The first to have been conversant with one Picotée, born in Orleans, and refugied in Flanders, to keep intelligence with the Arch-duke, and to have give him 150. Crowns for two journeys to that end.
The second to have treated with the Duke of Savoy, three days after his arrival to Paris without the Kings leave, and to have offered him all assistance and service against any person whatsoever, upon the hope or promiss of marrying his third daughter.
The third to have kept intelligence with the said Duke in taking of the City of Bourg and other places, giving him advice how he might defeat the Kings Army, and destroy his person, with many other circumstances to that purpose.
The fourth to have sent by Renazée a note to the Governour of the Fort of Saint Catherine, promising to bring the King before the said Fort, so near that he might be either killed or taken, telling what cloths he himself would wear, and what Horse he would ride, that he might be distinguished.
To have sent several times la Fin to treat with the Duke of Savoy, and the Earl of Fuentes against the Kings service.
These are the first confessions and acknowledgements that the Prisoner made before the Commissioners in the Bastille, but now he thinketh, he may as lightly deny them, as he had unadvisedly before confessed them.
Upon the first Article he answered, that Picoté being once his Prisoner, had offered his service for the reduction of the Town of Seurre in Burgundy, and that the King had approved of it, that it is true he had given him the said sum, but it was as a reward for his pains and charges in this negotiation, which sum he hath charged upon the Kings account, with some other small ones, laid out by him for the King; that since the reduction of the said Town he had not seen Picoté but in Flanders, when he went thither Embassadour for the confirmation of the Peace, where the said Picotée came to him with many others, intreating him he would be pleased to mediate with the King, for the liberty of returning into their Countrey, and enjoying their Estates, and that he did wish them to go to the Lords Belieure and Sillery, who would prescribe them what orders they were to follow in this business, and never had any other conversation with Picoté.
Upon the second, That he could not have treated with the Duke of Savoy three days after his arrival at Paris, seeing that himself did not come there but a fortnigh-after, and that la Fin came but after him, that all his discourses with him were in publick and before witnesses, and therefore could not be suspected; that Roncas had sometimes mentioned to him the Marriage of the third daughter of the Duke, and that he did impart it to the King; that his Majesty having sent him word by la Force his Brother in Law, that he did not approve of it, he never thought of it since; that the intelligence he is accused to have kept with the Duke of Savoy, is confuted enough by what he did, for when the King had commanded him to wait and keep company to the Duke in his return from France, and to shew him the strongest places upon the Frontiers of Burgundy, he did humbly excuse himself to the King of it, saying, that he foresaw well enough that the Duke would not keep the Treaty of Peace, and that it would be a great grief to him to make War against a Prince, with whom he should have kept company, and made good cheer; and that he did advise the Baron of Lux to let him see only the weaker places, that he might not know the strength of the Countrey.
Upon the third, That if he had kept correspondence with the Duke of Savoy, he would not have undertaken the taking of Bourg, almost against the Kings will, without any other help then of those that were ordinarily with him; that of fourty Convoys that were brought to relieve the Town, he had routed thirty seven, and the other three entered in his absence; that the King knoweth very well he was offered 200000. Crowns to let the succours enter into the Citadel of Bourg; that although his Majesty had commanded him in the time of a Truce made with the Duke of Savoy, to let those of the Citadel of Bourg have every day 400. Loafs of Bread, 50. bottles of Wine, half an Oxe, and six Sheep, he did only let them have fifty bottles of Wine and one Sheep, by which means the Town was surrendred within the time promised; that if he had had any evil design against the King and Kingdom, he would not so freely and willingly put the Town into the hands of him that is now Governour of it; that the Governours of Places that were in the Duke’s service, and are now in that of the King, can witness whether he shewed them any favour; that for his giving advice to the Duke to defeat the Regiment of Chambauld, he will prove that Chambauld did not come into the Army, but one Month after the time mentioned in his Calumny; besides that, this advice was without appearance of reason, for from Chambauld’s quarters to his, there was at least six days journey, and as much to go to the Duke, and as much to come back, besides the time required for the marching of the Forces; therefore all that was a meer invention of la Fin.