THE Death of any Prince is always at­tended with a Change in the State. That of his Polish Majesty made but little Impression on the Republick; they for­got his Merit, which they supposed to have received a sufficient Reward; and his Sub­jects, who ought to have been affected with the Loss of their Sovereign, to applaud his [Page 2] Piety, and to esteem his Valor, had their Eyes fixed on one single Fault, which had tarnished his other excellent Qualifications. They excused it in the Person of Sobieski, Grand Marshal and Great General of the Crown, but could not pardon it in John III. King of Poland.

It was his Opinion, That, in order to en­sure the Crown to his Family, it was requi­site to make himself Master of large Trea­sures which being distributed just at the time of Election, might gain his Son those Votes which he had acquired by his great Actions. Had he been as good a Politician as he was a Commander, he would have followed another sort of a Conduct; he would have left less Money and more Friends to his Family; who are more useful for the carrying on of great Designs.

The States of Poland, which after the De­feat of the Turks at Choczin, had seen their General make his Appearance at the Diet of Election with a Magnificence worthy of a King, thought fit to reward the Vertue of a Gentleman who seemed to have been born to wear a Crown. They granted to his Merit what they refused to the Birth, Pro­mises and Intrigues of so many Princes who were his Competitors. He had the Glory of carrying the Day from them all, and dyed in Hopes that the Prince Royal his Son would have been Heir to his Fortune. He imagi­ned, that he had taken all the Precautions, [Page 3] that Humane Prudence could direct, with­out considering, that this has often failed those who thought themselves to be the wisest of Men, and that 'tis Divine Provi­dence, which disposes of the Crowns, as it thinks fit.

After the King had taken such Measures, which were as false as he esteemed them safe; he left the Execution of them to the Queen his Consort, a Princess of a Genius far a­bove those of her Sex, and yet such as had its Faults. She was for making more of the Post she was in, than the King desired, and had the Satisfaction for two and twenty Years together to see her Designs succeed, which have since raised such Regrets in her, as will last while she lives.

Her first Project was to preserve the King's Health, and to prolong a Life, that was so precious to her. A Jew of Casal named Jonas was then in Poland, and passed for a learned Man among those of his Religion, and had neglected Trade and Usury, which are so al­luring to the Men of that Sect, that he might wholly apply himself to the Study of Physic. The Queen made this Man his Ma­jesty's Physician in Ordinary, whose Reputa­tion was established and soon after increased, more perhaps by the good Constitution of the King, than by the Art or Skill of the Doctor.

The Success of Dr. Jonas drew a great many Jews to him, in hopes of having a [Page 4] share in his Favour. Among the rest he introduced one into the Queen's Acquain­tance, who may be look'd upon as one of the Occasions of the Misfortunes of her and her whole Family.

This Jew's Name was Bethsal, born in Russia, and had no other Qualification but what the Jews are all endowed with; but understood his Talent so well, that even whilst he practised Usury with the utmost Rigor, he had the Address of appearing Magnificent and Disinterested. This Man waited upon the Queen, whose blind side every one was acquainted with. He brought his Recommendation along with him, being resolved to throw away a considerable Summ of Money, which he foresaw he should make up again in a little time. He proposed to take the King's Lands by Lease, and offered one third for them above their real Value. His Proposal was very well received, and they engaged him to take his Majesty's other Demeans, which he accepted of upon the same Conditions.

The King seemed so well satisfied with his Conduct that he began to bestow several Favours at his Request. They waited upon Bethsal to buy those Offices that were vacant, and he who bad most was always look'd upon as best qualified. This buying and selling of Offices was not at first publickly known; those who could not get into any, imagin'd that this Jew was the Opposer of their For­tunes, [Page 5] and resolved to assassinate him. But his Prudence prevented the Effects of the Publick Odium, he maintained thirty Poles for his Guard, and paid them so well, that he preserved a Life against which, had not their Interest interposed, they would per­haps have been the first that would have made any Attempt.

Bethsal looked upon himself rather as a Minister of State, than a Farmer of the Kings Revenue. All Offices, several Starostas and other Dignities, that rose not so high as Pa­latins and other great Dignities of the Crown, were distributed to none but those who made their Application to, and bargain with him. The Poles cryed shame on their Prince's Blindness, and the Author of this so vile a Mismanagement. On the contrary, the Jews looked upon Bethsal as another Mor­decai, and Sobieski a second Ahasuerus.

The K. of Poland could not be ignorant of the Artifice of this Man on whom he had too much relied. The Poles to this Day ac­cuse him of having heaped up so much Trea­sure, by the Sale of Offices, and such a Con­duct so full of Self-Interest has made his Me­mory to stink among them. He had the Mis­fortune, during his Life, never to be acquain­ted with the odiousness of this buying and selling of Places, and this Disgrace happened to him by a Fate incident to Princes of ha­ving too many Flatterers, but no True Friends about them.

[Page 6]The Poles, whilst the King was living, could not dissemble their hatred to Bethsal; whom they accused of Extortion and Sacriledge. The first Crime was easie to prove; He was convicted of the second by all those who had entred Foreign Merchandises into the King­dom. This Jew who had farmed the Customs caused the Merchants to appear before him, presented a Crucifix to them, and after he had made them worship it, took an Oath of them that they had not been guil­ty of any Fraud: Afterwards he threw that precious Image into the nastiest Place of his Office; and by this Prophanation incensed the rest of Poland against him. The Diet which met at Grodno in the Year 1692. were for taking away his Life. The Bishops thought nothing but Fire could expiate his Crimes; most of the Lords meditated another sort of Death, and all they disagreed about was the manner of his Punishment. The King who sits as President, is not obliged to pronounce Sentence, according to the Plurality of Voi­ces, but such an Action would have been resented in such a Juncture as this. The Prince therefore without making use of his Authority, was for making up the business calmly, and declar'd that the Evidence did not appear sufficient. Thus the Affair stood undetermin'd, the Accused lost his Credit, but his Master sav'd his Life. This Indul­gence was attributed to another Motive than that of Clemency. Bethsal had manag'd his [Page 7] Affairs so ill, that he stood indebted to the King for above 400000 Livres. It was thought the King would give him time to pay it off, but the Jew dy'd insolvable in 1695. and the King surviv'd him but one year. The Poles, who saw that the Death of the Prince and his Farmer rendred their Complaints and Revenge useless, turned all their Resentments for the future against the Queen and her Fa­mily.

In this Condition was the Royal Family, and the Kingdom it self was in as bad a State. The Turks had taken Caminiec, under the former. Reign; Sobieski was obliged by his Pacta Conventa to make amends for this Loss as well as for others, which Poland had suf­fered for a Century last past, and which had so far lessened its force, that every Body wish­ed for that happy turn, without expecting it. The new King seemed to have altered his Inclination by the Change of his Circum­stances: The Turks remained in quiet Pos­session of Podolia, and he never put himself into a Posture of dispossessing them. This Coldness in the King lessened his Reputation, and it was thought that the Acquiring of a Crown had taken off the edge of his Courage. The Importunities of Innocent XI. and those Intrigues that all the World know, reanima­ted this Prince, and roused up his former Vigor. The Authority of the Pope prevailed upon him to relieve Vienna, and at his In­stances he sav'd the Capital City of the Em­pire, [Page 8] and at the same time retrieved his for­mer Reputation.

Poland was therein Hopes that its King would undertake as much for that Repub­lick, as he had done for a Neighbour Prince; and this Action had enhaunced the Esteem which they formerly had of his Valour and Conduct. The Campagnes he made in Budziac, Moldavia and Valachia, wherein he took Jassii, Campo-longo, Soczawa, Niemiek and Soroka, together with the Relief of Vienna upheld his Reputation. But the Distempers with which he was troubled the three last Years of his Reign hindred him from pur­suing his Conquests. The Turks and Tar­tars took care to keep fair with him; and though they desired Peace, which would not be granted them, yet they made no considerable Attempt against Poland; look­ing upon the King as in a deep Lethargy, out of which they thought it not advisable to rouse him.

They looked upon him as a Lion, of which other Animals are afraid, even whilst he sleeps. The Terror with which he had struck them was not taken off but by his Death, which happened after two Fits of an Apoplexy, June 17. 1699. at Villa Nova, near Warsaw.

It is hard to say whether the News of his Death was more pleasing to his Ene­mies, than indifferent to his Subjests. The former raised several Commotions in the [Page 9] Kingdom capable of making it too sensible of the Loss of their Prince; and the latter testified so much Aversion to his Memory and Family, that in several Parts of Poland they resolved to seize upon the Estate he had left. It was feared that those Resent­ments proceeding from the Hopes of a con­siderable gain, would have had dangerous consequences. Potoski Grand Huntsman of the Crown went to Zolkiew to take posses­sion in the Name of Prince James of the Trea­sures which the King had left in that place. But forasmuch as this Officer's Intention was not known, and it was uncertain whether he design'd to advance his own Interest, or that of the Royal Family, the Great General clapt his Seal upon it, and two hundred Men as a Garrison. This disappointed those who would have taken an Advantage of the publick Di­sturbances, they had resolved to seize upon the King's Treasures, but those precautions prevented them. But because they could not gratifie their Avarice, they were enrag'd and would have prosecuted their Rage, if the Dignity of the Person to whom they apply­ed themselves, had not put Bounds to their Passion.

The Queen and the three Princes went to Zolkiew to divide the King's Estate among them. The Cardinal d'Arquien the Queen's Father, who was going thither, was not a­bove three Leagues off the Place, when se­veral Gentlemen of the Country, through [Page 10] which he passed, fell foul upon his Retinue, who put themselves into a Posture of De­fence, and after they had killed and woun­ded some of them, put the rest to flight. The Opposition which the Aggressors met with raised their Spleen, and to be reven­ged for the Blood of their Comrades, they called together the Inhabitants of their Neighbourhood to the Number of three hun­dred. But as soon as they were sensible of the Quality of the Person for whom the o­thers had so little Respect, they soon drew off. The Cardinal, who had other Cares upon him than to demand Satisfaction for his Assault, did not think it proper to complain of the Affront, which he judged to be suffi­ciently made up, and the Criminals were only concerned to heal their Wounds.

This Insult was a sufficient Demonstration of the ill Will that the Poles bore to the Royal Family, which met with so many Af­fronts afterwards, that they quite forgot all the former Injuries.

Cardinal Michael Radzièiowski; Arch Bi­shop of Gnesna, and Primate of Poland, was absent when the King died. He came to Warsaw, took upon him the Administra­tion of the Government; and in the Senate it was resolved to call a Diet on the twenty eighth Day of August, which Diet was to precede that of the Election.

During this Inter-regnum the Preliminary Diets were convened, in which nothing was [Page 11] determined. All their Heats were about the Succession of the King, and because the Pacta Conventa were not executed, most of 'em were for having the Queen, the Princes, the Foreign Ministers; and particularly the French Ambassador, who had too great a Correspondence with her Polish Majesty, to withdraw: That the Election of the King should be made by an universal Convoca­tion of the Nobles, which is what the Poles call Postpolite, and that a Piasto should be ex­cluded. The others, though few in Num­ber, were for leaving the Queen at her Liberty. Every one for maintaining his Senti­ments, few Reasons were alledged, but many Sabres drawn in the Quarrel.

The Preliminary Diet was opened the 29th of August, and the Cardinal Primate said Mass. They had a great many Heats about the Choice of a Marshal or Speaker, which were at last happily accommodated by the Election of Humiecki Stolnik of Podolia, one more considerable by his Merits, and the In­terest of his Uncle, who was Palatin of Kiowia, than by his Dignity. This new Of­ficer explained at first the Authority from which he derived his Commission; he exa­mined the Powers of the Deputies, and de­clared, that the Deputy of Cracow ought not to sit in the Diet, since he had abused a Gen­tleman, who had prefered his Complaints against him. The whole Gentry were con­cerned in that rigorous Proceeding, and to testifie their Approbation of it, they drew [Page 12] up an Order in Form of Law, That the De­puties against whom any Accusations were brought, should not have any active Vote in the Diet, till they had cleared them­selves. The Marshal and the Deputies went afterwards to the Senators Chamber, to re­turn them Thanks, for the Care they had taken of the Republick during the Inter-reg­num. The Cardinal represented to them, that since they were all Members of the same Re­publick, it was their Common Interest to take all necessary Precautions for the Wel­fare of the Kingdom: That this consisted in providing for the due Regulation of the Coin, which was so far adulterated, that Trade was quite ruined by it: That the Armies should be paid off, to put them in a Po­sture of opposing the Turks and Tartars, who to be sure would make their Advantages of this Juncture: That the most necessary Order for the present was to issue out Arti­cles concerning the Election of a King, and to consider how and when it should be made; but above all they should avoid the Abuses which were introduced into the two former Elections: That the Election of King Michael was tumultuary; and that of the late K. carry'd on by Deputies; that the small­ness of the number should have produc'd Tran­quility in the State; but on the contrary, that the Candidates by their large Bribes (a Shame to any Nation!) had bought Votes: That it was for the Honour of Poland to avoid at this time so many Inconveniencies: That [Page 13] since their Business was to provide such a Head for the Republick as might restore it to its former Splendor, their Duty obliged them to make Choice of him, who was the most worthy among the Competitors: That he conjured them to remember, that the Crown was given, and had never been sold.

Whilst the Cardinal was giving them these wholsom Counsels, News was brought, that the Tartars had made an Incursion into the Parts about Zolkiew; that after they had car­ried off a great many Slaves and Heads of Cattle, they had set Fire to the Corn; and that the Harvest was quite spoiled. Upon the Neck of this came another Piece of News of more dangerous Consequence than the former, since it put the Republick out of a Condition of revenging those Acts of Hostility, committed by those Infidels.

The Army of the Crown was in Confe­deracy, under a Pretence, that for several Years last past they had received no pay. If this had been the only Reason, the Diet would have used their utmost Endeavours to have satisfied the Army, and the Breach would not have been remediless. It was per­ceived that they had other Motives, the dif­ficulty was to penetrate a Mystery, which the Power of the Authors of it kept from being searched to the Bottom.

Boguslas Baronowski had been elected Chief or Marshal of this Confederacy, which a King­dom less indulgent than that of Poland would call a Revolt. He is of the District [Page 14] of Gzersk in the Palatinat of Mazovia, be­twixt thirty and forty Years old. An Arch-Bishop of Gnesna of the same Name, had rendred his Family illustrious: His Nobi­lity made him considerable, and stood him instead of Wealth and Merit; his Bold­ness and the Talent he had of speaking in Publick, made him looked upon as a pro­per Instrument for carrying on the Ambition of those who employed him. They found in him all those Qualities, that they could wish in a Man, whom they would chuse for the promoting of a rash Enterprize. That Avarice which he had for Riches render'd him insensible, and kept him from foreseeing the Disasters which might af­terwards happen to him. He conside­red Poverty as the greatest of Evils; and thought it more eligible to run the risque of a shameful Death, than to lead a Life of Misery.

He was a Hussar belonging to the Compa­ny of Lancers, commanded by Prince Joseph Lubormiski, the Under Marshal of the Crown. That small Estate which his Father left him was almost spent the very first Campagne. A Woman whom he had married, more out of Necessity than Inclination, help'd to keep him in his Employment, and to continue in the Service: The Portion she had brought him was soon squandred away, thro' Mis­management, which is a common Thing a­mong Men of the Sword, and Baranowski [Page 15] was without Supplies, when the Army de­manded their Pay. He was the loudest of any, and declared, that it was a shame to suf­fer so many brave Souls to perish; that since the Republick set so slight a Price upon their Lives, which they had hazarded so of­ten in its Service, they ought to take Care of themselves, and what they should hereafter do, would justifie their Conduct: That it was no hard Matter to get themselves paid; That the Turks and Tartars had carried off so great a Booty, a Part of which would have been enough to have cleared the Debts of the Government; that they ought to have seized upon it at first, which would have preser­ved the Estates of the Publick, by employing them in the Discharge of its Debts; and that by this means they might have preven­ted the Enemy from being the better by it.

Among Mutineers the most insolent al­ways pass for the ablest Men. Baranowski had no sooner ended his fine Speech, but they unanimously chose him for their Leader, and each of them engaged to obey his Or­ders. The first thing he did was to raise Contributions, and sent Deputies to the Diet, to demand what was due to the Army. They were admitted to Audience, and spake so insolently that they seemed to be rather Heraulds, who denounced War, than Sub­jects who preferr'd their Remonstrances.

[Page 16]This insolent Behaviour made them believe that Baranowski was supported under-hand, the Suspicion fell upon those, who might be supposed to take an Advantage of the Revolt. The Law of Nations would not allow 'em to dismiss the Ministers of Foreign Princes. By the Law the Candidates and their Re­lations ought to be absent during the Sit­ting of the Diet. The three Princes of the Blood were withdrawn; but the Queen kept still at Warsaw, where her Presence was neither necessary nor approved of. The Cardinal had represented to her the Wrong she did her Family by staying, but she would not hearken to any of his Argu­ments. On the 10th of September that Mat­ter came under Debate. The Marshal of the Diet made a Speech in the Senate, and spoke by an innuendo against the Interests of that Princess, with so much warmth, that the Cardinal who had too openly declared him­self in her Favour, thought himself obliged to interrupt him. This seemed so much the greater an Affront to the Marshal, be­cause the Law forbids such Interruptions. He had said, that they ought, Mediam tenere viam inter praefractam contumaciam & deforme obsequium. The Primat had desired him to explain what he meant by those Words, and Hamiecki asked him the reason of the Affront which in his Person he had offered to the whole Body of Gentry. The Deputies took his Part, and being of the Mind, that the [Page 17] Queen should withdraw during the Sitting of the Diet, they most of 'em went out, and were follow'd by the greatest part of the Se­nators. Their pretence was, that the Arch-Bishop had abus'd the Mareschal. They were very glad of giving him this Mortification, purely because they thought him too much wedded to the Queen's Interest, and the Bishop of Cujavia, out of Envy to the Primate fomented the Division, that so he might sit as President in the Diets.

This Difference lasted four days, but was adjusted by the Prudence of the Bishops, who offer'd themselves as Mediators. The Deputies met again on the nineteenth. Several Bishops and Senators waited upon them at their Chamber, where the Bishop of Cujavia declared, that the Queen, in compliance with the repeated Instances of the Primate, Bishops, and himself, and to remove all occasion of complaint, had resolv'd to retire. She kept her word, and the same say, set out for Bialana near Warsaw, after she had received the sad News from Leopold, that the Confederate Army had committed great Outrages upon her Lands, and upon those that belong'd to the late King, that it had exacted very large Contributions from the Inhabitants, and even threatned to seize upon the whole, if they were not speedily satisfied. They commit­ted the same Disorders on the States of the Clergy and Gentry. The Misfortune was [Page 18] Universal, and every Day they expected fresh News of more Disasters.

The Turks and Tartars, by their Preparati­ons, continually alarmed them, and the Mus­covite, who used to make an Advantage of the Misfortunes of his Neighbours, seemed to be willing to break with the Crown. His Resident had some Days before presented a Letter to the Senate, wherein the Czar his Master demanded of the Republick, that the King they chose should maintain the Trea­ties concluded with Muscovy, and should no longer take upon him the Titles of the Pro­vinces of Smolensko, Kiovia and Czernichovia, which he pretended had been granted to him in the last Treaty of Leopold. They were neither surpized nor daunted at this Demand, for they all knew that the Muscovites are as insolent in Prosperity, as they are abject in Ad­versity.

Besides the Czar had too much Business upon his Hands with the Turks and Tartars, against whom he had declared War, for no other Reason, but because he saw them at­tack'd by the Empire, Poland and the Repub­lick of Venice, against whom those Infidels had made but a weak Defence, ever since the Confederacy which these three great States had concluded betwixt themselves.

The Czar John died in Jan. 1696. not at all lamented by his Subjects, who had so great a Contempt for him, that contrary to [Page 19] the Custom of the Nation, they obliged him to make his younger Brother Collegue in the Throne.

The Czar Peter invested with the Autho­rity which he had unjustly usurped from his eldest Brother, was willing to let his Subjects see that he was not unworthy of the Favours they had bestowed upon him. He laid Siege to the City of Asoph a second time, and was more successful in it than the first. This Place was surrendred to him on the 28th of July, and had obtained as honourable Conditions as they could have hoped for, from a Na­tion that makes use of the very least Advan­tages. The Garrison went out on the 29th, being 3000 Turks, with their Arms, Bag and Baggage, and were transported ten Leagues by the Czar's Gallies. The Muscovites had lost at this Siege the very best of their Troops, and two or three such Victories more would undoubtedly ruine their Empire.

The Poles were well satisfied, that the Haughtiness of the Muscovite was not so much raised by the taking of Asoph, as by the vain Promises which the Germans had made him of causing a powerful Diversion, and of putting the Czar into a Capacity of conquering Tartary, whilst the Imperialists drove the Turks out of Europe. The Musco­vites thought it a noble Project, whilst the Poles, who knew the State of the Affairs of Germany, looked upon it as Impracticable; so that they returned Answer to the Czar's [Page 20] Resident, That the King, who should be chose, should advise with the Republick, whether it was proper for the Welfare of the State, to give him Satisfaction as to his Demands, or to retake by force the Pro­vinces, which his Master had unjustly u­surped.

The Proposal of the Muscovite did not so much alarm the Poles, as the Confede­rate Army did, whose Deputies demanded Pay for ten Years past, and threatned, Mi­litary Execution, if the Republick did not give them speedy Satisfaction: It was hard for the Diet to get out of these Troubles, they were all for paying off the Army, tho' none of them were for contributing the least Penny toward it. The Publick Trea­sure was exhausted, by the Mismanagement of those who had the Care of the Finances Several Persons disaffected to the late Go­vernment, were, on this urgent Occasion, for making use of the Money which the late King had heaped up. They remonstrated, that since those vast Riches were gotten out of the State, it was but just to apply them to its present Necessities, and to the Discharge of its Debts.

The Queen and the Princes of the Blood had still some Friends left, who opposed this Design, and even when the Interest of the Royal Family was sinking, Horodenski, De­puty of the Palatinate of Czereniechovia, left the Diet about the end of September, after [Page 21] he had protested against all that should be resolved upon in his Absence. Such a Pro­testation as this is enough in Poland to break up a Diet. The Republick could not con­quer the stubbornness of the Deputy: Where­upon, according to Custom in the like Case, they made a General Confederacy, whereby it was ordered, That the Diet of Election should be in the open Field, by the Convention of all the Gentry, and it was further added, That those who should pro­pose a Piasto or a Pole by Birth, should be looked upon as Enemies to their Country. But, to the great Surprize of the Royal Fa­mily, whose Interest it was, that the Diet should be held before Winter, that so all Foreign Competitors might be prevented, the opening of it was fixed for the 15th of May, in the Year next ensuing, which was attributed to the Intrigues of some private Faction.

Horodenski after having hroke the Diet, made his Escape, for supposing that he should be chastised if he staid, he sought out for a Sanctuary, and fled for Protection to Baran­owski. He proposed to that General the tru­sting him with a Detatchment of 6000 Men to go into Lithuania; and assured him, That with this Force he would oblige the Gentry to enter into a Confederacy, to which they were already pretty much inclined. Baran­owski had attempted as much before, but without Success; he thought another would [Page 22] not be more successful and dextrous in it; and the Revolt of the Army was too Advanta­gious to him, to think of sharing this profit of it with others.

He looked upon Horodenski rather as a Re­fugeé, whom he honoured with his pro­tection, than as a Man capable of assisting him in the carrying on of his Designs. He bore with him, because he had broken up the Diet, and hazarded his Life for their Interests, by whose Ministry it was that he was at Head of the Confederate Army. Be­fore the Deputy came, Baronowski had soli­cited Lithuania to join his Troops, and they answered him, That if they had any such Design, they would make Choice of a Ge­neral, who was more skilful and better experienced than him. Accordingly the Gen­try did enter into a Confederacy, and the News of it was brought to Warsaw, a little after the breaking up of the Diet. The pretence they made for this Confederacy was very specious, tho' it was not more just than that which the Confederates of Poland had made use of.

The Family of Sapieha was become the most powerful of any in Lithuania; it en­joyed the largest Estates and the highest Dig­nities of that Dutchy. The Fortune of this Family had raised a Jealousie in the Mind of the late King, who, to humble its Greatness, [Page 23] had raised the Family of the Krziezpins, ori­ginally of Konigsberg, to so high a pitch, that they could hardly tell how to pretend to it. He had made One Palatine of Witeps, and his Brother obtained the Bishoprick of Samogitia. These 2 Senators after their Benefactor's death, did not forget the Obligations he had laid upon them; they not only maintained the Interests of his Family, but also engaged their Friends to do the like, and at the Queen's desire they hazarded their Estates and Lives to make the Army enter into a Confederacy, as soon as they saw that the Family, whom they were desired to oppose, had openly declared against that Princess and her Family.

John Casimir Sapieha Palatin of Vilna, and Great General of the Dutchy, had much ado for several Years last past to get Subsistence for the Army, which he commanded. The Treasure of that Province was exhausted, as well as that of the Crown, and 'tis impos­sible for a General to keep his Troops under Discipline, when they want their Pay. The Necessity this Officer lay under, obliged him to quarter his Army upon the Lands of the Ecclesiasticks and Gentry. Both those looked upon this Proceeding as a Breach of the Publick Liberty, and what should have been attributed to the Misfortunes of the Time, was imputed to the General's Resentment, whom no Body had in the least offended; [Page 24] and though it was told them, that the Army must perish, if a Method of Subsistence was not found out for them, yet each of them looked upon himself as one that suffered a Grievance, and none had any Regard to the Publick Good. By this means the Disorder increased every Day, by the Insolence of the Soldiery, and the Impatience of those who were exposed, to their Rapines. They who had the most to lose, were more offen­ded than others with the General, whom they made the Author of a Misfortune, which neither he, nor they could remedy.

The fiery Temper of the General increa­sed their Indignation towards him. The Church and the Gentry of Poland are ex­empted from quartering of Soldiers. Li­thuania, which is annexed to that Crown and governed by the same Laws, pretended to enjoy the same Priviledges. The Palatin of Vilna disputed this last Head, and main­tained that he might lawfully do, what he had hitherto done out of pure Necessity. Thus by elevating the Authority of his Of­fice, he seemed too much to depreciate the Immunity of Ecclesiasticks, and the Privi­ledges of Gentlemen, who though of meaner Fortunes, were as haughty as the General.

Constantine Brzostowski Bishop of Vilna, thought since he was the Chief Prelate and Senator of Lithuania, that he was bound in Duty and Honour to oppose the Ambition of the General, and the Licentiousness of [Page 25] his Troops. He talked with, threatned, and when Words would do no good, he excom­municated the Palatin of Vilna. Sancta-Cruz the Nuncio had backed the Excommunica­tion; and the Primat, a Friend of Sapieha's Family, had suspended it in quality of Pri­mat and Legat of the Holy See. The Ge­neral was so offended at those Censures that were issued out against him, that he no longer kept within Bounds. He sent Troops into all the Dependencies of the Bishoprick of Vilna, he increased those that had been quartered on the Lands of the Bishop's Friends, and by this too great Severity he strengthened his Enemy's Party, without thinking of it.

The Nuncio Davia, Successor to Sancta-Cruz, offered his Mediation as Minister of his Holiness, which was accepted by the Parties. But they were not so well agreed upon what he proposed to them, and he had the Dissatisfaction to see that the Commit­tee of Priviledges, which was by the Pope's Order met towards the latter end of the Year 1696. disapproved of his project of Accom­modation. The Bishop of Vilna was at Rome, whilst the Army ravaged the Diocess. His Friends took Care of his Interests and their own, which were inseparable; and at last by the Influence of the Queen's and Prince James's Money, prevailed upon the Army of Lithuania to enter into a Confe­deracy. The pretence was so much the [Page 26] more specious, since the Authors of this Un­dertaking gave out. That they only took up Arms in Defence of the Church. The Pa­latin of Vilna was sensible at last, that it is dangerous to make use of all the Advantage which Authority gives us over our Enemies.

George Oginski, Great Ensign of the Dutchy, put himself at the Head of the Confederates, which as yet were not above 4000 Men. The quality of the Leader, the hatred they had conceived against the Palatin of Vilna, the Friends, of the Queen, and those of the Bi­shop, who were no less considerable, quickly increased the Number. The Gentlemen of Samogitia, of the Palatinates of Novogrod, Witeps, and Brzesce joined with the Male­contents. Oginski, to revenge the Publick, and to make himself popular, began with ravaging the Estates of the General, and of all those that belonged to him. He who was most in Sapieha's Interest became the Object of their Fury, who so warmly had set themselves against that Family. The Palatin of Vilna could not endure to be treated as he had treated others; he call'd together as many Gentry as he could; with 2000 regular Troops, which had still kept to their Duty. He was preparing to march against the Rebels, when he heard that two Companies of Hey-dukes of Prince Radgzivil's Regiment were coming to join him, and that Oginski was soliciting the Cossacks to come over to his party. The Palatin of Vilna [Page 27] stayed at Grodno for the coming up of the new Supplies; his Friends represented to him, That it was dangerous to give the Enemy time to fortifie themselves. A Council was called, wherein it was resolved to force them in their Retrenchments, and the E­vent shewed that the most daring Advices are not always the wisest.

Upon the General's Approach Oginski re­tired with his Army to Brzesca, which Sapi­eha invested and shut up so close, that it was hoped, tnat the want of Provisions and the Amnesty which was proposed, would make them return to their Duty. Both Threatnings and Promises signified nothing, it was necessary to make use of Force against those who cannot be reduced by Reason. The Palatin of Vilna set upon them in No­vember, and had at first all the Advantage which the valor of his Troops could pro­mise him. The Confederates were giving Ground, when Oginski by his Example and Words reanimated them, and led them to fight with so much vigor, that after an En­gagement that lasted above two Hours, they repulsed Sapieha. The Great Master of the Dutchy, his Eldest Son, commanded a Party in Samogitia, which at the same time were put to the Rout. That young Lord run a greater hazard than the rest to save himself, and he was pursued so closly, that he was o­bliged to shut himself up in one of his Ca­stles, where the Gentry of Samogitia besieged [Page 28] him to no purpose, his Resolution having given his Friends time to come up to his Re­lief.

This Defeat increased the Great General's passion, he looked upon himself as conquer'd, because his Enemies had ventured to dispute the Victory with him. The Confederates for their parts did not esteem an Action advanta­gious to them, which had cost them so many Men. They retrenched themselves, and the Palatin marched a second time to force them; but they defended themselves with the same Bravery as at first. The loss on both sides was equal, the two Parties accused Fortune, and hearkened to Reason.

At the same time, some of the Great Ge­neral's Scouts had taken a Courrier of the Palatin of Witeps, who was carrying Letters to the Queen, by which he entreated her to send some fresh Supplies of Money, e [...]e it would be impossible to rescue Oginski out of the danger in which he then was. This Senator sent her word, that it had been bet­ter for her never to have undertaken this Business, than not to support it. These Let­ters were given to the General, who caused Copies to be taken of them, and to be sent to all the lesser Diets of the Kingdom, and so accused the Queen of being the occasion of the Rebellion in Lithuania. These Diets did what he desired, and this Accident was so fa­tal a stroak to the Queen's party, as they could never recover of.

