A LETTER Written by the PRINCE ELECTOR OF BRANDENBOURGH Unto the KING OF FRANCE, DECLARING The Reasons inducing his ELECTORAL HIGHNESS to take up Arms against The KING of SWEDEN.  
Translated out of the Latin Copies.  
LONDON, Printed by J. C. for John Crook, at the Sign of the Ship, in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1659.   

A LETTER Written by the PRINCE ELECTOR of BRANDENBURG, Unto the King of FRANCE: Declaring the Reasons inducing his Electoral Highness to take up Arms against the King of Sweden.  
Translated out of the Latin Copy.  
Most Serene and Potent King, our Lord Cousin, and most honoured Kinsman.  
IT cannot choose but be known unto your Majesty, as chief Mediator, what labour and pains hath been employed to compass the Peace and Friendship, betwixt the Kings of Swed●n, and Denmark, and to beget a repose and Tranquillity in the Provinces of Denmark, and those other his Territories which are situated in the Roman Empire. So likewise the other Mediators, as well as your Majesty, and every body else, did conceive, That by the said Peace, the King and Kingdom of Sweden, were sufficiently provided for: whose Power was not only thereby greatly augmented, but Denmark was thereby so straightened, and bound up, as that none, no not the Swedes, needed to have dreaded the attempts of a Kingdom, which was in a manner Rend asunder, and to perpetuity blocked up within itself: Especially when as the King of Denmark, had entirely fulfilled the Conditions which were agreed on; though to his own, his Kingdoms, and his Successors great Prejudice; And moreover (by way of Constraint) did grant unto the Swedes several other most considerable things, according to their own good Likeing, and in conformity to their prescriptions; relying on the hopes, that the Public Faith given by the Swedes, confirmed by such sufficient Securityes, and by the Religious promises of a King, and a Christian, would have been performed.  
But even as many others, so also this good King, and his people were sufferers, during the Swedish Public Faith and Peace; For as they have often, and yet do complain, the Swedish Forces oppressed them as much if not more, both in Denmark and Holstein, since the War was appeased, as during the greatest Violence of the same. And as if they heeded not at all the breach thereof, they neither observed Peace, nor agreement: although it could hardly have been imagined that the Swedish Impiety would have transported them to what they have done; and whereat doubtless both your Majesty, and all Christian Potentates, as well as ourselves, will be amazed.  
Since it hath been reported by the King of Denmark's Ministers; That by an unheard of example, amongst Christians, there was a Conspiracy hatched against the most Serene King of Denmark, his Children, Kingdoms, Provinces, and even against those of his Territores, which are sittuated in the Roman Empire; as also against the Liberty and Lives, and Fortunes, of his Innocent Subjects, who being in a peaceable and quiet manner of living, not apprehending any such matter, should under the Pretence of Friendship and Brotherly love, have been all put to the Sword: or excluding the King & his posterity, out of his Kingdom and Provinces, & out of his territoryes situated in the Roman Empire, to carry him and his progeny away into Captivitye, and to have reduced his subjects under a perpetual servitude; Contrary to the late peace concluded on, and performed by the King of Denmark; Contrary to the Public Faith given: Contrary to the Honour and Reputation of the most powerful Mediators: and finally contrary to all Laws both Divine, and Humane; And that on the same day when as this Conspiracy broke forth unexpectedly, The King of Sweden himself did in a Hostile way, not only fall into the Island of Sealand, and assailed the King of Denmark in Coppenhaghen, his Chief City, and place of Residence; But by his hostile Armed Forces, did invade and assault the provinces of the Roman Empire, which are comprised in the Westphalian treaty of Peace, Contrary unto the same, and contrary to the last Peace between Sweden and Denmark, Continuing to Exercise the same Hostilities and far greater, and thereby to infringe the Public Peace.  
Which pernicious change of affairs, when we maturely considered, and also with anxiety Pondered, by what means the Public, and our own security might be best Provided for, during this so great a breach of the Public Faith. We encountered with so many and weighty Considerations, as we thereby clearly perceived, that most eminent and sudden ensuing dangers threatened both our Neighbours, and ourselves, unless they were timely prevented, by serious Consultations, and that by the Almighty's assistance, that ambition were bound, which till this present, had freely and unhindered, usurped and dominered over its Neighbours-heads, and Fortunes, as it's self pleased: And that in the first place, the Kingdom of Denmark might be freed from those unjust oppressions, so that at length, peace, and quietness, might be restored unto it, and to its Neighbours.  
And whereas till this present time, those endeavours which have been used with the King of Sweden, towards the Mediating of a peace, were so little regarded, although urged and promoted by all possible industry, and means, as that they have always proved fruitless, but especially when as he seemed to persuade others to peace. Besides which he hath most unworthily, and undeservedly Threatened us in a Hostile way: And hath now also infringed the Peace with Denmark, which was but lately so religiously, and solemnly concluded; Insomuch as that there being no more hopes left for an agreement, and an upright Peace. We could therefore no longer defer that whereunto we are obliged, both to the Common, and our own cause, unless we would render ourselves accessary, that our Neighbours being overcome, and subdued, ourselves might also deservedly be overrun.  
