appointed for this purpose may if they please make use of the Boats and Carriages of the Countrey for two months time and shall have free passage by Water and Land for the carrying away the said Ammunition And the Governors Commanders Officers and Magistrates of the said Town shall give them all the facilities they can for the carriage and conduct of the said Artillery and Ammunition Also the Officers Soldiers Men of War and others that shall leave the said Place may take thence and carry away all their moveable Goods but it shall not be lawful for them to exact any thing from the inhabitants of the Town of Maestricht or it's neighbourhood nor to do any hurt to their houses or carry away any thing belonging to the said inhabitants XI All Prisoners of War on both sides shall be delivered without distinction or exception and without paying any ransom XII The raising of contributions demanded by the Governour of the Town of Maestricht of the Countreys subjected shall continue for all that shall become due till the Ratification of the present Treaty and such Arrears as shall remain shall be paid within three months after that at convenient times for which a valuable caution shall be given in some Town within his Majesties Dominion XIII The said Lords the States General have and do promise not only to maintain a perfect Neutrality without being at Liberty to assist directly or indirectly the enemies of France or it's Allies but also to garrant all such engagements as Spain shall enter into by the Treaty that is to be betwixt Their Most Christian and Catholick Majesties and especially that whereby the Catholick King shall be held to the same Neutrality XIV If through inadvertence or otherwise there happen any want of due observance of this present Treaty or other inconvenience relating thereunto on the part of his said Majesty or of the Lords the States General and their Successors this Peace and Alliance shall remain in full force notwithstanding so as no breach of friendship or of good correspondence shall ensue thereupon but such contraventions shall be speedily repaired if they shall be occasioned by any particular Subjects faults those Subjects only shall be punished XV. And for the better securing Commerce and Friendship hereafter between the Subjects of the said King and those of the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys it is agreed and accorded that in case there shall be in time to come any interruption of friendship or that a breach shall happen between the Crown of France and the said Lords the States General of the said United Provinces which God forbid then six months after such breach shall always be allowed to the Subjects of both parties to retire with their effects and transport them whithersoever they think fit which also they shall be permitted to do as likewise to sell or transport their goods and moveables with all freedom so as no hindrance shall be given to them nor any proceedings be to seize their effects much less to secure their Persons XVI As for the pretences and interests that concern the Prince of Orange upon which there has been a separate Treaty and Agreement by an Act this day Signed the said writing and all the Contents of it shall be effectual and shall be confirmed fulfill'd and executed according to the Form and Tenour thereof neither more nor less than if all it's points in general and every one of them in particular were word for word inserted into this present Treaty XVII And as his Majesty and the Lords the States General acknowledge the powerful Offices that the King of Great Brittain has incessantly imploy'd by his Counsels and good Advertisements for the publick Weal and Repose so it is agreed on both sides that his said Majesty of Great Brittain and his Kingdoms be comprehended by name within this present Treaty according to the best form that may be XVIII Within this present Treaty of Peace and Alliance shall be comprehended on the part of the said Most Christian King the King of Sweden the Duke of Holstein the Bishop of Strasburg and Prince William of Furstemburg as interessed in the present War And there shall likewise be comprehended if they will themselves the Prince and Crown of Portugal the Duke and Seignorie of Venice the Duke of Savoy the Thirteen Cantons of the Ligue-Switzers and their Allies the Elector of Bavaria Duke John Frederick of Brunswick Hanover and all Kings Potentats Princes and States Towns and particular Persons to whom his Most Christian Majesty shall grant at their request to be comprehended within this Treaty on his part XIX And on the part of the Lords the States General the King of Spain and all other their Allies that within six weeks to be computed from the exchange of the Ratifications shall declare their acceptance of the Peace as also the Thirteen laudable Cantons of the Ligue-Switzers and their Allies and Confederates the Town of Embden and moreover all Kings Princes and States Towns and particular Persons to whom they shall grant at their request to be comprehended on their part XX. The said King and the said Lords the States General do consent that the King of Great Brittain as Mediator and all other Potentats and Princes that shall be willing to enter into the like engagement may give his Majesty and the said States General their promise and tie themselves to garrant the performance of all that is contain'd in this present Treaty XXI This present Treaty shall be Ratified and Approved by the said King and the said Lords the States General and each parties Letters of Ratification shall be delivered in proper due form within the Term of six weeks or sooner if it may be reckoning from the day of Signing In witness whereof We the aforesaid Ambassadors of his Majesty and of the Lords the States General by virtue of our respective powers have on their behalfs Signed these presents with our ordinary Seals and have set our Coats of Arms to the same At Nimeguen the 10th of August in the year of our Lord 1678. Le Ma' D' Estrades H. Beverning Colbert W. van Nassaw De Mesmes W. Haren WE liking well the aforesaid Treaty of Peace in all and every the points and Articles therein contained and declared have for our Selves our Heirs Successours Kingdoms Countreys Lands Lordships and Subjects accepted approved ratified and confirmed and do Accept Approve Ratifie and Confirm the same and do promise upon the Word and Faith of a King to keep and observe the whole inviolably without ever acting to the contrary directly or indirectly in any sort or kind whatsoever and thereto we oblige and morgage all and every our goods that are or shall be In witness whereof we have Signed these presents with our own hand and have made our Seal to be set thereto Given at St. Germain en Laye the 18th day of August in the year of Grace one thousand six
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
sincerity on our part for his Majestie 's greater satisfaction we have ordered our Ambassadors at Nimeguen to conclude and sign the Treaty of Peace with his Majestie 's Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries before the end of this Month with such of the Allies as shall be disposed to come into it In the meán time being assured that his Catholick Majesty will joyn with us in accepting the Peace we entreated his Majesty that he would be pleased from hence-forward to give necessary Orders to surcease all acts of Hostility by Land and to cause such of his Forces as are in his Country to retire about the end of this Month. Sir This is what we thought we ought to acquaint you with his Majesty having in a Letter to us express'd his desire to have it so The Hague 22 of June 1678. A Memorial presented to his Majesty of Great Britain at London by M. de Borgomanero c. the 5th of June 1678. SIR THE state of Affairs being now so urgent and the welfare or misery of all Christendom depending upon the safety of the Low-Countries I conceive it is my duty to represent to your Majesty how necessary it is for your Majesty who alone can put a stop to the King of France ' s progress in these Parts to maintain Forces by Sea and Land and cause them to draw as near Flanders as may be that they may serve as a Bridle to the common Enemy and your Majesty be in a condition to protect and defend Christendom from the utter ruine and oppression that the Most Christian King threatens it with In like manner I represent to your Majesty for the same Reasons that it is altogether necessary that your Majesty make an Alliance Offensive and Defensive with the King my Master and the Emperour who will be constant Allies and ready to run what-ever fortune your Majesty shall hazard for the common Cause not questioning but those other Princes that are now in league with the King my Master will immediately enter into such Alliance as your Majesty shall make and by this means Christendom will be secured against the oppression of France London the 5th of June 1678. A Remonstrance of the Ambassadors of the Elector of Brandenburg to the Ambassadors of the Lords the States General concerning the present Affairs of the Treaties of Peace Given at Nimeguen this 31. of July 1678. THE Ambassador of his Electoral Serenity of Brandenburg for the Treaties of Peace at Nimeguen having seen the Memorial of the Lords Ambassadors of France of the 17th of July wherein they endeavour to take away the Jealousies that might arise of the sincerity of his Most Christian Majesty's Intentions and of his faithfulness to his Word concerning the evacuation of the Places which he promised to restore to Spain and to their Hi. and Mi. the Lords the States General of the United Provinces thinks it fit and according to his duty to represent to the Lords the Ambassadors of the States General who communicated to him the said Memorial That as it is full of almost nothing else in every passage but great Designs of the Most Christian King against his Electoral Serenity his Master and other Princes that have made some Conquests upon Sweden so his Electoral Serenity promiseth himself as well from the friendship of the Lords the States and their fidelity of Word as from their justice and exactness in performing the terms of the Alliance that they will not help forward such perniclous Designs nor suffer them to be put in execution against one of their ancientest and most faithful Friend Neighbour and Ally and that has been no less concern'd for the preservation and re-establishment of their Common-wealth than of his own Inheritances and has not stuck at exposing what-ever is most dear and precious to him in the whole World for their sakes It is evident with what care his Electoral Serenity hath governed all his Actions so as not to give the least ground of discontent to Sweden and the sincerity with which he has renew'd former Alliances with that Crown is no less apparent by his applying them even to the present Conjunctures for the avoiding all manner of mis-understanding and rupture which yet happened by the violent Invasion made by the Army of Sweden towards the end of the year 1674. upon Marchia and Pomerania directly against those for whom such solemn Stipulations had been and contrary to the liberty which each Party had reserv'd to themselves in the said Alliance Which Invasion was the more unjust inasmuch as it was made at a time when his Electoral Serenity relying on the publick Faith had sent his Forces so far off that he was busie with them in Alsatia The Lords the States condemn'd and disliked this Proceeding no less than all other Christian Potentates throughout Europe did and God has made appear to all the World by what has ensued and by our marvellous success that his powerful Hand is able to protect the innocent and punish those that make so slight of Religion Alliances and Promises that have had the sanction of