is so well pleas'd with Monsieur's Choice of M. de Verderonne for Chancellor of his Houshold well knowing his good Qualities that he has willingly granted him the Employment of Ordinary in his Council which His Highness requested him to add to it My Joy is greater then I can express as well for that the said Sieur de Verderonne has the Honour to be related to you as for his own particular Merit most earnestly requesting you to believe that I shall always be dispos'd to favour your Concerns with all the Affection that you can expect from him who is sincerely c. LETTER CLXX To the Duke of Chaunes WE have just now receiv'd the News that the Queen has left Compeigne and is retir'd to la Capelle I send you this word to the end you may not fail upon Receipt hereof to take Horse with all the Friends you can get together to the end you may be as near that place as is possible in order to hinder her from enterprizing upon any other to the prejudice of the King's Service His Majesty will speedily send a considerable Force to your Frontiers In the mean time give notice to all the Cities and bid 'em take care of their Preservation and be assur'd that you shall see us very suddenly I am c. LETTER CLXXI. To the Marquiss de Fossez THO' I know you have not as yet had time enough to take an exact view of the place where you are nor to observe what is wanting and necessary for its preservation nevertheless I cannot but I must earnestly entreat you to send me in General by the Return of this Bearer whom I have sent on purpose the Condition of the Garrison and Magazins as you found 'em to the end we may be satisfy'd I have such a confidence in your Affection your care and diligence that I no longer believe Nancy to be in any danger while you are there not doubting but that you will so well regulate all things that we shall no longer labour under those perplexities we have suffer'd for these three Months considering the danger of that place The little care that has been taken hitherto to preserve the Corn that was laid up there is the reason that the Magazins are almost empty but I hope that yours and the care of the Bishop of Nantes whom the King has sent into Lorrain and Barrois to buy Corn and send it thither will remedy this defect and that in a little time there will he as great Plenty in the City as there has been scarcity hitherto This is that which I request of yee as much as in me lies assuring you that there is nothing that I wish more passionately then to see Nancy and Metz so well stor'd that whatever Army the King may have in those Quarters this Summer there may be enough to spare Be pleas'd then to do your utmost and believe me to be for ever c. LETTER CLXXII To the same YOU may have heard by this time how Treves has been surpriz'd which makes me put Pen to Paper most earnestly to intreat you to beware by this Example of falling into the like misfortune and to that end that you keep so careful a watch over the Inhabitants of Nancy that they may not be able to accomplish any ill design To this purpose besides those you have already put out of the Town if you think there are any others whom you have good reason to suspect the King's service and the security of the place requires that you deal by them after the same manner it being certain that 't is more easie to obviate the designs of open Enemies without then to prevent the Machinations of Clandestin Conspirators within I believe it also no less necessary for you to make a new and exact search in all suspected Houses for conceal'd Arms and to take away such as you find thereby not only to prevent the Effect but the fear of any danger My assurance that you will do whatever may be expected from your Vigilance and Affection will not permit me to say any more but that I am c. LETTER CLXXIII To Cardinal Barberini I Write to your Eminency to let you know the satisfaction which Mazarine has given by his Journey to this Court where he behav'd himself in such a manner that the King was very much pleas'd with him I will say nothing to yee of his Address and dexterity in Negotiation but that he has testify'd so great a desire for Peace that he could not have shewn a greater and if the Imperialists and Spaniards tread the same steps that we on this side do I make no question but that in a little time we shall see all Italy in safe Tranquility which will be a great step toward the Repose of all Christendom I hope his Holiness will be as well satisfy'd to see so great a Work accomplish'd if it can be brought to perfection as I hope it will For my own part I should extreamly rejoyce at it and from this very hour it is no small consolation to me that the said Sieur Mazarin and all that have Negotiated on this side are clearly sensibly that the King has omitted nothing that could be desir'd for the promoting so great a good and that they who had the Honour to serve him have sincerely contributed all that could be expected from their Industry And I shall continue to do the same with the same passion that I am c. LETTER CLXXIV To the same THe King having done the president M. le Coignrux the Honour to recommend him to the Cardinalship as deeming him worthy of it I write you these Lines to assure yee that you cannot do an act of Kindness more gratefull to the King and to Monsieur then to make use of your Credit with his Holiness that so this affair may be terminated with the soonest For my own part I most earnestly entreat your Eminency to believe that your good will to the Person in whose behalf I write will lay an Eternal Obligation upon him who Honours your Eminency and desires all Opportunities to serve yee as being as much as man can be c. LETTER CLXXV To Cardinal Bentivoglio MOnsieur Le Coigneux being recommended by the King to the Dignity of Cardinal as well in respect to Monsieur as in Consideration of his own Merit I write you these lines beseeching yee to make use of your Power with his Holiness so that his Majesty and Monsieur may with the soonest receive that satisfaction which they promise to themselves Besides the thanks they will repay you and the strict Obligation you will lay upon him in whose behalf I write I dare assure yee that I shall take so great a share in it that there shall no Opportunity present it self of manifesting my acknowledgment wherein you shall not find by the Effects that I am most sincerely c. LETTER CLXXVI To Cardinal Barberini THE King having within these
have for the Good of Christendom If the Legate makes any other Overtures that may be embrac'd without hurting the Reputation and Interests of his Majesty both he and those that have the Honour to be of his Council will be extremely glad to give all imaginable content to his Holiness and him I am SIR Your most Affectionate Brother RICHELIEU Fountainbleau June 21 1625. LETTER XI To the King upon his Promotion to the Dignity of Cardinal 1622. Out of Monsieur du Puy's Cabinet MS. 569. SIR AS God showers down his Blessings upon his Creatures not to receive any thing from them since of himself he possesses all but only to render them more happy and more capable to accomplish his Will so your Majesty who is a lively Image of the Divinity will not think it strange if in thanking you for the Honour to which your Goodness has rais'd me I can do nothing else but profess an entire and religious Obedience to your Commands and assure you that I wou'd rather choose not to live at all than fail to employ my Life and Dignity which I owe to your Majesty's Bounty as I do every thing I possess perpetually in your Service I beg of Heaven that it will permit me to be so happy in this Design that my Actions may signalize me much more than the Purple with which you have been pleas'd to Honour me Then SIR and not till then the Satisfaction I begin now to receive will become perfect for the only Passion I have in the World is by all imaginable Demonstrations to convince you that I am SIR Your Majesty's most humble most obliged and most obedient Subject and Servant RICHELIEU Lyons Sept. 23 1622. LETTER XII To the King SIR I Am sensible that as a Subject cannot without a Crime become troublesome to his Prince by making importunate Demands so he ought not to refuse the Effects of his Liberality Tho' I have hitherto preserved my self from the first of these Inconveniences yet to my great regret I find my self constrain'd to fall into the latter humbly imploring your Majesty not to be offended that I cannot accept of the two Abbies which you have been pleas'd to bestow upon me If I presum'd to make this Supplication without Cause I confess it wou'd be very criminal but since 't is grounded upon Reason I 'm persuaded you 'll approve of it Your Majesty knows that both these places are become vacant by the Death of the Grand Prior. Now as I was a Member of your Council when the Interests of your State oblig'd you to cause his Person to be apprehended I shou'd act directly contrary to my Conscience if I shou'd raise to my self any Advantage by his Misfortune or share in his Spoils I have already receiv'd several Marks of your Majesty's Bounty and since you have upon