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DID not your Majesty know so much better than I do, that what is most necessary to make a Kingdom flourish, is a perfect Harmony and Agreement between all its Members; I would presume to
shew here what Care a Prince ought to take, that there be no Discord or Division among 'em: But since this depends upon a right Establishment of Subordination, your Majesty is better able than any Man, to order that as it ought to be, who so well understand to act the Part of a King, that 'tis enough to distinguish by your Air and Mien, that you was born to Com∣mand.
We see then what it is that gives Beginning to a Kingdom's Prosperity, and what it is continues it: For if he that is the Soveraign doth not know, or is not able to do, what he ought, he must then have a Minister under him. And be∣cause the same Respect which People have for his Master, is not usually paid to him; thence arise those Canvasings and Contests, that fre∣quently turn to Rebellions, and sometimes cause the total Ruin of a Kingdom. The Reign of the King your deceased Father, was full of such Accidents: The Royal Family was so divided, that the Mother was against the Son, and the Son against the Mother; the Brother likewise sought to destroy his Brother and his King. The other Princes of the Blood stood not much better affected. All which proceeded from his Majesty's giving so much Power to his Prime Minister, that the Princes thought it was he that did all, as they had great reason to believe; otherwise the Queen-Mother had not been so abandon'd, as to die at Cologne in such distress, that she had not the one half of what she wanted, to relieve her Necessities.
Your Majesty's Minority was expos'd to the same Inconveniencies, because you were not then able to direct your Affairs: The Queen your Mother, when the King died, found them embroil'd, and in so great confusion, that it was not possible for a Woman to reduce 'em into order. Your Father, when he died, left no Prime Minister; Cardinal Richelieu, who with a great deal of Reputation discharg'd the Duties of that Place, had left it vacant four or five Years: A thousand People expected to succeed him in it; and tho' all France did agree, That among so many, there was hardly one to be found worthy of the Ministry: Yet so great a number of Competitors striving to obtain it, occasion'd by your Father's limiting the Queen his Widow's Power, who should have been Re∣gent; made the Spaniards think our Disorders might turn to their Advantage; they then be∣sieg'd Rocroy, which they believ'd they should quickly carry, and enter into the heart of the Kingdom. But God confounded their Pride, by the loss of a Battel given them by Louis de Bourbon Prince of Condé, (then call'd Duke of An∣guien;) wherein they were so totally defeated, that they have never since been able to recover their loss. But without robbing that Prince of any part of his Glory, we may say, That this success was owing to none but God; for had he not taken your Majesty into his Protection, the Enemy might have advanced to the head of a narrow Way, through which the General must have past in their presence. They might also have fallen upon him, when by the inconve∣nience
of the Ways he was oblig'd to divide his Army. But beside all these Difficulties, there was an apparent danger in giving Battel; for had it been lost, the Enemy might have march'd to the very Gates of Paris. But 'tis sometimes God's Will, that neither Party shall think of doing that which they should do; and then he leads those step by step, whom he hath resolv'd to protect.
The happy success of this Battel of Rocroy, was follow'd with a Joy that was the more sincere, because your Subjects had a tender Love for your Majesty, and the Queen your Mother. The Persecution she had suffer'd, as well as Mary de Medicis, during Cardinal Richelieu's Ministry, procur'd your Mother a great deal of pity; and as Pity is usually accompany'd with Esteem, the more unhappy she had been, the more People resolv'd to follow her Fortune. How∣ever, it ought to be observ'd, it was other∣wise with Mary de Medicis; for all People saw her departure out of the Kingdom with dry eyes; no body was concern'd, but her own particular Servants and Domesticks. Upon which may be made this very good Reflection, That Princes soon lose the Love of their best Subjects by their ill Government. She had shewn too much Fa∣vour to Mareschal d'Ancre, and his Wife, both of her own Country, to be pity'd by the People. And as in France, as well as in other Places, they do not love to obey Strangers, the Gran∣dees murmur'd at it, and left the Court, because the Queen little regarged their Complaints. The King your Father also grew jealous of their
Power, which caus'd the Assassination of the Mareschal, and the tragical end of his Wife.
