of the States General of the United Provinces THe States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys to all that shall see these presents Greeting As we desire nothing with greater ardency than to see the War that at this present oppresseth Christendom end in a good Peace and since by the care and mediation of the Most Illustrious King of Great Britain the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed to by all parties for a place of Conference We desiring as far as in us lies to put a stop to the desolation of so many Provinces and the shedding so much Christian blood have been willing to contribute thereto whatever lies in our power and to that end have deputed to that Assembly some Persons of our own body who have given manifold proof as well of their knowledge and experience in publick Affairs as of their affection for the good of our State and since the Heeren Hierosme van Beverning Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University of Leyden late United Provinces Wilhem van Nassaw Heer van Odyke Cortgene c. first noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States Councel of Zeland and Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Bildt Deputed to our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland Zeland and Friezland have Signalized themselves in many important employments in our service wherein they have given instances of their fidelity presence of mind and readiness in the managment of Affairs For these causes and other good considerations us thereunto moving we have appointed ordain'd and deputed the said Heeren Van Beverning Van Odyke and Van Haren and do appoint ordain and depute them by these presents and have given them and do hereby give them full Power Commission and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace and there to Confer either directly or by the interposition of Ambassadors Mediators received and agreed to respectively with the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty and his Allies being qualified with sufficient powers and there to Treat upon means for the determining and appeasing the differences that occasion the War at this day and our aforesaid Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together or two of them in absence of the third by reason of sickness or other impediment or one onely in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment may agree and conclude thereupon and Sign a good and sure Peace and generally may act negotiate promise and agree what ever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace and generally may do whatever we our selves might do if we were there present even in such things as might require more particular power and instructions than are contained in these presents And we do promise truly and faithfully to like well and hold for firm and stable whatever by the said Heeren our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries or by two of them in case of sickness absence or other impediment of the third or by one onely in absence of the other two on the like occasion of sickness or other impediment shall have been stipulated promised and agreed and to cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification within such time as they shall have promised in our name to exhibit them Given at the Hague in our Assembly under our great Seal Signed by the President and with the sign of our Principal Register this fourth day of January in the year one thousand six hundred seventy and six Signed J. Bootsma And on the fould By Order of the said Lords the States General Signed H. Fagel And sealed with the great Seal with red Wax A separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange LEWIS by the grace of God King of France and Navar to all that shall see these presents greeting Since our most dear and wel-beloved Cosen the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders our faithful and wel-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquess of Croissy Counsellor in ordinary in our Councel of State and our faithful and wel-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Counsellor also in our Councels our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries by vertue of the plenary powers which we had given them have Concluded Agreed and Signed on the tenth day of this month at Nimeguen with the Sieur Hierosene van Beverning Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University at Leyden heretofore Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys the Sieur Wilhem van Nassaw Heer van Odyke Cortgene and first noble and representative of the Nobility in the States and at the Councel of Leyden and the Sieur Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Bildt Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most Dear and great Friends the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys qualified likewise with plenary powers this Article in Tenour as followeth viz. As in pursuance of the War which for some years has hapned betwixt the Most Christian King and the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countreys his Majesty caused to be seized all things belonging to the Prince of Orange as well the Principality of Orange as other his Lands and Seignories lying in France and granted the Revenues thereof to Monsieur the Comte d' Auvengne who enjoys the same at present and since by the grace of God a Peace is setled by the Treaty this day concluded and so all the angry effects of War ought to cease his Majesty hath promised to the said Prince and doth promise by this separate Act that immediately after the Ratifications exchanged his Majesty will take off the said Seizure and cause the said Prince to be restored to the possession of the said Principality and of the Lands which belong to him in France Franche Comte Charleroy Flanders and other Countreys depending upon his Majesties Rule and to all his rights actions priviledge usages and prerogatives in such estate and manner as he enjoyed the same till he was dispossess'd by reason of the present War Nimeguen the 10th day of the month of August in the year 1678. Marshal D' Estrades H. Beverning Colbert W. de Nassaw De Mesmes W. Haren WE well liking the separate Article aforesaid in all and every point thereof have by these presents Signed with our hand allowed approved and ratified and do allow approve and Ratifie the same promising upon the Faith and Word of a King to fulfil observe and cause to be observed the same truly and faithfully without ever suffering any thing to be acted directly or indirectly to the contrary thereof for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever In witness whereof we have Signed these presents with our hand and have caused our Seal to be put thereto Given at St. Germain in Laye the 18th day of August in the year of Grace One thousand
into the hands of the said Catholick King immediately upon the said Exchange of the Ratifications the City and Dutchy of Limburg together with all its Dependances the Countrey of Outremeuse the City and Cittadel of Ghent with all its Dependances likewise the Fort of Rodenhus and the Countrey of Waes the Town and Place of Leuve in Brabant together with its Dependances the Town and Place of St. Ghilain whose Fortifications nevertheless shall be razed and the Town of Puicerda in Catalonia in the condition it now is with their Countries Places Castles Forts Lands Lordships Demesns Bailifwicks Appurtenances Dependances and Annexation without reserving or detaining any thing therein to be possessed by his Catholick Majesty and his Successors in the same manner he enjoyed them before the present War VI. The said Places Towns Places of Charleroy Binch Aeth Oudenard and Courtray their Baylifwicks Castellanies Governments Provostships Territories Demesns Lordships Appurtenances and Dependances and all thereunto annexed by what name soever called with all the Men Vassals Subjects Towns Burroughs Villages Hamlets Forrests Rivers Champain-Countreys and all other things whatsoever thereunto belonging shall remain by virtue of this present Treaty of Peace to his Catholick Majesty his Heirs Successors and Assigns irrecoverably and for ever together with the same Rights of Sovereignty Propriety Regalities Guardianship and Jurisdiction Nomination Prerogatives and Preheminencies over the Bishopricks Cathedral Churches and Abbies Priories Dignities Curacies and all other Benefices whatsoever situate within the said Countries Places and Bayliffwicks so yielded up to whatsoever Abbies the said Priories do