when I tasted it I saw it was hot in the Mouth and desired that whenever he met with a choice Piece he would keep it for me which he promised I enlarge the more upon this because Sir George Jefferys insinuated to the Jury as if I had made a Story about going thither but I never said that was the only Reason and I will now truly and plainly add you the rest I was the day before this Meeting come to Town for two or three days as I had done once or twice before having a very near and dear Relation lying in a Languishing and Desperate Condition and the Duke of Monmouth came to me and told me He was extreamly glad I was come to Town for my Lord Shaftsbury and some hot Men would undo us all How so my Lord I said Why answered he they will certainly do some disorderly thing or other if great Care be not taken and therefore for God's Sake use your Endeavour with your Friends to prevent any thing of this kind He told me there would be Company at Mr. Shepheard's that Night and desired me to be at home in the Evening and he would call me which he did And when I came into the Room I saw Mr. Rumsey by the Chimney though he swears he came in after And there were Things said by some with much more Heat than Judgment which I did sufficiently disapprove and yet for these Things I stand Condemned But I thank God my Part was sincere and well meant It is I know Inferred from hence and pressed to me That I was acquainted with these Heats and ill Designs and did not discover them But this is but Misprision of Treason at most so I die innocent of the Crime I stand Condemned for I hope no Body will imagine that so mean a Thought should enter into me as to go about to save my self by accusing others The Part that some have acted lately of that kind has not been such as to invite me to love Life at such a Rate As for the Sentence of Death passed upon me I cannot but think it a very hard one for nothing was sworn against me whether true or false I will not now examine but some Discourses about making some Stirs And this is not levying War against the King which is Treason by the Statute of Edw. 3. and not the Consulting and Discoursing about it which was all that was witnessed against me but by a strange Fetch the Design of seizing the Guards was construed a Design of killing the King and so I was in that Cast And now I have truly and sincerely told what my Part was in that which cannot be more than a bare Misprision and yet I am condemned as guilty of a Design of killing the King I pray God lay not this to the Charge neither of the King's Councel nor Judges nor Sheriffs nor Jury And for the Witnesses I pity them and wish them well I shall not reckon up the Particulars wherein they did me wrong I had rather their own Consciences would do that to which and the Mercies of God I leave them Only I shall aver that what I said of my not hearing Colonel Rumsey deliver any Message from my Lord Shaftsbury was true For I always detested Lying tho' never so much to my Advantage And I hope none will be so unjust and uncharitable as to think I would venture on it in these my last Words for which I am so soon to give an Account to the great God the Searcher of Hearts and Judge of all Things From the Time of choosing Sheriffs I concluded the Heat in that Matter would produce something of this Kind and I am not much surprized to find it fall upon me and I wish what is done to me may put a Stop and satiate some People's Revenge and that no more innocent Blood be shed for I must and do still look upon mine as such since I know I was guilty of no Treason and therefore I would not betray my Innocency by flight of which I do not I thank God yet repent tho' much pressed to it how fatal soever it may have seemed to have proved to me for I look upon my Death in this manner I thank God with other Eyes than the World does I know I said but little at the Trial and I suppose it looks more like Innocence than Guilt I was also advised not to confess Matter of Fact plainly since that certainly must have brought me within the Guilt of Misprision and being thus restrained from dealing frankly and openly I chose rather to say little than to depart from that Ingenuity that by the Grace of God I had carried along with me in the former part of my Life and so could easier be silent and leave the whole Matter to the Consciences of the Jury than to make the best and solemnest part of my Life so different from the Course of it as the using little Tricks and Evasions must have been nor did I ever pretend to any great Readiness in Speaking I wish those Gentlemen of the Law who have it would make more Conscience in the Use of it and not run Men down and by Strains and Fetches impose on easie and willing Juries to the Ruine of innocent Men. For to kill by Forms and Subtilties of the Law is the worst sort of Murder But I wish the Rage of hot Men and the Partiality of Juries may be stopped with my Blood which I would offer up with so much the more Joy if I thought I should be the last that were to suffer in such a Way Since my Sentence I have had but few Thoughts but Preparatory ones for Death yet the Importunity of my Friends and particularly the best and dearest Wife in the World prevailed with me to sign Petitions and make an Address for my Life to which I was ever averse for I thank God though in all Respects I have lived the happiest and contenteâst Man of the World for now very near Fourteen Years yet I am so willing to leave all that it was not without Difficulty that I did any thing for the saving of my Life that was begging but I was willing to let my Friends see what Power they had over me and I was not obstinate nor sullen but would do any thing that an honest Man could do for their Satisfaction which was the only Motive that swayed or had any Weight with me And now to sum up all As I had not any Design against the King's Life or the Life of any Man whatsoever so I never was in any Contrivance of altering the Government What the Heats Passions and Vanities of other Men have occasioned I ought not to be responsible for nor could I help them though I now suffer for them But the Will of the Lord be done into whose Hands I commend my Spirit and trust that Thou O most merciful Father hast forgiven me all my Transgressions the Sins of my Youth
so excellent an Account as to the Rise Progess and Continuation of it as has proved to the Satisfaction generally of all Men the French excepted who have wrote a Treatise also upon the same Subject Dedicated to Monsieur Colbert one of the Active Plenipotentiaries of France on that Occasion And which tho' it carries all those Affectations which are so peculiar to that Nation throughout the whole Body of it yet I must own it has given Light to some other Things that otherwise might have remained in the Dark to this Day From these two I have made up saving what refers to some particular Articles and intervening Passages relating to the War wherein They are generally very concise that Treaty entire which brought me of Course into an Enquiry into the Popish Conspiracy and what succeeded thereupon at Home more particularly in relation to the Humour as well as Demeanour of our then Court where I have not had Leisure to dwell over-long when the Contraventions and I may say Infractions of the said Treaty called me Abroad from whence I have passed into Hungary and after having given an Account of something preludious to the War there which will I belive remain still a Paradox I have in the respective Years of it traced the same as well as those managed by Poland and Venice the Emperor's Confederates therein against the Infidels throughout the whole Variety thereof to the final Period of it And herein I confess my self to have received great Assistances from divers Tracts written concerning particular Sieges and other memorable Actions as they occurred And as I have endeavoured to oblige the Reader with as many Original Papers as I could in relation to this War so it will be found I have not declined the same Practise in respect to other Occurrences and more especially have been very solicitous to omit nothing of that kind that was worthy to be perpetuated in Reference to our own Affairs to that grand Revolution that happened amongst us the secret Machinations used to unhinge our Settlements and the tedious and bloody War we have been since engaged in which I have made my Business to give as true a Light into as was consistent with the various and diversified Relations that by the contending Parties have been given of it And if I should intimate in this Place that I have made it part of my Business to keep a Journal of the Transactions of these Times and add thereto That I have had the Assistance of the best Authors in most Languages and that in consequence hereof not few Things have been rectified or supplied from my own particular Observations and Discoveries I should do my self no Wrong though I might incur the Censures of others for it But after all I am so far from pretending to have committed no Error herein that all I will say is I am not guilty of any wilful Mistake But as this Treatise would have been very lame and imperfect if amidst the Sound of War I had not observed the Overtures made from time to time of a Peace So I should have been much more inexcusable if I should not have been very particular concerning the last general Negotiation in all the Paces made till the final Conclusion of it and of which I am morally assured there is a much better Account given than is yet to be found any other where now extant amongst us But as it will be needless to insist upon the Vsefulness of the Introductory Discourse I have given to show the State of the World in respect to the Enlargement of Dominion and Conquest down to the Commencement of our History to say any thing for the Necessity of a Table to the whole Work will be much more so Wherefore to conclude As our History ends with the General Peace we now enjoy let our Value and Esteem of him who under God has been the particular Instrument of it our dread Sovereign King William be enhaunsed more and more who has so many Personal Excellencies both in Peace and War as to have no manner of Need to borrow any from the Vertues of his Ancestors whereof there has been such an unparallell'd Chain as is not to be met with in History And the Antiquity of whose Name for ought I can see may be as old as Julius Caesar who in the First Book of his Commentaries says A Body of Germans out of Suabia came under the Command of Two Brothers Nasua and Cimberius by Name and settled upon the Banks of the Rhine near Treves Now this is so much the more worthy of Observation that besides the Similitude of the Names of Nasua and Nasau which only differ in the Transposition but of one Letter there is an Estate upon that Spot of Ground which belongs to the Family to this Day But be it as it will I was the more desirous to take Notice of it upon this Occasion because I believe it is the first time it has been done by any other in this kind And because it may stir up the Curiosity of those Gentlemen that are skilled in Genealogies to make a farther Enquiry into it As for this Second Edition whereunto the Transactions of another Year are added which more particularly include the Negotiations of a Truce with the Turks and so leaves all Europe in Peace I have nothing to say but that what Mistakes or Deficiences thro' Haste or Inadvertency the former may have laboured under I have now endeavoured to rectifie and supply them with all becoming Diligence and Sincerity INTRODUCTION THERE has been almost as much Contest between the Learned about what Form of Government is best and was of Primitive Institution as there has been Endeavours used by the Princes and States of the World to propagate their Dominion and Power to the Diminution of that of their Neighbours This Itch of Superiority and Rule has in all Ages from the Beginning been the Property of all sorts of Governments And though it has been a general Assertion and and pretty common Observation of Latter Times that Republicks whether Aristocratical Democratical or otherwise constituted have not been so proper for Extending of Conquest as Monarchical Constitutions yet that it has not been always so is manifest from the Commonwealths of Rome and Carthage who enlarged the Bounds of their Dominions to a greater Degree than any other Kingdom or State whatever that we know of save somewhat more that was done by the Introduction of a single Administration into the former Republick which yet did not prove of any long Duration or fixed Settlement For tho' no Empire upon Earth could ever pretend to vye with that of Rome in this Particular and which therefore for that Reason we may call An. Vniversal Monarchy yet being at length tired out and crasie with Age she sunk under her own Weight being over-run and divided into divers Pieces by those Nations she ever termed Barbarous but proved neither so contemptible in their Arms nor
âo unskilful in Government as the Name they gave them did import 'T is indeed not to be doubted but that the Division made of the Empire by Theodosius between his Two Sons Arcadius and Honorius into the Eastern and Western did very much precipitate the Ruine of it For tho' the former for many Ages after made a Shift to keep up yet it came infinitely short of the Ancient Roman Empire for Power and Splendour and was so harassed by degrees with the Insults of the Neighbouring Nations and diminished by the Conquests of the Bulgarians over one part of it by the Saracens subduing Palestine Syria Egypt and Cilicia by the City of Trebesond and the Neighbouring Countries withdrawing themselves from under the Obedience of it and chusing an Emperor of their own as Greece set up divers petty Princes to govern the different Parts of itâ That the poor Remains thereof was not only swallowed up at length by the Turks but most of the said conquer'd or revolted Divisions to other very great Acquisitions of their own made both before and after fell under their Dominion also which made them for a Time more formidable in Power than any other single Dominion known to us in those Parts of the World But the Fate of the West Part of that divided Empire came on a pace the same becoming a Prey to the Germans and Goths who about this time came in prodigious Numbers to change their poor Habitations for the pleasant and fertile Provinces of the Romans Britain became a Prey to the Saxons Spain fell to the Share of the West-Goths The Goths Burgundians and Franks made bold with dividing France between them Rhoetia and Noricum were conquered by the Suevians A great part of Pannonia and Illiricum fell into the Hands of the Huns The Vandals fixed their Habitations in Africa And one part of the Goths set up a Kingdom in Italy and did not think Rome once Mistress of the World and the common Mother and Habitation of Mankind a fitting Place for their Kings to reside in The Empire being thus mangled and rent into so many different Pieces the next Thing according to the Course of a corrupted and vain World these Invaders went upon after some tolerable Settlement in their respective Acquisitions was to incroach upon their Neighbours and to endeavour to introduce such a Dominion again upon the Earth as might in Imitation of that glorious Empire which all of them in their several Turns had given an Helping-hand to overthrow over-top all others and merit the Name of a Supream and Universal One But there have hitherto in the Course of Divine Providence such Rubs been laid in the Way of this Design that it could never be accomplish'd tho' divers Princes have attempted it with the greatest Application and some seeming Probability of Success As Islands are not so liable to be invaded as those Kingdoms and States that lie upon the Continent So neither are they on the other hand so proper to make Conquests of others and to enlarge their Territories And if Great Britain has come in any respect short of other Countries in this Particular this is a sufficient Reason for it But there were other Causes and Considerations which we shall a little consider before we go any farther Tho' tho Saxons made an entire Conquest of the best and fruitfullest Part of Britain yet neither the most Northern Parts of the Island possessed by the Picts and Scots nor the Southern known since by the Name of Cornwall much less the ancient Habitation of the Britains wrongfully called Wales could they subdue in a long time nor the first indeed at all entirely Add to this That the Saxons themselves had no less than Seven Dynasties or petty Kingdoms amongst them known all together by the Heptarchy which took them up from their first Landing under Hengist by Alliances and the Power of their Arms not much less than 400 Years to unite them into one Monarchy which happen'd under K. Egbert about the Year 800. But tho' this Conjunction of Seven into One was very considerable and that now some grand Efforts might have been made for reducing the remaining Parts of the Island under one Head the Danes now a very Potent and Sea-faring People in the very same King's Reign invaded Britain Between whom and the English there were continual Wars for the Space of 240 Years and the former so far prevailed that Three of their Kings reigned successively over England for 26 Years when the Government returned again into the Hands of the English But it was so weak and feeble that in a short time it fell into the Hands of Will surnamed the Conqueror and his Normans in whose Son 's Reign Henry I. by Name the Dukedom of Normandy was annexed to the Crown of England This so considerable Accession of Strength upon the Continent came yet short of a Compensation for the still remaining Disjunction of Scotland and Wales from the rest of Britain which the succeeding Kings little minded to effect For tho' Henry II. was the greatest King at this time in our Western World as being besides K. of England and Duke of Normandy by Inheritance Duke of Anjou and by Marriage Duke of Aquitain and Poictou yet he was so far from going through stitch with his intended Conquest of Wales or reducing Scotland that his chief Aim was upon the Conquest of Ireland which tho' a noble Design and in a very great Measure effected yet it was misplaced and should have followed the Reduction of the other two Yet what came to Henry upon the Continent by Right of Inheritance his Son King John and his Grandson Henry III. in a manner totally lost But of all the Kings of England to this Time Edward I. was the only Prince that seemed to have a right Notion of Extending his Dominions and therefore he never gave over till what by fair and foul Means with an Intermixture of Policy he entirely united Wales to the Kingdom of England and made in a manner by the same Methods a perfect Conquest of Scotland which nothing humanely speaking but the Weakness of his Successor obstructed the Consummation of So that henceforward all the Thoughts of our Warlike Kings were the Recovery of that Right they alledged to have to the Kingdom of France whose Conquests there if they had been as wisely secured as they were valiantly made had added a much greater Glory to the English Name than our Annals would otherwise admit of But that which our Kings would not or could not add to their Dominions by Conquest within the Island it self I mean the Scotch Kingdom which always obstructed the Progress of their Arms upon the Continent at length fell in of it self in the Course of Succession So that England Scotland and Ireland were in the Person of King James I. united under one Head In the mean time one of our Neighbour-Nations was arrived to that Pitch of Greatness and another of them in
so growing a Posture that such a Tripple Conjunction seemed only seasonable upon this Account in that the same tended to our Safety But by what Methods these our Neighbouring-Nations have attained to that Greatness it will be necessary to enquire into And first we shall begin with Spain which upon the Declension of the Roman Empire fell into the Share of the West-Goths and other barbarous Nations who for a Time laboured under the same Inconveniencies of a divided Dominion as the Saxons did in Britain But towards the Year 586 their Empire was arrived to the highest Pitch of Greatness as comprehending not only the Neighbouring-Provinces of France and part of Mauritania in Africa but also all Spain except a small Part possessed yet by the Romans who held not that long neither From thence the Gothick Empire declined apace and all fell into the Hands of the Saracens But their Affairs began to revive again about the Year 726 and one Pelagius who was said to have been descended from the Race of the Gothick Kings prevailed mightily both against the Moors and Saracens as divers of his Successors did also However these turmoiled Times gave Original to several Kingdoms within the Boundaries of Spain For besides the Kingdom of Oviedo or Leon which were all one in Effect there arose also others as those of Navarre Arragon and Castile But all these Kingdoms which also professed Christianity were united in the Person of Sanctus Major II. whereby an Opportunity was given the Christians to root out the Moors now divided amongst themselves and to restore Spain to its ancient State yet Sanctus tho' otherwise a brave Prince had no more Wit than to divide them amongst his Sons and gave each of them the Title of King These not being able to confine themselves to their respective Proportions made War upon one another with various Success as it gave the Moors also some Advantage in their Proceedings till in a manner all was united again under Alphonso VIII who play'd the same Trick of dividing Castile Leon and Gallicia between his 3 Sons so that they and their Successors had so much to do with the Moors within Spain and such mutual Jealousies of one another that they could be able to do little any where else under the Notion of Conquest Things were at length brought to such a pass that Spain to say nothing of Portugal and the Kingdom of the Moors in Granada was reduced into Two Kingdoms only to wit Arragon and Castile and these again were united by the Marriage of Ferdinand the Son of John II. King of Arragon whom his Father had declared King of Sicily to Isabella Sister to Henry IV. King of Castile By this Conjunction Spain became mighty Powerful And Ferdinand after he had set his Affairs in Order began now to entertain great Thoughts And well knowing it would be in vain to undertake any Thing Abroad while he had a powerful Enemy within the Body of Spain it self at his Door he undertook an Expedition against the Moors of Granada which cost him so much Time and Expence to conquer being no less than 10 Years engaged in the Work that he could perhaps have sat down contented herewith at least for a time had not something else fallen in his way But Ferdinand by aiming to make sure of his Conquest deprived his Country in some succeeding time of the Benefit of it for he thereupon banished no less than 170000 Families of Jews and Moors out of Spain and thereby dispoiled his Country not only of vast Riches but a great Number of Inhabitants wherein consists the Power and Support of a Nation But whatever Designs Ferdinand might after a little breathing Time have concerted to have undertaken Abroad now he was freed from the Evil that had hitherto diverted him from any Foreign Expedition the French who now found themselves under the same Circumstances as being rid of the English that had stuck so long and so close upon the Skirts of them as not to be able to move elsewhere thought to be before-hand with Ferdinand in the Reduction of the Kingdom of Naples which the other notwithstanding they gave him up Rousillion in order at least to let them proceed unmolested being not able to brook it came to an open Rupture And after divers Conflicts Ferdinand carried the Day and with it the Kingdom of Naples to which if we add the Discovery of America and the rich Mines there about this time and the Kingdom of Navarre which Ferdinand possest himself of upon the Pope's Excommunicating John d' Albret King of that Country at the other's Instigation we shall find this Monarchy grown to a prodigious Grandeur In this State Ferdinand left it to his Grandson Charles who being as well elected Emperor of Germany as he was Hereditary King of Spain and withal a very active Prince Tho' he did very great Things whilst he held the Rains of Government yet it may still seem a Wonder he had not done much more This was indeed an Age fruitful for several brave Princes and here I cannot but admire the Wisdom of God that this Charles V. who was so vastly Potent should have for his Cotemporaries a Harry VIII in England a Francis I. in France and a Solyman the Magnificent in Turky who were all Men of great Souls as well as Power and especially the last of them not inferior to Charles upon any account However such was the Conjuncture that Charles to his vast Dominions added still more by routing Francis and taking him Prisoner and thereby bringing him to make a Surrender of the Dutchy of Burgundy to renounce the Sovereignty over Artois and Flanders and to quit all his Pretences upon Naples and Milan which last the French had for some time been in Possession of But Francis having got his Liberty disclaimed the Agreement and this occasioned a new War which ended in Francis his being forced to confirm the Main of the said Treaty and left Charles at Liberty to add to the Conquests his Grand-father Ferdinand had made in Africa of Bugia and Tripolis that of Tunis and Goletta to which if we add the Sovereignty of Vtrecht of the Provinces of Over Issel Geldren Zutphen Groninghen c. consigned about this Time into his Hands it must still be allowed a mighty Accession of Strength to that vast Empire Wherefore to compleat as he thought his great Work of attaining to an Universal Monarchy in these Western Parts he cunningly lays aside the Contest about the Divorce between Henry VIII King of England and his Aunt Katharine and entred into a League with the said King of invading France the Emperor by the Way of Champaigne and the King thro' Picardy to compleat the Conquest of that Noble Country In order to which the Emperor advanced as far as Espernay which occasioned such a Terror and Confusion in Paris that the Citizens were for leaving the City if the King by his Presence had not incouraged them
