Kitabı oku: «The True History of the State Prisoner, commonly called the Iron Mask», sayfa 7
No. 29
ESTRADES TO POMPONNE
Excuses for the delay of Matthioli.
Venice, July 9, 1678.
Sir,
After what I had the honour of acquainting you with in my last letter, on the subject of the Count Matthioli, I should not have any thing further to add to-day, if he had not begged me to let you know that he has only remained at Venice some days longer than he originally intended, in order to execute some little commissions which the Duke of Mantua gave him when he left the place; but that he will go and meet that Prince this week at Mantua, that he will follow him to Casale, and that from thence he will set off to go to Paris, where he expects to arrive during the month of September. We have together calculated the time, and he cannot and ought not to leave his master sooner. He has, however, been apprehensive that these delays might give a bad opinion of him, and he has wished, in order to set his mind at rest, that I would send you the letters he has written to the King and to you, Sir; although I assured him he need not take this trouble, and that it would be sufficient if I bore testimony to his zeal and to his good intentions. ∗ ∗ ∗
The Abbé d’Estrades.203
No. 30
POMPONNE TO ESTRADES
July 13, 1678.
Sir,
The letter which you were pleased to write to me on the second of this month, has shown the King that the Count Matthioli continues in the same good intentions for his service, and in the design of coming to France. His Majesty sees with pleasure that he is making preparation, in order to be able to finish there the negociation which you have commenced with him; and he has also been well contented that, in order to prevent his master from entering into more intimate engagements with the Spaniards, he has caused to be broken off the marriage, which was on the point of taking place, between the great-nephew of Don Vincent of Gonzaga, Viceroy of Sicily, and the second daughter of the Duke of Guastalla.
Pomponne.204
No. 31
ESTRADES TO POMPONNE
Venice, July 30, 1678.
Sir,
I have nothing new to send you, in return for what you tell me, in the letter which you did me the honour to write to me on the 13th of this month: but as soon as the Duke of Mantua shall be arrived at Casale, I shall be able to inform you precisely of the day on which the Count Matthioli will set off for Paris.
I have heard that the Duke has brought his mother back to Mantua, and that she is ill there of a fever. If God was to call her to himself, without doubt the affair of Casale would be more easy to conclude, and the execution of the treaty would be less difficult; though thus far there is no reason to doubt that in any case it will fail, if his Majesty continues always in the wish of obtaining possession of that place.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
The Abbé d’Estrades.205
No. 32
POMPONNE TO ESTRADES
St. Germain, August 10, 1678.
Sir,
As the King continues always in the intention of profiting by the good dispositions of the Duke of Mantua, His Majesty desires that you will continue to encourage them, as you have already had so much part in originating them. His arrival at Casale, and the journey of the Count Matthioli into France, will show more clearly his inclinations with regard to delivering up that place to His Majesty. ∗ ∗ ∗
Pomponne.206
No. 33
ESTRADES TO LEWIS THE FOURTEENTH
Good dispositions of the Duke of Mantua, and of the Garrison of Casale.
Venice, August 20, 1678.
Sire,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
The Count Matthioli arrived here the day before yesterday, and he goes away this evening to Mantua. He only came here to assure me, that he would set off infallibly in the first week of next month, to go to your Majesty, as he has done himself the honour of sending you word himself; that the Duke of Mantua is always firm in his design of putting himself under the protection of your Majesty; that all those who have any command in Casale, are devoted to the will of that Prince, and inclined to the French; and that there is so exact a guard kept in that place, that nothing can enter or go out of it, except by the order of the Commandants. I exhorted him not to defer his departure beyond the time he had stated, and I told him that he would be as well received by your Majesty, as he could possibly wish. ∗ ∗ ∗
The Abbé d’Estrades.207
No. 34
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Venice, September 3, 1678.
Sir,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
The Count Matthioli has sent word to the Ambassador by the Sieur Giuliani, (whom he had despatched to Padua, to learn news respecting his health) that his illness begins to diminish, and that he hopes it will soon permit him to commence his journey to the Court, about the time he agreed on with him. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.208
No. 35
MATTHIOLI TO LEWIS THE FOURTEENTH
Excuses his own delay.
Padua, September 12th, 1678.
