shew to facilitate an accord 32. executes the Peace of Asti 49 50. resents new Invasions into Monferrat 229. dyes 268 Ferdinand Cardinal Infante passes out of Spain into Italy 382 384. arbitrates the differences betwixt Genoua and Savoy 384. passes into Germany ibid. joyns the King of Hungary wins the battel of Nortlingen and passes into Flanders 393. dyes 498 Ferdinand Duke of Thuscany interposes with the Emperour in the affairs of Mantua 285 proposes to the Duke a change of States 287 is jealous of the Popes arming 505. endeavours peace ibid. assists the Duke of Parma with money 510. and the Duke of Modena with Troops 518. counsels Parma to moderation 523. shews his strength to the Barbarins but endeavours peace 524. sends Troops into the Ecclesiastical State with success 548. sollicites the assistance of the Confederates ibid. makes conquests in the Territory of Peruggia 559. with various factions 562. attacqued in several Quarters defends himself every where and retires with advantage 563 Ferdinand II. Emperour but first Archduke of Austria displeased with the Republick for the surprise of Novi 53. refuses a suspension of Arms 54. complains of the invasion of his States 60. assisted by the Spaniards ibid. relucting against peace ibid. attempts in vain to esloignate the Venetian Ambassadour from the Emperours Court 104. aspires to the Empire and closes with the Spaniards ibid. is made King of Bohemia 105. and King of Hungary 126. abhorred by the Hereticks 193. straightned in Vienna and succoured by the Great Duke 135. elected Emperour 136. assisted by many Princes 138. the prosperity of his Arms 176. arrives to great power 227 257. confirms peace with the Turk 227 258 confers Church-lands on his second Son 260. in the affair of Mantua depends on the will of Spain 274. makes a shew to compose them amicably 284. sends thither the Count of Nassau ibid. endeavours the restoring of Ecclesiastical Goods 293. carries an Army towards Italy 298. publishes an Edict for Church-Goods 305. assists the Polacks 306. and the Spaniards Flanders 307. sends Troops into Italy 308. calls them back assembles the Electors at Ratisbone 346. disarms Wallestain 390. desires peace in Italy 350. busied against the Swedes dissembles the effect 157. afflicted by their Arms 360. demands assistance of the Pope and the Princes of Italy 368. dyes 432 Ferdinand III. proclaimed King of Hungary 227. commands the Armies 392. recovers Ratisbone ibid. besieges Nortlingen joyns the Infanta beats the Swedes gains the place returns to Court 373. elected King of the Romans 424. succeeds to his Father 432. counselled to command the Army leaves it to his Brother 470. meeting with many disasters demands help of the Pope and Venetians 531 Ferrante Prince of Guastalla pretends to the succession of Mantua 268 Fillip II. King of Spain his Maxims 4 Fillip III. King of Spain unaccustomed to Government 4. orders the Duke of Savoy to render what he had taken in the Monferrat 26. prescribes conditions of peace for Italy 29. not liked by the Princes interessed 29 31. but the King persists 32. and better explains his intentions 46. favours the Archduke against the Venetians 60. yields his Rights to the States in Germany 105. dying orders the restitution of the Valteline his qualities 168 Fillip IV. King of Spain succeeds his Father 168. leaves the direction to the Conde Duke ibid. assists France in the siege of Rochel 266 satisfied with the neutrality of the Venetians 407. publishes Don John of Austria his illegitimate Son 532. goes out of Madrid to oppose the French 533. disgraces the Conde Duke 550. takes Lewis de Haro into favour 551 Fillipsburg delivered to the French 394. recovered by the Imperialists 398 Francesco Barberino Cardinal sent Legate into France 224. without effecting any thing for the peace 238. sent into Spain 239. his Genius 503. refuses the restitution of Castro 512. makes several and doubtful projects 518. with artificial Treaties repels the invasion of the Prince of Parma and deludes the Confederates 524 525 527 529 541. is afterwards little inclined to peace 567. at last yields to it 569 Francesco di Melo defeats the French 534 infests the Frontiers of the Kingdom 537. invades it 537. is defeated 553 Francesco Duke of Modena closes with the Spaniards and gets advantage by it 401. attacqued by the French and the Prince of Parma 417. is succoured by the Spaniard ibid. interposes to quiet the differences betwixt the Pope and the Duke of Parma by several expedients 511 516. the Pontificians desiring passage defends himself 517. is succoured by the Republick and the Grand Duke 519. lays a correspondence in Ferrara but is discovered 529. invaded by the Pontificians in his Country 547 Francesco Erizzo after many imployments created Duke 363 French Princes malecontents disturb the Kingdom 33. sends to Turin and to Venice 34. compose with the Regent ibid. arise anew and adjust again 59. takes arms for the imprisonment of the Prince of Conde 66. and in favour of Queen-Mother 124 151. their Genius against Favourites 253. another civil War raised by the malecontents who are beaten and quieted 495 Franchental taken by the Spaniards 188 Friuli that part described where the War was 55. the first invasion of the Venetians Army 56. inroads encounters and attempts 61 G. GAllies laden with Merchandise robbed by Ossunaes Ships 97. the Republick pretend restitution 187. France interposes 109. and promises 109. the Treaty not executed by Ossuna 113. but makes difficulty ibid. is at last done by Cardinal Zappata 180 Gaspar de Gusman Duke d'Olivares assumes in Spain the direction of affairs 168. feigns confidence with Richelieu 266. draws unhappily the Arms of France to the Confines of Spain 431. advanced by the King for the relief of Fontarbia 441. his designs and violent maxims 445. dubious whether he should endeavour to recover first Portugal or Catalogna 491. produces an illigitimate Son 532. endeavours to divert the King from going out of Madrid 533. afflicted for the loss of Perpignan 537. is commanded from Court 550. dyes 551 Gaston Brother to the King of France by reason of his Marriage foments the troubles of the Kingdom 250. marries the Daughter of Monpensier ibid. inclined to a second Marriage with the Daughter of the Duke of Nevers 280. distasted with Richelieu retires from Court into Lorrain 310. marries that Dukes Sister 362. enters the Kingdom with an Army 371. division among his Followers ibid. defeated at Castelnodari ibid. humbles himself to the King 372. slips away again into Lorrain ibid. closes with the Spaniard and after reconciles with his Brother 398. angry with the Cardinal adjusts with him 424. conspires anew against him and concludes a Treaty with the Spaniards 534. asks pardon of the King 537. by whom he is left Lieutenant of the Crown 551 Genouese strengthen the Spaniards with their Militia 44. hated by the Duke of Savoy 211. their Country divided betwixt France and that Duke 214. attacqued find themselves in confusion 229.
Surprise vanished Carlo stops at Gabbiano to hinder relief expecting the rest of his Troops and Cannon at whose arrival having first dispersed 200 Foot which Carlo de Rossi Governour of Casal had sent through by-ways for its succours to the place in two days not without a report that the Count of St. George had before-hand with money and other inventions opened a breach Alba was surprized without opposition and the Castle for want of Provisions rendred At Moncalvo the Town quickly yielded and was plundered La Rocca strengthened with some relief held out fifteen days and in the attacque the Duke substituted St. Georgio in the place of Verua slain With these three Posts running a line along the Tanaro and the Po Carlo found himself in possession of a great part of Monferrat in which what with contributions what with booty he hoped to make his Army to subsist with ease Upon this emergency it is not credible how much the Princes of Italy appeared moved and the people themselves amazed because by reason of the long Peace there remained but few that could remember the insolence of the Militia and the slaughters of Armies The Discipline of War was turned into delight and luxury These successes now being increased by fame and made greater by opinion no discourse was heard but of so many Enterprises at one time so many successes almost in one night the gaining of a whole Country in a moment and an Army of above twenty thousand men was seen in the field before it was known that there was any Levies made The Princes taking the true measure of such an attempt judged it of little continuance nevertheless apprehended that the effect would be unquietness to the Neighbourhood and disturbance to all The Venetians therefore in a serious manner exhorted Carlo to the moderation of more peaceable Counsels viz. That the situation of his Country being the Guard of the Peace of Italy against strangers from without he ought not to disturb it within That it was but an ignoble acquisition and not to be preferred before common quiet That he should think of Interest and of Glory also That the greater Powers began to awaken which would make themselves Arbiters and Parties to the Peace as well as to the War And therefore if he took Arms at present out of courage or humour such accidents were like to follow as would not give him leave to contain himself nor to lay them down before he saw States in ashes by one common flame and that to begin in his own Countries What reputation could be added to his person famous for so many notable actions or what happiness to his House esteemed no less for the largeness of his Territories than for being adorned with the vertues of so many Princes Therefore they conjured him not to leave to his Sons to his Friends to Italy nay to all Europe so lamentable an inheritance of blood but by a speedy giving way to Accommodations and Treaties confirm that wise Princes hold prudence by the hand in making Peace and Generosity in rescuing injuries Such considerations came not much pleasing to the Duke who trusting in his fortune and dexterity dispatches his Confessor to Milan to undeceive the Marquess that the Bishop of Diocaesaria should be Prisoner at Vercelli a Report spread abroad upon keeping the Gates of the Town for some time the better to cover the secret of the Surprises and withal to inform him what his pretended disgusts and the reasons and fitness of his proceedings were All this passed in publick but in private with humble excuses justifies that he had not taken the Kings consent in what he had done and offered several projects to the Crown of great advantage but such as sometimes seeming difficult and at others specious perplexed Mendosa who just as Carlo did imagine knew not how to resolve either for Peace or War Ferdinand who under the protection of Spain thought himself secure and from the consideration of the Counsel of the Government of Milan though admonished by others to take heed of them found himself disarmed was no less surprized in his mind than in his Monferrat He considered the Emperour and the French far remote and if the one could assist no otherwise than in name the other divided in their ends and counsels would have been able to protect him rather with words than Arms. The friendship of Spain carried jealousie with it if offended it made it formidable to him He knew the Pope was accustomed to imploy only his good offices Therefore turning himself to the Venetians to whom no one thing could happen more grievous than the disturbance of Italy opens to them in filial confidence the state of things and his necessities The Senate handled it as a consult of great moment Some representing to themselves the novelty of War the charge of Armies and the cares attending businesses of that weight inclined rather to be spectators than take part in them saying What hazard can the Republick apprehend from a War which is not on its own Borders But what War was that to be which frighted only with the discourse and name the gain of a few places open and unfortified being but a robbing the right which would be re-taken so soon as it came to the knowledge of the greater Princes That there would not want Mediators in the management of the business That the powerful Neighbours would stop the progress of the War and that the Republick had hitherto placed her safety and glory in Peace which had inriched and adorned her It was resolved notwithstanding by that major power to maintain the cause the most oppressed both because Mantua should not be forced to precipitate himself into the protection of a more interessed assistance and that Savoy finding that Duke assisted and despairing of further progress should be inclined to Peace They sent therefore to reside at Mantua Antonio Maria Vincente their Secretary with money to raise and maintain 300 Foot for the Garrison of Casal They afterwards had a mind to perswade the Pope into the same counsels but he excused himself doubting lest the example of his declaration should draw along with it that of France and Spain for one side or other contenting himself only fully to approve what the Senate did and to lay foundations for a Mediation of Peace dispatching Innocentio de Massimi Bishop of Bertinaro to Turin to Mantua and to Milan to the end that in order to it the Crowns forbearing Arms might exercise and improve that Authority which they desired the world should take notice they had in Italy Ferdinand hastens to fortifie Casal and Carlo de Gonzague Duke of Nevers puts himself also into it who casually touching on the Coast of Genoa sent the Prince Vincenzo his Brother thither who passing through Milan remonstrates to the Governour How much the Authority of the King would be debased if a neighbour State not only under his protection but secured by his own word should
Son of Carlo's General at Sea in ostentation as it were that the Son should be made the Minister of the Fathers chastisements But Inoiosa passing Sesia quarters at Caresana in the Vercellese in a belief that the Kings Army having fame and reputation the Duke at the first appearance of it would have humbled himself and yielded But Carlo in a defence so necessary knowing he should be excused by many no less than commended by all leaving to the Governour the blame of having first moved passes to the other side of the Sesia entring into the Novarese and there surprising Palestre burns certain Villages returning with booty Prisoners and an elevated mind The Spanish Chavalry to be even marching along the Sesia met with a notable Encounter where they would have come off with the worst if the Prince of Ascoli with a great body of Foot had not seasonably come in to their succour so that the Savoyards received a blow and the Marquess di Caluso Governour of Vercelli taken Prisoner by the Spaniards The Germans of the Kings Army burnt Caresana and la Mota and the Savoyards in revenge fired some Towns of the Milanese the burning of the Bridge built by the Spaniards at Villatta over the Sesia not succeeding which the Duke attempted so to have cut off their Camp from the Milanese Such resistance among the Spaniards had the qualification of a hainous offence and Inoiosa shewed himself so disordered at it that to Augustino Dolce the Resident at Venice who perswaded to more peaceable remedies he sharply answered That if the Grandeur of the King abhorred to take away what was anothers it equally belonged to his power to mortifie the contumacy of the Duke whose offences were gone so far that they left him nothing in his power but punishment and correction For pardon he was to have recourse to the Kings clemency at the Court it self To this discourse followed a Declaration in print which devolved to the King all the State of Carlo which held of the Milanese And Castiglione at the same time by suggestion of the Spaniards thunders forth from the Frontier the Ban of the Empire if within a certain time the Duke should not lay down his Arms and bear due respect to Monferrat and every other Fief of the Empire The Spaniards themselves nevertheless would have desired something more of the Emperour and particularly that Piedmont might have been as a prey to whosoever could possess it and that the Governour of Milan might have been the Executor of the Ban. Against these two paper-blows Carlo without much ado defends himself by one of the same stamp and therefore with a Manifesto denies that his house did hold any portion of his States of the Dukes of Milan and to the Emperour he accuses the Prince de Castiglione for suspect sending an Ambassadour into Gremany to inform him better After Piscina arrives also at Venice Carlo Scâ—glia Son of the Count of Verrua as Ambassadour in Ordinary both together press the Senate for assistance who chusing first to make tryal of the ways of Peace made choice of Renieri Zena Ambassadour Extraordinary to go first to Milan and thence to Turin to pass offices seasonable for Peace But their minds being equally incensed they inclined more to wish the Republick a Partner in the War than a Mediator for Peace The Governour to render the Venetians suspect to Carlo pressed that the Duke of Mantua might yield up to him 2000 Foot which were in Casale being the residue of those paid by the Republick But the Republick understanding the instance hindred it notwithstanding that Monferrat for Passage Victuals and Quarters was altogether at the disposition of the Spaniards In Madrid so soon as they heard the spoil Carlo had done in the Milanese the Ministers were so much the more easily inflamed with anger by how much they had not been accustomed to find resistance in Italy They therefore swear his ruine execrating his name and the impudence he had to violate the Royal Army Standard and Confines and reproaching Inoiosa of faint heartedness stir him up to more rigorous resentments But in direct opposition to the ordinary government of the World it might be said that the severe influence of the higher Region which in Spain was that ill will the Duke of Lerma bore to Carlo was mitigated and corrected by that of the lower and nearer which in Milan was the Marquess Governour because finding the Milanese was invaded and on all sides open and undefended he immediately abandoning the Posts of Piedmont retires within his own Confines to the so much heightning of the Duke that he esteemed and published him conquered The Governour incamps not far from Vercelli to secure the building of a great Fortress which being a mile in circuit he placed within the Kings Confines in a situation very commodious for it did not only serve to bridle Vercelli but to cover the Milanese and shut up a passage open enough to strangers for the Invasion of that State An old design of the Spanish Ministers but not to raise jealousies in time of quiet amongst the Princes with novelty defered to be put in effect till this present Conjuncture It was named Sandoval in honour of the Duke of Lerma and Inoiosa amuses himself there without further action for several weeks with great reproach from those who would have wished rather that he had marched into the bowels of Piedmont to chastise the Duke and lay waste the Country The season to say truth for the imployment of Armies passed in this interim and gave time that in the name of the King of France who though come out of his Minority left the burden of the Government to his Mother arrives as Ambassadour in Italy Carlo Marquess of Rambogliet to perswade and press the Duke of Savoy to disarm It sufficiently appeared that the Councils of that Crown tended to make a Peace at the charge of the Dukes Honour and Estate and it was made the more evident that while Rambogliet passed the Alps Monsieur de Sillery was on his way from Paris into Spain to concert the exchange of the two Spouses on the Borders Carlo utters his mind with bitter complaints that both the Crowns conspired against his dignity and security But Rambogliet passing by the consideration of what was fit judged warranty enough the word which France offered with an order to Dighieres to march immediately to his assistance if any molestation should come upon him from Milan otherwise if he should continue refusing to lay down Arms threatens him to give a summons to all the French of which the greatest strength of his Army consisted to abandon his Standard and Service The Duke considering that succours after a loss received would come too late and be unprofitable judged that the safest guard for a Prince consisted in his own strength another mans word faith and orders would not want evasions and pretexts He says I am divided from France by Mountains
will cause floods of stranger Nations to come down into Italy whither the Spaniards can have no passage but with slow voyages by Sea and most tedious marches by Land If France will not be with us it will not be against us And when War is once declared it cannot be but that the French at least privately will run to our Colours To a duplicated vigorous Invasion how will the Milanese be able to resist lull'd asleep in a long Peace and under the shadow of an imaginary reputation with weak places an unwarlike people and so remote from succours I invite the Republick to the spoils not to dangers I will be the first that shall invade I will take some place or other and then if the Republick will go before and give the Princes of Italy an example we shall not be alone Those that cover themselves most under the wings of that Monarchy will be the first to pluck the feathers out of them The Indies Spain and Flanders are not places we ought to be afraid of but the States of Italy are the fetters of our slavery Let us free our selves from them at last for in the Milanese as in the Center the Register of all the Monarchy being kept disorder that the rest will lye dismembred and remote nor shall we any more fear to have the Spaniards our enemies when we shall not have them so near Neighbours Such generous conceptions were heard but not approved by the Senate so long as there appeared any hopes of Peace and believing withal that Carlo in the love of a great War and general Conflagration to enlarge amidst fire and destruction the greatness of his States and the lustre of his Name did refuse to prefer his own and common quiet before the vast ambition of his nature The Duke failed not to do the like with others using the same instigations to the King of England the States of Holland and the Princes of the Union in the Empire and with the same success For the first as ready as he was to interpose good offices was as backward to consent to the War The Hollanders professed to follow the Kings example and Germany did not yet owne its Authority and Power The Governour of Milan to second the maritime undertaking yielding to the reproofs and accusations of those that envied them rather than following his own inclination in Autumn moved the Army though afflicted with several sicknesses and in their march incommodated by excessive rains which overflowed all the Country Having passed the Tanaro in view of the Duke who endeavoured to hinder him he found himself perplexed because the Siege of Asti considering the season and the Dukes strength who was there in person was not advisable To quarter at large served the Enemy for pastime who being vigilant and bold would harass it with continual surprises He resolves therefore to retire in all haste into the Country about Alessandria against the opinion of Giovanni Vives Spanish Ambassadour in Genoua the fierce incendiary of this War and of other principal Ministers who would have rather disposed of the Armies lodging into the Territory of Asti while the Troops of Santa Croce should have taken their Quarters about Ceva and Mondovi to torment and oppress Piedmont Carlo on the other side commodiously enjoys his Lodgings upon the intermixtures of the Fiefs of the Empire to the great relief and sparing of his own Countries In the Spring the Armies were re-inforced and great provisions made but the Duke with a new blow of a Treaty being sollicited by the Mediators signs a paper for Peace in which he consents to disarm retaining only wonted and necessary Garrisons It was promised him that within fifteen or twenty days after the Governour should also disband his Army and give his word to the Pope and King of France not to offend him and in case of default the Princes called the Defenders of the Faith of Inoiosa and Vindicators of the Duke should do it with Arms. The Prisoners and places taken were to be reciprocally rendred and Ferdinand was to restore to Carlo the Dowry and Jewels of Margaret other things in controversie betwixt these two houses were to be decided within six months after or to be determined by Law if any difficulty arose The Dowry of Blanche was to be restored within two years and the Rebels to be pardoned It was much doubted whether to this project which secured few things and left many undecided Carlo for the desire of quiet and apprehension of the Enemies Forces or to gain applause and to interest the Mediators in his cause would give his consent But if that were his intention the design deceived him not for the Treaty being carried by the Nuntio and Rambogliet to Inoiosa with an assured hope that he would approve it because the Ambassador of Spain at Paris had also notified the Proposition to the Court they found that by a late Commission from Madrid all power concerning Peace was taken from him It is not to be believed how much they were offended at it but not being able to obtain more they demanded at least a suspension of Arms for forty days The Governour denies that also An. Dom. 1615 knowing nevertheless that the season of it self did it But the Prince Thomaso who was Carlo's youngest Son marching out of Vercelli with twenty Companies of Foot and 700 Horse surprises Candia a great Town in the Milanese and giving it to fire and spoil brought away a great booty For which the Governour and the Mediators equally complaining the Duke endeavours to excuse what had happened by his Sons being far off and not knowing of the Treaty but the Spaniards compensated themselves with the taking of Monbaldona and Denice Towns in the Mountains of Piedmont ANNO MDCXV King Philip being not to be perswaded to treat with Carlo de pari all endeavour was in vain to get the Treaty approved at Madrid notwithstanding the Pope with his own hand wrote earnestly to him about it Neither were the French much pleased with it because Rambogliet more desirous of the glory to conclude it than applying himself to the means of having it well executed had not well provided for the Interests of Ferdinand Divers Princes of Italy in the vanity of their obsequiousness had offered to the Governour of Milan their Militia and he seasonably accepting the offer either to take from Carlo the hope of assistance or to boast his predominancy intimates to all they should either according to the band of Capitulations or in testimony of their affection perform it By the investiture of Siena he required 4000 of the Grand Duke of Modena Parma and Vrbin each a Regiment of Foot of Genoua as much and a certain number of Luca. Cosmo sends 2000 Foot on condition they should not go out of the Confines of the Milanese and disburses besides pay for 400 Horse From the Dukes of Parma and Vrbin was sent a third Modena alone his excuse was
Town of some moment in the County of Pisino and wasted the Country about Polesana a fruitful Plain of that Province But being called back into Friuli by the successes of Ponteba and Chiavoretto it gave opportunity to the Venetians to ruine the Austrians harvest Luigi Giorgio Proveditor of the Cavalry sacked Verma forced a strong Monastery near St. Pietro di Selve burnt the Suburbs of Vmber and of Lindar with the death of some of the Vscocchi one of the Chiefs whereof called Andrea Ferletich revenged himself by robbing seven Barks and a Frigat in the open Port of Selve Barbaro also at last falling sick by reason of the ill air the Generalat was conferred upon Maffeo Michaele All these successes in both these Provinces of Friuli and Istria served rather to entertain than decide the War But in Piedmont the rupture broke out with greater noise for Bethune having with the Governour of Milan used means and instances for Peace and for disarming had after twenty days received in answer that the Duke having not sincerely performed the disbanding of his Militia and having broken the Articles of Asti neither did the King think himself obliged to them Nevertheless declared that when Carlo should have effectually disarmed and restored he then would give his word not to offend him but for the general disarming he would not consent to it by reason of the proceedings of the Venetians rendred suspect as well by the Invasions made upon the Archduke as for the succours given to Carlo He added a promise by word of mouth of a suspension for a month when the Duke should give his word in the same manner to Bethune not to offend the Milanese Carlo consents to it perswaded by Dedigueres and induced with many reasons or rather forced by the Authority of the French Ministers to forbear if not provoked by Invasions and Hostilities upon conditions nevertheless to retract his word whensoever the State of the Venetians should be assaulted by the Spaniards But the Governour whose aim was by such a Proposition to make the Venetians jealous by making them believe that the Duke by little and little would be ingaged in other Treaties with other counsels draws near to the Frontier of Piedmont casting several Bridges over the Sesia and Tanaro to facilitate his attacque in several parts and give time for the springing of a great Mine elsewhere capable to bring the Dukes affairs to the last gasp if the Treacheries contrived and the Forces now ready might be able to proceed with equal steps There was in France the Duke of Nemours a Branch of the House of Savoy and next to the succession into those States if the Line of Carlo should come to fail He postposing certain private discords in being about his appanage shewed himself very earnest in maintaining the common Interests and Grandeur of the Family and on that score had promised Carlo a Levy of French to help to defend Piedmont But having in his heart the motives of interest and ambition which more vigorously stirred him up to have a view afar off of the succession to those States hearkens to the insinuations of the Governour of Milan who represented to him that he might accellerate the hopes rendred almost impossible by reason of Carlo's numerous issue if he would turn his Arms against his Kinsman and conspiring with Spain to his expulsion reap as it were without hazard a most rich booty Nemours no sooner heard the offer but he readily embraces it consenting to hold those States in Fief of that Crown Such a cozening blow could not succeed but by surprise and a carriage of great secrecy he therefore continues to assemble his Levies with deep dissimulation making a shew to imploy them for Carlo's assistance but the concert was when he should be entred into Savoy where it was designed to give him his place of Arms suddenly and with all his Force to march into the heart of the Country and in the surprise and so great a confusion possess himself of all that which could not resist and at the same instant a great strength raised by the Spaniards in Burgundy were immediately to hasten to his succours while Toledo with the powerful Army of the Milanese should make such an impression into Piedmont that they should not leave to Carlo betrayed by his own and at the same time assaulted by his enemies any way of safety nor hardly of escape But he always vigilant having got knowledge that money had been furnished by the Governour of Milan to Nemours came to discover the bottom of the secret and orders the Marquess of Lants Governour of Savoy that he should have a careful eye upon the Troops of Nemours and receive them but in one place and that far from any Town It seemed that Nemours was displeased at this distrust and at last doubting to be suspected sends to the other side of the Rhosne 1500 men who seduced by the Officers endeavoured to fortifie themselves in Clermont and another Town near-by Lants immediately dispatches to drive them thence some Troops which sent to Carlo by the Duke of Main were passing through Savoy whereupon the former that did not willingly bear Arms against him in whose name and under whose pay they had been raised repass presently the River before Nemours with other Forces or any of the Burgundy Troops now upon the way could arrive to strengthen them Toledo expecting that the design beyond the Mountains should discover it self stays with his Army of 30000 men at Villatta and Candia his chief Quarters And the Duke lodges in the Vercellese at Caresana and la Motta with his Army of 20000 Forces unequal not only for the number but for the esteem and power which gave reputation to those of Spain whereas on the Dukes side there appeared scarce any thing considerable but his own courage and the constancy of his friends Toledo himself had a little after it had been given retracted his word for a suspension of Arms displeased that the Duke should reserve to himself a power to assist the Venetians and although Bethune took the trouble to go to Pavia to propose one more general which might comprehend the Venetians also he found opposition and the Governour was heard to declare himself that as things stood he had no power but to assist Ferdinand And so the War hereupon breaks forth into Piedmont receiving its first motion from 200 Spanish Horse which on the other side of the Sesia over-run the Country towards Stroppiana for booty The Duke believing them more in number went to meet with them and obliged them to retire He afterward attempts to burn the Bridge which Toledo had over the Sesia but the Fire-boats stopt by certain impediments laid longst the shores had no effect He then enters into Monferrat plunders certain Villages takes Villa nova and casting a Bridge over the Sesia threatens to pass into the Milanese The Governour sends 6000 men to recover Villa nova in the
neither being secure by reason of Orders from those of Coira not to let him remain there he was obliged to return into the Bergamasâ—o And so the Souldiers which had been levied disbanded without much difficulty and over and above every Pass was stopped to some Souldiers of the Republick An Dom. 1618 which by connivence filed towards their own State and it was proposed that a Tribunal should be erected to punish those of the Commonalty who had hearkned to the Proposition of Union with the Republick The League of the Grisons to give them their due opposed that but some of the chief prevailed and turning Justice into a Revenue hoped to make their profit by it This was the foundation of that open discord which did in a manner totally subvert the liberty of Rhetia which being equally in confusion and poverty easily prostituted it self to be the laughing-stock of strangers and to be changed according to the private interest of the Inhabitants ANNO MDCXVIII The year terminating so tempestuous 1618. in consequence begins with little appearance of quiet In Germany the truth was that the inclinations of Matthias without question tended to Peace whence although the Austrians to give all the honour to Spain desired only that the Treaty of Madrid should be approved with the exclusion of that Writing stipulated in Paris nevertheless the Venetians dissenting from it both from decency and the Warranty of the Treaty the ratifications were solemnly exchanged in Vienna Giorgio Justiniano Ambassadour for the Republick with Matthias was admitted to Audience with Ferdinand to whom in an honourable discharge of his function omitting past diffidences he represented the intentions of the Republick towards his Royal person and Family inferring from the present accord and the mutual readiness to execute it presaging of a lasting peace and felicity of their Subjects who from the affections of their Princes receive the most benign or the most severe influences The Emperour together with the King had both a mind to nominate Commissioners for executing the accord Pope Paul and Cosimo the Grand Duke but that served chiefly for State and rather to have Mediators Confidents to both Parties if any difficulty should come to arise Whereupon it being necessary that the Deputies should meet upon the place from the Austrians were sent the Barons Carlo d'Harach and Giacomo Elding and from the Republick Girolamo Justiniano and Anthonio Priuli Cavalier both Procurators of St. Marco The Island of Veglia was chosen for the place of meeting both for the conveniency of the place and because the Venetians even in that loved to keep up a seemliness bringing them home into their own Country In the mean time the Austrians being sensible of an Incursion upon the Frontiers of Croatia sent thither a part of the Militia which was in Friuli abandoning the Post of Rubia and the Republick re-inforced with some of their Souldiery their Army by Sea appointing Barbarigo Captain General over it in whose place passed out of Istria into Friuli Barbaro in quality of Vice-Proveditor General of the Armies Into Segna being brought the Company of Germans of Captain Suech for a Garrison Zemino was immediately delivered by Luigi Giorgio Proveditor General of the Venetian Cavalry to the Commander Rudolfo di Colloredo All passed with somewhat greater length than was accorded and it was caused by various accidents and the quality of the business rather than by the will of the Parties besides because it behoved reciprocally to substitute new Commissioners Elding of the Austrians being dead and of the Venetians in place of Giovanni Bembo Duke deceased Nicholo Donato having possessed the place less than a month Priuli was assumed into the Principality He resolved to depart secretly from Veglia and being met near to Venice by twelve Ambassadours not of the oldest but of the most illustrious with great solemnity assumes the Government of the Republick There succeeded as Commissioner Nicholo Contarini and to Elding Marquardo Baron d'Ech but being recalled a while after the Plenipotence rested in Harach alone The Commerce was re-established and there being 133 names of the Vscocchi agreed upon they were banished with their families and threatnings of most severe punishments if they should dare to return The Barks were burnt and in them also was burnt the Name of the Vscocchi with which the Republick was rid of an unquietness which had vexed them for many years The greatest part of them were transported to Carlistot and other Frontiers of the Turks further from the Sea some of the boldest were received under the protection of Ossuna and amongst them Andrea Ferletich conveying away a Bark made in his passage some pilfering upon the Island of Arbe at which the Venetian Commissioners highly moved protested to suspend the restitution of the places they possessed if against the offence visible severities were not made appear whereupon Harach desirous to make a speedy end of the business because the Insurrections in Bohemia required to haste the Troops thither not being able to get Ferletich into his hands arrests by way of Hostage the Wives of three of his Followers and banished them all with a sentence of death if they ever returned With this and the restitution of the Cannon of the Gally of Veniero the Venetians delivering in exchange those carried away from Scrisa the Austrians having punctually performed the agreement the Republick presently delivered the places they held though on the one side the stirs of Bohemia which greatly straightned the Empire and Ferdinand suggested a conjuncture to attempt advantages and the proceedings of the Ministers of Spain pricked them sharply forward to new resentments and revenge For Ossuna was so far from shewing any inclinations to Peace that rather denying the restitutions promised and continuing secret contrivances and publick designs if he covered the one with silence he published the other with ostentation and talked of nothing else in his Government keeping no other rule but his own will and Capricio the conduct he used was in all things most extravagant To be subject to Reason and Law he held an unbecoming servitude violated the Priviledge of the Church trod under foot the Nobility carried himself insolent tnwards all and oppressing the Kingdom insulted without distinction over all the Princes of Italy Howsoever his extravagances serving for a kind of excuse and cover he seemed at the bottom not only supported by the most secret counsels of Spain but there was a talk of prolonging his Government for three years more The Pope foresaw that this troublesom Spirit would over-turn again the Peace of Italy insists therefore with most effectual offices that he would be quiet restore the Prizes and not disturb the Gulph But the Vice-King all other excuses failing offered to execute every thing when the Republick should discharge the Hollanders He nevertheless at the very same time was providing himself with Ships in England and Holland whereupon the Republick rather than suffer Laws to be imposed upon
minds to whatsoever fault or interest Anthonio was at that time Ambassadour in the Court of England and to clear this account he had leave to come to Venice where haranguing in the Senate with great power and no less hope to pacifie mens minds by the merits of his Ancestors and his own Services he found that in cases the most important Justice did not hold the ballance to equalize merits with faults Being summoned to Prison to render account as a Delinquent and yielding to it he was banished with a Sentence of Death and Confiscation of Goods his Name and Posterity cancelled out of the Order of the Patricians He retired himself into England where Girolamo Lando succeeding him in the Ambassage moves the King to discharge him thence But the Senate by the League with the Duke Carlo believing by his strong diversion the State at Land only secured from the attempts of the Milanese and by that of the Switzers judging to have provided themselves with little more than with the appearance and some numbers of Souldiers applied themselves to an equal strength of shipping and men also on the Sea-coast lest the Viceroy of Naples should continue his thoughts to disturb the Islands and the Gulph For this cause they listened to a Proposition of Alliance insinuated from the United Provinces of Holland in which besides the common interest of Liberty and Commerce they had a great desire to strengthen themselves with some strong support before-hand if within a while the Truce coming to expire they should be exposed to a new ingagement with the powerful Forces of Spain Christofero Suriano was at this time Resident for the Venetians at the Haghe who with much ripeness of judgment and dexterity in the managing of persons had introduced himself into a confidence with the Prince of Oâ—â—…nge and the Chief of the States and from thence collecting easily their sense he proceeded from discourses to a Treaty for which some Deputies of the States of the Provinces being appointed to treat with him they set down in writing the Conditions of a League of common defence But being propounded in Venice for the approbation of the Senate opinions differed for amongst those of the Colledge Giovanni Nani judged that the Conclusion should be deferred believing that the Republick though involved in great and grievous suspicions ought not at this time to intangle it self in that interest which presupposing a perpetual War put her into such and so great expences and dangers that the remedy would be found worse than the present evils And so he spake to this purpose If it be true that the faith of Princes is a bond not to be untyed and that Treaties of Leagues as Marriages make a Community of Fortune and Interests it is never too late to resolve upon a Decree which cannot be retracted nor amended A Decree which concerns an Alliance not of those States which govern their Councils by the alteration of things by the vicissitude of affections by the corruptions of Ministers and the change of Governours but of two Republicks in their Constitution immortal in their Maxims immoveable and in their Word constant An Vnion comprehending a short period and a limited number of years yet extends it self to the most weighty affairs and putting the Republick into a long and inextricable Labyrinth draws along with it consequences of great moment because it hath for its object a perpetual War in which with unwearied exercise of mind the Vnited Provinces defend their Religion and Liberty against a most powerful King implacable in the offence and indefatigable in the resentment That the Treasure of the Republick should be poured forth to the assistance of the weak that our aids should be the certain Capital of the oppressed that the Arsenals and Treasuries should be common to Italy there are so strong motives that it cannot be denied but they have not the same force for the affairs of Holland and if they have force by ballancing the reasons it is fit that we measure their strength Our succours perhaps will be large yet unsufficient to be able to maintain a War which subsists upon terms of Liberty and Rebellion irreconciliable with subjection and Kingly Authority A War extended to the four parts of the World which hath no limits nor can be bounded which hath emptied Spain of People exhausted the Indies of Gold and swallowed the Blood and Treasures of Europe The Republick hath always been most just in her undertakings in her own defence most circumspect and in the assistance of others constant What is now pretended is it to take Arms against Spain have we Peace with him is it to preserve our selves but what more safe remedy than the sparing the vital spirits for our own occasions Some desire to perswade those States at the end of the Truce to make an end of the War but if in their intestine Divisions having experienced greater mischiefs from Peace than hazards in the War they are thereto perswaded by their own interest that diversion will surely serve to our advantage and that War will be carried on without us under the shadow of which Italy will take breath and the Republick protected by Heaven against force and treasons will happily enjoy a calm and quiet peace Holland hath the assistance of their Neighbours and they most potent Princes some conformable to their own Religion others by a suitableness to their conveniencies and designs and these can and will uphold her with puissant Forces To what purpose then hasten our Carrier if by the steps of others without wearying our selves we may arrive at the end of our advantages The Republick hath to its praise assumed to her self the protection of Italy hath maintained it and doth maintain it with glory but it would be too vast a thought to espouse all the differences of Europe and have to do in every part of the World If out of prudence we have abstained from meddling in the affairs of Bohemia why should we pinch our selves with those of Holland is it to obtain assistance But that people will not be wanting to be serviceable to us without a League who agree with all the World where there is money and reward I deny not but that friends are a great defence and that in true Mesnagery that Treasure is not to be valued which keeps the Monster of War far off But do the bonds of friendship consist in Treaties only The affections of Princes are there joyned where the Interests are not separate Who doubts but that the Vnited Provinces will embrace our assistance as often as being in distress it may be seasonable to give it and render it to us again when the Conjunction of affairs shall shew it to be necessary We have hitherto at least drawn Commanders Souldiers Ships out of that Country open to the money of all That very money which for the purchase of a friendship not necessary we are here vainly so ready to disburse shall be that
