YOU have given me sufficient assu­rances of the continuance of your Friendship in the Letter I now re­ceived from you, and by the earnest desire you express of being informed by me of what our Sentiments are in Poland, concern­ing the present Troubles in Hungary. The common report, you say, accuses the French of having raised the War with the Turk; and making use of Poland to set its Engines at Work, and put in execution its pernicious Designs. If you are of the same Opinion with our Polanders, I shall tell you, with my accustomed freedom, that you do not wholly wrong them; For it is true that my [Page 2]Country-men, for some years past have suf­fered themselves to be over-reacht by the French, and that by treating with them too ingenuously, they have insensibly been drawn in to bear a part with them in their evil Practices; and among others, in favour­ing the Malecontents in Hungary. They acknowledge at present, though perhaps too late, their Errour, and begin to fear lest they have purchased to themselves Enemies, who after they have filled their own Country with Desolation, their Ambition and Bar­barity may make them turn their Arms against Poland. Sir, we love our selves, and our Friendship cannot consist with those Peo­ples Maximes. Their Politiques appear to us so much the more criminal, because there is no just revenge, but that which ob­liges us to fight our Enemies with our Arms in our Hands, and openly; nor any so base, as that which makes us use wicked Devises, and execrable Treasons as the Instruments of their Ruine. I have a great esteem for the Sarmatians, because they had this good Quality, that they never suffered their sus­pitions to prevail against any Mans credit, and that they chose always rather to judge of others according to their own Inclinations, than upon bare conjectures think them ca­pable [Page 3]of Malice. And I beg of you, Sir, to afford me the same Justice, at such time as at the Diet of Ratisbonne, you unravel Pene­lopes weaving, and condemn my Countri­mens wicked Politicks. I grant you, that the Hungarians, that by their caballing and Seditiousness have been banished their Coun­try, have found in Poland both refuge and Friends to protect them. I easily also acknow­ledge, that the original of all the Evils you complain of, has its rise from an abuse of the Liberty that we have in Germany. You may also reckon up so many Factions and Parties, whether in Peace or War, as there are lit­tle Kings, that in these last Ages have raised themselves to the Royal Authority, and established their Throne in the midst of Ger­many. Now after this, you ought not to be surprized to see that our Governours have granted the Favour of Hospitality to those that complained that their Liberty was ta­ken from them in their Country, and that all Laws were violated to oppress them in the highest degree; since humanity it self, and the right of Neighbourhood could not let them refuse to admit them, till such time as they were reconciled to the Emperour the Sovereign and Master. It may yet be pre­sumed that the French protected them, [Page 4]thinking there was some merit in protect­ing the Miserable oppressed. I am also of Opinion, that the Polanders were persuaded to suffer among themselves those that came from Hungary banished their Country, and deprived of their Goods, upon thoughts of preserving them to the Empire and Christi­anity; and to the end that their Despair might not oblige them to have recourse to the Turk, to obtain his Protection. If it was the French Design in these last Wars of Germany to draw more business upon the Emperour, and divide his Forces; it ought to be remembred that we are not to mind in an Enemy either craft, or violence. How­ever, I condemn that way of proceeding, which occasioned them to bear an Enemies Heart in time of Peace; and have a Horrour at their fomenting the troubles of Hungary with their Forces and Counsel. This Ma­nagement breaks the most sacred bonds of Friendship and Peace. So have I always, and many others with me, thought it very ill that Frenchmen should go out of our Coun­try, as it were out of the Trojan Horse, to go as Spies into Hungary and Transylvania, for to raise Troubles, and encourage the dis­contented so much the more by giving them Mony and Arms. All Europe knows how [Page 5] Bohancy, the Head of the Rebels of Transylva­nia, with some French of the same Leven, famous for their Crimes committed in Hun­gary, run up and down to raise Seditions, and join themselves to the Rebels. How­ever, the unviolable observance due to so solemn a Treaty of Peace, made me doubt, whether France did Authorise this Conduct; and I could no longer fix my Suspicions up­on the most Christian King, when I reflect­ed, it has alwayes been fatal to Sovereigns, by many Examples, to reduce Subjects to Revolt, or to maintain or protect them when they have rose against their Lawful Prince. Besides, I was never so bold or rash as to cry down the Glory of Kings and Sovereigns; and I can say, that if Fortune had been an­swerable to my Government, having never offended any Body in my life, I should be very happy. The most Christian King, by the for­tunate Success of his Arms, the greatness of his Exploits and Victories, has raised his Glory to so high a Pitch, that he ought on­ly to use it with moderation, and it is need­less for him to use unworthy artifices for to make himself more Glorious. Souls truly Royal and Magnanimous, have always de­spised the Conquests they could more easily obtain by Cunning than by force of Arms. [Page 6]And it was through this sentiment, worthy a great Heart, that Alexander the Great sharply rebuked his Favourite Parmenio, who would have put him upon a crafty De­sign, saying to him, That it was fit only for Robbers to have recourse to Treachery, as their only means to compass their Thefts. Nevertheless, because the Ministers of Prin­ces are People more zealous in their Em­ployments than they should be, and hold that they may lawfully commit all sorts of Injustice for their Sovereign's interest, provi­ded at the same time they do their business; I thought it might possibly be the same in France. The better to assure my self in this belief, I would be informed by those Gen­tlemen, that keep the Bank here of the French mony (for we never want some Po­landers, who had rather live under the French Slavery, than be satisfied with the liberty of Poland) what great concerns the French had with the Duke of Transylvania, Apafi [...]us, so much constrained to the Turks Party, what were the Designs and Intenti­ons, and to what end was so much com­ing and going of Akakia, Du Vernay Boucauld, and all the other Expresses.

