France takes Courtray Dixmuyden Furnes and Armentiers p. 65 Ausburgh League made against France here p. 193 Austria Ann of Queen of France the King's Mother and Queen Regent after the Death of Lewis XIII p. 2 Chuses the Cardinal Mazarine her Chief Minister p. 3 She is very desirous to marry the King with the Infanta of Spain p. 15 She presses the Spaniards to give Satisfaction to the King about the Just Pretensions of the Queen p. 64 Her Death p. ib. Austria Maria Theresia of Queen of France Spouse to LEWIS the Great p. 20 Makes her publick Entry in Paris p. 21 Her Just Pretensions upon some of the Provinces of the Low Countries p. 61 Nullity of her Resignation to the Succession of Spain p. 62 63 Her Death p. 170 B. Baden Prince Lewis of Baden Commands upon the Rhine Entrenches himself at the approach of the Dauphin p. 246 Had obtained two great Victories against the Turks p. ibid. Was one of the Candidates for the Crown of Poland p. 296 Barcelona besieged and defended with the utmost Bravery p. 305 Battles of Roeroy Rotheleiler Friburgh Nortlingen and Lintz p. 3 Of St. Anthony p. 5 Of St. Godard p. 57 Of Senef p. 117 Of Sintzheim p. 123 Of Entsheim p. 125 Of Turkheim p. 128 Of Cassel p. 146 Near Epoville p. 151 Of Flerus p. 219 Of St. Denis p. 163 Near the Boyne p. 224 Of Steenkirk p. 239 Of Neerwinden p. 248 Of Marsaglia p. 250 Near the River Ter. p. 258 Batteville Ambassadour of Spain his Enterprize against the Count Estrades the French Ambassadour p. 33 Bavaria Maria Victoria of Bavaria married to Lewis Dauphin of France p. 171 She has three Sons Her Death p. 285 Bavaria Charlott Elizabeth of Bavaria Dutchess of Orleance her Pretensions to the Succession of the Elector Palatine her Brother p. 194 Bavaria Maximilian II. Elector and Duke of Bavaria declares in favour of the Allies p. 207 He Assists with his Troops at the Siege of Mayence p. 216 Is present at the Great Council held at the Hague p. 226 Is made Governour of the Spanish Netherlands during Life p. 235 Commands the Spanish Troops at the Battle of Steenkirk p. 239 And at Neerwinden And all the following Campaigns p. 248 p. ibid. Bavaria Prince Clement of Brother to the Elector is elected Archbishop of Cologne when he was seventeen years old p. 201 Beauvilliers Paul Duke of Beauvilliers Governour of the Children of France p. 285 Beaumont taken by the Allies p. 228 Bellefonds Bernhard de Gigaut Marshal of France p. 66 Berry Charles of France Duke of Berry p. 285 Besanson Besieged and taken by the King p. 116 Brisseleau Francis defends Limerick in Ireland p. 225 Bombardment of Tripoli and Algiers p. 171 172 Of Genoa p. 172 Of Pignerol p. 250 Of St. Malo p. 252 p. 267 Of Diepe p. 261 Of Havre de Grace p. 262 Of Calais p. 262 268 Of Dunkirk p. 261 260 Of Brussels p. 273 Bonn taken by the Allies p. 218 Bossuet Jacobus Benignus Bishop of Meaux Preceptor of the Dauphine p. 170 Bouchern taken by the Duke of Orleance p. 134 Bouflers Lewis Francis Duke of Bouflers Marshal of France defends Namur p. 271 Commands one of the great Armies in Flanders p. 279 Bourbon Lewis Duke of Bourbon Son to Julius Prince of Conde signalizes himself at the Battle of Steenkirk p. 239 And of Neerwinden p. 248 Bournaville Prince of General of the Imperialists put to flight by the Viscount of Turenne p. 124 Brahe Count of Swedish Ambassadour in England what hapned at his publick Entry p. 33 Brandenburgh Frederick William Elector of go's into the Campaign to assist the Hollanders p. 99 Repasses the Weser upon the approach of the French Army p. 100 Makes Peace p. 101 Takes up Arms a second time p. 102 126 His success against the Swedes p. 159 Is obliged to restore what he had Conquer'd from the Swedes p. 160 161 Brandenburgh Frederick II. takes Keyserswert p. 215 Born p. 218 Reinforces the Army of the Allies after the Battle of Fleurus p. 220 Brisac A Chamber establish'd at Brisac p. 274 Bulls refused by Pope Innocent XI to those Bishops that had assisted at the Assembly of Clergy in the Year 1682. p. 187 Burgundy Lewis Duke of Burgundy Eldest Son of Lewis Dauphin of France p. 285 Burgundy The King obliges the King of Spain not to make use for the future of that Title p. 177 Burick Surrendred