have made the Court of Spain tremble considering the Misfortunes that threatned the Kingdom being carry'd to Don Lewis de Haro never put so much as a Minutes stop to the Negotiation True it is that de Haro had a deep sense of it but Mazarin who had his Prospects redoubl'd his Importunities and hasten'd more then ever the Conclusion of the Treaty When the Kings of France had the Misfortune to make Alliances that were likely to prove fatal to 'em and which infallibly would have prov'd the Ruin of their Dominions what did they do to break ' em Witness the Conduct that Lewis XII observ'd upon the like Occasion He had concluded a Treaty of Confederacy with the Emperor Maximilian The second and third Article of which Treaty imported that the two Princes should engage themselves to ratify and confirm the Contract of Marriage concluded between Charles Duke of Luxemburgh Son of Arch-duke Philip and Madam Claudia of France the most Christian King's Daughter Lewis promis'd that in case he died without Issue Male that the Dutchies of Milan Genoa as also the Countries of Ast and Blois and all the other Lands and Signiories of his Demesnes should be deliver'd up after his Death and immediately after the Consummation of the Marriage of the Duke of Luxemburgh with Madam Claudia of France into the Hands of that Princess his Heiress to enjoy to Perpetuity upon condition that if she happen'd to have any Sisters she should allow 'em a Dowry in Mony proportionable to their Birth The Ministers of Lewis XII after they had seriously consider'd how disadvantagious this Marriage was to France and how powerful the House of Austria was like to grow set all their Engins at work to break it To which purpose by the King's consent there was an Assembly order'd to be summon'd which was held in the year 1506. at Plesses-Les-Tours where the King was present and by a knack of Policy as daring as well found out they order'd underhand a famous Doctor of the University of Paris to appear upon the Stage who came and made a Speech to the King beseeching him in the Name of all the States of France to match the Princess his Daughter with the Duke of Valois presumptive Heir of the Crown This Doctor with so much Eloquence set before the King the Misfortunes that suddenly threatned France if he suffer'd Madam Claudia to marry Charles of Austria or any other Foreign Prince that from that very moment the Match was brok'n off and by that manner of Proceeding Lewis XII disingag'd himself from his Word and Oath and the Treaty which was made in 1501. and confirm'd by another three Years after at Blois was declar'd null and void There 's no Question to be made but that Lewis the XII himself was the Person who order'd the Duke of Valois to be nominated to him by all the States of the Kingdom to the end that by that means he might bring himself off fairly from his Agreements with Maximilian and Philip his Son who had reckned upon the word of that Prince as upon a thing that was irrevocable This is an Example past all Contradiction besides a great number of others that might be found in History sufficient to justifie the Reasons which the Court of Spain had then has she minded her own Interests to have refus'd the Marriage of the Iufanta to Lewis XIV who was a Foreign Prince that they might have bestow'd her upon the Emperor's Son who was of the House of Austria and had demanded her at the same time However it were Mazarin in this particular acted the part of a great Politician and not to mention other Important Services which he did the French Monarch it may be said that tho' he had done nothing else during the whole course of his Ministry this alone was a thing that never ought to be forgot by France So that he made no scruple to write to Monsieur le Tellier immediately after the signing of the Treaty That there was great Reason to hope a long continuation of the Treaty in regard that both Parties were equally satisfy'd But that in his Opinion the King had reason to be more contented because that all the advantage was on his side And besides that there was also this farther Benefit that Don Lewis believing he had don his Business admirably well would never dream of laying hold upon Opportunities for the furture should they present themselves to repair the great Prejudices that Spain had receiv'd by the Conclusion of that Peace However had France stook to this Treaty how disadvantagious soever it was for Spain and had not transgress'd the Limits that were prescrib'd him we should not have now beheld all Eurpoe in Arms and the Princes of the August League unanimously resolv'd not to surcease the War till France has restor'd to every one what she has wrested from 'em since the Conclusion of that Treaty Her want of Faith and Sincerity not only transported her to declare her self the Irreconcileable Enemy of the House of Austria by vertue of those Rights which she pretends to claim as yielded up to her by vertue of that Peace but has openly invaded the Dominions of other Sovereigns of Europe and without any other Right and Title then the Challenges of her Ambition and Power she has run her self into those Excesses that now make her lookt upon with Detestation and Abhorrency We have shew'd ye the Fault never to be repair'd that the Court of Spain committed in consenting to the Marriage of the Infanta with Lewis XIV and to a Treaty of Peace so disadvantagious to her Interests Now let us see the fatal Event that attended 'em and begin with the Bounds that were prescrib'd to France by the Treaty which done we will examin the Conduct which she observ'd to extend those Limits as far as we see 'em now extended And lastly we shall conclude with representing to the Princes of the League the necessity of being inexorable to the Importunities of France for Peace unless extreamly to their Advantage Their Interest to keep inviolably united together and never to listen to the Proposals of France unless she makes Restitution of all that she has usurp'd since the Pyrenean Peace All the World knows that the main thing that obstructed the Pyrenean Treaty was the Accommodation of the Prince of Conde We shall not therefore trouble our selves to recite all the Particulars that pass'd in the great number of Conferences between the Ministers of the two Crowns upon this Subject as being otherwhere to be met with 'T is sufficient to say that Mazarin had the Honour of the Triumph and that he obtain'd of Don Lewis all that he could expect So true it is that the Right and Justice of a good Cause are not battry proof against the Artifices of a Crafty Minister and that Honesty and Sincerity frequently become the Cullies of wily Cunning. Don Lewis demanded that the Prince in consideration
of the Services which he had done Spain should be restor'd to the Governments and Employments which he possess'd before his disgrace and that the King should secure the Enjoyment of 'em to him and his Son the Duke of Enguien Mazarin who was the Prince's Irreconcileable Enemy neatly eluded all that Don Lewis could advance to support his Pret ensions and told him in a word that it would be a fruitless loss of Time to make many Disputes about a thing which the King his Master would never consent to That the Restoration of the Prince to his Governments and Employments was enough to open a wide Gate for Rebellion and to encourage the great Lords of France to take up Arms against their Sovereign and take part with her Enemies upon the least discontent Mazarin's unshaken Constancy in this Particular quite disarm'd Don Lewis and was the reason that at length he granted France the two Important Places of Avennes and Juliers to obtain the Prince's Restoration So that had not Mazarin bin afriad of some unlucky Disappointment as well on the King of Spain's part who might alter his Resolution and refuse his consent to the Infanta's Marriage as on the Christian Kings side who was become passionately in love with his Niece to whom he had made Promises of Marriage These Considerations I say made him press on the Negotiation or otherwise 't is most certain that Mazarin had also obtain'd the City of Cambray 'T is true that in the first Conferences Don Lewis had propos'd to the Cardinal to make an Exchange of Bethune and St. Venant for some other Places which he offer'd to give him upon condition he would consent to let 'em go Mazarin enlarg'd himself at first very cunningly upon the Difficulties of accepting an exchange of two such Posts so important and usefull to France however if Don Lewis would part with the City of Cambray together with Cambresis he hop'd he might be able to persuade the King not only to deliver up Bethune and St. Venant but also bergues and Bassee Don Lewis having consider'd with himself that the loss of Cambray would be a great disadvantage to Spain and that thereby the whole Low Countries would be expos'd to the Invasions of France upon the first Rupture return'd for Answer to the Cardinal that he would never consent to the exchange of a Fortress so considerable In the mean time Cardinal Mazarin being very well satisfi'd with Avennes and Juliers thought he had gain'd sufficient to make amends for his missing Cambray Which made him say one day as he was talking to M. de Lionne that if he could but persuade Spain to deliver up Juliers to the Duke of Newburgh t' would be a great satisfaction to him as being convinc'd that it would be more for the Honour of France then the winning of four good Towns So that he made no scruple of writing to the Duke of Orleans That he had not only got Avennes which his Royal Highness deem'd so important but also the Restitution of Juliers to the Duke of Newburgh with other Advantages which had cost the King no more then the Government of Burgundy for the Prince and the Employment of Grand Maistre for the Duke of Anguien his Son Avennes as all the World knows is a Place of Importance in the Low Countries within the Province of Hainault between the Sambre and the Meuse It bears the Title of an Earldom and lies not above four Leagues from