The New York herald., 1879-02-10
A Page from the History Of France
Under Louis XIV.
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THE DUO DE BRoaLIEs LETTERS OF LOUIS XIV.
WITH HIS DIPLOMATIC AGENTS
The volumes which the Due dc Broglie has given
TO the world are Of great value throwing light
upon singular episode in the career Of Louis XIV.
The events with which they deal belong to the his
tory of the eighteenth century and have no connec-
tion with the more recent history of France. In
few pages of introduction the author states how he
was led to present his work to the public. Hesays
The existence of . secret correspondence carried
on by Louis XIV. with his diplomatic agents. un-
known to his Ministers, is remarkable but
the s.ma Of the onsrcS snS
confirmed by an Official declaration of his
All the writers OF the time. all the historians OF
Louis reign. allude to it. But what was this mys-
terious affairf To whom was the secret In
trusted? What effect had this clandestine diplomacy
on the political events of that sad epoch? On this
subject, until very recent date. the vaguest and
Oftentines the most erroneous ideas have prevailed.
tic Of the we'll was ~ ftea t rev
the State distinguished scholar whose loss is still
mourned by science. N. Boutaric published
in 1855 two interesting volumes made up from the
great national collection OF which he was In charge.
But in giving to the public portion OF what he had
himself pointed I out the gaps which had prevented
the completion of his work. = NJ. Boutarics
publication. which bore. even in its title; tho
name of member Of my family, excited my
ehiidhood heard Of this sranncie and Of his secret
from various indications in my fathers papers, that
his communications with the King, like those OF the
other secret agents (which M. Poutaric regretted tea
that he did not possess) were still preserved IN the
Department Of Foreign Affairs. y Thanks
to conjunction Of lights kndled at various
ture Of the origin. aims and sudden turns
OF Louis xvs secret correspondence shall Le
much deceived II the reader does not share my i'm
preston. aud if he does not fnd in this story an
oSher interest than that which attends the de-
velopment of an amusing intrigue; If. in particu-
lar the character of the chief actor in this little
drama, the Comte de Brogle, does not always pre-
sent to him. through many weaknesses. the attrac-
tive spectacle OF mind familiar with elevated views
of politics. and soul ardent for the public good.
Unfortunately. cannot say as much for the per-
sonases who hgTre slongside OF him: and partiou, &
nothing to lose) will not gain fear by beng seen
In a new light
he is not writing of the mysteries Of Versailles and
that he brings no new, discovery In regard to the
happy monarch is such as to warrant suspicious Of
the authors gravity. BY a singularity
perhaps unexaSnPled the very things which the
years to conceal from his subjects as well as
from his Ministers were those which did him the
most credit. = Whtls too often abandoning
the exercise Of his power the favortes of his mis-
tresses secretly sought Though without intending
to follow i the advice, frank to rudencss, OF
hardy politicians. 1t under the triple seal Of
cipher correspondence that he pouSed out all that
remained at the bottom Of his heart OF sentiments
public good.
The first volume deals almost exclusively with
Louis underhand efforts to obtain political influence
In Poland. and the importance OF that unfortunate
country in European affairs in the middle Of the last
century is clearly demonstrated. Its dismember-
ment is spoken Of as IN net Of
Diplomatic brignndage. performed under the indif-
aren't eyes of Europe without the sovereign of France
having had the clearsightedness to detect the plot
which had been prepared or the courage at the last
forgive those who made him stand inattentively or
powerlessy byat the ruin OF old ally and OF the
most atrocous crimes that ever outraged the rights
land 1t was equally unnecessary and to
address its nominal CHIEF. An ambassador had to
engage himself in the conflict Of parties to embrace
the cause of faction. to support one Of the CON-
pctOrs whether 1t be the people or the Crown. But
this sort Of diplomacy, though frequently practsed
by France by Russia, by Austria, and by Saxs
ony, as expensive as 1t was compromising. For
France it articuarly disadvantageous. So dis
tant the two countries that French advice and
French supplies seldom arrived early opportunely
III Poland. In promising protection to party the
incurred was greater than the an
dispense with external aid. while the weak we're apt
10 claim assistance that it was often difficult
to render. Moro than once France was compelled
20 desert faction after having espoused its cause.
and, TO the great detriment Of its honor leave in
peril those who had been led to rely upon her word.
Hence It was that in the sixteenth century the Duo
Anjou tafterward Henry III.) placed upon the
throne by numerous party. had to fly from Poland
By Louis XIV. to attempt the same adventure. could
not wait even to be proclaimed Finally. 1t bad been
how Louis xV.'s own father-in-law. Stanislas
Leczinski. re-established, then abandoned by
arms and reduced to flight to save his head which
the Russians had set price. was forced to surrender
his rights to his competitor. Auguste ILL.,. Elector OF
saxony. the protege Of the imperial courts.
These successive led France to
Bon like tho fox in La Fontaines fable; but
the arrival OF number of influential Poles
whose ancestors had befronded the French cause In
Poland. and who desired to place q Frenchman on
their throne ut the expected death of Auguste ILL.,.
Inspired Louis XIV. with new hopes regarding that
Important country. The Prince do Cont, grandson
Of Louis Xlv.s unsuccessful candidate for the
crown the choice of the Polish deputation. aad
he succeeded in persuading his royal kinsman TO
espouse his grant was obtained from the
privy purse and the French Resident at Warsaw was
secretly instructed by tho King to keep up friendly
intercourse with Polish noblcmcn favorable to the
interests of France. When. later on. Russia and Aus
tria tricd 70 win tho alliance of Poland and France
openly cndcavorcd to thwart their Efforts tho Count dc
Broglie named by Dc Cont as desirable
bassador TO advocate his personal cause. Louis
allotted s1G00O0 for secret service. and sent Dc
Broge to Poland. where he was to use the unsus-
pecting Frcnch Minister as an agent in advancing
bis masters actual designs. Communication with
HE King was carried on through De Cont unknown
y the Minister Of Foreien Affairs. But the Count
was too high spirited TO enjoy such undcrhand work.
and bitterly complained to De Cont of his Disagree
able position. Though streng gthening French inau-
ence In Poland he was not particular to carry out
the peculiar wispes Of the Prince. who was much
offended by his Independence. but the alliance be-
tween Austria and France, effected in l75s> threw
Poland into friendly relations with Rus y aud
De Brcglie. abandoning do Cont's personal inter-
sss sought by alying saxony with France to restrain
the growing influence OF Prussia yet ho was not
the less suspicious of Austria, and did his best to
convince Louis OF the Inconvenience of having her
Cor an ally. The Pompsdour influence, however, all
powerful with the complainant French monarch was
sast In favor OF Vienna. aud. while DE conts schemes
longer met With tho royal attention and support
De Droglie was made use of, though equally against
his will. to carry out the objects of the Austrian al
lance His efforts to overturn the interests Of Russin
4