However, it was very ill digested; and God be thanked we have not seen your Majesty's Reign stain'd with any thing like it. A King never doth well to dip his Hands in the Blood of his Subjects: When they deserve Punishment, they ought to be legally prosecuted in a Court of Justice; which perhaps sometimes cannot be safely done, when a Subject becomes so great, that his Master hath just cause to be afraid of him. Wallestein was such a one; and therefore the Emperour Ferdinand III. was excusable, for commanding he should be kill'd. Henry III. had the same reason to rid himself of the Duke of Guise, when he was upon the point of usurp∣ing his Kingdom, and shutting him up in a Mo∣nastery.
But, except in such cases, a Criminal is to be put into the hands of Justice; not only for the Prince's own sake, but because it is necessary the People should know that the Person is guilty. Henry IV. took this course with Mareschal Biron; for tho' he fear'd, that if Biron perceiv'd his De∣signs were discover'd, he might raise Troubles in the Kingdom; yet that did not hinder the King from having a greater regard to what he ought to do for his own sake, than for what might thappen.
The Queen your Mother, SIR, had done well, had she taken example by that which befel Mary de Medicis; she had not then brought the State, as she did, within so near being lost, by the choice she made of Cardinal Mazarin to succeed
Cardinal Richelieu. His being a Stranger, made all your Subjects forget the Obedience that was due to their Soveraign. It was to no purpose to tell them, He had already done great Services to the Crown, and was still able to do greater, because he understood foreign Affairs better than any other Person; which indeed is abso∣lutely necessary for a Publick Minister. But they fancy'd these Reasons not so good as their own; nor could they be beaten out of their Opinion, That he being born a Subject of the King of Spain, was never to be trusted. And accusing the Queen-Mother of being more a Spa∣niard than a French-Woman, they seem'd to repent the Pity they had had for her; which appear'd in their confessing Cardinal Richelieu had reason to persecute her; tho' all the Suffer∣ings she had endur'd, had no other foundation, than a pretended private Intelligence she kept with the King of Spain her Brother. But so People might satisfie their Passion, they car'd not at what Price they did it.
I have reason to call all that Passion, which was done a little after the Death of the King your Father; since it is certain, that your Sub∣jects do not alway call Reason to their Aid: If they had, they would have seen that the Queen your Mother was not so much to be blam'd as they thought, seeing she had preferr'd, before others, a Man that was able to keep up the Re∣putation the Crown had gotten in foreign Coun∣tries, and knew what course was to be taken to meet there with success. 'Tis that which all the World doth not know, tho' it be a thing of
very great Consequence. My Brother, whom your Majesty Honour'd with making him Secre∣tary of State for Foreign Affairs, took the li∣berty many times to represent it to your Maje∣sty; but the Marquess Louvoy, who hath Ma∣xims very contrary to those Great Men's, who have preceeded him in the Administration of the Kingdom, destroy'd in a moment all that he strove to do. But I know not whether the Marquess will always have Reason on his side, because he makes use of the Strength only of your own Subjects; which Cardinal Richelieu, who knows as much as he, did not do, when he carried the War into Germany, made Catalonia and Portugal revolt: and led the way to the low'r∣ing of the House of Austria.
Indeed, tho' your Kingdom be very power∣ful, and your Majesty hath a third part at least increas'd its Strength by your Conquests; yet 'tis contrary to good Sense to exhaust all its Forces. Your Majesty will be better able to maintain the War, by arming other Princes in your Favour: But to do that, you must treat them like Soveraigns, as they are, and not pre∣tend, as Monsieur Louvoy doth, because they are your Majesty's Inferiours, they ought to look upon themselves as Slaves. Your Majesty per∣haps knows not what Answer he made to the Elector Palatine's Envoy, who complaining at the beginning of the Holland War, That his Master was no better treated, than those who were actually in Arms against you; the Mar∣quess told him, That it did not become such a petty Prince as his Master, to make so great a
Noise about so small a Matter: That your Ma∣jesty was not bound to give an account to any Man of your Actions: And, That the Ele∣ctor's standing so much on his Points, was the way to lose the Honour of your Friend∣ship.
