LETTERS FROM PARIS, Received the 15. of JAN. 1648. DIRECTED To several COMMITTEES and Members of PARLIAMENT. Printed by special Order, and for full satisfaction to all Nations, concerning their late Transactions. 15. Jan. 1648. Imprimatur GILB: MABBOTT. LONDON, Printed by Matthew Simmons, in Aldersgate-Street, 1648. Letters from PARIS. Right Honourable, YOUR Honours may have heard of this King's going out that morning before day for St. Germans. As that resolution had been very secretly managed, so most part of his Majesties servants, and of the Queens women( amongst others Madam le moiselle de Breauuais, her Confident of the Closet) were left behind, and were not since suffered to go out of this town, nor yet the baggage and wearing things of their Majesties, and of the Princes, by the precise order given at the town gates, some being wholly shut up, and the rest so strictly guarded, that none goes out either in Coach or on horseback, much less any Chariot or Foot-man with arms, without a very exact pass from the Towns-house of Paris. Madam de longueville, who, though big with child, ventured to follow, hath been stayed, declaring that if they were forced to fast and suffer, she should suffer as the rest. That order hath hitherto proved very useful, the rich Families, namely of the Parisians and Financiers, who, without that, would have gone out with their most precious goods, being now compelled to submit to this Parliament, and to contribute and stand at the peoples side. Great number of couriers were that day, Wednesday, dispatched by the said Parliament towards all the Parliaments & places of this kingdom that are of any importance, to acquaint them with that departure, as being a ravishing of the Kings Person to trouble the peace of this State, interrupt the Justice, and cross the good resolutions of the Parl. towards the public. His Majesties French & swisser guards following to St. Germans, plundered in their march the Village of Nanterre, which hath been a bad president for his said Majesty. The same day his Majesty sent a letter to the Prevost des Marchands of Paris, whereby he adviseth him, that having been informed, that some ill-affected persons in league with the Enemies of this State had a design upon his Person, he had been forced to with-draw: The Duke of Orleans and Prince of Conde, wrote then to the said Prevost, that they could do no otherwise then to follow his Majesty. The said Letters having been communicated to the Parl. they sent the next day, Thursday, the Kings attorney and Advocates to the said St. Germans to entreat their Majesties to name those ill-affected persons, that they might inform against them, or else to suffer the said Parl. to inform against the Accusators, and make their process. Those Deputies were so ill received there, that they would not suffer them to come above the stairs of the old Castle at the said Saint Germans to speak with their Majesties. The same Thursday the Earl of Brienne came hither from St. Germans with some Letters from the King for the sovereign Courts; those for the Parl. were carried by M. la Louueire, lieutenant of the Guards, with order not to deliver them but in a full Assembly: but they, either being informed of the contents, or it being against the forms, refused to accept of them in body, bidding him to deliver them to the Kings Officers, as it is wonted. The said letters commanded the said Courts to repair to the following places, viz. the Parliament to Monturgis, the Chamber of accounts to Mante, the Court des aids to Melun, the grand council to— and the Privy council to Poissy. Some of the Courts answered not upon the present, only the grand council,( which is a Jurisdiction distinct from all others, sitting upon movable chairs, for a token that of old it is an ambulatory Court) answered they would obey his Majesties command●, desiring to have 8. days time to prepare themselves. That day order was given to all the houses in Paris to provide arms, and stand upon their guards under great penalties. The said Earl of Brienne thinking to return to the said St. Germans, was stopped at the gates of Paris, though he had a Ticket of the Towns house, and was compelled to go back to his house, from whence he went the next day after, being Friday very early in the morning on horseback with M. Brisacier, to go by some by-ways to the said St. Germans. The same morning came advice that the Kings council had given Arrest bearing defences to the Inhabitants of Poissi, & to the Butchers of Paris, to sell or buy any Oxen or other Cattle under pain of death: That the Kings Forces had seized on the Bridges of Pontoise and St. Clou: That the Regiment of the Guards was come, & quartered at Gonnesse to stop the bread: That 2000. swissers were quartered in St. Denys: Some Troops at Aubervilliers, and other places adjacent to this City; and that that night 3. or 4000. horse were to come about it to block it up wholly, and stop victuals. Thereupon the said Parliament having met, resolved in the froenoon that 6. Councellors should repair in the afternoon to the Towns house, to hold there a council of War for a speedy levy of 20000. Foot, and 6000. Horse. Mr. des lands Paien, councillor in the grand Chamber in the said Parliament, a man of courage & wit, bachelor, and who long bore Arms in the Low Countries and elsewhere, offered to command them till they had provided some man of greater condition