Continuation of the weekely Newes.
From Berlin, the 3. of February.
THe last great and sudden Frost, hath beene cause that the King of Sweden gave over the siege intended against Landsberg: And having given order for the fortifying of such places as hee hath taken, and left good Garrisons every where, finding no more Imperiall troops to drive out of Pomerania he went backe with his Armie, and having past the River of Oder, entred into the Dukedome of Meckelburgh, where comming unlooked for amongst the Imperialists, (that lye here and there enquartered, and [...]ive upon the Inhabitants, as their masters, having a better resolution to eat and drinke than to fight) he awakened them with his warlike Musicke of thundering Ordnance and Muskets, most unpleasing to them, and there made himselfe master of divers good places and Townes; as, Friedland, Brvndenberg, and Malchin all the Imperialists that are able to escape, flying away as fast as they can leaving every where their booties and goods, which they have these many yeeres robbed, behind them, unto their victorious enemies.
As for Tilly, he having written to the States of Silesia, requiring them to receive into their Country such Imperiall forces as hee would send thither, to bee enquartered there, and entertained by contribution untill winter should be past, (promising the number should not exceed 7000. men) and amplifying his Letters with many kind words; and complaints of the wants and miseries of the said Imperiall forces that came out of Pomerania, and other parts thereabouts, to move the said States to compassion; hee received for all that, for all answer, a round denyall, grounded upon impossibilitie, [Page 2]the people in that Country being scarce able to live with those forces that are already lying upon them and whereof they did hope and expect to be freed very shortly, lest all might come to a generall rebellion.
Tilly himselfe hath appointed his generall Rendez-vous for the Imperiall Forces at Dessaw, and hath sent some troopes to Franckfort on the Oder: But there is small store of victuals and munition to be found for them; and therefore great discontentment amongst them.
Out of the Countries of Franconia, Suevia, and those parts, there are now marching many Imperiall troopes towards Pomerania, and from Lindaw there are sent that way 60. Waggons with Munition. But those Imperiall. Souldiers, having lived at ease, without any discipline, are very unwilling to march, where they shall be no longer commanders over the poore people, and therefore they runne away where they can escape. The Commanders and Officers themselves seeme to have no great pleasure to goe; where they will bee forced to use rather their Weapons against the Enemy, than hitherto they have done amongst those that could not withstand. I cannot expresse in words, how rigorously it is proceeded against those Nobles and Gentlemen of Franconia, who either themselves or by some friends, brothers or fathers, have in time past served against the House of Austria: Their Lands, houses, and goods being daily taken from them, by such as come eyther with Commission or Letters of the Emperour, that bestowed the same on them. So that whole Families, their wives and children, are driven out, to seeke where to live, being not suffered to take the least thing with them. The Lord comfort them, and all his distressed people.
Extract of a Letter from Francfort, the 12. of February.
THere is as yet no certainty, whether or no the Countries of Gulick and Berghen shall be freed from the Troopes that lye there enquartered. The Paltsgrave of Newburgh is still at Bruxels, solliciting the Archdutchesse to give order for withdrawing the Spanish and Imperiall forces out of those Countries. But Count Iohn of Nassaw, who commands the Imperialists there (the same that was so long prisoner at Wesell) continueth in his resolution not to march with his forces from thence, unlesse he receive expresse Commandment from the Emperour. Meane while the Countries suffer pitifully, and are altogether ruinated.
The thirteene Cantons of Switzerland have beene assembled at Baden, where they have beene a good while busied, to advise how to make an agreement betwixt those of Zurick and the Bishop of Costance, and the Abbot of S. Gall, who both doe demand the restitution of some Ecclesiasticall goods and Churches from those of Zurick and Berne. But all that consultation came to nothing. The Protestants there have resolved and united themselves so, that they will give no way to the pretences of those Romanists, notwithstanding the injuries and scornfull words, which daily the Papists Priests vtter, both publikely and privately, and not without threatnings against them.
