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
six hundred seventy eight and of our Reign the Thirty sixth Signed Lewis and underneath was Signed By the King Arnauld The Ratification of the separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange by the States General THe States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys To all that shall see these presents Greeting Since besides the Treaty of Peace made and concluded at Nimeguen on the 10th day of the month of August 1678. There was likewise made a separate Article by the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of the Orders of the Most Christian King the Sieur Colbert Marquess 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 Assembly at Nimeguen in the name and on the behalf of his said Majesty and by the Sieur Hierosme de Beverning Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University of Leyden heretofore Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces the Sieur Wilhem van Nassaw Heer van Odyke Cortgene and first Noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and at the Councel of Zeland and the Sieur Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Bildt deputies in our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland Zeland and Friezland 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 separate Article the Tenour is as followeth viz. A separate Article concerning the Prince of Orange since in pursuance of the War c. page We have Agreed Approved and Ratified and do by these presents Agree Approve and Ratifie the said separate Article and that it be inserted into the aforesaid Treaty of Peace and Friendship promising to keep maintain and inviolably to observe all that is therein contained without ever acting directly or indirectly to the contrary under any pretence whatsoever In witness whereof we have caused these presents to be Signed by the President of our Assembly and Countersigned by our principal Register and our great Seal to be set thereto Given at the Hague the 19 th day of September 1678. D. van Wyngaerd By Order of the said Lords the States General H. Fagel A Treaty of 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. LEWIS by the grace of God King of France and Navar To all such as shall see these presents greeting Since our most dear and wel-beloved Cosen the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France Knight of our Orders our faithful and wel-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquiss 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 in the Town of Nimeguen with the Heer Hierosme 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 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 Bildt Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most Dear and great Friends the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys instructed likewise with plenary powers a Treaty of Commerce Navigation and Marine in Tenour as followeth viz. The Treaty of Peace which has this day been concluded betwixt the most Christian King and the Lords the States General of the United Provinces putting an end to all the Subjects of discontent which for some time had altered the affection which his Majesty following the example of the Kings his Predecessors hath always had for their good and prosperity and the said Lords the States General entring again into the same desire which they have heretofore testified for the greatness of France and into sentiments of a sincere acknowledgment for the obligations and considerable advantages which they have heretofore received from it there is reason to believe that this good understanding betwixt his Majesty and the States General can never be disturbed But as his Majesty will not omit any thing that may strengthen it and the said States General being less desirous to perpetuate it have thought that there was no better and more certain means than to establish a free and perfect correspondence between the Subjects on both Sides and to this end to regulate their particular interests in matters of Commerce Navigation and Marine by the most proper Laws and Conventions for preventing all inconveniencies that might weaken the said good correspondence his Majesty aforesaid to satisfie the desire of the said States hath ordained the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of his Orders the Sieur Colbert Marquiss of Croissy Counsellor in ordinary in his Councel of State and the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Counsellor also in his Counsels to be his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries at the Assembly of Nimeguen and the said Lords the States General the Heer Hierosme van 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 and first Noble and representative of the Order of the Nobility in the States and Councel of Zeland and the Heer Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Bildt deputed to their Assembly on behalf of the States of Holland Zeland and Friezland to confer and agree by vertue of their powers respectively to be produced the copy whereof is here underwritten upon a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation in manner as followeth viz. I. His Majesties Subjects and those of their Lordships the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys shall mutually enjoy the same freedom in matters of Commerce and Navigation that they ever enjoyed before this War throughout all Kingdoms States and Provinces of either party II. And consequently they shall not exercise for the future any manner of Hostilities or Violence the one against the other neither by Sea nor Land nor in Rivers Roads nor Sweetwaters in any name or under any pretence whatsoever neither may his Majesties Subjects take any Commissions for Privateers or Letters of reprisal from any Princes or States at enmity with the said Lords the States General much less molest or endammage them in any sort by vertue of such Commissions or Letters of reprisal nor so much as go to Sea with them on pain of being prosecuted and punished as Pirates Which shall reciprocally be
and his Enemies then were every body will easily believe that onely the desire of giving Peace to Europe was capable of making him loose so favourable a Conjuncture And it is from the same desire that he is still disposed to admit of Propositions that may secure the entire satisfaction of Sweden and procure the Tranquility which Christendom expects from this Assembly A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France by the Plenipotentiaries of Holland July the 26th 1678. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of their Lordships the States General of the United Provinces having received from the hands of the Lords Ambassadors of France the 11th instant a Memorial whereby they pretend to justifie the particular of the Retension of the Places the Restitution whereof were promised by his most Christian Majesty and wherein at the same time they invite their Lordships to enter into some way with his Majesty whereby they might draw and assure a perfect Satisfaction to the King of Swedes are obliged by express order from their Lords and Masters to represent to their Excellencies That their Lordships making a due reflection upon the method of his Majesties proceedings to terminate the present War and upon the advantagious expressions whereby he has particularly declared himself upon their account they cannot entertain so much as a thought that he would at present delay the accomplishment and conclusion by the said Retension being fully perswaded that such kind of obstructions cannot proceed from so generous a Soul as his Majesties but rather from the perswasion of those who are averse to a Peace They strongly possess themselves with this perswaasion that they cannot lay a more solid Basis for their justification than to give an ingenuous account of the beginning and progress of this Affair T is notorious that the Lords the States General have done their utmost endeavours without intermission to determine this present War by a General Peace wherein all Parties Interested might have had that satisfaction which they have so passionately desired as might have disposed all Persons whatsoever thereunto But such was their misfortune that the pretences of the other Allies being far different and very far from it and his most Christian Majesty having caused his Ambassadors at Nimeguen to propose those Conditions which might and ought to serve as a Platform to a general Peace and upon that consideration explaining himself that it was the last point that he could possibly dispence with and hereupon his Enemies might make choice either of Peace or War without being obliged after the 10th of this present May. And the Lords the States General taking into their consideration that the major part of the said proposed Conditions did concern their puissant Allies did carefully explain themselves that they might find out some Expedients and have endeavoured to dispose of Affairs so as that they might enter upon a Negotiation according to the said Platform to see what the Parties concerned at design'd but to their great regret they have been inform'd That it was not at all his Majesties intention to cause a Treaty or to admit any debate upon the Conditions proposed but that the Potent Parties that were at War ought simply to declare themselves before the Term of the 10th of May was expired whether or no they would subscribe the said Conditions Whereupon their Lordships have laboured continually with the Ministers of their Allies to understand their Sentiments But they excusing themselves upon the small time allotted for this great Affair and want of Order from their Masters wherewith they could not possibly be instructed before the Expiration of the term therefore their Highnesses not being able to assure themselves of the intentions of their powerful Allies especially the King of Spain in regard of the Acceptation or Refusal of the said Conditions And considering that the Stop proposed by his most Christian Majesty must also give them particular satisfaction have applied their farther endeavours to inform themselves how this stop should be considered in case the King of Spain should refuse to accept the said Conditions and thereupon his Most Christian Majesty hath been so kind as to honour them with a Letter written from his Camp May the 18th and to acquaint them that if the King of Spain denied to accept of the Peace and they judged it proper to conclude a Peace with him on the Conditions proposed upon their account and that they would engage to remain Neuter during the whole course of this War His Majesty in such Cases would upon their consideration grant the said King of Spain the same Conditions which he was at liberty to accept of at this present and that during that time he would not attack any place in the Low Countreys and if my Lords the States General in order to the advancement of this Negotiation should find it convenient to send Deputies to him that they would find his Majesty in the neighbourhood of Ghent till the 25th of the said month and under the same dispositions Farthermore the Lords of the States General having declared before the 30th of May to the Lords Ambassadors of France that for their parts they were resolved to conclude a Peace with his Majesty upon the Conditions proposed on their account and having desired a convenient time to the end that they might dispose their Allies to the same Peace and after the Receipt of the aforesaid Letter from his Majesty having determined to send to him the Sieur Beverning their Ambassador Extraordinary to represent unto him how earnestly they desired a general Peace that they did accept of the Conditions offered and that they desired his Majesty to grant them a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks that they might have time to discourse with their Allies upon the affairs of Peace and to gain their consent for the conclusion of so great a Work His Majesty was Graciously pleas'd to declare by his answer the first of June dated in his Camp at Wetteren that he did condescend to that Cessation for the space of six weeks as it was desired to commence from the first of July and the same according to the stipulation between France and Spain Anno Dom. 1668. With this proviso they should promise his Majesty that in case during the said Cessation of Arms they could not prevail with their Allies to accept of the Conditions offered they would neither directly nor indirectly assist them against his Majesty or his Allies during the continuance of this War And upon this consideration his Majesty was willing to Render by way of exchange the same engagements that he had obliged himself unto with them in his said Letter of the 18th of May as well in regard of the same Conditions which he would be always inclinable to grant to Spain as for the security of the Places in the Low Countreys And to give them a larger Testimony thereof his Majesty hath charged the Duke of Luxemburg General of his Forces to
Swedish Interest nay not when the Matter of the Restitution of the places which should serve as a Bar was Debated And it is somewhat surprizing that the foresaid Ambassadors should positively affirm in the said Memorial that his Majesty did never Condescend to the Restitution of Places to the King of Spain unless it were in Consideration of an equal Restitution which should be made to the King of Swedes Advantage since the Original and the very words of the said Conditions do expresly import that those Places ought to serve as a Boundary to the Spanish Netherlands upon which the King of Great Britain the States General and the other Neighbouring States of the said Countreys have so much insisted and that his Most Christian Majesty would Surrender them with this Prospect and on such Conditions that the King of Spain should yield up in Exchange all those Places which are likewise specified in the said Conditions and that the aforesaid Restitution to the King of Spain should also be one part of the Satisfaction due to their Lordships without any manner of Limitation nor be directly nor indirectly tied to give any manner of Satisfaction to the Swedish King and it is very Clear that the French Ambassadors are themselves Convinced of this since that they confess in the said Memorial that his Most Christian Majesty did not in the least pretend that They or the King of Spain ought to joyn their Forces with his to Repossess the King of Swedes with those Territories and Places that he had lost Grounding it only upon the account of the Retention of them in regard that in the Conditions of the General Peace the Swede's Satisfaction is mentioned in the first Article and that before all others without considering that this intire and full Satisfaction of the Swede cannot by any means be Applicable to their Lordships who had never conquer'd or carried any Place that belonged to that Crown and that it is very Irregular to pretend to Charge them with a Restitution who never took any thing and have no manner of Possession that even they would draw a Consequence from so General and Ambiguous a proposition to all particular Conditions which in pursuance of that proposition are expressed by very different ways and Stipulations no otherwise than if they would deduce the same Consequence from that which is after mentioned concerning the Princes of Strasburg and Fustemberg viz That their Interests ought to make up one of the first points of that Peace it being however an Affair that concerns none of the Confederates the Emperor excepted and that particularly too Nor besides have the Ambassadors considered that his Majesty by his Letters of the 18th of May and 1st of June did explain himself so clearly and so positively that he was Content provided the States General did on their part Conclude and Sign the Peace and that he would always agree to the Conditions profered to the King of Spain they only promising not to Assist their Allies that are willing to continue the War against his Majesty or his Confederates so that the Conditions offered as well to the King of Spain as their Lordships ought to be performed though the other Allies will not Concur in the making of a Peace not only when the King of Swedes should be re-established and receive Satisfaction but when they had promised the said Neutrality The Lords the States General desire servently and Cordially that the War in the Northern parts should be ended by convenient means but his Most Christian Majesty and the King of Swedes not being able to Agree upon Conditions with the Allies of their Lordships they will look upon the Continuation of the War with great Dissatissaction but yet in the interim they are apt to believe that the French Ambassadors are mistaken when they would Infer from thence That his most Christian Majesty might lawfully make use of the Territories and Places belonging to the King of Spain and their State to make a more advantageous War They call his Countreys and Territories their own because that according to the Treaty of Peace they ought to belong to them by the same right as the other Lands and Provinces which beyond all controversie appertain to them It is very certain that the Countrey of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg may be infested and also those belonging to the Bishop of Munster more commodiously by those Countreys which the States General at present possess but as his most Christian Majesty did never pretend and his Ambassadors would do ill to pretend that his Majesty might lawfully make use of their Territories and Places to that purpose nor can they pretend any more that his Majesty can make use of those Places which he hath engaged to restore having reserv'd no such kind of Right to himself nor any thing whatsoever in order to such a design but onely the said Neutrality of the Parties contracting with him it being observable that nothing in the world can be more opposite to the Neutrality than to grant one Party the power to employ those Territories and Places to infest and indemnisie the other Parties nor more prejudicial to the Interests of their Lordships than thereby to bring upon themselves the mischiefs and inconveniences of a War in their Neighbourhood and even to their very Frontiers so that in lieu of enjoying the sweetness and effects of a Peace and being ascertain'd of a Boundary for their security and repose they shall find themselves destitute on one side and infested by a thousand inconveniencies on the other What the French Ambassadors say farther in that Memorial merits 2 very particular reflection that their Sentiments in the present case are conformable to the practise in all other Treaties it being very notorious that when there is a General Treaty made all the Contractors ought to have satisfaction which cannot be applied to the case in hand His most Christian Majesty having thought good to enter into a particular Negotiation with the King of Spain and the States General without sharing with the other Allies which would not concur therein T is true that if the King of Spain or the States General should not perform the Conditions of such a General Treaty but fail therein his most Christian Majesty might justly demand the effect of the Conditions agreed unto but these two Powers being altogether disposed to satisfie in all and by all which they are engaged to on their behalf his Majesty cannot have the least pretence that they should be frustrated of the accomplishment of what should be promised them by particular Treaties and upon consideration whereof they should set their hands Over and above that his Majesty having put into the first Article of his Propositions the entire satisfaction the Swede should have which is now made the ground of all the present difficulties explains himself in the same Period by these words That without them he could not conclude upon all the rest Whence it