and set at naught a Prince in friendship with him The rupture indeed betwixt France and England advanced apace the disagreements betwixt the King and Queen in London continuing notwithstanding that the Mareshal of Bassompiere gone thither Ambassadour Extraordinary setled certain Articles concerning the Queens Family which in matters of Religion served for a pretext to distasts but not reconciling the interests and passions of the two Favourites Richelieu disavowed him and Buckingham as studiously crossed him At the instigation of the Duke of Savoy who by his own anger sharpned that of others the Domesticks of the Queen were sent back to Paris There followed hereupon many reciprocal reprisals at Sea and King Charles taking the Huguenots and Rochel into his protection complained of the inobservancy of Treaties and of the inconvenience the Fort Lewis was to that Town Upon these pretexts Buckingham taking the quality of Ambassadour had a mind to pass into France to procure redress but the true motive of his Journey being ascribed to loves contracted in that Court Richelieu perswades the King to refuse him entrance into the Kingdom The rage hereupon of the other was inflamed to extremity and swearing that since he was forbidden to enter in a peaceable manner into France he would make his passage with an Army he applies himself to an open breach The Kings intentions being carried by Monsieur Montaigue to the Huguenots and the Duke of Savoy it was resolved betwixt them that the King as Protector of the last Peace with the Huguenots should to repair the pretended infractions send thirty thousand men against France divided into three Armies whereof the first was to take in the Islands next to Xaintonge to strengthen Rochel the second to land in the Garonne near Bourdeaux and the third keeping Normandy and Britany in apprehension distract the Forces and shutting up the entrances into the Rivers hinder the Commerce The Duke of Savoy was at the same time to invade Provence and Dauphiné promising also to send five hundred Horse to Rohan who offered to raise the greatest part of Languedoc with the Huguenots and with four thousand Foot and a good number of Horse to joyn with the English in Guyenne And to the end the Kingdom might be invaded on all parts Carlo Duke of Lorrain moved thereto by Chevereuse and Scaglia who went to attend him for that purpose was to enter into it from his side with powerful Forces The Venetians and the States of Holland were also invited by the English and by Savoy the one by the interests of Religion and the other in revenge of the Treaty of Monzone and for fear of the Union betwixt France and Spain but both these Republicks apprehending more than from the Treaty of Monzone the evils from the discord betwixt England and France who coming to a War left every where a field open to the advantages and arbitrement of the Austrians endevoured by an effectual mediation to reconcile them In this interim the Treaty was executing in the Valteline though the Grisons greatly stirred with prejudice appealed sending an express Embassy into France Nor was it to any purpose that Monsieur de Chasteauneuf to appease them came from Venice to Coira and from thence into Helvetia for the three Leagues and amongst the Switzers the Protestant Cantons would never give their consent Nevertheless not regarding their complaints it was agreed to render the Forts and withdraw the Armies The Venetians by reason of the nearness were troubled that the Forts should be demolished and the Pope refusing to charge himself with such a trouble and expence Fargis at the Court of Spain had consented to new prejudices capitulating that they should by the Pope be delivered to those of the Valteline or the Spaniards themselves to demolish them But that being disapproved by France and the Republick it was at last agreed in Rome between Monsieur Bethune and the Count d'Ognate Ambassadors of the Crowns That those old Forts out of which the Ensigns of the Church had gone forth should be restored to Torquato Conti who should enter into them with three thousand men that he afterwards should go out of them when the Spanish Ministers should deliver him a Writing that they were satisfied of the former deposition That at the same time the Confederates should withdraw their Forces out of the new Forts and they to be all at a time demolished by the Peasants so soon as Pope Urbans Colours should enter into the first Some retardments deferred the delivery until the beginning of the year to come for Coevre had a mind before he retired that the Pension of those of the Valteline to the Grisons should be adjusted But Gonsales de Cordua who upon the removal of Feria as little inclined to execute the Peace commanded in the Milanese denying that he had power concerning this it was in France adjudged by the King with the consent of the Ambassadour of Spain at twenty five thousand Crowns a year Carlo also pressed by Bouillon had made a suspension of Arms with the Genouese rather to revenge himself of France than out of complacency to it for being entred into the design to invade with great hopes that Kingdom he did not unwillingly dis-engage himself on that side In this manner was Italy set at quiet but knew it self big with new storms and more fierce tempests The Venetians accommodating themselves to the time and reforming their Militia kept a strong body of the most veteran and tryed ones In this year amongst the domestick Affairs Frederico Cornaro Bishop of Bergamo being promoted to the Cardinalat in that order in which amongst the other Crowns the Popes are wont to honour the Republick there arose a doubt whether he being Son of the Doge the Law had place which forbid them to receive Ecclesiastical Benefices and it was declared by the Senate that a dignity of that quality was not comprehended under the common name of Benefices On the contrary to Carlo Quirini Bishop elect of Sebenico was denied the possession because the Council of Ten having received knowledge that he had gotten it by means not lawful for Citizens of the Republick and by the favour of the Ministers of other Princes banished him with the severest penalties and the Church was given by the Pope to another During the Truce howsoever short caused by the Arms and evils of Italy a new War arises in Germany or rather the old was increased by the practices of Christian the Fourth King of Denmark contrived with the Protestants That Kingdom is not great in Territory nor puissant in Forces but considerable for its situation by Land and by Sea and by reason of the support which through its nearness it gave to the Princes of the Lower Saxony who as hath been said had chosen him for General of the Circle and he together with the charge assuming high thoughts hoped to manage the War to his own advantage by the forces and money of others
wavering amidst divers considerations not desiring to be ingaged against the power and rage of the Austrians nor seeing willingly the power of the Spaniards to be increased in Italy or the Authority and Name of the Emperour greatly suspicious to the Popes to be awakned He not only approved the remonstrance of the Venetians but in a manner promoted it frequently complaining to their Ambassadour of the iniquity of the times in which from a cause most unjust the ambition of Princes was going to subvert the repose of Italy scarce yet setled He offered his interposition with powerful offices but added What can be promised from reason without Arms in dealing with him who places Reason and Justice in nothing but Arms The excess of power in Princes makes little account of the Popes prayers and their Mediation is reduced almost to nothing else but to adorn the Frontispice of Treaties with their name It is meet since offices do no good to apply to other remedies more powerful To improve the thought of uniting the Princes of Italy in their own and the common Interest But besides his own Forces and those of the Republick of whom was there any account to be made The Duke of Savoy renouncing the ancient Glory of maintaining the Liberty of Italy unmindful of his age and of a Grave at hand contrives new Stratagems The Government of Tuscany was inclined to the advantages of the Austrians In the others power was wanting or will The Senate therefore was seriously to consider if the Forces alone of the Church and theirs would be a sufficient defence against the approaching evils and to maintain the Cause of Mantua threatned and may be said oppressed by the prosperity of the Emperour and the Potency of Spain That he was ready with counsels and action to run the common Fate of Italy but that it was also a common Interest to lean to the more powerful for the upholding of themselves and friends That he thought application to France was necessary whose friendship though by its inconstancy it seemed dangerous by its power made it self seasonable That he was disposed with his intentions offices and endeavours to second the resolutions of that Crown and the Common-wealth The aims of Vrban were not in truth conformable to his expressions He desired to maintain Nevers in the succession of Mantua but abhorred to ingage himself so far as to be obliged to come to a Declaration or taking up of Arms. He encouraged the Venetians to the end he might enjoy their support in whatsoever should happen and flattered the French with hopes of adhering to their Party for if he had the luck to bring him into Italy in favour of Nevers he doubted not but things would proceed with such a ballance that he might reserve to himself the glory of the mediation and the merit of making the Peace Frequent advertisements were then sent from Venice and from Rome to King Lewis of the State of Italy disquieted by great apprehensions and threatned by greater dangers solliciting him to imploy Authority Negotiation and Force for the saving of the Country and the Princes his Friends France in effect was greatly sensible and the principal Ministers confessed the Reputation and Honour of the Crown ruined if it failed to assist Nevers But the Ingagement before Rochel was equally important whereupon they turn their counsels anew to prevail upon the mind of the Duke of Savoy because he it seemed was the Arbiter of the Peace or of the War whilst if it could be brought about to separate him from the Spaniards their taking Arms would be diverted or at least weakned The center therefore of the business lay in Turin the Venetians on the one side assaulting him with reasons and perswasions and the French on the other tempting him with promises and advantages St. Simon besides the ceading of so much Land in Monferrat as should amount to twelve thousand Crowns of yearly Revenue proposes to him secret and great hopes that France with a more powerful assistance should joyn in promoting his undertakings against the Genouese the differences with whom assumed by the Crowns with the title of an authoritave mediation remained yet undecided But the Duke mindful of former accidents relinquished not for the uncertainty of things to come the designs of present advantages Clogging the Treaty therefore by the demand of Trin a place of most important situation because it was opposite to Casal and drawing it into length he no less precipitated the resolutions and getting into Arms. Upon the news of the death of Duke Vincenzo and what had happened in Mantua the Bishop of Mondovi and Serbellone were returned back to relate it to the Duke and to Cordua who agreeing in their aims aggravated also with uniform dissatisfactions That the young Princess Niece of the Catholick King and also of the Duke was without their knowledge forced rather upon the dead body of the deceased Duke amidst sobs and tears than married by her own free consent Then Cordua charges Rhetel with the contempt of having intruded himself into a State in contest contrary to the Commissions Patents of the Emperor Soveraign and Judge of the Parties to whom being required to refer the cognizance of the cause and the penalty of the boldness he refused the Letters which he had written to him concerning the Title assumed of Prince of Mantua The eyes of all men were to say truth turned towards Ferdinand some sheltering themselves under his Authority and others considering his Power Amongst the first were the Princes of Guastalla whose interest served not but for a bounded prospect and stalking Horse for the Arms of Spain and Margaret Dutchess of Lorrain who as eldest Sister of the last Dukes deceased pretended that the Males of the other Branch being excluded the Succession belonged to her but her Rights being very little considered they could amount to no more but to usher in those of Leonora the Empress her younger Sister Whilst the decision was like to proceed with great length of time the new Duke of Mantua and the Princes that adhered to him apprehended the Emperours Forces jealously observing an Army of sixteen thousand men under a Count of Mansfelt in Suaben kept on foot there under pretext of bridling the motions of the Marquess of Dourlach and the Protestants but in effect as a body of reserve for the Affairs of Italy at the disposition of the Crown of Spain the which not only by benefits and pensions held dependent on it the Emperours chief Ministers but upbraided to himself the holding the Imperial Dignity as but the fruit of their counsels and assistance Since therefore Ferdinand was obliged to depend on anothers will the pressing instances of the Popes Ministers and the Venetians availed little who perswaded him not to interest himself but with his Authority in favour of the cause which should appear most just and to prefer Negotiation before a Rupture Nevertheless to cover the designs which were
who invites the French and sollicites to get Companions Things then are not deplorable to that degree that we should despair of a remedy if we shall be willing to apply it in the beginning but if the disease shall go on fomented by our negligence such will be the increase of it that the recovery will be made more difficult than can be repented of There are O Fathers in cases of importance three Springs whence all disasters plentifully flow which point by point in the contrary opinion I have throughly noted false security careless delay and a covetous fear of charge Let us consider the Duke of Mantua as a new Prince a Stranger as may be said to the Customs and to the Language encompassed with Subjects unknown with a Militia that must be intreated oppressed with necessity staggering under the weight of a State shaken by the Arms of so powerful Enemies that who sees him not ready to fall Let us suppose Casal almost without other Garrison than the Inhabitants deprived of all succour assailed by the forces and skill of the Governour of Milan and by the designs and contrivements of Savoy so that who expects it not almost as soon rendred as attempted Now in this condition let us weigh our own dangers and in the consideration of them more than of the necessities of the Duke let us resolve if we can satisfie our own minds to deny him speedy succours It may possibly be believed that Casal may hold out that Savoy may revolt that the Germans may stay their march and that the French may pass the Alps But if such hopes do but flatter us of what then shall we be afraid to declare our selves in favour of the Duke O Fathers these are Hobgoblins and give me leave to say so false Visions represented from weakness and the fear accompanying too wary Counsels From the Precepts of our Ancestors and the Examples of all Princes may sufficiently be learnt that by assisting the weak ones Power is either preserved or increased The Republick hath always had this belief that the fruit of their quiet and I will say of their parsimony was in a manner due to their friends Those Treasures have been well spent those Cares happy and Counsels wise which in former times have preserved this Country in safety the Princes in their dignity and our selves in our liberty Let us not blush here to speak it Our assistances have been given out to usury with the manifold gain of our own tranquillity and glory All the good which with vain flatteries and uncertain hopes is proposed to us from Chance we may reap from our own generous and wise deliberations for the Duke not abandoned of assistance will take courage and strength his Subjects will get vigour Casal being succoured will defend it self and by holding out will divert blows far from Mantua and keep dangers remote from our Confines France in this interim dis-ingaged from Rochel will joyn to make a seasonable Counterpoise but if standing negligently idle we shall behold the destruction of our Neighbours what may we expect but to be abandoned by all even in their own ruine If to the French be objected the Rampiers of the Alps which way shall we open them a passage if when we shall have passed the Mountains Casal being lost they shall find the door shut That Prince is reduced to a too lamentable condition that expects savour for himself alone from him that is an Enemy to all Can we possibly hope to find in the Austrians moderation and respect towards us I for my part prefer security before hopes because we live in times in which Ambition bears rule the Conjuncture is a pretext Interest is the Idol of Princes and the Corner-stone of States I cannot frame to my self reasons more strong nor justice more apparent how to indemnifie and save the Common-wealth than that which appears on the side of the Duke of Mantua and if he be invaded I fear the example and if he be overcome I apprehend lest Fortune should justifie the lust of Dominion The will and a fit Conjuncture to break is enough for Princes to find abundant matter for occasions and pretexts Let us at least resolve upon that which necessity then which no eloquence is more powerful or more compendious perswades us because having once with a generous constancy blunted the edge of the pride of Strangers in Italy Glory and Peace will for a long time reside amongst us But let us be mindful here Fathers that while we are consulting Casal is losing and that if we delay to take our resolution here safety it self will not be able to succour it Amidst these contrary opinions the minds of the Senators were wavering because besides the weight of the reasons of both the Parties a certain discreet and experienced prudence produced great credit to the Author of the first and the conceit of a great sufficiency in Politick matters did no less for the second At last as it often happens that in extremes equally difficult middle counsels prevail a third opinion was followed which consisted in arming and strongly fortifying themselves in all kinds to sollicite France to maintain the Cause of the Duke and when France should ingage it self and send an Army on this side the Mountains to joyn to it that of the Republick for the defence of Mantua which could no more without difficulty receive succours from elsewhere The Senate also were willing particularly in Spain to repeat their most effectual offices for Peace not because they hoped the Armies being so far advanced to divert them but at least to justifie the resolutions to which they saw themselves constrained And to say truth their remonstrances were rather made known to than considered by the Conde Duke whereupon all being reduced to extremes sollicitations were turned again towards France But above that affair there arose great divisions in the Kings Council in which according to the nature of the Nation opinions degenerating into Factions and in them passions and interests ingrafting themselves both Ministers and business were confounded The Queen-mother had by nature a certain propension to the Spaniards and nourished a great aversion against Nevers ever since during her Regency he joyned himself several times to the male-contents But now there were added causes more urgent for the Duke of Orleans for so we will henceforward call the Kings Brother his first Wife being dead earnestly desired to take in second Marriage Mary the Daughter of the same Nevers a Princess of exquisite Beauties on the other side the Mother abhorring to see the Daughter of her Enemy her Daughter-in-law preferred Anna de Medici Sister of Ferdinand great Duke of Tuscany or Nichola de Loraine Daughter of Henry both allied to her in blood And because she doubted that the Cardinal inclined to Gonzagha she began from this suspicion to convert her favour into hatred and their discord had so many things to nourish it as will hereafter render
and suing for the bond of your alliance If in your protection consists the Peace of Italy obligation perswades you custom exhorts you and interest it self constrains you My King will believe his opposition more fortunate if he shall have for his companions those whom he refuses not for the Judges of his intentions and the Vmpires of the Peace Though from such endeavours mens minds for some days were variously moved yet being communicated to the Senate the consent was unanimous not to change counsel but to adjust according to Neutrality the answers with equal esteem to the invitations of both the Kings equally affectionated and prized and with exhortations to Peace for the procuring whereof in the partiality of so many others who divided Europe almost equally the indifference of the Republick was judged necessary if not serviceable With these resolutions the Spaniards were more contented than the French appayed to whom it appeared as if amidst domestick cares the Republick had laid aside the foreign and that it was not against having the Spaniards in Italy so it were in a condition compatible with the liberty of that Country Before Bellievre departed from Venice foreseeing that the Republick would be more and more averse from entring into the League by reason of the harsh usage of the Duke of Savoy he besought them to admit of some moderations but the Senate made no reply to his instances The Confederates then in Piedmont taking the Field in the month of August the Duke Vittorio being Generalissimo of the League and Crequi commanding the French Army pass the Sesia possessing with a great effort the Fort della Villata and the tracings of certain old Trenches At the same time the Duke of Parma sending to the other side of the Po four Companies of Horse with Musketiers behind them caused Codagno to be pillaged to vent private revenge against the House of Trivultia to whom the Town belongs Upon these invasions and for fear of greater disasters the people of the Millanese being in confusion fled in Troops for refuge into the Country of the Venetians with such of their goods as time and convenience permitted or that the value moved them to carry away To say truth had the Republick made an attaque from its own frontier it looked as if there would have been no remedy or refuge So that their moderation was extolled by many and the Catholick King himself to Giovanni Giustiani their Ambassador confessed That he acknowledged the preservation of the Milanese from the generosity of the Senate which ran the same course unrequired preserving friendship with them in their dangers whose hatred they had not formerly in their greatest power feared nor tolerated their jealousies Crequi after several consultations laying Siege to Valenza thought by the gaining of it a door would be opened into the Milanese for the enjoying the conveniencies of a good part of the Country beyond the Po Duke Edward would be animated and Vittorio no less to co-operate and join Forces He supposed the attacque would be short and quickly dispatched notwithstanding that the Spaniards had brought some renfort into it But he quickly perceived that Francisco del Cardina making a brave defence there was need of a stronger Army to take it The Duke of Parma with four thousand Foot and a thousand Horse passing through the Tortonese with so much the more faste for having beaten by the way some Spanish Troops that attempted to hinder him had joined with him He of Savoy who at first had not approved of the ingagement lingred for many days At last sending the Marquess Villa before with some part of his Troops himself arrives with the rest which in all made a body of betwixt five and six thousand Souldiers During this interim Crequi having not been able for want of men to perfect the circumvallation of the place the Spaniards had enjoyed all conveniencies to bring succours into it But with the arrival of the Savoyards being environed on both sides the River the taking it seemed secure if the emulation and contention betwixt the Confederates had not weakened their Force and Counsels Whereupon the taking of the out-works going faintly on Antonio Sotello and the Marquess di Calada took courage to fall into the quarters of Parma with so great success that though repulsed they did him most remarkable mischief there being killed amongst others Ricciardo Avogardo a Brescian of a very noble Family General of Edwards Horse Upon this Carlo Colonna also who till the arrival of Leganes out of Flanders commanded the Spanish Army putting on resolution incamps himself in the Lommelina in a quarter near to the place besieged committing to the Marquess of Torrecuse the defence of certain Posts advanced The French with the Duke of Mantua passed to the other side of the Po into the Savoyards quarters to attempt to dislodge him but whilst Torrecuso seconded by Colonna amused the Enemy five hundred Souldiers carrying certain provisions going out of Alessandria entred into Valenza on the other side through the quarters ill guarded by the Parmesians and French Which Crequi understanding fearing lest the besieged with this re-inforcement might fall into his own quarter returns thither And Colonna now seeing the attempt of a general succour seasonable drew forth his Troops along the sides of the Po and recovers a Fort at the entry into del Ponte first possessed by the Savoyards From thence he thrusts into Valence what was needful Vittorio looking on without opposition and Crequi with a battery afar off in vain endeavouring to hinder it This relief taking away from the Confederates the hopes of mastering the place obliges them after fifty days Siege to rise and retire Every one of the Chiefs desirous not to be held the Authour or cause of this ill success carried away with them their passions and excuses Crequi highly taxes the faith of the Savoyards as if that Duke not caring to see a good issue of the Siege had retarded Victuals weakly assaulted the Posts of Torrecuse and at last connived at the entrance of the succours On the other side Vittorio imputes to Crequi want of activity and negligence not only in the first motion of the Army but in not hindring the entrance of the first succours complaining that the French Army much weaker than the agreement and than was necessary had no other aim by ingaging themselves but to ingage their friends The Duke of Parma was universally blamed for his heat and inexperience in being joined with a few Forces and with uncertain and remote succours against so powerful a King The Pope as Soveraign of those States had by the means of the Vice-Legate of Bologna admonished him to desist but Edward not regarding the friendly office and Vrban not pressing it further the appearance served rather to satisfie the complaints of the Ministers of Spain who accused the Pope of negligence than effectually to promote Peace The Duke accompanied with few goes to the Court at Paris
Negotiation and some through the conjuncture of time although they awakened jealous thoughts in some yet they seemed not of importance to disturb the Peace under which some not remembring that one ring is not a Chain yet a Chain is formed of many rings thought themselves secure and others happy But by the death of Henry the Fourth France falling into a long minority the Spanish Ministers judged the conjuncture fit to reap their advantages with Counsel and with Arms. And to say truth the occasion in Italy seemed favourable because the French as hath been said being excluded and now fallen under the government of a Child and of a Woman and Ministers divided in their private Interests the Country was believed so low in courage and strength that if at any time strangers in the attempt to subdue it had gotten great company both People and the Princes themselves would now place their safety and greatest glory in yielding their obedience Some by a pecuniary Interest were already dependent upon Spain others by blood and others by pretensions The Popes taken up in the care of Holy things or distracted in the concerns of their own Family side always with the strongest so that the safety and protection of Italy was now committed to the Venetians alone Nevertheless it was judged that they also would prefer Peace before all things either from the experience of the hazards and events of former Wars or because Monarchies being subject to various changes and accidents it was believed that time might produce such successes from which they thought their Republick as standing upon a more sure foundation exempt and free But in this general Quiet and Peace of Europe there wanting rather pretexts than minds to disturb Italy it was abundantly supplied by the death of Francis Gonzague Duke of Mantua hapned in the flower of his Age about the last of October 1612. He left for posterity to his House Mary yet at Nurse to the Estate two Brothers Ferdinand a Cardinal and Vincenzo and to Italy a sad series of Calamities and Troubles By his Marriage with Margarite Daughter of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy it was generally believed that the Peace of Italy would have been established composing thereby the pretensions of those two Houses upon Monferrat They had their ancient Original from the very root of the succession to that State from the Paleologhi and the Gonzagui and after many litigious proceedings Charles the Fifth Emperour as Soveraign of the Fief did rather foment than extinguish them by a certain sentence whereby the possession was adjudged to Mantua leaving undecided to Savoy the right of certain donations of Lands and of the Dowry of Blanche Wife to Charles the First Duke of Savoy which though it exceeded not 80 Thousand Crowns yet with the interest of a long time came near to a Million In the Marriage aforesaid it was studiously endeavoured to ballance all Interests besides the Dowry in Money and Jewels the Father ceding in favour of the Daughter and her Posterity the Revenues of Monferrat and there was a line to be drawn which was to distinguish the confines much intangled with Piedmont upon some lands whereof those of the house of Gonzaghi having a right they renounce it and made a mutual exchange of several places for common convenience and advantage But the affections of Princes being not to be bound by those Bonds which among private men pass for Sacred designs ceased not nor were pretensions extinguished For the Line they could never find a point where to begin it but that of the life of Duke Francis being cut they fell back into discord and the confusion of their former Interests Margarhite called the Infanta according to the custom of Spain in regard of her Mother Daughter of the Catholick King Philip the Second who in her young days was left a Widow in the house of Mantua retained very lively affections for that of her Father whose maxims and sence were so deep imprinted in her that she played that part which was most pleasing to the Savoyards Carlo Emanuel was then Duke of Savoy who it may be said had with much virtue adorned and as much ambition embroiled two Ages He was born in the 61. year of the last and with him at a birth Generosity Courage and the desire of Dominion In the 19. year of his Age he succeeded his Father in the Estate important for its scituation plentiful by its Fertility and for its extent considerable but not proportionable to his mind Being invironed with two so great powers as are France and Spain he could not but know how difficult it would be to make conquests and as impossible to keep them Nevertheless the divisions of France having opened a way to the surprisal of the Marquisat of Salusses and other great attempts he espoused together with the Daughter of Philip the Second a partiality to that Crown and the Maxims thereof But the assistance of his Father-in-Law who had no mind to make him greater towards the Confines of the Milanese not being such as hope and desire had suggested to him he at last concluding a Treaty with Henry the Fourth more to the advantage of the Spaniards than himself adheres to France and enters with Henry as a sharer in these designs which that great King upon firm foundations had laid against the Austrian Monarchy His treacherous and sudden death discharges him leaving Carlo in the grief of his lost hopes and in fear of the revenge of Spain which nevertheless having pacified by sundry means and the Hostage of one of his Sons since he had not been able to make his profit with the great Ones he now purposes to disturb his Neighbours of more moderate power The death of his Son-in-Law gives him the occasion and on the first notice of it he dispatches as his Ambassadour to Mantua the Count Francisco Marteningo and afterwards the Marquess of Lucerna to console his Daughter She then publishes her self with child to suspend a while the succession of Ferdinand the Cardinal and leave the Government fluctuant and uncertain Soon after the Prince Vittorio Amadeo her elder Brother arrives and at the same time the Count Guido di San Giorgio a Subject by birth of Monferrat but by discontent with his own Prince becomes a near Confident of Carlos was by frequent goings and comings driving on a secret Treaty at Milan The Mine at last was sprung for Vittorio perswades his Sister with her little Daughter to return home to her Father or at least to retire to a neutral place as might be Milan and if in consideration of the Child not yet born her going out of those Countries were not approved he insinuated that there was Monferrat where she might remain with more decency That it was not fit that a young Princess should remain amidst the said memorials of her past contentments and under the eye of the Cardinal her Kinsman as young in years as jealous of the
Succession That the Daughter ought to go with the Mother not to separate the affections of Nature and to bring her up with that tenderness which is proper for a mothers care Under such appearances was hid a more secret mystery for as the Fief of Mantua did not admit to the Succession any but Males so by that of Monferrat Women were not excluded In Mary therefore was considered the security of that important State and therefore Carlo desired to have her in his power For grant that Practice and Right have excluded Women when any of the Male-line is remaining of a degree never so remote nevertheless if to his own right he should have been able to joyn that of the Princess there was no doubt but it would have much strengthened the cause Ferdinand that well knew what those instances meant defended himself with several conveniencies and excuses That the Dutchess could not stir from Mantua while she carried in her womb the pawn of the felicity of that State That it was not the custom that the Princes of Gonzagui should be born in any other place than where they command That his Niece much less ought not to be removed out of that house where possibly Fortune designed her Heir and Mistress If the object of the Palace of Mantua were a place too sad and mournful others were not wanting and particularly that of Goito wherein to divertisement was joyned safety and convenience But Carlo 's to the Governour of Milan who was John Mendoza Marquess of Inoiosa intimates that that business was to be managed by the Authority of Spain Was it fit that the Child Niece of the King should be brought up by him who was Vncle by the Fathers side and Competitor of the Command where should this tender Pledge of the Fortune of Italy be better placed than under the Royal care of him who is the Arbiter of it That the Child did possess in her self the right of Monferrat so near and important to the Milanese If she should carry it in Dowry to some troublesom and unquiet Prince and if wanting Issue male as from the Complection of the Princess was prognosticated the Line of Nivers now naturalized in France should come to succeed what would become of the Affairs of Italy and the Authority which without controul the King at present enjoys there These reasons which as the Report went were quickned with rich gifts moved the Governour to speed the Prince of Ascoli with a great number of Souldiers to demand with a high hand both the Child and the Mother Ferdinand was astonished betwixt wrath and danger It seemed a great matter that the only Issue of that Family should be ravished from its Fathers house But on the other side to the power and will of so great a Monarch there was no resisting Nevertheless taking counsel suitable to his fear and pretexts from the present state of Affairs he answers That his Niece being Niece to the Emperour and Queen of France he was not to dispose of her alone That he declined contest with his sister-in-law about the Guardianship and referred it to him who is Soveraign of the State With this Ascoli and the Prince of Piedmont depart either respecting the name of so great Princes or rather because unexpectedly meeting with a reluctancy in Ferdinand things were not yet concerted and adjusted to proceed further Ferdinand presently gives notice to the Imperial Court and into France of this jealous accident in which it appeared that the security liberty and dignity of all was concerned because betwixt power and violence there being no mean but that of reason if to will and interest right should give place nothing in the World would any longer be safe and unviolated Matthias of Austria was now Emperour of Germany and his Counsels as the World thought governed by Melchior Cardinal Gleselius and supposed that as the Prince so the Minister was little inclined to the Spaniards And therefore naturally abhorring all that was pleasing to them and holding it for a Maxime that the shadow of their Authority in Italy would more serve to oppress the Emperours than augment it the Emperour decrees That the Tutelage of the Niece did belong to Ferdinand absolving him from any defect of age required by the Common Law neither did the Queen Regent of France differ from that Judgment and being angry at the proceedings of the Savoyards declares her self to maintain the Decree giving them to understand that she would not endure that the Niece should be removed from her Fathers house and State not without some kind of threatning Carlo to resent it whensoever he should imploy Art or Force about it and with this it was believed that the designs of Savoy were for the present suppressed and the thoughts of Spain laid aside All this was seconded by the Council of the Venetians who having after the death of Francisco sent to Mantua under the pretext of private Affairs Ferrante da Rossi their General of the Artillery a great Confident of the Gonzagui had charged him to observe the tendency of things and the accidents thereupon By this means Ferdinand held a strict communication of all things with the Republick and still incouraged him not to bend under the weight and troubles of the new Government to maintain his Interest and the Decorum of it and to lose no time to make use of his dexterity among the great Princes and to procure with all his power the good offices and assistances of his Allies so to be able to make a counterbalance to Spain The Senate also pressed seriously Pope Paul V. the Emperour and the Crowns to awaken necessary reflections for the diverting these calamities and imbroilments which mature Judgment foresaw to be at hand But Margaret's supposed being with Child being now vanished with time Ferdinand above his Purple assumes the Title and Power of Duke and at the same time the Prince of Piedmont appears at Goito to carry away his Sister and his Niece now the pretext of her being with Child ceased There was there besides Isabella Dutchess of Modena only Sister of Margaret And here by artifices and fears Ferdinand was overcome to be content that his Sister-in-law retiring her self to Modena her Daughter should be carried thither also with solemn promises that she should be sent back to Mantua whensoever Margaret should have a mind to return into Piedmont But this Concert was no sooner divulged but France in particular ascribing the Dukes consent to his own inexperience and the corruption of his Ministers it was remonstrated to him to how many hazards he exposed that only Child and to how many cross interests he abandoned the Family What was the Duke of Modena able to do against the artifices of Carlos or the commanding power of Inoiosa He should have considered that by the Succession if God should inrich her with Posterity there would remain betwixt Mary and her Sons divided hopes pretensions and designs Ferdinand acknowledging
