Part 16
THE King having ordered M. de Catinat to go as soon as possible to Pignerol, for the same affair which before took him there at the commencement of the year 1679, I send you these few lines by order of His Majesty, to give you intelligence thereof, in order that you may prepare an apartment for him, in which he can remain concealed for three weeks or a month; and also to tell you that when he shall send to let you know that he is arrived at the place where you went to meet him in the aforesaid year 1679, it is the intention of His Majesty that you should go there again to meet him, and that you should conduct him into the prison of the citadel of the aforesaid Pignerol, with every kind of precaution, in order that no one may know he is with you. I do not say any thing to you about assisting him with your servants, your horses, and whatever carriages he may have occasion for, because I have no doubt but you will do with pleasure on these heads, whatever he shall ask you.
If between this time and his arrival any packet for him should be addressed to you either from Piedmont or from Italy, you will keep it, if you please, to deliver to him.
DE LOUVOIS.[322]
[322] From the Archives of France.
No. 119.
LOUVOIS TO SAINT-MARS.
Fontainebleau, August 23d, 1681.
I HAVE received your letter of the 13th of this month, which requires no answer, except to say that I have given orders for a French clerk to be sent, to have the direction of the Post-office at Pignerol; by means of whom we shall be assured that no further abuses can be committed with regard to the letters.
DE LOUVOIS.[323]
[323] From the Archives of France.
No. 120.
LOUVOIS TO SAINT-MARS.
Fontainebleau, Sept. 20th, 1681.
THIS word is only for the purpose of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 16th of last month. The King will not disapprove of your visiting, from time to time, the last prisoner who has been placed in your charge, after he shall have been established in his new prison, and shall have left that where he is at present confined. His Majesty desires that you will execute the order he has sent you for your establishment at Exiles. I beg you to deliver the packet hereunto joined into M. de Richemont’s own hands.
DE LOUVOIS.[324]
[324] From the Archives of France. To the name of Richemont is appended in the original the following note, in the hand-writing of Saint-Mars; “This name means M. de Catinat, whom I had then shut up with me at Pignerol.”
No. 121.
SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS.
Exiles, Dec 4th, 1681.
As there is always one of my two prisoners ill, they give me as much occupation as I have ever had with any of those I have hitherto guarded.
Although, Sir, you have the kindness to give me permission to go, from time to time, to Casale, I dare not do it, lest during my absence, you should address any packets to me for M. de Pianesse.
DE SAINT-MARS.[325]
[325] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).
No. 122.
SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS.
Description of the Apartment and manner of Confinement of the Prisoners at Exiles.
Exiles, March 11th, 1682.
SIR,
I have received the letter which you were pleased to do me the honour to write to me on the 27th of last month, in which you acquaint me, Sir, that it is important my two prisoners should have no communication with any one. Since the first time that you, Sir, gave me this order, I have guarded these two prisoners, who are under my care, as severely and exactly as I formerly did Messieurs Fouquet and Lauzun, who could not boast that they had either sent or received any news, while they were in confinement. These prisoners can hear the people speak as they pass along the road which is at the bottom of the tower; but they, if they wished it, could not make themselves heard; they can see the persons on the hill which is before their windows, but cannot themselves be seen on account of the bars which are placed across their room. There are two sentinels of my company always night and day, on each side of the tower, at a reasonable distance, who can see the window of the prisoners obliquely. They are ordered to take care that no one speaks to them, and that they do not cry out from their windows; and to make the passengers walk on if they wish to stop in the path, or on the side of the hill. My own room being joined to the tower, and having no other look-out except towards this path, I hear and see every thing, even my two sentinels, who are by this means always kept alert.
As for the inside of the tower, I have divided it in such a manner, that the priest who says mass to them cannot see them, on account of a curtain I have made, which covers their double doors. The servants, who bring their food, put whatever is necessary for the prisoners upon a table on the outside, and my lieutenant takes it and carries it in to them. No one speaks to them except myself, my officer, M. Vigneron (the confessor), and physician from Pragelas, which is six leagues from hence, who only sees them in my presence. With regard to their linen and other necessaries, I take the same precautions which I did with my former prisoners.
