[301] Ep. 1308. p. 592.

[302] Ep. 1350. p. 612.

IX.  The French Ministry carried their animosity against Grotius so far, that, if we may believe the Swedish Historian[303], they instigated the Venetian Ambassador to dispute with him for precedency at the public entry of the Ambassador in ordinary from England.  The French took the part of the Venetians.  Grotius imagined they did it to make their court to the Pope.  He wrote to the High Chancellor, that Father Joseph, who had a great desire to be a Cardinal, always favoured such counsels as might please the court of Rome.  Besides, the Capuchin fought to make a merit with the Cardinal of vexing Grotius, whom they both hated.

About a year after this dispute between the Venetian Ambassador and Grotius, when they both were waiting in a hall for the King, the Introductors of Ambassadors placed their seats in such manner, that the Swedish Ambassador might be dissatisfied.  They expected a quarrel, which would have afforded them diversion.  Grotius disappointed them by chusing rather to stand, than take the seat intended for him.  It was on this occasion he wrote to the High Chancellor, desiring him to consider, whether, to avoid all those difficulties, it would not be most expedient to have only a Resident at Paris:  but Oxenstiern thought his honour and duty was the more concerned in protecting Grotius, as his strong attachment to the honour and interest of his Masters was the reason of his being harrassed.

FOOTNOTES: 

[303] Puff. l. 8.

X. The war which was at this time ravaging Europe gave the greater uneasiness to the Court of Rome, as there was ground to apprehend that the success of the Swedes, who were the allies of France, might greatly prejudice the Roman-Catholic Religion in Germany.  Pope Urbin VIII. ardently desired the re-establishment of Peace, and offered his mediation for attaining that laudable end.  The City of Cologn was chosen for the place of holding the conferences.  The Pope deputed Cardinal Ginetti in quality of Legate and mediator between the Roman Catholic Princes; and the Emperor and the King of Spain sent thither their plenipotentiaries:  all this was done without consulting the Dutch and the Swedes.  The great point was, to gain their consent, without which nothing could be done.  The Count de Berlise was ordered to talk with the Swedish Ambassador on this head.  Accordingly he made him a visit, November 12, 1636[304], and after conversing some time asked Grotius whether Sweden intended to send plenipotentiaries to Cologn.  The Ambassador made answer, he concluded from the High Chancellor’s letters that the President of the kingdom, to whom that matter had been referred, would determine it; that the Pope’s mediation would be objected to; but that difficulty, however, might be got over; and then Oxenstiern would chearfully come himself to Cologn, if business permitted him, in order to act in concert with the French Plenipotentiaries, who, he did not doubt, would be persons of the greatest merit.