HIs Majesties inviolable fide­lity in adhering to his Alliances, hath induced him never to listen to any Proposals of Peace, other than such as shall give a full and perfect satis­faction to the King of Sueden: which likewise having been absolutely promised to his Majesty by the King of Great Britain, who was earnest to gain this point, both for him and for the States General; he now likewise makes it the first Article that he in­sists upon, and without which he cannot come to any conclusion upon the rest.

And because the Interest of the Duke of Got­torp is so united to that of Sueden, that it makes a part of the Treaty of Copenhagen, for the performance of which, his Majesty gave his Garranty [Page 2] to that Crown; his Majesty desires, that he may now likewise be comprehended within this Treaty, upon such terms as shall be satisfactory to himself.

As for the Prince and Bishop of Strasburgh, the King doth precisely insist upon the restitution of that Prince, and of all his Family, to all their Estates, Goods Honours, and Prerogatives; and particularly upon the restitution of his Brother Prince William of Furstemburg: whose Liberty must be provided for by one of the first Articles of the Peace.

For what concerns the Empire, as his Majesty doth still continue in the same intention which he has expressed for its Peace, that he has been troubled to see it disturbed; that it was with much trouble of mind he found himself compelled to carry the War thither; so he does yet adhere to these publick Declarations, which he has so often made, That he will insist onely upon the restoring of the Treaties of Westphalia in all their points, and to have them once more to be the means of restoring Peace to Germany Which induces him to offer this Alternative to the Emperor; Either that the Emperor shall re­store Philipsburg, and have Friburg restored to him; or else keep Philipsburg, and let his Majesty continue in possession of Friburg, without making any the least alteration in the other matters con­tained in the said Treaties.

As for what concerns Spain, since its Interest appears to be the most considerable in this War, and both England, Holland, and some Estates bordering upon Flanders have further express'd their desire, that that Crown should retain such a Frontier in the Low-Countreys, as might be able to make that a Bar, which they judge is so very important to their safety; his Majesty has [Page 3] been pleased, at the instance of the King of Great Britain, to agree to the means for the setling it. And upon this consideration it is, as his Majesty declared himself to that Prince, that he has offered already, and doth yet offer to restore to Spain those following Places, Viz.

The Place of Charleroy.

Limburg, and its Appurtenances.

Binch, and the Provostship thereof.

Aeth, and its Chastellany.

Oudenard, and its Chastellany there.

Courtray, and its Chastellany; the Verge of Me­nin onely excepted.

Gand, and its dependances.

St. Guillain; but with its Fortifications rased.

For so many Places of importance, and which his Majesty has taken so much care, and been at so great expence to Fortifie; he requires in exchange, that the King of Spain quit his right to those Places which his Majesty hath possessed himself of in this last War.

All Franche Compte.

The Town of Valenciennes, and its Dependances.

Bouchain, and its Dependances.

Conde, and its Dependances.

Cambray and Cambresis.

Air, St. Omers, and their Dependances.

The Town of Ipre, and its Chastellany.

The Places of Werwick and Werneton, on the River Lis.

Bavay and Maubeage, with their Dependancies.

Poperingue, Bailleul, and Cassel, with their De­pendances.

In a word, that he quit his Right to all such Places and Countreys as his Majesty hath now in his possession; excepting those before mentioned, [Page 4] which his Majesty is willing to restore to Spain; The Town of Charlemont, or in lieu thereof, the Towns of Dinant and Bouvines; upon condition that he, at the choice of the King of Spain, will charge himself, that the Bishop of Liege shall quit his right to Dinant, and that the Emperor and Empire shall give their assent thereunto. By this means the Spanish Frontier in the Netherlands, would for the future begin from the Sea, to the Meuse, Newport, Dixmude, Courtray, Oudenard, Aeth, Mons, Charleroy, and Namur.

As for the Articles which concern the States General, they are so very favourable, that they cannot but conclude, that his Majesty doth fully purpose to receive them into the former Friend­ship, after the Peace shall be concluded. His Ma­jesty is willing to restore them Maestricht, and to agree to the Treaty of Commerce, in such form as it was framed at Nimeguen with the Sieur Bever­ning.

And to the end his Majesty may give the World the utmost testimony of his sincere intentions for the Peace, his Majesty, notwithstanding any reason that might induce him to continue in possession of Lorrain, is willing that Prince Charles be restored to it, upon one of these two Alternatives, of which he gives him his choice.

First, That he be restored according to the Arti­cles expressed in the Pyrenaean Treaty, without any change or alteration in any of them.

Or secondly, That he be restored generally to his whole Estate, except the Town of Nancy, which his Majesty will retain, with plenary Right of So­vereignty, and excepting such a way as was agreed upon at the Treaty of 1661. to pass from the Fron­tiers [Page 5] of France into Alsatia, and all such ways as shall be necessary to pass from France to Nancy; and from Nancy to Metz, Brisac, and Franche Compte; upon condition nevertheless, that to make him some compensation for the Town of Nancy, his Majesty shall resign to him that of Toul, con­siderable for its extent and situation, and much more in respect of its Bishoprick.

His Majesty demands likewise, that Long-Wic and its Provostship be quitted to him: but offereth withall to recompense the Prince of Lorrain with another provostship of equal value within one of the three Bishopricks. And whereas Marsal having been quitted to his Majesty by a particular Treaty, is not at present any part of Lorrain, so it is not to be understood to be comprised in this restitution.

These are the Terms which may, and ought to make the Platform of a General Peace, and upon which his Majesty hath long ago declared himself to the King of Great Britain. His Majesty desires that they may be imparted to the Assembly at Ni­meguen; and that his own Plenipotentiaries there propose them to the consideration of the rest, as con­taining the lowest Conditions that he can admit; and upon which his Enemies may make choice either of War or Peace.

Given at St. Germans the 9th. day of April, 1678.

THe King hath with pleasure seen, as by the Let­ter of the Heeren the States General, so by the Assurances which they have given him by the Heer Van Beverning, their Extraordinary Ambassador, that their Intentions to a General Peace, correspond with the desire his Majesty hath had to procure the same, and that they are ready to accept the [Page 11] Conditions which his Majesty hath offered them by his Ambassadors and Plenipotentaries at Nimeguen. But at the same time that the Heer Van Beverning hath thus made known to him the Sentiments of the said States General, he hath in their Name prayed his Majesty would grant a Cessation of Arms for six Weeks, and hath represented to him, that they had need of that time, to communicate with their Allies, and to obtain their consent for the conclud­ing of so great a work. The condition in which his Majesties Arms are at present, and the favou­rable opportunity that would be lost in deferring their acting, would not permit him to consent to this Proposal, if the desire to give Peace to Europe, did not much more prevail in him, than that of enlarging his Frontiers by new Conquests. It is in this consideration to contribute to the Publick Re­pose, that he will agree, at the desire of the said States General, to a Cessation of Arms for six weeks, to begin the first day of the next month, such an one as was stipulated between France and Spain in the year 1668. But forasmuch as it would not be just, if the Enemies of His Majesty should let that time pass fruitlesly, and that instead of its serving to advance the Peace, they should make advanttge thereof, to avoid the effect of his Majesties Arms, that he should have lost the advantageous conjun­cture which is at present in his hand; His Majesty desires of the said States General, that they do pro­mise him in case, during the time of the said Cessa­tion of Arms, they cannot bring their Allies to accept the conditions which he hath offered, They will not assist them directly or indirectly against him, or against his Allies, during the whole course of the War. In exchange his Majesty will in such [Page 12] case renew to them the same Engagements which he hath taken with them by his Letter of the 18 of the last Month, as well for what concerns the same Con­ditions, which he will be always ready to agree to Spain, as for the security of the Places in the Nether­lands. His Majesty hath thought fit to make known to the said States General, by this Memorial, which he hath appointed to be delivered to the Heer Van Be­verning, the sincerity of his intentions for a Peace. And to give them a yet far greater testimony there­of, he doth command the Duke of Luxemburg, General of his Army, to go and expect their Answer, during this Month, in the Neighbourhood af Brussels, with orders not to Attaque any Place during that time. Given in the Camp at Wetteren, the first day of June, 1678.

THe Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, are extremely satisfi'd to understand, by the Answer your Excellency was pleased to re­turn to the Memorial presented on their behalf, by us their under-written Deputies Extraordinary, the 14th. instant, That your Excellency did agree, and consented to treat of a Truce, or Cessation of Arms, for the space of six weeks; and could have [Page 13] wished, That you had as positively declared your self touching the second Point contained in the said Memorial, namely, the Conditions of Peace proposed some time ago, by the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of France at Nime­guen. But because in the said Answer, no mention is made of so considerable a Point, their Hi. and Mi. have again commanded us to make instance, and represent unto your Excellency, of how great moment it is, as well with relation to the common Cause, as more especially for the preservation of what remains to his Catholick Majesty in the Low Countreys; that your Excellency declare, in the name of the King of Spain, your acceptance of the said Conditions of Peace, such as they are, considering the present state of affairs, and the risque and great danger there may be, in continu­ing the War against so powerful an Enemy as the King of France is, who has already brought his Army together, and is himself at the head of it in the Field, and that in the heart of the Low Countreys. For these and other reasons represented in the preceding Memorials, we earnestly entreat your Excellency to take such a resolution, as may be agreeable to the desires of our Lords and Ma­sters, and that without loss of time, since a few days, considering the condition wherein things are at present, may produce fatal Revolutions, and such as would extremely embarass as well your Ex­cellency as the Allies, and be likewise very pre­judicial to the Peace of all Europe.

HIs Excellency having seen and considered this Memorial, and at the same time made parti­cular reflection upon the former ones of the 8th. and the 14th. of May; though the States General of the United Provinces know very well, that the terms upon which the King of France has offered to make Peace with Spain are very hard; yet consi­dering the misfortune and extremities that the Low-Countreys are exposed to, and that their Hi. and Mi. (though otherwise so much concerned also in the In­terest of their preservation) do yet find themselves at present deprived of all means to effect it, their People not being in condition to carry on the War; and considering that in this Juncture of Affairs, nothing can be of so great importance, as the preservation of that miserable Remainder of Flanders, by strict Alliances, which they persuade us to accept of, and value. And whereas in the said Memorial, the States General do represent their instances of, and desire to admit of the said Conditions, in order to the conclusion of a Peace; his Excellency being willing to second them, as he hath done from the very first time that his Master entred into the War, which he undertook first for the preservation of the Confe­derates Estates of the Low-Countreys, and has since continued to assert the common Interest, is now likewise willing to comply with the desire of the States General, and to admit of a Peace upon [Page 15] such terms as the King of France hath propos'd, to the end that so convincing a proof of his Ex­cellencies servent desire to unite him with the said States General, may contribute to strengthen their mutual Alliances, and conduce to the pre­servation of both their Estates. Still provided, That whatsoever Conquests the most Christian King may have made in any part of the World, within the Dominions of the King his Master, and not specified in the above-said Propositions, shall be restored to his Majesty: Hoping moreover, that the States General will so far interpose with his most Christian Majesty, as that he will be pleased not to insist upon those terms, which it is not in his Majesties power to perform; and to grant us such terms as may be effectual for the preservation of what we have left; and that the States General will likewise take care, that the Borders and Fronteers may be so fixed, as to pre­vent for the future any such Accidents and Oc­currences, as may prove the seeds of a new War, and contribute to the greater satisfaction of the Confederates High Allies.

THe Ambassador Extraordinary, and Plenipoten­tiary of his Majesty the King of Denmark and Norway, at the Treaty of Peace held at Ni­meguen; hath seen by the communication which the Deputies of the States General of the United Provinces, have made to the Ministers of the Con­federates at the Hague, what his Most Christian Majesty was pleased to Order the delivery of in writ­ing to his Excellency the Sieur de Beverning their Ambassador Extraordinary, as well touching his con­sent to a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks, as concern­ing his demand of a promise from the States General, that in case they shall not be able during that Cessa­tion, to prevail with their Allies to accept of such Terms as his Majesty hath offered, that then they will no longer Assist them directly or indirectly, against him or his Allies during the continuance of the War; And having thereupon considered what he conceives is fit and necessary for the Kind his Master to do upon occassion of his Most Christian Majesties said agreement and demand; He thinks it his duty to represent to their Excellencies, the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of the High Allies at this Congress, that presupposing, which he does without any doubt, the constancy and re­solution of the States General, wherewith they have always hitherto maintain'd the Credit and Ho­nour of their Treaties, which is the true band and most proper support of a free Common-wealth, That they will not do any thing that may cast the least [Page 17] blemish upon the Reputation which they have hither­to honourably accquired and maintain'd, His Majesty assures himself that in this juncture, they will not set one step to the Prejudice of those mutual engage­ments that are betwixt himself and them: in discharge of which he has vouchsafed to hazard his own sacred Person, and the choicest blood of his Subjects, to the expence of what the utmost of the revenue of all his Kingdoms and Estates would amount to. Every one may remember into what extremity of Affairs his Majesty was willing, when requested, to throw himself in the midst of those Calamities, that then oppressed the United Provinces, and some of the Confederates, with intention to deliver them from the ruine that threatned them, and to take part with them in their most dangerous Events: What course he took to effect this, and the benefit which has accrewed by his Engaging in it, both to the common cause of all the Confederates, and to their Hi. and Mi. the States General of the United Provinces in particular, is sufficiently known to all the World: so that it would be to no purpose to make a repetation of them here. A sure and honourable Peace is what every one now aims at: For the obtaining whereof, if the mutual engage­ments which the Confederates stand in one to ano­ther, continue in force, we ought to Treat upon terms, and not take them ready made to our hands. It has been demonstrated more then once by preg­nant and undeniable Arguments and Reasons, that a Cessation of Arms must needs come attended with many great mischiefs and inconveniences: if there are more cogent Arguments why the States Ge­neral of the United Provinces, in respect of their own Affairs in particular, and the concerns of such [Page 18] whose interest is the same with theirs, should ac­cept of a Truce with France, we may well hope at least that that consideration will not be thought sufficient to oblige others, whose Affairs are in quit different circumstances, to come into the Truce likewise: And that they will so qualifie the condi­tions of their Truce, as that what makes for the advantage of one part of the Allies, may not be to the utter ruine of all the rest; though the Arms of France are attended with a strange current of Success, yet the faithfulness of which the Most Christian King makes profession, in adhering to his Allies, ought not to triumph over their constancy, whom common interest has linked together in a sacred bond for their mutual preservation. This vertue will make them respected even among their enemies; whereas the contrary would blast all their Reputations, and lead them one by one into Calamities, which they would discover the cause of too late, when the effects would be remediless. His Most Christian Majesty has given the States General a very short time to declare themselves upon the contents of his Memorial, the foresight of his Councel saw very well, that the time would be too short for all the parties concern'd to be well advised: and we may easily judge with what design the matter was so Ordered: But if we must take the things as they are, and make the best we can of them, we may certainly assure our selves that their Hi. and Mi. will not shorten the time, but will allow their Friends as large a Term as their Enemies have allowed them: and that they will not precipitate themselves into such resolutions as the events that half a day may produce, may likely make them repent of their forwardness in taking up [Page 19] But above all things his Majesty aforementioned, and his said Ambassador Extraordinary, in his name and on his behalf doth most earnestly entreat their Excellencies the Ambassadors Extraordinary of their Highnesses, that they will interpose to the ut­most of their power, and make use of the credit that they have with the States General their Masters, to prevent their putting themselves out of all possibility of doing any thing for those that have done all for them (which power our Enemies reserved to themselves, for the sakes of such as have not contributed at all or but very inconside­rably to the putting them into the condition in which now they are in) and that at least they will continue a readiness of mind to do what may be in their power, though they should happen to be destitute of such means as might enable them to do what they ought. Their Hi. and Mi. may be well assured that his Majesty will never reject their Councel and Advice in any thing whatsoever that may be reasonably thought to conduce to the publick Peace, in which if he could have any assu­rance that he might find his security, he would immediately put an end to the War, and lay down his Arms as mildly, as he took them up generously, for the interest and at the request of his Allies.

Given at Nimeguen, the 10th of June, 1678.

THe Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipoten­tiary of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg; having seen what has been communicated to the Ministers of the Confederates at the Hague; to wit, that his Most Christian Majesty, upon the overture made to him by his Excellence the Sieur de Beverning Ambassador of the States General, hath granted to their Highnesses by a Declaration in writing, dated the first of June, at Wetteren, a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks, to commence from the first of July next, to the end that in the mean time they may confer with their Allies, and obtain their consent to the Peace, upon condition that their Highnesses would promise his Most Christian Majesty, in case they shall not be able during the said Truce to perswade their Allies to accept of the Terms which France had offered, that then they should no longer assist them against him or his Allies, during the present War: To which Declaration the Duke of Luxemburg has Order to expect their Highnesses answer to the end of this Month; hath not failed to acquaint his Electoral Highness his Master with the Contents of that Declaration, and to require his Order therein, which he now waits for. But in the mean time he thinks himself obliged to say beforehand, that his Electoral Highness having always reposed great confidence in the Sincerity, Integrity, and Justice of their Highnesses, the States General of [Page 21] the Low Countreys, as those that have been his an­cient Friends and Confederates, and whose interests are in many respects the same with his own, assur­eth himself that their Highnesses will not make any promise to his Most Christian Majesty, that shall at all interfere with their Alliances, or be prejudicial to his Electoral Highness, who hath not spared his own Estates, nor his Blood, to save their Countrey from utter ruine and destruction, with which it was threatned when three whole Provinces were torn from it though since by God's great mercy they have been reunited. Besides, his Ele­ctoral Highness promiseth himself that their Hi. and Mi. will be so reasonable, since even his Most Christian Majesty hath been willing to allow them the whole month of June to acquaint the Duke of Luxemburg with what they shall think fit to resolve upon his said Declaration, as not to anticipate the Term to the prejudice of his Electoral Highness, but will allow him a con­venient time for mature deliberation, and the dis­patching of such Order as shall be necessary to his Ministers here and elsewhere. His Electoral High­ness takes it likewise for granted, that their Hi. and Mi. will never come to a Treaty, much less conclude any thing whatsoever with France, without first procuring for his Electoral Highness the satisfaction promised him in the 14 and 24 Ar­ticle of their Alliance, and without reserving the same Liberty to themselves with relation to their Allies, which his Most Christian Majesty might or should reserve in favour of his; Especially since it is evident, that his Electoral Highness did not engage in this War out of an airiness of mind, but for the safety of the Low Countreys, the [Page 22] preservation of his own Estates, and to secure himself against the injuries and attempts of others, and that he hath not been more desirous of any thing since the first beginning of this War, than of a firm and sure Peace upon reasonable Terms. And that he will always take in good part the good offices that shall be used to attain it, and that he will make appear as well his moderation with relation to the Terms and Conditions of it, as his due consideration of the reasons and ne­cessities alledged by their High and Mighty for a Peace. Provided things may be so ordered, that he may obtain his ends, which are no other than the safety of the publick, and that of his own Countrey. This is what the said Ambassador hath thought fit to represent by this writing to their Excellencies, the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of their High and Mighty that are here present, desiring them not onely to recommend the Contents thereof to their Lords and Masters, to the end they may make their joynt Reflections, when they shall come to deliberate upon a matter of so great im­portance, but also to support it as much in them lies by their own credit and wise conduct. Given at Nimeguen the 10th day of June, 1678.

