Licenced, January 16th. 1678/9. Roger L'Estrange. A COLLECTION Of all The ACTS, MEMORIALS, & LETTERS, That passed in the Negotiation of the PEACE: With the TREATIES Concluded at NIMEGVEN. Translated from the French Copy, Printed at Paris with Privilege. The Articles of Peace between the Emperor and the French King, and those between the Emperor and the King of Sweden; Translated from the Latin Copy, Printed at Nimeguen. LONDON, Printed by H. Hills, and are to be sold by Walter Kettilby, at the Bishop's-head in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1679. THE CONTENTS. HIs Majesty's Letter to the States-General of the United-Provinces. pag. 6 A Letter from the States-General of the United-Provinces, to the Most Christian King. p. 8 The Kings Answer to the Letter of the States-General of the United-Provinces. p. 9 The Memorial which the King Ordered to be delivered to the Sieur Van Beverning, Ambassador Extraordinary, from the States-General of the United-Provinces, to his Majesty. p. 10 The Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States-General, etc. to the Duke De Villa Hermosa, of the 27th. of May. p. 12 A Declaration given by the Spaniards, containing their consent to the Conditions proposed by his Majesty, in order to a Peace. p. 14 A Declaration on the behalf of the King of Denrnark. p. 16 A Declaration on the behalf of the Elector of Brandenburg, upon the Subject of the Peace. p. 20 A Declaration on behalf of the Emperor. p. 22 A Letter from the State's General of the United-Provinces, to the King, Written at the Hague, the 22. of June, 1678. p. 27 The King's Answer to the Letter of the States-General of the United-Provinces, Written from St. , the 30th. of June, 1678. p. 28 An Extract of the Resolution of their Lordships the States of Holland, and Friesland, at their meeting on the 11th. of July, 1678. p. 31 A Memorial of the French Ambassadors, delivered the 17. July, 1678. to the Ambassadors of the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-countrieses. p. 36 A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France, by the Nenipotentiaries of Holland, July the 26th. 1678. p. 41 A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France, by the Plenipotentiaries of Sweden; July the 27th 1678. p. 59 The second Memorial of the Ambassadors of France, given into the Ambassadors of the States-General, 29th. of July, 1678. p. 62 A Memorial given in by the Ambassadors of the States-General, to the Ambassadors of France, the 4th. of August, 1678. p. 65 The third Memorial of the Ambassadors of France, given in to the Ambassadors of the State's General of the United-Provinces, the 6th. of August, 1678. p. 69 A Memorial given by the Ambassadors of Sweden, to the Ambassadors of France, this 9th. of August, 1678. p. 70 The Treaty made, and passed between the Commissioners deputed on behalf of the King, and those deputed likewise on behulf of the Catholic King, and of the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-countrieses, about the demeanour of the Troops, and Garrisons of both sides, in the said Low-countrieses, till the Ratisitations of the Treaty of Peace are Exchanged. The 19th. of August, 1678. p. 75 Treaties of Peace and Commerce, Navigation and Marine, betwixt France, and the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-countrieses, concluded at Nimeguen the 10th. of August, 1678. p. 80 The Ratification of the Treaty of Peace, by the States-General. p. 91 Here follows the Tenor of the Power of his Majesties said Ambassadors. p. 93 The Tenor of the Power of the said Ambassadors of the State's General of the United-Provinces. p. 96 A separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange. p. 98 The Ratification of the separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange, by the States-General. p. 101 A Treaty of Commerce, Navigation, and Marine, betwixt France and the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-countrieses. p. 103 A Formulary for Passports, and Letters to be granted by the Admiralty of France, to Ships outward bound, in pursuance of an Article of this present Treaty. p. 122 Another form of Letters, to be granted by the Sea-Port-Towns of the United-Provinces, to Ships and Barks outward bound, in pursuance of the aforesaid Article. p. 124 Here follows the Tenor of his Majesties said Ambassadors Power. p. 125 Here follows the Tenor of the Power of the said Lords, the Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the States of the United-Provinces. p. 127 A separate Article concerning the Imposition of Fifty Sols per Tun, upon Stranger's Ships, sailing out of Ports in France. p. 131 The States General's Ratification of the Treaty of Commerce. p. 134 By the King's Order. p. 136 By the King's Order. The Provost of Paris, Or Lieutenant Civil. p. 137 A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the States-General of the United-Provinces, to the Duke de Villa Hermosa, of the 8th. of May. p. 138 Answer of the Duke de Villa Hermosa, of the 9th. of May, to the Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the States-General of the United-Provinces, of the 8th. of May. p. 140 A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the States-General, etc. to the Duke de Villa Hermosa, etc. of the 14th. of May. p. 141 The Answer of the Duke de Villa Hermosa, of the 16th. of May, to the Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the States-General, etc. p. 144 A Declaration of the Emperor's Ambassadors, at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen, the 20th. of June, 1678. p. 145 A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Spain, at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies, the 20th. of June, 1678. p. 148 A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Denmark, at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies at Nimeguen, the 20th. of June, 1678. p. 149 A Declaration of the Ambassador of the Elector of Brandenburg, on Monday the 20th. of June, 1678. p. 152 A Declaration of the Ambassador of Prince Charles of Lorraine, at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen, the 20th. of June, 1678. p. 155 A Letter from the Lords the States-General, to Mons. the Duke of Luxemburg, the 22. of June, 1678. p. 156 A Memorial presented to his Majesty of Great Britain at London, by Mons. de Borgomanero, etc. the 5th. of June, 1678. p. 157 A Remonstrance of the Ambassadors of the Elector of Brandenburg, to the Ambassadors of the Lords the States-General, concerning the present Affairs of the Treaties of Peace. Given at Nimeguen, this 31. of July, 1678. p. 158 The Protestation of the Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, of the King of Denmark, the Elector of Brandenburg, etc. against the separate Peace of the States-General, of the United-Provinces. Made the 10th. of August, 1678. at Nimeguen. p. 162 A second Protestation of the Ambassadors, and Plempotentiaries, of the King of Denmark, of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg, etc. Made the 18th. of August, 1678. at the Hague, etc. p. 167 A Memorial of the Ambassadors of Denmark, and of the Elector of Brandenburg, given in to those of the King of Spain, of the 22. of August. p. 169 A Letter of the Ambassadors of the Lords, the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-countrieses, to the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of France, for an Explanation of the 13th. Article of the Treaty of Peace. p. 174 The Answer of the Lords Ambassadors of France, to the Ambassadors of the Lords, the States-General of the United-Provinces, in Explanation of the 13th. Article of the Treaty of Peace. p. 175 The Ratification of the Explanation of the thirteenth Article, of the Treaty of Peace, betwixt France and Holland. p. 177 A separate Article, for a general indemnification of the Subjects, both of France, and Holland. p. 178 The Treaty of Peace, betwixt France and Spain, Concluded at Nimeguen, the 17th. day of September, 1678. p. 181 The Power of the Lords Ambassadors, of his Most Christian Majesty. p. 204 The Powers of his Catholic Majesty's Ambassadors. p. 206 Articles of Peace between the Emperor, and the French King, Concluded, and Signed at Nimeguen, the 5th. day of February, 1679. p. 212 Articals of Peace between the Emperor and the King of Sweden, Concluded and Signed at Nimeguen the 5th. day of February, 1679. p. 230 A PROJECT OF Conditions of Peace. HIs Majesty's inviolable fidelity in adhering to his Alliances, hath induced him never to listen to any Proposals of Peace, other than such as shall give a full and perfect satisfaction to the King of Sueden: which likewise having been absolutely promised to his Majesty by the King of Great Britain, who was earnest to gain this point, both for him and for the State's General; he now likewise makes it the first Article that he insists upon, and without which he cannot come to any conclusion upon the rest. And because the Interest of the Duke of Gottorp is so united to that of Sueden, that it makes a part of the Treaty of Copenhagen, for the performance of which, his Majesty gave his Garranty to that Crown; his Majesty desires, that he may now likewise be comprehended within this Treaty, upon such terms as shall be satisfactory to himself. As for the Prince and Bishop of Strasburgh, the King doth precisely insist upon the restitution of that Prince, and of all his Family, to all their Estates, Goods Honours, and Prerogatives; and particularly upon the restitution of his Brother Prince William of Furstemburg: whose Liberty must be provided for by one of the first Articles of the Peace. For what concerns the Empire, as his Majesty doth still continue in the same intention which he has expressed for its Peace, that he has been troubled to see it disturbed; that it was with much trouble of mind he found himself compelled to carry the War thither; so he does yet adhere to these public Declarations, which he has so often made, That he will insist only upon the restoring of the Treaties of Westphalia in all their points, and to have them once more to be the means of restoring Peace to Germany Which induces him to offer this Alternative to the Emperor; Either that the Emperor shall restore Philipsburg, and have Friburg restored to him; or else keep Philipsburg, and let his Majesty continue in possession of Friburg, without making any the least alteration in the other matters contained in the said Treaties. As for what concerns Spain, since its Interest appears to be the most considerable in this War, and both England, Holland, and some Estates bordering upon Flanders have further expressed their desire, that that Crown should retain such a Frontier in the Low-countrieses, as might be able to make that a Bar, which they judge is so very important to their safety; his Majesty has been pleased, at the instance of the King of Great Britain, to agree to the means for the settling it. And upon this consideration it is, as his Majesty declared himself to that Prince, that he has offered already, and doth yet offer to restore to Spain those following Places, Viz. The Place of Charleroy. Limburg, and its Appurtenances. Binch, and the Provostship thereof. Aeth, and its Chastellany. Oudenard, and its Chastellany there. Courtray, and its Chastellany; the Verge of Menin only excepted. Gand, and its dependences. St. Guillain; but with its Fortifications razed. For so many Places of importance, and which his Majesty has taken so much care, and been at so great expense to Fortify; he requires in exchange, that the King of Spain quit his right to those Places which his Majesty hath possessed himself of in this last War. All Franche Compte. The Town of Valenciennes, and its Dependences. Bouchain, and its Dependences. Conde, and its Dependences. Cambray and Cambresis. Air, St. Omers, and their Dependences. The Town of Ipre, and its Chastellany. The Places of Werwick and Werneton, on the River Lis. Bavay and Maubeage, with their Dependencies. Poperingue, Bailleul, and Cassel, with their Dependences. In a word, that he quit his Right to all such Places and Countries as his Majesty hath now in his possession; excepting those before mentioned, which his Majesty is willing to restore to Spain; The Town of Charlemont, or in lieu thereof, the Towns of Dinant and Bouvines; upon condition that he, at the choice of the King of Spain, will charge himself, that the Bishop of Liege shall quit his right to Dinant, and that the Emperor and Empire shall give their assent thereunto. By this means the Spanish Frontier in the Netherlands, would for the future begin from the Sea, to the , Newport, Dixmude, Courtray, Oudenard, Aeth, Mons, Charleroy, and Namur. As for the Articles which concern the State's General, they are so very favourable, that they cannot but conclude, that his Majesty doth fully purpose to receive them into the former Friendship, after the Peace shall be concluded. His Majesty is willing to restore them Maestricht, and to agree to the Treaty of Commerce, in such form as it was framed at Nimeguen with the Sieur Beverning. And to the end his Majesty may give the World the utmost testimony of his sincere intentions for the Peace, his Majesty, notwithstanding any reason that might induce him to continue in possession of Lorraine, is willing that Prince Charles be restored to it, upon one of these two Alternatives, of which he gives him his choice. First, That he be restored according to the Articles expressed in the Pyrenaean Treaty, without any change or alteration in any of them. Or secondly, That he be restored generally to his whole Estate, except the Town of Nancy, which his Majesty will retain, with plenary Right of Sovereignty, and excepting such a way as was agreed upon at the Treaty of 1661. to pass from the Frontiers of France into Alsatia, and all such ways as shall be necessary to pass from France to Nancy; and from Nancy to Metz, Brisac, and Franche Compte; upon condition nevertheless, that to make him some compensation for the Town of Nancy, his Majesty shall resign to him that of Toul, considerable for its extent and situation, and much more in respect of its Bishopric. His Majesty demands likewise, that Longwic and its Provostship be quitted to him: but offereth withal to recompense the Prince of Lorraine with another provostship of equal value within one of the three Bishoprics. And whereas Marsal having been quitted to his Majesty by a particular Treaty, is not at present any part of Lorraine, so it is not to be understood to be comprised in this restitution. These are the Terms which may, and aught to make the Platform of a General Peace, and upon which his Majesty hath long ago declared himself to the King of Great Britain. His Majesty desires that they may be imparted to the Assembly at Nimeguen; and that his own Plenipotentiaries there propose them to the consideration of the rest, as containing the lowest Conditions that he can admit; and upon which his Enemies may make choice either of War or Peace. Given at St. Germane the 9th. day of April, 1678. His Majesty's Letter to the State's General of the United Provinces. Written from the Camp at Deinse, the 18th. of May, 1678. Most dear great Friends, Allies, and Confederates, OUt of the sincere affection which we have always born to the promoting of the Peace of Europe, we are very much satisfied to understand, by our Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen, the account given unto them in your name, by one of your Ambassadors, concerning your thoughts upon the conclusion of so great a Work, which you had imparted to them by one of your Ambassadors. We are glad to understand, that the terms which we proposed at that Assembly appear to you to be reasonable, and that you are fully persuaded of the sincerity of our mind, in a matter of so great importance: And it is with the greater fatissaction to ourselves, that we confirm the same unto you by this Letter; because notwithstanding those advantages which we have already acquired by our Arms, and may justly hope for by the prosecution of the War; yet we place our chiefest glory in making all the steps we can towards a Peace. But because it appears by the Discourses that have been made to our Plenipotentiaries by your order, that how desirous soever you are to conclude the Peace, yet there remains some scruple with you concerning the Seventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce, which has been debated at Nimeguen between our Ambassadors and yours; and trouble of mind, lest we should make an entire Conquest of the Low-countrieses, in case Spain should reject the Terms we have offered, we are willing to impart our thoughts unto you upon those two Points. We cannot do it more favourably, as to the first of them, than by granting, that the Seventh Article should be as yourselves desire it. And in taking such measures with you upon the second Point, as may ease you of the fear you express for the loss of Flanders. And this we will then do, when Spain having refused to consent to the Peace, there shall be a Treaty concluded between us and you, upon such Terms as have been already proposed with relation to yourselves, and that you shall have returned to our Alliance, and shall oblige yourselves to continue Neuters during the War. We shall be always ready for your sakes to grant to Spain the same Terms, with relation to Flanders, which they are at liberty now to accept: And we are further willing to assure you, that in all that time we will not Attaque any one Place in those Provinces. Thus you shall always find us readily inclined, not only to form that Bar which you think so necessary for your own safety, but to secure it; and to let you enjoy, together with the re-establishment of Commerce, whatever other advantages you can expect from our Friendship. And if for the prosecuting this Negotiation you shall think it necessary to send Deputies to us, they will find us near Ghent till the 27th. day of this Month, and in the same dispositions we have declared to you in this Letter. In the mean time, we pray God to take you, most dear great Friends, Allies, and Confederates. into his holy protection. Given at our Camp at Deinse, the 18th. day of May, 1678. Your good Friend, Ally, and Confederate, LOVIS. Underneath was Signed, Arnauld. A Letter from the State's General of the United Provinces, to the Most Christian King. Written from the Hague, the 25th. of May, 1678. To his Most Christian Majesty. SIR, WE received with great respect the Letter which your Majesty did us the honour to write to us, and were transported with an excess of joy to understand thereby your Majesty's unfeigned desire to promote the peace of Europe, and that your Majesty places your chiefest glory in making all the steps that may conduce to the effecting a matter of so great importance. Sir, we think ourselves obliged to return your Majesty our most humble thanks, and we have thought fit for this purpose to send to your Majesty the Sieur Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, one of our Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassador Extraordinary, to acquaint your Majesty with our earnest desire to give your Majesty 〈◊〉 assurances of our Sincere intentions for th●●●●d Peace; and we hope your Majesty will grant him a favourable Audience, and give all credit to him as a Person throughly acquainted with our resolution, ever to remain, Sir, Your Majesty's Most Humble Servants, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries. The King's answer to the Letter of the State's General of the Unitedd Provinces. Written at the Camp at Wetter, the first day of June, 1678. MOst dear, great Friends, Allies, and Confederates, We have with much pleasure understood, as by the Letter you writ us, so by the Assurances which the Heer Van Beverning, your Extraordinary Ambassador, hath in your Name given us, the dispositions, in which you profess yourselves to be, to a Peace. We cannot let you better know, how firm and sincere our intentions are, to procure so great and so general a good for Europe, than by the Writing, which we have commanded to be put into his hands. You will see the new Facilities we offer to put you in a state to bring your Allies to consent to the conditions, which we cannot doubt but you judge equitable. And having nothing farther to add thereunto, We only assure you of the satisfaction we shall have, in giving you back with the Peace, our old and real friendship, and in entering with you into the strongest and most capable Engagements, for securing ever your Liberty; which we have more amply explained ourselves upon to the Heer Van Beverning, whose Conduct and Person hath been very acceptable to us. There remains only, That we pray God to have you, Most dear, great Friends, Allies, and Confederates, in his holy keeping. Given in our Camp at Wetteren, the first day of June, 1678. Your good Friend, Ally, and Confederate, LOVIS. Underneath was Signed, Arnauld. The Memorial which the King Ordered to be delivered to the Sieur Van Beverning, Ambassador Extraordinary from the State's General of the United Provinces to his Majesty. THe King hath with pleasure seen, as by the Letter of the Heeren the State's General, so by the Assurances which they have given him by the Heer Van Beverning, their Extraordinary Ambassador, that their Intentions to a General Peace, correspond with the desire his Majesty hath had to procure the same, and that they are ready to accept the Conditions which his Majesty hath offered them by his Ambassadors and Plenipotentaries at Nimeguen. But at the same time that the Heer Van Beverning hath thus made known to him the Sentiments of the said States General, he hath in their Name prayed his Majesty would grant a Cessation of Arms for six Weeks, and hath represented to him, that they had need of that time, to communicate with their Allies, and to obtain their consent for the concluding of so great a work. The condition in which his Majesty's Arms are at present, and the favourable opportunity that would be lost in deferring their acting, would not permit him to consent to this Proposal, if the desire to give Peace to Europe, did not much more prevail in him, than that of enlarging his Frontiers by new Conquests. It is in this consideration to contribute to the Public Repose, that he will agree, at the desire of the said States General, to a Cessation of Arms for six weeks, to begin the first day of the next month, such an one as was stipulated between France and Spain in the year 1668. But forasmuch as it would not be just, if the Enemies of His Majesty should let that time pass fruitlessly, and that instead of its serving to advance the Peace, they should make advanttge thereof, to avoid the effect of his Majesty's Arms, that he should have lost the advantageous conjuncture which is at present in his hand; His Majesty desires of the said States General, that they do promise him in case, during the time of the said Cessation of Arms, they cannot bring their Allies to accept the conditions which he hath offered, They will not assist them directly or indirectly against him, or against his Allies, during the whole course of the War. In exchange his Majesty will in such case renew to them the same Engagements which he hath taken with them by his Letter of the 18 of the last Month, as well for what concerns the same Conditions, which he will be always ready to agree to Spain, as for the security of the Places in the Netherlands. His Majesty hath thought fit to make known to the said States General, by this Memorial, which he hath appointed to be delivered to the Heer Van Beverning, the sincerity of his intentions for a Peace. And to give them a yet far greater testimony thereof, he doth command the Duke of Luxemburg, General of his Army, to go and expect their Answer, during this Month, in the Neighbourhood of Brussels, with orders not to Attaque any Place during that time. Given in the Camp at Wetteren, the first day of June, 1678. Signed, LOVIS. And underneath, Arnauld. The Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the State's General, etc. to the Duke De Villa Hermosa, of the 27th. of May. THe Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces, are extremely satisfied to understand, by the Answer your Excellency was pleased to return to the Memorial presented on their behalf, by us their under-written Deputies Extraordinary, the 14th. instant, That your Excellency did agree, and consented to treat of a Truce, or Cessation of Arms, for the space of six weeks; and could have wished, That you had as positively declared yourself touching the second Point contained in the said Memorial, namely, the Conditions of Peace proposed some time ago, by the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of France at Nimeguen. But because in the said Answer, no mention is made of so considerable a Point, their Hi. and Mi. have again commanded us to make instance, and represent unto your Excellency, of how great moment it is, as well with relation to the common Cause, as more especially for the preservation of what remains to his Catholic Majesty in the Low Countries; that your Excellency declare, in the name of the King of Spain, your acceptance of the said Conditions of Peace, such as they are, considering the present state of affairs, and the risk and great danger there may be, in continuing the War against so powerful an Enemy as the King of France is, who has already brought his Army together, and is himself at the head of it in the Field, and that in the heart of the Low Countries. For these and other reasons represented in the preceding Memorials, we earnestly entreat your Excellency to take such a resolution, as may be agreeable to the desires of our Lords and Masters, and that without loss of time, since a few days, considering the condition wherein things are at present, may produce fatal Revolutions, and such as would extremely embarass as well your Excellency as the Allies, and be likewise very prejudicial to the Peace of all Europe. Done at Brussels the 27th. of May, 1678. Jacob Boreal, De weed. A Declaration given by the Spaniards, containing their consent to the Conditions proposed by his Majesty in order to a Peace. HIs Excellency having seen and considered this Memorial, and at the same time made particular reflection upon the former ones of the 8th. and the 14th. of May; though the State's General of the United Provinces know very well, that the terms upon which the King of France has offered to make Peace with Spain are very hard; yet considering the misfortune and extremities that the Low-countrieses are exposed to, and that their Hi. and Mi. (though otherwise so much concerned also in the Interest of their preservation) do yet find themselves at present deprived of all means to effect it, their People not being in condition to carry on the War; and considering that in this Juncture of Affairs, nothing can be of so great importance, as the preservation of that miserable Remainder of Flanders, by strict Alliances, which they persuade us to accept of, and value. And whereas in the said Memorial, the State's General do represent their instances of, and desire to admit of the said Conditions, in order to the conclusion of a Peace; his Excellency being willing to second them, as he hath done from the very first time that his Master entered into the War, which he undertook first for the preservation of the Confederates Estates of the Low-countrieses, and has since continued to assert the common Interest, is now likewise willing to comply with the desire of the State's General, and to admit of a Peace upon such terms as the King of France hath proposed, to the end that so convincing a proof of his Excellency's servant desire to unite him with the said States General, may contribute to strengthen their mutual Alliances, and conduce to the preservation of both their Estates. Still provided, That whatsoever Conquests the most Christian King may have made in any part of the World, within the Dominions of the King his Master, and not specified in the abovesaid Propositions, shall be restored to his Majesty: Hoping moreover, that the State's General will so far interpose with his most Christian Majesty, as that he will be pleased not to insist upon those terms, which it is not in his Majesty's power to perform; and to grant us such terms as may be effectual for the preservation of what we have left; and that the State's General will likewise take care, that the Borders and Fronteers may be so fixed, as to prevent for the future any such Accidents and Occurrences, as may prove the seeds of a new War, and contribute to the greater satisfaction of the Confederates High Allies. Given at Brussels the 13th. day of June, 1678. Signed, The Duke de Villa Hermosa, Earl of Luna. A Declaration on the behalf of the King of Denmark. THe Ambassador Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiary of his Majesty the King of Denmark and Norway, at the Treaty of Peace held at Nimeguen; hath seen by the communication which the Deputies of the State's General of the United Provinces, have made to the Ministers of the Confederates at the Hague, what his Most Christian Majesty was pleased to Order the delivery of in writing to his Excellency the Sieur the Beverning their Ambassador Extraordinary, as well touching his consent to a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks, as concerning his demand of a promise from the State's General, that in case they shall not be able during that Cessation, to prevail with their Allies to accept of such Terms as his Majesty hath offered, that then they will no longer Assist them directly or indirectly, against him or his Allies during the continuance of the War; And having thereupon considered what he conceives is fit and necessary for the Kind his Master to do upon occasion of his Most Christian Majesties said agreement and demand; He thinks it his duty to represent to their Excellencies, the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of the High Allies at this Congress, that presupposing, which he does without any doubt, the constancy and resolution of the State's General, wherewith they have always hitherto maintained the Credit and Honour of their Treaties, which is the true band and most proper support of a free Commonwealth, That they will not do any thing that may cast the least blemish upon the Reputation which they have hitherto honourably accquired and maintained, His Majesty assures himself that in this juncture, they will not set one step to the Prejudice of those mutual engagements that are betwixt himself and them: in discharge of which he has vouchsafed to hazard his own sacred Person, and the choicest blood of his Subjects, to the expense of what the utmost of the revenue of all his Kingdoms and Estates would amount to. Every one may remember into what extremity of Affairs his Majesty was willing, when requested, to throw himself in the midst of those Calamities, that then oppressed the United Provinces, and some of the Confederates, with intention to deliver them from the ruin that threatened them, and to take part with them in their most dangerous Events: What course he took to effect this, and the benefit which has accrued by his Engaging in it, both to the common cause of all the Confederates, and to their Hi. and Mi. the State's General of the United Provinces in particular, is sufficiently known to all the World: so that it would be to no purpose to make a repetation of them here. A sure and honourable Peace is what every one now aims at: For the obtaining whereof, if the mutual engagements which the Confederates stand in one to another, continue in force, we ought to Treat upon terms, and not take them ready made to our hands. It has been demonstrated more than once by pregnant and undeniable Arguments and Reasons, that a Cessation of Arms must needs come attended with many great mischiefs and inconveniences: if there are more cogent Arguments why the State's General of the United Provinces, in respect of their own Affairs in particular, and the concerns of such whose interest is the same with theirs, should accept of a Truce with France, we may well hope at least that that consideration will not be thought sufficient to oblige others, whose Affairs are in quit different circumstances, to come into the Truce likewise: And that they will so qualify the conditions of their Truce, as that what makes for the advantage of one part of the Allies, may not be to the utter ruin of all the rest; though the Arms of France are attended with a strange current of Success, yet the faithfulness of which the Most Christian King makes profession, in adhering to his Allies, ought not to triumph over their constancy, whom common interest has linked together in a sacred bond for their mutual preservation. This virtue will make them respected even among their enemies; whereas the contrary would blast all their Reputations, and lead them one by one into Calamities, which they would discover the cause of too late, when the effects would be remediless. His Most Christian Majesty has given the State's General a very short time to declare themselves upon the contents of his Memorial, the foresight of his Council saw very well, that the time would be too short for all the parties concerned to be well advised: and we may easily judge with what design the matter was so Ordered: But if we must take the things as they are, and make the best we can of them, we may certainly assure ourselves that their Hi. and Mi. will not shorten the time, but will allow their Friends as large a Term as their Enemies have allowed them: and that they will not precipitate themselves into such resolutions as the events that half a day may produce, may likely make them repent of their forwardness in taking up But above all things his Majesty aforementioned, and his said Ambassador Extraordinary, in his name and on his behalf doth most earnestly entreat their Excellencies the Ambassadors Extraordinary of their Highnesses, that they will interpose to the utmost of their power, and make use of the credit that they have with the State's General their Masters, to prevent their putting themselves out of all possibility of doing any thing for those that have done all for them (which power our Enemies reserved to themselves, for the sakes of such as have not contributed at all or but very inconsiderably to the putting them into the condition in which now they are in) and that at least they will continue a readiness of mind to do what may be in their power, though they should happen to be destitute of such means as might enable them to do what they ought. Their Hi. and Mi. may be well assured that his Majesty will never reject their Council and Advice in any thing whatsoever that may be reasonably thought to conduce to the public Peace, in which if he could have any assurance that he might find his security, he would immediately put an end to the War, and lay down his Arms as mildly, as he took them up generously, for the interest and at the request of his Allies. Given at Nimeguen, the 10th of June, 1678. A Declaration on the behalf of the Elector of Brandenburg upon the Subject of the Peace. THe Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg; having seen what has been communicated to the Ministers of the Confederates at the Hague; to wit, that his Most Christian Majesty, upon the overture made to him by his Excellence the Sieur the Beverning Ambassador of the State's General, hath granted to their Highnesses by a Declaration in writing, dated the first of June, at Wetterens, a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks, to commence from the first of July next, to the end that in the mean time they may confer with their Allies, and obtain their consent to the Peace, upon condition that their Highnesses would promise his Most Christian Majesty, in case they shall not be able during the said Truce to persuade their Allies to accept of the Terms which France had offered, that then they should no longer assist them against him or his Allies, during the present War: To which Declaration the Duke of Luxemburg has Order to expect their Highness' answer to the end of this Month; hath not failed to acquaint his Electoral Highness his Master with the Contents of that Declaration, and to require his Order therein, which he now waits for. But in the mean time he thinks himself obliged to say beforehand, that his Electoral Highness having always reposed great confidence in the Sincerity, Integrity, and Justice of their Highnesses, the State's General of the Low Countries, as those that have been his ancient Friends and Confederates, and whose interests are in many respects the same with his own, assureth himself that their Highnesses will not make any promise to his Most Christian Majesty, that shall at all interfere with their Alliances, or be prejudicial to his Electoral Highness, who hath not spared his own Estates, nor his Blood, to save their Country from utter ruin and destruction, with which it was threatened when three whole Provinces were torn from it though since by God's great mercy they have been reunited. Besides, his Electoral Highness promiseth himself that their Hi. and Mi. will be so reasonable, since even his Most Christian Majesty hath been willing to allow them the whole month of June to acquaint the Duke of Luxemburg with what they shall think fit to resolve upon his said Declaration, as not to anticipate the Term to the prejudice of his Electoral Highness, but will allow him a convenient time for mature deliberation, and the dispatching of such Order as shall be necessary to his Ministers here and elsewhere. His Electoral Highness takes it likewise for granted, that their Hi. and Mi. will never come to a Treaty, much less conclude any thing whatsoever with France, without first procuring for his Electoral Highness the satisfaction promised him in the 14 and 24 Article of their Alliance, and without reserving the same Liberty to themselves with relation to their Allies, which his Most Christian Majesty might or should reserve in favour of his; Especially since it is evident, that his Electoral Highness did not engage in this War out of an airiness of mind, but for the safety of the Low Countries, the preservation of his own Estates, and to secure himself against the injuries and attempts of others, and that he hath not been more desirous of any thing since the first beginning of this War, than of a firm and sure Peace upon reasonable Terms. And that he will always take in good part the good offices that shall be used to attain it, and that he will make appear as well his moderation with relation to the Terms and Conditions of it, as his due consideration of the reasons and necessities alleged by their High and Mighty for a Peace. Provided things may be so ordered, that he may obtain his ends, which are no other than the safety of the public, and that of his own Country. This is what the said Ambassador hath thought fit to represent by this writing to their Excellencies, the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of their High and Mighty that are here present, desiring them not only to recommend the Contents thereof to their Lords and Masters, to the end they may make their joint Reflections, when they shall come to deliberate upon a matter of so great importance, but also to support it as much in them lies by their own credit and wise conduct. Given at Nimeguen the 10th day of June, 1678. A Declaration on behalf of the Emperor. THe Ambassadors of his Imperial Majesty being advertised, that the State's General of the United Provinces will shortly meet, to consult upon the Declaration which his Most Christian Majesty delivered in writing to their Ambassador Extraordinary Monsieur de Beverning, in the Camp at the Bourg of Wetteren on the first day of this present month, do promise themselves assuredly from the eminent Wisdom, Integrity, and Justice of the said States General, upon which foundations their Commonwealth has hitherto stood and continued in a flourishing condition, that they will not upon any pretence whatsoever act contrary to the Faith of their Alliances, or prejudicial to his Imperial Majesty, the Empire, and the rest of the Confederates, who have already engaged themselves as well in the dangers, and expenses of this long and Bloody War, not only for their own common safety, to the end they might thereby deliver these United Provinces, together with the Public, from utter ruin and destruction. It is needless to put them in mind of what hath formerly passed; this is evident, that the Confederates have to do with an Enemy, who as he is hard enough for them all, cannot but be terrible to any one of them apart. Perhaps some Provinces may reap a present advantage, but in lieu thereof, all those that are near must inevitably fall under his yoke, and be destroyed. There are so many instances in Histories how dangerous the neighbourhood of France is, that it hath given occasion to a Proverb. This the States themselves have found by experience in this very War, when the Bar of the Spanish Netherlands was stronger. What will they do now that those Bars are almost broken down, and they shall have separated themselves, as the French earnestly press them to do, from the rest of the Confederates? Then their safety must solely depend upon the sincerity and moderation of the French. His Imperial Majesty undertook the War together with the rest of the Confederates for their common safety, for the defence of the Empire, and particularly that of these Provinces: he hath carried it on hitherto, not for his own private interest, but in such place and manner as was thought best good for the public: And he is yet willing, if the Confederates please, to continue it in conjunction with them, and will be ready to lay down his Arms, when that shall make more for the Common interest. And whenever he shall make a Peace, he will have the same regard to the circumstances of the United Provinces and of all the Low Conntreys, which he has appeared hitherto to have had in the undortaking and carrying on the War. The King of France has proposed some conditions of Peace, but in such a manner as if he were giving Laws to us. He will not suffer us to Treat with him concerning them. Which to be so received by the Emperor, the Empire and the Confederates, is not only inconsistent with their Honour, Safety and Interest, contrary to the very nature of the thing itself. Besides which no specification at all is made in these conditions, what satisfaction it is in particular, the French would have stipulated in behalf of Sweden, so it is but too evident they are far from any intentions of Peace, since they will not so much as treat concerning it, according to those Forms and Methods which are observed betwixt Sovereign Princes and Estates, and are grounded upon the Law of Nations. It is not a Peace that France aims at, but a division amongst the Confederates: that conquest may be the more easy, when he shall have to do with them apart: if there be any urgent reason or necessity of making a Peace, the Emperor is willing to do it forthwith upon such terms as will be neither dishonourable nor prejuaical to France, and manifest to the whole World his moderation, according to his High Function; and that although he has great regard to the safety of the Empire, yet that he prefers the common safety and the preservation of the United Provinces and of all the Low Countries before any particular interests of his own. This will be made apparent whenever a Peace shall be treated of, and the State's General shall employ their offices for it, which will be always acceptable to his Imperial Majesty, which being so, it cannot without injury to the constancy, prudence, and integrity of the State's General be presumed that they will upon any rash resolution abandon their most faithful Confederate, and thereby expose them to manifest danger. They have Twenty days time yet before the end of this month to resolve in. But all our interests, our common liberty, and the safety of all the Confederates is now at stake. The enemy endeavours to precipitate their resolutions, because he is their enemy, and would lead them to a precipice: the Confederates Council is to proceed safely and deliberately, as being engaged in one and the same common cause with the State's General, when once the Enemy shall observe that the States resolve to Treat separately, France will obtain what is desired, the general Peace will be desperate, which otherwise might have been expected, if all the Confederates would have made appear to the common Enemy their unanimous constancy and moderation. Let the State's General therefore represent speedily and seriously to the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, that it is that they hinder the restoring of Peace to Christendom, in that they deny the Confederates liberty to Treat about those matters without which there can be no Peace: the Ambassadors of his Imperial Majesty do hereby oblige themselves to represent the whole matter that the motives and necessiries which induced the State's General to choose even a disadvantageous Peace, rather than the continuance of the War, are not at all displeasing to his Imperial Majesty, who will be ready to comply therewith, and to concur with them as far as in him lies, to endeavour a Peace, so as the safety of the Empire be in some degree provided for; and that he will jointly consult with the State's General and the other Confederates, by what way and means the same may be established and rendered secure. And as the Imperial Ministers have thought it their duty to remonstrate these things to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the High and Mighty Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces, so they do earnestly beseech and entreat them seriously to weigh of how great importance this matter is: and to support it with their offices and recommendation, in which they will do a thing becoming themselves, glorious and beneficial to their Country, desired by the Confederates and every one else that loves the