I am, &c.
DE SAINT-MARS.[326]
[326] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).
No. 123.
SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS.
Exiles, Dec. 23d, 1685.
MY prisoners are still ill and in a course of medicine; they are, however, perfectly tranquil.
DE SAINT-MARS.[327]
[327] Ibid.
No. 124.
SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS.
Saint-Mars is made Governor of the Islands of Saint Margaret.
Exiles, January 20th, 1687.
SIR,
I am most grateful for the new favour, which I have just received from his Majesty, (the government of the Islands of Saint Margaret). If you order me to go there without delay, I would request to be permitted to take the road through Piedmont, on account of the great quantity of snow that there is between this place and Embrun; and, on my return, which shall be as quick as I can possibly make it, I hope you will approve of my going by the way, to take leave of the Duke of Savoy, from whom I have always received so much kindness. I will give such good orders for the guarding of my prisoner, that I can answer to you, Sir, for his entire security, as well as for his not now, nor ever, holding intercourse with my Lieutenant, whom I have forbid to speak to him, which is punctually obeyed. If I take him with me to the Islands, I think the most secure conveyance will be a chair covered with oil-cloth, in which there would enter a sufficiency of air, without its being possible for any one to see or speak to him during the journey, not even the soldiers whom I shall select to be near the chair. This conveyance will be less embarrassing than a litter, which is liable often to break.
I am, &c.
DE SAINT-MARS.[328]
[328] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).
No. 125.
SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS.
From the Islands of Saint Margaret, March 23d, 1687.
* * * * * *
I have been here for the last thirty days, of which I have passed twenty-six in bed, with a continual fever. I have taken so much powder of bark, that, for the last three days, I have been free from fever. I have sent to Toulon for my litter, in order to go from hence the 26th of this month, and I hope to be at Exiles in eight days, by the Embrun and Briançon road. As soon as I shall have had the honour of receiving your commands, Sir, I shall set forth again with my prisoner, whom I promise to conduct here in all security, without any one seeing or speaking to him. He shall not hear mass after he leaves Exiles, till he is lodged in the prison which is preparing for him here, to which a chapel is attached.
* * * * * *
I pledge my honour to you for the entire security of my prisoner.
I am, &c.
DE SAINT-MARS.[329]
[329] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).
No. 126.
SAINT-MARS TO LOUVOIS.
Arrival of Matthioli at the Islands of Saint Margaret.
From the Islands of Saint Margaret, May 3d, 1687.
SIR,
I arrived here the 30th of last month: I was only twelve days on the journey, in consequence of the illness of my prisoner, occasioned, as he said, by not having as much air as he wished. I can assure you, Sir, that no one has seen him, and that the manner in which I have guarded and conducted him during all the journey, makes every body try to conjecture who he is.
My prisoner’s bed was so old and worn out, as well as every thing he made use of, both table linen and furniture, that it was not worth while to bring them here; they only sold for thirteen crowns. * * *
I have given to the eight porters, who brought the chair from Turin, and my prisoner to this place, (including the hire of the aforesaid chair) two hundred and three livres, which I have paid out of my own pocket.
DE SAINT-MARS.[330]
[330] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).
No. 127.
SAINT-MARS TO THE MINISTER.[331]
Relation of the conduct of two Protestant Ministers.
From the Islands of Saint Margaret, June 4th, 1692.
* * * * * *
The first of the ministers, who have been sent here, sings psalms night and day with a loud voice, expressly to make it be known who he is. I desired him, in vain, several times to discontinue this, on pain of severe punishment; which I have at length been obliged to inflict upon him, as well as on his comrade, named Salves, who write things upon his pewter vessels, and upon his linen, in order to make known that he is imprisoned unjustly, on account of the purity of his faith.
DE SAINT-MARS.[332]
[331] Probably Barbezieux.
[332] Extracted from the work of M. Roux (Fazillac).
No. 128.
Extract from the Register of the Bastille, published in the Work entitled, “La Bastille Dévoilée.”
Names and qualities of the Prisoners.
An old prisoner from Pignerol, obliged always to wear a mask of black velvet, whose name and quality have never been known.
Dates of their Entries.
