THE French KING'S DECLARATION OF WAR Against The SPANIARD.  By The KING. 
THe Sincere desire the King has had to maintain the Truce concluded in the Year 1684. put His Majesty upon winking at the Conduct of the Spanish Ministers in the Gourts of all the Princes of Europe, where their only design has been to excite them to take up Arms against France, and the share they had in the Negotiation of the League of Ausbourge was not unknown to His Majesty. His Majesty has likewise been informed of the interest the Governors of the Spanish Netherlands had in the Prince of Orange's Enterprise against England; but not believing that his behaviour in that respect had been prescribed him by the King his Master, who by so many reasons, of Religion, Consanguinity, and the general safety of all Kings, found himself obliged to oppose such an Usurpation. His Majesty hoped to be able to bring the most Catholic King to join with Him in the reestablishment of the Lawful King of England, and for the preservation of the Catholic Religion against the Union of the Protestant Princes, or at least to keep an exact neutrality in ease the posture of the Spanish Affairs did not permit the Catholic King to undertake the like Engagements. (His Majesty has to this purpose ordered several different proposals to be made to him since November last, the which were well received whilst the success of the Prince of Orange's Enterprise appeared doubtful. But these favourable dispositions vanished, as soon as they knew at Madrid of the King of England's departure out of His Kingdom, and since, they discoursed of nothing but of War against France. His Majesty at the same time understood that the Spanish Ambassador in England saw the Prince of Orange daily, and pressed that the English should declare War against France; that the Governor of the Spanish Netherlands raised Troops with all diligence, that he promised the State's General to join them to theirs in the beginning of the Campaign, and solicited them as well as the Prince of Orange to march Troops into Flanders, to put them in a condition of making War upon France. All these advices having made the King judge, that in prudence he ought to know what to depend upon, He gave order to the Count de Rebenack His Ambassador at Madrid, to demand a positive Answer from the Most Catholic King's Ministers, offering Him the continuance of Truce, Provided he would oblige himself to an exact neutrality not to Succour directly or indirectly the Enemies of His Majesty. But evil Counsels having prevailed, His Majesty was informed that the Resolution was taken to favour, the Usurper of England, and to join with the Protestant Princes. His Majesty was also informed much about the same time that the Prince of Orange his Agents had received considerable Sums at Cadis and Madrid; That the Holland and Brandenbourgh Troops, were Entered the Principle places of the Spaniards in Flanders, and that the Catholic King his Governor of the Low Countries caused the State's General to be solicited to advance their Army to the Walls of Brussels, all these advices joined to the answer that compte de Rabenack had received at Madrid, not leaving his Majesty any Room to doubt but that the intention of the Catholic King was to join his Enemies: His Majesty believed he ought to lose no time to prevent his evil designs and resolved to Declare War against him, as well by Sea as Land, as his Majesty doth by these presents. And to this effect, His Majesty doth order and enjoin all his Subjects, Vassals and Servants to Attaque and fall upon the Spaniards, and most expressly forbids them to hold hereafter any Communication, Commerce, or Intelligence with them upon pain of death, and to this end his Majesty from henceforth hath revoked and doth revoke all Permits, Passports, Safeguards and safe Conducts which might have been granted by his Majesty or by his Lieutenant's Generals, and other his officers contrary to these presents, and hath Declared, and doth Declare them Null and of none effect and Force, and forbiddeth any whatsoever to have any regard for them. And his Majesty doth Command and ordain the Admiral, the Marishals of France, Governors and Lieutenants Generals, for his Majesty in his Provinces and Army's, Marishals of Gamps, Colonels, Masters of Camps, Captains, Chiefs and Leaders of his Troops, as well Horse as Foot, French and Strangers, and all other his officers, whom it may concern; that the contents of these presents they cause to be executed within the extent of each of them, his power and jurisdiction; for such is his Majesties will. And his Majesty willeth and expecteth that these presents should be published, and affixed in all his Towns, as well Maritine as others, and in all his Harbours, Ports, and all other places of his Kingdom, and Countries under his obedience, where need shall be, so that no body may pretend Ignorance.  
Given at Versaill's the 15th of April 1689.