AN Historical Account OF THE DIVISIONS IN POLAND: From the DEATH of K. JOHN SOBIESKI, To the Settlement of the Present KING on the THRONE.  
CONTAINING A Particular Relation of the Late KING's Death, and of all the Intrigues of the several Candidates, till the Coronation of the Elector of Saxony. Translated from the French Original.  
Written by M. de la Biazdiere.  
LONDON, Printed for H. Rhodes, at the Star near Fleet-Bridge; T. Bennet, at the Half-Moon in St. Paul's Churchyard; A. Bell, at the Cross-Keys and Bible in Cornhill; and D. Midwinter and T. Leigh, at the Roseand Crown in St. Paul's Churchyard, MDCC.   

TO THE READER.  
THis Work is a Continuation of the History of the Diets of Poland, that was Published in 1697.  
The Poles engaged the Author to write this Second Relation, and sent him according to Promise, all Necessary Instructions. The Sincerity that appears in their Memoirs is such as an Historian would wish for, to enable him to give an Account of a Transaction, of which all the Circumstances are almost unknown to the Public.  
Poland may be looked upon as the most famous Theatre of Europe for Variety of Scenes. Persons of the most refined Wits were the Actors in this Affair; and whilst the Princes of Christendom were at War every where else, it would seem they reserved Poland for a place of Intrigue.  
The Polish Nobility being as Zealous for their Religion as Jealous of their Liberty, had not hitherto suffered any thing to escape them that Humane Prudence could suggest, for maintaining themselves in the Possession of their Right, which they had enjoyed Time out of Mind, to choose their Sovereign: They had preserved this Right, whilst other Nations had lost it. This Valorous Nation had also signalised themselves by their Courage, and won almost as many Battles as they had Fought. In short, the Poles seemed to have surpassed the Generosity of the Ancient Romans, in the most innocent State of their Republic, because the Latter made War merely to extend the Limits of their Empires, and the Former had often neglected or despised the Fruits of their Victory, like those first Conquerors of whom 'twas said, Contenti Victorià, Imperio Abstinebant.  
The Poles had a way of making Conquests peculiar to themselves. The Mildness of their Government made other People wish to be partakers of the same Laws. The famous Jagellon having embraced the Christian Religion, by that Means became K. of Poland, to which he reunited Lithuania, whereof he was Apostle as well as Sovereign.  
His Posterity governed that State till the Death of Sigismond Augustus, who died at the Castle of Knichin in Lithuania, in 1572. It was in the Person of that Prince, that this Illustrious Family was extinguished.  
Henry de Valois who succeeded him the next Year, Reigned too short a while in Poland to be regretted there.  
Stephen Battori, who mounted the Throne next, comforted the Poles for all the Losses they had Sustained, but by a new Misfortune greater than those that had gone before that Prince, left no Children, and by his Death deprived Poland of the Hopes of finding a Successor equal to himself.  
The Eldest Branch of Vasa did by the Election of Sigismond III, Quit the Throne of Sweden to mount that of Poland, and the Alliance of these two Great Monarchies became a Subject of War, which made the Poles lose the Conquests they had made in the preceding Reign.  
Uladislaus Son to Sigismond, gave his Subject's cause to hope that he might repair those Disgraces by his Valour and Conduct, but the Misfortune with which they were overwhelmed after his Death, by the Revolt of the Cosacks, and the War with Sweden, deprived the Poles of all hopes of Remedy for their incurable Maladies.  
The Mighty Courage of K. Casimir, gave his Subject's time to come to themselves a little. Hereby that Prince found a Way to allay that Distemper that he could not perfectly Cure, but by his Abdication he involved the Kingdom in New Misfortunes.  
K. Michael who succeeded him, lost Caminiec and Podolia: It was then the Poles began to fear the Loss of their Kingdom, but Providence not designing its Ruin, did by the Death of that Prince deliver the Poles and all Europe from a danger which they had so much cause to Apprehend.  
The Defeat of the Turks at Choczin and the Election of John Sobieski, raised the Courage of the Poles, who believed that under the Conduct of so Great a Prince they could not be Unfortunate. Their Thoughts were Just. That Prince saved Vienna and the Empire, and by that Great Action made his Subjects look upon all that he had done for them as nothing.  
His Insensibility of their Condition joined with one Mistake, was the Cause or Pretext at least that they made use of, to deprive his Posterity of the Crown, which the Custom of the Nation seemed to have assured them of; but that Custom was abolished, and after his Death his Family was Excluded. Their Resentments have carried them further. The Aversion they entertained for the Memory of that Prince made them renounce their own Interests, and the Blindness of that Nation became so excessively Great, that they could not see their own Ruin before them, tho' they had carefully avoided the same ever since the Foundation of their Monarchy.  
The Hatred they always entertained, for the Germans, made them in 1386, prefer Jagellon D. of Lithuania, to William D. of Austria. Sigismond Marquis of Brandenburg was excluded from the Succession at the same time, and on the same Account. The other Germane Princes that offered themselves to the Poles since the Death of Sigismond Augustus, had no better Success. And if Ernest, the two Maximilians of Austria, and so many other Germane Princes had not been excluded, it might have been said that the Poles loved their Money, as much as they hated their Persons.  
So many and such repeated Denials did not balk the Germans, they always presented themselves as Candidates when ever an Interregnum happened, and Poland which in 1621. was not in the least afraid of an Army of 200000 Turks, was daunted in 1697, by 12000 Saxons. This is a Mystery that is not easy to be unfolded. The Polish Memoirs which afforded us the Subject Matter of what follows will illustrate abundance of things. The Reader may blame the Conduct of that Nation, and at the same time commend their Sincerity.  
The Affairs of this Kingdom are at present in a deplorable State. But the Poles have Piety and Courage. They may perhaps put on Resolutions agreeable to their Genius. They came formerly to seek one of their Kings in the Abbey of Clunie, whither he had retired; they may find this at the Court of France, if the Peace continue long enough to prevent his being employed, in commanding the Armies of that Crown.   

ADVERTISEMENT.  
IT was thought fit for to publish this part of the Secret History of Poland first: There is in the Press, and will speedily follow the Secret Memoirs of Poland, etc. during the Reign of John Sobieski III. which will complete the Secret History of Poland from the beginning of that Prince's Reign, to the Time that the Elector of Saxony their present Sovereign mounted the Throne. It contains abundance of Original Letters, writ by the Emperor, K. of Poland, Senate of Venice, D. of Lorraine, Count Teckley, and other Great Persons and Generals, during the Campaign of Vienna; discovers many Intrigues of those Courts, and others not hitherto made public, and contains Geographical Remarks on Poland, Hungary, Germany, etc. no less pleasant than profitable to the Reader.   

AN Historical Account OF THE DIVISIONS IN POLAND, From the Death of King JOHN SOBIESKI, To the Settlement of the Present King on the Throne, etc.  
THE Death of any Prince is always attended with a Change in the State. That of his Polish Majesty made but little Impression on the Republic; they forgot his Merit, which they supposed to have received a sufficient Reward; and his Subjects, who ought to have been affected with the Loss of their Sovereign, to applaud his Piety, and to esteem his Valour, had their Eyes fixed on one single Fault, which had tarnished his other excellent Qualifications. They excused it in the Person of Sobieski, Grand Marshal and Great General of the Crown, but could not pardon it in John III. King of Poland.  
It was his Opinion, That, in order to ensure the Crown to his Family, it was requisite to make himself Master of large Treasures which being distributed just at the time of Election, might gain his Son those Votes which he had acquired by his great Actions. Had he been as good a Politician as he was a Commander, he would have followed another sort of a Conduct; he would have left less Money and more Friends to his Family; who are more useful for the carrying on of great Designs.  
The States of Poland, which after the Defeat of the Turks at Choczin, had seen their General make his Appearance at the Diet of Election with a Magnificence worthy of a King, thought fit to reward the Virtue of a Gentleman who seemed to have been born to wear a Crown. They granted to his Merit what they refused to the Birth, Promises and Intrigues of so many Princes who were his Competitors. He had the Glory of carrying the Day from them all, and died in Hopes that the Prince Royal his Son would have been Heir to his Fortune. He imagined, that he had taken all the Precautions, that Humane Prudence could direct, without considering, that this has often failed those who thought themselves to be the wisest of Men, and that 'tis Divine Providence, which disposes of the Crowns, as it thinks fit.  
After the King had taken such Measures, which were as false as he esteemed them safe; he left the Execution of them to the Queen his Consort, a Princess of a Genius far above those of her Sex, and yet such as had its Faults. She was for making more of the Post she was in, than the King desired, and had the Satisfaction for two and twenty Years together to see her Designs succeed, which have since raised such Regrets in her, as will last while she lives.  
Her first Project was to preserve the King's Health, and to prolong a Life, that was so precious to her. A Jew of Casal named Ionas was then in Poland, and passed for a learned Man among those of his Religion, and had neglected Trade and Usury, which are so alluring to the Men of that Sect, that he might wholly apply himself to the Study of Physic. The Queen made this Man his Majesty's Physician in Ordinary, whose Reputation was established and soon after increased, more perhaps by the good Constitution of the King, than by the Art or Skill of the Doctor.  
The Success of Dr. Ionas drew a great many Jews to him, in hopes of having a share in his Favour. Among the rest he introduced one into the Queen's Acquaintance, who may be looked upon as one of the Occasions of the Misfortunes of her and her whole Family.  
This Jew's Name was Bethsal, born in Russia, and had no other Qualification but what the Jews are all endowed with; but understood his Talon so well, that even whilst he practised Usury with the utmost Rigour, he had the Address of appearing Magnificent and Disinterested. This Man waited upon the Queen, whose blind side every one was acquainted with. He brought his Recommendation along with him, being resolved to throw away a considerable Sum of Money, which he foresaw he should make up again in a little time. He proposed to take the King's Lands by Lease, and offered one third for them above their real Value. His Proposal was very well received, and they engaged him to take his Majesty's other Demeans, which he accepted of upon the same Conditions.  
The King seemed so well satisfied with his Conduct that he began to bestow several Favours at his Request. They waited upon Bethsal to buy those Offices that were vacant, and he who bade most was always looked upon as best qualified. This buying and selling of Offices was not at first publicly known; those who could not get into any, imagined that this Jew was the Opposer of their Fortunes, and resolved to assassinate him. But his Prudence prevented the Effects of the Public Odium, he maintained thirty Poles for his Guard, and paid them so well, that he preserved a Life against which, had not their Interest interposed, they would perhaps have been the first that would have made any Attempt.  
Bethsal looked upon himself rather as a Minister of State, than a Farmer of the King's Revenue. All Offices, several Starostas and other Dignities, that risen not so high as Palatins and other great Dignities of the Crown, were distributed to none but those who made their Application to, and bargain with him. The Poles cried shame on their Prince's Blindness, and the Author of this so vile a Mismanagement. On the contrary, the Jews looked upon Bethsal as another Mordecai, and Sobieski a second Ahasuerus.  
The K. of Poland could not be ignorant of the Artifice of this Man on whom he had too much relied. The Poles to this Day accuse him of having heaped up so much Treasure, by the Sale of Offices, and such a Conduct so full of Self-Interest has made his Memory to stink among them. He had the Misfortune, during his Life, never to be acquainted with the odiousness of this buying and selling of Places, and this Disgrace happened to him by a Fate incident to Princes of having too many Flatterers, but no True Friends about them.  
The Poles, whilst the King was living, could not dissemble their hatred to Bethsal; whom they accused of Extortion and Sacrilege. The first Crime was easy to prove; He was convicted of the second by all those who had entered Foreign Merchandises into the Kingdom. This Jew who had farmed the Customs caused the Merchants to appear before him, presented a Crucifix to them, and after he had made them worship it, took an Oath of them that they had not been guilty of any Fraud: Afterwards he threw that precious Image into the nastiest Place of his Office; and by this Profanation incensed the rest of Poland against him. The Diet which met at Grodno in the Year 1692. were for taking away his Life. The Bishops thought nothing but Fire could expiate his Crimes; most of the Lords meditated another sort of Death, and all they disagreed about was the manner of his Punishment. The King who sits as Precedent, is not obliged to pronounce Sentence, according to the Plurality of Voices, but such an Action would have been resented in such a Juncture as this. The Prince therefore without making use of his Authority, was for making up the business calmly, and declared that the Evidence did not appear sufficient. Thus the Affair stood undetermined, the Accused lost his Credit, but his Master saved his Life. This Indulgence was attributed to another Motive than that of Clemency. Bethsal had managed his Affairs so ill, that he stood indebted to the King for above 400000 Livres. It was thought the King would give him time to pay it off, but the Jew died insolvable in 1695. and the King survived him but one year. The Poles, who saw that the Death of the Prince and his Farmer rendered their Complaints and Revenge useless, turned all their Resentments for the future against the Queen and her Family.  
In this Condition was the Royal Family, and the Kingdom itself was in as bad a State. The Turks had taken Caminiec, under the former. Reign; Sobieski was obliged by his Pacta Conventa to make amends for this Loss as well as for others, which Poland had suffered for a Century last passed, and which had so far lessened its force, that every Body wished for that happy turn, without expecting it. The new King seemed to have altered his Inclination by the Change of his Circumstances: The Turks remained in quiet Possession of Podolia, and he never put himself into a Posture of dispossessing them. This Coldness in the King lessened his Reputation, and it was thought that the Acquiring of a Crown had taken off the edge of his Courage. The Importunities of Innocent XI. and those Intrigues that all the World know, reanimated this Prince, and roused up his former Vigour. The Authority of the Pope prevailed upon him to relieve Vienna, and at his Instances he saved the Capital City of the Empire, and at the same time retrieved his former Reputation.  
Poland was therein Hopes that its King would undertake as much for that Republic, as he had done for a Neighbour Prince; and this Action had enhanced the Esteem which they formerly had of his Valour and Conduct. The Campagnes he made in Budziac, Moldavia and Valachia, wherein he took Jassii, Campo-longo, Soczawa, Niemiek and Soroka, together with the Relief of Vienna upheld his Reputation. But the Distempers with which he was troubled the three last Years of his Reign hindered him from pursuing his Conquests. The Turks and Tartars took care to keep fair with him; and though they desired Peace, which would not be granted them, yet they made no considerable Attempt against Poland; looking upon the King as in a deep Lethargy, out of which they thought it not advisable to rouse him.  
They looked upon him as a Lion, of which other Animals are afraid, even whilst he sleeps. The Terror with which he had struck them was not taken off but by his Death, which happened after two Fits of an Apoplexy, June 17. 1699. at Villa Nova, near Warsaw.  
It is hard to say whether the News of his Death was more pleasing to his Enemies, than indifferent to his Subjests. The former raised several Commotions in the Kingdom capable of making it too sensible of the Loss of their Prince; and the latter testified so much Aversion to his Memory and Family, that in several Parts of Poland they resolved to seize upon the Estate he had left. It was feared that those Resentments proceeding from the Hopes of a considerable gain, would have had dangerous consequences. Potoski Grand Huntsman of the Crown went to Zolkiew to take possession in the Name of Prince James of the Treasures which the King had left in that place. But forasmuch as this Officer's Intention was not known, and it was uncertain whether he designed to advance his own Interest, or that of the Royal Family, the Great General clapped his Seal upon it, and two hundred Men as a Garrison. This disappointed those who would have taken an Advantage of the public Disturbances, they had resolved to seize upon the King's Treasures, but those precautions prevented them. But because they could not gratify their Avarice, they were enraged and would have prosecuted their Rage, if the Dignity of the Person to whom they applied themselves, had not put Bounds to their Passion.  
The Queen and the three Princes went to Zolkiew to divide the King's Estate among them. The Cardinal d'Arquien the Queen's Father, who was going thither, was not above three Leagues off the Place, when several Gentlemen of the Country, through which he passed, fell foul upon his Retinue, who put themselves into a Posture of Defence, and after they had killed and wounded some of them, put the rest to flight. The Opposition which the Aggressors met with raised their Spleen, and to be revenged for the Blood of their Comrades, they called together the Inhabitants of their Neighbourhood to the Number of three hundred. But as soon as they were sensible of the Quality of the Person for whom the others had so little Respect, they soon drew off. The Cardinal, who had other Cares upon him than to demand Satisfaction for his Assault, did not think it proper to complain of the Affront, which he judged to be sufficiently made up, and the Criminals were only concerned to heal their Wounds.  
This Insult was a sufficient Demonstration of the ill Will that the Poles bore to the Royal Family, which met with so many Affronts afterwards, that they quite forgot all the former Injuries.  
Cardinal Michael Radzièiowski; Arch Bishop of Gnesna, and Primate of Poland, was absent when the King died. He came to Warsaw, took upon him the Administration of the Government; and in the Senate it was resolved to call a Diet on the twenty eighth Day of August, which Diet was to precede that of the Election.  
During this Inter-regnum the Preliminary Diets were convened, in which nothing was determined. All their Heats were about the Succession of the King, and because the Pacta Conventa were not executed, most of 'em were for having the Queen, the Princes, the Foreign Ministers; and particularly the French Ambassador, who had too great a Correspondence with her Polish Majesty, to withdraw: That the Election of the King should be made by an universal Convocation of the Nobles, which is what the Poles call Postpolite, and that a Piasto should be excluded. The others, though few in Number, were for leaving the Queen at her Liberty. Every one for maintaining his Sentiments, few Reasons were alleged, but many Sabres drawn in the Quarrel.  
The Preliminary Diet was opened the 29th of August, and the Cardinal Primate said Mass. They had a great many Heats about the Choice of a Marshal or Speaker, which were at last happily accommodated by the Election of Humiecki Stolnik of Podolia, one more considerable by his Merits, and the Interest of his Uncle, who was Palatin of Kiowia, than by his Dignity. This new Officer explained at first the Authority from which he derived his Commission; he examined the Powers of the Deputies, and declared, that the Deputy of Cracow ought not to sit in the Diet, since he had abused a Gentleman, who had preferred his Complaints against him. The whole Gentry were concerned in that rigorous Proceeding, and to testify their Approbation of it, they drew up an Order in Form of Law, That the Deputies against whom any Accusations were brought, should not have any active Vote in the Diet, till they had cleared themselves. The Marshal and the Deputies went afterwards to the Senators Chamber, to return them Thanks, for the Care they had taken of the Republic during the Inter-regnum. The Cardinal represented to them, that since they were all Members of the same Republic, it was their Common Interest to take all necessary Precautions for the Welfare of the Kingdom: That this consisted in providing for the due Regulation of the Coin, which was so far adulterated, that Trade was quite ruined by it: That the Armies should be paid off, to put them in a Posture of opposing the Turks and Tartars, who to be sure would make their Advantages of this Juncture: That the most necessary Order for the present was to issue out Articles concerning the Election of a King, and to consider how and when it should be made; but above all they should avoid the Abuses which were introduced into the two former Elections: That the Election of King Michael was tumultuary; and that of the late K. carried on by Deputies; that the smallness of the number should have produced Tranquillity in the State; but on the contrary, that the Candidates by their large Bribes (a Shame to any Nation!) had bought Votes: That it was for the Honour of Poland to avoid at this time so many Inconveniencies: That since their Business was to provide such a Head for the Republic as might restore it to its former Splendour, their Duty obliged them to make Choice of him, who was the most worthy among the Competitors: That he conjured them to remember, that the Crown was given, and had never been sold.  
Whilst the Cardinal was giving them these wholesome Counsels, News was brought, that the Tartars had made an Incursion into the Parts about Zolkiew; that after they had carried off a great many Slaves and Heads of Cattle, they had set Fire to the Corn; and that the Harvest was quite spoiled. Upon the Neck of this came another Piece of News of more dangerous Consequence than the former, since it put the Republic out of a Condition of revenging those Acts of Hostility, committed by those Infidels.  
The Army of the Crown was in Confederacy, under a Pretence, that for several Years last passed they had received no pay. If this had been the only Reason, the Diet would have used their utmost Endeavours to have satisfied the Army, and the Breach would not have been remediless. It was perceived that they had other Motives, the difficulty was to penetrate a Mystery, which the Power of the Authors of it kept from being searched to the Bottom.  
Boguslas Baronowski had been elected Chief or Marshal of this Confederacy, which a Kingdom less indulgent than that of Poland would call a Revolt. He is of the District of Gzersk in the Palatinat of Mazovia, betwixt thirty and forty Years old. An Archbishop of Gnesna of the same Name, had rendered his Family illustrious: His Nobility made him considerable, and stood him instead of Wealth and Merit; his Boldness and the Talon he had of speaking in Public, made him looked upon as a proper Instrument for carrying on the Ambition of those who employed him. They found in him all those Qualities, that they could wish in a Man, whom they would choose for the promoting of a rash Enterprise. That Avarice which he had for Riches rendered him insensible, and kept him from foreseeing the Disasters which might afterwards happen to him. He considered Poverty as the greatest of Evils; and thought it more eligible to run the risk of a shameful Death, than to lead a Life of Misery.  
He was a Hussar belonging to the Company of Lancers, commanded by Prince Joseph Lubormiski, the Under Marshal of the Crown. That small Estate which his Father left him was almost spent the very first Campagne. A Woman whom he had married, more out of Necessity than Inclination, helped to keep him in his Employment, and to continue in the Service: The Portion she had brought him was soon squandered away, through Mismanagement, which is a common Thing among Men of the Sword, and Baranowski was without Supplies, when the Army demanded their Pay. He was the loudest of any, and declared, that it was a shame to suffer so many brave Souls to perish; that since the Republic set so slight a Price upon their Lives, which they had hazarded so often in its Service, they ought to take Care of themselves, and what they should hereafter do, would justify their Conduct: That it was no hard Matter to get themselves paid; That the Turks and Tartars had carried off so great a Booty, a Part of which would have been enough to have cleared the Debts of the Government; that they ought to have seized upon it at first, which would have preserved the Estates of the Public, by employing them in the Discharge of its Debts; and that by this means they might have prevented the Enemy from being the better by it.  
Among Mutineers the most insolent always pass for the ablest Men. Baranowski had no sooner ended his fine Speech, but they unanimously chose him for their Leader, and each of them engaged to obey his Orders. The first thing he did was to raise Contributions, and sent Deputies to the Diet, to demand what was due to the Army. They were admitted to Audience, and spoke so insolently that they seemed to be rather Heralds, who denounced War, than Subjects who preferred their Remonstrances.  
This insolent Behaviour made them believe that Baranowski was supported underhand, the Suspicion fell upon those, who might be supposed to take an Advantage of the Revolt. The Law of Nations would not allow 'em to dismiss the Ministers of Foreign Princes. By the Law the Candidates and their Relations ought to be absent during the Sitting of the Diet. The three Princes of the Blood were withdrawn; but the Queen kept still at Warsaw, where her Presence was neither necessary nor approved of. The Cardinal had represented to her the Wrong she did her Family by staying, but she would not hearken to any of his Arguments. On the 10th of September that Matter came under Debate. The Marshal of the Diet made a Speech in the Senate, and spoke by an innuendo against the Interests of that Princess, with so much warmth, that the Cardinal who had too openly declared himself in her Favour, thought himself obliged to interrupt him. This seemed so much the greater an Affront to the Marshal, because the Law forbids such Interruptions. He had said, that they ought, Mediam tenere viam inter praefractam contumaciam & deform obsequium. The Primate had desired him to explain what he meant by those Words, and Hamiecki asked him the reason of the Affront which in his Person he had offered to the whole Body of Gentry. The Deputies took his Part, and being of the Mind, that the Queen should withdraw during the Sitting of the Diet, they most of 'em went out, and were followed by the greatest part of the Senators. Their pretence was, that the Archbishop had abused the Marshal. They were very glad of giving him this Mortification, purely because they thought him too much wedded to the Queen's Interest, and the Bishop of Cujavia, out of Envy to the Primate fomented the Division, that so he might sit as Precedent in the Diets.  
This Difference lasted four days, but was adjusted by the Prudence of the Bishops, who offered themselves as Mediators. The Deputies met again on the nineteenth. Several Bishops and Senators waited upon them at their Chamber, where the Bishop of Cujavia declared, that the Queen, in compliance with the repeated Instances of the Primate, Bishops, and himself, and to remove all occasion of complaint, had resolved to retire. She kept her word, and the same say, set out for Bialana near Warsaw, after she had received the sad News from Leopold, that the Confederate Army had committed great Outrages upon her Lands, and upon those that belonged to the late King, that it had exacted very large Contributions from the Inhabitants, and even threatened to seize upon the whole, if they were not speedily satisfied. They committed the same Disorders on the States of the Clergy and Gentry. The Misfortune was Universal, and every Day they expected fresh News of more Disasters.  
The Turks and Tartars, by their Preparations, continually alarmed them, and the Muscovite, who used to make an Advantage of the Misfortunes of his Neighbours, seemed to be willing to break with the Crown. His Resident had some Days before presented a Letter to the Senate, wherein the Czar his Master demanded of the Republic, that the King they chose should maintain the Treaties concluded with Muscovy, and should no longer take upon him the Titles of the Provinces of Smolensko, Kiovia and Czernichovia, which he pretended had been granted to him in the last Treaty of Leopold. They were neither surpized nor daunted at this Demand, for they all knew that the Muscovites are as insolent in Prosperity, as they are abject in Adversity.  
Besides the Czar had too much Business upon his Hands with the Turks and Tartars, against whom he had declared War, for no other Reason, but because he saw them attacked by the Empire, Poland and the Republic of Venice, against whom those Infidels had made but a weak Defence, ever since the Confederacy which these three great States had concluded betwixt themselves.  
The Czar John died in Jan. 1696. not at all lamented by his Subjects, who had so great a Contempt for him, that contrary to the Custom of the Nation, they obliged him to make his younger Brother Colleague in the Throne.  
The Czar Peter invested with the Authority which he had unjustly usurped from his eldest Brother, was willing to let his Subjects see that he was not unworthy of the Favours they had bestowed upon him. He laid Siege to the City of Asoph a second time, and was more successful in it than the first. This Place was surrendered to him on the 28th of July, and had obtained as honourable Conditions as they could have hoped for, from a Nation that makes use of the very least Advantages. The Garrison went out on the 29th, being 3000 Turks, with their Arms, Bag and Baggage, and were transported ten Leagues by the Czar's Galleys. The Muscovites had lost at this Siege the very best of their Troops, and two or three such Victories more would undoubtedly ruin their Empire.  
The Poles were well satisfied, that the Haughtiness of the Muscovite was not so much raised by the taking of Asoph, as by the vain Promises which the Germans had made him of causing a powerful Diversion, and of putting the Czar into a Capacity of conquering Tartary, whilst the Imperialists drove the Turks out of Europe. The Muscovites thought it a noble Project, whilst the Poles, who knew the State of the Affairs of Germany, looked upon it as Impracticable; so that they returned Answer to the Czar's Resident, That the King, who should be chose, should advise with the Republic, whether it was proper for the Welfare of the State, to give him Satisfaction as to his Demands, or to retake by force the Provinces, which his Master had unjustly usurped.  
The Proposal of the Muscovite did not so much alarm the Poles, as the Confederate Army did, whose Deputies demanded Pay for ten Years past, and threatened, Military Execution, if the Republic did not give them speedy Satisfaction: It was hard for the Diet to get out of these Troubles, they were all for paying off the Army, tho' none of them were for contributing the least Penny toward it. The Public Treasure was exhausted, by the Mismanagement of those who had the Care of the Finances Several Persons disaffected to the late Government, were, on this urgent Occasion, for making use of the Money which the late King had heaped up. They remonstrated, that since those vast Riches were gotten out of the State, it was but just to apply them to its present Necessities, and to the Discharge of its Debts.  
The Queen and the Princes of the Blood had still some Friends left, who opposed this Design, and even when the Interest of the Royal Family was sinking, Horodenski, Deputy of the Palatinate of Czereniechovia, left the Diet about the end of September, after he had protested against all that should be resolved upon in his Absence. Such a Protestation as this is enough in Poland to break up a Diet. The Republic could not conquer the stubbornness of the Deputy: Whereupon, according to Custom in the like Case, they made a General Confederacy, whereby it was ordered, That the Diet of Election should be in the open Field, by the Convention of all the Gentry, and it was further added, That those who should propose a Piasto or a Pole by Birth, should be looked upon as Enemies to their Country. But, to the great Surprise of the Royal Family, whose Interest it was, that the Diet should be held before Winter, that so all Foreign Competitors might be prevented, the opening of it was fixed for the 15th of May, in the Year next ensuing, which was attributed to the Intrigues of some private Faction.  
Horodenski after having hroke the Diet, made his Escape, for supposing that he should be chastised if he stayed, he sought out for a Sanctuary, and fled for Protection to Baranowski. He proposed to that General the trusting him with a Detatchment of 6000 Men to go into Lithuania; and assured him, That with this Force he would oblige the Gentry to enter into a Confederacy, to which they were already pretty much inclined. Baranowski had attempted as much before, but without Success; he thought another would not be more successful and dextrous in it; and the Revolt of the Army was too Advantageous to him, to think of sharing this profit of it with others.  
He looked upon Horodenski rather as a Refugeé, whom he honoured with his protection, than as a Man capable of assisting him in the carrying on of his Designs. He bore with him, because he had broken up the Diet, and hazarded his Life for their Interests, by whose Ministry it was that he was at Head of the Confederate Army. Before the Deputy came, Baronowski had solicited Lithuania to join his Troops, and they answered him, That if they had any such Design, they would make Choice of a General, who was more skilful and better experienced than him. Accordingly the Gentry did enter into a Confederacy, and the News of it was brought to Warsaw, a little after the breaking up of the Diet. The pretence they made for this Confederacy was very specious, tho' it was not more just than that which the Confederates of Poland had made use of.  
The Family of Sapieha was become the most powerful of any in Lithuania; it enjoyed the largest Estates and the highest Dignities of that Duchy. The Fortune of this Family had raised a Jealousy in the Mind of the late King, who, to humble its Greatness, had raised the Family of the Krziezpins, originally of Konigsberg, to so high a pitch, that they could hardly tell how to pretend to it. He had made One Palatine of Witeps, and his Brother obtained the Bishopric of Samogitia. These 2 Senators after their Benefactor's death, did not forget the Obligations he had laid upon them; they not only maintained the Interests of his Family, but also engaged their Friends to do the like, and at the Queen's desire they hazarded their Estates and Lives to make the Army enter into a Confederacy, as soon as they saw that the Family, whom they were desired to oppose, had openly declared against that Princess and her Family.  
