The chancellor had expressly said, "If you are reduced to the impossible, so much the worse for you; we shall gain by it." Oppression was not sufficient to break down the Reformers.

There was great difficulty in checking emigration, by this time increasing in numbers.

Louvois proposed stronger measures.

The population was crushed under the burden of military billets.

Louvois wrote to Marillac, superintendent of Poitou, "His Majesty has learned with much joy the number of people who continue to become converts in your department.