The history of the wars of Italy from the year MDCXIII to MDCXLIV in XVIII books / written originally in Italian, by Pietro Giovanni Capriata ... ; and rendred in English by Henry Earl of Monmouth.

THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. (Book 9)

BOOK IX. (Book 9)

The Contents:

BY relief of Moneys and Victuals sent from Spain, and Men from Na∣ples, Genoa is comforted in the midst of her troubles; she is incou∣raged by the wants of the Enemies Army, and through the disagreeing of their Commanders; and is at last wholly freed by Friends coming into the Field with a powerful Army. The Enemies Army retreats from the Enterprise of Genoa, and attemps Savona; but being overtaken by Feria, retires to Piedmont. Feria takes the City of Acqui; he goes afterwards to Asti, and from thence to Verrua; where he stays long to little purpose, leaving many of his men behind him; and being forc'd to give over the Enterprise, returns with his Army much lessened, into the State of Millain: many actions happen at the same time in the besieging and defending of Riva di Chiavenna; wherein the Spaniards have still the better of the French; they drive the French at last out of the Valto∣line, and raise the Siege of Riva. The English Fleet falling upon Spain, is repuls'd; and having in vain endeavoured to take the Plate-Fleet which came from America, retires into England, torn by Tempests. A Discourse upon the quality and usual Navigation of the Plate-Fleet: the Apostolick Legate returns from France to Rome; and is sent from Rome to Spain; whither being come, he finds the Peace concluded be∣tween the two Crown•…•…; and the Affairs of I•…•…aly, and of the Valtoline, composed. The Pope, and all the Princes of the League are very much displeased with this Peace; as also all the Princes, and the Court of

France. Some of them do therefore conspire against the Kings person, In pursuance of the Peace, the Forts of the Valtoline are restored, and demolish'd. New occasions of disgust between the Genoese, and the Duke of Savoy. The Duke of Guise his Fleet goes from Marcelles, and comes to Ligorne; and returns from thence to Marcelles, without having done any thing. The Duke of Mantua dies; and long after, his Brother, who succeeded him in his Principality. The Genoese Factors, who were interessed with the Crown of Spain, are much prejudiced in their private fortunes, by reason of the alteration of Payments, and of other Decrees, made to their prejudice, by the King.

BUt the troubles and dangers of Genoa, which were not much compassionated in Italy, met with more favour and benignity from the hands of God: whose anger, the Senators being de∣sirous by all means possible to appease, publick Processions and Vows were added to the private Prayers and Processions which were privately made in Churches, and in holy places; their Piety seemed to be presently seconded by Gods goodnesse; for at the same time that the Doge, Senate and People, were pouring forth Prayers to Almighty God for publick preserva•…•…ion, a Galley entred the Haven which brought in her a Million of Ducates from Spain: a favour the more singular, by how much more necessary for the present need; and which was acknowledged to proceed the more from Divine mercy, in that it came when least expected; for two days before the arrivaly of this Galley, news came from Corsica, that the same Galley being gone from Genoa 15 days befo•…•…e, fearing to be discovered by the Fleet that lay at Marcelles, had lanch'd out into the Sea, and was driven by the wind upon that Island, where the Genoese thought her to be still de∣tained by the same wind: the news was true, but the conjecture false; for the wind changed there, by favour whereof the Galley came seasona∣bly to Barcellona; and receiving in the moneys, which lay ready there, return'd with great speed and success, to Genoa: soon after some other Gallies appeared, which brought with them six Millions more from Spain; whereby the Commonwealth abounding in money was large∣ly inabled to supply her urgent necessities; and the private men of Ge∣noa, to whom those moneys belonged, having redeemed their credit, were able not only to furnish Feria with moneys, to hasten the Levies of the Dutch, and for other necessaries for marching into the Field against the Confederates Army: but also, moreover, to provide for the Ar∣mies in Flanders, according to their obligations with the Court of Spain.

The Rivals of the Genoese grandezza were astonished, and not with∣out reason, when they saw their Common-wealth, which they held to be in a perishing condition, not only able to subsist, and to maintain her self, but to administer help to Forre•…•…gn Armies, and make them move to their prej•…•…dice who had plotted her ruine: Nor were her enemies less amazed, whose whole thoughts were set upon her extirpation; so as instead of flocking to so rich and plentiful a prey, they began to fall from their hopes of success; just as befel Hannibal, who whilst he was with an Army before the walls of Rome, understood that some L•…•…gions were sent out by other Gates, to recruit the Spanish Armies, sent into

that Province. They fell yet further from their hopes, when they heard that great succours of men were almost at the same time come to Genoa: For from Millain (to boot with those that were sent with Guasco) came the Cavallier Pecchio, after the loss of Gavio and Ottagio, with part of his own Brigad•…•…e, and part of those of Modena and Parma, which did amount in all to about 3000 Foot; and the Marquess della Croce came about this time to the City with 33 Galleys, wherein were 4000 Foot, all very good men, and whereof 2000 were Veterane Souldiers, trained up in the Wars of Flanders; and a little before 1500 Neapoli∣tans were come thither in some Galleons: The Sicillian Galleys came also thither with 600 Spaniards, which were sent by Ianettino Doria, Vice roy of that Island, at his own expence, in defence of his Coun∣try: Marquess Bozzolo came thither also with his three brothers, 800 Foot, and 200 Horse, besides Infantry, which came daily from Na∣ples; so as with these, and those which Guasco brought from the State of Millain, those that were sent from Lucca, and those which came (though somewhat late) from Germany, the Commonwealth was in a short time provided with about 15000 paid Foot, for defence of the State and City; besides many Commanders, and people of Quality, and experience, who were brought thither from several parts upon ex∣traordinary pay: By means of these Forces, and of her own people, who were very vigilant in defending their Country and Liberty, and with the Militia of the State, the Affairs of the State were prettily well secur•…•…d, and almost brought into a condition of safety. The Popes Galleys, and those of the Great Duke, came along with Sancta Croce, which returning from Marselles, whither they had carried •…•…he Legate, and meeting with Sancta Croce, as he came from Naples to the relief of Genoa, turned back the same way, by Orders directed to the Captains from their Princes, which Orders Sancta Croce brought with him: it was not thought strange that the Great Duke should issue out such Orders, who profest himself a friend to Spain, and to the house of Au∣stria; the Popes Concession came more unexpected, he being com∣monly held to be not only averse to the Spaniards, but to joyn in ends with their Rivals; and the French Embassadour Resident at Rome, did exclaim much against it; yet it was thought that the Pope to remove so great suspic•…•…ons which were had of him, had done it at the perswasi∣ons of the Duke of Pastrana, who press'd very much for it. The first thing that was consulted of in Genoa, was, touching the whole matter of defence; they all joyn'd in opinion, That being now only to minde defence, their first care should be to defend the City, the Head of the State, and to •…•…efend Savona, a principal Member thereof, and hold them play till either the Enemies Army should grow less, which was said to moulder daily away, or till •…•…he Duke of Feria might assault them in the Field, and drive them out of the Common-wealths Territories. Seeing therefore that the loss of la Riviera, as long as Genoa and Savo∣na should be preserved, did not at all concern the main business, they took not much care to defend it, that they might not disfurnish the City of a Garrison in a time of such danger, nor hazzard her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 never so little, to be insulted over by the Enemies Army, which being so neer, when they should see those who were come in to her succour imployed

in defending la Riviera, might approach her Walls, and attempt an as∣sault: howsoever, what should be lost would be easily recover'd, if Genoa and Savona should be kept, by reason of the situation of la Ri∣viera, which being naturally open and undefensible is soon taken by any that will endeavour it; and when the danger of the neighbouring Army should be over, it would be more easily recovered by the Com∣monwealth, then by any others, as well by reason of the peoples incli∣nation, (who by reason of the interests they have in the City, and by their continual necessity of providing things necessary from thence, would desire to return to their ancient obedience;) as also that the Commonwealth being master at Sea, it would be very hard for any who should hold the Town to defend it against a Fleet at Sea; and yet though so many succours, come suddenly, were sufficient to secure the present condition of affairs, yet were they not sufficient to free the Commonwealth wholly from the imminent danger of the neigh∣bouring Army; and much less to free the Genoese from fear, who were troubled at the successful proceedings of the Enemy in Rossigli∣one, Ottaggio, Gavio and la Riviera del povente; and being still full of anxiety, could not be at quiet, whilst they were still subject to be mo∣lested by the Enemies Amry; and it being requisite to expect the total freedom of the Sta•…•…e of Millain, though it were hindred by many im∣pediments, the Genoeses were still fearful, and full of troubles; for together with the want of people which the State was in, the Dutch not being yet arrived, the defence of la Riva (which was a great curb to the French and Venetians) not being to be abandoned, kept the Go∣vernour from thinking of relieving Genoa. Count Iovanni Serbellone was there (as hath been said) well fortified on all sides; and to keep the Enemy the further off, he had extended his Fortifications on the left side, by which you come from the Valtoline, even to the Town of Campo, (a Town upon the River of the Lake) wherewith he incom∣passed that Town and la Nova, which did almost joyn upon la Riva. The Count being past over (as hath been said) to the other side, into the Valtoline, with the greatest part of his men, was very intent upon f•…•…eeing himself of that hinderance which cross'd his designs and pro∣ceedings: being therefore resolved to attempt the Town of Campo first, to keep it from being defended, he made la Riva be assaulted on the opposite side, by those who he had left in Chiavenna, as he returned into the Valtoline: to the end that when he should assault Campo with his whole body he might the more easily take it: he mist of his intent, though his design succeeded; for those few defendants who remained to defend Campo, when la Riva was assaulted on Chiavenna's side, did so stoutly maintain the defence, as they got time to be succour'd; for Count Iovanni leaving Chiavenna well defended, came himself in person with many men to Campo, where the Siege was more fierce: so as the defendants increasing in number courage and valour, a strong conflict was begun; which being often re-inforced by the French, Coure perceiving that his enterprise succeeded not so easily here, as in the Valtoline, against the Forts which were guarded by the Ecclesiasticks; and remembring that he had left 400 of his men before that assault, and that many others were wounded, he withdrew into his Quarters: •…•…a∣ving

done but little harm to the defendants, whereof hardly 20 were slain; though they were plaied upon by the French Artillery, placed in fitting places.

After this Count Iovanni found that Campo, as being too far from la Riva, was dangerously defended; wherefore resolving to give it over, he made his Fortifications more inwards towards the Town of Nova; and the French, who could not take that Town by force, see∣ing it abandoned, went immediately thither, took it without any diffi∣culty, and fortified it; and not satisfied with this, they would advance to the top of the little Hill, that they might go by that way to Chiaven∣na, and fight the Garrison that was there: but they failed of their in∣tent by the gallant resistance which the defendants made, who oppo∣sing all their Forces, had always the better of them: wherefore Coure, who desired still to joyn with those that were at Chiavenna, and to make them come unto him, was forc'd to make them pass over hither, and come to Campo by a further way about, and over craggy Moun∣tains: in which passage the French having, possess'd themselves of the tops of the higher Mountains which over looked the little Hill of Riva, they threw down great stones into the Valley which lay under the little Hill, wherewith they did much annoy the Rampiers, and the Defen∣dants, who would not have been able to defend that so important stati∣on long, had not Count Giovan sent a good many Souldiers to the tops of those Mountains to drive them from thence; and herein he suc∣ceeded happily, for the French being unexpectedly assaulted; threw away their Arms, and begg'd their lives: but their prayers prevailed not; for being made prisoners, and tied back to back with ropes, they were tumbled down the same precipices, which was a most horrible spectacle. Coure for all these unfortunate accidents would not give over the Enterprise, but fell from assaults to Siege: those of la Riva received Victuals and Succours by two several passages, the one by the Lake, the other by Land: by the Lake, by Boats, which past from the lower Lake into the lesser one; and by Land, by Conducts which were brought to the Territories confining upon Chiavenna, by the three Chappels of ease which lead to Riva. Coure possess'd himself of these ways, and placing part of the Garrison of Chiavenna to defend them, he block'd up that passage; and having the coming of Victuals by Land, he endeavoured to do the like by water: he, by the help of expe∣rienced Artificers, and Mariners, brought from the Arsenal of Venice, built certain Boats and Brigantines; and putting them armed into the water, he made himself master of the little Lake, and of the Channel by which Boats came with Victuals and Ammunition to those of Riva: remedies were found for both these inconveniences; for Count Io∣vanni sent men to Riva, who taking from the French the Fortifications which they had possess'd themselves off, made the way open, and ren∣dred that pass free for Provisions and Succour; and the Duke of Feria, having also sent for experienced Ship-wrights and Mariners from Ge∣noa, he also put other Barques and Brigantines into the River, which be•…•…ng well armed and man'd, and some pieces of Artillery being placed in fitting palces upon the side of the Lake, kept the way open as well by Water, as by Land, for Victuals and other Provisions, and forth∣with

freed la Riva from being besieged: but Coure's men being this mean while much recruited by more men and moneys sent by the Ve∣netians, who desired to see that Enterprise ended, to the end that when the French should fall upon the State of Millain, they might also as∣sault it on their side; and new Regiments of Souldiers being come un∣to him from the Swissers and Grisons, Feria being very careful to de∣fend that pass, sent 2000 of those Dutch thither who came fi•…•…st to the State of Millain: which hapned very opportunely; for Coure being thus recruited would needs go to assault la Riva, and do his utmost to take it; and he found the Defendants also recruited, who marching into the Field encountered the Enemy in a little Plain, beyond Nova, and fought them; the Combate was very fierce and stoutly fought on all sides; and the French being often times recruited the Fight conti∣nued till night; upon the coming on whereof, the French were forced to retreat with the loss of many of their men; and could not only not come neer Riva, but forsaking Campo, withdrew into their Quarters about Vico and Vercei, which were lower, and farther distant from Ri∣va. These happy successes afforded the Duke of Feria breath, he thought himself so safe from assaults on that side, as he might have more leasure to think upon the affairs of Genoa, in the freeing whereof the Victory in all parts did depend: but the delay of the Dutch was a great hinderance to it, which did proceed not only from the endeavours to the contrary of the Confederates, and of the French, but also from the avarice of the Cantons who were to permit them to pass; who be∣ing Creditors to the Crown of Spain for pay, denied them passage till they were paid their Arraers; and the Governour being in great want of money, much time was required to get the moneys wherewith to sa∣tisfie them, before the coming of the Gallies from Spain to Genoa: nor would they grant them free passage when they were satisfied, as they had granted to the French, but with many limitations, which caused much delay; and the Governour being much sollicited by the Geno∣eses, whom he could not please before the arrival of the Dutch, he made use of appearance, instead of effects; for making all things ready for marching, he went from Millain to Pavia, giving out that he would go to relieve Genoa; and here according to what was published, he was very diligent in making all requisite provisions for that succour, and for the people who came daily from Genoa: a shew which was very seasonable, and which was thought did much detain the Enemies pro∣ceeding, who seeing him ready to march, could not without apparent danger to themselves, keep their Quarters, much less could they ad∣vance to their Enterprise; to the home and neighbouring provisions which secured the Genoeses, forreign and further distant accidents were added, which though far enough off, yet made much for their main business; Don Frederico di Tolledo, who was gone with a power∣ful Fleet to recover Brafile, return'd at this time victorious into Spain. and Marquess Spinola after nine moneths Siege took Breda; in the defence and preservation whereof, not only the Hollanders did labour with all their Forces, but the Kings of France, England, Swethland; and Denmark: so as the Fleet which was return'd from Brasile, was a strong defence to the Mediterranean, against the English and the Flemish

