THE Differences between Chriſtian the V. the moſt Serene and Potent King of Denmark and Norway, and Chriſtian Albert the moſt Serene Duke of Sleſwick and Holſtein-Gottorp, wherein the Treaty made at Rendsburg on the X. day of July, 1675. is to be in the firſt place fairly conſidered, being the ſubject of this preſent diſcourſe; We hope we may with his Sacred Majeſties leave Publiſh by command from the ſaid Duke and in his name, what-ever we can with truth alledge, either as to the matter of Fact or Law, in behalf of the moſt Serene Houſe of Gottorp, ſubmitting it to the juſt Cenſure of the whole World: And we are perſwaded that theſe our endeavours can offend no perſon, who loving true Piety follows the precepts of Chriſtianity, which allows of no War to be lawful, but when it is juſt and neceſſary, and eſpecially betwixt ſuch as profeſs the ſame Religion and are ſo nearly related in blood.

In the examination of the merits of this Cauſe we ſhall ſtrictly obſerve this Rule, To alledge nothing that is falſe, and likewiſe neither omit nor diſguiſe any truth to the prejudice of ſo juſt a Cauſe; ſince the Juſtice of any cauſe cannot appear but by truth and faithfulneſs, without which Juſtice is but imperfect. And that Chriſtian Princes and their moſt illuſtrious and excellent Miniſters and Ambaſſadors, (who perhaps may at this time be employed in adjuſting the Publick differences at N 〈…〉 eguen, Ratisbone, or elſewhere) together with other great Men, lovers of Juſtice, may not be tyred with a prolix diſcourſe; We ſhall propoſe thed ſtate of the caſe in a few words, and then proceed to the Accuſations wherewith the Houſe of Gottorp is charged, which we do not queſtion but to anſwer ſo fully, that all unprejudic'd perſons may clearly judge of the matter of Fact, upon which the ſaid Accuſations are for the moſt part grounded. Theſe Aſperſions being wip'd off, we ſhall add the Laws and Conſtitutions, in vertue whereof the Duke of Gottorp ought, notwithſtanding the Treaty to which he was forced at Rendsburg, to be entirely reſtored.

It is manifeſt to all that know any thing of our affairs, that the moſt Serene Houſe of Gottorp poſſeſſing ſeveral Provinces bordering upon Denmark, which they have hitherto governed jointly with the Kings of Denmark, purſuant to a Treaty between them, That King has no reaſon to fear any thing from the Houſe of Gottorp, if he will but ſuffer it to enjoy it's own Rights quietly; VVhereas on the contrary the Houſe of Gottorp lyes expoſed to the Invaſion of the Danes, whenever they ſhall have a mind to lay hold of any fair opportunity, and abuſe their Power contrary to Juſtice and the Publick Faith. For although heretofore the Earls of Holſtein have had grievous Wars with the Kings of Denmark; yet the ſtate of Holſtein, and the neighbouring Provinces, being much altered from what it was, the Danes can have no reaſon to ſuſpect the Houſe of Gottorp, and much leſs fear any harm from it, except what they may bring upon themſelves, by provoking it by frequent Injuries and Aſſaults to it's own Defence.

Since the Crown of Denmark is come to the Family of Oldenburg, and that theſe Provinces have been more than once divided between theſe Kings of Denmark and the Dukes of Sleswick and Holſtein, the Power of the ſaid Kings has been much encreaſed by the ſaid Diviſions, and by their Succeſſions to the Crown of Norway; however it will appear that the Royalties of the Houſe of Gottorp have not been therefore in the leaſt diminiſhed. The Dukedomes of Sleſwick and Holſtein have been both ſo divided, and the firſt held at leaſt for many years from the Kingdom of Denmark, as the other alwayes from the Empire. The whole Dukedome of Sleſwick is a part of Juitland reaching from the borders of Holſtein to the Bridge of Coldingen; one part of it being poſſeſſed by the Houſe of Holſtein-Gottorp, and the other by the Kings of Denmark, as Dukes of Sleſwick. Amongſt the ſeveral Conditions from time to time agreed upon, the following have been more than once confirmed, viz. That the King of Denmark ſhould not engage in any War unleſs for his own defence, or the maintenance of his Dignity, and then not till after having communicated the ſame to the ſaid Dukes; and that if thereupon a War ſhould be agreed upon, that then the Dukes of Sleſwick (of whom the King of Denmark is one) ſhould ſend to the ſaid Kings aſſiſtance, a certain number of Horſe and Foot, maintaining them at their own expences, the King contributing proportionably for his part of the Dukedome, and promiſing to defend both their Vaſſals. Chytr. lib. 24. Sat. p. 719. And we find that upon the ſaid Kings not regarding this Agreement, but making War of their own heads, the Dukes of Gottorp have not been obliged to ſend the aſſiſtance ſtipulated, though it has been demanded from them.

There have been almoſt perpetual VVars between the Danes and Swedes, which in former Ages have had different ſucceſſes, but in this laſt Age been more favourable to the Swedes, eſpecially ſince the ſucceſs of their Arms in Germany. Hence it is come to paſs, that the Danes, exaſperated by the remembrance of the Loſſes they had ſuſtained by their Provinces and Places which they had loſt, in hopes of better ſucceſs, and by the Inſtigation of evil Counſellors, pouring oyle upon the Fire, have taken all opportunities of making VVar againſt the Swedes, without acquainting the Dukes of Gottorp, much leſs conſulting with them about it; but with ſo ill ſucceſs, that they have been ſtill puniſht with greater Loſſes, having likewiſe thereby involved the Provinces and Subjects of the ſaid Duke in all the calamities attending a VVar; by which, though the Houſe of Gottorp hath ſuffered infinite Damages and Violations in its Rights, yet were they never extinguiſhed, nor lest to the ſole pleaſure and determination of the King of Denmark as Supreme Prince.

But not to take the matter too high, and to come nearer to our Subject, let the beginning and end of the late VVar between the Danes and Swedes be diligently conſidered, for from thence ſprings all the miſchief. Carolus Guſtavus King of Sweden, making VVar againſt Poland, and having raiſed up many powerful Enemies, who ſeemed to have reduced his Army to great ſtreights; Frederick the III. King of Denmark, of happy Memory, taking that opportunity, declared VVar againſt the Swedes, making great preparations both of Men and Arms, as thinking he ſhould never have a more favourable opportunity to recover his Loſſes, and humble the Swedes. And the King of Sweden being by Marriage with the Daughter of Frederick, Duke of Gottorpe of happy Memory, become nearly allied to that Houſe; the ſaid Duke Frederick obtained a Promiſe from his Son-in-Law, that he would hearken to a Peace, which he undertook to mediate with the King of Denmark. The Duke therefore wrote ſeveral Letters with his own hand to the King of Denmark, to perſwade him to Peace, and not only profer'd his own aſſiſtance to conclude it, but earneſtly recommended the promoting of it to the Ambaſſador of the moſt Chriſtian King. Yet ſo far was the King of Denmark from taking this Office in good part, that he never thought fit to give the Duke any Anſwer herein. But the event of this unneceſſary War was, that the King of Denmark, inſtead of reaſonable conditions of Peace which the Duke of Gottorp might have obtained for him, having ſpent his Forces, was obliged at laſt to admit of ſuch as a Conqueror would impoſe upon him. And whilſt this Treaty was a concluding (by which Schonen and the neighbouring Provinces were yielded up to the Swedes) the King of Sweden thought himſelf obliged to take care of the Houſe of Gottorp, which having ſuſtained great damages in this War, he thought ought likewiſe to receive all juſt Satisfaction. Amongſt other things it was agreed, that the Houſe of Gottorp ſhould hold and enjoy the Dukedom of Sleſwick hereafter, not as formerly from the Crown of Denmark, but independently and abſolutely, without ſubjection to any other Power. To this the King of Denmark ſeemed at firſt very unwilling to conſent; but when the States of that Kingdom offered him the ſame Right over that part of the Dutchy of Sleſwick which was his, and thereby gave him occaſion to aſpire to the Monarchy of the whole Kingdom, he approved thereof both for himſelf and the Duke of Gottorp.

Not long after the King having compaſſed his deſign, and obtained the Monarchy of the Kingdom of Denmark, from that time governed all things by his ſole will and pleaſure, exerciſing an independent Authority, and abſolute Dominion over the Perſons and Eſtates of his Subjects. Thus the Daniſh Commonwealth being changed, and all things having put on a new Face, the King endeavoured all he could, ſo to order the affairs of the Kingdom, as might beſt eſtabliſh his Authority, enable him to repulſe his Enemies, and recover his Loſſes. And nothing ſeeming more to oppoſe his deſigns then the Dukedom of Sleſwick and Holſtein, eminent in Riches, abounding with Valiant men, and unaccuſtomed to ſuch kind of Dominion, which would adhere to the Duke of Gottorp, who had Souldiers and a well-fortified Town there, and that probably Holſtein might demand help from the Emperor and Empire; the Danes begun to have an ill Eye upon the Duke and his Fort of Tuningen, ſuſpecting his League with the Swedes, and Journey to that King; which they endeavoured many ways to traduce, inſomuch that their envy againſt the Houſe of Gottorp, and their Deſigns to break the Treaty made at Roſchild, appeared • ain enough, though they endeavoured to cover their deſigns by writing ſeveral Letters, pretending all friendſhip and ſincerity at the ſame time, 〈◊〉 to put them in practiſe.

Theſe Deſigns of Denmark being now grown ſo ripe, that nothing but an opportunity ſeemed wanting, it quickly offered it ſelf. For the King of France having made War upon the Ʋnited Netherlands, and they having eaſed themſelves of the burthen thereof upon Germany, the Elector of Brandenburg joyned himſelf, together with others, with the Confederates, in oppoſition to the moſt Chriſtian King, and afterwards concluded a Peace with him by the Mediation of the King of Sweden upon moſt advantageous Terms, who having interpoſed his Guarantee to the King of France, and the Elector ſoon after taking up Arms contrary thereunto, the Emperor Elector of Brandenburg and others, fearing leſt the Swedes ſhould make good their Guarantee by force of Armes, drew the King of Denmark to their ſide for a diverſion to the Swedes. No ſooner had the King of Denmark got this opportunity, but he Muſter'd his Army in Juitland, and preſently after put them into Quarters; yet ſo as the Enemies of the Swedes, at the Court, had an opportunity ſtill to perſwade that King to a War againſt them; which the Swedes endeavoured to divert, by ſending a ſplendid Embaſſy to Copenhaguen, but without ſucceſs, being able to obtain only a ſhort delay of that Expedition.

In this conjuncture of Affairs, the King of Denmark had fully reſolved upon a War againſt the Swedes, but ſuſpecting that the Houſe of Gottorp, to which he had ſhewed ſo much ill-will, would not neglect their own Defence, whereby his Deſigns might miſcarry; He thought in the firſt place, by depriving it of all its Riches, Arms, Forts, and Force, to ruin it wholly; and in order thereunto, the King made ſeveral exorbitant Demands, and moveing frequently with his Army, ſeemed to Threaten open Violence; afterwards in the Aſſembly of the States of the Province, he challenged to himſelf the major part of the Revenues, which had always been equally divided between him and the Duke of Gottorp, leaving a very ſmall proportion to the Duke: But his Highneſs having ſignified by his Ambaſſadors to the Kings Commiſſioners, that he would oppoſe this Demand, as contrary to the Antient Cuſtoms, the Aſſembly was diſſolved without doing any thing, and Adjourned to another time, theſe Controverſies encreaſing daily more and more.

But the moſt remarkable was that about the Succeſſion to the County of Oldenburg and Delmenhorſt, which being long debated, was at laſt left to the Imperial Tribunal for a final deciſion, the moſt Serene Dukes of Holſtein-Ploen being Plaintiff againſt the King of Denmark and Dukes of Gottorp: whilſt theſe two laſt withſtood joyntly the Dukes of Ploen, according as they had agreed between them, the buſineſs remained undetermined; but the Duke of Holſtein-Ploen going another way to work, found means to tranſact with the King ſeparately, and ſo that obſtacle being removed, ſentence was given in the Emperours Court againſt the Duke of Gottorp. This Tranſaction was carried ſo ſecretly, that the Duke of Gottorp has not yet been able to learn the particulars and conditions of the Agreement.

The King of Denmark in the mean time challenging to himſelf the whole Power in theſe Countries againſt all Right, and excluding the Duke of Gottorp from all ſhare, not only there, but alſo in the Diſtrict of Stad-budjad, a Fief of the Houſe of Brunſwick and Lunenbourg.