about the latter End of Sept. surrendred up to the Imperial Army for want of Provisions having been blocked up and besieged from the Beginning of June And this indeed happened as much against the common Opinion and Expectation as the contrary Event did in the Siege of Maestricht The Affairs of Denmark and Brandenburg prospered all this while against Sweden who was in Alliance with France and that with much Advantage in most of the Sieges and Encounters that passed between them this Summer and the first part of the succeeding Winter So that the Swedes seemed to be losing apace all that they had been so long in Possession of in Germany But the Imperial Forces tho' joined with those of the several Princes upon the Vpper Rhine had for all that made but little Progress in their designed Conquests there and were forc'd to seek their old Winter-Quarters upon the German side of the River which was no less a true and indisputed Decision of the small Success of this Campagne than it was a powerful Motive to incline some of the Confederates to think more seriously of a Peace and particularly the Dutch who began now to grow very impatient after it especially in that they found France would make no great Difficulty in granting them any thing in Contest between them seeing they privately made Offers by their Emissaries especially at Amsterdam of such a Reglement of Commerce as they themselves could wish for the Restitution of Maestricht and all the Satisfaction imaginable to the Prince of Orange that he could pretend to upon the account of his Losses and their Seisure in the Course of this War year 1677 To return therefore to the Business of the Peace It was about the middle of Feb. 1677. N. S. before the Assembly was compleatly formed the King of England's single Mediation by all Parties accepted and that of the Pope's finally rejected the several Acts signed put into the Hands of the Mediators and by them exchanged among the several Parties And all these Preliminaries of the Treaty being thus dispatch'd the respective Embassadors did also by Agreement put into the same Hands their several Propositions or Pretensions which on the Emperor's part were That the King and Kingdom of France should restore to him and to the Empire and to all his Allies whatever they had taken from them during the Course of this present War make Reparation for all the Damages they had suffered and that a Peace should be established upon the best and surest Grounds that could be devised France in theirs seemed to demand little of the Empire only they said That the King having desired nothing more passionately than the Religious Observation of the Treaties of Westphalia his Majesty would gladly see Germany a second time owe the Re-establishment of its Repose to the Observation of the same Treaties and for that Effect he demanded they might be fully and entirely re-established The Spaniards insisted upon the Restitution of all the Places they had lost and Reparation for all the Damages they had sustained from France since the Year 1665 whether by Sea or Land by demolishing burning or otherwise and that the French King should give compleat Satisfaction to all the Confederates and by three different Articles demanded the same thing of the Swedes Whereas France on the other side said That their King being contrary to Justice and the Obligation of the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle attack'd by the Catholick King his Majesty had reason to pretend that in respect to that Crown all things should remain in the Condition the Fortune of War had put them without Prejudice to the King 's Rights which were to continue still in full Force and Power The Danes insisted That France should give them compleat Satisfaction and reimburse all the Charges of the War and by Four Articles required of the Swedes That betwixt the Two Kings and Two Kingdoms all Things should be restored in the same State they were in before the War that was ended between the Two Nations by the Treaties of Westphalia That the Treaties of Rochilde and Copenhagen should be abolished That all the Provinces which had been dismembred from Denmark and Norway should be restored to the Danes That all that the Swedes possess'd in the Empire should be taken from them That Wismar and the Isle of Rugen should remain in the Possession of the Danes And that for the Security of his Danish Majesty and his Kingdoms they might be allowed to put Garrisons into all the strong Places of Sweden that lay upon the Frontiers of the Two Kingdoms But France on her side proposed That seeing the King had not declared War against the King of Denmark but that his Danish Majesty running contrary to the Treaty of Copenhagen made in the Year 1660 for Performance whereof the King was Guarrantee had attack'd Sweden his most Christian Majesty was willing to desist from all Hostilities on his part provided that the foresaid Treaty and those of Westphalia were re-established As to what concerned France and the States-General tho' in truth Things were as good as agreed between them before the latter demanded that Maestricht Dalen Fangumont with all the Dependancies of the first should be restored to them A Reglement of Commerce with a Renunciation of all Pretensions each Party might have upon the other And as for the greater Damages they had sustained and whereof they might demand Reparation they were willing for the publick Tranquility to sacrifice them all provided Satisfaction might be given to their Allies To this were added Sixteen Articles concerning a full Satisfaction to be made the Prince of Orange in regard to what depended on the Crown of France and particularly the Restauration of the Fortifications of the City of Orange that were ruined in the Year 1660 and of the Castle demolished in 1663 the Rights of Toll upon Salt and other Commodities as well upon the Rhosne as through the Principality of Orange the Prerogative of Coining Money of Laick Patronage for Nomination to the Bishoprick together with the Exemptions Priviledges and other Immunities granted to the Inhabitants of the said Principality and particularly by Lewis XIII And as for Sweden they required no more but that the future Treaty might contain some Regulations for obviating the frequent Inconveniencies that happened concerning Commerce between the Two Nations To which France on her part answered That seeing the Union that had always been between the Crown of France and the States was only interrupted upon account of some Causes of Discontent which were easie in the present Posture of things to be removed and for the future prevented His Majesty was very ready to restore the States to his former Amity and to hearken favourably to all Propositions that might be made to him on their part both in respect to their Demands of Restitution Treaty of Commerce and the Re-establishment of the Prince of Orange tho' the French Embassadors occasionally opposed
the Pretentions of the Count d'Auvergne thereunto demanding That his Marquisate and Town of Bergen-op-Zoom should be restored to all the Rights of Sovereignty which the other Towns of Holland enjoyed conform to the Treaties of the Pacification of Chent The Elector of Brandenburg demanded That France should make Reparation for the Damages his Territories had suffered by the French Forces during the Course of this War That all Security should be given him for the same Territories And that all his Allies should be comprehended in the general Treaty But the French had no Propositions to make to the Elector besides those that were made to the Emperor and the Empire which comprehended the full Performance of the Treaties of Westphalia And as what concerned the Swedes in all the Proposals they made to the Emperor the Kings of Spain and Denmark the States-General and the Elector of Brandenburg besides the Renovation of their former Amity and good Correspondence their whole Demands consisted in the Execution of the Treaties of Westphalia and Copenhagen which in effect contained the Restitution of all that had been taken from that Crown The Duke of Lorrain's Pretensions were also put into the Hands of the Mediators Seal'd as the rest were but they did not open them upon the French his acquainting them That they had not received any Counter-Pretensions from Court in relation to that Duke whereof they believed the Reason to be that no Minister of his had yet appeared at the Congress Tho' another Pretence was afterwards started for the Rejection of the Duke's Offers from the Confederates refusing to admit of the Sieur Duker the Bishop of Strasburg's Envoy into the Assembly whereas the Danes did the same by the Ministers of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp for his being an Ally of Sweden protected by France and so standing dispossess'd by the King of Denmark Indeed their Pretensions against Lorrain had never yet been made since the Death of the late Duke and would have been hard to draw up by the ablest Ministers or Advocates themselves and therefore they thought fit to decline and reserve them for the Terms of a Peace when they should be able to prescribe rather than to treat upon them However they came afterwards to be known and were to this Purpose That as Heir to his Predecessors the Duke hoped from the Justice of the King that he would restore to him the Dutchies of Lorrain and Bar with their Dependencies his Titles Records Movables and Effects taken from him and make Reparation for the Towns Boroughs Castles and Villages that were ruined throughout all his Dominions Neither were the Propositions of the Dukes of Brunswick and Lunemburg made publick because the Ministers of those Princes kept incognito pretending to the Character and Rank of Embassadors But notwithstanding all the Instances that ever they made no Crowned Head would give way to their Demands From all which Proposals put together it easily appeared to the World what wise Men knew before how little Hope 's there were of a Peace from the Motions of this Treaty in the present Circumstances of Affairs and how wholly dependent it seemed to be on the Course and Influence of future Events in the Progress of the War In the mean time the Dutch's Pulse beat high for a Peace notwithstanding the joint Efforts of the Prince of Orange the Pensionary Fagel c. at Home to stave it off in the present Circumstances of it and the former's Endeavours by the Intervention of Sir William Temple to enter into such a Confidence with the King of England his Uncle in relation to it as might bring it about upon better Considerations and with greater Security to the Spanish Netherlands But it was his Misfortune to find little Security or Sincerity on that side and the Project that was sent him from thence gave so little Satisfaction that he resolved rather to continue the War at any rate saying That tho' he expected a very ill Beginning of the Campagne and to make an ill Figure in it himself and to bear the Shame of Faults that others would commit yet if the Emperor performed what he had promised the Campagne would not end as it began that however he was in and must go on and when one is at High Mass one is at it He must stay till it is done because of the Greatness of the Crowd which will not let him get out sooner But how slow soever the Confederates were in the Advances they made towards finishing this Work the French thought fit to quicken them towards the very beginning of the Year by blocking up of Cambray and Valenciennes and having provided sufficient Magazines in the Winter for the Subsistance of their Troops they began to break into Flanders and those Parts of Germany that are on the other side of the Rhine with such Devastations of burning and destroying as not only had not been used by either Party since the Commencement of the War but such as can hardly be parallel'd in History and yet they softned it with the Name of Putting the Frontiers of Germany out of a Condition of being able to furnish Provisions to any great Army with which they were from thence threatned and the Complaints of the Allies to King Charles of this new Manner of making War while a Peace was treating under his Mediation signified just nothing For the Thing was done and their Point was gained which was to prevent the early March of the Germans into Alsatia that would divert those Forces the French resolved to employ this Spring in Flanders before the Dutch could take the Field and march to the Relief of those Places they intended to attack Valenciennes having been for some time blocked up as abovesaid the Trenches were opened before it the 9th of March following the French King being at the Siege in Person and after the usual Approaches there were Orders given to attack the Counterscarp with the two Half-Moons that flanked a Crowned Work and that the Men should make a Lodgment on the Front of that Work which covers another that is before the Gate of the Town But the Troops marching cross those Half-Moons attacked that great Crowned Work both on the Front and âides and after some Resistance enter'd it on all Hands slaying ãâã before them and pursued those that fled so far that they gained the Bridge and Second Work and by a Wicket where they could not pass but singly made themselves Masters of the Town-Gate So that in about half an Hours time that considerable Fortress fell into the French Hands which was on the 17th Eight Days after the opening of the Trenches From hence the King marched with a mighty Army and with one part of it laid Siege to Cambray which after Five Days Trenches open was surrender'd to him upon Articles as the rest of the Spanish Towns had been tho' the Cittadel held out some Days longer While the other part of his Forces under the Command
of his Brother the Duke of Orleans invested St. Omers In the mean time the Dutch having received their Payments due from Spain and finding the French vigorous in the Prosecution of their Designs upon Flanders whilst the Treaty of Peace served only for an Amusement resolved to go on with the War for another Campagne being kept up to this Resolution by the Vigour and Constancy of the Prince of Orange in pressing them to the Observance of their Treaties and pursuit of their Interests in the Defence of the Spanish Netherlands The French had no sooner made a Motion this Season but the Prince prepared to do the same by that of the Dutch Troops and pressed the Spaniards to have theirs in a readiness to join him and with all imaginable Endeavours provided for the Subsistence of his Army in their March through the Spanish Territories which the other took no care of But notwithstanding all the Application that could be used he was not able to come time enough to the Relief either of Valenciennes or Cambray However not to be wanting what in him lay to save the rest he marched with the single Forces of the States and without either Troops or so much as Guides furnished him by the Spaniards directly towards St. Omer bent upon raising the Siege with the Hazard of a Battle tho' labouring under never so many Disadvantages for it which the Duke of Orleans on his part did not decline For having left a few Troops to defend the Trenches he marched with the rest of the Army to meet the Prince and in the way was reinforced by the Duke of Luxemburg with all the Troops the French King could spare out of his Army leaving only enough behind to continue the Siege of the Cittadel of Cambray which was not yet surrender'd Both Armies engaged with a great deal of Bravery at Mount Cassel where after a sharp Dispute the First Regiment of the Dutch Foot began to break and fall into Disorder but the Prince rallied them again several times and renewed the Charge yet he was at last bore down by the plain Hight of his Men whom he was forced himself to resist like Enemies and fall in among them with his Sword in Hand and cutting the first cross over the Face cried aloud Rascal I 'll set a Mark on thee at least that I may hang thee at last But all that ever he could do could not inspire any Courage into his dispirited Countrymen and therefore being forced to yield to the Stream that carried him back to the rest of his Troops which yet stood firm With them and such of the rest as he could gather together he made a Retreat that wanted little of the Honour of a Victory However the natural Consequence of this Battle was the Surrender of St. Omer and the Cittadel of Cambray which happened about the 20th of Apr. and a more eager Desire in the Dutch Provinces after the Conclusion of a Peace seeing they had been left alone by the Spaniards in this Brunt and that they conceived no great Hopes of the Conference that had been held at Wesel between the Elector of Brandenburg the Danish Embassador Pensionary Fagel Admiral Van Trump the Envoys of the Electors of Cologn Treves Palatine of the Princes of Brunswick and Bishop of Munster besides the Duke of Newbourg who was there in Person concerning the Operations of the Campagne on the German side However France observing every Motion both of her Friends and Enemies and more particularly the Temper of the English Parliament who were mightily allarm'd with the Progress of her Arms and had Addressed the King to concert Measures for the Preservation of Flanders had so much regard to the Jealousies raised both in England and Holland of their designing an entire Conquest of the rest of Flanders that the King after having gained those three important Frontier Towns so early in the Spring and dispersed his Army into Quarters of Refreshment went to Dunkirk from whence he sent the Duke of Câequi to Compliment Charles II. and to carry him a Letter containing in substance That tho' his willingness to come to a Peace did not at all promote the Conclusion thereof yet he was ready amidst the Prosperities wherewith Heaven was pleased to favour him to agree to a General Truce for some Years as the surest means of restoring Tranquility to Europe in case his Ally the King of Sweden was of the same Mind And seeing he could have no free Correspondence with that King he pray'd his Britannick Majesty to inform himself of his Intentions not doubting but he was sufficiently perswaded of the sincere Desire he had to second the good Offices of his Mediation yea and to contribute all that in him lay for the procuring a General Peace tho' he might have Ground to expect considerable Advantages from his Armies There were various Constructions made of this Letter and it was generally believed to have been a Politick Fetch of the French King to put the King of England upon waving the Declaration which his Parliament so urgently sollicited and Monsieur Beverning the Dutch Plenipotentiary who was the most forward of any for a Peace yet resented it to that degree that he said openly the French were to be commended who never neglected any thing of Importance nor so much as Amusement That France had given her Blow and would now hinder the Allies to give theirs That the Reserve of Sweden's Consent would be always a sure Pretence of staving off the Propositions of a Truce if the Allies should accept it That this it self could not be done because Flanders would be left so open as to be easily swallowed up by the next Invasion having now no Frontier on either side That the Towns now possess'd by France would in the time of a Truce grow absolutely French and so be the harder to be restored by a Peace or a War That for his part he desired to see the Peace concluded contrary to the Politicks of Monsieur Van Benningham and the other Ministers of the Allies in England affirming always That notwithstanding all their Intelligences and Intrigues there he was well assured That the King of England would not enter into the War to save the last Town in Flanders In pursuance of this Confidence of his he made all the Paces imaginable to compleat the Work and such as were thought by some to be forwarder than his Commission and very ill concerted with those of his Allies So that about the beginning of the Month of July all Points were adjusted between the French and Dutch and Monsieur Beverning began to play the part of something more than a Mediator pressing on his Allies towards a Peace in a somewhat rough manner tho' but with very small effect for there was little more done of any moment towards it the rest of this Summer save the Messages that were carried to and fro about the Business of the Duke of Lorrain
whose Cause the whole Body of the Allies interested themselves in so far as to press for an Answer to his Pretensions delivered in by President Canon But the French finding now that their former Exception of his wanting a Minister at the Congress would not do raised another to stave off the foresaid Instances and declared They could give no Answer about Lorrain till the Bishop of Strasburg's Agents were received by the Allies Upon this the Emperor made an invincible Difficulty declaring He would never treat with a Vassal of his own and in these Conferences about Lorrain the French Embassadors began to insinuate to the Mediators That their Master never intended that Matter to be treated as a Principal but only as an Accessary to the Treaty As they did also shew themselves positive in having full Satisfaction and Restitution made to the Swedes before they would conclude the Peace It was believed since it was much discoursed of that there was a new Alliance entred into between those two Crowns at Paris and that it was by Concert between them that this Attenite was given by the Swedes to the Congress Neither was there any Decisive Action in the course of the rest of this Campagne which was ended in Flanders by a successless Attempt made by the Prince of Orange to surprize Charleroy And if on the German side the French thought they had the Advantage by taking of Fribourg in Octob. this Year by a Feint of the Mareschal de Crequi before the Duke of Lorrain could come up to relieve it the City of Stetin's falling into the Hands of the Duke of Brandenburg this same Month after a most vigorous Resistance of its Garrison left the Scales even as they were before between the two Leagues The Campagne being ended as aforesaid the Prince of Orange who had long desired to take a Tour into England and had to that purpose the June before sent Monsieur Bentink over to make way with the King for such a Journey who at length granted him leave tho' with great Indifferency and Difficulty enough did upon the 9th of Octob. Land at Harwich and rid Post from thence to New-Market where the Court then was and where he industriously declined to enter upon any Conferences about the Peace or War as being resolved first to see the Young Princess which made the King to humour him leave that place sooner by some Days than he designed The Prince upon his Arrival in Town had no sooner set sight on that Incomparable Princess our late Sovereign Lady but he was so pleased with her Person and all those Signs of such an Humour as had been before described unto him that he immediately made his Suit both to the King and Duke which was very well received and assented to but upon Condition That the Terms of the Peace abroad might be first agreed on between them which after many Contestations on both sides the Prince would ne'er agree to saying The World would believe he had made that Match for himself at their Costâ and that he would never sacrifice his Honour to his Love He grew at last to be so sullen upon the matter that he desired a Friend to tell the King That he designed to stay but two Days longer in England if things continued still on the same Foot That it repented him he had ever come over And that the King must choose how they were to live hereafter for he was sure it must be either like the greatest Friends or the greatest Enemies This so wrought upon the King who at the same time expressed the great Opinion he had of the Prince's Honesty that he ordered Sir William Temple the Messenger to go immediately to carry hâm the News That he should have his Wife Accordingly the Match was declared that Evening at the Committee before any other in Court knew any thing of it The Marriage was no sooner consummated but they very quickly fell into Debate upon the Terms of the Peace and had various Discourses of the Ambition of France the Necessity of a good Frontier to Flanders and it was at last agreed upon these Terms That all should be restored by France to the Emperor and Empire that had been taken in the War the Dutchy of Lorrain to that Duke and all on both sides between France and Holland and to Spain the Towns of Aeth Oudenard Courtray Tournay Conde Valenciennes St. Gillaine and Bince That the Prince should endeavour to procure the Consent of Spain and the King that of France To this Purpose he was to dispatch away a Person immediately over with the Proposition who should be instructed to enter into no Reasonings upon it but demand a positive Answer in Two Days and then forthwith return and my Lord Duras a Favourite of the Duke's was at last the Person pitched upon and sent But he after the Delivery of his Message was prevailed with to stay longer than his time and after all came away without any positive Answer From which manner of Procedure we may discover foul Prevarication somewhere and so the Business came to be drawn out into so many Messages and Returns from France that at last it dwindled into nothing especially after the Departure of the Prince for Holland who had spirited the Vigour of the whole Resolution which Departure happened to be with his Princess on the 21st of Nov. However the News of the Match had got to Nimeguen some time before and if the Confederates did before this begin to hope more than ever that it would not be long before England declared in their Favours they made no doubt of it now But it had quite another Effect in Holland especially at Amsterdam where the French Emissaries found the Secret of raising Jealousies of the Measures taken between the King and Prince upon this new Alliance as dangerous to the Liberty of their Country and to make it there believed that by the Match the King and Duke had wholly brought over the Prince into their Interest and Sentiments whereas the Prince went indeed away possess'd of having drawn them into his tho' they were all equally mistaken But how different soever their Apprehensions abroad might be of Things the King in England quite receded from his Engagements to the Prince of entring into the War with all the Confederates in case of no direct and immediate Answer from France upon the Terms of the Peace and contented himself to send Mr. Thynne over into Holland with a Draught of an Alliance to be made with the Dutch in order to force France and Spain into a Compliance with the Propositions agreed on year 1678 and to consign the same into the Hands of Mr. Hyde then at the Hague which was done and the Treaty Signed on the 16th of Jan. tho' not without great Difficulties and much Dissatisfaction on the part of the Prince of Orange who was yet covered in it by the private Consent of the Spanish Minister there in behalf of his
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 France to Metz Brisac and Franche Compte upon Condition nevertheless that to make him some Compensation for the Town of Nancy his Majesty shall restore to him that of Toul considerable for its Extent and Situation and much more in respect for its Bishoprick His Majesty demands likewise That Long-Wic and its Provostship be quitted to him but offereth withal to recompense the Prince of Lorrain with another Provostship of equal Value of one of 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 they may be imparted to the Assembly at Nimeguen and that his own Plenipotentiaries propose them to the Consideration of the rest as containing the lowest Conditions he can admit and upon which his Enemies may make Choice either of War or Peace Given at St. Germains the 9th of Apr. 1678. The Imperialists of all others seemed the least inclinable to yield to the foregoing Conditions and the Strain of requiring full Satisfaction to Sweden was insupportable to the Northern Princes yea the Spaniards and other Confederates looked upon them so hard that they said They would hazard all rather than accept of them Tho' after all those Articles that concerned Holland and Spain having been before privately agreed upon with some Leaders of the principal Towns they proved the Plan of the Peace both for Holland and all the other Confederates engaged in the War Yet when the French Embassadors carried these Conditions to Sir Lionel Jenkins then sole Mediator in order to be communicated by him to the Confederates he made Answer He could not do it as a Mediator but that he would atquaint the Parties with them in Discourse as a matter to which he promised no Answer and this he did because of the other Terms that had been agreed on between England and Holland for forcing of France to a Compliance on the 10th of Jan. foregoing which tho' they proved to be of little use in the Course of this Peace yet they had one good Effect upon the Affairs of Spain and this was That notwithstanding all the French Intriguing in England and Holland the Fears they had that the King at length might be in earnest and punctually perform the Conditions of this League and well knowing that if it came to that they should have occasion for all the Force they could make and perhaps find all little enough they abandoned Messina and all their Conquests in Sicily and that at a time when every body thought the Mareschal de Fevillade had been sent into that Kingdom with fresh Forces upon the Design of some new Enterprize Whereas indeed he went thither to fetch off the French Troops that were there which he did after he had first declared to the Senate the King's Orders and the present Necessity of them and with whom a vast Number of the Messines who dreaded the certain Revenge of the Spaniards took also the Opportunity to retire But that the French might stave off the Blow from England if possible they at length bethought themselves of a Srratagem that had more charming Obligations in it than any other made with the Prince of Orange when in England or with the States-General afterwards and that was an Offer of Money For you must know Mr. Montague the King's Embassador at Paris after a long Conference with M. Louvois by his Master's Orders wherein the Latter represented to him the Measures that had been already concerted for a Peace upon the French Terms in Holland and that since they were agreed there it was hoped his Britannick Majesty would not be against it but that however he had Orders to make him a Tender of a great Sum of Money for his Consent tho' a thing already accepted by the Dutch and wherein his Majesty consequently was not concerned was desired to give the then Lord Treasurer of England an Account hereof by a Packet which Offer tho' very relishing at any time with the Humour of our Court yet the violent Dispositions of the Dutch to run into the Peace at this time whatever came of it and such a fatal and mutual Distrust as there was both in Court and Parliament that it was very difficult to fall into any sound Measures between them made the King look upon it as a very profitable Proposal saying That since the Dutch would have a Peace upon the French Terms and that France offered him Money for his Approbation of that he could not help he knew no Reason why he might not get the Money and so required Sir William Temple to treat with the French Embassador about it But that Gentleman had more Honour and Honesty than to engage in so dishonourable a Thing and did thereupon retire from Court You have heard before that the 10th of May was the time limited by the French Project of Peace for the Allies to accept of the Terms or no and to which they appeared positively engaged but there being a Necessity of somewhat a greater Confidence between the Dutch and French upon this Occasion least such a Sâiffneâs might produce that Alteration in the Pace of Affairs at the Expiration of the Term that might prove a Disadvantage to one or the other side the Heer Beverning sent secretly to acquaint the French Embassadors That the States did accept of the King's Offer However that he might not by such a Pace allarm the Allies he gave the Count d' Avaux also notice That he was very desirous to discourse with him in private and for that end would fetch a Walk alone upon the Ramparts of the Town about 7 in the Morning where they met accordingly and between whom all Matters were in a manner fully concluded The Consequence thereof was the granting of Ten Days longer for the Dutch to endeavour to perswade their Allies to accept of the Conditions proposed as themselves had done In this time the Estates received a Letter from the French King from his Camp at Deinse wherein he made some further Concessions