Such great Words, SIR, may imprint on Mens Minds, a magnificent Idaea of your Power: But ought your Majesty to be contented with it? Would it not turn more to your Advan∣tage, that your Justice should be extoll'd, ra∣ther than proclaim the Condition you are in at present to oppress your Neighbours. That has never been the way to enlarge Empires: The Romans, who boasted themselves Masters of all the World, had more regard for their Allies, than your Minister hath for yours. To subject them, requires more address: 'Tis better Po∣licy to weaken 'em by War, of which let 'em suffer the Inconveniences, but reap none of the Advantages. Conquests are not ordinarily made for them, tho' they are the Baits where∣with they are usually tempted and drawn in. They may be wean'd from their part in them, under specious Pretences: As in the last War, when your Majesty made the Neighbour-Princes restore the Places they had taken from the King of Sweden; and which the Emperour did not oppose, because it was his Interest, that those Princes should not increase their Power; and which was all the Reward he gave them, for ta∣king his part.
I know not whether that which I have now said be a Digression; because it hath carried me
from my Subject: But I could not find a sitter place for it than here; and the reflexions to be made upon it, are of as great consequence as those I have yet to make, on the choice the Queen your Mother made of Cardinal Mazarin. To excuse her preferring him before others, three Reasons were given. The First was, because he was acquainted with Foreign Affairs; the Se∣cond was, That not being a Native of France, he had no kindred or Relations to enrich; the Third was, That more People would have been displeas'd and dissatisfy'd, had he been a French Man. But these Reasons are so weak, that I be∣lieve they do not much sway your Majesty; as for the First, if Cardinal Mazarin knew Affairs abroad, he was ignorant of those at home, which were as necessary to be known as those that were Foreign; and indeed, the Inconvenience is visi∣ble, seeing that which comes nearest the Heart, is of much greater consequence, than that which lyes remote from it. Beside, the knowledge of Foreign Affairs, is not so very difficult to be acquired; the Situation and the State of Coun∣tries is the greatest part of it, and by that a Man ought to regulate himself.
The Second Reason is not better, but the con∣trary; for there are a hundred things to be ob∣jected against it: A Stranger hath as great a de∣sire as any other Person, to enrich his Kindred, in what place soever they be: Beside, he can send for them, when he finds himself well setled. Three of his Nephews, and seven Neices, who came quickly into France, are an undeniable Te∣stimony of this Truth; and a Minister could
hardly have been taken out of any other Family, wherein there was to be found a greater number of Kindred and Relations: But a greater Inconve∣nience in the Choice, was, that he being a Fo∣reigner, and not certain how long he should keep his Post, would be every Day transmitting into his own Country, that which might plentifully maintain him, in case he fell into disgrace. Be∣side, it was not to be supposed, that a Stranger could be so well affected to France, as one that sucked in the Love of his Country with his Mo∣thers Milk; to which I will add, that seeing he was not Married, nor in a condition ever to be so, he could not look upon France, as a Country, wherein he himself, or his Posterity, could ever hope to be setled.
The Third Reason is much weaker than the other Two; which was, that when in so great a Kingdom as your Majesty's, People of very great Quality and Merit, see the Ministry put into the Hands of a Stranger; Who is he, that hath so ill an Opinion of himself, as to believe he doth not better deserve it, than a Man to whom no body is related? Whose Manners and good Qua∣lities are not known; and to whom, were Peo∣ple never so much convinc'd of his Merit, they would not be so just as to give him his due? For my own part, I believe the Queen your Mother had some other Reasons (than those al∣ledged) for her Choice. Perhaps it was, be∣cause other Pretenders did not make use of her Interest to obtain the Place, and consequently, foreseeing they would not thank her, she, for that Reason, made the Choice she did. But whatever
it was, her Majesty quickly saw so many new Troubles break out, that tho' she had been us'd to the like, in the Reign of the deceased King, yet she was very much surpris'd: Their begin∣ning seem'd not so much to be fear'd, because among all the Malecontents that openly declared themselves, there was neither a Duke of Orleans, or a Prince of the Blood, as there was in the time of Cardinal Richelieu's Ministry: But it was in this, Men were most deceived; for Popular Commotions are more difficult to be appeas'd, than those wherein some great Person is ingag'd; for he by some particular Favour seasonably be∣stow'd on him, is usually bought off from doing farther Mischief; whereas, many Arts are to be used to calm a mutinous Multitude, and especially when they have taken a fancy to Command.
