ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT MADE BETWEENE the French KING and those of Rochell, vpon the Rendition of the Towne, the 24. of October last. 1628.
According to the French Coppies Printed at Rochell and at Roan.
ALSO A Relation of a braue and resolute Sea-Fight, made by Sr. Kenelam Digby (on the Bay of Scandarone the 16. of Iune last past) with certaine Galegasses and Galeasses, belonging to the States of Venice, to his great Commmendation, and to the Honour of our English Nation.
LONDON Printed for Nathaniell Butter. 1628.
THE ARTICLES WHICH the French KING hath agreed to his Subjects of the Cittie of Rochell, vpon the Reduction of the said place vnder his Obeisance.
Translated out of the French Copie, which is Printed at Rochell by P. Forment, ordinary Printer of the King. 1628.
With Priuiledge of his Maiestie.
THE Maior, Aldermen, Peeres, Burgers, and Inhabitants of the Cittie of Rochell, represented by Iohn Berne Esquier, Lord of Dangoulin, Peter Viette Esquier, Alderman, Daniel de la Goutte, Iaques Riffaut Peeres, Elias Moquay, and Charles de la Coste Burgers, having charge, and being appointed by the bodie of the sayd Cittie, acknowledging the great fault which they haue committed, not onely in resisting the iust willes of the King, as they haue done a long time, in lieu to submit themselues, and to open him the gates of his Cittie of Rochell, as they were bound to doe, but moreover to haue adhered to strangers which haue borne Armes against this State, beseeching his Maiestie, with all humilitie, to pardon them the Crime which they haue committed in governing themselues in such a manner, and to receiue for satisfaction of the same the present obeisance which they will yeeld vnto him, in opening to him the Gates of his Cittie, which they shall actually deliver into his hands to dispose of it as it shall [Page 4] please him, and to prescribe them such manner of life, as he shall thinke most fit for the time to come, without any other condition then that which his Maiestie shall be pleased to giue them through his bountie, which they implore and craue with humilitie, beseeching him to vse them as his Subiects which henceforth will liue and die in the most perfect obeysance which hath euer beene yeelded to any Soveraigne.
The King having respect to the repeuance of his Subjects the Inhabitants of the Cittie of Rochell, and to the protestations which they make to liue henceforth as they are bound by their birth, which they shall shew accordingly two dayes hence, namely, on Munday, which is the thirtieth day of this present Moneth, opening the Gates of the sayd Cittie of Rochell to his Maiestie, that he may dispose of it as it shall please him, he hath commanded and given charge to the Lords of Marillac and Hallier, Marshals of his Campes, and Armies, to promise them in his name that which followeth.
I.
THe pardon of their fault, and rebellion committed since the last Commotion, with all assurance for their liues. The free exercise of their pretended reformed Religion within Rochell.
II.
That they shall inioy all their goods, both mooveables, and immooveables, of whatsoeuer nature they may be, notwithstanding all condemnations, gifts, and confiscations, which perhaps haue beene made by reason of their crime of Rebellion, excepting the enioying of the revenues of their Lands, mooveables, cut wood, and debts which hitherto haue beene received actually, and without any fraud.
III.
That all the Souldiers and warlike men which are Subiects of the King, that are now in the Cittie of Rochell, not being [Page 5] Burgers, and Inhabitants of it, shall enioy the sayd graces, and the chiefe Commanders, Captaines, and Gentlemen, shall goe out of the sayd Cittie with their Swords on their sides, and the Souldiers with a white stick in their hands and aboue all things their names and surnames shall be recorded, and shall sweare, that they shall never beare Armes against the Kings service, vpon paine to be bereft of the present grace. And concerning the English Captaines and Souldiers which shall be found in the sayd Cittie they shall by Sea be carried into England, without doing any displeasure vnto them.
IIII.
They of Rochell as well the Inhabitants as warlike men, shall likewise be discharged of all acts of hostilitie, and generally of all negotiations in forraine Countries, and all others for which they are not to be questioned, vnlesse it were in case of execrable things, which are excepted by the Edicts, and such as may concerne the person of the King.
V.
Likewise, they of Rochell shall be discharged, and cleered of their casting of Ordnance, coyning of money, arrests, and takings of moneys, as well Royall, Ecclesiasticall, as others in the sayd Cittie: As likewise of the Leavyings, and Contributions which haue beene made for the entertainment of the warlike men, and of the constraints decreed against the absent, yea, even by demolitions of their houses, and of all other imployments concerning the affayres of the sayd Cittie.
VI.
Likewise, as well the sayd Inhabitants as warlike men shall be discharged of all Iudgements, sentences, and arrestes, which perhaps were given against them by reason of their rebellion during these last Commotions.
VII.