after the Ratification of this present Treaty or sooner if possible that is to say as soon as the Convoys can arrive at each Place no parties nor detatchments shall make incursions into the Grounds and Countreys of one another but the Troops and Armies of each Crown shall abide within the extent of such Lands and Countreys as are under the obedience of each Crown That all such Prisoners as shall be taken on either side after the day of the Ratifying of this present Treaty shall be restor'd without ransom even Horses also Cattel Equipages and Merchandises and generally all other things whatsoever That as at the time when the Treaty of Peace shall be executed or betwixt this and then it may be necessary for the Troops of one Crown or it's Allies to pass into such Lands and Countreys as now belong to the other either side shall be at Liberty so to do only for maintaining communication betwixt the several Places in the Low Countreys and to go thence without taking any thing in such Lands and Countreys but Forrage only or Sojourning there any longer than is usual in ordinary marches That from the day of the Ratification of this present Treaty as well the Subjects of each Crown as those of the States General shall be at Liberty to go and come without Pass-Ports within such Lands and Countreys as do at present belong to the Crown or State of which they are Subjects and that there shall be no other need of Pass-Ports than for going from Lands now belonging to one Crown or State to such as do at present belong to the other That from six days after the Ratification of the present Treaty the Troops and Armies of each Crown shall live upon the Lands and Countreys of which each is now in possession without forraging in one another's Countrey it being understood that the word possession is not meant to comprehend or pass as in right of possession such passages and posts as the Armies and Parties have made or do now make in the places where they are or have been That from the day of the Ratification of this Treaty all extraordinary demands of Contributions Cows Prisoners and Carriages shall cease on both sides in one anothers Countrey so as neither party shall be at Liberty to make such demands upon emergent necessities but within such Countreys as each is in possession of That the Arrears of Contributions for the year that will expire the 16th of October next from those Countreys that are actually brought under such Contributions shall continue to be exacted on both sides but in such manner only as shall be agreed by the Lords Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen That if contrary to all appearance any difficulty shall happen as to the performance of this present agreement in all or in part the same shall be adjusted in a friendly manner by the Generals or such as shall be thereto authorised without altering this agreement upon any such occasion or suffering any recourse to force All this the Deputies underwritten have respectively agreed and have promised to produce to morrow the Ratifications of the same by Monsieur the Duke of Luxemburg Peer and Marshal of France Captain of the Garde-du-corps to the Most Christian King Commander in chief of his Majesties Army in Flanders and by the Duke de Villa Hermosa Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to his Catholick Majesty Governour and Captain General of the Catholick Low Countreys At the Camp near Mons the 19th day of August 1678. Robert Fagel de Contamougear We approve and Ratifie all the Contents of the foregoing Treaty Montmorgency Luxemburg Duke de Villa Hermosa Conde de Luna The Deputy of the United Provinces to the Army underwritten authorised by his Highness the Prince of Orange approves the foregoing Treaty having been made in his presence and with his participation for so much as it concerns his said Highness and the Army and Troops of the Lords the States General under his Command De Weede His Highness having seen the Convention foregoing made by vertue of the authority which he granted doth approve and Ratifie the same by these presents At the Camp at Roeulx the 20th of August 1678. William Prince of Orange 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. LEWIS by the Grace of God King of France and Navar 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 oùr Orders our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquis of Croissi Counsellor in Ordinary in our Council of State and our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur De Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Counsellor also in our Councils Our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries by vertue of the Plenary Powers which We had given them have Concluded Agreed and Signed the 10th of this month at Nimeguen with the Heer Hierosm van Beverningh Baron of Teylingenham Curator of the University of Leyden late Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countreys 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 Griedtman van Bildt Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most Dear and Great Friends the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries instructed likewise with full Power the Treaty of Peace according to the Tenour ensuing In the name of God the Creator To all present and to come be it known that as during the course of the War that has been stirr'd for some years betwixt the Most High Most Excellent and Most Mighty Prince Lewis the 14th by the grace of God Most Christian King of France and Navar and the Lords the States General of the United Provinces His Majesty always maintain'd a sincere desire to give back to the said States his principal friendship and they all the sentiments of respect for his Majesty and of acknowledgment for the obligations and considerable advantages which they have received from his Majesty and the Kings his Predecessors it is at last come to pass that these good dispositions seconded by the powerful Offices of the Most High Most Excellent and Most Mighty Prince the King of Great Brittain who during these troublesom times wherein almost all Christendom has been in War hath not ceased by his Counsels and good Advertisements to contribute to the publick weal and repose induced as well his Most Christian Majesty and the said States General as also all other the Princes and Potents that are concerned in the interest of this present War to consent that the Town of Nimeguen should be made choice of for the Treaty of Peace to which end his Most Christian Majesty named for his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries the
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
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
his Voyage In witness whereof we have caused our Sign and Seal of Arms to be set to these presents and have caused them to be under-written by our Secretary for Maritime affairs at the day of one thousand six hundred Signed Lewis Comte de Vermandois And underneath Signed by A form of the certificate containing the oath We of the Admiralty certifie that Master of the Ship named in the foregoing Pass-port has taken the Oath therein mentioned Given at the day of one thousand six hundred Another form of Letters to be granted by the Sea-Port-Towns of the United Provinces to Ships and Barks outward bound in pursuance of the aforesaid Article TO the most Serene most Illustrious most Mighty Honourable and prudent Lords Emperors Kings Commonwealths Princes Dukes Earls Barons Lords Burgermasters Sherifs Counsellors Judges Officers Justitiars and Governors of all good Towns and Places as well Ecclesiastical as Secular which shall see or read these presents We the Burgermasters and Governors of the Town of do to know that Master of the Ship appearing before us hath solemnly deposed upon Oath that the Ship called of the burden of about Lastes of which at present he is Master belongeth to the Inhabitants of the United Provinces as God should help him and as we should be willing to see the said Master assisted in his lawful Affairs so we require you all in general and those in particular where the said Master with his Ship and Wares shall arrive that they will be pleased to receive him courteously and duly to treat him if he shall be a sufferer with relation to the accustomed duties of Customs and Freights within through and at your Ports Rivers and Demesnes suffering him to Sail Pass Frequent and Negotiate where he shall think fit which we shall willingly acknowledge In witness whereof we have caused the Seal of our Town to be set hereto Here follows the Tenour of his Majesties said Ambassadors Power LEWIS by the grace of God King of France and Navar To all that shall see these presents Greeting As we desire nothing with greater ardency then to see the War with which Christendom is at present afflicted end in a good Peace and since by the Care and Mediation of our most dear and most beloved Brother the King of Great Brittain the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all parties for the Place of Conference We out of the same desire to put a stop as much as in us lies to the desolation of so many Provinces and the effusion of so much Christian Blood give to understand that we confiding entirely in the experience ability and fidelity of our most dear and well-beloved Cosen the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders of our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquiss of Croissy Counsellor in ordinary in our Councel of State and of our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Counsellor also in our Councels by reason of the advantagious trials that we have made of them in diverse Embassies and considerable employments wherein we have intrusted them both within our Kingdom and without for these causes and other good considerations us thereunto moving we have appointed ordained and deputed and by these presents Signed with our hand do appoint ordain and depute the said Sieurs the Marshal d' Estrades the Marquiss of Croissy and the Comte d' Avaux and have given them and do hereby give them full Power Commission and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and our Plenipotentiaries for the Peace and there to confer either immediately or by the Mediation of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively received and agreed to with all Ambassadors and Ministers of our most dear and great friends the States general of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys and their Allies being all armed with sufficient Powers and to Treat there of means for the determining and appeasing the differences that cause the War at this day and our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries may all three together or two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or one onely in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment agree thereupon and conclude and sign a good and sure Peace and may generally act negotiate promise and agree whatever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace with the same authority that we should or might do if we were present there in Person even though there should be some things that might require more particular instructions then are contain'd in these presents Promising on the Faith and Word of a King to hold firm and fulfil whatever by the said Sieurs Marshal d' Estrades Marquiss de Croissy and Comte d' Avaux or by two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or by one only in ansence of the other two in like case of sicknes or other impediment shall have been stipulated promised and agreed and cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification within such time as they shall have promised in our name to furnish them For such is our pleasure In witness whereof we have caused our Seal to be put to these presents Given at St. Germain in Laye the Three and twentieth day of December in the year of Grace One thousand six hundred seventy five and of Our Reign the Three and thirtieth Signed Lewis and upon the fould By the King Arnauld And sealed with the great Seal in yellow Wax Here follows the Tenour of the Power of the said Lords the Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the States of the United Provinces THe States General of the United Previnces of the Low Countreys To all that shall see these presents Greeting As we desire nothing more ardently then to see the War with which Christendom is at present afflicted end in a good Peace and that by the Care and the Mediation of the most Serene King of Great Brittain the Town of Nimeguen has been agreed upon by all parties for the place of Con ference We out of the same desire to put a stopas much as in us lies to the desolation of so many Provinces and the effusion of so much Christian blood have been willing to contribute thereto all that is in our power and to this end have deputed to that Assembly some persons of our own body who have given many instances both of their knowledge and experience in publick Affairs and of their affection for the good of our State and as the Heeren Hierosme van Beverning Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University at Leyden late Counsellor and Treasurer-General of the United Provinces Wilhem van Nassaw Heer van Odyke Cortgene c. and first noble and representative of the Nobility in the States and Councel of the Province of Zeland and Wilhem van Haren Grietman van Blidt deputed to
our Assembly on the behalf of the States of Holland Zeland and Friezland have signaliz'd themselves in many important employments in our service wherein they have given instances of their fidelity their presence of mind and readiness in the management of Affairs so for these causes and other considerations us thereunto moving we have appointed ordained and deputed and do by these presents appoint ordain and depute the said Heeren van Beverning van Odyke and van Haren and have given them and do hereby give them full Power Commission and special Order to repair to the Town of Nimeguen in quality of our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries for the Peace and to confer there either immediately or by the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively received and agreed to with the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of his most Christian Majesty and his Allies armed with sufficient Powers and there to treat upon means for determining and appeasing the Differences that occasion the War at this day And our aforesaid Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all three together or two of them in absence of the third through sickness or other impediment or one only in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment may agree thereupon and conclude and sign a good and firm Peace and generally may act negotiate promise and accord what-ever they shall think necessary in order to the said Peace and generally may do what-ever we might do if we were there present though to that end there should be need of more particular Power and Order than is contain'd in these presents Promising sincerely and faithfully well to like and firm and stable to hold what-ever by the said Heeren our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries or by two of them in case of sickness absence or other impediment of the third or by one only in absence of the other two in like case of sickness or other impediment shall have been stipulated promised and accorded and to cause to be dispatched our Letters of Ratification within such time as they shall have promised in our Name to furnish them Given at the Hague in our Assembly under our Great Seal Signed by our President and with the Sign of our Principal Register the fourth of January in the Year One thousand six hundred seventy six Signed J. Bootsma Upon the Fould By Order of the said Lords the States General Signed H. Fagel And Sealed with the Great Seal in Red Wax In token whereof we the Ambassadors aforesaid of his Majesty and of the Lords the States General by vertue of our respective Powers have in their Names signed these presents with our ordinary Signs and have caused our Seals of Arms to be put thereto Nimeguen the 10th of August in the Year One thousand six hundred seventy eight The Mal. d' Estrades H. Beverningh Colbert W. Van. Nassaw De Mesmes W. Haren We liking well the foregoing Treaty of Peace in all and every the Points and Articles therein contained and declared have for us our Heirs Successors Kingdoms Countries Lands Seignories and Subjects accepted approved ratified and confirmed and do accept approve ratifie and confirm the same and do promise upon the Faith and Word of a King and bind and morgage all and every our Goods that are and shall be to keep and observe the same inviolably without ever acting contrary thereto directly or indirectly in any sort or manner whatsoever In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our own Hand and have caused our Seal to be set thereto Given at St. Germain in Laye the 18th day of August in the Year of Grace One thousand six hundred seventy eight and of our Reign the thirty sixth Signed Lewis and underneath By the King Arnauld A separate Article concerning the Imposition of Fifty Sols per Tun upon Stranger 's Ships sailing out of Ports in France LEWIS by the Grace of God King of France and of Navarre To all that shall see these presents greeting Since our most dear and well-beloved Cousin the Sieur Comte d' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of our Orders our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur Colbert Marquess of Croissy Councellor in Ordinary in our Councel of State and our faithful and well-beloved the Sieur de Mesmes Comte d' Avaux Councellor also in our Councels our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries by vertue of the plenary Powers which we had given them have concluded agreed and signed on the tenth day of this Moneth in the Town of Nimeguen with the Heer Hierosme Van Beverningh Baron of Teylingham Curator of the University at Leyden late Counsellor and Treasurer General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries the Heer Wilhem Van Nassaw Heer Van Odyke Cortgene and first Noble and representative of the Nobility in the States and Councel of Zeland and the Heer Wilhem Van Haren Grietman Van Blidt Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of our most dear and great Friends the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries armed likewise with full Powers this separate Article in tenor as followeth viz. It hath been stipulated on the behalf of the Most Christian King and consented to by the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries That the Equality which is precisely to be observed with relation to the Subjects of each and the Natives as to Duties Charges and Impositions according to the seventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce this day concluded shall not derogate from the Imposition of fifty Sols per Tun imposed in France upon Stranger 's Ships and that the Subjects of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries shall be bound to pay the same as other Strangers unless his Majesty upon such Remonstrances as may hereafter be made to him on the behalf of the said Lords the States General considering the same with that great affection with which his Majesty is pleased to honour them shall order otherwise But necessary Orders shall from this present be given by his said Majesty That the said Imposition of fifty Sols be exacted from Ships belonging to the Subjects of the said United Provinces but once in each Voyage at their going out of the Ports of His Kingdom and not at their coming in and that the said Ships if laden with Salt pay but a Moiety of the said fifty Sols upon condition that if the said Lords the States shall think fit to lay the like Imposition upon Stranger 's Ships with them which they shall be free to do they shall not exceed with relation to his said Majestie 's Subjects the proportion of what their own Subjects pay in France the said seventh Article remaining in relation to all other Duties Charges and Impositions present and future in full force and vertue without being lyable to be limitted or exceeded by any other exception or restriction whatsoever other than as above is expressed Which separate Article shall be of like
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
be procur'd by the said Peace Your Excellencies confess your selves that the Conditions contain'd in the Declaration of France are too hard and violent you have told us likewise that your meaning is not that we ought to pass all the Contents of them You have desired to know our Sentiments upon this Subject tendring the Offices of the States General for reducing them to terms of Equity and we for our parts told you then the Reasons why we cannot explain our selves fully thereupon Howsoever we declar'd our selves here in the Assembly to the Heer Ambassador Haren that we could not admit of the Alternative that concerns the Emperour and the Empire barely as it is expressed We have often deduced the Reasons as well why we cannot restore Philipsburg as why we cannot leave Friburg in the hands of the French We hope all the World will think them well grounded and with all this we have not fail'd to acquaint the Emperour by a Courier Express whose return we expect In the mean time being willing to leave nothing undone on our side that may further the Peace we again pray your Excellencies to interpose those good Offices which you offered us to dispose the Ambassadors of France 1. To admit of more equitable Conditions of Peace 2. To treat with us upon them since we are ready on our side and desirous to do it with all kind of moderation 3. To take the same care for the Interests of our Allies as for our selves particularly for his Highness the Duke of Lorrain who has been used worst of all and that the Estates of the Empire may also have due satisfaction My Lords This is all that we are in a condition of saying to you at present A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Spain at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies the 20th of June 1678. ALL that we can say upon the present Subject is but to confirm and approve as we do absolutely what Mons the Duke de Villa Hermosa hath said and expressed in his Writing dated at Brussels the 3d of June 1678. declaring only that we will not separate our selves from the Interests of our Allies either in Peace or War in whatsoever may depend upon the King our Master A Declaration of the Ambassadors of Denmark at an Extraordinary Conference of the Allies at Nimeguen the 20th of June 1678. WHosoever shall compare the time that is elaps'd since the return of his Excellence the Heer Ambassador van Beverningh from the Journey which he took to his Most Christian Majesty and since he communicated his Report only to the Ministers of the High Allies at the Hague with that within which they require of us a final Declaration on behalf of his Majesty the King our Master upon so nice a matter as concerns no less than an absolute decision betwixt accepting a Peace and continuing the War may easily observe that it has not been sufficient for us to receive necessary Orders from our Master thereupon and apprehend that it is not in the power of Ministers to determine of their own heads so important a resolution Fearing lest this might happen we required a convenient delay by a Memorial delivered above eight days ago into the hands of their Excellencies the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary of the Lords the States General but to this present no Answer thereunto has ensued and instead thereof the necessity of Affairs the lamentable condition of the Spanish Low-Countries the United Provinces not being able to raise supplies for defraying the excessive expences of the War what-ever hope we might have form'd to our selves of assistance from England being utterly vanish'd and the formidable Power of the Enemy are now laid for a foundation to the measures that are to be taken to prevent that by Peace which 't is believ'd cannot be hindred by continuing the War The King our Master could not understand these extremities but with the utmost compassion and perplexity of mind and if he be thought capable of bringing any remedy on his side we can give assurance on his behalf that he will apply himself to it with the same generosity care and concern out of which he has hitherto made appear by the effects that his only content and repose consists in the welfare of his Allies In the mean time it is a very difficult thing to give any counsel and advice in a matter that seems to be already determined and which sticks at nothing but the formality of its execution On Saturday last their Excellencies the Ambassadors of the Lords the States General declar'd to us That their Masters saw no other mean to save themselves from the ruine which was like to drag them through that of the Spanish Low-Countries into the utter subversion of their Common-wealth than that of a sudden Peace They told us That the Lords Ambassadors of France expressed themselves dispos'd to conclude one separately with them and all those that should desire to come into it they invited us to joyn with them in it and at the same time assur'd us that since of necessity they must avoid the confusion that the Answer they should have to make to the Most Christian King concerning the accepting a cessation of Arms would bring them into they found themselves obliged to make a Peace alone to their own best advantage before the end of this present Month though we should not be able in that time to concur with them in it this cessation of Arms not being necessary to them for their own particular interests What room is left then for any counsel or advice in the Case We see no other measures to take for what concerns the King our Master than to put their Excellencies the Ambassadors of the Lords the States General in mind of their own Assertion to wit That this Peace even though they should see themselves obliged to make it with France should keep the Lords the States General their Masters no less under the power of their engagements at the bottom of the mutual Treaties betwixt them and their Allies and to pray them as we do most instantly to proceed in it with such caution and wisdom as that it may not at the same time involve any prejudicial consequence to that of the North. The 18th Article of the Treaty betwixt his Majesty and the Lords the States General upon the occasion of the present War shews plainly how far his Majesty and they stand mutually engaged to one another We are bound in duty to insist upon it till we have received Orders from our Master to dispence with it which of our own heads we cannot do and we conjure the Lords the States General by what-ever is most sacred in the publick Faith and in such solemn stipulations not to do or take in hand any thing that may derogate from its force We wish for the Peace as much as it can be wish'd for and envy it not our Allies if they will shew us a way to obtain a