Fleets, if entring the Mediterranean they should make for Genoa; so also the Flanders Army, being freed from besieging Breda, might commodiously and without any impediment go whither it listed, and keep France in j alousie, which was then rent and disturbed with home discords; and when the affairs of Genoa, wherein that Crown was so concern'd, should require it, it was sufficient by molesting that King∣dom on that side, to divert France from offending the Genoeses; and the King of Spain, being quite of these two impediments, might im∣ploy grea•…•…er Forces in defence of the State of Genoa: to boot with these two Forreign accidents, whereby the conditions of the affairs of Genoa were bettered; three others which hapned neerer hand, did much impair the affairs of the Confederates Army: the one was, that the Victuals and Provisions in the English Fleet were corrupted, then, when it was ready to put to Sea for Italy; so as it was foced to tarry some moneths to take in new Provisions: another, that the Hereticks in France began again to tumultuate, and the King being necessitated to quench the fire which was kindled in his own house, could not furnish fuel to mantain combustion abroad: the third, that the Duke of Guise, who was to put with his Fleet from Marcelles, notwithstanding the 150000 Du∣cates taken from the Genoeses, and other moneys which the Duke of Savoy furnished him with upon this account, proceeded slowly in his preparations, and could not put to Sea, according to appointment: therefore the Duke of Savoy and the Constable failing in the chief ground-works of their Enterprise, and seeing the Enemies preparati∣ons to increase both in Genoa, and in the State of Millain, they were forced to think more upon their own safeties, then upon the ruine of others. The inward discords of their own Army was also a great break-neck to their affairs; which keeping about Gavio, Ottaggio, and the neighbouring parts, uncertain, and not resolved what to do, be∣gan to want Victuals, the Country being barren, and those spent which were in the Army at its first appearing, and at the taking of Ottaggio; for they could not hope for any from the State of Millain, now that it was provided of Souldiers; and very little came from Piedmont, by reason of the length of the Journey, the difficulty of the Guides and Conducts, and by the hindrances they met with by the Montserrians, who being irritated, and angred at the ill usage they received from the Army, as it passed through their Country, declared themselves fierce Enemies; hindring their Conducts, killing the Conductors, and all such Souldiers, who to get rid of the sufferings of the Camp retired either into France or Piedmont. The trocb'es were no less which they received from the Pozzeveraschy: these are those that inhabit the Val∣leys and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Pozzevera, a Torrent, which falling from the Apenine, and running for the space of ten miles through the Valley which lies beneath, falls into the Sea two miles Westward from Ge∣noa: they are men for the most part given to Husbandry, but very fierce and strong, who having no well-ordered Militia, whereof they are altogether incapable, prove (on the contr•…•…ry) excellent at scattered Enterprises which require neither Discipline nor Order; and particu∣larly in the defence of Passes, and of the neighbouring Mountains, by reason of their experience and practise in those Valleys, and by their

being well vers'd in those craggy Mountains: these men appeared, di∣vided into Troops, on all sides, taking all such of the Enemies party prisoners, who fled from their Quarters for prey, or driven by any other necessity: which hapning often times, did so terrifie the Enemy, as none durst stir from the Camp, for fear of being slain, or taken pri∣soners: so as being in a manner besieged in their Camp, they were forced to keep in; and as by reason of this, and of famine, and other sufferings and sicknesses which began to increase amongst the Souldiery, and by the running away of many the Camp grew daily less; so by the disagreement of the Commanders their main enterprise grew still less prosperous: a manifest disagreement appe•…•…red between the Duke and Constable; which arising at the first out of sleight occasions and jealou∣sies, did daily so increase, as did totally destroy the common resolves. The Constable came into Piedmont, inflamed with high desires, and almost as fervent as the Duke in the business of Genoa: being come neer the Genoese Confines he cooled in his ardour, and seemed (as hath been said) to weigh the condition of the war with too much cau∣tion: so as being much perplext, and unresolved in point of advan∣cing, he proposed the enterprise of Alessandria to the Duke, as being by all the reasons of war, necessary to proceed that of Genoa, wherein he appeared to dev•…•…ate from his former resolutions, and desirous to bu∣sie himself in new wars, and greater troubles, against the State of Mil∣lain; which the Duke being hot in the enterprise, and in his resentment against the Genoese, did absolutely abhor: but the Constable making objections against advancing into the Ligurian Mountains, without having first made sure their retreat; which he said could not be done without taking some strong place, and capable to receive them; the Duke having removed so many difficulties, did by the happy success at Rossiglione, Ottaggio and Gavio, tacitely accuse the Constable of coolness and de•…•…ay; several were the debates and contestings between them touching who should be master of Gavio, and many other things, whereby they came little less then to an open breach: Yet the Duke, lest lesser respects might spoil their greater ends, was content that the Constable should put a Garrison into Gavio, till such time as the King, to whom they both writ, should decide the business; the King return'd an Answer, but in favour of the Constable; at which the Duke was highly scandalized: but the Duke was most of all troubled, for that he did firmly believe the Constable was bribed by the Genoese Gold to delay the business; for to his jealousies which he had in this behalf, even since when he was in Asti, other conjectures were added which made his suspicion the more probable: one amongst the rest; that Ste∣fano Spinola, who was one of the prisoners at Ottaggio, was sent by the Common wealth to try the Constables mind, by the means of Claudio Marini, who was Embassadour from the King, with the Duke, and whose Wife was Spinola's Sister; and to bargain with him, upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a great sum of money, that he would forgo the Duke, and give over the business. This jealousie was occasioned by its being known, that the day before the taking of Ottaggio, Spinola had obtain'd by Marini's means, a safe conduct •…•…rom the Constable to come to the Camp, and speak with his Brother in Law: nor wanted there secret ad∣vertisments

sent craftily from Genoa to the Duke, whereby he was fully informed of these proceedings: he who was naturally suspicious, and prone to give ear unto such informations, and who made himself be∣lieve he had many adherents in Genoa, who did privately favour this his enterprise, began to believe that to be undoubtedly certain, where∣of he had formerly had some deep impressions; especially since the Constable was known to be naturally covetous, the Duke began to impute this his so great change of will, and resolution, to manifest cor∣ruption; and to complain freely enough that he was cousened in this Enterprise; and the news which he affirmed he heard from Piedmont, of the continually passing of French Souldiers through those parts, who returned into France from the Camp, with the Constables Pass, increased these his complaints: from hence (were these relations and suspicions true or false) began reciprocal detractions; and little re∣spect or intelligence was had betwen the Courts of these two great Commanders; and in this interim, the Supream Magistrate of Genoa who was Superintendent in the Government of Affairs, was informed that about 500 Oxen were grazing in the Enemies quarters, which served for the Train of Artillery; and he considering that without those it was impossible for the Enemy to approach the City, and give battery; gave order to the Pozzeveraschy, who by their success were become bold, and formidable to the Enemy, that they should use all means to scatter them; the Pozzeveraschy betook themselves coura∣giously to the business which was hard enough otherwise to be effected: nor was their fortune inferiour to their courage; for coming in the night season to the Enemies quarters, they slew the Sentinels, and came to the Corps de guarde, and entring thereinto, slew many, and many of them endeavouring safety by flight abandoned the Oxen, giving the Pozzeveraschy means not onely to disperse them, but to lead them alive through unusual ways, but which were well known to them into Pozzevera, and from thence to Genoa, to the great joy of the City, and no little praise unto themselves, entring as it were in tri∣umph for having done so generous an action: whereupon the safety of not seeing the Enemies Artillery planted against their Walls did much depend; so as being made unable to move, they could neither come to Genoa, nor return to Piedmont: they were therefore forced to expect carriage Horses from France, which were suddenly given order for; which preparations were afterwards imploied in Italy, for other more necessary occasions of that war: this loss was succeeded by the like of Savignone, which was taken by the same Pozzeveraschy, and by other Mountainers of those parts; where Don Felice was said to be with 200 Foot, but ill provided of Victuals or Ammunition. The Pozzeve∣raschy went thither with 200 Foot which were sent them from Genoa, and being accompanied with many others of the neighbouring Villages, they sat down before the Castle, hoping rather to take it by keeping them from Victuals, then by assault; and they would have soon re∣gained it, and have taken Don Felice prisoner, had not the Duke, ap∣prehending his Sons danger, resolved to free him: he therefore chose 500 of his best Foot, and 50 Horse, and having overcome the asperity of the Mountains, he came so suddenly and unexpectedly upon

the assailants, as quitting their stations, they afforded the Dukes men free access unto the Castle, and conveniency to take the Dukes Son and the whole Garrison out, and to return with them: yet this retreat was not without some trouble and loss unto the Duke; for the Pozze∣veraschy keeping behind him in those rocky Mountains; slew some of his men, amongst which, Crotti, the Dukes chiefest Secretary. The Duke of Feria kept still in Pavia, idle and irresolute; for though a great many of the Dutch were already come; yet could he not march out for want of moneys to pay the Souldiers, and for want of other Pro∣visions; and the fear of breaking with the Crown of France did so per∣plex him, as he knew not what to resolve upon; especially since he had received Orders from the Court, to be very cautious in what he should therein do.

The Duke and Constable being aware of these delays and perplexi∣ties grew more encouraged to persevere in the Enterprise; and being sure that Feria would not second his threats with effects, they were daily less afriad to be assaulted in their quarters; and not having whol∣ly given over their hopes of succour by Sea, and of being recruited from France by Land, they thought they might have more leasure to expect them. The Commonwealth, on the contrary, which had the Confederates Army still within their Dominions; and which was not yet out of fear of the Fleets by Sea, could not be free from apprehensi∣on of danger: wherefore being afflicted with their so long expectation of succour from Millain, they resolved to put it to a push; and sent Iovan Vincenzo Imperiale, Son to Iovan Iacomo, to Pavia, who had been Doge a little before, to the end that by his Reasons, and by mo∣neys, whereof he carried good store with him, he might facilitate the Governours coming into the Field: the resolution was very sea∣sonable, and the expedition very acceptable; for l' Imperiale, being come unto the Governour removed all impediments by his present moneys, and wan so much credite by the efficacy of his perswasions and counsels, as he was admitted into their most secret Consultations, where he wrought it so, as, the Governour laying aside all other re∣spects, resolved to go to the delivery of Genoa: he therefore went with those of Pavia into Alessandria, and prepared to march into the Field, and to fall upon the Confederates with a powerful Army: the Dutch who were come, and who were to come into Italy, were 16000, divi∣ded into four Regiments: one under Baron Papenhaim, another under the Count di Solmes, the third under Count Sultz, and the last (which was not yet arrived,) under Charles Count Mansfield. Besides these, many Horse were come from Polonia and Croatia, to the number of between two and three thousand; to which the Neapolitan and Lom∣barde Horse being added they made up 5000: but because so many Forreigners in the body of an Army, went accompanied with danger of Sedition, Mutiny, and other greater mischiefes; the Governour who had but few home Forces to counterpoise the Forreigners, resol∣ved to take out all the Spaniards and Italians who were in Garrison at la Riva, and send thither a greater number of Dutch in their places: he sent Papenhaim thither with his Regiment, consisting of about 6000 Dutch, to which he added 500 Italian Foot, and 500 Horse; and sent

back for Count Iovan Serbellone with all his Spaniards and Italians, and kept them in his Army: The Duke and Constable grew fearful when they saw so great a body of enemies so neer; (for it was calculated that the Governour, leaving all his Towns well Garrison'd, was to march into the fields with above 20000 Foot, and 4000 Horse) and their hopes of the English Fleet, and of new supplies from France, being vanish'd, they began to see plainly that the business of Genoa grew daily more desperate; and that it became them better to think of retreating then of advancing any further. Leaving therefore Novi and Gavio well munited, and in the latter 19 of their greatest Cannon for Battery, which they could not possibly carry along with them for want of Oxen; and firing Ottaggio they resolved to return into Piedmont by the same way they were come, not having with them above 8000 Foot in very ill order, and 2500 Horse, and some small pieces of Ordnance: It is true they were met in the County of Neice by Prince Victorio, with part of the Garrisons that were left in the Town della Riviera: This was the issue of the ill undertaken Enterprise of Genoa, meted out rather by vast thoughts, and ardent desire of revenge, then by any civil or Mili∣tary wisdom.

When they departed, to the end that their Retreat might be the less dishonourable, they resolved to go to the taking in of Savona: The same, nay greater difficulties opposed this designe, then had done that of Genoa; the same sterility of soil; the difficulty of the ways, un∣proper for the bringing of Artillery; the weakness and small number of those they brought, which were unfit for Battery, especially of such new Fortifications and strong Rampiers as were made to defend the Town; the many Souldiers and Commanders which were gone thi∣ther from Genoa, (for Genoa being freed from danger, they turned all their thoughts and forces upon defending Savona) the smallness and weakness of their Army: whereas on the contrary, that of Millain was multiplied, and ready to march; so as if when their forces were entire and fresh, some of these respects kept her from proceeding against Genoa, whilst the Governour was unprovided, and whilst relief from Naples was not come to Genoa; what could they hope for in so great an altera∣tion of Affairs? But the Duke thought it too great a scorn to be forc'd to return to Piedmont weakened in forces and Reputation, not having done any thing worthy his threats and preparations: He therefore for the honour of their joint forces, and for the performance of what they had agreed upon at Susa, propounded this advancing towards Savona to the Governour; who having been never to be moved in what con∣cern'd the enterprise of Genoa, suffered himself by the Dukes importu∣nities and reproches to be perswaded unto this.

This Enterprise appeared to have two foundations; one, That they had discovered new and precise Orders sent from Spain to the Gover∣nour, whereby he was absolutely forbidden to come to a Battel; where∣fore supposing that all the Forces in the State of Millain would stand idly looking on, they thought any enterprise feasable: The other, for that they had received new advertisement that the Fleet at Marcelles be∣ing come from out that Haven should appear in those Seas with Re∣cruits of men, victuals and munition, at the same time that they should

come to Savona; and that landing a great many men, they would keep between Savona and Genoa out of a double end; The one, to keep re∣lief from Genoa; the other, that they might play upon the City with their great Guns from Sea, whilst it should be assaulted by the land Army; and so to facilitate the surrender of Savona: And to this pur∣pose Prince Victorio had given the Duke of Guise 40000 Ducates, when having taken La Riviera he was in Ventimiglia: Upon these so sleight and weakly-laid foundations they would once more try their fortune: Thus leaving their Quarters they marched through Montferrat towards Acqui, whither they came within a few days without any disturbance; For the Genoeses being more desirous to preserve Savona then to fall upon them in the Reer, sent all their men thither: Nor could the Go∣vernour of Millain, who was come to Alessandria, fall upon them as they retreated, though he intended so to do: For being got on Horse∣back to that end, and being ready in Arms with his forces; as he was saluted according to the Military manner, by a Dutch Company, his Horse rose up on end at the noise of the Musquet shot, and threw the Governour, who was somewhat corpulent, down, so as he was forc'd to keep his bed for some days. Thus their Retreat proved fortunate, though between two enemies Armies; yet as the Reer was bringing up some small pieces of Artillery, with about 800 Horse, they had a bicker∣ing with some Troops of Horse which were quartered in Sesse, a Town of Alessandria, which is upon the way by which the Reer passed: The Encounter was gallant and stoutly fought; the Spanish Horse were fewer in number, but coming to blows had the better of the enemy, with little loss unto themselves; for the French Horse had only breast∣plates on, and the Spaniards were armed at all pieces; so as they slew and wounded the enemy without being hurt themselves: Being at last dis-intangled and got loose, they retreated commodiously. The Ar∣my being come to Acqui, and persevering in their intended march to Savona, they destin'd Acqui, though it were very weakly walled, for a Rendezvouz for their Arms, and for a safety on their backs: where∣fore leaving 3000 of their best Souldiers there in Garison, with all the Ammunition and provision they could bring from Gavio, they march'd on with the rest, which were not above 8000, towards Savona. When they were come to Spigno, a Town which stands in the mid-way, they made Prince Victorio and Marshal Crickey, advance with part of their men to Cairo, which was defended by 250 Neopolitans; and playing upon it with some small Pieces of Artillery, they after having made two shot, took it upon Articles: But the Governour having recovered his •…•…all, and finding that they march'd on still towards Savona, held it now no longer time to stand idle, nor to suffer that Town to be taken whilst he and his Army looked on, which being of such importance to the State of Genoa, was also a great concernment to the Crown of Spain: Setting therefore all other respects aside, he went out of Ales∣sandria with 22000 Foot, all very good men, and with 5000 able Horse, and marched towards Acqui; whether being come, he forthwith pos∣sest himself of all the eminent parts thereabouts, and planted his Bat∣teries; which caused such terrour in the French, who saw how weak their Rampiers were, and that the Citizens would not for the•…•…r sakes

run the hazard of being sack'd, parleyed presently; and agreeing to march out, the Souldiers only with their Swords and Daggers, and the Officers with their Horse and Baggage', but upon obligation to return into France by the Country of the Vallesani, lest they might return to the Army: 2300 Foot marched out; many who through great weakness were not able to go staying behind: They found 17 Banners left there, 500 Barrels of powder, many Sacks of Victuals, many Cannon Bullets, Arms, and artificial Fire-works; and which was more remark∣able, the Dukes Wardrobe, wherein were rich Liveries for Pages and Foot-men, Saddles, Bridles, and other Furniture for Horses, all very richly wrought; and Moveables to a great value, which the Duke had provided, thinking assuredly to enter in triumph into Genoa: So far had this Prince suffered himself to be transported by his aspiring imagi∣nation.