public safety and security, and which will be transmitted to posterity, to their immortal praise and merit. Given at Nimeguen, the 10th of June, 1678. A Letter from the State's General of the United Provinces to the King, written at the Hague the 22th of June, 1678. SIR, IT was with an equal mixture of Joy and Reverence, that we understood by your Majesty's answer of the first of this instant, from your Camp at Wetteren, which the Sieur De Beverning delivered us, the reality of your Majesty's intentions to put an end to the present war: to which end, your Majesty was pleased to allow us all this month, to induce our Allies to accept the Peace upon the terms which your Majesty hath proposed: to which unfeigned purpose of your Majesties, that we might answer with the like sincerity on our parts, and give your Majesty all the satisfaction we possibly could, we have left nothing undone to induce our Allies to a compliance: and though we could not promise ourselves that they would join with us in making a peace upon those terms, yet we have given orders to our Ambassadors at Nimeguen, to conclude and Sign the Treaty of Peace with your Majesty's Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, and such of the Confederates as should be disposed to come into it before the end of this month. In the mean while, having some assurance that his Catholic Majesty will join with us in accepting the Peace, we make it our request that your Mejesty will be pleased to give necessary orders to surcease all acts of hostility by Land, and to cause such of your Mejesties' Forces as are in his Country, to retire about the end of this month, and that your Majesty will be pleased to forbid your Majesty's Men of War and Privateers, to set upon any such Ships belonging to this State, or any of our Subjects, as are employed about the Fishing-Trade, and to give them Passports and letters of Safe-conduct, that they may follow their employment with safety; accordingly we shall be willing to do on our part; hoping and promising ourselves, that this will conduce to the good both of your Majesty's Subjects and our own, and to the increasing the good understanding, which ought to be firmly established by the Peace. To conclude, We pray God, SIR, To heap prosperity upon your Majestics Reign, and to bless your Royal Person with Health, and a long Life. Hague the 22th of June, 1678. Your Majesty's Most Humble Servants the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries. The King's Answer to the Letter of the State's General of the United Provinces, written from St. the 30th of June, 1678. Most Dear, Great Friends, Allies, and Confederates, You will easily judge, after all that we have done toward the Facilitating of a Peace, that we were very well satisfied to understand by your Letter, that before the time which we had agreed to allow for a Cessation of Arms, you had sent instructions to your Plenipotentiary Ambassador at Nemiguen, to Sign the Treaty of Peace before the end of this month. And by the assurance which you give us, that at the same time those of the Catholic King will accept of it, we see your inclinations are well disposed toward the general quiet of Europe. We Promise ourselves likewise that it cannot be long retarded by those of your Allies, that hitherto, notwithstanding all the good Offices which you have done towards it, refuse to join with you in the procuring so great a good and so universally desired. In the mean time as the Peace, which we doubt not but will immediately be concluded with you at Nimeguen, since we have your word for it, puts us into a condition of rendering you our entire affection, of which we take delight in letting you feel the effects, we are willing at your desire from hence forward to surcease all acts of hostility to the Low Countries, and whatever obstruction our Men of War, or Privateers may give to your Commerce. Common usage would require, that things should continue in the same posture they now are, till the Peace were fully consummated by exchange of the Ratifications and publication of Treaties: but without staying till they, that are now to be Signed betwixt our Plenipotentiaries Ambassadors at Nimeguen, those of the Catholic King and yours, shall be come to our hands; out of our respect to you, we will send order immediately to the Duke of Luxemburg, to retire our Army from about brussels into that part of the Country, that is now under our subjection. We will charge him to concert upon this subject with the Duke De Villa Hermosa, and even with your Envoy there, and to settle some regulation for those Officers to be under, that shall command the Troops which we are obliged to leave about Mons, and on what manner they may continue without any acts of hostility on either side, but in a good understanding, and so as the country may be open, till the Ratifications are exchanged with Spain. Having thus quieted all things at Land, we are willing at your instance to do the same by Sea. The Treaty which Our Ambassadors must Sign with Yours, will ascertain the Places and Times, within which what ever shall be taken on either side, shall be deemed lawful Prize. But for the present security of such Vessels as shall Sail out of your Ports, whether for Trade, or Fishing, we think good to send a competent number of Passports to our Ambassadors at Nimeguen, whom we will order to deliver them to Yours, as there shall be occasion. They shall do the same to the Ambassador of Spain. But upon this condition, that when the Ambassador of the Catholic King and your Ambassador shall receive them, they shall be obliged at the same time to put into my Ambassadors hands such quantities of Passports as they shall demand of them. We are well satisfied in not suffering more tedious forms, though ordinarily observed in Treaties of Peace, to impair the benefit that ought to accrue to your people by this, and in letting them taste the sweetness of Peace from this very time, and in procuring the same ease to those of the Catholic King, for your Sakes. You may see by this new testimony of our Friendship, that we retain the same good disposition towards your Commonwealth, which our Predecessors have had, who did so much toward the Raising of it, and which we hope will help to render it more happy and flourishing for the future. We pray God to take you, Most Dear, Great Friends, Allies and Confederates, into his Holy Protection. Written at St. in Say, the 30th of June, 1678. Your Good Friend, Ally, and Confederate, LOVIS. Underneath was Signed, Arnauld. Extract of the Resolution of their Lordships the States of Holland, and Friesland, at their meeting on the 11th of July, 1678. THe Pensionary Fagel has shown to the Assembly a Letter of the 10th of this instant, from the Ambassador Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiary at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen, written to himself, importing that the Ambassadors of France have declared to them, that the King their Master is not minded to Evacuate Mastricht, nor the other places of the Bar, till a complete satisfaction be made to the King of Sweden. Where, upon deliberation, we have thought fit that this matter be put in as from the States aforesaid to the State's General, to the end that answer may be returned to the Ambassadors of the States: that it could not be believed nor expected that his Most Christian Majesty would have made the least difficulty in the Evacuation of those places, after the Peace Signed, concluded and ratified betwixt his Most Christian Majesty and Spain and this State: and that the States could not foresee that there would arise any new obstructions or difficulties on his Most Christian Majesti's part, after he had given them himself and by his Ministers so many assurances of his unfeigned inclinations not only to a general Peace, but particularly to a Peace with this State. It is very true, that when his Mejesty composed a general platform for us to take our measures by, it was put down in the first Article, that his Majesty would never listen to any Terms of Peace, other than such as should give the King of Sweden full and complete satisfaction: and his Majesty might with good reason insrst upon it, and take care to have it effected, if we had been able to dispose the Confederates to accept the conditions of that Project. But since the Confederates did not think it their interests to make Peace upon those terms, as the States foresaw at first they would not, and that his Catholic Majesty would make some scruple, as the Ambassadors of the State intimated to those of France, desiring them to let them know what places the King their Master intended should make the Bar in the Spanish Netherlands: and his Most Christian Majesty was pleased to assure the States by a Letter of the 18th of May, written from his Camp, in case his Catholic Majesty should refuse the Peace upon the said Terms, and that the States would conclude their Treaty, and oblige themselves to remain neuters, that then his Majesty would always be willing to grant to Spain the conditions of the Project, and promised not to lay Siege to any place in the Spanish Netherlands during the whole. War without making any mention of Sweden, or the rest of the Confederates: Whereupon their Lordships the States confiding in the King's Word, did their duty for the inducing his Catholic Majesty to accept of those conditions, and laboured on the otherside to the utmost of their power to persuade the rest of the Confederates also; with which they acquainted his Majesty, by Monsieur the Beverning their Ambassador, declaring that for their own parts they accepted of his Majesty's Terms; and desiring his Majesty that he would be pleased to agree to a Truce for Six weeks, that they might labour with their Allies, and get them to consent to a general Peace, and that his Majesty was pleased to agree to such a Truce for Six months, to begin from the first of July, and as himself wrote from his Camp at Wetter, the first of June, upon the same foot that the Truce in 1668 was agreed betwixt France and Spain, upon condition that the States would engage themselves, in case they should not be able in Six week's time to persuade their Allies to admit of the conditions, than not to assist their said Allies directly nor indirectly against his Majesty or his Allies during the War, and that in requital thereof his Majesty would renew the engagements which he made in his Letter of the 18th. of May, both concerning the conditions to be granted to his Catholic Majesty, and the securing of the places in the Low countries': leaving the Duke of Luxemburg near Brussels to stay to the end of June for an answer, with Order not to attack any Place during that time; and without making any alteration in the said conditions, or any mention either of the Allies of this State, or of giving satisfaction to the King of Sweden: that the States acting candidly, and being ready on their part to perfect that Treaty, and having induced his Catholic Majesty to accept it also, as they advised his Most Christian Majesty by their Letter of the 22th of June, assuring him that they had given Order to their Ambassador, to conclude a Peace before the end of that month, with such of the Confederates as would join with them in it, without so much as staying for the Truee, which was to begin on the first of July; and that his Majesty by his Letter of the 30th of June, declared himself to be extremely well satisfied therewith: and was so far from obliging the States or his Catholic Majesty to make any satisfaction to the King of Sweden, that he expressed in the same Letter, that he observed in the proceed of the States a good inclination to the general Peace of Europe: and he persuaded himself it would not be long delayed by such of the Allies as hitherto had not been able to help forward so great a good: that his Majesty doubted not but the Peace would be concluded by his Ambassadors, and should take delight in making this State sensible of its effects, and in forbearing all acts of hosility in the Low Countries, and obstructions to Commerce by Sea, though it be customary to let things continue in the same condition, till the Peace be Ratified by exchange of Ratifications, and publishing of Treaties; without suspending the effects of the Peace upon any Treaty with the Confederates, or any satisfaction to be made to the King of Sweden That the States may say with good reason, that his Most Christian Majesty is the cause why the Peace is not concluded, and not they: since his Majesty advances new Conditions, which never were proposed to themselves, nor to the King of Spain, it never having been pretended, that the Peace, or its effects, should depend upon the King of Sweden's receiving satisfaction, but only upon the States standing Neuter, in relation to his Majesty and his Allies, against those that should reject the Conditions of the Project. So that it is evident, that the most Christian King hath promised to restore those Places to the King of Spain, and to this State; and that himself hath directed to have the Treaty perfected, by Exchanging the Ratifications, and publishing it: That the States pretend to no new matter concerning the said Evacuation: That the things of no small concern to the Catholic King, and to this State, who cannot arrive at peace and quiet, in getting rid of the War, if at the same time they continue deprived of the effects of Peace; much less if they must be sent back, and made to depend upon the chances of War betwixt other Parties; which who knows when it will end in a satisfaction, that is not limited to any thing in particular? Especially considering, that the King of Sweden contimes an Enemy to this State, without giving order to put an end to the differences that are, and that daily grow betwixt him and it; and doth perpetually molest the Inhabitants of this State, contrary to the Treaty of Commerce made with him. That order be given to the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of this State, to inquire of the Ambassadors of the most Christian King, in a friendly and loving manner, without the least sharpness, whether the King their Master be resolved to persist in his demand, and to advise the Estates as soon as may be, that they may take proper measures, and conser with the Ministers of the Confederates, to know whether they can either come to a resolution to accept the Peace upon the terms offered, or find means, if there shall be occasion, to make a more vigorous opposition to their Enemies, than heretofore. A Memorial of the French Ambassadors, delivered the 17. July, 1678. to the Ambassadors of the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-countrieses. THe Ambassadors of France being troubled to see, that the difficulties arisen concerning the time for the Evacuation of the places, which the King their Master is willing to restore, give occasion to those that are averse to the Peace, to render the sincerity of his Majesty's intentions suspected, have thought it their duty to manifest the same to the Ambassadors of the State's General by this Memorial. And to justify the Reasons his Majesty hath, not to quit those Places, until Sweden is entirely satisfied, it will be sufficient to go no higher than the beginning of the Negotiation, by which the Peace is at present so far advanced. And we may say, that the same are grounded on the Conditions, proposed in his Majesty's name by the said Ambassadors of France, since they have been all of them accepted, first, by Holland, and not long after by Spain. We may farther say, that when the State's General, in consequence of the Letters his Majesty writ unto them the 18th. of May last, and of the Memorial delivered the first of June to Monsieur de Beverning; as also of the message of the Sieur de Lanoy to his Majesty, and the Letter he presented unto him on the part of the States, declared, they were ready to sign the Treaty on those Conditions, they obliged themselves to the execution of that which relates to Sweden, it being the first of all of them. And as they were all joined together, so they ought not to be separated in the meaning of the said States General, to cause his Majesty to consent unto them; and he doubts not at all, that since he made but one thing of his own Interest and that of his Allies, their meaning was not, but that he should procure both the one and the other. His Majesty had likewise reason to hope, that by advantaging both them and Spain, in being willing to quit so many important Places for the sake of Sweden, they would have joined with him to procure the re-establishment of that Crown; and though his Majesty hath not desired them to unite their Forces to his, to put that Crown in possession of the Places it hath lost; yet they ought not to hinder him from making use of those Means that are in his power, for the effectual executing of a Condition, to which they have so solemnly consented. They know well, that his Majesty hath no other effectual means, whereby to contribute to the re-establishment of the King of Sweden in Pomerania and the Duchy of Bremen, than by making War upon the Elector of Brandenburg, and the Princes that are possessed of the Estates of that Crown; and they know as well, that in order to his acting against those Princes, his Majesty will have occasion for those Places he now possesses, as being equally useful for the passage of his Armies, as for erecting Magazines there for them. Lastly, they cannot look upon the Peace which his Majesty is willing to make, otherwise than as one and the same Treaty, as well for himself as his Allies: nor think it strange, if he take all necessary Cautions, to see all the Conditions of it performed. This practice is conformable to that of all Treaties; and for an example might be alleged the practice of that of the Pyrenaeans, in which Treaty, the Places his Majesty was to restore to the Catholic King, were evacuated proportionably as he on his side executed the Conditions he had agreed to; and Verceil, which the Catholic King was to surrender to the Duke of Savoy, was restored in the same manner: for that the Interests of his Majesty and his Ally were not to be separated. In like manner, the State's General being obliged to look upon as one and the same convention, the Conditions offered by his Majesty, and accepted of by them at Nimeguen, they ought to do what lies in them, that the same be executed all together, as well with relation to his Majesty as to Sweden. And his Majesty hath the greater reason to believe they would concur with him in so just a thing, for that in the Project of the Treaty, which their Ambassador delivered to those of France, there is no mention made therein of the time of the Restitution of the Places. This silence shows, that they did not pretend to it, till all the conditions that they had accepted should be executed, and that therefore they would make the less difficulty, that Maestricht remained in the hands of his Majesty, in order to oblige the Enemies of Sweden to Peace, for that the said State's General were by their Treaty to deliver that Place unto Spain. And to evidence yet further to the State's General, how sincerely his Majesty intended, after the many paces he made to give Peace to Europe, to restore unto them his first Friendship, to promote the advantage they might receive from it, and to desist from all future Enterprises upon the Low-countrieses; they need but reflect upon his Majesty's Conduct, since they declared by the Letter, which the Sieur de Lanoy delivered to his Majesty, that they would sign the Peace before the end of June, and that Spain would likewise sign it at the same time. They may have observed, how at their entreaty, without expecting the Exchange of the Ratifications, his Majesty gave order to his Army to withdraw from the Neighbourhood of Brussels: How he was ready to open again the free Commerce and Navigation, by the Passports he allowed his Ambassadors to Exchange: How he offered to take measures with them about the manner how his Troops should live near Mons, and about the means for the subsistence of that City, till the exchange of the Ratifications: How for the ease of the Low-countrieses, and the speedy obliging the Elector of Brandenburg to consent to the Peace, his Majesty hath reinforced the Marshal de Schomberg with a considerable Detachment of his Army in Flanders, which he hath already caused to march into Germany, and was upon the point of ordering others to follow them. All which Conduct doth sufficiently show, that his Majesty looking upon the Peace with Spain as certain, his intention only was to employ his Forces against the Elector of Brandenburg, thereby to oblige him to make his Peace with Sweden. But because his Majesty observes, by the Reports which his Enemies spread abroad, that they endeavour to render the fidelity of his words suspected, and would make it believed, That when by the Peace he had broken the measures of Spain and Holland for the War, he wouldmake use of the Places he should retain, to act with more, advantage against the Low-countrieses; his Majesty is very desirous, as much as in him lieth, to cure them of these vain apprehensions. The only aim he has, in what he insists upon, is to procure the satisfaction of Sweden; and he is willing to believe, that the State's General have always the same intention; and therefore he is ready to use all such means, in conjunction with them, as they shall think fit to be effectual to that end, either by obliging themselves to restore that Crown to th' Places and Countries it has lost, or by disposing its Enemies to surrender them; provided they give his Majesty full security of its re-establishment. His Majesty will willingly embrace such Expedients as they shall propose unto him, and shall be esteemed most speedy and effectual to make the Peace General. And for the treating of this business, they may either discuss it with the said Ambassadors of France at Nimeguen, or appoint some Minister to repair to his Majesty, or send Deputies to the Frontiers of Flanders and Ghent, as nearest to their Countries, to confer thereupon with those to whom his Majesty shall entrust the care of it. His Majesty will rest satisfied, if they can but agree upon a safe, speedy, and certain way of procuring the re-establishment of Sweden. The said Ambassadors of France are persuaded, that the said Ambassadors of the State's General, and all indifferent men, will be equally convinced, as well of the Right his Majesty hath to demand the Execution of a Condition so positively accepted, as of procuring the same by such means as are in his power, unless the State's General shall adjust others with him, to obtain it. The long time his Majesty hath lost in Flanders since the 18th. of May, that he writ unto the said States, doth also show, how sincerely he desired the Peace. Considering the Condition in which his Majesty and his Enemies then were, every body will easily believe, that only the desire of giving Peace to Europe, was capable of making him lose so favourable a Conjuncture: And it is from the same desire, that he is still disposed to admit of Propositions, that may secure the entire satisfaction of Sweden, and procure the Tranquillity, which Christendom expects from this Assembly. A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France, by the Plenipotentiaries of Holland, July the 26th. 1678. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of their Lordships, the State's General of the United Provinces, having received from the hands of the Lords Ambassadors of France, the 11th. instant, a Memorial, whereby they pretend to justify the particular of the Retension of the Places, the Restitution whereof were promised by his most Christian Majesty; and wherein, at the same time, they invite their Lordships to enter into some way with his Majesty, whereby they might draw and assure a perfect Satisfaction to the King of Swedes, are obliged by express order from their Lords and Masters, to represent to their Excellencies, That their Lordships making a due reflection upon the method of his Majesty's proceed to terminate the present War; and upon the advantageous expressions, whereby he has particularly declared himself upon their account; they cannot entertain so much as a thought, that he would at present delay the accomplishment and conclusion by the said Retension; being fully persuaded, that such kind of obstructions cannot proceed from so generous a Soul as his Majesties, but rather from the persuasion of those who are averse to a Peace. They strongly possess themselves with this perswaasion, that they cannot lay a more solid Basis for their justification, than to give an ingenuous account of the beginning and progress of this Affair. 'tis notorious, that the Lords the State's General have done their utmost endeavours, without intermission, to determine this present War by a General Peace, wherein all Parties Interested might have had that satisfaction which they have so passionately desired, as might have disposed all Persons whatsoever thereunto. But such was their misfortune, that the pretences of the other Allies being far different, and very far from it, and his most Christian Majesty having caused his Ambassadors at Nimeguen to propose those Conditions, which might and ought to serve as a Platform to a general Peace; and upon that consideration, explaining himself, that it was the last point that he could possibly dispense with; and hereupon his Enemies might make choice either of Peace or War, without being obliged, after the 10th. of this present May. And the Lords the State's General taking into their consideration, that the major part of the said proposed Conditions, did concern their puissant Allies, did carefully explain themselves, that they might find out some Expedients, and have endeavoured to dispose of Affairs so, as that they might enter upon a Negotiation according to the said Platform, to see what the Parties concerned at designed but to their great regret, they have been informed, That it was not at all his Majesty's intention to cause a Treaty, or to admit any debate upon the Conditions proposed; but that the Potent Parties, that were at War, ought simply to declare themselves before the Term of the 10th. of May was expired, whether or no they would subscribe the said Conditions. Whereupon their Lordships have laboured continually with the Ministers of their Allies, to understand their Sentiments. But they excusing themselves, upon the small time allotted for this great Affair, and want of Order from their Masters, wherewith they could not possibly be instructed before the Expiration of the term; therefore their Highnesses not being able to assure themselves of the intentions of their powerful Allies, especially the King of Spain, in regard of the Acceptation or Refusal of the said Conditions: And considering, that the Stop proposed by his most Christian Majesty, must also give them particular satisfaction, have applied their farther endeavours to inform themselves, how this stop should be considered, in case the King of Spain should refuse to accept the said Conditions; and thereupon his Most Christian Majesty hath been so kind as to honour them with a Letter written from his Camp. May the 18th: and to acquaint them, that if the King of Spain denied to accept of the Peace, and they judged it proper to conclude a Peace with him, on the Conditions proposed upon their account, and that they would engage to remain Neuter, during the whole course of this War: His Majesty in such Cases, would upon their consideration, grant the said King of Spain the same Conditions, which he was at liberty to accept of at this present, and that during that time, he would not attack any place in the Low Countries, and if my Lords the State's General, in order to the advancement of this Negotiation, should find it convenient to send Deputies to him, that they would find his Majesty in the neighbourhood of Ghent, till the 25th. of the said month, and under the same dispositions. Farthermore, the Lords of the State's General, having declared before the 30th. of May, to the Lords, Ambassadors of France; that for their parts they were resolved to conclude a Peace with his Majesty, upon the Conditions proposed on their account, and having desired a convenient time, to the end that they might dispose their Allies to the same Peace, and after the Receipt of the aforesaid Letter from his Majesty, having determined to send to him the Sieur Beverning, their Ambassador Extraordinary, to represent unto him, how earnestly they desired a general Peace, that they did accept of the Conditions offered, and that they desired his Majesty to grant them a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks, that they might have time to discourse with their Allies, upon the affairs of Peace, and to gain their consent, for the conclusion of so great a Work. His Majesty was Graciously pleased to declare by his answer the first of June, dated in his Camp at Wetteren, that he did condescend to that Cessation, for the space of six weeks, as it was desired, to commence from the first of July, and the same according to the stipulation between France and Spain, Anno Dom. 1668. With this proviso, they should promise his Majesty that in case, during the said Cessation of Arms, they could not prevail with their Allies to accept of the Conditions offered, they would neither, directly nor indirectly assist them, against his Majesty or his Allies, during the continuance of this War: And upon this consideration his Majesty was willing to Render by way of exchange, the same engagements that he had obliged himself unto, with them, in his said Letter of the 18th. of May; as well in regard of the same Conditions, which he would be always inclinable to grant to Spain; as for the security of the Places in the Low Countries. And to give them a larger Testimony thereof, his Majesty hath charged the Duke of Luxemburg, General of his Forces, to attend their answer, during the month of June, in the neighbourhood of Brussels, with orders not to attack any place during that time. That consequently, the State's General, to give pregnant proof of the desire they have to conclude the War, and to testify the Candour of their precedings, would not wait till the expiration of the month of June, much less make use of the said Cessation of Arms, which was to begin on the first of July, as it was at their liberty to do: but from the 22th of June, have assured his Majesty by their Letter, that though they had laboured very strenuously with their Allies, to dispose them to the said Peace, and that they could not be satisfied that all would concur therein; yet they had ordered their Ambassadors at Nimeguen, to Conclude and Sign the Troaty, with his Majesty's Ambassadors, together with those of their Allies, who were willing to condescend thereunto; and that they were very certain, his Majesty the King of Spain would also accept of the Peace, upon the Conditions proposed on his account, And his Most Christian Majesty has been so gracious as to give them an answer, by Letter dated the 30th. of June, that he understood, with satisfaction, by their said Letter, that without expecting the time which he had granted them for a Cessation of Arms, they had sent the said Orders to their Ambassadors, to Sign the Treaty of Peace, before the end of June, and that the assurance they gave his Majesty, that those of the Spanish King would accept of them at the same time, did give him to understand, that there were very favourable inclinations for the quiet of all Europe, and that likewise his Majesty did persuade himself, that he could not be long retarded by their Allies; who till this very hour, what instances soever they had made, had refused to give their Concurrence to so great a Benefit, and so Universally desired. His Majesty Declaring farther, that though the usual Custom in such Cases requires, that things should continue in the same condition they are in, till the Peace be absolutely Consummated by an exchange of Ratifications, and a publication of the Treaties; that yet upon their account, he had sent his immediate Orders to the Duke of Luxemburg, to withdraw his Army from the adjacent parts of Brussels, and March them into his own Countries; and that he Charged the said Duke, for this purpose, to agree with the Duke de Villa Hermosa, as also their Envoys with him, about the Conduct that should be among the Officers that were to Command the Troops, which his Majesty was obliged to leave in the places about the Town of Mons; as also how they should live of one side as well as the other, without Hostility in a good understanding, and with Liberty in the Low Countries, till the Exchange of the Ratisications with Spain. From all this, it evidently follows, that the Intentions, as well of his Majesty as the Lords the State's General, have been from the beginning, to make a General Peace, upon such Conditions as all the Allies might have agreed unto; and being very uncertain, whether the said Allies would regulate themselves by the Conditions his Majesty had proposed, and having Explained himself, that he would admit of no Alteration, their Lordships have desired an Explanation of his Majesty's Intentions toward them, and of the Conditions that concerned them, and have had the good fortune to receive Instructions, not only from the mouth of his Ambassadors, but also by two Letters from his Majesty himself; that in respect to them, they should enjoy the said Conditions, and particularly those relating to the Spanish Netherlands, though his Catholic Majesty, or any other of his Allies should obstruct the Peace, upon condition, that when they Conclude the Treaty, they should not directly. not indirectly Assist their Allies, against his Majesty or his Allies whilst the War should continue; by which it is manifestly apparent, that it has been no ways his Majesty's intention to retard, or protract the Peace or the effects thereof by any means whatsoever: as to those that should, who would be ready, and in a condition to make a Conclusion, though some other persons should not as yet prove so; and to contract only, that those who should subscribe the Peace, should not assist directly nor indirectly those that would continue the War against his Majesty or his Allies. And thus it is altogether incredible that so Generous a soul as his Majesties, after such clear and Indisputable Declarations, as are contained in his Letters could entertain such a Sentiment; and certainly their Lordships the State's General would be extremely surprised, if his Majesty's Intentions should be found Conformable to the Expressions of the said Memorial it being a very Erroneous Position, that their Lordships the State's General did ever Declare, that they found all the Conditions equitable which his Majesty had proposed, having never explained themselves, but in those things which related to their own particular interests, and having also demanded time to Dispose their Allies to what may farther be required. Besides that, it is most certain, a Declaration of that Nature was never required of them; that even his Majesty himself having weighed the Scruple, which they were to be satisfied in, that all their Allies could not possibly be Inclined to accept of the Conditions proposed, did anticipate them, by his Declaration, that not withstanding all this, upon their own, as well as the King of Spain's account, he would ever condescend to them, provided they would put a period to their Treaty upon the conditions that were offered, and hath given sufficient Testimony, that it was neither his own, nor the Intentions of the State's General, that they should be obliged to the Loan or Payment of any other thing, but what concerned them particularly, or related to such of their Allies, as were ready to Concur with them in making a Peace; and that his Majesty as to those that should continue the War, would require only a Neutrality of them, having in no respect proposed or agreed to Second his Allies, and to afford them that Satisfaction they pretend to; which nevertheless, the French Ambassadors do now lay claim to in the forementioned Memorial, directly contrary to his Majesty's Declarations, if the said Ambassadors would please to call to mind the Answer they gave at the Conference on the 17th of June passed, when they openly cleared themselves upon the point of the Conclusion and Signing of the Treaties, they must necessarily agree in this, that he hath been, and that they were ready to Sign with all those Allies, who would declare themselves to Condescend thereunto without any stipulation for the Swede, or any Delay on that account, having only recommended to them the Continuance of their endeavours with the Allies, with a promise that they would effect as much with their own Confederates: being farther most certain, that during the whole Course; of the Negotiation they never intended any thing as to the Swedish Interest; nay not when the Matter of the Restitution of the places, which should serve as a Bar, was Debated. And it is somewhat surprising, that the foresaid Ambassadors should positively affirm in the said Memorial, that his Majesty did never Condescend to the Restitution of Places to the King of Spain, unless it were in Consideration of an equal Restitution, which should be made to the King of Swedes Advantage, since the Original and the very words of the said Conditions do expressly import, that those Places ought to serve as a Boundary to the Spanish Netherlands, upon which the King of Great Britain, the State's General, and the other Neighbouring States of the said Countries have so much insisted: and that his Most Christian Majesty would Surrender them with this Prospect, and on such Conditions, that the King of Spain should yield up in Exchange all those Places, which are likewise specified in the said Conditions; and that the aforesaid Restitution to the King of Spain should also be one part of the Satisfaction due to their Lordships without any manner of Limitation, nor be directly, nor indirectly tied to give any manner of Satisfaction to the Swedish King: and it is very Clear, that the French Ambassadors are themselves Convinced of this, since that they confess in the said Memorial, that his Most Christian Majesty did not in the least pretend, that They, or the King of Spain ought to join their Forces with his, to Repossess the King of Swedes with those Territories and Places that he had lost, Grounding it only upon the account of the Retention of them, in regard that in the Conditions of the General Peace, the Swede's Satisfaction is mentioned in the first Article; and that before all others; without considering that this entire and full Satisfaction of the Swede, cannot by any means be Applicable to their Lordships, who had never conquered or carried any Place that belonged to that Crown; and that it is very Irregular to pretend to Charge them with a Restitution who never took any thing, and have no manner of Possession, that even they would draw a Consequence from so General and Ambiguous a proposition to all particular Conditions, which in pursuance of that proposition are expressed by very different ways and Stipulations; no otherwise than if they would deduce the same Consequence from that which is after mentioned concerning the Princes of Strasburg and Fustemberg: viz, That their Interests ought to make up one of the first points of that Peace, it being however an Affair that concerns none of the Confederates, the Emperor excepted, and that particularly too. Nor besides have the Ambassadors considered, that his Majesty by his Letters of the 18th of May, and 1st of June, did explain himself so clearly and so positively, that he was Content, provided the State's General did on their part, Conclude and Sign the Peace, and that he would always agree to the Conditions proffered to the King of Spain, they only promising not to Assist their Allies that are willing to continue the War against his Majesty, or his Confederates: so that the Conditions offered, as well to the King of Spain, as their Lordships ought to be performed, though the other Allies will not Concur in the making of a Peace; not only when the King of Swedes should be reestablished; and receive Satisfaction, but when they had promised the said Neutrality. The Lords the State's General desire servently and Cordially, that the War in the Northern parts should be ended by convenient means: but his Most Christian Majesty and the King of Swedes, not being able to Agree upon Conditions with the Allies of their Lordships they will look upon the Continuation of the War with great Dissatissaction; but yet in the interim they are apt to believe, that the French Ambassadors are mistaken, when they would Infer from thence, That his most Christian Majesty might lawfully make use of the Territories and Places belonging to the King of Spain, and their State, to make a more advantageous War. They call his Countries and Territories their own, because that according to the Treaty of Peace, they ought to belong to them, by the same right as the other Lands and Provinces, which, beyond all controversy, appertain to them. It is very certain, that the Country of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg may be infested, and also those belonging to the Bishop of Munster, more commodiously by those Countries which the State's General at present possess; but as his most Christian Majesty did never pretend, and his Ambassadors would do ill to pretend, that his Majesty might lawfully make use of their Territories and Places to that purpose; nor can they pretend any more, that his Majesty can make use of those Places, which he hath engaged to restore, having reserved no such kind of Right to himself, nor any thing whatsoever in order to such a design; but only the said Neutrality of the Parties contracting with him; it being observable, that nothing in the world can be more opposite to the Neutrality, than to grant one Party the power to employ those Territories and Places to infest and indemnisie the other Parties, nor more prejudicial to the Interests of their Lordships, than thereby to bring upon themselves the mischiefs and inconveniences of a War in their Neighbourhood, and even to their very Frontiers; so that in lieu of enjoying the sweetness and effects of a Peace, and being ascertained of a Boundary for their security and repose, they shall find themselves destitute on one side, and infested by a thousand inconveniencies on the other. What the French Ambassadors say farther in that Memorial, merits 2 very particular reflection, that their Sentiments in the present case are conformable to the practice in all other Treaties; it being very notorious, that when there is a General Treaty made, all the Contractors ought to have satisfaction, which cannot be applied to the case in hand. His most Christian Majesty having thought good to enter into a particular Negotiation with the King of Spain and the State's General, without sharing with the other Allies, which would not concur therein. 'tis true, that if the King of Spain, or the State's General, should not perform the Conditions of such a General Treaty, but fail therein, his most Christian Majesty might justly demand the effect of the Conditions agreed unto: but these two Powers being altogether disposed to satisfy in all, and by all, which they are engaged to, on their behalf, his Majesty cannot have the least pretence, that they should be frustrated of the accomplishment of what should be promised them by particular Treaties, and upon consideration whereof, they should set their hands. Over and above, that his Majesty, having put into the first Article of his Propositions, the entire satisfaction the Swede should have, which is now made the ground of all the present difficulties, explains himself in the same Period by these words, [That without them, he could not conclude upon all the rest.] Whence it ought to be inferred, without all manner of dispute, that he would not desist in case of a General Treaty; but that it was not intended to apply it to the case of particular Conventions, which is now in question. The Allegations which are made to this Proposal of the Pyrenaean Treaty, and the example of Verceil, the restitution whereof the King of Spain hath promised, are not at all applicable here; for that Places was in his own hands, and he might dispose of it as he thought good: but in our case, they have not only not demanded any restitution, either from the King of Spain, or the State's General, as indeed it could not justly be required of them, because they were not all possessed of any thing that appertained to the Swede; his most Christian Majesty proposing no other matter to them, but the Neutrality only: and there might, on the contrary, be drawn a solid Argument from the same Treaty of the Pyrenaeans, to justify what is at present pretended to, concerning the Evacuation, alleging, that his most Christian Majesty hath consented to the restitution of the Places to Spain, notwithstanding the continuation of the War between that Crown and Portugal. 