That all Iudgements, as well Ciuill as Criminall, given in the Counselles, which haue extraordinarily beene kept in the sayd Cittie, the Iudges, Counsellers, or Commissaries, which haue assisted them, may not be questioned for it, nor likewise the parties for whose profit they haue beene given in matters concerning prises, or booties, and aboue all things there shall be imposed silence to the Procurator Generall, (or the Kings Atturney Generall) and his Substitutes.
VIII.
That the Iudgements, Penalties, Condemnations, Suspensions, and Inter dictions, which haue beene appointed and given by the Iudges, and Presidents, aswell against the Maiors of the sayd Cittie, as against them which haue assisted him, shall be annullated, as if they had neuer beene done: as likewise the proceedings made thereupon against some of the Iud. ges, shall be annullated, so that none which haue beene imploed either on the one, or the other side, may be questioned about them.
IX.
The Sentence for the death of Turnay, shall likewise stand, and those which are charged by the sayd sentence, shall not be questioned therefore.
X.
All the Contents of the aboue mentioned points, shall be ratified by the Maior, Aldermen, Burgers, and Inhabitants of the sayd Cittie of Rochell; And the sayd ratification shall be brought to morrow at two of the clocke in the after noone, in a good and authentike forme, whereupon it shall please the [Page 7] King to deliuer to the sayd Deputies or Commissioners his letters of declaration, which shall approue, and ratifie that which is contained here aboue.
XI.
And the sayd ratifications being deliuered, the gates of the sayd Cittie shall be opened, and deliuered into the hands of those whom it shall please his Maiestie to appoint, to the intent that thereupon, He in person may make his entrie into it, when, and in such manner as it shall please him. His Maiestie promising through his bountie, to take such course, and giue such order about the entrie, and lodging of his Souldiers in the sayd Cittie, that none of the Inhabitants of the same, neither women, nor children receiue any displeasure neither in their persons, nor goods.
Donne, and concluded in the Castell of Sanssay, the 28. day of October, 1628. Was signed Louis de Marillac, Francois de l'Hospital Le Hallier, Iohn Berne, Peter Viette De la Goutte, De la Coste, Riffault, Moquay.
Articles accordez par le Roy a ses Subiects de la ville de la Rochelle, sur la reduction de la place a son obeisance.
LEs Maire, Eschevins, Pairs, Burgeois, et habitants de la ville de la Rochelle, representez par Iean Borne Escuier, Signeur Dangoulin, Pierre Viette Escuier, Eschevins, Daniel de la Goutte, Iacques [Page 8] Riffault, Pairs, Elie Moquay et Charles de la Coste, Bourgeois, ayons charge et deputez par le Corps de la dite ville, Recognistans l'extreme faute qu'ilz ont commiz, non seulement en resistant aux Iustes volontez du Roy, comme ilz ont faict depuis long temps, au lieu de se soubsmettre, et luy ouurir les Portes de sa ville de la Rochelle, ainsi qu'ilz et oient obliges, Mais en oultre davoir adheré aux Estrangers, qui ont prins les armes contre c'est Estat, supliant avec toute humilité S. M. de leur pardonner le Crime qu'ilz ont commis en se governant de la sorte, et recevoir pour satisfaction d'uelluy l'obeysance presente qu'ilzluy desirent rendre, luy ouurant les portes de sa ville qu'ilz remetteront actuellement entre ses mains pour en diposer ainsi qu'il luy plaira, et leur proscrire tellefacon de vivre qu'il estimera plus a propos [...] que celle, [...] S. M. [...] laquelle ilz [...], la suppliant de les traiter comme ses Subiects qui voulent a I advenir vivre, et mourir en la plus parfaict obeisance qui ayt jamais esté [...] a aucun Souverain.
Le Roy ayant esgard a la repentance de ses Subjects [...] et aux protestations [...] y font obligez par leur naissance, ce qu'ils [...] des apres demain Lundi trentiesme du presant Mois ouurant les Portes de la dite ville de la Rochelle, a sa M. pour quil luy plaise disposer comme bon luy semblera, a commandé et donne charge aux Signeors de Marrillac, et du Halliet, Marechaux de ses champs, et annecs de leur promettre en son nom ce qui s'en suit.
[Page 7] 1. LE pardon de leur faute & rebellion commis depuis ce dernier mouuement, auec toute seurte pour leur vie. L'exercice libre de leur Religion pretendue reformee dans la Rochelle.
2. Qu'ils seron restablis en tous leurs biens, meubles & immeubles de quelque nature qu'ils puissent estre, nonobstant toutes condamnations, dons & confiscations qui en pourroient auoir este faictes a cause du crime de rebellion, fors & excepte la iouissance du reuenu de leurs terres, les meubles, bois couppez, & debtes qui auroient este actuellement & sans fraude, receus iusques à present.
