IT'S not our preſent deſign to give a large and particular relation of whatever has hapned on this occaſion: ſeeing what we ſhall briefly declare, will ſhew; That there was never a more cruel and unjuſt perſecution, than this lately exercis'd on the inhabitants of the Vallys of Piemont; on the ſole account of their Religion.

The Churches of the Vallys of Piemont, or of the Vaudoiſes, as they were commonly call'd, were the ancienteſt of all thoſe, who drew their original from the Apoſtles; whoſe doctrine they have ever taught and follow'd.

They had no need of Reformation; having never partaken of the errors and Idolatrys wherewith the Romaniſts have infected the Chriſtian Church. The ſimplicity of their manners agreed ſo well with that of their doctrins, as has forced their Enemys to confeſs; that this has eſpecially contributed to their preſervation. They did not content themſelvs with a bare not entring into an Idolatrous and ſuperſtitious communion; but took all proper occaſions to declare their abhorrence of it; with as great courage and freedom of mind, as any of the ancient Reformers; who have all (on full enquiry) approv'd of their doctrins; as very agreeable to the Apoſtolic ſimplicity.

It's no marvel then, if theſe Churches, have been ever the object of the Popiſh rage and fury: if Popes have publiſh'd cruſado's, and engag'd ſeveral Princes againſt them; if ſeveral famous Inquiſitors have employ'd at all times whatever their deviliſh malice cou'd invent to exterminate theſe poor people; and if the Council de propaganda fide, & extirpandis hoereticis have omitted nothing for the obtaining their deſign. But here we cannot enough admire the eſpecial providence of God, in his particular protection of theſe Churches; ſeeing maugre all theſe violent perſecutions; the perfidiouſneſs and treacherys wherewith their Enemys have ever recompens'd their fidelity; not withſtanding 27 or 28 invaſions, which their Religion has drawn on them; and the Maſſacres which have ſo many times bathed the Vallys with the Bloud of the Vaudoiſes; yet has God ſtill preſerv'd them, by the continual turns of his providence.

All Hiſtorians, even thoſe of the contrary party, are agreed, that theſe Churches were in an immemorial poſſeſſion of the exerciſe of their Religion, before they were under the government of the Dukes, or Earls of Savoy; for it was only in the year 1233, that Thomas Earl of Savoy became Maſter of the Town of Pignerol and the Vallys of Piemont, under pretence the race of the Princes of Piemont was extinct.

It is alſo certain, the Vaudoiſes ſubmitted themſelvs to the Earls of Savoy (whence his preſent Royal Highneſs is deſcended,) on condition of being maintain'd in all their priviledges. And in effect, it's on this foundation, that theſe Earls being become Princes of Piemont, have maintain'd and confirm'd the Vaudois Churches, in the exerciſe of their Religion, and their other rights and priviledges. They have granted them for this end, from time to time, ſeveral authentic conceſſions; eſpecially in 1561, 1602, and 1603, which having been verifi'd and entered in the ſenate and chamber of Turin, in the year 1620 by means of a conſiderable ſumm of money, (which the Vaudoiſes had paid for this purpoſe; as appears from the authentic act:) theſe conceſſions therefore paſt into the form of an irrevocable deed, and perpetual and inviolable law; whoſe execution was enjoyn'd by ſeveral ſolemn decrees of the Dukes of Savoy, from the years 1638, 1649, 1654, and 1655.

The Council de propaganda fide which is oblig'd by it's foundation, title, and oath, to procure the ruin of thoſe, ſhe terms Heretics; obſerving with extream regret the calm which the Vaudoiſes enjoy'd, by means of theſe patents; took all poſſible meaſures to trouble it.

To this end the Council, which then conſiſted of the principal Miniſters of the Court of Savoy, taking advantage from the minority of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy, caus'd to be publiſh'd in the Month of January 1655 an order, which oblig'd all the Inhabitants of the Vallys, to quit the plain in 3 days; and to retire into the Mountains, on pain of death; cou'd they not make it appear, they were become Catholics.

The Vaudoiſes obey'd this order, as unjuſt and cruel as it was: but their obedience, which took away all pretences from their Enemys, cou'd not preſerve them from that horrid Maſſacre in 1655, of which poſterity will freely ſpeak as an action the moſt in human and perfidious, mention'd in any writing.

This Maſſacre was likely in all appearance, to have cut off all the Vaudoiſes; but there were many of them, who eſcaping-out of the hands of theſe Butchers, reſolv'd to defend their lives. They executed then this reſolution, with ſuch Vigor and Courage, that they put their executioners to flight, in ſeveral rencounters; till the Proteſtant Princes and States became mediators in their behalf.

Theſe generous protectors having heard of this dreadful Maſſacre, were not contented to open the Bowels of their charity and benificence; but interpoſed earneſtly for them with the Duke of Savoy by their interceſſions. The Evangelic Cantons amongſt others, ſent for this reaſon four Embaſſadors to the Court of Turin, who joyn'd themſelvs to the envoy of France, who was to be arbitrator in this affair for his Maſter; all which joyntly ſollicited this matter, and obtain'd for the Churches and inhabitants of the Vallys, the confirmation of their priviledges definitively and irrevocably, by a ſolemn patent which the Duke of Savoy granted the 9th of Auguſt 1655, entered according to form in the ſenate and chamber of Turin.

It may ſeem, that after a patent of this nature, which carrys the title and character of a perpetual and inviolable law, giv'n in the preſence, and at the interceſſion of the Embaſſadors of France and Switzerland; and of which the King of France had declared himſelf guarante; it wou'd ſeem (I ſay) that the Vaudoiſes ſhou'd enjoy the fruits of a peace, purchaſed by the Bloud of above 6000 of their Brethren; but all this cou'd not preſerve them from the violence of their Enemys.

The Council for propagation violated this patent in the moſt eſſential points, and perſecuted the Vaudoiſes by divers unjuſt and wrongful means. And they offering only complaints againſt theſe perſecutions, their Enemys took their patience, for want of courage, and thinking they cou • d oppreſs them without any reſiſtance, they brought in again amongſt 'em the diſmal effects of Fire and Sword; and renew'd in 1663 the miſerys and violencys of 1655.

The Vaudoiſes knowing by experience, that the defence was their only means of ſafety, were therefore forced to ſtand on their guard, which ſucceeded ſo well, that they had procured their peace, and ſettled their affairs towards the end of the year 1663.

Then it was, that the Evangelic Cantons, ſent again Embaſſadors to the Court of Turin, to be mediators of the peace; which Embaſſadors being joyn'd, as the preceding were, to the French reſident at Turin, they procured again for the Vaudoiſes a ſolemn, perpetual, and irrevocable patent in the Month of Feb. 1664. confirmative of the preceding, and entered according to form as before.

But this patent was not executed with greater ſincerity than the former, altho' the Duke had paſt his word to the Cantons of Switzerland in a letter of the 28th of Feb. 1664. to make it be punctually obſerv'd.

It's hardly poſſible to deſcribe the turnings and windings, the ſhifts and tricks which the Council for propagation made uſe of, to render this patent of none effect to the Vaudoiſes. It's ſufficient to ſay, they cou'd never have defended themſelvs againſt ſuch malicious inventions, had not God, in whoſe hands are the hearts of Kings and Princes overruled that of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy.

This Prince having nearly examin'd the conduct of the Vaudoiſes, found it was without reaſon they were made ſo odious; and calling to mind the zeal they had ſhew'd in his ſervice in ſeveral occaſions, eſpecially in 1638 and 1640, when they expoſed themſelvs ſo vigorouſly in his defence againſt his Enemys, whilſt moſt of his Eſtates had revolted againſt him, he reſolv'd to uſe them for the future as ſubjects, which deſerv'd his love, as well as his protection.

The warr which he had with the Genoiſes in 1672. greatly confirm'd him in his good opinion of the Vaudoiſes. For they ſerv'd him in it with ſuch zeal and courage, that this Prince thought it not enough, to give 'em publick commendations for their valor and fidelity, in a letter he wrote to them on this occaſion; but protected them as long as he liv'd.

Madam Royal his Widow, treated them after his example; not only with great gentleneſs and favors, but engag'd her ſelf by a letter to the Switz Cantons dated 28th. Jan. 1679. to maintain and protect the Vaudoiſes, in the full exerciſe of their Religion, and their other priviledges.

We have lightly touch'd on all theſe things, that we might not paſs the bounds preſcribed. For beſides that they ſerve to ſhew, that the rights and priviledges of the Vaudoiſes were grounded on unmovable foundations; and that their Enemys have ever violated the moſt ſolemn and authentic engagements, and only exerciſed crueltys, injuſtices, and perfidiouſneſſes againſt them; They likewiſe ſerve to juſtify the conduct, which the Vaudoiſes have obſerved to the end; which is properly the ſubject of this relation.

The Vaudoiſes had flattered themſelvs, that under the government of the Duke of Savoy now reigning, they might enjoy ſome hopes of tranquility. They had done him very conſiderable ſervices in 1684. in the warr againſt the Banditi of Mondovi. And this Prince had giv'n them authentic aſſurances of his ſatisfaction, & good will towards them, in a letter he wrote to them on this occaſion; and the beginnings of his reign ſeem'd to promiſe them for the future, that in rendring to Ceſar that which is Ceſar's, they ſhou'd have the liberty of rendring to God what belong'd to him. They fed themſelvs with theſe hopes, when the Governor of the Vallys of Piemont publiſh'd towards the end of the year 1685 an order, forbidding all ſtrangers to inhabit in theſe Vallys, and to remain therein more than 3 days without his leave, and alſo the inhabitants to entertain or lodg them under grievous penaltys.

The Vaudoiſes, had by this time bin inform'd of the violences offered in France, to force the Proteſtants to change their Religion: They farther underſtood that the King of France had cancel'd the edict of Nants, and they well perceiv'd this prohibition of ſheltring their brethren might prove of dangerous conſequence to them. But they did not forſee the miſerys which have hapned to them, becauſe men do naturally love to flatter themſelvs, and their Enemys uſed all endeavors, to remove out of their minds all the thoughts which fear might inſpire them with, to the end they might be taken unprovided.

They were in this condition, when his Royal Highneſs orders were proclaimed in the Vallys, being the 31st of Jan. 1686. which ſtrictly forbad the exerciſe of their Religion on pain of death, and confiſcation of their eſtates; enjoyning all their Churches to be demoliſh'd, and the baniſhment of all the Miniſters; that the Infants ſhou'd be Baptiz'd and brought up in the Popiſh Religion, on penalty of their Fathers being ſent to the Gallys, with many other particulars, to the ſame purpoſe, as the King of France's declaration, which annul'd the edict of Nants.

It's impoſſible to deſcribe the Vaudoiſes fears and griefs, at the news of ſo ſurpriſing an order, ſo much more terrible than the former, as being to produce ſuch tragical effects. For the preceding tended only to bound them in more narrow limits, and to deprive them of the right of inhabiting the plain, which they had done time out of mind; but the order of the 31 of Jan. wholly took from them all liberty of conſcience, and exerciſe of their Religion.

They ſaw themſelvs immediatly precipitated into a dreadful abyſs of miſerys, without any remedy; and forced to behold either the light of the Goſpel extinguiſh't in the Vallys, which had there ſhined for ſo many ages, or the renewing thoſe cruel Maſſacres, which has ſacrific'd ſo many of their Brethren: yet being perſwaded this order was the effect of ſome miſrepreſentation of them by their Enemys to his Highneſs, they betook themſelvs to their uſual courſe of ſupplications, and humble remonſtrances; and preſented four requeſts to the Duke of Savoy, to obtain the revocation of this order. But gaining only ſome time in the execution of it, they ſaw their misfortune was without remedy. And they were more confirm'd in the aſſurances of their miſerys, when they underſtood the King of France (who on politic reaſons had always protected them, and even declared himſelf the gardante of the patents aforementioned) had not only oblig'd the Duke to iſſue forth this order; but that his moſt Chriſtian Majeſty had cauſed his Troops to advance to Piemont to ſee it executed.

Then it was, that the Vaudoiſes began to think of defending themſelvs from the Invaſions of theſe Forreigners, and not to dye like Beaſts or fools.

