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 King sendeth the Marquis de Breze, towards Gustavus Adolphus, Kign of Sweden.

THe Cardinal informed his Majesty of the Propositions of Neutrality, to which the Embassadours of the Catholique League seemed to incline, and his Ma∣jesty having cast his eyes upon the Marquis de Breze, as a person capable, by reason of his Prudence and Ability to give a happy successe thereunto dis∣patch'd him unto the King of Swed••n to obtain his assent in that behalf. He de∣parted from Mets not long after, and arrived at Mayence, accompanied with above fifty Gentlemen Voluntiers, ambitious o•• seeing that King, whose victories were so publiquely famous over the World. The Marquesse of Breze comming neer unto Mayence, was met upon the way by two Cornets of Horse, and the King of Swedes own Coach to receive him the was conducted unto his Audience; where after he had made his respects unto that victorious Prince, he told him▪ the King his Master being so near had commanded him to wait upon him, and to assure him of his joy for his victories. The King of Sweden returned those Civilities and Ho∣nours due unto the Ambassadours of France; which passed over, they began to dis∣course of affairs: He represented unto him, how his Master being eldest Son and protector of the Church, looked on himself as obliged to make a request unto him in behalf of the Catholiques of Germany, and to beseech him to permit them to become neuters, they being readily disposed to fall off from the interests of the House of Austria, and not to uphold his forces by any way or means whatever; how that his Master was the more willing to second their desires, in regard he thought it very advantagious for the design which invited him into Germany, for it was no small blow unto the Emperour to draw away from him, the Electors of Cologne and Treves, the Duke of Baviers and divers other Catholick Princes; that in some sense it wee to cut off one of his Arms, and assuredly to destroy a third part of his strength; that in conclusion, he believed his Majesty of Swede was ob∣liged in point of discretion to permit them to sit still, provided they did totally de∣cline the Emperour's asistance with whom alone he was ingaged; that hereby con∣vincing the World he intended not the subversion of Religion, a thing much ta∣king with the people, it would evidently follow, that his enemies would oppose him with the lesse resolution. The King of Sw••den received his Majesties request made by the Marquis de Breze, with a great deal of honour; but being a Prince of great understanding, he forthwith ••ounded the depth of the Catholique Princes promises, and made apparent unto him, that their Proposals were not real; that they had possessed his Christian Majesty with false impressions; that they had drawn upon themselves the evils which they indured by their own unreasonable wilfulnesse contrary to the many fair invitations sent unto them, of forsaking his enemies, and injoying their estates in quiet, under an indifferent contribution which he expected from them. He likewise declared unto him, the resolutions of the League, con∣cluded in the Assemblies of Lantshud and Ingolstat, which were directly repugnant to these proposals, as also the Duke of Bavi••rs Letters, who in the middest of his protestations of forbearing hostility, did not however cease to raise forces, forti∣fie

Towns, and send Letters of Exchange for the advancing of new Levies; by all which it was evident enough, that his designs tended only to linger out the time, whereby he might take better aim in future. The Marquesse de Breze, replied un∣to him, that in truth, the evil designs of those Catholique Princes could no be exe∣cuted in regard of he time pass'd, especially after sight of their Letters, yet it was to be hoped they would hereafter manage their affairs more advisedly, if there were a Treaty concluded with them: That the King his Master was far from countenan∣cing their unjust pretences, but that in case they should be reduced to reason, as his Majesty well hoped, and themselves had fairly promised, he should then affecti∣onately desire they might be permitted to sit still; in order whereunto, he request∣ed there might be a cessation of Arms for fifteen days, in which time, some reaso∣nable end might be concluded. The King of Sweden promised to be willing for the Treaty in the behalf of France, without which he should hardly have been perswa∣ded to passe over the Duke of Baviers, and the other Catholick Princes, after those affronts received from them. In fine, it was no more then he might have desired, he being too prudent not to observe, how by granting them to become Neuters, he did much weaken his enemies, and how that satisfying the World, he inten∣ded not an invasion of the Church, the Emperours Forces would not be so zea∣lous in his service, by which means, he might the easilier perfect their destru∣ction.