THe Ambassadors of his Imperial Majesty being advertised, that the States General of the United Provinces will shortly meet, to consult upon the Declaration which his Most Christian Majesty delivered in writing to their Ambassador [Page 23] Extraordinary Monsieur de Beverning, in the Camp at the Bourg of Wetteren on the first day of this present month, do promise themselves assured­ly from the eminent Wisdom, Integrity, and Justice of the said States General, upon which founda­tions their Common-wealth has hitherto stood and continued in a flourishing condition, that they will not upon any pretence whatsoever act contrary to the Faith of their Alliances, or prejudicial to his Imperial Majesty, the Empire, and the rest of the Confederates, who have allready engaged them­selves as well in the dangers, and expences of this long and Bloody War, not onely for their own common safety, to the end they might thereby deliver these United Provinces, together with the Publick, from utter ruine and destruction. It is needless to put them in mind of what hath for­merly passed; this is evident, that the Confede­rates have to do with an Enemy, who as he is hard enough for them all, cannot but be terrible to any one of them apart. Perhaps some Pro­vinces may reap a present advantage, but in lieu thereof, all those that are near must inevitably fall under his yoke, and be destroyed. There are so many instances in Histories how dangerous the neighbourhood of France is, that it hath given occasion to a Proverb. This the States themselves have found by experience in this very War, when the Bar of the Spanish Netherlands was stronger. What will they do now that those Bars are almost broken down, and they shall have separated them­selves, as the French earnestly press them to do, from the rest of the Confederates? Then their safety must solely depend upon the sincerity and moderation of the French. His Imperial Majesty [Page 24] undertook the War together with the rest of the Confederates for their common safety, for the de­fence of the Empire, and particularly that of these Provinces: he hath carried it on hitherto, not for his own private interest, but in such place and manner as was thought best good for the publick: And he is yet willing, if the Confederates please, to continue it in conjunction with them, and will be ready to lay down his Arms, when that shall make more for the Common interest. And when­ever he shall make a Peace, he will have the same regard to the circumstances of the United Provin­ces and of all the Low Conntreys, which he has appeared hitherto to have had in the undortaking and carrying on the War.

The King of France has proposed some condi­tions of Peace, but in such a manner as if he were giving Laws to us. He will not suffer us to Treat with him concerning them. Which to be so re­ceived by the Emperor, the Empire and the Con­federates, is not only inconsistent with their Ho­nour, Safety and Interest, contrary to the very na­ture of the thing it self. Besides which no speci­fication at all is made in these conditions, what sa­tisfaction it is in particular, the French would have stipulated in behalf of Sweden, so it is but too evident they are far from any intentions of Peace, since they will not so much as treat concerning it, according to those Forms and Methods which are observed betwixt Soveraign Princes and Estates, and are grounded upon the Law of Nations. It is not a Peace that France aims at, but a division amongst the Confederates: that conquest may be the more easie, when he shall have to do with them apart: if there be any urgent reason or [Page 25] necessity of making a Peace, the Emperor is willing to do it forthwith upon such terms as will be neither dishonourable nor prejuaical to France, and manifest to the whole World his moderation, according to his High Function; and that although he has great regard to the safety of the Empire, yet that he prefers the common safety and the preservation of the United Provinces and of all the Low Countreys before any particular interests of his own. This will be made apparent when­ever a Peace shall be treated of, and the States General shall employ their offices for it, which will be always acceptable to his Imperial Majesty, which being so, it cannot without injury to the constancy, prudence, and integrity of the States General be prefumed that they will upon any rash resolution abandon their most faithful Confederate, and there­by expose them to manifest danger. They have Twenty days time yet before the end of this month to resolve in. But all our interests, our common liberty, and the safety of all the Confederates is now at stake. The enemy endeavours to preci­pitate their resolutions, because he is their ene­my, and would lead them to a precipice: the Con­federates Council is to proceed safely and deliberate­ly, as being engaged in one and the same common cause with the States General, when once the Enemy shall observe that the States resolve to Treat se­parately, France will obtain what is desired, the general Peace will be desperate, which otherwise might have been expected, if all the Confederates would have made appear to the common Enemy their unanimous constancy and moderation. Let the States General therefore represent speedily and seriously to the Ambassadors of his Most Christian [Page 26] Majesty, that it is that they hinder the restoring of Peace to Christendom, in that they deny the Con­federates liberty to Treat about those matters with­out which there can be no Peace: the Ambassadors of his Imperial Majesty do hereby oblige them­selves to represent the whole matter that the mo­tives and necessiries which induced the States Ge­neral to chuse even a disadvantageous Peace, ra­ther than the continuance of the War, are not at all displeasing to his Imperial Majesty, who will be ready to comply therewith, and to concur with them as far as in him lies, to endeavour a Peace, so as the safety of the Empire be in some degree provided for; and that he will jointly consult with the States General and the other Confederates, by what way and means the same may be establish­ed and rendred secure.

And as the Imperial Ministers have thought it their duty to remonstrate these things to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, so they do earnestly beseech and intreat them seriously to weigh of how great importance this matter is: and to support it with their offices and recommendation, in which they will do a thing becoming themselves, glorious and beneficial to their Countrey, desired by the Confederates and every one else that loves the publick safety and security, and which will be trans­mitted to posterity, to their immortal praise and merit.

Given at Nimeguen, the 10th of June, 1678.

THe Pensionary Fagel has shown to the Assem­bly a Letter of the 10th of this instant, from the Ambassador Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiary at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen, written to him­self, importing that the Ambassadours of France have declared to them, that the King their Master is not minded to Evacuate Mastricht, nor the other places of the Bar, till a compleat satisfaction be made to the King of Sweden. Where, upon deliberation, we have thought fit that this matter be put in as from the States aforesaid to the States General, to the end that answer may be returned to the Ambassadors of the States: that it could not be believed nor expected that his Most Christian Majesty would have made the least difficulty in the [Page 32] Evacuation of those places, after the Peace Signed, concluded and ratified betwixt his Most Christian Majesty and Spain and this State: and that the States could not foresee that there would arise any new obstructions or difficulties on his Most Christian Majesti's part, after he had given them him­self and by his Ministers so many assurances of his unfeigned inclinations not only to a general Peace, but particularly to a Peace with this State.

It is very true, that when his Mejesty compos'd a general platform for us to take our measures by, it was put down in the first Article, that his Majesty would never listen to any Terms of Peace, other than such as should give the King of Sweden full and compleat satisfaction: and his Majesty might with good reason insrst upon it, and take care to have it effected, if we had been able to dispose the Confederates to accept the conditions of that Project. But since the Confederates did not think it their interests to make Peace upon those terms, as the States foresaw at first they would not, and that his Catholick Majesty would make some scruple, as the Ambassadors of the State intimated to those of France, desiring them to let them know what places the King their Master intended should make the Bar in the Spanish Netherlands: and his Most Christian Majesty was pleased to assure the States by a Letter of the 18th of May, written from his Camp, in case his Catholick Majesty should refuse the Peace upon the said Terms, and that the States would conclude their Treaty, and oblige themselves to remain neuters, that then his Majesty would always be willing to grant to Spain the conditions of the Project, and promised not to lay Siege to any place in the Spanish Nether­lands [Page 33] during the whole. War without making any mention of Sweden, or the rest of the Confede­rates: Whereupon their Lordships the States con­fiding in the King's Word, did their duty for the inducing his Catholick Majesty to accept of those conditions, and laboured on the otherside to the utmost of their power to perswade the rest of the Confederates also; with which they acquainted his Majesty, by Monsieur de Beverning their Am­bassador, declaring that for their own parts they accepted of his Majesties Terms; and desiring his Majesty that he would be pleased to agree to a Truce for Six weeks, that they might labour with their Allies, and get them to consent to a general Peace, and that his Majesty was pleased to agree to such a Truce for Six months, to begin from the first of July, and as himself wrote from his Camp at Wetter, the first of June, upon the same foot that the Truce in 1668 was agreed betwixt France and Spain, upon condition that the States would engage themselves, in case they should not be able in Six weeks time to perswade their Allies to admit of the conditions, then not to assist their said Allies directly nor indirectly against his Majesty or his Allies during the War, and that in requital thereof his Majesty would renew the engagements which he made in his Letter of the 18th. of May, both concerning the conditions to be granted to his Catholick Majesty, and the securing of the places in the Low Countreys: leaving the Duke of Lux­emburg near Brussels to stay to the end of June for an answer, with Order not to attack any Place during that time; and without making any alteration in the said conditions, or any mention either of the Allies of this State, or of giving [Page 34] satisfaction to the King of Sweden: that the States acting candidly, and being ready on their part to perfect that Treaty, and having induced his Ca­tholick Majesty to accept it also, as they advised his Most Christian Majesty by their Letter of the 22th of June, assuring him that they had given Order to their Ambassador, to conclude a Peace before the end of that month, with such of the Confederates as would joyn with them in it, without so much as staying for the Truee, which was to begin on the first of July; and that his Majesty by his Letter of the 30th of June, declared himself to be extreamly well satisfied therewith: and was so far from obliging the States or his Catholick Ma­jesty to make any satisfaction to the King of Sweden, that he expressed in the same Letter, that he observ'd in the proceedings of the States a good inclination to the general Peace of Europe: and he perswaded himself it would not be long de­lay'd by such of the Allies as hitherto had not been able to help forward so great a good: that his Majesty doubted not but the Peace would be concluded by his Ambassadors, and should take delight in making this State sensible of its effects, and in forbearing all acts of hosility in the Low Countreys, and obstructions to Commerce by Sea, though it be customary to let things continue in the same condition, till the Peace be Ratified by exchange of Ratifications, and publishing of Trea­ties; without suspending the effects of the Peace upon any Treaty with the Confederates, or any satisfaction to be made to the King of Sweden That the States may say with good reason, that his Most Christian Majesty is the cause why the Peace is not concluded, and not they: since his Majesty [Page 35] advances new Conditions, which never were propo­sed to themselves, nor to the King of Spain, it never having been pretended, that the Peace, or its effects, should depend upon the King of Sweden's receiving satisfaction, but onely upon the States standing Neuter, in relation to his Majesty and his Allies, against those that should reject the Condi­tions of the Project. So that it is evident, that the most Christian King hath promised to restore those Places to the King of Spain, and to this State; and that himself hath directed to have the Treaty perfected, by Exchanging the Ratifications, and publishing it: That the States pretend to no new matter concerning the said Evacuation: That the things of no small concern to the Catholick King, and to this State, who cannot arrive at peace and quiet, in getting rid of the War, if at the same time they continue depriv'd of the effects of Peace; much less if they must be sent back, and made to depend upon the chances of War betwixt other Parties; which who knows when it will end in a satisfaction, that is not limited to any thing in particular? Especially considering, that the King of Sweden contimes an Enemy to this State, without giving order to put an end to the differences that are, and that daily grow betwixt him and it; and doth perpetually molest the Inhabitants of this State, contrary to the Treaty of Commerce made with him.

That order be given to the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of this State, to enquire of the Ambassadors of the most Christian King, in a friend­ly and loving manner, without the least sharpness, whether the King their Master be resolved to persist in his demand, and to advise the Estates as soon as [Page 36] may be, that they may take proper measures, and conser with the Ministers of the Confederates, to know whether they can either come to a resolution to accept the Peace upon the terms offered, or find means, if there shall be occasion, to make a more vigorous opposition to their Enemies, than here­tofore.

THe Ambassadors of France being troubled to see, that the difficulties arisen concerning the time for the Evacuation of the places, which the King their Master is willing to restore, give occa­sion to those that are averse to the Peace, to render the sincerity of his Majesties intentions suspected, have thought it their duty to manifest the same to the Ambassadors of the States General by this Me­morial.

And to justifie the Reasons his Majesty hath, not to quit those Places, until Sweden is entirely satis­fied, it will be sufficient to go no higher than the beginning of the Negotiation, by which the Peace is at present so far advanced. And we may say, that the same are grounded on the Conditions, pro­posed in his Majesties name by the said Ambassadors of France, since they have been all of them accepted, [Page 37] first, by Holland, and not long after by Spain. We may farther say, that when the States General, in consequence of the Letters his Majesty writ unto them the 18th. of May last, and of the Memorial delivered the first of June to Monsieur de Beverning; as also of the message of the Sieur de Lanoy to his Majesty, and the Letter he presented unto him on the part of the States, declared, they were ready to sign the Treaty on those Conditions, they obliged themselves to the execution of that which relates to Sweden, it being the first of all of them. And as they were all joyned together, so they ought not to be se­parated in the meaning of the said States General, to cause his Majesty to consent unto them; and he doubts not at all, that since he made but one thing of his own Interest and that of his Allies, their mean­ing was not, but that he should procure both the one and the other.

His Majesty had likewise reason to hope, that by advantaging both them and Spain, in being willing to quit so many important Places for the sake of Sweden, they would have joyned with him to procure the re­establishment of that Crown; and though his Majesty hath not desired them to unite their Forces to his, to put that Crown in possession of the Places it hath lost; yet they ought not to hinder him from making use of those Means that are in his power, for the effectual executing of a Condition, to which they have so solemnly consented. They know well, that his Majesty hath no other effectual means, whereby to contribute to the re-establishment of the King of Sweden in Pomerania and the Dutchy of Bremen, than by making War upon the Elector of Brandenburg, and the Princes that are possessed of the Estates of that Crown; and they know as well, [Page 38] that in order to his acting against those Princes, his Majesty will have occasion for those Places he now possesses, as being equally useful for the passage of his Armies, as for erecting Magazins there for them. Lastly, they cannot look upon the Peace which his Majesty is willing to make, otherwise than as one and the same Treaty, as well for himself as his Allies: nor think it strange, if he take all necessary Cautions, to see all the Conditions of it performed.

This practise is conformable to that of all Trea­ties; and for an example might be alledged the pra­ctise of that of the Pyrenaeans, in which Treaty, the Places his Majesty was to restore to the Catholick King, were evacuated proportionably as he on his side executed the Conditions he had agreed to; and Verceil, which the Catholick King was to surrender to the Duke of Savoy, was restored in the same manner: for that the Interests of his Majesty and his Ally were not to be separated. In like manner, the States General being obliged to look upon as one and the same convention, the Conditions offered by his Majesty, and accepted of by them at Nimeguen, they ought to do what lies in them, that the same be exe­cuted all together, as well with relation to his Ma­jesty as to Sweden.

And his Majesty hath the greater reason to be­lieve they would concur with him in so just a thing, for that in the Project of the Treaty, which their Ambassador delivered to those of France, there is no mention made therein of the time of the Restitu­tion of the Places. This silence shows, that they did not pretend to it, till all the conditions that they had accepted should be executed, and that therefore they would make the less difficulty, that Maestricht re­mained in the hands of his Majesty, in order to [Page 39] oblige the Enemies of Sweden to Peace, for that the said States General were by their Treaty to deliver that Place unto Spain.

And to evidence yet further to the States Gene­ral, how sincerely his Majesty intended, after the many paces he made to give Peace to Europe, to restore unto them his first Friendship, to promote the advantage they might receive from it, and to de­sist from all future Enterprises upon the Low-Countreys; they need but reflect upon his Majesties Conduct, since they declared by the Letter, which the Sieur de Lanoy delivered to his Majesty, that they would sign the Peace before the end of June, and that Spain would likewise sign it at the same time.

They may have observed, how at their entreaty, without expecting the Exchange of the Ratificati­ons, his Majesty gave order to his Army to with­draw from the Neighbourhood of Brussels: How he was ready to open again the free Commerce and Na­vigation, by the Passports he allowed his Ambas­sadors to Exchange: How he offered to take mea­sures with them about the manner how his Troops should live near Mons, and about the means for the subsistance of that City, till the exchange of the Rati­fications: How for the ease of the Low-Countreys, and the speedy obliging the Elector of Brandenburg to consent to the Peace, his Majesty hath re-inforced the Mareschal de Schomberg with a considerable De­tachment of his Army in Flanders, which he hath al­ready caused to march into Germany, and was up­on the point of ordering others to follow them. All which Conduct doth sufficiently show, that his Majesty looking upon the Peace with Spain as certain, his intention onely was to employ his Forces [Page 40] against the Elector of Brandenburg, thereby to oblige him to make his Peace with Sweden.

But because his Majesty observes, by the Reports which his Enemies spread abroad, that they endeavour to render the fidelity of his words suspected, and would make it believed, That when by the Peace he had broken the measures of Spain and Holland for the War, he wouldmake use of the Places he should retain, to act with more, advantage against the Low-Countreys; his Majesty is very desirous, as much as in him lieth, to cure them of these vain apprehensions. The onely aim he has, in what he insists upon, is to procure the satisfaction of Sweden; and he is willing to believe, that the States Ge­neral have always the same intention; and there­fore he is ready to use all such means, in conjun­ction with them, as they shall think fit to be effe­ctual to that end, either by obliging themselves to restore that Crown to th Places and Countreys it has lost, or by disposing its Enemies to surrender them; provided they give his Majesty full secu­rity of its re-establishment. His Majesty will wil­lingly embrace such Expedients as they shall propose unto him, and shall be esteemed most speedy and ef­fectual to make the Peace General. And for the treating of this business, they may either discuss it with the said Ambassadors of France at Nimeguen, or appoint some Minister to repair to his Majesty, or send Deputies to the Frontiers of Flanders and Ghent, as nearest to their Countreys, to confer there­upon with those to whom his Majesty shall entrust the care of it. His Majesty will rest satisfied, if they can but agree upon a safe, speedy, and certain way of procuring the re­establishment of Sweden.

The said Ambassadors of France are perswaded, that the said Ambassadors of the States General, and all indifferent men, will be equally convinced, as well of the Right his Majesty hath to demand the Execution of a Condition so positively accepted, as of procuring the same by such means as are in his power, unless the States General shall adjust others with him, to obtain it.

The long time his Majesty hath lost in Flanders since the 18th. of May, that he writ unto the said States, doth also shew, how sincerely he desired the Peace. Considering the Condition in which his Majesty and his Enemies then were, every body will easily believe, that onely the desire of giving Peace to Europe, was capable of making him loose so favourable a Conjuncture: And it is from the same desire, that he is still disposed to admit of Pro­positions, that may secure the entire satisfaction of Sweden, and procure the Tranquility, which Chri­stendom expects from this Assembly.

THe Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipoten­tiaries of their Lordships, the States General of the United Provinces, having received from the hands of the Lords Ambassadors of France, the 11th. instant, a Memorial, whereby they pretend to justifie the particular of the Retension of the [Page 43] Places, the Restitution whereof were promised by his most Christian Majesty; and wherein, at the same time, they invite their Lordships to enter into some way with his Majesty, whereby they might draw and assure a perfect Satisfaction to the King of Swedes, are obliged by express order from their Lords and Masters, to represent to their Ex­cellencies, That their Lordships making a due reflection upon the method of his Majesties pro­ceedings to terminate the present War; and up­on the advantagious expressions, whereby he has particularly declared himself upon their account; they cannot entertain so much as a thought, that he would at present delay the accomplishment and conclusion by the said Retension; being fully per­swaded, that such kind of obstructions cannot pro­ceed from so generous a Soul as his Majesties, but rather from the perswasion of those who are averse to a Peace. They strongly possess themselves with this perswaasion, that they cannot lay a more solid Basis for their justification, than to give an ingenuous account of the beginning and progress of this Affair.