The Duke and Constable, finding by the loss of Acqui (which they heard of in Spigno) the falshood of the Report that the Spanish Forces would not move for fear of disturbing the union and friendship of the two Crowns, they were astonished, seeing in what danger they were of being assaulted by two enemies Armies, being inclosed between them amidst those Cliffs: The Duke hearing the news, got immedi∣ately on Horse-back, and leaving the care of all things wholly to the Constable, went with some few Gentlemen towards Piedmont. The Constable, seeing himself abandoned, termed the Dukes departure down right running away, and complained of his being left to manage the business himself alone; and speedily calling back the Marshal from Cairo, with whom came also Prince Victorio, they went altogether to Bistagno, where there being a Garison, they were received without any withstanding: But being aware that the Governour did advance with part of his forces to fall upon them in that place, and that he had sent another part thereof to hinder their retreat and victuals, they resolved to get out of those streights, and to get into the open fields of Piedmont. The Retreat being thus resolved upon, the Constable and the Marshal, heading the Van, wherein were about 2000 Foot, and almost all the Horse, they parted early in the morning; and marching apace, they came without disturbance to Canelli: The Prince kept in the Reer, wherein were the b•…•…st men; and making the Artillery advance, he also retrea•…•…ed, leaving the place to the enemy; who ere he was well got out entred B•…•…stagnano, and pursued him without any intermission, so fast, as being got near unto him upon the going to of the day, in the Valley of Mun•…•…stero, they faced one another within Musquet shot: Some small Skirmishes passed here, which the night parted, without much loss or advantage to either side: The mean time, the Prince being careful of the Artillery and other incumbrances (which he had much ado to get up the Mountains) made great diligence be made in the climbing up; and at the same time minced his own defence against the enemy, who were at his heels: But hearing that at last the Artillery was got to the Mountains top, he also retreated thither without any trouble; for the enemy having no order to fight, nor to advance, retreated to Bistagno, and suffered them to retreat quietly into Canelli, where he was received by his Father, and by the Constable, with great applause, who had been

in great anxiety for him. The Governour would have made use of the present occasion, and would have assaulted the Reer, and taken away all the Artillery and Baggage; But Don Ieronimo Pimontello, Don Lewis di Cordua, and Don Francisco Padiglia, took him off from so seasonable a resolution; first by perswasions, then by protesting against it; who out of private emulation, envying (as it was thought by many) the glory of so happy an atchievement, proposed unto him the precise Orders of the Court to the contrary; the danger and assured ruine which would insue of things should not succeed well; which if they should do, the good thereof was not to be paralell'd with the danger: For what more can we expect, said they, if we should get the Victory, but the routing of the Re∣liques of a miserable Army, which being already consumed of themselves, cannot prejudice us: but say we should be worsted, what danger would there∣by result to the Kings affairs, both from the Venetians who are ready to make war in the Cremonese; from the French in the Valtoline, and from the Duke and Constable, if they shall have the better of the Conflict? Besides, that the Confederates party, who were now quite overthrown, if they should get heart again by any the least encounter, they would for certain become more fierce and fervent then ever. The Governour, who was better vers'd in State affairs then in what belonged to war, suffer'd himself to be per∣swaded by those who were better experienced in war then he, and so let slip a signal occasion of putting an undoubted end to all the present war with one little action: The like advice being given to the Marquess of San Croce in Savona made him keep from marching out of Savona, and from falling upon the enemy on the Reer in their retreat from Cai∣ro and Spigno; it being certain that if San Croce and the Governour had known how to make use of the occasion by inclosing the enemy in those difficult places, they would undoubtedly have ruined them: And yet the remainders of this Army, ruin'd as it was, which the Spanish Com∣manders thought not worthy their destroying, did within a while after ruine the Governours intire Army; and not long after the Spaniards needed to be protected and defended against those weak remainders: Thus doth Fortune often vary the condition of humane affairs; and the loss of opportunity doth oft times carry victory to those who in all like∣lihood would have been overcome.

The Genoeses being thus freed from fear of the enemies Army; the first thing they did was to think of recovering what they had lost, and of what the enemy were yet masters: The first Town that returned to the obedience of Genoa, was Novi, wherein was a French Regiment under Monsieur della Grange; partly by means of the Pozzeveraschi; partly by the means of the Towns-men and other inhabitants of those parts, who being dispers'd by the war went wandering up and down about the neighbouring Towns. About 300 whereof met at the Ca∣puchins Covent, not far from that Town; part whereof entring by night, by a Vault under ground, into the Town; and being assisted by some of the Burgers who were acquainted with the Plot, first slew the Sentinels, and then forced the Gate della Valle, and let in their Companions by the Portal which they opened with their Axes; who going jointly to the Gate della Strada, where most of the French Gar∣rison were, they put them to the Sword, and made themselves masters

of the Gate: Then running about the Town, and putting it into an Alarm, they slew all the French they met with; and then going to the Castle, whither the greatest part of them were with their Gover∣nour retired, they begirt it on all sides, threatning to kill them if they did not immediately surrender the Castle: The French being astonish∣ed at so sudden and unexpected an accident, yielded before the Sun ri∣sing upon discretion of the enemy: About 300 of them were slain in this conflict, amongst which the Governours Son; a young youth, who contrary to his Fathers Example, chose rather to fall manfully with his Sword in hand, then to purchase his life upon base conditions: The number of the Prisoners were twice as many; the chief whereof were the Governour Monsieur de la Grange, his Lieutenant, il Signior di Bel∣lagrada, and his Brother, who was a Knight of Malta; Monsieur Bon∣neville; the Baron Lattè, nine Ensigne-bearers, and four Lieutenants. The recovery of Ovada, Rossiglione and Campo, succeeded that of Novi, which were abandoned by the enemy; who flying so to shun death, met with it, by being miserably slain and cut in pieces by the country peo∣ple: The recovery of Gavio proved somewhat harder; wherein were about 1800 Souldiers under Monsieur di Sonsi. About this time the 2000 Dutch came to Genoa, commanded by Verrema, who, together with Monsieur Bozzoloe's men, and some others were sent by the Com∣monwealth, under the Baron Batteville, to recover the Town. Being come to the Town they took up their Quarters, planted their Batteries, and fell to work; but first they try'd the defendants, and began to treat with them upon surrender upon Articles: whereupon they quick∣ly agreed; so as the Town remained in the power of the assailants, but not the Castle; they therefore planted their Batteries against the Castle, and plaid upon it for some days; and though by reason of the far di∣stanc•…•… they could not prejudice it much by their shot, the defendants yielded it upon agreement to the Common-wealths Commanders, who recovered it in less time, and with fewer men by much, then the Duke and Constable had taken it, with so powerful an Army. There were therein 19 great Pieces of Artillery, great store of Arms and Powder, of artificial fires, and other warlike preparation, which were left there by the enemy, and were taken by the Captains of the Commonwealth; 17 Colours were likewise therein taken, part belonging to the King of France, part to the Duke; which were all brought to Genoa in a kind of Triumph: All the people and Citizens ran with great joy to see it; who could not satisfie themselves with seeing those Tools brought cap∣tive to the City, which were but a little before destin'd to make them Captives. The Duke and Constable could not relieve these places, as they faithfully promised the Commanders whom they left to defend them when they went from thence; and as so noble a Train of Artillery left behinde them obliged them to do, in regard of the Governours un∣expected coming out against them, and of the necessity of their retiring from Canelli; from whence they afterwards recovered Asti, where they consulted rather how to defend what remained, then to keep what they had gotten.

Feria was at this time come from Acqui to Rocca a' Arazzo, and from thence to Occimiano, a Town in Montferrat, four miles distant from

Cassal; whither Don Gonzallo di Cordua, a Captain of good account came to him by order from the King, out of Flanders, to be assistant in Counsel to the Governour, and in the managing of the present war; wherein the Governour who was not over well experienced, and who had Captains and Counsellors about him, rather Rivals then Confidents; had need of a Counsellor and Moderator, who might not only be ex∣perienced, but faithful: And Don Gonzallo was allied unto the Gover∣nour, wherefore he had reason to confide in him. They consulted of all things in Occimiano; wherein the Consultors differed in their opini∣ons; to attempt Asti or Vercelles, so to open their way into Piedmont, would be long and laboursome Enterprises, and the event uncertain; wherein, together with the ruine of their whole Army, their Honour was much hazarded, without any apparent signe of profit; for if peace should be made they must be necessitated to restore them: And it was already supposed for certain, that the King was not inclined to pos∣sess himself of any thing belonging to the Duke, with an intention to detain it: To what purpose would it be then to take so much pains, to shed so much blood, and spend so much money, in taking a place which was afterwards to be restored? It was therefore agreed that it would be better and •…•…arer by making In rodes into the open Towns of Piedmont, and by destroying and burning them; and so to afflict the Duke by those means, as that he might be quiet for the future; and that he might not afterwards think it lawful to disturb the peace of Italy upon any sleight occasion: Thus they thought that without danger of wasting their men, or hazarding their reputation upon the uncertain taking of a Town, they might safely enter Piedmont, and overcome it with a fresh and numerous Army, and with the Polack and Croat Cavalry, which were naturally good at In rodes and the laying of Countries waste: For that the Con∣federates Army being weakned, and almost annihilated, would not dare to fight, nor appear against them in open field; which resolution being divulged infused such terror into Piedmont, as not only the Inhabitants of the weaker Towns, but even the very Citizens of Turin, not think∣ing themselves safe within those walls, nor under the shelter of that Ci∣tadel, they fled towards the Alpes with all the best things they had; in so much as the Duke began to taste of that fright and fear in his own Territories, which he had a little before occasioned in Genoa: But this resolution, which undoubtedly was the safest, was out-voted by ano∣ther; which was, to attempt the taking of some Towns in Piedmont first; and this, not so much out of good reason of war, and for securing their entry, which they resolved to do howsoever; as out of Ambiti∣on; thinking it not becoming the Grandezza and Reputation of so nu∣merous an Army to do nothing but make In-rod•…•…s, and lay the Coun∣try waste; They were the more easily induced to give way to this, for that they thought they might secretly, and without much difficulty, ef∣fect their desires: Fixing their eyes therefore, according to wont, upon the Cities of Asti or Vercelles, or upon the Towns of Verrua or Crescen∣tino, they kept still in Occimiano, a place almost equally distant from those four Towns; providing Bottoms to throw a Bridge over the Poe at Pontestura; giving out that they would pass thereby over either to Vercelles or Crescentino; to the end that the Duke not being able for

want of men, to furnish all those Towns at one and the same time, might by betaking himself to defend some one of them, afford them opportunity of turning upon that which should be worst pro∣vided; which thinking they might easily take, it might open the way for them to prosecute their resolution of prejudicing Piedmont.

But this design, which by speedy execution might easily be effected, was hindred by the accustomed, and almost natural slow proceeding of the Spaniards; for though the throwing the Bridge over at Ponte∣stuna made the Duke bethink himself of Crescentino; and that there∣fore he came with the rest of his men to the Banks of Poe, leaving Prince Thomaso with only 2000 men in Asti. Feria went immediately towards Asti with his Army, out of a double intent; either to draw the Duke thither with all his men, and so leaving the rest of his Towns unprovided, and as it were abandoned, Feria might make use of the occasion, and turn upon some other of them, and take it easily; or else, if the Duke, not to leave his other Towns abandoned, should not come to defend Asti, he might possess himself of the ways about Asti; and keeping it from being relieved by the Duke, might easily make him∣self master of it: but being come to the Osteria della San Croce, where he kept idle for some days, and suffering his Horse to scoure the Field only, without passing over la Versa, he afforded the Duke opportuni∣ty to send the Marshal first thither with 3000 Foot, and to go after∣wards thither himself with the rest: failing therefore in his design of taking this City unprovided, he fell to his other design, to go to some one of the other three Towns, which by reason of the necessity of de∣fending Asti were abandoned. Verrua was that which was pitch'd upon, as being neerest, more commodious, of more profit and con∣sequence; for by taking it he should so divide Crescentino, and all the County of Vercelli, from the County of Asti, as the one should not be able to assist the other: nor did he fear the taking of it, as well by reason of the littleness thereof, as also for that it was only guarded by 300 Country people: but the same slownesse, and irresolution of the Spanish genius, ruin'd this designe also, which required haste •…•…n execution; for if the chief of the Army, without stirring from the quarters where they were, had entertained the Duke in the defence of Asti, and had at the same time sent a flying Squadron of Horse with Musketeers en croupe, they might easily have taken it at the very first, or at least have possess'd themselves of the Passes thereabouts, and have block'd up all succour so, as it must soon fall into the possession of the Army which was to come soon after: but either not loving to divide their Forces, as being too contrary to that security which they so much studied, (so thinking that whatsoever diligence the Enemy could make, they could not keep that little Castle from them;) they will go thither with their united Army. Thus parting from the Banks of Versa, without having attempted any thing against the City of Asti, they went with all their Forces to Verrua. Prince Thomaso and the Marshal march'd out with 800 Horse, part French, part Piedmontese, to fall upon the Reer; and seeing some Troops of the Dutch Cavalry, which march'd under Colonel Lillo, far from the body of Horse, they assaulted them; and having the better of the business, they dis∣pers'd

them, and wounded Lillo very sorely; and had utterly routed them, had not some other of their friends Horse come in to succour them; who charging the French and Piedmontese Horse, slew many of them, and amongst the rest two Captains, the Baron d' Hermanza, the Dukes Commissary-General of Horse: so as being repuls'd, the Spanish Army might quietly pursue their March; and yet neither this, nor any other impediment which they met with, which retarded the proceeding of the Army, nor yet the Castle of Rubella, which being in the mid-way would not yield till it was batter'd, would have hindred the taking of Verrua much; the Army not finding it any way better provided with Garrison, or better fortified, then it was when they went from their first quarters to take it: so as they might have done the same thing which they might have done before Asti, with their flying Squadron; for though the Duke, when he was free of the danger of Asti, went with such of his men as were readiest into the Field, and coasting along by the Enemy, intended him no good; yet because the way by which he saw them march led both to Cheri and to Verrua, and that he knew not whither of the two they meant to go to; he was forced to suspend his resolution, and be ready to go whithersoever he should see them bend: moreover, when he saw them incline towards Verrua, he must if he would succour it, go to Crescentino, which was on the other side of the Poe: and not being able to pass to the other side, but by the stone Bridge which was neer Tarino, he was fain to take a large compass to pass his men over it, to Crescentino: so as the Governour had conveniency enough to have found that Town unpro∣vided, and to have done what he pleased with it: but neither he nor Don Gonsallo, who then order'd and provided all things under the Go∣vernour, being able to make use of so happy an occasion, lost it by these and other negligences; and by the destruction of that flourishing Army, made that little Burrough, which was not otherwise considera∣ble, famous to posterity; and with no little loss of honour, raised up the Dukes almost quite lost reputation. Verrua is a little Town, upon the right side of the Poe, not of any consideration but for the seat thereof: it stands upon the top of a little Hill, stony and broken on all sides except on the South, wherein somewhat a gentler descent it su∣stains a little Suburbs, which cover almost all the descent of that Hill: on the North side the Poe enlargeth it self, leaving •…•…a little plain in the midst, full of Trees: it hath not any Fortification, except a little Ca∣stle upon the top of the Hill, from which if you take away an ancient Tower, it is more like an old ruine, then a Fortification: the Suburbs which lies upon the descent of the Hill is begirt with an old weak Wall; the Country about is full of Hills which inviron the Hill whereon Verrua stands.