the publick Faith Their Hi. and Mi. and all others without doubt will agree that it were an unheard of piece of cruelty to deal with his Electoral Serenity as he is threatned in that Memorial for having made so vigorous and glorious an opposition to so unjust and forcible an Invasion The said Ambassador does not intend to lay open the weakness of the reasonings in the said Memorial of the Ambassadors of France assuring himself that their Hi. and Mi. will not fail to expose it to the World for the refutation of those that for want of solid Reasons have been forced to betake themselves to such weak and groundless Arguments since it appears that therein they contradict and directly thwart what the Most Christian King has avow'd and positively promised by the Letters and Resolutions which his Majesty has caused to be dispatched and delivered to their Hi. and Mi. and to their Ministers He will only represent what wrong would be done to his Electoral Serenity his Master if their Hi. and Mi. should give ear to such Conditions as conduce to no other end but that of serving the Interest of a declared Enemy by deserting a faithful Friend and Ally and at the same time exposing their own Common-wealth to the most dangerous hazard in the World which they have endeavoured out of their great prudence and with so much care to secure and shelter by means of a Bar in Flanders which the Most Christian King himself thought necessary for maintaining their repose but which will stand them in no stead if such another Bar be not likewise settled upon the Rhine Certainly there needs more then an ordinary assurance to undertake the perswading a whole Common-wealth consisting of so many wise and illustrious Members to renounce whatever the Faith of their Alliances and the true Interest of their own Common-wealth requires of them and submit
Licensed January 16th 1678 9. Roger L'Estrange A COLLECTION Of all The ACTS MEMORIALS LETTERS That pass'd in the Negotiation of the PEACE With the TREATIES Concluded at NIMEGVEN Translated from the French Copy Printed at Paris with Privilege The Articles of Peace between the Emperor and the French King and those between the Emperor and the King of Sweden Translated from the Latin Copy Printed at Nimeguen LONDON Printed by H. Hills and are to be sold by Walter Kettilby at the Bishop's-head in St. Pauls Church-Yard 1679. THE CONTENTS HIs Majesties Letter to the States-General of the United-Provinces pag. 6 A Letter from the States-General of the United-Provinces to the Most Christian King p. 8 The Kings Answer to the Letter of the States-General of the United-Provinces p. 9 The Memorial which the King Ordered to be delivered to the Sieur Van Beverning Ambassador Extraordinary from the States-General of the United-Provinces to his Majesty p. 10 The Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States-General c. to the Duke De Villa Hermosa of the 27th of May. p. 12 A Declaration given by the Spaniards containing their consent to the Conditions proposed by his Majesty in order to a Peace p. 14 A Declaration on the behalf of the King of Denrnark p. 16 A Declaration on the behalf of the Elector of Brandenburg upon the Subject of the Peace p. 20 A Declaration on behalf of the Emperor p. 22 A Letter from the States General of the United-Provinces to the King Written at the Hague the 22. of June 1678. p. 27 The King's Answer to the Letter of the States-General of the United-Provinces Written from St. Germain the 30th of June 1678. p. 28 An Extract of the Resolution of their Lordships the States of Holland and Friesland at their meeting on the 11th of July 1678. p. 31 A Memorial of the French Ambassadors delivered the 17. July 1678. to the Ambassadors of the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-Countreys p. 36 A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France by the Nenipotentiaries of Holland July the 26th 1678. p. 41 A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France by the Plenipotentiaries of Sweden July the 27th 1678. p. 59 The second Memorial of the Ambassadors of France given into the Ambassadors of the States-General 29th of July 1678. p. 62 A Memorial given in by the Ambassadors of the States-General to the Ambassadors of France the 4th of August 1678. p. 65 The third Memorial of the Ambassadors of France given in to the Ambassadors of the States General of the United-Provinces the 6th of August 1678. p. 69 A Memorial given by the Ambassadors of Sweden to the Ambassadors of France this 9th of August 1678. p. 70 The Treaty made and passed between the Commissioners deputed on behalf of the King and those deputed likewise on behulf of the Catholick King and of the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-Countreys about the demenour of the Troops and Garrisons of both sides in the said Low-Countreys till the Ratisitations of the Treaty of Peace are Exchanged The 19th of August 1678. p. 75 Treaties of Peace and Commerce Navigation and Marine betwixt France and the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-Countreys concluded at Nimeguen the 10th of August 1678. p. 80 The Ratification of the Treaty of Peace by the States-General p. 91 Here follows the Tenour of the Power of his Majesties said Ambassadors p. 93 The Tenour of the Power of the said Ambassadors of the States General of the United-Provinces p. 96 A separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange p. 98 The Ratification of the separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange by the States-General p. 101 A Treaty of Commerce Navigation and Marine betwixt France and the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-Countreys p. 103 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 p. 122 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 p. 124 Here follows the Tenour of his Majesties said Ambassadors Power p. 125 Here follows the Tenour of the Power of the said Lords the Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the States of the United-Provinces p. 127 A separate Article concerning the Imposition of Fifty Sols per Tun upon Stranger 's Ships sailing out of Ports in France p. 131 The States General 's Ratification of the Treaty of Commerce p. 134 By the King's Order p. 136 By the King's Order The Provost of Paris Or Lieutenant Civil p. 137 A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States-General of the United-Provinces to the Duke de Villa Hermosa of the 8th of May. p. 138 Answer of the Duke de Villa Hermosa of the 9th of May to the Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States-General of the United-Provinces of the 8th of May. p. 140 A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States-General c. to the Duke de Villa Hermosa c. of the 14th of May. p. 141 The Answer of the Duke de Villa Hermosa of the 16th of May to the Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States-General c. p. 144 A Declaration of the Emperor's Ambassadors at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen the 20th of June 1678. p. 145 A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Spain at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies the 20th of June 1678. p. 148 A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Denmark at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies at Nimeguen the 20th of June 1678. p. 149 A Declaration of the Ambassador of the Elector of Brandenburg on Munday the 20th of June 1678. p. 152 A Declaration of the Ambassador of Prince Charles of Lorrain at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen the 20th of June 1678. p. 155 A Letter from the Lords the States-General to Mons the Duke of Luxemburg the 22. of June 1678. p. 156 A Memorial presented to his Majesty of Great Britain at London by Mons de Borgomanero c. the 5th of June 1678. p. 157 A Remonstrance of the Ambassadors of the Elector of Brandenburg to the Ambassadors of the Lords the States-General concerning the present Affairs of the Treaties of Peace Given at Nimeguen this 31. of July 1678. p. 158 The Protestation of the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of Denmark the Elector of Brandenburg c. against the separate Peace of the States-General of the United-Provinces Made the 10th of August 1678. at Nimeguen p. 162 A second Protestation of the Ambassadors and Plempotentiaries of the King of Denmark of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg c. Made the 18th of August 1678. at the Hague c. p. 167 A Memorial of the Ambassadors of Denmark and of the Elector of Brandenburg given in to those of the
thing whatsoever that may be reasonably thought to conduce to the publick Peace in which if he could have any assurance that he might find his security he would immediately put an end to the War and lay down his Arms as mildly as he took them up generously for the interest and at the request of his Allies Given at Nimeguen the 10th of June 1678. A Declaration on the behalf of the Elector of Brandenburg upon the Subject of the Peace THe Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg having seen what has been communicated to the Ministers of the Confederates at the Hague to wit that his Most Christian Majesty upon the overture made to him by his Excellence the Sieur de Beverning Ambassador of the States General hath granted to their Highnesses by a Declaration in writing dated the first of June at Wetteren a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks to commence from the first of July next to the end that in the mean time they may confer with their Allies and obtain their consent to the Peace upon condition that their Highnesses would promise his Most Christian Majesty in case they shall not be able during the said Truce to perswade their Allies to accept of the Terms which France had offered that then they should no longer assist them against him or his Allies during the present War To which Declaration the Duke of Luxemburg has Order to expect their Highnesses answer to the end of this Month hath not failed to acquaint his Electoral Highness his Master with the Contents of that Declaration and to require his Order therein which he now waits for But in the mean time he thinks himself obliged to say beforehand that his Electoral Highness having always reposed great confidence in the Sincerity Integrity and Justice of their Highnesses the States General of the Low Countreys as those that have been his ancient Friends and Confederates and whose interests are in many respects the same with his own assureth himself that their Highnesses will not make any promise to his Most Christian Majesty that shall at all interfere with their Alliances or be prejudicial to his Electoral Highness who hath not spared his own Estates nor his Blood to save their Countrey from utter ruine and destruction with which it was threatned when three whole Provinces were torn from it though since by God's great mercy they have been reunited Besides his Electoral Highness promiseth himself that their Hi. and Mi. will be so reasonable since even his Most Christian Majesty hath been willing to allow them the whole month of June to acquaint the Duke of Luxemburg with what they shall think fit to resolve upon his said Declaration as not to anticipate the Term to the prejudice of his Electoral Highness but will allow him a convenient time for mature deliberation and the dispatching of such Order as shall be necessary to his Ministers here and elsewhere His Electoral Highness takes it likewise for granted that their Hi. and Mi. will never come to a Treaty much less conclude any thing whatsoever with France without first procuring for his Electoral Highness the satisfaction promised him in the 14 and 24 Article of their Alliance and without reserving the same Liberty to themselves with relation