[Page 29]The French Ambassador made his Advan­tage this Disorder, he foresaw that the Division of Lithuania was an obstacle to the designs which he kept secret. This Minister insinuated himself into the Under Marshal of Lithuania, the Great General's Son, and the intimate Friend of Oginski, he desired him to go upon the spot and mediate an Accommo­dation, promising to defray all the necessary Expences, upon Condition that one of the private Articles should be the Reunion of the two parties in favour of the Candidate which he should propose to them.

This young Lord and several others, whose Estates were endamaged by this unhappy Di­vision, hearkned to the Proposals of the French Ambassador. The Heats on both sides abated, and each of them being more fatigued with the misery they endured, than pleased as the mischief they occasioned, consented to to Agreement, which was concluded Nov. 26. 1696. upon those Conditions, that Oginski and the Confederates should return to their Duty, that the Great General should grant them an Amaesty, that he would cause the Re­public to pay the Moiety of what was due to them, and that the same Quarters of refresh­ment should be assign'd them, as were allow'd to the Army that kept in their duty. The next day, the Head of the Confederacy took the Oath of Fealty to the Great General, who return'd God thanks for a Peace, which it seems was not to last long.

[Page 30] Krziszpin Bishop of Samogitia was com­prehended in the same Treaty. That Prelate, tho' a Man of an indifferent head, yet was too forward a Designer. He, as well as the Bishop of Vilna, stood up stifly for the Immunity of his Church, and at the Provincial Diet held in the beginning of the Year 1696. had de­claim'd so sharply against those who he said had infring'd that Immunity, that his Speech (contrary to his Intentions) nettled a great many Gentlemen, who suspecting that they should be over-charg'd with Soldiers, in case the Church could get themselves Eas'd of 'em, drew their Sabres, and would not have spared the Prelate himself, had he not been reliev'd. He was for excommunicating them, but the Example of the Bishop of Vilna, and the Remonstrances of his Friends, made him alter his Resolution.

By the same Intrigue, and the self-same day his Brother the Palatine of Witeps was likewise reconcil'd with the Great General. This Man had sided with the Confederates under a pretence of defending the Church and the Gentry, and in reality to satisfie the Intentions of the Late King, and the pressing Solicitations of the Queen and her Family. The Palatine of Vilna, to be reveng'd of him, had order'd a Troop of Dragoons to go and lay waste his Lands. Krziszpin had sent se­veral of his Peasants after them, who were so punctual in obeying their Master's commands, that they kill'd them all except their Leader, [Page 31] whose Life they spar'd, that he might carry the News of what had happen'd. The Mas­sacre of the Dragoons was ballanced against the disturbance which they had caus'd, and so was no Lett to the Accommodation

The greatest Difficulty was about a Gen­tleman, that had made some Speeches re­flecting on the Family of the Krziszpins, and had attacked them in the tenderest part. He had informed against them to the Supream Tribunal, where he had produced several Ar­ticles against them, which had so much weight with the Judges as to prevail upon them, to declare the Palatin of Witeps and his Brother Usurpers of the Title of Nobles, and divest­ed of all their priviledges. The Informer had too little Interest in this Affair to per­swade the publick, that he undertook it upon his own head. The Krziszpins did not que­stion but the Sapieha's had set him on, and that if that unknown person had not been sure of their protection, he would not have been so insolent. The Palatin of Witeps de­manded Satisfaction for that Affront, and they were forced to grant it him, because he threatned not to consent to any Accom­modation, unless this Clause was inserted.

After any Sentence is passed in Poland by a Supream Court of Judicature, there lies no Appeal, nor can any Petition be allowed to take off the Judgment. All that can be done in this Case is to have recourse to the Accuser to make him recant. This Remedy com­monly [Page 32] proves to no purpose, since he who has had the better of it before the Supream Tribunal, must be forced to own himself a Rogue, and to declare that by false Allega­tions, he has surprized them to pass a wrong Sentence.

He who accused the Palatin of Witeps and his Brother, was a Man charged with, and convicted of so many Crimes, that the very Recital of them would make one tremble. This Villain did well to add to his other Offences of Murder, Robbing and Burning of Houses, the Sin of Forgery and Calumny. It was therefore agreed, that this Wretch should give the Palatin of Witeps such an Acknowledgment as he should demand of him; and that the Satisfaction might be the more Authentic, a Clause was added, that it should be done publickly in the Diet of Sa­mogitia, which was to be held in January 1697. and the Gentleman was there to make Repa­ration. Had the Diet been held in the open Field, he would perhaps have made his E­scape. By the Advice of Benedect Sapieha, Great Treasurer of Lithuania, the Speaker ordered them to meet in the Church, by rea­son of the Cold which was then very sharp. The Friends of the Palatin of Witeps shut up the Doors, summoned the Gentleman to make good his Word, and to recant the Ca­lumnies which he had uttered. He was ready to do all they desired of them, when a fatal Accident to him and the Palatin of Wi­teps, [Page 33] occasioned the one's death, and raised new Disturbances in the other.

The Palatin was looked upon as a Man that did not tye himself up servilely to his Word, which he had broken several times, and 'twas thought he would break it again as soon as this Business was well over. One of Sapieha's Friends who was resolved to pre­vent it, made use of such a Stratagem, as Matchiavel himself would have admired if he had been alive

Most of those who composed the Diet of Samogitia, knew the Gentleman we have been speaking of▪ and were incensed against him, for the Cruelties he had been guilty of. He who had conspired his Ruine, said, and handed about this Saying to the rest, See the Villain that killed your Relation, that burnt your House, and that has disgraced your Family. There was no need of more Words to raise their Spleen against him; they fell upon him in the Church, and pursued him to the Vestry, where they killed him with their Sabres; and the sacredness of the Place, to which he was fled for Sanctuary, could not protect him from the Danger, to which his Crimes had exposed him.

The Palatine of Witeps was the only person that did not partake in the publick Joy of this Man's death, which afflicted him, because that Reparation which should have re-esta­blish'd his Honour, could not now be made him. He who was the contriver of this Murder, waited upon him with several others, [Page 34] to complement him for having been reveng'd of one who had cast a blemish upon his Fa­mily.

There was no mention made in the Articles of Agreement, either of the Bishop, or the Chapter of Vilna, who seem'd to be the per­sons most concern'd. It was not because they were abandoned by their Friends, though Krziszpin and Oginski never interested them­selves any more in the Prelate's Quarrel, after he had declin'd espousing their Sentiments right or wrong. Another reason which hin­der'd the Accommodation, was the difficulty of finding a Medium to reconcile those per­sons, who made such extravagant pretensions. The Bishop demanded a promise, that the Troops should no more be quartered in the Dependencies of his Diocess, with two Mil­lions to satisfie him for the Losses he had su­stain'd. The Great General would not agree to the first Article, because if the Church were exempted from the Quartering of Sol­diers, the Gentry would be over-burden'd with them. He required that the Bishop should take off the Excommunication issued out against him, and suppress the Libels which had cast a Reflexion upon his person; upon those Conditions, he offer'd to pay him 100000 Franks, at several payments. The Pre­late's Friends advis'd him to accept of that Summ, and said, it was better to rest satis­fied with a little, than to run the risque of losing the whole. He seem'd to be mov'd by [Page 35] their Remoustrances, and 'tis thought he would have accepted of these offers, if the Deputies of the Chapter of Vilna had not started an Objection to it, giving out that it was unreasonable, since the Loss was com­mon, that the Bishop only should receive sa­tisfaction. They added, that if he proceeded any farther, they would prefer their Com­plaints of it to his Holiness. The Pope was accordingly inform'd of the business, but 'tis uncertain whether by those who threatned to complain, or by the Remonstrances of the Palatine of Vilna and his Emissaries. Perhaps both of the parties had a hand in it, and the Complaints were so severe, that the Bishop thought it proper to clear himself, and for that reason he went to Rome. Whilst that Prelate was on his Journey, the Peace of the Confe­derates was concluded, by which means he was not comprehended in the Treaty, and they excus'd it upon the account of his Absence, which had incapacitated 'em from entring in­to the Debate of his Rights, and because the holy See had taken cognizance of his Affairs. Tho' the Nuncio had to no purpose us'd his Endeavours to accommodate the business, yet it was not quite desperate. The Bishop did not return till April 1697. and then he brought with him an ample Commission, that the Committee of Immunities should address themselves to the Nuncio of his Ho­liness, to put an end to a Difference which had lasted too long, and might be attended [Page 36] with dangerous consequences. The Attempts which this Prelate made, were not wholly insignificant; and tho' they did not procure to him the Traquillity which he aimed at, yet they occasioned his Enemies to keep with­in bounds.

Oginski was blam'd for having made the Peace without comprehending in it the Bi­shop of Vilna, who had been in part the most specious pretence that had authoriz'd his Re­bellion. Every one knew, that he could not declaim against Sapieha, since that General had reap'd no advantage by it; but necessity forc'd Oginski to make such an Agreement as he could get. The French Ambassador had div'd into the true cause of the Confederacy of Lithuania, he reveal'd the Mystery to those who were not able to unravel it, and who would give no credit to the Letters which the Palatine of Vilna had intercepted This Minister gave them to understand, that the Great Ensign had been won by the Queen's Money, and that all he did was only to sup­port the Interests of Prince James. There was need to say any more to draw off the most faithful of Oginski's Party; so that this General of the Confederates was so pru­dent as to put an end to this Affair, which else would have turned to his ruine.

Whilst the Confederates of Lithuania were in Contest, and discoursed of an Ac­commodation; the Confederate Army of Poland was more quiet in outward appear­ance, [Page 37] Baranowski had killed no Man, yet had ruined all Russia. He levied 32000 Florins of the City of Leopold, and the Jews were for­ced to give him 14000 to exempt them from quartering the Army upon them. The City of Zolkiew and its Dependencies which were part of the King's Estate, met with no be­ter treatment; they demanded 100000 Flo­rins of them, and in case they refused to pay that Summ, they threatned them with Military Execution.

The Turks and Tartars advanced with 50000 Men within 8 Leagues of Leopold, and plundered all that the Rebels had left behind them. Baranowski looked upon their Booty as a prey which had escaped his Hands; and to force them to restore it, sent out a Detachment, who after several slight Skirmishes, returned back to their General very much discontented, that he had em­ployed them in a Service, where they got nothing but blows.

Those few Troops, who still remained in their Duty, did their utmost to put a stop to the Incursions of the Tartars, some of which they took, who declared, that they fell into the Kingdom only at the Sollici­tation of some Poles, and that the Chief of them had only invited them in order to make the Republick sensible how necessary it was to hasten the Election of a King, and to call the Diet during Winter. This Declaration sufficiently satisfied them of the wicked In­tention [Page 38] of those Persons, whom they had already suspected to prefer their own Interests before the Publick Good.

The Tartars threatned them with a se­cond Incursion; and it was so much the more to be feared, by how much he who had invited them was in a Capacity of soli­citing them to raise new Disturbances; nor was Poland (for want of Money) in a con­dition to put a stop to their Designs. The French Ambassador, as a Testimony of the sincere Friendship which the King his Master bore to the Republick, offered 100000 Flo­rins which he had by him to keep the Sul­tan off from the Frontiers of Poland, during the Inter-regnum. This Minister received a thousand Thanks from those, whose Inten­tions were only for the publick Good; but the Castellan of Cracow, who had other de­signs in his Head, eluded as much as possible the Ambassador's Proposal. However, this Affair was treated of at Constantinople, with­out costing France or Poland any thing. The Sultan did not commit those Acts of Hostility which he had designed, rejected the Offers of those who had invited him, and sent an Ex­press to give the Republick an Assurance of it. But the Castellan of Cracow's injustice rendred those advantagious Offers a second time useless; he kept this Envoy in Person, contrary to the Publick Faith, did not re­lease him till after the Election, and by this [Page 39] Treachery put the Affairs of Poland into a miserable Condition.

The Republick was not able to redress all these Grievances. The Army which it maintained had declared against it: they had not Funds to levy fresh Troops; whereupon the Senat found themselves obliged to send Deputies to the Confederate Army, to con­fer with them about the Grievances which they proposed, and to satisfie their De­mands.

Baranowski, who was afraid of nothing so much, as that the Republick would resolve upon granting the Satisfaction, which he had demanded, had recourse to fresh Diffi­culties He forbad them coming nearer to his Camp than within half a League, and de­clared that he would not suffer the Great or Little General to be present at the Confer­ences, for fear they should take particular Notice of some Officers and Soldiers of the Confederacy, and punish them as soon as the Accommodation was made. The Senate was obliged by necessity to do that which the Dignity of the Republick would never have allowed in less dangerous Cir­cumstances.

The Deputies entred into a Conference upon those Terms, that the Rebels were plea­sed to allow them: There were great Con­cessions made to them, they knew how to take the Advantage of it, and declared, that they would not separate till after the Ele­ction [Page 40] was over. The Army, which ought to have defended the Republick, continued its Disorders and lived upon Discretion The Marshal with Menaces demanded of the Primate 150000 Florins, and of the Burghers of Warsaw 100000; and upon refusal sent his Troops to commit Acts of Hostility in the Parts that lay round the City. Regal Prussia, tho' at some distance, was not free from Insults, and twelve Companies entred into it by the same Marshal's Orders. That Bra­very which the Gentlemen of Great Poland testified, kept them secure; they had re­turned the Rebels Answer, That in case they advanced towards them, they would meet them above half way. Baranowski who was for pillaging without fighting, dissem­bled his Resentment, and was for striking Terror only into those who were the most capable of Receiving it.

In the mean time, the Deputies of the Re­publick, who were in Conference at Leopold with those of the Rebels, were for buying their Peace at any Price, and to this end they offered the Army a part of what was due to them, with Bills for the Remainder on the Palatinates, and an Amnesty without any Exception.

The Bishop of Plosko, Chief of the Com­missioners, who had in behalf of the Senate managed this Accommonation, thought that the Rebels would return to their Duty, be­cause the Deputies approved of the Of­fers. [Page 41] This Prelate was blessing himself for having acquitted himself so successfully of his Commission, when he received Intelli­gence, that Baranowski disapproved of the Terms, and had condemned the Chief of their Deputies to death as a Prevaricator, who had exceed his Powers. However, the Execution of this Sentence was respi­ted at the Intreaties of the Commissaries of the Republick, who two Months after renewed their Conferences at the Castle of Sambour, whither Baranowski was retired: This Interview was no happier than the former, the Head of the Mutineers who had no more reasons to alledge, sought out for a Pretence, which his Malice soon furnished him with.

He suborned one of his Companions who cryed out in the Conference, That those Col­locutions were useless, since the Deputies of the the Senate were for surprizing them; that he was advised of the Design that was laid, of beheading Baranowski and his Counsellors, so soon as the Confederacy was broken: That those brave Persons ought rather to fall with their Swords in their Hands, than suffer their Throats to be cut as Victims: That he did not think there was any among them so cowardly as to accept of such ensnaring Proposals; and that it was not reasonable that Men, whom they could not conquer with their Arms, should suffer themselves to be caught by Promises.

[Page 42]No sooner had this seditious Person fini­shed his Speech, but his Comrades gave him their Approbation, crying out that they were for no Accommodation, and that they would lay violent hands on those who should hearken to their Proposals. The Marshal im­mediately issued forth a Manifesto, wherein he justified his Conduct, as being absolutely innocent. The Senators convened at Leo­pold, declared him seditious, and the Con­federate Army Rebels, and Enemies to their Country.

Desperate Remedies often prove to be the most sound. No sooner was this Declara­tion published, but the Confederate Army desired three Week's time to consider on't, which was granted them. The Time was long enough for them to make their Re­flections on what was past, and to be the better for the Amnesty that was so often of­fered them. Those who were not so sediti­ous as others, looked upon Baranowski as a Ty­rant whom they had placed over themselves. The Riches which they suspected he had acquired, and those Expences he was at, as if he had been a Prince, raised a jealousie in his Companions, and made them distrust a General who was so intent upon making his own Fortunes. That Sentence of Death which he had passed upon the Chief of his Deputies, excited a Compassion in those, that were the least capable of it, and every one declared, that if that unhappy Man was in [Page 43] any fault, they were as guilty as he, in having too blindly followed the Sentiments of their Commander.

Those Reflections made such an Impres­sion, that above forty Companies renounced the Confederacy. This Example shocked the rest, and Baranowski was so terrified, that he resolved upon doing the same. He considered, that he had equally offended both the Clergy and Gentry, and that if every one should abandon him, as a part had done, he should be in danger of losing what he had scraped up, and even his Life too, which he was not willing to lose as yet, since by his Exactions he had changed his Fortune. But nothing tended more to determine him as to that Point, than the approaching Diet, which drew on apace. For fear that that numerous Assembly would call him to an Account for the many Disorders he had occasioned, he was for taking the Benefit of the Amnesty, which had been so often of­fered to him, and sent word to Count Ja­blonowski Great General of the Crown, that he was ready to submit himself with the Troops that were still under his Com­mand.

It might easily be seen that necessity obli­ged him to this Submission. Several of the Senators were of opinion to make an Ex­ample of Justice upon him; but Jablonowski of a tenderer Make rescued him from that [Page 44] Danger, to which several said he had justly exposed himself.

The Senate had given this General a full Power of treating with the Rebels, even upon such Conditions as might be advanta­geous to them, provided they would return to their Duty. By this Baranowski seemed to be assured of his Favour, and Jablo­nowski frustrated of his hopes, that the Confederacy would be useful to him, was for having the honour of putting an end to an Affair that could be of no advantage to him.

He declar'd to the Confederate Army that the Republick would pardon them; that they might be assur'd of it; and that a speedy and sincere Repentance was the surest way of ex­piating their faults. Upon his word they met at Leopold, their General was at their Head, very well satisfied with his good For­tune, and ready to do whatever Count Jab­lonowski commanded him, who neither at­tempted any thing against his Life nor his Estate.

The eleventh of May was fixt upon for this famous Action; and the Ceremony appoint­ed to be at Leopold in the Church of the Ber­nardines. A Canopy was rais'd, under which Jablonowski was seated. Afterwards Bara­nowski appear'd, more like an Officer, who suffers a Reprimand for having not discharg'd his Duty, than as a Criminal, who was to be punished for an heinous offence. He threw [Page 45] himself down at the General's feet, kiss'd the Footstool of his Chairon which he was sate, begg'd pardon, renounc'd the Confederacy, tore the Commission by which he was made Commander in Chief, and laid down his Stan­dards. Te Deum was sung with the same so­lemnity as if it had been for the gaining of a Battle. Jablonowski was so well satisfied, that he look'd upon himself as Sobieski after the Expedition of Choczin, which had pro­cur'd him the Crown. He was in the same Station, and it was thought that he flatter'd himself, that this Action would have acquir'd to him the same Reward.

Baranowski disappear'd after he had play'd such differenr parts. Some thought that he absented himself because of being asham'd of those Condescensions he had made: Others pretended that the fear of being Assassinated made him fly for it: Several thought that he had been really murder'd, or that the Authors of his Rebellion kept him close, for fear he should reveal a Mystery, the secrecy of which was of so great Importance.

The Amnesty granted the Rebels, their Par­ty being weakned, forty Troops having al­ready deserted them, and the time of the Diet drawing on, were very powerful Mo­tives to reduce the Seditious to their Duty; but yet there were other causes that contri­buted still more towards it. The most powerful Families of Poland accus'd one ano­ther of having excited this Rebellion. The [Page 46] Lubomirski's threw all the blame upon the Jablonowski's, whom they charg'd publickly of having rais'd the Tumult in favour of the Elector of Bavaria: The Jablonowski's, to ac­quit themselves, said, that their Enemies had fomented this Division, to make way for Pr. James's Ascending the Throne. The more clear-sighted gave out, that these two Heads of different Factions, had only been at work for themselves. This Report, which render'd them equally Odious, oblig'd them to concur together in breaking the Confederacy; which they would have brought about sooner, had not an Inseparable Jealousie betwixt them cross'd their designs.

Each of 'em aspir'd after the Honour of allaying those Heats, which were capable of putting all Poland into flames. Both of 'em knew, that Money was wanting, and with its assistance they might easily adjust even the most desperate Affairs. Lubomirski order'd the Bishop of Plosko to write to the Cardinal and Senators, that if they would contribute 50000 Crowns, they might satisfie the Army. The Cardinal made the Overture to the Se­nate, and offer'd a Third for his part; the Bishop of Cracow, tho' absent, promis'd as much for his. Bonski Bishop of Varmia, the Queen's Friend, and one of the Richest Pre­lates in Poland, declar'd, that he would not give any thing: The other told him, that they would furnish the rest, and they were the more surpriz'd to see the Bishop oppose [Page 47] the Debate. But they were more oblig'd to him than they thought for: He made this Scruple only to oblige the Queen, who de­sir'd to have the Honour of suppressing the Confederacy.

Whilst Lubomirski wrote to the Cardinal, Jamblonowski advertis'd the Queen of what had pass'd at Sambor, and she had sent him the same Summ to pay off the Army. This General was for making up the business se­cretly with Baranowski, and to this purpose had dissolv'd the publick Negotiation, and did not begin his own private Treaty till after the Commissioners were gone. As they were half way on the Road, they were inform'd of the design by their Spies, and spur'd back again with so much speed, that they got time enough to be present at the conclusion of the Treaty, and to dispute the Glory of ha­ving terminated this great Affair. The Queen was for attributing the whole Honour of it to her self, because it had cost her the Money; she expected to have received the Compli­ments of the whole Nobility, after such an Act of Liberality. But they who made any Reflections upon it, only said, That those who excited Rebellions were more obliged than others to suppress them.

The Queen, Prince James, and Count Jablonowski, were still looked upon by most Persons as the chief Fomenters of a Confe­deracy, which had been the occasion of so many Disorders. This Count was Sobieski's [Page 48] intimate Friend, when he was elected King, and had employed all his Interest to set the Crown upon his Head. This piece of Ser­vice had raised him to be Great General, Ca­stellan of Cracow, and by that means the the Chief Secular Senator of the Kingdom. Out of Gratitude, he took such Measures with the Queen as might bring about a De­sign, the Execution whereof he foresaw would be very difficult: The Intimacy which he held with that Princess, gave an occasio [...] to those who had no good will to either of them, to give out, That the Queen being con­vinced of that Aversion, which the Gentry had for her Family, concerted with the Great Gene­ral to espouse his Interests upon these Conditions, viz. That she should supply him with Money to purchase Votes; and that he should share a Crown with her, which she could not procure for her Children.

This was no new Opinion in Poland, they were afraid of such a thing, even fifteen Years before the King's death; so that to prevent the Execution of this Project, the principal Lords had entred into private Con­federacies, which appeared too visibly in the Diet, wherein the League against the Turks was concluded, and wherein there was so much discourse concerning the Af­fairs of Count Morstyn, Great Treasurer of the Crown. These Reports flattered the Great General's Ambition, who did not trouble his head much in suppressing them: [Page 49] And if he thought that his familiarity with the Queen, would facilitate his ascending the Throne, he was mightily mistaken, since that was the Pretence which his Enemies made use of to hinder him from it.

Maria de la Grange d' Arquien, Q. Dowager of Poland, did not think fit to undeceive him. The Gentry spake very loudly of the severity of the former Reign, and it was not prudence by an unseasonable haughtiness to increase the Number of the Malecontents. There were e-now already, and the design she had laid of abasing the greatest Families, drew upon her every day new Enemies.

It was a difficult Matter to quiet such an­gry Spirits by such a Conduct: the Princess therefore to clear her self, opened her Coffers, and believed that her Liberality woud put a new Face upon her Affairs; as if the Me­mory of Good Turns would be as lasting, as that of Injuries.

The wound was so great, that the Reme­dy proved useless. They who had received the Money gave out that she had made those Restitutions, which Father Lewis of Amster­dam, a Capuchin (who they said was her Physician and Confessor) had enjoyned her to make, and that Poland was indebted to that holy Man, who took an equal Care of the [Page 50] Health of the Body, and of the Salvation of the Soul of his Penitent.

But it was not this alone, which had e­stranged the Minds of the Poles: The Queen and Prince James had contributed as much as others to the weakening of their own party. Ever since the Eldest Son was married, she had shewed a particular Affe­ction to Prince Alexander, and this prefer­ence she had given him in her Love, had made her think him not unworthy of a Crown. She had perhaps explained her self too openly upon that Subject, and Prince James had conceived so great an In­dignation at it, that he quite forgot those Sentiments which Nature it self should have inspired in him. This happened a little be­fore the King's Death. The Queen never since looked upon Prince James as her Son▪ because he had not respected her as his Mo­ther. At first she neither declared for nor against him, and it seemed as if she would rather have been the Wife, than the Mother of a King. In this Suspence she waited till time should give her such Advice, as the present Posture of Affairs would not admit her to take.

James Sobieski, the late King's eldest Son, did not renounce his Pretensions, though the Queen seemed indifferent, or rather dis­affected [Page 51] to his Designs. He knew that the Poles had always chosen their Sovereigns out of the Royal Family, and though the Gentry had a Right of chusing whom they pleased, yet he thought his Brother's had no more merit to plead than he, he ne­ver found that the younger had been pre­ferred before the Elder, and therefore he flattered himself that they would not make him the first example of that kind.

His Reputation was established by a Passage, which the Poles could not but be pleased with. He had attended the King his Father at the raising the Siege of Vi­enna, and had fought near his Person in the two Battles of Barcan near Strigonium, where­in the Turks had been totally defeated. The Emperor ought to use his Interest in assist­ing him, and the honour of that Prince, whose Brother-in-Law he was, would not allow him to be engaged for any Body else.

The Elector Palatin, whose Sister he had married, promised to do as much for him, as he had endeavoured for him­self the last Election.

The Elector of Bavaria gave him the same Assurance, though he was employed too much otherwise, than to do any [Page 52] thing else besides praying for his Suc­cess.

Charles XI. King of Sweden, had ra­ther see Prince James on the Throne, than any other of his Competitors. Li­vonia was up in Rebellion, and it seemed these People over-burdened with Taxes, and Grievances, were weary of the Go­vernment of their old Masters. A de­signing and busie Prince, might have fa­voured their Revolt and so robb'd the Crown of Sweden of a Province, that was very advantagious to it. He who should have formed a design of reuniting it to Poland, could not have been blamed by any Prince; for they all knew that Sweden had seized upon it, contrary to all the Rules of Equity and Justice, and they had not so much as the least Pre­tence for what they did. They had made their Advantage whilst the Poles were engaged in a War against the Turks in the Year 1621. and whilst they were defending Christendom against those In­fidels, those Swedish Christians had rob­bed them of this Province.

Time could not make the Poles forget so considerable a Loss, and though they have not for so many Years together been in a Capacity to remedy it, yet by their [Page 53] Complaints they have testified, That they only waited for a fair Oppor­tunity of doing it. For this Reason the Election of a Prince, who loved and understood War, would have cau­sed those Alarms in Sweden, from which the Choice of Sobieski would free them. He passed among his Neigh­bours for a quiet and peaceable Prince, and one who being contented with the Possession of a Kingdom, would leave his Successors to take Care of enlarg­ing its Bounds. It was likewise thought that he had promised Sweden, to a­bandon to it Samogitia, the Sovereignty of the Dutchy of Courland, and the Bailiwick of Piltin, which POLAND was still in Possession of, in Livo­nia.

These Measures seemed to be so very well taken, that a favourable Success might have been expected from them; but the Death of the King of Sweden happening at Stockholm, the 15th of April, 1697: made all those Projects to vanish into Smoke.

The Elector Palatin, and the Elector of Bavaria fell from their Words, and it was supposed that the latter had [Page 54] himself some Pretensions to the Crown. The Abbot of Scarlati had been in his Name at Warsaw, to make his Comple­ments of Condolance to the Queen, upon the Death of the King. This Minister had made his Observations on the Sentiments of the Gentry, with Re­spect to the Interests of the Royal Fa­mily, and perceived that it was no hard Matter to supplant the three Princes of the Blood. The Reasons which kept them from the Throne was a Bar to the Elector's ascending it, because (besides his being a German) he had married their Sister. Scarlati informed his Master how the Gentry stood affected.

This Prince considered how little Pretensions the Younger Brothers had to the Crown, which themselves had renounced because of their Youth, and that the Queen how passionate soever she was for Prince Alexander, thought no more of it. The Elector, who like­wise saw how odious it would be in him to dispute the Crown with those, whose Sister he had married, thought of nothing else but serving Prince James, and so preferred his Honour before his Ambition▪

[Page 55]The vast designs which he had in hand, contributed likewise to the ma­king him lay aside one, which was not as yet ripe for Execution. He was en­tred into the Confederacy with the Em­pire, England, Spain, Holland and Savoy had concluded against France. So many united Forces seemed at least to be able to reduce that Monarchy within its Ancient Bounds. The Confederates had already shared the Provinces among them­selves, even before they had conquered them. But the Prudence and Undaun­tedness of his Most Christian Majesty, had rendred their great Designs useless, and seconded by the valor of his Troops and the Affections of his Subjects, he took Towns, won Battles, and conquer­ed Provinces. All Europe had their Eyes upon him, and looked on him with Admiration, and his Enemies wished for a Peace, which they were only ashamed to beg.

The Elector of Bavaria reflected seri­ously on all that passed in Europe, and without thinking of Poland, he was very intent on making himself Satis­faction by the Monarchy of Spain.

[Page 56]This was not enough to reanimate the Friends of Prince James, and the Queen's Indifferency was a great Af­fliction to them. They remonstrated to her, That she did more injury to her Family, than those who disputed the Crown with them, that if she would espouse his Interests more heartily, and when she recommended him, would for­bear mixing her Complaints agianst him, his Faction would become more pow­erful. She hearkened to their Reasons, but she had so far cryed down that Prince, in those former quarrels, and e­specially since the King's Decease, upon the Account of their Domestick Inte­rests, that she came too late to apply a Remedy to an evil that was become incurable.

Martin Matezinksi, Palatin of Russia, dyed about this time, and by his last Will bequeathed the Queen and Prince James part of his Estate, which they thought to be very considerable, and e­nough to comfort them under the Loss which they had sustained. The Pictures which they met with in his Closet were not so pleasing to the Legatees, as the rest of his Estate.

[Page 57]The first was a lively Representation of a Battle; wherein a Conqueror was described, giving out his Orders for a general Assault: the place besieged seem­ed to be in the utmost Extremity; its Bastions thrown down, and the Num­ber of the Besiegers, shewed that it had nothing else to trust to, but the Clemency of the Conqueror.

The second, quite different from the first, represented a long Procession, whose march was closed with a Jesuit beat­ing time as he went. This Religions was followed by a Prince, who had a Crown on his Head, with a Scepter in one hand, and a Globe in the other. Two other Jesuits held before him a Book of Musick, on which he seemed to have fixed his eyes.

If this Picture inspired Piety, the next excited Compassion. A meager Prince appeared upon the Lap of a young Woman, and sucking the Breasts of an old One. She whom he sucked, seemed to be no stronger in Health, than he was. Those many Crowns which the sick Man had upon his Head, pressed him down, and contri­buted [Page 58] as much to his Weakness, as his Constitution did. He wanted a great many Jewels in most of his Crowns, which seemed to be in as bad a condition, as he who wore them.

The last Picture was more pleasing to the sight, especially to the Cove­tous. Men of several Nations were tel­ling out of Money, and Bethsal the Jew being represented to the Life, was exa­mining, whether the Ducats were passable or not; in one Corner of his Gar­ment was his Master placed, and if the Crown had not been discerned on his Head, one would have taken him for a Banker or Stock-Jobber.

