Cabala, sive, Scrinia sacra mysteries of state & government : in letters of illustrious persons, and great agents, in the reigns of Henry the Eighth, Queen Elizabeth, K. James, and the late King Charls : in two parts : in which the secrets of Empire and publique manage of affairs are contained : with many remarkable passages no where else published.

The Lord Kensington to the Secretary the Lord Conway.

Right Honourable,

ACcording to his Majesties order which your last of April the 14. derived unto me, I have represented such reasons to the King, and his ministers of State here, against the sending of any person, in what quality soever, to the Duke of Baviers, as they acquiesce in them; speciallie for that they come commanded under his Majesties desire, which they professe to be very willing to comply with, not only in this, but in any other occasion wherein his Majestie may directly, or indirectly be any way interessed.

I took the same opportunity of preparing the way a little farther to a formal treaty of alliance, by feeling once again their pulse in matters of religion, and find, that it beats so temperately, as promises a very good Crisis of any thing that may concern that particu∣lar.

I dealt plainely with the Marquesse de la Veiville touching the course that his Majestie may be driven to hold against Jesuites and Priests, of banishing them the Kingdom; and of quickning the lawes against the other Catholiques, as well out of necessity of reducing them within the bounds of sobriety and obedience, as of keeping good intelligence with his Parliament, without which he could not possibly go thorough with such a weighty work, as he is now to undertake. He approved of the course for the ends sake; under hope notwithstanding that his Majestie would not tie his own hands

from some moderate favour hereafter, which is all they pretend un∣to, and desire it may flow from the mediation of this State upon an alliance here, for the saving of their honour, who otherwise will be hardly reputed Catholiques.

In representing a facility in these things, I leave no other difficul∣ties to be imagined.

Their good inclination to the match in general they are willing to demonstrate, (as by many other evidences, so) by the care, they are now under of lodging, and defraying my Lord of Carlile, and my self in a more splendid and Magnifique manner, then ever yet they did any Embassadour whatsoever, for such is the language that Ville-aux Cleres holds to me upon that subject.

The Count of Soissons sees it, and stormes, and manifests his dis∣content towards me (who am the instrument) more fellie then dis∣creetly. I encountred him the other day, and gave him the due that belonged to his rank, but instead of returning me my salute, he dis∣dainfullie turned back his head. I was somewhat sensible thereof, and I told Mounsieur de Grandmont of it, and as he, and I were dis∣coursing of it the day following, Soissons offered himself full butt up∣on us a second time. I again repeated my courtesie, and he is childish in civility. Grandmont found it strange, and intimated to the Mar∣quesse de la Valette a familiar, and confident of the Counts both my observation, and his own distaste of such an uncivil kind of proceed∣ing. Valette conveyes the same to Soissons himself, who answered that he could not afford me a better countenance, not for any ill will he bore unto my person, but to my errand and negotiation; which (were it not in the behalf of so great a Prince) went so near his heart, as he professed, he would cut my throat if he could. Nay, were any Prince of Savoy, Mantova, or Germany here in person to sollicit for themselves in the like nature, he would hazard his life in the cause. Such is the language that despaire brings forth, which put me into an expectation of no lesse then a challenge to decide the quarrel. And I once verily believed it sent, for the Count de Lude came very soberly to me, and told me, he had a message to deliver me from a great Personage, which he intreated he might do without offence.

I desired him to speak freely what it was, and from whom He told me he was sent by the Count of Soissons, and I presently replyed that nothing should come amisse from him. In conclusion the errand was to signifie an extream liking, that the Count took to one of my Horses, which he was desirous to buy of me upon any rate. I answer∣ed,

that if the Count would expresse to me his desire himself, and re∣ceive him of guift, he should be at his service, otherwise he should re∣main still as he was. Since that I have met him, & been prevented with a very courteous salute from him. I have been thus ample in these particular passages betwixt the Count and my self, that by the trouble you find in his disconsolate breast, you may judge of the constancie of Madams heart towards our Prince, upon whom assuredly it is most strongly set, (as she continually expresses upon all occasions.) Ye∣sterday I had the honour to entertain her two hours together, and received so many testimonies of respect, as witnessed very warm af∣fections towards the Personage I did represent. Amongst other dis∣course, She fell to speak of Ladies riding on horseback, which she said was rare here but frequent in England, and then expressed her delight in that exercise.

There is lately arrived here a French Genleman (Duport by name) with commission from the King of Bohemia to sollicit this Kings favour (in consequence of his Majesties generous, and Gracious de∣claration in his behalf) for the recovering of his rightful inheritance, to intreat that Baviers may no wayes be countenanced in his unjust pretensions, and to crave (in this his extreamity) a reimbursement of the remainder of that sum, which his father lent to Henry the fourth in the times of his necessities, which may arise to the sum of 30000 Crownes; the facilitating of this negotiation is recommended unto me, who contribute what I can to the good successe thereof. There hath happened here this last Munday a dispute between the Marquis de Courtenvant one of the first Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber, and the Colonel de Ornano (Mounseiurs Governour) about a lodging, which this pretended unto as most convenient for him, in regard that it adjoyned to that of Mounseiurs; but the other claimed a right unto it by a former assignation, and possession. Ornano at the first pre∣vailed, till the other complained to the King, who commanded the Colonel to quit the lodging to him; which his people refusing (out of a presumption perhaps, that the commandement was rather formal then real) the King sent 3. or 4. of his guard to reiterate the commandement, and in case of refusal to obey, to cast out all the stuff, and to kill all such as should oppose. Thus Courtenvant got the day; perhaps by Vievilles recommendation in opposition of Toirax, be∣tween whom, there hath been lately a little contestation upon this occasion. Vieville being desirous to strengthen himself, and to stand upon the surest bottom he could, endeavoured to joyn a confident of his in equal commission with the Garde des Seaux, that so he might

in time work it out, and prevail himself of that office at his devoti∣on. The Garde des Seaux finding feeble resistance in himself, ad∣dressed his course to Toirax to seek under his Covert shelter from that disgrace, and injurie. Toirax undertakes his defence; Vieville expostulates the matter with him, and alleadges many reasons to ju∣stifie his intentions, which the other gainesaying, with some little warmnesse, hath occasioned by that heat, a coldnesse of affection between them ever since, and that so far forth, as it hath grown to be notorious.

To the same original, I reduce the Cardinal de Richlieus intro∣duction into the Councel of the Cabinet by the favour of Vieville (being made also an Instrument thereunto by the Queen) that by making his own partie strong in Councel, he may the more easily crush any adversarie, that shall grapple with him. Yesterday he was admitted; so that now that Councel is composed of the Queen Mo∣ther, the Cardinal de la Rouch-foulcant, Richlieu, the Constable Vieville, and the Garde des Seaux.

Before I had finished this Letter, I had occasion to visit the Con∣stable, to whom I used the same language, that formerly I had done to la Vieville, and with the like approbation. And when I touched upon the point of dispensation, how it might be passed over, he as∣sured me in general, that such was the disposition of this King, and State to give the Prince content, as he might be (in a manner) his own Carver how he pleased.

This is the account I can give you of the publique: but how shall I expresse the deep sense I have of my obligations to your favour in particular? shall I multiply in thanks? It is too ordinary a payment for so many Noble expressions of your love. I will rather endeavour by my deeds constantly and continually to witnesse unto you, that I intirely rest

Your most faithful and most Humble Servant, Kensington.