Sire,
The illness, which came upon me while I was getting ready for my departure, has, (as your Majesty has deigned to be informed by the Abbé d’Estrades, your Ambassador at Venice,) occasioned, to my extreme grief, the necessity for me to delay my journey to you. The eagerness I have is extraordinary, to be able with all possible celerity to throw myself at your Majesty’s feet. As soon as I shall have recovered in some degree my strength, I will not fail to set off. The present emergency of the Genoese seems to me very opportune for the designs we have in view. I hope to be able, with all respect, to suggest upon this subject also to your Majesty some points of importance. I bow myself before you most humbly.
Of your Majesty, &c.Hercules A. Matthioli.209
No. 36
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Venice, September 17th, 1678.
Sir,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
The Sieur Giuliani, having gone one day this week to gain information of the state of health of the Count Matthioli, brought back to the Ambassador the letter which the Count had done himself the honour of writing to you,210 and which I take the liberty, Sir, of sending you. He sent word at the same time to his Excellency, that now, as he has no more fever, he will return to Mantua, in order to satisfy the impatience of the Duke of Mantua to see him; and that as soon as he shall have regained a little strength, he will not fail to set off, in order that he may arrive at the Court as soon as possible. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.211
No. 37
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
Fontainebleau, October 6, 1678.
I have received, Sir, this week, your letter of the 17th, together with the two others from M. Matthioli, which were joined to it; but I cannot reply to them till the next post, not having as yet had an opportunity of rendering an account of them to the King. We shall wait for the arrival of the aforesaid Sieur Matthioli, to know what propositions he intends to make.
I am, &c.Pomponne.212
No. 38
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
Paris, October 14, 1678.
Since the last post, I have found an opportunity to read to the King your letter of the 17th of September, and he appears to me to approve of the account, you give in it, of what regards his interests, in the place where you at present are.
His Majesty has learnt with pleasure, that the Count Matthioli will soon be in a state to come here, when he will listen to him with favour.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Pomponne.213
No. 39
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Intention of Estrades to leave Venice.
Venice, October 15, 1678.
Sir,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
I sent you word, some time back, that the Abbé d’Estrades was gone into the country, from whence he intended to continue his journey into France. The uneasiness he felt at the delay of the Count Matthioli in his departure, (although it only proceeded from his illness, and from the necessity he had to be near his master,) and his desire to see him set off before him, or at least at the same time, are the causes why he has always deferred his own departure; but having had four days ago a conference with the Count Matthioli, in which he assured him that he would without doubt set off for France to-day, and that he had even received the order of the Duke of Mantua to that effect ∗ ∗ ∗214
De Pinchesne.215
No. 40
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Continued delay of Matthioli.
Venice, October 22d, 1678.
Sir,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
While I was in the belief that the Count Matthioli had set out for the Court, according to the promise he had made to the Abbé d’Estrades in the last conference, which, as I sent you word, Sir, they had together, I have been surprised by learning at this moment, by a letter which he has written to the Sieur Giuliani, who has just brought it me, that some affairs, which he has had to transact with the Duke of Mantua, have obliged him to delay his departure till to-day. He has written to the aforesaid Sieur Giuliani to be to-morrow evening at Verona, in order to continue his journey to the Court from thence. He has judged it proper, in order to keep the whole affair as secret as possible, to take him with him rather than any other, as he is already informed of all the circumstances of the case, the Abbé d’Estrades having made use of him in all the journeys that were necessary during the course of this affair. He is a very good sort of man, who is already entirely French in his dispositions, and full of affection for the service and interests of the King. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.216
No. 41
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Venice, October 29th, 1678.
Sir,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
I have received this instant a letter from the Count Matthioli, written from Berheta, on the 26th of this month; in which he acquaints me that he will immediately continue his journey to the Court with the Sieur Giuliani; where, perhaps, they will be arrived before you receive this letter. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.217
No. 42
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
Versailles, November 4th, 1678.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
According to appearances the Abbé d’Estrades will soon arrive here, and with him the Count Matthioli, through whom we shall be able to know more distinctly the sentiments of the Duke of Mantua. ∗ ∗ ∗
Pomponne.218
No. 43
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
November 11th, 1678.
I have received your letter of the 22d, the principal point of which is, the making the King acquainted with the reason, for which the Count Matthioli did not set off so soon as he had promised the Abbé d’Estrades. We must wait for his arrival to know what he has to propose to the King.
