WE Frederick Wilhelm by the Grace of God Mar­quesse of Brandenburgh, Arch-Chamberlain and Prince Elector of the Sacred Roman Empire, Duke of Magdenbourgh, Prussia, Juliers, Cleve, Berg­hen, Stettin, Pomerania, Cass [...]bians and Vandals; as also of Silesia, Crossen and Jagerndorf, Burgrave of Nurembergh, Duke of Halberstade and Minden, Earl of Marck and Ra­venbergh, Lord of Ravensteyn; Do by these our Letters-Patent, make known to all and every to whom these pre­sents shall come; more especially to all and every the Sub­jects of the Dukedome of Holsteyn, and of the Duke­domes and Lands thereunto belonging, and bordering up­on the same, according to their several States and Qua­lities: That whereas the Illustrious Prince Frederick the third King of Denmark, Norway, of the Vandals and Goths, Duke of Sleswick, Holsteyn, Stormarn and Ditmar­shen, Earl of Oldenbourgh and Delmhorst, &c. Hath at large made known not only unto his Imperial Majesty, but also un­to us, both by writing and verbally by several of his Ambas­sadours or Envoyes, the manner of proceeding of his Roy­al Majesty of Sweden, who notwithstanding that the War in the year last past commenced between the two Crowns of Denmark and Sweden, was in the Moneth of February last past, by the Interposition of the King of France, and of the Protector of England, by Gods help and asistance surceased and ended by a stedfast and irrevocable Peace, which was not highly advantagious to Sweden, and all [Page 2] things were performed, which on the Danish part were to be performed; and in Conformity to the Agreements and Pacification not only the Places by them possessed, were evacuated and quitted, but also Schoonen, Bleykingen and other considerable Provinces, Forts and Places were surrendred unto the Swedes, and further in all particulars full satisfaction and consent was given to the Articles of Agreement. Insomuch, that over and besides all the Premises, accommodation and condiscention was made, even unto new and unreasonable pretences. Yet His said Swedish Majesty, not regarding on his part the matters above related (amongst sundry other groundless and stu­died pretences) hath not only from time to time refused to quit the Forts of Fredricks [...] and the Island of F [...] ▪ and to dislodg his Forces out of Denmark and Holsteyn, as it was agreed upon by the Instrument of Peace; and hath al­so with his whole Army incessantly oppressed, and totally exhausted the Subjects of Denmark; but hath also anew▪ without any cause given▪ and without any precedent de­nunciation or clarigation, with the greatest part of the Swe­dish Army, and with a Fleet of Ships ass [...]led the▪ same, on the Island of Zealand▪ and hath already, for the space of six weeks, beleaguered the Royal Residence of Cop­penhaguen and Cro [...]enburgh therein situate; and hath al­so attempted to surprize and take the Fortresses situate in the Dukedome of Holsteyn▪ and forasmuch as such his design succeeded not, He doth untill this present keep them block­ed up; and hath moreover taken Prisoners, and evil en­treated the King of Denmarks principal Ministers, and his Civil and Military Officers, who did remain in and upon their Offices and Estates without apprehension of any di­sturbance; and besides all that which is before expressed, doth with fire and flame destroy all that is in the Land, and therein proceedeth in a more then barbarous manner, such [Page 3] as the like thereof hath never been heard of, or before this time practised amongst Christian Potentates: We being thereupon desired to joyn our Forces with those of His Im­perial Majesty, and cordially to embrace this business, as concerning the welfare of the general or publique Cause, and the re-establishment of the Peace, and effectually to relieve His Royal Dignity in these undeserved hostilities and oppres­sions, without any loss of time.

And forasmuch as on the behalf of His above-mentioned Imperial Majesty, as being the Supream Head and Defender of the Empire, and of the Provinces and Lands thereunto be­longing, such a Force is committed unto Us wherewithall to repulse such violent and oppressive attempts; and We are assured that His Imperial Majesty together with the whole Empire, with their united power will endeavour the same, and will contribute whatsoever may conduce and be advanta­gious for the repelling of this disastrous mischief, and for the preservation of a setled peace in the Empire. So it is that We also for so much as concerneth Us, could not any longer be spectators of these proceedings which are contrary to the Law of all Nations, and fore-runners of consequences so horrid and highly formidable; But forasmuch as the business cannot admit of the least protraction or delay, We have found our selves necessitated to the utmost of our power to maintain His above-mentioned Royal Majesty, as being a Prince, who is our neighbour and Allie, and whose Territories and Subjects being within the Verge of the sa­cred Roman Empire, are at present oppressed in such an in­jurious manner: And to that end to put in execution that which may tend to the Freedome and Deliverance of the fame, as We have accordingly resolved, and are already en­gaged in the Expedition for Holsteyn to that purpose, with the Forces of His said Imperial Majesty and our own, and shall undertake whatsoever may tend to the preservation of [Page 4] the oppressed, the suppressing of all hostile violence, and restauration of a setled and assured Peace.

And forasmuch as this Expedition is not intended for the burthening, or unjust oppression of any one, but is only un­dertaken to the end before expressed. So it is, That We do assuredly and indubiously hope and expect, That by the premises all persons whatsoever may sufficiently perceive the inevitable necessity and most weighty Motives which have enforced Us unto this March; and that in consideration thereof, they will not only acknowledge such our good in­tention, but will also to their uttermost power second, and as much as in them lieth, promote the reducing of peace and quietnesse; and especially, without any refusal, will accor­ing to their ability, supply whatsoever victuals and other ne­cessaries shall be required for the subsistence of the Imperial, and of our own Armies, thereby to prevent all disorders and insolencies: And forasmuch as We are resolved generally to observe a good and strict Discipline, and not to permit any the least insolency of the Souldiery, but with due and effect­ual punishment to suppress all disorders; Therefore all per­sons whatsoever may quietly remain at home both in the Countrey and in the Cities, and there follow their trades and domestique occupations, resting assured that they shall therein be protected, and need not to fear any inconvenience or damage; and the like good order the Imperial Generals will also in all places observe and cause to be observed: And albeit there are some strangers of the Polish Nation who do accompany these Armies, yet there is no just occasion to be afraid of them; but all persons may rest assured, that on all parts a strict Discipline shall be observed, and that no­thing besides necessary sustenance shall be required; nor shall the Souldiery by stealing, plundering, burning, or other miscarriages destructive to the Land, incommode or drive away any person from his own, but shall rather protect, and [Page 5] in the best manner defend all persons from and against such outrages.

And as all persons whatsoever may rest confident hereof, We do also hope that in regard thereof, they will in all pla­ces duely behave themselves, and will without refusal permit a feee March and re-March in such manner as We shall find it expedient, and as it shall be ordained by the Generals and Officers, and as the occasion and reason of Warre shall re­quire; and that they will not act any thing prejudiciall to our Troopes or Forces, but rather will be assistant unto them, in all their Enterprises and Executions, with all necessary help and assistance; and in pursuance thereof, will demon­strate that they are concerned in the best manner to promote the publique Cause: But if any contrary to the premises, and beyond Our expectation, shall offer to make opposition against Us or Ours, he may impute unto himself alone, all such inconveniencies and damages as thereupon shall or may accrew unto him. And according to the premises, all and e­very Person and Persons are to regulate themselves: And these Presents being Imprinted and the Copies thereof, shall be accounted of equall Validitude with the Originall.