Such is the exact portrait which Father Bougeant gives of the state of Germany.  Let us hear what a cotemporary author says of it[215].  “Fortune smiled on the Imperialists on every side.  There was nothing but conquest and victories and a happy change of affairs:  for in less than a month the Swedes, who were become so powerful and formidable, were defeated, and entirely dispersed in one battle, and an unheard-of victory gained most gloriously with inconsiderable loss on the side of the Imperialists.  Bavaria was entirely delivered; the Swedes driven out of Swabia, the dutchy of Wirtemberg conquered; and almost all Franconia:  the rivers Ocin and Iser remained free; the Lek, the Danube, the Necker, and almost all the Main cleared, with the loss of so many towns and provinces in such a short time, almost deprived the Swedes of a retreat; Ulm and Nuremberg refusing them admittance, whereas formerly they were welcome, and masters every where.”

These descriptions agree with that given by Grotius.  Sept. 20, 1634, he writes to Du Maurier[216], “Had I come sooner to the High Chancellor, I should have found the times more favourable; but as his great courage is most conspicuous in adverse circumstances, it is proper we should conform to the example of so great a leader.  France is at present the sole resource of Germany in her affliction:  since the loss of Ratisbon and Donavert, and the unfortunate battle of Norlinguen, the towns are all frightened, and it is a great happiness that the conquerors have not approached Franckfort:  they have divided their army; the King of Hungary has led one into Bohemia, and his brother is marched with the other towards the United Provinces.  France alone is able to restore our affairs.”  The Swedes, in the consternation occasioned by the defeat at Norlinguen, were threatened with seeing Franckfort, Mentz, Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Ulm fall into the hands of the Imperialists; but by good luck they did not take the advantage of their victory.  Grotius assures us the Swedes were obliged to the King of France for it, who kept the projects of the enemy suspended by the apprehension of his declaring war.  Such was the situation of affairs when Grotius received orders to repair to the French Court.  It was the most important commission with which a Minister could be charged, since the principal resource of the Swedes and their allies was in the protection of France; and Oxenstiern’s nominating Grotius to be the Ambassador who was to strengthen the union between Sweden and France is a demonstration of that great man’s particular esteem for him.

FOOTNOTES: 

[215] Mercure Francois, an. 1634, p. 621.

[216] Ep. 354, p. 127 et 355. p. 128.