all to be truth afflicted himself but taken at his word knew not how to recal it when Caesar Duke of Modena considering the weight of the Charge trusted to him that drew along with it the satisfaction of the Crowns flips the knot and refuses it Vittorio departs then with his Sister only and with them a sharp thorn was pulled out of the heart and eyes of Ferdinand But they were no sooner arrived at Milan but the Governour dispatches a Courrier to Mantua to require the Princess to be delivered to her mother who bringing nothing but the accustomed answers he sends thither the Captain of his Guard Diego Leiva and to Modena Camillo de la Torre that by both the Dukes might be admonished the one to deliver the Child and the other to receive her He of Mantua denying his power to disobey the Emperours Decree sends the Bishop of Diocaesarea to Milan to make his excuse for it with order also to go on to Vercelli to console Margaret who lived there and withal to insinuate the project of marriage which had been so often formerly spoken of as the only means to confirm in the blood of Margaret the posterity quench the pretensions about Monferrat and unite affections But as Ferdinand taking counsel from his interest and the present Conjuncture had not shewed himself averse so Carlos would never come to any resolution sometimes alledging discontents sometimes requiring satisfactions and at last declaring that he would not again in favour of a second marriage quit the right of Monferrat He had his thoughts rather bent to espouse his own interest with the Fortune of a War and for that purpose superadding new pretensions to the old he requires the restitution of the Dowry of Margaret with the Jewels not only which she had brought but those that had been given her in honour of the marriage all which by the Cardinal Duke were resolutely denied Amidst these Negotiations Carlos was transported to higher thoughts And calling to Council at Vercelli his Sons and Ministers proposes his disgusts at the Duke of Mantuoe the reasons he had to resent them together with the opportunity of greatning himself and layes forth the appearances which flattered him to believe that what with Negotiations and his Army all things would succeed well Martinengo Voghera and Lucerna his chief Counsellors judging the designs to be greater than could be effected with great passions shew their dissent and the first with so much freedom disswades that he incurred displeasure and distrust but Verua and St. Giorgio of which the one having an Estate in Monferrat desired to bring it under the Dominion of his own Prince and Master and the other being made odious to his natural Prince affected to change him seconded the inclinations of the Duke His custom was for the most part to consult within himself and to resolve according to the dictate of his own prudence which being the infallible Counsellor of the wisest Princes was very often in him defiled with the suggestions of ambition always hazardous seldom happy Having some Troops on foot part being the remains of the League with France part a Guard against the Jealousie of Spain he saw before his eyes a State exposed and disarmed which the Duke of Mantua could not defend but with bewailing and complaints He believed that the Princes of Italy either stupified or slumbering in a profound Peace would hardly be brought to awaken That the Venetians more considerate than the rest beside his entertaining of a mutual confidence with them were wont rather to tolerate things done then approve the designs The Emperour had nothing remaining in Italy but the name and for the two Crowns he feared them not the one having a minor King and the other the Kingly Power afar off The Milanese disarmed and unprovided was governed by Mendoza his Confident and little capable in matters of intricacy to play a wise part or resist force It was true that in Spain the Favourite Duke of Lerma shewed himself averse to him but he chiefly reflected lest the fear that he should draw a French Army into Italy in the distaste of it would render the natural weight of those Counsels more grievous In conclusion he deliberates to give a blow at unawares because when he should have put himself in possession of some part of Monferrat before the minds of those that were remote would be stirred and the Forces of those that were near could unite and Princes in the darkness of the general Jealousies could discern their proper Interests some time would spend during which he hoped to find his security and advantages they well understanding him to be as active and nimble in Negotiations and Treaties as they knew him wise and couragious in Arms. Monferrat is a large Country inriched with Cities Villages and People equally fertile where it is extended into Plains and where raised into frequent Hillocks The Rivers Po and Tanaro water it besides other lesser rivulets the latter in particular running through the midst of it gives to the part towards the Sea the name of the lower and to the other which on this side more amply enlarges it self that of the upper The Metropolis is Casal and opposite to it is if I may so say a narrow slip belonging to the Milanese But on the side of Piedmont it extends it self more fully cleaving in sunder as it were that State and whereas in some place in runs inward even to the Alpes at another it comes up close to Turin interrupts the Navigation of the River Po cuts off Commerce and if in one part it divides the Territories of Ascoli and Vercelli in another it doth almost encompass it In effect if the reasons for conquering of it were to be taken from profit and convenience the Duke of Savoy had great motives to desire the having of it In Casal the Duke of Vincenco had planted a strong Cittadel under pretext to secure it from the Savoyards but with no less intention to preserve it from Spain who having the Milanese in the middle betwixt Monferrat and Mantua obscures much of that lustre which from States otherwise so considerable would accrue to the house of Gonzagha There were no other places of strength the fidelity of the people most inclined to the present Government serving as a sufficient defence and that Jealousie much more which being reciprocal betwixt the Milanese and Piedmont did not permit that the one or the other should consent to the Conquest But Carlos with his abovesaid designs going out of Vercelli in the silence of the night having commanded that the Government of Chierascho should at the same time attempt the Surprise of Alba and the Count of Verua attacque Moncalvo himself drew towards Trine and there applying a Pettard with the noise whereof the small Garrison taking the Alarm and together with some of the Inhabitants putting themselves in defence the Pettardier with twelve others at the first Volly were killed The
be invaded by a Prince who aspired to greater matters and who if he durst at present in the face of the Spanish Ensigns reputed with their shadow alone sufficient safeguards to those that depended on them possess himself of Monferrat would not be long before he set on foot his known designs upon the Milanese Mendoza was wavering betwixt publick considerations and his private affections and Carlos Emanuel to keep him in perplexities making as may be said a War of Wit with him now sending his Son the Prince Vittorio then dispatching Ministers and then again changing the persons all with various and vast projects with pressing instances excuses and submissions becalmed and confounded him His most special Offices consisted in Treaties that he would not interrupt his progress offering to render all again upon the recompense and satisfaction of his Rights Sometimes he declared that in the places taken by him he would set up Spanish Colours but would keep them by his own Garrisons He gave out that he would refer all his pretensions to the Arbitrement of the most Catholick King but his chief bait was to offer the Conquest of Casal to Spain contenting himself with the open Country if the King would consent to his keeping of Monferrat The Governour was not in a condition to embrace such offers how specious soever because besides the artifices of the Duke who before he could well consider one did still to confound his mind propose another of more hard digestion he knew that being disarmed if he should consent to the Dukes Propositions he left not only Monferrat as a prey but the Milanese it self exposed and that Carlo either to conserve his Conquests or to advance himself to greater designs might with the same facility either by calling in the French or stirring up the Italians have the opportunity to make use of the occasion to drive the Spaniards out of that Country For that cause shewing himself in appearance severe he intimates to him an entire restitution of every thing believing that the Authority of that Monarchy would have been a Weapon of sufficient strength even without force By the Pomp of the same he incourages the Princes not to fear disturbances in Italy and in particular Alphonso della Queva Marquess of Bedmar King Philips Ambassador with the Venetians assures them that without noise or trouble one of the Dukes should be restored and the other chastised That for maintaining the Peace of Italy the intentions of the King did concur with theirs That there was no cause to fear any body or any thing to be troubled at whilst the Power of Philip was still the same That his goodness would not admit novelty or disturbance in that Peace which was so happily enjoyed under the shadow of his Authority The Governour with various Arts fenced with the Duke of Mantua who often repeated the instance of succours perswading him to put himself into Casal to give courage with his presence to those Troops which he prepared for his assistance and to speak with him as he passed by Others admonished Ferdinand to the contrary because the Prince his Brother being in Monferrat it seemed not fit that both should go and expose themselves and be put in the power of the Spanish Ministers leaving the Niece in Mantua open to any treachery or surprise Yet to shew his respect to Inoiosa which was only that to which he pretended and to render that Civility which Savoy had practised by so often sending the Prince of Piedmont his Son he was willing to go to Milan whence from the discourse he had with him he brought away nothing but riddles and dark sayings and returned to Mantua with a terrible jealousie that the Governour were already overcome by Interests or affections of the Enemies Family Inoiosa having in former times born Arms under Carlos's Command and for a reward having the Marquisate of St. German conferred on him professed himself so straitly obliged to him that at his coming to Milan before he entred on the Government he had a desire to speak with him and carried both Presents and Favours This confidence thus begun was even to this present nourished by the Duke sometimes with publick Offices and then with means more secret From whence though in the Council of State discourses of the business and the motion of Troops were carried on against him with some kind of sharpness yet it was well known that there was a more secret Juncto of three persons only his Confidents which governed the mind of the Marquess and sweetned all This made the Duke so confident that although some Troops long in raising were sent to the Confines of Piedmont he nevertheless over-run all Monferrat laid it waste with Sword and Fire and devoured in his hopes the keeping of the rest All that therefore being insufferable to him which contested his pretensions and opposed his vast designs or discountenanced his taking up Arms he could not bear that the Venetians should give assistance to the Gonzaghi Provoked therefore with a vehement spight he calls Vincenzo Gussoni who resided with him Ambassadour for the Republick and complaining to him of it exhorted him to withdraw himself out of his Countries because the people having an ill impression of the assistance given against him he could not assure him of that security in his Court which the Law of Nations required to his Character The Senate from thence conceiving that the presence of their Minister was disliked by the Duke or suspected commanded him to depart But the Duke having resolved to set Italy on fire that he might make his advantage of the ruines and ashes ambition and wrath blowing him up seeing now the Spanish Army to face him threatned to bring the French into its bowels and when the Pope exhorted him to Peace he protested to overflow the Country with Hereticks and if the Venetians should succour Ferdinand he boasts that he would incite the Turks and bring Pirats into the Adriatick Sea The Spaniards proposing to themselves to make a War of Authority and to regulate the Interests of the Princes with their Mediation or the shew of their power by their Army were not at all willing that any body else should meddle with it But the Emperour believing his Authority so much lessened as that of the Spaniards increased deputed Francisco di Castilione that in his name he might bring things to a Treaty admonish Carlo and besides intimate to him the Imperial Ban if laying down Arms and restoring every thing he should not contain himself within more moderate bounds Mendoza provoked by the general clamor saw at last a necessity to arm And thereupon distributing numerous Patents throughout Italy Germany and Switzerland had in a little while a very gallant Army on foot Neither was Carlo wanting to himself but to his warlike Provisions interposes Treaty offering to deposite in the hand of the King of Spain his rights and the places possessed provided the Princess Mary
keeping himself more close runs forth a line notwithstanding as if he would attacque the enemies Camp and at last lays a Fort under their nose notwithstanding many Skirmishes and other Feats of War The Spaniards as the more provoked and insulted breaking ground run a line with many Works towards the Fort but the Savoyards having taken and fortified another Post of certain houses in the middle turned another way With Fire-batteries but afar off they play upon the City and the Dukes Camp who with 1800 men assaults the Quarter of Gambaloina burning their Parapet of Gabions but were at last repulsed The Governour with his slackness made War to himself and found the greatest to arise from the Situation and the Elements Upon the Hills they suffered for want of water and the filth of the Army causing sickness men and beasts dyed Lodging in the open Air the heat the nourishment the unripe fruits corrupted health The Camp was not to be distinguished from an Hospital or a Church-yard so great was the number of the sick and dead From whence although the Army was re-inforced with the Troops left at Sandoval and others come to them by Sea it was nevertheless not half so strong as when it sate down before Asti Carlo as to his Quarters had greater commodity but in other things was in no less difficulty because his own Country being not able to supply the charges he had so frequent experience of Mutinies among the stranger Militia for want of pay that oftentimes he could not distinguish whether they were a greater burden or assistance to him In this state of affairs Rambogliet arrives at Asti and the Spanish Cannon in honour of the Mediation suspended their Battery But the Duke even in this precipice of Fortune practising the arts of wit interposed always the difficulties of requiring honour and safety Zeno and the Ambassadour of England failed not to beset the Duke with many reasons and he acknowledged his happiness lay in peace but added that as Fortune obliged him to yield to the more powerful so to expose himself to dangers to obedience and humiliation were not the counsel of prudence nor permitted by his Fortune He insisted upon the Governours disarming or that the Republick might be the Warranty of the Peace knowing in it to be stability of Government and a faith not subject as in the Pope and in France to the vicissitude of time the mutation of Princes and the corruption of Ministers The Senate seriously weighed of what importance that was because great Princes not being to be constrained to performance but by the same faith with which they promise if the Spaniards should profane theirs by reason of interest the Republick put it self into great trouble Nevertheless the desire of Peace prevailing they command Zeno to sign and over and above to promise assistance to the Duke when others failing France alone should concur in it Such orders arrive very opportunely in Piedmont because Rambogliet having a little before pressed the Duke in vain with threatnings and protests to consent to the Peace without any such caution was ready to take his leave commanding those of the Nation to follow him and with much ado had yielded to a short suspension of his journey at the instance of the Ambassadours of England and Venice But Zeno giving his word the Duke who had dextrously directed his counsels to such an end threatned by one party secured by another and intreated by all under-writes the Treaty which took its name from Asti Carleton and Zeno deliver it to Rambogliet he and the Bishop of Savona the Nuntio succeeded to Savelli carried it to the Governour of Milan and being greedily received by him he confirms it with a Writing which he put into the hands of the French The Capitulation for disarming contained that the Duke except some Companies of Switzers should within a month disband the Strangers and of his Subjects should only keep on foot so many as sufficed for Garrisons He gave his word not to offend the States of Mantua and to refer his pretensions to the judgment of the Emperour On the other side Rambogliet promises for France that the Subjects of Ferdinand which had served Carlo should with the security of their persons be restored to the enjoyment of their estates Prisoners and places to be reciprocally rendred And for the Dukes security France declares him to be in their protection to assist him with all their power whensoever he should be molested by the Spaniards and Orders were consigned to him to oblige Dighieres to march to his assistance without expecting other Commission from the Court. And because it was known that some Levies were making by private persons out of Italy in favour of Carlo he was obliged to communicate the peace to his friends and stop all proceedings and on the other side it was agreed that for six months the Spaniards should not require of him passage for Flanders But concerning the manner of retiring it was also agreed that the Duke at the intreaty of Rambogliet withdrawing 1000 Foot out of Asti the Governour should retire from the Hills to Croce bianca and to Quarto places belonging to the Jurisdiction of Asti after which Carlo leaving a convenient Garrison in the Town should remove his Army further off and then the Governour should return into the Milanese where as to number and time he should so dispose of the Army that neither to Savoy or any other there should remain any occasion of suspicion In this manner the Duke seemed to have preserved his dignity and indemnity and Italy applauded him and most especially the Venetians who with their Council had maintained the Common Interest By the Expedition with which these first steps were accomplished great hope was conceived that all the rest would have been duely executed whereupon the Venetians reform a great part of their Militia and reduced the payment of Casal to 1000 Souldiers giving passage to the Duke of Mantua for 500 Germans which as an independent Militia he thought fit to bring in there THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1615 THE SECOND BOOK THE stormy blasts of Piedmont quieted by the pacification of Asti a continued dissembled connivence of the Princes of Austria at the uncontroulable boldness of the Vscocchi amassed in the minds of the Venetians a great heap of resentments and revenge Some believed that the suffering and permission of the villanies of that most wicked people proceeded from the want of power in the Austrians because it being necessary for keeping them in order to maintain a Garrison in Segna the Archduke had not the means to defray the Charge Others judged that it was interest and profit to keep that Frontier of the Turks armed without charge and besides to exercise a certain pretended Jurisdiction though a thieving one by Sea Neither did there want that thought that the Archduke was incouraged by the Spaniards because having discovered by what had passed
was frequently made the door to let in the Barbarians and in these latter Ages the high way for the Turks Goritia which gives the name to a County is situate in this Plain leaning to a Hillock which in its ascent leads to the top of the Castle It is defended by a strong Tower there is a Bridge there over the Lisonzo beyond which the Campagnia extends it self with many Towns upon some little Hills Five miles lower upon the right shore of the River lies Gradisca built upon a Rock of the form of an oblong square with a good Castle and heretofore garrisoned by the Venetians against the Incursions of the Turks It hath beyond the Lisonzo the Mountains of Carso directly opposite and on this side many Towns environ it as Lucinis Cormons Medea Fara Romans and other places of less moment which nevertheless in the progress of the War will become so many Ports and so many Forts which will consume Armies and Souldiers Towards the Mountains out of which riseth the Lisonzo the Country is straitned with certain narrow Vallies bordering on Carniola and other Provinces of the Austrians who towards the Sea command certain Villages and in Maranuto Castel Porpeto and Aquileia though of these there remains nothing but the ruines and the name kept Souldiers In those parts on this side the Lisonzo the Venetians made their Invasion nor was it difficult to possess every place for except Medea which they got with approaches and Trenches though it was in vain to resist every one yielded at the first appearance The Garrisons without much ado quit the Tower of Aquilea Castel Porpeto and Maranuto which were demolished On the other side of the Lisonzo Eliseo Pierantoni and Hugo Crutta for a diversion marched out of Monfalcon and took in Sagra then left it and Pompeo Justiniano did the same with Lucinis which was afterward much repented for had it been kept it might have served to get the Bridge and the Tower upon the Lisonzo and by them to have straitned Gradisca from succours and passing to the other side of the River which was so many times after attempted in vain might not only have shut up Goritia on all sides but taken it also being open and exposed as was the counsel of Marc Antonio Manzano But the Orders of the Senate containing only to lodge in the Archdukes Country in Campagnia without attacquing places as not willing to divide into so many parts their men which consisted for the most part of Trained-bands Justiniano took up his Quarters in the Towns of Meriano and Cormons The Austrians in disorder at the appearance of the Venetian Colours applied themselves with all speed to a vigorous defence Gradisca was fortified by Ricchardo Strasoldo its Governour The Count of Tersaco puts himself into Goritia and the Baron Adam de Trautmanstorf arriving soon after with Title of Ferdinands General ordered Repairs and Garrisons for both those places fortifying Rubia St. Floriano Vipulzano and Dobra on this and that side of the Lisonzo This first Rumour of War being spread abroad sad judgments were made of it and the Princes discovered in themselves thoughts and reflections of no less The Duke of Savoy offers the Senate himself his Sons his States and his Army and others were not wanting to animate to greater designs In orders to which the English Ambassadour being returned from Turin to Venice exhorting the Republick to reflect upon the state of things while the Crowns of France and Spain linked together by Marriages did conspire at present in the same Maxims to divide betwixt them what with Negotiations what with Arms the Arbitrement of Italy and the world offered a League with his King who though separated by situation yet never by authority and prudence to the common Interest might with the moveable Bridge of his Fleet upon the vast Ocean joyn England to Italy He remonstrated the association of the Northern Princes against the vast designs of the House of Austria and considering that those friendships were never remote which were made upon the ground of common Concern he besought the Republick to joyn their reputation and wisdom to that League assuring them they should find a candid heart and warm spirits amongst those people who are thought to have Sea and Darkness for their Element and Climate The Senate with many wary and respectful answers entertains and cherishes these good dispositions but in their moderate counsels did not consent to conjoyn their Interests with those of Princes so far remote As to the affairs of Italy in a belief that the Peace of Asti was secure Rambogliet had taken his leave of Piedmont but was no sooner gone but the Duke of Mantua denying to have given his consent to the oblivion proceeded to execution against the Rebels The Venetians interposing themselves obtain that suspending any further act he should yield that to their intreaties which they perceived for decency he would not yield to authority Carlo as to the point of disarming proceeds with great caution because he had a mind to hear the judgment of Spain concerning the Treaty of Asti and although he had discharged those of the Vallies and the French yet he had with them recruited some Companies of Savoyards and delayed to discharge the Swizzers upon a difficulty risen about the accounts of their pay and because the Governour of Milan had denied them passage These on the other side set at liberty no Prisoners nor were the places possessed reciprocally rendred the Duke himself not caring to be thought advantaged by the acquisition of some far Fiefs The truth was that at Madrid upon the advice of the Peace there was observed a long and severe silence both in the King and his Ministers but discourses were universally published so much the more licencious against Mendoza thought a man equally weak in the management of Civil and Military affairs It was nevertheless evident to those of the best Judgment that the facility contributed by him proceeded from secret orders from the Duke of Lerma to the end the Marriages with France might be accomplished without disturbances after which and the exchange of the Brides a change of Councils presently appeared Spain in that business did certainly keep concealed one great Stratagem of their Secrets and had therefore offered to the Court of France all assistance against whomsoever should disturb her because the States of that Kingdom having for a shew been called and separated with good words only and the Committees to whom the reformation of abuses were committed done nothing the male-contents had again united themselves to the Prince of Conde and endeavoured to stir up the Hugonots The Queen that for her own interest was resolved the Marriages whatever came of it should be accomplished sending the Mareshal de Boisdauphin with an Army into Champagne to oppose the united Princes and giving the Command of another to the Duke of Guise to be her Convoy on the Journey parts from Paris with her
can the Duke abandon Vs if he be abandoned of all Amongst Princes there is no stronger tye than that which adjusts a conformity of Interests They are the heart-veins which meet in the liberty of the one and the safety of the other Both in a word are threatned and despised and may at last be insnared and oppressed The assistance of the Republick is necessary for Carlo and a diversion by him is necessary for the Republick if by Arms or Treaty we pretend to bring the Archduke to reason and quiet we must give that fatal Remora of the Forces of Spain imployment elsewhere I imagine the charge will be objected but for what imployment have our Ancestors left us a rich Treasure but to be serviceable at need to maintain honour and make good the greatest and most unlooked for emergencies Do you think our servitude will be less grievous when we shall be bound with our unimployed Treasure and bound with the chains of our own gold It is much better to fear than make tryal of the Spanish Forces and if we fear them let us dispose of a defence far from us The rule of just is of equal extent amongst Princes If Philip give his most vigorous assistance to the Archduke why should we offend in giving ours to Carlo To Carlo with whom interest combines us and faith given requires it After the promise given deliberation and counsel are no more in our own power Let us look out Examples of old and revolve the Memorials of fresher date we shall not find that the worm of a promise falsified hath ever corroded the integrity of publick faith And that for this reason because this bond of things divine and humane cannot be loosned but the order of the world will be confounded and civil societies left as a prey to opinions interests and affections If we will make our selves idle spectators of others oppressions we our selves shall deserve to be abandoned by all in our dangers and with what heart can we invoke God much less our friends to our succour if obliged and also required we should leave the Duke in prey to Toledo Assistance is to be implored from Heaven it self with the right hand held up to joyn endeavour to the vow in imitation of the Marriners that have the Helm in their hand and their eye on the Stars God himself will assist our cause because this War whether it be with Arms or Money takes not counsel from ambition but is the resolution both of necessity and justice in whose bosom the Common-wealth hath always found Peace or Victory Let us couragiously adventure to take the resolution this day because though the entrance should prove difficult certainly in the progress we shall meet with accidents of hopes friendships interests and succours that me think not of I know that in great affairs it is dangerous to discover ones opinion because the Authors of resolute Councils are like to those that fling heavy stones into the air not without danger of having them return upon their own heads rather than hit the mark to which the hand directed it I know also that of good success every body will be a sharer and that if it prove unprosperous the blame shall be imputed to me alone but if such respects perswade me to silence the zeal for my Country hath forced from me this discourse The Senate was really inclined to comply with the Dukes instances moved also from their own concerns whereupon they resolve to assist him and though upon no particular Treaty yet it was done under the bond of common Interest so inviolable in the minds of Princes that till the very end of the War the one wanted not money nor was the other failing in his faith They immediately consent the levy of 4000 French under the Command of Monsieur de Chastiglion at the charge of the Republick that 2000 might serve the Duke of Savoy and the other pass by Sea into Friuli but in the conclusion they remained all in Piedmont They disburse 50000 Ducats for another Levy that the Marshal Dediguieres offered of the same Nation and to the end the Army in Piedmont might be kept vigorous and contented they contribute besides other extraordinary assistances 72000 Ducats a month The Duke had a close and particular confidence with Dediguieres and he little regarding the counsels of the Court either corrupted by Strangers or confounded in the private interests of the Favourite did not only leave the passage of the Mountains open to the Souldiers which in great numbers flocked to the readiness of the pay but was moved to go himself in person to Turin 'T is not to be doubted but Carlo thinking to gain great reputation to his Forces and Counsels drew him thither with the powerful attractive of gold for the Mareshal grown old in glory and the Wars yielding easily to it had gained from slender beginnings equal reputation and wealth The Duke versed in the management of things suddenly orders a meeting with the Mareshal that should make a noise in the presence not only of his own Sons and Ministers but of the Ambassadours of France England and Venice Bethune come into Italy with Court-impressions approves the disarming of the Duke but upon better discussion of the business the prospect of affairs and the state of the present Juncture being otherwise represented Dediguieres shewing no less wisdom in his discourses than affection to Italy it was unanimously concluded that first with Negotiation and afterwards if need should be with Arms Carlo his dignity and the common interest should be maintained Dediguieres offers to the service of the Republick 2000 men under his Nephew the Count Sol but the difficulty of the passage through Rhetia made it without effect Noble was the offer of the Duke of Maine to come with an Army levied at his own charge into Piedmont and forcing the passage into the Milanese to penetrate into the State of the Republick But vast obstacles lying in the way though the Duke couragiously boasted to overcome them the Senate accepted only the good affection judging it also their advantage that he should reside at Court to make opposition to those who in the disadvantages of Italy understood not the loss of that Crown also Willing therefore to procure elsewhere a Levy of Strangers they send to the united Switzers to have 4000 men and to the Grisons to obtain passage Giovanni Baptista Padavino their Secretary who formerly having concluded the League expired a few years since was very acceptable among that people with particular applause of wisdom and dexterity He imploys himself together with Augustin Dolce Resident in Zurich by those means which suit with Rhetia where poverty the defect of the Country goes hand in hand with avarice the vice of that Nation From France the Court taking it as if the Republick did not procure those passages but for their own safety and the indemnity of Italy came order to Gheffier not to oppose
and by all fair means to perswade him to Peace It behoved him therefore to restrain himself within that narrow corner which served the Spaniards for passage of their Troops into Flanders Being repulsed at the Bridge of Gressin which he attempted to pass he was there abandoned by the French who in a body marched away with flying Colours He was no sooner got back with the Troops of Spain into the County of Burgundy but he lends his ear to an accord and though he pretended some place in Soveraignty and to keep a Garrison in Nixi as it were for his Appennage nevertheless he was contented that 50 Switzers should be left there for a year and 50000 Crowns beside some hopes of having one of Carlo's Daughters for his Wife The prize and prey of fraud being come to nought Toledo to prepare for some enterprise worthy of himself and of his Forces applied so much the more to straighten Vercelli causing dal Luna to possess Gatinara which stopped another passage over the River to the Town it self All this while Treaties of Peace ceased not the season now become very sharp giving opportunity for it For that purpose Lodovisio already assumed into a Cardinalship and Bethune conferred with the Governour in Trin and with the Duke in Chivasso and finding in both an equal peevishness and punctuality not to be willing to offer Propositions they offered a rough draught containing That the Duke for the first step licensing the French the Governour should then retire out of Piedmont and quit the places possessed during this War That he should then also discharge the Switzers and Germans with a part of the Horse and should promise not to molest the Venetians That Savoy should then quit all that had been taken in this War and that Toledo should at last do the same The Duke made no difficulty to give his assent because the conditions were seemly and preserved common safety But the Governour of Milan denies them upon the wonted pretext to have no power to meddle in the affairs of the Venetians otherwise than by Arms. As for Savoy he promised nothing more but his word to the Pope and to France not to offend him and to restore what he possessed when the Duke with an effectual disarming should shew an inclination to Peace refer to the Judgment of the Emperour the differences with the House of Gonzage and render the places taken But Carlo not observing in these conditions any footstep of the Treaty of Asti saw Italy and himself involved in greater suspicions and the Venetians in more considerable dangers And therefore to the faith of the promises agreed on and the gratitude of the succours received he added this consideration That the Governour aiming to break this Union the better to oppress all he could expect no other advantage by it but to be the last should perish in the common deluge For this cause although the Mediators did de novo speak with him and also with the Governour discoursing of modifications and reprises and that the Governour insinuated to him particular advantages if separating from the Republick he would make a private accord he constantly resisted all their Propositions In this management Bethune encountred the Dukes kind acceptance and applause and Lodovisio that of Spain it seeming that he now designed to lodge in that Monarchy the hopes which together with their habit many of the Cardinals use to put on The Treaty being now at an end Bethune would have repassed the Alps if the Venetians had not prevailed with him to stay for the order and grace of the Treaty Peace then despaired of all parties arm with great diligence and the Governour making great Levies every where keeps his Army in great vigour Carlo strengthens himself with 6000 Foot and 700 Horse which after the accord with Nemours being of no use in Savoy he causes to descend into Piedmont and Dediguieres not regarding the threatnings and protests of the Count of France sends him 4000 Foot and 600 Horse raised under the Venetian Pay The courage of the Duke and the gold of the Republick drew Souldiers in great number and Ernesto Count of Mansfelt arriving in the name of the Protestant Princes of the Empire at Turin offered as many as they needed The Venetians finding the difficulty great to get supplies through the straights of the passages of the Grisons resolved to make use of the Sea although with greater charge agreeing with the Count Levestein for the Levy of 3000 Walloons and of as many Hollanders under Count John Ernest of Nassaw The Winter was spent in giving orders and making provisions yet not wholly without some intermixture of enterprises of War for Ferdinand Duke of Mantua the better to redress by his presence the affairs of his States being come to Casale Carlo resolved now to do him a publick affront causing several of his Towns to be plundered under his nose and Moncucco to be assaulted which by its vicinity was very troublesom to Chieri Though Ferdinand desired to bring succours into it yet the Savoyards Cannon not giving time the place was presently buried in its own ruines and the Governour coming forth without Arms the Germans that were of the Garrison being cut to pieces the Monferrins had their lives given them These attempted a revenge upon Passerano assisted by some of the Spanish Horse but being repulsed by the Peasants alone left dead upon the place the Cavalier Rivara Governour of Trino with the reputation of a gallant Souldier On the other side the Signor Varriea with some few French recovered by Scalada Salizuola not well guarded by the Germans Toledo not to let the whole Winter pass without some advantage frames a design to surprise Crescentino put upon it by two Nephews of the Signor of Albigni who upon some distast with the Duke had taken imployment on the Spanish side But Carlo with good Spies having his eyes and ears every where came to the knowledge of it and carefully sending Prince Thomaso to change the Garrison he brake the design The Governour seeing that remaining in the field did diminish the Army without any advantage orders Mortara that abandoning the Posts possessed he should withdraw it into the most convenient and quiet Quarters of the Milanese leaving Garrisons in Trino for Monferrat and in St. Germano and Gattinara for Piedmont But the Duke through excessive fatigue falling to be crazy was still active with his mind ordering the Prince Vittorio to attaque Gattinara where were 4000 Foot in Garrison To dispatch it quickly the Prince had a mind to take it by Assault but the French Officers thinking it a hazard of too great difficulty he would not ingage himself in it but turned about to Masserano This is a little Principality on the other side the Sesia where for the more strengthening the Vercelli on that side Toledo designed to place a Garrison but whilst ratifications were expected from Spain concerning the recompences with which that
Prince was to be contented Vittorio breaks the Treaty with his Sword The Princess who alone with her Sons was within it from fear was easily perswaded to surrender At Creveceur a place appertaining to the same the dispute was something harder because Luna hasted from Milan with succours but Vittorio going to meet him beats him leaving Luna himself with many of his dead upon the place The place then renders of its own accord and because it is a Fief of the Church justly excused to the Pope the force whilst that Prince so perniciously conspired against Piedmont Caluso Governour of Vercelli drives the Enemy out of Desana but factions and further progress ended with the year the Prince also falling into a dangerous sickness The Venetians were not well pleased to hear that Carlo sparing the Milanese which did offend him should trouble the Monferrat which was innocent and therefore attempted to set on foot a Composure betwixt the two Dukes and that in order to some kind of reconciliation of their minds they should speak together but 't was in vain because Ferdinand required that as a Preludium to the future friendship the Savoyards should have regard to his State and Carlo who found not the French willing to enter into the Milanese by reason of the interests of that Crown alledged for excuse that with invading it he should have re-inforced Toledo with those assistances which some of the Princes of Italy are in that case obliged to give He continues therefore in his insults and damages done to the Monferrat and so much the more by how much the Duke of Mantua having a little before married Katherine Princess of Medici and thereby the former project of Marriages being fallen to the ground he had now no other remedy for his pretensions but to do himself reason with his Sword whereupon in the places taken and particularly in the Canavese he exacted an oath from the people as their lawful Prince An. Dom. 1616 THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE THIRD BOOK MANY believed that King Philip being of an upright mind and a most impartial understanding and the Duke of Lerma both by Genius and Interest inclined to Peace that which followed in Italy was approved rather than contrived in the Court of Spain and that it had its rise from that Triumvirat which Pietro Girone Duke d'Ossuna Viceroy of Naples Toledo Governour of Milan and la Queva Ambassadour in Venice formed who in their vast thoughts endeavouring to banish Peace and oppress Italy had their aim not so much to make themselves famous as the imployment necessary to the King and of advantage to themselves It was therefore judged that the Councils of Madrid ingaged upon their relations in a point of honour and reputation in which the Nation is beyond measure tenacious did prefer this sole consideration before so many others which rendred the present actings prejudicial to the Monarchy because in some Princes hatred springing up in others jealousies being awakened it seemed that all were afraid and nothing was thought secure from the Power of Spain or sufficient for their avarice To inform themselves then of the mind of the King and of the Favourite the Venetians give command to Pietro Gritti their Ambassadour a Minister of a so well tempered prudence that flegm was not predominant nor did it yield to the sagacity of that Court no less considerate than circumspect to represent the present state of affairs Putting them in mind of the ancient correspondencies sincerely practised with that Crown for the restraint of the Turks the Peace of Italy and the good of Christendom assuring them also that the Republick retained the same lively motives of esteem and affection towards that Crown united to the designs and intentions of a free and honourable Peace They declare withal that having taken Arms to defend themselves against the untolerable outrages of the Uscocchi they pretended nothing of the Archduke but the execution of things promised That Carlo had nothing to require of the Governour of Milan but the observance of things already agreed To what purpose then should Italy be scourged with Armies and tortured with Jealousies if under the shadow of mutual faith which is the most precious Crown of Princes all things might be quieted The Ambassadour added other conceptions which might manifest the Republick inclined to Peace but resolved not to abandon their own decorum or their friends In Spain the Ministers had various reflections thereupon It seemed to some that the arbitrement which they affected in the affairs of Italy being rather called into doubt than maintained it was fit to re-establish it with some advantage before to admit of a Treaty Others apprehending through the universal disgust of the Princes greater commotions and accidents which time did afterwards produce greater indeed than could have been believed were of opinion to embrace conditions of composure Lerma to make himself Arbiter of the War and of the Peace inclines that a Treaty should be set on foot but that it was to be transacted in Spain doubting lest the Emperour resolved that the affairs of the Vscocchi should be composed if the management of the Peace should be in his Court he should constrain the Archduke to accept it in which case the Venetians free from a diversion on that side mihgt be able to revenge themselves upon the Milanese for those jealousies which the Governour had endeavoured to bring upon them It was therefore answered to the Ambassadour in the most lively expressions that the mind of the King always conformable to piety and justice was possessed with equal motives of inclination to Peace with the Republick and with the Duke whereupon it was resolved in Venice and in Turin to dispatch to Gritti powers to treat and conclude a Peace The Ministers of France and England did highly resent it by reason of that competition of Authority which in affairs of weight Princes though friends ascribe to themselves prejudging unhappy success to the business if placed in the self-will of the Spaniards their authority were not qualified by the power of some other Crown which might be able to facilitate the Negotiation and warily inspect the conclusion But although the designs and ends of the Duke of Lerma were not unknown Carlo nevertheless thought to have much advantaged himself by having brought the Spaniard to treat with him as an equal and the Republick hoped that the King thus interessed in the mediation of Peace the minds of the Ministers of Italy would prove less hostile and troublesom That Court being more given to delay than conclude all things began and proceeded very slowly but the War was speeded in Friuli with so much the more diligence though in Piedmont with greater success In Istria the Venetians happened to take Zemino a place strong and of importance The Town was easily taken being abandoned by the Garrison but the Castle was forced by three Batteries there marching out 300 Germans and some of