and invited them to send Deputies to him at Ghent But because the Reader will be better pleased to peruse the Letter it self I shall here insert it DEINSE the 18th of May 1678. Most dear great Friends Allies and Confederates OVT of the sincere Affection which we have always born to the the promoting the Peace of Europe we are very much satisfied 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 Embassadors 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 Satisfaction to our selves that we confirm the same unto you by this Letter that 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 7th Article of the Treaty of Commerce which has been debated at Nimeguen between our Embassadors and yours and Trouble of Mind lest we should make an entire Conquest of the Low-Countries in case Spain should reject the Terms we have offered we are willing to impart our Thoughts unto you upon these two Points We cannot do it more favourably as to the 1st of them than by granting that the 7th Article should be as your selves desire it and in taking such Measures with you upon the 24 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 reddy for your sake 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 Attack any one Place in all those Provinces Thus ye shall always find us reddily inclined not only to form that Barrier 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 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 great dear Friends Allies and Confederates into his Holy Protection Your good Friend Ally and Confederate LOVIS Underneath was Signed Arnauld The States after 4 Days Consultation did on the 25th of the same Month send a Letter in Answer to the King 's by a Trumpeter of their own to his Camp and after having complimented him upon the Honour he had done them by writing to them and rejoiced at the sincere Desire they conceived to be in his Majesty for the Peace of Europe They pray'd he would be pleased to give Credit to the Heer Van Beverning their Extraordinary Embassador whom they would send to him to inform him how desirous they were on their part to give him fresh Assurances of their sincere Intentions also for Peace Beverning attended upon the French King accordingly and concerted Measures so well that he obtained a Cessation of Arms for 6 Weeks in Flanders to the end the Dutch might endeavour to get the Spaniards to enter into the Peace upon the Terms they proposed for them which Truce extended it self to the 15th of Aug. following and upon his return he told his Masters whether really or designedly is a Question That he found the French King as well informed of the Condition of his Enemies and of the Places he might attack as he was of his own Affairs England in the mean time was grown pretty indifferent in the Matter of the Peace and Spain seemed well inclined to accept her part of it But the Emperor King of Denmark and Elector of Brandenburg fell into the highest Declarations and Reproaches against the States that could well be invented ripping up all they had ventured and suffered in a War wherein they had engaged for the sole Preservation of Holland But that now they were abandoned by them under a Pretence of concluding a Peace and that upon imperious and arbitrary Terms for them without then Consent That they were not backward to treat with France and make a Peace upon any safe and equitable Conditions but would never endure to have them imposed as from an absolute Conqueror and would rather venture and expose all than accept them especially those for the Duke of Lorrdin whose Case was the worst treated tho' seemingly the most favoured by the Confederates and the least contested by France Yet for all these Storms from their Allies the States were little moved but held on their Course having little Regard to the Satisfaction of any other than Spain in what concerned the Safety of Flanders and the Necessities of that Crown made them easie tho' as little pleased as the rest Wherefore on June 22. they sent their Embassadors Orders to Sign the Peace with France before the End of the Month And the very same Day wrote to the French King by the Sieur Lanoy one of their Officers who passed thro' the Camp and delivered a Letter from them to the Mareschal de Luxemburg whereby they acquainted him That they had given the foresaid Orders to their Embassadors at Nimeguen about Signing the Peace and at the same time communicated to him the Sence of the Letter they wrote to his Majesty But notwithstanding all this Tendency both in Spain and Holland to give the finishing Stroke yet an unforeseen Accident fell out which had like to have overturned the whole Fabrick and renew the War with greater Vigour and more equal Forces by engaging England in a Share of it in Favour of the Confederates which they had been long practising without any Success and were quite out of Hopes thereof For in the Conditions which the Dutch had made for the French restoring the 6 Towns in Flanders to the Spaniard there was no particular Mention made of the Time of that Restitution the Dutch understanding as well as the Spaniards that it was to be upon
the Ratifications of the Peace with Spain and Holland whether any other of the Allies on each side were included or no And the Negotiation had been managed in that manner till the very Day before the Treaty was to be Signed without any apparent Thoughts of a clear Explanation of the Points when the Marquess de les Balbases having either found or made some occasion of enquiring more particularly into the Intentions of France concerning it bethought himself of an Explanation as to the Time of the Restitution of the said Places And in order thereunto went first to the Dutch Embassadors to sound their Opinions upon that Snbject who made Answer That if the French pretended to delay the Restitution beyond the Exchange of the Ratifications it was a Thing not meant by them And thereupon going immediately to the French Embassadors to give them their Explications which they would send to the States-General by an âxpress The latter made no Difficulty of declaring That the King their Master being obliged to see an entire Restitution made to the Swedes of all they had lost in the War could not evacuate the Towns in Flanders till those to the Swedes were likewise restored and that this Detention of Places was the only Means to induce the Princes of the North to accept of the Peace without demanding that the same Powers who only accepted the Conditions of the Peace That they might as soon as they could disingage themselves from the Misfortunes of the War should engage any other Means for procuring that Satisfaction The Dutch Embassadors having received the States Answer hereupon did June 25. declare to those of France That they could not Sign the Peace without the King did remit his Pretensions and evacuate the Towns upon the Ratifications of the Treaty But the French Embassadors on the other side were firm and said Their Orders were to insist upon the Satisfaction of the Swedes This strange Procedure of theirs made the States send to Monsieur Van Lewen at London to acquaint the King with it and to know his Resolution upon so momentous a Point who was at first hard to believe it but finding the same confirmed by the French Ambassador he was surprized and angry and thereupon sent Sir William Temple into Holland with a Commission to Sign a Treaty with the States by which they should be obliged to carry on the War and he to enter into it in case France did not consent within a certain Time limited to evacuate the Towns which Treaty after he had once fallen into the Negotiation he concluded happily in the Space of 6 Days and the Particulars whereof because I never saw them yet in English and that they may give some Light to this Affair I shall here insert HAGUE July 26. 1678. AS the States-General of the Vnited Provinces after having declared by their Letters to the most Christian King That they consented to the Conditions of Peace as far as in them lay which he had offered them and that his Catholick Majesty who was also of the same Sentiment was willing on his part so far as it regarded him to embrace the same Treaty and having upon that Head used all the Facility that could be and to that End ordered his Embassadors at Nimeguen to set their Hands to those Conditions so far as it related to them as well as the other Allies who were also willing to be comprehended therein have nevertheless understood with much Concern of Mind that the Ministers of France have opposed the same and refused the Restitution of the Places which belonged to Spain and the States without they would first and for the Satisfaction of Sweden restore also those Places which had been taken from them during the Course of the War This so unexpected a Change having obliged the States to believe That Pretensions so ill grounded were rather an Effect of the Repugnancy that might be in the Plenipotentiaries than the real Intentions of his Majesty who had otherwise explained himself and as the said States did besides inform his Majesty of Great Britain of the Essential Point that obstructed that important Negotiation praying him to support so just a Cause and to endeavour to obtain of his most Christian Majesty all that might remove the Obstacles which retarded that Work And adding withal That if his Endeavours should prove fruitless in so just a Work he would be pleased to protect and assist them with all his Forces and that his Majesty did thereupon re-assure them that the Peace was neither just nor feasible upon those Conditions and gave them his Promise That he would defend them if the most Christian King refused it under any Pretence whatsoever Upon that the States gave Orders to their Plenipotentiaries to desire those of France That without making those exorbitant Demands or insisting upon Satisfaction to Sweden they would forthwith conclude and sign the Treaty which they were also ready to do in the Name of the States if his Majesty after the Ratification and Publishing of the Peace would give up unto them all those Places without precending any Restitution to the Swedes of what they had lost since the War With this View and in order to prevent those dangerous Consequences that may arise from such Delay it is agreed between his Britannick Majesty and the States That if their Offices and Endeavours do not surmount these Remora's and if they cannot get the most Christian King to declare before the 11th of Aug. that he will really restore those Places after the Ratification and Publishing of the said Treaty without any further insisting upon these Pretensions of the Swede by a speedy Evacuation of those that ought to be restored by Virtue of that Peace It is then agreed and these Two Powers do agree to declare War against France and to compel her thereto with their joint Forces according to the Conditions stipulated underneath or such as shall be hereafter established between them or with other Princes who shall enter into this Engagement And as his most Christian Majesty hath often declared to his Britannick Majesty as a common Mediator between the Parties in Difference That he would readily embrace a Peace that could be made upon reasonable Terms yet his good Offices and Hopes have not been able to produce the Fruits wished for through the new Pretensions that have been continually raised His said Majesty and the States-General assembled July 26. 1678. believing and being perswaded that Repose cannot be given to Christendom if the Princes who are in War should accept of those Conditions and if as to what concerns Spain and France the latter do not render to the other Charleroy Aeth Audenard Courtray Tournay Conde Valenciennes St. Gistain Binch the Dutchy of Limbourg c. with their Bailywicks Chatellines Governments Provostships Appurtenances and Dependances so as to restore them and put them into the Hands of Spain And as for what concerns the Emperor the Empire and its
Princes that France shall give up to them all that she has taken from them at present and that the rest remain as it was before the War That Lorrain be restored to the Duke of that Name in the State it is in now or if that cannot be done in the State it was when seized by France his Majesty and the States mutually and really obliging themselves to the Observation of this Point I. His said Majesty and the Lords the States-General promise to do their utmost and if it may be to use all sorts of Means to constrain the most Christian King to give Satisfaction in these Terms without being at Liberty to make a Peace with him if he do not give his Consent to them or to some others as shall be agreed on between his Majesty and the States according to the Success of the War II. His Majesty and the States-General do engage themselves further for the obliging France to consent to these Conditions or to such as the Princes concerned shall find convenient and in short for bringing of that Crown to comply with it that his Majesty shall furnish One Third more by Sea and a Third less by Land in the Low-Countries than the Lords the States all by a Provisionary Way till it be otherwise provided by the Allies III. It is also stipulated That if his Majesty of Great Britain and the most Christian King make War upon one another one of the Confederates cannot separate from the other by any particular Treaty without that other's Consent IV. But if the Negotiation of the Peace which is held at Nimeguen comes to be broke up and that the Parties should agree upon any other Place to treat of it or of a Truce that cannot be done without the Consent or Agreement of the other Allies and without at the same time one of the Parties in the Confederacy procure also to the other the necessary Pasports to pass freely and without Danger to the Place appointed for the Treaty where he ought also to communicate to him all that passeth in that Negotiation And in the mean time they shall not have Power to consent to any Peace or Truâe but according to the Conditions stipulated by the 1st Article or such other as they shall agree upon and without his Aây be re-established in the full and entire Possession of all the Lands Towns Places and Immunities which he enjoyed at the Signing of this Treaty in Europe if it be not otherwise agreed on between his Majesty and the States V. But if the Peace in Hand terminate happily between the most Christian King on the one Hand and his Catholick Majesty and the States General on the other whether by the Propositions which France hath made her self or by such other as they can agree to his Britannick Majesty and the States will not only be Guarrantee in the best and surest Form that may be but also its free for other Kings and neighbouring Princes who shall have any Interest in the Repose of Christendom and the immutable Tranquility of the Low-Countries to be so 'T is with this View that his said Majesty and the States would agree upon the Troops and Means that are necessary to bring the Party who shall violate the Peace to make Satisfaction for the Damages he shall do another any manner of way VI. These Articles and the full Contents of them are to be Signed and Ratified within 3 Weeks or sooner if it may be and the Ratifications exchanged at the same time Given at the Hague the 26 th of July 1678. Signed W. Van Henkelom de Van Wiugaerden Fagel D. Van Heyden Van Leewen J. de Maregnault Jean Baron de Reed A. ter Borght Temple After the Treaty had been thus concluded and signified to France all the Artifice that could be was used on that side to elude it by drawing the matter into a Treaty or at least a greater length which had succeeded so well in England that they offered to treat upon it at St. Quintin then at Ghent where the French King himself proposed to meet such Embassadors as the Dutch should send into either of them Towns But the States were stanch not to recede from their late Treaty and continued in that Mood till about 5 Days before the Expiration of the time then came one De Cross from England with a Packet for Sir William Temple commanding him to go forth with to Nimeguen and there to endeavour from the King to perswade the Swedish Embassadors to let the French know That for the Repose of Christendom they did not any longer desire the French King to insist upon the Detention of the Towns and consequently hinder the Peace upon the sole Regard and Interest of the Crown of Sweden and to assure them that after the Conclusion of the Peace the King would employ all his Endeavours that the Towns and Countries which their Master had lost in the War should be restored unto them How this Dispatch of Du Cross was gained was never known but 't is sufficient to believe that France had the greatest Hand in it since 't was transacted all one Morning in Portsmouth's Apartment by the intervention and pursuit of Barillon the French Embassador Yet for all this when Sir William Temple arrived at Nimeguen which was but 3 Days before the Expiration of the Term fix'd by the late Treaty between our King and the States either for the French to evacuate the Towns or for carrying on the War conjointly against France there was but little Disposition that the Peace would be Signed but rather the quite contrary appeared by the Stiffness shewed on both sides to adhere firmly to their respective Demands And the Dutch Embassadors remained peremptory That there could be no Deputation for the securing of the future Satisfaction of Sweden as the French demanded before the Term expired and no other Remedy upon that but that the War must go on With this View and Expectation all the Parties seemed to be when the fatal Day came wherein either a suddain Peace or a long and bloody War was to be reckoned on in Christendom on the Morning whereof Monsieur Boreel who had been sent from Amsterdam to the Dutch Embassadors at Nimeguen went to the French Embassadors and after some Conference with them they immediately went to those of Holland and declared they had received Orders from their Master to consent to the Evacuation of the Towns and thereupon to Sign the Peace but that it must be done that Morning At this the Dutch seemed to be surprized but immediately entred into a Conference with them thereupon which lasted for 5 Hours and ended in an Agreement upon all Points both of Peace and Commerce between France and Holland It was certainly thought the French Embassadors had received no Power to Sign the Peace and 't was said Sir William Temple himself did advise those of Holland to press them to it out of a real Belief as well as the
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 Britain who during these troublesom Times wherein 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 States-General as also all other the Princes and Potentates 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 Embassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries the Sieur Comte d'Estrades Mareschal of France and Knight of his Orders the Sieur Colbert Knight Marquess of Croissi Counsellor in ordinary in his Council of State and the Sieur Mesmes Knight Comte d'Avaux Counsellor also in his Councils and the said States-General the Heer Hierosme Van Beverning Baron of Teylingen Curator of the University of Leyden late Counsellor and Treasurer-General of the Vnited-Provinces Heer Van Odyle Cortgene and first Noble and Representative of the Nobility in the States and Council of Zealand and the Heer Willem Van Haren Griedtman Van Bildt Deputies in their Assemblies on the behalf of the States of Holland and Zealand c. Which Embassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries duly 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 Vnited-Provinces of the Low-Countries 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 Countries Lands Provinces and Seigniories and for all their Subjects and Inhabitants of what Quality or Condition soever without exception of Places or Persons II. And if any Prizes are taken on either side in the Baltick-Sea or the North-Sea from Terneuse to the Channel 's Mouth within the space of 4 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 Mediterranean-Sea and as far as the Aequinoctial within the space of 10 Weeks and beyond the Line and in all Parts of the World within the space of 8 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 prefix'd shall be brought to Account and whatever shall have been taken shall be restor'd with Recompense for the Damages that shall have happened 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 Damages that have been received either in Time past or by reason of the said Wars IV. And in Virtue 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 and 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 Virtue 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 or 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 License so to do And likewise the Proprietors of such Rents as shall be settled by the Exchequer in lieu of Goods sold as also of such Rents and Actions as stand on Charge in the Exchequer 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'Avergne Colonel-General of the Light-Horse of France that were under the Power of the said States-General of the Vnited-Provinces have been seized and confiscated by reason of the War to which the present Treaty ought to put an happy End it is agreed That the said Sieur Comte d'Auvergne shall be restored to the Possession of the said Marquisare of Bergenopzome its 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 Countries 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 thereof upon this Occasion will immediately after the Exchange of the Ratifications put them into Possession of the Town of Maestricht with the Comte of Vronof and the Comtez and Countries of âauquemond 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 whatever
Points and Articles therein contained and declared have for our Selves our Heirs Successors Kingdoms Countries 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 mortgage 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 Aug. 18. in the Year of Grace 1678. and of our Reign the 36th Signed Lewis By the King And underneath Arnauld The ARTICLE concerning the Prince of Orange AS in pursuance of the War which for some Years has happened betwixt the most Christian King and the States-General of the Vnited-Provinces of the Low-Countries 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' Auvergne who enjoys the same at present and since by the Grace of God a Peace is settled 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 Seisure 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 Countries depending upon his Majesty's Rule and to all his Rights Actions Privileges 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 Aug. 10. in the Year of our Lord 1678. Marshal D'Estrades Colbert De Mesmes H. Beverning W. de Nassaw W. Haren WE well liking the separate Article aforesaid in all and 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 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 therto Given at St. Germain in Laye Aug. 18. in the Year of Grace 1678. and of our Reign the 36th Signed Lewis By the King And underneath Arnauld The Day after the Signing of this Peace came over the Ratification of the late Treaty between the King and States with Orders to Sir Will. Temple to proceed forthwith to see the Exchange of them which he did accordingly tho' after the Counter-pace made by the Dispatch sent by De Cross and the Consequences of it the same seemed now as unnecessary as it had been at first unresolved at the English Court and unexpected by the Dutch who many of them now were as unsatisfied with the Peace and especially with the Precipitation of Monsieur Beverning to Sign it upon the sudden Offer of the French Ministers to evacuate the Towns and before he had acquainted the States with it and received new Orders thereupon as the generality of that Nation were weary of the War but the Thing was done and after some Contestation the City of Amsterdam declaring her Approbation of it the rest of the Provinces came soon to acquiesce also in the same But while these Matters were transacted in the Cabinet there was a Work of another nature undertaken in the Field Mons had been straitly Blocked up for some time by the French Army under the Command of the Duke of Luxemburg who was so confident of the good Posture he was in that he sent the Mareschal d' Estrades one of the French Plenipotentiaries at Nimeguen word He was so Posted that if he had but 10000 Men and the Prince of Orange 40000 yet he was sure he could not be Forced whereas he took his Army to be stronger than that of the Prince But the Prince for all that and in spight of many Disadvantages from an Army drawn so suddenly together so hasty a March as that of the Dutch and Posts taken with so much Force and Fortified with so much Industry did upon Sunday the 17th of Aug. in the Morning Decampt with his own and the Confederate Armies from Soignes marched towards Roches and from thence resolved to advance towards the Enemy whose Right Wing was Posted at the Abby of St. Dennis and the Left at Mamoy St. Pierre with such advantage of Situation that they were almost thought unaccessible for besides the Woods there was only a Precipice led to them and that by narrow Paths About 12 the Cannon began to play upon St. Dennis and the Prince went to Dinner in the open Field just as the Duke of Monmouth arrived in the Camp when Dinner was ended the Battalions under the direction of Count Waldeck began to act on the side of the Abby and about 3 in the Afternoon made their Attack the Prince himself being there present and that with extraordinary Bravery all the Regiments of his Left Wing seconding one another in excellent Order In the mean time the Spanish Troops under the Command of the Duke de Villa Hermosa acted on the side of Chasteau being assisted by the Prince's Guards who had the Van and the English and Scots Troops Commanded by the brave Earl of Ossory The Action lasted from 3 in the Afternoon till 9 at Night during which the Prince rid toward Chasteau where the Dispute was likewise very sharp the Guards behaving themselves with extraordinary Vigour and the Earl of Ossory with his Troops doing Wonders The Prince himself was Ingaged among the foremost of the French who on such an occasion were not well to be distinguished from the Confederate Troops and Monsieur Overkirk shot a French Commander who attackt his Highness At last after a great Slaughter on both sides the Confederates remained Masters of St. Dennis Abby having thought fit to quit the Post at Chasteau by reason of the great difficulty they found to second their Attacks on that side The Duke of Luxemburg finding how things went on his side thought fit to Retire in the Night leaving his Dead many Wounded his Tents c. behind him and the Prince next Morning went to view the Camp the Enemy had Abandoned taking up his Quarters at the Abby of St. Dennis where the Duke of Luxemburg had had his the Day before But Advice of Signing of the Peace coming to the Prince next Morning from the States hindred the prosecution of this Advantage which