to their Allies which his Most Christian Majesty might or should reserve in favour of his Especially since it is evident that his Electoral Highness did not engage in this War out of an airiness of mind but for the safety of the Low Countreys the preservation of his own Estates and to secure himself against the injuries and attempts of others and that he hath not been more desirous of any thing since the first beginning of this War than of a firm and sure Peace upon reasonable Terms And that he will always take in good part the good offices that shall be used to attain it and that he will make appear as well his moderation with relation to the Terms and Conditions of it as his due consideration of the reasons and necessities alledged by their High and Mighty for a Peace Provided things may be so ordered that he may obtain his ends which are no other than the safety of the publick and that of his own Countrey This is what the said Ambassador hath thought fit to represent by this writing to their Excellencies the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of their High and Mighty that are here present desiring them not onely to recommend the Contents thereof to their Lords and Masters to the end they may make their joynt Reflections when they shall come to deliberate upon a matter of so great importance but also to support it as much in them lies by their own credit and wise conduct Given at Nimeguen the 10th day of June 1678. A Declaration on behalf of the Emperor THe Ambassadors of his Imperial Majesty being advertised that the States General of the United Provinces will shortly meet to consult upon the Declaration which his Most Christian Majesty delivered in writing to their Ambassador Extraordinary Monsieur de Beverning in the Camp at the Bourg of Wetteren on the first day of this present month do promise themselves assuredly from the eminent Wisdom Integrity and Justice of the said States General upon which foundations their Common-wealth has hitherto stood and continued in a flourishing condition that they will not upon any pretence whatsoever act contrary to the Faith of their Alliances or prejudicial to his Imperial Majesty the Empire and the rest of the Confederates who have allready engaged themselves as well in the dangers and expences of this long and Bloody War not onely for their own common safety to the end they might thereby deliver these United Provinces together with the Publick from utter ruine and destruction It is needless to put them in mind of what hath formerly passed this is evident that the Confederates have to do with an Enemy who as he is hard enough for them all cannot but be terrible to any one of them apart Perhaps some Provinces may reap a present advantage but in lieu thereof all those that are near must inevitably fall under his yoke and be destroyed There are so many instances in Histories how dangerous the neighbourhood of France is that it hath given occasion to a Proverb This the States themselves have found by experience in this very War when the Bar of the Spanish Netherlands was stronger What will they do now that those Bars are almost broken down and they shall have separated themselves as the French earnestly press them to do from the rest of the Confederates Then their safety must solely depend upon the sincerity and moderation of the French His Imperial Majesty undertook the War together with the rest of the Confederates for their common safety for the defence of the Empire and particularly that of these Provinces he hath carried it on hitherto not for his own private interest but in such place
and manner as was thought best good for the publick And he is yet willing if the Confederates please to continue it in conjunction with them and will be ready to lay down his Arms when that shall make more for the Common interest And whenever he shall make a Peace he will have the same regard to the circumstances of the United Provinces and of all the Low Conntreys which he has appeared hitherto to have had in the undortaking and carrying on the War The King of France has proposed some conditions of Peace but in such a manner as if he were giving Laws to us He will not suffer us to Treat with him concerning them Which to be so received by the Emperor the Empire and the Confederates is not only inconsistent with their Honour Safety and Interest contrary to the very nature of the thing it self Besides which no specification at all is made in these conditions what satisfaction it is in particular the French would have stipulated in behalf of Sweden so it is but too evident they are far from any intentions of Peace since they will not so much as treat concerning it according to those Forms and Methods which are observed betwixt Soveraign Princes and Estates and are grounded upon the Law of Nations It is not a Peace that France aims at but a division amongst the Confederates that conquest may be the more easie when he shall have to do with them apart if there be any urgent reason or necessity of making a Peace the Emperor is willing to do it forthwith upon such terms as will be neither dishonourable nor prejuaical to France and manifest to the whole World his moderation according to his High Function and that although he has great regard to the safety of the Empire yet that he prefers the common safety and the preservation of the United Provinces and of all the Low Countreys before any particular interests of his own This will be made apparent whenever a Peace shall be treated of and the States General shall employ their offices for it which will be always acceptable to his Imperial Majesty which being so it cannot without injury to the constancy prudence and integrity of the States General be prefumed that they will upon any rash resolution abandon their most faithful Confederate and thereby expose them to manifest danger They have Twenty days time yet before the end of this month to resolve in But all our interests our common liberty and the safety of all the Confederates is now at stake The enemy endeavours to precipitate their resolutions because he is their enemy and would lead them to a precipice the Confederates Council is to proceed safely and deliberately as being engaged in one and the same common cause with the States General when once the Enemy shall observe that the States resolve to Treat separately France will obtain what is desired the general Peace will be desperate which otherwise might have been expected if all the Confederates would have made appear to the common Enemy their unanimous constancy and moderation Let the States General therefore represent speedily and seriously to the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty that it is that they hinder the restoring of Peace to Christendom in that they deny the Confederates liberty to Treat about those matters without which there can be no Peace the Ambassadors of his Imperial Majesty do hereby oblige themselves to represent the whole matter that the motives and necessiries which induced the States General to chuse even a disadvantageous Peace rather than the continuance of the War are not at all displeasing to his Imperial Majesty who will be ready to comply therewith and to concur with them as far as in him lies to endeavour a Peace so as the safety of the Empire be in some degree provided for and that he will jointly consult with the States General and the other Confederates by what way and means the same may be established and rendred secure And as the Imperial Ministers have thought it their duty to remonstrate these things to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Provinces so they do earnestly beseech and intreat them seriously to weigh of how great importance this matter is and to support it with their offices and recommendation in which they will do a thing becoming themselves glorious and beneficial to their Countrey desired by the Confederates and every one else that loves the publick safety and security and which will be transmitted to posterity to their immortal praise and merit Given at Nimeguen the 10th of June 1678. A Letter from the States General of the United Provinces to the King written at the Hague the 22th of June 1678. SIR IT was with an equal mixture of Joy and Reverence that we understood by your Majesties answer of the first of this instant from your Camp at Wetteren which the Sieur De Beverning delivered us the reality of your Majesties intentions to put an end to the present war to which end your Majesty was pleased to allow us all this month to induce our Allies to accept the Peace upon the terms which your Majesty hath proposed to which unfeigned purpose of your Majesties that we might answer with the like sincerity on our parts and give your Majesty all the satisfaction we possibly could we have left nothing undone to induce our Allies to a complyance and though we could not promise our selves that they would joyn with us in making a peace upon those terms yet we have given orders to our Ambassadors at Nimeguen to conclude and Sign the Treaty of Peace with your Majesties Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries and such of the Confederates as should be dispos'd to come into it before the end of this month In the mean while having some assurance that his Catholick Majesty will joyn with us in accepting the Peace we make it our request that your Mejesty will be pleased to give necessary orders to surcease all acts of hostility by Land and to cause such of your Mejesties Forces as are in his Country to retire about the end of this month and that your Majesty will be pleased to forbid your Majesties Men of War and Privateers to set upon any such Ships belonging to this State or any of our Subjects as are imployed about the Fishing-Trade and to give them Passports and letters of Safe-conduct that they may follow their imployment with safety accordingly we shall be willing to do on our part hoping and promising our selves that this will conduce to the good both of your Majesties Subjects and our own and to the encreasing the good understanding which ought to be firmly established by the Peace To conclude We pray God SIR To heap prosperity upon your Majestics Reign and to bless your Royal Person with Health and a long Life Hague the 22th of June 1678. Your Majesties Most Humble Servants the States General
