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 LXXXIV. To the Cardinal de la Vallette.

My Lord,

NOT being able to stay till your Courrier had refresh'd himself, I send you now another with thirty thou∣sand Franks, that you might not want Money so much as in your Imagination. Besides this, you may take up thir∣ty thousand Livres, that are in the hands of the Sieur Cohon, to whom Monsieur de Noyers order'd the Messenger that brings you the thirty thousand Livres to deliver them; and 'tis left wholly to you to lay out this Money as you shall see occasion.

Every one here knows well enough what a Train of Difficulties attend a Siege, and therefore don't desire that you should hasten your Attacks more than you can do it in Prudence. I can assure you that this is not only his Ma∣jesty's Opinion, but likewise of all those that have the honour to be near his Person.

Monsieur de la Meilleraye is marched to joyn you, accord∣ing to the Orders he has receiv'd from hence, occasion'd by what you writ to us some time ago, viz. that you wanted to be re-inforced with some Troops. He is ready to act as you shall order him; the only reason why we sent him, being to execute your commands, either on the Siege, or any where else, where you think fit to employ him.

Since you are of opinion, that you still want Horses to fetch in your Provisions, we are going to raise two hun∣dred more, in order to relieve yours when they begin to be harrassed. As for the Artillery, Monsieur de la Meille∣raye may joyn yours, with that which was design'd for him, in case you have occasion for it; and thus I hope

you'll be supply'd with every thing necessary to carry on your Design.

Bergerac told me as from you, that you have receiv'd advice, that the Enemy are taking abundance of Cannon out of Sedan, to be employ'd against us. We cannot ima∣gine what shou'd be the meaning of it, because they do nothing at Sedan, as we are inform'd by the Mareschal de Châtillon, who acquaints us with what passes there.

I beg of you, that as you continue your Attacks, which you send me word were begun last Night, you wou'd not forget to finish your Lines of Circumvallation; and rest assur'd that nothing that lies in our power, shall be omitted which may facilitate the reduction of the place.

Knowing that the Enemy may be in a condition to make some Effort by the end of this Month, the King whom I shall accompany, makes account to be at Soissons about that time, to strengthen either by his Presence, or by the addition of his own Troops, your Army, which perhaps may want such a Re-inforcement. Be assur'd that in whatsoever place 'tis my destiny to be, I am, and ever shall be,

My Lord,

Your, &c.

Challiot, July 19, 1637.