The Protestant Princes and States, which remaine yet breathing in Germany, are now together at Leipsick, at which Towne the Elector of Saxen arrived on the 4. of February last, with a Trayne consisting of 700. horses. And on the same day there arrived also in person the Elector of Brandenburg, accompanied with 250. horses. The Duke of Deuxponts, (a Prince Palatine that in time past was Administrator at Heydelberg) being diverted by other occasions from comming himselfe, hath given his power and Commission to the Landgrave of Hessen. All the Protestant Imperiall Cities have sent their Deputies thither; and the Circle of Suevia likewise, as also the Nobility of Franconia. The two Dukes of Meckelburg, (notwithstanding that they are proscribed by the Emperour, and that the Duke of Friedland hath long since taken their Countrey) having beene invited thither by the Elector of Saxen, are also there. So that now there is great expectation every where, what will be by them resolved and concluded.
Extract out of another Letter of the 15. of February.
THe King of Sweden past on the 4. of February, stilo novo, over the Bridge at Stett [...]n, with an Army consisting of about sixteene thousand men, horse and foot, and entred into the Dukedome of Meckelburg, where (as we receive good information) he hath taken many places of consequence, especially Matchin, and is come before Gustrow, which was the Princely seat of the Dukes of Meckelburg, and hath, since the taking of the said Country by Walstein (otherwise Duke of Friedland, to whom the Emperour gave that whole Dukedome) beene by him, both much fortified and much adorned, by many excellent Artificers, expressely sent thither; as Painters, [Page 4]Gardners, Architects, &c. The said Duke of Friedland intending to have there his Princely Court and residence.
The King of Sweden hath left (besides the Garrisons of such places as he hath taken in Pomerania) behinde him in the March of Brandenburg, an Armie of 9000 men. And Tilly (not knowing what that King intended when he went backe from before Landsberg) gave order for the fortifying of a place called Beskou, and sent many troopes towards Franckfort on the Oder; which troopes doe there, and in all those parts where now they are, commit such insolencies, that it cannot be written: They destroy and spoile all; and although there is but small, or in some places no provision of victuals at all; yet whatsoever they finde, it they are not able to consume the same, or if it is not worth the carrying away, they doe spoile, burne, or otherwise make it uselesse.
The Citie of Strasburg having, upon the summons which the Imperiall Commissioners made, for the restitution of some Churches and Church-lands, refused to obey, must now already suffer the said Commissioners in three of their Villages, where the Ministers and Schoolmasters are commanded to avoyd these places: their Schooles and Churches are taken, and the Imperiall Armes (the Blacke Eagle) put upon the doores. How the people, or rather the Magistrate will disgest this, time will teach us.
The Citie of Franckfort (on the Maine) is also in danger, for having refused to receive some Iesuites that came thither by the Commission, they brought with them from the Duke of Baveere, and the Electors of Maints.
We expect with great longing, what the Protestants will resolve at Leipsick, where the first proposition was ma [...]e on the 10. of Febr. but it is so secret, that I can tell you nothing more, but that we rather feare their feare, than hope for any generous designes.
Extract of another Letter of the 25. of February.
IT is certaine that the King of Sweden hath taken the good Towne of New-Brandenburgh, where there lay a Garrison of Imper alists, commanded by Colonell Marezan, who yeelded the said Towne by composition, and went out (delivering the same to that brave King) with six hundred Souldiers, with promise not to serve against the said King these three moneths.
The nowes of this reddition being brought to Treptow, (another good Towne in the Dukedome of Meckelberg, and also kept by an Imperiall Garrison) the Imperialists therein fearing to get not so good a condition, fled presently, and so left the Towne for the King, who being speedily advertised thereof, tooke the same also on the same day.
And we understand that besides these Townes, hee hath since taken Malchin, Malchow, Dammin, Garbaw, and other places: So that he is already master of all the Dukedome of Meckelburg, save onely foure (but principall good) Townes; being Wismar, Rostock, Butzow, and Damitz, which is a strong place, and lyeth upon the River of Elbe. What he intendeth now to doe, whether to besiege one of those Townes, or to goe towards Magdenburg, time must teach us: for his intentions are kept in his owne brest.
As for Tilly, we understand that he had gathered together eight thousand Imperialists, with whom he marched towards Brandenburg, to hinder the said Kings comming towards Magdenburg.
The Assembly of the Protestants began at Leipsick, and the first proposition hath beene made, but it is kept as yet so secret, that we cannot heare what it consists of.