sparks were amicably quenched the one of small moment concerning certain waters of the Forno disputed betwixt those of Monte a Town of the Cremasca and they of Postino in the Milanese which was also easily accommodated on the place by Anthonio da Ponte Governour and Captain of Crema and by Coiro a Senator of Milan under the title of Commissioners The other carried a greater appearance because the Prince of Castiglione being under Pupillage the Town of Meldole subject to him shook off their obedience The Tutor who was the Signor di Solferino went about to chastise it but the Duke of Mantua declared it under his protection and sent a Garrison into it The other had recourse to the Gouvernour of Milan who to use authority and force at once sent thither ten Companies of Foot five hundred Horse and four pieces of Cannon But the Republick who having those little States within theirs loved not such disorders and much less that Garrisons of Strangers should be introduced there sent some Souldiers to the Borders and with the Duke of Mantua and the Guardian passed effectual offices remonstrating that as well the assistances as the enmities of the more powerful were equally dangerous that for a most trivial cause they were kindling a great fire which would first burn their house and afterwards the rest of Italy To the Ministers of Spain it was also declared that the novelty would be extremely grievous because Italy being not yet quitted from the late troubles might upon every emergency be put again into greater agitations The Governour of Milan to say truth judged not the matter such as deserved to disturb the present quiet and commanding thereupon his Souldiers not to pass beyond the Confines interposes himself adjusting the differences by punishing some of the Mutineers and pardoning all the rest The minds of the Princes nevertheless were so much disturbed with jealousies that upon every accident they were stirred up to apprehensions even upon very rumours The Town of Sabieneda which is of a situation of importance not only to the Duke of Mantua but also to the other neighbourhood was yielded in Dowry to the Prince of Stigliano one of the chief Barons of the Kingdom of Naples He being a man of mean parts allured by promises of honours especially of being made a Grandee of Spain shewed himself not unwilling to have a Garrison of that Crown put into it But his Wife of a more masculine spirit opposed both their flatteries and threatnings encouraged by under-hand perswasions of the Princes and particularly of the Venetians who would not willingly have suffered it Insomuch that the jealousie which seemed to be raised on that account presently vanished The Republick amidst their vigilancy in so many places omitting not the care of the domestick policy of their State sends three Judges throughout the Country to take a view of affairs for the right administration of Justice and removing of oppressions and grievances from their Subjects At Venice Cardinal Francesco Vendramino Patriarch being dead was substituted by the Senate Giovanni Thiepolo chief of the Church of S. Marco a man of singular charity towards the poor and of great magnificence in the building of Churches which being proposed in the Consistory by the Pope himself was confirmed without his going to the Court of Rome Prince Thomas of Savoy about this time came to Venice to give thanks for the favours which the Republick had so largely contributed to his Father and was entertained and lodged according to the Magnificence belonging to so wealthy a City From the Eastern parts came some little distraction upon mens minds in that Ali Bassa formerly Admiral and one that shewed himself very troublesom to the Common-wealth was at Constantinople promoted to be Grand Visier By such Ministers is that Empire absolutely governed whilst the Kings buried in Luxuries and the wantonness of the Seraglio shut up from all but vice give up the supreme Authority in their affairs to the basest of Slaves This man bearing in his publick Office the affections of a private man and thoughts of revenge for two Galiots Men of War taken a good while before by the Venetian Ships vents presently his spight against Buonricci Interpreter of the Venetian Bailo who had prosecuted against him in the said business causing him to be most unjustly strangled Amidst the Fast of that Nation maintained by the intestine discords of the Christians neither the Right of Nations nor the practice or respect of Princes is of any consideration insomuch that a little before also the Ambassadour of France had been some days in arrest and his Secretary upon false pretext put to the Torture Now the complaints of the Republick could not come to the King but by means of the same Visier and he to stop every passage revived the pretensions that had been silenced of those of Bossena and others who in the Prize of the Galley of Merchandize had suffered loss intending to oblige the Bailo to restitution Moreover setting on foot most unjust pretensions upon the Confines of Dalmatia he threatned Invasions and Incursions The Senate who at the conclusion of Ossuna's Government had disarmed Veniero and reduced the Fleet to little more than ordinary Guard sent Anthonio Barbaro Procurator as Proveditor General to take care of the Sea and be assistant to Dalmatia against all injuries of the Turks But before he could be in a readiness sixty Turkish Gallies laviering without Corfu with all signs and tokens of friendship while one part only of the Venetian Fleet was at Merlere with a force not able to resist landed in the Kingdom of Naples at Manfredonia where the Governour of the Castle basely presented the Captain Bassa with the Keys The Turks contented themselves to carry away out of the City and thereabouts Prisoners and Booty retiring before forty eight Gallies of Spain could joyn together at Messina At Constantinople the Ministers excusing to Giorgio Justiniano Bailo of the Republick who made a sharp complaint of it their entring into the Gulph alledged the provocations and mischiefs done them by the Spaniards But the Grand Visier was soon after snatched away by death from the designs which he proposed against the Venetians and Vsseim succeeding him one of more moderate thoughts with a present according to the custom of the Country le ts fall into silence the business of the Bossenians applying his mind and forces to a War against the Polacks to which Osman pretended to go in person For a pretext of it were alledged certain differences raised by Gratiano Prince of Maldavia whom the Turks had a mind to dispossess of his Country and the Polacks to maintain him Others believed as the truer motive the instances of the Protestants of Germany to divert King Sigismond from assisting Ferdinand It is surely true that the Agents of the new King of Bohemia and of Gabor did entice the Turks with a counsel as wicked as it was imprudent to weaken a private Enemy
the rest submitted to his will From thence he sends 14000 men into Silesia which threatning the Metropolis Vratislavia made themselves masters of Glosgaw This Province and Moravia had a little before been over-run by the Cossacks of Homonay and Frederick who held a Diet at Bruna had been forced to save himself from their swift Incursion with four persons only into Prague The Moravians sent four Ambassadours to meet with these Barbarians to offer them money that forsaking Ferdinands Party they adhere to their interest But the Cossacks with a cruel document killing two of them let the other go free that they might relate what was the duty of their fidelity and what punishment they ought to expect from their rebellion Those Provinces had an effectual tryal that the yoke of War is more heavy than that of obedience The upper Austria also confessed it with tears and blood because Buquoy having during the winter-season gently tempted it with allurements and Treaties rather than with Arms Lintz being re-inforced by Mansfelt with 2000 men the Province was then confirmed in the Rebellion But the Duke of Bavaria being entred into it with 20000 Foot and 4000 Horse filled it with such a terrour that the people having neither defence nor excuse knew not where to resist him nor how to appease him The States of the Country assembled in Lintz were willing to propound Conditions of Peace but the Duke despising them because they had let him come too near upon the 4. of August caused the Gates to be opened by force Where some of the guilty being punished the rest oppressed with a great Garrison and all chastised with the general sack and spoil of the Country obedience was re-established It was fit to follow fortune while she smiled with success and therefore it was resolved to enter into Bohemia to make an end of the War while it was but beginning The Duke then taking the one way and Buquoy the other marched in such a distance that the numbers did not hinder their progress and Victuals were supplied to all each taking in such places and Castles as lay in their way At Buduais they met to speak together thence uniting their Forces but not their minds which for sundry emulations were always in this Expedition at discord they moved towards Pisec and that taken in they advanced to Pilsen The Army of the Bohemians superiour in number but an equal in prowess and discipline coasted upon them and troubled their march The Chiefs were persons of no great reputation and Frederick in a Labyrinth of endless interests could not govern nor would be governed His endeavours to hinder the Catholicks from coming near to Pilsen succeeded not but Mansfelt supplied it with art because in that place as in his own Conquest he had fixed the seat of his Fortune By proposing a Treaty he hoped to gain time till the season should be more advanced to afford him succours Neither did the Duke and Buquoy despair of drawing him to their party because he feigned discontents which besides the custom of Mercenaries wont to abandon their party in the ambiguity of Fortune they might easily give credit too in him that served a foreign Prince and a distracted people But he after some days feigning also Orders from Anhalt which in regard of his honour obliged him to make resistance discovers the fraud whereupon the Catholicks not willing to waste their Forces in a long Siege nor entertain Fortune with lingring hopes leaving Pilsen went to Prague Frederick assaulted from so many parts and worsted in all was in disorder the people stood in a fright and the Army was wavering Near to Raconits the Armies met and that of the Protestants was driven from most of their Posts Buquoy being hurt which nevertheless hindred him not to go on in his march Anhalt perceiving whither the Enemy bent sent la Tour before to Prague with some Troops and himself leaving the Baggage behind by ways to rights hastens thither to prevent their possessing of the Wiisemberg or White Hill in which might much consist the defence of the City of a vast circuit open in several parts and in many commanded and that within shot A little after arrive there also the Duke and the Count so that both the Armies were now near to Prague The Bohemian in the superiority of Forces shewing a distrust of courage intrench upon the highest part of the Hill placing their Cannon in certain Redoubts and part of their Souldiers in the Park called the Star a place of pleasure for their Kings There was in the Austrian Army the Father Domenico of Giesu Maria a bare-footed Carmelite reputed for a man of singular piety who stirred up the Chiefs to fight promising a certain Victory But in the Council there was difference of opinions some considering the Enemies greater number and particularly of Horse and others the disadvantage of the situation in that the Souldiers before they could come to handy blows with the Enemy were to go a good way exposed to the Cannon and Musket-shot Some added the unevenness of the Hill which by several sloapings and in windings gave the Bohemians means to fortifie themselves and at every pass to make good their Retreat But hope of Victory and the greatness of the recompence over-ballancing dangers the Battel was resolved on Anhalt kept the Ports of Prague shut to take away from the Souldiers the hope of escaping thither In the Army he took for himself the right Wing and assigns to Hollach the left Frederick though so chief a part of the Judgment of Fortune stood in a place a little remote to observe the event Of the Catholicks the Imperialists had the right and the Bavarians the left hand Their Word was the Glorious Name of the Virgin under the protection of which represented in the chief Standard the Wing of the Bavarians moved over which next the Duke Giovanni Count of Tilly commanded To come to the Hill they were to file over a Bridge and then to pass a dirty Valley and in that disadvantage the young Anhalt would have charged them if the Count of Hollach had not staid him whereupon the Catholicks dis-engaged themselves and being defended from the Cannon with the rising of the Hill they advanced in better order Buquoy to avoid the Cannon-shot to which his men divided into three great Battallions with Horse on the Wings stood most exposed hastened his pace and came to the charge at the very same time that Tilly made his attaque The shouting of the Souldiers the noise of the Drums and the roaring of the Cannon deafned Heaven making the Hill a deadly Theatre of outrage and slaughter The two Armies consisted of more than sixty thousand men At the beginning advantage smiled on the Bohemians for young Anhalt with the assistance of the Count Slich repulsed the first Charge pursuing the Enemy with the gain of some Colours the death of Prainer and dead wounds of the Colonel Macau The
an Elector and at his own pleasure to make choice of another Ferdinand calling the Clergy apart and some others of the principal Ministers declared to them his resolution not asking counsel but shewing That so important a Dignity which participated in the conservation of the Empire could not be so vacant That Frederick by Rebellion and so many other offences had made himself unworthy of it That Bavaria who was of the same House Palatine for his piety and services done to the Empire did as much deserve it That the reasons of the Pretenders among which was the Duke of Neoburg of the same stock could not at present they being far off be discussed and therefore he referred them to another Diet. That in the mean time by the Authority exercised by his Predecessors in like cases he did invest Maximilian with the Electoral Dignity Some applauded and approved others silently adhered by force the Protestants in vain pondering to resent it in regard the power of Ferdinand and the felicity of the Catholick Arms curbed the wills of the factious and no less abated the thoughts of the disobedient Bavaria had no sooner obtained his purpose but begins to consider of the means to preserve the Dignity as differing from those Arts by which he had gotten it and being always mindful of the jealousie and opposition of the Spaniards seeks new strengthnings against their envy and force He sent into France frequent and secret Messengers to support himself by that Crown and to shew himself partial to their advantages and interests because he believed that to a Party emulating the Austrians it would be a Complement that he should remain in possession of the places taken upon the Rhine to hinder the Spaniards from inwarding themselves further into the Empire Whereupon not separating himself in the union of Forces from Ferdinand he was at work with new Treaties and forming stronger friendships It was just about this time not without the Austrians jealousie discovered that he had sent to London certain Religious persons of which sort he willingly made use for less observation and charge in disguised habits with many Propositions to King James that he would unite himself to that Party of the Catholicks in Germany of which Maximilian himself was Head to the end certainly to oppose himself against the designs and authority of the Spaniards But those practices had no effect because in the conclusion of them Maximilian gave it to be understood that he would not part with the Electorate but being without Children and almost out of hope to have any he offered the possession of it after his death to the eldest of those of the Palatine provided he were brought up in his Court and in the Catholick Faith with a promise to obtain for him one of the Emperours Daughters to Wife All these Propositions were by the English and Frederick rejected because besides the change of Religion they contained but uncertain and remote hopes From these foreign occurrences reflections fell back again to the affairs of Italy where was contending on all sides with tricks of wit to arrive at their pretended advantages The League projected in France at the latter end of the year past was in the beginning of this present concluded without much difficulty the interest of the Contractors concurring it may be said of themselves because the Venetians thought not themseleves strong enough to restore the Affairs of the Grisons without help of the Crown of France and that knew an Union necessary with the Venetians who alone by their nearness could furnish to any undertaking Victuals other Necessaries and Cannon The Duke Carlo was then desired to be of the Party both for his courage and reputation and by reason of the situation of his Countries besides the advantage of keeping him out of the other Party well knowing that he would not have been able idlely to look upon a War so near him without adhering to one side and making his profit by it It was then agreed That the League should last two years and what more need should require for procuring a restitution of places taken in the Valteline and Grisons proposing to themselves to form the body of an Army of between thirty and forty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse and they divided by an even proportion a third to every one of the Princes united but of those assigning betwixt fifteen and eighteen thousand of them to France ten or twelve thousand to the Republick and eight thousand to Savoy each to raise them as soon as might be and send them to their own Frontiers The Cannon were to be furnished by those that were nearest at a common charge according to the rating of the Forces It was further concerted To procure Mansfelt to make a diversion of the Austrians giving him three hundred thousand Crowns yearly the half to be paid by France two thirds of the rest by the Republick and what remained by Savoy In case of Invasion the others were to send half their men to the assisstance of the assailed to which the Treaty obliged and if the Confederates should only shew a willingness to Peace and remain only defensive they referred to another Treaty the consideration of dividing the Conquests when forced to Hostility they should happen to make any The Switzers were invited to enter into this League but the Catholicks prepossessed in a particular Diet by the endeavours of the Nuntio and Ambassadour of Spain raised so many difficulties in the general one of all the body of the Helvetians that although some understood that their interest was highly concerned in it nevertheless in their accustomed delays they let the Proposition fall The Treaty was no sooner concluded but Duke Carlo well acquainted with the liberality of the Republick earnestly solicited them by the Marquess of Lantz sent to them Ambassadour Extraordinary to supply him with the means to raise and maintain the Souldiers which the League laid upon them But the Venetians considering that the burden was divided by an equal ballance according to each ones ability and that by reason of their nearness to the Valteline they were to bear the hazard and greatest burden of the War and besides by reason of the long Frontier with the Austrians were obliged to a more careful defence did not hearken to the instances of the Duke who seemed more concerned in Conquests and advantages than in dangers As to Mansfelt from France was sent into Holland where the Count then was Monsieur de Monteró and from the Duke Monsieur di Bos Christopher Suriano supplying for the Republick who resided with the States inviting him to make War in the French Country supposed the fittest place to cut off communication of succours betwixt Italy and Flanders and also to be near Rhetia as an Army of reserve if any ill accident should happen And for this purpose they advance some months pay to him The Count who by such art subsisted in credit shewing a
his vast hopes could not be paid with any reason but moved against the resistance of the Republick began to give place in his heart to those disgusts which carried him afterwards to greater transgressions Nevertheless not willing for the present the Armies being in action in the Grisons to alienate themselves from the Republick by an open separation of their counsels from their aims taking pretext from the Winter-season they make a shew to refer the resolution and imployment of their Arms to another time But in effect the concert was secretly concluded betwixt the Crown and the Duke to invade the year following the Genouese of which the East side of the River remaining to Savoy that of the West accrued to France with the City it self of Genoua About this there passed some dispute each desiring for the importance and wealth to annex it to his Dominion but Carlo at last gave way such being the greediness he had of that enterprise which though the augmenting the power of France and letting himself be environed in a manner on all sides was not his interest nevertheless calculating always his designs above his hopes he fancied to himself to remain at last Arbiter of Italy out of a belief that the French would either quickly be weary of their Conquests or at least would soon neglect to preserve them To remove him from such thoughts the Spanish Ministers propounded large offers to bestow the Archbishoprick of Toledo of great Revenue upon the Cardinal his Son and other advantages with some satisfaction also in the business of Zuccarello But he hopes for all Feria attentive upon the motions in the Grisons and the designs of the Duke had raised a gallant Army in the Milanese and the Republick encompassed by so many Troops of that State and by no less jealousies towards Tirol and Friuli strengthened it self more and more Amongst many military Commanders which put themselves into their Service the chief was Henry de la Tour the famous stirrer up of the Rebellion of Bohemia They increased also their Forces by Sea arming in Dalmatia Gallies extraordinary and it fitly happened that thirteen Pinnaces of Barbary being advanced into the Chanel of Cattaro with the connivence of the Turkish Commanders in Castel novo assaulting Perasto by night and plundering it had given pretext to twenty three Gallies of Spain in the pursuit of them to advance to Ragusa whereupon to repulse the one and the other Anthonio Pisani Proveditor of the Fleet assembling it in all haste came into those waters But the Spaniards retiring and the Pirates flying with the same celerity these did some little hurt as they passed to the Islands of Teacchi and of Zant withdrawing themselves from the deserved chastisement which with a more signal revenge was suspended till another time During this interim four Frigats of the Pirates of St. Maura falling into the hands of the said Proveditor paid the penalty of their Rapine and Piracy An. Dom. 1624 THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE SIXTH BOOK THE Negotiation of Piedmont suspended actions of Arms begin in the Grisons and against the Valteline towards the end of the year the Confederates making choice of that season which though in the sharpness of situation might render proceedings difficult was yet very advantagious to keep what should be gotten The banished with the incouragement of the Regiment of Salice one of their own Country came down at the same time from several parts and by the knowledge of the situations over-powering the Posts kept by the Souldiers of Leopold in a very little time and with no great contest possess themselves of the Steich the Bridge of the Rhine Majanfelt the Sluse of Partentz and Flex excluding succours out of Germany It is not to be believed how upon the sudden glaring forth of liberty the people were refreshed who had scarce known what it was till they saw it oppressed Applauding therefore the League as their Redeemer those of the ten Directorships took courage shaking off the yoke of Leopold The Regiment of Monsieur de Harcourt advances now into Rhetia and the Levy of Switzers and Grisons according to agreement was made The Ambassadour le Coevre commanded these Troops with the assistance for the Venetians of Luigi Valaresso Knight who returning from his Embassie of England had order to remain there with him They both went to Coira to incourage and animate that Government from thence to Poschiavo to prepare for the Invasion of the Valteline Feria that he might preserve it cared little for Leopolds losses in Rhetia but howsoever left the defence of the Valley to Bagni to ingage the Pope so much the more to maintain it and induce him to unite at last with Spain Bagni found himself exercised with other thoughts for on the one side he knew not how with a very small force to resist the flood he saw coming upon him and on the other calling Feria to assist derogated to the neutrality desired by the Pope and hastned a War betwixt the two Crowns He endeavoured to help himself by art threatning the Confederates to deliver the Forts to the Governour of Milan if they should attempt them by force But they having now their Troops in readiness could no longer nor were inclined to it remain amidst the Rocks of Rhetia without losing their Army by the rigour of the Winter and the want of Victuals With six thousand Foot and three hundred Horse they enter by the way of Poschiavo where the Valley being narrowest opens a short passage to receive from the State of the Republick Victuals Assistance and Cannon The Pontificians abandon presently the weaker places to be able to make better resistance in the stronger Whereupon the Confederates become Masters of that of Piantamala whence without stopping they pass on to Tirano Bagni was fitly there with the Cavalier Robustelli one of the chief Contrivers of the late Revolutions and two hundred and fifty Souldiers besides some of the Valteline not very fit to bear Arms. Nevertheless he made a shew to be willing to defend himself more with the name and veneration of the Ensigns of the Church than with the Garrison but the Towns-men not trusting to so weak Forces and fearing death and pillage from the fury of the Souldiers went out through a hole in the Wall while the Governour kept the Gates shut to capitulate the delivery which was accepted upon condition not to put a Garrison of Grisons but of French into it Bagni being retired with his Souldiers into the Castle imploring succours of Feria and demanding of Coevre a suspension of Arms for some days desired to protract time in hope that wanting Cannon for battery and other provisions the season and situation might defend him But all conditions that might hinder their progress being refused by the Confederates that which the one believed impossible succeeded easily to the others for six Cannons arrived in the Camp with a number of Pioneers and every thing
his riches and the splendour of his noble Family as for his own goodness under the guidance whereof with an unchangeable constancy not intermitting the exercises of piety in his civil cares he had led a life amidst vertues worthy of Heaven and functions due to his Country But in Piedmont from the place of Arms which was in Asti the Army in the month of March moves it consisted of thirty thousand men the greatest part French got together by the hopes of a rich and a most certain booty Desdiguieres in his decrepit age carried himself as became him with great vivacity of spirit under the shadow of his ancient Fame The Duke pufft with vanity appeared in the Army with a self-conceited confidence rejoycing to see himself once upon the way to great and secure Conquests and with the supposed increase of his States now meditated to adorn his gray hair with Kingly Titles and Crowns Where for a little space they passed through the Milanese Desdiguieres commands strictly no hurt in any kind to be done but in Monferrat St. Damiano Nizza della Paglia and Aqui were forced to open their gates leaving in the last a strong Garrison for the guard of the Magazin of War which was fixed there The Duke of Mantua complained greatly that the Army had not only taken their passage but possessed that place and feared the wonted imaginations of Carlo and expected no less instances from the Governour of Milan doubting lest his State should in conclusion become the place of Ingagement or at least serve for Quarters to the Armies of both the Crowns But the French excusing the necessity of the passage and promising when the expedition was at an end to restore all marched forward The Genouese not accustomed for a long time to the accidents and troubles of War and losing courage upon so potent an attacque made shew of a very weak resistance The Country was open the City had but weak Walls and though about some places they raised Trenches they were nevertheless weak and ill guarded their Souldiers for the most Peasants who used to idleness were ignorant of discipline impatient of labour and fearful in dangers They implored assistance from the Pope and from the Spanish Ministers but the one applied nothing but incouragements and counsels and the other interposed delays because fearing for the Milanese they had a mind to observe the bent of the intentions and the march of the Army and aimed to let them be streightned with greater necessities whilst not having elsewhere to expect relief they would be obliged not only to pour forth their gold to make the Spaniards move but to subject themselves to whatsoever hard condition that Crown should prescribe to them Wherefore dejected in spirit by the difficulty of Councils and the unhappiness of successes they resolve abandoning the Country to undertake the defence of Genoua alone and ordered that the Artillery Ammunition and Garrisons should presently be withdrawn from Scavona and other places but soon after being admonished from a better light of wisdom particularly from the counsels of Giovanni Girolamo Doria who shewed that there could not be a worse counsel than willingly to yield what they doubted they might lose by force countermanding the first Orders they generously apply to their own defence by maintaining Scavona and there rest The French now made themselves to be felt being gotten into the Streights of the Mountains by two ways on that side where the Territory of Genoua is most enlarged towards Tortona Novi renders it self to Desdiguieres the Syndick meeting him with the keys The Duke having taken the Castle of Ovada with little resistance and by the way routed five Companies of Neapolitans which were sent from Tortona in relief of one of those Posts advanced to Rossiglione which is one of those passages and of the two ways the other being at Gavi which lead to Genoua and the Sea and found it abandoned by 2000 Foot of the Country which left in prey to the Enemy the provisions and money which was to serve for their nourishment and pay The Town of Campo yielded in like manner whereupon the Duke proud with the felicity of such successes sollicited the French to hasten their march to draw near to Genoua which as yet little better than unprovided and greatly disturbed by these sinister accidents seemed exposed to the prey offering the benefit of the Intelligences and of so long a March but the concerts with some of the Citizens were just at that very instant discovered by the Government getting knowledge that some had designed to open the Gates to the French and the Duke reckoning amongst them one of the House of Marini a Kinsman to the Ambassadour at Turin Whereupon the greatest hopes of the Confederates being cut off and nothing remaining but the force of Arms they were perplexed in their designs and march and on the other side the Genouese took courage certain Gallies arriving at that time from Spain with a great deal of money and from Sicily and Naples Souldiers to relieve them The Governour of Milan also sends thither under the Command of Lodovico Guasco four thousand Italian Foot for which they had disburfed three hundred thousand Crowns and obtained Thomaso Caracciolo to command the Arms of the Republick governed till now by Chiefs not very vigorous Upon such re-inforcements there increased in the minds of the Genouese cares also equal to their security for fear lest having repulsed their Enemies and they gone further off they should at last remain subject to their Auxiliaries They therefore lodged the Spanish Souldiers either in the places most exposed to be attacqued or the outmost parts of the City not without complaint of the Count of Castioneda who resided in Genoua Ambassadour for the Catholick King and reproached to the Council the unseasonableness of Jealousies in the midst of so many dangers But new and unhappy events soon brought things to extremity The Duke having taken Sassuolo not far from Savona directed his march to joyn Desdiguieres when he found the strength of the Enemies Forces assembled in Ottaggio which consisted of five or six thousand Foot commanded by considerable Chiefs as Caracciolo Guasco Cataneo Batteville with some of the Nobless of Genoua and many others joyned together in that great place in design to keep Gavi from the attempts of the Confederates But going forth in a good number to keep the Savoyards at a distance with Skirmishes it so fell out that they pursuing them and the Duke arriving thereupon in person they were defeated and Caracciolo in the flight being taken Prisoner the Conquerours mingling with them became Masters of the Trenches and the place The others retreated into the Castle but unprovided of Ammunition and all manner of defence abounding in nothing but number were forced to render themselves all the Chiefs Colours and Arms falling into the Dukes hands with a very rich spoil Carlo going out upon the Mountains and having from thence in
his own expression they might serve for ornament but not to give jealousie He and Tilli disposed with an absolute Authority of all Undertakings Garrisons Quarters and Contributions but with a hand so severe and heavy that oppressing the Countries of the Protestants and not much respecting those of the Catholicks they drained them every where by an unheard of licence of the Souldiery of their money and blood The people groaned and the Princes stormed no less having been accustomed to determine with a certain sort of liberty the most important affairs in their Diet and not to have Contributions imposed on them but by common consent and an equal distribution In this sad and servile prospect of things scarce any was found that durst shew his dislike Only the King of Denmark though overcome did his best to resist and to represent the necessities to others and by the quality of the person to give weight to the business sends Christian William of Brandenburg administrator of Magdemburg and of Halverstadt to several Courts imploring assistance In France the designs and Arms of the Crown being turned another way he obtained nothing In Holland he had better fortune those Provinces being in a manner without War in regard the Spaniards continued to apply themselves only to the Affairs of the Empire out of a firm belief that the Protestants there once subdued the Hollanders would not be afterwards but an Appendix to the Victory And for this cause also Spinola finding himself without imployment was gone to Madrid his Reputation and Glory after the taking of Breda seeming among the Spaniards to be turned into jealousie and envy The Hollanders then sending to the King of Denmark a body of men with them were garrisoned some places on the Weser offering two thousand more to keep the Sound which is the Streight defended by two Citadels where betwixt the Island of Zeland and the Province of Schonen Ships pass into the Baltick Sea The King taking all things in good part only refused this out of a doubt lest the Hollanders once entred into that place so commodious and important would afterward not easily be got out of it Christian went also to Venice and found the Senate scarce out of the troubles of the Valteline involved anew in suspicions and attentive upon the dangers which by the succession of Mantua seemed imminent so that he obtained nothing but the discharge of the old Count of la Tour from the Service of the Republick who went thence to the Service of Denmark Bethlehem Gabor was also tempted by the Prince himself but he after Mansfelts departure and the disbanding of his Troops upon it having made a new Treaty of Peace with Ferdinand could not break it though he wanted not will for it because he had not the help and the consent of the Turks who terrified with the prosperity of Ferdinand and intricated with disadvantage in the War of Persia thought it best to preserve the Peace and to confirm it to send an Ambassadour to Vienna And now the King of Denmark taking the Duke of Mechelburg into his protection and putting himself anew into the field with ten thousand Horse and twenty four thousand Foot besieged Blechede upon the Elb. But Tilli who had for his fore-runner the fame of so many happy successes scorning an Encounter with the Marquess of Dourlach who endeavoured to amuse him arriving for its relief at the time that the place being taken the Castle more from the valour of the Commander than the force of the Garrison yet held out obliges him to retire in so much confusion and disorder that he left behind him his Cannon and much of his military Provisions The King thinking himself not secure in Butzenberg whither he retired because the Croats by beating Parties and intercepting Victuals molested him retires with his weakned Army deeper into the Dutchy of Mechelburg From thence he sollicites the Anseatick Towns so called from a certain Company anciently erected for Trade and in particular the chiefest which are Hambourg and Lubeck to joyn themselves to the common Interest whilst the Arms of the Austrians facing them by Sea and guarding it with armed Ships they lost their Liberty and Commerce But the evil being so far advanced with fear of worse hindred the remedy of the present danger whereupon the Cities not only denied the King assistance but being intimidated and admonished by the Imperial Generals to furnish their Armies with Victuals and give them passage to grant them Ships and discharge out of Hambourg the Ministers of England and Holland they obeyed in all save in the contributing of Ships Tilli takes in Lawemburg which gives name to a Dutchy and Wallestain coming out of Silesia after having recovered with little opposition all that which Mansfelt formerly held there entred into the Territories of Brandenburg with Forces so powerful that he obliges anew the Elector to receive the Law to contribute Victuals and Money to recall his Subjects from the Kings Service and to admit Imperial Garrisons in Francford on the Oder and other places nay in Berlin the City of his Residence The same yoke did the Lower Saxony receive from Tilli his Garrisons being brought into Wolfembutie and other places of the greatest strength There remained no more but to pursue the King who leaving Dourlach in Mechelburg was retired into his own Kingdom Wallestain who from henceforward shall be called the Duke of Fridlandt for Ferdinand acknowledged his notable services with the recompence of that Title coming into Mechelburg puts the Marquess to retreat and expulsing those most ancient Dukes possesses it exacting from Wismar and Rostoch Cities Imperial vast sums for the maintainance of the Army The States of Denmark despairing now to resist so much prosperity and so full a tide of the Catholick Arms pressed the King to conclude a Peace though upon hard terms and he by means of the Duke of Holstein demanded it but the two Generals imposed upon him conditions so grievous as differred not at all from servitude They pretended that laying down the Title of General of the Lower Saxony he should disband his Army restore all he had taken in the Empire should leave the Bishopricks into which he had thrust his Sons should deliver up Gluchstadt upon the Elb should pay the charges and losses renounce all Treaties against the Empire or the House of Austria make no Innovations in the Sundt and in sum give caution for the observance of all things agreed The King not assenting to such conditions saw Holstein invaded by two puissant Armies Where that Peninsula is narrowest Tilli enters with one on the left side and Wallestein with the other on the right To the first Benneburg and to the latter Steimberg were rendred without much difficulty the King not defending himself but by retiring deeper into the Country and burning the Country he abandoned the Peasants over and above cutting the Dikes and leaving themselves in prey to the waters to save
her passions as much more famous as her life and death equally unhappy She began then to inveigh against Richelieu that to play the Merchant at his pleasure with the Royal Authority he became prodigal of the Kings health keeping him as having him in a manner a Prisoner far from his Wife and Mother amongst Armies and the Marshes of Rochel exposed to dangers and in an unwholesom Air. She besides this dissented openly to have any thing to do with the Affairs of Italy towards which she discovered the Cardinal inclined and aggravated that he for his vain passions having stirred up a War with the English now to satiate his revenge would break also with Savoy and with Spain persecuting every where the Princesses of the Royal Family and exposing the Kingdom in prey to the sword and fire to the end that he alone with his Friends and Kindred might triumph over the publick Calamities and advance his ambition and avarice upon the common Ruine By effectual Letters she disswades the King from him and publickly exclaims against him in Paris seconded by many with whispers and discourses in the Court and in the Country for hatred and envy advanced as much against Richelieu as his own merit increased and the favour of the King appeared more and more partial to him The Cardinal Berule and Monsieur de Marilliac were the chief that in the Council sided with her opinions and to dishearten the Ministers of the Pope and of the Republick who with frequent endeavours moved the King to serious reflections and seasonable resolutions they divulged freely and gave the Ministers themselves openly to understand that France by Religion and Interest being strictly obliged to its own occasions could not be diverted elsewhere nor attend to what happened beyond the Mountains But Richelieu who with a profound judgment fathomed aims and designs as well domestick as foreign entertaining them with better hopes to repair that opinion which after the Peace of Monzon he knew cooled in his old friends and the Princes of Italy comforted them with ample promises that the King would not be wanting in protection and assistance to the House of Mantua and exhorted principally the Venetians so much interessed and so nearly joyned to support the Duke with powerful Aids till the Ingagement before Rochel being at an end and the differences with England in some measure composed the Crown might turn all its Authority and Forces towards Italy The Senate wisely weighing past events and the dangers imminent remained constant in the setled Maxims not to declare themselves but conjoyntly with the Crown of France and therefore sollicited with earnest prayers the happy success of the enterprise of Rochel and with urgent mediation promoted the Peace with England which seemed much facilitated by various accidents for another Fleet being sailed out of those parts formidable for number and quality of Ships manned with choice Souldiers and furnished with all sorts of Provisions having scarce shewed it self to the besieged and attempted the relief in vain was returned to the Coast of England and Buckingham the Incendiary of the discord stabbed with a Knife in his Chamber by one Felton for private causes was dead In the mean time Cordua finding no resistance in the field advances towards Casale hoping according to the concerts agreed with Spadino de Novara Serjeant Major in the Town that a Port should presently have been delivered to him But the Marquess of Canossa a Veronese Governour of Monferrat and Rivara a Monferrin who commanded the Citadel discovering the Plot as it was almost ready to be put in execution gave out Orders presently for the defence by preventing the Treachery and resisting the Force Spadino saving himself from punishment by flight meets the Governour of Milan with the Army near to Casale who though touched to the quick that his best and speedy hope was vanished nevertheless putting it to a venture and ingaging his honour upon the relations of the Traitor that the Garrison though consisting of about four thousand Foot and four hundred Horse yet all for the most part of the Country and having want of many things would together with the Inhabitants be little inclined to suffer for a Prince they knew not ruine and extremities resolves to undertake the Siege To flatter the Citizens he made as if he would respite the Country round about keeping for some days the Militia in such Discipline that it almost looked as if he would rather preserve than force the place And the effect though contrary to his intent proved to be so for the provisions spared by the Spaniards in the Country were in the interim brought into the Town At the first appearance of the Enemy the Garrison made a round Sally but being easily beat back Cordua orders Trenches to be opened and Batteries to be raised but with as many failings and errours as they made steps in the attempt Casale is situate upon the right side of the Po where a little Hillock begins to decline and enlarge it self into a Plain in which the Town is placed being of a large circuit but of an irregular inclosure inhabited by many noble Families and a numerous well-accommodated Commonalty A Castle with Walls and Towers served formerly for its defence but the old Duke Vincenzo placed there for state and defence a Citadel of a great compass with six well ordered Bastions which with two ranks of Walls were joyned to the City Against one of these directly towards the Po which at that time had its course a little distant but afterwards changing its Chanel came nearer to the Wall Gonzales directs his attacques and batteries but weak and slow so that the besieged were able to cover with Half-moons and Batteries the Wall the Mills and the Flank of the Town the most exposed on that side He could not by reason he had so few men begirt the place and for the same defect deferred for divers days to take in the Castles on the Hill by means whereof Provisions in abundance were frequently brought into the Town and even when he went about it Frederico Enriquez sent with a few Souldiers to make his way into Rossignano by a Petard being partly deceived by his Spies who brought him thither when it was broad day light and partly repulsed by the cragginess of the situation for it stood upon a Rock received there a great blow The Savoyards proceeded with greater success The Duke was no sooner in the field but he possessed in a breath Alba St. Damiano with all that which belonged to him by the Treaty and although Trino resisted some days yet upon the loss of a Half-moon it was forced to surrender Being thus dis-ingaged it gave great jealousie to the Governour of Milan lest having obtained his own design he should neglect or rather hinder the success of the Spaniards And knowing him fixed in this that short Wars frequent Treaties and continual change of Parties was that which pleased him he was greatly