September 18th, 1698. At three o’clock in the afternoon.
Reference to the Journal.
Dujonca, Volume 87.
Reasons for their detention.
It was never known.
OBSERVATIONS.
This is the famous Man in the Mask, whom no one has ever seen or known.
This prisoner was brought to the Bastille by M. de Saint-Mars in his litter, when he took possession of the Government of the Bastille, coming from his Government of the Islands of Saint Margaret and Saint Honorat, and whom he had before had with him at Pignerol.
This prisoner was treated with great distinction by the Governor, and was only seen by him and M. de Rosarges, Major of the Fortress, who alone had the care of him.
No. 129.
Second Extract from the Register of the Bastille, published in the Work entitled, “La Bastille Dévoilée.”
Dates of the Deaths.
November 19th, 1703.
Reference to the Journal.
Dujonca, Volume 8th.
OBSERVATIONS.
Died November 19th, 1703, aged 45, or thereabouts; buried at St. Paul’s the next day at four in the afternoon, under the name of Marchiali, in the presence of M. de Rosarges, Major of the Fortress, and of M. Reilh, Surgeon-Major of the Bastille, who signed their names to the extract of the Burial Register of St. Paul’s. His burial cost forty livres.
This prisoner remained at the Bastille five years and sixty-two days, the day of his burial not included.
He was only ill for some hours, and died almost suddenly; he was buried in a winding-sheet of new linen; and for the most part every thing that was found in his chamber was burnt, such as every part of his bed, including the mattresses, his tables, chairs, and other utensils, which were all reduced to powder and to cinders, and thrown into the drains. The rest of the things, such as the silver, copper, and pewter, were melted. This prisoner was lodged in the third chamber of the tower _Bertaudière_, which room was scraped and filed quite to the stone, and fresh white-washed from the top to the bottom. The doors and windows were burnt like the rest.
It is remarkable that, in the name of Marchiali, which was given him in the Burial Register of St. Paul’s, are to be found the exact letters of these two words, the one Latin, the other French, _Hic Amiral_, here is the Admiral.[333]
[333] The discovery of this ridiculous and strained anagram was one of the causes which led to the false supposition, that the Iron Mask was either the Duke de Beaufort, or the Count de Vermandois, both of whom were great Admirals of France.
No. 130.
Extract from the Register of Burials of the Church of Saint Paul, at Paris.
The year one thousand seven hundred and three, on the nineteenth of November, died at the Bastille, Marchiali, aged forty-five years or thereabouts; whose body was interred in the burial-ground of this parish, the twentieth of the aforesaid month, in the presence of M. Rosarges, Major of the Bastille, and of M. Reilh, Surgeon-Major of the Bastille, who have affixed their signatures.
Collated exactly with the original, and delivered by us the undersigned, Bachelor in Theology, and Vicar of Saint Paul, at Paris, this Tuesday the ninth of February, 1790.
Signed, POITEVIN.
No. 131.
Extract from the Work entitled “_La Correspondance Interceptée_,” by M. Lewis Dutens, published in 1789.
In order to treat this subject (that of the Iron Mask) methodically, I will begin with what the Duke de Choiseul has often related to me. Lewis the Fifteenth one day told him, that he was acquainted with the history of the prisoner with the Mask. The Duke begged the King to tell him who he was, but he could get no other answer from him, except, that all the conjectures which had been hitherto made with regard to the prisoner, were false. Some time afterwards, Madame de Pompadour, at the request of the Duke, pressed the King to explain himself upon this subject. Lewis the Fifteenth upon this told her, that he believed he was the Minister of an Italian Prince.
No. 132.
Extract from the article on the Iron Mask in the Work entitled “_Mélanges d’Histoire et de Littérature_;” by Mr. Quintin Craufurd.
