rything that
went on. He then withdrew to Cardet, not venturing to return to
Calvisson.

Both Cavalier's letters reached M. de Villars at the same time; in the
first impulse of anger aroused by this unexpected check, he issued the
following order:

"Since coming to this province and taking over the government by order of
the king, our sole thought has been how to put an end to the disorders we
found existing here by gentle measures, and to restore peace and to
preserve the property of those who had taken no part in the disturbances.
To that end we obtained His Majesty's pardon for those rebels who had, by
the persuasion of their chiefs, been induced to lay down their arms; the
only condition exacted being that they should throw themselves on the
king's clemency and beg his permission to expiate their crime by
adventuring their lives in his service. But, being informed that instead
of keeping the engagements they had made by signing petitions, by writing
letters, and by speaking words expressing their intentions, some among
them have been trying to delude the minds of the people with false hopes
of full liberty for the exercise of this so-called Reformed religion,
which there has never been any intention of granting, but which we have
always declared as clearly as we could, to be contrary to the will of the
king and likely to bring about great evils for which it would be
difficult to find a remedy, it becomes necessary to prevent those who
give belief to these falsehoods from expecting to escape from
well-deserved chastisement. We therefore declare hereby that all
religious assemblies are expressly forbidden under the penalties
proclaimed in the edicts and ordinances of His Majesty, and that these
will be more strictly enforced in the future than in the past.

"Furthermore, we order all the troops under our command to break up such
assemblies by force, as having been always illegal, and we desire to
impress on the new converts of this province that they are to give their
obedience where it is due, and we forbid them to give any credence to the
false reports which the enemies of their repose are spreading abroad. If
they let themselves be led astray, they will soon find themselves
involved in troubles and misfortunes, such as the loss of their lands,
the ruin of their families, and the desolation of their country; and we
shall take care that the true authors of these misfortunes shall receive
punishment proportioned