A Manifesto: OR An Account of the State of the present Differences between the most Serene and Potent KING OF DENMARK and NORWAY CHRISTIAN the V. And the most Serene DUKE of SLESWICK AND HOLSTEIN-GOTTORP CHRISTIAN ALBERT.  
Together with some Letters of the KING of Great Britain, the King of Denmark, and the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, concerning a Mediation in these Differences, which the KING of Great Britain most Generously offered, and the King of Denmark refused and slighted.  
As also some other Letters of the Dukes of Brunswick-Lunenbourgh, the Emperor, etc. Whereby the Calumnies of a certain Danish Minister are plainly Detected.  
Printed in the Year 1677.   

A Praemonition to the Reader.  
BEcause some Danish Ministers have published Books full of lying Stories in the Courts of Princes, and forged many Calumnies to the prejudice of the most Serene Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, lest the Reader should doubt of the Truth of what is contained in this Manifesto, we have added at the end hereof the Authentic Papers of several Treaties and Agreements, which do clearly justify every thing that is herein asserted.   

An Account of the State of the present Differences between the most Serene and Potent King of Denmark and Norway Christian the V. And the most Serene Duke of Sleswick and Holstein-Gottorp Christian Albert.  
THE Differences between Christian the V. the most Serene and Potent King of Denmark and Norway, and Christian Albert the most Serene Duke of Sleswick and Holstein-Gottorp, wherein the Treaty made at Rendsburg on the X. day of July, 1675. is to be in the first place fairly considered, being the subject of this present discourse; We hope we may with his Sacred Majesty's leave Publish by command from the said Duke and in his name, whatever we can with truth allege, either as to the matter of Fact or Law, in behalf of the most Serene House of Gottorp, submitting it to the just Censure of the whole World: And we are persuaded that these our endeavours can offend no person, who loving true Piety follows the precepts of Christianity, which allows of no War to be lawful, but when it is just and necessary, and especially betwixt such as profess the same Religion and are so nearly related in blood.  
In the examination of the merits of this Cause we shall strictly observe this Rule, To allege nothing that is false, and likewise neither omit nor disguise any truth to the prejudice of so just a Cause; since the Justice of any cause cannot appear but by truth and faithfulness, without which Justice is but imperfect. And that Christian Princes and their most illustrious and excellent Ministers and Ambassadors, (who perhaps may at this time be employed in adjusting the Public differences at N 〈…〉 eguen, Ratisbone, or elsewhere) together with other great Men, lovers of Justice, may not be tired with a prolix discourse; We shall propose thed state of the case in a few words, and then proceed to the Accusations wherewith the House of Gottorp is charged, which we do not question but to answer so fully, that all unprejudiced persons may clearly judge of the matter of Fact, upon which the said Accusations are for the most part grounded. These Aspersions being wiped off, we shall add the Laws and Constitutions, in virtue whereof the Duke of Gottorp aught, notwithstanding the Treaty to which he was forced at Rendsburg, to be entirely restored.  
It is manifest to all that know any thing of our affairs, that the most Serene House of Gottorp possessing several Provinces bordering upon Denmark, which they have hitherto governed jointly with the Kings of Denmark, pursuant to a Treaty between them, That King has no reason to fear any thing from the House of Gottorp, if he will but suffer it to enjoy it's own Rights quietly; Whereas on the contrary the House of Gottorp lies exposed to the Invasion of the Danes, whenever they shall have a mind to lay hold of any fair opportunity, and abuse their Power contrary to Justice and the Public Faith. For although heretofore the Earls of Holstein have had grievous Wars with the Kings of Denmark; yet the state of Holstein, and the neighbouring Provinces, being much altered from what it was, the Danes can have no reason to suspect the House of Gottorp, and much less fear any harm from it, except what they may bring upon themselves, by provoking it by frequent Injuries and Assaults to it's own Defence.  
Since the Crown of Denmark is come to the Family of Oldenburg, and that these Provinces have been more than once divided between these Kings of Denmark and the Dukes of Sleswick and Holstein, the Power of the said Kings has been much increased by the said Divisions, and by their Successions to the Crown of Norway; however it will appear that the Royalties of the House of Gottorp have not been therefore in the least diminished. The Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein have been both so divided, and the first held at least for many years from the Kingdom of Denmark, as the other always from the Empire. The whole Dukedom of Sleswick is a part of Juitland reaching from the borders of Holstein to the Bridge of Coldingen; one part of it being possessed by the House of Holstein-Gottorp, and the other by the Kings of Denmark, as Dukes of Sleswick. Amongst the several Conditions from time to time agreed upon, the following have been more than once confirmed, viz. That the King of Denmark should not engage in any War unless for his own defence, or the maintenance of his Dignity, and then not till after having communicated the same to the said Dukes; and that if thereupon a War should be agreed upon, that then the Dukes of Sleswick (of whom the King of Denmark is one) should send to the said King's assistance, a certain number of Horse and Foot, maintaining them at their own expenses, the King contributing proportionably for his part of the Dukedom, and promising to defend both their Vassals. Chytr. lib. 24. Sat. p. 719. And we find that upon the said Kings not regarding this Agreement, but making War of their own heads, the Dukes of Gottorp have not been obliged to send the assistance stipulated, though it has been demanded from them.  
There have been almost perpetual Wars between the Danes and Swedes, which in former Ages have had different successes, but in this last Age been more favourable to the Swedes, especially since the success of their Arms in Germany. Hence it is come to pass, that the Danes, exasperated by the remembrance of the Losses they had sustained by their Provinces and Places which they had lost, in hopes of better success, and by the Instigation of evil Counsellors, pouring oil upon the Fire, have taken all opportunities of making War against the Swedes, without acquainting the Dukes of Gottorp, much less consulting with them about it; but with so ill success, that they have been still punished with greater Losses, having likewise thereby involved the Provinces and Subjects of the said Duke in all the calamities attending a War; by which, though the House of Gottorp hath suffered infinite Damages and Violations in its Rights, yet were they never extinguished, nor lest to the sole pleasure and determination of the King of Denmark as Supreme Prince.  
But not to take the matter too high, and to come nearer to our Subject, let the beginning and end of the late War between the Danes and Swedes be diligently considered, for from thence springs all the mischief. Carolus Gustavus King of Sweden, making War against Poland, and having raised up many powerful Enemies, who seemed to have reduced his Army to great straits; Frederick the III. King of Denmark, of happy Memory, taking that opportunity, declared War against the Swedes, making great preparations both of Men and Arms, as thinking he should never have a more favourable opportunity to recover his Losses, and humble the Swedes. And the King of Sweden being by Marriage with the Daughter of Frederick, Duke of Gottorpe of happy Memory, become nearly allied to that House; the said Duke Frederick obtained a Promise from his Son-in-Law, that he would hearken to a Peace, which he undertook to mediate with the King of Denmark. The Duke therefore wrote several Letters with his own hand to the King of Denmark, to persuade him to Peace, and not only proffered his own assistance to conclude it, but earnestly recommended the promoting of it to the Ambassador of the most Christian King. Yet so far was the King of Denmark from taking this Office in good part, that he never thought fit to give the Duke any Answer herein. But the event of this unnecessary War was, that the King of Denmark, instead of reasonable conditions of Peace which the Duke of Gottorp might have obtained for him, having spent his Forces, was obliged at last to admit of such as a Conqueror would impose upon him. And whilst this Treaty was a concluding (by which Schonen and the neighbouring Provinces were yielded up to the Swedes) the King of Sweden thought himself obliged to take care of the House of Gottorp, which having sustained great damages in this War, he thought aught likewise to receive all just Satisfaction. Amongst other things it was agreed, that the House of Gottorp should hold and enjoy the Dukedom of Sleswick hereafter, not as formerly from the Crown of Denmark, but independently and absolutely, without subjection to any other Power. To this the King of Denmark seemed at first very unwilling to consent; but when the States of that Kingdom offered him the same Right over that part of the Duchy of Sleswick which was his, and thereby gave him occasion to aspire to the Monarchy of the whole Kingdom, he approved thereof both for himself and the Duke of Gottorp.  
Not long after the King having compassed his design, and obtained the Monarchy of the Kingdom of Denmark, from that time governed all things by his sole will and pleasure, exercising an independent Authority, and absolute Dominion over the Persons and Estates of his Subjects. Thus the Danish Commonwealth being changed, and all things having put on a new Face, the King endeavoured all he could, so to order the affairs of the Kingdom, as might best establish his Authority, enable him to repulse his Enemies, and recover his Losses. And nothing seeming more to oppose his designs then the Dukedom of Sleswick and Holstein, eminent in Riches, abounding with Valiant men, and unaccustomed to such kind of Dominion, which would adhere to the Duke of Gottorp, who had Soldiers and a well-fortified Town there, and that probably Holstein might demand help from the Emperor and Empire; the Danes begun to have an ill Eye upon the Duke and his Fort of Tuningen, suspecting his League with the Swedes, and Journey to that King; which they endeavoured many ways to traduce, insomuch that their envy against the House of Gottorp, and their Designs to break the Treaty made at Roschild, appeared ●ain enough, though they endeavoured to cover their designs by writing several Letters, pretending all friendship and sincerity at the same time, 〈◊〉 to put them in practice.  
These Designs of Denmark being now grown so ripe, that nothing but an opportunity seemed wanting, it quickly offered itself. For the King of France having made War upon the United Netherlands, and they having eased themselves of the burden thereof upon Germany, the Elector of Brandenburg joined himself, together with others, with the Confederates, in opposition to the most Christian King, and afterwards concluded a Peace with him by the Mediation of the King of Sweden upon most advantageous Terms, who having interposed his Guarantee to the King of France, and the Elector soon after taking up Arms contrary thereunto, the Emperor Elector of Brandenburg and others, fearing lest the Swedes should make good their Guarantee by force of Arms, drew the King of Denmark to their side for a diversion to the Swedes. No sooner had the King of Denmark got this opportunity, but he Mustered his Army in Juitland, and presently after put them into Quarters; yet so as the Enemies of the Swedes, at the Court, had an opportunity still to persuade that King to a War against them; which the Swedes endeavoured to divert, by sending a splendid Embassy to Copenhaguen, but without success, being able to obtain only a short delay of that Expedition.  
In this conjuncture of Affairs, the King of Denmark had fully resolved upon a War against the Swedes, but suspecting that the House of Gottorp, to which he had showed so much ill-will, would not neglect their own Defence, whereby his Designs might miscarry; He thought in the first place, by depriving it of all its Riches, Arms, Forts, and Force, to ruin it wholly; and in order thereunto, the King made several exorbitant Demands, and moving frequently with his Army, seemed to Threaten open Violence; afterwards in the Assembly of the States of the Province, he challenged to himself the major part of the Revenues, which had always been equally divided between him and the Duke of Gottorp, leaving a very small proportion to the Duke: But his Highness having signified by his Ambassadors to the King's Commissioners, that he would oppose this Demand, as contrary to the Ancient Customs, the Assembly was dissolved without doing any thing, and Adjourned to another time, these Controversies increasing daily more and more.  
But the most remarkable was that about the Succession to the County of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst, which being long debated, was at last left to the Imperial Tribunal for a final decision, the most Serene Dukes of Holstein-Ploen being Plaintiff against the King of Denmark and Dukes of Gottorp: whilst these two last withstood jointly the Dukes of Ploen, according as they had agreed between them, the business remained undetermined; but the Duke of Holstein-Ploen going another way to work, found means to transact with the King separately, and so that obstacle being removed, sentence was given in the Emperor's Court against the Duke of Gottorp. This Transaction was carried so secretly, that the Duke of Gottorp has not yet been able to learn the particulars and conditions of the Agreement.  
The King of Denmark in the mean time challenging to himself the whole Power in these Countries against all Right, and excluding the Duke of Gottorp from all share, not only there, but also in the District of Stad-budjad, a Fief of the House of Brunswick and Lunenbourg.  
For when this Cause was under debate in the Imperial Court, the King of Denmark himself by Letters to the Duke of Lunenbourg desired him, amongst other things, to intercede with the Emperor, that the said District Stad-budjad, no ways belonging to those Provinces, might not be involved in that Controversy. The Duke obtained his desires from the Emperor, and therefore, when the Sentence given by his Imperial Majesty concerning these Countries came to be put in Execution, The Dukes of Brunswick, Lunenbourg, exempted again the said District from the Execution, and in express terms reserved to the House of Gottorp their Rights in it. Notwithstanding all this, the King commanded Homage to be paid to him alone by all the Subjects of that District, not only excluding the Duke, but using his Ambassador ill, who had entered his Protestation against it, and attempting also to Usurp to himself the Toll of E 〈…〉 upon Weser, belonging by Inheritance, partly to the House of Gottorp, and partly to the Kings of Denmark, endeavouring to dispossess the Duke of both.  
While these Differences increased more and more, the King of Denmark in order to the carrying on his designs against the Swedes and the House of Gottorp, the more secretly and successfully, caused the Swedish Ambassador then at Copenhaguen, negotiating a Marriage for the King his Master, and thereby a firm Peace to be received with the greatest demonstrations of kindness and friendship▪ And at the same time the Chancellor of Denmark wrote very civilly to the Resident of Gottorp, then at Hambourgh, telling him he would meet him half way, to endeavour a fair composition of all the differences betwixt the King and the Duke, which, he said, he desired above all things, and doubted not but a few hours would put an end to what had been kept on foot so many years, if he would be pleased to meet him accordingly. The King himself afterwards declared his mind to the same purpose to the Precedent more than once, and last of all by the Earl of Oldenbourgh, who told the Precedent, that the King desired nothing more than to have his Presence and assistance to accommodate these difficulties in so critical a juncture, by which compliance of his, he would oblige his Majesty, who was inclined to hearken to an accommodation. After this the Earl was sent by the King to the Duke of Gottorp, to assure him of his Friendship, and let him know the necessity of the President's going to his Majesty, and after a short stay went to Hamborough with Letters from the Duke to the Precedent, for whose further security to come to the King at Rensbourgh, his Majesty sent him a Passport, and one of his Trumpets.  
Soon after the King of Denmark going to Holstein, to put his designs in Execution, acquainted the Duke of Gottorp with his Journey, desiring him not to be troubled at it, as having no other intention therein but to compose all things to both their satisfactions. The Duke of Gottorp trusting to several Letters full of the like assurances, when the King was on his way with all his Army to Holstein, sent one of his Gentlemen to Hadersleby, to compliment him, and went himself soon after with his Brother the Bishop of Lubeck and the Earl of Aldenburgh, then returned from Hambourgh to meet his Majesty, waiting upon him at Hensbourgh, after which the King being to go through Dennewerk, and his Highness having entertained him there with all imaginable respect and splendour, the King desired him to come and see him at Rendsbourgh, where he was to stay for sometime, and for a larger expression of kindness, both his Majesty and his Chancellor drunk several times to the good success of the approaching Consultation.  
After this Adolphus Kielmannus chief Minister to the Duke of Gottorp, notwithstanding his Sickness and the dissuasions of his Friends, went directly from Hambourgh to Rensbourgh, where having conferred with the Chancellor of Denmark above eight hours about the principal matters in debate, he offered the Government of Tunderens for the County of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorst, and having removed all other Impediments he could think upon, and taking the business to be near its conclusion, and to want nothing but the ratification and subscription of the Princes; he went to Gottorp to let his Master know, how far they had proceeded, and with what success. The Prince himself, that nothing might be wanting on his part for composing the remaining Differences, deputed Adolphus Buchwaldius Governor of Sleswick, Frederick Kielmannus the Precedent, and Andrew Cramer one of his Counsellors of State, with a special Commission to go to Rendsbourg, June 22. 1675. being Arrived there, they conferred the next day with the Earl of Rantzo, and the Lord Wibius, and Gloxinius his Majesty's Counsellors of State; and they being the same that had assisted at the Assembly of the States at Kilon, on the part of the King, without effecting any thing, renewed the matter of the Taxes, saying, That the King persisted still in his demand of the greater part of them for the maintenance of his Army, which granted, his Majesty would bind himself by Reversal Letters, as they call them, (a thing not so much as mentioned in the Assembly of the States) never to make this a Precedent for the future. But the newness of that being a prejudice great enough, the Duke of Gottorp thought it not secure to recede from the Ancient Customs; yet to gratify the King, he made this Proposal, That the greater Taxes should be paid, but to be equally divided and employed by each Prince, in raising and maintaining Soldiers for the defence of the said Dukedoms; and that the States might the easier consent thereunto, he desired the whole business might be proposed to them, it being most agreeable to Ancient Customs and former Treaties, especially that of the Union, to consult the States about raising of an Army, maintaining and quartering it, and then proceed according to their resolutions.  
While they were thus debating concerning Taxes, and other things, the Chancellor of Denmark wrote from Rendsbourgh to the Precedent Kielmannus, acquainting him that the King being ready for a Treaty, it would be advantageous to both Princes, if the Duke of Gottorp would please to come to the King at Rendsbourgh, and by his Presence promote an Amicable composure of all these matters. The Duke remembering his Majesty had desired the same thing of him at Dennewerk, to show at once his duty to the King, and his inclinations to Peace, sent one of his Gentlemen upon St. John Baptists day to his Majesty, to acquaint him, that his Master was ready to wait upon him, if he would give him leave. The King commending this Resolution of the Prince, said twice, he hoped the Precedent Kielmannus would come along too. Accordingly next day, the Duke being persuaded that all was sincerely and honestly intended, begun that unhappy Journey with the Precedent and some others, and being near Rendsburgh, was received with the shooting of several Guns. But hearing there from some of his, what had been said in the King's Name about the Taxes, his Highness desired it might be regulated according to former Treaties and Ancient Customs; and as to other things, he declared himself as above, protesting he would always obey the King, and wholly employ these Taxes in a War for the defence of his Country.  
At last comes that fatal and unfortunate day, the 26. of June, in which all the designs that had been so long a-hatching against the House of Gottorp to its Ruin, were to be put in Execution, and that hidden Fire to break out into open Flames. It was hastened by some Letters, that came that very day from the Elector of Brandenbourg, and brought the News of the defeat of the Swedes in the Province of La Mark: Assoon as they were read, all things seemed to favour the King's designs, and conspire to the Ruin of the House of Gottorp. The Danes glad and proud of this good Omen, thought it not sit to delay or dissemble it any longer, but called a Council of War, shut the Gates, drew up their Draw-bridges, sent their Forces to Sleswick, Tonninghen, and up and down; shut up the Harbour with a Boom, disarmed and secured the Duke's Troop of Guards, and permitted none to sti 〈…〉, unless they could show the King's leave under his own Hand. The Duke himself, instead of being Invited to Dine with the King, as formerly, had his Dinner brought him apart in his drawing Room, and Guards set to watch him; his Chamber-doors being bolted every Night: None of the King Ministers being suffered to come near him for some days, except the Sieur Winterfield, High-Marshal of the Court, to whom the Duke, having called him to him, said, That he was a Prince of the Empire, there unworthily Treated, contrary to his expectation, and undeservedly; nay, contrary to the greatest Protestations and assurances of Friendship, and Public Faith, desiring him to acquaint the King therewith, that his Majesty might permit him to depart. But alas, all was in vain, it being resolved, that the Blow should be followed, this Detention being but a Prologue to more mischief.  
For the Duke and his Ministers being now in their Power, and a fair opportunity presenting itself to invade the Swedes, weakened by their loss at F●●●berlin, the King's Deputies having sent for Buchwaldius, Frederick Christian Kielman, and Cramer, to Court, told them, that the Case being altered, they were no more to dispute about giving the greatest part of the Taxes to the King, who would now challenge the whole alone, and quarter his Army up and down in the Duke's Territories to preserve them from the Enemy, and that the Emperors Requisitorial Letters might be obeyed, which they would therefore now exhibit to them, showing also by this their ill-will and premeditated Designs against the House of Gottorp. Moreover they added, that the King had for a long time been jealous of the Duke's designs and inclinations, and being to carry his Army out of the Country, he thought he ought to take care to leave no Enemies behind him, wherein he could not secure himself but by seizing upon the Castle of Gottorp, the strong Town of Tonningen, and all the Duke's Forces, till the change of Affairs might secure him otherwise. That it was not sit for the King's Majesty to exchange the Counties of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorst, for that of Tunderen. That these and other things could not be done in haste, but required more time than the King could now spare, fearing lest some third Party might in the mean while seize those Provinces. That the King therefore would put Garrisons into all the Fortified places of the Country, and provide all other things necessary for its Defence: protesting withal, that if any loss should happen by the Duke's delay, the Reparation of it would be required from the Author thereof; but if the Duke would accept of one hundred and fifty thousand Dollars offered him at Copenhaguen, to renounce his Right to them, they still hoped his Majesty might be prevailed upon at the Duke's request to pay that money.  
The Danes having proposed these severe conditions, and the Duke's Commissioners having been to consult their Master, returned this Answer, That as to the Taxes, the Duke, without prejudice to his Right, was forced to yield to the present juncture of time in that Matter. That the Requisitorial Letters of the Emperor concerned only the Dukedom of Holstein, not that of Sleswick; and they being according to the Constitutions of the Empire, and the Pragmatic Sanction, could require nothing of him but a safe Passage, which his Highness would never deny, when ever the King should desire it. That the Castle of Gottorp was neither by Art nor Situation so strong as to be formidable, and therefore the King might well permit the Duke to secure the place of his Residence and Habitation, with some Soldiers; and for an evident proof of his respect, the Duke was contented his Majesty should have as strong a Garrison in Tonningen as he himself, provided both should take the Oath of Fidelity to each Prince; and that the King would oblige himself, that upon the change of Affairs, all things should be restored again as they were. That if the King would dispose solely of all things in these Countries at his Pleasure, the Duke must yield to it, but hoped his Right should be saved entire: That he had never committed nor omitted any thing that might entitle the King to demand reparation of him; and for the Proposals of an Exchange, they were neither such as imposed a necessity upon his Majesty's will, nor derogated from it. That he would leave the Transactions of Copenhaguen till they were set on Foot again. And lastly, That he earnestly begged, that the King would no longer delay to grant him and his, Liberty to go where they would.  
This most reasonable Answer of the Duke proved of no effect, the Danes being resolved to pass to the greatest Extremities: For the King's Deputies signified again in Writing, That their Master persisted firm in his first offers, hoping to provoke the Duke to discover his mind in the same manner. But he replied only as before, requesting again, That the King would not urge so much the Surrender of his Castles and Forts, but consent to some easier Terms than these; which the Danes said were only Bagatelles.  
But that King and his Minister were so far from remiting any thing of the Rigour of their Demands, that they added Rebukes and Threats; For, said they, the Duke's absolute Power over Sleswick, being extorted from the King by force of Arms, the Duke had thereby lost the Fief of it▪ and his being in a League with the King of Sweden, an Enemy to the Empire, might probably cause him to be dispossessed of the Dukedom of Holstein, and the King to be invested therein. Moreover, that the King was fully resolved, That neither the Duke, nor any of his Ministers, should be set at Liberty, uniil he had seized all the Duke's strong-holds, and that he would even confine his Highness' apart from all his Ministers and Servants, and proceed to the Execution hereof by force of Arms. For as we have before mentioned, they had already Body of Horse and Foot in Sleswick, which blocked up the Castle of Gottorp, where the Reverend Bishop of Lubeck, Brother to the most Serene Duke, than was, and had also invested Tonningen and Holme: and that nothing might retard the Surrender of Tonningen, an Order was drawn by the King's command for the Duke to Sign, and send to the Person that commanded for him there.  
The Duke seeing himself betrayed, and without any help, deprived of his Liberty, and fallen into a very dangerous distemper, fearing greater Evils might be intended against him and his Ministers, (which was not obscurely given him to understand) suffered at length the Surrender of all his Forts and Forces to be extorted from him: and though he only desired from the King that the Castle of Gottorp, the place of his Residence, might be free from a Garrison, he could not obtain it, nor so much as that the King would annex to that fatal Surrender, a Promise to secure him by Reversal Letters of the Restitution of his Forts, and what belonged to them. But though this was promised by the Chancellor of the Kingdom, in the hearing of the King and his Brother, who never contradicted it; yet his Majesty refused to oblige himself to it in Writing, the Chancellor answering again for his Master, that a King's promise by word of Mouth was more to be valued than any other Security. And when the Castle of Tonningen, with all his Magazines and Ammunition, was shortly after delivered up to Charles Arenstorf for the King, he added these words to the foot of the Inventory, which was signed by him, That all things should be restored fully and faithfully according to the Kings Promise.  
The Danes being Masters of the Castles of Gottorp, and all the other Forts, the Duke was carried to Gottorp on the 6. of J●ly from one Prison to another: For the Danes had not only seized the Passages, Gates, and Fortifications of that place, but ordered a Company to watch night and day near his Highness' Chamber, to let him know that he was still their Prisoner. The Prince being thus in their Power, the Princess his Wife, whom he had not been able by all his kind Letters to get out of Copenhaguen, where her Mother had invited her before all these Troubles, and kept her, was at last restored to him, perhaps for fear, lest she might prevail upon the King her Brother's mind, and avert those great Violences designed against her Husband and Children.  
Who would not have thought the King fully satisfied with this? but it proved otherwise; For the Earl of Alefield Governor of Holstein, having sent for the Precedent Kielmannus, dictated to h●m eight Articles of great Importance, and bid him acquaint the Duke with them by Buc●wald, the Vicepresident Kielman, and Cramer, and get him to declare his opinion about them, detaining the said Precedent Kielman still at Rendsbourgh. This being done, and they returned to Rendsbourgh, did according to their Instructions declare his Highness' mind upon every Head, delivering also his Letters to the King and the Chancellor, and entreating them to have some regard at least to Justice and Equity. But all was in vain; for the Chancellor and the Governor having sent for the Duke's Deputies, and read to them these Eight Articles of their own Penning, demanded with great Threats, that the Duke should sign them without any Alteration or Limitation; adding, that if the Duke refused to obey the Kings will, both Dukedoms and all belonging to them, being now in the hands of his Majesty, he could easily force a disarmed and forsaken Prince to do what his Majesty had a mind to, and then it would be too late to Repent. The Duke sensible of this new Violence, and of his being kept a Prisoner by the Danes, in his own Castle and House, yielded at last to Force, and with great reluctancy subscribed to these severe conditions, as thinking it in vain to hope for any more reasonable, and with his Brother, the Bishop of Lubeck, renounced their Supreme and Independent Right over the Dukedom of Sleswick, which was extorted from them by mere Violence and Necessity.  
At last the Duke being impatient to be kept always a Prisoner in his own House, and to be forced every day to consent to what the Danes would exact, and being informed that the City of Sleswick, though unfortified, was yet full of Danish Soldiers, begun to be more jealous of the designs of the Danes, and seared either yet a closer Imprisonment, or to be conveyed God knows where. The most Serene Queen Dowager of Denmark was now come to Augustberg, and had sent for her Daughter the Duke's Wife, who had acquainted the Duke her Husband with her intended Journey, in obedience to her Mother, praying him to accompany her: But the Duke remembering that when the King went to Holstein just before these troubles, the Duchess his Wife had been sent for to Copenhaguen, upon which all these mischiefs had befallen the House of Gottorp, apprehended new Evils to him and his, from this second Journey, and thought of his escape. Therefore to lay hold on the occasion, his Highness caused some Horses to be made ready, took a few of his Servants with him, commanded that his Dogs should follow, pretending his intention was to accompany his Duchess part of the way, and then recreate himself with Hunting; but having gone a few hours with her, taking his leave of her, he rid away as fast as his Horse could carry him to Kilonium. Being there, as he was resolving to leave his tired Horses, and prosecute his Journey in a common Coach, word was brought him, that the Danish Troopers were riding, not only about Sleswick, but everywhere as far as Hambourgh, and guarded all the ways; not staying therefore to Dine, he was scarce gone out of Town, but he was met with two Danish Troopers, who taking hold of the Reins of the Horses to stop the Coach, the Duke telling them he was a certain Nobleman, escaped to Eutin, where he heard, that both the Kielmans were carried away Prisoners to Copenhaguen. From Eutin he came to Hambourgh indeed, but as a Banished Person, and one forced to leave his Country and Subjects, exposed to the will and pleasure of the Danes. For the King afterwards, contrary to the Engagement the 11. of March 1676. demolished the strong Town of To 〈…〉 ngen, and the Castle of Holme to the ground, the Drums beating, and the Trumpets sounding; and having caused the Duke's Arms upon the great Guns to be defaced, sent them with all the Ammunition partly to Rendsbourgh, and partly to Copenhaguen; and exacting also Contributions to the value of many Millions of Gold, and a prodigious quantity of Corn, Chariots, and Horses; wasting all the Duke's Villages and Towns with Quartering his Soldiers in them, and causing them continually to pass and repass to and fro. This his Majesty does to this day, not having remitted a penny of Taxes and Impositions for the Duke's Subjects thus expressed, though many times desired to it by the Duke's Letters and his Ambassadors, and using the Duke at the same rate, not permitting his Subjects and Servants to pay him any thing of his Revenue, that both Prince and Subjects might at last perish by Famine, and the many other Calamities they are forced to endure.  