At last, I found they gave no other Rea­son, but that the French were at present in [Page 7]Possession, and going through all Countrys, that they found every where Friends and Allies; and that they were at last arrived at the time of fulfilling the desire they had long had of seeing themselves Masters of all the World. This is it these French Prophets boast of, founding their hopes and pretensi­ons upon this ground, that there is no other way of opposing the House of Austria, which aspires to the entire Monarchy of all Europe, but the French King's entring into a League with the Turk, and there making an Alli­ance, and joyning their Forces by vertue of a Treaty, confirmed with an Oath taken upon the Holy Evangelists; but this you may learn better from the Original; as if it could ever be justifiable to revenge one in­jury with another wrong done to all Chri­stendome, and the Destruction of our Holy Mother the Church.

Having asked these French-men, what Prince of the House of Austria it was that disturbed France for this Ʋniversal Monarchy, they knew not which to name; this makes me believe, that those who judge of the pre­sent by what is past, will without doubt say that the French and Turks have long ago agreed; and that the French Ambassador at Constantinople has no greater business with the [Page 8] Ottoman Port, than to instruct him about the Emperors Negotiations in Hungary, as a Famous Venetian said before me, and that the secret intention of the French, is to draw the War into those Provinces of the King­dom of Hungary, that remain as yet undivi­ded; to extend, when they shall think fit, their Dominions on the other side, through the Ruin of Nations, and Destruction of Christians.