Landrecy and as many from Maubeuge And this Town was in part the Boundary that was allotted to France on that side And by the yielding up of that City the particular Interests of the Prince of Chimai were sacrific'd to the Publick Now let us view the rest of the Boundaries By the XXXV Article of the Treaty it was concluded That the King of France should remain seiz'd of and effectually enjoy the following Places viz. Arras in the County of Artois Hesden Bapaume Bethune Lillier Lens in the County of St. Pol Terroane Renti as also all the other Bailliages and Castellan-ships of the said Artois except only Aire and St. Omer with their Appurtenances and Annexes By the XXXVI Article it was agreed That in the Province of Flanders the King of France should be possess'd of Graveline the Forts Philip Ecluse Hannuin Bourbourg and St. Venant By the XXXVII is was concluded That in the Province and County of Hainault the most Christian King should enjoy Landreci and Quesnoi By the XXXVIII Article it was likewise greed That the most Christian King should enjoy in the Dutchy of Luxemburgh the strong Holds of Thionville Montmedi and Damvilliers the Provostship of Ivoy Chavanci Chateau and the Provostship belonging to it the Town and Post of Marville seared upon a little River called Vexin which belong'd formerly in part to the Dukes of Luxemburgh and partly to those of Barr. By the XXXIX it was agreed That Marienburgh and Philippeville seated between the Sambre and the Meuse with their Appurtenances and Annexes should be allowed the most Christian King in exchange for la Bassee and Berg St. Winox and the Fort Royal of which the Catholick King was to remain in Possession by the XLIV Article it was covenanted That the Catholick King should re-enter into and enjoy the County of Charleroy By the XLV the King of Spain engag'd to restore to the most Christian King Rocroy Chatelet and Linchamp with their Dependences and Annexes By the XLVI Article it was agreed That the most Christian King should restore to the Catholick King the Cities and Places of Ypre Dixmude Oudenard Furnes with their Dependances c. These were the Boundaries prescrib'd to France in the Low Countries We shall now set down the Bounds that were assign'd her in Spain By the Negotiation began at Madrid in the Year 1656. upon which the present Treaty was grounded it was concluded That the Pyrenean Mountains which had anciently divided Spain from Gaul should also part the two Kingdoms at this day In pursuance of which the most Christian King was to remain in Possession of all the County of Viguery of Jurisdiction of Roussillon of the County and Jurisdiction of Conflans and of the Countries Cities Places Castles Burroughs Villages and other Places of which it consists It was also agreed That the County of Cerdaigne in the Principality of Catalonia should remain in the Hands of the most Catholick King By the XLIX the most Christian King engages to restore to the Catholick King the strong Holds and Ports of Roses Trinity Fort Capa de Quers la Seau d' Vrgel Toxen the Castle of Bastide the Towns and strong Holds of Baga Ripol and the County of Cerdaigne wherein are Belver Puicerda Carol and the Castle of Cerdaigne in the same condition as then it was 'T was also said That Part of Cerdaigne that lay in the Pyrenean Mountains on that side next France should remain to his most Christian Majesty as should be
regulated by Umpires on both sides The Boundaries allotted to France on Gernany side were Juliers the chief City of the Dutchy of the same Name which belong'd to the Duke of Newburg from whom it had bin â—aken by the Spaniards but restor'd to him again by the Treaty And so the Duke of Newburg being a Confederate with France that Place was at her Disposal and as such we shall look upon it as one of the Barriers that were assign'd her on that side As for Lorrain the most Catholick King consented by the LXII Article that it should be restor'd to her Lawful Sovereign upon condition that the Duke should demolish the Fortifications of Nanci never to be repair'd any more He consented also that the fore-mention'd Duke should be resettl'd in the Cities Places and Countries which he formerly possess'd depending upon the three Bishopricks of Metz Toul and Verdun except Moyenvic surrender'd to France by the Treaty of Munster in 1648. excepting also the County of Clermont and the Demesnes belonging to it and the Fortresses Provostships and Territories of Stenai Dun and Jamets with their Revenues which Places together with the Dutchy of Barr were to remain united to the Crown of France On Alsatia side it was agreed by the LXVII Article That his Catholick Majesty should by the Treaty renounce all Rights and Pretensions which he had or might have hereafter to the upper and lower Alsatia the Zuntgaâ— the County of Ferrette Brisac and its Depeâ—â— dencies as also to all the Countries Placer Rights and Claims that were surrenderd 〈◊〉 his most Christian Majesty by the Treaty 〈◊〉 Munster Octob. 4. 1648. to be united and in corporated into the Crown of France Hâ—â— Catholick Majesty approving by vertue 〈◊〉 the said Renunciation the Contents of the said Treaty In lieu of which Renunciation his most Christian Majesty engages to make just payment of the three Millions of Livers which he was oblig'd by the said Treaty to pay the Archdukes of Inspruch In the County of Burgundy it was concluded by the XLVIII Article That the most Christian King should restore to the Catholick King the Fortresses of St. Amour Bleterans Toux and their Dependences together with all the Fortifi'd Posts possess'd by the Arms oâ— his most Christian Majesty within the said County without reserving or detaining any thing to himself As to Italy it was covenanted by the XLVIII Article That the most Christian King should restore to the Catholick King the Fortresses of Valence upon the Po and Mortara with their Dependences On the part of Spain Vercueil was to be restor'd to the Duke of Savoy the King of France's Confederate For Brevity's sake we shall content out selves with allowing on Italy-side for the French Limits the Important Place of Pignerol which we may number among the Fortunate Acquisitions of the King of France during his Reign and wherein Negotiation and Artifice had a greater share then the pretended Claims which he has always boasted Such are the Cities of Dunkirk Casal and Strasburgh of which more at large in the sequel of our Discourse It will be sufficient at present to say That the most Christian King made himself Master of Pignerol by vertue of a particular Treaty made with the Duke of Savoy by which that Prince deliver'd to him that Fortress and had in recompence some certain Territories in Montferrat for which his Majesty promis'd to pay the Duke of Mantua the Sum of Fourteen Millions in Gold Thus France has kept in ever since And by means of that Fortress has secur'd her Frontiers on that side and has preserv'd a Passage open to fall into Piedmont and Savoy when she pleases and carry her Arms into the Heart of the Territories of the Italian Princes By the Surrender of that Place the Dukes of Savoy despoyl'd themselves of the ancient Liberty which they formerly enjoy'd and are become Salves and Victims to the most Christian King Thus in a few Words we have set down the Limits that were assign'd to France by the Pyrenean Treaty and as I may so say the most essential part of that famous Negotiation I might add to all these Advantages which tâ—â— most Christian King receiv'd the particular Interests of the Princes ally'd to Spain which Don Lewis sacrific'd with so much Imprudence and Cruelty only to improve and advance the Interests of the Prince of Conâ—â— which vex'd the Duke of Lorrain to the Soâ—â— to see himself despoyl'd of half his Territories by a Treaty Who thereupon arrivinâ—â— Post at the Place where the Conferences were held his Resentment transported him to that degree that he told Don Lewis to his Fact 'T was a shame to see with what Ingratitude the House of Austria repaid the great Services which he had done it for about eight anâ— twenty Years together That in short if 〈◊〉 must be so stripp'd of his Territories there reâ—â— main'd nothing more for him to do but to commit himself to Sea and wander on the Wave till Fortune found him out a Resting Place Mazarin whose aim it was to draw that Prince into a closure with France was over joy'd to see him under those Disturbances as well to mortifie him as to renew his vexation for not having laid hold of those Advantages which the most Christian King had formerly proposed to him would he have embrac'd her Interests and abandon'd the House of Austria And indeed France offer'd to restore the best part of Lorrain and all his Territories as also to lend him Forces in order to Besiege Clermont and Stenay in the peaceable Possession of which he should have remain'd To â—â—ve given him Mogenvic which was at his Majesties Disposal And besides all those great advantages the King promis'd to look upon â—â—m as a Prince to whom he should have been beholding for having assisted him at a time then the Civil Wars afflicted France But â—â—e Duke of Lorrain too much addicted t â—â—e House of Austria slighted all these Offers â—erswading himself that the King of France would make him pay dearly for 'em if he would accept ' em The Unfortunate Prince then finding that â—â—e had no time to lose because the Plenipotentiaries were just ready to Sign offer'd Mazarin as his last Remedy to perswade Don Lewis to allow France a considerable Thorowâ—are into Alsatia through Franche Conte with all the Towns and Cities that lay upon that Passage provided the King would release to him the Dutchy of Barr which was so inconsiderable a thing said he that he would give the Cardinal his Oath that it never yielded him 4000 Livers a Year But the two Plenipotentiaries met with so many difficulties to agree upon Expedients to the Duke 's Content that Mazarin carried it in this as he had done in all other things Besides that he was desirous to reserve for the King his Master the Honour of doing the Duke of Lorrain a Kindness as he had done in reference to the Prince of Conde to the