p. 87 C. Cadees Establishment of the Academies of Cadees p. 168 Calais The King falls dangerously ill in this Place p. 13 Bombarded See Bombardment of the French Callieres Francis Lord of Negotiates at the Hague p. 291 Plenipotentiary at the Treaty of Reswick p. ibid. Calvinism its first Origin Progress and Suppression in France p. 75 187 Calvo Francis Count of defends Mastricht p. 135 Cambray The City and Cittadel taken by the King p. 135 Campaigns of 1667. p. 65 Seq of 1672. p. 85 Of 1673. p. 101 Seq Of 1674. p. 113 Of 1675. p. 128 Of 1676. p. 134. Seq Camp of 1677. p. 139 Of 1678. p. 153 Of 1688. p. 203 Of 1689. p. 213 Of 1690. p. 218 Of 1691. p. 225 Of 1692. p. 231 Of 1693. p. 244 Of 1694. p. 253 Of 1695. p. 262 Of 1696. p. 276 Of 1697. p. 292 Campredon taken by the Marshal of Noailles p. 214 Caprara Count of General of the Imperialists p. 123 242 Carmagnole Surrendred p. 230 Carthagena taken and plundered by the French p. 307 Casal possess'd by the French p. 174 Is besieged by the Allies and dâ—molish'd p. 265 266 Castle Follet p. 264 Castile that Kingdom from before the Year 1017 only an Earldom p. 32 Catinat Nicolas de Marshal of France His Exploits in Savoy and Piedmont p. 223 230 250 Takes Aeth in Flanders p. 293 Cardaigne the Country of Conquer'd by the Duke of Noailles p. 229 Chenailly Marquiss of defends Grave with great Bravery p. 120 121 Charles II. King of Spain His Sickness p. 286 Charles II. King of England sells Dunkirk to the French King p. 47 48 Engages in a War against the Dutch p. 58 Enters with them into an Alliance p. 67 Declares War against them a second time p. 95 Makes Peace with them p. 110 Makes a new Alliance with Holland against France p. 153 Is acknowledged Mediator at the Peace of Nimhegen p. 157 Charles IV. Duke of Lorrain his Character Conduct in respect to the Spaniards p. 79 80 Defeats the Marshal of Crequy and takes him Prisoner in Treves p. 133 134 Charles V. Duke of Lorrain forced to repass the Rhine p. 151 Refuses the Alteration offered him by the King at the Treaty of Nimhegen p. 166 Charles Leopold his eldest Son is put in Possession of that Dutchy p. 309 Charleroy p. 265 100 149 Chartres Philip Duke of only Son of Philip of France Duke of Orleance is wounded at Steenkirk p. 239 Signalizes himself at Neerwinden p. 248 Chigi Cardinal Legat sent into France to
p. 92 Noailles Philip de Montaut Duke de Noailles Marshal of France p. 149 Newburgh Duke of his Character p. 193 Cabals against France p. ibid. Presses the Emperour to conclude a Peace with the Turks p. 194 Endeavours to make one of his Sons Coadjutor of Cologne p. 199 Neutrality proposed for the French Comte p. 113 For Catalonia p. 289 Refused by the Allies but accepted for Italy p. 283 Nice taken p. 230 Nimhegen taken p. 94 Chosen for the Place of Treaty of Peace p. 157 Noailles Ann Julius Duke of Peer and Marshal of France Commands in Catalonia takes Campredon p. 214 Roses p. 245 Palamos p. 259 Gironne p. 269 Gains the Battle of Ter. p. 258 Noailles James Lieutenant General of the French Gallies signalizes himself at the Siege of Barcelona p. 302 Orange William III. Prince of Entrenches himself near the Issel p. 88 Besieges Voerden p. 97 Charleroy twice p. 101 149 Oudernard p. 120 Mastrick p. 135 His overthrow near Voerden p. 97 Near Senef p. 117 And near Cassel p. 146 Orange Prince of his Exploits takes Naerden p. 108 Bonn. p. ibid. Grave p. 120 O. Orange Prince of makes a Descent in England and is received with great Acclamation p. 211 Is Crown'd and acknowledged lawful King by the Emperour King of Spain and the rest of the Roman Catholick Confederate Princes and in general by all the Protestant Princes p. 212 Orleance Philip of France Duke of takes Orsoy p. 87 Besieges St. Omer p. 147 Takes it p. ibid. Defeats the Prince of Orange near Cassel p. 146 Oudernard the Siege of Oudernard raised p. 120 Oudewater a small Place in Holland p. 92 P. Peace see Treaty Palamos taken p. 259 Palatinate Conquer'd by the Dauphin p. 204 Palatine see Newburgh Palermo see Sea-fight Pamiers Bishop of makes his Complaint to Pope Innocent XI concerning the Regale p. 182 Philip IV. King of Spain conducts in Person the Infanta his Daughter to