appertain and belong and all other Rights that heretofore belonged to the Most Christian King though not particularly here expressed so as his Catholick Majesty shall not be troubled or molested for the future by any means whatsoever in right or in deed by the said Most Christian King his Successors or any Princes of his Family or by any other or upon any pretence or occasion that may happen in the said Soveraignty Propriety Jurisdiction Appeal possession and enjoyment of all the said Countries Towns Places Castles Lands and Lordships Provostships Demesnes Castellanies and Bayliffwicks together with all the Places and other things thereon depending And to this end the said Most Christian King as well for himself as for his Heirs Successors and Assigns doth renounce quit-claim yield and transferr as his said Plenipotentiaries in his Name by this present irrevocable Treaty of Peace have renounced quit-claimed yielded and transferred perpetually and for ever in favour and to the behoof of the said Catholick King his Heirs Successors and Assigns all the Rights Actions and Pretensions Rights of Regality Patronage Guardianship Jurisdiction Nomination Prerogatives and Preheminences over the Bishopricks Cathedral Churches and all other Benefices whatsoever situate within the said Places and Bayliffwicks so yielded up to whatsoever Abbies the said Priories did appertain and belong and generally without any reservation or with-holding all other Rights whatsoever that the said Most Christian King his Heirs and Successors have and challenge or may have and challenge for any cause or reason whatsoever over the said Countries Places Castles Forts Lands Lordships Demesnes Castellanies and Bayliffwicks and over all Places thereon depending as hath been said notwithstanding any Laws Customs and Constitutions to the contrary notwithstanding though confirm'd by Oath From all which and from the derogating Clauses of derogating Clauses it is expresly derogated by this present Treaty in order to the said Renunciations and Cessions which shall be valid and take place without that the particular expressing or specification of any one shall derogate from the general nor the general from particular and excluding for ever all exceptions upon what Rights Titles Causes or Pretences whatsoever grounded And the said Most Christian King declareth consenteth willeth and intendeth That the Men Vassals and Subjects of the said Countries Towns and Lands yielded to the Crown of Spain as aforesaid shall be and remain discharg'd and absolved from this time forward and for ever from the Faith Homages Services and Oaths of Allegiance that they may have made to himself or the Most Christian Kings his Predecessors as also from all obedience subjection and vassallage which they owe him by reason thereof it being the intention of the said Most Christian King that the said Faith Homages and Oaths of Allegiance shall be void and of no force as fully as if they never had been made or taken VII The said Most Christian King shall also cause to be restor'd to the said Catholick King all the Towns Places Forts Castles and Posts that have or may have been seized by his Arms in whatsoever Parts of the World to the day of the publication of the Peace And in like manner his Catholick Majesty shall cause to be restor'd to his Most Christian Majesty what-ever Places Forts Castles and Posts may have been seized by his Arms during the present War in any Parts of the World unto the day of the publication of the Peace VIII The restitution of the said Places as aforesaid shall be made by the Most Christian King or his Minister really and truly without any delay or difficulty for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever to him or them that shall be deputed by the Catholick King in time and manner aforesaid and in the condition they now are without demolishing weakning diminishing or endamaging the same in any sort and without pretending to or demanding any re-imbursement for fortifying the said Places or for paying what might be due to the Souldiers and people of War there IX It is further agreed That all Proceedings Judgments and Sentences given and made by the Judges and other the Officers of his Most Christian Majesty in such Towns and Places as his Majesty enjoyed by vertue of the Treaty of Aix la Chappelle and quitted as above to his Catholick Majesty or by the Parliament of Tournay by reason of Controversies and Suits at Law prosecuted as well by the Inhabitants of the said Towns and their Dependances as by others during the time they were under the obedience of the said Most Christian King shall take place and be of as full force and effect as if the said King continued Master and actually possess'd of the said Towns and Countries Nor shall the said Judgements and Sentences be called in question or annull'd nor the execution thereof be otherwise retarded or hindred nevertheless it shall be lawful for the Parties to seek relief by review of the Cause and course of Law and Order prescribed by the Statutes yet so as the Judgements shall in the mean time remain in full force and vertue though without prejudice to what is stipulated in that respect in the 21. Article of this present Treaty X. Whereas his Most Christian Majesty's Ministers after the Peace of Aix la Chappelle maintain'd at the Conference at Lille That the Slufes both on the West and East-side of the Town of Niewport and
the Fort in Vierboet at the end of the Western Sluse near the mouth of Newport-Heven and one part of the Fort of Nieuven Dame built upon the Eastern Sluse with the Piers of the said Haven being kept in repair by those of Furnes were within the Territory and Jurisdiction of the Castellany of Furnes and that consequently they belonged to his Most Christian Majesty And his Catholick Majesty's Ministers held the contrary that they did not and whether they did or did not that it ought to suffice that since the said Fortifications were made as well with respect of the Castellany of Furnes as to the Town of Newport his Catholick Majesty being a Soveraign Prince might incorporate and appropriate the said parts thereof to the Haven and Fortifications of Newport and by that means make them inseparable from that Town It is agreed That the said Sluses and other parts of the Fortifications of Newport above-mentioned shall remain to his Catholick Majesty as well as the Town it self without any Pretensions ever to be made to the same by his Most Christian Majesty by reason of the Town and Castellany of Furnes being his or otherwise And for the draining of the Waters of the Castellany of Furnes it shall be continued and his Catholick Majesty shall enjoy the same in manner and form as hath been used till now XI The said Most Christian King shall retain continue seized of and actually enjoy the whole County of Burgundy commonly called the Franche Comte and the Towns Places and Countries thereto belonging together with the Town of Bezancm and the Liberties thereof and the Towns of Valenciennes and its Dependances Bourbain and its Dependances Conde and its Dependances though heretofore pretended to be a Member of the Castellany of Aeth Cambruy and Cambresis Aire St. Omer and their Dependances Ipre and its Castellany Warwik and Warneton upon the Lys Poperinghen Bailleul and Cassel with their Dependances Bavay and Maubeage with their Dependances XII The said County of Burgundy the Towns Places and Countries thereto belonging together with the Town of Bezancon and the Liberties thereof as also the said Towns and Places of Valenciennes Bouchain Conde Cambray Aire St. Omer Ipres Warwik and Warnoton Poperinghen Bailleul Cassel Bavay and Moubeage their Bayliffwicks Castellanies Governments Provostships and Territories Demesnes Lordships Appurtenances Dependances and all thereunto annexed by what Names soever called with all the Men Vassals Subjects Towns Boroughs Villages Hamlets Forests Rivers Plain-Countries Salt-Pits and all other things whatsoever thereunto belonging shall remain by vertue of the said present Treaty of Peace to his Most Christian Majesty his Heirs Successors and Assignes irrevocably and for ever with the same Rights of Soveraignty Propriety Regality Patronage Guardranship and Jurisdiction Nomination Prerogative and Preheminence over Bishopricks Cathedral Churches and others Abbies Priories Dignities Curacies and all other Benefices whatsoever within the compass of the said Countries Places and Bayliffwicks so yielded up of what Abbies soever the said Priories hold Lands and have dependance upon and all other Rights that