ought to be inferred without all manner of dispute that he would not desist in case of a General Treaty but that it was not intended to apply it to the case of particular Conventions which is now in question The Allegations which are made to this Proposal of the Pyrenaean Treaty and the example of Verceil the restitution whereof the King of Spain hath promised are not at all applicable here for that Places was in his own hands and he might dispose of it as he thought good but in our case they have not onely not demanded any restitution either from the King of Spain or the States General as indeed it could not justly be required of them because they were not all possessed of any thing that appertained to the Swede his most Christian Majesty proposing no other matter to them but the Neutrality onely and there might on the contrary be drawn a solid Argument from the same Treaty of the Pyrenaeans to justifie what is at present pretended to concerning the Evacuation alledging that his most Christian Majesty hath consented to the restitution of the Places to Spain notwithstanding the continuation of the War between that Crown and Portugal T is true that in the project of Treaties there is no mention at all made of the Time when the Places should be restored but it is certain and notorious that the Consequence of a Treaty is the immediate Exchange of Ratifications after which full satisfaction ought to be given to all that is promised and agreed unto without any limitation of time and to that end there can be nothing applied more Authentick than what his Majesty was pleased to alledge in his last Letter of the 30th of June pass'd where he says That it is the usual custom in all Treaties for all things to continue in the state they are in till the Peace be absolutely consummated by Exchange of Ratifications and the Publication of them and that consequently it were directly contrary to that usage for his Majesty to pretend to detain the places after the Ratifications duly Exchanged and the Publication made Their Lordships may dispense with the Discourse of the Conduct of his Majesties Army in the Spanish Netherlands after the return of Monsieur de Lanoy who brought back his Majesty's Answer of the 30th of June made to theirs of the 22d of the same month but in the mean time they afflict themselves not without reason because that by all these difficulties so ill grounded the Conclusion and Signature of the Treaties hath been retarded and even refused when as their Ambassadors did duly present themselves to those of his most Christian Majesty according to their promise because that their Lordships could by no means endure that the King of Spain no more than they themselves to their extreme prejudice should be disappointed in the principal effect of Peace namely of the Evacuation of the said Places and consequently of the Boundary which his Majesty had so frequently and solemnly assured them Their High and Mighty Lordships sincerely declare that they desire nothing more cordially than to see the Peace established between his Majesty the King of Spain and their own State joyntly together with all the Confederates that will subscribe it and that they are willing and ready also to cause the Treaties to be Concluded and Signed But we cannot justly desire of them that the said Evacuation should depend upon the success of Affairs and a Restitution and Satisfaction which according to all humane apprehension will not be regulated but by the success of the War the Accidents and Chances whereof are always exposed to incertainty T is further to be taken into consideration that the King of Sweden has not to this hour given any order for the satisfaction of their High and Mighty Lordships in regard of the just complaints and excessive damages of their Subjects nay not so much as to renew and re-establish their ancient Amity with them but contrarily daily add new prejudices to their Negotiation by Acts of Hostility directly contrary to the Treaties provisionally established And as his Majesty ought rationally to expect from the Lords the States General that they should ever look upon his Royal Word as firm and inviolable they cannot be persuaded that he would by any means whatsoever alter the Conditions which he hath proposed by so remarkable a Change and are so much the more assured thereof in that their Ambassadors at London having represented to his Majesty of Great Britain the scruple of this new upstart Difficulty his Majesty did answer them with assurance that there should be no stop upon it and thereby they have been strongly persuaded that this delay was to be imputed not to his Majesties Sentiments but to the persuasion of those who desire not a Peace but that however they hope his Majesty according to the greatness of his Generosity will take off that Delay As to the Proposition the French Ambassadors made in their Memorial the Lords the States General do consider it two very different ways either as an Expedient to accommodate the Affairs of the Northern Powers by amicable means or else to employ their Forces to oblige their Allies to return the King of Sweden their Conquests obtain'd during this War As to the first they doubt not that the French Ambassadors are sufficiently persuaded with what servor they desired to see the accomplishment of a General Peace and they shall never be better satisfied in any thing than in seeing it concluded and that they will always continue to interpose and use their utmost endeavours to obtain a Benefit so much desired intreating his Majesty that he will please to furnish them with means in order thereunto their Ambassadors being fully informed of their good intentions without being obliged to the Evacuation of Places But if it be his Majesties inclination to engage them in pursuance of that proposition to violence and constraint they find themselves obliged to say That they understand no manner of â—â—â—ity therein and that it is diametrically opposite to what his Majesty did himself judge reasonable and that they can by no means subscribe it not being able at all to prevail with themselves but by force they must engage their Allies with whom they have been concern'd in the same Obligations to restore what they have taken from the Swedish King and so consequently must be necessitated to take up Arms against their Friends and Confederates a thing altogether unheard of and which cannot justly be required of them his Majesty having several times declar'd that as for himself and his Allies and in confideration of their Mighty Lordships and theirs he onely demanded the Neutrality before-mention'd And thus the Lords the States General do assure themselves that the French Ambassadors as well as all those that are not prepossess'd will be convinced that their Lordships are no way in fault if the Peace be not immediatly Concluded and that the obligation to the Retention
Sieur Comte D' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of his Orders the Sieur Colbert Knight Marquiss of Croissi Councellor in ordinary in his Counsel of State and the Sieur Mesmes Knight Comte D'Avaux Councellor also in his Counsels and the said States General the Heer Hierosme Van Beverning Baron of Teylingen Curator of the University of Leyden late Councellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces the Heer Wilhem van Nassau 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 Bildt Deputies in their Assemblies on the behalf of the States of Holland Zeland c. Which Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries duely instructed with the good intentions of their Masters were to repair to the said Town of Nimeguen where after a mutual communication of their plenary powers the copies whereof are inserted word for word at the end of this Treaty it was agreed upon Conditions of Peace and Friendship according to this ensuing Tenour viz. I. There shall be for the future betwixt his Most Christian Majesty and his Successors Kings of France and Navar and his Kingdoms on the one part and the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys on the other part a good firm faithful and inviolable Peace and all Acts of Hostility of what kind soever shall hereafter cease and be forborn betwixt the said King and the said Lords the States General as well by Sea and other waters as by Land in all their Kingdoms Countreys Lands Provinces and Seignories and for all their Subjects and Inhabitans of what Quality or Condition soever without exception of Places or Persons II. And if any Prizes are taken on either side in the Baltcik Sea or the North Sea from Terneuse to the channel 's mouth within the space of four weeks or from the said mouth of the channel to the Cape of St. Vincent within the space of six weeks and further in the Mediterranian Sea and as far as the Aequinoctial within the space of ten weeks and beyond the Line and in all parts of the World within the space of eight months to be computed from the day on which the Peace shall be published at Paris and at the Hague the said Prizes and the dammages that shall happen on either side after the Terms prefixt shall be brought to account and whatever shall have bin taken shall be restor'd with recompence for the dammages that shall have happned thereby III. There shall be moreover betwixt the said King and the said Lords the States General and their Subjects and Inhabitants mutually a sincere firm and perpetual friendship and good correspondence by Sea and Land in all things and in all places within Europe and without and no resenting of the offences or dammages that have been received either in time past or by reason of the said Wars IV. And in vertue of this Friendship and Correspondence as well his Majesty as the said Lords the States General shall faithfully procure and further the good and prosperity of one another by all Support Aid Counsel and real Assistances upon all occasions and at all times and shall not consent for the future to any Treaties or Negotiations that may be to one anothers damage but shall break them off and give notice of them to one another with care and sincerity as soon as ever they come to their knowledge V. They that have had any of their goods seized and confiscated by reason of the said War their Heirs or Assigns of what Condition or Religion soever shall enjoy such goods and take them into possession of their own private authority and by vertue of this present Treaty without standing in need to have recourse to Law and that notwithstanding any appropriations to the Exchequer engagements gifts in writing sentences preparatory or definitive given by default and contumacy in the parties absence or without their being heard Treaties Accords and Transactions and any Renunciations that may have been made at such transactions to exclude the right owners from any part of such goods and all and every the goods and rights which according to this present Treaty shall or ought to be restor'd on either side to the first Proprietors their Heirs and Assigns may be sold by the said Proprietors without obtaining any particular Licence so to do and likewise the Proprietors of such Rents as shall be setled by the Exchequers in lieu of goods sold as also of such Rents and Actions as stand on charge in the Exchequers may respectively dispose of the Propriety thereof by sale or otherwise as of their other proper goods VI. And since the Marquisate of Bergenopzome with all the Rights and Revenues thereunto appertaining and generally all the Lands and Goods of Monsieur le Comte D'Auvergne Colonel General of the Light Horse of France that were under the power of the said States General of the United Provinces have been seized and confiscated by reason of the War to which the present Treaty ought to put a happy end it is agreed that the said Sieur Compte D'Auvergene shall be restored to the possession of the said Marquisate of Bergenopzome it's appurtenances and dependances and also to all the rights actions privileges usages and prerogatives that he enjoy'd at the time when the War was declar'd VII Each shall continue seized of and shall actually enjoy the Countreys Towns Places Lands Islands and Seignories within Europe and without which they now hold and possess without being disturb'd or molested directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever VIII But his Most Christian Majesty willing to give back to the Lords the States General his Principal Friendship and to give them a singular proof therof upon this occasion will immediately after the exchange of the Ratifications put them into possession of the Town of Maestricht with the Comte of Uronof and the Comtez and Countreys of Fauquemond Aalhem and Rolleduc beyond the Maes together with the Villages of Redemption Banc d' St. Servais and whatever is belonging to the said Town IX The said Lords the States General promise that what ever concerns the exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion and such as profess it enjoying their Goods shall be re-established and maintained in the said Town of Maestricht and it's dependances in the same state and in such manner as was regulated by the Capitulation made in the year 1632 and that such as shall have been endowed with any Ecclesiastical goods Canons Places Parsonages Provostships and other Benefices shall continue setled in them and enjoy them without any contradiction X. His Majesty restoring to the said Lords the States General the Town of Maestricht and Countreys thereunto belonging may yet take and carry away all the Artillery Powder Bullets Provisions and other War-like Ammunition that shall be found there at the time of it's Restitution and they that his Majesty shall have