it will behove the Confederate Princes to make choice of able and faithful Plenipotentiaries Let 'em remember that if Mazarin had the Honour to carry away all the Advantages that France could expect from the Pyrenaean Negotiation Colbert Croissi was no less successful in that of Nimeguen And that both the one and the other of those Ministers were as cunning to improve their Interests as the t'other side were unwary and negligent in suffering themselves to be surpriz'd After the Pyrenaean Peace the first step that France made to the extending of her Limits into Germany was to take a fair occasion to despoil the Duke of Lorrain of his Territories And this that follows was the suggestion of her Crafty Ambition The King of France always made a cunning use of Marriages and we see but very few Negotiations wherein he has not affected to employ Women because they are really insinuating for that the Man must be very obdurate who can resist the effects of their Charms The King then proposed to the Duke believing that he would refuse him a Match between Prince Charles his Nephew and a Princess of France The Duke appear'd as could as Ice as having no mind to listen to the Proposal and in short refused to consent to it persuading himself that the Alliance would prove fatal to him and be the infallible Ruin of his Territories and his Nephew that was to succeed him France finding the first Hook would not take bethought her self of another Artifice She set a foot Suspitions Distrusts and Menaces Suspitions by representing to the Duke that Prince Nicholas Francis 〈◊〉 Brother and Prince Charles his Nephew betray'd him and held Intelligence with the Court of France tho' there were nothing so false Which done perceiving the Duke would not declare himself she rais'd her Tone a little higher and gave him to understand that if he continued obstinate in giving his consent to the Marriage she would seize upon his Territories and deliver 'em into ' the Hands of his Nephew The Duke who had had sufficient Experience all his Life time what France would do if she were not obey'd thought there was no way to recoil but that her unfortunate Destiny had plung'd him into an Abyss from Whence he should never be able to deliver himself but by the loss of what he had most dear and valuable in this World that is to say his Liberty and his Territories So that he resolv'd to strip himself of his Dutchies of Lorrain and Barr with their Dependences and Annexes in favour of France to the end that she should enjoy 'em after his Death with all the Rights and Priviledges of Soveraignty and that they should for ever be united and incorporated into the Demeans of the Crown only that he should enjoy 'em during his Life But the Duke of Lorrain who had shew'd so much Constancy at other times when France sought his Destruction now imprudently fell into the Springes which she set for him Which made the Politicians say That he had more Folly then Judgment in his Conduct If we consider one Circumstance that happen'd the very day that he surrender'd his Territories to France and which is very remarkable it must be agreed that the Duke had in a manner lost his Senses For you must know That this same Prince being lockt up in a Chamber where he was left all alone for a while and afterwards told That he must never think to be let out again till he had renounc'd his Territories The Duke who found himself to be a Prisoner resolved at length to purchase his Liberty at the expence of all his Signiories To which purpose he took the Pen Ink and Paper that was left him upon the Table and drew up in Writing a Draught of the Resignation of his Dutchies to France After he had finish'd the Draught he fill'd the Margin of Resignation with a great number of little Birds which he drew with his Pen and sent the whole to be deliver'd to his Majesty who could not forbear Laughing to see such an Aviary in Paper An undeniable Proof that the Duke knew not what he did These were the first Fruits which France reaped from the Pyrenean Peace and the effect of the LXVII and LXIX Articles Mazarin took care to insert into the Articles of the Treaty and which he needs would undertake to dictate himself By the first it was agreed That neither Duke Charles nor any Prince of his House should continue in Arms but should be oblig'd to disband his Forces upon the Publication of the Peace The second Article confirm'd That the Duke should allow a free Thorough-fare for his Majesties Armies to march into Alsatia to Brisac or Philipsburgh when ever the King should demand it Observe the depth of the Artifice France consents the Lorrain should be restor'd to her Lawful Sovereign but she reserves Passages and Thorough-fares to return thither when she pleases She consents That a Sovereign Prince shall enjoy his Liberty for the future but first he must lay down his Arms secondly he must demolish the Fortifications of his strong Holds and France must have the keeping of the Keys of his Dominions to the end that when she has a mind to make her self Mistress of 'em she may do it without meeting any Resistance Thus you see the Bounds of the French Monarchy enlarg'd of a sudden and extended into Germany by the addition of all the Territories of a Sovereign Prince without having any Right or Pretence to Invade 'em but because they lay convenient for her Tho' Advocate Talon spent all the Reason and Argument he had to the last drop to prove the contrary in a full Parliament asserting That Lorrain had always depended upon the Crown of France and consequently that 't was but just it should be re-united to the Crown The King of France considering the good luck that had attended him on Germany side turn'd all his Designs toward the Low Countries to see whether Fortune would present him with any favourable occasion to aggrandize himself and enlarge his Frontiers that way To that purpose he cast his Eyes upon Dunkirk with a Resolution to sacrifice Hecatombs so he might but get that Important Place out of the Hands of the English And indeed the strict Ties of Amity contracted with King Charles during his Exile had decoy'd that Unfortunate Prince into an Engagement not to refuse him any thing and knowing his weak side he made him an Offer underhand of four Millions and a fair Mistress over and above the Market-price Charms sufficiently powerful to engage him to make such a false Step as render'd and will for ever render both him and his Memory odious to Posterity But the Ambition of France stopt not here there was a necessity of giving it its full swinge the Revenues and Right of the Church must not be spar'd when the Aggrandisement of France was the main thing in dispute Her Bounds were still to narrow for
as far as â—t was possible for her to do with Orders to â—her Forces to commit all the Ravages imaginable allowing no Bounds to her vast Designs then such as the opposition of a greater Force was able to prescribe her So soon as she had obtain'd her Ends and saw her Affairs in a thriving condition by the great Advantages which her victorious Arms had acquir'd she observ'd the same Conduct as she observes at this day that is to say she offer'd Propositions of Peace to the Confederates rather to disunite 'em then out of any Compassion to the Calamities of Europe as she gave out occasion'd by the most bloody and cruel War that ever was known Never was France more eager after Peace then at that time there was never a petty Prince or State that was comprehended in the League to whom she did not make advantagious Offers with a Design that if she could bring off any one they who last laid down their Arms should become Victims to her Resentment and their Territories and their Countries be abandon'd to the Plunder and Fury of his Souldiers I cannot here forbear to recite what the Marquiss of Louvois said one day to the King upon this occasion Sir said he if your Majesty can but once disunite the Princes of the League France will have reason to admire her Happinessâ— and to boast of never having concluded so advantageous a Peace To which purpose 't is requisite that she stoop to considerable Condescentions and that she offer to make Restitution of Places that may form a good Barrier in Flanders for which she may make her self amends by retaking 'em after the Conclusion of the Peace Charles V. having a design to enthral all Germany finding himself so far from succeeding in his Enterprises that he perceiv'd the liberty of the Princes which he endeavour'd to oppress gather Strength every day more then other and that their Union became more Potent resolv'd to make 'em very advantagious Proposals of Peace as likewise to Francis I. the most formidable of all his Enemies believing that if he consented once to an Accommodation he should easily compass the rest And this is the Course that Lewis the Great takes at this day However it were France having luckily attain'd her end after she found the knack of separating the Hollanders from their Confederates surceases her offering Peace to the rest but imposes the Law upon 'em and forces 'em to an Acceptance mangre their unwillingness So that Spain was constrain'd to resign Irrevocably and for ever Franche Conpte together with the Cities of Valencionnes Bouchain Conde Cambray Aires Sc. Omer Ipres Warâ—ic and Warnton upon the Lis Cassel Bovay Maubege with all their Signiores Appurtenances and Dependences France on the other side engages but with Mazarin's Mental Reservation to restore Charleroy Binch At h Oudenard and Countray which had been resign'd to her before the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle In like manner she restor'd the Dutchy of Limberg and the Country of Oultremouse together with the City and Citadel of Gaunt the City of Leuve in Brabant St. Ghilain in Hainault and the City of Puicerda in Catalonia Now look how much France advances in the Negotiation of the Peace at Nimeguen especially after she had