OF our own naturall Inclination, We have hi­therto, according to the Domestick exam­ples of our Ancestors, and those later foot­steps of the most glorious King our Father, still followed Peace; and in all our Coun­cels have still aim'd at the publick tranquil­lity, never intending to have receded from this constant resolution of maintaining Peace, unless an inevitable [Page]danger from the Enemy had hung over our heads.

God hath granted us Kingdoms and Dukedoms enough, hath inricht enough our subjects, without the injury of any one, so that they who understand their own good, need not to envy any of their neighbours.

We have hitherto indur'd with patience and connivence the suspected attempts of our enemies, and of their Injuries against us, have thought fit wisely to dissemble some, others to remit at our own will and pleasure, expecting when the unbridled ambi­tion of that Nation, should by the will of God be allay'd, which could not choose at length but be weary to see whole Provinces imbrued in Christian blood, and thereby change their hostile minds so exasperated against their neighbours.

At last when we had so often urg'd that they could no longer with any just pretence gainsay, a meeting was appointed at Copen­hagen, where we laid open those grievances which chiefly mole­sted us, namely, That we ought not to be so defrauded by the Swedes of our Toll; that our losses and injuries ought according to equity to be repair'd: Immediately hereupon Magnus Dure­lius the King of Swedelands Deputy and ordinary Embassadour among us, wanted Instructions to treat upon these Heads, and his King wanted Equity to supply those Instructions, and the satisfaction we have upon most equall conditions so often desir'd, he thinks to be derogatory to the rights of the Swedish Crown, and unexpectedly dissolves those Treaties which were begun by the friendly intercession of the Lord Electour of Brandenburg: Neither have they taken notice of our desires of Peace so often offer'd and transacted by us, nor afterwards of our just Indigna­tion exprest by our Letters of Reprisall; but rather with an ob­durate mind have refus'd all just and equall Proposals, remaining according to their custome most perverse and untractable.

And now more clearly they begin to discover their hidden counsels, being become more insolent by the indulgence of For­tune toward them, and seeing many of their blind attempts, God conniving at their ways, have met with some success, they have [Page]now so far forsaken all consideration of Justice, that whatever their neighbours dispute with them in point of right, they im­piously think to decide it by cruell violence and the sword. We should have been glad utterly to have forgot that Invasion, by us as little expected as the falling of the skies, and also that remar­keable loss, whereby they depriv'd the most glorious King our Father of so many large Provinces and Islands, and Us of the Archbishoprick of Breme, and the Bishoprick of Verden, had they not recall'd it to our memory by their reiterated violence and their new practises against us. We were once in a fair way to peace at Bremsebroa, by the providence of God, and at the Inter­cession of the most Serene King of France and Navarr: the Swedes distrustfull in a matter of greatest security, took care to have Hallands-ars delivered into their hands in pawn, an inesti­mable Province fortified with three strong holds, and this they did with so much the more obstinacy, because they thought them­selves not to be oblig'd by these Covenants.

We are heartily sorry that these firm beginnings of Peace at Bremsebroa, by which the publike quiet of the North was so strengthened, being so farre remov'd from their sight and minds should be so shaken, and that our Royall Authority should be so immodestly contemn'd and neglected: Since therefore they bear with an ill mind even our most moderate councels, at length through their means, We call the whole world and all honest Nations to witness, all Peace was given over as quite hopeless. And therefore We also, this way not succeeding, proceed another way, and having both the Law of God and man on our side, with a sincere and quiet conscience, appeal to the Lord of Hosts and that supream Tribunal of Nations where all matters are justly decided, and according to the Law of Nations, have re­course to our just Arms, for the defending our Kingdoms and Dukedoms, and protecting Our selves and subjects from the Injury of the Swedes; that at length by the decree of Divine Providence, and the aid of our Confederates, an honest and se­cure Peace may be establisht and confirm'd. The friendship [Page]therefore which hath hitherto been observ'd between the two neighbouring Nations, so often rashly infring'd and violated by the Swedes, both we for our parts give over, and against the most High Prince the Lord Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes, Goths and Vandals, the Kingdome of Swedeland, and all his sub­jects, by the Law of God, and by the councell of the worthyThe Peers of the Realm. Senatours of the Kingdom, and by the una­nimous aid of all our subjects, We according to the Law of Arms denounce Warre both by Land and Sea.