However, the French Party every where exclaim, and ask, what advantage can the loss of Hungary produce to LEWIS THE GREAT? They say on the contrary, the King endeavours to preserve it in its obedi­ence to the Emperour, and that his Majesty has given sufficient Testimony of it to the chiefest Princes in Europe; when Luxemburg, being attacked on all sides, and ready to Sur­render, he left the Conquest of that impor­tant Town, to which he has a just Claim, as soon as he knew that they were inform­ed at Vienna, by an extraordinary Courtier, that the Turk was bringing all his Forces against the Empire, and had ordered his Army to March towards Belgrade, with a Design to Invade in this War all Hungary, and the Neighbouring Provinces to Austria. That the most Christian King had given a [Page 9]signal demonstration of his Piety, in not hindring, as very advantagiously he could, the Emperour, and the rest whom the same misfortune threatned, from turn­ing all their force upon the Enemy, and in withdrawing his Troops that were in Flan­ders and upon the Rhine. We all admired, and highly extolled a Conduct so Glorious, so Pious, and so worthy a great Monarch, that would at so high a Rate purchase the peace and quiet of Christendom; and with­out doubt the French that had come after­wards, had received sincere Praises, if the thing had really been, or but always appear­ed the same they represented it to us, but, praised be God, the Truth did not always lye hid under the specious pretences with which it was covered.

I pass by all examples of past ages, and only say, that after their actions in these latter times, there is no more doubt to be made of their sinister dealings. And to be fully satisfied in this point, it is only ne­cessary to hear those that are best instruct­ed in the causes of this rumour which I spread abroad. They say, that all their exactness in discovering of News has not been able to inform them that any acci­dent had happened which should give occa­sion [Page 10]to the Turk to make a War either in Asia, or Greece, Thessaly, or any of his re­mote Provinces; that nevertheless at the same time they have seen in several Letters of the French Emissaries, which were disper­sed in Constantinople, Transylvania and Hun­gary; how that last year, on the 30th of De­cember, the War was resolved upon and sworn to against the Emperour, in the Pa­lace of Constantinople, and in the Holy Council, which the Turks call Divan, in which the Muphti, High Priest of the Ma­hometan Religion presided. Which suffi­ciently lays open the Authors and Procurers of this War; and clearly shews us that the French were not ashamed, as if it had been a famous action in them, to take advice in the Divan, and applaud the success of the Negotiations, as they did in their Letters writ backwards and forwards to the Rebels, in which they congratulated with them for having drawn the Turk to succour them. They promise each other in their Letters all the advantages they can expect, which aim at no less than to have the Emperour driven out of his best Estates, and the Turk advance into Christendom, bestowing Crowns on the one side, and rewards on the other, ac­cording as every one shall have laboured with him for the freeing of Hungary.

I lay not the stress of this upon any false rumour that has run among the People; I have assured and convincing testimonies of it; and the Persons from whom I take it, deserve we should make it a point of Con­science faithfully to believe them.

Sir, if you suspended as yet your judge­ment upon the French, on account of what I have told you; and if you should as yet persist in your belief, that the Polanders have had a hand in all this with the French; I would desire you to examine with that justice, which in you is usual, whether what I have related unto you is not sufficient to raise all your suspicions.

There is no body but knows that in last years assembly, our illustrious Hungarians loudly proclaimed, that such of their Coun­try-men, as have been forced to retire to other Places, lived only upon such supplies of Mony, as they received from the French; that they would not make their Peace with the Emperor, whose Clemency extended but just so far as to offer it, and that they were resolved to prosecute their enterprize, upon assurance of the Promises that were made them. So afterwards Akakia renewed and confirmed more powerfully than ever the League and Alliance with the Malecon­tents [Page 12]of Transilvania. We also saw the French Emissaries without any shame of violating the Law of Nations, and in Countries of the solemn Treaty of Peace; though they had been manifestly discovered in a secret Con­spiracy, run on afterwards more then ever, with an unparallelled Impudence, as if all things had been lawful to them.

You that know me, may well imagine what a trouble it was to me, to see that Po­land, my Country, should be the Theatre where all these Villanies were acted, and not one Polander to be found who might unde­ceive the World.

Yet the Emperor, with his ordinary Mer­cy, suffered the Malecontents of Hungary to pass the next Water with as much quiet and security as they would desire, to the end to draw them by this affectionate con­duct to lay down Arms, return to their Du­ty, and live peaceably in their Country un­der obedience; and I thought they would then for ever have left their Rebellion, if the Artifices of the French had permitted them to take good counsel.