The Governour incamp'd himself upon these little Hills on the East side, to the end that Montferrat being on his back, and the Poe on his right hand, he might receive Provisions both by Land and Water: afterwards extending his quarters towards the West, in∣stead of falling to assault the Town at his first arrival, and of presently possessing himself of so weak and ill guarded a Town, he (as if he were to besiege a great Town, in the face of a powerful Enemy-Army) be∣gan to fortifie his Quarters with Trenches and other Works; and wai∣ting

for provisions, which were but slowly brought, he took no care to block up the Avenues; insomuch as soon as he saw the Enemies Army bend towards Verrua, having sent the Marquess di San Rerano thither with his Regiment of a thousand Foot, there was not any one that moved either to stop him by the way, or to hinder his coming into the Town: which he did at full noon, and in sight of the Enemy by the Gate of the neighbouring Suburbs, neer the Enemies Quarters, with no little note of infamy to those that suffer'd it. The Duke whilst the Governour minded nothing but making of Baracadoes and Ram∣piers, sent to the Marshal, who was left with Prince Thomaso to defend Asti, to come after him, and joyn with him in Crescentino, whither he speedily marched; and coming with his men first thither, whither the Marshal came also within some days after with 5000 French, he be∣took himself wholly to defence: being past by the Poe from Crescentino to Verrua, he found that the Enemy, having quitted the Banks of the River, and the Plain, minded nothing but fortifying himself upon the little Hill; and thinking that it made much for the defence of Verrua, to make himself master of the Plain before it, he presently past over some of his men in boats, and quarter'd himself there without any gain∣saying: being then advised by some of his Officers to defend Verrua on the upper side, and to abandon the Suburbs which was upon the hanging of the Hill, as that which being weakly walled was not tena∣ble, nor was the main business much concern'd therein; he contrary to their opinion undertook the defence thereof, thinking that any what∣soever opposition would either abate the edge of the Enemies Forces, or else weary them, and occasion delay: which afterwards proved much for the defence of the Town: he therefore began to perfect a Ra∣veline before the Suburbs, which was formerly begun by the Towns folk, which did partly cover, partly flank the Wall on the Front; and placing a sufficient Garrison, he Plat-form'd the Wall it self, and afterwards cut thorow the very Suburbs with a threefold Trench, at equal distances: to the end that those who should assault the Raveline; and the front of the Suburbs, should not only be annoyed by those Trenches which arose as did the Suburbs; but that if the defendants should be repuls'd at the first onset, they might have more advantagi∣ous places to retreat unto behind them; from whence reassuming the defence they might make head again, and driving the assailants from what they had first taken, might recover it with more ease: he like∣wise placed some Artillery in fit places of the highest Hills, which served not only to defend the Raveline and the Suburb, but to offend the Enemy who were incamped on the opposite Hills; and (which made the defence more safe) he threw a Bridge of boats over the Poe be∣tween the Banks of Crescentino and the Plain before Verrua; by meanes whereof those who were quarter'd in Crescentino might communicate with those of the Plain, and those who were in Verrua; and the latter might be relieved and refreshed by the former, whereby the defence might be made more easie, and consequently might last the longer: nor herewithall content, for the greater security of the Bridge, and of the Garrison which lay in the Pla•…•…n, he erected a great Trench between the point of the Hill towards the East, and the Banks of Poe which did shelter almost all the Plain and the Bridge. Things being

thus ordered, the Governour who not making any opposition was this mean while preparing how to offend the Town, found the business harder then he at first imagined it to be; for to fall absolutely to assault the Town with all his Forces, as he was advised to do by many, though it might peradventure have proved the shorter, and more efficacious course, yet was it too severe, especially for him, there being so many Souldiers to make defence, and he being naturally averse to hazard himself; for the assailants being commanded by the Hills, by the Trenches which cross'd through the Suburbs, and by the Batteries which were placed upon the Hills, they would not have been able to advance, nor without much danger have continued the assault; and when they should have made some advancement they would have found it very difficult to intrench themselves, and shelter themselves from the imminency of the situation; so as they would have been re∣puls'd with much loss, and would have been forc'd at last to forsake their stations, which they had possess'd themselves of with much la∣bour and loss of blood: to drive the Enemy from the Banks of the Ri∣ver, though at first it would not have been very hard to have done, yet when the great Trench was made, it was thought impossible, by reason of the continual succour which might be had by the Bridge, and of their being plai'd upon from the higher places: which was soon known in some attempts which they made, wherein the assailants were with no small loss repuls'd: to deprive them of the use of the Bridge, which would have been the most advantagious and safest course, was not easie to be done; for being shelter'd partly by the Hill, and partly by the great Trench, it could not have been easily beaten down by their Artillery; though two of the Boats were sunk, and the Bridge loosned by a Battery planted against it by Don Philippo, Son to the Mar∣quess Spinola; for they being supplied by the diligence used in fastning of Boats together, and in substituting others in the places of those that were sunk, the wonted conveniency of passage was soon provided for; and to the end that it might not be subject another time to the same chance, the Duke made it be drawn a little lower, where it was whol∣ly shelter'd from battery by the Wood in the Plain, which kept it from being seen: the like provision had, for another disaster which a few days after was occasioned by the fullness of the River, which driving a Mill broke the Bridge, and disordered the Boats, did seasonably re∣pair the loss which was received: the least of evils, since all other ways was held impossible, and desperate, was to begin with expugning the Suburbs, which being won by little and little, would make way for them to get to the top of the Hill, where the Town and Castle stood: but here they would also have enough to do; it being to be opposed not only by the Raveline, and by other Fortifications made by the Duke, but by the very situation of the place; for the rising of the Hill whereon the Suburbs stand, being on both sides rocky, and hard to climb, it was unaccessible on any of those sides; they must therefore necessarily attaque it on the Front; which being very narrow, a small number of defendants, would be able to make it good against a much greater number of assailants; and hence it was that the Duke was not prejudiced by the scarcity of combatants, nor the Governour advan∣taged

by numbers thereof; and notwithstanding the oppugners being confident that their labour and diligence would overcome all difficul∣ties, thought they might prove greater then they expected; and be∣cause it was necessary at last to do something, they made some Trenches against the Front of the Suburbs, and making their approaches at the same time, they came to an assault; which being given by Don Lewis di Cordua, and by Count Sultz his Dutch, was stoutly withstood by those within; for though they were twice entred, they were twice beaten back: the third assault made the assailants masters of the Sub∣urbs but they were forced to quit it that very night by the Marshall, who was sent by the Duke to recover it: he coming out of the Rave∣line, made himself master of some of the Enemies Trenches and Ap∣proaches: this Raveline may be said to have been, for a while, the stumbling-block against which they oft times gave; and the business was brought to such a condition, as it being often times taken and re∣covered, at last, as being a place too prejudicial, and too much con∣troverted, it was abandoned by both sides; and served for a while for nothing, but for a Stocado for the encounters, and for a Scene or Stage, on which these valiant Souldiers did alternately by death Tri∣umph. The assailants finding themselves more prejudiced then ad∣vantaged by assaults, fell to play with their Cannon and Musket-shot, not upon the Rampiers or Fortifications, but to beat down the Houses, and kill the Souldiers who defended the Trenches; and though the Houses which were but weak were at last thrown down; yet know∣ing that those ruines made nothing for the main business, they began to make Mines, hoping thereby to effect their work with less preju∣dice and loss of men: but neither did they succeed better therein, by reason of the extraordinary diligence and vigilancy of those within; who having very cunningly made counter-mines, sometimes made them play against the Enemy, and by disturbing the Enemies proceed∣ings rendred them vain and unefficacious: the defendants becoming this mean while more hardy; and not being content to stand upon their def•…•…nce, made some sallies out upon the Enemies Quarters; but fared not so well therein, as whilst they stood upon their defence; for they were much prejudiced thereby; and more particularly in a Camisado by night, made by 1500 French, led on by Monsieur di Vallentienes, who went to fall upon the Italians Trenches; which lying utmost to∣wards the West were quartered farthest off: but the assault being va∣liantly sustained, and the assailants beaten back, Vallentienes remained prisoner there, and 400 of his men were slain upon the place; which causing the defendants to betake themselves to defence only, wherein they were advantaged by their Situation and Fortifications, they durst not sally out any more; but minding the motions of the Enemy, were content to keep them aloof off from their Ammunition: on the con∣trary, the assailants finding the business grow daily worse and worse began to doubt the effecting of it; finding how far the Dukes dili∣gence, industry and wariness, accompanied with the strength of the situation, and the condition of his Quarters, did exceed the greatness of their Forces: Affairs were brought to that pass, as they were not now to think barely of the expugning of Verrua, unless they did first,

or at the same time beat the Enemy from their Quarters at Crescentino; which was impossible to do without dividing their Army; and to boot, that this dividing of the Army was contrary to the Governours geni∣us, and to the mind of the chief Commanders of the Army, who de∣sired to proceed warily, these Quarters were as hard to be taken, as was Verrua; having Crescentino, a strong place, on their backs, the River before them, and beyond the River the Quarters of Verrua, which was joyn'd by the Bridge to those of Crescentino; on the right hand the Dora Baltea, with a Bridge of Boats, by which all Provisions and necessary Ammunitions were brought to the Camp from Piedmont; and this Bridge was at both ends very well munited with two small Forts; on the left hand, which was the place the Duke doubted most, because of the Bridge which the Governour still kept at Pontestura, it was shel∣ter'd by a long Trench flank'd with Bulwarks, which beginning from Crescentino reached to the Rivers side: the banks also on Crescenti∣no's side, as well above, as below the Quarters, were secured by seve∣ral Corps de guarde.

These difficulties which were thought not to be overcome being con∣sidered, doubtlesly the best course would have been to have quitted the Enterprize, chiefly at a time when the Army was not afflicted with sickness, which ensued afterwards, and when the Season was proper for them to betake themselves to some other Enterprize; for to perse∣vere obstinately against so many difficulties was no better then to bury so gallant and powerful an Army before so igneble a Castle: But the first building of the bridge at Pontestura, where it was given out that they would go either to Crescentino or Verrua, the change of this after∣wards to the Enterprizes of Asti and Vercelles, their not persevering therein, but betaking themselves to that of Verrua, would not suffer them so much as to think of such a resolution. The Governour and other Commanders thought themselves too much obliged to persevere before Verrua, lest it might be conceived, that so flourishing and nu∣merous an Army changing their Sails so oft should go wandring up and down here and there, as if they were not resolved what Enterprize to fall upon, nor minde to do any thing: To the fear of losing too much reputation, if in this condition of affairs they should rise from before Verrua, was added their expectation of more men which were shortly to come to the Camp. Four thousand Foot came very soon from Genoa of those who were under Guasco and Pecchio; new Levies of Foot were made in Naples; and Charles Count Mansfield was to come speedily into the State of Millain with his Regiment of 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse: And these recruits being added to the Army, enabling them to make two Camps, one whereof might fall upon the Quarters at Crescentino, and the other keep still before Verrua; it was held that the Duke being assaulted at one and the same time on two sides would be worsted at least in one, and the victory in one part did secure the victory on the other. They were yet more invited hereun∣to by the diversion which they expected from the maritime parts; for the Marquers of S^ta Croce was to enter Piedmont with 8000 good Foot of the Kings and Gen•…•…ese; and to this purpose 500 Horse were ap∣pointed to him under Manfrine Castiglione, which together with 200

which the Commonwealth was to pay, were to be a safeguard to the Foot, whilest they should enter into the Plain of Mondovi: In which case the Duke must either be forced to abandon Verrua, and to relieve that other part which was wholly destitute of defence, or, that he might maintain Verrua, leave that other part to be prey'd upon by the Ene∣mies Army: To which so e're of these the Duke should betake him∣self, the Spaniards would assuredly have the victory, either on the one or on the other side, and peradventure on both; and the victory in ei∣ther side would have satisfied the Kings intention, which was not, quite to ruine the Duke, but to keep him under: Moreover, the Dukes For∣ces were not such, nor so many, as that they could of themselves make any long stay or resistance at Verrua; and the less, for that being depri∣ved of almost all external helps, he had not so much as reason to hope for any, by reason of the continual troubles of France which totally cut him off from any. Out of these hopes, and out of these probabi∣lities of succour, the Governour persevered in the Enterprise of Ver∣rua, and the Duke kept constant, and undaunted in the defence of this little Burrough, against so great Forces, and so many preparations, and upon so many disadvantages; and he succeeded therein; for the Governour failed not only in his hopes and calculations, but the af∣fairs of his Camp grew daily worse and worse: the sickness which was begun in the Camp did so increase, as not only many of the common Souldiers, but even the chief Officers were infected with it, and many of them died: three Camp-masters died, and all the rest fell generally sick; as many Serjeants, Officers, Commanders, and persons of Quality, who were neer about the Governours own person; nay, he himself being infected with the Disease was carryed to Pontestura for cure; leaving the charge of the Army with Don Gonzallo, rather in a posture to retreat, then to continue the Enterprise.