It is written from thence, that amongst other Ambassadours and Deputies, there hath beene admitted an Ambassadour that came from the King of Sweden, and another (whom they call Monsieur de L'isle) from the French King. But it is much marvelled at, that the Cite of Hamburg hath not sent any Deputie thither, seeing Norimberg, Franckfort, & divers other such Cities (who are now in greater danger than Hamburg, and have beene warned by divers Electors, and commanded by the Imperiall Commiss oners, not to send any Deputy thither) have notwithstanding sent their Deputies with full power and Commission.
Concerning the Countries of Gulick. Cleve, and Berghen, &c. It is now certainely beleeved, that they shall bee freed from all the troopes that lye therein, both of the Spaniards, Imperialists, and the States: Her Highnesle the Infanta having published a Decree at Bruxels, bearing date the 19 of February last, whereby shee signifieth, That upon their stance of the Duke of Newburg, Her Highnesse doth grant unto the Innabitants to raze and breake downe all Fortifications that of late have beene made in the said lands of Gulicke, Cleve, Bergh, Marcke, Ravenspergh and Ravenstein, except only the [Page 6]three places that are reserved. And concerning the withdrawing of all Forces and Souldiers in the said Countries, That she had given order, that without saile, they all should be drawne out of their Garrisons on the fifth day of March, stilo novo, and shall bee carried quite out of the said Countries, (although the said new fortifications should not yet be razed) and carry with them onely their provisions and Munitions that belong unto them, leaving behind what they found when they arrived: So that the Countries shall hereafter remaine free and neutrall; It being understood that the States shall likewise withdraw all their Forces out of the said Countries, &c. Whether this hath been performed, we shall shortly heare.
LETTRE DV ROY, &c.
I'auois occasion d'esperer apres tant depeines & de travaux que i'ay supportez pour le bien & repos de cét Estat, que i'en r'emporterois le fruict que ie m'estois promis: Mais comme i'ay esté sur le poinct de joüir de ces aduantages, & faire ressenter à mes peuples le soulagement que ie leur ay tousiours voulu procurer: Aucuns factieux ennemis de la tranquilité publique, ayans par leurs artifices esloigne d'aupres de moy mon Frere le Duc d'Orleans, & en suitte aigry l'esprit de la Royne Madame ma Mere contre mon Cousin le Cardinal de Richelieu, de telle sorte qu'aucune consideration publique ny particuliere ne la peu ramener, quelque instance ou suplication que i'y aye employée, Recognoissant combien elle estoit preoccupée par de mauuais conseilz, I'ay estimé à propos afin de l'esloinger de ceux qui artificieusement les luy pouuoient suggerer, qu'elle s'arrestast pour quelque temps en ma ville de Compeigne, attendant que son esprit se puisse adoucir: & mettre en estat de concourir auec la sincerité quelle à faict par le passé au Conseilz que i'auray à prendre à l'aduenir pour le bien de mon Estat: ainsi que vous verrez plus particulierement par la Lettre que i'escris à ma Cour de Parlement, sur laquelle me remettant ie n'adiouteray icy aucre chose si ce n'est pour vous recommander de faire part de cette occasion à ceux de mes seruiteurs que vous iugerez a propos. Sur ce ie prie Dieu qu'il vous dyt Monsieur de Frainuille en sa saincte garde.
DE PAR LE ROY.