found a way to satisfy the Hollanders and Spaniards whether to their content or no it matter'd not but more especially the foremost who were the principal Sinews of the League she raises her Tone a litter higher and never concerns her self with what the rest of the Confederates will do She knows what she had to do to bring 'em to her Bow So that the Emperor the Princes of the Empire and the Duke of Lorrain who are the last to be agreed with having nothing to do but to prepare for a new War if they obstinately stand out and refuse the Propositions that are made 'em Blows immediately follow Threats she marches her Forces into the Territories of those Princes and constrains 'em by the unheard of Ravages and Cruelties there committed to accept the severe Conditions which she offers 'em and so sells 'em their Peace at a dear rate After this manner the Treaty between France and Spain was concluded in 1678. and the Emperor was fain to comply the next Year Between whom and France it was agreed That his Imperial Majesty and the most Christian King should renew and confirm the Contents of the Treaty of Munster in 1648. except in some Points By this Treaty the most Christian King engages to resign and transfer to the Emperor and his Heirs and Successors the perpetual Right of Protection and Possession of the City of Philipsburgh which he possess'd by vertue of the Peace of Munster On the other side his Imperial Majesty in the name of the whole House of Austria and of the Empire promises to resign and transfer to his most Christian Majesty and his Successors the City and Cittadel of Friburgh with the three Villages depending upon it excepting the Diocesan Rights which were reserv'd to the Bishop and Church of Constance to which it belong'd Next to the Emperor the Elector of Brandenburgh was forc'd in his turn to obey France and to restore to Sweden all that he had won from that Crown so that the Elector finding himself the only innocent Victim of the Party whose Interests he had so â—enerously espous'd laid it so heinously to Heart as to vow That if he had bin so easie â—s to the time past to intermeddle with other Peoples Quarrels he would be so prudent for â—e future as to consider twice before he deâ—ar'd once What a Consolation it was to â—e most Christian King to see that all â—â—ings went to wrack on the Confederates â—de after the Hollanders had quitted that Union Therefore most Serene Princes may â—othing ever be so prevalent as to disunite â—our Confederacy for 't is by your united â—orce that you will obtain a lasting and â—urable Peace nor is there any other proâ—able Means to bring down the Pride of France As for Prince Charles of Lorrain it was â—greed by the XII Article That he should â—e restor'd to the Territories which Duke Charles his Uncle enjoy'd in 1670. at what â—ime France made her self Mistress of 'em â—pon condition that the City of Nanci and the Dependencies should belong to the King in Soveraignty And it was also agreed That besides the Thorough-fare which the deceased Duke had granted to his Majesty in 1667. Prince Charles should engage to allow him two more from Nanci to Metz and so unto Franche Conte In this manner France consents to the Restitution of Lorrain as she had done by the Pyrenean Peace but Colbert Croissi in imitation of Mazarin labours 〈◊〉 preserve a Thorough-fare and High Roaâ—â— for his Majesties Forces to the end that if 〈◊〉 Fancy should take him to seize upon thâ—â— Dukedom a third time he may always find 〈◊〉 open and ready to receive him Moreover the King engag'd by
of Spain's refusing immediately to satisfy her new Pretensions Lewis XIV lays Siege to Luxemburgh and in less then a Month makes him Master of that important Fortress the Key of all Germany After she had thus worry'd all Europe she bethought her self of citeing the Princes oâ— the Empire before Soveraign Courts and Tribunals erected at Mets and Brisac where French Commissioners being both Judges and Parties pronounc'd Sentences of Condemnation by vertue of certain Parchments gnaw'd by the Rats and soyl'd with Dust and Smoak to the end they might look old and consequently the more Authentick Which Writings being drawn by a Famous Advocate of Paris contain'd Claims and Pretensions of France to several States Signiories and Counties by vertue of Reunions and Dependencies of Lands which had been granted by the Treaties of Munster and Nimeguen But 't is to be observ'd that these Claims were so much the more Imaginary and Chimerical because it had been agreed by the Articles of the Treaties That France should renounce 'em Yet all those Renunciations were not able to put a stop to her She had always one Code or Digest at hand apart by themselves and when she had a fancy to despoil any Prince of his Territories or to seize upon any Lands that lay convenient for her she never fail'd of a Pretence Her Laws were like a Saddle for all Horses and she gave 'em what Interpretation she pleas'd So that 't is no wonder to see her Commenting upon all the Articles of the Treaties and wresting the Sense to her own Advantage Two Months after the taking of Luxemburgh France perceiving that that New Conquest had manifestly discover'd her Ambition and set the Low Countries and all Germany a Murmuring and very near incens'd 'em to a new War and disappoint her Designs which were still to be gaining at a cheap rate under the shadow of Peace bethought her self of one of the neatest knacks of Policy that ever she was guilty of She propos'd to the Emperor to Spain and the States General of the United Provinces a Truce of twenty Years and in regard her Armies were still marching at the same time that she makes her Demands that she may be able to make 'em good she order'd her Embassadors to let those Potentates understand That if they refus'd to consent to the advantagious Offers of a Truce to secure the Repose and Tranquility of Christendom she was resolv'd to declare open War against ' em Who would have thought but that France had then bin full of Sincerity and good Will To hear the Language of her Embassadors and Plenipotentiaries a Man would have sworn That the Truce would infallibly have prov'd more sacred and inviolable then the three preceding Treaties The Hollanders were the first that fell into the Snare in hopes to have enjoy'd a solid and durable Peace a Lure which France has all along dextrously made use of when ever she had a design to amuse the King of Spain who seeing himself the continual mark of that Ambitious Crown was willing to have secur'd his poor Countries from the Ravages to which they were expos'd and to deliver 'em from the Mischiefs they had suffer'd for almost thirty Years together And therefore for these Reasons they consented to a Truce for 20 Years The Emperor who was already engag'd in a War with the Ottoman Port whose prodigious Numbers made all Germany tremble found himself in a kind of Necessity to temporize with France for fear of drawing that powerful and dangerous Enemy upon his Shoulders and so submitted to the Truce after the Example of Holland and Spain And thus you see how the most Christian King obtain'd his Ends. For by this Treaty he secur'd his Conquests lull'd the Hollanders asleep and amus'd the Emperor and Princes of the Empire All these Potentates being so credulous as to fall into the Snare maugre the Experience they had so many times already had of his Infidelity What does Lewis the Great do after this He prepares to bring to an absolute Conclusion the Grand Work which his Ambition had set on foot and which he had bin labouring to bring about for above forty Years together I mean the Universal Monarchy To which purpose there was no Precaution which that Prince did not take He ally'd himself to the Ottoman Port he dispatch'd away Marshal d' Humiers to the Court of England and engages King James to side with him He purchases the Friendship of Poland and the Czars of Muscovy he proposes Offers to the Northern Crowns and the Princes of Italy he endeavours to gain the three Ecclesiastical Electors and to appoint Coadjutors that were devoted to his Interests He does all he can to carry Fustenburgh's Election he quarrels with the Court of Rome he revokes the Edict of Nants drives the Reformed out of his Kingdom makes strict Alliances with the King of Siam to ruin the Hollanders's Trade and bargains with the Switzers what he shall give 'em to sit still and look on We might here give a particular Accounâ— of the great Preparations of France to sprinâ— the Mines that were to make her Mistress oâ— all the strong Holds of Europe She reckon'd upon the Conquest of the Remainder of the Low Countries and Holland as a certain and infallible thing King James had given him a Promise of it and that Prince's word was Irrevocable Germany being at the same time attack'd by all the Forces of France and Turky must have sunk under the Burthen and have become the Prey of potent Enemies And at the same time likewise all the Dominions of the King of Spain were just ready to change their Master and to see themselves subdu'd under the French Monarchy which was to have no other Limits then those of all Europe The most Christian King had so surely built upon these Foundations and had taken such true Measures that a Man might have justly said That nothing could have stopp'd him But then of a sudden happens the Blow which could only do the Business a Blow the most fatal and deadly that ever happen'd to France and which render'd abortive all her Designs in an instant ranverses that Colossus of Pride and Ambition that had bin Erected upon the Ruins of so many poor States and Soveraignties at the expence of Treaties broken and which consisted only in the hopes of Invading the rest that lay fit for Convenience I mean the Revolution of England the Prince of Orange his vow'd Enemy is made King of Great Britain and made it appear That only England was able to deliver Europe from the oppression of the French Crown And now most Serene Princes you are within 〈◊〉 very little of reducing France within the Bounds of the Pyrenean Peace if your Union subsists but two Campaigns longer Therefore whatever Advantages France proposes â—ow soft and obliging so ever her Caresses may be reject 'em all Let the Experience of what is past instruct ye to avoid at present what has
