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 Sub••ect.

THere hath been so much already said in answer to those aspersions laid in the Cardinals way, that to say any more were needless in relation to his glory, but it is not so in relation to the end and drift of this History; which is for the Instru∣ction of succeeding Kings and States-men, how they ought to govern themselves; for Soveraigns may here learn how to carry themselves towards their Ministers, by the King's behaviour towards the Cardinal, wherein there was an appearance of objection, though it was an effect of his Majesties Prudence. Amongst the ma∣ny accusations laid to his charge, one of the chiefest was, that he had obtained from his Majesty the Government of divers strong and important places of the Kingdom, and that other some he had procured for his friends. Now these so considerable places were reduced unto Sea-Towns, Havre, and Brouage; and that these places were the more to be regarded, they being in his keeping at such a time, when as there were endeavours used to bring some Forraigners into France, which could not be more commodiously effected then by Sea. The Contrivers of this charge were not well vers'd in the History of late times, wherein they might have learn'd, how that the Government of Havre and Diepe had been united and incorporated into the Office of Admiral de France, by two several Declarations of Henry the third. Neither were they better acquainted with the passages of the present times, How that the Government of Brouage had been conferr'd on him in exchange of Diepe, it being impossible to intend the necessary affairs of Sea, without having some chief Sea-Port: Which being so, What reason can he alledge to quarrel at his Majesties conferring those Governments upon him?

As for those which, his Majesty entrusted with his Relations, I shall only say, that they were not comparable with those favours which divers other Ministers have received from their Kings and Masters, though they never did the Tythe of those services which he hath. Annas de Montmorency was Mareschal and Con∣stable of France, Grand Maistre, and Grand Chamberlain, and Governour of Languedoc, whose eldest son was Mareschal of France, and Governour of Langue∣doc; his second, Colonel of Horse, Mareschal of France, and Governour of Languedoc, by Survivorship; and his third son Colonel General of the Swisses. One of whose Nephews was a Cardinal, another Admiral of France, and a third Colonel of Foot, and whose four Daughters were match'd into four of the chief Houses of France, viz. that of Thurenne, de la Trimonille, de Candale, and de Vautadour, and whose power was such, that Francis the first commanded Henry the Dauphine, afterwards King, to obey him in the Armies which he governed. I could likewise add, that there is not any thing in the Cardinals Family that may hold comparison with that of Amboise, who flourished under Louis the eleventh, Charles the eighth, and Louis the twelveth. Charles d' Amboise was Governour of Champagne, and afterwards of Burgogne, under Louis the eleventh, and six other Brothers which he had, with many others of this Nephews, were all advan∣ced by him. By his favour Meri d' Amboise was created Grand Master of Rhodes, Jean was made Bishop of Langres, Louis was made Bishop d' Alby, and Lievte∣nant for the King in Languedoc and Guyenne Pierre was installed Bishop of Poictiers, Jacques was made Bishop of Clermont, and Abbot of Cluny, Jean was preferred to be Seignieur de Bussi, and Governour of Normandy; the three sons of his eld∣est Brother, Louis Bishop of Alby, Arch-bishop of Rouen, and Cardinal, Grand Maistre, Admiral and Mareschal of France, Governour of Milan, and Lieve∣tenant of his Majesties Armies in Italy; Guy Siegnieur de Revel, Captain of two hundred Gentils-hommes d'armes, which was then a high preferment; Francis de Clermont his Nephew, son of his Sister Catharina d' Amboise, Cardinal, and R••ne∣de Prie son of his Aunt Magdaleina d' Amboise, Bishop of Baye••x. Is there any thing in the Cardinal's Family which may compare with this? But without making of comparisons, it shall only suffice to say, this complaint was ridiculous, seeing

the Cardinal had at that time only two places which were of any importance, and his Kindred as many; whereas some great Houses of France had more. Besides what cause of Jealousie could there be seeing he was every week twice or thrice at least with his Majesty, and still brought with him a surrender of his Offices, it being in his Majesties power not only to dispose of his Charges, but of his Person likewise? He had indeed over and above the Government of Bretagne, But how? Was it not at the earnest intreaties of those of the Country, who considering themselves to be invironed with Ports, concluded that he could most effectually establish their Trade (by means of his Superintendency upon the Sea) which had been much decayed during the late Governours times, because of the frequent dif∣ferences between them and the Admirals of France, each of them pretending to command upon the Sea coast? That which made these factious exclaim more loud then all the rest, was, because his Majesty had discharged some Governours from their places, and committed them to him. But what? Was not his Majesties so do∣ing a piece of great Discretion, when he foresaw the ruine of the Kingdom by the little obedience of such Governours, who having the possession of Towns and Places in their Families a long time together, would hardly be perswaded they were beholding unto his Majesty for continuing them unto them, but would presently fly out into Rebellion, upon the first noise of any insurrection? Hereupon his Majesty resolved to punish them according to their deserts, and deprived some of them of their Offices and Governments, with intent of bestowing them on such persons, of whose fidelity he was well assured, as upon those of the Cardinals Fa∣mily, who were never seen to intermeddle in any Cabal against his Majesties ser∣vice and who knowing the honour of his Majesties favour to be the only support of their Fortunes were careful of not being ingaged in such Designs, as might make them unworthy of it. The advantage which this alteration brought with it, was soon after apparent; for how would it have been if one had continued Gover∣nour of Brest, if another had kept his Government of Brouage, and if Calais had not been dispossessed of its Commander? would they not have served for so many Citadels and Magazins to countenance all Revolts which they designed? And what I pray is become of all those places which were entrusted with the Cardinal or his Allies, Have they not continued in their Obedience to his Majesty, and those who engaged the Queen-Mother and Monsieur in their differences, could not dispose of any of them according to their own desires? And that indeed was the only and chief motive of their complaints.