feared lest he should joyn with the French fomenting that doubt by various events for the Duke contrary to the agreement fortified Trino with all diligence having taken Moncalvo though it were not of his division kept it for himself and Pontestura which he had possessed in the sight almost of the Spanish Camp though he delivered it to them yet it was after delays so full of pride and contempt that it savoured rather of reproach and injury than of confidence and assistance But above all the things which happened afterwards at Genoua troubled him That Government discovered that Julio Cesare Vachero a man of the Commonalty with other wicked Villains of his condition had designed to kill the principal men and change the form of Government hoping in the confusions the Authority of the Laws being captivated and good men exposed to violence they might with impunity enjoy great spoils From him who was imprisoned and other his Complices who having retired themselves into the Milanese were by the Governour sent back to Genoua it came to be known that the Conspiracy passed in concert with the Duke who without dissembling the matter avowed that he had consented to the Treason before the Truce was made to be executed when it should be ended and shewed himself so throughly moved at the danger his Partisans were in that he protested to the Genouese to revenge the punishments of those that were guilty upon certain of their Nobles which he had Prisoners since the last War and with no less industry induced the Governour to send to Genoua Alvara di Lusara with no less threatnings than instances for the pardon and liberty of those malicious Knaves The Government moved at the atrocity of the offence and the anger for such a demand resenting it to the quick that they must be forced in complacence to their Enemy or at anothers will to let Rebellion go unpunished having in a middle way betwixt Slavery and Justice condemned some to punishment let for that time the business fall into silence But the Duke not being satisfied although he used no cruelty against the Genouese Prisoners shewed himself wroth both against the Republick and against the Governour of Milan who apprehending not to get Casale and to expose the Milanese to irreparable hazards whensoever the Duke should bend towards France endeavoured by all sort of satisfaction and pliantness to pacifie him And for that cause denied to deliver to the Genouese others of the Conspirators and gave security to some in the Milanese making shew of so great rancour and disgusts against that Republick that the state of things being represented at the Court of Spain there also to keep the Duke to his first designs and hopes Propositions were treated of to assault the State of Genoua with united Forces divide it and leave Carlo as large a part as he should have a mind to This although it was against the true intentions of him that offered it nevertheless coming to be known by the Genouese stirred up jealousie in their minds and a hatred so furious in particular when the Count de Monterey passing from Spain as Ambassadour towards Rome stayed some time in Genoua making a shew of a certain kind of Superiority and as if he would take upon him to reform the Government that the wonted partiality towards that Monarchy began to be cooled and the veneration of it soon after declining in Italy they went on to such resolutions and decrees as did greatly raise the Splendor and Decorum of that Common-wealth But in Monferrat through the difficulty of the enterprise the fast of the Governour of Milan being abated it looked as if hopes appeared of some adjustment the Emperour giving the Ministers of the Pope and of the Venetians to understand That his intention was not to meddle in the Cause of Mantua otherwise than by Negotiation whilst the Governour of Milan having put himself into action without his knowledge and consent he found himself dis-ingaged from assisting his intentions with Arms. But within a while the Authority of the Spanish Ministers prevailing above the others Reasons the Army of Suevia was observed to draw near to Helvetia to the great jealousie of the Cantons who thereupon assembled frequent Diets and it was understood that Count John of Nassau was sent by the Emperour with Title of Commissioner to take possession of Mantua and Monferrat with all the appurtenances assigning only to the Duke a meet Pension to maintain him and some Lodgings in the Palace This was interpreted as a certain Herald for War because the Duke not being able to do other than dissent and oppose it the ingagement of the Name and Authority of the Emperour drew necessarily after it the motion of Arms. And now Montenegro over-running the Country of Mantua had attempted though in vain Caneto and put a Garrison into Castiglione to molest the Duke and threaten the Republick And the Duke sends his Troops by a generous and hasty Inrode to plunder in the Cremonese but afterwards by better counsel knowing it a vain thing to provoke with an appearance whom he could not suppress with force recals them and causes the Booty to be restored He was now put to difficult and afflicting Councils the Catholick Army was at his doors the Imperial were near at hand and succours far off Whereupon dispatching Giovanni Francesco Gonzagha his Ambassadour Extraordinary to Venice he instantly desires counsel and assistance The Senate encouraged him to resist with constancy all his troubles and to comfort himself with hopes of better They pleaded his Cause in every Court with reasons and did him all the service they could and till under the countenance of France they might declare themselves permitted all advantages to his Country giving him passage for Men Arms and Victuals at a time that a great dearth foretelling calamities to come universally afflicted Italy but the Duke found himself molested with new and always greater cares For Nassau being now arrived requires him to deliver the Citadels of Casale and Mantua that he might put Imperial Garrisons into them and keep them together with the rest according to his Commission neither availed it that Carlo endeavoured with answers of submission and obedience to excuse himself offering also in token of greater respect to admit the Emperours Garrison into some place of lesser moment whereupon the Commissary excluding every thing and denying the term of twelve days which the Duke desired to advise with himself obliges him to publish his Appeal to the Emperour when he should be better informed and if all passages were stopped there to the Electors of the Empire With this Nassau returns to Milan sending from thence to Mantua frequent intimations and protests sometimes avoided by the respect the Duke shewed and then again pressed upon his Declaration to defend himself The Imperial Ban was nevertheless deferred by Ferdinand at the intreaty of his Wife and by the offices of the Grand Duke of Tuscany who but
a Youth having visited the Pope and received noble entertainment at Venice was gone to the Emperours Court. And it was indeed easier for the Duke to defend himself by Negotiation than to maintain longer his Souldiers for there having till now been maintained in the Territory of Mantua six thousand five hundred Foot and thirteen hundred Horse pay at last failing the Strangers disbanded and those of the Country returned to their houses He then by the means of Ottaviano Vivaldini desires money of the Venetians to keep his Troops on foot and earnestly implores that to his they would joyn five thousand Foot and five hundred Horse of their own offering himself with that strength to march to Casale and having secured that place and in it preserved Mantua also to end the War with glory and expedition Monsieur d'Avo and Monsieur de Guron the one Ambassadour for France at Venice and the other sent expresly into Italy for these Concerns promised the entire assistance of the Crown nay the person of the King himself when the Siege of Rochel should be ended and demonstrated withal that if they in this interim for want of assistance should let the Dukes Affairs perish and Casal were lost all attempts and succours afterwards would be rendred vain But the Senate apprehending the old aim of the French Ministers to ingage the Republick in an open breach with Spain to avoid that of their Crown referred all resolution to the arrival of the Kings Colours into Italy to which they continued their promises to joyn themselves The Pope also concurred in the same opinion to animate the French not to abandon Italy and in this interim sending to the Emperour and both the Kings Nuntio's Extraordinary to endeavour a Treaty of Peace armed and fortified his Frontiers planting in view of the Modenese not without the complaints and jealousies of that Duke a good Fort which was called by his Name Vrban The hopes of Italy being then referred to the issue of the one affair of Rochel which seemed now near an end it plainly appeared that as much as the Austrians had been advantaged by that Ingagement so much the less were they to rejoyce at the taking of it And the French began already highly to complain of the novelties and turbulencies raised in Italy and to support the Duke of Mantua till they could send him greater Forces they permitted him Levies and Supplies giving him connivence and incouragement whereupon in his name and with money drawn from his Estate in that Kingdom were raised under the Marquess of Vxelles twelve thousand Foot and two thousand Horse with six pieces of Cannon to be transported from this side the Mountains to his assistance seconded by some Troops of the Kings commanded by the Mareshal of Crequi Governour of Dauphiné This Expedition amplified also more than was necessary according to the prompt disposition of the Nation wont to believe that done which seemed near to be executed made them believe in France the Duke ready succoured and in Italy with great expectation fear was confounded with hope for at the report that that Army was drawing near Gonzales imbarked his Cannon and kept all ready to raise the Siege from Casale but at the same time to divert the storm from him uses all sorts of submissions and promises to the Duke of Savoy and now Carlo believed himself arrived at that Post which he had long proposed to make himself Arbiter of the War and Peace of Italy For the French also demanded passage of him with greater flatteries and ample offers of all sorts of advantages the Liberty and Wealth of the Genouese being the price which to strives was offered him by both the Crowns But mindful of the offences done to Richelieu and now fearful of his revenge taking time to answer the better to fortifie himself after having garrisoned his places and obtained four thousand Foot of the Governour of Milan refuses it The French notwithstanding resolve by the way of Castel Delphino to attempt it but the Duke being moved with his Army into the Valley of St. Pieter and having caused the Prince Vittorio to advance encountring the Vantguard in the Straights of those Mountains beats them and drives them back All the Army then of Vxelles retreats and being come into Dauphiné quickly disbands for a coolness ordinarily following the French fury Victuals were wanting and the money both managed with covetousness and wasted with negligence sufficed not to supply it In the beginning also of this Action the Venetians being requested to permit passage to certain Cavalry of the Duke of Mantua's that crossing the Milanese they might move forward to joyn the French refused it because in the difficulty to execute it they could not discern ought but the wonted intentions to draw them unseasonably to Declarations and Ingagements But the straights of that Prince being now brought to that pass that he could no longer maintain his Court and Family much less keep up his Army they being requested in his Name by the Marquess of Pomar with expressions of pity rather than assistance disbursed to him twenty thousand Ducats and before the end of the year they supplied him with other and greater sums for the maintaining of his Garrisons also Carlo Emanuel having repulsed the French triumphed greatly and the Governour of Milan was much more encouraged who believing already the gain of Casal secure jealous lest the Duke should yet take in some part of Monferrat which belonged to the King sends to Nizza with four thousand Foot the Count John Serbellone who took it in fifteen days after having so frighted the Inhabitants with the springing of a Mine that they forced the Count of Agremont a French man who defended it with twenty four of his Nation and some Monferrins to capitulate and leave it Of this distraction of Forces which retarded the Siege those within Casale made use to great advantage reaping the harvest and bringing it into the Town where was come in Monsieur de Guron to animate in the Name of King Lewis the Inhabitants and Garrison The Nuntio's sent from the Pope being come to the Camp projected in the midst of these actions a suspension of Arms for fifteen days in which space the Infanta Marguerita entring into Casale some Proposition of agreement might be concerted But the Governour jealous of some artifice of the Savoyards to prolong his conquest by pretending that together with his there should be put into it a Garrison of the Emperours dissolves the Treaty And the Grand Duke being returned from the Imperial Court had speech in Maderno a place of pleasure upon the Lago di Garda with the Prince of Mantua and proposed to him a change of those States since that the Monferrat exposed to the greedy desires of the most powerful occasioned so great disagreements but the Spaniards not willing to offer an equivalent that discourse came to nothing The Negotiation then yielding to force Gonzales strengthned with new
also alledging the introducing of the French into Monferrat refused to ratifie the said Treaty of Susa but to justifie the delay or rather to try mens minds and keep the Armies in suspence dispatch to Paris the Secretary Navazza with the President Monfalcon Ambassadour of Savoy to offer that France withdrawing the Garrisons out of Monferrat and Piedmont they on their side would forbear troubling of Nevers and remove jealousies from the other Confederates of that Crown By this it was perceived that they had no other aim but to exclude all defence from Italy that so the Imperial Troops entring thereupon and changing name or pretext it might relapse under scourges and plagues yet more cruel Advertisements of it came already from all parts and the signs of it seemed clear for that other nine thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Imperial Horse were near their arrival and other Troops followed them under Count Rambald Colalto a Vassal of the Republick and honoured with the Character of a Patrician but being bred in the Wars of Germany from his younger years and enriched with an Estate and Honours served Ferdinand in this Expedition in the Charge of Commander in chief But the Emperour desiring that terror might make plain the way for his Army to divert by fear the Prinâ—es from declaring in favour of the Duke of Mantua had answered as the Popes Ministers who perswaded him to send Commissioners to try the way of an amicable agreement that Fridland with the suit of fifty thousand Souldiers should be his Commissioner whose name as much as it was famous by his Fortune so much was it rendred terrible by his cruelty But although in the straightness and amidst the wants of Rhetia the German Troops could not long subsist nevertheless being supplied with Money and Victuals by the Governour of Milan it was requisite to stay there for some days for although the march was undertaken at the instigation of the Spaniards yet the Seat of the Monarchy and of the Councils being far remote and the Genius of that Nation slow Correspondencies on their side could not be speeded in a readiness suitable to the resolutions Spinola especially was expected in Italy destined thither with great reputation and vast hopes that he would correct Cordua's errours and restore the Lustre of Arms but the scantness of pay being not sufficient for the greatness of the preparations he prolonged his imbarking for some months In this interim thirty Gallions come out of the Ocean were his fore-runners to scour the Mediterranean and to oppose the attempts of the French Fleet which as said was by way of the Sea to bring men and succours into Italy and a report was added that they were already advanced into the Adriatick whereupon the Venetians accustomed to consider all where there was question of much gave command that the Fleet should he strengthened with ten Gallies of Dalmatia and Candia to be presently armed and greater preparations were put into an order if there should be occasion At Land watchful with the greatest diligence they ordered the assembling of ten thousand Souldiers their Subjects and agreed for numerous Levies of French which were to pass out of Provence by Sea under the Duke of Candale the Chevalier de la Valletta and the Duke of Rohan who to quiet the Jealousies of the Court of France was come to Venice and they sent to Mantua discovering as danger approached the faith of that people to be wavering four thousand men for the preservation of the place and three hundred Albanese to arm a Galliot and some Barks in the Lake disbursing money that the Duke under his own Colours might levy four thousand men more But Spinola dis-embarking at last in Genoua with many Souldiers and with seven hundred Cases of Pieces of Eight came to Milan and brought the money into the Castle with Pomp with money and fame recruiting the Army in a moment And now the Germans who Colalto being joyned amounted to thirty thousand Foot and five thousand Horse marched and being arrived in the Milanese extended their Quarters longst the Rivers Adda and Oglio to the Confines of the Venetians On this side of the said Rivers coasted upon them Marco Justiniano Proveditor Extraordinary in the Bergamasco with Colonel Milander and a Squadron volant of betwixt three and four thousand choice men to repress any insult which the insolence of that Army might make but miserably afflicting the Towns of the Milanese they contained themselves towards those of the Venetians in great discipline Continuing afterwards their march towards Mantua amidst the confusions which the fury of Arms brought with it Treachery was also discovered whereupon in Viadana was arrested a French Officer who by means of the Prince of Guastalla plotted to deliver that place to the Governour of Milan and in Mantua was made publick a Conspiracy framed against the life of the Prince It happened at this very time that the Duke of Main Son of Carlo in his passage to Casal was at Pergola on the Borders of the Piacentino taken Prisoner by the Marquess Malespina with the loss of certain Jewels and some money but delivering him to a Company of Horse to guard him to Milan the Duke made his escape and got safely into Casal Amidst so great disturbances Spinola secretly exhorts the Duke of Mantua to humble himself by lodging of Souldiers depositing his States and referring himself without exception to the clemency of Ferdinand and the piety of Philip. Julio Mazarino who as substituted to Panciroli the Popes Nuntio begins now to appear in business as a thin Vapour that became afterwards the brightest Star of Europe carried to the Duke himself a project in the name of Spinola for a Cessation of Arms. But that being not to be practised without depositing of places and giving Quarters to Troops and Colalto denying that he had a power to conclude a Truce the Duke shewing himself resolute in the most perilous courses declares that being under the protection of the Crown of France it behoved him to communicate to that Court every Proposition of Accord The mischiefs of the War being now not to be restrained longer and the Siege of Mantua seeming to be near the Republick resolves to maintain it with all their power for which purpose the General Erizzo after having spoken with the Duke incamps the Army which consisted of about eighteen thousand Foot and Horse in Valezzo a place which covering Verona and Peschiera was made commodious for its own defence and convenient to send succours to Mantua Colalto publishing an Edict in Milan by which in the name of the Emperour he commanded the people to withdraw their obedience from the Duke requires of the Prince of Bozzolo the delivery of Ostiano and at the same time without expecting an answer caused the Count de Soragna to surprise it Casting a Bridge there over the Oglio and fortifying the Banks on each side with a Garrison of fifteen hundred men the Army
Cardinal was not ignorant of it but shewing himself at the sight thereof bitterly inraged was yet more moved when he saw the Duke with the gross of his Army flank his march on the other side of the Dora Some of the French Chiefs provoked by their natural promptness advised that passing that little River they should attacque the Squadrons of the Savoyards who had nothing of Souldiers but the appearance But Richelieu who had other things in design stopped at Casalette complaining that he found not the Provisions ready and judging the intention of Carlo to be to make the French Army perish with hunger and give time to the Austrians to come to his assistance The Duke comes thither to him partly excusing whatever was wanting by the universal scarcity and partly accusing the hasty motion of the Army But in this Conference nothing passing but mutual complaints they separated with perfect hatred and greater suspicions Amidst these eager contests the Ambassadour Soranzo goes to Turin to mediate sent by the Cardinal to exhort the Duke to facilitate the passage and enter into the League offering him in the Name of the King to inveigle him the entertainment of six thousand Foot and four hundred Horse of those Troops which for the Invasion of the Milanese he was bound to joyn to the Army of the Confederates The design of the Cardinal perhaps was to send the Ambassadour further from him that by his importunate counsels knowing that the Venetians would not like the ingaging of the French Forces in Piedmont he might not attempt to disturb the designs he intended for Soranzo remaining yet in Turin the Cardinal the 18. of March in the night suddenly recalling some Troops which were advanced and repassing the Dora sends two thousand Horse to Rivali a House of Pleasure in the Country to surprize the Duke and make him with his Son Vittorio Prisoners Carlo kept himself there to make shew as was his custom of an unconcerned mind and generous heart in delights and divertisements amongst the greatest cares and in the midst of danger it self But getting notice of it by a Confident he had in the French Camp which was suspected to be the Duke de Momorancy he could hardly get safe with his Son into Turin where presently shutting the Gates manning the Walls imprisoning some French which were come in to see the Citadel and causing others which served the Princess to be put in custody the defence was in a moment ordered out of a belief that the Cardinal would without delay invest the place If the Duke for this attempt of taking him Prisoner flamed out publickly into rage Richelieu was vexed at heart that the design had failed him and presently betaking himself to his wonted Arts dispatches Monsieur Servient to Turin to speak with the Prince and the Ambassadour Soranzo The Duke hindring him of access to the one and to the other and to Soranzo himself detesting the craft and cunning of the Cardinal refuses giving him liberty to be gone to hearken further to any overtures And entring into suspicion that he might have had a hand in this contrivance or vexed that the Arms and endeavours of the Republick opposed his ends he discharges also the ordinary Ambassadour Francesco Cornaro who had order from the Senate to pass in that quality to the Court of Spain The Cardinal imploying with equal dexterity the subtilties of Treaty and the Stratagems of War makes as if he would attacque Turin to draw defence and forces to the Metropolis He afterwards bends towards Pignerol causing it to be invested by Crequi with six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse and the day after environs it with the whole Army The Town is twelve miles distant from Turin situate upon a height where the Alps terminating or rather intermitting certain Vallies fall in which worthily give it the name of a large and easie entrance into Italy It being not strong and one part of the Garrison being gone to the assistance of Turin the Town held out but one day Count Vrban di Schalenge the Governour was retired into the Citadel which is in the highest part of it But seeing himself but with a few men and environed by a potent Army nay with an Enemy that under the shelter of the Town at their first arrival fastened themselves to a Bulwark renders it the 30. of March which was Easter-day All the adjacent places Vallies and certain Forts thereabouts newly built by the Savoyards followed without dispute Richelieu triumphing at it who presently orders to inclose the Town with Royal Fortifications as from that time designing it for the foundation of more vast designs The Duke disturbed both for the loss and the insult but unable to revenge himself had in his mind most vexing and violenâ— thoughts for having from his younger years proposed to himselâ— great Undertakings and Victories with increase of State and Glory and now reduced to an unhappy old age saw his Maxims ill grounded and hopes defeated He had in his bosom an Enemy implacable and a Conquerour nor saw other refuge but a recourse to the assistance of the Austrians though they would prove little less oppressive and burdensom well understanding that if the French Army had made passage into one Town necessity obliged to set others wide open to the Germans and Spaniards Whereupon after wavering a while between various counsels making his Country the Theater of War despairing to pacifie the French he resolves to cast himself into the arms of the Austrians The Abbot de Scaglia was sent to the Governour of Milan who rejoyced more at the ingagement of the French than he was troubled at the Dukes losses Nevertheless that he might not be precipitated into a misbecoming accord he sends two Regiments of Foot to his relief and together with the Count Colalto goes to Carmagnola to confer with the Duke where he requiring more vigorous assistance Spinola refusing in regard of his own designs to dismember his Army it was resolved to succour him with a Body of the Germans seven thousand more being now arrived in Italy These then coming into Piedmont with the savage custom to exercise publick Robbery and the cruellest of Spoils left it doubtful whether they contributed to the defence or the desolation of the Dukeâ— Countries Spinola now believing to have opposed a defence sufficient against the French because the Army of the Savoyards amounted to twenty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse and together with a Body of the German under the title of Auxiliaries to have chained up the Dukes inconstancy resolves to attacque Casal and what with hunger and force to take it Philip Spinola his Son with four thousand Foot possesses Pontestura twelve hundred French after a short defence marching out on condition not to go into Casal but to pass by way of the Sea into Provence Rossignano was by the French Garrison abandoned Thoiras judging it better to reduce the vigour of the defence to within
of Peace allured him and the hopes to recover by Treaty that which by other means he was not able to get again from the French on the other he well understood that giving up the custody of the Alps and passages into Italy his friendship would no more be valued by the Crowns At last yielding to the necessity and to the time he consents to part with Pignerol and the Vallies which are serviceable for passage into Italy with so much circumspection and silence that the effect appeared certain Months before any thing tending towards it was known The Ministers after this Treaty being all come to Chievasco the agreement for the execution of the Peace of Italy was upon the sixth of April without much ado concluded for the longest and most difficult point being the liquidation of the Lands of Monferrat which were to be given to Vittorio the French gave way to all advantage of the Savoyards Gallas not dissenting who desired to make a speedy conclusion and the Mantuans not opposing being desirous to restore the Duke into the most important of his Countries For the fifteen thousand Crowns then of yearly Revenue which was given to Savoy they assign besides Trin and Alba eighty other Villages of the best That Duke taking upon himself the Dowry of Margherita and for the overplus of Revenue which might arise promising to deposite in Lyons Jewels or money The investiture of this part of Monferrat the Emperour was to give to Savoy the nomination to the Abby of Lucadio was left to Mantua and the Savoyards obliged themselves to permit a yearly draught of ten thousand Sacks of Grain to Casal which without the help of the most fertile part of Monferrat might easily fall into want As to the restitution of places possessed little else was added to the Treaty of Ratisbone but that in Susa and Avigliana there should remain Garrisons of those Cantons of Helvetia which were confederate with France and Savoy with condition to deliver them again to France in case that on the day prefixed the German Troops should not be retired out of Rhetia The Venetians were comprehended in amplissima forma and the Spaniards obliged themselves to ratifie the Treaty and to withdraw their Army into the Milanese without offering offence or giving jealousies to those Princes which had had no part in the present War The Treaty was no sooner concluded but the Germans silently abandoning Valezzo retired out of the State of the Republick notwithstanding that a little before a certain casual accident had in some sort exasperated mens minds whilst a party of Polish Horse which had served under the Austrians passing through the way called the Steccato heretofore mentioned betwixt the Confines of Bergamo and Crema were assaulted by the Venetian Guards who killing and taking some made prey of their goods and money But upon the complaint of the Governour of Milan and Aldringher they were released and the Booty restored More vehement were the complaints of Feria for the things concluded in Chierasco in such sort that denying to approve them and to have powers for the execution of them he ordered provisions sought pretexts crossed the march of the Germans out of Italy and invited Ottavio Piccolomini to remain in his pay with three Regiments of that Nation and lastly fomenting the disgust of the Duke of Mantua at the unreasonable dividing of the Monferrat promised him if he would adhere to the Austrians not only to restore him in the Mantuan but to re-establish him in every one of those places which the French so prodigally alienated from his States but Carlo deeming it too dangerous to pass from hatred of so fresh a date to friendships so suspicious contenting himself with complaints and protests in secret believed that it was not for him to disturb the execution of things agreed The French observing the workings of Feria stop their march from going out of Italy whereupon the Popes Ministers were obliged to interpose anew and because the point which most galled the Spaniards consisted in the stay of the Switzers in Susa and in Avigliana it was on the 19. of June agreed That either all the Restitutions should be made to Savoy Mantua and the Grisons upon one and the same day viz. the 20. of August or that upon the same day should be quitted by the Imperialists the Forts of Rhetia and Bricherasco by the French Vpon the 26. should be released to Savoy Susa and Avigliana and to Mantua Porto and Caneto Then the first of September the City it self of Mantua should be rendred to its Duke and Pignarol delivered to Vittorio This last way as the most secure was chosen and Hostages were added and because the Pope to whom they were to be delivered would not interest himself in that which concerned the Grisons it was concluded That for Bricherasco Thoiras should be given to the Duke of Savoy and for the Forts of Rhetia Gallas to the Duke of Mantua It was besides determined that by Feria six thousand Foot and one thousand Horse should be sent away out of Italy and the Milanese be afterwards disarmed except but of ordinary Garrisons The restitutions at their times gradually executed gave great satisfaction and no less hope that Italy might at last breathe after so many calamities and the Pope wrote to the Republick a Brief with worthy expressions exalting their deservings both in maintaining the War and promoting the Peace In the mean time while the restitutions were in doing Monsieur de Razzilier arriving in the Name of King Lewis at Venice did not only communicate the Accord concluded but insisted with great earnest that the Republick would assist the Duke of Mantua with means to re-enter into his Country representing his present condition to want counsel protection and assistance That he returned from Banishment and Poverty to a Principality but brought nothing with him but his Person his Children and his Name without Souldiers without Credit and without Money The City of Mantua was miserably reduced into the form of a Skeleton the Towns into Deserts and the whole Territory into great affliction Was it any ways possible to raise Garrisons and Revenues out of Ashes and Sepulchres It was therefore necessary to garrison those Walls for the preservation and rescue whereof so much gold so much labour and so much blood had been spent France being far off had in Mantua no other interest but that of affection and care The keeping of it therefore belonged to the Republick as a Neighbour That she was to be careful not to believe too much in the Peace because those are the most certain blows which throw themselves upon us under the Cloak of confidence That the danger of the War had been perhaps less than that which ought to be feared at present from Treacheries The Spaniards being no longer able to oppress the liberty of Italy by force would now be attempting it by Art And if Mantua should by some deceitful trick be
taken what else would it be but to wound Italy again in the scar scarce healed to make it incurable and more painful The King charged himself with Casal nay with the universal care of Italy promising on any danger of that Country any attempts of its Enemies any notice from the Confederates to descend again the Alps with puissant Forces He that was the Author of the Peace would be the Guardian of it intreated the Republick to cooperate with him in so generous intentions and if she had been his Companion in the War she would have the satisfaction besides with him to maintain the Peace The Venetians after so long disturbances infinitely desirous of quiet were in a doubt lest upon new emergencies and the news of introducing Garrison the Spaniards taking Jealousie might disturb the Peace They were besides perswaded that the Duke drawing some relief from his Estate in France might supply his present necessity with which they hoped at last that the Councils of Spain being moderated by events Italy was to enjoy a long and secure tranquillity For this cause they excuse themselves from lending the Duke new assistance nevertheless promising if other disturbances should arise to concur with the vigilance and readiness usual in their ancient Customs together with the Crown for the relief of him and the common Liberty of Italy But the Dukes necessities not at all yielding to these considerations nor the Kings instances slackning but the Mareshal Thoiras being sent Ambassadour Extraordinary to give weight to the business by the quality of a person so famous he repeats with great urgency that the Republick having even in his utmost calamity assisted Carlo with a careful liberality would also compleat the kindness by giving him means to enjoy his present better Fortune The Senate resolved for that time only to disband upon the Borders certain Foot that the Duke taking them into pay might be accommodated with them but in conclusion Feria not disbanding and it being discovered that by the means of the Commander Collredo he perswaded the Duke rejecting the French and Venetian Garrisons to admit into Mantua those of Spain with offers of vast recompences and there happening in Goito just at the time it was to be restored to the State the death of the Eldest Prince without leaving other Issue than a Son in Swadling-clouts and one Daughter the Venetians determined to prevent every troublesom accident to send to the Duke under the Command of Francesco Martinengo a thousand Foot and two Companies of Horse with Ammunition and all that was else needful Jealousies afterwards increasing more and more they brought in four hundred other Souldiers Monsieur de Tavanes assisting by the Duke to give him the better appearance and reputation by the protection of that Crown Nor were the suspicions ill grounded for Feria having not succeeded to bring the Duke by Treaty to his ends attempted more secret contrivances and had sent to Mantua the Infanta Margaret under pretext to console the Widdowhood of the young Princess her Daughter but in effect to sow Discord suggest Marriages form Parties that by dividing the House and the Government a way miht be opened to some disorder Moreover the Duke of Main being dead in Casal in the so tender age of the little Prince new jealousies designs and hopes were perceived to arise for the Succession But Feria by more compelling apprehensions was forced to lead his thoughts elsewhere for when he thought the French gone out of Italy he discovered a Garrison in Pignarol and the Colours of that Crown displayed All followed in order to the fore-related Treaties for pledge whereof was the Cardinal of Savoy gone to Paris under the shew of fulfilling them But the French making shew of a suspicion that the Governour had no intention sincerely to observe the agreement complained that he did not disarm and that he kept some Germans of Schomberg in his pay notwithstanding that it was alledged by the Spaniards that that Regiment in particular belonged to the Crown under whose Colours it had long before born Arms and that in the process of the past Negotiations having made mention of it to the Popes Ministers they had obtained of the French in express terms that that was not understood to be comprehended amongst those Troops which were to go out of Italy But they who sought for excuses and pretexts shewing themselves not at all satisfied feigned to demand for the keeping of a secure passage open for their return into Italy a place of the Duke Vittorio And he dissembling what had been agreed in a mocquery to Feria communicates to him the request and at the same time though it obliged him to deny it demands of him assistance but in such a number and within a time so short that he could not be able to give it him The Governour defending himself partly with great complaints and partly with various and ambiguous answers the Duke taking pretext from the delays and denial publishes that he had consented to yield to pressing instances and deliver Pignarol for six months to the French But a little while after a new Treaty was divulged in which it appeared that that Town with the Vallies adjacent was sold to the Crown in perpetuity and that the price of it was that money which amounted to five hundred thousand Crowns which Vittorio for the satisfying of Mantua being to deposite in Lyons the King now charging himself with that debt took it upon himself Whether the French Garrison really at the executing of the Treaty did go out of Pignarol and afterwards went in again after that the Savoyards for the freeing of the Hostages gave assurance that the place was delivered or whether a part did not remain in the Cellars or in subterranean places hidden was then much and doubtfully talked of but time hath at last discovered that the French not trusting the quitting of the place entirely one part only went out and another remained secretly within and the Count de la Rocca the Spanish Ambassador at Turin who would have gone thither to see the effectual delivery was diverted by Mazarine by the fear of the Plague making him believe that it raged much and mortally in that place This action moved on a sudden the minds of all Europe and chiefly in Italy many at so great a novelty standing amazed others in suspence others contented according to affections and interests because those who for want of power had till now kept in their hatred against Spain breathed again desires and hopes of alterations and changes On the other side he that in the present state of things found himself at quiet equally fearing a yoke and assistance presaged new and more lasting calamities if it should remain in the power of the unquiet and head-long Genius of the French Nation unseasonably to disturb Italy but others that desired to see it in an equal state of liberty and security highly rejoycing that that Crown also was come