The King nevertheless being extremely vexed, that the Duke had chosen his abode in a City so Famous and Populous, from whence the whole Story of the Barbarity exercised against him, and the breach of so many reiterated Engagements, might be spread over all the world, employed all sorts of Persuasions and Cunning to get his Highness back, and have him again in his Clutches, and at his disposal; but his Highness warned by his former Usage, having learned to distrust, would not be prevailed upon. His Majesty for all that, remitted nothing of his Prosecution against the Duke, and both by Letters and Envoys demanded especially, with great earnestness, that the Duke in compliance with the late Treaty (if it may be so called) at Rendsbourgh, would solemnly receive from the King the Investiture of the Dukedom of Sleswick, threatening for default thereof to Confiscate the same. On the other hand, the Duke sent him word, that the Transactions at Rendsbourgh were so unjust, that he thought his Promise less engaged thereby than the Danish Reputation. Yet for fear of exposing his Subjects to greater Cruelties, and to comply with the Times and the advice of those, who thought, that in Civility to the King, the Duke would do well to send some Gentlemen, to know his Majesty's pleasure, and upon what conditions he was resolved to grant that Fief; (for it is certain that it had been held formerly upon different conditions) the Duke thereupon sent his Ambassadors to Copenhaguen to desire the King, that he would be pleased first to remedy some of the chiefest grievances, which had Relation to the Fief itself, and then declare his pleasure about it. The Ambassador during their stay at Copenhaguen, had no success, and having once mentioned the Grievances, were scarce ever after admitted or heard; the word Grievances offending the Danes extremely, and the King's design being, without any regard to them, to order all things according to his own Pleasure. Therefore the Ambassadors, being advised by the Queen-Mother to return to their Master, and let him know the whole business, and the eminent danger a delay would cast him into, and to return with new Instructions from him, agreeable to the Kings will; they parted from Copenhaguen without their Master's knowledge, or effecting any thing. But the King interpreting this and other things in the worst sense, sent a little after three Commissioners to Sleswick, the Metropolis of the Dukedom, viz. The Earl of Rantzo, the Lord Gloxin, and the Baron Lenten Assessor of Gluckstad, with Orders to Sequester the Dukedom in the King's Name, and absolving the Magistrates and People from their Allegiance to the Duke, oblige them to take an Oath of Fidelity to the King, and if any refused it, to deprive them of all their Offices; to bring in all the Duke's Revenues into the King's Treasury, and put a Garrison again in the Castle of Gottorp; adding these secret Instructions, that if the Duke did not comply with the King's pleasure within six weeks, and accept this Fief upon the King's terms, it should for ever be annexed to the Kingdom of Denmark. And that these new Orders of the Kings might be more public, and the better observed, the King's Proclamation to that effect was published and affixed at Sleswick; in opposition to which Usurpation, the Duke published another, together with his solemn Protestation, commanding the States of the Dukedom and all his Subjects, to continue in their Loyalty and Obedience to his Highness.  
The Narrative of the matter of Fact might very well end here, but that many calumnies thrown upon the House of Gottorp must make part of it. Therefore, that the Truth and the Innocence of the most Serene Duke may appear the better, and to take off all subject of cavil from the Danes, we will say something about what the Danes pretend to be most offended at, that so the Justice of the Duke's Cause may be more evident.  
First of all, we shall speak about the Dukedom of Sleswick, and show that the Danes had not always the same right over it, but sometimes little or none. For when anciently the Venedi had great Wars with the Danes, the Diocese of Sleswick being chiefly in●ested by their Inroads and Robberies, to prevent it, the Kings of Denmark erected it into a Lieutenancy to oppose them, as formerly the Emperor had erected Denmark into a Marquisate. In the beginning of the twelfth Century, ●he Vandals having invaded Sleswick, and razed the chief City thereof, no body would accept of that Lieutenancy, till at last Nicholas King of Denmark turned it into a Dukedom about the year 1118, and made his Brother's Son first Duke of it, who being Murdered by his Subjects, was Canonised, and called St. Canut. Now whether this Canut received the Dukedom to hold as a Fief of Denmark, is not only questioned, but rather denied by the great Historian Jo. Adolphus Cypraeus, in his Annals of Sleswick, lib. 1. cap. 21. 'Tis true, it cannot be disputed, but that the Kings of Denmark grant the same to be held as a Fief from them, but the terms upon which, have been different; and the Kings sometimes reserved nothing to themselves but the Solemnity of the Investiture. For Waldemar the Third, with the Advice of the States of the Kingdom, gave to Gerhard Earl of Holstein his Uncle, for him, and his lawful Heirs, the Dukedom of South-Juitland, cum Dominio utili & directo, and all things belonging to it, and all the Vassals in the Diocese of Sleswick, to be enjoyed for ever by him and his, quietly and peaceably, and to be held as a Fief with the Arms of it. Renouncing for him, his Heirs and Successors, all the Right that ever they had in the same. Two years after, King Christopher made over the Island of Femeren, with the Propriety of it, to John the III. Earl of Holstein, and all his Heirs, as well Male as Female, to be held likewise as a Fief; which Donation was confirmed by Waldemar the FOUR his Son. And Christopher the II. being restored to his Throne, Waldemar the III. who had Resigned it, had the Hereditary Dukedom of Sleswick conferred upon him. John Meurs an excellent Writer of the Danish History, relates of Margaret the prudent and careful Queen of Denmark, that she made a Peace with Gerhard Duke of Sleswick, and those of Holstein, Covenanting, That the sole Jurisdiction over Sleswick and Holstein should remain to their Dukes and Earls, and that for the future she should not meddle in the Affairs thereof, nor they in those of Denmark, lib. 5. Contin. Hist. Dan. p. 9●. But Gerhard being Dead, Margaret and her Husband Eric demanded the Guardianship of his Children, and under that pretence, seizing upon many Castles and Places of the Dukedom, at last endeavoured to get the whole, and reunite it to the Crown of Denmark, which being perceived by Gerhards' Sons, and other Princes, and that she demanded of them, first absolutely to resign that Dukedom to the King and Kingdom of Denmark, before they should receive the Investiture of it, occasioned a sharp War for Thirty years. At last when the Dukedom came to Adolph the last, Duke of the House of Schawenburg, and that by his Interest, Christian the first, Son to Theodorick Earl of Oldenburgh and Hedewig Adolphus' Sister, had been Elected King of Denmark, He promised by a solemn Deed to his Uncle, and the States of the Province of Sleswick, that he would never unite or incorporate the Dukedom of Sleswick to the Kingdom of Denmark, and that they should Swear Allegiance to him as Duke of Sleswick, and not as King of Denmark. And Adolph dying Ten years after without Children, Christian succeeded him, and from that time the Fief of the Dukedom of Sleswick was not solemnly granted by the Kings of Denmark to any Body, that I know (says the Learned David Chytraeus, lib. 24. Saxon. Hist. p. 717. seq.) for above 120 years after. There have been besides other disputes about this Dukedom, as, That this Fief should be exempted from the performance of all Services; That the Succession should come to Women as well as Men: by which it appears, that it was not always granted or held upon the same conditions, and that there is little Reason to envy the House of Gottorp, for having at its own great charges and cost, obtained for that Dukedom an Independent Authority, and thereby taken away all occasions of discord between them and the Danes. For after this Independent Sovereignty was granted, though they might have justly demanded other satisfactions to be made them, the Duke preferred a Peace which they had justly sought by the alteration of this Dukedom, and which was confirmed by the consent of the King and States of Denmark, as most advantageous both to the King and the House of Gottorp, to all the moneys they might expect. And as all other humane things or goods may by commerce pass from one hand to another, so there is no doubt, but the Right of an Independent and Supreme Power may likewise be transmitted and alienated. Therefore if a proportioned satisfaction be demanded to a great loss sustained, it may be given, not only in paying so much money, or delivering up so many Towns and Provinces, but by quitting and transferring the Right of Supreme Power by those who have a right to Alienate; so that a Person, who before he had due satisfaction made him, had but a Dependent Power, may receive and retain it Supreme and Absolute: This being confirmed by a late instance of the Elector of Brandenburg, who, not many years ago, obtained Prussia in this manner.  
To say that the most Serene Dukes of Gottorp have fortified Tonningen, levied Forces, entered into a League with the Swedes, and made a Journey to Stockholme, is but a frivolous Accusation. For what should hinder the Duke of Gottorp, or by what Law is he prohibited to fortify a Town, or raise a Fort? and Building one in the Dukedom of Holstein, he only does what all the Princes and States of the Empire think they may do, and do every day. And if he would do the same in his Dukedom of Sleswick, we know no Law or Treaty by which he is prohibited to do it. Frederick Duke of Gottorp having to his own cost found that he was exposed to all sorts of injuries and damages, whenever the Enemies of the Kings of Denmark were by War, or otherwise, drawn into his Territories, and that he was secure nowhere; towards the latter and of the year 1644. (during the War) began to fortify Tonningen, which was not opposed by the King of Denmark, as there was no just reason to do it. But about the year 1660. that King laid Siege to the place, to force the Duke to abolish and annul the Treaty made at Roschild for the benefit of the House of Gottorp; whence you may well judge with how little sincerity the Danes intended to keep this Treaty, which they had so solemnly agreed and bound themselves to. But the Duke refusing to hearken to so unreasonable a demand, endured the Siege stoutly, till after some time a Peace was concluded without the least mention that these Fortifications ought not to have been raised, or promise of demolishing them: For as this Fort was built only for the security and defence of the House of Gottorp, that the Dukes might have a Place to retire to in times of danger; so they never raised more Forces than were necessary for the defence of the Place: And if the Duke had intended to invade Denmark, he must have provided much greater Forces, and taken other Measures.  
That the Duke has entered into a League with the King of Sweden, is not denied, but it is only such an one, as may enable him to resist an unjust Force, and defend himself. If the Danes do accuse him of making any other Leagues to the Ruin of Germany or Denmark, his Highness denies it absolutely, and desires no credit may be given them in a thing for which they can bring no evidence: But if they allege, that the Conditions by which the Duke has sought to secure his own House from their Oppressions, are Hostile and against them; they plainly show that they have a mind to wrong those they ought rather to Protect, and not provoke to a just Defence, which in the end may prove dangerous to Denmark itself.  
That Objection of the Duke's journey into Sweden is much of the same nature: For although his Highness would not be diverted by the Councils and demands of the King of Denmark, tending to nothing but a War, from going to see the King and Queen Mother his near Relations, and take their advice; yet this Journey was never undertaken to enter into new Alliances, those Princes being entered into one long before, but in respect and deference to the most Serene Queen his Sister, who had promised to come and see him. Nay, if the Danes (who are generally very clearsighted in the affairs of the House of Gottorp) did not interpret all that which the House of Gottorp does in the worst sense, they could have satisfied themselves easily, that that Journey was never intended against their Interest.  
But some may say, that it was not lawful for the Duke of Gottorp to make a League with the King of Sweden, because he was declared an Enemy to the Empire. Such fooleries are so ridiculous, that they deserve no Answer: But because they are spread abroad, and may deceive the simple, who are the greater number, we must say something to them. Why the French and Swedes have been declared Enemies of the Empire, is a matter we shall not meddle with. The Duke of Gottorp is not concerned in the Quarrel of either of them, and so ought not to be involved therein. The Duke has been allied with Sweden since 1661., long before the Swedes were declared Enemies of the Empire, and at a time when all the Parties in War, even the Emperor, and also Spain, courted the Friendship of Sweden, and earnestly desired their Mediation to compose the differences then on Foot: Besides, there is no Article of that Treaty with Sweden, which may endanger the safety of the Empire, or any of its Members, since it is wholly Defensive. Nay, the Duke has by express words excepted the Empire, declaring he would not be bound by this Treaty whenever any thing should happen to the prejudice of the same: And also the King of Sweden in it recommends to the Duke by all means to entertain a friendship with the King of Denmark. And the Danes themselves will not deny, but that they, the Elector of Brandenbourgh, and others, have invited Sweden to enter into a League with them; and therefore cannot blame in the Duke of Gottorp what they themselves did or would have done, especially since the Duke sought nothing more than to render the Peace and public Safety more firm and secure. It is then a mere cavil to object, that the Dukes of Holstein have made a League with the Swedes, who are Enemies of the Empire, as such, since their help was never intended to be used but for a just defence against those, who contrary to the Faith of Treaties, would invade them, and not to the prejudice of the Empire, or any body else, there being reason enough to fear an Invasion by the face of things then, as the event has too unfortunately shown.  
But because the Danes are of opinion, as to the Taxes, that their King's demand of the greater part of them for himself was very just, and that the Duke had no reason to deny it, since his Majesty had an Army in Pay, or at least more Troops than his Highness, to defend both Dukedoms; this must be more particularly examined: And first, 'tis certain that the King would never acquaint the Duke, nor the States of the Province, with the designs of this War, though it was to be carried on with their moneys, and so was far from undertaking it with their will and consent, according to the Treaties and ancient Customs. Moreover, though he had undertaken this War with the consent of the Duke and States, he could not demand more money than was agreed by the ancient Treaties, and was wont to be granted. Besides, this War was not entered into for the defence of these Dukedoms, but that the King of Denmark might take that occasion of invading the Swedes, and recover his losses in the last War. Again, if the King of Denmark thought, that because of his League with the Emperor and the Elector of Brandenbourgh, he could justly attack the Swedes; yet could he not violate the Agreements made by the Treaty of Roschild, trample it under feet, ruin the House of Gottorp; and to that end demand first the greater part of the Taxes, then overcharge the Duke's Subjects with Impositions, exhaust them almost totally, by forcing from them in less than half a year, several Millions of Gold. Nay, when the King of Denmark is put upon a necessary and defensive War, 'tis but just he should bring into the Field a greater Army than the Duke▪ for the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein lying as a fence to Denmark, and its security depending upon theirs, each Prince is bound to find Forces proportionably to the Land they possess, and which are to be secured from the Enemy. And though perhaps the King of Denmark may say, that▪ he will with his own Soldiers alone, defend those Dukedoms, and therefore has right to demand money from them, and all other necessaries for War at his pleasure; yet it is to be considered, that this cannot be done but by violating in the highest manner the Rights of the Duke of Gottorp; for we must not think, that by reason of a War, the King may do every thing, and the House of Gottorp have no Power left in their own Territories. Nay, that Serene House pretends to as much Power and Right, as to the making and carrying on a War, as the King of Denmark, in quality of Duke of Sleswick and Holstein can any ways pretend to. The Danes now do not question, whether the House of Gottorp hath the Power of War, since they have enjoyed it in all Ages, and made use of it against the oppressions of the Danes: but that King endeavours to get it to himself, having in these late troubles manifested his designs of absolutely depriving the House of Gottorp of the Power and Right of War; for when the Duke and all his Territories were in the King's possession at Rendsbourgh, the Danes demanded an account of what Troops the Duke had sent for the defence of the Empire, ordering that they should be paid only by the King's Commissioners, (as they are called) that the Duke of Gottorp might understand from thence, that he was not to keep any more Soldiers for his Defence, nor to have any part of the Right and Power of War in the affairs of the Empire; or the Circle of Lower-Saxony, but that the King would challenge it wholly himself, to the great injury and oppression of the House of Gottorp, and danger of other Princes.  
But the Proceedings at Rendsbourgh are covered with this further pretence, as if by it the Ancient Union between the Kings of Denmark and House of Gottorp was restored, and those Provinces re-establisht in their most flourishing Condition; and therefore since the greatest Masters of Prudence teach us, that that Government which makes both the Prince and his Subjects most happy, aught to be preferred and kept, the King seems to have rather done well than ill, by having disposed and brought the Dukedoms from a less, to a more happy, nay, most happy state, by the transactions of Rendsbourgh. This is a fair Speech, but if we consider it a little nearer, we shall easily discover its fraud: For whereas the Kings of Denmark and Dukes of Gottorp, have their Lands, Governments, and Towns, in the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein, not only contiguous, but intermixed with one another, and the safety and happiness of Denmark depending not a little upon the good Government of these Dukedoms, there were Treaties of Union made, confirmed, and exchanged on both sides, by which the Government of these two Countries was left to both Princes jointly, and they to command in them every year alternatively, and to have the whole Nobility and other the States, subject to them. And as it cannot be denied▪ but that this conjunction contributed very much to the peace and qulet of Denmark, so the Dukes of Gottorp have used this Right so carefully and discreetly, that none of their Acts have in the least derogated from these Treaties of Union, which is more than can be said of the Danes; for though they talk of the Union, when it is advantageous to them, yet have they often violated the same in things of the greatest Importance, which is proved by this: That the Kings of Denmark cannot without breach of the Treaties, (as most manifestly appears, by the Articles of the Union) enter into a War, nor carry it on at their own pleasure, without first acquainting the Dukes of Gottorp with their Designs, and obtaining his consent to it; nor in time of War dispose at his will of their Subjects, or their Estates, who are either in his or in the Duke's Territories. But as the will and authority of the Kings of Denmark have sometimes prevailed in other Affairs relating to these Dukedoms, so have they affected hitherto to take greater power than the Dukes, though but their equals there. And this having happened many times before the Danish Monarchy was Hereditary, and the Danes since strengthening themselves by little and little, are now come to that, as to make and expound all manner of Treaties for the advantage of their King, and either think themselves no longer obliged to them then as they are found such, or as they may by them ensnare the Dukes of Gottorp. For the Danes publish openly, that their King will hereafter order matters in these Provinces, (the Government whereof is jointly in him and the Duke) as a Prince having the Sovereign Power, and consequently use the Duke as his Vassal. This Joynt-Government being by the Treaties extended to both Dukedoms, it is easily to be seen, that the King intends to exercise a Sovereign and Independent Power in Sleswick, and afterwards by little and little Usurp the same under divers pretences, and especially that of the Union in the Dukedom of Holstein, and so wholly abolish the Dignity and Authority of the Dukes of Gottorp, either by the Right of a Military Power, or by degrees in time of Peace. Therefore, what one of the Fathers says of Religion, That she brought forth Riches, but the Daughter devoured the Mother, may be said upon this occasion; The Union brought forth this Joynt-Government, but the quarrelsome Daughter has destroyed her Mother. The Danes have no reason then to deceive the House of Gottorp, and the World with the specious word of Union, since every one may see, that the former condition thereof is much altered, and the farther this Danish Sovereignty shall extend her Wings, the more the House of Gottorp will be endangered thereby.  
And no body can look upon this as a mere Conjecture and Guess, since the Danes have in times past and of late confirmed the Truth hereof, and forced the most incredulous to Believe it: For in the beginning of May, 1677, the King began to demolish the Walls of the Fort of Tunderen, in the Dukedom of Sleswick, though it appertained to the Duke of Gottorp, without speaking a word to him of his design or reason for it. Not long before, a laden Ship belonging to some Merchants of Lubeck, was stranded upon the Shore near Newstadt, a Town of the Duke of Gottorp's, in the Dukedom of Holstein. Now this being without dispute in the Territories of the House of Gottorp, and some moneys being due to the Duke as Lord of the Place for savage of the Goods and the keeping of them, the Officer of the Place, to keep his Masters right, caused the Goods to be brought a-Shore, and to be shut up in a Barn, etc. The Duke intending they should be restored to their Owners: But soon after came some of the King's Officers with orders to confiscate the Goods, and having broken open the Barn-door, without any regard to Law, or the Sovereignty of the Place, conveyed the Goods away upon several Wagons to Hilgenhaven, one of the King's Towns, and thereby manifestly violated the Duke's right, having no Orders for the same but from the King's Commissioners. Besides, in the latter end of March 1677, the King of Denmark signified to the Duke of Gottorp, that he thought fit some Public days should be appointed for the Subjects, to Pray for the Preservation of the Country. But herein likewise was a design, for it being usual to set three days apart for public Prayers yearly in his Highness' Territories, in the week before Rogation-Sunday, the King resolved to take that time, and would not expect the consent of the Duke for it; but taking no notice thereof, commanded those days to be kept in the Dukedom of Sleswick in his own Name alone, and in the Dukedom of Holstein in his and the Duke of Holstein's Name, thereby infringing the Articles of Union in several respects. And though the King publishes, he acquainted the Duke of Gottorp with this design, yet the Duke did never consent to the thing, nor the manner of it. It is by mere force and no right, that the King deteins that part of the Dukedom of Sleswick, which does and did belong to the Duke of Gottorp, as we shall at large prove: The Duke of Gottorp having already contradicted, and firmly contradicting all what his Majesty shall publish or command there in his Name alone. Besides, the King alone has no right to order matters of the Government of the Dukedom of Holstein, (which ought to be settled by both Princes) not having the consent of the Duke, though he cause his Orders to be Published and Proclaimed in the Duke's name as well as his own. For a thing is not done by two persons unless there be a joint consent. It is evident therefore, that this also has been done contrary to the ancient Treaties: and because that the King's Order had only his Majesty's Seal, and that the King alone cannot enjoin the States of the Provinces any thing, and especially because that all this hath been done at a time when the Duke, according to course, aught to have had the direction and Prerogative of the Sovereign Power, and Joint-Government (from whose Power and Right herein, howsoever the Danes endeavour to detract by these pretended Novelties) the most Serene Duke did on the first of May 1677, protest against it; and having appointed the usual days for public Prayers, doth again hereby repeat his public Protestation in that behalf.  
Lastly, this Calumny has also been added to the abovementioned, as if the Duke of Gottorp (though almost entirely ruined by the Danes) should intend dangerous practices against their state. And first, this Story has gone about, that he was raising Eight Thousand Men in Ireland, to Transport into his Territories, and a great many have believed it. But it being impossible to begin such a thing, much more to perfect it, without the knowledge and consent of the King of Great Britain, and the Danish Envoy at London having complained hereof, his Majesty desired him very prudently to prove it; which he not having hitherto been able to do, all good men are satisfied of the Vanity of the Fable. Afterwards another Story has been raised and spread in the Court of the Emperor and other Princes, having been presented in writing by the Danes to the Deputies of the Circle of the Lower Saxony at Brunswick, that the Duke's Deputies being excluded from that Assembly, and the deliberations thereof, it might serve as a Precedent to help them to perfect their yet worse Designs. It is also charged upon the Duke, that he has taken measures with the Duke of Mecklenbourgh, to contrive how they should with their own Forces, or those of the Swedes or others, retake Wismar and Gluckstadt from the Danes. They endeavour to prove this Story by I know not what discourse, of a certain Frenchman called De Luis, who was carried away Prisoner to Copenhaguen, and by some Letters they found about him.  
We shall not now dispute what the Duke of Gottorp, so unjustly oppressed by the Danes, may lawfully do against them, and why he should not use all means for his own Defence: Neither is it necessary we should plead another's Cause, since it may be presumed, that no man will desert himself. But we solemnly affirm here with all sincerity, in the Name, and by the Command of the Duke of Gottorp, that he never thought upon any such thing, nor exchanged a word with the Duke of Mecklenbourg about it, as that Duke has himself asserted to the Duke of Gottorp's Minister sent to him expressly, promising to declare the same publicly, and that he never gave any Orders to this De Luis, nor trusted him with any Letters. The Danes themselves, when they think of it, insult over the Duke of Gottorp, and say, they wonder extremely he will not submit to the Danish Dominion, that is so easy, seeing himself destitute of all help, and no Prince willing to raise an Army in his behalf. And yet at other times they make him so formidable, and so full of pernicious designs against the Empire, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the Confederates, that they would have him declared an Enemy of the Empire, excluded from all public Assemblies, and having almost entirely ruined him themselves, to be quite oppressed by others. This is indeed a great Malice and Hatred, sit for none but men full of Gall, who are not ashamed to obtrude such Lies upon their King and the whole Christian world, that they may take away from the Duke all means of helping himself, and so slain his Innocence with calumnies▪ that so good a Prince might be thought not to deserve any pity, and much less the help of Justice against such manifest Injuries, the greatness and splendour of whose Family is such, that there is scarce any great Family in Germany, to whom he is not Allied and Related. In a word, since the discourses or Letters of this De Luis, that are spread abroad, and pretended to be intercepted, do not at all concern the Duke, we desire no Faith may be given to these Stories of the Danes, till they show the Truth of them to the World, which undoubtedly they can never do.  
The falsehood of these Stories and Inventions thus plainly appearing, it remains we should give the Reasons why the Duke ought in any impartial judgement to be entirely restored to all his Rights, which the Danes have so contrary to all Justice Usurped. His Highness obtained three points chiefly by the Treaty of Roschild, viz. The Sovereignty or Supreme Power over the Dukedom of Sleswick, without any dependence from the King or Crown of Denmark; the Territory of Schwabstadt, and the Cathedral Church of Sleswick, with its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and some other things. And because the King of Denmark had at that time entered into an unnecessary War against the Swedes, not only without consulting the Duke of Gottorp, but contrary to his Opinion, and notwithstanding his dissuading the said King from the same, and had brought great Calamities upon the Provinces and Subjects of the Duke, by drawing the Swedes, Imperialists, Brandenburgers, Polanders and Tartars into them; the King of Sweden would have procured a proportionable satisfaction to his Father-in-Law, and his Highness might justly have admitted of it; but was contented for all the damages he had sustained, with the remission of the Vassalage of the Dukedom of Sleswick, and the yielding up of the Sovereignty thereof to him, without demanding any thing more for his satisfaction. This occasion of the Controversies and Wars between them being cut off, and both Princes having solemnly Sworn to keep this Peace, it seemed as if none more firm and secure could have been wished for; but the Danes continually tormented since the Peace at Roschild, by the remembrance of their having yielded up this Sovereignty, have so far indulged their desire of Revenge, that they have studied nothing more than how to regain this Dukedom and its Sovereign Right, and wholly supplant the House of Gottorp; which is fully proved by what we have said already, and the most severe conditions of Rendsbourgh, and the means used to force the Duke and his Ministers to consent to them; which being necessary to be known by those that would judge aright of these Differences, we shall, before we have done, give the world some account, leaving it to their just censure.  
And though the Danes have obtruded these conditions upon the Duke of Gottorp, and have extorted from him the Authentic Instrument of the Peace of Roschild; yet hereby they have done nothing but shown their own insincerity, and the dis-ingenuity of their Proceedings; and rendered themselves obliged upon many accounts to make the Duke amends for their violating of his Rights, and to restore him entirely to the same; which if they refuse to do, they deserve to be forced thereunto by all Princes who have any consideration for Faith, Justice, and Conscience. And this we shall endeavour thus to demonstrate.  
1. Whatsoever was given, yielded, and promised to the Duke of Gottorp, by the King and Kingdom of Denmark, at the ending of the last War 1658, was yielded deliberately With their Will and Consent; and it was particularly provided, that neither of the Parties, under what pretence soever, should ever recede from the Articles agreed upon, and that they should be kept inviolable. Neither can the Danes object here, that they did not consent to these things freely and frankly, but only as forced by the Arms of Sweden; for having freely and voluntarily attacked the Swedes, they were free certainly also to consent to what satisfaction and compensation the Swedes would insist upon; and the Swedes having justly extended what they demanded to the benefit of the House of Gottorp, which had sustained so many losses by the War, the Danes have no reason to complain of them for it; the Swedes having then a just right by the Law of Nations to require yet more from Denmark: And here this Rule of the Civil Law must take place, Whatsoever damage a man suffers through his own de 〈…〉, is to be accounted no damage.  
2. Not only 〈…〉 and the States of the Kingdom of Den●●●● 〈…〉 with the Duke of Gottorp, have Sworn each of 〈…〉 eep those Articles inviolate; but the King of Great Britain, the Most Christian King, and the States of the united-provinces, by whose care the Peace of Roschild was procured, have also approved the same as Guarantees; and thence it is manifest, that whosoever of the Parties shall violate this Treaty, or refuse to be obliged by the same, doth not only offend against God and his Conscience, but also the Law of Nations, and particularly provokes the Arms of those Princes who are engaged solemnly in the Guaranty of the Treaty.  