then he: they presently returned thanks unto him. The same afternoon their Majesties sent an order to the Duke de Bovillon( who stayed here under colour of being sick of the gout) to come to the said St. Germans. Few hours after, 8. Councellors of the Parliament went to offer to the said Duke the Generall-ship of the said Parisian Army: he is to return his answer this morning; It is thought he will accept of it, upon the discontents he received by the Court, who hitherto would not indampnifie him of the compensation promised to him for Sedan and his Dominions. At the same Session yesterday morning an Arrest was given against cardinal Mazarin, whereby he is declared perturbator of the public peace: commanded him to with-draw the same day from Court, and within 8. dayes out of the kingdom; bidding all his Majesties Subjects after that time expired to fall on him, and forbidding all persons to harbour him. Immediately after the reading of that Arrest, the Assembly of the said Parliament and all the Assistants in the Chamber and great hall hard by, cried aloud, Vive le Roy, for a token that they will only prosecute such as have stolen away the King, amongst whom Marshall de la Milleraie, and de Villeroy( who promised to the said Parliament they would answer for his Majesties Person) are written in the black book. The Earl of Harcourt went not with them as it was then reported, but having soon after repaired to the said St. Germans, he ●e● out with Mr. de Beringhan, and had bitter words with the Prince of Conde, for that being Officer to the Crown, they had carried so the King aw●y without his privity. I hear that fince he hath been offered some ●mplo●ment against the Parisians, which he hath refused, alleging that he cannot take up arms against the people, without taking them against the King. The chiefest that are employed in that Exped●tion from their Majesties, who have already their Quarters, to molest Paris, are the prince of Conde, the Marshals de la Milleraie, and de Grammont, Mess. de Villeguier, and de la Fersè Imbault. Every one blameth the Duke of Orleans his proceedi●gs, and of the Prince of Conde, to expose to all the State for the mere interest of the said cardinal, whose birth, his passions, and actions are so well known. The said prince hath been chiefly moved thereunto by the great advantages he received of him, and the said Duke who so long opposed that going out, yielded at last thereto for 800000. Levers. I am informed were given him( whereof the Abbot de la Riviere had 200000. besides the assurance the said Prince gave him that the Prince of Conti shal pretend nothing to the Cardinals Cap) & under the assurance that the Duke of Lorraine shall be restored to all his Dominions; for the execution whereof, the Duke of Orleans( upon the promises he and his Wife took for currant money) passeth his word to his Highnesse upon condition that his Army, which is said to be of 15000. men do presently pass to the service of France, to whom at his entrance they give in prey the Picardy to refresh themselves. That proceeding of offering to restore that Duke into his Dominions( during this Kings minority) he being a Prince active, vindicative, and of a house ancient Enemy to this crown, doth much discredit the said Princes. The Duke of Longueuille's return is expected as being a spirit much useful for a Mediation, though many do think that things being come thus far, it will be necessary henceforth that one party submits to the other. It is clearly seen now that when the Court came from St. Germans in November last, it was onely on purpose to get into the Kings Coffers the 16. Millions of Liuert-Marshall dela Milleruie hath actually received and kept without paying any body, to make with it this present expedition afore the Spring, thinking to starve Paris in three dayes, and by a general rising of the people, cause some twenty of the most active in the Parliament to be hanged. They have part of that money with them at St. Germans, the other hath been sent to Marshall de Thurenne, whom they thought to entrust with the chiefest command of the Duke of Lorraines Army, not believing that the said Generalship would be offered to the said Duke of Bovillon his brother, and the rest hath been dispersed in gifts to the said Princes and other Grandees, and to the re-imbursing of the Loans lent by the Prince of Conde, the said Marshall, madam d' Liguillon, the Chancellor and others formerly to his said Majesty. The said Parliament resolved likewise yesterday morning to demand the Keys of the Castle of la Bastille from Mr. du Tremblay governor thereof, and in case of refusal, to force him; and even it was debated to keep his Son, councillor in the said Parliament, until the said keys were delivered, but at last he was left free upon the facility they see to be Masters of the said Castle and of the Arsenal when they will. The Court afore their going had so much made themselves sure of the affection of the Duke of Vendosme and his Son, that they do not stir yet in this occasion. The Duke of Elboeuf came back Thursday last from St. Germans hither as discontented of the Court, but the Duke of Bovillon is preferred hitherto to the Lorraines in this Conjuncture. They resolve here to make all at once a great endeavour that at first they might not miscarry: It is likely that the Army that shall go out of Paris shal go directly to the said S. Germans, to seize, if