But since we ought to prove this Expedition allowable before God and our own conscience, with both which we made peace, before we made warre with the Swedes, they being guilty of all that bloudshed, and those calamities which render warres so vexatious, and also to submit our selves to the judgement of the universall and Christian world, who will altogether assent unto us, when they shall hear those high aggravations and weighty motives by which we are urged, and will free us from all imputa­tion of unlawfull revenge and invasion.

I. It is already well known to all the world, that the Swedes in the year 1643, invaded our Archbishoprick of Breme and Bishoprick of Verden, when as by the permission of both parties which were then in warre, and by a most solemn exemption we were to have been Neuter and Secure, forasmuch as by the Authority and subscription of Caesar, the Royall and faithfull promises both of the Queen and Peers of Swedeland were con­firm'd, and without any default on our side constantly observed. When we had recovered the Castle of Vorden, a Cessation of Arms was agreed on between us and the Swedish Army, on condition that pay and provision should be allowed to our Gar­rison Souldiers out of the Archbishoprick; but these Covenants which they yeelded unto for their profit, they afterwards rece­ded from, as thinking they would not prove so profitable unto them as they expected; so that in the same thing we are again de­ceiv'd in the truth of the Swedish promises. Also, At the Peace at Bremsebroa, the restitution of the Archbishoprick, at the me­diation [Page]of the French Embassadour, and with the large promises of the Swedish Deputies, was referr'd to other Treaties to be re­newed at Stockholm in presence of the Queen of Swedeland, ne­vertheless we our selves, being then Archbishop, as also our Of­ficers and servants, with every ones goods, were inserted into the 38^th Article. But what secret designs they fostered under these promises, they afterwards more openly declar'd; when contrary to Conditions agreed on, by which we were freed and exempted from the attempts of both parties, & both the Cessation of Arms forbidding, and the Peace at Bremsebroa gainsaying, at that very time when our Embassadours at Stockholm treated with the Swedes according to agreement, they invaded the Castle of Vorden and took it by siege, and at length inserted the Bishopricks that were to be restor'd, in the satisfaction which they propos'd at Osna­brugg, that so they might the better keep, to our prejudice, those things which they had gotten with injury and violence.

II. It was most wholesomely agreed on by the 35^th Article, for a renewing of friendship and mutuall alliance between the two Kings, and that each of them should hinder whatsoever might hurt the Person, Government, Realms and Provinces of the o­ther: This Agreement they utterly neglecting, conniv'd at Cor­fitz Ulefeld unworthily dealing with us, who publisht an injurious Pamphlet in divers Languages, that, to the ignominy of our Roy­all Person, which by every honest subject is alwayes held invio­lable, and to the contempt of our blameless and laudable govern­ment, he might spread it so much the farther, notwithstanding that the Agreement at Stetin decreed such slanderous detraction a capital crime. And when we complained of this injury, they nei­ther much regarded it, nor made us any reparation, so that Ulefeld was confirm'd in his malicious design; and after he had been ear­nestly accused by us, was admitted to his defence by the Queen and the Senatours, our Embassadour not without some disgrace being invited to hear a defence of the same Apologie, wherein by a scandalous example, he wrong'd both Us and the Senatours of our Kingdome, and wherein a bad Cause was covered with worse [Page]pretences, that he might take some advantage in a void and fruit­less process. Neither are the Swedes asham'd, impiously to force new Oathes upon those Ministers of State who are bound to Us by Oath, and being unabsolved and call'd to defend themselves, to use their service and assistance.

III. Nor could they satisfie their insatiable ambition by those Provinces and Islands obtained at the Agreement at Bremsebroa, but against the express words of that Treaty, they seiz'd upon two Parishes belonging to Aggershuse, Irn and Zern, which they yet retain, notwithstanding that we have very often but in vain requir'd the restoring of them. We requir'd that a day might be appointed for the deciding of the Controversie, which was ap­pointed by agreement; at which day when ours appear'd, the Swedes in a contemptuous manner delude us, and come not at the time appointed, as altogether mistrusting the justice of their cause.

