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 second Treaty of Peace with the Duke of Lorrain.

VVHat good successe might there not be expected from this Treaty, when the Cardinal had the management of it? His courage and conduct had already extended the bounds of France, raised several Trophies to the King's glo∣ry, and acquired new Lawrels to his Majesty; wherefore it was not to be doubted, but that he would a second time let the Lorrainers know, that his Master doth as well inherit the courage as the Crowns of his Predecessors, who have ever forced

their Ancestors to stoop under their Arms, in despite of the House of Austria, the Supporters of their hopes, not their State; and that there was no conclusion to be made with him, without extraordinary pledges for performance of their promises. To this end tended his very first discourse, that he might presently cut off their hopes of surprizing him, and destroy their designs of getting clear for a few fair words, or protestations of fidelity. Two causes there were which inclined the Deputies to receive the Law from him; First, An unavoydable necessity either of accommodation, or of ruine to their Master's affairs: And secondly, That in re∣gard it was to be doubted▪ that in case these effects did not oblige him, he would resolve, notwithstanding all the misfortunes arrived upon him, to re-commence the War upon the first fair opportunity of time or hopes, wherewith the House of Austria entertained him. This latter was so improbable, that it could hardly sink into the Cardinal's thoughts; yet because he somwhat suspected it, he made it his main designe in this Treaty to obtain such advantages for the King, that it should be altogether impossible for the Duke of Lorrain to engage himself in a third War, without his utter ruine. The meeting was at Liverdun, where after divers con∣tests, it was at length concluded, That the Duke should deliver the Town and Ca∣stle of Stenay within six days, and within three days after the Town and Castle of Jamets, with the Arms, Ammunitions, and Victuals therein unto his Majesty, for four years times, as gages of his fidelity, upon condition that the said time being expired, the said places should be restored, in the same condition they then were: That during the said term of time, it should be lawful for the King to put into them what number of men he pleased; That the Inhabitants take the Oath of Al∣legiance unto his Majesty, and swear, not to attempt any thing contrary to his ser∣vice. That the Duke should within three days surrender into the King's hands, the City and Fortress of Clermont▪ which his Majesty pretended to belong unto him, by Process of the Parliament of Paris, who had adjudged his Majesty to have the possession thereof, paying to the said Duke such a sum of money as should be agreed on by Commissioners from both parties, in recompence of the Revenue he received from thence. That the Duke should be obliged to render homage and fealty for Barr. within one year, unto the King. And as touching all differences moved, or which hereafter should be moved between them, that there should be Commissio∣ners of either side appointed to sit at Paris, when-ever it should please his Majesty to think fit, to make a fair end between them. It was likewise concluded, that the Duke should religiously observe and keep the five first Articles of the Treaty of Vic, which should be confirmed without any exception what ever: That be should faithfully adhere unto his Majesties Interests: That he should joyn his Forces with his Majesties, and assist him to his utmost in any War what-ever: That his Maje∣sties Forces should have free passage through his Country: In consideration where∣of, the Cardinal undertook in his Majesty's behalf, to surrender the City and Ca∣stle of Bar unto the Duke, as also the City and Castle of Saint Mihel, Pont-a-Mousson, and generally what-ever his Majesty had taken from him, to with-draw his Forces from Lorrain, and to protect the Person and Estates of the said Duke against all persons without exception. The Cardinal perswaded his Majesty to con∣firm these conditions, which could not be well misliked, they being advantagious for the glory of France, and leaving his Majesty at full liberty to go and chastise them, who abusing Monsieurs name, had set the Kingdom in an uproar. And thus was the Treaty of Liverdun signed upon the 26. day of June.

This Treaty being thus concluded, the King went to Pont-a-Mousson, where the Cardinal de Lorrain came to meet him, and to give caution for performance of his Brothers promises; in order whereunto, Stenay was put into the possession of the Sieur de Lambertie, Jametts of the Sieur de Plessis, who entred with their seve∣ral Regiments into them; and the King surrendred what places he had lately taken in Lorrain From thence the King went to Sech••pre, whither the Duke came to wait upon him; testifying himself to be sorrowful for having given his Majesty any cause of discontent, and beseeching him to forget what was pass'd. The King re∣ceiv'd

his Highness with all demonstrations of kindness, assuring him he should no more remember what was pass'd, and hoping his good conduct for the future would never give him occasion to think of it hereafter. The Duke was not back∣ward to make many protestations, though he little intended to perform any part of them. In conclusion, his Majesty returned into France, and so to Paris, chu∣sing rather to follow the instigations of his goodness, then of distrust, which he had however cause to return.