'tis true, that in the project of Treaties, there is no mention at all made of the Time when the Places should be restored; but it is certain and notorious, that the Consequence of a Treaty is the immediate Exchange of Ratifications, after which, full satisfaction ought to be given to all that is promised and agreed unto, without any limitation of time; and to that end there can be nothing applied more Authentic, than what his Majesty. was pleased to allege in his last Letter of the 30th. of June passed, where he says, That it is the usual custom in all Treaties, for all things to continue in the state they are in, till the Peace be absolutely consummated by Exchange of Ratifications, and the Publication of them; and that consequently it were directly contrary to that usage, for his Majesty to pretend to detain the places, after the Ratifications duly Exchanged, and the Publication made. Their Lordships may dispense with the Discourse of the Conduct of his Majesty's Army in the Spanish Netherlands, after the return of Monsieur de Lanoy, who brought back his Majesty's Answer of the 30th. of June, made to theirs of the 22d. of the same month; but in the mean time they afflict themselves, not without reason, because that by all these difficulties, so ill grounded, the Conclusion and Signature of the Treaties hath been retarded, and even refused; when as their Ambassadors did duly present themselves to those of his most Christian Majesty, according to their promise, because that their Lordships could by no means endure, that the King of Spain, no more than they themselves to their extreme prejudice, should be disappointed in the principal effect of Peace; namely, of the Evacuation of the said Places, and consequently of the Boundary, which his Majesty had so frequently and solemnly assured them. Their High and Mighty Lordships sincerely declare, that they desire nothing more cordially, than to see the Peace established between his Majesty, the King of Spain, and their own State jointly together, with all the Confederates that will subscribe it; and that they are willing, and ready also to cause the Treaties to be Concluded and Signed: But we cannot justly desire of them, that the said Evacuation should depend upon the success of Affairs, and a Restitution and Satisfaction, which according to all humane apprehension, will not be regulated, but by the success of the War, the Accidents and Chances whereof are always exposed to incertainty. 'tis further to be taken into consideration, that the King of Sweden has not to this hour given any order for the satisfaction of their High and Mighty Lordships, in regard of the just complaints, and excessive damages of their Subjects; nay, not so much as to renew and re-establish their ancient Amity with them; but contrarily, daily add new prejudices to their Negotiation, by Acts of Hostility, directly contrary to the Treaties provisionally established. And as his Majesty ought rationally to expect, from the Lords the State's General, that they should ever look upon his Royal Word as firm and inviolable, they cannot be persuaded, that he would by any means whatsoever altar the Conditions which he hath proposed by so remarkable a Change; and are so much the more assured thereof, in that their Ambassadors at London, having represented to his Majesty of Great Britain the scruple of this new upstart Difficulty, his Majesty did answer them with assurance, that there should be no stop upon it; and thereby they have been strongly persuaded, that this delay was to be imputed, not to his Majesty's Sentiments, but to the persuasion of those who desire not a Peace: but that however they hope his Majesty, according to the greatness of his Generosity, will take off that Delay. As to the Proposition the French Ambassadors made in their Memorial, the Lords the State's General do consider it two very different ways; either as an Expedient to accommodate the Affairs of the Northern Powers, by amicable means; or else to employ their Forces to oblige their Allies to return the King of Sweden their Conquests, obtained during this War. As to the first, they doubt not that the French Ambassadors are sufficiently persuaded, with what servor they desired to see the accomplishment of a General Peace; and they shall never be better satisfied in any thing, than in seeing it concluded, and that they will always continue to interpose, and use their utmost endeavours to obtain a Benefit so much desired; entreating his Majesty, that he will please to furnish them with means in order thereunto, their Ambassadors being fully informed of their good intentions, without being obliged to the Evacuation of Places: But if it be his Majesty's inclination to engage them, in pursuance of that proposition to violence, and constraint, they find themselves obliged to say, That they understand no manner of ●●●ity therein, and that it is diametrically opposite to, what his Majesty did himself judge reasonable, and that they can by no means subscribe it, not being able at all to prevail with themselves but by force; they must engage their Allies, with whom they have been concerned in the same Obligations, to restore what they have taken from the Swedish King, and so consequently must be necessitated to take up Arms against their Friends and Confederates; a thing altogether unheard of, and which cannot justly be required of them; his Majesty having several times declared, that as for himself and his Allies, and in consideration of their Mighty Lordships and theirs, he only demanded the Neutrality beforementioned. And thus the Lords the State's General do assure themselves, that the French Ambassadors, as well as all those that are not prepossessed, will be convinced, that their Lordships are no way in fault, if the Peace be not immediately Concluded, and that the obligation to the Retention of the Towns cannot be imputed to them, it being so prejudicial to the Interest of their Affairs, that they can never be able to consent to it. They farther declare, that they will jointly use their utmost endeavours, for the accommodation of the Northern Powers, who are now at War, and who in effect, Conform themselves to the Expedient, which the French Ambassadors have proposed: but if their Reflection be applied by way of Force and Constraint, it cannot be in their opinion and expedient, but a thing never heard of, that by the Treaty of Peace, instead of disengaging themselves from the War, they should be constrained to turn it against their Allies. They do not at all doubt, that his Majesty has a Design to procure the Quiet of Europe, and they will voluntarily Contribute on their part, all they can possibly, but they cannot by any means expect from his Majesty's Justice, that he would oblige them to it, after so prejudicial a manner as the Retention of the Places will prove, and upon so vexatious a Condition, as that of waging War against their Allies, their Mighty Lordships, as they are wholly bend upon the Contribution of all friendly Offices, for the accommodation of the said Affairs in the North. So also, they promise themselves farther, that his Majesty will be willing to issue out necessary Orders for the Conclusion and Signing of the Peace upon the Conditions proffered, and that he will furnish them with Expedients, to Contribute also on their part, to the Repose of Christendom. This is that which the Lords the State's General of the United Provinces have thought good to give in answer to the Memorial of the French Ambassadors, at the same time Ordering their own Ambassadors, to appear forward in the Concluding and Signing the Peace, and most earnestly beseech the said French Ambassadors to Concur with them in that Business. But if the Completing of so beneficial a Work, and so universally desired, be delayed upon the account of retaining the Places, the said Ambassadors of the Lords the State's General, are obliged to protest in the name and behalf of the Lords their Masters, that their High and Mighty Lordships do no ways obstruct the Peace from being brought to a happy Issue. A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France, by the Plenipotentiaries of Sweden; July, the 27th. 1678. THe Declaration of his Most Christian Majesty, that the Places should not be Surrendered to Spain and the State's General, before the Swedes should receive satisfaction, is so Just and Generous, that his Most Christian Majesty cannot but thereby come off with Honour, and the King our Master with great Satisfaction. We could wish that that Declaration might have reduced our Common Enemies to Reason; but since it hath met with great opposition, as appears by the Memorial of the Holland Ambassadors, his Most Christian Majesty will without doubt Examine, if to arrive at the end proposed thereby; in consideration of the Re-establishment of Sweden, it will be more proper to defer the Restitution of the Places with the prospect of making a general Peace, of else agree to it as the States General desire, to the end there may be procured a Complete particular Peace with Spain and States General, as well for France as Sweden. On our part, we are not sufficiently informed what thoughts the King our Master may have upon this Affair; but as our Orders in general are, that we ought to Conform ourselves to the pleasure of France in the like Case, that we have good proof of the Intentions and Care of his Most Christian Majesty, and that we have not the Liberty to Correspond with the King our Master, to understand his Orders, We can assure you, that the King our Master will remain satisfied with what his Most Christian Majesty shall judge sit to Resolve, upon the account of the said Restitution of Places, as we do also put our whole confidence in his Majesty's Royal prudence, who one way or other will furnish him with such means as may tend to his own Glory; together with the absolute Re-establishment of his Ally. This is all we have Order to say; but if besides this, we must explain our mind more particularly, we are apt to believe, that in this present juncture of Affairs, the Completing a particular Peace, by the French and Swede, with the Spaniard and Hollander, would prove advantageous to the common Interest, and withal Glorious to his Most Christian Majesty. For it is for the advancement of the common Interest. 1. To disengage themselves from 2 Enemies, that are so much the more Considerable, because they support others by their Aids. 2. To avoid the new Rupture wherewith we are threatened, which being over, we cannot see how the Swedes will be able to make opposition, if you consider only their Commerce. 3. To divert the Engagements that are made against France and Sweden. 4. To frustrate their Design, who endeavour strictly to League together all the States of the Empire. 5. To be able to reduce to Peace the other Allies, who continue still in War, and so procure a General one, for which there is some probability, since that upon the Rumour of Accommodation between France and Holland, we see they were troubled, and begin to yield. 6. To be able to act Victoriously by force of Arms, against the said Confederates, in case that they refuse an Accommodation; the War being to be carried on against them with greater ease, when they are separated from those that have assorded them the greatest Supplies. Besides it will be very Honourable for his Most Christian Majesty. 1. To be able once more to restore Peace to Christendom. 2. To break all the Intrigues of his Enemies. 3. To Establish his Interests in what we have said before. 4. To show that he hath other ways for the Re-establishment of the Swedes, besides that now in Question. 5. To take occasion to make them sensible of the effects of his just Resentments towards them, who in these present Intrigues, have stood in opposition both to his good Designs and to his Glory. 6. To disabuse them who by the Inductions of those that are evil inclined, have questioned the sincerity of his Majesty's Intentions, in this Negotiation. 7. To let the World know that the intentions of others have been in effect to oppose the general Peace, since without that Impediment it might have been obtained. These are the Reasons of our particular Sentiments, which we beseech your Excellencies to take into your Consideration; but for the remainder to testify to his Most Christian Majesty, that we have no other Order from the King our Master, but to depend upon his Care for our Security, as hath been before Specified. The second Memorial of the Ambassadors of France, given into the Ambassadors of the State's General, the 29th. of July, 1678. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of France, not thinking fit to give an answer at present to the Memorial of the Ambassadors of the State's General of the 26th. of this month, when they ought rather to consider how to remove the impediment that is risen to obstruct the conclusion of the Peace, than to enter into such particulars of actions and reasonings as may exasperate, will say thus much only, that since the State's General declare themselves to be fully satisfied as to the sincerity of the intentions of the King their Master, and his Majesty is no less persuaded of their disposition towards a perfect reconciliation with himself, all that remains to be done, is to find the most ready means to perfect this great Work. To which end, the Ambassadors of France do now again assure the Ambassadors of the State's General, that his Majesty will readily join with them in such expedients as shall be most proper to remove the difficulties that hinder the Signing of the Peace. The said Ambassadors of the State's General may easily have observed that no other interest withholds his Majesty, than that of the King his Ally, whose satisfaction is the only end that he proposeth to himself in this Affair. His Majesty is also willing to admit of any proposals to accommodate it, and questions not but that some expedient may be found, with which both himself and the State's General may be satisfied. But to give a public Instance of his real intentions for Peace, and of his unfeigned affection to the State's General; his Majesty desires to hear himself what they can propose, to remove the impediments that stand in their way, and to join with them in. such expedients as may equally answer the security, that both himself wisheth and they desire. To this purpose his Majesty thinks fit to advance as far as St. Quentin, whither such Deputies that they shall resolve to send to him, may resort; and if they shall accept, as his Majesty believes they will, so beneficial an offer, his Majesty will be in that Town six days, after he shall have understood by his Ambassadors, that the States have agreed to send their Ministers thither: so that he and they may come thither at one and the same time. And as his Majesty doth not question but they will bring with them such sentiments as shall be just and reasonable, they will find his Majesty so fairly disposed, that they will have no cause left to question the Sincerity with which his Majesty hath begun and continued his endeavours for Peace. But because the Ambassadors of the State's General have remonstrated to those of France, at a conference held the 17th. of this month, that since his Majesties promise not to attaque any Place in the Low countries' is expired, it will be necessary to take some measures to procure a Cessation of all Acts of hostility, whilst this Negotiation is on foot; the said Ambassadors have already received instructions from his Majesty, to assure their Excellencies, that his Majesty will willingly agree with the Deputies of the State's General, upon using all means that may prevent its being interrupted by Arms. The said Ambassadors of France, cannot but think that it will be for the advantage of the State's General, to discuss this affair with his Majesty, and to agree upon the Peace with him. But if they had rather treat of it nearer their own Fronteers, his Majesty gives them liberty to send their Deputies to Gand, where such persons as shall be there on his Majesty's behalf, shall have power to Treat with them upon the difficulties than are risen concerning the time for evacuating the Places, and to conclude upon such expedients as may both satisfy his Majesty, and content the State's General, and also to agree forthwith upon a Cessation of Hostility; so as no molestation may be given to such dispositions for Peace, as this Negociation may produce. A Memorial given in by the Ambassadors of the State's General, to the Ambassadors of France, the 4th. of August, 1678. THe Ambassador and Envoy Extraordinary of their Lordships the State's General of the United Provinces, having sent to their Hi. and Mi. the Memorial of the Lords Ambassadors of France, of the 29th. of July, have received express order from their Masters to answer their Excellencies, that they were transported to understand thereby the continuance of his most Christian Majesty's real intentions for Peace; and that themselves will not be wanting on their part to do whatever may further the concluding it, and that they are extremely sorry to see it stick solely upon giving the King of Sweden satisfaction, and that that should be of such consideration to his Majesty, as to be capable of giving a stop to the finishing a work that is so much desired. The State's General think, that they have done all that could possibly be expected from a State, that is a Lover of Peace; having declared their acceptance of the Conditions which the King himself had proposed, as far as they concern themselves; and having laboured to the utmost of their power to bring their Allies to a compliance; in which endeavours they have been so successful with the King of Spain, that he likewise accepts the Conditions that concern himself. And yet after all this, to their great sorrow, they find themselves deprived of the benefit of those Conditions, not upon the account of any thing that might or aught to have been done by them, but because the King of Sweden must first be satisfied, though neither his Catholic Majesty nor themselves possessed any thing that must make part of his satisfaction; and though the said King continue daily to exercise all manner of Hostilities against their Inhabitants, directly contrary to Treaties solemnly ratified. Yet their Hi. and Mi. notwithstanding their Inhabitants meet with such bad usage from the said King, and though they have evidently had just cause to fall upon him, and make War upon him, as he does upon them, have chosen rather to endeavour a Peace in the North, and have offered to do all good offices in order to it; if his most Christian Majesty will be pleased to furnish them with some Expedients; and they do yet persist in the same mind, and should be ready to propose Expedients themselves, if they knew of any: But they cannot in any wise expect from his Majesty's generous disposition, that after having testified so much good will to them, he should oblige them to act forcibly against their Allies; and that, not to procure his Majesty better satisfaction, but merely for the benefit of his Ally. Their Hi. and Mi. will ever profess a great reverence for his Majesty, and will bear him as much deference as he can possibly desire; but they do not see of what use it will be to put his Majesty to trouble, by sending their Deputies to St. Quintin, not having any themselves to propose to him; for the Places must be Evacuated when the Treaty is concluded, in discharge of that solemn promise which his Majesty made to them; and as to that, there remains no difficulty. And concerning the King of Sweden, as his Majesty's Ally, they offer to do all friendly offices for his Accommodation; and certainly such endeavours cannot be made with greater likelihood of success any where else, than at Nimeguen, where all the Ministers of the Confederates are: There we may labour to dispose them, with hopes of success; there we may be informed of may be necessary to promote the common good, and may use all manner of endeavours, which cannot be so successful, either at St. Quintin or at Ghent. The State's General conceive the less hopes from such a Deputation, because the Ambassadors of France did not instance, as to what Expedients in particular their Deputies should come instructed: and they think his Majesty may propose what he would have, and do is to be done sooner, and more readily at Nimeguen, than either at St: Quintin or any other Place. They desire with all their hearts, that his Majesty would propose some Expedients to further the Peace; and themselves will at the same time make appear, how affectionately they desire to help forward, as much as in them lies, the perfecting this great work: and they earnestly desire, that the time may be well husbanded, for that as yet they find themselves in a condition able to conclude a Peace upon the terms that have been proposed, though they have been involved in a great deal of trouble, and been put upon a necessity of entering into new Engagements, by their manner of acting, whose expectations are not answered by the Peace, and who represented the Evacuation of the Places to their Hi. and Mi. as a thing to be despaired of; though they made those Engagements with such caution and regard to his Majesty, that they can be of no effect, unless the matter should fall out so unfortunately, as that his Most Christian Majesty should set such a value upon the King of Sweden's Satisfaction, and not to resolve to Evacuate the Places but upon those terms, though the Exchange of the Ratifications ensued upon it. The State's General do instantly desire his Majesty to conclude the Treaties, and not to suffer the finishing them to stick at the King of Sweden's Satisfaction; and to make them so happy, as to give them some assurance, as soon as may be, by taking up a favourable resolution, which is the thing they so greatly desire. The third Memorial of the Ambassadors of France, given in to the Ambassadors of the State's General of the United Provinces, the 6th. of August, 1678. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of France, to make appear more and more his Majesty's sincere desire to give quiet to all Christendom, by the care that his Majesty continues to take for the removing such obstacles as hinder the accomplishing so great a work, declare to the Ambassadors of the State's General, that as his Majesty designed to retain those Places, till the King of Sweden were entirely satisfied; only because the Ambassadors of that Crown thought it necessary for the King their Master; so he is now willing to desist, if those Ambassadors will consent, that he forbear to stand upon it. It is evident, that his Majesty doth not incline to any Party, but out of his desire to finish the affair of the Peace as soon as may be; and out of the confidence that he reposeth in the word of the State's General, he hath always desired, that they would send their Deputies, either to himself, or to Ghent, both to concert what will be necessary for the warranting to his Majesty the Engagement that Spain is to enter into, of not assisting his Enemies, nor those of his Allies, and to agree upon such means as his Majesty should propose to them, for the more easy restoring of Sweden, without obliging them to enter into a War in order to it: And one of the first effects that would ensue upon these Conferences, would be that of taking measures to supersede all Acts of Hostility, and of providing for the subsisting of Mons, while the Conferences should last. The said Ambassadors cannot doubt, but that such an overture will remove those difficulties that have hindered the State's General, and that as the signing their Treaty, and that of Spain, was delayed, only by his Majesty's pretending to retain all the Places; so his desisting from that, will enable them to sign the Peace. They conceive likewise, that the said State's General will be sensible of his Majesty's offers to surcease all acts of War, and assure the subsistence of Mons, which would perfectly be restored, if the Peace were concluded with their Deputies, so as there is ground of assurance that it will. A Memorial given by the Ambassadors of Sweden, to the Ambassadors of France, this 9th. of August, 1678. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden, being informed that the Ambassadors of the State's General, at a conference with the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, held the 28th of July, would have imputed to Sweden the delay that was happened to the conclusion of the Peace, that is making up betwixt the King their Master, and the State's General, conceive it is their duty to acquaint the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty, how they have acted throughout this affair, by which it will appear not to be long of them, that the Treaty is not at present ready to be perfected and Signed. In the first place, as the regulation of Commerce makes the principal point of the Treaty on the part of the State's General, the said Ambassadors of Sweden have offered all the facilities that could be desired of them in order to it. It was upon the 20th. of June, that the Count of Oxenstierne presented an Article for referring this affair to Commissioners, which not being agreed to, and the Ambassadors of the State's General, declaring that their Principals and Masters desired to see the regulation finished before the Peace were concluded, the said Count of Oxenstierne consented to enter into the particulars of the State's Project of Commerce, and thereupon, on the 27th. of June, acquainted Monsieur the Beverning, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State's General, that he had drawn a Counter-Project upon some Articles not yet agreed; which Counter-Project having been read to the Sieur the Beverning, was immediately by his advice delivered to Sieur Silvercroon, Commissary of Sweden, with orders to go quickly to the Hague, and help to inform the State's General more fully by Word of mouth, of the reasons upon which the Counter-Project was grounded, the said Sieur the Beverning affirming likewise that he had writ to his Principals and Masters, to appoint Commissioners to confer all matters with him as soon as might be. Which though the said Sieur Silvercroon immediately did, and the State's General received the Counter-Project, yet now in seven week's time they have not returned their answer to it, and remitted the affair hither to be adjusted and finished, by the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of both parties: in order whereunto the Ambassadors of Sweden have not failed all this time to make frequent instances, both here at Nimeguen, where they have been assisted by the Ambassadors of France, and at the Hague by the Sieur Silvercroon. Besides this point of Commerce, as there have been some complaints made that certain Vessels laden with Corn, and belonging to the Subjects of this State, have been taken and carried to Straelsond, and that Count Conningsmark had taken out their lading to serve for food for his Army, the Ambassadors of Sweden having been informed of the said complaints by the Ambassadors of the State's General, gave in a Declaration the 18th of July, that the said action of the Mareshal of Connigsmark could not be reputed any other than a mere act of necessity, which he then was reduced to, through want of Victuals and Correspondence; that the parties concerned should be satisfied to the full, and that he would pass any such Act to that end as should be thought fit, knowing that such was the King his Master's intention. The same has likewise been assured by the Commissary Silvercroon at the Hague, and an extract has since been delivered of a Letter from the Mareshal de Coningsmark, containing the like assurances, together with a relation how he had acted, and that he had paid the Masters of the Ships their Freight. Which things being so, the Ambassadors of Sweden believed that the State's General would have received all the satisfaction they could possibly desire, and that nothing was wanting to conclude a Peace betwixt the King their Master, and them, but to prepare such Articles as are usual almost in all Treaties of Peace, which would be no hard work for the Ambassadors of both parties to do. But in stead of that, they are surprised to understand, that there have been very bitter complaints against Sweden, in the answers that the Ambassadors of the State's General gave on the 26th. of July, and the 7th. of August, to the Memorials of the Ambassadors of France, and though the Ambassadors of Sweden have heretofore explained and declared themselves, as is before mentioned, yet they would not omit giving some proper answer to them, but that having agreed with the Ambassadors of France, that for the avoiding all sharpness, neither of them will meddle in things of that nature, they are willing to pass them all over with silence, and to endeavour something of reality; to which end they repeat their instances here at Nimeguen, as Monsieur Boreel cannot but know, as well as at the Hague by the Sieur Silvercroon, that the State's General would advance the Negotiation with Sweden, that the Peace may be concluded at the same time that it shall be with France, since one cannot be without the other. And the Ambassadors of Sweden apprehended, that the reiterating their instances had produced a good effect, since the Sieur Silvercroon sent word from the Hague, by the last Courier, That he had been conferred with, and that the Answer to the Counter-project was ready to be sent to Nimeguen. But whilst they were in this expectation, the Ambassadors of France inform them, That but yesterday the Ambassadors of the State's General renewed their complaints against Sweden, for raising difficulties, and that Count Coningsmark exercised acts of Hostility, Confiscating Ships and Cargoes belonging to the Subjects of this State; insomuch that the States had more reason to continue the War, than to think of a Peace with Sweden. By which the said Ambassadors perceiving with sorrow, that but little reflection is made upon what they have heretofore advanced, and being also very certain, that Monsieur Coningsmark hath not confiscated any thing belonging to the Subjects of this State, nor done any acts of Hostility against them, since they agree to make amends for all; and seeing how lightly the good Offices are thought on, which the Ambassadors of Sweden have done since they came to Nimeguen, to further a Peace for the benefit of this State; and even the endeavours which they have but lately used with his most Christian Majesty, to facilitate the Evacuation of the Places; do entreat the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, to answer and represent to the Ambassadors of the State's General, that they do ill to complain of Sweden, after it has offered so many facilities, and made so many advances; and consequently to induce them, instead of exasperating matters, rather to express such readiness and facility on behalf of the State's General, as may reasonably be expected from them, that so both Parties may receive that satisfaction which they wish for, in the conclusion of a good Peace. The said Ambassadors of Sweden hope, that the State's General have no intentions of protracting the Negotiation of the Peace with Sweden, to the end that themselves may be able to make a Separate Peace with his most Christian Majesty, excluding Sweden; but they think notwithstanding, that to prevent all obstacles, it were well, if all hopes of such a Separation were taken away. And therefore they do again desire the Ambassadors of his most Christian Majesty to renew this Declaration to the Ambassadors of the State's General, since it was upon this prospect, that the Ambassadors of Sweden advised the Restitution of the Places. The Treaty made, and passed between the commissioners deputed on behalf of the King, and those deputed likewise on behalf of the Catholic King, and of the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, about the demeanour of the Troops, and Garrisons of both sides, in the said Low Countries, till the Ratifications of the Treaty of Peace are Exchanged. The 19th. of August, 1678. IT being necessary to regulate after what manner the Forces shall carry themselves in the Low Countries, till the Ratification of the Peace, for the avoiding all Acts of Hostility that may disturb it, and for the ease of the People on both sides, it is agreed by those underwritten, in pursuance of their respective Authorities, as followeth; That the day after the Ratification of this present Treaty, all Acts of Hostility shall cease betwixt the Armies, and that in consequence thereof from the morrow of the said Ratification, the two Armies shall retire from the Neighbourhood of Mons. That the Army of the Most Christian King shall march toward Geuries or Merbepoterie; and that Commanded by the Prince of Orange beyond Haure towards Nivelle. That notwithstanding such Troops as form the Blockade of Mon's, under the Command of Monsieur du Montal and Monsieur de Quincy, shall not retire on that same day, but two days after the Ratification of the present Treaty, which will be the day after the two Armies shall have marched; and till such time as the said Blockade is raised, the Army Commanded by the Prince of Orange may continue encamped as aforesaid. That the Town of Mons shall remain after that in full and perfect Liberty, that all sorts of Persons, Provisions, and Merchandises may go in and out, as they do in other Towns under the obedience of Spain. That as for the Garrisons, six days after the Ratification of this present Treaty, or sooner, if possible, that is to say as soon as the Convoys can arrive at each Place, no parties nor detatchments shall make incursions into the Grounds and Countries of one another, but the Troops and Armies of each Crown shall abide within the extent of such Lands and Countries as are under the obedience of each Crown. That all such Prisoners as shall be taken on either side after the day of the Ratifying of this present Treaty, shall be restored without ransom; even Horses also, , Equipages, and Merchandises, and generally all other things whatsoever. That as at the time when the Treaty of Peace shall be executed, or betwixt this and then, it may be necessary for the Troops of one Crown or its Allies to pass into such Lands and Countries as now belong to the other: either side shall be at Liberty so to do, only for maintaining communication betwixt the several Places in the Low Countries, and to go thence, without taking any thing in such Lands and countries' but Forage only, or Sojourning there any longer than is usual in ordinary marches. That from the day of the Ratification of this present Treaty, as well the Subjects of each Crown as those of the State's General, shall be at Liberty to go and come without Passports within such Lands and Countries as do at present belong to the Crown or State, of which they are Subjects; and that there shall be no other need of Passports than for going from Lands now belonging to one Crown or State, to such as do at present belong to the other. That from six days after the Ratification of the present Treaty, the Troops and Armies of each Crown shall live upon the Lands and Countries of which each is now in possession, without foraging in one another's Country: it being understood that the word possession is not meant to comprehend or pass as in right of possession, such passages and posts as the Armies and Parties have made or do now make in the places where they are or have been. That from the day of the Ratification of this Treaty, all extraordinary demands of Contributions, Cows, Prisoners, and Carriages shall cease on both sides in one another's Country, so as neither party shall be at Liberty to make such demands upon emergent necessities, but within such Countries as each is in possession of. That the Arrears of Contributions for the year that will expire the 16th. of October next, from those Countries that are actually brought under such Contributions, shall continue to be exacted on both sides, but in such manner only as shall be agreed by the Lord's Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen. That if, contrary to all appearance, any difficulty shall happen as to the performance of this present agreement, in all or in part, the same shall be adjusted in a friendly manner, by the Generals, or such as shall be thereto authorised, without altering this agreement upon any such occasion, or suffering any recourse to force. All this the Deputies underwritten have respectively agreed, and have promised to produce to morrow the Ratifications of the same by Monsieur, the Duke of Luxemburg, Peer and Marshal of France, Captain of the Garde-du-corps to the Most Christian King, Commander in chief of his Majesty's Army in Flanders, and by the Duke de Villa Hermosa Gentleman of the Bedchamber to his Catholic Majesty, Governor, and Captain General of the Catholic Low Countries. At the Camp near Mons, the 19th. day of August, 1678. Robert Fagel de Contamougear. We approve and Ratify all the Contents of the foregoing Treaty. Montmorgency Luxemburg. Duke de Villa Hermosa, Conde de Luna. The Deputy of the United Provinces to the Army underwritten, authorised by his Highness the Prince of Orange, approves the foregoing Treaty, having been made in his presence, and with his participation, for so much as it concerns his said Highness, and the Army and Troops of the Lords the State's General under his Command. De weed. His Highness having seen the Convention foregoing, made by virtue of the authority which he granted, doth approve and Ratify the same by these presents. At the Camp at Roeulx, the 20th. of August, 1678. William Prince of Orange. Treaties of Peace and Commerce, Navigation and Marine, betwixt France, and the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-countrieses, concluded at Nimeguen the 10th. of August, 1678. LEWIS by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre, to all that shall see these presents, Greeting. Since our most dear and wellbeloved Cousin, the Sieur Comte D' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of oùr Orders; our faithful and wellbeloved, the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissi, Counsellor in Ordinary in our Council of State; and our faithful and wellbeloved, the Sieur De Mesmes Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Councils; Our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries, by virtue of the Plenary Powers which We had given them, have Concluded, Agreed, and Signed the 10th, of this month at Nimeguen, with the Heer Hierosm van Beverningh, Baron of Teylingenham, Curator of the University of Leyden, late Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low-countrieses; the Heer Wilhem van Nassau Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first Noble, and Representative of the Nobility in the States and Council of Zealand, and the Heer Wilhem van Haren Griedtman van Bildt; Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most Dear and Great Friends the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, instructed likewise with full Power, the Treaty of Peace according to the Tenor ensuing. In the name of God the Creator: To all present and to come, be it known; that as during the course of the War that has been stirred for some years betwixt the Most High, Most Excellent, and Most Mighty Prince Lewis the 14th, by the grace of God Most Christian King of France and Navarre, and the Lords the State's General of the United Provinces, His Majesty always maintained a sincere desire to give back to the said States his principal friendship, and they all the sentiments of respect for his Majesty, and of acknowledgement for the obligations and considerable advantages which they have received from his Majesty, and the Kings his Predecessors, it is at last come to pass that these good dispositions, seconded by the powerful Offices of the Most High, Most Excellent, and Most Mighty Prince, the King of Great Britain, who during these troublesome times, wherein almost all Christendom has been in War, hath not ceased by his Counsels and good Advertisements to contribute to the public weal and repose, induced as well his Most Christian Majesty and the said States General, as also all other the Princes and Potents, that are concerned in the interest of this present War, to consent that the Town of Nimeguen should be made choice of for the Treaty of Peace, to which end his Most Christian Majesty named for his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries, the Sieur Comte D' Estrades Marshal of France, and Knight of his Orders, the Sieur Colbert Knight, Marquis of Croissi Councillor in ordinary in his Counsel of State, and the Sieur Mesmes Knight, Comte D'Avaux, Councillor also in his Counsels, and the said States General, the Heer Hierosme Van Beverning Baron of Teylingen, Curator of the University of Leyden, late Councillor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces, the Heer Wilhem van Nassau, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first noble, and representative of the nobility in the States and Council of Zealand, and the Heer Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Bildt, Deputies in their Assemblies, on the behalf of the States of Holland, Zealand, etc. Which Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries, duly instructed with the good intentions of their Masters, were to repair to the said Town of Nimeguen, where after a mutual communication of their plenary powers, the copies whereof are inserted word for word at the end of this Treaty, it was agreed upon Conditions of Peace and Friendship, according to this ensuing Tenor; viz. I. There shall be for the future betwixt his Most Christian Majesty and his Successors Kings of France and Navarre, and his Kingdoms on the one part; and the Lords the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, on the other part, a good, firm, faithful, and inviolable Peace, and all Acts of Hostility of what kind soever shall hereafter cease, and be forborn betwixt the said King, and the said Lords the State's General, as well by Sea and other waters, as by Land, in all their Kingdoms, Countries, Lands, Provinces, and Seignories, and for all their Subjects and Inhabitans of what Quality or Condition soever, without exception of Places or Persons. II. And if any Prizes are taken on either side, in the Baltcik Sea, or the North Sea, from Terneuse to the channel's mouth, within the space of four weeks, or from the said mouth of the channel to the Cape of St. Vincent within the space of six weeks, and further in the Mediterranean Sea, and as far as the Aequinoctial, within the space of ten weeks and beyond the Line, and in all parts of the World within the space of eight months, to be computed from the day on which the Peace shall be published at Paris and at the Hague, the said Prizes and the damages that shall happen on either side after the Terms prefixed, shall be brought to account, and whatever shall have been taken, shall be restored, with recompense for the damages that shall have happened thereby. III. There shall be moreover betwixt the said King, and the said Lords the State's General, and their Subjects and Inhabitants, mutually, a sincere, firm, and perpetual friendship, and good correspondence by Sea and Land, in all things and in all places, within Europe and without, and no resenting of the offences or damages that have been received either in time past, or by reason of the said Wars. iv And in virtue of this Friendship and Correspondence, as well his Majesty as the said Lords the State's General, shall faithfully procure and further the good and prosperity of one another, by all Support, Aid, Counsel and real Assistances, upon all occasions, and at all times, and shall not consent for the future to any Treaties or Negotiations that may be to one another's damage: but shall break them off, and give notice of them to one another with care and sincerity, as soon as ever they come to their knowledge. V They that have had any of their goods seized and confiscated by reason of the said War, their Heirs or Assigns of what Condition or Religion soever, shall enjoy such goods and take them into possession of their own private authority, and by virtue of this present Treaty, without standing in need to have recourse to Law, and that notwithstanding any appropriations to the Exchequer, engagements, gifts in writing, sentences preparatory or definitive given by default and contumacy in the party's absence, or without their being heard, Treaties, Accords, and Transactions, and any Renunciations that may have been made at such transactions, to exclude the right owners from any part of such goods, and all and every the goods and rights, which according to this present Treaty shall or aught to be restored on either side to the first Proprietors, their Heirs and Assigns, may be sold by the said Proprietors, without obtaining any particular Licence so to do: and likewise the Proprietors of such Rents as shall be settled by the Exchequers in lieu of goods sold, as also of such Rents and Actions as stand on charge in the Exchequers, may respectively dispose of the Propriety thereof by sale or otherwise, as of their other proper goods. VI And since the Marquisate of Bergenopzome, with all the Rights and Revenues thereunto appertaining, and generally all the Lands and Goods of Monsieur le Comte D'Auvergne, Colonel General of the Light Horse of France, that were under the power of the said States General of the United Provinces, have been seized and confiscated by reason of the War, to which the present Treaty ought to put a happy end, it is agreed that the said Sieur Compte D'Auvergene shall be restored to the possession of the said Marquisate of Bergenopzome, its appurtenances and dependences; and also to all the rights, actions, privileges, usages, and prerogatives that he enjoyed at the time when the War was declared. VII. Each shall continue seized of, and shall actually enjoy the Countries, Towns, Places, Lands, Islands, and Seignories, within Europe and without, which they now hold and possess, without being disturbed or molested, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever. VIII. But his Most Christian Majesty, willing to give back to the Lords the State's General his Principal Friendship, and to give them a singular proof thereof upon this occasion, will immediately after the exchange of the Ratifications put them into possession of the Town of Maestricht, with the Comte of Uronof, and the Comtez and Countries of Fauquemond, Aalhem, and Rolleduc beyond the Maes, together with the Villages of Redemption, Banc d' St. Servais, and whatever is belonging to the said Town. IX. The said Lords the State's General promise that what ever concerns the exercise of the Roman Catholic Religion, and such as profess it enjoying their Goods, shall be reestablished and maintained in the said Town of Maestricht and its dependences, in the same state and in such manner as was regulated by the