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
sake and to draw his Countries in these Parts out of the gulf that was about to swallow them up The said parties under-written can assure their said Excellencies upon their certain knowledge and by their express Orders that their Lords and Masters are entirely disposed and ready to take part with theirs and with all those that shall now think it their interest or will be willing yet to joyn in the defence of so just a Cause as the common Cause is and in the establishment of the publick safety in all the hazards perils and dangerous events that the Divine Providence shall be pleased to ordain whether the event should fall out to be that of accomplishing so just a Design by a general a just and a reasonable Peace or whether the Enemy should be so hard as to make the obtaining it stick upon impracticable conditions and demands and expose it to the continuance of a longer and a fiercer War Not any of our Lords and Masters ever refused to take such courses as reason and decency have established between Soveraign Princes to arrive at the first they will yet joyfully embrace them and will demonstrate by their readiness and facility that the Quiet of Christendom is the only object of all their wishes But since it is evident to all the World that the Enemies have hitherto refused to admit of any but would prescribe Laws to us rather than suffer us to treat upon terms in order to it it is easily discovered not to be their fault that at present we are all involv'd in the latter A rational stedfastness is only capable of redressing these mischiefs and of bringing them back to more just and decent Measures that have been led aside out of the way of their Duty and Engagements by the secret Cabals of some private Persons and the violence and inadvertence of some Men of fickle minds that know not how dear and precious Faith and Truth ought to be to a free State when they shall take notice that his Majesty is far from following so pernicious an example and will keep faithfully to the Letter of the mutual Treaties out of which your Excellencies will find some necessary Extracts hereunto annexed and let the World see that he chuseth rather to run the same fortune with his Allies to the very last than unmercifully to desert them contrary to all sacredness of promises and only to save himself to their cost by a notorious breach of such solemn Alliances His Majesty can lose nothing by this means but will be a gainer by maintaining his Glory his Honour and his Reputation The Bar that is setled for bounds to the Conquests of France is rather a large career for it to drive on its Designs in as far as it listeth All that is left the King of Spain in the Low-Countries serves rather to exhaust his Treasures for the little time that he shall be permitted to enjoy it peaceably than to give him any assurance of a setled possession And when they shall have loosen'd the sacred Band of the Allies and disarmed the neighbouring Estates who will hinder the rest from falling under the dominion of a foreign Power when-ever the Enemy shall have a mind to it Certainly they that for their good will and all their endeavours and all the hazards to which they have expos'd themselves shall find themselves now either evil-entreated by their Friends or deserted by their Allies and so ill rewarded for their affection and good will will be wiser at another time when the fire shall be greater than to run to quench it and every one will content himself to provide for his own safety when he shall consider how unworthily he has been recompenced for what he has now done for that of the Publick But the strength of all these Arguments is so well known to their Excellencies aforesaid that it would be superfluous to alledge new ones They know very well how necessary it is for all that are concern'd in the Interest of the preservation of the Low-Countries not to let them utterly sink what-ever may be pretended outwardly The Enemy's Arms have already got too fast hold of these Rampiers of the neighbouring Estates for us to imagine that they can be contented to see them entirely lost For this cause the Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries and Ministers under-written will not enlarge upon the debate of these Matters They are only bound in duty to conjure your Excellencies by the sacredness of reciprocal Engagements by the force of mutual Alliances by the Faith of the King your Master and by the Glory and the Honour of your Nation and Country not to make any step on the present occasion that may be prejudicial to their Lords and Masters or be injurious to your own or your selves since we are perswaded you never will leave this Victory to the common Enemies of being superior to the King your Master in constancy and stedfastness to their Allies though Destiny may by the fortune of War have made his condition at present somewhat worse than theirs This is what the Parties under-written do most instantly beseech your Excellencies not only to consider your selves with mature deliberation but duelyto report it where 't is proper that we may both know that these things have been represented in time and promise our selves such resolutions and effects as are worthy so great a King as yours and becoming such zealous clear-fighted and wise Ministers as every one knows your Excellencies are Nimeguen the 22. of August 1678. A Letter of the Ambassadors of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries to the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of France for an Explanation of the 13th Article of the Treaty of Peace My Lords Since the 13th Article of the Treaty of Peace concluded and signed the 10th of this Month concerning the Neutrality promised by our Lords the States General with relation to the Enemies of his Most Christian Majesty and his Allies and the garranting such Engagements as Spain shall enter into with relation to the like Neutrality is couch'd in such a manner as that an obligation may be inferr'd not only for the present and as long as the War shall continue in which the Allies of our Lords the States are now engaged but that consequences may be drawn for the time to come and such occasions as may arise after all the present Wars are ended And since your Excellencies know that there never was any intention to agree upon such Neutrality but only for the present time and during the continuance of this War according to his Most Christian Majesty's Proposals We pray your Excellencies to clear this Matter to us in a word and declare that his Majesty's meaning and that of your Excellency's is that the said Article shall be applicable to the time of the present War only and your Excellencies will infinitely oblige Nimeguen the 17th of Aug. 1678. My Lords Your Excellencies
most humble and most obedient Servants H. Beverningh W. Haren The Answer of the Lords Ambassadors of France to the Ambassadors of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces in Explanation of the 13th Article of the Treaty of Peace My Lords WE have received your Excellency's Letter of the 17th of this Month and though the fidelity wherewith the King our Master hath always acted and the sincerity with which his Majesty is willing to restore the Lords the States General to the first degree of his friendship ought not to leave your Excellencies under any apprehension lest he should endeavour to surprize you or put a larger construction upon the 13th Article of the Treaty concluded and signed betwixt us on the 10th of this Month then as we explain'd our selves to one another yet We are willing to assure your Excellencies that it was not his Majesty's intention nor consequently ours to make use of the said Article any longer than the present War should last nor whenever it shall please God to put an end to it to oblige the Lords the States General to more than what their own Interest and their good Union with his Majesty shall require of them We are Nimeguen the 17th of Aug. 1678. My Lords Your Excellencies most humble and most obedient Servants Le M. D' Estrades Colbert D' Avaux The Ratification of the Explanation of the thirteenth Article of the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Holland THe King being inform'd by his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen of their explanation by their Letter of the seventeenth of August this present year to the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys of the thirteenth Article of the Treaty of Peace Concluded and Signed at Nimeguen the tenth day of the said month of August betwixt the said Lords Ambassadors in which is mentioned the Neutrality promised by the said States General as well in relation to his Majesty and his Allies as the garranting such engagements as Spain should enter into with relation to the like Neutrality His Majesty having read and examined the said Letter by which his said Ambassadors do declare and assure that his Majestie 's intention is not to benefit himself by the said Article any longer then the present War shall continue His Majesty was well pleased with the said explanation and hath allowed approved and ratified the same as fully as if it were inserted into the said Treaty of Peace next after the thirteenth Article thereof there allowed approved and ratified Promising on the Faith and Word of a King to fulfil and cause to be observed sincerely and faithfully whatever is therein contained without suffering any thing ever to be done to the contrary directly or indirectly for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever In witness whereof his Majesty hath Signed these presents with his own hand and hath caused his Privy Seal to be put thereto Given at Fountainbleau the fifth day of September in the year one thousand six hundred seventy eight Signed Lewis And underneath was Signed Arnauld A separate Article for a general indemnification of the Subjects both of France and Holland THe King having received the separate Article Signed by his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen and those of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countreys whereof the Tenour is as followeth viz. The Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the Most Christian King and the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces declare by this present Act that though the Treaty which they Signed on the tenth of August import a sufficient abolishment of whatever has been committed on either side by reason of the War to which the said Treaty has put an end whether by such as being Subjects born of France and obliged to serve his Majesty by reason of the Offices or Estates which they possessed within the compass of France have entred or continued in the service of the Lords the States General or by such as being born Subjects of the said Lords the States or obliged to serve them by reason of the Offices or Estates which they possessed within the compass of the United Provinces entered or continued in his Most Christian Majestie 's service yet for their more security and to protect them from all prosecution the said Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries have agreed that all such Persons of what quality or condition soever without exception may enter re-enter and shall be actually suffered to continue and be settled in the peaceable possession and enjoyment of all their Estates Honours Dignities Priviledges Franchises Rights Exemptions Settlements and Liberties without being liable all or any of them to be prosecuted vexed or molested either in general or in particular for any cause or upon any pretence by reason of any thing that has hapned since the beginning of the said War In pursuance of which Declaration and after it shall have been Ratified as well by his Most Christian Majesty as by the Lords the States General which shall be within a month all and every of them shall be permitted without any Letters of abolishment or forgiveness to return in Person to their Houses and enjoy their Lands and all other their Goods or to dispose thereof as they shall think fit Given at Nimeguen the 24th of September 1678. The M. D' Estrades Calbert H. Beverning W. Haren His Majesty having read the said Article hath Approved and Ratified and doth Approve and Ratifie the same Promising on the Faith and Word of a King to fulfil and cause to be observed sincerely and faithfully whatever is therein contained without ever suffering any thing to be acted to the contrary directly or indirectly for any cause or upon any occasion whatsoever In witness whereof his Majesty hath Signed these presents with his hand and hath caused his Privy Seal to be set thereto Given at Fountainbleau the third of October in the year One thousand six hundred seventy eight Signed Lewis And underneath was Signed Arnauld Done at the Hague the 30th day of September in the year One thousand six hundred seventy eight Signed Wilhem van Nassaw By Order of the said Lords the States General H. Fagel The States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countreys To all that shall see these presents Greeting Since on the 24th of September 1678 there was made and concluded at Nimeguen by the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the Most Christian King and ours an Act of oblivion in Tenour as followeth viz. The Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries c. We have Agreed Approved and Ratified the said Act in all it's points and do Agree Approve and Ratifie the same by these presents Promising faithfully and sincerely to keep maintain and inviolably to observe the same in every
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
King of Spain of the 22. of August p. 169 A Letter of the Ambassadors of the Lords the States-General of the United-Provinces of the Low-Countreys to the Lords Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of France for an Explanation of the 13th Article of the Treaty of Peace p. 174 The Answer of the Lords Ambassadors of France to the Ambassadors of the Lords the States-General of the United-Provinces in Explanation of the 13th Article of the Treaty of Peace p. 175 The Ratification of the Explanation of the thirteenth Article of the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Holland p. 177 A separate Article for a general indemnification of the Subjects both of France and Holland p. 178 The Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Spain Concluded at Nimeguen the 17th day of September 1678. p. 181 The Power of the Lords Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty p. 204 The Powers of his Catholick Majesty's Ambassadors p. 206 Articles of Peace between the Emperor and the French King Concluded and Signed at Nimeguen the 5th day of February 1679. p. 212 Articals of Peace between the Emperor and the King of Sweden Concluded and Signed at Nimeguen the 5th day of February 1679. p. 230 A PROJECT OF Conditions of Peace HIs Majesties inviolable fidelity in adhering to his Alliances hath induced him never to listen to any Proposals of Peace other than such as shall give a full and perfect satisfaction to the King of Sueden which likewise having been absolutely promised to his Majesty by the King of Great Britain who was earnest to gain this point both for him and for the States General he now likewise makes it the first Article that he insists upon and without which he cannot come to any conclusion upon the rest And because the Interest of the Duke of Gottorp is so united to that of Sueden that it makes a part of the Treaty of Copenhagen for the performance of which his Majesty gave his Garranty to that Crown his Majesty desires that he may now likewise be comprehended within this Treaty upon such terms as shall be satisfactory to himself As for the Prince and Bishop of Strasburgh the King doth precisely insist upon the restitution of that Prince and of all his Family to all their Estates Goods Honours and Prerogatives and particularly upon the restitution of his Brother Prince William of Furstemburg whose Liberty must be provided for by one of the first Articles of the Peace For what concerns the Empire as his Majesty doth still continue in the same intention which he has expressed for its Peace that he has been troubled to see it disturbed that it was with much trouble of mind he found himself compelled to carry the War thither so he does yet adhere to these publick Declarations which he has so often made That he will insist onely upon the restoring of the Treaties of Westphalia in all their points and to have them once more to be the means of restoring Peace to Germany Which induces him to offer this Alternative to the Emperor Either that the Emperor shall restore Philipsburg and have Friburg restored to him or else keep Philipsburg and let his Majesty continue in possession of Friburg without making any the least alteration in the other matters contained in the said Treaties As for what concerns Spain since its Interest appears to be the most considerable in this War and both England Holland and some Estates bordering upon Flanders have further express'd their desire that that Crown should retain such a Frontier in the Low-Countreys as might be able to make that a Bar which they judge is so very important to their safety his Majesty has been pleased at the instance of the King of Great Britain to agree to the means for the setling it And upon this consideration it is as his Majesty declared himself to that Prince that he has offered already and doth yet offer to restore to Spain those following Places Viz. The Place of Charleroy Limburg and its Appurtenances Binch and the Provostship thereof Aeth and its Chastellany Oudenard and its Chastellany there Courtray and its Chastellany the Verge of Menin onely excepted Gand and its dependances St. Guillain but with its Fortifications rased For so many Places of importance and which his Majesty has taken so much care and been at so great expence to Fortifie he requires in exchange that the King of Spain quit his right to those Places which his Majesty hath possessed himself of in this last War All Franche Compte The Town of Valenciennes and its Dependances Bouchain and its Dependances Conde and its Dependances Cambray and Cambresis Air St. Omers and their Dependances The Town of Ipre and its Chastellany The Places of Werwick and Werneton on the River Lis. Bavay and Maubeage with their Dependancies Poperingue Bailleul and Cassel with their Dependances In a word that he quit his Right to all such Places and Countreys as his Majesty hath now in his possession excepting those before mentioned which his Majesty is willing to restore to Spain The Town of Charlemont or in lieu thereof the Towns of Dinant and Bouvines upon condition that he at the choice of the King of Spain will charge himself that the Bishop of Liege shall quit his right to Dinant and that the Emperor and Empire shall give their assent thereunto By this means the Spanish Frontier in the Netherlands would for the future begin from the Sea to the Meuse Newport Dixmude Courtray Oudenard Aeth Mons Charleroy and Namur As for the Articles which concern the States General they are so very favourable that they cannot but conclude that his Majesty doth fully purpose to receive them into the former Friendship after the Peace shall be concluded His Majesty is willing to restore them Maestricht and to agree to the Treaty of Commerce in such form as it was framed at Nimeguen with the Sieur Beverning And to the end his Majesty may give the World the utmost testimony of his sincere intentions for the Peace his Majesty notwithstanding any reason that might induce him to continue in possession of Lorrain is willing that Prince Charles be restored to it upon one of these two Alternatives of which he gives him his choice First That he be restored according to the Articles expressed in the Pyrenaean Treaty without any change or alteration in any of them Or secondly That he be restored generally to his whole Estate except the Town of Nancy which his Majesty will retain with plenary Right of Sovereignty and excepting such a way as was agreed upon at the Treaty of 1661. to pass from the Frontiers of France into Alsatia and all such ways as shall be necessary to pass from France to Nancy and from Nancy to Metz Brisac and Franche Compte upon condition nevertheless that to make him some compensation for the Town of Nancy his Majesty shall resign to him that of Toul considerable for its extent and situation and much more