3. The Danes have consented to this Agreement twice already; first, by a general Approbation in the 22 Article of the Peace of Roschild, made the 26 of Feb. 1658, and then more specially by the Agreement made at Copenhaguen the 12 of May the same year. A little after the War between the Swedes and the Danes being renewed of a sudden, the Danes besieged Tonningen, and the Duke with all his Court residing in it, to make him renounce the Articles abovementioned, and renounce his Sovereignty in the Dukedom of Sleswick. The Danes indeed complained at that time, that the Swedes had retaken Arms against them, but whether justly or unjustly, is not our business now to dispute. For what has the Duke of Gottorp to do with it? The King of Sweden his Son-in-Law, did not give him the least notice, that he intended to pass into Denmark and renew the War there; neither was his Highness charged of having committed any offence against the King of Denmark. But suppose this second War of the Swedes was unjust, as the Danes allege, must therefore the Innocent and the Guilty be treated alike? what the Duke enjoyed, was as a just satisfaction, the Justice whereof he never did any thing against. Therefore when there was an end put to this War by the Peace of 1660; the Swedes indeed remitted again into the hands of the King of Denmark some things that had been granted them by the Treaty of Roschild. But all that had been yielded or promised to the House of Gottorp remained as before without the least diminution. The Most Christian King, the King of Great Britain, and the State's General of the United Provinces, thinking it just to leave it so; the Danes for the third time now approving that Treaty, and agreeing besides with the Duke of Gottorp to pass a general Amnesty for all Injuries and other matters committed before that time, as appears by the 27 and 28 Articles of that Treaty.  
4. Besides, when the Treaty of Peace was concluded between the Swedes and the Poles, with their Allies, the Emperor and Elector of Brandenbourgh at Oliva 1660, the King of Denmark and the Duke of Gottorp were not only included therein: But the Treaty between them the Swedes and the Duke made at Roschild, and renewed afterwards 1660, was also included in it, as if it had been transcribed word for word; the Danes ratisying what the Kings of Sweden and Poland, and the Emperor and Elector of Brandenbourg, had stipulated to that purpose, and so now the fourth time solemnly approved the Agreements between themselves and the House of Gottorp. And to the intent that this Peace might be strictly kept by all Parties, not only the Danes and Poles, with their Confederates, promise one another a mutual Guaranty; but the King of France also entered into the same, agreeing amongst other things, That if any Prince thought himself grieved by any other way than force of Arms, he should not Revenge it by way of Arms, but complain to the several Princes, who were Parties in this Treaty, desiring them to procure him a present and sufficient satisfaction, Vid. Artic. 22. 26. 31. & 35. of that Treaty. I would fain have the Danes tell us, what Injuries the House of Gottorp has done them, either by way of Arms, or otherwise: If they cannot tell, nor prove any, the Duke of Gottorp has reason to expect to be restored to all his Rights by the Princes that have engaged their Faith in this Treaty, and that the Danes should be used as breakers of the Peace. If the Danes will make these trivial objections, which have been already answered, pass for Injuries, and especially the League made with Sweden by the Duke of Gottorp for his own defence; I am afraid they will find few expert Ministers of their mind. It has always, and ever will be lawful to make such Leagues. Nay, if the Danes will but remember their own Designs, and examine their Conscience, they must needs own themselves the Authors, or occasion of this League. For such Principles must never be neglected, nor the Power of any ever be raised to such a greatness, (or it must not be left in any one's power to do hurt, who has a mind to do it) that afterwards you may not be in a condition to dispute your right upon equal terms. Saith Polyb. lib. 1.  
5. The dissenting minds of Princes having been in all Ages happily reconciled by Marriage, and their Animosities thereby laid down, and sometimes totally extinguished; the Duke of Gottorp thought fit to use this Remedy, and having humbly demanded, and obtained as a Pledge of sincere Friendship between both Princes, the Daughter of Frederick King of Denmark of happy Memory for his Wife; and several Articles being at the same time agreed upon by the King and the Duke, as well relating to the Dowry as other things, the King then again ratified all that had been so many times agreed between them concerning this Dukedom. So that the King now for the fifth time gave his consent to it in the year 1667, most freely, and without the least appearance of constraint by War or otherwise.  
6. The Danes without the least provocation or new injury (all former matters being by an Amnesty in the Treaty abolished on both sides) but out of a desire of Revenge, and hope of regaining their losses, have first broken this Peace and Agreement made and concluded between the King and States of Denmark, and the House of Gottorp, so often Sworn to and approved by both, partly by committing Violences upon old abolished pretences, and which by several Conventions have been before adjusted, and partly by doing things either directly against the tenor of the Articles, or the necessary consequences of them; for whatever is acted contrary to Friendship, breaks the Peace which subsists by nothing else; And what other men are obliged to by Friendship alone, 
Grot. lib. 3. c. 20. n. 27. seq.  Princes are further tied to by their Promises and Treaties. And therefore we hope it will find little credit what the Danes falsely accuse the Duke of, as if he should have provoked them justly to what they have done. For those break the Peace who first commit Violences, and not those that repel them, and much less those that only endeavour to defend themselves, saith Thucydides; wherewith agrees the common opinion of the Learned in the Law, who say, That to make a Defence lawful, it is not necessary to expect or receive the first blow. Therefore what is objected to Chosro● in Procopius, may be applied here; Those break the Peace, who in time of Peace or League are first found to endeavour to surprise others, and not th●se that are first in Arms. Now, if any one will impartially consider all Transactions since the Peace of Roschild, it can never be made out, that the House of Gottorp has conspired against the King of Denmark, but on the contrary, that the King hath laid snares for the Duke from time to time, and at last surprised him at Rendsbourgh, as hath been before said.  
7. If we consider well the means taken by the Danes to gratify their desire of Revenge, though they have covered their intentions with many fair words, we shall find them very false and unjust. For the Duke of Gottorp and his Ministers having been drawn to Rendsbourgh upon the hopes given, and so many times confirmed of a fair composure of things, and several protestations of friendship and kindness, were presently after shut up, and detained in Prison, where they were forced to most unjust conditions: there was quite another thing intended than what was acted; and any man may easily see by what trick they were betrayed and trepanned. Therefore, whatever was concluded there, is void in Law; and the Danes have done nothing, either in forcing the House of Gottorp to agree to these unjust conditions, or extorting fit and just ones from it. Neither have they hereby confirmed their old Right, nor got a new one. They have only taken Papers and Parchments from the Duke, but not the Right they looked for; and in truth there has been only a Play Acted at Rendsbourgh, but it was a Tragedy. For if we weigh this by the Law of Nations, which is chiefly of Force between free Princes and People, the Convention at Rendsbourgh is absolutely null and void; nothing being more contrary to Faith and Justice than such tricks as these, and Princes being more strictly bound not to depart from it than any private person; especially since the Articles with the House of Gottorp of 1658, were agreed upon, and signed with such Ceremony, and in such manner, as equal them to an Oath; and that by them, not the King, but the injured Duke is to be entirely restored. It was a saying of the Ancients, That amongst good men all proceedings ought to be sincere. Now Princes ought not only to be counted good, but the best of men; and the more punctual and sincere they are in their Treaties with others, the greater will their Reputation be.  
8. This Transaction was likewise no small breach of the Law of Nations. The King had desired the Duke, after they had Feasted together friendly and kindly at Dennewerk, to come and see him at Rendsbourgh, and the Chancellor of the Kingdom having repeated this desire of the Kings, the Duke sent word he would do himself the Honour to come and wait upon his Majesty. His Highness was received with the shooting of Guns, and all other demonstrations of kindness and respect, that he might believe himself welcome. But when he was detained a Prisoner, with Guards to watch him, and that those who ought to have been used like Guests and well entertained, were not permitted to go away, nay, not so much as to stir out, the Law of Nations was eminently broken, and sufficient occasion given for Reparation. Many wonder that the Duke would trust his Person and his Ministers with the King, and that in a very strong Town. But they will cease wondering when they know all the repeated protestations of true Friendship made by the King and his Ministers, so that the Duke, who has a generous and great Soul, was afraid to be thought mistrustful, or give a suspicion of it, esteeming with Livy, that to trust was the way to be trusted. Thus of old perished Dio, who knowing that Calippus had laid ambushes for him, was ashamed to use precaution against a Friend, and one whose Guest he then was, saith Plutarch.  
9 And here we must not omit the Violences used towards the Duke of Gottorp and his Ministers, and the Troubles they were put to. If a man puts another in Prison or Custody to extort from him, all what is done by it is null, say the Civilians, Vid. Paulus I ctus. Lib. 22. ff. quoth met. cause. gest. Nay, he that shuts any one in his house to get a Promise or Obligation from him, does force him to it. V. L. 1. Sent. Tit. 7. Sect. 8. Therefore in the Commonwealth of Rome, by the Julian Law, he was guilty of public Violence, who had shut up a man with an ill design, restrained him, or got an Obligation from him by force; the Law declaring all such void. l. 5. pr. ff. ad. l. Jul. de vi publicâ. As force imposes a necessity upon the mind, and is commonly accompanied with fear, because of the imminent danger that unsetles the Soul, lib. 1. quod met. cause. So the Duke of Gottorp, a Friend, a near Relation, a Guest, a Brother, etc. being come to visit his Friend, Relation, Brother, etc. endured not only many hard violent injuries and unjust things, as well as all his Servants, but was terrified daily with new threats and apprehensions of great Evils, by which his Mind and his Body were brought so low, that his grief cast him into a dangerous distemper. Some of the Danes have endeavoured to conceal the disguise, nay, deny too what passed at Rendsbourgh, and perhaps are yet unwilling to confess the truth; not because they can stifle what hath been done in the view of so many people, then at Rendsbourgh, but to suppress all they could the remembrance of this Infamous Story. For we do not doubt but that there are many good men among the Danes, who abhor the Counsel of that man, who was then the great man with the King, and never kept within bounds.  
But however the Danes may be thought of by impartial judges of these things for his inexcusable proceeding, they can neither reap any advantage thereby, nor cause any damage to the House of Gottorp, or render its condition worse. For though by the Principles of Philosophy, whosoever has promised any thing by force or fear, seems to be bound to it in strictness of Law: Yet since the Ancients have been of opinion, that summum jus is sometimes injurious, and that the Law of Nature abhors an unjust force or constraint; no Prince ought to be bound by this summum jus, when accompanied with force, but rather restored to what has been forced from him, which the following words of Grotius explain and confirm. I am wholly of the opinion of those, who believe, that laying aside the Civil Law, (by which the Obligation may be taken away or diminished) whosoever has promised a thing through fear, is bound, because he has given his absolute consent, and not a conditional one, as in the case of one that mistakes. For as Aristotle says very well, he that throws his goods into the Sea for fear of Shipwreck, would willingly save them conditionally, viz. if the danger was not imminent; but he is absolutely content to lose them, considering the circumstance of time and place. But I esteem this most true, if the man to whom the Promise is made, has terrified ●he other not justly, but unjustly, though but a little, and upon this has got a Promise, he to whom the promise was made, is bound to release him from it, if the other desires it; not because the Promise is of no force, but for the injury done. L. 2. de Jure B. & P. c. 11. n. 7. He explains these last words thus in another place; He that has by cunning, force, or unjust fear, obtained from another a Contract or Promise, is bound to release the Person of his said Contract; for he had a right neither to be deceived, nor to be forced; the first by the nature of Contracts, the other by the Liberty of Nature. Lib. 2. de Jure B. & P. c. 17. n. 17. And he repeats the same, lib. 3. c. 19 n. 4. 10. The King of Denmark can so much the less deny this right of Restitution to the House of Gottorp, because he himself would have challenged the same right when it was his own case▪ For his Majesty having extorted from the Duke, by mere force, all he thought fit, his Highness was reproached, that he had gotten these things before by force, and the Arms of an Enemy, and had given just cause consequently to the King to repossess himself the same way; It will then be very just, that the King suffer the Duke to make use of the same Law against his Majesty, which he would have used against his Highness, since this is a Rule of the Law of Nature, which obliges all Princes without distinction. I say the King would have made use of this Law against the Duke, that having been forced to the Treaty in question, he ought to have been restored unto his Rights again. But in this the Danes are very much mistaken, that they do not distinguish by what kind of force or fear one is constrained, whether just or unjust; and have gone about foolishly to persuade themselves and others, that the King had recovered the Sovereignty of the Dukedom of Sleswick, the same way he had lost it. For as Justice offers Restitution with both hands to a man, forced unjustly to a promise or grant; so it denies it flatly to one justly forced. Therefore when any one has himself been the cause of his being compelled to promise o● give, he cannot recover it the same way, having lost his right of Restitution, by giving a just cause to the other, who has justly employed a just force. Grot. lib. 2. c. 17. n. 19  
11. This Restitution due upon so many accounts, ought not to be denied, because of the great Evils and dangerous Errors which may spring from such a denial. For if we take the Treaty of Rendsbourgh into serious consideration, we shall find the Duke of Gottorp deprived of all his Royalties, and the King alone invested with them, and all submitted to his Pleasure. For the King alone having undertaken the defence of both Dukedoms, declared all the Duke's Treaties null, deprived him of his Soldiers, demolished his Towns and Forts, detained him against his will in Custody, raised such great Taxes upon his Lands, that his Highness and his Subjects have nothing remaining; whence it is manifest that the Right of Peace and War, and the other great Royalties, are taken away from the Duke by this Treaty, or at least so much encroached upon, that all the Authority which he might of right, and has hitherto, after the Example of his Ancestors, enjoyed and exercised, is now in the King alone, and at his dispose, under whose power and pleasure his Highness must hereafter live, under the Notion of a Client or Vassal, but really as a Subject. So heretofore the Latins complained, That under the colour of a League with the Romans they lived in Slavery; and the Achaians, that their League was now become a precarious Slavery; and, as Tacitus speaks, A miserable Slavery was now falsely called Peace. And though Proculus be of opinion, that free Tenants are not under the Dominion or Subjection of the Patron, yet when a Prince or People come under the Protection of a Superior Prince or People, we know by experience that a fall is easy in slippery ground, and that the Tenantship is soon changed into a soft Slavery, which the Duke of Gottorp has the more reason to fear and avoid; For that the King of Denmark's Power reaching from the further part of Norway, as far as Holland, is very great, and that under the pretence of the Union at the Treaty of Rendsbourgh, vainly called by the Name of Pragmatic Sanction, an occasion may be taken to oppress or suppress the Authority and Dignity of the House of Gottorp. Who ever saw a Sovereign Prince without Royalties? Who can show a Duke of Sleswick thus wholly divested of his high Prerogatives? If the Dukes of Sleswick are to be invested hereafter by giving them a Banner, and with the Ceremony observed at Ottenwaldt in 1580, will not that be a Proclaiming of them Subjects with the greater Pomp only, and telling the world by this Investiture, how proud they are of this Subjection? If the Dukes of Gottorp were cast into this condition or abandoned in it, and on the contrary, the Kings of Denmark might govern at their Pleasure the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein, and that part of them also which belongeth to the Duke, what an augmentation of Power would that be to them, and how might they abuse it if ever they would make use of it against Germany, and especially the Circle of the Lower-Saxony? This may be made out by an exact account of the vast sums of money, and all other things they have extorted in a little time from those Provinces; it is hardly credible how great the sums are. And we know well enough what an ambitious Example they have shown, and there is no question but opportunity and power will invite others to follow them. Therefore Prudence requires rather that the Duke of Gottorp should be in time restored to his former condition, and all his Rights, than that so many Princes, Provinces, and Towns, be destroyed by his Ruin, which will be easily prevented, if the injury now done to his Highness be looked upon by every one of them as done to themselves.  
But suppose we should grant that the Duke of Gottorp has effectually bound himself by the conditions of Rendsbourg to a Vassalage for the Dukedom of Sleswick, (which supposition we yet constantly deny as false;) yet the delay of demanding the Investiture cannot be imputed to the Duke, but to the King alone: for who does not know that the Strong-holds of Tonningen and Holme are seated in the Dukedom of Sleswick? And the King without regard to his Word, having razed them both, taken away the Garrisons and all the Artillery, kept the Duke besieged in his Castle of Gottorp; and all this relating to the Dukedom of Sleswick, hath not the Duke justly demanded, that all these Grievances be first redressed, and satisfaction be made to him for them? If he had done otherwise, and blindly asked the Investiture, trusting himself to the King's pleasure, there had never been any notice taken of the old and new Grievances, and his Highness had rashly submitted himself to a Vassalage, that had deprived him and his Posterity of all his Royalties, and exposed them to the eternal Scorn of the world. Besides, since it was suggested to the Duke's Ambassadors sent to Copenhaguen about the Fief and Grievances, that they would do well to return to his Highness for new Instructions about the Fief, without expecting any Orders from him; the King had certainly no cause given him for Sequestrations, and those other acts of Hostility committed by his Order in the Dukedom of Sleswick. And so we must not yield that the King, by doing Acts by which the Lord of a Fief uses to lose his Right, should take away another's Right; and not only gain by the Ruin of the other, but even by what ought to turn to his own loss, contrary to the Laws of Nature; Nations, Feudal, and all others whatsoever. Eric Duke of Sleswick, having left after his Death his Son Waldemar a Child, Christopher the Second King of Denmark, possessed himself of that Guardian-ship of Waldemar, and at the same time of the whole Territory of Sleswick, except Gottorp, which when he also besieged to gain the whole Duchy, Gerhard Earl of Holstein, Uncle to Waldemar, with some others, opposed him stoutly, and for this Felony committed by the King in 1326, there was great Debate, which Meursius thus relates; The Dukedom of Sleswick having been held till then as a Fief from Denmark, and these Princes by reason of this Usurpation of the Kings, being unwilling it should continue so hereafter, was the occasion of a long Contention, lib. 4. p. 70, which ended, as we have said before. If this demand in the Name of Waldemar was not unreasonable, with how much more Justice doth our Duke desire that he might have his own, and a full Restitution from the King of what he detains from him so unjustly, and has Sequestrated by mere force; and God Almighty having ordered Restitution to be made where Covenants are broken, it is but just that his Vice-gerents upon Earth should endeavour to put his Decrees in Execution.  
13. If we look upon his Sequestration rightly, and examine it by the Rules of Justice, we shall find it wholly void by Law. For it was neither done by any Convention of the Parties, nor by any Judicial Authority. The Danes, I presume, will confess the former, and the other we do not question but to make them also agree to. The King of Denmark having made himself Plaintiff against the Duke of Gottorp, in the business of the Dukedom of Sleswick, his Majesty cannot be a Judge in the same cause: Which is explained by several Civilians, Ad. Tit. Cod. Nequis in suâ causâ judicet vel jus sibi dicat; that is to say, Let no man be Judge in his own Case, or do himself justice. And this must not be understood, as if the Positive Roman Law only (by which the Danes are not bound) did prohibit any one to be Judge in his own cause, for the Law of Nature dictates the same, and right reason which obliges all the world, proclaims it. Men blinded by their affections do not see the truth in their own affairs, saith Aristotle. And for this reason the Kings of Denmark themselves consented heretofore, that all Disputes about this Fief should be determined by Impartial Judges, according to the contents of the Treaty of Union, and that both parties should abstain from hasty Sequestrations, Ord. jud. prov. part. 3. tit. 3. A judicial Sequestration being thus prohibited, because it is a kind of Execution wherewith a State ought not to begin; This Sequestration of the Dukedom of Sleswick cannot certainly be defended by any Law, nor by any Judicial Authority, nor by a previous cognizance of the cause, upon which a just Sentence had followed, but only by the way of violence and absolute force; by which the Duke of Gottorp has been thrown out of a certain Possession and all his Revenues, and an usurped Possession transferred by pure Fact upon the Sequestrator, against the nature of all Judicial Sequestrations, which are made use of only for the better keeping of things: so that this pretended Sequestration is really a violent spoil committed by the King (supported with more than one Army) upon the Duke naked and disarmed: Now it is the Opinion of all wise men, that a person who has been spoiled, ought first of all to be restored.  
14. And this Restitution is so much the more earnestly to be pressed, as this Sequestration may be dangerous both in Temporals and Spirituals. For the King having suffered himself to be persuaded, that he could absolve the common people, Priests, and Magistrates, Subjects to the Duke in the Dukedom of Sleswick, from the Allegiance they have sworn to their Prince, he has caused sometimes one, and sometimes another to be carried away by Soldiers from their habitations, and from their Sacred and Civil Functions, and some to Rend●bourgh (where this whole Tragedy was begun, and where they have been put in Prison, at least detained for some time.) Those of the Duke's Officers and Subjects, that have seen and understood all that hath passed between the King and the Duke, must needs know, that his Majesty has indeed a great Power over his Subjects, but none over those of other Princes; at least not such a one as can free them from their Oath to God, and Allegiance to his Highness; especially whilst the matter in difference is not only doubtful, but before no Judicial Court, much less determined. Nay, they know that they are bound to suffer rather the greatest Miseries, and the loss of their whole Fortunes, than to act against their own Consciences and Oaths, or do any thing to the prejudice of their Prince, lest they should provoke the Anger of God, and the Duke's just Revenge; no obedience being due to any body, that gives sentence out of his own Territory, where he has no Jurisdiction. L. Vel. ff. de Jurisd. And if others frighted with the noise of an Army, or the fear of greater Evils, renounce their Allegiance, let them consider how they ensnare their Consciences, if not expose themselves to the punishments for Perjury and Perfidiousness. To prevent which, let a full and quick Restitution take away this illegal Sequestration.  
15. The King caused this Sequestration of the Dukedom of Sleswick to be Proclaimed with a Threatening of Deprivation. It is apparent from what has been said, that this Sequestration is such, executed with that Rigour, as if the Duke was actually deprived and devested of the Dukedom of Sleswick; though this Deprivation be as unjust and violent as the Sequestration. How can the Authors of such Counsels be sufficiently wondered at, by those that remember, that a Fief is a Contract obliging both Parties, and that the Obligation between the Lord and his Vassal is as reciprocal, as that between Husband and Wife, saith Cujacius. Therefore, as a Vassal promises to his Lord upon Oath to perform truly, safely, securely, honestly, well, etc. so also doth the Lord to the Vassal, and is obliged to fulfil it; if he doth the contrary, he is declared of no Faith, Perjured and Perfidious by the Feudal Longobardick Law, 2 Feud. 6. Thence it is that all Felony which deprives a Vassal of a Fief, deprives the Lord also of the Propriety thereof, if committed by him, and confers it upon the Vassal; most especially if the Lord spoils him, that holds a Fief from him, of his Forts, wherein he may keep himself secure much more: if the Lord demolishes and destroys them to the ground; If he uses the Vassal and his Subjects ill, charges them with Imposts and Taxes, and Pillages them; if he lays Siege to the Vassals Castle, or other his place of habitation: If the Lord bereaves him of the Fief by his own Authority, without cognizance of the cause, and judgement thereupon; or if judging the cause himself, he alienates the same: For though the Lord accuse his Vassal of having done some act deserving Deprivation, yet he is not to be absolutely believed, though he be a Supreme Prince, saith Vult●j●s lib. 1. c. 11. n. 55. In a word, to repeat the proper Terms of the Law, If the Lord enters into the Fief by a bad way, that is to say, as Baron Schenkius explains it, ad lib. 2. F●ud. Tit. 22. sed. Si vero Vassallus. If he breaks i 〈…〉 o Possession not by the way of the Law or Justice, but by Violence. For in such a case, if he refuses wholly to restore the Fief, and what belongs to it, he may be forced to it by the way of Arms. And therefore, if the Lord and Vassals are to be judged in the same manner, according to the opinion of all Feudists; certainly the King of Denmark hath lost all his Right long before, if he had any, in that part of the Dukedom of Sleswick which belongs to the Duke of Gottorp, and the Duke ought to be Restored against the King, according to all Laws.  
16. For the Duke of Gottorp having received this Dukedom with the greatest Right, and in the most absolute manner, free from all Vassalage, and obtained and kept at a very chargeable rate the Sovereign Dominion thereof by the so often repeated consent of the King and States of Denmark; the unjust Convention at Rendsbourgh cannot savour the King of Denmark's cause in this, nor take away the least part of the Duke's Sovereign Power in the Dukedom of Sleswick. This forced Agreement his Majesty himself having not a little receded from, and first broken, by demolishing the strong Towns, in which, by this very Agreement, he was only to put a Garrison for a while, and then to restore them: carrying away the Duke's Ministers Prisoners, who had already bound themselves to the King by the Allegiance he required from them; reducing the Duke's Subjects to the last extremities, though his Majesty had promised before, that not a Hen should be touched, and other like things; by which things his Majesty seems not to desire the said Treaty should remain in force.  
17. Lastly, an entire Restitution being the common refuge of Princes and Commonwealths, to which they have recourse in their Afflictions, the Duke of Sleswick cannot be excluded from this Privilege of all Mankind. For though in the Commonwealth of Rome, Restitution was to be demanded from the Praetor within a certain time; this and the like are only Pleas of the Civil Law. Restitution absolutely considered, is grounded upon the Principles of Equity, which takes its Original from the purest Springs of the Law of Nature; and is so much the fitter for injured Princes and free Nations, as it is more important to provide for the safety of Commonwealths than of private men. For why should not a Prince, as well or rather than a private Person, be restored unto all his Rights, if he has been deceived or injured by fraud; force, unjust fear, or the like? Certainly there is no reason against it, Equity requires this remedy for both. Neither is it limited to these alone, but it is applicable as often as there is any cause of Restitution. L. ●. ff. de restit. in integ. Natural Equity itself requires, that a man deceived in any thing, where others ought to have proceeded with sincerity, be fully restored, especially since by such deceits whatever is done, is anaulled, saith a great Lawyer.  
Now, who must restore the Duke unto all his Rights? What hath been said before doth furnish us with an answer. The King of Denmark, who has unjustly injured the Duke, is beyond all others obliged to do it in the Court of Equity and Conscience, which demands as ready an obedience, as the King himself doth from his Subjects. For those that do an ill act knowingly, or are instrumental to it, are to be put in the number of those that cannot go to Heaven without Repentance. And true Repentance requires absolutely, if there be time and power, that he that has done the Injury make satisfaction for it, Grot. lib. 3. de J. B. & P. c. 10. n. 3. & 4. From whence it appears too, that the King ought not only to restore what he hath extorted from the Duke at Rendsbourgh and afterwards, but make good also those damages his Highness and his Subjects have suffered by the War, and the occasion of it. What if the King of Denmark, for reason of State, excepting against this Court, refuses to restore the Duke? First, I say, that the great God is Judge, and the truth of his word will not so easily wear away as the Danish Coin upon which it is stamped. Besides, the King thereby would give the Duke just reason to endeavour to right himself. If an unjust fear caused by another, has forced any one to make a Promise, he that hath promised may demand Restitution, and, if denied, may take it himself, Grot. lib. 3. de J. B. & P. c. 23. n. 2. When any one demands satisfaction from his Fellow-Subject, the Authority of the Magistrate must be employed as Superior, to force the Inferiors. And so in the Commonwealth of Rome, the Praetor having heard the cause, was wont to order Restitution. But when a Prince must be restored against another Prince, that is Sovereign as well as he, and his Equal, the injured Prince, or any for him, may perform the Office of Praetor, use all means to procure a full and ample Reparation of his damages. If the Duke of Gottorp is not strong enough to do it himself, all Christian Princes and Commonwealths must make this cause theirs, and employ all their Power to restore him; For Wars may be undertaken not only for Friends and Allies, but for men, as such, if they are barbarously injured. Grot. lib. 3. de I. B. & P. c. 25. n. 1. & seq. And who is more injured than he, who by a Cousin of the same Family, his near Ally, and Brother, against his Faith so many times sworn, is so ill used, as to be deprived of all his Authority and Dignity? Therefore since other Princes are not a little concerned, when the condition of any Prince is brought so low, contrary to all Justice, and when perhaps his entire ruin is endeavoured, especially if these base Counsels proceed from Ministers, who in their actions and speeches, have no regard to the great Asserter of Faith, and consequently less to Faith itself, the foundation of Justice, and the tie of all human Societies; all Princes and States ought first of all to take care, that Faith be kept inviolable, and Treaties and Contracts between them be not violated, lest this tie of Friendship and Society being broke, the world should fall into confusion by their connivance before the time decreed by Divine Providence.  
And those Princes and States are chiefly obliged to take care of this Restitution, who have guaranted the Treaties between the King of Denmark and the House of Gottorp, and have signed the Instruments of Peace between Sweden and Germany, and that of Roschild and Oliva, engaging for the performance of them in such terms and expressions, that if they were meant, as they are set down, (which is not at all to be doubted,) no man but will believe they intent to perform their Promises. And to induce them thereunto without any delay, let the great danger of this example, and the greatness of the Injuries be considered; and that it is also the earnest request of the Duke of Gottorp, who is every day more and more oppressed with new Injuries.  
And since amongst these Princes that are Securities, the good will of the most Serene and Potent King of Great Britain, towards the House of Gottorp, appears above the rest, his Majesty having not only engaged himself with other Princes and States, for the preservation of the Peace at Roschild, and the Treaty of Copenhaguen, made between the King of Denmark and the House of Gottorp, soon after that at Roschild; but having also passed his word and Guaranty for the Sovereignty yielded by the King and Kingdom of Denmark to the House of Gottorp; and most especially his Majesty being now the Mediator of all public Differences: Give us leave, most Potent King, to let all the World know this great affection of your majesty's towards the House of Gottorp, and to put you in mind of your special Engagement to our Duke for the Sovereignty of Sleswick; which you can as easily make good, as you were pleased to engage for it; that you may be known for as great a Defender of the Civil as of the Christian Faith; and in judging the Differences between the King of Denmark and the House of Gottorp, or disposing all things to a Peace, make use of that Equity and Moderation, which may prove a Remedy to the Injured, a Defence to the Oppressed, and a Reward of Eternal Glory to your Majesty and the Noble People of England.   