hundred seventy and eight and of our Reign the thirty sixth Signed Lewis By the King And underneath Arnauld The Ratification of the Treaty of Peace by the States General THe States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys To all that shall see these presents Greeting Having seen and examined the Treaty of Peace and Friendship made and concluded at Nimeguen the 10th day of August 1678. By the Sieur Comte D' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King the Sieur Colbert Marquiss of Croissy Counsellor in ordinary in his Councel of State and the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d'Avaux Counsellor likewise in his Councels Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty at the meeting at Nimeguen in the name and on the behalf of his said Majesty and by the Heer Hierosme de Beverning Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University at Leyden late Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces the Heer Wilhem van Nassaw Heer van Odyke Cortgene c. first noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and at the Councel of Zeland and the Heer Wilhem van Haren Grietman du Bildt Deputies in our Assembly on behalf of the States of Holland Zeland and Friesland our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen in our Name and on our behalf by vertue of their full respective powers Having likewise seen and examined the Letter which our said Ambassadors and Plenipotenries wrote to the said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty the sixteenth day of the said month of August and the answer that the said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his said Majesty returned thereunto concerning the explanation of the thirteenth Article of the said Treaty as also the Act of the 15th of September this present year by which his said Majesty declared his good liking of the explanation which his said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries made upon the thirteenth Article of the said Treaty of Peace of which Treaties Letters Acts and Powers the Tenour is as followeth In the Name of God the Creator To all c. page And forasmuch as the Contents of the said Treaty import that the Letters of Ratification shall be delivered on both sides in due and proper form within six weeks or sooner if it may be from the day of Signing We willing to give proofs of our sincerity and to discharge the promise which our Ambassadors made for us have agreed approved and Ratified the said Treaty and every Article thereof above transcribed and do Agree to Approve Ratifie and Confirm the same by these presents promising Faithfully and Sincerely to keep maintain and inviolably to observe the same in every point according to the Form and Tenour thereof without ever acting contrary thereunto directly or indirectly in any manner or kind whatsoever In Witness whereof we have made these presents to be Signed by the President of our Assembly and Countersigned by our Principal Register and our great Seal to be put thereto Given at the Hague the 19th day of Sept. in the year 1678. D. van Wyngaerd By order of the said Lords the States General H. Fagel Here follows the Tenour of the Power of his Majesties said Ambassadors LEWIS by the grace of God King of France and Navar To all that shall see these presents Greeting As we wish for nothing with greater ardency then to see the War that at present afflicts Christendom end in a good Peace and that 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 the parties for the place of Conference We out of this same desire to put a stop as far as in us lies to the desolation of so many Provinces and the shedding of so much Christian blood Declare that confiding entirely in the Experience Ability and Faithfulness 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 Marquess de 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 tryal that we have made of them in divers Embassies and considerable Employments wherein we have entrusted them both within our Kingdom and without For these reasons 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 Marshal d' Estrades Marquess de Croissy and Comte d' Avaux and have given unto them and do hereby give 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 to Confer there either directly or by the interposition of 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 of their Allies being all qualified with sufficient Powers and there to Treat upon means for the determining and appeasing the differences that cause the War at this day And our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together or two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or one of them in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment may agree and conclude thereon and Sign a good and sure Peace and generally may do Negociate Promise and Agree whatever they shall think necessary for the said Peace with the same authority that we should do or might do if we were there present in Person although some things should happen that might require more particular instructions than 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 de' Estrades Marquess de Croissy and Comte d' Avauz or by two of them in the absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or by one onely in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment shall have been stipulated promised and agreed and to cause our Letters of Ratification to be dispatched within such time as they shall have promised in our Name to exhibit them For such is our pleasure In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be set to these presents Given at St. Germain in Laye the Twenty third day of December in the year of Grace one thousand six hundred seventy and 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 The Tenour of the Power of the said Ambassadors
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
with all that shall be found in such Ship without exception or reserve but on the other hand also whatever shall be and be found in Ships belonging to the Subjects of the Most Christian King shall be free and affranchised though the lading or part thereof belong to the enemies of the said Lords the States except Contraband goods concerning which such regulation shall be observed as has been ordered in the foregoing Articles And for the more particular clearing of this Article it is moreover accorded and agreed in case it shall happen that both the said parties or but one of them shall be engaged in War that the goods belonging to the Subjects of the other and laden on board their Vessels that are enemies to both or either shall not in any wise be confiscated by reason or under pretence of being embark'd in an enemy's Vessel and this same shall be observed not only when such Wares shall have been shipt bèfore the Declaration of the War but even after such Declaration provided that it be within the times and spaces following viz. If they shall have been shipt within the Baltick Sea or the North Sea from Terneuse in Norway to the mouth of the channel within the space of four weeks or from the channels mouth to the Cape of St. Vincent within the space of six weeks and from thence in the Mediterranian Sea and as far as the Aequinoctial within the space of ten weeks and beyond the Line and in all parts of the World within the space of eight months to be computed from the publication of this present Treaty So that the Merchandises and goods of Subjects and Inhabitants shipped in such Vessels belonging to enemies during the said Terms and within the extents aforesaid may not in any wise be confiscated by reason of their being on board such enemies Vessel but shall be restor'd to the proprietors without delay unless they shall have been put on board after the expiration of the said Terms And yet it shall in no wise be permitted to transport to enemies Ports such Contrabann'd goods as shall be found on board such enemies Vessels though they be restor'd for the reason aforesaid And as it has been ruled in what has gone before that a free Ship shall affranchise the Wares that are on board it it is moreover accorded and agreed that this freedom shall extend to such Persons likewise as shall be in free Ships in so much that though they be enemies to both parties or to one of them yet being found in a free Ship they may not be taken thence unless they be Soldiers and actually in the Enemies service XXIII All the Subjects and Inhabitants of the said United Provinces shall reciprocally enjoy the same rights liberties and exemptions in their Traffick and Commerce within his Majesties Ports Roads Seas and Estates which it has but now been said that his Majesties Subjects shall enjoy in those of the said Lords the States and on the High Sea it being to be understood that the equality shall be mutual in all respects on both sides even though hereafter the said Lords the States should be in Peace Friendship and Neutrality with any Kings Princes or States that should become enemies to his said Majesty yet each party shall reciprocally adhere to the Conditions and Restrictions expressed in the Articles of this present Treaty which concern Traffick and Commerce XXIV And the better to assure the Subjects of the said Lords the States that no violence shall be offered to them by the said Ships of War all Captains of the Kings Ships and other his Majesties Subjects shall be forbidden to molest or endamage them in any thing whatsoever on pain of being liable in their Persons and Estates for such dammages sustain'd and to be sustain'd till due Restitution and Reparation made XXV And for this reason each Captain and Privateer shall be obliged for the future before their departure to enter good and solvent bail before competent Judges in the sum of Fifteen thousand Livres tournois to answer each for all such misdemeanors as they shall commit in their Voyages and for the contraventions of their Captains and Officers to this present Treaty and to his Majesties Ordinances and Edicts which shall be published by vertue and in pursuance of what is hereby regulated on pain that their Commissions and Licences shall become null and void which thing the Subjects of the said Lords the States General shall do in like manner XXVI If it should happen any French Captain to take a Vessel laden with such Contrabann'd goods as a foresaid such Captains may not open or break the Coffers Mails Bundles Bags Tuns and other Cases or Transport Sell or Exchange or otherwise alienate them unless they shall have been landed in presence of the Judges of the Admiralty and after an Inventory made by them of the said Merchandises found in such Vessels unless the said Contrabann'd goods making but part of the Lading the Master of the Ship think good and agree to deliver the said Contrabann'd goods to the said Captain and to pursue his Voyage in which case such Master or owner may not in any sort be hindred from pursuing his course and the design of his Voyago XXVII His Majesty willing that the Subjects of the said Lords the States General be treated in all Countreys under his obedience as favourable as his own Subjects will give all necessary orders to have such Judgments and Decrees as shall be given and made upon prizes taken at Sea passed with all justice and equity by unsuspected Persons and such as are not concern'd in interest in the things in question and his Majesty will give precise and effectual Orders that all Decrees Judgments and Orders of Courts of Justice heretofore given and hereafter to be given be speedily and duly executed according to their Forms XXVIII And whenever the Ambassadors of the said Lords the States General or other their Publick Ministers which shall be in his Majesties Court shall complain of such Judgments as shall have been given His Majesty will cause the said Judgments to be review'd by his Councel that inquiry may be made whether the Orders and Cautions contain'd in this present Treaty have been pursued and observed and that such provision may be made as shall be reasonable which thing shall be done within the space of three months at most and yet neither before the first Judgment nor after the same hanging the review may the goods and effects which shall be reclaim'd be sold nor discharged but with the consent of the parties concern'd to prevent their perishing XXIX If process issue at the first and second instance against any that shall have taken prizes at Sea and the parties interested in the same and the said parties interested come to obtain a favourable Judgment or Decree such Judgment and Decree shall be executed upon giving security notwithstanding the appeal of him that shall have taken the
