Chapter I: HAVE received your letter of the 2d of this month. I wrote by

yesterday’s post to M. de Rissan,[299] 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.[300]

[299] M. de la Motte de Rissan held the post of “Lieutenant de
Roi,” in the citadel of Pignerol.

[300] 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.[301]

[301] From the Archives of France.

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 madness; from which the Sieur Dubreuil also is not exempt.

DE SAINT-MARS.[302]

[302] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).

No. 102.

SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS.

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;[303] and, as an additional proof of his madness, he says that he has the honour of being the near relation of the King, to whom he wishes to write, to complain of the way in which I treat him. I have not thought it right to give him paper or ink for that purpose, perceiving him not to be in his right senses.

DE SAINT-MARS.[304]

[303] See Note, page 48.

[304] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).

No. 103.

LOUVOIS TO SAINT-MARS.

St. Germain, July 10th, 1680.

I HAVE received, together with your letter of the 4th of this month, that which was joined with it, of which I shall make the proper use. It will be sufficient to make the prisoners in the lower part of the tower confess once a year.

With regard to the Sieur de Lestang, I wonder at your patience, and that you should wait for an order to treat such a rascal as he deserves, when he is wanting in respect to you. Send me word how it has happened that the individual named Eustache has been able to do what you have sent me word of, and where he got the drugs necessary for the purpose, as I cannot think you would have furnished them to him.

DE LOUVOIS.[305]

[305] From the Archives of France.

No. 104.

LOUVOIS TO SAINT-MARS.

Philippeville, August 16th, 1680.