very probably might have been as much Glorious to him in the Consequence as it was Honourable at the present according to the Confession of a brave Enemy that was in the Battle who said That he esteemed this the only Heroick Action that had been done in the whole Course or Progress of the War The Prince sent to give the Duke of Luxemburg notice of the Peace who thereupon desired an Interview with him which was agreed to and all things past with great Civilities on both sides the French crowding about a Young Prince that had made so much noise in the World and but the Day before given Life and Vigour to such a desperate Action as all Men esteemed this Battle of St. Dennis to be yet many Reflections were made upon it both by his Friends and Enemies some saying That he knew the Peace was Signed before the Fight began but that if it were true could not Prejudice him since he was not obliged to take notice of it till he received Advice from the States and that it was too great a venture both to himself and the States and too great a Sacrifice to his own Honour since it could be to no other Advantage others laid the blame upon the Marquess de Grana That he had Intercepted or Concealed the States Packet to the Prince but this was an uncertain Report However the Prince could not have ended the War with greater Glory and with more spight to see such a mighty occasion wrested out of his Hands by the sudden and unexpected Signing of the Peace which he had assured himself the States would not have consented to without the Spaniards But the Business was done and therefore he left the Army went first to the Hague then to Dieren to Hunt as having little else to do leaving the States at liberty to pursue their own paces as to the finishing of the Treaty between France and Spain wherein their Embassadors at Nimeguen imployed themselves with great Zeal and Application and no longer as Parties and Confederates but rather as Mediators the English declining that Function as being a Matter wherein our Court would take no part The Northern Confederates were still mightily chafed at the Dutch Proceedings and tho' with all their Remonstrances they were not able to stave off the Separate Peace of Holland yet they imployed their last Effort now to prevent the Spaniards agreeing to that part of the Peace as accepted for them by the Dutch and to that end exclaimed mightily against their Breach of Honour and Interest citing the very Articles of their Treaty with them for it and said That what was left the Spaniards in Flanders by those Terms was Indefensible and would serve but to exhaust their Men and Treasure to no purpose That France had no other Design than to break the present Confederacy by such Separate Treaties and so leave the Spaniards abandoned by all their Allies upon the next occasion which they could no less than expect if Spain should use them with as little regard of their Honour and Treaties as the Dutch Embassadors seemed to design these and especially some difficulties that did arise on the part of France about giving up the Country of Beaumont and the Town of Bovines to the Spaniards as being Matters not mentioned in the Dutch Treaty with the French upon the Score of Spain before the Peace was Signed made Matters very doubtful and uncertain whether the Dutch would Ratifie their Treaty or the Spaniards Sign theirs Whilst Mens minds were busied with various Conjectures and Presages upon the present Conjuncture about the middle of Aug. Mr. Hide was suddenly dispatcht over from England to the surprize even of all in Holland and more especially of our Embassador there who had not the least Intimation of it and if the Journey was surpriâing the Message was no less which is included in the following Memorial That his Majesty having understood that a Separate Treaty of Peace had been Concluded and Signed between the Most Christian King's Embassadors and those of this State he was extreamly surprized at the Manner of the Procedure of the the States Embassadors at Nimeguen and having seriously reflected thereon he hath commanded my Lord Embassador to hasten hither with all expedition in order to represent the same to the Lords the States that his Majesty cannot find there is any Declaration or Promise made by the Most Christian King for the Evacuating the Towns upon the Ratification of the Peace Signed at Nimeguen That in the next place there is no Article between the Most Christian King's Embassadors and those of this State to assure the said Evacuation Thirdly That France has retarded the said Evacuation by the new Proposals she has made to the Spaniards whereof there were no mention made in their own Propositions which had been accepted by Spain particularly by a Detention of some Places till Dinant were yielded up by the Empire and by keeping the County of Beaumont and Bovines with other Places of which there had been no mention made in the said Proposals And as it has been agreed upon in the last Treaty which was concluded and ratified between his Majesty and this State that in case his Most Christian Majesty did retard or retract from the said Evacuation whether upon account of procuring Satisfaction to the Swede or for any other Cause whatsoever that the King and this State were obliged to enter into a Conjoint War against France his Majesty does believe that the Substance of that Treaty is come to pass by the fore-mentioned Conditions and that his Majesty and this State were equally obliged to pursue the said Treaty and to give the said Embassador Orders to demand of this State the Execution of it And as his Majesty does not at all doubt but this State has the same Sentiments with himself in respect to the Mutual Obligation that lies upon them from the said Treaty he has commanded the said Embassador in his Name and on his part to assure them that if the Lords the States will refuse to Ratifie that which was Signed by their Embassadors at Nimeguen his Majesty 3 Days after such a Declaration shall be notified to him on the part of this State will declare actual War against France and punctually put in Execution all the Contents of his last Treaty with this State And his Majesty having taken into Consideration those Representations which have been made unto him on the part of this State concerning a Neutrality for Cleve and Juliers his Majesty is so sensible of the great Danger that may befal this State without a sufficient Barrier on that side as well as on that of Flanders that he has commanded the said Embassador to assure the Lords the States that he is ready to Concert with them and enter upon all the Measures that can be taken for their Security on that side as well as on the other and that it shall be their Fault if they
obtain not such Security When the Prince of Orange was made acquainted with this Procedure of England by Mr. Hyde who went on purpose to Hounslerdike to do it he was no sooner withdrawn but the Prince lift up his Hands two or three times and said to Sir William Temple then present Was ever any Thing so Hot and so Cold as this Court of yours Will the King that is so often at Sea ever learn a Word that I shall never forget since my last Passage When in a great Storm the Captain was crying out to the Man at the Helm all Night Steddy Steddy Steddy If this Dispatch had come 20 Days ago it would have changed the Face of all Things in Christendom and the War might have been carried on till France had Yielded to the Treaty of the Pyrenees and left the World in Quiet for the rest of our Lives but it is my Opinion as it comes now it will have no Effect And indeed the Event proved answerable to the Prince's Judgment It s true all Appearances for the present seemed very different from both the Proceedings of the Dutch and Spaniards too whereof many of the Deputies of the former appear'd so ill satisfied with their Embassadors having Signed the Peace that they inclined to the King's Proposals and framed severral Articles against Monsieur Beverning's Proceedings the five Principal whereof were these First That in the Preface the French King seemed to be the Protector of the States Secondly That the Neutrality to which the States-General were engaged by that Treaty was indefinite and by consequence might be extended beyond the present War Thirdly That he had exceeded his Commission in having obliged the States to warrant the Neutrality of Spain Fourthly That he had omitted an Article of Amnesty and Oblivion which ought mutually to be stipulated in all Treaties of Peace And Lastly That he had forgot to mention the Barrier which the French King granted to Spain in Consideration and for the Security of the States-General As for the Embassadors of the latter notwithstanding the French after several Debates and Conferences did demit in their Pretentions yet they raised new Scruples about the Castellany of Aeth and other Things their Confederates upon the Continent and the daily Transportation of English Forces into Flanders heightning their Stiffness as well as the Expectation they had of the States going on again with the War upon this new Turn of Things But after Matters had continued for about 3 Weeks in this uncertain State France thought the Conjuncture of too much Importance to let it hover so long and therefore first dispatch a Courier to their Embassadors at Nimeguen with leave to satisfie the States as to those Clauses in their Treaty wherein they seem'd justly to except against Beverning's Conduct And therefore to cover the Credit of that Minister who had been so affectionate an Instrument in the Progress of it and so gradually softning their Rigour as to the remaining Points contested by the Spaniards they at last dispatch'd a Courier who brought Letters to Nimeguen on the 8th of Sept. impowering their Embassadors to remit all the Differences that obstructed or retarded the Conclusion of the Treaty between that Crown and Spain to the Determination and Arbitrage of the States themselves which was a piece of Confidence towards them on the part of France that several Towns and Provinces proceeded with a general Concurrence to their Ratifications that they might lie ready in their Embassador's Hands to be exchanged when the Treaty with Spain was Signed which was done on the 17th at the Dutch Embassadors House and wherein Sir Lionel Jenkins the Kings Mediator had no part and so the Designs of the Court of England were once more Eluded and Mr. Hyde had the Mortification to return re infecta This Treaty with Spain is very long and for that Reason I had Thoughts once to leave it quite out but considering the Treatise would have been imperfect without it and that a much better Estimate may be made by it of the present Posture of the Spanish Affairs upon the late Peace than otherwise could be done I have altered my Mind and given my Reader the Particulars The TREATY of PEACE betwixt France and Spain Concluded at Nimeguen Sept. 17. 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 XIV 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 II by the Grace of God Catholick King of Spain and his Allies on the other part their Majesties have desired nothing more vehemently than 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 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 Embassadors 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 Embassadors 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 Majesty's Orders the Sieur Colbert Knight Marquess of Croissy Councellor in Ordinary in his Council of State and the Sieur De Mesmes Knight Count De Avaux Councellor also in his Majesty's Councils and on the behalf of his Catholick Majesty the Sieur Don Pablo Spinola Doria Marquess de les Balbases Duke of Sesto Lord of Gminossa Casalnosetta and Ponteucrone Councellor in his Council of State and chief Protonotary in his Council of Italy Don Gaspard de Tebes and Cordova Tello Guzman Count de Venazuza Marquess de la Fuente Lord of Lerena of the House of Arrucas of the Isles of Guadalupa 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 Council of War and General of his Artillery Don Pedro Ronquillo Knight of the Order of Alcantara Councellor in his Council of Castile and of the Indies and Don John Baptisse Christin Knight Councellor in the high Council of Flanders near to his said Catholick Majesty's Person and one of his Council of State and of his Privy-Council in the Low-Countries by Virtue of 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 Condition 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 King their Children born to be born their Heirs Successors and Inheritors their Kingdoms Estates Countries 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 another's Damage II. In pursuance of this good Re-union the Cessation of all manner of Hostilities agreed on and Signed the 19th Day of Aug. 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 Cessation by taking of any Place or Places whether by Attack or Surprize 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 repaired on both sides without delay or difficulty by restoring to the full whatever shall have been taken and delivering the Prisoners without Ransom or paying of Charges in such way that all things be restored in such manner to the same condition they were in on the said 19th Day of Aug. when the said Cessation was agreed and Signed the Tenour whereof shall be observed till the Day of the Exchange of the Ratification 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 Fortresses of Aeth Oudernard and Courtray 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 Chappelle 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 tho' heretofore pretended to 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 Virtue of this present Treaty as shall be said hereafter V. The said Most Christian King obligeth himself and promiseth to put likewise into the Hands of the said Catholick King immâdiately upon the said Exchange of the Ratifications the City and Dutchy of Limburg together with all its Dependances the Country of Ontremeuse the City and Cittadel of Ghent with all its Dependances likewise the Fort of Rodenbus and the County of Waes the Town and Place of Leuve in Brabant together with its Dependances the Town and Place of St. Ghilain whose Fortifications nevertheless shall be rased and the âown of Pucierda in Catalonia in the Condition it now is with their Countries Places Castles Forts Lands Lordships Demesns Bailiffwicks Appurtenances Dependances and Annexations without reserving or detaining any thing therein to be possessed by his Catholick Majesty and his Successors in the same manner he enjoyed them before the present War VI. The said Places Towns and Places of Charleroy Binch Aeth Oudernard and Courtray their Bailifwicks Castellanies Governments Provostships Territories Demesns Lordships Appurtenances and Dependances and all thereunto annexed by what Name soever called with all the Men Vassals Subjects Towns Boroughs Villages Hamlets Forests Rivers Champain Countries and all other things whatsoever thereunto belonging shall remain by Virtue of this present Treaty of Peace to his Catholick Majesty his Heirs Successors and Assigns irrecoverably and for ever together with the same Rights of Sovereignty Propriety Regalities Guardianship and Jurisdiction Nomination Prerogatives and Preheminencies over the Bishopricks Cathedral Churches and Abbies Priories Dignities Curacies and all other Benefices whatsoever situate within the said Countries Places and Bailiffwicks so yielded up to whatsoever Abbies the said Priories do appertain and belong and all other Rights that heretofore belonged to the Most Christian King though not particularly here expressed so as his Catholick Majesty shall not be troubled or molested for the future by any means whatsoever in Right or in Deed by the said Most Christian King his Successors or any Princes of his Family or by any other or upon any Pretence or Occasion that may happen in the said Sovereignty Propriety Jurisdiction Appeal Possession and Enjoyment of all the said Countries Towns Places Castles Lands and Lordships Provostships Demesnes Castellanies and Bailiffwicks together with all the Places and other Things thereon depending And to this end the said Most Christian King as well for himself as for his Heirs Successors and Assigns doth renounce quit-claim yield and transfer as his said Plenipotentiaries in his Name by this present irrevocable Treaty of Peace have renounced quit-claimed yielded and transferred perpetually and for ever in favour and to the behoof of the said Catholick King his Heirs Successors and Assigns all the Rights Actions and Pretensions Rights of Regality Patronage Guardianship Jurisdiction Nomination Prerogatives and Preheminences over the Bishopricks Cathedral-Churches and all other Benefices whatsoever situate within the said Places and Bailiffwicks so yielded up to whatsoever Abbies the said Priories did appertain and belong and generally without any reservation or with-holding all other Rights whatsoever that the said Most Christian King his Heirs and Successors have and challenge or may have and challenge for any Cause or Reason
whatsoever over the said Countries Places Castles Forts Lands Lordships Demesnes Castellanies and Bailiffwicks and over all Places thereon depending as hath been said notwithstanding any Laws Customs and Constitutions to the contrary notwithstanding though confirm'd by Oath From all which and from the derogating Clauses of derogating Clauses it is expresly derogated by this present Treaty in order to the said Renunciations and Cessions which shall be valid and take place without that the Particular expressing or specification of any one shall derogate from the General nor the General from Particular and excluding for ever all Exceptions upon what Rights Titles Causes or Pretences whatsoever grounded And the said Most Christian King declareth consenteth willeth and intendeth That the Men Vassals and Subjects of the said Countries Towns and Lands yielded to the Crown of Spain as aforesaid shall be and remain discharg'd and absolv'd from this time forward and for ever from the Faith Homages Services and Oaths of Allegiance that they may have made to himself or the Most Christian Kings his Predecessors as also from all Obedience Subjection and Vassalage which they owe him by reason thereof it being the Intention of the said Most Christian King that the said Faith Homages and Oaths of Allegiance shall be void and of no force as fully as if they never had been made or taken VII The said Most Christian King shall also cause to be restor'd to the said Catholick King all the Towns Places Forts Castles and Posts that have or may have been seized by his Arms in whatsoever Parts of the World to the Day of the Publication of the Peace And in like manner his Catholick Majesty shall cause to be restor'd to his Most Christian Majesty whatever Places Forts Castles and Posts may have been seized by his Arms during the present War in any Parts of the World unto the Day of the Publication of the Peace VIII The Restitution of the said Places as aforesaid shall be made by the Most Christian King or his Ministers Really and Truly without any Delay or Difficulty for any Cause or upon any Occasion whatsoever to him or them that shall be deputed by the Catholick King in Time and Manner aforesaid in the Condition they now are without Demolishing Weakening Diminishing or Endammaging the âame in any sort and without pretending to or demanding any re-imbursement for fortifying the said Places or for paying what might be due to the Soldiers and People of War there IX It is further agreed That all Proceedings Judgments and Sentences given and made by the Judges and other the Officers of his Most Christian Majesty in such Towns and Places as his Majesty enjoy'd by Virtue of the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle and quitted as above to his Catholick Majesty or by the Parliament of Tournay by reason of Controversies and Suits at Law prosecuted as well by the Inhabitants of the said Towns and their Dependances as by others during the Time they were under the Obedience of the said Most Christian King shall take place and be of as full Force and Effect as if the said King continu'd Master and actually possess'd of the said Towns and Countries Nor shall the said Judgments and Sentences be called in question or annull'd nor the Execution thereof be otherwise retarded or hindred nevertheless it shall be lawful for the Parties to seek Relief by Review of the Cause and Course of Law and Order prescrib'd by the Statutes yet so as the Judgments shall in the mean time remain in full Force and Virtue though without Prejudice to what is stipulated in that respect in the 21th Article of this present Treaty X. Whereas his Most Christian Majesty's Ministers after the Peace of Aix la Chapelle maintain'd at the Conference at Lisle That the Sluces both on the West and East-side of the Town of Newport and the Fort Vierboet at the end of the Western Sluce near the Mouth of Newport-Haven and one part of the Fort of Nieuven Dam built upon the Eastern Sluce with the Piers of the said Haven being kept in Repair by those of Furnes were within the Territory and Jurisdiction of the Castellany of Furnes and that consequently they belonged to his Most Christian Majesty And his Catholick Majesty's Ministers held the contrary that they did not and whether they did or did not that it ought to suffice that since the said Fortifications were made as well with respect to the Castellany of Furnes as to the Town of Newport his Catholick Majesty being a Sovereign Prince might Incorporate and Appropriate the said Parts thereof to the Haven and Fortifications of Newport and by that means make them inseparable from that Town It is agreed That the said Sluces and other Parts of the Fortifications of Newport above-mentioned shall remain to his Catholick Majesty as well as the Town it self without any Pretensions ever to be made to the same by his Most Christian Majesty by reason of the Town and Castellany of Furnes being his or otherwise And for the Draining of the Waters of the Castellany of Furnes it shall be continued and his Catholick Majesty shall enjoy the same in Manner and Form as hath been used till now XI The said most Christian King shall retain continue seized of and actually enjoy the whole County of Burgundy commonly called the Franche Comte and the Towns Places and Countries thereto belonging together with the Town of Bezaâcon and the Liberties thereof and the Towns of Valenciennes and its Dependancies Bouchain and its Dependances Conde and its Dependances though heretofore pretended to be a Member of the Castellany of Aeth Cambray Cambresis Air St. Omer and their Dependances Ipre and its Castellany Warwick and Warneton upon the Lys Poperinghen Bailleul and Cassel with their Dependances Bavay and Maubeuge with their Dependances XII The said County of Burgundy the Towns Places and Countries thereto belonging together with the Town of Bezancon and the Liberties thereof as also the said Towns and Places of Valenciennes Bouchain Conde Cambray Aire St. Omer Ipres Warwik and Warneton Poperinghen Baileul Cassal Bavay and Maubeuge their Bailiffwicks Castellanies Governments Provostships and Territories Demesnes Lordships Appurtenances Dependances and all thereunto annexed by what Names soever called with all the Men Vassals Subjects Towns Boroughs Villages Hamlets Forests Rivers Plain-Countries Salt-Pits and all other Things whatsoever thereunto belonging shall remain by Virtue of the said present Treaty of Peace to his Most Christian Majesty his Heirs Successors and Assignes irrecoverably and for ever with the same Rights of Sovereignty Propriety Regality Patronage Guardianship and Jurisdiction Nomination Prerogative and Preheminence over Bishopricks Cathedral-Churches and other Abbies Priories Dignities Curacies and all other Benefices whatsoever within the Compass of the said Countries Places and Bailiffwicks so yielded up of what Abbies soever the said Priories hold Lands and have dependance upon and all other Rights that heretofore belonged to the Catholick King though not here
for the Carriage and Conveying away the said Artillery and Ammunition Also the Officers Souldiers and others that shall leave the said Places may take thence and carry away their moveable Goods but without exacting any thing from the Inhabitants of the said Places and of the Plain-Country or endamaging their âouses or taking away any Thing whatsoever belonging to the said Inhabitants XVIII The Levying of Contributions demanded on both sides in Countries now subjected thereunto shall continue for all that shall become due to the 16th of Octob. next and the Arrears that shall remain due at the time of the Ratification aforesaid shall be paid within 3 Months after the Expiration of the said Term and no Execution shall issue in the mean time against the Communion indebted provided they give good and solvent Bail of Persons residing in some Town within that King's Dominions to whom such Contributions shall be due XIX It is also agreed that the Most Christian King's Reception of the Profits whereof he is in possession within all the Countries that he gives back and restores to the said Catholick King shall continue to the Day of the actual Restitution of the Places to which such Countries do belong and what shall remain due at the time of the said Restitution shall be truly paid to the Farmers and also that within such time the Proprietors of Woods confiscated within the Dependences of the Places that are to be restored to his Catholick Majesty shall return to the Possession of their Estates and of all the Wood that shall be found upon the Place provided that from the Day of Signing this present Treaty all cutting of Wood shall cease on both sides XX. All Papers Letters and Writings concerning the Countries Lands and Lordships that are yielded and restored to the said Kings by this present Treaty of Peace shall be truly produced and delivered on both sides within 3 Months after the Ratifications of the present Treaty shall have been exchanged in what place soever such Papers and Writings are even those that were taken out of the Cittadel of Gendt and out of the Chamber of Accounts at Liste XXI All Subjects on both sides as well Ecclesiastical as Secular shall be settled in the Enjoyment as well of such Honours Dignities and Benefices as they were provided of before the War as of all and singular their Goods movable and immovable Estates for Life and Mortgages seized and possessed since the said time whether by reason of the War or for siding with the other Party together with all Rights Actions and Inheritances fallen to them even since the War began but not so as to demand or pretend to the mean Profits and Revenues accrued and grown due since the Seizure of such immovable Goods Rents and Benefices and before the Day of the Publication of this present Treaty XXII Nor likewise to such Debts Effects and Movables as shall have been confiscated before that Day so as neither the Creditors of such Debts or Depositaries of such Effects their Heirs nor Assigns may sue for or pretend to recover them Which Reestablishments in manner aforesaid shall be extended in favour of those that have taken the contrary part so as to restore them by means of this present Treaty to the Favour of their King and Sovereign Prince and the Possession of such of their Goods as shall be found in being at the Conclusion and Signing of this present Treaty XXIII And such Re-establishment of the Subjects on both sides according to the Contents of the 21th and 22th Articles shall take Effect notwithstanding any Gifts Grants Declarations Confiscations Forfeitures Sentences preparatory or definitive given for Contumacy in absence of the Parties or without hearing them all which Sentences and Judgments shall be void and of none effect as if they had not been given or pronounced and the Parties at liberty to return to the Countries from whence they departed personally to enjoy their immovable Goods Rents and Revenues or to settle their Aboads elsewhere wehre they will themselves at their own Choice and Election without being under any Constraint in that respect and if they shall chuse rather to live elsewhere they may depute and appoint such unsuspected Persons as they shall think fit for the Disposition and Enjoyment of their Goods Rents and Revenues but not with relation to Benefices requiring Residence which must be served and administred in Person XXIV Such as have been provided on either side of Benefices which were at the Collation Presentation or other Disposition of the said Kings or others whether Ecclesiasticks or Laicks or have Provisions from the Pope of any Benefices within the Obedience of either of the said Kings by whose Consent and Allowance they have enjoyed the same during the War shall continue in the Possession and Enjoyment of such Benefices for their Lives as well and duly thereof provided but without any future Prejudice to the Rights of the lawful Collators who shall enjoy and use the same as they did before the War XXV All Prelates Abbots Priors and other Ecclesiastical Persons that before or during the War have by the said Kings been nominated to Benefices or provided thereof which their Majesties were in Possession of a Power to provide or nominate before the Breach between the two Crowns shall be maintained in the Possession and Enjoyment of such Benefices without Disturbance for any Cause or upon any Pretence whatsoever And also in the free Enjoyment of all such Goods as shall be found to have anciently belonged thereunto and of the Right of Collating to the Benefices thereunto belonging wheresoever such Goods and Benefices are situated Provided always that such Benefices be supplied with Persons able and quality'd according to the Rules observ'd before this War So that hereafter no Administrators shall be sent on either side to govern the said Benefices and receive the Profits thereof which shall not be enjoyed but by Titularies lawfully provided And also all such Places as heretofore acknowledged the Jurisdiction of the said Prelates Abbots and Priors wheresoever situated shall acknowledge the same for the future if their Right appear to have been anciently settled although the said Places should fall out to be within the Extent of the other Princes Dominion or depend upon some Castellanies or Bayliffwicks belonging to the other Party XXVI It is Agreed and Declared That no part of the Pyrenean Treaty is hereby intended to be revoked but what concernâ Portugal with which the Catholick King is now at Peace nor any part of the Treaty of Aix la Chappelle but for so much as shall be otherwise disposed in this present Treaty by the yielding up of the Places aforesaid so as the Parties shall neither acquire any new Right nor incur any Prejudice to their respective Pretensions to any thing not expresly mentioned in this present Treaty and consequently whatever was stipulated by the Pyrenean Treaty concerning the Interest of the Duke of Savoy and
