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 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 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 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 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.