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.

Prosecution of the History.

THis Truce was much condemned by many, and by the Cardinal himself too, who was just upon the point of perswading his Majesty to make a Declaration, by

which he should dis-own those who had signed it, and with expresse command to his Army to advance: The Gallantry of his Courage, which knoweth not what it is to give ground, could not endure that the Town and Castle of Cazal should be delivered up into Spinola's hands; and it is not to be doubted, that had his Majesty been there, it had never been assented to at all. But however, take the reasons upon which it was so resolved, which I do the more willingly set down, to excuse those who undertook it: The first and principle was, the Duke of Savoy was much inclined and promised, to join himself with the Kings Army, if the Spaniards did not agree to those conditions which had formerly been ascertain'd with Spinola. Mazarini passed his word, that the Duke of Savoy should write a Letter about it to the Dutchesse of Savoy; of which the Generals of the Army should have a co∣py for their discharge; so that agreeing in this manner with the Duke of Savoy; the Spaniards were obliged to conclude the Peace; and if not the Duke of Savoy was ingaged to joyn his with the Kings Forces, to relieve Cazal. There was no∣thing to fear in respect of Cazal, but on the contrary, the delivery of it was cer∣tain; and most true it is, without that the Generals had never resolved upon that particular. And the extream necessities, to which Cazal was reduced, as Mon∣sieur de Thoyras sent word, caused them to doubt, lest that in few dayes (and be∣fore the Army could come up) the inhabitants who were wearied out, with suffe∣ring of inconveniences for three years together, some of them who were gained by the Spanish party, should force the Garrison to surrender, which could not be suf∣fered without great dishonour to the Kings Army. Besides the Marquesse de Bre∣ze, had order from the Generals to go to Cazal, under pretence of finishing the Treaty however, not to execute it, untill he had conferred with the Sieur de Thoy∣ras, and understood whether or no he could hold out, till the relief came, with∣out danger, and then to assure him, that in case he could, the•• would bring up the Army forthwith, and not conclude the Treaty. In short the Treaty was not ex∣ecuted, until it was understood that neither he nor any one else would undertake to warrant the successe.

To be short, it was thought necessary to refresh the Army, and to give them more scope, they being much afflicted with the sicknesse, and to releive Cazal, they were of necessity to march 30 leagues through an Enemies Country, with a small proportion of victuals, and without any retreating place at all.