infirmities of age in 1678, and also disappointed at his diplomatic services not being rewarded by his son’s (the young Marquis’s) promotion, which had in the meantime been refused. However, in that year, or in 1679, young Henri was appointed Deputy-General at Court, his father being authorized to act also. The Peace of Nimeguen being concluded, there was time for church matters, and in 1680 the Romish priesthood renewed the war.
An Assembly of the Established clergy was held at Paris. These Divines, not content with the disabilities and deprivations already heaped on the Protestants, drew up a series of demands for the more complete suppression of Protestant liberties. The pastors had recourse to le vieux Deputé-General, whose state of health did not permit him to leave his house; and yet the king refused to hear any other deputation. The noble veteran accordingly wrote a manly and pathetic letter to Chancellor Le Tellier, which is a fair sample of his style of pleading:—
“My Lord, I would not presume to trouble you with a letter, if my infirmities did not detain me within doors. I shall during all my life bear to you the respect which I know to be your due, and in which none can be conscious of surpassing me. I hope, my lord, you will not take it ill that I employ this sheet of paper to convey a very humble petition, which I would have the honour of communicating in person were it not for my indisposition. I believed until now that the Established clergy were highly satisfied with all the proceedings hitherto taken against the subjects of the king who make profession of my religion, and that they could not find anything to do in the matter, except to return their thanks to His Majesty. But I learn that in their Assembly they have concocted a budget which contains several articles contrary to fidelity, to the Edicts, to Christian charity and to public tranquillity. I am, therefore, my Lord, under the necessity of requesting very humbly that you would make a representation to the effect, that it may please His Majesty to have no regard to such demands, and to give no judgment, before hearing our Deputies who are in waiting. These matters touch us so nearly, and to me they appear so important, that it seems to me that His Majesty’s sense of justice will not refuse us that favour. On such grounds, my Lord, I adjure you in the name of a numerous population, who desire nothing but life, and liberty to pray to God and to serve their master. These are very innocent desires; and you will clearly see that a people, who have their all at stake, ought to be studied more than they have hitherto been, and at least ought not to be driven to the extremity of desperation. Such will indubitably be the result if the king abandons them to the rigour and violence of enemies who are literally pitiless, and resemble the grave which is always receiving and never says, It is enough. I hope much better things from the equity and clemency of His Majesty; but if such hopes are disappointed, I shall be extremely pained, because it seems to me that the king’s service will receive much prejudice, and his subjects of my religion will believe themselves to be out of the pale of his royal protection. I pray God to give you a long and happy life. I am, with all imaginable respect, &c.
The resolute old Marquis had already foreseen that he might die in exile. He had received Letters Patent of Naturalization in England, whether as a testimony of regard offered by King Charles or solicited by himself as a provision for refuge from persecution, does not clearly appear. At any rate he discovered that his patent might be substantially serviceable and not merely complimentary. A letter to his favourite niece has been preserved, consigning the valuable document to secure custody. He writes:— “Je vous envoie aussi nos lettres de naturalité qui seront mieux entre vos mains qu’entre les miennes. Je vous prie, et Madame votre soeur aussi (Lady Elizabeth Noel), de les conserver. Elles peuvent servir, puisque il n’ y est rien de plus incertain que les evenements.” The date of that letter was January 1680. He probably was not surprised that his letter, sent to the Chancellor in July, resulted in nothing.
All pleading was in vain. The following year (1681) was the first year of the dragonnades. Madame de Maintenon, to secure her ascendency over the king, was the counsellor that Protestantism should be extinguished, and that by this holy work Louis the zealot should atone for the evil deeds of Louis the profligate. The Marquis de Louvois (Chancellor Le Tellier’s son) planned the mission of the dragoons into Poitou. Ruvigny seems to have hoped that the cruelties of these men might have disgusted Madame de Maintenon with Popery, she having been during a few girlish years a professed Protestant. He made his appeal to her; but her course had been already resolved upon. She wrote to the Comtesse de St. Geran (24th August 1681):— “Monsieur De Ruvigny wishes me to be Calvinist again in the depths of my heart; his head is as much turned by his religion as any minister’s (il est aussi entèté de sa religion qi’un ministre).” Ruvigny consequently tried to sap her influence with the king. She herself writes as to this:— “Ruvigny is intractable. He has informed the
- ↑ Benoist’s Histoire de L’Edit de Nantes.