THE ARTICLES Of the TREATY at Rendsbourgh.  
KNow all Men to whom these Presents shall come, That whereas, for the common Security and Safety, several Treaties of Union and Conjunction have been heretofore made between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein, which have been renewed, augmented, and changed, according to the Exigence of times; and that the most Serene and Potent Prince and Lord Christian the V. King of Denmark and Norway, Goths and Vandals, Duke of Sleswick and Holstein, Stormar and Dithmars, Earl of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorst, and the most Reverend and Serene Prince and Lord, the Lord Christian Albert, Heir of Norway, Coadjutor of the Bishopric of Lubeck, Duke of Sleswick and Holstein, Stormar and Dithmars, Earl of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorst, judging it very necessary in these dangerous and troublesome times, that such Treaties of Union be renewed after the Example of their Ancestors, and be accommodated to the present condition and State of their Kingdoms and Dominions: And his said Majesty having appointed on his part [Hear the Names of the King's Commissioners were inserted] and the said Duke on his part [Hear the Names of the Duke's Commissioners were inserted] and the said Commissioners, having accordingly met together, have agreed upon the following Articles.  

I.  
As his Royal Majesty and his most Serene Highness do Govern jointly the Dukedom of Sleswick and Holstein, and the Countries incorporated therein; so they shall both endeavour, according to the Contents of the former Treaties of Union, unanimously to direct all their Counsels for the safety and augmentation of the said Dukedoms, and to preserve them from all damage, danger, and detriment.   