in respect of its Bishoprick His Majesty demands likewise that Long-Wic and its Provostship be quitted to him but offereth withall to recompense the Prince of Lorrain with another provostship of equal value within one of the three Bishopricks And whereas Marsal having been quitted to his Majesty by a particular Treaty is not at present any part of Lorrain so it is not to be understood to be comprised in this restitution These are the Terms which may and ought to make the Platform of a General Peace and upon which his Majesty hath long ago declared himself to the King of Great Britain His Majesty desires that they may be imparted to the Assembly at Nimeguen and that his own Plenipotentiaries there propose them to the consideration of the rest as containing the lowest Conditions that he can admit and upon which his Enemies may make choice either of War or Peace Given at St. Germans the 9th day of April 1678. His Majesties Letter to the States General of the United Provinces Written from the Camp at Deinse the 18th of May 1678. Most dear great Friends Allies and Confederates OUt of the sincere affection which we have always born to the promoting of the Peace of Europe we are very much satisfi'd to understand by our Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen the account given unto them in your name by one of your Ambassadors concerning your thoughts upon the conclusion of so great a Work which you had imparted to them by one of your Ambassadors We are glad to understand that the terms which we proposed at that Assembly appear to you to be reasonable and that you are fully perswaded of the sincerity of our mind in a matter of so great importance And it is with the greater fatissaction to our selves that we confirm the same unto you by this Letter because notwithstanding those advantages which we have already acquir'd by our Arms and may justly hope for by the prosecution of the War yet we place our chiefest glory in making all the steps we can towards a Peace But because it appears by the Discourses that have been made to our Plenipotentiaries by your order that how desirous soever you are to conclude the Peace yet there remains some scruple with you concerning the Seventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce which has been debated at Nimeguen between our Ambassadors and yours and trouble of mind lest we should make an entire Conquest of the Low-Countreys in case Spain should reject the Terms we have offered we are willing to impart our thoughts unto you upon those two Points We cannot do it more favourably as to the first of them than by granting that the Seventh Article should be as your selves desire it And in taking such measures with you upon the second Point as may ease you of the fear you express for the loss of Flanders And this we will then do when Spain having refused to consent to the Peace there shall be a Treaty concluded between us and you upon such Terms as have been already propos'd with relation to your selves and that you shall have returned to our Alliance and shall oblige your selves to continue Neuters during the War We shall be always ready for your sakes to grant to Spain the same Terms with relation to Flanders which they are at liberty now to accept And we are further willing to assure you that in all that time we will not Attaque any one Place in those Provinces Thus you shall always find us readily inclined not onely to form that Bar which you think so necessary for your own safety but to secure it and to let you enjoy together with the re-establishment of Commerce whatever other advantages you can expect from our Friendship And if for the prosecuting this Negotiation you shall think it necessary to send Deputies to us they will find us near Ghent till the 27th day of this Month and in the same dispositions we have declared to you in this Letter In the mean time we pray God to take you most dear great Friends Allies and Confederates into his holy protection Given at our Camp at Deinse the 18th day of May 1678. Your good Friend Allie and Confederate LOUIS Underneath was Signed Arnauld A Letter from the States General of the United Provinces to the Most Christian King Written from the Hague the 25th of May 1678. To his Most Christian Majesty SIR WE received with great respect the Letter which your Majesty did us the honour to write to us and were transported with an excess of joy to understand thereby your Majesties unfeigned desire to promote the peace of Europe and that your Majesty places your chiefest glory in making all the steps that may conduce to the effecting a matter of so great importance Sir we think our selves obliged to return your Majesty our most humble thanks and we have thought fit for this purpose to send to your Majesty the Sieur Beverning Baron of Teylingham one of our Ambassadours Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen in quality of our Ambassadour Extraordinary to acquaint your Majesty with our earnest desire to give your Majest◠〈◊〉 assurances of our Sincere intentions for thâ—â—â—â—d Peace and we hope your Majesty will grant him a favourable Audience and give all credit to him as a Person throughly acquainted with our resolution ever to remain Sir Your Majesties Most Humble Servants the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countreys The Kings answer to the Letter of the States General of the Unitedd Provinces Written at the Camp at Wetter the first day of June 1678. MOst dear great Friends Allies and Confederates We have with much pleasure understood as by the Letter you writ us so by the Assurances which the Heer Van Beverning your Extraordinary Ambassador hath in your Name given us the dispositions in which you profess your selves to be to a Peace We cannot let you better know how firm and sincere our intentions are to procure so great and so general a good for Europe than by the Writing which we have commanded to be put into his hands You will see the new Facilities we offer to put you in a state to bring your Allies to consent to the conditions which we cannot doubt but you judge equitable And having nothing farther to add thereunto We onely assure you of the satisfaction we shall have in giving you back with the Peace our old and real friendship and in entring with you into the strongest and most capable Engagements for securing ever your Liberty which we have more amply explained our selves upon to the Heer Van Beverning whose Conduct and Person hath been very acceptable to us There remains onely That we pray God to have you Most dear great Friends Allies and Confederates in his holy keeping Given in our Camp at Wetteren the first day of June 1678. Your good Friend Allie and Confederate LOUIS Underneath was Signed Arnauld 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 THe King hath with pleasure seen as by the Letter of the Heeren the States General so by the Assurances which they have given him by the Heer Van Beverning their Extraordinary Ambassador that their Intentions to a General Peace correspond with the desire his Majesty hath had to procure the same and that they are ready to accept the Conditions which his Majesty hath offered them by his Ambassadors and Plenipotentaries at Nimeguen But at the same time that the Heer Van Beverning hath thus made known to him the Sentiments of the said States General he hath in their Name prayed his Majesty would grant a Cessation of Arms for six Weeks and hath represented to him that they had need of that time to communicate with their Allies and to obtain their consent for the concluding of so great a work The condition in which his Majesties Arms are at present and the favourable opportunity that would be lost in deferring their acting would not permit him to consent to this Proposal if the desire to give Peace to Europe did not much more prevail in him than that of enlarging his Frontiers by new Conquests It is in this consideration to contribute to the Publick Repose that he will agree at the desire of the said States General to a Cessation of Arms for six weeks to begin the first day of the next month such an one as was stipulated between France and Spain in the year 1668. But forasmuch as it would not be just if the Enemies of His Majesty should let that time pass fruitlesly and that instead of its serving to advance the Peace they should make advanttge thereof to avoid the effect of his Majesties Arms that he should have lost the advantageous conjuncture which is at present in his hand His Majesty desires of the said States General that they do promise him in case during the time of the said Cessation of Arms they cannot bring their Allies to accept the conditions which he hath offered They will not assist them directly or indirectly against him or against his Allies during the whole course of the War In exchange his Majesty will in such case renew to them the same Engagements which he hath taken with them by his Letter of the 18 of the last Month as well for what concerns the same Conditions which he will be always ready to agree to Spain as for the security of the Places in the Netherlands His Majesty hath thought fit to make known to the said States General by this Memorial which he hath appointed to be delivered to the Heer Van Beverning the sincerity of his intentions for a Peace And to give them a yet far greater testimony thereof he doth command the Duke of Luxemburg General of his Army to go and expect their Answer during this Month in the Neighbourhood af Brussels with orders not to Attaque any Place during that time Given in the Camp at Wetteren the first day of June 1678. Signed LOUIS And underneath Arnauld The Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States General c. to the Duke De Villa Hermosa of the 27th of May. THe Lords the States General of the United Provinces are extremely satisfi'd to understand by the Answer your Excellency was pleased to return to the Memorial presented on their behalf by us their under-written Deputies Extraordinary the 14th instant That your Excellency did agree and consented to treat of a Truce or Cessation of Arms for the space of six weeks and could have wished That you had as positively declared your self touching the second Point contained in the said Memorial namely the Conditions of Peace proposed some time ago by the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of France at Nimeguen But because in the said Answer no mention is made of so considerable a Point their Hi. and Mi. have again commanded us to make instance and represent unto your Excellency of how great moment it is as well with relation to the common Cause as more especially for the preservation of what remains to his Catholick Majesty in the Low Countreys that your Excellency declare in the name of the King of Spain your acceptance of the said Conditions of Peace such as they are considering the present state of affairs and the risque and great danger there may be in continuing the War against so powerful an Enemy as the King of France is who has already brought his Army together and is himself at the head of it in the Field and that in the heart of the Low Countreys For these and other reasons represented in the preceding Memorials we earnestly entreat your Excellency to take such a resolution as may be agreeable to the desires of our Lords and Masters and that without loss of time since a few days considering the condition wherein things are at present may produce fatal Revolutions and such as would extremely embarass as well your Excellency as the Allies and be likewise very prejudicial to the Peace of all Europe Done at Bruxels the 27th of May 1678. Jacob Boreal De Weede A Declaration given by the Spaniards containing their consent to the Conditions proposed by his Majesty in order to a Peace HIs Excellency having seen and considered this Memorial and at the same time made particular reflection upon the former ones of the 8th and the 14th of May though the States General of the United Provinces know very well that the terms upon which the King of France has offered to make Peace with Spain are very hard yet considering the misfortune and extremities that the Low-Countreys are exposed to and that their Hi. and Mi. though otherwise so much concerned also in the Interest of their preservation do yet find themselves at present deprived of all means to effect it their People not being in condition to carry on the War and considering that in this Juncture of Affairs nothing can be of so great importance as the preservation of that miserable Remainder of Flanders by strict Alliances which they persuade us to accept of and value And whereas in the said Memorial the States General do represent their instances of and desire to admit of the said Conditions in order to the conclusion of a Peace his Excellency being willing to second them as he hath done from the very first time that his Master entred into the War which he undertook first for the preservation of the Confederates Estates of the Low-Countreys and has since continued to assert the common Interest is now likewise willing to comply with the desire of the States General and to admit of a Peace upon such terms as the King of France hath propos'd to the end that so convincing a proof of his Excellencies servent desire to unite him with the said States General may contribute to strengthen their mutual Alliances and conduce to the
preservation of both their Estates Still provided That whatsoever Conquests the most Christian King may have made in any part of the World within the Dominions of the King his Master and not specified in the above-said Propositions shall be restored to his Majesty Hoping moreover that the States General will so far interpose with his most Christian Majesty as that he will be pleased not to insist upon those terms which it is not in his Majesties power to perform and to grant us such terms as may be effectual for the preservation of what we have left and that the States General will likewise take care that the Borders and Fronteers may be so fixed as to prevent for the future any such Accidents and Occurrences as may prove the seeds of a new War and contribute to the greater satisfaction of the Confederates High Allies Given at Brussels the 13th day of June 1678. Signed The Duke de Villa Hermosa Earl of Luna A Declaration on the behalf of the King of Denmark THe Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of his Majesty the King of Denmark and Norway at the Treaty of Peace held at Nimeguen hath seen by the communication which the Deputies of the States General of the United Provinces have made to the Ministers of the Confederates at the Hague what his Most Christian Majesty was pleased to Order the delivery of in writing to his Excellency the Sieur de Beverning their Ambassador Extraordinary as well touching his consent to a Cessation of Arms for Six weeks as concerning his demand of a promise from the States General that in case they shall not be able during that Cessation to prevail with their Allies to accept of such Terms as his Majesty hath offered that then they will no longer Assist them directly or indirectly against him or his Allies during the continuance of the War And having thereupon considered what he conceives is fit and necessary for the Kind his Master to do upon occassion of his Most Christian Majesties said agreement and demand He thinks it his duty to represent to their Excellencies the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the High Allies at this Congress that presupposing which he does without any doubt the constancy and resolution of the States General wherewith they have always hitherto maintain'd the Credit and Honour of their Treaties which is the true band and most proper support of a free Common-wealth That they will not do any thing that may cast the least blemish upon the Reputation which they have hitherto honourably accquired and maintain'd His Majesty assures himself that in this juncture they will not set one step to the Prejudice of those mutual engagements that are betwixt himself and them in discharge of which he has vouchsafed to hazard his own sacred Person and the choicest blood of his Subjects to the expence of what the utmost of the revenue of all his Kingdoms and Estates would amount to Every one may remember into what extremity of Affairs his Majesty was willing when requested to throw himself in the midst of those Calamities that then oppressed the United Provinces and some of the Confederates with intention to deliver them from the ruine that threatned them and to take part with them in their most dangerous Events What course he took to effect this and the benefit which has accrewed by his Engaging in it both to the common cause of all the Confederates and to their Hi. and Mi. the States General of the United Provinces in particular is sufficiently known to all the World so that it would be to no purpose to make a repetation of them here A sure and honourable Peace is what every one now aims at For the obtaining whereof if the mutual engagements which the Confederates stand in one to another continue in force we ought to Treat upon terms and not take them ready made to our hands It has been demonstrated more then once by pregnant and undeniable Arguments and Reasons that a Cessation of Arms must needs come attended with many great mischiefs and inconveniences if there are more cogent Arguments why the States General of the United Provinces in respect of their own Affairs in particular and the concerns of such whose interest is the same with theirs should accept of a Truce with France we may well hope at least that that consideration will not be thought sufficient to oblige others whose Affairs are in quit different circumstances to come into the Truce likewise And that they will so qualifie the conditions of their Truce as that what makes for the advantage of one part of the Allies may not be to the utter ruine of all the rest though the Arms of France are attended with a strange current of Success yet the faithfulness of which the Most Christian King makes profession in adhering to his Allies ought not to triumph over their constancy whom common interest has linked together in a sacred bond for their mutual preservation This vertue will make them respected even among their enemies whereas the contrary would blast all their Reputations and lead them one by one into Calamities which they would discover the cause of too late when the effects would be remediless His Most Christian Majesty has given the States General a very short time to declare themselves upon the contents of his Memorial the foresight of his Councel saw very well that the time would be too short for all the parties concern'd to be well advised and we may easily judge with what design the matter was so Ordered But if we must take the things as they are and make the best we can of them we may certainly assure our selves that their Hi. and Mi. will not shorten the time but will allow their Friends as large a Term as their Enemies have allowed them and that they will not precipitate themselves into such resolutions as the events that half a day may produce may likely make them repent of their forwardness in taking up But above all things his Majesty aforementioned and his said Ambassador Extraordinary in his name and on his behalf doth most earnestly entreat their Excellencies the Ambassadors Extraordinary of their Highnesses that they will interpose to the utmost of their power and make use of the credit that they have with the States General their Masters to prevent their putting themselves out of all possibility of doing any thing for those that have done all for them which power our Enemies reserved to themselves for the sakes of such as have not contributed at all or but very inconsiderably to the putting them into the condition in which now they are in and that at least they will continue a readiness of mind to do what may be in their power though they should happen to be destitute of such means as might enable them to do what they ought Their Hi. and Mi. may be well assured that his Majesty will never reject their Councel and Advice in any