IV. They transgrest that rule and order which our Toll-gatherers were to follow as a certain course in the gathering of their Toll. They intruded themselves into that imployment con­trary to the dictate of right and reason, for that being strangers they so confounded all things, as if uncertainty and fraud had been their chief aim: to manage these violent and irregular affairs, they put unexperinc't boyes in office, and that they might make us the more contemptible among forrain Nations, they imploy'd women also. The immunity from Toll granted at Bremsebroa to Swedish Ships and Goods, they by false Bills of Lading and other cunning devices, made common to other Nations which were subject to pay Toll, owning them as Swedish Ships and Goods, and so letting them pass under that notion, and those forms fram'd in express words in our Treaty with the States Generall of the United Provinces, out of which the Toll-gatherers were perfectly inform'd of the quality of Wares, and of Ships both free and tributary, they by perswasion and authority extorted from Forrainers; at once endeavouring, with a rash desire, as much as in them lay, to spoil us of this our chief Prerogative. Instead of these they for greediness of gain, fram'd certain Notes or Bills, [Page]wherein at pleasure they inserted matters of small moment. Out of the Accounts of the Customehouse we can prove with undeniable certainty, that in the year 1642, (while yet the Livo­nians paid Tribute) the Cities of Riga and Revell, brought in an Account in the name of their Citizens, for Wares valued scarcely at the rate of ten thousand Rixdollars, but that in the year 1655, in the space of one year, when the Swedes had obtained the Im­munity granted at Bremsebroa, they sold in the name of the said Cities, divers Wares amounting to the value of Six hundred and fifty thousand Rixdollars, of which the greater part doubtless was properly the Tribute of other Nations, and so unjustly gain­ing the shorter way, they were let pass through the Sound. We contradicted, but in vain, for it was gainfull for them to counter­feit false Papers or Writings, which without shame they many wayes multiplyld; and the oftner also whenas the business was again referr'd to the arbitrement of the Lord Electour of Bran­denburgh. They have alwayes so carried themselves as if from them nothing belong'd to us but scorn, not contented unless ha­ving hitherto injur'd us, they abus'd also our patience. Neither could we hope better things from them, whenas the Treaty writ­ten at Bremsebroa, while it was yet scarce dry, nothing regarded, they were so far indulgent to their vain Imaginations, that they us'd all indeavour in behalf of the States Generall of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, that their subjects also might obtain a freedome from the tribute of the Sound. But they chose rather to purchase immortall glory by their constant inte­grity, and the keeping of their faith unbroken, then to seek an infamous gain out of these suggestions. With the same malici­ous Intentions they intruded themselves into those matters con­troverted between Us and our beloved Neighbours and Kin­dred, which things being undecided, they endeavoured, had the adverse Party assented, to hasten immature execution by the Sword and wonted violence of the Swedish Army, that thereby they might deterr us from prosecuting our own right.

V. The 42^d Article wherein the liberty of Dantzick and of Traffique is asserted, they have utterly rejected, lest there should remain any thing, that might obstruct that Domi­nion which they have so long arrogated to themselves over the Baltick Sea. They impos'd with accustom'd Swedish insolence a Tribute upon our Subjects Ships at the mouth of the Weyssel, endeavouring to force the Weyssel out of it's naurall into an un­wonted channel, and at once to offer violence both to Nature and Commerce. By this very act, Our Royal Authority is greatly injur'd, whereby partaking of the peace at Bremsebroa, we are both oblig'd and also fully resolv'd, God assisting, to vindicate our right to our Crowns, Common-wealths and Citties. They also infringe our Rights upon the Baltick Sea, sufficiently wit­nest to the whole world, which have been derived to us from our Royal Ancestours, without the controversie of any of our Neighbours. From hence also we sustain very great loss, in re­gard Commerce being hindred, our ordinary Revenues from the Customes cease, so often do they endammage us even in one thing.