We have been inform'd, how 100000 Florins were ordered at Paris to foment the Discontent of the Rebels in Hungary, and quicken the Turks the more; How this Sum [Page 13]was delivered at Dantzick, the Metropolis of Royal Prussia, and put into the Hands of a Banker, whose Name is Fromontius, who afterwards delivered it to the French Emissa­ries, at several payments, the better to hide the business. Moreover, we knew, how the Sieur du Vernay Boucauld, Count Teckely's real Spy, caused to be delivered into the hands of the Sieur Valentin Nemessan, 11300 Ducats, to oblige the Malecontents to take Arms again, and attack the Cittadel of Zat­mar, after the French fashion, with gilt Ar­rows, I mean, to endeavour to gain the Ga­rison, or Citizens, with money.

You knew, Sir, that in Poland, we highly disapproved of this Conduct, which was not totally unknown. The Principal Officers of our Court, before the whole Court, repre­sented to the most Christian King's Ambas­sadour, that we would no longer allow of such things. We told them, that by order of the whole Senate, we forbid the French to act, as we understood they lately had done, upon pain of our King's displeasure. Monsieur de Vitry endeavoured to excuse him­self, he produced his Book, assuring us, that we should not find in all his Accounts that the Malecontents in Hungary had touched the money we spoke of, and which was all [Page 14]delivered by his Order. Thus it is that De­ceit and Craft hide the Truth under false pretences.

Notwithstanding you must know, that the French Money went into Hungary, and men have been employed on purpose to stop it; and even the very Women have not been ignorant of the Wiles and Practises of the French.

The Princess Radrivilliana, Widow to the Prince of that name, expresly forbid the suf­fering any French to pass through her Coun­try of Sacolia, bordering upon Transylvania, fearing lest they should, as in other places, corrupt the People with mony. Nevertheless the French, whether it was that they would venture all, or whether they thought they were sufficiently disguised not to be known, took their Journey through this Princess's hereditary Country, and one that was taken was carried to her Castle, whom she impri­soned, loaded with Irons, and afterwards caused to be severely punished. The Mar­quess De Vitri, as well as all the Court, saw this man run backwards and forwards, be­ing obliged to take another way. This ge­nerous Princess's Example may convince the World that there were those in Poland, who condemned the abominable practises of the French.

All the world would have thought, that after this the Sieur du Vernay and all his un­der Spies would have grown circumspect by the punishment of their Companion, or that at least they would have learnt to conceal themselves better. But on the contrary, they made it appear by their new behavi­our, that when once a man has gone be­yond the bounds of Honour he is fit for any thing. These Gentlemen, the Masters of Perfidiousness, perceived, that they had no fairer a convenience for to entertain a commerce with the French Ambassadour at Constantinople, the Turks, and Malecontents in Hungary, than that which they found on the borders of Poland. They always had cor­respondence, and had as often as they could private enterviews with the Sieurs Valentin Nemessan, Peter Iagel, and other particular Friends and Allies of Teckely. They more­over endeavoured to have still more and more frequent Conferences in Transilvania, sending first one and then another to Paris, with the necessary Instructions of all their Proceedings.