For when this Cauſe was under debate in the Imperial Court, the King of Denmark himſelf by Letters to the Duke of Lunenbourg deſired him, amongſt other things, to intercede with the Emperour, that the ſaid Diſtrict Stad-budjad, no ways belonging to thoſe Provinces, might not be involved in that Controverſie. The Duke obtained his deſires from the Emperour, and therefore, when the Sentence given by his Imperial Majeſty concerning theſe Countries came to be put in Execution, The Dukes of Brunſwick, Lunenbourg, exempted again the ſaid Diſtrict from the Execution, and in expreſs terms reſerved to the Houſe of Gottorp their Rights in it. Notwithſtanding all this, the King commanded Homage to be paid to him alone by all the Subjects of that Diſtrict, not only excluding the Duke, but uſing his Ambaſſador ill, who had entred his Proteſtation againſt it, and attempting alſo to Uſurp to himſelf the Toll of E 〈…〉 upon Weſer, belonging by Inheritance, partly to the Houſe of Gottorp, and partly to the Kings of Denmark, endeavouring to diſpoſſeſs the Duke of both.

While theſe Differences encreaſed more and more, the King of Denmark in order to the carrying on his deſignes againſt the Swedes and the Houſe of Gottorp, the more ſecretly and ſuccesfully, cauſed the Swediſh Ambaſſador then at Copenhaguen, negotiating a Marriage for the King his Maſter, and thereby a firm Peace to be received with the greateſt demonſtrations of kindneſs and friendſhip▪ And at the ſame time the Chancellor of Denmark wrote very civilly to the Reſident of Gottorp, then at Hambourgh, telling him he would meet him half way, to endeavour a fair compoſition of all the differences betwixt the King and the Duke, which, he ſaid, he deſired above all things, and doubted not but a few hours would put an end to what had been kept on foot ſo many years, if he would be pleaſed to meet him accordingly. The King himſelf afterwards declared his mind to the ſame purpoſe to the Preſident more than once, and laſt of all by the Earl of Oldenbourgh, who told the Preſident, that the King deſired nothing more then to have his Preſence and aſſiſtance to accommodate theſe difficulties in ſo critical a juncture, by which compliance of his, he would oblige his Majeſty, who was inclined to hearken to an accommodation. After this the Earl was ſent by the King to the Duke of Gottorp, to aſſure him of his Friendſhip, and let him know the neceſſity of the Preſident's going to his Majeſty, and after a ſhort ſtay went to Hamborough with Letters from the Duke to the Preſident, for whoſe further ſecurity to come to the King at Rensbourgh, his Majeſty ſent him a Paſſeport, and one of his Trumpets.

Soon after the King of Denmark going to Holſtein, to put his deſigns in Execution, acquainted the Duke of Gottorp with his Journey, deſiring him not to be troubled at it, as having no other intention therin but to compoſe all things to both their ſatisfactions. The Duke of Gottorp truſting to ſeveral Letters full of the like aſſurances, when the King was on his way with all his Army to Holſtein, ſent one of his Gentlemen to Hadersleby, to complement him, and went himſelf ſoon after with his Brother the Biſhop of Lubeck and the Earl of Aldenburgh, then returned from Hambourgh to meet his Majeſty, waiting upon him at Hensbourgh, after which the King being to go through Dennewerk, and his Highneſs having entertained him there with all imaginable reſpect and ſplendour, the King deſired him to come and ſee him at Rendsbourgh, where he was to ſtay for ſometime, and for a larger expreſſion of kindneſs, both his Majeſty and his Chancellor drunk ſeveral times to the good ſucceſs of the approaching Conſultation.

After this Adolphus Kielmannus chief Miniſter to the Duke of Gottorp, notwithſtanding his Sickneſs and the diſſuaſions of his Friends, went directly from Hambourgh to Rensbourgh, where having confer'd with the Chancellor of Denmark above eight hours about the principal matters in debate, he offer'd the Government of Tunderen for the County of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorſt, and having removed all other Impediments he could think upon, and taking the buſineſs to be near its concluſion, and to want nothing but the ratification and ſubſcription of the Princes; he went to Gottorp to let his Maſter know, how far they had proceeded, and with what ſucceſs. The Prince himſelf, that nothing might be wanting on his part for compoſing the remaining Differences, deputed Adolphus Buchwaldius Governour of Sleſwick, Frederick Kielmannus the Preſident, and Andrew Cramer one of his Counſellors of State, with a ſpecial Commiſſion to go to Rendsbourg, June 22. 1675. being Arrived there, they confer'd the next day with the Earl of Rantzo, and the Lord Wibius, and Gloxinius his Majeſties Counſellors of State; and they being the ſame that had aſſiſted at the Aſſembly of the States at Kilon, on the part of the King, without effecting any thing, renewed the matter of the Taxes, ſaying, That the King perſiſted ſtill in his demand of the greater part of them for the maintenance of his Army, which granted, his Majeſty would bind himſelf by Reverſal Letters, as they call them, (a thing not ſo much as mentioned in the Aſſembly of the States) never to make this a Preſident for the future. But the newneſs of that being a prejudice great enough, the Duke of Gottorp thought it not ſecure to recede from the Antient Cuſtoms; yet to gratify the King, he made this Propoſal, That the greater Taxes ſhould be paid, but to be equally divided and employed by each Prince, in raiſing and maintaining Souldiers for the defence of the ſaid Dukedomes; and that the States might the eaſier conſent thereunto, he deſired the whole buſineſs might be propoſed to them, it being moſt agreeable to Antient Cuſtomes and former Treaties, eſpecially that of the Union, to conſult the States about raiſing of an Army, maintaining and quartering it, and then proceed according to their reſolutions.

While they were thus debating concerning Taxes, and other things, the Chancellor of Denmark wrote from Rendsbourgh to the Preſident Kielmannus, acquainting him that the King being ready for a Treaty, it would be advantageous to both Princes, if the Duke of Gottorp would pleaſe to come to the King at Rendsbourgh, and by his Preſence promote an Amicable compoſure of all theſe matters. The Duke remembring his Majeſty had deſired the ſame thing of him at Dennewerk, to ſhew at once his duty to the King, and his inclinations to Peace, ſent one of his Gentlemen upon St. John Baptiſts day to his Majeſty, to acquaint him, that his Maſter was ready to wait upon him, if he would give him leave. The King commending this Reſolution of the Prince, ſaid twice, he hoped the Preſident Kielmannus would come along too. Accordingly next day, the Duke being perſwaded that all was ſincerely and honeſtly intended, begun that unhappy Journy with the Preſident and ſome others, and being near Rendsburgh, was received with the ſhooting of ſeveral Guns. But hearing there from ſome of his, what had been ſaid in the Kings Name about the Taxes, his Highneſs deſired it might be regulated according to former Treaties and Antient Cuſtomes; and as to other things, he declared himſelf as above, proteſting he would always obey the King, and wholly employ theſe Taxes in a War for the defence of his Country.

At laſt comes that fatal and unfortunate day, the 26. of June, in which all the deſigns that had been ſo long ahatching againſt the Houſe of Gottorp to its Ruin, were to be put in Execution, and that hidden Fire to break out into open Flames. It was haſtened by ſome Letters, that came that very day from the Elector of Brandenbourg, and brought the News of the defeat of the Swedes in the Province of La Mark: Aſſoon as they were read, all things ſeemed to favour the Kings deſigns, and conſpire to the Ruin of the Houſe of Gottorp. The Danes glad and proud of this good Omen, thought it not ſit to delay or diſſemble it any longer, but called a Council of VVar, ſhut the Gates, drew up their Draw-bridges, ſent their Forces to Sleſwick, Tonninghen, and up and down; ſhut up the Harbour with a Boom, diſarmed and ſecured the Dukes Troop of Guards, and permitted none to ſti 〈…〉 , unleſs they could ſhow the Kings leave under his own Hand. The Duke himſelf, inſtead of being Invited to Dine with the King, as formerly, had his Dinner brought him apart in his drawing Room, and Guards ſet to watch him; his Chamber-doors being bolted every Night: None of the King Miniſters being ſuffered to come near him for ſome days, except the Sieur Winterfield, High-Marſhal of the Court, to whom the Duke, having called him to him, ſaid, That he was a Prince of the Empire, there unworthily Treated, contrary to his expectation, and undeſervedly; nay, contrary to the greateſt Proteſtations and aſſurances of Friendſhip, and Publick Faith, deſiring him to acquaint the King therewith, that his Majeſty might permit him to depart. But alas, all was in vain, it being reſolved, that the Blow ſhould be followed, this Detention being but a Prologue to more miſchief.

For the Duke and his Miniſters being now in their Power, and a fair opportunity preſenting it ſelf to invade the Swedes, weakned by their loſs at F ••• berlin, the Kings Deputies having ſent for Buchwaldius, Frederick Chriſtian Kielman, and Cramer, to Court, told them, that the Caſe being alter'd, they were no more to diſpute about giving the greateſt part of the Taxes to the King, who would now challenge the whole alone, and quarter his Army up and down in the Dukes Territories to preſerve them from the Enemy, and that the Emperors Requiſitorial Letters might be obeyed, which they would therefore now exhibite to them, ſhewing alſo by this their ill-will and premeditated Deſigns againſt the Houſe of Gottorp. Moreover they added, that the King had for a long time been jealous of the Dukes deſigns and inclinations, and being to carry his Army out of the Country, he thought he ought to take care to leave no Enemies behind him, wherein he could not ſecure himſelf but by ſeizing upon the Caſtle of Gottorp, the ſtrong Town of Tonningen, and all the Dukes Forces, till the change of Affairs might ſecure him otherwiſe. That it was not ſit for the Kings Majeſty to exchange the Counties of Oldenbourgh and Delmenhorſt, for that of Tunderen. That theſe and other things could not be done in haſte, but required more time than the King could now ſpare, fearing leſt ſome third Party might in the mean while ſeize thoſe Provinces. That the King therefore would put Garriſons into all the Fortified places of the Country, and provide all other things neceſſary for its Defence: proteſting withal, that if any loſs ſhould happen by the Dukes delay, the Reparation of it would be required from the Author thereof; but if the Duke would accept of one hundred and fifty thouſand Dollars offered him at Copenhaguen, to renounce his Right to them, they ſtill hoped his Majeſty might be prevailed upon at the Dukes requeſt to pay that mony.

The Danes having propoſed theſe ſevere conditions, and the Dukes Commiſſioners having been to conſult their Maſter, returned this Anſwer, That as to the Taxes, the Duke, without prejudice to his Right, was forced to yield to the preſent juncture of time in that Matter. That the Requiſitorial Letters of the Emperor concerned onely the Dukedom of Holſtein, not that of Sleſwick; and they being according to the Conſtitutions of the Empire, and the Pragmatick Sanction, could require nothing of him but a ſafe Paſſage, which his Highneſs would never deny, when ever the King ſhould deſire it. That the Caſtle of Gottorp was neither by Art nor Scituation ſo ſtrong as to be formidable, and therefore the King might well permit the Duke to ſecure the place of his Reſidence and Habitation, with ſome Souldiers; and for an evident proof of his reſpect, the Duke was contented his Majeſty ſhould have as ſtrong a Garriſon in Tonningen as he himſelf, provided both ſhould take the Oath of Fidelity to each Prince; and that the King would oblige himſelf, that upon the change of Affairs, all things ſhould be reſtored again as they were. That if the King would diſpoſe ſolely of all things in theſe Countries at his Pleaſure, the Duke muſt yield to it, but hoped his Right ſhould be ſaved entire: That he had never committed nor omitted any thing that might entitle the King to demand reparation of him; and for the Propoſals of an Exchange, they were neither ſuch as impoſed a neceſſity upon his Majeſties will, nor derogated from it. That he would leave the Tranſactions of Copenhaguen till they were ſet on Foot again. And laſtly, That he earneſtly begged, that the King would no longer delay to grant him and his, Liberty to go where they would.

This moſt reaſonable Anſwer of the Duke proved of no effect, the Danes being reſolved to paſs to the greateſt Extremities: For the Kings Deputies ſignified again in Writing, That their Maſter perſiſted firm in his firſt offers, hoping to provoke the Duke to diſcover his mind in the ſame manner. But he replyed only as before, requeſting again, That the King would not urge ſo much the Surrender of his Caſtles and Forts, but conſent to ſome eaſier Terms than theſe; which the Danes ſaid were only Bagatelles.

