As soon as the news of the rendition of _Ferrara_ came to the Popes ears, he began, by all means, to procure the investiture for his Nephew _Octavio_, for whom he thought the Marquisat of _Meldola_ but inconsiderable.
But he met with a strange repugnancy in all the Cardinals for his design; they having, by a common consent and union, resolved to oppose the Popes desire, and not endure, that the Church should be depriv’d of so considerable a City, which it had but newly acquired.
The Pope foreseeing, by this reluctancy of the Cardinals, that it was a business hardly to be carried in a publick Consistory, forbore to speak of it there, but took another course; for calling the Cardinals one by one into his chamber, he there signified to them his desire; but they all refused to consent, or be any wayes accessary to the alienating so considerable a piece of the Popedome. So that the Pope thought it was not safe to do it without them, and by force, for fear of leaving his Nephew involv’d in a continual War, against all the succeeding Popes, and _Don Cesar_: and therefore he resolv’d to go in person, and take possession in the name of the Church.
A little after, he made another of his Nephews Cardinal, who was _Silvestro Aldobrandino_, Prior of _Rome_, to whom he gave an infinite number of Benefices. Thus _Clement_ did every day do his endeavour to procure riches for his Family, either in lands or moveables, who of their side were as ready to receive, as their Uncle could be to give, particularly when it was ready money.
_Leo_ the eleventh, who succeeded to _Clement_, had not the same good fortune; for being chosen in the year 1665. he liv’d but five and twenty dayes: In which time he projected much, but executed little; amongst other things, he gave out, that his design was not to advance his kindred, but only to continue them in their quality, and make their Estates plentiful and easie; which is a certain moderation, which most of the Popes do affect to shew in their first administration of the Popedom; for even _Sixtus_ the fourth, who gave with so profuse a hand, did still pretend, that he did nothing but what was lawful, and to the advantage of the Church.
This Pope had many Relations in the Family of the _Medici_, but in that branch which was not come to be Princes; but his Darling amongst them, was _Alexander Medici_, son to his brother _Bernardetto_, which _Alexander_ had a son of twenty years old, called _Octaviano_, which was the Popes Fathers name: Whereupon the Pope sent for him, with an intention to make him Cardinal, and keep him by him: but the very same day that he came to _Rome_, the Pope dyed, without being able to promote him to that degree of honours which was a great affliction to all the kindred.