THE DECLARATION Of the PRINCE elector of Brandenburg.  
With the Grounds and Reasons of his marching with the Imperial and Polonian Armies into Holsteyn, for the Relief and assistance of the KING of DENMARK.  
LONDON, Printed for Simon Miller at the Star in St Paul's churchyard, 1658.   

The Declaration of the Prince elector of Brandenburg.  
WE Frederick Wilhelm by the Grace of God marquess of Brandenburg, Arch-Chamberlain and Prince Elector of the Sacred Roman Empire, Duke of Magdenbourgh, Prussia, Juliers', Cleve, Berghen, Stettin, Pomerania, Cass●bians and Vandals; as also of Silesia, Crossen and Jagerndorf, Burgrave of Nurembergh, Duke of Halberstade and Minden, Earl of Marck and Ravenbergh, Lord of Ravensteyn; Do by these our Letters-Patent, make known to all and every to whom these presents shall come; more especially to all and every the Subjects of the dukedom of Holsteyn, and of the dukedoms and Lands thereunto belonging, and bordering upon the same, according to their several States and Qualities: That whereas the Illustrious Prince Frederick the third King of Denmark, Norway, of the Vandals and Goths, Duke of Sleswick, Holsteyn, Stormarn and Ditmarshen, Earl of Oldenbourgh and Delmhorst, &c. Hath at large made known not only unto his Imperial Majesty, but also unto us, both by writing and verbally by several of his ambassadors or envoys, the manner of proceeding of his Royal Majesty of Sweden, who notwithstanding that the War in the year last passed commenced between the two Crowns of Denmark and Sweden, was in the month of February last past, by the Interposition of the King of France, and of the Protector of England, by God's help and assistance surceased and ended by a steadfast and irrevocable Peace, which was not highly advantageous to Sweden, and all things were performed, which on the Danish part were to be performed; and in Conformity to the Agreements and Pacification not only the Places by them possessed, were evacuated and quitted, but also Schoonen, Bleykingen and other considerable Provinces, Forts and Places were surrendered unto the Swedes, and further in all particulars full satisfaction and consent was given to the Articles of Agreement. Insomuch, that over and besides all the Premises, accommodation and condescension was made, even unto new and unreasonable pretences. Yet His said Swedish Majesty, not regarding on his part the matters above related (amongst sundry other groundless and studied pretences) hath not only from time to time refused to quit the Forts of Fredricks 〈◊〉 and the Island of F●●●…▪ and to dislodg his Forces out of Denmark and Holsteyn, as it was agreed upon by the Instrument of Peace; and hath also with his whole Army incessantly oppressed, and totally exhausted the Subjects of Denmark; but hath also anew▪ without any cause given▪ and without any precedent denunciation or clarigation, with the greatest part of the Swedish Army, and with a Fleet of Ships ass●●led the▪ same, on the Island of Zealand▪ and hath already, for the space of six weeks, beleaguered the Royal Residence of Coppenhaguen and Cro●enburgh therein situate; and hath also attempted to surprise and take the Fortresses situate in the dukedom of Holsteyn▪ and forasmuch as such his design succeeded not, He doth until this present keep them blocked up; and hath moreover taken Prisoners, and evil entreated the King of Denmark's principal Ministers, and his Civil and Military Officers, who did remain in and upon their Offices and Estates without apprehension of any disturbance; and besides all that which is before expressed, doth with fire and flame destroy all that is in the Land, and therein proceedeth in a more than barbarous manner, such as the like thereof hath never been heard of, or before this time practised amongst Christian Potentates: We being thereupon desired to join our Forces with those of His Imperial Majesty, and cordially to embrace this business, as concerning the welfare of the general or public Cause, and the re-establishment of the Peace, and effectually to relieve His Royal Dignity in these undeserved hostilities and oppressions, without any loss of time.  
And forasmuch as on the behalf of His abovementioned Imperial Majesty, as being the supreme Head and Defender of the Empire, and of the Provinces and Lands thereunto belonging, such a Force is committed unto Us wherewithal to repulse such violent and oppressive attempts; and We are assured that His Imperial Majesty together with the whole Empire, with their united power will endeavour the same, and will contribute whatsoever may conduce and be advantageous for the repelling of this disastrous mischief, and for the preservation of a settled peace in the Empire. So it is that We also for so much as concerneth Us, could not any longer be spectators of these proceedings which are contrary to the Law of all Nations, and forerunners of consequences so horrid and highly formidable; But forasmuch as the business cannot admit of the least protraction or delay, We have found ourselves necessitated to the utmost of our power to maintain His abovementioned Royal Majesty, as being a Prince, who is our neighbour and ally, and whose Territories and Subjects being within the Verge of the sacred Roman Empire, are at present oppressed in such an injurious manner: And to that end to put in execution that which may tend to the freedom and Deliverance of the fame, as We have accordingly resolved, and are already engaged in the Expedition for Holsteyn to that purpose, with the Forces of His said Imperial Majesty and our own, and shall undertake whatsoever may tend to the preservation of the oppressed, the suppressing of all hostile violence, and restauration of a settled and assured Peace.  
And forasmuch as this Expedition is not intended for the burdening, or unjust oppression of any one, but is only undertaken to the end before expressed. So it is, That We do assuredly and indubiously hope and expect, That by the premises all persons whatsoever may sufficiently perceive the inevitable necessity and most weighty Motives which have enforced Us unto this March; and that in consideration thereof, they will not only acknowledge such our good intention, but will also to their uttermost power second, and as much as in them lieth, promote the reducing of peace and quietness; and especially, without any refusal, will accoring to their ability, supply whatsoever victuals and other necessaries shall be required for the subsistence of the Imperial, and of our own Armies, thereby to prevent all disorders and insolences: And forasmuch as We are resolved generally to observe a good and strict Discipline, and not to permit any the least insolency of the soldiery, but with due and effectual punishment to suppress all disorders; Therefore all persons whatsoever may quietly remain at home both in the country and in the Cities, and there follow their trades and domestic occupations, resting assured that they shall therein be protected, and need not to fear any inconvenience or damage; and the like good order the Imperial Generals will also in all places observe and cause to be observed: And albeit there are some strangers of the Polish Nation who do accompany these Armies, yet there is no just occasion to be afraid of them; but all persons may rest assured, that on all parts a strict Discipline shall be observed, and that nothing besides necessary sustenance shall be required; nor shall the soldiery by stealing, plundering, burning, or other miscarriages destructive to the Land, incommode or drive away any person from his own, but shall rather protect, and in the best manner defend all persons from and against such outrages.  
And as all persons whatsoever may rest confident hereof, We do also hope that in regard thereof, they will in all places duly behave themselves, and will without refusal permit a fee March and remarch in such manner as We shall find it expedient, and as it shall be ordained by the Generals and Officers, and as the occasion and reason of war shall require; and that they will not act any thing prejudicial to our troops or Forces, but rather will be assistant unto them, in all their Enterprises and Executions, with all necessary help and assistance; and in pursuance thereof, will demonstrate that they are concerned in the best manner to promote the public Cause: But if any contrary to the premises, and beyond Our expectation, shall offer to make opposition against Us or Ours, he may impute unto himself alone, all such inconveniencies and damages as thereupon shall or may accrue unto him. And according to the premises, all and every Person and Persons are to regulate themselves: And these Presents being Imprinted and the Copies thereof, shall be accounted of equal Validitude with the original.  
Given at Wittenbergh, in the dukedom of Mecklenburg, the 17./ 27. of September, in the Year 1658. Signed Frederich Wilhelm.  
FINIS.