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.

That it is important to send Embassadours to such Princes against whom War is design'd, to discover their intentions: and how it may be done.

IF it be necessary to be well inform'd of an enemies designs, of his humour, of his Forces, of the succours he expecteth, and generally of all things which may strengthen or weaken him, as all Polititians are of opinion; it is no lesse usefull to send persons to him, who under pretence of some familiarity, may give advice thereof. Tiberius, one of the Roman Emperours, was so solicitous in this kind, as Tacitus observeth, that he was not ignorant of one of his enemies resolutions; so that he oft times raised great advantages from their stratagems. Amongst all per∣sons fit for this imployment, none are so proper as Embassadours; because having the liberty of speaking to an enemy, to his Ministers and Statesmen, the may wel discover more then men of inferiour condition, who converse with none but those of their own quality. Xenophon reporteth that Cyrus sent Embassadours of a cer∣tain King of the Indies, toward the King of the Assyrians, under pretence of ma∣king a Treaty of League with him, but in effect to discover his designs. Not but that I think it necessary to send with them persons of inferiour qualities, who may be crafty and capable to find admission every where to get acquaintance, to inform themselves of all passages, and make their discoveries thereof, for such men give no small light to affairs. Thus did Scipio, as Plutarch observeth in his life, that he might discover the State of the Carthaginians and Siphax.

Merchants used to Traffique in an Enemies Country, are not improper for this purpose, in regard of their general acquaintance, as Xenophon, one of the ablest Statesmen of his time, hath declared; but one thing especially ought to be obser∣ved in employing such persons, that is, that they be men of understanding and fi∣delity; for if they be defective in the former, their advices will not only be frivo∣lous, but hurtfull; because they may ingage resolutions contrary to what is fit: and if they be deficient in the latter, it is easie to conclude how dangerously inconveni∣ent it may be. As to the means which all in general are to use for their informati∣on, none are better, then those which ingage men to talk much, and discover them∣selves: Anger hath been ever esteemed a fit subject to work upon, because it de∣priveth the use of reason, and giveth only the tongue liberty; and therefore it would not be amisse that an Embassadour should dextrously provoke an Enemy-Prince, or his Ministers, to drive them into this Passion; however this ought to be managed both with ingenuity and respect, lest he so far exasperate them, as to re∣fuse him any more audience. It will not a little conduce to this end, to visit such Grandees of State, who they find talkative; it being usual with great talkers, to let fall whatever is in their thoughts, just as Torrents hurry away all that oppose

them. Ladies are very proper to discover secrets, especially where a man may partake of their favours. For this reason did Augustus usually make love to his Enemies Wives; and indeed, it is impossible the should keep any thing secret from their Gallants: Nor ought they to be defective in feasting those who know the Country, because Wine is as much an enemy to a secret, as love; but especially money makes the Mare go. That is it which discovereth all, and was one of the means used by that great Captain Gonzalvus, to inform himself of all his Masters enemies affairs, during his abode in Naples, as was to be seen in his account after the War, where to this end he had spent 600494 crowns.