So the Emperour's Ambassadour at this Court, who had notice of all, desired our most Serene King of Poland, that his Majesty would be pleased to give order, that no [Page 16]French-man, not being an Ambassadour, or bearing some other Employment, should be allowed to stay in his Dominions. He added to his Entreaty the humble Remonstrance, that the ancient Treaties so often renewed between the Empire and Poland, required it for the publick Peace, neither did he omit what he had understood concerning the Be­haviour of the French in Hungary and Con­stantinople. This occasioned that the most Christian King's Embassador was advertized by his Majesty of Poland, to order Akakia and Du Vernay to withdraw. At the same time he received a severe Animadversion about those Peoples Behaviour. The Senate told him, that we were no longer upon terms of conniving, since we had been informed, that the French more and more stirted up the Troubles of Hungary, to draw on a War with the Turk; that we knew from good hands what Mony they had given for it, what Ca­bals they had had, and the Sieur Du Vernay kept every day. We declared that Man was a Spy, and a turbulent Person, who had no other business to detain him about Leopol, but only to treat with the Turks and Male­contents, about the means and entring into a League together, for to draw the War in­to Hungary; that therefore we earnestly de­sired [Page 17]he would cause him to retire. The Ambassador answered, that he would not do what we demanded; he loudly declared, that Monsieur Du Vernay was sent with him into Poland, to manage the Affairs of the most Christian King their Master. He presumed very confidently to deny, that neither the Sieur Du Vernay, nor he, had any commerce with the Hungarians, or Turks; on the con­trary, he said, that the French King, in lea­ving Luxemburg, had sufficiently testified how earnestly he desired the Peace of Christen­dom, much less to give an occasion of sus­pecting the French of any sinister Design. He promised however, to take away, as he said, all Suspitions, that the Sieur Du Vernay should go to Varovia, and that there he should execute his most Christian Majesties com­mands. However, the Sieur Du Vernay, upon the news of all these Accusations, had re­tired to a Convent of Schismatick Monks of the order of St. Basil. And this did not put an end to these Practices, so unworthy the name of Christianity.

Some time after, the Emperours Ambassa­dour discovered that new sums of Mony were come to Dantzick for the French. This and many other things which he understood at the same time, obliged him to renew his Pray­ers [Page 18]to his Majesty of Poland. He had Audi­ence in the Presence of the Marquess De Vi­try, the French Embassador, and before the whole Senate. He spoke a long time, and all his Speech consisted of Complaints against the Sieur Du Vernay. He said, he had only changed the Place, and not his way of Pro­ceeding, and still daily continued his Crafts in Poland. He produced a Paper he had recei­ved by the last Post; by which he was given to understand, that the remainder of the Mony the French had engaged for to the Rebels, by the agreement made between them of one hundred thousand Florins, was lately delivered at Dantzick. He ended, be­seeching his Majesty of Poland, to be plea­sed now at last to purge his Dominions of those dangerous and seditious Men, who by all means fomented the Troubles of Hungary. He said, the Miseries of Hungary would reach Poland, since the Toleration they had, ten­ded to the Violation of the Treaty of Peace, till now always inviolably observed. He pro­tested, if we gave not satisfaction to his de­mands, he should be obliged to publish in all Princes Courts, and would make known to all Europe, that the French, by their abo­minable Methods and Practises, are the Au­thors of the Troubles of Hungary and Tran­silvania, [Page 19]and cause of the Turkish War. That they have sacrificed to their hatred, and en­vy against the House of Austria, the best purchased Provinces of the Empire, in which they have exercised their Treacheries and Treasons. That they have done all this to make good their ground in the Provinces they have torn from the Empire, and which they cannot retain by any other lawful right. In a word, that their aim in all these Proceed­ings is only to renew the Treaty of Peace, up­on pretence that we have broke it, to the end they may the better retain their Usur­pations, and have an occasion of seizing what is left of the Empire.

This Speech was convincing, and we could do no less than to press anew the French Embassadour to oblige the Sieur de Vernay to depart Poland: We told him from the King and Senate, that we would no longer be satisfied with the vain pre­tences he alledged to detain him. Then Monsieur the Marquis de Vitry declared, (which he durst not do the last time) that Monsieur Du Ʋernay Boucauld, was joint Embassadour with him from the French King. He came thus far to save him by the quality of Embassadour, sheltering him under the Law of Nations.

This Declaration stopt our Polander's mouths; they thought no more of demand­ing the departure of him that was the real Author of the Rebellion of Hungary; and they spoke not the least word to put a stop to his licentiousness by a just advice: On the contrary, they promised the Embassa­dour, that the Sieur Du Vernay, his pre­tended Companion, should have all liberty to act for his Master.