But that King and his Miniſter were ſo far from remiting any thing of the Rigour of their Demands, that they added Rebukes and Threats; For, ſaid they, the Dukes abſolute Power over Sleſwick, being extorted from the King by force of Arms, the Duke had thereby loſt the Fief of it▪ and his being in a League with the King of Sweden, an Enemy to the Empire, might probably cauſe him to be diſpoſſeſt of the Dukedome of Holſtein, and the King to be inveſted therein. Moreover, that the King was fully reſolved, That neither the Duke, nor any of his Miniſters, ſhould be ſet at Liberty, uniil he had ſeized all the Dukes ſtrong-holds, and that he would even confine his Highn • ſs apart from all his Miniſters and Servants, and proceed to the Execution hereof by force of Arms. For as we have before mentioned, they had already Body of Horſe and Foot in Sleſwick, which blocked up the Caſtle of Gottorp, where the Reverend Biſhop of Lubeck, Brother to the moſt Serene Duke, then was, and had alſo inveſted Tonningen and Holme: and that nothing might retard the Surrender of Tonningen, an Order was drawn by the Kings command for the Duke to Sign, and ſend to the Perſon that commanded for him there.

The Duke ſeeing himſelf betrayed, and without any help, deprived of his Liberty, and fallen into a very dangerous diſtemper, fearing greater Evils might be intended againſt him and his Miniſters, (which was not obſcurely given him to underſtand) ſuffered at length the Surrender of all his Forts and Forces to be extorted from him: and though he only deſired from the King that the Caſtle of Gottorp, the place of his Reſidence, might be free from a Garriſon, he could not obtain it, nor ſo much as that the King would annex to that fatal Surrender, a Promiſe to ſecure him by Reverſal Letters of the Reſtitution of his Forts, and what belonged to them. But though this was promiſed by the Chancellor of the Kingdom, in the hearing of the King and his Brother, who never contradicted it; yet his Majeſty refuſed to oblige himſelf to it in Writing, the Chancellor anſwering again for his Maſter, that a Kings promiſe by word of Mouth was more to be valued than any other Security. And when the Caſtle of Tonningen, with all his Magazins and Ammunition, was ſhortly after delivered up to Charles Arenſtorf for the King, he added theſe words to the foot of the Inventory, which was ſigned by him, That all things ſhould be reſtored fully and faithfully according to the Kings Promiſe.

The Danes being Maſters of the Caſtles of Gottorp, and all the other Forts, the Duke was carried to Gottorp on the 6. of J • ly from one Priſon to another: For the Danes had not only ſeized the Paſſages, Gates, and Fortifications of that place, but ordered a Company to watch night and day near his Highneſſes Chamber, to let him know that he was ſtill their Priſoner. The Prince being thus in their Power, the Princeſs his Wife, whom he had not been able by all his kind Letters to get out of Copenhaguen, where her Mother had invited her before all theſe Troubles, and kept her, was at laſt reſtored to him, perhaps for fear, leſt ſhe might prevail upon the King her Brothers mind, and avert thoſe great Violences deſigned againſt her Husband and Children.

VVho would not have thought the King fully ſatisfied with this? but it proved otherwiſe; For the Earl of Alefield Governor of Holſtein, having ſent for the Preſident Kielmannus, dictated to h • m eight Articles of great Importance, and bid him acquaint the Duke with them by Buc • wald, the Vice-Preſident Kielman, and Cramer, and get him to declare his opinion about them, detaining the ſaid Preſident Kielman ſtill at Rendsbourgh. This being done, and they returned to Rendsbourgh, did according to their Inſtructions declare his Highneſſes mind upon every Head, delivering alſo his Letters to the King and the Chancellor, and intreating them to have ſome regard at leaſt to Juſtice and Equity. But all was in vain; for the Chancellor and the Governor having ſent for the Dukes Deputies, and read to them theſe Eight Articles of their own Penning, demanded with great Threats, that the Duke ſhould ſign them without any Alteration or Limitation; adding, that if the Duke refuſed to obey the Kings will, both Dukedomes and all belonging to them, being now in the hands of his Majeſty, he could eaſily force a diſarmed and forſaken Prince to do what his Majeſty had a mind to, and then it would be too late to Repent. The Duke ſenſible of this new Violence, and of his being kept a Priſoner by the Danes, in his own Caſtle and Houſe, yielded at laſt to Force, and with great reluctancy ſubſcribed to theſe ſevere conditions, as thinking it in vain to hope for any more reaſonable, and with his Brother, the Biſhop of Lubeck, renounced their Supreme and Independent Right over the Dukedome of Sleſwick, which was extorted from them by meer Violence and Neceſſity.

At laſt the Duke being impatient to be kept always a Priſoner in his own Houſe, and to be forced every day to conſent to what the Danes would exact, and being informed that the City of Sleſwick, though unfortified, was yet full of Daniſh Souldiers, begun to be more jealous of the deſigns of the Danes, and ſeared either yet a cloſer Impriſonment, or to be conveyed God knows where. The moſt Serene Queen Dowager of Denmark was now come to Auguſtberg, and had ſent for her Daughter the Dukes Wife, who had acquainted the Duke her Husband with her intended Journey, in obedience to her Mother, praying him to accompany her: But the Duke remembring that when the King went to Holſtein juſt before theſe troubles, the Dutcheſs his Wife had been ſent for to Copenhaguen, upon which all theſe miſchiefs had befallen the Houſe of Gottorp, apprehended new Evils to him and his, from this ſecond Journey, and thought of his eſcape. Therefore to lay hold on the occaſion, his Highneſs cauſed ſome Horſes to be made ready, took a few of his Servants with him, commanded that his Dogs ſhould follow, pretending his intention was to accompany his Dutcheſs part of the way, and then recreate himſelf with Hunting; but having gone a few hours with her, taking his leave of her, he rid away as faſt as his Horſe could carry him to Kilonium. Being there, as he was reſolving to leave his tired Horſes, and proſecute his Journey in a common Coach, word was brought him, that the Daniſh Troopers were riding, not only about Sleſwick, but everywhere as far as Hambourgh, and guarded all the ways; not ſtaying therefore to Dine, he was ſcarce gone out of Town, but he was met with two Daniſh Troopers, who taking hold of the Reins of the Horſes to ſtop the Coach, the Duke telling them he was a certain Nobleman, eſcaped to Eutin, where he heard, that both the Kielmans were carried away Priſoners to Copenhaguen. From Eutin he came to Hambourgh indeed, but as a Baniſht Perſon, and one forc'd to leave his Country and Subjects, expoſed to the will and pleaſure of the Danes. For the King afterwards, contrary to the Engagement the 11. of March 1676. demoliſht the ſtrong Town of To 〈…〉 ngen, and the Caſtle of Holme to the ground, the Drums beating, and the Trumpets ſounding; and having cauſed the Dukes Armes upon the great Guns to be defaced, ſent them with all the Ammunition partly to Rendsbourgh, and partly to Copenhaguen; and exacting alſo Contributions to the value of many Millions of Gold, and a prodigious quantity of Corn, Chariots, and Horſes; waſting all the Dukes Villages and Towns with Quartering his Souldiers in them, and cauſing them continually to paſs and repaſs to and fro. This his Majeſty does to this day, not having remitted a penny of Taxes and Impoſitions for the Dukes Subjects thus expreſſed, though many times deſired to it by the Dukes Letters and his Ambaſſadors, and uſing the Duke at the ſame rate, not permitting his Subjects and Servants to pay him any thing of his Revenue, that both Prince and Subjects might at laſt periſh by Famine, and the many other Calamities they are forced to endure.

The King nevertheleſs being extreamly vexed, that the Duke had choſen his abode in a City ſo Famous and Populous, from whence the whole Story of the Barbarity exerciſed againſt him, and the breach of ſo many reiterated Engagements, might be ſpread over all the world, employed all ſorts of Perſuaſions and Cunning to get his Highneſs back, and have him again in his Clutches, and at his diſpoſal; but his Highneſs warned by his former Uſage, having learnt to diſtruſt, would not be prevailed upon. His Majeſty for all that, remitted nothing of his Proſecution againſt the Duke, and both by Letters and Envoys demanded eſpecially, with great earneſtneſs, that the Duke in compliance with the late Treaty (if it may be ſo called) at Rendsbourgh, would ſolemnly receive from the King the Inveſtiture of the Dukedome of Sleſwick, threatning for default thereof to Confiſcate the ſame. On the other hand, the Duke ſent him word, that the Tranſactions at Rendsbourgh were ſo unjuſt, that he thought his Promiſe leſs engaged thereby than the Daniſh Reputation. Yet for fear of expoſing his Subjects to greater Cruelties, and to comply with the Times and the advice of thoſe, who thought, that in Civility to the King, the Duke would do well to ſend ſome Gentlemen, to know his Majeſties pleaſure, and upon what conditions he was reſolved to grant that Fief; (for it is certain that it had been held formerly upon different conditions) the Duke thereupon ſent his Ambaſſadors to Copenhaguen to deſire the King, that he would be pleaſed firſt to remedy ſome of the chiefeſt grievances, which had Relation to the Fief it ſelf, and then declare his pleaſure about it. The Ambaſſador during their ſtay at Copenhaguen, had no ſucceſs, and having once mentioned the Grievances, were ſcarce ever after admitted or heard; the word Grievances offending the Danes extreamly, and the Kings deſign being, without any regard to them, to order all things according to his own Pleaſure. Therefore the Ambaſſadors, being adviſed by the Queen-Mother to return to their Maſter, and let him know the whole buſineſs, and the eminent danger a delay would caſt him into, and to return with new Inſtructions from him, agreeable to the Kings will; they parted from Copenhaguen without their Maſters knowledge, or effecting any thing. But the King interpreting this and other things in the worſt ſence, ſent a little after three Commiſſioners to Sleſwick, the Metropolis of the Dukedome, viz. The Earl of Rantzo, the Lord Gloxin, and the Baron Lenten Aſſeſſor of Gluckſtad, with Orders to Sequeſter the Dukedome in the Kings Name, and abſolving the Magiſtrates and People from their Allegiance to the Duke, oblige them to take an Oath of Fidelity to the King, and if any refuſed it, to deprive them of all their Offices; to bring in all the Dukes Revenues into the Kings Treaſury, and put a Garriſon again in the Caſtle of Gottorp; adding theſe ſecret Inſtructions, that if the Duke did not comply with the Kings pleaſure within ſix weeks, and accept this Fief upon the Kings terms, it ſhould for ever be annexed to the Kingdom of Denmark. And that theſe new Orders of the Kings might be more publick, and the better obſerved, the Kings Proclamation to that effect was publiſhed and affixed at Sleſwick; in oppoſition to which Uſurpation, the Duke publiſhed another, together with his ſolemn Proteſtation, commanding the States of the Dukedome and all his Subjects, to continue in their Loyalty and Obedience to his Highneſs.

The Narrative of the matter of Fact might very well end here, but that many calumnies thrown upon the Houſe of Gottorp muſt make part of it. Therefore, that the Truth and the Innocence of the moſt Serene Duke may appear the better, and to take off all ſubject of cavil from the Danes, we will ſay ſomething about what the Danes pretend to be moſt offended at, that ſo the Juſtice of the Dukes Cauſe may be more evident.

