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 XXIV.

To the Vizir Azem, Prime Director of the Affairs of the Ottoman Em∣pire.

THE Notices I have of the Present State of England, (in Compliance with thy Commands) are not gained without some Difficulty. It is not easie for a Man that sits in his Chamber in Paris, to pry into the Cabinets of Foreign Courts: Yet, I will com∣municate to thee some Intelligences, which thou couldst not learn from the English Em∣bassador at the Port, nor from all the Tra∣vellours of that Nation, residing at Constanti∣nople, Smyrna and Aleppo.

There is a Jew whom they call De Lopez, a Confident and Emissary of Cardinal Richlieu, whom he employs both at Home and Abroad in several private Negotiations and Intrigues. I have insinuated into this Man's Familiarity, and (if I may so express it) I have Riveted my self into his Heart. He treats me with an Assurance void of Jealousie; and, there is no Folding or Angle in his Breast, which I do not easily penetrate. I make use of him, as an Optick, through which I peep into the Cardinal's Secrets, and, as a Mirrour, in which I behold the true Face of many disguised Af∣fairs, transacted in the remotest Corners of

Europe; there being hardly any thing of mo∣ment done in the Courts of Christian Princes, wherein the Cardinal has not a Finger. He seems to be the Genius or Soul of Christendom, communicating Motion, Activity, and Heat, to all the Grand Intrigues now on Foot in these Western Parts of the World.

The Commotions of England, seem to be a complicated Distemper of the State, arising from several Causes, drawn to a Head by the dextrous Artifice of this Busie Spirit. The Present King of that Island, came to the Crown with no small Disadvantages; his Fa∣ther having Exhausted the Treasury, and left him deeply in Debt. he had no small Number of the Blood-Royal to maintain; which kind of Charges, thou knowest, our Glorious Sultans, though they be Masters of infinite Riches, endeavour to avoid, by Marrying their Daugh∣ters and Nieces, whilst yet Infants, to some of the most Potent and Wealthy Bassa's, that so their Port may be kept up, without burden∣ing the Royal Coffers. But, the Infidel Princes are wanting in this frugal Providence. In the Reign of King James (this King's Father) England lay at Ease, slumbring in the Downy Bed of Peace; she wallowed in Pleasures, and had no other Unhappiness, but in being too Happy. Her Affluence and Idleness, af∣fected the State with a Plethory. The Publick Health cannot be long conserved, without the moderate Exercise of War. Charles, after the Death of the Old King, being Established in the Throne, committed the Affairs of State,

to the Management of his Ministers; never examining his Treasury, nor calling to an Ac∣count his Officers, but Indulged himself in the Pleasures most agreeable to his Youthful Genius. He hunted in the Forests, whilst the Grandees, whom he entrusted with his Re∣venues and the Publick Conduct, had another Game to pursue post-poning their Master's Interest, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Nation, to their own private Avarice. The Favourite Minister, held a secret Correspondence with Cardinal Richlieu, and, by this means, the Court was filled with French Pensioners; countenanced also by the Authority of the Queen, who was the Daughter of France.

It had been before agreed in the Articles of the Marriage, that the Queen of England should have a prefixed Number of French Servants. But they, not content with their Domestick Employments, and Attendance on her Person, sought the Management of that Estate, which King Charles had setled on her as a Dowry. This would by no means agree with the Constitutions of the English. That Island is a Little World by it self; and, the In∣habitants boast of an Original Freedom of Birth, which is not so much as dreamt of in all the Dominions of our Invincible Sultans. Though the English have several Times been Invaded and Subdued, by the Saxons, Danes, and French; yet, it has been rather by Com∣position than Extremity of War: Or, if it may be called a Conquest, the Victors have been forced to yield to the Vanquished, in as∣suring

them their Ancient Laws, Privileges and Customs. There is no Nation in the World, more jealous of this their pretended Birthright. And therefore to avoid all Occasions of giving Offence to the Nobles and Gentry, the King perceiving the insolent Demands and Carriage of the French Courtiers, commanded them all, save a few Creatures of the Favourite Duke, to depart the Kingdom. This much disgusted the Queen; and Cardinal Richlieu was glad of the Opportunity to incense the King of France. Lewis was netled at the Affront offered to his Sister. Yet, by the Dexterity of the Mareschal Bassompierre, his Embassador at the English Court, Things were in a way of Accommodation; when all was quash'd by the Seizure which the French made of several English Ships; and so a War com∣menced, far more fatal in its Consequences to England than to France.