the Power of the late most Serene Infanta Catherina shall be observed without any hurt or prejudice by this particular Clause to the general Stipulation in this present Article concerning the Performance of the said Pyrenean Treaty and that of Aix la Chappelle XXVII Though their most Christian and Catholick Majesties contribute all their Cares towards the setling a General Peace and that so fair a Way towards it as that of a General Truce gives them Hopes that a Conclusion of whatever may secure the Quiet of Christendom will speedily ensue yet since the said most Christian King doth insist upon it that the Catholick King shall oblige himself not to assist any of the Princes that are now engag'd in War against France and its Allies his Catholick Majesty hath promised and doth promise to observe a perfect Neutrality during the Course of this War without being at Liberty to assist his Allies directly or indirectly against France or its Allies XXVIII And whereas their most Christian and Catholick Majesties do acknowledge the powerful Offices which the King of Great Britain has contributed without intermission by his Counsels and good Advertisements toward the Publick Safety and Repose it is agreed on both sides That his said Majesty of Great Britain and his Kingdoms shall be expresly comprehended in this present Treaty after the best Form that can be XXIX Within this Peace Alliance and Friendship on the part of his most Christian Majesty besides the King of Sweden together with the Duke of Holstein the Bishop of Strusburg and Prince William of Furstemburg as concern'd in the present War shall be comprehended if they please themselves all those that having refused to engage or declare themselves in this present War shall be nominated within 6 Months after the Exchange of the Ratifications XXX And on the one part of his Catholick Majesty shall likewise be comprehended if themselves please all such as having forborn to engage or declare themselves in the present War shall be nominated within 6 Months after the Exchange of the Ratifications and all others that after the said War ended shall likewise be nominated by his said Catholick Majesty XXXI The said most Christian and Catholick Kings do agree That all Potentates and Princes that shall be willing to enter into the like Obligation may give their Majesties their Promises and Engagements of Warranty as to the Execution of whatever is contain'd in this present Treaty XXXII And for the greater Security of this Treaty of Peace and of all the Points and Articles therein contained the said present Treaty shall be published attested and registred in the Court of the Parliament of Paris and in all other Parliaments of the Kingdom of France and in the Chamber of Accounts at Paris And also the said Treaty shall be published attested and registred as well in the Great and other Councils and Chambers of Account of the said Catholick King in the Low-Countries as in the other Councils of the Crowns of Castile and ââragon according to the Form contained in the Pyrenean Treaty of the Year 1659. of which Publications and Enrollment Exemplifications shall be delivered on both sides within 3 Months after the Publication of this present Treaty All which Points and Articles above expressed and the Contents of every of them have been Treated Agreed Passed and Stipulated between the said Embassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the said most Christian and Catholick Kings which Plenipotentiaries by Virtue of their Powers the Copies whereof are inserted at the bottom of this present Treaty have promised and do promise under the Obligation of all and every the Goods and Estates present and to come of the Kings their Masters that they shall inviolably be observed and fulfilled and that they will cause them to be ratified firmly and simply without addition of any thing thereunto and to produce the Ratifications thereof by Letters Authentick and Sealed wherein all this present Treaty shall be inserted verbatim within 6 Weeks to be accompted from the Day of the Date of this present Treaty or sooner if possible And the said Plenipotentiaries have promised and do promise in their said Kings Names that after the producing the said Letters of Ratifications the said Most Christian King as soon as possibly he can shall in the Presence of such Person or Persons as the Catholick King shall be pleased to depute swear solemnly upon the Cross the Gospel and Canons of the Mass and upon his Honour fully really and truly to observe and fulfil all the Articles contained in this present Treaty And the like shall be done as soon as possible by the said Catholick King in the Presence of such Person or Persons as the said Most Christian King shall be pleased to depute In witness or all which the said Plenipotentiaries have subscribed this present Treaty with their own Names and have caused their Seals of Arms to be set thereto Nimeguen the 17th of Sept. 1678. Le M. Dâ Estrades Colbert De Mesmes D' Avaux Pabla Spânola Doria Conde de Benazuza Marquesse de la Fuente Jean Baptiste Christin Thus you see France was left in Possession of the Peace with Holland and Spain and consequently Master of that of the Empire and of the North upon her own Terms and England left to busie it self about that Popish Fire that was breaking out at home the Stream whereof the Court perhaps designed to have diverted by a Foreign War in Conjunction with the Confederates against France on which they were now as eagerly bent as they seemed at any time before indifferent thereunto however of this we shall say nothing at present but prosecute in as concise a manner as we can the remaining Paces that were made together with the interâening Accidents that happened for putting an End to the rest of the War After tâe Peace with Spain was Signed and that with Holland Ratified tho' the Embassadors of the Emperor at Nimeguen were sullen and those of Denmark and Brandenburg enraged yet by the Application of the Dutch Embassadors the Conferences were set on foot between them and the French But how enraged soever the Northern Confederates seemed to be they were now more inclined than ever to consent to a Truce tho' to this the Swedes would not absolutely agree For Pomerania they would willingly accept it because they had reason to fear that the great Losses they had there sustained might be followed by more considerable ones but they were not for it in Schomen where their Affairs were in a better Posture by their taking of Christianstadt which at last after much Difficulty they diadâmade themselves Masters of However the Losses they sustained in Pomerania were of far greater Concern to them than all they pretended to gain elsewhere And notwithstanding the Death of the Bishop of Munster was a Mortification to the Confederates yet Denmark and Brandenburg go on vigorously with their Preparations against the Isle of Rugen and the Elector
Sweden two Days after The Danish Embassador was so enraged at this Peace that he scrupled not the Day after to express his Discontent publickly at the House of the Mareschal de Estrades saying and several times repeating the same That if the French King pleased he had sufficient Authority to conclude a League with him and to get it ratified by his Danish Majesty who would oblige himself to make War against the Emperor in what Manner and for as long a Time as his most Christian Majesty should desire him But this Heat blowing over and finding there was no reliance upon the Disputes that happened and Doubts that did arise between the Imperial and French Embassadors between the Signing and Ratifying the Treaty so as to hinder the Effect of the latter they began to think of another Way Wherefore M. de Meyeâkron the Danish Envoy at the Hague had upon a View and Foresight how Things were like to go some Time since made some distant Overtures to the French Minister there for an Accomodation but now he seemed to quicken his Pace and to appear very willing to have managed a Negotiation with the Count d' Avaux yet the Offers were still so general that they gave but little Ground for a positive Answer at leastwise the French Embassador would have it so And therefore he made Answer in the same Manner as the other French Embassadors had done at Nimeguen that in order to a more favourable Hearing the King of Denmark must begin by releasing the Swedish Soldiers who since the Time they were Shipwrack'd upon the Isle of Barnholm were not only detained Prisoners contrary to the Priviledges of the Passports which they had but likewise exposed to Violence which they daily suffered on Design to make them engage in the Danish Service or at leastwise forsake that of Sweden That the King of Denmark should by so doing purge himself of that Shipwrack which the French King was nevertheless inclined to attribute rather to Chance and the mistake of the Pilots than any premeditated Design but that in the mean time the Inhumane Manner of detaining and using those Forces could not but be thought very strange The Duke of Brandenburg also on his part being willing to neglect nothing that might procure him the desired Satisfaction had sometime since got leave for Mr Meinders his Envoy to go into France to ãâã what could be done on that side to bring things to an amicable Composure and somewhat in his Favour But finding Matters did not answer his Expectation he now endeavours to imbroil the Affairs of the Empire in the Treaty with France and Sweden by Virtue only of the Conclusion of the Diet at Ratisbon 13th May 1677 The Embassador of Brandenburg produced a Copy of it at Nimeguen with a new Protestation alledging That that Conclusion of the Empire was not conform to the Sense that was put upon it in the 36th Article of the Emperor's Treaty with France and in the 12th of that of the Emperor 's with Sweden and that the Imperial Embassadors were so far from having by that means any sufficient Authority to Treat in the Name of the whole Empire that on the contrary the Emperor himself was thereby required to conclude nothing at Nimeguen without first submitting the same to the Deliberation of the Diet and that the Embassadors of his Imperial Majesty by adding in these Articles That all or any Protestations that might be made in the Empire against that Peace were to be void and of none effect had in so doing committed the greatest Violation and manifestly contravented the Golden Bull the Imperial Capitulations Constitutions of the Empire and the very Treaties of Westphalia on which they now pretended to settle the Peace of the Empire But this did no good neither yet the Disappointment thereof was nothing near so surprizing to the Elector as the French King by his Embassadors declaring on the 24th of Feb. to Sir Lionel Jenkins the English Mediator That if within the Month of March the King of Denmark and Elector of Brandenburg did not give full Satisfaction to Sweden his Majesty should be free then to demand new Conditions which would be That Leipstadt should be restored to the Elector of Cologne and that both those Princes should pay to his Majesty all the Charges of the War and that at a time too when his Arms had been very successful as having just then forced the Swedish Troops to quit Prusia and with Precipitation to retreat into Livonia much harrassed with Sicknesses and long Marches as well as Losses in several Skirmishes with Parties of the Elector's Forces which made the demanded Restitutions for Sweden still the harder to go down with the Elector and his Ally the King of Denmark And partly from these Considerations most of the Powers at Nimeguen and even the Mediators themselves openly declared That the entire Restitution of all that the Swedes had lost during the War would be an insuperable Obstacle to the Peace To this it was further added That it was not to be expected that Sweden would make too much haste to put an end to the War since the 800000 Crowns Subsidy which that King had allowed him by France were better to him than the Revenues of Pomerania and all that he possess'd in Germany and that if the French King did not by his Interest and Authority make the Peace of Sweden that Crown would never make the least Advance towards it especially so long as it was so well supported by the Men and Money of France Insomuch that the Mediator and the Embassadors of all the other Princes who had made Peace perceiving that the Month of March which the French King had set as the longest Delay to the Elector of Brandenburg was drilled on in Debates and Disputes in Writing without any serious Application to the promoting of the Peace They could think of no better Expedient for the present than to procure a Cessation of Arms during all the following Month not doubting but in that time all the Difficulties which obstructed the Conclusion of the General Peace might be removed This Motion was agreed to by the French provided the Embassadors of Denmark and Brandenburg accepted of it without Delay To which they said It was neither the Fault of them nor their Allies that that Truce was not granted at the Time that they Signed the Peace with the Emperor according to the Offers that were then made them But another Circumstance added by the French Embassadors to their Declaration viz. Of the Instances which they said were made to them by the Bishop of Gurk one of the Imperial Embassadors in the Name of the Embassadors of Denmark and Brandenburg for a Suspension of Arms made these two latter think themselves so sensibly touched in their Honour that they took a great deal of Pains to make the contrary appear affirming They had never either desired or rejected the Cessation of Arms but nevertheless that they
might remit nothing that might have any probability of tending to promote the Peace they accepted the Truce upon such Conditions as should on both sides be agreed on At length this Procedure and some little Contests ended in Signing a Treaty of Truce the last Day of March at Nimeguen to continue to the 1st of May. The Truce being thus Signed instead of advancing the Negotiation did on the contrary stop the Course thereof during the whole Time it lasted because the French Embassadors sticking immoveable to their Declarations there was no more to be said so that the two Princes who remained still in the War thought it more adviseable to Negotiate the Peace in France and gave their Envoys Mr. Meinder and Mr. de Mayerkron the last whereof had Orders to go thither from Holland without delay their Instructions accordingly but with as little Success as before either there or any where else so that the French Forces that were in the Country of Cleves and Juliers finding the Truce expired were so forward as not to slip any opportunity and therefore were ready on the 1st of May to pass the Rhine year 1679 over which they had made a Bridge at Ordinghen General Spaen who commanded the Troops of Brandenburg made a shew as if he designed to oppose their Passage with the few Soldiers and Trained-Bands he had with him on the other side of that River But finding the French Army had passed it on flying Bridges above and below Augerarts at the Confluence of the Auger and the Rhine he thought fit to Retreat and the Consequence of that was That that General and the Elector's Embassador procured a Conference with Monsieur Colbert to be held at Santhen a little Town 3 Leagues from Wesel Thither Mr. Blaspiet and General Spaen went as did also M. Colbert the 3d of the same Month the last having ordered Calvo who commanded the French Forces to be also present to the End that according to the Success of the Negotiation he might desist or pursue the Enterprize he had had in View Here it was agreed between them that the Truce should be prolonged for 15 Days more to begin the 4th of the Month which lengthened out the Cessation of Arms till the 19th but upon Condition that Wesel and Leipstadt should be put into the French King's Hands to be kept by him until the Peace betwixt his Majesty and his Allies on the one side and his Electoral Highness on the other should be Signed and Ratified which the Elector was so far from making a Difficulty to grant that he offered even to put Skinkenseance into his Power also as thinking perhaps by this extraordinary piece of Confidence to bring the King to be more easie in the Peace of the North and this not long after he also seconded by a Letter to the said Monarch written in so Excellent a Strain that not being willing to attempt to express the Force of it by way of Abstract I shall give the Reader an exact Copy of it POSTDAM May 16. 1679. My Lord IT is impossible but that your Majesty according to the Great Wisdom wherewith God has endowed you does easily perceive the Moderation and Justice of my Pretensions And it being so that you must offer Violence to that Generosity and Greatness of Soul which is natural to your Majesty in forcing me to Conditions of Peace that are not only injurious to me but ignominious also God who is Just seeing the Righteousness of my Cause hath prospered my Arms with the Conquest of all Pomerania and your Majesty makes me give back the greatest part of it which I put into your Hands that I may preserve the rest which is but a small Matter in respect of what I have gained with the Loss of my Blood and the Ruine of my Subjects Is it not just my Lord that since your Majesty obliges me to part from so great and fair Cities and so much of my Enemies Country you should likewise oblige the Swedes to leave me the rest and that your Majesty having so far concerned your self for the Party that had no Right to demand any thing should concern your self also for him who had Right to keep all but yields the greatest part meerly in Consideration of your Majesty I am informed that your Ministers object to me the Interest of your Glory and Honour and know that that is a powerful Motive to animate a Great Soul to Vndertakings But suffer me to put you in mind That Justice is the Source and Rule of Glory And that I having it on my side it is far greater and more solid Glory to Support a just and moderate Pretension than to favour one that is nothing less And could your Majesty but hear the Discourse of all Europe and weigh it with the Reasons that Interests suggest to you from my Enemies I am confident you would instantly decide in my Favour and so prevent the Judgment of disinterested Posterity Withal my Lord I am very sensible that the Match is too unequal betwixt your Majesty's Forces and mine and that I am unable to resist a King who alone hath carried the Burden of a War against the greatest Powers of Europe and hath with so much Glory and Success gone through with it But can your Majesty find any Advantage in the Ruine of a Prince who is so desirous to serve you and who being preserved may contribute to your Service more than a bare willingness Your Majesty will certainly be the first that will regret my Ruine since you cannot easily find in all the World besides one who is more really and with greater Respect and Zeal than my self Your Majesty's c. But for all this the French King seemed to be inexorable and his Forces began already to spread themselves in the Mark of Brandenburg and fresh Troops with Ammunition and Artillery came daily to Wesel to augment the Army which the Mareschal de Crequi was to command which upon the Expiration of the Truce drew near to the Neighbourhood of Minden beginning to streighten that Place where General Spaen pretended to make a vigorous Resistance Hereupon the Mareschal de Crequi ordered Monsieur Calvo to pass the Weser with a Party of Horse and Foot on a Bridge of Boats which he had caused to be made whilst he himself with a Body of Horse went to cross it at a Ford which with some Difficulty he passed over with an intent to make the Country pay the Contributions he had demanded but finding General Spaen was come out of the Town with a Body of about 3000 Men and some Field-Pieces he attack'd them vigorously and the Dispute was very sharp and ended with the loss of a great many Men on both sides and at last General Spain retired into Minden This was the 20th June 1679. and the last Action that put an end to so great a War and if the Negotiation of the Peace which was Signed at St. Germains the Day before
Brandenburg into the Countries of Oldenburg and Delmenhurst which put all the Country under Contribution and wrought such an Effect upon the Danish Envoy at Paris that the Treaty was fully concluded between France Sweden and Denmark on the 2d of Sept. at St. Germains M. Pompone having full Power from the French King to that Purpose The Treaties of Roscheld Copenhagen and Westphalia were the Ground-work of this Peace with Denmark as will better appear by this Abstract I. THAT there be a firm Peace between the said Kings and all Things during the War to the Offence of either forgotten II. That all Alliances made by either of the Three Kings to the Prejudice of the other shall cease and be abolished and they shall not make any which may be so for the future III. That Hostilities do cease within a Fortnight reckoning from the Day of the Signing except in Norway where 3 Weeks shall be allowed because of the Distance IV. That the Treaties of Roscheld Copenhagen and Westphalia shall be confirmed with all the Instruments to them appertaining V. The King of Denmark promises to restore whatever he hath taken from the Swedes during the War viz. Landscroon Helsenburg Monstrand and Wismaâ with the Isles of Rugen and Gothlaend and all their Dependances VI. In like manner the King of Sweden promises to restore what he has taken from Denmark during the War VII That Commissioners shall be appointed by the Two Northern Crowns who shall meet within 6 Months a Minister from the most Christian King being present and shall endeavour to compose all Differences arisen on occasion of Priviledges and Immunities which the Swedes pretend to in the Sound and the Baltick provided that the said Priviledges and Immunities do remain in full Force and Vigour the Abuses only to be corrected VIII The Places to be restored to Sweden shall be delivered up in the same Condition as they are at present viz. Helsenburg Landscoon and all other Places possessed by the King of Denmark in Schonen Pleiâing and Holland together with Carelstadt and the Fort on the River Swinge within 2 Weeks Wismar and the Isle of Rugen within 3 Marstrond and the Isle of Gothland within 4 Weeks to be reckoned from the Day of the Exchange IX The King of Denmark may take out of the Places to be restored what Cannon he caused to be brought into them since they were in his Possession but the Cannon that were in the Places when taken and still remain there to be restored with the Places But if the King of Denmark hath formerly taken out of those Places the Cannon that belonged to the Swedes he shall restore the one half thereof X. All Goods and Estates confiscated during the War shall be restored XI All Persons shall be restored to the Rights and Priviledges they enjoyed before the War XII The Country of Rixengen belonging to the Count Ethlefelt Chancellor of Denmark confiscated during the War shall be restored to him XIII All Prisoners to be set at Liberty XIV All such Princes as desire it shall be comprehended in this Treaty XV. The most Christian King promises that the King of Sweden shall ratifie this Treaty within 3 Months XVI The most Christian King promises to ratifie the same within 6 Weeks But of all other Points conceded by the Dane in this Treaty none seemed so hard as this last relating to the Duke of Holstein Gottorp who for being an Ally in this War to the Swede Denmark had stripped of all his Dominions but is now forced to re-instate him in as ample Form as could be and he pretend to unless it were the Damage which his Territories had sustained during the War by the vast Sums of Money which the King of Denmark had raised therein as being one of the best Countries in all the North. And thus ended this long and bloody War in Europe but with as much Dissatisfaction to almost all the Allies as it was advantageous to France who was left in a Condition by it to do what she would as we shall have occasion to note hereafter It was very hard upon all the Allies harder yet to the Elector of Brandenburg but to none more than the King of Denmark who had no manner of Compensation for all the Conquests he had made in the Course of it and I think was no less dishonourable to England every way whose Mediation though continued even to the last yet through some evil Aspect or other had not the Happiness of Signing any one of the Treaties And as for the Duke of Lorrain as he had nothing in Possession so he lost nothing but his Expectation which in the Sequel appeared to be ill grounded tho' upon the direct and frequent Engagements both of the Confederates and Mediator And so that noble tho' unfortunate Prince was wholly left out of the Treaty and without any visible Hopes of ever recovering the Dominion of his Ancestors And here we shall at present leave it and return to see what has been doing all this while in England About the 29th of Sept. the preceding Year which was 1678 Dr. Oats seconded after by Tongue and Kirby made a Discovery of an horrid Plot carried on by Jesuits and others of the Roman Communion against the Life and Person of the King Protestant Religion and Established Government and for a further Confirmation of his Testimony Oats referred himself to Coleman's Papers who was Secretary to the then Dutchess of York But though the Court could not but enquire into the Truth of this yet they made such slow Paces in it that Coleman had time enough to convey away all the Papers of the 2 last Years with his Book of Entries of them However those Letters that were found amazed the major part of the Council and thereupon several Persons were examined and committed viz. Sir George Wakeman the Queen's Physician Coleman Langborn of the Inner-Temple Tho. Whitebread Provincial of the Jesuits in England James Corker and Thomas Pickering all Jesuits Priests and Monks with divers others And not long after William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis were sent Prisoners upon the same Account to the Tower of London But tho' these and other Circumstances made the Matter pretty clear yet the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey a Justice of the Peace before whom some of the Depositions had been taken and who appear'd zealous against all Male Practices against the King and Government soon after viz. on the 12th of Oct. rendred the Conspiracy in the Sight of most Men to be past all doubt And therefore the Parliament who met upon the 21 st of Oct. after having appointed a Secret Committee to enquire into the Bottom of the Plot did upon the 1st of Nov. following come to this Resolution Nemine Contradicente That upon the Evidence that hath already appeared to this House this House is of Opinion that there
the Treasury John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stool Thomas Lord Viscount Falconberg George Lord Viscount Hallifax Henry Lord Bishop of London John Lord Roberts Denzil Lord Hollis William Lord Russel William Lord Cavendish Henry Coventry Esq one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State Sir Francis North Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir Henry Capel Knight of the Bath First Commissioner of the Admiralty Sir John Ernle Knight Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Thomas Chichely Knight Master of the Ordinance Sir William Temple Baronet Edward Seymour Esq Henry Pawle Esq But notwithstanding this Appearance of so mighty a Change in the King and the Profession of his Readiness to give way to any Law that might secure the Protestant Religion so as the Succession were not altered yet the same Temper and same sort of People still remained at Court and they were a very chargeable Crew wherefore Money was craved at that time tho' under pretence of providing a Fleet for our common Security now as Mr. Coke says in time of such a Peace as the French King had granted Christendom after King Charles had taken his Money to join in it and after he had taken the Parliament's Money to enter into an actual War against France and after the Parliament had twice given Money for Disbanding the said Army But this the Parliament however did not appear very forward to give being mightily troubled with the Prophet at the Bleating of that sort of Cattle but more that they could not have the same Answer concerning them from the King as Saul made That he reserved them for a Sacrifice and intended to deliver them up to please his People The Effects of this Procedure was at first a Prorogation of both Houses on the 27th of May to the 14th of Aug. and the Dissolving of them upon the 12th of July and so much the sooner without doubt because they had begun this Sessions to nibble at a Bill for Excluding the Duke of York from inheriting the Imperial Crown of England So that this Parliament proved to be as short-lived as the other had been durable and lasting but another was called to meet the 17th of Oct. While England was in this âottering and uncertain Condition Scotland was not a whit the better settled the Feuds between the Episcopal and Presbyterian Party increasing daily which at last on the 3d of May this Year brake out into a very barbarous Act by the Murdering of Dr. Sharp Archbishop of St. Andrews by a Party of Covenanters who besides the severity he used towards them since his exaltation to that Dignity made himself the more obnoxious to their Rage because that having once been a great Zealot for Presbyterian-Church-Government they esteemed him now for no other than a Perjured Apostate Prelate a Villain Persecutor of the Godly and a betrayer of Jesus Christ and his Church This was only a general Accusation but some of that Nation have farther confidently affirm'd That the King having sent down a Pardon to some Offenders and the same falling into Sharp's Hands he villanously concealed it till Execution was done upon them And that the Friends of the deceas'd having not been able to procure Satisfaction from him according to the ordinary Course of Law he by his Interest and Authority being now about it were necessitated to have Recourse to this extraordinary Method But tho' things did begin here they did not end so this Fact proving a Prelude to what followed for upon the 29th of the same Month a Party of about 80 of these Covenanters met at a place called Rugland well Mounted and Armed and when they had first Proclaimed the Covenant they burnt the following Acts viz. The Act concerning the King's Supremacy the Recessory Act whereby all the Laws made during the King's Exile were Repealed the Act for Establishing Episcopacy and the Act appointing the Anniversary of the 29 th of May. On Sunday June the 1st they rendevouz'd about 1500 Men upon Snouden-Hill their Foot being commanded by one Wyer and their Horse by Robert Hambleton one Parron with the Assistance of Balfour and Hackstock which two last were of the Number of those that had Assassinated the Archbishop From hence they proceeded and took the City of Glascow where they published Two Proclamations which were to this Effect WE the Officers of the Covenanted Army do Require and Command you the Inhabitants of the Burgh of Glascow to furnish us with 24 Carts and 60 Horses for removing our Provisions from this Place to our Camp where-ever we shall set down the Same and to abide with us for that End during our Pleasure under Pain of being reputed our Enemies and proceeded against accordingly The other was WE the Officers of the Covenanted Army do Require and Command the Magistrates of Glascow to extend and banish forth thereof all Archbishops Bishops and Curates their Wives Bearns Servants and Families and Persons concerned in the King's Army within 48 Hours after Publishing hereof under highest Pains And they published a long Declaration of their taking up Arms for a free General Assembly and a free Unlimited Parliament to redress the manifold Grievances therein enumerated and humbly requested his Majesty to restore all Things as he found them when God brought him Home to his Crown and Kingdoms In the mean time the Council at Edenburg were not idle but raised an Army and quartered it at a Place called Black-burn to prevent the Covenanters approach to Edenburg and gave the King an Account of all that passed expecting his Majesty's further Orders thereupon Whereupon the King dispatch'd away the Duke of Monmouth into Scotland who with wonderful Celerity having joyned the Army did on the 22th of June approach towards that of the Covenanters who lay in the little Park at Hamilton and thereabouts having chosen very advantageous Ground there being no Passage to it but over a Stone-Bridge called Bothwel-Bridge which they had barricadced and well-lined with Musketeers They had no notice of the Duke's March which was in very good Order and in great Silence but their Guards having at length discovered the lighted Matches they took the Alarm and thereupon put themselves in a fighting Posture Major Oglethorp with the Dragoons had Orders to post himself near the Bridge while the Duke drew up the Army upon the Hill that fronted Hamilton-Park the River being between him and the Enemy about a Mile from the Bridge The Covenanters were drawn up in Two distinct Bodies about a Mile asunder the smallest whereof lay near the Bridge and the other hard by their Camp Being in this Posture on each side the Duke was no sooner come to Oglethorp's Post but there came over to him one David Hume from the Covenanters and presented him with their Declaration together with a Petition signed by Robert Hamilton in the Name of the Covenanted Army then in Arms wherein they prayed that the Terms of their Declaration might be