Firſt of all, we ſhall ſpeak about the Dukedome of Sleſwick, and ſhew that the Danes had not always the ſame right over it, but ſometimes little or none. For when antiently the Venedi had great Wars with the Danes, the Dioceſs of Sleſwick being chiefly in • eſted by their Inroades and Robberies, to prevent it, the Kings of Denmark erected it into a Lieutenancy to oppoſe them, as formerly the Emperor had erected Denmark into a Marquiſate. In the beginning of the twelfth Century, • he Vandals having invaded Sleſwick, and razed the chief City thereof, no body would accept of that Lieutenancy, till at laſt Nicholas King of Denmark turn'd it into a Dukedome about the year 1118, and made his Brothers Son firſt Duke of it, who being Murthered by his Subjects, was Canoniz'd, and call'd St. Canut. Now whether this Canut received the Dukedome to hold as a Fief of Denmark, is not only queſtioned, but rather denied by the great Hiſtorian Jo. Adolphus Cypraeus, in his Annals of Sleſwick, lib. 1. cap. 21. 'Tis true, it cannot be diſputed, but that the Kings of Denmark grant the ſame to be held as a Fief from them, but the terms upon which, have been different; and the Kings ſometimes reſerved nothing to themſelves but the Solemnity of the Inveſtiture. For Waldemar the Third, with the Advice of the States of the Kingdom, gave to Gerhard Earl of Holſtein his Ʋnkle, for him, and his lawful Heirs, the Dukedome of South-Juitland, cum Dominio utili & directo, and all things belonging to it, and all the Vaſſals in the Dioceſs of Sleſwick, to be enjoyed for ever by him and his, quietly and peaceably, and to be held as a Fief with the Armes of it. Renouncing for him, his Heirs and Succeſſors, all the Right that ever they had in the ſame. Two years after, King Chriſtopher made over the Iſland of Femeren, with the Propriety of it, to John the III. Earl of Holſtein, and all his Heirs, as well Male as Female, to be held likewiſe as a Fief; which Donation was confirmed by Waldemar the IIII. his Son. And Chriſtopher the II. being reſtored to his Throne, Waldemar the III. who had Reſigned it, had the Hereditary Dukedome of Sleſwick conferred upon him. John Meurs an excellent Writer of the Daniſh Hiſtory, relates of Margaret the prudent and careful Queen of Denmark, that ſhe made a Peace with Gerhard Duke of Sleſwick, and thoſe of Holſtein, Covenanting, That the ſole Juriſdiction over Sleſwick and Holſtein ſhould remain to their Dukes and Earls, and that for the future ſhe ſhould not meddle in the Affairs thereof, nor they in thoſe of Denmark, lib. 5. Contin. Hiſt. Dan. p. 9 • . But Gerhard being Dead, Margaret and her Husband Eric demanded the Guardianſhip of his Children, and under that pretence, ſeizing upon many Caſtles and Places of the Dukedome, at laſt endeavoured to get the whole, and reunite it to the Crown of Denmark, which being perceived by Gerhards Sons, and other Princes, and that ſhe demanded of them, firſt abſolutely to reſign that Dukedome to the King and Kingdom of Denmark, before they ſhould receive the Inveſtiture of it, occaſioned a ſharp War for Thirty years. At laſt when the Dukedom came to Adolph the laſt, Duke of the Houſe of Schawenburg, and that by his Intereſt, Chriſtian the firſt, Son to Theodorick Earl of Oldenburgh and Hedewig Adolphus's Siſter, had been Elected King of Denmark, He promiſed by a ſolemn Deed to his Ʋnckle, and the States of the Province of Sleſwick, that he would never unite or incorporate the Dukedom of Sleſwick to the Kingdom of Denmark, and that they ſhould Swear Allegiance to him as Duke of Sleſwick, and not as King of Denmark. And Adolph dying Ten years after without Children, Chriſtian ſucceeded him, and from that time the Fief of the Dukedome of Sleſwick was not ſolemnly granted by the Kings of Denmark to any Body, that I know (ſays the Learned David Chytraeus, lib. 24. Saxon. Hiſt. p. 717. ſeq.) for above 120 years after. There have been beſides other diſputes about this Dukedome, as, That this Fief ſhould be exempted from the performance of all Services; That the Succeſſion ſhould come to Women as well as Men: by which it appears, that it was not always granted or held upon the ſame conditions, and that there is little Reaſon to envy the Houſe of Gottorp, for having at its own great charges and coſt, obtained for that Dukedome an Independent Authority, and thereby taken away all occaſions of diſcord between them and the Danes. For after this Independent Soveraignty was granted, though they might have juſtly demanded other ſatisfactions to be made them, the Duke preferred a Peace which they had juſtly ſought by the alteration of this Dukedome, and which was confirmed by the conſent of the King and States of Denmark, as moſt advantageous both to the King and the Houſe of Gottorp, to all the Monies they might expect. And as all other humane things or goods may by commerce paſs from one hand to another, ſo there is no doubt, but the Right of an Independent and Supreme Power may likewiſe be tranſmitted and alienated. Therefore if a proportioned ſatiſfaction be demanded to a great loſs ſuſtained, it may be given, not only in paying ſo much mony, or delivering up ſo many Towns and Provinces, but by quitting and transferring the Right of Supreme Power by thoſe who have a right to Alienate; ſo that a Perſon, who before he had due ſatisfaction made him, had but a Dependent Power, may receive and retain it Supreme and Abſolute: This being confirmed by a late inſtance of the Elector of Brandenburg, who, not many years ago, obtained Pruſſia in this manner.

To ſay that the moſt Serene Dukes of Gottorp have fortified Tonningen, levied Forces, entred into a League with the Swedes, and made a Journey to Stockholme, is but a frivolous Accuſation. For what ſhould hinder the Duke of Gottorp, or by what Law is he prohibited to fortifie a Town, or raiſe a Fort? and Building one in the Dukedome of Holſtein, he only does what all the Princes and States of the Empire think they may do, and do every day. And if he would do the ſame in his Dukedome of Sleſwick, we know no Law or Treaty by which he is prohibited to do it. Frederick Duke of Gottorp having to his own coſt found that he was expoſed to all ſorts of injuries and damages, when-ever the Enemies of the Kings of Denmark were by War, or otherwiſe, drawn into his Territories, and that he was ſecure no-where; towards the latter and of the year 1644. (during the War) began to fortifie Tonningen, which was not oppoſed by the King of Denmark, as there was no juſt reaſon to do it. But about the year 1660. that King laid Siege to the place, to force the Duke to aboliſh and annul the Treaty made at Roſchild for the benefit of the Houſe of Gottorp; whence you may well judge with how little ſincerity the Danes intended to keep this Treaty, which they had ſo ſolemnly agreed and bound themſelves to. But the Duke refuſing to hearken to ſo unreaſonable a demand, endured the Siege ſtoutly, till after ſome time a Peace was concluded without the leaſt mention that theſe Fortifications ought not to have been raiſed, or promiſe of demoliſhing them: For as this Fort was built only for the ſecurity and defence of the Houſe of Gottorp, that the Dukes might have a Place to retire to in times of danger; ſo they never raiſed more Forces than were neceſſary for the defence of the Place: And if the Duke had intended to invade Denmark, he muſt have provided much greater Forces, and taken other Meaſures.

That the Duke has entred into a League with the King of Sweden, is not denied, but it is only ſuch an one, as may enable him to reſiſt an unjuſt Force, and defend himſelf. If the Danes do accuſe him of making any other Leagues to the Ruin of Germany or Denmark, his Highneſs denies it abſolutely, and deſires no credit may be given them in a thing for which they can bring no evidence: But if they alleadge, that the Conditions by which the Duke has ſought to ſecure his own Houſe from their Oppreſſions, are Hoſtile and againſt them; they plainly ſhew that they have a mind to wrong thoſe they ought rather to Protect, and not provoke to a juſt Defence, which in the end may prove dangerous to Denmark it ſelf.

That Objection of the Dukes journey into Sweden is much of the ſame nature: For although his Highneſs would not be diverted by the Councils and demands of the King of Denmark, tending to nothing but a War, from going to ſee the King and Queen Mother his near Relations, and take their advice; yet this Journey was never undertaken to enter into new Alliances, thoſe Princes being entred into one long before, but in reſpect and deference to the moſt Serene Queen his Siſter, who had promiſed to come and ſee him. Nay, if the Danes (who are generally very clear-ſighted in the affairs of the Houſe of Gottorp) did not interpret all that which the Houſe of Gottorp does in the worſt ſence, they could have ſatisfied themſelves eaſily, that that Journey was never intended againſt their Intereſt.

But ſome may ſay, that it was not lawful for the Duke of Gottorp to make a League with the King of Sweden, becauſe he was declared an Enemy to the Empire. Such fooleries are ſo ridiculous, that they deſerve no Anſwer: But becauſe they are ſpread abroad, and may deceive the ſimple, who are the greater number, we muſt ſay ſomething to them. VVhy the French and Swedes have been declared Enemies of the Empire, is a matter we ſhall not meddle with. The Duke of Gottorp is not concerned in the Quarrel of either of them, and ſo ought not to be involved therein. The Duke has been allied with Sweden ſince 1661, long before the Swedes were declared Enemies of the Empire, and at a time when all the Parties in War, even the Emperor, and alſo Spain, courted the Friendſhip of Sweden, and earneſtly deſired their Mediation to compoſe the differences then on Foot: Beſides, there is no Article of that Treaty with Sweden, which may endanger the ſafety of the Empire, or any of its Members, ſince it is wholly Defenſive. Nay, the Duke has by expreſs words excepted the Empire, declaring he would not be bound by this Treaty whenever any thing ſhould happen to the prejudice of the ſame: And alſo the King of Sweden in it recommends to the Duke by all means to entertain a friendſhip with the King of Denmark. And the Danes themſelves will not deny, but that they, the Elector of Brandenbourgh, and others, have invited Sweden to enter into a League with them; and therefore cannot blame in the Duke of Gottorp what they themſelves did or would have done, eſpecially ſince the Duke ſought nothing more than to render the Peace and publick Safety more firm and ſecure. It is then a meer cavil to object, that the Dukes of Holſtein have made a League with the Swedes, who are Enemies of the Empire, as ſuch, ſince their help was never intended to be uſed but for a juſt defence againſt thoſe, who contrary to the Faith of Treaties, would invade them, and not to the prejudice of the Empire, or any body elſe, there being reaſon enough to fear an Invaſion by the face of things then, as the event has too unfortunately ſhewn.

But becauſe the Danes are of opinion, as to the Taxes, that their Kings demand of the greater part of them for himſelf was very juſt, and that the Duke had no reaſon to deny it, ſince his Majeſty had an Army in Pay, or at leaſt more Troops than his Highneſs, to defend both Dukedomes; this muſt be more particularly examined: And firſt, 'tis certain that the King would never acquaint the Duke, nor the States of the Province, with the deſigns of this VVar, though it was to be carried on with their Monies, and ſo was far from undertaking it with their will and conſent, according to the Treaties and antient Cuſtoms. Moreover, though he had undertaken this VVar with the conſent of the Duke and States, he could not demand more mony than was agreed by the antient Treaties, and was wont to be granted. Beſides, this VVar was not entred into for the defence of theſe Dukedomes, but that the King of Denmark might take that occaſion of invading the Swedes, and recover his loſſes in the laſt VVar. Again, if the King of Denmark thought, that becauſe of his League with the Emperour and the Elector of Brandenbourgh, he could juſtly attack the Swedes; yet could he not violate the Agreements made by the Treaty of Roſchild, trample it under feet, ruin the Houſe of Gottorp; and to that end demand firſt the greater part of the Taxes, then overcharge the Dukes Subjects with Impoſitions, exhauſt them almoſt totally, by forcing from them in leſs than half a year, ſeveral Millions of Gold. Nay, when the King of Denmark is put upon a neceſſary and defenſive War, 'tis but juſt he ſhould bring into the Field a greater Army than the Duke▪ for the Dukedoms of Sleſwick and Holſtein lying as a fence to Denmark, and its ſecurity depending upon theirs, each Prince is bound to find Forces proportionably to the Land they poſſeſs, and which are to be ſecured from the Enemy. And though perhaps the King of Denmark may ſay, that▪ he will with his own Souldiers alone, defend thoſe Dukedomes, and therefore has right to demand money from them, and all other neceſſaries for War at his pleaſure; yet it is to be conſidered, that this cannot be done but by violating in the higheſt manner the Rights of the Duke of Gottorp; for we muſt not think, that by reaſon of a War, the King may do every thing, and the Houſe of Gottorp have no Power left in their own Territories. Nay, that Serene Houſe pretends to as much Power and Right, as to the making and carrying on a VVar, as the King of Denmark, in quality of Duke of Sleſwick and Holſtein can any ways pretend to. The Danes now do not queſtion, whether the Houſe of Gottorp hath the Power of VVar, ſince they have enjoyed it in all Ages, and made uſe of it againſt the oppreſſions of the Danes: but that King endeavours to get it to himſelf, having in theſe late troubles manifeſted his deſigns of abſolutely depriving the Houſe of Gottorp of the Power and Right of VVar; for when the Duke and all his Territories were in the Kings poſſeſſion at Rendsbourgh, the Danes demanded an account of what Troops the Duke had ſent for the defence of the Empire, ordering that they ſhould be paid only by the Kings Commiſſioners, (as they are called) that the Duke of Gottorp might underſtand from thence, that he was not to keep any more Souldiers for his Defence, nor to have any part of the Right and Power of VVar in the affairs of the Empire; or the Circle of Lower-Saxony, but that the King would challenge it wholly himſelf, to the great injury and oppreſſion of the Houſe of Gottorp, and danger of other Princes.

