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 dispatch of the Marshal d' Etree to the Commonwealth of Venice, concerning the Affairs of the Duke of Mantua.

I Shall passe from the consideration of those reasons of State, which might be made, upon the aforesaid Lords Promotion to the Cardinalship, that I may tell you how about the end of the foregoing year; Fortune being become seldome fa∣vourable to the house of Austria or their Arms, the Imperialists found themselves, so oppressed with diseases, and incumbred with sicknesses and necessities, that they were enforced to raise the siege of Mantua. But it was as if they had only with∣drawn themselves into their Winter quarters. The Duke of Mantua was vigilant for the preservation of his State, and well knew the ambitious humor of Spain, which had sought all occasions for fifty years past, to render themselves Masters of Italy, and would not now bee wanting to reassume their former design, in causing new Troops to come from Germany, and in giving better Orders and Instructions, then heretofore, that they might give new life to their intentions and designs. This moved him to make addresses to the King, that he would be pleased to interpose his Authority with the Venetians, to induce them to raise an Army, and make them∣selves Masters of the field, which would discourage the Imperialists, to return or make any more approaches towards Mantua: This request of his was granted, and the Marshal d' Estree, dispatched towards Venice about the beginning of January, to treat there, concerning those succours, with order to retirs himself into Man∣tua, after the conclusion of his Embassie, according as the Cardinal had perswaded the King to be most proper, before he had began his Journy thither. And thus, it being business of no small importance for the Venetians to hinder the Spaniard from seating himself so neer them as Mantua. (His Dominion, being like the Eagles Feathers, which frets and eateth away those which are next and neerest unto it,) they readily imbraced the protection of the said Duke of Mantua, and chose the Duke of Candal for their General, and gave him after many importunities continually suggested by the Marshal d' Estree, about twelve thousand foot, and three thousand Horse, to which were joyned the Regiments of Candale and Valette, which were about three thousand men a piece sent by the King.