WHereas the Embassy which the Prote­stant Cantons of Switzerland sent to the Duke of Savoy in the year 1686. to intercede in favour of the Churches of the Valleys, was both important and difficult; and that it may give place to some opposite Reflections: I thought sit to publish the History of it, that all equitable persons being informed of what has pas­sed in this Negotiation, might be able to make a just and reasonable judgment of it.

To this effect, I intend to inform you of the most consi­derable particulars of this Embassy: and as I do not ground my Work but upon good Memorials, and that my Pen shall not be mis-led either by Interest, Hatred or Af­fection, I hope that if I do not please my Reader by the eloquence and politeness of my Stile, I shall be able at [Page 2] least to satisfie him by the sincerity and exactness of my Narrative.

'Tis certain, that amongst all Protestants, the Evange­lical Cantons have always distinguished themselves by a love they have shewed for their Religion, and by an arden­cy with which they have embraced the Interest of the Re­formed Churches: As soon as the first light of the Refor­mation appeared in France, They contributed to the ut­most of their power to advance this Divine Work in that Kingdom; and they dispatched several Ambassadors to Francis the First, and the Kings his Successors, to desire them to put a stop to the Cruelties of the Romish Clergy, exercised against those that professed the true Christian Re­ligion.

They have shewed the same Zeal in all the Persecutions the Churches of Piemont have been forced to undergo: In those that happened in the year 1655. and 1663. they sent Ambassadors to the Duke of Savoy to intercede in their favour, and to maintain them in all their Rights they had acquired by the concessions of his Ancestors; and in the year 1686. as soon as they were informed of what was contained in the Edict this Prince had published against their Brethren in Piemont, they shewed they were extreme­ly concerned for it: And whereas this unfortunate Peo­ple was attacqued with more Injustice than they ever had been before, and that they were threatned with the most terrible Evils that could be imagined, they resolved to leave no stone unturned to divert it from them.

In effect, formerly their Enemies did only propose to themselves to keep them in the narrowest limits, and to deprive them of the right to inhabit the Plains, which they had always enjoyed; but now there was a design laid to deprive them not only of the exercise of their Reli­gion throughout the whole Country, but also of Liberty of Conscience, which made their condition worthy of compas­sion.

But that we may be able to judge the better of it, it is necessary to let you see a faithful Translation of this Edict.

The Protestant Cantons having been inform'd of this Edict, did also understand some time after, that the Inhabi­tants of the Valleys had endeavoured, tho without success, to find some remedy against it; for they did present two Petitions to their Prince, that were not answered: In the first, they desired the Edict should be revok'd; and in the second, they asked leave to retreat out of his Territories within such a time as would be necessary to find out an Establishment somewhere else.

The Cantons seeing that the ordinary means which were made use of to hinder the execution of this Edict, had no effect, did think that they ought to employ some extraordinary ones. Accordingly they writ a Letter imme­diately to the Duke of Savoy, desiring him that he might be pleased to maintain his Subjects of the Valleys in the Privileges which were granted them by his Predecessors: and finding that this Prince made no great haste to send them an Answer, but that on the contrary he was in a rea­diness to execute his Edict by force, they resolved in a Diet at Baden, in the month of February, 1686. to dispatch him two Ambassadors, in order to endeavour to obtain by [Page 7] their Representations, what they could not obtain by their Letters.

The persons that were pitch'd upon, were Caspar de Mu­ratt, and Bernard de Muratt, Councellors of State, the first of Zurich, and the other of Bern, that had both all the ne­cessary qualities to acquit themselves worthily in this Em­ploy, in regard of their Vertue and Piety, as well as their Prudence and Capacity.

These Ambassadors were charged to employ their utmost endeavours to oblige the Duke of Savoy to revoke the Edict he had published against the Churches of the Val­leys; and because there was some reason of fear that His Royal Highness might persist in his design to execute it in all its Points, the Evangelical Cantons, after having well considered the condition of those that composed those Churches, as also the Alliance and Forces of that Prince that was resolved entirely to extirpate them, in case they refused to submit to his Will, thought that in case their Ambassadors could by no means obtain the revoking of that Edict, it would be expedient that they should employ themselves to procure those miserable wretches the liberty to retreat into some other Country, to sell their Goods, and to carry along with them what they should be able to save out of their shattered Fortunes.

The Lords that were of this Assembly were too wise and too judicious to think upon other means than these. They saw at one hand, the little number of those that were able to carry Arms in the Valleys; for they were at the most but 2500 Men, for the most part ill Arm'd, that had no Head, that were ill provided with Ammunition and Provisions, that had no hopes of Succours from any place, and that those that were their Commanders in the years 1655, and 1664. were not alive.

But on the other hand, when they did consider the Forces of that Prince, who was resolved to abolish their Religion, they found that they far exceeded those of His Subjects, that were of a contrary Persuasion; for the Duke of Savoy had enjoy'd a very long Peace, he had a great number of good Troops, brave Captains, and ex­perienc'd Generals. He had nothing to fear either from his Neighbours, or any other Prince of Europe.

And so much the more, because the Troops of the Duke of Savoy were joyn'd by the Forces of the French King, so dreadful at that time, that his very Name made most Princes of Europe tremble, instead that formerly the Subjects of this Monarch fought jointly with those of the Vallies, to secure them from the Oppression of their So­vereign; and that notwithstanding the Succours they had from other hands, they were driven out of their Vallies, and were not able to defend themselves against the only Forces of their Prince.

Moreover they considered, that if by an unlook'd-for Success, the Inhabitants of the Vallies should gain some Advantage over their Enemies; that at last, they would be forced to give way to the great Number of their Ene­mies, whose Losses might be easily redressed by some fresh Troops; but that on the contrary, the Vaudois would have no means to make Recruits instead of those that would be lost in their several Fights, to which they would be exposed.

Besides, that having to deal with the French King, who is the proudest Prince in the World, and who at that time was not troubled with any Enemy, he would rather have armed against them all the Inhabitants of his King­dom, than to have run the hazard of desisting from an Enterprize, which he lookt upon as one of the most Glorious he ever undertook, and which he thought should acquire him an eminent place amongst the greatest Saints in Pa­radice.

And whereas they had before their Eyes those Hugonots of France, that were shelter'd in their Territories, they did compare their Condition with that of their Brethren in Piemont, and they found that considering the great Ex­tremity these last were reduced to, if they could get Li­berty to leave their Country, they would be much hap­pier than the other that were forced not only to leave their Houses, Goods, and Native Country, but that could not buy their Exile, but with the hazard of their Lives and Liberties.

In fine, they thought they could do nothing more ad­vantagious for the Piemontese, than to obtain what they [Page 9] had themselves desired in the Age past, as well as in this, when they were troubled about the Exercise of their Religion; for in those times they humbly Petition'd their Prince to grant them leave to Retreat into some other Countries.

The Ambassadors having received their Instructions, went for Piemont; and presently after their arrival at Turin, be­ing introduced to His Royal Highness's Audience, they did represent to him, That whereas the Intercession of the Protestant Cantons, their Lords, in favour of His Royal Highness's Subjects of the Valleys, making Profession of the Reformed Religion, had always been agreeable to him, and produced such an Effect, as they could have wish'd for; their Sovereign Lords having with great Grief un­derstood, that His Royal Highness had form'd a Design to deprive his said Subjects of their Liberty of Conscience, and of the Exercise of their Religion, which they had en­joy'd during several Ages, had been moved by a Christian Charity, by a strict Union which they are join'd with to those of their Communion, and by a Confidence of His Royal Highness's Clemency and Justice, to intercede in their Letters of Recommendation in favour of their Brethren in the Valleys.