But the Proceedings at Rendsbourgh are covered with this further pretence, as if by it the Antient Union between the Kings of Denmark and Houſe of Gottorp was reſtored, and thoſe Provinces re-eſtabliſht in their moſt flouriſhing Condition; and therefore ſince the greateſt Maſters of Prudence teach us, that that Government which makes both the Prince and his Subjects moſt happy, ought to be preferred and kept, the King ſeems to have rather done well than ill, by having diſpoſed and brought the Dukedomes from a leſs, to a more happy, nay, moſt happy ſtate, by the tranſactions of Rendsbourgh. This is a fair Speech, but if we conſider it a little nearer, we ſhall eaſily diſcover its fraud: For whereas the Kings of Denmark and Dukes of Gottorp, have their Lands, Governments, and Towns, in the Dukedomes of Sleſwick and Holſtein, not only contiguous, but intermixed with one another, and the ſafety and happineſs of Denmark depending not a little upon the good Government of theſe Dukedomes, there were Treaties of Union made, confirmed, and exchanged on both ſides, by which the Government of theſe two Countries was left to both Princes joyntly, and they to command in them every year alternatively, and to have the whole Nobility and other the States, ſubject to them. And as it cannot be denied▪ but that this conjunction contributed very much to the peace and qulet of Denmark, ſo the Dukes of Gottorp have uſed this Right ſo carefully and diſcreetly, that none of their Acts have in the leaſt derogated from theſe Treaties of Union, which is more than can be ſaid of the Danes; for though they talk of the Union, when it is advantageous to them, yet have they often violated the ſame in things of the greateſt Importance, which is proved by this: That the Kings of Denmark cannot without breach of the Treaties, (as moſt manifeſtly appears, by the Articles of the Union) enter into a VVar, nor carry it on at their own pleaſure, without firſt acquainting the Dukes of Gottorp with their Deſigns, and obtaining his conſent to it; nor in time of VVar diſpoſe at his will of their Subjects, or their Eſtates, who are either in his or in the Dukes Territories. But as the will and authority of the Kings of Denmark have ſometimes prevailed in other Affairs relating to theſe Dukedomes, ſo have they affected hitherto to take greater power than the Dukes, though but their equals there. And this having happened many times before the Daniſh Monarchy was Hereditary, and the Danes ſince ſtrengthning themſelves by little and little, are now come to that, as to make and expound all manner of Treaties for the advantage of their King, and either think themſelves no longer oblig'd to them then as they are found ſuch, or as they may by them enſnare the Dukes of Gottorp. For the Danes publiſh openly, that their King will hereafter order matters in theſe Provinces, (the Government whereof is joyntly in him and the Duke) as a Prince having the Soveraign Power, and conſequently uſe the Duke as his Vaſſal. This Joynt-Government being by the Treaties extended to both Dukedoms, it is eaſily to be ſeen, that the King intends to exerciſe a Soveraign and Independent Power in Sleſwick, and afterwards by little and little Uſurp the ſame under divers pretences, and eſpecially that of the Union in the Dukedome of Holſtein, and ſo wholly aboliſh the Dignity and Authority of the Dukes of Gottorp, either by the Right of a Military Power, or by degrees in time of Peace. Therefore, what one of the Fathers ſays of Religion, That ſhe brought forth Riches, but the Daughter devoured the Mother, may be ſaid upon this occaſion; The Ʋnion brought forth this Joynt-Government, but the quarrelſome Daughter has deſtroyed her Mother. The Danes have no reaſon then to deceive the Houſe of Gottorp, and the VVorld with the ſpecious word of Union, ſince every one may ſee, that the former condition thereof is much alter'd, and the farther this Daniſh Soveraignty ſhall extend her VVings, the more the Houſe of Gottorp will be endangered thereby.

And no body can look upon this as a meer Conjecture and Gueſs, ſince the Danes have in times paſt and of late confirmed the Truth hereof, and forced the moſt incredulous to Believe it: For in the beginning of May, 1677, the King began to demoliſh the VValls of the Fort of Tunderen, in the Dukedome of Sleſwick, though it appertained to the Duke of Gottorp, without ſpeaking a word to him of his deſign or reaſon for it. Not long before, a laden Ship belonging to ſome Merchants of Lubeck, was ſtranded upon the Shore near Newſtadt, a Town of the Duke of Gottorp's, in the Dukedome of Holſtein. Now this being without diſpute in the Territories of the Houſe of Gottorp, and ſome monys being due to the Duke as Lord of the Place for ſalvage of the Goods and the keeping of them, the Officer of the Place, to keep his Maſters right, cauſed the Goods to be brought a-Shore, and to be ſhut up in a Barn, &c. The Duke intending they ſhould be reſtored to their Owners: But ſoon after came ſome of the Kings Officers with orders to confiſcate the Goods, and having broken open the Barn-door, without any regard to Law, or the Soveraignty of the Place, conveyed the Goods away upon ſeveral Waggons to Hilgenhaven, one of the Kings Towns, and thereby manifeſtly violated the Dukes right, having no Orders for the ſame but from the Kings Commiſſioners. Beſides, in the latter end of March 1677, the King of Denmark ſignified to the Duke of Gottorp, that he thought fit ſome Publick days ſhould be appointed for the Subjects, to Pray for the Preſervation of the Country. But herein likewiſe was a deſign, for it being uſual to ſet three days apart for publick Prayers yearly in his Highneſſes Territories, in the week before Rogation-Sunday, the King reſolv'd to take that time, and would not expect the conſent of the Duke for it; but taking no notice thereof, commanded thoſe days to be kept in the Dukedome of Sleſwick in his own Name alone, and in the Dukedom of Holſtein in his and the Duke of Holſtein's Name, thereby infringing the Articles of Union in ſeveral reſpects. And though the King publiſhes, he acquainted the Duke of Gottorp with this deſign, yet the Duke did never conſent to the thing, nor the manner of it. It is by meer force and no right, that the King deteins that part of the Dukedome of Sleſwick, which does and did belong to the Duke of Gottorp, as we ſhall at large prove: The Duke of Gottorp having already contradicted, and firmly contradicting all what his Majeſty ſhall publiſh or command there in his Name alone. Beſides, the King alone has no right to order matters of the Government of the Dukedome of Holſtein, (which ought to be ſetled by both Princes) not having the conſent of the Duke, though he cauſe his Orders to be Publiſhed and Proclaimed in the Dukes name as well as his own. For a thing is not done by two perſons unleſs there be a joynt conſent. It is evident therefore, that this alſo has been done contrary to the ancient Treaties: and becauſe that the Kings Order had only his Majeſties Seal, and that the King alone cannot enjoyn the States of the Provinces any thing, and eſpecially becauſe that all this hath been done at a time when the Duke, according to courſe, ought to have had the direction and Prerogative of the Soveraign Power, and Joint-Government (from whoſe Power and Right herein, howſoever the Danes endeavour to detract by theſe pretended Novelties) the moſt Serene Duke did on the firſt of May 1677, proteſt againſt it; and having appointed the uſual days for publick Prayers, doth again hereby repeat his publick Proteſtation in that behalf.

Laſtly, this Calumny has alſo been added to the abovementioned, as if the Duke of Gottorp (though almoſt entirely ruined by the Danes) ſhould intend dangerous practiſes againſt their ſtate. And firſt, this Story has gone about, that he was raiſing Eight Thouſand Men in Ireland, to Tranſport into his Territories, and a great many have believed it. But it being impoſſible to begin ſuch a thing, much more to perfect it, without the knowledge and conſent of the King of Great Britain, and the Daniſh Envoy at London having complained hereof, his Majeſty deſired him very prudently to prove it; which he not having hitherto been able to do, all good men are ſatiſfied of the Vanity of the Fable. Afterwards another Story has been raiſed and ſpread in the Court of the Emperor and other Princes, having been preſented in writing by the Danes to the Deputies of the Circle of the Lower Saxony at Brunſwick, that the Dukes Deputies being excluded from that Aſſembly, and the deliberations thereof, it might ſerve as a Preſident to help them to perfect their yet worſe Deſigns. It is alſo charged upon the Duke, that he has taken meaſures with the Duke of Mecklenbourgh, to contrive how they ſhould with their own Forces, or thoſe of the Swedes or others, retake Wiſmar and Gluckſtadt from the Danes. They endeavour to prove this Story by I know not what diſcourſe, of a certain Frenchman called De Luis, who was carried away Priſoner to Copenhaguen, and by ſome Letters they found about him.

VVe ſhall not now diſpute what the Duke of Gottorp, ſo unjuſtly oppreſſed by the Danes, may lawfully do againſt them, and why he ſhould not uſe all means for his own Defence: Neither is it neceſſary we ſhould plead anothers Cauſe, ſince it may be preſumed, that no man will deſert himſelf. But we ſolemnly affirm here with all ſincerity, in the Name, and by the Command of the Duke of Gottorp, that he never thought upon any ſuch thing, nor exchanged a word with the Duke of Mecklenbourg about it, as that Duke has himſelf aſſerted to the Duke of Gottorp's Miniſter ſent to him expreſly, promiſing to declare the ſame publickly, and that he never gave any Orders to this De Luis, nor truſted him with any Letters. The Danes themſelves, when they think of it, inſult over the Duke of Gottorp, and ſay, they wonder extreamly he will not ſubmit to the Daniſh Dominion, that is ſo eaſie, ſeeing himſelf deſtitute of all help, and no Prince willing to raiſe an Army in his behalf. And yet at other times they make him ſo formidable, and ſo full of pernicious deſigns againſt the Empire, the Kingdome of Denmark, and the Confederates, that they would have him declared an Enemy of the Empire, excluded from all publick Aſſemblies, and having almoſt entirely ruined him themſelves, to be quite oppreſſed by others. This is indeed a great Malice and Hatred, ſit for none but men full of Gall, who are not aſhamed to obtrude ſuch Lies upon their King and the whole Chriſtian world, that they may take away from the Duke all means of helping himſelf, and ſo ſtain his Innocence with calumnies▪ that ſo good a Prince might be thought not to deſerve any pitty, and much leſs the help of Juſtice againſt ſuch manifeſt Injuries, the greatneſs and ſplendor of whoſe Family is ſuch, that there is ſcarce any great Family in Germany, to whom he is not Allied and Related. In a word, ſince the diſcourſes or Letters of this De Luis, that are ſpread abroad, and pretended to be intercepted, do not at all concern the Duke, we deſire no Faith may be given to theſe Stories of the Danes, till they ſhew the Truth of them to the World, which undoubtedly they can never do.

The falſehood of theſe Stories and Inventions thus plainly appearing, it remains we ſhould give the Reaſons why the Duke ought in any impartial judgment to be entirely reſtored to all his Rights, which the Danes have ſo contrary to all Juſtice Uſurped. His Highneſs obtained three points chiefly by the Treaty of Roſchild, viz. The Soveraignty or Supreme Power over the Dukedome of Sleſwick, without any dependence from the King or Crown of Denmark; the Territory of Schwabſtadt, and the Cathedral Church of Sleſwick, with its Eccleſiaſtical Juriſdiction, and ſome other things. And becauſe the King of Denmark had at that time entred into an unneceſſary War againſt the Swedes, not only without conſulting the Duke of Gottorp, but contrary to his Opinion, and notwithſtanding his diſſuading the ſaid King from the ſame, and had brought great Calamities upon the Provinces and Subjects of the Duke, by drawing the Swedes, Imperialiſts, Brandenburgers, Polanders and Tartars into them; the King of Sweden would have procured a proportionable ſatisfaction to his Father-in-Law, and his Highneſs might juſtly have admitted of it; but was contented for all the damages he had ſuſtained, with the remiſſion of the Vaſſalage of the Dukedome of Sleſwick, and the yielding up of the Soveraignty thereof to him, without demanding any thing more for his ſatiſfaction. This occaſion of the Controverſies and Wars between them being cut off, and both Princes having ſolemnly Sworn to keep this Peace, it ſeemed as if none more firm and ſecure could have been wiſhed for; but the Danes continually tormented ſince the Peace at Roſchild, by the remembrance of their having yielded up this Soveraignty, have ſo far indulged their deſire of Revenge, that they have ſtudied nothing more than how to regain this Dukedome and its Soveraign Right, and wholly ſupplant the Houſe of Gottorp; which is fully proved by what we have ſaid already, and the moſt ſevere conditions of Rendsbourgh, and the means uſed to force the Duke and his Miniſters to conſent to them; which being neceſſary to be known by thoſe that would judge aright of theſe Differences, we ſhall, before we have done, give the world ſome account, leaving it to their juſt cenſure.