possible, on the Court, or else oblige them to remove further off, and thereby to have out from about this town their Majesties forces that are not esteemed above 10000, men, both Horse and Foot. Great number of cattle is come into the town by St. James Suburbs, and for facilitating the bringing in of provisions, the said Parliament hath ordered that all such as shall be brought in this fortnight shall be free of paying any Impost; so that there came in already abundance of Wine and it is thought there is corn sufficiently, whilst the Army that is to go out be in posture to convey more: the onely disorder that appears is in the distribution of the Bread, whereunto they are about to put order. They speak of an Assembly of the Notables of the kingdom. The said towns house sent word Wednesday last to the said Parliament, that as long as the King was here, they received orders from his Majesty, but that having been so stolen away, they know now no other power but that of the said Parliament. The first President declared at the same day in the open Parliament, that he ever thought to carry things to some moderation, and that nowadays he had rather to die by the hand of a seditious man, then by his removing, sever himself from their Assembly, and bring in any division. The said Parliament gave order to the Inhabitants of Charenton to guard their town, and not suffer any Souldiers to come in: those of Corbeil and Melun hold for the said Parliament, so that the upper end of the River is free to this day. This day the President Feron that was suspected by the people hath been removed from his place of Prevost des Marchands, which was conferred on President de Novion. They offer to the Duke of Bovillon to restore him into his Principality of Sedan, if he will accept of the Generalship, and leave his Wife and Children to the Parisians for Hostages: Command hath been given to all houses where is a Coach gate in Paris, to set out at their own charges an horseman, and the small gates to sand out a single Soldier. several Commissions are delivered, they give to every Horseman a crown a day, and to the Foot 20. solz. which doubtless will draw many out of the Kings forces. It is reported that the Prince of Conde hath seized on Charenton with 500 horse: I am informed that the division begins in the Kings council, and that the Duke of Orleans and his Wife acknowledging their faults are willing to come back, even in the advice they have that the Duke of Lorraine mocketh at present the offers made to him by the French Court. roven and Orleans do promise to sand some supply to Paris: they have already provided here a stock of 1200. Crownes ready for the War. The Deputies of the Chamber of Accounts and Court des aids that went yesterday to St. Germans were exhorted by the Chancellor and M. Teuboeuf afore they were presented to their Majesties to sever themselves from the Parliament of Paris, and not mention the said Parliament: yet they were admitted to their Majesties, and performed their Errand, showing that the said Parliament hath no other aim but the good of the King and of the State. Their Majesties for to divide them, exhorted them as they had done the President Feron to take great care of their good City of Paris, where they would come again as soon as the Parliament should be gone to the said Montargis. We do not know yet how the Queen Regent hath taken the news of the aforesaid Arrest( the copies whereof are here enclosed) against Cardinal Mazarin. The Queen of England having heard nothing of the design of the Kings going, being in great perplexity and without money( saith shee) thinking to sand on Thursday morning Mr. Jermyn to their Majesties, to know what shee ought to do; the said Mr. Jermin was Arrested at the gate: He got a pass of the towns house, which being not sealed, he was again sent back to have it sealed, which having caused him to lose much time, he could not get out but in the afternoon; I know not what answer he will bring, not knowing as yet that he be returned. The Duke of york is expected here daily; they say he brings but six men along with him, amongst whom is Prince Palatine Maurice, and the Duke of Buckingham; but they fear in this Court his Train will be greater, seeing the disbanding the Prince of Wales made of most part of the persons of note that were by him. The Queen Regent sent a compliment on Wednesday last to monsieur brown, that in case he should not think himself safe in Paris in this occasion of the hatred against the Royalists, shee would provide him a place some where else. The domestic disorders here cause them not to take much notice, nor care much of what may happen to the King of England. I am, Your Honours most humble, and most obedient Servant. Paris, the 9th. / 30th. of January, / December, 1649. / 8. Right Honourable, THey have now taken an order for the command of the Parisian Army. The 8 Councellors of this Parliament who propounded it on Friday last to the Duke of Bovillon having spoken of a Partner, he told them the next day that for the good of these affairs, it was necessary that the direction should be left in one, representing at the same time his indisposition of the Government, and other incommodities. In that incertainty; and being necessary to have a Prince to be the chieftain, they conferred the Generallship on the Duke f Elboeuf, who offered his family for Ostage, and was Kings sworn that