In the mean time the Evangelic Cantons being inform'd of this order, and the meaſures taken for it's execution, believ'd themſelvs no waies oblig'd to forſake a people perſecuted for mere Religion, and that they ought to appear on this occaſion as heretofore.

It was reſolv'd then in an aſſembly held at Baden in the month of Feb. 1686. to ſend again Embaſſadors to the Duke of Savoy to intercede in the behalf of the Vaudoiſes: who arriv'd at Turin in the beginning of March, and offered their requeſt, tending to the revocation of the order ſet forth in the 31 of Jan. They ſhew'd, That the Evangelick Cantons were intereſſed in this affair, not only as being of the ſame belief, as the Vaudoiſes; but for that the Patents of 1655 and 1633. which this order annul'd, were the fruits of their mediation; and they accompany'd theſe their demands with ſeveral ſolid Arguments.

The Court of Turin pretended not to anſwer their reaſons, thinking it enough to tell the Embaſſadors, that the engagements of the Duke of Savoy, with the King of France, were directly oppoſite to the ſucceſs of their negotiation. Which oblig'd the Embaſſadors to remonſtrate, in a memorial for this purpoſe, That his Royal Highneſs's Predeceſſors having given their Royal word to ſeveral States, and particularly to the Evangelick Cantons, for the executing the Patents granted to the Vaudoiſes, he could not renounce ſuch formal engagements, becauſe theſe Patents were not mere Tollerations, but perpetual Conceſſions, and inviolable laws; and for as much alſo that they having been granted at the requeſt of ſeveral Princes, they be, according to the law of Nations, laſting Monuments of publick faith; in that the words of Princes ſhould be Sacred and inviolable.

They alſo ſhew'd, that ſeveral politick reſpects ſhould induce the Duke of Savoy to maintain the Vaudoiſes in their priviledges: That it conſiſted not with his juſtice and bounty to ſuffer his Countries to be fil'd with blood and ſlaughter; by deſtroying a people, who implored his grace and Clemency; and who had done nothing deſerving theſe ſeverities.

But neither the reaſonings of the Embaſſadors, nor their preſſing ſollicitations, nor the letters of interceſſion, which ſeveral Proteſtant Princes wrote again in favour of theſe poor people, produced any effect. They ſerving only to confirm the Embaſſadors in their belief, of the engagements wherein the Duke of Savoy had entered with the King of France, to deſtroy the Proteſtant Religion.

All this while the Vaudoiſes were ignorant of what paſt in Turin. They knew nothing of the Embaſſadors being at Court, nor their Tranſactions; becauſe care was taken to ſtop two Meſſengers in their paſſage, who were to carry the news into the Vallys. It's true indeed they knew ſometime after, by a common report, that theſe Embaſſadors were at Turin to demand the revocation of the order of the 31 of January; but they could hear nothing certain, touching the effect of their Negotiation. They durſt not go themſelvs to Turin, ſince the time allowed them was expired, and for that the Court had refuſed a ſafe conduct, which the Embaſſadors had deſired for the deputies of the Vallys appearance, to ſollicit their own affairs, as was practis'd in former occaſions.

However the Vaudoiſes had fortified themſelvs with ſome Retrenchments in their Country, and ſtood on their guard, to hinder the entrance of the Troops, moſt of which were already encamped, at the foot of the Vallys.

The Duke of Savoy return'd anſwer to the Embaſſadors propoſals, by the Marqueſs of St. Thomas, one of his Miniſters of State; who has the management of Forreign affairs; and who ſwore to them, that the Duke could not revoke this order, he not being the maſter of this affair.

He alſo proteſted to them, as from the part of his Highneſs, that provided the order was executed, the Duke would not refuſe to enter into ſome expedients. He alſo ſhew'd them that on their account, the Vaudoiſes ſhould have leave to depart the Country, and diſpoſe of their eſtates.

The Embaſſadors thinking the Vaudoiſes, having neither Officers nor Troops, could not ſuſtain a war, againſt two ſuch powerful enemies, as the King of France and the Duke of Savoy, who were united for their deſtruction; They imagin'd then, that to avert the Tempeſt, with which theſe poor people were threatned, they ought to ſollicit their departure, and diſpoſal of Eſtates. But foraſmuch as before they could enter on this Negotiation, they muſt conſult thoſe of the Vallys; the Embaſſadors therefore got leave of the Court of Turin, that they might take a Journey thither; for which purpoſe, they had a Letter from the Duke, to the Governor of the Vallys.

The Embaſſadors arriv'd there the 22 of March, and the next Morning cauſed an Aſſembly of the people's Deputys, to be ſummon'd, to whom they declared, what they had done. In fine, they ſhewed them, that in the condition they were in, depriv'd of all hope of ſuccour; they had no other part to take, but that of leaving their Country; provided it could be obtain'd with the diſpoſal of their Eſtates; and if they would accept of this propoſal, they would offer it as from them.

The Vaudoiſes deputys greatly ſurpriz'd, that they muſt expect no ſuccour, in an occaſion wherein they hoped all the Proteſtant States would concern themſelvs; anſwer'd the Embaſſadors they were ſenſible they could not do better than to follow their advice; but before they could reſolve on an affair of this importance, they muſt conſult a general aſſembly.

In the mean time the Embaſſadors return'd to Turin, where they inform'd the Marqueſs of St. Thomas of the ſucceſs of their Journey, who aſſured them this Negotiation was very agreeable to the Court. They afterwards deſired a paſs-Port to bring thither ſome of the inhabitants of the Vallys, with the determinations of this Aſſembly. But this was refuſed them under two pretences, the firſt, that the Duke of Savoy would have no Vaudoiſe to be ſeen following his Court; and the other was, that he would not have it thought, that what he did, was out of any other reſpect than the gratifying the Embaſſadors. They were then obliged to ſend into the Vallys the Secretary of the Embaſſy, to fetch theſe people's determinations.

The Secretary found the people aſſembled at Angrogne the 28 of March, being much divided in their reſolutions; for if on the one hand, they ſaw the dreadful conſequences of this War; ſo on the other the dangers and inſuperable difficulties in departing the Country; which ſuppoſing they could do, without any danger, yet they could not, without great regret, leave their Eſtates and Country, to travel to Forreign parts; where they muſt lead a vagrant and uneaſie life.

In fine they agreed to ſend a memorial to the Embaſſadors, of the dangers and difficulties, which hindred their paſſage; and to write them a Letter ſign'd by nine Divines, and eight of the Laity, in which having entreated them to reflect on theſe obſtacles, they declared, they would remit themſelvs to their prudence and conduct.

On this Letter the Embaſſadors endeavour'd to obtain leave for the Vaudoiſes, to leave the States of Piemont, and to diſpoſe of their goods; But the Duke of Savoy, to whom the propoſal was carried, ſent word to them, that before he could give a poſitive anſwer to what they deſired, he expected the people of the Vallys ſhould ſend Deputys to him, with full power to make him thoſe ſubmiſſions, which were due to him; and to beg leave of him to withdraw from his States, as a favour which they implored of their Prince.

The Embaſſadors might well be ſurpriz'd at this alteration of the Scene; having bin refuſed the ſafe conduct which they had a little before requeſted, to bring the Vaudoiſe Deputys to Turin. They had binſeveral times told, that the grant of a Retreat to the Vaudoiſes ſhould be wholly in conſideration of the Embaſſadors. Whereas now, it muſt not be the Embaſſadors, who demand the leave, as a propoſal coming from them; but it muſt on the contrary be the Vaudoiſes, who make this requeſt themſelvs.

This contrary courſe was not without ſome reaſon; For the Council of propagation who manag'd this affair, had without doubt theſe two ſeveral conſiderations; The one, that they wou'd not have the Embaſſadors named in the permiſſion of departure, that they might have leſſ right to demand the execution of the things promiſed to the Vaudoiſes; The other, that the Vaudoiſes alone requeſting this permiſſion, as a grace, or favour, they might impoſe on them ſuch conditions, as they pleas'd; and laſtly, that the Vaudoiſes making the ſubmiſſions which the Duke required, they muſt appear in the condition of ſupplicants, and conſequently lay down their arms, otherwiſe they cou'd not be receiv'd, as ſuch.

But however it was, the Embaſſadors being deſirous to take away all pretence from the Vaudoiſes Enemys, took the ſafe conduct, and ſent it by the ſecretary of the Embaſſy; who aſſembled the people for the naming their deputys. But as on the one hand, there were ſeveral, who never deſign'd to leave their Country; ſo on the other, the ſuddain march of their Enemys, filled them with ſuſpicions and contrary opinions; ſo that the reſolutions giv'n into their Deputys, prov'd quite different. For ſome were for requeſting the permiſſion of retiring from the Country, and diſpoſing of their eſtates; and others for petitioning, that they might have the free exerciſe of their Religion, and enjoyment of their other rights and priviledges.

Theſe Deputys being come to Turin, the Embaſſadors thought it not fitting, they ſhou'd appear at Court thus divided; they ſent them therefore back again to the Vallys to be united, and labour'd in the mean while to get a farther delay.

Their Enemys apprehended with great ſatisfaction the diviſions, about leaving the Country; and were ſo well perſwaded this wou'd be an infallible means to ruin them; that they ſent perſons expreſly amongſt them, to keep up this contrariety of determinations. It's alſo to be preſum'd, they had deviſed this expedient, touching the departure; as a means to diſunite the Vaudoiſes.

To make then the greater advantage of the different reſolutions of theſe people, their Enemys altered again their deſign. They had lately before declared, they expected firſt that the Vaudoiſes themſelvs ſhou'd ſue for leave to depart, and to offer their ſubmiſſions. The Vaudoiſes had not made theſe ſubmiſſions, nor preſented their petition for a departure; there being ſeveral amongſt them, who never yet reſolv'd to leave the Country; neither did the Embaſſadors ſollicit the permiſſion of departure, but a delay, as appears from a letter which they wrote to the Marqueſs of St. Thomas the 8 of April 1686. However to compleat the diviſion of the Vaudoiſes; to deſtroy them with greater eaſe, there ſuddainly iſſued out, unknown to the Embaſſadors, an edict of the 9th of the ſame Month of April, which granted to the Vaudoiſes a pardon and leave to retire out of the Countrys of Piemont. But to the end we may the better judg of the deſign of the Council of propagation, here's a copy of this edict tranſlated out of Italian.

This edict was publiſht in the Vallys, on the 11th of April, the ſame day the Embaſſadors wrote a Letter to ſome of the Vaudoiſes, to know their reſolutions. They in the mean time preſented a very earneſt Memorial to the Marqueſs of St. Thomas, to obtain ſome aſſurance, that the Troops ſhould not enter into the Vallys, and to procure the Vaudoiſes ſome more favorable conditions, than thoſe in the edict.

But the Court of Turin gave them to underſtand, that there was nothing to be done for the Vaudoiſes, till ſuch time as they had laid down their Arms, of which the Embaſſadors gave advice to the Deputys of the Vallys, which had bin at Turin, by a Letter of the 13 inſtant, which they wrote them on this occaſion.

On the 14th the Commons call'd a general Aſſembly at Rocheplate, in which having examin'd the terms and conditions of the edict, they judged that their enemies had nothing farther from their intentions, than to let them have the benefit of the pretended paſs, and that this edict was but a ſnare to entangle them, the more eaſily to work their deſtruction. They reſolved then, not to accept it; to follow the example of their Fathers, and to remit the events to God's providence. So that this Edict which was only given for the dividing them, had a direct contrary effect, and turned to the uniting them, in the ſame particular judgment.