Comme nous croyons auoir subject d'esperer que tant de trauaux que nous auons depuis quelques années continuellement suportez pour le bien de cét Estat, que Dieu à soubmis a nostre conduitte, seroient approuuez & secondez par tous ceux qui sont auprés de nous, Nous auons este bien estonnez lors qu'apres auoir abbattu la rebellion de Rochelle, & de toutes les Villes qui luy ad'heroient, Restably la Religion Catholique en toutes les Prouinces de nostre Royaume, secouru par deux fois noz alliez en Italie, & r'emporté des aduantages qui nous mettent en estat de ne deuoir porter enuie a nos predecesseurs, Quelques diuisions domestiques qui ont esté meditées par de mauuis Espritz de quelques particuliers, pendant que nous estions du tout occupez aux grandes affaires dont on à veu le succes. Nous ont empesché de jouir de la tranquilité que nous deuions nous promettre auecraison; & de procurer dans icellè le soulagement que nous desirions à nos subjetz, Recognoissant ce mal, qui nous à esté d'aurant plus sensible qu'il nous priue pour le present du fruict de nos soings & de nos peins, qui n'ont autre fin que la descharge de nostre peuple que nous auons tousiours eu en l'Esprit comme le but de toutes nos actions, Nous n'auons rien cublié de tout ce qui nous à esté possible pour y apporter remede; Et par ce qu'on auoit aigry la Royne nostre tres-honorée Dame & Mere, contre nostre tres-cher & bien amé Cousin le Cardinall de Richelieu, Il ny a instance que nous n'ayons faicte, priere ny suplication [Page 9]que nous n'ayons employée, n'y consideration publique & particuliere que nous n'ayons mise en auant pour adoucir son Esprit; Nostre dict Cousin recognoissant ce qu'il luy doit par toutes sortes de considerations, à faict tont ce qu'il à peu por sa satisfaction, se soubmettant auec toute l'humilité possible & tous les respectz imaginables à telles loix quelle auroit agreable de luy prescrire; Ce que nous luy aurions offert plusieurs fois de nostre propre bouche, La reverence qu'il à pour elle, la mesme porté jusques à ce poinct, de nous suplier & presser diuerses fois de trouuer bon qu'il se retirast du manimēt de nos affaires; Ce que l'vtilité de ses seruices passez & l'interest de nostre auctorité ne nous à pas seulement permis de penser à luy accorder. Nous n'auons d'autre part rien obmis pour contenter l'Esprit de nostre tres-cher & tres-amé Frere le Duc d'Orleans, jusques à donner à ceux qui ont le principal pouuoir auprés de luy (selon son desir) plus de biens que l'estat de nos finances ne pouuoit porter, Et des honneurs au delà de ce qu'ils deuoient raisonnablemēt se promettre; Mais tout cela n'a pas empesché qu'ils ne l'ayent faict sortir de la Cour, estimans qu'vne personne de sa naissance estant esloignée de nous, au mesme temps que la Royne nostre dicte Dame & Mere y demeureroit, tesmoignāt du mescontentement, Il seroit difficile que nous peussions quelque adresse qu'on y peust apporter conduire nos affaires aux bonnes fins que nous nous proposons pour la prosperité de ce Royaume, sa grandeur, & le bien de nos subjects, Veu principallement les affaires que nous auons encore au dehors. Pour ceste raison estant apres vne longue patience venu en ceste ville de Compiegne, a fin que la Royne, bien intentionnée de soy-mesme, esloignée par ce moyen beaucoup de mauuais Espritz, conspirast plus facilement avec nous, aux moyens justes & raisonnables pour arresterle cours des factions qui se formoyent en nostre Estat, Ce dont nous l'auons faict suplier par de nos principaux ministres, sans quelle ayt voulu v entendre. NOVS AVONS en fin à nostre grand regret [Page 10]esté contrainct de tenter vne remede plus puissant à ce mal, que nous auons jusques à present esprouué si rebelle aux plus benigns que nous y auons apportez, Et recongnoissan [...] qu'aucuns des autheurs de ces divisions continuoient à les entretenir, Nous n'auons peu éuiter d'en esloigner quelques vns de nostre Cour, n'y mesme quoy qu'auec vne indicible peine de nous separer pour quelque temps d'elle, pendant lequel son Esprit puisse s'adoucir & se remettre en estat de concourir auec la sincerité quelle à faict par le passé aux Conceilz que nous auons à prendre à l'aduenir pour garantirce Royaume des maux qui le menecent, lors qu'il deuoit recueillir le fruit de nos labeurs: Nous esperons que la bonté de son naturel ramenera son esprit, & la reunira bien tost à nous: Nous le demandons à Dieu de tout nostre Coeur, & qu'il benisse les bonnes intentions que nous auons pour cét Estat, ainsi qu'il à faict par le passé.
The French King his Letters, &c.
WEE had well hoped, that after so great labours and paines which we have undergone for the good and quiet of this State, we should have received such fruit as we promised our selfe. But so it is, that being upon the point of enjoying these benefits, and ready to let our people feele the ease and comfort which wee have alwaies studied to procure them: Some factious enemies of the publike peace, having by their sleights estranged our Brother the Duke of Orleans from us, and consequently exasperated the spirit of the Queene our Mother against our Coufin the Cardinall de Richelieu, in such sort that no considerations, either publike or private, notwithstanding all intreaties and supplications wee have used, could any whit move her. And well understanding how deeply she was prepossest with ill counsels, we have thought it fit (to the end she may bee sequestred from such as cunningly might suggest them unto her) that she abide for a while in our Towne of Compiegne, untill such time as her spirit bee lenified, and so well setled, that she concur (with the sincerity which heretofore she hath used) to such Counsels as we shall undertake hereafter, for the good of our State. As you shall see more particularly by our Letters written to our Court of Parliament, vnto which referring our selfe, wee will adde nothing here further, but onely to will you that you impart this businesse to such of our Servants as you shall thinke fittest. And so we pray God have you in his keeping.
