The second volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume.

LETTER XIV.

To the Kaimacham.

I Take the best Measures for Intelligence, yet I cannot gain a Sight or a Copy of all the Expresses that come to this Court; nor can I learn their Import, as soon as they Arrive. The Ministers of State here, are the Sepul∣chres of News, they bury all in Silence.

This is the Reason, that I sometimes have been forced to send thee an Account of many Events, long after they happened. My last Letter, was an Abstract of the French Con∣quests in Catalonia, from the Beginning of the Year, to the Moon last past.

After the King of France had retired from the Camp before Perpignan, the Mareschal de Mesleraye applied himself vigorously to perfect the Batteries, Redoubts, and other Works. Whilst the King of Spain was hour∣ly

perplexed with Cares and Anxieties, for this Important Place.

The Extremities to which it was reduc'd, hastened his Preparations of an Effectual Re∣lief. He sent Orders to the Marquises of Terracuse, of Leganez and Mortare, to raise the Flower of Arragon and Castile.

The Viceroy of Naples, furnished out a Considerable Fleet; it being the Catholick King's Resolution, either to Succour Per∣pignan, and raise that Siege, or take Barce∣lona by Way of Reprizal.

In the mean while, the new Mareschal de la Mothe, flush'd with the late Favour he received from his Master, the French King, and spurred on with the Thirst of Glory, entered like a Torrent with his Troops into Valentia, which at that time lay naked and unguarded.

The first Thing he did, was to surprize a Convoy of the Marquis of Leganez, who were carrying an Extraordinary Piece of Can∣non to Viveros.

The French broke through the Foot, with their accustomed Fury, and killed more than Thirty Horse, taking as many Prisoners. They sent the Cannon to the Camp at Reoux.

Thou seest, Sage Minister, how necessary a Qualification it is in a Sovereign Prince, to discern and reward the Merits of his Servants. Men of Vertue are animated with fresh Vi∣gour, when their Actions are acknowledg∣ed. Of this the ever Victorious Sultans of the Ottoman Empire are very sensible, who

value the Abilities and Services of their Slaves, before any Consideration of Noble Blood or Riches; raising Men from Nothing, to the Highest Dignities of the Empire.

The Mareschal, after this Exploit, took the Towns of Tamarit, and Mouson; but the Castle belonging to the latter, was sur∣rendred upon Articles, the Fourteenth of the last Moon.

Whilst these things were transacted on the Land, the Navies were not Idle by Sea: The Marquis of Breze set upon the Spanish Admiral, as he lay at Anchor near Viveros; and, not being able to disingage the Vessel from the Shallows, he set it on Fire, together with another of equal Burden.

This was only an Exploit by the by, and as it lay in his Road to Barcelona, where the whole Spanish Fleet were Arrived, with De∣sign to Assault the Town by Sea.

The Marquis de Breze, made all the Sail he could toward them; but, the Wind not favouring his Design, he was forced to make use of his Gallies. In a Word, the Spaniards lost Four Ships in this Fight, and Three more on the First of this Moon.

Thus Perpignan is in no likelihood of Re∣lief. I will send thee all the Intelligence I receive of this Important Siege.

Paris, 10th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1642.