during the Life of the said James Duke of York this Act shall be given a Charge at every Assizes and General Sessions of the Peace within the Kingdoms Dominions and Territories aforesaid and also shall be openly Read in every Cathedral Church and Parish Church and Chappels within the aforesaid Kingdoms Dominions and Territories by the respective Parsons Vicars Curates and Readers thereof who are hereby required immediately after Divine Service in the Forenoon to Read the same twice in every Year That is to say on the 25th of Dec. and upon Easter-day during the Life of the said James Duke of York But the Lords Rancounter to the Commons in this Bill tho' they made a Sift upon the others Impeachment to Try and Sentence William Lord Viscount Stafford to Death for the Popish Conspiracy who on the 7th of Dec. was executed accordingly For after the Reading it the First time in the Upper-House the Question being put Whether it should be read the Second time it was resolved in the Negative by above a double Majority of Votes and so this great Affair dropp'd The Commons imployed much of their Time to prosecute and impeach all those that had countenanced the Popish Plot or were Abhorrers of Petitioning the King for the Meeting of the Parliament in the several Prorogations of it and voted That it ever had been the undoubted Right of the Subjects of England to Petition the King for the Calling and Sitting of Parliaments and Redress of Grievances And that to traduce such Petitioning as a Violation of Duty and to represent the same to his Majesty as Tumultuous and Seditious was to betray the Liberty of the Subject and contributed to the Designs of subverting the ancient Legal Constitutions of the Kingdom of England and introducing Arbitrary Power The first that fell under their Lash was Sir Francis Withens since a Judge a Member then of their own House whom they voted to be a Betrayer of the undoubted Rights of the Subjects of England and for that his high Crime expelled him the House receiving first the Sentence at the Bar upon his Marrow-bones Sir George Jefferys was the next then Recorder of London who for the present by Virtue of the House's Address to the King for that End was put out of all publick Offices tho' we have seen him since act the Tyrant in the highest Station the late King his good Master could advance him to but at last being left in the Lurch by him was found in a Seaman's Habit at Wapping and died in the Tower because he had not Courage enough to live a little longer to be hang'd Several others were censured upon the like Account and among the rest the House voted That it was a sufficient Ground for them to proceed against Sir Thomas Jones one of the Judges of the King's Bench and Sir Richard Westone a Baron of the Exchequer for high Crimes and Misdemeanors because they had advised and were assisting to draw up a Proclamation against Petitioning for the Sitting of the Parliament The like was passed against Sir Francis North Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas for the same who for murdering poor Stephen Colledge under Colour of Law at Oxford had the Great Seal of England committed to his Custody and therewith the Care of the King's Conscience who had none at all of his own All this while we hear nothing of the King's Business which was to get Money for the Preservation of Tangier and Perfecting the Alliance made with Spain But the Commons had Three Reasons why they would not comply with his Majesty in his first Demand One was for that the State of the Nation was such at that time that their giving any Money for that End might augment the Strength of the Popish Party and further endanger the Nation 's Safety Another was Seeing there were several Regiments besides Guards in England then in Pay they might be transported to Tangier with little Charge and be maintain'd there as cheap as at Home which Two Reasons they clench'd with this Third That that Garrison was the Nursery of Popish Officers and Soldiers And if Things went ill with the King on this Head he is like to fare no better with the other For the House had as many Reasons for not giving him Money for the Alliance of Mutual Obligations of Succour and Defence which he pretended to have made with Spain For first they seemed to be jealous of the King's Sincerity therein and the more because he had not declared to them what manner of Alliance that was and that it might be more to the Prejudice than Benefit of the Kingdom or if it should have been to the Advantage of it they could have no more Assurance of the Performance than they had of the Triple League That which was made with the Prince of Orange when he was in England Or that between the King and States of Holland by Mr. Hyde on the King's Part which were all broken almost as soon as made Besides it was impossible any great Benefit should arise to England and Spain by such an Alliance For if all Christendom after the separate Peace made by the Dutch at Nimeguen could not uphold Spain and the Spanish Netherlands from falling under the Dominion of France how could the King in the feeble and distracted State of the Nation be in a Condition to support it without them Add to this the Unreasonableness of giving Money upon such an Account For tho' the Kings of England have frequently demanded Supplies for maintaining vast Wars yet never any one of them before demanded Supplies for making Alliances And indeed whatever Alliance the King had made with Spain it will be found before his Reign has spun out that it was very ill performed on his part And if the Commons were not a little mortified at the Proceedings of the Lords and of the Court in respect to the Bill of Exclusion the King could not be well pleased to be sure with the Methods they took to answer his Demands of a present Supply in the ordinary way but was undoubtedly much more nettled at their Resolutions to hinder him from being relieved by extraordinary Methods afterwards For the House considering the weak and dangerous Condition of the Nation as well by the Debt the King had contracted by shutting up of the Exchequer as by his squandering away almost all the ancient Revenues of the Crown did in order to prevent the like upon the Revenue settled upon the King since his Restoration on the 17th of Jan. resolve 1. That whosoever should lend or cause to be lent by way of Advance any Money upon the Branches of the King's Revenue arising by Custom Excise or Hearth-money should be adjudged an Hinderer of the Sitting of Parlaiment and be responsible for the same 2. That whosoever should buy any Tally or Anticipation upon any part of the King's Revenue or whosoever should pay such Tally hereafter to be struck should
His Majesty should leave the Magistracy in the State it was in then with all its Rights and Freedom of Election and its Jurisdiction Civil and Criminal This was granted also except in such Causes as should exceed 1000 French Livres Capital in which an Appeal might be made to the Council at Brisac yet so as that the said Appeal should not suspend the Examination of the Judgment given by the Magistrates unless the Question were above 2000 Livres V. That his Majesty should grant to the City all its Revenues Rights Tolls Commerce Money Magazines of Cannon Ammunition Arms Magazines of Corn and Wood and its Records and Publick Papers Granted except what concerned the Cannon Arms Ammunition and Publick Magazines which should be delivered to the King's Officers And for the Arms of Particular Persons they should be brought into the Town-House and be put in a Room of which the Magistrates should have the Keys VI. That the Burghers should be exempted from all Contributions and other Engagements the King leaving to the City all the Ordinary and Extraordinary Imposts VII That his Majesty should leave to the City the free enjoyment of the Bridge over the Rhine with all its Bourgs Villages and Country-Houses VIII That his Majesty should grant an Amnesty for what was past without any Exception and to comprehend therein the Prince Palatine of Valdentz IX That His Majesty should permit them to build Places to Lodge the Troops that are in Garrison And Lastly That the King's Troops should enter the Town at Four in the Afternoon All which was agreed to This sudden and unexpected Business could not but alarm the whole Empire in general as it did the Court of Vienna in particular But as the former were very slow and irresolute in their Deliberations about keeping up a sufficient Standing Force to oppose the Encroachments of France so there was such a terrible Cloud gathering together against the latter as took up in a manner their entire Thoughts how to shelter themselves from it and to obviate the impending Danger But of this we shall have further occasion to speak to in its proper place year 1682 In the mean time we will see what was doing in England this Year which comes to be 1682. and the main Work whereof was the barbarous Prosecution of Protestant Dissenters and how to curb the rest of the Nation so as to truckle entirely under che Court-girdle Herein they made very great Progress in the base Addresses that were procured to be sent from all Quarters But the Ignoramus-Bill of my Lord Shaftsbury stuck deep in their Stomachs and the Fears of being baulked in any such Design for the future made them set their Wits on the Tenter-Hooks how they might take away the Election of Sheriffs out of the Power of the City and no other Expedient could be found but by taking away their Charter which if once effected would not only give the Court the advantage of making Sheriffs but open a Gap to their making a House of Commons too for near 5 Parts in 6 of the House of Commons were Burgesses and Barons of the Cinque-Ports who would not dare to contest their Charter if the City of London could not hold hers So that in Hillary Term this Year a Quo Warranto was brought against the City for two helnous Crimes viz. That they had made an Address to the King for the Parliament to Sit for Redress of Grievances and to settle the Nation yet King Charles I. thought the Parliament's Vote of Non-Addresses to him was Deposing of him and that the City had raised Money towards repairing Cheapside Conduit ruined by the Fire of London We will give you the matter here as entirely and cursorily as we can and thus it was The City pleaded their Right and the King replied upon which there was a Demurrer and here the matter rested for a time the Novelty whereof causing a great Amusement in the Generality of the City and Nation whereto it tended and how it would end In the mean while the Duke of York after having narrowly escaped drowning in his last Voyage to Scotland and then done his Work in that Kingdom was returned to London and his Zeal for promoting the Catholick Cause outgoing his Patience for the Court's Judgment upon the Demurrer to the Quo Warranto there appeared Courtiers of the first Magnitude bare-fac'd for the next Election of Sheriffs and Sir Dudley North and Sir Peter Rich were returned the one by a shameless Trick and the other by open Force And herewith we will end this short Year but pernicious enough to England and to encrease the Misfortune of it was so fatal to Rupert Prince Palatine of the Rhine who died of a Fever and Pleurisie at his House in Spring-Garden in the 63d Year of his Age and who to pass the Errors of his Fiery Youth wherein he was engaged with too much Fury and Ravage in the Party of his Uncle King Charles in our unhappy Civil Wars had of late Years proved a faithful Councellor to the King and a great Patriot to the English Liberty and therefore was towards his latter end neglected by the Court to that degree that nothing passed between him and his great Kindred but Civilities in the Common Forms But though the Court had gained this Point yet they thought it not fit at present to push it farther till the Demurrer to the City-Charter was determined in which such haste was made that only two Arguments were permitted on either side one in Hillary-Term 1683. and the other in Easter-Term following and so Judgment was given in Trinity-Term next after against the City But such a Judgment was never given in any Case as this and if the manner of Electing the last Sheriffs was strange and unwarrantable this was no less so for it was without any Reason given and by two Judges only whereof the one was Sir Francis Withens who had heard but one Argument and perhaps understood but little of that and who afterwards in the Absence of Sir Edward Herbert delivered that for his Opinion which Sir Edward when present disowned and the other was Sir Thomas Jones However if you will believe them they said Justice Raymond was of the same Opinion with them and so was Sanders the Chief Justice though he was past his Senses and had only Understanding enough left to Expostulate with them for then Troubling him when he had lost his Memory But the Cout of King's-Bench was not so ripe for this hasty Judgment as they at Whitehall were for Discovery of Plots against the Government and justice of the Nation of which they set no less than 3 on Foot one was to surprize the Guards Another the Rye-House-Plot to Murther the King and his dear Brother as they were to pass by from New-Market and the Black-Heath Plot wherein the People were to rise upon a Foot-Ball-Match They were sure of the Sheriffs and it was Burton and
some computing 3000 while the Poles on their side lost about 100. And with this ended the Campaign in that Part of the World without any Thing that was Memorable or worth Recording Now we shall look a little into the Proceedings of the Republick of Venice upon this present Conjuncture After they had perfected their Alliance with the Emperor and the King of Poland in the Spring of the Year they gave the chief Command of their Forces to the Procurator Morosini who had formerly done them signal Service in the War of Candia with the Title of Captain-General who about the Month of June did rendesvouz with the Fleet at Lessina and from thence sailed towards Corfu where having staid some time he put to Sea again July 19 and next Day arrived before Sancta Maura which is a Portress situated at the Mouth of the Gulf of Prevesa on a little Neck of Land being very strong and was then very well fortified having the Sea on one side and a great Morals on the other However the light Vessels enter'd the Port of Damata on the 21st and the Forces landed on each side of the Place at the same time which being done the Captain-General sent the Governour a Summons to surrender threatning upon his Refusal to put all the Garrison to the Sword The other answered That the Fortress belonged to the Grand Signior who had given him Charge of it and that therefore according to this Duty he would defend it to the last But he deserted the Suburbs on the East at the same time On the 23d the Fleet began to batter the Place but with no great Success because of the high Wind yet next Day the whole Fleet was so disposed as to do most Execution with their Cannon and the Galleasses were advanced within Musquet-shot of the Fortress and they threw in a great many Bombs and Fire-balls with good Success tho' they themselves received some Damage from the Guns of the Enemy Neither were the Forces that landed idle on their part for by the 25th they had finished a Battery of 20 Pieces of Cannon and the next Day another somewhat nearer but both on the East-side of the Town as they raised one also to the Westward the Days following wherewith they made a Breach in the Wall wherein however they were disturbed in a Sally by the Turks who were quickly beaten back but yet so as that they took care to defend themselves within For by the 1st of Aug. they filled up the Breach with Sacks of Straw and Bales of Wool which yet the Christians ruined with their Cannon and advanced their Trenches to the Counterscarp and on the 2d thought to have advanced farther when they found the Breach again filled up This made them descend into the Ditch a third part whereof was filled on the 3d at Night with Faggots and in the Morning they made 2 Descents more into the Ditch their Cannon having not only made a large Breach but dismounted all the Cannon in the Place which greatly incommoded the Besieged who were excluded from all Relief every way since the Sieur Manata had been posted with 600 Men on the side of Prevesa to shut them up that way also Wherefore finding the Ditch quite filled up and receiving another severe Summons they sent out 3 Deputies on the 7th who being brought to the General cast themselves on the Ground praying he would grant them a Capitulation which be did so far as to allow them to march out with Arms and what they could carry about them to the Number of 600 and were convoyed to Prevesa And thus the Venetians became Masters of Sancta Maura wherein they found 80 Pieces of Brass Cannon 20 whereof had the Arms of St. Mark upon them and a great Quantity of Ammunition and Provisions But this Conquest was not gained without the Loss of near 500 Men. The Captain-General continued some Time at this Place to give the necessary Orders for the Repairing its Fortifications and the Security of the Island and then sailed away along the Coast and having caused his Troops to make a Descent a Dragomastra they were soon joined by 2500 Greeks who had taken up Arms and so marched above 50 Miles into the Country burnt two great Towns called Dragosi and Zapandi with a great many Villages and ruined the whole Country of Acarnania but gave Protection to several Greek Boroughs and Villages that desired it and promised an Annual Pension This Progress of theirs the Sangiac of the Province endeavoured to oppose and to that end drew all the Force he could together and attacked them but to no Purpose for they entirely defeated him and the Greeks that had joined them gave a particular Testimony of their Fidelity to the State upon this Occasion And that every Thing might contribute to the facilitating of this Incursion the Captain-General had ordered the Gallies to post themselves before Perasto and the Castle of Lepanto to keep in those Garrisons that they might not disturb them The Forces being re-imbark'd with a vast Booty the Captain-General steered his Course towards Prevesa with a Resolution to attack it it being of great Importance for the Securing of the Conquest of Sancta Maura because it is situated at the Entrance of the Gulph of Arta which it commands where he was no sooner arrived but he ordered 5 Gallies and 6 Galleasses to approach towards the Castles called Gemenizze which are almost in sight of Prevesa with a Design to amuse the Enemy and to oblige them to divide their Troops by sending Reinforcements thither which had the Success the General proposed to himself therein For Saban Basha believing the Venetians would attack those Castles sent thither the greatest part of the Troops he had drawn together for the Security of Prevesa Whereupon the whole Fleet Sept. 20 sailed from Damata reached that Evening to the Gulph's Mouth and next Morning Capt. Manetta with 24 Barks and several armed Brigantines entered the Gulph and landed part of the Troops safely in spight of all the Firing of the Turks with their great and small Shot upon them when the Gallies advanced at the same time within Musquet shot of the Place to make a Diversion and to facilitate the Disembarking of the Troops which having advanced by Land passed in Galliots an Arm of the Sea about half a Mile abroad under the Command of General Strasoldo while the Turks believing they designed to Land their Troops at the Place where the Gallies had posted themselves imployed their chief Care on that side to hinder it But finding their Mistake they sent 500 Spahi's in great haste to charge the Venetian Troops that passed the Arm of the Sea above-mentioned but this was too late for those Troops were already drawn up in order of Battel and received the Turks so well that many of them were killed and the rest fled in so much Disorder that the greatest part of them could not get into
intimate my Mind otherwise I do hereby require all my Vassals any where and all within my several Jurisdictions with their fensible Men within their Command to go to Arms and to join and concur with us according to the said Declaration as they shall be answerable at their Peril and that they obey the particular Orders they shall receive from me from time to time I need not tell the World the Fate of this brave Man it was generally believed at that time that Sir John Cockram who came over with him betrayed him as some Body else was thought to have done by the Duke of Monmouth but however that Matter was in Reality Thus it happened with the Earl that after several Marches and Countermarches his Men were at length lead into a Boggy sort of a Place on Pretence or with Intention to bring him off from the King's Army then upon the Heels of them where they all lost one another dispersed and shifted for themselves The Earl himself being taken by a Country Man and brought to Edenburgh he there suffered for his former unpardonable Crime in requiring Care should be taken for the Protestant Religion and the Explaining the Test conformable thereunto for the Legality of which he had the Hands of most of the Eminent Lawyers about the City He made a very pious End being beheaded at Edenburgh June 30. But this Business of Argyle was but like Thunder afar off to what happened soon after in the West of England K. James was so apprehensive not only before but even after his Ascension to the Throne of the Duke of Monmouth's Designs against him that he used his utmost Endeavours by his Envoy Mr. Skelton in Holland to get him secured and sent into England which Design could not yet he carried so covertly but that the Prince of Orange came to the Knowledge of it who having more Honour and Goodness in him than to suffer an innocent forelorn Man to fall into the Hands of those who had been the Occasion of his Exile and Misery did not only give the Duke Notice of the Plot against him but gave him Money to go privately to Brussels with a farther Assurance that if he would go to the Campaign in Hungary he would maintain him at his own Charge with an Equipage suitable to his Quality But his Fate led him to return again privately from thence into Holland where having concerted his Measures with such Refugiated English as he found there they embarked on 3 small Vessels and about June 12 lan ded at Lyme in Dorsetshire where the Duke in his own and the rest of his Followers Names put out his Declaration which because the State at that time were so far from thinking fit to publish as they were Argyle's that they made it Criminal to read it and used all their Endeavours to smother it we shall here give you Word for Word The DECLARATION of James Duke of Monmouth and the Noblemen Gentlemen and others now in Arms for the Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Religion and the Laws Rights and Priviledges of ENGLAND AS Government was originally instituted by God and this or that Form of it chosen and submitted to by Men for the Peace Happiness and Security of the Governed and not for the private Interest and personal Greatness of those that rule So that Government hath always been esteemed the best where the Supream Magistrates have been invested with all the Power and Prerogatives that might capacitate them not only to preserve the People from Violence and Oppression but to promote their Prosperity and yet where nothing was to belong to them by the Rules of the Constitution that might enable them to injure and oppress them And it hath been the Glory of England above most other Nations that the Prince had all intrusted with him that was necessary either for the advancing the Welfare of the People or for his own Protection in the Discharge of his Office and withal stood so limited and restrained by the Fundamental Terms of the Constitution that without a Violation of his own Oath as well as the Rules and Measures of the Government he could do them no hurt or exercise any Act of Authority but through the Administration of such Hands as stood obnoxious to be punished in case they transgressed So that according to the primitive Frame of the Government the Prerogatives of the Crown and the Privileges of the Subject are so far from justling one another that the Rights reserved unto the People tended to render the King Honourable and Great and the Prerogatives settled on the Prince were in order to the Subjects Protection and Safety But all Humane Things being subject to Perversion as well as Decay it hath been the Fate of the English Government to be often changed and wrested from what it was in the first Settlement and Institution And we are particularly compelled to say that all the Boundaries of the Government have of late been broken and nothing left unattempted for turning our limited Monarchy into an absolute Tyranny For such hath been the Transaction of Affairs within this Nation for several Years last past that though the Protestant Religion and Liberties of the People were fenced and hedged about by as many Laws as the Wisdom of Man could devise for their Preservation against Popery and Arbitrary Power our Religion hath been all along countermined by Popish Counsels and our Privileges ravished from us by Fraud and Violence And more especially the whole Course and Series of the Life of the D. of Y. hath been but one continued Conspiracy against the Reformed Religion and the Rights of the Nation For whoever considers his contriving the burning of London his instigating a Confederacy with France and a War with Holland his fomenting the Popish Plot and encouraging the Murther of Sir Ed. Godfrey to stifle it his charging Treason against Protestants suborning Witnesses to swear the Patriots of our Religion and Liberties out of their Lives his hiring execrable Villains to assassinate the late Earl of Essex and causing those others to be clandestinely cut off in hopes to conceal it his advising and procuring the Prorogation and Dissolution of Parliaments in order to prevent their looking into his Crimes and that he might escape the Justice of the Nation Such can imagine nothing so black and horrid in it self or so ruinous and destructive to Religion and the Kingdom which we may not expect from him The very Tyrannies which he hath exercised since he snatched the Crown from his Brother's Head do leave none under a Possibility of flattering themselves with Hopes of Safety eithor in their Consciencies Persons or Estates For in defiance of all the Laws and Statutes of the Realm made for the Security of the Reformed Protestant Religion he not only began his Reign with a bare-faced A vowing himself of the Romish Religion but call'd in Multitudes of Priests and Jesâits for whom the