At length we observe that by our patience and lenitie, the Swedes are so much the more exasperated and offended, and that the friendship which is truly and sincerely observ'd between us and our neighbours, out of a secret hatred is perverted by them, maliciously judging, that by those Aids which according to the Agreement at Bremsebroa, we together with the High and Migh­ty States afforded to distressed Dantzick, and afflicted commerce, the Peace was broken at it were by a hostile Invasion. When by a most just demand we treated with them about repairing our Losses and Injuries, they with an offended mind answered, that this could not be done with safety of their Kings right, (as if the Law of Nations exempted Swedeland from equity toward their neighbours;) with fierce and oft repeated menaces they threaten Us, speak proudly of themselves and ignominiously of Us; and without asking leave of Us, they march with their Armies through the Dutchy of Sleswick and Holstein, neglecting the [Page]rights of the Empire, and of the circuit of Saxony, and carry them­selves so proudly as if we were already in their power and juris­diction. Let all Christian Princes but remember this Insolence, and they will hold us the more excus'd. Many of them also have approv'd this expedition with their favourable suffrage, and with extraordinary Embassies, have friendly admonisht us of this storm hanging over our heads from a neighbouring Kingdom, to which no doubt the rest will vigorously joyn.

For with what dangerous Intents the Swedes rove out of their own Country, they have more openly declared among the Polo­nians, where with a more indulgent fortune, which the Swedes are not capable of, growing more insolent, and with a gainfull bold­ness from time to time transgressing the bounds of honesty and right, they alwayes gape greedily after their booty and profit; neither do they observe amidst this their blind rashness, that Po­land abounds both with domestick and forrain forces; mainly in­deavouring this, that having Prussia in their power, they may command the Baltick Sea and all commerce, and there fix them­selves so firmly, as not to be shaken or disturb'd by any, but may take upon them to be umpires in all things among their neigh­bours, to vary and dispence Fortune among them at their plea­sure, and thence at a convenient season to over-run and infest the sacred Roman Empire.

From these carriages of the Swedes, our faithfull subjects are to be vindicated with the greater caution, because it would be a dangerous simplicity to repose any trust in old or new Covenants long since subverted by them, and which with minds inraged, they to the ruine of their Neighbours, the loss of their own Country-men, and the prodigal effusion of bloud, have designed in their minds, utterly to cancell and extinguish. And also our faithfull subjects themselves, have by the singular guidance of the Eternall Providence, seasonably foreseen the tempest hanging over their Countrey, and with most humble obedience as is meet, have so diligently perform'd the office of good subjects, that we trust with Gods favourable assistance, not [Page]only to defend our own Kingdoms and Dukedoms, but also to preserve our best neighbours, (who are concern'd with the care of honesty, faith, and the maintenance of Peace) quiet and untoucht; provided that they help to promote this most profitable design with their indeavours and authority; especially because those Germans under the Swedish jurisdi­ction, who, that they might redeem their Countrey from the tempest coming upon them, by a certain hazardous throw, were expos'd to the Insolence and Tyrannous exactions of the Swedes, have been us'd in so hostile a manner by them, that they have often times implor'd help from God and vs.

We also, according to that inbred zeal derived to us from our An­cestours, shall use all diligence, that care may be taken for the good and quiet, as long as is possible, of the sacred Roman Empire whereof we are one of the principall members, and for the promoting of the more pro­sperous enlargement thereof. In this we have studiously followed our Ancestours, have so friendly carried our selves toward our common Countrey, and are so conscious to have done well, that they will free Us from all Imputation of rash turbulency, and help our Intention with their counsel and aid; and on the contrary, strongly oppose those profest di­sturbers of the common Peace and quiet, resolved to repress that inhu­mane and barbarous Nation, that at length, God being our Leader, we may quell and utterly vanquish this fierceness of theirs, which grows so presumptuous in the midst of Arms. We shall thankfully acknowledg the help and assistance which the equity of our undertaken Expedition re­quires from all, and shall earnestly strive to deserve it, by our singular amity, and favourable propension of mind to them. And we shall also take care, that the most weighty Reasons which have mov'd us, of our selves unwilling hereunto, be shortly made publick in a more full Relation.

God to whose protection we commend you with a pious and sincere heart, direct our Arms with his omnipotent hand to their right aym, and give judgement according to the equity of the Cause, to the glory of his eternal Majesty, that the oppressed neighbourhood may be vindicated, the liberty of interrupted commerce restor'd, and secure peace, happy, quiet and undisturbed rest may be renew'd and establisht between Us and our neighbouring Kingdoms and Commonwealths. Farewell.