The Valet's Tragedy, and Other Studies — John Shaqi
The Valet's Tragedy, and Other StudiesLang, Andrew
History
The Valet's Tragedy, and Other Studies
Lang, Andrew
History; World history
(1) Marsilly reports, on the authority of his friends at Stockholm, that
the King of Sweden intends, first to intercede with Louis XIV. in favour
of the French Huguenots, and next, if diplomacy fails, to join in arms
with the other Protestant Powers of Europe.
(2) His correspondent in Holland learns that if the King of England
invites the States to any ‘holy resolution,’ they will heartily lend
forces. No leader so good as the English King--Charles II! Marsilly had
shown ARLINGTON’S LETTER to a Dutch friend, who bade him approach
the Dutch ambassador in England. He has dined with that diplomatist.
Arlington had, then, gone so far as to write an encouraging letter. The
Dutch ambassador had just told Marsilly that he had received the same
news, namely, that, Holland would aid the Huguenots, persecuted by Louis
XIV.
(3) Letters from Provence, Languedoc, and Dauphine say that the
situation there is unaltered.
(4) The Canton of Zurich write that they will keep their promises and
that Berne IS ANXIOUS TO PLEASE THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, and that
it is ready to raise, with Zurich, 15,000 men. They are not afraid of
France.
(5) Zurich fears that, if Charles is not represented at the next Diet,
Bale and Saint Gal will be intimidated, and not dare to join the Triple
Alliance of Spain, Holland, and England. The best plan will be
for Marsilly to represent England at the Diet of January 25, 1669,
accompanied by the Swiss General Balthazar. This will encourage friends
‘TO GIVE HIS BRITTANIC MAJESTY THE SATISFACTION WHICH HE DESIRES, and
will produce a close union between Holland, Sweden, the Cantons, and
other Protestant States.’
This reads as if Charles had already expressed some ‘desire.’
(6) Geneva grumbles at a reply of Charles ‘through a bishop who is their
enemy,’ the Bishop of London, ‘a persecutor of our religion,’ that is,
of Presbyterianism. However, nothing will dismay the Genevans, ‘si S. M.
B. ne change.’
Then comes a blank in the paper. There follows a copy of a letter as
if FROM CHARLES II. HIMSELF, to ‘the Right High and Noble Seigneurs of
Zurich.’ He has heard of their wishes from Roux de Marsilly, whom he
commissions to wait upon them. ‘I would not have written by my Bishop of
London had I been better informed, but would myself have replied to
your obliging letter, and would have assured you, as I do now, that I
desire....’
It appears as if this were a draft of the kind of letter which Marsilly
wanted Charles to write to Zurich, and there is a similar draft of a
letter for Arlington to follow, if he and Charles wish to send Marsilly
to the Swiss Diet. The Dutch ambassador, with whom Marsilly dined on
December 26, the Constable of Castille, and other grandees, are all of
opinion that he should visit the Protestant Swiss, as from the King of
England. The scheme is for an alliance of England, Holland, Spain, and
the Protestant Cantons, against France and Savoy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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