St. John de Luz p. 18 Resigns the Precedency to our King p. 37 Philipsburgh taken by the Enemy p. 139 Retaken by the Dauphin p. 203 Piedmont Conquest in Piedmont p. 230 231 Pignerol bombarded by the Allies p. 250 Pimentel Don Antonio d' employed to conclude the Marriage betwixt the Infanta of Spain and the King p. 18 Pisa see Treaty Plate the King's Plate employed to the use of the War p. 78 Plenipotentiaries assembled at Nimhegen p. 157 Frankfurt p. 175 176 At Reswick p. 291 Ponty the Sieur d' takes Carthagena in America p. 307 Poland the Diet for the chusing a King of Poland p. 295 Polignac Melchior d' French Ambassadour in Poland p. 299 Precedency disputed to France by Spain p. 33 Propositions the five Propositions of Janson condemned by Innocent X. and Alexander VII p. 72 73 R. Ratisbonne see Diet. Ravensberg ravaged p. 101 Regale in what it consists the King's Declaration about it p. 180 181 Renunciation Nullity of the Queens Renunciation to the Succession of Spain p. 62 p. 63 Re-Unions of the Dependencies in Alsace and the three Bishopricks by the Chambers of Brisac and Metz. p. 174 Revolution in England p. 210 Rhineberg surrendred p. 87 Rhine an account of the passing the Rhine p. 88 Richelieu Cardinal of p. 3 Reswick Situate betwixt Delft and the Hague the Place of Conference for the General Peace p. 288 Rome Affairs of Rome p. 180 seq Roses taken p. 245 Ruiter Admiral of Holland miscarries at Martinico p. 122 Defeated by Duquesne p. 137 Mortally wounded p. ibid. S. Salines taken p. 116 Saluzze opens its Gates p. 224 St. Andrew Fort of p. 92 St. Ann Fortress of p. 116 St. Brigit Fort of p. 250 St. Cyr a Community of three hundred young Ladies p. 169 St. Guillaine taken p. 152 St. Jean de Luz p. 18 St. Malo see Bombardment St. Omer besieged by the Duke of Orleance p. 147 Surrendred p. ibid. Saverne besieged in vain by the Enemy p. 132 Savoy Victor Amadeus II. Duke of joins with the Allies p. 209 His Defeat see Battles Enters Dauphine p. 242 Enters Casal p. 265 Makes Peace with France p. 283 Besieges Valenza in the Milaneze p. ibid. Savoy Maria Adelaida Princess of Dutchess of Burgundy is conducted into Erance in order to her Marriage p. 284 Savoy Dukedom of Conquer'd by the King p. 224 Saxony Frederick Augustus Elector of Saxony proclaimed King of Poland by the Bishop of Cujavia p. 300 Saxony Duke of Saxe Eusenach Commander in Chief of some German Troops saves himself in one of the Islands of the Rhine p. 150 Desires a Pass-port for a safe Retreat ibid. Schomberg Marshal Duke of his Exploits p. 122 Relieves Mastrick p. 135 Is kill'd at the Battle of the Boyne p. 225 Sea-Fights p. 3 60 p. 95 110 p. 222 137 p. 220 Seq p. 232 seq Shel-stadt p. 107 Shenkenshantz Fort of p. 92 Sobieski John III. his Elevation to the Crown of Poland Relieves Vienna p. 295 Sobieski Prince James one of the Candidates for the Crown of Poland p. 296 Spain its Grandeur under Philip II. p. 31 Resigns the Precedency to France p. 137 Refuses to give Satisfaction about the just Pretensions of the Queen p. 65 Enters into all the Confederacy's made against France p. 107 Spires p. 204 Strasburgh submits to the King p. 107 Sweden's Mediation of the Peace p. 112 Has all the Places restored p. 159 Swiss refuse to enter into the Confederacy p. 208 T. Tellier Michael Chancellour of France p. 50 Tellier Michael Francis Marquiss of Louvois Minister and Secretary of State his Character p. 51 Thoulouse Lewis Alexander Count de Thoulouse wounded near the King at the Siege of Namur p. 236 Tournay surrended p. 65 Tourville Ann Hilarion de Constantine Count of Vice-Admiral and Marshal of France engages and beats the Confederate Fleets of England and Holland is worsted by them see Sea-Fights Takes and Burns eighty Merchant-Men of the Enemies p. 245 246 Treaties the Pyrenean Treaty p. 18 Of Pisa p. 45 Of Breda p. 60 At Cleves p. 59 At Aixe la Chapelle p. 68 Of Nimhegen p. 162 Of Peace with Savoy p. 283 Of Reswick p. 308 Treves seised upon by the King p. 107 Taken by the Allies p. 133 Taken by the French p. 204 Tripoli see Bombardment Tromp Admiral of Holland p. 122 Truce of twenty years p. 177 Turks routed by the French near St. Godard p. 57 Turenne Henry de la Tour de Auvergne Viscount de gains the Battle of St. Anthony See Battles Commands under the King in the year 1667 His Victories in Germany See Campaigns Is killed by a Cannon Shot Is magnificently buried at the King's Charge p. 131 V. Valence Siege of p. 283 Valenciennes taken by Assault p. 142 Vaudemont Prince of his Retreat p. 270 Vendosme Lewis Joseph Duke de signalizes himself at Steenkirk p. 239 Commands in Catalonia his Exploits p. 280 Defeats the Viceroy of Catalonia p. 303 Besieges and takes Barcelona p. 305 Varjus Count de Crecy see Plenipotentiaries Versailles