The chief reaſons which hindered them from accepting this Edict were firſt, that ſeeing it enjoyned the perfect execution of the declaration of the 31 of Jan. which commands all the Churches to be demoliſht in eight days time, becauſe the edict expreſsly ſays, that if in eight days they perform not what it contains, they are deprived of the favors and benefits which it offers them. To perform then the commands contained in the Edict, the Vaudoiſes themſelvs muſt demoliſh their own Churches or their enemies for them. The Vaudoiſes could never bring themſelves to the doing this, with their own hands, they muſt then have Soldiers ſent them, who under pretence of this demolition, would have infallibly fal'n on them. Secondly, had they bin permitted to depart fairly, why was not the execution of the order of the 31 of Jan. ſuſpended, till ſuch time as they could poſſibly get away? why ſhould they be obliged to demoliſh their Churches in the eight days time allowed them to prepare themſelvs to leave for ever their Country? What is this for, but to render their eſcape impoſſible. Thirdly, this Edict commands they ſhould lay down their Arms, and lay open their Countrys to Popiſh Prieſts, and other Emiſſarys. Now it's plain, that in laying down their Arms, they muſt lye at the mercy of their Enemies and at the fury of the Soldiers, who would not have fail'd entring in upon them, to hinder their eſcape; and torment them till ſuch time as they had chang'd their Religion, as they have done in France. And their dreadful apprehenſions had too certain grounds, ſeeing they had no aſſurance given them, That the Troops ſhould not come down into the Vallys. Fourthly, the Vaudoiſes are alſo oblig'd to depart in three ſeparate Companys, and to render themſelvs in ſuch places, where the Soldiers being encamped, they could not fail of having their throats cut. Fifthly, The permiſſion which the ſame Edict gives the Vaudoiſes of ſelling their goods, was to them of no uſe. For beſides that Sale could not be made, till after their departure, to Catholicks, and that too by Popiſh Officers, ſo alſo out of the money rais'd from the Sale of the ſame goods muſt be indemnis'd, the Fryers, the Miſſionarys, the Ancient, the Modern, and the future Catholicks for the dammages and intereſts which they might pretend to, and which they would not fail to make to amount to above the value of the eſtates ſold. Sixthly, the Edict imports, that beſides thoſe who ſhall leave the Vallys of their own free will, the Prince reſerves to himſelf the power of baniſhing ſuch as he ſhall think good, to ſecure the peace of thoſe who ſhall remain; which ſuppoſes not only that the conditions of the Edict were ſo diſadvantagious, that there muſt be ſeveral Vaudoiſes, who wou'd not accept of them, nor move thence: but moreover that the departure it ſelf was to be lookt on, not as a favor, but as a puniſhment to be impoſed on ſeveral Vaudoiſes, ſeeing they reſerv'd the power of banniſhing thoſe, who were willing to remain. Seventhly, the Embaſſadors were not named in the Edict, and the Vaudoiſes had no ſecurity for the faithful performance of the things therein contained. They had then reaſon to be in a great diſtruſt; but the coſtly experiences which they had had in ſeveral occaſions of the perfidiouſneſs of their Enemys, and particularly in this, wherein were violated all the laws of juſtice, made their ſuſpicion but too well grounded.

In fine, the Duke of Savoy having declared, that he was not the Maſter of this affair, by reaſon of the engagements he lay under to the King of France, it was not to be preſum'd that his moſt Chriſtian Majeſty, who had intereſs'd himſelf in the buſineſs, wou'd be more kind to the Vaudoiſes, than he had bin to his own ſubjects.

The Vaudoiſes ſent then their determinations to the Embaſſadors, who uſed all poſſible means to procure them more certain and advantagious conditions, than thoſe contain'd in the Edict, but neither their reaſons or ſollicitations cou'd obtain any thing for them. They were continually told, that as long as the Vaudoiſes were in arms, there cou'd be nothing granted them, or any poſitive promiſes made. So that the Vaudoiſes being perſwaded, that the deſign of diſarming them, was to deſtroy them with leſs difficulty, cou'd by no means aſſent to ſo fooliſh propoſals, and therefore perſiſted in the reſolution of defending themſelvs, in caſe of invaſion.

There hapned a paſſage which ſerv'd greatly to confirm them in this reſolution. For 2 or 3 days after the publication of the Edict Mr. Tholozan, Mr. Gautier, Mr. Gavante, Mr. Cabriol, and ten or twelve others of the inhabitants of the Vallys, came to the Intendant to acquaint him, that they and their familys deſign'd to be gon out of the eſtates of Piemont, conformably to the Edict; and therefore requeſted of him paſs-ports, which he refuſed them, on pretence they muſt ſtay to go out with the reſt.

And farther, there being ſeveral, who refuſed to yield to the ſollicitations he made them, for the changing their Religion, he caus'd 'em to be put in Priſon, where they have many of 'em periſhed. There needed no more to ſhew they intended, not to let them leave the Country, or tarry behind without turning Papiſts.

However the Vaudoiſes having read a letter from the Embaſſadors, aſſembled themſelvs again at Rocheplate, on the 19th of April, where they found it neceſſary to ſtand on their own defence. It was alſo decreed in this aſſembly, that all the Miniſters ſhou'd preach, and adminiſter the Sacrament, the Sunday following, which was Eaſter day.

Some of this Vally chang'd their minds, without communicating their purpoſes to the reſt. And the directors of the Church of Villeſeche, wrote to the Embaſſadors, which were then at Turin, on the point of their departure, a letter dated the 20th of April, in which they declared, they wou'd obey the Edict, and on this account entreated them, to procure them a paſs-port and ſome time to prepare themſelvs.

One of the Embaſſadors took the pains to go to the Camp, to make this requeſt, but it was refuſed him, under pretence that the time was expired. For it was always too ſoon or too late.

In the mean time, the Duke of Savoy came to the Camp ſome days after the publication of the Edict, to diſcourage the Vaudoiſes by his preſence, and to oblige them to ſubmit to the conditions impoſed on them. He had made a review of his troops, and thoſe of France; who were encampt near the plain, at the foot of the Alps. His army conſiſted of the troops of his houſhold, of all his forces, both horſe and foot, of the militia of Mondovi, Barjes, Bagnols, and a great number of free Booters. And the French army conſiſted of ſeveral Regiments of horſe and Dragoons, of 7 or 8 Batalions of foot which had paſt the Mounts, and part of the garriſon of Pignerol and Caſal. He had moreover ſet all things in order, to attack the Vaudoiſes, aſſoon as the limited time ſhou'd be expired, having appointed his army to force the Vally of Lucerna, and the commonalty of Angrogne: and the French army to attack the Vallys of St. Martin and Peirouſe.

The Vaudoiſes on their ſide, had taken ſome care to defend themſelvs. They only held one part of the Vally of Lucerna. For the Town which gives the name to this Vally, and ſeveral other conſiderable places was in the Enemys hands. The Commonalty of Angrogne, to which ſeveral give the name of a Vally, by reaſon of it's great extent, was not wholly in the hands of the Vaudoiſes. They were Maſters in the Vally of Peirouſe, only of ſome places which depend on the ſtates of Piemont; for this Vally is divided between the French King and the Duke of Savoy; but they held all the Vally of St. Martin, which is ſtronger than any of the reſt by it's ſituation.

They had fortify'd themſelvs in each of theſe Vallys, by ſeveral Retrenchments of Wood and Stone; Being about 2500 men able to bear Arms, having choſen their Officers from the moſt conſiderable Perſons of their own Countrey, there being no Forreigners amongſt them, and they thus expected the Enemy with great reſolution. But as on one hand they had no regulated Troops, nor experienc'd Officers, and on the other, there were ſeveral Vardoiſes who had bin corrupted or fal'n off from their reſolutions, during the Negotiation, ſo it is not to be marvel'd at, if they took not all neceſſary precautions. One of the greateſt faults they committed was their undertaking to keep all their Poſts. For had they abandoned thoſe at the fartheſt diſtance, and retired into the Retrenchments, within the Mountains, ther's no likelyhood they could have bin attackt with any ſucceſs.

The 22 of April being the day appointed for the Onſet, the French Army commanded by Catinat Governor of Caſal, marcht two hours before day by Torchlight, againſt the Vallys of Peirouſe and St Martin, keeping along the River of Cluſon, being the French King's Country.

Catinat drew out a Detachement of Foot, commanded by Ville-Vielle a Lieutenant Colonel, who having paſt over the River on a Bridge, entred into the vally of Peirouſe Piemontoiſe. He poſſeſt himſelf of St. Germain, a Village which the Vaudoiſes had forſaken, and came and inſulted over a Retrenchment, not far off, wherein there were 200 men.

The Vaudoiſes, after ſome reſiſtance, quitted this Poſt; and betook themſelvs to another, which lay more advantagiouſly. In the mean time, a new Detachment of Horſe and Dragoons, having in like manner paſt the River, came to the aſſiſtance of the Infantry, who had began the fight. They did all they could to gain the Vaudoiſes Retrenchment which they thought no hard task, ſeeing they were ſix to one; but they found here ſuch vigorous defence, that having loſt a great many men, they Retrench'd themſelvs within Piſtol ſhot. Both partys held continual firing for 10 hours, but in fine, the Vaudoiſes iſſued out from their Trenches, with their Swords in their hands ſurprizing the French, who did not expect ſuch a bold action, and drove them into the plain beyond Cluſon, where by good hap, they found a Bridg, which ſav'd them from drowning.

There were in this Rencounter, above 500 French kil'd, and wounded; and amongſt the reſt, ſeveral Officers of note; and the Vaudoiſes, on their ſide, loſt but two men, and had ſome few wounded. The relation, which the contrary party has wrote, on this ſubject, intitled an account of the war againſt the Religionarys called Barbets, agrees touching the great loſs, the French made; ſaying the Vaudoiſes fought ſo deſperately, as forced the French to an unhandſome retreat beyond Cluſon. In this defeat, Ville-Vielle betook himſelf to the Church of St. Germain, with 70 Soldiers, and ſome Officers; who being ſummon'd to ſurrender himſelf on terms of good Quarter, he refuſed, and ſhew'd great reſolution, tho' ſeveral of his people were kil'd.

The Vaudoiſes had certainly forced him to yeild, had not the approaches of the Night, and the wearineſs of that day's exerciſe induced them to give over. Having therefore left a guard at the Church door, the reſt went to ſeek ſome refreſhments. Ville-Vielle was carry'd off at break of day, by the aſſiſtance of ſome Troops, which the Governour of Pignerol had ſent ſecretly in the night. The Vaudoiſes then return'd to their Retrenchments, expecting to be again attackt, but the Enemy, altho recruited by freſh forces, contented themſelvs with Encamping about Piſtol ſhot diſtance, without firing on either ſide, for two days together.

Whilſt things thus paſt in Peirouſe, the body of the French King's Army advanced from Cluſon, to the Fort of Peirouſe. When Catinat drew out a Retrenchment of Horſe, commanded by Melac, which having paſt over the River, on two Bridges, went wheeling about to gain the high grounds, which ſeparate the Vally of St. Martin by a Village named Rioclaret. But thoſe who commanded in this Vally, not expecting to be attackt after their offers of compliance with the terms of the Edict; eſpecially conſidering the day, denoted for their departure out of this Vally, was not come. They therefore had not put themſelvs into a condition of defence, neither did they make any reſiſtance; whereupon they choſe to lay down their Arms and to implore the pitty and compaſſions of the Victors. But the French, being enraged, at what had paſt, at St. Germains, contented not themſelvs with burning, raviſhing and plundering, but Maſſacred, without diſtinction of age and ſex with unheard of fury, all thoſe, whom flight could not ſave from their cruelty. Catinat having ravag'd all the Countrey of Rioclaret, in the moſt barbarous manner imaginable, left ſome Troops in the Vale of St. Martin, and traverſt with the main body of the Army, the Mountains, which ſeparate this Vally, from that of Peirouſe; and went and encampt, without finding any reſiſtance, in the vally of Peirouſe; where the Souldiers Maſſacred all thoſe, who fell into their hands; without ſparing men, women, or children. In the mean time the Detachment, which Melac commanded, having encampt one night on the riſings of the Vally of St. Martin, entered through ſeveral parts into this Vally, directed by the Vaudoiſes, who were ſo wicked to lead them, thro unknown ways, to all others, but only the inhabitants of the Countrey.

He left in all places, where he paſt, the marks of an unheard of fury; and went and joyned himſelf to the reſt of the Army, which lay encampt at Pramol. We ſhall not give here a particular account of the crueltys exercis'd, in theſe occaſions, and ſeveral others; but content our ſelvs in reciting in the ſequel of this relation, ſome inſtances, which may make us judg of the reſt.