The Estate which the Palatin had left was designed by the Queen to strengthen the Party, to which he was absolutely wedded. However, this supply was not so useful as was expected, because the Money was sequestrated, by order of the Cardinal and the Executors of the Will▪ The Reunion of the Royal Fa­mily, would have excited great hopes in them, had not a fresh Candidate caused new alarms. The Queen was of Opinion, That France would espouse no other Cause but her's, and indeed [Page 59] that Crown would have stood up for the Prince Royal, if he had consulted his own Interest; but the Kindness which he had expressed for the Enemies of France, put it upon taking other Mea­sures.

It was then remembred, what had passed at the Diet of Election, in the Year 1674. wherein Sobieski appeared seemingly to carry on the French In­terest, and was so successful in the At­tempts he had for himself, that he sup­planted a Prince, as easie to be deceived, and as hard to be conquered.

Sobieski was so happy as not to see, before his death, the Misfortunes of his Family, and his illustrious Rival did not live long enough to comfort himself for his Disgrace, and to see the Royal Fa­mily of Poland lose a Crown which it had robb'd him of.

The Remembrance of this Intrigue, joined to the Indifferency and Hatred, which Prince James bore towards the French, none of which he would admit into his Service, whilst he entertained Followers of all Nations, was perhaps the reason why the Most Christian King hearkened to the Proposals, which his [Page 60] Ambassador had made to him, of placing a Prince of his Blood in the Polish Throne. The Undertaking was Noble, and no que­stion but it would have succeeded, had so great a Prince set himself heartily upon the Execution of it.

Melchior de Polignac Abbot of Bonport, had resided at the Polish Court ever since the Year 1693. in quality of Ambassa­dor Extraordinary from France. This Em­ploy could not chuse but be very agree­able to him, by the Satisfaction which the King his Master took in his Conduct, and the confidence which the King and Queen of Poland had of him. Their Majesties kept nothing secret from him, and no­thing was determined in their Councils, but what his Advice was asked upon, which was always followed. The Senate, and Gentry had the same esteem for him; his Genius seemed to them to be Superi­our to that of other Ambassadors, and this vast Jdea which they conceived of him, made them find Defects in those that were invested with the same Chara­cter. The good Offices which he had done for several Lords under the late Reign, made the Poles extol him at a strange rate, and none of them questioned his since­rity.

[Page 61]The Reputation of a Minister is always honourable and serviceable to the Prince; that has made choice of him. The Credit of this Ambassador was so well establi­shed, that so soon as ever the King was dead, a great many Gentry waited upon him to offer him their Service, with­out desiring so much as to know the Name of the person, in whose Favour he would declare himself. Sobieski be­fore his Death, had recommended to his Children to maintain a strict Corres­pondence with, and to follow the Coun­sels which that Able Minister should give them, of whose Fidelity and Ca­pacity he was very well assured. He had likewise conjured the Queen to take this Counsel, if she were wil­ling to maintain the Crown in her Fa­mily.

Every thing is promised to a Man at his last Gasp, but when he is dead, Men think themselves disingaged from their Word. The Queen had other Designs in her Head; she looked in­deed upon the Ambassador as the Sup­porter of her Family; but after she had declared to him the Desire, which she had to see one upon the Throne, with whom she might share the Authority; [Page 60] she entreated him (without naming the Person) to concur with her towards his Advancement.

Polignac hearkened to the Queen, the depth of whose Design he could not fathom. She should have spoken for her Sons, but she did not open her Mind plainly upon that Head. There were several Lords who would not have de­spaired of ascending the Throne, if that Princess would but assist them, and se­veral were in a Condition of sharing an Authority with her, which she should procure for the person she most approved of.

Prince Ketlerus of Courland had pri­vately embraced the Roman Catholick Religion, and those who were acquain­ted with his Design, did not question, but the Queen was the true Cause of his Conversion.

However, had she been minded to have married a Prince, whom the French King should have approved of, his Am­bassador would never have opposed it. But she declared, that she could not prevail upon her self to Marry, but all her Care was for a Prince, whose Duty would oblige him not to desert her.

[Page 61] Polignac having refused to follow the pleasure of that Princess blindly, she was forced to explain her self more clearly, and that she might not seem to dissemble with the Ambassador, she first of all discour­sed to him in the behalf of Prince James, of whom she had formerly drawn so frightful an Idea, that it was impos­sible for her to efface those lively Im­pressions out of her Mind.

Her best Friends had given her such Counsel, which if it had been duly fol­lowed, would have proved the most ju­dicious and most safe Course, she could have taken. The King of Poland had left behind him very considerable Summs of Money, and common Fame had so far multiplied his Riches, that he pas­sed for the richest Prince in Europe. These Treasures were deposited in the Castles of Warsaw, Marienburg and Zol­kiew. Those Friends we have been speak­ing of, advised the Queen, to affix her Seal and the Seal of the Republick to the Treasures, without enquiring how much they amounted to. Afterwards they proposed to her to offer them to the State, as a Supply to its present ur­gent Occasions. By this piece of Ge­nerosity she would engage the Armies, [Page 64] and the whole Gentry in her Interests, and prevent any Foreign Prince from op­posing her pretensions. They made her believe that she might choose Prince A­lexander, or Constantine, or even the E­lector of Bavaria, if she pleased, and that they would obtain the Most Chri­stian KING'S Consent. The Prin­cess rejected the proposal, because she could not abandon Prince JAMES: Her chief reason was lest she should thereby dispoil her self of the Trea­sures that she had gathered together with so much trouble.

She communicated her Design to the French Ambassador, and conjured him by the Memory of the deceased King, which he ought to revere, to employ his Interest for the Prince Royal.

This Minister declined, alledging, That the Prince had rendred himself too odious to the King his Master, and re­presented to her the Difficulties that would traverse that Election.

His Remonstrances were not able to make her change her Mind; so that he was obliged to declare to the Princess, That Prudence would not suffer him to embark on Board a Vessel▪ which could not avoid being Shipwrack'd.

[Page 65]The Queen could not bring her self to a­bandon the Prince her Son, and much less to sacrifice her Money. The Abbot de Polig­nac found a Method to deprive her of that Chief Support, and ordered Matters so as that which was upon the Point of being imployed against France, became a help to that Crown in the time of its need. After having proposed to that Princess, an Annual Income for that great Summ, he possessed her with an Account of its being safe, and of the Profit she would reap by it, which so far blinded her that she made that false Step, which rendred all her posterior Efforts against France of no Effect.

At that time she followed in part the Am­bassador's Council, and that the presence of the Princes Alex. and Constantine should not give any umbrage to her eldest Son, she sent them to France with that Summ which compleated the Ruine of Prince James's Par­ty, without strengthening that of his Compe­titor.

The Abbot de Polignac gave Advice to his Master of every thing that passed. He knew that the two Princes would have less Interest for the Crown, than their elder Brother, that their Youth and want of Experience, were Causes sufficient to exclude them at a time when Poland wanted a King that un­derstood War. Prince James's Pretensions [Page 66] were more specious than those of his Brothers. The Aversion the Queen had shewed for him augmented his Party, and some of those who owed him no good Will, began to forbear wishing him any hurt, in hopes that if he mounted the Throne, he would entertain Resentments against the Queen, who under his Reign should have no part in the Govern­ment.

This was not capable however of raising Prince James's Party; for besides that, they could not forget the Hardships put upon them in the preceding Reign, he committed an irreparable Mistake. One of the Con­ditions which the Poles impose upon their Princes is, that they should not marry with­out the Consent of the Republick. Sigis­mund III. for having contraveened this Law, and married Ann of Austria in 1592. run the risk of being dethroned After the Death of that Princess he threw himself Head­long into the same danger, and by a second Contravention to the Laws of the Kingdom, married in 1605. with Constance of Austria, Sister to his deceased Queen. His Holiness indeed had given him a Dispensation for it, but not having obtained the Consent of the Nation, they took Arms, and formed a Con­federacy against them, which he had no small Trouble to appease.

Uladislaus his Son improved the Severity of the Poles, his Father's Mistake proved [Page 67] Advantagious to him. This Prince who in 16 [...]5. demanded in Marriage the Daughter of Fredrick Elector Palatin, communicated his Design to the Senate, and represented to them the Advantage which the Realm might reap from a Princess, who was Niece to the King of Great Britain. This August Assembly was not ignorant, that Princes ought to have an Allowance, so long as it is not prejudicial to Religion. An Embassie was deputed to that Princess and the King her Uncle, but upon her Refusal to turn Ca­tholick, the Poles made no Hesitation in refu­sing her their Crown.

John III. did not improve those Examples, he neither communicated to the Senat nor to the Nobility, the Design that he had to marry the Prince his Son, but suffered himself to be dazzled with the Lustre of a great Alli­ance, without foreseeing the dangerous Con­sequences of it. The Marquis de Bethune, tho' of kin to the Royal Family, represented to him, That Prince James, by being engaged with the House of Austria would lose the Friendship and Protection of the King of France, but his Remonstrances were Vain, and the King of Poland, without any Re­gard to such judicious Advice, married his eldest Son on Elizabeth Amelia, Princess of Newburg, whose Sisters were married to the Emperor, Kings of Spain and Portugal. Such a near Alliance with the Germans and the [Page 68] House of Austria, did not at all affect the Poles, because the Right of chusing their So­vereigns, delivered them from the Sn [...] which the Court thought they had involved them in.

The French Ambassador had ever since the Interregnum given Advice to the King his Ma­ster, of the Queen's Waverings, and of every thing that passed. He informed him of the Design of that Princess to have Prince James elected, because she had lost all her Hopes for her younger Son. He did not forget to inform his Majesty of the Hatred the Poles had conceived against that Prince, and that they only wanted an Occasion to shew it: That if the Prince of Conti were proposed to them, he would quickly find a very strong Party: And that that was the surest away of excluding [...]ince James; [...] at the same time the most Advantagious since by taking the Crown from an Enemy, his Majesty should give it to a Prince of his own Blood.

The Orders of the Court were confor­mable to the Project. He began to speak in Poland of a Candidate, whom he had pro­mised without telling his Name. The Joy was almost universal, when he declared, that he did not make use of his Interest, neither for Prince James, nor for the Royal Family. Some Lords had Ambition enough to aspire [Page 69] to the Crown, but this Minister diverted their Thoughts from it, alledging, That they were [...] many in Number, that if they preten­ded to chuse Sovereigns from amongst themselves, the Example of the two last ought to scare them from it, and that the Grandees would never willingly submit them­selves to those to whom they thought them­selves equal in Merit and Birth.

The Ambassador afterwards run through all the Nations of Europe, that might furnish Princes to their Republick. They could no more think of a Prince in Sweden, since that Kingdom was become Heretical. Eng­land and Denmark had occasioned too many Disorders by the tumultuary Elections of the two Maximilians; so that they must resolve to lose their Liberty as the Bohemians and Hungarians had done theirs, if they did not exclude them.

Italy and France were the only Dominions whence they could chuse a Prince to their Mind. Most of the Lords to whom he spoke had travelled in Italy, the peace that people had enjoyed of a long time, made them sensible, that there were no such Cap­tains there as those of the former Age, and that Poland stood in need of an Hero, which the present Juncture of their Affairs would not allow them time to breed up; but he must be formed to their Hand.

[Page 70]So that France alone was the Place which could furnish Poland, with what 'twas in Vain for them to seek for elsewhere; and in fine declared to them, who it was that he himself would Name, if it were in his power to chuse. This Prince was by Birth the last of the Blood Royal of France, there being ten, who by the Right of Nature ought to ascend the Throne before him; Poland had no Cause to fear, that he would abandon her, as King Henry did after the Death of Charles IX. his Brother; so that the only thing that the Poles had to apprehend, was left a Prince so well accomplished as he, whom he named to them, should make a Difficulty to accept a Crown, which they were resolved to offer him.

The contrary Party, being alarmed by the Reputation of the Candida [...], reunited all their Forces to divert the impending Stor [...] The Emperor represented to his Allies, the Jealousie that all Europe had at the grouth of the House of Austria, when they saw that Family possessed of the Empire and Spain. He put them in mind how often they had accused them of aspiring to the Universal Monarchy. What Wars had been raised a­gainst them, to traverse the Designs they supposed them to have formed; that their Business was at present to set Boundaries to a Potentate, whose Ambition ought to be so much the more suspected, that he [Page 71] had enriched himself with the Spoils of all his Neighbours: That the League of Aus­b [...]g, into which so many Princes had entred, could not put a stop to the Rapidity of his Conquests, and if the Poles submitted them­selves to that fiery Nation, they and all Eu­rope would find themselves involved in such a Slavery, as no Prince would be capable of de­livering them from any more.

All those Complaints were spread even in­to the Dominions of those Princes, who did not concern themselves in the Matter. The Ministers of the Allies published them through all the Provinces of Poland. Po­lignac in his Audiences, Conversation, and at Meals, shewed the Vanity of those Di­scourses, and that the Poles had nothing to fear from a Nation at such a distance from them, that those who attempted to possess them with that Notion did them wrong; that they were too brave to fear that any Na­tion could accomplish that which the Romans durst never Attempt; that the French assi­sted their Allies, but were far from oppres­sing them; that Sweden was a very fresh in­stance of it; that that Kingdom would re­member the Alliance they had with France, as long as they preserved the Provinces, which the King of Denmark, and the Ele­ctor of Brandenburgh, had restored them, by means of the Crown of France.

[Page 72]He afterwards discoursed on the Genius of the Germans, who were not baulked by repeated Denials, but had the Crown of Poland in view at every Interregnum. That France and Poland were the only Kingdoms in Europe, where the Germans had not been able to extend their Dominion: That the Empire, the Kingdoms of Hungary and Bo­hemia had fallen to the Share of the Cadets of the House of Austria: That the Eldest Branch had succeeded to the Monarchy of Spain, and the Kingdoms of Naples, Sicily and Sar­dinia: That they had invaded that of Por­tugal, only because it lay convenient for them, and without the Assistance of France it had remained under their Dominion still, That Denmark and Sweden, and lately Great Britain, had fallen under the Dominion of Princes that were originally Germans: That the Poles might, if they pleased, add their Crown to all those Conquests: That he had not Power enough to prevent them; but he was too much their Friend to give them such pernicious Advice.

The Enemies of France did not give over their Designs, though hitherto every thing had succeeded ill with them. The Queen perceived her Son excluded in all the petty Diets. She was very much incensed against France, and her hatred increased the Prince of Conti's Party. Her Resentments came to such an height against the Ambassador of that [Page 73] Crown: That in Nov. 1696. she ordered her Picture to be taken out of the Palace of that Minister, which contributed more than all that the Abbot could do or say to confirm the Poles on his side, who were al­ways afraid that there was some secret under­standing betwixt him and her in favour of the younger Princes her Sons; whereas had the Queen been so much Master of her self as to have carried it fair outwardly with that Minister, she would have thereby render'd him suspected. Some further Endeavours were us'd to calm her, by representing to her that since the Indignation which France had conceiv'd against her Eldest Son was just, she had no reason to complain, but she shut her Eyes upon all those considerations, and only ruminated upon the French's depriving her Son of a Crown, which the Custom of his Country seem'd to have assur'd him of, she express'd her Resentments very highly against that Minister, who being more addicted to the Interest of his Master, and to his own Duty, than dazzled with the hopes of mak­ing his Fortune, which that Princess offer'd him, or with the personal Esteem she disco­ver'd for him, became the Instrument of the Ruine of her Family, by raising up the Prince of Conti as a Candidate for the Crown.

There were two things she could never forgive him. The first, that he had so much Courage as to prefer his Duty to that which [Page 74] she demanded of him. The second, that without informing her of his design to ad­vance the Prince of Conti, he had found a way to deprive her of two Millions. This Reflexion was so much the more cutting to her, that by her Complaisance she had weakned the Party of her Son, and fortified that of the only Competitor that he had rea­son to fear.

She had every day some New Subjects of Mortification by the Results of the petty Diets, who after the Convocation assembled according to Custom in the Provinces. That they might not be without Council during the Inter-regnum, they unanimously refolv'd to meet every day six Weeks▪ or at least every two Months on different days, and to com­municate their Deliberations to one another by Deputies. These were new Cares laid upon those who were to inspire so great a Body with Resolutions.

The first Assemblies were very tumul­tuous, because of the rupture of the Convo­cation or Preliminary Diet, of the Confede­racy of the Armys of the Complaints of the Palatine of Vilna against the Queen, and of the Correspondences that were discover'd with the Enemies of the State. It was also believ'd that there would have been great Contestations upon account of the Act of the General Confederacy drawn up by the Car­dinal [Page 75] after the Rupture of the Diet. The Primate had then as many Enemies as the Queen, because he had maintain [...]d her In­terest with so much heat, that he was accus'd of stubbornness.

But Reason carried it against Prudence, and the Act of the Confederacy was gene­rally receiv'd in all the petty Diets: But some Restrictions were made in it, according to the Genius of the Palatinates. The Articles generally agreed on were, 1. That they ob­lig'd themselves by Oath to chuse no King, but one that was certainly a Catholick, and the Princess his Wife, if he were married, the like. 2. That they should not propose any Piasta or Native. 3. That the Diet of the Election should be held from the 15th of May, to the 26th of June, and that all the Nobility should attend there on pain of In­famy and Military Execution, which they call the Postpolita of Rigor. But the fourth Article propos'd was abundantly more severe. They design'd to terminate at the Election, the Process bgeun at the Preliminary Diet at the Succession of the King for the Grievances of the Nation, which consisted in this, that he had not in so long a Reign fulfilled any of the Agreements to which he was engaged by the Pacta Conventa. That Prince had promised to retake Caminiec, he had not made any Mi­litary Expedition, that had been profitable to Poland: He had not founded in the Kingdom [Page 76] an Academy for the Instruction of 300 Polish Gentlemen, nor had he satisfied the Elector of Brandenburg as to his pretensions upon Elbing. Those that were Men of sense fore­saw that this omission would sometime or other occasion a fatal War to the Republick.

The unanimity of the Poles on those four Points gave them the force of a Law, as if the Convocation had not been broke, but in the petty Diets following they had a mind to enquire after the true Authors of so many Disorders. They excluded those that were accused and convicted of them. The Storm fell in divers Places, and all at once upon the Head of Prince James, who then per­ceived the sudden Change of his Fortune, and began to repent him of his useless pro­fuseness. He who thought himself sure of the Crown in November, saw himself ex­cluded in December, by the different Results of the petty Diets. Prussia was the first Pro­vince that gave him the fatal Blow, and de­scribed him so well, without naming him, that no Body could mistake him. Volhinia afterwards Russia, the Palatinates of Lublin, Plosko, Vilna, Novogrodok and many others did likewise exclude him; so that it was astonishing to find such a great unanimity betwixt Provinces so remote from one ano­ther. The Bishop of Cujavia, to mortifie the Prince of Conti's Party, and to advance that of Prince James, sent Circular Letters to all [Page 77] the Nobility. In some Palatinates they were rejected, and in others not read. A Gen­tleman amongst those that assembled at Sroda, having demanded the Bishop's Letter, put it to such an use as Modesty forbids to men­tion. The Nobility of Russia assembled at Visnia, treated this Affair with more serious­ness, and ordered the said Letter to be burnt by the hand of the Hangman.

Prince James, during this time, lost his Courage. The Ardor and Zeal which some of the Senators had testified for his Interest, cooled exceedingly. He himself had a mind to discover the Sentiments of the Nobility in the Neighbourhood of Warsaw; and that he might do it with more ease he went in dis­guise from Czersko, which is the first Di­strict of Mazovia, where a petty Diet was held, but the Prince was known, and some Gentlemen pursued him with Sabre in Hand into the very Church, where he was forced to hide himself amongst the Organs, and had he been found, they would certainly have killed him.

After this the same Diets excluded all German Princes. The Party that opposed France made Efforts to obtain the like advan­tage in some Diet or other, against the Pr. of Conti, but could not effect it. They could not express their malice against him any other way, but by such dull insipid [Page 78] Writings as those of the Bishop of Cujavia. This obliged the Queen, the Court of Vi­enna and the Allies to have recourse to other Methods than Negotiations. Every one took different Measures, but all of them tending to the same end.

The Enemies of France perceiving that the Prince of Conti's party increased every day in Poland, thought fit to retard its progress at the French Court. They wrote Letter after Letter to Paris to ridicule the Abbot de Polignac's Hopes, alledging, that he had suffered himself to be blinded by the Ene­mies of the Royal Family, they aggravated his Promises and Liberalities, they maintain­ed, that the Poles would never chuse in prejudice of their King's Son, a Foreigner, who would engage them in War with all their Neighbours. Those Discourses, some of which made Impression, together with the fear of rashly hazarding new Summs, occasioned that the Court for more surety, did send a Person they could confide in either to verifie those Accusations against their Mi­nister or to justifie his Conduct.

The Abbot de Castagnetes de Chateauneuf, was honoured with this Commission, and the Quality of Envoy Extraordinary, he set out secretly in Feb. 1697. with the Count de Touanski, Nephew to the Cardinal Pri­mate, who in July 1696. had been sent by his [Page 79] Uncle to notifie to the Court the death of K. John III. The Abbot arrived in Poland the beginning of April; he found the Affairs of France in as good a Condition as the Queen had represented them bad. He himself found that most of the Lords and Gentlemen were for the Prince of Conti, and that only two things were wanting, viz. the Prince's Presence, and the Money promised to the Armies. He was entrusted with a Letter from the King his Master to the Queen, ac­cording as he found her Affairs and Intentions, and the need that France should have to make use of her Service.

That same Day this Envoy Extraordinary arrived at Warsaw, the Queen left it by order of the Palatinats, who forced the Cardinal and Senate to that Rigor. The absence of that Princess was not the only cause why the Most Christian King's Letter was not deli­vered to her. The Lords of the French Fa­ction demanded it, because of their Appre­hensions that a Princess, who was for ma­king her advantage of every thing, might make use of it with the Publick, and per­swade them that the Abbot de Chasteauneuf was come to overturn what the Abbot de Polignac had done, to serve the Royal Fa­mily against the Prince of Conti, and by that means to baffle all the hopes of the Re­publick. The Envoy did not think fit to op­pose those demands which appeared so Just. [Page 80] It was his prudence to give no cause of Sus­picion to the Friends of France, and not to suffer himself to be surprized by the Queen, who did not alledge that the Prince of Conti's party was so weak in the Kingdom, but to have Pr. Alexander substituted to him, to the end that he who was so unacceptable to the Poles being supported by France, her Son Prince James, as she thought, would have no other Competitor to dread.

These were the Measures that the Royal Family took. The Court of Vienna and the Allies took far different Methods to have the Prince of Conti excluded. They proposed other Candidates, who were no other ways agreeable to the Poles, but because of the Mo­ney they hoped they might receive from them. The Prince of Newburg would fain have been proposed, till such time as another came to take his Place, and to furnish the Summs of Money, that he had neither Will nor Power to distribute. He knew what the two last Elections had cost his Family, and so took warning by that Example.

Leopold, Duke of Lorrain, was also pro­posed. He had no greater reason to expect success than the Duke of Newburg. His Mo­ther had no great Cause to be content with the Poles, who after having prefered a Fr. Lady to her, had also refus'd her her Dower. The Fa­mily of Patz, that stood up for her at the last [Page 81] Election, had now lost all their Credit, and such of them as remain'd were young, and had no publick Posts; so that she saw it was in vain for her Son to pretend to th [...] [...]rown which had been twice refus'd to so Great a Prince as Charles [...]. of Lorrain her Husband.

This Proposal however gave new Allarms to the Queen and Prince Sobieski. They look'd upon it as an Intrigue of the Court of Vi­enna. They expressed their Resentments of it, and complain'd that it was an ungrateful Re­tribution from the Germans to the Family of a Prince who had sav'd the capital City of the Empire. These complaints were very touch­ing, because they were just. The Imperial Court was as high on the other hand, and answer'd, that Sobieski had hinder'd the Poles from paying the Dower of the Queen Wi­dow to K. Michel, that his Imperial Majesty would make Reprisals upon the Estates of those who had been the Authors of that In­justice, and that the Dutchy of Olaw which Prince James possess'd in Silesia, should serve in part to make good that damage.

The Surprize was extraordinary when Don Livio Odese Chalci was propos'd with the Emperor's protection, and recommended (ac­cording to common fame) by his Holiness. His Merit was founded upon that of Inno­cent XI. his Uncle, who had Govern'd the Church with that Integrity which Christians [Page 82] admire in the Sovereign Pontiffs of the first Ages. Don Livio was a proof of it, since his Fortune was the same as before the Exalta­tion of his Uncle, and the Emperor who had a mind to acknowledge the services which that Sacred Pontiff had done him, made his Nephew a Prince of the Empire, and by a second Liberality, which cost him as little as the former, he would have given him a Kingdom, or at least made him believe he had such a design.

Don Livio believed that those promises were sincere, because they flatter'd his Am­bition; he sent into Poland the Abbot de Monte Catini, a Consistorial Advocate, to sup­port his Interest, which they pretended to be so far advanced. The Poles, who love Rail­lery, and don't spare even those from whom they get Money, asked one another, if Odest­chi had any Trial in Poland, and whether that Roman Advocate was come to sollicit the Cause.

They did not rest here, but serv'd the Italian after the Mode of his own Country, and by Pasquils more outragious than the preceding Railleries, they cur'd him of his Ambition to appear any more as a Competi­tor. They publish'd in writing that Davia his Holinesses Nuncio, declar'd himself highly for Odeschalchi, that he offer'd thirty Mil­lions to the Republick, and that Italy would [Page 83] despoil her self of what she had most consi­derable in favour of him. There was pub­lish'd at the same time a List, and a Valua­tion of all his precious Jewels and Move­ables; amongst which were three of Raphaels best Originals, six by Paul of Verona, four of Julius the Roman, seven of Titian, thirteen of Hannibal Carache, and abundance more of other Great Masters, the first time perhaps that ever the Poles heard of them. There were two Antient Statues of Romus and Ro­mulus, that were valued at a great Rate, as al­so a Brass Medal of Otho, destined to pay two quarters to the Army; In fine, they were resolv'd to deliver to the Poles on the day of Coronation, the Statues of Pasquin and Marforio.

After this there was little more spoken of Odeschalchi. The Poles well perceiv'd that they must have a Warriour to oppose to the Prince of Conti. The Elector of Brandenburg proposed Prince Louis of Baden to the Allies, whose Reputation was equal to that of the greatest Captains of his Age He had preserv'd Transilvania to the Emperor, at a time, and in such a conjuncture when Germany would have thought that they had been very well quit, if they had come off with the Loss of that rich Province only. He had routed the Turks at Salankement, and given 'em such an entire Defeat, that the Visir Cuproli, who seem'd to be the only Stay of the Ottoman [Page 84] Empire, was killld in that Action. This Prince, after several glorious Campagns in Hungary, took upon him the Command of the Confederate Troops on the Rhine: The Germans reckon'd it for a Signal Victory in this General, that he declin'd fighting with the French, so that he was as much esteem'd for this amongst the Allies, as was the Ro­man Dictator Fabius, who thereby set bounds to the Conquests of Hannibal and the Car­thaginians

The Elector promised to furnish all the Necessary Expences for this Great Design, and the Prince of Baden, to make him a Compen­sation, was, when advanc'd to the Throne, to yield him the Soveraignty of the Royal Prussia, and to discharge him of the Fealty and Homage which he was oblig'd to perform for the Ducal Prussia to the Republick of Po­land. The Elector was civil enough to pro­mise such great Sums, but not able enough to pay them, and the Confederacy was exhaust­ed by the excessive Expences of a War, which went on but slowly.

The Affairs of Poland were in too great disorder, neither the Elector's Money, nor the Merit of the Prince propos'd to them, were able to re-establish them. The Money must be paid that was owing to the two Armies, the War must be maintain'd against the Turks, and Caminieck re-taken from those [Page 85] Infidels. The Prince of Baden was very fit to command their Armies, but not rich enough to pay them.

France found in Poland another Enemy, and Heresie, a new Protector in the person of Stanislaus, Dombski B. of Cujavia, who at first embrac'd Prince James's Party, because he ow'd his Fortune to his Father the Late King. The acknowledgments he testified of it would have honoured the Memory of the Prince that made Choice of him, if Motives of Self-interest had not stifled his first Ver­tuous Sentiments.

The French Ambassador perceived, that the Bishop of Cujavia did openly oppose his Designs, and having a mind to know his Sentiments, found that he was for Prince Sobieski; That Prelate confessed that the Prince of Conti had all the good Qualities, which the Poles could wish for in a Soverign, and that he would not be for excluding him, were it not that he and his Princess were both French, alledg­ing, that those of that Nation could not be acceptable to the Poles, after the ill Treat­ment they had received from Queen Mary, Wife to the late King, as if it had been more dangerous to chuse a King of that Princesses Country, than to set the Crown upon the Head of her own Son.

[Page 86]This was not the only Difficultie that the Bishop of Cujavia found in the Propo­sal made him. He was apprehensive that the choice of a French Prince would be displeasing to the Emperor. The Poles, since the death of Sigismund Augustus, had made no such scruple, and in five Elections, they made no objection of provoking the Germans and the House of Austria by their Refusal.

Those Reasons, and many others, which the Abbot de Polignac alledg'd in divers Con­ferences that he had every day with the most considerable Lords, were capable to move any Man that had had nothing else in view but the publick Welfare, but he was acted by other Motives. Malakoski Bishop of Cra­covia was above 80 years old. He enjoy'd the richest Benefice of the Kingdom, and liv'd too long in the Opinion of those that thought of nothing else but enjoying his Spoils.

If Sobieski were chosen, and that the Bishop of Cujavia had contributed thereto, the Bi­shoprick of Cracovia had been his Reward: He could not have expected the same gratui­ty from the Prince of Conti, who he suspected had promised it to the Bishop of Plosko This Motive was known, and made the No­bility to murmur against the Ambition of that Prelate, who was too intent upon mak­ing his Fortune: He thought then of clearing himself, and answering the Ambassador at [Page 87] the same time; this obliged him to write his Political Considerations, in Latin: But the most learned in that Art perceived no­thing curious therein, and those who sought after the purity of the Language, found no­thing but what was very dull.

The first part of the Libel contained the feeble Reasons brought by that Prelate for excluding the Prince of Conti; he pretended that his Election would be as prejudicial to Poland, as little advantagious to France, that Nation in the present Conjuncture of the Affairs of Europe, having attracted the hatred of all its Neighbours, without having pre­served the Friendship of any.

This Reproach had a contrary effect to what the Author had fancied: The French were commended for maintaining a War with so much Vigour against so potent Enemies.

He added, that the League concluded a­gainst the Most Christian King, would not admit of the Choice of a Prince of his Blood for King of Poland; anst that the Confede­rates would do their utmost endeavours to prevent the same.

'Twas not believ'd that the Polanders were capable of the same fear as the Bishop of Cu­jaavia; and no body doubted but the [Page 88] Confederates used all possible Efforts to oppose the Pretensions of France: But to judge by the Events of a War which had lasted eight Years, one might have guess'd that their En­terprize would succeed as ill as all the rest they had projected.

The reason that the Bishop alledg'd against France, as most plausible, was that which was in least consideration with the Polanders. If we chuse a French-man, says he, it is a rup­ture with the House of Austria and the Ger­mans, who under the Reign of Casimir suc­coured us so advantagiously against the Swedes, who had violently possessed them­selves of part of the Kingdom.