Capitulation made in the year 1632: and that such as shall have been endowed with any Ecclesiastical goods, Canons Places, Parsonages, Provostships, and other Benefices, shall continue settled in them and enjoy them without any contradiction. X. His Majesty restoring to the said Lords the State's General, the Town of Maestricht and Countries thereunto belonging, may yet take and carry away all the Artillery, Powder, Bullets, Provisions, and other Warlike Ammunition, that shall be found there at the time of its Restitution; and they that his Majesty shall have appointed for this purpose, may if they please, make use of the Boats and Carriages of the Country for two months' time: and shall have free passage by Water and Land for the carrying away the said Ammunition: And the Governors, Commanders, Officers, and Magistrates of the said Town, shall give them all the facilities they can for the carriage and conduct of the said Artillery and Ammunition. Also the Officers, Soldiers, Men of War, and others that shall leave the said Place, may take thence and carry away all their movable Goods; but it shall not be lawful for them to exact any thing from the inhabitants of the Town of Maestricht or its neighbourhood, nor to do any hurt to their houses, or carry away any thing belonging to the said inhabitants. XI. All Prisoners of War on both sides shall be delivered, without distinction or exception, and without paying any ransom. XII. The raising of contributions demanded by the Governor of the Town of Maestricht, of the countries' subjected, shall continue for all that shall become due till the Ratification of the present Treaty, and such Arrears as shall remain, shall be paid within three months after that, at convenient times; for which a valuable caution shall be given in some Town within his Majesty's Dominion. XIII. The said Lords the State's General have and do promise not only to maintain a perfect Neutrality, without being at Liberty to assist directly or indirectly the enemies of France or its Allies; but also to garrant all such engagements as Spain shall enter into, by the Treaty that is to be betwixt Their Most Christian and Catholic Majesties, and especially that whereby the Catholic King shall be held to the same Neutrality. XIV. If through inadvertence or otherwise there happen any want of due observance of this present Treaty, or other inconvenience relating thereunto, on the part of his said Majesty, or of the Lords the State's General, and their Successors, this Peace and Alliance shall remain in full force notwithstanding, so as no breach of friendship or of good correspondence shall ensue thereupon, but such contraventions shall be speedily repaired; if they shall be occasioned by any particular Subject's faults, those Subjects only shall be punished. XV. And for the better securing Commerce and Friendship hereafter between the Subjects of the said King, and those of the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, it is agreed and accorded, that in case there shall be in time to come any interruption of friendship, or that a breach shall happen between the Crown of France, and the said Lords the State's General of the said United Provinces (which God forbidden) then six months after such breach shall always be allowed to the Subjects of both parties, to retire with their effects, and transport them whithersoever they think fit, which also they shall be permitted to do: as likewise to sell or transport their goods and movables with all freedom, so as no hindrance shall be given to them, nor any proceed be to seize their effects, much less to secure their Persons. XVI. As for the pretences and interests that concern the Prince of Orange, upon which there has been a separate Treaty and Agreement by an Act this day Signed, the said writing and all the Contents of it shall be effectual, and shall be confirmed, fulfilled and executed according to the Form and Tenor thereof; neither more nor less than if all its points in general, and every one of them in particular, were word for word inserted into this present Treaty. XVII. And as his Majesty, and the Lords the State's General acknowledge the powerful Offices that the King of Great Britain has incessantly employed by his Counsels and good Advertisements for the public Weal and Repose; so it is agreed on both sides, that his said Majesty of Great Britain, and his Kingdoms, be comprehended by name within this present Treaty, according to the best form that may be. XVIII. Within this present Treaty of Peace and Alliance, shall be comprehended on the part of the said Most Christian King, the King of Sweden, the Duke of Holstein, the Bishop of Strasburg, and Prince William of Furstemburg, as interessed in the present War: And there shall likewise be comprehended, if they will themselves, the Prince and Crown of Portugal, the Duke and Seignory of Venice, the Duke of Savoy, the Thirteen Cantons of the Ligue-Switzers and their Allies, the Elector of Bavaria, Duke John Frederick of Brunswick Hanover, and all Kings, Potentats, Princes, and States, Towns, and particular Persons, to whom his Most Christian Majesty shall grant at their request, to be comprehended within this Treaty on his part. XIX. And on the part of the Lords the State's General, the King of Spain, and all other their Allies, that within six weeks, to be computed from the exchange of the Ratifications, shall declare their acceptance of the Peace, as also the Thirteen laudable Cantons of the Ligue-Switzers and their Allies and Confederates, the Town of Embden, and moreover all Kings, Princes, and States, Towns, and particular Persons, to whom they shall grant at their request, to be comprehended on their part. XX. The said King, and the said Lords the State's General do consent, that the King of Great Britain, as Mediator, and all other Potentats and Princes, that shall be willing to enter into the like engagement, may give his Majesty and the said States General their promise, and tie themselves to garrant the performance of all that is contained in this present Treaty. XXI. This present Treaty shall be Ratified and Approved by the said King, and the said Lords the State's General, and each parties Letters of Ratification shall be delivered in proper due form within the Term of six weeks, or sooner if it may be, reckoning from the day of Signing. In witness whereof, We the aforesaid Ambassadors of his Majesty, and of the Lords the State's General, by virtue of our respective powers, have on their behalves Signed these presents with our ordinary Seals, and have set our Coats of Arms to the same: At Nimeguen, the 10th. of August, in the year of our Lord, 1678. Le Ma' D' Estrades. H. Beverning. Colbert. W. van Nassaw. De Mesmes. W. Haren. WE liking well the aforesaid Treaty of Peace in all and every the points and Articles therein contained and declared, have for ourselves, our Heirs, Successors, Kingdoms, Countries, Lands, Lordships, and Subjects, accepted, approved, ratified, and confirmed; and do Accept, Approve, Ratify, and Confirm the same, and do promise upon the Word and Faith of a King, to keep and observe the whole inviolably, without ever acting to the contrary directly or indirectly, in any sort or kind whatsoever, and thereto we oblige and mortgage all and every our goods that are or shall be. In witness whereof, we have Signed these presents with our own hand, and have made our Seal to be set thereto. Given at St. en Say, the 18th. day of August, in the year of Grace, one thousand six hundred seventy and eight, and of our Reign the thirty sixth. Signed Lewis, By the King. And underneath, Arnauld. The Ratification of the Treaty of Peace, by the State's General. THe State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries. To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. Having seen and examined the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, made and concluded at Nimeguen, the 10th. day of August, 1678. By the Sieur Comte D' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King, the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in his Council of State, and the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d'Avaux, Counsellor likewise in his Counsels, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty at the meeting at Nimeguen, in the name and on the behalf of his said Majesty; and by the Heer Hierosme de Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces, the Heer Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene, etc. first noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and at the Council of Zealand, and the Heer Wilhem van Haren, Grietman du Bildt, Deputies in our Assembly on behalf of the States of Holland, Zealand and Friesland, our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen, in our Name and on our behalf, by virtue of their full respective powers; Having likewise seen and examined the Letter which our said Ambassadors and Plenipotenries wrote to the said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty, the sixteenth day of the said month of August; and the answer that the said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his said Majesty returned thereunto, concerning the explanation of the thirteenth Article of the said Treaty; as also the Act of the 15th. of September this present year, by which his said Majesty declared his good liking of the explanation which his said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries made upon the thirteenth Article of the said Treaty of Peace, of which Treaties, Letters, Acts and Powers, the Tenor is as followeth: In the Name of God the Creator. To all, etc. page. And forasmuch as the Contents of the said Treaty import that the Letters of Ratification shall be delivered on both sides in due and proper form within six weeks, or sooner if it may be, from the day of Signing; We willing to give proofs of our sincerity, and to discharge the promise which our Ambassadors made for us, have agreed, approved, and Ratified the said Treaty, and every Article thereof above transcribed, and do Agree to, Approve, Ratify, and Confirm the same by these presents, promising Faithfully and Sincerely to keep, maintain, and inviolably to observe the same in every point, according to the Form and Tenor thereof; without ever acting contrary thereunto directly or indirectly, in any manner or kind whatsoever. In Witness whereof, we have made these presents to be Signed by the Precedent of our Assembly, and Countersigned by our Principal Register; and our great Seal to be put thereto. Given at the Hague, the 19th. day of Sept. in the year, 1678. D. van Wyngaerd. By order of the said Lords the State's General. H. Fagel. Here follows the Tenor of the Power of his Majesties said Ambassadors. LEWIS by the grace of God King of France and Navarre; To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we wish for nothing with greater ardency, then to see the War that at present afflicts Christendom, end in a good Peace; and that by the Care and Mediation of our most dear and most beloved Brother, the King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all the parties for the place of Conference: We out of this same desire, to put a stop as far as in us lies, to the desolation of so many Provinces, and the shedding of so much Christian blood, Declare that confiding entirely in the Experience, Ability, and Faithfulness of our most dear and well beloved Cousin, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders, of our faithful and well beloved, the Sieur Colbert Marques de Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in our Council of State; and of our faithful and well beloved, the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Counsels, by reason of the advantageous trial that we have made of them in divers Embassies and considerable Employments, wherein we have entrusted them, both within our Kingdom and without; For these reasons and other good considerations us thereunto moving, We have Appointed, Ordained, and Deputed, and by these presents Signed with our hand, do Appoint, Ordain, and Depute the said Sieurs, Marshal d' Estrades, Marquis de Croissy, and Comte d' Avaux, and have given unto them, and do hereby give full Power, Commission, and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and to Confer there, either directly or by the interposition of Ambassadors Mediators, respectively received and agreed to; with all Ambassadors and Ministers of our most Dear and great Friends, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, and of their Allies; being all qualified with sufficient Powers, and there to Treat upon means for the determining and appeasing the differences that cause the War at this day; And our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together, or two of them in absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or one of them in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other impediment, may agree and conclude thereon, and Sign a good and sure Peace, and generally may do, Negociate, Promise and Agree whatever they shall think necessary for the said Peace, with the same authority that we should do or might do, if we were there present in Person; although some things should happen that might require more particular instructions than are contained in these presents. Promising on the Faith and Word of a King, to hold firm and fulfil whatever by the said Sieurs, Marshal d'ye Estrades, Marquis de Croissy, and Comte d' Avauz, or by two of them in the absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or by one only in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other impediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and agreed, and to cause our Letters of Ratification to be dispatched within such time as they shall have promised in our Name to exhibit them. For such is our pleasure; In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be set to these presents. Given at St. in Say, the Twenty third day of December, in the year of Grace, one thousand six hundred seventy and five, and of Our Reign the Three and thirtieth. Signed Lewis, and upon the fold, by the King, Arnauld; and sealed with the great Seal in yellow Wax. The Tenor of the Power of the said Ambassadors of the State's General of the United Provinces. THe State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, to all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we desire nothing with greater ardency than to see the War that at this present oppresseth Christendom, end in a good Peace, and since by the care and mediation of the Most Illustrious King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed to by all parties for a place of Conference, We desiring as far as in us lies, to put a stop to the desolation of so many Provinces, and the shedding so much Christian blood, have been willing to contribute thereto whatever lies in our power, and to that end have deputed to that Assembly some Persons of our own body, who have given manifold proof as well of their knowledge and experience in public Affairs, as of their affection for the good of our State, and since the Heeren Hierosme van Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University of Leyden, late United Provinces, Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene, etc. first noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the State's Council of Zealand, and Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Bildt, Deputed to our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland, Zealand and Friezland, have Signalised themselves in many important employments, in our service, wherein they have given instances of their fidelity, presence of mind, and readiness in the managment of Affairs. For these causes and other good considerations us thereunto moving, we have appointed, ordained, and deputed, the said Heeren Van Beverning, Van Odyke, and Van Haren, and do appoint, ordain, and depute them by these presents; and have given them, and do hereby give them, full Power, Commission, and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and there to Confer, either directly or by the interposition of Ambassadors Mediators, received and agreed to respectively, with the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty and his Allies, being qualified with sufficient powers; and there to Treat upon means for the determining and appeasing the differences that occasion the War at this day; and our aforesaid Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together, or two of them in absence of the third by reason of sickness or other impediment, or one only in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other impediment, may agree and conclude thereupon, and Sign a good and sure Peace, and generally may act, negotiate, promise and agree what ever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace, and generally may do whatever we ourselves might do, if we were there present, even in such things as might require more particular power and instructions than are contained in these presents: And we do promise truly and faithfully to like well and hold for firm and stable whatever, by the said Heeren our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, or by two of them in case of sickness, absence, or other impediment of the third, or by one only in absence of the other two, on the like occasion of sickness or other impediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and agreed, and to cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification within such time as they shall have promised in our name to exhibit them. Given at the Hague in our Assembly, under our great Seal, Signed by the Precedent, and with the sign of our Principal Register, this fourth day of January, in the year one thousand six hundred seventy and six, Signed, J. Bootsma. And on the fold, By Order of the said Lords the State's General. Signed, H. Fagel. And sealed with the great Seal with red Wax. A separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange. LEWIS by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre, to all that shall see these presents, greeting. Since our most dear and well-beloved Cousin, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders, our faithful and well-beloved, the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in our Council of State, and our faithful and well-beloved, the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Counsels, our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries, by virtue of the plenary powers which we had given them, have Concluded, Agreed, and Signed, on the tenth day of this month at Nimeguen, with the Sieur Hierosene van Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, heretofore Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, the Sieur Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first noble and representative of the Nobility in the States and at the Council of Leyden, and the Sieur Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Bildt, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most Dear and great Friends, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, qualified likewise with plenary powers, this Article in Tenor as followeth; viz. As in pursuance of the War which for some years has happened betwixt the Most Christian King, and the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-countrieses, his Majesty caused to be seized all things belonging to the Prince of Orange, as well the Principality of Orange as other his Lands and Seignories lying in France, and granted the Revenues thereof to Monsieur the Comte d' Auvengne, who enjoys the same at present, and since by the grace of God a Peace is settled by the Treaty this day concluded, and so all the angry effects of War ought to cease, his Majesty hath promised to the said Prince, and doth promise by this separate Act, that immediately after the Ratifications exchanged, his Majesty will take off the said Seizure, and cause the said Prince to be restored to the possession of the said Principality, and of the Lands which belong to him in France, Franche Comte, Charleroy, Flanders, and other countries' depending upon his Majesty's Rule, and to all his rights, actions, privilege, usages, and prerogatives, in such estate and manner as he enjoyed the same, till he was dispossessed by reason of the present War. Nimeguen, the 10th. day of the month of August, in the year, 1678. Marshal D' Estrades. H. Beverning. Colbert. W. de Nassaw. De Mesmes. W. Haren. WE well liking the separate Article aforesaid in all and every point thereof, have by these presents Signed with our hand, allowed, approved, and ratified, and do allow, approve, and Ratify the same, promising upon the Faith and Word of a King, to fulfil, observe, and cause to be observed, the same, truly and faithfully, without ever suffering any thing to be acted directly or indirectly to the contrary thereof, for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever. In witness whereof we have Signed these presents with our hand, and have caused our Seal to be put thereto. Given at St. in Say, the 18th. day of August, in the year of Grace, One thousand six hundred seventy eight, and of our Reign the Thirty sixth. Signed, Lewis, and underneath was Signed, By the King, Arnauld. The Ratification of the separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange, by the State's General. THe State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries. To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. Since besides the Treaty of Peace made and concluded at Nimeguen on the 10th. day of the month of August, 1678. There was likewise made a separate Article by the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King, the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in his Council of State, and the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor likewise in his Counsels, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty at the Assembly at Nimeguen, in the name and on the behalf of his said Majesty, and by the Sieur Hierosme de Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University of Leyden, heretofore Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces, the Sieur Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first Noble, and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and at the Council of Zealand, and the Sieur Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Bildt, deputies in our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland, Zealand, and Friezland, our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen, in our name and on our behalf by virtue of their respective plenary powers, of which separate Article, the Tenor is as followeth; viz. A separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange, since in pursuance of the War, etc. page. We have Agreed, Approved, and Ratified, and do by these presents Agree, Approve, and Ratify the said separate Article, and that it be inserted into the aforesaid Treaty of Peace and Friendship, promising to keep, maintain, and inviolably to observe all that is therein contained, without ever acting directly or indirectly to the contrary, under any pretence whatsoever. In witness whereof we have caused these presents to be Signed by the Precedent of our Assembly, and Countersigned by our principal Register, and our great Seal to be set thereto. Given at the Hague, the 19th day of. September. 1678. D. van Wyngaerd. By Order of the said Lords the State's General. H. Fagel. A Treaty of Commerce, Navigation, and Marine, betwixt France and the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries. Concluded at Nimeguen, the 10th. of August, 1678. LEWIS by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre, To all such as shall see these presents, greeting. Since our most dear and well-beloved Cousin, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France, Knight of our Orders, our faithful and well-beloved, the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in our Council of State, and our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Counsels, our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries, by virtue of the plenary powers which we had given them, have Concluded, Agreed, and Signed, on the tenth day of this month in the Town of Nimeguen, with the Heer Hierosme van Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, heretofore Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, the Heer Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first Noble, and representative of the Nobility in the States and Council of Zealand, and the Heer Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Bildt, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most Dear and great Friends, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, instructed likewise with plenary powers, a Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Marine, in Tenor as followeth; viz. The Treaty of Peace which has this day been concluded betwixt the most Christian King and the Lords the State's General of the United Provinces, putting an end to all the Subjects of discontent, which for some time had altered the affection which his Majesty, following the example of the Kings his Predecessors, hath always had for their good and prosperity; and the said Lords the State's General entering again into the same desire, which they have heretofore testified for the greatness of France, and into sentiments of a sincere acknowledgement for the obligations and considerable advantages which they have heretofore received from it, there is reason to believe that this good understanding betwixt his Majesty and the State's General can never be disturbed. But as his Majesty will not omit any thing that may strengthen it, and the said States General being less desirous to perpetuate it, have thought that there was no better and more certain means than to establish a free and perfect correspondence between the Subjects on both Sides; and to this end to regulate their particular interests in matters of Commerce, Navigation and Marine, by the most proper Laws and Conventions for preventing all inconveniencies that might weaken the said good correspondence; his Majesty aforesaid, to satisfy the desire of the said States, hath ordained the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of his Orders, the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in his Council of State, and the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in his Counsels, to be his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries at the Assembly of Nimeguen; and the said Lords the State's General, the Heer Hierosme van Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces, the Heer Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first Noble, and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and Council of Zealand, and the Heer Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Bildt, deputed to their Assembly on behalf of the States of Holland, Zealand and Friezland, to confer and agree by virtue of their powers respectively to be produced, the copy whereof is here underwritten, upon a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation, in manner as followeth; viz. I. His Majesty's Subjects and those of their Lordships the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, shall mutually enjoy the same freedom in matters of Commerce and Navigation, that they ever enjoyed before this War, throughout all Kingdoms, States and Provinces of either party. II. And consequently they shall not exercise for the future any manner of Hostilities or Violence, the one against the other, neither by Sea nor Land, nor in Rivers, Roads, nor Sweetwaters, in any name or under any pretence whatsoever; neither may his Majesty's Subjects take any Commissions for Privateers, or Letters of reprisal from any Princes or States at enmity with the said Lords the State's General, much less molest or endamage them in any sort, by virtue of such Commissions or Letters of reprisal, nor so much as go to Sea with them, on pain of being prosecuted and punished as Pirates. Which shall reciprocally be observed by the Subjects of the United Provinces, with relation to his Majesty's Subjects; and to this end whensoever and as often as it shall be required on either side, there shall be published and renewed within such Lands as are under his said Majesty's obdience and within the United Provinces, most express and most precise Prohibitions to make use in any sort whatsoever of such Commissions, or Letters of reprisal, on the pain above mentioned, which shall severely be put in execution against the offenders, besides a full restitution which they shall be bound to make to such as they shall any wise have endamaged. III. And the better to obviate all such inconveniencies as might happen by reason of prizes taken through inadvertence or otherwise, and especially in places remote, it has been agreed and accorded, If any prizes shall be taken on either side in the Baltic Sea, or the North Sea, from Terneuse in Norway, to the channels mouth, within the space of four weeks, or from the mouth of the said channel to the Cape of St. Vincent, within the space of fix weeks, or beyond that within the Mediterranean Sea, and as far as the Equinoctial, within the space of ten weeks, or beyond the Line and in all other parts of the World, within the space of eight months, to be computed from the publication of this present Treaty, such prizes as shall be taken and damage done on either side, after the times prefixed, shall be brought to account, and whatever shall have been taken shall be restored, with recompense for all the damage thereby sustained. iv All Letters of mark and reprisal that heretofore may have been granted for any cause whatsoever, are declared void: nor may any be granted hereafter by either of the said Allies, in prejudice of the others Subjects, but only in case of manifest denial of Justice, which shall not be supposed to be, unless the request of the party that demands Letters of reprisal be communicated to the Minister of the State, against whose Subjects such Letters ought to be granted, that shall be upon the place, to the end that in four months' time or sooner, if may be, he may either inform himself to the contrary, or procure a restitution of what shall be due by Law. V Neither shall the private Subjects of his Majesty be liable to actions, or their Persons or Goods to arrests and seizures, for any debt that may be owing by his Majesty, nor the private Subjects of the said Lords the State's General, for the public debts of the said States. VI The Subjects and Inhabitants of the Countries under his Majesty's obedience and of the State's General, shall live, converse and frequent with one another in all good friendship and correspondence, and shall enjoy freedom of Commerce and Navigation throughout one another's Countries in Europe, for all sorts of Merchandises and Wares, the Traffic and Transportation whereof is not generally prohibited to all, as well Subjects as Foreigners, by the several Laws and Ordinances of each State. VII. And to this end his Majesty's Subjects and those of their said Lordships the State's General, may freely frequent with their Marchandifes and Ships, the Countries, Lands, Towns, Ports, Places, and Rivers of each State, may bring thither and sell there to all Persons indefinitely, may buy, traffic and transport all sorts of Merchandises, the Importation and Exportation whereof shall not be Prohibited, both to all his Majesty's Subjects and those of the said Lords the State's General; neither may this mutual Liberty be prohibited, limited or restrained by any privilege, grant, or any particular concession, neither shall either party be permitted to grant to their own Subjects any immunities, benefits, gratuitous concessions, or any other advantages besides those granted to the Subjects of the other party, or to their prejudice, neither shall the Subjects on either side be bound to pay greater or other duties, charges, payments or impositions whatsoever upon their Persons, Goods, Wares, Ships or Freights, directly or indirectly, by any name or under any title or pretence whatsoever, other than such as shall be paid by the proper and natural Subjects of either party. VIII. Ships of War belonging to either party shall always find the Roads, Rivers, Ports and Havens free and open for them to Sail in and out, and lay at anchor as long as they shall have occasion, without being liable to be searched; but with charge nevertheless to use this freedom with discretion, and not to give any subject of jealousy by a too long and affected stay, nor otherwise, to the Governors of the said Places and Ports, to whom the Captains of the said Ships shall declare the cause of their arrival and of their stay there. IX. His Majesty's Ships of War and those of the Lords the State's General and of their Subjects, that shall be fitted out for War, may with all freedom conduct such prizes as they shall have taken from their Enemies where they think good, without being tied to any duties, either of the Lords Admirals, or of the Admiralty, or any other; and so likewise that the said Ships, or the said, Prizes coming within his Majesty's Havens or Ports, or those of the said Lords the State's General, shall not be liable to be stopped or seized, nor the Officers of the several Places have power to inquire into the validity of the said prizes, but that they may go out, and be freely conducted, and with all freedom conveyed to the Places where the Captains of such Ships of War by virtue of their Commissions shall be obliged to have them forthcoming. And on the other hand there shall be no refuge nor retreat allowed within their Ports and Havens, to such as shall have taken any prizes from his Majesty's Subjects, or those of the said Lords the State's General; but if any such shall be driven in there by stress of weather or dangers of the Sea, they shall be sent out again with all possible haste. X. The Subjects of the said Lords the State's General shall not be accounted Aubains in France, and consequently shall be exempted from the Aubain Law, and may dispose of their goods by will, gift or otherwise: and their Heirs, Subjects of the said States, as well living in France as elsewhere, may possess themselves of their Estates, even though they died intestate, and that without purchasing Letters of naturalisation; and so as the effect of this grant shall not be liable to be drawn in question or impeded upon pretence of any right or prerogative of Provinces, Cities, or private Persons, likewise the Subjects of the said Lords the States may without such Letters of naturalisation, settle themselves in the Towns of his Majesty's Kingdom, for Commerce and Traffic, but so as not to be capable of acquiring the freedom of such Towns, without having obtained his Majesty's Letters of naturalisation in due form: and the inhabitants of the United Provinces shall be treated generally in all things and in all places as favourably as his Majesty's true and natural born Subjects: and particularly they shall not be liable to such taxes as may be laid upon strangers. And all contained in this present Article shall be observed within the Countries that are subject to the said Lords the States, with relation to his Majesty's Subjects. XI. Vessels laden belonging to either of the said Allies, sailing by the coasts of the other, if they shall be driven into any Road or Port by storm or otherwise, shall not be constrained to unlade, or to utter their Merchandise or any part thereof, nor bound to pay any duties, but only when they shall unlade voluntarily and of their own accord. XII. Masters of Ships, their Pilots, Officers, Soldiers, Mariners and other Seamen, the Vessels themselves, nor the Wares and Merchandises wherewith they are Laden, shall be liable to be seized or arrested, by virtue of any general or particular order of any whosoever, nor for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever, no not under pretence for the preservation and defence of the State: and generally it shall not be lawful to take any thing from the Subjects of either party without the owner's consent, and without payment of what shall be required. Wherein nevertheless it is not understood that such seizures or arrests shall be comprised as shall be made by order and authority of Law, and in the ordinary methods, for lawful debts, contracts or other legal causes, for which there shall be any proceeding by due course of Law. XIII. All the Subjects and Inhabitants of France, and of the United Provinces, may with all safety and freedom sail with their Vessels and traffic with their Merchandises, without any distinction to be made who are the proprietors, from their own Ports, Kingdoms and Provinces, and also from the Ports and Kingdoms of other States or Princes, to their Countries who are already, or hereafter may be declared enemies as well to France as to the United Provinces, or either of them. As also the said Subjects and Inhabitants may with the same safety and freedom sail with their Vessels, and traffic with their Merchandises, without any distinction to be made who are the proprietors, from the Places Ports and Roads of such as are enemies to both or one of the said parties, without contradiction or disturbance from any whosoever, not only directly from such places at enmity to a place neuter, but also from one enemy's Country to another, whether under the jurisdiction of one and the same Sovereign, or of several. XIV. This Transportation and Traffic shall extend to all sorts of Merchandises, except contrabanned Goods. XV. Within this kind of contraband Merchandises are only understood to be comprised all sorts of Fire-Arms, and their accoutrements, as Cannons, Muskets, Mortarpieces, Petards, Fire-Balls, Granades, Sausages, Barrels of Pitch, Carriages, Pitch-Forks, Bandeliers, Powder, Match, Saltpetre, Bullets, Pikes, Swords, Headpieces, Casques, Cuirasses, Halberds, Javelins, Horses, Saddles, Cases for Pistols, Belts, and other accoutrements for War. XVI. Within this kind of Contrabanned Merchandises shall not be comprised Wheat, corn, and other grain, Beans, Oil, Wine, Salt, nor generally whatever serves for nourishment and sustenance of life; but they shall remain free as other Merchandises and Wares, uncomprised within the foregoing Article, and it shall be lawful to transport them, even to places at enmity with their said Lordships the States, except to Towns and Places besieged, blocked up or invested. XVII. For the putting whereof in execution, it is agreed to be in manner following, viz. That the Ships and Barks with Merchandise belonging to his Majestics Subjects, having entered into any Haven of the said Lords the States, and intending to pass thence to those of the enemies aforesaid, shall be obliged only to show to the Officers of the Havens of the said Lords the States, from whence they shall departed, their Passports, containing the particulars of their Ships burden, attested and marked under the ordinary and known Seal and Sign of the Officers of the Admiralty of the places from whence they first loosed, and declare to what place they are bound, all in the ordinary and customary form. After which exhibition of their Passports, in manner aforesaid, they shall not be liable to be molested, searched, detained, nor retarded in their Voyages, upon any pretence whatsoever. XVIII. The same shall be observed with relation to such French Ships and Barks, as shall come within any roads of Lands under the obedience of the said Lords the States, without intending to enter into any Haven, or entering in, without intending to unlade or break their bulk; which Vessels shall not be bound to give account of their cargoes, unless there shall be some suspicion, of their carrying to the enemies of the said Lords the States, any Contrabanned goods, as aforesaid. XIX. And in case of manifest suspicion, the said Subjects shall be obliged to show within the Ports, their Passports, in manner aforesaid. XX. If they shall have entered into any Roads, or shall be met upon the High-Sea, by any Ships of the said Lords the States, or of Privateers their Subjects, such Ships of the United Provinces, for avoiding all disorder, shall not approach within Canonshot of the French, but may send their small Boat or Shallop on board the said French Ships or Barks, with two or three men only, to whom the Masters of the French Ships shall show the Passports, and Letters of Sea, in manner aforesaid, according to the formulary for the said Letters of Sea, that shall be inserted at the end of this Treaty; by which Passports and Letters of Sea, may appear not only the Ships burden, but also the place of abode and residence, as well of the Master or owner, as of the Ship itself; to the end that by these two means it may be known whether they carry any Contrabanned Merchandises, and the quality as well of the said Ship as of its Master and owner, may sufficiently appear; to which Passports and Letters of Sea, full credit and belief shall be given. And that the validity of them may the better appear, and that they may not in any sort be falsified or counterfeited, certain marks and counter-scriptions shall be given both by his Majesty, and by the said Lords the State's General. XXI. And in case any such Merchandises and Wares, as are above declared to be Contrabanned and Prohibited, shall, by the means aforesaid, be found within the said French Vessels and Barks bound for Havens, belonging to enemies of the said Lords the States, they shall be taken out, condemned and confiscated by the Judges of the Admiralty in the United Provinces, or other competent Judges; but so as the Ship and Bark, or other Goods, Merchandises and Wares found therein, being free and permitted, may not therefore be seized in any manner, nor confiscated. XXII. It is moreover accorded and agreed, that whatever shall be found laden by his Majesty's Subjects, in any Ship belonging to the enemies of the said Lords the States, though not being Contrabanned goods, shall be confiscated, together with all that shall be found in such Ship, without exception or reserve; but on the other hand also, whatever shall be, and be found in Ships belonging to the Subjects of the Most Christian King, shall be free and affranchised, though the lading, or part thereof, belong to the enemies of the said Lords the States, except Contraband goods, concerning which, such regulation shall be observed, as has been ordered in the foregoing Articles. And for the more particular clearing of this Article, it is moreover accorded and agreed, in case it shall happen, that both the said parties, or but one of them, shall be engaged in War, that the goods belonging to the Subjects of the other, and laden on board their Vessels that are enemies to both, or either, shall not in any wise be confiscated, by reason, or under pretence of being embarked in an enemy's Vessel; and this same shall be observed not only when such Wares shall have been shipped, bèfore the Declaration of the War, but even after such Declaration; provided that it be within the times and spaces following, viz. If they shall have been shipped within the Baltic Sea, or the North Sea, from Terneuse in Norway, to the mouth of the channel, within the space of four weeks, or from the channels mouth to the Cape of St. Vincent, within the space of six weeks, and from thence in the Mediterranean Sea, and as far as the Aequinoctial, within the space of ten weeks, and beyond the Line, and in all parts of the World, within the space of eight months, to be computed from the publication of this present Treaty. So that the Merchandises and goods of Subjects and Inhabitants, shipped in such Vessels, belonging to enemies, during the said Terms, and within the extents aforesaid, may not in any wise be confiscated, by reason of their being on board such enemy's Vessel, but shall be restored to the proprietors without delay, unless they shall have been put on board after the expiration of the said Terms. And yet it shall in no wise be permitted to transport to enemy's Ports such Contrabanned goods, as shall be found on board such enemy's Vessels; though they be restored for the reason aforesaid. And as it has been ruled in what has gone before, that a free Ship shall affranchise the Wares that are on board it, it is moreover accorded and agreed, that this freedom shall extend to such Persons likewise, as shall be in free Ships; in so much that though they be enemies to both parties, or to one of them, yet being found in a free Ship, they may not be taken thence, unless they be Soldiers, and actually in the Enemy's service. XXIII. All the Subjects and Inhabitants of the said United Provinces, shall reciprocally enjoy the same rights, liberties, and exemptions, in their Traffic and Commerce within his Majesty's Ports, Roads, Seas, and Estates, which it has but now been said, that his Majesty's Subjects shall enjoy in those of the said Lords the States, and on the High Sea, it being to be understood, that the equality shall be mutual in all respects on both sides, even though hereafter the said Lords the States should be in Peace, Friendship and Neutrality, with any Kings, Princes, or States, that should become enemies to his said Majesty, yet each party shall reciprocally adhere to the Conditions and Restrictions, expressed in the Articles of this present Treaty, which concern Traffic and Commerce. XXIV. And the better to assure the Subjects of the said Lords the States, that no violence shall be offered to them by the said Ships of War, all Captains of the King's Ships, and other his Majesty's Subjects, shall be forbidden to molest or endamage them in any thing whatsoever, on pain of being liable in their Persons and Estates; for such damages sustained, and to be sustained, till due Restitution and Reparation made. XXV. And for this reason, each Captain and Privateer shall be obliged for the future, before their departure, to enter good and