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THe first considerable affair, which presented it self after the Cardinals admit∣tance to the Administration, was the Marriage of the Lady Henrietta Maria, his Majesties Sister, with Charles Prince of Wales, the present King of Great Brit∣tain. The Spaniard had a long time feared it would be made up, knowing that if France and England were leagued together, they would become so considerable as
that they would without difficulty frustrate and bring all his designs to nothing; so he indeavoured to hinder it by pretending a desire himself had to contract an Alli∣ance with England; and accordingly hee proposed to match his Infanta with the Prince of Wales, giving some hopes by Paraquance, that he would restore the Pa∣latinate, though he had as little mind to deliver it, as the King of Great Brittain had earnest Passion to recover it. He held on this Treaty at least twelve years, yet finding every day new excuses, to defer the conclusion of it: But at last the King of Great Brittain, detected his deceipt, which had lain hid under those delays, and found out, that his design was onely to gain time, untill all the daughters of France were married elsewhere: at least he had great conjectures of it; to clear all, and bring it to a conclusion, he thought good that the Prince of Wales, should in person go into Spain. Hee had not been there many dayes, before it was known, both to himself and those of his Counsel, that they had been untill that time entertained with vain hopes, however he would not make known his resentments in a strange Country, where he might receive much damage by it, but being return'd into Eng∣land; he informed King James his Father of it, with so much anger, that they re∣solved to break with him, rather sooner then later to avoid exposing themselves to the dis-esteem which other Princes might have of their management of this affair; and withall to countenance the breach by the Parliaments approbation. This re∣solve was as soon executed as concluded, and King James having summoned a Par∣liament, at least to consult on a means for recovery of the Palatinate, informed them of the many reasons which he had to beleeve, that the Spaniards had no in∣tention of concluding those Propositions of marriage which had been so long in Treaty; that the onely end of their design was, to gain time and to fortifie them∣selves in the Palatinate, and so to settle themselves there, that shortly it would be impossible to remove them thence, and therefore hee thought it fit no longer to hearken after it. The Parliament were induced with so much the more ease, to be∣leeve these reasons, they having testified on divers occasions, their suspicions of the Spanish tricks, and in conclusion, thought good not to regard any more their Pro∣positions of the Match. But the King of Great Brittain stayed not long there, for the Prince of Wales his son (who had now good esteem of France, and a liking for the Kings Sister whom he had seen, as he passed thorough that Court, without discovering himself) had perswaded him to give him leave to seek for that Prin∣cess in marriage, which was proposed in Parliament, and carried without much dif∣ficulty for many reasons which were there alledged; particularly, That the French being accustomed to live with those of their Religion, it was to be beleeved, they would not make such extraordinary demands in behalf of the Catholicks, as the Spaniard would have done. It was then resolved to dispatch an Ambassadour into France, who might lay the first foundation of that Treaty; so that the King forth∣with made choice of the Earls of Carlisle and Holland. The latter set forward about Mid-May. He had order first to wait on the King alone, and to pretend the interests of the Palatinate, but indeed to discover how they would resent his Proposal, and if rejected, not to make any more noise of it; accordingly hee met his Majesty and Compiegne, he began to consider about means to recover the Pa∣latinate, and then acquainted him with a great deal of dexterity, that the King his Master desired his Son the Prince of Wales might marry his sister. The King who understoood that Proposals of this nature, how remote soever ought not to be re∣ceived but with honour, testified that he had a great esteem of it, and forthwith debated it with his Ministers, to give him an answer; it was concluded, That this Match was very convenient for the Quality of his Majesties Sister; That in the whole Empire there was not any more hopefull: That History records above twenty Al∣liances between France, England, and Scotland: That it would be easie to assure her Ladyship the exercise of her Religion, considering what had been granted to the Spaniard: That great Princesses are in this particular, in a worse condition than Ladies of a meaner Quality, by reason half an Age hardly produceth a Match correspondent to their Birth, so that having once lost their opportunities, they live to see the Har∣vest
