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.

Politique Observation.

IT of so great importance to hinder the comming in of Provision to besieged Towns that that being once secured the taking of them cannot be avoided, & they who have forced them by famine, have by the Ancients been more honoured then those who have taken them by the sword, because they are lest subject to hazards, and their Souldiers lives not in danger. A thing very considerable. In long sieges the onely thing intended, is by necessity to force the besieged to open their Gates; the truth is, most commonly this is a work of time, and consequently of great expence; but on the other side, it saves a great many Souldiers lives, which is a recompence great enough. It was one of Caesars advices, in forcing of Towns rather to do it by Famine then the Sword, as the Physitian saveth his Patients more by abstinence then forcible Medicines. The truth is, I imagine this to be the better and safer way, in regard necessity is such a thing, as nothing whatever can resist. Now as it is a way very advantagious, so is not lesse difficult, especially in Sea Towns, here∣tofore esteemed impregnable because of the incertainty of the Sea, and weather, which seldome lets a Fleet lie long in safety, to prevent relief, as also by reason of its violence, which commonly laughs at all those inventions contrived to stop up a Port or Haven: Though this latter opinion, is at present but weak and frivolous, seeing men have by industry found out several means to overcome all manner of ob∣stacles of this nature. Alexander the Great besieged the City of Tyre, stopped up the Channel by a Bank, took away all hopes of relief, and at last forced them to surrender to his mercy, after they had refused to deliver up upon fair and honou∣rable terms. Caesar did the like before Duras; as also St. Lewis upon the R••••s be∣ing a Branch of the River Nile, the Prince of Parma at Antwerp, and Spinola at Ostend, all which by some invention or other found means to hinder any shipping to come neer the places which they besieged. But amongst all, none is like a Bank, because in Tempests the Sea doth usually spoil and break all their Engins, of Masts, Cables, Timber, or the like. Neither are Chains to be trusted in such occasions, for that small Vessels may passe over them, as C••eus Duellius the Roman Consul did, who being blocked up in the Court of Syracusa, caused all his men and lug∣gage to be removed into the Stern of his Galley, and his Oarmen rowing with all their strength passed them half over, and then removing all his goods and men into the Prow, they rowed over the other half and so got clear away, the like did the Spanish Forces at Marcellia, when they found their enterprise was dis∣covered.