Letters of the Cardinal Duke du Richelieu great minister of state to Lewis XIII of France / faithfully translated from the original by T.B.

LETTER CXLVIII. To Monsieur Emery.

Monsieur Emery,

I Have seen all your Dispatches, on account of the Affairs of Italy, since your arrival in Dauphine. I acknowledge your Care, Diligence, and Affection, cannot be greater for the King's Service; and, I'll assure you, it is not in his Majesty's Power to do more for Relief of the Dutchess, being resolv'd, over and above the Army of the Cardinal de la Valette, to send M. Longueville, for the greater Security of her Dominions, and to ••protect her against the utmost Efforts of her Ene∣mies.

I am surpriz'd at the Spaniards Resolutions to besiege Tu∣rin, and of their having so great an Army, as you advise me; but, if they that have the Place entrusted to 'em do but their Duty, I hope they'll receive a Baffle. M. Longueville's Army goes hence Wednesday, and will be at Lions before the Gene∣ral Rendezvouz.

You must acquaint the Dutchess with the great Succours are sending to her.

M. Longueville commands both Armies, whilst the Cardinal de la Valette is to be in the Conclave, but afterwards each has his several Post.

M. de la Mothe has Orders sent him, without expecting M. Longueville's Army, to march immediately with 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse, to secure the Pass of Escluse, and when Longueville is arriv'd, you are to attempt the Relief of the Dutchess with French-Bravery.

You must give out speedy Orders for Magazines in Savoy, for the subsistance of M. Longueville's Troops.

'Tis absolutely necessary to possess yourselves of Carmag∣nolle, Villeneus and Cahours, and, if you can, of Revel and Coni; all which it is not believ'd the Dutchess will be apt to refuse, seeing that without 'em you can't secure the Country, but with great difficulty.

'Tis thought very requisite to store Cazal well with Money. But as to the 2000 Men, propos'd to be sent thither, 'tis

thought more necessary to encrease the Army that is to re∣lieve the Dutchess, and to seize upon Carmagnolle, Villeneuf, and Ast, and other places, that may make the Communication entire. For this purpose Carmagnolle must be well furnish'd with all sorts of Ammunitions, at the same time that you put Men into it.

As for Father Monot, the Dutchess must be very ill advis'd if she does not send him to France.

If the Dutchess have not order'd, by the Marquess de Ville, that the French be forthwith admitted into the above-nam'd places, you must speedily advise the Cardinal de la Valette, that her Dutchy will be lost without it, that she may timely repair her error, and put 'em into your hands, and which I have hopes she will be the more willing to consent to, in that the places are not much to be suspected, and that she will sooner chuse to entrust us with 'em, for their security, than to hazard their being taken by the Spaniards.

Monsieur de Chavigny, being upon the place, I am assur'd you will together omit nothing that may advance this impor∣tant Affair.

The Sieur Noyers will answer Demands about Money, and the Sieur de la Barde your Desires concerning Letters.