this occasion declar'd your Inclinations of conferring others upon me I can assure you that I will never be so ill advis'd as to refuse them if your Service does not oblige me to the contrary as my own Sentiments do in this matter I conjure you SIR to accept of these Considerations and to rest satisfy'd that the only Interests I will cultivate during the whole Course of my Life shall be yours and the Honour that may be acquir'd by serving so great a Prince I am SIR Your Majesty's most humble most oblig'd and most obedient Subject and Servant RICHELIEU Siran Feb. 15 1629. LETTER XIII To the Queen upon the taking of Privas MADAM THat your Majesty might be fully inform'd of all the remarkable Occurrences that happen here I have dispatch'd this Bearer to you with all speed to acquaint you that five or six hundred Men who had retir'd into the Fort of Thoulon having surrender'd themselves at Discretion to his Majesty the King was resolv'd to have part of them hang'd another sent to the Gallies and the least guilty among them to be pardon'd But so it fell out that as the Guards were entring the above-mention'd Fort to prevent any Disorder some Hugonots more desperate than their Fellows and among the rest one Chambelan of Privas who had as long as he was able oppos'd their Surrendring at Discretion by representing to them That such People were generally hang'd for their pains and that it was better to die by Fire than by a Halter I 'll immediately said he having a Match in his Hand set Fire to the Powder And had no sooner said so but was as good as his Word The Fire destroy'd some of them and others in the Fright threw themselves from the Bastion on which they stood clearly out of the Fort which was encompassed with the whole Army for we were forc'd to block up the place before they wou'd surrender But the Soldiers imagining that they had blown up the Guards who it seems were upon a high Platform above this Bastion fell so outrageously upon these poor Men that leapt down that they kill'd above two hundred of them and that with such Fury and Disorder that several of the Army were slain there and some principal Officers had much ado to save themselves Dr. Mullot fancied he shou'd have been dispatch'd thither as a Minister but at present is more vexed at the Quality that has been given him than at the Danger he underwent It looks as if it were a particular Judgment of God upon this City which has been always the Seat of Heresie in these Quarters At first it was not resolv'd to abandon it to Pillage but at Night its Fate was decreed so the Gates were left open for the Soldiers to march in and plunder it All Endeavours were us'd to save it from being burnt but in vain for not one House is left standing in the Town but all bury'd in Ashes Nothing was omitted that might serve to preserve those that were retir'd into the Fort of Toulon from the Fury of the Soldiers but they were constrain'd to expose themselves to it leaping down from their Fortifications and giving the Soldiers an occasion to exercise their Rage upon them with Fire with which some desperate Fellows among them thought to have burnt themselves with the King's People Heaven was so kind to me that I did not behold this cruel Scene for the small Fatigue I had undergone for about seven or eight Days during the Siege constrain'd me to keep my Bed that very Day on which these Wretches were us'd in this manner This involuntary Rigour which befel this City and the Clemency that his Majesty has shew'd towards those places that surrendred freely will convince the rest how much they are oblig'd in Interest to make their Peace in time and not stay till they are constrain'd to return to their Duty And indeed in these Parts four or five small Cities but well fortify'd have already surrendred viz. Bastide Vagnac la Tour de Salvas and Baulines Chabrille is to wait upon the King to Morrow and yield up to him all the small Castles of
of defence We know the reasons that the Governour will alledge in his own Justification but he has utterly forfeited the Expectation which the World had conceiv'd of him As this is but a very small place and of little importance the loss of it is not considerable Therefore let not this Matter give you any Pain at all for I can assure you that the Forces we have in these parts are more than sufficient not only to hinder our Enemies from doing us any mischief but likewise to take our Revenge upon them if a fit Opportunity presents it self The King will not change his Designs of making the Army of the Franche-Comté act in these Quarters but not yours or that of the Duke of Weymar pursuant to the first Resolutions that were taken in these Matters Only perhaps a thousand Horse may be order'd to come from the Army in Burgundy into Picardy as soon as Dole is taken that we may be in a better condition to oppose the Enemy whose greatest Efforts seems to be upon the Frontiers of Picardy I cannot conclude this Letter without testifying to you once more my great regret for Monsieur Hebron I am likewise sorry to hear that Monsieur de Turenne is wounded Pray assure him of the continuance of my Affection and as for your own particular rest satisfy'd that no Man esteems you more or is more really than my self My Lord Your c. Charonne July 20 1636. LETTER LIV. To the Cardinal de la Valette My Lord I Have receiv'd your Letter which you were pleased to write to me upon the occasion of the taking of Saverne and have consider'd the Contents of it We shou'd be willing to put that place into the Hands of the Duke of Weymar to testifie the great Confidence we repose in him But certain it is that the Catholicks wou'd lay hold of such an Opportunity to raise great Clamours against us this place being the Seat of the Bishop of Strasburg whither the Catholicks have retir'd The Nuncio has already inquired very particularly how we design to dispose of it and his Holiness whom the Spaniards perpetually instigate against France as you know well enough wou'd carry himself wholly against us upon this occasion Pray give the Duke of Weymar to understand so much and to convince him how much we relie upon his Integrity and that no other reason in the World shou'd hinder the King from delivering the place up to him his Majesty is content if he desires it that you shou'd restore the Castle of Aubar to him and if he takes any other place in Alsatia or upon the Sarre which he thinks worthy of Consideration the King is well satisfy'd that it shou'd be consign'd over to him This My Lord is all that we have to say upon this Subject his Majesty referring the rest to your Prudence As for the rest when ever the Duke of Weymar thinks fit to make any stay in Alsatia the King is well enough content it shou'd be at Saverne provided he likes the place and will give Orders to those that he puts into the place to receive him with as much Honour and Deference as if the aforesaid place were absolutely in his Hands You must remember to chuse a Governour for it of a different Temper from the Wretch that had it last that if it happens to be attack'd he may follow the Example of those that defended and acquired it with so great Trouble and Expence since poor Colonel Hebron died there It belongs to your Discretion to consider whether you cannot re-inforce the Grand Provost with some Troops in Lorrain to make opposition against the Enemy that is there which is conformable to a Design I have seen in a Letter of the Duke of Weymar by approaching near the Sarre To conclude the King gives you full power to attempt whatever you shall judge worth the while As it is of the last importance that Saverne be fortify'd strongly I am persuaded you will take particular care about it When you were here I often heard you discoursing of how great Consequence it wou'd be if you cou'd get good advanced Quarters this next Winter inconvenient to the Enemy and advantageous for your selves It will concern you in point of Prudence to consider of this in good time As far as we are able to judge of the Designs of Spain particularly by a Dispatch of a fresh Date that was surprized by Monsieur de Grammont their intention is to induce Galasse and the King of Hungary to make an Effort to enter France in August It concerns you and the Duke of Weymar to oppose this Attempt and frustrate the Execution of it If you cou'd possibly disengage your self from putting the Castle of Aubar into the hands of the Hugonots it wou'd be much better for us Besides I don't look upon it to be in the least necessary to the Duke of Weymar since Saverne is already comprehended in Alsatia which the King has quitted to him pursuant to the Articles of the Treaty between them and that in consideration of this his Majesty will command the Person whom you shall establish in it to acknowledge him as much as he can desire You are Master of so much Address that I am confident you can bring over the Duke to any Terms that you judge most advantageous for the King's Service for which reason I shall speak to you no more upon this Head assuring you that I am and always will be My Lord Your c. Chaliot July 23 