John Casimir Sapieha Palatin of Vilna, and Great General of the Duchy, had much ado for several Years last past to get Subsistence for the Army, which he commanded. The Treasure of that Province was exhausted, as well as that of the Crown, and 'tis impossible for a General to keep his Troops under Discipline, when they want their Pay. The Necessity this Officer lay under, obliged him to quarter his Army upon the Lands of the ecclesiastics and Gentry. Both those looked upon this Proceeding as a Breach of the Public Liberty, and what should have been attributed to the Misfortunes of the Time, was imputed to the General's Resentment, whom no Body had in the least offended; and though it was told them, that the Army must perish, if a Method of Subsistence was not found out for them, yet each of them looked upon himself as one that suffered a Grievance, and none had any Regard to the Public Good. By this means the Disorder increased every Day, by the Insolence of the Soldiery, and the Impatience of those who were exposed, to their Rapines. They who had the most to lose, were more offended than others with the General, whom they made the Author of a Misfortune, which neither he, nor they could remedy.  
The fiery Temper of the General increased their Indignation towards him. The Church and the Gentry of Poland are exempted from quartering of Soldiers. Lithuania, which is annexed to that Crown and governed by the same Laws, pretended to enjoy the same Privileges. The Palatin of Vilna disputed this last Head, and maintained that he might lawfully do, what he had hitherto done out of pure Necessity. Thus by elevating the Authority of his Office, he seemed too much to depreciate the Immunity of ecclesiastics, and the Privileges of Gentlemen, who though of meaner Fortunes, were as haughty as the General.  
Constantine Brzostowski Bishop of Vilna, thought since he was the Chief Prelate and Senator of Lithuania, that he was bound in Duty and Honour to oppose the Ambition of the General, and the Licentiousness of his Troops. He talked with, threatened, and when Words would do no good, he excommunicated the Palatin of Vilna. Sancta-Cruz the Nuncio had backed the Excommunication; and the Primate, a Friend of Sapieha's Family, had suspended it in quality of Primate and Legate of the Holy See. The General was so offended at those Censures that were issued out against him, that he no longer kept within Bounds. He sent Troops into all the Dependencies of the Bishopric of Vilna, he increased those that had been quartered on the Lands of the Bishop's Friends, and by this too great Severity he strengthened his Enemy's Party, without thinking of it.  
The Nuncio Davia, Successor to Sancta-Cruz, offered his Mediation as Minister of his Holiness, which was accepted by the Parties. But they were not so well agreed upon what he proposed to them, and he had the Dissatisfaction to see that the Committee of Privileges, which was by the Pope's Order met towards the latter end of the Year 1696. disapproved of his project of Accommodation. The Bishop of Vilna was at Rome, whilst the Army ravaged the Diocese. His Friends took Care of his Interests and their own, which were inseparable; and at last by the Influence of the Queen's and Prince James' Money, prevailed upon the Army of Lithuania to enter into a Confederacy. The pretence was so much the more specious, since the Authors of this Undertaking gave out. That they only took up Arms in Defence of the Church. The Palatin of Vilna was sensible at last, that it is dangerous to make use of all the Advantage which Authority gives us over our Enemies.  
George Oginski, Great Ensign of the Duchy, put himself at the Head of the Confederates, which as yet were not above 4000 Men. The quality of the Leader, the hatred they had conceived against the Palatin of Vilna, the Friends, of the Queen, and those of the Bishop, who were no less considerable, quickly increased the Number. The Gentlemen of Samogitia, of the Palatinates of Novogrod, Witeps, and Brzesce joined with the Malcontents. Oginski, to revenge the Public, and to make himself popular, began with ravaging the Estates of the General, and of all those that belonged to him. He who was most in Sapieha's Interest became the Object of their Fury, who so warmly had set themselves against that Family. The Palatin of Vilna could not endure to be treated as he had treated others; he called together as many Gentry as he could; with 2000 regular Troops, which had still kept to their Duty. He was preparing to march against the Rebels, when he heard that two Companies of Heydukes of Prince Radgzivil's Regiment were coming to join him, and that Oginski was soliciting the Cossacks to come over to his party. The Palatin of Vilna stayed at Grodno for the coming up of the new Supplies; his Friends represented to him, That it was dangerous to give the Enemy time to fortify themselves. A Council was called, wherein it was resolved to force them in their Retrenchments, and the Event shown that the most daring Advices are not always the wisest.  
Upon the General's Approach Oginski retired with his Army to Brzesca, which Sapieha invested and shut up so close, that it was hoped, tnat the want of Provisions and the Amnesty which was proposed, would make them return to their Duty. Both Threaten and Promises signified nothing, it was necessary to make use of Force against those who cannot be reduced by Reason. The Palatin of Vilna set upon them in November, and had at first all the Advantage which the valour of his Troops could promise him. The Confederates were giving Ground, when Oginski by his Example and Words reanimated them, and led them to fight with so much vigour, that after an Engagement that lasted above two Hours, they repulsed Sapieha. The Great Master of the Duchy, his Eldest Son, commanded a Party in Samogitia, which at the same time were put to the Rout. That young Lord run a greater hazard than the rest to save himself, and he was pursued so closely, that he was obliged to shut himself up in one of his Castles, where the Gentry of Samogitia besieged him to no purpose, his Resolution having given his Friend's time to come up to his Relief.  
This Defeat increased the Great General's passion, he looked upon himself as conquered, because his Enemies had ventured to dispute the Victory with him. The Confederates for their parts did not esteem an Action advantageous to them, which had cost them so many Men. They retrenched themselves, and the Palatin marched a second time to force them; but they defended themselves with the same Bravery as at first. The loss on both sides was equal, the two Parties accused Fortune, and harkened to Reason.  
At the same time, some of the Great General's Scouts had taken a Courier of the Palatin of Witeps, who was carrying Letters to the Queen, by which he entreated her to send some fresh Supplies of Money, e●●e it would be impossible to rescue Oginski out of the danger in which he then was. This Senator sent her word, that it had been better for her never to have undertaken this Business, than not to support it. These Letters were given to the General, who caused Copies to be taken of them, and to be sent to all the lesser Diets of the Kingdom, and so accused the Queen of being the occasion of the Rebellion in Lithuania. These Diets did what he desired, and this Accident was so fatal a stroke to the Queen's party, as they could never recover of.  
The French Ambassador made his Advantage this Disorder, he foresaw that the Division of Lithuania was an obstacle to the designs which he kept secret. This Minister insinuated himself into the Under Marshal of Lithuania, the Great General's Son, and the intimate Friend of Oginski, he desired him to go upon the spot and mediate an Accommodation, promising to defray all the necessary Expenses, upon Condition that one of the private Articles should be the Reunion of the two parties in favour of the Candidate which he should propose to them.  
This young Lord and several others, whose Estates were endamaged by this unhappy Division, harkened to the Proposals of the French Ambassador. The Heats on both sides abated, and each of them being more fatigued with the misery they endured, than pleased as the mischief they occasioned, consented to to Agreement, which was concluded Nou. 26. 1696. upon those Conditions, that Oginski and the Confederates should return to their Duty, that the Great General should grant them an Amaesty, that he would cause the Republic to pay the Moiety of what was due to them, and that the same Quarters of refreshment should be assigned them, as were allowed to the Army that kept in their duty. The next day, the Head of the Confederacy took the Oath of Fealty to the Great General, who returned God thanks for a Peace, which it seems was not to last long.  
Krziszpin Bishop of Samogitia was comprehended in the same Treaty. That Prelate, tho' a Man of an indifferent head, yet was too forward a Designer. He, as well as the Bishop of Vilna, stood up stiffly for the Immunity of his Church, and at the Provincial Diet held in the beginning of the Year 1696. had declaimed so sharply against those who he said had infringed that Immunity, that his Speech (contrary to his Intentions) nettled a great many Gentlemen, who suspecting that they should be overcharged with Soldiers, in case the Church could get themselves Eased of 'em, drew their Sabres, and would not have spared the Prelate himself, had he not been relieved. He was for excommunicating them, but the Example of the Bishop of Vilna, and the Remonstrances of his Friends, made him alter his Resolution.  
By the same Intrigue, and the selfsame day his Brother the Palatine of Witeps was likewise reconciled with the Great General. This Man had sided with the Confederates under a pretence of defending the Church and the Gentry, and in reality to satisfy the Intentions of the Late King, and the pressing Solicitations of the Queen and her Family. The Palatine of Vilna, to be revenged of him, had ordered a Troop of Dragoons to go and lay waste his Lands. Krziszpin had sent several of his Peasants after them, who were so punctual in obeying their Master's commands, that they killed them all except their Leader, whose Life they spared, that he might carry the News of what had happened. The Massacre of the Dragoons was balanced against the disturbance which they had caused, and so was no Let to the Accommodation  
The greatest Difficulty was about a Gentleman, that had made some Speeches reflecting on the Family of the Krziszpins, and had attacked them in the tenderest part. He had informed against them to the Supreme Tribunal, where he had produced several Articles against them, which had so much weight with the Judges as to prevail upon them, to declare the Palatin of Witeps and his Brother Usurpers of the Title of Nobles, and divested of all their privileges. The Informer had too little Interest in this Affair to persuade the public, that he undertook it upon his own head. The Krziszpins did not question but the Sapieha's had set him on, and that if that unknown person had not been sure of their protection, he would not have been so insolent. The Palatin of Witeps demanded Satisfaction for that Affront, and they were forced to grant it him, because he threatened not to consent to any Accommodation, unless this Clause was inserted.  
After any Sentence is passed in Poland by a Supreme Court of Judicature, there lies no Appeal, nor can any Petition be allowed to take off the Judgement. All that can be done in this Case is to have recourse to the Accuser to make him recant. This Remedy commonly proves to no purpose, since he who has had the better of it before the Supreme Tribunal, must be forced to own himself a Rogue, and to declare that by false Allegations, he has surprised them to pass a wrong Sentence.  
He who accused the Palatin of Witeps and his Brother, was a Man charged with, and convicted of so many Crimes, that the very Recital of them would make one tremble. This Villain did well to add to his other Offences of Murder, Robbing and Burning of Houses, the Sin of Forgery and Calumny. It was therefore agreed, that this Wretch should give the Palatin of Witeps such an Acknowledgement as he should demand of him; and that the Satisfaction might be the more Authentic, a Clause was added, that it should be done publicly in the Diet of Samogitia, which was to be held in January 1697. and the Gentleman was there to make Reparation. Had the Diet been held in the open Field, he would perhaps have made his Escape. By the Advice of Benedect Sapieha, Great Treasurer of Lithuania, the Speaker ordered them to meet in the Church, by reason of the Cold which was then very sharp. The Friends of the Palatin of Witeps shut up the Doors, summoned the Gentleman to make good his Word, and to recant the Calumnies which he had uttered. He was ready to do all they desired of them, when a fatal Accident to him and the Palatin of Witeps, occasioned the one's death, and raised new Disturbances in the other.  
The Palatin was looked upon as a Man that did not tie himself up servilely to his Word, which he had broken several times, and 'twas thought he would break it again as soon as this Business was well over. One of Sapieha's Friends who was resolved to prevent it, made use of such a Stratagem, as Matchiavel himself would have admired if he had been alive  
Most of those who composed the Diet of Samogitia, knew the Gentleman we have been speaking of▪ and were incensed against him, for the Cruelties he had been guilty of. He who had conspired his Ruin, said, and handed about this Saying to the rest, See the Villain that killed your Relation, that burned your House, and that has disgraced your Family. There was no need of more Words to raise their Spleen against him; they fell upon him in the Church, and pursued him to the Vestry, where they killed him with their Sabres; and the sacredness of the Place, to which he was fled for Sanctuary, could not protect him from the Danger, to which his Crimes had exposed him.  
The Palatine of Witeps was the only person that did not partake in the public Joy of this Man's death, which afflicted him, because that Reparation which should have re-established his Honour, could not now be made him. He who was the contriver of this Murder, waited upon him with several others, to compliment him for having been revenged of one who had cast a blemish upon his Family.  
There was no mention made in the Articles of Agreement, either of the Bishop, or the Chapter of Vilna, who seemed to be the persons most concerned. It was not because they were abandoned by their Friends, though Krziszpin and Oginski never interested themselves any more in the Prelate's Quarrel, after he had declined espousing their Sentiments right or wrong. Another reason which hindered the Accommodation, was the difficulty of finding a Medium to reconcile those persons, who made such extravagant pretensions. The Bishop demanded a promise, that the Troops should no more be quartered in the Dependencies of his Diocese, with two Millions to satisfy him for the Losses he had sustained. The Great General would not agree to the first Article, because if the Church were exempted from the Quartering of Soldiers, the Gentry would be overburdened with them. He required that the Bishop should take off the Excommunication issued out against him, and suppress the Libels which had cast a Reflection upon his person; upon those Conditions, he offered to pay him 100000 Franks, at several payments. The Prelate's Friends advised him to accept of that Sum, and said, it was better to rest satisfied with a little, than to run the risk of losing the whole. He seemed to be moved by their Remoustrances, and 'tis thought he would have accepted of these offers, if the Deputies of the Chapter of Vilna had not started an Objection to it, giving out that it was unreasonable, since the Loss was common, that the Bishop only should receive satisfaction. They added, that if he proceeded any farther, they would prefer their Complaints of it to his Holiness. The Pope was accordingly informed of the business, but 'tis uncertain whether by those who threatened to complain, or by the Remonstrances of the Palatine of Vilna and his Emissaries. Perhaps both of the parties had a hand in it, and the Complaints were so severe, that the Bishop thought it proper to clear himself, and for that reason he went to Rome. Whilst that Prelate was on his Journey, the Peace of the Confederates was concluded, by which means he was not comprehended in the Treaty, and they excused it upon the account of his Absence, which had incapacitated 'em from entering into the Debate of his Rights, and because the holy See had taken cognizance of his Affairs. Tho' the Nuncio had to no purpose used his Endeavours to accommodate the business, yet it was not quite desperate. The Bishop did not return till April 1697. and then he brought with him an ample Commission, that the Committee of Immunities should address themselves to the Nuncio of his Holiness, to put an end to a Difference which had lasted too long, and might be attended with dangerous consequences. The Attempts which this Prelate made, were not wholly insignificant; and tho' they did not procure to him the Traquillity which he aimed at, yet they occasioned his Enemies to keep within bounds.  
Oginski was blamed for having made the Peace without comprehending in it the Bishop of Vilna, who had been in part the most specious pretence that had authorised his Rebellion. Every one knew, that he could not declaim against Sapieha, since that General had reaped no advantage by it; but necessity forced Oginski to make such an Agreement as he could get. The French Ambassador had dived into the true cause of the Confederacy of Lithuania, he revealed the Mystery to those who were not able to unravel it, and who would give no credit to the Letters which the Palatine of Vilna had intercepted This Minister gave them to understand, that the Great Ensign had been won by the Queen's Money, and that all he did was only to support the Interests of Prince James. There was need to say any more to draw off the most faithful of Oginski's Party; so that this General of the Confederates was so prudent as to put an end to this Affair, which else would have turned to his ruin.  
Whilst the Confederates of Lithuania were in Contest, and discoursed of an Accommodation; the Confederate Army of Poland was more quiet in outward appearance, Baranowski had killed no Man, yet had ruined all Russia. He levied 32000 Florins of the City of Leopold, and the Jews were forced to give him 14000 to exempt them from quartering the Army upon them. The City of Zolkiew and its Dependencies which were part of the King's Estate, met with no  treatment; they demanded 100000 Florins of them, and in case they refused to pay that Sum, they threatened them with Military Execution.  
The Turks and Tartars advanced with 50000 Men within 8 Leagues of Leopold, and plundered all that the Rebels had left behind them. Baranowski looked upon their Booty as a prey which had escaped his Hands; and to force them to restore it, sent out a Detachment, who after several slight Skirmishes, returned back to their General very much discontented, that he had employed them in a Service, where they got nothing but blows.  
Those few Troops, who still remained in their Duty, did their utmost to put a stop to the Incursions of the Tartars, some of which they took, who declared, that they fell into the Kingdom only at the Solicitation of some Poles, and that the Chief of them had only invited them in order to make the Republic sensible how necessary it was to hasten the Election of a King, and to call the Diet during Winter. This Declaration sufficiently satisfied them of the wicked Intention of those Persons, whom they had already suspected to prefer their own Interests before the Public Good.  
The Tartars threatened them with a second Incursion; and it was so much the more to be feared, by how much he who had invited them was in a Capacity of soliciting them to raise new Disturbances; nor was Poland (for want of Money) in a condition to put a stop to their Designs. The French Ambassador, as a Testimony of the sincere Friendship which the King his Master bore to the Republic, offered 100000 Florins which he had by him to keep the Sultan off from the Frontiers of Poland, during the Inter-regnum. This Minister received a thousand Thanks from those, whose Intentions were only for the public Good; but the Castellan of Cracow, who had other designs in his Head, eluded as much as possible the Ambassador's Proposal. However, this Affair was treated of at Constantinople, without costing France or Poland any thing. The Sultan did not commit those Acts of Hostility which he had designed, rejected the Offers of those who had invited him, and sent an Express to give the Republic an Assurance of it. But the Castellan of Cracow's injustice rendered those advantageous Offers a second time useless; he kept this Envoy in Person, contrary to the Public Faith, did not release him till after the Election, and by this Treachery put the Affairs of Poland into a miserable Condition.  
The Republic was not able to redress all these Grievances. The Army which it maintained had declared against it: they had not Funds to levy fresh Troops; whereupon the Senate found themselves obliged to send Deputies to the Confederate Army, to confer with them about the Grievances which they proposed, and to satisfy their Demands.  
Baranowski, who was afraid of nothing so much, as that the Republic would resolve upon granting the Satisfaction, which he had demanded, had recourse to fresh Difficulties He forbade them coming nearer to his Camp than within half a League, and declared that he would not suffer the Great or Little General to be present at the Conferences, for fear they should take particular Notice of some Officers and Soldiers of the Confederacy, and punish them as soon as the Accommodation was made. The Senate was obliged by necessity to do that which the Dignity of the Republic would never have allowed in less dangerous Circumstances.  
The Deputies entered into a Conference upon those Terms, that the Rebels were pleased to allow them: There were great Concessions made to them, they knew how to take the Advantage of it, and declared, that they would not separate till after the Election was over. The Army, which ought to have defended the Republic, continued its Disorders and lived upon Discretion The Marshal with Menaces demanded of the Primate 150000 Florins, and of the Burghers of Warsaw 100000; and upon refusal sent his Troops to commit Acts of Hostility in the Parts that lay round the City. Regal Prussia, tho' at some distance, was not free from Insults, and twelve Companies entered into it by the same Marshal's Orders. That Bravery which the Gentlemen of Great Poland testified, kept them secure; they had returned the Rebels Answer, That in case they advanced towards them, they would meet them above half way. Baranowski who was for pillaging without fight, dissembled his Resentment, and was for striking Terror only into those who were the most capable of Receiving it.  
In the mean time, the Deputies of the Republic, who were in Conference at Leopold with those of the Rebels, were for buying their Peace at any Price, and to this end they offered the Army a part of what was due to them, with Bills for the Remainder on the Palatinates, and an Amnesty without any Exception.  
The Bishop of Plosko, Chief of the Commissioners, who had in behalf of the Senate managed this Accommonation, thought that the Rebels would return to their Duty, because the Deputies approved of the Offers. This Prelate was blessing himself for having acquitted himself so successfully of his Commission, when he received Intelligence, that Baranowski disapproved of the Terms, and had condemned the Chief of their Deputies to death as a Prevaricator, who had exceed his Powers. However, the Execution of this Sentence was respited at the Entreaties of the Commissaries of the Republic, who two Months after renewed their Conferences at the Castle of Sambour, whither Baranowski was retired: This Interview was no happier than the former, the Head of the Mutineers who had no more reasons to allege, sought out for a Pretence, which his Malice soon furnished him with.  
He suborned one of his Companions who cried out in the Conference, That those Collocutions were useless, since the Deputies of the the Senate were for surprising them; that he was advised of the Design that was laid, of beheading Baranowski and his Counsellors, so soon as the Confederacy was broken: That those brave Persons ought rather to fall with their Swords in their Hands, than suffer their Throats to be cut as Victims: That he did not think there was any among them so cowardly as to accept of such ensnaring Proposals; and that it was not reasonable that Men, whom they could not conquer with their Arms, should suffer themselves to be caught by Promises.  
No sooner had this seditious Person finished his Speech, but his Comrades gave him their Approbation, crying out that they were for no Accommodation, and that they would lay violent hands on those who should hearken to their Proposals. The Marshal immediately issued forth a Manifesto, wherein he justified his Conduct, as being absolutely innocent. The Senators convened at Leopold, declared him seditious, and the Confederate Army Rebels, and Enemies to their Country.  
Desperate Remedies often prove to be the most sound. No sooner was this Declaration published, but the Confederate Army desired three Week's time to consider on't, which was granted them. The Time was long enough for them to make their Reflections on what was past, and to be the better for the Amnesty that was so often offered them. Those who were not so seditious as others, looked upon Baranowski as a Tyrant whom they had placed over themselves. The Riches which they suspected he had acquired, and those Expenses he was at, as if he had been a Prince, raised a jealousy in his Companions, and made them distrust a General who was so intent upon making his own Fortunes. That Sentence of Death which he had passed upon the Chief of his Deputies, excited a Compassion in those, that were the least capable of it, and every one declared, that if that unhappy Man was in any fault, they were as guilty as he, in having too blindly followed the Sentiments of their Commander.  
Those Reflections made such an Impression, that above forty Companies renounced the Confederacy. This Example shocked the rest, and Baranowski was so terrified, that he resolved upon doing the same. He considered, that he had equally offended both the Clergy and Gentry, and that if every one should abandon him, as a part had done, he should be in danger of losing what he had scraped up, and even his Life too, which he was not willing to lose as yet, since by his Exactions he had changed his Fortune. But nothing tended more to determine him as to that Point, than the approaching Diet, which drew on apace. For fear that that numerous Assembly would call him to an Account for the many Disorders he had occasioned, he was for taking the Benefit of the Amnesty, which had been so often offered to him, and sent word to Count Jablonowski Great General of the Crown, that he was ready to submit himself with the Troops that were still under his Command.  
It might easily be seen that necessity obliged him to this Submission. Several of the Senators were of opinion to make an Example of Justice upon him; but Jablonowski of a tenderer Make rescued him from that Danger, to which several said he had justly exposed himself.  
The Senate had given this General a full Power of treating with the Rebels, even upon such Conditions as might be advantageous to them, provided they would return to their Duty. By this Baranowski seemed to be assured of his Favour, and Jablonowski frustrated of his hopes, that the Confederacy would be useful to him, was for having the honour of putting an end to an Affair that could be of no advantage to him.  
He declared to the Confederate Army that the Republic would pardon them; that they might be assured of it; and that a speedy and sincere Repentance was the surest way of expiating their faults. Upon his word they met at Leopold, their General was at their Head, very well satisfied with his good Fortune, and ready to do whatever Count Jablonowski commanded him, who neither attempted any thing against his Life nor his Estate.  
The eleventh of May was fixed upon for this famous Action; and the Ceremony appointed to be at Leopold in the Church of the Bernardines. A Canopy was raised, under which Jablonowski was seated. Afterwards Baranowski appeared, more like an Officer, who suffers a Reprimand for having not discharged his Duty, than as a Criminal, who was to be punished for an heinous offence. He threw himself down at the General's feet, kissed the Footstool of his Chairon which he was sat, begged pardon, renounced the Confederacy, tore the Commission by which he was made Commander in Chief, and laid down his Standards. Te Deum was sung with the same solemnity as if it had been for the gaining of a Battle. Jablonowski was so well satisfied, that he looked upon himself as Sobieski after the Expedition of Choczin, which had procured him the Crown. He was in the same Station, and it was thought that he flattered himself, that this Action would have acquired to him the same Reward.  
Baranowski disappeared after he had played such differenr parts. Some thought that he absented himself because of being ashamed of those Condescensions he had made: Others pretended that the fear of being Assassinated made him fly for it: Several thought that he had been really murdered, or that the Authors of his Rebellion kept him close, for fear he should reveal a Mystery, the secrecy of which was of so great Importance.  
The Amnesty granted the Rebels, their Party being weakened, forty Troops having already deserted them, and the time of the Diet drawing on, were very powerful Motives to reduce the Seditious to their Duty; but yet there were other causes that contributed still more towards it. The most powerful Families of Poland accused one another of having excited this Rebellion. The Lubomirskis threw all the blame upon the Jablonowskis, whom they charged publicly of having raised the Tumult in favour of the Elector of Bavaria: The Jablonowskis, to acquit themselves, said, that their Enemies had fomented this Division, to make way for Pr. James' Ascending the Throne. The more clear-sighted gave out, that these two Heads of different Factions, had only been at work for themselves. This Report, which rendered them equally Odious, obliged them to concur together in breaking the Confederacy; which they would have brought about sooner, had not an Inseparable Jealousy betwixt them crossed their designs.  
Each of 'em aspired after the Honour of allaying those Heats, which were capable of putting all Poland into flames. Both of 'em knew, that Money was wanting, and with its assistance they might easily adjust even the most desperate Affairs. Lubomirski ordered the Bishop of Plosko to write to the Cardinal and Senators, that if they would contribute 50000 Crowns, they might satisfy the Army. The Cardinal made the Overture to the Senate, and offered a Third for his part; the Bishop of Cracow, tho' absent, promised as much for his. Bonski Bishop of Varmia, the Queen's Friend, and one of the Richest Prelates in Poland, declared, that he would not give any thing: The other told him, that they would furnish the rest, and they were the more surprised to see the Bishop oppose the Debate. But they were more obliged to him than they thought for: He made this Scruple only to oblige the Queen, who desired to have the Honour of suppressing the Confederacy.  
Whilst Lubomirski wrote to the Cardinal, Jamblonowski advertised the Queen of what had passed at Sambor, and she had sent him the same Sum to pay off the Army. This General was for making up the business secretly with Baranowski, and to this purpose had dissolved the public Negotiation, and did not begin his own private Treaty till after the Commissioners were gone. As they were half way on the Road, they were informed of the design by their Spies, and spurred back again with so much speed, that they got time enough to be present at the conclusion of the Treaty, and to dispute the Glory of having terminated this great Affair. The Queen was for attributing the whole Honour of it to herself, because it had cost her the Money; she expected to have received the Compliments of the whole Nobility, after such an Act of Liberality. But they who made any Reflections upon it, only said, That those who excited Rebellions were more obliged than others to suppress them.  
The Queen, Prince James, and Count Jablonowski, were still looked upon by most Persons as the chief Fomenters of a Confederacy, which had been the occasion of so many Disorders. This Count was Sobieski's intimate Friend, when he was elected King, and had employed all his Interest to set the Crown upon his Head. This piece of Service had raised him to be Great General, Castellan of Cracow, and by that means the the Chief Secular Senator of the Kingdom. Out of Gratitude, he took such Measures with the Queen as might bring about a Design, the Execution whereof he foresaw would be very difficult: The Intimacy which he held with that Princess, gave an occasion to those who had no good will to either of them, to give out, That the Queen being convinced of that Aversion, which the Gentry had for her Family, concerted with the Great General to espouse his Interests upon these Conditions, viz. That she should supply him with Money to purchase Votes; and that he should share a Crown with her, which she could not procure for her Children.  
This was no new Opinion in Poland, they were afraid of such a thing, even fifteen Years before the King's death; so that to prevent the Execution of this Project, the principal Lords had entered into private Confederacies, which appeared too visibly in the Diet, wherein the League against the Turks was concluded, and wherein there was so much discourse concerning the Affairs of Count Morstyn, Great Treasurer of the Crown. These Reports flattered the Great General's Ambition, who did not trouble his head much in suppressing them: And if he thought that his familiarity with the Queen, would facilitate his ascending the Throne, he was mightily mistaken, since that was the Pretence which his Enemies made use of to hinder him from it.  
Maria de la Grange d' Arquien, Q. Dowager of Poland, did not think fit to undeceive him. The Gentry spoke very loudly of the severity of the former Reign, and it was not prudence by an unseasonable haughtiness to increase the Number of the Malcontents. There were enough already, and the design she had laid of abasing the greatest Families, drew upon her every day new Enemies.  
It was a difficult Matter to quiet such angry Spirits by such a Conduct: the Princess therefore to clear herself, opened her Coffers, and believed that her Liberality would put a new Face upon her Affairs; as if the Memory of Good Turns would be as lasting, as that of Injuries.  
The wound was so great, that the Remedy proved useless. They who had received the Money gave out that she had made those Restitutions, which Father Lewis of Amsterdam, a Capuchin (who they said was her Physician and Confessor) had enjoined her to make, and that Poland was indebted to that holy Man, who took an equal Care of the Health of the Body, and of the Salvation of the Soul of his Penitent.  
But it was not this alone, which had estranged the Minds of the Poles: The Queen and Prince James had contributed as much as others to the weakening of their own party. Ever since the Eldest Son was married, she had showed a particular Affection to Prince Alexander, and this preference she had given him in her Love, had made her think him not unworthy of a Crown. She had perhaps explained herself too openly upon that Subject, and Prince James had conceived so great an Indignation at it, that he quite forgot those Sentiments which Nature itself should have inspired in him. This happened a little before the King's Death. The Queen never since looked upon Prince James as her Son▪ because he had not respected her as his Mother. At first she neither declared for nor against him, and it seemed as if she would rather have been the Wife, than the Mother of a King. In this Suspense she waited till time should give her such Advice, as the present Posture of Affairs would not admit her to take.  
James Sobieski, the late King's eldest Son, did not renounce his Pretensions, though the Queen seemed indifferent, or rather disaffected to his Designs. He knew that the Poles had always chosen their Sovereigns out of the Royal Family, and though the Gentry had a Right of choosing whom they pleased, yet he thought his Brother's had no more merit to plead than he, he never found that the younger had been preferred before the Elder, and therefore he flattered himself that they would not make him the first example of that kind.  
His Reputation was established by a Passage, which the Poles could not but be pleased with. He had attended the King his Father at the raising the Siege of Vienna, and had fought near his Person in the two Battles of Barcan near Strigonium, wherein the Turks had been totally defeated. The Emperor ought to use his Interest in assisting him, and the honour of that Prince, whose Brother-in-Law he was, would not allow him to be engaged for any Body else.  
The Elector Palatin, whose Sister he had married, promised to do as much for him, as he had endeavoured for himself the last Election.  
The Elector of Bavaria gave him the same Assurance, though he was employed too much otherwise, than to do any thing else besides praying for his Success.  
Charles XI. King of Sweden, had rather see Prince James on the Throne, than any other of his Competitors. Livonia was up in Rebellion, and it seemed these People over-burdened with Taxes, and Grievances, were weary of the Government of their old Masters. A designing and busy Prince, might have favoured their Revolt and so robbed the Crown of Sweden of a Province, that was very advantageous to it. He who should have form a design of reuniting it to Poland, could not have been blamed by any Prince; for they all knew that Sweden had seized upon it, contrary to all the Rules of Equity and Justice, and they had not so much as the least Pretence for what they did. They had made their Advantage whilst the Poles were engaged in a War against the Turks in the Year 1621. and whilst they were defending Christendom against those Infidels, those Swedish Christians had rob them of this Province.  