that he did not want means to do himself justice for the injuries received at his Hands but being willing to shew a more than Filial respect to the Holy See he suspended his just resentment for a whole twelve Month. For if on one side the consideration of so gross an affront provok'd him to Revenge on the other Hand the miseries and inconveniencies which attend a War to be waged in a far distant Country against the common Father of the Faithful kept his resolution in suspence It is not to be denied but that without reproach to himself he could scarce delay his Vengeance especially since it might be done without the least danger to his Affairs but it was also to be consider'd that as the danger was inconsiderable so there was but little Honour to be gotten by the Victory But being at last fuly convinc'd that the Court of Rome took advantage from these delays to abuse his patience he order'd his Troops to march to wards Italy and having seized uyon Avignon every thing was put in a readiness to pass the Alps. It was then that the Pope thought it high time to open his Eyes and that it was for his Interest to make a Virtue of Necessity and to prefer an Inglorious Peace before a War which in all human appearance must prove very successful to him His Kindred themselves perswaded him to take the surest measures as judging it more for their Intrest to turn the Mony raised by the Pope for the use of the War their own use than to render themselves Obnoxious by making themselves instrumental in troubling the Peace of Italy and to betray their Vanity to the World in being so presumptuous as to measure their Power with the greatest King of Christendom A Treaty therefore being agreed upon to be set on Foot at Pisa the King refusing to accept of Rome for the place of Treaty it was concluded soon after upon the following Articles That the Pope should be obliged to send the Cardinal Patroon The Cardinal Chigi in Quality of his Legat into France to disown the whole Action of the Corsick Guards That the Legat himself should make his Protestation before the King that neither he The Pope obliged to give satisfaction for the Affrone put upon the French Ambassadour nor any of his Family had had the least Hand in that attempt and that for the time to come they would be ready to give ample demonstrations of their Real Submission and Fidelity to the King That his Holiness's Brother should be obliged to make the same protestation in Writing and to leave Rome till such time that the Legat had given the promised satisfaction to the King That the Cardinal Imperiale should likewise come in Person into France to justifie himself and to submit his Cause if required to the decision of the King That the whole Corsick Nation should for the future be declar'd incapable of serving in the Ecclesiastical State and to brand with everlasting Infamy an Action so Insolent a Pyramid should be erected just opposite to the Corps de Guard in which should be Engraven the reason of their Banishment By Virtue of the same Treaty the Dukes of Parma and Modena besides several other Roman Lords that were in the French Interest obtained considerable advantages all which was to be attributed to the protection of the most Potent King in Christendom who thus obliged the Pope to give him the most ample satisfaction that could be for the Affront put upon his Minister The Treaty was executed accordingly July 3 1664. The Legat came into France the Pyramid was Erected and remained standing for five Years after 1667. when by the intercession of Clement IX the Successor of Pope Alexander VII the King was graciously