1636. LETTER LV. To the Pope Out of Monsieur du Puy's Cabinet MS. 363. Most Holy Father I Don't address these Lines to you as being Privy-Counseller to the greatest of all those Princes that have the happiness to be under the Conduct of your Holiness but as a Cardinal of the Holy See zealous for the Interests of the Church and for every thing that concerns the Person and House of Beatitude Now what happen'd lately in relation to the Mareschal d'Estreés being of such a nature that it may draw very ill Consequences along with it I shou'd plainly be wanting to my Duty if I did not make my humble Supplications to you to employ your Prudence upon this Occasion As the Mareschal has done nothing but what the King commanded him to do if any of his Actions have been disagreeable to your Holiness you ought to complain of his Majesty and not of him However I persuade my self that your Goodness and Justice will induce you to acknowledge that it never was the intention of that great Prince to displease you in whatever has happen'd but rather to serve you and hinder those who formerly have executed their Designs against the Holy See from putting themselves in such a condition during his Reign as to give the World any just Apprehensions of their playing the same Game over again Your Holiness about two Years ago sent a Nuncio Extraordinary to France upon an occasion as contrary to the Interests
bad impression upon his mind I confess Madam That those who will be glad to advantage themselves by blemishing your Virtue strive to colour their Calumnies with so many circumstances that they have no foundation yet they have some false appearance in their malice and I should not be your Highness's Servant to that degree that I pretend to be if by my Obedience to what you are pleas'd to command to write to you what I think proper for your Service I did not tell you that the first and principal thing you ought to do in my Opinion is so to deport yourself that your Enemies may not be able to misinterpret any of your Actions It will be Madam a very easie thing and by that means you will prevent that at any time none do you any bad Office with the Duke of Savoy and this Proceeding will be no small help to the King in the Design which he has always had to assist you upon all Occasions This being done Madam as I do not at all doubt of it because it wholly depends upon you your Highness need be afraid of nothing let the Endeavours of your Enemies against you be never so powerful I am of your Highness's mind That the Designs of those who would blemish your Virtues by their railings have a further tendancy than at first sight they seem to have but I hope God will preserve your Husband longer than those Men and I can assure you that if ever Spain by any ones Instigation howsoever undertake any thing against him your Highness and the Children that it has pleas'd God to give you both that the King will protect you so powerfully that she shall receive nothing but shame by her Enterprize It is in this Madam that I am Oblig'd to serve you as I am in Duty bound assuring you that I should think it a great Honour to pass the Mountains once more to give you a Testimony of the Passion I always had for yours and the Duke of Savoy's Service who I am certain will be unmindful of nothing which may be expected from his good Conduct to invite his Majesty to give him his Protection and the other Effects of his Benevolence I will not conceal from your Highness that many have thought that the Retreat of Prince Thomas into the King of Spain's Dominions was concerted with him but I can assure you that the King never believ'd it neither did it enter into any of their thoughts who have the Honour to Serve him I do not at all doubt but that there will be a better Understanding betwixt his Majesty and your Highness's than ever It is that which I desire with all my heart and the means to make it appear that I am and ever will be c. LETTER CCLXV. To the Duke of Savoy SIR I Have receiv'd the Letter which your Highness was pleas'd to Write by Count Lumiane upon a Subject of which I have nothing to say but that I contributed something to Monsieur's return into this Kingdom as you esteem him I have done nothing in this but according to the King's Inclinations who is so well dispos'd to those who concern him that it is impossible to express it I give a thousand thanks to your Highness for the Testimonial you were pleas'd to give me upon this Subject beseeching you to believe that you shall be sensible by my Affection and Service upon all Occasions that I am c. LETTER CCLXVI. To the Same SIR IT would be a Crime in me to defer any longer to testifie my extraordinary satisfaction at the Glory which you have acquired by the Victory with which it pleas'd God to bless your Arms in those Parts I do not represent to you the King's sence of it because you may better discover it by a Letter which his Majesty has writ upon that Subject than I can express it in these Lines I will satisfie myself only to tell you that he promises himself that your Highness will so advantageously manage all Opportunities which you shall esteem Profitable for the common Cause that you will advance your Affairs to the highest Degree that may be expected from your Valour and Prudence together this Sir as to my particular I passionately desire both for his Majesty's and your own Reputation I am c. LETTER CCLXVII To the Dutchess of Savoy MADAM THE King making no distinction betwixt your Highness's and his own Servants commanded me to send to your Highness two Briefs of Marechax de Camp in his Army and two others of Pensions for the Count de Verrue and the Marquess de Ville that they may receive them by your hands I also send you by his Majesty's Order two blank Briefs for Pensions which you may fill up with their Names whom you judge most worthy and whom you know to be best affected to his Majesty and your Highness In this as in all other things you may see the esteem that the King has for your Person and the desire I have according to his Intentions to manifest to you what Zeal I have for what concerns the Advantage of your Highness to whom I am c. LETTER CCLXVIII To the Duke of Savoy SIR IT is needless to represent to your Highness the concerns I have for the mascarriage of the Siege of Valence and that which followed because you may easily conceive it both by my Passion for the welfare of the King 's and your Highness's Affairs and by the desire I always had to see his Majesty's Arms profiâ—er under your Conduct I will only tell you that the King is so well satisfy'd with your Proceedings in this Juncture and has such an entire Confidence in your Affection and Sincerity that nothing can be more His Majesty sends express Orders to Mareschal Crequi not only to have a deference for your Sentiments but entirely to follow your Intentions and Resolutions so I do not doubt but that things for the future being thus manag'd you will re-establish the Affairs of Italy as well as ever and by consequence your Prudence and Courage will produce Effects very advantageous for the common good I earnestly desire it Sir not only for the King's Service but for the particular Glory of your Highness I am c. LETTER CCLXIX To the Dutchess of Savoy MADAM IT is not necessary that I represent to your Highness my extream Satisfaction at the Advantage which the Arms commanded by the Duke of Savoy in Italy have gained over the Enemies in the last Battle which happened at the Post of Thesim because it will be easie for you to conceive it by the Passion I have and always will have for the King 's and your Highness's Service Neither do I take Pen in hand for this purpose but only to let you know the ineffable Joy his Majesty received thereby which proceeds not so much from the Reputation which this Action gives to his Affairs as from the Honour and the Glory which his Highness has