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
force and vertue as if it were inserted into the body of the aforesaid general Treaty this day concluded Nimeguen the 10th day of August 1678. Le Mal. d' Estrades H. Beverningh Colbert W. Van Nassaw De Mesmes W. Haren We liking well the said separate Article in all and every the Points thereof have by these presents signed with our own 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 sincerely and faithfully without ever suffering any thing to the contrary directly or indirectly for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our own Hand and have caused our Seal to be put to the same Given at St. Germain en Laye the 18th day of August in the year of Grace 1678. and of our Reign the six and thirtieth Signed Lewis and underneath By the King Arnauld The States General 's Ratification of the Treaty of Commerce THE States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries To all that shall see these presents greeting Since on the 10th day of this Moneth of August in the year 1678. there has been made and concluded at Nimeguen a Treaty of Commerce Navigation and Marine by the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King the Sieur Golbert Marquess of Croissy Councellor in Ordinary in his Councel of State and the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Councellor also in his Councels Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty at the Assembly at Nimeguen in the Name and on the behalf of his said Majesty and by the Heer Hierosme Van Beverningh Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University at Leyden late Councellor and Treasurer-General of the United Provinces the Heer Wilhem Van Nassaw Heer Van Odyke Cortgene and first Noble and representing the Order of the Nobility in the States and Councel of Zeland and the Heer Wilhem Van Haren Grietman Van Blidt deputed to our Assembly on behalf of the States of Holland Zeland and Friesland our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries at the said Assembly at Nimeguen in our Name and on our behalf by vertue of their respective plenary Powers of which Treaty and Powers the tenor is as followeth viz. The Treaty of Peace which has been concluded c. page AND inasmuch as the Contents of the said Treaty import That the Ratifications of the same shall be delivered in due form and exchang'd on both sides within the space of six Weeks reckoning from the day of Signing We willing to give proofs of our sincerity and to discharge our selves of the Promise which our said Ambassadors have made for us have agreed approved and ratified the said Treaty and every Article thereof above-written and do by these presents agree approve and ratifie the same Promising faithfully and sincerely to keep maintain and inviolably to observe the same in all points according to the form and tenor thereof without ever acting any thing to the contrary directly or indirectly in any sort or manner whatsoever In token whereof we have caused these presents to be signed by the President of our Assembly and under-written by our Principal Register and our Great Seal to be set thereto Given at the Hague the 19th day of September 1678. Signed D. Van Wyngaerd By Order of the said Lords the States General H. Fagel By the King's Order WE do all to know That a good firm stable and solid Peace together with an entire and sincere Friendship and Reconciliation hath been made and accorded between the Most High Most Excellent and Most Mighty Prince Lewis by the Grace of God King of France and of Navarr our Sovereign Lord and the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries their Vassals Subjects and Servants in all their Kingdoms Countries Lands and Seignories under their obedience That the said Peace is general betwixt them and their said Vassals and Subjects and that by means thereof it is permitted to them to go come return and sojourn in all places of the said Kingdoms Estates and Countries to negotiate and trade hold correspondence and have communication with one another and that with all liberty freedom and safety both by Land and Sea and in Rivers and other Waters and in all respects as it has been and ought to be in times of good sincere and loving Peace such as the Divine Goodness has been pleased to bestow upon our said Lord the King and the said Lords the States General of the United Provinces their Peoples and Subjects And to continue them therein all Persons of what quality or condition soever are most expresly prohibited to take in hand attempt or innovate any thing to the contrary or in prejudice thereof on pain of being severely punished as breakers of the Peace and disturbers of the publick Quiet Given at Fountain-bleau the 26th day of September 1678. Signed Lewis and underneath was Signed Arnauld By the King ' s Order The Provost of Paris Or Lievtenant Civil BY vertue of his Majestie 's Order directed to us given at Fountain-bleau the 28th of this Moneth Signed Lewis and underneath Colbert We require the King's Proctor being heard to it That his Majestie 's Ordinance that has this day been published be posted up at all cross ways and usual places in the City of Paris and that the Substitutes of the King's Proctor take care to have it read and publish'd in all the King's Courts of Justice from which there lye Appeals to us sitting the Courts all which shall certifie the same to us within fifteen days And we forbid his Majestie 's Subjects to oppose the same on pain of being proceeded against as breakers of the Peace and disturbers of the publick Quiet Done and given by Messire John le Camus Counsellor of the King in his Councels Ordinary Master of Requests of the Houshold Lievtenant Civil of the City Provostship and County of Paris the 29th of September 1678 De Riantz Le Camus Vaillant Principal Register A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States General of the United Provinces to the Duke de Villa Hermosa of the 8th of May. THE Lords the States General of the United Provinces having Affairs of great importance to impart to your Excellence have Commissionated us under-written their Deputies Extraordinary and to this end their Hi. and Mi. have provided us of this Letter of Credit to present to your Excellence The Assistances which his Catholique Majesty gave to the State of the United Provinces in the beginning of this War were so useful and advantagious to this Commonwealth that their Hi. and Mi. shall ever be mindful of it And to testifie as soon as was possible their resentment thereof to his Catholick Majesty they failed not to come with all their Forces to his Majestie 's succour
the Lords the States General will always acknowledge to have received in the beginning of this War very important and useful Succours from his Catholick Majesty so they hope your Excellence will do them the justice to confess that they have not been wanting in the sequel of it to testifie their acknowledgment by using their endeavours and being at extraordinary charges to assist this Country and at least that it is not to be imputed to them that the King of France has made so great a progress and that he will not make Peace but upon such disadvantagious Conditions as whereby the Country will indeed be much weakned and hardly able to maintain necessary Troops for its defence but on the other hand the Places will not be so dis-joyn'd nor the Country so divided as it was before the War which will make it easier to be kept and preserved These Defects may likewise be supplyed by Alliances and a little time may do much toward a redress of Affairs and making the King's Subjects and particularly those of the United Provinces capable of assisting one another who at present are in so lamentable a condition and so utterly unable that they cannot be obliged to a continuance of the extraordinary charges without great hazard and without exposing them to the utmost extremity and finding our selves reduced to a necessity either of accommodating with the Enemy whether we will or no or of lying down under the burden To which they do not think your Excellence will be of opinion That they stand obliged by those Treaties that had no other end than the good of the Allies and the safety of their People The said Lords the States General have also thought fit to have it represented to your Excellence That being informed That the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of France would be authorized to conclude upon a Truce to the very last Day of December next they have Ordered their Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen to discourse it with them and see whether they would make one for six Weeks or three Months at most Hoping that if it can be obtain'd your Excellence will not be displeased with it but agree to it for such Reasons as have been alledged to your Excellence by word of mouth and as your Excellence may consider with your self Delivered this 14th of May 1678. Jacob Boreel De Weede The Answer of the Duke de Villa Hermosa of the 16th of May to the Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States General c. HIS Excellence having seen the Memorial of the Heeren Boreel and de Weede Deputies Extraordinary of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the 14th of this Month and desiring on his part to contribute to the greater satisfaction of their Hi. and Mi. will agree to a suspension of Arms for six Weeks upon Conditions that shall be judged such as whereby the suspension of Arms may not produce worse effects than a continuation of Hostility and of the War well understood that regard ought to be had to the King of Great Britain's Answer to the Representation made to his Majesty by their Hi. and Mi. according to that made to his Excellence by the said Deputies on the 8th of this Month and also that the Ministers of his Imperial Majesty and those of the High Allies be acquainted with it And to the end that this resolution may be the more easie his Excellence is of opinion that the matter may be adjusted at Nimeguen or the Hague whereupon the Lords the States General will have reason to acknowledge what consideration his Majesty and his Excellence make of Representations from their Hi. and Mi. and in the mean time it is not doubted but they will use their utmost endeavours to run to the defence of the Low-Countreys with all their Forces that in this interval of time they may not suffer greater shocks Given at Brussels the 16th of May 1678. A Declaration