the skirmish became very hot and many Charges pass'd on both sides untill at last they fell to it with their Swords only so long that in conclusion the Comte de Ysembourg's horse having long sustained the French were repelled and falling in upon their own foot disordered them so that the French had the pursuit of t hem untill the night concluded the businesse and favoured the enemies retreit The Imperialists left four score Nobles forty prisoners their Convoy and two Cornets behind them which were presented unto the King by the Sieur de Chezelles Bautru After this dafeit the Marshal d' Estree looking more strictly into the siege found some things in disorder which he quickly rectified and brought all things into such method that the garrison was soon forced to surrender The Chapter were sensible of their Treason and acknowledge their lawfull Prince and thus the Town was taken by composition of which the Chevalier de Seneterre was made Governour This piece of service thus happily effected the conquest of those other places in the Spanish hands was not long in agitation the Arch-Bishop being restored to the possession of his States and Revenues by which he became sensible what a happinesse it was to injoy the protection of France which secured him from all those dangers fallen upon the rest of his neighbours Politique Observation AMongst the most heroick actions of Kings the defence of those who desire their protection is one which addeth very much to their glory and raiseth their power to an eminent greatnesse Nothing doth more liken them unto the Divinity then the defence of the weak and feeble and if in petty Princes it be a mark of weaknesse to follow the fortune of the Conquerour it cannot but be a sign of great power in a King not to deny those who sue for his protection The defending of them who request it is an act well beseeroing the Majesty of a King who as he ought not to admit any Rival in his Crown so ought he not to deny the communicating of his power unto them who flie unto him for refuge This is it which maketh a King Arbitrator of all his Neighbours affairs who gladly submit their differences unto the judgement of a Monarch who imployeth his power for the maintaining of Justice No one can be ignorant how this is it which rendreth them invincible it being most certain that who so lendeth a hand to help his friends in their necessities ingageth so many serveral defendors whenever his occsions shall require it To be able to subsist alone without the help of others is very honoursble for a King yet his glory will be imperfect if he do not imploy his power to redresse his oppressed Neighbours in their necessities Tyranny doth build its greatnesse on the usurpations of others rights whereas Justice foundeth her glory on the defending the oppressed And if a King may at any time send his forces abroad out of his own State it ought to be either in preservation of his Allies under his protection or in revenge of injuries offered unto him The Emperour endeavoureth at Rome to break the Kings Alliance with the Swede THe League between the Swede and France together with the Elector of Treves inclination made such an Alarum in the house of Austria now unable to divert the storm hanging over them that they resolved to have recourse unto Rome and there to represent the Churches grievances in such terms that they might receive the same advantages which the Spaniards heretofore did upon the like pretences The Cardinal Pasman was dispatched thither in order thereunto where being come he used is utmost endeavours to ingage the Pope in their affaris his Holinesse was press'd to make a Croisade for preservation of the German Catholicks for the suppressing of Heresie and establishing the Church in its former splendor There were divers calumnies published abroad against the Swedes the disasters of the Church and miseries of the Catholicks were aggravated unto excesse but not a word to be heard how that the Interests of the Church had not been in question but by their unjust supporting the ambitious designs of the Austrian family He indeavoured to perswade the Pope that the King of Sweden like another Attila had resolved to besiege Rome and force his Holinesse from his Seat but especially was he charged to declaim against the Alliance between the Swede and France and to solicite his Holiness to send a Legate or extraordinary Nuncio to break the knot as prejudicial to the Catholick church The Duke de Savelly his Imperial Majesties Embassadour and the Spanish Embassadour had order to second him Cardinal Borgia newly tied unto the Spanish party by the gift of the Arch-Bishoprick of Sevill did not only underhand indeavour to procure the suffrages of particular Cardinals but in the open consistory did violently exclaim in blaming the Pope for abandoning the House of Austria and in it the Church it self highly exalting the King of Spain's zeal for Religion and crying out against the cold rewarding his good intentions Now divers of the Consistory being unacquainted with the affairs of Germany and how the misfortunes befallen on some Catholique Princes was the only effect of their own faults were at first divided and the Spanish Partisans became so stout that his Hosinesse had just cause to dislike their proceedings But his Holinesse informing the Consistory with the true state of affairs made it appear unto the Cardinals that the War of Germany was a War of state not Religion and the matter was so manag'd that the house of Austria had no great cause to rejoyce The Popes answer to their party was that the Emperour had drawn upon himself those evils which he now indured that the men and monies wasted in the plundering of Italy the Sacking of Mantua and threatning of the Holy Sea would better have served to hinder the Swedes and put a stop to their conquests that the Remoustrances of his Legats and Nuntioes had been deluded Germany neglected the Swedes slighted Italy invaded and the Holy Sea forced to lay out it 's Treasure in the preservation of it self and St. Peters Patrimony that in fine his Government might possible be traduced not blamed that his indeavours already used and which he resolved to continue were capable enough to justifie his cares for the Churches good that he would willingly contribute the remainder of his power which was but small having consumed the Treasures of the Church in the War of Italy And lastly that he would gladly imploy any remedy which he should find expedient to destroy Heresie and preserve the Church and that he might unto this Temporal add a Spiritual remedy he proclaimed an universal Jubile exhorting all men to assist the Church of Germany with their Prayers The Deputies of Germany were but little comforted herewith but departed