This so sore sickness was not occasioned only by the influence of the intemperate air which was excessive hot this Summer, and which in those boggy and plashy parts became pestilential, but the great labour and hardships which the Souldiers endured, and chiefly the scarcity of victuals, of which those that were brought by the Poe were often inter∣cepted by the Dukes men, who scowred up and down on the opposite Shore, hindring Navigation, and sometimes seized on the boats which brought provision; and those that came by Montferrat were stopt by those of that Country; either out of the hatred they bore to the Spa∣niards, or, as some would have it, by private Orders from their Prince, who would never declare himself for the Spaniards, but hated them extreamly, though the King of Spain had spent, and fought so much to protect him against the Duke, who would have suppress'd him. Hence also arose great scarcity of Fodder for the Horses, which having wasted all that was neer hand went far off to fetch it, not without great weariness and danger: the want of moneys added much to all these mischiefs, whereof very little or none came from Spain; and their for∣mer Provisions were already spent: Pay being therefore wanting, the Souldiers were brought to so miserable a condition, as not being able to provide for covering their nakedness, they could neither fence them∣selves from the excessive heat of Summer, nor from the cold of Win∣ter

which drew on: as one evil therefore draws on another, many mischievous accidents proceeded from hence in the administrati∣on of the War; streightness and difficulty in Ammunition, want of Military Discipline, contumacy and disobedience amongst the com∣mon Souldiers; the Officers who were half sick, and half amazed, not being able to make their Souldiers obey them, who were tatter'd, fa∣mish'd, and ill paid: supply came in very slowly and scarely; very few Souldiers, and far short of the need and expectation, came from Naples; and Mansfields Souldiers, who came late into the State of Mil∣lain, refused to go into the Field till they had received their Pay. San Croce's diversion, whereupon they did chiefly relie, proved also vain: he was to have entred Piedmont with those Forces which were in Savona; and with Manfrino his five Horse, by the way of Sa∣vona, such an expedition at that time and by that way would have produced three very good effects. First, entring the enemies Coun∣try, which did abound in Victuals, wanting Forts and Ammuniiion, and which was bere•…•…t of all defence, he might have easily possess'd him∣self of it, without any gainsaying; by this diversion if made in a sea∣sonable time, have very much helped the business of Verrua; and last∣ly, the River of Genoa being by the interposition of this Army cut off from Piedmont, and (consequently) deprived of all hopes of succour, it would at the very appearance of the Gallies have been abandoned by the Garrisons of Piedmont: so as, of it self, it would have faln to the Commonwealth. San Croce's genius, who was better vers'd in ma∣ritine affairs then in band service, and loved not to go far from the shore, opposed this resolution, which certainly would have been the most commodious and best for the common cause: it was opposed al∣so by that which serves always for an excuse to any Commander, for either not beginning, or not prosecuting an enterprise, the scarcity of provisions; wherefore being resolved that the recovery of Riviera should precede his entrance into Piedmont, it was conceived that pri∣vate emulation between him and the Duke of Feria bore greater sway with him, then any respect of the common Cause: wherefore not caring for the good success of the enterprise of Verrua, he was not displeased that his rival might reap but little honour thereby: parting therefore about the midst of Iuly from Savona, accompanied by two Senators, Iovan Battista Saluzzo, and Agostine Centurione, who were chosen Commissaries by the Commonwealth, at whose expence, and in whose name the whole business was carried on; and carrying with him 8000 Foot, and two Troops of Horse, they betook themselves to the recovery of la Riviera; the first in order was the City of Albenga, which being first assaulted came first into the power of the Common∣wealth, though it were recruited but some days before both with Men and Victuals by the Gallies of Marcelles: the battery began from the Gallies, which by their Cannon beat down the Houses; for the City stood within Musket-shot of the Sea-shore: but that battery doing but little harm, the people were that mean while landed, and two great Cannons, which being level'd against the Gate and Wall which we•…•…e towards the Sea; after having plai'd upon them a while, the defen∣dants began to apprehend the assault, which they saw was preparing

to be given: so as beginning to parley, they yielded within a few hours, upon Articles; that the Captains should march out with Arms and Baggage, and the Souldiers with their Swords, as also they were not to serve for that Summer against the King of Spain, nor the Com∣monwealth. Albenga being taken, all the Towns till you come to Porto Mauritio, Oneglia being therein comprehended, most of them being without Walls, and abandoned by the Dukes men, return'd under the obedience of the Commonwealth: from hence they went to Porto Mauritio, a place strongly situated, munited with Artillery, ha∣ving a good Garrison in it, and abundantly provided of Ammunition; it stands upon a great Rock, which being for the greatest part invironed by the Sea, is as it were a Peninsula: their Men and Artillery being landed, they had no little labour to draw them up those craggy cliffs, for many necessary things were wanting for the train of Artillery, and the weather was then very hot. Thomaso Raggio, Iovan Battista Ador∣no, and Iacomo Moniglia, three of those Gentlemen who had raised and maintained seven Companies at their own expence, and had con∣tinually served the Commonwealth with them very affectionately, had the care thereof given them; who not only by their Authority, but by their example, brought them in a short time to fitting places: they raised three Batteries, two on the Flank, and one behind; and the De∣fendants ordered their defences very fittingly against these Batteries: by two days continual battery a breach was made, fitting for an assault; and the three forenamed Gentlemen were ready, with their Companies, to give an assault; when the Defendants, who had inriched themselves by booty taken at Ottaggio and Pieve, being loth to adventure what they had gotten, parlied, and on the third day surrendred the place upon the same terms that Albenga had done: but the Kings Souldiers missing the prey which they thought they should have had if they had taken the Town by assault, turn'd upon many of the neighbouring Towns, plun∣dering and sacking them, to the great grief of the Commissaries, who could not bear with so great mischief done to the Subjects of the Com∣monwealth, or with such an affront to themselves; and finding that the Kings Captains took no care to prevent such an inconvenience, Tho∣maso Raggio, a man of a great spirit, who upon all occasions had shew'd much zeal towards the affairs of the Commonwealth, offer'd to reme∣dy this inconvenience by force of Arms; which offer being accepted of, he was sent with many Companies of Souldiers, to suppress this prejudice done unto the Country by the Kings Souldiers; who hear∣ing of his coming joyn'd together in a body; and yet he had the good luck to make them soon retreat; and imbarquing themselves in the Gallies with San Croce, they went some of them to Savona, some to Genoa; for San Croce, by reason of the excessive •…•…eat, and of the sick∣ness amongst the Souldiers, would not continue the enterprise, which he might easily have prosper'd in; for after the surrender of Porto Mauritio, all the Towns as far as Ventimiglia being abandoned by the Dukes Garrisons, return'd to the anti•…•…nt command of the Genoeses; so as when he should quickly and happily have dispatched this business, he might have facilitated the taking of Verrua by diversion: but that so much time might not be s•…•…ent in vain, the Commonwealth gave order

that Pigna, a great Town belonging to the Duke, lying above Venti∣miglia, should be gone against, where they understood that many of those who were gone out of Albenga, and the rest of the Towns which were recovered were got together; and it was feared, that (contrary to the Articles of surrender) they might be a great disturbance to the Enterprise of Ventimiglia, which upon the ceasing of the excessive heats, and the amendment of the Souldiers, was preparing for: This business was committed to the Baron Batteville; who coming thither with about 3000 Foot, and having long batter'd the Trenches which joined to the houses, and served for a wall or Rampier; at last the de∣fendants fearing an assault yielded upon Articles; which being agreed upon and perform'd, they delivered up the Town to Batteville; in the delivery whereof the Ammunition fell on fire, which occasioned much mischief to many; amongst the rest to Iovan Antonio Sauli, General of the Common-wealths Artillery, Son to Lorenzo, who had been Doeg, he being therein burn'd to death: And at last the weather grow∣ing cooler, and the 3000 Dutch who were raised by Philippo Spinola, being arrived, they went with all their forces, about the midst of Sep∣tember, to the taking in of Ventimiglia; which was reduced with little labour: For the City bei•…•…g after some Cannot shot abandoned by the Garrison, who betook themselves to defend the Castle, fell into the Genoeses hands. The Castle being plaid upon on three sides, held out a little longer; but the assailants being gotten under the Counter-scarfe, and the defendants fearing to be undermined, which they saw they were begun to be; they after eight days Battery yielded upon Articles, That only the Officers should march out with their Swords, and all the rest with∣out Arms: The little Marquesate of Zuccarello, the first beginning of so many evils, was yet in the enemies possession: A 1000 Foot were sent thith•…•…r, to whom all the Towns were instantly surrendred, except Castle Vecchio; which was longer ere it was taken then it deserved tobe, for that it was requisite to bring Artillery to batter it, which by reason of the roughness of the way, and height of the situation, was not without much labour and expence of time effected; but at last, all difficulties being o∣vercome, the Cannon being presented, and the Castle somwhat batter'd, it was also surrendered upon Capitulation, to Iovan Ambrosio Casella, a Senator, and Commissary of the Commonwealth, who succeeded Cen∣turione. Thus in the space of few Months the Commonwealth of Genoa, which was assaulted by powerful forces, and partly abandoned, partly fought against, partly plotted against in private by Italian Princes; being solely protected and defended by the King of Spain, kept not only unprejudiced from the fury and hostility of so many forces raised against her, and from so many Princes which conspired against her; but preserving her natural Liberty, did in a short time recover all that the enemy had taken from her; and entring the assailant Dukes State took some of his Towns, and indamaged him as much as he had done her; For to boot with the Towns of Oneglia and Pigna, which were taken at the same time that La Riviera was recovered; San Croce having regain∣ed Ventimiglia sent some Foo•…•… to Maro, a Town appertaining to the Duke, which lies above Oneglia; and without much difficulty took it, and all the Valley of Prelà: When La Riviera was recovered, the same

forces of the King and Commonwealth, which entring Piedmont should have helped to raise the Siege of Verrua by diversion, as the Duke of Feria's Army had facilitated the recovery of La Riviera, by lying be∣fore Verrua, kept a good while, partly in Savona, partly in Albenga: and afterwards being come from Albenga to enter Piedmont, Sun Cr•…•…ce would first take the Town of Or•…•…a, one of the Dukes Towns which confined upon the Common-wealth; which though it were great, and well peopled, yet made not much for the main concernment of the war; and which for the badness of the ways by which the Artillery was to be brought, did much delay the entrance into Piedmont: The forces drew near that Town, but without Artillery, which was not yet come, but was speedily expected: And this Town standing in a Valley be∣tween two Mountains, through the which the Tannaro runs, which takes its rise from a little above, it was impossible for the Horse to quar∣ter very near it; they therefore quartered two miles off, which was the cause why they could do but little service upon an occasion which hap∣pened not long after they were quartered: Don Carlo, the Duke of Sa∣voy's natural Son, and the Marquess di San Trinità coming from Gar∣rissio with about 2000 Foot, and 200 Horses, endeavoured to relieve Ormea; but falling upon the Neapolitan Quarters, under Don Anto∣nio Tuffo their Camp master, though they charged home, yet two Troops of Horse coming in under Captain Sp•…•…ra, and other assistance with them from the neighbouring quarters, the Piedmontese were beaten back with great loss, which would yet have been worse if all the Horse had been there, which (by reason of their being quartered so far off) could not be present at that action: When the Artillery was come, they raised two Batteries, and having made a sufficient breach, an assault was given, which was stoutly fought on both sides; but the assailant get∣ting the better at last, the Town was taken, with much ruine, and effusi∣on of blood; and was afterwards sack'd, to the great inriching of the Souldiery, who got as much booty there, as the Piedmontese did at Pi∣eve: The Town being taken the Castle yielded the next day, and both of them were freely delivered up to the Senators, who were in the Camp; who receiving them in the Common wealths name, placed 600 Foot in Garrison there, under Mark Antonio Brancaccio, who upon that occasion was chosen Camp-master to the Common-wealth.

From hence they went to Garrissio, another great Town of Piedmont, wherein there was a good Garrison under Monfieur di Flescè; but the fierce assault and taking of Ormea, which happened with so great mor∣tality, did not terrifie the Towns-men of Garrissio only, but the Gar∣rison also; who abandoned the Towns-men before the enemy appear∣ed; wherefore they sent the Keyes of the Gates to San Croce, in signe of surrender; yet the Castle held out nine days, which whilst it was plaid upon by the Artillery, and undermined, the Horse over-ran those parts even to Céva, plundering and much prejudicing the Campagnia: wherefore those of Bagnasco, being wise at the cost of others, sent also to surrender to San Croce; and the Castle of Garrissio, which was at last surrendered, was sleighted by San Croce. I•…•… was now about the midst of November, when they went to Garrissio; and the season grew daily more obnoxious by reason of rain and cold; it was also given

out about Garrissio and the Marquesate of Ceva, that there was an as∣sembly of men, and that the Duke himself was speedily advancing with all his forces: It was true that the Prince of Piedmont was come into the field with a Body of Foot and Horse, to defend those parts; and that joining with his Brother Don Carlo, and the Marquess of San Tri∣nità, he thought to oppose San Croce: But the news of the Dukes co∣ming himself in person was the more confirmed in the Spanish Camp, by the news of the Governours withdrawing from before Verrua: where∣fore San Croce was the more perplex'd what to do; but this difficulty was eased by a Letter which (as it was said) came to him from the Go∣vernour; wherein he was advertised, that it being impossible for him the Governour to continue longer before Verrua, (which had caused him to rise from thence) it was superfluous for him to advance any further on that side: Fitting Orders being therefore given upon this advertise∣ment, they resolved to return towards the Maritime parts; which be∣ing divulged through the Army, the greater part thereof believing the report of the Dukes coming, thought that the retreat was occasioned by the certain knowledge thereof: So as overcome with too much fear they retreated in very little order, almost in a flying posture; leaving part of the prey they had got at Garrissio behind them, and one great Piece of Cannon, which they could not bring over those rocky Mountains.

This was the success of San Croce's entring Piedmont; and the Prince, when he was gone, went to before Felizzano, a Town belonging to the Marquesate of Finale, and subject to the King; but with no suc∣cess; for San Croce having sent forces to defend that place, the Prince retreated also into Piedmont: At the same time or a little before these things happened, the Camp before Verrua not having by all their As∣saults, Mines, and Batteries, been able to get above twenty two foot into the Suburbs, grew daily more afflicted with sickness and morta∣lity; so as being reduced to a very small number, it was not only not longer able to continue that enterprise, but neither to retreat without danger of being lost; especially for that the ways so sunk by the fall of rain, and the dirt was so deep as the Foot could not march without much ado, nor the Artillery and other incumbrances be carried along: But this was seasonably helped by the coming of Mansfield with his Dutch-men, who were at last satisfied in point of pay; and these men being fresh proved very fit to back the Army in its Retreat: which being thus secured by the assistance of these new men, Don Gonzallo made the Artillery be removed from his Quarters, and be brought to the Rendezvouz for Arms. The Constable, who being recovered of a long sickness was returned from Turin to the Camp, seeing this, did not let slip the occasion of assaulting the enemies Trenches, which want∣ed defence and Artillery, and were negligently looked unto by the Souldiers, who minded more their retreat then making defence: So as upon the change of the Guards which was made in the Dukes Trench∣es in the plain before Verrua, he assaulted them so furiously, as posses∣sing himself of the foremost, he came almost to the Dutch Quarters; which he would likewise have taken if he had not been first stoutly re∣sisted by Count Salma's Lieutenant (who was slain in the fight) and af∣terward

by the Count di Solts, who did not only repulse the enemy from the assaulted Quarters, but made them forego the Trenches which they had already taken: The next night the Governour began to re∣move quietly, without the beat of Drum or sound of Trumpet; yet this stol'n Retreat was not so silently performed, but that the Duke, who was aware thereof, early in the morning went after the Army, which marched but slowly: His men, though they were repuls'd by Mans∣field's Dutch-men, slew many of those who not being able to follow remained behinde upon the way, besides two Spanish Captains, who resisted valiantly in the Reer: This Retreat was very seasonably made; for a Recruit of 6000 Foot was at last come from France into Piedmont, under Monsieur di Vigneles; who at the same time that the Army re∣moved, came to the City of Inurea. The Governour was afraid that these forces being joyn'd to those of the Duke and Constable, passing through the Vale of Sesia, and the Principality of Messerano, might go to prejudice the Territories of Novara; he therefore went with his Army, which was reduced to a very small number, to Novara; but the Winter coming on, and finding himself free from that danger, he returned to Millain.

The Duke of Feria was not he alone who did partake of the misfor∣tunes wherein the this-years Enterprises miscarried; for it was obser∣ved that some sinister influence of the Heavens opposed it self against the good success of the Armies, and Enterprises of this Year. The so flourishing Army of the Duke and Constable was unfortunately lost amidst the Mountains of Liguria, not having effected any thing worthy the greatness of their forces and designes: That of the Marquess di Con∣rè, back'd by the Venetians, and maintained by their monies and pro∣visions, was likewise unfortunately lost in sitting down before an Inne, a woful Harbour for Mules and Muletiers; at the taking whereof having more then once offer'd, he did not only return worsted, but being as∣saulted in his own Quarters he received much prejudice, and was dis∣honourably affronted; for Papenhaim (who succeeded Serbellone, as hath been said, in defending Riva) having been content to keep there loytering for a few days with his Dutch-men; finding at last that Coure despairing of doing any thing of moment was retired into the Valtoline; and that leaving Garrisons only in Vico, in Vercè, and in Sasso Corbe, he had distributed almost all his men in the Valtoline and in Chiavenna; and being impatient of so long idleness, he resolved to assault those Quar∣ters, which being fortified only on the Lake, and on Riva's side, were not at all fortified behinde, the height and ruggedness of the neigh∣bouring Mountains being esteemed a safe defence. Papenhaim having therefore learn'd by certain men whom he had sent to discover those Mountains, that people might be brought to fall upon them by that way, he sent a thousand Foot by that way; and he, having armed his Barques and Brigandines, went to assault those Quarters by water at the same time that the thousand Foot should fall down by the way of the Mountain upon them.

