The beginning, progresse, and conclusion of the late troubles in France &c. Faithfully observed, and written from a gentleman now in Paris, to a person of honour in this kingdome. Dated at Paris March 23. 1649.

THE Beginning, Progresse, and Conclusion of the late Troubles in FRANCE.

Sir,

I Beleeve I have lost three or four letters that I sent you in the beginning of these troubles and I am like to be at a greater losse by not receiving your answers to them: But I shall desire you by the next Post to send me an abstract of yours, that I may understand whither they containe any thing so necessary, as will constrain me to inquire after them at St. Jermins. I will take no notice of the last acti∣ons in England, nor tell you how impatiently they are supported here, and every where, as farre as the correspondence of this place can reach: but you shall observe in France the greatest cure of the most despe∣rate diseases, that perhaps is mentioned in story.

The Prince of Condy had beseidged this City with his owne Army, the chiefe of that drawn out of Ca∣talonia, that out of Italy, and some Troopes out of Germainy. The Parliament of this City had raised 14000 Mercinaries, and had 10000 Burgois, ever at∣tending extraordinary Convoys. Duke Longivile was marching with 8000 Mercinaries from Rovin, an Ar∣my in Britaine, and another (though very small) in Province: The Arch Duke Leopold, and Duke of Lo∣raine entred into France, and Marshall de Turin come out of Germany, (and after many Letters of promised Loyalty to the King, Cardinall and Prince of Condy) declared for the Parliament: This warre continued

very hot during this Seidge: wherein the Parisians were continually beaten from their Convoyes, by the P. of Condy, and D. Longevile as often defeated by the Count de Harcourt; and at last (which gives to be of grea∣test importance) Count Erlock (Turin being declared Traytor at S. Germans) wrought so with the Officers of that Germain Army, that the Marshal was glad to escape with fifty of his own Guard: These successes you might imagine would humble the Parisians into a Treaty, but it was more occasioned by those observations the Par∣liament here, and elsewhere made of the people and their Generalls: For three times they have been rea∣dy to revolt, and teare them out of their Robes, the Burgois have been jealous, and both Burgois and Par∣liament jealous of the Princes their Generalls; who now have onely the popular voyce. But those Prin∣ces, and Parliament, that began this War by the ex∣ample of England, did mistake the constitution of their owne Nation, or did not observe the constitution of ours.

For ours are more open handed, and more apt to disburse franckly towards the maintenance of their wills, and (as they are more fluingly flegmatick) more constant to their affections, or hatred than the French, for here the people have shifted four times their Favorites; and when they came to leavy mo∣nies, (though in a small proportion) the Parliament found more Enemies, and fiercer within the walls, then abroad: Thus severall causes hath begot this Treaty, so much unexpected by the world, and fi∣nished by the Deputies in two daies, with all perfect∣ings of hands, and Seals those Deputies being Ple∣nipotentiaries.

But those Articles they brought from Court were as honourable, and as solidly essentiall for the Crown as could be wished, and such as left the revolted Prin∣ces, and Generalls in their first condition, without a∣ny reward for raising this storme; which they knew by secret intelligence from Court, before the Depu∣ties brought them to the Sessions at the Pallace.

Therefore the Princes raised the people into such a Fury as they assembled like a whole Nation about the Hostell Devile; and meeting the Parliament de∣nied the peace, and were ready to sacrifice them, if the Burgois had not come in a strong body to their rescue; and all this Tumult was begotten by the spe∣cious advantages the Princes have against the Court for the protection of Mazarine, whom the Prince of Condy preserves and defends in his first condition, and would not suffer the Articles to passe unlesse the Car∣dinall signed them.

Munday the 14. from 6. in the Morning, till 6. at Night, the debate held; the Princes and their Con∣federates moved to have the Articles burnt by the hand of the Hangman, because the Cardinalls hand was to them, but that would not be admitted; then it was propounded, not to accept of them, and to send downe for new conditions; but at last it was concluded (the Burgois awing the people without, which fomented the choler within) that the Articles should be accepted, and onely by the same Deputies, the Queen should be humbly requested to moderate two of them, one concerning the lict de Justice to be kept at St. Germains; the other concerning the Par∣liaments not assembling during this year 49. but it was

likewise concluded, that though the Queen did not consent to that moderation that they should signe the peace, and the Princes and Generalls are obliged to accept of such Conditions as the said Deputies can procure for them: Duke Longivile) who hath al∣ready united himselfe by a civill Message to the Prince of Condy) is included in this peace, and the City of Rovy, if they signe it in ten dayes, and so is Brittaine, and Provance, if they signe it in twenty; and the chiefe of the Articles consented to by both sides, is that some chosen from the Deputies of Paris, shall immediately accompany the Ambassadours of the Court for the generall Peace.

Now, Sir, I must tell you, my opinion is, that it is happy for the Crowne, that they had this Civill War, because the Parliament and Princes have gained so much experience from it, as gives them a perfect knowledge of the inconstancy of the people, and of one another, and of such parsimony in the natures of all as cannot give them any courage to a new undertaking; and it is well their humours are found out, and purged, whilst so excellent a Physi∣tian as the Prince of Condy was extant; who is a true State Physitian, and gives violent Medicines. I am weary, and

Sir,

Your most humble faithfull Servant, F. C.

Paris 23. March, 1649.

FINIS.