night. The next day, Sunday morning, the said Duke of Elboeuf was proclaimed by the sound of Trumpet, general of the Army for the Parisians. The same morning the Prince of Conti, and the Duke of Longueville, who formerly disapproved at St. Jermains of that ravishing of the King without their privity, having gotten out of that place in disguise( for they do keep as strict a guard there, and hinder every one to go out, as well as here) and being come hither to offer their service, the Parliament met that afternoon thereupon: The Prince of Conti repaired thither but Mr. Longueville came not because of the rank, the Duke of Elboeuf by reason of his quality of Duke and peer of France being like to take a place before him, who is Duke but no peer of this kingdom. The Prince of Conti blamed first the stealing away of the King, and then the present proceedings of the Prince his brother, speaking much against his violence, and the il usage he had received of him in several occasions, insomuch( said he) that of late he had preferred unto him a man of nought the Abbot dela Riuiere, to whom he promised the cardinals cap to his prejudice: Then he offered his service to head their Aringo, well knowing they had no other aim but the honor of the King and State, and made the same protestation in the Duke of Longueville's name. The Duke of Elboeuf replied then that he well knew the respect he oweth to the Princes of the house of Bousbon, but that having sworn already, and broken the Ice, he could not suffer his honour to be any way wronged in this occasion. The Parliament returned thanks presently to the Prince of Conti in general words, and sent four councillors to the Duke of Longueville to do the like unto him, and confer with him about the means and security to make their offers to succeed. The night affording council, and the consequence being well weighed to have a Prince of the blood on their sides, as also considering the great interest the Duke of Longueville hath both within and without this Kingdom, the great share he had in the councells, and his great credit and power in the Government of Normandy, it was resolved to give them content, provided they should both give Ostages of their fidelity, and truly had they not come, I surely believe this Parliament would have already proceeded before this time against the legitimation of the late Prince of Conde. Therefore the Prince of Conti and the Duke of Longueville having repaired monday morning to the Towns house, the conditions of the Union having been there signed, and having agreed to the offers made unto them, the said Prince of Conti was declared Generalissimo, on that condition he should obtain Paris, being assisted amongst others, with the council of the Dukes of Longueville and Bovillon and of the Marshall dela moth Oudemoust, who likewise subscribed the Union. The Duke of Elboeuf was then confirmed general within 20 leagues round about Paris, and it was propounded to make the Duke of Longueville general also to command beyond the said 20 Leagues, to get some more advantage of his Government of Normandy, but it was waved, Mr. de Longueville choosing rather to stay in Paris for avoiding of jealousies, whereupon it was ordered that the Dukes of Elboeuf, and de Bovillon, and the Marshall dela moth should be merely Lieutenant general under the said Prince of Conti. The marquis dela Boulay cousin to the Duke of Bovillon. mayor general Lambert, and several other considerable Officers signed then the said Union. The said Marqusse was made Master of the Artillery, and took possession of the arsenal on Saturday last. The Duke of Longueville gives hopes shortly of 1000 horse, and 4000 foot from Normandy. The Union is very great between the Parliament and the City. The President Feron Provost of the Marchants, who hath been like to bee plundered and massacred at his house( whereby his Lady was forced to run away from the City in a Country-womans habit) is continued in his place, as your honour will see by the here-anexed Arrest of the tenth instant, given to the said Parliament in the presence of the said Prince of Conti. It hath been a prudent action of the said Parliament, to have protected, so the said President, to keep this people from massacring, who having once begun, would hardly have been refrained. The Duke of Elboeuf hath since his General-ship written a Letter of compliment to the Duke of Orleans, exhorting him to return to Paris, where all the people was mightily desirous to see him again. The duchess of Orleans( who retired from hence with great regret, and before his going cruelly spoken against the Abbot De la Ravere, in the presence of his royal Highnesse, as being the Author of all these misfortunes, & one of the chiefest Actors of that pernicious departure) did what she could to hinder him to go out of Paris, representing unto him, that when he should be at Court, and the affairs should fall into the extremities, he would be there either imprisoned, or impoysoned, & she doth still do her best to draw him back, but it is not thought that now the Court will suffer him to withdraw, in which case it is likely this Parliament will provide of a Regent to his own exclusion. The Parisians do contribute very largely & very hearty towards those levies; they can presently set forth 60000 men, whereof they make account to choose 30000. Viz. 20000 Foot, and 10000 Horse, They have already on Foot about 8 or 