THE SPANIARDS PERPETVALL DESIGNS TO AN UNIVERSAL MONARCHY.  
Translated according to the French.  
Printed 1624.   

A PROGRESS OF THE Conquests of the King of SPAIN, and House of Austria in Germany, Switzerland, the Grisons Country, Italy, and the Frontiers of France, since the death of Henry the Great.  
THE Spaniards continually pursuing the advancement of their universal Monarchy, (the first foundation whereof were laid by Charles the fift, since which time that design hath been still eagerly prosecuted,) have been so happy in their endeavours in these last 10 or 12 years in diverse parts of Europe: and particularly near to the borders of France, that there remains very little for them to conquer; to encompass it on all sides, and so by little and little to make themselves Magistrates and Arbiters of Christendom.  
And to begin with the last and freshest of their Conquests; Besides the Palatine Electoriall dignity, which they have put into the hands of one of their confidents: they have conquered by Arms all the Palatinate, both on this side and beyond the Rhine; and within, or near it, many Cities and strong places, whereof diverse are Imperial free Towns, as namely Wormbs, Spire, Landaw, Haguenau, Wissembourg, Fridberg, Gailhassen, Wetzlar, and others: together with a good part of the Country of Hannau, and of the Country of Wetteraw, wherein are many Counts and Lords neighbours, and Allies to the Prince Elector Palatine: whose Brother and Cousins have been no more spared than the rest, though not comprehended in the Imperial Ban, their Lords and Lordships being seized on, together with the jointures of the innocent widow Princesses. This notable conquest, to take it from Mentz and Haggenaw on the one side, and the countries of Trier and Lorraine one the other, and from Francfort almost close to Strasbourg, contains in length more than 50 French leagues, and in breadth Forty. And they still continue to make some progress about the Palatinate, under colour of passages or other pretents: and proceed in their secret practices upon diverse other Imperial Towns, especially that of Strasbourg, (a great and strong place, and of the ancient patrimony of our first Kings:) and likewise upon the Town of Besanson, to establish a Parliament there, or transfer thither that of Dole. As in the time of Philip the second, the Admiral of Arragon presumed to ask the Vicariat of that Town for the King his Master, but it was denied him by the Emperor Rodolph the second. And of late the Ministers of Spain have offered money for certain places in the Bishopric of Liege, for no other end but that we even now speak of. But that which is most monstrous, is the quarrel they make with the Elector of Brandenbourg, seeking an occasion to make him likewise lose his Electorat, although that Prince hath all this time remained neutriall, and kept intelligence with the Elector of Saxony, who at one time or other will scape no better than the rest, though he hath assisted the Emperors with his Arms and Counsels, to the prejudice of his near kindred, whom he daily sees to be turned naked to the world.  
All men know that not long before this, the Spaniards had made themselves Masters of all that Country which lies between the Rivers of the mosel and the Rhine, from the Towns of Liege and Cullen, to Numeguen in Guelderland: and especially of the free and Imperial Towns of Aix-la-Chappell and weasel: notwithstanding the intercession of the King and Queen Mother than Regent, both by frequent Letters and Ambassadors sent expressly for that business. And they have since taken by composition the Towns and Fortresses of juliers, and hold entirely the Duchess of juliers and Berg, together with all the Towns and places of the Grand Conte de la Mark, and the County of Ravensberg, with two thirds of the Duchy of Cleves, on this side and beyond the Rhine, and the most part of it under the Duke of Newbourgs name. But the Spaniards having their garrisons there, the good Prince can neither enjoy the places nor the revinue, but in very small proportion. And notwithstanding all his endeavours and diligence used at Brussels, for freeing himself from those garrisons, yet cannot he hitherto obtain or prevail with them in any thing, though he be a Catholic, their friend, and Ally. This conquest is not much less worth to the Spaniards, then that of the lower Palatinate, aswell for the approach which foot by foot they make towards Holland: as for the extent of these Countries, which one with another, from the town of Aix-la-Chapell to Lipstat, the last place of the County De la Mark, and from thence to the Town of Cleves, amounts unto above fourscore French leagues in length, and about 50 in breadth. And this without accounting the Fort of Pappe-mutz, sittuate in an Isle of the Rhine on this side Cullen, lately conquered by the Spaniards, and by them Christened with the name of Isabel. And in a word, either by association, or by the convenience of the Electors of Mentz and Cologue: or by their proper conquests, they may call themselves Masters of the great River of Rhine, from the Town of Stratsbourg, yea even from Brisacke and Basle, to Rees and Emericke, Towns in the Land of Cleve, not fare distant from the mouth of that River.  
Furthermore, who knows not the designs of the Spaniards upon the Country of the Grisons, and how the Archduke Leopold on the one side, and the Governor of Milan on the other, have possessed themselves of the greatest part of those Countries, having put garrisons into Coyre, Mayenfeld, Pretigau, and all other places of the one and other Engadine, even close to the Canton of Zurich: where the Archduke intends to erect a Fort in a certain place called Steig, thereby to bridle the Swissers, and keep an entrance into the Country. And towards Milan they have seized upon the Counties of Chiavenna and Pregaglia, and the long and fertile valley of the Valtelina, (the two ends whereof join Milan and Tirol) which is the subject of the present difference between the King of Spain on the on side, and the Crown of France, the States of Venice, Savoy, and generally all Italy, the Swissers and Grisons on the other side.  