heretofore belonged to the Catholick King though not particularly here expressed So that his Most Christian Majesty shall not in time to come be troubled or molested by any means whatsoever in right or in deed by the said Catholick King or his Successors or any the Princes of his Family or by any other or for any cause or pretence with relation to the said Soveraignty Propriety and Jurisdiction appeal possession and enjoyment of all the said Countries Towns and Places Castles Lands and Lordships Provostships Demesnes Castellanies and Bayliffwicks of all the said Places and of all things whatsoever thereunto belonging And to this end the said Catholick King for himself his Horis Successors and Assignes doth renounce quit-claim yield up and transfer as his said Plenipotentiaries in his Name by this present irrevocable Treaty of Peace have renounced given up and for ever transferr'd in favour and to the behoof of the said Most Christian King his Heirs Successors and Assignes all the Rights Actions Pretensions Rights of Royalty Patronage Guardianship Jurisdiction Nomination Prerogatives and Preheminencies over Bishopricks Cathedral Churches and all other Benefices within the compass of the said Places Countries and Bayliffwicks yielded up of what Abbies soever the said Priories held Lands and had dependance upon and in general without any reservation or with-holding all other Rights that the said Catholick King his Heirs and Successors have and challenge or may have and challenge for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever over the said Countries Places Castles Forts Lands Lordships Demesnes Castellanies and Bayliffwicks and over all Places thereunto belonging as aforesaid any Laws Customs or Constitutions to the contrary notwithstanding though confirm'd by oath From all which and all derogating Clauses of derogatories it is expresly derogated by this present Treaty in order to the said Renunciations and Sessions which shall be valid and take place without any derogation from a general Clause by a particular specification or from a particular by a general one and for ever excluding all exceptions on what Rights Titles Cause or pretence soever grounded And the said Catholick King declareth consenteth willeth and intendeth that the Men Vassals and Subjects of the said Countreys Towns and Lands yielded to the Crown of France as aforesaid shall be and remain discharged and absolved from hence forward and for ever from the Faith Hommage Service and Oath of Allegiance that all and every of them may have taken or made to himself or to the Catholick Kings his Predecessors together with all obedience subjection and vassalage that they are owing to him by reason thereof it being the intention of the said Catholick King that the said Faith Hommage and Oaths of Allegiance shall be void and of no force as if they never had been taken or made XIII And whereas his Most Christian Majesty hath declared by the Conditions of Peace which he offered that he was willing to restore the Town of Charlemont or in lieu thereof that of Dinant at his Catholick Majesties choice upon condition that his said Catholick Majesty would charge himself to obtain from the Bishop of Liege the Session of Dinant and that the Emperor and Empire should consent thereunto His Catholick Majesty has chosen to retain the Town of Charlemont as heretofore and consequently doth oblige himself and promise to obtain from the Lord Bishop and Chapter of Liege an Authentick Session of the said Town of Dinant and the Emperors and Empires assent within a year to be computed from the day of the date of the Ratification of the Treaty of Peace which shall be betwixt the Emperor and the Most Christian King And in case his said Catholick Majesty shall not be able to obtain the said Sessions of the Bishop and Chapter of Liege and Emperor and Empires assent he obligeth himself and promiseth immediately after the expiration of the said Term to cause the
Ordered to be delivered to the Sieur Van Beverning Ambassador Extraordinary from the States General of the United Provinces to his Majesty THe King hath with pleasure seen as by the Letter of the Heeren the States General so by the Assurances which they have given him by the Heer Van Beverning their Extraordinary Ambassador that their Intentions to a General Peace correspond with the desire his Majesty hath had to procure the same and that they are ready to accept the Conditions which his Majesty hath offered them by his Ambassadors and Plenipotentaries at Nimeguen But at the same time that the Heer Van Beverning hath thus made known to him the Sentiments of the said States General he hath in their Name prayed his Majesty would grant a Cessation of Arms for six Weeks and hath represented to him that they had need of that time to communicate with their Allies and to obtain their consent for the concluding of so great a work The condition in which his Majesties Arms are at present and the favourable opportunity that would be lost in deferring their acting would not permit him to consent to this Proposal if the desire to give Peace to Europe did not much more prevail in him than that of enlarging his Frontiers by new Conquests It is in this consideration to contribute to the Publick Repose that he will agree at the desire of the said States General to a Cessation of Arms for six weeks to begin the first day of the next month such an one as was stipulated between France and Spain in the year 1668. But forasmuch as it would not be just if the Enemies of His Majesty should let that time pass fruitlesly and that instead of its serving to advance the Peace they should make advanttge thereof to avoid the effect of his Majesties Arms that he should have lost the advantageous conjuncture which is at present in his hand His Majesty desires of the said States General that they do promise him in case during the time of the said Cessation of Arms they cannot bring their Allies to accept the conditions which he hath offered They will not assist them directly or indirectly against him or against his Allies during the whole course of the War In exchange his Majesty will in such case renew to them the same Engagements which he hath taken with them by his Letter of the 18 of the last Month as well for what concerns the same Conditions which he will be always ready to agree to Spain as for the security of the Places in the Netherlands His Majesty hath thought fit to make known to the said States General by this Memorial which he hath appointed to be delivered to the Heer Van Beverning the sincerity of his intentions for a Peace And to give them a yet far greater testimony thereof he doth command the Duke of Luxemburg General of his Army to go and expect their Answer during this Month in the Neighbourhood af Brussels with orders not to Attaque any Place during that time Given in the Camp at Wetteren the first day of June 1678. Signed LOUIS And underneath Arnauld The Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States General c. to the Duke De Villa Hermosa of the 27th of May. THe Lords the States General of the United Provinces are extremely satisfi'd to understand by the Answer your Excellency was pleased to return to the Memorial presented on their behalf by us their under-written Deputies Extraordinary the 14th instant That your Excellency did agree and consented to treat of a Truce or Cessation of Arms for the space of six weeks and could have wished That you had as positively declared your self touching the second Point contained in the said Memorial namely the Conditions of Peace proposed some time ago by the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of France at Nimeguen But because in the said Answer no mention is made of so considerable a Point their Hi. and Mi. have again commanded us to make instance and represent unto your Excellency of how great moment it is as well with relation to the common Cause as more especially for the preservation of what remains to his Catholick Majesty in the Low Countreys that your Excellency declare in the name of the King of Spain your acceptance of the said Conditions of Peace such as they are considering the present state of affairs and the risque and great danger there may be in continuing the War against so powerful an Enemy as the King of France is who has already brought his Army together and is himself at the head of it in the Field and that in the heart of the Low Countreys For these and other reasons represented in the preceding Memorials we earnestly entreat your Excellency to take such a resolution as may