Particulars of what pass'd here 'T is your Duty to re-compose your Mind and reduce it to that Confidence which it behoves it to have and to give the King just Reason to repose the same Trust in you such as you your self could desire I can assure yee of his being absolutely dispos'd to it and that it wholly depends upon your Demeanour and therefore I make no question but you will demonstrate it to be such that your Friends who always bear a part in your Interests may receive that Satisfaction from it which they desire I beg of you that you would labour it on your side as much as I shall endeavour on mine to put a Value upon your worthy Actions Be pleas'd to assure your self of it and that I am c. LETTER CLVI To Mareschal de la Force IT is impossible for me to express it to yee how highly the King was pleas'd with the Tidings of the Taking la Mothe So much the more because as you may judge that Place is of no small Consideration in His Majesty's Hands and not a little beneficial to the Good of his Affairs He also in his Letter to you so particularly testifies his Satisfaction in your Care and Diligence to procure the Success of this Enterprize that it would be to no purpose to add any thing farther on this Subject And therefore it is not to that End I write these Lines but only to let you know as to my own particular my extraordinary Joy for this happy Success and for the Honour you have acquir'd by it As also to assure yee that I shall lose no Opportunity of letting His Majesty know the true Value of your Actions and Services as much as you can desire from a Person who esteems yee and who is really as I am c. LETTER CLVII To Mareschal de Crequi I Cannot but let you know by these Lines the Perplexity that I suffer by reason of the News which is brought me of what you labour under in those Parts where you are through the Malice and Artifices of some Persons dis-affected to the King's Service His Majesty whom I acquainted with it was no less concern'd then my self rightly judging that they who strive to blemish your Reputation are no Friends to the Prosperity of his Affairs I wrote what was fitting upon this Subject to M. de Hemâ—ry to the end he might prevent the ill Consequences of such Proceedings And I am assur'd that in this Particular he will do both what he ought to do and what you can desire In the mean time never fear lest any thing that may be said on this side to your Disadvantage can induce the King or his true Servants to lose the good Opinion they have of your Person or your Courage or lessen any thing of that Value which they put upon it For my part I beg yee to believe that being so well acquainted as I am with your Affection and Zeal for His Majesty's Service I shall put as high a Value upon 'em as you can desire seeing I am most assuredly c. LETTER CLVIII To Mareschal de Marillac I Have seen by the Letter which you wrote me the Condition of the Army in Champagnâ— and the Necessities to which they are reduc'd I am extreamly troubl'd at it as you may well believe I omit nothing that lies in my power to remedy this Inconvenience The King has thought it requisite upon M. de Boullay's Journey that the Keeper of the Seals and the Intendants should see what they can do to provide for your Necessities I have seen what you send me from Gâ—rmany Pray do me the Favour to continue your Intelligence and let me know what you hear of more Certainty If Wallenstein intends to enter France through Burgundy be pleas'd to have a quick Foot and a sure Eye to move as he advances for in that Case 't is for the Army in your Quarters to make head against him I have wrote to the Keeper of the Seals to make such Provision of Corn as you shall judge requisite As for the German you write to me about I could wish in case we have a War that the King could draw him into his Service with the Four Thousand Men which he promises to bring along with him and after that all others who would do the same For by depriving the Enemy of those of whose Service against us they make full Account we may be able to make the same use of them with Advantage against themselves The main Difficulty I meet with is Want of Money without which there is no dealing with Foreigners that will be exactly paid for their Levies LETTER CLIX. To the same I Receiv'd your Letter by your Gentleman We have receiv'd News from Germany altogether conformable to what you send us as to the Retreat of the Enemy from the Frontiers I hope France will receive no harm on that side As to what concerns M. de Lorraine I make no question that he bethinks himself of complying with the King's Desires so that he will follow the Counsels and Practice of his Predecessors The King has a Kindness for him and so has the Queen his Mother Monsieur also as you send us word would be glad to shew him Marks of his Affection For my part I shall contribute all that lies in my power to the good Correspondence which it behoves him to hold with Their Majesties I have always had an Honour and Esteem for him But this is not the first time that I have experimented to my Cost that Pretences are always taken to complain of those who serve the King in that Station wherein I am No Man knows better then your self whether M. de Lorraine have any hard Measure seeing it is under your Conduct that every thing has been done and is done at present The Keeper of the Seals knows better then any body what Injustice has been done him in the Council since every thing is done before him by the particular Knowledge he has of his Affairs As for the ill Offices which are done me at Paris in his behalf according to what you send me word I look upon 'em as I do on several others of the like nature as assured Marks of my Fidelity and of my Zeal for the King's Service I beseech yee however to put a stop to 'em as much as in you lies according as you meet with convenient Opportunities M. de Bouthillier has already return'd you an Answer in the King's Name in reference to the Employment of the German Lord which you wrote about which is the Reason that I say nothing more of it particularly I return no Answer to what you send me word That many who are about Monsieur's Person will not see the Vanity of their Opinions That I have no Desire that the Army of Champagne should be paid because that if they who are so possess'd would but open their Eyes they might upon better Grounds affirm that I was
Obedience without any Conditions but their Fidelity and his Majesty's Goodness And he is so well satisfied with their Service and Assistance at present that he promises to himself by their good Advice and Counsel together with that of those whom the late King had always imployed with Success in his most important Affairs and were removed by the Malice of that pernicious Man to reign by the Grace of the Almighty the inspirer of the Hearts of Kings and their Director to Justice and to his Glory in all Equity and Goodness over his Subjects in Peace and Amity with his Neighbours and in all Reverence towards the Holy See and his Beatitude on all occasions If our Holy Father enquires ' Why then his Majesty did not rather chuse the common Methods of Justice in punishing him for his notorious Crimes that he might serve as an Example to Posterity the said Archbishop is to answer That it was his Majesty's Intention so to do and that it was so ordered But that the Persons commanded to apprehend him perceiving that he was guarded and preparing to defend himself were obliged to have recourse to this Extremity for fear of missing an Opportunity of such consequence for his Majesty's Service who is an Enemy to Blood and to such extraordinary Proceedings tho' just on such occasions This Accident falling out the King took particular care to send an ample account thereof to the Queen his Mother whose Goodness and Favours he had too much abus'd She was soon sensible that His Majesty had been forc'd to it for no other consideration but the welfare of his Affairs for which she has always shew'd her self very affectionate since the Death of the late King her Lord cherish'd and cheerfully embrac'd every Occasion to promote the Good Honour and Advantage of the State to His Majesty's Satisfaction and Glory who was very desirous that according to her affection and experience in the affairs of his State she would have been pleas'd still to continue that Care and to ease and assist him with her assiduity and prudent Councils But she desired to be excused of so great a Burthen have Leave to remove from Court and the hurry of affairs to apply her self with more Freedom to the Service of God and a quiet Life So that the King preferring her Desire and Satisfaction to that of her Presence and the advantage of her assistance yielded tho with great regret to her Entreaties and reiterated Instances to retire causing his Guards to accompany her honourably with her own to the place which she her self had made choice of and desired for her abode and the King endeavours to alleviate the Trouble of her absence by frequent Messages and Visits to enquire after her Health This she answers with the like care and affection which is a Subject of great Joy and Comfort to all those who observe this Royal Correspondence and his Majesty's Filial Respect with that natural and reciprocal affection which the said Queen contributes towards it And this His Majesty is resolved to continue on all occasions more by real effects than by any outward formal appearances to acquit himself of his Duty and Obligations to her for the constant care she has had of his Royal Person and for the Welfare of his Kingdom As to the present Difference between the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy every body knows and particularly his Holiness to whom a particular account has been given from time to time of those Transactions the earnest Endeavours used by His Majesty at the very beginning to prevent the misfortunes and accidents which arise at present to His Majesty's great Sorrow who has not only represented the same to the Emperor King of Spain and the said Duke of Savoy and where-ever else it was necessary but has also sent three Embassies extraordinary at the Desire and Entreaty of the said King of Spain the second of which produced the Treaty of Ast not observed since by the said King and his Ministers employ'd in the Government of