They have also seized on the Counties of Bromio and Valmesolcina, a fair and large valley near Bellinzons, towards the Frontiers of Italy: and now of late upon the County of Muscco, under the title of of the Count of Triwlce his pretence: the foresaid Conquests making altogether, to reckon from Mayenfield to Bormio, and from thence to the Fort Fuentes at the least, 40 French leagues in length, and more the 30 in breadth, as it may evidently appear by Cluverius his Map of Rhaetia. And although the present Pope, being now depositary of the most parts of these Forts and places, labours with the King of Spain for restoring all things unto there former estate, according to the French Kings desire, yet cannot he attain unto it.  
And for Italy, it is true that the late King of Spain in the year 1611, had made himself Master of the Town of Sasello, and placed a garrison there: but upon the complaint and request of the Republic of Genoa, restored it to the former State. Nevertheless in Monaco, and the Town and Castle of Correggio, the Spaniards keep a strong Garrison. They have also newly erected the Fort of Sandonal, upon the Frontier of Piedmont, towards Vercel. And concerning the States of Milan, Final, Plumbin, and other Fiefs which the King of Spain holds of the Empire, he hath upon the instance of his Ambassador resident at Vienna, received solemn investiture thereof by the Emperor 1621.; And beside, the States of Venice and Savoy are threatened by him, aswell for the misunderstanding and differences past, as for this new dispute and quarrel touching the Valteline, wherein the greatest part of the Potentares of Italy, and the Pope himself are also interessed.  
And to make his way by little and little amongst the leagues of the Swissers and Grizons, (peoples formerly so obliged and affectionate to the Crown of France, as they did in a manner reject all other Alliances) the Spaniard hath by money, promises and practices, divided them into Factions, thereby to weaken that body which subsists not but by their union, and to be able to bring them against France itself, and other neighbouring States. The Spaniards have done as much under diverse pretents in the Country of Valley, and Bishoprirke of Zion, having likewise possessed themselves of the passages of Switzerland, thereby to have the ways free and clear for their Armies to pass from Italy to Flanders: which before they were constrained to beg from the Duke of Savoy, or the leagues of Switzerland.  
To return to Germany, it is very considerable that the conquests made by the Duke of Bavaria, aswell in the upper Palatinate which he hath gotten entirely into his possession, as in the lower Palatinate, tend all of them to the advantage of the House of Austria, this Prince being near Ally, and obliged to that House, by the translation of the Electorate upon his person, and other benefits lately received from the Emperor. So that to favour that Duke, in hope either to bring him into suspicion with the Emperor, or to draw profit from him against the hair, considering how strictly they are all linked together in interest, and affection the one to the other: and in giving such a Council, there must be want of integrity, or pure ignorance of the present State of the affairs of Germany. The like must be said of the Children of the Marquis Edward Fortunate, to whom the Marquisat of Baden hath been lately adjudged by the Emperor, against and in prejudice of their Cousin the Marquis of Dovelach, who is now turned out of it, which is an extent of land somewhat considerably between the Towns of Strasbourg and Basle, on the one side, and the Palatinate and Duchy of Wirtemberg on the other.  
They have likewise since a few Months possessed themselves of a good part of the Langraviat of Hessen, under colour of a sentence given by the Emperor, in favour of the Langrave Lovis of Darmstat, against his Cousin the Langrave Maurice of Kassell, (an ancient Ally and confident of the Crown of France) upon their difference touching the Town of Marspourg, and the country about it. And so by little and little they proceed, getting footing in the Provinces of Germany, and oppressing the liberty of the Princes and Cities of the Empire: thereby to make it hereditary in their House; as they do the Kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia, (which those people's have evermore maintained to be merely Elective.) together with the Provinces of Moravia, Silesia, and Lusatia, incorporated to the Kingdom of Bohemia, and newly reconquered by Arms and other means, to the great increasing of the House of Austria, and exceeding great advantage of their designs.  
We will not speak here of the Towns and Fortresses of Arache, Mamora, and others in the Kingdom of Fez, surprised or conquered by the Spaniard since a few years, because they are far distant, and of less consideration to France. But touching the Fort of Gravelines, which they still advance, and will by snatches bring it to perfection: we must blame ourselves if we suffer it. But it would be a fare worse matter, if the Spaniard should conclude the Treaty of Marriage with England, for the reasons which every man may understand; for if the only Negotiation touching that Alliance, hath given the Spaniards time and means to subdue the best and greatest part of all Germany: and to push their designs so forward; what other thing can be expected from the accomplishment of the marriage, but that in the end we must receive Law from the Conqueror, and so lose the prerogative of this glorious title, anciently won by our Kings, of Protectors of the liberty of Germany, and which is more, of Arbiters of Christendom: besides the fruit which we see lost before our eyes: of so many Millions employed since 100, or 120 years, to entertain our Allies the Swissers and Grizons, and other our friends and confederates; And of the expense made at the siege of juliers, to put it into the possession of the lawful heirs of the House of Cleve, whom the Spaniards laboured to dispossess, and to take it themselves: as they have now done 10 years afterwards. For which notwithstanding, our ill-affected-Frenchmen have professed public joy, although this place was formerly delivered to the late Mareschall de la Chastre, general of the King's Army, being for the most part Catholic.  