of the United Provinces of the Low Countrys The King's Answer to the Letter of the States General of the United Provinces written from St. Germain the 30th of June 1678. Most Dear Great Friends Allies and Confederates You will easily judge after all that we have done toward the Facilitating of a Peace that we were very well satisfied to understand by your Letter that before the time which we had agreed to allow for a Cessation of Arms you had sent instructions to your Plenipotentiary Ambassador at Nemiguen to Sign the Treaty of Peace before the end of this month And by the assurance which you give us that at the same time those of the Catholick King will accept of it we see your inclinations are well disposed toward the general quiet of Europe We Promise our selves likewise that it cannot be long retarded by those of your Allies that hitherto notwithstanding all the good Offices which you have done towards it refuse to joyn with you in the procuring so great a good and so universally desired In the mean time as the Peace which we doubt not but will immediately be concluded with you at Nimeguen since we have your word for it puts us into a condition of rendring you our entire affection of which we take delight in letting you feel the effects we are willing at your desire from hence forward to surcease all acts of hostility to the Low Countreys and whatever obstruction our Men of War or Privateers may give to your Commerce Common usage would require that things should continue in the same posture they now are till the Peace were fully consummated by exchange of the Ratifications and publication of Treaties but without staying till they that are now to be Signed betwixt our Plenipotentiaries Ambassadors at Nimeguen those of the Catholick King and yours shall be come to our hands out of our respect to you we will send order immediately to the Duke of Luxemburg to retire our Army from about Brussells into that part of the Country that is now under our subjection We will charge him to concert upon this subject with the Duke De Villa Hermosa and even with your Envoy there and to settle some regulation for those Officers to be under that shall command the Troops which we are obliged to leave about Mons and on what manner they may continue without any acts of hostility on either side but in a good understanding and so as the country may be open till the Ratifications are exchanged with Spain Having thus quieted all things at Land we are willing at your instance to do the same by Sea The Treaty which Our Ambassadors must Sign with Yours will ascertain the Places and Times within which what ever shall be taken on either side shall be deemed lawful Prize But for the present security of such Vessels as shall Sail out of your Ports whether for Trade or Fishing we think good to send a competent number of Passports to our Ambassadors at Nimeguen whom we will order to deliver them to Yours as there shall be occasion They shall do the same to the Ambassador of Spain But upon this condition that when the Ambassador of the Catholick King and your Ambassador shall receive them they shall be obliged at the same time to put into my Ambassadors hands such quantities of Passports as they shall demand of them We are well satisfied in not suffering more tedious forms though ordinarily observed in Treaties of Peace to impair the benefit that ought to accrew to your people by this and in letting them tast the sweetness of Peace from this very time and in procuring the same ease to those of the Catholick King for your Sakes You may see by this new testimony of our Friendship that we retain the same good disposition towards your Common-Wealth which our Predecessors have had who did so much toward the Raising of it and which we hope will help to render it more happy and flourishing for the future We pray God to take you Most Dear Great Friends Allies and Confederates into his Holy Protection Written at St. Germain in Laye the 30th of June 1678. Your Good Friend Allie and Confederate LOUIS Underneath was Signed Arnauld Extract of the Resolution of their Lordships the States of Holland and Friesland at their meeting on the 11th of July 1678. THe Pensionary Fagel has shown to the Assembly a Letter of the 10th of this instant from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen written to himself importing that the Ambassadours of France have declared to them that the King their Master is not minded to Evacuate Mastricht nor the other places of the Bar till a compleat satisfaction be made to the King of Sweden Where upon deliberation we have thought fit that this matter be put in as from the States aforesaid to the States General to the end that answer may be returned to the Ambassadors of the States that it could not be believed nor expected that his Most Christian Majesty would have made the least difficulty in the Evacuation of those places after the Peace Signed concluded and ratified betwixt his Most Christian Majesty and Spain and this State and that the States could not foresee that there would arise any new obstructions or difficulties on his Most Christian Majesti's part after he had given them himself and by his Ministers so many assurances of his unfeigned inclinations not only to a general Peace but particularly to a Peace with this State It is very true that when his Mejesty compos'd a general platform for us to take our measures by it was put down in the first Article that his Majesty would never listen to any Terms of Peace other than such as should give the King of Sweden full and compleat satisfaction and his Majesty might with good reason insrst upon it and take care to have it effected if we had been able to dispose the Confederates to accept the conditions of that Project But since the Confederates did not think it their interests to make Peace upon those terms as the States foresaw at first they would not and that his Catholick Majesty would make some scruple as the Ambassadors of the State intimated to those of France desiring them to let them know what places the King their Master intended should make the Bar in the Spanish Netherlands and his Most Christian Majesty was pleased to assure the States by a Letter of the 18th of May written from his Camp in case his Catholick Majesty should refuse the Peace upon the said Terms and that the States would conclude their Treaty and oblige themselves to remain neuters that then his Majesty would always be willing to grant to Spain the conditions of the Project and promised not to lay Siege to any place in the Spanish Netherlands during the whole War without making any mention of Sweden or the rest of the Confederates Whereupon their Lordships the States
confiding in the King's Word did their duty for the inducing his Catholick Majesty to accept of those conditions and laboured on the otherside to the utmost of their power to perswade the rest of the Confederates also with which they acquainted his Majesty by Monsieur de Beverning their Ambassador declaring that for their own parts they accepted of his Majesties Terms and desiring his Majesty that he would be pleased to agree to a Truce for Six weeks that they might labour with their Allies and get them to consent to a general Peace and that his Majesty was pleased to agree to such a Truce for Six months to begin from the first of July and as himself wrote from his Camp at Wetter the first of June upon the same foot that the Truce in 1668 was agreed betwixt France and Spain upon condition that the States would engage themselves in case they should not be able in Six weeks time to perswade their Allies to admit of the conditions then not to assist their said Allies directly nor indirectly against his Majesty or his Allies during the War and that in requital thereof his Majesty would renew the engagements which he made in his Letter of the 18th of May both concerning the conditions to be granted to his Catholick Majesty and the securing of the places in the Low Countreys leaving the Duke of Luxemburg near Brussels to stay to the end of June for an answer with Order not to attack any Place during that time and without making any alteration in the said conditions or any mention either of the Allies of this State or of giving satisfaction to the King of Sweden that the States acting candidly and being ready on their part to perfect that Treaty and having induced his Catholick Majesty to accept it also as they advised his Most Christian Majesty by their Letter of the 22th of June assuring him that they had given Order to their Ambassador to conclude a Peace before the end of that month with such of the Confederates as would joyn with them in it without so much as staying for the Truee which was to begin on the first of July and that his Majesty by his Letter of the 30th of June declared himself to be extreamly well satisfied therewith and was so far from obliging the States or his Catholick Majesty to make any satisfaction to the King of Sweden that he expressed in the same Letter that he observ'd in the proceedings of the States a good inclination to the general Peace of Europe and he perswaded himself it would not be long delay'd by such of the Allies as hitherto had not been able to help forward so great a good that his Majesty doubted not but the Peace would be concluded by his Ambassadors and should take delight in making this State sensible of its effects and in forbearing all acts of hosility in the Low Countreys and obstructions to Commerce by Sea though it be customary to let things continue in the same condition till the Peace be Ratified by exchange of Ratifications and publishing of Treaties without suspending the effects of the Peace upon any Treaty with the Confederates or any satisfaction to be made to the King of Sweden That the States may say with good reason that his Most Christian Majesty is the cause why the Peace is not concluded and not they since his Majesty advances new Conditions which never were proposed to themselves nor to the King of Spain it never having been pretended that the Peace or its effects should depend upon the King of Sweden's receiving satisfaction but onely upon the States standing Neuter in relation to his Majesty and his Allies against those that should reject the Conditions of the Project So that it is evident that the most Christian King hath promised to restore those Places to the King of Spain and to this State and that himself hath directed to have the Treaty perfected by Exchanging the Ratifications and publishing it That the States pretend to no new matter concerning the said Evacuation That the things of no small concern to the Catholick King and to this State who cannot arrive at peace and quiet in getting rid of the War if at the same time they continue depriv'd of the effects of Peace much less if they must be sent back and made to depend upon the chances of War betwixt other Parties which who knows when it will end in a satisfaction that is not limited to any thing in particular Especially considering that the King of Sweden contimes an Enemy to this State without giving order to put an end to the differences that are and that daily grow betwixt him and it and doth perpetually molest the Inhabitants of this State contrary to the Treaty of Commerce made with him That order be given to the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of this State to enquire of the Ambassadors of the most Christian King in a friendly and loving manner without the least sharpness whether the King their Master be resolved to persist in his demand and to advise the Estates as soon as may be that they may take proper measures and conser with the Ministers of the Confederates to know whether they can either come to a resolution to accept the Peace upon the terms offered or find means if there shall be occasion to make a more vigorous opposition to their Enemies than heretofore 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 THe Ambassadors of France being troubled to see that the difficulties arisen concerning the time for the Evacuation of the places which the King their Master is willing to restore give occasion to those that are averse to the Peace to render the sincerity of his Majesties intentions suspected have thought it their duty to manifest the same to the Ambassadors of the States General by this Memorial And to justifie the Reasons his Majesty hath not to quit those Places until Sweden is entirely satisfied it will be sufficient to go no higher than the beginning of the Negotiation by which the Peace is at present so far advanced And we may say that the same are grounded on the Conditions proposed in his Majesties name by the said Ambassadors of France since they have been all of them accepted first by Holland and not long after by Spain We may farther say that when the States General in consequence of the Letters his Majesty writ unto them the 18th of May last and of the Memorial delivered the first of June to Monsieur de Beverning as also of the message of the Sieur de Lanoy to his Majesty and the Letter he presented unto him on the part of the States declared they were ready to sign the Treaty on those Conditions they obliged themselves to the execution of that which relates to Sweden it being the first of all of them And as they were all joyned together so
they ought not to be separated in the meaning of the said States General to cause his Majesty to consent unto them and he doubts not at all that since he made but one thing of his own Interest and that of his Allies their meaning was not but that he should procure both the one and the other His Majesty had likewise reason to hope that by advantaging both them and Spain in being willing to quit so many important Places for the sake of Sweden they would have joyned with him to procure the re-establishment of that Crown and though his Majesty hath not desired them to unite their Forces to his to put that Crown in possession of the Places it hath lost yet they ought not to hinder him from making use of those Means that are in his power for the effectual executing of a Condition to which they have so solemnly consented They know well that his Majesty hath no other effectual means whereby to contribute to the re-establishment of the King of Sweden in Pomerania and the Dutchy of Bremen than by making War upon the Elector of Brandenburg and the Princes that are possessed of the Estates of that Crown and they know as well that in order to his acting against those Princes his Majesty will have occasion for those Places he now possesses as being equally useful for the passage of his Armies as for erecting Magazins there for them Lastly they cannot look upon the Peace which his Majesty is willing to make otherwise than as one and the same Treaty as well for himself as his Allies nor think it strange if he take all necessary Cautions to see all the Conditions of it performed This practise is conformable to that of all Treaties and for an example might be alledged the practise of that of the Pyrenaeans in which Treaty the Places his Majesty was to restore to the Catholick King were evacuated proportionably as he on his side executed the Conditions he had agreed to and Verceil which the Catholick King was to surrender to the Duke of Savoy was restored in the same manner for that the Interests of his Majesty and his Ally were not to be separated In like manner the States General being obliged to look upon as one and the same convention the Conditions offered by his Majesty and accepted of by them at Nimeguen they ought to do what lies in them that the same be executed all together as well with relation to his Majesty as to Sweden And his Majesty hath the greater reason to believe they would concur with him in so just a thing for that in the Project of the Treaty which their Ambassador delivered to those of France there is no mention made therein of the time of the Restitution of the Places This silence shows that they did not pretend to it till all the conditions that they had accepted should be executed and that therefore they would make the less difficulty that Maestricht remained in the hands of his Majesty in order to oblige the Enemies of Sweden to Peace for that the said States General were by their Treaty to deliver that Place unto Spain And to evidence yet further to the States General how sincerely his Majesty intended after the many paces he made to give Peace to Europe to restore unto them his first Friendship to promote the advantage they might receive from it and to desist from all future Enterprises upon the Low-Countreys they need but reflect upon his Majesties Conduct since they declared by the Letter which the Sieur de Lanoy delivered to his Majesty that they would sign the Peace before the end of June and that Spain would likewise sign it at the same time They may have observed how at their entreaty without expecting the Exchange of the Ratifications his Majesty gave order to his Army to withdraw from the Neighbourhood of Brussels How he was ready to open again the free Commerce and Navigation by the Passports he allowed his Ambassadors to Exchange How he offered to take measures with them about the manner how his Troops should live near Mons and about the means for the subsistance of that City till the exchange of the Ratifications How for the ease of the Low-Countreys and the speedy obliging the Elector of Brandenburg to consent to the Peace his Majesty hath re-inforced the Mareschal de Schomberg with a considerable Detachment of his Army in Flanders which he hath already caused to march into Germany and was upon the point of ordering others to follow them All which Conduct doth sufficiently show that his Majesty looking upon the Peace with Spain as certain his intention onely was to employ his Forces against the Elector of Brandenburg thereby to oblige him to make his Peace with Sweden But because his Majesty observes by the Reports which his Enemies spread abroad that they endeavour to render the fidelity of his words suspected and would make it believed That when by the Peace he had broken the measures of Spain and Holland for the War he wouldmake use of the Places he should retain to act with more advantage against the Low-Countreys his Majesty is very desirous as much as in him lieth to cure them of these vain apprehensions The onely aim he has in what he insists upon is to procure the satisfaction of Sweden and he is willing to believe that the States General have always the same intention and therefore he is ready to use all such means in conjunction with them as they shall think fit to be effectual to that end either by obliging themselves to restore that Crown to th Places and Countreys it has lost or by disposing its Enemies to surrender them provided they give his Majesty full security of its re-establishment His Majesty will willingly embrace such Expedients as they shall propose unto him and shall be esteemed most speedy and effectual to make the Peace General And for the treating of this business they may either discuss it with the said Ambassadors of France at Nimeguen or appoint some Minister to repair to his Majesty or send Deputies to the Frontiers of Flanders and Ghent as nearest to their Countreys to confer thereupon with those to whom his Majesty shall entrust the care of it His Majesty will rest satisfied if they can but agree upon a safe speedy and certain way of procuring the re-establishment of Sweden The said Ambassadors of France are perswaded that the said Ambassadors of the States General and all indifferent men will be equally convinced as well of the Right his Majesty hath to demand the Execution of a Condition so positively accepted as of procuring the same by such means as are in his power unless the States General shall adjust others with him to obtain it The long time his Majesty hath lost in Flanders since the 18th of May that he writ unto the said States doth also shew how sincerely he desired the Peace Considering the Condition in which his Majesty
attend their answer during the month of June in the neighbourhood of Brussels with orders not to attack any place during that time That consequently the States General to give pregnant proof of the desire they have to conclude the War and to testifie the Candour of their preceedings would not wait till the expiration of the month of June much less make use of the said Cessation of Arms which was to begin on the first of July as it was at their liberty to do but from the 22th of June have assured his Majesty by their Letter that though they had laboured very strenuously with their Allies to dispose them to the said Peace and that they could not be satisfied that all would concur therein yet they had ordered their Ambassadors at Nimeguen to Conclude and Sign the Troaty with his Majesties Ambassadors together with those of their Allies who were willing to condescend thereunto and that they were very certain his Majesty the King of Spain would also accept of the Peace upon the Conditions propos'd on his account And his Most Christian Majesty has been so gracious as to give them an answer by Letter dated the 30th of June that he understood with satisfaction by their said Letter that without expecting the time which he had granted them for a Cessation of Arms they had sent the said Orders to their Ambassadors to Sign the Treaty of Peace before the end of June and that the assurance they gave his Majesty that those of the Spanish King would accept of them at the same time did give him to understand that there were very favourable inclinations for the quiet of all Europe and that likewise his Majesty did perswade himself that he could not be long retarded by their Allies who till this very hour what instances soever they had made had refused to give their Concurrence to so great a Benefit and so Universally desired His Majesty Declaring farther that though the usual Custom in such Cases requires that things should continue in the same condition they are in till the Peace be absolutely Consummated by an exchange of Ratifications and a publication of the Treaties that yet upon their account he had sent his immediate Orders to the Duke of Luxemburg to withdraw his Army from the adjacent parts of Brussels and March them into his own Countreys and that he Charged the said Duke for this purpose to agree with the Duke de Villa Hermosa as also their Envoys with him about the Conduct that should be among the Officers that were to Command the Troops which his Majesty was obliged to leave in the places about the Town of Mons as also how they should live of one side as well as the other without Hostility in a good understanding and with Liberty in the Low Countreys till the Exchange of the Ratisications with Spain From all this it evidently follows that the Intentions as well of his Majesty as the Lords the States General have been from the beginning to make a General Peace upon such Conditions as all the Allies might have agreed unto and being very uncertain whether the said Allies would regulate themselves by the Conditions his Majesty had proposed and having Explained himself that he would admit of no Alteration their Lordships have desired an Explanation of his Majesties Intentions toward them and of the Conditions that concerned them and have had the good fortune to receive Instructions not only from the mouth of his Ambassadors but also by two Letters from his Majesty himself that in respect to them they should enjoy the said Conditions and particularly those relating to the Spanish Netherlands though his Catholick Majesty or any other of his Allies should obstruct the Peace upon condition that when they Conclude the Treaty they should not directly not indirectly Assist their Allies against his Majesty or his Allies whilst the War should continue by which it is manifestly apparent that it has been no ways his Majesties intention to retard or protract the Peace or the effects thereof by any means whatsoever as to those that should who would be ready and in a condition to make a Conclusion though some other persons should not as yet prove so and to contract only that those who should subscribe the Peace should not assist directly nor indirectly those that would continue the War against his Majesty or his Allies And thus it is altogether incredible that so Generous a soul as his Majesties after such clear and Indisputable Declarations as are contained in his Letters could entertain such a Sentiment and certainly their Lordships the States General would be extremely surprised if his Majesties Intentions should be found Conformable to the Expressions of the said Memorial it being a very Erroneous Position that their Lordships the States General did ever Declare that they found all the Conditions equitable which his Majesty had proposed having never explained themselves but in those things which related to their own particular interests and having also demanded time to Dispose their Allies to what may farther be required Besides that it is most certain a Declaration of that Nature was never required of them that even his Majesty himself having weighed the Scruple which they were to be satisfied in that all their Allies could not possibly be Inclined to accept of the Conditions proposed did anticipate them by his Declaration that not withstanding all this upon their own as well as the King of Spains account he would ever condescend to them provided they would put a period to their Treaty upon the conditions that were offered and hath given sufficient Testimony that it was neither his own nor the Intentions of the States General that they should be obliged to the Loan or Payment of any other thing but what concerned them particularly or related to such of their Allies as were ready to Concur with them in making a Peace and that his Majesty as to those that should continue the War would require only a Neutrality of them having in no respect proposed or agreed to Second his Allies and to afford them that Satisfaction they pretend to which nevertheless the French Ambassadors do now lay claim to in the forementioned Memorial directly contrary to his Majesties Declarations if the said Ambassadors would please to call to mind the Answer they gave at the Conference on the 17th of June passed when they openly clear'd themselves upon the point of the Conclusion and Signing of the Treaties they must necessarily agree in this that he hath been and that they were ready to Sign with all those Allies who would declare themselves to Condescend thereunto without any stipulation for the Swede or any Delay on that account having only recommended to them the Continuance of their endeavours with the Allies with a promise that they would effect as much with their own Confederates being farther most certain that during the whole Course of the Negotiation they never intended any thing as to the
