THe Lord Ambassador Boreel, hath had audience before the Kings Majesty; where, in a very lear­ned Oration, he declared to his Majesty, the joy and happiness his Lords and Masters the States of the Netherlands had conceived by his gracious Accord, and Royal Condescentions to the League Offensive and De­fensive against poor England; but withal, complement­ed his Majesty into a Restitution of Depredations done by Sea. From this Audience he repaired to the little Queen now in the Palace Royal, where he staid 3 hours in con­ference with her and the Lord Jermin, at which time, (it is said) they were agreed upon the Terms, for the States [Page 4]to admit her Sons shipping to a retreat into their Har­bors upon all occasions. But that which most disturbeth the Court of France in their affairs, is, the fatal blow gi­ven by the Pr. of Conde to some of their forces abroad; the manner thus.

The King having given Order to Marshal De Seneterre to go and conduct the Cardinal Mazarine back to the Court, the said Marshal was advanced with 2000 horse to Vitry, when the Cardinal being at Sedan, sent Monsieur L'Estrade the late Governour of Dunkirk, to march be­fore him, and clear the passages, with 1200 men, and joyn with the said Marshal, while he, the Cardinal himself, fol­lowed after, he being then also on his way. But the Prince of Conde having notice of the place, and intended juncti­on of these parties, commanded out his Lieutenant Gene­ral the Prince of Tarante with 3000 horse, and 3 Regi­ments of Foot towards Vitry, to intercept (if possible) the designed union; but comming to Vitry, and finding them united, fell upon them, and gave them a total overthrow, the most of them being cut in pieces.

Marshal De Seneterre himself is mortally wounded, and now dying in Vitry. Monsieur L'Estrade was killed upon the place, together with the Count of Grand Pre, besides other Officers and Souldiers to the number of two thousand flain: so that the Cardinal was glad to run for it to Sedan, where he must stay til he be relieved with new supplies for his conduct. This is an ill Omen for him, that being to re-enter France, he should thus stumble at the threshold; and it hath given such an alarm at Court, that Orders are issued out for a re-inforcement of Tu­rein's Army, which will be well recruited by the three thousand horse and one thousand foot, that are comming to him out of Normandy, from the Duke of Longuevil­le, besides such forces as are hereabouts, and those in Pi­cardy, [Page 5]that are ordered to hasten to him. This day there hath been a full Assembly of the Parliament, who have sat all day, and are not yet risen. The Court party drive hard, and its thought will carry it, upon this provoking news, for declaring the Prince of Conde Traytor, and ra­sing all his hostels, houses, and Castles. It is now said, Charls Stuart would for Holland, were he supplied with moneys for the journey; and a rumour goes, as if he had a design for Ireland, or Scotland. But his party here of­ten have made many the like reckonings to no purpose.

Paris, Novemb. 13. stilo novo. 1652.

THe business about De Witts Captains is not yet at an end; for they are still kept in prison, as Renega­does and Runaways at the late Engagement with the Eng­lish. Perhaps they may at the last be let go upon promise of better behaviour, especially when the new Councel of War is established, which must sail along with them at sea, and snap them off, if they carry not themselves stout­ly. This is a miserable argument of the valour of their Captains, when if they shew any hereafter, it will be said they were valiant for fear of the Halter. De Witt himself we hear is now faln sick, I know not whether it be of his Employment. But Trump is like to become the Man of men again, and his last Summers misdemeanors, and the accusations drawn up against him shall be buried in Ob­livion. Having received Orders from the States to hasten out with the Fleet, he is gone himself to Helver-sluys to them, to set forward the Expedition.

THe States of Holland proceed vigorously for the carrying on of the work in hand, and divers of those shaded Cavaliers whom the world thought worthy of nothing but exilement, begin to be looked upon accord­ing to their worth and known gallantry: The Lord Cra­ven hath admitted divers Gentlemen into places of high trust and command, and several other Regiments have their chief dependance upon the English; who swel with nothing more at present, then full bouls to the health of their distressed master, this is a symptom of a sad spring, which we may justly fear to prevent, though not to en­counter. The King of France in a Majestical crack, hath promised to assist them with 60 sail, towards the carry­ing on of their conceived hopes; but you may better trust his forces at sea, then at land; for though the French are siery coursers upon dry ground, yet Naval discipline quickly dasheth their tilt yard passions: but to deal plain­ly and ingeniously, the Lords are much heightned at the general peace between the King and his subjects, and at­tribute that great work (under God) to the King of Scots, unto whom, many say, they are much obliged, for his great pains he hath taken in the healing of thole sad breaches between the King and his people; which Christian office, say they, hath gained him at Court the title of Magnae Brittaniae & Hiberniae Rex fidei Defensor, pericli Dissipator Gallici, pacisque Compositor Generallissi­mae; that is, Defendor of the faith of Great Britain and Ireland, Dispercer of the dangers of France, and Com­poser of the general peace.

His valiant brother James (we hear) is in great favor, [Page 7]and is cryed up for the most accomplished Gentleman, both in arms and courtesie, that graces the French court: His presence is much desired both in City and Countrey, but especially in the Army, where he hath the general re­spect even from the greatest Commander to the private souldier; he hath a great influence upon the people, by reason of his civil carriage towards them, and so absolute is his power over the Souldiery, who bear so great af­fection, that in obedience to his Command, they will ac­cord to any thing that be proposeth. We hear that the Duke of Lorrain in a solemn pro [...]estation, h [...]t [...] tendered both himself and Army, for the playing of the Scots Kings Game; but I shall wave the truth of this, until that great Discoverer, the little Eye witness, doth make it more manifest. In the mean time I conceive it to be one­ly a Rant, although the Royal party give out, hat the Ar­ticles of Amity are sealed; which carries as much credu­lity as the States new levy here of 30000 men and 5000 gallant Martialists selected forth to man the Navy. The Spanish Army are marching to take up their Winter-quarters in Flanders, and it is said the Prince of Conde hastens after with what possible speed he can, as not able to make good his ground against the Kings forces, who are as numerous as valiant: Gen. Thurene, and the (pre­tended) Duke of York, we hear, pursues him with 9000 Horse and Foot, so that of necessity, he is like to quit France till the next Spring, and then peradventure he may receive the reward of Justice, and all his arrears together.

The States great Fleet here is lanching forth, and the Lords for encouragement of the Seamen, have paid them off all their arrears, so that there is a general concurrence of the Marriners to be in action, as many say; but I be­leeve in God.

Bril, Novemb. 10 stilo novo, 1652.

I informed you of the cruelty that the Dutch exercised against every one of us in particular, but God hath been pleased intender mercy since our surprizal, to remember us, and disappoint the purposes of our adversaries, who under pretence of landing us at Genoa, steered their course for Messina, where they might be well assured we should be deprived of any means of returning home; but meeting with our English men of war, after a great fight took one and some prisoners, whom they dayly solicit to take up arms against their country; which if they refuse to do, they are threatned to be made to stand to the guns in fight. There have been several means used for their inlargment, but nothing would prevail. An exchange of some of them for some of the Dutch in England, might perhaps be a means for their relaxation; for their condition is as sad as may be. Neither is there any permission given by the Dutch. whereby they may be relieved with cloaths and other necessaries, which they are destitute of.

Here are 15 Dutch ships that would ply up and down towards the Streights mouth, but they are imployed in blocking up the ships that lie under the Castle of Porto­longon, where they intend to fire, (if they can) the English Admiral; and have to that end made a fireship of the Dove, which they took from us.