John George, Elector of Saxony, convened the rulers of the Protestant States of the Empire at Leipzig, February, 1631, to enter a remonstrance against the oppressions of the Empire. Gustavus made known to them his alliance with France and entreated them to join him in protecting the Protestant faith.[3] Footnote 3: What occurred at this Diet would be a good dramatic chapter. Richelieu sent his own gifted diplomat, Charnace, to lay before them the dangers which threatened their religion. Gustavus was even willing to accept a secret support, if the princes were afraid of the wrath of the Emperor. But the Elector of Saxony was so filled with the spirit of envy and jealousy that he not only refused alliance himself but persuaded the others to at least defer entering into any agreement with the Swedish king. The Duke of Weimar and his brother urged that Protestantism needed just such a leader to unite them, and failing to convince the assembly, they withdrew in anger from the convention. There were sixty-two princes of the two reformed creeds. There were no end of committees. All possible grievances were presented to the Emperor in the form of petition. There was an implied threat that unless their cry was heard at some future time they would arm for the defence of the Augsburg Confession, John George agreeing to give eleven thousand men, and George William five thousand for the cause. The name of Gustavus Adolphus was carefully kept out of every public document. The Emperor answered their appeal by ordering them to adjourn at once, or Leipzig should be blown about their ears. In the meantime Gustavus learned that Tilly had gone to besiege Magdeburg, and the king of Sweden made immediate preparation to go to the relief of that devoted city. Tilly had taken a town guarded by two thousand Swedes. A surrender was forced, and the Swedes agreed to lay down their arms on condition of an oath not to serve again during the war. The poor fellows had failed to receive a dispatch from their king to retreat and leave the town to its fate. They were butchered to the last man. The only cruel thing recorded in the history of Gustavus was his revenge for this crime. When he captured Frankfort-on-the-Oder two thousand prisoners of war were slain. Such is war. We shall see how Tilly retaliated on Gustavus for this. Cruelty, even in war, is always bad policy, aside from being a sin against God.