solvent bail, before competent Judges, in the sum of Fifteen thousand Livres tournois, to answer each for all such misdemeanours, as they shall commit in their Voyages, and for the contraventions of their Captains and Officers to this present Treaty, and to his Majesty's Ordinances and Edicts, which shall be published by virtue, and in pursuance of what is hereby regulated; on pain that their Commissions and Licences shall become null and void; which thing the Subjects of the said Lords the State's General shall do in like manner. XXVI. If it should happen, any French Captain to take a Vessel laden with such Contrabanned goods, as a foresaid, such Captains may not open or break the Coffers, Nails, Bundles, Bags, Tuns, and other Cases, or Transport, Sell, or Exchange, or otherwise alienate them, unless they shall have been landed in presence of the Judges of the Admiralty, and after an Inventory made by them of the said Merchandises found in such Vessels: unless the said Contrabanned goods making but part of the Lading, the Master of the Ship, think good and agree to deliver the said Contrabanned goods to the said Captain, and to pursue his Voyage, in which case such Master or owner may not in any sort be hindered from pursuing his course, and the design of his Voyago. XXVII. His Majesty willing that the Subjects of the said Lords the State's General be treated in all countries', under his obedience, as favourable as his own Subjects, will give all necessary orders to have such Judgements and Decrees, as shall be given and made upon prizes taken at Sea, passed with all justice and equity, by unsuspected Persons, and such as are not concerned in interest in the things in question; and his Majesty will give precise and effectual Orders, that all Decrees, Judgements, and Orders of Courts of Justice, heretofore given, and hereafter to be given, be speedily and duly executed, according to their Forms. XXVIII. And whenever the Ambassadors of the said Lords the State's General, or other their Public Ministers, which shall be in his Majesty's Court, shall complain of such Judgements, as shall have been given; His Majesty will cause the said Judgements to be reviewed by his Council, that inquiry may be made, whether the Orders and Cautions contained in this present Treaty, have been pursued and observed, and that such provision may be made, as shall be reasonable: which thing shall be done within the space of three months at most: and yet neither before the first Judgement, nor after the same, hanging the review may the goods and effects which shall be reclaimed, be sold nor discharged, but with the consent of the parties concerned, to prevent their perishing. XXIX. If process issue at the first and second instance, against any that shall have taken prizes at Sea, and the parties interested in the same, and the said parties interested come to obtain a favourable Judgement or Decree, such Judgement and Decree shall be executed upon giving security, notwithstanding the appeal of him that shall have taken the Prize, but not contrariwise: and what has been said in this and the foregoing Articles, for the doing of right and speedy justice to the Subjects of the United Provinces, concerning Prizes taken by his Majesty's Subjects, shall be understood, that it is likewise to be performed by the Lords the State's General, with relation to Prizes taken by their Subjects, from those of his Majesty. XXX. His Majesty and the Lords the State's General may at any time cause to be built or freighted in one another's Country, such number of Ships, either for War or Trade, as they shall think good, and may buy such quantities of Ammunition as they shall have use for, and may use their authority for having such bargains for Ships and Ammunition, driven honestly and at reasonable prices; and yet neither may his Majesty, nor the Lords the State's General, grant the like permission to one another's enemies, in case such enemies shall be the aggressours. XXXI. If it shall happen that Ships of War or of Trade be driven by storm or other accident, on the coasts of either Ally, the said Ships, their furniture, goods, and Merchandise, and whatever shall be saved, or the proceed thereof, if the goods being perishable shall have been sold, the whole, if reclaimed by the proprietors or others, having charge of the same, within a year and a day, shall be restored without any formal process, paying only reasonable freight, and what shall be regulated betwixt the said Allies to be due for saving: and in case any thing be done contrary to this present Article, His Majesty and the said Lords the State's General, promise to use their authority effectually, for the punishing such of their Subjects, as shall be found guilty of those inhumanities', that have sometimes, to their great grief, been committed upon such like occasions, with all possible severity. XXXII. Neither his Majesty, nor the said Lords the State's General, shall receive, nor suffer their Subjects to receive, in any Country of their obedience, any Pirates or exiles whatsoever, but shall cause them to be pursued and punished, and driven out of their Ports, and as well the Ships, as goods taken by such Pirates or exiles, which shall be found in being, shall forthwith, without forms of process, be freely restored to the Proprietors reclaiming them. XXXIII. The Inhabitants and Subjects on both sides, may throughout the countries', under the obedience of his Majesty, and of the said Lords the State's General, make use of such Advocates, Proctors, Notaries, and Solicitors, as they shall think good: who likewise shall be appointed to them by the ordinary Judges; when there shall be occasion, and such Judges be thereto requested. And the said Subjects and Inhabitants shall be permitted on both sides, to keep their Books of Trade, and Correspondence in their several places of residence, in what Language they please, without being liable for that matter to be molested or searched. XXXIV. The said King, as also the said Lords the State's General, for the convenience of their trading Subjects, may settle Consuls, of their said Subjects Nation, in one another's Kingdom and Estates, which Consuls shall enjoy such Rights, Liberties, and Franchises, as belong to them, by reason of their function and employment: and they shall be settled in such places, as by common consent shall be Judged necessary. XXXV. His Majesty, and the said Lords the State's General, shall not suffer any Vessel of War, or other set forth by Commission, or for the service of any Prince, Commonwealth, or Town whatsoever, to come and make prize within the Ports, Havens, or any Rivers belonging to them, upon one another's Subjects; and in case any such thing shall happen, his said Majesty, and the said Lords the State's General, will use their authority and power, to cause restitution or reasonable reparation to be made. XXXVI. If through inadvertence, or otherwise, there should be any want of due observance of this present Treaty, or contraventions to the same on his Majesty's part, or of the said Lords the State's General, and their Successors, it shall remain in force notwithstanding, without coming for such cause to a breach of Confederation, Friendship, or good Correspondence; but such contraventions shall be speedily repaired; and if they shall be occasioned through the fault of any private Subjects, they only shall be punished and chastised. XXXVII. And for the better assurance for the time to come, of Commerce and Friendship between the Subjects of the said King, and those of the said Lords the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, it is accorded and agreed; That if hereafter any interruption of friendship or breach shall happen between the Crown of France, and the said Lords the State's General of the said United Provinces (which God forbidden) nine months' time shall always be allowed to the Subjects of both parties, after such rapture, to retire and withdraw their effects, and transport them whither they please; which likewise they shall be permitted to do: as also to sell and transport their goods and movables with all freedom; nor shall any hindrance be given them, nor any proceed be, during such time of nine months, to seize their effects, much less to arrest their Persons. XXXVIII. The present Treaty of Commerce, Navigation, and Marine, shall be in force Five and twenty years, to begin from the day of Signing; and the Ratifications shall be made in due form, and be exchanged on both sides, within the space of six weeks, to be computed from the day of Signing. A Formulary for Passports, and Letters to be granted by the Admiralty of France, to Ships outward bound, in pursuance of an Article of this present Treaty. LEWIS, Comte de Vermandois, Admiral of France, To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. We do you to know, that we have given leave and prmission to Master and Governor of the Ship called of the Town of of the burden of Tuns, or thereabout, lying at present in the Port and Haven of to sail to laden with after his Ship shall have been searched, who before he depart, shall make oath before such Officers, as have the jurisdiction of Marine causes, that the said Vessel belongeth to one or more of his Majesty's Subjects, the Certificate of which oath shall be annexed to these presents, as also to keep and cause to be kept by his Ships crew, the ordinances and regulations for maritime affairs, and shall enter in the office a Catalogue, signed and certified of the names and surnames, and the places of birth and abode of his Ships crew, and of all such as he shall have on board, whom he may not take in, without the knowledge and leave of the Officers for Maritime affairs; and in every Port or Haven, where he shall enter with his Ship, he shall show to the Officers and Judges of Maritime causes, this present Licence, and shall give them a faithful account of what shall have happened in his Voyage, and shall carry the King's Flags, Arms, and Ensigns, and ours, during his Voyage. In witness whereof, we have caused our Sign and Seal of Arms to be set to these presents; and have caused them to be under-written by our Secretary for Maritime affairs, at the day of one thousand six hundred Signed Lewis, Comte de Vermandois. And underneath Signed, by A form of the certificate containing the oath. We of the Admiralty certify that Master of the Ship named in the foregoing Passport, has taken the Oath therein mentioned, Given at the day of one thousand, six hundred Another form of Letters, to be granted by the Sea-Port-Towns of the United Provinces, to Ships and Barks outward bound, in pursuance of the aforesaid Article. TO the most Serene, most Illustrious, most Mighty, Honourable, and prudent Lords, Emperors, Kings, Commonwealths, Princes, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Lords, Burgermasters, Sheriffs, Counsellors, Judges, Officers, Justitiars, and Governors of all good Towns and Places, as well Ecclesiastical as Secular, which shall see or read these presents, We the Burgermasters and Governors of the Town of do to know that Master of the Ship appearing before us, hath solemnly deposed upon Oath, that the Ship called of the burden of about Lasts, of which at present he is Master, belongeth to the Inhabitants of the United Provinces, as God should help him, and as we should be willing to see the said Master assisted in his lawful Affairs, so we require you all in general, and those in particular, where the said Master with his Ship and Wares, shall arrive, that they will be pleased to receive him courteously, and duly to treat him, if he shall be a sufferer, with relation to the accustomed duties of Customs and Freights, within, through, and at your Ports, Rivers, and Demesnes, suffering him to Sail, Pass, Frequent, and Negotiate where he shall think fit, which we shall willingly acknowledge. In witness whereof, we have caused the Seal of our Town to be set hereto. Here follows the Tenor of his Majesties said Ambassadors Power. LEWIS, by the grace of God King of France and Navarre, To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we desire nothing with greater ardency, then to see the War, with which Christendom is at present afflicted, end in a good Peace; and since by the Care and Mediation of our most dear and most beloved Brother, the King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all parties, for the Place of Conference; We out of the same desire, to put a stop as much as in us lies, to the desolation of so many Provinces, and the effusion of so much Christian Blood, give to understand that we confiding entirely in the experience, ability, and fidelity, of our most dear and wellbeloved Cousin, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of our Orders, of our faithful and wellbeloved the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in our Council of State, and of our faithful and wellbeloved the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Counsels, by reason of the advantageous trials that we have made of them in divers Embassies, and considerable employments, wherein we have entrusted them, both within our Kingdom, and without, for these causes and other good considerations, us thereunto moving, we have appointed, ordained and deputed, and by these presents Signed with our hand, do appoint, ordain, and depute the said Sieurs, the Marshal d' Estrades, the Marquis of Croissy, and the Comte d' Avaux, and have given them, and do hereby give them full Power, Commission, and special Order, to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary, and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and there to confer, either immediately, or by the Mediation of the Ambassadors Mediators, respectively received and agreed to, with all Ambassadors and Ministers of our most dear and great friends, the States general of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, and their Allies, being all armed with sufficient Powers, and to Treat there of means, for the determining and appeasing the differences that cause the War at this day; and our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries may all three together, or two of them in absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or one only in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, agree thereupon, and conclude and sign a good and sure Peace, and may generally act, negotiate, promise, and agree, whatever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace, with the same authority that we should or might do, if we were present there in Person, even though there should be some things that might require more particular instructions than are contained in these presents: Promising on the Faith and Word of a King, to hold firm and fulfil whatever by the said Sieurs, Marshal d' Estrades, Marquis de Croissy, and Comte d' Avaux, or by two of them, in absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or by one only, in ansence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and agreed, and cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification, within such time as they shall have promised in our name to furnish them: For such is our pleasure. In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be put to these presents. Given at St. in Say, the Three and twentieth day of December, in the year of Grace, One thousand six hundred seventy five, and of Our Reign the Three and thirtieth. Signed Lewis, and upon the fold, By the King, Arnauld. And sealed with the great Seal, in yellow Wax. Here follows the Tenor of the Power of the said Lords, the Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the States of the United Provinces. THe State's General of the United Previnces of the Low Countries, To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we desire nothing more ardently, then to see the War, with which Christendom is at present afflicted, end in a good Peace, and that by the Care and the Mediation of the most Serene King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all parties for the place of Con, ference; We out of the same desire to put a stopas much as in us lies, to the desolation of so many Provinces, and the effusion of so much Christian blood, have been willing to contribute thereto all that is in our power, and to this end, have deputed to that Assembly, some persons of our own body, who have given many instances both of their knowledge and experience in public Affairs, and of their affection for the good of our State; and as the Heeren Hierosme van Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Counsellor and Treasurer-General of the United Provinces, Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene, etc. and first noble and representative of the Nobility, in the States and Council of the Province of Zealand, and Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Blidt, deputed to our Assembly, on the behalf of the States of Holland, Zealand, and Friezland, have signalised themselves, in many important employments in our service, wherein they have given instances of their fidelity, their presence of mind and readiness in the management of Affairs; so for these causes and other considerations us thereunto moving, we have appointed, ordained, and deputed, and do by these presents appoint, ordain, and depute, the said Heeren van Beverning, van Odyke, and van Haren, and have given them, and do hereby give them full Power, Commission, and special Order, to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and to confer there, either immediately, or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators, respectively received and agreed to, with the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of his most Christian Majesty, and his Allies, armed with sufficient Powers, and there to treat upon means for determining and appeasing the Differences that occasion the War at this day: And our aforesaid Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together, or two of them, in absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or one only, in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other impediment, may agree thereupon, and conclude and sign a good and firm Peace, and generally may act, negotiate, promise and accord, they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace, and generally may do we might do, if we were there present; though to that end, there should be need of more particular Power and Order, than is contained in these presents: Promising sincerely and faithfully well to like, and firm and stable to hold, by the said Heeren, our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, or by two of them, in case of sickness, absence, or other impediment of the third, or by one only, in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and accorded, and to cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification, within such time as they shall have promised in our Name to furnish them. Given at the Hague, in our Assembly, under our Great Seal: Signed by our Precedent, and with the Sign of our Principal Register, the fourth of January; in the Year, One thousand six hundred seventy six. Signed, J. Bootsma. Upon the Fould, By Order of the said Lords, the State's General. Signed, H. Fagel. And Sealed with the Great Seal, in Red Wax. In token whereof, we the Ambassadors aforesaid of his Majesty, and of the Lords, the State's General, by virtue of our respective Powers, have, in their Names, signed these presents with our ordinary Signs, and have caused our Seals of Arms to be put thereto. Nimeguen, the 10th of August, in the Year, One thousand six hundred seventy eight. The Mal. d' Estrades. H. Beverningh. Colbert. W. Van. Nassaw. De Mesmes. W. Haren. We liking well the foregoing Treaty of Peace, in all and every the Points and Articles therein contained and declared, have, for us, our Heirs, Successors, Kingdoms, Countries, Lands, Seignories and Subjects, accepted, approved, ratified and confirmed, and do accept, approve, ratify and confirm the same, and do promise upon the Faith and Word of a King, and bind and mortgage all and every our Goods that are and shall be, to keep and observe the same inviolably, without ever acting contrary thereto, directly or indirectly, in any sort or manner whatsoever. In witness whereof, we have signed these presents with our own Hand, and have caused our Seal to be set thereto. Given at St. in Say, the 18th day of August, in the Year of Grace, One thousand six hundred seventy eight, and of our Reign, the thirty sixth. Signed, Lewis, and underneath, By the King, Arnauld. A separate Article concerning the Imposition of Fifty Sols per Tun, upon Stranger's Ships, sailing out of Ports in France. LEWIS by the Grace of God, King of France, and of Navarre: To all that shall see these presents, greeting. Since our most dear and wellbeloved Cousin, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of our Orders, our faithful and wellbeloved the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Councillor in Ordinary in our Council of State, and our faithful and wellbeloved the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d' Avaux, Councillor also in our Counsels, our Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, by virtue of the plenary Powers which we had given them, have concluded, agreed and signed, on the tenth day of this Month, in the Town of Nimeguen, with the Heer Hierosme, Van Beverningh, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Counsellor and Treasurer, General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, the Heer Wilhem Van Nassaw, Heer Van Odyke, Cortgene, and first Noble, and representative of the Nobility, in the States and Council of Zealand, and the Heer Wilhem Van Haren, Grietman Van Blidt, Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of our most dear and great Friends the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, armed likewise with full Powers, this separate Article, in tenor as followeth, viz. It hath been stipulated on the behalf of the Most Christian King, and consented to by the Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, That the Equality which is precisely to be observed, with relation to the Subjects of each and the Natives, as to Duties, Charges and Impositions, according to the seventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce this day concluded, shall not derogate from the Imposition of fifty Sols per Tun, imposed in France upon Stranger's Ships, and that the Subjects of the Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, shall be bound to pay the same, as other Strangers, unless his Majesty, upon such Remonstrances as may hereafter be made to him, on the behalf of the said Lords, the State's General, considering the same with that great affection, with which his Majesty is pleased to honour them, shall order otherwise. But necessary Orders shall from this present be given by his said Majesty, That the said Imposition of fifty Sols be exacted from Ships belonging to the Subjects of the said United Provinces but once in each Voyage, at their going out of the Ports of His Kingdom, and not at their coming in; and that the said Ships, if laden with Salt, pay but a Moiety of the said fifty Sols, upon condition, that if the said Lords, the States, shall think fit to lay the like Imposition upon Stranger's Ships with them (which they shall be free to do) they shall not exceed, with relation to his said majesty's Subjects, the proportion of what their own Subjects pay in France, the said seventh Article remaining, in relation to all other Duties, Charges and Impositions, present and future, in full force and virtue, without being liable to be limited or exceeded by any other exception or restriction whatsoever, other than as above is expressed. Which separate Article shall be of like force and virtue, as if it were inserted into the body of the aforesaid general Treaty, this day concluded. Nimeguen, the 10th day of August, 1678. Le Mal. d' Estrades. H. Beverningh. Colbert. W. Van Nassaw. De Mesmes. W. Haren. We liking well the said separate Article, in all and every the Points thereof, have by these presents, signed with our own Hand, allowed, approved and ratified, and do allow, approve and ratify the same, promising upon the Faith and Word of a King, to fulfil, observe and cause to be observed, the same sincerely and faithfully, without ever suffering any thing to the contrary, directly or indirectly, for any cause, or upon any occasion whatsoever. In witness whereof, we have signed these presents with our own Hand, and have caused our Seal to be put to the same. Given at St. en Say, the 18th day of August, in the year of Grace, 1678. and of our Reign, the six and thirtieth. Signed, Lewis, and underneath, By the King, Arnauld. The State's General's Ratification of the Treaty of Commerce. THE State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries. To all that shall see these presents, greeting. Since on the 10th day of this Month of August, in the year 1678. there has been made and concluded at Nimeguen, a Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Marine, by the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King, the Sieur Golbert, Marquis of Croissy, Councillor in Ordinary in his Council of State, and the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d' Avaux, Councillor also in his Counsels, Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty, at the Assembly at Nimeguen, in the Name and on the behalf of his said Majesty; and by the Heer Hierosme, Van Beverningh, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Councillor and Treasurer-General of the United Provinces, the Heer Wilhem Van Nassaw, Heer Van Odyke, Cortgene, and first Noble, and representing the Order of the Nobility, in the States and Council of Zealand, and the Heer Wilhem Van Haren, Grietman Van Blidt, deputed to our Assembly, on behalf of the States of Holland, Zealand and Friesland, our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen, in our Name, and on our behalf, by virtue of their respective plenary Powers, of which Treaty and Powers, the tenor is as followeth, viz. The Treaty of Peace which has been concluded, etc. page AND inasmuch as the Contents of the said Treaty import, That the Ratifications of the same shall be delivered in due form, and exchanged on both sides, within the space of six Weeks, reckoning from the day of Signing: We willing to give proofs of our sincerity, and to discharge ourselves of the Promise, which our said Ambassadors have made for us, have agreed, approved and ratified the said Treaty, and every Article thereof above-written, and do by these presents agree, approve and ratify the same: Promising faithfully and sincerely to keep, maintain, and inviolably to observe the same in all points, according to the form and tenor thereof, without ever acting any thing to the contrary, directly or indirectly, in any sort or manner whatsoever. In token whereof, we have caused these presents to be signed by the Precedent of our Assembly, and under-written by our Principal Register, and our Great Seal to be set thereto. Given at the Hague, the 19th day of September, 1678. Signed, D. Van Wyngaerd. By Order of the said Lords the State's General. H. Fagel. By the King's Order. WE do all to know, That a good, firm, stable and solid Peace, together with an entire and sincere Friendship and Reconciliation, hath been made and accorded between the Most High, Most Excellent, and Most Mighty Prince Lewis, by the Grace of God, King of France and of Navarr, our Sovereign Lord, and the Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, their Vassals, Subjects and Servants, in all their Kingdoms, Countries, Lands and Seignories, under their obedience. That the said Peace is general, betwixt them and their said Vassals and Subjects; and that by means thereof, it is permitted to them to go, come, return, and sojourn in all places of the said Kingdoms, Estates and Countries, to negotiate and trade, hold correspondence, and have communication with one another, and that with all liberty, freedom and safety, both by Land and Sea, and in Rivers, and other Waters, and in all respects, as it has been and aught to be, in times of good, sincere, and loving Peace, such as the Divine Goodness has been pleased to bestow upon our said Lord the King, and the said Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces, their People's and Subjects. And to continue them therein, all Persons, of what quality or condition soever, are most expressly prohibited to take in hand, attempt, or innovate any thing to the contrary, or in prejudice thereof, on pain of being severely punished, as breakers of the Peace, and disturbers of the public Quiet. Given at Fountain-bleau, the 26th day of September, 1678. Signed, Lewis, and underneath was Signed, Arnauld. By the King's Order. The Provost of Paris, Or Lieutenant Civil. BY virtue of his majesty's Order directed to us, given at Fountain-bleau, the 28th of this Month, Signed Lewis, and underneath Colbert. We require, the King's Proctor being heard to it, That his majesty's Ordinance, that has this day been published, be posted up at all cross ways, and usual places in the City of Paris; and that the Substitutes of the King's Proctor, take care to have it read and published, in all the King's Courts of Justice, from which there lie Appeals to us, sitting the Courts, all which shall certify the same to us within fifteen days. And we forbidden his majesty's Subjects to oppose the same, on pain of being proceeded against as breakers of the Peace, and disturbers of the public Quiet. Done and given by Messire John le Camus, Counsellor of the King in his Counsels, Ordinary Master of Requests of the Household, Lieutenant Civil of the City, Provostship and County of Paris, the 29th of September, 1678, De Riantz. Le Camus. Vaillant Principal Register. A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the State's General of the United Provinces, to the Duke de Villa Hermosa, of the 8th of May. THE Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces, having Affairs of great importance to impart to your Excellence, have Commissionated us under-written their Deputies Extraordinary, and to this end their Hi. and Mi. have provided us of this Letter of Credit, to present to your Excellence. The Assistances which his Catholic Majesty gave to the State of the United Provinces in the beginning of this War, were so useful and advantageous to this Commonwealth, that their Hi. and Mi. shall ever be mindful of it: And to testify, as soon as was possible, their resentment thereof to his Catholic Majesty, they failed not to come with all their Forces to his majesty's succour, when his Provinces were attacked by the Arms of the King of France; and they assure themselves that your Excellence is persuaded of it, since your Excellence sees how much their Hi. and Mi. do to this day contribute to the preservation of his majesty's Country. And notwithstanding this War has been continued many years, and at an infinite expense, yet the effects have been so unfortunate, that the King of France, being puffed up with his Victories and Conquests, will not come out of it, but upon the Conditions that have been delivered at Nimeguen to the Mediators, which your Excellence knows what they are. Which Conditions, considered in themselves, are indeed too hard, and of such a nature as they ought to be rejected, which also their Hi. and Mi. would do in regard of their Allies, and chief in regard of his Catholic Majesty, as concerning the Low-Countries, in the preservation whereof they find themselves so deeply interessed. But when their Hi. and Mi. reflect upon the Power of the King of France, which hitherto and during this War has been such, that he has not only made Head against the Armies of his Catholic Majesty, and those of the United Provinces, and their Allies, but has made great Conquests in divers Parts, they conceive a just apprehension, that these Conditions, how hard soever, ought yet to be preferred, considering the present state of Affairs, to a continuance of the War, which in all probability would prove very fatal. Which makes our Masters the State's General of the Low-Countries, incline to look upon these Conditions, as receivable, if they should have the happiness to find their Allies, and especially his Catholic Majesty in the same Sentiments. And should very much wish, That your Excellence, on the behalf of his Catholic Majesty, would concur with them, to make them as agreeable, as may be, to the other Allies. And in the mean time give Order to labour for a prolongation of the Term, which the King of France has given by his Proposition at Nimeguen. We expect your excellency's Answer as soon as may be, upon the premises, as being the only Subject of this Commission. Brussels, the 8th of May, 1678: Jacob Boreel. De weed. Answer of the Duke de Villa Hermosa, of the 9th of May, to the Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the State's General of the United Provinces, of the 8th of May. HIS Excellence having considered this Memorial, and that the loss of Flanders, by the hardness of the Conditions of France, will be greater and more dishonourable, than by the ill success of Arms, must hope that the State's General will not further it, since his Majesty, wholly for its preservation, has exposed himself to the manifest hazards of War, which he has suffered so much by. Also the punctual and religious observance of such strict Treaties, with his said Majesty, to which the public Faith obligeth them, will not permit him to make a doubt of it, especially since his Majesty hath and always will hauè a firm desire and intention, to contribute as much as possibly he can to their preservation; and that in regard of the Expedient proposed, of making new Alliances, for the making sure the said impracticable Conditions of France, it is to be considered, that the time in which precisely they must be concluded, can be no other than that of the Campagne, from which, by means of our so late Alliance with his Majesty of Great Britain, we ought to expect, by a more prosperous success, some redress of Affairs; and it would be a breach of Faith, to abandon his Forces in this Conjuncture, by admitting Conditions so forlorn, and at the same time failing in our Fidelity to his Imperial Majesty, and the other High Allies, especially since the Emperor is resolved to run to the defence of Flanders, rather than to the reparation of his own losses, and the other High Allies are upon a Treaty, of joining and employing all their Forces against France: His Excellence being able likewise to assure them, That the King, his Master, since the reduction of Sicily, is resolved to employ all his Power, as his Excellence likewise all his Cares, for the defence and re-establishing of this Country; to which, his Excellence hopes, the State's General will concur on their part, in an Occurrence, which as it is urgent, so it concerns the greatest good of the common Cause, as being the only mean to obtain a just and lasting Peace. Given at Brussels, the 9th of May, 1678. A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the State's General, etc. to the Duke de Villa Hermosa, etc. of the 14th of May. THE Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces, having seen and perused your excellency's Answer to the Memorial, that we, their under-written Deputies Extraordinary, presented the 8th of this Month, could have wished, That your Excellence had not only considered the Conditions offered by the King of France, as they are in themselves, but had also made reflection upon the present state of Affairs, and considered, that the King of France, being become Master of all the Frontier Towns of his Catholic majesty's Netherlands, was entered into the heart of them, and had made himself Master even of the Town of Gand, being very strong in the Field, and at the Head of a very formidable Army, ready for any enterprise, and in the greatest appearance in the world of succeeding and conquering where he will: Whereas the Troops of the Allies, not being yet come together, much less in a condition to make Head against him, and oppose his designs. Hence it is, that their Hi. and Mi. apprehend with great reason, that what remains to the King of Spain in the Low-Countries, will infallibly be lost, if it be not saved, by accepting the Conditions of Peace that are offered; and it would be a thing very sensible to their Hi. and Mi. if what his Catholic Majesty has yet left in the Low-Countries, should be so lost, after such infinite expenses, and so much blood spilt, for their preservation. Your Excellence knows but too well, by what has lately happened, what Account one has to make of the Troops of the Confederates, upon occasion. The Assistance which is expected from his Majesty of Great Britain, is very considerable, and will be of great support to our Party; but it deserves your excellency's consideration, that those Troops are but newly raised, and that it will require some time to enure them to the War, that as yet there are but few of them in these Parts, and we are uncertain when the rest will come; whereas on the other side, every moment is precious, and great misfortunes may happen in a short space. And moreover, the States, as they have made it to be declared to your Excellence, are not in a condition to carry on the War, in such manner, and with so much vigour, as they have done hitherto, seeing their Treasures are exhausted, and their People not able to contribute so much any longer. As the Lords, the State's General, will always acknowledge to have received, in the beginning of this War, very important and useful Succours from his Catholic Majesty, so they hope, your Excellence will do them the justice to confess, that they have not been wanting in the sequel of it, to testify their acknowledgement, by using their endeavours, and being at extraordinary charges to assist this Country; and at least that it is not to be imputed to them, that the King of France has made so great a progress, and that he will not make Peace, but upon such disadvantageous Conditions, as whereby the Country will indeed be much weakened, and hardly able to maintain necessary Troops for its defence; but on the other hand, the Places will not be so disjoined, nor the Country so divided, as it was before the War, which will make it easier to be kept and preserved. These Defects may likewise be supplied by Alliances, and a little time may do much toward a redress of Affairs, and making the King's Subjects, and particularly those of the United Provinces, capable of assisting one another; who at present are in so lamentable a condition, and so utterly unable, that they cannot be obliged to a continuance of the extraordinary charges, without great hazard, and without exposing them to the utmost extremity, and finding ourselves reduced to a necessity, either of accommodating with the Enemy, whether we will or no, or of lying down under the burden. To which they do not think your Excellence will be of opinion, That they stand obliged by those Treaties, that had no other end, than the good of the Allies, and the safety of their People. The said Lords, the State's General, have also thought fit, to have it represented to your Excellence, That being informed, That the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of France, would be authorized to conclude upon a Truce, to the very last Day of December next; they have Ordered their Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen to discourse it with them, and see whether they would make one for six Weeks, or three Months at most: Hoping, that if it can be obtained, your Excellence will not be displeased with it, but agree to it, for such Reasons as have been alleged to your Excellence, by word of mouth, and as your Excellence may consider with yourself. Delivered this 14th of May, 1678. Jacob Boreel. De weed. The Answer of the Duke de Villa Hermosa, of the 16th of May, to the Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary, of the State's General, etc. HIS Excellence having seen the Memorial of the Heeren Boreel and the Weed, Deputies Extraordinary of the Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces, of the 14th of this Month, and desiring on his part to contribute to the greater satisfaction of their Hi. and Mi. will agree to a suspension of Arms for six Weeks, upon Conditions that shall be judged such, as whereby the suspension of Arms may not produce worse effects, than a continuation of Hostility, and of the War, well understood, that regard ought to be had to the King of Great Britain's Answer, to the Representation made to his Majesty by their Hi. and Mi. according to that made to his Excellence by the said Deputies on the 8th of this Month, and also that the Ministers of his Imperial Majesty, and those of the High Allies, be acquainted with it. And to the end that this resolution may be the more easy, his Excellence is of opinion, that the matter may be adjusted at Nimeguen, or the Hague; whereupon the Lords, the State's General, will have reason to acknowledge, what consideration his Majesty and his Excellence make of Representations from their Hi. and Mi. and in the mean time it is not doubted, but they will use their utmost endeavours, to run to the defence of the Low-countrieses with all their Forces, that in this interval of time they may not suffer greater shocks. Given at Brussels, the 16th of May, 1678. A Declaration of the Emperor's Ambassadors, at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen, the 20th of June, 1678. WE have heard the Proposition that your Excellencies made to us two days since, containing in substance, That the Lords, the State's General, could not carry on the War any longer, and found themselves obliged to make Peace, for such Reasons as were then more particularly deduced. Your Excellencies would then have known our Sentiments thereupon, and you desire the same thing again at this present. Not to fail therein, we hope above all things, that your Excellencies and all the World will do his Imperial Majesty the justice to believe, that he has always behaved himself like a good and faithful Ally towards all, both in Peace and War. We will not enlarge upon that. His Army has always been seen in the Field, in great numbers, in good order; it is evident, that he has employed it for the good of the common Cause, and that he has made it act in such places as were thought most surable; 'twere needless to particularise the Campagnes, where all was acted for the public good. Moreover, his Imperial Majesty has assisted his Allies with all the Forces he could, if not with all he would: The Rebellion that has been raised against him in Hungary, is also publicly known, and how both his own Subjects, and the Turk and the Tartar have been stirred up against him; and yet so evident and so near a danger, has not been able to divert or decrease his Forces for the common Interests. Besides, that it is known, he hath sent his Army into the Low-Countries, to support the acting there, whereby the Enemy had an opportunity to take Friburg from him, which makes so much difficulty now. As his Majesty has been intent upon the Affairs of the War, so he has been no less upon those of Peace: And, as your Excellencies can bear us witness, we his Ambassadors have neglected nothing that might promote it; and because we believed, that the most effectual mean to obtain a reasonable Peace, was to act vigorously, we have done all we could, as hath been already said. For the present, it cannot be doubted, but the Emperor will understand with sorrow, That your Excellencies think Affairs reduced to such extremities, that there is a necessity of making a Peace, to prevent greater: Your Excellencies have told us your Sentiments thereupon, and the Spaniards theirs. As for our own, we find, in the first place, That this manner of acting from France, to prescribe Conditions of Peace, and admit no Treaties upon them, is against the style and the custom always practised among Sovereign Powers; and we are far from being able to discover by that, any such desire of Peace, as the French make so great ostentation of. For the Peace itself, his Imperial Majesty desires it as much as any, and desires it may be general, that the public repose may be obtained, which is his only aim, and the common safety also, which is the chief thing that ought to be procured by the said Peace. Your Excellencies confess yourselves, that the Conditions contained in the Declaration of France, are too hard and violent; you have told us likewise, that your meaning is not, that we ought to pass all the Contents of them. You have desired to know our Sentiments upon this Subject, tendering the Offices of the State's General, for reducing them to terms of Equity; and we, for our parts, told you then the Reasons, why we cannot explain ourselves fully thereupon. Howsoever, we declared ourselves here in the Assembly, to the Heer Ambassador Haren, that we could not admit of the Alternative, that concerns the Emperor and the Empire, barely as it is expressed. We have often deduced the Reasons, as well why we cannot restore Philipsburg, as why we cannot leave Friburg in the hands of the French. We hope all the World will think them well grounded, and with all this we have not failed to acquaint the Emperor by a Courier Express, whose return we expect. In the mean time, being willing to leave nothing undone on our side, that may further the Peace, we again pray your Excellencies, to interpose those good Offices which you offered us, to dispose the Ambassadors of France. 1. To admit of more equitable Conditions of Peace. 2. To treat with us upon them, since we are ready on our side, and desirous to do it with all kind of moderation. 