We muſt of neceſſity, break off the relation, of what the French did in Peirouſe; ſeeing there happen'd ſuch things in the Vallys of Lucerna, and Angrogne, which ſhould be firſt taken notice of.

The Duke of Savoy's Army being come to the plain of St. John the 22 of April, were drawn out into ſeveral bodys which attackt diverſe Retrenchments, which the Vaudoiſes had in the Vallys of Lucerna and Angrogne. The Vaudoiſes not being able to withſtand the Enemy's Cannon, in ſuch places, which likewiſe lay open to the Horſe, were forced after ſome reſiſtance to abandon part of theſe Retrenchments, and to betake themſelvs to a Fort, more advantagiouſly ſituated, near Angrogne, to the number of 500 men.

The Enemy having burnt all the houſes which they came near, they afterwards aſſaulted the Fort of the Vaudoiſes, who defended themſelvs ſo vigorouſly, with ſhot and ſtones, againſt this great body, that they kept their poſt all that day, with the loſs only of five men. Wheras the Enemy loſt 300, altho' defended by an advantagious retrenchment.

The Vaudoiſes fearing they cou'd not keep this fort, becauſe the army continually grew bigger, betook themſelvs to another, at 200 paces diſtance, that was better ſituated; where they expected the army with great courage, which advanced to aſſault them, when advice was ſent them, that the Vale of St. Martin had ſurrendred, and that the French was coming on them behind; for to this Vally, there is an eaſy paſſage from Lucerna and Angrogne.

This news oblig'd the Vaudoiſes, to enter into compoſition, with Don Gabriel of Savoy, Uncle and General of the Duke of Savoy's army, and with the reſt of the other Officers, who on notice of his Royal Highneſs's will and pleaſure, poſitively promiſed, as well from him, as from themſelvs, that the Vaudoiſes ſhou'd receive a full pardon, and be remitted to the terms of the order of the 9th of April, provided they ſtood to his mercy. But the Vaudoiſes making ſome ſcruples at the confiding on this promiſe; Don Gabriel, who had notice of it, ſent them a letter, writ and ſign'd with his own hand in his Royal Highneſs's name, and in theſe words.

Lay down immediatly your arms, and throw your ſelvs on his Royal Highneſs's mercy, in doing which, aſſure your ſelvs, he grants you pardon; and that no violence ſhall be offered to your ſelvs, your wives, or children.

An aſſurance of this nature, one wou'd think, ſhou'd be ſufficient, for the ſecuring the Vaudoiſes lives and libertys. For beſides that this promiſe was made in the name, and on the part of the Duke, it muſt have ſeem'd no leſs valid, had it only came from Don Gabriel, and other Chief Officers.

The Vaudoiſes then laid down their arms, in relyance on this promiſe, and went moſt of them to ſurrender themſelvs to their Enemys; hoping they ſhou'd be immediatly releaſed. But all thoſe who put themſelvs into their hands, were made priſoners, and led to the Town of Lucerna, under pretence, they were to be brought to his Royal Highneſs, to make their ſubmiſſions.

The Enemys alſo ſeized on all the poſts, which the Vaudoiſes had held in Angrogne. They contented not themſelvs with ſacking, plundering, and burning the houſes of theſe poor people; they moreover put to the ſword a great number of Vaudoiſes of both ſexes, Old and Young. They Raviſht ſeveral Women and Virgins, and committed, in fine, ſuch brutiſh actions, as ſtrike with horror all perſons, endued with any ſenſe of humanity. Yet there were ſeveral Vaudoiſes, who after this compoſition, ſlipt privately out of their hands, unwilling to deliver themſelvs to the mercy of ſuch barbarous wretches, before they knew what wou'd become of their companions, who had yielded themſelvs. Seeing then on one hand, that the army exercis'd horrid crueltys, wherever it paſt; and on the other, that they detain'd all thoſe who ſurrendred themſelvs, they therefore hid themſelvs in the woods, and ſent a requeſt to Don Gabriel by one Bartholomew Fraſchie, to entreat him to releaſe their brethren, detain'd contrary to promiſe; and to forbear thoſe acts of hoſtility, which were carry'd on with ſuch barbarous cruelty. Don Gabriel made no anſwer to this humble requeſt: but ſome Officers told Fraſchie, that the Vaudoiſes were carry'd to Lucerna, only to beg pardon of his Royal Highneſs, and that after this, they ſhou'd be releaſt.

In the mean time the Marqueſs de Parelle gain'd the riſing ground of the Vallys of Angrogne, with a detachement from the army, who finding no reſiſtance, made up to the moſt conſiderable ſort of the Vaudoiſes, and in which they had moſt of their cattel. The Marqueſs gave the Vaudoiſes to underſtand, that the peace being made, by the capitulation of Angrogne, it was their fault, they enjoyed not the fruits of it. He aſſured them, for this effect, on the word of a man of honor, that if they wou'd put themſelvs into his hands, neither they nor their wives or children, ſhou'd be harmed; and that they might carry with them, whatever they pleas'd, without any fear of it's being taken from them. That nothing wou'd be required of them, but to make their ſubmiſſions. And that as for thoſe, who wou'd become Catholics, they might return in all ſafety to their familys and Eſtates, and as to the reſt, who were willing to leave the Country, they ſhou'd have free liberty to depart, according to the order of the 9th of April.

Theſe Vaudoiſes then ſurrendred themſelvs again on the faith of theſe promiſes, which were no better obſerv'd, than the others. For the Enemys were no ſooner entered into the fort, but not only whatever the Vaudoiſes there had, was delivered up to the Rapin of the Soldiers, and Banditi of Mondovi, their capital Enemys, who enriched themſelvs with their ſpoils: but theſe poor people, the greateſt part of which were ancient Men, Women, and Children, were made Priſoners, with ſome Miniſters, who were amongſt them; and conducted with ſuch fury, that thoſe whoſe age, or other infirmitys permitted not to travel faſt enough to the Soldiers minds, were ſlain with their Swords, or thrown down from Rocks.

To return to the French, whom we have left at Pramol, in the Vally of Peirouſe, they behaved themſelvs after the ſame manner, as the troops of the Duke had done at Angrogne, and in the Vale of Lucerna. They had encampt themſelvs in a part of the common of Pramol; call'd the Rua; which is about half an hour's march from another place, term'd Pieumian, where a party of thoſe of Pramol, St. Germain, Praruſtin and Rocheplate had retired, to the number of 1500 perſons, Men, Women, and Children. The French might eaſily from their quarter come down to St. Germain, and fall on the 200 Vaudoiſes, who had ſo valiantly defended themſelvs, and had reſettled themſelvs in their trenches. But having notice of the loſs of the Vally of St. Martin, and the Enemys march, they thereupon left this retrenchment, for fear of being attackt behind, and went to their brethren in Pieumian.

Whilſt they deliberated on the courſe they ſhou'd take to defend themſelvs, againſt the French, who were preparing to invade them; ſome Inhabitants of the Vallys, being ſuborned and won over to the Enemy, came and told them, that the Vallys of Angrogne and Lucerna had ſubmitted to the will of their Prince, who had taken 'em into favor, and granted them the terms of the order iſſued out the 9th of April. They alſo told them, it was in their power, to end a warr, the burden of which they were not able to ſuſtain alone, and to procure for themſelvs an advantagious and laſting peace. Which news having taken from the Vaudoiſes part of their reſolution; they ſent Deputys with a Drum, to the French General, to treat of peace. Who told them, that the intention of his Royal Highneſs was to pardon them, and poſitively promiſed them from his part and his own their lives and liberties, with leave to return with all ſecurity to their houſes, provided they layd down their Arms immediatly. And the Deputys telling him they fear'd leſt the French enrag'd at what had paſt, at St. Germain, would take vengeance, on the Vaudoiſes, when they had nothing to defend themſelvs: he made them great proteſtations and oaths, that ſuppoſing their whole Army ſhould paſs by their doors, they would not offer the leaſt violence.

This compoſition being made, Catinat retained one of the Deputys with him, and ſent the others to give advice to the Vaudoiſes, to oblige all thoſe who had diſperſt themſelvs, to repair the next morning being the 25 of April at Pieumian; that every man might return to his houſe on notice of the peace. Whilſt the Vaudoiſes aſſembled at Pieumian the ſcattered familys, Catinat gave an account of this Capitulation to Don Gabriel, who ſent him over night a meſſenger, who paſſing by Pieumian, aſſured the Vaudoiſes he brought good tidings of peace, and the next morning in his return, he told them it was concluded. They were ſo well perſwaded of the truth of it, that the day before they had layd down their Arms according to the conditions of the treaty, entirely confiding in Catinat's promiſe: They waited in this condition for news from Pieumian, when there arriv'd one named St. Peter, one of the French King's Captains of the Garriſon in the Fort of Peirouſe, follow'd with ſeveral Dragoons. Which Captain was well known by the Vaudoiſes, and immediatly reiterated to them the aſſurances of the peace; but preſently caus'd the men to go together apart, in a certain place, and the women and children in another.

The French Troops being at the ſame time arriv'd, told the men, they had order to conduct them to their houſes, and made them paſs along through them four in a rank. Theſe poor people having bin conſtrain'd to leave their Wives and Daughters expoſed to the Soldiers diſcretion, were led not to their houſes, as they had bin told, but to Don Gabriel, who was encampt on the Mountain of La Vacherie, and who caus'd them to be carry'd priſoners to Lucerna.

In the mean time, the women ſuffer'd whatever the fury, and brutiſh inhumanity of the Soldiers could deviſe againſt them. For theſe Barbarians, contented not themſelvs with taking from them their money, but violated their Chaſtity, with ſuch Circumſtances, as are a ſhame to nature; and kil'd many of them in their reſiſtance of their filthy attempts. Catinat was not preſent, at what paſt at Pieumian. He left the ordering of this affair to ſome Officers, to keep out of hearing the juſt reproaches, and complaints of the Vaudoiſes; or elſe that he might not be the Spectator of ſo many Villanous actions. But however it is certain, that excepting ſome women, who were kil'd, and ſuch as fled away from the perſecution of theſe Monſters, and ſaved themſelvs in the neighboring Woods, in danger of the Guns, that were ſhot at them, to ſtop them; all the reſt, were dragg'd into divers priſons, with great cruelty.

It will be needleſs, to uſe here many arguments to ſhew, that the Enemys of the Vaudoiſes, have violated in theſe rencounters, the moſt Sacred and inviolable obligations. The relation of what is paſt, ſuffices, to clear this truth; ſeeing it clearly juſtifys, That the Vaudoiſes have bin the victims of their Enemys perfidiouſneſs. And it's in vain to think to excuſe this breach of promiſe, under pretence the Vaudoiſes were rebellious Subjects, who had taken arms againſt their lawful Prince; for it will be eaſy to ſhew, that they cannot be accuſed of rebellion; ſeeing they only made uſe of a natural defence, againſt the unjuſt oppreſſions of the Congregation of propagation, and their other Enemys. But the preſent queſtion is not, whether the Vaudoiſes could juſtly do what they did; but touching the performance of the promiſes, which have bin made them; notwithſtanding this their pretended rebellion; ſeeing their ſurrender of themſelvs, was grounded on the faith of theſe promiſes. So that it's certain the violation of an obligation of this nature, can have no other colour, than the authority of this maxim, That faith is not to be kept with Hereticks. It's alſo certain, That Kings and Princes are eſpecially oblig'd to condemn this vile maxim, in that they be the repreſentatives of a being, who never fail'd of being faithful to his promiſes, and who has ever puniſht perfidiouſneſs, either in the perſon of thoſe who have bin guilty of it, or in their deſcendants.

It's alſo in vain to alledge, that when the Vaudoiſes ſurrendred themſelvs, they had only promiſe of life; for it's plain they were promis'd likewiſe their liberty. But had the promiſe extended no farther than life, can it be affirm'd they kept their word, when they made them all periſh under the weight of an intollerable miſery, and the hardeſt captivity as ever was.