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
of the Towns cannot be imputed to them it being so prejudicial to the Interest of their Affairs that they can never be able to consent to it They farther declare that they will joyntly use their utmost endeavours for the accomodation of the Northern Powers who are now at War and who in effect Conform themselves to the Expedient which the French Ambassadors have proposed but if their Reflection be applied by way of Force and Constraint it cannot be in their opinion and expedient but a thing never heard of that by the Treaty of Peace instead of disengaging themselves from the War they should be constrained to turn it against their Allies They do not at all doubt that his Majesty has a Design to procure the Quiet of Europe and they will voluntarily Contribute on their part all they can possibly but they cannot by any means expect from his Majesties Justice that he would oblige them to it after so prejudicial a manner as the Retention of the Places will prove and upon so vexatious a Condition as that of waging War against their Allies their Mighty Lordships as they are wholly bent upon the Contribution of all friendly Offices for the accommodation of the said Affairs in the North. So also they promise themselves farther that his Majesty will be willing to issue out necessary Orders for the Conclusion and Signing of the Peace upon the Conditions profer'd and that he will furnish them with Expedients to Contribute also on their part to the Repose of Christendom This is that which the Lords the States General of the United Provinces have thought good to give in answer to the Memorial of the French Ambassadors at the same time Ordering their own Ambassadors to appear forward in the Concluding and Signing the Peace and most carnestly beseech the said French Ambassadors to Concur with them in that Business But if the Completing of so beneficial a Work and so universally desired be delayed upon the account of retaining the Places the said Ambassadors of the Lords the States General are obliged to protest in the name and behalf of the Lords their Masters that their High and Mighty Lordships do no ways obstruct the Peace from being brought to a happy Issue A Memorial delivered to the Plenipotentiaries of France by the Plenipotentiaries of Sweden July the 27th 1678. THe Declaration of his Most Christian Majesty that the Places should not be Surrendered to Spain and the States General before the Swedes should receive satisfaction is so Just and Generous that his Most Christian Majesty cannot but thereby come off with Honour and the King our Master with great Satisfaction We could wish that that Declaration might have reduced our Common Enemies to Reason but since it hath met with great opposition as appears by the Memorial of the Holland Ambassadors his Most Christian Majesty will without doubt Examine if to arrive at the end proposed thereby in consideration of the Re-establishment of Sweden it will be more proper to defer the Restitution of the Places with the prospect of making a general Peace of else agree to it as the States General desire to the end there may be procur'd a Compleat particular Peace with Spain and States General as well for France as Sweden On our part we are not sufficiently informed what thoughts the King our Master may have upon this Affair but as our Orders in general are that we ought to Conform our selves to the pleasure of France in the like Case that we have good proof of the Intentions and Care of his Most Christian Majesty and that we have not the Liberty to Correspond with the King our Master to understand his Orders We can assure you that the King our Master will remain satisfied with what his Most Christian Majesty shall judge sit to Resolve upon the account of the said Restitution of Places as we do also put our whole confidence in his Majesties Royal prudence who one way or other will furnish him with such means as may tend to his own Glory together with the absolute Re-establishment of his Ally This is all we have Order to say but if besides this we must explain our mind more particularly we are apt to believe that in this present juncture of Affairs the Compleating a particular Peace by the French and Swede with the Spaniard and Hollander would prove advantageous to the common Interest and withall Glorious to his Most Christian Majesty For it is for the advancement of the common Interest 1. To disengage themselves from 2 Enemies that are so much the more Considerable because they support others by their Aids 2. To avoid the new Rupture wherewith we are threatned which being over we cannot see how the Swedes will be able to make opposition if you consider only their Commerce 3. To divert the Engagements that are made against France and Sweden 4. To frustrate their Design who endeavour strictly to League together all the States of the Empire 5. To be able to reduce to Peace the other Allies who continue still in War and so procure a General one for which there is some probability since that upon the Rumor of Accommodation between France and Holland we see they were troubled and begin to yield 6. To be able to act Victoriously by force of Arms against the said Confederates in case that they refuse an Accommodation the War being to be carried on against them with greater ease when they are separated from those that have assorded them the greatest Supplies Besides it will be very Honorable for his Most Christian Majesty 1. To be able once more to restore Peace to Christendom 2. To break all the Intreagues of his Enemies 3. To Establish his Interests in what we have said before 4. To shew that he hath other ways for the Re-establishment of the Swedes besides that now in Question 5. To take occasion to make them sensible of the effects of his just Resentments towards them who in these present Intreagues have stood in opposition both to his good Designs and to his Glory 6. To disabuse them who by the Inductions of those that are evil inclined have questioned the sincerity of his Majesties Intentions in this Negotiation 7. To let the World know that the intentions of others have been in effect to oppose the general Peace since without that Impediment it might have been obtained These are the Reasons of our particular Sentiments which we beseech your Excellencies to take into your Consideration but for the remainder to testify to his Most Christian Majesty that we have no other Order from the King our Master but to depend upon his Care for our Security as hath been before Specified The second Memorial of the Ambassadors of France given into the Ambassadors of the States General the 29th of July 1678. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of France not thinking fit to give an answer at present to the Memorial of the Ambassadors of the States General
of the 26th of this month when they ought rather to consider how to remove the impediment that is risen to obstruct the conclusion of the Peace than to enter into such particulars of actions and reasonings as may exasperate will say thus much onely that since the States General declare themselves to be fully satisfied as to the sincerity of the intentions of the King their Master and his Majesty is no less perswaded of their disposition towards a perfect reconciliation with himself all that remains to be done is to find the most ready means to perfect this great Work To which end the Ambassadors of France do now again assure the Ambassadors of the States General that his Majesty will readily joyn with them in such expedients as shall be most proper to remove the difficulties that hinder the Signing of the Peace The said Ambassadors of the States General may easily have observed that no other interest with-holds his Majesty than that of the King his Ally whose satisfaction is the only end that he proposeth to himself in this Affair His Majesty is also willing to admit of any proposals to accommodate it and questions not but that some expedient may be found with which both himself and the States General may be satisfied But to give a publick Instance of his real intentions for Peace and of his unfeigned affection to the States General his Majesty desires to hear himself what they can propose to remove the impediments that stand in their way and to joyn with them in such expedients as may equally answer the security that both himself wisheth and they desire To this purpose his Majesty thinks fit to advance as far as St. Quentin whither such Deputies that they shall resolve to send to him may resort and if they shall accept as his Majesty believes they will so beneficial an offer his Majesty will be in that Town six days after he shall have understood by his Ambassadors that the States have agreed to send their Ministers thither so that he and they may come thither at one and the same time And as his Majesty doth not question but they will bring with them such sentiments as shall be just and reasonable they will find his Majesty so fairly dispos'd that they will have no cause left to question the Sincerity with which his Majesty hath begun and continued his endeavours for Peace But because the Ambassadors of the States General have remonstrated to those of France at a conference held the 17th of this month that since his Majesties promise not to attaque any Place in the Low Countreys is expired it will be necessary to take some measures to procure a Cessation of all Acts of hostility whilst this Negotiation is on foot the said Ambassadors have already received instructions from his Majesty to assure their Excellencies that his Majesty will willingly agree with the Deputies of the States General upon using all means that may prevent it's being interrupted by Arms. The said Ambassadors of France cannot but think that it will be for the advantage of the States General to discuss this affair with his Majesty and to agree upon the Peace with him But if they had rather treat of it nearer their own Fronteers his Majesty gives them liberty to send their Deputies to Gand where such persons as shall be there on his Majesties behalf shall have power to Treat with them upon the difficulties than are risen concerning the time for evacuating the Places and to conclude upon such expedients as may both satisfie his Majesty and content the States General and also to agree forthwith upon a Cessation of Hostility so as no molestation may be given to such dispositions for Peace as this Negociation may produce A Memorial given in by the Ambassadors of the States General to the Ambassadors of France the 4th of August 1678. THe Ambassador and Envoy Extraordinary of their Lordships the States General of the United Provinces having sent to their Hi. and Mi. the Memorial of the Lords Ambassadors of France of the 29th of July have received express order from their Masters to answer their Excellencies that they were transported to understand thereby the continuance of his most Christian Majesty's real intentions for Peace and that themselves will not be wanting on their part to do whatever may further the concluding it and that they are extremely sorry to see it stick solely upon giving the King of Sweden satisfaction and that that should be of such consideration to his Majesty as to be capable of giving a stop to the finishing a work that is so much desired The States General think that they have done all that could possibly be expected from a State that is a Lover of Peace having declared their acceptance of the Conditions which the King himself had proposed as far as they concern themselves and having laboured to the utmost of their power to bring their Allies to a compliance in which endeavours they have been so successful with the King of Spain that he likewise accepts the Conditions that concern himself And yet after all this to their great sorrow they find themselves deprived of the benefit of those Conditions not upon the account of any thing that might or ought to have been done by them but because the King of Sweden must first be satisfi'd though neither his Catholick Majesty nor themselves possessed any thing that must make part of his satisfaction and though the said King continue daily to exercise all manner of Hostilities against their Inhabitants directly contrary to Treaties solemnly ratifi'd Yet their Hi. and Mi. notwithstanding their Inhabitants meet with such bad usage from the said King and though they have evidently had just cause to fall upon him and make War upon him as he does upon them have chosen rather to endeavour a Peace in the North and have offered to do all good offices in order to it if his most Christian Majesty will be pleased to furnish them with some Expedients and they do yet persist in the same mind and should be ready to propose Expedients themselves if they knew of any But they cannot in any wise expect from his Majesties generous disposition that after having testifi'd so much good will to them he should oblige them to act forcibly against their Allies and that not to procure his Majesty better satisfaction but meerly for the benefit of his Ally Their Hi. and Mi. will ever profess a great reverence for his Majesty and will bear him as much deference as he can possibly desire but they do not see of what use it will be to put his Majesty to trouble by sending their Deputies to St. Quintin not having any themselves to propose to him for the Places must be Evacuated when the Treaty is concluded in discharge of that solemn promise which his Majesty made to them and as to that there remains no difficulty And concerning the King of Sweden as his Majesties Ally
they offer to do all friendly offices for his Accommodation and certainly such endeavours cannot be made with greater likelihood of success any where else than at Nimeguen where all the Ministers of the Confederates are There we may labour to dispose them with hopes of success there we may be informed of what-ever may be necessary to promote the common good and may use all manner of endeavours which cannot be so successful either at St. Quintin or at Ghent The States General conceive the less hopes from such a Deputation because the Ambassadors of France did not instance as to what Expedients in particular their Deputies should come instructed and they think his Majesty may propose what he would have and do what-ever is to be done sooner and more readily at Nimeguen than either at St Quintin or any other Place They desire with all their hearts that his Majesty would propose some Expedients to further the Peace and themselves will at the same time make appear how affectionately they desire to help forward as much as in them lies the perfecting this great work and they earnestly desire that the time may be well husbanded for that as yet they find themselves in a condition able to conclude a Peace upon the terms that have been proposed though they have been involv'd in a great deal of trouble and been put upon a necessity of entring into new Engagements by their manner of acting whose expectations are not answered by the Peace and who represented the Evacuation of the Places to their Hi. and Mi. as a thing to be despaired of though they made those Engagements with such caution and regard to his Majesty that they can be of no effect unless the matter should fall out so unfortunately as that his Most Christian Majesty should set such a value upon the King of Sweden's Satisfaction and not to resolve to Evacuate the Places but upon those terms though the Exchange of the Ratifications ensued upon it The States General do instantly desire his Majesty to conclude the Treaties and not to suffer the finishing them to stick at the King of Sweden's Satisfaction and to make them so happy as to give them some assurance as soon as may be by taking up a favourable resolution which is the thing they so greatly desire 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. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of France to make appear more and more his Majesties sincere desire to give quiet to all Christendom by the care that his Majesty continues to take for the removing such obstacles as hinder the accomplishing so great a work declare to the Ambassadors of the States General that as his Majesty design'd to retain those Places till the King of Sweden were entirely satisfied onely because the Ambassadors of that Crown thought it necessary for the King their Master so he is now willing to desist if those Ambassadors will consent that he forbear to stand upon it It is evident that his Majesty doth not incline to any Party but out of his desire to finish the affair of the Peace as soon as may be and out of the confidence that he reposeth in the word of the States General he hath always desired that they would send their Deputies either to himself or to Ghent both to concert what will be necessary for the warranting to his Majesty the Engagement that Spain is to enter into of not assisting his Enemies nor those of his Allies and to agree upon such means as his Majesty should propose to them for the more easie restoring of Sweden without obliging them to enter into a War in order to it And one of the first effects that would ensue upon these Conferences would be that of taking measures to supersede all Acts of Hostility and of providing for the subsisting of Mons while the Conferences should last The said Ambassadors cannot doubt but that such an overture will remove those difficulties that have hindred the States General and that as the signing their Treaty and that of Spain was delayed onely by his Majesties pretending to retain all the Places so his desisting from that will enable them to sign the Peace They conceive likewise that the said States General will be sensible of his Majesties offers to surcease all acts of War and assure the subsistance of Mons which would perfectly be restored if the Peace were concluded with their Deputies so as there is ground of assurance that it will A Memorial given by the Ambassadors of Sweden to the Ambassadors of France this 9th of August 1678. THe Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden being informed that the Ambassadors of the States General at a conference with the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty held the 28th of July would have imputed to Sweden the delay that was hapned to the conclusion of the Peace that is making up betwixt the King their Master and the States General conceive it is their duty to acquaint the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty how they have acted throughout this affair by which it will appear not to be long of them that the Treaty is not at present ready to be perfected and Signed In the first place as the regulation of Commerce makes the principal point of the Treaty on the part of the States General the said Ambassadors of Sweden have offered all the facilities that could be desired of them in order to it It was upon the 20th of June that the Count of Oxenstierne presented an Article for referring this affair to Commissioners which not being agreed to and the Ambassadors of the States General declaring that their Principals and Masters desired to see the regulation finished before the Peace were concluded the said Count of Oxenstierne consented to enter into the particulars of the States Project of Commerce and thereupon on the 27th of June acquainted Monsieur de Beverning Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the States General that he had drawn a Counter-Project upon some Articles not yet agreed which Counter-Project having been read to the Sieur de Beverning was immediately by his advice delivered to Sieur Silvercroon Commissary of Sweden with orders to go quickly to the Hague and help to inform the States General more fully by Word of mouth of the reasons upon which the Counter-Project was grounded the said Sieur de Beverning affirming likewise that he had writ to his Principals and Masters to appoint Commissioners to confer all matters with him as soon as might be Which though the said Sieur Silvercroon immediately did and the States General received the Counter-Project yet now in seven weeks time they have not return'd their answer to it and remitted the affair hither to be adjusted and finished by the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of both parties in order whereunto the Ambassadors of Sweden have not failed all this