BEFORE the publication of the “_Correspondance Interceptée_,” I had heard it said, that M. de Choiseul had spoken to Lewis the Fifteenth on the subject of the masked prisoner; but that he had not been able to obtain any satisfactory answer. I addressed myself to the Abbé Barthelemi and to the Abbé Beliardi, who had both lived in intimacy with M. de Choiseul: they acquainted me that it was at their request the Duke de Choiseul had spoken upon this subject to Lewis the Fifteenth; that the King had answered him, that he believed the prisoner was a minister of one of the courts of Italy; but that the Duke observed that this conversation appeared to embarrass him. The Abbé Beliardi told me in proper terms, that the King wished to evade the subject. They then begged M. de Choiseul to engage Madame de Pompadour to speak to the King. She did so; but the answer of Lewis the Fifteenth to his mistress was not more instructive, than that which he had given to his Minister.
No. 133
Letter from the Baron de Heiss to the Authors of the “_Journal Encyclopédique_,” on the subject of the Iron Mask; published in that Journal, in 1770.
GENTLEMEN,
Since the publication of the anecdote respecting the Man in the Iron Mask, which M. de Voltaire has given us in his “_Siècle de Louis_ XIV.,” I have been always very curious to discover who this prisoner could be; but all my researches had hitherto failed in giving me any information which could content me; chance has placed in my hands a detached number of a work, of which the title is “_Histoire abrégée de l’Europe_,” for the month of August 1687, printed that same year at Leyden, by “_Claude Jordan_.” At the article Mantua, I found the letter, which I have the honour to send you a copy of, translated from the Italian. It appears that this Secretary of the Duke of Mantua, who is there mentioned, might very well be the Man in the Iron Mask, transferred from Pignerol to the Islands of Saint Margaret, and from thence to the Bastille, in 1690, when M. de Saint-Mars was made governor of it. I am the more inclined to believe this, because, as M. de Voltaire, and all those who have made researches on this subject, have remarked, there did not at that time disappear any prince, or person of consequence in any part of Europe.
If you, Gentlemen, find any appearance of probability in my remark, and if you think it can interest the public, you are welcome to insert it in your Journal, &c.
THE BARON DE HEISS.
Formerly Captain of the Regiment of Alsace. Phalsbourg, June 28, 1770.
Letter on the subject of the Man in the Iron Mask, announced in the preceding one.
GENTLEMEN,
One of my friends tells me, that he has read in the “_Histoire abrégée de l’Europe_,” (Vol. ii. p. 33.), that it was said, that the Duke of Mantua had had the intention of selling his capital town; but that the author of this History did not believe it.
You are ill-informed; it is certain that this affair was negociated, and that it was much advanced towards a conclusion. The secretary of the Duke, who had much influence with his master, dissuaded him from this design; but the doing so cost him very dear, as you shall soon learn.
This faithful Minister made the Duke understand, that it was necessary for his interest and his honour to preserve his Duchy, and thus made him change his intention; he did still more, he obliged him to unite himself with the other Princes of Italy, in order to oppose the designs of France. It was he who negociated the interview of the different princes, which took place at Venice last winter, during the Carnival: this time was chosen in order the better to conceal the plans which were in agitation. You are without doubt aware, that it is not an extraordinary circumstance to see many princes and persons of condition at Venice during that period. This Secretary went afterwards to Rome, where he remained some time; he then visited almost all the Courts of Italy; he went to Venice and Genoa, and he succeeded every where so well, that he had almost entirely detached all those powers from the interests of France. Finally he went to Turin with the same intention. As he believed his negociations to be very secret he often visited the Marquis D’Arcy, the French Ambassador at the Court of Savoy; but what can escape the penetrating eyes of France? The minister of that crown had been informed of all the designs of the Secretary, before his arrival at Turin. He, however, paid him many civilities, asked him very often to dinner, and finally invited him to come and hunt with him, at some distance from Turin. The Secretary, who had no time to lose, and who thought the moment of the absence of the French ambassador very proper for his negociations, excused himself at first upon the plea of his having no horses; the Ambassador offered to lend them to him, and the Secretary dared no longer refuse, from fear lest some portion of the truth should be suspected. The day for the hunting being arrived, they set off together; but they were hardly at the distance of a league from the town, when the Secretary was surrounded by ten or twelve horsemen, who seized him, disguised him, masked him, and conducted him to Pignerol. Without doubt he was well aware who had played him this trick, but he had no means of resistance. At Pignerol he was thought to be too near Italy, and, though he was guarded very carefully, it was feared that the walls might tell tales; he was therefore removed from thence, and conducted to the Islands of Saint Margaret, where he at present is, under the care of M. de Saint-Mars, who is the Governor. This is a piece of news doubtless very surprising, but not on that account the less true.
