Cependant, les Rois d’Angleterre étant Guarans de l’Edit de Nantes par la Paix de Montpellier et plusieurs autres traités, le Roi mon Mâitre croit être obligé de maintenir cette guarantie et de faire retablir l’Edit. Tous les bons François le doivent aider, puis que cet Edit est le grand ouvrage de la sagesse de Henri IV., dont la memoire leur est si chère. Les Catholiques Romains, qui ont eu la generosité de voir avec compassion les souffrances des Reformés, verront sans doute avec plaisir leur rétablissement. On espère même que Messieurs du Clergé, ayant fait la-dessus de plus serieuses reflections, seront bien aises de temoigner aujourd’ hui, par une conduite sage et Chrétienne, qu’ils n’ont eu aucune part à la Violation de l’edit et à toutes les cruautes qui l’ont suivie.
D’ailleurs, ceux qui nous viendront joindre auront les recompenses et les marques de distinction que leurs services meriteront et que nous serons en etat de leur donner. Mais, au contraire, ceux, qui bien loin de nous aider se joindront aux oppresseurs de leur patrie, doivent s’ attendre à toute la rigueur des executions militaires. Et nous Declarons à ceux qui voudront vivre en repos cliez eux, qu’il ne leur sera fait aucun mal, ni en leurs biens ni en leurs personnes.
A Ambrun, le 29 d’ Aoust 1692.
From the date it appears that this declaration was issued from the fortified town of Embrun, celebrated for its antiquity and lofty site.
I now give a copy of Duke Charles’ Will, “translated out of French.” In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The Will of the High and Mighty Lord Charles Duke de Schonberg,[1] Lieutenant-Generall of the armies of his Majesty of Great Britaine in the year one thousand six hundred ninety-three (first indiction) and the fourteenth of October, at Turin in the palace of the Count Duquene in the parish of St Cusebines, the lodging of the after-named Lord Duke the testator, before me Notary Ducall Royall and Collegiate Proctor of the Sovereayne Senate of Piemont.and in presence of the Lord Cornelius Count de Nassau D’averquerque,a Hollander, Mr John Du Bordieu, minister of the said Lord Duke de Schonberg, Abraham Beneset Du Teron, secretary of the same lord, Phillip Loyd, physitian, Paul Artand, chyrurgion, Paul Sancerre, allso chyrurgion, David Castres, chief of the kitchen to the said lord, and John Jaubert, witnesses called, holding each in his hand a lighted wax candle, it being late at night.
Whereas there is nothing in the world more certain than death, nor anything more uncertain than the hour of its coming, and that therefore every prudent person ought to dispose of the estate which it hath pleased God to give him in this world, whilst he hath the full disposition of his sences, for to avoid all manner of contestation amongst his heires — which the High and Mighty Lord Charles Duke de Schonberg, Marquis of Harwich, Earl of Brentford and Baron de Teys, Count of the Holy Empire, Lieutenant-Generall of His Majesty of Great Brittaine, Collonell of the first regiment of the English Guards, and Chief Generall of his troops in Piemont, prudently considering, now in this city, sound (through the grace of God) of his sences, sight, memory, and understanding, nevertheless seized with infirmity by reason of his wounds recieved in the army, hath resolved to make his last and valid Testament and disposition of last Will, nuncupative without being write through, reduced in manner following.
And in the first place he hath most humbly begged pardon to the Soveraiyne God his Creator for all his sinns and trespasses, most humbly beseeching Him to grant him remission thereof by the meritts of the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ his Saviour. He hath bequeathed and doth bequeath to the Poor of the Reformed Religion which are now in this city the summe of Five hundred livres (money of France) for to be distributed to them presently after his death by the persons to whom such pious Legacyes doth belong. Moreover he hath bequeathed and doth bequeath to the poor of the said Religion of the City of London
- ↑ Schonberg is the German form of the name, and therefore the correct form adhered to by the family. Schomberg is the French form of the name, and the form used by historians. The latter form I have followed, it not being my duty to condemn it, because it was their connection with France and with the French that brought the three dukes into my memorial pages.
