The history of the government of France, under the administration of the great Armand du Plessis, Cardinall and Duke of Richlieu, and chief minister of state in that kingdome wherein occur many important negotiations relating to most part of Christendome in his time : with politique observations upon the chapters / translated out of French by J.D. Esq.

Enquiries into the Misdemeanours of the Finances.

THE Sieur de Marillac being honoured with the Super-intendency of the Fi∣nances, his unquiet spirit could not rest long time without giving some object to his violence, the Finances he levelled at, and soon set them into such confusion, that they who behaved themselves in their charges with the greatest innocency, knew not where to hide their heads, It is true, that it was so much the more impor∣tant, to the good of the State, to represse those mis-demeanours of many, who did openly squander away the Kings monies (which are the Sinnews both of the State and War) in that their ill management did necessitate the imposing of new Taxes upon the People, in that they deprived particular men of such summs as the King had granted them, not onely by way of gratification, but sometimes of just∣ice; and in that these unjust dealings gave means to many amongst them, to make vast expences (a dangerous example to the publique) Yet should hee have had for-born driving those enquiries to that height which he did, and from infusing into the Kings Soul such a sharpnesse against them, that they all past for criminals indiffe∣rently together in his Majesties opinion.

The order which was followed was this, There was out of each Parliament one Councellour elected by them, who was reputed of extraordinary integrity to be for∣med into a Court of Justice to them, were joyned certain Masters of Requests, and two Presidents of the Chamber of Accompts of Paris. Leave was given to all In∣formers, who would appear to give in their complaints against any Officer, or his Deputy, to the Procurator General, and there was so exact an Inquisition made of all their deportments, that there was hardly one of them which did not run away to save themselves from the storm, which was falling down upon them. This Court continued from the end of October of this year, untill May in the year following; however it was with more threats then punishments, there being onely one put to death and some few in Effigie.

Monsieur the Cardinal did for some time behold this Tempest not giving way to his Prudence, to imploy that Benignity which is natural to him, towards the mo∣derating his Majesties just anger against them, as well to testifie upon his first entrance into the Administration, that it was not his intention to protect such Malefactors; as also in regard it was necessary to terrifie and affright those who were culpable, to the end they might for the future live with more Integrity and Justice. But in the end, seeing that the Principal Actors began to be touched to the quick, with an ap∣prehension either of loosing their Honours, or their lives, and to compare them∣selves in good earnest, as much as could possibly be desired, and withall to propose to his Majesty in behalf of their persons, to establish such orders in the Treasuries, that it should be impossible to divert any of the monies, or to defraud any persons of such sums, as his Majesty should order to be payed unto them, he then became the Mediator of their Peace. It is true, it was not without making their Purses pay for what was past, and setting up a better order for the future; for he brought them to condiscend to give hit Majesty seven Millions of Livers, and for the better kee∣ping them in aw, it was ordained that every ten years a Court of Justice should be set up, to inquire into their Actions, and he procured such order to be established in the Finances, that it was impossible for them to relapse into their former errours. The King was so exasperated against them, that it was no little difficulty to per∣swade him to grant them that favour and grace which they begged for. But hee, knowing that the ways of reason, are those by which his Majesty is to be regained; he so followed them, that he soon re-placed him in his usual moderateness of tem∣per, and representing to him, that it was Clemency was that virtue, which made Princes like unto the Divinity, that it could not but be glorious to pardon those Officers, how culpable soever, that their offence was not more criminal then that of Rebellion, in which the major part of the French, had in several Wars hereto∣fore been imbroyled, that he would have so much the lesse reason, ever to repent of

the favour he should do them; for that the late King his Father was highly praised for what he once said to Monsieur du Mayne, after he had reduced him to his obe∣dience, viz. That the greatest pleasure he had in making a Peace, was the pardon∣ing of Rebels, That the Laws of the Romans seemed to invite him to pardon, see∣ing they had no other punishment then Banishment for Robbing of Publique Trea∣sury. That the end of a great Prince, is rather to make his Officers good, then to chastize them. That it was enough thus to punish their Purses, so that they might both remember it, and suffer for it; that Vespasian had given him a very commend∣able example, when as he thought it more proper to preserve then destroy Trea∣suries, in saying he esteemed them one of the strongest props of an Empire, and that he looked upon them as a Meadow, which is mowed at some time or other, or as upon Spunges which are squeezed, when a man would get any thing out of them.

These reasons were so unanswerable, and made such an impression upon the Kings mind, that following the instincts of his natural Bounty, he resolved to par∣don them. Accordingly, he Repealed the Chamber of Justice, and accorded to them the favour which they desired, and they established such Orders and Rules, which have tied up those who were most wedded to their own interests, to live very stayedly.