be agreeable to the desires of our Lords and Masters and that without loss of time since a few days considering the condition wherein things are at present may produce fatal Revolutions and such as would extremely embarass as well your Excellency as the Allies and be likewise very prejudicial to the Peace of all Europe Done at Bruxels the 27th of May 1678. Jacob Boreal De Weede A Declaration given by the Spaniards containing their consent to the Conditions proposed by his Majesty in order to a Peace HIs Excellency having seen and considered this Memorial and at the same time made particular reflection upon the former ones of the 8th and the 14th of May though the States General of the United Provinces know very well that the terms upon which the King of France has offered to make Peace with Spain are very hard yet considering the misfortune and extremities that the Low-Countreys are exposed to and that their Hi. and Mi. though otherwise so much concerned also in the Interest of their preservation do yet find themselves at present deprived of all means to effect it their People not being in condition to carry on the War and considering that in this Juncture of Affairs nothing can be of so great importance as the preservation of that miserable Remainder of Flanders by strict Alliances which they persuade us to accept of and value And whereas in the said Memorial the States General do represent their instances of and desire to admit of the said Conditions in order to the conclusion of a Peace his Excellency being willing to second them as he hath done from the very first time that his Master entred into the War which he undertook first for the preservation of the Confederates Estates of the Low-Countreys and has since continued to assert the common Interest is now likewise willing to comply with the desire of the States General and to admit of a Peace upon such terms as the King of France hath propos'd to the end that so convincing a proof of his Excellencies servent desire to unite him with the said States General may contribute to strengthen their mutual Alliances and conduce to the
any wise hinder them in the carrying on of the War nor suffer the Forces of the aforesaid Enemies of France and Sweden to take any Winter-Quarters without their Territories in the Empire And for the aforesaid end only it shall be free for his Most Christian Majesty to keep a Garrison in the following Places in the Empire yet without endammaging the Owners of the said Places and their Subjects and at the charges of the Most Christian King viz. in the Towns and Cities of Chasselet Huy Verviers Aix la Chapelle Dueren Linnick Nuys and Zons in which Places no new Fortifications shall be made further than shall be necessary for the safety of the Garrisons and without giving just cause of suspicion Nor shall it be lawful for the Most Christian King to retain those Places upon account of the charges made therein nor under any other pretence whatsoever but shall evacuate and restore the same to those from whom he took them so soon as a Peace shall be concluded and Ratified between the aforesaid Parties as to the Provinces scituate in the Empire or that more fit means shall by common consent be found out to restore it In like manner his most Christian Majesty doth promise that he will in no wise nor under any pretence whatsoever directly or indirectly assist the present Enemies of the Emperor and Empire It shall be likewise free for the Emperor and Empire to employ their Offices Counsels and Endeavours joyntly with the Most Christian King for the speedy composing the War by common consent XXVII Pursuant to the Peace of Munster confirmed by the second Article in all its Points and Clauses Places shall be restored and such as are to be restored shall be bonâ fide evacuated To which end Commissioners shall be named at the same time this Treaty is Ratified on both sides that the aforesaid Evacuation and Restitution be without further delay made within one month after the Ratification of the Peace Those Places only excepted which are otherwise for a time to be disposed of by the preceding Article XXVIII Whereas there hath been an ancient difference concerning the Castle and Dutchy of Bovillon between the Bishop and Prince of Liege and the Dukes of that name it is hereby agreed That the Duke of Bovillon continuing in the possession he hath of it the said difference shall amicably or by Arbiters to be named by the Parties within 3 months after the Ratification of the Peace be composed without proceeding to Acts of force XXIX Immediately after the Signing and subscribing of this Treaty of Peace by the Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all Acts of Hostility shall cease And in case within 14 days after the Signing of the Treaty any thing shall be attempted or altered it shall be forthwith repaired and restored to its first condition XXX Contributions shall continue to be demanded and levyed by the one and the other Party in those Provinces Countreys and Places where before the Signing of this Treaty they were settled until the Ratification of the same and what shall then remain in Arrear shall within 4 months after the said Ratification be paid Yet so that the payment of the same shall not after the Ratifications are exchanged be forcibly required of those Places who will give sufficient security to pay the Proportion assessed upon them XXXI Although in the second Article of this Treaty it hath been sufficiently declared that the Peace of Munster shall in all and every its Points be confirmed yet it hath been thought fit particularly that all things stipulated in the said Peace of Munster with relation to the business of Montferrat remain hereafter in full force and vertue amongst which those things shall more particularly continue firm and valid which are stipulated therein in behalf of the Duke of Savoy XXXII Their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties retaining a grateful sence of the Offices and continual Endeavours the most Serene King of Great Britain hath used to restore a general Peace and the publick Tranquility It is mutually agreed between the Parties that he with his Kingdoms be included in this Treaty after the best and most effectual manner that may be XXXIII In this Peace those also shall be comprehended who shall be named by either Party with common consent before the exchange of the Ratifications or within 6 months after XXXIV The Emperor and the Most Christian King do agree That all Kings Princes and States shall and may give their Guaranties to their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties for the execution and performance of all and every the Points contained in this present Treaty XXXV The Peace being thus concluded the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of both Parties do promise that the same shall be Ratified in the manner mutually agreed on by the Emperor and Empire and the Most Christian King respectively and take effectual care that Authentick Ratifications be within the space of 8 weeks to be computed from the day of the Signing thereof or sooner if possible reciprocally and in due form exchanged here XXXVI And whereas his Imperial Majesty hath been humbly desired by the Electors Princes and States of the Empire in vertue of a Resolution dated the 31. May 1677. under the Seal of the Chancery of Mentz and delivered to the French Ambassadors to take care by his Imperial Ambassadors in this Congress of the Interests of the said Electors Princes and States of the Empire as well the Imperial as the French Ambassadors have in testimony and for the greater validity of all and every thing and things contained in this Treaty of Peace Signed and Sealed the same with their Names and Seals and promised interchangeably to deliver sufficient Ratifications thereof within the space abovementioned and the form therein agreed on nor shall any Protestation or Contradiction from the Directory of the Empire against the subscription of this Treaty be received or esteemed valid Done at Nimeguen the 5th day of Feb. A. D. 1679. Ls John Bishop and Prince of Gurgh Ls Francis Udalrick Count Kinsky Ls T. A. Hen. Stratman Ls The Marshal D'Estrades Ls Colbert Articles of Peace between the Emperor and the King of Sweden Concluded and Signed at Nimeguen the 5 th day of February 1679. Translated out of Latin according to the Copy Printed at Nimeguen by Adrian Moetiens IN the Name of the most Holy and Undivided Trinity Be it known to all and every one whom it doth or any way may concern That whereas from the beginning of the War commenced some years ago between the most Seiene and Mighty Prince and Lord LEOPOLD Elect Emperor of the Romans always August King of Germany Hungary Bohemia Dalmatia Croatia and Sclavonia Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant Stiria Carinthia Carniola Marquiss of Moravia Duke of Luxemberg of the Upper and Lower Silesea Wirtemburg and Tecka Prince of Swaben Earl of Hapsburg Tirol Ferrette Kyburg and Goritia Marquiss of the sacred Roman Empire of