To the Court of Parliament, &c.
By the King.
We supposed we had cause to hope that those many trauels, which for certaine yeeres together we have continually undergone, for the good of this State, which God hath committed to our charge, should have beene well lik'd and seconded by all them that are about us: Notwithstanding we marvaile much, that having brought downe the Rebellion of Rochell, and all other the Townes her adherents; re-established the Catholike Religion in all Provinces of our Realme, as also twice holpen our Allyes in Italy, and returned with such advantages as have put us in so good plight, that we need not envie any of our predecessors: That now certaine domesticall dissentions, plotted by the mischievous spirits of some particular men, whilst we were altogether busied in those important affaires whereof we have seene the successe; should hinder us from enjoying that tranquility, which with good reason we might expect, and from procuring thereby that good to our Subjects which we desire. Vnderstanding well this mischiefe, which is so much the more sensible unto us, in that for the present it deprives us of the fruit of all our care and paines, which have never any other ends but the ease of our people, which we have continually in our heart, as the principall scope of all our designes. Wee have forgot nothing which hath beene possible on our part to give remedy thereto. [Page 13]And because they have exasperated the Queene our most honoured Lady and Mother, against our deare and welbeloved Cousin the Cardinall of Richelieu: There remaines no intreaty which we have not made, nor prayer nor supplication which we have not used, nor any consideration publike nor private, which we have not set before her, to asswage her spirit: Our said Cousin likewise acknowledging his duty to her in all manner of respects, hath done whatever he could to satisfie her, submitting himselfe with all possible humility and all imaginable respects, to such Lawes as shee her selfe should be pleased to prescribe him; which we have likewise many times offered with our owne mouth: This reverence which he hath ever had towards her notwithstanding, she hath divers times prayed and pressed us, that wee would thinke it good to remove him from the mannaging of our affaires, which the utility of his past services, and the interest of our Authority would not so much as permit us to thinke of condescending unto. On the other side, wee have omitted nothing to give content to our most deare and welbeloved Brother the Duke of Orleans: insomuch that wee have granted unto them of principall ranke and place about him, (according to his owne desire) more meanes than the state of our Revenue could well beare: And of honours likewise, beyond that which with reason they could expect. Notwithstanding all these, they have perswaded him to leave the Court: Adjudging that a Personage of his birth and quality being departed from us, and at such time as the Queene our said Lady and Mother abode there not without testimony of discontent; it would be very hard for us (doe what we can) to bring our affaires to good issue, which wee propose for the prosperity and honour of this Kingdome, and the good of our Subjects; especially, considering the Designes which we have yet abroad. For which cause, after long patience, being arrived at this our Towne of Compeigne, to the end that the Queene (who of her selfe is wel-disposed) [Page 14]being by this meanes sequestred from many bad spirits, may the better concur with us, by all just and reasonable meanes, to stop the course of Factions which arise in our State: which thing we have often prayed her by our principall Servants: notwithstanding she would not hearken thereto. We have therefore, to our great griefe, at last beene constrained to assay a more powerfull remedy for this mischiefe, which wee have found hitherto so refractorie to the most gentle Cures we could apply. And understanding that certaine of the Authors of these divisions doe yet continue to cherish them, we could not chuse but sequester some of them from our Court, and to separate our selfe for a while, though with paine unspeakeable, from the Queene our deare Mother, untill such time as her spirit be lenified, and she brought to concur, with such sincerity as she hath hertofore done, to those Designes which we are to undertake hereafter, for the security of this Kingdome from those mischiefes that threaten it now, at such time as it ought to reape the fruits of our labors: We hope that the goodnes of her nature will shortly reduce her spirit, and re-unite it unto us: Which wee beg of Almighty God with all our heart, and that hee will blesse the good intentions which we have for this State, as he hitherto hath done.