Dutch, who, after having treated him unjustly, still continued to persecute him; and that he had determined to meddle no otherwise in their affairs than as they were connected with those of Sweden.  Chavigny commended this resolution; adding, that the King intended to employ him in accommodating the affair of the Elector Palatine; which might be accomplished, if the Prince would only declare, that he had not proposed to himself any views on the Duke of Weymar’s army but with the King’s consent, whom he designed to consult; and if he would promise to carry on no intrigue for the future in that army without the approbation of the Queen of Sweden and the French King; that he might then be permitted to remain at Paris, after giving his parole, and engaging the English Ambassador to give his, that he should not leave it without the King’s permission.  Grotius answered he would be always glad to serve the King.  After this conversation Grotius visited the Earl of Leicester, and communicated the project to him as his own; for Chavigny had desired him not to speak of the conversation which they had together:  he assured the English Ambassador, that he knew for certain if he approved of the proposal the Prince would not only obtain his liberty, but might also hope to recover his dominions if his Britannic Majesty would bestir himself for that purpose; and that he hoped his mediation would not be less agreeable to the King of England, than to the French King.  The Earl of Leicester answered, that he had orders to demand the Elector’s discharge without any condition; that he would write to England; and till he received an answer must exactly follow his instructions.  He asked Grotius to continue his good offices in this affair, assuring him that they would be most agreeable to the King of England.  The Swedish Ambassador informed the High Chancellor of these particulars, in a letter dated Jan. 22, 1640[381].

Chavigny soon returned to Grotius to know what had passed between him and the English Ambassador:  and on this occasion assured him of the Cardinal’s favourable disposition towards him.  Some time after, a person belonging to Chavigny brought Grotius some papers relating to the accommodation of this affair; in which the Weymarian army was supposed to belong to the King of France, because he alone paid it.  Grotius, on the contrary, was persuaded that that army belonged to Sweden and the confederate Princes of Germany; and that the Duke of Weymar, as he himself had several times said, received the French subsidies in quality of ally of that crown, as the Landgrave did in his life-time.  On reading these papers he told the person who brought them, they would not please the English; and asked permission to make some alteration in them.  Chavigny’s Secretary answered, that he had orders to leave them with him, that he might shew them to the Earl of Leicester.  Grotius replied, that he would first examine them farther, and see what was to be done.  Some days