This Reflexion caused the Polanders make others quite contrary to it: They call'd to mind what had happened under the Reign of Sigismund III. when in the Year 1628 he lent his Fleet to Ferdinand the second, to make use of it against Denmark, although he had oceasion for it himself in Prussia, against the Swedes, who took this opportunity to in­sult the City of Dantzick.

So signal a service made Sigismund believe that the Emperor would succour him upon the like occasion. The following Year he had need of some Troops to defend Prussia against Gustavus, who wasted that Country. Walstein General of the Imperial Army was [Page 89] ordered to send some Troops to the succour of the Polanders; he sent 2000 Horse, and 5000 Foot thither under the command of Collonel Arnhem, a Man of no Honour, and who was convicted of holding a Correspon­dence with the Enemies of those to whose succour he was sent. Sigismund complain'd of the Conduct of this Officer; he was recall'd; and as they had taken a resolution to deceive the Polanders in effect, and at the same time to oblige them in appearance, they sent two other Commanders successively in his place: The first was Henry Julius Duke of Saxe Lawenbourg, and the other Philip de Mans­feld, who were both as useless to the Polan­ders as the first; and who were as much bla­med for their Cowardice as Arnhem had been for his want of Conduct and Treachery.

This Army, tho' it was so fatal to Po­land, yet was well paid. Walstein in the Year 1630. demanded the pay due to them, with his usual Haughtiness. The Republick would have ballanced it with what the Em­peror owed for the Fleet that was employed in h [...]s Service. But Interest going commonly beyon reason, the Proposal, tho' just, was not hearkned to, and the Polanders were obliged in the Year 1631. to pay down 50000 Flo­rins of Gold for them, and had the mortifi­cation to pay so dear for Troops who had done them as much hurt as those of the Enemy.

[Page 90]The Polanders notwithstanding this rigour, had afterwards recourse to the Germans, in the Reign of King Casimir, who in his War with Sweden, receiv'd some succours from the House of Austria. Those succours liv'd after the German way; they plundered one part of the Kingdom, while the Enemy laid the other waste: Notwithstanding which, these Auxi­liary Troops must be paid: The Republick was quite drain'd, and had no other way to satisfie the Germans, but by Mortgaging to them the Salt-pits of the Kingdom, for some Years, which they almost ruined by the great quantities of Salt they carried from thence, with a greediness that cost the Po­landers dear; they left no pillars to sup­port the Vaults of those vast Quarry's, in so much that they themselves were afraid of being buried under their ruines, which ob­liged them to supply this defect by woodden props, which they brought with little charge from the Neighbouring Forrests. The time they were to enjoy them being expir'd, they set fire to the props, and thereby hindered Poland from reaping any advantage from that which they could no longer detain from them.

The second part of the Bishop of Cujavia's Book was an Encomium of Prince James Sobieski, tho' at the same time there was no­thing therein but what might as justly be applied to any of his Competitors; he is, says [Page 91] he, sober, watchful, liberal, and he loves Ju­stice. But the Confession he made that that Prince was no Warriour, effac'd the Great Idea he would have given of him to a Na­tion, which reckons Valour to be the first, and perhaps the chiefest Virtue.

The barbarous expressions which the Prelate made use of in describing his Hero, were not to be understood by every body, Nque patrisat, neque matrisat; every body put a different construction upon it, some saying, that, according to this expression, he had nei­ther the Courage of the King his Father, aor the Cunning of the Queen his Mother. Others explained it more favourably, and be­lieved that it was said only to express his mildness and liberality. To put the greater contempt both of the Book, & the Author, it was questioned to whom the Bishop had done the greatest Injury, whether to the Prince, whom he would have excluded; or to him for whom he designed the Crown.

The Abbot of Polignac printed some Re­flexions upon this Libel, and made use of terms that were very well pleasing to the Po­landers, whose Genius he knew, and flattered, as well as their Sentiments, but it had not the same effect upon Foreign Kingdoms. How­ever this piece was applauded, and publish'd in the Country, for which alone it was compos'd, without being answered.

[Page 92]The Queen, who at last perceived the weakness of her Party, wrote to the Em­peror, and confess'd to him, that almost the whole Nobility had declar'd for France; that the only hope she had remaining, was to cause the Projects of that Crown to miscarry; and that if his Imperial Majesty would con­cur with her in this Design, the Enterprize would be easie. She proposed either Prince Charles of Nieubourg, or the Duke of Lorrain, whose Faction being joyned with hers, would exclude their common Enemy. The Em­peror, who knew that Prince James had no share in the Election, was glad to see that the Queen was disabused. One of the Princes she had propos'd to him, was his Brother-in-law, and the other his Nephew; and so near an Alliance would not suffer him to engage them seriously in an Enterprize from which he foresaw they could not come off with Honour. However, he was willing to make some advantage of the disposition the Queen was in; and a Polish Senator one of his In­constancy, presented a new Candidate, whom the Council of Vienna thought fit not to neglect.

John Przependowski, Castellan of Culm, was the most intent of all the Polish Gentlemen upon advancing his Fortune: He was an in­genious Man, and capable of Intrigues; but his Courage was not answerable to his Ad­dress; which his Enemies knowing, they often [Page 93] assaulted him, which he bore with an such In­sensibility, as rendered him despicable among all brave Men, and made them say, that a Man who knows himself a Coward, ought not to be so Intriguing. This Defect had so much stained his Reputation, that his Authority was considerably diminished thereby, parti­cularly in Prussia, after the time that he came the Burger-Master Deputy of the City of Dantzick. He had been a Lutheran, and in the Late King's Reign he turned Roman-Catholick, to be made a Senator; the hopes of advancing himself higher, made him side wih Prince James, as long as his Faction was superiour to that of the other Candidates. But when he found it began to decline, he in Novemb. 1696. became of the French Faction, and carried all the Prussians with him; but his restless and turbulent Genius soon drew him over to another, only because the Am­bassador of that Crown did not confide enough in him, nor furnish him with Money enough for his Insatiable Avarice.

His Treacheries to Prince James, and to the Prince of Baden, caused that Minister to suspect him, and render'd him odious to the Lords of his Party, who saw that this Man, being too much self-interested, did not adhere to the Prince of Conti, neither out of Zeal to his Country, nor from any regard for true Merit, but only in hopes to make his For­tune great under a Prince whom he thought [Page 94] in a fair way of succeeding. This Senator reflecting on the other hand, that those who were more deserving than himself, had em­braced the French Faction, and so prevent­ed him; he was fully perswaded that they would have the first Dignities of the King­dom conferred upon them, to his prejudice. This consideration obliged him to take other measures, and to search out such means, as that the Soveraign who should be chosen, might wholly owe the Crown to him.

So sudden a Change joyned to his former Treacheries, made those who could not yet revenge themselves of his Perfidy, to curse and revile him, and to apply this passage to him, Intravit autem Satanas in Judam qui cog­nominabatur Iscariotes; meaning that the De­vil had entred into a Traitor called Prze­pendowski.

He had married a Daughter of General Flemmings, who was in the Elector of Bran­denbourg's Service: He desired his Father-in-law to acquaint him with what was said in the North of Germany, of the approaching Ele­ction in Poland. He understood that the E­lector of Saxony had an excessive desire for the Crown, and that he only wanted the necessary Instructions for carrying on that Enterprize. Przedendowski wrote immedi­ately to the Chevalier Flemming, Collonel of a Regiment in the Troops of Saxony, and [Page 95] Cousin German to his Wife; he offered his Service to the Elector, and upon his Answer he went privately, in February 1697. to Dresden, where he was received with all the demonstrations of Friendship, Esteem and Assurance that Princes express to those who are useful to them. He represented to the Elector the present State of Poland, That Prince James was lost; that his Younger Brothers had no pretensions to the Crown; that the Queen kept up her Faction with great difficulty, with the few Friends that in Honour had not yet abandoned her; that her Complaisance for the French Ambassador had stript her of two Millions, which was the only thing could re-establish the Affairs of her Eldest Son; that the Princes Charles of Nieubourg, Leopold of Lorrain, and Lewis of Badcn, had no party; that that of the Prince of Conti was really strong; but that it would not be impossible to overthrow it, and to put his Electoral Highness in his place, if he would follow the same Plan for him­self, that the Fr. Ambassador had laid down for the Prince of Conti: That that Minister had brought all Poland over to the Interest of his Candidate, by making a solemn pro­mise to the Republick to disburse three Mil­lions for paying the Army, and to pay the said Summ to the Commissaries before the Election. That the second thing which that Minister desired of the King his Master, was the Princes presence, which seem'd to be [Page 95] necessary to avoid the difficulties that might happen by by a Divsion, and the trouble of an Embassy which could not go into France in a time of War.

Przependowski added, that the Abbot of Polignac could never perform his promises, that since the five or six hundred thousand Franks which he had received, only 600000 Livers were sent him by Bills of Exchange upon Dantzick; that he had been obliged to protest the said Bills, and that the Queen was sure enough of the Bankers of that City, to hope that that Minister would not be better serv'd hereafter: That it was not observ'd that the Court of France pursued this Affair with the same vigour as others which they undertake; that if they should pursue it with the same Zeal, they would be necessitated to send their Money in specie that they might not be subject to the ill designs of the Bankers; that they had occasion for their Money elsewhere, and that the War which that Crown had with the most formidable Potentates of Europe, would hinder him from exposing three Millions, and the person of the Prince on board of Ships, which be­sides the danger of being cast away, would run a great risque of being taken by the Fleet of England and Holland, which being superiour in strength, guarded all the Passes so narrowly, that the lightest Frigats could not escape them. In fine, he concluded that [Page 97] it was his Electoral Highnesses Interest to make good use of the sincerity of his Counsel, and to find the Sums necessary for succeeding in so glorious an Enterprize, which was not difficult: That for his part, he had not quitted the French Faction, had he not fore­seen better than another by assisting several times in Council, the Impossibility of execut­ing his designs without Money, and that the Ambassador of that Crown waited in vain for new Bills of Exchange; that he had exa­mined the Bankers, and that by their An­swers he knew very well that that Minister was in an errour, of which he did not think it proper to undeceive him.

The Castellan of Culm had reserv'd for his last proposal, that which he believed would have been the most disagreeable to the Elector, which was, that his Highness should turn Ca­tholick, and promise that the Electress should also abjure her Religion: He durst not quote himself for an example, but he cited two others, by whose Authority he pretended that what he had done was not criminal. The first was of the Elector of Saxony in the year 1530. when the Emperor threatned to strip him of his Electoral Dignity, if he did not do his Office of Constable of the Empire at a so­lemn Mass that was celebrated by the Catho­licks at Ausbourg; the other happen'd ten years after in the person of the Landgrave of Hesse, whom the Protestant Divines suffered at first to do the Functions requir'd by his [Page 98] Dignity, to draw himself out of the danger he was in of losing it; that they would not have been more rigorous in regard of the second; that they had authorized Polygamy in his fa­vour, and had given him leave to marry a 2d Wife, without requiring him to be divorced from his first; that he did not believe the Saxon Divines were less indulgent for their Prince than Luther and his Disciples had been in the past Age; that the present case was more allowable, because a Crown de­pended upon it.

Przependowski spoke with so great a demon­stration of love, as made him listen to his dis­courses: That Prince applied himself more to satisfie the greediness of his Nobility, than to consult his Divines, whose scruples might perhaps retard a design which required to be forthwith put in execution. The Castellan was charg'd to use his utmost Efforts in Po­land, and in the mean time nothing was to be omitted in Saxony that should be thought necessary to make it succeed. He was promis­ed that the Chevalier Flemming should be sent to put his Orders in execution, before the meeting of the Diet; he receiv'd, at his de­parture, some Presents, and was loaded with Honours and great Promises.

The Elector followed this Project exactly: He had some Conferences with the E. of Bran­denbourg, and caus'd some Troops to advance to Torgau, near Silesia, under colour of entering upon the Affair of the Succession of Mecklen­burg, [Page 99] in the Emperor's Name, which was dis­puted between the Princes of Swerin and Gu­straw; he sold his Right to the Dutchy of Saxe Lawenburg, [...]. to the Duke of Hannover for 500000 Crowns. He demanded of the Em­peror the payment of the Subsidies that had been above three years due to him, and treat­ed with the Jews in his own Country; the chief of whom he sent to Warsaw to get Mony in a readiness against the time he should have occasion for it; he sold the Revenue of his de­main of Misnia, to the Lutheran Clergy of Saxony, and raised extraordinary Contribu­tions in his Dominions, pretending that it was for the Campagne in Hungary. New Money was by his Orders coined at Breslau, which did not give content to those who received it. In fine, he put in practice all the Artifices that could be us'd by any Man who designed to procure a Crown to himself, and who is ca­pable enough of finding means to attain it.

After having thus taken all his measures, he sent the Baron de Rose, who was one of his Lieutenant Generals to Rome: This Of­ficer was admitted to Audience of the Pope, and unfolded to him the Mystery of the pre­tended Conversion of his Master, and his de­signs of obtaining the Crown of Poland. This News was the more agreeable, because it was hoped that Saxony, which in the last Age had been the Cradle of Lutheranism, might now in this, be its Grave.

4. This News was no less agreeable to the [Page 100] Court of Vienna, than it had been to that of Rome, but the Motive of it was not so pure. It was not doubted but that the Elector de­signed to turn Catholick, and that he would abjure Lutheranism. It was known that the proud Humour of this Ambitious Prince would attempt any thing to put a Crown upon his head; that Religion was never regarded by the Saxons, but with reference to Poli­ticks; that in the Age past Frederick and his Successors embraced Lutheranism, that they might enjoy the Church-Lands; and that Fre­derick Augustus their Successor, would renounce it with as much ease as his predecessors had embraced it, so soon as he should find the like; or greater advantages therein.

Some other Reasons than those of Religion obliged the Court of Vienna to support his pretensions. The Emperor had a War to maintain upon the Rhine, and upon the Da­nube. The Efforts of the League were not sufficient against two potent Enemies, and the Forces of the Empire, and of their Allies, would have had much ado, in a profound Peace with the Turk, to stop the progress of the French. The Elector of Saxony had en­gaged himself to furnish 10000 Men, besides his Quota, to act against the Turks in Hun­gary; the Emperor, who had not wherewithal to pay his Troops, had Mortgaged the Du­chy's of Brieg, Lignits, and Wolau in Silesia, to him, for the same. It was foreseen that this Prince would have more to do in Poland [Page 101] than he imagined, and that the Protection of the Emperor would be absolutely necessa­ry for him; therefore they were resolved to make him buy it dear, and perhaps to give up that Mortgage without paying any thing for it. The Elector seem'd re­solved to grant every thing, provided he were not crossed in his Election; and being dazled with the Luster of a Crown, he was willing to expose himself to the Charges and the Dan­ger there was in obtaining it.

The Council of Vienna had still other pre­tensions, far more considerable than the former. The House of Austria had in the beginning of this Age disputed the Kingdom of Bohemia with Frederick Elector Palatine; the Duke of Saxony preferring his own par­ticular Interest to that of the Protestant Re­ligion, he sided with the Emperor, and in conjunction with the Duke of Bavaria, he had taken upon him to execute a Decree whereby the Elector Palatine was banished the Empire. As those two Princes had there­by engaged themselves in great Charges, the Investiture of the Electorate whereof the Pa­latine was to be stript, was given to Bavaria, and Saxony had stipulated that Luzace, which is a dependence of the Crown of Bohemia, should be given to him. This Province was promised him by the Treaty of 1620. and it was executed in the Year 1622. because the Emperor had still occasion for him.

The Electors of Saxony have ever since [Page 102] kept Luzace, and the House of Austria hath often contrived how to snatch from them a Province which it grieved them to part from.

The present Conjuncture seem'd to favour the Designs of the Council of Vienna. They upheld the Elector, and confirmed him in the thoughts he had of being King of Poland. He wanted Men and Money to dispute that Crown. The Emperor offered him both, to engage him, and he did not despair but that Prince would be willing to lose a Province to gain a Kingdom: In case of Refusal he might be obliged by force (while he was employed elsewhere) to part from that which he would not have been willing to do with consent. If his Affairs should prove better than 'twas wished, the Emperor had another advantage, tho' less considerable, yet nearer in view. Hungary was the Theatre of a Bloody War: The German Garrisons ruined what the Turks had not destroyed: And under pretence of succouring the Elector, it was proposed to send some Troops to Poland, to which that King­dom should give Winter Quarters and Provisions.

While the Elector of Saxony was Treating in Foreign Courts, the Polanders, who were at Paris, wished to see the Prince, who was mentioned to them in all the Letters they received out of their own Country. Francis Fredi du Moulinet the French Gentle­man, [Page 103] mentioned in the Election of King Casimir, introduced them to the Palace of that Prince, who received them after so ob­liging a manner, that they began to regard as their Sovereign, a Prince who treated them as his Friends.

These Lords being ready to set out for Poland, in order to assist at the Diet, prayed du Moulinet to give them some Information of the Life and Actions of a Prince for whom they had conceived so great an Esteem.

Du Moulinet, who had already wrote to the Bishop of Plosko, to the Abbot Theodore Wolf, and to the Palatine of Culm upon the same Subject, was very willing to give those Gentlemen the satisfaction they desired; and he also thought it proper to speak of the Princess, to remove the scruple that the Polanders might have to see a French Wo­man upon the Throne, after what had hap­pened in the former Reign. We shall here relate Du Moulinets own words, because they were agreeable to the Polanders, and had the Effect desired.

Francis Louis of Bourbon, Prince of Conti, of the Blood of France, born the 30th of April 1664. began his first Campagn in 1683. and continued it in 1684. but seeing that a Truce was concluded between France, the Empire and Spain, he thought that Glory called him elsewhere.

This Prince went out of France in the [Page 104] Year 1685. in order for Poland: But the Elector of Bavaria, through whose Domi­nions he past, perswaded him to go into Hungary, where he was the Subject of the Admiration of the Germans, as he would have also been of the Poles, if he had pursu­ed his first design.

In 1686. he returned to France, and re­tired to the Great Prince of Conde his Uncle, who died the same Year; Providence not having been willing to call him, till af­ter he had train'd up a General, who one day should be as great as himself.

The Year 1688. was no less Glorious to that Prince than the preeeding Years; he accompanied the Dauphin to the Siege of Philipsbourg. Those two young Hero's were lookt upon by the Enemy as if they had been the greatest Captains of Anti­quity; they knew that they had the same Virtues, while France rejoyced that they were not so old.

We will not say what Pr. Conti did during that War, no body is ignorant of it. The Germans, the Spaniards and the Hollanders have proofs of it, that were as advantagious to France, as fatal to the League of Ausbourg.

The Valour, Prudence, Mildness, Mode­ration, and other great Qualities of that Prince, make him to be thought deser­ving of a Crown; if the only Nation that can give it him does Justice to his Merits, they will know.

He married Mary Theresa of Bourbon, Grand-daughter of the Great Prince of Conde. This Princess is an Example of Virtue for persons of her Sex, of whose weakness she had no­thing; Pious without Ostentation, is Liberal without Prodigality, and far from being vain; she knows how to keep the Dignity of her Rank. When the Prince is in the War, she strips her self of those things that are most precious to her, and after the example of her whom the Antients propos'd as a Model of Virtue, she says,

While the Prince of Conti's Friends neg­lected nothing that could contribute to his Elevation, John Przependowski, whom we have mentioned, was returned from Dresden into Poland; he had so little Credit in the Kingdom, that he knew not which way to begin his New Negotiation: It was agreed that it must be kept secret, because if he had openly propos'd the Elector, they would have accused him, that he had a design to pervert Poland: It was equally dangerous for him to speak, or to hold his Tongue; and he who had so boldly given counsel, found himself not in a condition to follow it him­self. [Page 106] In this trouble he wrote to the Chevalier Flemming, that the Ambassador of France was quiet, that no body fell off from him, and that without Money he had overthrown the Factions of the Queen, and of the other pretenders; that he must address himself to that Minister, who being disappointed of the Fundamental Succours that he had so long expected, had apparently, a secret Order from the King his Master, to abandon that Negotiation, and to make the best of a bad Market.

Upon these Advices Flemming arrived se­cretly at Warsaw, and on the second of May delivered a Letter from his Master, to the Abbot de Polignac; by which that Prince would make him believe that he had treated these two Months at Rome with the Most Christian King, by the Mediation of Cardinal Janson; That in all appearance he had Orders from the King, and that he prayed him to confide in the Bearer of his Letter, & to agree with him about all things, as well for the sa­tisfaction of the King his Master, as for his own particular. Flemming delivered also a Letter to the Cardinal, who return'd an An­swer to it, which was as disagreeable to the Court of Dresden, as that of the Ambassa­dor. This Minister had answerd in very civil terms, that he had no Orders to Treat; that the Affairs of France never had better footing in Poland than now; that the Report that was spread abroad, that he wanted Mony, [Page 107] was nothing but an Artifice of the Queen; and that the Prudence of the King his Master was too great, to let him want in time of need.

The French Ambassador was touched to the quick to see a New Candidate appear; if he had had earlier notice of it, he would have obtained his Exclusion in the petty Diets, but they were over, and the Nobi­lity were flocking from all parts to Warsaw, with display'd Colours, to assist at the Ge­neral Assembly. He foresaw very well that Przependowski had caused his Advice to be highly esteemed at Dresden: The little Con­fidence that Poland had in this Senator, per­swaded him that some other persons must be concern'd in the same Intrigue, and at last he discovered a Mystery, which they stu­died to keep concealed from him.

Davia the Pope's Nuncio had formerly carried Arms in the Morea, in the Service of the Venetians: He afterwards turn'd Priest, and had been Inter-Nuncio at Brussels, Nun­cio at Cologne, and from thence nominated to the Nunciature of Poland. He was Ne­phew to Marshal Caprara, so noted in the Wars of Hungary. The Marquis Davia his Nephew, was in the Service of his Imperial Majesty, when he was taken some Years ago Prisoner by the Turks. The Infidels, who would not set him to Ransome, had confined him to the Castle of the seven Towers, so that 'twas thought he would [Page 108] end his days in Slavery. The Nuncio being allarm'd with the Captivity of his Nephew, made his Application to the Countess d' Alte­monte, his Sister-in-law, who was Lady of Honour to the Queen of England, who was very willing to pray the King of France to Interpose his Authority to procure the Li­berty of a Gentleman who was under her protection. The King's Ambassador at the Port had Orders to Negotiate the Liberty of this Young Lord; the Turks refused to treat, and the Nuncio made Poland to Eccho again with his Complaints, as if that Minister had done him an ill Office, because he could not do him a good one. Nevertheless the Nun­cio understanding that the Elector of Saxony detain'd a Bassa, who was taken Prisoner at Temiswar, he proposed to that Prince to exchange him against the Young Marquiss Davia; his Electoral Highness consented thereto, and the Proposal was made to the Turks, who approved of the same, and ac­cordingly put it in execution.

There needed no more to make the Nuncio a Friend to the Elector, Enemy to France, and suspected by the Ambassador of that Crown. That Minister went to see him in order to discover his Sentiments in rela­tion to the Election. The Nuncio declared that he would never suffer the Crown of Poland to fall upon the Head of a Heretical Prince, or whose Conversion was suspected: Notwithstanding his protestations, and the [Page 109] sincerity which he affected to make shew of, his Sentiments were known as well as the dissimulation that is so customary to people of his Country.

While the Ministers of the several pre­tenders to the Crown were carrying on their Intrigues the time of the meeting of the Diets was come. The Primate, according to custom, opened the same by a Mass of the Holy Ghost. There was never so great De­bates in any Election as in this, about the Choice of a Marshal. This Officer was to have been chosen out of the Deputies of Great Poland, because it was his Rank. The Queen's Faction, and the great General used their utmost endeavours to make it fall upon Starosta Odalanowski, Grand-son to the Great General, and Son to Count Leszchinski, Pala­latine of Lencicia and Starost General of Great Poland; but those three Lords were found to be too ill-affected, to give them that satisfaction, and the other pretenders agreed in nothing else among themselves, but to ex­clude them.

They would all have conferred that Ho­nour on Count Humiecki, Master of the Hous­hold of Podolia, as well because of his own personal Merit, as that of the Palatine of Kiow his Uncle, who past for the uprightest Lord of Poland, and one who best understood the Art of War. Humiecki, as I have already told you, had been Director of the Prelimi­nary Diet, and the Law hindred him from [Page 110] being continued in this. There were eight others of the French Faction who would not yield their Pretensions, and the Ambassador of that Crown found it more difficult to make th [...] agree among themselves, than to exclude his Enemies.

Prince Casimir Czartoreski of the Antient House of Lithuania, was not of a Constitu­tion strong enough to undergo the Fatigues of that troublesome Imployment, and there­fore quitted his pretensions to it; his Mode­ration, and the Justice he did himself, was an example to some others.

In effect Count Branicki, great Master of the Houshold of the Crown, and Son-in-law to the Palatine of Vilna, confessed that his slowness of Speech rendered him less fit for that Imploy than another, and that he wished his Friends might reap the benefit of his Mis-fortunes.

Potuliski, Starost of Borzekow; and Czapski, Starost of Klek, had equal Voices in Prussia; the Emulation of those two Lords was so great, that there was no appearance that they would give way to one another. It was therefore represented to them, that there was but one Office to fill; that they could not both have it, and that it was their parts to agree between themselves: But each of them chose rather to quit his pre­tensions, than to yield to his Rival.

The same means were us'd in regard to the Count Sapieha and Dzialinski, the for­mer [Page 111] was great Carver of Lithuania; and the latter of the Crown, and Treasurer of Prussia; Sapieha was jealous of him. They were promised that the Master of the House of Lithuania, their Relation, should be Marshal of the Diet of the Coronation, if they would desist from their pretensions this time, to which they agreed. His Competitor, who knew nothing of this Treaty, consented to do the like, and thought he had gained enough in depriving his Rival of an ad­vantage, which the Credit and Alliance of his Party would hinder him from procuring to himself.

There remained only the Counts Mies­zinski Starost of Wielun, and Bielinski great Chamberlain of the Crown; the giving over of these before, was not favourable to the first, who making a Virtue of the weak­ness of his Party, agreed with the other pretenders to that Imploy to give his Vote, and to procure those of his Friends for Count Bielinski. The Abbot of Polignac, whom those eight Lords had chosen to be Judge of their Difference, inclined for the last; because he had married the Daughter of Count Morstein, formerly great Trea­surer of Poland, who in the Year 1683. retired into France, where he had made great Purchases; besides that his Lady, who had as much Credit among the Nobi­lity of the two Orders, as power over her Husband's Mind, was entirely devoted to France.

[Page 112]The contrary Party had also resolved that no other Director of the Diet should be chosen than the Son of the Palatine of Le [...] ­cicia; and the Obstinacy of both Parties occasioned the Election to be deferred; while this was in debate, there were some Depu­ties who would examine the Grievances of the Nation against the Royal Family, be­fore all things; and the Partizans of the latter demanded that the two Treasurers should be call'd to an Account. Thus the two Parties by Mutual Accusations thought of nothing but to shift off this Inquiry, and did not trouble themselves about the Ele­ction of the Marshal.

Others were obstinately resolved to con­vict and punish the Authors of the Con­federacy of the Armies, and they applied themselves the more vigorously thereto, be­cause every one hoped to be gamers thereby. Towards the end of the Year 1696. a Detachment of the Army which remained faithful, being out upon a Party, returned loaden with Booty, but such as was more considerable in effect than in appearance: The Soldiers had seized some Barrels of Herrings that were a carrying to the Con­federates; twenty thousand Ducats were found in them; such sorry Fish had never so good pickle before: Every one was desi­rous to know the Author of this Stratagem, some to punish him, and the most part to feel the like effects of his Liberality.

[Page 113]All those Debates deferred the Choice of the Marshal; they were obliged to chuse him by Poll; all the Gentlemen gave their Votes one after another to Humiecki, who was appointed to take the same, which took up much time. In fine, the French Ambassador had the satisfaction, that he for whom he concerned himself, carried it on the 15th of June by many thousand Voices. Bielinski at this rate obtain'd a Dignity, which he was to enjoy a much less time than he spent in arriving to it.

The Choice of the Marshal was not the only thing to be terminated, that of a King was of Greater consequence: The Diet was to last but twelve days; the Nobility were impatient of this delay; they began to want provisions, Money, and Hungarian Wine; and the Summs that the pretenders to the Crown distributed among them, did not answer the Avarice of those who were only come to sell their Votes.

The Lords were as much tired as the Gen­try because of the great Expence they were obliged to be at, which was so excessive, that the great Treasurer of the Crown had de­frayed the whole Palatinate of Russia, which is composed of 12000 Gentlemen, for several days, and the other Heads of Factions had been no less prodigal.

The Election of the Marshal was a lively representation of that of the King; the two Parties had measur'd their strength; that [Page 114] which was forced to yield, was in a con­fusion, and breathed nothing but Re­venge, they desired that the Votes should be cast up, and this small comfort was granted them. Odalanowski was the most Interested, and shame had made him to re­tire, that he might not be a Witness of the superiority of his Enemies, and his own weakness. His Partisans were more constant than he; they demanded that the Marshal Elected, should give out no Diploma in case of a Division, without the Consent of the Republick; this had been formerly practised in the Election of King Michael, wherefore they were willing to follow his example; and tho' it was perceived that they designed a double Election, yet this favour was granted them, which in reality seem'd to be just, but which ought to have been refus'd to people whose Invention it was to make ill use of it.

They endeavour'd to repair, by this Nego­tiation, the disgrace which had hapned to them: Przependowski redoubled his efforts to ruine a Faction which he had represented to be so weak, and remonstrated that the Elector perform'd his promises, while the Minister of France would do nothing but give fair promi­ses. He treated at the same time with the con­trary Party, and sought by the same Artifices and means to put them out of conceit with Pr. James and the other Candidates; and in fine, he flatter'd himself that the two Parties would concur with his design without know­ing [Page 115] it. The Irresolution of the Palatine of Vil­na gave him great hopes. In effect, this Lord being blinded by the discourses of the Castel­lan of Culm, complain'd in the Council held on the 16th of June at the Cardinals, that the promises of France were not put in execution, that the Prince was at too great a distance, and that the Sums for paying of the Army, were not yet arrived. The Ministers of that Crown refuted his discourse with so much vigour, that he was forced to submit, and to promise by a new Oath which the Cardinal took first, and the rest afterwards, never to chuse another King than the Pr. of Conti And as they still hop'd that the remittances would arrive at Dantzick by the time of the Election, and that they doubted not but that France would remove this Obstacle, they resolv'd to remove the other, and to sign and dispatch the Letters, which they had already wrote, to the Prince of Conti, to hasten his departure, of which they had suspended the signing only in expectation of the Remittances.

The 17th of June, and the two following days were employ'd in Intrigues, and secret Negotiations by the Ministers of the several pretenders to the Crown, and the same days were spent in Debates in the Diet. The Ene­mies of the Royal Family spoke a second time of Accusations, and Recoveries against the Late Kings Heirs. It was answer'd, that they must before all things examine the Accounts of the Treasurers: The discussion of those two [Page 116] heads was too long for the little time that re­main'd, so it was remitted to the Diet for the Coronation, and the parties did not ob­stinately insist upon the same; every one was willing to defer an Examination which could have nothing but troublesome Conse­quences. If they could have been as easily appeased, as to the rest, they would not have been irreconcilable, and their Enmity would not have prov'd so fatal to the Republick.