But having received no Answer, they had charged them with this Embassy, in order to demonstrate the great Con­sideration they have for His Royal Highness, and at the same time to shew how sensibly they were touch'd by the last Edict, which he had published against His poor Sub­jects of the Vallies; and had given them order to assure him of their strict Adherency to his Interest, and to desire him afterwards instantly, that he would be pleased to maintain the Inhabitants of the Valleys in a perpetual and peaceful Enjoyment of the Exercise of their Religion, and in that Liberty of Conscience which was granted them by his Predecessors, upon the Interceding and Recom­mendation of several Protestant Princes and States, and particularly of their Sovereign Lords; and that the rea­son which gave them some hopes to obtain what they de­sired, was, that His Subjects had done nothing that could render them unworthy of the Favour and Affection of [Page 10] their Prince, or that should deprive them of a Right they had acquired by such Grants, as ought to be inviolable, because they were no simple Tolerations, but Authenti­cal Treaties made with the Inhabitants of the Valleys, and that consequently ought to be perpetual and irrevo­cable, as it is seen in the 20th Article of the Patent of the year 1655. and in the 19th Article of that of the year 1664. that say, That they shall be perpetually and irrevo­cably observed, and that in effect they have been inroll'd by the Senate of Chambery [...], in Order to be executed ac­cording to their Form and Contents.

That their Lords were firmly perswaded, that his Roy­al Highness would not suffer, that in his so happy and glo­rious Reign, these Patents, followed by several Declarati­ons, and a world of solemn Promises, should be Cancell'd; and that the Fruits of their Mediation, of their Care, and of their Pains, should be reduced to nothing.

That he would not have it should be thought, that he had not for the Protestant Cantons the same Regard, and the same Considerations which his Ancestors had; that that perfect Friendship and sincere Correspondency which has always been entertained between his Royal Highness, and their Lords, as between good Friends and Neigh­bours, should in the least be changed; that his Territo­ries should be exposed to a world of Troubles and Cala­mities; that the Consciences of his Subjects, that ought not to be answerable but to God, should be forced by fear of Death and Torments; and in a word, that the In­habitants of his Valleys should be oppress'd with Misery, and brought to despair.

That therefore they pray'd his Royal Highness with all possible Ardency, well to receive the Intercession of their Sovereigns in Favour of his Subjects, as their Bre­thren by a Communion of the same Religion, and to be touched by the Sighs and Tears of so many Innocent Souls, who humbly did entreat him to suspend the Execution of his Edict, and not to turn his Arms against his own Peo­ple, who paying that Religious Homage to God, which is due to him, desired to Seal up by the loss of all their Blood, that Allegiance which they had sworn to his Royal Highness.

That in case their Mediation should produce the effect their Sovereign Lords so much wisht for, it would be the most convincing Mark his Royal Highness could give them, that he made no less Reflection of their Entremise, than his Predecessors of Glorious Memory had done; and that on their side they would endeavour to find means to shew him their acknowledgment, and to render him their reci­procal Services on all occasions.

And whereas the Ministers of State of his Royal High­ness in the Conferences the Ambassadors have had with them, did mention some reasons, why his Royal Highness had published that Edict, which they desired should be revoked: The Ambassadors thought it necessary to Answer them, and to support their Demand by the Reasons set down in this following Memorial.

The Ambassadors having delivered their Memorial to the Marquess de St. Thomas, one of his Royal Highness's Ministers of State that had the direction of the Foreign Affairs, they receiv'd few days after an Answer to this purpose: That his Royal Highness was sorry that he was not in a capacity to grant what they desired in their own and in their Master's Name; That he had far stronger reasons to maintain this Edict, than they had given him to revoke it; and that he could not do as much as to miti­gate it. That the great Wheels moved and carried along with them the little ones. That the Letter the Protestant Cantons had writ to him, had not been delivered to him but after the Edict was published. That having to his Neighbour a Prince equally Powerful, and jealous of his Authority, he was obliged to carry himself with a great deal of circumspection, and to act according to the jun­cture of the times, in the same manner as in Switzerland they were sometimes forced, by the turning of the Af­fairs, to take some resolutions contrary to the good inten­tions they might have otherways. That the Marquess of St. Thomas had given good and profitable Advice to the two Deputies of the Valleys that were sent to him; and that, instead of giving him some marks of their submis­sion and deference they were bound to, they had exercis'd all manner of Hostilities against his other Subjects, com­mitted a thousand insolent things, and held some secret Conventicles. That they were provided with Ammuniti­on and Provisions. That they had rendred themselves Ma­sters of the Passages. That they had rerench'd themselves; and that they had done all this within the time of fifteen or twenty days, which had been allowed them to take their last Resolutions. That the Prince was too far engaged. That the Troops which he had raised with great Expen­ces, were now on foot. That the Edict could not be re­voked, without wounding his Royal Highness's Reputa­tion. That he was forced to see it executed, for very [Page 16] strong Reasons, on which he would let the Ambassadors make their reflections. That the Grants of 1655, and 1664. were a meer Toleration; and that the Valleys had no positive Right to exercise their Religion. That So­vereigns do no injustice in not being willing to suffer more than one Religion in their Countrey; and that the Evan­gelical Cantons themselves justified his Royal Highness's Conduct, by not enduring Roman Catholicks amongst them. Moreover, That the Concessions granted to those of the Valleys, had been juridically examin'd; and that it was agreed, that the Concessions and Favours a Prince grants to his Subjects, may be revoked according to his pleasure. That his Royal Highness did forbid the Inhabitants of the Valleys nothing but the Exercise of their Religion, but that he did no ways intend to force their Consciences.

But the Ambassadors by their Reply told the Marquess of St. Thomas, That how strong soever his Royal High­ness's Reasons were to consent to his Edict of January last, they could not prevail over those that did necessarily en­gage him to observe the promises given before this Edict. That some considerations of State ought not to dispence a Prince from performing his Word, principally if he be entred into this Engagement by the Mediation of another Sovereign; and that whereas the Patents and Concessions granted to the Inhabitants of the Valleys had been acqui­red by the Intercession of several Kings, Princes, and States, and, in particular, of their Excellencies the Prote­stant Cantons, and confirmed by his Royal Highness, he could allege nothing that might discharge him from the Obligation of seeing them punctually observed; and the rather, because these Patents have been enrolled by the Parliament of Savoy; and that the only enrolling of the year 1620. had cost the Churches of the Valleys 6000 Crowns.

That, in case some Changes happening in a State, or several Reflections that could be made according to the Rules of Politicks, were proper exceptions to elude the Observation of Treaties, there would be no assurance in a [Page 17] Sovereign's Promise, Faith and Honesty would be altoge­ther banished ou [...] of their Commerce. And since no body could be assured of the execution of those things which they had agreed upon, there would be left no means to terminate Wars, and to conclude Alliances.

That therefore the Concessions granted by the Prede­cessors of his Royal Highness to the Inhabitants of the Valleys, did acquire them an uncontestable Right, which they could not lose but by an enormous Crime, and by a Rebellion against their lawful Sovereign; and that, far from being guilty of any want of their Duty, they could produce a Letter of his Royal Highness's, of the 2d of September 1684. which is an authentical and glorious proof of their Fidelity, and an inviolable adherency which they had always shewed to their Prince's Interest.

That if in case, after the publication of the last Edict, some particular persons amongst them had taken up Arms, they had not done it to make use of them against their So­vereign, but only to defend themselves against those that abusing his Authority, had undertaken to attacque and to insult them; and that in case there had been some disor­der committed, those that were the Authors ought to be punished; but that it ought not to be imputed to the whole Body of the Churches of the Valleys, that were in no manner guilty of it.

That it could not be said, that the Inhabitants of the Valleys had acquired no Right by the Grants of his Royal Highness's Predecessors; and that they were not only some Favours and simple Tolerations; it being notorious, that they are Treaties made between the Prince and his Sub­jects; and that these Treaties are perpetual and irrevoca­ble, and ought to be inviolably observed.