The Revolt (of which I shall hereafter speak to your Majesty) was of this kind; for the Parli∣ament of Paris was concern'd in it, though they decreed the Queen your Mother, should have the Tuition of your Majesty, with a more ample Power, than that which the deceased King by his Declaration left her; yet this being done by the solicitation of her chief Almoner the Bishop of Beauvais, who had a great many Friends, and to whom she had given hopes to be first Minister, as soon as he saw himself deceived, and not able to undoe what he had done, he did all he could to stir up Enemies against her. Her Majesty, who had a great Soul, and worthy of her high Birth, thought this was but a Wave which would break of it self, and whereof she was not so much as to seem to take any notice; nevertheless,
still aiming at your Majesty's Grandeur, she gave Orders to the Duke d' Anguien, who after the Battel of Rocroy, had given the Garrison of Lan∣drecis great Liberty, by demolishing certain Ca∣stles that straighten'd it, to lay Seige to Thyon∣ville. Mareschal de Guebriant who was on the o∣ther side of the Rhine, endeavoured to amuse the Enemy, that they might not relieve the Place; nevertheless Mello, who had gotten together the scattered Troops of the Spanish Army, joyning with General Bek, resolved the Place should not be ta∣ken without Blows: But your Majesty's Fortune supported by the Duke d' Anguien's Valour, frustrated all their Endeavours, so that this Con∣quest which made such a Noise abroad, began to make your Reign so Illustrious, that your Allyes, who fear'd the Death of the deceased King, would make a change in your Affairs, did now again begin to take Courage.
It was by your means, that the Swedes did not only keep their Conquests in Germany, but en∣larged them. The Dutchess of Savoy likewise, by your Assistance, retook Trin, and Pontdesture, which were in the Possession of the Spaniards. But that which gave them more Trouble, was the Duke of Braganza's putting the Crown of Portugal upon his own Head, by the Aid your deceased Father had given him; and still kept it in spite of all Spain, by the succours he receiv'd from you: The Spaniards had no better Success in Catalonia, where Monsieur La Mothe frustra∣ted all their Designs; so that that Province re∣volted at the same time Portugal did, and main∣tained it self against all the Power of Spain. Your
Majesty likewise beat them at Sea, where the Duke de Bressé, who commanded your Fleet, set upon them in the Port of Cartagena. These Miracles were done in the first Year of your Mi∣nority, and lost none of their Lustre; but by the raising of the Siege of Alexandria, which Prince Thomas had a little too imprudently un∣dertaken; and by a Tumult rais'd in Rovergne, which was quickly quash'd. That which is yet more wonderful, is, That your Realm, which was not very quiet, did not promise such favou∣rable Events; and that you were also obliged to cause the Duke of Beaufort to be seised, who conspired against your Prime Minister: You at first resolved to have Exemplary Justice executed upon him, and therefore ordered your Court of Parliament to prosecute him: but you being the best of Men, caused all proceedings against him to cease, and you were contented he should ex∣piate his Crime, only by imprisonment.
The following Year, 1664. was not altogether so prosperous, at least the beginning of it: For Mareschal Guebriant's Army was defeated at Teu∣teling, by their fault, under whose Command it remained after his Death. That General, who towards the end of the preceeding Year, had be∣sieged Rotuiel, was there hurt with a Faucon Shot, whereof he died: Which may put your Majesty in mind of how great consequence it is to you, to have an experienc'd General; as such a one is hard to be found, so your Majesty ought not on∣ly to set a high Value upon him; but likewise ob∣lige others to follow your Example. For is it not a strange thing to see with what Haughtiness
Monsieur Louvoy treats your Commanders, even from the highest to the lowest; 'tis with so much Pride, that it disgusts all Men of any Courage; and they would certainly desert your Majesty, if their Love for you did not prevail over their Resentments. I very well know, when he gives your Majesty an Account of things, he very much Mis-represents them: He makes you believe, that unless your Commanders be kept Humble, they will not Obey you, and you shall never be served by them as you ought to be: But he is much in the wrong; For all your Subjects love you so well, that they all blindly obey you. The Marquess, with this Pretence, cloaks all his exor∣bitant Ambition; he is very well pleased to min∣gle his own Interest with your Majesty's, which might be of dangerous consequence to a King, not so Wise and Virtuous as you are. It would be an Insensible Usurpation upon his Authority, and there needed nothing more to plain the way to his Throne. Your Majesty perhaps doth not know, that to get Preferment, 'tis much better to be his Creature, than to have Merit; so that he hath a greater Court than yours; and all the difference between them is, that to meet with Success in the one, Men must Cringe, and make low Bows; but in the other, it is enough to be a Brave and an Honest Man.