pleased to order it to be broken down What could be more glorious at the very beginning of our King's Reign than to come off Triumphantly upon two so extraordinary occasions without as much as drawing a Sword These were the marvellous effects of the King 's growing Reputation which encreasing more and more every day had acquir'd a new Lustre the Year before the conclusion of the Treaty of Pisa by the possession of Dunkirk which was bought with much less charge than in all probability it could have been taken After the taking of this place we were by Virtue of a Treaty concluded with Oliver Cromwell obliged to surrender it into his Hands It was a very unfortunate thing for us to be forced to deliver the Key of our Kingdom into the Hands of such Strangers as we were sensible would not fail to lay hold of all opportunities to trouble our repose The King being sensible of this inconveniency had no sooner taken the Reins of the Government into his own Hands but he only watch'd for a favourable juncture to send these dangerous Neighbours back to their Island and to incorporate the said place with the rest of his Conquests Charles II. King of England being lately re-established in his Throne this juncture seem'd to be the most favourable in the World to treat with him about the Surrender of this place at a time when we were sensible that he was not in a condition to be at the charge of maintaining a Fleet in the Port of Dunkirk or to provide the City with such a Garrison as might be sufficient to make a vigorous defence in case of an Attack Notwithstanding which the Negotiation advanced but slowly or at least not so well as we could have wished This was occasion'd partly by the jealousie of our Neighbours partly by the reluctancy which the King of England shew'd in parting with a place so advantageous both for its Strength and Situation For it ought to be consider'd that Dunkirk was at that time not the same little paultry Town it was before the conclusion of the Pyrenean Peace when it was taken and retaken without any opposition it being since made one of the most considerable places in Europe chiefly by the care of Cromwell who had caused it to be strongly Fortified to serve upon an occasion as a safe retreat to him and his Party or else that the English might always be sure of a Gate by which to enter into the Heart of France at their own pleasure Besides this the Spaniards making more advantageous offers than the French and the Hollanders striving to out-bid both each Party having sufficient reasons to over-ballance one another Dunkirk bought from the English It was looked upon as one of the most refined pieces of Policy in the French to have managed that grand Affair with so much dexterity as to make themselves Masters of a place of that importance at the price of four Millions of Livres in spite of all the opposition of their jealous Neighbours The King had no sooner received the News that his Forces had taken possession of it but he went thither to give the necessary Orders for the accomplishing the Fortifications of
this extremity and seeing themselves in most imminent danger of becoming an absolute Prey to the K's Conquering Arms judg'd it most conducible to their present condition to sue for Peace for which reason the States deputed some to the King to know upon what terms he would be pleas'd to grant it and at the same time sent to Charles II. then King of England to be informed concerning his Pretensions against them For it is to be observed that it was not the French King alone who was offended at the Hollanders they had given great causes of complaint to the King of England by their Insolence both to him and his Subjects by troubling their Commerce and especially by fomenting divisions betwixt that Prince and his People which ever since the Peace concluded at Breda they had look'd upon as the main pont of their own security Our King being not ignorant in the Art of improving so favourable a juncture and how to represent the injuries receiv'd by the Dutch to King Charles II. it made so lively an impression upon that Monarch that he quitted the Triple-Alliance and declar'd open War to the Hollanders Having equipp'd a