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 IX.

To the Kaimacham.

THE present War betwixt France and Spain, however begun, seems to be carried on by a Principle of Honour, rather than of Enmity. These two Nations are per∣fect Antipodes to each other in their Humours, yet this Aversion between them, is discover'd more in Peace than in War. The Quest of Glory has invited many brave Men on both Sides into the Field; and, the Hero's strive to conquer each other, by Civilities rather than by Arms.

Catalonia and Roussilion, were the Stages of this War, in the Beginning of the Year; where the Mareschal de Breze, and the Sieur de la Mothe-Houdancourt, combated with all the Hardships of the Winter, as well as with Valiant Enemies. The Rigour of the Season did not cool the Courage of these Generals, nor divert their Resolution from taking the Field. All the Country appear'd like a frozen Lake, and there was no Place for them to encamp, but in Deep Snows or Ice: yet, for all these Discouragements, the Mare∣schal de Breze block'd up Perpignan, a Town of great Strength in Roussilion, whilst the Sieur de la Mothe kept the Arragonians in Play, and baffl'd the Enterprises of the Casti∣lians, having given them two Signal Defeats.

These successful Actions of the French Ge∣nerals, invited the King their Master to give them a Visit, being very desirous to take Per∣pignan, and settle the Affairs of Catalonia. He therefore sends another Army under the Command of the Mareschal de la Mesleraye, which he soon followed in Person.

There was now a generous Envy raised be∣tween so many Great Commanders, every one striving to advance himself in the King's E∣steem by his Services. And the particular Merits of the Sieur de la Mothe, drew a fa∣vourable Eye on him. The King made him Mareschal of France; the Staff which is the Badge of his Office, being presented to him by the Mareschal de Breze at Barcelona, to the general Satisfaction and Joy as well of the Catalonians as the French.

This Honour was conferr'd on him, pre∣sently after the great Victory obtained over the Spanish Forces, at Ville-Franche in Ca∣talonia.

In the mean while, the Mareschal de Mesleraye, invested the strong Castle of Coli∣oubre, which was surrender'd to him upon honourable Terms, by the Marquis of Mor∣tare, General of the Spanish Horse in Roussi∣lion, and Governour of that Castle.

The King flush'd with Conquests and Suc∣cesses, would not suffer his Army to lie idle, but in good earnest laid close Siege to Per∣pignan.

Yet such was the Generosity of this Prince, that before he tried the Force of his Cannon,

he ordered the Mareschal de Mesleraye, to send a Herald to the Marquis de Flores, Go∣vernour of the Town, to put him in Mind of the great Streights the Besieged were in for want of Provisions, of which his Majesty was not ignorant; and, that there was no Hopes of Relief from the Marquis de Povar, General of the Spanish Forces in Arragon, there being left alive but a few Companies of all his Army, after the great Defeat which was given them near Ville-Franche.

He offered the Governour all fair and good Usage, if he would surrender before Things came to Extremities; and, to convince him of the entire Loss of the Spanish Army (to which he trusted) he promised Safe Conduct to any Officer of the Garrison as far as Terragone, where lay all the little Remnant of the Arra∣gonian Army, that so he might inform and assure himself of the bad Condition the Spa∣nish Affairs were in.

This Favour was received with much Ci∣vility by the Marquis de Povar, who retur∣ned Humble Thanks to the King for so gene∣rous a Condescention, assuring him withal, that the Garrison was not reduced to those Streights as was pretended, but that he never∣theless accepted his Majesty's safe Conduct to a Messenger; entreating him, that he would permit him to go to Madrid, that so the King of Spain might have Advice of his Circum∣stances.

Thou wilt confess, Illustrious Kaimacham, that it was a great Magnanimity of Spirit in

the King, to grant this Request to an Enemy, who might be suspected to design no more in it than gain Time. Yet, he sent the Mes∣senger back again, with full Assurance of his Royal Leave.

Whilst this was in Agitation, many other Civilities pass'd between the French and the Besieged; Many Prisoners of Note were ex∣changed, and all Things seem'd to speak a fair Understanding between both Parties; when, on a sudden, the Cannon of the Town play'd furiously on the King's Quarters, and at the same Time the Besieged made a vigo∣rous Sally, attacking a Redoubt which the Mareschal de Mesleraye had raised.

This Contempt of the King's Favour raised his Choler, and animated the Soldiers with a desire of Revenge. All ran to their Arms, and quickly beat back the Besieged. Thus was the Face of Affairs suddenly chang'd in the Camp. It was too late now, for the Gover∣nour to expect the Courtesie he before abu∣sed. However, he sent two Deputies again, to know if the King's Resolution continued to grant Leave to send to Madrid, (for they had not as yet sent.)

The Mareschal de Mesleraye sent back the Deputies with this Answer, That if they did not engage to surrender by a prefix'd Day, and give two Hostages for Security of their Perfor∣mance, the King would not grant their Re∣quest.

This put the Besieged upon desperate Re∣solutions; they made frequent Sallies, and all things tended to Extremity.

Whilst Matters were in this Posture, the King, by the Advice of his Physicians, with∣drew from the Camp to take the Waters of Maine for his Health. This was in the last Moon, and Perpignan holds out still.

I have been the more particular in relating this Siege, in regard it is the Chief Subject of Discourse among such as are desirous of News. Which is the Reason also, that I begin this Letter with a Relation of what has been trans∣acted in Catalonia ever since the Beginning of this Year, that thou maist be able to form a Regular Idea, of this present War between France and Spain. I will continually send thee an Account of the Progress the French make in Catalonia.

God augment thy Honours, and prolong thy Days, to see the Sons of thy Grand-chil∣dren.

Paris, 26th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1642.