The great Affairs, which your Majesty had then upon your Hands, did not hinder you from giving Refuge to a Princess persecuted by For∣tune: The English, who made War against their King, and by their evil Designs against him, made it evident, they would carry on their At∣tempts
to the utmost extremity, your Majesty mollified his Misforune, by giving a Retreat to the Queen his Wife; which will not be one of the least remarkable Passages in your History; since pity doth not always reign in the Hearts of Kings, they oftner giving ear to what Policy sug∣gests, than to the Dictates of their Duty. But I can, without deceiving my self, say, that this Policy is none of the best, since the same Fate may befal all Soveraigns; and it were better they would with their Arms punish Rebellion: Then perhaps it would not be so frequent as it is in all Kingdoms. But this is to advise what is im∣possible, it being now the general practice, ra∣ther quite to undoe, than help an unhappy Man.
For an Action so acceptable, God soon rewar∣ded your Majesty, you made your self Master of Gravelins, notwithstanding all the Spaniards (un∣der the Command of General Picolomini) could do to hinder it, your Army kept them from suc∣couring Germany. You sent thither the Duke d' Anguien, who there gain'd the Famous Battel of Friburg, your Troops fighting three Days to∣gether to get a compleat Victory. The fruit of your Labours was the taking of Phillipsbourg, and all the places upon the Rhine near it. Beside, you reconfirm'd your Allyes, who were in great Con∣sternation, for what had happened at Teuteling.
The House of Austria had it's Revenge in Ca∣talonia, where Mareschal de la Motthe was beaten, in endeavouring to relieve Lerida, which was ta∣ken, and he forc'd to raise the siege of Terragonne, which he had invested to make a diversion. Ba∣laguier
was also reduced, and so had been the whole Province, if the Spaniards Affairs had gone well in Portugal: But having lost a great Battel there, they were forc'd to carry some Troops thither, which did so weaken them, that they could do nothing more all that Campaign.
That of Italy likewise, was not very prospe∣rous, after several Ingagements, wherein the Spaniards, as well as your Majesty, met some∣times with good, and sometimes with ill For∣tune.
Your Army was forced to quit the Siege of Finall; but you succeeded better in the prosecu∣tion of your Rights at Rome, where some en∣deavoured to affront you in the Person of your Ambassadour: The Protection which you gave to the Duke of Parma, from whom the Pope for his convenience had taken the Dutchy of Castro, weighed much with many in that Country; so that by your Medition, Peace was made with many Princes, who had taken Part in that Quarrel.
So many great things were not able to satisfie your Mind: you cut out work for the Emperour, who endeavoured to do the like to your Allyes; and seeing he made the Danes Arm against the Swedes, you were not only quit with him, in stirring up the Prince of Transilvania against him; but you sent an Ambassador to the two Crowns to hinder their differences from proceeding any further: And since it was not your humour to give Counsel to others, which you would not follow your self, you consented to treat of a general Peace at Munster, where some were come toge∣ther,
with a resolution to put an end to so great a work.
Your mediation was received by the Northern Crowns, in spite of all the Traverses made by the House of Austria, to render it suspected, and your Ministers finding so great a Progress made towards the ending of their Differences, their Endeavours succeeded so well, that a Peace was concluded. The Sweeds being delivered from their Troubles, caused by this War; you ordered Vicount Turenne whom you had sent the Year before into Germany, to take upon him the Command of Mareschal Guebrient's Army, and to act in concert with them; but tho' he was a great Captain, he was defeated at Mariendall, it being impossible for him to avoid it. Here begun the Campagne of 1645. wherein you had quickly your Revenge, almost in all places where you had Souldiers: You took Roses in Catalonia, having sent thither Count Harcourt, in the place of Mareschal la Motthe, whom you caus'd to be seized, not only for the Faults he was guilty of the former Campagne; but because to excuse himself, he endeavour'd to blemish the Reputation of your chief Minister, whom he accus'd to be the cause of his ill Success, pretending he had let him want all things: But 'tis not reasonable, that any Person should justifie himself at another Man's cost; at least, when things are not as clear as the Day. The Spaniards endeavoured to relieve Roses; but Count Harcourt having opposed their Passage, while the Count du Plessis Praslin was before it; they tryed to put in Relief by Sea, but met with the same Difficulties, because your
Fleet was there: Your Majesty (who takes plea∣sure in rewarding Men of Merit) sent a Mares∣chal's Staff to Count du Plessis. The taking of this Town, was follow'd with the defeat of the Spaniards in the plain of Livrons, and the re-ta∣king of Balaguier; so that after so many happy Successes, all that had gone ill in the former Campagne, was quite forgot.