Tis notorious, that the Lords the States Gene­ral have done their utmost endeavours, without intermission, to determine this present War by a General Peace, wherein all Parties Interested might have had that satisfaction which they have so passi­onately desired, as might have disposed all Per­sons whatsoever thereunto. But such was their misfortune, that the pretences of the other Allies being far different, and very far from it, and his most Christian Majesty having caused his Ambassadors at Nimeguen to propose those Con­ditions, which might and ought to serve as a Plat­form [Page 42] to a general Peace; and upon that conside­ration, explaining himself, that it was the last point that he could possibly dispence with; and hereupon his Enemies might make choice either of Peace or War, without being obliged, after the 10th. of this present May. And the Lords the States General taking into their consideration, that the major part of the said proposed Conditions, did concern their puissant Allies, did carefully explain themselves, that they might find out some Expe­dients, and have endeavoured to dispose of Affairs so, as that they might enter upon a Negotiation according to the said Platform, to see what the Parties concerned at design'd but to their great regret, they have been inform'd, That it was not at all his Majesties intention to cause a Treaty, or to admit any debate upon the Conditions proposed; but that the Potent Parties, that were at War, ought simply to declare themselves before the Term of the 10th. of May was expired, whether or no they would subscribe the said Conditions. Whereupon their Lordships have laboured continually with the Ministers of their Allies, to understand their Sentiments. But they excusing themselves, upon the small time allotted for this great Affair, and want of Order from their Masters, wherewith they could not possibly be instructed before the Expi­ration of the term; therefore their Highnesses not being able to assure themselves of the intentions of their powerful Allies, especially the King of Spain, in regard of the Acceptation or Refusal of the said Conditions: And considering, that the Stop proposed by his most Christian Majesty, must also give them particular satisfaction, have applied their farther endeavours to inform themselves, how [Page 44] this stop should be considered, in case the King of Spain should refuse to accept the said Condi­tions; and thereupon his Most Christian Majesty hath been so kind as to honour them with a Letter written from his Camp. May the 18th: and to ac­quaint them, that if the King of Spain denied to accept of the Peace, and they judged it pro­per to conclude a Peace with him, on the Condi­tions proposed upon their account, and that they would engage to remain Neuter, during the whole course of this War: His Majesty in such Cases, would upon their consideration, grant the said King of Spain the same Conditions, which he was at liberty to accept of at this present, and that during that time, he would not attack any place in the Low Countreys, and if my Lords the States General, in order to the advancement of this Ne­gotiation, should find it convenient to send Depu­ties to him, that they would find his Majesty in the neighbourhood of Ghent, till the 25th. of the said month, and under the same dispositions.

Farthermore, the Lords of the States General, having declared before the 30th. of May, to the Lords, Ambassadors of France; that for their parts they were resolved to conclude a Peace with his Majesty, upon the Conditions proposed on their account, and having desired a convenient time, to the end that they might dispose their Allies to the same Peace, and after the Receipt of the aforesaid Letter from his Majesty, having de­termined to send to him the Sieur Beverning, their Ambassador Extraordinary, to represent unto him, how earnestly they desired a general Peace, that they did accept of the Conditions offered, and that they desired his Majesty to grant them a Cessa­tion [Page 45] of Arms for Six weeks, that they might have time to discourse with their Allies, upon the affairs of Peace, and to gain their consent, for the conclusion of so great a Work. His Majesty was Graciously pleas'd to declare by his answer the first of June, dated in his Camp at Wetteren, that he did condescend to that Cessation, for the space of six weeks, as it was desired, to commence from the first of July, and the same according to the stipula­tion between France and Spain, Anno Dom. 1668. With this proviso, they should promise his Majesty that in case, during the said Cessation of Arms, they could not prevail with their Allies to accept of the Conditions offered, they would neither, di­rectly nor indirectly assist them, against his Majesty or his Allies, during the continuance of this War: And upon this consideration his Majesty was willing to Render by way of exchange, the same engage­ments that he had obliged himself unto, with them, in his said Letter of the 18th. of May; as well in regard of the same Conditions, which he would be always inclinable to grant to Spain; as for the security of the Places in the Low Countreys. And to give them a larger Testimony thereof, his Majesty hath charged the Duke of Luxemburg, General of his Forces, to attend their answer, during the month of June, in the neighbourhood of Brussels, with orders not to attack any place during that time.

That consequently, the States General, to give pregnant proof of the desire they have to conclude the War, and to testifie the Candour of their pre­ceedings, would not wait till the expiration of the month of June, much less make use of the said Cessation of Arms, which was to begin on the first [Page 46] of July, as it was at their liberty to do: but from the 22th of June, have assured his Majesty by their Letter, that though they had laboured very strenuously with their Allies, to dispose them to the said Peace, and that they could not be satisfied that all would concur therein; yet they had ordered their Ambassadors at Nimeguen, to Conclude and Sign the Troaty, with his Majesties Ambassadors, together with those of their Allies, who were wil­ling to condescend thereunto; and that they were very certain, his Majesty the King of Spain would also accept of the Peace, upon the Conditions pro­pos'd on his account, And his Most Christian Ma­jesty has been so gracious as to give them an an­swer, by Letter dated the 30th. of June, that he understood, with satisfaction, by their said Let­ter, that without expecting the time which he had granted them for a Cessation of Arms, they had sent the said Orders to their Ambassadors, to Sign the Treaty of Peace, before the end of June, and that the assurance they gave his Majesty, that those of the Spanish King would accept of them at the same time, did give him to understand, that there were very favourable inclinations for the quiet of all Europe, and that likewise his Majesty did perswade himself, that he could not be long re­tarded by their Allies; who till this very hour, what instances soever they had made, had refused to give their Concurrence to so great a Benefit, and so Universally desired.

His Majesty Declaring farther, that though the us­ual Custom in such Cases requires, that things should continue in the same condition they are in, till the Peace be absolutely Consummated by an exchange of Ratifications, and a publication of the Treaties; [Page 47] that yet upon their account, he had sent his im­mediate Orders to the Duke of Luxemburg, to withdraw his Army from the adjacent parts of Brussels, and March them into his own Countreys; and that he Charged the said Duke, for this pur­pose, to agree with the Duke de Villa Hermosa, as also their Envoys with him, about the Conduct that should be among the Officers that were to Com­mand the Troops, which his Majesty was obliged to leave in the places about the Town of Mons; as also how they should live of one side as well as the other, without Hostility in a good understand­ing, and with Liberty in the Low Countreys, till the Exchange of the Ratisications with Spain.

From all this, it evidently follows, that the Intentions, as well of his Majesty as the Lords the States General, have been from the beginning, to make a General Peace, upon such Conditions as all the Allies might have agreed unto; and being very uncertain, whether the said Allies would re­gulate themselves by the Conditions his Majesty had proposed, and having Explained himself, that he would admit of no Alteration, their Lordships have desired an Explanation of his Majesties Intentions toward them, and of the Conditions that concerned them, and have had the good fortune to receive In­structions, not only from the mouth of his Am­bassadors, but also by two Letters from his Majesty himself; that in respect to them, they should en­joy the said Conditions, and particularly those re­lating to the Spanish Netherlands, though his Ca­tholick Majesty, or any other of his Allies should obstruct the Peace, upon condition, that when they Conclude the Treaty, they should not directly. not indirectly Assist their Allies, against his Majesty or [Page 48] his Allies whilst the War should continue; by which it is manifestly apparent, that it has been no ways his Majesties intention to retard, or protract the Peace or the effects thereof by any means whatsoever: as to those that should, who would be ready, and in a condition to make a Conclusion, though some other persons should not as yet prove so; and to contract only, that those who should subscribe the Peace, should not assist directly nor indirectly those that would continue the War against his Majesty or his Allies. And thus it is altogether incredible that so Generous a soul as his Majesties, after such clear and Indisputable Declarations, as are contained in his Letters could entertain such a Sentiment; and certainly their Lordships the States General would be extremely surprised, if his Majesties Intentions should be found Conformable to the Expressions of the said Memorial it being a very Erroneous Position, that their Lordships the States General did ever De­clare, that they found all the Conditions equitable which his Majesty had proposed, having never ex­plained themselves, but in those things which re­lated to their own particular interests, and having also demanded time to Dispose their Allies to what may farther be required.

Besides that, it is most certain, a Declaration of that Nature was never required of them; that even his Majesty himself having weighed the Scruple, which they were to be satisfied in, that all their Allies could not possibly be Inclined to accept of the Conditions proposed, did anticipate them, by his Declaration, that not withstanding all this, upon their own, as well as the King of Spains account, he would ever condescend to them, provided they would put a period to their Treaty upon the con­ditions [Page 49] that were offered, and hath given sufficient Testimony, that it was neither his own, nor the Intentions of the States General, that they should be obliged to the Loan or Payment of any other thing, but what concerned them particularly, or related to such of their Allies, as were ready to Concur with them in making a Peace; and that his Majesty as to those that should continue the War, would require only a Neutrality of them, having in no respect proposed or agreed to Second his Allies, and to afford them that Satisfaction they pretend to; which nevertheless, the French Ambassadors do now lay claim to in the forementioned Memorial, direct­ly contrary to his Majesties Declarations, if the said Ambassadors would please to call to mind the An­swer they gave at the Conference on the 17th of June passed, when they openly clear'd themselves upon the point of the Conclusion and Signing of the Treaties, they must necessarily agree in this, that he hath been, and that they were ready to Sign with all those Allies, who would declare themselves to Condescend thereunto without any stipulation for the Swede, or any Delay on that account, having only recommended to them the Continuance of their endeavours with the Allies, with a promise that they would effect as much with their own Confede­rates: being farther most certain, that during the whole Course; of the Negotiation they never in­tended any thing as to the Swedish Interest; nay not when the Matter of the Restitution of the places, which should serve as a Bar, was Debated.

And it is somewhat surprizing, that the foresaid Ambassadors should positively affirm in the said Memorial, that his Majesty did never Condescend to the Restitution of Places to the King of Spain, [Page 50] unless it were in Consideration of an equal Resti­tution, which should be made to the King of Swedes Advantage, since the Original and the very words of the said Conditions do expresly import, that those Places ought to serve as a Boundary to the Spanish Netherlands, upon which the King of Great Britain, the States General, and the other Neighbouring States of the said Countreys have so much insisted: and that his Most Christian Majesty would Surrender them with this Prospect, and on such Conditions, that the King of Spain should yield up in Exchange all those Places, which are likewise specified in the said Conditions; and that the aforesaid Restitution to the King of Spain should also be one part of the Satisfaction due to their Lordships without any man­ner of Limitation, nor be directly, nor indirectly tied to give any manner of Satisfaction to the Swedish King: and it is very Clear, that the French Ambas­sadors are themselves Convinced of this, since that they confess in the said Memorial, that his Most Christian Majesty did not in the least pretend, that They, or the King of Spain ought to joyn their Forces with his, to Repossess the King of Swedes with those Territories and Places that he had lost, Ground­ing it only upon the account of the Retention of them, in regard that in the Conditions of the Gene­ral Peace, the Swede's Satisfaction is mentioned in the first Article; and that before all others; with­out considering that this intire and full Satisfaction of the Swede, cannot by any means be Applicable to their Lordships, who had never conquer'd or carried any Place that belonged to that Crown; and that it is very Irregular to pretend to Charge them with a Restitution who never took any thing, and have no manner of Possession, that even they would [Page 51] draw a Consequence from so General and Ambiguous a proposition to all particular Conditions, which in pursuance of that proposition are expressed by very different ways and Stipulations; no otherwise than if they would deduce the same Consequence from that which is after mentioned concerning the Princes of Strasburg and Fustemberg: viz, That their Inte­rests ought to make up one of the first points of that Peace, it being however an Affair that concerns none of the Confederates, the Emperor excepted, and that particularly too. Nor besides have the Ambassadors considered, that his Majesty by his Letters of the 18th of May, and 1st of June, did explain himself so clearly and so positively, that he was Content, provided the States General did on their part, Con­clude and Sign the Peace, and that he would always agree to the Conditions profered to the King of Spain, they only promising not to Assist their Allies that are willing to continue the War against his Majesty, or his Confederates: so that the Condi­tions offered, as well to the King of Spain, as their Lordships ought to be performed, though the other Allies will not Concur in the making of a Peace; not only when the King of Swedes should be re-esta­blished; and receive Satisfaction, but when they had promised the said Neutrality.

The Lords the States General desire servently and Cordially, that the War in the Northern parts should be ended by convenient means: but his Most Christian Majesty and the King of Swedes, not be­ing able to Agree upon Conditions with the Allies of their Lordships they will look upon the Continuation of the War with great Dissatissaction; but yet in the interim they are apt to believe, that the French Am­bassadors are mistaken, when they would Infer from [Page 52] thence, That his most Christian Majesty might lawfully make use of the Territories and Places be­longing to the King of Spain, and their State, to make a more advantageous War.

They call his Countreys and Territories their own, because that according to the Treaty of Peace, they ought to belong to them, by the same right as the other Lands and Provinces, which, be­yond all controversie, appertain to them.

It is very certain, that the Countrey of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg may be in­fested, and also those belonging to the Bishop of Munster, more commodiously by those Countreys which the States General at present possess; but as his most Christian Majesty did never pretend, and his Ambassadors would do ill to pretend, that his Majesty might lawfully make use of their Terri­tories and Places to that purpose; nor can they pretend any more, that his Majesty can make use of those Places, which he hath engaged to re­store, having reserv'd no such kind of Right to himself, nor any thing whatsoever in order to such a design; but onely the said Neutrality of the Parties contracting with him; it being observ­able, that nothing in the world can be more oppo­site to the Neutrality, than to grant one Party the power to employ those Territories and Places to infest and indemnisie the other Parties, nor more prejudicial to the Interests of their Lordships, than thereby to bring upon themselves the mischiefs and inconveniences of a War in their Neighbourhood, and even to their very Frontiers; so that in lieu of enjoying the sweetness and effects of a Peace, and being ascertain'd of a Boundary for their security and repose, they shall find themselves destitute [Page 53] on one side, and infested by a thousand inconvenien­cies on the other.

What the French Ambassadors say farther in that Memorial, merits 2 very particular reflecti­on, that their Sentiments in the present case are conformable to the practise in all other Treaties; it being very notorious, that when there is a Gene­ral Treaty made, all the Contractors ought to have satisfaction, which cannot be applied to the case in hand. His most Christian Majesty having thought good to enter into a particular Negotiation with the King of Spain and the States General, without sharing with the other Allies, which would not con­cur therein. Tis true, that if the King of Spain, or the States General, should not perform the Condi­tions of such a General Treaty, but fail therein, his most Christian Majesty might justly demand the effect of the Conditions agreed unto: but these two Powers being altogether disposed to satisfie in all, and by all, which they are engaged to, on their behalf, his Majesty cannot have the least pre­tence, that they should be frustrated of the accom­plishment of what should be promised them by particular Treaties, and upon consideration where­of, they should set their hands. Over and above, that his Majesty, having put into the first Article of his Propositions, the entire satisfaction the Swede should have, which is now made the ground of all the present difficulties, explains himself in the same Period by these words, [That without them, he could not conclude upon all the rest.] Whence it ought to be inferred, without all manner of dispute, that he would not desist in case of a General Treaty; but that it was not intended to apply it to [Page 54] the case of particular Conventions, which is now in question.

The Allegations which are made to this Propo­sal of the Pyrenaean Treaty, and the example of Verceil, the restitution whereof the King of Spain hath promised, are not at all applicable here; for that Places was in his own hands, and he might dispose of it as he thought good: but in our case, they have not onely not demanded any restitution, either from the King of Spain, or the States General, as indeed it could not justly be required of them, be­cause they were not all possessed of any thing that appertained to the Swede; his most Christian Ma­jesty proposing no other matter to them, but the Neutrality onely: and there might, on the con­trary, be drawn a solid Argument from the same Treaty of the Pyrenaeans, to justifie what is at pre­sent pretended to, concerning the Evacuation, al­ledging, that his most Christian Majesty hath con­sented to the restitution of the Places to Spain, not­withstanding the continuation of the War between that Crown and Portugal.

Tis true, that in the project of Treaties, there is no mention at all made of the Time when the Places should be restored; but it is certain and no­torious, that the Consequence of a Treaty is the immediate Exchange of Ratifications, after which, full satisfaction ought to be given to all that is promised and agreed unto, without any limitation of time; and to that end there can be nothing ap­plied more Authentick, than what his Majesty. was pleased to alledge in his last Letter of the 30th. of June pass'd, where he says, That it is the usual cu­stom in all Treaties, for all things to continue in the [Page 55] state they are in, till the Peace be absolutely con­summated by Exchange of Ratifications, and the Publication of them; and that consequently it were directly contrary to that usage, for his Majesty to pretend to detain the places, after the Ratifications duly Exchanged, and the Publication made. Their Lordships may dispense with the Discourse of the Conduct of his Majesties Army in the Spanish Ne­therlands, after the return of Monsieur de Lanoy, who brought back his Majesty's Answer of the 30th. of June, made to theirs of the 22d. of the same month; but in the mean time they afflict themselves, not without reason, because that by all these diffi­culties, so ill grounded, the Conclusion and Signa­ture of the Treaties hath been retarded, and even refused; when as their Ambassadors did duly pre­sent themselves to those of his most Christian Ma­jesty, according to their promise, because that their Lordships could by no means endure, that the King of Spain, no more than they themselves to their extreme prejudice, should be disappointed in the principal effect of Peace; namely, of the Eva­cuation of the said Places, and consequently of the Boundary, which his Majesty had so frequently and solemnly assured them.

Their High and Mighty Lordships sincerely de­clare, that they desire nothing more cordially, than to see the Peace established between his Majesty, the King of Spain, and their own State joyntly to­gether, with all the Confederates that will subscribe it; and that they are willing, and ready also to cause the Treaties to be Concluded and Signed: But we cannot justly desire of them, that the said Evacuati­on should depend upon the success of Affairs, and a Restitution and Satisfaction, which according to all [Page 56] humane apprehension, will not be regulated, but by the success of the War, the Accidents and Chances whereof are always exposed to incertainty.

Tis further to be taken into consideration, that the King of Sweden has not to this hour given any order for the satisfaction of their High and Mighty Lordships, in regard of the just complaints, and ex­cessive damages of their Subjects; nay, not so much as to renew and re-establish their ancient Amity with them; but contrarily, daily add new prejudices to their Negotiation, by Acts of Hostility, directly con­trary to the Treaties provisionally established.

And as his Majesty ought rationally to expect, from the Lords the States General, that they should ever look upon his Royal Word as firm and invio­lable, they cannot be persuaded, that he would by any means whatsoever alter the Conditions which he hath proposed by so remarkable a Change; and are so much the more assured thereof, in that their Ambassadors at London, having represented to his Majesty of Great Britain the scruple of this new upstart Difficulty, his Majesty did answer them with assurance, that there should be no stop upon it; and thereby they have been strongly persuaded, that this delay was to be imputed, not to his Ma­jesties Sentiments, but to the persuasion of those who desire not a Peace: but that however they hope his Majesty, according to the greatness of his Gene­rosity, will take off that Delay.

As to the Proposition the French Ambassadors made in their Memorial, the Lords the States Ge­neral do consider it two very different ways; either as an Expedient to accommodate the Affairs of the Northern Powers, by amicable means; or else to employ their Forces to oblige their Allies to return [Page 57] the King of Sweden their Conquests, obtain'd du­ring this War. As to the first, they doubt not that the French Ambassadors are sufficiently persuaded, with what servor they desired to see the accom­plishment of a General Peace; and they shall never be better satisfied in any thing, than in seeing it concluded, and that they will always continue to interpose, and use their utmost endeavours to ob­tain a Benefit so much desired; intreating his Ma­jesty, that he will please to furnish them with means in order thereunto, their Ambassadors being fully informed of their good intentions, without being obliged to the Evacuation of Places: But if it be his Majesties inclination to engage them, in pursuance of that proposition to violence, and con­straint, they find themselves obliged to say, That they understand no manner of [...]ity therein, and that it is diametrically opposite to, what his Ma­jesty did himself judge reasonable, and that they can by no means subscribe it, not being able at all to prevail with themselves but by force; they must engage their Allies, with whom they have been concern'd in the same Obligations, to restore what they have taken from the Swedish King, and so consequently must be necessitated to take up Arms against their Friends and Confederates; a thing altogether unheard of, and which cannot justly be required of them; his Majesty having se­veral times declar'd, that as for himself and his Allies, and in confideration of their Mighty Lord­ships and theirs, he onely demanded the Neutrality before-mention'd.