their baffling rather than beating of the Turks at Sea the Army in the main had no great Occasion for it having lost abundance of Men by the Flux and other Distempers reigning in the Camp caused as was thought by the great Heats and eating of Fruits but it proved to be at last a Sickness that seemed to be the Effect of above than ordinary Cause which put an End to the Campaign on that side but it did not do so in Dalmatia It cannot be expected I should treat of every Minute's Action and Circumstance of this War in such an History and Compass as this is and therefore to pass over them little Skirmishes and Rencounters which happen'd between the Turks and Christians that way I shall content my self to recount the Particulars of the Siege and Taking of Sign and the intervening Circumstances thereof Seignior Cornaro Proveditor-General of that Country and the Prince of Parma having drawn together near Scalona 1000 Horse and 3000 Foot of regular Troops and 5000 Morlaques commanded by the Chevalier Janco with the Artillery and Ammunition necessary for a Siege held a Council of War wherein it was unanâmously resolved to attack Sign before which after a very difficult March they arrived Sept. 23 and found it not only situate on a Rock but fortified with a good Wall and a strong Castle However they broke Ground before it the same Day and raised 2 Batteries of 2 Pieces of Cannon and one Mortar each with which by the 25th they began to batter both Town and Castle and in a few Hours dismounted the Enemies Cannon that were planted on the great Roundel The Proveditor-General in the mean time sent the Governour a Summons offering the same Conditions as had been granted to Navarino and Modon But the Commandant who was a Dalmatian Runagado answered He would defend the Place to the last and would lose his Life with what the Grand Signior had intrusted in his Hands adding That he expected speedy Relief from the Basha of Arcegovina who was within 12 Hours march of the Place Upon this the Besiegers began to fire again from their Cannon and Mortars which they continued till the 26th when finding the Breaches were large enough and that the Pallisadoes and other Defences the Enemy had made behind them were beaten down the Prince of Parma appointed 500 Foot under the Command of the Marquess de Borri accompanied by divers Voluntiers and supported by a Reserve of 400 Men to make an Assault upon whose approach the Turks put themselves into a Posture of Defence and with Granadoes and Stones withstood the Efforts of the Assailants for 3 Hours and upwards But these at last prevailed and gained the Breach which made the Enemy retire into their second Entrenchment and the Castle where they put up a White Flag which the Commandant pulled down with his own Hand yet this did not at all daunt the Assailants who pushing on to the second Retrenchment took both it and the Castle and cut in pieces all the Garrison sparing only some few Women and Children which Slaughter all the Endeavours of the Marquess de Borri could not prevent because the Chevalier Janco to revenge the Death of some of his Relations killed in the Assault would give no Quarter The Venetians found 8 Pieces of Cannon and a considerable Number of other Arms as also great many Mules in the Place together with a very good Magazine of Powder But tho' the Plunder was inconsiderable to the Soldiery the Turks having before the Siege removed their best Effects to other Places yet the Town was of very great Consequence to the Republick since they became thereby Masters of the fertile Province of Zettina Now we have done with the Venetian Affairs it may be expected we should say something of Poland where the last Year was passed without any thing memorable but the King himself taking the Field it will be expected there should be something of Action especially seeing he had now concluded an Alliance offensive and defensive with the Two Czars of Muscovy He joined the Army in July and marched at the Head of them towards Moldavia erecting Forts in divers Places as he advanced to secure his Convoys and Retreat which together with the Difficulty of the Ways and Desart Countries throngh which they passed made it the middle of Aug. before they could get into the Neighbourhood of Jassi the Capital City of Moldavia whither the Hospodar of Moldavia sent Deputies to him to excuse his retiring from Jassi and his not joining his Forces with those of his Majesty seeing he could not now openly declare himself without exposing his Children whom he had been forced to give as Hostages to the Turks to certain Destruction To whom the King made Answer That the Hospodar could never meet with a more favourable Conjuncture to cast off the Ottoman Yoak he being come in Person to free him from it That he expected the Performance of his repeated Promises and that if he did now manifest the Sincerity of the them he would treat him as his declared Enemy But this would not do with the Hospodar who continued firm to the Ottoman and Tartarian Interest during this whole Expedition which was a great Disappointment to the King who would not yet be discouraged but continued his Maâch on this side the River Pruth and on the 26th of Aug. encamped at a Place called Falsun But the Court-Marshal who commanded the Van-guard of the Army was engaged the Day before with 8000 Tartars for near 2 Hours together the latter having at first the Advantage who pressed very hard upon the Poles Yet these being seconded by some fresh Troops repulsed the others and put them to flight with the Loss of 800 of their Men slain many Prisoners and one of the Cham's own Standards They had divers other small Rencounters from time to time which yet did not hinder the King 's advancing to Falxin with an Intention to continue his March to Budziack but being informed he must pass over several great Mountains and that the Towns and Villages were burnt and the Forage destroyed by the Tartars he held a Council of War where it was resolved that for the better Subsistance of the Troops the Army should pass the River Pruth the Country not being yet ruined on the other side which was done accordingly But upon Advice that the Tartars had likewise passed that River and burnt and ruined all the Country and destroyed all the Springs of Water it was resolved to march towards Jassi which they did in 6 Days time having the Enemy continually in sight of them on the other side of the River commanded by the Serasquier and Sultan Nuradin and Cannonaded one another several times However the Polish Army got safe to their Camp near Jassi but the Turks Tartars and Hospodar's Men had no Design they should continue long so for they kept the Troops in a perpetual Alarm and frequently cut off the
Ireland qualified by the Tests to serve sent over an Army of Irish that were not qualified to encrease the English Army who by this time were grown intolerably insolent though the King by several Orders would have had their Quarters restrained to Victualling Houses Houses of Publick Entertainment and such as had Licenses to sell Wine and other Liquors The Officers too when they pleased would be exempt from the Civil Power And tho' the King had no other War upon his Hands but against the Laws and Constitutions of the Government yet he would make an obsolete Act of Parliament that made it Felony without Benefit of Clergy for any Soldier 's taking Pay in the King's Service in his Wars beyond Sea or upon the Sea or in Scotland to desert from his Officer to extend to this new-raised Army And because the worthy Recorder of London Sir John Holt would not expound that Law according to the King's Design he was put out of his Place and so was Sir Edward Herbert from being Chief Justice of the King 's Bench to make way for Sir Robert Wright to hang a poor Soldier upon the said Statute which afterwards did the Job without any further Dispute It would be an endless Thing to enumerate the disorderly Proceedings of this Year yet I doubt you will hear of no less in the next but you must stay a little and take a View of Foreign Proceedings before we shall have leisure to enter upon them And first we shall again begin with Hungary since we have nothing considerable nearer Home where the Imperial Arms to say nothing of other Advantages had prevailed wonderfully in taking of Buda the Capital of that Kingdom which so nettled the Turks that they resolved to use their utmost Efforts to retrieve their Honour this Season while the Imperialists were not idle on their part and the Scheme of the Summer's Business seemed to have been thus designed The whole Army which amounted to 62900 fighting Men besides the Troops of the Circles of Swabia and Franconia and others was to be divided into 3 Bodies the 1st being to act in Vpper Hungary under the Command of the Elector of Baââaria the 2d in Lower Hungary under that of the Duke of Lorrain and the 3d upon the Frontiers of Croatia under General Dunewald and that they might have Communication one with another there were 2 Bridges made one over the Drave near Tarnovitz and another over the Danube near Buda in the Isle of St. Marguerite and with this Disposition all the Troops rendezyoused near Barkan where the Duke of Lorrain arrived May 13 in Person from whence he sent out several Spies to discover the Number and Posture of the Enemy These reported They were stronger than the Imperial Army and were busie in repairing the Bridge of Esseck which after divers Consultations made the Duke move towards the said Place and the Croatian Army advanced also the same Way while the Elector of Bavaria with the Army under his Command seemed to threaten Erla in Vpper Hungary But other Work was cut out for them in the Lower as you 'll hear by and by For the Duke of Lorrain being advanced towards Feutar broke up June 17 from thence and continued his March towards Esseck and because the Army left Alba Regalis behind it a Body of Light-Horse were left behind to cover the Baggage and on the 18th a Bridge of Boats was laid near Tolna over which the whole Army passed by the 20th and encamped a Mile from thence and removed afterwards to Mohatz as they did their Bridge likewise that so the 2 Armies might succour each other The Duke at the same time sent an Express to the Croatian Troops to secure the Bridge that was laid over the Drave near Syclos and there erect likewise that of Boats that they carried along with them which was punctually performed From Mohatz the Duke marched on the 24th to Darda aside of the Bridge of Esseck which as soon as the Turks who were hard at work in repairing the Bridges over the Morass had Notice of they abandoned their Works and retreated towards the Bridge of Boats they had over the Drave and which they had secured with a good Fort of Earth and Wood having left some Bodies of Horse and Foot among the Moraffes to dispute the Approach of it with the Imperialists The Duke the Night following caused the Bridge and Disposition of the Enemy to be view'd and ordered the necessary Detachments to attack them by Break of Day when Word was brought him that the Enemy had taken away 2 Boats of their Bridges and that there was no appearance of them However a Detachment from the Army crossed the Morasses on the 25th and advanced towards the Enemies Bridge of Boats in good Order who when the Christians were come within an 150 Paces of them fired very furiously upon them so as that they were forced a little to retreat but being sustained with fresh Troops they charged the Turks with so much Resolution that they quitted their Post and retreated into their Fort from whence the Imperialists also drove them whom they pursued as far as the Gare of Esseck where they had like to have entred the Town Pell-mell with them The Imperialists endeavoured to preserve the Bridge but several Mills and Boats being set on float were by the Rapidity of the Stream thrown so impetuously upon it that they broke one part of it and hindred the rest from being seized on insomuch that it was now thought most advisable to set it on fire Next Day after having viewed the Ground and a Draught taken for the Building of a new Fort they began to break Ground which yet was not done without Disturbance from the Enemy but the very same Day the Christians entirely ruined the Dykes which the Turks had made upon the Morasses in the room of the Bridges that had been burnt towards the End of the last Campaign which was difficult Work And then it was resolved that a Line of Communication should be drawn from the Entrance of the Morasses as far as the Fort that so under its cover the Troops might pass that should be needful for its Defence in case the Turks were minded to attack it Things thus passed on till the 28th when the Duke of Lorain having chose out from among the Soldiers such as could Swim best he ordered them to go and fire the Boats Mills and Barges which the Turks had posted within Musket-shot of Esseck They punctually executed their Orders but the Enemy put out the Fire before it produced any Effect which with many other Considerations made the Duke call a Council of War next Day where having judged it impossible to pass the Drave at the Place where they were encamped it was resolved to break up from thence And accordingly on the 30th the Duke having left the Cavalry to guard the Pass and to ruine the Bridges of the Morass departed with the Infantry
the following Memorial and unravelled the Mystery of Skelton's being recalled and sent Prisoner to the Tower for discovering the King's Secrets My Lords THE sincere Desire the King my Master has to maintain the Tranquility of Europe will not suffer His Majesty to see the great Preparations for War both by Sea and Land made by Your Lordships without taking the Measures that Prudence the continual Companion of all His Actions inspires Him with to prevent the Mischiefs these War-like Preparations will certainly draw after them And although the King perswaded of the Wisdom of Your Counsels would not imagine that a Free State should so easily resolve to take up Arms and to kindle a War which in the present Juncture cannot but be fatal to all Christendom Nevertheless His Majesty cannot believe Your Lordships would engage Your Selves in so great Expences both at home and abroad to entertain in Pay so many Foreign Troops to put to Sea so numerous a Fleet so late in the Year and to prepare so great Magazins if You had not a Design formed answerable to the Greatness of these Preparations All these Circumstances and many others that I may not here produce perswade the King my Master with Reason that this Arming threatens England Wherefore His Majesty hath commanded me to declare to You on His part That the Bands of Friendship and Alliance between him and the King of Great Britain will oblige Him not only to assist him but also to look on the first Act of Hostility that shall be committed by Your Troops or Your Fleet against His Majesty of Great Britain as a manifest Rupture of the Peace and a Breach with His Crown I leave it to Your Lordships Prudence to reflect on the Consequences that such Actions may have His Majesty not having ordered me to make You this Declaration on His Part without His sincere Intention to prevent as I have already had the Honour to tell You all that may trouble the Peace of Europe Given at the Hague Septemb. 9 1688. But for all this Things were in England in the utmost Disorder and Security all that ever the King or Country could do could not keep the Army within any tolerable Bounds And tho' there was so great a Storm gathering in Holland yet so stupid were the Popish Drivers that nothing would serve them but filling the Army with Irish Men who were likely still to be more disorderly and more hated But this was vigorously opposed by Lieutenant-Colonel Beaumont and other Officers in the Duke of Berwick's Regiment The former in the name of the rest making the following speech to the Duke upon the occasion Sir I am desired by these Gentlemen with whose Sense I concur to inform your Grace that we don't think it consistent with our Honours to have Foreigners imposed upon us without being complain'd of that our Companies were weak or Orders to recruit them not doubting but if such Orders had been given us We that first in very ill times raised them Hundreds could easily now have made them according to the Kings Complement We humbly Petition we may have leave to fill up our Companies with such men of our Nation we may judge most suitable for the Kings Service and to support our Honours or that we may be permitted with all imaginable Duty and Respect to lay down our Commissions Of this an Account was forthwith transmitted to the King then at Windsor who immediately ordered a Party of Horse down to Portsmouth to bring them up in Custody and a Court-Marshal was ordered to proceed against them And if the Memorial of the French Ambassador had not come in that very Morning to shew them their Danger they had in all probability lost their Lives for it but now they contented themselves with only casheering of them By this time there was certain Intelligence brought that the Preparations in Holland were designed against England And the King in his Proclamation of the 28th of Sept. gave convincing Proofs that himself believed it and so he ordered new Levies to be made and began to turn Cat in âan by declaring in Council Octb. 2d that he would restore the Charter of the City of London And the Ministers were by this time become so sensible of their Danger that they procured a General Pardon On Wednesday October the 3d. the Archbishop of Canterbury ÌÌ and the Bishops of London Winchester St. Asaph Ely Chichester Rochester Bath and Wells and Peterborough all in a Body waited upon the King when the Archbishop spoke thus to him May it please Your Sacred Majesty WHen I had lately the Honour to wait upon you you were pleased briefly to acquaint me with what had passed two days before between your Majesty and these my Reverend Brethren by which and by the Account which they themselves gave me I perceived that in truth there passed nothing but in very general Terms and Expressions of your Majesties gracious and favourable Inclinations to the Church of England and of our reciprocal Duty and Loyalty to your Majesty Both which were sufficiently understood and declared before and as one of my Brethren then told you would have been in the same state if the Bishops had not stir'd one foot out of their Diocesses Sir I found it grieved my Lords the Bishops to have come so far and to have done so little and I am assured they came then prepared to have given your Majesty some more particular Instances of their Duty and Zeal for your Service had they not apprehended from some words which fell from your Majesty That you were not then at leisure to receive them It was for this Reason that I then besought your Majesty to command us once more to attend you all together which your Majesty was pleased graciously to allow and encourage We therefore are here now before you with all Humility to beg your Permission that we may suggest to your Majesty such Advices as we think proper at this Season and conducing to your Service and so leave them to your Princely Consideration Which the King being graciously pleased to permit the Archbishop proceeded as followeth I. Our first humble Advice is That your Majesty will be graciously pleased to put the Management of your Government in the several Counties into the Hands of such of the Nobility and Gentry there as are legally qualified for it II. That your Majesty will be graciously pleased to annul your Commission for Ecclesiastical Affairs and that no such Court as that Commission sets up may be erected for the future III. That your Majesty will graciously be pleased That no Dispensation may be granted or continued by Virtue whereof any person not duly qualified by Law hath been or may be put into any Place Office or Preferment in Church or State or in the Vniversities or continued in the same especially such as have Cure of Souls annexed to them and in particular that you will be graciously pleased to restore the
never heard it spoken of till the time of Monmouth's Rebellion when that the King told some of the Council of which I was one that he was resolved to give Employments to Roman Catholicks it being fit that all Persons should serve who could be useful and on whom he might depend I think every Body advised him against it but with little effect as was soon seen That Party was so well pleased with what the King had done that they persuaded him to mention it in his Speech at the next Meeting of the Parliament which he did after many Debates whether it was proper or not In all which I opposed it as is known to very considerable Persons some of which were of another Opinion for I thought it would engage the King too far and it did give such Offence to the Parliament that it was thought necessary to prorogue it after which the King fell immediately to the supporting the Dispensing Power the most Chinerical thing that was ever thought of and must be so till the Government here is as Absolute is in Turkey all Power being included in that one This is the Sense I ever had of it and when I heard Lawyers defend it I never changed my Opinion or Language however it went on most of the Judges being for it and was the chief Business of the State till it was looked on as settled Then the Ecclesiastical Court was set up in which there being so many considerable Men of several kinds I could have but a small part and that after Lawyers had told the King it was Legal and nothing like the High Commission Court I can most truly say and it is well known that for a good while I defended Magdalen College pârely by Care and Industry and have hundreds of times begged of the King never to grant Mandates or to change any thing in the regular Course of Ecclesiastical Affairs which he often thought reasonable and then by perpetual Importunities was prevailed upon against his own Sense which was the very Case of Magdalen College as of some others These things which I endeavoured though without Success drew upon me the Anger and Ill will of many about the King The next thing to be tried was to take off the Penal Laws and the Tests so many having promised their Concurrence towards it that His Majesty thought it feasible but he soon found it was not to be done by that Parliament which made all the Catholicks desire it might be dissolv'd which I was so much against that they complained of me to the King as a Man who ruined all his Designs by opposing the only thing could carry them on Liberty of Conscience being the Foundation on which he was to build That it was first offered at by the Lord Clifford who by it had done the work even in the late King's time if it had not been for his weakness and the weakness of his Ministers Yet I hindred the Dissolution several Weeks by telling the King that the Parliament in Being would do every thing he could desire but the taking off the Penal Laws and the Tests or the allowing his Dispensing Power and that any other Parliament thoâ such a one could be had as was proposed would probably never repeal those Laws and if they did they would certainly never do any thing for the support of the Government whatever exigency it might be in At that time the King of Spain was sick upon which I said often to the King That if he should die it would be impossible for His Majesty to preserve the Peace of Christendom that a War must be expected and such a one as would chiefly concern England and that if the present Parliament continued he might be sure of all the Help and Service he could wish but in case he dissolv'd it he must give over all Thoughts of Foreign Affairs for no other would ever assist him but on such Terms as would ruine the Monarchy so that from Abroad or at Home he would be destroy'd if the Parliament were broken and any accident should happen of which there were many to make the Aid of his People necessary to him This and much more I said to him several times privately and in the hearing of others But being over-power'd the Parliament was broke the Closetting went on and a new one was to be chosen who was to get by Closetting I need not say but it was certainly not I nor any of my Friends many of them suffered who I would fain have saved and yet I must confess with grief that when the King was resolv'd and there was no remedy I did not quit as I ought to have done but served on in order to the calling another Parliament In the midst of all the preparations for it and whilst the Corporations were regulating the King thought fit to order his Declarations to be read in all Churches of which I most solemnly protest I never heard one word till the King directed it in Council That drew on the Petition of my Lord the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other Lords the Bishops and their Prosecution which I was so openly against that by arguing continually to shew the Injustice and the Imprudence of it I brought the Fury of the Roman Catholicks upon me to such a degree and so unanimously that I was just sinking and I wish I had then sunk But whatever I did foolishly to preserve myself I continued still to be the Object of their hatred and I resolv'd to serve the Publick as well as I could which I am sure most of the considerable Protestants then at Court can testifie and so can one very eminent man of the Country whom I would have perswaded to come into business which he might have done to have helped me to resist the violence of those in Power But he despaired of being able to do any good and therefore would not engage Sometime after came the first News of the Prince's designs which were not then look'd on as they have proved no body foreseeing the Miracles he has done by his wonderful Prudence Conduct and Courage for the greatest thing which has been undertaken these thousand years or perhaps ever could not be effected without Vertues hardly to be imagined till seen nearer hand Upon the first thought of his coming I laid hold of the opportunity to press the King to do several things which I would have had done sooner the chief of which were to restore Magdalen College and all other Ecclesiastical Preferments which had been diverted from what they were intended for to take off my Lord Bishop of London's Suspension to put the Counties into the same hands they were in some time before to annul the Ecclesiastical Court and to restore entirely all the Corporations of England These things were done effectually by the help of some about the King and it was then thought I had destroyed my self by enraging again the whole Roman Catholick Party to such