Time could not make the Poles forget so considerable a Loss, and though they have not for so many Years together been in a Capacity to remedy it, yet by their Complaints they have testified, That they only waited for a fair Opportunity of doing it. For this Reason the Election of a Prince, who loved and understood War, would have caused those Alarms in Sweden, from which the Choice of Sobieski would free them. He passed among his Neighbours for a quiet and peaceable Prince, and one who being contented with the Possession of a Kingdom, would leave his Successors to take Care of enlarging its Bounds. It was likewise thought that he had promised Sweden, to abandon to it Samogitia, the Sovereignty of the Duchy of Courland, and the Bailiwick of Piltin, which POLAND was still in Possession of, in Livonia.  
These Measures seemed to be so very well taken, that a favourable Success might have been expected from them; but the Death of the King of Sweden happening at Stockholm, the 15th of April, 1697: made all those Projects to vanish into Smoke.  
The Elector Palatin, and the Elector of Bavaria fell from their Words, and it was supposed that the latter had himself some Pretensions to the Crown. The Abbot of Scarlati had been in his Name at Warsaw, to make his Compliments of Condolance to the Queen, upon the Death of the King. This Minister had made his Observations on the Sentiments of the Gentry, with Respect to the Interests of the Royal Family, and perceived that it was no hard Matter to supplant the three Princes of the Blood. The Reasons which kept them from the Throne was a Bar to the Elector's ascending it, because (besides his being a Germane) he had married their Sister. Scarlati informed his Master how the Gentry stood affected.  
This Prince considered how little Pretensions the Younger Brothers had to the Crown, which themselves had renounced because of their Youth, and that the Queen how passionate soever she was for Prince Alexander, thought no more of it. The Elector, who likewise saw how odious it would be in him to dispute the Crown with those, whose Sister he had married, thought of nothing else but serving Prince James, and so preferred his Honour before his Ambition▪  
The vast designs which he had in hand, contributed likewise to the making him lay aside one, which was not as yet ripe for Execution. He was entered into the Confederacy with the Empire, England, Spain, Holland and Savoy had concluded against France. So many united Forces seemed at least to be able to reduce that Monarchy within its Ancient Bounds. The Confederates had already shared the Provinces among themselves, even before they had conquered them. But the Prudence and Undauntedness of his Most Christian Majesty, had rendered their great Designs useless, and seconded by the valour of his Troops and the Affections of his Subjects, he took Towns, won Battles, and conquered Provinces. All Europe had their Eyes upon him, and looked on him with Admiration, and his Enemies wished for a Peace, which they were only ashamed to beg.  
The Elector of Bavaria reflected seriously on all that passed in Europe, and without thinking of Poland, he was very intent on making himself Satisfaction by the Monarchy of Spain.  
This was not enough to reanimate the Friends of Prince James, and the Queen's Indifferency was a great Affliction to them. They remonstrated to her, That she did more injury to her Family, than those who disputed the Crown with them, that if she would espouse his Interests more hearty, and when she recommended him, would forbear mixing her Complaints agianst him, his Faction would become more powerful. She harkened to their Reasons, but she had so far cried down that Prince, in those former quarrels, and especially since the King's Decease, upon the Account of their Domestic Interests, that she came too late to apply a Remedy to an evil that was become incurable.  
Martin Matezinksi, Palatin of Russia, died about this time, and by his last Will bequeathed the Queen and Prince James part of his Estate, which they thought to be very considerable, and enough to comfort them under the Loss which they had sustained. The Pictures which they met with in his Closet were not so pleasing to the Legatees, as the rest of his Estate.  
The first was a lively Representation of a Battle; wherein a Conqueror was described, giving out his Orders for a general Assault: the place besieged seemed to be in the utmost Extremity; its Bastions thrown down, and the Number of the Besiegers, shown that it had nothing else to trust to, but the Clemency of the Conqueror.  
The second, quite different from the first, represented a long Procession, whose march was closed with a Jesuit beating time as he went. This Religions was followed by a Prince, who had a Crown on his Head, with a Sceptre in one hand, and a Globe in the other. Two other Jesuits held before him a Book of Music, on which he seemed to have fixed his eyes.  
If this Picture inspired Piety, the next excited Compassion. A meager Prince appeared upon the Lap of a young Woman, and sucking the Breasts of an old One. She whom he sucked, seemed to be no stronger in Health, than he was. Those many Crowns which the sick Man had upon his Head, pressed him down, and contributed as much to his Weakness, as his Constitution did. He wanted a great many Jewels in most of his Crowns, which seemed to be in as bad a condition, as he who wore them.  
The last Picture was more pleasing to the sight, especially to the Covetous. Men of several Nations were telling out of Money, and Bethsal the Jew being represented to the Life, was examining, whether the Ducats were passable or not; in one Corner of his Garment was his Master placed, and if the Crown had not been discerned on his Head, one would have taken him for a Banker or Stock-Jobber.  
The Estate which the Palatin had left was designed by the Queen to strengthen the Party, to which he was absolutely wedded. However, this supply was not so useful as was expected, because the Money was sequestrated, by order of the Cardinal and the Executors of the Will▪ The Reunion of the Royal Family, would have excited great hopes in them, had not a fresh Candidate caused new alarms. The Queen was of Opinion, That France would espouse no other Cause but here's, and indeed that Crown would have stood up for the Prince Royal, if he had consulted his own Interest; but the Kindness which he had expressed for the Enemies of France, put it upon taking other Measures.  
It was then remembered, what had passed at the Diet of Election, in the Year 1674. wherein Sobieski appeared seemingly to carry on the French Interest, and was so successful in the Attempts he had for himself, that he supplanted a Prince, as easy to be deceived, and as hard to be conquered.  
Sobieski was so happy as not to see, before his death, the Misfortunes of his Family, and his illustrious Rival did not live long enough to comfort himself for his Disgrace, and to see the Royal Family of Poland lose a Crown which it had robbed him of.  
The Remembrance of this Intrigue, joined to the Indifferency and Hatred, which Prince James bore towards the French, none of which he would admit into his Service, whilst he entertained Followers of all Nations, was perhaps the reason why the Most Christian King harkened to the Proposals, which his Ambassador had made to him, of placing a Prince of his Blood in the Polish Throne. The Undertaking was Noble, and no question but it would have succeeded, had so great a Prince set himself hearty upon the Execution of it.  
Melchior de Polignac Abbot of Bonport, had resided at the Polish Court ever since the Year 1693. in quality of Ambassador Extraordinary from France. This Employ could not choose but be very agreeable to him, by the Satisfaction which the King his Master took in his Conduct, and the confidence which the King and Queen of Poland had of him. Their Majesties kept nothing secret from him, and nothing was determined in their Councils, but what his Advice was asked upon, which was always followed. The Senate, and Gentry had the same esteem for him; his Genius seemed to them to be Superior to that of other Ambassadors, and this vast Jdea which they conceived of him, made them find Defects in those that were invested with the same Character. The good Offices which he had done for several Lords under the late Reign, made the Poles extol him at a strange rate, and none of them questioned his sincerity.  
The Reputation of a Minister is always honourable and serviceable to the Prince; that has made choice of him. The Credit of this Ambassador was so well established, that so soon as ever the King was dead, a great many Gentry waited upon him to offer him their Service, without desiring so much as to know the Name of the person, in whose Favour he would declare himself. Sobieski before his Death, had recommended to his Children to maintain a strict Correspondence with, and to follow the Counsels which that Able Minister should give them, of whose Fidelity and Capacity he was very well assured. He had likewise conjured the Queen to take this Counsel, if she were willing to maintain the Crown in her Family.  
Every thing is promised to a Man at his last Gasp, but when he is dead, Men think themselves disengaged from their Word. The Queen had other Designs in her Head; she looked indeed upon the Ambassador as the Supporter of her Family; but after she had declared to him the Desire, which she had to see one upon the Throne, with whom she might share the Authority; she entreated him (without naming the Person) to concur with her towards his Advancement.  
Polignac harkened to the Queen, the depth of whose Design he could not fathom. She should have spoken for her Sons, but she did not open her Mind plainly upon that Head. There were several Lords who would not have despaired of ascending the Throne, if that Princess would but assist them, and several were in a Condition of sharing an Authority with her, which she should procure for the person she most approved of.  
Prince Ketlerus of Courland had privately embraced the Roman Catholic Religion, and those who were acquainted with his Design, did not question, but the Queen was the true Cause of his Conversion.  
However, had she been minded to have married a Prince, whom the French King should have approved of, his Ambassador would never have opposed it. But she declared, that she could not prevail upon herself to Marry, but all her Care was for a Prince, whose Duty would oblige him not to desert her.  
Polignac having refused to follow the pleasure of that Princess blindly, she was forced to explain herself more clearly, and that she might not seem to dissemble with the Ambassador, she first of all discoursed to him in the behalf of Prince James, of whom she had formerly drawn so frightful an Idea, that it was impossible for her to efface those lively Impressions out of her Mind.  
Her best Friends had given her such Counsel, which if it had been duly followed, would have proved the most judicious and most safe Course, she could have taken. The King of Poland had left behind him very considerable Sums of Money, and common Fame had so far multiplied his Riches, that he passed for the richest Prince in Europe. These Treasures were deposited in the Castles of Warsaw, Marienburg and Zolkiew. Those Friends we have been speaking of, advised the Queen, to affix her Seal and the Seal of the Republic to the Treasures, without enquiring how much they amounted to. Afterwards they proposed to her to offer them to the State, as a Supply to its present urgent Occasions. By this piece of Generosity she would engage the Armies, and the whole Gentry in her Interests, and prevent any Foreign Prince from opposing her pretensions. They made her believe that she might choose Prince Alexander, or Constantine, or even the Elector of Bavaria, if she pleased, and that they would obtain the Most Christian KING'S Consent. The Princess rejected the proposal, because she could not abandon Prince JAMES: Her chief reason was lest she should thereby dispoil herself of the Treasures that she had gathered together with so much trouble.  
She communicated her Design to the French Ambassador, and conjured him by the Memory of the deceased King, which he ought to revere, to employ his Interest for the Prince Royal.  
This Minister declined, alleging, That the Prince had rendered himself too odious to the King his Master, and represented to her the Difficulties that would traverse that Election.  
His Remonstrances were not able to make her change her Mind; so that he was obliged to declare to the Princess, That Prudence would not suffer him to embark on Board a Vessel▪ which could not avoid being Shipwrecked.  
The Queen could not bring herself to abandon the Prince her Son, and much less to sacrifice her Money. The Abbot de Polignac found a Method to deprive her of that Chief Support, and ordered Matters so as that which was upon the Point of being employed against France, became a help to that Crown in the time of its need. After having proposed to that Princess, an Annual Income for that great Sum, he possessed her with an Account of its being safe, and of the Profit she would reap by it, which so far blinded her that she made that false Step, which rendered all her posterior Efforts against France of no Effect.  
At that time she followed in part the Ambassador's Council, and that the presence of the Princes Alex. and Constantine should not give any umbrage to her eldest Son, she sent them to France with that Sum which completed the Ruin of Prince James' Party, without strengthening that of his Competitor.  
The Abbot de Polignac gave Advice to his Master of every thing that passed. He knew that the two Princes would have less Interest for the Crown, than their elder Brother, that their Youth and want of Experience, were Causes sufficient to exclude them at a time when Poland wanted a King that understood War. Prince James' Pretensions were more specious than those of his Brothers. The Aversion the Queen had showed for him augmented his Party, and some of those who owed him no good Will, began to forbear wishing him any hurt, in hopes that if he mounted the Throne, he would entertain Resentments against the Queen, who under his Reign should have no part in the Government.  
This was not capable however of raising Prince James' Party; for besides that, they could not forget the Hardships put upon them in the preceding Reign, he committed an irreparable Mistake. One of the Conditions which the Poles impose upon their Princes is, that they should not marry without the Consent of the Republic. Sigismond III. for having contraveened this Law, and married Ann of Austria in 1592. run the risk of being dethroned After the Death of that Princess he threw himself Headlong into the same danger, and by a second Contravention to the Laws of the Kingdom, married in 1605. with Constance of Austria, Sister to his deceased Queen. His Holiness indeed had given him a Dispensation for it, but not having obtained the Consent of the Nation, they took Arms, and form a Confederacy against them, which he had no small Trouble to appease.  
Uladislaus his Son improved the Severity of the Poles, his Father's Mistake proved Advantageous to him. This Prince who in 16●5. demanded in Marriage the Daughter of Fredrick Elector Palatin, communicated his Design to the Senate, and represented to them the Advantage which the Realm might reap from a Princess, who was Niece to the King of Great Britain. This August Assembly was not ignorant, that Princes ought to have an Allowance, so long as it is not prejudicial to Religion. An Embassy was deputed to that Princess and the King her Uncle, but upon her Refusal to turn Catholic, the Poles made no Hesitation in refusing her their Crown.  
John III did not improve those Examples, he neither communicated to the Senate nor to the Nobility, the Design that he had to marry the Prince his Son, but suffered himself to be dazzled with the Lustre of a great Alliance, without foreseeing the dangerous Consequences of it. The Marquis de Bethune, tho' of kin to the Royal Family, represented to him, That Prince James, by being engaged with the House of Austria would lose the Friendship and Protection of the King of France, but his Remonstrances were Vain, and the King of Poland, without any Regard to such judicious Advice, married his eldest Son on Elizabeth Amelia, Princess of Newburg, whose Sisters were married to the Emperor, Kings of Spain and Portugal. Such a near Alliance with the Germans and the House of Austria, did not at all affect the Poles, because the Right of choosing their Sovereigns, delivered them from the Sn●●● which the Court thought they had involved them in.  
The French Ambassador had ever since the Interregnum given Advice to the King his Master, of the Queen's Waver, and of every thing that passed. He informed him of the Design of that Princess to have Prince James elected, because she had lost all her Hopes for her younger Son. He did not forget to inform his Majesty of the Hatred the Poles had conceived against that Prince, and that they only wanted an Occasion to show it: That if the Prince of Conti were proposed to them, he would quickly find a very strong Party: And that that was the surest away of excluding ●●ince James; 〈◊〉 at the same time the most Advantageous since by taking the Crown from an Enemy, his Majesty should give it to a Prince of his own Blood.  
The Orders of the Court were conformable to the Project. He began to speak in Poland of a Candidate, whom he had promised without telling his Name. The Joy was almost universal, when he declared, that he did not make use of his Interest, neither for Prince James, nor for the Royal Family. Some Lords had Ambition enough to aspire to the Crown, but this Minister diverted their Thoughts from it, alleging, That they were 〈◊〉 many in Number, that if they pretended to choose Sovereigns from amongst themselves, the Example of the two last ought to scare them from it, and that the Grandees would never willingly submit themselves to those to whom they thought themselves equal in Merit and Birth.  
The Ambassador afterwards run through all the Nations of Europe, that might furnish Princes to their Republic. They could no more think of a Prince in Sweden, since that Kingdom was become Heretical. England and Denmark had occasioned too many Disorders by the tumultuary Elections of the two Maximilians; so that they must resolve to lose their Liberty as the Bohemians and Hungarians had done theirs, if they did not exclude them.  
Italy and France were the only Dominions whence they could choose a Prince to their Mind. Most of the Lords to whom he spoke had traveled in Italy, the peace that people had enjoyed of a long time, made them sensible, that there were no such Captains there as those of the former Age, and that Poland stood in need of an Hero, which the present Juncture of their Affairs would not allow them time to breed up; but he must be form to their Hand.  
So that France alone was the Place which could furnish Poland, with what 'twas in Vain for them to seek for elsewhere; and in fine declared to them, who it was that he himself would Name, if it were in his power to choose. This Prince was by Birth the last of the Blood Royal of France, there being ten, who by the Right of Nature ought to ascend the Throne before him; Poland had no Cause to fear, that he would abandon her, as King Henry did after the Death of Charles IX. his Brother; so that the only thing that the Poles had to apprehend, was left a Prince so well accomplished as he, whom he named to them, should make a Difficulty to accept a Crown, which they were resolved to offer him.  
The contrary Party, being alarmed by the Reputation of the Candida●●, reunited all their Forces to divert the impending Stor●● The Emperor represented to his Allies, the Jealousy that all Europe had at the growth of the House of Austria, when they saw that Family possessed of the Empire and Spain. He put them in mind how often they had accused them of aspiring to the Universal Monarchy. What Wars had been raised against them, to traverse the Designs they supposed them to have form; that their Business was at present to set Boundaries to a Potentate, whose Ambition ought to be so much the more suspected, that he had enriched himself with the Spoils of all his Neighbours: That the League of Ausb●●g, into which so many Princes had entered, could not put a stop to the Rapidity of his Conquests, and if the Poles submitted themselves to that fiery Nation, they and all Europe would find themselves involved in such a Slavery, as no Prince would be capable of delivering them from any more.  
All those Complaints were spread even into the Dominions of those Princes, who did not concern themselves in the Matter. The Ministers of the Allies published them through all the Provinces of Poland. Polignac in his Audiences, Conversation, and at Meals, shown the Vanity of those Discourses, and that the Poles had nothing to fear from a Nation at such a distance from them, that those who attempted to possess them with that Notion did them wrong; that they were too brave to fear that any Nation could accomplish that which the Romans durst never Attempt; that the French assisted their Allies, but were far from oppressing them; that Sweden was a very fresh instance of it; that that Kingdom would remember the Alliance they had with France, as long as they preserved the Provinces, which the King of Denmark, and the Elector of Brandenburg, had restored them, by means of the Crown of France.  
He afterwards discoursed on the Genius of the Germans, who were not baulked by repeated Denials, but had the Crown of Poland in view at every Interregnum. That France and Poland were the only Kingdoms in Europe, where the Germans had not been able to extend their Dominion: That the Empire, the Kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia had fallen to the Share of the Cadets of the House of Austria: That the Eldest Branch had succeeded to the Monarchy of Spain, and the Kingdoms of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia: That they had invaded that of Portugal, only because it lay convenient for them, and without the Assistance of France it had remained under their Dominion still, That Denmark and Sweden, and lately Great Britain, had fallen under the Dominion of Princes that were originally Germane: That the Poles might, if they pleased, add their Crown to all those Conquests: That he had not Power enough to prevent them; but he was too much their Friend to give them such pernicious Advice.  
The Enemies of France did not give over their Designs, though hitherto every thing had succeeded ill with them. The Queen perceived her Son excluded in all the petty Diets. She was very much incensed against France, and her hatred increased the Prince of Conti's Party. Her Resentments came to such an height against the Ambassador of that Crown: That in Nou. 1696. she ordered her Picture to be taken out of the Palace of that Minister, which contributed more than all that the Abbot could do or say to confirm the Poles on his side, who were always afraid that there was some secret understanding betwixt him and her in favour of the younger Princes her Sons; whereas had the Queen been so much Master of herself as to have carried it fair outwardly with that Minister, she would have thereby rendered him suspected. Some further Endeavours were used to calm her, by representing to her that since the Indignation which France had conceived against her Eldest Son was just, she had no reason to complain, but she shut her Eyes upon all those considerations, and only ruminated upon the French's depriving her Son of a Crown, which the Custom of his Country seemed to have assured him of, she expressed her Resentments very highly against that Minister, who being more addicted to the Interest of his Master, and to his own Duty, than dazzled with the hopes of making his Fortune, which that Princess offered him, or with the personal Esteem she discovered for him, became the Instrument of the Ruin of her Family, by raising up the Prince of Conti as a Candidate for the Crown.  
There were two things she could never forgive him. The first, that he had so much Courage as to prefer his Duty to that which she demanded of him. The second, that without informing her of his design to advance the Prince of Conti, he had found a way to deprive her of two Millions. This Reflection was so much the more cutting to her, that by her Complaisance she had weakened the Party of her Son, and fortified that of the only Competitor that he had reason to fear.  
She had every day some New Subjects of Mortification by the Results of the petty Diets, who after the Convocation assembled according to Custom in the Provinces. That they might not be without Council during the Inter-regnum, they unanimously refolved to meet every day six Weeks▪ or at least every two Months on different days, and to communicate their Deliberations to one another by Deputies. These were new Cares laid upon those who were to inspire so great a Body with Resolutions.  
The first Assemblies were very tumultuous, because of the rapture of the Convocation or Preliminary Diet, of the Confederacy of the Arms of the Complaints of the Palatine of Vilna against the Queen, and of the Correspondences that were discovered with the Enemies of the State. It was also believed that there would have been great Contestations upon account of the Act of the General Confederacy drawn up by the Cardinal after the Rupture of the Diet. The Primate had then as many Enemies as the Queen, because he had maintained her Interest with so much heat, that he was accused of stubbornness.  
But Reason carried it against Prudence, and the Act of the Confederacy was generally received in all the petty Diets: But some Restrictions were made in it, according to the Genius of the Palatinates. The Articles generally agreed on were, 1. That they obliged themselves by Oath to choose no King, but one that was certainly a Catholic, and the Princess his Wife, if he were married, the like. 2. That they should not propose any Piasta or Native. 3. That the Diet of the Election should be held from the 15th of May, to the 26th of June, and that all the Nobility should attend there on pain of Infamy and Military Execution, which they call the Postpolita of Rigour. But the fourth Article proposed was abundantly more severe. They designed to terminate at the Election, the Process bgeun at the Preliminary Diet at the Succession of the King for the Grievances of the Nation, which consisted in this, that he had not in so long a Reign fulfilled any of the Agreements to which he was engaged by the Pacta Conventa. That Prince had promised to retake Caminiec, he had not made any Military Expedition, that had been profitable to Poland: He had not founded in the Kingdom an Academy for the Instruction of 300 Polish Gentlemen, nor had he satisfied the Elector of Brandenburg as to his pretensions upon Elbing. Those that were Men of sense foresaw that this omission would sometime or other occasion a fatal War to the Republic.  
The unanimity of the Poles on those four Points gave them the force of a Law, as if the Convocation had not been broke, but in the petty Diets following they had a mind to inquire after the true Authors of so many Disorders. They excluded those that were accused and convicted of them. The Storm fell in divers Places, and all at once upon the Head of Prince James, who then perceived the sudden Change of his Fortune, and began to repent him of his useless profuseness. He who thought himself sure of the Crown in November, saw himself excluded in December, by the different Results of the petty Diets. Prussia was the first Province that gave him the fatal Blow, and described him so well, without naming him, that no Body could mistake him. Volhinia afterwards Russia, the Palatinates of Lublin, Plosko, Vilna, Novogrodok and many others did likewise exclude him; so that it was astonishing to find such a great unanimity betwixt Provinces so remote from one another. The Bishop of Cujavia, to mortify the Prince of Conti's Party, and to advance that of Prince James, sent Circular Letters to all the Nobility. In some Palatinates they were rejected, and in others not read. A Gentleman amongst those that assembled at Sroda, having demanded the Bishop's Letter, put it to such an use as Modesty forbids to mention. The Nobility of Russia assembled at Visnia, treated this Affair with more seriousness, and ordered the said Letter to be burnt by the hand of the Hangman.  
Prince James, during this time, lost his Courage. The Ardour and Zeal which some of the Senators had testified for his Interest, cooled exceedingly. He himself had a mind to discover the Sentiments of the Nobility in the Neighbourhood of Warsaw; and that he might do it with more ease he went in disguise from Czersko, which is the first District of Mazovia, where a petty Diet was held, but the Prince was known, and some Gentlemen pursued him with Sabre in Hand into the very Church, where he was forced to hid himself amongst the Organs, and had he been found, they would certainly have killed him.  
After this the same Diets excluded all Germane Princes. The Party that opposed France made Efforts to obtain the like advantage in some Diet or other, against the Pr. of Conti, but could not effect it. They could not express their malice against him any other way, but by such dull insipid Writings as those of the Bishop of Cujavia. This obliged the Queen, the Court of Vienna and the Allies to have recourse to other Methods than Negotiations. Every one took different Measures, but all of them tending to the same end.  
The Enemies of France perceiving that the Prince of Conti's party increased every day in Poland, thought fit to retard its progress at the French Court. They wrote Letter after Letter to Paris to ridicule the Abbot the Polignac's Hopes, alleging, that he had suffered himself to be blinded by the Enemies of the Royal Family, they aggravated his Promises and Liberalities, they maintained, that the Poles would never choose in prejudice of their King's Son, a Foreigner, who would engage them in War with all their Neighbours. Those Discourses, some of which made Impression, together with the fear of rashly hazarding new Sums, occasioned that the Court for more surety, did send a Person they could confide in either to verify those Accusations against their Minister or to justify his Conduct.  
The Abbot de Castagnetes de Chateauneuf, was honoured with this Commission, and the Quality of Envoy Extraordinary, he set out secretly in Feb. 1697. with the Count de Tovanski, Nephew to the Cardinal Primate, who in July 1696. had been sent by his Uncle to notify to the Court the death of K. John III. The Abbot arrived in Poland the beginning of April; he found the Affairs of France in as good a Condition as the Queen had represented them bad. He himself found that most of the Lords and Gentlemen were for the Prince of Conti, and that only two things were wanting, viz. the Prince's Presence, and the Money promised to the Armies. He was entrusted with a Letter from the King his Master to the Queen, according as he found her Affairs and Intentions, and the need that France should have to make use of her Service.  
That same Day this Envoy Extraordinary arrived at Warsaw, the Queen left it by order of the Palatinats, who forced the Cardinal and Senate to that Rigour. The absence of that Princess was not the only cause why the Most Christian King's Letter was not delivered to her. The Lords of the French Faction demanded it, because of their Apprehensions that a Princess, who was for making her advantage of every thing, might make use of it with the Public, and persuade them that the Abbot de Chasteauneuf was come to overturn what the Abbot de Polignac had done, to serve the Royal Family against the Prince of Conti, and by that means to baffle all the hopes of the Republic. The Envoy did not think fit to oppose those demands which appeared so Just. It was his prudence to give no cause of Suspicion to the Friends of France, and not to suffer himself to be surprised by the Queen, who did not allege that the Prince of Conti's party was so weak in the Kingdom, but to have Pr. Alexander substituted to him, to the end that he who was so unacceptable to the Poles being supported by France, her Son Prince James, as she thought, would have no other Competitor to dread.  
These were the Measures that the Royal Family took. The Court of Vienna and the Allies took far different Methods to have the Prince of Conti excluded. They proposed other Candidates, who were no other ways agreeable to the Poles, but because of the Money they hoped they might receive from them. The Prince of Newburg would fain have been proposed, till such time as another came to take his Place, and to furnish the Sums of Money, that he had neither Will nor Power to distribute. He knew what the two last Elections had cost his Family, and so took warning by that Example.  
Leopold, Duke of Lorraine, was also proposed. He had no greater reason to expect success than the Duke of Newburg. His Mother had no great Cause to be content with the Poles, who after having preferred a Fr. Lady to her, had also refused her her Dower. The Family of Patz, that stood up for her at the last Election, had now lost all their Credit, and such of them as remained were young, and had no public Posts; so that she saw it was in vain for her Son to pretend to th●●●rown which had been twice refused to so Great a Prince as Charles ●●. of Lorraine her Husband.  
This Proposal however gave new Alarms to the Queen and Prince Sobieski. They looked upon it as an Intrigue of the Court of Vienna. They expressed their Resentments of it, and complained that it was an ungrateful Retribution from the Germans to the Family of a Prince who had saved the capital City of the Empire. These complaints were very touching, because they were just. The Imperial Court was as high on the other hand, and answered, that Sobieski had hindered the Poles from paying the Dower of the Queen Widow to K. Michael, that his Imperial Majesty would make Reprisals upon the Estates of those who had been the Authors of that Injustice, and that the Duchy of Olaw which Prince James possessed in Silesia, should serve in part to make good that damage.  
The Surprise was extraordinary when Don Livio Odese Chalci was proposed with the Emperor's protection, and recommended (according to common fame) by his Holiness. His Merit was founded upon that of Innocent XI. his Uncle, who had Governed the Church with that Integrity which Christians admire in the Sovereign Pontiffs of the first Ages. Don Livio was a proof of it, since his Fortune was the same as before the Exaltation of his Uncle, and the Emperor who had a mind to acknowledge the services which that Sacred Pontiff had done him, made his Nephew a Prince of the Empire, and by a second Liberality, which cost him as little as the former, he would have given him a Kingdom, or at least made him believe he had such a design.  
Don Livio believed that those promises were sincere, because they flattered his Ambition; he sent into Poland the Abbot de Monte Catini, a Consistorial Advocate, to support his Interest, which they pretended to be so far advanced. The Poles, who love Raillery, and done't spare even those from whom they get Money, asked one another, if Odestchi had any Trial in Poland, and whether that Roman Advocate was come to solicit the Cause.  
They did not rest here, but served the Italian after the Mode of his own Country, and by Pasquil's more outrageous than the preceding Railleries', they cured him of his Ambition to appear any more as a Competitor. They published in writing that Davia his Holinesses Nuncio, declared himself highly for Odeschalchi, that he offered thirty Millions to the Republic, and that Italy would despoil herself of what she had most considerable in favour of him. There was published at the same time a List, and a Valuation of all his precious Jewels and Movables; amongst which were three of Raphael's best Originals, six by Paul of Verona, four of Julius the Roman, seven of Titian, thirteen of Hannibal Carache, and abundance more of other Great Masters, the first time perhaps that ever the Poles heard of them. There were two Ancient Statues of Romus and Romulus, that were valued at a great Rate, as also a Brass Medal of Otho, destined to pay two quarters to the Army; In fine, they were resolved to deliver to the Poles on the day of Coronation, the Statues of Pasquin and Marforio.  
After this there was little more spoken of Odeschalchi. The Poles well perceived that they must have a Warrior to oppose to the Prince of Conti. The Elector of Brandenburg proposed Prince Lovis of Baden to the Allies, whose Reputation was equal to that of the greatest Captains of his Age He had preserved Transilvania to the Emperor, at a time, and in such a conjuncture when Germany would have thought that they had been very well quit, if they had come off with the Loss of that rich Province only. He had routed the Turks at Salankement, and given 'em such an entire Defeat, that the Visir Cuproli, who seemed to be the only Stay of the Ottoman Empire, was killld in that Action. This Prince, after several glorious Campagns in Hungary, took upon him the Command of the Confederate Troops on the Rhine: The Germans reckoned it for a Signal Victory in this General, that he declined fight with the French, so that he was as much esteemed for this amongst the Allies, as was the Roman Dictator Fabius, who thereby set bounds to the Conquests of Hannibal and the Carthaginians  
The Elector promised to furnish all the Necessary Expenses for this Great Design, and the Prince of Baden, to make him a Compensation, was, when advanced to the Throne, to yield him the Sovereignty of the Royal Prussia, and to discharge him of the Fealty and Homage which he was obliged to perform for the Ducal Prussia to the Republic of Poland. The Elector was civil enough to promise such great Sums, but not able enough to pay them, and the Confederacy was exhausted by the excessive Expenses of a War, which went on but slowly.  