pleased to do Wherefore from that very time it was judged that neither the one would be contented to remain a private man nor the other as a Prince would be long able to suffer him He applying himself in Moravia to raise an Army easily compleated it Souldiers flocking from all parts to his reputation and pay Nor did Saxony give him the least disturbance intent only upon Conquests in Bohemia and Silesia and perhaps desirous also that some stop might be put to the boundless progresses of the King Gustavus The Emperour demanded of the Catholick Princes speedy assistance for that purpose sending into Italy the Baron de Rabata and taking it for a common cause of Religion in which it belonged to the Pope by his example to exceed all others sends to him the Cardinal Pasman Ambassador extraordinary Vrban was very unwilling to be thus pressed because such instances were not to be disjoined from reproofs and protests wherefore avoiding to admit such an Ambassador he alledged that a Cardinal honoured with the Purple and a holy Character could not be employed in the service of secular Princes Pasman a man of profound learning and most discreet in all his actions replying that the interest of Religion obliged every one and in particular the Ecclesiasticks to take care of it and procure its defence declares that if the dignity or habit hindred him from the exercise of that Ministry he renounced and laid down every thing being ready also to speak in his shirt so the imminent necessities of the Church Catholick might be provided for At last Vrban seeing that the excluding the instances would be more complained of than the not hearing of them admitted him and heard succours demanded with a powerful eloquence as of a Pope and of a Father in the dangers of Religion and the urgent necessities of his Sons His first answers were made up of excuses that his Treasury was empty and that he wanted power which chiefly arose from the German Armies having in these last years unseasonably disturbed Italy and obliged the Church it self together with offensive jealousies to excessive charges Whereupon offending mens minds rather than satisfying the demands the Austrian Ministers resolved to assemble the Cardinals subjects and the friends they had in Court to compel the Pope with shame and pressing of him yet more home For which purpose Cardinal Borgia in the Consistory with others who had a mind to shew inclination to the Austrians admonished the Pope and presented to him a protest in writing laying in a manner to his charge that he neglected in so important a necessity the duty of his Pastoral Office Vrban to justifie himself to the Catholick world publishes instead of a Croisada which had been required of him a Jubilé by which he invites Christendom with publick prayers to pacifie the divine wrath of God and laying a certain imposition upon Ecclesiastical Goods in Italy raises some money for the supply of the Emperours necessities But of those Cardinals who had been so bold to present the protest he tormented some with his long and great displeasure forced others to retire out of Rome as Borgia for one by a rigorous Bull which obliged Bishops to their residence As for Rabata he brought nothing back from the Princes but excuses and the Duke of Mantua in particular shewed him the horrid spectacle of his wounds yet bleeding He desired succours of the Venetians and offered an alliance producing certain Articles which he affirmed would be assented to by the Spaniards and the Elector of Bavaria for the defence of the Catholick Religion in the dangers of the Empire It was generally believed that not so much the hopes to obtain succours as the desire to make France jealous suggested the design it being observed that at the same time there arrived in the name of the Governour of Milan at Venice the Senator Picinardi to attest the just intention of the Catholick King for Peace the desire for that purpose to unite himself with the Princes of Italy in a strict alliance and in particular that the Republick would contribute counsel example and endeavours He concealed not the jealousies that the Governour had for the bringing in of nine hundred French with Thoiras into Casal and presaged troubles and stirs about it The Senate answered to all with officious expressions of a neutrality which it had resolved to observe declaring its earnest endeavours applied to Peace and considering the State of Italy scarce recovered out of its great evils exhorted that employing that zeal which all have to quiet the appearances and jealousies of relapsing into troubles might be removed The like endeavours were used with France which seemed equally pressing offering alliances and Treaties But the Senate holding their interest and Arms ingaged for the security of Mantua refused in effect every thing that might hasten new troubles in Italy which though quiet yet under fear apprehended stranger and greater accidents Nor amongst the least was reckoned the suspicion that the Spaniards designed the surprise of Mantua to oppose it to Pignerol and Casal where the Duke overcome by the perswasions of the French Ministers and of the jealousies which they represented to him to be of imminent danger had as hath been before said admitted their Garrison It was commonly spoken that the Spaniards were to intrude themselves into Sabioneda by marrying the Princess of Stigliana to Giovanni Carolo Brother of the Great Duke and upon the report thereof the Marquess de Fomar offered himself to attempt the surprise and to deliver the place to the Prince of Buzzolo to whom he said it did belong if France and the Republick would send their assistance The Venetians did not believe that it was fit to promote those mischiefs which they feared but too near if the Duke of Mantua dying and the young Princess coming to marry that State should be exposed to new contingencies and the rights of the Family be divided For that purpose there was sollicited in Rome a dispensation of marriage betwixt the Duke and his Daughter-in-Law but the Pope denyed it it seeming an unfit thing that on the Hearse of the Son should be made the Nuptial Bed of the Father To all this to augment suspicions was added the great preparations the Spaniards made in Italy particularly in the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily where money was provided men were raised Ships were making ready with other provisions shewing thoughts of War and designs of some undertaking But at last every thing being imbarqued six thousand Foot and one thousand Horse were seen to pass into Spain to foment the commotions of France Orleans dismissed out of Lorrain by virtue of the Agreement repairs to his Mother at Brussels giving hopes to the Spaniards to raise in the Kingdom a great party in his favour to which there was no doubt but the Foreigners would join In France there still continued against Richelieu hatred and envy the wonted shadow of great favours and
Richelieu ascribing all to the fallacious faith of the Lorrainese and scorning the alliance offered constrains him at last to promise To separate himself from stranger friendships and not to meddle in the Affairs of Germany to join close with France and deliver Nancy in Hostage till time and their actions should mitigate jealousies and that the marriage with Orleans were broken In the place aforesaid consisted the security of the conditions no less than the fortune of the Duke Therefore the Governour by secret Orders which he had from them denys the French Garrison entry and on the other side the King threatens all sorts of rigour and force so that within a few days the same Treaty was confirmed with the addition only that both the Dukes had liberty to keep their Residence in Nancy a condition which tended reciprocally to deceipt for by keeping a foot there the Lorrainese hoped to maintain themselves the strongest and the French proposed to keep them little less than Prisoners As force is always accustomed to get the better of wit so Duke Charles finding no longer protection in his own Country nor from Strangers expecting succours was forced to submit for being come to the French Camp under a shew of confidence as that which was the last remedy to humble himself to the King he perceived that under the appearance of honour he was under the custody of Guards and was thereupon obliged to give precise orders to the Governour of Nancy that he should receive Monsieur de Brasac with a French Garrison so that having by this means obtained his liberty he thought good to leave Lorrain and the King leaving there the Mareshal de la Tour with a great Army to favour the Siege of Brisach undertaken by the Rhingrave extends as far as the Rhine his quarters and advantages having obtained of one of the Dukes of Wirtemberg to put a great Garrison into the Town of Monpeliard All this vexed the Austrians and particularly the Spaniards because if the French should remain in the possession of Lorrain and Brisach were lost they saw the passage hindred of succours for Flanders which they were wont to draw out of Italy by that way They resolved that Ferdinand Cardinal Infanta should pass to Milan to be conveyed from them to his Government of Flanders sollicited by a double care both out of necessity to oppose to the proceedings of Fridtland in Germany another Chief of consideration and power and to provide for the Affairs of the Low Countries which by the death of the Infanta Isabella fallen under the direction of the Marquess d' Aitona were tottering both from the unquiet humours of the people who were ill satisfied and the vast designs of neighbouring Potentates The Cardinals Voyage could not be performed without great preparations which consumed time and money nor without some apprehensions of the Princes of Italy who saw the Provinces filled with Souldiers and Provisions and the minds of the Ministers big with bitter disgusts and troubled thoughts the Condé Duke venting frequent aggravating expressions that Peace could never be enjoyed if Italy were not restored to its former Constitution And to say truth there appeared no more that face of Authority and Rule which the Ministers of that Monarchy were wont to enjoy because besides the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua the one by the Bridle of Pignarol and the other by the custody of Casal and of the Monferrat being made dependants on the Crown of France almost all were wavering and some for their profit made merchandise of their inclinations put at present in ballance betwixt the one and others Crown Nay the Pope himself though he refused the Duke of Crequi sent by King Lewis in the usual Ambassy of obedience to enter into that League which he proposed to him yet he gave manifest signs of the ancient partiality towards that Crown so that the Cardinal Antonio his Nephew had thereupon and with large pensions accepted the protection of that Kingdom and although Vrban opposed it with the loudest appearances the Spaniards nevertheless believing rather a secret consent feared from it pernicious designs They therefore dispatched to Rome the Bishop of Cordoua and Giovanni Chiaumazzero in quality of Commissoners to require reformation of some abuses of the Dateria which tended to the oppression of the Kingdom of Spain but in effect to oppose themselves to the Negotiations of France and if they could effect nothing else to avenge the disgusts with disgusts whence it was thought fit that they should have secret instructions to demand a Council and straighten the Pope with threatnings and offensive demands Sure it is that Vrban denying to receive them with the Title of Commissioners which it seems signifies a certain Jurisdiction and Authority wearied with difficulties and delays in such sort the business and cooled also the Bishop with the hopes of a greater Dignity that the King being aware of it recalled him and conferred upon the other the Title of Ambassadour whilst with time the heat of Spirits being mitigated and by the contrariety of successes the Spaniards bowing themselves more and more to sufferance the business vanished of it self The French Ministers ceased not to imprint in the Princes of Italy jealous thoughts and to exhort them to joyn together to drive under the protection of their Crown the Spaniards out of Italy They on the other side proposed to all great advantages offering by means of the Regent Villani to the Grand Duke great Pensions and to the Duke of Modena to deliver him Corregio a little Soveraign State which being by the Emperour confiscate from its ancient Princes for the imputation of false Money the Spaniards had in Pawn to the end to make Merchandise of it with the bordering Princes To Parma they offered the Generalship of the Sea and a Vice-Regency provided he would in exchange and as a pledge of confidence permit a Levy of six thousand Foot to be serviceable to the Cardinal Infante in his Voyage into Flanders That Dukedom was possessed by Edwardo Farnese young in years and of a spirit more elevated perhaps than the narrowness of his Country and Fortune could bear He by a certain lively Genius inclined naturally to the French and they incouraging it with frequent sending of Ministers brought him at last to their Party Taking Jealousie therefore at the preparatives for the Cardinal Infante and at the Marriage of Stigliana with the Duke of Medina las Torres Vice-King of Naples as though he would call in question again Sabioneda armed and under that pretext receives under his own Colours Souldiers which were sent to him out of France The Venetians above all were more earnestly pressed so that Razzillier after having visited in the Name of King Lewis the other Princes came to incourage them not only to continue in the custody of Mantua but to exhort them to pay at least half the Garrison in Sabioneda and to take part in the Affairs of the Grisons and
in the Designs concerning the Valteline The Republick constant in the desire that together with Peace the present State of Italy might be preserved condescended no further but better to provide Mantua with Souldiers and Cannon quickning diligence in proportion to the unquietness and suspicions which increased in the Dukes Family because it appeared that the Princess by the perswasions of Margaret her Mother had raised her mind to the hopes of marrying her self with the Cardinal Infante who was expected in Italy and taking the opportunity when the Duke was one day for recreation out of the City she presents a Writing to the Council declaring every act and consent null to which in the time of her Minority she had adhered for her own Interest A Novelty which greatly troubled the Duke because that Writing being received and subscribed not without the approbation of his Ministers he with reason feared lest the minds of the people being divided and the Rights of the Succession confounded anew the State and the Nephew should come to be subjected to more bitter calamities This being known in France and discovered that the Council to the Princess was come from Milan it was ordered by King Lewis with a peremptory Decree but necessary that the Infanta should depart as she did for retiring to Castle Gualtier in the Milanese and thence to Milan the Plots with her absence vanishing she afterwards sails towards Spain At last in the month of May the Cardinal Infante arrives in Italy and having spoken with the Duke of Savoy in Nizza he comes to Milan where he received the Embassies of Princes for the congratulating of his arrival and was pleased above all with that of the Venetians performed with great splendour by Bertuccio Valiero and corresponding with the Expedition to Venice of the Count Carlo Borromei his Ambassadour About this time the Duke Vittorio Amadeo of Savoy to rank himself equal in his behaviour to the Infanta and not to condescend to the Rules lately introduced amongst the Cardinals takes the Title of King of Cyprus the World little approving that he after having given up with Pignerol the honour which the care of keeping the entrance of Italy gave him should deck himself with the Title of that Kingdom which lyes under the barbarous slavery of the Ottomans and to the great displeasure of the Venetians who had lawfully enjoyed it for many years and who complaining of it in all Courts of Europe declared themselves disobliged from any sort of correspondence with the Savoyards The first business in which the Cardinal Infante imployed himself was in deciding the Controversies betwixt the Genouese and the Duke of Savoy which formerly referred to the Arbitrage of the King of Spain were now by him judged on these Conditions That things taken should be reciprocally restored that Zuccarello should remain to the Genouese but with paying in four Terms to the Duke one hundred and sixty thousand Crowns of Gold that Estates should be restored to the first Owners that those that had served the one or the other Party should be pardoned and especially ten of the Conspirators prohibited nevertheless that they come not within the Confines of the Republick The parties concerned not herewith content power was sent by the King to the Cardinal Infante to determine the difference and he declares That the Galley by the Genouese formerly taken should be restored to the Savoyards as it was found at present that the Crown to be disbursed for Zuccarello was understood to be of the Coyn of Spain and that besides ten to be named by the King should not be comprehended in the pardon any other of the Participants in the Conspiracy or that were accused of any other offence The affairs of the Empire called him to thoughts of a greater consequence for to the end to stop every passage by which he might go into Germany or Flanders besides the Siege of Brisach Horn to please the French taking his passage through Helvetia without asking the Cantons leave came to about Constance whereupon the assistance of the Spanish Army was sollicited from the dangers of those places the clamours of the Lorrainers and much more from the Jealousies which Fridtland gave by amusing himself in Provinces far distant careless of the losses and damage of Bavaria Alsace and Lorrain which touched the Austrians to the quick They then deliberate to form the body of an Army independent from him the Emperour being at last by the urgency of the Spaniards brought to consent to it after having been in doubt for a good while whether was best to let him alone and dissemble his suspicions or provoke him by shewing distrust but the Infante not able to stir with honour or safety it was resolved that the Duke of Feria with ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse should be his fore-runner to open the passage and without longer delay succour those Towns By the way of the Valteline and Bormio he enters into Tirol Rohan from Rhetia not caring to trouble him being rather glad that the Milanese should be weakned of Forces by reason of the designs which were under consideration At the report of this march Horn the Rhingrave withdrew their Troops further distant from Constance and Brisach so that Feria joyning without opposition with Aldringher might have been able to execute what they designed if they had not been disturbed by the loss of Ratisbone which by Weymar after he had passed the Danube and taken Neoburg with other places as may be said at unawares was with furious Batteries in a few days taken a blow which by reason of the situation and the importance of the place applauded by his Party afflicted in a high measure the Austrians because with it losing Straubing also and Decendorf they were afraid of Passau a City tripartite where the Rivers Eno and Iltz falling into the Danube form as it were a threefold part of Bavaria Bohemia and Austria Nor did Weimar neglect the thought of the enterprise but finding it provided and the Winter advancing to preserve his Troops distributes them into Quarters about Ratisbone whereupon the designs of the Catholicks were in great disorder for Aldringher was obliged to go back to defend Bavaria and Feria was constrained to remain there dividing his Army with great inconvenience into scattered Quarters in Suevia where many Souldiers perished by sickness and other sufferings and himself left his life also The Venetians observing Italy to be in security for the present carefully but quietly watched upon the event of things and keeping for decency and defence a strong body of an Army An. Dom. 1634 found troubles only from the Court of Rome and the increase of more bitter distasts They kept in Ancona as is usual in places upon the Sea a Consul and he was Michael Oberti of Bergamo of a Family that for a long time had executed that Office a Subject of the Republick though for many years an Inhabitant of Ancona He coming
Favourite agrees with the King his Brother Puilaurens had been gained by Richelieu so that as he in compliance with his own loves to the Princess of Falsburg another Sister of Carlo's had already driven on Orleans to the Marriage with Margaret so now weary of those inclinations and baited by the Cardinal with promises of great recompence and the Marriage with his own Niece perswades him to leave his Mother and Wife at Brussels and to return by stealth into the Kingdom But Puilaurens was not long ere he felt the punishment of his over-much credulity for being allured by the Marriage and at that very time new offences being produced and he condemned to lose his life his death dissolved it The Spaniards remained by the escape of Orleans frustrated of their hopes and the surprise of the Islands of Ere 's in Provenze was deferred contrived by them to be executed under Imperial Colours upon pretence of succours and diversion for Lorrain For five and twenty Gallies seven great Ships with Souldiers and all other Provisions being come from Naples into Sicily to joyn with other eight Gallies and to take on Board Souldiers found things there in so little readiness that they were forced to put it off till the next year From such provisions and so great designs was easily to be comprehended that some great motion to War was near And therefore the Venetians failed not to attempt by their endeavours effectually imployed by Luigi Contarini in France and Giovanni Giustiniani in Spain to pacifie their minds and moderate animosities but the evil being at the point of breaking forth was rather provoked so that all diligence became fruitless and reasons were heard but not considered both the Crowns endeavouring rather by allurements and promises to bring the Republick into their opinions and change the Mediation into an adhering either to the one or other side An. Dom. 1635 THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE TENTH BOOK ANNO MDCXXXV THE slaughters and calamities which dishonouring Christendom and destroying Europe have made famous the rancour of two great Ministers will give posterity just occasion to number this rather amongst the most doleful than a renowned year in which France and Spain came to an open breach and gave a beginning to a long War with memorable accidents and bloody successes intermingled with fallacious Treaties vicissitudes of Arms insurrections of people and the mockeries of Fortune It was already discovered that the emulation betwixt Richelieu and Olivares could no longer remain concealed neither wanted there on either side occasions or pretexts for the Fleet in Italy the Armies in Spain the Treaties with Orleans the stirring up the discontented abundantly discovered what engine was preparing by the Spaniards and on the other side the possession of Lorrain the progresses in Germany the Treaties with the Swedes and the Subsidies to Holland pointed out what designs the French were contriving The Cardinal sent the Count of Botru to Madrid and the Condé Duke Benavides to Paris but rather to espye the state of things than to beget confidence having rather mutually brought back instead of fair words and kind usage provocations and stinging incentives it is not credible to what a height rage was inflamed and minds irritated made sensible through ambition and resolute in revenge the better to confirm authority amidst Arms and uphold favour and glory Richelieu was happy who in these preludiums of War experienced in every Treaty the more lucky destiny to conclude with the Vnited Provinces of the Low Countries the League offensive and defensive which so much awakened in the World discourses expectation and fame and stirred up in the Austrians so many apprehensions and fears for by the Articles of the same The Provinces in obedience to the King of Spain were to be assaulted by the Confederates with Forces united of fifty thousand Foot and ten thousand Horse after that by a publick Manifest they should be invited and for three months their answer expected to shake off the Yoak and to unite themselves with others in one common body of liberty saving to every one their priviledges and in particular their Religion but when that time was past they designed them a pray to their Arms and the Conquests were to be divided Lutzemburg Namur Henault Artois and the Territory of Cambray were to be yielded to France with a part of Flanders on this side of a line which was to be drawn from Blankenburg betwixt Bridges and Dam taking in Ruplemond the rest was to belong to the States of Holland with a promise to leave the Catholick Religion every where in the state they found it It was agreed not to make Peace or Truce but by common consent and not to admit of any terms till the Spaniards were first totally driven out of the Low Countries They proposed to attacque Towns in an alternative order one of the repartition to France and then another of those assigned to Holland but leaving the choice to the will of the Generals A Fleet at Sea was over and above this agreed upon and the French were to declare War to the Emperour and every body else that upon this account should molest the States All this tended to give a great stroke if in the management of the War the interests of the Confederates had met with a parity as in the Treaty their minds were equally disposed and their wills agreeing The Spaniards coming to the knowledge hereof to the Pope and in all Courts laid load upon the French with bitter invectives as if they would expose Religion in pray to the Hereticks and that not contented to see it through the countenance of their assistance depressed in Germany they went about to extirpate it also in those Provinces where under the Government of their Monarchy the true Worship was retained But all that availing little placing their confidence in Arms rather than complaints they determine upon prevention by shutting that door by which the French assaulting the back-side of the Provinces intended to bring their Army to join with that of Holland The Count of Embden then sent by the Cardinal Infanta to attempt the gaining of the Citadel of Triers succeeded in the surprise of it by night through the negligence with which Arnoud the French Governour kept it the Garrison in the exploit being cut to pieces and the Elector remaining Prisoner for that hindred by the Gout he was not able to make his escape He was sent to Vienna to give account to the Emperour of his putting himself under the protection of the French and to have introduced into his Towns stranger Garrisons contrary to the constitutions of the Empire At the same time Fortune applauding beginnings Colonel Bamberg who after a long Siege had rendred Phillipsburg to the Swedes by whom it was afterwards delivered over to France by the favour of the Ice passing the ditch happily surprised that very strong place At two so great and unexpected blows the French were
intending to surprise Nizza della Paglia arrived there so late in the day that he was easily discovered And not thinking it honourable to retreat fortifies himself in a Convent obliging Leganes who by the weakness of the place hoped for a short conquest of it to repair thither with the whole Army Nor was he deceived for after four days the Governour renders it there going forth four hundred Monferrins two hundred forty French and some Horse Savoyards Thence passing into the Territory of Asti orders Philippo di Silva to take in Algiano which easily succeded With the Duke of Mantua who complained of the Invasion of Monferrat and with the Venetians who did not willingly hear of his prejudice the Governour of Milan justified himself alledging that he was not bound to use respect where he found Garrisons of that Nation which with molestations and jealousies afflicted the Frontiers of the Milanese But the progress of the Spanish Arms quickly terminated in this period for Crequi returned out of France where he had been to justifie his past conduct joyning with six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse Savoyards attempted la Rocca d'Arasso a little before taken by the Spaniards but Leganes coming near with all the Army he was constrained to retire This Campagnia afterwards ended with certain Incursions and some Encounters betwixt Brem and Vercelli which were of no small moment where Villa beat Arragona with the death of some Officers on the Spaniards side and among them Spadino the known Promoter of the first Siege of Casal and the same Chiefs not far from Monbaldone putting it to a new tryal Aragona went away with the worst who hardly saving himself by flight abandoned six Cannons and his Baggage After these the accidents of Nature promoted new and unthought of successes for Italy greatly afflicted by the death of two of its Princes opened the bosom to new strokes The Duke Vittorio in Vercelli upon the seventh of October in the one and fiftieth year of his Age ended his days with various judgments upon the nature of his sickness there wanting not some who imputed it to poyson given by Crequi either for private hatred or the publick distrusts of the Crown and they drew their argument from an invitation where were with the Duke the Count de Verrua his most confident Minister and the Marquess Villa the most faithful General of his Army of which falling sick together with the Duke the first dyed and the other hardly by the strength of his complexion overcame the accidents Others believed that the powder of Diamonds given him some time before had corroded his inward parts But besides that the French are abhorring such Arts it ought not to seem strange that the Duke macerated with many cares and tedious indispositions in the decline of his age should run the common Fate so that in such cases of doubt and concealment it is more beseeming to give credit to Nature than authorize falshood Let it be as it will he left with three Daughters two Sons both very young and to them War for an Inheritance and for a Patrimony the hatred of one of the Crowns and the distrust of the other without support of any sincere friendship Francesco Giacinto the eldest having scarce tasted the benefit of life but not of command was after a few months snatched away by death leaving the Title to Carlo Emanuel his Brother Vittorio dead the Tutelage and Regency were assumed by the Dutchess Christina alledging the Will of her Husband expressed in his Testament which committed it to her alone The Princes Maurice the Cardinal and Tomaso pretended to have a share in it and pressed it so much the more as believing the life of the little Duke doubtful by reason of his tender age and weak constitution and because by the Laws of the Country Women being excluded they were incouraged to conceive great hopes that the Succession might devolve to them For which cause the Cardinal who resided at Rome leaves the Court notwithstanding that the Pope doubtful of what happened endeavoured to stop him with offers of imployments and advantages He come to the Borders of Piedmont and finding an Order there from the Dutchess that he should retire further off with a promise if he did of satisfaction and an Appennage things being not yet in a condition to use force retired into the Genouese King Lewis freed from those suspicions in which the deep and wise Conduct of the Duke Vittorio held him was glad to see his Sister Regent who since she could not adhere to her Brothers-in-law nor put trust in them remained constrained to shelter her self under his protection On the other side the Spaniards by reason of this dependence and conjunction of Blood endeavoured to have her excluded or at least that she might govern with an Authority so limited and restrained that she might not be able to bring prejudice to their interests Expecting therefore accidents from time Leganes was not solicitous to make advantage in that Conjuncture with Arms save only that he took in the Castle of Pomar in Monferrat which he abandoned so soon as he saw Crequi joyned again with Villa These two Chiefs were joyned notwithstanding their disgusts grown even to publick distrust from the time that Crequi taking occasion from the death of the Duke had attempted to cast a Garrison of French into Vercelli and Villa had prevented him by bringing in a strong Renfort of Savoyards The other accident which gave no less apprehension to Italy was the death of Carlo Duke of Mantua upon the 21. of September in the sixty and one year of his age He whilst he lived privately had had several thoughts and designs of a great Prince but having attained the Principality with great hazard governed himself amidst great troubles with the spirit and manners of a private man The Succession fell to Carlo Nephew of the Duke deceased and Son of the Prince Carlo Duke of Rhetel yet in Minority and therefore recommended by Testament and by a Codicil of the Grandfather to the protection of the French and the Venetians and to the Regency of the Mother a Princess of a most prudent understanding who altering nothing of the present state of things requires the Oath in the name of the Son and sends to Venice the Senator Paraleoni to obtain the continuance of the assistance and the direction of the Senate The Republick doubling to the end to preserve that State their diligence passed immediately effectual offices with the Emperour to divert all thoughts of novelty and in Spain used remonstrances to the end the Infanta Maria should have no thoughts of returning to Mantua to sow unseasonable suspicions Nor was it difficult to obtain it for although the Spaniards were not pleased at the assistance of Monsieur de la Tour a French Commander in Mantua yet fancying to themselves greater advantages on the side of Piedmont An. Dom. 1638 they thought it best as yet not to
this time come to the Frontiers of Persia where Bairan the Grand Visier dying a man of a moderate spirit and naturally averse from complaints he had substituted in his place Mehemet Bassa of Diarbechir one more lofty and unquiet He agreed better with the inclinations of the King rendred by his severities terrible to his Ministers and to all for under the shew of Military Discipline he vented without distinction his cruelties for the lightest offences executing sometimes with his own hands hideous punishments He particularly could not endure the smoke or smell of Tobacco so much used by the Turks and having forbid it he punished with death him that durst use it Always entertaining himself either with suspicions or tortures sometimes incognito and by night he went into the Camp and walked betwixt the Circles and the Tents observing what was said and done and then on a sudden punishing with atrocity of torments sometimes one sometimes another Death with the blow of a Sword from the hand of the common Hangman seemed to him too gentle and merciful He rather to the barbarous manner of the Turks of the Gancio the Palo and Fleaing often added new inventions of punishments However all this served him for respect with his own and terrour to his Enemies There is no doubt that had he not been so far ingaged against the Persians what for the business of Vallona and the instigation of the Sultaness he would have returned to Constantinople and turned his Arms against the Venetians But being not so soon able to dis-intangle himself there by an express dispatch he commands that for the present the Bailo should be put in arrest that the Corsaires should in some measure be recompensed with ten Gallies of his own that to preserve the remainder of the Slaves they should be conveyed to Constantinople to go forth in the Spring together with the Ottoman Fleet In his absence nothing else was to be altered protesting with severe threatnings upon the heads of the Ministers whom he suspected of venality not to hearken to any proposition that contained not the effectual restitution of the Gallies carried away So that will and violence serving the Turks for just and right the Order did no sooner arrive but the Caimecan sending for the Bailo shewing a visible trouble to be the unjust Minister of a most unjust command intimates to him his imprisonment keeping him all night in the house of his Checaia Nor was it to any purpose that the Bailo with great constancy did with his great reasons mingle complaints for the violence done to common right and the breach of faith nor that the other Ministers of Princes greatly offended did make effectual instances about it For Mussa confessing the proceeding unjust but excusing himself by the danger of his head caused him to be brought into a little house of Galata keeping him there with Guards and placed some at the Bailo's ordinary place of Residence but leaving the Family in liberty and permitting him visits of conversation and business The Ships of the Nation being at the same time stopped were after a few days released the Turks having considered that the interruption of Commerce and a reciprocal arrest tended equally to their own damage As to the Corsaires the promise of ten Gallies was not performed for doubting lest if the Slaves were carried to Constantinople the King should make use of them for his own Gallies they avoided it with several pretexts and had news of thirty Ships of Barbary in the Archipelago come express to fetch them away with design to winter in those Seas and offer in the Spring to join with the Turks against the Republick But they perceiving the Corsaires already too powerful and fearing lest they should superfluously provoke in that conjuncture the Christian Nations or break off all Commerce with the Ottoman States discharged them The Ministers of Constantinople knowing that the Venetians had sunk the Gallies which were taken to avoid troublesom instances for restoring them insolently required of the Bailo that as many of their own might be delivered to them otherwise threatning War The Senate in order to it by Heralds of War received the advise of the arrest of the Bailo together with the same demands but constant not to consent to any thing of prejudice or indignity resolved rather to expose themselves to any how unfortunate soever ingagement They communicated to the Christian Princes the fury of Amurath the arrest of the Bailo the arrogant demands of the Turks and their own resolves to the end that great and universal dangers impending they might equally dispose their Forces for succours and their minds for Peace it seeming both reasonable and of necessity that against the common Enemy there should be an agreement even of the greatest Enemies The resentment was every where not inferiour to the approbation Yet some offered only to mediate and others excused themselves upon the conjuncture The Spaniards and the Grand Duke of Tuscany offered their Forces but these appearing to be weak and those distracted the Republick was given to understand that they could not for the present make any certain state but of their own strength It being a safe counsel never to despise the fame and threats of the Turks the Senate for that cause was willing to govern it self with such prudence that for their own security making advantage of the absence of Amurath and of time the evils by superfluous jealousies might not be hastened or that Prince diverted from his present ingagements Willing then not to provoke him nor leave him cause of offence as provisions were not omitted so they were not greatly divulged or speeded Command was given to the Islands and in Dalmatia that all should be in a readiness for the occasions that in Candia sixteen Gallies should be effectually armed that to the Galliasses two should be added the one commanded by Anthonio Pisari who had the command of them all the other by Sebastian Veniero In the Arsenal every thing for a greater arming was disposed into an order and the Maritime places were provided with recruits of Foot and Horse The custody of Cattaro was committed to Giovanni Paulo Gradenigo and to Marino Molino that of Novegradi as Proveditors extraordinary Not omitting amidst the orders for defence the more secure way of Treaty the Senate wrote Letters to Amurath and to the Grand Visier aggravating the assault and boldness of the Pirates justifying with expediency and the capitulations their chastisement and professing a sincere and constant will not to interrupt the ancient friendship with the Ottoman Empire But the undertaking in Asia upon which the counsels and resolutions of the Turks were chiefly to depend proceeded with steps faster than was supposed for Amurath appearing no sooner in the Confines of Persia but the Town of Revan weakly guarded was rendred to him At the same time by instigation of the Turks Osbeck a Tartar and the Grand Mogor took Arms against the Persians
may be obtained by peaceable means if the Spaniards if the Grand Duke if all else according to their interest or vicinity use only the way of mediation why shall the Senate be the first to carry a brand to the fire and not rather with reasons intreaties and offices do their endeavour to settle a Peace or at least in all events to justifie a War It was resolved with full Votes for this Opinion and by the Nuntio's being called into the Colledge and in Rome by the mouth of the Secretary the Pope was effectually intreated to yield to the instances and common satisfaction of the Princes who with unanimous desires interposed themselves for the Peace by giving time and expedients for a Treaty To the Duke forbearing in their answers any mention of assistance they gave counsel of moderation insinuating the respect with some sort of humiliation which might be of avail to pacifie the Pope and bring him honourably off the ingagement But whilst Courriers flew to and fro with offices of Peace the Barberins not to let themselves be overcome by the common consent of the Princes hasted their march all they could with a firm opinion that having possessed as it was not difficult Castro either the fervour of the Mediators minds would be slackned or the Treaty be protracted with such intricacies that the Dukes heat being abated and the endeavours of the Mediators by many accidents that might happen growing faint the Glory of the Counsels and the Merit of the Enterprise would fall out to their advantage A great part of this resolution and of others which were taken upon it was imputed to the Nuntio Vitelli who perswaded by false suppositions and the discourses of the Vulgar that the Venetians besides the making of a shew and doing good offices were 〈◊〉 to interest themselves in the Affairs of Parma possessed the Court of Rome with a conceit that they might safely take Castro and 〈…〉 yet further Another Bull then was affixed in which the time prescribed to Edward was prolonged for fifteen days A â—ut at the very same time the Marquess Matthei on the 〈◊〉 day of 〈…〉 er drew the Army out of its Quarters and entring into the Territory of Castro presents himself before the Rocca Montalto which is towards the Sea and found it abandoned by fifty Souldiers who had the Guard of it Forty others at the Bridge of the Abby couragiously stood the fight of them about a Cannon shot off but they also at last retired into Castro There is a rocky Mountain which for several miles environs the Ecclesiastical State on that side interrupted by certain ways cut out by hand with great labour Where it descends towards the Sea it terminates in a Plain and forms as it were a Cliff of a soft mouldring Stone upon which Castro stands There is but one way which serves to ascend to it which the Duke had caused to be fortified with some little Forts The Ecclesiastical Army appearing they quickly yielded whereupon Matthei planting Cannon against the Town and flinging certain Bomboes into it perswades the Inhabitants through fear to sollicite the Governour to deliver it without expecting the succours which by permission of the Grand Duke the Count Palmia was bringing through Tuscany Upon conditions of Life Liberty and enjoyment of Goods to the Souldiers and Inhabitants the Garrison two hundred and fifty in number marched out the seventh day of the Siege Angelieri though he endeavoured to clear himself accusing the baseness of the people and the the Peasants who being retired into the Town preferring safety before fidelity and honour had perswaded him by force to render the Duke caused him to be arrested grievously vexed at the news of the Surrender which came to him at the instant that he in person was intended to go towards those parts The Barberins triumphed as much at so speedy a Conquest and that sort of people abounding in Rome which have no other revenue but flattery exalted with many discourses and applauses the order the conduct the whole enterprise and calling to remembrance that by that way the Duke of Bourbon had formerly led his Army to the Siege and Sack of Rome the Pontificate of Vrban and the direction of his Nephews was celebrated with great Encomiums for that by the re-union of Vrbino that Flank being secured the taking of Castro did invincibly cover the other side of the Ecclesiastical State The Barberins also enjoyed equally publick glory and private advantages having secured their Estate and Towns from the fury and invasions of the Duke and foreseeing that if ever he should recover that State his neighbourhood would be so much the more troublesom to them as the injuries were more provoking they resolved never to render that they had taken but to resist with Art and with Arms whosoever should interpose offices or imploy force taking it for granted that neither the Duke would have the vigour to act of himself not would others in the present Conjunctures by giving him assistance make themselves Enemies to the Pope Edward to keep himself from those prejudices which in the way of Judicature the Acts that had past might bring upon him had caused to be presented to the Auditor della Camera a protest in which he declared the Barberins for his Enemies but gave them to understand that he had no other Judge left him but force nor did hope for favour but from his friends He renews therefore considerations and instances with the Venetians and to set a gloss upon them offers all just humiliation to the Pope that so he might know how to encounter his good Graces Shewing also his doubt of being attacqued in his Dominions of Parma and Piacenza he besought of the Senate a thousand Foot and a hundred thousand Crowns to garrison and provide the Towns The Republick persisting as yet in the way of Treaty had a mind to renew their offices at Rome to the end that those judiciary Acts being intermitted and suspended which put one side into ingagements and the other into dissatisfactions the Dukes humiliations might be admitted and a way made for Treaty for which they were not averse to dispatch an Extraordinary Ambassadour to the Pope Hereupon was variety of opinions amongst the Barberins for some approved to ingage the Republick in the mediation so to keep it off from declaring and giving assistance to the Duke others aiming to keep off a Treaty with delusions considered that the Republick was that Prince that was least capable to be deceived most prone to resentments and the most powerful amongst those of Italy so that it would be better to exclude them out of the Mediation because overlooking the occasion of ingaging and interesting themselves in the offices of assistance to the Duke they believed it would rather continue watching upon the general occurrences of Europe and on the successes of Piedmont and Monserrat than apply it self to a particular interest of small importance to Italy and
