The will, and Legacies, OF Cardinal Richelieu, The Grand politician of FRANCE; Together with certain Jnstructions which he left the French King. Also some remarkable passages that hath happened in France, since the death of the said Cardinal. Translated out of the French copy, by G. Dugres January 5. printed by T. faucet. 1643. The most Eminent JOHN ARMAN DU PLESSIS, Cardinal of RICHELIEV▪ the grand politician of France his WILL. He hath left to Madam the Duchess of Aiguillon, formerly called Madam Cambalet, and his niece. A Rent to be taken in the City of Rochel of Sixty thousand pounds. His brave House of ruels, five leagues from Paris, and 20000 l. Another House, and lands of Two hundred and twenty thousand pounds per annum. A million of Gold, besides the Silver ready coined, all the moveables, jewels, Pictures, Statues, and silver Plate. To the son of Monsieur Du Pont de Courle, his Nephew. THe dukedom of Richelieu, and some other Lands, to the sum of 200000. l. per annum. The governorship of brovages, and of the Islands of Poictou. The Admiralship worth 200. pounds per annum. To the two Brothers of Du Pont de Courle. TWo hundred pounds per annum, in Church-livings. To the Marquis of Breze his Brother in law. THe dukedom of Fronsac, the dukedom of Beaufort en valer, between Saumur and la Flesche, the marquisate of Granduille, a House in Aniou of Five thousand pounds per annum, which he shall enjoy with all the lands aforenamed, mounting to One thousand pounds per annum. To the King. FIve thousand Crowne● in Silver, his palace called Le Palais du Cardinal, and Lands belonging to it, to finish it. The great Diamond Ring of the value of One thousand crowns, his chapel of Diamonds praised to above One hundred thousand crowns. Eight suits of Arras embroidered in Gold. Eight snites of moveables complete Furnitures. To the dauphin. HIs Library praised to fifty thousand crowns, and Lands belonging to it to finish the brave college of Sorbonne. To the Cardinal Mazarin his Successor. TWelve thousand crowns in Church-livings per annum. To Monsieur de Nogers a grand Statesman and his Executor. A ruby of Eight huddred crowns. It seemeth that the Cardinal knew his Executor could help himself well enough, being he left him so little. To Monsieur de Chavigny. ONe Diamond of 100 Crowns, and some other Legacies to his men, and followers, which being not comparable to the rest, are not here specified. To the Cardinal of lions his Brother, to Monsieur De la Mesleraie his Nephew, and the greatest warrior France hath now, to the Grand-Prier of Champaigne, and to the Duchess of Anguien his niece, and Wise to the Prince of Conde his son, nothing at all. What Policy did persuade him to deal so with these his kinsfolks, I know not: Had he left nothing to never a Kinsman or Kinswoman, I should think, that perhaps he would have the world know that he did not labour for his own Kindred. His Instructions to the King. I. THat he should war three years longer with Spain, and then if he pleased he might make Peace to his best advantage and glory. II. That he keep always the Princes, and Nobles down, and let them come near his Person as little as he can. III. To take heed of the Prince of Conde, because he is a busy Spirit, & of the Duke of Anguien his Son, because he is ambitious, and of a haughty spirit. iv. To mistrust always the Queen▪ because she is a Spanish-woman, and also Mounsieur his Brother, because he is much inclined to Spain, as it hath appeared by his former doings and demeanours. V. To make use of his old Ministers of State, because they are already full, and if so be that he should take new ones, and Starvelings, they will devour, and consume the People. IV. That he should always keep a fair correspodency with the Protestants, by reason that his most Potent and chief Enemy being the King of Spain, the surest Subjects he can employ against him are the Protestants, for the Papist Commanders and governors of places may be corrupted by the Spanish-Gold, but the Protestants will never be seduced by him, neither will they admit of him, because of his Religion, and Jnquisition. The King is very glad to see about him a great multitude of People, who deliver and utter their minds freely to him. The greatest Miracle the Cardinal did by his death was, that he made many thousands of People speak, which were dumb before. His Majesty doth protest highly, that he will never entertain any favourite, that hath any Guards. His Majesty asked council of Mounsieur De Angoulesme what he was to do, who counselled him three things. 1. To choose a good and honest council. 2. That he should always have his council nigh him▪ 3. Not to rely upon anybody for the Government of his kingdom, but that he should take notice himself of things. The Cardinal Mazarin is not like to subsist long by reason that being a Stranger, and one inclined to the Pope, he will be always suspected and hated. Upon Monday last the Cowcell was assembled at St. german, where the King was present, and inquired into the businesses. Upon Saturday last he sent for the Ambassadors to come to him the next day, unto which he gave audience, and told them he would entertain as good correspondency as before, and rather better. The Declaretion formerly made against Mounsieur the Kings Brother, about the Treaty with the King of Spain, was lately proved, and enregistered; Mounsieur Munier and Silleren, councillors of the great Chamber, spoke very much in Monsieur's behalf alleging, that it was ill to condemn a person of his quality before he was heard, since that favour is not denied to men of far less condition, and most guilty; That it is to draw the hatred of a son of France, and to breed a hartburning between two great Brothers, and besides that this should redound upon the King's renown, and that it was fit to gather all the inquests, and informations together before his sentence, but notwithstanding all these reasons. Le Roy la ainsi Voulu. Yet Mounsieur De Senetene was sent to him to Bloys, with a moderation, and hopes of suppression of that Declaration, in case that he behaveth himself better. This was a great piece of policy, to show that France was still governed by the Cardinal's Genius, even after his death. The marshal of Breeze is in great favour with the King, he was lately with Mounsieur Bassompierre, and laboureth much for his liberty, the King answered him, he must stay a while. There is great disscention between the marshal of Breeze, and my Lady, by reason of the Will, the Prince of Conde, and the Duke of Anguien his Son, take part with the marshal of Breeze, and good reason too, because the Cardinal left them nothing, they endeavour to have the Will annulled, if it holdeth, the Duchess of Aiguillon shall enjoy 800. M. per annum, besides the Gold, Silver, Plate, and moveables she hath already. The Earl of Dublin was lately shot with a pistol by Mr. De Bonnivet. It is thought that Trafflicke and Commerce, will be forbidden with Romans, by reason of the Audience denied by the Pope, unto the Ambassador of Portugal, and discontent offered to the French Ambassador, which both left Rome in a great rage and fury. FINIS.