3. Que touts les Gens de guerre Subiects du Roy, qui se trouueront maintenant dans la Ville de la Rochelle, non Bourgeois & Habitants de la Ville d'icelle, iouiront des Graces exprimees cy-dessus: Et les Chefs, Capitaines & Gentils-hommes sortirons de ladite Ville l'espee au coste, & les Soldats le baston blanc à la main. Et de touts sera fait estat de leurs noms & surnoms, Et seront serment de ne porter iamais les armes contre le seruice de sa Maieste, sur peine d'estre d' echeus de la presente Grace. Et quant aux Capitaines & Soldats Anglois qui se trouueront en ladite Ville, ils seront conduits par mer en Angleterre, sans qu'il leur soit fait aucun desplaisir.
4. Seront aussi lesdits de la Rochelle, tant Habitants que Gens de guerre, deschargez de touts actes d'hostilite generalement quelconques, negotiations es Pays Estrangers, & de touts autres, sans qu'ils puissent estre recherchez, fors pour le regard des cas execrables exceptez par les Edicts de ceux qui peuuent concerner la personne du Roy.
[Page 8] 5. Comme semblablement demeureront lesdits de la Rochelle, deschargex de Fontes de Canon, Fabrications de Monnoyes, Saisies & Prises de deniers, tant Royaux, Ecclesiastiques que autres en ladite Ville. Ensemble des Contributions ordonnees pour l'entretenement des Gens de guerre, & contrainte decernee contre les absens, mesme par demolition de leurs maisons, & de tous autres employs aux choses susdites en ladite Ville.
6. Demeureront pareillement tous les Habitans & Gents de guerre, deschargez de touts Iugements, Sentences & Arrests qui pourroient auoir este donnes contre eux à l'occasion de leur rebellion pendant ces mouuements.
7. Que de touts Iugements tant ciuils que criminels donnez dans les Conseils tenu extraordinairement en ladite Ville, les Iuges, Conseillers & Commissaires qui y auroient assiste, n'en pourront estre recherchez, ny mesme les particuliers, au profit desquels ils auroient este donnez pour ce qui concerne les Prises & Butin. Et sur tout sera impose silence au Procureur General & ses Substituts.
8. Que les Iugements, Amandes, Condamnations, Suspensions & Interdictions dōnees par les Presidiaux, tant contre les Maires de ladite Ville, que ceux qui les ont assistez, demeureront nuls, & comme non aduenus semblablement les Procedures faites en suitte contre aucuns desdits Iuges, demeureront nulles sans qu aucuns de ceux qui ont este employez de part & d'autre en puissent estre recherchez.
9. Demeurera aussi le Iugement pour la mort de Tournay, Et ceux qui en sont chargez par ledit Iugement, n'en pourront estre recherchez.
[Page 9] 10. Tout le contenu cy. dessus sera ratifie par les Maire, Pairs, Escheuins & Habitans de ladite Ville, & ladite ratification sera apportee dans demain deux heures apres midy, en bonne & authentique forme. Apres quoy il plaira au Roy faire deliurer aux susdits Deputez, Lettres de Declaration qui approuuent & ratiflent ce que dessus.
11. Et lesdites ratifications estants deliurees, les Portes de la Ville seront ouuertes, & mises en la possession de ceux qu'il plaira à sa Maiesté ordonner, afin qu'en suitte elle y puisse faire son entree en personne, quand & ainsi qu'il luy plaira. Promettant sa Maieste par sa bonte, fair apporter vn tel ordre à l'entree & logement des Gents de guerre en ladite Ville qu' aucuns Habitants d'icelle, femmes & enfans n'en reaçoiuent aucun deplaisir, soit en leurs personnes, soit en leurs biens.
FAICT & arreste au Chasteau de la Saussaye le vingt-huictieme Octobre, mil six cens vingt-huict. Ainsi signe, LOVIS. DE MARILLAC, & Ieane de Berne, Pierre Viette, Rifant, De la Goutte, De la Coste & Mocquay.
A Letter written from abord the Admirall of Sir Kenelme Digbie.
