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 Marquis de Saint Chaumont sent to Vincent, the Duke of Mantoua in quality of an Ambassodour Extraordinary.

AT the same time that the Sieur de Marcheville went into Germany, His Ma∣jesty who thought himself equally concern'd in the Interests of his Allyes, as the Affairs of his own State, sent the Marquis de Saint Chaumont Extraordinary Ambassadour to the Duke of Mantoua. The Duke had by letters express given his Majesty notice of his Brother Ferdinand's death, and also begged his assistance to second by his name and officers as Rome, the suit which he made there, for disso∣lution of the marriage, which he had lately contracted with the Princess de Bossolo, who though she had charms enough to perswade him to marry her, yet was too old to bear Children. The King could have answered him by letters, but it being necessary to look after Monsieur de Neuers his Interests, who only hoped for his Majesties assistance, he thought it more proper to send an Extraordinary Ambassa∣dor thither. The Marquis de Saint Chaumont was chosen for this employment, and commanded to signifie to the Duke how sensibly displeased his Majesty was at the late Dukes death, but of the Joy he had in this accident, to find the succession de∣volved upon him, whom he esteemed a Prince endued with all excellent Qualities, and from whom he might receive the same respects, both as to his person and the Publique good as he had heretofore from his Predecessor. He had order to proffer unto him, his Friendships and Royal assistance, of his Credit, Name, and Authority, assuring him that he should find the effects of it, not only at Rome and in his Affairs depending there, but also, in all other things, when-ever occassion should be: next of all he was to inform him, of the design which the Spaniards had, to marry him, after dissolution of his late contract, to one of the Emperours Daugh∣ters, and then dexterously to observe to him, that the States of Mantoua and Montferrat, being very considerable in Italy, for their scituations and fertility, as also the strong hold wherewith they are defended, were continually watched after by the Duke of Savoy and Governour of Milan, that they might take some advan∣tage over them, and that he not being able to defend himself against them, but by the Union and Correspondencie which he held with France, and the Princes of Ita∣ly, was obliged so to carry himself, as neither of them might be jealous of him: Moreover that his Enemies who well knew all these things, would pick out all occasions whatever to make a Breach between him and his friends, by carrying him to such Actions as might provoke them against him; but in case he should so change, that instead of the Free and absolute Soveraignty in which God had now settled him, he would find himself reduced, to a perfect dependance on the Spaniards, who would expose him to the scorn of others, and cause him to loose his reputa∣tion

of friendship and fidelity: that all things considered he could not do better, then to remain Neuter, to hold an equal correspondency with the house of France, Austria, and the Princes of Italy, without doing any thing which might incense ei∣ther one or t'other; but perceiving an intire affection for France, as for him who desired his good, prosperity, and settlement, and from whence he might be sure of receiving all assistance and protection without any prejudice in the least. But above all, the Marquesse was commanded to lay the foundation of the Princess Maria's marriage Neece to Duke Vincent, with the Duke de Rethelois, and to dispose the Duke to declare him successor to his States after the death of Monsieur de Nevers his Fa∣ther. However he himself was inclined to marry her, could he but have procured the dispensation of his first contract at Rome. He had instructions likewise to tell him, how much his so doing would settle his affairs, and authority, against his neighbours designs, who peradventure if his succession were not declared, would be the bolder to attempt upon him, and not unlikely on his person too. These were the chief points of the Marquesse his Commission, upon his comming to Mantua; he was resolved with all kind of honour, usually shewed to an extraordinary Am∣bassadour of France. After he had entertained the Duke upon those particulars contained in his Instructions, the Duke testified to him a great acknowledgement of the honour which the King did him; telling him withall, that he received it with the greater respect; in regard he was French both by inclination and Obligation. He discovered to him the great desire he had for the dissolution of his marriage, that he might afterwards wed, not one of the Emperours daughters as was suppo∣sed, but the Princesse Maria his Neece, whom he passionately loved, and from whom he had great hopes of having a Son who might succeed after him. As to that which concerned the Prince de Rethelois, he ever spoke of him with great res∣pect, as a Prince whom he loved and esteemed, and whom he looked on as his suc∣cessor, in case he died without issue. The Marquess de Saint Chaumont, thought it improper to propose to him, when he found him so inclined, the marrying of the Princesse Maria to the Duke de Rethelois, it being an unseasonable motion to one who earnestly desired her for himself: But talking in private with the Marquesse de Strigio, chief Minister of Mantoua, he discovered it to him, and ingaged him to contribute his assistance to it, in case a dissolution of his present contract could not be obtained, as the onely and principal means to preserve his Masters Life, giving him withal to observe that this once done, the house of Austria, and Duke of Sax∣ony must of necessity cease their pretensions, which whilest the Duke was without a Successor were too many, any longer to be permitted. He pressed him too the more earnestly, in regard, the Marquesse de Strigio told him, how that the Physi∣tians had assured that Duke Vincent could not long subsist, his body being sickly. The Marquess de Strigio was sensible of the importance of that particular, and faith∣fully promised to use his utmost diligence and power to effect 〈◊〉〈◊〉. As to the neutrality which the Duke was obliged by interest to observe between the two Crowns, the Duke would oftentimes tell the Marquesse that his heart was French, that he was totally disposed to pay all respects and services to his Majesty which could be expected from him; and that by the natural inclination he had for France to be gratefull in acknowledging the protection which his Majesty had given his late Brother Ferdinand; and he added that his Majesty should never have any cause to be offended with him. The Marquesse having thus dispatched the greatest part of his affair, took his leave of the Duke, to return to his Majesty, and to give him an accompt of what he had done.