That the Prince was equally obliged to execute the pro­mises he had made to his Subjects, as those that regarded such persons that are in no manner under his Submission. That such Obligations were grounded upon publick Faith and Honesty, which ought to rule in all Treaties of So­vereigns, without distinctions of those with which they did engage themselves; That if it was allowable to fail in what they had solemnly promised to their people, it would be [Page 18] impossible to terminate Affairs that should arise between them, nor to appease these troubles that happen in their State; and that two Parties should make War on one ano­ther, would never end their quarrels, but by the total Ruin of one of them.

They added to this, That Sovereigns had reason to em­ploy their utmost endeavours to unite their Subjects in the same Religion; but that to compass it, they ought not to violate Treaties which had been formerly made with them. That all that was allow'd them in such a case, was, to employ Instruction and Exhortation, and all the winning ways of sweetness, that are effectual to make truth enter into the Souls of their People, to chear their Understan­dings, and to move them to embrace with good will the true Religion: But that which deserved a particular con­sideration in this Encounter, is, That the Inhabitants of the Valleys did not hold by the Concessions of their Princes the liberty to exercise in publick their Religion, because it was established in this Country above eight Ages ago, and that they enjoy'd this Right long time before they were Subjects to his Royal Highness's Ancestors; insomuch that having never been of the Religion of their Prince, it could not be said that they had abandon'd it, nor oblige them to return to it.

Besides that, his Royal Highness's Predecessors, who did grant leave to the Inhabitants of the Valleys to continue the exercise of their Religion, were very sensible that Unity of Religion was not necessary to the Advantage and Security of the State, for else they would have been very far from granting them so solemn Parents, or from con­firming them from time to time, as they have done.

And indeed they had so much the less to fear from a di­versity of Religion which is found in Piemont, that those that were not of his Communion, were shut up in a little cor­ner of the Country; that they were Men without Autho­rity or Power, and that had no design to extend their Do­ctrine to the other parts of his Countries.

That, on the other hand, he had reason to fear, that his Example should be followed by the Protestant Princes; and that, in his imitation, they did not use their Catholick [Page 19] Subjects in the same manner that he would use those of their Religion; and that, consequently, the Interest of those of his own Party should hinder him from making use of force to oblige the Inhabitants of the Valleys to renounce their Faith.

That though it seemed his Royal Highness would not force them to embrace the Romish Religion, in that he was satisfied to deprive them of the publick Exercise of their Religion, leaving them as to the rest in a full Liberty of Conscience; yet it was visible, that they were not only obliged, under rigorous Penalties, to baptize their Children in the Catholick Churches, and to bring them up in the Romish Religion; which was as insupportable to them, as if they were forced themselves to make profession of it: But that, moreover, being hindred to pray to God accord­ing to their Faith, their Consciences suffered as great tor­ments, and lay almost under as cruel constraints, as if they were obliged by force to practice a Worship which is condemned by that Religion in which they have been educated.

Besides, That forbidding the People the exercise of their Religion, is to throw them into a dissolution, and Athe­ism it self; and consequently, to cause them a greater Evil than if they were forced to enter into the Romish Church.

These Reasons were so strong, that the Ambassadors ho­ped they would have some effect in his Royal Highness's mind; and that the Marquess of St. Thomas would be plea­sed to make them known to him, and employ his Credit which he had with him, to obtain the revoking of an Edict which, without doubt, he had thought to be just, and which he would not have published, if he had been per­swaded that it was contrary to what a just and equitable Sovereign owes to his faithful Subjects.

But they did not content themselves to represent the good Right of the Piemontese Churches, and to support them by solid Reasons, for they employ'd several days in sollici­ting all the Ministers of his Royal Highness, and all per­sons they judged capable to contribute to the Success of their Embassy: But above all, they stuck close to the Mar­quess [Page 20] of St. Thomas, as one from whom depended all the Good and all the Evil they could expect in this Ren­counter; and if we ought to judge of things by their ap­pearance, the pains they took to dispose him to be favoura­ble to them, were not altogether unsuccessful.

For he did protest upon Oath, that they had exposed to his Royal Highness the Contents of the Reply, which he had been charged to present to him; that he had done all he could to make him sensible of the Reasons they made use of to obtain the revoking the Edict; but that the Juncture of Affairs was the cause that he could not perswade his Royal Highness to grant them their Requests. Neverthe­less, added he, whereas the Prince's Troups are not yet upon March, the Inhabitants of the Vallies may make a shew as if they were willing to execute the Edict, because that such a Conduct is not contrary to the Maxims of your Religion, that are here­in opposite to the Doctrine of the Catholick-Church, and by these means they will disarm the Prince, and they may find after­wards some means to prevent the Evils they are threatned with.

Our Doctrine (answered the Ambassadors) does in no ways approve the dissembling of our Faith, and oblige us to profess before man the Truth whereof our hearts are perswaded. But this is not our business at present; the Question is, to know whether His Royal Highness could lawfully revoke the Concessions granted to the Churches of the Vallies. Now, whereas they are Ingagements in which he is entred by the mediation of several Sovereigns, and amongst others by that of the Laudable Cantons our Sovereign Lords, it is evident that nothing is capable to break them.

Yet to neglect nothing of what could contribute to the success of their Negotiation, the Ambassador made some new Efforts both by the Marquess of St. Thomas, and the other Ministers of His Royal Highness; but they [...] all, (as they had concerted their Answer) That the Edict was irre­vocable by reason of the present Junctures, and some measures which his Royal Highness had taken.

And because besides the Reasons drawn from the na­ture of the Concessions granted to the Inhabitants of the [Page 21] Vallies, and the interest the Cantons had to see them ob­served, they represented the inconvenience that might fol­low the execution of the Edict, and amongst others, those his Royal Highness had reason to fear from the entring of Forreign Troops into his Territories, of the loss of consi­derable number of his Subjects, that had rendred several important services to their Prince, and that were in a con­dition to spill all their Blood, to signalize their love which they bore him; of the diminishing of his Revenues, which would necessarily follow the destruction of those Wretches; to which they added the blame his Royal Highness would draw upon him by turning his Arms against his own Peo­ple; the damage which a Civil War would cause to his o­ther Subjects that were neighbours to the Vallies; with se­veral other Considererations of this nature. The Mini­sters of the Prince had no regard for them, and gave the Ambassadors to understand, That the Council of State ha­ving examin'd them, did judge they were not strong enough to hinder the Prince from publishing his Edict against his Subjects of the Vallies, and that supposing the Edict should really cause some inconvenience to his Royal Highness, he would nevertheless not desist from it, for fear a charge of this nature should be a prejudice to his Authority; and that endeavouring to preserve some of his Subjects, he might run the hazard to lose them all. And though the Ministers seemed to be firm in their Sentiments, and shew­ed they were not convinced at the Justice of the Demands the Ambassadors made, it was well known that they did maintain the Edict against their own Opinion, and one of them did confess frankly, that his Royal Highness's Coun­cil had not enough examined the Concessions of the year 1655. and 1664, and that in case they had made some necessary Reflections on them, they would never have ad­vised the Prince to revoke them; but he did assure them, that the Evil was now without remedy, and that the Soli­citations of the Ambassador to oblige the Prince to change his Will, would be in vain; and one of the Ministers frank­ly confessed, that the Prince was Master of this Affair, and that they executed at Turin those Orders that were given at Versailles.

This sincere Confession made the Ambassadors judge that all their Instances and Solicitations would produce no Ef­fect; therefore seeing it would be impossible for them to obtain the revokation of the Edict, they thought fit accor­ding to the chief head of their Instructions, to demand that which related to the Second Article of the Orders they had received from their Sovereigns, viz. To procure the Inhabitants of the Vallies the means to retreat some where else, and to dispose of their goods as they should think fit.

But because their instruction was, to make about this Point no Proposals to the Court of Turin, but with the consent of the Inhabitants of the Vallies, they told the Marquess of St. Thomas, that whereas for several reasons they had entertained no correspondency with them, they were willing to make a journey into the Vallies, to inform themselves exactly of the disposition of this People, and to get means by the acquaintance of their intentions, to make some overtures of a new Negotiation. But they gave him to understand at the same time, they would by no means undertake this Voyage, but with his Royal Highness's full consent.