II.  
Therefore, as often as necessity shall require it, or any danger seems to threaten these Dukedoms, they shall both do all they can, by united Counsels and Forces to prevent it; and if the thing comes to a War, let no Truce be made, nor Peace contracted, before the danger be removed from both their Heads, and satisfaction be made to both by the Enemy, and the public security provided for.   

III.  
And as therefore his Royal Majesty by this takes entirely upon him the Guaranty and Defence, both of the most Serene Duke, and the part he has in the Dukedoms; so his said most Serene Highness promises again, that as often as his Royal Majesty shall be necessitated to draw Forces from his Kingdoms for the defence of these Dukedoms, and the Countries incorporated therein, or shall be in War against any Foreign Prince whosoever he be, none excepted (though his Majesty thinks it already his due by the Union) he shall not only give him free passage through his Land, and all his Towns, but liberty to List and Muster Soldiers, assigning them quarters and places to Encamp, and helping the King with all his Power.   

FOUR  
Because also, during these troublesome times, his Royal Majesty could not forbear by an unavoidable necessity to ask leave for his further security to put Garrisons of his own into the Forts of Gottorp and Tonningen, and the Fortress of Stapelholme, which his most Serene Highness has granted, upon this certain hope that these troubles being over, and the Peace made, all things should be entirely given back and restored as they were: And his most Serene Highness having made certain Leagues, in which there are some things which give no small jealousies to his Royal Majesty; that he may hereafter be more secure of the intentions of his most Serene Highness, and all occasion of mistrust be wholly taken away; it is agreed and covenanted on both sides, that it shall not be lawful hereafter for his most Serene Highness to make any Alliances with Foreign Princes and States without a previous communication with his Majesty and his consent obtained, nor make use of any of those already made to the prejudice and detriment of his Royal Majesty.   

V.  
And that the Forts and Strong-holds that are necessary for the Defence of these Dukedoms and Countries therein incorporated, may be provided and furnished with all necessaries, according to the Exigencies of times, and the threatening dangers, with least trouble to the States of the Provinces; both Parties have agreed, that hereafter the Contributions shall be brought into a common Treasury, and shall not be employed to any other use than this now mentioned.   

VI  
But because the Contributions that have been paid till now, have been so far from keeping the Soldiers which are appointed for the Defence of these Dukedoms, that his Majesty has been necessitated to add considerable sums out of his own Revenue; and his most Serene Highness having put into his Coffers the best part of the Contributions he has received, and employed the same to other uses, for which his Majesty pretends a satisfaction to be made to him: Therefore in lieu of a compensation, and that all things, as much as is possible, may be re-establisht in the same state, and restored according to the Rule of the ancient Division, which Hereditarily has been granted to each House; His most Serene Highness quits wholly and for ever to his Royal Majesty the Territory of Swabstadt, with half of the Chapter of Sleswick, and of the Cathedral Church, which together with the said Territory of Swabstadt, was heretofore yielded to his most Serene Highness by his Sacred Royal Majesty of glorious Memory, with all the Appurtenances, Revenues, Profits, Domains, Prerogatives, and Royalties, as his most Serene Highness had the same yielded to him, and has quietly possessed till now.   

VII.  
As to the Controversies about the limits, and other things relating to the Territories of Ripen and Tundern, the discussion whereof remains in suspense till now, they shall be decided by Equity, and according to the Opinions of the Royal Commissioners, who were present at the last Assembly held for that purpose; and if hereafter any differences or disputes should arise, either between his Majesty himself and his most Serene Highness, or their subjects, which cannot be determined by them, they shall be composed amicably and according to the Articles of Union.   

VIII.  
And nothing being intended on both sides by the renewing of this Union and Treaty but to re-establish a perpetual and most necessary good understanding between the Royal and Ducal Families, and to keep the same inviolable for ever, and the novelties and changes which have happened in process of time, having given not a little occasion of mistrust; it is at last agreed and Covenanted, that to reduce all things to their former condition as soon as may be, his most Serene Highness and his Successors, shall renounce fully and for ever their Sovereignty over the Dukedom of Sleswick and its appurtenances, together with the Island of Femaria, which they obtained by the Peace of Roschild, and the Treaty of Copenhaguen, in the same manner as if they had never obtained or been in possession of the said Sovereignty, and shall be obliged, no less than heretofore, within a year and a day, as often as the case, either by the death of the Lord or of the Vassal, shall happen, to demand and receive in due manner (as heretofore hath been used) from the Kings of Denmark, the Investiture of the said Dukedom of Sleswick and its Appurtenances, together with the Island of Femaria, and to perform all things according to the form prescribed by the Act of Renuntiation to be made by his most Serene Highness; for which end his most Serene Highness has also obliged himself to deliver up again, and consign into the hands of his Royal Majesty the Instrument he received from his late Sacred Majesty of glorious Memory, and from these Senators of the Kingdom then in being, which is hereby made void and rendered null.  
Lastly, this Union and Transaction shall remain entire and firm, as the Basis and foundation of an everlasting Friendship and Alliance between both Houses, and as a strong obligation by which his Royal Majesty and his most Serene Highness are joined together, and shall be inviolably observed by both parties and their Successors, neither shall any of them do any thing contrary hereunto, or suffer the same to be done; and besides, all that is not here altered, shall by virtue of the ancient Treaties, remain in full force. For the greater assurance of the performance of these Presents, these Articles of Union and Agreement have been by Us, as well his Majesties, as his Highness' Commissioners, deputed for this affair, signed and Sealed at Rendsbourg the 10. of July 1675.   

Out of the Articles of Union made 1533.  
Neither Party shall enter into a War without the Counsel and consent of the other.  
And the same is confirmed by the other Treaties of Union.   

Out of the Transaction at Othenwaldt 1579.  
If his Majesty for the defence of his Provinces and Subjects or the Conservation of his Dignity, is necessitated to take up Arms, so that the business cannot be determined by way of Justice or a fair Composure, the most Serene Duke of Gottorp (if the War hath been undertaken and ended by his advice, and with his full consent, after a previous deliberation) shall be obliged to send the Succours agreed upon.   

Out of the Concordats of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the Dukedom of Sleswick & Holstein 1593.  
Neither of the Parties shall make War without the Advice and consent of the other; but if it happen that the King and Kingdom of Denmark, and the Dukes of Sleswick and Holstein, consent to refer their Controversies to the Cognizance and Decision of a Judicial Court, and nevertheless either of them be attacked by force of Arms, the other Party shall send such ●roops to his Assistance, as by the following Articles are agreed upon.   

Out of the Union renewed in the Year 1624.  
The Party whose Counsel and help is employed, may and aught to make use of this Right, to proffer his Mediation to the Parties entering into War, for the composing their differences without coming to Arms, and to this end must invite and join with him other Neutral Princes and States; and if there be time, and no danger will arise by delay, let him propose all just and equitable conditions, not derogating from the Dignity of the Princes engaged, nor prejudicial to the cause, and try what success that may have before they come to an open Rupture.   

Out of the Inventory 4 Jul. 1675. made when the Fort of Tonningen and all its Ammunition was delivered up.  
This written Inventory, with all the things set down therein,— were delivered, and really received by me under-writen, Lieutenant-General of the most Serene King of Denmark and Norway, after the performance of the Surrender of the Fort of Tonningen; and I do engage my Faith, that all shall be fully restored according to the promise of his most Serene Royal Majesty, and as it ought to be, and to that end, have subscribed this with my own hand.  
Charles Arenstorff.   

Out of the Instrument of Peace at Roschild 12. May 1658.  
As to the pretended satisfaction for the damages received by the last War, the most Serene Duke of Gottorp (the most excellent Mediators judging it fit) condescends out of friendship and affection, to remit all his pretensions thereunto for all the Vassalage remitted to him, that the Amty between his most Serene Royal Majesty and the Duke, and also the Kingdom of Denmark, the Dukedoms and the Subjects of both Princes may remain firm and entire, and that the good correspondence which ought to be between Allies, Brothers, and Neighbours, may be preserved.   