The Vally of Peirouſe being reduced as the reſt by the Capitulation of Pieumian, one part of the French Army left this Vally, and went and joyn'd Don Gabriel at the Vacherie; Then it was that on all ſides they hunted, and caught, theſe poor Vaudoiſes, who were dragg'd to ſeveral Priſons, under pretence of being led before his Royal Highneſs, to entreat his pardon. But that which ſeems moſt deplorable, was their refuſal to hear the complaints, and tears, of familys, who implored the favor of ſuffering together. For they ſeparated the Fathers from their Children, and the Husband from the Wife, to deprive them of the means of comforting and ſtrengthning one another. They violated the ties of nature and conſanguinity, that they might be leſs able to bear the temptations, and other miſerys, they provided for them. They deſigned, that thoſe who could reſiſt the ſufferings, and miſerys of a rigorous priſon; ſhould be overcome by the reſtleſs longings, to be with their relations. There were ſeveral young people of both Sexes, who were diſperſt, and placed in ſeveral particular houſes in Piemont; but this was not from a motive of equity, but to make them change their Religion, and to keep them from coming near their Parents.

Yet there were then a great number of Vaudoiſes, who had not delivered up themſelvs, nor were as yet taken; For thoſe of Villars, Boby, and ſome other places, in the Vally of Lucerna, would not conſent to the compoſition, as did the reſt, that they might keep themſelvs free. Many of thoſe of Angrogne had joyned themſelvs to theſe, having obſerv'd how the Enemys kept their word. And ſeveral of the Vaudoiſes of the vale of St. Martin, had ſearcht for ſhelter, and hiding places, in Woods and Rocks, to eſcape the barbarity of the French fury; who gave no quarter. The enemys reſolv'd to be maſters of theſe Vaudoiſes, by force or fraud; as they had bin of the reſt. For this effect, whilſt part of the Duke of Savoy's Army, was employ'd againſt thoſe, who were ſtill in arms, in the Vally of Lucerna; the French return'd to that of St. Martin, with the Marqueſs Parelle; who was well known to the Vaudoiſes, and the better able to perſwade them. He knew by experience, that craft was a more likely means to ſucceed, than open force. He made uſe then of ſome Vaudoiſes, who had yielded themſelvs, and in whom the people conſided; cauſing them to march at the head of the army, with piſtols at their throats, who were forced not only to be guides to the French; to diſcover the Vaudoiſes, in the ſecret places of their retreat, but moreover to write ſeveral notes, to exhort their Brethren, to throw themſelvs on the clemency of their Prince; whoſe favor was offered, to all thoſe, who wou'd accept it. And becauſe the uſage of thoſe who had already ſurrendred themſelvs, might diſcredit this ſollicitation; it was added in ſeveral of theſe notes, that the priſoners wou'd be ſoon ſet at liberty. On the credit then of theſe notes, many of theſe poor people delivered up themſelvs, for ſeveral days, as relying too on the aſſurances, which the Marqueſs Parelle, and the other Officers gave them, of his Royal Highneſs's pardon.

Several others were Maſſacred, or taken by the Soldiers; but both thoſe who ſurrendred themſelvs, and thoſe who were taken, had both the ſame deſtiny; and were equally led away priſoners, into divers priſons and caſtles.

Whilſt thus craft or cruelty waſted the Vally of St. Martin of it's inhabitants; let us ſee what paſt in the Vally of Lucerna. The Vaudoiſes here, held amongſt others, two ſtrong places; the one call'd Jaimet, and the other Chamruma, above the Caſtle into which one part of thoſe who had eſcaped out of Angrogne had fled. Theſe two places ſheltred Villars, wherein there were above a Thouſand Perſons, as well Old as Young. A detachement of the Duke of Savoy's army, aſſiſted by the Banditi of Mondovi, came and attackt theſe two places; where the Vaudoiſes defended themſelvs, for a whole day with an extraordinary courage. They kild a great number of Soldiers, and conſiderable Officers, amongſt which was the Commander of the Banditi. They had only ſix men kild, and as many wounded. The Enemys were extraordinarily tired and intended a retreat: but for aſ much as they might be purſued eaſily, and defeated in retreating, they there upon be thought themſelvs of this ſtratagem.

Several Officers having laid down their arms, and layd by their hats, drew near at night, near the trenches of Chamruma, with an hankerchief at the end of their ſticks; and deſired a parley, to make propoſals of peace. They ſhew'd a paper, and told the Vaudoiſes, they came from receiving letters, that peace was concluded, in all the Vallys; that his Royal Highneſs had granted a general pardon to all his ſubjects, and that it was their fault, who were ſtill in arms, that they were not comprehended in it. They added they had order to ceaſe all acts of hoſtility, and exhorted the Vaudoiſes to do the ſame, and to accept the grace his Royal Highneſs offered them, of which the Podeſtat, there preſent, cou'd give them aſſurance. Which perſon being well known by the Vaudoiſes, having adjoyn'd his proteſtations to thoſe of the other Officers, and altogether having promiſt them, with the greateſt earneſtneſs, their lives and libertys; provided they withdrew; the Vaudoiſes of Chamruma truſting to theſe promiſes, left the place to the Enemys and retired, being perſwaded of the certainty of the peace. There were ſeveral of Angrogne, who came to the Caſtle to enjoy the fruits of this peace, but they were immediatly ſeized on, and convey'd away. This credulity of the Vaudoiſes, took from 'em a favorable opportunity, of overthrowing their Enemys; for they might, without any danger, or trouble, vanquiſh troops, who had waſted all their warlike ammunition.

The Enemys, who pretended they had marcht away, only to make the Vaudoiſes leave their poſt, which was a very advantagious place, having receiv'd ſome recruits, immediatly return'd and poſſeſt themſelvs of it. Thoſe who were at Jaimet, and had not entered into compoſition, were then oblig'd to Abandon theirs, becauſe it was commanded by the other, and to betake themſelvs to the mountains of Villars. The Enemys marched after them, and encampt at Bonnet, on the avenues of Villars and Boby; where they remain'd two days without attempting any thing againſt the Vaudoiſes, who might be about 4 or 500 men. The Officers of the Army, employ'd this time, in offering them propoſals of peace, attended with ſpecious promiſes; provided they ſurrendred themſelvs, and terrible threatnings, if they ſtood on their defence.

The Vaudoiſes reply'd to theſe propoſals, that they deſired nothing more; but that which was offered them, was more to be dreaded than war, ſeeing it was not to be purchaſed, but by the loſs of their liberty. That not withſtanding the peace promiſed to thoſe of Chamruma, and on the faith of which they had delivered up their poſt, yet were they impriſon'd, who had ſurrendred themſelvs, and that the example of their Brethren taught them plain enough, what they muſt expect, if they relyed on theſe aſſurances. Yet did not this hinder, but a great number of the Vaudoiſes delivered themſelvs to the Enemy, in that they ſwore to 'em, that thoſe who had yielded themſelvs ſhou'd ſoon be ſet at liberty to return to their houſes; having been carry'd to his Royal Highneſs only to ask his mercy, but theſe were alſo lead away captive, and uſed in no better ſort than the reſt.

One wou'd marvel at the eaſineſs, wherewith the Vaudoiſes ſuffered themſelvs to be deceived ſo often. But it's to be obſerv'd, there were ſeveral, who did not believe any defence cou'd avail, after ſo many perſons and places ſurrender. Others feared leſt their oppoſition, ſhou'd prove more than ordinary prejudicial to their Wives, and Children who were in priſon. And the moſt part, cou'd not imagin, their Enemys cou'd be cruel enough, to ſtarve in priſon ſuch as delivered themſelvs up to their mercy. They hoped however they ſhou'd be ſet at liberty, after ſome months impriſonment.

But the reſt of the other Vaudoiſes, being much weakned, quitted Villars, on which the Enemy ſeized; who ceas'd moleſting them till May 4; when the troops being reinforced, attack'd Boby, where the Vaudoiſes were retired; but they were vigorouſly beaten back by an 150 Vaudoiſes; who were in the mountain of Subjuſque, and who without the loſs of one Man, kild ſome Officers, and a great many common Soldiers. Eight days after the French army joyn'd that of the Duke of Savoy. The Enemys then made their laſt effort to be Maſters of Boby, but the Vaudoiſes defended themſelvs ſo well, that after a fight, which laſted the whole day, they conſtrained the army to retire, and to encamp at Serre de la Sarſena, with the loſs of many Men.

The next morning, the Marqueſs de Parrelle, who came from the Vally of St. Martin, with a great detachement, paſt over the ridge of Julien, which is an Alpe which was thought inacceſſible, and prepared himſelf to attack the Vaudoiſes behind. Which oblig'd the Vaudoiſes to quit Boby, and to betake themſelvs to the Woods and Rocks. The Marqueſs de Parelle, and the Count de Brichantan having poſſeſt themſelvs of theſe poſts, which the Vaudoiſes had now forſaken, ſent ſeveral Perſons to them in their retreats, to exhort them to ſurrender, and to accept of a pardon; and ſeveral of theſe poor people being preſt with miſery and hunger, ſurrendred themſelvs to theſe offers, and became captives by their own credulity. Others yielded to the Governor of Mirebouc, on aſſurance from him of their lives and libertys; but they alſo payd for their truſt in his word, by a rigorous impriſonment. There were ſeveral, who had betaken themſelvs to the Mountain of Vandelin, and who fought for ſome time with great courage and ſucceſs. Yet they at laſt too ſuffered themſelvs to be over-perſwaded by the Count de la Roche, Governor of the Vallys, on promiſe which he made them of their lives and libertys. He aſſured them, by a note, writ with his own hand, they ſhou'd return to their houſes; but they had no ſooner forſaken their places of retreat, but they were clapt up in Priſon, and the note taken from them which he had giv'n them.

The Enemys of the Vaudoiſes, having by the means afore related, taken away the lives of an infinite number of Perſons, and deprived above 12000 of them of their libertys, and carry'd away, and diſperſt above 2000 Children, thought they had now done their work. They carry'd on then their unjuſt practiſes to the end, and cauſed all the Vaudoiſes Eſtates to be confiſcated.

And thus were the Vallys of Piemont depopulated of their ancient Inhabitants, and the light of the Goſpel extinguiſht in a Country, where it had ſhined for ſo many ages. Thus did perfidiouſneſs, and violence, triumph over the ſimplicity of the Vaudoiſes, which the Council de propagatione, and their other Enemys have executed to their utter extirpation. But to the end we may know throughly, with what ſpirit their perſecutors have been animated, we may here ſee ſome of the barbarous acts and crueltys, which they have exercis'd in theſe occaſions.

Altho' we deſign to ſpeak only of thoſe, which have been practis'd, after the compoſitions; yet we may relate ſome of the barbaritys, with which the French ſignalis'd their entrance, into the Vally of St. Martin; not only becauſe they tranſcend the bounds, which Chriſtians ought to ſet to their Victorys; but moreover, becauſe they have been committed on Perſons, who offered no reſiſtance. We may then here mention the Murthers of ſo many Old Men, Women, and Children, who were then the Victims of the Soldiers cruelty; the inexpreſſible lamentations of thoſe poor Women and Maidens, who after the abuſe of their Bodys, were conſtrain'd to travel all night, at the head of the army, to ſerve for guides to the French; and the monſtrous and diabolical actions of theſe furious Soldiers, who glutted their filthy luſts, on the ſame Bodys, they came from depriving of life. But we ſhall ſet aſide the deſcription of theſe things, to ſpeak of ſome inſtances of crueltys and violences exercis'd after the ſurrender of the Vallys.