The event suited with the resolution; for the Defendants being set upon unexpectedly on the back fled towards the Valtoline, abandon∣ing their Quarters and Fortifications, which were presently taken by

Papenhaim, together with eleven pieces of Artillery, and much Victu∣als and Ammunition; nor there withall content, he pursued them into the Valtoline; and coming to the Fortifications of Troana and Morbegno, he thought to have assaulted them, whereof he writ to the Duke of Feria; who being with small hopes before Verrua, would not by any new enterprise hazard the defence of Riva, which was of such impor∣tance to the State of Millain: so as Papenhaim being master of all the Fortifications which the French had upon the lesser Lake, was conse∣quently master of all the upper Lake. Thus ended this enterprise, no less unfortunately for the French, then did that of the Duke of Feria before Verrua, and that of the Constable and Duke of Savoy against the Genoeses: nothing else of moment hapned this year, unless that the English Fleet, going from that Kingdom about the beginning of October with 93 Ships, wherein were about 10000 fighting men, ap∣peared in the beginning of November, in the Spanish Seas, and entring the Bay of Cadiz, landed some of their men in the Island, and five pieces of Artillery, intending to fortifie themselves there, and wait for the Plate-Fleet, which was shortly to come from America. The Soul∣diers were three or four days busied about taking the Fort called Pun∣tale; and having gotten it upon Articles, they endeavour'd to make themselves masters of the Bridge, which joyns the Island of Cadiz to the Continent: but being hindred partly by the rain that fell, partly by those who came to defend the Bridge, they could not effect their desire. Don Ferrante Girone, who was there in defence, after he had well fortified the City, issued out; and coming to blows with the Ene∣my, a sleight Skirmish insued, with some prejudice to both sides: at last the English finding that they could do no great good neither there nor in any of the neighbouring parts, which were all well munited, they resolved to be gone; and making towards the West, the Spani∣ards were afraid (as they had learn'd by some Prisoners) that they were bent for Cape San Vincent, the utmost promontory of Spain toward the West, to intercept the Plate-Fleet; wherefore very much apprehend∣ing some adverse fortune, they sent out some Carvels into several parts, to find out the Plate-Fleet, and to advertise them how neer the English were, and in what danger they were of them; and that there∣fore instead of coming to Cape San Vincent, they should enter into Co∣rogna, the utmost Haven of Gallitia: one of these Carvels light upon the English Fleet, which hearing of the Orders sent to the Plate-Fleet by so many parts, steered its Course towares Corogna, supposing that the Plate-Fleet would undoubtedly light upon some of those Carvels, and would, according to their Orders, make towards that part: a won∣derful accident hapned, which because it exceeded all humane fore∣sight and providence, may deservedly be called a miracle; not any of the Carvels met with the Plate-Fleet; so as the Orders which were sent to them falling into the hands of the English, was the occasion of turning the English out of their way; for the Plate-Fleet, which co∣ming from out the Channel of Bauma, doth usually sail Northward till it come to the 45 degree of the elevation of the Pole, and then declining towards the East and South, comes into the Terzere and into Portugal, and to Coast a long the Cape San Vincent, not being able this year, by

reason of the great Northerly winds, to enter between those Islands and the Continent, was forc'd to pass on the out side, and to run along Africa, even to the shores of Morocco, at the same time that the En∣glish Fleet lay before Cales: but when the English Fleet going from Cales went to find the Plate-Fleet out, the wind blowing very briskly from the South, it hapned that as by the favour thereof the Plate-Fleet came successfully from the Morocco shores to Cales, so the En∣glish Fleet leaving Cales behind them, the more they thought to meet with the Plate-Fleet, the English being driven by the same winds to∣wards Corogna, the further were they from it, and consequently left the entrance into the Streights, and the Spanish Seas, free to the Plate-Fleet, whither it was bound.

Now because often mention is made of the great Treasure and Riches which this Plate-Fleet brings every year to Spain, it will not be much from the purpose, to make here a particular Discourse thereof: lest the Narration of that which is now so well known, being not spoken of by us, may peradventure leave the like obscurity to poste∣rity, as we find in the Holy Writ, touching the Land of Ophir, from whence we read that Gold was brought every third year to Solomon. The King of Spain, as he is King of Castile is Master of the great Kingdoms of America, which is now called the new World, and which being totally unknown to the Ancients was first discovered and found out by Christophoro Colomba, a Citizen of Genoa, in the year 1492. and as King of Portugal he possesseth many Towns, Havens and Ma∣ritime Provinces in Africa, Asia, and in the Indies, and more Eastern Islands; whereinto by long endeavors and dangerous Navigation he had penetrated a little before Colomba: from these Oriental and Occidental Regions infinite Riches and Treasures are yearly brought into Spain: but particularly from America, as more abounding then any other Re∣gion in the unexhaustible Mines of Silver: between the midst of March and beginning of April, eight great Ships fraught with Merchandize, and eight well-armed Galleoons, do usually go every year from the City of Sivil; which sailing towards America, steer their Course to∣wards that Province which is commonly called Terra Firma: and put∣ting to shore first at Carthagena, the chief Haven of that Province, ele∣ven degrees distant from the Line towards the North, and 315 degrees in Longitude; do there unload part of their Merchandize, and pass forwards with the rest towards Porto Velo, the chiefest place for Trade, in that Istmus; which dividing the uppermost Sea, which they call the North Sea, from the nethermore, which they call the South Sea, joyns the two chief parts of America together, just as Africa is joyn'd to Asia by the Istmus of Egypt. Porto Velo is a place of receipt for all the Merchandize which go to and fro from Peru; and for all the Gold and Silver which is brought in great abundance from the unexhausti∣ble Mines of the Potosi in Peru; and from the others of those parts; for as all that passes from Peru, and from those Provinces by the South Sea into the North Sea, to be convey'd into Spain, puts in at Panama, an∣other noble Haven and place of Merchandize, on the opposite side of the Istmus, which lies upon that Sea, and are carried cross the Istmus upon the backs of certain creatures not unlike our Rams, to Porto Velo.

so those which are destined for Peru, and those other Regions which lie towards the South, from Spain and the other American Provinces which lie Northward, are unloaded at Porto Velo, and are carried up∣on the same creatures to Palma, from whence they are sent in Ships destined for Peru, and those other Provinces: the same Ships when they have unladed the Spanish Merchandize in Porto Velo, are presently fraught with those which are come from Peru, and those other Pro∣vinces, except it be the Gold and Silver, which for the greater safety are for the most part put into Galleoons; which are very great and capaci∣ous Vessels, each of which carrying 36 pieces of great Cannon, and 300 select Mariners, may be said to be the Plate-Fleets Garrison: these being loaded with Gold and Silver depart in company with the Ships of Merchandize from Porto Velo, to Havanna, a Haven which for capacity, safety and Fortification, may be accounted the chiefest, not only in America, but peradventure, in the whole World; which being situated in the Island of Cuba, just under the Tropick of Cancer, turns towards the North, and is opposite to that part of America which is called Florida: whither when they are come, they find about 35 other Ships, which coming from Spain about the end of the preceding Iune, pass to San Iovan di Lua, which is the landing place of Mexico, and of that Province neer America, which is commonly called Nova Spagna; and having here unladed the Spanish Merchandize, and taken up those of Nova Spagna, they endeavour to be in Havanna at the time that the Galleoons and other Ships use to come thither; which is just about the beginning of September; to the end that, guarded by those Galleoons and other Ships, they may pursue their Voyage with more safety, and less danger of Pyrates; to boot with these, other Ships of the neighbouring Kingdoms use to come thither at the same time: so as the whole Flotta, as they call it, amounts to between 60 and 70 Vessels; when they part from Havanna, they must by the Streight of Beama, a very dangerous Streight between the Island Beama and Florida, fall into the open and immense Ocean, whither when they are come, they give fire to all their Artillery, in sign of joy for that they have escaped so dangerous a passage; and calling a Councel, they open a Packet which is brought from Spain, wherein there are Orders and Instructions from the King, how they are to steer their Course in their return; and in what height they are to keep from Climate to Climate: to the end, that their Enemies may not know what Course they steer, who oft times lie in wait to surprize them: these Ships which are called la Flotta d' America come usually into Spain in November; and en∣tring the Gulf of Cales, goe to Sivil by the great River of Guadal∣quivir; where the Merchandize and Treasure are brought to the Kings Officers, and are by them delivered out, according to their several proportions. They bring with them commonly to the value of eleven Millions of Gold; whereof two Millions consist in Merchandize, the rest in Gold and Silver; the fourth part whereof is calculated to be∣long unto the King, the rest to particular Merchants: the Merchandizes are Cuchunel, Indico, Campeggio or Campeche, a medecinable wood, Te∣bacco, and beasts hides tan'd, to make shooe-soles withall, which they call Covie: of the Ships when they go from Spain, those which go first

away with the Galleoons carry Silks and Woollen-cloath, Cloath of Gold, and other things of value: the rest, which are intended for Ter∣ra Firma, carry great quantities of Linnen, Wine, Oyl and Olives: in which things those Countries which stand in need thereof do abound; for the King, to keep those Provinces united, and dependant upon his Kingdoms of Spain, requires (upon rigorous and severe penal∣ties) that two things be by them observed: the one, that neither Vines nor Olives be planted in America, though that soil be very capable thereof: the other, that the Exchequer-rents and Kings Revenues of those Previnces, may not upon any terms be sold to private men; and hence it is, that those Inhabitants being in a possibility of being be∣sieged by Spain, forasmuch as belongs to Wine and Oyle, they are ne∣cessitated to keep Commerce with Europe, and to tolerate the Sove∣reignty of a far distant King, to the end that they may be provided thereof; and not having elsewhere, where to imploy their Riches, they must send them into Spain, to purchase annual revenues out of the forfeitures of those Kingdoms; which by a Spanish word drawn from the Latine, they call juri: whence it is that almost all the ready moneys of America being transported into Spain, raises the rates of the juri, and occasions plenty of ready money; and which is of greater importance, the same juri serves the King as a pledge and surety of their fidelity and vassallage: so as they can the lesse easily Rebell.

Nor were the Portuguese less fortunate in their Maritime Enter∣prises; who some years before Colomba's Navigation, undertook by Maritime Art and Study, Navigations no less uncertain, dangerous, unusual, and (in mans opinion) not to be achieved; for the ancient Ma∣thematicians and Cosmographers holding that the torried Zone was uninhabitable, thought that that part of Africa, which being wash'd by the Western Sea extends it self from the Streights of Gibraltar towards the South, did enter into that Zone, and that therefore it was in vain to sail any further that way, or to coast along there, without evident danger of their healths who should come to the Precincts of the Zone: so as it was impossible to penetrate, by Navigation, from the Occiden∣tal African Ocean into the Oriental, which washeth Asia and India: but the Portugueses endeavouring to advance further, did first discover the great Promontory of Capo Verde, and the adjoyning Islands which the ancients called Hesperides; and then advancing much further, when they had past the Equinoctial line, they arrived at the Kingdoms of Congo and Angola; then passing the Tropick of Capricorn, they at last compassed the enterprise which was before held so desperate; and dis∣covered the furthermost Promontory of Africa, which they called Capo di buona Speranza, or the Cape of good Hope; and sailing from thence through the open Ocean towards the East, they coasted so far along Africa, which turned about thitherwards, as discovering the mouths of the Arabian and Pe•…•…sian Gulfs, they came at last to that of the great Indo: where laying the foundations of so great an Empire upon friendship made with some of those Barbarian Kings, by the sole Tra∣fick of Spices, and other Levant Merchandiz, they began to interpose themselves in the Wars which they made one against another; adhe∣ring

to some with their Arms, suppressing some others, insomuch as having gotten some Towns, partly by agreement, partly by force, and fortifying themselves very well therein, they laid some better ground∣works of Empire in the midst of that Nation, which from nothing, or from very little, increased so fast as exceeds all their Neighbours, if not in greatness and union of State, at least in Worth, Maritime Forces and Civil Policy: which by (peradventure an unheard of example) proceeding from so far distant parts, curbs almost all the Kings and Potentates of those Regions; for being either Tributaries, adherents or Vassals of the Portuguese Empire, they either by force or by pri∣vate interest, are become dependants upon the King of Portugal: nor have they kept their Navigations and Acquisitions only within the Con∣fines of India; but as if one afforded materials for an other, they still advanced, till having gotten to the head of India, which they call Comorino, and hath on its Front the ancient Taprobana, they entred in∣to the Gulf of Bengala, and from thence into the Molucca Islands (the fer∣tile Mother of Spices) and to the great Kingdoms of China and Iapan; and so bold and fortunate have they been, as overcoming the Seas, and finding them navigable, they have gone about the whole World, and joyning the East unto the West they have rendred the opinions of the Ancients fabulous and foolish, who denied that the World was round, the possibility of the Antipodes, the peopling of the Zone, and the conjunction of the Seas.

The Kings of Portugal govern'd this Empire; and now the Kings of Castile, in succession to those of Portugal, by a Viceroy, to whom (re∣taining unto themselves all that is on this side of Capo dibuona Sper an∣za) they give all Supream Arbitrement, and disposal of all that belongs to them from the said Cape to the utmost part of the East: upon this Viceroy, who usually resides in Goa, all the Kings who are Vassals, Tributaries, Friends and Confederates, all the Government of Civil, Military and Maritime Affairs, doth depend: they keep possession of these Seas by four Fleets, distributed into fitting places and Havens: insomuch as none of those Kings or People may sail thereon, without leave and authority from the Viceroy, no not so much as upon occasion of Traffick or Merchandize. A singular thing, and which was never pretended to, nor put in execution by any Roman Emperour, or other King: the Kings of Spain reap many advantages by this Navigation; for to them belongs all the Spices which are carried away in Ships, to boot with many other Merchandizes and Jewels which are carried from the Indies to Portugal: by reason of this so great wealth, which comes every year to the Kings hands, the Crown of Spain is held to be of the richest Monarchies that ever was known, or at least which are at the present; and yet the Wars of Germany and Italy have so exhausted him, and brought him into such streights, as to boot with all the Kings Revenues sold and engaged, Spain is now the poorest of any Kingdom in Europe, in point of Silver and Gold; in so much as brass money runs curr at through all the Kingdom of Castile, which they call Mo∣neta del Veglione, instead of Gold or Silver, which occasioned disor∣ders of great importance to that Crown.

