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

An Account how Cardinal Richelieu behav'd himself upon the first Dis∣contents of the Queen-Mother.

At Lyons, on his Return from Italy, in September.

AS soon as ever his Eminence had knowledge of the Queen-Mother's Resolutions to discard him from her Service, he omitted nothing in his Power to prevent it.

He humbly entreated her to consider, that not one Minute of his Life, but he would have sacrific'd a thousand Lives for her.

That he had always serv'd her, not only with Fidelity, but also such Success, as every thing fell out to her Wish.

That he behav'd himself in his Persecution so, as deserv'd her Approbation, and for which all good Men commended him.

That the King himself had declared to him several times, that the chief Reason of his Esteem for him, was, That be∣ing forbid the Court, he never offer'd to come near it.

That she was in so high a Condition, that her Honour, her Grandeur, and her Power with the King, took away all means from the cunningest People to encline him to neglect her Service.

That as often as he could have the Honour to approach her, all his Care was to make known, that no body had, or could have more Zeal to serve her than himself.

That he hop'd she would be sensible of this Truth: But altho' he should, for the future, be as unfortunate in being slighted by her, as he had formerly been happy in receiving her signal Favours; yet nothing should prevent his being ready always to expose his Life, upon the least occasion, for her Safety; and at the same time profess to all the World, by Word, Writing, and all his Actions, how sincerely and devoutly he was her Servant.

All these Protestations and Professions would be vain and fruitless, if his Heart did not go along with 'em, and hers re∣lent.

Sometimes she seem'd to be satisfy'd, but immediate∣ly would fly out again; which gave him reason to think, there was something still lay conceal'd from his Knowledge.

He experienc'd, at his Costs, how difficult it was to alter Womens Resolutions, where they had been undertaken by Passion.

He had a Proof, that their Obstinacy, where they have no good Reasons to alledge, will either make use of very bad ones, or else pretend to know what they don't care for giving account of.

Knowing that the Minds of great People are often such, that having misused one of their Servants, they have in them∣selves so great a Confusion of their Fault, that they persevere to conceal the Wrong. He resolved to receive that by Fa∣vour, which was due to his Innocence by Justice. But not∣withstanding, this was also of no effect.

He thought it might be with his Condition, as with an acute Ague, which Nature not being able to expel by her utmost Efforts, must be contented to wait till it were done by in∣sensible Perspiration.

But he was deceiv'd in his Judgment, for he never had any Ease; having no sooner got rid of one Distemper, but he felt another, or foresaw a Relapse, which often times is of worse Consequence than the beginning; being assur'd, that in case of Suspicious, the last are most dangerous; inas∣much as they have their first Impressions, and their Novelty besides, to recommend 'em.

A Remedy to all these were very easie and reasonable, if the Queen would be pleased to consider.

He propos'd one to her ingenuously, and begg'd her to make use of it, since it would be both just and advantageous.

His Misfortune being grounded only on Suspicions she had of him, and Detractions she had been pleased to hearken to against him it were no Difficulty to remedy both.

As to Suspicions, the way was, to trace 'em from their be∣ginning, and before they had taken Root in her Mind.

As for Detractions, there were two Remedies:

First, To shut her Ears against 'em; but which he desir'd not at present, for fear he might be thought, by endeavouring to cut off the Course of Calumnies, to shut up the Way to Truth.

The Second, That it would please her Majesty to conclude nothing against him, till she had first examined into the mat∣ter; with Condition, that they should be rewarded who

spoke Truth, and they severely punish'd, who offer'd to im∣pose a Lye upon her.

He further represented to her Majesty, that if she were pleas'd to exempt them from Penalty who had slander'd him falssy, he was content.

He submitted never to enquire after their Names, who had so abused him; and to yield himself Convicted and Guilty, if he h••d ever any the least Thought to their Prejudice. Also, to comply with her Majesty's Pleasure, he would ever return Good for Evil, if they ever came to his Knowledge.

He offer'd to reward any one at his own Charges, who could produce any injurious Truth against him.