It is very difficult for those that only de­sign mischief, to be long quiet. The Queens friends revived the Coequation, the Enemies of the house of Sapieha Joyned with them, and the Nobility of Lithuania being Jealous of the fortune and Splendor of that Family, back'd this proposal. The Partizans of France would not uphold the Sapieha's in this affair, but in so far as they should see them faithful to the Prince of Conti; Nevertheless as that might have divided the Partizans of the Prince, those who were the most addicted to him, referred the decision thereof till after the Diet of the Coronation; and it was re­solved to give Audience to the Ambassadors after next Morning.

The Popes Nuncio was Introduced on the 20th of June with the usual Ceremonies; he exhorted the Nobility to make Choice of a Catholick King, and of one who might be useful to the Church and Kingdom. His Harangue tho' not long was tiresome; because he who pronounced it had medled too much [Page 117] with Intrigues, and had not had the Modera­tion which he whose Minister he was recom­mended to him, in respect of the most worthy of the pretenders to the Crown.

The Bishop of Passaw had been Chosen by his Imperial Majesty to be his Ambassador; he was Son to Count Lumberg whom the Emperor had done the honour to Confide in, and likewise had a great esteem for; he had received sensible proofs of it in his life time; and his family had received the like after his death. This Prelate arrived at Vienna the latter end of April, and set out the third of May, by post, to assist at the Diet; He had re­ceived with his Instructions Bills of Exchange which he was forced to protest upon his Ar­rival: He knew that without Money busi­ness languish'd & had no success particularly in Poland. He sent back to Vienna for a sup­ply; that Court was not Ignorant of the Ne­cessity there was of Satisfying his demand: In the Mean time the report was spread abroad that that Minister had no money. He neglected to give out that he had remedied that misfortune, and the want of this precauti­on might perhaps be partly the cause of the disgrace that happen'd to him.

He set out from Vienna with a small train, and Decency obliged him to have a retinue worthy of him whose person he represent­ed; he gathered together Several Germans he had found at Warsaw, who serv'd him in stead of a life guard when the Marshal of [Page 118] the Diet came to Conduct him to the As­sembly. That Officer perceived that the guards of this Minister carryed their drawn Swords about him with their points up; he threatned to Cut them in pieces if they conti­nued their March in this Ceremony, and he being the strongest they were forc'd to obey.

The great Secretary of the Crown recei­ved from the hands of this Prelate, the Emperors Letter: As that Officer carryed it to the Primate he saw that the Direction was inclytae Reipublice. This was thought to pro­ceed from pride, and the opinion was ground­ed, upon that the Emperor Maximilian, being Competitor with Battori for the Crown, affected the same stile, and that his Letter had then met with a bad reception. The Am­bassador who had not foreseen this difficulty, demanded leave to excuse it in a full Diet. On the 21st he was permitted to do it on condi­tion that he would add the word Serenissimae with his own hand, and promise that his Im­perial Majesty should Agree to it; he excused it, by reason he was not permitted to alter any thing of the stile of the Chancery, and so his Letter was not received.

These Mortifications were but a Preludium of those that were to happen to him that same day. Those of this Retinue had pla­ced themselves about him, which hinder­ed him from being seen, wherefore a sign was made for them to retire, upon which they prostrated themselves upon the Ground [Page 119] and put themselves into the posture of Ma­lefactors who expected to receive the fa­tal blow. The Ambassador began his dis­course, which he read upon his paper, and recommended Prince James Sobieski as a fit person for the Crown. He was inter­rupted several times during his harangue because he made use of the terms of Vos, instead of those Terms of honour, which ought to be used when one Speaks to a free and Crown [...]d Republick; As he con­tinued to read the same way, and did not change his Expressions, the Poles ceas'd not to reproach him; this so inraged him that he was seized with a bleeding at the Nose which together with the Clamours of the People, hindered him from going on, and deliverd him a little sooner out of that great perplexity.

The Ambassador of France was to speak the Next day which was the 22th. The opposit function prepared to Interrupt him and to revenge themselves of what had happen'd the Night before. They knew that Minister to be a man who would not have suffered this affront tamely; he had Notice of it, and that Jablonowski great Ensigne of the Crown and Son to the Castellan of Cra­cow had said to Prince Lubomirski Starost of Olsztin; You have Insulted our Ambassa­dor, to Morrow we shall have Satifaction upon yours. This and some other parti­cular reasons made the Abbot de Polignac [Page 120] think that it was not proper to Venture himself; But he Printed his proposals and Caused them to be distributed throughout every Palatinat, signed with his own hand and sealed with his Coat of Arms. This precaution had all the Effect he could ex­pect from his harangue.

The 23d which was Sunday and the 24th being St. Johns day were spent in private Negotiations. The Complement that was passed upon the French Ambas­sador the 23d was enough to puzzle an Able Man. The Bishop of Plosko Dzia­linski and Wapowski came to wait upon him, saying, that his Friends would do nothing without first acquainting him with it; That they prayed him to have regard to the misfortunes wherewith all Poland was threatned, that the Division that was fore­seen was Inevitable, since he could not give orders for the essential succours which alone were Capable either to hinder or to extinguish it; that a medium was found out which would settle the Quiet of the Re­publick, secure the honour of France, and be no prejudice to his Excel­lency. This Expedient was to Consent to the Choice of the Elector of Saxony; whom they would oblige to restore to the most Christian King, the Money which he had ex­pended, and that the said Prince would do for the Ambassador all that the Acknowledge­ments of a Prince, who should owe the Crown to him, could require.

[Page 129]The Abbot of Polignac had been acquain­ted with the design over Night, by Count Wladislas Priemski, Castelan of Kalish, the truest Friend he had; and withal the bra­vest Man in Poland. He was a Man that temper'd his Courage with matchless Pru­dence, and knew how to turn the Crossest Accident to his own Advantage. Every one wonder'd that such contrary Vertues should agree to lodge in one Breast; and in­deed 'twas a hard matter to determine whe­ther his Conduct in Peace or War was his greatest Excellency.

The Ambassador and he had agreed upon what they were to say; and in order to dis­course the Deputies upon the Resolutions they had taken, the former appear'd among 'em in the Council, where he represented to them that 'twas their interest to prevent the Election of the Duke of Saxony; that he be­liev'd the Nation was two jealous of their Liberties, to deliver themselves up to the Germans, whom they had always rejected upon such occasions; and should that Elector compass his design, that the Catholick Re­ligon and their Liberties would be equally in danger. He remonstrated to them, what a shame it was for the Poles, at a time when their Senate consisted only of Popish Mem­bers, to suffer their Crown to sit on a Luthe­ran Prince's Head. He added, that he knew not how Poland could answer the just reflections of the Holy See, which would [Page 110] never grant King Casimir a Title to Orthodoxy, till he had expell'd the Hereticks out of the Senate, and several parts of the King­dom.

Having thus charg'd them with weakness, he came at length to threats; and told them, that, without dependance upon them, he had a Body of Nobility to stand by him; and, if after all, his Candidate could not mount the Throne, that his Party would at least be strong enough to fortifie Prince James's, which he was going to joyn, and hop'd the Cardinal and other Lords would follow his Example.

'Tis certain the Ambassador had some ground for what he said: For the Cardinal, and the Houses of Sapieha, and Lubomirski, were sure of fourteen or fifteen Palatina [...]. Besides, this Minister had by some other [...] ­triegues secur'd those of Prussia, Plosko, No­vogred, and a part of Sandomiers. And at the same time Count Priemski was Master of those of Posen and Kalish. Accordingly the sequel gave them to know that the Am­bassador was able to put his Threats in E [...] ­cution, and that the French faction which was given out to be so low, was a third part stronger than they imagin'd.

Nearness to danger gives courage to en­counter it. The Threats of the Ambassador, and the fear of falling under the Government of the Queen, confirmed them in their first sentiments; and accordingly they promis [...] [Page 111] a third time to act honourably in the matter, and without any further failure. There was only Krziszpin Palatin of Witeps, and Mor­stein Castellan of Czerske who were engag'd by the Castelan of Culm, by a bribe of two thousand Crowns given them, upon Promise and Oath: But the other Lords were asham­ed of their perfidiousness, and declared open­ly that the baseness of two men whose quality was disputed, ought not to reflect upon the true Nobility of Poland, that abhorr'd their Treachery.

From the time of the Election of the Mareshal, Przependouski had flattered him­self with hopes of improving his Interest by the Inconstancy of the Palatin of Vilna, thinking that others might follow his Exam­ple▪ But he was out in his measures upon the score, though he succeeded well in ano­ther Project. The Queen had conveyed her two Millions to France; and was glad they were not returned to Poland. She had laid out Thirty Thousand Crowns, to no pur­pose, upon the Election of a Mareshal; and what by that and other prodigal measures had quite exhausted her Treasures; and was galled to see the French faction rise upon the ruines of hers', without expending such large Sums. Prince James had spent all his Money, and the Heads of his Party threatened to abandon him, if he did not find some before the Election: His last shift was to make his address to the Bishop of Passaw. Accord­ingly [Page 132] he sent the Bishop of Cujavia, the Ca­stelan of Cracow, and Palatin of Braslaw to ask some Money of him, which the Promises and Protection of the Emperor had given him Ground to hope for. That Bishop had an Hundred and Fifty Thousand Crowns by him besides Jewels; but thought it scarce worth the while to revive a party that was already so far gone: He told them, in that juncture of Affairs, 'twas indifferent to his Imperial Majesty, whether they chose Prince James or any other Candidate, pro­viding they kept out the Prince of Conti: That the only effectual way to prevent that Prince's being Elect was to make the best advantage of his Distance, the difficulty of his Passage, and the scarcity of French Money in Poland; that 'twas their business to ex­amine which of the Candidates was best able to make his pretensions good, and endeavour to support him; unless they had a mind to sink under the Triumphs of the Cardinal and the Families of Sapieha and Lubomirski, and their other declared Enemies; and that for his part, both his Money and his Credit should be at the Service of him that could make the strongest faction.

They ran over all the Candidates of the House of Austria. The Duke of Lorrain was at Olmutz with the Queen Eleonor his Mo­ther. The Duke of Nieubourg was at Breslaw in Silesia. Both of them knew the importance of their Neighbourhood; but to what pur­pose [Page 133] should Princes stir, that are at once de­stitute of Money and Troops? The Elector of Saxony was likewise in Silesia at the head of his Troops, ready to enter the Kingdom: His pretended abjuration was then publick, and believ'd by all those whom Przependouski's Credit, or that Prince's Interest could pre­vail with: His Money was in readiness, and those who could not satisfie their avarice with three Millions from the Queen and Prince James, might be gained by his Twelve; and besides, he had an Army able to repair the weaknesses of their Party. Upon this consi­deration they resolved to declare for him, and told Prince James he must lay down three hundred thousand Crowns, ready Mo­ney, or else expect no service from them. Prince James reply'd, 'twas to no purpose to a [...] Money of him, after they had taken all from him; that since he was so unhappy as to be abandoned by those whom he took for his Friends, he renounced his Pretensions, and intreated them to employ all their Interest for his Brother in Law the Prince of Nieu­bourg; that by so doing they would serve him under his misfortune, and perhaps in­gage the compassion of the Emperor and Empress in his behalf. But these good Friends minded but little a recommendation that was not accompanied with liberality.

The 24th in the Morning, the Heads of the Party met in Council, to consult what Faction they should join themselves to. Po­toski [Page 114] Palatin of Cracow and little Crown-General, had no inclination for the Duke of Saxony; but would have preferr'd the Duke of Lorrain, if he had had Money to give him. He gave the Cardinal and French Ambassa­dor to know, that if they would consign sixty thousand Crowns, and give him the half on't by way of advance, he would deliver up himself and his whole faction to them. But they had not Money enough to buy him, and so lost the opportunity. In fine, he sold himself to Saxony, more out of Avarice than Affection. Jablonowski Crown General, Joseph Sluska Castelan of Vilna and little-General of Lithuania, the Bishop of Cujavia, the Vice Chancellor Tarlow, and se­veral others follow'd their Example. The Palatin of Lencicia was not among them. He expected his Son should have been made Mareshal of the Diet; and being disappoin­ted fell into a Fever that rendred him sens­less, till a few days after the Election.

Borouski Castelan of Dantzick, gave the French Ambassador Intelligence of the Reso­lutions of that Assembly: And the Ambassa­dor presently acquainted his own Faction with it. His Faction was composed of two sorts of Men, that seemed equally to favour the Prince of Conti: the one had a Personal respect for him; the other acted with no o­ther view but to exclude Prince James and the Royal Family. Prince James's Renuncia­tion made them look more indifferently upon [Page 115] all the Competitors, so that in two or three Palatinates, they gave in Conti in the first place, and the Duke of Saxony in the next. 'Tis true those who did so, were afterwards troubled about it; but 'twas in vain to repent when they had not time to remedy it.

The French Ministers endeavoured to re­dress the fault, though 'twas not committed by them. For that end they drew up three Arguments against Saxony, which would certainly have cast him, had they been able to back them with bounty. They objected first his Country, which had always been odious to the Poles, but his Money answered for that: Then they represented his strength and power, and indeed 'twas that that supported his feeble Pretensions: And lastly, they put the Poles in mind of his Religion, which was the strongest Motive of all. To obviate this Objection, that Prince's Favourites had spread a report that he had been converted to the Romish Faith two years before: But that was looked upon as fabulous. So they were forced to look out for some better evidence; and accordingly met with a Prelate that was not very scrupulous in serving them.

Christian Augustus of Saxezeitz, a Kinsman of the Elector's, had formerly been of the Lutheran Communion: Upon what motives he departed from it, we shall not enquire. His Preferment he owed to the Emperor, who in the Month of April, 1696. remo­ved him from Cologne, where he had been [Page 136] Canon and Grand Provost, and put him in pos­session of the rich Bishoprick of Raab in Hun­gary: And upon the Emperor's recommen­dation his Holiness's Bull was obtained Gratis. This New Prelate being willing to serve his his Family, and withal to give proof of his grattude his to Benefactor, did yield to their importunity in signing an Attestation, that on the second of June, being Trinity Day, the Elector of Saxony had made an Abjuration at Vienna before him. General Fleming shewed the Certificate to every one, but could con­vince none. They credited this Attestation, no more than the report of his Abjuration at Rome two years before; because neither the Church nor Witnesses were mentioned, and they would not take a Lutheran's Abjurati­on upon a Calvinist's word. Besides, the Duke had been observ'd to follow the Lutheran Communion since that time; and those who were convinced of the matter of Fact, could not excuse such a sinful relapse; nay the most judicious looked upon the action as a Crime that Politicks might disguise, but Repen­tance alone could expiate.

The Abbot of Polignac and his Collegue improved these Reasons to that advantage, that the more reasonable sort of People were guarded against all surprizes upon that Head. They represented the whole as an Arti­fice to procure a Rupture; and told them his Favourers furnished themselves with those pretexts, in order to get an Army into the [Page 137] Kingdom to attack their Laws and Publick Liberty. These Reflections had a great in­fluence upon the Body of the People, but those who had sold themselves to the Saxons did not trouble themselves, having resolved to sacrifice their Liberties, Religion and Coun­try to sordid Avarice.

The 26th of June all the Palatinates assem­bled. That Day was appointed for adjusting the preliminaries, for the Election was to be determined as next Day. All the Gentry being in number above a Hundred Thou­sand, appeared in the Fields of Warsaw; eve­ry Palatinate under their own Standard, di­vided into Companies, the biggest contain­ing eight or nine Hundred Men, and the least two Hundred. They were all on Horseback, excepting a few on Foot, that followed the Cavalry, and were drawn up behind them. These were the poorer sort of Gen­try which could not go to the charge of a Horse; they were armed with Scythes, with­out Sabres, and appeared as formidable as the others, and had an equal right to Vote.

Each Senator made Harangues to his own Palatinate, in order to recommend his own designs, and direct them in the Election. The Bishop of Plosko had no sooner made an end of his harangue, but the Palatinate of the same Name cried long live Conti; and drew their Sabres. This universal acclama­tion did at once encourage the French, and mortifie the opposite Faction.

[Page 118]The Palatinates of Siradia and Rava fol­lowed the Example of Plosko; and the three from Prussia did the same. Nay the Electi­on was almost anticipated through the impa­tience of the Noblility to be under a Sove­raign that seemed only capable to restore the Kingdom to its ancient Splendor.

Przependouski observing the fury of the Prussians endeavoured to put a stop to it, in telling them the Duke of Saxony was as good for them as the Prince of Conti: Whereupon Czapski, Chamberlain of Mariembourg reply­ed, Why Traitor, is this thy Oath? And at the same time shot a Pistol at him, which would have killed him had, not a Priest put it by with his Cane. Though 'twas an act of Charity that merited approbation, yet it drew more Curses than Thanks upon the Priest.

Others were stunn'd with their forward­ness, and apprehensive of a surprize; and to put a stop to the Career protested against the Cardinal, the Bishop of Plosko, the Palatin of Culum, the Lubomirski's, Sapieha's, and Radgivil, as having concerted a disorderly Election, in opposition to the Laws, which require that the Candidates should be first proposed. They on the other hand, out of tenderness to some of their Party, yielded to the Legal form, and so lost the opportunity of compassing their designs, that was now a second time thrown into their Lap.

Had they kept up to the ardor of the Pa­latinates, the Duke of Saxony had been buri­ed [Page 119] in Oblivion: For the greater part of the Gentry, had never heard of any other Can­didates beside the Prince of Conti and James Sobieski, and were intirely engaged to the former, without dreaming of any other pre­tensions. Br [...] aw prevailed, and stifled their Acclamations; the Decision being put off till the next Day.

Both the Ministers of France and their Adversaries were equally in suspence, and run busily about all that Day and the succeed­ing Night. The one entertained the Gentry with the Story of the Elector's Conversion, which they would fain have passed for a truth: The other cndeavoured by all means to con­vince them of its falsity. Both of them made their Address to the Pope's Nuncio, who found himself in a quandary; but to satisfie both Parties, promised the one he would confirm the Bishop of Raab's Certificate with his own Attestation, and at the same time assured the other he would not do it; perhaps for a salvo to his word, he meant he would not do it next day.

On the 26th they assembled early in the Morning in St. John's Church, were the Cardinal Primate said Mass, and the Bishop of Plosko made a Sermon, in which he com­pared himself to the Prophet Samuel, that demanded of God a King, not like Saul, but such a one as David was: And interlaced his Discourse with ingenious little hints, that gave his Audience to know where his wishes [Page 140] and hopes were pointed. After Sermon the numerous Assembly marched in order to the place of Election: And the Senators being placed in the Kolo, the Cardinal Primate made an Eloquent Speech upon the due qua­lifications of a new King, and then Named the Candidates; giving every one a Panegy­rick, either upon his Personal Qualities, or those of his Family. When he came to mention the Duke of Saxony, who was the last in Order, he declared that in Honour they could not forget him, but he was not fit to be chosen because he professed Luthe­ranism, and no Body was sure of his Con­version, though the Publick was imposed up­on with insufficient Proof. Then the Elector was nam'd openly in the Ranks, which sur­prised even those who were best acquainted with the Laws of the Kingdom: However his Party was so weak, that the terror was not equal to the surprizal.

The Cardinal having made an end of his Harangue, kneeled on the Ground of his own accord, and lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, declared he would never Nominate a King without their unanimous consent, provid­ed they did not insist on one uncapable to be Chosen. After the Primate's Oath, all the Senators, both Ecclesiastical and Secular, Mounted their Horses, and repaired to their respective Palatinates. But this being con­trary to the Custom, those who assisted at the Election of King Michael, told them [Page 141] that when the Gentry was divided between the Prince of Neuborg and Prince of Lorrain, they drew upon the Senators. This Advice obliged them to alter their Resolutions, and accordingly they returned, partly out of regard to the Laws, and partly for the secu­rity of their Persons. In the mean time the Cardinal and the Director of the Diet, re­mained by themselves the in Kolo, standing opposite to one another, in order to receive the advices which came very frequently, and to give them necessary Orders-

The Castelan and Palatine of Cracow made their last efforts to serve Prince James, in so­liciting the Palatinate of Cracow, which by right speaketh first, and that of Posen that speaks next, to cry, Long live James the Son of the King: Three Companies of Cracow obeyed them; and one of Posen did the same, but very faintly: The other three of the for­mer, and five of the latter cryed, Long Live Conti; and that with so loud an acclamation that his Name was heard all over the Field. Vilna, which Votes in the third place, was intirely for him; and all the others followed their Example till it came to Samogitia's turn, which comes in after the first eight Palati­nates; two Companies of this Province had been retained by the Krziszpins whom I mentioned above, and accordingly declared for the Duke of Saxony. His Name was so odious to those who stood for Conti, that they spoke of nothing less than putting those [Page 122] to the Sword, that proposed a Lutheran. But his new promoters, gave them fresh as­surances that he was a good Catholick, and had abjured the Lutheran Profession at Rome in the presence of the Pope himself; and be­cause the Gentry would not take their words for it, told them the Nuncio would attest it in his Holiness's Name. Some credited the Story, especially some poor Gentlemen that Przependouski had regal'd with Brandy, and given them a Crown a Man. Others believed the nomination of Saxony was only a blind to advance Prince James's Party, which sunk so quickly under his own name.

This conjecture was grounded on a certain misfortune that happened in the Palatinate of Plosko, where a Gentleman devoted to the Royal Family had the Generosity to check them when they repeated Conti's Name, with as much ardor as they had done the pre­ceding Day; and having proposed Prince James, was preparing to give in some Remon­strances, when another Gentleman stopped him, and killed him with a Pistol shot. But the inhumanity of the action had not so much influence upon the Gentry, as to procure an avenger.

All Prince James's hopes were buried with this imprudent and misfortunate Friend. The Palatine of Plosko had absented himself from the meeting, either out of fear of the like disgrace, or in order to avoid the affront he had received in the Particular Diet of his [Page 123] Palatinate; where, after he had incouraged the Gentry to declare against France, he was so universally forsaken, that he had not one to back him. Or perhaps the Intrigues of the opposite Party had made him absent himself; for the Ministers of France had so much In­terest with the Gentry, as to get those they suspected turned out of all places of com­mand, and others of their own Faction put in their Posts.

While the Palatinates were Voting, they gave notice to the Bishop of Passaw, that 'twas absolutely necessary to have the Nuncio's At­testation to back the Bishop of Raab's, which no body credited, after Conti's Party had ex­posed it for an imposture. The Nuncio was gone to visit the Princess Lubomirski the Grand Marshall's Lady at her Castle Viasdow, about a quarter of a League from Warsaw. The Emperor's Ambassador finding it ne­cessary to speak with the Nuncio, went straight thither, and told him that if he did not immediately give the Attestation they had demanded over Night, and now solicited for more than ever, he must expect to see Prince Conti chosen with an unanimous consent. The Nuncio stag­gered no longer; but wrote under the Bi­shop's Certificate that he knew the subscrip­tion to be his, and added a Panegyrick upon the Bishop, blended with another upon the Prince, and a great deal of impertinent stuff: So that upon the whole 'twas rather a Com­mentary than a legal Confirmation.

[Page 144] Przependowski return'd about eleven a Clock in the Morning with this Paper, and a guard of his Friends to secure him from the Cham­berlain of Mariembourg that had threatned him the Day before. When he arrived in the Electoral Camp, he held up the Paper in his hand, and made those about him cry out with a loud voice, that the Pope's Nuncio had declared to the meeting that the Elector of Saxony was a good Catholick, and that his Holiness required the Crown should be given him. Those who fancied Saxony's Name was made use of to favour Prince James, took all this for an Illusion; and looked up­on the proposal of Saxony as a Monster that must perish when it comes into the World, and be stifled by those that gave it a being.

The siiller sort of the Gentry, together with those that were hired to Authorise the Fable, were by this means engaged on his side, and about Noon made a Party bigger than that of Nieuborg, Lorrain or Baden, but much in­feriour to Conti's. The Confusion of Voices, and the noise of Arms, caused so great a dis­order that 'twas impossible to gather the Votes. To appease the Tumult the Cardi­nal proposed that Conti's party should go off to one side, and those of the other Candidates to draw themselves up on the other. In a minute his Advice was put in execution, and so great a number of Companies passed to the Right of Schopa to appear for Conti, that his Enemies thought the whole [Page 145] Meeting was filing off to that side. How­ever they redoubled their efforts to form a Body upon the left hand, which did not amount that Day to above 36 Companies for all the four Candidates; whereas, Conti's Party by it self had at least two hundred and fourteen.

Those who favoured France sent expresses almost every minute to acquaint the French Minister what a great number of Palatinates was on their side. As they passed along to the Right, one came▪ and told them of twelve, another of fifteen, and so on till they came to nine and twenty. The Nuncio himself, when he saw five and twenty of them declare for Conti, though he was sorry for it, yet he sent his Secretary to congratu­late the Ministers. They finding every thing so favourable sollicited the Cardinal and the other Heads, by repeated Messages to improve the Advantage that fortune had of­fered, and to nominate the Prince of Conti that day, without putting it off till the next.

Indeed the occasion of nominating was very inviting, when all the Palatinates were ranged in two Battallions, and Conti's Line was so long, and the other so short; that the one was animated with fresh Courage, and the other seized with fear: Nay, the Great Treasurer of the Crown and the Ca­stelan of Kalish, designing not to lose the ad­vantage they had got, exhorted all the Gen­try [Page 146] to prepare to fight. The Castelan, be­ing mounted on his Charging Horse, appear­ed at the Head of the Palatinates of Posen and Kalish, with a Crucifix in one hand, and a drawn Sabre in the other, without any other harangue, but the warlike shout, For God, Conti and our Liberties. The Bishops of Cujavia, Posen, and Livonia, who were on the Saxon side, did not doubt but they would come to an engagement, and that their Party would be cut to pieces. Being under this apprehension, they took Horse and fled to Warsaw, and shut themselves up in St. John's Cloister. At this time there was no Division to be feared, if the Primate had nominated Conti; for these three Prelates being gone, there was no body behind to nominate another.

But the Primate was Master of more Pro­bity than Courage: He had a mind to spare the Polish Blood, and to stand to the Oath he had made. Being possessed with such scrupu-Reflections, he listened to the entreaties of the Generals, who begged the Election should be put off till next day: Though the fourteen Companies of Sandomiers and Mazovia, who were the better part of the opposite Party, had promised to abandon that side so soon as the Darkness of the Night should give them an opportunity to get off: Though all the Companies of the twenty Nine Palatinates that stood for Conti, were already drawn up, and the Cardinal was just [Page 141] giving them the Benediction, in order to proceed immediately to the Nomination, when that fatal proposal of delay was handed about; yet he presently agreed to it, with­out acquainting the Palatinates who would never have suffered it; and instead of making an end of what he was about, told them the Night approached, that the Election of a King was not a work of Darkness, and that the next Day it should be determined.

Several entreated him to gather the Votes without delay, which is always dangerous in such junctures: They remonstrated to him, that the opposite Party had not above 36 Compa­nies, and those were divided among four Com­petitors; that by this delay he furnished them with an opportunity of uniting, and conspiring to support the Interest of some one that they might find strongest, or capable to distribute most Money; and that 'twas not at all prudential to give them time to join in a new Faction. Had the Primate followed this advice, Conti had been King, and Po­land's Divisions had been prevented. But such was their fatal misfortune, that he de­pended upon the hopes of seeing all the Facti­ons reunited, and a King nominated with an unanimous consent. To satisfie the Intrea­ties of the one, and the Importunities of the the other, he endeavoured to find out a me­dium betwixt them. This was the fatal Tem­per, which never almost meets with success, and is only carress'd by those who are Ene­mies [Page 148] to all Resolution. The Accommodation he made was, that both Parties should keep the Field all that night upon Horeseback, and no Man should quit his Post. This they jointly agreed to, and he himself spent the Night in his Coach.

This Interval of time gave occasion for new Intrigues. Przependouski came pri­vately to Warsaw to the Bishop of Passaw's House, where the Envoy's of the Electors of Saxony, Bavaria, and Brandeburg; the Dukes of Nieubourg and Lorrain, and the Resident of Venice were all present, Monte­catini Agent to Dom Livio Odescalchi was not called thither; and perhaps if he had presen­ted himself he should not have got access, because his Money was gone. For he had but just distributed six or seven thousand Livres (which was all he had left) to some Gentlemen, who to the number of fif­teen or twenty had nominated Odescalchi King of Poland; and sounded up his Name more effectually than all the large offers he had published, notwithstanding that they were greater than any other, and set off under the Title of his most Serene Highness. But all their efforts served only to revive the raillery I mentioned above.

All these Ministers met at the Nuncio's House, and concluded, that since they had so much time given them, they must im­prove it to the best advantage, and not only throw up all their different Pretensions to the [Page 149] Duke of Saxony, who was the strongest, but likewise assist him with Money. The Baron Overbeck Envoy from the Duke of Branden­bourg, gave the two hundred thousand Crowns that were designed for the Prince of Baden's use; the Bishop of Passaw gave a hundred and fifty thousand Crowns, and the others advanced according to their Proportions; nay even the Venetian Resident signalized his good will at the Queen's cost to the sum of thirty thousand Crowns, which she had put into his hands, in order to assist Prince James in his necessity. All these Contributions, to­gether with the Money Monsieur Flemming had by him, and what the Jews advanced upon his Bills of Exchange to Dresden, Leip­sic, and Breslaw; made in all a sum of eigh­teen hundred Thousand Livers, which they reckoned to distribute among the two Parties. With this they ranged all the Night long up and down the Electoral Camp; and indeed they found that method a more effectual per­suasive, than all the Eloquence of the Gene­rals that had been imployed to that effect to no purpose.

However the success did not answer ex­pectation. 'Tis true they united and inga­ged for Saxony most of the thirty six Compa­nies that had been divided betwixt Nieuborg, Lorrain and Baden: But this they looked up­on as a small Conquest; for they could not inveigle above eleven of Conti's Companies, and in lieu of them they lost seven of their [Page 150] own: So that all that vast huge sum purchased more than four Companies, increasing their number from thirty six to forty. Finding this sorry progress would not answer, they carried their Negotiations yet further.

The three Generals Jablonouski, Potoski, and Sluska addressed themselves to Sapieha Grand General of Lithuania, whom they knew to be a Man of no Resolution; and made use of some Reasons, which he had often alledged himself at the Cardinal's House, thinking thereby to win him over to their side. He was afraid lest they, being the Queen's Ancient Friends, should carry on Prince James's Interest; but they assured him they were so far from entertaining any such thought, that they had jointly resolved to put up Saxony, if the Cardinal insisted upon Conti. Sapieha was still mistrustful, and would fix upon no Conclusion. So at last they forbore to sollicit a Man that had not the power to determine his own thoughts.

The 27th at two a Clock in the Morning Przependouski and Flemming came to the Ab­bot of Polignac, and told him they had brought things to bear that Night, that their Faction was very Rich, and strongly re­inforced; and that he had yet time to accept of the advantageous offers that were former­ly made him. That Minister, for answer, accused the former of Treachery, and the latter for not keeping his Word: He put him in mind that on the 2d of May, as he delive­red [Page 151] him a Letter from his Master, he assured him that the Elector would claim no pre­tensions to the Crown, without the Coun­tenance of his most Christian Majesty, and the Failure of the Prince of Conti; and that con­trary to that promise, the Elector of Saxony was the only obstacle that stood in the way of Conti's unanimous Election. So they parted without concluding upon any thing.