time to make frequent instances both here at Nimeguen where they have been assisted by the Ambassadors of France and at the Hague by the Sieur Silvercroon Besides this point of Commerce as there have been some complaints made that certain Vessels laden with Corn and belonging to the Subjects of this State have been taken and carried to Straelsond and that Count Conningsmark had taken out their lading to serve for food for his Army the Ambassadors of Sweden having been informed of the said complaints by the Ambassadors of the States General gave in a Declaration the 18th of July that the said action of the Mareshal of Connigsmark could not be reputed any other than a meer act of necessity which he then was reduced to through want of Victuals and Correspondence that the parties concern'd should be satisfied to the full and that he would pass any such Act to that end as should be thought fit knowing that such was the King his Masters intention The same has likewise bin assured by the Commissary Silvercroon at the Hague and an extract has since been delivered of a Letter from the Mareshal de Coningsmark containing the like assurances together with a relation how he had acted and that he had paid the Masters of the Ships their Freight Which things being so the Ambassadors of Sweden believed that the States General would have received all the satisfaction they could possibly desire and that nothing was wanting to conclude a Peace betwixt the King their Master and them but to prepare such Articles as are usual almost in all Treaties of Peace which would be no hard work for the Ambassadors of both parties to do But in stead of that they are surprised to understand that there have been very bitter complaints against Sweden in the answers that the Ambassadors of the States General gave on the 26th of July and the 7th of August to the Memorials of the Ambassadors of France and though the Ambassadors of Sweden have heretofore explained and declared themselves as is before mentioned yet they would not omit giving some proper answer to them but that having agreed with the Ambassadors of France that for the avoiding all sharpness neither of them will meddle in things of that nature they are willing to pass them all over with silence and to endeavour something of reality to which end they repeat their instances here at Nimeguen as Monsieur Boreel cannot but know as well as at the Hague by the Sieur Silvercroon that the States General would advance the Negotiation with Sweden that the Peace may be concluded at the same time that it shall be with France since one cannot be without the other And the Ambassadors of Sweden apprehended that the reiterating their instances had produced a good effect since the Sieur Silvercroon sent word from the Hague by the last Courrier That he had been conferr'd with and that the Answer to the Counter-project was ready to be sent to Nimeguen But whilst they were in this expectation the Ambassadors of France inform them That but yesterday the Ambassadors of the States General renew'd their complaints against Sweden for raising difficulties and that Count Coningsmark exercised acts of Hostility Confiscating Ships and Cargo's belonging to the Subjects of this State insomuch that the States had more reason to continue the War than to think of a Peace with Sweden By which the said Ambassadors perceiving with sorrow that but little reflection is made upon what they have heretofore advanced and being also very certain that Monsieur Coningsmark hath not confiscated any thing belonging to the Subjects of this State nor done any acts of Hostility against them since they agree to make amends for all and seeing how lightly the good Offices are thought on which the Ambassadors of Sweden have done since they came to Nimeguen to further a Peace for the benefit of this State and even the endeavours which they have but lately used with his most Christian Majesty to facilitate the Evacuation of the Places do entreat the Ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty to answer and represent to the Ambassadors of the States General that they do ill to complain of Sweden after it has offered so many facilities and made so many advances and consequently to induce them instead of exasperating matters rather to express such readiness and facility on behalf of the States General as may reasonably be expected from them that so both Parties may receive that satisfaction which they wish for in the conclusion of a good Peace The said Ambassadors of Sweden hope that the States General have no intentions of protracting the Negotiation of the Peace with Sweden to the end that themselves may be able to make a Separate Peace with his most Christian Majesty excluding Sweden but they think notwithstanding that to prevent all obstacles it were well if all hopes of such a Separation were taken away And therefore they do again desire the Ambassadors of his most Christian Majesty to renew this Declaration to the Ambassadors of the States General since it was upon this prospect that the Ambassadors of Sweden advised the Restitution of the Places The Treaty made and passed between the commissioners deputed on behalf of the King and those deputed likewise on behalf 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 Ratifications of the Treaty of Peace are Exchanged The 19th of August 1678. IT being necessary to regulate after what manner the Forces shall carry themselves in the Low Countreys till the Ratification of the Peace for the avoiding all Acts of Hostility that may disturb it and for the ease of the People on both sides it is agreed by those underwritten in pursuance of their respective Authorities as followeth That the day after the Ratification of this present Treaty all Acts of Hostility shall cease betwixt the Armies and that in consequence thereof from the morrow of the said Ratification the two Armies shall retire from the Neighbourhood of Mons. That the Army of the Most Christian King shall march toward Gevries or Merbepoterie and that Commanded by the Prince of Orange beyond Havre towards Nivelle That notwithstanding such Troops as formed the Blockade of Mon's under the Command of Monsieur du Montal and Monsieur de Quincy shall not retire on that same day but two days after the Ratification of the present Treaty which will be the day after the two Armies shall have marched and till such time as the said Blockade is raised the Army Commanded by the Prince of Orange may continue encamp'd as aforesaid That the Town of Mons shall remain after that in full and perfect Liberty that all sorts of Persons Provisions and Merchandises may go in and out as they do in other Towns under the obedience of Spain That as for the Garrisons six days
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
when his Provinces were attack'd by the Arms of the King of France and they assure themselves that your Excellence is perswaded of it since your Excellence sees how much their Hi. and Mi. do to this day contribute to the preservation of his Majestie 's Country And notwithstanding this War has been continued many years and at an infinite expence yet the effects have been so unfortunate that the King of France being puff'd up with his Victories and Conquests will not come out of it but upon the Conditions that have been delivered at Nimeguen to the Mediators which your Excellence knows what they are Which Conditions considered in themselves are indeed too hard and of such a nature as they ought to be rejected which also their Hi. and Mi. would do in regard of their Allies and chiefly in regard of his Catholick Majesty as concerning the Low-Countries in the preservation whereof they find themselves so deeply interessed But when their Hi. and Mi. reflect upon the Power of the King of France which hitherto and during this War has been such that he has not only made Head against the Armies of his Catholick Majesty and those of the United Provinces and their Allies but has made great Conquests in divers Parts they conceive a just apprehension that these Conditions how hard soever ought yet to be prefer'd considering the present state of Affairs to a continuance of the War which in all probability would prove very fatal Which makes our Masters the States General of the Low-Countries incline to look upon these Conditions as receivable if they should have the happiness to find their Allies and especially his Catholick Majesty in the same Sentiments And should very much wish That your Excellence on the behalf of his Catholick Majesty would concur with them to make them as agreeable as may be to the other Allies And in the mean time give Order to labour for a prolongation of the Term which the King of France has given by his Proposition at Nimeguen We expect your Excellencie's Answer as soon as may be upon the premisses as being the only Subject of this Commission Brussels the 8th of May 1678 Jacob Boreel De Weede 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. HIS Excellence having considered this Memorial and that the loss of Flanders by the hardness of the Conditions of France will be greater and more dishonourable than by the ill success of Arms must hope that the States General will not further it since his Majesty wholly for its preservation has exposed himself to the manifest hazards of War which he has suffered so much by Also the punctual and religious observance of such strict Treaties with his said Majesty to which the publick Faith obligeth them will not permit him to make a doubt of it especially since his Majesty hath and always will havè a firm desire and intention to contribute as much as possibly he can to their preservation and that in regard of the Expedient propos'd of making new Alliances for the making sure the said impracticable Conditions of France it is to be considered that the time in which precisely they must be concluded can be no other than that of the Campagne from which by means of our so late Alliance with his Majesty of Great Britain we ought to expect by a more prosperous success some redress of Affairs and it would be a breach of Faith to abandon his Forces in this Conjuncture by admitting Conditions so forlorn and at the same time failing in our Fidelity to his Imperial Majesty and the other High Allies especially since the Emperour is resolv'd to run to the defence of Flanders rather than to the reparation of his own losses and the other High Allies are upon a Treaty of joyning and imploying all their Forces against France His Excellence being able likewise to assure them That the King his Master since the reduction of Sicily is resolv'd to imploy all his Power as his Excellence likewise all his Cares for the defence and re-establishing of this Country to which his Excellence hopes the States General will concur on their part in an Occurrence which as it is urgent so it concerns the greatest good of the common Cause as being the only mean to obtain a just and lasting Peace Given at Brussels the 9th of May 1678. A Memorial of the Deputies Extraordinary of the States General c. to the Duke de Villa Hermosa c. of the 14th of May. THE Lords the States General of the United Provinces having seen and perused your Excellencie's Answer to the Memorial that we their under-written Deputies Extraordinary presented the 8th of this Moneth could have wished That your Excellence had not only considered the Conditions offered by the King of France as they are in themselves but had also made reflexion upon the present state of Affairs and considered that the King of France being become Master of all the Frontier Towns of his Catholick Majestie 's Netherlands was entred into the heart of them and had made himself Master even of the Town of Gand being very strong in the Field and at the Head of a very formidable Army ready for any enterprize and in the greatest appearance in the world of succeeding and conquering where he will Whereas the Troops of the Allies not being yet come together much less in a condition to make Head against him and oppose his designs Hence it is that their Hi. and Mi. apprehend with great reason that what remains to the King of Spain in the Low-Countries will infallibly be lost if it be not saved by accepting the Conditions of Peace that are offered and it would be a thing very sensible to their Hi. and Mi. if what his Catholick Majesty has yet left in the Low-Countries should be so lost after such infinite expences and so much blood spilt for their preservation Your Excellence knows but too well by what has lately happened what Account one has to make of the Troops of the Confederates upon occasion The Assistance which is expected from his Majesty of Great Britain is very considerable and will be of great support to our Party but it deserves your Excellencie's consideration that those Troops are but newly raised and that it will require some time to enure them to the War that as yet there are but few of them in these Parts and we are uncertain when the rest will come whereas on the other side every moment is precious and great misfortunes may happen in a short space And moreover the States as they have made it to be declared to your Excellence are not in a condition to carry on the War in such manner and with so much vigor as they have done hitherto seeing their Treasures are exhausted and their People not able to contribute so much any longer As
sure and honourable Peace we embrace it from this day forward and if France will make a Peace with his Majesty we believe he is altogether ready to accept it so it be founded upon Reason and the good union which will always keep him inseparable from the fortune of his Allies Finally We pray God to inspire always the Lords the States General with Counsels worthy their moderation and the consideration which they ought to have for those whom themselves have drawn into the perils of the present War and to bless their Designs and Advances for the security of the general Quiet of all Christendom A Declaration of the Ambassador of the Elector of Brandenburg on Munday the 20th of June 1678. THE Ambassador of Brandenburg says That it was evident that his Electoral Serenity his Master before the Most Christian King took up Arms against their Hi. and Mi. the States General failed not to do all he could to divert him and that likewise since the fire of this War has been kindled he has desired nothing more earnestly than to see it quench'd as soon as might be and the publick repose every where establish'd and that it was upon the sole consideration of promoting the Peace that his Electoral Serenity entred into such strict Bonds with his Allies and especially with their Hi. and Mi. that he hath expos'd and sacrific'd his Person and Estates for that and hath enjoyn'd his Plenipotentiaries at this Congress and renews his Orders time after time to labour for a Peace with their utmost endeavours according to the Alliances betwixt the Confederates which prescribe a method to be observed for obtaining a general Peace that was agreed on joyntly by them all That their Excellencies the Ambassadors of their Hi. and Mi. alledged two days since that their Lordships the States both in respect of the condition of their own Provinces and that of others find themselves at present reduced to a necessity of making a Peace with France whether they will or no. That at the same time to observe their Alliances they express a desire to have their Allies joyn with them in it but that withal they think themselves necessitated for the saving their Common-wealth from the shipwrack that threatens it to make a Peace alone or without the Confederates in case they cannot accept the Conditions that France hath prescribed that thereupon they required the resolution of their Allies with all speed that they might take their Measures thereby at the Consultation that is to be held this Week at the Hague The Plenipotentiary Ambassador of his Electoral Serenity says to it That he knows not what resolution his Master will take for that he could not receive Instructions from him in so short a time upon the Declaration which the Most Christian King delivered on the first of this Month of June to the Heer Ambassador Van Beverning That in the mean time he partly explain'd himself as to his own private Sentiment in the Memorial of the 10th of June which he presented to the Ambassadors of their Hi. and Mi. and that he doubted not but they made all due and fitting Reflexions thereupon That for the rest he was fully perswaded though some unconquerable necessity might dispence with the States General or should oblige them to depart from any point of their Alliance with his Electoral Serenity that yet they will always proceed in it with such caution and sincerity as the foundation may subsist notwithstanding and his Electoral Serenity be at no prejudice nor the band of their friendship and good understanding to be weakned The said Ambassador added two Points requiring the said Lords the States to consider them when they should take this matter into consideration The one That France in the Project of Peace which its Ambassadors proposed here doth not mention any Conditions upon which it is willing to make a Peace with his Electoral Serenity whereas on his behalf there have been Proposals made to that end both with relation to France and Sweden insomuch that he knows not yet whether France will make any Peace with himself or no. The other That the Conditions propos'd in that Project with relation to Sweden were so abject and even so contrary to what their Hi. and Mi. have engaged themselves to procure his Electoral Serenity that it must be believed that France is not willing that a Peace should be made with Sweden inasmuch as their Hi. and Mi. that see there is no room left for his Electoral Serenity to enter into the Peace in conjunction with themselves Finally The said Ambassador promiseth to communicate the resolution of his Most Serene Master upon the said Declaration of France as soon as he shall receive it referring himself for other matters to his said Memorial A Declaration of the Ambassador of Prince Charles of Lorrain at a Conference Extraordinary of the Allies at Nimeguen the 20th of June 1678. THis Declaration could not be opened at large because the President Canon had only formed the Idea of it in his mind and return'd but the night before from the Hague he alledged that Journey as an excuse for his not having been present at the last Conference saying that he went to deliver the Lords the States General a Letter from his Master Then he enlarged upon the injustice of the Alternatives that were proposed by France as Conditions of Peace The first demanding a Country 35 miles in length and 16 or 18 in breadth with 26 Cities upon it and 600 Burroughs and Villages The other depriving him of his Capital City and the convenience of communication with his own Country by pretending to pass through some of the best of his High-ways That both these Conditions were equally hard he demonstrated by the Election that was left his Master to chuse either For the avoiding such Imperious Laws he referr'd himself to the Alliances made between their Imperial and Catholick Majesties their Lordships the States General and his late Uncle and renewed since with his own person with all possible extension and withal recommended himself to the friendship and protection of all his Allies concluding with a formal protestation that he would resolve rather to live banish'd from his Country and entirely to maintain the Justice of his Title and have his Allies that had contracted with him continue under their absolute Engagements than ever to return upon such hard Conditions and so scandalous to his Birth and his undoubted Right of Succession never having deserv'd so ill of France as to be used so cruelly A Letter from the Lords the States General to Mons the Duke of Luxemburg the 22. of June 1678. SIR WE have seen with an equal mixture of joy and reverence by the King's Answer of the first of this Month from his Camp at Wetteren which the Heer Van Beverning delivered us from his Majesty his sincere intentions to put an end to the present War by a Peace In pursuance whereof to shew the like