And though the Danes have obtruded theſe conditions upon the Duke of Gottorp, and have extorted from him the Authentick Inſtrument of the Peace of Roſchild; yet hereby they have done nothing but ſhown their own inſincerity, and the diſ-ingenuity of their Proceedings; and rendred themſelves obliged upon many accounts to make the Duke amends for their violating of his Rights, and to reſtore him entirely to the ſame; which if they refuſe to do, they deſerve to be forced thereunto by all Princes who have any conſideration for Faith, Juſtice, and Conſcience. And this we ſhall endeavour thus to demonſtrate.

1. VVhatſoever was given, yielded, and promiſed to the Duke of Gottorp, by the King and Kingdom of Denmark, at the ending of the laſt War 1658, was yielded deliberately With their Will and Conſent; and it was particularly provided, that neither of the Parties, under what pretence ſoever, ſhould ever recede from the Articles agreed upon, and that they ſhould be kept inviolable. Neither can the Danes object here, that they did not conſent to theſe things freely and frankly, but only as forced by the Arms of Sweden; for having freely and voluntarily attacked the Swedes, they were free certainly alſo to conſent to what ſatisfaction and compenſation the Swedes would inſiſt upon; and the Swedes having juſtly extended what they demanded to the benefit of the Houſe of Gottorp, which had ſuſtained ſo many loſſes by the War, the Danes have no reaſon to complain of them for it; the Swedes having then a juſt right by the Law of Nations to require yet more from Denmark: And here this Rule of the Civil Law muſt take place, Whatſoever damage a man ſuffers through his own de 〈…〉 , is to be accounted no damage.

2. Not only 〈…〉 nd the States of the Kingdome of Den •••• 〈…〉 with the Duke of Gottorp, have Sworn each of 〈…〉 eep thoſe Articles inviolate; but the King of Great Britain, the Moſt Chriſtian King, and the States of the Ʋnited-Provinces, by whoſe care the Peace of Roſchild was procured, have alſo approved the ſame as Guarantees; and thence it is manifeſt, that whoſoever of the Parties ſhall violate this Treaty, or refuſe to be obliged by the ſame, doth not only offend againſt God and his Conſcience, but alſo the Law of Nations, and particularly provokes the Arms of thoſe Princes who are engaged ſolemnly in the Guaranty of the Treaty.

3. The Danes have conſented to this Agreement twice already; firſt, by a general Approbation in the 22 Article of the Peace of Roſchild, made the 26 of Feb. 1658, and then more ſpecially by the Agreement made at Copenhaguen the 12 of May the ſame year. A little after the War between the Swedes and the Danes being renewed of a ſudden, the Danes beſieged Tonningen, and the Duke with all his Court reſiding in it, to make him renounce the Articles above-mentioned, and renounce his Soveraignty in the Dukedome of Sleſwick. The Danes indeed complained at that time, that the Swedes had retaken Arms againſt them, but whether juſtly or unjuſtly, is not our buſineſs now to diſpute. For what has the Duke of Gottorp to do with it? The King of Sweden his Son-in-Law, did not give him the leaſt notice, that he intended to paſs into Denmark and renew the War there; neither was his Highneſs charged of having committed any offence againſt the King of Denmark. But ſuppoſe this ſecond War of the Swedes was unjuſt, as the Danes alledge, muſt therefore the Innocent and the Guilty be treated alike? what the Duke enjoyed, was as a juſt ſatisfaction, the Juſtice whereof he never did any thing againſt. Therefore when there was an end put to this War by the Peace of 1660; the Swedes indeed remitted again into the hands of the King of Denmark ſome things that had been granted them by the Treaty of Roſchild. But all that had been yielded or promiſed to the Houſe of Gottorp remained as before without the leaſt diminution. The Moſt Chriſtian King, the King of Great Britain, and the States General of the Ʋnited Provinces, thinking it juſt to leave it ſo; the Danes for the third time now approving that Treaty, and agreeing beſides with the Duke of Gottorp to paſs a general Amneſty for all Injuries and other matters committed before that time, as appears by the 27 and 28 Articles of that Treaty.

4. Beſides, when the Treaty of Peace was concluded between the Swedes and the Poles, with their Allies, the Emperor and Elector of Brandenbourgh at Oliva 1660, the King of Denmark and the Duke of Gottorp were not only included therein: But the Treaty between them the Swedes and the Duke made at Roſchild, and renewed afterwards 1660, was alſo included in it, as if it had been tranſcribed word for word; the Danes ratiſying what the Kings of Sweden and Poland, and the Emperour and Elector of Brandenbourg, had ſtipulated to that purpoſe, and ſo now the fourth time ſolemnly approved the Agreements between themſelves and the Houſe of Gottorp. And to the intent that this Peace might be ſtrictly kept by all Parties, not only the Danes and Poles, with their Confederates, promiſe one another a mutual Guaranty; but the King of France alſo entred into the ſame, agreeing amongſt other things, That if any Prince thought himſelf grieved by any other way than force of Armes, he ſhould not Revenge it by way of Arms, but complain to the ſeveral Princes, who were Parties in this Treaty, deſiring them to procure him a preſent and ſufficient ſatiſfaction, Vid. Artic. 22. 26. 31. & 35. of that Treaty. I would fain have the Danes tell us, what Injuries the Houſe of Gottorp has done them, either by way of Arms, or otherwiſe: If they cannot tell, nor prove any, the Duke of Gottorp has reaſon to expect to be reſtored to all his Rights by the Princes that have engaged their Faith in this Treaty, and that the Danes ſhould be uſed as breakers of the Peace. If the Danes will make theſe trivial objections, which have been already anſwered, paſs for Injuries, and eſpecially the League made with Sweden by the Duke of Gottorp for his own defence; I am afraid they will find few expert Miniſters of their mind. It has always, and ever will be lawful to make ſuch Leagues. Nay, if the Danes will but remember their own Deſigns, and examine their Conſcience, they muſt needs own themſelves the Authors, or occaſion of this League. For ſuch Principles muſt never be neglected, nor the Power of any ever be raiſed to ſuch a greatneſs, (or it muſt not be left in any ones power to do hurt, who has a mind to do it) that afterwards you may not be in a condition to diſpute your right upon equal terms. Saith Polyb. lib. 1.

5. The diſſenting minds of Princes having been in all Ages happily reconciled by Marriage, and their Animoſities thereby laid down, and ſometimes totally extinguiſht; the Duke of Gottorp thought fit to uſe this Remedy, and having humbly demanded, and obtained as a Pledge of ſincere Friendſhip between both Princes, the Daughter of Frederick King of Denmark of happy Memory for his Wife; and ſeveral Articles being at the ſame time agreed upon by the King and the Duke, as well relating to the Dowry as other things, the King then again ratified all that had been ſo many times agreed between them concerning this Dukedome. So that the King now for the fifth time gave his conſent to it in the year 1667, moſt freely, and without the leaſt appearance of conſtraint by War or otherwiſe.

6. The Danes without the leaſt provocation or new injury (all former matters being by an Amneſty in the Treaty aboliſhed on both ſides) but out of a deſire of Revenge, and hope of regaining their loſſes, have firſt broken this Peace and Agreement made and concluded between the King and States of Denmark, and the Houſe of Gottorp, ſo often Sworn to and approved by both, partly by committing Violences upon old aboliſh'd pretences, and which by ſeveral Conventions have been before adjuſted, and partly by doing things either directly againſt the tenor of the Articles, or the neceſſary conſequences of them; for whatever is acted contrary to Friendſhip, breaks the Peace which ſubſiſts by nothing elſe; And what other men are obliged to by Friendſhip alone, Grot. lib. 3. c. 20. n. 27. ſeq. Princes are further tied to by their Promiſes and Treaties. And therefore we hope it will find little credit what the Danes falſly accuſe the Duke of, as if he ſhould have provoked them juſtly to what they have done. For thoſe break the Peace who firſt commit Violences, and not thoſe that repel them, and much leſs thoſe that only endeavour to defend themſelves, ſaith Thucydides; wherewith agrees the common opinion of the Learned in the Law, who ſay, That to make a Defence lawful, it is not neceſſary to expect or receive the firſt blow. Therefore what is objected to Choſro • in Procopius, may be applyed here; Thoſe break the Peace, who in time of Peace or League are firſt found to endeavour to ſurprize others, and not th • ſe that are firſt in Arms. Now, if any one will impartially conſider all Tranſactions ſince the Peace of Roſchild, it can never be made out, that the Houſe of Gottorp has conſpired againſt the King of Denmark, but on the contrary, that the King hath laid ſnares for the Duke from time to time, and at laſt ſurpriz'd him at Rendsbourgh, as hath been before ſaid.

7. If we conſider well the means taken by the Danes to gratifie their deſire of Revenge, though they have covered their intentions with many fair words, we ſhall find them very falſe and unjuſt. For the Duke of Gottorp and his Miniſters having been drawn to Rendsbourgh upon the hopes given, and ſo many times confirmed of a fair compoſure of things, and ſeveral proteſtations of friendſhip and kindneſs, were preſently after ſhut up, and detained in Priſon, where they were forced to moſt unjuſt conditions: there was quite another thing intended than what was acted; and any man may eaſily ſee by what trick they were betrayed and trepanned. Therefore, whatever was concluded there, is void in Law; and the Danes have done nothing, either in forcing the Houſe of Gottorp to agree to theſe unjuſt conditions, or extorting fit and juſt ones from it. Neither have they hereby confirmed their old Right, nor got a new one. They have only taken Papers and Parchments from the Duke, but not the Right they lookt for; and in truth there has been only a Play Acted at Rendsbourgh, but it was a Tragedy. For if we weigh this by the Law of Nations, which is chiefly of Force between free Princes and People, the Convention at Rendsbourgh is abſolutely null and void; nothing being more contrary to Faith and Juſtice than ſuch tricks as theſe, and Princes being more ſtrictly bound not to depart from it than any private perſon; eſpecially ſince the Articles with the Houſe of Gottorp of 1658, were agreed upon, and ſigned with ſuch Ceremony, and in ſuch manner, as equal them to an Oath; and that by them, not the King, but the injur'd Duke is to be entirely reſtored. It was a ſaying of the Antients, That amongſt good men all proceedings ought to be ſincere. Now Princes ought not only to be counted good, but the beſt of men; and the more punctual and ſincere they are in their Treaties with others, the greater will their Reputation be.

8. This Tranſaction was likewiſe no ſmall breach of the Law of Nations. The King had deſired the Duke, after they had Feaſted together friendly and kindly at Dennewerk, to come and ſee him at Rendsbourgh, and the Chancellor of the Kingdom having repeated this deſire of the Kings, the Duke ſent word he would do himſelf the Honour to come and wait upon his Majeſty. His Highneſs was received with the ſhooting of Guns, and all other demonſtrations of kindneſs and reſpect, that he might believe himſelf welcome. But when he was detained a Priſoner, with Guards to watch him, and that thoſe who ought to have been uſed like Gueſts and well entertained, were not permitted to go away, nay, not ſo much as to ſtir out, the Law of Nations was eminently broken, and ſufficient occaſion given for Reparation. Many wonder that the Duke would truſt his Perſon and his Miniſters with the King, and that in a very ſtrong Town. But they will ceaſe wondering when they know all the repeated proteſtations of true Friendſhip made by the King and his Miniſters, ſo that the Duke, who has a generous and great Soul, was afraid to be thought miſtruſtful, or give a ſuſpition of it, eſteeming with Livy, that to truſt was the way to be truſted. Thus of old periſh'd Dio, who knowing that Calippus had laid ambuſhes for him, was aſhamed to uſe precaution againſt a Friend, and one whoſe Gueſt he then was, ſaith Plutarch.