10000 Foot, & 3 or 4000 Horse, The Basoche, that is the Clerks of the palace, do furnish 800 Horse, & the Clerks of the Chamber of accounts, and Court des aids 400. The Court hath been ready to go to Chantilly, or to Pontoise or Meulan for their greater safety. The Prince of Conde, who hath seized on Chasenton Bridge, with 5 Regiments of Horse, making in all some 800. forsook that quarter yesterday morning, to come to St. Dennis, where he fortifieth himself, and gathereth a body, upon the advice he had that the Parisian forces, that are ready, were to make a sally last night, to open the passage of the Bread that use to come from Gonnesse. During his abode at Charenton, for a greater safety he lodged in a house at the end of the Bridge, between the River of moon, and the River of Seine. He protected the Protestant Church, and caused on monday last, the Lutheran Ministers of his German cavalry to preach therein. I am told that the Court is coming from the said St. Germans, to St. Denis, to go from hence in case of need, into Burgundy for its greater safety, and in particular for the security of cardinal Mazarin, who hitherto jeares at the Parliaments Arrest against him, and thinketh the Souldiers raised here, to be so many phantasms against his designs? But it is a mere blindness, for it is certain that the Parliament and City, who do wisely cast all the aspersion of the present distractions upon him, to render the Courts cause the most odious, will never forgive him nor his Adherents, against whom I see them wholly bent to proceed criminally, among others( by a just retribution of God) against the Chevalier de Jars, Bautre, Sanneterre, the Chancellor, and other Incendiaries and Abettors of the british Wars, as also against the Marshals de la Milleraie, and d' Estel( though this last be retired to his house of Estell hard by Soiffons) de Villeroy, the Sirs d'Eymery, le Tellies, la Riviere and Partisants already adjudged by them. They have here great hopes of success, and that their good intentions will be generally known and followed throughout all France, that having purged the Court by degrees, and reformed the abuses in the State( which doubtless would bee from head to foot, should the King bee in his majority, and a Delinquent) they might frustrate the Spaniards of the advantage they hope to get by the present division of the state, by sending against them the next Spring the said 30000 men and their other forces, and thereby force them to a firm peace. But all their things are as carnal as the events of the beginnings, and Armies are doubtful; therefore wee ought to see first what shall happen by that coming to St. Denis, and what will be the issue, for the motto of the Parisian colours being Quaerimus Regem nostrum, it is a question whither they shall catch him and his Councellors against whom they are incensed. The said Parliament having debated to set the said Cardinals head at 100000 Crownes by the same Arrest given against him, Mr, Bugnon the Kings Advocate hindered it, alleging that the Pope might take an offence at it, because of his quality of cardinal. Here your honours may observe that the said cardinal hath caused the Courcier of lion that carried the said Arrest to bee stopped at Essone, well knowing that assoon as the Pope and the Consistory at Rome shall see that condemnation( which they do long after) they will depose him of his Cardinallship. He hath very basely acknowledged the favour granted him by the Venetians to admit him into the number of their Nobles, and his kindred also, having differed above 40 dayes, after the advice he had thereof by their Ambassadors, to return them thanks, and yet I know not whither he hath done it to this day, whereat the said Ambassador hath been extremely angry The watch is continued here more exactly every day, all the comings in are barricadoed; no horses are suffered to go out but those of the Messengers and Purveyors, which is of a very great use for the setting up of this Cavalry: The Merchants of Horses do offer a thousand Horses to be paid only after the wars ended: The Match is the commonest, Sent through all the Streets, and number of Chains being set up, the Coaches do now keep less noise then the Trumpets and Drums: That which is yet more considerable is, That the Money is very plentiful by the liberality of the Citizens and others, so that at this instant they are sure of above six Millions of Livers, whilst the Finances are melting away at the Court, and will soon come to nothing, without any apparent hope of recovery, most part of the Grandees who followed unprovided, being already in great distress, the means being stopped of getting any thing out of Paris. Last monday the here annexed Arrest was given in the said Parliament against the Souldiers that have forsaken the Borders to come and stop the Victuals of Paris. That day the duchess of Longueville and her Children went to the Towns House, where they do lodge now. The other Generalls do likewise offer their Children in Ostage. There are entred into Paris three daies since by St. James his Gate above 800 Oxen, and above 1200 Casks full of Corn coming from Beausse. The Country people doth arm in the neighbouring Villages, so that we hope shortly to see this City wholly released, the Bread( the Price whereof was raised double since six daies) being yesterday come almost to its ordinary value. Mr du Tremblay having offered