being come from Paris to Lions and the Mareshal della Meilleray being advanced before them with a very flourishing Army left it doubtful whether so great a preparation tended towards Catalogna or Italy And though within a while after the Forces were seen engaged before the Fortress of Perpignan nevertheless the Cardinals mind was discovered to be inclined the place quickly taken as he hoped to send the Army into Italy before the Campania should be at an end And this he thought to do upon so much the better ground by how much that in Piedmont the Princes of Savoy were agreed with their Sister-in-Law and by consequence declared of the French party by a Treaty in which to Mauritio besides the promising him to Wife the Princess Lodovica Maria his Neece was left in Government Nizza with its appurtenances as also to Prince Thomaso Inurea and the Biellesa with title of the Dukes Lieutenant for so long as the Duke remained in his minority To the Dutchess remained the quality and authority of Regent without other obligation but to admit her Brothers-in-Law into the Council when they should be at Court and to communicate to them the most weighty matters concerning the State With this agreement the Princes being composed but the Country dismembred little else was left the Duke but the name and that great gate of Italy was thought to be set wide open to the French which was wont to be kept shut by the Savoyards with force or to be opened with great caution The French besides had promised the Princes great advantages and in particular kept Thomaso in secret hopes and agreements to assign him an ample part of the Milanese in Soveraignty when it should be conquered with united Forces To say truth the Governour of Milan failed not to employ all his endeavours to keep those Princes adhering to Spain but found that it was in their name demanded that there appearing in the King of France a disposition to withdraw the Garrisons from those places which in the past revolutions the Dutchess had trusted to him the Spaniards would also restore those others except Vercelli and Trino which they might keep in their possession till a general Peace and so long as the French should enjoy Pignerol and Casal The answer was such as before the instance made had been supposed for the Governour alledging that he kept those places the better to facilitate a Peace in the Treaty whereof it would be fit to speak of them refused to withdraw the Garrisons Yet though vexed at Thomaso that he would not accept of his propositions and comply with his will he recalls some hundred of Souldiers out of Inurea by a precipitate Council but to the great joy of the Prince who shaking off the yoak caused the Gates to be shut before their face when Sirvela repenting his oversight countermanded them with earnest instances that they might be readmitted On the other side the Garrison which with the Camp Master Tuttavilla was in Nizza not willing to leave it by fair means was constrained by the threatnings of Mauritio who having assembled three thousand men of the Country put himself in a posture to force them Thus the Scene being changed in Piedmont Fortune smiling on the French sollicited them to undertake most assured Conquests in Italy and for that cause the Spaniards proposition to close in a union came to be hearkened to by the Princes of it and more than formerly considered but in the turbulent conjuncture of the present contests all being not able to unite themselves in one party that might be of force to withstand Strangers thought it a less evil not to adhere to any of the Crowns Therefore were also rejected the Propositions of the French who instigated particularly the Pope by remonstrating to him the glory and the opportunity to make advantage of so many Troops raised for a more noble design than the gaining of Castro tempting him together with the puissant Forces of their Crown to drive the Spaniards out of Italy which in the present state that that power could no longer be said distracted but lacerated into so many pieces and in a manner ruined they represented easie to be done To flatter him the more they left to his arbitrement the disposal of the Conquests and offered the Crown of Naples to his Nephews promising to be assisting with six thousand Foot and a Naval Army by Sea to assist the enterprise esteemed so much the easier as that besides the ancient intelligences with many of the Barons the people weary of the intolerable impositions desired a change of Government Vrban knowing the propositions more specious than easie refused them In this uncertain state of things Monsieur de Lionne was sent by France into Italy to add warmth to the offices in the cause of Parma but much more to observe and lay hold of the conjunctures seasonable to perswade the Princes of Italy into the party of that Crown till Cardinal Mazarine designed for that service should arrive As for Parma the Affairs were quickly brought to a desperate issue for there being not obtained from the pressing endeavours of many Princes and those which the Venetians rebuted a new with severe answers were willing to reiterate any delay of the sentence after these accidents which for a few days as hath been said the order of the cause carried with it Edward was declared to have incurred the greater Excommunication deprived of his Dominions and Fiefs of the dignity he held of the holy See and condemned in all charges done and to be done In execution whereof his Palaces and the Goods in Rome were exposed to sale and the Camera took possession of Castro Vrban as yet deferring the Declaration to comprehend it in the rigorous Bulls of Pius Quintus which forbid any alienation of that which was reunited to the holy Chair The Princes were greatly moved as if all their instances had been despised by the Barberins Edward stirs himself up so much the more against them shewing therefore not the least fear calling together the Nobility and the Chief of the people with power and eloquence deduces the causes of the War the hatred of the Barberins and his own right exhorting them to fidelity and constancy Being heard with applause there were not any that promised not obedience He thereupon causes the Religious persons that were Strangers and the Bishop of Piacenza to depart his Dominion that by observance of the censures or other means they might not stir up the people Lionne passes to Parma and to Rome with several propositions but in the Barberins was clearly discovered an aversion to render and a repugnancy in the Duke to hearken to any expedient whatsoever because to the exchange in which those that interposed insisted more than in ought else and especially the Duke of Modena who had again dispatched Montecucculi to Rome the obstacle was the impossibility to find another Soveraignty which for the quality the extent and
conceived hopes of greater succours Offices at Rome for a suspension being at this very time not intermitted there were read to the Ministers of Venice and Florence by Monsignor Bichi Auditor di Rota in the name of Barberin certain ambiguous answers in which it seemed to be expressed that the Pope would suspend offences when he should be assured to receive none but withal added that if he possessed the Dukes Countries he would restore them when and to whom it should be thought beseeming the honour of the holy See To the Ambassador of France it was plainly said that to take away Jealousies a suspension of Arms should be imbraced when by the Dukes friends promise should be given that he should bear respect to the Ecclesiastical State yet the Sentence for that Cause not to be intermitted nor more words made of the restoring Castro which by reason of the debt to the Montists and the charge of the War the Camera reputed their own Such answers satisfied not the Princes and they were much more displeased with the instances which the Prefect to the Duke of Modena by Carpegna reiterated that six days after which happened to be the 10. of August in conformity to the promise the pass should be open for the Army Believing then more resolute courses necessary and that above all the march was to be hindred for the diverting those accidents which were apprehended from the successes of the War the Republick resolved to send three thousand Foot and three hundred Horse under the Command of Alphonso Anthonini Commissary of the Cavalry that joyning with two thousand which under the Conduct of the Marquess Guicciardini were sent by the Grand Duke they might defend the Modenese that Duke being perswaded to promise opposition and dispute the pass with such assistance and the assurance which Giovanni Baptista Ballarino Secretary of the Republick brought him of greater supplies if need should require All this had been reciprocally concerted under promise and faith given there having not been time for more express Treaties but it being judged necessary to conclude one by reason of future casualties there arrived at Venice the Prince Luigi and the Secretary Giovanni Dominico Pandolfini the one for the Grand Duke and the other for the Duke of Modena and the Senate deputed to treat with them Baptista Nani and Vincenzo Gussoni Cavalier to the end they should discuss the means of common defence and the ways to preserve Peace But as on the Princes side and that also of the Barberins it was believed that with shewing resolution and by advancing some steps it would be obtained so each one going on in the way of ingaging stumbled at last into a War The Barberins were now greatly perplexed at the rumours of the Marches and Treaties and their Army which composed of new men thought to go into the Country of Parma as to an easie and secure Triumph was intimidated in such sort that the Souldiers in great Troops running away was in a short time greatly diminished The Prefect publishes that he would delay his March and sends Carpegna to Modena to demand that in case of Edwards opposition he might have leave to halt in the Modenese He foresaw before-hand the answer which was just what he looked for that the Duke of Modena could no longer dispose of his Country and of himself without participation and the consent of the Republick and the Grand Duke nor did he desire it other to the end that he might have occasion to defer his March and giving in that interim informations to Rome of the state of Affairs receive Orders and also Supplies Vrban contrary to his belief seeing by the stirring of the neighbour Princes the opposition great calling to him the Ambassadour of France of his own accord for he had not at present been desired consents to a suspension of Arms for fifteen days Just at this time happens a hurly-burly in Rome which though it was foreign to the present interests served greatly to increase the confusion in the Barberins minds And it was that the Bishop of Lamego sent Ambassadour from Portugal to render obedience to the Pope although not admitted in that Quality remaining nevertheless as a Prelate in Rome met with the Marquess de los Velez Ambassadour of Spain in a certain Street and their Retinues quarrelling there arose a Skirmish that made such a noise that the French coming in to the aid of the Bishop in so great numbers the Spaniards were obliged to retire some of them being killed the Marquess hardly saving himself by flight The Spaniards imputing this disorder though accidental to the Barberins because they had admitted the Bishop and neglecting those cautions which might hinder such rash confusions shewed themselves so highly offended that the Ambassadour went his way to Naples and the Cardinals of the Nation except la Queva that was sick retired to Frascati The Emperours Ambassadour also to shew an equal sense in the common interests of the Family goes to Albano In Rome a City naturally talkative many discourses were made of more dangerous consequences minds being inflamed betwixt the Factions of France and Spain so that the Barberins being in trouble were forced to strengthen the Militia and place Guards with such orders as might keep the Peace Upon this occasion distracted in mind betwixt apprehension and negotiation they so much the more willingly promoted the suspension of Arms upon notice whereof the Troops of the Republick already on their way made a halt in the Mantuana and the Florentines in the Lunigiana The Duke of Parma thereupon bewailed himself that he was sinking under the burden of the Souldiery and of jealousies and the other Princes also perceived the dangers rather suspended than ceased judging they would rather in future be so much the greater by how much the Barberins discovered themselves not only incensed against the Duke of Parma but irritated against all those that had declared themselves contrary to their designs The Deputies therefore of the Republick and those of the Grand Duke and of Modena had secret and frequent meetings to communicate Councils and concert resolutions in case that after the fifteen days of suspension the Barberins should continue their march Some were of opinion and particularly the Modonese making use of the present confusion to prevent and move the Army into the Ecclesiastical State to disburden themselves of their own Souldiery and by bringing the Barberins to a Peace by force secure themselves of the doubt that having recovered courage and strength they should not attempt greater and more notable revenge They had in their aim also to get for their Duke out of the present troubles some considerable profit so that under the countenance of the League getting into possession of something he might happen to do himself right in part of that which he pretended was detained from him by the Pontificians But the Venetians with more dis-interessed Councils content to have saved the Duke
of Parma from invasion and diverted damage from the Modonese aspired not by the League to ought else but to advertise the Barberins of the difficulty they would have to meet with in their designs and by consequence incline them more easily to a Peace To this opinion the Grand Duke at last adhered though Pandolfini at first was bent upon attempts more resolute A League was then concluded betwixt the Republick the Grand Duke and the Duke of Modena drawing the motive from the present making War upon the Duke of Parma which being capable to bring greater disturbances into Italy the Princes desirous to keep them off by procuring their own preservation and the common Peace united for their own defence for mutual succours in case any of them were attacqued and for that over and above which for the defence of other Italian Princes should happen to be needful it was agreed To make up an Army of twelve thousand Foot and eighteen hundred Horse whereof the half should belong to the Venetians of the rest two thirds to the Grand Duke and to Modena the remainder the same proportion to be held in provisions in money and when there should be occasion in the increasing of Forces The command of the Army was committed to him of the Princes Confederates in whose Country it ought to be made use of and remain but in neutral places the nomination of a General was reserved to the Republick with the consent of the others The invaded remained free from common Contributions to the Army while he was to be vigilant with his Forces upon his own defence to which the others were to resort either with succours or diversion as should be concerted at the time of need The Contractors could not treat or conclude Peace or Truce but by common consent nor oblige themselves to other Treaty that should derogate from the present These were the Articles that were published but there was added and kept secret to assist the Duke of Parma as there should be need and to admit him into the League when he should seek it upon those terms and conditions which should then be concluded The expedition of the transaction having prevented the fame of it the conclusion of such a League was no sooner divulged but it was variously understood by the Princes The Barberins shewed themselves very suspicious and touched with it and the Pope himself secretly complained that his own Ministers had deluded him with false suppositions and ingaged his Nephews too far On the other side Edward conceived so much the more stoutness for by the protection of the League his Countries of Parma and Piacenza being covered he hoped in the astonishment of the Enemy to open himself a way either for the recovery of Castro or the seizing upon some other place that would serve to exchange for it Having then obtained of the Duke of Modena the Pass he sets forward against the State Ecclesiastick with about three thousand men on Horseback men chosen for their courage but without Foot or Cannon and without any provision whatsoever that might be useful in a Siege of importance But he had good Commanders over whom by reason of his dignity the Mareshal d' Etré commanded who to satisfie the Barberins being by the King of France removed from his Ambassage of Rome remained with the Duke giving credit to his Arms and to the march as if France by such an appearing had concurred in it But in truth besides the disbursement of a small sum of money in discount of his Pensions France contributed nothing in favour of the Duke but offices Lionne only offered him two thousand Foot on condition they should serve in Garrisons but the Duke refused it being jealous lest the French should seek anew a way to get into his places This march greatly displeased the Venetians and the Grand Duke because Edward provoked the War which they with offices and appearances hoped to avoid their fear was lest he entring deep into the Ecclesiastick State over-powered by the Enemy Forces should perish there or that retiring with disreputation in disorder and beaten should draw after him the Popes Army into the heart of his Country Therefore by the Senate was dispatched to meet him Giovanni Battista Ballarini who a little before had been to communicate to him the conclusion of the League to represent the opinion of the Confederates and those considerations which by safe Councils instead of vain hopes might in a short time bring quiet to all and to himself most assured fruits of glory The Duke who in communicating to the Princes his march had alledged in excuse his inability to keep his Troops any longer in his Country finding himself now upon his way with great fast and confidence intermingles in his answer with lively expressions reasons with his excuses and continues his march The Venetians and the Grand Duke were obliged to cause to enter into the Modenese the Troops hitherto remaining on the borders to cover that State from the dangers which the loss certainly believed of the Duke of Parma might bring upon it But Edward entring into the Bolognese brought so great terrour to the people and to the Popes Army that they in the unlooked for accident not considering the strength and these fearing more than was their duty the danger all was in a moment seen in confusion and disorder The Prefect retires flying into Ferrara The Souldiers quit their quarters Matthei prevailing nothing with entreaties authority or command to stop them no not so much as a small body that might oppose it self to the Duke or at least follow him Thus without Blood and without a Battel the Army being dissipated Edward had an open way to a Voyage which was one of the most worthy to be remembred because in an Enemies Country more could not have been done by an Army never so powerful There is no doubt but he might have been able by possessing some places to have setled Contributions and Quarters in the Enemies Country and then have negotiated the restitution of Castro by exchange But through his generous mind aspiring to recover it with the fame of his Arms and carry the terrour of his name with a loud report within the very walls of Rome he entertained his Souldiers with such vast hopes of prey and plunder that besides a certain becoming familiarity for which the Souldiers loved him without fear and obeyed him without dispute every one followed him with a secure belief of extraordinary advantage From Saint Cesareo he comes in one night with his Quarters near to the City of Bologna writing Letters to the Cardinal Durazzo Legate and to the Inhabitants exhorting them to persist in a constant obedience to the holy See himself also professing an immutable duty to the same and that he had not put on Arms but in his own defence against the oppressions of the Barberins Notwithstanding that populous City had no cause to fear an Army never so powerful
fear nevertheless was so great in the minds of the Citizens that not only none went forth to disturb the Dukes sleep but not to irritate him though they omitted the offer of their service they yet answered with Letters of much respect The day following proceeding in his way and putting to flight with the view only some Companies of Souldiers which were carelesly marching towards Bologna the Governour of Smola sent the Keys to meet him the Cardinal Franciotti Legate of Romagna having not been able to hinder it the City being unfurnished of a Garrison and of all sorts of provisions The Duke refusing them contented himself to guard the Gates whilst his Troops passed through the Town which was performed with such order and so much quiet that it seemed a passage of people that were friends Faenza made a shew to shut the Gates but being threatned by the Duke the Governour descended from the Wall to meet and pacifie him and hardly obtained that he would content himself with passing At Furli which as of a greater circuit and better inhabited endeavoured to resist he made as though he would fasten a Petard and burn the Country round about whereupon the Bishop and the Guardian of the Capuchins coming forth with tears endeavoured to pacifie him and he received them at discretion saving out of grace their lives women their honour and the Churches Nevertheless no greater hurt was done but to lodge there one whole day to refresh his Souldiers from the weariness and rains whence alone arose some difficulty in his march Victuals for fear of pillaging and insolences every where abounded nor was there any place which did not voluntarily offer to open their Gates The Duke to shorten way and to avoid the Ecclesiastick State where by Nature and Art it is strongest bending to Meldola enters towards the Territory del Sole in Tuscany to get by a shorter cut into the Perugino and from thence to advance to Castro At the same time that he arrived on the borders he sends to demand the Pass of the Grand Duke who grants it seeing him engaged so far but withall sends the Marquess Lorenzo Guicciardini to counsel him to stop there or by the way of Pontremoli return to Piacenza it seeming that without exposing his own affairs and those of his friends to greater hazards that he had sufficiently by his courage satisfied the world and his own glory by mortifying the Enemy with making him appear so contemptible The Duke not yet arrived half way to his designs intended to enter into the Territory of Perugio where at Castiglion del Lagó the Governour making no resistance taking out four Cannons he comes to the Town of Pieve and condemns to contributions and to the fire a certain place which shot upon some of his Foragers Upon such successes fear not to be expressed increased in Rome a City which being composed of the basest sort of Inhabitants unaccustomed to dangers or of Strangers who are pleased with Reports Novelties and Accidents seemed distracted by various affections some fearing plunder others desiring disorder and all reproaching the Government In this hurly-burly Guards were distributed the command of them repartited amongst the Prelates hand was put to Fortifications and other Preparations made In Orvieto and Viterbo the Guards were strengthened and Souldiers levied every where taking in Rome the Coach-Horses to mount Souldiers The Prefect was recalled to Court great murmurings rising up against him for having shewed as much baseness in danger as he exercised avarice in the Government The Cardinal Antonio supplying the necessity with a greater vivacity goes out of Rome with Bali Valenzé a French man but a valiant and expert Souldier and in several places gave orders for defence The Cardinal Francesco having recourse to the Arts of Negotiation thought with hopes of Peace to delude the Duke and amuse the League He causes the Abbot of Bagni to move the Grand Dukes Ambassadour at Rome and the Cardinal Bragadino to insinuate to the Venetians that they would interpose with the Duke of Parma and at the same time proposes to the Marquess de Fontenay the depositing the State of Castro till the business might be composed But all to gain time with equivocal and dark discourses amuses the Confederates the Grand Duke troubling himself at Florence into whose hand the deposition ought to be trusted At Rome Bichi Auditor di Rota pressed the Resident of Modena that the deposition accomplished the League would then declare for Vrban Vitelli at Venice in a discourse more prolix and ambiguous to discredit the Mediation of the French shewed their intention to be suspicious as if aspiring to have Castro in deposito they were not afterwards by reason of the conveniency of the situation so easily to let it go and insinuated that the Pope would much rather trust it to the Republick But he had no sooner named that offer but turning his discourse another way assured that the expedients for a Composure were easie and many if there were any at Rome that would manage them with sincerity or had powers necessary to conclude them All this tended to induce the Senate to send an Ambassadour to Rome for the Barberins repenting more and more to have rejected the insinuations had now commanded him to sollicite it The Senate comprehending their will at present forced by fear would not last longer than the fear it self shewed to desire before they resolved more precise and less obscure propositions On the other side the Grand Duke judging that in this wambling of their minds fear had prevailed over animosity closes with the business declaring that it might be deposited in the League or at least in one of the Confederates or in the Genouse neutral and disinteressed persons At the same time his Army of eight thousand Foot and a thousand Horse with twenty two pieces of Cannon came near to the Borders putting the Barberins into great doubt lest he would make use of the time either to do himself right in certain pretensions he had or shew his resentment of former distastes But he had no aim but to procure Peace and by the means of the Prince Matthias his Brother rather to perswade the Duke of Parma to retire out of Tuscany by offering him Quarters to the end that remaining ingaged in the Ecclesiastick State he might not receive some blow which putting courage again into the Barberins might render the Treaty more difficult Edward would not take this counsel but quartering betwixt Monte Pulciano and Chiusi kept the Country in fear and contribution publishing that the Prince Francesco Maria his Brother was coming through Tuscany to strengthen him with four thousand Foot and five hundred Horse The Duke of Modena sollicited the Venetians to give him leave with their Troops which he had in his Country to enter into the Ferranese which being all in confusion and without a Garrison an opportunity was offered for considerable progress in recompence of that much he
pretended to be due to him from the Pope But the Senate denied their assent to his request and rather earnestly disswaded him from adding imbroilments to the business and fire to the flame which it was so studiously endeavoured to adjust and extinguish The Cardinal Barberin was not wanting to himself in any cunning and aiming not only to negotiate with the Princes of the League but withal to give them jealousie proposed to the Vice-King of Naples to unite the Pope with the Crown of Spain The Spanish Ministers taking it for a dissembled proposition believed that he was rather resolved to close with France and endeavoured also to imprint the suspicion in the Princes Confederates that the French having together with Prince Thomaso easily possessed Crescentino and Nizza de la Paglia would at present besiege Tortona in design to come nearer to Piacenza and what with jealousie and force oblige the Duke to yield Castro These Treaties having cast in some delays in the proceedings of Duke Edward who no less than the Grand Duke was in great hopes to end them with advantage and honour Cardinal Anthonio had diligently got together twelve thousand Foot and three thousand Horse people raised in haste and little inured to War but commanded by good Officers who were of opinion it was best not to hazard them so soon to a Battel much less not to think so meanly of them as to retire with them under the Walls of Rome but advancing slowly with them under the countenance of Towns of Orvieto and Viterbo to straighten Edward in his Victuals and Quarters Barberino seconded the counsel whereupon the Cardinal Spada dispatched to the Confines with Title of Plenipotentiary shewed all possible readiness for an agreement Concerning the Deposition there seemed not any further controversie but the thing treated of was concerning the manner For the Duke of Parma had plainly told Lionne that he would not consent to the depositing but with security that it should be restored to him within a prefixed time and Cardinal Spada affirmed that for a certain appearance of honour he could not condition that but that either with a tacite consent or declaring it in the ear of the Depositary he would let pass the effect Lionne about this was obliged to many Voyages to one and the other and in this while Barbarino continues to amuse the Grand Duke with several questions whether with the deposition the League would be content whether that done it would declare it self in favour of the Pope whether the deposition was to be in the French or in the League and in that case where were the Ministers to agree the conditions of it The Grand Duke perceived all tended to delays nevertheless answered that the end of the Princes united being to restore Edward to his States and to the Popes favour they with the effect thereof would certainly be contented They were also ready to receive the Depositum and the other Ministers being not arrived offered himself remembring that all good consisted in expedition In the mean while the Duke of Parma being gone to Aqua-pendente a City situate high and defended with a good Garrison obtained it of the Governour that let himself be overcome with fear upon conditions The Cardinal Anthonio then putting great Garrisons into the Towns advances with seven thousand Foot and two thousand Horse from Viterbo to Montefiascone to straighten the Duke and dispute his entry into the State of Castro He made also two motions towards Aqua-pendente but the Duke making a shew to get on Horse back and to advance towards him though with Forces so unequal the Cardinal retired chusing rather to overcome with prudence than run the hazard of Fortune But the Duke dislodging from that Quarter for want of Forrage and setling at Ponte Centino the Ecclesiastick Army also takes up their Quarters at San Lorenzo delle Grotte The rains it being the month of October greatly incommodated those of Parma and therefore the Barberins pretended so much the more to tire them with delays shewing to gain more time to incline to the deposition into hands of the League but that there were no Ministers with whom the Conditions might be negotiated To take away the pretext the Grand Duke comes himself to San Quirico upon the Confines The Duke of Modena sends thither Fulvio Testi and the Venetians more out of complacency to the others than for any thought that the Treaty would succeed dispatched thither Angelo Cornaro Cavalier who was Proveditor of the Militia in the Modenese Before he came the Duke of Parma the Prince Matthias and Testi with Monsieur de Lionne had expressed themselves in writing that their ultimate intention was That all that which within and without Rome belonged to the House of Farnese should be delivered in deposito to the Duke of Modena to render it some time in December next to whom it of right belonged that the League over and above the Affairs of Castro and the dependencies on it should declare to pretend nothing else that with the answer the assent was expected within the term of two days only that all delay or alteration was to be interpreted a refusal But the Pope shewing his dislike of such a form and the Grand Duke himself not approving it as too severe the Treaty was continued for some days The Cardinal Spada cooperating with the intentions of the Barberins to keep the Negotiation on foot as long as might be sends by the Father Virgilio of the Congregation of the Oratory his Brother to offer the Duke of Parma that the Pope Out of his own Clemency the intercession of so many Princes and for the sparing of the people should absolve him from the Excommunication and Castro being delivered in deposito to the Duke of Modena for six months should within that time by common consent be restored to the first Owner and the Revenue be deposited to pay the Montists the new Fortifications be demolished and the Arms and Ammunition brought into the place be withdrawn on condition that the Duke should retire into Lombardy without touching upon the State Ecclesiastick and should disarm the Confederates were only to declare themselves herewith content and remove their Troops from the Ecclesiastick Confines The Duke as to the absolution refers himself to that which France should demand and to the Judgment of the same left the decision whether all the Fortifications or only the Out-works of Castro should be demolished He only insisted on the security that Castro should be restored by the Depositary And that seemed to be out of doubt because the Cardinal Spada had several times repeated to Lionne that he would tacitely give his consent to it Betwixt the Dukes therefore of Parma and Modena passed an agreement and writing to perform it before the present year should be at an end The accord then being held for secure Lionne publishes it for concluded and Edward gives notice of it to the Confederates But while he
looked that Lionne should bring it to him signed he gave him to understand that the Cardinal Spada avoided subscribing it alledging for a pretext that it was not fit for him to do it as under a force and with Arms in hand That he proposed therefore a suspension of Arms for five days and because the Duke was reduced to such a want of Victuals and Forrage that he could subsist no longer offers him Quarters betwixt the Rivers Paglia and Chiani But recalling soon after the offer two miles of desolate Country were offered him from whence every thing necessary for the food of man the Hay being first burnt had been carried away It is not easie to imagine how Edward stormed and how highly being fiery by nature he was moved with such proceedings but of his Troops some had perished for want others after great Booties had disbanded And for the rest there was not wherewithal to feed them nor did the season permit to advance further or to keep the field He resolves then to retire into his own Country and demanded passage of the Grand Duke who blaming this hasty departure out of the Ecclesiastical State as a fault equal to the unseasonable haste of his entring into it offers him in his own for some days Victuals and Quarters as being doubtful lest the Barberins delivered from their apprehensions should turn the Treaty topsie-turvy Edward vexed that the Grand Duke with superfluous hopes of Peace had first withheld him from advancing in the sudden fear to the Gates of Rome and afterwards had denied to second him with his Arms to advance to Castro despising the offers and leaving the Mareshal d' Estré who at leisure brought back the remainder of his men passes Post into Lombardy For all this the Cardinal Spada though he had gained his intent did not presently break the Treaty but making his Brother the instrument proposes to the Grand Duke the same conditions formerly sent to the Duke of Parma with very little alteration save that he desired for observance of what was agreed the League should oblige it self His aim was to beget some disgusts betwixt the Mediators for Lionne had already declared that it was dishonourable for France that other caution besides that of their authority should be demanded The expedient for this appeared easie because in the capitulation leaving the appearance and the honour to the French he proposed that with a Writing apart the League should warrant the Treaty Greater difficulties arose from the variety of propositions for the Barberins succeeding not in perswading the Vice-Roy of Naples to hearken to a Treaty for a League less to afford the assistance which they asked as was due by the Fief of that Kingdom nor yet to permit any of its Subjects to go to their service they perswaded him at last to propound a suspension of Arms for which he dispatches Courriers to Venice and to the Grand Duke pressing that they would perswade Edward to accept it At this time that the Nuntio in Naples laboured with the Vice-Roy that he would interest himself in the Treaty and that to the Grand Duke were insinuated in the name of Barberino propositions of a League of the Italian Princes in it comprehending the Spaniards the Cardinal Spada entertained Lionne in a discourse of the opportunity to employ so many Armies ready and at hand in conquering the Kingdom of Naples of which so considerable a part might be given to Edward that Castro would be no great matter to leave if he would to the Prefect Betwixt the Grand Duke and Parma jealousies were also sown with great art endeavouring to make the former believe that Edward for the obtaining of his own offered to invade together with the Pope Tuscany and to the latter that the other offered to abandon him so Castro it self might be given up to him Artifice always halting in some part such projects were at the same time published and laught at and the Confederates would not so much as propose to Edward the suspension of Arms judging it better to insist upon the accord so far advanced that neither party could go back without a publick blemish But because the Cardinal Spada was more and more wavering in his proposals the Ambassadors of France and Tuscany thought fit clearly to inform themselves of the Popes true intentions by speaking to him expresly about it He at the mentioning of the deposition shewing it to be near to him at first troubled and afterwards perplexed at last not averse from consigning it to the League confessed that the Cardinal Spada had powers to treat but not to conclude In conclusion Spada having put to paper the Articles of a Treaty together with the Marquess Riccardi the Grand Dukes Minister and Testi and sent them to Rome Barbarino in addition proposes three points not only contrary to the things hitherto negotiated but also not possibly to be admitted by the Confederates It had always been taken for granted that France should demand of the Pope absolution and pardon for the Duke of Parma to the end to avoid many intricacies and those prejudices which Edward feared for his interests in future But the Cardinal now proposes that he himself should demand it that the Montists besides should be paid which the Duke refused not when their right should be restored to its first state Lastly that the Princes of the League should declare themselves satisfied not only for the Affairs of Castro but renounce all other pretensions and interests which they had with the Church This condition seemed to the Confederates unsufferable businesses and rights of great concernment being there under comprehended which being already of very ancient standing if hitherto they had not been promoted by Arms ought less in future to disturb the Peace and so much the rather that being not mentioned or comprehended in the League they had no reference to the present subject in which Castro being restored they declared themselves intirely satisfied By this it clearly appeared that danger ceasing put an end to the fraud whereupon the Princes themselves incensed at this proceeding and vexed at the delusion the Assembly was dissolved after which the Confederates concealed not their sharp reproaches against Lionne who had not sufficiently made sure of the Powers and he the same against Spada who by shewing him a false Copy of them had deceived him Many doubted whether the said Cardinal was in truth the deceiver or the deceived and upon it several Manifests and Writings ran to and fro But the Confederates looking at the issue of the business more than at the formality and ascribing every thing to the Barberins considered how to resent it The Grand Duke therefore and the Duke of Modena looked with some reflection in this Conjuncture upon the proceedings of the French since that by the gaining of Tortona though under the name of Prince Thomaso to whom it was said it was to be granted in Soveraignty it was visible that