9. And here we muſt not omit the Violences uſed towards the Duke of Gottorp and his Miniſters, and the Troubles they were put to. If a man puts another in Priſon or Cuſtody to extort from him, all what is done by it is null, ſay the Civilians, Vid. Paulus Ictus. Lib. 22. ff. quod met. cauſ. geſt. Nay, he that ſhuts any one in his houſe to get a Promiſe or Obligation from him, does force him to it. V. L. 1. Sent. Tit. 7. Sect. 8. Therefore in the Commonwealth of Rome, by the Julian Law, he was guilty of publick Violence, who had ſhut up a man with an ill deſign, reſtrained him, or got an Obligation from him by force; the Law declaring all ſuch void. l. 5. pr. ff. ad. l. Jul. de vi publicâ. As force impoſes a neceſſity upon the mind, and is commonly accompanied with fear, becauſe of the imminent danger that unſetles the Soul, lib. 1. quod met. cauſ. So the Duke of Gottorp, a Friend, a near Relation, a Gueſt, a Brother, &c. being come to viſit his Friend, Relation, Brother, &c. endured not only many hard violent injuries and unjuſt things, as well as all his Servants, but was terrified daily with new threats and apprehenſions of great Evils, by which his Mind and his Body were brought ſo low, that his grief caſt him into a dangerous diſtemper. Some of the Danes have endeavoured to conceal the diſguiſe, nay, deny too what paſſed at Rendsbourgh, and perhaps are yet unwilling to confeſs the truth; not becauſe they can ſtiffle what hath been done in the view of ſo many people, then at Rendsbourgh, but to ſuppreſs all they could the remembrance of this Infamous Story. For we do not doubt but that there are many good men among the Danes, who abhor the Counſel of that man, who was then the great man with the King, and never kept within bounds.

But however the Danes may be thought of by impartial judges of theſe things for his inexcuſable proceeding, they can neither reap any advantage thereby, nor cauſe any damage to the Houſe of Gottorp, or render its condition worſe. For though by the Principles of Philoſophy, whoſoever has promiſed any thing by force or fear, ſeems to be bound to it in ſtrictneſs of Law: Yet ſince the Ancients have been of opinion, that ſummum jus is ſometimes injurious, and that the Law of Nature abhors an unjuſt force or conſtraint; no Prince ought to be bound by this ſummum jus, when accompanied with force, but rather reſtored to what has been forced from him, which the following words of Grotius explain and confirm. I am wholly of the opinion of thoſe, who believe, that laying aſide the Civil Law, (by which the Obligation may be taken away or diminiſht) whoſoever has promiſed a thing through fear, is bound, becauſe he has given his abſolute conſent, and not a conditional one, as in the caſe of one that miſtakes. For as Ariſtotle ſays very well, he that throws his goods into the Sea for fear of Shipwrack, would willingly ſave them conditionally, viz. if the danger was not imminent; but he is abſolutely content to loſe them, conſidering the circumſtance of time and place. But I eſteem this moſt true, if the man to whom the Promiſe is made, has terrifyed • he other not juſtly, but unjuſtly, though but a little, and upon this has got a Promiſe, he to whom the promiſe was made, is bound to releaſe him from it, if the other deſires it; not becauſ • the Promiſe is of no force, but for the injury done. L. 2. de Jure B. & P. c. 11. n. 7. He explains theſe laſt words thus in another place; He that has by cunning, force, or unjuſt fear, obtained from another a Contract or Promiſe, is bound to releaſe the Perſon of his ſaid Contract; for he had a right neither to be deceived, nor to be forced; the firſt by the nature of Contracts, the other by the Liberty of Nature. Lib. 2. de Jure B. & P. c. 17. n. 17. And he repeats the ſame, lib. 3. c. 19. n. 4. 10. The King of Denmark can ſo much the leſs deny this right of Reſtitution to the Houſe of Gottorp, becauſe he himſelf would have challenged the ſame right when it was his own caſe▪ For his Majeſty having extorted from the Duke, by meer force, all he thought fit, his Highneſs was reproached, that he had gotten theſe things before by force, and the Arms of an Enemy, and had given juſt cauſe conſequently to the King to repoſſeſs himſelf the ſame way; It will then be very juſt, that the King ſuffer the Duke to make uſe of the ſame Law againſt his Majeſty, which he would have uſed againſt his Highneſs, ſince this is a Rule of the Law of Nature, which obliges all Princes without diſtinction. I ſay the King would have made uſe of this Law againſt the Duke, that having been forced to the Treaty in queſtion, he ought to have been reſtored unto his Rights again. But in this the Danes are very much miſtaken, that they do not diſtinguiſh by what kind of force or fear one is conſtrained, whether juſt or unjuſt; and have gone about fooliſhly to perſwade themſelves and others, that the King had recovered the Soveraignty of the Dukedom of Sleſwick, the ſame way he had loſt it. For as Juſtice offers Reſtitution with both hands to a man, forced unjuſtly to a promiſe or grant; ſo it denies it flatly to one juſtly forced. Therefore when any one has himſelf been the cauſe of his being compelled to promiſe o • give, he cannot recover it the ſame way, having loſt his right of Reſtitution, by giving a juſt cauſe to the other, who has juſtly employed a juſt force. Grot. lib. 2. c. 17. n. 19.

11. This Reſtitution due upon ſo many accounts, ought not to be denied, becauſe of the great Evils and dangerous Errours which may ſpring from ſuch a denial. For if we take the Treaty of Rendsbourgh into ſerious conſideration, we ſhall find the Duke of Gottorp deprived of all his Royalties, and the King alone inveſted with them, and all ſubmitted to his Pleaſure. For the King alone having undertaken the defence of both Dukedoms, declared all the Dukes Treaties null, deprived him of his Souldiers, demoliſht his Towns and Forts, detained him againſt his will in Cuſtody, raiſed ſuch great Taxes upon his Lands, that his Highneſs and his Subjects have nothing remaining; whence it is manifeſt that the Right of Peace and War, and the other great Royalties, are taken away from the Duke by this Treaty, or at leaſt ſo much incroached upon, that all the Authority which he might of right, and has hitherto, after the Example of his Anceſtors, enjoyed and exerciſed, is now in the King alone, and at his diſpoſe, under whoſe power and pleaſure his Highneſs muſt hereafter live, under the Notion of a Client or Vaſſal, but really as a Subject. So heretofore the Latins complained, That under the colour of a League with the Romans they lived in Slavery; and the Achaians, that their League was now become a precarious Slavery; and, as Tacitus ſpeaks, A miſerable Slavery was now falſly called Peace. And though Proculus be of opinion, that free Tenants are not under the Dominion or Subjection of the Patron, yet when a Prince or People come under the Protection of a Superiour Prince or People, we know by experience that a fall is eaſie in ſlippery ground, and that the Tenantſhip is ſoon changed into a ſoft Slavery, which the Duke of Gottorp has the more reaſon to fear and avoid; For that the King of Denmarks Power reaching from the further part of Norway, as far as Holland, is very great, and that under the pretence of the Union at the Treaty of Rendsbourgh, vainly called by the Name of Pragmatick Sanction, an occaſion may be taken to oppreſs or ſuppreſs the Authority and Dignity of the Houſe of Gottorp. Who ever ſaw a Soveraign Prince without Royalties? Who can ſhew a Duke of Sleſwick thus wholly diveſted of his high Prerogatives? If the Dukes of Sleſwick are to be inveſted hereafter by giving them a Banner, and with the Ceremony obſerved at Ottenwaldt in 1580, will not that be a Proclaiming of them Subjects with the greater Pomp only, and telling the world by this Inveſtiture, how proud they are of this Subjection? If the Dukes of Gottorp were caſt into this condition or abandoned in it, and on the contrary, the Kings of Denmark might govern at their Pleaſure the Dukedomes of Sleſwick and Holſtein, and that part of them alſo which belongeth to the Duke, what an augmentation of Power would that be to them, and how might they abuſe it if ever they would make uſe of it againſt Germany, and eſpecially the Circle of the Lower-Saxony? This may be made out by an exact account of the vaſt ſums of mony, and all other things they have extorted in a little time from thoſe Provinces; it is hardly credible how great the ſums are. And we know well enough what an ambitious Example they have ſhown, and there is no queſtion but opportunity and power will invite others to follow them. Therefore Prudence requires rather that the Duke of Gottorp ſhould be in time reſtored to his former condition, and all his Rights, than that ſo many Princes, Provinces, and Towns, be deſtroyed by his Ruin, which will be eaſily prevented, if the injury now done to his Highneſs be looked upon by every one of them as done to themſelves.

But ſuppoſe we ſhould grant that the Duke of Gottorp has effectually bound himſelf by the conditions of Rendsbourg to a Vaſſalage for the Dukedom of Sleſwick, (which ſuppoſition we yet conſtantly deny as falſe;) yet the delay of demanding the Inveſtiture cannot be imputed to the Duke, but to the King alone: for who does not know that the Strong-holds of Tonningen and Holme are ſeated in the Dukedom of Sleſwick? And the King without regard to his Word, having razed them both, taken away the Garriſons and all the Artillery, kept the Duke beſieged in his Caſtle of Gottorp; and all this relating to the Dukedome of Sleſwick, hath not the Duke juſtly demanded, that all theſe Grievances be firſt redreſſed, and ſatisfaction be made to him for them? If he had done otherwiſe, and blindly asked the Inveſtiture, truſting himſelf to the Kings pleaſure, there had never been any notice taken of the old and new Grievances, and his Highneſs had raſhly ſubmitted himſelf to a Vaſſalage, that had deprived him and his Poſterity of all his Royalties, and expoſed them to the eternal Scorn of the world. Beſides, ſince it was ſuggeſted to the Dukes Ambaſſadors ſent to Copenhaguen about the Fief and Grievances, that they would do well to return to his Highneſs for new Inſtructions about the Fief, without expecting any Orders from him; the King had certainly no cauſe given him for Sequeſtrations, and thoſe other acts of Hoſtility committed by his Order in the Dukedom of Sleſwick. And ſo we muſt not yield that the King, by doing Acts by which the Lord of a Fief uſes to loſe his Right, ſhould take away anothers Right; and not only gain by the Ruin of the other, but even by what ought to turn to his own loſs, contrary to the Laws of Nature; Nations, Feudal, and all others whatſoever. Eric Duke of Sleſwick, having left after his Death his Son Waldemar a Child, Chriſtopher the Second King of Denmark, poſſeſſed himſelf of that Guardian-ſhip of Waldemar, and at the ſame time of the whole Territory of Sleſwick, except Gottorp, which when he alſo beſieged to gain the whole Dutchy, Gerhard Earl of Holſtein, Unkle to Waldemar, with ſome others, oppos'd him ſtoutly, and for this Felony committed by the King in 1326, there was great Debate, which Meurſius thus relates; The Dukedom of Sleſwick having been held till then as a Fief from Denmark, and theſe Princes by reaſon of this Ʋſurpation of the Kings, being unwilling it ſhould continue ſo hereafter, was the occaſion of a long Contention, lib. 4. p. 70, which ended, as we have ſaid before. If this demand in the Name of Waldemar was not unreaſonable, with how much more Juſtice doth our Duke deſire that he might have his own, and a full Reſtitution from the King of what he detains from him ſo unjuſtly, and has Sequeſtrated by meer force; and God Almighty having ordered Reſtitution to be made where Covenants are broken, it is but juſt that his Vice-gerents upon Earth ſhould endeavour to put his Decrees in Execution.

13. If we look upon his Sequeſtration rightly, and examine it by the Rules of Juſtice, we ſhall find it wholly void by Law. For it was neither done by any Convention of the Parties, nor by any Judicial Authority. The Danes, I preſume, will confeſs the former, and the other we do not queſtion but to make them alſo agree to. The King of Denmark having made himſelf Plaintiff againſt the Duke of Gottorp, in the buſineſs of the Dukedome of Sleſwick, his Majeſty cannot be a Judge in the ſame cauſe: Which is explained by ſeveral Civilians, Ad. Tit. Cod. Nequis in ſuâ cauſâ judicet vel jus ſibi dicat; that is to ſay, Let no man be Judge in his own Caſe, or do himſelf juſtice. And this muſt not be underſtood, as if the Poſitive Roman Law only (by which the Danes are not bound) did prohibite any one to be Judge in his own cauſe, for the Law of Nature dictates the ſame, and right reaſon which obliges all the world, proclaims it. Men blinded by their affections do not ſee the truth in their own affairs, ſaith Ariſtotle. And for this reaſon the Kings of Denmark themſelves conſented heretofore, that all Diſputes about this Fief ſhould be determined by Impartial Judges, according to the contents of the Treaty of Union, and that both parties ſhould abſtain from haſty Sequeſtrations, Ord. jud. prov. part. 3. tit. 3. A judicial Sequeſtration being thus prohibited, becauſe it is a kind of Execution wherewith a State ought not to begin; This Sequeſtration of the Dukedome of Sleſwick cannot certainly be defended by any Law, nor by any Judicial Authority, nor by a previous cognizance of the cauſe, upon which a juſt Sentence had followed, but only by the way of violence and abſolute force; by which the Duke of Gottorp has been thrown out of a certain Poſſeſſion and all his Revenues, and an uſurped Poſſeſſion transfer'd by pure Fact upon the Sequeſtrator, againſt the nature of all Judicial Sequeſtrations, which are made uſe of only for the better keeping of things: ſo that this pretended Sequeſtration is really a violent ſpoil committed by the King (ſupported with more than one Army) upon the Duke naked and diſarmed: Now it is the Opinion of all wiſe men, that a perſon who has been ſpoiled, ought firſt of all to be reſtored.