The French Ambassador had galled them more without Money, than they could him with all their Sums. They had stopped his Couriers, and his Bills of Exchange were not arrived. The Queen had so much inte­rest at Dantzick as to prevent the payment of the six hundred thousand Livres; and without Money 'twas a hard matter for him to win the Bishops and three Generals that stood by the opposite Faction. But his Prudence supplied the want of Money, and his Carriage to the Lords of his Party was so engaging, that not one of them forsook him. And the number of his Party was much aug­mented by the respect he shewed to the se­cond Rank of Gentry; of whom he en­tertained six at his Table, every Day, from the beginning of the Diet. The Poles them­selves owned that this cautious conduct had gained him whole Palatinates: But the Queen's eternal complaints of his Conduct, and her open Aversion to his Person, procured him yet more.

[Page 152]In the Morning the Cardinal began to re­pent that he had not determined the Election the Day before. The opposite Party was not so sensible of his complaisance in delaying as he expected: On the contrary, the Heads spent the time upon new intrigues, and no body thought of an Union. Besides, they com­plained of his Conduct the preceding Day. He had gone through all the Palatinates of his own side to require their Votes, and ex­hort them to constancy. But omitted to do the like honour to the opposite Faction. This they resented, and would have persua­ded the World that the Primate's slighting carriage was the occasion of their declaring for Saxony. The Primate had declined go­ing among them, by reason of some advice sent him, that if he appeared at their Head the followers of the Castelan of Cracow would assassinate him: I know not whether they truly designed so, or had only spread that re­port to scare the Prelate from coming to make such Remonstrances as might take off any of their thirty six Companies. However this put both Parties in such a ferment, that the Primate declared he would not consent to any Accommodation.

At the same time the Rupture was resolv'd upon by the opposite Faction; only they were galled with one difficulty, viz. They had only four Prelates in their whole Division, for the Bishop of Samogitia was not present at the Diet, and those of Cujavia, Posen, and [Page 153] Livonia could not shake off the terror which the Castelan of Kalish had put them into over Night. The last of the three was very scru­pulous of medling with what belonged to the Primate; and loth to give his Brethren an ill example, though he was not unwilling to follow theirs. As for the Bishop of Cuja­via there was no hopes of bringing him back, after what had passed. And Stanislas Witw­icki Bishop of Posen, declared he had business, enough of his own upon his hands, without ingaging in more. He called to mind the Judgment given in against him by the Pope's Nuncio, which branded him with a disho­nourable Character. I shall not mention it here, because I would spare the memory of the dead, and am unwilling to sully his Character.

In order to put an end to the Election be­times, the Heads of both Parties began to review them. They perceived the three Ge­nerals had brought their Guards and Dome­stick Servants into the Field, to enlarge the bulk of their Troops, and murmured a little, but without any consequence. But the Pri­mate was much more surprised, when he perceived, that of the fourteen Companies he expected to join with him, there came but se­ven; that the Palatinate of Volhinia, the Di­strict of Wielun, and some Companies of the Lithuanians, had marched out of their Ranks, and posted themselves between the two Battallia's, for a sign of Neutrality, and [Page 154] that the Palatin of Vilna appeared at their head, though his whole Family continued at their first Post. Immediately he dispatched an Express to know the reason of that motion. The Palatin answered he had set himself there as Umpire between the two opposite Parties, and reckoned his Example might sway those who stood out. They fansied he himself had a mind to put in for a third between the two Candidates: And the Great Treasurer his Brother, his Children, his whole Fami­ly, the better sort of Lords, the Mareshal of the Diet, the Bishops and the Primate himself intreated him not to put such a scan­dal upon their own, and incourage the op­posite Faction. He put them off with some of his old Reasons, and pretended he was afraid of the Emperor, Brandenburg, and the Musco­vite. They told him 'twas no time to exa­mine these things after so many Promises and Oaths, and the receiving of so many Re­wards. At last when they had spent the whole Morning in such interviews, he re­turned with his Company to his former Post, and withall told them, 'Twas their importu­nity more than their Reasons that brought him back.

During this Conference, which continued but too long, the meeting was silent; and the opposite Faction expecting to reap advantage from Sapieha's Irresolution, who was a Man that was always confused in Matters of Du­ty; singled out Gorowski Castelan of Gnesna, [Page 155] who walked softly up, and made a sign for a Parley: Upon which Szwienziski Bishop of Kiow was deputed, and the Castelan gave him to know his Party wanted a Conference to be managed by Deputies in the Kolo before the Primate and Mareshal. Upon the Bishop's report 'twas agreed to; though they perceived the design was only to gain time till the morrow; yet they had a mind with­out loss of more time, to hear what they had to say.

They declared openly that since a Rupture would be fatal to the Republick, they were utterly against it; and if the opposite Party would abandon Conti, they were willing to do the same by Saxony, Nieubourg, Lorrain, Bavaria, and all the Royal Family. But the o­thers looked upon their proposal as ridiculous; they reckoned it a piece of imprudence for those who were superiour in force, to treat upon an even lay with the weaker side; since those who were conquered ought to obey the Conqueror's Law. They fansied that if they had been able to make good the pretensions of any of their Candidates, they would not have dropp'd their Remonstrances; that one day would put an end to the matter, and those who had a mind to stand out must ei­ther submit or prepare to fight.

Others again, who would seem to be more moderate, were almost over-reached a second time, when the opposite Party com­plained [Page 156] that they were unjustly charged with obstinacy, since they offered to part with se­ven Princes, providing they would part with one. To lay the blame upon them, the Great Treasurer of the Crown proposed that the Primate should offer them the Prince of Baden: Next to Conti the Primate would have given him the Preference. The Bishop of Plosko came to Warsaw to acquaint the French Ambassador with the Proposal. Im­mediately the Ambassador wrote to the Pri­mate and all his Friends, desiring him if that Proposal was seriously entertained, to remem­ber the strength of Conti's Faction. When the Bishop returned he found the Great-Treasurer had proposed the Prince of Baden to the Deputies of the contrary Faction; and that Jablonouski had rejected the Proposal on­ly because it was motioned by Lubomirski, and as he fansied promoted by Sapieha; so he embraced it because his Enemies disliked it. The Palatinates that stood for Conti were displeased with these two Senators; but they excused themselves as much as they could, and declared that what they did was only with a design to affront Jablonouski in the face of the whole Republick: Howe­ver that Plea did not satisfie them; their in­dignation against the opposite Party was so violent, that with one consent they inter­rupted the Primate while he offered to no­minate.

[Page 157]The Bishop of Cujavia being persuaded their heat would relent if he could procure a delay, wrote a Letter to the Primate, half Latin half Polish. 'Twas to this purpose: Since your partiality for France has made you forget the acknowledgments ye owe to the Royal Family, and Prince James's Interest is now sunk; I give you notice that we have fourty Companies resolved to choose Saxony, if you nominate Conti: In the mean time I will not incroach upon your Rights, unless Threats and Arms oblige me. The Letter concludes in his own words thus, Sunt nobis 40 vexilla Nobilium pro Saxone Conjurata, si nomi­nabis Conti. Attamen non involabo in Jura Primi­tialia V.E. nisi coactus minis & armis. This Let­ter was delivered to the Primate when he was going to give the Benediction to the Palatinates that had assembled round the Kolo in order to take possession of it. He read it out to them; and the Gentry found it such as they wished for, as being a proof of the obstinacy of a small number against a great one, and the C [...]mbination of 40 Companies against 210. Then their Patience was exhausted: They obliged the Cardinal to pronounce the Bene­diction, mount his Horse and make an end of the important Affair. The Primate, in compliance with those whose violence he could not avoid, about six a Clock at Night nominated Francis Louis of Bourbon, Prince of Conti, King of Poland, and Great Duke of Lithuania.

[Page 158]The Nomination was followed by the Acclamations of above fourscore thousand Gentlemen, while the opposite Party were projecting how to manage the designed Rup­ture. A Protestation would have cost them too much Blood, which they thought it their interest to spare: But their Confusion and Chagrin suggested other measures for recal­ling an Election, which they themselves owned under hand to be the safety of Poland.

While they were consulting, the Cardi­nal, accompanied with the Gentry, went in Triumph to Warsaw to sing Te Deum in St. John's Church. They found the Gates of the Church shut, by the order, as they said, of the Bishop of Posen Ordinary of the place, and the Bishop of Livonia, Dean of that Collegiate. But they were quickly opened by Orders from the same Prelates. For a De­tachment of the Gentry fired so many Pistols at the Windows of their Palaces, that they presently satisfied their demands. After­wards they excused themselves, and would have laid the fault upon the Pope's Nuncio. But the Gentry who were equally ill pleased with them and him too, gave answer, that the contempt with which they treated his orders. was equal to the respect they paid to those of his Holiness.

The Primate having finished the thanks­giving in the Church of Warsaw, went home attended by the Gentry, which passed by the Palace of the French Ministers, and with [Page 159] their Hangers and Pistols, saluted the Kings Arms, that were upon the Gate. A great many Lords and Gentlemen came to compliment them, and indeed the Hungarian Wine was not spared.

The Cardinal was scarce arrived at his Palace, when a Crowd of the Gentry came to acquaint him that the Bishop of Cujavia having retired from the Electoral Camp with the three Generals, took advantage of his absence, and at the head of the Fourty Com­panies quietly nominated Frederick Augustus Elector of Saxony, King of Poland and great Duke of Lithuania.

Some Lords represented to him the Ne­cessity of reducing that seditious Party; that since they would not submit, they ought to be forc'd to it; that when the Hereticks had made a Conspiracy to prevent the Ele­ction of King Henry, they were happily di­spersed by the Courage and Resolution of Albert Laski Palatine of Siradia, and John Kothewiecz Great-Mareshal of Lithuania, who threatned to cut in pieces all that with­stood the Senate's Orders: That the same Remedy was now needful; and though it might appear violent, yet 'twas proper for desperate Diseases.

The Primate, with a Moderation suitable to his Genius and Character, disapproved the Design; and the Lords submitted to his Advice so readily, that one would think [Page 160] there was more Ostentation in the Project, than Eagerness to put it in Execution.

The Bishop of Cujavia and his Accompli­ces were not so scrupulous. Having nomi­nated the Elector out of the Electoral Camp, and sung Te Deum in the same place, he came to repeat the Thanksgiving at Warsaw, while the whole Town was busied in ma­king of Bonefires; and Conski Palatine of Kiow, and Great-Master of the Artillery, was ordering the Guns to be discharged for the Prince of Conti. The Bishops of Posen and Livonia opened the Gates of the Church to him, which had been shut upon the Pri­mate by their Orders, but three or four hours before; and there they celebrated the same Thanksgiving, with this difference only, That the Bishop added the Benediction of the Holy Sacrament, and by that Ceremony rendered the Action more odious.

Among all the Nullities in the Nomina­tion of Saxony there was one which the Bi­shop was not aware of; viz. that 'twas per­form'd out of the Electoral Camp. His Friends acquainted him with the Oversight, and obliged him to return next Morning by Break of Day, to make a new Nomination, as if that Ceremony could have rectified a Proclamation that was irregular in all its parts.

The Bishop returned from thence to the Church of Warsaw, where at six a Clock in the Morning he tendered the Pacta Conventa [Page 161] to General Flemming, giving him the Title of Envoy Extraordinary, though he had no Right to that Character. This Minister promised, in his Master's Name, to advance Ten Millions for the Use of the Republick; to maintain Fifteen thousand Men during the War with the Turks; to retake Caminiec upon his own Charges; to re-establish the Catholick Religion in Saxony; and that the Electoress should make an Abjuration before she were crowned, or else forfeit all her Pre­tensions to the Crown. The Bishop was not ashamed to administer the Oath to a Calvinist Envoy, in the Presence of the Holy Sacrament, notwithstanding the Opposition of James Halecki, Huntsman of Podlachia, and Martin Grazewski, Vice-Chamberlain of Vilna; upon whom they drew their Hangers in the very Church where the Sacrament was ex­posed. And this Prelate instead of redres­sing the Disorder, cried, Kill, Kill; where­upon they made a verbal Process before the Nuncio, who publickly disapproved the acti­on, but did not think fit to punish it.

When the Election was over, the Cardinal hoping the smaller number would be brought to comply, proposed a Conference between the two Parties. Accordingly it began on the 28th, the most noted Lords on both Par­ties being present. George Albert Denohoff Bi­shop of Premislia, and Great Chancellor of the Crown, opened the Conference with a Speech; in which he told them the day [Page 162] of the Election, was a representation of the day of Judgment; and the Favourites of France on the Right represented the Elect, and alluding to the Lamb upon the Primate's Arms, quoted that passage of Scripture, Hi sequentur Agnum, quocunque ieret: And com­pared Saxony's Faction to the Goats that put all in disorder, applying to them that other passage, Vos enim depasti est is vineam.

Then the Deputies were named. Conti's Party demanded that according to Law the two Competitors should not enter nor send Troops into the Kingdom, nor seize any Place, or claim aright for Coronation, till the publick were assembled again in a second Diet to confirm the Election; and deter­mine which of the Candidates should mount the Throne. Saxony's Party, considering Conti was far off, and Saxony just at hand, gave no other answer but a flat denial; and on the fifth of July, which was the last day of the Conference, declared that they saw the French had a mind to gain time, but the Saxons would not loose the opportunity.

While the Conference was held, those who were not admitted enjoyed themselves in Feasting, and their heat was so much abated, that they seemed to bury the Old Polish Hu­mour. By their Voices one would have thought they were rather pleading upon some particular cause before Judges, than ma­naging the Election of a King in a General Diet of the Kingdom.

[Page 163]Some wondered the Bishop of Cujavia should encroach on the rights of the Primate, in nominating a King in a tumultuous Assem­bly; but they were more surprized to hear him say the Elector had made an Abjuration at Rome two years ago. 'Twas Publickly no­torious, that he had not performed one ex­ternal act of the Catholick Religion: On the contrary he continued openly in the Luthe­ran Profession. And the more zealous among them owned that if his Abjuration was true, he should be looked upon as an Apostate.

Others examined the qualities of the two Rivals. They extolled the Prince of Conti, whose Vertue they had sensible impressions of, from the French Ambassador. Prince Lubomirski Great Treasurer of the Crown, and many other Polish Gentlemen, were wit­nesses of his Bravery at the Siege of Newhau­sel, and they could not but credit their Report, that 'twas by his means chiefly that that im­portant Place was taken. Others would have spoke on the Elector's behalf; but his Defeat at Temeswaer in the Month of April, 1696, was too fresh in their Memories, to consist with his Glory: Though afterwards the disgrace was in some measure extenuated by Prince Eugene of Savoy's Reprisals.

They boasted of the Elector's strength, which indeed was extraordinary; and de­clared every Day by fresh instances. His Ene­mies could not deny it; but they distinguish­ed between Hero's and Gladiators, and [Page 164] affirmed that Milon of Crotone went beyond him.

When the News of the Election of the Elector, came to his own Country, they were as much disturbed as Poland. Prince Eugene of Furstemburg their Governour having caused Te Deum to be sung at Dresden on the 4th of July, would have said Mass in the Castle Chappel: But Christian Ebrarde the Electoress, Daughter to the Marquiss of Brandebourg Baroth, being a Calvinist, or­dered the Gates to be shut, and refused to take upon her the quality of Queen. The Electoress Dowager was not less zealous: So that both these Princesses, upon this occa­sion, show'd all the transports of anger, that Women in a passion are capable of.

I know not whether they did it out of Zeal, or to serve the Elector's Interest, in seeming to stand by the Country of Saxony. However the States were as resolute as the two Princesses; and declared they would admit of no change in the point of Religion. They went upon the latter will of John II. the Elector's Grandfather, which obliged all his Successors to Profess the Lutheran Religi­on. This Act they would have looked up­on as Authentick, had not some former acci­dents given them a jealousie of what might come after.

George Duke of Saxony Died in 1539. He was the most Zealous Prince of his time, for the Catholick Religion; as it appeared by [Page 165] many proofs in his life-time, and at his Death, by his latter will. He had no Chil­dren to Succeed him. Henry his Brother, Maurice and Augustus his Son had imbraced the Lutheran Profession in 1537; and he was unwilling his Country, which by his means had kept up the Purity of the Gospel, should fall into the Hands of Hereticks that had corrupted Saxony, and a great part of Germany. In order to compass his Pious De­sign, and at the same time to give his Family no occasion to complain of Injustice, he made a latter Will, in which he determi­ned the Succession to Henry and his Chil­dren; providing they introduced no Change of Religion into the Countries which he gave them: And declared that if they coun­teracted that Condition, they had no Right to his Heritage. He entreated the Empe­ror Charles V, and King Ferdinand his Bro­ther, to be Executors of his Will, and not to give the nearest of his Relations Possession of his Country, without they Professed the Catholick Religion.

Had these Executors been possessed by the same sentiments of Piety with that Prince; Leipsic might have been a Catholick City this Day; but their particular Interests prevailed above Religion: They gave Henry and his Children the liberty of establishing Heresie in that City, at a time when they were pre­tending to extirpate it out of the whole Em­pire. Henry took advantage of their weak­ness, [Page 166] and invited Luther to that Town, which he perverted as well as many other Cities in Germany. Now the Saxons conside­ring how Prince George's Will was executed, were apprehensive of the like Treatment for Prince John's,

They and the Poles were equally in fear, the one for the Lutheran, the other for the Catholick Religion. The Primate wrote to the Elector, that the Diet had chosen the Prince of Conti; that he hoped he would not look upon the Tumultuous Election of a few Seditious Persons, as the Unanimous Con­sent of the whole Nation; and that he in the behalf of the greater and better part of the Nation, intreated his Highness to be ra­ther their Friend than their Soveraign. This Letter the Elector would not receive, be­cause 'twas not addresed to him as King.

The Cardinal gave Advice also to the Em­peror and the Elector of Brandebourg of the Election of the Prince of Conti: That Ele­ctor answered that he was sorry for the Di­visions of the Republick, and offered himself as Mediator. The Emperor's Answer came later; 'Twas wrote to the Envoy in these words, Non est nostrum dare consilia Domino Cardinali & aliis Nobilibus Polonis, tamen optaremus ut amici fierent Regis Poloniae, quan­do quidem aliter fieri non potest. 'Tis not our business to give advice to the Cardinal and Polish Nobility; however we wish they would make a Virtue of Necessity, and stand [Page 167] by the King (meaning the Duke of Sax­ony).

These Letters were as ineffectual as the Conferences. After the 5th every one fol­lowed his own measures. The Cardinal cal­led a Diet on the 26th of August, to confirm the Election: The Bishop of Cujavia, in op­position to the Primate, proclaimed that the Coronation of the Duke of Saxony was to be solemnized on the 15th of September, and the preceding Diets should meet on the 6th of August.

In the mean time the French Ministers were not idle, On the 27th about two hours after the Election, the Abbot of Polignac dis­patched his own Secretary for France, to ac­quaint the King and Prince with the wel­come News. The Courier being big with hopes of success, and full of the great News he brought; was afraid of lessening their agree­ableness, by keeping too close to the naked truth, or to his Instructions; especially since the Ambassador had once thoughts of em­ploying another, and upon his sollicitation the Prince had desired that he should be sent. So his Vanity not being satisfied with a sim­ple Recital of what passed; he added a great many particulars, which could not have happened till after his departure, and by that means betraied his Levity.

He had Orders to give an Account of what passed at the Election, where he was an Eye Witness, and to represent how much [Page 168] Poland stood in need of having their Elected Prince immediately at their Head, to draw together their Armies, and prevent the Saxons marching into their Kingdom, who would not fail to take advantage of his absence.

The Secretary arrived at Versailles the 14th of July, and being interrogated about the Divisions, said, they were not at all to be fear­ed; and perhaps by that time they were al­ready appeased. The Prince asked if 'twas necessary for him to set out immediately. He answered he had no occasion, and that 'twas more proper for him to wait the arrival of the Embassy which the Republick would send him.

These News filled the Court, City, and Armies with Joy, but the next Day made a wonderful alteration; when they received the Copy of a Letter, wrote by the Elector of Saxony to his Minister at the Hague, in which he gave Advice of his own Electi­on, without mentioning Conti's: Doubtless his design was to put off Conti's Departure for Poland, in case the Couriers with the true News were stopped in Germany. Some Let­ters wrote from Dantzick with the same view, and to the same purpose, increased their trouble. Thus they passed the 14th, 15th and 16th in great uneasiness, and in ad­miration of the Prince, who carried the uncertainty of his Lot with such firmness and constancy of Mind, as proclaimed him worthy of a Crown.

[Page 169]They looked impatiently for the arrival of the Ambassadors, that the first Courier had mentioned: But on the 16th at Night the Abbot Rioux, having been dispatched by the French Ministers, arrived; who gave a solid and circumstantial Account of the Rup­ture; Remonstrated the necessity of the Prince's Presence; and in fine told them, They were not to expect an Embassade, by reason of the difficulty of the Passage during the War: for which, and several other rea­sons, the French Ministers had dispensed with that Ceremony, in their Propositions Printed a few Days before the end of the Diet.

When the Prince knew how things stood, he made Preparations for his Departure; but since he was not to expect an Embassade, thought it convenient to wait till the Cardinal notified his Election to him by a Letter. This Letter of the Cardinal's was ready the 30th of June, and given to one of the Abbot of Polignac's Gentlemen, to be sent by the Abbot of Rioux; but the Gentleman being designed for a third Courier had a mind to deliver it himself, and accordingly kept it; for he thought to set out that same Day, and fansied he would pass more speedily and safely than those who went before him.

A certain Missionary called Mommeian, who was Superiour of the Boarding-School of Lowitz, the Cardinal's Favourite, and very Zealous for France, discovered the Intrigue; [Page 170] and gave the Abbot of Polignac to know that the Gentleman had reason to be impatient to be gone, for he had shown him the Car­dinal's Letter. As Cases stood then, the Ab­bot could not but chide the Gentleman. The Elector's Preparations and Profuseness were likely to gain him new Favourites; those who confided so much in Conti's di­stance, and Saxony's nearness, would not listen to the moderation of the Law in case of Divisions: And these Reflections did so frighten Conti's Party, that in a Grand Coun­cil held in the Great Treasurer of the Crown his House; they declared to the French Am­bassador, that they could stand no longer by him, that the Act of Election, which he de­manded so earnestly, was useless; that they had resolved they would not deliver it, till they saw the Execution of his Pro­mises of Paying four Quarters due to the Army; since 'twas that alone could put them in a Condition to resist the Elector's Forces. Then the Ambassador asked what should be­come of the Prince they had called; they answered, That he must be Countermand­ed.

The Ambassador finding this Answer both positive and unfavourable, was in a quanda­ry, whether the Primate's Letter should be sent: For he considered, that if the Prince was already on the Road, in compliance with his own Letters, as he hoped he was, then he would arrive in time enough to reco­ver [Page 171] his Party; if he was not yet set out, 'twas not prudential to call him in such an unfavourable juncture, unless he were sure of the Constancy of his Faction. In the mean time he made it his business to make sure of those who had not yet abandoned him.

At length he compassed his Designs, in having the Act Signed by the Cardinal, Archbishop of Leopol, and all the Prelates of his side, excepting the Bishop of Cracow, who absented by reason of his great Age. 'Twas likewise Signed by all the great Officers of the Crown and Lithuania; all the Palatines and Castelans, excepting the Great-Mareshal Lubomirski, who remained neuter, and the Vice Chancellor Tarlo, who was gone over to Saxony. Then the Ambassador dispatched the third Courier on the 18th of July; who had the misfortune not to arrive before the 9th of August.

The Ambassador could not presume the favourers of France would stand so long out, as they did: So by that Courier he gave the King notice, that he feared all the Polish Gen­try would join with Saxony; unless the Prince of the Money promised to the Army were there before the 31st of July; because the Lords who Signed the Act, had only en­gaged to continue in their Union till that day, as being sure by that time the Elector of Sax­ony would pay the Troops, and then they had nothing to Object against him. The [Page 172] Prince was so far from being able, in so short a time, to reach Poland, where he was ex­pected so impatiently; that he was yet at Paris, waiting for the Original Letter from the Cardinal: And when that came, the the Court received this we now speak of. So the Prince saw himself Called and Counter­manded by two Letters received both in one Day; only that which called him was of an older Date than the other by 18 Days.

Then the Prince's Journey was put off a second time, and by a necessary, but fatal con­sequence, The Orders for the Remitments were recalled. Good Politicians will easily perceive that the most studied precautions are often times to no purpose; especially if they consider, that such mean matters as the Private Designs of a Courier, have influen­ced the most important Affairs of this Age.

However, a little time discovered that the short Day which the Polish Gentry had given to the Abbot of Polignac, was only threats; for when they received the News of the Elector's Arrival, their Zeal revived with fresh Vigor. In the mean time twas need­ful to engage the Town of Dantzick in the French Interests: The Abbot of Polignac was obliged to continue in the Centre of the Kingdom, where his presence was necessary; so the Abbot of Neuf-Chattle set out for that Place on the 2d of July, in order to appease the Queen, to keep the Migistrate of the [Page 173] Place right, to satisfie the Poles that were a­bout to come thither for Money, to persuade the Banquiers to have the Money ready to be paid as soon as the Bills of Exchange arrived, and in fine, to make sure of Prussia where the Prince was to pass when he arrived. He delivered to the Queen the King's Letter, and with a great deal of submission told her the Reasons that retarded the performance of that Duty. She refused to enter into any Nego­tiation with him, and continued Resolute to maintain the Elector's Party, as being the weakest, and the least able to withstand her, when Conti's Faction, being the strongest, came to be broke.

The Magistrate was as obstinate as she; and alledged as weak Reasons: The chief­est were, the Losses the Town had sustain'd by Sea during the War: The sollicitation of the Queen and Elector of Brandebourg, the Elector of Saxony's Country and Religion, which were more agreeable to the Inhabi­tants than that of the Prince of Conti, who was but too good a Catholick. It had been an easie matter to refute all these Reasons; but the Magistrate thought he eluded all possible Replies, when he told him that the Town, in pursuance of its Statutes, would acknow­ledge either of the two Princes that should be first Crowned; and till that time they would stand Neuter. The Abbot of Neuf-Chattel per­ceiving the Magistrate went upon the hopes of Saxony's preventing the Prince of Conti, re­presented [Page 174] the advantage that would accrue to a Trading City, by a Commerce with France; and told him that if the Citizens would act regularly, they were obliged to acknowledge him as King who was first E­lected according to the Laws of the King­dom, by a plurality of Votes, and by the better part of the Republick; that if bad Counsel prevailed with them, to take other measures, they ought to call to mind, how on the like occasion they acknowledged the Emperor Maximilian, to the prejudice of King Stephen, and drew upon themselves such disgrace, as in prudence they ought now to avoid. But all these Reasons had no influence upon a set of People prepossessed with a Zeal for their own Religion, and an im­placable Hatred against France.

The other Citizens were more tractable. Some lent him Sums of Money. 'Tis true they were very small; however they served to stop the Mouths of some of the great Lords Residents that teased the Abbot with perpetual Demands. His abode in Dantzick was likewise useful in keeping the Prussians in order, and securing the Town of Mari­embourg for the Prince till he arrived.

While the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel was tak­ing care of Prussia, the French Ambassador at Warsaw was endeavouring to retain the rest of Poland; which his Enemies had a mind to seduce. The Elector of Brande­bourg in his Letter to the Primate had offered [Page 175] his Meditation, and out of respect to a Neighbouring Prince they accepted it, tho' they expected to reap no advantage by it, but that of gaining time. The Publick Con­ferences commenced on the 9th of August. Saxony motioned that the Diet for Confir­mation should be Revoked; or if the Re­vocation was inconvenient, that the Cardi­nal should oblige himself by Writing to No­minate Saxony instead of Conti; that the Pri­mate by his Ʋniversalia should call the petty Diets, as Preliminaries to the Coronation, and come himself to Warsaw, to put the Crown upon the Elector's Head; that in case they listened to these Conditions, the Elector would not admit the Bishop of Cuja­via to Crown him: That the Date of his Election should Commence from his Con­firmation in that Assembly; that he would Swear to such Pacta Conventa as they offer­ed him; and in fine, would Pay in ready Money to the Heads and Lords of the oppo­site Faction, the sum of Eight Hundred Ninety Two Thousand Crowns, to be di­vided among them as they should think fit.

These Proposals were Answered in the fol­lowing Articles; a Copy of which was gi­ven to the Baron of Overbeck, the Elector of Brandebourg his Envoy. They required the Elector with his Troops should depart the Kingdom, and send an Ambassador from the Frontiers to the Diet for Confirmation, to [Page 176] desire the Crown; That he should give bet­ter proof of his Conversion and renew his Abjuration in the Presence of some Bishop of the opposite Faction; and in fine should re­nounce the Act of his pretended Election, and all the other means which he and the Bishop of Cujavia had made use of to that purpose. Upon these Conditions, and the Execution of the Offers made by him, they promised to consider of his Pretensions; to treat him not as an Usurper, but as a legal Candidate; and to regard the Merit of a Prince that would submit himself to Reason.

Both Parties were stiff and bold; and not without Reason. The French Faction was encouraged by what passed at the Diets Sum­moned by the Bishop of Cujavia to meet on the 6th of August. That Prelate's Circular Letters were universally slighted. The Gentry that met, had no other view but to oppose Saxony's Election: They chose no Deputies for the Coronation; and their only Study was to give reproachful Answers. The Diet of Sroda were more serious upon the matter: They entred into a Confedera­cy of several Palatinates to declare War a­gainst the Elector, the Castelan of Kalish was to be their General, and Radomicki a a Man of Merit and known Bravery, their Mareshal. The Palatinates of Lencicia and Rava joined with them: In fine, this Ro­kosz was so universally approved, that it ser­ved [Page 177] for a model to that concerted two Months after by the General Meeting of the Gentry.

The News of this Confederacy came to Warsaw on the 12th of August; and about two Days after a Courier arrived from France, namely Lowis Etler the Count of Oldenbourg's Gentleman, and an ancient Offi­cer in the Polish Troops; who during the Interregnum had made several Journies into France; and behaved himself very handsom­ly and faithfully. Among other dispatches he brought a Letter from the Prince of Conti, Dated August 1. and addressed to the Car­dinal Primate; in which he returned thanks to the Republick for the Choice they had made; and assured them he was fully resol­ved to come and head their Troops, and shed his Blood for their Liberty, so soon as he received the advice of his Election from the Cardinal. This Letter was translated into Polish, and Copies of it were care­fully distributed over all the Kingdom. They were persuaded, the third Courier with the Cardinal's Letter and the Act of Election, was arrived at Paris as next Day, or two Days, after the Date of the Prince's Letter. And therefore having broke up the Conferences with the Envoy of Brandebourg, they had no further regard to the Remon­strances, he continued to give in; namely, That France did not mind Poland, since con­trary to their custom, they walked so slowly in their measures relating to it; and did not [Page 178] transmit the Sums of Money that were so much wanted, and which they used to ad­vance so liberally upon all other occasions. He added that the blindness of the Polish Nobility was deplorable; that the Elector would ne­ver be kind to them upon a forced submissi­on, but would treat them coldly, if not as Rebels; and spend all his Bounty and Re­wards upon their opposites, who were not their equals.