Pomponne.219
No. 44
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
Versailles, November 18th, 1678.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Neither the Count Matthioli, nor the Sieur Giuliani are yet arrived here.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Pomponne.220
No. 45
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Venice, November 19th, 1678.
Sir,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
I have just received a letter from the Count Matthioli, written from Zurich on the 5th of this month, in which he informs me, that the bad roads have been the cause, which has prevented him from travelling as quick as he could wish in his journey to the Court, but that he hopes to be there in a few days, and perhaps may be arrived before you receive this. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.221
No. 46
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Venice, November 26th, 1678.
Sir,
I have received this week the two letters which you did me the honour to write to me, on the 4th and on the 7th of this month. I see by both of them, how much the King is disposed to receive the Count Matthioli favourably, and to listen willingly to his propositions, as soon as he shall be arrived at the Court. I think he must be there at present, as I have again received to-day a letter from him, from Soleure, dated the 9th of this month, in which he informs me that he has made as much expedition as possible, in order to arrive there quickly. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.222
No. 47
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
December 2d, 1678.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
I send you only a packet belonging to the Count Matthioli, who arrived here some days ago, and who acquaints the Duke of Mantua with the circumstance. You must take great care to send the letters that are in this packet to their destination.
I am, &c.Pomponne.223
No. 48
Powers granted to Pomponne, to treat with Matthioli
The Duke of Mantua having testified to his Majesty, through the medium of the Count Matthioli, the extreme desire he has to make known his zeal for his interests; and to acquire for himself, by the most intimate alliances into which he can enter with him, the same friendship and the same protection, which his predecessors have received from France on great and important occasions. His Majesty, therefore, who has always preserved a sincere affection for the family of the aforesaid Duke and for his person, has received with pleasure the sentiments that he has manifested to him; and in order to take the necessary measures with him for an alliance, which shall be both most intimate and most advantageous to the aforesaid Duke, he has given full power to the Sieur de Pomponne, counsellor in ordinary in all his councils, secretary of state and of his commandments and finances, in order to, with the aforesaid Count Matthioli, agree, treat, and sign such articles as to him shall seem good, for this particular alliance with the aforesaid Duke of Mantua; promising, on the honour and word of a king, to consent to, and to confirm and establish now and always, all that the aforesaid Sieur de Pomponne shall, for this effect, conclude and settle, without contravening, or suffering the contravention of any part of it, in any manner whatsoever, and to furnish his ratification of it in proper form, within the time that shall be stipulated by the treaty. In witness whereof his Majesty has signed the present with his hand, and has caused to be affixed to it his privy seal.
Done at Versailles, the 5th day of December, 1678.
Lewis.224
No. 49
LEWIS THE FOURTEENTH TO THE DUKE OF MANTUA
Promises his protection to the Duke.
My Cousin,
The Count Matthioli, will instruct you so particularly, both of the manner in which he has acquitted himself of the orders with which you have charged him for me, and of the extreme satisfaction with which I have received the assurances he has given me of your zeal for my interests, that I can have nothing further to add upon these subjects. I am only desirous of testifying to you myself, the entire confidence which I wish you to place in my friendship. You may promise yourself, that it will be useful and glorious to you upon all occasions; and you may always rely with certainty and security upon my alliance. I hope to be able to give you very evident marks of this in the sequel; and after having borne testimony to you of the satisfaction which the conduct of the Count Matthioli, through the whole of this affair, has given me, I will not lengthen the present letter any more, except to pray to God that he may have you, my Cousin, in his holy and worthy keeping.
Written at Versailles, this 8th Dec. 1678.Lewis.
(And lower down),Arnaud.225
No. 50
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
December 16th, 1678.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
I send you a letter of the King to the Duke of Mantua, which you will deliver to the Count Matthioli, as soon as he shall arrive at Venice, taking care always to keep his journey very secret.
I am, &c.Pomponne.226
No. 51
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Interview of Pinchesne with Don Joseph Varano.
Venice, December 24th, 1678.