the Dutchy of Milan This obliged the Duke of Savoy again to provide for his Defence and Safety and his Majesty to â—enew his good Offices on both sides by the Sieur de Bethane to mediate and resume the said accommodation But the Treaty has been since removed into Spain without consulting the Marquis de Senescey his Majesty's Ambassador in ordinary there any wise about it or ever acquainting his Majesty with the Cause of this sudden removal and alteration notwithstanding he had been so zealous in promoting it at the earnest Entreaty of the said Catholick King without any prospect but that of the Publick Good However the King is not so much concerned at their Endeavours to deprive him of the Honour of the Agreement after his having taken the mediation thereof upon him at their Entreaty as he is to find that the said Negotiation has not succeeded to the satisfaction of the Parties neither does he any wise envy any body the honour and satisfaction thereof provided so good a Work be done no matter by whose means But he has a just cause of Displeasure and to complain that notwithstanding such good Offices and Demonstrations of Friendship made in all Candor and Sincerity for their common satisfaction the said King has all of a sudden unexpectedly and without acquainting his Majesty therewith attack'd the said Duke with open Force even besieging his chief Cities and Fortresses contrary to his often reiterated Promises and Assurances that it was his Desire to compose this Difference amicably and that he would attempt nothing to the disadvantage of the said Duke or of his Dominions This Proceeding has no less surprized his Majesty than enflamed his Courage and obliged him to take Resolutions which he all-along endeavoured to avoid by mildness and treaties his Honour and the Interest of France not permitting him to suffer the Duke of Savor's being opprest especially he not refusing to submit to reasonable Conditions when offered to him which on his part has not been done hitherto in which case he would be the first to blame his Highness and to compel him to condescend by force as he will always be against those that shall molest him or invade his Territories against Justice and Reason This His Majesty has declared to the said King's Ambassador residing at his Court and has caused the same to be represented to the King himself by his Minister in Spain That comparing the just Causes and reasons thereof with the perils and misfortunes that may arise and are to be expected from the sequel of such a resolution he might rather chuse a Treaty to compose all things amicably than to prosecute a Design attended with many Inconveniences very prejudicial to the general Peace and to the particular Repose of Italy that will be made the Theatre on which this bloody Tragedy will be acted to the disadvantage of the Princes and States thereof And besides the sensible Displeasure his
Holiness will receive thereby it will be difficult to avoid its proving fatal to the Church and Carholick Religion by the multitude of Strangers of divers Nations and Religions who are preparing to run to the Duke of Savoy's assistance as to a common Cause both out of Dread and Jealousie of the encreasing Power of Spain and for the Justice of the Cause itself as well as by the example of others The assistance of the States of the Vnited Provinces has already been implor'd who will be the readier to grant it because it is against the King of Spain their ancient Adversary whom they will be pleas'd to see imploy'd and weaken'd in his Territories in Italy The Protestant Princes of Germany seem inclined to favour the same Cause out of the same Considerations and will do it yet more powerfully when they find the War begun in earnest A vast number of Captains and Soldiers this Kingdom swarms with at present upon the disbanding of the Army will freely repair thither for Imployment besides the Forces both of Foot and Horse the King is sending towards the Frontiers to assist the said Duke from thence if it be necessary under Marshal de Lesdiguieres Command a Person whose Name and Reputation is sufficiently known a resolution His Majesty can never desist from without a blemish to his Faith and Honor which are both engag'd to protect and defend the Duke when attack'd he not refusing to submit to reasonable Conditions besides that it is the Interest of his whole Kingdom not to suffer the King of Spain to extend his Dominions so near his Frontiers all which he may prevent with ease at present without fear or danger at home where all his Subjects express their Fidelity and the Nobility invites him to it by their Obedience Nevertheless the World may easily imagin with what Trouble and Grief His Majesty finds himself reduc'd to take this resolution living as he hath hitherto done and is still desirous to live with theâ— his Father-in-law having on both sides such dear Pledges of their mutual and fraternal Affection But the consideration of the Interest of his state joyn'd with the publick and private reasons heretofore alledged oblige his Majesty to prefer them to those Tyes of Friendship not violated by his Majesty but by those who force him to take measures so contrary to his Inclination tho lawful in themselves and worthy of a most Christian King zealous of the publick Peace as well as of the Safety of his real Friends Moreover his Majesty looks upon this means as the most effectual to promote a good understanding between the Parties and to prevent their proceeding any further For his Arms shall never be imployed to disturb the Peace of Christendom but on the contrary to settle it to oppose those that would interrupt it and to maintain every one in his Right protesting before GOD and Man that this is his real Intention and that he only takes Arms by force and constraint and for his Honor to preserve the said peace and to protect his Friends as it appears by the good Offices and Endeavours heretofore used by him and still continued with Vigor in Spain and elsewhere and will be farther evinced by real Effects in this and all other occasions This the Archbishop is to represent to his Holiness and to Cardinal Borghese to make them sensible of the Consequences of such a Resolution and Breach his Majesties sincere Intention in this affair the Endeavours he has used and still continues to prevent it together with the powerful motives and reasons inducing him thereunto to the end that being mov'd by their Affection and usual Prudence in affairs of such weight and consequence either by persons sent on purpose or by other means suitable to the urgency of the danger they may endeavour to prevail with the said King to encline to a Peace which will be more honourable more useful to his affairs and without any comparison far more advantageous for the Public Good than a War the events of which are uncertain long and liable to produce Effects contrary to our expectation and projects That in case the said Duke of Savoy should refuse to submit to Reason and to what shall be thought just by their common Friends his Majesty as he has already declared will not only be against him but will joyn his Arms with the said Rings to compel the said Duke to it by force espousing no Party on this occasion but that of Justice His Majesty being of opinion that the most effectual way to compass the end he proposes was to obtain a suspension of Arms on both sides during which means might be thought on for a reconciliation he propos'd the same to the Spanish Ambassador who answer'd That he had no Power to do it but that he would write to the King his Master about it to whom his Majesty has likewise made the same Proposition by his Ambassador in ordinary residing at his Court and his Holiness would do well to second the said Suspension by his entreaty and recommendation in order to its being the sooner granted by the said King lest matters being once exasperated and one side getting some considerable advantage over the other this Remedy as all others tending to a Negotiation should prove the more difficult and the evil encrease to the prejudice of all and particularly of those who despise the means of an accommodation But it will be needless to compose the Quarrel between the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy unless that between the Republic of Venice and the Archduke Ferdinand be made up at the same time for whereas they are link'd by the Interest and Affection of the Parties the Public would profit but little by the one without the other And therefore his Majesty designs to put an end to both at once to remove all the Evils Italy is threatned with and it behoves his Holiness to be the more active and vigilant therein because some men presume to taâ—k at random about his Holiness's Inclination in this particular as if he were pleased with this occasion to resent some things that have pass'd of late years between his Beatitude and the said Venetians a thing we know to be very opposite to his Holiness's Wisdom and Piety and which nevertheless it imports him to provide against out of his Paternal Care to repel and dissipate such Impostures and Calumnies The said Archbishop is to manage those reasons dexterously to induce him the more to the desir'd effect and not to animate him by too rough a relation of the said reports The said Archbishop is to represent the same thing to the great Duke in his passage through Florence after having saluted and assur'd him of his Majesty's Good will knowing his affection for the Welfare and Friendship of those two Crowns as a person who had a great share in their conjunction in order to his using such means as he shall think most