The Marquess of St. Thomas having acquainted his Royal Highness with the design of the Ambassadors, sent them word that he approved their intentions, and that he would give orders to the Governour of Lucern to do them all that honour, and to shew them all the respect that is due to their Character.

The Ambassadors being entred into the Vallies, acquain­ted all the Comminalty with their Arrival, who dispacth'd immediately two Deputies, and two Ministers to them, to whom they represented: That they had employed all their utmost endeavours to make the Edict of the 31st day of January to be revoked, but that all their Reasons and Instances had been unsuccessful: That it had been gi­ven them to understand that his Royal Highness was so much engaged with one of the most powerful Monarchs of the whole Universe: That it was impossible for him to break it: And that he was resolved to do all his endea­vours to unite his Subjects in the same Religion as he had promised him.

Therefore there were no hopes left of obtaining the re­voking the Orders that had been given against them. That their Sovereign Lords had commanded them that in case his Royal Highness should persist in his resolution to exe­cute his Edict, they should demand his permission to give them leave to retreat out of his Territories, and to dispose of their goods; But that they had not been willing to en­ter into any Negotiation upon this Article, without being first informed about their intentions about it. That there­fore they should assemble to deliberate seriously about so important a business, and to acquaint them afterwards with what they desired of them in the present Junctures.

The Deputies and Ministers having conference together about this Proposition, before they resolved upon any thing, they pray'd the Ambassadors to assist them with their wise Advice and prudent Council. But the Ambassa­dors did refuse to advise them in so intricate a business, tel­ling them they were better acquainted with their own For­ces; with the scituation of the Places where they did in­tend to retrench themselves; with their Ammunitition and Provisions, than those to whom they did address them­selves to know their Sentiments, and that therefore they themselves could take the best measures about it.

Nevertheless, not being able to defend themselves against their ardent desires, and thinking that they were obliged In charity to assist them in so slippery a passage, they at last granted them their desires,

But to be able to advise them with a full cognisance of the causes, they did inform themselves exacty of the num­ber of those that were able to bear Arms in the Valies, of the experience, vallour and conduct of their Officers, of their passages of, and avennues to their Countrey, of their Ammunition, and of the quality and goodness of their Arms: they asked them above all, if the Inhabitants of the Vallies were well united, and having been informed that they all were not above 2500 fighting men, that there were amongst them more than 12000 mouths, only fit to consume; that in some places Provisions begun already to fall short; that the Troops of France and Savoy had shut up all the Passages through which they might expect [Page 24] Recruits: that they had no hopes of any Succours; that it was not very difficult either to starve them, or to reduce them by force of Arms; that they could not retreat to their Neighbours, as in the precedent War: That the French King, who did formerly protect them, was their greatest Enemy; that with few men they were to defend a large Countrey; that being separated one from another, they could not speedily assist those should stand in need of it; that in the very Vallies there were some Roman-Catho­licks, that had an eye upon their Actions, and that gave advice to the Court of all their Transactions; and which was worst, that two great Princes were joined to their de­struction. They told them, that they were much afraid, that considering their condition, they should not be able to resist so many Forces that were about to fall upon them, and that it would be more advantagious for them to think of a retreat out of their Countrey, provided leave could be got to sell their Goods, and to carry along with them what they were able to save out of the Shipwrack: that they were not positively informed of his Royal Highness's intention about it; but notwithstanding he had refused it to the Inhabitants of the Vallies, when they did ask it in the third Petition they presented to their Prince, after his last Edict, yet they were in hopes that it would be gran­ted them in consideration of their Sovereign Lords.

The Ministers and Deputies having heard this advice, de­sire the Ambassadors to grant them leave to consult toge­ther about it before they gave them their Answer; and ha­ving left them, they did debate about it for three hours, without coming to any resolution, every Party maintain­ing their Sentiments with very great heat. Some of them were of an Opinion, that they ought not to leave their Countrey, but on the contrary, they ought to hazard their Lives in maintaining the Privileges had been granted them in so authentical a manner; saying, It would be the greatest cowardize imaginable, to forfeit their Courage in a Cause wererein the honour of God and their Religion was concerned. They added, that the favour they were to expect, would be of no use to those that had nothing to defray the charges of their journey; that indeed they [Page 25] might find some purchasers of their Estates scituate in the Plains, but that no body would be willing to buy those upon the Mountains; that there were no security for them du­ring their departure; that there might happen some change in the Affairs of Europo that would render their con­dition better than it was at present; and that perhaps France, that did not think they would be capable of the least resistance, finding they did defend themselves with much vigor, and that they did destroy a part of her Troops, might recal the remainder in order to preserve them for some more considerable exploits; that they were in expec­tation both of money and men, that were to be sent to them by Captain Janavel; and that they could never want provisions for making sallies, from time to time they could oblige their Neighbours to furnish them with neces­sary Provisions.

Those that were of a contrary Opinion, answered all their Reasons in the following manner; That it is true, that both Reason and Piety do oblige us to hazard our Lives in the Defence of our Liberty, and the Exercise of our Religion, when we have some hopes to do it with success; but that when the danger is unavoidable, and our Ruin certain, it is Madness and Despair to precipitate our De­struction; and that to take up Arms against those, whom it is impossible to overcome, what efforts soever we are able to make, is to be our own Enemies and Destroyers; that they had amongst them but few Persons capable of Defence; and that how resolute and brave soever they were, it was visible they could not very long Resist two Puissant Armies that were going to fall upon them from all sides; that it was to feed our selves up with vain Ima­ginations, to think that the Juncture of Affairs might change; that we ought to take our measures according to the present Estate of things, and according to what will reasonably happen; and that good Sense and Wisdom did not permit us to ground important Resolutions upon mi­raculous Events; that all Europe enjoyed a profound Peace; and that France being dreaded by all the States in the World, they had no reason to believe that she would be attacked by any Prince, nor that any thing could hap­pen [Page 26] to oblige her to recal her Troops which were sent into Piemont to employ them somewhere else, that they ought to make no account of the Succours they were in expectation of; and that suppose they who had promised, should send them; yet for every Man they should aug­ment their number with, their Enemies would be able to oppose one intire Company; that they could not subsist very long for want of Provisions; and that suppose their Sallies should be successful (which was not probable) yet all the Provisions which by this means they would be able to get, would not be enough to subsist so many Persons. In fine, they let them see, that their Resistance being infal­libly by their total Ruin, they would destroy at the same time those Ancient Churches, that had subsisted with so much Glory in the midst of so many Persecutions, and that it would be much better by a prudent Retreat to transport this Divine Light into some other Country, than to extinguish it by a hasty Conduct.

Concering poor Families, they said. That they ought to oblige those that were provided, to contribute something towards the Charges of their Journey, and concerning the Goods which they could not sell, that so weak a Conside­ration should be no hindrance to them; that their Lives ought to be dearer to them than their Lands, and that it was much better to lose part of our Estate, than to lose our selves.

The Ministers and Deputies finding that they could not agree amongst themselves; and that besides, it was a busi­ness could not be decided, but by their Commonalties; told the Ambassadors, that the Case in question being of the greatest Importance, they could take no Resolutions about it, without having first Assembled all their Commonalties to know their Advice, and promised them to bring them to Turin their last Resolutions, provided they could get for them Pass-ports.