Gallant Fleet the same was joyn'd by the French in the Channel and the Dutch threatned with a most powerful Invasion by Sea but the Enemies had secured themselves so well at Sea and had provided a Fleet so numerous and well mann'd that when the Fleets of both Crowns engaged them on the 7th of June they could after a most bloody and obstinate Fight boast of no other advantage than to have chased them towards their own Coasts and made them retire to their own Ports The Propositions of Peace made by the two Kings were look'd upon by the Dutch as so extravagant and intolerable that they resolved rather to bury themselves in their own Ruins than to purchase the Peace at such a Rate Being therefore reduced to that Extremity as to be forced to take such Measures as were most suitable to their present desperate Condition they had recourse to their Sluces and Dikes which they opened and pierced through in many places and put the Country under Water to serve them as a Barricado against their Enemies who were upon the Point of snatching from them their so much admir'd Liberty The Remedy appear'd so dangerous in the Eyes of all the World that the most considered it to be of worse consequence than the Evil they feared but nevertheless it proved the real cause of their Safety For our King finding all his Measures broken by this insurmountable Obstacle left Holland leaving the Duke of Luxemburgh to Command in his Absence with Orders to take the opportunity of the approaching Winter to push on his Conquests with all the vigour imaginable under the favour of the Frosts and Ice At his Return into France the People charmed with his Presence after so Glorious a Campaign received him in Triumph and accompanied him through all places where-ever he pass'd with all the joyful Acclamations and Vows due to a Conqueror The Dutch Troops having taken new Courage after the King's Departure Besieged Voerden under the Command of the Prince of Orange with fourteen Thousand Men. All the Country round about it lay under Water there being only one Passage left to approach it which was a Dike on the side of Utrecht To cut off from the Town all Communication and hopes of Succours the Prince had caused two Forts to be erected on each side of the Dike and betwixt both a Battery strengthened with a good Intrenchment But all these Fortifications were not strong enough to frighten the Duke of Luxemburgh who after the Siege had lasted two Months advancing early in the Morning attack'd them in the Front but being repulsed there he was so far from giving over his Design that having caused the Depth of the Waters to be sounded and finding them not above four Foot deep in a certain place which he judged convenient for the Attack he led his Men with a marvellous Resolution through the Waters and taking them in Flank made himself Master of one of their Quarters on that side from whence assaulting the Forts he took them not without a great Slaughter on the Enemies side who being obliged to raise the Siege the Duke provided the place with a sufficient Garrison and marched back again to Utrecht with a considerable Booty and a good number of Prisoners of War The Prince of Orange raises the Siege of Voerden The bravest and most couragious Action that ever was undertaken especsally if it be considered that the Duke had not above three Thousand Men with him by reason that he was not joyn'd by some Troops which he expected to have met him in his March according to Orders and because that the French Troops were not very numerous at that time thereabouts the Viscount of Turenne having lately been reinforced from thence with a good Body of the best Regiments to observe the Motions of the Elector of Brandenburgh The more all the Neighbouring Princes were surprized at the stupendious progress of the King's Arms War with the Elector of Brandenburgh the more they judged it for their Interests to put a stop to his Conquests It is not to be imagined that it was so much out of Compassion or the Consideration of the deplorable Condition to which this so flourishing and potent Commonwealth had been reduced within the space of two Months that made them take these Measures to prevent its