Precedency of Cardinals in the King's Council collected by Cardinal de Richelieu MDCXXII From M. du Puy 's Study M.S. 478. THERE is no account to be given of the Treatment Cardinals receive in all other Kingdoms where Kings give them the Precedency before all others whatever But France having peculiar Laws to which it is reasonable to submit they pretend to no more there than what they have had for the time past and I am persuaded that the World will commend their Modesty if they consider that they freely suffer some diminution of the first rank they have had out of respect to the Blood of their Majestys In the Year 1467. at the Estates of Tours Cardinal Balue was seated on the King's Right Hand and Rene King of Sicilly Prince of the Blood on the left In 1493. du Tillet Reports That the King sitting in his Parliament the Cardinal of Lyons was seated immediately after the Dukes of Orleans and of Burgundy the King's Brothers and after him the Counts d' Angoulesme and de Montpencier Princes of the Blood The Possession of this Rank has been so clear that du Tillet says in express Terms that the Quality of a Cardinal is such that he preceeds all the Princes of the Blood after the second Person The first contest between the Princes of the Blood and the Cardinals happen'd under Charles the 9th not between a lay Prince of the Blood but between the Cardinal of Bourbon and the Cardinal of Lorrain The Cardinal of Lorrain was the most Ancient and was seated in the Council above the other without any Contestation They became Enemies and it was fear'd that the Princes of the House of Lorrain would become too great in the State Therefore in order to Temper and Humble the said House the precedence was given to the Cardinal of Bourbon after his having declar'd that he only pretended that Rank in the Council upon the account of the interest those of the Blood have in the State above others Since that time there have been disputes sometimes between the Princes of the Blood and the Cardinals in the Council But without the least Contradiction the Cardinals have always preceeded all others And it would be without the least ground or reason should any Constable or Chancelor pretend to dispute the said Rank with a Cardinal since they have ever been preceeded by Persons who do not dispute it with the Cardinals Du Tillet reports pag. 439. in a Sessions of Parliament That the Constable was seated after the Dukes of Guise d' Aumalle and Vaudemont In another Sessions under Henry the 2d after the Duke of Guise In another Sessions under the said Henry after the Dukes of Guise and Aumalle And yet in another after the Dukes of Guâ—se and of Nivernois He also says elsewhere in express words That the Prelates are after the Constables or Chancellors unless they are Princes or Cardinals Under Henry the 2d the Constable Anne de Montmorency was Favourite He did not love the Cardinal of Lorrain and yet he never thought of disputing his Rank Since the Cardinal of Lenoncourt has always been seated in the King's Council above the Lord Keeper officiating the place of Chancelor At the Declaration of the Queen's Regency in the Parliament held in the Monastery of the Augustin Fryars the Constable of Montmorency seated himself after the Cardinals of Joyeuse Sourdis and du Perron And no Constable or Chancellor ever had that thought except Monsieur de Sillery who imparting his Ambition to the Constable induc'd him to aspire to it All the Ancients of the Council remember to have seen Monsieur de Guise seated above Monsieur de Sillery and on the same side with him The Queen remembers to have seen the Cardinal of Joyeuse seated there and formerly the Cardinal of Sourdis She also remembers he complain'd to her one day that the Chancellor endeavudr'd to break up the Council to incroach that place The Expedient propos'd by the said Chancellor was That there should be one Side of the Dignities on which the Children of France the Princes of the Blood and other Princes Dukes and Peers should be seated consecutively And another Side of the Officers on which the Constable Chancellor Mareschals of France and other Officers should be plac'd And foreseeing that this would be look'd upon as a great Absurdity since by this Means he would be seated sometimes above the Children of France Princes of the Blood or Cardinals he propos'd the making a Declaration which setling the two Sides of Dignities and of Offices should at the same time express that the Second Place on the Side of the Dignities should be Nobler than the First Place on the Side of the Officers This Proposition destroys it self evidently seeing that not only Kings but even God himself cannot make the Vale of a Hill to be the Top thereof nor the Feet of a Man to be higher than his Head So that in reality whatever Subtlity was us'd the Chancellor had a mind to precede those who in Reason have always preceded him since the Second Person of the Right Side would not have been so nobly seated as the First on the Left This Design was openly to settle a perpetual Precedency in the King's Council by the Chancellor like unto that of the First President of the Parliament who has a certain fix'd Seat which he does not so much as yield to the Princes of the Blood This would be of very ill Consequence in the Council for several Reasons easily thought on No body can be ignorant of the End of this Pretension if they consider that the Jealousie of keeping this regulated Place has often induced the Chancellor His Majesty being absent from the Council to give the King 's own Place to qualify'd Persons which was never done before rather than quit his own Therefore the King has wisely condemn'd the said Pretension as being very prejudicial and given the First Place of his Council in which the Prince of Conde sits when he is there to the Cardinal de la Roch-foucaulâ— declaring that the said Prince coming the said Cardinal should remove to the other Side which is the Second Place And thus the Chancellor was absolutely depriv'd of the Advantage he expected by this Proposition which is the same that is continu'd at present contrary to the Judgment the King was pleas'd to give at that time Should any thing be alter'd about this Pretension at present it would be as unjust whatever Retrenchments were made as it was in the whole since it is evident by the Examples above-mention'd that the Cardinals have never yielded to any but the Princes of the Blood for the Reasons abovesaid which can only be of force in relation to them and consequently that next to them they ought to possess the first Places and of Course theirs in their Absence That the noblest Places have always been look'd upon to be those that are the first on the two Sides opposite to
expected of a Kingdom that will be oblig'd alone to sustain all the Efforts of the House of Austria that is of all Germany Spain Flanders and Italy To avoid these Inconveniencies it is necessary to resolve what is to be done taking as much Care not to engage in a Design manifestly impossible as not to undertake those that are possible because they are difficult Messieurs de la Force and de Chastillon's Armies must not be reckon'd to consist of upwards of 22000 Men for fear of being deceived The Mareschal de Breze's of 8000. The King including the Body commanded by St. Prcuil may have about 4000 Men Horse and Foot We are raising about 10000 Men for Recruits which are not to be depended upon for upwards of 6000. We have abundance of Warlike Ammunitions and Provisions and of all things necessary for a great Design The Enemies having put Men into several Garisons as it is represented cannot have upwards of 15000 Men in the Field The King desires the Generals of his Armies without shewing this Memoir to any body under pain of Treason to send him their Opinion speedily in Writing at the bottom thereof The Mareschal of Chastillon 's Answer to the said Memoir SInce His Majesty by the Advice of His Eminency is resolv'd to employ the remainder of this Campaign on some Design that may maintain his Credit with his Allies and be advantageous for his own Affairs as it is reasonable not to propose any thing the Success of which may be uncertain and bordering upon Impossibility as well as not to stop upon Difficulties which might hinder the undertaking of some Design worthy of the Reputation of his Arms. I find that the Opinion of the King's Council as well as ours fixes upon Hâ—sden which seems at present to be the only important Place proper to besiege by reason of the Conveniency for the Subsistence of the Army there