3. To take the same care for the Interests of our Allies, as for ourselves, particularly for his Highness the Duke of Lorraine, who has been used worst of all, and that the Estates of the Empire may also have due satisfaction. My Lords, This is all that we are in a condition of saying to you at present. A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Spain, at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies, the 20th of June, 1678. ALL that we can say upon the present Subject, is but to confirm and approve, as we do absolutely, what Mons. the Duke de Villa Hermosa, hath said and expressed in his Writing, dated at Brussels, the 3d of June, 1678. declaring only, that we will not separate ourselves from the Interests of our Allies, either in Peace or War, in whatsoever may depend upon the King our Master. A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Denmark, at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies at Nimeguen, the 20th of June, 1678. WHosoever shall compare the time that is elapsed, since the return of his Excellence the Heer Ambassador van Beverningh, from the Journey which he took to his Most Christian Majesty, and since he communicated his Report only to the Ministers of the High Allies at the Hague, with that within which they require of us a final Declaration, on behalf of his Majesty the King our Master, upon so nice a matter, as concerns no less than an absolute decision betwixt accepting a Peace, and continuing the War, may easily observe, that it has not been sufficient for us to receive necessary Orders from our Master thereupon, and apprehend, that it is not in the power of Ministers, to determine of their own heads so important a resolution. Fearing lest this might happen, we required a convenient delay, by a Memorial delivered above eight days ago, into the hands of their Excellencies, the Lords, Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the State's General; but to this present no Answer thereunto has ensued, and instead thereof, the necessity of Affairs, the lamentable condition of the Spanish Low-Countries, the United Provinces not being able to raise supplies, for defraying the excessive expenses of the War, hope we might have formed to ourselves of assistance from England, being utterly vanished, and the formidable Power of the Enemy, are now laid for a foundation, to the measures that are to be taken to prevent that by Peace, which 'tis believed cannot be hindered by continuing the War. The King our Master could not understand these extremities, but with the utmost compassion and perplexity of mind; and if he be thought capable of bringing any remedy on his side, we can give assurance on his behalf, that he will apply himself to it with the same generosity, care and concern, out of which he has hitherto made appear by the effects, that his only content and repose consists in the welfare of his Allies. In the mean time, it is a very difficult thing to give any counsel and advice, in a matter that seems to be already determined, and which sticks at nothing but the formality of its execution. On Saturday last, their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Lords the State's General, declared to us, That their Masters saw no other mean to save themselves from the ruin, which was like to drag them, through that of the Spanish Low-Countries, into the utter subversion of their Commonwealth, than that of a sudden Peace. They told us, That the Lords Ambassadors of France expressed themselves disposed, to conclude one separately with them, and all those that should desire to come into it, they invited us to join with them in it, and at the same time assured us, that since of necessity they must avoid the confusion, that the Answer they should have to make to the Most Christian King, concerning the accepting a cessation of Arms, would bring them into, they found themselves obliged to make a Peace alone, to their own best advantage, before the end of this present Month, though we should not be able in that time to concur with them in it; this cessation of Arms not being necessary to them, for their own particular interests. What room is left then for any counsel or advice in the Case? We see no other measures to take, for what concerns the King our Master, than to put their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Lords the State's General, in mind of their own Assertion, to wit, That this Peace, even though they should see themselves obliged to make it with France, should keep the Lords, the State's General, their Masters, no less under the power of their engagements, at the bottom of the mutual Treaties betwixt them and their Allies, and to pray them, as we do most instantly, to proceed in it with such caution and wisdom, as that it may not at the same time involve any prejudicial consequence to that of the North. The 18th Article of the Treaty betwixt his Majesty, and the Lords the State's General, upon the occasion of the present War, shows plainly, how far his Majesty and they stand mutually engaged to one another. We are bound in duty to insist upon it, till we have received Orders from our Master to dispense with it, which of our own heads we cannot do; and we conjure the Lords the State's General, by is most sacred in the public Faith, and in such solemn stipulations, not to do or take in hand any thing that may derogate from its force. We wish for the Peace, as much as it can be wished for, and envy it not our Allies; if they will show us a way to obtain a sure and honourable Peace, we embrace it from this day forward; and if France will make a Peace with his Majesty, we believe he is altogether ready to accept it, so it be founded upon Reason, and the good union, which will always keep him inseparable from the fortune of his Allies. Finally, We pray God to inspire always the Lords the State's General with Counsels worthy their moderation, and the consideration which they ought to have, for those whom themselves have drawn into the perils of the present War, and to bless their Designs and Advances, for the security of the general Quiet of all Christendom. A Declaration of the Ambassador of the Elector of Brandenburg, on Monday the 20th of June, 1678. THE Ambassador of Brandenburg says, That it was evident, that his Electoral Serenity his Master, before the Most Christian King took up Arms against their Hi. and Mi. the State's General, failed not to do all he could to divert him, and that likewise since the fire of this War has been kindled, he has desired nothing more earnestly, than to see it quenched as soon as might be, and the public repose every where established; and that it was upon the sole consideration of promoting the Peace, that his Electoral Serenity entered into such strict Bonds with his Allies, and especially with their Hi. and Mi. that he hath exposed and sacrificed his Person and Estates for that, and hath enjoined his Plenipotentiaries at this Congress, and renews his Orders time after time, to labour for a Peace with their utmost endeavours, according to the Alliances betwixt the Confederates, which prescribe a method to be observed for obtaining a general Peace, that was agreed on jointly by them all. That their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of their Hi. and Mi. alleged two days since, that their Lordships, the States, both in respect of the condition of their own Provinces, and that of others, find themselves at present reduced to a necessity of making a Peace with France, whether they will or no. That at the same time, to observe their Alliances, they express a desire to have their Allies join with them in it; but that withal they think themselves necessitated, for the saving their Commonwealth from the shipwreck that threatens it, to make a Peace alone, or without the Confederates, in case they cannot accept the Conditions that France hath prescribed; that thereupon they required the resolution of their Allies with all speed, that they might take their Measures thereby, at the Consultation that is to be held this Week at the Hague. The Plenipotentiary Ambassador of his Electoral Serenity says to it, That he knows not what resolution his Master will take, for that he could not receive Instructions from him in so short a time, upon the Declaration which the Most Christian King delivered on the first of this Month of June, to the Heer Ambassador Van Beverning. That in the mean time he partly explained himself, as to his own private Sentiment, in the Memorial of the 10th of June, which he presented to the Ambassadors of their Hi. and Mi. and that he doubted not, but they made all due and fitting Reflections thereupon. That for the rest, he was fully persuaded, though some unconquerable necessity might dispense with the State's General, or should oblige them to departed from any point of their Alliance with his Electoral Serenity, that yet they will always proceed in it with such caution and sincerity, as the foundation may subsist notwithstanding, and his Electoral Serenity be at no prejudice, nor the band of their friendship and good understanding to be weakened. The said Ambassador added two Points, requiring the said Lords the States to consider them, when they should take this matter into consideration. The one, That France, in the Project of Peace, which its Ambassadors proposed here, doth not mention any Conditions, upon which it is willing to make a Peace with his Electoral Serenity; whereas, on his behalf, there have been Proposals made to that end, both with relation to France and Sweden, insomuch that he knows not yet whether France will make any Peace with himself or no. The other, That the Conditions proposed in that Project, with relation to Sweden, were so abject, and even so contrary to what their Hi. and Mi. have engaged themselves to procure his Electoral Serenity, that it must be believed, that France is not willing that a Peace should be made with Sweden, inasmuch as their Hi. and Mi. that see there is no room left for his Electoral Serenity to enter into the Peace, in conjunction with themselves. Finally, The said Ambassador promiseth to communicate the resolution of his Most Serene Master, upon the said Declaration of France, as soon as he shall receive it, referring himself for other matters to his said Memorial. A Declaration of the Ambassador of Prince Charles of Lorraine, at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen, the 20th of June, 1678. THis Declaration could not be opened at large, because the Precedent Canon had only form the Idea of it in his mind, and returned but the night before from the Hague; he alleged that Journey, as an excuse for his not having been present at the last Conference, saying, that he went to deliver the Lords the State's General a Letter from his Master. Then he enlarged upon the injustice of the Alternatives, that were proposed by France, as Conditions of Peace: The first, demanding a Country 35 miles in length, and 16 or 18 in breadth, with 26 Cities upon it, and 600 Burroughs and Villages: The other, depriving him of his Capital City, and the convenience of communication with his own Country, by pretending to pass through some of the best of his Highways. That both these Conditions were equally hard, he demonstrated by the Election that was left his Master to choose either. For the avoiding such Imperious Laws, he referred himself to the Alliances made between their Imperial and Catholic Majesties, their Lordships the State's General, and his late Uncle, and renewed since with his own person with all possible extension, and withal recommended himself to the friendship and protection of all his Allies, concluding with a formal protestation, that he would resolve rather to live banished from his Country, and entirely to maintain the Justice of his Title, and have his Allies that had contracted with him, continue under their absolute Engagements, than ever to return upon such hard Conditions, and so scandalous to his Birth, and his undoubted Right of Succession, never having deserved so ill of France, as to be used so cruelly. A Letter from the Lords the State's General, to Mons. the Duke of Luxemburg, the 22. of June, 1678. SIR, WE have seen, with an equal mixture of joy and reverence, by the King's Answer of the first of this Month, from his Camp at Wetteren, which the Heer Van Beverning delivered us from his Majesty, his sincere intentions, to put an end to the present War by a Peace. In pursuance whereof, to show the like sincerity on our part, for his majesty's greater satisfaction, we have ordered our Ambassadors at Nimeguen, to conclude and sign the Treaty of Peace with his majesty's Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, before the end of this Month, with such of the Allies as shall be disposed to come into it. In the meán time being assured, that his Catholic Majesty will join with us in accepting the Peace, we entreated his Majesty, that he would be pleased from henceforward, to give necessary Orders to surcease all acts of Hostility by Land, and to cause such of his Forces as are in his Country, to retire about the end of this Month. Sir, This is what we thought we ought to acquaint you with, his Majesty having in a Letter to us, expressed his desire to have it so. The Hague, 22 of June, 1678. A Memorial presented to his Majesty of Great Britain at London, by M. de Borgomanero, etc. the 5th of June, 1678. SIR, THE state of Affairs being now so urgent, and the welfare or misery of all Christendom depending upon the safety of the Low-Countries, I conceive it is my duty to represent to your Majesty, how necessary it is for your Majesty, who alone can put a stop to the King of France ' s progress in these Parts, to maintain Forces by Sea and Land, and cause them to draw as near Flanders as may be, that they may serve as a Bridle to the common Enemy, and your Majesty be in a condition to protect and defend Christendom, from the utter ruin and oppression, that the Most Christian King threatens it with. In like manner I represent to your Majesty for the same Reasons, that it is altogether necessary, that your Majesty make an Alliance Offensive and Defensive with the King my Master, and the Emperor, who will be constant Allies, and ready to run fortune your Majesty shall hazard for the common Cause; not questioning, but those other Princes, that are now in league with the King my Master, will immediately enter into such Alliance, as your Majesty shall make; and by this means, Christendom will be secured against the oppression of France. London, the 5th. of June, 1678. A Remonstrance of the Ambassadors of the Elector of Brandenburg, to the Ambassadors of the Lords the State's General, concerning the present Affairs of the Treaties of Peace. Given at Nimeguen, this 31. of July, 1678. THE Ambassador of his Electoral Serenity of Brandenburg, for the Treaties of Peace at Nimeguen, having seen the Memorial of the Lords Ambassadors of France, of the 17th. of July, wherein they endeavour to take away the Jealousies that might arise, of the sincerity of his Most Christian Majesty's Intentions, and of his faithfulness to his Word, concerning the evacuation of the Places, which he promised to restore to Spain, and to their Hi. and Mi. the Lords the State's General of the United Provinces, thinks it fit, and according to his duty, to represent to the Lords the Ambassadors of the State's General, who communicated to him the said Memorial: That as it is full of almost nothing else, in every passage, but great Designs, of the Most Christian King, against his Electoral Serenity, his Master, and other Princes, that have made some Conquests upon Sweden; so his Electoral Serenity promiseth himself, as well from the friendship of the Lords the States, and their fidelity of Word, as from their justice and exactness, in performing the terms of the Alliance, that they will not help forward such perniclous Designs, nor suffer them to be put in execution, against one of their ancientest and most faithful Friend, Neighbour and Ally, and that has been no less concerned, for the preservation and re-establishment of their Commonwealth, than of his own Inheritances, and has not stuck at exposing, is most dear and precious to him in the whole World, for their sakes. It is evident, with what care his Electoral Serenity hath governed all his Actions, so as not to give the least ground of discontent to Sweden; and the sincerity, with which he has renewed former Alliances with that Crown, is no less apparent, by his applying them even to the present Conjunctures, for the avoiding all manner of misunderstanding and rapture, which yet happened, by the violent Invasion, made by the Army of Sweden, towards the end of the year, 1674. upon Marchia and Pomerania, directly against those, for whom such solemn Stipulations had been, and contrary to the liberty, which each Party had reserved to themselves, in the said Alliance: Which Invasion was the more unjust, inasmuch as it was made at a time, when his Electoral Serenity, relying on the public Faith, had sent his Forces so far off, that he was busy with them in Alsatia. The Lords the States condemned and disliked this Proceeding no less, than all other Christian Potentates throughout Europe did; and God has made appear to all the World, by what has ensued, and by our marvellous success, that his powerful Hand is able to protect the innocent, and punish those that make so slight of Religion, Alliances, and Promises, that have had the sanction of the public Faith. Their Hi. and Mi. and all others, without doubt, will agree, that it were an unheard of piece of cruelty, to deal with his Electoral Serenity, as he is threatened in that Memorial, for having made so vigorous and glorious an opposition, to so unjust and forcible an Invasion. The said Ambassador does not intent to lay open the weakness of the reasonings, in the said Memorial of the Ambassadors of France, assuring himself, that their Hi. and Mi. will not fail to expose it to the World, for the refutation of those, that for want of solid Reasons, have been forced to betake themselves, to such weak and groundless Arguments; since it appears, that therein they contradict, and directly thwart, what the Most Christian King has avowed, and positively promised, by the Letters and Resolutions, which his Majesty has caused to be dispatched, and delivered to their Hi. and Mi. and to their Ministers. He will only represent, what wrong would be done to his Electoral Serenity, his Master, if their Hi. and Mi. should give ear to such Conditions, as conduce to no other end, but that of serving the Interest of a declared Enemy, by deserting a faithful Friend and Ally, and, at the same time, exposing their own Commonwealth, to the most dangerous hazard in the World, which they have endeavoured, out of their great prudence, and with so much care, to secure and shelter, by means of a Bar in Flanders, which the Most Christian King himself thought necessary for maintaining their repose, but which will stand them in no stead, if such another Bar be not likewise settled upon the Rhine. Certainly, there needs more than an ordinary assurance, to undertake the persuading a whole Commonwealth, consisting of so many wise, and illustrious Members, to renounce whatever the Faith of their Alliances, and the true Interest of their own Commonwealth, requires of them, and submit to such prejudicial Counsels; and to further the suffering an Ally, and Neighbour, to be oppressed, that has given such extraordinary proofs of his Friendship to their State; and that in favour of a party, with whom at present they are engaged in open War, and that expresses by his excessive demands, so little of an inclination to come to such a reconciliation, as may be fair, and at all proportionable to the mischiefs, and inconveniences, that this fatal War has brought, and continues to bring upon Christendom. I shall leave the rest to the wise discussion of their Hi. and Mi. by reason of whose fidelity, affection, and Justice, his Electoral Serenity is well assured, that they will testify in this occurrence, as great a passion for the security, and defence, of his Provinces of Cleve, which have always served for a Bar; and whose preservation, has always been so very dear to them, as his Electoral Serenity has an affection to their Commonwealth upon so many occasions, and of which he has given such remarkable instances, especially, since the public Faith, and the Welfare, and security of their own Estate, are equally concerned in the Interest of it. The Protestation of the Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, of the King of Denmark, the Elector of Brandenburg, etc. against the separate Peace of the State's General, of the United Provinces. Made the 10th. of Aug. 1678. at Nimeguen. THe Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, and Ministers underwritten, understanding, with the utmost astonishment, that there was a likelihood of the Lords Ambassadors, of the State's General, of the United Provinces; resolving to Sign this day, a separate Treaty of Peace, betwixt the Most Christian King, and their Hi. and Mi. which has been likewise confirmed to them, by some of the said Ambassadors themselves, though hitherto, they have not made any communication of the Contents of their Project, nor held any particular Conference, upon a matter of so great consequence, in conformity to Treaties, by which their Hi. and Mi. are obliged so to do. The said Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiary Ministers, have thought it their duty, to represent to the Lords Ambassadors, of their Hi. and Mi. the disagreement of this proceeding, with the Tenor of the Alliances, so solemnly struck with their Lords and Masters; wherein the Lords the States, promise upon their Word, and upon the credit of the public Faith, never to think of making separate Treaties with their common Enemy, that was upon the point of overturning their Commonwealth, and from whose oppression, they were saved only by such assistances, and diversions, as were given from time to time in divers parts of the Empire, for their sakes. Then they required with all the instances imaginable, and conjured the said Lords Ambassadors, by what ever is held most sacred, and inviolable, not to precipitate the Signing this separate Peace, being directly opposite to the said Alliances, and to allow them a little time, to give their Lords and Masters necessary information: since that delay could not be at all prejudicial to them, and that request being but what every one might expect, from the public Faith, and the sincerity of the Lords, the State's General. They promise themselves the more assuredly, that both will be granted without any difficulty, especially, because there seems not to be any apparent necessity, why their Hi. and Mi. should take up a resolution, so contrary to all that they have taken, and concerted heretofore, and even after they had exhorted their Allies afresh to steadfastness, in the observance, and performance of the Treaties, and after the said Allies, our Lords and Masters, had taken vigorous resolutions thereupon, and in compliance with their desires, had sent such numerous Forces into the heart of the Spanish Low-countrieses, to save Mons from the extremity, to which the Arms of France had reduced it, and to second and execute, what other designs, and exploits, Spain, and the State, under the conduct of his Highness, the Prince of Orange, should resolve upon, for the good of the common cause, and the safety of the Low-countrieses, in particular. They have ordered moreover, some select Troops, that are now under march, to draw towards the Muse, and to be employed for the same purpose; so that with God's assistance, we have yet reason to hope for good success, in so just, and good a Cause. However, if the Lords the States, should find themselves obliged, by some indispensable necessity, (the occasion and force whereof, is for all that unknown to the Allies) to proceed with so much precipitation, to a separate Peace with France; the said Ambassadors, and Ministers, declare by this Memorial, that their Lords and Masters, are disposed, and ready to enter with them into this Treaty, and to conclude a Peace with his Most Christian Majesty, in conjunction with the Lords, the State's General, upon such honourable, and equitable Conditions, as shall be agreed on, in a short time, towards the conclusion whereof, they will bring all manner of facility, and good offices, on their parts. We promise ourselves, that the said Lords Ambassadors, will not refuse so just and generous an offer; nor can we be persuaded, that the intention of their Hi. and Mi. is not exactly conformable to this just desire, or that they can so much as conceive a thought, of abandoning their good and faithful Friends, Neighbours, and Allies, that have employed what ever was most dear, and precious to them in the world, to save them from the ruin that threatened them, and to re-establish them in their former Liberty, and Splendour. At least, we promise ourselves, from their Justice, and sincerity, that they will not conclude upon any thing, that shall not comprehend the Interests of their Allies, which in effect are their own, nor join in the oppression, and ruin, of those that have so faithfully assisted them, against so powerful an Enemy; who on the one hand, makes so much show of the sincerity of his desire, to restore Peace to Christendom, and on the other, refuses to admit of such means, as are capable of procuring it; besides that, this abandoning their Allies, and the Neutrality, that they pretend to settle, was not so much as required by the Most Christian King, in the platform of Conditions of Peace, which he Projected; the States, having always declared, against accepting the Cessation for six weeks, which the Most Christian-King afterwards offered; because the Neutrality, was made a Condition of it, which would have put them out of a possibility of assisting their Allies. But if the worst came to the worst, and that notwithstanding, all these just and equitable Remonstrances, they will proceed to Sign a Treaty of this nature; the said Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, and Ministers of the High-Allies, can do no other, then solemnly, and most formally, to protest against this separate Treaty, as being directly contrary to the Alliances, and the solemn assurances, that have been given from time to time, of the steadfastness, and exactness, of their Hi. and Mi. in observing, and fulfilling their Treaties. They challenge them likewise for all the misfortunes, inconveniences, losses, and damages, that all Christendom in general, and their Lords and Masters, each in particular, may suffer by this separation, and the nonobservance of Alliances, so solemnly, and sacredly contracted, saving to themselves all their right, by virtue of those Alliances, by the Law of Nations, and that of God and Man, submitting to the sound, and disinteressed judgement of all the World, the wrong done to their Lords and Masters, contrary to all promises, engagements, Treaties, and that without any necessity, by a procedure equally rash, and unheard of, in a time when God gives us hopes of redress, in a more decent, and reasonable way; they challenge them, as those, that out of blind passions, and prepossessed sentiments, even against their opinion, who are animated with a more generous sense of honour, and the consideration of their own engagements, to a rational steadfastness, sacrifice the honour, and glory of their party, to proceed unworthy a State that is governed by reason, and Justice; by which manner of acting, they contract such a stain, as will never wear out of the memory of mankind. Nimeguen, the 10th. of August, 1678. Signed, Hoegh, Blaespyl. St. Petkum, Zurmuhlen. A second Protestation of the Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, of the King of Denmark, of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg, etc. Made, the 18th. of August, 1678. at the Hague, etc. THe Counsellor, and Envoy Extraordinary, of his Majesty, the King of Denmark, and Norway, etc. The Deputy Extraordinary, of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg, and the Minister of their Highnesses, the Dukes of Zell, and Wolsfembutel, underwritten, understanding by common fame, as if your Hi. and Mi. (after your Ambassadors having Signed a separate Peace with those of France, at Nimeguen, concerning which, they refer themselves to the protestations, there made by the Ministers, of all the High-Allies, and to the Memorials which they have presented here, to the Lords, your Hi. and Mi. Deputies for Foreign affairs) had also been prevailed with, to agree upon your own particular, upon a Cessation of Arms, with Sweden, for a certain time, could hardly give credit to a thing, so directly opposite, to the express words of Treaties. But, because they find with great sorrow, that many things are Negociated, and Treated, betwixt your Hi. and Mi. and the common Enemy of the Allies, of which the High-Allies, have no timely notice beforehand; the parties underwritten, have thought themselves bound, to remonstrate to your Hi. and Mi. how contrary such proceed are, to the very words of the Alliances, and not knowing for want of due communication, the truth of the news, which the Enemies give out, of this engagement, pretended to be entered into, by your Hi. and Mi. to Sweden, for a Cessation of Arms; they have thought fit, in discharge of their own duty, to put your Hi. and Mi. in mind of the very words of the Treaties, which in the 18th. Article run thus; viz. That the Allies, shall from time to time, communicate to one another, what advances, or proposals soever, shall be made at the Negociations of Peace, or Truce. And a little before, That the State's General, shall not make any Truce with the Enemy, otherwise then in conjunction, and by common consent. And they conjure them, by all that is sacred in solemn Treaties, and public Faith, not to admit of so notorious a contravention, on their part, to the said Treaties, in this point of a Truce, without a justifiable reason, or urgent necessity. The parties underwritten, being moreover obliged, to enter solemn protests, in the names, and on the behalf of their Masters, in case, contrary to all expectation, this Cessation of Arms shall fall out, to be separately agreed upon with Sweden already, and in like manner, with relation to all other negotiations, and engagements, against the Tenor of the Treaties, that say, and require expressly, That not any of the Parties, shall come to any conclusion of a Peace, without comprehending their Allies. We promise ourselves, that your Hi. and Mi. according to your great knowledge, and the exactness, with which you have used inviolably, to observe the tenor of your Treaties, will be pleased to make reflection, upon what the parties under-written have now alleged, so as not to ratify what has been concluded at Nimeguen, with the Ambassadors of France, as being inconsistent with the said Engagements, which, without doubt, will confirm all the Potentates of Europe, in the confidence which they have hitherto placed in your Hi. and Mi. concerning the fulfilling your promises made upon the public Faith. However, the Ministers under-written, find themselves obliged to reserve to their Lords and Masters their Right, as well by the Law of Nations, as in pursuance of the Treaties, clearing them at the same time, from inconveniences and misfortunes, this manner of proceeding may produce, both to the prejudice of the common Cause, and each of their particular Interests. Given at the Hague, the 18th of August, 1678. A Memorial of the Ambassadors of Denmark, and of the Elector of Brandenburg, given in to those of the King of Spain, of the 22. of August. THE Glory which the Crown of Spain has always acquired, and maintained hitherto, without the least imputation, by its steadfastness and constancy, by its fidelity to its Allies, and by its religious adhering to its Faith, leaves the under-written Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, and Ministers of the High Allies, no room to doubt, but that it will yet continue in the same generous Sentiments, and transmit this Reputation to posterity, which all former Ages have been obliged to publish in its honour. But because, since the unforeseen signing of the Peace betwixt France, and the Lords the State's General, the most glorious opportunity has presented itself, that ever could have happened, to signalise this honourable firmness, and purchase a new splendour and lustre to the said Monarchy, the said parties under-written would not be wanting to make use of it, to represent to their Excellencies, the Lords Ambassadors of his Catholic Majesty, at this Congress, that their Lords and Masters can promise themselves no less, from the justice and equity of theirs, by their former experience, than the like behaviour upon the present occasion; to the end, that all the World may judge with them, that Fidelity is the most precious Diadem of a well-ordered State, which no force can invade, no adversity pervert, no necessity bereave it of; and that they justly and undoubtedly expect to see those defects, that rather by the unfortunate constitution of Affairs, than out of any ill will, have hitherto intervened, in divers Articles of the Treaties, that are betwixt his Catholic Majesty and themselves, made up by this unshaken constancy; so as his Majesty will not in any sort separate or loosen himself from those, that have not feared to expose themselves on the very brink of a precipice, and to throw themselves into the most dangerous events, wherein they yet continue, for his sake, and to draw his Countries, in these Parts, out of the gulf that was about to swallow them up. The said parties under-written can assure their said Excellencies, upon their certain knowledge, and by their express Orders, that their Lords and Masters are entirely disposed, and ready to take part with theirs, and with all those that shall now think it their interest, or will be willing yet to join in the defence of so just a Cause, as the common Cause is, and in the establishment of the public safety, in all the hazards, perils, and dangerous events, that the Divine Providence shall be pleased to ordain, whether the event should fall out to be that of accomplishing so just a Design, by a general, a just, and a reasonable Peace, or whether the Enemy should be so hard, as to make the obtaining it, stick upon impracticable conditions and demands, and expose it to the continuance of a longer and a fiercer War. Not any of our Lords and Masters ever refused to take such courses, as reason and decency have established between Sovereign Princes, to arrive at the first; they will yet joyfully embrace them, and will demonstrate by their readiness and facility, that the Quiet of Christendom is the only object of all their wishes: But since it is evident to all the World, that the Enemies have hitherto refused to admit of any, but would prescribe Laws to us, rather than suffer us to treat upon terms in order to it, it is easily discovered not to be their fault, that at present we are all involved in the latter. A rational steadfastness is only capable of redressing these mischiefs, and of bringing them back to more just and decent Measures, that have been led aside out of the way of their Duty and Engagements, by the secret Cabals of some private Persons, and the violence and inadvertence of some Men of fickle minds, that know not how dear and precious Faith and Truth ought to be to a free State; when they shall take notice, that his Majesty is far from following so pernicious an example, and will keep faithfully to the Letter of the mutual Treaties, out of which your Excellencies will find some necessary Extracts hereunto annexed, and let the World see, that he chooseth rather to run the same fortune with his Allies to the very last, than unmercifully to desert them, contrary to all sacredness of promises, and only to save himself to their cost, by a notorious breach of such solemn Alliances. His Majesty can lose nothing by this means, but will be a gainer, by maintaining his Glory, his Honour, and his Reputation. The Bar that is settled for bounds to the Conquests of France, is rather a large career for it, to drive on its Designs in, as far as it listeth. All that is left the King of Spain in the Low-Countries, serves rather to exhaust his Treasures, for the little time that he shall be permitted to enjoy it peaceably, than to give him any assurance of a settled possession. And when they shall have loosened the sacred Band of the Allies, and disarmed the neighbouring Estates, who will hinder the rest from falling under the dominion of a foreign Power, the Enemy shall have a mind to it? Certainly, they that for their good will, and all their endeavours, and all the hazards to which they have exposed themselves, shall find themselves now either evil-entreated by their Friends, or deserted by their Allies, and so ill rewarded for their affection and good will, will be wiser at another time, when the fire shall be greater, than to run to quench it, and every one will content himself to provide for his own safety, when he shall consider, how unworthily he has been recompensed, for what he has now done for that of the Public. But the strength of all these Arguments is so well known, to their Excellencies aforesaid, that it would be superfluous to allege new ones. They know very well, how necessary it is, for all that are concerned in the Interest of the preservation of the Low-Countries, not to let them utterly sink, may be pretended outwardly. The Enemy's Arms have already got too fast hold of these Rampires, of the neighbouring Estates, for us to imagine, that they can be contented to see them entirely lost. For this cause the Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, and Ministers under-written, will not enlarge upon the debate of these Matters. They are only bound in duty, to conjure your Excellencies, by the sacredness of reciprocal Engagements, by the force of mutual Alliances, by the Faith of the King your Master, and by the Glory and the Honour of your Nation and Country, not to make any step on the present occasion, that may be prejudicial to their Lords and Masters, or be injurious to your own, or yourselves, since we are persuaded, you never will leave this Victory to the common Enemies, of being superior to the King your Master in constancy, and steadfastness to their Allies, though Destiny may by the fortune of War, have made his condition at present somewhat worse than theirs. This is what the Parties under-written do most instantly beseech your Excellencies, not only to consider yourselves with mature deliberation, but duelyto report it where 'tis proper, that we may both know, that these things have been represented in time, and promise ourselves such resolutions and effects, as are worthy so great a King as yours, and becoming such zealous, clear-fighted, and wise Ministers, as every one knows your Excellencies are. Nimeguen, the 22. of August, 1678. A Letter of the Ambassadors of the Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, to the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of France, for an Explanation of the 13th. Article of the Treaty of Peace. My Lords, Since the 13th. Article of the Treaty of Peace, concluded and signed the 10th. of this Month, concerning the Neutrality promised by our Lords the State's General, with relation to the Enemies of his Most Christian Majesty, and his Allies, and the garranting such Engagements as Spain shall enter into, with relation to the like Neutrality, is couched in such a manner, as that an obligation may be inferred, not only for the present, and as long as the War shall continue, in which the Allies of our Lords the States are now engaged, but that consequences may be drawn for the time to come, and such occasions as may arise, after all the present Wars are ended. And since your Excellencies know, that there never was any intention to agree upon such Neutrality, but only for the present time, and during the continuance of this War, according to his Most Christian Majesty's Proposals, We pray your Excellencies, to clear this Matter to us in a word, and declare, that his Majesty's meaning, and that of your Excellency's, is, that the said Article shall be applicable, to the time of the present War only, and your Excellencies will infinitely oblige, Nimeguen, the 17th. of Aug. 1678. My Lords, Your Excellencies most humble, and most obedient Servants, H. Beverningh. W. Haren The Answer of the Lords Ambassadors of France, to the Ambassadors of the Lords, the State's General of the United Provinces, in Explanation of the 13th. Article of the Treaty of Peace. My Lords, WE have received your Excellency's Letter, of the 17th. of this Month; and though the fidelity, wherewith the King our Master hath always acted, and the sincerity, with which his Majesty is willing to restore the Lords the State's General, to the first degree of his friendship, ought not to leave your Excellencies under any apprehension, lest he should endeavour to surprise you, or put a larger construction upon the 13th. Article of the Treaty, concluded and signed betwixt us, on the 10th. of this Month, then as we explained ourselves to one another; yet We are willing to assure your Excellencies, that it was not his Majesty's intention, nor consequently ours, to make use of the said Article any longer, than the present War should last; nor, whenever it shall please God to put an end to it, to oblige the Lords the State's General to more, than what their own Interest, and their good Union with his Majesty, shall require of them. We are, Nimeguen, the 17th. of Aug. 1678. My Lords, Your Excellencies most humble, and most obedient Servants, Le M. D' Estrades. Colbert. D' Avaux. The Ratification of the Explanation of the thirteenth Article, of the Treaty of Peace, betwixt France and Holland. THe King, being informed by his Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen, of their explanation, by their Letter of the seventeenth of August, this present year, to the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of the State's General, of the United Provinces, of the Low Countries, of the thirteenth Article of the Treaty of Peace, Concluded, and Signed at Nimeguen; the tenth day of the said month of August; betwixt the said Lords Ambassadors, in which is mentioned, the Neutrality promised by the said States General, as well in relation to his Majesty, and his Allies, as the garranting such engagements, as Spain should enter into, with relation to the like Neutrality. His Majesty having read and examined the said Letter, by which his said Ambassadors do declare, and assure, that his majesty's intention, is not to benefit himself by the said Article, any longer than the present War shall continue. His Majesty was well pleased with the said explanation, and hath allowed, approved, and ratified the same, as fully, as if it were inserted into the said Treaty of Peace, next after the thirteenth Article thereof, there allowed, approved, and ratified, Promising on the Faith, and Word of a King, to fulfil, and cause to be observed, sincerely, and faithfully, whatever is therein contained, without suffering any thing, ever to be done to the contrary, directly or indirectly, for any cause, or upon any occasion whatsoever. In witness whereof, his Majesty hath Signed these presents with his own hand, and hath caused his Privy Seal to be put thereto. Given at Fountainbleau, the fifth day of September, in the year one thousand six hundred, seventy eight. Signed, Lewis. And underneath was Signed, Arnauld. A separate Article, for a general indemnification of the Subjects, both of France, and Holland. THe King having received the separate Article, Signed by his Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen, and those of the Lords the State's General, of the United Provinces, of the Low-countrieses, whereof the Tenor is as followeth; viz. The Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, of the Most Christian King, and the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, of the Lords the State's General, of the United Provinces, declare by this present Act; that though the Treaty, which they Signed on the tenth of August, import a sufficient abolishment, of whatever has been committed on either side, by reason of the War, to which the said Treaty has put an end; whether by such as being Subjects born of France, and obliged to serve his Majesty, by reason of the Offices or Estates, which they possessed within the compass of France, have entered or continued in the service of the Lords, the State's General, or by such as being born Subjects, of the said Lords the States, or obliged to serve them, by reason of the Offices or Estates, which they possessed within the compass of the United Provinces, entered or continued in his Most Christian majesty's service; yet for their more security, and to protect them from all prosecution, the said Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, have agreed, that all such Persons, of what quality or condition soever, without exception, may enter, re-enter, and shall be actually suffered to continue, and be settled, in the peaceable possession, and enjoyment of all their Estates, Honours, Dignities, Privileges, Franchises, Rights, Exemptions, Settlements, and Liberties, without being liable, all or any of them, to be prosecuted, vexed, or molested, either in general, or in particular, for any cause, or upon any pretence, by reason of any thing that has happened since the beginning of the said War. In pursuance of which Declaration, and after it shall have been Ratified, as well by his Most Christian Majesty, as by the Lords the State's General, which shall be within a month, all and every of them shall be permitted, without any Letters of abolishment, or forgiveness, to return in Person to their Houses, and enjoy their Lands, and all other their Goods, or to dispose thereof, as they shall think fit. Given at Nimeguen, the 24th. of September, 1678. The M. D' Estrades. Calbert. H. Beverning. W. Haren. His Majesty having read the said Article, hath Approved, and Ratified, and doth Approve, and Ratify the same, Promising on the Faith and Word of a