The Ambassadors being returned to Turin, gave the Mar­quess of St. Thomas to understand, that the People of the Valleys would rather dye upon their Fathers Sepulchres, than to lose the Spiritual Liberty, and to comply with his Royal Highness's Edict; supplicating him with all Respect [Page 27] due to him, to be pleased to mitigate it; that therefore, in case his Royal Highness would abate nothing in favour of his poor Subjects, things would in all appearance come to a dangerous Extremity; and that the Rigour which he would make use of on this occasion, would cause the Ruin of part of his People. To which the Ambassadors added, That whereas they were in hopes his Royal Highness would in Consideration of their Sovereigns, moderate the Orders he had given against his Subjects of the Valleys; they had taken the Liberty to make them some Proposals that would prevent all those Evils which the Execution of his Edict would be capable to produce; and that in fine, that they might be informed of the Intentions of this People about it, they desired him to grant Pass-ports for the De­puties which they were willing to send them out of the Valleys. But the Marquess of St. Thomas gave them to understand, that his Royal Highness had very good Rea­sons not to grant a Pass-port to the Deputies of the Inha­bitants of the Valleys and that they might send the Se­cretary of the Embassy, who might bring them their An­swer.

And accordingly the Secretary was sent into the Vallyes, with this following Letter.

The Commonalties having been Assembled, the Secreta­ry delivered them the Ambassadors Letter; and after the reading of it, he told them, That their Affairs grew daily worse and worse; that the Ambassador of France did conti­nually press his Royal Highness to execute this Edict; that his Royal Highness on his side was very impatient of it, either because his Reputation was engaged therein, or by reason of the great Expence he was forced to be at to en­tertain the Troops that were in his Territories; that since it was impossible to obtain the revoking the Edict, they ought to think upon the most convenient means to prevail with his Royal Highness to grant a Moderation, which they were in a Condition to demand. In fine, he desired them to make Reflection on all the Considerations that had been alledged by the Ambassadors, and to give their Answer in writing.

After this Representation, the Ministers and the other Deputies having consulted together, did agree to Answer the Ambassadors in the following manner.

In their Memorial they did remark in the first place, that only the rich Families would be able to provide for their Journies; that the others, how well intentioned soever they were, could not do it by reason of their poverty; and that staying behind, they would infallibly be forced to change their Religion.

2. That it might happen, that after the principal Persons were out of the Countrey, the others would be detained under some pretence or other, though it was promised them to grant them Liberty of doing what they pleased, and that after having revoked such Patents as were granted them by the mediation of several Sovereigns, they would make no bones to break their word with the Ambassadors.

3. That they would fail secretly to obstruct the selling of their goods, forbidding the Roman-Catholicks to buy them; and that after all, they would not be able to sell those that were scituate upon the Mountains, and in barren places, but only those that were in the Plains.

4. They desired the Ambassadors to demand the pay­ment of those sums that were justly owing to them, and which they could not ask for, before their departure. As also it would please his Royal Highness to prevail with the French King to sell their Estates which they had in the Val­lies of Peronse, and to sue for the payment of what was ow­ing them by the Inhabitants of that Countrey.

5. They begged for a sufficient time to sell their goods, and to find out a retreat, and that in the mean while the Execution of the Edict should be suspended, and leave gi­ven to the Ministers to continue their Exercise as be­fore.

In fine, They proposed to the Ambassadors the difficulty they would have to find Horses and Carriages enough to transport them, with their Families and Goods, out of the Countrey, there being at least in the Vallies 15000 Per­sons.

This Memorial being delivered to the Ambassadors, with a Letter of the Inhabitants of the Vallies, they went to make a visit to the Marquess of St. Thomas, and having told him that they were in hopes of perswading this Peo­ple [Page 31] to abandon their native Countrey, provided they could do it with safety and advantage, they desired him to know of his Royal Highness if he was willing to grant leave to his unhappy Subjects to retreat out of his Territories, and in case he found him inclined to it, he should desire him that he would be pleased to nominate some of his Privy Council, with whom they might agree, about the Arti­ticles of their Retreat, and to remove all difficulties they should meet with.

While the Ambassadors staid for his Royal Highness's an­swer, they solicited with eagerness all his Ministers of State to engagage them to perswade him of what they desired should be granted on this occasion.

But their cares did not meet with that success they were in expectation of; for His Royal Highness sent them word by the Count of Marsenas, That being informed by his Ministers, that they made their earnest instances to obtain a free retreat in favour of his Subjects of the Vallies, and to regulate with his Ministers the Article about it he had charged him to give them to understand; that this people having dared to take up Arms against him at the time that no Troops ap­proached towards their Countrey, had committed a Thou­sand insolent things, and had dared him with the confidence deserving the most rigorous Punishments; and that therefore they were unworthy of the Favour the Ambassadors desired for them; in so much the more, that before their arri­val at Court, they had presented several Petitions with a profound Submission to obtain some Mitigation of the Edict, and that now they pretended with their Swords in their Hands to revoke it; but nevertheless, that they assured the Ambassadors, that in case the Rebels should show some Repentance of their past Conduct, and sub­mit themselves with that Respect they did owe him, he was in a Condition to make them sensible of the Effects of his Clemency, and to show them how much Regard they had for the Recommendations of the Evangelical Cantons.

The Ambassadors being surprised with this new Propo­sition, answered the Count of Marsenas, That it seemed to them, that his Royal Highness could not reasonably de­mand [Page 32] of his Subjects, that Submission he had spoke of; that in case this People did declare, that they had fail'd in what they owed their Sovereign, they would render themselves Criminals by their own Confession; that therefore, they could not be obliged to make a Declaration of this nature; and that tho they should employ themselves to perswade them to it, it would be impossible to obtain it, for fear they should blacken themselves with a Crime they thought themselves innocent of, and to give way to a Confiscation of their Goods, that they might render themselves su­spected by them, in making them such a Proposition; and that such an Overture would produce no other Effect, but to protract the time of their Negotiation, and indeed to render it fruitless.

But whereas the Count of Mersenas showed, That his Royal Highness absolutely expected, that the Submission of the Inhabitants of the Valleys should precede the Favour he would do them; the Ambassadors judged, that they ought to apply themselves to the Marquess of St. Thomas to ap­pease his Royal Highness's mind; therefore having waited on him, they desired him to represent to his Royal High­ness, that the endeavouring to oblige his Subjects to confess themselves guilty of Rebellion, He desired a thing of them they could not grant; that a Declaration of this nature would cover them with Eternal Infamy; that indeed, with a good Conscience they could not confess a Crime they were innocent of; and that at last, his Royal High­ness seemed to make but little Reflections upon the In­stances and Intercession of their Sovereigns; desiring, that the Favours he was asked for, should be the Condition of a Submission, to which his Subjects could not conform them­selves.

But the Marquess of St. Thomas gave them the same Answer they received from the Count of Mersenas, That the Prince was inexorable upon this Article, and that it was impossible to prevail in the least, with his mind, what Reason soever they could alledg; and that therefore it was in vain to endeavour to make time change his Reso­lution.

The Answer of the Marquess of St. Thomas troubled very much the Ambassadors, who were afraid that this was a stumbling block prepar'd for the Inhabitant of the Valleys; and that there was a Design laid to condemn them upon their own Confession of their Rebellion. Ne­vertheless they thought that this difficulty ought not to oblige them to break the Treaty which they had entred upon; they consider'd that the Prince might publish in the World, That his Subjects had scorned to accept of his Favours. Besides, they considered, that the ill success of this Negotiation might be imputed to them; but the greatest reason that confirmed them in this design, was, that they found that it would be more advantagious to the Inhabitants of the Valleys to shew this compliance with their Soveraign's Will, than to expose themselves to all the Miseries their Disobedience might draw upon them; it was for this reason that they resolved to consent to the Accommodation was offered them, it being a lesser Evil, than to see the Churches of the Valleys desolate; and the rather, that the Marquess of St. Thomas did assure them, That his Royal Highness, to mark the Esteem he had for them, would grant upon their Intercession, all that he could reasonably be asked for, without wound­ing his Reputation.

But before they did propose to the inhabitants of the Valleys what their Prince expected from them, the Am­bassadors did desire not only to be informed of the Na­ture of the Submission which they would oblige them to, but also to regulate the Form and the Terms of it, with the Ministers of his Royal Highness.