ruine by their assistance but their own Fears and Jealousies which represented to them Europe in Chains and as a Vassal of France if the King should Conquer the United Provinces what Wonder then if all were ready to lend a helping hand to preserve that from whence depended in a great measure their own Safeties whilst some therefore endeavoured to obtain their aim by secret Intrigues others presented themselves with their Swords in Hand The Elector of Brandenburgh was the first who shew'd himself most concern'd for the Preservation of the Dutch whether it was that their Money had had more influence over him than the rest and made him more Zealous for their Interest or whether it were that he was dissatisfied at our King for not restoring to him some Places which belonged to him and were taken by our Troops from the Dutch I will not pretend to determine It is unquestionable that he was a Prince very aspiring and ambitious one of the bravest Men living and of great Experience in Martial Affairs who maintain'd at that time an Army of twenty five Thousand Men who wanted to be employed some where or other Add to this the Sollicitations of his Nephew the Prince of Orange who earnestly intreated him to employ his Forces for the Relief of Holland which might serve as the most effectual means in the World to establish his Reputation among them So sure it is that all the Ties of Consanguinity are weak if not strengthned and link'd
well disciplin'd Troops and inur'd to the Fatigues of War His Frontiers were enclos'd on all sides with strong Forts and well Fortifi'd Cities his Treasury in a good condition and the whole Kingdom in a profound Tranquility He himself both delighted in and understood the Art of War His Affairs being in so flourishing a condition what could hinder him from making new Conquests if his desire of Glory had not been Counterbalanc'd by his Inclination for Peace and seeing that his Enemies were reduc'd to a state of moderation and his Frontiers secured on all sides he resolved to restore tranquillity to Europe After Charles II. King of England was enter'd into the Alliance with the Dutch King Ch. II. Mediator at the Treaty of Nimeguen his chief aim was to make himself a happy instrument in procuring a general Peace in which he succeeded so well that his Mediation was accepted For hitherto matters had advanced but slowly at the Treaty of Nimeguen where two Years were spent in setling some Preliminaries of little moment in respect of the great Work they were to transact to wit in Disputes about the place of Treaty in fixing the bounds of the Neutrality in exchanging their Credentials and examining their Commissions and such other Preliminaries as are commonly made use of to protract these Conferences whilst in the mean while the longest Sword decides the principal differences in the Field It is sufficiently known that scarce a Year had passed since the Declaration of the War wherein Spain had not been a considerable loser nevertheless they were the first who protested with all the solemn expressions in the World that they would never consent to the Peace unless our King did restore all what he had taken from them and the Emperor's Pretensions were as exorbitant as those of the Spaniards For which purpose the King made his chief application to the Hollanders being sensible that if he could draw them from the Interest of the Confederacy and perswade them to accept of a separate Peace the other Princes would soon follow their Example The King was sufficiently convinc'd that the Jealousy fomented by a certain Faction in Holland against the Prince and their fear lest if the War should continue much longer they might be involved in some troubles by the Prince's departure for England the decay of their Trade and the immense charges they were at by bearing the burthen of the War in maintaining not only their own Troops but also most of the Confederate Forces made them very desirous after a Peace but the more it was their Interest to promote it the more difficulties were to be surmounted before it could be brought to a happy conclusion For tho' the Emperor and Spain had acted but with indifferent success in this War yet