The Affairs of Poland were in too great disorder, neither the Elector's Money, nor the Merit of the Prince proposed to them, were able to re-establish them. The Money must be paid that was owing to the two Armies, the War must be maintained against the Turks, and Caminieck retaken from those Infidels. The Prince of Baden was very fit to command their Armies, but not rich enough to pay them.  
France found in Poland another Enemy, and Heresy, a new Protector in the person of Stanislaus, Dombski B. of Cujavia, who at first embraced Prince James' Party, because he owed his Fortune to his Father the Late King. The acknowledgements he testified of it would have honoured the Memory of the Prince that made Choice of him, if Motives of Self-interest had not stifled his first Virtuous Sentiments.  
The French Ambassador perceived, that the Bishop of Cujavia did openly oppose his Designs, and having a mind to know his Sentiments, found that he was for Prince Sobieski; That Prelate confessed that the Prince of Conti had all the good Qualities, which the Poles could wish for in a Sovereign, and that he would not be for excluding him, were it not that he and his Princess were both French, alleging, that those of that Nation could not be acceptable to the Poles, after the ill Treatment they had received from Queen Mary, Wife to the late King, as if it had been more dangerous to choose a King of that Princess' Country, than to set the Crown upon the Head of her own Son.  
This was not the only Difficulty that the Bishop of Cujavia found in the Proposal made him. He was apprehensive that the choice of a French Prince would be displeasing to the Emperor. The Poles, since the death of Sigismond Augustus, had made no such scruple, and in five Elections, they made no objection of provoking the Germans and the House of Austria by their Refusal.  
Those Reasons, and many others, which the Abbot de Polignac alleged in divers Conferences that he had every day with the most considerable Lords, were capable to move any Man that had had nothing else in view but the public Welfare, but he was acted by other Motives. Malakoski Bishop of Cracovia was above 80 years old. He enjoyed the richest Benefice of the Kingdom, and lived too long in the Opinion of those that thought of nothing else but enjoying his Spoils.  
If Sobieski were chosen, and that the Bishop of Cujavia had contributed thereto, the Bishopric of Cracovia had been his Reward: He could not have expected the same gratuity from the Prince of Conti, who he suspected had promised it to the Bishop of Plosko This Motive was known, and made the Nobility to murmur against the Ambition of that Prelate, who was too intent upon making his Fortune: He thought then of clearing himself, and answering the Ambassador at the same time; this obliged him to write his Political Considerations, in Latin: But the most learned in that Art perceived nothing curious therein, and those who sought after the purity of the Language, found nothing but what was very dull.  
The first part of the Libel contained the feeble Reasons brought by that Prelate for excluding the Prince of Conti; he pretended that his Election would be as prejudicial to Poland, as little advantageous to France, that Nation in the present Conjuncture of the Affairs of Europe, having attracted the hatred of all its Neighbours, without having preserved the Friendship of any.  
This Reproach had a contrary effect to what the Author had fancied: The French were commended for maintaining a War with so much Vigour against so potent Enemies.  
He added, that the League concluded against the Most Christian King, would not admit of the Choice of a Prince of his Blood for King of Poland; an that the Confederates would do their utmost endeavours to prevent the same.  
'Twas not believed that the Polanders were capable of the same fear as the Bishop of Cujaavia; and no body doubted but the Confederates used all possible Efforts to oppose the Pretensions of France: But to judge by the Events of a War which had lasted eight Years, one might have guessed that their Enterprise would succeed as ill as all the rest they had projected.  
The reason that the Bishop alleged against France, as most plausible, was that which was in least consideration with the Polanders. If we choose a Frenchman, says he, it is a rapture with the House of Austria and the Germans, who under the Reign of Casimir succoured us so advantageously against the Swedes, who had violently possessed themselves of part of the Kingdom.  
This Reflection caused the Polanders make others quite contrary to it: They called to mind what had happened under the Reign of Sigismond III. when in the Year 1628. he lent his Fleet to Ferdinand the second, to make use of it against Denmark, although he had oceasion for it himself in Prussia, against the Swedes, who took this opportunity to insult the City of Dantzick.  
So signal a service made Sigismond believe that the Emperor would secure him upon the like occasion. The following Year he had need of some Troops to defend Prussia against Gustavus, who wasted that Country. Walstein General of the Imperial Army was ordered to send some Troops to the succour of the Polanders; he sent 2000 Horse, and 5000 Foot thither under the command of Colonel Arnhem, a Man of no Honour, and who was convicted of holding a Correspondence with the Enemies of those to whose succour he was sent. Sigismond complained of the Conduct of this Officer; he was recalled; and as they had taken a resolution to deceive the Polanders in effect, and at the same time to oblige them in appearance, they sent two other Commanders successively in his place: The first was Henry Julius' Duke of Saxe Lawenbourg, and the other Philip de Mansfeld, who were both as useless to the Polanders as the first; and who were as much blamed for their Cowardice as Arnhem had been for his want of Conduct and Treachery.  
This Army, tho' it was so fatal to Poland, yet was well paid. Walstein in the Year 1630. demanded the pay due to them, with his usual Haughtiness. The Republic would have balanced it with what the Emperor owed for the Fleet that was employed in h●s Service. But Interest going commonly beyon reason, the Proposal, tho' just, was not harkened to, and the Polanders were obliged in the Year 1631. to pay down 50000 Florins of Gold for them, and had the mortification to pay so dear for Troops who had done them as much hurt as those of the Enemy.  
The Polanders notwithstanding this rigour, had afterwards recourse to the Germans, in the Reign of King Casimir, who in his War with Sweden, received some succours from the House of Austria. Those succours lived after the Germane way; they plundered one part of the Kingdom, while the Enemy laid the other waste: Notwithstanding which, these Auxiliary Troops must be paid: The Republic was quite drained, and had no other way to satisfy the Germans, but by Mortgaging to them the Salt-pits of the Kingdom, for some Years, which they almost ruined by the great quantities of Salt they carried from thence, with a greediness that cost the Polanders dear; they left no pillars to support the Vaults of those vast Quarry's, in so much that they themselves were afraid of being buried under their ruins, which obliged them to supply this defect by wooden props, which they brought with little charge from the Neighbouring Forests. The time they were to enjoy them being expired, they set fire to the props, and thereby hindered Poland from reaping any advantage from that which they could no longer detain from them.  
The second part of the Bishop of Cujavia's Book was an Encomium of Prince James Sobieski, tho' at the same time there was nothing therein but what might as justly be applied to any of his Competitors; he is, says he, sober, watchful, liberal, and he loves Justice. But the Confession he made that that Prince was no Warrior, effaced the Great Idea he would have given of him to a Nation, which reckons Valour to be the first, and perhaps the chiefest Virtue.  
The barbarous expressions which the Prelate made use of in describing his Hero, were not to be understood by every body, Nque patrisat, neque matrisat; every body put a different construction upon it, some saying, that, according to this expression, he had neither the Courage of the King his Father, aor the Cunning of the Queen his Mother. Others explained it more favourably, and believed that it was said only to express his mildness and liberality. To put the greater contempt both of the Book, & the Author, it was questioned to whom the Bishop had done the greatest Injury, whether to the Prince, whom he would have excluded; or to him for whom he designed the Crown.  
The Abbot of Polignac printed some Reflections upon this Libel, and made use of terms that were very well pleasing to the Polanders, whose Genius he knew, and flattered, as well as their Sentiments, but it had not the same effect upon Foreign Kingdoms. However this piece was applauded, and published in the Country, for which alone it was composed, without being answered.  
The Queen, who at last perceived the weakness of her Party, wrote to the Emperor, and confessed to him, that almost the whole Nobility had declared for France; that the only hope she had remaining, was to cause the Projects of that Crown to miscarry; and that if his Imperial Majesty would concur with her in this Design, the Enterprise would be easy. She proposed either Prince Charles of Nieubourg, or the Duke of Lorraine, whose Faction being joined with hers, would exclude their common Enemy. The Emperor, who knew that Prince James had no share in the Election, was glad to see that the Queen was disabused. One of the Princes she had proposed to him, was his Brother-in-law, and the other his Nephew; and so near an Alliance would not suffer him to engage them seriously in an Enterprise from which he foresaw they could not come off with Honour. However, he was willing to make some advantage of the disposition the Queen was in; and a Polish Senator one of his Inconstancy, presented a new Candidate, whom the Council of Vienna thought fit not to neglect.  
John Przependowski, Castellan of Culm, was the most intent of all the Polish Gentlemen upon advancing his Fortune: He was an ingenious Man, and capable of Intrigues; but his Courage was not answerable to his Address; which his Enemies knowing, they often assaulted him, which he bore with an such Insensibility, as rendered him despicable among all brave Men, and made them say, that a Man who knows himself a Coward, ought not to be so Intriguing. This Defect had so much stained his Reputation, that his Authority was considerably diminished thereby, particularly in Prussia, after the time that he came the Burger-Master Deputy of the City of Dantzick. He had been a Lutheran, and in the Late King's Reign he turned Roman-Catholick, to be made a Senator; the hopes of advancing himself higher, made him side with Prince James, as long as his Faction was superior to that of the other Candidates. But when he found it began to decline, he in Novemb. 1696. became of the French Faction, and carried all the Prussians with him; but his restless and turbulent Genius soon drew him over to another, only because the Ambassador of that Crown did not confide enough in him, nor furnish him with Money enough for his Insatiable Avarice.  
His Treacheries to Prince James, and to the Prince of Baden, caused that Minister to suspect him, and rendered him odious to the Lords of his Party, who saw that this Man, being too much self-interested, did not adhere to the Prince of Conti, neither out of Zeal to his Country, nor from any regard for true Merit, but only in hopes to make his Fortune great under a Prince whom he thought in a fair way of succeeding. This Senator reflecting on the other hand, that those who were more deserving than himself, had embraced the French Faction, and so prevented him; he was fully persuaded that they would have the first Dignities of the Kingdom conferred upon them, to his prejudice. This consideration obliged him to take other measures, and to search out such means, as that the Sovereign who should be chosen, might wholly owe the Crown to him.  
So sudden a Change joined to his former Treacheries, made those who could not yet revenge themselves of his Perfidy, to curse and revile him, and to apply this passage to him, Intravit autem Satanas in Judam qui cognominabatur Iscariotes; meaning that the Devil had entered into a Traitor called Przependowski.  
He had married a Daughter of General Flemings, who was in the Elector of Brandenbourg's Service: He desired his Father-in-law to acquaint him with what was said in the North of Germany, of the approaching Election in Poland. He understood that the Elector of Saxony had an excessive desire for the Crown, and that he only wanted the necessary Instructions for carrying on that Enterprise. Przedendowski wrote immediately to the Chevalier Fleming, Colonel of a Regiment in the Troops of Saxony, and Cousin German to his Wife; he offered his Service to the Elector, and upon his Answer he went privately, in February 1697. to Dresden, where he was received with all the demonstrations of Friendship, Esteem and Assurance that Princes express to those who are useful to them. He represented to the Elector the present State of Poland, That Prince James was lost; that his Younger Brothers had no pretensions to the Crown; that the Queen kept up her Faction with great difficulty, with the few Friends that in Honour had not yet abandoned her; that her Complaisance for the French Ambassador had stripped her of two Millions, which was the only thing could re-establish the Affairs of her Eldest Son; that the Princes Charles of Nieubourg, Leopold of Lorraine, and Lewis of Badcn, had no party; that that of the Prince of Conti was really strong; but that it would not be impossible to overthrow it, and to put his Electoral Highness in his place, if he would follow the same Plan for himself, that the Fr. Ambassador had laid down for the Prince of Conti: That that Minister had brought all Poland over to the Interest of his Candidate, by making a solemn promise to the Republic to disburse three Millions for paying the Army, and to pay the said Sum to the Commissaries before the Election. That the second thing which that Minister desired of the King his Master, was the Prince's presence, which seemed to be necessary to avoid the difficulties that might happen by by a Diusion, and the trouble of an Embassy which could not go into France in a time of War.  
Przependowski added, that the Abbot of Polignac could never perform his promises, that since the five or six hundred thousand Franks which he had received, only 600000 Livers were sent him by Bills of Exchange upon Dantzick; that he had been obliged to protest the said Bills, and that the Queen was sure enough of the Bankers of that City, to hope that that Minister would not be better served hereafter: That it was not observed that the Court of France pursued this Affair with the same vigour as others which they undertake; that if they should pursue it with the same Zeal, they would be necessitated to send their Money in specie that they might not be subject to the ill designs of the Bankers; that they had occasion for their Money elsewhere, and that the War which that Crown had with the most formidable Potentates of Europe, would hinder him from exposing three Millions, and the person of the Prince on board of Ships, which besides the danger of being cast away, would run a great risque of being taken by the Fleet of England and Holland, which being superior in strength, guarded all the Passes so narrowly, that the lightest Frigates could not escape them. In fine, he concluded that it was his Electoral Highness' Interest to make good use of the sincerity of his Counsel, and to find the Sums necessary for succeeding in so glorious an Enterprise, which was not difficult: That for his part, he had not quitted the French Faction, had he not foreseen better than another by assisting several times in Council, the Impossibility of executing his designs without Money, and that the Ambassador of that Crown waited in vain for new Bills of Exchange; that he had examined the Bankers, and that by their Answers he knew very well that that Minister was in an error, of which he did not think it proper to undeceive him.  
The Castellan of Culm had reserved for his last proposal, that which he believed would have been the most disagreeable to the Elector, which was, that his Highness should turn Catholic, and promise that the Electress should also abjure her Religion: He durst not quote himself for an example, but he cited two others, by whose Authority he pretended that what he had done was not criminal. The first was of the Elector of Saxony in the year 1530. when the Emperor threatened to strip him of his Electoral Dignity, if he did not do his Office of Constable of the Empire at a solemn Mass that was celebrated by the Catholics at Ausbourg; the other happened ten years after in the person of the Landgrave of Hesse, whom the Protestant Divines suffered at first to do the Functions required by his Dignity, to draw himself out of the danger he was in of losing it; that they would not have been more rigorous in regard of the second; that they had authorized Polygamy in his favour, and had given him leave to marry a 2d Wife, without requiring him to be divorced from his first; that he did not believe the Saxon Divines were less indulgent for their Prince than Luther and his Disciples had been in the past Age; that the present case was more allowable, because a Crown depended upon it.  
Przependowski spoke with so great a demonstration of love, as made him listen to his discourses: That Prince applied himself more to satisfy the greediness of his Nobility, than to consult his Divines, whose scruples might perhaps retard a design which required to be forthwith put in execution. The Castellan was charged to use his utmost Efforts in Poland, and in the mean time nothing was to be omitted in Saxony that should be thought necessary to make it succeed. He was promised that the Chevalier Fleming should be sent to put his Orders in execution, before the meeting of the Diet; he received, at his departure, some Presents, and was loaded with Honours and great Promises.  
The Elector followed this Project exactly: He had some Conferences with the E. of Brandenbourg, and caused some Troops to advance to Torgau, near Silesia, under colour of entering upon the Affair of the Succession of Mecklenburg, in the Emperor's Name, which was disputed between the Princes of Swerin and Gustraw; he sold his Right to the Duchy of Saxe Lawenburg, ●. to the Duke of Hannover for 500000 Crowns. He demanded of the Emperor the payment of the Subsidies that had been above three years due to him, and treated with the Jews in his own Country; the chief of whom he sent to Warsaw to get Money in a readiness against the time he should have occasion for it; he sold the Revenue of his demain of Misnia, to the Lutheran Clergy of Saxony, and raised extraordinary Contributions in his Dominions, pretending that it was for the Campagne in Hungary. New Money was by his Orders coined at Breslau, which did not give content to those who received it. In fine, he put in practice all the Artifices that could be used by any Man who designed to procure a Crown to himself, and who is capable enough of finding means to attain it.  
After having thus taken all his measures, he sent the Baron de Rose, who was one of his Lieutenant Generals to Rome: This Officer was admitted to Audience of the Pope, and unfolded to him the Mystery of the pretended Conversion of his Master, and his designs of obtaining the Crown of Poland. This News was the more agreeable, because it was hoped that Saxony, which in the last Age had been the Cradle of Lutheranism, might now in this, be its Grave.  
4. This News was no less agreeable to the Court of Vienna, than it had been to that of Rome, but the Motive of it was not so pure. It was not doubted but that the Elector designed to turn Catholic, and that he would abjure Lutheranism. It was known that the proud Humour of this Ambitious Prince would attempt any thing to put a Crown upon his head; that Religion was never regarded by the Saxons, but with reference to Politics; that in the Age past Frederick and his Successors embraced Lutheranism, that they might enjoy the Church-Lands; and that Frederick Augustus their Successor, would renounce it with as much ease as his predecessors had embraced it, so soon as he should find the like; or greater advantages therein.  
Some other Reasons than those of Religion obliged the Court of Vienna to support his pretensions. The Emperor had a War to maintain upon the Rhine, and upon the Danube. The Efforts of the League were not sufficient against two potent Enemies, and the Forces of the Empire, and of their Allies, would have had much ado, in a profound Peace with the Turk, to stop the progress of the French. The Elector of Saxony had engaged himself to furnish 10000 Men, besides his Quota, to act against the Turks in Hungary; the Emperor, who had not wherewithal to pay his Troops, had Mortgaged the Duchy's of Brieg, Lignits, and Wolau in Silesia, to him, for the same. It was foreseen that this Prince would have more to do in Poland than he imagined, and that the Protection of the Emperor would be absolutely necessary for him; therefore they were resolved to make him buy it dear, and perhaps to give up that Mortgage without paying any thing for it. The Elector seemed resolved to grant every thing, provided he were not crossed in his Election; and being dazzled with the Luster of a Crown, he was willing to expose himself to the Charges and the Danger there was in obtaining it.  
The Council of Vienna had still other pretensions, far more considerable than the former. The House of Austria had in the beginning of this Age disputed the Kingdom of Bohemia with Frederick Elector Palatine; the Duke of Saxony preferring his own particular Interest to that of the Protestant Religion, he sided with the Emperor, and in conjunction with the Duke of Bavaria, he had taken upon him to execute a Decree whereby the Elector Palatine was banished the Empire. As those two Princes had thereby engaged themselves in great Charges, the Investiture of the Electorate whereof the Palatine was to be stripped, was given to Bavaria, and Saxony had stipulated that Luzace, which is a dependence of the Crown of Bohemia, should be given to him. This Province was promised him by the Treaty of 1620. and it was executed in the Year 1622. because the Emperor had still occasion for him.  
The Electors of Saxony have ever since kept Luzace, and the House of Austria hath often contrived how to snatch from them a Province which it grieved them to part from.  
The present Conjuncture seemed to favour the Designs of the Council of Vienna. They upheld the Elector, and confirmed him in the thoughts he had of being King of Poland. He wanted Men and Money to dispute that Crown. The Emperor offered him both, to engage him, and he did not despair but that Prince would be willing to lose a Province to gain a Kingdom: In case of Refusal he might be obliged by force (while he was employed elsewhere) to part from that which he would not have been willing to do with consent. If his Affairs should prove better than 'twas wished, the Emperor had another advantage, tho' less considerable, yet nearer in view. Hungary was the Theatre of a Bloody War: The Germane Garrisons ruined what the Turks had not destroyed: And under pretence of succouring the Elector, it was proposed to send some Troops to Poland, to which that Kingdom should give Winter Quarters and Provisions.  
While the Elector of Saxony was Treating in Foreign Courts, the Polanders, who were at Paris, wished to see the Prince, who was mentioned to them in all the Letters they received out of their own Country. Francis Fredi du Moulinet the French Gentleman, mentioned in the Election of King Casimir, introduced them to the Palace of that Prince, who received them after so obliging a manner, that they began to regard as their Sovereign, a Prince who treated them as his Friends.  
These Lords being ready to set out for Poland, in order to assist at the Diet, prayed du Moulinet to give them some Information of the Life and Actions of a Prince for whom they had conceived so great an Esteem.  
Du Moulinet, who had already wrote to the Bishop of Plosko, to the Abbot Theodore Wolf, and to the Palatine of Culm upon the same Subject, was very willing to give those Gentlemen the satisfaction they desired; and he also thought it proper to speak of the Princess, to remove the scruple that the Polanders might have to see a French Woman upon the Throne, after what had happened in the former Reign. We shall here relate Du Moulinets own words, because they were agreeable to the Polanders, and had the Effect desired.  
Francis Louis of Bourbon, Prince of Conti, of the Blood of France, born the 30th of April 1664. begins his first Campagn in 1683. and continued it in 1684. but seeing that a Truce was concluded between France, the Empire and Spain, he thought that Glory called him elsewhere.  
This Prince went out of France in the Year 1685. in order for Poland: But the Elector of Bavaria, through whose Dominions he passed, persuaded him to go into Hungary, where he was the Subject of the Admiration of the Germans, as he would have also been of the Poles, if he had pursued his first design.  
In 1686. he returned to France, and retired to the Great Prince of Conde his Uncle, who died the same Year; Providence not having been willing to call him, till after he had trained up a General, who one day should be as great as himself.  
The Year 1688. was not less Glorious to that Prince than the preeeding Years; he accompanied the Dauphin to the Siege of Philipsbourg. Those two young Hero's were looked upon by the Enemy as if they had been the greatest Captains of Antiquity; they knew that they had the same Virtues, while France rejoiced that they were not so old.  
We will not say what Pr. Conti did during that War, no body is ignorant of it. The Germans, the Spaniards and the Hollanders have proofs of it, that were as advantageous to France, as fatal to the League of Ausbourg.  
The Valour, Prudence, Mildness, Moderation, and other great Qualities of that Prince, make him to be thought deserving of a Crown; if the only Nation that can give it him does Justice to his Merits, they will know.  Ad sciti quantum praemineant genitis. 
He married Mary Theresa of Bourbon, Granddaughter of the Great Prince of Conde. This Princess is an Example of Virtue for persons of her Sex, of whose weakness she had nothing; Pious without Ostentation, is Liberal without Prodigality, and far from being vain; she knows how to keep the Dignity of her Rank. When the Prince is in the War, she strips herself of those things that are most precious to her, and after the example of her whom the Ancients proposed as a Model of Virtue, she says, 
Induat illa  
Quae— Bellante potest gaudere Marito.   
While the Prince of Conti's Friends neglected nothing that could contribute to his Elevation, John Przependowski, whom we have mentioned, was returned from Dresden into Poland; he had so little Credit in the Kingdom, that he knew not which way to begin his New Negotiation: It was agreed that it must be kept secret, because if he had openly proposed the Elector, they would have accused him, that he had a design to pervert Poland: It was equally dangerous for him to speak, or to hold his Tongue; and he who had so boldly given counsel, found himself not in a condition to follow it himself. In this trouble he wrote to the Chevalier Fleming, that the Ambassador of France was quiet, that no body fell off from him, and that without Money he had overthrown the Factions of the Queen, and of the other pretenders; that he must address himself to that Minister, who being disappointed of the Fundamental Succours that he had so long expected, had apparently, a secret Order from the King his Master, to abandon that Negotiation, and to make the best of a bad Market.  
Upon these Advices Fleming arrived secretly at Warsaw, and on the second of May delivered a Letter from his Master, to the Abbot de Polignac; by which that Prince would make him believe that he had treated these two Months at Rome with the Most Christian King, by the Mediation of Cardinal Janson; That in all appearance he had Orders from the King, and that he prayed him to confide in the Bearer of his Letter, & to agree with him about all things, as well for the satisfaction of the King his Master, as for his own particular. Fleming delivered also a Letter to the Cardinal, who returned an Answer to it, which was as disagreeable to the Court of Dresden, as that of the Ambassador. This Minister had answered in very civil terms, that he had no Orders to Treat; that the Affairs of France never had better footing in Poland than now; that the Report that was spread abroad, that he wanted Money, was nothing but an Artifice of the Queen; and that the Prudence of the King his Master was too great, to let him want in time of need.  
The French Ambassador was touched to the quick to see a New Candidate appear; if he had had earlier notice of it, he would have obtained his Exclusion in the petty Diets, but they were over, and the Nobility were flocking from all parts to Warsaw, with displayed Colours, to assist at the General Assembly. He foresaw very well that Przependowski had caused his Advice to be highly esteemed at Dresden: The little Confidence that Poland had in this Senator, persuaded him that some other persons must be concerned in the same Intrigue, and at last he discovered a Mystery, which they studied to keep concealed from him.  
Davia the Pope's Nuncio had formerly carried Arms in the Morea, in the Service of the Venetians: He afterwards turned Priest, and had been Inter-Nuncio at Brussels, Nuncio at Cologne, and from thence nominated to the Nunciature of Poland. He was Nephew to Marshal Caprara, so noted in the Wars of Hungary. The Marquis Davia his Nephew, was in the Service of his Imperial Majesty, when he was taken some Years ago Prisoner by the Turks. The Infidels, who would not set him to Ransom, had confined him to the Castle of the seven Towers, so that 'twas thought he would end his days in Slavery. The Nuncio being alarmed with the Captivity of his Nephew, made his Application to the Countess d' Altemonte, his Sister-in-law, who was Lady of Honour to the Queen of England, who was very willing to pray the King of France to Interpose his Authority to procure the Liberty of a Gentleman who was under her protection. The King's Ambassador at the Port had Orders to Negotiate the Liberty of this Young Lord; the Turks refused to treat, and the Nuncio made Poland to Echo again with his Complaints, as if that Minister had done him an ill Office, because he could not do him a good one. Nevertheless the Nuncio understanding that the Elector of Saxony detained a Bassa, who was taken Prisoner at Temiswar, he proposed to that Prince to exchange him against the Young Marquis Davia; his Electoral Highness consented thereto, and the Proposal was made to the Turks, who approved of the same, and accordingly put it in execution.  
There needed no more to make the Nuncio a Friend to the Elector, Enemy to France, and suspected by the Ambassador of that Crown. That Minister went to see him in order to discover his Sentiments in relation to the Election. The Nuncio declared that he would never suffer the Crown of Poland to fall upon the Head of a Heretical Prince, or whose Conversion was suspected: Notwithstanding his protestations, and the sincerity which he affected to make show of, his Sentiments were known as well as the dissimulation that is so customary to people of his Country.  
While the Ministers of the several pretenders to the Crown were carrying on their Intrigues the time of the meeting of the Diets was come. The Primate, according to custom, opened the same by a Mass of the Holy Ghost. There was never so great Debates in any Election as in this, about the Choice of a Marshal. This Officer was to have been chosen out of the Deputies of Great Poland, because it was his Rank. The Queen's Faction, and the great General used their utmost endeavours to make it fall upon Starosta Odalanowski, Grandson to the Great General, and Son to Count Leszchinski, Palalatine of Lencicia and Starost General of Great Poland; but those three Lords were found to be too illaffected, to give them that satisfaction, and the other pretenders agreed in nothing else among themselves, but to exclude them.  
They would all have conferred that Honour on Count Humiecki, Master of the Household of Podolia, as well because of his own personal Merit, as that of the Palatine of Kiow his Uncle, who passed for the uprightest Lord of Poland, and one who best understood the Art of War. Humiecki, as I have already told you, had been Director of the Preliminary Diet, and the Law hindered him from being continued in this. There were eight others of the French Faction who would not yield their Pretensions, and the Ambassador of that Crown found it more difficult to make th●● agree among themselves, than to exclude his Enemies.  
Prince Casimir Czartoreski of the Ancient House of Lithuania, was not of a Constitution strong enough to undergo the Fatigues of that troublesome Employment, and therefore quitted his pretensions to it; his Moderation, and the Justice he did himself, was an example to some others.  
In effect Count Branicki, great Master of the Household of the Crown, and Son-in-law to the Palatine of Vilna, confessed that his slowness of Speech rendered him less fit for that Employ than another, and that he wished his Friends might reap the benefit of his Misfortunes.  
Potuliskis, Starost of Borzekow; and Czapski, Starost of Klek, had equal Voices in Prussia; the Emulation of those two Lords was so great, that there was no appearance that they would give way to one another. It was therefore represented to them, that there was but one Office to fill; that they could not both have it, and that it was their parts to agree between themselves: But each of them chose rather to quit his pretensions, than to yield to his Rival.  
The same means were used in regard to the Count Sapieha and Dzialinski, the former was great Carver of Lithuania; and the latter of the Crown, and Treasurer of Prussia; Sapieha was jealous of him. They were promised that the Master of the House of Lithuania, their Relation, should be Marshal of the Diet of the Coronation, if they would desist from their pretensions this time, to which they agreed. His Competitor, who knew nothing of this Treaty, consented to do the like, and thought he had gained enough in depriving his Rival of an advantage, which the Credit and Alliance of his Party would hinder him from procuring to himself.  
There remained only the Counts Mieszinski Starost of Wielun, and Bielinski great Chamberlain of the Crown; the giving over of these before, was not favourable to the first, who making a Virtue of the weakness of his Party, agreed with the other pretenders to that Employ to give his Vote, and to procure those of his Friends for Count Bielinski. The Abbot of Polignac, whom those eight Lords had chosen to be Judge of their Difference, inclined for the last; because he had married the Daughter of Count Morstein, formerly great Treasurer of Poland, who in the Year 1683. retired into France, where he had made great Purchases; besides that his Lady, who had as much Credit among the Nobility of the two Orders, as power over her Husband's Mind, was entirely devoted to France.  
The contrary Party had also resolved that no other Director of the Diet should be chosen than the Son of the Palatine of Le●cicia; and the Obstinacy of both Parties occasioned the Election to be deferred; while this was in debate, there were some Deputies who would examine the Grievances of the Nation against the Royal Family, before all things; and the Partisans of the latter demanded that the two Treasurers should be called to an Account. Thus the two Parties by Mutual Accusations thought of nothing but to shift off this Inquiry, and did not trouble themselves about the Election of the Marshal.  
Others were obstinately resolved to convict and punish the Authors of the Confederacy of the Armies, and they applied themselves the more vigorously thereto, because every one hoped to be gamers thereby. Towards the end of the Year 1696. a Detachment of the Army which remained faithful, being out upon a Party, returned loaden with Booty, but such as was more considerable in effect than in appearance: The Soldiers had seized some Barrels of Herrings that were a carrying to the Confederates; twenty thousand Ducats were found in them; such sorry Fish had never so good pickle before: Every one was desirous to know the Author of this Stratagem, some to punish him, and the most part to feel the like effects of his Liberality.  
All those Debates deferred the Choice of the Marshal; they were obliged to choose him by Poll; all the Gentlemen gave their Votes one after another to Humiecki, who was appointed to take the same, which took up much time. In fine, the French Ambassador had the satisfaction, that he for whom he concerned himself, carried it on the 15th of June by many thousand Voices. Bielinski at this rate obtained a Dignity, which he was to enjoy a much less time than he spent in arriving to it.  