observed by the Subjects of the United Provinces with relation to his Majesties Subjects and to this end whensoever and as often as it shall be required on either side there shall be published and renewed within such Lands as are under his said Majesties obdience and within the United Provinces most express and most precise Prohibitions to make use in any sort whatsoever of such Commissions or Letters of reprisal on the pain above mentioned which shall severely be put in execution against the offenders besides a full restitution which they shall be bound to make to such as they shall any wise have endammaged III. And the better to obviate all such inconveniencies as might happen by reason of prizes taken through inadvertence or otherwise and especially in places remote it has been agreed and accorded If any prizes shall be taken on either side in the Baltick Sea or the North Sea from Terneuse in Norway to the channels mouth within the space of four weeks or from the mouth of the said channel to the Cape of St. Vincent within the space of fix weeks or beyond that within the Mediterranian Sea and as far as the Equinoctial within the space of ten weeks or beyond the Line and in all other parts of the World within the space of eight months to be computed from the publication of this present Treaty such prizes as shall be taken and dammage done on either side after the times prefixed shall be brought to account and whatever shall have been taken shall be restored with recompence for all the dammage thereby sustain'd IV. All Letters of mark and reprisal that heretofore may have been granted for any cause whatsoever are declared void nor may any be granted hereafter by either of the said Allies in prejudice of the others Subjects but onely in case of manifest denial of Justice which shall not be supposed to be unless the request of the party that demands Letters of reprisal be communicated to the Minister of the State against whose Subjects such Letters ought to be granted that shall be upon the place to the end that in four months time or sooner if may be he may either inform himself to the contrary or procure a restitution of what shall be due by Law V. Neither shall the private Subjects of his Majesty be liable to actions or their Persons or Goods to arrests and seizures for any debt that may be owing by his Majesty nor the private Subjects of the said Lords the States General for the publick debts of the said States VI. The Subjects and Inhabitants of the Countreys under his Majesties obedience and of the States General shall live converse and frequent with one another in all good friendship and correspondence and shall enjoy freedom of Commerce and Navigation throughout one anothers Countreys in Europe for all sorts of Merchandises and Wares the Traffick and Transportation whereof is not generally prohibited to all as well Subjects as Forreiners by the several Laws and Ordinances of each State VII And to this end his Majesties Subjects and those of their said Lordships the States General may freely frequent with their Marchandifes and Ships the Countreys Lands Towns Ports Places and Rivers of each State may bring thither and sell there to all Persons indefinitely may buy traffick and transport all sorts of Merchandises the Importation and Exportation whereof shall not be Prohibited both to all his Majesties Subjects and those of the said Lords the States General neither may this mutual Liberty be prohibited limited or restrain'd by any priviledg grant or any particular concession neither shall either party be permitted to grant to their own Subjects any immunities benefits gratuitous concessions or any other advantages besides those granted to the Subjects of the other party or to their prejudice neither shall the Subjects on either side be bound to pay greater or other duties charges payments or impositions whatsoever upon their Persons Goods Wares Ships or Freights directly or indirectly by any name or under any title or pretence whatsoever other than such as shall be paid by the proper and natural Subjects of either party VIII Ships of War belonging to either party shall always find the Roads Rivers Ports and Havens free and open for them to Sail in and out and lay at anchor as long as they shall have occasion without being lyable to be searched but with charge nevertheless to use this freedom with discretion and not to give any subject of jealousie by a too long and affected stay nor otherwise to the Governours of the said Places and Ports to whom the Captains of the said Ships shall declare the cause of their arrival and of their stay there IX His Majesties Ships of War and those of the Lords the States General and of their Subjects that shall be fitted out for War may with all freedom conduct such prizes as they shall have taken from their Enemies where they think good without being tied to any duties either of the Lords Admirals or of the Admiralty or any other and so likewise that the said Ships or the said Prizes coming within his Majesties Havens or Ports or those of the said Lords the States General shall not be liable to be stop't or seized nor the Officers of the several Places have power to enquire into the validity of the said prizes but that they may go out and be freely conducted and with all freedom conveyed to the Places where the Captains of such Ships of War by vertue of their Commissions shall be obliged to have them forth-coming And on the other hand there shall be no refuge nor retreat allowed within their Ports and Havens to such as shall have taken any prizes from his Majesties Subjects or those of the said Lords the States General but if any such shall be driven in there by stress of weather or dangers of the Sea they shall be sent out again with all possible haste X. The Subjects of the said Lords the States General shall not be accounted Aubains in France and consequently shall be exempted from the Aubain Law and may dispose of their goods by will gift or otherwise and their Heirs Subjects of the said States as well living in France as elsewhere may possess themselves of their Estates even though they died intestate and that without purchasing Letters of naturalization and so as the effect of this grant shall not be liable to be drawn in question or impeded upon pretence of any right or prerogative of Provinces Cities or private Persons likewise the Subjects of the said Lords the States may without such Letters of naturalization settle themselves in the Towns of his Majesties Kingdom for Commerce and Traffick but so as not to be capable of acquiring the freedom of such Towns without having obtain'd his Majesties Letters of naturalization in due form and the inhabitants of the United Provinces shall be treated generally in all things and in all places as favourably as his
Prize but not contrariwise and what has been said in this and the foregoing Articles for the doing of right and speedy justice to the Subjects of the United Provinces concerning Prizes taken by his Majesties Subjects shall be understood that it is likewise to be perform'd by the Lords the States General with relation to Prizes taken by their Subjects from those of his Majesty XXX His Majesty and the Lords the States General may at any time cause to be built or freighted in one anothers Countrey such number of Ships either for War or Trade as they shall think good and may buy such quantities of Ammunition as they shall have use for and may use their authority for having such bargains for Ships and Ammunition driven honestly and at reasonable prices and yet neither may his Majesty nor the Lords the States General grant the like permission to one anothers enemies in case such enemies shall be the aggressours XXXI If it shall happen that Ships of War or of Trade be driven by storm or other accident on the coasts of either Ally the said Ships their furniture goods and Merchandize and whatever shall be saved or the proceed thereof if the goods being perishable shall have been sold the whole if reclaim'd by the proprietors or others having charge of the same within a year and a day shall be restor'd