HIs Royal Majesty the King of France, desiring to terminate the sufferings of his subjects, pur­posed to come to Paris, intimating the same un­to the Citizens, expecting an invitation from them to come, without any condition or exception of persons, and [Page 4]sent a Message to the Assembly of the Town house to that purpose. Many in that Assembly moved for a submissi­on, but they were overswayed by the plurality of voices, and the Messenger from the King was imprisoned. The Court resenting very much this indignity, resolved that the Kings army should ingage against that of the Princes, and fall upon them in their quarters at St. Cloud, and Mont Valerica. In order to which, on Sunday last Mar­shal Thurenne with his army of 8000 men, met the King with his forces hard by St. Dennis, where they con­cluced of making a bridg over the river Sein, by which means they might with the more facility fall upon the Princes. The 1 of July, the Prince of Condi and the Duke of Nemors came to St. Cloud, where there hapned some dispute between both armies, about the passage, wher the bridg was making, which continued a good space with much gallantry, but at length the Kings forces be­came Masters of it and took several prisoners. The same day in the evening, the Kings forces having finished their bridge of boats, they resolved to fall upon the Princes quarters, who having notice of their design, and that Marshal Thurenne was ready to crosse the river to come to him, he drew his whole army to this side of the river, in the Bois de Boulogue, where the said Marshal Thuren fel upon his rear. Whereupon 1200 of the Princes horse thinking to cross the City of Paris, to passe to their ran­dezvouz in the Suburbs of St. Anthony, the Citizens op­posed it; but the Duke of Orleans prevailed so much as to get them their passage through the City, so that they came timely enough to the Princes assistanc. The Duke of Beaufort rid up and down the City on horseback, to move the Citizens to send supply to the Prince, but pre­vailed but little. Madamoiselle de Orleans did like­wise ride on horseback to the Bastile the better to see the [Page 5]fight, and caused twelve pieces of Ordnance to be shot and play upon the Kings forces, but they did work smal effect.

The fight grew very hot in the Suburbs, both parties having planted their Ordnance there against each other, which continued playing a great while, great numbers of men were killed and hurt; the losse was equall on both sides, there being slain about 2500 whereof above 1200 of the Princes men, and many wounded. The Prince of Conde had his horse killed under him, the Dukes of Neaumours and la Rochefoucalt, the Count of Tavanne, and several others of great quality, are dangerously woun­ded on the Princes party; the Marshal of Thuren and some others of the Kings party.

During the fight, the King, Queen, and Cardinal, were hard by upon a little hill looking upon the fight. The Marshal of Thuren removed his forces to St. Owen, and the King with the Court is at St. Dennis.

The Prince of Conde is retreated to Paris, where at first he was denied admittance, by reason that the King had sent an express command under his Signet, requi­ring the Officers of the City not to permit the Princes forces to enter in; but the Duke of Orleans and his daugh­ter Madamoiselle comming to the Town house, backed with multitudes of people, the Mazarinists were over­voted, and the Princes with their Army admitted to pass through from one end to the other, which extreamly en­raged the King and Court, that no more regard should be had to the Letter of Signet, insomuch that they have once more given a stop to the Bakers of Goness and other places, not permitting them to bring any more bread hi­ther, so that the people are in great want of bread here: Yet notwithstanding they arm apace, and something will suddenly be done to purpose, a great Assembly being to [Page 6]be held, to consult about the present affairs. If the Citi­zens once resolve upon an absolute Union with the Prin­ces, (as it is probable they may) the Court will then be brought to a parting with the Cardinal upon any reason­able terms.

Paris, Iuly 3. stil. nov. 1652.

THe Cardinal Mazarini is still possest of the hearts of the King and Court, they will not yet part with him, which puts all things out of hope of an accommodation; The people of this City are so much incensed thereby, that they have burst forth into a great muteny, ready to make the whole Assembly of the City Officers at the Town-house a sacrifice to their fury. The same morn­ing they sate, the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde walked through the streets of this City with a Hatband made of straw; this badge was presently taken up by all sorts, although for different ends; some to be distinguished from the Mazarinists, and others for fear of being torn in pieces. In this posture great multitudes came together about the Town-house, crying out, that the Queen should renounce all State-affairs, that the Car­dinal should be gone, and some speedy agreement made [Page 7]for a Union betwixt the Princes and the City: The As­sembly being moved with fear at this sudden uproar, sent five thousand Fire-locks to the Princes party; yet were not the people herewith satisfied, but that still they cried out. That Cardinal Mazarine should depart, and some speedy Agreement made for an UNION be­twixt the Princes and the City: The Officers of the Assembly thereupon came forth unto the people, desiring they might have eight days liberty to consider of their desires. But the people grew so furious at this delay, that they set the Gates of the said house on fire, and shattered all the windows with their Muskets and Guns; but the Architecture being of stone, withstood the fire, so that they were but a little smoaked, and some Statues a­gainst the wall spoiled.

The Priests of St. Esprit came forth in solemn Proces­sion to appease the uproar, but to little purpose; for the Assembly were detained as prisoners, and at night some of them offering to get away, five or six were slain as Ma­zarinists, though indeed they were not. The better sort of Citizens fearing in this Hurly-burly to be plundered and dispoyled of all, betook themselves to arms, and drew the Chains throughout the City, the better to secure themselves and their Goods. But at length, Madamoi­selle daughter to the Duke of Orleans, and the Duke of Beaufort comming amongst the people, with much adoe their fury was a little mittigated, upon promise of an U­nion, which at last the Assembly concluded, and passed a formal Act, which wants nothing but the signing by those that dare not deny.

The Princes Army marched, the evening after the fight, through this City of Pont Neuf to the Suburbs of S. German. It is thought they will not dare to budge out of Town.

The Duke of Lorrain hath sent a letter to his brother the Duke of Orleans, wherein with many complements he excuseth himself concerning his late actings in this treaty with the Court; saying, that he had no reason to make terms with the Court, because Conde used many delays, and would not make good to him what he had promised; yet neverthelesse, he saith, that now he hath according to his promise and engagement with the Court, retired himself and his army out of France, he is ready to return again to the Princes assistance without any condition. But having proved himself so perfidious unto them in his underhand Treating with the Court, it is thought they wil be unwilling to trust him again, and will rather rely upon the promise of the Arch-Duke, who hath a message sent to the Duke of Orleans, intimating to him, that he will give over the siege at Dunkirk, and bring all his forces to assist him.