Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 1.djvu/342

 Marquis d’Arzilliers; — After that his Majesty had cast his eyes upon many of his subjects, he judged that he could not better fill it up than with the person of the Marquis De Ruvigny, Lieutenant-General of his armies, who is a professor of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, and endowed with many good and laudable qualities, and who has given signal testimonies of his fidelity and affection on divers occasions, and of his abilities and capacity for his Majesty’s service; And his Majesty condescending to the humble petition of his said subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion, he has chosen and appointed the said Lord De Ruvigny to be the Deputy-General of those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, and is well pleased that he reside near his person, and follow his Court in the said quality, and to present to his Majesty their petitions, narrations, and most humble complaints, that he may take such course therein as he shall judge convenient for the benefit of his service and for the relief and satisfaction of his said subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion. In testimony whereof his said Majesty has commanded me to expedite this present writ to the said Lord De Ruvigny, which he was pleased to sign with his own hands, and caused to be countersigned by me his Councillor and Secretary of State, and of his commandments.

The Protestants, during the enforced suspension of National Synods, could not be informed of this appointment; a royal announcement, however, was sent to the Consistory of Charenton. Ruvigny himself sent a copy of his Commission to the Provincial Synod of Burgundy, sitting at Lyons, — to whom he also addressed the following letter:—

“Gentlemen, — The king, having honoured me with the General Deputation of the Reformed Churches of his kingdom, has thought good to inform you thereof in his letter which I send you. It will show you his intentions; and by what I now write you will be informed of my own sentiments, of which time will give you more ample knowledge. His Majesty has chosen me in order to give me an employment which has respect both to his service and to yours. I believe that I shall not find it difficult to acquit myself well in this double duty, to which I feel myself obliged by my conscience. I know by experience both the king’s good-will towards you, and your fidelity in his service. I shall use every endeavour to provide that you receive the effects of his affection, and that he may be persuaded that you are incapable of any failure in the obedience which you owe to him. Upon that I shall base all my administrations, assuring you that I will devote all my time to ensure the success of your righteous resolution, and that I shall reckon myself well employed if I am able to make you aware that I am, Gentlemen, your very humble and very affectionate servant,

“.”

, 22d August 1653.

One of Ruvigny’s first actions as Deputy-General was to obtain the restoration of liberty of worship to the Protestants of Vals. He was sent to Vals for this purpose with full powers from the Government. The Proprietor had interdicted their worship, and the inhabitants had appealed to the Intendant, who, taking an opportunity of inflicting private revenge on the lord of the soil, had told the people to retake by force what had been taken from them by force. Whereupon the Protestants had flown to arms, and a battle was imminent, when the Court interposed. But for the almost unprecedented circumstance of the Intendant taking the side of the Protestants, their own Deputy-General would not have been the envoy. Ruvigny ordered both sides to be disbanded, which was done. He then issued and registered a deed of amnesty; and thereafter the question as to the Protestant right of worship in Vals being submitted to arbitration, the right was confirmed.

In 1658 the Provincial Synods, by correspondence with one another, concocted a Memorial and sent a deputation to the king. It was Ruvigny’s business to obtain an audience, and with great difficulty he succeeded. On the 18th February, the Marquis de la Forêt (of the province of Poitou), as the head of the deputation, was permitted to address His Majesty, and to put into his hand the Cahier or portfolio of grievances. The Cardinal, who gave a separate audience, would receive only two deputies, of whom the spokesman was Pastor De L’Angle of Rouen; but his reception of them was flattering. He reminded them of his past appreciation of the loyalty and integrity of the Protestants by giving them many offices under Government, and he assured them of continued good-will. 