And thus the Lords the States General do as­sure themselves, that the French Ambassadors, as well as all those that are not prepossess'd, will be [Page 56] [...] [Page 57] [...] [Page 58] convinced, that their Lordships are no way in fault, if the Peace be not immediatly Concluded, and that the obligation to the Retention of the Towns cannot be imputed to them, it being so prejudicial to the Interest of their Affairs, that they can never be able to consent to it.

They farther declare, that they will joyntly use their utmost endeavours, for the accomodation of the Northern Powers, who are now at War, and who in effect, Conform themselves to the Expedient, which the French Ambassadors have proposed: but if their Reflection be applied by way of Force and Constraint, it cannot be in their opinion and expedient, but a thing never heard of, that by the Treaty of Peace, instead of disengaging them­selves from the War, they should be constrained to turn it against their Allies. They do not at all doubt, that his Majesty has a Design to procure the Quiet of Europe, and they will voluntarily Contribute on their part, all they can possibly, but they cannot by any means expect from his Ma­jesties Justice, that he would oblige them to it, after so prejudicial a manner as the Retention of the Places will prove, and upon so vexatious a Condition, as that of waging War against their Allies, their Mighty Lordships, as they are wholly bent upon the Contribution of all friendly Offices, for the accommodation of the said Affairs in the North. So also, they promise themselves farther, that his Majesty will be willing to issue out necessa­ry Orders for the Conclusion and Signing of the Peace upon the Conditions profer'd, and that he will furnish them with Expedients, to Contri­bute also on their part, to the Repose of Christen­dom.

This is that which the Lords the States General of the United Provinces have thought good to give in answer to the Memorial of the French Am­bassadors, at the same time Ordering their own Ambassadors, to appear forward in the Conclud­ing and Signing the Peace, and most carnestly be­seech the said French Ambassadors to Concur with them in that Business.

But if the Completing of so beneficial a Work, and so universally desired, be delayed upon the account of retaining the Places, the said Ambassa­dors of the Lords the States General, are obliged to protest in the name and behalf of the Lords their Masters, that their High and Mighty Lord­ships do no ways obstruct the Peace from being brought to a happy Issue.

A Memorial delivered to the Ple­nipotentiaries of France, by the Pleni­potentiaries of Sweden; July, the 27th. 1678.

THe Declaration of his Most Christian Majesty, that the Places should not be Surrendered to Spain and the States General, before the Swedes should receive satisfaction, is so Just and Gene­rous, that his Most Christian Majesty cannot but thereby come off with Honour, and the King our Master with great Satisfaction. We could wish that that Declaration might have reduced our Com­mon Enemies to Reason; but since it hath met with great opposition, as appears by the Memorial of [Page 60] the Holland Ambassadors, his Most Christian Ma­jesty will without doubt Examine, if to arrive at the end proposed thereby; in consideration of the Re­establishment of Sweden, it will be more pro­per to defer the Restitution of the Places with the prospect of making a general Peace, of else agree to it as the States General desire, to the end there may be procur'd a Compleat particular Peace with Spain and States General, as well for France as Sweden.

On our part, we are not sufficiently informed what thoughts the King our Master may have upon this Affair; but as our Orders in general are, that we ought to Conform our selves to the pleasure of France in the like Case, that we have good proof of the Intentions and Care of his Most Christian Majesty, and that we have not the Li­berty to Correspond with the King our Master, to understand his Orders, We can assure you, that the King our Master will remain satisfied with what his Most Christian Majesty shall judge sit to Re­solve, upon the account of the said Restitution of Places, as we do also put our whole confidence in his Majesties Royal prudence, who one way or o­ther will furnish him with such means as may tend to his own Glory; together with the absolute Re­establishment of his Ally.

This is all we have Order to say; but if be­sides this, we must explain our mind more particu­larly, we are apt to believe, that in this present juncture of Affairs, the Compleating a particular Peace, by the French and Swede, with the Spaniard and Hollander, would prove advantageous to the common Interest, and withall Glorious to his [Page 61] Most Christian Majesty. For it is for the advance­ment of the common Interest.

1. To disengage themselves from 2 Enemies, that are so much the more Considerable, because they support others by their Aids.

2. To avoid the new Rupture wherewith we are threatned, which being over, we cannot see how the Swedes will be able to make opposition, if you consider only their Commerce.

3. To divert the Engagements that are made against France and Sweden.

4. To frustrate their Design, who endeavour strictly to League together all the States of the Empire.

5. To be able to reduce to Peace the other Allies, who continue still in War, and so procure a Gene­ral one, for which there is some probability, since that upon the Rumor of Accommodation between France and Holland, we see they were troubled, and begin to yield.

6. To be able to act Victoriously by force of Arms, against the said Confederates, in case that they refuse an Accommodation; the War being to be carried on against them with greater ease, when they are separated from those that have assorded them the greatest Supplies.

Besides it will be very Honorable for his Most Christian Majesty.

1. To be able once more to restore Peace to Christendom.

2. To break all the Intreagues of his Enemies.

3. To Establish his Interests in what we have said before.

4. To shew that he hath other ways for the Re­establishment [Page 62] of the Swedes, besides that now in Question.

5. To take occasion to make them sensible of the effects of his just Resentments towards them, who in these present Intreagues, have stood in opposition both to his good Designs and to his Glory.

6. To disabuse them who by the Inductions of those that are evil inclined, have questioned the sincerity of his Majesties Intentions, in this Ne­gotiation.

7. To let the World know that the intentions of others have been in effect to oppose the general Peace, since without that Impediment it might have been obtained.

These are the Reasons of our particular Senti­ments, which we beseech your Excellencies to take into your Consideration; but for the remainder to testify to his Most Christian Majesty, that we have no other Order from the King our Master, but to depend upon his Care for our Security, as hath been before Specified.

THe Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipo­tentiaries of France, not thinking fit to give an answer at present to the Memorial of the Am­bassadors of the States General of the 26th. of [Page 63] this month, when they ought rather to consider how to remove the impediment that is risen to obstruct the conclusion of the Peace, than to enter into such particulars of actions and reasonings as may ex­asperate, will say thus much onely, that since the States General declare themselves to be fully satisfied as to the sincerity of the intentions of the King their Master, and his Majesty is no less perswaded of their disposition towards a perfect reconciliation with himself, all that remains to be done, is to find the most ready means to perfect this great Work. To which end, the Ambassadors of France do now again assure the Ambassadors of the States General, that his Majesty will rea­dily joyn with them in such expedients as shall be most proper to remove the difficulties that hinder the Signing of the Peace. The said Am­bassadors of the States General may easily have observed that no other interest with-holds his Majesty, than that of the King his Ally, whose satisfaction is the only end that he proposeth to himself in this Affair. His Majesty is also willing to admit of any proposals to accommodate it, and questions not but that some expedient may be found, with which both himself and the States General may be satisfied. But to give a publick Instance of his real intentions for Peace, and of his unfeigned affection to the States General; his Majesty desires to hear himself what they can pro­pose, to remove the impediments that stand in their way, and to joyn with them in. such expe­dients as may equally answer the security, that both himself wisheth and they desire. To this purpose his Majesty thinks fit to advance as far as St. Quentin, whither such Deputies that they shall [Page 64] resolve to send to him, may resort; and if they shall accept, as his Majesty believes they will, so beneficial an offer, his Majesty will be in that Town six days, after he shall have understood by his Ambassadors, that the States have agreed to send their Ministers thither: so that he and they may come thither at one and the same time. And as his Majesty doth not question but they will bring with them such sentiments as shall be just and reasonable, they will find his Majesty so fairly dispos'd, that they will have no cause left to question the Sincerity with which his Majesty hath begun and continued his endeavours for Peace.

But because the Ambassadors of the States Ge­neral have remonstrated to those of France, at a conference held the 17th. of this month, that since his Majesties promise not to attaque any Place in the Low Countreys is expired, it will be necessary to take some measures to procure a Cessation of all Acts of hostility, whilst this Negotiation is on foot; the said Ambassadors have already re­ceived instructions from his Majesty, to assure their Excellencies, that his Majesty will willingly agree with the Deputies of the States General, upon using all means that may prevent it's being in­terrupted by Arms.

The said Ambassadors of France, cannot but think that it will be for the advantage of the States General, to discuss this affair with his Ma­jesty, and to agree upon the Peace with him. But if they had rather treat of it nearer their own Fronteers, his Majesty gives them liberty to send their Deputies to Gand, where such persons as shall be there on his Majesties behalf, shall have power to Treat with them upon the difficulties than [Page 65] are risen concerning the time for evacuating the Places, and to conclude upon such expedients as may both satisfie his Majesty, and content the States General, and also to agree forthwith upon a Ces­sation of Hostility; so as no molestation may be given to such dispositions for Peace, as this Negocia­tion may produce.

THe Ambassador and Envoy Extraordinary of their Lordships the States General of the United Provinces, having sent to their Hi. and Mi. the Memorial of the Lords Ambassadors of France, of the 29th. of July, have received express order from their Masters to answer their Excellencies, that they were transported to understand thereby the continuance of his most Christian Majesty's real intentions for Peace; and that themselves will not be wanting on their part to do whatever may fur­ther the concluding it, and that they are ex­tremely sorry to see it stick solely upon giving the King of Sweden satisfaction, and that that should be of such consideration to his Majesty, as to be capable of giving a stop to the finishing a work that is so much desired.

The States General think, that they have done all that could possibly be expected from a State, that is a Lover of Peace; having declared their ac­ceptance [Page 66] of the Conditions which the King himself had proposed, as far as they concern themselves; and having laboured to the utmost of their power to bring their Allies to a compliance; in which endeavours they have been so successful with the King of Spain, that he likewise accepts the Condi­tions that concern himself. And yet after all this, to their great sorrow, they find themselves deprived of the benefit of those Conditions, not upon the account of any thing that might or ought to have been done by them, but because the King of Sweden must first be satisfi'd, though neither his Catholick Majesty nor themselves possessed any thing that must make part of his satisfaction; and though the said King continue daily to exercise all manner of Ho­stilities against their Inhabitants, directly contrary to Treaties solemnly ratifi'd.

Yet their Hi. and Mi. notwithstanding their Inha­bitants meet with such bad usage from the said King, and though they have evidently had just cause to fall upon him, and make War upon him, as he does upon them, have chosen rather to endea­vour a Peace in the North, and have offered to do all good offices in order to it; if his most Chri­stian Majesty will be pleased to furnish them with some Expedients; and they do yet persist in the same mind, and should be ready to propose Ex­pedients themselves, if they knew of any: But they cannot in any wise expect from his Majesties generous disposition, that after having testifi'd so much good will to them, he should oblige them to act forcibly against their Allies; and that, not to procure his Majesty better satisfaction, but meerly for the benefit of his Ally.

Their Hi. and Mi. will ever profess a great reve­rence [Page 67] for his Majesty, and will bear him as much de­ference as he can possibly desire; but they do not see of what use it will be to put his Majesty to trou­ble, by sending their Deputies to St. Quintin, not having any themselves to propose to him; for the Places must be Evacuated when the Treaty is con­cluded, in discharge of that solemn promise which his Majesty made to them; and as to that, there remains no difficulty. And concerning the King of Sweden, as his Majesties Ally, they offer to do all friendly offices for his Accommodation; and cer­tainly such endeavours cannot be made with greater likelihood of success any where else, than at Ni­meguen, where all the Ministers of the Confederates are: There we may labour to dispose them, with hopes of success; there we may be informed of what-ever may be necessary to promote the com­mon good, and may use all manner of endeavours, which cannot be so successful, either at St. Quintin or at Ghent.

The States General conceive the less hopes from such a Deputation, because the Ambassadors of France did not instance, as to what Expedients in particular their Deputies should come instructed: and they think his Majesty may propose what he would have, and do what-ever is to be done sooner, and more readily at Nimeguen, than either at St: Quintin or any other Place. They desire with all their hearts, that his Majesty would propose some Expedients to further the Peace; and them­selves will at the same time make appear, how af­fectionately they desire to help forward, as much as in them lies, the perfecting this great work: and they earnestly desire, that the time may be well husbanded, for that as yet they find them­selves [Page 68] in a condition able to conclude a Peace up­on the terms that have been proposed, though they have been involv'd in a great deal of trouble, and been put upon a necessity of entring into new Engagements, by their manner of acting, whose expectations are not answered by the Peace, and who represented the Evacuation of the Places to their Hi. and Mi. as a thing to be despaired of; though they made those Engagements with such caution and regard to his Majesty, that they can be of no effect, unless the matter should fall out so unfortunately, as that his Most Christian Ma­jesty should set such a value upon the King of Sweden's Satisfaction, and not to resolve to Eva­cuate the Places but upon those terms, though the Exchange of the Ratifications ensued upon it.

The States General do instantly desire his Ma­jesty to conclude the Treaties, and not to suffer the finishing them to stick at the King of Sweden's Satisfaction; and to make them so happy, as to give them some assurance, as soon as may be, by taking up a favourable resolution, which is the thing they so greatly desire.

THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipoten­tiaries of France, to make appear more and more his Majesties sincere desire to give quiet to all Christendom, by the care that his Majesty con­tinues to take for the removing such obstacles as hinder the accomplishing so great a work, declare to the Ambassadors of the States General, that as his Majesty design'd to retain those Places, till the King of Sweden were entirely satisfied; onely be­cause the Ambassadors of that Crown thought it necessary for the King their Master; so he is now willing to desist, if those Ambassadors will consent, that he forbear to stand upon it.

It is evident, that his Majesty doth not incline to any Party, but out of his desire to finish the affair of the Peace as soon as may be; and out of the confidence that he reposeth in the word of the States General, he hath always desired, that they would send their Deputies, either to himself, or to Ghent, both to concert what will be necessary for the warranting to his Majesty the Engagement that Spain is to enter into, of not assisting his Enemies, nor those of his Allies, and to agree upon such means as his Majesty should propose to them, for the more easie restoring of Sweden, without obliging them to enter into a War in order to it: [Page 70] And one of the first effects that would ensue upon these Conferences, would be that of taking mea­sures to supersede all Acts of Hostility, and of pro­viding for the subsisting of Mons, while the Con­ferences should last.

The said Ambassadors cannot doubt, but that such an overture will remove those difficulties that have hindred the States General, and that as the signing their Treaty, and that of Spain, was de­layed, onely by his Majesties pretending to retain all the Places; so his desisting from that, will en­able them to sign the Peace. They conceive like­wise, that the said States General will be sensible of his Majesties offers to surcease all acts of War, and assure the subsistance of Mons, which would perfectly be restored, if the Peace were concluded with their Deputies, so as there is ground of assurance that it will.

THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipoten­tiary of Sweden, being informed that the Ambassadors of the States General, at a confe­rence with the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, held the 28th of July, would have imputed to Sweden the delay that was hapned to the conclusion of the Peace, that is making up be­twixt the King their Master, and the States Ge­neral, conceive it is their duty to acquaint the [Page 71] Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty, how they have acted through­out this affair, by which it will appear not to be long of them, that the Treaty is not at present ready to be perfected and Signed.

In the first place, as the regulation of Com­merce makes the principal point of the Treaty on the part of the States General, the said Am­bassadors of Sweden have offered all the facili­ties that could be desired of them in order to it. It was upon the 20th. of June, that the Count of Oxenstierne presented an Article for referring this affair to Commissioners, which not being agreed to, and the Ambassadors of the States General, declaring that their Principals and Ma­sters desired to see the regulation finished before the Peace were concluded, the said Count of Ox­enstierne consented to enter into the particulars of the States Project of Commerce, and there­upon, on the 27th. of June, acquainted Monsieur de Beverning, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the States General, that he had drawn a Counter-Project upon some Articles not yet agreed; which Counter-Project having been read to the Sieur de Beverning, was immediately by his advice delivered to Sieur Silvercroon, Com­missary of Sweden, with orders to go quickly to the Hague, and help to inform the States General more fully by Word of mouth, of the reasons upon which the Counter-Project was grounded, the said Sieur de Beverning affirming likewise that he had writ to his Principals and Masters, to appoint Commissioners to confer all matters with him as soon as might be. Which though the said Sieur Silvercroon immediately did, and the States [Page 72] General received the Counter-Project, yet now in seven weeks time they have not return'd their answer to it, and remitted the affair hither to be adjusted and finished, by the Ambassadors and Pleni­potentiaries of both parties: in order whereunto the Ambassadors of Sweden have not failed all this time to make frequent instances, both here at Nimeguen, where they have been assisted by the Ambassadors of France, and at the Hague by the Sieur Silvercroon. Besides this point of Commerce, as there have been some complaints made that cer­tain Vessels laden with Corn, and belonging to the Subjects of this State, have been taken and carried to Straelsond, and that Count Conningsmark had taken out their lading to serve for food for his Army, the Ambassadors of Sweden having been informed of the said complaints by the Ambassa­dors of the States General, gave in a Declaration the 18th of July, that the said action of the Mare­shal of Connigsmark could not be reputed any other than a meer act of necessity, which he then was reduced to, through want of Victuals and Cor­respondence; that the parties concern'd should be satisfied to the full, and that he would pass any such Act to that end as should be thought fit, knowing that such was the King his Masters inten­tion. The same has likewise bin assured by the Com­missary Silvercroon at the Hague, and an extract has since been delivered of a Letter from the Mare­shal de Coningsmark, containing the like assurances, together with a relation how he had acted, and that he had paid the Masters of the Ships their Freight. Which things being so, the Ambassa­dors of Sweden believed that the States General would have received all the satisfaction they [Page 73] could possibly desire, and that nothing was want­ing to conclude a Peace betwixt the King their Master, and them, but to prepare such Articles as are usual almost in all Treaties of Peace, which would be no hard work for the Ambassadors of both parties to do. But in stead of that, they are surprised to understand, that there have been very bitter complaints against Sweden, in the answers that the Ambassadors of the States General gave on the 26th. of July, and the 7th. of August, to the Memorials of the Ambassadors of France, and though the Ambassadors of Sweden have here­tofore explained and declared themselves, as is before mentioned, yet they would not omit giving some proper answer to them, but that having agreed with the Ambassadors of France, that for the avoiding all sharpness, neither of them will meddle in things of that nature, they are willing to pass them all over with silence, and to endeavour something of reality; to which end they repeat their instances here at Nimeguen, as Monsieur Boreel cannot but know, as well as at the Hague by the Sieur Silvercroon, that the States General would advance the Negotiation with Sweden, that the Peace may be concluded at the same time that it shall be with France, since one cannot be with­out the other.

And the Ambassadors of Sweden apprehended, that the reiterating their instances had produced a good effect, since the Sieur Silvercroon sent word from the Hague, by the last Courrier, That he had been conferr'd with, and that the Answer to the Counter-project was ready to be sent to Nime­guen.

But whilst they were in this expectation, the [Page 74] Ambassadors of France inform them, That but yesterday the Ambassadors of the States General renew'd their complaints against Sweden, for rai­sing difficulties, and that Count Coningsmark exer­cised acts of Hostility, Confiscating Ships and Car­go's belonging to the Subjects of this State; inso­much that the States had more reason to continue the War, than to think of a Peace with Sweden.

By which the said Ambassadors perceiving with sorrow, that but little reflection is made upon what they have heretofore advanced, and being also very certain, that Monsieur Coningsmark hath not confiscated any thing belonging to the Subjects of this State, nor done any acts of Hostility against them, since they agree to make amends for all; and seeing how lightly the good Offices are thought on, which the Ambassadors of Sweden have done since they came to Nimeguen, to further a Peace for the benefit of this State; and even the endea­vours which they have but lately used with his most Christian Majesty, to facilitate the Evacuation of the Places; do entreat the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, to answer and represent to the Ambassadors of the States General, that they do ill to complain of Sweden, after it has offered so many facilities, and made so many advances; and consequently to induce them, instead of exasperating matters, rather to express such readiness and faci­lity on behalf of the States General, as may rea­sonably be expected from them, that so both Par­ties may receive that satisfaction which they wish for, in the conclusion of a good Peace. The said Ambassadors of Sweden hope, that the States Gene­ral have no intentions of protracting the Negotia­tion of the Peace with Sweden, to the end that them­selves [Page 75] may be able to make a Separate Peace with his most Christian Majesty, excluding Sweden; but they think notwithstanding, that to prevent all ob­stacles, it were well, if all hopes of such a Separa­tion were taken away. And therefore they do again desire the Ambassadors of his most Christian Ma­jesty to renew this Declaration to the Ambassadors of the States General, since it was upon this prospect, that the Ambassadors of Sweden advised the Restitu­tion of the Places.