14. And this Reſtitution is ſo much the more earneſtly to be preſſed, as this Sequeſtration may be dangerous both in Temporals and Spirituals. For the King having ſuffered himſelf to be perſwaded, that he could abſolve the common people, Prieſts, and Magiſtrates, Subjects to the Duke in the Dukedome of Sleſwick, from the Allegiance they have ſworn to their Prince, he has cauſed ſometimes one, and ſometimes another to be carried away by Souldiers from their habitations, and from their Sacred and Civil Functions, and ſome to Rend • bourgh (where this whole Tragedy was begun, and where they have been put in Priſon, at leaſt detained for ſome time.) Thoſe of the Dukes Officers and Subjects, that have ſeen and underſtood all that hath paſſed between the King and the Duke, muſt needs know, that his Majeſty has indeed a great Power over his Subjects, but none over thoſe of other Princes; at leaſt not ſuch a one as can free them from their Oath to God, and Allegiance to his Highneſs; eſpecially whilſt the matter in difference is not onely doubtful, but before no Judicial Court, much leſs determined. Nay, they know that they are bound to ſuffer rather the greateſt Miſeries, and the loſs of their whole Fortunes, than to act againſt their own Conſciences and Oaths, or do any thing to the prejudice of their Prince, leſt they ſhould provoke the Anger of God, and the Dukes juſt Revenge; no obedience being due to any body, that gives ſentence out of his own Territory, where he has no Juriſdiction. L. Vel. ff. de Juriſd. And if others frighted with the noiſe of an Army, or the fear of greater Evils, renounce their Allegiance, let them conſider how they enſnare their Conſciences, if not expoſe themſelves to the puniſhments for Perjury and Perfidiouſneſs. To prevent which, let a full and quick Reſtitution take away this illegal Sequeſtration.

15. The King cauſed this Sequeſtration of the Dukedome of Sleſwick to be Proclaimed with a Threatning of Deprivation. It is apparent from what has been ſaid, that this Sequeſtration is ſuch, executed with that Rigour, as if the Duke was actually deprived and deveſted of the Dukedome of Sleſwick; though this Deprivation be as unjuſt and violent as the Sequeſtration. How can the Authors of ſuch Counſels be ſufficiently wondred at, by thoſe that remember, that a Fief is a Contract obliging both Parties, and that the Obligation between the Lord and his Vaſſal is as reciprocal, as that between Husband and Wife, ſaith Cujacius. Therefore, as a Vaſſal promiſes to his Lord upon Oath to perform truly, ſafely, ſecurely, honeſtly, well, &c. ſo alſo doth the Lord to the Vaſſal, and is oblig'd to fulfil it; if he doth the contrary, he is declared of no Faith, Perjur'd and Perfidious by the Feudal Longobardick Law, 2 Feud. 6. Thence it is that all Felony which deprives a Vaſſal of a Fief, d • prives the Lord alſo of the Propriety thereof, if committed by him, and confers it upon the Vaſſal; moſt eſpecially if the Lord ſpoils him, that holds a Fief from him, of his Forts, wherein he may keep himſelf ſecure much more: if the Lord demoliſhes and deſtroys them to the ground; If he uſes the Vaſſal and his Subjects ill, charges them with Impoſts and Taxes, and Pillages them; if he lays Siege to the Vaſſals Caſtle, or other his place of habitation: If the Lord bereaves him of the Fief by his own Authority, without cognizance of the cauſe, and judgment thereupon; or if judging the cauſe himſelf, he alienates the ſame: For though the Lord accuſe his Vaſſal of having done ſome act deſerving Deprivation, yet he is not to be abſolutely believed, though he be a Supreme Prince, ſaith Vult • j • s lib. 1. c. 11. n. 55. In a word, to repeat the proper Terms of the Law, If the Lord enters into the Fief by a bad way, that is to ſay, as Baron Schenkius explains it, ad lib. 2. F • ud. Tit. 22. ſed. Si vero Vaſſallus. If he breaks i 〈…〉 o Poſſeſsion not by the way of the Law or Juſtice, but by Violence. For in ſuch a caſe, if he refuſes wholly to reſtore the Fief, and what belongs to it, he may be forced to it by the way of Arms. And therefore, if the Lord and Vaſſals are to be judged in the ſame manner, according to the opinion of all Feudiſts; certainly the King of Denmark hath loſt all his Right long before, if he had any, in that part of the Dukedom of Sleſwick which belongs to the Duke of Gottorp, and the Duke ought to be Reſtored againſt the King, according to all Laws.

16. For the Duke of Gottorp having received this Dukedome with the greateſt Right, and in the moſt abſolute manner, free from all Vaſſalage, and obtain'd and kept at a very chargable rate the Soveraign Dominion thereof by the ſo often repeated conſent of the King and States of Denmark; the unjuſt Convention at Rendsbourgh cannot ſavour the King of Denmark's cauſe in this, nor take away the leaſt part of the Dukes Soveraign Power in the Dukedome of Sleſwick. This forced Agreement his Majeſty himſelf having not a little receded from, and firſt broken, by demoliſhing the ſtrong Towns, in which, by this very Agreement, he was only to put a Garriſon for a while, and then to reſtore them: carrying away the Dukes Miniſters Priſoners, who had already bound themſelves to the King by the Allegiance he required from them; reducing the Dukes Subjects to the laſt extremities, though his Majeſty had promiſed before, that not a Hen ſhould be touched, and other like things; by which things his Majeſty ſeems not to deſire the ſaid Treaty ſhould remain in force.

17. Laſtly, an entire Reſtitution being the common refuge of Princes and Commonwealths, to which they have recourſe in their Afflictions, the Duke of Sleſwick cannot be excluded from this Priviledge of all Mankind. For though in the Commonwealth of Rome, Reſtitution was to be demanded from the Pretor within a certain time; this and the like are only Pleas of the Civil Law. Reſtitution abſolutely conſidered, is grounded upon the Principles of Equity, which takes its Original from the pureſt Springs of the Law of Nature; and is ſo much the fitter for injured Princes and free Nations, as it is more important to provide for the ſafety of Commonwealths than of private men. For why ſhould not a Prince, as well or rather than a private Perſon, be reſtored unto all his Rights, if he has been deceiv'd or injur'd by fraud; force, unjuſt fear, or the like? Certainly there is no reaſon againſt it, Equity requires this remedy for both. Neither is it limited to theſe alone, but it is applicable as often as there is any cauſe of Reſtitution. L. • . ff. de reſtit. in integ. Natural Equity it ſelf requires, that a man deceived in any thing, where others ought to have proceeded with ſincerity, be fully reſtored, eſpecially ſince by ſuch deceits whatever is done, is anaulled, ſaith a great Lawyer.

Now, who muſt reſtore the Duke unto all his Rights? What hath been ſaid before doth furniſh us with an anſwer. The King of Denmark, who has unjuſtly injur'd the Duke, is beyond all others obliged to do it in the Court of Equity and Conſcience, which demands as ready an obedience, as the King himſelf doth from his Subjects. For thoſe that do an ill act knowingly, or are inſtrumental to it, are to be put in the number of thoſe that cannot go to Heaven without Repentance. And true Repentance requires abſolutely, if there be time and power, that he that has done the Injury make ſatisfaction for it, Grot. lib. 3. de J. B. & P. c. 10. n. 3. & 4. From whence it appears too, that the King ought not only to reſtore what he hath extorted from the Duke at Rendsbourgh and afterwards, but make good alſo thoſe damages his Highneſs and his Subjects have ſuffered by the War, and the occaſion of it. What if the King of Denmark, for reaſon of State, excepting againſt this Court, refuſes to reſtore the Duke? Firſt, I ſay, that the great God is Judge, and the truth of his word will not ſo eaſily wear away as the Daniſh Coyn upon which it is ſtamped. Beſides, the King thereby would give the Duke juſt reaſon to endeavour to right himſelf. If an unj • ſt fear cauſed by another, has forced any one to make a Promiſe, he that hath promiſed may demand Reſtitution, and, if denyed, may take it himſelf, Grot. lib. 3. de J. B. & P. c. 23. n. 2. When any one demands ſatisfaction from his Fellow-Subject, the Authority of the Magiſtrate muſt be employed as Superiour, to force the Inferiours. And ſo in the Commonwealth of Rome, the Pretor having heard the cauſe, was wont to order Reſtitution. But when a Prince muſt be reſtored againſt another Prince, that is Soveraign as well as he, and his Equal, the injur'd Prince, or any for him, may perform the Office of Pretor, uſe all means to procure a full and ample Reparation of his damages. If the Duke of Gottorp is not ſtrong enough to do it himſelf, all Chriſtian Princes and Commonwealths muſt make this cauſe theirs, and employ all their Power to reſtore him; For Wars may be undertook not only for Friends and Allies, but for men, as ſuch, if they are barbarouſly injured. Grot. lib. 3. de I. B. & P. c. 25. n. 1. & ſeq. And who is more injur'd than he, who by a Couſin of the ſame Family, his near Ally, and Brother, againſt his Faith ſo many times ſworn, is ſo ill uſed, as to be deprived of all his Authority and Dignity? Therefore ſince other Princes are not a little concerned, when the condition of any Prince is brought ſo low, contrary to all Juſtice, and when perhaps his entire ruin is endeavoured, eſpecially if theſe baſe Counſels proceed from Miniſters, who in their actions and ſpeeches, have no regard to the great Aſſerter of Faith, and conſequently leſs to Faith it ſelf, the foundation of Juſtice, and the tie of all human Societies; all Princes and States ought firſt of all to take care, that Faith be kept inviolable, and Treaties and Contracts between them be not violated, leſt this tie of Friendſhip and Society being broke, the world ſhould fall into confuſion by their c • nnivence before the time decreed by Divine Providence.

And thoſe Princes and States are chiefly obliged to take care of this Reſtitution, who have guaranted the Treaties between the King of Denmark and the Houſe of Gottorp, and have ſigned the Inſtruments of Peace between Sweden and Germany, and that of Roſchild and Oliva, engaging for the performance of them in ſuch terms and expreſſions, that if they were meant, as they are ſet down, (which is not at all to be doubted,) no man but will believe they intend to perform their Promiſes. And to induce them thereunto without any delay, let the great danger of this example, and the greatneſs of the Injuries be conſidered; and that it is alſo the earneſt requeſt of the Duke of Gottorp, who is every day more and more oppreſſed with new Injuries.

And ſince amongſt theſe Princes that are Securities, the good will of the moſt Serene and Potent King of Great Britain, towards the Houſe of Gottorp, appears above the reſt, his Majeſty having not only engaged himſelf with other Princes and States, for the preſervation of the Peace at Roſchild, and the Treaty of Copenhaguen, made between the King of Denmark and the Houſe of Gottorp, ſoon after that at Roſchild; but having alſo paſſed his word and Guaranty for the Soveraignty yielded by the King and Kingdom of Denmark to the Houſe of Gottorp; and moſt eſpecially his Majeſty being now the Mediator of all publick Differences: Give us leave, moſt Potent King, to let all the World know this great affection of your Majeſtie's towards the Houſe of Gottorp, and to put you in mind of your ſpecial Engagement to our Duke for the Soveraignty of Sleſwick; which you can as eaſily make good, as you were pleaſed to engage for it; that you may be known for as great a Defender of the Civil as of the Chriſtian Faith; and in judging the Differences between the King of Denmark and the Houſe of Gottorp, or diſpoſing all things to a Peace, make uſe of that Equity and Moderation, which may prove a Remedy to the Injur'd, a Defence to the Oppreſſed, and a Reward of Eternal Glory to your Majeſty and the Noble People of England.