obtain'd by number will be constrain'd to acknowledge himself mistaken when he promis'd the King his Master that he would sing Te deum before the end of April in the Cathedral of Maestrich As to his hopes of attaining his Ends by means of the same Artifices which he made use of at the Peace of Nimeguen that you may be plainly convinc'd of it there needs no more then to reflect upon the Conduct which he observes in respect of every Prince in particular and of all in general to disunite and draw 'em off the one from the other He began with the Duke of Savoy upon whom he put the Duke of Orleans believing his Highness might be wrought to a Condescension when touched in the most sensible part which was when he came to be importun'd by the Dutchess his Wife It may be said that she omitted nothing to infuse into him favourable Sentiments in the behalf of France She has been seen to weep warm Tears to fall upon her Knees and imbrace the Prince her Husband beseeching him with all the Tenderness imaginable To put an end to the War to have Compassion upon his Family and his harass'd Territories and lastly to rememember that France was only able to restore him to his ancient Liberty She also deliver'd to him Letters written with the King 's own Hand wherein that Monarch promis'd him upon the Faith of a Prince that he would forget what was past and that he was ready to grant him all the Advantages that he could desire That to render the Peace the more venerable and inviolable it should be seal'd for a perpetual Alliance between the two Houses to which his Majesty would add the Marriage of one of the Sons of France with the young Dutchess of Savoy when they should be of Age which would knit those indissoluble Knots that nothing would be able to unty for the future c. After he had thus assail'd the Duke of Savoy what Springs did he not set at work in the Court of Rome to gain their Favour and incline the Pope openly to favour his Interests by inculcating into the Catholic Princes the Necessity of Breaking those Engagements â—hat united 'em with the Protestants A Union added he that drew after it the ineviâ—able Destruction of the Roman Religion and â—rected Heresie upon the Ruins of it if the Holy Father did not save it by inspiring into â—he Emperor the King of Spain and the rest of the Cotholick Princes speedy Inclinations â—o reconcile themselves with France As for his Imperial Majesty what Pains â—as he Court of France not taken to draw him off from the rest of the Confederates And finding that all the Importunities of the Court of Rome wrought no impression upon the Mind of that Prince and that nothing was able to shake his Constancy did not the most Christian King dispatch an Express to the Court of Vienna to present the Emperor with a Treaty of separate Peace and make him very advantagious Offers if he would but consent to it After he had gone thus forward did he not publish a Manifesto upon the Rhine and in all the Courts of Germany to engage the Princes and States of the Empire to lay down their Arms and stand Neuters or else to accept the Proposals already made ' em What has he left undone to obtain the Mediation of the Northern Crowns of the Republick of Venice of the laudable Cantons to incline those Potentates to espouse his Interests Has he not sent away Embassie upon Embassie and how many Millions has he offer'd besides The Count d'Avaux offer'â— Sweden the Restitution of the Dutchy of Deuâ— Ponts and repayment of all the Losses sustain'd reckoning from the very first Day thaâ— France made herself Mistress of it beside four Millions and 500000 Livres which would be actually paid down together with a Pension of 200000 Livres if his Swedisâ— Majesty would effectually interpose his Mediation with King William the most zealouâ— for continuance of the War Upon the Kinâ— of Sweden's refusal to accept these Offers Bonrepos offer'd the Court of Denmark Six millions together with Mademoiselle de to be given in Marriage to the Prince Royaâ— of Denmark according to the Project beguâ— at Paris before the departure of that Prince 〈◊〉 his most Christian Majesty offering besides 〈◊〉 pay the Dowry and to decree all things immediately after the Ratification of the Peace And the Steps which the Envoys of his Danish Majesty tread both in the Court of England and in Holland have made it appear that those Offers were not made in vain Now let us see what Proposals M. de la Haye the French Embassador made to the Republick of Venice He offer'd the Signiorie besides Three Millions in Silver which were to be paid down that the King his Master should engage to prevail with the Grand Signior to grant her Great Advantages and conclude a separate Treaty of Peace with her 〈◊〉 the Exclusion of the Emperour and â—he King of Poland if she would imploy her Good Offices as well at Rome to perâ—wade the Duke of Savoy to restore Peace to â—taly as in other Courts of the Catholic Princes in confederacy against France I omit several private Conferences between his most Christian Majesty and the Venetian Envoy upon this Subject before his departure from Paris when he went from thence to reside in â—he Court of Spain How did Amelot labour with the laudable Cantons He display'd all his Eloquence in several Speeches which he made in their Dyets and left nothing undone to advance the King his Master's Interests His most effectual Propositions were reduc'd to an Offer of Four Millions and 500000 Livres to which he addded the Payment of all their Arrears All which Advantages said he farther would be attended with a perpetual and inviolable Alliance with the Crown of France by vertue of which the laudable Cantons would be protected at all Times and the Liberty and Repose which they have enjoy'd hitherto would be secured from the Attempts of all that sought their Disturbance And all that the King demanded for so many Favours was only that they should be Mediators for a Peace Let us proceed to the fourth Reason that engages France to sue for a Peace which is the low Estate of her Exchequer and the miserable Condition to which the People are reduc'd And to be fully satisfied in this particular there needs no more then to consider That the most Christian King has so little spar'd his People in Time of Peace that 't is no wonder to see 'em now reduc'd to utmost Misery Certain it is let him put on as good a Face as he pleases that he clearly repents of a Conduct so opposite to his real Interests Good Policy requires that a Prince should diligently labour in search of all the most probable ways to procure the flourishing Condition of his Kingdom while a sound Peace secures him from all Attempts and Interruptions of his Enemies
But â—f the Treasures of this Monarch were more â—mmense his Ambition was also proportionâ—ble and if they have bin so far from being sufficient to satisfie it that he has bin also fain â—o sacrifize the Estates of the Church and â—he Spoils of the Altars after he has laid Imâ—osts upon all things else imaginable he must â—e forc'd at length to lay a swinging Tex upon Urine as formerly Vespasian did An unfortunate Gamester after he has lost all endeavours to recover himself by all the ways he can imagin and managing the Cards or the Dice by himself in his own Hand beâ—hinks himself at length of playing soul Thus the King of France having ruin'd himself his People and his Kingdoms by imprudently engaging himself in a burthensoâ— War and which having been prosperous aâ— the beginning has prov'd fatal to him in thâ— end endeavours to get himself out of thâ— Bryars as well as he can To which purpose he offers Peace to the Princes of the Confederacy and sets all Springs at work to breaâ— the Union He makes 'em Proposals ambiguous and full of Delusion what he offer to day he revokes to morrow He order Cardinal Fourbin to tell the Court of Rome That he is ready to lay down Arms and tâ— enter into a Negotiation with the Confederate Princes but first there must be a settlement for King James agreed upon To the Northern Crowns his Embassadorâ— talk another sort of Language and tell ' emâ— That as to the Affairs of England in regard that Royal Majesty appears to be wounded in the Person of King James he makes no question but the King of Sweden and the Emperor will take it upon 'em to propose some Expedient to determin that Difference As to the Court of Vienna 't is about ten Months since that he made Proposals of Peace to his Imperial Majesty quite different from those that appear'd in his Manifesto publish'd upon the Rhine There is not any one of the Confederate Princes or States to whom he has not offer'd Proposals altogether different from those which he now propounds Witness his Temptations to the Duke of Savoy first by Chanlais then by Catinat and then by other Ministers As to the States General of the United Provinces France made 'em Proposals first by Oxesterne formerly the Swedish Embassaâ—or who had two Audiences to that purpose â—esides the Proposals made 'em by M. Lenthe the Danish Envoy She has observ'd the same conduct at the Court of England where M. Scheel now talks at another rate Several other Projects have been presented at the Courts of all the rest of the Confederate Prinâ—es wherein there is nothing solid or constant shich is a convincing Proof that the most Christian King seeks only to draw the Confederates into a Negotiation to obtain a Cessation of Arms on purpose to amuse 'em while he on the other side assays by more powerful efforts to ruin their Union And this is Lewis XIV's foul Play and the compass which he fetches to â—attain his Ends and disintangle himself out of the Noose that hampers him by saving if possible the best part of his Conquests and delivering his Impoverish'd Dominions from the ponderous Burthens which