This soft and complying behaviour of the Polanders cannot be better excused, than by saying, that without doubt they remembred upon this occasion, that the French of late years, make no greater com­plaint, than when their Embassadours or Agents, that have liberty in all Countries, are touched, though never so slightly.

(These are the words of Charles Pascal, a French-man, in his Treatise he made of Embassies.) "And they do like the Wolfs, who draw the Sheep far from the Shepherd, that they may afterwards devour them. In fine, it is upon these frivolous accusations, that the French, to have some pretence for making War, have at other times so loud­ly complained, and not long since, against Germany, saying, They observed not the law of Nations, and broke the most sacred [Page 21]bonds of Humanity, and the Peace to­wards their Embassadors. Yet at the same time, they passed by and endured, with­out one word speaking, the horrid injuries and most barbarous usage their Embassa­dours received at the Ottoman Port.

I must needs tell you here, Sir, that if you wonder that we suffer the French Emis­saries in Poland, under the pretended qua­lity of an Embassadour; we have much more reason to admire in Poland that the French are received in the principal Courts in Germany with great kindness and satisfa­ction, notwithstanding there is so much reason to mistrust their intentions.

This makes me think, dear Sir, that even at this day we might see the observance of the Laws, the love of your Country, the love and respect due to the Emperour, in which you were so exact the last age, sub­sist amongst you, if the French had not been the first in changing this good order, by conjuring with the Turks. Then, 'tis true, a Law made in a Diet was publish­ed in Germany; by which all sort of com­merce with the Turks, and the French, their Confederates, was forbidden through the whole Empire; to hinder the sprouting of the seeds of Division and Rebellion, [Page 22]which that perfidious Nation casss where­ever it is admitted. Since no French Em­bassadour was admitted in any one Court in Germany, so little did they trust the French; and scarce would the Princes of the Empire receive Letters from that Coun­try. Now things are much changed, and we may well cry, when we see the present miseries of Germany, O tempora! O mores!

Yet all the World has not the same opi­nion of the French. But to convince you, I will give you an example so much the more to be imitated, because it would be extremely advantagious to Germany, if the same were done there. It happened in Po­land, The Castellan of Primislau, percei­ving that neither his Majesty of Poland, nor the Senate expelled the French Spies, and moreover that their designs always suc­ceeded better and better, and that they were going to destroy, by the Turkish War they were drawing on, a million of innocent Christians, refused to permit the Sieur Du Vernay to enter his Village of Nimirovia, and assembled a number of men to oblige him to pass another way; so much did he fear this man, of whom he had heard so many things.

There wanted not for great complaints. The Marquis de Vitry was highly incensed, and sought all ways of revenge. And as he is the Most Christian King's Embassa­dour, went directly to Court, to lay before his Majesty of Poland, after his own fashion, the affront and indignity offered, contrary to the Law of Nations, to his Companion, the Sieur du Vernay; and was so bold as to demand that the Castellan should be impri­soned for satisfaction. The King could not endure this confidence, and told him very harshly, That it was to no purpose to couch the Sieur du Vernay under the quality of Ambassadour, that the Tragedies he acted under the vain pretence of an Embassy were well known; that all the devices of the French, and their contracts with the Turk were discovered; that the places where Akakia and du Vernay had Conferences were named; their resolutions and designs known; that we could exactly tell how much Mo­ney was sent from France to Hungary; and how they had used violence, deceit, and wicked practices against the Emperour, to the misfortune of Christendom.