without any formal process paying onely reasonable freight and what shall be regulated betwixt the said Allies to be due for saving and in case any thing be done contrary to this present Article His Majesty and the said Lords the States General promise to use their authority effectually for the punishing such of their Subjects as shall be found guilty of those inhumanities that have sometimes to their great grief been committed upon such like occasions with all possible severity XXXII Neither his Majesty nor the said Lords the States General shall receive nor suffer their Subjects to receive in any Countrey of their obedience any Pirates or exiles whatsoever but shall cause them to be pursued and punished and driven out of their Ports and as well the Ships as goods taken by such Pirates or exiles which shall be found in being shall forthwith without forms of process be freely restored to the Proprietors reclaiming them XXXIII The Inhabitants and Subjects on both sides may throughout the Countreys under the obedience of his Majesty and of the said Lords the States General make use of such Advocates Proctours Notaries and Sollicitors as they shall think good who likewise shall be appointed to them by the ordinary Judges when there shall be occasion and such Judges be thereto requested And the said Subjects and Inhabitants shall be permitted on both sides to keep their Books of Trade and Correspondence in their several places of residence in what Language they please without being liable for that matter to be molested or searched XXXIV The said King as also the said Lords the States General for the convenience of their trading Subjects may settle Consuls of their said Subjects Nation in one anothers Kingdom and Estates which Consuls shall enjoy such Rights Liberties and Franchises as belong to them by reason of their function and imployment and they shall be settled in such places as by common consent shall be Judged necessary XXXV His Majesty and the said Lords the States General shall not suffer any Vessel of War or other set forth by Commission or for the service of any Prince Commonwealth or Town whatsoever to come and make prize within the Ports Havens or any Rivers belonging to them upon one anothers Subjects and in case any such thing shall happen his said Majesty and the said Lords the States General will use their authority and power to cause restitution or reasonable reparation to be made XXXVI If through inadvertence or otherwise there should be any want of due observance of this present Treaty or contraventions to the same on his Majesties part or of the said Lords the States General and their Successours it shall remain in force notwithstanding without coming for such cause to a breach of Confederation Friendship or good Correspondence but such contraventions shall be speedily repaired and if they shall be occasion'd through the fault of any private Subjects they only shall be punished and chastised XXXVII And for the better assurance for the time to come of Commerce and Friendship between the Subjects of the said King and those of the said Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys it is accorded and agreed That if hereafter any interruption of friendship or breach shall happen between the Crown of France and the said Lords the States General of the said United Provinces which God forbid nine months time shall always be allowed to the Subjects of both parties after such rupture to retire and withdraw their effects and transport them whither they please which likewise they shall be permitted to do as also to sell and transport their goods and movables with all freedom nor shall any hindrance be given them nor any proceedings be during such time of nine months to seize their effects much less to arrest their Persons XXXVIII The present Treaty of Commerce Navigation and Marine shall be in force Five and twenty years to begin from the day of Signing and the Ratifications shall be made in due form and be exchanged on both sides within the space of six weeks to be computed from the day of Signing A Formulary for Pass-Ports and Letters to be granted by the Admiralty of France to Ships outward bound in pursuance of an Article of this present Treaty LEWIS Comte de Vermandois Admiral of France To all that shall see these presents Greeting We do you to know that we have given leave and prmission to Master and Governour of the Ship called of the Town of of the burthen of Tuns or thereabout lying at present in the Port and Haven of to sail to laden with after his Ship shall have been search'd who before he depart shall make oath before such Officers as have the jurisdiction of Marine causes that the said Vessel belongeth to one or more of his Majesties Subjects the Certificate of which oath shall be annex'd to these presents as also to keep and cause to be kept by his Ships crew the ordinances and regulations for maritime affairs and shall enter in the office a Catalogue signed and certified of the names and surnames and the places of birth and abode of his Ships crew and of all such as he shall have on board whom he may not take in without the knowledge and leave of the Officers for Maritime affairs and in every Port or Haven where he shall enter with his Ship he shall shew to the Officers and Judges of Maritime causes this present Licence and shall give them a faithful account of what shall have happened in his Voyage and shall carry the Kings Flags Arms and Ensigns and ours during
his Voyage In witness whereof we have caused our Sign and Seal of Arms to be set to these presents and have caused them to be under-written by our Secretary for Maritime affairs at the day of one thousand six hundred Signed Lewis Comte de Vermandois And underneath Signed by A form of the certificate containing the oath We of the Admiralty certifie that Master of the Ship named in the foregoing Pass-port has taken the Oath therein mentioned Given at the day of one thousand six hundred Another form of Letters to be granted by the Sea-Port-Towns of the United Provinces to Ships and Barks outward bound in pursuance of the aforesaid Article TO the most Serene most Illustrious most Mighty Honourable and prudent Lords Emperors Kings Commonwealths Princes Dukes Earls Barons Lords Burgermasters Sherifs Counsellors Judges Officers Justitiars and Governors of all good Towns and Places as well Ecclesiastical as Secular which shall see or read these presents We the Burgermasters and Governors of the Town of do to know that Master of the Ship appearing before us hath solemnly deposed upon Oath that the Ship called of the burden of about Lastes of which at present he is Master belongeth to the Inhabitants of the United Provinces as God should help him and as we should be willing to see the said Master assisted in his lawful Affairs so we require you all in general and those in particular where the said Master with his Ship and Wares shall arrive that they will be pleased to receive him courteously and duly to treat him if he shall be a sufferer with relation to the accustomed duties of Customs and Freights within through and at your Ports Rivers and Demesnes suffering him to Sail Pass Frequent and Negotiate where he shall think fit which we shall willingly acknowledge In witness whereof we have caused the Seal of our Town to be set hereto Here follows the Tenour of his Majesties said Ambassadors Power LEWIS by the grace of God King of France and Navar To all that shall see these presents Greeting As we desire nothing with greater ardency then to see the War with which Christendom is at present afflicted end in a good Peace and since by the Care and Mediation of our most dear and most beloved Brother the King of Great Brittain the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all parties for the Place of Conference We out of the same desire to put a stop as much as in us lies to the desolation of so many Provinces and the effusion of so much Christian Blood give to understand that we confiding entirely in the experience ability and fidelity of our most dear and well-beloved Cosen the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders of our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquiss of Croissy Counsellor in ordinary in our Councel of State and of our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Counsellor also in our Councels by reason of the advantagious trials that we have made of them in diverse Embassies and considerable employments wherein we have intrusted them both within our Kingdom and without for these causes and other good considerations