they groan under And now 't is for the Confederate Princes to consider what they have to do and not to suffer themselves to be deluded by the false and deceitful shifts of France and seriously to reflect upon the fatal Misfortunes that will infallibly attend the conclusion of a disadvantagiou Peace if lending their Ears to the Offers oâ— France they neglect the fairest opportunitâ— that ever was to humble that haughty and perfidious Potentate at a time when he beg for Peace and when there needs no more theâ— two Campaigns to obtain all the Advantageâ— which they can expect to reap from theiâ— Perseverance Which is so much the moâ—â— Important as being the reason that has arm'â— all Europe against him and occasion'd thaâ— august and potent Confederacy of so many justly incens'd Princes and who are equally interested therein But what Assurances shall they have thaâ— the Peace which the most Christian King now proposes shall not be violated like thâ— Pyrenean Peace and the Treaties of Aix 〈◊〉 Chapelle and Nimeguen How can they rely upon the Oath of a Prince who acknowledges no other Law then that of his Ambition and Will At the Peace of Arras lip the Good Duke of Burgundy not being willing to trust Charles VII who had brok'n his word in several other Treaties was desirous that the last Article of the Treaty should run in these words That the King for assurance of the observation and full performance of the said Treaty should deliver it seal'd by the Princes of his Blood the Grandees of the Kingdom and the principal Men of the chief Cities and that in case of any Breach those Princes and Lords should be absolv'd from their Oaths of Fidelity toward the King and be oblig'd to serve the Duke against him The Precautions of the Duke of Burgundy upon that occasion might in some measure serve as a Garranty to secure the observance of Charles VII's Word and Oath But it is â—o be consider'd That the condition of the Grandees of the Kingdom was not then the same as now it is Charles VII wanted a great deal of being so well belov'd and so much fear'd by the People and Nobility of France as Lewis XIV at this day The ways which he has taken to gain the Affection of his Subjects are quite different Formerly a little thing would have open'd a wide Gate to Faction and Revolt and incens'd the Grandees and Lords of the Kingdom to take Arms But now the Case is alter'd The King has reduc'd 'em all equally to such a dependance upon him that no Body dares stir and it would be in vain for the Confederate Princes to think of laying the foundation of a solid and lasting Peace upon any such Article in imitation of the Duke of Burgundy For proof of this we may observe that since the beginning of this Reign looking backward as far as the King's Minority France has no longer car'd to be sensible or take notice of the Troubles that had lacerated her very Bowels So that notwithstanding all the Efforts that were usd to re-kindle the same Sparks it was impossible to bring it to pass To which it may be said that Mazarin and the Ministers that succeeded him as also the King himself who is sharp-sighted enough did not contribute a little by means of their good management at the beginning And in regard the People are ignorant in Polities and for that it is impossible for 'em to dive into the secrets of the Cabinet 't was an easie thing for that Monarch being so good a Matchiavilian as he is to reduce his Subjects under that Bondage wherein we now behold ' em He easily brought it to pass by depriving 'em of all the means that might prove a Bait to Insurrection
end he might bind both the one and the other so much the faster to his Interests and because it should n'er be said that Spain should one day boast to have inforc'd France to make Restitution of what belong'd to those Princes at the Peril of his Majesties Clemency who reserv'd the Honour of it wholly to himself But if Spain took little care of the Interests of her Confederates France took a quite contrary Course in respect of Portugal the Dukes of Newburg Savoy and Modena her Allies for whom the Cardinal procur'd all the Advantages they could expect What an Honour was it for France what a Happiness at the same time for the Duke of Newburg He did but enter into an Alliance with France and presently had his Territories restor'd him France quits all abandons a part of her own Interests and causes Restitution to be made of the City of Juliers to the prejudice of the Emperor's and the Duke of Brandenburgh's Claims While on the Part of Spain such Soveraign Princes as the Duke of Lorrain who had serv'd her above Eight and twenty Years are depriv'd of all In truth most Serene Princes who are at this day united in Confederacy against France as I cannot but reflect upon a Conduct so little becoming the Justice of a potent Monarchy so I cannot but humbly lay befnre you this Noble Memento That being upon the point of concluding a Peace with the Most Christian King 〈◊〉 stands with your Honour to take a care â—â—at it be not a Peace like the rest and that one of the Princes comprehended in this August Confederacy wherein you have so justly â—rm'd your selves may have the like occasion to charge you with the same Reproach Methinks I hear France already loudly giving out as she did in the time of Charles the 〈◊〉 and Francis I That the Protecting of the House of Austria was never capable of secuâ—â—â—ng the Princes that sided with her from Oppression Witness say they what at that me befell the Dukes of Savoy and what has befallen Duke Victor Amedeas II. Which maner of Arguing makes me judge that France as a strong Confidence in the Engine she is â—tting at work to bring him off from the confederacy she fails not to Peal in his â—ars that he is upon the brink of being Forken by the rest of the Princes as his Anceers the Duke of Lorrain and the Prince of himai were formerly and as an accumution to his Misfortune of seeing his unhappy Dominions become the Innocent Victim of he Common-Cause which freequently Sacrifices the Weakest But let ut return to our Subject And now behold all Europe wistfully expecting to enjoy he Sweets of a solid and durable Peace after which she has panted so many Years Spain is the first that has reason to conceive great Hopes from so August a Treaty and an Alliance that one would think should revive the Amity that flourish'd betwen the two House in the Reigns of Ferdinand and Lewis XII Those two Princes in testimony of their intended constant Union and inviolable Friend ship would needs that the first Article of the Treaty of Blois should be express'd in theâ— Words The Most Christian King and the Catholick King shall be as two Souls in one an the same Body Would to God we had as much reason oâ— our side to continue the same Language and that we had not rather cause to say of Lewis XIV what the Historian said of the Dauphin who fled for Succour to the Court 〈◊〉 Burgundy that upon the Marriage of the Monarch with the Infanta of Spain Hatred Altecration Discord Brandling c. Aâ—â— the Devils entred with him into the House 〈◊〉 Austria 'T is also observable that the daâ— when that unhappy Alliance was conclude was so Tempestuous and so outrageously Stoâ— my that the Plenipotentiaries were at a loâ— whether they should stay or run out of the Room so great the Danger was that threatnâ— ' em It seem'd as if Heaven had had a deâ— sign to have hinder'd the conclusion of a Contract that was made on purpose to sow the Seeds of those Dismal Confusions and Calamities that afterwards o'erwhelm'd all Europe And thus we have seen the Bounds that were prescrib'd to France by the Pyrenaean Treaty Now let us see how far either her Ambition or her breach of Faith extended 'em and the Springs that she set at work to Inâ—ade the Possessions of her Neighbours and to Cloath her self with the Spoils of so many Oppressed Princes whom she Sacrificed to her Avarice to form the Powerful Monarchy that so long has been the Terror of Europe Modern Historians have great reason to say That France is now no longer to be found in France she is become so much alter'd and out of Knowledge How many States Signiories Demesnes and Principalities has she Invaded What Potentate could vaunt himself secure from her impious Tyranny I find not any in all the four Parts of the World The whole Earth upbraids her with her Infidelity Let 'em not tell me that France has obtain'd to that high degree of Exaltation and Power by the Rights or Claims that have been yielded to her by virtue of Alliances or Treaties which have succeeded that of the Pyrenans For to that I answer That the Princes of the League are not to take notice of any other then the Pyrenean Treaty and that 't is a favour done her if they should not dispute the Places with her that were allowed her by that Treaty which was brought to Perfection to the Advantage of France by the Treachery and Cunning of Mazarin prevailing over the Weakness and witless Insufficiency of Don Lewis 'T is a Truth so generally receiv'd that all the World knows it That France constrain'd the Confederates by force of Arms to conclude the two Treaties of Aix la Chapelle and Nimeguen So that if the Duke of Venice Andrea Gritti call'd the City of Cambray the Venetian's Purgatory because all the Treaties there concluded between the two Emperors and the two Kings of France had bin fatal to the most Serene Republick We may with as much reason call the Cities of Aix la Chappelle and Nimeguen the Purgatories of the Spaniards and the Confederates in regard of the Injustice of France appropriating to her self while she had such numerous Armies on foot the greatest part of their Territories under pompous and chimerical Titles claims of the Queen Right of Devolution Dependency and Covenience c. And indeed if I may presume to say so France may be said to have soundly purg'd both Spain and the Confederates by the Treaties of Aix la Chapelle and Nimeguen if we consider the Losses which they have sustain'd through the surrender of a great many Towns and Fortresses to which the King of France's Power constrain'd 'em and to which he had no Right God grant we may not fall into the like Misfortunes if it should come to another Treaty in the management of which
