Pagina 862 di 1118

In the month of March, the Cardinal Richelieu with the king, at

the head of an army, demanded a free passage from the Duke of

Savoy; he entered into treaties for the purpose, but nothing was

concluded. After a rencounter, in which the French obtained the

advantage, a new treaty was entered into, in which the duke

stipulated that Don Gonzalo de Cordova should raise the siege of

Casale, engaging, in case of his refusal, to unite with the

French, and invade the duchy of Milan. Don Gonzalo raised the

siege of Casale, and a body of French troops entered it, to

reinforce the garrison. The Cardinal Richelieu decided to return

to France, on business which he regarded as more urgent; but

Girolamo Soranzo, envoy from Venice, offered the most powerful

reasons to divert him from this resolution. To these the king and

the cardinal paid no attention; they returned with the greatest

part of the army, leaving only 6000 men at Suza to occupy the

passes and maintain the treaty.