The King of England rouzed from his Plea∣sures and Divertisements, by the Preparations of his Potent Neighbour, began to look about him, and consult the Publick Safety. But, when he examined his Treasury, he found it empty, or, at least, at a very low Ebb.

Behold here, Supreme Bassa, a stroke of Destiny, a Concurrence of Causes, seeming remote and small in their first Appearance; but, in their Process, uniting and involving that Kingdom in Ruine.

Charles could not carry on a War with France, without asking Aid of the Sovereign Divan (which they call the Parliament)

of that Nation. It is a Senate composed of above Seven hundred of the Nobility and Gentry of the Land. These have the Power to make Laws, raise Taxes, and redress the Grievances of the Kingdom. It was an ill Season to ask the Assistance of his Subjects, who had already conceived an Aversion for the Royal Dignity. However, a Mighty Fleet was order'd to be Rigg'd and Mann'd out. Car∣dinal Richlieu, from afar, beheld the approach∣ing Storm, and knew not how to divert it from falling on France, but by Corrupting the English Favourite. De Lopez, from whom I received this Intelligence, was employed in the Affair; he was sent to London, which is the Metropolis of England, and the Place where the King usually keeps his Court. It was an Expensive Negotiation, and cost the Cardinal Forty Thousand Dollars, which is equivalent to Three Millions and Two Hundred Thou∣sand of our Aspers. With this vast Bribe, he Proselyted the Favourite Duke to the Interest of France. The English Navy consisted of and Hundred and Fifty Sail, having also Twelve Thousand Land-Men on Board. It was agreed between them, that the English Minister should procure himself to be made Admiral of these Marine Forces. His Indulgent Master, could deny nothing to the Man whom he had entrusted with the Sway of the Government. Now the King of France might sleep at quiet, since the English Ships sailed with a French Wind. They landed upon the Island of Ree, but their Actions were altogether Theatrical;

a mere shew of War, without any real Exe∣cution. The English General, manifestly o∣mitting the proper Methods, and favourable Opportunities of winning that Island: His Conduct speaking, as if he came there rather to Complement than to Fight.

These Things made a harsh sound in Eng∣land, and the Nobles resented ill the double-dealing of the Duke of Buckingham (so was the English General call'd.) In fine, the bad Success of their Forces, the Expences they had been at, and the Disgrace they suffered in this War, (Four and Forty of their Colours being carried to Paris, and hung up in the Chief Temple of this City, as Trophies of the French Victory) incensed the Generality of the English Nation against the King and the Government; they began to accuse him in their Cabals, of Male-Administration; and, the Favourite Duke was a while after stabbed by a Ruffian, whom the Malecontents had hired to execute their Revenge.

The Affections of the English, appeared every day more and more alienated from the King. And Cardinal Richlieu had there his Agents, who were not wanting to foment the Publick Discontents, and by divers Arti∣fices to draw the Credulous People into Fa∣ctions. The French Pensioners were instructed to deport themselves in a Manner every way offensive to the Nation. Black and threat∣ning Clouds seemed to hang over the Court of England, exhaled from the ill Blood of the Subjects. The Royal Dignity went Retro∣grade;

and, all Things tended to obscure the Lustre of the Crown. Yet, there passed some Years, before Things came to Extremities; and, Matters, though ripened, yet were not brought to an open Rupture, till Scotland lanced the Sore.

This Nation is subject to the Crown of England, and makes one Half of the Island of Great Brittain. They are a Warlike People, patient of Labour, accustomed to the Rigour of an Extreme Cold Climate, great Travel∣lours, Subtle, Proud and Inconstant.

After that which some call Heresie, others a Reformation, had begun to alienate many Kingdoms and Provinces from the Roman Church; the Scots greedy of Novelties, and spurred on by the Ambitious Pretexts of one of their Grandees (who under the Mask of Religion sought the Crown) introduced In∣novations into their Church. They shook off at once all their Obedience to the Pope, and set up such a Form of Religious Discipline, as was altogether Antimonarchical; and, their Preachers ceased not to instill into the Hearts of the People, Democratick Principles. Thus continued Affairs, till King Charles, not in∣sensible of these Things, and willing to new-Model that Church, they took up Arms a∣gainst him, knowing that he would not be able to raise Forces to chastise them, with∣out calling a Parliament. The Parliament of England, was at that time full of Scotish Proselytes, Men of Seditious and Turbulent Principles; so, that the King was like to find