us thereunto moving we have appointed ordained and deputed and by these presents Signed with our hand do appoint ordain and depute the said Sieurs the Marshal d' Estrades the Marquiss of Croissy and the Comte d' Avaux and have given them and do hereby give them full Power Commission and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace and there to confer either immediately or by the Mediation of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively received and agreed to with all Ambassadors and Ministers of our most dear and great friends the States general of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys and their Allies being all armed with sufficient Powers and to Treat there of means for the determining and appeasing the differences that cause the War at this day and our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries may all three together or two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or one onely in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment agree thereupon and conclude and sign a good and sure Peace and may generally act negotiate promise and agree whatever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace with the same authority that we should or might do if we were present there in Person even though there should be some things that might require more particular instructions then are contain'd in these presents Promising on the Faith and Word of a King to hold firm and fulfil whatever by the said Sieurs Marshal d' Estrades Marquiss de Croissy and Comte d' Avaux or by two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or by one only in ansence of the other two in like case of sicknes or other impediment shall have been stipulated promised and agreed and cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification within such time as they shall have promised in our name to furnish them For such is our pleasure In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be put to these presents Given at St. Germain in Laye the Three and twentieth day of December in the year of Grace One thousand six hundred seventy five and of Our Reign the Three and thirtieth Signed Lewis and upon the fould By the King Arnauld And sealed with the great Seal in yellow Wax Here follows the Tenour of the Power of the said Lords the Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the States of the United Provinces THe States General of the United Previnces of the Low Countreys To all that shall see these presents Greeting As we desire nothing more ardently then to see the War with which Christendom is at present afflicted end in a good Peace and that by the Care and the Mediation of the most Serene King of Great Brittain the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all parties for the place of Con ference We out of the same desire to put a stopas much as in us lies to the desolation of so many Provinces and the effusion of so much Christian blood have been willing to contribute thereto all that is in our power and to this end have deputed to that Assembly some persons of our own body who have given many instances both of their knowledge and experience in publick Affairs and of their affection for the good of our State and as the Heeren Hierosme van Beverning Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University at Leyden late Counsellor and Treasurer-General of the United Provinces Wilhem van Nassaw Heer van Odyke Cortgene c. and first noble and representative of the Nobility in the States and Councel of the Province of Zeland and Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Blidt deputed to
our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland Zeland and Friezland have signaliz'd themselves in many important employments in our service wherein they have given instances of their fidelity their presence of mind and readiness in the management of Affairs so for these causes and other considerations us thereunto moving we have appointed ordained and deputed and do by these presents appoint ordain and depute the said Heeren van Beverning van Odyke and van Haren and have given them and do hereby give them full Power Commission and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries for the Peace and to confer there either immediately or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively received and agreed to with the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his most Christian Majesty and his Allies armed with sufficient Powers and there to treat upon means for determining and appeasing the Differences that occasion the War at this day And our aforesaid Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together or two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or one only in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment may agree thereupon and conclude and sign a good and firm Peace and generally may act negotiate promise and accord what-ever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace and generally may do what-ever we might do if we were there present though to that end there should be need of more particular Power and Order than is contain'd in these presents Promising sincerely and faithfully well to like and firm and stable to hold what-ever by the said Heeren our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries or by two of them in case of sickness absence or other impediment of the third or by one only in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment shall have been stipulated promised and accorded and to cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification within such time as they shall have promised in our Name to furnish them Given at the Hague in our Assembly under our Great Seal Signed by our President and with the Sign of our Principal Register the fourth of January in the Year One thousand six hundred seventy six Signed J. Bootsma Upon the Fould By Order of the said Lords the States General Signed H. Fagel And Sealed with the Great Seal in Red Wax In token whereof we the Ambassadors aforesaid of his Majesty and of the Lords the States General by vertue of our respective Powers have in their Names signed these presents with our ordinary Signs and have caused our Seals of Arms to be put thereto Nimeguen the 10th of August in the Year One thousand six hundred seventy eight The Mal. d' Estrades H. Beverningh Colbert W. Van. Nassaw De Mesmes W. Haren We liking well the foregoing Treaty of Peace in all and every the Points and Articles therein contained and declared have for us our Heirs Successors Kingdoms Countries Lands Seignories and Subjects accepted approved ratified and confirmed and do accept approve ratifie and confirm the same and do promise upon the Faith and Word of a King and bind and morgage all and every our Goods that are and shall be to keep and observe the same inviolably without ever acting contrary thereto directly or indirectly in any sort or manner whatsoever In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our own Hand and have caused our Seal to be set thereto Given at St. Germain in Laye the 18th day of August in the Year of Grace One thousand six hundred seventy eight and of our Reign the thirty sixth Signed Lewis and underneath By the King Arnauld A separate Article concerning the Imposition of Fifty Sols per Tun upon Stranger 's Ships sailing out of Ports in France LEWIS by the Grace of God King of France and of Navarre To all that shall see these presents greeting Since our most dear and well-beloved Cousin the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquess of Croissy Councellor in Ordinary in our Councel of State and our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Councellor also in our Councels our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries by vertue of the plenary Powers which we had given them have concluded agreed and signed on the tenth day of this Moneth in the Town of Nimeguen with the Heer Hierosme Van Beverningh Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University at Leyden late Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries the Heer Wilhem Van Nassaw Heer Van Odyke Cortgene and first Noble and representative of the Nobility in the States and Councel of Zeland and the Heer Wilhem Van Haren Grietman Van Blidt Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most dear and great Friends the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries armed likewise with full Powers this separate Article in tenor as followeth viz. It hath been stipulated on the behalf of the