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 Sieur de Guron, to treat with the Duke of Lorrain.

THough Monsieur de Lorrain's behaviour, provok'd the King to fall upon him, both with his own and his Allies forces, yet such was his Clemency which di∣verteth him from all proceedings of rigour, unlesse at the last extremity, that he sent to the Swedes after the battel of Haguenau, to intreat them not to prosecute any further their conquests in Lorrain, and gave them to understand that it was in his Majesties protection, assuring them the said Duke should no more thwart them in their undertakings. The truth is, it was not the Duke of Lorrain's interest alone which induc'd his Majesty so to do, for he was not ignorant that the neighbour∣hood of great Conquerours, is alwaies to be feared; yet his Majesty had this de∣sign in preserving him, he well hop'd this present assistance would work upon him so much the more, because his danger was so eminent. The Swedes were com∣manded by persons, who amidst the prosperity of their Victories, thought no acti∣on glorious, unlesse just and conformable to the Treaty made with the King, where∣upon they made no difficulty to consent unto it, but pass'd their words not to at∣tempt any thing for the future upon Lorrain. The Duke in reason ought to have been very sensible of this Protection, seeing in the opinion of all people, though of never so little judgement, it prevented his ruine; yet such was his Passion, that he took no notice of it. The King sorry for him, as for a man who would destroy himself, presently sent the Sieur de Guron, if possible, to open his eys, and to shew him how irrational proceedings were; but the Duke instead of reverencing his Majesties goodnesse, who could not resolve to ruine him, according as he deserv'd, hid himself, and for some time would not suffer the Sieur de Guron to see him. At Nancy where the Sieur de Guron went to see him, he was not to be found nor could he hear any news of him, whereupon he was forc'd to return upon his way toward Mets until the Duke fearful, it seems, lest his Majesty should resent his dis-res∣pect of a person of quality coming in his behalf, sent to tell him that he was at Luneville; he had not Artifice enough to satisfie the Sieur de Guron in appearance, but on the contrary, suffered himself so to be hurried away by Passion, which had gotten the mastery of him, that he gave him cause to suspect, he only waited a fair occasion to declare himself against his Majesty. The Sieur de Guron used his utmost indeavour to bring him to reason; in order to which he layed before him the little Justice of his Procedures, and the danger whereunto he exposed himself, if he should still drive on those discontents, which he had for some years last past given unto his Majesty. However, when he found his indeavours ineffectual, according as he had receiv'd instructions, he appli'd himself to make a discovery of his designs, which in the Dukes anger he often did. The Duke passed many Complements un∣to him, and made general protestations how ready he was to render his Majesty all respect; but when they came to the ground of affairs, his Passion would insensib∣ly transport him to speak such things as did sufficiently evidence his ill intentions, especially after that light which those of his Court gave, who were gain'd to give in∣telligence,

and the Sieur de Guron himself learn'd from the particular conversation of divers persons, during his stay in those parts, he having dexterity enough to in∣form himself of any thing he desired to know, or had charge to inquire. He was certainly inform'd that the new fortifications made by the Duke at Nancy, were to no other end but to secure himself with his own force, and to defend the injustice of his proceedings, under the shelter of those bulwarks, instead of obtaining par∣don from his Majesties clemency, by a true change of his behaviour; that he had delivered his Commissions to raise store of horse and foot, whose Randezvouz was to be neer St. Michael, the first of July next following, and that those Forces were appointed to invade France, together with those which the Emperor and King of Spain had promised him. These designs were of great importance, of all which he gave his Majesty advice, as they came to his knowledge. The King unable to put up so insolent behaviour, presently resolved by the wise Counsel of the Cardi∣nal, to reduce this small Prince by force of Arms to such a passe, that he should not be in a condition to attempt any thing, but what would make him be pitied.