dirty, and take the clean, not having time to spare to wash their own linen. Also, when they discovered Romish citizens, they took clean shirts from them, leaving dirty ones in exchange. If a jocose neighbour heard any of the victims of this system of exchange expressing resentment and rage, he would say, ‘You are very lucky that they did not take away your skin instead of your shirt’ [camise].”
Notwithstanding that one Marshal after another came to oppose the insurgents Cavalier could not be conquered, and the government was reduced to the necessity of treating with him. All his military knowledge had been gained by watching the manoeuvres of the town guards of Geneva. His fame was immense; at the age of twenty-two he was more renowned than any commander in the armies of Europe. “Every one,” writes Villars, “was surprised to see a man of low origin and without experience in the art of war, behave under the most difficult and delicate circumstances like a great general.” The historian Browning says:— “There was nothing in his pe son to impress beholders. On the contrary, he is represented as small in stature; the head large, and sunk upon the shoulders; with a broad red face, and light hair. His countenance did not bespeak intelligence; but his career proves that he was well endowed.”
Cavalier and Marshal Villars, with their military escorts, met to negotiate. The king had no intention to keep faith with the heretic, but took this method of hearing What he had to say. “In that (to borrow the words of an old English pamphleteer) we may see what account is to be had of all promises made to heretics in matters of religion by any prince of the Roman communion, but more particularly by a prince who has put the conduct of his conscience in the hands of a Jesuit.” On the 17th May 1704, at Nismes, the following concessions to the Protestants were promised provisionally by the Marshal, and by Lamoignon de Basville:— First, Liberty of conscience, and permission to hold religious assemblies in such country places as they think convenient (provided they do not build churches), but not in cities or walled towns. Secondly, All such as are detained in prisons and galleys only on account of religion since the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, shall be set at liberty in six weeks after this date. Thirdly, All who have left the kingdom on account of religion shall have free liberty to return, and be restored to their estates and privileges, on condition they take the oath of allegiance to the king. Lastly, A regiment of 2000 shall be raised by Cavalier for the French army in Portugal, and the remainder of the party shall lay down their arms, trusting to the royal toleration.
Cavalier took a journey to Paris, and being admitted to an interview with Louis XIV., he began by saying, “We have not taken up arms against your Majesty, but only in self-defence against those who, contrary to your royal intentions, have oppressed and persecuted us.” After enlarging on their woes, he added that it was with lively regret that his followers had appeared in arms against so good and great a king; but on receiving the royal clemency, and the ratification of the Marechal de Villars’ engagements, they would be ready to shed their blood in his service. The king, with warmth, refused to hear of the treaty with Villars, except to the extent of releasing the prisoners and galley-slaves upon the submission of all the rebels. Being interrogated, Cavalier said that he got no arms from the Duke of Savoy or foreign princes. “Where did you get arms?” asked the king. “Sir,” replied Cavalier, “We took care to attack none of your troops but them we were much superior in number to; and having overcome them, especially in the beginning, it was from them that we supplied ourselves.” “How many of my troops did you destroy?” the king inquired. Cavalier answered that he did not know, but that his Majesty’s generals could tell. The king then upbraided him at some length for outrages on persons and property. Cavalier in reply exposed the great provocations done by the magistracy and Romish soldiery, and gave some heartrending recitals, which the courtiers in substance confirmed, and which made an evident impression on the king. His majesty brought the audience to a close, by asking if he would become a good Catholic. Cavalier replied, “My life, sir, is in your hands, and I am ready to lay it down in your service, but as for my religion, I am resolved not to change it for any consideration this world can afford.” “Well,” said the king, “go and be wiser in future, and it will be better for you.”
In the antechamber, Cavalier was offered, if he would recant his religious creed, pensions both for himself and his father, and a commission as Brigadier. But he accepted no title but that of “obstinate Huguenot.” Thereafter, though treated with apparent kindness, he felt he was under surveillance, and having good information that it was intended to beguile him into a fortress, he escaped into Switzerland.
There have been critical estimates of Cavalier’s character, tending to the verdict