The hopes of tasting of the Elector's Fa­vour, and the fear of his Threats, made an alteration upon, some: And The Head of the French Faction went to meet with the Am­bassador, who, though he was equally perplex­ed with themselves, yet he found Reasons to hearten them. He told them the Affair was so important that the Court of France could not be indifferent about it; which they never were with respect to their Allies. He complained of the Intercepting of his Let­ters, and stopping of his Couriers, and of the unfavourable Offices of the Queen and Migistrate at Dantzick, who threatened the Banquiers of the City, He represented the Interest of the Court of Berlin in avoiding the Neighbourhood of such a King as the Prince of Conti; and in fine, charged the Poles with being the Cause of all the danger they were in, in refusing the next Day after the E­lection to send the Act to othe Prince, by one of their own Gentry, according to his repeated sollicitations. This last Reason being such [Page 179] as they could not answer, made them approve of all the others.

While the Ambassador encouraged his Party with Reason, the Bishop of Cujavia and his Complices were strengthening theirs with fresh Violence. A few Days after the E­lection, they sent an Ambassade to the Elec­tor to entreat him to come and take the Crown. The Deputies met him at Tarno­witz upon the Frontiers of Silesia, where the Palatine of Volhinia, the Great General's Son, made a Speech to him; standing while the King sate. He took care that the En­voy's were regaled, but did not bring them to Eat at his Table: Then the Palatine be­gan to condemn himself for interlacing his Speech with so much flattery and meanness, that perhaps was the occasion of the contempt he met with.

The Elector entered the Kingdom, at­tended by the Deputies of Poland, and the two Krziszpin's. At Pickari he renewed his Abjuration in the Jesuits Church, in the Presence of the Bishop of Samogitia; from thence he set out for Cracow, accompanied by two thousand Germans, all Protestants; who, according to the custom of their Coun­try, brought their Wives and Children a­long with them. They profaned the Chur­ches in making them serve for Stables: They out-raged the Curates, and snatched the Sa­cred Plate out of the hands of the Priests, endeavouring to save it. In short, he did [Page 180] not march like a Warlike Prince. The Poles compared his march to that of Vitellius, when he went to take the Capital City of the Em­pire that he was not to hold long.

On the 21st of July the Elector made his Entry into Cracow, with no great demonstra­tions of Joy. He had been there incognito for some Days before, and was lodged in the Royal Palace of Lobzow, where Francis Lu­bomirski Starost of Olszteyn had lived for some time; he being obliged to turn out, and give place to the New Guest. However that did not hinder him to join in with the Elector's Friends; to break up the Petty Di­et of the Palatinate of Cracow which was then held at Proszowice, and return with the Gentry to Cracow, without seeing the Elector. From thence the Starost went to Warsaw, which had taken the Alarm upon the News of that Prince's arrival at Cracow with his Troops. But he endeavoured to hear­ten them, in upbraiding them with a ground­less fear so far off, while he and his Friends were not afraid when just at hand.

The Elector was not yet Master of the Castle. The Governour, Count Wielopolski, declared he would not surrender it, because the Devoir of his Charge obliged him not to deliver it, but to a King Elected by the consent of all the Gentry. This Faint brought him a better Market. When the Elector could not prevail with Threats, he plied with Presents: He presented the Starost's [Page 181] Lady with a Bracelet, and himself with Five Thousand Crowns. Upon which the Castle was delivered, and all the good Reso­lutions forgot.

The Saxons were overjoied with this Con­quest: And the Flatterers, amidst the sump­tuous Feasts, with which the Elector regal­ed them, spoke of nothing less than march­ing to Lowitz to storm the Primate, and by his Example reduce the whole Kingdom. But the Council's deliberations were more peaceable; they gave a more moderate advice, viz. That they should attend the Issue of the Diet which the Primate had called; and in the mean time continue at Cracow, and For­tifie it as much as the present juncture would permit. They added that in case the Reso­lutions of the opposite Party proved too Vio­lent, or threatned Danger to the Elector, in a Day's Journey he might fly from thence to Silesia, where he would be secure.

That Language did not please the Elector, who had sold his very Jewels, to compass a design, that they had given out to be so ea­sily put in Execution. He intreated the Bishop of Cujavia and the rest, to think of some measures more worthy of a Prince that they looked upon as their Sovereign. The Bishop and Complices commended his Cou­rage; and told him that in order to main­tain his Interest, he must bring more Fo­reign Troops into the Kingdom; bribe the Gentry of the Second Rank by liberal Pre­sents; [Page 182] and take care immediately to pay the Army of the Crown. Upon this Advice the Elector sent for the false Ducats that were minted at Breslaw by his Order; and bur­dened Saxony with Taxes; preferring the Ruine of his Hereditary Country, to such a disgraceful Flight as was proposed to him.

In the mean time the French Ambassa­dor was endeavouring to make the Army de­clare for Conti. It was a difficult undertak­ing without Money. However on the 10th of July, he sent the First Master of the Houshold of the Crown with a Hundred Thousand Livres, which the Primate had pawned his Jewels for, in order to raise the Cosacks. That Officer had likewise an engage­ment, signed by the Ambassador, and con­firmed by a separate Note from the Primate, That before the end of that Month the Army should be Paid the four Quarters that were Promised them. When the 31st of July came, the Day they had granted to the Am­bassador, was elapsed, and he had heard no­thing from France: The Twelve Commissa­ries of the Army were then at Warsaw, where they stayed to the 20th of August. So that after three Weeks Stay, to no purpose, they were obliged to return, without any other satisfaction, but the continuation of Promis­ses and Fair Words.

The Elector took advantage of their de­lay; and sent two Millions in Specie to the [Page 183] Castelan and Palatine of Cracow, with Or­ders to divide it among the Army. These two Generals were glad the Money was to pass through their Fingers, upon two ac­counts; one, because they would have an opportunity of keeping a good part of it to themselves; the other, because by that means they had an occasion of being recon­ciled to the Army, which after the Confede­racy refused to acknowledge their Authority, or admit them into the Camp. Przepen­douski accompanied them, and told the Sol­diers, they were come to give them all that France had promised. But after all their Profuseness, of fourscore and Six Compa­nies, of which the Army consisted, they did not purchase above eight; which they sent to the Elector, under the Conduct of Potoski Great Huntsman of the Crown. All the rest, at the sollicitation of Twelve Commissioners, who had been gained by the Abbot of Polignac, would not receive the Pay: And this was the first time that the Polish Army, was ever seen to re­fuse Money.

The fidelity of the Soldiers, and the hopes of suddenly seeing the Prince of Conti; re­vived the Party of France till the 24th of Au­gust, that they met at the Castle of Viazclow, whither the Ambassador was summoned. Every Body appeared extreamly consterna­ted, that they could hear no News, at a time when the Prince's Presence, and Re­turns [Page 184] of Money were so absolutely necessary for the putting in Execution of what they had projected. However, in the first place they greatly applauded the French Minister, for the Precautions he had taken in that time; and among other things, for having maintained at his own Charge, ever since the Election, the Foot Regiment of the Pa­latine of Vilna, which Guarded the Bridge of Boats upon the Vistula; by means where­of he had preserved the Communication be­tween Poland and Lithuania. The Sistem which he had proposed, of having at the Diet of Proparcié, some Troops of Nobility who should both give their suffrages as Gen­tlemen, and serve as Soldiers in the Milita­ry Expeditions, was universally approved; but there was no appearance of Money, which like the Soul was to enliven this great Body. Thereupon they asked him what sup­plies he could afford in this same time of op­pressing need? Upon which the Abbot that he might still more and more assure himself of the Fidelity of his Friends, whom he had carried so far, maugre their frequent Mena­ces, and to bind them by a faster knot than that which tied them as yet to France, de­manded two things: First, That the Prince of Conti might be confirmed by a second Proclamation; and in the next place, that the Republick according to the Example of great Poland, should make an Association, bound with an Oath, [Page 185] against the Elector, and declare War against him.

The first Point was hotly debated, and it was resolved, that if before the beginning, or though it were the breaking up of the Diet of Proparcié, they received more sub­stantial News of the Prince's arrival, than that of the 14th, there should be no hesita­ting upon the Embassador's Proposal: But if no Prince or News came, Prudence would not permit them to enter farther into that Engagement; and that in this Case, it was better to suppose the first Nomination valid and effectual, than to infring it by a new one, which perhaps would be looked upon as done to no other purpose, than to rectifie the Defects of the former.

The Second Proposal underwent no diffi­culty; for it was by common consent resol­ved to Summon a Rokosz, and to declare War against the Elector as an Usurper; and that the Reason was, because whoever de­clares the War, is a Party capable to treat of the Peace. Thus the Embassador of France, who was summoned to that Conference, meer­ly to have been laden with Reproaches, had the advantage to obtain the best part of what he had presumed to demand, and more than perhaps he ever hoped for.

This piece of Success rendred ineffectual all the Attempts of Prince James, who could not pardon the pretended Friends of his Fa­mily, their Perfidiousness to himself, by for­ming [Page 186] a Faction for Saxony, which they might have raised with as much ease in fa­vour of his Interests. He made his Addres­ses to the French Party, and declared by Gro­chus, Castelan of Samogitia, and the only Friend that stuck to him; that he threw himself into the Arms of true Persons of worth, and besought them, that in case the Prince of Conti did not come, to set him up in his Room. But the Proposal came to no­thing; for they to whom he addressed him­self were engaged too far in the Interests of France. The Prince for whom Grochus in­terceded was too universally abandoned; and in truth, his faithfullest Friend, had too little Credit, and was a Man of too mean Parts, to bring about an Enterprize, which was above the reach of his management.

The Palatine of Vilna, followed by all the Senators of Lithuania, except the two Kr­ziskpins, and the Castelans of Vilna and Troke, arrived the 26th of August, that he might be present at the Diet of Confirmati­on, which was to sit down the next Day. Four Thousand Men of his Army also marched after him; but upon advice that there was no Money yet come, he counter­manded them till farther Orders.

Upon the 26th of August the Cardinal, and all the Senators who had Elected Conti, re­paired to the Church of St. John, where they met above Sixty Troops of the Choice of the Nobility under their Standards. The [Page 187] Mareshal of the last Election was at the Head of them: They heard Mass, which was solemnized by the Bishop of Kiovia; and a Jesuite Preached the Sermon. Which done, they went to the Electoral Field, where the Count Biesinski, Director of the Crown opened the Sitting, and declared against the Elector, and all those who had de­livered the Castle and City of Cracovia in­to his Hands; while the Factious had no other design than to break the Diet by some Protestation. To which purpose Donowski, Nuncio of Wisna, more bold than any of the rest, stood up and said, the Assembly was to no purpose, since the Nation had cho­sen the Elector of Saxony. He was about to have gone on, when a threatning murmur watched his Ears from all parts of the Room, and at the same time he perceived several Sa­bres drawn; which constrained the Nuncio to betake himself to his Heels, while the rest pursued him out of the Field of Election; and gave him so many Wounds, that they left him almost for Dead, in the Arms of those that durst not undertake to defend him.

The Nuncio was cured of his Wounds, but he lost the use of one Side of his Body, and was so disfigured, that after he had given this bad Example, no body was more capable than he, to amend it. His Accomplice had better luck; for he threw himself at the Car­dinal's Feet, who touched him with his [Page 188] Cross, as Ahasuerus, did with his Cane, and and saved his Life.

Krassinski, Palatine of Plosko, had given order to his Son to second Danowski's Prote­station. But the imminent danger was a lawful dispensation with his Obedience: He presently got a Horseback, and made his escape to Warsaw; though above twenty Gentlemen pursued him with their drawn Swords to the very Turnpikes of the City.

Upon the 27th nothing was decided, be­cause the Ambassador of France tarried for News, which did not come. Thereupon Rietinski demanded what answer he should give to two Gentlemen; the one of the Pa­latinate of Cracow; and the other of the Pala­tinate of Sandomiria, who, astonished at the misfortune that had befallen Danowski; and the Day before durst not make their Appear­ance, unless the Diet would grant them a safe Conduct for the security of their Per­sons. But those two Gentlemen were order­ed to be told, that if they came with the same Design as Danowski did, they should be answered as he was.

Upon the 28th, the Articles of the Rokosz was proposed; at what time the Cardinal painted forth in all its Colours, the Invasion of the Saxon; he also excused the slowness of the Prince of Conti, and the Defect of Re­turns of Money, which he attributed to the Intercepting of the Bills of Exchange; The Brabbles of the Dantzickers, the [Page 189] Queen's Credit with the Merchants, and the obliging fear that France was in of making the least Attempt upon the Liberty of a Na­tion to whom she was unwilling to shew the least suspicion: He assured them that the Prince, in conformity to his Letter received the 14th, would appear so soon as the Re­publick should shew their forwardness to re­ceive him.

The Rokosz was resolved upon, in opposi­tion to those, who to the prejudice of the Religion, Laws, and Liberties of Poland, had brought an Army of Hereticks into the Kingdom under the Conduct of a Lutheran Prince, who had delivered to him Cracovia, and the Castle belonging to it, and put the Republick into the danger from which they were now endeavouring to deliver her.

Humiecki was declared Mareshal of the Rokosz, who so well acquited himself of that Commission at the Preliminary Diet, and during a Month, at the Diet of Election, that the Efforts and Intrigues of Constantine Wapowski, Ensign of Sanok, who alone durst contend with him for that Dignity, were absolutely frustrated. Prielinski deli­vered to him the Battoon of Command, and reserved to himself only the priviledge of pre­senting the Diploma to the King lawfully Elected; which was granted him.

The Palatine of Vilna was the same day chosen Generalissimo of the Forces of the Republick, but excused himself from accept­ing [Page 190] that Honour, till the necessary Funds for Defraying that Charge was arrived. The Palatine of Kiovia also, to whom the same Preferment was offcr'd, return'd the same Answer: So that it was resolved that the Prince should confer that Honour upon whom he should think fitting. Several Re­gulations were likewise made, which would have been very beneficial had they been well put in Execution.

The Bishop of Kiovia at the same time disingaged all the Senators from a great deal of trouble, when he offered to go to Cracovia, and admonish the Elector in the name of the Rokosz to depart the Kingdom. And the Prelate was upon his way in order to Execute his Commission, when he understood that they expected him with Impatience, that they might give him the same Entertain­ment which Donowski had received; nor did he need any new Advice to prevent him from continuing his Journey.

After the Enclosure of the Camp was bro­ken down, to the end the Mutineers should not hold their Conferences therein; the Pa­latine of Plosko was summoned upon the 29th to Surrender the Castle of Warsaw, of which he was Governour; who thereupon demand­ed two hours respite: But upon his answer the Palatine of Kiovia drew Twelve Pieces of Cannon out of the Arsenal, which were pointed just against the Palatine of Plosko's Palace: So that this Palace, which for a Pri­vate [Page 191] Lord is one of the most Magnificent in Poland, had like to have been laid in Ashes, if the Owner of it had not presently deliver­ed the Castle; where they held their Con­ferences, and where the Act of Association was generally approved; To which, when every one had signed, he swore the obser­vance of it by his Head and Soul.

A Gentleman whose name was Korte­chowski, and who followed the Law, was discovered to be the Person who drew up the Elector of Saxony's Pacta Conventa; upon which he was apprehended by another, who urged with great Earnestness that they were not to let such a Man go unpunished, who was as wicked a Citizen as he was a bad Lawyer; and several there were who flock­ed about him with their drawn Swords, and the most merciful would have had him thrown out at a Window. But fear sometimes infuses strength and wholsome Expedients; inso­much that the Gentleman had the good luck to get out of their Clutches: For he threw himself at the Cardinal's Feet, who cover­ed him with his Mantle, and saved his Life. But Kortechowski, after he had been the Ob­ject of the Fury of One, became the Derision of the other, who asked him which of the two he thought to have most Vertue, the Cardi­nal's Cloak or the Prophet Elias's Mantle.

Przependouski by the Elector's Order had hasten'd from Leopold with 50000 Crowns, to be present at the Diet; but he had been there [Page 192] massacred, if Providence by that Scourg [...] had not determined to chastise Poland. That Senator arrived the very same Day and Hour that Kortechowski had like to have been Assas­ssinated; the more unlikely, they would not therefore have let this 2d Victim escape. This Curiosity led him to ask a Lacky as he was going up Stairs, what was the reason of the great concourse of Nobility; to whom the Lackey, who knew him not, making an­swer that it was the Rokosz which was As­sembled in opposition to the Elector of Saxony Adherents; Przependouksi who thought he should have met with the Palatine of Plosko there in Conference with his Friends, fled upon the News, and hid himself in the Brandenburgh Envoy's House. Of this the Nobility had Information, and sent him word the next Day, that if he did not de­part Warsaw within three Hours, they would give him no Quarter; and the Brandenburg­her was desired not to afford him any Sanctu­ary, if he meant to avoid the fury of the Rab­ble from which perhaps they could not protect him, To which he answered that the Po­lander went away in the Night, but kept him till the Storm was quite over.

The Troops of the Nobility after they had done what was desired from them in this Diet, desired leave to return home; though had they had Money, they would have been made use of for that second Piece of Service, for which the French Ambassador had de­signed [Page 193] them, and they had taken the same Resolution; but in regard that no body had wherewithall to pay them, they returned home; so that there remained at Warsaw none but the Senators, the Mareshal and the Council, which consisted of two hundred fourscore and Twelve Deputies of Palatinates, and of all the Districts that compose the Bo­dy of the Republick.

Przependouski, delivered from the Ter­rors of Death, returned upon the Stage, more fierce than before, and thought he should have been more at ease in that perpe­tual Diet, than with the multitude that had proscribed him. In a word, timid Reflecti­ons succeeded the Vigor they had shewed before; and the the fear of the Lords was greater than that of the Nobility, because they had more to loose. The Kings of Po­land, so soon as they are Crown'd, have a Prerogative to confer the vacant Employ­ments, which were very numerous, by rea­son of the length of the Interregnum, and flattered the Ambition of those who thought themselves worthy to obtain them. There was no doubt but that the Elector after his Coronation would make a Distribution of those Preferments; and it behooved them ei­ther by force to prevent the Ceremony, or to delay it by Negotiation. The Army of Saxony in Cracovia; those of the Crown in Lithuania immovable for want of Money; the departure of the Nobility for the same [Page 194] reason hindred them from putting in practise the first Remedy; therefore they resolved to try the second: And the same Lords who had proscribed Przependouski some Days be­fore, began to flatter hm, and to talk to him of an Accommodation. The Arrival of Danouski, Grand Squire of the Crown, caused this Revolution. He had stuck close for six Weeks together to the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel, with some Troops, and a good Number of the Prussian Nobility to receive the Prince; but having received from Paris a Letter of the Bishop of Plosko's Resident, Dated the 13th of August; wherein the Po­lander sent word that the Cardinal's Letter was arrived, but that the King for all that would not hazard the Person of the Prince: The Grand Squire carryed this dangerous News to Warsaw; and added, that the returns of Money were not arrived at Dantzick; and or if they should be, yet the Queen's Credit, and the Menaces of the Magistrates would hinder the Payment; and there needed no more to constrain the whole Party to throw themselves into the Arms of a Mediator.

The Pope's Nuncio would fain have been the Arbitrator, but he had too openly decla­red himself; and upon the Complaints that had been made of him, he had received Or­ders to observe an exact Neutrality. He knew his own Infirmity, and was therefore retired into Prussia, under pretence of regula­ting some differences that had happened in [Page 195] the Chapter of Varmia; but really that he might not expose himself to the danger of lo­sing his Fortune.

Thus the Mediation of Brandenburgh, that had been laid aside for above three Weeks, was reimbraced by the Heads of the Rokosz. Their first Proposals were like to those which had caused them to break off their first Con­ferences. The second, though more mode­rate, were not any better received: So that they were reduced to content themselves that the Saxon should put off his Coronation to the Month of October, that they might have time to discuss the three Capital Points, that concerned the dismissing of the German Forces, the Conversion of the Electoress, and the Reparation of the Primate's Honour which had suffered so cruel a Dilaceration.

And now the Grand Mareshal of the Crown, who had always observed a Neu­trality, joined himself to the Mediator's Mi­nister, out of a belief that the two Interested Parties would be obliged to him for so doing. After several Conferences, as well private as in Council, where the Cardinal would never engage himself in Writing to any thing that might prejudice the Prince of Conti; it was decreed among the Heads of the Rokosz, that for the satisfaction of Przependouski, whom till then they had so much contemned, that a Writing should be given him, wherein they should Promise to acknowledge the Sax­on, provided he should not admit himself to [Page 196] be Crowned before the 30th of September; The same Lords also offered another secret Writing to the Cardinal, by which they would oblige themselves never to separate from him; and that he on his side should per­sist in his Resolution not to sign any thing; but that to amuse the Factious only, he should summon the Nobility to meet upon the 26th of September, to the end they might represent to him the Elector's Inclinations to satifie the Republick in Relation to her Grie­vances, and that the necessity of consulting with the Mareshal of the Rokosz, should serve as a pretence both to the one and the other, to evade all manner of Signatures.

But they who sought for Truth and Ho­nesty in Treaties, could never approve this Precaution, the Elector and his Council found it too gross and palpable to be surprized at it; however they were overjoyed to see that the Polanders, contrary to their Custom, preferred Negotiation before open Force; and they minded nothing more than to employ to ad­vantage the means which their Enemies neg­lected to make use of.

The Ambassador of France had the most reason to complain in this Conjuncture. The laying of him aside, had nothing in it that was sufficient, besides that it was not honest; for if the Elector granted the Proposal, that Minister's Party would be quite lost; and the Saxon would be universally acknowledg­ed; if he rejected it, the Rokosz would be [Page 197] plunged again into the former Troubles and Anxieties which the fear of a Coronation had infused into them. The two Events were equally dangerous, there was but one Re­medy, which was become useless, because it had been often promised, but was never at­tended by performance.

The Palatine of Vilna Triumphed in his own weakness, and attributed to his own Prudence all the Irresolution which he had so often made appear. He had sent his Son to Cracow, to know whether or no the Elector would hearken to an Accommodation, and the Answer he received was, that if the Sa­pieha's did not quickly submit themselves, they would see their most Mortal Enemies, presently after the Coronation, advanced to all the great Preferments in Lithuania. The Friends of France being Repulsed, desired the Coronation and Accommodation with Saxony, for no other end but that they might be easie in their minds, and hear no more talk of an Affair, the tediousness of which had quite tyred them out. Polignac could no longer built upon any, but only some certain Friends, who in truth were proof against all Trials, and upon the No­bility, very formidable when they are in a Body; but which it was impossible for them to muster together so many times without being at great Charges: So that he had no o­ther Hope left, than in the over-hasty and-precipitated Resolutions of the Elector. [Page 198] Things were in this Condition; when he understood that the Elector had sent for his Equipage and his most precious moveables from Dresden, to render his Coronation more Magnificent; and that by the Counsel of the Palatine of Lencicia, he was so far from de­laying his Coronation, that he had laught at all the Conferences held upon that Subject, and perform'd the Solemnity upon the 15th of September as had been ordered in his Council.

In short, the vigour and weakness with which the Rokosz had Alternatively acted, infused strenuous Resolutions into the Facti­ous. of eight Officers, who kept the Keys of the Treasury, there were six who adhered to the Prince of Conti's Interests. But the Council of Saxony resolved to force a Place, which had been always accounted Sacred, and for the Execution of this Peice of vio­lence to make use of two Monks; whose Character ought to have better instructed 'em.

Wizicki, the regular Abbot of Czermin, of the Order of St. Bernard, and Grand Se­cretary of the Crown, was a Man in the Kingdom, the most given to Wine, and as well known by the Name of Sitis, as by the Title of his Abby, his Dignity, or his Fa­mily. Wihowski, Regular Abbot of St. Croiz, a Benedictine, formerly Excommunicated by Pope Innocent XI. and who after so many Years, had never put himself to the trouble to release himself from lying under the scandal of these Censures.

[Page 199]These two Monk who durst not break open the Treasurie, because the Law forbid it, bethought themselves of breaking down a Pane of the Wall, and fierce as Conquerors that enter a Breach, they seiz'd upon the Royal Ornaments, maugre the Protestati­ons of Panskokonski, Guardian of the Crown, and the Burgraves of Cracovia, whose Consent is necessary to Authorize a proceeding so irregular, and all those other proceedings which the Pishop of Cu­javia had done and was to do, in usurpa­tion of the Primate's Prerogatives. The Elector's Council however composed of four or five Senators, declared the Archbisho­prick of Guesna vacant, and the Marshal of the Confederacy an infamous Person and a Traytor to his Country.

After this the Bishop of Cujavia observed no more Measures: He lookt upon himself as the Arbitrator of the State of Poland, and believed that every thing was to give way to the Impetuosity of his Genius and the violence of his Counsels. In vain his Friends all laid before him, that in confor­mity to the Statute of 1550 the King's Co­ronation was not to be Solemnized but by the Archbishop of Guesna, with the una­nimous consent of the Nation, and that the Queen was to be a professed Roman Catho­lick. To this they also added a Bull of Sixtus Quintus, forbidding under pain of Excommunication, all Bishops of Poland to [Page 200] Crown the King to the prejudice of the Archbishop of Guesna, and prohibiting that Prelate himself to Crown a King who was in the least suspected of Heresie.

The Bishop of Cujavia made answer that Battori had been Crowned without any re­gard to the Oppositions of contrary Facti­on: That upon such an extraordinary oc­casion he might do what one of his Prede­cessors had done at the Coronation of that Prince. That as for the Conversion of the Electrice he knew not what might fall out: that if She refused to abjure, they might follow the same Rule that had been observed in reference to Queen Helena the Wife of King Alexander, who because she was the Daughter of the Czar of Muscovy, and con­sequently professed the Rites of the Greek Schismaticks, was acknowledged by the Po­landers for their Queen, tho they would ne­ver consent to her Coronation: He cun­ningly alledged that the Regulation in 1550, was made for no other Reason, but because that Princess had too much favoured the Schismaticks. But it was sufficient for that Prelate to produce feeble Reasons, provided they were but plausible.

Upon the 13th of September began the Ceremonies of the Coronation. The Ob­sequies of the Deceased King were Solem­nized by way of Representation, because the Mutineers were not Masters of Warsaw; where the Corps lay in Deposito. The 14th [Page 201] the Elector went to the Church of St. Sta­nelaus, according to Customs, to honour the Memory of that Martyr, who was kill'd at the Altar, saying Mass, upon the 8th of May 1079. by the Hand of King Boleslaus to whom that Holy Man had adventur'd to make the same reproach, that the forerunner of Christ made to King Herod.

Upon the 15th of the same Month the Bishop of Cujavia, assisted by two more, Crown'd the Elector and omitted none of the Ceremonies that were practis'd upon the like occasions. The greatest part of the Officers of the Crown and of Lithuania were absent: The Germans, tho Lutherans perform'd the Duties of their Places, upon the refusal of some other of the Polish Lords; and out of the fear they were in, least the Polanders should testify their Resentments, the Saxons were distributed into several Quar­ters of the City, and a good Garrison was put into the Castle. The choice of the German Troops were drawn up above the Church during the Ceremony; and the Elector made a new Abjuration, which was thought to be as Sincere as the former.

'Tis not known whether the length of the Ceremony, or the News of the Prince of Conti's departure, or the Electors being tyr'd, was the reason that a fainting fit seiz'd him a little before the Crown was put upon his Head. Such an Accident might happen na­turally; but several after the manner of [Page 202] the Ancients, look'd upon it as a very bad Omen. But they who with more Reason believed that those sort of Superstitions were to be contemn'd, turn'd the matter into Raillery, and ask'd what was become of that Hercules whom the Germans had sent into Poland? And to make some difference be­tween the two Heroes, they cry'd, that the Ancient Hercules sustain'd Heaven, but that the other fainted away at the sight of a Crown.

And now the Elector permitting those to open their Mouths who suffer'd him to act, distributed the vacant Charges, and made himself both Friends and Enemies: After that, he gave a splendid Collation, to which the Polish and German Ladys were invited. However the German Ladys had the Prece­dency; which the Polish Ladys took with as much Indignation as Women are wont to do that think themselves despis'd. Re­venge was the only Consolation which they sought for in the midst of so sensible a dis­grace, and they found above a hundred Gen­tlemen, who either out of Complacency for the Female Sex, or hatred of the Elector, protested against all that had been done be­fore, or should be done after the Coronation. There went also sixty more that came from the Palatinate of Sandomiria; who by the In­trigues of the Party opposite to the Elector, made a Protestation of the same Nature and upheld it more strenuously.

The pretended Diet of the Coronation [Page 203] sat down the 16th with a strange confusion which lasted as long as the Assembly, that is to say, fifteen days, instead of six Weeks prescrib'd by the Laws, and then it was put off till the Month of February. The first occasion of discontent arose from the in­validity of the Deputations; but in re­gard the defect was Universal, it was as soon repair'd, while all were willing to treat themselves as true Nuncio's, because not one of 'em was truly qualified. But for all that the Confusion ceased not; there was a dispute about the Choice of a Mar­shal: The young Prince Wiesnowski put in to have been the Man, but Zwisza carried it before him, and created as many Male-contents as his Rival had Friends. The Tu­mult augmented every day upon occasion of the Pacta Conventa, of which some demanded to see the Original, and others affirmed that it lay at Warsaw: It contained in express Terms, that the Elector should renounce the Right which he had acquired by his Act of Election, if he caused himself to be Crowned before his Queen were become a Roman Catholick. But the King was not not so Impolitick to let all the World see that the very next day after his Coronation he had violated the Words which he had so solemnly Sworn. However no other remedy could be found to defend him against the Importunity of the Nuncios, but only to say that the Original of the Act was lost. How­ever the sixty Gentlemen of Sandomiria, be­fore [Page 204] mentioned, presented a compared Copy of it, to which Przependowski would give no Credit; and that Lord, by his lyes, so em­broyled the Affair in dispute, that it was put off till the Month of February.

Upon these several Actions, there appeared a Pasquil, which contained the Arguments of five Acts of the Comedy of Cracow. The First, a King without a Diploma: The Se­cond, a Burial without a dead Body: The Third, a Coronation without a Primate: the Fourth, a Diet without Nuncios: And the Fift, Protestations without effect. Thus it was that the Polanders comforted themselves for the Violences committed upon their Re­ligion, the Violation of their Laws, and the oppressions of their Liberty, while their Wives at their Wits ends, did not believe themselves sufficiently revenged for a Slight affront, unless the Elector were thrown quite out of Possession.

Soon after the Factious receiv'd News which allarm'd 'em much more then what we have already related. For the Prince of Conti left Paris the 2d of September, and up­on the 7th took Shipping at Dunkirk under the Convoy of the Chevalier du Bast, as much dreaded as well known in the Northern Seas: And Fame that magnifies Objects, had spread abroad all over Poland, that the Prince was coming with such considerable Numbers of Men and Sums of Money, that he was ex­pected with Extream Impatience.