Out of the League between Sweden and Gottorp, made May 24. 1661.  
And as there is no other cause for the making of this Alliance, than to keep the Peace between the Princes of the North inviolate, and render the security of the House of Gottorp, established thereby, more entire; and the most Serene Duke of Gottorp not obliging himself in any thing to the King and Kingdom of Sweden, but what relates to this Peace and Security, and the preservation of the Friendship and Amity between them: so no other Leagues, whether already made, or which shall be hereafter made, shall prejudice either of the Parties, nor be a hindrance to this Treaty, or take place against it. Besides, the most Serene Duke, that he may remove all suspicion of his proceedings, desires that the extension or interpretation of this League may no ways reach his Imperial Majesty or the Empire, or any other Kings, Electors and Princes, if they do not injure the Duke contrary to the Peace of the North; and he also reserves to himself the liberty to keep and improve, by the best ways he shall think fit, that good correspondence with the King of Denmark, which may and aught to be between Neighbours, and may be most advantageous to his Family, Provinces, and Subjects, without derogating from the Peace of the North.   

Out of the Peace of Roschild made the 26 Feb. 1658. Art. 22.  
His most Serene Majesty of Denmark, shall be obliged to satisfy Prince Frederick Duke of Sleswick and Holstein-Gottorp, according to Equity, which satisfaction shall be treated of by his Royal Majesties and his Highness' Commissioners; yet so as that this Treaty be finished before the second of May.   

Out of the Instrument of Peace between the most Serene King of Denmark and the Duke at Copenhaguen 12 of May 1658. Art. 6.  
And so in the Name of God the Grievances and Demands exhibited, are either absolutely or provisionally taken off, to the satisfaction of the interessed; and the King and Prince do promise bona side, and in words without equivocation, that they will keep this Treaty, and not recede from it under any pretence whatsoever, whatever it may be, and observe these Articles, as faithfully as those of the Peace at Roschild, employing all their cares to transmit and propagate this Friendship now renewed perfect and entire to their Posterity.  
We Frederick III. King of Denmark and Norway, etc. declare by these Presents, that we have, after mature deliberation upon all that has been proposed by the Lords Mediators, either by word of Mouth or in Writing, concerning the Treaty and Conclusion of a Peace, consented, and by virtue of these Presents do consent to the same, as far as they agree with the Acts passed by the three States for the establishing a Peace between Us and the King of Sweden. Copenhaguen August 23. V. S. 1659.   

Another Declaration of his most Serene Royal Majesty upon the business of the Peace to be made with the King and Kingdom of Sweden, presented to the Lords Mediators Plenipotentiaries at Copenhaguen.  
We Frederick III. by the Grace of God King of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Sleswick and Holstein, etc.  
To all and every one whom it doth or may any way concern; Be it known, that as we have among other things, as well by our Declaration of the 14/24 August, showed our great propensity to a Peace to the Lords Mediators of the three States, as by another of the 25/4 August/ Sept. delivered by Our Order into the Hands of the same Mediators, by which we declare, that after a due consideration of the Propositions of their Excellencies, made as well by word of Mouth as in Writing, the 18/28 of the same Month, for a happy Issue of this present Peace, We do consent to them all as far as they are agreeable with the resolutions passed by the three States the 11/21 of May, the 14/24 of July, and 25/4 July/ August about the Peace to be made between Us and the King and Kingdom of Sweden; so we do hereby testify and confirm that We adhere still to the same Declaration; and to give a greater proof of our said Inclination for Peace, and to take away all sort of suspicion of the contrary, We declare by these Presents, that We desire nothing more than that the Commissioners of both Parties, without any delay of time, may meet at the place before appointed for the Treaty of Peace, and by the Mediation of the Ambassadors of the three States, make a happy conclusion of the same without any further delay.  
And We relying entirely upon the Integrity and Equity of the said Lords, do also hereby declare, That if it shall be thought fit to add or change any thing in the Treaty at Roschild, we remit and leave it all to their discretion and care. In greater trust and certainty whereof, we have to these Presents set Our Royal Hand and Seal at Our Court at Copenhaguen the 19 of March 1660.  
Frederick III.   

Out of the Instrument of Peace at Roschild renewed in the Year 1660. Art. 27, & 28.  
Whereas it was agreed by the 22th Article of the Treaty at Roschild, that his Royal Majesty of Denmark should be obliged to give an equitable satisfaction to the most High Prince, the Duke of Sleswick and Holstein-Gottorp, and his said Majesties and his said Highness' Commissioners, after several Conferences held at Copenhaguen the 12/22 of May 1658, having at last come to a final Agreement and Conclusion, it is hereby stipulated, that all those Treaties and Transactions shall be exactly observed and fulfilled faithfully on both sides. Moreover, if there has happened any thing in this or the precedent Wars, which may any way create animosities and jealousies between his most Serene Royal Majesty and Kingdom of Denmark and his most Serene Highness the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, or any thing between his most Serene Royal Majesty and his most Serene Highness, their Ministers, Servants, or Subjects, which may be taken any other ways than in good part; It shall all, as well for the sake of the mutual Consanguinity, and especially of her most Serene Royal Majesty the Queen of Sweden, as for the perpetuating the friendship between both Houses, from this day forward be forgotten, and be no more remembered to the prejudice of any one, but by virtue of this Transaction be wholly extinguished. And his most Serene Royal Majesty of Denmark, will also, when Denmark shall be evacuated, not only withdraw his Army and Forces out of his Highness' Country and Places, but likewise do his utmost endeavour to oblige his Allies to send away, and draw their Troops without any delay or tergiversation out of the Lands, Towns, and Forts of his Highness, which they have possessed themselves of.   

Out of the Treaty of Peace at Oliva.  
Art. 22. The Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, by the consent of the Parties stipulating, shall be included in this Peace.  
Art. 26. The same is repeated.  
Art. 31. It importing very much to the establishment of this Peace, that it be made to reach all parties in Difference, and that the safety of Trade between all the Parties engaged in the War be provided for, and therefore, though the Controversies that are depending between the most Serene King and Kingdom of Sweden, and the most Serene King of Denmark, cannot be well determined here, but are now under discussion at Copenhaguen, and in a fair way of Composure, it is nevertheless Enacted, that the Kingdoms and Countries of the most Serene King of Denmark and Norway, included in the Danish Peace, shall be comprehended in this Treaty; so that all which has been agreed and concluded between the said Kings of Sweden and Denmark, shall be part of this Peace, as if the particulars were specified, and set down in this Instrument; yet so as not to derogate from any thing of the Treaty already concluded, or which shall be concluded in Denmark, between both Kings and Kingdoms.  
35. To the end that this Peace may be rendered more firm, permanent and secure, and remain inviolable on every side, the said Parties, as well Principal as Allies, now Treating, do promise besides, that they will and intend to keep this Transaction and Peace inviolably, with all its Articles, Contents, and Clauses; and that it may not be violated hereafter, they oblige themselves to a mutual Guaranty and reciprocal defence on all parts, promising by these, as firmly as it may be, that if it happen that any Party be attacked by another or others, either by Sea or Land, against the Contents of this Treaty, the Aggressor shall, ipso facto, be accounted by all the rest as the Breaker of this Peace, losing all the benefit thereof, and the rest of the Parties now Treating shall be obliged to assist the Party injured with their Forces and Arms, within two Months at the furthest after thereunto desired by the injured Party, and prosecute the War against the Aggressor until a Peace can be made to the satisfaction of all. But if it happen that one Party shall receive any grievous injury by the other, or some by others without force of Arms, it shall not be lawful to the Injured to have presently recourse to Arms, but endeavours shall be used to compose such kind of Controversies amicably and in a friendly manner.   

Out of the Transactions at Gluckstadt, Octob. 12. 1667.  
And first, that a Friendly, kind, and filial affection may be restored between his most Serene Royal Majesty and the Duke of Gottorp, all those things which have been acted directly or indirectly against the Union, and and all those Treaties that concern the Kingdom of Denmark, the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein, and all the Princes belonging to the same, shall on both sides be absolutely forgotten, and are abolished for ever; and the said Union (except as to what has been in 1658, and 1660, otherwise determined by the aforesaid Treaties of Roschild and Copenhaguen) shall subsist in its full force in Peace and War, any pretence or interpretation whatsoever notwithstanding, and shall be constantly observed. And neither Party shall molest or oppose the other for any cause whatsoever contrary to the same.   

At the end of this Transaction these words are set down.  
We do Attest and Certify, that we have approved the foregoing Transaction, and all and every the Articles and Clauses of the same; and accordingly do approve, agree, and confirm it, promising for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, upon Our Royal Faith, that We shall not directly, nor indirectly act, or suffer any thing to be acted against the same, and that we shall firmly adhere thereunto. Given under Our Hand and Signet.  
Frederick.   

We CHARLES' by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith, etc.  
Make known and certify, That whereas the most Serene Prince Frederick the III. by the same Grace of Denmark and Norway, Goths and Vandals King, Duke of Sleswick, H●lstein, Stormar and Dithmars, Earl in Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorst, having wholly and fully freed and absolved the most High Prince the Lord Frederick Heir of Norway, Duke of Sleswick and Holstein, etc. and his lawful Heirs Males, from a certain Feudal Homage and Vassalage for the Dukedom of Sleswick, and having yielded up to him and his Descendants Males the Dukedom of Sleswick, with the Supreme and absolute Dominion thereof (commonly called the Sovereignty) and all its Rights and Appurtenances, as appears more fully by the Treaty or Instrument: And whereas the most High Prince the Lord Christian Albert, Elected Bishop of Lubeck, Heir of Norway, Duke of Sleswick, Holstein, Stormar, Dithmars, Earl in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst, Our Cousin, having desired Us by the Illustrious Sir John Leyenberg Knight, Resident in Our Court for the most Potent King of Sweden, that interposing our Authority, We would confirm and ratify by way of Guaranty, 
See the Patent for the Grant of this Sovereignty in Lundorpius, Contin. part. 8. lib. 8. cap. 10. pag. 318. and elsewhere.  the said Treaty or Covenant concluded at Copenhaguen, with all and every one of its Clauses, as it is set down word for word in the Germane Exemplar (which We have received from the said Resident of the most Serene King of Sweden upon his Faith.)  
We therefore, as well to gratify the demand and desire of the most Serene King of Sweden, as to show the affection We bear and will always bear to the aforesaid Duke Christian Albert, nearly joined to Us both in Friendship and Blood, have thought fit to constitute Ourselves as Guarantee, and a Security for the observation of this Treaty or Convention concluded at Copenhaguen the 12 May 1658; as by these in the best, most ample, and secure form, We do constitute Ourselves Guarantee, and a Security for the same; Promising upon Our Royal Faith, that We will maintain the Duke Christian Albert, his Heirs and Successors in the said, and all other and singular their Rights; and if any thing be attempted against his Highness, his Heirs and Successors, We shall endeavour by a Friendly Mediation, or by opposing all necessary means against force, that these Countries, Dominions, and Territories, with all the Rights, Royalties, Sovereign and absolute Dominion, or Sovereignty thereof, may remain whole and safe to him. And for the greater security of all and singular the Premises, We have subscribed this Instrument of Guaranty with Our own hand, and have caused Our Great Seal of England to be affixed thereunto.  
Given at Our Palace of Westminster the 23. day of February, in the year one Thousand six Hundred Sixty five, and in the Eighteen year of Our Reign.  
Charles R.    

SOME LETTERS OF THE KING OF Great Britain, THE King of Denmark, AND THE DUKE OF Holstein Gottorp.   

The King of Great Britain's Letter to His Majesty the King of Denmark, concerning a Mediation in the differences between His Majesty and the Duke of Holstein Gottorp.  
Charles' the Second, By the Grace of God King of Great Britain, etc. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Christian the Fifth, by the same Grace of Denmark, Norway, Goths and Vandals King, Duke of Sleswick, etc. Greeting.  
We were extremely troubled to hear of the Differences lately arisen between your Majesty and Our good Cousin the Duke of Holstein, for the nearness and tie of Blood and common Interests between you; and therefore out of the Affection We bear to both your Families, and the good and advantage of the same, We did almost a Year ago offer our Mediation and good Offices between you; and We had long since charged Our Minister residing at your Court to do it more solemnly, if your Majesty's Envoy residing with Us had not induced and desired Us, as in favour of himself; that all We should resolve to do therein, might be done through his hands, which We the rather consented to then, because he charged himself seriously to represent to your Majesty the offers We made of Our Offices and Mediation. But your Majesty having not hitherto sent Us any direct Answer thereunto, and your said Envoy having only by the by insinuated to Us, that your Majesty rather desisired, that since this Affair seemed to be purely Domestic, and concerned only the private Interests of two Princes of the same Blood, it might be left to be determined among yourselves; We hoped not to have found your Majesty in this mind which We perceive by your Envoys discourse, you are of: However, We cannot but, out of the desire We have to reconcile two Princes that are of a Blood, so nearly Related to Us, and for other considerations, (which induce Us to concern Ourselves with a more special care in this matter, than perhaps We should otherwise) repeat again in the most solemn manner, the first Offer of Our Mediation and good Offices, not doubting but that your Majesty, after having seriously reflected upon the thing, will think fit to admit of Our good Offices and Mediation, which you may be confident, We shall always apply on all occasions which may concern your Majesty, in such manner, as you have reason to expect from the mutual Friendship between Us, of which We shall always give your Majesty those Proofs and Arguments which you can desire, etc. July 2. 1677.   

The King of Denmark's Answer to his Majesty the King of Great Britain.  
CHristian the Fifth, By the Grace of God King of Denmark, etc. To the most Serene and Potent Prince, Charles' the II. by the same Grace, King of Great Britain, etc. Greeting.  
By your Majesty's Letters of the 10th of July last passed, We have understood more at large what Reasons induced you to offer Us your Mediation and good Offices for composing the Differences arising between Us and Our Cousin and Kinsman Christian Albert Duke of Holstein. This Offer of your Majesties has been the more pleasing to Us, because We do not doubt at all, but it proceeds from a sincere and Brotherly affection towards Us; and We put so great a trust in your Friendship, that if there were place for any Mediation in these Differences, We would as readily accept of your Interposition for the composing of them, as We have accepted of the same in the present Negotiation for an Universal Peace, which We have constantly endeavoured should remain solely in your Majesty. But the Disputes and Controversies complained of by the Duke of Gottorp to your Majesty, being grounded upon no other foundation than his endeavours to lay aside all the Alliances and Treaties which have subsisted for many Ages betwixt Our Royal Predecessors and his, and especially that which he Voluntarily made with Us at Rendsbourgh, and approved several times after, and so to free himself from all those ties, by which he is bound to Us as a Vassal of Our Kingdom of Denmark, and Our Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein are united together, hoping after the Example of his Father, (who in the last unhappy War supported by the Arms of the King of Sweden his Son-in-Law, and by the favour and unjust Authority of the English Usurper Cromwell, without any respect of his obligations to Our Kingdom, under colour of some frivolous and groundless pretensions, extorted most unjust, and almost intolerable conditions from Our Lord and Father of blessed and glorious Memory) to accomplish and perfect his pernicious designs and unjust attempts, in these troublesome times, as well by the help of his Neighbours Arms as your Majesty's Authority. The Truth hereof appears also by this, that though We have divers times proposed to his Dilection, to restore him unto the former condition of his Ancestors, if he would keep to the aforesaid Treaties, and fulfil their Tenor, he does not cease nevertheless to complain of Force, and to solicit the help and succours of other Princes and States, to finish those unjust Enterprises he has proposed to himself. From whence your Majesty, according to your singular Prudence, will easily judge, whether We can, without the greatest prejudice to Our Rights, recede from the ancient Treaties, and those which have been made between Us and the Duke of Gottorp, upon which the safety of Our Kingdoms and Dominions in great measure depends, or suffer them to be disputed, and thereby expose Ourselves to new and everlasting Differences and Quarrels; especially since it is expressly covenanted by the said Treaties, that if any disputes shall hereafter arise, they shall not be composed by the Mediation of other Princes, but by other friendly and amicable means. For these and other Reasons which we have ordered Our Envoy Extraordinary, Resident at your Majesty's Court, to represent more amply to your Majesty, We do not doubt in the least, but your Majesty will not only think it wholly unjust, that We should consent to such prejudicial Treaties, and so contrary to the aforesaid Conventions and Domestic agreements, but also that by virtue of the Alliances We have with your Majesty, by which each of Us is obliged to promote the good of the other, and to keep all dangers from him, your Majesty will compel the aforesaid Duke to a better and more exact observance and execution of the Ancient Treaties, and all others, to the performance whereof he has bound himself, and seriously dissuade him from his usual pernicious designs against Us. The many proofs We have of your Justice, and your experienced commendable Constancy and Faithfulness in keeping your Treaties, makes Us promise Ourselves this from your Majesty's friendship; being also resolved never to suffer any thing to be wanting in Us that may prove for the advantage of your Majesty and your Subjects, and persuade you of Our sincere affection towards you. By which your Majesty, etc. Given at Our Court at Landscroon the 4th of August 1677.   