of which he â—resented one to every particular Person telâ—â—ng 'em with a Smile at the time that he â—ade the Presents That his Majesty was not 〈◊〉 rich as fully to remunerate the great Obligaâ—â—ons which they were about to confer upon him however that they had to do with a Prince who â—â—anted neither Good-will nor Power to make 'em Great Lords in France At the Fourth Conference 't was agreed That Louvois should engage for the payment of 400000. Livers in ready Mony to the Chief Burgo-master and that every one of the Proâ—osts Consuls and Magistrates the were of â—he Cabal should have for their share 300000 Livers in consideration of which the Keys of the City should be put into his Hands and the said City was to be put into his Majesties Hands to reck'n from the 23d of October 1661. which was the Day made choice of for his Majesties taking Livery and Seizsin Besides that Louvois engag'd to alloâ—â— the said Magistrates their House-Rent freâ—â— at his Majesties Charge from the time 〈◊〉 their Arrival at Paris assuring 'em of 〈◊〉 Majesties Friendship and Protection againâ—â— all that should make any Attempt upon theâ— Liberty France having thus made her self Mistreâ—â— of the Capital City of Alsatia Louvois seâ—â— word to the Duke of Mantua that if he 〈◊〉 a mind to quit Casal for Mony he would 〈◊〉 him down two Millions upon the Nail 〈◊〉 Importance of that Negotiation and the feâ—â— the Court was in lest the Secret should be 〈◊〉 vulg'd caus'd his Majesty to make choiceâ— Colbert Croissi in the absence of Louvois 〈◊〉 had proffer'd to undertake a Journey 〈◊〉 Italy as he had done into Alsatia but thâ—â— the Fatigues of his first Journey would 〈◊〉 permit him At length Colbert Croissi depaâ—â—ed in all haste after he had receiv'd full 〈◊〉 structions and came to Casal Incognitâ—â— where he had a Conference Face to Face 〈◊〉 the Duke As they were about to take the leaves after the first Treaty which they 〈◊〉 together Colbert pulling out some Papers out 〈◊〉 his Pocket unluckily let fall his Memoirs uâ—der the Table which the Duke took up so soâ—â— as the Minister was gone out of the Roomâ— and having read 'em he found the Purport 〈◊〉 'em to be That in case the Duke made aâ—â— scruple to part with Casal for two Millioâ— Colbert should come up to his Price what-ever 〈◊〉 were and that if he only stook for Mony â—â—at he should mount up to four Millions â—aving the rest to his Prudence But above 〈◊〉 things he had order not to return till 〈◊〉 Affair was fully concluded The next day in the Morning coming to â—tend the Duke as he was dressing himself 〈◊〉 of the Prince's Pages neatly slipt the â—emoire into the Ministers Pocket without â—â—ing perceiv'd and then the Duke making 〈◊〉 if he knew nothing of his Orders told 〈◊〉 'T was impossible to deliver up such an â—â—portant Place as Casal under less then four â—â—illions in Silver and that he expected 'em 〈◊〉 be paid upon the Day that the Town was 〈◊〉 be deliver'd or immediately after signing 〈◊〉 Treaty Colbert was extreamly surpriz'd 〈◊〉 hear that the Duke's Mind was so strangely â—â—er'd from what it was the Day before and â—â—gning that he would return home without â—â—ing any thing told the Duke that he would 〈◊〉 as much as lay in his Power and that he â—â—ould presume to exceed his Master's Orders 〈◊〉 far as some few hundred thousand Livres â—â—ould reach above the two Millions that he 〈◊〉 offer'd the Day before 'T was agreed 〈◊〉 That his Master should give 500000 â—â—vres more above the Two Millions that he 〈◊〉 offer'd the Day before together with an â—â—nnual Pension of 200000 which should be â—â—gularly paid during his Life Upon this the poor Prince fell into the Snare and 〈◊〉 glitter of the French Lewidores daz'ld him 〈◊〉 that degree that he sign'd the Contract of Salâ—â— and Colbert returned to Court in less then Siâ—â— Weeks Thus France became the Mistress of Twâ—â— strong Barriers without so much as drawinâ— a Sword which secur'd her both on Germany and Italy side Besides these notorious Attempts upon the Peace the most Christian King besieg'd Courtray and won it Whiâ—â— done he spent no less then 3000 Bombs upâ—â— Luxemburgh and laid it in Ashes If the Spâ—niards complain of these Cruelties he 〈◊〉 swers 'em That the Marquis of Grana 〈◊〉 committed Acts of Hostility which he nevâ—â— so much as dreamt of and then like a 〈◊〉 Man le ts loose all his Fury and sends Botâ—flers and Montal to commit all the Ravagâ—â— imaginable orders 'em to waste all befoâ—â— 'em with Fire and Sword to the very Gaâ—â— of Mons and to act those Villanies and Crâ—elties in the midst of Peace that scarce couâ—â— have bin committed in the height of a 〈◊〉 bloody War If Charles the Bold Duke of Burgunâ—â— had the Sir-name of Terrible given him 2â— Years after his Death because he renewâ—â— the Rigour of War in former Times 〈◊〉 which had been discontinued for some Agâ—â— among the Christians it may be said 〈◊〉 Lewis the Great has out-done him and 〈◊〉 never any Prince has rendred himself more Terrible in History or more odious to the World then this Monarch has made himself by his Cruelties and Barbarities during the whole Course of his Reign But let us proceed to the other Breaches of the Peace The most Christian King perceiving that â—ll the Princes of Europe lay secure and careâ—ess and that not so much as one of 'em stirr'd â—o oppose his Designs while every one minded noting but his own particular Interests thought himself at Liberty to do whatever he pleas'd Thereupon he bethought himself of building Fortresses along the Rhine upon the Territories of his Enemies and Barriers and Securities of his Conquests but which expos'd their Dominions to the first Fury and Havocks of a War in case of a Rupture and enabl'd him to carry his Arms into the Heart of Germany before the Forces of the Empire could be in a Condition to march With this Design he erected that important Fortress of Mount-Royal upon the Moselle within the Peninsula of Trebon upon a steep Rock almost encompass'd with the River he fortiy'd Sar-Lewis upon the Sar and rais'd the Fort of Huninghen consisting of Five Bastions seated upon the Rhine with a wooden Bridge a little below Bale in Sungouw To which we may add the Forts which he rais'd upon the Rhine near Strasburgh c. When these Enormous Actions were complain'd of in France the Answer was ready 〈◊〉 For the Imperial Ministers were told That their Master had no reason to be jealous 〈◊〉 what she did for that she was very well satisfy'd there was nothing done contrary to the Peace In the Year 1684. France gives the Catholick King to understand that he was to deliver into her Hands the Equivalent that had bin offer'd her in lieu of the Country oâ— Alost and upon the King
Peace For as to what remains said he I should make no scruple to acknowledge the seeking after Peace when the Progress and Reputation of the King's Arms in the next Campain shall have advanced his Majesties Renown to the highest pitch it can arrive at c. These were the Sentiments of the most Subtle and Crafty Minister that ever France had who decides the Question in few words The Most Christian King has so well profited by the Maxims of that great Politician that 't is with him an inviolable Law not to swerve from the Practice thereof to this day Nor was Mazarin alone of this Opinion The Marquess of Louvois jumps with him in the same Sentiments And tho' he were not of so â—ublime a Genius as Mazarin the Reputation he acquir'd during his Ministry renders â—im Authentic enough to be quoted for a good Author You shall hear what he said to Colbert Croissi when he gave him his last Instructions how to carry himself at the Negotiation of Nimeguen whither he was sent with the Character of a Plenipotentiary I know very well said he that the Confederate Princes will make a Judgment to the Prejudice of his Majesty of his Conduct in inviting 'em to a Peace but it matters not the Advantages he will receive thereby will amply recompence the Wrong which his Honour will suffer besides that we shall come off well enough by giving out that his Majesty vouchsaf'd to afford Peace to Europe Thus you see what has been all along the Temper of France this is no Maxim of Yesterday as being practis'd by several of his Majesty's Ancestors Witness what Comines reports of Lewis XI That that same Prince to get himself out of the Bryars at a time when Paris the Capital City of his Kingdom was within a very little of being Besieg'd by the Burgundians deem'd it the only way in the World he could take to Temporize He thought it by no means proper to venture his Kingdom upon the Hazard of a Battle and therefore labour'd under-hand to Dis-unite the Princes and Lords of the Confederacy which succeeded very luckily and by that means he got the better of his Enemies Henry IV. and Lewis XIII took the same Course And still when France has been overwhelm'd with the great number of her Enemies it has been always her way to ruin their Union with fair and plausible Proposals of Peace But if it may be said that the French Monarchy had always Great Masters in this Scienice Lewis XIV has out-done 'em all His Reign has been a continued Series of deceitful Promises violated Faith and Treaties broken In a word this Prince observing himself Attack'd by the most Potent Confederacy that ever was entred into against France can never take a better opportunity to propose Peace then when her Triumphant Arms may seem to boast of some Advantages The same Arms are fickle and uncertain and Fortune that has favour'd him hitherto may forsake him and reduce his Affairs to the most Pitiful Condition in the World It looks then if we may judge of Events by the disposal and management of things as if France affraid of strange Revolutions sufficient to ravish from him in an instant all the Honour and Glories he has hitherto enjoy'd and despoil her Conquests gain'd by breach