The Choice of the Marshal was not the only thing to be terminated, that of a King was of Greater consequence: The Diet was to last but twelve days; the Nobility were impatient of this delay; they began to want provisions, Money, and Hungarian Wine; and the Sums that the pretenders to the Crown distributed among them, did not answer the Avarice of those who were only come to sell their Votes.  
The Lords were as much tired as the Gentry because of the great Expense they were obliged to be at, which was so excessive, that the great Treasurer of the Crown had defrayed the whole Palatinate of Russia, which is composed of 12000 Gentlemen, for several days, and the other Heads of Factions had been no less prodigal.  
The Election of the Marshal was a lively representation of that of the King; the two Parties had measured their strength; that which was forced to yield, was in a confusion, and breathed nothing but Revenge, they desired that the Votes should be cast up, and this small comfort was granted them. Odalanowski was the most Interested, and shame had made him to retire, that he might not be a Witness of the superiority of his Enemies, and his own weakness. His Partisans were more constant than he; they demanded that the Marshal Elected, should give out no Diploma in case of a Division, without the Consent of the Republic; this had been formerly practised in the Election of King Michael, wherefore they were willing to follow his example; and tho' it was perceived that they designed a double Election, yet this favour was granted them, which in reality seemed to be just, but which ought to have been refused to people whose Invention it was to make ill use of it.  
They endeavoured to repair, by this Negotiation, the disgrace which had happened to them: Przependowski redoubled his efforts to ruin a Faction which he had represented to be so weak, and remonstrated that the Elector performed his promises, while the Minister of France would do nothing but give fair promises. He treated at the same time with the contrary Party, and sought by the same Artifices and means to put them out of conceit with Pr. James and the other Candidates; and in fine, he flattered himself that the two Parties would concur with his design without knowing it. The Irresolution of the Palatine of Vilna gave him great hopes. In effect, this Lord being blinded by the discourses of the Castellan of Culm, complained in the Council held on the 16th of June at the Cardinals, that the promises of France were not put in execution, that the Prince was at too great a distance, and that the Sums for paying of the Army, were not yet arrived. The Ministers of that Crown refuted his discourse with so much vigour, that he was forced to submit, and to promise by a new Oath which the Cardinal took first, and the rest afterwards, never to choose another King than the Pr. of Conti And as they still hoped that the remittances would arrive at Dantzick by the time of the Election, and that they doubted not but that France would remove this Obstacle, they resolved to remove the other, and to sign and dispatch the Letters, which they had already wrote, to the Prince of Conti, to hasten his departure, of which they had suspended the signing only in expectation of the Remittances.  
The 17th of June, and the two following days were employed in Intrigues, and secret Negotiations by the Ministers of the several pretenders to the Crown, and the same days were spent in Debates in the Diet. The Enemies of the Royal Family spoke a second time of Accusations, and Recoveries against the Late King's Heirs. It was answered, that they must before all things examine the Accounts of the Treasurers: The discussion of those two heads was too long for the little time that remained, so it was remitted to the Diet for the Coronation, and the parties did not obstinately insist upon the same; every one was willing to defer an Examination which could have nothing but troublesome Consequences. If they could have been as easily appeased, as to the rest, they would not have been irreconcilable, and their Enmity would not have proved so fatal to the Republic.  
It is very difficult for those that only design mischief, to be long quiet. The Queen's friends revived the Coequation, the Enemies of the house of Sapieha Joined with them, and the Nobility of Lithuania being Jealous of the fortune and Splendour of that Family, backed this proposal. The Partisans of France would not uphold the Sapieha's in this affair, but in so far as they should see them faithful to the Prince of Conti; Nevertheless as that might have divided the Partisans of the Prince, those who were the most addicted to him, referred the decision thereof till after the Diet of the Coronation; and it was resolved to give Audience to the Ambassadors after next Morning.  
The Pope's Nuncio was Introduced on the 20th of June with the usual Ceremonies; he exhorted the Nobility to make Choice of a Catholic King, and of one who might be useful to the Church and Kingdom. His Harangue tho' not long was tiresome; because he who pronounced it had meddled too much with Intrigues, and had not had the Moderation which he whose Minister he was recommended to him, in respect of the most worthy of the pretenders to the Crown.  
The Bishop of Passaw had been Chosen by his Imperial Majesty to be his Ambassador; he was Son to Count Lumberg whom the Emperor had done the honour to Confide in, and likewise had a great esteem for; he had received sensible proofs of it in his life time; and his family had received the like after his death. This Prelate arrived at Vienna the latter end of April, and set out the third of May, by post, to assist at the Diet; He had received with his Instructions Bills of Exchange which he was forced to protest upon his Arrival: He knew that without Money business languished & had no success particularly in Poland. He sent back to Vienna for a supply; that Court was not Ignorant of the Necessity there was of Satisfying his demand: In the Mean time the report was spread abroad that that Minister had no money. He neglected to give out that he had remedied that misfortune, and the want of this precaution might perhaps be partly the cause of the disgrace that happened to him.  
He set out from Vienna with a small train, and Decency obliged him to have a retinue worthy of him whose person he represented; he gathered together Several Germans he had found at Warsaw, who served him in stead of a life guard when the Marshal of the Diet came to Conduct him to the Assembly. That Officer perceived that the guards of this Minister carried their drawn Swords about him with their points up; he threatened to Cut them in pieces if they continued their March in this Ceremony, and he being the strongest they were forced to obey.  
The great Secretary of the Crown received from the hands of this Prelate, the Emperor's Letter: As that Officer carried it to the Primate he saw that the Direction was inclytae Reipublice. This was thought to proceed from pride, and the opinion was grounded, upon that the Emperor Maximilian, being Competitor with Battori for the Crown, affected the same stile, and that his Letter had then met with a bad reception. The Ambassador who had not foreseen this difficulty, demanded leave to excuse it in a full Diet. On the 21st he was permitted to do it on condition that he would add the word Serenissimae with his own hand, and promise that his Imperial Majesty should Agree to it; he excused it, by reason he was not permitted to alter any thing of the stile of the Chancery, and so his Letter was not received.  
These Mortifications were but a Praeludium of those that were to happen to him that same day. Those of this Retinue had placed themselves about him, which hindered him from being seen, wherefore a sign was made for them to retire, upon which they prostrated themselves upon the Ground and put themselves into the posture of Malefactors who expected to receive the fatal blow. The Ambassador began his discourse, which he read upon his paper, and recommended Prince James Sobieski as a fit person for the Crown. He was interrupted several times during his harangue because he made use of the terms of Vos, instead of those Terms of honour, which ought to be used when one Speaks to a free and Crowned Republic; As he continued to read the same way, and did not change his Expressions, the Poles ceased not to reproach him; this so enraged him that he was seized with a bleeding at the Nose which together with the Clamours of the People, hindered him from going on, and delivered him a little sooner out of that great perplexity.  
The Ambassador of France was to speak the Next day which was the 22th. The opposite function prepared to Interrupt him and to revenge themselves of what had happened the Night before. They knew that Minister to be a man who would not have suffered this affront tamely; he had Notice of it, and that Jablonowski great Ensign of the Crown and Son to the Castellan of Cracow had said to Prince Lubomirski Starost of Olsztin; You have Insulted our Ambassador, to Morrow we shall have Satisfaction upon yours. This and some other particular reasons made the Abbot de Polignac think that it was not proper to Venture himself; But he Printed his proposals and Caused them to be distributed throughout every Palatinat, signed with his own hand and sealed with his Coat of Arms. This precaution had all the Effect he could expect from his harangue.  
The 23d which was Sunday and the 24th being St. John's day were spent in private Negotiations. The Compliment that was passed upon the French Ambassador the 23d was enough to puzzle an Able Man. The Bishop of Plosko Dzialinski and Wapowski came to wait upon him, saying, that his Friends would do nothing without first acquainting him with it; That they prayed him to have regard to the misfortunes wherewith all Poland was threatened, that the Division that was foreseen was Inevitable, since he could not give orders for the essential succours which alone were Capable either to hinder or to extinguish it; that a medium was found out which would settle the Quiet of the Republic, secure the honour of France, and be no prejudice to his Excellency. This Expedient was to Consent to the Choice of the Elector of Saxony; whom they would oblige to restore to the most Christian King, the Money which he had expended, and that the said Prince would do for the Ambassador all that the Acknowledgements of a Prince, who should owe the Crown to him, could require.  
The Abbot of Polignac had been acquainted with the design over Night, by Count Wladislas Priemski, Castelan of Kalish, the truest Friend he had; and withal the bravest Man in Poland. He was a Man that tempered his Courage with matchless Prudence, and knew how to turn the Crossest Accident to his own Advantage. Every one wondered that such contrary Virtues should agree to lodge in one Breast; and indeed 'twas a hard matter to determine whether his Conduct in Peace or War was his greatest Excellency.  
The Ambassador and he had agreed upon what they were to say; and in order to discourse the Deputies upon the Resolutions they had taken, the former appeared among 'em in the Council, where he represented to them that 'twas their interest to prevent the Election of the Duke of Saxony; that he believed the Nation was two jealous of their Liberties, to deliver themselves up to the Germans, whom they had always rejected upon such occasions; and should that Elector compass his design, that the Catholic Religion and their Liberties would be equally in danger. He remonstrated to them, what a shame it was for the Poles, at a time when their Senate consisted only of Popish Members, to suffer their Crown to sit on a Lutheran Prince's Head. He added, that he knew not how Poland could answer the just reflections of the Holy See, which would never grant King Casimir a Title to Orthodoxy, till he had expelled the Heretics out of the Senate, and several parts of the Kingdom.  
Having thus charged them with weakness, he came at length to threats; and told them, that, without dependence upon them, he had a Body of Nobility to stand by him; and, if after all, his Candidate could not mount the Throne, that his Party would at least be strong enough to fortify Prince James', which he was going to join, and hoped the Cardinal and other Lords would follow his Example.  
'Tis certain the Ambassador had some ground for what he said: For the Cardinal, and the Houses of Sapieha, and Lubomirski, were sure of fourteen or fifteen Palatinate. Besides, this Minister had by some other intrigues secured those of Prussia, Plosko, Novogred, and a part of Sandomiers. And at the same time Count Priemski was Master of those of Posen and Kalish. Accordingly the sequel gave them to know that the Ambassador was able to put his Threats in E●●cution, and that the French faction which was given out to be so low, was a third part stronger than they imagined.  
Nearness to danger gives courage to encounter it. The Threats of the Ambassador, and the fear of falling under the Government of the Queen, confirmed them in their first sentiments; and accordingly they promis●● a third time to act honourably in the matter, and without any further failure. There was only Krziszpin Palatin of Witeps, and Morstein Castellan of Czerske who were engaged by the Castelan of Culm, by a bribe of two thousand Crowns given them, upon Promise and Oath: But the other Lords were ashamed of their perfidiousness, and declared openly that the baseness of two men whose quality was disputed, ought not to reflect upon the true Nobility of Poland, that abhorred their Treachery.  
From the time of the Election of the Mareshal, Przependouski had flattered himself with hopes of improving his Interest by the Inconstancy of the Palatin of Vilna, thinking that others might follow his Example▪ But he was out in his measures upon the score, though he succeeded well in another Project. The Queen had conveyed her two Millions to France; and was glad they were not returned to Poland. She had laid out Thirty Thousand Crowns, to no purpose, upon the Election of a Mareshal; and what by that and other prodigal measures had quite exhausted her Treasures; and was galled to see the French faction rise upon the ruins of hers ', without expending such large Sums. Prince James had spent all his Money, and the Heads of his Party threatened to abandon him, if he did not find some before the Election: His last shift was to make his address to the Bishop of Passaw. Accordingly he sent the Bishop of Cujavia, the Castelan of Cracow, and Palatin of Braslaw to ask some Money of him, which the Promises and Protection of the Emperor had given him Ground to hope for. That Bishop had an Hundred and Fifty Thousand Crowns by him besides Jewels; but thought it scarce worth the while to revive a party that was already so far gone: He told them, in that juncture of Affairs, 'twas indifferent to his Imperial Majesty, whether they chose Prince James or any other Candidate, providing they kept out the Prince of Conti: That the only effectual way to prevent that Prince's being Elect was to make the best advantage of his Distance, the difficulty of his Passage, and the scarcity of French Money in Poland; that 'twas their business to examine which of the Candidates was best able to make his pretensions good, and endeavour to support him; unless they had a mind to sink under the Triumphs of the Cardinal and the Families of Sapieha and Lubomirski, and their other declared Enemies; and that for his part, both his Money and his Credit should be at the Service of him that could make the strongest faction.  
They ran over all the Candidates of the House of Austria. The Duke of Lorraine was at Olmutz with the Queen Eleonor his Mother. The Duke of Nieubourg was at Breslaw in Silesia. Both of them knew the importance of their Neighbourhood; but to what purpose should Princes stir, that are at once destitute of Money and Troops? The Elector of Saxony was likewise in Silesia at the head of his Troops, ready to enter the Kingdom: His pretended abjuration was then public, and believed by all those whom Przependouski's Credit, or that Prince's Interest could prevail with: His Money was in readiness, and those who could not satisfy their avarice with three Millions from the Queen and Prince James, might be gained by his Twelve; and besides, he had an Army able to repair the weaknesses of their Party. Upon this consideration they resolved to declare for him, and told Prince James he must lay down three hundred thousand Crowns, ready Money, or else expect no service from them. Prince James replied, 'twas to no purpose to a●● Money of him, after they had taken all from him; that since he was so unhappy as to be abandoned by those whom he took for his Friends, he renounced his Pretensions, and entreated them to employ all their Interest for his Brother in Law the Prince of Nieubourg; that by so doing they would serve him under his misfortune, and perhaps engage the compassion of the Emperor and Empress in his behalf. But these good Friends minded but little a recommendation that was not accompanied with liberality.  
The 24th in the Morning, the Heads of the Party met in Council, to consult what Faction they should join themselves to. Potoski Palatin of Cracow and little Crown-General, had no inclination for the Duke of Saxony; but would have preferred the Duke of Lorraine, if he had had Money to give him. He gave the Cardinal and French Ambassador to know, that if they would consign sixty thousand Crowns, and give him the half on't by way of advance, he would deliver up himself and his whole faction to them. But they had not Money enough to buy him, and so lost the opportunity. In fine, he sold himself to Saxony, more out of Avarice than Affection. Jablonowski Crown General, Joseph Sluska Castelan of Vilna and little-General of Lithuania, the Bishop of Cujavia, the Vice Chancellor Tarlow, and several others followed their Example. The Palatin of Lencicia was not among them. He expected his Son should have been made Mareshal of the Diet; and being disappointed fell into a Fever that rendered him senseless, till a few days after the Election.  
Borouski Castelan of Dantzick, gave the French Ambassador Intelligence of the Resolutions of that Assembly: And the Ambassador presently acquainted his own Faction with it. His Faction was composed of two sorts of Men, that seemed equally to favour the Prince of Conti: the one had a Personal respect for him; the other acted with no other view but to exclude Prince James and the Royal Family. Prince James' Renunciation made them look more indifferently upon all the Competitors, so that in two or three Palatinates, they gave in Conti in the first place, and the Duke of Saxony in the next. 'Tis true those who did so, were afterwards troubled about it; but 'twas in vain to repent when they had not time to remedy it.  
The French Ministers endeavoured to redress the fault, though 'twas not committed by them. For that end they drew up three Arguments against Saxony, which would certainly have cast him, had they been able to back them with bounty. They objected first his Country, which had always been odious to the Poles, but his Money answered for that: Then they represented his strength and power, and indeed 'twas that that supported his feeble Pretensions: And lastly, they put the Poles in mind of his Religion, which was the strongest Motive of all. To obviate this Objection, that Prince's Favourites had spread a report that he had been converted to the Romish Faith two years before: But that was looked upon as fabulous. So they were forced to look out for some better evidence; and accordingly met with a Prelate that was not very scrupulous in serving them.  
Christian Augustus of Saxezeitz, a Kinsman of the Elector's, had formerly been of the Lutheran Communion: Upon what motives he departed from it, we shall not inquire. His Preferment he owed to the Emperor, who in the Month of April, 1696. removed him from Cologne, where he had been Canon and Grand Provost, and put him in possession of the rich Bishopric of Raab in Hungary: And upon the Emperor's recommendation his Holiness' Bull was obtained Gratis. This New Prelate being willing to serve his his Family, and withal to give proof of his grattude his to Benefactor, did yield to their importunity in signing an Attestation, that on the second of June, being Trinity Day, the Elector of Saxony had made an Abjuration at Vienna before him. General Fleming shown the Certificate to every one, but could convince none. They credited this Attestation, no more than the report of his Abjuration at Rome two years before; because neither the Church nor Witnesses were mentioned, and they would not take a Lutheran's Abjuration upon a Calvinist's word. Besides, the Duke had been observed to follow the Lutheran Communion since that time; and those who were convinced of the matter of Fact, could not excuse such a sinful relapse; nay the most judicious looked upon the action as a Crime that Politics might disguise, but Repentance alone could expiate.  
The Abbot of Polignac and his Colleague improved these Reasons to that advantage, that the more reasonable sort of People were guarded against all surprises upon that Head. They represented the whole as an Artifice to procure a Rupture; and told them his Favourers furnished themselves with those pretexts, in order to get an Army into the Kingdom to attack their Laws and Public Liberty. These Reflections had a great influence upon the Body of the People, but those who had sold themselves to the Saxons did not trouble themselves, having resolved to sacrifice their Liberties, Religion and Country to sordid Avarice.  
The 26th of June all the Palatinates assembled. That Day was appointed for adjusting the preliminaries, for the Election was to be determined as next Day. All the Gentry being in number above a Hundred Thousand, appeared in the Fields of Warsaw; every Palatinate under their own Standard, divided into Companies, the biggest containing eight or nine Hundred Men, and the least two Hundred. They were all on Horseback, excepting a few on Foot, that followed the Cavalry, and were drawn up behind them. These were the poorer sort of Gentry which could not go to the charge of a Horse; they were armed with Scythes, without Sabres, and appeared as formidable as the others, and had an equal right to Vote.  
Each Senator made Harangues to his own Palatinate, in order to recommend his own designs, and direct them in the Election. The Bishop of Plosko had no sooner made an end of his harangue, but the Palatinate of the same Name cried long live Conti; and drew their Sabres. This universal acclamation did at once encourage the French, and mortify the opposite Faction.  
The Palatinates of Siradia and Rava followed the Example of Plosko; and the three from Prussia did the same. Nay the Election was almost anticipated through the impatience of the Noblility to be under a Sovereign that seemed only capable to restore the Kingdom to its ancient Splendour.  
Przependouski observing the fury of the Prussians endeavoured to put a stop to it, in telling them the Duke of Saxony was as good for them as the Prince of Conti: Whereupon Czapski, Chamberlain of Mariembourg replied, Why Traitor, is this thy Oath? And at the same time shot a Pistol at him, which would have killed him had, not a Priest put it by with his Cane. Though 'twas an act of Charity that merited approbation, yet it drew more Curses than Thanks upon the Priest.  
Others were stunned with their forwardness, and apprehensive of a surprise; and to put a stop to the Career protested against the Cardinal, the Bishop of Plosko, the Palatin of Culum, the Lubomirskis, Sapieha's, and Radgivil, as having concerted a disorderly Election, in opposition to the Laws, which require that the Candidates should be first proposed. They on the other hand, out of tenderness to some of their Party, yielded to the Legal form, and so lost the opportunity of compassing their designs, that was now a second time thrown into their Lap.  
Had they kept up to the ardour of the Palatinates, the Duke of Saxony had been buried in Oblivion: For the greater part of the Gentry, had never heard of any other Candidates beside the Prince of Conti and James Sobieski, and were entirely engaged to the former, without dreaming of any other pretensions. Br 〈…〉 awe prevailed, and stifled their Acclamations; the Decision being put off till the next Day.  
Both the Ministers of France and their Adversaries were equally in suspense, and run busily about all that Day and the succeeding Night. The one entertained the Gentry with the Story of the Elector's Conversion, which they would fain have passed for a truth: The other cndeavoured by all means to convince them of its falsity. Both of them made their Address to the Pope's Nuncio, who found himself in a quandary; but to satisfy both Parties, promised the one he would confirm the Bishop of Raab's Certificate with his own Attestation, and at the same time assured the other he would not do it; perhaps for a salvo to his word, he meant he would not do it next day.  
On the 26th they assembled early in the Morning in St. John's Church, were the Cardinal Primate said Mass, and the Bishop of Plosko made a Sermon, in which he compared himself to the Prophet Samuel, that demanded of God a King, not like Saul, but such a one as David was: And interlaced his Discourse with ingenious little hints, that gave his Audience to know where his wishes and hopes were pointed. After Sermon the numerous Assembly marched in order to the place of Election: And the Senators being placed in the Kolo, the Cardinal Primate made an Eloquent Speech upon the due qualifications of a new King, and then Named the Candidates; giving every one a Panegyric, either upon his Personal Qualities, or those of his Family. When he came to mention the Duke of Saxony, who was the last in Order, he declared that in Honour they could not forget him, but he was not fit to be chosen because he professed Lutheranism, and no Body was sure of his Conversion, though the Public was imposed upon with insufficient Proof. Then the Elector was named openly in the Ranks, which surprised even those who were best acquainted with the Laws of the Kingdom: However his Party was so weak, that the terror was not equal to the surprisal.  
The Cardinal having made an end of his Harangue, kneeled on the Ground of his own accord, and lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, declared he would never Nominate a King without their unanimous consent, provided they did not insist on one uncapable to be Chosen. After the Primate's Oath, all the Senators, both Ecclesiastical and Secular, Mounted their Horses, and repaired to their respective Palatinates. But this being contrary to the Custom, those who assisted at the Election of King Michael, told them that when the Gentry was divided between the Prince of Neuborg and Prince of Lorraine, they drew upon the Senators. This Advice obliged them to alter their Resolutions, and accordingly they returned, partly out of regard to the Laws, and partly for the security of their Persons. In the mean time the Cardinal and the Director of the Diet, remained by themselves the in Kolo, standing opposite to one another, in order to receive the advices which came very frequently, and to give them necessary Orders-  
The Castelan and Palatine of Cracow made their last efforts to serve Prince James, in soliciting the Palatinate of Cracow, which by right speaketh first, and that of Posen that speaks next, to cry, Long live James the Son of the King: Three Companies of Cracow obeyed them; and one of Posen did the same, but very faintly: The other three of the former, and five of the latter cried, Long Live Conti; and that with so loud an acclamation that his Name was heard all over the Field. Vilna, which Votes in the third place, was entirely for him; and all the others followed their Example till it came to Samogitia's turn, which comes in after the first eight Palatinates; two Companies of this Province had been retained by the Krziszpins whom I mentioned above, and accordingly declared for the Duke of Saxony. His Name was so odious to those who stood for Conti, that they spoke of nothing less than putting those to the Sword, that proposed a Lutheran. But his new promoters, gave them fresh assurances that he was a good Catholic, and had abjured the Lutheran Profession at Rome in the presence of the Pope himself; and because the Gentry would not take their words for it, told them the Nuncio would attest it in his Holiness' Name. Some credited the Story, especially some poor Gentlemen that Przependouski had regaled with Brandy, and given them a Crown a Man. Others believed the nomination of Saxony was only a blind to advance Prince James' Party, which sunk so quickly under his own name.  
This conjecture was grounded on a certain misfortune that happened in the Palatinate of Plosko, where a Gentleman devoted to the Royal Family had the Generosity to check them when they repeated Conti's Name, with as much ardour as they had done the preceding Day; and having proposed Prince James, was preparing to give in some Remonstrances, when another Gentleman stopped him, and killed him with a Pistol shot. But the inhumanity of the action had not so much influence upon the Gentry, as to procure an avenger.  
All Prince James' hopes were buried with this imprudent and misfortunate Friend. The Palatine of Plosko had absented himself from the meeting, either out of fear of the like disgrace, or in order to avoid the affront he had received in the Particular Diet of his Palatinate; where, after he had encouraged the Gentry to declare against France, he was so universally forsaken, that he had not one to back him. Or perhaps the Intrigues of the opposite Party had made him absent himself; for the Ministers of France had so much Interest with the Gentry, as to get those they suspected turned out of all places of command, and others of their own Faction put in their Posts.  
While the Palatinates were Voting, they gave notice to the Bishop of Passaw, that 'twas absolutely necessary to have the Nuncio's Attestation to back the Bishop of Raab's, which no body credited, after Conti's Party had exposed it for an imposture. The Nuncio was gone to visit the Princess Lubomirski the Grand marshal's Lady at her Castle Viasdow, about a quarter of a League from Warsaw. The Emperor's Ambassador finding it necessary to speak with the Nuncio, went strait thither, and told him that if he did not immediately give the Attestation they had demanded over Night, and now solicited for more than ever, he must expect to see Prince Conti chosen with an unanimous consent. The Nuncio staggered no longer; but wrote under the Bishop's Certificate that he knew the subscription to be his, and added a Panegyric upon the Bishop, blended with another upon the Prince, and a great deal of impertinent stuff: So that upon the whole 'twas rather a Commentary than a legal Confirmation.  
Przependowski returned about eleven a Clock in the Morning with this Paper, and a guard of his Friends to secure him from the Chamberlain of Mariembourg that had threatened him the Day before. When he arrived in the Electoral Camp, he held up the Paper in his hand, and made those about him cry out with a loud voice, that the Pope's Nuncio had declared to the meeting that the Elector of Saxony was a good Catholic, and that his Holiness required the Crown should be given him. Those who fancied Saxony's Name was made use of to favour Prince James, took all this for an Illusion; and looked upon the proposal of Saxony as a Monster that must perish when it comes into the World, and be stifled by those that gave it a being.  
The siiller sort of the Gentry, together with those that were hired to Authorize the Fable, were by this means engaged on his side, and about Noon made a Party bigger than that of Nieuborg, Lorraine or Baden, but much inferior to Conti's. The Confusion of Voices, and the noise of Arms, caused so great a disorder that 'twas impossible to gather the Votes. To appease the Tumult the Cardinal proposed that Conti's party should go off to one side, and those of the other Candidates to draw themselves up on the other. In a minute his Advice was put in execution, and so great a number of Companies passed to the Right of Schopa to appear for Conti, that his Enemies thought the whole Meeting was filing off to that side. However they redoubled their efforts to form a Body upon the left hand, which did not amount that Day to above 36 Companies for all the four Candidates; whereas, Conti's Party by itself had at least two hundred and fourteen.  
Those who favoured France sent expresses almost every minute to acquaint the French Minister what a great number of Palatinates was on their side. As they passed along to the Right, one came▪ and told them of twelve, another of fifteen, and so on till they came to nine and twenty. The Nuncio himself, when he saw five and twenty of them declare for Conti, though he was sorry for it, yet he sent his Secretary to congratulate the Ministers. They finding every thing so favourable solicited the Cardinal and the other Heads, by repeated Messages to improve the Advantage that fortune had offered, and to nominate the Prince of Conti that day, without putting it off till the next.  
Indeed the occasion of nominating was very inviting, when all the Palatinates were ranged in two battalions, and Conti's Line was so long, and the other so short; that the one was animated with fresh Courage, and the other seized with fear: Nay, the Great Treasurer of the Crown and the Castelan of Kalish, designing not to lose the advantage they had got, exhorted all the Gentry to prepare to fight. The Castelan, being mounted on his Charging Horse, appeared at the Head of the Palatinates of Posen and Kalish, with a Crucifix in one hand, and a drawn Sabre in the other, without any other harangue, but the warlike shout, For God, Conti and our Liberties. The Bishops of Cujavia, Posen, and Livonia, who were on the Saxon side, did not doubt but they would come to an engagement, and that their Party would be cut to pieces. Being under this apprehension, they took Horse and fled to Warsaw, and shut themselves up in St. John's Cloister. At this time there was no Division to be feared, if the Primate had nominated Conti; for these three Prelates being gone, there was no body behind to nominate another.  
But the Primate was Master of more Probity than Courage: He had a mind to spare the Polish Blood, and to stand to the Oath he had made. Being possessed with such scrupu-Reflections, he listened to the entreaties of the Generals, who begged the Election should be put off till next day: Though the fourteen Companies of Sandomiers and Mazovia, who were the better part of the opposite Party, had promised to abandon that side so soon as the Darkness of the Night should give them an opportunity to get off: Though all the Companies of the twenty Nine Palatinates that stood for Conti, were already drawn up, and the Cardinal was just giving them the Benediction, in order to proceed immediately to the Nomination, when that fatal proposal of delay was handed about; yet he presently agreed to it, without acquainting the Palatinates who would never have suffered it; and instead of making an end of what he was about, told them the Night approached, that the Election of a King was not a work of Darkness, and that the next Day it should be determined.  
Several entreated him to gather the Votes without delay, which is always dangerous in such junctures: They remonstrated to him, that the opposite Party had not above 36 Companies, and those were divided among four Competitors; that by this delay he furnished them with an opportunity of uniting, and conspiring to support the Interest of some one that they might find strongest, or capable to distribute most Money; and that 'twas not at all prudential to give them time to join in a new Faction. Had the Primate followed this advice, Conti had been King, and Poland's Divisions had been prevented. But such was their fatal misfortune, that he depended upon the hopes of seeing all the Factions reunited, and a King nominated with an unanimous consent. To satisfy the Entreaties of the one, and the Importunities of the the other, he endeavoured to find out a medium betwixt them. This was the fatal Temper, which never almost meets with success, and is only carress'd by those who are Enemies to all Resolution. The Accommodation he made was, that both Parties should keep the Field all that night upon Horeseback, and no Man should quit his Post. This they jointly agreed to, and he himself spent the Night in his Coach.  
This Interval of time gave occasion for new Intrigues. Przependouski came privately to Warsaw to the Bishop of Passaw's House, where the Envoy's of the Electors of Saxony, Bavaria, and Brandeburg; the Dukes of Nieubourg and Lorraine, and the Resident of Venice were all present, Montecatini Agent to Dom Livio Odescalchi was not called thither; and perhaps if he had presented himself he should not have got access, because his Money was gone. For he had but just distributed six or seven thousand Livres (which was all he had left) to some Gentlemen, who to the number of fifteen or twenty had nominated Odescalchi King of Poland; and sounded up his Name more effectually than all the large offers he had published, notwithstanding that they were greater than any other, and set off under the Title of his most Serene Highness. But all their efforts served only to revive the raillery I mentioned above.  
