No. 98. VARENGEVILLE TO POMPONNE. Proposed Recompense to Giuliani. SIR, Venice, July 1, 1679. In answer to the letter which you were pleased to write to me on the 14th of last month, I shall do myself the honour to tell you that, although I am aware that Giuliani has performed services which have been useful to the King, and that I am persuaded of his fidelity, and of his good inclinations towards France, which may render him still very useful for the future, I cannot forbear representing to you, that the recompense which the Abbé d'Estrades wished to procure for him, is not a fitting one; and I feel myself the more obliged to say this, because you do me the honour to inform me that his Majesty wishes to receive farther information on this subject. I shall therefore, Sir, take the liberty to tell you, that he is a little editor of newspapers, in whose shop the letters of news are written, as it is not the custom here to print them: he works at this himself, as well as copying for the public; and his situation in this town answers to that of the Secretaries of St. Innocent, at Paris. Therefore, it would be a very improper thing to give a Secretaryship of Embassy to a man of this profession, who, besides, in other respects, does not appear to me fit to fill properly such an employment. He would even cease to be able to give intelligence, as soon as he should be publicly recognized to be attached to France, because the persons whom he now holds communication with, would no longer wish, nor dare, to continue it with him. But as he is a sort of ferret, who works out, and gets at all that is passing, I think it is necessary to encourage his zeal by some such gratification as forty or fifty pistoles a year, or whatever shall be approved of by his Majesty. I think even that this sort of recompense would have a greater effect upon him than the other, and would make him act with the same zeal he has already shown in the affairs he has been employed in. VARENGEVILLE.† + Varengeville was now Ambassador at Venice. This letter exists in the Archives of the Office for Foreign Affairs, at Paris. No. 99. LOUVOIS TO SAINT-MARS. St. Germain, July 25, 1679. I have received your letter of the 2d of this month. I wrote by yesterday's post to M. de Rissan,* that it is the King's intention that he should have the gate of the citadel of Pignerol opened, whenever you shall have occasion for it. You may give paper and ink to the Sieur de Lestang, with the understanding that he is to put into writing whatever he wishes to say; which you will send to me, and I will let you know whether it deserves any consideration. DE LOUVOIS.+ * M. de la Motte de Rissan held the post of " Lieutenant de Roi," in the citadel of Pignerol. + From the Archives of France. No. 100. LOUVOIS TO SAINT-MARS. St. Germain, August 21, 1679. With regard to the Sieur de Lestang, you may give him paper whenever he wishes to write; and afterwards send it to me. DE LOUVOIS.+ No. 101. SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS. Pignerol, Jan. 6, 1680. I am obliged, Sir, to inform you that the Sieur de Lestang is become like the Monk I have the care of; that is to say, subject to fits of raving + From the Archives of France. Matthioli complains of his Treatment, and gives Proofs of Insanity. Pignerol, Feb. 24, 1680. The Sieur de Lestang, who has been nearly a year in my custody, complains that he is not treated as a man of his quality, and the minister of a great prince, ought to be. Notwithstanding this, I continue to follow your commands, Sir, most exactly upon this subject, as well as upon all others: I think he is deranged, by the way he talks to me; telling me he converses every day with God and his angels; that they have told him of the death of the Duke of Mantua, and of the Duke of Lorrain ;‡ and, as an additional proof of his madness, + Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac). 1 See Note, page 49. |