MAZARIN (Giulio Mazarini, known as Jules). Letter signed "Le - Lot 102

MAZARIN (Giulio Mazarini, known as Jules). Letter signed "LeCard l Mazarini" with long autograph apostille (16 lines), addressed to the Marquis de Calvisson. Pontoise, August 14, 1652. 1p. in-4, address on spine with remnants of red wax armorial seals and bronze silk ties; small cracks at folds, restorations at two corners and on verso of one of the seals. LETTER WRITTEN AT THE HEIGHT OF THE SLINGSHOT. Riots in Paris and fighting between Turenne's royal army and Condé's rebel army forced the Court to take refuge in Pontoise, where Louis XIV was about to bring the part of the Parliament that was loyal to him. Mazarin, the main target of discontent, decided to leave Pontoise on August 19 for Bouillon, whose duke was Turenne's nephew. As for the Court, it left on August 20 for Compiègne. "Monsieur, it would be wrong of me to doubt my friendship, which is too deeply rooted not to lay a foundation as sure as you must, I have tried to give you proof of this in the patent I have procured for you, and I beg you to believe that I will always be very happy to contribute to what will be to your advantage in the things that may depend on me and where I will have reason to testify to you better that I am most truly, Sir, your most affectionate servant [from the hand of the cardinal:] card l Mazarini. [Continued from the cardinal's hand:] I did part of what you deserved when I obtained for you the grace of the patent that was given to you in Paris, but I did not in this satisfy the passion I have to serve you, This is why you should be assured that I will do my utmost to serve you in the first encounters for what respects the pension, and moreover you will know that I am from the best of my heart, Monsieur, [from the hand of the secretary, already quoted] your most affectionate servant [from the hand of the cardinal, already quoted:] Card l Mazarini. [Continued from the hand of the cardinal's hand:] I beg you not to worry about the resolution I am taking, since the King will derive great benefit from it in the present situation, and it is unfortunate that S[a] M[ajesté]'s affairs should be put in good order without my own and my friends' benefiting greatly. Comme j'espere de voir Mrl'esveque d'Alby [Gaspard de Daillon DuLude, who remained loyal to royalty royauté durant la Fronde] auperavant que la Court parte d'isy, je l'entretiendray de touttes choses et lors le prieray de vous en dire le destail comme a une personne que je crois de mes meilleurs amis." MAZARIN GIVEN GIFTS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE ROYAL CAMP, AS HERE TO JEAN-LOUIS DE LOUËT, MARQUIS DE CALVISSON (died 1667). One of the barons of Languedoc, married to a sister of Marshal de Toiras, he was appointed lieutenant-general in this province. Expert: Pierre GHENO and Alain NICOLAS