And therefore we have been constrained to put ourselves into a posture, and Equipage, towards the Compassing of no less glorious, and righteous achievements, according to the Laws and Dictates of God, and of all Nations.  
And whereas your Majesty's honour, and Kingly dignity, is also highly engaged, to cause those things to be Religiously observed and inviolably performed, which as it were upon our suretyship were Publicly concluded, and agreeded on; And that betwixt your Majesty and our self, there hath been hitherto an entire and upright Friendship maintained: that we are equally engaged to each other by the alliance betwixt us; We counted it a part of our Duty, Summarily, to declare unto your Majesty, as far as the bounds of an Epistle will permit us, the reasons which have induced us to undertake this defensive Expedition.  
Because we were deserted in Porussia and Poland, by the King of Sweden, contrary to the agreements, engagements, and real promises, and left to the discretion of our then enemies, as all the world and your Majesty doth know: notwithstanding which, we persisted in our Friendly affection, continued and observed the Peace hindered Enmityes, urged and promoted the Treatyes of peace, which Poland proffered on reasonable conditions, and finally, did send our Ambassadors to procure, and settle peace, but all in Vain.  
Because our Ambassadors, were indeed well received in the King's Name; But to our disgrace, were treated withal in a new and unheard of Manner, were refused audience, and without cause given or shown (and therefore unjustly) they Proclaimed, and declared us enemies.  
Because the King of Sweden, had made a Peace with the King of Denmark; Had received the satisfaction which was agreed on, appropriated unto himself the Titles of the Provinces which he had so acquired, Enjoyed, and made use of them, and did Publicly profess himself to be his Friend, and ally; and though he retained the satisfaction, yet he performed not the agreements, and having framed a Conspiracy, he Broek the said Peace, and beyond all expectation, especially, under the pretence of Friendship (whereas they dreamt of no such thing) he caused them to be killed, and led away Captives.  
Whereas therefore the Common tye of Society, and Christianity doth oblige and constrain all and every one, towards the assisting, relieving, and defending, of the unjustly oppressed, not doubting but this so heinous Premeditated a conspiracy, will move all good Kings & Princes: but especially your Majesty; so likewise have we several others reasons, motives inducing and enforcing us, to the present undertaking.  
For besides the constant & sincere, real friendship betwixt the King of Denmark and our Electoral house, & that both family's are allied to each other by a straihter tie of Consanguinity, so likewise both the King of Denmark & the states Provintiall of the Territories of Holstein, have in this their extremity, & unjust oppression, required & demanded of us, that lawful defensive help, which they might justly expect.  
Moreover as concerning Holstein, the Westphalian Peace of the Empire, and the other  statutes, and decrees, do command us to be in a readiness whether we be called upon or no, Contrary whereunto Holstein being a Province of the Empire, is troubled, oppressed wasted and assailed, by an unjust and premeditated power and force.  
Finally, the succession of the best part of the said Territories, being designed for, and acquired by our Predecessors, and ourselves, and to be left to our successors, which if we should wilfully permit to be alienated, and cut off from ourselves, or from the Roman Empire, (of which we are not the least member) and should not oppose all our strength, and might against the same; We should greatly fail in what we own to ourselves, and to our Posterity, and might be accused by the Roman Empire, to have neglected our duties, nor should we perform those things which behoove an Elector & a Prince of Germany, in the behalf of his Country.  
Therefore, since there is no hopes left, save in the taking up of arms, we have prepared a defensive force against him, who wilfully hath declared himself to be our Enemy: who only waits an occasion to overrun us, and our Provinces: who hath religiously entered upon Treatyes and Agreements, but hath deserted his Allies and Abetters, against all equity, and hath exposed them to the mercy of their Enemies, who solemnly made a peace, and reaped great benefit thereby; but retaining the profits thereof, most rashly broke the same again: who most unjustly oppresseth his Neighbouring Kings, and Princes: who engaged his Public Faith, but as publicly infringed the same again; who by no means desires peace, who is an Incendiary, and Fomenter of all Wars, and Troubles among Christians: and who therefore deserves the wrath and curse of Christendom.  
As therefore these forces are raised by us, on a just and legal cause, not intending so much as to move an Arm, or a Foot, to entrench upon the Rights of others; But chief, to relieve those who are unjustly oppressed, to restore the disturbed and infringed Peace and Tranquillity, unto its former splendour again, and thereby to induce the King of Sweden, the sooner to hasten and promote the same. So we do most assuredly and earnestly hope and believe, that by the Almighties assistance, and the piety, love, faith, and justice of the cause, as also by the assistance of all Christian Kings, Princes, and Commonwealths, but especially by your Majesties (who by a successive and particular due beareth the Title of the most Christian and Equitable King) this design will be seconded: remaining also confident that your Majesty will join with us herein; that all the Merchants, and Negotiants, throughout the whole world, may not, by the Swedes, attaining to the absolute Dominion of the Baltic Seas, be made tributaries, and enforced to pay Taxes, & Impositions, unto them to all perpetuity. To the great prejudice, and damage of all other Kingdoms.  
Herewith we recommend your Majesty to the Almighty's Protection, wishing you all happiness and prosperity in your undertake.  
Given in our Castle at Collen on the Spree, on the seventeenth day of September, 1658.  
FINIS.