Therefore having made on both sides several Projects of the Petition which his Royal Highness was to be pre­sented with, by his Subjects of the Valleys, it was at last agreed that it should contain a very humble Supplication, by which they were to desire the Prince to pardon their Offences, and to be perswaded, that if they had failed in their Respect which they owed him, yet that they were not come short of that Fidelity which could be expected from dutiful Subjects.

After which the Ambassadours having got Passports for five or six of the Inhabitants of the Vallies, they di­spatch'd to them the Secretary of the Embassy, with this following Letter:

The Secretary of the Embassy having delivered this Letter to the Deputies of the Valleys which he had as­sembled, and given them an exact Account of all the Negotiation of the Ambassadors, and of the effect it had produced; made them a long Speech, to exhort them to a compliance with their Prince's Will, and desire [Page 35] them to dispatch him with all speed, assuring them that in consideration of the Ambassadors, they would obtain much more favours then they did expect.

The most sensible and most reasonable Persons of this Assembly, and above all the Ministers, imployed their utmost endeavours to oblige the others to submit them­selves to the Law which they would impose upon them; because in that extremity which they were reduced unto, they must either perish with their miserable Families, or do what was desired of them.

But all those Reasons which they could alledge, were not capable to perswade them; insomuch, that after ha­ving debated the Question, and consulted together about it almost a whole day, they did dissolve themselves with­out being able to agree in the same Opinion. Those of the Valleys of St. Martyn, of Pezonse, of St. Bartholemew, of Pazustin, of Rocheplate, of Villard, and of Rozas, and some of La Tour were of Opinion to make those Submis­sions which were desired of them; and having nominated some to this purpose, with Order to part for Turin, they charged them with Procurations in good form, by which they promised to execute all the Ambassador should find convenient in the Negotiation which they were entred upon for the Interest of the Churches of the Valleys. But those of Bobys, of St. John, and some of Angrogne, flat­tering themselves with hopes of imaginary Succours, did resolve to defend the Exercise of their Religion with their Arms in their Hands, and sent to the Ambas­sadours their Deputy named Blanchy, who delivered them this following Letter:

The Sieur De la Bastie, Minister at St. Jean, touch'd by the Divisions of these poor Churches, writ to the Am­bassadours in these following Terms:

This diversity of Opinion made the Ambassadours a­fraid, that the Enemies of their Religion taking hold of the division of the Inhabitants of the Valleys might prevail with his Royal Highness to confound the Innocent with the Guilty, and to refuse all a Retreat out of their Coun­try.

Therefore they sent back into the Valleys the Deputy of Boby, with a Letter to those that were resolved to take up Arms; and they did conjure him to employ his utmost endeavours to make them agree with the other Churches. The Letter was writ in this following man­ner:

Expecting the return of this Deputy, the Ambassa­dors thought fit to acquaint the Marquess of St. Thomas with the disposition of the Inhabitants of the Vallies, and to endeavour to prevent the evils their Division might draw upon them, as well from his Royal High­ness, as some of their Enemies in his Privy Counsel. Then they went to pay this Minister a Visit, and told him, that the Deputies were arrived, that five of them were ready to make in the name of their Commonalties the Submission his Royal Highness desired of them, but that some others, who not knowing what they were to expect from the goodness of his Royal Highness, were not yet resolved to do it; that in the mean time they were admonished by Letter to follow the sentiments of these that had a desire to submit themselves to his Roy­al Highness; and that in a short time their Resolutions would be known.

He was afterwards desired to intercede in favour of this poor People with his Royal Highness, and to be­seech [Page 41] him to have some indulgence for them; That whereas they were prepossessed with some distrust, he would be pleased to clear their Doubts, so that their Sub­mission might be made by an unanimous accord, to the satisfaction of the Prince and his Subjects.

The Marquess of St. Thomas seemed to be surprized with the obstinacy of the People of the Valleys; never­theless, he gave some hopes that he would imploy him­self by his Royal Highness to prevent that their delay, to give him the satisfaction he expected, should not be prejudicial to them, and that at last the Prince did not resolve to follow the Counsel of those that were continu­ally perswading him to rigour.

In the mean time whereas the Court seemed to be im­patient to see the end of this Affair, the Ambassadours writ a Letter to the Marquess of St. Thomas, to give him to understand that they had made a project of a Pe­tition of the Inhabitants of the Valleys, which they were ready to deliver, if it could be signed by the Deputies; but whereas one of them was absent, they desired him to put off all things till his return.

The day after this Letter had been delivered to the Marquess of St. Thomas, the Ambassadours went to him to know the effect which it had produced; and where­as he was very eager to oblige the five Deputies, who were then at Turin, to sign the Petition which he had found in a good form; it was declared to him, that the Subscription could not be made in the absence of him that was sent into the Valleys; that being joyned by interest, they could not separate themselves one from another, and that in fine, it was agreed, that the Petiti­on should be signed by all the Deputies at one time. But whereas the Marquess of St. Thomas had some se­cret Orders to hasten a Subscription of those Deputies that were then at Court; he seemed not to be satisfied with the reasons that were given him for the refusing what he desired; and the next day after he sent one of his Servants to desire the Ambassadours to prevail with [Page 42] the Deputies to give him that satisfaction he desired. But the Ambassadours writ him a Letter, by which they gave him to understand, that it was not just to separate in the Subscription those that were ingaged in the same Cause, that in case some did sign without the o­thers, such proceedings could not but have troublesome consequences; and that therefore they did conjure him to expect one day longer the return of the sixth Depu­ty, and to prevaile with his Royal Highness to grant this little delay upon their request.

The Marquess having received this Letter, told the Secretary of the Ambassy, that was the Deliverer of it, That his Royal Highness was extreamly tired with these delays, and that he was much afraid he should take some resolutions that would carry things to a fatal extremity; and that therefore it was necessary to oblige the Depu­ties to sign immediately their Petition, and to carry it to him in order to be presented to his Royal Highness.

The Deputies fearing to offend so powerful a Mini­ster, in case they refused to appear before him, did re­solve to go to his House, but what instance soever he could make to perswade them to sign the Petition; and for all he did assure them, that it should be done with­out prejudice to those of Boby, yet they persisted in their first design, excusing themselves by reason of being in­gaged to expect a return of the Deputy that was gone into the Valleys, by the incertitude of the success of his Negotiation, by the shortness of time for his return, and in fine, by the danger such a proceeding might draw upon them.

The dispositions of these Deputies, and of those of the Inhabitants of the Valleys, that were resolved to take up Arms, gave great disturbance to his Royal Highness, and that which augmented his displeasure was the news he received that they had killed two French Men belong­ing to the Cittadel of Pignerol.

The Ambassador of France that was much offended with his Royal Highness's delay to execute his Edict, did [Page 43] not fail to take hold on this accident, in order to dispose the Prince to revenge himself of this crime, that was committed by his Subjects in despite of his Authority, and to perswade him to keep no longer any measures with those people whom he was pleas'd to stile Re­bels.

In the mean while that their Enemies were busie to their destruction, their Deputies were at Turine in a mi­serable condition, and not knowing what resolution to take, they desired the Ambassadors advice how they should behave themselves in this great extremity.

The Ambassadors being in hopes that the Deputy who was gone to Boby would return in a short time, and that they might acquaint them with things capable to appease his Royal Highness's mind, thought fit to wait for his arrival before they should take any resoluti­ons.

But whereas the Deputy was waited for a long time, that his Royal Highness was continually sollicited by the Ambassadour of France, to put a conclusion to this business, that besides the Troops that were in his Terri­tories did put him to very great charges, and the Prince was informed that the Ambassadors had dispatched an Express into Switzerland that might bring them some new Instructions; all these reasons did oblige him to end this Affair, insomuch, that how pressing and urgent soever the instances of the Ambassadors were, in favour of the Inhabitants of the Valleys, to perswade the Prince still to put off for a little while, he published the 9th of June this following Edict:

Assoon as the Edict was Printed, the Mayor of St. Tho­mas brought a Copy of it to the Ambassador's, whom he would make believe, that it was only on their account, that his Royal Highness expressed so much kindness to­wards his Subjects, and that notwithstanding the Am­bassadour of France was very angry, that there was so much condescension made in favour of the Valleys; that nevertheless he was willing to see the Edict faithfully exe­cuted.