the Convoys for the Provisions and Warlike Ammunitions being at small distance from each other without the Enemies being able to obstruct them in the least considering also that the quantity of Cannons Powder and Bullets lies ready almost upon the very Spot and adjacent Frontier-Towns which is a great Advantage for that Undertaking besides our being favour'd by the Woods and the River great Conveniences for a Seige We must also consider what is against us The Place in question is incomparably well fortify'd provided with Ordnance and all manner of Warlike Ammunitions and a Garison consisting of 2500 Men chosen out of the best Forces of the Netherlands Therefore I am of Opinion that this Siege cannot be undertaken with less than 15000 effective Foot and all the Horse in Mareschal de la Force's Army and that under my Command The Body commanded by St. Preuil and that which is with the King joining the Mareschal de la Force's Men and mine will supply the Loss of Men we have sustain'd either by Sickness or Deserters which have weaken'd us since we remov'd from St. Omers The Mareschal de la Force will acquaint His Majesty by Word of Mouth with the Number of Men both Horse and Foot under our Command By this means the Mareschal de Breze's Army will remain free to succour those that shall stand most in need of it according to the Resolution which the Commanders of the Enemies Armies may take when they find us engag'd in a long Siege In case they come up directly to us when the new Forces they expect are join'd with them the Body of Men commanded by Mareschal de Breze not being far from us joining our Army in case of need we shall be able to maintain the Siege against all the Forces that can fall upon us and to guard the Frontier of Picardy as far as it extends from Calais to Peronne But if the Enemies should attempt a Diversion at a greater distance drawing towards Guise or father towards the Frontier of Champagne I am of Opinion that it will be necessary to detach an Army sufficiently considerable to oppose the Designs of the Enemies In such a Case a Detachment might be made of half the Horse of the Mareschal de la Force's Army as well as of that under my Command to join with the Mareschal de Brezâ— which together with his Foot may compose an Army considerable enough to observe the Enemies Motions along the Frontier being favour'd by the chief Towns which will easily furnish him with all things necessary Thus the General who shall command that Army may easily hinder the Enemies from forming any considerable Siege or from entring into Champagne to make any considerable Spoil there Some Regiments of Foot that have been sent under the Conduct of Monsieur de Bellefonds may re-inforce the Army going into those Parts It seems to me by this means that all things may be provided for and the Siege propos'd carry'd on In which after the Circumvallation is made 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse effective must be employ'd and encamp'd within our Lines and Quarters We must make two different Approaches the Guard of each consisting of 1500 Men considering the Force of the Garison We daily find our Armies weaken'd by Distempers therefore we must be sure of the Arrival of the 6000 effective Men of the Recruits by the 15th or 20th of September to maintain the Army and keep it in the Field until the middle of November this Siege being likely to employ us till then Provided this be done I am of Opinion that this Design may be undertaken If His Majesty does me the Honour to employ me alone it or with such a Collegue as he shall think fit to chuse I will use my utmost Care Industry and Pains to perform it But as to answer for the Events which may happen by Accidents unforeseen I do not think that any General having the least Experience would undertake to command on such Conditions The King who is very skilful in our Trade and His Eminency who is very clear-sighted in all things will easily resolve with the Advice of those that are about His Majesty upon what is sit to be undertaken without losing Time and I will always boldly and faithfully execute whatever I am commanded Instructions for the Baron d' Oysonville THE King having receiv'd Notice of the Duke of Weymar's Death and being desirous to provide for all things relating to his Service and the Advantage of the common Cause upon an Accident so unexpected and of such Consequence His Majesty has thought fit to dispatch unto Count Guebriant Mareschal of his Camps and Armies commanding his Forces under the said Duke's Command a trusty Person well instructed with his Intentions on this Subject and to that end he has chosen the Baron d'Oysonville Captain of a Troop of Chevaux Leyers in his Sereice The said Oysonville is to repair with all speed to the said Count Guebriant and is to know that the chief End of his Journey is to fix and secure those Forces into His
same In the mean time the said Duke is to allow her by way of Pension 120000 Livres in French Money yearly And in order to make the said Payment effective it is agreed that the said Sum of 120000 Livres shall be taken Quarterly out of the Receipt of Bar and in case that should not suffise out of the Salt-Pits of Roziers and the Demesne of Nuncy And the said Summ is to be deposited into the hands of such a Person as shall be nominated by His Majesty to be deliver'd to the said Dutchess Nicolla of Lorrain The Contents above-written have been agreed upon between the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu for the King and the said Duke who promises to perform whatever is contain'd in the said Treaty with so much Fidelity and Steadiness that he consents besides what he leaves His Majesty by the same in order to remain inseparably united to the Crown that all the Remainder of his Territories which His Majesty does restore and is to restore after the Peace may devolve to the said Crown in case he does any wise deviate from the Tenour of this present Treaty Done at Paris March 9. 1641. Sign'd The Cardinal of Richlieu and Charles of Lorrain And Lower John le Molleur And Sign'd with the Small Seal of the Arms of the said Duke Charks of Lorrain Secret Articles pass'd between the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu and the Duke Charles of Lorrain to be of equal Force with the Treaty pass'd the same Day between them ALthough it be not said by the Treaty pass'd this Day between the Cardinal Duke of Richelleu for the King and the Duke of Lorrain that the Fortifications of the Cities of Nancy are to be ras'd before the said Cities are restor'd into the said Duke's Hands after the Peace nevertheless this present Article has been pass'd to justifie that His Majesty does not design to restore the said Cities to the said Duke until the Fortifications thereof are demolish'd and that notwithstanding the said Duke has made humble Supplication to His Majesty not to do it however he submits the Matter wholly to His Majesty to do therein as he shall think fit And whereas nothing but Time can absolutely restore the Confidence His Majesty did repose in the said Duke and which his Deportments towards him have made him lose it has been farther agreed That whenever the said Duke shall be absent from His Majesty or out of his Armies by his Order he is not to live at Luneville because it is too near Nancy and that whatever part of his Territories he shall make his Abode in he is to behave himself in such a manner that those who shall Command in the Places that are to remain in Propriety or as Pledges into His Majesty's Hands may have no Cause to conceive the least leasousies thereof It has also been agreed That the said Duke shall yearly furnish out of his Forests such Quantities of Wood as are necessary for the Fires of all the Corps du Guard of Nancy for His Majesty The Premises have been concluded between the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu for the King and the said Duke who promises to perform them with so much Fidelity that he consents besides what he yields by the Treaty pass'd this Day with His Majesty to remain for ever insepatably annex'd to the Crown that all the Remainder of his State which His Majesty does restore and is to restore unto him after the Peace shall devolve to the Crown in case he shall any wise swerve from the Tenour of these present Secret Articles Done at Paris March 29. 