of Treaties sought to effect by Policy what she cannot compass by Force There are four things that urge the Crown of France to press the Confederates so earnestly for a Treaty of Peace The First is the â—ondition of her Affairs which at present is savourable enough in regard of the Progresses which her Arms have made The Second is her Apprehensions lest the Confederates considerably augmenting their Forces and redoubling their Efforts should weaken her in such a manner as to disable her for the future from making a further Progress upon her Neighbours if they permit her to keep her own The Third is the hopes that she has of luckily obtaining her ends by the same Artifices which she made use of at the Peace of Nimiguen And the Fourth is the low ebb of her Exchequer and the deplorable condition of the People reduc'd to utmost Misery by Famin and want of Corn. As to the condition of her Affairs most certain it is that France is well advis'd in taking this time to make her Proposals of Peace She was never so happy nor so much caress'd by Fortune as now For five Years together that the War has bin declar'd excepting the First Campaign wherein the Confederates triumph'd upon the reducing of Mayence Keiserwart Bon c. to which we may add that famous Atchievment at the Boyn the memorable Victory with which it was attended the Engagement by Sea and the Duke of Savoy's Irruption into the Dauphinate all other things may be said to have been prosperous for France So that if she could inveagle the Confederate Princes into a Negotiation at a time when every thing smiles upoâ— her she may have just reason to expect thaâ— such a Negotiation will be attended with 〈◊〉 Peace no less glorious and advantagious foâ— her then that of the Pyreneans Aix la Chapelle or Nimeguen For proof of which then needs no more but to reflect upon the Offer of the Envoys of Denmark to the Court oâ— England and the States of the United Provinces which we have already recited Which Offers are so inconsiderable That 't is a meeâ— Insulting and an Affront put upon the Honour of so many Princes to presume that they would ever listen to such Proposals As to the Apprehensions of France lest the Confederates should redouble their Efforts and constrain the most Christian King to confine himself within much narrower Limits 't is as certain That her Fears are not groundless and that 't is but good Counsel given to the most Christian King to advise him to bid his Generals and his Souldiers whet their Swords betimes and have their Arms in a readiness because that in all Likelihood we shall have a warm Campaign of it The most Christian King perhaps did ne're expect that England turmoil'd as she had been with Factions and Dissentions that harrass'd the Peace and Tranquility of the Kingdom would have taken a Resolution to conclude the War by Efforts of Puissance and constant Opposition by granting the Men â—nd Mony which King William desir'd Nor 〈◊〉 England the only Confederate so well inâ—in'd to the common Cause The United â—rovinces and the rest of the Princes and â—tates that compose the League unanimously â—onclude to sacrifice the whole toward the â—btaining a lasting and durable Peace And â—ence it is that we behold such numerous Armies such prodigious Forces muster'd together on the Confederates side amounting â—â—s they say to no less then 400000 Men Which if it be true France will find it a difficult Task to fend off the Blows on every side And I am persuaded that Marshal Luxemburgh as much pufft up as he is with the Advantages that he
please Charles the Gross with his want of Sincerity during the whose course of his Reign and the paltry Artifices he made use of to rid himself of his Enemies he never alter'd his Conduct nor his Maxims so long as he had the Power in his Hands he was always the same and it may be said that he never began to live in Repose and to become wise till he was Banish'd into a Village of Swabia with a very mean Pension where he Died for Grief Lothair the Son of Lewis Oultremer the XXXIV King of France was a Prince the most Perfidious and the most Turbulent that ever ascended the Throne of the French Monarchy and as he liv'd so he dy'd and retain'd his abominable Principle to his Death So that we may safely say That so long as the most Christian King continues as Potent as he is at present he will never suffer his Neighbours to be at Quiet and the Confederate Princes must be always preparing themselves for new Combustions after the conclusion of a Peace Which will be fo far from lessening his Forces that it will acquire him new degrees of Glory and Grandeur Since then 't is so absolutely necessary to reject the present Offers of the Most Christian King and that there is no other way to obtain a firm Peace but by the continuance of a brisk War in order to bring down the Power of this Monarch there is no time to lose within a MOnth or six Weeks his Armies will be in the Field and if we may believe him he will be no longer bound to stand to his Royal Word which he gave the 15th of March. The Duke of Luxemburg begins to Liquor his Boots and is preparing in earnest to shew us some new Trick of his Necromancy And this same Marshal whom the Prince of Conde was wont to call L'Enfant perdu or a Child of the forlorn Hope in referrence to his turbulent and sanguinary Genius has promis'd his Majesty that tho' it cost him his Life he will make him Master this Campaign either of Liege or Mastricht or at the worst of a second Field-Victory no less Glorious then that of Landen out of a confidence that one of these Events will force the Confederates in despight of their Teeths to accept the Peace which he Offers But to return to the Battle of Landen I cannot forbear to write a pleasant Passage which is reported of the Marshal So soon as the Battle was over seeing himself inviron'd with a crowd of Lieutenant Generals Camp-Marshals Brigadiers Major-Generals and other Officers of the Army who came all to Congratulate him for the signal Victory he had own Ha! Boys said he How shall we call this Battle Upon which while every one stood gaping one upon another not knowing what to Answer and that some were of Opinion to call it be the Name of the Place where it was Fought according to Custom the Marshal replied No Gentlemen we will call it the Bavin-Battle instead of calling it the Battle of Landen we must call it the Battle of Bavins And indeed he had reason enough to call it so However if he deceiv'd the Confederates by Attacquing an Army of no more then Forty Thousand with another of a Hundred and twenty Thousand let him take heed he be not deceiv'd in his turn if ever he be forc'd to Fight upon equal Terms as in all probability he may be this very Campaign Nevertheless we may be bold to tell him this That if he acted like a Master in the Art of War in time of Fight he committed the fault of an ignorant Apprentice in not pursuing his Victory and reaping no Fruit of so much Blood as had been shed But to return to the Subject Boufflers another Favourite of the French Monarch promis'd him Mountains and Wonders and for a greater proof of his Zeal and Devotion to his Majesty's Service he has already caus'd his Sword to be Whetted and his own and the Arms of the French Guards together with the Flambeaux for the House-Burners to be Bless'd by the Arch-Bishop of Paris with a resolution to fight like a Termagaunt and to lay Waste all before him with Fire and Sword Catinat also no less famous for the Lawrels he gather'd in the Field of Marsaglia makes as great Promises to the King his Master and if his Majesty will believe him the Duke of Savoy runs a great hazard of losing the rest of his Dominions and of hearing French Te Deums Sung in the Cathedral of Turin The Dauphin also who is to Command in Germany if he be not Countermanded wants neither Courage nor good Will He has given signal proofs of both upon several Occasions and if we may believe him Lewis of Baden's Business is only to seek for an Asylum and a Camp that may secure him from the loss of a Battle like that of the last Campaign And as an accumulation to the Vauntings of so many Hero's that labour by Concert for the Honour of their Prince and to draw Dun out of the Mire there wants nothing but a second Smyrna Fleet and Tourville Admiral of a French Navy to render him as Glorious by Sea as the other Generals pretend to be by Land We are then in great expectation of some extraordinary Event which must decide the good or bad Fortune of so many Princes which the Most Christian King has enforc'd to betake themselves to Arms. And the Confederate Princes are so much the rather enclin'd to terminate the Differences by the Sword because they find it impossible to obtain by any other means an Accomodation with France Which is no more then what the most Christian King has made most clearly apparent by the ridiculous Proposals offer'd by the Ministers of the Northern Crowns So that War being indispensably necessary it behoves 'em to prepare for it in good earnest If we may believe the News that is brought us from some Persons residing in the Court of France 't is said that his Most Christian Majesty was in a pelting Chafe to hear that his Offers were rejected with so much Scorn and there was not a day past over his Head that he did not confer with Marshal de Luxemburg about what Enterprize was fiâ— to be undertaken and where it was most proper to open the Campaign For the King well knowing of what Importance it would be to his Affairs would fain have something done Remarkable to raise the drooping hope of his dejected People and which might aâ— the same time uphold the Reputation of hiâ— Arms and constrain the Confederates aâ— length to accept the Peace which he Offer ' em All these Considerations put him to a great Nonplus To begin in Flanders with the Siege of some Place of Importance would not be amiss But as ill Luck will have it there are no more Mons's and Namur's to take there remain two Places only be worthy the Presenceof so great a King Liege and Maestriecht But the