their Arms were silently entred into Italy and were Neighbours to the Confines of many Princes so that those of the Austrian party justly apprehended and that not without some resentment to be over powred by that Crown Nevertheless the provocations of the Duke of Parma and the recent scorns of the Barberins prevailing besides that with the death of the Cardinal Richelieu happened about the end of the year many of his designs were thought extinguished they shewed themselves as resolute not to suffer their injuries as the Barberins were constant in provoking them to it The Dukes then of Modena and Parma having spoken together communicated to the Venetians their thought to take up some Quarters in the Ecclesiastick State to ease their own Country during Winter desiring that at least by connivence they would give way to them to make use of the Souldiers of the Republick which were in the Modonese The Senate and the Grand Duke not approving that the one should be exposed to greater dangers and the other be separated from common counsels exhorted them to suspend moving in so cold a Winter-season in which delay took not away any vigor from their power but rather added strength to their counsels The Dukes were satisfied with it chiefly because at the instant of their setting forward Modena had discovered that by the imprisonment and death of some an intelligence was vanished which he had in Ferrara whither having sent certain of his Subjects under other names to inrool themselves in a Company they having the Guard at a Port were to deliver it to the Duke Besides he of Parma whose aim was to possess Cento a place which from the Territories of Ferrara and Bologna might draw important Contributions was diverted by Cardinal Anthonio come into those parts with supreme Authority of Legate and by his providing and fortifying that place Whilst these things were in agitation the Venetians had sent into the Sacca di Goro to maintain the Jurisdiction of the Sea certain armed Parks which finding there some Vessels laden with Corn and Oyl had as is usual sent them to Venice from which Ferrara and the Army finding some inconvenience of Victuals certain Redoubts were raised by the Pontificians betwixt Magnavacca and Volane with eight pieces of Cannon on them to protect Ships under their countenance but being found of no advantage they within a while demolished them And now through the dispositions of minds and preparation of Forces all really tended to War whereupon the Prince Luigi and Pandolfini being returned to Venice Meetings were again renewed with the Deputies Nani and Gussoni The Barberins endeavoured to render them suspect to France and Spain suggesting that the Princes of Italy were not so much united for the affairs of Castro as to form a third Party that might ballance their Arms and ingage it self as occasion should be offered as if their intention were to give Law to both the Crowns and continually insinuated to the Spaniards projects of a League upon which and to have a pretext to introduce a Minister the Regent Casanate was sent by the Viceroy of Naples to Rome But he no sooner arrives there but the Cardinal Barberino being now out of fear he found him far from his own propositions and rather involved in a like Treaty with France though his more veritable intentions were to amuse both the Crowns without concluding with either The Spaniards to flatter him gave him hopes that by Vrbans closing in a League with them the Authority of the Catholick King would induce Modena and the Grand Duke to facilitate the adjustment of Castro and the Count della Rocca gone already from Venice was going to Florence to Modena and to Parma to exhort those Princes to Peace with offer of his Mediation and with propositions to Edward that if he would adhere to the Spanish party he would procure him the restitution of Castro by recompensing the Prefect with other Lordships in the Kingdom of Naples All this fell quickly to nothing for the projects of the Barberins to the Spaniards varied from the first intention and those of the Spaniards to the Princes had no foundation In the mean time foreign affairs were carried on with important accidents things in Germany being reduced to great extremity by several blows of consequence given to the Imperial Armies one near the Rhine where by Count Guebrian General of the Weimarians Lamboy was totally defeated another in Silesia Franc Albert a Duke of Saxe Lawemburg being beaten and taken Prisoner to whom though a Lutheran the Emperour had given the body of an Army in hopes that many Souldiers of that belief would willingly serve under his Command and those would flock to him of the contrary party in which he had been a Commander for many years In consequence of which disaster Olmitz the Metropolis of Moravia and other places were given up to the Swedes Yet it would not have been difficult to have repaired all if the Archduke who with the greatest body of the Army besieged Leipzich a City fatal to great Battels had not by Torstenson who came to attempt its relief been utterly defeated whereupon the Patrimonial Provinces remaining without defence and the way free for the Enemy even to Vienna so great was the consternation of mens minds in that City that nothing else preserved it but the spreading of the Swedes in prosecution of their advantage The Emperour therefore commanding his Ambassadour to return to Rome desired succours of the Pope and Rabbata at Venice demanded of the Senate with unwonted and great earnest three thousand Foot to defend the Passes of the Danube and the City of Vienna that the Army of the Swedes being by that means stopped it might not come nearer with the wonted insolency of Conquerors to Italy and the Confines of the Republick Vrban denies assistance under the pretext of the jealousies wherein he was and the Venetians answered in a sense little differing shewing how Italy was disturbed and overturned by the Barberins Monsieur de Lionne being also come to Venice declared the Fortune and the Power of the Austrians every where laid low exalted the intention of King Lewis who not ambitious but of glory to himself and liberty to others had conquered Tortona by Arms and in Generosity given it up to Prince Thomaso He invited to an Union with France and to the Conquest of the Milanese of which he offered to the Republick such a portion as it self would chuse But the Senate persisted fixed not to interest it self betwixt the Crowns otherwise than in what concerned the Mediation of Peace Besides the proceedings in Italy which are before mentioned the accidents are worthy relating concerning the Crown of France whose Arms being every where victorious without the Kingdom it was nevertheless intestinely disturbed with furious commotions Richelieu heaping up for himself and those that depended on him vast riches rendred the universal poverty of the Kingdom so much the more intolerable to the
In this 't was granted him if he were present to command by turns with that Duke and he was obliged to contribute three thousand Foot and four hundred and fifty Horse when any of the Confederates should be invaded As for the motion of the Army it was agreed That the Venetians should seize upon the banks of the Po and when there was occasion of taking the field the Troops in the Modonese with those of Parma also if they could join should at the same time second the enterprise The Venetians then sending the Army to the other side of the River the two bodies should be formed and the number agreed on sent into Tuscany without that the consult of the Modenese should have power to hinder it The Ministers were to be recalled from Rome from Venice and Florence the Nuncios to be discharged the Revenues of the Barberins to be sequestred and concerning the true intention of the League inclining only to Peace and the repairing the Duke of Parma participation was to be given to the Princes to clear the jealousies which it was known were suggested particularly to the two Crowns by the Barberins These were the good dispositions of the League but the good order to execute them was by various accidents interrupted For though great union and constancy appeared in the Princes yet their Countries and Forces being divided much time was oftentimes lost in communicating counsels and concerting resolutions It hapned that at this instant the Po being extraordinarily risen the Venetians feared lest Cardinal Antonio should cut the Banks to lay the Polesene under water and hinder the movings of the Armies by interposing a vast intrenchment of Water They therefore command the General that he should speedily repare thither though in the Modenese they were not yet ready to march That district of Country which belongs to Ferrara consists in two streaks more long than large The greater of which the chief Town is Trecenta runs from the Confines of the Mantuan to Polesella where for a little way the Country of the Venetians facing to the River cuts off the other which besides Crispino hath few other Towns and passes from Polesella to the borders of Adria wholly belonging to the Venetians Into the first there being some Fortification and Garrison Pesari sends three bodies of men the one to Melara commanded by Carruccio Colonel of the Nations Croatte and Albanese another to Figarolo that was more numerous by la Valetta the third to Lago Scuro by the Count Giovanni Battista Porto The Posts were every where possessed with ease and into the lower part abandoned by the Pontificians it sufficed to send some to take possession of it Pesari makes his head quarter at Trecenta and orders that the Fortifications of Lago Scuro and Melara should be bettered and in particular a good Fort planted at Figarolo To the gaining of all this the Prince of Parma had also aspired because being over against Stellata he had intended to inlarge Contributions and Quarters for his men Some of his Troops in Barques were just arrived near the shoar but found they were prevented by those of the Venetians not without some displeasure to the Duke who afterwards informed of the reason was easily pacified In pursuance of the foresaid seizure there came also out of the Modenese taking post at the Red Church the Troops of the Republick with some few of the Dukes for the Florentines conformable to the Agreement which the Treaty consented were by the Grand Duke recalled into Tuscany The Venetians now sent to the other side of the Po other six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse to fulfil their obligation though Pesari that considered the new Conquests on the Banks remained more weak and exposed to accidents unwillingly condescended but constrained to it by re-iterated orders sent them at twice first the half under la Valetta and the rest afterwards with Camillo Gonzaga one of the Princes of Buzzolo entred lately into the Republicks pay with the charge of General of the Artillery Cardinal Antonio had removed his Camp to Cento and the place lying at the head of the Modenese so fortified himself there that he equally defended the Territories of Ferrara and Bologna The Confederates to make some advance desired to dislodge him and la Valetta with seven Companies of Horse and four hundred Musketeers was sent to view the Post but by the Guides fault arriving late and being discovered he nevertheless attacques a Guard advanced Matthei to support them comes forth with a body of Horse and the skirmish grew so hot that the Pontificians being more in number la Valetta retires under the favour of two hundred other men and the Musquetiers placed in good order longst the Hedges and Ditches The Cardinals quarter discovered by this faction to be stronger and better fortified than was supposed the consults and minds of the Confederates were very wavering that which opposed the sending the concerted Troops into Tuscany and making further attempts being the disturbance which rose from the Duke of Parma because the Princes having taken for granted that he would not recede from that Union which had been concluded for his protection and assistance had in the division made state of his Forces in that number that himself had offered that is to say one thousand four hundred Horse six hundred Dragoons and sixteen hundred Foot They therefore sollicited him to underwrite the League or at least to contribute to the undertaking his person and his Army He with sundry excuses either to fortifie the Posts possessed or to recruit his Troops and by demanding that the League would absolutely oblige it self to the recovery of Castro kept off for deeming to have obtained his intent by the taking of those Posts which by reason of the necessity of the passage of the Po the Confederates were bound to maintain he had no further care and having so much in his power as was sufficient to make Castro be restored to him he judged it best to keep himself free The Troops then in the Modenese from the very beginning began to languish betwixt delays and disgusts The Venetians employed one part of their Forces at Sea infesting the Coast with six Gallies and with armed Barks even to Ancona and interrupting Commerce They took also after some shot of Cannon the Tower of Premiero which a while after recovered by the Pontificians was demolished and they landed at Cesenatico where were in Garrison two hundred forty Foot with forty Horse and the place being taken by force was laid in ashes by a fire which was kindled in the fight There was also taken near Premiero and demolished a little Fort the Ecclesiasticks having made another more inward and upon the Confines of Loreo Niccolo Delfino Proveditor surprised in the night by Scalade that which called delle Bocchette the Ecclesisticks had in former times built there The Towers of del Abbate and di Goro were rendred by threatning the Garrison with the
with his King 402 Benedette da Leggi Proveditor in Istria outlawed by the Count Petazzo 54 55 Benefices Ecclesiastical prohibited to the Sons of the Dukes 180 Bergen Opzoom besieged described and relieved 192 193 Bernard Duke of Wiemar after the King of Swedes death assumes the Command of the Army 375 378. takes Ratisbon 385. beaten at Nortlinghen 393. closes with the French 413. defeats the Imperialists in Alsace and takes many places there 433. and Brisach 442. dyes 471 Bethelem Gabor makes War in Hungary 137. makes a Truce ibid. breaks it 157. makes peace again 177. seeks assistance from the Venetians but obtains it not 203 Bohemians rebel 125. what were the occasions 127. the effects ibid. form a Government 129. offer the Crown to several Princes 136 confer it on the Palatine ibid. have recourse to the Turks ibid. other Princes interest themselves 138. are beaten at Prague 156 Boisleduke besieged by Orange 307. is taken 308 Bormio important for the situation recovered by the Grisons and left 160 Breda besieged and taken by Spinola 222. recovered by Orange 430 Brem a Fort built by Savoy 409. taken by Leganes 437 Borgia Cardinal protests against the Pope 369 C. CArdinal Pasman demands assistance of the Pope 369 Charles Duke of Lorrain leans to the Austrians and receives Orleans in his Country 361. humbles himself to the King of France 362. reunites with the Austrians 380. is attacqued by the French 381. gives over his Country to his Brother ib. is forced to put Nancy into the Kings hands ibid. makes new Treaties with the King and breaks them 496 Carlo Duke of Nevers goes into Casal 13. his designs against the Turks without effect 30 protected by the King of France 272. succeeds into the Dutchy of Mantua 271. sends Ambassadours to the Emperour without effect 274. defends himself against the Emperors Commissary and hath recourse to the Venetians 284. raises Troops in France with his own money 286. sends his Son to the Emperour and to pacifie him attempts other means 288. complains of the Treaty of Susa but presses the execution of it 302. tempted to a Composure by the Austrians 312. consents to a cessation of Arms without effect 318. environed with domestick Treacheries 326. incouraged by the French and Venetians 334 retires into Porto renders himself and goes to Melara and there supplied by the Republick 336. is restored to his Country 353. the Pope denies him a Dispensation to marry with his Daughter-in-law 370. enters into a League with France 402. dyos 435 Carlo Duke of Rhetel comes to Mantua marries the Princess secures the Succession 271 goes to Vienna brings back severe answers 288. dyes 354 Charles the Second Duke of Mantua 354 Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy his designs to enlarge his State the occasion offered by the death of his Son-in-law the Duke of Mantua 6. holds a Council about the enterprise on Monferrat and resolves it 10. surprises several places 11. with a general disturbance and the dislike of the Venetians 12. justifies himself to the Spaniards ibid. confides in the Governour of Milan 15. displeased with the Venetians ibid. sends his eldest Son into Spain 16. attacques Nizza della Paglia 23 but is hindred by the Spaniards 24. they press him to restore and he endeavours to avoid it 26. but yields to it with reserves 27 is constrained to disarm 29. complains of the conditions imposed upon him by Spain his courage 31. avoids seeing the French Ambassadour ibid. arms against Spain 33. sends an Ambassadour to Venice 34 39. opposes the Spaniards with their opinion of it 38. not satisfied with the offers of France for the peace 40. exhorts the Venetians to joyn in a League with him 41. seeks assistance elsewhere in vain 42 46. signs a Treaty of Peace without effect 43. clears himself of the Imperial Ban 45. justifies his intentions and accuses those of Spain 46. denies to consent to the conditions that Crown would impose upon him ibid. defends Bistagno and Asti 47. with great courage 48. demands the Republick caution for the peace 49. signs it 50. offers himself to the Republick 57. disarms with caution ib. seeks to know Toledo's intentions discovers Treachery and Arms 65. demands assistance from the Princes and Venetians of whom he obtains it 70. consents to a suspension of Arms 78. discovers the designs of Nemours 79. breaks out into a War with Spain invading the Milanese 80. gives battel 81. constant in his Vnion with the Venetians 83. strengthens himself 84. makes progress into Monferrat 99. his magnanimity when betrayed 100. attempts to relieve Vercelli 103. vexed at the loss of it falls into the Milanese 104 offers himself to the Venetians 112. with whom he unites 119. renders what had been taken to the Spaniards 120. adheres to France 124. assists the Bohemians 131. refuses that Crown 136. his ends on the emergencies of the Valteline 162. does not make the Levies promised the Republick 172. undertakes the surprising Geneva 172. stirs up France against the Spaniards 210. and against Genoua 211. is angry not to be seconded by the Venetians 214. tempted by the Spaniards 215. marches towards the Genouese 228. displeased with Desdiguieres 231 232 forced to retire 233. succours Verrua 235 is succoured by the French 236. angry at Richelieu for the peace of Monzon flatters the English and malecontents of the Kingdom 250. suspends Hostility against Genouse 252 applies himself to the affairs of Mantua and joyns with the Spaniards 269. despises the offers of France 270 273. complains of the Marriage of his Niece with Rhetel 273. possesses part of Monferrat 282. is stirred up against Genoua ibid. denies passage to the French 286. endeavours to sow jealousie betwixt France and the Republick 292. refuses conditions offered by that Crown 299. is succoured by the Governour of Milan ibid. indeavours to stop that Kings march 300. and make peace with him on any conditions 301 avoids executing the Treaty of Susa 303. leans to the Emperour 311. endeavours again to stop the French 319. disgusts increase betwixt him and Richelieu 323. flies from Rivoli 324. discharges the Ambassadour of Venice ibid. flings himself into the arms of the Austrians 325. and is succoured by them 325 angry with Spinola 339. dyes and judgment upon his life 340 Carlo Emanuel the Second Duke of Savoy dyes judgment of his death 434 Charles Lodowick Palatine goes towards Alface arrested Prisoner and set at liberty 471 Charles Prince of Wales goes into Spain to demand the Infanta in Marriage 195. not granted by the Spaniards marries a Sister of the King of France 207. succeeds into the Crown of England to his Father endeavours the restitution of the Palatine and to relieve Breda 220. is disgusted with France 221 255. is displeased with the Austrians 240 sends a Fleet against Spain ibid. his ingaging with other Princes against France 251 endeavours the relief of Rochel in vain 289 jealous of the designs of France upon Flanders 399 100.
Treaty transported to Rome 181. and at Madrid a depositing is spoken of ibid. Feria concludes apart with the Grison 182. the Spaniards offer the deposition to the Pope 199. who accepts it 220. with dislike of the Confederates 220 204. yet consented to by the Ambassadour Sillery 205. the French change afterwards the form of the Negotiation 206. demand of the Pope the redelivery of the Forts 209. take arms ibid. which are moved 333. with advantage to the Confederates 334. to the resentment of the Pope and the Austrians 218. the Arms of the Confederates advance into the two Counties 222. are stopped at Riva 224. those situations described ibid. and several factions 225. the Confederates endeavour an accord betwixt the Valteline and the three Leagues 240. conditions of the peace of Monzon 243. are executed in the Valteline 252. new designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. enter there again with their arms 400. with various success 409. are at last driven out of it 428 Venetian Ships defend the French in the Port of Alexandretta 296 Venice its original undertakings and increase from the first to the tenth page Venetians exhort the Duke of Savoy to peace 12. assist him of Mantua 13. recall their Ambassadour in Turin 15. arm 16. molested by the Uscocchi 18. besiege Segna 23. increase their strength 27. endeavour peace 35. give audience to Piscina Ambassadour of Savoy ibid. resent the injuries of the Uscocchi 36 37. send Renieri Zeno to Milan and Turin about peace 39. strengthen themselves more and more 44. Warrant for the Treaty of Asti 49. moderate their assistance to the Duke of Mantua ibid. their reason of resentment against the Uscocchi 53. suspend Hostility 54. invade the Territory of the Archduke 55. justifie themselves for it 59. draw off from the siege of Gradisca 64. reject the Popes propositions ibid. after many consults resolve to assist the Duke of Savoy 70. endeavour to adjust him with Mantua 85. molested by Ossuna arm at Sea 93. refuse the assistance of the Turks 96. complain of the actings of Ossuna 98. invite the Princes of Italy to an Vnion ibid. inlarge their assistances to Savoy ibid. revoke their powers for peace from Madrid 104. invaded by Toledo 111. arm more and more by Sea 117. deny passage by Sea for the assistance of Ferdinand 119. a new League with Savoy ibid. dissemble the conspiracy though discovered 121. deny assistance to the Bohemians 131. interest not themselves in their Treaties at Constantinople 151. by many Princes sought to for assistance ibid. deny the Transilvanian 157. troubled at the revolt of the Valteline sollicitous for a remedy 159. in particular of the French 162. of the Pope 165 of the King of England 167. agree with the Duke of Savoy for new Levies 172. assist the Hollanders 179. hire Mansfelt into their service 182. dissent from the enterprise on Genoua 212 228. endeavour to divert the King of France 214. strengthen themselves 215. flattered by the Austrians separate not from the French 226. refuse the offers of the Turks assistance 227. counsel the invasion of the Milanese ib. but refuse to do it alone 228 234. increase their Troops in the Valteline 237. endeavour peace betwixt England and France 252 266. approve the Treaty of Monzon 253. deny succours to Dourlach and the King of Denmark 258. their thought concerning the succession of Mantua 271. lured by the Imperial Ministers 274. carry into Spain offices for peace 280. consult about the interests of Mantua 276. resolve together with France to assist Nevers 280. incourage him 284. consent to joyn with France 285 292 298 give money to the Duke of Mantua 286. 302. send an Ambassadour into France 300. resolve to invade the Milanese 301. are withheld by the Treaty of Susa 302. tempted by the Austrians 309. resolve to maintain Mantua 309 312. with great forces 312. sollicite the King of France 315. distasted with the Pope 319. deliberate about driving the Germans out of their Quarters 331. threatned by the Germans in several places 333 337. not frighted at the disaster of Valezza 333 337. jealous of the Sea-coast 337. denying passage to the Spanish Fleet they with their own Gallies conduct the Queen of Hungary to Trieste 338. participate of the concerts of France with the King of Swede 341. send Ambassadours to Ratisbone 442. refuse to sign the Treaty of Peace without the French 346. sollicited by them put a Garrion into Mantua 354. will not interest themselves in the designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. deny assistance to the King of Swede 360. displeased with the Pope for several causes 364 365 385 414. refuse to assist the Emperour 369. at also to have any hand in the concerts about Sabioneda 370. and to correspond with the Duke of Savoy after having taken the Title of King of Cyprus 384. and to unite with the King of France 386. resolute in neutrality betwixt the two Crowns 400. 402. endeavour Peace 413. deny passage to the French and Germans 419. after the death of the Duke of Mantua imploy offices for that House 435. reform their Militia and discharge the Treasury of debts 436. interpose betwixt France and the Princess of Mantua 489. stand and pause after the Victory at Vallona against the Barbary Pirates 419. they arm and demand assistance of the Christian Princes 452. send an Ambassadour to the Pope 457. remain still neutral in the affairs of Piedmont betwixt the two Crowns 400. incline to compose with the Turk 466. and approve the Treaty 467. sollicite the Pope to mediate for the Peace of Italy 473. resolve to interpose with offices betwixt the Pope and Duke of Parma 509 511. excluded out of the Treaty 511. grow jealous 512. also for a report of the designs of the Barberins upon Mirandola 516. relieve Parma with money 518. and Modena with Troops ibid. and refuse to concur to invade the Ecclesiastick State 520 incommodate with their Gallies the Commerce of Ferrara 530. excuse not to assist the Emperour 531. and to conferate with France ibid. whose correspondence with Rome they endeavour to restore 541. jealous of the Borders of the Polesene send Troops thither 542. command the possessing of the Banks 545. send their Army to the other side of the River ibid. imploy also their strength by Sea 547. do more than perform the conditions of the League protest to Spain in case of Vnion with the Pope 549. give Troops to the Duke of Parma 558. succour the Great Duke 564. make new agreements for the War and raise Troops with great difficulty 568 Vercelli blocked by the Spaniards and relieved by the Duke of Savoy 82. besieged by Toledo 99. the Duke attempts in vain to bring in powder 100. assaulted ibid. the Duke endeavours to relieve it 103. is rendred ibid. restored to the Duke 123. besieged again by the Spaniards 437. the French succeed not in bringing in relief 438. renders 439 Verrua besieged by the Duke of Feria
admitted either from his inability or kindred he having a Daughter of Carlo's for his Daughter-in-law Those of Luca gave liberty to the Spaniards to make Levies in their State and the Genouese were exempted from their assistance by the necessity of being vigilant for their own safety round about them and by their known aversion to the Savoyards Besides all this many private men of the richest having their private interests dis-joyned from the publick furnished the King upon several conditions with some millions So did Italy study to overcome it self by it self The Venetians who in the long Peace had for the honour and safety of the one and the others Fortune gathered together a great Treasure had now in pay 12000 Italian Foot divided into four Bodies the Commanders of which were Camillo Cauriolo Giovanni Baptista Martinengo Giacomo Giusti and Antonio Savorgniano Giovanni Baptista General of the Infantry being dead in a decrepit age they received into their service Pompeo Justiniani a Genouese who had made himself a name in the War of Flanders To visit the places and particularly Peschiera to the end the Fortifications might be reformed to the use of modern defence they sent three Senators Giovanni Garzoni Nicholo Contarini Benedetto Tagliapietra who joyning with Lando General and Girolamo Cornaro chief Commissary upon hearing the opinions of the Chief of the Army should resolve upon that which was judged fit Hereupon they resolved to levy 3000 Foot more desiring they might be strangers in regard Italy degenerating by idleness hath with liberty lost military vertue Order was given to the Ambassadour Barbarigo to conclude a League with the two Cantons Zurich and Bern which consisted in promises from the Republick to assist them with a sum of money if they should be invaded and for the Cantons to permit the Levy of 4000 Foot of their Nation whenever they should have occasion in consideration whereof it was agreed that the two Cities should each receive a yearly pension of 5000 Ducats conformable to the custom of the greater Potentates from whom the Helvetians extract gold with their Valour and their Swords The League notwithstanding was not yet published because to assure the passages in the Grisons Country it was agreed that Barbarigo should go thither with the Ambassadours of the two associated Cities That people who of their government make a mystery also of trade and gain unmindful of the benefits received from the Common-wealth of their own liberty and of their obligation to open the passage to the Cantons suffered themselves to be seduced by the Ministers of France and Spain to deny it Both the Crowns agreed therein to the admiration of many because if it served the Spaniards turn for the subjecting of Italy to shut up every passage whence it might have relief it did as much disserve France who by frustrating the union of the Republick with the Grisons helping to introduce the Spaniards there it was clearly evident that they prevailing in cunning power and money would quickly exclude the French themselves Barbarigo could not overcome the opposition therefore going on to his Ambassie for London leaves in Zurich Christofero Suriano Secretary resident in Helvetia In the beginning of this year the Governour of Milan appeared at the head of a flourishing Army of 30000 men The Savoyard had not above 17000 but if in the one the valour of the General was wanting in the other the courage of the Duke supplied it The Prince of Castiglione by order of Matthias who complained that he had been left out in the project of Peace and that the judgment of the Dukes pretensions were deferred to others sends to Carlo the intimation of the Imperial Ban. He imprisoning him that secretly put it into his hands amongst other papers appeals with many protestations of obedience to the Emperour himself who without much ado at the intercession of the Dukes of Saxony from whom the House of Savoy boasts its Original le ts all things fall into silence and oblivion The Duke himself by means of the Venetians renews the project heretofore set on foot by Castiglione of the reciprocal Marriages of Margaret and Eleonora with Ferdinand and Vittorio with equal Dowries and with a certain Parcel of Monferrat which might regulate the Borders but it behoving Ferdinand to depend too much upon the Spaniards it served for nothing but to give time to Carlo the better to justifie himself and inveigh in discourse by endeavours and in print against the Government of Spain For this purpose served wonderfully certain Dispatches directed from Madrid to Inoiosa which falling into the hands of Carlo gave him means to publish the Orders they contained to invade Piedmont without delay before the friends of Carlo and those that emulated the Crown could be ready to relieve it Upon this Intelligence Carlo sollicites those far off and stirs up those that were near But many believing that a bridle was more necessary than spurs to his fiery spirit in place of assistance counselled him to incline to Peace James King of England hiding the intern weakness of his Kingdom under a great Cloak of Authority and honouring his own quiet with the name of Studies and Learning contributes nothing but his good offices commending him to the Venetians as a Prince animated with the ancient Genius Valour and Lustre of Italy and for a better appearance orders his Ambassadour at Venice to go and reside in Piedmont The Hollanders forbid the Levies to the Count of Nassau which Carlo desired and in France some paid the penalty of having transgressed the Kings Orders by going to serve him Carlo to justifie himself in that which was imputed to him viz. that too immoderately he desired War calling one day the Ministers of Princes then with him desires their advice to what conditions they would counsel him to condescend protesting that bating Dignity which was the Pupil of Principality he was willing to any thing The Ambassadours of England and Venice applauding greatly his understanding of things carried it to the Governour but he finding himself not yet authorized nothing could be done but to expect the resolutions from Spain whither the Senate with serious Letters to the King himself ceased not to exhort earnestly to Peace At last the Spanish Ministers explain themselves That at the intercession of so many Princes the King did graciously oversee all that humiliation which he might pretend from the Duke but did require for the publick Peace his disarming no less than the adjustment of the differences with Ferdinand Upon which they declared themselves more fully to Monsieur de Sillery That it was to be understood that Carlo retaining convenient Garrisons should disband his Army and the Emperour should be Judge of their pretensions of Monferrat in the mean time Hostility and offences ceasing the places possessed with the Prisoners should be restored They promise moreover so to dispose of their Army that no Prince of Italy shall have cause to be jealous of it
sort ingrafted as may be said that the cause became common and therefore the Narrative with equal exactness ought not to be omitted Carlo covering with a profound dissimulation the jealousie he had of Toledo sends at his arrival in Milan the Seignor de Parela not so much to complement him as to penetrate his intentions and insinuate to him the conveniencies in fulfilling the Treaty of Asti with restitutions and disarming If the Governour was new in his Office he shewed himself also a very Novice in the discourse of Treaties and Peace and so clearly expresses himself That he knew not to what a powerful King could be obliged That he was bound to no Law or Contract but his own moderation and clemency And if Carlo would make tryal of it and cast himself upon his favour and Royal arbitrement he should experience that the bounty of a great Prince is the only restraint of his power As to the disarming he declares That the Reputation of the King the State of Italy the Motions of the Venetians and the Concernments of Ferdinand did not permit it From such an answer was clearly understood the sum of Toledo's instructions to consist in breaking the Treaty of Asti to re-establish either by Arms or Treaty the pre-eminency of that Crown in Italy The Duke neverthess upon his perswasions is reduced to write into Spain and make some kind of excuse for the things past and press for the fulfilling of that Treaty but at the same time came Orders to the Governour of Milan to press the Duke to ask pardon to refer himself concerning the Capitulation to the Royal Favour and that Maurice the Cardinal his Son should go to the Court of Spain All this being a bitter Pill for Carlo to swallow Toledo sweetens it with an offer to give him assistance to recover Geneva and reclaim that City from disobedience to their Prince and their Apostasie from the Faith This did not at all satisfie the wary and wise disposition of the Duke and so much the less for having towards the end of the past year discovered some practices of the Government against his own person and came daily more and more to know that the eldest Prince his Son had been tempted by the Spaniards to solicite the Succession though he that retained towards his Father an affection equal to veneration resisted all their suggestions There was a Treaty in Zuccarello to deliver that place to the Spaniards which came to be discovered and the flight of the Colonel Allardi Provencal who passed from the Service of the Duke to that of the Governour of Milan confirmed it He gives out that the Savoyards held Intelligence in several places of the Milanese and particularly in Pavia But the Duke denied every thing bitterly complaining that Toledo should lay Plots to intrap him corrupted the Governors of his places received his Rebels and debauched his Souldiers Preparations for War were now strongly carried on and the Agent of France being gone to Milan to endeavour means to bring the Treaty to effect Toledo inveighing against the Duke sollicited France to force Carlo to lay down Arms promising that when by the restitutions he should have shewn the respect due Spain should leave nothing to be desired from its just Greatness declaring nevertheless that the present Arms tending to the relief of the Archduke and to bring the Venetians to a Peace were to be reputed out of this case and the obligation of laying them down But Carlo sustained that by the Treaty not only himself but all Italy ought to be freed from the Jealousie of his Arms and offered the restitutions whensoever Toledo should first disarm These then were the steps to a new War in Piedmont and Carlo informing the Princes especially those which were Protectors of the Treaty of Asti represented the opposition of the Governour and with his own suspicions the common dangers The Pope to prevent the impendent mischieves appoints for Nuntio Extraordinary Alessandro Lodovisio Archbishop of Bologna The King of England presses anew that the Republick and the Duke would enter into the Northern League but they thinking it not an adequate remedy for the diseases of Italy King James applies himself to the ways of procuring Peace For the same purpose arrives from France Monsieur de Bethune Ambassadour in Italy and under-hand proposes a Marriage betwixt Christina the Kings Sister and Vittorio Prince of Piedmont But Carlo receives it with a kind of distrust as if it aimed at disarming and amusing him France to say truth was not now in a condition to give the Duke that assistance of Arms which he earnestly required for d'Ancre governing all by private Counsellors grounding himself upon the Marriages contracted with Spain and the impressions he received from that Crown had perswaded the Queen to imprison the Prince of Conde upon which many withdrew from Court complaining that promises and treaties served but to insnare and make ridiculous the unwary So that the Duke of Savoy had little more hope of assistance left than of the Venetians who by the Jealousie they received from Toledo and for the Declarations of the King in favour of the Archduke were very much perplexed The Ambassadour Scaglia then coming into the Senate relates the series of the former Negotiations the endeavours of Carlo the answers of the Governour his actions the designs justly giving Jealousie to all but to the Republick and the Duke chiefly mischievous then adds It is known how much Carlo a generous and magnanimous Prince in his consent to the Peace hath considered the satisfaction of the Princes Mediators and particularly of this Republick on whose word and warrant and none other he was willing to let his Arms fall out of his hand And now I beseech you what is the state of Affairs Treaties the just Rules of Friendship are converted into the treacherous snares of interest Heretofore we fought armed but now under the fraudulent name of Peace we find our selves little better than without Arms environed by a most powerful King exposed to dangers It is uncertain how far the Spaniards will extend the greatness of their power and arbitrage If enlarging Dominion be their design no other mans state is more secure than that of Piedmont True it is that my Prince stands the first exposed and although he be strengthened with his own generosity and animated by the hopes of friends yet he hath recourse as to the inviolable Sanctuary of Faith to your assistances He supposes them because of the treaties the promises and your friendship I may say of your own interest but let that be left to be weighed in the scales alone of your greatest prudence 'T is certain that common and greater troubles are at hand Toledo either imposes disarming or threatens War Betwixt two great and little less than equal dangers the Duke must either lose himself in the one or hazard himself in the other Betwixt War and Servitude there is no middle security
But to lose generously the State is a courting of Fortune to stand the shock of death is to yield a little before-hand to the right of Nature but to make himself a Slave what will it be else but to subscribe to the perpetual reproaches of Fame and to the contempt of Posterity Hitherto the Duke hath made resistance he hath done himself right and repaid injuries Mendoza 's provocations have not gone scot-free and now Toledo would overcome him with treaties promises and threatnings But Carlo supported by your constant friendship will equally despise their flatteries and their frights It properly belongs to your greatness and wisdom to blunt the edge of that injury which is offered to the Word and Honour of Princes and to resist that pride which thinks it self of no authority if not feared Does Philip possibly forget the so many Kingdoms which he enjoys largely scattered in all the parts of the world Do not the States of Italy suffice which heretofore made several Princes great If Piedmont be not added to it Monarchy it seems they conclude will fall to the ground without glory discredited and neglected It is O Fathers too true that ambition hath placed the Centre and from thence it seems they draw the circumference The Conquest of Piedmont is but a step of ascent to the Monarchy of Europe the States the Treasures Liberty Dignity this very Capital City which is the representative of the felicity and beauty of Italy is destinated in their hopes to spoil to fire and to slavery Now at length they thrust themselves into your rights they assume the interests they divert resentments and just revenge and under the specious title of assisting the weaker they aim at nothing but establishing Authority and Power What more remains there in Italy free and beautiful when the glory of this Republick and the generosity of my Prince shall be laid low Let those dangers and the foreboding of them be far from us O Senators let us joyn here that we may not fear their threatnings nor experience the loss of our Arms and if we shall be necessitated to make use of them the labour will be gloriously crowned by our constancy Carlo is displeased to be a burden before he can be of service to you but he has heretofore offered you all he hath and now he makes a present of his very will to you Direct his Arms by your counsels who therein will be your faithful friend and an inseparable follower in this cause in which not glory only but common safety is in question Scaglia by this discourse aimed to incite mens minds to those two affections which in Republicks composed of many are powerful enough the one relating to private men the other to Princes that is scorn and suspicion But Carlo at Turin to the Ambassadour Anthonio Donato used with great art incitements yet more moving for discoursing things more narrowly with themselves and of the means of defence he represented his state wasted with the late Wars incapable to withstand the burden for the time to come leaving him to comprehend that the Common-wealth not stepping in with effectual assistance he should be forced by necessity to some kind of agreement though disadvantagious in which case the whole power of the Arms of Spain besides that of the Archdukes might fall upon them alone The Senate being obliged to deliberate upon so weighty a matter it was the opinion of some that so many other Princes equally Trustees for the Peace of Asti standing Spectators or at least interposing nothing but desires and endeavours the Republick alone ought neither to espouse so great a quarrel against so potent a King Saying That Wars were the Crisis and most dangerous sickness of States subject to chance to accidents and the uncertainty of the remedies themselves If the Republick found one War at present not a little burdensom why would they distract their thoughts and forces into two several parts Have they possibly so much assurance of the Dukes faith or so great proof of his constancy that it is firmly to be believed that one day either beaten or flattered he will not abandon us must the Army of Piedmont be maintained by the Treasure of the Republick But what Treasury will be able sufficiently to supply two such devouring Gulphs The beginning of a War was ready and easie the progress of it difficult and the issue uncertain In sum that Fortune makes sport with Princes and that of Princes those prevail who with the greatest powers are able to weary the adversity of Fortune That the Republick in times of greatest straight was wont to make use of the prudence of Councils before the noise of Arms whilst in affairs most difficult time is the fittest and most wary Counsellor which oftentimes gains that which Fortune cannot give To the most powerful what is the benefit of being Conquerours And of the conquered how many are the dangers and losses which they reckon Their Judgment therefore was not to pass beyond the offices of a good amity with Carlo and that in other Courts they should imploy their exhortations to Peace But Nicolo Contarini a Senator of a warm spirit abhorring such slow opinions spake in this manner Whilst we lose the occasion of the present Conjuncture and thereby declare our opinions that affairs for the future will go on prosperously without our mingling in them we our selves by our own Counsels greaten the Enemy We have so long neglected injuries that now being proceeded to violence we ought no longer to suffer them nor indeed can we God presents us an occasion for our constancy and withal gives us for a Companion in it a Prince generous in common Interest Can we possibly have a mind to expect the enjoyment of our liberty precariously at the will of the Governour of Milan He violates Faith and Treaties forces Savoy to obedience threatens our Dominions which to you is so much the more compulsive or more miserable by how much reason and justice trod under foot by the more powerful do not give their votes for the Princes Shall free Princes then take up just Arms but at the good pleasure of another and must they expect no Peace but upon servile Conditions Let the generosity of Italy once awaken and let us hear words worthy of Princes But I would to God it were permitted at present to resolve upon that which the Dignity the Decorum and Expediency requires and that necessity interposed not with Counsels more resolute and precise Fathers if we will not have the War in our bowels we must resolve to nourish and keep it afar off Well is that Treasure spent and most happy those cares if they can remove from us the miseries the calamities and the mischiefs which Armies bring with them From Carlo what hostage of gratitude and what pledge of faith can we have more sincere than the drawing the Enemy into his own Country And if we will have him yet more secure how