In consequence of his Majesty’s orders the Chancellor[349] sent to the Swedish Ambassador’s to take the depositions; and seven or eight persons of the village where the crime was perpetrated were taken up and thrown into prison at Paris.  The Lady of the Manor came to Grotius, to solicit for the prisoners:  he told her she must have patience till the trials were over, and then he would employ his interest in behalf of those who should be found guilty.  He informed the High Chancellor of all these particulars; observing to him that he was very glad the King gave public proofs that he had the safety of Ambassadors at heart; and that for his part he would do all in his power to save the offenders from capital punishment.

The most guilty had had the precaution to abscond[350]:  these, for their contempt of the court, were condemned to be broke on the wheel:  but the sentence was not made public, because the Judges imagined they might suffer themselves to be taken if the affair seemed to be dropt.  Some Lords, however, who had got notice of the sentence[351], were preparing to ask their forfeited effects:  the Count de Berlise informed Grotius of it, and the Ambassador desired him to beg the favour of the King not to dispose of their effects, but to order them to be sequestrated, that he might restore them to the owners, when the time of their pardon came.  “I have the honour to inform you of this, he writes to the High Chancellor, that it may not be thought I wanted to take advantage of the misfortune of these wretches, as some here are wicked enough to believe.”

The sentence was at length executed on them[352]:  but it was only in effigie; for none of the offenders had been taken.  Grotius was then ill of an ague[353], and postponed his application for their pardon till his recovery.  As soon as he could go abroad[354] he asked an audience; at which, after thanking the King for doing justice on them, which proved how much his Majesty had the respect due to Ambassadors at heart, he entreated him to grant a pardon to the offenders, and not only spare their lives, but also restore their effects; of which he claimed no part, though the King had left them to his disposal.  Lewis XIII. seeing him earnest in his request, made answer, that he would give directions to the Chancellor that their pardon should pass the seals.  Grotius promised to go to that Magistrate to solicit it; which he did accordingly[355], and the Chancellor promised to finish the affair agreeable to his desire.

FOOTNOTES: 

[348] Ep. 988. p. 447.

[349] Ep. 993. p. 450.

[350] Ep. 438. p. 879.

[351] Ep. 1025. p. 462.

[352] Ep. 1028. p. 463.

[353] Ep. 1043. p. 470.

[354] Ep. 1038. p. 468.

[355] Ep. 1041. p. 469.