THe States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys. To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. Having seen and examined the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, made and con­cluded at Nimeguen, the 10th. day of August, 1678. By the Sieur Comte D' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King, the Sieur Colbert, Marquiss of Croissy, Coun­sellor in ordinary in his Councel of State, and the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d'Avaux, Counsellor like­wise in his Councels, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty at the meeting at Nimeguen, in the name and on the behalf of his said Majesty; and by the Heer Hierosme de Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Cu­rator of the University at Leyden, late Counsellor [Page 92] and Treasurer General of the United Provinces, the Heer Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cort­gene, &c. first noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and at the Councel of Zeland, and the Heer Wilhem van Ha­ren, Grietman du Bildt, Deputies in our Assembly on behalf of the States of Holland, Zeland and Friesland, our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen, in our Name and on our behalf, by vertue of their full respective powers; Having likewise seen and examined the Letter which our said Ambassadors and Plenipoten­ries wrote to the said Ambassadors and Plenipo­tentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty, the six­teenth day of the said month of August; and the answer that the said Ambassadors and Plenipoten­tiaries of his said Majesty returned thereunto, con­cerning the explanation of the thirteenth Article of the said Treaty; as also the Act of the 15th. of September this present year, by which his said Ma­jesty declared his good liking of the explanation which his said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries made upon the thirteenth Article of the said Treaty of Peace, of which Treaties, Letters, Acts and Powers, the Tenour is as followeth:

And forasmuch as the Contents of the said Treaty import that the Letters of Ratification shall be de­livered on both sides in due and proper form within six weeks, or sooner if it may be, from the day of Signing; We willing to give proofs of our sinceri­ty, and to discharge the promise which our Am­bassadors made for us, have agreed, approved, and [Page 93] Ratified the said Treaty, and every Article thereof above transcribed, and do Agree to, Approve, Ra­tifie, and Confirm the same by these presents, pro­mising Faithfully and Sincerely to keep, maintain, and inviolably to observe the same in every point, according to the Form and Tenour thereof; with­out ever acting contrary thereunto directly or indi­rectly, in any manner or kind whatsoever. In Witness whereof, we have made these presents to be Signed by the President of our Assembly, and Countersigned by our Principal Register; and our great Seal to be put thereto.

LEWIS by the grace of God King of France and Navar; To all that shall see these pre­sents, Greeting. As we wish for nothing with greater ardency, then to see the War that at present afflicts Christendom, end in a good Peace; and that by the Care and Mediation of our most dear and most beloved Brother, the King of Great Brittain, the [Page 94] Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all the parties for the place of Conference: We out of this same desire, to put a stop as far as in us lies, to the desolation of so many Provinces, and the shed­ding of so much Christian blood, Declare that con­fiding entirely in the Experience, Ability, and Faith­fulness of our most dear and well beloved Cosen, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders, of our faithful and well be­loved, the Sieur Colbert Marquess de Croissy, Coun­sellor in ordinary in our Councel of State; and of our faithful and well beloved, the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Councels, by reason of the advantagious tryal that we have made of them in divers Embassies and considerable Employments, wherein we have entrusted them, both within our Kingdom and without; For these reasons and other good considerations us thereunto moving, We have Appointed, Ordained, and De­puted, and by these presents Signed with our hand, do Appoint, Ordain, and Depute the said Sieurs, Marshal d' Estrades, Marquess de Croissy, and Comte d' Avaux, and have given unto them, and do hereby give full Power, Commission, and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and to Confer there, either directly or by the interposition of Ambassadors Mediators, re­spectively received and agreed to; with all Am­bassadors and Ministers of our most Dear and great Friends, the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys, and of their Allies; being all qualified with sufficient Powers, and there to Treat upon means for the determining and appeasing the differences that cause the War at this day; And our [Page 95] said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three to­gether, or two of them in absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or one of them in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other impediment, may agree and con­clude thereon, and Sign a good and sure Peace, and generally may do, Negociate, Promise and Agree whatever they shall think necessary for the said Peace, with the same authority that we should do or might do, if we were there present in Person; although some things should happen that might require more particular instructions than are con­tain'd in these presents. Promising on the Faith and Word of a King, to hold firm and fulfil what­ever by the said Sieurs, Marshal de' Estrades, Mar­quess de Croissy, and Comte d' Avauz, or by two of them in the absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or by one onely in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other im­pediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and agreed, and to cause our Letters of Ratification to be dispatched within such time as they shall have promised in our Name to exhibit them. For such is our pleasure; In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be set to these presents.

THe States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys, to all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we desire nothing with greater ardency than to see the War that at this pre­sent oppresseth Christendom, end in a good Peace, and since by the care and mediation of the Most Illustrious King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed to by all parties for a place of Conference, We desiring as far as in us lies, to put a stop to the desolation of so many Provin­ces, and the shedding so much Christian blood, have been willing to contribute thereto whatever lies in our power, and to that end have deputed to that Assembly some Persons of our own body, who have given manifold proof as well of their know­ledge and experience in publick Affairs, as of their affection for the good of our State, and since the Heeren Hierosme van Beverning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University of Leyden, late United Provin­ces, Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cort­gene, &c. first noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States Councel of Zeland, and Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Bildt, De­puted to our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland, Zeland and Friezland, have Signalized themselves in many important employments, in our service, wherein they have given instances of their [Page 97] fidelity, presence of mind, and readiness in the managment of Affairs. For these causes and other good considerations us thereunto moving, we have appointed, ordain'd, and deputed, the said Heeren Van Beverning, Van Odyke, and Van Haren, and do appoint, ordain, and depute them by these presents; and have given them, and do hereby give them, full Power, Commission, and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Am­bassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and there to Confer, either directly or by the interposition of Ambassadors Mediators, received and agreed to respectively, with the Am­bassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty and his Allies, being qualified with sufficient powers; and there to Treat upon means for the determining and appeasing the differences that occasion the War at this day; and our aforesaid Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together, or two of them in absence of the third by reason of sickness or other impediment, or one onely in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other impediment, may agree and conclude thereupon, and Sign a good and sure Peace, and generally may act, negotiate, promise and agree what ever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace, and generally may do whatever we our selves might do, if we were there present, even in such things as might require more particular power and instructions than are contained in these presents: And we do promise truly and faithfully to like well and hold for firm and stable whatever, by the said Heeren our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, or by two of them in case of sickness, absence, or other impediment of the third, [Page 98] or by one onely in absence of the other two, on the like occasion of sickness or other impediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and agreed, and to cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification within such time as they shall have promised in our name to exhibit them.

LEWIS by the grace of God, King of France and Navar, to all that shall see these presents, greeting. Since our most dear and wel-beloved Cosen, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders, our faithful and wel-beloved, the Sieur Colbert, Marquess of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in our Councel of State, and our faithful and wel-beloved, the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Councels, our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentia­ries, by vertue of the plenary powers which we had given them, have Concluded, Agreed, and Signed, on the tenth day of this month at Nimeguen, with [Page 99] the Sieur Hierosene van Beverning, Baron of Tey­lingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, heretofore Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys, the Sieur Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first noble and representative of the Nobility in the States and at the Councel of Leyden, and the Sieur Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Bildt, Am­bassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most Dear and great Friends, the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys, qualified likewise with plenary powers, this Article in Tenour as followeth; viz.

As in pursuance of the War which for some years has hapned betwixt the Most Christian King, and the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countreys, his Majesty caused to be seized all things belonging to the Prince of Orange, as well the Principality of Orange as other his Lands and Seignories lying in France, and granted the Re­venues thereof to Monsieur the Comte d' Auvengne, who enjoys the same at present, and since by the grace of God a Peace is setled by the Treaty this day concluded, and so all the angry effects of War ought to cease, his Majesty hath promised to the said Prince, and doth promise by this separate Act, that immediately after the Ratifications exchanged, his Majesty will take off the said Seizure, and cause the said Prince to be restored to the possession of the said Principality, and of the Lands which belong to him in France, Franche Comte, Charleroy, Flan­ders, and other Countreys depending upon his Majesties Rule, and to all his rights, actions, privi­ledge, usages, and prerogatives, in such estate [Page 100] and manner as he enjoyed the same, till he was dispossess'd by reason of the present War.

THe States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys. To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. Since besides the Treaty of Peace made and concluded at Nimeguen on the 10th. day of the month of August, 1678. There was likewise made a separate Article by the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King, the Sieur Col­bert, Marquess of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in his Councel of State, and the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor likewise in his Coun­cels, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipoten­tiaries of his Most Christian Majesty at the Assem­bly at Nimeguen, in the name and on the behalf of his said Majesty, and by the Sieur Hierosme de Be­verning, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University of Leyden, heretofore Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces, the Sieur Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cortgene and first Noble, and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and at the Councel of Zeland, and the Sieur Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Bildt, deputies in our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland, Zeland, and Friezland, our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen, in our name and on our behalf by vertue of their respective plenary pow­ers, of which separate Article, the Tenour is as followeth; viz.

LEWIS, Comte de Vermandois, Admiral of France, To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. We do you to know, that we have given leave and prmission to Master and Governour of the Ship called of the Town of of the burthen of Tuns, or thereabout, lying at present in [Page 123] the Port and Haven of to sail to laden with after his Ship shall have been search'd, who before he depart, shall make oath before such Officers, as have the jurisdiction of Marine causes, that the said Vessel belongeth to one or more of his Majesties Subjects, the Certificate of which oath shall be annex'd to these presents, as also to keep and cause to be kept by his Ships crew, the or­dinances and regulations for maritime affairs, and shall enter in the office a Catalogue, signed and cer­tified of the names and surnames, and the places of birth and abode of his Ships crew, and of all such as he shall have on board, whom he may not take in, without the knowledge and leave of the Officers for Maritime affairs; and in every Port or Haven, where he shall enter with his Ship, he shall shew to the Officers and Judges of Maritime causes, this pre­sent Licence, and shall give them a faithful account of what shall have happened in his Voyage, and shall carry the Kings Flags, Arms, and Ensigns, and ours, during his Voyage. In witness whereof, we have caused our Sign and Seal of Arms to be set to these presents; and have caused them to be under­written by our Secretary for Maritime affairs, at the day of one thousand six hundred Signed Lewis, Comte de Vermandois. And underneath Signed, by A form of the certificate containing the oath. We of the Admiralty certifie that Master of the Ship named in the foregoing Pass-port, has taken [Page 124] the Oath therein mentioned, Given at the day of one thousand, six hundred

TO the most Serene, most Illustrious, most Mighty, Honourable, and prudent Lords, Em­perors, Kings, Commonwealths, Princes, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Lords, Burgermasters, Sherifs, Counsellors, Judges, Officers, Justitiars, and Gover­nors of all good Towns and Places, as well Ecclesi­astical as Secular, which shall see or read these pre­sents, We the Burgermasters and Governors of the Town of do to know that Master of the Ship appearing before us, hath solemnly deposed upon Oath, that the Ship called of the burden of about Lastes, of which at present he is Master, belongeth to the Inha­bitants of the United Provinces, as God should help him, and as we should be willing to see the said Master assisted in his lawful Affairs, so we require you all in general, and those in particular, where the said Master with his Ship and Wares, shall arrive, that they will be pleased to receive him courteously, [Page 125] and duly to treat him, if he shall be a sufferer, with relation to the accustomed duties of Customs and Freights, within, through, and at your Ports, Ri­vers, and Demesnes, suffering him to Sail, Pass, Frequent, and Negotiate where he shall think fit, which we shall willingly acknowledge. In witness whereof, we have caused the Seal of our Town to be set hereto.

LEWIS, by the grace of God King of France and Navar, To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we desire nothing with greater ar­dency, then to see the War, with which Christendom is at present afflicted, end in a good Peace; and since by the Care and Mediation of our most dear and most beloved Brother, the King of Great Brit­tain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all parties, for the Place of Conference; We out of the same desire, to put a stop as much as in us lies, to the desolation of so many Provinces, and the effusion of so much Christian Blood, give to under­stand that we confiding entirely in the experience, ability, and fidelity, of our most dear and well-be­loved Cosen, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of our Orders, of our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert, Marquiss of Croissy, Counsellor in ordinary in our Councel of State, and of our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur [Page 126] de Mesmes, Comte d' Avaux, Counsellor also in our Councels, by reason of the advantagious trials that we have made of them in diverse Embassies, and con­siderable employments, wherein we have intrusted them, both within our Kingdom, and with­out, for these causes and other good considerations, us thereunto moving, we have appointed, ordained and deputed, and by these presents Signed with our hand, do appoint, ordain, and depute the said Sieurs, the Marshal d' Estrades, the Marquiss of Croissy, and the Comte d' Avaux, and have given them, and do hereby give them full Power, Commissi­on, and special Order, to repair to the Town of Ni­meguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordi­nary, and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and there to confer, either immediately, or by the Me­diation of the Ambassadors Mediators, respectively received and agreed to, with all Ambassadors and Ministers of our most dear and great friends, the States general of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys, and their Allies, being all armed with sufficient Powers, and to Treat there of means, for the determining and appeasing the differences that cause the War at this day; and our said Ambassa­dors and Plenipotentiaries may all three together, or two of them in absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or one onely in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, agree thereupon, and conclude and sign a good and sure Peace, and may generally act, negotiate, promise, and agree, whatever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace, with the same authority that we should or might do, if we were present there in Person, even though there should be some things that might require more par­ticular [Page 127] instructions then are contain'd in these pre­sents: Promising on the Faith and Word of a King, to hold firm and fulfil whatever by the said Sieurs, Marshal d' Estrades, Marquiss de Croissy, and Comte d' Avaux, or by two of them, in absence of the third, through sickness or other impediment, or by one only, in ansence of the other two, in like case of sicknes, or other impediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and agreed, and cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification, within such time as they shall have promised in our name to furnish them: For such is our pleasure. In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be put to these presents.

THe States General of the United Previnces of the Low Countreys, To all that shall see these pre­sents, Greeting. As we desire nothing more ardent­ly, then to see the War, with which Christendom is at present afflicted, end in a good Peace, and that by the Care and the Mediation of the most Serene King of Great Brittain, the Town of Nimeguen has [Page 128] been agreed upon by all parties for the place of Con, ference; We out of the same desire to put a stop­as much as in us lies, to the desolation of so many Provinces, and the effusion of so much Christian blood, have been willing to contribute thereto all that is in our power, and to this end, have deputed to that Assembly, some persons of our own body, who have given many instances both of their know­ledge and experience in publick Affairs, and of their affection for the good of our State; and as the Heeren Hierosme van Beverning, Baron of Teyling­ham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Counsellor and Treasurer-General of the United Provinces, Wilhem van Nassaw, Heer van Odyke, Cort­gene, &c. and first noble and representative of the Nobility, in the States and Councel of the Province of Zeland, and Wilhem van Haren, Grietman van Blidt, deputed to our Assembly, on the behalf of the States of Holland, Zeland, and Friezland, have signaliz'd themselves, in many important employments in our service, wherein they have given instances of their fidelity, their presence of mind and readiness in the management of Affairs; so for these causes and other considerations us thereunto moving, we have appointed, ordained, and deputed, and do by these presents appoint, ordain, and depute, the said Heeren van Beverning, van Odyke, and van Haren, and have given them, and do hereby give them full Pow­er, Commission, and special Order, to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries for the Peace, and to confer there, either immediately, or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators, re­spectively received and agreed to, with the Ambassa­dors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of his most [Page 129] Christian Majesty, and his Allies, armed with suffici­ent Powers, and there to treat upon means for de­termining and appeasing the Differences that occasi­on the War at this day: And our aforesaid Ambas­sadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together, or two of them, in absence of the third, through sick­ness or other impediment, or one only, in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness or other impediment, may agree thereupon, and conclude and sign a good and firm Peace, and generally may act, negotiate, promise and accord, what-ever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace, and generally may do what-ever we might do, if we were there present; though to that end, there should be need of more particular Power and Order, than is contain'd in these presents: Promising sincerely and faithfully well to like, and firm and stable to hold, what-ever by the said Heeren, our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, or by two of them, in case of sickness, absence, or other impediment of the third, or by one only, in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, shall have been stipulated, promised and accorded, and to cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification, within such time as they shall have promised in our Name to furnish them.

LEWIS by the Grace of God, King of France, and of Navarre: To all that shall see these presents, greeting. Since our most dear and well­beloved Cousin, the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Mar­shal of France, and Knight of our Orders, our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert, Mar­quess of Croissy, Councellor in Ordinary in our Councel of State, and our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes, Comte d' Avaux, Councellor also in our Councels, our Ambassadors Extraordi­nary, and Plenipotentiaries, by vertue of the ple­nary Powers which we had given them, have con­cluded, agreed and signed, on the tenth day of this Moneth, in the Town of Nimeguen, with the Heer Hierosme, Van Beverningh, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Coun­sellor and Treasurer, General of the United Pro­vinces of the Low-Countries, the Heer Wilhem Van Nassaw, Heer Van Odyke, Cortgene, and first Noble, and representative of the Nobility, in the States and Councel of Zeland, and the Heer Wilhem Van Ha­ren, Grietman Van Blidt, Ambassadors Extraordi­nary, and Plenipotentiaries of our most dear and great Friends the States General of the United Pro­vinces of the Low-Countries, armed likewise with full Powers, this separate Article, in tenor as follow­eth, viz.

It hath been stipulated on the behalf of the Most Christian King, and consented to by the Lords, the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, That the Equality which is precisely to be observed, with relation to the Subjects of each and the Natives, as to Duties, Charges and Impositions, according to the seventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce this day concluded, shall not derogate from the Imposition of fifty Sols per Tun, imposed in France upon Stranger's Ships, and that the Sub­jects of the Lords, the States General of the Uni­ted Provinces of the Low-Countries, shall be bound to pay the same, as other Strangers, unless his Ma­jesty, upon such Remonstrances as may hereafter be made to him, on the behalf of the said Lords, the States General, considering the same with that great affection, with which his Majesty is pleased to honour them, shall order otherwise. But necessary Orders shall from this present be given by his said Majesty, That the said Imposition of fifty Sols be ex­acted from Ships belonging to the Subjects of the said United Provinces but once in each Voyage, at their going out of the Ports of His Kingdom, and not at their coming in; and that the said Ships, if laden with Salt, pay but a Moiety of the said fifty Sols, upon condition, that if the said Lords, the States, shall think fit to lay the like Imposition up­on Stranger's Ships with them (which they shall be free to do) they shall not exceed, with relation to his said Majestie's Subjects, the proportion of what their own Subjects pay in France, the said seventh Article remaining, in relation to all other Duties, Charges and Impositions, present and future, in full force and vertue, without being lyable to be li­mitted or exceeded by any other exception or re­striction [Page 133] whatsoever, other than as above is expres­sed.

Which separate Article shall be of like force and vertue, as if it were inserted into the body of the aforesaid general Treaty, this day concluded.