but little Favour among them. However, by the Assistance of some Loyal Nobles and Gentlemen, he marches into Scotland at the Head of an Army. Not a Blow was struck on either Side; but all Differences were com∣posed, and hush'd up by a Treaty. Yet, soon after, the Scots entred into England with an Army, being underhand invited in by their Partizans in England. The King is a Second Time forced to throw himself upon his Par∣liament for Money; but they, instead of grant∣ing him any, fell to examining his past Con∣duct, complaining and desiring a Redress of several Irregularities in his Administration. There were those who failed not to put in Ex∣ecution, the Designs and Instructions of Car∣dinal Richlieu; he had his Agents up and down the Kingdom, who insinuated Jealou∣sies and Heart-burnings into the Gentry and People of the Land. The King was repre∣sented every where as a Tyrant, and all his Actions were misconstrued.

Signior Rossetti, the Pope's Nuntio at the English Court, beside his Instructions from the Roman Pontiff, held a strict Intelligence with the Cardinal. His Business at this Court, was publickly to the Queen (who pro∣fessed an Obedience to the See of Rome) but privately he was order'd to Negotiate an Ac∣commodation between the Roman and Eng∣lish Churches. Cardinal Richlieu thought to strike two Marks with one Blow, that is, to embroil the State of England, and procure himself the greater Esteem with the Roman

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Court. He appears very Zealous for the Con∣version of England; and, in order to it, al∣lows a Considerable Pension to Signior Ros∣setti: Instructing him withal, to shew his ut∣most Dexterity, in gaining the Courtiers and Grandees of that Nation to his Side.

He knew the Genius of the English; and, that there was nothing so offensive to that Nation, as the Papal Power and Religion. Wherefore, De Lopez was order'd to pay Si∣gnior Rossetti vast Sums of Money, that so there might be nothing wanting to Proselyte the Courtiers; knowing that they would act insolently, and disgust the Protestants, and so encrease the Publick Aversion for the Regal Authority. There was also another Agent at the English Court, who was Secretary to Car∣dinal Barbarini, a Man no less Industrious than the other, in advancing the Roman Inte∣rest. He held a strict Correspondence with some of the Chief Ministers, especially with the Principal Secretary of State. Whilst these were doing their Master's Business at the Court, there were others no less Active in the City, where they endeavoured to create a Party and raise Factions, insinuating them∣selves into the Acquaintance of the most e∣minent Merchants and other Citizens; re∣presenting to them, the Dangerous Conse∣quences of Signior Rosetti's Residence at the Court; glancing at every Thing which look'd like a false Step in the King's Conduct; a∣larming them with Fears and Apprehensions of being subjected to a Foreign Power; and,

sing all their Arts to nourish Popular Dissa∣tisfaction.

The Scots, about this Time, made another Incursion into England. A Parliament was called, but no Good done. The King's Ne∣cessities, made them grow High in their De∣mands and Carriage, and all things tended to a General Defection.

A while after, the Irish revolted, and mas∣sacred above a Hundred Thousand English. The King is accused for being Privy to it; Tu∣mults are raised, who, in threatning manner, seem'd to besiege the Royal Palaces, calling out for Justice; not much unlike the Sedition of our Janizaries; when they are displeased with the Conduct of our Glorious Sultans, or his Prime Ministers of State.

In fine, the Misunderstandings between the King and the Parliament grew to that Height, as induced the King to withdraw from the Capital City, about the Beginning of this Year. And, in the following Moon, he sent the Queen with her Daughter into Holland, that they might pass away the time in the Court of the Prince of Orange, till this Storm was blown over.

In the Interim, the King sends Letters to the Parliament, perswading them to consult the Publick Peace; but all was to no purpose; they seize upon all the Strong Holds and Ca∣stles they could; so that, when the King came to one of his Garrison'd Towns, the Gates were shut against him, and he was denied Entrance by the Governour. The Parliament

lists an Army, and the King set up his Royal Standard in the last Moon. Since which, there has been nothing of Action between them, but the Armies are drawing near each other.

I will inform thee of all Particulars, as they come to my Knowledge. But the Packet-Boats from the Island, come not so frequenly during the Disturbance, as they have done formerly.

I beseech the Creator of all things, to de∣fend our Invincible Sultan, from the Seditious Practices of his Subjects; and make thee In∣strumental, to establish and aggrandize the Ottoman Empire.

Paris, 29th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1642.