The Soldiers made ſeveral Maſſacres at Angrogne, not here to be inſtanc'd, leſt it ſhou'd put us on a long relation of particulars. There were ſeveral Women and Maidens violated, on the account of whoſe modeſty, we ſhall conceal their names, ſome of them being yet alive. They wou'd likewiſe have violated Marguerit Maraude, who was but 14 years of age; and becauſe James Maraude her Father, and Margaret Maraude her Ant oppoſed themſelvs, to theſe violences; they were cruelly murthered. Suſanna Olviette, and Margaret Baline ſtriving to ſave their chaſtity, loſt their lives by the hands of theſe Barbarians. Joſeph David having been wounded at Angrogne, was carry'd by the Soldiers into a neighboring houſe, where they burnt him. Four Women and three Children of Praruſtin were kild in a hole of a Rock, where they had hid themſelvs. The Mother of Daniel Fourneron aged 80 years, was thrown down from a precipice in coming from the pre' de Tour, becauſe ſhe cou'd not go faſt enough. At Pieumian the Soldiers ſlew the Wife of James Fourneron and Magdalen Roche, becauſe they did not readily enough deliver the money they had. Mary Romain a Young and Beautiful Damoſel, promiſed in Mariage to James Griot, was kil'd for endeavoring to ſave her Chaſtity. Another Virgin to ſecure her's, having caſt her ſelf into a River, was there ſhot to Death. Several Women and Maidens, who are yet alive, were dragg'd by the hair of their heads into neighboring houſes, where they were Raviſht with horrible circumſtances; one through deſpair, throwing her ſelf out of a Window, Honoree Jayer, a young Child, having been found among the women, was ſhot to death. A great number of women and maidens running away into woods, fell by the Musket-bullets, ſhot after them to ſtop them. The Marqueſs Parelle, and ſeveral Vaudoiſes, which he made to march before him, to ſerve for guides; paſſing by Pieumian, to go into the Vally of St. Martin, found the bodys of ſeveral little children, cut in pieces; ſeveral naked women, ſlain with blows, ſome of which had Stones thruſt into their privitys. They alſo ſaw ſeveral Soldiers, who carry'd in their hats, the marks of an horrible cruelty, and a deviliſh impudicity, at which the Marqueſs Parelle was ſcandalis'd.

In the Vale of St. Martin there were ſix men, twenty women, and ſome children, who went and ſurrendred themſelvs in the Town of Peirouſe, on promiſe made them, they ſhould have no harm done them; but they were no ſooner come, but theſe ſix men, were ſhot in the preſence of their wives. John Ribet of Macel having bin taken, he had his Arms and Legs burnt to oblige him to change his Religion; but God gave him the grace, to obtain the Crown of Martyrdom, in ſuffering conſtantly the death, which theſe executioners gave him. They likewiſe inhumanly put to death Bartholomew Ribet, James Brues, and his ſon. They faſtned one poor infirm man to an horſe's tail, whom they dragg'd about, till he expired. They hang'd up a poor blind woman at her own door. They found a woman at the point of being delivered, and perform'd two murthers at one Blow, in taking away her life, and that of the child in her womb. They purſued two young women, from a place called the Colet, to another named Boniot, where overtaking them, they violated them, and afterwards both ſhot them and hewed them in pieces.

Four women having fallen at the ſame time into the hands of theſe Barbarians, met with the ſame misfortune, only with this difference, that before they were violated and maſſacred, they ſaw their childrens throats cut, in a place called the Fountains. They opened the bodys of a mother and her child, and tore out the bowels, which they caus'd to be burnt. They ſlew a great many children in the ſame place, becauſe they were ſick, and were not able to follow them to the priſons, where they would have ſecured them. Twenty two perſons, who had for a long time layn hid in Woods, and moſt of which were women and children, were found by theſe murtherers on the Mountain of Pelue, and thrown off into dreadful Abyſſes; being miſerably ſhattered and torn by the edges of ſharp-pointed Flints, on which the entrails of theſe poor wretches were ſeen to hang, a long time after.

In the vale of Lucerna, Suſannah the wife of Daniel Violin, Katherina the wife of James Negrin, Anne Malanote, and her daughter were ſtabb'd in the throats with Bayonets. Some Soldiers having uſed all their endeavors to flea Daniel Pellene alive, and ſeeing they could not get the skin over his ſhoulders, they layd him on the ground, and placed a great ſtone on his belly, and made him thus expire. Daniel Brumerol loſt his life with a cord, with which they faſtned and ſtraitned with a dreadful violence his head to his belly and privitys. Anne and Magdalen Vittories, and ſeveral others were burnt; the wiſe of Daniel Monin was ſlayn with a Sword, with which her head was cleaved aſunder. Anne Baſtianne was thrown down from high Rocks into a dreadful bottom. David Moudon had alſo his head cleaved aſunder with the blow of a Sword. Margaret Salvajot having bin ſtript naked, had ſeveral blows of a dagger ſtruck into her body, but ſhe ſuffered not only a cruel death, in her own perſon; ſeeing that before ſhe dyed, theſe wretches had ſo bruiſed the head of her daughter but 7 months old againſt rocky places, that the brains came out in the mother's ſight. They cut in pieces Mary Salvajot; and poignarded Mary Durand for reſiſting the attempts, made on her chaſtity. They cut the throat of Mrs. Bertrand, the Miniſter's mother, who was 80 years of age, and lay bedrid. A young maiden of Boby was faſtned naked on her back on a Mule, and thus expoſed; and led openly through all the Town of Lucerna. Amongſt a great number of Vaudoiſes which were hang'd in Boby, there was one named Anthony Malanot, on whom the Soldiers diſcharged their Guns ſeveral times after he was dead, making their mark thoſe parts of his body, which modeſty puts on ſcrupling the mention.

The Soldiers having found a woman, named Jaimonate in a cavern of a Rock, on the Collier's Mount, they led her to the Marqueſs de Bavil, Colonel to the Regiment of Savoy, who askt her how long ſhe had layn in that place, and how ſhe ſuſtained her ſelf; ſhe anſwered ſhe had there hid her ſelf 8 days, and liv'd on the milk which a Goat ſhe had taken along with her had yielded her. They would have afterwards obliged her to tell them where the Vaudoiſes were, who hid themſelvs in Rocks; and proteſting ſhe knew nothing in that particular, the Soldiers, after having given her a kind of torture, in faſtning and then ſtraitning her fingers with matches to make her confeſs, tyed her neck and heels, and in this poſture threw her down from an high Rock; but being ſtopt in the way, They with ſtones ſo bruiſed her, that her bowels came out, and at length beat her quite off, in the preſence of the Marqueſs de Bavil. A youth of the Vallys, named David Magnot, whom this Marqueſs had a fancy to, and had kept to wait on him, having ſince gotten away, was an eye-witneſs of this horrid action. Daniel Moudon, one of the Elders of the Church of Roras, having bin the ſpectator of the death of John, and James Moudon his two children, (whoſe heads the Soldiers cut off) after he had ſeen the body of the wife of John ript up from the Navil, and her daughter's brains beat out, who was not above 6 weeks old, and the two children of James cut in pieces, (one of which was 4 years old, and the other 14 months,) was conſtrained by theſe Monſters, to carry croſs his ſhoulders the heads of his two ſons, and to march barefoot 2 hours journy, near Lucerna, where he was hang'd in the midſt of theſe two heads, which were faſtned to a Gibbet.

There would be no end in reciting particular inſtances of theſe kinds of crueltys. Neither ſhall we inſiſt on the pitious death of ſo many Ancient and infirm people of all ages and both Sexes, who periſhed thro' cold and hunger, as well in Woods as holes in the Rocks. We here paſs over an infinite number of priſoners, who were hang'd, without any formality of juſtice, on the arms of Trees; and in Towns and Villages, amongſt which was Paul Megle an infirm young man, who was carry'd out of his bed to execution.

What we have related may ſuffice, I think, to ſhew how far extended the fury of the Vaudoiſes Enemys. We ſhall only then add here the death of Mr. Leidet, which is equally worthy of pitty and admiration. He was Miniſter of Prabz in the vale of St. Martin, who had eſcaped at the Surrender of the Vallys, and hid himſelf for ſome time in the holes of Rocks. He was taken by a Detachment of Soldiers, and carry'd away to Lucerna, into the Pallace of the Marqueſs of Angrogne, where was then the Duke of Savoy. He was put into priſon in a Tower of this Pallace, and one of his feet lockt into a kind of Stocks: where he long remained in this condition with bread and water, not being able to lye down. It was ſayd he was taken with his arms in his hands, but this appearing to be a falſe accuſation, as it was afterwards juſtifyed, by thoſe who took him, he was left ſeveral months in Priſon, without having any judgment paſt on him, and ſeveral Judges excuſed themſelvs from medling with him. Yet in the mean time no day paſt, in which he was not expoſed to the perſecutions of the Monks and Popiſh Prieſts, with whom he earneſtly diſputed, touching his Religion, and always confounded them. They brought him one day two Bibles, in which he ſhewed them ſo clearly the truth of his belief, that they left him, and ſhamefully withdrew, after a diſpute which held four hours, They often put him in mind of his approaching death to affright him, and told him ſeveral times, there was no ways of eſcaping it, but by turning Roman Catholic. But he receiv'd the news of his death with great tranquillity. He anſwer'd them, that tho he well knew, they could not juſtly put him to death, ſeeing he was not taken with his arms in his hands, and that moreover the Duke of Savoy had promis'd pardon to all his Subjects, Yet was he ready to ſuffer, what they might lay upon him, eſteeming himſelf very happy, if he might ſuffer death for the name of Chriſt. He ſtrengthned by his example and exhortations the priſoners, which were with him, ſome of which had leave to come to him. In fine the Monks and Fryers, being enraged at his zeal and conſtancy, found at length Judges compliant enough to condemn him to dye.

The day whereon he was executed, the Recorder Salvay pronounced ſentence on him, in the preſence of ſeveral Monks, which he heard read with admirable reſignation, not ſhewing the leaſt trouble or alteration in his countenance. The Monks left him not all that day, altho he deſired them, ſeveral times, to let him be in private, that he might the better pray to God; but they would not give over troubling him, but forced him into diſputes with them, as believing he was not now in a condition to defend himſelf againſt them, but he diſengag'd himſelf with ſuch ſmartneſs and preſence of mind, that they were all aſtoniſht at it. Yet this hinder'd them not from returning the next morning, to have the ſatisfaction of tormenting him, to the end of his life. He ſayd when he was going out of the Priſon, that this was a day of double deliverance for him, ſeeing his body would ſoon be freed, not only, from it's corporal priſon, but his ſoul tranſlated into immortal joy and felicity. He went to the place of execution with inexpreſſible chearfulneſs and reſolution, both deſpiſing life, which the Monks offered him, and death, which was now before his eyes. He made a long and affectionate Prayer, at the foot of the Scaffold, with which thoſe who ſtood by, were ſenſibly touched. He uttered theſe words on the Ladder, My God into thy hands I commend my Spirit, and dyed ſo edifying a death, that the Fryers themſelvs, who would not leave him, were forced to acknowledge, he dyed like a Righteous perſon.

There only then remain'd in the Vallys ſome Inhabitants, who preferring death before ſervitude, would not hearken to the propoſals of peace. Some of theſe were in the Vally of St. Martin; and although the one knew not the deſign of the others, becauſe the Army lying encampt between theſe two vallys, they could have no Communication: Yet they were all of the ſame mind, and took both a reſolution worthy of immortal praiſe. They remain'd a long time hid and diſperſt in the Mountains, to prevent falling into the Enemys hands, who went every day out in ſmall partys to ſurpriſe them. One cannot ſufficiently admire the conſtancy, with which they endured, all the wearyneſſes, and miſerys, to which they lay expoſed; being often glad to feed on graſs, and the dogs, and other beaſts which came to prey on the Vaudoiſes dead bodys; which lay unburied in the fields. But the French and Banditi of Mondovi being retired, they were not ſo ſtrictly purſued by the Duke of Savoy's Army, which remain'd alone in the Vallys. Then it was, that thoſe who were in the vally of Lucerna began to come out of their hiding places, to ſeek for food to ſuſtain their languiſhing Spirits. There were not in this vally above 42 men, beſides ſome women and children, when they were all together met, yet they made ſeveral attempts in the plain, always loading themſelvs with proviſion and other neceſſarys, and worſted in ſeveral rencounters divers of the Enemys detachments, and kil'd and put to flight a great number of the Savoyards, who were come to inhabit in the Vallys, and in fine performed, for ſeveral months, ſuch gallant actions, that they put the Enemys under contribution, and forced them to furniſh them with proviſions, for ſome time; to hinder them from making their inroads into the plain.

