The COPPY OF A LETTER FROM PARIS; Dated the last of December.
BEING A true Relation of the manner of the blocking up of that City by the Forces of the KING.
As likewise, An EDICT of Parlement, giving Povver to the People to raise Armes for the defence of that CITY.
With many other Passages of Note, as by this Edict and Letter, doth more at large appeare.
⟨Jan: 9th⟩ LONDON, Printed for Edward Griffin. 1648.
Paris, Ianuary the 9. 1648.
I Received yours of the 15 of Decemb. for which I thanke you; and to make you some part of requitall, I send you these to let you know how affaires stand here.
Vpon Wednesday last about three of the clock in the Morning, the King, Queene Regent, and some of the chiefest Grandees got privately out of Town to St Germains, and their Guards without making any noise marched after. This sudden action caused the Parlement to be immediately to be assembled, whereupon strong Guards of Citizens were ordered to the severall Ports, since which time no Person of what quality soever is suffered to go out (nor any Coach, Waggon, or Horse) yet many have endeavoured it, [Page 4] for which they have not only been notably plundered, but some of them have been torne in peeces by the Rabble. The Queene of England remaines at the Louuere in this Towne, and for ought I understand intends not to remove; She is extreamly beloved here, and the people are not willing to let her depart hence. The Bastiell being the chiefe Fort in this City, is summoned by the Towne, and if the Governour surrender it not within two daies it will certainly be forced. I am just now informed that the Parlement and City have chosen the Marquesse de la Bullaies for their Generall; who comming out of the Parlement Chamber into the Palace with his Sword drawn, cried, Vive le Roy & le Parlement, and so with acclamations went to the Towne-House to consult and take order for the speedy raising of an Armie, which they say shall be ready to march within few daies, and in the meane time Parties of Horse and Foot are sent forth to secure the bringing in of Provisions. This night the Duke of Orleans quarters at St Clowes, Marshall Grament at St Denis, Prince of Condy at Charington, and Marshall de Millorie in the fourth place.
[Page 5]This is all at present that I can say; By the next (if the waies be not blockt up) you shall heare further from
An Order of the Parlement of Paris, taken out of the Register-book, as it was agreed on, Jan. 8. 1648.
THis day the Court of all the Chambers of Parlement assembled, debating on the Declaration put forth by the Kings servants, reciting why they went to Saint Germains in Laye, to their Lord the King, and the Queen Regent of France, in execution of the other dayes Decree; and upon refusall of the hearing them, and that they said that the Towne was blocked up, Have commanded and ordained, that most humble Remonstrances [Page 7] be made in writing to the Lord the King, and the aforesaid Queen Regent.
And seeing that the Cardinall Mazarin is notoriously the Author of all the troubles and disorders of the State, and of the present evill, have and doe declare him the troubler of the publique Peace, enemy to the King and his State: Doe enjoyne him forthwith to withdraw from the Court; and within eight dayes to depart the Kingdome. The said time being past, enjoyne all the Kings Subjects to apprehend him: forbid any to entertaine him. And doe further ordaine, That a sufficient number of Armed men be raised in this Towne; and to that purpose, Commission shall be given them for the safety of those without, as well as those within the Towne. And to convoy them that bring Provision to the City; [Page 8] and so to order it, that they may come with all freedome and safety. And this Decree shall be published and fixed at every place where it ought, to the end that none may plead ignorance; commanding the Provost of Merchants and Sheriffs to see it executed. Concluded in Parlement, Jan. 8.
This Decree was accordingly on Fryday, Jan. 8. read and published at the Gates, and other passages of the City.