King, to fulfil, and cause to be observed, sincerely, and faithfully, whatever is therein contained, without ever suffering any thing to be acted to the contrary, directly, or indirectly, for any cause, or upon any occasion whatsoever. In witness whereof, his Majesty hath Signed these presents with his hand, and hath caused his Privy Seal to be set thereto. Given at Fountainbleau, the third of October, in the year, One thousand six hundred seventy eight. Signed, Lewis. And underneath was Signed, Arnauld. Done at the Hague, the 30th. day of September, in the year, One thousand six hundred seventy eight. Signed, Wilhem, van Nassaw. By Order of the said Lords the State's General. H. Fagel. The State's General, of the United Provinces, of the Low-countrieses: To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. Since on the 24th. of September, 1678, there was made and concluded at Nimeguen, by the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, of the Most Christian King, and ours, an Act of oblivion, in Tenor, as followeth; viz. The Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, etc. We have Agreed, Approved, and Ratified, the said Act, in all its points, and do Agree, Approve, and Ratify the same, by these presents, Promising faithfully, and sincerely, to keep, maintain, and inviolably to observe the same in every point, according to the form and purport thereof, without ever acting to the contrary, directly or indirectly, upon any pretence whatsoever. In token whereof, we have caused these Presents to be Signed by the Precedent of our Assembly, and underwritten by our Principal Register, and our Seal to be set thereto. The Treaty of Peace, betwixt France and Spain, Concluded at Nimeguen, the 17th. day of September, 1678. IN the Name of God the Creator, and of the most Holy Trinity; To all present, and to come, be it known, That whereas during the course of the War, that arose some years since betwixt the most High, most Excellent, and most Mighty, Prince Lewis the 14th. by the grace of God, Most Christian King of France and Navarre, and his Allies, on the one part; and the most High, most Excellent, and most Mighty Prince Charles, the second, by the grace of God, Catholic King of Spain, and his Allies, on the other part; Their Majesties have desired nothing more vehemently; then to see it end in a good Peace; and whereas the same desire to put a stop, as far as in them lay, to the ruin of so many Provinces, the tears of so much People, and the shedding of so much Christian blood, hath induced them to comply, with the powerful Offices of the most High, most Excellent, and most Mighty Prince, The King of Great Britain, to send their Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, to the Town of Nimeguen; so it is come to pass through an effect of the Divine goodness, that hath been pleased to make use of the entire confidence, that their Majesties have always reposed in the mediation of the said King of Great Britain, that at length the said Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries; to wit, on the behalf of his Most Christian Majesty, the Sieur Count D' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of his Majesty's Orders; the Sieur Colbert Knight, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary, in his Council of State, and the Sieur De Mesmes Knight, Count D' Avaux, Councillor also in his Counsels, and on the behalf of his Catholic Majesty, the Sieur Dom Pablo Spinola Doria, Marquis de les Balbases, Duke of Sesto, Lord of Guinossa, Casalnosetta, and Ponteucrone, Counfellor in his Council of State, and Chief Protonotary in his Council of Italy; Dom Gaspard de Tebes, and Cordova Tello; and Guzman Count de Venazuza, Marquis de la Fuente, Lord of Lerena, of the House of Arrucas, of the Isles of Gundalupa, and Matalione, perpetual Master de la Victoire, perpetual Major, and Recorder of the Town of Sevil, Gentleman of the Bedchamber to his Imperial Majesty, one of his chief Council of War, and General of his Artillery; Dom Pedro Ronquillo, Knight of the Order of Alcantara, Counfellor in his Counsels of Castille, and of the Indies; and Dom John Baptisse Christin, Knight, Counsellor in the high Council of Flanders, near to his said Catholic Majesty's Person, and one of his Council of State, and of his Privy Council in the Low-countrieses; by virtue of the Letters, and Commissions, which they have communicated to one another, and the Copies whereof, are word for word inserted at the end of this Treaty, have come to an agreement and conclusion, upon mutual Conditions of Peace, and Friendship, in manner following, viz. I. It is Covenanted and agreed, that from henceforth, there shall be a good, firm and lasting Peace, Confederation and perpetual Alliance, and Friendship, between the Most Christian, and Catholic Kings, their Children born, and to be born, their Heirs, Successors, and Inheriters, their Kingdoms, Estates, Countries, and Subjects, so that they shall love one another, as good brethren, procuring with all their might one another's good, honour, and reputation, and faithfully preventing, as far as they shall be able, one another's damage. II. In pursuance of this good Reunion, the Cessation of all manner of Hostilities, agreed on, and Signed, the 19th. day of August, of this present year, shall continue according to the Tenor thereof, betwixt the said Kings, their Subjects, and Vassals, as well by Sea, and other Waters, as by Land, and generally in all places where the War is carried on, by their Majesty's Arms, as well between their Troops, and Armies, as between the Garrisons of their several places; and if any Contravention shall have happened, to be committed contrary to the said Gessation, by the taking of any place or places, whether by attack or surprise, or by private intelligence, nay though Prisoners shall have been taken, or other Acts of Hostility committed through some accident that could not be foreseen, or by such Persons as could not foresee it, contrary to the said Cessation of Hostilities, such Contravention shall faithfully be repaired on both sides, without delay or difficulty, restoring to the full, whatever shall have been taken, and delivering the Prisoners without ransom or paying of charges, in such manner that all things be restored, in such manner, to the same condition they were in, on the said 19th. day of August, when the said Cessation was agreed, and Signed, the Tenor whereof shall be observed, till the day of the exchange of the Ratifications of this present Treaty. III. All causes of enmity, or misunderstanding, shall remain for ever extinct, and abolished, and whatever hath happened or been done, by reason of the present War, or during the same, shall be put into perpetual oblivion, so as for the future no inquiry shall be made into the same, on either side, directly or indirectly, by Law, or otherwise, under any pretence whatsoever; nor may their Majesties, or their Subjects, Servants, and Adherents on either side, express any manner of resentment, of whatever offences may have been committed against them, or damages received by them, during the present War. iv In contemplation of the Peace, the Most Christian King, immediately after the exchange of the Ratifications of this present Treaty, shall put into the Catholic King's power, the Place, and Fortress of Charleroy, the Town of Binche, the Town and Fortress of Aeth, Oudenard, and Coartray, with their Provostships, and Castellanies; Appurtenances, and Dependencies, in the same manner as his Catholic Majesty possessed them, before the War of the year 1667. All which Towns and Places, the Catholic King yielded to the said Most Christian King, at the Treaty signed at Aix la Chapelle, the 2d. of May, 1668. from which this present Treaty doth expressly derogate, for so much as relates to the said Towns and Places, their Appurtenances and Dependences. In pursuance whereof, the said Catholic King shall take possession of the same, and enjoy them to him and his Successors, fully and peaceably, excepting the Verge of Menin, and the Town of Conde, which though heretofore pretended by the Most Christian King, to be a Member of the Castellany of Aeth, shall nevertheless remain to the Crown of France, together with all its Dependences, by virtue of this present Treaty, as shall be said hereafter. V The said most Christian King obligeth himself, and promiseth to put likewise into the hands of the said Catholic King, immediately upon the said Exchange of the Ratifications, the City and Duchy of Limburg, together with all its Dependences, the Country of Outremeuse, the City and Citadel of Ghent, with all its Dependences; likewise the Fort of Rodenhus, and the Country of Waes', the Town and Place of Leuve in Brabant, together with its Dependences; the Town and Place of St. Ghilain, whose Fortifications nevertheless shall be razed; and the Town of Puicerda in Catalonia, in the condition it now is, with their Countries, Places, Castles, Forts, Lands, Lordships, Demesns, Bailifwicks, Appurtenances, Dependences, and Annexation, without reserving or detaining any thing therein, to be possessed by his Catholic Majesty and his Successors, in the same manner he enjoyed them before the present War. VI The said Places, Towns, Places of Charleroy, Binch, Aeth, Oudenard, and Courtray, their Baylifwicks, Castellanies, Governments, Provostships, Territories, Demesns, Lordships, Appurtenances, and Dependences, and all thereunto annexed, by what name soever called, with all the Men, Vassals, Subjects, Towns, Burroughs, Villages, Hamlets, Forests, Rivers, Champain-countreys', and all other things whatsoever thereunto belonging, shall remain, by virtue of this present Treaty of Peace, to his Catholic Majesty, his Heirs, Successors, and Assigns, irrecoverably, and for ever, together with the same Rights of Sovereignty, Propriety, Regalities, Guardianship, and Jurisdiction, Nomination, Prerogatives and Preeminencies over the Bishoprics, Cathedral Churches, and Abbeys, Priories, Dignities, Curacies, and all other Benefices whatsoever, situate within the said Countries, Places, and Bayliffwicks so yielded up, to whatsoever Abbeys the said Priories do appertain and belong, and all other Rights that heretofore belonged to the Most Christian King, though not particularly here expressed; so as his Catholic Majesty shall not be troubled or molested for the future, by any means whatsoever, in right or in deed, by the said Most Christian King, his Successors, or any Princes of his Family, or by any other, or upon any pretence or occasion that may happen, in the said Sovereignty, Propriety, Jurisdiction, Appeal, possession and enjoyment of all the said Countries, Towns, Places, Castles, Lands and Lordships, Provostships, Demesnes, Castellanies, and Bayliffwicks, together with all the Places, and other things thereon depending. And to this end, the said Most Christian King, as well for himself, as for his Heirs, Successors and Assigns, doth renounce, quit-claim, yield and transferr, as his said Plenipotentiaries, in his Name, by this present irrevocable Treaty of Peace, have renounced, quit-claimed, yielded and transferred, perpetually and for ever, in favour and to the behoof of the said Catholic King, his Heirs, Successors and Assigns, all the Rights, Actions and Pretensions, Rights of Regality, Patronage, Guardianship, Jurisdiction, Nomination, Prerogatives and Preeminences over the Bishoprics, Cathedral Churches, and all other Benefices whatsoever, situate within the said Places and Bayliffwicks so yielded up, to whatsoever Abbeys the said Priories did appertain and belong, and generally without any reservation or withholding, all other Rights whatsoever, that the said Most Christian King, his Heirs and Successors, have and challenge, or may have and challenge, for any cause, or reason whatsoever, over the said Countries, Places, Castles, Forts, Lands, Lordships, Demesnes, Castellanies, and Bayliffwicks, and over all Places thereon depending, as hath been said, notwithstanding any Laws, Customs and Constitutions to the contrary, notwithstanding, though confirmed by Oath. From all which, and from the derogating Clauses, of derogating Clauses, it is expressly derogated by this present Treaty, in order to the said Renunciations, and Cessions, which shall be valid, and take place, without that the particular expressing, or specification of any one, shall derogate from the general, nor the general from particular, and excluding for ever all exceptions, upon what Rights, Titles, Causes, or Pretences whatsoever grounded. And the said Most Christian King declareth, consenteth, willeth and intendeth, That the Men, Vassals, and Subjects of the said Countries, Towns and Lands, yielded to the Crown of Spain, as aforesaid, shall be, and remain discharged and absolved, from this time forward, and for ever, from the Faith, Homages, Services, and Oaths of Allegiance, that they may have made to himself, or the Most Christian Kings, his Predecessors, as also from all obedience, subjection and vassalage, which they own him by reason thereof; it being the intention of the said Most Christian King, that the said Faith, Homages, and Oaths of Allegiance, shall be void, and of no force, as fully, as if they never had been made, or taken. VII. The said Most Christian King shall also cause to be restored to the said Catholic King, all the Towns, Places, Forts, Castles, and Posts, that have or may have been seized by his Arms, in whatsoever Parts of the World, to the day of the publication of the Peace. And in like manner, his Catholic Majesty shall cause to be restored to his Most Christian Majesty, Places, Forts, Castles and Posts, may have been seized by his Arms, during the present War, in any Parts of the World, unto the day of the publication of the Peace. VIII. The restitution of the said Places, as aforesaid, shall be made by the Most Christian King, or his Minister, really and truly, without any delay or difficulty, for any cause, or upon any occasion whatsoever, to him or them that shall be deputed by the Catholic King, in time and manner aforesaid, and in the condition they now are, without demolishing, weakening, diminishing or endamaging the same in any sort, and without pretending to, or demanding any reimbursement, for fortifying the said Places, or for paying what might be due to the Soldiers, and people of War there. IX. It is further agreed, That all Proceed, Judgements and Sentences, given and made by the Judges, and other the Officers of his Most Christian Majesty, in such Towns and Places as his Majesty enjoyed, by virtue of the Treaty of Aix la Chappelle, and quitted, as above, to his Catholic Majesty, or by the Parliament of Tournay, by reason of Controversies, and Suits at Law, prosecuted as well by the Inhabitants of the said Towns, and their Dependences, as by others, during the time they were under the obedience of the said Most Christian King, shall take place, and be of as full force and effect, as if the said King continued Master, and actually possessed of the said Towns and Countries: Nor shall the said Judgements and Sentences be called in question, or annulled, nor the execution thereof be otherwise retarded or hindered; nevertheless, it shall be lawful for the Parties to seek relief, by review of the Cause, and course of Law, and Order prescribed by the Statutes, yet so as the Judgements shall in the mean time, remain in full force and virtue, though without prejudice to what is stipulated in that respect, in the 21. Article of this present Treaty. X. Whereas his Most Christian Majesty's Ministers, after the Peace of Aix la Chappelle, maintained at the Conference at Lille, That the Slufes, both on the West and East-side of the Town of Niewport, and the Fort in Vierboet, at the end of the Western Sluse, near the mouth of Newport-Heven, and one part of the Fort of Nieuven Dame, built upon the Eastern Sluse, with the Peers of the said Haven, being kept in repair by those of Furnes, were within the Territory and Jurisdiction of the Castellany of Furnes, and that consequently they belonged to his Most Christian Majesty: And his Catholic Majesty's Ministers held the contrary, that they did not; and whether they did or did not, that it ought to suffice, that since the said Fortifications were made, as well with respect of the Castellany of Furnes, as to the Town of Newport, his Catholic Majesty, being a Sovereign Prince, might incorporate, and appropriate the said parts thereof, to the Haven and Fortifications of Newport, and by that means make them inseparable from that Town. It is agreed, That the said Sluices, and other parts of the Fortifications of Newport , shall remain to his Catholic Majesty, as well as the Town itself, without any Pretensions ever to be made to the same, by his Most Christian Majesty, by reason of the Town and Castellany of Furnes being his, or otherwise. And for the draining of the Waters of the Castellany of Furnes, it shall be continued, and his Catholic Majesty shall enjoy the same, in manner and form, as hath been used till now. XI. The said Most Christian King shall retain, continue seized of, and actually enjoy, the whole County of Burgundy, commonly called the Franche Comte, and the Towns, Places, and Countries thereto belonging, together with the Town of Bezancm, and the Liberties thereof, and the Towns of Valenciennes, and its Dependences, Bourbain, and its Dependences, Conde, and its Dependences, though heretofore pretended to be a Member of the Castellany of Aeth, Cambruy and Cambresis, Aire, St. Omer, and their Dependences, Ipre, and its Castellany, Warwik, and Warneton upon the Lys, Poperinghen, Bailleul and Cassel, with their Dependences, Bavay and Maubeage, with their Dependences. XII. The said County of Burgundy, the Towns, Places, and Countries thereto belonging, together with the Town of Bezancon, and the Liberties thereof, as also the said Towns and Places of Valenciennes, Bouchain, Conde, Cambray, Aire, St. Omer, Ipres, Warwik and Warnoton, Poperinghen, Bailleul, Cassel, Bavay and Moubeage, their Bayliffwicks, Castellanies, Governments, Provostships and Territories. Demesnes, Lordships, Appurtenances, Dependences, and all thereunto annexed, by what Names soever called, with all the Men, Vassals, Subjects, Towns, Boroughs, Villages, Hamlets, Forests, Rivers, Plain-Countries, Salt-Pits, and all other things whatsoever thereunto belonging, shall remain, by virtue of the said present Treaty of Peace, to his Most Christian Majesty, his Heirs, Successors and Assigns, irrevocably and for ever, with the same Rights of Sovereignty, Propriety, Regality, Patronage, Guardranship and Jurisdiction, Nomination, Prerogative and Pre-eminence over Bishoprics, Cathedral Churches, and others, Abbeys, Priories, Dignities, Curacies, and all other Benefices whatsoever, within the compass of the said Countries, Places and Bayliffwicks so yielded up, of what Abbeys soever the said Priories hold Lands, and have dependence upon, and all other Rights, that heretofore belonged to the Catholic King, though not particularly here expressed: So that his Most Christian Majesty, shall not in time to come be troubled, or molested, by any means whatsoever, in right or in deed, by the said Catholic King, or his Successors, or any the Princes of his Family, or by any other, or for any cause or pretence, with relation to the said Sovereignty, Propriety, and Jurisdiction, appeal, possession and enjoyment of all the said Countries, Towns and Places, Castles, Lands and Lordships, Provostships, Demesnes, Castellanies and Bayliffwicks, of all the said Places, and of all things whatsoever thereunto belonging. And to this end, the said Catholic King, for himself, his Horis, Successors and Assigns, doth renounce, quit-claim, yield up and transfer, as his said Plenipotentiaries, in his Name, by this present irrevocable Treaty of Peace, have renounced, given up, and for ever transferred, in favour, and to the behoof of the said Most Christian King, his Heirs, Successors and Assigns, all the Rights, Actions, Pretensions, Rights of Royalty, Patronage, Guardianship, Jurisdiction, Nomination, Prerogatives and Preeminencies over Bishoprics, Cathedral Churches, and all other Benefices, within the compass of the said Places, Countries and Bayliffwicks yielded up, of what Abbeys soever the said Priories held Lands, and had dependence upon, and in general, without any reservation or withholding, all other Rights, that the said Catholic King, his Heirs and Successors, have and challenge, or may have and challenge, for any cause, or upon any occasion whatsoever, over the said Countries, Places, Castles, Forts, Lands, Lordships, Demesnes, Castellanies and Bayliffwicks, and over all Places thereunto belonging, as aforesaid, any Laws, Customs, or Constitutions, to the contrary, notwithstanding, though confirmed by oath. From all which, and all derogating Clauses of derogatories, it is expressly derogated by this present Treaty, in order to the said Renunciations, and Sessions, which shall be valid and take place, without any derogation from a general Clause, by a particular specification, or from a particular, by a general one, and for ever excluding all exceptions, on what Rights, Titles, Cause, or pretence soever grounded: And the said Catholic King, declareth, consenteth, willeth, and intendeth, that the Men, Vassals, and Subjects of the said Countries, Towns, and Lands yielded to the Crown of France, as aforesaid, shall be and remain discharged, and absolved from hence forward, and for ever, from the Faith, Homage, Service, and Oath of Allegiance, that all and every of them may have taken or made to himself, or to the Catholic Kings his Predecessors, together with all obedience, subjection, and vassalage, that they are owing to him by reason thereof; it being the intention of the said Catholic King, that the said Faith, Homage, and Oaths of Allegiance, shall be void and of no force, as if they never had been taken, or made. XIII. And whereas his Most Christian Majesty, hath declared by the Conditions of Peace, which he offered, that he was willing to restore the Town of Charlemont, or in lieu thereof, that of Dinant, at his Catholic Majesties choice, upon condition that his said Catholic Majesty, would charge himself to obtain from the Bishop of Liege, the Session of Dinant, and that the Emperor and Empire should consent thereunto, His Catholic Majesty has chosen, to retain the Town of Charlemont, as heretofore, and consequently doth oblige himself and promise, to obtain from the Lord Bishop and Chapter of Liege, an Authentic Session of the said Town of Dinant, and the Emperors and Empires assent within a year, to be computed from the day of the date of the Ratification, of the Treaty of Peace, which shall be betwixt the Emperor, and the Most Christian King. And in case his said Catholic Majesty, shall not be able to obtain the said Sessions of the Bishop, and Chapter of Liege, and Emperor and Empire's assent, he obligeth himself, and promiseth immediately, after the expiration of the said Term, to cause the said Town of Charlemont, to be put into his Most Christian Majesties power, for him to enjoy the same, in like manner, as he shall enjoy all other the Places and Countries, yielded to the said Most Christian King, by the 11th. and 12th. Articles of this present Treaty. XIV. And for the preventing all such difficulties, as the borders caused in the execution of the Treaties of Aix La Chapelle, and the re-establishing for ever, a good intelligence between the two Crowns, it is agreed, that the Lands, Burroughs, and Villages, reduced within the Provostships, that are yielded, or that belonged to his Most Christian Majesty, before this present Treaty, or are on the other side of the Sambre, shall be exchanged for others nearer to the Places, for his Catholic Majesties convenience, and likewise, that the Villages of the Verge of Menin, situated too near Courtray, shall be changed for others nearer, for his Most Christian Majesties convenience; And likewise that such Villages of the Provostship of Mons, as are so far up in the Country, quitted to his Most Christian Majesty in Hanault, that they intercept communication, shall be exchanged for others, belonging to the Countries, quitted to his said Most Christian King, that are nearer, for the convenience of his Catholic Majesty; and generally that all Lands, enclosed within Countries, yielded or restored to either of the said Kings, shall be exchanged for others of equal value, provided that such exchanges can be agreed upon. XV. Commissioners shall be deputed on both sides, two months after the publication of the present Treaty, who shall assemble, where it shall be respectively agreed, as well to proceed to make the said exchanges, as to settle the bounds between such Estates, and Lordships, as must remain to each of the said Kings, in the Low-countrieses, by virtue of this present Treaty; as also to clear the real debts, lawfully secured by the Lands and Lordships, yielded or restored to either of the two Crowns, and to settle how much each shall pay for the future, and in general to make an amicable end of all differences, that may arise in the execution of the present Treaty. XVI If any such difficulties shall arise in the exchanges aforesaid, as may hinder their taking effect, no Custom-Houses shall be appointed on either side, to perplex one another, and to render the communication more difficult, betwixt Places, under the same Dominion, and such as shall be settled, shall exact no duties, but of such Merchandises, as shall be conveyed from one Dominion to another, to be consumed there, or to be carried to places remote. XVII. The said King's giving back, and restoring respectively the Places aforementioned, may cause to be taken, and carried away all manner of Artillery, Powder, Bullets, Arms, Provision, and other Warlike Ammunitions, that shall be found in the said Places, at the time of their restitution; and such as they shall appoint for that purpose, may for two months make use of the Wagons, and Boats, of the Country, shall have a free passage, by Water, and Land, to carry away the said Ammunitions, and the Governors, and Commanders, Officers, and Magistrates, of the several Places, and Countries, shall give them all the facilities they can, for the carriage, and conveying away the said Artillery, and Ammunition. Also the Officers, Soldiers, and others that shall leave the said Places, may take thence and carry away their movable goods, but without exacting any thing from the Inhabitants of the said Places, and of the plain-Countrey, or endamaging their houses, or taking away any thing whatsoever, belonging to the said Inhabitants. XVIII. The Levying of Contributions demanded on both sides, in Countries now Subjected thereunto, shall continue for all that shall become due, to the 16th. day of October next, and the arrears that shall remain due, at the time of the Ratification aforesaid, shall be paid within three months after the expiration of the said Term: and no execution shall issue in the mean time against the Communities indebted, provided they give good and solvent bail, of Persons residing in some Town, within that King's Dominion, to whom such Contributions shall be due. XIX. It is also agreed, that the Most Christian King's perception of the profits, whereof he is in possession, within all the Countries that he gives back, and restores to the said Catholic King, shall continue to the day of the actual restitution of the Places, to which such Countries do belong, and what shall remain due at the time of the said restitution, shall be truly paid to the Farmers; and also that within such time, the Proprietors of Woods confiscated within the dependences of the Places, that are to be restored to his Catholic Majesty, shall return to the possession of their Estates, and of all the Wood that shall be found upon the place, Provided that from the day of Signing this present Treaty, all cutting of Wood shall cease on both sides. XX. All Papers, Letters, and Writings concerning the countries', Lands, and Lordships, that are yielded, and restored to the said Kings by this present Treaty of Peace, shall be truly produced, and delivered on both sides, within three months after the Ratifications of the present Treaty, shall have been exchanged, in what place soever such Papers and Writings are, even those that were taken out of the citadel of Gand, and out of the Chamber of accounts at Lille! XXI. All Subjects on both sides, as well Ecclesiastical as Secular, shall be settled in the enjoyment as well of such Honours, Dignities, and Benefices, as they were provided of before the War, as of all and singular, their Goods, Movable, and , Estates for Life, and Mortgages, seized, and possessed since the said time, whether by reason of the War, or for siding with the other Party; together with all Rights, Actions, and Inheritances fallen to them, even since the War began, but not so as to demand, or pretend to the mean Profits, and Revenues, accrued and grown due, since the seizure of such immovable Goods, Rents, and Benefices, and before the day of the publication of this present Treaty. XXII. Nor likewise to such debts, effects, and movables, as shall have been confiscated before that day: so as neither the Creditors of such debts, nor Depositaries of such effects, their Heirs, nor Assigns, may sue for, or pretend to recover them. Which re-establishments in manner aforesaid, shall be extended in favour of those that have taken the contrary part, so as to restore them by means of this present Treaty, to the favour of their King, and Sovereign Prince, and the possession of such of their Goods, as shall be found in being, at the conclusion, and Signing of this present Treaty. XXIII. And such re-establishment of the Subjects on both sides, according to the Contents of the 21th. and 22th. Articles, shall take effect, notwithstanding any gifts, grants, declarations, confiscations, forseitures, sentences, preparatory, or definitive, given for contumacy, in absence of the Parties, or without hearing them; all which sentences and judgements, shall be void and of none effect, as if they had not been given, or pronounced, and the parties at liberty, to return to the Countries from whence they departed, personally to enjoy their immovable Goods, Rents, and Revenues; or to settle their abodes elsewhere, where they will themselves, at their own choice, and election, without being under any constraint in that respect; and if they shall choose rather to live elsewhere, they may depute, and appoint, such unsuspected Persons as they shall think fit, for the disposition, and enjoyment of their Goods, Rents, and Revenues: but not with relation to Benefices requiring residence, which must be served and administered in Person. XXIV. Such as have been provided on either side, of Benefices, which were at the Collation, presentation, or other disposition of the said Kings or others, whether ecclesiastics, or Laics, or have provisions from the Pope of any Benefices, within the obedience of either of the said Kings, by whose consent and allowance, they have enjoyed the same during the War, shall continue in the possession, and enjoyment of such Benefices for their lives, as well and duly thereof provided; but without any future prejudice, to the rights of the Lawful Collators, who shall enjoy, and use the same as they did before the War. XXV. All Prelates, Abbots, Priors, and other Ecclesiastical Persons, that before or during the War, have by the said Kings, been nominated to Benefices, or provided thereof, which their Majesties were in possession of a power to provide, or nominate, before the breach between the two Crowns, shall be maintained in the possession and enjoyment of such Benefices, without disturbance, for any cause, or upon any pretence whatsoever. And also in the free enjoyment of all such Goods, as shall be found to have anciently belonged thereunto, and of the right of Collating to the Benefices thereunto belonging, wheresoever such Goods, and Benefices are situated. Provided always, that such Benefices be supplied with Persons able, and qualified, according to the rules observed before the War. So that hereafter, no Administrators shall be sent on either side to govern the said Benefices, and receive the profits thereof; which shall not be enjoyed but by Titularies, Lawfully provided. And also all such Places, as heretofore acknowledged the jurisdiction of the said Prelates, Abbots, and Priors, wheresoever situated, shall acknowledge the same for the future, if their right appear to have been anciently settled, though the said Places should fall out to be within the extent of the other Prince's Dominion, or depend upon some Castellanies, or Bayliffwicks, belonging to the other party. XXVI. It is agreed, and declared, that no part of the Pyrenean Treaty is hereby intended to be revoked, but what concerns Portugal, with which the Catholic King is now at Peace, nor any part of the Treaty of Aix La Chappelle, but for so much as shall be otherwise disposed, in this present Treaty, by the yielding up of the Places aforesaid; so as the parties shall neither acquire any new right, nor irscur any prejudice to their respective pretensions, to any thing not expressly mentioned in this present Treaty; and consequently whatever was stipulated by the Pyrenean Treaty, concerning the Interest of the Duke of Savoy, and the Power of the late most Serene Infanta Catharina, shall be observed, without any hurt or prejudice by this particular Cause, to the general stipulation in this present Article, concerning the performance of the said Pyrenean Treaty, and that of Aix La Chapelle. XXVII. Though their Most Christian, and Catholic Majesties contribute all their Cares, towards the settling a general Peace, and that so fair a way towards it, as that of a general Truce, gives them hopes, that a conclusion, of may secure the Quiet of Christendom, will speedily ensue; yet since the said Most Christian King doth insist upon it, that the Catholic King shall oblige himself, not to assist any of the Princes, that are now engaged in War against France, and its Allies, his Catholic Majesty hath promised, and doth promise, to observe a perfect Neutrality, during the course of this War, without being at liberty to assist his Allies, directly or indirectly, against France, or its Allies. XXVIII. And whereas their Most Christian and Catholic Majesties, do acknowledge the powerful Offices, which the King of Great Britain has contributed, without intermission, by his Counsels and good Advertisements, toward the public safety and repose; it is agreed on both sides, That his said Majesty of Great Britain, and his Kingdoms, shall be expressly comprehended in this present Treaty, after the best form that can be. XXIX. Within this Peace, Alliance and Friendship, on the part of his Most Christian Majesty, besides the King of Sweden, together with the Duke of Holstein, the Bishop of Strasburg, and Prince William of Furstemburg, as concerned in the present War, shall be comprehended, if they please themselves, all those, that having refused to engage or declare themselves in the present War, shall be nominated, within six months after the exchange of the Ratifications. XXX. And on the part of his Catholic Majesty, shall likewise be comprehended, if themselves please, all such, as having forborn to engage or declare themselves in the present War, shall be nominated, within six months after the exchange of the Ratifications, and all others, that after the said War ended, shall likewise be nominated by his said Catholic Majesty. XXXI. The said Most Christian and Catholic Kings do agree, That all Potentates and Princes, that shall be willing to enter into the like Obligation, may give their Majesties their Promises and Engagements of Warranty, as to execution of is contained in this present Treaty. XXXII. And for the greater security of this Treaty of Peace, and of all the Points and Articles therein contained, the said present Treaty shall be published, attested and registered, in the Court of the Parliament of Paris, and in all other Parliaments of the Kingdom of France, and in the Chamber of Accounts at Paris. And also the said Treaty shall be published, attested and registered, as well in the great, and other Counsels, and Chambers of Account, of the said Catholic King, in the Low-Countries, as in the other Counsels of the Crowns of Castille and Arragon, according to the form contained in the Pyrenean Treaty, of the year 1659., of which Publications and Enrollement, Exemplifications shall be delivered on both sides, within three months after the publication of this present Treaty. All which Points and Articles, above expressed, and the Contents of every of them, have been treated, agreed, passed and stipulated, between the said Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of the said Most Christian and Catholic Kings; which Plenipotentiaries, by virtue of their Powers, the Copies whereof are inserted at the bottom of this present Treaty, have promised, and do promise, under the Obligation of all and every the Goods and Estates, present and to come, of the Kings their Masters, that they shall inviolably be observed and fulfilled, and that they will cause them to be ratified firmly and simply, without addition of any thing thereunto, and produce the Ratifications thereof, by Letters authentic and sealed, wherein all this present Treaty shall be inserted verbatim, within six weeks, to be accounted from the day of the date of this present Treaty, or sooner, if possible. And the said Plenipotentiaries have promised, and do promise, in their said Kings Names, that after producing the said Letters of Ratification, the said Most Christian King, as soon as possibly he can, shall, in the presence of such person or persons, as the Catholic King shall be pleased to depute, swear solemnly upon the Cross, the Gospels, and Canons of the Mass, and upon his Honour, fully, really and truly, to observe and fulfil all the Articles contained in this present Treaty: And the like shall be done, as soon as is possible, by the said Catholic King, in the presence of such person or persons, as the said Most Christian King shall be pleased to depute. In witness of all which, the said Plenipotentiaries have subscribed this present Treaty with their own Names, and have caused their Seals of Arms to be set thereto. Nimeguen, the 17th. day of September, 1678. Le M. D'Estrades. Colbert. De Mesmes D'Avaux. Pablo Spinola Doria. Conde de Benazuza. marquis de la Fuente. Jean baptist Christin. The Power of the Lords Ambassadors, of his Most Christian Majesty. LEwis, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarr: To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we desire nothing more earnestly, than to see the War that now afflicts Christendom, end in a good Peace; and whereas, by the cares and mediation, of our most dear and our most beloved Brother, the King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon, on all hands, for the place of Conference; We, out of the same desire, to put a stop, as far as in us lies, to the ruin of so many Provinces, and the effusion of so much Christian Blood, do make known, That We, reposing entire confidence in the experience, sufficiency and fidelity, of our most dear and wellbeloved Cousin, the Sieur Count D'Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of our Orders, our trusty and wellbeloved, the Sieur Colbert, Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in Ordinary in our Counsels of State, and of our trusty and wellbeloved the Sieur de Mesmes, Count D'Avaux, Counsellor also in our Counsels, by reason of the advantageous trials that we have made of them, in divers Embassies, and Employs of importance, wherein we have entrusted them, at home and abroad. For these Causes, and other good Considerations, us thereunto moving, We have appointed, constituted and deputed, the said Sieur Marshal D'Estrades, Marquis de Croissy, and Count D'Avaux, and do appoint, constitute, and depute the same by these presents, signed with our Hand, and have given them, and do hereby give them full Power, Commission, and special Order, to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary, and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and there to confer directly, or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators, respectively allowed and agreed to, with all Ambassadors and Ministers, of our most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin, the Catholic King, and his Allies, having all of them sufficient Powers, and there to treat upon the means, for determining and appeasing the Differences, that cause the War at this day. And our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, all three jointly, or two of them, in absence of the third, through sickness, or other impediment, or one only, in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, may agree thereupon, and conclude and sign a good and sure Peace, and generally may act, negotlate, promise and agree, they shall think necessary towards the said Peace, with the same Authority, that we ourselves should or might do, if we were present there in person, though any thing therein should require more particular Order, than is contained in these presents: Promising on the Faith and Word of a King, to observe and fulfil, the said Sieur Marshal D'Estrades, Marquis de Croissy, and Count D'Avaux, or two of them, in the absence of the third, through sickness, or other impediment, or by one only, in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, shall stipulate, promise and agree, and to cause our Letters of Ratification, to be dispatched within such time, as they shall promise in our Name to produce them; for such is our pleasure. In witness whereof, we have caused our Seal to be set to these presents. Given at St. en Say, the 23. day of December, in the year of Grace, One thousand six hundred seventy five, and of our Reign, the three and thirtieth. Signed, Lewis; and upon the fold of the Letters, By the King, Arnauld, and sealed with the Great Seal in yellow Wax. The Powers of his Catholic Majesty's Ambassadors. Done Charles the second, by the Grace of God, King of Castille, Leon, Arragon, both Sicily's, Jerusalem, Navarre, Granada, Toledo, Valentia, Galicia, Majorca, Sevill, Sardinia, Cordoma, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, Algarves, Algeriza, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the East and West-Indies, the Isles of Terra Firma, and of the Occan-Sea; Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, and Melan, Count of Auspurg, Flanders, Tiroll, and Barcelona, Lord of Bisca, and Molina, etc. Since we desire nothing with greater vehemency, then to see the War, that doth at this present so much afflict Christendom, end in a good Peace, and the Town of Nimeguen having been chosen, and pitched upon, by means of the Mediation, and good Offices of the King of Great Britain, and by the common consent of all parties concerned in the War, to be the place for meeting, and Treating of Peace; and I desiring to contribute as much as in me lies, towards so good a Design, I have thought fit to nominate some Persons to assistat the Assembly, with full power, and authority, in my name, and taking into consideration the Sufficiency, Integrity, Prudence, Experience, Understanding, and Zeal for my Service, which are found in you, Don Paul Spinola Doria, Marquis de Los Balbases, one of my Council of State, Don Pedro Ronquillo, of my Counsels of Castille, and of the Indies, and Don John baptist Christin, of my Council of Flanders; and by reason of the satisfaction which you have always given me, in many, and important Affairs, whereof you have had the management, and assuring myself of the care that you will take in my Service, I have nominated you to be my Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, and by virtue of these presents, I give to you all jointly, and to each of you in particular, in the absence, or by reason of any other hindrance of the other, full and absolute power to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, and there to Treat, immediately, or by the intervention of the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, the Mediators, respectively allowed, and admitted, with the Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, of my most Dear, and most beloved Brother, and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, especially authorised, and appointed, and having sufficient powers, and to treat upon means for appeasing the present War, and to this end to enter with them upon a Negotiation, to Confer, Propose, Agree, Capitulate, Conclude, and Sign, a good, firm, and durable Treaty of Peace, and Quiet, and generally to act with relation thereunto, as myself might, if present there in Person, though more particular Order should be requisite, then is contained in these presents. And I give my Faith, and Royal Word, for ever to observe precisely, and punctually, without failure, whatsoever shall by you, Don Paul Spinola Doria, Marquis de Les Balbases, Don Pedro Ronquillo, and Don John baptist Christin, my Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, all three jointly, or by two of you, in the absence, or in case of sickness of the other, be agreed at the said Treaty, with the Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, of my most beloved Brother and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies; and likewise to approve, and Ratify the same, within such time as shall be limited by both parties. In witness whereof, I have ordered these presents to be dispatched: Signed with my hand, and Sealed with my Privy Seal, and subscribed by my Secretary of State, underwritten. Given at Madrid the third day of Decem. 