We ſhall not now make a particular relation of theſe geuerous attempts, leſt we engage in a long diſcourſe, but content our ſelvs with ſaying, that the Court of Turin, having in vain attempted by force, to exterminate them from the Vallys, ſent them paſs-ports, in good form, under hand, and hoſtages, for greater ſurety of their retreat; tho' thoſe who carry'd theſe propoſals to the Vaudoiſes, wou'd by no means allow they acted by the Court of Turin's order. They affirm'd on the Contrary, that what they did, was of their own motion, and at the deſire of ſome other Perſons, who undertook to obtain theſe paſs-ports, and deliver them hoſtages. But it's certain, an affair of this nature, cou'd not be carry'd on, without a more than bare connivance from the Court of Turin. For beſides, that no particular Perſon, dared to have undertaken, of his own head, ſuch a buſineſs; the paſs-ports which were diſpatched, did afterwards fully ſhew, that all was done by the Court's order.

However the Vaudoiſes at firſt refuſed to hearken to this propoſal, whether they thought they ought not to put any confidence in the promiſes made them, or whether reſolving to periſh themſelvs, but they wou'd deliver their Brethren out of Captivity, Death being more ſweet to 'em than life, whilſt they groan'd in their chains. A while after, this propoſal was renewed, and ſeveral conſiderations were offered to oblige them to an acceptance. They were told that the Duke of Savoy had declared, that as long as they were in arms, the Priſoners ſhou'd not be releaſed, and they were poſitively promis'd, that aſſoon as ever they were departed, their Brethren ſhou'd be ſet at liberty.

So that the Vaudoiſes, conſidering on the one hand, that Winter came on, and that they muſt expect no ſuccors; and on the other, that their reſiſtance, might furniſh their Enemys, with a pretence, for the detaining of the Captives; they thereupon determind to depart their Country. It was then agreed and reſolv'd, they ſhou'd leave the Vallys, and depart with their Wives and Children, arms and baggage, in two troops or companys, having their charges defrayed; and they conducted, as far as Switzerland, at two ſeveral times, by one of his Royal Highneſs's Captains, with ſufficient paſs-ports.

That for the greater ſecurity of the firſt troop, which ſhou'd ſet out, hoſtages ſhou'd be left in the Vallys, in the hands of the ſecond; who ſhou'd keep them, till ſuch time, as they had heard, that the firſt company was arriv'd; and then this Captain ſhou'd deliver into their hands an Officer of his Relations, for an hoſtage, till ſuch time, the ſecond troop or company ſhou'd be arrived.

This treaty was faithfully executed, for thoſe two companys happily got out of the Country into a place of ſurety, with their arms and baggage, under the conduct of this Captain. We muſt not forget one remarkable circumſtance; which is, that the Vaudoiſes wou'd never conſent to leave the Country, till ſuch time, as their kindred, who were in Priſon, were releaſed, and ſent to them; whence it muſt be concluded, that this treaty, was mannag'd by the Court of Turin; ſeeing theſe Captives, cou'd not be releaſed, but by it's order.

The Vaudoiſes, who were in the Vale of St. Martin, did almoſt the ſame things, as thoſe had done in the Vally of Lucerna. For altho' they were reduced, at laſt, but to 25 Men, and ſome Women and Children, yet they defended themſelvs, with ſuch vigor and reſolution, that they alſo procured themſelvs paſſes, to retire to Switzerland, with their Wives and Children, arms, and baggage.

We have already ſayd, that thoſe in one Vally, knew not what paſt in the other, becauſe the army cut off all communication. Cou'd they have joyned, or heard of each other, no doubt they had made a more advantagious compoſition, and perhaps delivered their Brethren out of their captivity. For if the Court of Turin were willing to keep an Army in the Vallys, to hinder the attempts of the Vaudoiſes; or deſign'd to People this Country with Savoyards; who wou'd be far from inhabiting there, as long as there were theſe People in Arms; there is likelyhood, that to get rid of them, they wou'd have conſented to the deliverance of the Priſoners.

Whilſt theſe Vaudoiſes retired into Switzerland, by means of their own Valor, which procured 'em both hoſtages and letters of ſafe conduct, the Evangelic Cantons did all they cou'd, for the deliverance of the Captives. They had wrote ſeveral times fruitleſly to the Court of Turin on this occaſion. But their zeal and charity being never weary'd, they therefore convocated an aſſembly at Arau in the Month of September 1686, in which 'twas reſolv'd to demand again the releaſment of the Priſoners: they ſent for this effect two Deputys to the Count de Govon, the Duke of Savoy's reſident, at Lucerna in Switzerland; and having ſhew'd him the reaſons, which engag'd the Evangelic Cantons to intereſs themſelvs in behalf of the Vaudoiſes, they entered into a treaty with him in the beginning of October, with the conſent of their ſuperiors. Which treaty obliges the Duke of Savoy to permit all the Priſoners to come into Switzerland, and to Cloath them, and defray the charge of their Journy till they came on the frontiers; where the Evangelic Cantons wou'd take care of them, and conduct them into the heart of their Country; To the end they might not be in a condition, to return to Piemont. When this treaty was made, it was without doubt, unknown at Lucerna, that the Vaudoiſes we now ſpoke off, were already retired; for there is an article, which ſays, that the Duke ſhou'd give them paſs-ports in good form, to enable them to depart ſafely, and freely, which wou'd not have been inſerted in this treaty, had what had paſt, on their account, been known. However the Cantons immediatly ratifi'd this treaty, which the Duke did not, till ſome time after in a letter, he wrote, on this occaſion, in which he directs the courſe, which the Priſoners were to take, over Mountains, then inacceſſible, and thro' the Country of Valay, which depends, neither on the Duke of Savoy, nor the Switzers, and thro' which there cou'd be no entrance, without negotiating with the Biſhop of Sion, to whom it belongs. It's apparent, 'twas deſign'd to raiſe obſtacles againſt the performance of this treaty, otherwiſe they wou'd not have markt out the way into other Countrys, than thoſe of Savoy, where the Roads lye more commodious to go into Switzerland. The Evangelic Cantons complain'd of this, to the Count de Govon, about which having writ to the Court of Turin, the Duke at length gave order, they ſhou'd paſs thro' Savoy, to the Canton of Berne, and caus'd the Priſon doors to be ſet open: but this was not before the midſt of Winter, and in ſo rigorous a ſeaſon, that according to all appearances, thoſe who had eſcaped the hardſhips in the Priſons, muſt periſh in their way.

It will be very difficult to repreſent all the miſerys and calamitys, which the Captives have endured, during nine Months impriſonment. Yet there are exact memorials of what hath paſt, in each particular Priſon, which is matter enough for a particular hiſtory. But we ſhall content our ſelvs, with giving ſome general repreſentations of the miſerys they have ſuffered. They were carry'd then into Priſon, at divers times; and as faſt as they ſurrendred themſelvs, or were taken. They were diſpers'd to the number of twelve Thouſand Men Women and Children into 14 Priſons, or Caſtles of the ſtates of Piemont; and were more or leſs ſeverely uſed, according to the humor of thoſe, who were the keepers of the Priſons; but it's certain they were every where expoſed to great hardſhips, and ſufferings. Their allowance in every Priſon, was but bread and water, neither had they enough of that; in ſome Priſons they had very black bread allow'd 'em, which had no ſubſtance, and ſuch as was kneaded with filthy water, that run down the kennels, and in which was found all manner of naſtyneſs. In other places they had ſtinking water giv'n them, and ſuch as cou'd not be drank, but by thoſe, who were ready to periſh with thirſt. They were obliged in ſome places, to go and fetch water out of horſe-ponds, and wherein were dogs thrown, at the ſame time they took it. In certain places they were not ſuffered to draw water out of wells; that being judg'd too good for them. In other places they were permitted to have water only, at certain hours, out of which they were not to have any; which has occaſion'd ſeveral ſick Perſons to expire thro' need of a glaſs all of water to refreſh them. They were forced all of 'em to lye on bricks, with which the floors are paved in Piemont, without ſtraw; or if they had any giv'n them, in ſome places; it was either ſuch as was ſo ſhort, that it was mere duſt, or elſe ſuch as was muſty. They were ſo ſtraitned, and pen'd up in ſome Priſons, that they cou'd not ſtir without great difficulty, and when they dyed, which every day hapned, the apartments were fil'd up with others, that they might have no more eaſe. The ſtifling heat of the ſummer, and the filthy corruption with which the Chambers were infected, by reaſon of the ſick, had engendred ſuch a great quantity of lice, that the Priſoners cou'd have no reſt, either night or day. They were alſo troubl'd with great worms, which gnaw'd their skins. There were ſeveral ſick people, who may be ſayd to have been the worms food in their life time. For theſe poor people, not being able to riſe up, they were ſo gnaw'd with them, that their skin, being already rotted, fell off from their fleſh in ſmall pieces; and in this miſerable and languiſhing condition, did they lye, till their deaths had put an end to all their ſufferings. They did not only endure all the inconveniencys of an exceſſive heat, but moreover thoſe of a ſevere cold; ſeeing that in the midſt of Winter, they had never any fire giv'n them, nor any cloaths to warm them, altho' they were in high rooms, the greateſt part of which lay expoſed (without windows) to the weather. They never had any light allowed 'em in the Winter or Summer, to relieve the ſadneſs of their conditions in the dark nights, and to help the ſick amongſt them, ſeveral of which have periſhed for want of ſuccor. A great many Women have alſo dyed in Child-birth, for want of help in the night; and their loſs has been follow'd with that of their Children, who have receiv'd death, at the inſtant, wherein they ſhou'd have obtain'd life. Sick people have bin ſevered from the ſound, and layd in open places, expoſed to the injurys of the Air, the winds and ſtorms. But this cruelty, has bin in ſome ſort, a kindneſs; ſeeing it has brought them to the end of their miſerys, in the end of their lives. In other priſons, there have bin ſeveral children ſick of the ſmall Pox, lay'd in wet yards, and under the ſpouts, to have the water fall on them. They were not contented in not aſſiſting the ſick themſelvs, they alſo hindered charitable people, from bringing them broth, and other neceſſarys. When the priſoners, have dared to complain of the little charity ſhew'd them, they have bin laden with injurys, threats, and blows. They were told that inſtead of ſhewing them compaſſion, they ſhould be uſed like dogs, till they were all dead. There was ſcarcely any priſoner, who was not burthened with ſome diſtemper. There have bin ſo many ſick, that no leſs than 75 have bin counted to lye ill at one time in a Room. There have bin taken out of the priſons a great many young children, notwithſtanding the tears and ſupplications of both them and their Parents. In fine the priſoners have underwent ſuch hardſhips, that it's ſcarce credible, there ſhould be ſo much cruelty, amongſt thoſe who bear the Chriſtian name; were it not well known, to what point the Enemys of the Vaudoiſes have extended their fury. But we cannot doubt of the exceſs of their rage, when 'tis notorious that above eight thouſand of theſe poor creatures have expired, under the weight of this cruel ſlavery.

Yet as if it was not enough, that their bodys were thus afflicted, they have bin moreover perſecuted in their ſouls. For the Monks and Fryars have uſed all poſſible means to make them change their Religion. But God had endued them with the grace of perſevering to the end, and there were few who fell under the burthen of the temptation. Thoſe who turn'd were not uſed ſo ſeverely as the reſt, but were notwithſtanding detain'd in captivity.