one as powerfull as himself who may raise advantages by it and peradventure to his prejudice The Embassie and Negotiation of the Sieur de Feuquieres to the Queen of Swede and the renewing the treaty of Alliance between the two Crowns THe Cardinal representing unto the King how the affairs of Germany were no lesse considerable the those of Holland his Majesty resolved to provide accordingly and made choice of the Sieur de Feuquieres to negotiate those concerns with the Allies of this Crown The experience this Gentleman had acquired in other considerable imployments rendred him no lesse deserving of this then the addresse and dispatch which he shewed in proving those Orders which were delivered unto him and it was the more needfull to make use of such a man as he was in this German affair in regard it concerned the curbing in of the House of Austria's Ambition who were become very powerfull by usurping the Protestant Princes States who were feared by their neighbours and would have been a terrour to France it self could the have prosecuted their advantages His Orders were chiefly three the first was to testifie to Christina Queen of Swede daughter and heir to the late King in the person of the Chancellor Oxenstern and all the Princes of the League of Leipsic what care his Majesty took in their interest the Passion he had to see them restored who had been despoiled of their Estates and how ready he was by assisting them to afford them the means of securing their late victories The second was to re-unite them and confirm them in the resolution of prosecuting the designs of the League by a new Treaty of Alliance And the third was to take such course for the management of the Wars that their Armies might want nothing but might be alwaies ready for action The Princes had resolv'd about the end of the last year to hold a Diet a Hailbron upon Nekar to conclude upon the affairs of the War by a common consent and there it was where the foundation of all was to be layed The Sieur de Feuquieres took Post the fifth of February that he might the sooner get thither but the Cardinal knowing such like Assemblies are commonly full of confusion unlesse each of them in particular be predisposed to reason perswaded his Majesty to send him to the Courts of divers the chief among them the better to insinuate unto them how much it concern'd them to continue in Union He receiv'd Orders accordingly nor was it of small consideration because he could easilier dispose them one by one then in a multitude nor was he defective of comming with the first unto Hailbron to prevent those whom he had not yet seen and to confirm the others in their resolutions and being arrived the first care he took was to testifie the singular and constant affection which his Majesty had for the common good and to assure them that they should receive indubitable proofs of it upon any fair occasion The next thing he did was to illustrate what great assistances his Majesty had contributed to their part what monies he had sent to the Crown of Swede and the Hollanders the strong diversions he had made in Italy in Lorrain and other places the great Armies he maintained in his Frontiers to assist them if occasion should require the great expences he had been at in sundry Embassies tending only to their advantage Having thus recollected things past to their memories he clearly represented unto them the present State of affairs how needfull it was that they should preserve their union and take good Order for the subsistance of their Armies This he did with such vigour and Prudence both to them in general and particular that he confirmed divers among them in the first designs of the League who were then wavering upon the King of Swede's death and inclining to make a Peace with the Emperour He was not ignorant that private interest is the most sensible part to touch a Prince on and therefore clearly evinced unto them that Peace being the only remedy which could cure the distempers of Germany and that his Peace being neither advantagious nor honourable if it did not restore liberty unto the Empire and the ejected Princes to their Estates there would be no means to obtain it but by their strict union which the Emperour not finding any means to break would in time despair of being able to support him against their power the far greater of the two whilest their confederacy lasted He had not much ado to confirm them in beleeving the House of Austria had long designed to render it self Mistris of all Germany they having too many pregnant proofs to be ignorant of that truth neither found he much difficulty to insinuate unto them that their union failing would weaken their party and give the Emperour a fair opportunity to seiz upon the Estates at his pleasure In fine the found themselves forc'd to confesse they had no other way left but to be firm and to strengthen their confederacy by a new Treaty This advice conduced much to the end of his design which having happily obtained he lost no more time but entred upon the new Alliance between the King and Kingdom of France on the one part and Christian Queen of Sweden and the Kingdom of Sweden on the other part which was concluded and signed by the Chancellour Oxenstern The first Article conteined the grounds of their Alliance which was for the defence of their common friends for the securing of the Ocean and Baltick Sea for the obtaining a lasting Peace in the Empire by which every one might be restored to his rights The rest imported that the Queen of Swede and her confederates should entertain 30000 foot and 6000 horse that the King should contribute every year a million of Livers towards the charge of the War that the confederates might raise Souldiers in one anothers Countries that Delinquents and Fugitives should be delivered to their Soveraign Lords to be by them punished that the Queen of Swede should permit the free exercise of the Catholick Religion in all places which she should take in the same manner as she found it that the Duxe of Baviers and the Princes of the Catholick League might be admitted into the Treaty of Neutrality if they pleased that all other States and Princes should be invited to be of their confederacy that there should not be any Treaties but by and with the consent of all the confederates that their confederacy should hold untill there were a Peace concluded which if broken by the enemies the confederates should again take up Arms to assist one another The first Treaty was the foundation of the Union of the German Princes who otherwise had soon accommodated themselves with the Emperour yet this was not all it was necessary to conclude another with all the Princes and Protestant States of high Germany to obtain which the Sieur de Feuquieres used his utmost