LETTER XXX. To the same.
My Lord,
SInce I writ you a Letter some five or six Days ago, which you will receive by this Packet, I have re∣ceiv'd yours by Monsieur de Cressia. I cannot express to you how overjoy'd I am at the Success of your Journey. I on∣ly hope the End will prove as lucky as the Beginning.
Monsieur Boutheillier will fully answer you as to all you can expect from him. The King reposes so entire a Con∣fidence in your Affection, your Judgment, and Prudence, that he leaves you wholly at Liberty, to act as you shall see convenient.
I here send you the Ordinance his Majesty has made against the Officers that absent themselves from their re∣spective Posts in the Army which is now in Lorrain, un∣der the command of the Messieurs d' Angoulesme, and de la Force. Pray publish it in your own Army, where, I conjure you, to continue to punish those that are wanting in their Du∣ty; for 'tis evident that under our present Circumstances, nothing will make a General to be rever'd, and capable of doing the King's Business, but a steady Hand, and impar∣tial Severity. I can assure you that his Majesty will not spare the most cunning of them all; and 'tis necessary that those who command his Armies, shou'd do the same. God be thanked, his Majesty is in good Health. As for my self, I am, and ever will be,
My Lord,
Your most humble, &c. RICHELIEU.
Ruel, Aug. 14, 1635.