The Duke of Holsteins' Letter to his Majesty the King of Great Britain in Answer to the King of Denmark's.  
Most Serene and Potent Prince, etc.  
HAving had a view of the Letters written to your most Serene Majesty by the King of Denmark, the 4th of August of this present Year, We find by them, that his Majesty of Denmark does indeed commend your Majesty's offers of Mediation for composing Our Controversies, but in reality shows an aversion thereunto, and declines it as unnecessary, endeavouring to demonstrate the same by colouring his Actions with the specious pretence of ancient and late Treaties, and accusing Our Lord and Father, and Us with a great many things. These Letters being full of such complaints, We cannot but defend Our Innocence, and free Our Honour from such accusations, by letting your most Serene Majesty understand Our Reasons, why the differences between Us and the King of Denmark ought not to be excluded out of the Negotiations for an Universal Peace, not indeed can be debated anywhere else without great danger and prejudice to Us. We have been so observing of the ancient Treaties and Alliances, that for several Ages the Dukes of Gottorp have lived under the Authority and at the Devotion of the Kings of Denmark. But We are not by any Treaties to be oppressed by those who are obliged by Virtue of Our Alliances to defend Us, nor are We to submit Ourselves to a voluntary Slavery, but are rather by the said Treaties freed from so sad a Yoke. Let the Kings of Denmark but consider how they could make Wars upon Wars, and involve the Dukes of Gottorp's Territories so often in the Calamities attending War, not only without consulting the Dukes, but against their will and earnest dissuasions from the same, without breach to the ancient Treaties and Alliances, from which We are sure it cannot be proved, that Our Ancestors ever receded rashly or unjustly. As to the Articles of Rendsbourgh, We confess that We do not think Ourselves further obliged to them, then either the goodness or equity of the cause, or of the way of proceeding will oblige Us. We came as Friends and Guests to Rendsbourgh, enticed with great hopes and ample Protestations, that all things should be sincerely and fairly transacted and determined. But We were against the Laws of Nations and Friendship Treated like Enemies, detained Prisoners, guarded with Soldiers, and at last sent from one Prison to another, everywhere besieged, and through fear and threatenings compelled unjustly to most unreasonable conditions, (which the very way of proceeding argues to be null). Therefore We are so far from consenting to them freely and voluntarily, that We have never so much as freely ratified them. For those things that are done by force, and through fear, may be sometimes made valid by a subsequent free consent; yet no consent is to be esteemed such, except the person who is said to have consented freely, be first set at full liberty: when on the contrary, fear once caused in any transaction is supposed to continue still: and We were the more disturbed thereby, because We were by the King deprived of all good Counsels, Our Principal Ministers being violently carried away Prisoners to Copenhaguen, and the rest frighted from Us by this unheard-of Example. The Sovereignty of the Dukedom of Sleswick, purchased with a very good Title, and at a dear rate, was yielded up to Our House by Frederick the Third King of Denmark, by his own free and often repeated consent, and has been quietly possessed by Us for above Sixteen years; neither is it any matter, that it was obtained partly by the fortunate Successes of the Arms of Sweden, since it is undoubtedly true, that Wars may be made not only for O●r own good, but for the good of others, and that the King of Sweden was then justly provoked to take up Arms against the Danes, and that if the King of Denmark has suffered any force, it being but just, he cannot pretend to any Right of Restitution. We cannot like wise conceal, that by this and the foregoing Wars made by the Kings of Denmark, We have contracted many great Debts; and Our Subjects are so exhausted by Contributions, that part of them have been forced to quit the Country, and the rest are glad if they can get the coarsest sort of Bread to eat. Now when We quitted, by the last Treaty, all Our pretensions of satisfaction from the King of Denmark, in consideration of the Sovereignty which was yielded up to Us; what have we got, I pray, that any one should envy Us for? It is the King of Denmark only is the gainer, who by that opportunity got the Sovereignty of that part of the Dukedom of Sleswick which is his, and thereby soon after an occasion of getting the Monarchy of the whole Kingdom. Therefore, since that Our Lord and Father was by so many Solemn and public Treaties absolutely freed from the tie of Vassalage and Homage, it cannot certainly be imputed to him, that he had without any regard of his Alliance to the Kingdom of Denmark, extorted the Sovereignty of the said Dukedom, unless the King will slight all the Treaties of Peace and Conventions that have been made upon that occasion, and by his Example incite the Kings of Spain and Poland, nay his own Subjects to repossess themselves of their lost Provinces, and Ancient Rights and Authorities, as soon as they shall have an occasion and power to do it. We do with all gratitude acknowledge your Majesty's favour, that besides the general Guaranty of all the conditions of the Peace at Roschild, you have been pleased to oblige yourself to a special one for the Preservation and Assertion of this Sovereignty. It is without any ground the King of Denmark pretends, that We obtained the Sovereignty by the favour of Cromwell only: For besides, that the good Offices and Mediations of other Kings and States intervened in this Affair, and the conclusion thereof; We do not well conceive how the King of Denmark can show which of the Usurpers Acts your Majesty is pleased to hold ●or good, and which not: For it will not consist with reason of State, and the public good, that they should be all annulled. Nay, if the King of Denmark will be pleased to look into the circumstances of this matter, he will find that the English Ambassador, who Resided at that time at Copenhaguen, was unknown to the King of Sweden, brought to his Majesty by the Danish Commissioners, and by them Solicited to employ his utmost endeavour for a Peace. It appears from hence, that all Our Complaints of the great Injuries We have sustained by the Danes are just, and that We never designed any thing to the King's prejudice, but that what may perhaps have displeased his Majesty, was solely intended for the defence of Our House and Dominions, which is every way lawful; and therefore We are most unjustly reproached of intending and having such pernicious Designs, since we have only sought for a lawful Defence against an unusual Domination and Oppression. Which things being thus, as your most Serene Majesty may be more particularly informed by a deduction we have lately caused to be Printed of this whole Affair, or by Our Envoy Extraordinary Residing in London, we hope nothing will appear more reasonable, than that we should be admitted into the Treaty for an universal Peace, and that your most Serene Majesty's Mediation should not be rejected by the King of Denmark, especially since he seems willing to admit of the good Offices of other Princes of the Empire. Neither will their Objection, as if the matters between the King and us were purely Domestic, be any ways material; seeing it is known by all the world, that a Peace confirmed by so many Protestations, was broken, and no regard had of any Domestic considerations; and therefore your Majesty's Mediation is declined, for no other reason, but that which makes Criminals fly from their Trials. For your Majesty will by what follows see, how improper a Jury of Sixteen men (as they call it) is to decide this Domestic business. In the year 1533, a Treaty was made between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Dukedom, and between the Princes and States of both, which usually bears the name of the Union; and among other things, a certain form of Judicature was agreed upon, according to which all the Controversy, that should arise between the two Princes, or between them and the States, aught to be determined; viz. That the differences between them should be left to the Arbitration of Sixteen Counsellors, to be in equal number named by both Parties. And though by the Articles of this Treaty a very ample power seems to be given to these Judges, of examining and deciding all sorts of causes; yet we do not remember that ever disputes of Moment, and about the Dukedom of Sleswick, were brought to them, but they have always been left to the Mediation of Foreign Princes. For there is not only not a word in this Treaty, by which it may appear that these Princes have renounced all other Judgements and Arbitrations; but the express words of it, as well as the usage and custom, (which is the best interpreter of Laws and Treaties) have confined the Power of this Tribunal of Sixteen men, to affairs of lesser importance; That is to say, when the complaint concerns any Lands or private Subjects. Therefore, not long after the Union made, several Transactions have been about the Fief of the Dukedom of Sleswick, first at Coldinga 1547, and then by the Interposition of the Elector of Saxony, of ulrick Duke of Mecklenbourgh, and William Landgrave of Hesse at Odensea 1557; though nothing was then agreed on: but at last 1579, in the same place, it was expressly provided by a solemn Convention, That if there should happen any dispute about the Succession to the Dukedom of Sleswick, which was not decided by this Transaction, the Dukes of Sleswick should either themselves, or by the help of other Princes and Friends, endeavour to compose the same, or that it might be determined by a Judicial Sentence. Here is no mention of this Judgement by Sixteen men, but rather all Controversies, that may arise about the Dukedom of Sleswick, are in express words exempted without any contradiction from the States. And therefore the question about the Sovereignty is so much the less to be referred to their determination, because in that Age, wherein the Union was made, such a thing was not so much as thought of; and therefore its Articles cannot extend to affairs of this nature, and which are wholly above the condition of Subjects. And though we can (without prejudice to Our cause) allow, that sometimes feudal differences about the Duchy of Sleswick have been left to this sort of Arbitration, (which it seems may be done by the consent of both Princes,) yet there has happened so great a change in the Danish affairs and Ours, that we cannot be forced to consent thereunto against Our will; and the like Controversies can no longer be debated there, at least without great inconvenience, because such Constitutions remain only in force, so long as the state of public Affairs is the same and unalter'd; which being entirely changed, as well in Denmark as in these Duckedomes, and all the Power of the States of Denmark being devolved unto the King and in his hand, and there being no such thing now as Senators of the Kingdom, who had great Authority when the Union was made, it is not reasonable his Majesty should sit as Judge in his own cause; and that a matter of so great moment should be submitted to the decision of those, who, for fear of the King's Power, or to gain his favour, may be so much biased, that Our loss may be irreparable. And therefore seeing that amongst free people and Princes, it has been always allowed to refuse to stand to the Arbitration of a Judge justly suspected, and that this present conjuncture of Affairs, as well as the Transaction at Odensea, shows Us another way, We earnestly desire your most Serene Majesty will endeavour to prevail with the King of Denmark, that Our Differences may be Treated of at Nimeguen, that so We may find some Remedy abroad for those vast Damages and Injuries We have sustained and received, which We cannot hope for at home. For as the Peace at Roschild was made by the Interposition of several Kings and States, so it is of public concern, that it should be restored and confirmed by the like means. All who think themselves injured contrary to the Treaties of Westphalia, Roschild, and Copenhaguen, have liberty to come to Nimeguen: And why should We who are oppressed contrary to all these Treaties, be hindered from it? At Nimeguen a general Peace is Treated of; why should our cause than not be admitted there, who have without all reason suffered most grievous injuries from the Danes, and been almost undone by them? We suppose the Objection is not considerable, that none are to be admitted there, but those who have joined their Arms to either of the Parties now in War. For if those who were in a condition to resist Arms by Arms, and return Force by Force, are admitted; with how much more reason ought We to be received, who being deprived of all Our Arms and other helps by the King of Denmark, have been forced to endure all his affronts and injuries? We know that the Laws of Nature and Nations are for Us, and we do not think that any Prince will oppose it, but those who over-byassed by Partiality, or the desire of their own advantage, would have a Peace for themselves and theirs though at Our Cost, and the loss of Our Dignities and Dominions; not reflecting that the sum of Our Cause is only, whether We shall become a Subject, or be a free Prince again; and after Our Example, Whether the other Princes of the Empire must not hereafter rather become Subjects than enjoy their ancient Rights of free Princes. This being contrary to all Justice, to the Treaties so often repeated, and so Religiously Sworn to, to the common Interest of all Princes, and to the Honour and Authority of your most Serene Majesty, and other the Princes who are Guarantees, We do earnestly recommend Our Cause to their good Will and just Affection, and We have particularly great hopes in your most Serene Majesty's Equity and Protection. And if the King of Denmark desires to be admitted and heard at Nimeguen, sure it cannot be upon any other Terms, than that he must in all things stand to that Law which he intends to use against others; and endure as patiently the just Complaints of those who have been highly injured by him, preferred to that great Assembly, as he has perhaps resolved vigorously to prosecute others there. Nay, let the King of Denmark be willing or not to accept of this Mediation and Place, certainly We will rely so entirely and constantly upon the Guaranty of the several Princes, who have entered into it, and especially upon the general and particular one of your most Serene Majesty, that We had rather suffer any thing whatsoever, then be forced away from that Sacred Anchor, being well assured, that your Majesty will employ your Authority as well against those that decline your Mediation, as for those that have accepted thereof; and that Our Restoration and Safety will be secure and certain upon your most Serene Majesty's Faith, which the Kings of Great Britain have always Religiously kept to God and men. May it please God, that this Great Affair of the Peace may succeed under the Auspexes of your most Serene Majesty, and to your Immortal Praise, That every body may have his own, and none be hereafter Injured. And so we most earnestly recommend your most Serene Majesty to his Grace and Protection. Given at Hambourgh the first of Octob. 1677.  
Christian Albert by the Grace of God, Heir of Norway named Coadjutor of Lubeck, Duke of Sleswick, Holstein, Stormar, Dithmars, Earl of Oldenbourg and Delmenhorst, etc.   

A Letter to his Majesty the King of Denmark, from the Dukes of Brunswick-Lunenburgh, etc.  
Most Serene,  
WE have thought fit to let your Majesty understand, that his Highness the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, Our Beloved Cousin, has lately signified unto Us, that although the Affairs concerning the Succession of the Imperial Feifs, the Counties of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorst, after a long dispute, have at last been brought to a full and final determination, (and particularly the Town and Country of Bu●jading, a Feif of Our Princely House, has been adjudged not to depend upon the said two Counties, which also at the time of Execution shortly after in the Month of May, remained except and exempted accordingly); his said Highness conceiving no other hopes, but that as he equally shares with your Majesty in the same Rights and Regalities, and has 1674, received the Investiture of the same from Our Princely House, he should accordingly enjoy the same quietly for the future: Yet his Highness found afterward in effect, that the Provincial Judge, constituted by your Majesty and him jointly, was removed from his Office without the knowledge or consent of his Highness, and an other put into his room, who in Public Prayers (contrary to the former Customs,) caused his Highness to be left out, pretending that your Majesty had given him orders so to do, (a Copy of which being communicated to Us, we thought fit here to insert it) and commanded all those Officers, both Ecclesiastical and Secular, to do homage to none but your Majesty, by which means, the said Town and Country of Budjad seems in effect subject to the abovesaid Imperial Execution. Wherhfore his Highness thought fit and necessary to mind Us of the Dominium directum which Our Princely House holds over those Lands, and that your Majesty and He were jointly invested therewith by Our Princely House, and that (according to the Universal Laws of Fiefs, as well as by the abovesaid Covenant, made at Hambourgh, and the Instruments thereof duly interchanged) we ought to Protect him as feudatory of Our House, in this his manifest Right (so solemnly gotten by the said Covenant and Agreement); and to desire Us, that without delay We would do Our parts, and endeavour with your Majesty, that his Highness neither directly, nor indirectly be disturbed in the possession of those Regalities, and enjoyment of the Revenues of the said Lands, but be suffered to continue therein quietly.  
Whereas now it is manifest by the said Treaty, which praemeditatè, and after much pains, was at last concluded 1653 at Hambourgh, viz. That the said Town and Country of Bu●jad is a separate thing and Independent from the Imperial Fiefs, (the Counties of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhors●) and since your Majesties Archives will show, what between his late Majesty, your Father of Blessed Memory, and Us has passed; and that his Majesty during the said Process of Law about the Succession of the said Counties (in a Letter dated at Copenhaguen the 29 of January 1668) desired of Us, that pursuant to the second Article of the said Treaty or Covenant (wherein it is expressly provided, that not any of the Princes of Holstein, either of the collateral, or any other line of that House, shall ever have pretention now, or for the future thereupon, and that on the contrary it shall neither lie in Our Power to confer the same upon any of them) We should make Our most humble Address to his Imperial Majesty to demonstrate the Interest of Our Princely House, and so prevent that the Town and County of Bu●jading from being drawn into the Controversy about the Oldenbourgh Succession, etc. which we have done accordingly; and the effect of it was, that that not only in the Sentence and Executions Commission, (afterwards published) not one word of them was mentioned, but also when We, George William, the 22 and 24 of May at Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorst, proceeded to the Execution upon the said Town and County of Budjading, by Our Sub-Delegats, appointed for that purpose, in the presence and hearing of the Duke of Holstein-Pleun's Deputy, his Chancellor, they were purposely and in plain Terms excepted and exempted; as it appears by the Rolls kept for that Act.  
Wherhfore we could not but find Ourselves obliged at the request of Our Cousin Duke Christian Albert of Holstein, to second his desires in so just a matter, which so evidently concerns the Interest of Our Princely House: and as we have a sure confidence in the great aequanimity of your Majesty, that your Majesty doth not intend to undertake, or suffer any thing to be undertaken, to so manifest a prejudice of Our Princely House, contrary to th● Treaty concerning the said Fief of the Town and Countr● of Budjading, and Our Letters-Pattents, and the Reversales thereof passed in order thereunto; so We beseeci your Majesty to take such order concerning the sai● Country, that nothing may be committed which is prejudicial, but that pursuant to the said Covenant and Transactions, joint Possession and Enjoyment may for hereafter, as formerly, be permitted to his Highness' Duke Christian Albert of Holstein, and that what already has been acted contrary to the Premises, (doubtless without your Majesty's command and knowledge) may be altered, abolished, and all things reduced to their former condition.  
In so doing your Majesty will perform, what the Treaty, Covenant, and Laws do require, and we shall upon all occasions be ready to do your Majesty acceptable Service. 12 of Septemb. 1676.  
George Wilhelm. John Frederick. Radolph. Augustus.   

His MAJESTY the King of Denmark's LETTER To his Highness the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, CONCERNING The Sequestration of the Dukedom of Sleswick: And the said Dukes Answer thereunto. AS ALSO His Imperial Majesty's Letter to the Duke of Holstein: With the Duke's ANSWER.  
Printed in the Year 1677.   

The King of Denmark's Letter to the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, concerning the Sequestration.  
Christian the Fifth, by the Grace of God, King of Denmark, etc. Serene Duke, etc.  
IT is not unknown to your Dilection, what hitherto hath passed about the receiving of the Investiture over the Dukedom of Sleswick, whereunto you have obliged yourself by the late Agreement of Rendsbourgh; and how your Dilection since that time, upon Our several well-meant Admonitions, by divers Letters directed to Us, hath promised the performance thereof; and in order thereunto, sent hither some of your Ministers, who nevertheless under the pretext of going for some more particular instructions from your Dilection, are lately parted again from hence, without having dispatched any thing at all. And whereas We have hitherto in vain expected their promised return; the time likewise at the said Agreement of Rendsbourgh appointed for the receiving of the abovementioned Investiture being already past in the Month of July last, besides divers other Terms since indulged which are long ago expired; We also having a sufficient and true information of those most dangerous Machinations, which your Dilection hath in hand against Us and Our State; and besides, it being very requisite, that We carefully do mind what is necessary for the preserving of this Investiture, depending upon Us and Our Crown of Denmark: Therefore have We found Ourselves unavoidably, and as it were against Our will obliged, now to Sequestrate that part of the said Dukedom, wherewith your Dilections Ancestors have been heretofore Invested; and to issue out a Commission to some of Our Counsellors and Officers there residing, for putting in Execution the said Sequestration, and for performing all that is necessary to be done about the same. Since therefore We would rather have desired any thing else, than to come to this Extremity, We have thought good to give notice of this Our Resolution to your Dilection, and to appoint yet, out of a super-abundance, another Term of Six weeks from the date hereof, for the receiving of the said Investiture, to the end th●t your Dilection and all the World may see, how willingly we would use all possible moderation herein, without any over-hastening of your Dilection. However, we do it with this further precaution and warning, that in case the said prefixed Term, contrary to all expectation, likewise should be disregarded by your Dilection, We then shall be necessitated, though much against Our will, to proceed ad ipsam Privationem Feudi, or to the cutting off the Fief, and to take such further courses as the Feudal Laws do allow of. Of all this we have thought convenient to advertise your Dilection, Recommending, etc. Dated at Our Place of Residence at Copenhaguen the 19th of December 1676.  
Your Dilections Affectionate Cousin and Brother-in-Law, CHRISTIAN.   