I am, &c.
To this letter are joined these reflections:--There are reports respecting a journey made by the Duke of Mantua to Vienna. Some politicians think that it is the affair which happened to his Secretary which is the cause of his journey, and that he has a design of making an alliance with the Emperor and the King of Spain.[334]
[334] To this letter M. Delort adds the following note, “In 1782 or 1783, there died at Turin a Marquis de Pancalier de Prie, among whose manuscripts was also found the anecdote of this Secretary of the Duke of Mantua. All the Italian newspapers published it; but although it was considered as a new idea, it did not make a great sensation.”
THE END.
LONDON: PRINTED BY S. AND R. BENTLEY, DORSET STREET.
Transcriber’s Notes:
Footnotes in the first part “History Of The Iron Mask” have been moved to the end of that part; footnotes in appendix have been moved to the end of the respective appendix.
Page 18, footnote 28, Maria Victoria (Maria Vittoria), second daughter of Ferdinand III. (Ferrante III Gonzaga), Duke of Guastalla, married her cousin Vincent Gonzaga (Vincenzo I Gonzaga) June 30th, 1679 and died September 5th, 1707 in Venice. Although the year 1769 for the marriage date is believed to be an unambiguous mis-print in the original, the author’s version has been retained.
Page 149, footnote 189, John Baptist Felix Gaspar Nani’s (Giovan Battista Nani) work was published under the title “Historia della Republica Veneta,” starting with part I in 1662; the author’s spelling of “Istoria” has been maintained.
The following corrections have been made to the printed original:
Page iv, “Cassale” corrected to “Casale” (going to Casale). Page viii, “Dévoillée” amended to “Dévoilée” (“La Bastille Dévoilée”). Page viii, “Melanges” amended to “Mélanges” (Mélanges d’Histoire). Page 14, “Soreigns” corrected to “Sovereigns” (the Italian Sovereigns). Page 31, footnote 58, “No.” corrected to “Nos.” (Appendix, Nos. 75, 79, 81, 83, 88.) Page 44, footnote 83, “Sevigné’s” corrected to “Sévigné’s” (Madame de Sévigné). Page 44, footnote 84, “vecu” corrected to “vécu” (comme il a vécu). Page 46, footnote 88, “No.” amended to “Nos.” (Ibid. Nos. 84, 85.) Page 51, footnote 99, “Appendix, 104.” amended to “Appendix, No. 104.” Page 52, footnote 101, “Appendix, 105.” amended to “Appendix, No. 105.” Page 76, “Bertaudiere” amended to “Bertaudière” (tower of the Bertaudière). Page 83, “Correspondence” amended to “Correspondance” (Correspondance Interceptée). Page 83 “aujourdhui” amended to “aujourd’hui” (La Marquise aura aujourd’hui). Page 83, footnote 155, (footnote to footnote 154,) “138” corrected to “133” (Appendix, No. 133.) Page 144, “necesary” amended to “necessary” (will be necessary, before the Count). Page 173, “Estradés” amended to “Estrades” (transaction Estrades alludes). Page 184, “to day” corrected to “to-day” (departure till to-day). Page 197, “December,” amended to “December” (December 29, 1678.) Page 202, “Jan 15th,” amended to “Jan. 15th,” (Venice, Jan. 15th, 1679.) Page 210, “were” corrected to “where” (where there are none). Page 215, footnote 244, “siécles” corrected to “siècles” (XVIIIe siècles). Page 230, “No” amended to “No.” (No. 71.) Page 236, “mean while” corrected to “meanwhile” (whom, in the meanwhile). Page 252, the missing locator for footnote 275 has been supplied. Page 280, “Ambassador’s” amended to “Ambassador” (the Ambassador being present). Page 348, “Encyclopèdique” corrected to “Encyclopédique” (Journal Encyclopédique). Page 349, “Vol. ii. p. 33.)” amended to “(Vol. ii. p. 33.)”