The Ambassadour would have cleared himself of those things, with which, he said, we wrongfully charged his Nation. He [Page 24]thought there was no body could convict the French of their actions in this Country. But the King, who grew hot, would not hear him. He only told him, he would lay 10000 Pistols with him, that we would prove un­deniably all that he had said:

I tell you nothing here, Sir, but what I have seen and heard, and if you had been present, you would have thought with me, you had heard Cicero speak in the Roman Senate, instead of the King of Poland, How long, Catiline, will you abuse our patience? How long shall your fury sport at us? to what end will your impudence come? are you igno­rant that all your Designs are known to us? don't you perceive that all my Citizens are con­vinced of the Conspiracy you carry on with the Malecontents of Hungary and the Turks?

The Marquess de Vitry pressed no farther for the liberty of the French Agents. He did not, like Catiline, pray we should not enter­tain those thoughts of him and his, which no Body believ'd; that when Hungary were lost, we should have need of the French. He look­ed like one astonished at this blow. He stood amazed, and his silence sufficiently confirm­ed the thing. All the other French that were present, in a consternation, fixed their Eyes upon the ground, and lifted them not up but [Page 25]to look upon each other, as it were accusing themselves. So certain it is, that the inward sting of Conscience, and the secret power of Truth, dashes the most fierce and confident, and by reducing the guilty to a shameful si­lence, forces them to make some sort of con­fession of their Crimes.

Sir, Here you have a very acceptable Hi­story to tell such of your Countrymen as can well praise all the French actions, whether good or bad. Next, you may ask them, whether they expect a good Peace with the French, because they so highly extoll the advantages and pleasures of Peace.

If the Ghost of the Emperour Tiberius should come from Hell, and appear in you assembly of the States of the Empire, how justly would he blame you, and say, O men, born to slavery! will your softness extend so far as not to believe, but that we only imagine what is done openly in sight of the whole world, which we see, and even feel. This I say, because I know there are some amongst you, that suf­ficiently mistrust the French, to know what they are to think of them, whether they suspect them for not observing the Peace, or for entring into a League with the Turks.

But I also believe, which is much better, that there are many Germans, who will talk [Page 26]boldly of taking away the snares that are laid for them, and endeavouring to defend the liberty of their Country. I still remember what I saw in Germany when I travelled in it. At least I doubt not, but that if you would Unite your selves to re-establish the glory of Germany, and retain the valour of your Ancestors, you might live at home like Kings, and laugh at those who have made themselves slaves to France.

But what side must be taken in so great a diversity of Opinions, and among so many occasions of fear on both sides. My opinion is little to the purpose, but if you will believe me, you would judge, that you have most reason to fear what threatens you from the East, than from any other place. For what can you expect from a War with the Turk but the total ruin of your Goods, and utter destruction of your Countrey. There is an end of your Liberty, your Religion, your Life, and all you can lose in this World.

So that since you have still time to con­sider what you are to do, imagine some­times your Churches, your Houses, your Wives, your Children and your Country, comming to you and conjuring by all they have deserved from you, that you will not leave them as a prey to your common Ene­mies, [Page 27]and to prevent the Miseries of a cruel slavery that threatens their Liberty.

If you will say that Hercules himself wont encounter two; that therefore you must treat with the French at any rate. You may still think, if you please, that the Kingdom of Hungary is of far greater value and conse­quence, as being the bulwark of Christen­dom, than the City of Strasburg. That at present you must behave your self like a prudent Pilot in a Storm, who choses rather to cast his Merchandise into the Sea, than venture losing all, by endeavouring to preserve all. But I must also tell you, that you have reason to fear, lest under those beautiful Leaves, a Snake lyes hid. You must believe the French have stirred up the Turks. And these shall no sooner have entred Au­stria, besieged Vienna, as without doubt they will besiege it, destroyed all the Country round it; and finally reduced Germany to the last Extremities; but the French, invited by your Prayers, will voluntarily come of­fer you their Service. But instead of Wa­ter to quench the Fire, they will bring Oyl to make it the fiercer.

