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.

The Hugonots Man several Vessels under the Command of the Sieur de Soubize, and seize upon the Port of Blavet.

WHile the Kings Armies were thus busied in the Valtoline, the Hugonots who have ever taken the advantage of Forraign Wars, would not lose this op∣portunity of doing something conducing to their designs; it was with great regret that they beheld the Fort St. Lewis built some years past, before Rochel, which so checked them, that they were forced to keep within their duties. But their inso∣lency was great enough to complain by their Deputies, that it had been promised to them by the Treaty at Montpellier, it should be razed: To which it was answered, that the Promise was made to them, upon cond••tion that they should establish the exercise of the Catholick Religion in Rochel; that they should restore those Goods to the Church, which they had usurped from it; and that they having been de∣fective in performing what ought of their parts to be done; so that they could not pretend his Majesty ought to demolish it, seeing they had treated with him upon even terms: This answer was full of Justice, but it not being correspondent to their Rebellious Humours, they could not think themselves contented, so that finding his Majesties Armies busied abroad, they resolved to seize upon some place or other,

the importance of which should be such, that it should compel his Majesty to raze the Fort, that he might get the other place out of their hands. In order to which design, they armed several Vessels of War, under command of the Sieur de Sou∣bize, pretending to make some long voyage, but resolving to send the Fleet to∣wards Brittain to make themselves Masters, if it were possible of Blavet, otherwise called Port-Lewis. This enterprize was carried with such secrecy, that neither the. Rochelois, nor the rest of their Party did know it; to the end that if it did not hit right, they might dis-own it; but in case it should succeed well, they were then to rise in Languedoc, Zantoign, and Poicton, thinking that his Majesty not being Po∣tent enough to follow the War in the Valtoline, and against them too, would quick∣ly consent to the razing of the Fort, to draw them to lay down their Arms. In order to this design, as soon as ever the Sieur de Soubize, heard that the Marquesse de Coevure was at it tooth and nayl with the Marquess de Bagny, he presently put out to Sea, and dispatched two small Vessels before him to Blavet, to understand the condition of the place, which they would find more liberty to effect, then those who should conduct them by pretending they came from a long voyage. But the night following, he comming thither about nine a clock, and upon the intelligence which they gave him, that it was very ill guarded, he marched into the Port with about a thousand men, besides the Seamen upon the Ships. There wanted nothing necessary for a surprise, he seized upon six ships, belonging to the King, and Duke of Nemours, and presently after landed and took the Town, there remained no∣thing but the Fort which he did not get by a happy default of his Conduct; for had he forthwith assaulted it, it was so slenderly guarded, that he had entred without any resistance, but he having first given the Allarum to the Town, he who com∣manded the Fort had the leisure to put himself into a Posture of defence, and to shut the Gate; but the Sieur de Soubize did not long keep the Town in his power; for the Duke of Vendosm then Governour of Brittain, hearing of it, presently sent to all the Nobility of the Province, with order to bring all the men they could, every one of which came with great diligence. The Duke of Vendosm comming Post, found that the Sieur de Querrollin entred into the Fort, with store of Souldi∣ers, Victuals, and Ammunition. The Duke of Rets and Brissac, came at the same instant of time, as also those Gentlemen who were in a condition thereabouts, and the chief amongst them being in Counsel together, it was concluded to build a new Fort just over against the old one, with intent to batter the Ships of the Sieur de Soubize, and to sink those with more ease which he should attempt to carry out of the Port, as also to assault the Town in six several places. The Fort was finish∣ed in a trice, and a Battery presently Planted, but as soon as ever the Town should have been assaulted, both he and his Souldiers forsook the place. Withall, to bring the design to a good passe, they played with their shot day and night upon the Ships where he was, and the Cannon did such execution, that he was forced to hoise Sail, which he did by the help of a dark night, and a strong wind, which carried him over the Cables, that were overthwart the Port, though the Cannon indeed sunk the best of the Duke of Nevers Ships, and forced four of the greatest on Shore at the mouth of the Port, which were taken; and in fine, he sled towards Rochel, who were not behind hand, as also the whole body of the Hugonots, to dis∣own it; by their Deputies, and by their Declarations which they sent the King.