1641. Thus Signed The Cardinal Richelieu and Charles of Lorrain And Lower John le Molleur And Sign'd with the Small Seal of the Arms of the said Duke Charles of Lorrain The Act or Form of the Oath taken by the Duke Charles of Lorrain for the Observation of the abovesaid Treaty in His Majesty's Presence in the Chapel of the Castle of St. Germain en Laye THis present Tuesday being the 10th of April 1641. in the Presence of the most High most Excellent and most Puissant Prince Lewis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre being in the Chapel of his Castle and Royal House of St. Germain en Laye after the solemn Performance of His Majesty's Vespers We Charles by the Grace of God Duke of Lorrain Marquis Duke of Calabria Bar Gueldres c. having Assisted at the said Vespers have Taken the Oath of the Observation of the Treaty concluded between the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu Peer of France in His Majesty's Name and Us the 29th of March last past The Tenour of which Oath is as followeth WE Charles by the Grace of God Duke of Lorrain Marquis Duke of Calabria Bar Gueldre c. do Swear and Promise by the Faith and Word of a Prince upon the holy Gospels of God and the Canons of the Mass by Us Touch'd in order thereunto that We will Observe and Perform cause to be Observ'd and Perform'd fully and really and Bona fide all and every Points and Articles granted and mention'd in the Treaty cencluded and agreed upon the same day between the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu Peer of France in the Name of the most High most Excellent and most Puissant Prince Lewis by the Grace of God King of France and of Navarre and Us without ever swerving from the same directly or indirectly or suffering the same to be swerv'd from on Our side in any manner whatever And so help Us God In Witness whereof We have sign'd these Presents with Our own Hand and have caus'd Our Seal to be fix'd to the same in the Chapel of the Castle and Royal House of St. Germain en Laye this 19th of April 1641. WHich said Oath was taken in the Presence of the most High most Excellent and most Potent Princess Anne by the Grace of God Queen of France and Navarre Royal Consort to His said Majesty as also before the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu the Duke of Longueville the Duke of Chevreuse Our Cousin Monsieur Seguier Lord Chancellor of France the Dukes d'Usez and of Vandatour of Monbason and of la Force of Chastillon Mareschal of France of Cinq Mars Master of the Horse Boutillier Super-Intendent of the Finances Phellipeaux de la Vrilliere Boutillier de Chavigny and Sublet de Noyers Secretaries of State the Bishop of Meaux First Almoner to His Majesty holding the Book of the holy Gospels and Canon of the Mass on which We held Our Hands in the Presence of Belmont Sinri Count Ligneville and Berup Colonels of Our Forces In Witness whereof We have sign'd these Presents with Our Hand and have caus'd Our Seal to be affix'd to the same on the Year and Day above-written Thus Sign'd CHARLES And Lower Le Molleur And Seal'd with the Arms of the said Duke The Act of the Ratification made in the City of Bar by the Duke Charles of Lorrain of the Treaty above-written and of the Secret
Declaration of it after the Treaty desiring nothing more than to find the means to secure all the Garisons to the Duke of Savoy in such a manner as no Inconveniencies may arise thereby But that whereas Prince Thomas says he had rather die than make a Treaty by which his Honour might be wounded so likewise the King can no wise consent to have that Article put into the Treaty of the Surrender of Turin since it would look as if the said City were rather yielded to him on that Consideration than by the Force of his Arms. The Declaration the King will make on that Account is a sufficient Security to satisfie the Princes without being oblig'd to have Recourse to the Interposition of the Pope and of the Venetians Nevertheless the King may do an equivalent thing writing to His Holiness and to the Venetians that he engages for the Restauration of the said places on the Conditions above specify'd The King moreover condescends that the Pope and the Venetians should interpose in the said Treaty after its being made if they will engage to take Arms for the King in case the Princes of Savoy or one of them breaking their Word should return to the Spanish side Besides If they should require Nice to be put into the Cardinal's Hands for the space of six Months during which the said Interposition may be manag'd it shall be granted provided as soon as ever the Treaty is made they put Coni into the hands of the Dutchess of Savoy again and that Prince Thomas engages himself into the Party of France and comes actually to serve there upon the Account of the good Treatment that is offer'd to him and of all the Securities in writing he can desire from the King for the Performance thereof In case the said Prince says That before his coming into France he must contrive to get his Wife and Children out of Spain by Cunning it is another Blind to conceal his desire of remaining in the Interest of Spain In a word If the lawful Causes he has to quit the Spaniards cannot oblige him to do it openly one must be blind not to see that he persists in the Resolution to ruin his Nephew and that his Animosities against France because it is the only Power that can maintain him is unspeakable And if it be in his Nature to suffer his Nephew's Reign he has but too much cause to forsake the party of those that seek his ruin for the ill Treatments he has receiv'd from them and more than enough to side with France that will save him for the advantages they offer him This is all that can be said at this time to Count Harcourt Whereupon he is to take his Measures according to his Instruction of the 28th of May and this present Dispatch Giving a speedy Account of all Transactions he will receive an immediate Answer Instruction or Power to the Sieur de Ville May the 12th 1639. SUpposing the Repentance and the Satisfactions Duke Charles is willing to give the King and that he will sincerely join himself to his Interest and to that of France with all the Forces he can get as he has often given His Majesty Assurances that he would do by the said Sieur de Ville as well as by several others with all the freedom imaginable His Majesty through his innate Goodness may be inclin'd to one of the following Propositions Either to be contented with the Country of Barr and the Towns of La Motte and Marsal the County and Town of Clermont of Stenay and Jamets for ever in propriety with the Liberties of the said places and Nancy as a Pledge for Ten Years after the Peace after which time the said City is to be return'd to the said Duke all the Fortifications being first demolish'd Or if the said Duke had rather leave Nancy in propriety to the King for ever His Majesty will give him back the Country of Bar with the remainder of his Territories the Towns and places above-mention'd excepted And whereas notwithstanding the King 's putting the said Duke in possession of his Country again the same Differences they had together before the War and which Monsieur le Bret was employ'd about at that time are still to be decided with France His Majesty promises to adjust them so reasonably within six Months after the Agreement that the said Duke shall have reason to be satisfy'd In the next place Monsieur de Ville is to represent two things to the Duke of Lorrain as being most certain The First is That by a general Agreement the King will never yield to any Conditions so advantageous for the said Duke as those that are contain'd in the present Memorial the which he may the more easily conceive by reason that His Majesty will follow the same Method with all his Allies who are desirous to keep what they have conquer'd The Second That by 〈◊〉 particular Treaty His Majesty will never yield more to the said Duke Charles than what is above specify'd This requires a speedy Answer attended at the same time with Performances Safe-Conduct for the Duke Charles THE King being inform'd by the Sieur de la Grange-aux-Ormes of the great desire the Duke Charles of Lorrain has to put himself into His Majesty's Favour again he is willing to receive him into the same after having adjusted several Points that are to be agreed upon before-hand on that Subject To which end if the said Duke is willing to repair to some place about Langres to confer with such Persons as His Majesty shall think fit to appoint there he promises by the Faith and Word of a King that the said Duke may come thither tarry there and go back again with all manner of Safety whether any thing be concluded there with him or no together with all those he shall bring along with him In order whereunto His Majesty enjoins the Lieutenants-General of his Armies and Provinces Mareschals de Camp Colonels Chiefs and Leaders of his Soldiers whether French or Foreigners to let the said Duke and all those that shall come along with him going towards the said Town of Langres freely pass and repass going back again without the least Trouble Hindrance or Molestation Given at St. Menehoud the 14th of August 1693 Memorial to the Sieur de la Grange-aux-Ormes THE said la Grange having acquainted the King with the fresh Trouble the Duke Charles of Lorrain is in for being out of His Majesty's Favour and his Desire of being restor'd to the same again His Majesty is willing to permit the said Sieur de la Grange to go back to the said Duke Charles of Lorrain to assure him that if he be in the Condition and Disposition he has sent him word he will freely forget his Behaviour for the time past and receive him into his Favour again giving him all manner of Security from this very Moment to confer with the Lord Cardinal of Richelieu near Langres Done at