of the Emperour's Ambassadors at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen the 20th of June 1678. WE have heard the Proposition that your Excellencies made to us two days since containing in substance That the Lords the States General could not carry on the War any longer and found themselves obliged to make Peace for such Reasons as were then more particularly deduced Your Excellencies would then have known our Sentiments thereupon and you desire the same thing again at this present Not to fail therein we hope above all things that your Excellencies and all the World will do his Imperial Majesty the justice to believe that he has always behav'd himself like a good and faithful Ally towards all both in Peace and War We will not enlarge upon that His Army has always been seen in the Field in great numbers in good order it is evident that he has imploy'd it for the good of the common Cause and that he has made it act in such places as were thought most surable 't were needless to particularize the Campagnes where all was acted for the publick good Moreover his Imperial Majesty has assisted his Allies with all the Forces he could if not with all he would The Rebellion that has been raised against him in Hungary is also publickly known and how both his own Subjects and the Turk and the Tartar have been stirred up against him and yet so evident and so near a danger has not been able to divert or decrease his Forces for the common Interests Besides that it is known he hath sent his Army into the Low-Countries to support the acting there whereby the Enemy had an opportunity to take Friburg from him which makes so much difficulty now As his Majesty has been intent upon the Affairs of the War so he has been no less upon those of Peace And as your Excellencies can bear us witness we his Ambassadors have neglected nothing that might promote it and because we believed that the most effectual mean to obtain a reasonable Peace was to act vigorously we have done all we could as hath been already said For the present it cannot be doubted but the Emperour will understand with sorrow That your Excellencies think Affairs reduced to such extremities that there is a necessity of making a Peace to prevent greater Your Excellencies have told us your Sentiments thereupon and the Spaniards theirs As for our own we find in the first place That this manner of acting from France to prescribe Conditions of Peace and admit no Treaties upon them is against the style and the custom always practis'd among Soveraign Powers and we are far from being able to discover by that any such desire of Peace as the French make so great ostentation of For the Peace it self his Imperial Majesty desires it as much as any and desires it may be general that the publick repose may be obtain'd which is his only aim and the common safety also which is the chief thing that ought to
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
Plenipotentiaries of my most Dear and most beloved Brother and Cosen the Most Christian King and his Allies especially authorised and appointed and having sufficient powers and to treat upon means for appeasing the present War and to this end to enter with them upon a Negotiation to Confer Propose Agree Capitulate Conclude and Sign a good firm and durable Treaty of Peace and Quiet and generally to act with relation thereunto as my self might if present there in Person though more particular Order should be requisite then is contain'd in these presents And I give my Faith and Royal Word for ever to observe precisely and punctually without failure whatsoever shall by you Don Paul Spinola Doria Marquiss de Les Balbases Don Pedro Ronquillo and Don John Baptiste Christin my Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three joyntly or by two of you in the absence or in case of sickness of the other be agreed at the said Treaty with the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of my most beloved Brother and Cosen the Most Christian King and his Allies and likewise to approve and Ratifie the same within such time as shall be limited by both parties In witness whereof I have ordered these presents to be dispatched Signed with my hand and Sealed with my Privy Seal and subscribed by my Secretary of State underwritten Given at Madrid the third day of Decem. 1675. I the King Don Pedro Coloma 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 Cordova Corsica Murcia Jaen Algarves Algeriza Gibraltar the Canary Islands the East and West-Indies the Isles of Terra Firma and of the Ocean Sea Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant and Milan Count of Auspurg Flanders Tiroll and Barcelona Lord of Biscay and Molina c. Forasmuch as by the Mediation and good Offices of the King of Great Britain the Town of Nimeguen has been chosen and pitch't on by the common consent of all the parties now engaged in the War for a place of meeting in order to a Treaty of Peace and I desiring to contribute on my part whatever lies in me towards the appeasing and ending the present War that so much afflicteth Christendom through his means have nominated to be my Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries to assist in my Name at the said Assembly Don Paul Spinola Doria Marquess de los Balbases one of my Councel of State Don Pedro Ronquillo one of my Councels of Castille and of the Indies and Don John Baptiste Christin of my Councel of Flanders by vertue of the plenary Power which I dispatched the third of December 1675. signed with my Hand and sealed with my Seal and under-written by Don Pedro Coloma my Secretary of State as appears by the Original to which I refer To the end that all three joyntly or two of them in case of absence or other hindrance of the third or one only in the like case of absence or other hindrance of the other two might assist treat and confer immediately or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries the Mediators allowed and admitted respectively with the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of my most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin the Most Christian King and his Allies specially authorized and appointed which accordingly they have done and now actually do in my Name And judging it to be for the interest of my service to add one Plenipotentiary more to the other three to assist at the Conferences and Affairs there with like character and authority And considering the sufficiency integrity prudence experience understanding and zeal for my service which are found in you Don Gaspar de Teves and Gusman Marquess de la Fuente Count de Venazuza and by reason of the satisfaction which you have always given me in many and important Affairs whereof I have intrusted you with the management and that you will have regard to the interest of my service I nominate you to be my second Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to repair to the said Town of Nimeguen and joyntly with my three Ambassadors above-named or with two of them in the absence or in case of other impediment of the third or by your self alone in case of absence or other hindrance of the other three either by the mediation of the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries the Mediators respectively allowed or immediately with the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of my most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin the Most Christian King and his Allies particularly appointed and authorized confer propose agree conclude and sign a good firm and durable Treaty of Peace and Quiet and generally to act with relation thereunto what-ever I my self might do if I were present there in person though some more particular Order should be requisite thereunto than is herein expressed And I give my Faith and Royal Word that what-ever you Don Gaspar de Teves and Guzman Marquess de la Fuente my second Plenipotentiary joyntly with the said Marquess de los Balbases Don Pedro Ronquillo and Don John Baptiste Christin my Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries or sole in the absence or other hindrance of any of them shall agree and capitulate at the said Treaty with the said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of my most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin the Most Christian King and his Allies I will always observe precisely and punctually without any failure and will likewise approve and ratifie the same within such time as shall be reciprocally agreed on Declaring from this time forward that nothing is hereby derogated from the Power which I gave on the third of December to the said Marquess de los Balbases Don Pedro Ronquillo and Don John Baptiste Christin but that on the contrary it remains in full and perfect force and vertue notwithstanding these presents or any other circumstance whatsoever In token whereof I have ordered these presents to be dispatched being signed with my Hand and sealed with my privy Seal and subscribed by my Secretary of State under-written Given at Madrid the 16th of July 1678. I the King Don Pierre Coloma Articles of Peace between the Emperor and the French King Concluded and Signed at Nimeguen the 5th day of February 1678. 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 may any way concern That whereas from the beginning of the War commenced some years ago between the most Serene 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 Kyburg and Goritia Marquiss of the sacred Roman
Empire Burgovia and of the Upper and Lower Lusatia Lord of the March of Sclavonia of the Port of Naon and the Salt-Pits on the one part and the most Serene and Mighty Prince and Lord LEWIS the xiv the Most Christian King of France and Navar on the other part Their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties have desired nothing more passionately than the prevention of the desolation of so many Countreys and the further effusion of Blood by restoring a Peace never to be broken It hath by the Blessing of Almighty God been at length brought to pass that by the endeavours of the most Serene and Mighty Prince and Lord Charles the second King of Great Britain Who being received as a General Mediator by all the Parties hath in these difficult Conjunctures of Christendom to his immortal Glory with indefatigable care employed his utmost Offices and Counsels for the Publick Tranquility and General Peace Their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties have agreed that the Congress for treating the Peace should be held here at Nimeguen in Guelderland In which place Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries in due form authorized having appeared on both sides viz. on the part of the Emperor the most Reverend Illustrious and Excellent Lords John Bishop of Gurgg Prince of the Sacred Roman Empire and Counsellor to his Imperial Majesty as likewise Francis Udalrick Count of the sacred Roman Empire of Khinscky Chemitz and Tettau Lord of Klumetz Counsellor to his Imperial Majesty of his Bed-Chamber Lord Lieutenant Assistant of the Royal Provincial Court President for Appeals and Lord Steward of the Royal Court in the Kingdom of Bohemia and Theodore Athletus Henry Stratman of his Imperial Majesty's Autick Council And on the part of the Most Christian King the most Illustrious and Excellent Lords Godfrey Count D' Estrades Marshal of France Knight of his Majesties Orders Viceroy in America Governor of the City and Fort of Dunkirk and the Places thereupon depending Charles Colbert Kt. Marquiss of Croissy Counsellor in ordinary to the Most Christian King and John Anthony de Mesmes Kt. Count d' Avaux one of his Most Christian Majesties Privy Council after having humbly implored the assistance of Almighty God and in due form presented and shewn their Commissions the Copies whereof are word for word inserted in the end of this Treaty with the Interposition and Pains of the most Illustrious and Excellent Lords Lawrence Hyde Esq Sir William Temple Baronet and Sir Leoline Jenkins Kt. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his Majesty of Great Britain who from the year 1675. until this present have with great impartiality Industry and Prudence performed the Office of Mediators in order to the restoring the Publick Tranquility to the Glory of God and Welfare of Christendom they have mutually agreed on the following Conditions of Peace and Friendship I. First That there be a Christian Universal true and Sincere Peace and Friendship between their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties their Heirs and Successors Kingdoms and Provinces as also between all and every the Confederates of his said Imperial Majesty more particularly the Electors Princes and States of the Empire comprehended in this Peace their Heirs and Successors on the one part and all and every the Confederates of his said Most Christian Majesty comprehended in this Peace their Heirs and Successors on the other Which said Peace and Friendship shall be so sincerely observed and improved that each party shall promote the Honour Advantage and Interest of the other And there shall be so perpetual an Oblivion and Amnesty of all Hostilities committed on each side since the beginning of the present Troubles that neither Party shall upon that or any other account or pretence give nor cause or suffer to be given hereafter to the other any Trouble directly or indirectly under colour of Law or way of Fact within or without the Empire any former agreements to the contrary notwithstanding But all and every the injuries Violences Hostilities Dammages and Charges sustained on each side by Words Writing or Deeds shall without respect of Persons or things be so entirely abolished that whatsoever may upon that account be pretended against the other shall be buried in perpetual Oblivion II. And forasmuch as the Peace concluded the 24th day of October 1648. at Munster in Westphalia is to be the Foundation and Basis of the present Friendship and Publick Tranquility The said Peace shall from henceforth be restor'd in all and every it's Points and remain in full force and vigour as if the same were word for word inserted herein except in such Points as are derogated from it by this present Treaty III. And whereas in vertue of the said Peace of Munster his Most Christian Majesty had Right to keep a Garrison in the Fortress of Philipsburg for it's Protection and that the said Fortress hath during this War been taken by the Emperor's Arms and the Castle and Town of Friburg by the Arms of France Their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties have agreed concerning those Places in manner following IV. His Most Christian Majesty as well for himself as his Heirs and Successors doth for ever renounce and quit to his Imperial Majesty his Heirs and Successors all Right of Protection maintaining a Garrison and all other things which belonged unto him with relation to the Fortress of Philipsburg in vertue of the Treaty of Munster Reserving nothing under any pretence or Title to himself his Heirs and Successors or the Kingdom of France upon the said Fortress the Forts adjoyning to it and erected as well on this as on the other side of the Rhine any Laws Constitutions and Statutes or other things whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding all and every of which are expresly derogated from by this present Treaty V. In like manner his Imperial Majesty doth as well for himself as his Heirs and Successors and the whole House of Austria renounce and for ever quit to his Most Christian Majesty his Heirs and Successors the Castle and Town of Friburg together with the 3. Villages of Lehn Mezhauzen and Kirchzart thereunto belonging with their Districts as they appertain to the Community of the said Town of Friburg together with all Propriety Superiority Right of Patronage Sovereignty and other things whatsoever which belonged unto him with relation to Friburg Reserving to himself his Heirs and Successors or the Empire no Right or Claim thereunto under any Title or Pretence whatsoever any Laws Constitutions Statutes or any thing to the contrary notwithstanding all and every of which are expresly derogated from by this present Treaty Provided still that the Priviledges and Immunities formerly obtained of the House of Austric for the said City remain inviolate as also the Right of Episcopacy Revenues and other Emoluments be reserved to the Bishop and Church of Constance VI. His Most Christian Majesty shall as often as he has occasion without any hindrance or molestation have a free and easy passage from
Burgovia and of the Upper and Lower Lusatia Lord of the Marck of Sclavonia of the Port of Naon and the Salt-Pits on the one part and the most Serene and Mighty Prince and Lord Charles King of Suedes Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Schonen Estotiland Lieftland Carelia Bremen Ferden Stetin Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugen Lord of Ingria and Wismar and also Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria Juliers Cleves and Berghen on the other part His Imperial and his Royal Majesty of Sueden have desired nothing more passionately than the preventing the further desolation of so many Countreys and Effusion of Blood by restoring a Lasting Peace It hath by the Blessing of Almighty God been at length brought to pass that by the Endeavours of the most Serene and Mighty Prince and Lord Charles the Second King of Great Britain Who being received as General Mediator by all the Parties hath in these difficult Conjuncture of Affairs in Christendom to his Immortal Glory with indefatigable pains employed his utmost Offices and Counsels for the Publick Tranquility and General Peace His Imperial and his Royal Majesty of Sweden have agreed That the Congress for treating the Peace should be held here at Nimeguen in Guelderland In which Place Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries in due form authorized having appeared on both sides viz. on the part of the Emperor the most Reverend and the most Illustrious and Excellent Lords John Bishop of Gurck Prince of the Sacred Roman Empire and Counsellor to his Imperial Majesty as likewise Francis Udalrick Count of the Sacred Roman Empire of Khinschy Chinitz and Tettau Lord of Klumetz of his Imperial Majesties Privy Council Chamberlain Lord Lieutenant one of the Judges of the Royal Provincial Court President for Appeals and Lord Steward of the Royal Court in the Kingdom of Bohemia and Theodore Athletus Henry Stratman of his Imperial Majesty's Aulick Council And on the part of the King of Sweden the most Illustrious and Excellent Lords Benedict Oxenstiern Earl of Korshorlm and Wasa free Baron in Mohrby and Lindholm Lord of Kapuria and Kattila Senator to his Majesty and the Kingdom of Sweden and President of the Chief Court of Judicature at Wismar also as Chief Judge of Ingria and Kexholm and John Paulin Olivencrans Lord of Ulffhol and Hofmanstorp Counsellor in Chancery to his Sacred Majesty of Sweden Secretary of State and Judge of the Territory of Widloe after having humbly implored the Assistance of Almighty God and in due form exchanged and shewn their Commissions the Copys whereof are word for word inserted in the end of this Treaty by the Intervention and means of the most Illustrious and Excellent Lords Lawrence Hyde Esquire Sir William Temple Baronet and Sir Leoline Jenkins Kt. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries for his Majesty of Great Britian who from the year 1675. until this present have with great Impartiality Diligently and Wisely performed the part of a Mediator in order to the restoring the Publick Tranquility to the Glory of God and Welfare of Christendom they have mutually agreed on the following Conditions of Peace and Friendship I. There shall be a Christian Inviolable and Perpetual Peace and a true and Sincere Friendship between His Imperial Majesty the German Empire and all and every of their Allies comprehended in this Peace and their respective Heirs and Successors on the one part and his Majesty and the Kingdom of Sweden and their Allies comprehended in this Peace and their respective Heirs and Successors on the other and therefore all acts of Hostility shall forthwith cease throughout all and every the Kingdoms States Dominions and Countreys of both Parties wheresoever Situate and between all and every their Subjects and Inhabitants of what Degree soever they be so as that neither Party hereafter do any wrong or unkindness to the other privately or openly directly or indirectly by himself or by others but rather promote the Advantage Honour and Interests of the other to the end that a faithful Neighbourhood and mutual Offices of Friendship and Peace may remain and for ever continue between them II. And for greater Security hereof it hath been thought fit by both Parties that there be a Perpetual Oblivion and Amnesty of all Enmities or Hostilities committed on each side since the begining of the present Troubles in what place or manner soever so that neither Party shall upon that nor any other Cause or Pretence whatsoever do and give nor cause or suffer to be done and given to the other any Hostility Trouble or Molestation in their Persons Estates Rights or Security by himself or by others openly or privately directly or indirectly under colour of Right or way of Fact within or without the Empire any former Agreements to the contrary notwithstanding But all and every the Injuries Violences Hostilities Prejudices Losses and Charges sustained on each side as well before as during the War by Words Writing or Deeds shall without respect of Persons or things be so entirely abolished that whatsoever the one part may upon that account pretend against the other shall be buryed in perpetual Oblivion Likewise all and every the Vassals and Subjects of both Partys shall enjoy this Amnesty and have the benefit and effect of it so that none of them shall be rendred culpable endammaged or prejudiced for having taken part with the one or the other from being fully restored to the same Condition as to Honours and Goods that he was in immediately before the War III. According to this Foundation of an Universal and unlimited Amnesty and to the end a more certain Rule of Friendship and Peace may be setled between the Parties it hath been by mutual Consent agreed between them That the Peace Concluded at Osnabrug in Westphalia on the 24th Octob. 1648. shall remain the Basis and Rule of the present Pacification in such manner that it shall be restored to its first Force and Vigour and inviolably kept hereafter and continue as it was before the present War a Pragmatick Sanction and Fundamental Law of the Empire whereby the Parties shall stand bound and obliged to each other any Acts Decrees Commands or Alterations made upon occasion of the War to the contrary notwithstanding IV. And for the greater strength of this Friendship and nearer Union Neither of the Parties shall have any Treaties contrary to this Nor shall hereafter give their Consent to any Treaty or Negotiation tending to the Dammage or Prejudice of the other but rather shall oppose the same Nor shall either of them afford any succours by Soldiers Arms Ammunition Ships Mariners or other things appertaining to War or Subsidies in money to prosecute it directly or indirectly either on publick or private account to the present or future Enemys of the other Nor supply them or direct that they be supplyed with any Quarters or Accommodation within the Dominions of the Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden saving the Article of