Most Christian King and consented to by the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries That the Equality which is precisely to be observed with relation to the Subjects of each and the Natives as to Duties Charges and Impositions according to the seventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce this day concluded shall not derogate from the Imposition of fifty Sols per Tun imposed in France upon Stranger 's Ships and that the Subjects of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries shall be bound to pay the same as other Strangers unless his Majesty upon such Remonstrances as may hereafter be made to him on the behalf of the said Lords the States General considering the same with that great affection with which his Majesty is pleased to honour them shall order otherwise But necessary Orders shall from this present be given by his said Majesty That the said Imposition of fifty Sols be exacted from Ships belonging to the Subjects of the said United Provinces but once in each Voyage at their going out of the Ports of His Kingdom and not at their coming in and that the said Ships if laden with Salt pay but a Moiety of the said fifty Sols upon condition that if the said Lords the States shall think fit to lay the like Imposition upon Stranger 's Ships with them which they shall be free to do they shall not exceed with relation to his said Majestie 's Subjects the proportion of what their own Subjects pay in France the said seventh Article remaining in relation to all other Duties Charges and Impositions present and future in full force and vertue without being lyable to be limitted or exceeded by any other exception or restriction whatsoever other than as above is expressed Which separate Article shall be of like
to be ratified firmly and simply without addition of any thing thereunto and produce the Ratifications thereof by Letters authentick and sealed wherein all this present Treaty shall be inserted verbatim within six weeks to be accompted from the day of the date of this present Treaty or sooner if possible And the said Plenipotentiaries have promised and do promise in their said Kings Names that after producing the said Letters of Ratification the said Most Christian King as soon as possibly he can shall in the presence of such person or persons as the Catholick King shall be pleased to depute swear solemnly upon the Cross the Gospels and Canons of the Mass and upon his Honour fully really and truly to observe and fulfil all the Articles contain'd in this present Treaty And the like shall be done as soon as is possible by the said Catholick King in the presence of such person or persons as the said Most Christian King shall be pleased to depute In witness of all which the said Plenipotentiaries have subscribed this present Treaty with their own Names and have caused their Seals of Arms to be set thereto Nimeguen the 17th day of September 1678. Le M. D'Estrades Colbert De Mesmes D'Avaux Pablo Spinola Doria Conde de Benazuza Marquesse de la Fuente Jean Baptiste Christin The Power of the Lords Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty LEwis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarr To all that shall see these presents Greeting As we desire nothing more earnestly than to see the War that now afflicts Christendom end in a good Peace and whereas by the cares and mediation of our most dear and our most beloved Brother the King of Great Britain the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon on all hands for the place of Conference We out of the same desire to put a stop as far as in us lyes to the ruine of so many Provinces and the effusion of so much Christian Blood do make known That We reposing entire confidence in the experience sufficiency and fidelity of our most dear and well-beloved Cousin the Sieur Count D'Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders our trusty and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquess of Croissy Counsellor in Ordinary in our Councels of State and of our trusty and well-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes Count D'Avaux Counsellor also in our Councels by reason of the advantagious tryals that we have made of them in divers Embassies and Employs of importance wherein we have entrusted them at home and abroad For these Causes and other good Considerations us thereunto moving We have appointed constituted and deputed the said Sieur Marshal D'Estrades Marquess de Croissy and Count D'Avaux and do appoint constitute and depute the same by these presents signed with our Hand and have given them and do hereby give them full Power Commission and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace and there to confer directly or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively allowed and agreed to with all Ambassadors and Ministers of our most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin the Catholick King and his Allies having all of them sufficient Powers and there to treat upon the means for determining and appeasing the Differences that cause the War at this day And our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three joyntly or two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or one only in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment may agree thereupon and conclude and sign a good and sure Peace and generally may act negotlate promise and agree what-ever they shall think necessary towards the said Peace with the same Authority that we our selves should or might do if we were present there in person though any thing therein should require more particular Order than is contain'd in these presents Promising on the Faith and Word of a King to observe and fulfil what-ever the said Sieur Marshal D'Estrades Marquess de Croissy and Count D'Avaux or two of them in the absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or by one only in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment shall stipulate promise and agree and to cause our Letters of Ratification to be dispatched within such time as they shall promise in our Name to produce them for such is our pleasure In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be set to these presents Given at St. Germain en Laye the 23. day of December in the year of Grace One thousand six hundred seventy five and of our Reign the three and thirtieth Signed Lewis and upon the fold of the Letters By the King Arnauld and sealed with the Great Seal in yellow Wax The Powers of his Catholick Majesty's Ambassadors DOn Charles the second by the Grace of God King of Castile Leon Arragon both Sicilies Jerusalem Navar Granada Toledo Valentia Galicia Majorca Seville Sardinia Cordoma Corsica Murcia Jaen Algarves Algeriza Gibraltar the Canary Islands the East and West-Indies the Isles of Terra Firma and of the Occan-Sea Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant and Melan Count of Auspurg Flanders Tiroll and Barcelona Lord of Bisca and Molina c. Since we desire nothing with greater vehemency then to see the War that doth at this present so much afflict Christendom end in a good Peace and the Town of Nimeguen having been chosen and pitch't upon by means of the Mediation and good Offices of the King of Great Britain and by the common consent of all parties concern'd in the War to be the place for meeting and Treating of Peace and I desiring to contribute as much as in me lies towards so good a Design I have thought fit to nominate some Persons to assistat the Assembly with full power and authority in my name and taking into consideration the Sufficiency Integrity Prudence Experience Understanding and Zeal for my Service which are found in you Don Paul Spinola Doria Marquiss de Los Balbases one of my Councel of State Don Pedro Ronquillo of my Councels of Castile and of the Indies and Don John Baptiste Christin of my Councel of Flanders and by reason of the satisfaction which you have always given me in many and important Affairs whereof you have had the management and assuring my self of the care that you will take in my Service I have nominated you to be my Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries and by vertue of these presents I give to you all joyntly and to each of you in particular in the absence or by reason of any other hindrance of the other full and absolute power to repair to the Town of Nimeguen and there to Treat immediately or by the intervention of the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries the Mediators respectively allowed and admitted with the Ambassadors and