Source:
A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq;, volume 5, pages 440 to 441, published by Thomas Birch, 1742; original at Indiana University Library
The letter:
RIGHT HONORABLE,
... My indisposition since my last hath deprived me of all opportunitys of knowing much in businesse, that passeth at court; yet I have had a hint from a friend, that there are stronge endeavors a foot for making the prince of Condé's peace with the cardinall. When I was at Compeigne, his eminence told me, hee was earnestly applyed unto in that businesse by the princes his sister, the dutchess of Longaville, who (I heare since) prevailed with the queen of Sweaden also to mediate for it; but the cardinall seemed then to be so sensible of that, which I look upon to be his trew interest, as he told me, the prince's being restored was incompatible with his keeping a quiet possession of the ministrie of state; for, said he, his ambition is so boundlesse, as nothing less than all will satisfy him. ...
The card. of Retts, whose reconciliation to the court the queen of Sweden did sollicit so earnestly, hath been in Burgundie; and there is a rumour, that he is in disguyse at Paris. ...
May it please your honor,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
WILL. LOCKHART.
La Ferre, October 3d, 1656. N. S.
With modernised spelling:
Right Honourable,
... My indisposition since my last hath deprived me of all opportunities of knowing much in business that passeth at court; yet I have had a hint from a friend that there are strong endeavours afoot for making the Prince of Condé's peace with the Cardinal.
When I was at Compiègne, His Eminence told me he was earnestly applied unto in that business by the Princess his sister, the Duchess of Longueville, who (I hear since) prevailed with the Queen of Sweden also to mediate for it; but the Cardinal seemed then to be so sensible of that, which I look upon to be his true interest, as he told me, the Prince's being restored was incompatible with his keeping a quiet possession of the ministry of State; for, said he, his ambition is so boundless as nothing less than all will satisfy him. ...
The Cardinal of Retz, whose reconciliation to the court the Queen of Sweden did solicit so earnestly, hath been in Burgundy; and there is a rumour that he is in disguise at Paris. ...
May it please Your Honour,
your most humble and obedient servant,
William Lockhart.
La Fère, October 3rd, 1656. N. S.
French translation (my own):
Très honorable Monsieur,
... Mon indisposition depuis ma dernière lettre m'a privé de toute occasion de me renseigner sur les affaires de la cour. Pourtant, un ami m'a laissé entendre que de sérieux efforts étaient en cours pour obtenir la paix du prince de Condé avec le cardinal.
Lorsque j'étais à Compiègne, Son Éminence m'a dit qu'il avait été vivement sollicité à ce sujet par la princesse sa sœur, la duchesse de Longueville, qui (j'ai appris depuis) avait également persuadé la reine de Suède d'intervenir en sa faveur. Mais le cardinal semblait alors si conscient de ce que je considère comme son véritable intérêt, qu'il m'a dit que la réintégration du prince était incompatible avec le maintien en toute quiétude du ministère d'État; car, a-t-il dit, son ambition est si démesurée que rien de moins que tout ne le satisfera. ...
Le cardinal de Retz, dont la reine de Suède avait tant sollicité la réconciliation avec la cour, est allé en Bourgogne; et le bruit court qu'il est déguisé à Paris. ...
Puisse-t-il plaire à Votre Honneur,
votre très humble et fidèle serviteur,
Guillaume Lockhart.
La Fère, le 3 octobre 1656. [Nouveau style.]
Swedish translation (my own):
Ers Ärevördighet,
... Min opasslighet sedan mitt senaste brev har berövat mig alla möjligheter att få veta mycket om affärer som försiggår vid hovet; ändå har jag fått en antydan från en vän om att det pågår starka ansträngningar för att sluta fred med kardinalen med prinsen de Condé.
När jag var i Compiègne berättade Hans Eminens för mig att han i den frågan ivrigt anlitades av prinsessan, hans syster, hertiginnan av Longueville, som (har jag hört sedan dess) övertalade Sveriges drottning att även medla i den; men kardinalen verkade då vara så medveten om det, vilket jag anser vara hans verkliga intresse, att han sade till mig att prinsens återinsättning var oförenlig med att han behöll en lugn ägo av statsministeriet; för, sade han, hans ambition är så gränslös att inget mindre än allting kommer att tillfredsställa honom. ...
Kardinalen de Retz, vars försoning med hovet den svenska drottningen så ivrigt begärde, har varit i Bourgogne; och det går ett rykte om att han är förklädd i Paris. ...
Må det behaga Ers Ärevördighet,
Er ödmjukaste och lydigaste tjänare
William Lockhart.
La Fère, den 3 oktober 1656. [Nya stilen.]
Above: Kristina.
Above: The Prince de Condé.
Above: His sister, Madame de Longueville.
Above: Cardinal de Retz.
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