to keep the Bastille without undertaking any thing against the City, and for an assurance thereof, having removed his Ordnance to the outside of it towards the field; saying, That unless the King by a Letter of Cachet should command him, he could not forsake the Prisoners committed by his Majesty to his keeping, was yesterday forced to surrender the place, after shot from the arsenal against the door thereof; the Parliament hath put therein 500 men in Garrison, they have likewise seized on the Tower of the Temple and the Ammunition therein, and hath garrisoned the Palace of Orleans, and the extremities of the garden thereof at the outside of the City; they are about to assault the Bois de Vincennes where the Prince of Conde hath put a Garrison. The marquis de Uxellis hath seized on Corbeil for the Court, but with so small Forces, that it is thought an easy thing to force him out. The Inhabitants of Melun having received a Garrison have disarmed them and keep them at mercy, thinking it better to do so, then by letting them to go out, give them means to do hurt somewhere else. The said Court hearing of the Duke of Longuevilles proceeding, offered presently the Government of Normandy to Mr de Merieur, who is not thought to accept of it, their Majesties having written here, for to have their Baggage suffered to come to them at S. Germans, the Duke of Elboeuf conveyed the same himself out of the Fauxbourg S. Honore, as far as the Village of Roulle. This day a council of War was settled here, consisting of the Prince de Conti, the Duke of Longueville, the 3. Generals, the President de Mesmes, and some others of the Parliament; they gave order then to the President le Coigneux, and to Master de Maison councillor, to dress a Manifest to justify before the public, the proceedings of the said Parliament, to whose service the marquis de la Fone is to enter very suddenly. The Theatin Priests, whom cardinal Mazarin had called into this City are fled, the chiefest of them his confessor having disguised himself as a Country-man to escape, hath been arrested prisoner. The Duke of Beaufort is wandring about Paris with 5 or 600 horse, expecting( say they) to join the Army that shall go out. Mr. Jermin being come from St. Germans on Friday last, and the Queen of England, thinking to go out the day after by the Thuilleries, and by Mr. Renards garden to repair to the said St. Germans, she was stopped by the Guards at the Port du Court, and compelled to return to the Lomer, where the Parliament passed since a compliment to her, That she should want nothing. The said Renard hath been imprisoned for that connivance. The said Queen since these disorders hath countermanded the Duke of york. My Lord Digby hath likewise endeavoured several times these last past dayes to go out of Paris disguised, and otherwise to go to Jersey, but could not get out to this day. The governor of the Bastille, hath demanded time for the surrendering of the place until this morning, till he could get an answer of a Letter, he was permitted to writ to the King thereupon. The Court hath disposed of the government of Champayne belonging to the Prince of Conti in the behalf of Mr. de Nemours, and of that of Picardy that was in the hands of Mr. de Elboeuf, and bestowed it on the Count of Harcourt his brother. The said Duke de Elboeuf went out this night to convey the bread of Gonnesse, but could bring in but some Carts full, the Prince of Condee having already seized on the rest. The City of Angers hath declared for the Parliament, and seized on the Castle therein. The Duke of Elboeuf, and the other Generalls, do desire to have the nomination and choice of the officers: If fidelity hath place, it is likely the Parliament will have a speedy advantage. Paris 13. Jan. 1648. Right Honourable, WE have been more assaulted here by the over-flowing of the River of Seine, then by the Court-forces, who had likewise such share of that flood, that it hath been impossible to undertake any thing on either side, it having not been in the Prince of Condees power to have any Ordnance drawn to St. Denis, where are five or six hundred men, much less to make any work or Fortification. The Duke of orleans repaired thither on Wednesday last to hold a council of War. That day about the night begun that over-flowing, which hindered their Majesties to come thither the next day, and compelled these Princes to return to St. Germans, where all the Court is still. That Inundation is so terrible that to this day the waters do surmount by above a foot the height of the walls of the Quay in the Isle nostre Dame, so that the Boats do swim through all the streets thereof, the water reaching to the middle of all the gates of the said Quay; the Boats do likewise walk before the Arsenal, in the Rue St. Anthony, all over the grieve, and almost from one end of the Rue de serie to the other, and through several other streets. That flood hath carried away above 400. thousand pounds worth of wood to burn, that was gathered along the River above the arsenal and in the Pre aux Cleris, broken several great Boats laden with wood and other wears, drowned the Mills between the grieve, &c. The Pont nostre Dame, where fifteen or sixteen souls perished, and broken three arches of the Thuilleries bridge by the said Pré aux Cleres. One of the Arches in the Pont au Change, and most of St Michaels bridge are wholly surmounted with the water. All the parts of the Mazaio du Temple, as far as the Thuilleries, and all the course, and Pré aux Cleres, are so drowned, that it might seem that Paris is in the middle of the Sea. During that flood no commodities can come here by neither side of the river. The pounds and Warrens about this city are all ruinated, and the wine vessels do swim in most of the Cellars. That over-flowing is attributed to the late great rain, and specially to the abundant snow this Winter, which melted on a sudden. Such a thing is not observed to have happened since january 7. 