Sir,
As soon as I had received, together with the letter that you did me the favour to write me on the second of this month, that which the Count Matthioli sent to the Duke of Mantua, under cover to Don Joseph Varano, who is here with that Prince, and who is one of the two persons to whom his Highness has confided the design he has to deliver Casale into the hands of the King, I made known to M. Varano, by the son of the Sieur Giuliani, that I was very desirous of being able to deliver to him a letter from a French gentleman, who was one of his friends, and who had begged me to give it into his own hands. He understood very well what that meant to say; and at the same time sent me word, that if I would find myself that evening in mask at the Opera, he would not fail to be there also; which was executed according to our resolution. He told me, when I gave it him, that the Duke of Mantua would be delighted to receive it; because, for some days, he had shown great impatience to hear of the arrival of the Count Matthioli at the court, and to know in what state the affair was, which he was gone there to negociate. He asked me, at the same time, if I could not give him some news upon the subject; but as I know nothing about it, I contented myself with only telling him that I did not doubt but it was in a good train, and that I was persuaded his Highness would receive, on this occasion, the marks of that esteem and friendship which His Majesty has for him. I thought, Sir, I might be permitted to speak to him in these terms; because what I told him was from my own head, and not as if I had received any order to that effect. We afterwards agreed together, that, during the stay of the Duke of Mantua at Venice, we would make use of the same means to deliver to him the letters which might come to me from the Count Matthioli. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.227
No. 52
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
A courier sent to Venice with a new cypher.
St. Germain, December 25th, 1678.
This courier, whom I despatch to you, has orders not to come to your house as a courier, but to enter Venice as a tradesman, or a private French individual, who comes there on his own business: he brings for you a cypher, which you will only make use of in what regards the affairs of the Duke of Mantua, according to the occasions which you may deem necessary after the return of the Count Matthioli. We have been afraid that, for so important an affair, the cypher of the Abbé d’Estrades was too old, and had probably been discovered, in the many times it has passed through the territories of Milan. You will make use of it as usual in your ordinary despatches; but you will only write on the affairs of Mantua in the new one, which this courier brings to you. Take care to inform us exactly, of the arrival of the Count Matthioli, and of all that he shall communicate to you on the subject of his journey.
I am, &c.Pomponne.228
No. 53
LOUVOIS TO SAINT-MARS
Catinat sent to Pignerol.
St. Germain-en-Laye, December 29, 1678.
These few words are to let you know, that it is necessary for the King’s service, that the person who will send you this note, should enter into the citadel of Pignerol, without any body’s knowing it. To this effect, cause the Gate of Aid229 to remain open till night-fall, and send him one of your servants; or even, if you are able, go yourself to meet him, at the place to which his valet will conduct you; in order that he may enter in your suite into the aforesaid citadel, and into the aforesaid dungeon, without any one’s perceiving it.
I am truly yours,De Louvois.230
No. 54
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
D’Asfeld sent to Venice.
St. Germain, Dec. 30, 1678.
The King has despatched this day the Sieur d’Asfeld, Colonel of Dragoons, who is to go to Venice, under pretext of a journey of curiosity and pleasure. He will not come directly to your house, but will appear as a stranger, whom curiosity alone leads to the place where you are. He will afterwards come to see you, as if on account of the natural obligation which all Frenchmen have to visit those who are placed in a country for His Majesty’s service. He will deliver to you, from me, a short letter, as of introduction for him, in which I request you to contribute to the success of his particular interests at Venice. He will communicate to you the orders he has received; and you will take the necessary measures to make known his arrival to the Count Matthioli, and to arrange a meeting between them, if necessary.
I am, &c.Pomponne.231
No. 55
POMPONNE TO PINCHESNE
St. Germain, Dec. 30, 1678.
Sir,
You will receive this letter by the hands of M. d’Asfeld, who goes to Venice, for an affair which he will communicate to you himself, and of which you will have had, before his arrival, a more particular instruction by my letters. All that I will therefore add is, that you will put an entire reliance on what he tells you, and that you will contribute, in every way that depends on you, to the success of his particular interests at the place where you are.
I am, &c.Pomponne.232
No. 56
PINCHESNE TO POMPONNE
Venice, Dec. 31, 1678.
Sir,
In order to deliver to Don Joseph Varano the letter, which I have received for him from the Count Matthioli, at the same time with that which you did me the favour to write on the 9th of this month, I have made use of the same means which I had the honour to acquaint you with in my last letter, and which we had agreed upon together, for the time during which the Duke of Mantua should remain at Venice. He told me, when he received it, that this prince had experienced great pleasure by learning from the first, that the affair was in a good state; and that he was most impatient to hear of the conclusion of it; to which I answered him in two words, that that was a hope which his Highness might, with reason, flatter himself to see realized. ∗ ∗ ∗
De Pinchesne.233