The priſoners were in this piteous condition, when the Duke of Savoy, caus'd to be publiſht in the priſons the order, which permitted them to go forth, and retire into Switzerland. This publication was not made every where in the ſame manner, nor at the ſame time; but ſucceſſively, and according as the priſoners were ſet at liberty. Yet it was read in moſt of the priſons by an Officer of Juſtice, who cauſing the priſoners to come before him, declared to them that all thoſe who would depart out of the States of Piemont, to go into Switzerland, might do it, and even thoſe who had promis'd to change their Religion; becauſe the promiſes which had bin made in priſon, were to be conſidered, as forced, and conſequently void. He added they were at liberty either to go or ſtay, if they became Catholicks. Yet the priſoners had not all the liberty of choice which they pretended was granted them. For the Monks and Officers of the Priſons, who were preſent at this publication, endeavor'd to avert the effect of it. Sometimes they were told that the rigour of the ſeaſon, and the cruelty of the Soldiers which conducted them would deſtroy a great part of them in the way. Other times, they were flattered with the hopes of returning into their own houſes, if they would abjure their Religion. But theſe conſiderations not being able to prevail on them, they were many times grieveouſly beaten, as it happen'd in the Priſons of Aſt where the Governor gave them a thouſand blows, with a Cane, in the preſence of the Auditor Leonardy. They were ſhut up in Dungeons, and in the moſt noyſom, and filthy parts of the Caſtles of Queiraſque and others. In fine, there were ſo many obſtacles, layd before them, that ſome fall under the temptation, and yielded to a change of Religion. But inſtead of reſetling them in their houſes, they were lead (as it were) into captivity into the Province of Verceil, the leaſt grateful, and moſt barren place in all the Duke's Dominions. We muſt not omit ſome Circumſtances, which are conſiderable enough, the one, that ſeveral young children, as well thoſe who were brought up in priſon, as others who were diſperſt over Piemont, having known that liberty was granted the priſoners, preſt earneſtly to go with their Fathers and Mothers, but this could not be obtained; the other, that the permiſſion of departure, was not publiſht, in the Priſons of Lucerna, but only fixt up at the place, to the end the priſoners might not have the advantage of it; and in fine the priſoners who were in the Dungeons of Aſt and their familys, which were in the Cittadel of Turin, had not the benefit of this Declaration.

Soon after this publication, the Vaudoiſes were made to ſet forth in ſeveral Troops or Companys, which were conducted to Geneva by the Duke's Officers and Soldiers. It was promis'd by this treaty made with the Count de Govon, that the Captives ſhould be cloathed, and yet there were nothing given them, but ſome ragged old coats and breeches; but it was not only in this point, that the Treaty was not executed, it was violated in ſeveral others, of greater importance. For beſides the crueltys which were exercis'd on ſeveral Companys, they were bereaved of a great many of their children, in their journy. There hapned two things amongſt others, from which one may judge of the reſt. The one regards the priſoners which were at Mondovi, who about Chriſtmas were told, there was an order the Contents of which was, that if they did not immediatly depart, this liberty would be revoked the next morning.

Theſe miſerable poor creatures were all in a ſick and languiſhing condition. Yet did they chooſe to be gon immediatly without any convoy, and to expoſe themſelvs to eminent danger, rather than to groan any longer, under this cruel Captivity. They ſet out then in a night, the moſt cold and incommodious imaginable, and travelled 4 or 5 Leagues without reſting on Snow or Ice, but with that misfortune, that there were above 150 who fell by the way and dyed; their brethren not being able to give them any aſſiſtance.

The other reſpects the priſoners which were at Forſan. There were a company of theſe poor Captives, who having layn at Novalaiſe, at the foot of Mount Senis, perceiv'd the next morning, at their ſetting out, that a great ſtorm was riſing on this Mountain. Some of this company ſhew'd the ſtorm to the Officer, who conducted them; and entreated him to ſtay till it was paſt, and not to expoſe them to apparent danger, and to have pitty on ſo many perſons, moſt of which were without any ſtrength or ſpirit; they alſo told him, that if he would be ſo charitable to them, they ſhould ask him for no bread; chooſing rather to abide without any nouriſhment, than to throw themſelvs into this danger. But this Officer had the cruelty to make them travel immediatly, and to Sacrifice a part of them to his barbarity. For there were fourſcore and ſix who periſhed on the Mountain by the ſtorm. Theſe were Ancient infirm people, women and ſmall children, who had not ſtrength to reſiſt the ſeverity of the weather, and whom their friends were forced to leave, as a prey to the wild Beaſts. This Officer not ſuffering them to pay them any charitable Office. The following Companys, and ſeveral Merchants, who paſt ſoon after over this Mountain, ſaw the bodys of theſe poor creatures, ſtretcht out on the Snow; the mothers having ſtill their children in their arms.

The Evangelic Cantons, having bin inform'd of the taking away of the children, from their parents, and other bad uſages of the Vaudoiſes, in their way; thought themſelvs ſtill oblig'd in charity, to endeavor their relief. They ſent Deputys for this end to the Court of Turin, as well to favour the journy of the ſeveral Companys, who were not then arriv'd at Geneva, as to demand the reſtitution of the children, taken up in the way, and other young people of both Sexes, who were diſperſt in Piemont, at the ſurrender of the Vallys. And receiving at the ſame time a Letter from the Count de Govon, by which they were inform'd, that his Maſter had referred for ſome time the deliverance of the Miniſters, and would not releaſe ſome priſoners, who had bin taken with their Arms in their hands, and were condemn'd to work all their lives on his Royal Highneſs's fortifications. The Evangelic Cantons therefore commanded their Deputys to demand the liberty of the Miniſters, and all other priſoners, according to the treaty made with the Count de Govon. But before we ſpeak of the ſucceſs of this Negotiation, we muſt ſee in what condition the Vaudoiſes were, when they arriv'd at Geneva.

They came thither at ſeveral times, and in ſeveral Companys, which in all made not above 2500 perſons; but they were all in ſo bad and deplorable a condition, that it is not poſſible to expreſs it. There were ſeveral of theſe poor people who dropt down dead at the Town gates; and who met with the end of their lives, in the beginning of their liberty. Others were ſo diſpirited with ſickneſs and grief, that they were expected every moment to expire, in the arms of thoſe who had the charity to ſuſtain them. Others were ſo frozen with cold, that they had not the power to ſpeak; ſome ſtagger'd under the weight of their diſtempers and wearyneſs, others were deprived of the uſe of their limbs, and could not hold out their hands to receive the aſſiſtance which was offered them. The greateſt part of them were naked, and without ſhoes, in fine, both one and the other carry'd ſuch marks of an exceſſive ſuffering and extream miſery, that the hardeſt heart muſt needs be grieved at it.

The Companys ſtaying ſome time at Geneva, to reſt and refreſh themſelvs, before they parted for Switzerland; thoſe who were firſt arriv'd, went out to meet thoſe who came next, to inform themſelvs touching the condition of their relations, of whom they had not heard, ſince the troubles in the Vallys. A Father demanded news of his child, a child what was become of his Father, an husband of his wife, a wife enquired after her husband, and every one endeavor'd to learn what was become of his friend; but this being commonly in vain, ſeeing moſt part of them were dead in priſon, this occaſion'd ſuch a ſad and lamentable Spectacle, that all the beholders melted into tears, whilſt theſe poor people oppreſt and overwhelm'd with exceſs of their grief, were not able to weep and bemoan themſelvs.

But if it be difficult fully to repreſent the miſery of theſe poor Peoples condition, it's no leſs hard a task to expreſs the abundant Charity, thoſe of Geneva ſhewed in theſe occaſions. The Inhabitants ſtrove ſo faſt to meet theſe piteous objects to bring them into their houſes, that the Magiſtrat was obliged to forbid the peoples going out of the Town, to avoid the inconveniencys which this hurry cauſed. Every one ſtrove who ſhou'd have the moſt of theſe ſick and diſtreſſed Perſons, to have the more occaſion for the exerciſe of their charity. They were tended not only with the ſame care, as their own Children, but moreover as Perſons which brought peace and a bleſſing into their familys. There has been an extraordinary care taken of the ſick, of which ſeveral have dyed at Geneva; and ſome of which, do ſtill carry the marks which the worms have made in their bodys. All the Vaudoiſes, who needed cloaths, have been furniſht, either by thoſe who lodged them, or out of the Italian ſtock, the mannagers of which have ſhew'd from the beginning, to the end, the marks of a tender compaſſion and ardent charity.

But it was not only in Geneva, where the Vaudoiſes were ſo kindly entertain'd, they met with the ſame compaſſion in Switzerland, where the Evangelic Cantons receiv'd them, in the moſt generous and Chriſtian manner imaginable. And 'tis not only in reſpect of the Vaudoiſes, but alſo of the other Proteſtants, that one may ſay, that the Country of Switzerland is an aſſured port of divine appointment, for the reception of thoſe, who are expoſed on the waves of Perſecution.

The Deputys then of the Evangelic Cantons being arriv'd at Turin, demanded the liberty of the Miniſters, and other Priſoners, and the reſtitution of the Children, as well of thoſe who were taken away from their Parents, in their Journy, as of thoſe who were diſperſed in Piemont, at the time of the ſurrender of the Vallys. They ſhew'd that in reſpect of the Miniſters, there cou'd be no lawful pretence to detain them, not only becauſe they were comprehended in the treaty, made with the Count de Govon; but moreover becauſe they were the principal objects of the Switzers interceſſion; beſides that it's very juſt to remit the paſtors to their flocks, to comfort and encourage them under their ſufferings. As to the Priſoners, condemn'd, for all their life time, to work on the fortifications, they likewiſe ſhew'd, they were not to be diſtinguiſht from the reſt, under pretence they are more faulty. For 1ſt. the treaty makes no exception to their prejudice: and ſays that all the Priſoners in general ſhall be releaſed. 2dly. The Count de Govon has himſelf declared in a letter, which he has wrote on this ſubject, on the part of the Duke his Maſter; that they pretended not to retain any Priſoners. 3dly. That ſeeing his Royal Highneſs was willing to grant ſafe conducts to thoſe who were actually armed, on greater reaſon, liberty ſhou'd be granted to the Priſoners in queſtion, to depart; who have been always conſidered, as far leſs criminal. And as to the little Children, they ſhew'd, that as well thoſe ought to be releaſed, who had been taken away in their paſſage, as them who had been diſperſed in Piemont, becauſe both one and the other were retained contrary to the engagements of the treaty. But neither the ſollicitations nor arguments of theſe Deputys, produced any effect, they only ſerv'd to procure the reſtitution of ſome of the Children, which were carry'd away in the paſſage. For the ſurplus are ſtill in the ſtates of Piemont. It's true that the Court of Turin hath promis'd to deliver the Miniſters but wou'd not fix the time. As yet they are diſperſt, with their familys which conſiſt of forty ſeven Perſons, into three Priſons or Caſtles, where they be ſtrictly kept, and expoſed to ſeveral incomodiouſneſſes and miſerys, without any appearance of their libertys.

And thus you have an abridgement of what has paſt that is moſt conſiderable on the occaſion of the diſſipation of the Churches and Inhabitants of the Vallys of Piemont. There needs no more to ſhew, there was never any perſecution more unjuſt and violent. As to theſe poor People themſelvs, they hope that all the Reformed ſtates, will look with an eye of pitty on their ſufferings, and have ſome feeling of their griefs. They are the remains of thoſe Mother Churches, that can claim the greateſt and pureſt antiquity, who from the bottom of their Alps had enlightned a great part of the Univerſe. But they are ſuch ſad remnants, and thoſe reduced into ſo ſmall a number, and ſuch a deplorable condition, that we cannot behold either their diminution, or their miſery, without being pierced with extream ſorrow. They implore then the protection of Kings and Princes, and Proteſtant ſtates, and in fine of all true Chriſtians. They entreat them by the remembrance of what Chriſt has done and ſuffered for them, to give ear to the ſorrowful crys of the oppreſſed, and to continue their charitable exhibitions to a remnant, whom God has delivered from both a corporal and ſpiritual bondage. By which means they ſhall be enabled to pray without ceaſing for their Benefactors, that God wou'd reward their charity with uninterrupted peace, health and plenty, in this life, and with immortal glory, in the world to come.

His Royal Highneſs of Savoy's letter to the Inhabitants of the Vallys.

To the Commonaltys of the Vallys of Lucerna, St. Martin, Peirouſe, Praruſtin, St. Bartholomew, and Rocheplate.

The copy of a letter written to the Count Boccaria by his Royal Highneſs.

To the Count Am. Boccaria Councellor of State and ſuperintendant General of the Vallys.

The order of Don Gabriel of Savoy in favor of the Inhabitants of the Vallys.

Don Gabriel of Savoy, Marqueſs of Rive, General of his R. Highneſs's Army both of Horſe and Foot.