of their Beauties reaped by years, without ever marrying; whereupon it was resolved to see what particular Proposals would be made, this result was signified to the Earl of Holland, who assured them that the King his Master would receive it with much joy, yet deferring to enter into any further Treaty, untill he had received particular instructions from his Majesty. Who upon the receiving of that news, dis∣patched with all diligence, the Earl of Carlisle, with full power to conclude the Match. The Earl of Holland went to Amiers to meet him, that they might confer together what they had to do, and afterwards being come near to Campeign, the King hearing of it, commanded the Duke of Cheuruse, to go receive them with twelve Coaches full of Nobility, and withall to entertain them magnificently, and defray their charges during their abode at Court. The day after their arrival, they had Audience given them, and the Proposals which they made appeared so rea∣sonable, that the King presently judging that they might easily be resolved, appoin∣ted Commissioners to treat with them. The Cardinal was at that time newly ad∣vanced to the Administration, but he made it apparent, that he was not a Novice in the management of it; for the King desiring his opinion of this Treaty, he not onely added many other reasons to those alledged in the first consultation; but moreover suggested to his Majesty such judicious means to carry on the business, that he could not enough admire his Prudence.
Amongst other reasons of the commodiousness of this Match, hee represented to him, that England once leagued with France by this Alliance, there was hopes that they would joyn their Forces to assist the German Princes, since it was yet more for the Interest of England then France, to re-establish them; which being so, their powers would not onely ballance those of the house of Austria, but over∣poize them too, with never so little assistance from those Princes: That the happy successe which would follow, would adde as much Glory to his Crown and State, as discredit and confusion to his enemies: Moreover, that it being very expedient to curb the Insolencies of the Hugonots, this marriage would be of great use, as well because it would with-hold the King of Great Brittain, from assisting them, as also, because it might be a means to procure shipping from him for the reducing of Ro∣chel; in short, That there was great hopes to beleeve, the Princess might much ad∣vance the Catholick Religion in England, if as there was no doubt she were beloved by the King and the Prince her Husband. So that of all sides there was nothing Prognosticated but great happinesse, judging it requisite, to use addresse and pru∣dence for the speedy effecting of it.
The King did very wel relish the Consideration, and thereupon commanding him to have a particular eye upon the Treaty, his judgement which presently penetrates into affairs, and quickneth expeditions, did negotiate it with so ready a Conduct, that he shortly brought it to such a passe that it might receive a Conclusion; and that which I finde in it most to be admired, is, That the success hath shewed he was not mistaken in his conjecture. England also did forthwith joyn with France, to give means to Mansfield to enter with a puissant Army into Germany, that he might at∣tempt the re-establishment of the Palatine; and the year following, the King of Great Brittain sent ships to the King, which helped him to gain a glorious Naval victory against those of Rochel. The same effects had assuredly continued without the Intregues of Madam de Cheuruse, without the ill conduct of some who accom∣panied the Princess, and without the death of King James. For his Majesty from that time shewed himself so affectionate to France, that one day he openly said be∣fore divers Lords of the Court, that the King had gained more upon him, then any of his Predecessors, and that he would not onely imploy his Subjects lives, but his own too, in defence of his interests, and to oppose the Rebels who should attempt any Insurrections in France; and lesse could not be expected from the Princess in the behalf of Religion, if death had not prevented that Monarch from seeing the mar∣riage consummated; for the Passion which he had already in her behalf, though he had never seen her was so sensible, that he was heard say, with a great deal of ten∣derness, which was taken notice of amongst other discourse of the same nature;
That he would quarrel with her because she would not read his Letter, nor that of the Prince his son, without leave from the Queen her Mother, but withall that he was much bound to her, because after she had read them, she laid his under her Pillow, but his sons in her Bosome, to shew that she did rely upon him, and lodge his son in her heart.