The Duke d' Anguien, whom you sent again this Year into Germany, quickly reveng'd Vi∣count Turenne, by defeating the Enemy at Nor∣lingue; while the Duke of Orleans in Flanders, took the Fort of Mardyke, Link, and Bourbourg. Your Majesty multiplied your Conquests, with adding those of St. Venant, Lilliers, Armentiers and Bethunes. You caus'd the Fort of la Motthe to be demolish'd, out of which the Lorrain Troops were driven with great difficulty, and which served them for a place of Retreat, after committing a thousand Robberies.
Prince Thomas had again signaliz'd the Glory of your Arms in Italy, if he could have kept Vigevane and its Cittadel, which he had taken: But it was impossible for him to resist the great Efforts the Enemy made to retake 'em. The Emperour, on his side, sent so strong an Army to the Rhine, that he re-took all the Places he had lost, Phillipsbourg only excepted. Perhaps it had not been done, if the Duke d' Anguien had been at the Head of your Majesty's Troops; but he was fallen Sick, and return'd to Paris. Vicount Turenne in the mean time took Treves, and your Maiesty restored it again to its lawful Prince, whom, after a long Imprisonment,
you set at Liberty: You have always been a Sanctuary to the Unfortunate, witness the Bar∣barines, to whom you gave protection, though all Europe thought them unworthy of it, for the War they had kindled in Italy, which was but just then extinguish'd: But it was enough when they were persecuted to have the Honour of your Protection; of which the Duke of Monaco being confident, threw himself into your Ma∣jesty's Arms, and quitted the Spaniards Party, which till then he had followed.
The Year 1646, was full of great Events; your Majesty took a second time the Fort of Mardyke, which the Enemy had re-taken towards the end of the Campagne; your Majesty likewise took Furnes and Dunquerque, which gave so great an Allarm to all Flanders, that they thought themselves irrecoverably lost. Vicount Turenne enter'd into the very Heart of Germany, which made the Emperour perceive, it was better to make a Peace, than to hearken to the Spaniards, who endeavoured to perswade him, that your Majesty, during your Minority, was not able to bear the Burden of so many weighty Affairs, you had then upon your Hands. Nevertheless, your Minister engag'd you in an Enterprize, for which he ought never to be forgiven; since it was in no wise to your Majesty's Advantage, and that the publique Interest was less consider'd in it, than his own. He had married one of his Relations to a Nephew of the Barbarin's, and this Allyance disposing him to do all he could for them, he carry'd the War to the Borders of Tuscany, and caused Orbitelle to be besieged:
His design in this, was to mortifie the great Duke, the Barbarin's capital Enemy; but this Enter∣prize having allarm'd all Italy, it gave such Suc∣cours to the Spaniards, as raised the Siege, tho' your Fleet had repulsed the Enemy's. The Success which your Arms had at Piombino and Portolongonne, did drowne the Memory of this Loss; but the Joy for that Success was damp'd, by the raising of the Siege of Lerida, wherein Count Harcourt had spent seven Months to no purpose.
The Protection which your Majesty gave to the Barbarines, was so great an Advantage to them; that their Goods which had been seiz'd by the Pope's Order, were restored to them. The Cardinal Desté was also sensible of the Honour you did him, in embracing his Interest; for without it, the Admiral of Castile, would never have done him reason, who took a pleasure to insult him in the middle of the City of Rome. You were indeed at that time, the Protector of the Oppressed, which you made appear to the Venetians, in whose favour you sent an Ambas∣sador to the great Turk, to dis-swade him from the War he was about to make upon them: The Respect which the Grand Signior had for your Majesty, made him promise all things; but In∣terest will prevail over Promises, when one hath to do with Barbarians; the Turk quickly forgot this, when he saw that Republique was not in Case to defend it self.