All these Ministers met at the Nuncio's House, and concluded, that since they had so much time given them, they must improve it to the best advantage, and not only throw up all their different Pretensions to the Duke of Saxony, who was the strongest, but likewise assist him with Money. The Baron Overbeck Envoy from the Duke of Brandenbourg, gave the two hundred thousand Crowns that were designed for the Prince of Baden's use; the Bishop of Passaw gave a hundred and fifty thousand Crowns, and the others advanced according to their Proportions; nay even the Venetian Resident signalised his good will at the Queen's cost to the sum of thirty thousand Crowns, which she had put into his hands, in order to assist Prince James in his necessity. All these Contributions, together with the Money Monsieur Fleming had by him, and what the Jews advanced upon his Bills of Exchange to Dresden, Leipsic, and Breslaw; made in all a sum of eighteen hundred Thousand Livers, which they reckoned to distribute among the two Parties. With this they ranged all the Night long up and down the Electoral Camp; and indeed they found that method a more effectual persuasive, than all the Eloquence of the Generals that had been employed to that effect to no purpose.  
However the success did not answer expectation. 'Tis true they united and engaged for Saxony most of the thirty six Companies that had been divided betwixt Nieuborg, Lorraine and Baden: But this they looked upon as a small Conquest; for they could not inveigle above eleven of Conti's Companies, and in lieu of them they lost seven of their own: So that all that vast huge sum purchased more than four Companies, increasing their number from thirty six to forty. Finding this sorry progress would not answer, they carried their Negotiations yet further.  
The three Generals Jablonouski, Potoski, and Sluska addressed themselves to Sapieha Grand General of Lithuania, whom they knew to be a Man of no Resolution; and made use of some Reasons, which he had often alleged himself at the Cardinal's House, thinking thereby to win him over to their side. He was afraid lest they, being the Queen's Ancient Friends, should carry on Prince James' Interest; but they assured him they were so far from entertaining any such thought, that they had jointly resolved to put up Saxony, if the Cardinal insisted upon Conti. Sapieha was still mistrustful, and would fix upon no Conclusion. So at last they forbore to solicit a Man that had not the power to determine his own thoughts.  
The 27th at two a Clock in the Morning Przependouski and Fleming came to the Abbot of Polignac, and told him they had brought things to bear that Night, that their Faction was very Rich, and strongly reinforced; and that he had yet time to accept of the advantageous offers that were formerly made him. That Minister, for answer, accused the former of Treachery, and the latter for not keeping his Word: He put him in mind that on the 2d of May, as he delivered him a Letter from his Master, he assured him that the Elector would claim no pretensions to the Crown, without the Countenance of his most Christian Majesty, and the Failure of the Prince of Conti; and that contrary to that promise, the Elector of Saxony was the only obstacle that stood in the way of Conti's unanimous Election. So they parted without concluding upon any thing.  
The French Ambassador had galled them more without Money, than they could him with all their Sums. They had stopped his Couriers, and his Bills of Exchange were not arrived. The Queen had so much interest at Dantzick as to prevent the payment of the six hundred thousand Livres; and without Money 'twas a hard matter for him to win the Bishops and three Generals that stood by the opposite Faction. But his Prudence supplied the want of Money, and his Carriage to the Lords of his Party was so engaging, that not one of them forsook him. And the number of his Party was much augmented by the respect he shown to the second Rank of Gentry; of whom he entertained six at his Table, every Day, from the beginning of the Diet. The Poles themselves owned that this cautious conduct had gained him whole Palatinates: But the Queen's eternal complaints of his Conduct, and her open Aversion to his Person, procured him yet more.  
In the Morning the Cardinal began to repent that he had not determined the Election the Day before. The opposite Party was not so sensible of his complaisance in delaying as he expected: On the contrary, the Heads spent the time upon new intrigues, and no body thought of an Union. Besides, they complained of his Conduct the preceding Day. He had gone through all the Palatinates of his own side to require their Votes, and exhort them to constancy. But omitted to do the like honour to the opposite Faction. This they resented, and would have persuaded the World that the Primate's slighting carriage was the occasion of their declaring for Saxony. The Primate had declined going among them, by reason of some advice sent him, that if he appeared at their Head the followers of the Castelan of Cracow would assassinate him: I know not whether they truly designed so, or had only spread that report to scare the Prelate from coming to make such Remonstrances as might take off any of their thirty six Companies. However this put both Parties in such a ferment, that the Primate declared he would not consent to any Accommodation.  
At the same time the Rupture was resolved upon by the opposite Faction; only they were galled with one difficulty, viz. They had only four Prelates in their whole Division, for the Bishop of Samogitia was not present at the Diet, and those of Cujavia, Posen, and Livonia could not shake off the terror which the Castelan of Kalish had put them into over Night. The last of the three was very scrupulous of meddling with what belonged to the Primate; and loath to give his Brethren an ill example, though he was not unwilling to follow theirs. As for the Bishop of Cujavia there was no hopes of bringing him back, after what had passed. And Stanislas Witwicki Bishop of Posen, declared he had business, enough of his own upon his hands, without engaging in more. He called to mind the Judgement given in against him by the Pope's Nuncio, which branded him with a dishonourable Character. I shall not mention it here, because I would spare the memory of the dead, and am unwilling to sully his Character.  
In order to put an end to the Election betimes, the Heads of both Parties began to review them. They perceived the three Generals had brought their Guards and Domestic Servants into the Field, to enlarge the bulk of their Troops, and murmured a little, but without any consequence. But the Primate was much more surprised, when he perceived, that of the fourteen Companies he expected to join with him, there came but seven; that the Palatinate of Volhinia, the District of Wielun, and some Companies of the Lithuanians, had marched out of their Ranks, and posted themselves between the two Battallia's, for a sign of Neutrality, and that the Palatin of Vilna appeared at their head, though his whole Family continued at their first Post. Immediately he dispatched an Express to know the reason of that motion. The Palatin answered he had set himself there as Umpire between the two opposite Parties, and reckoned his Example might sway those who stood out. They fancied he himself had a mind to put in for a third between the two Candidates: And the Great Treasurer his Brother, his Children, his whole Family, the better sort of Lords, the Mareshal of the Diet, the Bishops and the Primate himself entreated him not to put such a scandal upon their own, and encourage the opposite Faction. He put them off with some of his old Reasons, and pretended he was afraid of the Emperor, Brandenburg, and the Muscovite. They told him 'twas no time to examine these things after so many Promises and Oaths, and the receiving of so many Rewards. At last when they had spent the whole Morning in such interviews, he returned with his Company to his former Post, and withal told them, 'Twas their importunity more than their Reasons that brought him back.  
During this Conference, which continued but too long, the meeting was silent; and the opposite Faction expecting to reap advantage from Sapieha's Irresolution, who was a Man that was always confused in Matters of Duty; singled out Gorowski Castelan of Gnesna, who walked softly up, and made a sign for a Parley: Upon which Szwienziski Bishop of Kiow was deputed, and the Castelan gave him to know his Party wanted a Conference to be managed by Deputies in the Kolo before the Primate and Mareshal. Upon the Bishop's report 'twas agreed to; though they perceived the design was only to gain time till the morrow; yet they had a mind without loss of more time, to hear what they had to say.  
They declared openly that since a Rupture would be fatal to the Republic, they were utterly against it; and if the opposite Party would abandon Conti, they were willing to do the same by Saxony, Nieubourg, Lorraine, Bavaria, and all the Royal Family. But the others looked upon their proposal as ridiculous; they reckoned it a piece of imprudence for those who were superior in force, to treat upon an even lay with the weaker side; since those who were conquered aught to obey the Conqueror's Law. They fancied that if they had been able to make good the pretensions of any of their Candidates, they would not have dropped their Remonstrances; that one day would put an end to the matter, and those who had a mind to stand out must either submit or prepare to fight.  
Others again, who would seem to be more moderate, were almost overreached a second time, when the opposite Party complained that they were unjustly charged with obstinacy, since they offered to part with seven Princes, providing they would part with one. To lay the blame upon them, the Great Treasurer of the Crown proposed that the Primate should offer them the Prince of Baden: Next to Conti the Primate would have given him the Preference. The Bishop of Plosko came to Warsaw to acquaint the French Ambassador with the Proposal. Immediately the Ambassador wrote to the Primate and all his Friends, desiring him if that Proposal was seriously entertained, to remember the strength of Conti's Faction. When the Bishop returned he found the Great-Treasurer had proposed the Prince of Baden to the Deputies of the contrary Faction; and that Jablonouski had rejected the Proposal only because it was motioned by Lubomirski, and as he fancied promoted by Sapieha; so he embraced it because his Enemies disliked it. The Palatinates that stood for Conti were displeased with these two Senators; but they excused themselves as much as they could, and declared that what they did was only with a design to affront Jablonouski in the face of the whole Republic: However that Plea did not satisfy them; their indignation against the opposite Party was so violent, that with one consent they interrupted the Primate while he offered to nominate.  
The Bishop of Cujavia being persuaded their heat would relent if he could procure a delay, wrote a Letter to the Primate, half Latin half Polish. 'Twas to this purpose: Since your partiality for France has made you forget the acknowledgements ye own to the Royal Family, and Prince James' Interest is now sunk; I give you notice that we have forty Companies resolved to choose Saxony, if you nominate Conti: In the mean time I will not encroach upon your Rights, unless Threats and Arms oblige me. The Letter concludes in his own words thus, Sunt nobis 40 vexilla Nobilium pro Saxone Conjurata, si nominabis Conti. Attamen non involabo in Jura Primitialia V.E. nisi coactus minis & armis. This Letter was delivered to the Primate when he was going to give the Benediction to the Palatinates that had assembled round the Kolo in order to take possession of it. He read it out to them; and the Gentry found it such as they wished for, as being a proof of the obstinacy of a small number against a great one, and the Combination of 40 Companies against 210. Then their Patience was exhausted: They obliged the Cardinal to pronounce the Benediction, mount his Horse and make an end of the important Affair. The Primate, in compliance with those whose violence he could not avoid, about six a Clock at Night nominated Francis Lovis of Bourbon, Prince of Conti, King of Poland, and Great Duke of Lithuania.  
The Nomination was followed by the Acclamations of above fourscore thousand Gentlemen, while the opposite Party were projecting how to manage the designed Rupture. A Protestation would have cost them too much Blood, which they thought it their interest to spare: But their Confusion and Chagrin suggested other measures for recalling an Election, which they themselves owned under hand to be the safety of Poland.  
While they were consulting, the Cardinal, accompanied with the Gentry, went in Triumph to Warsaw to sing Te Deum in St. John's Church. They found the Gates of the Church shut, by the order, as they said, of the Bishop of Posen Ordinary of the place, and the Bishop of Livonia, Dean of that Collegiate. But they were quickly opened by Orders from the same Prelates. For a Detachment of the Gentry fired so many Pistols at the Windows of their Palaces, that they presently satisfied their demands. Afterwards they excused themselves, and would have laid the fault upon the Pope's Nuncio. But the Gentry who were equally ill pleased with them and him too, gave answer, that the contempt with which they treated his orders. was equal to the respect they paid to those of his Holiness.  
The Primate having finished the thanksgiving in the Church of Warsaw, went home attended by the Gentry, which passed by the Palace of the French Ministers, and with their Hangers and Pistols, saluted the King's Arms, that were upon the Gate. A great many Lords and Gentlemen came to compliment them, and indeed the Hungarian Wine was not spared.  
The Cardinal was scarce arrived at his Palace, when a Crowd of the Gentry came to acquaint him that the Bishop of Cujavia having retired from the Electoral Camp with the three Generals, took advantage of his absence, and at the head of the Forty Companies quietly nominated Frederick Augustus' Elector of Saxony, King of Poland and great Duke of Lithuania.  
Some Lords represented to him the Necessity of reducing that seditious Party; that since they would not submit, they ought to be forced to it; that when the Heretics had made a Conspiracy to prevent the Election of King Henry, they were happily dispersed by the Courage and Resolution of Albert Laski Palatine of Siradia, and John Kothewiecz Great-Mareshal of Lithuania, who threatened to cut in pieces all that withstood the Senate's Orders: That the same Remedy was now needful; and though it might appear violent, yet 'twas proper for desperate Diseases.  
The Primate, with a Moderation suitable to his Genius and Character, disapproved the Design; and the Lords submitted to his Advice so readily, that one would think there was more Ostentation in the Project, than Eagerness to put it in Execution.  
The Bishop of Cujavia and his Accomplices were not so scrupulous. Having nominated the Elector out of the Electoral Camp, and sung Te Deum in the same place, he came to repeat the Thanksgiving at Warsaw, while the whole Town was busied in making of Bonfires; and Conski Palatine of Kiow, and Great-Master of the Artillery, was ordering the Guns to be discharged for the Prince of Conti. The Bishops of Posen and Livonia opened the Gates of the Church to him, which had been shut upon the Primate by their Orders, but three or four hours before; and there they celebrated the same Thanksgiving, with this difference only, That the Bishop added the Benediction of the Holy Sacrament, and by that Ceremony rendered the Action more odious.  
Among all the Nullities in the Nomination of Saxony there was one which the Bishop was not ware of; viz. that 'twas performed out of the Electoral Camp. His Friends acquainted him with the Oversight, and obliged him to return next Morning by Break of Day, to make a new Nomination, as if that Ceremony could have rectified a Proclamation that was irregular in all its parts.  
The Bishop returned from thence to the Church of Warsaw, where at six a Clock in the Morning he tendered the Pacta Conventa to General Fleming, giving him the Title of Envoy Extraordinary, though he had no Right to that Character. This Minister promised, in his Master's Name, to advance Ten Millions for the Use of the Republic; to maintain Fifteen thousand Men during the War with the Turks; to retake Caminiec upon his own Charges; to re-establish the Catholic Religion in Saxony; and that the Electoress should make an Abjuration before she were crowned, or else forfeit all her Pretensions to the Crown. The Bishop was not ashamed to administer the Oath to a Calvinist Envoy, in the Presence of the Holy Sacrament, notwithstanding the Opposition of James Halecki, Huntsman of Podlachia, and Martin Grazewski, Vice-Chamberlain of Vilna; upon whom they drew their Hangers in the very Church where the Sacrament was exposed. And this Prelate instead of redressing the Disorder, cried, Kill, Kill; whereupon they made a verbal Process before the Nuncio, who publicly disapproved the action, but did not think fit to punish it.  
When the Election was over, the Cardinal hoping the smaller number would be brought to comply, proposed a Conference between the two Parties. Accordingly it began on the 28th, the most noted Lords on both Parties being present. George Albert Denohoff Bishop of Premislia, and Great Chancellor of the Crown, opened the Conference with a Speech; in which he told them the day of the Election, was a representation of the day of Judgement; and the Favourites of France on the Right represented the Elect, and alluding to the Lamb upon the Primate's Arms, quoted that passage of Scripture, Hi sequentur Agnum, quocunque ieret: And compared Saxony's Faction to the Goats that put all in disorder, applying to them that other passage, Vos enim depasti est is vineam.  
Then the Deputies were named. Conti's Party demanded that according to Law the two Competitors should not enter nor send Troops into the Kingdom, nor seize any Place, or claim aright for Coronation, till the public were assembled again in a second Diet to confirm the Election; and determine which of the Candidates should mount the Throne. Saxony's Party, considering Conti was far off, and Saxony just at hand, gave no other answer but a flat denial; and on the fifth of July, which was the last day of the Conference, declared that they saw the French had a mind to gain time, but the Saxons would not lose the opportunity.  
While the Conference was held, those who were not admitted enjoyed themselves in Feasting, and their heat was so much abated, that they seemed to bury the Old Polish Humour. By their Voices one would have thought they were rather pleading upon some particular cause before Judges, than managing the Election of a King in a General Diet of the Kingdom.  
Some wondered the Bishop of Cujavia should encroach on the rights of the Primate, in nominating a King in a tumultuous Assembly; but they were more surprised to hear him say the Elector had made an Abjuration at Rome two years ago. 'Twas Publicly notorious, that he had not performed one external act of the Catholic Religion: On the contrary he continued openly in the Lutheran Profession. And the more zealous among them owned that if his Abjuration was true, he should be looked upon as an Apostate.  
Others examined the qualities of the two Rivals. They extolled the Prince of Conti, whose Virtue they had sensible impressions of, from the French Ambassador. Prince Lubomirski Great Treasurer of the Crown, and many other Polish Gentlemen, were witnesses of his Bravery at the Siege of Newhausel, and they could not but credit their Report, that 'twas by his means chief that that important Place was taken. Others would have spoke on the Elector's behalf; but his Defeat at Temeswaer in the Month of April, 1696, was too fresh in their Memories, to consist with his Glory: Though afterwards the disgrace was in some measure extenuated by Prince Eugene of Savoy's Reprisals.  
They boasted of the Elector's strength, which indeed was extraordinary; and declared every Day by fresh instances. His Enemies could not deny it; but they distinguished between Hero's and Gladiators, and affirmed that Milon of Crotone went beyond him.  
When the News of the Election of the Elector, came to his own Country, they were as much disturbed as Poland. Prince Eugene of Furstemburg their Governor having caused Te Deum to be sung at Dresden on the 4th of July, would have said Mass in the Castle Chappel: But Christian Ebrarde the Electoress, Daughter to the Marquis of Brandebourg Baroth, being a Calvinist, ordered the Gates to be shut, and refused to take upon her the quality of Queen. The Electoress Dowager was not less zealous: So that both these Princesses, upon this occasion, showed all the transports of anger, that Women in a passion are capable of.  
I know not whether they did it out of Zeal, or to serve the Elector's Interest, in seeming to stand by the Country of Saxony. However the States were as resolute as the two Princesses; and declared they would admit of no change in the point of Religion. They went upon the latter will of John II. the Elector's Grandfather, which obliged all his Successors to Profess the Lutheran Religion. This Act they would have looked upon as Authentic, had not some former accidents given them a jealousy of what might come after.  
George Duke of Saxony Died in 1539. He was the most Zealous Prince of his time, for the Catholic Religion; as it appeared by many proofs in his life-time, and at his Death, by his latter will. He had no Children to Succeed him. Henry his Brother, Maurice and Augustus his Son had embraced the Lutheran Profession in 1537; and he was unwilling his Country, which by his means had kept up the Purity of the Gospel, should fall into the Hands of Heretics that had corrupted Saxony, and a great part of Germany. In order to compass his Pious Design, and at the same time to give his Family no occasion to complain of Injustice, he made a latter Will, in which he determined the Succession to Henry and his Children; providing they introduced no Change of Religion into the Countries which he gave them: And declared that if they counteracted that Condition, they had no Right to his Heritage. He entreated the Emperor Charles V, and King Ferdinand his Brother, to be Executors of his Will, and not to give the nearest of his Relations Possession of his Country, without they Professed the Catholic Religion.  
Had these Executors been possessed by the same sentiments of Piety with that Prince; Leipsic might have been a Catholic City this Day; but their particular Interests prevailed above Religion: They gave Henry and his Children the liberty of establishing Heresy in that City, at a time when they were pretending to extirpate it out of the whole Empire. Henry took advantage of their weakness, and invited Luther to that Town, which he perverted as well as many other Cities in Germany. Now the Saxons considering how Prince George's Will was executed, were apprehensive of the like Treatment for Prince John's,  
They and the Poles were equally in fear, the one for the Lutheran, the other for the Catholic Religion. The Primate wrote to the Elector, that the Diet had chosen the Prince of Conti; that he hoped he would not look upon the Tumultuous Election of a few Seditious Persons, as the Unanimous Consent of the whole Nation; and that he in the behalf of the greater and better part of the Nation, entreated his Highness to be rather their Friend than their Sovereign. This Letter the Elector would not receive, because 'twas not addresed to him as King.  
The Cardinal gave Advice also to the Emperor and the Elector of Brandebourg of the Election of the Prince of Conti: That Elector answered that he was sorry for the Divisions of the Republic, and offered himself as Mediator. The Emperor's Answer came later; 'Twas wrote to the Envoy in these words, Non est nostrum dare consilia Domino Cardinali & aliis Nobilibus Polonis, tamen optaremus ut amici fierent Regis Poloniae, quando quidem aliter fieri non potest. 'Tis not our business to give advice to the Cardinal and Polish Nobility; however we wish they would make a Virtue of Necessity, and stand by the King (meaning the Duke of Saxony).  
These Letters were as ineffectual as the Conferences. After the 5th every one followed his own measures. The Cardinal called a Diet on the 26th of August, to confirm the Election: The Bishop of Cujavia, in opposition to the Primate, proclaimed that the Coronation of the Duke of Saxony was to be solemnised on the 15th of September, and the preceding Diets should meet on the 6th of August.  
In the mean time the French Ministers were not idle, On the 27th about two hours after the Election, the Abbot of Polignac dispatched his own Secretary for France, to acquaint the King and Prince with the welcome News. The Courier being big with hopes of success, and full of the great News he brought; was afraid of lessening their agreeableness, by keeping too close to the naked truth, or to his Instructions; especially since the Ambassador had once thoughts of employing another, and upon his solicitation the Prince had desired that he should be sent. So his Vanity not being satisfied with a simple Recital of what passed; he added a great many particulars, which could not have happened till after his departure, and by that means betrayed his Levity.  
He had Orders to give an Account of what passed at the Election, where he was an Eye Witness, and to represent how much Poland stood in need of having their Elected Prince immediately at their Head, to draw together their Armies, and prevent the Saxons marching into their Kingdom, who would not fail to take advantage of his absence.  
The Secretary arrived at Versailles the 14th of July, and being interrogated about the Divisions, said, they were not at all to be feared; and perhaps by that time they were already appeased. The Prince asked if 'twas necessary for him to set out immediately. He answered he had no occasion, and that 'twas more proper for him to wait the arrival of the Embassy which the Republic would send him.  
These News filled the Court, City, and Armies with Joy, but the next Day made a wonderful alteration; when they received the Copy of a Letter, wrote by the Elector of Saxony to his Minister at the Hague, in which he gave Advice of his own Election, without mentioning Conti's: Doubtless his design was to put off Conti's Departure for Poland, in case the Couriers with the true News were stopped in Germany. Some Letters wrote from Dantzick with the same view, and to the same purpose, increased their trouble. Thus they passed the 14th, 15th and 16th in great uneasiness, and in admiration of the Prince, who carried the uncertainty of his Lot with such firmness and constancy of Mind, as proclaimed him worthy of a Crown.  
They looked impatiently for the arrival of the Ambassadors, that the first Courier had mentioned: But on the 16th at Night the Abbot Rioux, having been dispatched by the French Ministers, arrived; who gave a solid and circumstantial Account of the Rupture; Remonstrated the necessity of the Prince's Presence; and in fine told them, They were not to expect an ambassade, by reason of the difficulty of the Passage during the War: for which, and several other reasons, the French Ministers had dispensed with that Ceremony, in their Propositions Printed a few Days before the end of the Diet.  
When the Prince knew how things stood, he made Preparations for his Departure; but since he was not to expect an ambassade, thought it convenient to wait till the Cardinal notified his Election to him by a Letter. This Letter of the Cardinal's was ready the 30th of June, and given to one of the Abbot of Polignac's Gentlemen, to be sent by the Abbot of Rioux; but the Gentleman being designed for a third Courier had a mind to deliver it himself, and accordingly kept it; for he thought to set out that same Day, and fancied he would pass more speedily and safely than those who went before him.  
A certain Missionary called Mommeian, who was Superior of the Boarding-School of Lowitz, the Cardinal's Favourite, and very Zealous for France, discovered the Intrigue; and gave the Abbot of Polignac to know that the Gentleman had reason to be impatient to be gone, for he had shown him the Cardinal's Letter. As Cases stood then, the Abbot could not but chide the Gentleman. The Elector's Preparations and Profuseness were likely to gain him new Favourites; those who confided so much in Conti's distance, and Saxony's nearness, would not listen to the moderation of the Law in case of Divisions: And these Reflections did so frighten Conti's Party, that in a Grand Council held in the Great Treasurer of the Crown his House; they declared to the French Ambassador, that they could stand no longer by him, that the Act of Election, which he demanded so earnestly, was useless; that they had resolved they would not deliver it, till they saw the Execution of his Promises of Paying four Quarters due to the Army; since 'twas that alone could put them in a Condition to resist the Elector's Forces. Then the Ambassador asked what should become of the Prince they had called; they answered, That he must be Countermanded.  
The Ambassador finding this Answer both positive and unfavourable, was in a quandary, whether the Primate's Letter should be sent: For he considered, that if the Prince was already on the Road, in compliance with his own Letters, as he hoped he was, than he would arrive in time enough to recover his Party; if he was not yet set out, 'twas not prudential to call him in such an unfavourable juncture, unless he were sure of the Constancy of his Faction. In the mean time he made it his business to make sure of those who had not yet abandoned him.  
At length he compassed his Designs, in having the Act Signed by the Cardinal, Archbishop of Leopol, and all the Prelates of his side, excepting the Bishop of Cracow, who absented by reason of his great Age. 'Twas likewise Signed by all the great Officers of the Crown and Lithuania; all the Palatines and Castelans, excepting the Great-Mareshal Lubomirski, who remained neuter, and the Vice Chancellor Tarlo, who was gone over to Saxony. Then the Ambassador dispatched the third Courier on the 18th of July; who had the misfortune not to arrive before the 9th of August.  
The Ambassador could not presume the favourers of France would stand so long out, as they did: So by that Courier he gave the King notice, that he feared all the Polish Gentry would join with Saxony; unless the Prince of the Money promised to the Army were there before the 31st of July; because the Lords who Signed the Act, had only engaged to continue in their Union till that day, as being sure by that time the Elector of Saxony would pay the Troops, and then they had nothing to Object against him. The Prince was so far from being able, in so short a time, to reach Poland, where he was expected so impatiently; that he was yet at Paris, waiting for the Original Letter from the Cardinal: And when that came, the the Court received this we now speak of. So the Prince saw himself Called and Countermanded by two Letters received both in one Day; only that which called him was of an older Date than the other by 18 Days.  
Then the Prince's Journey was put off a second time, and by a necessary, but fatal consequence, The Orders for the Remitments were recalled. Good Politicians will easily perceive that the most studied precautions are often times to no purpose; especially if they consider, that such mean matters as the Private Designs of a Courier, have influenced the most important Affairs of this Age.  
However, a little time discovered that the short Day which the Polish Gentry had given to the Abbot of Polignac, was only threats; for when they received the News of the Elector's Arrival, their Zeal revived with fresh Vigour. In the mean time 'twas needful to engage the Town of Dantzick in the French Interests: The Abbot of Polignac was obliged to continue in the Centre of the Kingdom, where his presence was necessary; so the Abbot of Neuf-chattles set out for that Place on the 2d of July, in order to appease the Queen, to keep the Migistrate of the Place right, to satisfy the Poles that were about to come thither for Money, to persuade the Banquiers to have the Money ready to be paid as soon as the Bills of Exchange arrived, and in fine, to make sure of Prussia where the Prince was to pass when he arrived. He delivered to the Queen the King's Letter, and with a great deal of submission told her the Reasons that retarded the performance of that Duty. She refused to enter into any Negotiation with him, and continued Resolute to maintain the Elector's Party, as being the weakest, and the least able to withstand her, when Conti's Faction, being the strongest, came to be broke.  
The Magistrate was as obstinate as she; and alleged as weak Reasons: The chiefest were, the Losses the Town had sustained by Sea during the War: The solicitation of the Queen and Elector of Brandebourg, the Elector of Saxony's Country and Religion, which were more agreeable to the Inhabitants than that of the Prince of Conti, who was but too good a Catholic. It had been an easy matter to refute all these Reasons; but the Magistrate thought he eluded all possible Replies, when he told him that the Town, in pursuance of its Statutes, would acknowledge either of the two Princes that should be first Crowned; and till that time they would stand Neuter. The Abbot of Neuf-Chattel perceiving the Magistrate went upon the hopes of Saxony's preventing the Prince of Conti, represented the advantage that would accrue to a Trading City, by a Commerce with France; and told him that if the Citizens would act regularly, they were obliged to acknowledge him as King who was first Elected according to the Laws of the Kingdom, by a plurality of Votes, and by the better part of the Republic; that if bad Counsel prevailed with them, to take other measures, they ought to call to mind, how on the like occasion they acknowledged the Emperor Maximilian, to the prejudice of King Stephen, and drew upon themselves such disgrace, as in prudence they ought now to avoid. But all these Reasons had no influence upon a set of People prepossessed with a Zeal for their own Religion, and an implacable Hatred against France.  
The other Citizens were more tractable. Some lent him Sums of Money. 'Tis true they were very small; however they served to stop the Mouths of some of the great Lords Residents that teased the Abbot with perpetual Demands. His abode in Dantzick was likewise useful in keeping the Prussians in order, and securing the Town of Mariembourg for the Prince till he arrived.  
While the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel was taking care of Prussia, the French Ambassador at Warsaw was endeavouring to retain the rest of Poland; which his Enemies had a mind to seduce. The Elector of Brandebourg in his Letter to the Primate had offered his Meditation, and out of respect to a Neighbouring Prince they accepted it, tho' they expected to reap no advantage by it, but that of gaining time. The Public Conferences commenced on the 9th of August. Saxony motioned that the Diet for Confirmation should be Revoked; or if the Revocation was inconvenient, that the Cardinal should oblige himself by Writing to Nominate Saxony instead of Conti; that the Primate by his Vniversalia should call the petty Diets, as Preliminaries to the Coronation, and come himself to Warsaw, to put the Crown upon the Elector's Head; that in case they listened to these Conditions, the Elector would not admit the Bishop of Cujavia to Crown him: That the Date of his Election should Commence from his Confirmation in that Assembly; that he would Swear to such Pacta Conventa as they offered him; and in fine, would Pay in ready Money to the Heads and Lords of the opposite Faction, the sum of Eight Hundred Ninety Two Thousand Crowns, to be divided among them as they should think fit.  
These Proposals were Answered in the following Articles; a Copy of which was given to the Baron of Overbeck, the Elector of Brandebourg his Envoy. They required the Elector with his Troops should departed the Kingdom, and send an Ambassador from the Frontiers to the Diet for Confirmation, to desire the Crown; That he should give better proof of his Conversion and renew his Abjuration in the Presence of some Bishop of the opposite Faction; and in fine should renounce the Act of his pretended Election, and all the other means which he and the Bishop of Cujavia had made use of to that purpose. Upon these Conditions, and the Execution of the Offers made by him, they promised to consider of his Pretensions; to treat him not as an Usurper, but as a legal Candidate; and to regard the Merit of a Prince that would submit himself to Reason.  
Both Parties were stiff and bold; and not without Reason. The French Faction was encouraged by what passed at the Diets Summoned by the Bishop of Cujavia to meet on the 6th of August. That Prelate's Circular Letters were universally slighted. The Gentry that met, had no other view but to oppose Saxony's Election: They chose no Deputies for the Coronation; and their only Study was to give reproachful Answers. The Diet of Sroda were more serious upon the matter: They entered into a Confederacy of several Palatinates to declare War against the Elector, the Castelan of Kalish was to be their General, and Radomicki a a Man of Merit and known Bravery, their Mareshal. The Palatinates of Lencicia and Rava joined with them: In fine, this Rokosz was so universally approved, that it served for a model to that concerted two Months after by the General Meeting of the Gentry.  