1496. at which time a like flood gave the name to the valley de la Misere, at the North Quay, between the Pont neuf and the Pont au Change. Their Majesties Baggage that had leave to go to St Germans on Tuesday last, was preached afore it went from hence, to see whether any thing should be found therein belonging to cardinal Mazarin. Two cars were found there laden with his wears, that were arrested and inventoried: his Palace hath been found full of movables, whereof Marshall de la moth took possession, pretending to have been wronged by the said cardinal of 150000. crownes for which he maketh his responsible. The Duke of Orleans baggage and of Madammoizile were likewise permitted to go to St Germans. The said Wednesday the Duke of Beaufort came hither with a small Train, he presently presented his petition to the Kings Officers in the Parliament, to justify himself of the crime Laesae Majestatis, of which he was impeached by the said cardinal. Thursday he made his submissions according to the forms: and yesterday being Friday, he was absolved, the said cardinal condemned towards him to 200000. Crownes for his expenses and redresses, and to purge himself of that accusation, upon the falsity whereof they are about to proceed against him. The onely respect they do bear to the Pope, might retard the execution thereof: whereupon they were in great consultation on Thursday last and yesterday in the Town-house, with the Nuntio, who( say they) sent an express to Rome about it. The upper council by an Arrest cashiered all such Arrests as the said Parliament hath given against cardinal Mazarin, forbidding him to leave the Court, considering the necessity of his counsel, his ability and experience in the affairs, &c. It is certain he offered to with-draw, but the Prince of cod hindered it. His two nieces went on Wednesday last from St Germans towards Sedan, though some say they are gone to lions. The books belonging to the St Conterien & Sesonton Bournguerie, who managed his money, were seized on, and two Councellors of Parliament appointed to examine the whole. Yesterday the Arrest here annexed was published for the sequestration of all his goods and Revenues. The preparations for the war are continued here with great heat, and the Guard is very strict, the Barricadoes three times more in all the Suburbs then formerly, namely in the Fauxbourg St Germans. There happened daily some skermishes with Mr le princes German Cavaliers, that came to plunder about this town, some having been killed by the Souldiers and country folk, and some brought prisoners to the Town-house. Last night some Horse made a sally to go and meet the bread of Gonnesse; and another of 500. Horse out of the Port St Jaques, to convoy the provisions that are to come out of Beausse; but they are resolved not to sand out the whole Body of the Army, until the waters bee decreased, and they be in posture to gain a victory, the reputation whereof might be an example and an encouragement to the rest of the kingdom, who is already inclinable enough to second the said Parliaments intention. The three Generalls that are to command by turns, received on Thursday each 25000. Crownes. The Dukes of Elboeuf and Bavillon had great need of that money. The Parliament taketh more and more the authority: they passed an Arrest of Junition, all the Chambers being assembled, more firm then ever, which hath been subscribed by the common-council of the City. The Prince of Conty expected, that being Generalissimo, all Passes and other Acts would be done in his name, but the Parliament took it upon themselves, having appointed several Committees of their Body, who do sit daily at several boards, dressed for that end in the Town-house. It is still believed that the said Prince, and the Duke Longueville came here by the Court's consent, that in case of need they might be Mediators. The Duke of Angoulesme, and Mr de Metz went yesterday from hence to St Germans, to endeavour to do that Office, but in all likelihood they will advance little, this side willing to have all the security on their side, so that in all appearance they will settle shortly a sovereign council, specially the Prince of Conde being obstinate to his design, as he is, and the Duke of Orleans being still drawn by the Abbot de la Runies counsel, who hath no other security then by keeping his Master close to the interests of the said cardinal. Mr. dts Ouches one of the said Duke's confidents is observed at the St. Germans for having spoken the truth to the said Abbot. Mr. de Leiuncourt is likewise observed being suspected to have been willing to come hither, and the Marshall de l' hospital is guarded; being impeached to have endeavoured to bring the King hither, under pretence of bringing him to. St. Denys, to see the design of the Fortification. The Prince of Conde is at Lugni, between this and Meaux upon