Nay, he went so far beyond what Reason could require from him, that he would give himvelf up for condemned, if her Majesty did persist in any Suspicion, after she had ac∣quainted him with the Cause, and given him leave to speak for himself.

He also submitted himself to be more than Guilty, if in this case he did not retire from Court, laying down all his Offices, and freely consenting that all he had might be confiscate.

These Propositions were so just, that the Queen could not withstand approving 'em: But still the Difference lay in the Practice; for her Mind had been so engaged and prepossessed to his Prejudice, that he could never see any good effect from 'em. On the contrary, in spite of these Remedies, her Ear never receiv'd any Account of him, nor her Mind was byassed with any Suspicion against him, but it immediately sunk into her Heart, and was forthwith to be seen in her Counte∣nance.

Nay, he was reduced to this extraordinary Unhappiness, that all those who were not directly opposite to the Cardinal, were suspected. And if by chance he was well received, or kindly spoken of, by any one, it was sufficient Cause to be suspected of keeping Intelligence with him, to her Majesty's Prejudice.

Moreover, if any thing was spoke, by what Person what∣soever, that did not please her, it was immediately imputed to the Cardinal; and oftentimes she put a false Construction upon a good Meaning, to have the better occasion to rail against him.

Thus the Cardinal's Misfortune was without Remedy, it being impossible for most People not to speak well of him, either out of regard to their Sentiments of his Actions, or a Reflection upon his good Name.

Some People, who were well acquainted with her Weak∣ness, in what concern'd the Cardinal, would never let her en∣cline to the least charitable Opinion of him, but would im∣mediately fire her again with some new Artifice, causing a Report that would be sure to displease her, tho' it was visibly false to every body, but which she would nevertheless easily believe, so much was she blinded by her Passion.

The extraordinary Respect and Obedience he paid her, joyn'd with his incredible Patience and Perseverance to ho∣nour and serve her, were look'd upon from him as no other than Dissimulation and Design.

He had enough to do to represent to her, that Angels, the most confirm'd in Grace and Glory, could not be innocent, if they could be prov'd guilty, tho' it was neither in their Power or their Nature to be so.

He often laid before her Eyes, that he ought not to answer for any Bodies Actions, Words, Intentions or Thoughts, but his own. But still all was fruitless.

At last he argu'd, That those who did not care to make use of Means to continue their Servants, must needs be willing to leave 'em; and so concluded, that his Retreat must be the end of this Affair.

This he grounded upon two Reasons:

First, The Queen not being pleas'd to give an Account of the Occasion of her Anger and Indignation, the Effect might be delayed for some time; but the Cause not being taken away, she could never be thoroughly appeased.

Secondly, That not resolving to make known the Jealousies and Suspicions she might have of her Servants, they might be convicted in her Thoughts of a Crime they were never guilty of, without having any Means to prove their Innocence.

The Law never reputes a Man guilty till he is convicted; and is always ready to receive a Justification, where there is no positive Proof to prevent it.

If he had been allowed this Justice, he had even esteemed himself happy in his Misfortune; but on the contrary, he had no such Liberty granted, but bare Suspicions were both his Witnesses and Judges.

The evident Falseness of their Calumnies made his Accusers cautious not to make known their Informations nor their Persons.

As they were assured they could never maintain their Al∣legations, they thought it best to repose their Security in their being conceal'd.

They perswaded the Queen, that if she should discover herself to him, there would be no Security for them; for he would not only know 'em by their Names, but also guess at 'em by the least Circumstance of the matter.

They added farther, That his Wit was so piercing, that if he had but the least knowledge of what they accused him, he would immediately disguise himself so, that black should seem white; and that consequently, she could never be able to find out the Truth.

By these Means, all the Avenues and Ways he might make use of to shew his Innocence, were stopt up, and these Pre∣cautions had that Power over the Queen, that whatever he could say in his behalf, appear'd rather to be the Industry of his Wit than an innocent Truth.

She made as much of them that told her a Falshood, as who discovered a Truth. She kept all secret from one and the other, and both were treated alike. Which occasion'd every one to lend his Money freely, without fear of its being enquired into the false Alloy.