The News of this Confederacy came to Warsaw on the 12th of August; and about two Days after a Courier arrived from France, namely Lowis Etler the Count of Oldenbourg's Gentleman, and an ancient Officer in the Polish Troops; who during the Interregnum had made several Journeys into France; and behaved himself very handsomely and faithfully. Among other dispatches he brought a Letter from the Prince of Conti, Dated August 1. and addressed to the Cardinal Primate; in which he returned thanks to the Republic for the Choice they had made; and assured them he was fully resolved to come and head their Troops, and shed his Blood for their Liberty, so soon as he received the advice of his Election from the Cardinal. This Letter was translated into Polish, and Copies of it were carefully distributed over all the Kingdom. They were persuaded, the third Courier with the Cardinal's Letter and the Act of Election, was arrived at Paris as next Day, or two Days, after the Date of the Prince's Letter. And therefore having broke up the Conferences with the Envoy of Brandebourg, they had no further regard to the Remonstrances, he continued to give in; namely, That France did not mind Poland, since contrary to their custom, they walked so slowly in their measures relating to it; and did not transmit the Sums of Money that were so much wanted, and which they used to advance so liberally upon all other occasions. He added that the blindness of the Polish Nobility was deplorable; that the Elector would never be kind to them upon a forced submission, but would treat them coldly, if not as Rebels; and spend all his Bounty and Rewards upon their opposites, who were not their equals.  
The hopes of tasting of the Elector's Favour, and the fear of his Threats, made an alteration upon, some: And The Head of the French Faction went to meet with the Ambassador, who, though he was equally perplexed with themselves, yet he found Reasons to hearten them. He told them the Affair was so important that the Court of France could not be indifferent about it; which they never were with respect to their Allies. He complained of the Intercepting of his Letters, and stopping of his Couriers, and of the unfavourable Offices of the Queen and Migistrate at Dantzick, who threatened the Banquiers of the City, He represented the Interest of the Court of Berlin in avoiding the Neighbourhood of such a King as the Prince of Conti; and in fine, charged the Poles with being the Cause of all the danger they were in, in refusing the next Day after the Election to send the Act to oath Prince, by one of their own Gentry, according to his repeated solicitations. This last Reason being such as they could not answer, made them approve of all the others.  
While the Ambassador encouraged his Party with Reason, the Bishop of Cujavia and his Complices were strengthening theirs with fresh Violence. A few Days after the Election, they sent an Ambassade to the Elector to entreat him to come and take the Crown. The Deputies met him at Tarnowitz upon the Frontiers of Silesia, where the Palatine of Volhinia, the Great General's Son, made a Speech to him; standing while the King sat. He took care that the Envoy's were regaled, but did not bring them to Eat at his Table: Then the Palatine began to condemn himself for interlacing his Speech with so much flattery and meanness, that perhaps was the occasion of the contempt he met with.  
The Elector entered the Kingdom, attended by the Deputies of Poland, and the two Krziszpin's. At Pickari he renewed his Abjuration in the Jesuits Church, in the Presence of the Bishop of Samogitia; from thence he set out for Cracow, accompanied by two thousand Germans, all Protestants; who, according to the custom of their Country, brought their Wives and Children along with them. They profaned the Churches in making them serve for Stables: They out-raged the Curates, and snatched the Sacred Plate out of the hands of the Priests, endeavouring to save it. In short, he did not march like a Warlike Prince. The Poles compared his march to that of Vitellius, when he went to take the Capital City of the Empire that he was not to hold long.  
On the 21st of July the Elector made his Entry into Cracow, with no great demonstrations of Joy. He had been there incognito for some Days before, and was lodged in the Royal Palace of Lobzow, where Francis Lubomirski Starost of Olszteyn had lived for some time; he being obliged to turn out, and give place to the New Guest. However that did not hinder him to join in with the Elector's Friends; to break up the Petty Diet of the Palatinate of Cracow which was then held at Proszowice, and return with the Gentry to Cracow, without seeing the Elector. From thence the Starost went to Warsaw, which had taken the Alarm upon the News of that Prince's arrival at Cracow with his Troops. But he endeavoured to hearten them, in upbraiding them with a groundless fear so far off, while he and his Friends were not afraid when just at hand.  
The Elector was not yet Master of the Castle. The Governor, Count Wielopolski, declared he would not surrender it, because the Devoir of his Charge obliged him not to deliver it, but to a King Elected by the consent of all the Gentry. This Faint brought him a better Market. When the Elector could not prevail with Threats, he plied with Presents: He presented the Starost's Lady with a Bracelet, and himself with Five Thousand Crowns. Upon which the Castle was delivered, and all the good Resolutions forgot.  
The Saxons were overjoied with this Conquest: And the Flatterers, amidst the sumptuous Feasts, with which the Elector regaled them, spoke of nothing less than marching to Lowitz to storm the Primate, and by his Example reduce the whole Kingdom. But the Council's deliberations were more peaceable; they gave a more moderate advice, viz. That they should attend the Issue of the Diet which the Primate had called; and in the mean time continue at Cracow, and Fortify it as much as the present juncture would permit. They added that in case the Resolutions of the opposite Party proved too Violent, or threatened Danger to the Elector, in a Day's Journey he might fly from thence to Silesia, where he would be secure.  
That Language did not please the Elector, who had sold his very Jewels, to compass a design, that they had given out to be so easily put in Execution. He entreated the Bishop of Cujavia and the rest, to think of some measures more worthy of a Prince that they looked upon as their Sovereign. The Bishop and Complices commended his Courage; and told him that in order to maintain his Interest, he must bring more Foreign Troops into the Kingdom; bribe the Gentry of the Second Rank by liberal Presents; and take care immediately to pay the Army of the Crown. Upon this Advice the Elector sent for the false Ducats that were minted at Breslaw by his Order; and burdened Saxony with Taxes; preferring the Ruin of his Hereditary Country, to such a disgraceful Flight as was proposed to him.  
In the mean time the French Ambassador was endeavouring to make the Army declare for Conti. It was a difficult undertaking without Money. However on the 10th of July, he sent the First Master of the Household of the Crown with a Hundred Thousand Livres, which the Primate had pawned his Jewels for, in order to raise the Cosacks. That Officer had likewise an engagement, signed by the Ambassador, and confirmed by a separate Note from the Primate, That before the end of that Month the Army should be Paid the four Quarters that were Promised them. When the 31st of July came, the Day they had granted to the Ambassador, was elapsed, and he had heard nothing from France: The Twelve Commissaries of the Army were then at Warsaw, where they stayed to the 20th of August. So that after three Weeks Stay, to no purpose, they were obliged to return, without any other satisfaction, but the continuation of Promises and Fair Words.  
The Elector took advantage of their delay; and sent two Millions in Specie to the Castelan and Palatine of Cracow, with Orders to divide it among the Army. These two Generals were glad the Money was to pass through their Fingers, upon two accounts; one, because they would have an opportunity of keeping a good part of it to themselves; the other, because by that means they had an occasion of being reconciled to the Army, which after the Confederacy refused to acknowledge their Authority, or admit them into the Camp. Przependouski accompanied them, and told the Soldiers, they were come to give them all that France had promised. But after all their Profuseness, of fourscore and Six Companies, of which the Army consisted, they did not purchase above eight; which they sent to the Elector, under the Conduct of Potoski Great Huntsman of the Crown. All the rest, at the solicitation of Twelve Commissioners, who had been gained by the Abbot of Polignac, would not receive the Pay: And this was the first time that the Polish Army, was ever seen to refuse Money.  
The fidelity of the Soldiers, and the hopes of suddenly seeing the Prince of Conti; revived the Party of France till the 24th of August, that they met at the Castle of Viazclow, whither the Ambassador was summoned. Every Body appeared extremely consternated, that they could hear no News, at a time when the Prince's Presence, and Returns of Money were so absolutely necessary for the putting in Execution of what they had projected. However, in the first place they greatly applauded the French Minister, for the Precautions he had taken in that time; and among other things, for having maintained at his own Charge, ever since the Election, the Foot Regiment of the Palatine of Vilna, which Guarded the Bridge of Boats upon the Vistula; by means whereof he had preserved the Communication between Poland and Lithuania. The Sistem which he had proposed, of having at the Diet of Proparcié, some Troops of Nobility who should both give their suffrages as Gentlemen, and serve as Soldiers in the Military Expeditions, was universally approved; but there was no appearance of Money, which like the Soul was to enliven this great Body. Thereupon they asked him what supplies he could afford in this same time of oppressing need? Upon which the Abbot that he might still more and more assure himself of the Fidelity of his Friends, whom he had carried so far, maugre their frequent Menaces, and to bind them by a faster knot than that which tied them as yet to France, demanded two things: First, That the Prince of Conti might be confirmed by a second Proclamation; and in the next place, that the Republic according to the Example of great Poland, should make an Association, bound with an Oath, against the Elector, and declare War against him.  
The first Point was hotly debated, and it was resolved, that if before the beginning, or though it were the breaking up of the Diet of Proparcié, they received more substantial News of the Prince's arrival, than that of the 14th, there should be no hesitating upon the Embassador's Proposal: But if no Prince or News came, Prudence would not permit them to enter farther into that Engagement; and that in this Case, it was better to suppose the first Nomination valid and effectual, than to infringe it by a new one, which perhaps would be looked upon as done to no other purpose, than to rectify the Defects of the former.  
The Second Proposal underwent no difficulty; for it was by common consent resolved to Summon a Rokosz, and to declare War against the Elector as an Usurper; and that the Reason was, because whoever declares the War, is a Party capable to treat of the Peace. Thus the Ambassador of France, who was summoned to that Conference, merely to have been laden with Reproaches, had the advantage to obtain the best part of what he had presumed to demand, and more than perhaps he ever hoped for.  
This piece of Success rendered ineffectual all the Attempts of Prince James, who could not pardon the pretended Friends of his Family, their Perfidiousness to himself, by forming a Faction for Saxony, which they might have raised with as much ease in favour of his Interests. He made his Addresses to the French Party, and declared by Grochus, Castelan of Samogitia, and the only Friend that stuck to him; that he threw himself into the Arms of true Persons of worth, and besought them, that in case the Prince of Conti did not come, to set him up in his Room. But the Proposal came to nothing; for they to whom he addressed himself were engaged too far in the Interests of France. The Prince for whom Grochus interceded was too universally abandoned; and in truth, his faithfullest Friend, had too little Credit, and was a Man of too mean Parts, to bring about an Enterprise, which was above the reach of his management.  
The Palatine of Vilna, followed by all the Senators of Lithuania, except the two Krziskpins, and the Castelans of Vilna and Troke, arrived the 26th of August, that he might be present at the Diet of Confirmation, which was to sit down the next Day. Four Thousand Men of his Army also marched after him; but upon advice that there was no Money yet come, he countermanded them till farther Orders.  
Upon the 26th of August the Cardinal, and all the Senators who had Elected Conti, repaired to the Church of St. John, where they met above Sixty Troops of the Choice of the Nobility under their Standards. The Mareshal of the last Election was at the Head of them: They heard Mass, which was solemnised by the Bishop of Kiovia; and a Jesuit Preached the Sermon. Which done, they went to the Electoral Field, where the Count Biesinski, Director of the Crown opened the Sitting, and declared against the Elector, and all those who had delivered the Castle and City of Cracovia into his Hands; while the Factious had no other design than to break the Diet by some Protestation. To which purpose Donowski, Nuncio of Wisna, more bold than any of the rest, stood up and said, the Assembly was to no purpose, since the Nation had chosen the Elector of Saxony. He was about to have gone on, when a threatening murmur watched his Ears from all parts of the Room, and at the same time he perceived several Sabres drawn; which constrained the Nuncio to betake himself to his Heels, while the rest pursued him out of the Field of Election; and gave him so many Wounds, that they left him almost for Dead, in the Arms of those that durst not undertake to defend him.  
The Nuncio was cured of his Wounds, but he lost the use of one Side of his Body, and was so disfigured, that after he had given this bad Example, no body was more capable than he, to amend it. His Accomplice had better luck; for he threw himself at the Cardinal's Feet, who touched him with his Cross, as Ahasuerus, did with his Cane, and and saved his Life.  
Krassinski, Palatine of Plosko, had given order to his Son to second Danowski's Protestation. But the imminent danger was a lawful dispensation with his Obedience: He presently got a Horseback, and made his escape to Warsaw; though above twenty Gentlemen pursued him with their drawn Swords to the very Turnpikes of the City.  
Upon the 27th nothing was decided, because the Ambassador of France tarried for News, which did not come. Thereupon Rietinski demanded what answer he should give to two Gentlemen; the one of the Palatinate of Cracow; and the other of the Palatinate of Sandomiria, who, astonished at the misfortune that had befallen Danowski; and the Day before durst not make their Appearance, unless the Diet would grant them a safe Conduct for the security of their Persons. But those two Gentlemen were ordered to be told, that if they came with the same Design as Danowski did, they should be answered as he was.  
Upon the 28th, the Articles of the Rokosz was proposed; at what time the Cardinal painted forth in all its Colours, the Invasion of the Saxon; he also excused the slowness of the Prince of Conti, and the Defect of Returns of Money, which he attributed to the Intercepting of the Bills of Exchange; The Brabbles of the Dantzickers, the Queen's Credit with the Merchants, and the obliging fear that France was in of making the least Attempt upon the Liberty of a Nation to whom she was unwilling to show the least suspicion: He assured them that the Prince, in conformity to his Letter received the 14th, would appear so soon as the Republic should show their forwardness to receive him.  
The Rokosz was resolved upon, in opposition to those, who to the prejudice of the Religion, Laws, and Liberties of Poland, had brought an Army of Heretics into the Kingdom under the Conduct of a Lutheran Prince, who had delivered to him Cracovia, and the Castle belonging to it, and put the Republic into the danger from which they were now endeavouring to deliver her.  
Humiecki was declared Mareshal of the Rokosz, who so well acquitted himself of that Commission at the Preliminary Diet, and during a Month, at the Diet of Election, that the Efforts and Intrigues of Constantine Wapowski, Ensign of Sanok, who alone durst contend with him for that Dignity, were absolutely frustrated. Prielinski delivered to him the Battoon of Command, and reserved to himself only the privilege of presenting the Diploma to the King lawfully Elected; which was granted him.  
The Palatine of Vilna was the same day chosen Generalissimo of the Forces of the Republic, but excused himself from accepting that Honour, till the necessary Funds for Defraying that Charge was arrived. The Palatine of Kiovia also, to whom the same Preferment was offcred, returned the same Answer: So that it was resolved that the Prince should confer that Honour upon whom he should think fitting. Several Regulations were likewise made, which would have been very beneficial had they been well put in Execution.  
The Bishop of Kiovia at the same time disengaged all the Senators from a great deal of trouble, when he offered to go to Cracovia, and admonish the Elector in the name of the Rokosz to departed the Kingdom. And the Prelate was upon his way in order to Execute his Commission, when he understood that they expected him with Impatience, that they might give him the same Entertainment which Donowski had received; nor did he need any new Advice to prevent him from continuing his Journey.  
After the Enclosure of the Camp was broken down, to the end the Mutineers should not hold their Conferences therein; the Palatine of Plosko was summoned upon the 29th to Surrender the Castle of Warsaw, of which he was Governor; who thereupon demanded two hours respite: But upon his answer the Palatine of Kiovia drew Twelve Pieces of Cannon out of the Arsenal, which were pointed just against the Palatine of Plosko's Palace: So that this Palace, which for a Private Lord is one of the most Magnificent in Poland, had like to have been laid in Ashes, if the Owner of it had not presently delivered the Castle; where they held their Conferences, and where the Act of Association was generally approved; To which, when every one had signed, he swore the observance of it by his Head and Soul.  
A Gentleman whose name was Kortechowski, and who followed the Law, was discovered to be the Person who drew up the Elector of Saxony's Pacta Conventa; upon which he was apprehended by another, who urged with great Earnestness that they were not to let such a Man go unpunished, who was as wicked a Citizen as he was a bad Lawyer; and several there were who flocked about him with their drawn Swords, and the most merciful would have had him thrown out at a Window. But fear sometimes infuses strength and wholesome Expedients; insomuch that the Gentleman had the good luck to get out of their Clutches: For he threw himself at the Cardinal's Feet, who covered him with his Mantle, and saved his Life. But Kortechowski, after he had been the Object of the Fury of One, became the Derision of the other, who asked him which of the two he thought to have most Virtue, the Cardinal's Cloak or the Prophet Elias' Mantle.  
Przependouski by the Elector's Order had hastened from Leopold with 50000 Crowns, to be present at the Diet; but he had been there massacred, if Providence by that Scourge had not determined to chastise Poland. That Senator arrived the very same Day and Hour that Kortechowski had like to have been Assasssinated; the more unlikely, they would not therefore have let this 2d Victim escape. This Curiosity led him to ask a Lackey as he was going up Stairs, what was the reason of the great concourse of Nobility; to whom the Lackey, who knew him not, making answer that it was the Rokosz which was Assembled in opposition to the Elector of Saxony Adherents; Przependouksi who thought he should have met with the Palatine of Plosko there in Conference with his Friends, fled upon the News, and hid himself in the Brandenburg Envoy's House. Of this the Nobility had Information, and sent him word the next Day, that if he did not departed Warsaw within three Hours, they would give him no Quarter; and the Brandenburgher was desired not to afford him any Sanctuary, if he meant to avoid the fury of the Rabble from which perhaps they could not protect him, To which he answered that the Polander went away in the Night, but kept him till the Storm was quite over.  
The Troops of the Nobility after they had done what was desired from them in this Diet, desired leave to return home; though had they had Money, they would have been made use of for that second Piece of Service, for which the French Ambassador had designed them, and they had taken the same Resolution; but in regard that no body had wherewithal to pay them, they returned home; so that there remained at Warsaw none but the Senators, the Mareshal and the Council, which consisted of two hundred fourscore and Twelve Deputies of Palatinates, and of all the Districts that compose the Body of the Republic.  
Przependouski, delivered from the Terrors of Death, returned upon the Stage, more fierce than before, and thought he should have been more at ease in that perpetual Diet, than with the multitude that had proscribed him. In a word, timid Reflections succeeded the Vigour they had showed before; and the the fear of the Lords was greater than that of the Nobility, because they had more to lose. The Kings of Poland, so soon as they are Crowned, have a Prerogative to confer the vacant Employments, which were very numerous, by reason of the length of the Interregnum, and flattered the Ambition of those who thought themselves worthy to obtain them. There was no doubt but that the Elector after his Coronation would make a Distribution of those Preferments; and it behoved them either by force to prevent the Ceremony, or to delay it by Negotiation. The Army of Saxony in Cracovia; those of the Crown in Lithuania immovable for want of Money; the departure of the Nobility for the same reason hindered them from putting in practice the first Remedy; therefore they resolved to try the second: And the same Lords who had proscribed Przependouski some Days before, began to flatter him, and to talk to him of an Accommodation. The Arrival of Danouski, Grand Squire of the Crown, caused this Revolution. He had stuck close for six Weeks together to the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel, with some Troops, and a good Number of the Prussian Nobility to receive the Prince; but having received from Paris a Letter of the Bishop of Plosko's Resident, Dated the 13th of August; wherein the Polander sent word that the Cardinal's Letter was arrived, but that the King for all that would not hazard the Person of the Prince: The Grand Squire carried this dangerous News to Warsaw; and added, that the returns of Money were not arrived at Dantzick; and or if they should be, yet the Queen's Credit, and the Menaces of the Magistrates would hinder the Payment; and there needed no more to constrain the whole Party to throw themselves into the Arms of a Mediator.  
The Pope's Nuncio would fain have been the Arbitrator, but he had too openly declared himself; and upon the Complaints that had been made of him, he had received Orders to observe an exact Neutrality. He knew his own Infirmity, and was therefore retired into Prussia, under pretence of regulating some differences that had happened in the Chapter of Varmia; but really that he might not expose himself to the danger of losing his Fortune.  
Thus the Mediation of Brandenburg, that had been laid aside for above three Weeks, was reimbraced by the Heads of the Rokosz. Their first Proposals were like to those which had caused them to break off their first Conferences. The second, though more moderate, were not any better received: So that they were reduced to content themselves that the Saxon should put off his Coronation to the Month of October, that they might have time to discuss the three Capital Points, that concerned the dismissing of the Germane Forces, the Conversion of the Electoress, and the Reparation of the Primate's Honour which had suffered so cruel a Dilaceration.  
And now the Grand Mareshal of the Crown, who had always observed a Neutrality, joined himself to the Mediator's Minister, out of a belief that the two Interested Parties would be obliged to him for so doing. After several Conferences, as well private as in Council, where the Cardinal would never engage himself in Writing to any thing that might prejudice the Prince of Conti; it was decreed among the Heads of the Rokosz, that for the satisfaction of Przependouski, whom till then they had so much contemned, that a Writing should be given him, wherein they should Promise to acknowledge the Saxon, provided he should not admit himself to be Crowned before the 30th of September; The same Lords also offered another secret Writing to the Cardinal, by which they would oblige themselves never to separate from him; and that he on his side should persist in his Resolution not to sign any thing; but that to amuse the Factious only, he should summon the Nobility to meet upon the 26th of September, to the end they might represent to him the Elector's Inclinations to  the Republic in Relation to her Grievances, and that the necessity of consulting with the Mareshal of the Rokosz, should serve as a pretence both to the one and the other, to evade all manner of Signatures.  
But they who sought for Truth and Honesty in Treaties, could never approve this Precaution, the Elector and his Council found it too gross and palpable to be surprised at it; however they were overjoyed to see that the Polanders, contrary to their Custom, preferred Negotiation before open Force; and they minded nothing more than to employ to advantage the means which their Enemies neglected to make use of.  
The Ambassador of France had the most reason to complain in this Conjuncture. The laying of him aside, had nothing in it that was sufficient, besides that it was not honest; for if the Elector granted the Proposal, that Minister's Party would be quite lost; and the Saxon would be universally acknowledged; if he rejected it, the Rokosz would be plunged again into the former Troubles and Anxieties which the fear of a Coronation had infused into them. The two Events were equally dangerous, there was but one Remedy, which was become useless, because it had been often promised, but was never attended by performance.  
The Palatine of Vilna Triumphed in his own weakness, and attributed to his own Prudence all the Irresolution which he had so often made appear. He had sent his Son to Cracow, to know whether or no the Elector would hearken to an Accommodation, and the Answer he received was, that if the Sapieha's did not quickly submit themselves, they would see their most Mortal Enemies, presently after the Coronation, advanced to all the great Preferments in Lithuania. The Friends of France being Repulsed, desired the Coronation and Accommodation with Saxony, for no other end but that they might be easy in their minds, and hear no more talk of an Affair, the tediousness of which had quite tired them out. Polignac could no longer built upon any, but only some certain Friends, who in truth were proof against all Trials, and upon the Nobility, very formidable when they are in a Body; but which it was impossible for them to muster together so many times without being at great Charges: So that he had no other Hope left, than in the overhasty and-precipitated Resolutions of the Elector. Things were in this Condition; when he understood that the Elector had sent for his Equipage and his most precious moveables from Dresden, to render his Coronation more Magnificent; and that by the Counsel of the Palatine of Lencicia, he was so far from delaying his Coronation, that he had laughed at all the Conferences held upon that Subject, and performed the Solemnity upon the 15th of September as had been ordered in his Council.  
In short, the vigour and weakness with which the Rokosz had Alternatively acted, infused strenuous Resolutions into the Factious. of eight Officers, who kept the Keys of the Treasury, there were six who adhered to the Prince of Conti's Interests. But the Council of Saxony resolved to force a Place, which had been always accounted Sacred, and for the Execution of this Peice of violence to make use of two Monks; whose Character ought to have better instructed ' 'em.  
Wizicki, the regular Abbot of Czermin, of the Order of St. Bernard, and Grand Secretary of the Crown, was a Man in the Kingdom, the most given to Wine, and as well known by the Name of Sitis, as by the Title of his Abbey, his Dignity, or his Family. Wihowski, Regular Abbot of St. Croiz, a Benedictine, formerly Excommunicated by Pope Innocent XI. and who after so many Years, had never put himself to the trouble to release himself from lying under the scandal of these Censures.  
These two Monk who durst not break open the Treasury, because the Law forbidden it, bethought themselves of breaking down a Pane of the Wall, and fierce as Conquerors that enter a Breach, they seized upon the Royal Ornaments, maugre the Protestations of Panskokonski, Guardian of the Crown, and the Burgraves of Cracovia, whose Consent is necessary to Authorise a proceeding so irregular, and all those other proceed which the Pishop of Cujavia had done and was to do, in usurpation of the Primate's Prerogatives. The Elector's Council however composed of four or five Senators, declared the Archbishopric of Guesna vacant, and the Marshal of the Confederacy an infamous Person and a Traitor to his Country.  
After this the Bishop of Cujavia observed no more Measures: He looked upon himself as the Arbitrator of the State of Poland, and believed that every thing was to give way to the Impetuosity of his Genius and the violence of his Counsels. In vain his Friends all laid before him, that in conformity to the Statute of 1550 the King's Coronation was not to be Solemnised but by the Archbishop of Guesna, with the unanimous consent of the Nation, and that the Queen was to be a professed Roman Catholic. To this they also added a Bull of Sixtus Quintus, forbidding under pain of Excommunication, all Bishops of Poland to Crown the King to the prejudice of the Archbishop of Guesna, and prohibiting that Prelate himself to Crown a King who was in the least suspected of Heresy.  
The Bishop of Cujavia made answer that Battori had been Crowned without any regard to the Oppositions of contrary Faction: That upon such an extraordinary occasion he might do what one of his Predecessors had done at the Coronation of that Prince. That as for the Conversion of the Electrice he knew not what might fall out: that if She refused to abjure, they might follow the same Rule that had been observed in reference to Queen Helena the Wife of King Alexander, who because she was the Daughter of the Czar of Muscovy, and consequently professed the Rites of the Greek Schismatics, was acknowledged by the Polanders for their Queen, though they would never consent to her Coronation: He cunningly alleged that the Regulation in 1550, was made for no other Reason, but because that Princess had too much favoured the Schismatics. But it was sufficient for that Prelate to produce feeble Reasons, provided they were but plausible.  
Upon the 13th of September began the Ceremonies of the Coronation. The Obsequies of the Deceased King were Solemnised by way of Representation, because the Mutineers were not Masters of Warsaw; where the Corpse lay in Deposito. The 14th the Elector went to the Church of St. Stanelaus, according to Customs, to honour the Memory of that Martyr, who was killed at the Altar, saying Mass, upon the 8th of May 1079. by the Hand of King Boleslaus to whom that Holy Man had adventured to make the same reproach, that the forerunner of Christ made to King Herod.  
Upon the 15th of the same Month the Bishop of Cujavia, assisted by two more, Crowned the Elector and omitted none of the Ceremonies that were practised upon the like occasions. The greatest part of the Officers of the Crown and of Lithuania were absent: The Germans, though Lutherans performed the Duties of their Places, upon the refusal of some other of the Polish Lords; and out of the fear they were in, lest the Polanders should testify their Resentments, the Saxons were distributed into several Quarters of the City, and a good Garrison was put into the Castle. The choice of the Germane Troops were drawn up above the Church during the Ceremony; and the Elector made a new Abjuration, which was thought to be as Sincere as the former.  
'Tis not known whether the length of the Ceremony, or the News of the Prince of Conti's departure, or the Electors being tired, was the reason that a fainting fit seized him a little before the Crown was put upon his Head. Such an Accident might happen naturally; but several after the manner of the Ancients, looked upon it as a very bad Omen. But they who with more Reason believed that those sort of Superstitions were to be contemned, turned the matter into Raillery, and asked what was become of that Hercules whom the Germans had sent into Poland? And to make some difference between the two Heroes, they cried, that the Ancient Hercules sustained Heaven, but that the other fainted away at the sight of a Crown.  
And now the Elector permitting those to open their Mouths who suffered him to act, distributed the vacant Charges, and made himself both Friends and Enemies: After that, he gave a splendid Collation, to which the Polish and Germane Ladies were invited. However the Germane Ladies had the Precedency; which the Polish Ladies took with as much Indignation as Women are wont to do that think themselves despised. Revenge was the only Consolation which they sought for in the midst of so sensible a disgrace, and they found above a hundred Gentlemen, who either out of Complacency for the Female Sex, or hatred of the Elector, protested against all that had been done before, or should be done after the Coronation. There went also sixty more that came from the Palatinate of Sandomiria; who by the Intrigues of the Party opposite to the Elector, made a Protestation of the same Nature and upheld it more strenuously.  
The pretended Diet of the Coronation sat down the 16th with a strange confusion which lasted as long as the Assembly, that is to say, fifteen days, instead of six Weeks prescribed by the Laws, and then it was put off till the Month of February. The first occasion of discontent arose from the invalidity of the Deputations; but in regard the defect was Universal, it was as soon repaired, while all were willing to treat themselves as true Nuncio's, because not one of 'em was truly qualified. But for all that the Confusion ceased not; there was a dispute about the Choice of a Marshal: The young Prince Wiesnowski put in to have been the Man, but Zwisza carried it before him, and created as many Malcontents as his Rival had Friends. The Tumult augmented every day upon occasion of the Pacta Conventa, of which some demanded to see the Original, and others affirmed that it lay at Warsaw: It contained in express Terms, that the Elector should renounce the Right which he had acquired by his Act of Election, if he caused himself to be Crowned before his Queen were become a Roman Catholic. But the King was not not so Impolitic to let all the World see that the very next day after his Coronation he had violated the Words which he had so solemnly Sworn. However no other remedy could be found to defend him against the Importunity of the Nuncios, but only to say that the Original of the Act was lost. However the sixty Gentlemen of Sandomiria, before mentioned, presented a compared Copy of it, to which Przependowski would give no Credit; and that Lord, by his lies, so embroiled the Affair in dispute, that it was put off till the Month of February.  
Upon these several Actions, there appeared a Pasquil, which contained the Arguments of five Acts of the Comedy of Cracow. The First, a King without a Diploma: The Second, a Burial without a dead Body: The Third, a Coronation without a Primate: the Fourth, a Diet without Nuncios: And the Fift, Protestations without effect. Thus it was that the Polanders comforted themselves for the Violences committed upon their Religion, the Violation of their Laws, and the oppressions of their Liberty, while their Wives at their Wits ends, did not believe themselves sufficiently revenged for a 'Slight affront, unless the Elector were thrown quite out of Possession.  
Soon after the Factious received News which alarmed 'em much more than what we have already related. For the Prince of Conti left Paris the 2d of September, and upon the 7th took Shipping at Dunkirk under the Convoy of the Chevalier du Bast, as much dreaded as well known in the Northern Seas: And Fame that magnifies Objects, had spread abroad all over Poland, that the Prince was coming with such considerable Numbers of Men and Sums of Money, that he was expected with Extreme Impatience.  
