hem to conferences destined only
to betray them."[1269] But, in spite of this somewhat uncourteous
reception, the well-known and trusted integrity of the great Huguenot
captain soon broke through the thin crust of coolness, which, after all,
was rather assumed than really felt. La Noue was suffered to enter the
city, and at the echevinage, or city hall, was permitted to lay before the
general assembly, or municipal government, as well as the other citizens,
the full extent of the king's concessions. Amnesty for the past,
confirmation of the city's privileges, passports for any who might wish
to remove to England or Germany, safe return for those whom fear had
banished, free exercise of the Protestant religion in two quarters of the
city, with three ministers to be chosen by the people and approved by the
governor--all this he offered. On the other hand, a new church must be
built for the Roman Catholics, the strangers who had lately come must
remove elsewhere, and, of course, the governor must be admitted, although
the king kindly consented to let them designate any other sufficiently
distinguished and capable person, if they preferred to do so.[1270]

[Sidenote: The royal proposals rejected.]

Neither the exposition of the terms of the royal clemency, nor the dark
picture drawn of the ruin overhanging the city, shook the constancy of its
brave advocates. They replied that they would consent to receive neither
garrison nor royal governor, and they exhibited to La Noue their charters
granted by Charles the Fifth, and ratified both by Louis the Eleventh and
by the reigning monarch. They added, "that, with God's help, they hoped
not to be caught in their beds as their brethren had been at the Parisian
matins."[1271] Yet, even after this conference, the Rochellois were so far
from losing their respect for La Noue, that they made him three
propositions: either he might remain in La Rochelle as a private citizen;
or he might assume the military command, as their commander-in-chief; or,
if he should prefer so to do, he might pass over into England in one of
their vessels. La Noue went to consult with Marshal Biron and others, and
shortly returned. With their full concurrence he accepted the military
command--the unparalleled anomaly being thus exhibited of a general of
great experience and high reputation voluntarily given by the besiegers to
the besieged, because of the confidence they entertained that by his
moderation and p