Sir, I shall not say many other things that I think about this matter. I only add, that methinks I see a History, almost the same [Page 28]with that we read of a Roman Emperor, who had a Fancy to set on fire the four cor­ners of Rome for the Pleasure, as he said, of seeing a Fire equal to that of Troy; and thereby to have an occasion of doing good to the miserable Citizens, who would come to complain of their Miseries and Misfor­tunes. Perhaps Nero, in this cruel Scene, de­sired nothing but the Glory of building a new City, and calling it by his own Name.

If you believe me, endeavour above all things to take away the Snares that are laid for you. The French King, as all other Christian Princes, is obliged to defend you against the Turks; and you will have so lit­tle trouble in obtaining of it, that he has al­ready agreed upon it with your Enemy. But what will be the event? You will infal­libly come to complain of one another, be­cause some will be contented, and others dis­satisfied; Whilst you are taken up in these Disputes, the French will do their Work, and at last you will find your selves under their Dominion, cast down, conquered and made Slaves without daring to say so.

Do not then stay to dispute Rights and Interests, till the time when the noise of Arms and the fury of War will hinder you from hearing the Law. Be the Horatii, [Page 29]and not the Curatii of your Country. In fine, remember that the members separated from the Head languish away like Carcasses. Be faithful to your Soveraign, the Empe­rour, your lawful Prince: He has ascended the Throne by a right owned by all the World; he has always upheld himself with Glory; you are used to obey him, and he always applied himself to your preservation. You ought to pay him all sorts of respect, if you expect in him a Protector and Father, and if you fear drawing the wrath of Hea­ven on your heads. What light would the Planets have if they darkned the Sun? If you prefer the Moon hid under the Flower­de-Luces before the Sun at which your Eagle looks; if you had rather be slaves to the French King, than obey the Emperour, all things will happen worse and worse to you; and you will draw all the Cruelty of the Barbarians on you, as a punishment of your Perjury and breach of Faith.

You are not ignorant of the reproach that we cast upon you, viz. that the Ger­mans are the only people that desire to be subject to a Foreign Government, and have no love for their Country. That reproach cannot justly be retorted upon us; and Ger­many shall ever find in the Polanders all sort [Page 30]of friendship and service. We foresee the dangers that threaten us, and seeing of it, our Fore-fathers example, our promised Faith, and our natural inclination, stir us up powerfully to the defence of our Coun­trey.

Sir, I know, that to make you sensible of all that my Friendship and sincerity has made me say, I need only represent it to you. It only remains that I desire you to tell me your Opinion with the same free­dom, that I may be delivered from the dis­quietness the sight of the present Evils, and the fear of those that threaten us, has put me into. It is time you should read the pieces I send you. Farewel.

Given at my Castle Septemb. 1. 82.

I Received with great joy the Letters, you did me the honour to write to me, from the Camp before Fil­leck, enclosed in the Pacquets of our Ambassadors at Constantinople; nevertheless, I was a little surprized, that you should seal them before he had seen them. I wonder also, you said nothing about the Siege of Filleck. However, I doubt not but that place, by this time, is in your power. Monsieur Jaygel, I believe, knows by my last Letters, that I have several times endeavoured to send him what I promised, and let him have what I have received, but I always wanted an opportunity. When you send any of your People to me, order them not to come to my House but at Night, to the end we may do our business without any bodies knowledge. But what I most earnesty desire is, that above all things, they take care not to follow the Road that goes directly from Tavoravia to Nimirovia. For here are several Po­lish Gentlemen, who, by the most Serene King of Po­land's Order, search, visit, and detain all strangers that pass. The safest way, in my Opinion is, that they leave Premislaw and Toreslavia on the right hand, and follow the Road that leads to Sandomiria, lest they be seen to enter Nimirovia, where I am surrounded with Spyes. I recommend the enclosed to you; and desire you to send them according to their Directions, by the first opportunity. I will take the same care in all things, you shall be pleased to command me. I am most cordi­ally,