She put as great Trust in her Jealousies as Oracles, and flat∣ter'd herself like Magicians, who are bewitch'd with their false Science, and which deceives 'em in most Points, for one that may happen to be true.

The truth of one trifling Suspicion made her conclude fifty of greater Consequence infallible.

All these Considerations tormented the Cardinal's Mind, more than is possible to be express'd. He would freely have given his Life to have undeceived the Queen in the Designs and Artifices of his Enemies; and has a hundred times begg'd of God to take him out of the World in her good Opi∣nion.

He found himself attacked by a Disease, and saw no Reme∣dy to free him; which made him resolve upon a Retreat, as the only way to cure.

On the other side, he considered, That he who quits a Par∣ty, loses it; and who turns his Back upon the Court, gives opportunity to them that are arm'd with Hatred and Envy, to injure him unreveng'd.

He knew there were some that wish'd him ill, for no other Reason, but that they could not endure the Prosperity of the State, and the Establishment of the King; and consequently, endeavoured to weaken both by prejudicing him.

He considered also, that being once retreated, they would endeavour to make his most signal Services, not only false Steps, but Crimes.

He thought further, that if he should continue at Court, and endeavour to regain the Queen's good Opinion, by doing her all the Service he was capable of, he could not prevent ill Men from representing to her, that he tarry'd only to op∣pose her Pleasure.

He reflected, that when he had formerly been in her Fa∣vour, he found it difficult to preserve himself against the ill Advice was given her; but now he thought it almost impos∣sible to perswade her, he serv'd her well, tho' he should kill himself in the Endeavours.

He thought, whilst he was in Place, he could have no o∣ther Power than to injure himself; it being certain, that if God should give him any Opportunities to do his Country Service, it would be to no purpose, because he should be with held by so many Considerations, fearing to do amiss and displease, that it would be almost impossible to put any of 'em in Execution.

He saw plainly, that tho' the Queen herself might be well affected to the State, yet there were a great many People that sought to please her otherwise, contributing to some ill Event, the Blame of which might possibly be imputed to him; so that he could not hope to have any Success from the best Design.

This he has often been sensible of, by the Crosses he has met with in the greatest Affairs that have been concerted for these three Years.

He easily perceives his Afflictions do so enervate the Vi∣gour of his Body, and weaken his Mind in such manner, that he shall not be able much longer to support any Publick Em∣ployment.

Also, that he has so much to do, to defend himself from those that torture him within, that he shall not be capable any longer to resist his Enemies that assault him without.

He considered moreover, that as he has been hitherto able to resist the Enemies of the State by the Queen's Favour, he shall, for the future, be altogether incapable to oppose them, being in Disgrace.

He also saw well, that the Queen being once possessed against him, she could not want malicious Spirits to foment and aug∣ment her Prejudice, especially when they found she had so great a Disposition to it.

Whereas he formerly had been a Comfort to the Queen in her Afflictions, he considered that her Jealousies, and their Designs against him, might now make him the Cause.

Thus having thoroughly weigh'd all these Reasons, he re∣solved upon his Retreat, as the only means to justifie his Fi∣delity, and convince her Majesty, that his Business at Court has always been hers and the King's Interest, which as their Respect for him oblig'd him to it, so that for them made him quit it.

Assoon as the Queen was inform'd of his Resolutions, she did what she could to disswade him from it: But her Jealou∣sies preventing him to think himself secure, he persisted in his Design.

He represented to her further, that during his late Perse∣cutions, though those that sway'd the King, aim'd at nothing but his Ruine; yet he fear'd neither their Power nor their ill Will, so long as he had her to speak in his Defence; and that she would hear nothing to his Prejudice. But now mat∣ters were in such a plight, that her Heart is shut up, her Mouth clos'd, and her Ears open to every body against him.

So that finding himself slighted by her Majesty, he deter∣mined to retire from the World. But the King hearing of it, would by no means suffer it, and endeavoured all that was in his Power to encline her to take him again into her Favour.