So soon as they had received Advice at Warsaw, of the Saxon's being Crowned, 'twas presently seen that there were no longer any Measures to be observed, seeing that dissimulation and submission had been so useless, and therefore being unable to amend what was past, they took precautions for the future. The Cardinal, the Heads and Council of the Rokosz, assembled together, at what time the Primate revoked his last Universals, and by new Ones, instead of the general Assembly Summoned against the 26 of September, he convoked three particular Assemblies to meet upon the 10th of October; the one in great Poland at Sencicia, under Count Wladislaus Przienski Castellane of Katifck. The other in little Poland, at Zawichot, under the Orders of Adam Sieniaustis Palatine of Beltz: And the third at Grodno in Lithuania, under the Palatine of Vilna. The Design of calling these Assemblies was to oppose with more ease the Elector's Erterprises, and to prevent a disorder like to that which had happened at Prostowice, where the petty Diet of the Palatine of Cracovia met, which though it had been only Summoned to elect Deputies to the Sovereign Tribunals, yet the Saxons would have made a second advantage of it, which was to have obliged 'em to receive the Result of their Master's Council against the Primate and the Rokosz. With this Design, six Regiments of Saxons had surrounded the Diet, threatening to put all to the Sword, if they did not agree to what was demanded from ' 'em. And they would have gained their point, but for the Starost of Olztein, who seconded by his Friends, protested against the Diet, and the Violence of the Germans.  
The Cardinal made the most of this Act in his Universals, and to avoided surprises of the like Nature, called three Assemblies instead of one. By means of this Precaution he hindered the Elector from coming to Warsaw with his Troops, so soon as he had dispatched the Coronation Diet. In a Word, it would not have been prudently done of the King to engage in the Centre of the Kingdom, where three Bodies of Nobility Equally exasperated against him, might have joined together, surrounded and taken him after the Slaughter of all his Men.  
Requisite Orders being issued forth, the Cardinal, the Marshal and Council of the Rokosz retired to Lowitz attended by the Palatin of Vilna's Regiment of Foot, which had guarded the Bridge of Boats upon the Vistula, and six hundred Reiters, with the Artillery of Warsaw which consisted of Sixty Brass Guns of all Sizes.  
Scarcely was the Primate arrived in his Castle, when the Ambassador gave him to understand, that the Prince of Conti had passed the Sound, which made them believe the Prince would arrive in a little time. Nevertheless, he appeared not till the 26th in the Road of Dantzick, and upon the 28th came to an Anchor before Olivia; at what time the Burgesses of Dantzick were in a great perplexity which part to take: While the Reputation and Presence of the Prince swayed one part of the Council to his Interests, and the Queen solicited the rest in behalf of the Elector; and the Jews who had been treated so favourably under the Reign of that Princess, employed all their Credit to second her desires.  
The Body of the City met, and Opinions were divided, They who held for Conti, represented the Advantages which a Trading City might have by a free Commerce with France, that they might fetch from that Kingdom Wine, Salt, and many other sorts of Merchandise, with which they might furnish all the Northern Parts: That the Trade with that Kingdom had contributed in part to render that City one of the most Flourishing of all the Hans Towns; that it was not Prudence to renounce all these Advantages to gratify the solicitations of the Queen; and that they might give the Jews leave to speak in her behalf, since they were the only Persons that had tasted the sweets of her Reign.  
On the other side, they that held for Saxony made answer, That Trade was an Advantage, which in truth was not to be neglected, but that they were rather Germane than Polanders: That they ought to favour their own Nation, and preserve the Lutheran Religion, which was threatened with imminent danger, if the Prince of Conti carried the Crown from his Competitor; and therefore that it was better to acknowledge for lawful King a Protestant Prince, under whose Reign there would be no Invasion upon their Religion; that the Elector's pretended Abjurations were not such as the Catholics gave out; and that he was too steady in his Resolutions to betray his first Sentiments; and lastly; That their Statutes ordained, that in case of a Fraction the City should declare for the first that was Crowned.  
The more Judicious earnestly desired the rest to stay till the Senate and Nobility had by unanimous consent decided in favour of one of the Competitors, and to forbear acknowledging either, till Fortune had declared on his side: And this Party seemed to be so much the more swayed by reason, because they ran no hazard; they further Remonstrated, that their own danger ought to render them more circumspect in such a Nice Conjuncture; that because they declared themselves in 1575. with too much precipitation, in favour of the Emperor Maximilian against Stephen Battori, the City had like to have been ruined; that he had declared her to be a Rebellious City, and compelled her in 1577 to rebuild the Abbey of Oliva, and to quit the one half of the Revenue of her Haven which the Kings of Poland at present enjoy.  
But the fear of the same usage could not prevail with the Magistrates to make them observe a Neutrality. From the 26th that the Prince arrived in the Road, they had not sent to Compliment him: Their Ships passed by his Squadron without either Saluting him or the French Flag: But on the 29th they Discharged their Cannon in favour of the Saxon; and the rest of the Cities of Prussia within a very little followed their Example.  
And indeed they had soon reason to Triumph, for having taken the Party they had chosen. The News of the Victory won from the Turks made them hope to see Ten Thousand Saxons in Poland; which were part of that Victorious Army; which being useless to the Emperor, would not fail to be called off to the Succour of their Prince. On the other side it infused Consternation into the contrary Party: Several that had flocked to Dantzick slunk back again; and some began to complain that the Prince had brought no Forces along with him; as if France had foreseen, Prince Eugenius' Victory; and that all Poland had not been able to defend her King and her Liberties against Ten Thousand Germans.  
However the Consternation was not so Universal, but that several Lords and Gentlemen came to Kiss the Prince's Hand, who went every Day ashore to Oliva, in order to confer with them. Nevertheless, he had that Prudence and Moderation, though they all gave him the Title of King, to refuse it, till he had obtained the Consent of the contrary Party.  
But while the Primate and the Deputies of the Rokosz kept at Lowitz, the Ambassador of France concluded a Treaty with the two Sapieha's, by which it was agreed, That for the Sum of Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Livres, that should be deposited in the presence of Commissioners of Lithuania, the Son of the Grand Treasurer should come with Ten or Twelve Thousand well Disciplined Troops to Guard the Prince wherever he pleased to go. It was also farther stipulated, that the Grand General of that Duchy, and all the Officers of the Army should Swear Fealty to him; and march afterwards with all their Forces to the Place assigned by the Prince, who should put himself at their Head, and pay them the same Sum of Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Livres for two other Quarters, before they Marched against the Enemy. The same Minister sent away the Postoki of the Crown for Podolia, where the Body of Cosacks which he had mustered there together lay encamped with three select Troops of the House of Lubomirski. He agreed also with the Grand Treasurer of the Crown, the Palatinates of of Beltz and Kiovia, as to what concerned them; and then presently with Prince Czartoreski departed for Dantzick, where he arrived the 2d of October, and found the Prince expecting him a Shipboard that they might settle together such Affairs as were of greatest Importance.  
The first Proposal which the Polanders made the Prince, was go to Mariemburg, Dzialinski who was Steward of the Town and Commanded the Place in the room of Bielinski his Brother-in-Law, had mustered together a Garrison of Five Hundred Men, and was bound to supply that place with every thing for the Sum of Twenty Seven Thousand Livres, which the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel had given him. But the Prince did not think it convenient to shut himself up in a Pound; that's the last thing that a Soldier can do after a Misfortune, and in expectation of new Succours to enable him to take the Field. Besides, the danger was too great to trust himself with Dzialinski after he had proved so unfaithful to the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel. That Minister had trusted him with a Hundred Thousand Livers, and he desired him a little before the Prince's arrival to send them to the Cardinal for the supply of pressing Exigences; more especially, to encourage the Troops at Lowitz to advance towards Dantzick. But that Officer kept the Money for himself; nor could they ever force him to make restitution, or oblige him to give an account of such an Irregular and interested Act.  
The second Proposal made to the Prince was to go directly to Lowitz; which they pretended might be done with so much the more ease, because all the Palatinates he was to ride through, embraced his Interests; and for that the Nobility that lay upon the Seashore might serve him for a Guard. But because he had not Disciplined Men, the very Authors of the Counsel submitted; and judged it more to the purpose to stay and see the Effects of Sapieha's Promises; from whom Couriers came every Day, and assured the Prince of theirs, and the speedy arrival of the Senators of Lithuania, who were to join with the Polish Embassy, and jointly offer the Crown to the Prince.  
But the Elector who had no need to look after Soldiers at such a distance, seeing he had his own Men about his Person, entered into a deep Consideration with his Secret Council, what Course to take against a Rival, whose Valour and Conduct would not permit him to commit a fault, without paying dearly for it. To this purpose therefore, they gave him their different sorts of Advice. First, To March to the Crown Army, that he might hinder them by his Presence, and some new effects of his Liberality, from joining with the Prince of Conti. The Second was, to go to Warsaw, and disperse the three Assemblies of the Nobility, that were to meet in as many different places; and withal to surprise the Cardinal. The third was to march in Person with all his Men into Prussia, to hinder the Prince's Landing, and cut off all Relief that came to him from Remote parts.  
But the Assurance they had at Cracow that the Prince would not quit the Road till the disciplined Troops were come up, made 'em prefer the last Advice before the two former, only with this difference, that the Elector in stead of going himself into Prussia, sent 3000 Horse under the Command of Galecki Castellan of Posnania, to whom he had given the Palatinate of Fnow-Loclaw; and with whom he also joined in Commission the Major General Brandt and Fleming, with Orders to all three, to settle the Tribunal at Pietrikow, which the Nobility would not permit to officiate, because the Members of it by an unanimous, though tacit Consent, had approved the Coronation, and for that the Law required that all the Tribunals should cease, during an Interregnum.  
The Troops marched from Cracow upon the 10th of October, the same day that the Nobility were to have met in the three different Places appointed by the Primate. The Assembly of Grodno was sufficientiy numerous and governed by the Conduct of the Sapieha's, who had assured the Cardinal by several Expresses, that instead of going to Warsaw to the general Rendezvouz of the 17, they would go to Dantzick. That of Zawichod was not so numerous, because the Palatine of Beltz was gone to Brzezani, to the Crown Army, where his Presence seemed absolutely necessary. The Castellan of Kalisch carried near two thousand Men to Lenoicia, where every thing might have passed to their Wishes, if that Nobility out of their too great caution, which is oftimes prejudicial when over scrupulous, had not obliged the Cardinal and the Marshal of the Rokosz to come upon the 18th to Warsaw, to make a second Nomination of the Prince of Conti, to no purpose, because that at the same time they they did not allow him sufficient Forces to take possession of the Crown which they had given him.  
After that Proclamation the Assembly appointed Ambassadors, some Senators and some of the Episcopal Order, and Authorised 'em to draw up the Pacta Conventa. Orders also were given to Bielinski, Marshal of the Diet of Election, who was at Dantzick with others, to present the Diploma to the Prince. All this might have been done as well at Lowitz, as at Warsaw; and time had not been lost at that Ceremony, where those of the lesser Poland were not expected, yet by their complaints failed not to display their Discontent.  
After this the Cardinal returned to Lowitz, and the Castellan of Calisch and the Marshal resolved to departed the next day for Dantzick, accompanied with five or six hundred Gentlemen, and the disciplined Troops which he had in his City, where he meant to have a Garrison only. But upon the advice that the Saxons were upon their March to intercept him in his way he shut himself up in his Castle, out of which he suffered none to stir, but the Bishop of Kiovia, the Castellan of Kalisch and some others that were of the Embassy, with a Convoy of three hundred Horse and a hundred and sixty Reitres beloging to the Palatine of Vilna. And no sooner were they arrived at Oliva, but the Prince received an Express from the Cardinal with Letters, by which that Prelate besought him to come to his Succour.  
The Prince of Conti at the same time had dispatched the Starost of Olstreyn, Glinski, Kochanowski and Gniewosz with thirty six thousand Crowns to bring away nine hundred Horse that stayed for 'em in the Palatinats of Cracow, Sandomiria, and the Duchy of Zator; and the first of these Lords who was to command this Reinforcement, departed the 17th of October. The Prince had also given thirty thousand Crowns to the Palatine of Kiovia, to put the Artillery of Lowitz and Mariemburg into a good Condition; and that Senator had faithfully discharged his Trust.  
In the mean time the Dantzickers began to commit new Insolences every day, as well against the Officers of the Squadron who went to their City, as the Seamen that belonged to the Shallops. Of all which the Ambassador made his complaints to the Magistrate, who thought it sufficient to deny a Fact of which he had been an eye witness, and perhaps the Author himself.  
And now they were preparing to require satisfaction for these Affronts, so soon as the Troops of the Republic should be arrived. But at the same time that they expected 'em as well as the Cardinal, they received Letters from the Sapieha's, importing that the same day that the General of the Vanguard, was to have set forward, the grand Treasurer of the Crown was come to the Grand Treasurer of Lithuania, and had set forth as well to Sapieha as to the rest of the Nobility, the danger of sending the Detachment which was intended for Prussia, if they should meet the three thousand Saxon Horse, who had orders to Fight all they met of the French Party, and not to give any Quarter. The same Senator assured 'em that Oginski was gone secretly to Cracow to receive Money from the Elector to cause a Revolt of the Lithuanian Army and the Nobility of Samogitia. His Malice made him also add, that it may be the Prince of Conti would be far enough off before their Detachment arrived: He also produced Letters, whether true or false is uncertain, which spoke of his return, as of a thing resolved upon. However little Credit would have been given to those Letters, had not the Sapieha's showed others from the Bishop of Ploskow, much after the same Style, wherein the same Prelate Complained that France was too niggardly of her Money while the the Saxon scattered it abroad with as much profuseness: and that of the two Princes, of whom the one was so reserved while the other ventured at all, there was little doubt to be made but that the most Liberal would carry it.  
However it were, the Sapieha's who stood in fear of Oginski the Defender of the Coequation, and it may be had less Stomach to Fight the Saxons, gave so much Credit to the Fictions of the grand Treasurer of the Crown, that they countermanded Straznik Commander of the Vant Guard, with his Detachment. And to cover their weakness, they wrote to the Cardinal and the French Ambassador, the Bishop of Ploskow and the Palatine of Kiovia, the Reasons that made 'em alter their Conduct, which consisted chief in this, that the Money promised the Lithuanian Army, had not been deposited: That the Coldness that appeared at Oliva begat a Chillness in the Kingdom, among those who had been the most Zealous; and who durst not embark any further in an Affair where France did not set 'em the Example. After this they proposed a remedy for all these inconveniencies, and this Remedy was that the Prince would be pleased forthwith to send Money to be deposited in Lithuania, with a French Commissary to pay the Soldiers, and take an Oath of Fidelity from the Officers and Companies, as they received their Money. As if the way had been more open and free to carry Money through the midst of the Germans, than to conduct a Body of Men.  
But Sapieha's fear together with the Irresolutions of the Palatine of Vilna, and the bad reasons which he alleged, made People believe him to be a General who wanted Courage, Credit, and Fidelity.  
However it were, the Perfidiousness of the Grand Treasurer of the Crown hindered the making all the Reflections that might have been made upon the Conduct of others. This Officer from the beginning of the Interregnum, had declared for France, and had appeared the most Vigorous, and the most Zealous of all the Adherents. On the other side, the Crown of France, had all the Confidence imaginable in him, who for that Reason had had the greatest share of her Liberality.  
The other Competitors therefore despaired of success, if they could not draw him into their interests; however he had resisted all their Temptations, but succumbed under those of Constantia Boteum his Wife. For the Elector caused a Proposal to be made to that Lady of Forty Thousand Crowns for her Husband: She accepted the Offer, and had so much Authority over her Husband as to oblige him to prefer that sum before the the merit which he had acquired by his commendable Actions. And he was so much the more capable, because that a few Days before he had Written to the Prince of Conti as to his lawful King; and had assured him, that he would forthwith be one of those that should attend his Person.  
The Polanders therefore made use of the blackest Colours to paint forth this Action. Some fancied it to be a resemblance of the Fall of Adam, who was so weak as to suffer himself to be deluded by his Wife, whom the Serpent had seduced; and others compared it to the Treason of Achitophel.  
But letting this pass, upon the 21st of October the Sapieha's received an Express, importing the Confirmation of a Treaty which the French Ambassador had concluded with them; and it was signed by the Prince, and accompanied with ten Thousand Crowns for the Straznick, to the end he might pay the Troops that were under his Command. About the same time the Grand Treasurer of the Crown was departed from the Grodno, and by his Discourses had so intimidated the Palatine of Vilna, that he became more inconstant and irresolute than he had hitherto appeared to be. On the other side, the Grand Treasurer of Lithuania looking with Indignation upon Lubomirski's Persidiousness, of which he had had a full Relation; and ashamed of the Levity of his Brother, used his utmost endeavours to infuse into him better sentiments. But he, uncapable of following good Counsel, when there was a necessity to determine, promised his Brother to Write to the Prince, as he really did; and the Letter was very respectful and submissive, wherein he brought his Majesty to excuse all past delays, and that he would be pleased to apply the speedy Remedy, to what had been done amiss; which he might easily do, if he would send a French Commissary into Lithuania with Money to pay the Army: A thing that had been already proposed; and which any Body but the Palatine of Vilna would have been ashamed to have repeated.  
On the other side, the Prince of Conti who came only to fight, tired out with the slowness of those whom he came to Succour, saw well that there was but one Course for him to take, and in a Conference which he had at Oliva upon the 29th of October, he declared to the Lords that were there present, That he believed he had done all for Poland that could be desired for him; that he was ready to satisfy what the most Christian King had promised in his Name; that he was come to put himself at the Head of so many brave Persons, to free them from the Oppression that threatened 'em, and which they had escaped for a whole Century together: But since they were willing to submit to it, he could not brook to see the Expiration of a Liberty which they had defended ever since the Foundation of their Monarchy; That it became not his Dignity to be a spectator of their Disgraces; and that he should attribute to the misfortune of the times, the irregularity which other Nations might observe in their Conduct.  
The Lords to whom the Prince directed his Speech, conjured him not to precipitate his Departure: And he no less willing to give them Demonstrations of his Esteem, made no great haste, upon their Assurances, that in a little time there would come News from Lithuania. However the Prince's Complaisance did not hinder him from taking all necessary Precautions. To which purpose, the next Day he sent away all his Domestic Servants from Oliva, and caused them to go on Shipboard. Upon the 2d the Mareshal of the Duchy arrived with a small Train, accompanied by Casimir Oginski, Starost of Godzin, and Prince Czartoreski, who together with the Mareshal and Prince Radziville, who was expected in two or three Days, were to perform the Duties of Ambassadors for Lithuania. At the same time also came the News that the Saxons to the number of Three Thousand Six Hundred Soldiers had passed the Bride of Thorn. In the mean time, the Prince gave Audience to the Mareshala Shipboard, and asked him why Straznick or he, had not brought the Detachment that had been so many times promised, and for the payment of which, Money had been delivered. The Mareshal answered, that the superior Number of the Saxon Troops, and the Acts of Hostility committed against his House, were the cause of it. But it was no difficult thing to percive that this Answer of the Palatine of Vilna, signified little or nothing. Or if it might have deserved a more favourable Construction; what reason was there that a Prince should stay at least Six Weeks for Soldiers, when there was a present occasion to fight the Saxons; and that a Person whom Poland had acknowledged for their Sovereign, should spend the Winter upon the Sea, while his Kingdom was not able to afford him any more than one pitiful place of War, without Men, or the least present supply in his pressing extremity,  
The rest of the Ambassadors of the Republic arrived the 4th of November at Oliva. The Bishop of Kiovia whom the Cardinal had made Chief, brought the Commissions for the rest. The Castelans of Kalish and Sicadia were for Great Poland. The latter of which had been with the Prince for some time, and the former arrived with Three Hundred Horse which he brought through Mariemburg; and if the rest had brought as many Men, Poland perhaps had not now groaned under the Dominion of the Saxons. The Palatine of Kiovia, and the Castelan of Lublin, were appointed for Little Poland; and for Lithuania, those whom we have already mentioned, Bielinski Mareshal of the Diet was joined with them; and in the present Conjuncture, had a greater desire to present the Diploma, than the other had to receive it, Prince Lubomirski, Starost of Sondeck, arrived at the same time from Podolia and reported that he had given order to fifteen Hundred Horse to march, which the Postoki of the Crown would bring in three Days. The Prince overjoyed at this News, testified his impatience to put himself at the Head of these Troops, that he might Fight the Enemy. But this beam of Hope lasted not long. For presently News was brought that the three Thousand Saxons were divided into two Bodies; of the which one would March directly to Oliva, the other to Mariemburg. The French Ambassador gave this intelligence to the Prince upon the 5th of November in the Morning; at what time he was come ashore to Advise with the Polanders upon the Reception of the Diploma and the Embassy. But this new accident changed all their measures, because the Troops expected were still at too great a distance; and for that there was no certain Advice where they were. The Castelan of Dantzick also, who was present at this Council, gave notice that the Saxons had passed into his Starosty of Grodentz upon the Vistula; and that they had ruined all his Lordships. An Express likewise from the Cardinal, that Day confirmed, that by a Letter from Cracow which he had intercepted, he understood, that the Saxons had orders to handle roughly, and carry away all the Polanders they should find in Oliva; and a Council was thereupon held in a House upon the Shore of the Sea, which perhaps was not more disorderly that Day, than the various Advices proposed in that Assembly.  
Grudzinski, Castellan of Brzescia, and Lubomirski Starost of Sendek were of Opinion, that the Prince, passing through the by and unfrequented Ways of Pomerania should enter into Great Poland with all the Nobility that he had about him: But this advice was Universally blamed as being too rash for a Prince to follow: And the deficulty was to find out a better that was opposite to it, and less subject to Inconveniencies. However at length they submitted to that which appeared the most rational, which was to lay before the Prince, that since Succour would arrive in three days, His Majesty instead of returning into France should write to Stettin, a City, so much the more Commodious, because it was more near the Frontiers: That in the mean time the Loyal Troops which the Saxons had left behind 'em should join themselves with those at Lowitz, and the Crown Army, and march into the Palatinate of Kalisch, where the Castellan allowed his Lands which lie upon the Frontiers on that side for a general Rendezvouz: To which the Prince replied, that since the Troops were so near at Hand he would stay their coming on Shipboard, and would not forsake his faithful Friends. They asked him then, whether he would be pleased to receive the Embassy and the Diploma, but he excused himself, alleging that it was not proper to take possession of a Kingdon, out which he was advised to departed.  
The same day, by the Prince's order, the Chevalier du Bast seized upon five Merchant Men belonging to Dantzick, which lay in the Road laden and ready to set Sail. The Affronts which the Burghers had offered the French for a Month together, and the injury done to the Admiral's Notary, drew this misfortune upon ' 'em. The Abbot of Polignac also being informed of the Seizure of these Vessels, gave order to his Servants to remove out of the City all his most precious moveables, which he had brought thither from Warsaw for the Prince's Service: And his Servants were preparing to put his Orders in Execution, when the Magistrates caused the Gates of the City to be shut, imprisoned his Officers and the Merchants that had done the King any Service; Seized upon the greatest part of the Embassador's moveables, and after they had sold his Horses by the Inch of Candle, had the insolence to send him a Trumpet with a letter, wherein they demanded the Restitution of their Vessels, and without mentioning what belonged to 'em, declared that they had secured the Merchant's effects. To which the Ambassador made answer, that the Affair of the Vessels did not at all concern him; that to plunder and pillage his goods was not the way to oblige him to speak to the Prince in their Favour; that they should call to mind that they had violated the Law of Nations, and failed in their Respect to a great King, whom no Body had ever offended but that he Suffered for it.  
At the same time, advice came that the Saxons had slipped through the Guards at Stum, a City of Prussia; that they had surprised a a hundred and sixty of Sapieha's Reitres, and made their Commander a Prisoner of War.  
Kraiczi, Grand squire Carver of the Crown, was retired some days before to Mariemburg, not so much out of a design to preserve the place, as to make use of it in order to make an Advantageous Capitulation for himself.  
Andrew Zalouski Bishop of Plosko departed the 29th, immediately after the Council had been held, wherein the Prince declared his Resolution to return into France. That Prelate minded his own Interest more than any Body, and thirsted to get the Bishopric of Varmia upon any Terms, because the Revenue of it was more considerable than his own. So soon therefore as he saw that the Prince to whom he had adhered would not be in a Condition to procure him that advantage, without losing time, he would not abandon his Hopes, but threw himself into the Arms of the Saxon Party, which 'tis probable he had so managed that he might not fail whatever happened.  
Upon the 6th, Advice came from all parts of the March of the Saxons. Upon which the French Ambassador thought it high time to look after his Affairs; and after he had sent his Papers, his Servants and the rest of his Equipage into the Abbey of Oliva, as the only Sanctuary that remained upon the Seashore, and whither the most part of the Senators were retired, he went the 7th to wait upon the Prince, and desired of him some long Boats to carry aboard his Ships the Goods he had saved in the Abbey of Oliva. At the same time the Castelan of Kalisch and Count Towianski were with the Prince, and advised him to retire to Stettin, notwithstanding he had declared to 'em his design to return into France. As for the Ambassador he could not that day obtain the Shallops that he desired, because the Chevalier du Bast had sent 'em for fresh Water; but he promised them the next day with a Guard of sixty men commanded by the first Captain of the Squadron. Which precaution was so much the more necessary, because that the same day in the Morning, one the Prince's domestic Servants had been stripped in the Woods by three Germane Troopers.  
The next Morning by break of Day the Shallops carried the Soldiers a shore; and the Abbot of Neuf-chattles went along to fetch away what he had left at Oliva. But before twenty Soldiers were Landed, they perceived a great Body of Horse drawn up in the Plain. These were the Saxons, that arrived the preceding Night to the Number of four or five hundred, followed at the heels by the rest of their Troops. The Castelan of Kalish, for whom they sought in particular, had the good look to escape them; but he fell into an Ambush, where he so bestirred himself, that thirty Horse detached after him, pursued him in vain in the Woods, not being able to overtake him. As for the Starost of Sondek, he took a Resolution as bold as the Counsel which he had given three Days before; for he fought his way through his Enemies, with his Sword in his Hand; no less than five times fired at without being wounded. His Equipage was pillaged, and that was it which hindered the Germans from pursuing him.  
The inside of the Abbey was forced as well as the outside, at what time the Bishop of Kiovia, and the Castelan of Brzec fled into the Church, where the latter was rifled and very ill used; the other was at his Prayers upon his Knees before the Altar: But the Saxons without any respect to the Sanctity of the Place, or the Character of the Prelate, fell upon him, tore his , and never left him till they had torn from him a Cross set with Diamonds, which the Bishops of Poland wear as a Badge of their Dignity.  
After this they forced the Door of the Vestry where the Ambassador had put his Papers and his Plate: Peter Hubert his Secretary was left in the Abbey to take take care of them, though he had much ado to get admittance into it: However he found a way at length to mollify the Savage Breasts of those that should have been more Civil, and by the means of three hundred Ducats which he distributed among the Monks, they gave him a Habit of the Order, and assisted him neatly to take off the Seal which the Saxons had fastened to a little Chest wherein the Papers were enclosed. Which done, he put something else in the Trunk instead of the Papers which he carried away in the Night, with the hazard of his Life, and sent them by a faithful Peasant wrapped up in Bean Straw to Dantzick, to the Grand Chamberlain's Wife, who afterwards caused them to be delivered to the Ambassador.  
Upon the 8th in the Forenoon the Seashore was full of Saxon Horse, who gave the Chevalier St. Paul, first Captain of the Squadron to understand, that it was impossible for him to execute his Orders. Thereupon, being a good Soldier, he re-embarked his Men; standing his Ground so long as one remained on Land, causing his Seamen to fire continually from the Shallops, so that some Saxons were killed, and on the Captain's side, the Chevalier de Tomur, an Ensign in the Halcyon, received a Musket shot in his Breast, of which he died that Evening.  
And thus the Ambassador of France lost all the Goods he had both at Dantzick and Oliva. The same Day, being the 8th in the Evening, the young Count Towianski, the Cardinal's Nephew, went abroad, disguised in the Habit of a Bernardine Monk; and upon the 9th about Noon, the Prince set Sail in order to return for France. As for the French Ambassador it was the Prince's pleasure that he should Land in the Isle of Rugen, that he might go from thence to Stettin, from whence he might re-enter Poland if the Conjuncture of Affairs would permit, or else stay there for farther Orders.  
In the mean time, the Polanders that were in Dantzick were as ill used as the French. The Palatine of Kiovia, the Mareshal of Lithuania, Prince Czartoriski, the Starost of Pereslaw and the Grand Chamberlain were imprisoned in their Houses by the Dantzickers, who set Guards upon them; and those Lords beheld several Gentlemen whom the Rabble dragged by the Hair.  
This Disorder inflamed the indignation of the Nobility against the Saxons; and though they were much cast down upon the Prince's departure, they were so far from losing their Courage, that they continued firm in their Resolutions, excepting only a small Number, to whom the Elector extended his Arms, and was very liberal of his Presents, conformable to his Genius and the necessity of his Affairs.  
Upon the 5th of February 1698, the Elector summoned a Diet, called the Diet of Pacification: for the holding of which he repaired to Warsaw. Never was an Assembly worse culled; for there met not above twenty, take Nuncios and Senators altogether; and of those, twelve protested against him, and broke up the Diet the same Day that it began.  
On the other side, the Cardinal summoned a Diet of the Rokosz against the 18th of the same Month; where met a great Number of Senators, and the Nobility. Thither the Elector sent his Plenipotentiaries to treat of an Accommodation. But his Proposals were rejected, and the Rokosz persisted in their Vigour.  
And now the Elector, though delivered from the apprehensions caused by the Presence of his Competitor, and the Intrigues of the French Ambassador, panted after nothing so much as Peace, and seriously made it his business to reconcile himself with the Lords that had been opposite to him. But this was an Affair not so easy to be composed, as it seemed to be: There were many who had still the Generosity to uphold a Party that rested upon such solid Foundations. The Rokosz therefore persisted in its Vigour till the 15th of May; when destitute of all hopes of the Prince of Conti's Return, and solicited by Fabricio Paulucci, Bishop of Ferrara, and the Pope's Extraordinary Nuncio, more cunning and more biased than the former, the Elector gained by his Favours those that would not confide in his Promises. Thereupon, a General Agreement was concluded upon the 21st of May, 1698, upon such Conditions as they were pleased to like who make a forced submission; and this Accommodation was so agreeable to the Prince, that he never disputed any of the Articles. And this Resolution he took, upon what his Friends had laid before him; that Mildness was always necessary for Princes that were not well fixed in their Thrones.  
FINIS.