[Page 205]So soon as they had receiv'd Advice at Warsaw, of the Saxon's being Crown'd, twas presently seen that there were no longer any Measures to be observed, seeing that dissimu­lation and submission had been so useless, and therefore being unable to amend what was past, they took precautions for the future. The Cardinal, the Heads and Council of the Rokosz, assembled together, at what time the Primate revok'd his last Universals, and by new Ones, instead of the general Assembly Summon'd against the 26 of September, he convoked three particular Assemblies to meet upon the 10th of October; the one in great Poland at Sencicia, under Count Wladislaus Przienski Castellane of Katifck. The other in little Poland, at Zawichot, under the Or­ders of Adam Sieniaustis Palatine of Beltz: And the third at Grodno in Lithuania, under the Palatine of Vilna. The Design of calling these Assemblies was to oppose with more ease the Elector's Enterprizes, and to prevent a disorder like to that which had happened at Prostowice, where the petty Diet of the Palatine of Cracovia met, which tho it had been only Summoned to elect Deputies to the Sovereign Tribunals, yet the Saxons would have made a second advantage of it, which was to have obliged 'em to receive the Result of their Master's Council against the Primate and the Rokosz. With this Design, six Regiments of Saxons had sur­rounded the Diet, threatning to put all to [Page 206] the Sword, if they did not agree to what was demanded from 'em. And they would have gained their point, but for the Starost of Olztein, who seconded by his Friends, pro­tested against the Diet, and the Violence of the Germans.

The Cardinal made the most of this Act in his Universals, and to avoided surprizes of the like Nature, called three Assemblies in­stead of one. By means of this Precaution he hindred the Elector from coming to War­saw with his Troops, so soon as he had dis­patch'd the Coronation Diet. In a Word, it would not have been prudently done of the King to engage in the Center of the King­dom, where three Bodies of Nobility Equal­ly exasperated against him, might have joyn­ed together, surrounded and taken him after the Slaughter of all his Men.

Requisite Orders being issued forth, the Cardinal, the Marshal and Council of the Rokosz retired to Lowitz attended by the Pa­latin of Vilna's Regiment of Foot, which had guarded the Bridge of Boats upon the Vi­stula, and six hundred Reiters, with the Ar­tillery of Warsaw which consisted of Sixty Brass Guns of all Sizes.

Scarcely was the Primate arrived in his Castle, when the Ambassador gave him to understand, that the Prince of Conti had passed the Sound, which made them believe the Prince would arrive in a little time. Nevertheless, he appeared not till the 26th [Page 207] in the Road of Dantzick, and upon the 28th came to an Anchor before Olivia; at what time the Burgesses of Dantzick were in a great perplexity which part to take: While the Reputation and Presence of the Prince sway­ed one part of the Council to his Interests, and the Queen sollicited the rest in behalf of the Elector; and the Jews who had been treated so favourably under the Reign of that Princess, employed all their Credit to second her desires.

The Body of the City met, and Opinions were divided, They who held for Conti, represented the Advantages which a Tra­ding City might have by a free Commerce with France, that they might fetch from that Kingdom Wine, Salt, and many other sorts of Merchandise, with which they might fur­nish all the Northern Parts: That the Trade with that Kingdom had contributed in part to render that City one of the most Flourish­ing of all the Hans Towns; that it was not Prudence to renounce all these Advantages to gratifie the sollicitations of the Queen; and that they might give the Jews leave to speak in her behalf, since they were the only Per­sons that had tasted the sweets of her Reign.

On the other side, they that held for Saxo­ny made answer, That Trade was an Advan­tage, which in truth was not to be neglected, but that they were rather Germans than Po­landers: That they ought to favour their own Nation, and preserve the Lutheran [Page 208] Religion, which was threatned with immi­nent danger, if the Prince of Conti carried the Crown from his Competitor; and there­fore that it was better to acknowledge for lawful King a Protestant Prince, under whose Reign there would be no Invasion upon their Religion; that the Elector's pretended Ab­jurations were not such as the Catholicks gave out; and that he was too steady in his Resolutions to betray his first Sentiments; and lastly; That their Statutes ordained, that in case of a Fraction the City should declare for the first that was Crowned.

The more Judicious earnestly desired the rest to stay till the Senate and Nobility had by unanimous consent decided in favour of one of the Competitors, and to forbear acknow­ledging either, till Fortune had declared on his side: And this Party seemed to be so much the more swayed by reason, because they ran no hazard; they further Remon­strated, that their own danger ought to ren­der them more circumspect in such a Nice Conjuncture; that because they declared themselves in 1575 with too much precipita­tion, in favour of the Emperor Maximilian against Stephen Battori, the City had like to have been ruined; that he had declared her to be a Rebellious City, and compelled her in 1577 to rebuild the Abby of Oliva, and to quit the one half of the Revenue of her Haven which the Kings of Poland at present enjoy.

[Page 209]But the fear of the same usage could not prevail with the Magistrates to make them observe a Neutrality. From the 26th that the Prince arrived in the Road, they had not sent to Compliment him: Their Ships pas­sed by his Squadron without either Saluting him or the French Flag: But on the 29th they Discharged their Cannon in favour of the Saxon; and the rest of the Cities of Prussia within a very little followed their Example.

And indeed they had soon reason to Tri­umph, for having taken the Party they had chosen. The News of the Victory won from the Turks made them hope to see Ten Thousand Saxons in Poland; which were part of that Victorious Army; which being useless to the Emperor, would not fail to be called off to the Succour of their Prince. On the other side it infused Consternation in­to the contrary Party: Several that had flock'd to Dantzick slunk back again; and some began to complain that the Prince had brought no Forces along with him; as if France had foreseen, Prince Eugenius's Vi­ctory; and that all Poland had not been able to defend her King and her Liberties against Ten Thousand Germans.

However the Consternation was not so Universal, but that several Lords and Gen­tlemen came to Kiss the Prince's Hand, who went every Day ashore to Oliva, in order to confer with them. Nevertheless, he had that Prudence and Moderation, though [Page 210] they all gave him the Title of King, to re­fuse it, till he had obtained the Consent of the contrary Party.

But while the Primate and the Deputies of the Rokosz kept at Lowitz, the Ambassa­dor of France concluded a Treaty with the two Sapieha's, by which it was agreed, That for the Sum of Four Hundred and Sixty Thou­sand Livres, that should be deposited in the presence of Commissioners of Lithuania, the Son of the Grand Treasurer should come with Ten or Twelve Thousand well Disciplin'd Troops to Guard the Prince where-ever he pleased to go. It was also farther stipulated, that the Grand General of that Dutchy, and all the Officers of the Army should Swear Fealty to him; and march af­terwards with all their Forces to the Place assigned by the Prince, who should put him­self at their Head, and pay them the same Sum of Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Livres for two other Quarters, before they Marched against the Enemy. The same Minister sent away the Postoki of the Crown for Podolia, where the Body of Cosacks which he had mustered there together lay encamp'd with three select Troops of the House of Lubomirski. He agreed also with the Grand Treasurer of the Crown, the Palatinates of of Beltz and Kiovia, as to what concerned them; and then presently with Prince Czarto­reski departed for Dantzick, where he arri­ved the 2d of October, and found the Prince [Page 211] expecting him a Ship-board that they might settle together such Affairs as were of great­est Importance.

The first Proposal which the Polanders made the Prince, was go to Mariemburg, Dzialinski who was Steward of the Town and Commanded the Place in the room of Bielinski his Brother-in-Law, had mustered together a Garrison of Five Hundred Men, and was bound to supply that place with every thing for the Sum of Twenty Seven Thousand Livres, which the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel had given him. But the Prince did not think it con­venient to shut himself up in a Pound; that's the last thing that a Soldier can do after a Mis­fortune, and in expectation of new Succours to enable him to take the Field. Besides, the dan­ger was too great to trust himself with Dzia­linski after he had proved so unfaithful to the Abbot of Neuf-Chattel. That Minister had trusted him with a Hundred Thousand Li­vers, and he desired him a little before the Prince's arrival to send them to the Cardinal for the supply of pressing Exigences; more especially, to encourage the Troops at Lowitz to advance towards Dantzick. But that Officer kept the Money for himself; nor could they ever force him to make resti­tution, or oblige him to give an account of such an Irregular and interested Act.

The second Proposal made to the Prince was to go directly to Lowitz; which they pre­tended might be done with so much the [Page 212] more ease, because all the Palatinates he was to ride through, embraced his Interests; and for that the Nobility that lay upon the Sea-shore might serve him for a Guard. But because he had no Disciplined Men, the very Authors of the Counsel submitted; and judg­ed it more to the purpose to stay and see the Effects of Sapieha's Promises; from whom Couriers came every Day, and assured the Prince of theirs, and the speedy arrival of the Senators of Lithuania, who were to join with the Polish Ambassie, and jointly offer the Crown to the Prince.

But the Elector who had no need to look after Soldiers at such a distance, seeing he had his own Men about his Person, entered into a deep Consideration with his Secret Council, what Course to take against a Ri­val, whose Valour and Conduct would not permit him to commit a fault, without pay­ing dearly for it. To this purpose therefore, they gave him their different sorts of Advice. First, To March to the Crown Army, that he might hinder them by his Presence, and some new effects of his Liberality, from joining with the Prince of Conti. The Se­cond was, to go to Warsaw, and disperse the three Assemblies of the Nobility, that were to meet in as many different places; and withal to surprize the Cardinal. The third was to march in Person with all his Men in­to Prussia, to hinder the Prince's Landing, and cut off all Relief that came to him from Remote parts.

[Page 213]But the Assurance they had at Cracow that the Prince would not quit the Road till the disciplined Troops were come up, made 'em prefer the last Advice before the two former, only with this difference, that the Elector in stead of going himself into Prussia, sent 3000 Horse under the Command of Galecki Castel­lan of Posnania, to whom he had given the Palatinate of Fnow-Loclaw; and with whom he also joyned in Commission the Major Ge­neral Brandt and Flemming, with Orders to all three, to settle the Tribunal at Pietrikow, whieh the Nobility would not permit to officiate, because the Members of it by an unanimous, tho tacit Consent, had approved the Coronation, and for that the Law re­quired that all the Tribunals should cease, during an Interregnum.

The Troops marched from Cracow upon the 10th of October, the same day that the Nobility were to have met in the three dif­ferent Places appointed by the Primate. The Assembly of Grodno was sufficientiy nu­merous and governed by the Conduct of the Sapieha's, who had assured the Cardinal by several Expresses, that instead of going to Warsaw to the general Rendevouz of the 17, they would go to Dantzick. That of Za­wichod was not so numerous, because the Pa­latine of Beltz was gone to Brzezani, to the Crown Army, where his Presence seemed absolutely necessary. The Castellan of Kalisch carryed near two thousand Men to Lenoicia, [Page 214] where every thing might have past to their Wishes, if that Nobility out of their too great caution, which is oftimes prejudicial when over scrupulous, had not obliged the Cardinal and the Marshal of the Rokosz to come upon the 18th to Warsaw, to make a second Nomination of the Prince of Conti, to no purpose, because that at the same time they they did not allow him sufficient Forces to take possession of the Crown which they had given him.

After that Proclamation the Assembly ap­pointed Embassadors, some Senators and some of the Episcopal Order, and Authoriz'd 'em to draw up the Pacta Conventa. Orders also were given to Bielinski, Marshal of the Diet of Election, who was at Dantzick with others, to present the Diploma to the Prince. All this might have been done as well at Lowitz, as at Warsaw; and time had not been lost at that Ceremony, where those of the lesser Poland were not expected, yet by their com­plaints failed not to display their Discontent.

After this the Cardinal returned to Lowitz, and the Castellan of Calisch and the Marshal resolved to depart the next day for Dantzick, accompanyed with five or six hundred Gen­tlemen, and the disciplined Troops which he had in his City, where he meant to have a Garrison only. But upon the advice that the Saxons were upon their March to inter­cept him in his way he shut himself up in his Castle, out of which he suffered none to [Page 215] stir, but the Bishop of Kiovia, the Castellan of Kalisch and some others that were of the Embassie, with a Convoy of three hundred Horse and a hundred and sixty Reitres be­loging to the Palatine of Vilna. And no sooner were they arrived at Oliva, but the Prince received an Express from the Car­dinal with Letters, by which that Prelate besought him to come to his Succour.

The Prince of Conti at the same time had dispatched the Starost of Olstreyn, Glinski, Kochanowski and Gniewosz with thirty six thousand Crowns to bring away nine hun­dred Horse that stayed for 'em in the Pala­tinats of Cracow, Sandomiria, and the Dutchy of Zator; and the first of these Lords who was to command this Reinforcement, de­parted the 17th of October. The Prince had also given thirty thousand Crowns to the Palatine of Kiovia, to put the Artillery of Lowitz and Mariemburg into a good Condition; and that Senatour had faithfully discharged his Trust.

In the mean time the Dantzickers began to commit new Insolences every day, as well a­gainst the Officers of the Squadron who went to their City, as the Seamen that belonged to the Shallops. Of all which the Embassa­dour made his complaints to the Magistrate, who thought it sufficient to deny a Fact of which he had been an eye witness, and per­haps the Author himself.

[Page 216]And now they were preparing to require satisfaction for these Affronts, so soon as the Troops of the Republick should be arrived. But at the same time that they expected 'em as well as the Cardinal, they received Letters from the Sapieha's, importing that the same day that the General of the Vanguard, was to have set forward, the grand Treasurer of the Crown was come to the Grand Treasurer of Lithuania, and had set forth as well to Sapieha as to the rest of the Nobility, the danger of sending the Detachment which was intended for Prussia, if they should meet the three thousand Saxon Horse, who had orders to Fight all they met of the French Party, and not to give a­ny Quarter. The same Senator assured 'em that Oginski was gone secretly to Cracow to receive Mony from the Elector to cause a Revolt of the Lithuanian Army and the Nobility of Samogitia. His Malice made him also add, that it may be the Prince of Conti would be far enough off before their Detachment arrived: He also produced Let­ters, whether true or false is uncertain, which spoke of his return, as of a thing resolved upon. However little Credit would have been given to those Letters, had not the Sapieha's shewed others from the Bishop of Ploskow, much after the same Style, where­in the same Prelate Complained that France was too niggardly of her Money while the the Saxon scattered it abroad with as much [Page 217] profuseness: and that of the two Princes, of whom the one was so reserved while the other ventured at all, there was little doubt to be made but that the most Liberal would carry it.

However it were, the Sapieha's who stood in fear of Oginski the Defender of the Coe­quation, and it may be had less Stomach to Fight the Saxons, gave so much Credit to the Fictions of the grand Treasurer of the Crown, that they countermanded Straznik Commander of the Vant Guard, with his De­tachment. And to cover their weakness, they wrote to the Cardinal and the French Ambassador, the Bishop of Ploskow and the Palatine of Kiovia, the Reasons that made 'em alter their Conduct, which consisted chiefly in this, that the Money promised the Lithuanian Army, had not been deposited: That the Coldness that appeared at Oliva be­gate a Chillness in the Kingdom, among those who had been the most Zealous; and who durst not embark any further in an Af­fair where France did not set 'em the Ex­ample. After this they proposed a remedy for all these inconveniencies, and this Reme­dy was that the Prince would be pleased forthwith to send Money to be deposited in Lithuania, with a French Commissary to pay the Souldiers, and take an Oath of Fidelity from the Officers and Companys, as they re­ceived their Money. As if the way had been more open and free to carry Money through the midst of the Germans, than to conduct a Body of Men.

[Page 218]But Sapieha's fear together with the Irre­solutions of the Palatine of Vilna, and the bad reasons which he alledged, made Peo­ple believe him to be a General who wanted Courage, Credit, and Fidelity.

However it were, the Perfidiousness of the Grand Treasurer of the Crown hindered the making all the Reflections that might have been made upon the Conduct of others. This Officer from the beginning of the Interreg­num, had declared for France, and had ap­peared the most Vigorous, and the most Zealous of all the Adherents. On the other side, the Crown of France, had all the Confidence imaginable in him, who for that Reason had had the greatest share of her Liberality.

The other Competitors therefore despaired of success, if they could not draw him into their interests; however he had resisted all their Temptations, but succumb'd under those of Constantia Boteum his Wife. For the E­lector caused a Proposal to be made to that Lady of Forty Thousand Crowns for her Husband: She accepted the Offer, and had so much Authority over her Husband as to oblige him to prefer that sum before the the merit which he had acquired by his com­mendable Actions. And he was so much the more capable, because that a few Days before he had Written to the Prince of Conti as to his lawful King; and had assured him, that he would forthwith be one of those that should attend his Person.

[Page 219]The Polanders therefore made use of the blackest Colours to paint forth this Action. Some fansied it to be a resemblance of the Fall of Adam, who was so weak as to suffer himself to be deluded by his Wife, whom the Serpent had seduced; and others com­pared it to the Treason of Achitophel.

But letting this pass, upon the 21st of Octo­ber the Sapieha's received an Express, impor­ting the Confirmation of a Treaty which the French Ambassador had concluded with them; and it was signed by the Prince, and accompanied with ten Thousand Crowns for the Straznick, to the end he might pay the Troops that were under his Command. About the same time the Grand Treasurer of the Crown was departed from the Grod­no, and by his Discourses had so intimidated the Palatine of Vilna, that he became more inconstant and irresolute than he had hither­to appeared to be. On the other side, the Grand Treasurer of Lithuania looking with Indignation upon Lubomirski's Persidiousness, of which he had had a full Relation; and ashamed of the Levity of his Brother, used his utmost endeavours to infuse into him bet­ter sentiments. But he, uncapable of fol­lowing good Counsel, when there was a necessity to determine, promised his Brother to Write to the Prince, as he really did; and the Letter was very respectful and sub­missive, wherein he brought his Majesty to excuse all past delays, and that he would be [Page 220] pleased to apply the speedy Remedy, to what had been done amiss; which he might easily do, if he would send a French Commissary into Lithuania with Money to pay the Army: A thing that had been alrea­dy proposed; and which any Body but the Palatine of Vilna would have been ashamed to have repeated.

On the other side, the Prince of Conti who came only to fight, tired out with the slowness of those whom he came to Succour, saw well that there was but one Course for him to take, and in a Conference which he had at Oliva up­on the 29th of October, he declared to the Lords that were there present, That he believed he had done all for Poland that could be desired for him; that he was ready to satisfie what the most Christian King had promised in his Name; that he was come to put himself at the Head of so many brave Persons, to free them from the Oppression that threatned 'em, and which they had escaped for a whole Cen­tury together: But since they were willing to submit to it, he could not brook to see the Ex­piration of a Liberty which they had de­fended ever since the Foundation of their Mo­narchy; That it became not his Dignity to be a spectator of their Disgraces; and that he should attribute to the misfortune of the times, the irregularity which other Nations might observe in their Conduct.

The Lords to whom the Prince directed his Speech, conjured him not to precipitate [Page 221] his Departure: And he no less willing to give them Demonstrations of his Esteem, made no great hast, upon their Assurances, that in a little time there would come News from Lithuania. However the Prince's Complai­sance did not hinder him from taking all ne­cessary Precautions. To which purpose, the next Day he sent away all his Domestick Ser­vants from Oliva, and caused them to go on Shipboard. Upon the 2d the Mareshal of the Dutchy arrived with a small Train, ac­companied by Casimir Oginski, Starost of Godzin, and Prince Czartoreski, who toge­ther with the Mareshal and Prince Radzi­ville, who was expected in two or three Days, were to perform the Duties of Ambassadors for Lithuania. At the same time also came the News that the Saxons to the number of Three Thousand Six Hundred Soldiers had passed the Bride of Thorn. In the mean time, the Prince gave Audience to the Mareshala Ship­board, and asked him why Straznick or he, had not brought the Detachment that had been so many times promised, and for the payment of which, Money had been deliver­ed. The Mareshal answered, that the su­perior Number of the Saxon Troops, and the Acts of Hostility committed against his House, were the cause of it. But it was no difficult thing to percive that this Answer of the Pa­latine of Vilna, signified little or nothing. Or if it might have deserved a more favour­able Construction; what reason was there [Page 222] that a Prince should stay at least Six Weeks for Soldiers, when there was a present occa­sion to fight the Saxons; and that a Person whom Poland had acknowledged for their So­vereign, should spend the Winter upon the Sea, while his Kingdom was not able to af­ford him any more than one pitiful place of War, without Men, or the least present sup­ply in his pressing extremity,

The rest of the Ambassadors of the Re­publick arrived the 4th of November at Oli­va. The Bishop of Kiovia whom the Car­dinal had made Chief, brought the Commis­sions for the rest. The Castelans of Kalish and Sicadia were for Great Poland. The lat­ter of which had been with the Prince for some time, and the former arrived with Three Hundred Horse which he brought through Mariemburg; and if the rest had brought as many Men, Poland perhaps had not now groaned under the Dominion of the Saxons. The Palatine of Kiovia, and the Castelan of Lublin, were appointed for Lit­tle Poland; and for Lithuania, those whom we have already mentioned, Bielinski Mare­shal of the Diet was joined with them; and in the present Conjuncture, had a greater de­sire to present the Diploma, than the other had to receive it, Prince Lubomirski, Sta­rost of Sondeck, arrived at the same time from Podolia and reported that he had given order to fifteen Hundred Horse to march, which the Postoki of the Crown would bring in three [Page 223] Days. The Prince overjoyed at this News, testified his impatience to put himself at the Head of these Troops, that he might Fight the Enemy. But this beam of Hope lasted not long. For presently News was brought that the three Thousand Saxons were divi­ded into two Bodies; of the which one would March directly to Oliva, the other to Mariemburg. The French Ambassador gave this intelligence to the Prince upon the 5th of November in the Morning; at what time he was come ashore to Advise with the Polanders upon the Reception of the Diplo­ma and the Embassie. But this new acci­dent changed all their measures, because the Troops expected were still at too great a di­stance; and for that there was no certain Advice where they were. The Castelan of Dantzick also, who was present at this Council, gave notice that the Saxons had passed into his Starosty of Grodentz upon the Vistula; and that they had ruined all his Lordships. An Express likewise from the Cardinal, that Day confirmed, that by a Letter from Cracow which he had intercepted, he understood, that the Saxons had orders to handle roughly, and carry away all the Polan­ders they should find in Oliva; and a Coun­cil was thereupon held in a House upon the Shore of the Sea, which perhaps was not more disorderly that Day, than the various Advices proposed in that Assembly.

[Page 224] Grudzinski, Castellan of Brzescia, and Lu­bomirski Starost of Sendek were of Opinion, that the Prince, passing through the by and unfrequented Ways of Pomerania should en­ter into Great Poland with all the Nobility that he had about him: But this advice was Universally blamed as being too rash for a Prince to follow: And the deficulty was to find out a better that was opposite to it, and less subject to Inconveniencies. However at length they submitted to that which appeared the most rational, which was to lay before the Prince, that since Succour would arrive in three days, His Majesty instead of return­ing into France should write to Stettin, a City, so much the more Commodious, be­cause it was more near the Frontiers: That in the mean time the Loyal Troops which the Saxons had left behind 'em should joyn them­selves with those at Lowitz, and the Crown Army, and march into the Palatinate of Kalisch, where the Castellan allowed his Lands which lye upon the Frontiers on that side for a general Rendevouz: To which the Prince replyed, that since the Troops were so near at Hand he would stay their com­ing on Shipboard, and would not forsake his faithful Friends. They asked him then, whether he would be pleased to receive the Ambassy and the Diploma, but he excused himself, alledging that it was not proper to take possession of a Kingdon, out which he was advised to depart.

[Page 225]The same day, by the Prince's order, the Chevalier du Bast seized upon five Merchant Men belonging to Dantzick, which lay in the Road laden and ready to set Sail. The Affronts which the Burghers had offered the French for a Month together, and the injury done to the Admiral's Notary, drew this misfortune upon 'em. The Abbot of Polignac also being informed of the Seizure of these Vessels, gave order to his Servants to remove out of the City all his most precious moveables, which he had brought thither from Warsaw for the Prince's Service: And his Servants were preparing to put his Or­ders in Execution, when the Magistrates caus'd the Gates of the City to be shut, im­prisoned his Officers and the Merchants that had done the King any Service; Seiz'd upon the greatest part of the Embassador's move­ables, and after they had sold his Horses by the Inch of Candle, had the insolence to send him a Trumpet with a letter, wherein they demanded the Restitution of their Ves­sels, and without mentioning what belong­ed to 'em, declared that they had secured the Merchants effects. To which the Ambassa­dor made answer, that the Affair of the Vessels did not at all concern him; that to plunder and pillage his goods was not the way to oblige him to speak to the Prince in their Favour; that they should call to mind that they had violated the Law of Nations, and failed in their Respect to a great King, [Page 226] whom no Body had ever offended but that he Suffered for it.

At the same time, advice came that the Saxons had slipt through the Guards at Stum, a City of Prussia; that they had surprized a a hundred and sixty of Sapieha's Reitres, and made their Commander a Prisoner of War.

Kraiczi, Grand squire Carver of the Crown, was retired some days before to Mariemburg, not so much out of a design to preserve the place, as to make use of it in order to make an Advantageous Capitulation for himself.

Andrew Zalouski Bishop of Plosko depar­ted the 29th, immediately after the Council had been held, wherein the Prince declared his Resolution to return into France. That Prelate minded his own Interest more then any Body, and thirsted to get the Bisho­prick of Varmia upon any Terms, because the Revenue of it was more considerable than his own. So soon therefore as he saw that the Prince to whom he had adhered would not be in a Condition to procure him that advantage, without losing time, he would not abandon his Hopes, but threw him­self into the Arms of the Saxon Party, which tis probable he had so managed that he might not fail whatever happened.

Upon the 6th, Advice came from all parts of the March of the Saxons. Upon which the French Ambassador thought it high time to look after his Affairs; and after he [Page 227] had sent his Papers, his Servant's and the rest of his Equipage into the Abby of Oliva, as the only Sanctuary that remained upon the Seashore, and whither the most part of the Senators were retired, he went the 7th to wait upon the Prince, and desired of him some long Boats to carry aboard his Ships the Goods he had saved in the Abby of Oliva. At the same time the Castelan of Kalisch and Count Towianski were with the Prince, and advised him to retire to Stettin, notwith­standing he had declared to 'em his design to return into France. As for the Ambassa­dor he could not that day obtain the Shallops that he desired, because the Chevalier du Bast had sent 'em for fresh Water; but he pro­mised them the next day with a Guard of sixty men commanded by the first Captain of the Squadron. Which precaution was so much the more necessary, because that the same day in the Morning, one the Prince's domestick Servants had been stript in the Woods by three German Troopers.

The next Morning by break of Day the Shallops carryed the Souldiers a shore; and the Abbot of Neuf-Chattle went along to fetch away what he had left at Oliva. But be­fore twenty Souldiers were Landed, they perceived a great Body of Horse drawn up in the Plain. These were the Saxons, that ar­rived the preceding Night to the Num­ber of four or five hundred, followed at the heels by the rest of their Troops. The [Page 228] Castelan of Kalish, for whom they sought in particular, had the good look to escape them; but he fell into an Ambush, where he so bestirred himself, that thirty Horse detached after him, pursued him in vain in the Woods, not being able to overtake him. As for the Starost of Sondek, he took a Reso­lution as bold as the Counsel which he had given three Days before; for he fought his way through his Enemies, with his Sword in his Hand; no less than five times fired at without being wounded. His Equipage was pillaged, and that was it which hindered the Germans from pur­suing him.

The inside of the Abby was forced as well as the out-side, at what time the Bishop of Kiovia, and the Castelan of Brzec fled into the Church, where the latter was rifled and very ill used; the other was at his Prayers upon his Knees before the Altar: But the Saxons without any respect to the Sanctity of the Place, or the Character of the Prelate, fell upon him, tore his Cloaths, and never left him till they had torn from him a Cross set with Diamonds, which the Bishops of Poland wear as a Badge of their Dignity.

After this they forced the Door of the Ve­stry where the Ambassador had put his Pa­pers and his Plate: Peter Hubert his Secreta­ry was left in the Abby to take take care of them, though he had much ado to get ad­mittance into it: However he found a way [Page 229] at length to mollifie the Savage Breasts of those that should have been more Civil, and by the means of three hundred Ducats which he distributed among the Monks, they gave him a Habit of the Order, and assisted him neatly to take off the Seal which the Sax­ons had fastened to a little Chest wherein the Papers were enclosed. Which done, he put something else in the Trunk instead of the Papers which he carried away in the Night, with the hazard of his Life, and sent them by a faithful Peasant wrapt up in Bean Straw to Dantzick, to the Grand Chamberlain's Wife, who afterwards cau­sed them to be delivered to the Ambassa­dor.

Upon the 8th in the Forenoon the Sea­shore was full of Saxon Horse, who gave the Chevalier St. Paul, first Captain of the Squadron to understand, that it was impossi­ble for him to execute his Orders. There­upon, being a good Soldier, he re-embarked his Men; standing his Ground so long as one remained on Land, causing his Seamen to fire continually from the Shallops, so that some Saxons were killed, and on the Cap­tain's side, the Chevalier de Tomur, an En­sign in the Halcyon, received a Musquet shot in his Breast, of which he died that Evening.

And thus the Ambassador of France lost all the Goods he had both at Dantzick and Oli­va. The same Day, being the 8th in the [Page 230] Evening, the young Count Towianski, the Cardinal's Nephew, went abroad, disguised in the Habit of a Bernardine Monk; and up­on the 9th about Noon, the Prince set Sail in order to return for France. As for the French Ambassador it was the Prince's pleasure that he should Land in the Isle of Rugen, that he might go from thence to Stettin, from whence he might re-enter Poland if the Conjuncture of Affairs would permit, or else stay there for farther Orders.

In the mean time, the Polanders that were in Dantzick were as ill used as the French. The Palatine of Kiovia, the Mare­shal of Lithuania, Prince Czartoriski, the Starost of Pereslaw and the Grand Chamber­lain were imprisoned in their Houses by the Dantzickers, who set Guards upon them; and those Lords beheld several Gentlemen whom the Rabble dragged by the Hair.

This Disorder inflamed the indignation of the Nobility against the Saxons; and though they were much cast down upon the Prince's departure, they were so far from losing their Courage, that they continued firm in their Resolutions, excepting only a small Number, to whom the Elector extended his Arms, and was very liberal of his Presents, conformable to his Genius and the necessity of his Affairs.

Upon the 5th of February 1698, the Elec­tor summoned a Diet, called the Diet of Pa­cification: for the holding of which he re­paired [Page 231] to Warsaw. Never was an Assembly worse cull'd; for there met not above twen­ty, take Nuncios and Senators altogether; and of those, twelve protested against him, and broke up the Diet the same Day that it began.

On the other side, the Cardinal summon­ed a Diet of the Rokosz against the 18th of the same Month; where met a great Num­ber of Senators, and the Nobility. Thither the Elector sent his Plenipotentiaries to treat of an Accomodation. But his Proposals were rejected, and the Rokosz persisted in their Vigour.

And now the Elector, though delivered from the apprehensions caused by the Pre­sence of his Competitor, and the Intrigues of the French Ambassador, panted after no­thing so much as Peace, and seriously made it his business to reconcile himself with the Lords that had been opposite to him. But this was an Affair not so easie to be composed, as it seemed to be: There were many who had still the Generosity to uphold a Party that rested upon such solid Foundations. The Rokosz therefore persisted in its Vigour till the 15th of May; when destitute of all hopes of the Prince of Conti's Return, and sollicited by Fabricio Paulucci, Bishop of Fer­rara, and the Pope's Extraordinary Nuncio, more cunning and more byassed than the for­mer, the Elector gained by his Favours those that would not confide in his Promises. [Page 232] Thereupon, a General Agreement was con­cluded upon the 21st of May, 1698, upon such Conditions as they were pleased to like who make a forced submission; and this Ac­commodation was so agreeable to the Prince, that he never disputed any of the Articles. And this Resolution he took, upon what his Friends had laid before him; that Mildness was always necessary for Princes that were not well fixed in their Thrones.