Now to return to where welefr, and to reassume the thread of our

former History. The same English Fleet being deprived of all hope of prey, whilst it return'd for England, •…•…an great shipwrack by a cruel Tempest which arose, which driving many of the Ships on shore, & split∣ting them, the rest return'd torn and rent, and in very bad order, without having done any good, home to England: so as this powerful League proved no less unfortunate at Sea, then it had done at Land: the Ne∣gotiations, Treaties, and conclusion of peace which succeeded after∣wards, as shall hereafter be said, were more unfortunate, and less wor∣thy so great preparations. Cardinal Barbarino return'd about the end of February, in the year 1626, to Rome, from his French Embassie; who got nothing by it, but an acknowledgement that the King had aided the Duke of Savoy (who had been hainously offended by the Genoeses) not so much in respect of his alliance with the house of Savoy, as to keep the Spanish Forces imploied in defending the State of Genoa, so as they might not op∣pose his men in the Valtoline; that it might be supposed that when the busi∣ness of the Valtoline should be decided, to the satisfaction of all, and in con∣formity to the Articles of Madrid, he would forbear offending the Genoeses, whom he had neither reason, nor will, directly to injure. But the orderly disposing of the affairs of the Valtoline pretended unto by the King see∣med to be such, as that they offer'd to restore all the Forts that were taken in the Valtoline, to the Pope, upon condition that they should be immediately demolished, and that being demolished the Valtolini∣ans should return to their ancient obedience of their Lords and Masters the Grisons, the Kings ancient Confederates: the Pope would not consent to such hard conditions, as repugnant to the Catholick Religi∣on, and to the Popes endeavours: so as the Legate departed from the Court, and returned towards Rome, little satisfied with the King, and less with Cardinal Richelieu; the Pope intending to send him upon the same Embassie to Spain found great resistance amongst the Spanish Agents, who thought they should suffer too much in their reputation, if the Embassie of Spain should seem to depend upon that of France; wherefore protesting that the King should not receive him, the Pope sent for his Nephew back to Rome, thinking to send him, as with a new and different Embassie, from thence into Spain: but neither were the Spanish Agents pleased with this, who liked not that in the same Negoti∣ation the King of France should have the precedency given him before the King of Spain: after many debates this accommodation was found; that the Title of the Embassie should be from the Pope, relating to the Baptism of a Daughter of the Kings who was born about that time, and that the Negotiation of peace should come in the second place, as de∣pending thereupon: but for all this new Embassie, the Pope forbare not to prepare for Arms, in case he could not effect peace by his Em∣bassie; for thinking that he should not suffe•…•… a little by the worlds opi∣nion, in his own dignity, and in that of the See of Rome, by the usur∣pation of the Valtoline, which had been done with so little respect to his Men and Ensigns who defended it; and being moreover scanda∣lized that his Embassie was not received with such esteem in the Court of France as became the Grandezza of the S•…•…e of Rome, and his de∣serts; he took it also ill, that the King of Spain did not readily restore what he had usurped, but did stand upon unreasonable, and impossible

conditions: he therefore resolved to resent himself by force of Arms; and after having used friendly and benigne endeavours to little pur∣pose, he would shew that animosity and resentment which the world had desired to find in him, from the beginning of these commotions; and would send men to recover the Valtoline, and the Forts thereof, which were possess'd by the French: so as the Spaniards continuing their former offers, of assisting him with Men and Arms, he sent 6000 Foot into the State of Millain, commanded by Torquato Conti, Son to the Duke de Poli, to the end that joyning with the Spanish Forces they might go to the recovery of the Valtoline: but the Duke of Savoy, and the other Confederates, prepared forces for the next season, as well as did the Pope; thinking to renew the war more fortunately, and with greater forces then they had done the year before; and news was like∣wise heard in Italy, of great preparations which were made in that Kingdom to the same purpose; wherefore the Commonwealth of Ge∣noa, not willing to be found unprovided, let what would happen, wil∣lingly listned to Proposals made by the Marquess di San' Croce, and the Marquess di Castagneda, of making League with the Crown of Spain, in defence of their common Dominions; to which purpose an Army of 8000 Foot, and 500 Horse, should be by them joyntly raised; two thirds of them to be maintained by the King, and the rest by the Commonwealth; and this Army was to be commanded by Francisco Qelio Brancacchio, with title of the chief Commander of the Common∣wealths Forces, which together with many Germans and Italians, en∣tertained at her own charges, caused two Brigades to be likewise raised, the one by Philippo Spinola di Giulio; the other by H•…•…ctore Ravaschiero, Prince of Satriano, who raised them upon his own charges: but these and the Popes preparations, as also those of the Confederates, proved vain, as did likewise the Embassie sent into Spain: private Negotiati∣ons of peace began at this time to be had between the two Crowns, which were happily concluded, and with incredible speed. The King of France, moved the reunto either by the unfortunate suc∣cess of the League, or by the troubles of his own Kingdom, (or were it that he saw that he must be forc'd to make a new war in Italy, touching the Valtoline, and other concernments with the Pope, who was irrita∣ted and incens'd and joyned with the Spanish Forces;) and considering how costly and how little advantagious the Confederates Counsels pro∣ved, conceived it better to secure his own affairs, then to busie himself in those of other mens: laying therefore aside all the ends and interests of the Confederates, he thought it best to close upon any terms with the King of Spain; and the Court of Spain hearing no more welcome musick, then the sound of peace in Italy, willingly listned to the en∣deavours that way tending; the conclusion whereof, with the same easi∣ness and good inclination of all parties, was appointed to be made on the sixth of March, the year 1626. in Monsone, a Town in the Kingdom of Aragon, where the King was gone to keep the Courts of that King∣dom: so as the Popes men, who were come into the State of Millain, at the same time almost that the unexpected news of peace came thi∣ther, served only to receive peaceful possession of the Forts which in conformity to the Articles of peace were delivered up unto them, in

the name of the Apostolick See; the chief Articles whereof were: That the Roman Catholick Religion should be preserved in the Valtoline, and in the Counties of Bormio and Chiavenna: That things should be reduced to the same condition as they were, in the year 1617. That notwithstanding the people might chuse their Magistrates, and Governours, by whom they were to be ruled, without any dependency upon the Grisons: That the confirma∣tion of those that were to be elected should belong unto the Grisons; who if they were not confirmed within eight days, they might administer Iustice, and exercise their Office and Iurisdiction: That if the Grisons should fail twice in this confirmation, they should be understood to have for ever forfeit∣ed this their power of confirmation: That the Valtolinians and their compa∣nions should pay unto the Grisons, in recompence for the jurisdiction which was confer'd upon them, a certain annual sum of money to be agreed upon between themselves; wherein if they should not agree, it should be decided by the two Kings: That the Grisons should approve of these Articles, and should swear to observe them: That such Forts as were held by either of the two Kings, in those parts, should be put into the Popes possession; who upon restoring the Artillery and Ammunition which should be therein at the time of depositure, should immediately demolish them; but that the demolishing should not be delay'd, for fault of consignation, since the King had past his word they should be consigned: That in case the Pope should defer the demo∣lishing, the two Kings should joyntly intreat it at his hands, so as they might be effectually demolished: That the Grisons should not enter armed into the Valtoline, nor the Spanish Agents keep any more armed men then usual in the Confines of the State of Millain: as touching the differences between the Commonwealth and the Duke of Savoy: That their two Majesties, and ei∣ther of them, should procure a Truce with their Colleague for four moneths; and should chuse two Arbitrators, who should end the differences within the said prefixt time; in case the differences should not be terminated with∣in four moneths, their two Majesties should undertake to determine them, and cause each of their Colleagues to observe them: That their two Majesties should joyntly end any differences which should arise between the Grisons and Valtolinians, and should not permit them to take up Arms one against another: That if any differences should happen in Italy, between the Friends of either Crown, their Majesties should not adhere with arms unto their Col∣league, till such time as one of the Kings had treated in the other Kings Court, and procured an amicable agreement.

This was the substance of the chief Capitulations of Peace, at Mon∣sone; then which more honorable, or more advantagious, could not be expected, nor hoped for, for the Crown of Spain; since the King got in this business of the Valtoline all that he therein pretended to, as well in the Catholick Religion which was there very well setled and secur∣ed; as in respect of the state and liberty of those people, who were thereby also freed, from the yoke and slavery of the Grisons; for though it was agreed that the condition of affairs should be reduced to the state they were, in the year 1617, (in which the Rebellion not being yet begun, the Valtolinians were under the Grisons obedience) yet was it more in shew, then substance; for the election of Magi∣strates, the necessary confirmation of them, the free and independant exercise of their jurisdiction, were such exceptions to the condition of

the year 1617, as they did almost totally alter it: and the Valtolinians, having shaken off their ancient yoke, which made not only for the benefit and freedome of the King of Spaine, for the neighbour∣hood of Fort Fuentes, and for the necessity of Commerce which those people stand in with the State it self, they were constrain'd to keep united to the Crown of Spain, and to depend upon the Gover∣nour of Millains authority: so as the passage thorow that Country, which was the most important point, was kept shut up, and open at the free will and pleasure of the King of Spain and his Agents; for the Crown of Spain having concluded peace upon so advantagious terms, after having so fortunately defended Spain against the English Fleet; after the safe arrival of the Plate Fleet; after the recovery of Brasile, after the defence and preservation of Genoa, did gloriously triumph over the League, and over so many Forces, and Plots contrived by her Rivals and Enemies, to suppress the Grandezza of her King; and tru∣ly, we have not these many years read or heard of any peace made with such advantage and honour to that Crown; especially in a time when by the same which was given out of so great preparations for war made by the Consederates she was thought to be furthest off it, and that she was likely to enter into longer and more dangerous wars then the former: but the confusion and astonishment of the Confederates was as great, as was the glory, and satisfaction, which the Spaniards re∣ceived by this peace; for finding themselves abandoned by the King of France when they least expected it, and that by the dissolution of the League their ends and interest thereby pretended unto were lost, they fumed and complained of the King of France, not so much for that he had made that peace without their knowledge, as for the preju∣dice of the common affairs, which, being by him abandoned, were totally ruined: the Grisons who were chiefly concern'd in the preju∣dice of the Valtoline, could not tolerate, that after having run so many dangers in point of liberty, and suffer'd such calamities, they should be deprived of so noble a part of their Dominions; nor that their Pro∣tector, the King of France, should after his publick profession made to the contrary, have consented so far when they did most believe to be restored by his Arms: so as they complained bitterly, and did openly re∣fuse to accept of those Articles by which they were inforced to re∣nounce their own interests: the Venetians were mad, seeing themselves deprived of that advantage which they thought themselves sure of, after the expence of so much Treasure, after having undergone so many Troubles, after so many Plots and Artifices, whereby, for their own safe∣ty and the safety of Italy, they had turned the world upside down: the Pope was variously spoken of herein; those who minded the reality of affairs thought he had reason to be very well satisfied with this peace, since he had thereby vindicated his reputation, by the restituti∣on of the Forts, which were to be put into his hands again; and might pretend that his taking up Arms had been a great cause why the King of France had been brought to more moderate conditions▪ on the con∣trary, those who were more speculative, and who were already suffi∣ciently ill conceited of the Pope, thought that as he had with so much dissimulation suffer'd the King of France to enter armed into the Valto∣line,

so, to secure Italy from imminent slavery, and to abate the Spanish Grandezza; so likewise that he took it very ill, that the King of France should have stood upon so hard terms with his Legate in com∣posing the affairs of the Valioline; and if he were not ill satisfied for these respects, they thought he could not be very well pleased, fin∣ding that his neutrality which he had so publickly profess'd, and the course which he had steered upon these present occurrences, had not only not made him Arbitrator of the present Controversies, but that the two Kings had agreed them without his knowledge, and not with∣out some prejudice to his authority; and the Duke of Savoy was no less impatient at this, then were the other Confederates; for considering that instead of the resentment which he pretended unto against the Ge∣noeses, instead of the acquisition which he had hoped to have made in their Dominions, he had lost many of his Patrimonial Towns, lost his Artillery left in Gavi, and his Galley with the Sea-Standard; he thought that being to re-have them by agreement, and not by force, was to acknowledge that he had been a loser by that war: so as he knew not well what to do: to this was added, that the peace being proclaim'd in France, just at that time that the Prince, his Son, was in Paris, and was gone thither to keep the King and that Court stedfast to the League, and to procure new and greater preparations for war to be reassumed the next year; which preparations, that they might be the more certain, and more dependent upon the Dukes authority, and that he might have no occasion to contend with the French Captains and Officers, as he had done with the Constable; the Prince had de∣sired, and (as it was afterwards reported) obtained from the King, the charge, with title of General of the King of France his Forces in Italy; wherefore the Duke being become proud, as thinking himself grown formidable to his enemies, and more regarded by the King of France then any of the Confederates, now that he saw himself faln from such an height of expectation, and abandoned by the French Court when he least expected it, he held himself to be highly affronted, and that the world would laugh at him: but it was in vain to complain; for the two Kings were firmly resolved to see their determinations effected; and the Confederates not being able to do any thing without the King of France, were forced to succumb, and patiently to swallow down so bitter a pill, and of so hard disgestion; and the King of France, who had no excuse for what he had done, cared not much for their being unsatisfied: his Agents, sheltering themselves under the Kings great∣ness and authority, alledg'd not any thing in defence of what their King had done, but that the interests of the Kingdom required it should be so; with which (they said) it behoved and was necessary that the Confederates should comply; sometimes suffering it to escape out of their mouths, when they were strait put to it, that the Confederates not being any ways to be compared to their King, they must look upon him as their superiour: The Princes of France were no less ill satisfied with the peace it self then were the Potentates of the League; where∣fore hating the King, as well as him who had been the chief cause of concluding the peace, some who were discontented with the present condition of affairs, and desirous of novelties, and pretences to conspire

against the Kings person, and against Armand du Plesses, Cardinal di Richelieu, the Kings chief and most intimate Counsellor and Favorite; and it not being known what the true causes were which caused the King to be so sollicitous in procuring this peace so speedily, and with such secrecie, some would have it (and it was afterwards publickly spoken) that the signs of the dangerous conspiracy which was discover∣ed in the Court of France against the Kings person, forc'd him to com∣pose businesses abroad, upon any conditions, that he might the more securely provide against home conspiracies; but the business being discovered in Nantes, four moneths after the peace was concluded, does totally exclude that consideration: but whatsoever the matter was, were it that the peace were the effect of the Conspiracy, or the Conspiracy of the peace, some Princes of France, taking the unhappy conduct of the Kings affairs, by the unfortunate success of war, and by the dishonourable peace, as pretence for their Conspiracy; and finding that they could not pull down the Cardinal, by reason of the constant belief the King had in him, plotted to pull down the King himself: many were thought to be complices in this Conspiracy; the Duke and Cavalier di Vandosme, natural Brothers to the King; many were im∣prisoned upon this account: the Count di Soissons, Prince of the blood, his absenting himself from the Court made him be suspected to be guilty: many said that Monsieur d'Orleans, the Kings Brother, and heir to the Crown, together with several other chief Officers who were very inward with the King, were held to have a hand in it. The Plot, was that the King should be kil'd or deposed, and that having no Sons, the said Orleans should be made King; upon whose genius, as being more tractable and conformable to their humours, those laid their foundations, who endeavoured new resolutions in the world, and the ruine of the League, in prejudice to peace: the Duke of Savoy was held not only to be conscious of this Conspiracy, but the chief Author and Composer thereof, out of anger that the peace had been so concluded; and that the Abbot Alexander Scaglia, a chief Agent of the Dukes, and then Resident in that Court, was not only a great Contriver thereof; but that being sent from thence by the Duke into Holland and into England, he should treat of novelties with that King and with those States, in the behalf of the Rebels and Rochellers, who were at that time besieged and in great streights: in relief of whom the King of England sent forth three Fleets, which were all repuls'd: the Duke of Savoy did also foment the Duke of Roan, head of those that were risen up against the King: he received and entertained Count Soissons in Turin, who was gone from the Court; and offer'd the Duke of Orleans safe reception, and the command of his State, when for fear of the King he should retire thither: by which accidents, seeing himself in open breach with the Court of France, and fearing that lying in the midst between the two Crowns he might be equally hated by them both, he began to endeavour to joyn again with the King of Spain; to the end, that if he should be assaulted by the one King, he might be sustain'd by the other: this business being brought into the Court of Spain, and there discussed, met with many difficulties, as (for the most part) new and great affairs do; for though at the first view, it was well