on the other Hand the King of Denmark and Elector of Brandenburgh had had considerable advantages over Sueden which had declared for us against the Confederacy in the Year 1675. In three Years time that the War lasted betwixt the Northern Princes the Suedes had gain'd three Battles by Land but they had been worsted in three several Sea-Engagements and had lost the Isle of Rugen and all Pomerania This success against the Suedes seem'd to intimate to the Confederates that the French might also be vanquish'd in their turn The Emperor and Spain shew'd more inclination for the continuation of the War than for the Peace tho' it be evident that their hopes were built but upon a very slippery foundation to wit upon the chance of Fortune and those continual vicissitudes which are the constant Attendants of all human Affairs This was the reason that notwithstanding all the earnest applications of the States-General to obtain a General Peace yet the Treaty advanced but slowly and might perhaps have been quite rendred ineffectual if the King had not taken a firm resolution to see it brought to a happy conclusion by taking such measures as should oblige the rest of the Confederates to accept of the Peace The King himself drew up the Articles which he sent to his Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen to be communicated to the Mediators under this condition that in case the Confederates did not think fit to accept of them in forty Days the King should be at liberty to alter them or to propose some new time By vertue of these Articles he was to remain in possession of all his Conquests unless Maestricht and six Places in Flanders to wit Ghent Courtray Aeth Oudenarde Charleroy Limbourgh and St. Gillian demolished That the King promised to restore Maestricht to the Hollanders and the six above-mentioned places to the Spaniards That the Peace of Munster should remain in its full force That if the Emperour kept Philipsbourg the King should remain in possession of Fribourg That the Prince of Furstemberg should be set at Liberty and restored to his Honour Dignities and Estate And that lastly the Northern Princes should restore to the Suedes what they had taken from them in this War Most of the Confederates exclaim'd against these Articles but notwithstanding all their Protestations and Clamours their Threats Intreagues and Cabals they were at last oblig'd to accept of the same terms The Hollanders had no sooner embrac'd the King's offer but the Emperour and Elector of Brandenburgh loudly exclaim'd against their Proceedings upbraiding them with breach of Faith and Ingratitude But who is so unacquained in publick Affairs as to look for acknowledgment among Princes or to imagine they think themselves oblig'd to one another for the assistance they give when it is evident that the same proceeds more from a motive of Interest than Friendship how can a State therefore be charg'd with Ingratitude unless it be call'd so when they search too narrowly into the true causes of a benefit they have receiv'd But to be short these reproaches made but slender impressions upon the States who were so far from changing their opinion that they prevail'd upon the Spaniards to follow their Example but when the Spanish Ambassadours were upon the point of signing the Articles there arose an unforeseen difficulty which was likely to have broken off the whole Treaty For in the Article concerning Spain wherein the King had promised to restore to them six Places in Flanders there being no certain time limitted the States had interpreted it thus that the Evacuation of the said Places should be made immediately after the Ratification of the Peace betwixt France and Spain But the King's Intention being not so much that by restoring these Places to Spain they should serve as a Barricado betwixt him and the Hollanders and to remove the Jealousie they had conceived at the Neighbourhood of so potent a Prince as to be in lieu of an equivalent for those Places that were to be restored to Sweden he refused to surrender these Cities into the Hands of the Spaniards before the Swedes had received full satisfaction as to their Demands This Spark was like to have proved