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 Ile of Ree relieved.

THE Relief of the Island was due to the Cardinal after his great or rather ex∣tream care. One of the chiefest means he used to effect it was this, He sent to Bayonne for 15 flat vessels, called Primaces, built both to sail and row and withal very fleet, and able to endure a storm, He judged by his prudence, that the En∣glish having none of this fashion, they might easily get to Ree in the night, with∣out being discovered. The order was dispatched to the Count de Grand-Mont with command to put them under the conduct of the Sieur de Chalar Captain of one of the Kings Ships, then in Spain, and in case he should not be come back, then to whom he thought fit. The Count provided the 15 Primaces with all haste, he armed then with Musquets and piks the best he could, in each of them he put 20 seamen, and took care if nothing was wanting. The Sieur de Chalar not being re∣turned, he committed the conduct of them to Captain Baslin, one of the most ex∣perienced and stoutest Sea Captain in those Parts. About the end of August, he came with his Primaces to the Sands of Olonne, where the Abbot of Marsillac re∣ceived him with great joy, and his vessels being well stored with victuals add am∣munition, he lent him six score men of the Regiment de Champany with some Vo∣luntiers, to put off upon the first occasion. Upon the fifth of September, he set sail in the head of his little Fleet about 6 of the clock at night. Soon after he knew that he was near the Enemies Fleet, he spead abroad his great sailes, and was pre∣sently discovered. But the Primaces going very swift could not be stopped by the English Vessels; they went without losse, onely some sails and one or two Masts were shattered, and one shot through with a bullet. Baslin having thus passed the Enemies, fell upon the Baracado which they had made, to hunder relief, which consisted of great Masts linked together with iron chains and tied with Cabels fast∣ned to great Anchors; however many of the Primances by reason, of their light∣ness

and swiftness passed over, the rest as it pleased God did light upon a certain place, where the foregoing night a tempest had broken part of their Baracado, through which they passed without difficulty; so that about two in the night they ran ashore near one of the Bastilions of the Cittadel, a place where the English could not hurt them. The relief was great both for their reputation and assistance; It came so opportunely, that it gave them new courage, who were till then hardly able to breath, and it may safely be said that this one action was the deciding of the controversie. The passage was afterward clear, The besieged perswaded them∣selves that they should now want nothing, and the English were so astonished at it, that they sent to his Majesties Hab••rin the Duke of Buckinghams Kinsman, to see if he would make any propositions of Peace; but he was sent back as he went, without speaking with the King, who could no more resolve to see him, than to suffer the English to go away without treating them as they deserved, that they might have no great will to come another time.

Diverse other vessels attempted to passe unto the Island, but being heavier than the Pinnaces, they were forced to go off, some one way and some another through the English Fleet. It was then resolved, that 10 other Pinnaces should be got from Bayonne, which the Count de Grant-Mont rigged out and sent under the Com∣mand of Captain Audoum, upon the 4 of October they came upon the Sands of Olonne, They were soon laded and accompanied with 25 other little Vessels, 300 Soldiers went abroad them and 60 choice Gentlemen. Upon the 6 of October they put off. The Sieur de Cusar, and Captain Audouin were Commanders of the Squadron. But the wind changing, as soon as ever they were at Sea, two dayes past before they came to Ree, and that by day too. The English Fleet soon dis∣covered them, and engaged them in a rough fight. Musquet and Canon shot were not spared, but their courage surmounting their danger, 29 of the Vessels got clear to the Cittadel, where they run ashore on Friday morning the 8 of October; five of their Vessels were forced to give back: One onely in which were the Sieurs de Beaulieu and R••zilly, was taken by the Enemy. The English were so incensed at it, that they made in 24 hours above 2000 great shot upon the Port St. Martin so that there were onely 5 Pinnaces and one Traversin in condition to sail; but the vessels were unladed, and the Gentlemen and Souldiers happily landed in the Cittadel.