THE States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries. To all that shall see these presents, greeting. Since on the 10th day of this Moneth of August, in the year 1678. there has been made and concluded at Nimeguen, a Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Marine, by the Sieur Comte d' Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King, the Sieur Golbert, Marquess of Croissy, Councellor in Ordi­nary in his Councel of State, and the Sieur de Mes­mes, Comte d' Avaux, Councellor also in his Coun­cels, Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipoten­tiaries of his Most Christian Majesty, at the Assem­bly at Nimeguen, in the Name and on the behalf of his said Majesty; and by the Heer Hierosme, Van Beverningh, Baron of Teylingham, Curator of the University at Leyden, late Councellor and Treasurer-General of the United Provinces, the Heer Wilhem Van Nassaw, Heer Van Odyke, Cortgene, and first Noble, and representing the Order of the Nobility, in the States and Councel of Zeland, and the Heer Wilhem Van Haren, Grietman Van Blidt, deputed to our Assembly, on behalf of the States of Holland, Zeland and Friesland, our Ambassadors and Pleni­potentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen, in our Name, and on our behalf, by vertue of their respective plenary Powers, of which Treaty and Powers, the tenor is as followeth, viz.

AND inasmuch as the Contents of the said Treaty import, That the Ratifications of the same shall be delivered in due form, and exchang'd on both sides, within the space of six Weeks, reckoning from the day of Signing: We willing to give proofs of our sincerity, and to discharge our selves of the Promise, which our said Ambassadors have made for us, have agreed, approved and ratified the said Treaty, and every Article thereof above-written, and do by these presents agree, approve and ratifie the same: Pro­mising faithfully and sincerely to keep, maintain, and inviolably to observe the same in all points, accor­ding to the form and tenor thereof, without ever acting any thing to the contrary, directly or indi­rectly, in any sort or manner whatsoever. In token whereof, we have caused these presents to be signed by the President of our Assembly, and under-writ­ten by our Principal Register, and our Great Seal to be set thereto.

WE do all to know, That a good, firm, stable and solid Peace, together with an entire and sincere Friendship and Reconciliation, hath been made and accorded between the Most High, Most Excellent, and Most Mighty Prince Lewis, by the Grace of God, King of France and of Navarr, our Sovereign Lord, and the Lords, the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, their Vassals, Sub­jects and Servants, in all their Kingdoms, Coun­tries, Lands and Seignories, under their obedience. That the said Peace is general, betwixt them and their said Vassals and Subjects; and that by means thereof, it is permitted to them to go, come, return, and sojourn in all places of the said Kingdoms, Estates and Countries, to negotiate and trade, hold correspondence, and have communication with one another, and that with all liberty, freedom and safe­ty, both by Land and Sea, and in Rivers, and other Waters, and in all respects, as it has been and ought to be, in times of good, sincere, and loving Peace, such as the Divine Goodness has been pleased to be­stow upon our said Lord the King, and the said Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, their Peoples and Subjects. And to continue them there­in, all Persons, of what quality or condition soever, are most expresly prohibited to take in hand, at­tempt, or innovate any thing to the contrary, or in prejudice thereof, on pain of being severely pu­nished, as breakers of the Peace, and disturbers of the publick Quiet.

BY vertue of his Majestie's Order directed to us, given at Fountain-bleau, the 28th of this Moneth, Signed Lewis, and underneath Colbert. We require, the King's Proctor being heard to it, That his Majestie's Ordinance, that has this day been published, be posted up at all cross ways, and usual places in the City of Paris; and that the Sub­stitutes of the King's Proctor, take care to have it read and publish'd, in all the King's Courts of Ju­stice, from which there lye Appeals to us, sitting the Courts, all which shall certifie the same to us within fifteen days. And we forbid his Majestie's Subjects to oppose the same, on pain of being pro­ceeded against as breakers of the Peace, and disturb­ers of the publick Quiet.

THE Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, having Affairs of great importance to impart to your Excellence, have Commissionated us under-written their Deputies Extraordinary, and to this end their Hi. and Mi. have provided us of this Letter of Credit, to present to your Excel­lence.

The Assistances which his Catholique Majesty gave to the State of the United Provinces in the beginning of this War, were so useful and advanta­gious to this Commonwealth, that their Hi. and Mi. shall ever be mindful of it: And to testifie, as soon as was possible, their resentment thereof to his Ca­tholick Majesty, they failed not to come with all their Forces to his Majestie's succour, when his Pro­vinces were attack'd by the Arms of the King of France; and they assure themselves that your Ex­cellence is perswaded of it, since your Excellence sees how much their Hi. and Mi. do to this day con­tribute to the preservation of his Majestie's Country. And notwithstanding this War has been continued many years, and at an infinite expence, yet the ef­fects have been so unfortunate, that the King of France, being puff'd up with his Victories and Con­quests, will not come out of it, but upon the Con­ditions that have been delivered at Nimeguen to the Mediators, which your Excellence knows what they are.

Which Conditions, considered in themselves, are indeed too hard, and of such a nature as they ought to be rejected, which also their Hi. and Mi. would do in regard of their Allies, and chiefly in regard of his Catholick Majesty, as concerning the Low-Countries, in the preservation whereof they find themselves so deeply interessed.

But when their Hi. and Mi. reflect upon the Power of the King of France, which hitherto and during this War has been such, that he has not only made Head against the Armies of his Catholick Majesty, and those of the United Provinces, and their Allies, but has made great Conquests in divers Parts, they conceive a just apprehension, that these Conditions, how hard soever, ought yet to be prefer'd, consi­dering the present state of Affairs, to a continuance of the War, which in all probability would prove very fatal.

Which makes our Masters the States General of the Low-Countries, incline to look upon these Con­ditions, as receivable, if they should have the hap­piness to find their Allies, and especially his Catho­lick Majesty in the same Sentiments.

And should very much wish, That your Excel­lence, on the behalf of his Catholick Majesty, would concur with them, to make them as agreea­ble, as may be, to the other Allies.

And in the mean time give Order to labour for a prolongation of the Term, which the King of France has given by his Proposition at Nimeguen.

We expect your Excellencie's Answer as soon as may be, upon the premisses, as being the only Sub­ject of this Commission.

HIS Excellence having considered this Memo­rial, and that the loss of Flanders, by the hardness of the Conditions of France, will be greater and more dishonourable, than by the ill success of Arms, must hope that the States General will not further it, since his Majesty, wholly for its preser­vation, has exposed himself to the manifest hazards of War, which he has suffered so much by. Also the punctual and religious observance of such strict Treaties, with his said Majesty, to which the pub­lick Faith obligeth them, will not permit him to make a doubt of it, especially since his Majesty hath and always will havè a firm desire and intention, to contribute as much as possibly he can to their pre­servation; and that in regard of the Expedient pro­pos'd, of making new Alliances, for the making sure the said impracticable Conditions of France, it is to be considered, that the time in which pre­cisely they must be concluded, can be no other than that of the Campagne, from which, by means of our so late Alliance with his Majesty of Great Bri­tain, we ought to expect, by a more prosperous suc­cess, some redress of Affairs; and it would be a breach of Faith, to abandon his Forces in this Con­juncture, by admitting Conditions so forlorn, and at the same time failing in our Fidelity to his Im­perial [Page 141] Majesty, and the other High Allies, especially since the Emperour is resolv'd to run to the defence of Flanders, rather than to the reparation of his own losses, and the other High Allies are upon a Treaty, of joyning and imploying all their Forces against France: His Excellence being able likewise to assure them, That the King, his Master, since the reduction of Sicily, is resolv'd to imploy all his Power, as his Excellence likewise all his Cares, for the defence and re-establishing of this Country; to which, his Excellence hopes, the States General will concur on their part, in an Occurrence, which as it is urgent, so it concerns the greatest good of the common Cause, as being the only mean to ob­tain a just and lasting Peace.

Given at Brussels,the 9th of May, 1678.

THE Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, having seen and perused your Ex­cellencie's Answer to the Memorial, that we, their under-written Deputies Extraordinary, presented the 8th of this Moneth, could have wished, That your Excellence had not only considered the Condi­tions offered by the King of France, as they are in themselves, but had also made reflexion upon the [Page 142] present state of Affairs, and considered, that the King of France, being become Master of all the Frontier Towns of his Catholick Majestie's Nether­lands, was entred into the heart of them, and had made himself Master even of the Town of Gand, be­ing very strong in the Field, and at the Head of a very formidable Army, ready for any enterprize, and in the greatest appearance in the world of suc­ceeding and conquering where he will: Whereas the Troops of the Allies, not being yet come toge­ther, much less in a condition to make Head against him, and oppose his designs. Hence it is, that their Hi. and Mi. apprehend with great reason, that what remains to the King of Spain in the Low-Countries, will infallibly be lost, if it be not saved, by accept­ing the Conditions of Peace that are offered; and it would be a thing very sensible to their Hi. and Mi. if what his Catholick Majesty has yet left in the Low-Countries, should be so lost, after such infi­nite expences, and so much blood spilt, for their preservation. Your Excellence knows but too well, by what has lately happened, what Account one has to make of the Troops of the Confederates, upon occasion. The Assistance which is expected from his Majesty of Great Britain, is very considerable, and will be of great support to our Party; but it deserves your Excellencie's consideration, that those Troops are but newly raised, and that it will require some time to enure them to the War, that as yet there are but few of them in these Parts, and we are uncertain when the rest will come; whereas on the other side, every moment is precious, and great misfortunes may happen in a short space. And moreover, the States, as they have made it to be declared to your Excellence, are not in a condition [Page 143] to carry on the War, in such manner, and with so much vigor, as they have done hitherto, seeing their Treasures are exhausted, and their People not able to contribute so much any longer.

As the Lords, the States General, will always acknowledge to have received, in the beginning of this War, very important and useful Succours from his Catholick Majesty, so they hope, your Excel­lence will do them the justice to confess, that they have not been wanting in the sequel of it, to testifie their acknowledgment, by using their endeavours, and being at extraordinary charges to assist this Country; and at least that it is not to be imputed to them, that the King of France has made so great a progress, and that he will not make Peace, but upon such disadvantagious Conditions, as whereby the Country will indeed be much weakned, and hardly able to maintain necessary Troops for its de­fence; but on the other hand, the Places will not be so dis-joyn'd, nor the Country so divided, as it was before the War, which will make it easier to be kept and preserved. These Defects may likewise be supplyed by Alliances, and a little time may do much toward a redress of Affairs, and making the King's Subjects, and particularly those of the Uni­ted Provinces, capable of assisting one another; who at present are in so lamentable a condition, and so utterly unable, that they cannot be obliged to a continuance of the extraordinary charges, without great hazard, and without exposing them to the ut­most extremity, and finding our selves reduced to a necessity, either of accommodating with the Enemy, whether we will or no, or of lying down under the burden. To which they do not think your Excel­lence will be of opinion, That they stand obliged by [Page 144] those Treaties, that had no other end, than the good of the Allies, and the safety of their People. The said Lords, the States General, have also thought fit, to have it represented to your Excellence, That being informed, That the Ambassadors and Plenipo­tentiaries of the King of France, would be authori­zed to conclude upon a Truce, to the very last Day of December next; they have Ordered their Pleni­potentiaries at Nimeguen to discourse it with them, and see whether they would make one for six Weeks, or three Months at most: Hoping, that if it can be obtain'd, your Excellence will not be dis­pleased with it, but agree to it, for such Reasons as have been alledged to your Excellence, by word of mouth, and as your Excellence may consider with your self.

HIS Excellence having seen the Memorial of the Heeren Boreel and de Weede, Deputies Extra­ordinary of the Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, of the 14th of this Month, and desiring on his part to contribute to the greater sa­tisfaction of their Hi. and Mi. will agree to a sus­pension [Page 145] of Arms for six Weeks, upon Conditions that shall be judged such, as whereby the suspension of Arms may not produce worse effects, than a con­tinuation of Hostility, and of the War, well under­stood, that regard ought to be had to the King of Great Britain's Answer, to the Representation made to his Majesty by their Hi. and Mi. according to that made to his Excellence by the said Deputies on the 8th of this Month, and also that the Ministers of his Imperial Majesty, and those of the High Allies, be acquainted with it. And to the end that this reso­lution may be the more easie, his Excellence is of opinion, that the matter may be adjusted at Nime­guen, or the Hague; whereupon the Lords, the States General, will have reason to acknowledge, what consideration his Majesty and his Excellence make of Representations from their Hi. and Mi. and in the mean time it is not doubted, but they will use their utmost endeavours, to run to the de­fence of the Low-Countreys with all their Forces, that in this interval of time they may not suffer greater shocks.

Given at Brussels, the 16th of May, 1678.

WE have heard the Proposition that your Ex­cellencies made to us two days since, contain­ing [Page 146] in substance, That the Lords, the States Gene­ral, could not carry on the War any longer, and found themselves obliged to make Peace, for such Reasons as were then more particularly deduced. Your Excellencies would then have known our Sen­timents thereupon, and you desire the same thing again at this present. Not to fail therein, we hope above all things, that your Excellencies and all the World will do his Imperial Majesty the justice to believe, that he has always behav'd himself like a good and faithful Ally towards all, both in Peace and War. We will not enlarge upon that. His Army has always been seen in the Field, in great numbers, in good order; it is evident, that he has imploy'd it for the good of the common Cause, and that he has made it act in such places as were thought most surable; 'twere needless to particula­rize the Campagnes, where all was acted for the publick good. Moreover, his Imperial Majesty has assisted his Allies with all the Forces he could, if not with all he would: The Rebellion that has been raised against him in Hungary, is also publickly known, and how both his own Subjects, and the Turk and the Tartar have been stirred up against him; and yet so evident and so near a danger, has not been able to divert or decrease his Forces for the common Interests. Besides, that it is known, he hath sent his Army into the Low-Countries, to support the acting there, whereby the Enemy had an opportunity to take Friburg from him, which makes so much difficulty now. As his Majesty has been intent upon the Affairs of the War, so he has been no less upon those of Peace: And, as your Excellencies can bear us witness, we his Ambassa­dors have neglected nothing that might promote it; [Page 147] and because we believed, that the most effectual mean to obtain a reasonable Peace, was to act vi­gorously, we have done all we could, as hath been already said.

For the present, it cannot be doubted, but the Emperour will understand with sorrow, That your Excellencies think Affairs reduced to such extremi­ties, that there is a necessity of making a Peace, to prevent greater: Your Excellencies have told us your Sentiments thereupon, and the Spaniards theirs. As for our own, we find, in the first place, That this manner of acting from France, to pre­scribe Conditions of Peace, and admit no Treaties upon them, is against the style and the custom al­ways practis'd among Soveraign Powers; and we are far from being able to discover by that, any such desire of Peace, as the French make so great osten­tation of. For the Peace it self, his Imperial Ma­jesty desires it as much as any, and desires it may be general, that the publick repose may be obtain'd, which is his only aim, and the common safety also, which is the chief thing that ought to be procur'd by the said Peace. Your Excellencies confess your selves, that the Conditions contain'd in the Decla­ration of France, are too hard and violent; you have told us likewise, that your meaning is not, that we ought to pass all the Contents of them. You have desired to know our Sentiments upon this Subject, tendring the Offices of the States General, for reducing them to terms of Equity; and we, for our parts, told you then the Reasons, why we can­not explain our selves fully thereupon.

Howsoever, we declar'd our selves here in the As­sembly, to the Heer Ambassador Haren, that we could not admit of the Alternative, that concerns [Page 148] the Emperour and the Empire, barely as it is ex­pressed. We have often deduced the Reasons, as well why we cannot restore Philipsburg, as why we cannot leave Friburg in the hands of the French. We hope all the World will think them well ground­ed, and with all this we have not fail'd to acquaint the Emperour by a Courier Express, whose return we expect. In the mean time, being willing to leave nothing undone on our side, that may fur­ther the Peace, we again pray your Excellencies, to interpose those good Offices which you offered us, to dispose the Ambassadors of France.

1. To admit of more equitable Conditions of Peace.

2. To treat with us upon them, since we are rea­dy on our side, and desirous to do it with all kind of moderation.

3. To take the same care for the Interests of our Allies, as for our selves, particularly for his Highness the Duke of Lorrain, who has been used worst of all, and that the Estates of the Empire may also have due satisfaction.

My Lords, This is all that we are in a condition of saying to you at present.

ALL that we can say upon the present Subject, is but to confirm and approve, as we do abso­lutely, what Mons. the Duke de Villa Hermosa, hath [Page 149] said and expressed in his Writing, dated at Brussels, the 3d of June, 1678. declaring only, that we will not separate our selves from the Interests of our Allies, either in Peace or War, in whatsoever may depend upon the King our Master.

WHosoever shall compare the time that is elaps'd, since the return of his Excellence the Heer Ambassador van Beverningh, from the Journey which he took to his Most Christian Majesty, and since he communicated his Report only to the Mini­sters of the High Allies at the Hague, with that within which they require of us a final Declaration, on behalf of his Majesty the King our Master, upon so nice a matter, as concerns no less than an abso­lute decision betwixt accepting a Peace, and conti­nuing the War, may easily observe, that it has not been sufficient for us to receive necessary Orders from our Master thereupon, and apprehend, that it is not in the power of Ministers, to determine of their own heads so important a resolution.

Fearing lest this might happen, we required a convenient delay, by a Memorial delivered above eight days ago, into the hands of their Excellen­cies, the Lords, Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the States General; but to this present no Answer thereunto has ensued, and instead thereof, [Page 150] the necessity of Affairs, the lamentable condition of the Spanish Low-Countries, the United Provinces not being able to raise supplies, for defraying the excessive expences of the War, what-ever hope we might have form'd to our selves of assistance from England, being utterly vanish'd, and the formida­ble Power of the Enemy, are now laid for a founda­tion, to the measures that are to be taken to pre­vent that by Peace, which 'tis believ'd cannot be hindred by continuing the War. The King our Master could not understand these extremities, but with the utmost compassion and perplexity of mind; and if he be thought capable of bringing any reme­dy on his side, we can give assurance on his behalf, that he will apply himself to it with the same gene­rosity, care and concern, out of which he has hi­therto made appear by the effects, that his only content and repose consists in the welfare of his Allies.

In the mean time, it is a very difficult thing to give any counsel and advice, in a matter that seems to be already determined, and which sticks at no­thing but the formality of its execution.

On Saturday last, their Excellencies, the Ambas­sadors of the Lords the States General, declar'd to us, That their Masters saw no other mean to save themselves from the ruine, which was like to drag them, through that of the Spanish Low-Countries, into the utter subversion of their Common-wealth, than that of a sudden Peace. They told us, That the Lords Ambassadors of France expressed them­selves dispos'd, to conclude one separately with them, and all those that should desire to come into it, they invited us to joyn with them in it, and at the same time assur'd us, that since of necessity they [Page 151] must avoid the confusion, that the Answer they should have to make to the Most Christian King, concerning the accepting a cessation of Arms, would bring them into, they found themselves obliged to make a Peace alone, to their own best advantage, before the end of this present Month, though we should not be able in that time to concur with them in it; this cessation of Arms not being necessary to them, for their own particular interests.

What room is left then for any counsel or advice in the Case? We see no other measures to take, for what concerns the King our Master, than to put their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Lords the States General, in mind of their own Assertion, to wit, That this Peace, even though they should see themselves obliged to make it with France, should keep the Lords, the States General, their Masters, no less under the power of their engagements, at the bottom of the mutual Treaties betwixt them and their Allies, and to pray them, as we do most in­stantly, to proceed in it with such caution and wis­dom, as that it may not at the same time involve any prejudicial consequence to that of the North.

The 18th Article of the Treaty betwixt his Ma­jesty, and the Lords the States General, upon the occasion of the present War, shews plainly, how far his Majesty and they stand mutually engaged to one another. We are bound in duty to insist upon it, till we have received Orders from our Master to dispence with it, which of our own heads we cannot do; and we conjure the Lords the States General, by what-ever is most sacred in the publick Faith, and in such solemn stipulations, not to do or take in hand any thing that may derogate from its force.