THe tenth of Iune 1628. we lay at Hull all night in sight of Cape Congier, which is ten leagues from Scanderon, and sent a boat to descry the Road. The next morning shee brought vs word that there were at Ancor there two Venetian Galleazzes, two of their Galleons, two English ships and foure French vessells. We then prouided our selues to come into that place, and had fitted our selues in most ample manner, both for offence, defence and freeing of vessels if we should be hard set, the name of Gallegrezes was a formidable thing, but after a short speech made to our men, they expressed much desire to aduenture in, and gaue assurance that they would not faile in performing their duties; Indeed they kept their words, for neuer men behaued themselues more brauely. About ten of the clocke that day (then) wee had a fine gale which brought vs within a league of Scanderone by two of the clocke in the afternoone; and wee had sent the Sattie in before to deliuer Letters to the Generall of the Venetians, as also to the English Captaines there. Therein acquainting them how we came forth vpon a voyage of warfare, with his Maiesties Commission vnder the great Seale of England, and assuring them of all due respect and friendlinesse vnto them as became vs. Vpon the receipt of this Letter the Venetians wayed anchor, and treating our men very discourteously would not permit them to goe deliuer our Letters aboard the English ships; the Galleasses haue betweene 30. or 40. brasse guns in each of them of incredible bignesse, [Page 11] some of 9000. weight, they haue six or 700. men in them a piece; the Galleons were of aboue 800. tuns, one had 40. the other had 30. great brasse Ordnance. As soone as they were within shot of vs the Admirall Galleasse shot a bullet within halfe a shippes length of vs, which we vnderstood as a salute (for we had giuen them no cause to the contrarie) therefore saluted them with a peece from them wards and did so to all the other vessels which likewise shot at vs after 7. or 8. shots (some of which did hit some of our ships.) They shot at our flag and at the same instant our Satties boat came aboard vs, and told vs how hardly the Venetians had treated them, and in returne to our respectiue Letter they sent this message. That if wee did not immediatly depart out of sight of the Road, they would sinke our vessels. We then endeuoured the best wee could to let them see our long forbearance was to make our quarrell a iust one and not through apprehension of their much famed vessels. For we gaue them 3. or 4. broad sides in a very short time, which (they being neare) did them spoile, vpon this they grew more cautious and fought at a further distance whilst in the meane time we laid so well at the Galleons that the men stowed themselues in their holds, and left their vessels to their owne fortunes without guidance. The Galleasses comming vp to help them receiued so rude a welcome from vs, that they rowed amayne away, and sheltred themselues vnder the English ships that were in the Road; which saued of them neare 100. shot out of our ship; for we were all commanded to be very cautious in that point rather to misse an opportunitie of hurting the Enemie, then to endanger our Countrimen. In this time whilst the Eagle Vice-admirall and Rere-admirall [Page 12] were hot in fight with the Galleasses and Galleons, the Hopewell and the Sattie were sent vpon the French men, one of them had 16. Peeces of Ordnance, all the other had some guns, 3. of their vessels they took presently, the fourth ran a ground; at our beginning the fight, she had a 100000. peeces of Eight Rials in her, but before we could board her, she had sent all the money ashoare in her boats. Towards euening it blew a fresh gale with yare working of our ships, it fared ill with the Venetians, and they sought to auoid vs as much as they could. And we followed them close, our great guns going off in swiftnesse rather like Muskets then Peeces of Ordnance, the truth is our men did exceed beliefe in good performance. And if our powder had not beene very bad, for wee had none but Dutch Powder, and the day calme, we had soone ended the quarrell with them: By this time they were much maymed in their oares, and had receiued many dangerous shots. Then they procured the English Vice-consull here, (who was aboard them) to come to our Admiral to mediate their peace; who would not consent to it vpon any other termes but that they should quit the Frenchmen wholy to our deuotion; and acknowledge their error expressing to be sorrie for it. To these conditions they gladly assented, and the Generall sent his Chancellor to vs with such a Letter as was desired and expected from him. Then the Vice Consul represented to our Admirall what preiudice it might bee to the Merchants of Aleppo; if we carried away the French vessels, and after ransacking, finding there was nothing worth carriage in them (for they had landed althings during the fight, and sunke most of their Gunnes) we onely tooke their Flags out of them and some Brasse-bases to serue our [Page 13] beats-head, besides what our Saylors pillaged (which was some good quantitie of money all that was left.) And sent for our men of from them that night and returnd them the next day to their owners, assuring them of quiet possession in this fight which lasted neer three houres, we made neere 200. shot out of our ship playing but one side of it for the calme permitted no other, and about 500. out of our Fleet, and they as many or more at vs: they killed vs neuer a man but hurt some few (thankes bee to God) and spoyled vs some Masts, Sayles, rigging and shot some of our shippes through but in no dangerous places. By their acknowledgement afterwards wee killed them nine and fortie men outright besides a great number hurt. Their vessels were much spoiled, about which they were at worke, repayring them all the while, wee staid in the Road and brought their vessels vpon the Careene to stoppe their leakes betwixt wind and water. In euidence how much they had lost of their former pride. We saw the next day a Frigot comming into which wee mand out our boat, and shee tooke her within 4. boats length of the Admirall Galleasse, and our Sattia in chase of that Frigot sailed within a boats lenght round about the other Galleasse to which the Frigot betooke her selfe for aide, Insteed of presenting this they sent vs very courteous salutations by our men who brought the Frigot to vs. And whereas formerly they did set their Watch with much ceremonie with Drummes, Trumpets and Gunnes, and so like wise discharged it, now they passe their time with much silence. Whilst wee performe duly all the rites that belong to them that haue the superioritie in a Road.
Scanderone Road the 16. of Iune 1628.