The French King's Declaration of WAR against the Crown of Spain.  
Translated out of French.  
Ordonnance of the King.  
THE sincere desire which the King hath had to maintain the Truce concluded in the Year 1684. induced His Majesty to dissemble the Conduct of the Ministers of Spain in the Courts of all the Princes of Europe, where they laboured nothing more than to excite them to take up Arms against France. His Majesty was not ignorant, how far they were concerned in the Negotiation of the League of Ausbourg; and was likewise informed of the part the Governor of the Spanish Low-Countries had, in the Prince of Orange's Enterprise against England; but not being able to believe, that he acted therein by the Order of the King his Master, who was obliged by so many Reasons of Religion, of Blood, and the Safety of all Kings, to oppose such an Usurpation, His Majesty had hoped, He should have been able to induce the Catholic King to join with him for the Re-establishment of the lawful King of England, and the Preservation of the Catholic Religion against the Union of the Protestant Princes; or at least, if the state of Affairs in Spain did not permit his Catholic Majesty to enter into the like Engagements, to observe an exact Neutrality; to which end, His Majesty hath, since the Month of November last passed, caused several Proposals to be made to him, which were well received, whilst the Success of the Prince of Orange's Enterprise seemed doubtful, but these favourable Dispositions disappeared so soon as it was known at Madrid, that the King of England had left his Kingdom, and nothing was then there talked of but a War against France. His Majesty understood at the same time, that the Spanish Ambassador was daily with the Prince of Orange, and solicited him to have the English declare War against France: That the Governor of the Spanish Low-Countries raised Troops with great diligence; that he promised the States-General to join them with their Forces at the beginning of the Campagne, and solicited them, as well as the Prince of Orange, to send Forces to Flanders, in order to put those Countries into a posture to make War upon France. All these Advices made His Majesty think, he ought in prudence to know, what he was to depend upon. He therefore gave Order to the Marquis de Rebenac, his Ambassador at Madrid, to demand of the Ministers of the Catholic King a positive Answer, offering him the Continuance of the Truce, upon condition, He would oblige himself to observe an exact Neutrality, and not to assist directly or indirectly His Majesty's Enemies; but the Evil Councils having prevailed, His Majesty was informed, That the Resolution was taken, to favour the Usurper of England, and to join with the Protestant Princes. His Majesty understood likewise, almost at the same time, That the Prince of Orange's Agents had received considerable Sums of Money at Cadiz and Madrid; that the Troops of Holland and Brandenburg were entered into the Principal Places of the Spaniards in Flanders; and that the Governor of the Low-Countries for the King of Spain, did solicit the States-General to cause their Forces to advance to Brussels: All these Advices added to the Answer, which the Marquis de Rebenac received at Madrid, leaving His Majesty no room to doubt, That the Intention of the Catholic King is to join with his Enemies; His Majesty hath thought, He ought to lose no time to prevent his Evil Designs; and hath resolved to declare War against him, as well by Sea as Land, as He doth by these Presents. His Majesty, for this effect, Commands and enjoins all His Subjects, Vassals and Servants, to fall upon the Spaniards, and hath expressly forbidden, and doth forbid, their having henceforward any Communication, Commerce or Intelligence with them, upon pain of Death. And to this end, His Majesty does revoke all Permissions, Passports, Safeguards, and Safe-conducts, that may have been granted by himself, or his Lieutenant-Generals, and other his Officers, contrary to these Presents, and hath declared, and does declare them to be Null, and of no effect and force, forbidding all persons whatsoever to have any regard thereunto. His Majesty Orders and Commands the Lord-Admiral, Mareschals of France, Governors and Lieutenant-Generals for His Majesty in his Provinces and Armies, Mareschals the Camp, Colonels, Captains and Commanders of his Forces, as well Horse as Foot French and Foreigners, and all other his Officers to whom it shall appertain, to cause the Conten●s of these Presents to be put in Execution within the Extent of their respective Powers and Jurisdictions: For such is His Majesty's Pleasure. He Wills also, and enjoins, That these Presents be Published and affixed in all the Towns, as well Maritime as others, and in all the Ports, Harbours, and other Places of his Kingdom and the Territories under his Obedience, where it shall be needful; to the end, none may pretend cause of Ignorance.  
Given at Versailles the 15 th'. Day of April, 1689. Signed Lovis, and underneath Le T●llier   

In the Savoy: Printed by Edward Jones. 1689.