We wish for the Peace, as much as it can be wish'd for, and envy it not our Allies; if they will shew us a way to obtain a sure and honourable Peace, we embrace it from this day forward; and if France will make a Peace with his Majesty, we believe he is altogether ready to accept it, so it be founded up­on Reason, and the good union, which will always keep him inseparable from the fortune of his Al­lies.

Finally, We pray God to inspire always the Lords the States General with Counsels worthy their moderation, and the consideration which they ought to have, for those whom themselves have drawn in­to the perils of the present War, and to bless their Designs and Advances, for the security of the gene­ral Quiet of all Christendom.

THE Ambassador of Brandenburg says, That it was evident, that his Electoral Serenity his Master, before the Most Christian King took up Arms against their Hi. and Mi. the States General, failed not to do all he could to divert him, and that likewise since the fire of this War has been kindled, he has desired nothing more earnestly, than to see it quench'd as soon as might be, and the publick repose every where establish'd; and that it was upon the sole consideration of promoting the Peace, that his Electoral Serenity entred into such strict Bonds with [Page 153] his Allies, and especially with their Hi. and Mi. that he hath expos'd and sacrific'd his Person and Estates for that, and hath enjoyn'd his Plenipoten­tiaries at this Congress, and renews his Orders time after time, to labour for a Peace with their utmost endeavours, according to the Alliances betwixt the Confederates, which prescribe a method to be ob­served for obtaining a general Peace, that was agreed on joyntly by them all. That their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of their Hi. and Mi. alledged two days since, that their Lordships, the States, both in respect of the condition of their own Provinces, and that of others, find themselves at present redu­ced to a necessity of making a Peace with France, whether they will or no. That at the same time, to observe their Alliances, they express a desire to have their Allies joyn with them in it; but that withal they think themselves necessitated, for the saving their Common-wealth from the shipwrack that threatens it, to make a Peace alone, or with­out the Confederates, in case they cannot accept the Conditions that France hath prescribed; that there­upon they required the resolution of their Allies with all speed, that they might take their Measures thereby, at the Consultation that is to be held this Week at the Hague.

The Plenipotentiary Ambassador of his Electoral Serenity says to it, That he knows not what resolu­tion his Master will take, for that he could not re­ceive Instructions from him in so short a time, upon the Declaration which the Most Christian King de­livered on the first of this Month of June, to the Heer Ambassador Van Beverning. That in the mean time he partly explain'd himself, as to his own private Sentiment, in the Memorial of the 10th of [Page 154] June, which he presented to the Ambassadors of their Hi. and Mi. and that he doubted not, but they made all due and fitting Reflexions thereupon. That for the rest, he was fully perswaded, though some un­conquerable necessity might dispence with the States General, or should oblige them to depart from any point of their Alliance with his Electoral Serenity, that yet they will always proceed in it with such caution and sincerity, as the foundation may subsist notwithstanding, and his Electoral Serenity be at no prejudice, nor the band of their friendship and good understanding to be weakned.

The said Ambassador added two Points, requiring the said Lords the States to consider them, when they should take this matter into consideration. The one, That France, in the Project of Peace, which its Ambassadors proposed here, doth not mention any Conditions, upon which it is willing to make a Peace with his Electoral Serenity; whereas, on his behalf, there have been Proposals made to that end, both with relation to France and Sweden, inso­much that he knows not yet whether France will make any Peace with himself or no. The other, That the Conditions propos'd in that Project, with relation to Sweden, were so abject, and even so con­trary to what their Hi. and Mi. have engaged them­selves to procure his Electoral Serenity, that it must be believed, that France is not willing that a Peace should be made with Sweden, inasmuch as their Hi. and Mi. that see there is no room left for his Electo­ral Serenity to enter into the Peace, in conjunction with themselves.

Finally, The said Ambassador promiseth to com­municate the resolution of his Most Serene Master, upon the said Declaration of France, as soon as he [Page 155] shall receive it, referring himself for other matters to his said Memorial.

THis Declaration could not be opened at large, because the President Canon had only formed the Idea of it in his mind, and return'd but the night before from the Hague; he alledged that Journey, as an excuse for his not having been pre­sent at the last Conference, saying, that he went to deliver the Lords the States General a Letter from his Master. Then he enlarged upon the in­justice of the Alternatives, that were proposed by France, as Conditions of Peace: The first, demand­ing a Country 35 miles in length, and 16 or 18 in breadth, with 26 Cities upon it, and 600 Burroughs and Villages: The other, depriving him of his Capital City, and the convenience of communica­tion with his own Country, by pretending to pass through some of the best of his High-ways. That both these Conditions were equally hard, he de­monstrated by the Election that was left his Master to chuse either. For the avoiding such Imperious Laws, he referr'd himself to the Alliances made be­tween their Imperial and Catholick Majesties, their Lordships the States General, and his late Uncle, and renewed since with his own person with all pos­sible extension, and withal recommended himself to the friendship and protection of all his Allies, con­cluding [Page 156] with a formal protestation, that he would resolve rather to live banish'd from his Country, and entirely to maintain the Justice of his Title, and have his Allies that had contracted with him, con­tinue under their absolute Engagements, than ever to return upon such hard Conditions, and so scan­dalous to his Birth, and his undoubted Right of Succession, never having deserv'd so ill of France, as to be used so cruelly.

THE state of Affairs being now so urgent, and the welfare or misery of all Christendom depend­ing upon the safety of the Low-Countries, I conceive it is my duty to represent to your Majesty, how ne­cessary it is for your Majesty, who alone can put a stop to the King of France's progress in these Parts, to maintain Forces by Sea and Land, and cause them to draw as near Flanders as may be, that they may serve as a Bridle to the common Enemy, and your Majesty be in a condition to protect and defend Chri­stendom, from the utter ruine and oppression, that the Most Christian King threatens it with. In like manner I represent to your Majesty for the same Reasons, that it is altogether necessary, that your Majesty make an Alliance Offensive and Defensive with the King my Master, and the Emperour, who will be constant Allies, and ready to run what-ever [Page 158] fortune your Majesty shall hazard for the common Cause; not questioning, but those other Princes, that are now in league with the King my Master, will immediately enter into such Alliance, as your Maje­sty shall make; and by this means, Christendom will be secured against the oppression of France.

London, the 5th. of June, 1678.

THE Ambassador of his Electoral Serenity of Brandenburg, for the Treaties of Peace at Ni­meguen, having seen the Memorial of the Lords Am­bassadors of France, of the 17th. of July, wherein they endeavour to take away the Jealousies that might arise, of the sincerity of his Most Christian Majesty's Intentions, and of his faithfulness to his Word, concerning the evacuation of the Places, which he promised to restore to Spain, and to their Hi. and Mi. the Lords the States General of the United Provinces, thinks it fit, and according to his duty, to represent to the Lords the Ambassadors of the States General, who communicated to him the said Memorial: That as it is full of almost no­thing [Page 159] else, in every passage, but great Designs, of the Most Christian King, against his Electoral Sere­nity, his Master, and other Princes, that have made some Conquests upon Sweden; so his Electoral Se­renity promiseth himself, as well from the friend­ship of the Lords the States, and their fidelity of Word, as from their justice and exactness, in per­forming the terms of the Alliance, that they will not help forward such perniclous Designs, nor suf­fer them to be put in execution, against one of their ancientest and most faithful Friend, Neighbour and Ally, and that has been no less concern'd, for the preservation and re-establishment of their Common­wealth, than of his own Inheritances, and has not stuck at exposing, what-ever is most dear and pre­cious to him in the whole World, for their sakes.

It is evident, with what care his Electoral Sereni­ty hath governed all his Actions, so as not to give the least ground of discontent to Sweden; and the sincerity, with which he has renew'd former Allian­ces with that Crown, is no less apparent, by his ap­plying them even to the present Conjunctures, for the avoiding all manner of mis-understanding and rupture, which yet happened, by the violent Invasi­on, made by the Army of Sweden, towards the end of the year, 1674. upon Marchia and Pomerania, directly against those, for whom such solemn Stipu­lations had been, and contrary to the liberty, which each Party had reserv'd to themselves, in the said Alliance: Which Invasion was the more unjust, in­asmuch as it was made at a time, when his Electoral Serenity, relying on the publick Faith, had sent his Forces so far off, that he was busie with them in Al­satia. The Lords the States condemn'd and disliked this Proceeding no less, than all other Christian Po­tentates [Page 160] throughout Europe did; and God has made appear to all the World, by what has ensued, and by our marvellous success, that his powerful Hand is able to protect the innocent, and punish those that make so slight of Religion, Alliances, and Pro­mises, that have had the sanction of the publick Faith. Their Hi. and Mi. and all others, without doubt, will agree, that it were an unheard of piece of cruelty, to deal with his Electoral Serenity, as he is threatned in that Memorial, for having made so vigorous and glorious an opposition, to so unjust and forcible an Invasion. The said Ambassador does not intend to lay open the weakness of the reason­ings, in the said Memorial of the Ambassadors of France, assuring himself, that their Hi. and Mi. will not fail to expose it to the World, for the refutation of those, that for want of solid Reasons, have been forced to betake themselves, to such weak and groundless Arguments; since it appears, that there­in they contradict, and directly thwart, what the Most Christian King has avow'd, and positively pro­mised, by the Letters and Resolutions, which his Majesty has caused to be dispatched, and delivered to their Hi. and Mi. and to their Ministers. He will only represent, what wrong would be done to his Electoral Serenity, his Master, if their Hi. and Mi. should give ear to such Conditions, as conduce to no other end, but that of serving the Interest of a declared Enemy, by deserting a faithful Friend and Ally, and, at the same time, exposing their own Common-wealth, to the most dangerous hazard in the World, which they have endeavoured, out of their great prudence, and with so much care, to se­cure and shelter, by means of a Bar in Flanders, which the Most Christian King himself thought [Page 161] necessary for maintaining their repose, but which will stand them in no stead, if such another Bar be not likewise settled upon the Rhine. Certainly, there needs more then an ordinary assurance, to un­dertake the perswading a whole Common-wealth, consisting of so many wise, and illustrious Members, to renounce whatever the Faith of their Alliances, and the true Interest of their own Common-wealth, re­quires of them, and submit to such prejudicial Councels; and to further the suffering an Ally, and Neighbour, to be oppressed, that has given such extraordinary proofs of his Friendship to their State; and that in favour of a party, with whom at present they are engaged in open War, and that expresses by his excessive demands, so little of an inclination to come to such a reconciliation, as may be fair, and at all proportionable to the mischiefs, and inconveniences, that this fatal War has brought, and continues to bring upon Christendom. I shall leave the rest to the wise discussion of their Hi. and Mi. by reason of whose fidelity, affection, and Justice, his Electoral Serenity is well assured, that they will testifie in this occurrence, as great a passion for the security, and defence, of his Provinces of Cleve, which have always serv'd for a Bar; and whose preservation, has always been so very dear to them, as his Electoral Serenity has an affection to their Common-wealth upon so many occasions, and of which he has given such remarkable instances, especially, since the publick Faith, and the Welfare, and security of their own Estate, are equally con­cern'd in the Interest of it.

THe Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, and Mini­sters underwritten, understanding, with the utmost astonishment, that there was a likelihood of the Lords Ambassadors, of the States General, of the United Provinces; resolving to Sign this day, a separate Treaty of Peace, betwixt the Most Christian King, and their Hi. and Mi. which has been likewise confirm'd to them, by some of the said Ambassadors themselves, though hitherto, they have not made any communication of the Contents of their Project, nor held any particular Confe­rence, upon a matter of so great consequence, in conformity to Treaties, by which their Hi. and Mi. are obliged so to do.

The said Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiary Mi­nisters, have thought it their duty, to represent to the Lords Ambassadors, of their Hi. and Mi. the disagreement of this proceeding, with the Tenour of the Alliances, so solemnly struck with their Lords and Masters; wherein the Lords the States, pro­mise upon their Word, and upon the credit of the publick Faith, never to think of making separate Treaties with their common Enemy, that was up­on the point of overturning their Common-wealth, [Page 163] and from whose oppression, they were saved onely by such assistances, and diversions, as were given from time to time in divers parts of the Empire, for their sakes.

Then they required with all the instances ima­ginable, and conjur'd the said Lords Ambassadors, by what ever is held most sacred, and inviolable, not to precipitate the Signing this separate Peace, being directly opposite to the said Alliances, and to allow them a little time, to give their Lords and Masters necessary information: since that delay could not be at all prejudicial to them, and that request being but what every one might expect, from the publick Faith, and the sincerity of the Lords, the States General. They promise them­selves the more assuredly, that both will be granted without any difficulty, especially, because there seems not to be any apparent necessity, why their Hi. and Mi. should take up a resolution, so con­trary to all that they have taken, and concerted heretofore, and even after they had exhorted their Allies afresh to stedfastness, in the observance, and performance of the Treaties, and after the said Allies, our Lords and Masters, had taken vigo­rous resolutions thereupon, and in compliance with their desires, had sent such numerous Forces into the heart of the Spanish Low-Countreys, to save Mons from the extremity, to which the Arms of France had reduced it, and to second and execute, what other designs, and exploits, Spain, and the State, under the conduct of his Highness, the Prince of Orange, should resolve upon, for the good of the common cause, and the safety of the Low-Countreys, in particular.

They have ordered moreover, some select Troops, that are now under march, to draw towards the Muse, and to be employ'd for the same purpose; so that with God's assistance, we have yet reason to hope for good success, in so just, and good a Cause.

However, if the Lords the States, should find themselves obliged, by some indispensable necessity, (the occasion and force whereof, is for all that un­known to the Allies) to proceed with so much pre­cipitation, to a separate Peace with France; the said Ambassadors, and Ministers, declare by this Memorial, that their Lords and Masters, are dis­posed, and ready to enter with them into this Treaty, and to conclude a Peace with his Most Christian Majesty, in conjunction with the Lords, the States General, upon such honourable, and e­quitable Conditions, as shall be agreed on, in a short time, towards the conclusion whereof, they will bring all manner of facility, and good offices, on their parts.

We promise our selves, that the said Lords Am­bassadors, will not refuse so just and generous an offer; nor can we be perswaded, that the intention of their Hi. and Mi. is not exactly conformable to this just desire, or that they can so much as conceive a thought, of abandoning their good and faithful Friends, Neighbours, and Allies, that have em­ployed what ever was most dear, and precious to them in the world, to save them from the ruine that threatned them, and to re-establish them in their former Liberty, and Splendour. At least, we promise our selves, from their Justice, and sinceri­ty, that they will not conclude upon any thing, that shall not comprehend the Interests of their Allies, which in effect are their own, nor joyn in [Page 165] the oppression, and ruine, of those that have so faithfully assisted them, against so powerful an Ene­my; who on the one hand, makes so much show of the sincerity of his desire, to restore Peace to Christendom, and on the other, refuses to admit of such means, as are capable of procuring it; be­sides that, this abandoning their Allies, and the Neutrality, that they pretend to settle, was not so much as required by the Most Christian King, in the platform of Conditions of Peace, which he Projected; the States, having always declared, against accepting the Cessation for six weeks, which the Most Christian-King afterwards offered; be­cause the Neutrality, was made a Condition of it, which would have put them out of a possibility of assisting their Allies.

But if the worst came to the worst, and that not­withstanding, all these just and equitable Remon­strances, they will proceed to Sign a Treaty of this nature; the said Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, and Ministers of the High-Allies, can do no other, then solemnly, and most formally, to protest against this separate Treaty, as being directly contrary to the Al­liances, and the solemn assurances, that have been given from time to time, of the stedfastness, and exactness, of their Hi. and Mi. in observing, and fulfilling their Treaties.

They challenge them likewise for all the misfor­tunes, inconveniences, losses, and dammages, that all Christendom in general, and their Lords and Masters, each in particular, may suffer by this sepa­ration, and the non-observance of Alliances, so solemnly, and sacredly contracted, saving to them­selves all their right, by vertue of those Alliances, by the Law of Nations, and that of God and Man, [Page 166] submitting to the sound, and disinteressed judgment of all the World, the wrong done to their Lords and Masters, contrary to all promises, engagements, Treaties, and that without any necessity, by a pro­cedure equally rash, and unheard of, in a time when God gives us hopes of redress, in a more de­cent, and reasonable way; they challenge them, as those, that out of blind passions, and prepossess'd sentiments, even against their opinion, who are animated with a more generous sense of honour, and the consideration of their own engagements, to a rational stedfastness, sacrifice the honour, and glory of their party, to proceedings unworthy a State that is governed by reason, and Justice; by which manner of acting, they contract such a stain, as will never wear out of the memory of mankind.

THe Counsellor, and Envoy Extraordinary, of his Majesty, the King of Denmark, and Norway, &c. The Deputy Extraordinary, of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg, and the Minister of their Highnesses, the Dukes of Zell, and Wolsfembutel, underwritten, understanding by common fame, as if your Hi. and Mi. (after your Ambassadors having Signed a separate Peace with those of France, at Ni­meguen, concerning which, they refer themselves to the protestations, there made by the Ministers, of all the High-Allies, and to the Memorials which they have presented here, to the Lords, your Hi. and Mi. Deputies for Foraign affairs) had also been prevail'd with, to agree upon your own particular, upon a Cessation of Arms, with Sweden, for a certain time, could hardly give credit to a thing, so directly opposite, to the express words of Treaties.

But, because they find with great sorrow, that many things are Negociated, and Treated, betwixt your Hi. and Mi. and the common Enemy of the Allies, of which the High-Allies, have no timely notice beforehand; the parties underwritten, have thought themselves bound, to remonstrate to your Hi. and Mi. how contrary such proceedings are, to the very words of the Alliances, and not knowing for [Page 168] want of due communication, the truth of the news, which the Enemies give out, of this engagement, pretended to be entred into, by your Hi. and Mi. to Sweden, for a Cessation of Arms; they have thought fit, in discharge of their own duty, to put your Hi. and Mi. in mind of the very words of the Treaties, which in the 18th. Article run thus; viz.

And a little before,

And they conjure them, by all that is sacred in solemn Treaties, and publick Faith, not to ad­mit of so notorious a contravention, on their part, to the said Treaties, in this point of a Truce, with­out a justifiable reason, or urgent necessity.

The parties underwritten, being moreover o­bliged, to enter solemn protests, in the names, and on the behalf of their Masters, in case, contrary to all expectation, this Cessation of Arms shall fall out, to be separately agreed upon with Sweden already, and in like manner, with relation to all other nego­tiations, and engagements, against the Tenour of the Treaties, that say, and require expresly,

We promise our selves, that your Hi. and Mi. ac­cording to your great knowledge, and the exactness, with which you have used inviolably, to observe the [Page 169] tenor of your Treaties, will be pleased to make re­flexion, upon what the parties under-written have now alledged, so as not to ratifie what has been con­cluded at Nimeguen, with the Ambassadors of France, as being inconsistent with the said Engagements, which, without doubt, will confirm all the Poten­tates of Europe, in the confidence which they have hitherto placed in your Hi. and Mi. concerning the fulfilling your promises made upon the publick Faith. However, the Ministers under-written, find themselves obliged to reserve to their Lords and Masters their Right, as well by the Law of Nations, as in pursuance of the fore-mentioned Treaties, clearing them at the same time, from what-ever in­conveniences and misfortunes, this manner of pro­ceeding may produce, both to the prejudice of the common Cause, and each of their particular Inte­rests.

Given at the Hague, the 18th of August, 1678.

THE Glory which the Crown of Spain has always acquired, and maintain'd hitherto, without the least imputation, by its stedfastness and constancy, by its fidelity to its Allies, and by its religious ad­hering to its Faith, leaves the under-written Am­bassadors, [Page 170] Plenipotentiaries, and Ministers of the High Allies, no room to doubt, but that it will yet continue in the same generous Sentiments, and transmit this Reputation to posterity, which all for­mer Ages have been obliged to publish in its ho­nour.

