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.

Prosecution of the Historie.

THE newes of the English Fleets arrival was soon brought to the Court, but the Cardinals Prudence was such that he would not let the King be acquainted with it, least it might encrease his Fever, neverthlesse his Great Genius, who fin∣deth remedies for all things, did take wonderful care by his orders to repel them. The King had already, upon Intelligence that the English were setting out, com∣manded many Regiments of Foot and Troops of light Horse and dispatched several Commissions to raise more Forces with order to all Officers, to come to the rande∣vous at Poictou, and there to be in a readiness, for such imployments as occasion should require: He had also given the charge of this Army to the Duke of An∣goulesme, who at his first comming, gave all necessary orders, for the safetie of Brouage, and the Iles of Oleron, relying entierly as to the Ile of Ree, on the cou∣rage and Loyalty of the Sieur de Thoyras, Monsieur d' Angoulesme had also put into

Fort Lewis, all kinds of Ammunition with great diligence, whereby to repel the English, if they should come to assault it and he made use of a Stratagem, which was the probable cause of staying the English at the Ile of Ree, as also of prevent∣ing them from coming on the Mainland. His devise was this; He gave order, upon his first comming to the Quarter Master General of the Army to go to all the Boroughs and Villages there abouts, to provide Quarters for an Army between fifteen and twenty thousand men, though he had not in all; above the half of that number.

The Rochelois hereupon swallowing this fiction for a truth, presently advised the English of it, who apprehending the encounter of so great Forces, went to the Ile of Ree. He also observed the order given him by the Cardinal, not to provoke the Rochelois, nor give them the least jealousie of any thought to besiege them. This Great Minister well knew, That the people are easily transported to all extre∣mities, when they fear any severe punishment to fall upon them, and particularly that the Rochelois having called in the English to vindicate their Liberty, would never be induced totally to give themselves up to them, whilst they did not fear a siege, and that therefore it would be proper, not to give them any suspition. And for the same reason it was, that the Duke of Angoulosme, did so favourably receive their Deputies, assuring them, that the King intended nothing else, but to let them enjoy their priviledges, on condition they deserved it by their submis∣sion; he also suffered them to gather in their harvests thinking it lesse inconvenient to let them make that provision, which at best could not much prolong the siege, then to give them occasien, by declaring their design to deliver up themselves to the English.

This disposal of his was accompanied with great Prudence, yet not sufficient to drive the English out of the Ile of Ree, or hinder them being Masters thereof to go on the Mainland. Monsieur the Cardinal, who had the Charge under the Authority of the King and Queen Mother, to provide against this necessity, em∣ployed more effectual means, for the procuring those happy successes, which for∣ced the World to believe, that the King could bring such things to passe, as his predecessours could not aspire to; He used extraordinary deligence to hasten the Levies, and to draw together good store of shipping, to succour Ree as also to hinder the English from entring into the Channel of Rochel, in case they should at∣tempt it, one of his Chief cares was to prohibit by an Edict all sorts of Maritine commerce; and at the same time he sent into parts, to man those vessels formerly employed, and with all speed to bring them neer Roch••l; he sent to Havre de Grace and Diepe Commissions and mony, for the dispatching of the Ships which he had there prepared, and unto Oleron, Brouage and ••uyenne, to have victuals and ammu∣nition in a readiness. He gave Charge to the Abbot of Marsillac, to passe by the Coast of Olonne to raise Marriners, and to the Sieur de Beaumout Chief Comptroler of the Kings house, intimate friend of Monsieur de Thoyras, to emyloy his utmost care and industry to put provisions into the Cittadel of Ree. Withal, Touredes was dispatched to St. Mallos to rig out three great Ships, and Beaulieur Courcelles, with Cant••lona, Sea Captains unto Ol••nne, to contrive away how to clap victuals into Ree. Beauli•••• Persac was sent to execuse a design he had proposed to set fire on some of the English Ships, and to throw himself into the Cittadel of St. Mar∣tin, but he could not effect it. La Rinterre, after Greffier was sent along the Coast to presse all the Shallops, that went with oare, he sent Magnac to the Duke d'Espernon, and several Couriers, to the Towns upon the Garronne, to draw toge∣ther all the Barks, Galliots, and small vessels which might be serviceable. He sent post into Holland to the Commander de Gouttes, who commanded the Kings Ships to come away with all speed, and at the same time understanding that the Hollan∣ders were sollicited by the English to assist them with their shipping, he set a Treaty of renuing alliance on foot by his Majesties Ambassadour there, whereby to divert them. Which was soon agreed upon by giving them certain monyes, and so the Articles were signed; amongst which this was one, that they should assist the King

with their shipping, if need were. This Grand Minister excercised with admirable Prudence the advice of an Ancient, who counselled him that had two enemies, that he should compound with one of them, the better to make war with t'other: He likewise employed the Bishop of Nismez, Monsieur de Thoyras his Brother, and Monsieur Desplan one of his best friends, to advance those succours with all dilli∣gence. He made divers promises of ten thousand Crowns to them who should convey victuals into Ree, in short from July to the end of August there was no∣thing to be seen but Couriers of all qualities poasting up and down the Country, and others to advance the succours which at last arrived as we shall hereafter de∣clare, and relieved Ree, to the shame of the English and the Kings immortal Glory.