The Ambassadors having read it immediately in the Marquess's presence, made some Reflections upon it, and principally were not satisfied with the shortness of time that was granted to those unhappy People to retreat out of his Royal Highness's Territories, and to dispose of their Goods, with the little number of Procurators that were charged to sell the Goods of so great a number of Persons, with the time in which the Goods were to be sold; and with some other Difficulties which they met with in the Exemption of this Edict, and which they resolved to pro­pose to his Royal Highness, after having seriously consi­dered them.

As soon as the Ambassador had left the Marquess, they sent for the Deputies of the Valleys, that were ready to [Page 48] make the Submission, and obliged them to return home, desiring them to acquaint their Commonalties with all that had passed; as also with the Contents of the Edict, and to assure them, That unless they did submit, it would be impossible to obtain the least mitigation in the execution of those things therein contained.

In the mean time the sixth Deputy, who had been so long time expected returned out of the Valleys, and in­formed the Ambassadors, That the Commonalties that had made a design to defend themselves, did persist in the same Resolution; and that all he did alledge to make them enter into a better Opinion, had no effect upon their minds; as it was evident by the Letters which were sent them out of the Valleys in the following manner:

The Ambassadors had no sooner read these Letters, but they sent back the Deputy with another Letter, of which were made two Copies, one of them was directed to those of St. Boby, and St. John, and the other to those of Angrogne, and La Tour.

In this Letter there was remonstrated to them the va­nity and little solidness of their Reasons they made use of not to accept the Favours was offer'd them. It was agreed with them, That the Laws obliging our native Country were very hard; but they were told at the same time, that the other Law that obliges us to abandon the Eternal God, and to renounce the true Religion, is still much harder; that we ought to think our selves happy, of being able to choose between such miserable Extremities, that it was a Happiness which was refused in France to Persons of the highest kank, and of eminent Merits, that were detained by force in their Country, and forced to abandon them­selves to Idolatry. That the Affairs of this World were subject to perpetual Revolutions; that Kings and Princes are often obliged to abandon their Crowns, and to leave their Seate to their Enemies: and that therefore particu­lar Persons ought to undergo without murmuring this Common Law, and to resign themselves with submission to the Orders of Providence, who puts by her chastising the state of her Children, to a tryal to divert their Hearts from the World, and to move them to search with so much more eagerness their heavenly Country; that they had reason to believe that the Arm of God that had supported [Page 52] them in the Wars past was not shortned; but they were to consider that at that time God had raised some of their Neighbours who did support with their Goods, with their Troops, and their Officers, that then they had none but Friends about them; instead of that, now at present, they were surrounded every where with Enemies; that at that time they had a great many amongst them capable to bear Arms, that they were united together; but that at present they were deprived of all those advantages; that their Soveraign alone was able to extirpate them intirely, and that yet these were not the only Troops they were to fight against, that those of France were ready to fall upon them; and that suppose they were happy enough to get some advantage over them at the first Attack, yet at the last they would not fail to be opprest by the great number of those that would succeed those that were vanquished: that besides their division amongst themselves would be very prejudicial to them; that their refusing to accept their Soveraign's offer would oblige all the Protestant Princes to abandon them, because they had rather rashly take up Arms, than to follow the Counsel was given to them; that they ought not to flatter themselves with hopes of some miraculous deliverance, as was that which God granted to the Hebrews, by routing the whole Army of Senacherib; that in the Age we live in, God makes no Miracles in favour of his Church, as in the time of the Israelites; that the holy Scripture teaches us, that to throw our selves into Dangers, out of which we fore-see it will be impossible to escape, is to tempt God, who abandons those that run headlong into it; that Christian Prudence, the Charity they owed to their Wives and Children, and love of their own Persons, did oblige them to follow the Example of the other Inhabitants of the Valleys; that their Prince looking on them as Criminals, would confis­cate their Goods, and would make them undergo the most ignominious punishments, if they persisted in their resolu­tions. That since Divine Providence had bless'd with success the Cares of those that interceeded for them, it was visible that she was willing to disingage them from this [Page 53] difficult passage; that having obtained some mitigation in the execution of the Edict, they ought to take hold of it; that it was not the fault of those that employed themselves for them, that their condition was not bet­ter, and that they should assure themselves, that there would be saved no labour to procure them some more advantages; but in case this should be impossible, they ought to accept what was offered them, because consi­dering their condition, they could not offer to capitulate with their Prince who had great Forces to oblige them to obedience; that in case they refused to submit them­selves to his will, their obstinacy would cause themselves not only the loss of their bodies, but their very souls; and that they had reason to fear that those who should escape the sword of their Persecutors, would at last be overcome by the rigour of the hardships which they would be for­ced to undergo, to make them change their Religion; that they had no reason to fear that leave to retreat whi­ther they pleased, was granted them as a snare to intrap them, because the Court had given them such Securities that ought to set their minds at rest concerning that mat­ter, and perswade them of the sincerity of his Royal Highness's intention, who would not give leave that any thing should be undertaken contrary to his promise, nor to blast a publick perfidiousness on his glory and reputa­tion, nor fall short in his regards which he has had till now for the Evangelical Cantons; that in case they had been willing to surprize them, it might easily have been done at the first, but that the Prince would not suffer it, and that he would not suffer it for the future; that in fine, the Troops of Savoy and France were ready to at­tack them from every side; and that they ought to be sure that no harm would be done them, in case they sub­mitted themselves to his Royal Highness's order.

In the mean while the Ambassadors having consider­ed at leasure the last Edict of his Royal Highness, found that the Inhabitants of the Valleys could not submit to it without exposing themselves to very great inconveni­encies, and resolved to endeavour a new to get them [Page 54] some more advantageous conditions; and to this effect they desired the Marquess of St. Thomas to procure them an Audience of his Royal Highness, and having obtain'd it, they did represent to him, That having made some Re­flections upon his Royal Highness's last Edict, they had taken the liberty to make some Observations upon three principal Points contained therein, to wit, 1. Upon that which allows the Inhabitants of the Valleys but ten days to retreat out of his Territories. 2. Upon that which prescribes them the number of six Trustees for the sale of their Goods. 3. Upon that which gives them only leave to sell their Goods within three months; and that they desire his Royal Highness to look upon the Remarks they had set down in the Memorial, which they did present him, and to consider that a mitigation of his Edict, they so much wisht for, would be of no con­sequence to him, but that it was of great importance to his miserable Subjects, who had so profound a respect, and so fervent a love for their Soveraign, that they could not prevaile with themselves to retreat out of his Terri­tories, and that considered with the greatest trouble in the World, that abandoning their native Country they should be deprived of the pleasure which they had to sig­nalize from time to time their Loyalty, taking hold on all occasions to expose their lives in his service: That there­fore they hoped that his Royal Highness would make use of his clemency on their behalf, and to give neces­sary orders to put them in a condition to retreat conveni­ently out of his Territories, and to carry along with them what they should be able to get together out of their ship-wrack'd Fortunes; and that by these means he would give to their Excellencies the Protestant Cantons, a fresh reason to continue in that affection and respect they have always had for the Royal House of Savoy, and in their Particular they would let them know that their good offices had not been unprofitable to those Wretches they did interceed for.

The Duke answered the Ambassadors, That in con­sideration of the Protestant Cantons, he had given his [Page 55] People great marks of an extraordinary clemency; that he had not chastised them according to their deserts, but that he had expected with patience that his people should come to themselves, and consider their duty; and that having pushed their Rebellion to an extremity, and given him new reasons of complaint, by those Insolencies they had lately committed, they had bound up his hands, in­somuch that he could not grant them their request with­out wounding his reputation and authority; that the condescention he has had for them, had drawn upon him the reproaches of France, that nevertheless he was wil­ling they should enjoy the benefit of his Edict; and that in case they would obtain some mitigation of the orders therein contained, they ought to render themselves wor­thy of it in laying down their Arms, and submitting themselves to his pleasure.