But because, since the unforeseen signing of the Peace betwixt France, and the Lords the States Ge­neral, the most glorious opportunity has presented it self, that ever could have happened, to signalize this honourable firmness, and purchase a new splen­dor and lustre to the said Monarchy, the said parties under-written would not be wanting to make use of it, to represent to their Excellencies, the Lords Am­bassadors of his Catholick Majesty, at this Congress, that their Lords and Masters can promise themselves no less, from the justice and equity of theirs, by their former experience, than the like behaviour upon the present occasion; to the end, that all the World may judge with them, that Fidelity is the most precious Diadem of a well-ordered State, which no force can invade, no adversity pervert, no neces­sity bereave it of; and that they justly and undoubt­edly expect to see those defects, that rather by the unfortunate constitution of Affairs, than out of any ill will, have hitherto intervened, in divers Articles of the Treaties, that are betwixt his Catholick Ma­jesty and themselves, made up by this unshaken constancy; so as his Majesty will not in any sort se­parate or loosen himself from those, that have not feared to expose themselves on the very brink of a precipice, and to throw themselves into the most dangerous events, wherein they yet continue, for his sake, and to draw his Countries, in these Parts, out of the gulf that was about to swallow them up. [Page 171] The said parties under-written can assure their said Excellencies, upon their certain knowledge, and by their express Orders, that their Lords and Masters are entirely disposed, and ready to take part with theirs, and with all those that shall now think it their interest, or will be willing yet to joyn in the defence of so just a Cause, as the common Cause is, and in the establishment of the publick safety, in all the hazards, perils, and dangerous events, that the Divine Providence shall be pleased to ordain, whe­ther the event should fall out to be that of accom­plishing so just a Design, by a general, a just, and a reasonable Peace, or whether the Enemy should be so hard, as to make the obtaining it, stick upon im­practicable conditions and demands, and expose it to the continuance of a longer and a fiercer War.

Not any of our Lords and Masters ever refused to take such courses, as reason and decency have esta­blished between Soveraign Princes, to arrive at the first; they will yet joyfully embrace them, and will demonstrate by their readiness and facility, that the Quiet of Christendom is the only object of all their wishes: But since it is evident to all the World, that the Enemies have hitherto refused to admit of any, but would prescribe Laws to us, rather than suffer us to treat upon terms in order to it, it is easily discovered not to be their fault, that at present we are all involv'd in the latter.

A rational stedfastness is only capable of redressing these mischiefs, and of bringing them back to more just and decent Measures, that have been led aside out of the way of their Duty and Engagements, by the secret Cabals of some private Persons, and the [Page 172] violence and inadvertence of some Men of fickle minds, that know not how dear and precious Faith and Truth ought to be to a free State; when they shall take notice, that his Majesty is far from follow­ing so pernicious an example, and will keep faith­fully to the Letter of the mutual Treaties, out of which your Excellencies will find some necessary Ex­tracts hereunto annexed, and let the World see, that he chuseth rather to run the same fortune with his Allies to the very last, than unmercifully to desert them, contrary to all sacredness of promises, and only to save himself to their cost, by a notorious breach of such solemn Alliances.

His Majesty can lose nothing by this means, but will be a gainer, by maintaining his Glory, his Ho­nour, and his Reputation. The Bar that is setled for bounds to the Conquests of France, is rather a large career for it, to drive on its Designs in, as far as it listeth. All that is left the King of Spain in the Low-Countries, serves rather to exhaust his Treasures, for the little time that he shall be per­mitted to enjoy it peaceably, than to give him any assurance of a setled possession. And when they shall have loosen'd the sacred Band of the Allies, and dis­armed the neighbouring Estates, who will hinder the rest from falling under the dominion of a foreign Power, when-ever the Enemy shall have a mind to it? Certainly, they that for their good will, and all their endeavours, and all the hazards to which they have expos'd themselves, shall find themselves now either evil-entreated by their Friends, or desert­ed by their Allies, and so ill rewarded for their affe­ction and good will, will be wiser at another time, when the fire shall be greater, than to run to quench it, and every one will content himself to provide for [Page 173] his own safety, when he shall consider, how unwor­thily he has been recompenced, for what he has now done for that of the Publick.

But the strength of all these Arguments is so well known, to their Excellencies aforesaid, that it would be superfluous to alledge new ones. They know ve­ry well, how necessary it is, for all that are concern'd in the Interest of the preservation of the Low-Coun­tries, not to let them utterly sink, what-ever may be pretended outwardly. The Enemy's Arms have already got too fast hold of these Rampiers, of the neighbouring Estates, for us to imagine, that they can be contented to see them entirely lost. For this cause the Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, and Mi­nisters under-written, will not enlarge upon the de­bate of these Matters. They are only bound in duty, to conjure your Excellencies, by the sacredness of reciprocal Engagements, by the force of mutual Al­liances, by the Faith of the King your Master, and by the Glory and the Honour of your Nation and Country, not to make any step on the present occa­sion, that may be prejudicial to their Lords and Masters, or be injurious to your own, or your selves, since we are perswaded, you never will leave this Vi­ctory to the common Enemies, of being superior to the King your Master in constancy, and stedfastness to their Allies, though Destiny may by the fortune of War, have made his condition at present some­what worse than theirs.

This is what the Parties under-written do most in­stantly beseech your Excellencies, not only to consi­der your selves with mature deliberation, but duely­to report it where 'tis proper, that we may both know, that these things have been represented in time, and promise our selves such resolutions and effects, as [Page 174] are worthy so great a King as yours, and becom­ing such zealous, clear-fighted, and wise Ministers, as every one knows your Excellencies are.

Nimeguen, the 22. of August, 1678.

WE have received your Excellency's Letter, of the 17th. of this Month; and though the fi­delity, wherewith the King our Master hath always acted, and the sincerity, with which his Majesty is willing to restore the Lords the States General, to the first degree of his friendship, ought not to leave your Excellencies under any apprehension, lest he should endeavour to surprize you, or put a larger [Page 176] construction upon the 13th. Article of the Treaty, concluded and signed betwixt us, on the 10th. of this Month, then as we explain'd our selves to one ano­ther; yet We are willing to assure your Excellen­cies, that it was not his Majesty's intention, nor consequently ours, to make use of the said Article any longer, than the present War should last; nor, when­ever it shall please God to put an end to it, to ob­lige the Lords the States General to more, than what their own Interest, and their good Union with his Majesty, shall require of them. We are,

THe King, being inform'd by his Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen, of their explanation, by their Letter of the seventeenth of August, this present year, to the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries of the States General, of the United Provinces, of the Low Countreys, of the thirteenth Article of the Treaty of Peace, Conclud­ed, and Signed at Nimeguen; the tenth day of the said month of August; betwixt the said Lords Am­bassadors, in which is mentioned, the Neutrality promised by the said States General, as well in re­lation to his Majesty, and his Allies, as the garrant­ing such engagements, as Spain should enter into, with relation to the like Neutrality. His Majesty having read and examined the said Letter, by which his said Ambassadors do declare, and assure, that his Majestie's intention, is not to benefit himself by the said Article, any longer then the present War shall continue. His Majesty was well pleased with the said explanation, and hath allowed, approved, and ratified the same, as fully, as if it were inserted into the said Treaty of Peace, next after the thir­teenth Article thereof, there allowed, approved, and ratified, Promising on the Faith, and Word of a King, to fulfil, and cause to be observed, sincerely, and faithfully, whatever is therein contained, without suffering any thing, ever to be done to the contrary, [Page 178] directly or indirectly, for any cause, or upon any occasion whatsoever. In witness whereof, his Ma­jesty hath Signed these presents with his own hand, and hath caused his Privy Seal to be put thereto.

THe King having received the separate Article, Signed by his Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, at the Treaty of Peace at Nime­guen, and those of the Lords the States General, of the United Provinces, of the Low-Countreys, whereof the Tenour is as followeth; viz.

The Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipo­tentiaries, of the Most Christian King, and the Am­bassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, of the Lords the States General, of the United Provinces, de­clare by this present Act; that though the Treaty, which they Signed on the tenth of August, import a sufficient abolishment, of whatever has been com­mitted on either side, by reason of the War, to which the said Treaty has put an end; whether by such as being Subjects born of France, and obliged to serve his Majesty, by reason of the Offices or Estates, which they possessed within the compass of [Page 179] France, have entred or continued in the service of the Lords, the States General, or by such as being born Subjects, of the said Lords the States, or o­bliged to serve them, by reason of the Offices or Estates, which they possessed within the compass of the United Provinces, entered or continued in his Most Christian Majestie's service; yet for their more security, and to protect them from all prosecu­tion, the said Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Ple­nipotentiaries, have agreed, that all such Persons, of what quality or condition soever, without ex­ception, may enter, re-enter, and shall be actually suffered to continue, and be settled, in the peaceable possession, and enjoyment of all their Estates, Ho­nours, Dignities, Priviledges, Franchises, Rights, Exemptions, Settlements, and Liberties, without be­ing liable, all or any of them, to be prosecuted, vexed, or molested, either in general, or in particular, for any cause, or upon any pretence, by reason of any thing that has hapned since the beginning of the said War. In pursuance of which Declaration, and after it shall have been Ratified, as well by his Most Christian Majesty, as by the Lords the States General, which shall be within a month, all and every of them shall be permitted, without any Letters of abolish­ment, or forgiveness, to return in Person to their Houses, and enjoy their Lands, and all other their Goods, or to dispose thereof, as they shall think fit.

The States General, of the United Provinces, of the Low-Countreys: To all that shall see these pre­sents, Greeting. Since on the 24th. of September, 1678, there was made and concluded at Nimeguen, by the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipo­tentiaries, of the Most Christian King, and ours, an Act of oblivion, in Tenour, as followeth; viz.

The Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipo­tentiaries, &c. We have Agreed, Approved, and Ratified, the said Act, in all it's points, and do A­gree, Approve, and Ratifie the same, by these pre­sents, Promising faithfully, and sincerely, to keep, maintain, and inviolably to observe the same in every point, according to the form and purport thereof, without ever acting to the contrary, directly or indirectly, upon any pretence whatsoever. In token whereof, we have caused these Presents to be Signed [Page 181] by the President of our Assembly, and underwritten by our Principal Register, and our Seal to be set thereto.

LEwis, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarr: To all that shall see these presents, Greeting. As we desire nothing more earnestly, than to see the War that now afflicts Christendom, end in a good Peace; and whereas, by the cares and mediation, of our most dear and our most beloved Brother, the King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon, on all hands, for the place of Conference; We, out of the same de­sire, to put a stop, as far as in us lyes, to the ruine of so many Provinces, and the effusion of so much Christian Blood, do make known, That We, repo­sing entire confidence in the experience, sufficiency and fidelity, of our most dear and well-beloved Cousin, the Sieur Count D'Estrades, Marshal of France, and Knight of our Orders, our trusty and well-beloved, the Sieur Colbert, Marquess of Croissy, Counsellor in Ordinary in our Councels of State, and of our trusty and well-beloved the Sieur de Mes­mes, [Page 205] Count D'Avaux, Counsellor also in our Coun­cels, by reason of the advantagious tryals that we have made of them, in divers Embassies, and Em­ploys of importance, wherein we have entrusted them, at home and abroad. For these Causes, and other good Considerations, us thereunto moving, We have appointed, constituted and deputed, the said Sieur Marshal D'Estrades, Marquess de Croissy, and Count D'Avaux, and do appoint, constitute, and depute the same by these presents, signed with our Hand, and have given them, and do hereby give them full Power, Commission, and special Or­der, to repair to the Town of Nimeguen, in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary, and our Pleni­potentiaries for the Peace, and there to confer di­rectly, or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators, respectively allowed and agreed to, with all Ambassadors and Ministers, of our most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin, the Catholick King, and his Allies, having all of them sufficient Powers, and there to treat upon the means, for de­termining and appeasing the Differences, that cause the War at this day. And our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, all three joyntly, or two of them, in absence of the third, through sickness, or other impediment, or one only, in absence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impe­diment, may agree thereupon, and conclude and sign a good and sure Peace, and generally may act, negotlate, promise and agree, what-ever they shall think necessary towards the said Peace, with the same Authority, that we our selves should or might do, if we were present there in person, though any thing therein should require more particular Order, than is contain'd in these presents: Promising on [Page 206] the Faith and Word of a King, to observe and ful­fil, what-ever the said Sieur Marshal D'Estrades, Marquess de Croissy, and Count D'Avaux, or two of them, in the absence of the third, through sick­ness, or other impediment, or by one only, in ab­sence of the other two, in like case of sickness, or other impediment, shall stipulate, promise and agree, and to cause our Letters of Ratification, to be dis­patched within such time, as they shall promise in our Name to produce them; for such is our plea­sure. In witness whereof, we have caused our Seal to be set to these presents.

DOn Charles the second, by the Grace of God, King of Castile, Leon, Arragon, both Sici­lies, Jerusalem, Navar, Granada, Toledo, Valen­tia, Galicia, Majorca, Seville, Sardinia, Cordo­ma, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, Algarves, Algeriza, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the East and West-Indies, the Isles of Terra Firma, and of the Occan-Sea; Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, and Melan, Count of Auspurg, Flanders, [Page 207] Tiroll, and Barcelona, Lord of Bisca, and Molina, &c. Since we desire nothing with greater vehe­mency, then to see the War, that doth at this pre­sent so much afflict Christendom, end in a good Peace, and the Town of Nimeguen having been chosen, and pitch't upon, by means of the Media­tion, and good Offices of the King of Great Britain, and by the common consent of all parties concern'd in the War, to be the place for meeting, and Treat­ing of Peace; and I desiring to contribute as much as in me lies, towards so good a Design, I have thought fit to nominate some Persons to assistat the Assembly, with full power, and authority, in my name, and taking into consideration the Sufficiency, Integrity, Prudence, Experience, Understanding, and Zeal for my Service, which are found in you, Don Paul Spinola Doria, Marquiss de Los Balbases, one of my Councel of State, Don Pedro Ronquillo, of my Councels of Castile, and of the Indies, and Don John Baptiste Christin, of my Councel of Flan­ders; and by reason of the satisfaction which you have always given me, in many, and important Af­fairs, whereof you have had the management, and assuring my self of the care that you will take in my Service, I have nominated you to be my Am­bassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, and by vertue of these presents, I give to you all joyntly, and to each of you in particular, in the absence, or by reason of any other hindrance of the other, full and absolute power to repair to the Town of Ni­meguen, and there to Treat, immediately, or by the intervention of the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries, the Mediators, respectively allow­ed, and admitted, with the Ambassadors, and Ple­nipotentiaries, of my most Dear, and most beloved [Page 208] Brother, and Cosen, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, especially authorised, and appointed, and having sufficient powers, and to treat upon means for appeasing the present War, and to this end to enter with them upon a Negotiation, to Confer, Pro­pose, Agree, Capitulate, Conclude, and Sign, a good, firm, and durable Treaty of Peace, and Quiet, and generally to act with relation thereunto, as my self might, if present there in Person, though more particular Order should be requisite, then is con­tain'd in these presents. And I give my Faith, and Royal Word, for ever to observe precisely, and punctually, without failure, whatsoever shall by you, Don Paul Spinola Doria, Marquiss de Les Balbases, Don Pedro Ronquillo, and Don John Baptiste Christin, my Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, all three joyntly, or by two of you, in the absence, or in case of sickness of the other, be agreed at the said Treaty, with the Ambassadors, and Plenipotentiaries, of my most beloved Brother and Cosen, the Most Christian King, and his Allies; and likewise to approve, and Ratifie the same, within such time as shall be limited by both parties. In witness whereof, I have ordered these presents to be dispatched: Signed with my hand, and Sealed with my Privy Seal, and subscribed by my Secretary of State, underwritten.

DOn Charles the second, by the Grace of God, King of Castile, Leon, Arragon, both Sicilies, Jerusalem, Navar, Granada, Toledo, Valentia, Galicia, Majorca, Seville, Sardinia, Cordova, Cor­sica, Murcia, Jaen, Algarves Algeriza, Gibral­tar, the Canary Islands, the East and West-Indies, the Isles of Terra Firma, and of the Ocean Sea; Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Bra­bant, and Milan, Count of Auspurg, Flanders, Ti­roll, and Barcelona; Lord of Biscay, and Mo­lina, &c. Forasmuch as by the Mediation, and good Offices of the King of Great Britain, the Town of Nimeguen has been chosen, and pitch't on, by the common consent of all the parties now engaged in the War, for a place of meeting, in order to a Treaty of Peace: and I desiring to contribute on my part, whatever lies in me, towards the appeasing and ending the present War, that so much afflicteth Christendom, through his means, have nominated to be my Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, to assist in my Name, at the said Assembly, Don Paul Spinola Doria, Marquess de los Balbases, one of my Councel of State, Don Pedro Ronquillo, one of my Coun­cels of Castille, and of the Indies, and Don John Baptiste Christin, of my Councel of Flanders, by vertue of the plenary Power, which I dispatched the third of December, 1675. signed with my Hand, and sealed with my Seal, and under-written by Don Pe­dro Coloma, my Secretary of State, as appears by the Original, to which I refer: To the end, that all three joyntly, or two of them, in case of absence, or other hindrance of the third, or one only, in the like case of absence, or other hindrance of the other two, might assist, treat and confer immediately, or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Extraor­dinary, [Page 210] and Plenipotentiaries the Mediators, allow­ed and admitted respectively, with the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, of my most dear and most be­loved Brother and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, specially authorized and appointed; which accordingly they have done, and now actual­ly do in my Name. And judging it to be for the interest of my service, to add one Plenipotentiary more to the other three, to assist at the Conferences and Affairs there, with like character and authority. And considering the sufficiency, integrity, prudence, experience, understanding, and zeal for my service, which are found in you, Don Gaspar de Teves, and Gusman, Marquess de la Fuente, Count de Venazu­za; and by reason of the satisfaction which you have always given me, in many and important Affairs, whereof I have intrusted you with the management, and that you will have regard to the interest of my service, I nominate you to be my second Ambassa­dor and Plenipotentiary, to repair to the said Town of Nimeguen, and joyntly with my three Ambassa­dors above-named, or with two of them, in the ab­sence, or in case of other impediment of the third, or by your self alone, in case of absence, or other hindrance of the other three, either by the media­tion of the Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Pleni­potentiaries the Mediators, respectively allowed, or immediately, with the Ambassadors and Plenipo­tentiaries, of my most dear and most beloved Bro­ther and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, particularly appointed and authorized, con­fer, propose, agree, conclude and sign a good, firm, and durable Treaty of Peace and Quiet, and gene­rally to act, with relation thereunto, what-ever I my self might do, if I were present there in person, [Page 211] though some more particular Order should be re­quisite thereunto, than is herein expressed. And I give my Faith and Royal Word, that what-ever you Don Gaspar de Teves, and Guzman, Marquess de la Fuente, my second Plenipotentiary, joyntly with the said Marquess de los Balbases, Don Pedro Ron­quillo, and Don John Baptiste Christin, my Ambas­sadors and Plenipotentiaries, or sole, in the absence, or other hindrance, of any of them, shall agree and capitulate at the said Treaty; with the said Am­bassadors and Plenipotentiaries, of my most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin, the Most Christian King, and his Allies, I will always observe precisely and punctually, without any failure, and will likewise approve and ratifie the same, within such time as shall be reciprocally agreed on. De­claring from this time forward, that nothing. is hereby derogated from the Power, which I gave on the third of December, to the said Marquess de los Balbases, Don Pedro Ronquillo, and Don John Bap­tiste Christin; but that, on the contrary, it re­mains in full and perfect force and vertue, notwith­standing these presents, or any other circumstance whatsoever. In token whereof, I have ordered these presents to be dispatched, being signed with my Hand, and sealed with my privy Seal, and sub­scribed by my Secretary of State under-written.