it was a shame to see those Edicts how just or necessary soever, not regarded or observed in their City. That it served for a Road to discontents, and a retreat for Rebels: That Peace could never be certainly established, in the Kingdom nor abroad, whilst that place was in a condition to second a Faction: That France could not be in security from strangers, whilst that place was in its own power to set open their Gates: and on the contrarie, that there was reason to hope; for a happy and prosperous Peace, that place being once disarmed and their Forts redu∣ced to nothing, by which they would be forced to live in their obedience. This discourse once ended, it was no hard matter to resolve his Majesties inclinations, for the reducing them to the rules of obedience by a potent siege, especially see∣ing he was not of so little courage as to suffer such obstacles and indignities unpuni∣shed any longer: But though it were regretful longer to suffer it, yet it was no lesse, difficult to prevent it. The reason he had to puni••h them, was apparently visible, but the means how to do it, not easily found out; But as difficulties serve only to augment great courages, who are carried on by any extraordinary sense of glory, so the King animated by the generous Counsels of the Cardinal, fixed upon the Re∣solution of making strong preparations for the siege of it.
I shall moreover say, That the Cardinal knowing that no one ought to shut his eyes in dangers, but rather to look upon them, exactly to consider them, and if possibly apply preventive remedies to overcome them, so he did not disguise any thing to the King which might happen in the siedg. He represented to them, the strength of the Hugonot party, grounded upon many strong places, fortified with intelligence from abroad, cemented by the Interests of divers Grandees of the Kingdom; and supported by their own Forces; that whatever the Precedent Kings had gained in many Battailes, and a long tract of various war, served only to make Treaties of Peace, which are as so many marks, of their uncomptrouled insurrecti∣ons. He desired him to remember the Ambition of Grandees, the Passion of Ministers, the insolencies of them of this Faction; their Plots, Cabal; and animosi∣ties, and he clearly told him, That it was the more necessary to remove all these obstacles, with his very utmost power, in regard if he did not, instead of healing it would fester the wound, and diminish instead of making his Arms more conside∣rable. But withal he assured him that in case his Majesty, thought fit to do his utmost upon this rebellious place, there was reason to hope for a good successe, see∣ing he had Peace with Germany and no enemy to divert him, the English only ex∣cepted, who at that time were not strong enough to be much feared; That in case any one should attempt upon France, there might however be means found out to put off or hinder their designs; which being so, he did not find any difficulties, but what were under his own power. That the Sea Port of this City might be block∣ed up, if he would go to the Charge of it, and that making a line about it with Forts and Redouts, all hopes either of men or victuals would be cut off from them. That bringing good store of vessels which might be drawn out from several ports of France, the English attempts in case their Fleet should arrive, would be to no purpose seeing his Majesties Ships would be all under the shelter of his Forts and Batteries, which might be raised at the mouth of the Channel; by which means Rochel would in a little while be reduced to necessity, forced to deliver upon mercy and then so ordered, that they should never be in a condition, but of obeying for the Future. The••e considerations were laid down with so much discretion and proposed with such clearness, that his Majesty could not be ignorant of the just grounds he had to hope for a good successe in his design upon this City. So he resolved about the beginning of the year to go on with it, and his whole thoughts were bent upon the preparations for the siedg, though it were very secretly car∣ried that they might have no suspition of it, before all things were ready for to assault the place,
The Cardinal caused almost exact Plat-form of Rochel to be drawn out, and of all the adjacent places. He saw all their Forts, their Form height and bigness, the breadth and depth of their ditches, and whatever was strong or weak in the whole