Afterwards the Ambassadors presented his Royal High­ness their Memorial, with the following Contents:

The Duke of Savoy receiving the Memorial of the Ambassadors, did promise to take it into his considera­tion, and told them that he would acquaint them with his will about it.

In the mean time that the Ambassadors were busie at Turine, to render the condition of the Inhabitants of the Valleys more advantageous, they took a resolution that caused their total ruine; for instead that before the pub­lication of the last Edict, the most part amongst them were resolved to look for a retreate some-where else, they did joyn all together by a common consent, and formed a design to defend themselves against those Ar­mies that were in a readiness to attack them.

The reasons which they alledged in their Councel were, That his Royal Highness's Edict, to which they were commanded to submit themselves, did contain se­ral things which they could not allow, and others which they could in no manner execute: And first, they said it was not reasonable they should declare themselves guil­ty of a Rebellion they were taxed with, because they had done nothing against his Royal Highness's service, but only that which they had been obliged to, to maintain the exercise of their Religion.

2dly, That they ought not to approve of the last E­dict, because it confirm'd that of the 31st of January, by which they were deprived of the liberty to serve God ac­cording to their faith.

3dly, That they could not prevail with themselves to obey that clause by which they were commanded to lay down their Arms, and that in case they should submit themselves to it, they would expose themselves to the loss of their temporal and spiritual Happiness, and would be forced to undergo the same misfortune which did hap­pen to them in the former Persecutions, and principally in that of the year 1655, which taught them, by a fatal experience, that they made no bones to break their word with them; and what confirmed them in their opinion was the approach of the Troops that advanced towards their Country, notwithstanding the Marquess of St. Tho­mas his promise, who did assure them, that they were not to enter into their Country, till after the term pre­scribed in the Edict.

4thly, That the time which was given them for a pre­paration of their departure being extreamly short, they could not execute the Edict, considering the great num­ber of the Inhabitants of the Valleys, the great age of se­veral persons, and the sickness of several others.

5thly, That it was impossible that the sale of their Goods should be made by Trustees; that suppose they should be resolved to sell them, it should be upon condi­tions to receive the price of it before their departure, or that it should be put into the hands of the Ambassadors; [Page 59] and that there should be procured the sale of the Goods of those scituate upon the Mountains, as well as of those that were in the Plains, and of those that were in the French K.'s Territories: And in fine, whereas this sale ought to be made to Roman Catholicks, that they had reason to fear the Priests would hinder them to buy, being assured that they would not fail to be Masters of all, after that all the Inhabitants of the Valleys should be out of the Country.

6thly, That they had reason to fear all from those that hold for a Maxim, That no faith ought to be kept with Hereticks.

The Ministers and most reasonable Persons of the Valleys did all they could to hinder this People from coming to this extremity; but all their reasons they did employ to prevent this resolution, were not capable to hinder them from being hurried away by the conduct of those that flatter'd them with imaginary hopes; and these are the very Persons that hin­dering them to accept of the favour that was offer'd them, were the cause of their ruine. The reason may be seen in this following Letter, that was made use of to make them change their resolution, and to precipitate them to their con­fusion:

In another Letter written by the Minister of the Churches of the Valleys, there is to be found a blanck for names, in the following words:

The Ambassadors being acquainted with this resolution of theirs, saw very well that considering the disposition of this People, there was no appearance to make them change in their opinion, and to infuse into them more reasonable thoughts.

Yet nevertheless they thought that they ought to make their last endeavours to oblige them to accept of the favour which their Prince did offer them, though it was not so large and advantagious as they might have wished for: And whereas they considered that the only means to work in some measure upon their minds, was to render their retreat less inconvenient and less troublesome than it was, according to the terms of the Edict, they applied themselves to sollicit for an Answer to the Memorial which they had presented to the Duke of Savoy, that in case it was favourable they could make it known to those of the Valleys, and to make use of as the strongest reason for their perswasion.

But his Answer was not such as they expected, for the Marquess of St. Thomas acquainted the Ambassador, that his Royal Highness would not make any larger Declaration con­cerning the things contained in his last Edict, because his Subjects were obstinate in their Rebellion, and because they refused to lay down their Arms, boasting, that they were in a condition to resist their Prince; that therefore his Royal Highness was resolved to depart to morrow, and to go in person to make these Rebels conform to their duty. That concerning those that would retreat some-where else, they [Page 61] should faithfully enjoy the benefit of the Edict; and that those that would not submit to it, should receive their so-much-deserved punishment.

As soon as they had left the Marquess of St. Thomas, they dispatched an Express to those in the Valleys, and gave them advice of the ill success of their Negotiation, by the follow­ing Letter:

Altho' the Ambassadors found the Affairs of the Inhabi­tants of the Valleys to be in a desperate condition, and that it was impossible for them to prevent their misfortune, yet they would not abandon them, and they thought it would be of some profit to them, if they followed his Royal High­ness in the Camp, therefore they desired the Marquess of St. Thomas to ask his Royal Highness's leave for it: But the Mar­quess told them, that their presence might give some jealousie to the Ambassador of France, and the Pope, and that where­as his Royal Highness had several great reasons not to diso­blige the Most Christian King, the Ambassadors would oblige him not to insist upon this demand, Affairs being in such a condition, that how disposed soever his Royal Highness were to give them some marks of his considerations for them, he was in no capacity to let them see how much reflection he made upon their Intercession.

Therefore the Ambassadors that had had their Audience of Conge, upon condition nevertheless, that in case there should happen an accident that might oblige them after­wards to appear at Court, there should be had all deference for them, that was due to their Character, resolved to return to their own Country, according to the order which they had received some few days before from their Soveraigns, in a Letter written to them from Zuric, in which the Evange­lical Cantons commanded them to abandon their Negotiati­on, in case they did judge it would be fruitless.

Nevertheless, whereas they thought that the Marquess of St. Thomas, or the other Ministers might be able to find some favourable moment to prevail with his Royal Highness to make use of his clemency towards his poor Subjects of the Valleys, they resolved to pay them a visit, to desire them to have compassion upon those Wretches, and to render them on this occasion all the good offices they might be capable of; but because the Court was obliged to depart in a hurry, it was impossible for them to execute their design, and they were obliged to make those instances to them by writing, which they could not do by word of mouth: and they re­ceived presently after the Marquess's answer, who did assure them, that he would take hold of all overtures which those of the Valleys could furnish him with to employ himself for them.

A few days before their departure, they received two Letters out of the Valleys, one writ by all the Commonalties to the Evangelical Can­tons, in the following manner:

The Letter which the Ministers writ to the Ambassadors, was to this purpose:

The Inhabitants of the Valleys being disposed in this manner, [...] just now represented, and the D. of Savoy being departed for the [...] seemed the Ambassadors had no more business at Court, and that the [...] go on their journey: but because it might happen that this People, the danger near, and the Troops in a condition to attack them, [...] willing to make use of the Prince's clemency, by the intercession of [...] [...] bassadors; they thought that they ought not to leave them, till they [...] that the Armies, was entred into their Country, and that they had [...] formed of the success of this Expedition: But having heard that the [...] had no sooner appeared in the Valleys, but that those of St. Martin taken themselves to their heels, and that the Prince's Troops having the Passages about Angrogne, sound no where the least resistance. [...] were sensible that they had no more business in Piemont, and they [...] extreamly troubled that they had not been able to prevent the Desola [...] these precious Remains of the Vaudois Churches. And being arrived [...] Country, they gave an account of their Embassy to their Soveraign judging of their Negotiation not by its success, but by their conduct [...] having assured them that they were well satisfied with the zeal and [...] they had shewed during the whole course of this difficult Affair, gav [...] [...]. Thanks for the Cares they had taken to fill up worthily the Employ [...] they had been honoured with.