It must be also taken into consideration, that the Spaniards who for 70 years hath by diverse writings continual blamed our Treaties: which the Turk doth now himself seek that Alliance with much instance. The last from Constantinople bear, that one Antonio Barili, a Dominican Friar, who had been there secretly twice before, was again returned thither, with two others in his company: and that he hath been zealously seconded and assisted in pursuit of this peace, by the Emperor's Ministers that were then at the Port: and now lately by one Curtz, who for this end hath carried thither a good sum of money; of all which the Grand Vizier himself, gave advertisement to some Ambassadors resident at the Port, and opposite to the Spanish Party, judging his design of the Emperor and King of Spain to be for no other end, then by this Peace 
a By a Peace with the Grand Signior of the King of Spain, would yearly save the charge of 20 m. men kept in Garrison, upon the Coasts of Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, and those Islands, and of 60 Galleys, in which are of Soldiers and Slaves well nigh 20 m. more: All which great forces, the King of Spain is forced with a vast expense, continually to maintain for his own safety and defence against the Turk. And it is considerable that this proposition of Peace, is made in a time when the necessities of the Turkish affairs, in regard of the present Rebellions and disordres in their Empire, threatening ruin, or at least some notable alteration, might make the offer acceptable. And that for the said respects, it could not for the present be either dangerous, or unsafe for the King of Spain; but would be of infinite advantage to the progress of his affairs in these parts, if so great forces as are now only maintained for a mere defence, without attempting any thing, should be drawn forth into an active employment.  to have the better means and leisure to go through with their business and conquests in Europe: and by degrees make themselves strong enough to undertake the Turk, and then carry their Arms into the Levant. And to this end it is their writers publish, that it is necessary there should be but one universal and absolute Monarch in Christendom, and that it should be the King of Spain, who is the mightest, and who by their report hath the best mirited of the Apostolic Sea, and of all Christendom.  
For their pretences, either upon France in general, drawing a descent of the Princes of the house of Austria, in a direct line from Male to Male, from Merove, Childeric, and other Kings of France of the first race called Merovingiens: thereby inferring that the Kingdom belongs to them. Or upon the Provinces of Burgundy and Britain in particular; These falsehoods have been lately solidly refuted by one of our most excellent and learned Antiquaries. And touching their pretences unto other Kingdoms, and particularly to England, the care and refutation thereof is to be left to those who have most interest therein. The evidence of these pretences which have been seconded by real under take and attempts, appears sufficiently in Hereras History of Philip the second of Spain, in Cabrera, and in Camille Borrell, his Book touching the prerogative and dignity of the Catholic King.  
Our France being therefore environed on all sides with the Territories and Dominions of the Spaniard, and House of Austria, either of their ancient domain, or new conquests, (which hath been made in so short a time, as it seems a thing prodious) this State having thereby lost all its outworks and bulwarks: that is, the best and most powerful friends and Allies: it seems to be more than high time to awake out of this deep and fatal Lethargy, whereinto our France is fallen by the disastrous death of our great Henry, and seriously to look to our conversation, by taking it into due consideration, that if the Spaniard should now pick a quarrel with us, and assail us again: as in the time of the league, when Philip the second would have had this Crown put upon his Daughter's head, in prejudice of our Salic Law: the passages by Land would on all sides be shut up against us, so as we could not be relieved either with men or money from Germany, Switzerland, or Italy: as was our late King in his great necessities. And on the contrary, all the Princes and people subject to the Spaniard, and those whom he hath lately subdued unto him, who were formerly our friends, and favoured us: will be constrained and bound to assist and and serve against us, and many of them to their great grief.  
Yet is it not meant that recourse should presently be had unto Arms, and the public peace broken. as if so great a King in so powerful a kingdom as this is, had no other means to protect the afflicted. The late King in the like case, without applying those violent remedies, hath by his wisdom sufficiently shown the way; as when by a serious interposition of his credit and authority, he accommodated the difference between the Pope and the Venetians: or when by his liberality he succoured those who besought his help: or when by menaces, he gave cause of apprehension to those that would oppress his friends and Allies. And these are the means that ought to be used in the first place, before the way of open force be taken; all wars how just so ever, being both ruinous and hazardous.  
True it is that the peace of this State, the union and concord of the people in a due obedience to our King, and the conduct of a wise Council, that knows how to resume the wise Counsels and Maxims of Henry the great: and the former state of a good intelligence, with the most sincere friends and ancient confederates of this Crown, are the first and principal remedies of this evil: yea, the supreme way for restoring this puissant and once flourishing Kingdom, to its ancient splendour, strength, and authority.  
FINIS.