and willingly listned unto, as an excellent means for the good of the affairs of Italy, whereby to remove the inconveniences which had hap∣ned by the Dukes alienation, yet it missed not some contradictions: some inclining to embrace the examples of Charles the Fifth, and of Philip the Second, who by rewards and alliance had always studied to keep that Prince their friend; others were troubled at the Dukes genius, who was various, unquiet, naturally a friend to novelties, hard to be govern'd before he were broke, harder afterwards; when all respects being thrown aside, and the reins given to resentment, he had already troubled the affairs of the Crown so many several ways: so as they thought his reconciliation would be unsafe and costly, and which could hardly be integral, after so many injuries done and received; it being impossible to reduce him to his former obsequie and observance, where∣fore he was likely rather to trouble and perplex the Kings affairs, then to secure them. The Conde Duca's authority prevailed: he being de∣sirous to signalize his inwardness with the King, before that of his pre∣decessour the Duke of Lerma; who suffer'd in his fame for having been too severe in depriving the Crown of this Prince his adherence, by whose alienation such prejudice, and so many troubles had resulted: so as thinking his reconciliation would prove as advantagious, he was of opinion that if it should succeed in his time, and by his means, it would adde as much to his reputation, as his alienation had detracted from that of his Predecessour: the execution thereof was therefore out of good respects put off till the conclusion of peace between the Com∣monwealth and the Duke, The mean while they went forward with the peace of Monsone, by vertue whereof the Forts of the Valtoline were restored to the same condition they were in before they were taken from Torquato Conti, in the Popes name, after many delays interposed by the Marquess di Coure, who would have had the Forts demolished before restitution, which the Pope did constantly deny: but did forth∣with demolish them, together with all the Fortifications of la Riva and Chiavenna: so as the peace was ratified on that behalf fully, with sa∣tisfaction to all men: but the peace between the Genoeses and Savoy met with greater and more inextricable difficulties; the Duke would have his Towns that were taken, his Artillery, together with the Gal∣ley and Prisoners, restored, before the Truce, and that they should proceed to decide differences; to which purpose he nominated Claudio Marini, for his Arbitrator; and the President of Grenoble came from France to Piedmont, by direction from the King, to be assistant, together with one who should be named by the King of Spain, in the Arbitre∣ment which was to be made by Marini, and by an Arbitrator to be na∣med by the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth, on the contrary, would have the Arbitrators first chosen, who should determine the dif∣ferences before any restitution should be made: nor did they allow of Marini to be an Arbitrator, as being formerly accused by them, for that he had been in the Confederates Army in the present war, and that he had, as Embassadour from the King of France to the Duke, intervened in the Consultations and Wars against the Common∣wealth: but the Duke being resolved not to consent to the Truce whilst the Genoeses should hold his Towns, and the business being

thereby intangled, the Marquess of Castagneda found out this accom∣modation; that without passing any express formal word, each party should keep armed in their stations, but with Orders to their Captains, that they should stand only upon their Gurd, and that in case any con∣tention should fall out between the Country people and the Inhabi∣tants, none of them should interpose themselves in the behalf of their friends; and having agreed with the Commonwealth that this should be observed by them, he by Letters acquainted the French Embassa∣dour who was at Turin, with what he had done; who writ back, that the Duke had made the same agreement, and had sent such Orders and Commissions to his Captains and Officers. Thus the business seemed to be conveniently adjusted, rather by reciprocal intelligence, then by any express Truce, or any formal word given or received for suspension of Arms.

In this interim, the term of four moneths, prefix'd to the Arbitra∣tours by the Capitulation of Monsone, being expired, the Treaty of Peace was turn'd over to the Court at Madrid; where the Conde Duca was for the Genoeses, and the Marquess of Rambollietto, being gone to that Court upon an occasion of the birth of one of the Kings Daugh∣ters, was detain'd there too, by order from the King, for this Affair. The difficulties were many; the Commonwealth refused to restore the Artillery and the Galley which were demanded by the Duke, as things which being taken in open fair War are never restored in peace: but the French pressing this point much, who were desirous to appease the Duke, he being offended and angry at the peace made at Monsone; and the Spaniards desirous to gratifie him the most they could, in what was more of shew then substance, that they might thereby draw him over to them, conformable to the endeavours which were had of re∣conciliation; they desired the Commonwealth to give way to this, at the request and for the satisfaction of the two Crowns, whose aim was to settle a good and a secure peace. The Commonwealth considering that restitution doth increase and not lessen the glory of what is gotten, pre∣fer'd the increase of reputation before the advantage of retention: whereunto they were perswaded by their no want of Artillery nor Gal∣lies; and chiefly, because the Duke had shewed the like respect to them in the Artillery which were taken in Riviera: greater difficulties remained about the principal point of Zuccharello, the Duke requiring that it should be restored to him, as a thing bought by him before, or else that he might be recompensed with as much Land elsewhere; and the Commonwealth refusing both these, the difficulty was reduced to be decided by moneys; wherein the Mediators at last agreeing, they disagreed in the sum: The Duke did not only demand what he had disbursed, but the interest, which amounted to too immoderate a sum; wherefore, and because the French demanded reparation should be made to Claudio Marini, for the prejudice he had suffer'd in having his house pul'd own; whereunto the Commonwealth not consenting, the French Embassadour departed speedily for France, and left the bu∣siness undecided: but whilst the business concerning peace was thus negotiated in Spain, affairs did not pass with that quietness and safety in the River of Genoa, as was hoped for by Castagneda's Negotiation.

Mark Antonie Brancacchio, Camp-master and Governour for the Com∣monwealth in Ormea, went by leave from his Uncle the General with 600 paid Foot, and as many of the Militia, to surprise and sack Briga, a great Town not far off, belonging to the Duke of Ormea; being come to a Bridge neer the Town, which, contrary to his opinion, he found well munited, he met with stout resistance; which spun out the busi∣ness to such a length, as though the Genoese had possess'd themselves of the Bridge and of some neighbouring Houses, yet some Souldiers co∣ming from Tenda to defend it, they worsted the Assailants, and slew a hundred of them, so as the rest were forced to sit down by their loss, and to retreat to Ormea, from whence they were come: the Duke pre∣tending that this was done in time of Truce, exclaimed much against it; without whose knowledge this dissaster had hapned; and being desi∣rous to know how it came to pass, found that Mark Antonio by License from his Uncle, General Brancaccio, before he had received Orders from the Senate to abstain from doing any offence, had done this, the General having forgotten to recall his License: a frivolous excuse, and which would not have kept the Fact unpunished, had not the Dukes Captains violated the suspension of keeping from doing any injury made by Castagneda, a little before; for one of the Dukes Gallies go∣ing from Villa Franca had given chase to a Barque of Genoa, and had taken it neer Albenga, and brought it to Villa Franca, the Masters of the Merchandize, nor of the Barque, never having received any satisfa∣ction: but the Duke impatient of affront, watched for revenge; and having had private intelligence with the Captains of the Garrison in Zuccharello, he sent 600 Horse, with Musketeers encroupe, to Garessi, a Town neer Zuccharello, with intention that being let in by the Con∣spirators in the evening, privately, by the Conspirators, and killing as many of the Garrison as should resist them, they should make them∣selves masters of the Town, which being done, they should go that very night, being guided by one that was of the Plot, to Albenga about six miles off; where General Brancaccio, relying upon the Garrisons of Pieve and Zuccharello, did carelesly reside; and as if he were to ac∣quaint him with somewhat of great importance, whilst he could not have advertisment of what had hapned at Zuccharello, he should beat down the Gate of the City, and let in his companions, who should not be far off, take the General prisoner, make himself master of the Ci∣ty, and make way for the taking of Pieve, and of all the Towns till you come to Porto Mauritio; which Towns were not likely to make any long resistance, when Albenga should be taken. The design had prospered, had not the Conspiracy which was very neer being effected, come to light: but it being suppress'd, and the Author and Complices thereof imprisoned, they according to Military custom, were made to pass the Pikes; and the Garrisons being changed, and the places of greatest importance re-inforced, the Dukes men were forc'd to give over the enterprise, and to retreat. The peace of the Commonwealth was likewise disturb'd by the Duke of Guise his sudden coming from Marcelles with seven Galleoons, amongst which was l' Almirante, a Vessel of great burthen, and very well munited with Artillery: the end thereof was never known, for Guise meeting with a tempest whilst

he was under sail neer Corsica, he was driven by the violence of the wind to within sight of Genoa. The Commonwealth sent speedy Or∣ders and Advertisment to Corsica, where it was thought the blow was aimed; and presently Rigging out 12 Gallies, part her own, part the King of Spains, and furnishing them with excellent Souldiers and with all warlike preparations, they put to Sea two days afterwards, con∣ducted by Don Carlo d' Oria, who upon this occasion was chosen Ge∣neral of the Fleet: but it being presently known that Guise, being for∣ced by tempest, was got to Ligorne, where he staid to make some re∣pairs for what he had suffered by the violence of the Seas, Don Carlo made thitherward, and came to Anchor at Marzocco, a safe Habour within two miles of Ligorne; after two days, Guise put to Sea again, and made strait for Marcelles, being still pursued by Doria within Can∣non-shot, till going out of the Ligustick Sea he came into that of Pro∣vence, and so retreated to Marcelles. Many men thought that he had only made this shew of coming out, wherein nothing of hostility past, except the making some shot to no purpose afar off at the Gallies which pursued him, to satisfie the Duke of Savoy for the moneys he had re∣ceived from him.

The year 1626 pass'd over with these petty accidents; about the end whereof Ferdinando Duke of Mantua died, who having no Sons, was succeeded by his Brother Vincenzo, the third Son to Vincenzo, the on∣ly issue that was left of the Line of his Grand-father William, and of his Brothers. The year 1627 insued, a year which proved very calami∣tous to many private Gentlemen of Genoa, in their fortunes; for those that did Traffick with the Court of Spain, having about ten millions of moneys owing them, which they were appointed to have received out of the moneys which were to come in the Plate-Fleets; the King al∣ter'd their payment, giving them satisfaction in lieu thereof in juri: with irreparable prejudice and loss of the Contract; for these particu∣lar Genoese, owing great sums of money to other men, since they were not paid in ready money by the King, could not satisfie others, but with the same juri, or with much delay of time, when selling those juri they might pay them in ready money. The Conde Duca was the chief cause of this great grievance to the Genoese; whereby the Crown of Spain reaped so much discredit, as the Kings Revenues nor the Plate-Fleets Treasure, being able to supply ordinary provisions, the King could not find any afterwards who would supply him upon any the most urgent occasions; and whereas formerly all the Gold of Europe was ready at his service by reason of his Credit and Correspondency with the Genoese, the Contract failing, and the King and Genoese failing both of them in their Credit, all Nations called in their moneys, and would no longer trust them who negotiated with the Crown of Spain: so as the King instead of the wealth and affluence of Gold which he hoped for by his Decrees, found extream penury and in∣credible scarcity of ready moneys. The Court Affairs were yet more in∣tricated, for that the Conde Duca through his hatred and abhorrescence of the Genoeses, resolving not to make any more Contracts with them applied himself to the Portugueses, and drew them to Contract and exalting them with extraordinary favours, profess'd that for the future

he would make use of them instead of the Genoese: to the end that they being for the most part such as are descended from those, who turning from Judaism to the Catholick Faith are treated as servants or slaves in that Kingdom, he might the better manage them, and winde them at his pleasure, and make use of their means and substance with less re∣spect, and force them to Contract upon any conditions: but failing in this his new counsel and course (for the Portugeses were not sufficient to undergo so weighty a business, neither by their own Wealth nor Credit, nor by their correspondency with other Nations) he was aware, though too late, that by one sole Decree he had irreparably prejudiced the Kings affairs, and had destroyed that well-adjusted frame, which as the chief ground-work of the enterprises and strength of that Crown, whose Grandezza was envied by her Corrivals, the Leagues, nor For∣ces of so many Confederate Princes could not beat down, the late preceding years: nor was it long ere he reaped the fruit of so unfortu∣nate a resolve; for no means being found to send moneys into Flan∣ders, the Kings business was greatly indangered; the Army not be∣ing able there to go that year into the Field; so as he did not only not make any progress in his affairs that year, but the Hollanders took Groll, with but indifferent Forces, a strong Town, and of great consequence, in the County of Zutphen; and the next year, not fearing the Enemies Army, they turned all their Land-preparations, to the like at Sea; for raising 80 Men of War, they sent them towards America; and entring the Gulf of Mexico they took the Merchants Ships, which parting from Don Iovan di Sua went to Havanna, to joyn with the Galleoons; and moreover, took many other rich Vessels in several parts of the Ocean, which past from the Indies and from America to Spain: which losses were the occasion of yet greater mischiefs, not only for what the Spanish and Portuguese Merchants suffered, by the interruption of their Traffick in the Indies, and in America; but also for that the Hol∣landers being inriched by so great booty were able to increase their Forces the next year, and made greater acquisitions, of Weesel and Bolduke, places of great concern in Guelderland and in Brabant; and on the contrary, the Spanish Army entring Holland by the Velen, was forc'd to retreat without doing any thing. The losses and calamities which befell some Gentlemen of Genoa in their private fortunes, was succeeded by another publick calamity; which though it hapned the insuing year 1628, had its rise, as the Duke professed, from a petty ac∣cident which fell out this year: the Town of Pigna, being taken, as hath been said, by the Genoese, paid obedience to them, though there was no Garrison in it. General Brancaccio thought it fit, after the Peace to quarter some Companies of Dutch Souldiers there, who for their greater satisfaction, and for the safety of the Town, made Trenches round about it; where having kept quiet for some moneths, it so sell out, as some of them going upon their private occasions to Busso, a little Village under the jurisdiction of Pigna, not above a mile off, which formerly had rendred willing obedience to the Captain of Pigna, they found a Garrison of the Dukes men in it: which being told to the Cap∣tain, and by him to General Brancaccio, order was given to drive them from thence: the Dukes men defended themselves; but not being able

to resist, the most of them, together with some of the Town Inhabi∣tants, both men and women, were slain. The Duke who had not forgot what had hapned at Briga, was very much scandalized with this second accident, which seemed to be another attempt against that en∣tercourse which had been wrought by the mediation of Castagneda; and exclaiming sufficiently against the Spaniards both in the Court of Rome, and to other Princes, he publish'd a Manifesto, wherein he ac∣cused the Genoeses as infringers of the Truce, and of the agreed upon suspension of Arms; for having retaken Pigna, which they had for∣merly abondoned, he hereunto added the assault at Briga, the spoiling of the Country, the extortions and damages occasioned to his Subjects by the Souldiers of the Commonwealth; that they had attempted to suborn his vassals, cut down many Chesnut-tree in Ormea, and that, lastly, by what had been done at Busso, they had manifested how little they valued the Spanish Agents, their Faith, their Word, and the su∣spension of Arms made by the Spanish Agents; wherefore he deman∣ded satisfaction, if not, he threatned revenge: to this purpose he sent the Abbot of Virgis to Genoa, to treat with the Marquesses of San' Croce and Castagneda: the Commonwealth appointed process to be made against those who had used such cruelty towards women and children at Buss•…•…, and none being found guilty but some few Corsicks, who were fled, only one of them that hapned to fall into the hands of Justice, was hang'd: but the Duke continuing his threats, seemed as if he would once more assault the Commonwealth. The Duke of Feria was at this time sent for back into Spain, who till further provision should be taken was succeeded by Don Gonzalle di Cordua, who fearing some novelty to be made by the Duke, and thinking himself by the new League made with the Commonwealths obliged to defend her Territories, he sent Count Luigi Terto to the Western River with his Brigade, against which the Duke did likewise greatly exclaim in the same Manifesto; pretending that the King ought not to assist those who by the breach of Truce had given him just reason of resentment; nor could he do it without express breach of the Convention at Monsone, by which it was agreed that if any tumults should arise in Italy between the Colleagues of either of the Crowns, none of their Majesties should assist his Colleague, till the occasion of difference had been discust in the others Court, and there compounded: whilst these things were in debate, Vincenzo the new Duke of Mantua died, which occasioned greater commotions in Italy, and seemed to divert the Duke of Savoy from his new threatned resentments against the Commonwealth, upon these sleight occasions.

The End of the Ninth Book.