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 Sieur de Macheville, is sent to the Electors of Baviers and Tre∣ves, to dispose them towards the settlement of a Peace in the Empire.

THose great cares which the Cardinal was necessitated to undergo, both in op∣position of the English Forces, and in the reducing of Rochel, did not prevent him from providing for the Interests of those German Princes, who were Allies to the Crown of France. His great Soul (like universal causes) produced a tho••sand several effects, at the same time, nor could the m••nagement of any one important affair, divert him from being circumspect in several others. He advised his Maje∣sty to dispatch the Sieur de Macheville, towards the Electors of Baviers and Tre∣ves for the negotiating divers affairs, particularly to induce them to settle Peace in the Empire. His Majesty had learned that the Emperour had designed to have his Son King of Hungary elected King of the Romans: That the Electors did much desire his Majest•• would invite the P••ince Palatine to retire himself into France; That the Elector of Treves was well inclined to league himself with the French In∣terests, and th••t divers P••inces of the Catholick League, did wish his Majesty would imploy himself to negotiate either a Peace, or a Cessation of Arms in Germany.

Upon these four points it was, that he gave the Sieur de Macheville instructions to treat with them. As to the first, he was forbidden to thwart the Emperours de∣sign. His Majesty not thinking it fit to declare himself against the Emperour, to the end he might have more power and freedome towards the setling of his own affairs. But he was commanded to flatter the Duke of Bavian upon that accompt and dexterously to humour him, in his imaginary hopes of the Empire, by repre∣senting to him, as likewise unto the rest of the Electors, That it would very much concern them to promote some subject of lesse greatness then those of the House of Austria unto that dignity, by which means the head of the Empire having a nearer equality and correspondency with the rest of the Members, their union would bee the stronger, and their conditions the more secure. And in case he should find the Electors averse from that Proposal, he was then commanded quaintly to hint unto them, but not too openly; that the Emperour not being troubled by Age, or Sicknesse, it would not be amisse to defer their Election of the Roman King unto some other time, seeing by this delay they would render themselves the more con∣siderable towards the Princes of Germany, and the Emperour himself who would be the more carefull to preserve their friendship, it being so conducing to his design; whereas having attained his ends, and finding himself in a condition of being no more beholding to them, neither for himself or his, it was to be feared least hee should indeavour to extend the limits of his Ambition to their prejudice. This was he expresly charged not openly to declare, because the King thought it more pro∣per, to insinnuate into the minds of those Princes, the resolution of excluding the King of Hungary from the Empire, or at least to defer his Election, rather then to discover himself. However he was commanded to advise them, in case they were peremptorily resolved to chuse him, that it would concern them to take advantage of this affair, in which the Emperour was necessited to make use of them, that they might draw him to condiscend unto such conditions as might settle a firm Peace in the Empire, which it would concern them to do before the Election, least he might be the more averse to peace, when he should find the Empire once assured upon his Son.

As to the second particular, which relateth unto the Palatins retreat unto this Kingdome, he was commanded to tell those Princes, that his Majesty, could not assent unto it, whatever proposals they made, of entertaining him at their Costs and Charges; His reasons were these, That it was not beseeming the Dignity of a King to capiticlate concerning the Pension of any Prince, unto whom his Majesty pretended to be a refuge; and likewise that there was no reason, why he should draw upon himself so great a Charge, not being necessitated thereunto; and in case they should offer to pay all his Pension without any treaty, he was then com∣manded freely to reply unto them, that their Promises did not at all make sure the Pension, and if it should chance not to be paid his Majesty could not then avoid the entertaining both of him, and his whole family. Besides if the young Prince should come into France, his Majesty was in Honour bound, never to consent unto the Peace of Germany until he were restored unto his States, and that he could not give him a Retreat, without promising to protect him, which he knew would not sort with their Interests. That which concerned the Elector of Treves was not so diffi∣cult, seeing there wanted nothing but the assuring him of his Majesties affection and good Will. He went accompanied with that which gave him a very particular satisfaction; but the secret management of it, being of great consequence that he might serve his Majesty without suspition, the knowledg of this hath not been disco∣vered unto any one but themselves. As to the fourth and last which concerneth the Peace, at least a Cessation of Arms, it was in relation to the enterprizes of the King of Denmark, and the Princes of the Lower Saxony, which had but ill successe; so that he had Order to negotiate it the more effectually, not onely because his Ma∣jesty was desirous to give a period unto those calamities, which had brought Ger∣many into so miserable a condition, but also for the Interests of this Crown, which being concern'd with those Christian Princes who are not tied to the House of Au∣stria,

oblige him to hinder the Emperours becomming absolute unto which the war seemed to contribute, by weakning the Princes Electors, and ruining the Protestants. This was the more considerable, in regard his Majesty, was not then in a Capacity to redresse their aggrievances by force of Arms; he was likewise com∣manded to procure an Electoral Diet where the Electours comming to treat toge∣ther, would doubtlesse resolve and conclude a Peace; whereas if they should ma∣nage their affairs by their Doctors, who for the most part were Pensioners to the House of Austria, there could be but slender hopes of a good successe. His In∣structions Charged him, to acquaint them, that he was commanded to negotiate the cessation of Arms, both with the Emperour, the King of Denmark, and them∣selves, and that he should effectually endeavour to accomplish it, provided that they would, ingage unto his Majesty, by Instruments drawn up in form, that they would, after the King of Denmark should assent unto it, procure the Emperour to do the like, and that themselves would do the same on their parts, and lastly that they would call an Electoral Diet, where the Peace should be ratified as also a con∣firmation of their Alliance with France.

These were the Chief Points of the Sieur de Macheville Instructions; in which he bestirred himself with such diligence, that he prevailed upon the Princes Ele∣ctors (without discovering his Majesties Intentions) to defer the Election of the Roman King, That he perswaded them to think it improper for the Prince Ele∣ctor to retier into France; That he tied the Prince Elector of Treves unto his Majesties Interests, by Chains of Gold, and that he at last procured them to meet at Mulhausen. He himself came thither, and represented to them, those great miseries which the war had brought upon Germany, in such effectual language, that they became more inclined to Peace, then formerly they had been. And the year fol∣lowing the Peace was accordingly concluded, which the House of Austria would have found means to prevent, had not France interposed in the business.