to such prejudicial Councels and to further the suffering an Ally and Neighbour to be oppressed that has given such extraordinary proofs of his Friendship to their State and that in favour of a party with whom at present they are engaged in open War and that expresses by his excessive demands so little of an inclination to come to such a reconciliation as may be fair and at all proportionable to the mischiefs and inconveniences that this fatal War has brought and continues to bring upon Christendom I shall leave the rest to the wise discussion of their Hi. and Mi. by reason of whose fidelity affection and Justice his Electoral Serenity is well assured that they will testifie in this occurrence as great a passion for the security and defence of his Provinces of Cleve which have always serv'd for a Bar and whose preservation has always been so very dear to them as his Electoral Serenity has an affection to their Common-wealth upon so many occasions and of which he has given such remarkable instances especially since the publick Faith and the Welfare and security of their own Estate are equally concern'd in the Interest of it 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 Aug. 1678. at Nimeguen THe Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries and Ministers underwritten understanding with the utmost astonishment that there was a likelihood of the Lords Ambassadors of the States General of the United Provinces resolving to Sign this day a separate Treaty of Peace betwixt the Most Christian King and their Hi. and Mi. which has been likewise confirm'd to them by some of the said Ambassadors themselves though hitherto they have not made any communication of the Contents of their Project nor held any particular Conference upon a matter of so great consequence in conformity to Treaties by which their Hi. and Mi. are obliged so to do The said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiary Ministers have thought it their duty to represent to the Lords Ambassadors of their Hi. and Mi. the disagreement of this proceeding with the Tenour of the Alliances so solemnly struck with their Lords and Masters wherein the Lords the States promise upon their Word and upon the credit of the publick Faith never to think of making separate Treaties with their common Enemy that was upon the point of overturning their Common-wealth and from whose oppression they were saved onely by such assistances and diversions as were given from time to time in divers parts of the Empire for their sakes Then they required with all the instances imaginable and conjur'd the said Lords Ambassadors by what ever is held most sacred and inviolable not to precipitate the Signing this separate Peace being directly opposite to the said Alliances and to allow them a little time to give their Lords and Masters necessary information since that delay could not be at all prejudicial to them and that request being but what every one might expect from the publick Faith and the sincerity of the Lords the States General They promise themselves the more assuredly that both will be granted without any difficulty especially because there seems not to be any apparent necessity why their Hi. and Mi. should take up a resolution so contrary to all that they have taken and concerted heretofore and even after they had exhorted their Allies afresh to stedfastness in the observance and performance of the Treaties and after the said Allies our Lords and Masters had taken vigorous resolutions thereupon and in compliance with their desires had sent such numerous Forces into the heart of the Spanish Low-Countreys to save Mons from the extremity to which the Arms of France had reduced it and to second and execute what other designs and exploits Spain and the State under the conduct of his Highness the Prince of Orange should resolve upon for the good of the common cause and the safety of the Low-Countreys in particular They have ordered moreover some select Troops that are now under march to draw towards the Muse and to be employ'd for the same purpose so that with God's assistance we have yet reason to hope for good success in so just and good a Cause However if the Lords the States should find themselves obliged by some indispensable necessity the occasion and force whereof is for all that unknown to the Allies to proceed with so much precipitation to a separate Peace with France the said Ambassadors and Ministers declare by this Memorial that their Lords and Masters are disposed and ready to enter with them into this Treaty and to conclude a Peace with his Most Christian Majesty in conjunction with the Lords the States General upon such honourable and equitable Conditions as shall be agreed on in a short time towards the conclusion whereof they will bring all manner of facility and good offices on their parts We promise our selves that the said Lords Ambassadors will not refuse so just and generous an offer nor can we be perswaded that the intention of their Hi. and Mi. is not exactly conformable to this just desire or that they can so much as conceive a thought of abandoning their good and faithful Friends Neighbours and Allies that have employed what ever was most dear and precious to them in the world to save them from the ruine that threatned them and to re-establish them in their former Liberty and Splendour At least we promise our selves from their Justice and sincerity that they will not conclude upon any thing that shall not comprehend the Interests of their Allies which in effect are their own nor joyn in the oppression and ruine of those that have so faithfully assisted them against so powerful an Enemy who on the one hand makes so much show of the sincerity of his desire to restore Peace to Christendom and on the other refuses to admit of such means as are capable of procuring it besides that this abandoning their Allies and the Neutrality that they pretend to settle was not so much as required by the Most Christian King in the platform of Conditions of Peace which he Projected the States having always declared against accepting the Cessation for six weeks which the Most Christian-King afterwards offered because the Neutrality was made a Condition of it which would have put them out of a possibility of assisting their Allies But if the worst came to the worst and that notwithstanding all these just and equitable Remonstrances they will proceed to Sign a Treaty of this nature the said Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries and Ministers of the High-Allies can do no other then solemnly and most formally to protest against this separate Treaty as being directly contrary to the Alliances and the solemn assurances that have been given from time to time of the stedfastness and exactness of their Hi. and Mi. in observing and fulfilling their Treaties
point according to the form and purport thereof without ever acting to the contrary directly or indirectly upon any pretence whatsoever In token whereof we have caused these Presents to be Signed by the President of our Assembly and underwritten by our Principal Register and our Seal to be set thereto The Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Spain Concluded at Nimeguen the 17th day of September 1678. IN the Name of God the Creator and of the most Holy Trinity To all present and to come be it known That whereas during the course of the War that arose some years since betwixt the most High most Excellent and most Mighty Prince Lewis the 14th by the grace of God Most Christian King of France and Navar and his Allies on the one part and the most High most Excellent and most Mighty Prince Charles the second by the grace of God Catholick King of Spain and his Allies on the other part Their Majesties have desired nothing more vehemently then to see it end in a good Peace and whereas the same desire to put a stop as far as in them lay to the ruine of so many Provinces the tears of so much People and the shedding of so much Christian blood hath induced them to comply with the powerful Offices of the most High most Excellent and most Mighty Prince The King of Great Britain to send their Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries to the Town of Nimeguen so it is come to pass through an effect of the Divine goodness that hath been pleased to make use of the intire confidence that their Majesties have always reposed in the mediation of the said King of Great Britain that at length the said Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries to wit on the behalf of his Most Christian Majesty the Sieur Count D' Estrades Marshal of France and Knight of his Majesties Orders the Sieur Colbert Knight Marquiss of Croissy Counsellor in ordinary in his Councel of State and the Sieur De Mesmes Knight Count D' Avaux Councellor also in his Councels and on the behalf of his Catholick Majesty the Sieur Dom Pablo Spinola Doria Marquiss de les Balbases Duke of Sesto Lord of Guinossa Casalnosetta and Ponteucrone Counfellor in his Councel of State and Chief Protonotary in his Councel of Italy Dom Gaspard de Tebes and Cordova Tello and Guzman Count de Venazuza Marquiss de la Fuente Lord of Lerena of the House of Arrucas of the Isles of Gundalupa and Matalione perpetual Master de la Victoire perpetual Major and Recorder of the Town of Sevil Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to his Imperial Majesty one of his chief Councel of War and General of his Artillery Dom Pedro Ronquillo Knight of the Order of Alcantara Counfellor in his Councels of Castile and of the Indies and Dom John Baptisse Christin Knight Counsellor in the high Councel of Flanders near to his said Catholick Majesty's Person and one of his Councel of State and of his Privy Councel in the Low-Countreys by vertue of the Letters and Commissions which they have communicated to one another and the Copies whereof are word for word inserted at the end of this Treaty have come to an agreement and conclusion upon mutual Conditions of Peace and Friendship in manner following viz. I. It is Covenanted and agreed that from henceforth there shall be a good firm and lasting Peace Confederation and perpetual Alliance and Friendship between the Most Christian and Catholick Kings their Children born and to be born their Heirs Successors and Inheriters their Kingdoms Estates Countreys and Subjects so that they shall love one another as good brethren procuring with all their might one another's good honour and reputation and faithfully preventing as far as they shall be able one anothers dammage II. In pursuance of this good Re-union the Cessation of all manner of Hostilities agreed on and Signed the 19th day of August of this present year shall continue according to the Tenour thereof betwixt the said Kings their Subjects and Vassals as well by Sea and other Waters as by Land and generally in all places where the War is carried on by their Majesties Arms as well between their Troops and Armies as between the Garrisons of their several places and if any Contravention shall have happened to be committed contrary to the said Gessation by the taking of any place or places whether by attack or surprise or by private intelligence nay though Prisoners shall have been taken or other Acts of Hostility committed through some accident that could not be foreseen or by such Persons as could not foresee it contrary to the said Cessation of Hostilities such Contravention shall faithfully be repair'd on both sides without delay or difficulty restoring to the full whatever shall have been taken and delivering the Prisoners without ransom or paying of charges in such manner that all things be restored in such manner to the same condition they were in on the said 19th day of August when the said Cessation was agreed and Signed the Tenour whereof shall be observed till the day of the exchange of the Ratifications of this present Treaty III. All causes of enmity or misunderstanding shall remain for ever extinct and abolished and whatever hath happened or been done by reason of the present War or during the same shall be put into perpetual oblivion so as for the future no inquiry shall be made into the same on either side directly or indirectly by Law or otherwise under any pretence whatsoever nor may their Majesties or their Subjects Servants and Adherents on either side express any manner of resentment of whatever offences may have been committed against them or dammages received by them during the present War IV. In contemplation of the Peace the Most Christian King immediately after the exchange of the Ratifications of this present Treaty shall put into the Catholick King 's power the Place and Fortress of Charleroy the Town of Binche the Town and Fortress of Aeth Oudenard and Coartray with their Provostships and Castellanies Appurtenances and Dependancies in the same manner as his Catholick Majesty possess'd them before the War of the year 1667. All which Towns and Places the Catholick King yielded to the said Most Christian King at the Treaty signed at Aix la Chapelle the 2d of May 1668. from which this present Treaty doth expresly derogate for so much as relates to the said Towns and Places their Appurtenances and Dependances In pursuance whereof the said Catholick King shall take possession of the same and enjoy them to him and his Successors fully and peaceably excepting the Verge of Menin and the Town of Conde which though heretofore pretended by the Most Christian King to be a Member of the Castellany of Aeth shall nevertheless remain to the Crown of France together with all its Dependances by vertue of this present Treaty as shall be said hereafter V. The said most Christian King obligeth himself and promiseth to put likewise
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
any wise hinder them in the carrying on of the War nor suffer the Forces of the aforesaid Enemies of France and Sweden to take any Winter-Quarters without their Territories in the Empire And for the aforesaid end only it shall be free for his Most Christian Majesty to keep a Garrison in the following Places in the Empire yet without endammaging the Owners of the said Places and their Subjects and at the charges of the Most Christian King viz. in the Towns and Cities of Chasselet Huy Verviers Aix la Chapelle Dueren Linnick Nuys and Zons in which Places no new Fortifications shall be made further than shall be necessary for the safety of the Garrisons and without giving just cause of suspicion Nor shall it be lawful for the Most Christian King to retain those Places upon account of the charges made therein nor under any other pretence whatsoever but shall evacuate and restore the same to those from whom he took them so soon as a Peace shall be concluded and Ratified between the aforesaid Parties as to the Provinces scituate in the Empire or that more fit means shall by common consent be found out to restore it In like manner his most Christian Majesty doth promise that he will in no wise nor under any pretence whatsoever directly or indirectly assist the present Enemies of the Emperor and Empire It shall be likewise free for the Emperor and Empire to employ their Offices Counsels and Endeavours joyntly with the Most Christian King for the speedy composing the War by common consent XXVII Pursuant to the Peace of Munster confirmed by the second Article in all its Points and Clauses Places shall be restored and such as are to be restored shall be bonâ fide evacuated To which end Commissioners shall be named at the same time this Treaty is Ratified on both sides that the aforesaid Evacuation and Restitution be without further delay made within one month after the Ratification of the Peace Those Places only excepted which are otherwise for a time to be disposed of by the preceding Article XXVIII Whereas there hath been an ancient difference concerning the Castle and Dutchy of Bovillon between the Bishop and Prince of Liege and the Dukes of that name it is hereby agreed That the Duke of Bovillon continuing in the possession he hath of it the said difference shall amicably or by Arbiters to be named by the Parties within 3 months after the Ratification of the Peace be composed without proceeding to Acts of force XXIX Immediately after the Signing and subscribing of this Treaty of Peace by the Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries all Acts of Hostility shall cease And in case within 14 days after the Signing of the Treaty any thing shall be attempted or altered it shall be forthwith repaired and restored to its first condition XXX Contributions shall continue to be demanded and levyed by the one and the other Party in those Provinces Countreys and Places where before the Signing of this Treaty they were settled until the Ratification of the same and what shall then remain in Arrear shall within 4 months after the said Ratification be paid Yet so that the payment of the same shall not after the Ratifications are exchanged be forcibly required of those Places who will give sufficient security to pay the Proportion assessed upon them XXXI Although in the second Article of this Treaty it hath been sufficiently declared that the Peace of Munster shall in all and every its Points be confirmed yet it hath been thought fit particularly that all things stipulated in the said Peace of Munster with relation to the business of Montferrat remain hereafter in full force and vertue amongst which those things shall more particularly continue firm and valid which are stipulated therein in behalf of the Duke of Savoy XXXII Their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties retaining a grateful sence of the Offices and continual Endeavours the most Serene King of Great Britain hath used to restore a general Peace and the publick Tranquility It is mutually agreed between the Parties that he with his Kingdoms be included in this Treaty after the best and most effectual manner that may be XXXIII In this Peace those also shall be comprehended who shall be named by either Party with common consent before the exchange of the Ratifications or within 6 months after XXXIV The Emperor and the Most Christian King do agree That all Kings Princes and States shall and may give their Guaranties to their Imperial and Most Christian Majesties for the execution and performance of all and every the Points contained in this present Treaty XXXV The Peace being thus concluded the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of both Parties do promise that the same shall be Ratified in the manner mutually agreed on by the Emperor and Empire and the Most Christian King respectively and take effectual care that Authentick Ratifications be within the space of 8 weeks to be computed from the day of the Signing thereof or sooner if possible reciprocally and in due form exchanged here XXXVI And whereas his Imperial Majesty hath been humbly desired by the Electors Princes and States of the Empire in vertue of a Resolution dated the 31. May 1677. under the Seal of the Chancery of Mentz and delivered to the French Ambassadors to take care by his Imperial Ambassadors in this Congress of the Interests of the said Electors Princes and States of the Empire as well the Imperial as the French Ambassadors have in testimony and for the greater validity of all and every thing and things contained in this Treaty of Peace Signed and Sealed the same with their Names and Seals and promised interchangeably to deliver sufficient Ratifications thereof within the space abovementioned and the form therein agreed on nor shall any Protestation or Contradiction from the Directory of the Empire against the subscription of this Treaty be received or esteemed valid Done at Nimeguen the 5th day of Feb. A. D. 1679. Ls John Bishop and Prince of Gurgh Ls Francis Udalrick Count Kinsky Ls T. A. Hen. Stratman Ls The Marshal D'Estrades Ls Colbert Articles of Peace between the Emperor and the King of Sweden Concluded and Signed at Nimeguen the 5 th day of February 1679. Translated out of Latin according to the Copy Printed at Nimeguen by Adrian Moetiens IN the Name of the most Holy and Undivided Trinity Be it known to all and every one whom it doth or any way may concern That whereas from the beginning of the War commenced some years ago between the most Seiene and Mighty Prince and Lord LEOPOLD Elect Emperor of the Romans always August King of Germany Hungary Bohemia Dalmatia Croatia and Sclavonia Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant Stiria Carinthia Carniola Marquiss of Moravia Duke of Luxemberg of the Upper and Lower Silesea Wirtemburg and Tecka Prince of Swaben Earl of Hapsburg Tirol Ferrette Kyburg and Goritia Marquiss of the sacred Roman Empire of
Guaranty hereafter inserted V. And forasmuch as it highly imports the Publick Tranquility That the War which yet continues between his Majesty and the Kingdom of Sweden and their Allies and the King of Denmark the Elector of Brandenburg the Bishop of Munster and the Dukes of Brunswick-Lunenbourg namely the Bishop of Osnabrug and the Dukes of Zell and Wolfembutel be with all possible speed composed His Imperial Majesty and the Empire aswell by themselves as joyntly with others shall most effectually interpose their Offices to procure a Peace saving always to the Emperour and the Empire the King and Kingdom of Sweden the reciprocal Obligation of not assisting each others Enemys stipulated in the preceding Article And so long as the Peace shall not be made between the aforesaid Partys no hinderance or impediment shall be given to his Majesty of Sweden in the prosecuting the War against his said Enemies but the Peace being made the same shall be deemed to be in such manner comprehended in this Treaty as if it were therein specifically inserted VI. A free Liberty of Trade and Commerce by Sea and Land shall be restored on both sides and the same Freedom Immunity Rights Priviledges and Advantages shall be and remain to the Subjects of his Imperial Majesty and the Empire more particularly to the Hanse Towns in the Kingdom Countrys Dominions and Ports of Sweden and in like manner to the Subjects of Sweden within the Empire that both Parties mutually enjoyed before the War VII His Imperial Majesty sutable to his Obligation shall afford his Protection aswell to the Lord Christian-Albert Duke of Sleswick and Holstein Gottorp as to the other States of the Empire pursuant to the Laws and Constitutions of it to the end his Dominions situate therein and the Rights belonging unto him may be preserved entire and shall interpose his Offices that the other Disputes depending between the King of Denmark and the said Duke be also composed VIII The Emperor and the King of Sweden do Consent That the King of Great Britain as Mediator as also all Kings Princes and States may give their Guaranties to his said Imperial Majesty and his Majesty of Sweden for the due Execution and Performance of all and every thing and things contained in this present Treaty IX And whereas his Imperial Majesty and his Royal Majesty of Sweden retain a Grateful Sense of the Offices and continual Endeavours the Most Serene King of Great Britain hath used to restore a General Peace and the Publick Tranquillity it is mutually agreed That he together with his Kingdoms be included in this present Treaty in the best and most effectual manner that may be X. In this Peace those also shall be comprehended who shall be named by either Party with common Consent before the Exchange of the Ratifications or within 6. months after Those things also which have been agreed between his Imperial Majesty and the Empire and the Most Christian King shall be deemed to be in the same manner comprehended in this Treaty as if they were word for word inserted therein XI The abovementioned Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the Emperor and the Empire on the one part and the King of Sweden on the other do promise that the Peace thus concluded shall be ratified in the manner mutually hereby agreed on and that they will take effectual care that Authentick Ratifications be within the space of 8 weeks to be computed from the day of the Signing thereof or sooner if possible reciprocally and in due form exchanged here XII And whereas his Imperial Majesty hath been humbly desired by the Electors Princes and States of the Empire in pursuance of a Resolution of the 31. May 1677. delivered under the Seal of the Chancery of Mentz to the Ambassadors of Sweden to take care by his Imperial Ambassadors in this Congress of the Interests of the said Electors Princes and States of the Empire as well the Imperial as the Swedish Ambassadors have in testimony and for the greater validity of all and every thing and things contained in this present Treaty of Peace Signed and Sealed the same with their Names and Seals and promised interchangeably to deliver sufficient Ratifications thereof within the space of time abovementioned and the former therein agreed on nor shall any Protestation or Contradiction from the Directory of the Empire against the Subscription of this Treaty be received or esteemed valid Done at Nimeguen the 5th day of February A. D. 1679. Ls John Bishop and Prince of Gurk Ls Francis Udalrick Count Khinsky Ls T. A. Henr. Stratman Ls Benedict Oxenstiern Ls John Paulin Olivencrans FINIS