The Year 1647. was remarkable, for your Majesty's then having the Small-Pox, by which you were in great Danger: But we were soon
rid of our Fear, when we saw the greatness of your Courage; for you ask'd Pardon for one of your Officers, whom the Queen had commanded not to come near you, she suspecting you were infected by him. What a loss had it been for France, and how great a happiness for Spain, if your Sickness had been Mortal, as 'twas feared? The Spaniards whom, as young as you were, you daily made to feel the weight of your Arm, were so astonisht, that they sent into Flanders the Arch-Duke Leopold, hoping that the greatness of his Birth, would incite him to out-do those that had preceeded him in the Government of those Provinces, and make better Head against your Majesty: He came into the Country with a good Army, and re-took Amentiers, Landrecis, and Dixmude: But you took from him la Bassée, and Lens, where you lost Mareschal Gassion, who was there Mortally wounded. Your Majesty, who had been the last Year on the Frontiers, came thither again this Year, and inspired Cou∣rage into your Souldiers, by giving 'em great marks of your Liberality. But the Arch-Duke hindering you from making any further Con∣quests in that Country; your Majesty was very well pleased with the great Success your Arms had in Germany. The Duke of Bavaria was forced to accept of a Neutrality, as the Duke of Saxony had done some time before; so that the Emperour had at that Instant concluded a Peace, had not the Spaniards disswaded him from it; their Reasons were, the appearance of some Sparks of the Civil-War, which soon after broke out; but the Mischief they wish'd us,
fell more upon them, than upon us; and the Revolt which hap'ned at Naples, put them into strange Confusion.
Your Majesty supported that Commotion, with all your Forces; and equip'd a brave Fleet to carry Succors thither: But the Duke of Guise, who had thrown himself into the Place, acting there independently from your Majesty; Car∣dinal Mazarin who did not love him, took oc∣casion to recall the Fleet, without furnishing him with the Necessaries he wanted: The Cardinal was inexcusable, since it was a capital Crime not to lay hold of so fair an Opportunity; if your Majesty had not been in full Minority, you had been better served. Notwithstanding, the Duke of Guise maintain'd things with a great deal of good Fortune and Courage, while the Duke d' Anguien, who had now after his Father's Death taken the Name of the Prince of Condé, saw the Laurels he had gather'd in Flanders and Germany, wither by his ill Success before Lerida, which he had besieged.
I wish I could pass over in silence the Year 1648. a Year! Fatal to our Monarchy! and wherein, the greatest part of your Subjects be∣gan to fail in their Obedience to your Majesty; you know the pretence they had for it, were the many Taxes wherewith they were burdened; but the real Cause was, the Ambition of the Parliament, which pretended to enlarge its Autho∣rity; they began to examine all that your Maje∣sty did in your Cabinet, and tho' you com∣manded them not to assemble about any other Business, than to judge and determine the diffe∣rences
and Law-Suits depending between your Subjects; yet they regarded not your Commands; but condemned your Edicts, whereof the neces∣sity of your Affairs required the publication. This put the Kingdom into so ill a Condition, that the Arch-Duke took Furnes, Ettere and Lens: The Prince of Condé, whom your Majesty sent against him, having taken Ypres the beginning of the Campagne, retook Ettere, and at Lens gave the Arch-Duke Battel and beat him: This Suc∣cess encourag'd your Majesty to try to suppress the Sedition; you caused the chief Rebels to be seized at their going out from the Te Deum sung at Notredame, for the Victory; but instead of having, by this brisk Action, the Success you had reason t'expect; it heightened the Rebel∣lion to such a degree, that you had cause to be surpriz'd at it: The Parisians took Arms in Favour of the Prisoners, and having made Bar∣ricadoes in all the Streets within an Hundred Pa∣ces of your Pallace, they oblig'd you to release them. I draw a Curtain over the remembrance of an Action so displeasing to you, and so shameful in them; if the Queen could have pre∣vailed, she wou'd never have consented to it; for she maintain'd it would be such a Blow to your Authority, as would be of dangerous con∣sequence. I think she was in the right, and in∣deed this Condescention, served only to increase the Boldness of the Mutineers; so that they were not long without making new Demands: However, this did not hinder the Emperour from concluding a Peace with your Majesty, who by having gain'd the Battel of Sommerhausen, redu∣ced
him to such a condition, that he and those that had taken up Arms in his Favour, had been lost without it.