1675. I the King. Don Pedro Coloma. Done Charles the second, by the Grace of God, King of Castille, Leon, Arragon, both Sicily's, Jerusalem, Navarre, Granada, Toledo, Valentia, Galicia, Majorca, Sevill, Sardinia, Cordova, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, Algarves Algeriza, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the East and West-Indies, the Isles of Terra Firma, and of the Ocean Sea; Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, and Milan, Count of Auspurg, Flanders, Tiroll, and Barcelona; Lord of Biscay, and Molina, etc. Forasmuch as by the Mediation, and good Offices of the King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been chosen, and pitched on, by the common consent of all the parties now engaged in the War, for a place of meeting, in order to a Treaty of Peace: and I desiring to contribute on my part, whatever lies in me, towards the appeasing and ending the present War, that so much afflicteth Christendom, through his means, have nominated to be my Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, to assist in my Name, at the said Assembly, Don Paul Spinola Doria, Marques de los Balbases, one of my Council of State, Don Pedro Ronquillo, one of my Counsels of Castille, and of the Indies, and Don John baptist Christin, of my Council of Flanders, by virtue of the plenary Power, which I dispatched the third of December, 1675. signed with my Hand, and sealed with my Seal, and under-written by Don Pedro Coloma, my Secretary of State, as appears by the Original, to which I refer: To the end, that all three jointly, or two of them, in case of absence, or other hindrance of the third, or one only, in the like case of absence, or other hindrance of the other two, might assist, treat and confer immediately, or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries the Mediators, allowed and admitted respectively, with the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, of my most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, specially authorized and appointed; which accordingly they have done, and now actually do in my Name. And judging it to be for the interest of my service, to add one Plenipotentiary more to the other three, to assist at the Conferences and Affairs there, with like character and authority. And considering the sufficiency, integrity, prudence, experience, understanding, and zeal for my service, which are found in you, Don Gaspar de Teves, and Gusman, Marques de la Fuente, Count de Venazuza; and by reason of the satisfaction which you have always given me, in many and important Affairs, whereof I have entrusted you with the management, and that you will have regard to the interest of my service, I nominate you to be my second Ambassador and Plenipotentiary, to repair to the said Town of Nimeguen, and jointly with my three Ambassadors , or with two of them, in the absence, or in case of other impediment of the third, or by yourself alone, in case of absence, or other hindrance of the other three, either by the mediation of the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries the Mediators, respectively allowed, or immediately, with the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, of my most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, particularly appointed and authorized, confer, propose, agree, conclude and sign a good, firm, and durable Treaty of Peace and Quiet, and generally to act, with relation thereunto, I myself might do, if I were present there in person, though some more particular Order should be requisite thereunto, than is herein expressed. And I give my Faith and Royal Word, that you Don Gaspar de Teves, and Guzman, Marques de la Fuente, my second Plenipotentiary, jointly with the said Marquis de los Balbases, Don Pedro Ronquillo, and Don John baptist Christin, my Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, or sole, in the absence, or other hindrance, of any of them, shall agree and capitulate at the said Treaty; with the said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, of my most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, I will always observe precisely and punctually, without any failure, and will likewise approve and ratify the same, within such time as shall be reciprocally agreed on. Declaring from this time forward, that nothing. is hereby derogated from the Power, which I gave on the third of December, to the said Marquis de los Balbases, Don Pedro Ronquillo, and Don John baptist Christin; but that, on the contrary, it remains in full and perfect force and virtue, notwithstanding these presents, or any other circumstance whatsoever. In token whereof, I have ordered these presents to be dispatched, being signed with my Hand, and sealed with my privy Seal, and subscribed by my Secretary of State under-written. Given at Madrid, the 16th. of July, 1678. I the King. Don Pierre Coloma. Articles of Peace between the Emperor, and the French King, Concluded, and Signed at Nimeguen, the 5th. day of February, 1678. Translated out of Latin, according to the Copy Printed at Nimeguen, by Adrian Moetiens. IN the Name of the most Holy, and Undivided Trinity. Be it known to all and every one, whom it doth, or may any way concern, That whereas, from the beginning of the War, commenced some years ago, between the most Serene, and Mighty Prince, and Lord LEOPOLD, Elect Emperor of the Romans, always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, and Sclavonia, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Stiria, Carinthia, Carniola, Marquis of Moravia, Duke of Luxemberg, of the Upper and Lower Silesea, Wirtemburg, and Tecka, Prince of Swaben, Earl of Haspurge, Tirol, Kyburg, and Goritia, Marquis of the sacred Roman Empire, Burgovia, and of the Upper and Lower Lusatia, Lord of the March of Sclavonia, of the Port of Naon, and the Salt-Pits, on the one part, and the most Serene, and Mighty Prince and Lord, LEWIS the xiv. the Most Christian King of France, and Navarre, on the other part; Their Imperial, and Most Christian Majesties, have desired nothing more passionately, than the prevention of the desolation of so many Countries, and the further effusion of Blood, by restoring a Peace never to be broken. It hath, by the Blessing of Almighty God, been at length brought to pass, that by the endeavours of the most Serene, and Mighty Prince and Lord, Charles the second, King of Great Britain, Who being received as a General Mediator by all the Parties, hath, in these difficult Conjunctures of Christendom, to his immortal Glory, with indefatigable care, employed his utmost Offices, and Counsels, for the Public Tranquillity, and General Peace, Their Imperial, and Most Christian Majesties, have agreed, that the Congress for treating the Peace, should be held here at Nimeguen, in Guelderland; In which place, Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, in due form authorized, having appeared on both sides, viz. on the part of the Emperor, the most Reverend, Illustrious, and Excellent Lords, John Bishop of Gurgg, Prince of the Sacred Roman Empire, and Counsellor to his Imperial Majesty; as likewise Francis Udalrick, Count of the sacred Roman Empire, of Khinscky, Chemitz, and Tettau, Lord of Klumetz, Counsellor to his Imperial Majesty, of his Bedchamber, Lord Lieutenant, Assistant of the Royal Provincial Court, Precedent for Appeals, and Lord Steward of the Royal Court, in the Kingdom of Bohemia, and Theodore Athletus, Henry Stratman, of his Imperial Majesty's Autick Council; And on the part of the Most Christian King, the most Illustrious, and Excellent Lords, Godfrey Count D' Estrades, Marshal of France, Knight of his Majesty's Orders, Viceroy in America, Governor of the City and Fort of Dunkirk, and the Places thereupon depending; Charles Colbert, Kt. Marquis of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary to the Most Christian King, and John Anthony de Mesmes, Kt. Count d' Avaux, one of his Most Christian Majesties Privy Council; after having humbly implored the assistance of Almighty God, and in due form presented, and shown their Commissions, the Copies whereof (are word for word, inserted in the end of this Treaty) with the Interposition, and Pains, of the most Illustrious, and Excellent Lords, Laurence Hyde, Esq. Sir William Temple, Baronet, and Sir Leoline Jenkins, Kt. Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of his Majesty of Great Britain, who from the year 1675. until this present, have with great impartiality, Industry, and Prudence, performed the Office of Mediators, in order to the restoring the Public Tranquillity, to the Glory of God, and Welfare of Christendom, they have mutually agreed on the following Conditions of Peace, and Friendship. I. First, That there be a Christian, Universal, true, and Sincere Peace, and Friendship, between their Imperial, and Most Christian Majesties, their Heirs, and Successors, Kingdoms, and Provinces, as also between all and every the Confederates of his said Imperial Majesty, more particularly the Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, comprehended in this Peace, their Heirs, and Successors, on the one part; and all and every the Confederates of his said Most Christian Majesty, comprehended in this Peace, their Heirs, and Successors, on the other; Which said Peace, and Friendship, shall be so sincerely observed, and improved, that each party shall promote the Honour, Advantage, and Interest of the other; And there shall be so perpetual an Oblivion, and Amnesty, of all Hostilities committed on each side, since the beginning of the present Troubles, that neither Party shall, upon that, or any other account, or pretence, give, nor cause, or suffer to be given hereafter, to the other any Trouble, directly, or indirectly, under colour of Law, or way of Fact, within, or without the Empire, any former agreements to the contrary, notwithstanding, But all and every, the injuries, Violences, Hostilities, Damages, and Charges, sustained on each side, by Words, Writing, or Deeds, shall without respect of Persons, or things, be so entirely abolished, that whatsoever may upon that account, be pretended against the other, shall be buried in perpetual Oblivion. II. And forasmuch as the Peace concluded the 24th. day of October 1648. at Munster, in Westphalia, is to be the Foundation, and Basis of the present Friendship, and Public Tranquillity; The said Peace shall from henceforth be restored, in all and every its Points, and remain in full force and vigour, as if the same were, word for word, inserted herein, except in such Points as are derogated from it, by this present Treaty. III. And whereas in virtue of the said Peace of Munster, his Most Christian Majesty had Right to keep a Garrison in the Fortress of Philipsburg, for its Protection, and that the said Fortress hath during this War been taken by the Emperor's Arms, and the Castle, and Town of Friburg, by the Arms of France, Their Imperial, and Most Christian Majesties, have agreed concerning those Places, in manner following. iv His Most Christian Majesty, as well for himself, as his Heirs, and Successors, doth for ever renounce, and quit to his Imperial Majesty, his Heirs, and Successors, all Right of Protection, maintaining a Garrison, and all other things which belonged unto him, with relation to the Fortress of Philipsburg, in virtue of the Treaty of Munster, Reserving nothing, under any pretence or Title, to himself, his Heirs, and Successors, or the Kingdom of France, upon the said Fortress, the Forts adjoining to it, and erected as well on this, as on the other side of the Rhine, any Laws, Constitutions, and Statutes, or other things whatsoever, to the contrary notwithstanding, all and every of which are expressly derogated from by this present Treaty. V In like manner, his Imperial Majesty doth, as well for himself, as his Heirs, and Successors, and the whole House of Austria, renounce, and for ever quit to his Most Christian Majesty, his Heirs, and Successors, the Castle, and Town of Friburg, together with the 3. Villages of Lehn, Mezhauzen, and Kirchzart thereunto belonging, with their Districts, as they appertain to the Community of the said Town of Friburg, together with all Propriety, Superiority, Right of Patronage, Sovereignty, and other things whatsoever, which belonged unto him with relation to Friburg, Reserving to himself, his Heirs, and Successors, or the Empire, no Right or Claim thereunto, under any Title, or Pretence whatsoever, any Laws, Constitutions, Statutes, or any thing to the contrary notwithstanding, all and every of which, are expressly derogated from by this present Treaty: Provided still, that the Privileges, and Immunities, formerly obtained of the House of Austric, for the said City remain inviolate, as also the Right of Episcopacy, Revenues, and other Emoluments, be reserved to the Bishop, and Church of Constance. VI His Most Christian Majesty shall, as often as he has occasion, without any hindrance or molestation, have a free and easy passage, from Brisach to Friburg, through the Territory of his Imperial Majesty, and the Empire, by the Highway called Landstras, for the marching of his Soldiers, and the conveying of Provisions, and other things necessary for the Garrison of Friburg. VII. Nor shall the Provisions intended, and necessary for the Garrison of Friburg, in their way and passage from Brisach to Friburg, be molested, or detained, through payment of any Tolls, Customs, Taxes, Duties, or Rights, new or ancient. It is further agreed, That the Victuals requisite, as well for the Garrison, as Inhabitants, which shall be transported from any place of Brisgow, to Friburg, shall as hitherto, so likewise for the future, pay no Customs; and as for other Merchandise, and things whatsoever, no other nor greater Duties, and Customs, shall be laid upon them, than if they were carried to other Places, under the Obedience of his Imperial Majesty, or are otherwise paid by the Subjects of his said Imperial Majesty. VIII. Commissioners shall, within a year after the Ratification of the Peace, be named, to determine, and consider, what Debts lawfully contracted, are to be paid by the said Town of Friburg. IX. His Most Christian Majesty shall take effectual care, that sincerely, and without delay, all and every the Writings, and Deeds, which at the time of the taking of Friburg, were found in the Town and Castle, in the Chancery of the Government, and Chamber, or in the Houses, and Custody, of the Counsellors, and other Officers thereof, or elsewhere, be restored to his Imperial Majesty; But if the said Writings be public, and do jointly concern the said Town of Friburg, and the 3 Villages thereunto belonging, the Commissioners , shall agree in what place the same shall be kept, so that Authentic Copies of them may be obtained, as often as desired. X. It shall be lawful not only to the Chapter of Basle, as also to all and every the Members of the Austrean Government, and the University of Friburg, but also to the Citizens, and Inhabitants, of what Condition soever, who have a mind to departed, without any hindrance, molestation, or imposition, within a year after the Ratification of the Peace, to Transport themselves, together with their Movables, to whatsoever place they please, and to sell, retain, or administer by themselves, or others, their Immovables. All others shall likewise have the same power to retain, administer, or alienate, who have any Goods, Revenues, or Rights, in the said City of Friburg, or the 3 Villages belonging unto it. XI. Nevertheless, His Most Christian Majesty doth consent, that the said Castle, and Town of Friburg, with the 3 Villages thereunto belonging, shall be restored to his Imperial Majesty, in case they can agree of an Equivalent for it, to the satisfaction of his Most Christian Majesty. XII. Whereas the Duke of Lorraine, is engaged in the War with his Imperial Majesty, and desires to be included in this present Treaty, The said Duke shall for himself, his Heirs, and Successors, be restored to the free and full possession of all those States, Places, and Goods, which Duke Charles his Uncle, possessed in the year, 1670. When the same were taken by the Forces of the Most Christian King; Excepting only such alterations, as are made and specified in the following Articles. XIII. The Town of Naney, with its District, (commonly called Finage,) shall remain for ever, United, and Incorporated to the Crown of France, so that his Most Christian Majesty, his Heirs, and Successors, shall possess the same with all Right of Superiority, Sovereignty, and Propriety, And to that end, the said Duke of Lorraine, doth as well for himself, as his Heirs, and Successors, for ever renounce, quit and transfer unto the said Most Christian King, his Heirs, and Successors, without any retention, or reservation, all Right of Propriety, or Sovereignty, all Prerogatives, and Pre-eminences, which did, or of right aught to belong to the said Duke, with reference to the abovesaid City of Nancy, any Laws, Customs, Statutes, Constitutions, or Agreements, made to the contrary notwithstanding, all which, as also the annulling Clauses of Derogations, are derogated from by this present Treaty. XIV. And to the end, there may be a more free communication between the said Town of Nancy, and the Dominions belonging to the Crown of France, and a more easy passage for the French Soldiers, Ways half a league broad shall be marked out, by Commissioners to be appointed for that purpose, by the Most Christian King, and the said Duke of Lorraine; The first of which Ways shall be, from St. Didier to Nancy; the second, from Nancy to Alsatia; the third, from the said City of Nancy to Besancon, in the County of Burgundy; And the fourth, from Nancy to Metz; yet so that the marking out of the said Ways, be done in the same manner, as was observed in the Ways formerly consented to, by Duke Charles, in the year, 1661. XV. All Places, Villages, Houses, and Lands, together with their Dependencies, Scituate, and lying within the said Ways of half a league broad, shall belong unto his Most Christian Majesty, together with all Rights, as well of Superiority, and Sovereignty, as Propriety, which the said Duke, or his Ancestors had, and enjoyed before this Treaty; yet so, that if the Districts, or Dependencies of the said Places, extend beyond the said half league, whatsoever lies beyond that space of ground, and the boundaries settled by the Commissioners, shall with all Superiority, Sovereignty, and Propriety, remain as formerly, to the said Duke, his Heirs, and Successors. XVI. The City, and Provostship of Longwic, with its Appurtenancies, and Dependencies, shall for ever, with all Superiority, Sovereignty, and Propriety, remain to the said Most Christian King, his Heirs, and Successors, and the said Duke, his Heirs, and Successors, shall lay no claim thereunto for the future; But in exchange for the said City and Provostship, his Most Christian Majesty shall give unto the said Duke, another Provostship, in one of the 3 Bishoprics, of the same greatness and value, according as shall be agreed upon, by the abovesaid Commissioners, which being so granted, and conveyed by the Most Christian King, to the said Duke, as well the said Duke, as his Heirs, and Successors, shall for ever enjoy it, with all Rights of Superiority, Sovereignty, and Propriety. XVII. In like manner, his Most Christian Majesty, for, and in compensation of the said Town of Nancy, doth for himself, and the Crown of France, quit, and convey to the aforesaid Duke, his Heirs, and Successors, the Superiority, Sovereignty, and Propriety, of the City of Thoul, and the Suburbs thereof, with all Rights thereunto belonging, especially the Prerogatives, and Pre-eminences of Patronage, which did, or of right aught to have belonged to the Crown of France, in, and over the said City of Thoul, its Suburbs, and District, (commonly called Finage) so as the said Duke, his Heirs, and Successors, may, without any retention, or reservation, fully enjoy, and exercise the same; any Laws, Customs, Statutes, Constitutions, or Agreements made to the contrary, notwithstanding; from all which, as also the annulling Clauses of Derogations, the Most Christian King, hath expressly derogated by this present Treaty. XVIII. And in case the District of the City of Thoul, shall be found to be of less bigness and value, than the District of the City of Nancy, the same shall be otherwise compensated to the Duke, so that the Districts of both Cities shall be of an equal greatness, and value. XIX. The Most Christian King shall, as by this present Treaty he doth, for ever renounce for himself, his Heirs, and Successors, the Right of nominating, or presenting the Bishop of Thoul, unto the hands of the Pope, procured by him of Pope Clement ix. so that the said Duke may make his recourse to the Apostolic See, to obtain the same. XX. It is further covenanted, and agreed, That it shall in no wise be lawful for the said Duke to make any alteration or change, in the Benefices bestowed by his Most Christian Majesty, until the day of this present Treaty, and those who are inducted into the said Benefices, shall continue in quiet possession of them, so that the said Duke, shall in no wise trouble, or molest, nor dispossess them of the same. XXI. It is further agreed, That all Proceed at Law, Sentences, and Decrees, made, and given by the Council, Judges, or other the Officers of his Most Christian Majesty, in Suits, and Actions, that are finished, as well between the Subjects of the said Duchy of Lorraine, and Bar, as others, during the time the said States were under the Dominion of the Most Christian King, shall take place, and have their full and entire effect, in as ample manner, as if the Most Christian King had still continued Lord, and Possessor of those countries'; nor shall it be lawful to question, annul, delay, or hinder the Execution of the said Sentences, and Decrees. But the Parties concerned, may according to what is prescribed, and appointed by the Laws, desire a Revision of the Proceed that have been thereupon had, yet so that the Sentences shall remain in full force and vigour. XXII. The Charters, Deeds, and Writings, which were in the Exchequers of Nancy, and Bar, and in the two Chambers of accounts, or elsewhere, and have been since removed from thence, shall be forthwith restored to the Duke. XXIII. His Imperial Majesty doth agree, that Prince Francis Egon, Bishop of Strasburg, and his Brother, Prince William Egon, of Furstenberg, together with their Nephew, Prince Anthony Egon, of Fustenberg, and their Officers, and Ministers, shall be fully restored to the State, Reputation, Dignities, Rights, Suffrages, Session, Benefices, and Offices, Goods holden in Fee-simple, Fee-base, and in Capite, together with the Profits that have been sequestered, and generally to all other Goods, which they did, or of right aught to have enjoyed before their Deprivation, upon occasion of this War, any Proceed, Transactions, or Decrees whatsoever to the contrary, notwithstanding. The said Prince, William Egon shall immediately after the Ratification of the Peace, be restored to his full liberty. And whatsoever hath been said, written, or done by the Chapter of Strasburg, and others who administered the Goods, and Benefices, belonging to the said Bishop, and Prince, shall be buried in perpetual Oblivion, nor shall they upon that account be impeached, or under any other pretence whatsoever, molested. XXIV. All the Vassals, and Subjects, Ecclesiastical, and Secular, of both Parties, shall be restored to the Honours, Dignities, and Benefices, which they enjoyed before the breaking out of the War, as also to all Goods, Movable, and , Revenues, casual, and subject to redemption, seized, and confiscated upon occasion of the War, together with all Rights, Actions, and Inheritances, fallen unto them, even during the same, yet so that nothing shall be demanded for the Profits, and Rents, received for the said Goods, Movables, Revenues, and Benefices, from the time of the Confiscation, and Seizure, till the day of the Ratification of the Peace; and in like manner, the Debts, Effects, Merchandise, and Movables, confiscated before the said day, so that neither the Creditors of private Debtors, nor those in whose hands such Effects, and Merchandise, have been deposited, nor their Heirs, or Assigns, may prosecute, or pretend to any restitution, or satisfaction for the same, which restitutions shall be extended to those also, who have been of the contrary Party; and consequently, they shall in virtue of this Treaty, be restored to the favour of their Prince, as also to their Goods, in such condition, as they shall be found to be, at the Conclusion, and Signing of this Treaty, all which things shall be effectually executed, any Donations, Confiscations, Orders, Interlocutory, and Definitive, Sentences given, and made, without hearing, and in the absence of the Parties, through contumacy; Which Sentences, and Judgements, shall be made null, and deemed to be of no more force, than if they had never been judged, and pronounced, full and entire liberty, remaining to the said Parties, to return into the Country from whence they departed, and enjoyed the Goods, Movables, Estates, and Revenues, or inhabit in what place soever they shall please, and make choice, without any violence, or compulsion; and in case they have a mind to transport themselves to some other place, they may by Attorneys not suspected, administer, and enjoy their Goods, and Revenues, such Benefices only accepted, as require residence, which they ought Personally to perform, and execute. XXV. The agreement this day made, between his Imperial Majesty, and the Empire, and the King, and Kingdom of Sweden, as well with relation to himself, as to the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, shall be esteemed to be comprehended in this Treaty, in such manner, that as well this, as the aforementioned Treaty, between the Emperor, and Sweden, shall be judged, and looked upon, as one, and the same, and held to be of the same force, and virtue, as if it were word for word, inserted in this Treaty. XXVI. And because it is highly necessary, in order to the preservation of the public Peace, That the War, which yet continues between his Most Christian Majesty, and the King, and Kingdom of Sweden, on the one part, and the King of Denmark, the Elector of Brandenburg, the Bishop of Munster, and the Princes of Lunenburg, namely the Bishop of Osnaburg, and the Dukes of Zel, and Wolfembutel, be with all speed composed, as well his Imperial, as his Most Christian Majesty, shall employ their utmost Offices, towards the said Princes, and the King of Sweden, That a Peace between the aforesaid Parties, be speedily made, and to that end, a Cessation of Arms in order to it, be forthwith agreed to by them. But if contrary to all expectation, the said Offices should want their desired effect, His Imperial Majesty, and the Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, included in this Peace, do promise, that after the Term for the Cessation of Hostilities, is expired, they will in no wise, under any pretence whatsoever, directly, or indirectly, assist the aforesaid Enemies of France, and Sweden, or in any wise hinder them in the carrying on of the War, nor suffer the Forces of the aforesaid Enemies of France, and Sweden, to take any Winter-Quarters, without their Territories in the Empire. And for the aforesaid end only, it shall be free for his Most Christian Majesty, to keep a Garrison, in the following Places in the Empire, yet without endamaging the Owners of the said Places, and their Subjects, and at the charges of the Most Christian King, viz. in the Towns, and Cities of Chasselet, Hue, Verviers, Aix la Chapelle, Dueren, Linnick, Nuys, and Zons, in which Places, no new Fortifications shall be made, further than shall be necessary for the safety of the Garrisons, and without giving just cause of suspicion: Nor shall it be lawful for the Most Christian King, to retain those Places upon account of the charges made therein, nor under any other pretence whatsoever, but shall evacuate, and restore the same to those, from whom he took them, so soon as a Peace shall be concluded, and Ratified, between the aforesaid Parties, as to the Provinces situate in the Empire, or that more fit means, shall by common consent be found out, to restore it. In like manner, his most Christian Majesty doth promise, that he will in no wise, nor under any pretence whatsoever, directly, or indirectly, assist the present Enemies, of the Emperor and Empire: It shall be likewise free for the Emperor, and Empire, to employ their Offices, Counsels, and Endeavours, jointly with the Most Christian King, for the speedy composing the War, by common consent. XXVII. Pursuant to the Peace of Munster, confirmed by the second Article, in all its Points and Clauses, Places shall be restored, and such as are to be restored, shall be bonâ fide evacuated. To which end, Commissioners shall be named, at the same time this Treaty is Ratified on both sides, that the aforesaid Evacuation, and Restitution, be without further delay made, within one month after the Ratification of the Peace, Those Places only excepted, which are otherwise for a time to be disposed of, by the preceding Article. XXVIII. Whereas, there hath been an ancient difference concerning the Castle, and Duchy of Bovillon, between the Bishop, and Prince of Liege, and the Dukes of that name, it is hereby agreed, That the Duke of Bovillon continuing in the possession he hath of it, the said difference, shall amicably, or by Arbiters, to be named by the Parties, within 3 months after the Ratification of the Peace, be composed, without proceeding to Acts of force. XXIX. Immediately after the Signing, and subscribing of this Treaty of Peace, by the Extraordinary Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, all Acts of Hostility shall cease. And in case within 14 days, after the Signing of the Treaty, any thing shall be attempted, or altered, it shall be forthwith repaired, and restored to its first condition. XXX. Contributions shall continue to be demanded, and levied, by the one, and the other Party, in those Provinces, Countries, and Places, where before the Signing of this Treaty, they were settled, until the Ratification of the same, and what shall then remain in Arrear, shall within 4 months after the said Ratification be paid. Yet so that the payment of the same, shall not, after the Ratifications are exchanged, be forcibly required of those Places, who will give sufficient security to pay the Proportion assessed upon them. XXXI. Although in the second Article of this Treaty, it hath been sufficiently declared, that the Peace of Munster, shall in all, and every its Points be confirmed, yet it hath been thought fit, particularly that all things stipulated in the said Peace of Munster, with relation to the business of Montferrat, remain hereafter in full force and virtue, amongst which those things shall more particularly continue firm, and valid, which are stipulated therein, in behalf of the Duke of Savoy. XXXII. Their Imperial, and Most Christian Majesties, retaining a grateful sense of the Offices, and continual Endeavours the most Serene King of Great Britain hath used, to restore a general Peace, and the public Tranquillity, It is mutually agreed between the Parties, that he, with his Kingdoms be included in this Treaty, after the best, and most effectual manner that may be. XXXIII. In this Peace, those also shall be comprehended, who shall be named by either Party, with common consent, before the exchange of the Ratifications, or within 6 months after. XXXIV. The Emperor, and the Most Christian King, do agree, That all Kings, Princes, and States, shall, and may give their Guarantees to their Imperial, and Most Christian Majesties, for the execution, and performance of all and every the Points, contained in this present Treaty. XXXV. The Peace being thus concluded, the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of both Parties, do promise, that the same shall be Ratified, in the manner mutually agreed on, by the Emperor, and Empire, and the Most Christian King respectively, and take effectual care, that Authentic Ratifications be, within the space of 8 weeks, to be computed from the day of the Signing thereof, or sooner, if possible, reciprocally, and in due form exchanged here. XXXVI. And whereas his Imperial Majesty, hath been humbly desired by the Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, in virtue of a Resolution, dated the 31. May, 1677. under the Seal of the Chancery of Mentz, and delivered to the French Ambassadors, to take care by his Imperial Ambassadors, in this Congress, of the Interests of the said Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, as well the Imperial, as the French Ambassadors, have, in testimony, and for the greater validity of all, and every thing, and things, contained in this Treaty of Peace, Signed, and Sealed the same with their Names, and Seals, and promised interchangeably, to deliver sufficient Ratifications thereof, within the space abovementioned, and the form therein agreed on; nor shall any Protestation, or Contradiction, from the Directory of the Empire, against the subscription of this Treaty, be received, or esteemed valid. Done at Nimeguen, the 5th. day of Feb. A. D. 1679. (Ls) John Bishop, and Prince of Gurgh. (Ls) Francis Udalrick Count Kinsky. (Ls) T. A. Hen. Stratman. (Ls) The Marshal D'Estrades. (Ls) Colbert. Articles of Peace between the Emperor, and the King of Sweden, Concluded, and Signed at Nimeguen, the 5th day of. February, 1679. Translated out of Latin, according to the Copy Printed at Nimeguen, by Adrian Moetiens. IN the Name of the most Holy, and Undivided Trinity. Be it known to all and every one, whom it doth, or any way may concern, That whereas, from the beginning of the War, commenced some years ago, between the most Seiene, and Mighty Prince, and Lord LEOPOLD, Elect Emperor of the Romans, always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, and Sclavonia, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Stiria, Carinthia, Carniola, Marquis of Moravia, Duke of Luxemberg, of the Upper and Lower Silesea, Wirtemburg, and Tecka, Prince of Swaben, Earl of Haspurge, Tirol, Ferrette, Kyburg, and Goritia, Marquis of the sacred Roman Empire, of Burgovia, and of the Upper and Lower Lusatia, Lord of the Marck of Sclavonia, of the Port of Naon, and the Salt-Pits, on the one part, and the most Serene, and Mighty Prince and Lord, Charles King of Suedes, Goths and Vandals, Great Prince of Finland, Duke of Schonen, Estotiland, Lieftland, Carelia, Bremen, Ferden, Stetin, Pomerania, Cassubia and Vandalia, Prince of Rugen, Lord of Ingria and Wismar; and also Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Juliers, Cleves and Berghen, on the other part, His Imperial and his Royal Majesty of Sueden, have desired nothing more passionately, than the preventing the further desolation of so many Countries, and Effusion of Blood, by restoring a Lasting Peace, It hath, by the Blessing of Almighty God, been at length brought to pass, that, by the Endeavours of the most Serene, and Mighty Prince and Lord, Charles the Second, King of Great Britain, Who being received as General Mediator by all the Parties, hath, in these difficult Conjuncture of Affairs in Christendom, to his Immortal Glory, with indefatigable pains, employed his utmost Offices, and Counsels, for the Public Tranquillity, and General Peace, His Imperial and his Royal Majesty of Sweden, have agreed, That the Congress for treating the Peace, should be held here at Nimeguen, in Guelderland; In which Place, Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, in due form authorized, having appeared on both sides, viz. on the part of the Emperor, the most Reverend, and the most Illustrious, and Excellent Lords, John Bishop of Gurck, Prince of the Sacred Roman Empire, and Counsellor to his Imperial Majesty; as likewise Francis Udalrick, Count of the Sacred Roman Empire, of Khinschy, Chinitz, and Tettau, Lord of Klumetz, of his Imperial Majesty's Privy Council, Chamberlain, Lord Lieutenant, one of the Judges of the Royal Provincial Court, Precedent for Appeals, and Lord Steward of the Royal Court, in the Kingdom of Bohemia, and Theodore Athletus, Henry Stratman, of his Imperial Majesty's Aulick Council; And on the part of the King of Sweden, the most Illustrious, and Excellent Lords, Benedict Oxenstiern, Earl of Korshorlm and Wasa, free Baron in Mohrby and Lindholm, Lord of Kapuria and Kattila, Senator to his Majesty and the Kingdom of Sweden, and Precedent of the Chief Court of Judicature at Wismar, also as Chief Judge of Ingria and Kexholm, and John Paulin Olivencrans, Lord of Ulffhol and Hofmanstorp, Counsellor in Chancery to his Sacred Majesty of Sweden, Secretary of State, and Judge of the Territory of Widloe; after having humbly implored the Assistance of Almighty God, and in due form exchanged, and shown their Commissions, (the Copies whereof are, word for word, inserted in the end of this Treaty) by the Intervention and means of the most Illustrious and Excellent Lords, Laurence Hyde, Esquire, Sir William Temple, Baronet, and Sir Leoline Jenkins, Kt. Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries for his Majesty of Great Britian, who from the year 1675. until this present, have, with great Impartiality, Diligently and Wisely performed the part of a Mediator, in order to the restoring the Public Tranquillity, to the Glory of God and Welfare of Christendom, they have mutually agreed on the following Conditions of Peace, and Friendship. I. There shall be a Christian, Inviolable, and Perpetual Peace, and a true and Sincere Friendship between His Imperial Majesty, the Germane Empire, and all and every of their Allies comprehended in this Peace, and their respective Heirs and Successors, on the one part; and his Majesty, and the Kingdom of Sweden, and their Allies comprehended in this Peace, and their respective Heirs, and Successors, on the other; and therefore all acts of Hostility shall forthwith cease, throughout all and every the Kingdoms, States, Dominions and Countries, of both Parties, wheresoever Situate, and between all and every their Subjects and Inhabitants, of what Degree soever they be; so as that neither Party hereafter, do any wrong or unkindness to the other, privately or openly, directly or indirectly, by himself or by others; but rather promote the Advantage, Honour, and Interests of the other, to the end that a faithful Neighbourhood and mutual Offices of Friendship and Peace, may remain and for ever continue between them. II. And for greater Security hereof, it hath been thought fit by both Parties, that there be a Perpetual Oblivion and Amnesty of all Enmities, or Hostilities committed on each side, since the beginning of the present Troubles, in what place or manner soever, so that neither Party shall upon that, nor any other Cause, or Pretence whatsoever, do and give, nor cause or suffer to be done, and given to the other any Hostility, Trouble or Molestation, in their Persons, Estates, Rights, or Security by himself, or by others, openly or privately, directly or indirectly, under colour of Right, or way of Fact, within or without the Empire; any former Agreements to the contrary notwithstanding; But all and every the Injuries, Violences, Hostilities, Prejudices, Losses and Charges, sustained on each side, as well before, as during the War, by Words, Writing or Deeds, shall without respect of Persons or things, be so entirely abolished, that whatsoever the one part, may upon that account pretend against the other, shall be buried in perpetual Oblivion. Likewise all and every the Vassals, and Subjects of both Parties, shall enjoy this Amnesty, and have the benefit and effect of it, so that none of them shall be rendered culpable, endamaged, or prejudiced, for having taken part with the one or the other, from being fully restored to the same Condition, as to Honours, and Goods, that he was in, immediately before the War. III. According to this Foundation of an Universal and unlimited Amnesty, and to the end a more certain Rule of Friendship and Peace, may be settled between the Parties; it hath been by mutual Consent agreed between them, That the Peace Concluded at Osnabrug in Westphalia, on the 24th Octob. 1648. shall remain the Basis and Rule of the present Pacification, in such manner, that it shall be restored to its first Force and Vigour, and inviolably kept hereafter, and continue, as it was before the present War; a Pragmatic Sanction, and Fundamental Law of the Empire, whereby the Parties, shall stand bound and obliged to each other, any Acts, Decrees, Commands, or Alterations, made upon occasion of the War, to the contrary notwithstanding. iv And for the greater strength of this Friendship, and nearer Union; Neither of the Parties shall have any Treaties contrary to this, Nor shall hereafter give their Consent to any Treaty or Negotiation tending to the Damage, or Prejudice of the other, but rather shall oppose the same, Nor shall either of them afford any succours by Soldiers, Arms, Ammunition, Ships, Mariners, or other things appertaining to War, or Subsidies in money, to prosecute it, directly or indirectly, either on public or private account, to the present or future Enemy's of the other, Nor supply them, or direct that they be supplied with any Quarters, or Accommodation, within the Dominions of the Empire, and the Kingdom of Sweden, saving the Article of Guaranty, hereafter inserted. V And forasmuch as it highly imports the Public Tranquillity, That the War, which yet continues between his Majesty and the Kingdom of Sweden, and their Allies, and the King of Denmark, the Elector of Brandenburg, the Bishop of Munster, and the Dukes of Brunswick-Lunenbourg, namely, the Bishop of Osnabrug, and the Dukes of Zell, and Wolfembutel, be with all possible speed composed; His Imperial Majesty and the Empire, aswell by themselves, as jointly with others, shall most effectually interpose their Offices to procure a Peace, saving always to the Emperor and the Empire, the King and Kingdom of Sweden, the reciprocal Obligation of not assisting each others Enemy's, stipulated in the preceding Article. And so long as the Peace shall not be made between the aforesaid Parties, no hindrance or impediment shall be given to his Majesty of Sweden, in the prosecuting the War against his said Enemies; but the Peace being made, the same shall be deemed to be in such manner comprehended in this Treaty, as if it were therein specifically inserted. VI A free Liberty of Trade and Commerce by Sea and Land shall be restored on both sides, and the same Freedom, Immunity, Rights, Privileges and Advantages shall be and remain to the Subjects of his Imperial Majesty and the Empire, more particularly to the Hanse Towns, in the Kingdom, Countries, Dominions, and Ports of Sweden; and in like manner to the Subjects of Sweden, within the Empire, that both Parties mutually enjoyed before the War. VII. His Imperial Majesty suitable to his Obligation, shall afford his Protection aswell to the Lord Christian-Albert, Duke of Sleswick and Holstein, Gottorp, as to the other States of the Empire, pursuant to the Laws and Constitutions of it, to the end his Dominions situate therein, and the Rights belonging unto him, may be preserved entire, and shall interpose his Offices, that the other Disputes depending between the King of Denmark and the said Duke, be also composed. VIII. The Emperor and the King of Sweden do Consent; That the King of Great Britain, as Mediator, as also all Kings, Princes and States, may give their Guarantees to his said Imperial Majesty, and his Majesty of Sweden, for the due Execution and Performance of all and every thing and things contained in this present Treaty. IX. And whereas his Imperial Majesty, and his Royal Majesty of Sweden, retain a Grateful Sense of the Offices, and continual Endeavours, the Most Serene King of Great Britain hath used, to restore a General Peace, and the Public Tranquillity; it is mutually agreed, That he, together with his Kingdoms, be included in this present Treaty, in the best and most effectual manner that may be. X. In this Peace, those also shall be comprehended, who shall be named by either Party with common Consent, before the Exchange of the Ratifications, or within 6. months after. Those things also which have been agreed between his Imperial Majesty and the Empire, and the Most Christian King, shall be deemed to be in the same manner comprehended in this Treaty, as if they were, word for word, inserted therein. XI. The abovementioned Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of the Emperor and the Empire on the one part, and the King of Sweden on the other, do promise, that the Peace thus concluded, shall be ratified in the manner mutually hereby agreed on, and that they will take effectual care, that Authentic Ratifications be within the space of 8 weeks, to be computed from the day of the Signing thereof, or sooner if possible, reciprocally and in due form exchanged here. XII. And whereas his Imperial Majesty hath been humbly desired by the Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, in pursuance of a Resolution of the 31. May, 1677. delivered, under the Seal of the Chancery of Mentz, to the Ambassadors of Sweden, to take care by his Imperial Ambassadors in this Congress, of the Interests of the said Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, as well the Imperial, as the Swedish Ambassadors have, in testimony, and for the greater validity of all, and every thing and things contained in this present Treaty of Peace, Signed and Sealed the same with their Names and Seals, and promised, interchangeably to deliver sufficient Ratifications thereof, within the space of time abovementioned, and the former therein agreed on, nor shall any Protestation or Contradiction from the Directory of the Empire, against the Subscription of this Treaty, be received or esteemed valid. Done at Nimeguen the 5th day of February. A. D. 1679. (Ls) John Bishop, and Prince of Gurk. (Ls) Francis Udalrick Count Khinsky. (Ls) T. A. Henr. Stratman. (Ls) Benedict Oxenstiern. (Ls) John Paulin Olivencrans. FINIS.