Marn, his forces do plunder wheresoever they come: he hath sent for the Marshall d' Estree, to command in the room of the said Marshal de l'Hospital: He calls to these parts for so many forces as he can, some are coming down the Loire; and Mashall de Villeroy is gone to Amiens to fetch the forces in picardy, and the great ordinance to St. Monts, being assisted therein by the Vidam d Amiens his son in law. Marshal de la Milleraie is extremely sick at the said St. Germans. Duke de Luines and Mr. de Vetry are fled from thence, hither, Orleans hath sent hither to the Town-house to offer 600. thousands Muids of Corn, and to convoy them as far as Estampes, if the Parliament doth desire it. The new Semestre sitting now at rouen in the Parliament having sent Deputies to Court, to assure them that no body would stir in the said town against their Majesties, the ancient Officers of the said Parliament; and the Town-house of the said roven disavowed the said Deputies, and seized on the Gates and Buseaux of Receipts of the said Town-house, and sent here to this Towns-house to assure the Parisians of their zeal to th●ir Cause. The Cities of Troys and Chaalons in Champagne, have kept their Garrisons from coming to their Rendezvous given them by Monss. le Prince. The inhabitants of Mulan offered the entry of the town to King, the Duke of Anjou, and twelve of their Servants, but not to the Qu●en Regent, nor to the cardinal Mazarine. Meaux hath declared for Paris. Thursday last they took order here at the Golice for Ammunition bread, and other bread, the brown bread 20, the wheaten bread 22, and the white 24. deniers turnois a pound. The Coadjutor of Paris doth furnish a Regiment of Horse and one of Foot under the Command of the earl of Mose. The Queen Regent and the cardinal are more angry at him then at any other whomsoever. The Duke of bovillon doth promise that his brother Marshall de Thurine will do nothing against the Parliamentary Cause. The Advocates of this Parliament have taxed themselves to 50 crowns each, and the attorneys to 20 crowns. The Scriveners of Paris offer to find 30 millions of Livers, if the Parliament, the Chamber of accoumpts, and the Court des aids, do oblige their Faith. The Government of the Bastille hath been given to Mr. de Broussel, & the lieutenant ship to his Son Mr. de Louuiers, formerly ensign of the Guards. The Duke of Beaufort, who formerly obtained a Breviet of Duke and Peer of France, is this day admitted in this Parliament in that quality, and shall be general of the Horse of Paris. This Parliament offered 20000 Livers to the Queen of England, with assurance that from time to time she will be supplied for her subsistence. Shee would sand Thursday last, one of her Servants Mr. Fremyn, to St. Germans to know whether she may receive that sum, and such subventions, but he was stopped at this Cities Gates, so that I hear she hath not as yet received that money. Our English Letters that were to be here last Tuesday and yesterday, are not yet come; we think they are stopped at St. Germans to keep this pla●, in darkness. The treaty with the Duke of Lorraine is so unlikely, that it is reported he will accept of no Peace, unless all his Dominions be restored to him, and Champagne be given him for to indamnifie him. I hear likewise that the Sweds will not exchange their Ratifications at Munster, until the money for their satisfaction be first paid, and all the Articles of the Treaties bee executed. No ambassadors or public ministers do stir out of this City: The dearth is exceeding great at St. Germans, and the suspicions and jealousies each of other are so extreme, that in all likelihood the Court cannot subsist there long in that posture. I hear that the Duke of longueville having heard that the Queen Regent had given away his Government and called the Arrierban of Normandy, is gone this night from hence to roven, saying in laughing, that the said Queen had much obliged him in calling the said Arrierban, for at his coming he will find the people so much the readier to follow him here to serve the Parisians. By Letters from Thurin of the first instant stilo novo, I am informed that the Spanyards make great preparations in the Sate of Milan: That they received out of spain a considerable sum for the subsistence of their Army: That it doth increase daily, & that doubtless they will fall on Cazal; where the garrison is so poor & beggarly, that that place though very strong cannot endure a long siege: and that this Kings Army in Piedmont is wandering in a pitiful State; the duchess of savoy refusing still to give them the worst of her Lands to quarter in, until the orders from this Court be come; who as I see, is not now in posture to remedy it. I am The Mashall de l' hospital hath been commanded to retire to his Government of Vitry in Champagne, for having counseled among others, that cardinal Mazarine should withdraw for a while to some distance, where they could confer with him of the affairs, &c. The Duke of Beaufort went the last night with 500. Horse to Scout the advenues of St. Germans and came back this morning: The Court is entrenched there, The Qu. Regent is angry to the utmost, and is willing to hazard all. They persuade her that Paris is at the extremity for want of Bread, and that they are cutting one anothers throats: So Princes are willing to be deceived on all sides, &c. Paris the 16 / 6th of january 1649 / 8. Finis.