You took care of the Interest of your Allyes, whom the Spaniards, by their Intriegues, endea∣voured to separate from you; but what is more remarkable, you shewed your self the Protector of the Catholick Religion, though all your Al∣lyes are Protestants, and which might very well have embroyled you with them. But the Empe∣rour minded only his own Interests, and quite forgot those of Religion, which he had many times, during the War, made a shew of maintain∣ing; but there is great difference between Words and Deeds, which teacheth us, that if we will not be deceiv'd, it is much better to trust to the one, than to the other.
This Treaty, wherein your Majesty shew'd your self more firm to the Interest of your Al∣lyes, than to your own; procur'd you the Friend∣ship of all the Princes of the Empire, who be∣gun to look upon you as their Protector: They did no longer fear the Emperour's bereaving them of their Liberty, or that for the future, there would be any more Princes, who like Charles V. would endeavour to subject them. What mischief hath Monsieur Louvoy done, to trouble a Harmony so necessary to both Parties? from which the Emperour could never hope for any good? It may also be said, that this Minister's Imprudence hath been very great; seeing not∣withstanding, the just Fears all the Empire ought to have, of his Imperial Majesty's Power, yet he hath so very ill treated all its Members,
that they are now again ready to unite a∣gainst your Majesty; many Politicians wonder at it, and say, that seeing they have more Rea∣son to fear the Emperour, than your Majesty, they will take the wrong side, if they joyn again with the Emperour: But to be of their Opinion, it ought to be known, what this Minister of yours requires of them; he never speaks to them, but with a Cudgel in his Hand, and since Sove∣raigns are not used to be so treated, they think if Chains are to be avoided, they are those which are presented with so much rudeness.
Your Majesty carry'd the War into Italy, not∣withstanding you had so much to do in the Heart of your own Kingdom: But the Spaniards having taken the Duke of Guise Prisoner, and pacified the troubles of Naples, they made the Duke of Modena rise from Cremona which he had besieged after his taking part with your Majesty: But the Spaniards fail'd in the Design they had upon Mar∣seilles, where they intended to burn your Maje∣sty's Ships, wich were in that Port, and to seize upon the Town, where many of the Inhabitants held Intelligence with them. Your Majesty, to whom this was of extream great Consequence, caus'd those that were most guilty to be punisht, and pardon'd others, that by your Goodness, they might be induced not to fail for the future, in the Obedience they ow'd you: But the conti∣nual Attempts of the Parliament, being of very ill Example to those that were dis-affected; in many Places, People lost all respect due to your Majesty; so that the Hollanders, whom your Ma∣jesty, according to the Example of the King your
Father, and of Henry IV. of glorious Memory, had assisted against the Spaniards, made Peace with them.
Your Majesty, notwithstanding all this, main∣tain'd the War in Catalonia, with a great deal of Reputation; you rais'd the Siege of Flix, which the Enemy had invested, and made your self Master of Tortose, in sight of the Enemy's Ar∣my Commanded by Mello, who went out of Flanders thither; and had it not been for the Rebellion of your Subjects, to how great a pitch had your Glory been rais'd? It was very much increas'd by the Victory your Navy had in the Mediterranean, tho' it was much Inferiour to that of the Enemys; for it consisted not of above twenty nine Vessels, when they had Forty Two. Notwithstanding, this Inequality did not hinder you from sinking Three, and had not Night came on, they had reason to fear the loss of more.
So many Affairs, and of so great consequence, were enough to take up your thoughts, and see∣ing they always tended to the good of your State, you minded what pass'd in Poland, where the Glory of your Name frustrated all the Spaniards Endeavours, to have a King elected that should be a Friend to their Interest: But they were baff∣led in their Design; for Casimire Brother to the deceased, was preferr'd before the Person the Spaniards propos'd, for which he was wholly obliged to your Majesty.