The Duke of Holsteins' Answer to the foregoing Letter.  
Most Serene and most Potent King, etc.  
YOur Majesty's Letter of the 19th of December last passed, from Copenhaguen directed to Us, hath been presented to Our hands the second of this instant, by an Express from one of your Majesty's Commissaries; by the Contents whereof We have seen the same things, that already some days before had been published by some Letters Patents affixed in Our Dukedom of Sleswick, viz. That your Majesty hath been induced to Sequestrate that part of the said Dukedom, which doth belong to Us, and to nominate to that effect certain Commissaries, with the annexed warning, that in case we did not within Six weeks, from the date of the said Letter, effectually accomplish the receiving of the Investiture over that Dukedom of Sleswick, your Majesty would proceed ad ipsam Privationem Feudi, or the cutting of the Feif, and take such further courses as the Feudal Laws do allow of, being moved thereunto by these Reasons: That We in the point of the receiving of the said Investiture, neither had performed that so called late Agreement of Rendsbourgh, nor the Promises made by Our Letters under Our own hand, nor sent back our Ministers, who without any dispatch of Affairs were gone from Copenhaguen; but that on the contrary we had in hand most dangerous, and, by a singular accident, discovered machinations against your Majesty, and your State; and had also, as it were, unavoidably obliged your Majesty to the preservation of your Majesties and the Crown of Denmark's Rights.  
Whereupon we cannot but with all due respect return this our Answer to your Majesty, that for the sake of your Majesty's own Glory, and high Reputation, and your Realms and Dominions welfare, We have most ardently desired and wished, that our thoughts at the first seeing of your Majesty's aforementioned Letters Patents, (as if they might have been published without your knowledge) might have a sure ground, and your Majesty such a kindness for us, as not to indulge any longer our Persecutors, but rather to put a period to those unusual hard proceedings, which we undeservedly have suffered from them, and to re-establish and consolidate that ancient tie and friendship, which hath proved so useful and beneficial to both Great Houses, and their respective Kingdoms, Territories, and Subjects; seriously considering withal, that it cannot be available, neither to the repute of your Majesty's innate Generosity, nor to your Majesty's Realms and Dominions, to see us, (who are in many regards so nearly related, and never failed either in due Respects, or required Faithfulness to your Majesty,) thus oppressed, and reduced to a quite desperate condition, without having been able to obtain the least redress, which yet lies so absolutely in your Majesties own hands.  
However, this is our only and especial comfort in all our daily increasing calamities, that your Majesty by your Letters doth furnish us with an occasion to make our justification before yourself, and briefly to refute those accusations so inhumanly invented by our ill-wille●s. For your Majesties own Christian Conscience will be the best and surest witness for us, that we never have entertained any other Counsels, nor have negotiated with any body whatsoever about any other things, but what to our best understanding we have deemed to be good, expedient, and lawful for a free Prince, to preserve ourselves in that State God Almighty hath been pleased to settle us in, by making us a lawful Heir and Successor to the Duke our Father of Blessed Memory, and to transmit the same to our Posterity, as we had got it. We our selves have not made that Agreement concluded at Copenhaguen on the 12th day of May, in the year 1658, but have inherited those Rights, which in due consideration of the manifold damages sustained have thereby accrued to our Family. And it is also known to the World, that we have employed none at all at the Treaty and Conclusion of the reiterated Northern Peace in the Camp for Copenhaguen, on the 27th. day of May in the year 1660, although we had then already taken the Government upon Us; and the said Treaty of Copenhaguen hath nevertheless been confirmed therein, and the Guaranty thereof undertaken by the three most Puissant States of Christendom. And presupposing his Majesty the King of Denmark, Frederick the Third, our most Honoured Father-in-Law of glorious Memory, unwillingly and against his mind, (which yet is altogether unknown to us, since his Family as well as ours hath been benefited thereby,) should have proceeded to the granting of that Sovereignty, and other advantages promised to our Family; yet it was but a mere spontaneous Act; nay, it hath been an evident token of his Royal Affection towards us, that having observed by our Addresses for a near Alliance of Marriage in his Royal Family, our sincere inclination towards him, his Majesty in the year 1667, when the Contract of Marriage in his own Fortress at Gluckstadt was a-making up, hath in all and the singular Articles, Points and Clauses, wholly, and to all perpetuity, confirmed to us the abovesaid Treaty of Copenhaguen, grounded upon the Sovereignty over the Dukedom of Sleswick, and established the same jointly with that ancient Union for a perpetual rule betwixt both Families, with this engagement, and Royal firm Parol, that himself and his hereditary Successors in the Government, neither directly nor indirectly would act, nor cause to be acted against the same. But in what manner we have since been dealt withal at Rendsbourgh, in the year 1675, and how we have been constrained by a most troublesome detention to surrender our Fortresses, Artillery, Ammunition and Militia; yet with this Comfort given us, that all differences therewith were ended, and upon change of Times, and an ensuing Peace, all should be restored in such a condition as it was taken from us: and how, notwithstanding all th●s, (after we forsooth, for our Person, were dismissed to Go●torp, yet still had strange Troops about us, and so only had changed place, but not detention,) certain Articles have been prescribed to our Ministers and Counsellors remaining behind in Arrest, and we forced to the pretended Ratification thereof, even as we were to the surrender of our Fortresses without any liberty left us, only therein to alter things quite inconsistent with the Dignity of a free Germane Prince of the Empire: We are as unwilling to relate, as your Majesty can be desirous to hear, and should also have forborn to mention it either to your Majesty, or to any others, if we were not assured in our Conscience that your Majesty, out of an inbred Heroic Love to Justice, doth detest such a way of proceeding, and in that regard hath laid a Ground for that high displeasure your Majesty thereupon conceived against him, who out of Reasons unknown to us, hath occasioned all that mischief which then did befall us.  
And since that time we have not been able to imagine, that your Majesty should ever have intended, to set up that so called Agreement of Rendsbourgh, proceeding from such derogatory and extorted Principles, and consequently made void by Law, into a Pragmatical Sanction, after your Majesty hath charged our Subjects with such Contributions as are intolerable, and do quite cut off both our extraordinary and ordinary Revenues, and hath quite demolished to the ground our Fortresses, your Majesty having thereby introduced an impossibility to perform what the pretended Agreement of Rendsbourgh doth import: For if we by virtue thereof are to receive the Investiture over the Dukedom of Sleswick, it must be done at least after such a manner, as the Duke our Father of Blessed memory the last time, viz. in the year 1648, received the same; and then we ought to be Invested not only with the bare Land, but also with those Fortresses, since the last Feudal Letter doth make express mention thereof. It is true, we do confess, that even after such rigorous proceedings, to testify our deference to your Majesty, and our desire of Peace, but chiefly, to ease our Subjects something groaning under their burden, and to promote their freedom according to our Power; we have come so far, as to condescend at length to the receiving the Investiture upon these terms, that all things should be resettled in such a state, as they had been before the pretended Agreement of Rendsbourgh, and that the weighty burden lying upon our Territories, should be taken off, and due satisfaction effectually made for the damages sustained: And for that purpose we have sent some of our Ministers to Copenhaguen; but our just desires have been rejected, an unconditional performance of the Feudal duty insisted on, and the redress of our Grievances set out of doors, and our Ministers having alleged the want of full Powers thereunto, have been sent back for new Instructions, without being recalled by us from Copenhaguen, as her Majesty the Queen Mother by her own Letters deted at Copenhaguen the 19th day of November, 1676, hath informed us. And we do confess very freely, that in case our Subjects presently after our Conditional Promise made, had been eased from their burden, the Fortresses reduced to their former state, and due satisfaction effectually given us, we would have done the utmost, and undergone afresh that Feudal Duty. But whereas also, since possession hath been taken of our part of Stadt and Butjadinger-Land, notwithstanding the same hath no Relation at all to that Process, which was made at Vienna in the Cause of Olden●ourgh, (besides his descending as a Fief from the Ducal House of Brunswick-Lunenbourgh;) our Subjects likewise both in Holstein and Sleswick, have been forbid to pay us the few remaining ordinary deuce; and furthermore such aims are taken, as to exclude us from that Treaty of a General Peace at Nimeguen, and consequently from all hopes of redress; and lately Navigation hath even been by open Proclamations absolutely Interdicted to all our Inhabitants and Subjects of the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein, without affording us, as Prince Regent, the least knowledge thereof, much less designing us to join in the said Publication, if the same had been required: We therefore have had good reason to wave the sending over our Deputies the second time again, after they were thus dismissed before, but rather have taken a firm resolution to get our Cause ventilated and discussed at the Treaty of the General Peace at Nimeguen, with this certain hope and confidence, that no Potentate concerned therein will dispute our admission, in regard that amongst other high concerns, the re-establishment of the Northern Peace, will be also treated there, which is not only the foundation of our Sovereignty over the Dukedom of Sleswick, with the other advantages stipulated for us and our Family, but also is an essential part thereof, and stands comprehended under the undertaken General and Special Warranty. Neither do we think that your Majesty's Ministers in Holland have had any orders to render difficult the impetrating of the Passports, by us desired from the State's General of the United Provinces, for our Ministers destined to Nimeg●n; seeing they have not been able to allege any thing at all which should deserve the least reflection, and exclude us from the General-Treaty, if we were but to be considered as a Germane Prince, and had no concerns in the re-establishment of the Northern Peace, which nevertheless hath first of all been endangered on our side. But concerning those machinations discovered by a singular accident, whereby, as we do conceive, some endeavours are used, to justify that (in all points formally commenced) Sequestration, we have not the least cause to clear ourselves in that respect, before any particulars are nearer touched, and it be duly made appear to us, that we have been concerned in any of those Machinations represented to your Majesty. However we are sure and confident, that we never have been so deservedly suspected privy to any thing as that thereby just cause should have been given, to charge us therewith by Potentates, both within and without the Empire, and to alienate their former inclination from Us and our Family; much less can a Pretext thereby conveniently be taken to sequestrate that part of the Dukedom of Sleswick, which with all right Hereditarily and Properly doth belong to us, and to menace us with a total deprivation thereof; and we do also fully persuade ourselves, that your Majesty will put this to the serious consideration of your Ministers, who have brought this Process upon the Stage, and perhaps do endeavour to assert its consistency with the Feudal Laws, That as your Majesty doubtless makes great doubt, to assume a Judge's part in your own Cause, so neither the Sequestration of the Fief, nor the Deprivation of the same, can or may consist after that manner, as it is intended against us, although we should be indisputably obliged to that Vassalage of the Dukedom of Sleswick, which yet, saving all due respect to your Majesty, we find ourselves necessitated solemnly to contradict, except one would presume to Act by nullities, or by making no reflection upon the Law. And the common Feudal Laws, whereupon likewise the ancient Unions and Hereditary Agreements, (in case any difference as well in Feudal as other matters should arise) are usually grounded, do show, That not only in the total deprivation of a Fief, but also in the Sequestration, the hearing of the Cause before a Competent Judge, ought solemnly to precede it, (notwithstanding one should presume to assert the necessity of a Sequestration,) in case the Parties show themselves unwilling, the reasons whereof, nevertheless, will never be made out of those pretended Machinations.  
Having therefore pondered all the abovementioned, and such other concomitant circumstances, we cannot but still keep to our resolution once deliberately taken, and remit that point of our undeservedly questioned Sovereignty over the Dukedom of Sleswick, with all the other alienated Dignities, Prerogatives, Territories, and Fortresses; as also all due and equitable satisfaction, and what else can conduce to our future Security, to the place of Congress for a general Peace at Nimeguen, patiently expecting from God and time, what Conclusion there will be made and come forth about the restoring the Northern Peace, and consequently also of our Rights and Concerns. But we do in the mean time very kindly and instantly entreat withal your Majesty, that out of an Inclination to Justice, and in regard of that desolate condition, whereunto we and ours thus undeservedly see ourselves more and more reduced, your Majesty would be pleased till then, and till the speediest (God grant) ensuing conclusion of a general Peace, to preserve all peaceable thoughts, and not to press upon us any further with the said Investiture, and any other demands; but on the contrary, without delay to recall that unjust and ungrounded Sequestration, and not only leave to us the enjoyment of all our Rights and Prerogatives undisturbed, but also to take off the exceeding Contributions from our quite exhausted Subjects, and to restore that part of Stadt and Budjadinger-Land, and also of the Customs at Elistiet, properly appertaining unto us, and amicably and friendly to interpret this our unavoidable Justification and Declaration; with this assurance, that as we have in all Points carefully observed that high respect due to your Majesty, so likewise we have intended to say or write nothing, which should tend against the same. All this is very consentaneous to equity, and to your Majesty's inbred Generosity; and we shall be ready for our part everywhere to praise such your Majesty's kindness, and with due thankfulness, and all possible services, always acknowledge the same; most faithfully recommending withal your Majesty to God Almighty's Protection. Dated Hambourgh the 16th of Jan. 1677.  
Your Majesty's Obsequious Cousin and Brother-in-Law Christian Albrecht.   

THE EMPEROR'S LETTER TO THE Duke of Holstein.  
LEOPOLD by the Grace of GOD Elected Roman-Emperor. Serene Duke, etc.  
BY these We give your Dilection to understand, that We are informed, how you have not only for your part approved of those proposals which were made to you by Graventable the Swedish Minister, (lately residing in Our Imperial City of Hamborough,) about certain Levies to be made in Foreign Parts, and are come to a certain conclusion with him in that affair; but also that your Dilection for the promoting of the said Levies hath made use of Kielman your late President's Monies, that lie there, and taken thereof the Sum of 200000 Rixdollars, and that your Dilection doth employ in this affair the Swedish Precedent Kley, (who hitherto hath pretended to live there as a private man,) and also another person named Vlke.  
And although We do repose a far better confidence in your Dilection, than to think that you (setting aside your strict Ties and Duties towards Us, and the whole Roman Empire,) will thus lose yourself, and by such prohibited, and culpable advantages, take the Enemy's part, contrary to the public Statutes of the Empire, and Our Imperial Avocatories published thereupon; yet have We thought good kindly to acquaint, and seriously to admonish you by these, that in case things should be thus, your Dilection might betimes desist from such Erterprises, and embracing better Counsel, comport yourself according to what Duty doth require of a Loyal Member of the Empire, lest otherwise We should be obliged to cause your Dilection be proceeded against according to Our Imperial Avocatories; all which is for your Dilections Government: Tendering withal Our Imperial Grace and good Will to your Dilection. Dated at Our Castle at Lintz the 6th of January in the Year of Our Lord 1677. of Our Reign in the Roman Empire the 19th. In Hungary the 22th, and in Bohemia the 21th.  
LEOPOLD,  
V. Leopold William Count of Konigsegg,  
Ad mandatum Sacrae Caesareae Majestatis proprium, John Ambrose Hogell.   

The Duke of Holstein's Answer to the foregoing Letter of the Emperor.  
Most Serene, etc.  
YOur Imperial Majesties most gracious Letter from Lintz of the 6th Instant, hath been some days ago delivered to Me by your Imperial Majesty's Minister here residing, the Lord Baron of Rond 〈…〉, and received by Me with all the humblest respects Imaginable: but with extreme astonishment I understood by the contents thereof, that your Imperial Majesty had got Information, as if I had not only, for my part, approved of those Proposals which had been made to me by Graventable the Swedish Minister, lately Residing here in Hamborough, about certain Levies to be made in Foreign Parts, and had come to a certain conclusion with him in that affair; but also, that for the promoting of the said Levies, I had made use of Kielman, my late President's Moneys, that lie here, and taken thereof the Sum of 200000 Rixdollars, and that I also did employ in this affair the Swedish Precedent Kley, (who hitherto hath pretended to live here as a private man,) and another person named Vlcke: Wherefore your Imperial Majesty most graciously hath thought good to acquaint me therewith, and seriously to admonish me, that in case things should be thus, (which yet your Imperial Majesty would scarce expect from me,) I may betimes desist from such Erterprises, and embracing better Counsel, comport my Self according to what Duty doth require of a Loyal Member of the Empire, lest otherwise your Imperial Majesty should be obliged to cause Me be proceeded against according to your published Imperial Avocatories.  
It is true, I can promise myself nothing else from your Imperial Majesties most mild and yet most just disposition, but that your Imperial Majesties very gracious Letter, (although occasioned by the industrious contrivance of some envious persons, who, by all ways and means, seek very watchfully the oppression and ruin of myself, and my Ducal House) hath been sent to me for no other end, but that your Imperial Majesty might thereby get a fitter occasion to discover my Innocency, and consequently, by your Imperial Majesty's Authority and highest Power, to Protect me as a Loyal Member and Prince of the Empire, against those who have made no Conscience for the space of these 19 Months, to Treat me unworthily, and oppress me undeservedly, leaving me nothing of all my Princely Dignity but bare life. However, when I call to mind again, in what manner your Imperial Majesty's Requisitorials concerning me, which were delivered into his Majesty the King of Denmark's hands, have been (by the contrivance of some Ministers, bearing an hatred to me) abused so far, that they begun almost from that very hour to exhaust my poor Subjects, as well of Holstein, as of Sleswick, with intolerable Contributions, and to render them quite uncapable to contribute so much, as they were lawfully bound to do for the upholding my Princely State and Dignity; (which proceedings are yet till this very moment continued, to the utter destruction of my Territories, though no further Imperial Requisitorials have been signified to me, which have been granted to other States of the lower Circle of Saxony in the point of Quarters:) Then have I just reason to fear, that they likewise now under your Imperial Majesty's highest Name and Authority, though against your Imperial Majesty's will and intention, do go about to colour, and palliate what they newly have contrived for the finishing of my premeditated ruin, and partly have already brought to an Execution. All which I have by my former complaints, with all submission represented to your Imperial Majesty, and thereby most humbly implored your speedy Protection; whereunto also I do now refer myself, in hopes your Imperial Majesty will be pleased, not only most graciously to hear, but also see them according to your Imperial Clemency forthwith redressed.  
Concerning those Accusations brought before your Imperial Majesty, and laid home at my door, I should never have Imagined, upon what bottom and foundation they could be grounded, unless your Imperial Majesty by the Nomination of certain Persons had obliged me to a more exact Information; whereupon I most humbly can assure your Imperial Majesty, by the true and faithful Word of a Prince, that I never had the least knowledge of these specified Projects, touching the Levies of some Foreign Forces, much less have I approved of the same, or dealt or agreed about them, directly or indirectly, with any man in the World. And I can protest with Truth itself, that Kleyhe the King of Sweden's Precedent, hath not, all the time of his abode here, made any Propositions to me concerning my Conjunction with Foreign Crowns against your Imperial Majesty, and your high Allies, nor ever offered to persuade me to any such thing. But this I do declare willingly and freely, that I have caused my disconsolate condition, whereunto I find myself undeservedly reduced, to be fully represented to his Majesty the King of Great Britain, as Guarantee of the Northern Peace, which first of all began to bleed and suffer on my side; to whom I made it my humble Request, that his said Majesty would be pleased, (in respect both of that General and Special Guaranty taken upon him concerning my Sovereignty over the Dukedom of Sleswick, lawfully obtained,) to procure my Restitution, and due Satisfaction; which I have been so far from disowning, that I was content that the Memorials about the said Subject exhibited from time to time by my Deputy, should be faithfully communicated to the Danish Minister residing in England. For which end I have also employed at that Court the same Vlcken my Counsellor there, whom I did for almost two years employ at your Imperial Majesty's Court; and have amongst other Negotiations also caused my most humble Remonstrations and frequent Instances by him to be made to your Imperial Majesty for my Protection, with certain hopes, that he hath behaved himself so well, that no cause is left to mistrust him, or to charge him with any sinister and ill-grounded accusations. Since therefore the abovesaid foul aspersions, studiously contrived by my ill-wishers, can never be proved nor laid to my door; the rest consequently must fall to the ground, which charge me that for the carrying on of such fictitious Levies, I should have taken and employed the said Sum of 200000 Rixdollers belonging to the Heirs of Kielman, which moneys I do not know in the least if they do lie here or no. Whereas now my Innocency, and the Fictitiousness of those Sinister imputations do sufficiently appear by the premises; I can with all submission assure your Imperial Majesty that nothing in the World shall be ever forced from me, which may offend and interrupt my Loyal Duties tendered to your Imperial Majesty, and to the Roman Empire, and that Devotion which my Ancestors have Sealed with their Princely Blood to the Mighty House of Austria. I do therefore again most humbly implore your Imperial Majesty, as the most Sacred Head of the Empire, that your Imperial Majesty would be pleased not to give way to the Suspicions raised against me, but rather, out of your Highest Fatherly care provide such ways and means, whereby I, as a devoted Co-member of the Roman Empire, may be upheld and freed from all my pressing Calamities. Thus longingly I do look for your Imperial Majesty's effectual and gracious Resolution, etc.  
Dated at Hambourgh the 20 of Jan. Ann. 1677.  
FINIS.