a height as had not been seen They dispersed Libels of me every day told the King that I betrayed him that I ruined him by perswading him to make such shameful Condescentions but most of all by hindring the securing the chief of the disaffected Nobility and Gentry which was proposed as a certain way to break all the Prince's Measures and by advising His Majesty to call a Free-Parliament and to depend upon that rather than upon Foreign Assistance It is true I did give him those Counsels which were called weak to the last Moment he suffered me in his Service then I was accused of holding Correspondence with the Prince and it was every where said amongst them That no better could be expected from a Man so related as I was to the Bedford and Leicester Families and so allied to Duke Hamilton and the Marquess of Halifax After this Accusations of High Treason were brought against me which with some other Reasons relating to Affairs Abroad drew the King's Displeasure upon me so as to turn me out of all without any Consideration and yet I thought I escaped well expecting nothing less than the loss of my Head as my Lord Middleton can tell and I believe none about the Court thought otherwise nor had it been otherwise if my Disgrace had been deferred a day longer all things being prepared for it I was put out the 27th of October the Roman Catholicks having been two Months working the King up to it without Intermission besides the several Attacks they had made upon me before and the unusal Assistance they obtained to do what they thought so necessary for the carrying on their Affairs of which they never had greater hope than at that time as may be remembred by any who were then at London But you desired I would say something to you of Ireland which I will do in very few Words but exactly true My Lord Tyrconnell has been so absolute there that I never had the Credit to make an Ensign er keep one in nor to preserve some of my Friends for whom I was much concern'd from the last Oppression and Injustice tho' I endeavoured it to the utmost of my Power But yet with Care and Diligence being upon the place and he absent I diverted the Calling a Parliament there which was designed to alter the Acts of Settlement Chief Justice Nugent and Baron Rice were sent over with a Draught of an Act for that purpose furnished with all the pressing Arguments could be thought on to persuade the King and I was offered forty thousand pounds for my Concurrence which I told to the King and shewed him at the same time the Injustice of what was proposed to him and the prejudice it would be to that Country with so good success that he resolved not to think of it that Year and perhaps never This I was help'd in by some Friends particularly my Lord Godolphin who knows it to be true and so do the Judges before named and several others I cannot omit saying something of France there having been so much talk of a League between the two Kings I do protest I never knew of any and if there were such a thing it was carried on by other sort of Men last Summer Indeed French Ships were offered to joyn with our Fleet and they were refused since the noise of the Prince's Design more Ships were offered and it was agreed how they should be commanded if ever desired I opposed to Death the accepting of them as well as any Assistance of Men and can say most truly that I was the Principal Means of hindring both by the help of some Lords with whom I consulted every day and they with me to prevent what we thought would be of great prejudice if not ruinous to the Nation If the Report is true of Men Ships and Money intended lately for England out of France it was agreed upon since I was out of Business or without my Knowledge if it had been otherwise I believe no Body thinks my Disgrace would have happened My greatest Misfortune has been to be thought the Promoter of those Things I opposed and detested whilst some I could name have been the Inventors and Contrivers of what they have had the Art to lay upon others and I was often foolishly willing to bear what my Master would have done tho' I used all possible Endeavours against it I lie under many other Misfortunes and Afflictions extream heavy but I hope they have brought me to reflect on the occasion of them the loose negligent unthinking Life I have hitherto led having been perpetually hurried away from all good Thoughts by Pleasure Idleness the Vanity of the Court or by Business I hope I say that I shall overcome all the Disorders my former Life had brought upon me and that I shall spend the remaining part of it in Begging of Almighty God that he will please either to put an end to my Sufferings or to give me Strength to bear them one of which he will certainly grant to such as rely on him which I hope I do with the Submission that becomes a good Christian I would enlarge on this Subject but that I fear you might think something else to be the reason of it besides a true Sense of my Faults and that obliges me to restrain my self at present I believe you will repent in having engaged me to give you this Account but I cannot the doing of what you desire of me What followed next were various Reports concerning the loss the Dutch Fleet had sustained in a Storm which to amuse us was heightned in their own Prints and about the same time a Parcel of the Prince of Orange's Declarations being intercepted in London when that Expression came to be read That the Prince was most earnestly invited hither by divers of the Lords both Spiritual and Temporal and by many Gentlemen and others the King sent for some of the Bishops and required a Paper under their Hands in Abhorrence of the Prince's intended Invasion But they refused to do it as contrary to their Privilege of Peerage and their Profession in promoting War against a Prince so nearly allyed to the Crown and earnestly desired that might be left to a Free Parliament at which the King parted from them with great Indignation The Wind had been now for almost 3 Weeks perpetually West during which time the common Question every Morning was Have we a Protestant Wind yet And a Seaman was observed to curse the Dragon on Bow-Steeple for turning his Head where his Tail should be But in the latter end of Oct. the Wind came Easterly to the great Sorrow of the Roman Catholicks and the Joy of the rest of the Nation And when almost all Men expected the Invasion would have fallen in the North and nothing talked of but Burlington-Bay as a Landing-Place on the 3d of Nov. between 10 and 11 a Clock the Dutch Fleet was discovered about Half-Seas over
forth a Declaration of War against the French King which was to this purpose Their Majesties Declaration against the French King WILLIAM R. IT having pleased God to make Us the happy Instrument of Rescuing these Nations from great and imminent Dangers and to place Us upon the Throne of these Kingdoms we think our selves obliged to endeavour to the uttermost to promote the Welfare of our People which can never be effectually secured but by preventing the Miseries that threaten them from abroad When we consider the many unjust Methods the French King hath of late years taken to gratifie his Ambition that he has not only invaded the Territories of the Emperor and of the Empire now in Amity with us laying waste whole Countries and destroying the Inhabitants by his Armies but declared War against our Allies without any Provocation in manifest Violation of the Treaties confirmed by the Guaranty of the Crown of England we can do no less than joyn with our Allies in opposing the Designs of the French King as the Disturber of the Peace and the common Enemy of the Christian World And besides the Obligations we lie under by Treaties with our Allies which are a sufficient Justification of Us for taking up Arms at this time since they have called upon us so to do the many Injuries done to Us aud to our Subjects without any Reparation by the French King are such that however of late years they were not taken notice of for Reasons well known to the World nevertheless we will not pass them over without a publick and just Resentment of such Outrages It is not long since the French took Licences from the English Governour of Newfound-Land to Fish in the Seas upon that Coast and paid a Tribute for such Licences as an Acknowledgment of the sole Right of the Crown of England to that Island and yet of late the Encroachments of the French upon our said Island and our Subjects Trade and Fishery have been more like the Invasions of an Enemy than becoming Friends who enjoy'd the Advantages of that Trade only by Permission But that the French King should invade our Charibbee Islands and possess himself of our Territories of the Province of New-York and of Hudson's Bay in a hostile manner seizing our Forts burning our Subjects Houses and enriching his People with the spoil of their Goods and Merchandizes detaining some of our Subjects under the Hardship of Imprisonment causing others to be inhumanely kill'd and driving the rest to Sea in a small Vessel without Food or Necessaries to support them are Actions not becoming even an Enemy and yet he was so far from declaring himself so that at that very time he was negotiating here in England by his Ministers a Treaty of Neutrality and good Correspondence in America The Proceedings of the French King against our Subjects in Europe are so notorious that we shall not need to enlarge upon them his countenancing the Seizure of English Ships by French Privateers forbidding the Importation of a great part of the Product and Manufactures of our Kingdom and imposing exorbitant Customs upon the rest notwithstanding the vast Advantage he and the French Nation reap by their Commerce with England are sufficient Evidences of his Designs to destroy the Trade and consequently to ruin the Navigation upon which the Wealth and Safety of this Nation very much depends The Right of the Flag inherent in the Crown of England has been disputed by his Orders in Violation of our Sovereignty of the Narrow Seas which in all Ages has been asserted by our Predecessors and we are resolv'd to maintain for the Honour of our Crown and of the English Nation But that which must nearly touch us is his unchristian Prosecution of many of our English Protestant Subjects in France for Matters of Religion contrary to the Law of Nations and express Treaties forcing them to abjure their Religion by strange and unusual Cruelties and imprisoning some of the Masters and Seamen of our Merchants Ships and condemning others to the Gallies upon pretence of having on Board either some of his own miserable Protestant Subjects or their Effects And lastly As he has for some years last past endeavoured by Insinuations and Promises of Assistance to overthrow the Government of England so now by open and violent Methods and the actual Invâsion of Our Kingdom of Ireland in support of our Subjects in Arms and in Rebellion against Us he is promoting the utter Extirpation of our good and loyal Subjects in that our Kingdom Being therefore thus necessitated to take up Arms and relying on the help of Almighty God in our just Undertaking We have thought fit to Declare and do hereby Declare War against the French King and that We will in Conjunction with our Allies vigorously prosecute the same by Sea and Land since he hath so unrighteously begun it being assured of the hearty Concurrence and Assistance of our Subjects in support of so good a Cause hereby willing and requiring our General of our Forces our Commissioners for executing the Office of High Admiral our Lieutenants of our several Counties Governours of our Forts and Garisons and all other Officers and Soldiers under them by Sea and Land to do and execute all acts of Hostility in the Prosecution of this War against the French King his Vassals and Subjects and to oppose their Attempts Willing and Requiring all our Subjects to take notice of the same whom we henceforth strictly forbid to hold any Correspondence or Communication with the said French King or his Subjects And because there are remaining in our Kingdoms many of the Subjects of the French King We do Declare and give our Royal Word That all such of the French Nation as shall demean themselves dutifully towards us and not correspond with our Enemies shall be safe in their Persons and Estates and free from all molestation and trouble of any kind Given at our Court at Hampton-Court the 7th day of May. 1689 in the first Year of our Reign God save King William and Queen Mary I shall not meddle with the Declaration nor pretend to defend the Justice of it for I think it carries its own light with it but return to the late King who upon his Arrival in Ireland found himself not mistaken as to the Number of his Party which was indeed very strong and almost all the Country at his Devotion the greatest part of the Protestants having before upon their disappointment of Arms Ammunition Commissions and some Forces from England either deserted it or those that staid behind very unable to make any Resistance However they made some shew of forming an Army but were quickly routed by Lieutenant General Hamilton at a place called Drummore Mar. 15th which gave occasion to the late King and Tirconnel to take away the Arms and Horses of the rest of the Protestants except those that fled to Londonderry and some few that went towards Iniskilling who about
occasions however as I presume it to be pardonable for once I shall observe before I proceed any further That tho' his Imperial Majesty was without doubt much pleas'd already with his Affairs on this side yet those towards France seemed mostly at this time to take up the Thoughts of this Court which was now at Ausburg whither the Electors and other Princes of the Empire were to come The outward Appearance of things was such as if there were nothing but the Coronation of the Empress aud the Election of a King of the Romans in view But the particular Design was undoubtedly to concert Measures and agree upon what Enterprizes were to be undertaken the following Spring and to find a way to defray the extraordinary Charges of such a necessary and important War as that wherein they were engaged against France wherein how well or ill they succeeded will best appear by the sequel of this History But however France might be affected with these Proceedings and Designs of which she could not be ignorant she had some sort of satisfaction about this time to get rid of one turbulent tho' inconsiderable Enemy in respect to others and that was the Algerine who now made a Peace with her upon these Terms That all Prizes that were taken on both sides till the 24th of September which was the day of the Ratification of the Treaty should be good but that all that were taken on either side since the Ratification should be restored The Algerines engaged themselves to come into the Ocean with forty Sail to Pyrate upon the English and Dutch and were to be admitted into all the Ports of France and especially Brest and should be further furnished with all things necessary for their Money but what Vessels they took upon the Ocean were to belong to the French King tho' the Lading was to be theirs And finally whereas his most Christian Majesty was unwilling they should make any Slaves they engaged to let him have the Prisoners delivered to him at so much a Head But to return from whence I have lately diâgressed to the Emperor's Arms in Servia The Prince of Baden understanding the Turks after the fore-mentioned Defeat were so far from having any further thoughts or indeed from being in a condition to enter Sclavonia as before they had intended that they had quitted the Enterprize of Seback and not only so but forsaken Zwornich after having first plundered and burnt it because they did not conceive it tenable and were retired towards Nissa and being willing to improve the present Consternation of the Enemy and take the opportunity of the fair Weather resolved with the Imperial Army consisting of about 16 or 17000 Men to advance towards Nissa where he happily arrived after several long Marches on the 23d of Sept. and ranged them in order of Battel that very day The Turkish Army day encamped before the place from Nissa to the top of the Hill that secured it he found them intrenched in their Camp much more regularly than the Turks were wont to do which made it to be believed that some Christian had been their Director Besides this they were invironed with a deep Moat well pallisado'd and the River that ran through the City and which was very rapid secured then on the other side so that there was no possibility of attacking them any way but behind where their Camp was only accessible Nothing passed that day save some petty Skirmishes between the Volunteers of the Imperial Camp and some Troops of the Infidels but the next day the Imperialists decamped an hour before day the left Wing followed by the Baggage took their way to the left side of a Mountain over which they were to march and where they made an Halt until the right Wing commanded by the Duke of Croy had joined them then the whole Army descended into a Valley in Battel-array at what time the Enemy showed themselves upon another little Hill over which the Christians were also to pass before they came in sight of the Infidel's Camp making a shew as if they intended to come down and to charge the Imperialists who no sooner perceived them than that they boldly advanced to meet them But the Turks not thinking it convenient to tarry the Christians advanced to the top of the Hill without any opposition where they found themselves near the Enemy's Intrenchments and perceived it was impossible to force them on that side with an Army not half so numerous as the Enemy Whereupon it was concluded they should seek out a more accessible place and to that purpose they marched along a Valley coasting the Enemy that lay on the right side with a design to fall upon them in the Rear But because they were not well acquainted with the Ways Count Cziaki was sent out with a Party of Hussars to view the Avenues on that side In the mean time several slight Skirmishes passed betvveen Parties of both Armies which however did not hinder the Imperialists from keeping on their Way expecting Count Cziaki who returned at length and assured them they might march on without any danger the which was also confirmed by a Prisoner taken at the same time who added withal that behind the Hills which the Army had in view before it there were two Villages upon the left and to the right a spacious Plain large enough to embattle the Army and where they might attack the Enemy's Rear When the Turks perceived the Christians Designs they began to intrench that part of the Camp which they had neglected before not dreaming of being attack'd that way The Flower of the Janizaries were ordered to guard the Hills which they saw the right Wing of the Christians going to possess themselves of and sent out 4000 Horse to charge the Rear of the left Wing commanded by Picolomini who sending out a Detachment of 3 Squadrons of Noirkermer's Regiment they charged the Enemy so briskly that they were repulsed and pursued above 300 Paces In the mean time the right Wing was engaged with the Janizaries who made a stout resistance and cost the life of the brave Major-General Vellon but the Christians rather animated than born down with the resistance they met with redoubled their Fury and after they had beaten off the Janizaries gained the Hill whither they brought their Cannon and played briskly upon the Enemy who were retired into a bottom from whence they also fired continually upon the Christians And now the Spahi's who had been beaten by a Detachment of the left Wing returned again to the Charge endeavouring still all they could to flank the Christians and fell on with much greater Fury than before as if the Ignominy of their flight had given life anew to their Courage This on-set was firmly sustained by Palâi's Regiment of Heydukes who being seconded by others put the whole Ottoman Cavalry into disorder and drove them even upon the Janizaries who seeing the Cowardize of the Spahi's fired
fire to get his Men out in the time of the Sally as not knowing what might happen The Enemy's Loss in that Action was considerable and so much the more advantageous to the English in that it broke the Neck of a Design the Irish had of drawing together a Body of 10000 Men at Cavan to fall upon Belturbet and other Places and gave Colonel Woolsley about the beginning of Apr. an opportunity to take the Castle of Killishandra with whose Services the General was very well pleased who upon that sent him a Battalion of Danes that were lately landed in Ireland to reinforce him at Belturbet About the same time Sir John Lanier with a Party of a 1000 Horse Foot and Dragoons made an Attempt upon Dundalk took Bedloe Castle and the Ensign that Commanded there and brought from beyond the Town and about it about 1500 Cows and Oxen. The Ensign was carried to Lisburn and brought before the General into his Garden where he commonly used to walk before Dinner who before he asked him any Questions gave him a pretty Caution to be sincere in his Answers saying You have a Commission and for that Reason if not otherwise you are a Gentleman This obliges you to speak Truth which if you do not I can know it by examining other Prisoners and then I shall have no good Opinion of you But for all this and what-ever else he told him afterward in private he could get little or nothing out of him that was Material But King James did not seem to be so sensibly concerned at these Disadvantages so remote from him in the North as he was at the loss of the only Man of War I think he had in his Possession and of which though in it self no such considerable Action as might merit a room in this Treatise Yet there are some Circumstances belonging to it that are engaging enough and will not permit me to pass it over in silence Sir Clovesly Shovell being about the 12th of Apr. arrived at Belfast as Convoy to divers Ships that carried over Necessaries for the Army and there having Intelligence of a Frigat that lay at Anchor in the Bay of Dublin he set sail on the 18th being Good-Friday to the Mouth of the said Bay And there leaving the Monk and some other great Ships he took the Monmouth-Yatch and one or two more with several long Boats and went up to Polley where the Frigat lay being one half of the Scotch Fleet that was taken in the Channel the preceding Year carrying 16 Guns and 4 Pattereroes King James when he was advertised of it said It was some of his Loyal Subjects of England that were returning to their Duty and Allegiance But he was quickly convinced of his Mistake when he saw them draw near the Ship and heard the firing and therefore he rid out towards Rings-End where a vast croud of People of all sorts gathered together and several Regiments were drawn out to kill if it were possible those bold Fellows at Sea who durst upon such a good day perform so wicked a Deed as they phrased it Captain Bennet who Commanded the Frigat run her a ground and after several firings when they saw a Fire-ship coming in which Sir Clouvesly had given the signal for the Men who were about 40 of which they lost 6 or 7 in the Action quitted her and our Men took her but in her going off one of her Hoys run aground and was dry when the Tide was gone out tho' the rest of the Boats were not a far off being full of armed Men and a Frenchman of K. James his Guards coming nigh the Boats to fire his Pistols in a bravado had his Horse shot under him and was forced to fling away his Jack-boots to run away in his Stockings to save himself leaving his Saddle and Accouterments to some of the English Seamen who would go ashoar to fetch them off King James went back much concerned at the Adventure and 't was reported he should say That all the Protestants in Ireland were of Cromwell ' s breed and deserved to have their Throats cut which if true argued no great Stock of Discretion in him however all the Protestants that walked that way during the Action were secured in Prison and only two of them made their Escape to the English Boats But to return again to the Affairs of the North there was but little more of any moment done there before the King's Arrival besides the taking of the Castle of Charlemont a âtrong place both by Nature and Art as being seated upon a piece of Ground in the middle of a Bay and only accessible by two ways which the Irish had partly broke down but what was designed by the Irish for its relief and security proved the loss of it For Mack-Mahon with a Detachment of between 4 and 500 Men having in the Night got over the Bogs into the Place with Ammunition and some small Quantities of Provision Monsieur Davesant Cambon's Lieutenant Collonel having notice of it and that they designed to return in a small time divided his Men into 3 parts When the 3d Night after their going in they were marching out again near to Captain la Carry's Post who had 40 Men with him He let their Van pass him and then fired upon their main Body killing 8 of them with an Officer and forcing the rest into Charlemont who for hast left 110 Muskets 6 Halbards some Drumms and several other things behind them the same ill success they met with in the other Attempts then made But when the Blockade was re-inforced from the General who some said knew of Mack-Mahou's going in and ordered them to suffer him to pass that their stay might bring the Garrison the sooner low and so be forced to surrender The Irish made no further Attempt to escape but it had almost been as well for them to have fallen into the Hands of the English as to be beat back as they were For old Teague O Regan the Governour was so angry with them for it that he swore If they could not get out they should have no entertainment nor lodging within And he was as good as his Word for they were forced to make little Huts in the dry Ditch within the Palisadoes and upon the Counterscarp few or none of them being permitted to go within the Gates of the Castle so that between the one and the other the poor Fellows were in a miserable plight The General being resolved to possess himself of the Place sent several Regiments that way who encamped almost round it having some time before sent old Teague a summons to surrender but he was then very surly and bid the Messenger tell his Master from old Teague O Regan That he was an old Knave and by St. Patrick he should not have the Town at all At which Answer the Duke only smiled saying He would give Teague greater reasons to be angry in a short time and
there was an Hill to the E. of the Enemy's Camp and N. from the Town he went thither to view their Camp which he found to be all along the River in two lines and where he had a long Discourse with the Prince Duke Scomberg Duke of Ormond Count Solms Major General Scravenmoor my Lord Sidney and other great Officers who were all curious in making their observations upon the Enemy and Scravenmoor said they were Vne pettite Armee for they could not reckon above 46 Regiments that lay incamped but the King answered that they might have a great many Men in the Town that there was also an Hill to the S. W. beyond which part of their Army might lie incamped and that possibly they did not shew all their Numbers however he said he was resolved to see very soon what they were From hence the King rid on to the Pass at the old Bridge and stood upon the side of the Bank within Musket-shot of the Ford there to make his further observations on the Enemy's Posture and Camp and in some time after rid about 200 Paces up the River nigh the West of all the Enemy's Camp Whilst his Army was marching in he alighted and sat him down upon a rising Ground where he refreshed himself for about an hour during which time some of the Irish with long Guns came down and shot at our Dragoons who went down to the River to drink and some of our went down to return the Complement to the former And 't was farther observed that a Party of about 40 Horse advancing very slowly stood upon a plowed Field over-against the King for near half an Hour and brought 2 Field-pieces with them which they dropt by an Hedge on the said Ground as was afterwards known though our Men did not then discover them and one of which when the King was mounted they fired It killed 2 Horses and a Man about a 100 Yards above where the King was which was no sooner done but immediately came a 2d which had almost been fatal to one of the greatest Lives upon Earth for the Ball having first grazed on the Bank of the River did in its first rising slant upon the King's Right-shoulder took out a Piece of his Coat and tore the Skin and Flesh and afterwards broke the Head of a Gentleman's Pistol My Lord Conningsby no sooner saw his Majesty struck but he rid up and clapt his Handkerchief upon the Place but the King himself took little notice and kept on his pace saying only There was no necessity the Bullet should have come nearer though the Enemy continued firing who when they saw their shot somewhat disturb our Horse they set up a most prodigious shout all over the Camp as if the King 's whole Army had been ruin'd and drew down several Squadrons of their Horse upon a Plain towards the River but in such a Place as they knew it was not possible for the English to come at them Yet when our Guns came up which was about 3 that Afternoon and begun to play they withdrew their Squadrons into their Camp The King about 9 at Night having called a Council of War declared he was resolved to pass the River next Day which Duke Scomberg at first opposed but finding the King positive he advised that part of the Army should be sent that Night about 12 towards Slane-bridge and to pass the River thereabouts and so get between the Enemy and the Pass at Duleek but this Advice was not taken Then they fell into a Debate about getting good and trusty Guides when my Lord George Hamilton who was by immediately brought 4 or 5 of his Irish Iniskilling Officers who knew the Fords very well and took upon them to guide the Army next day and here it was concluded how the Army should march and who should command at the different Posts which were ordered in this manner Lieutenant General Douglas was to command the right Wing of Foot and Count Sâhomberg the Horse who were to march on early toward Slane-bridge and other Fords up the River to flank the Enemy or get between the Enemy's Camp and Drogheda whilst in the mean time a body of Foot forced their way at the Pass at Old-bridge But while this was doing on our side the Enemy were not idâe for they also called a Council of War wherein Lieutenant General Hambleton advised to send a Party of Dragoons to a Ford that was below the Town of Drogheda which the English either knew not of or else did not regard and all the rest being 8 Regiments with their whole left Line towards the Bridge of Slane but King James said he would send 50 Dragoons up the River which put Hamilton into a great Amazement considering the Importance of the Place to be defended Towards the close of the Evening the Cannon ceased on both sides and the King gave Orders that every Soldier should be provided with a good Stock of Ammunition and all to be ready at break of day to march at a minute's Warning with every Man a green Bough or Sprig in his Hat to distinguish him from the Enemy who wore pieces of Paper on their Hats The Word that Night being Westminster he rid in Person about 12 at Night with Torches quite through the Army At last Tuesday the 1st of July came which proved to be a very clear Day as if the Sun it self had a mind to see what the Event would be when about 6 in the Morning Lieutenant General Douglas march'd towards the Right with the Foot and Count Scomberg with the Horse which being observed by the Enemy they drew out their Horse and Foot towards the left to oppose us The Right Wing at first were ordered to pass all at Slane but upon better Information several Regiments were ordered to go over at other Fords between the Camp and that place When the Horse approach'd the River they found a Regiment of the Enemies Dragoons posted on the other side who fired upon them and then thought to have retreated to their main Body but before they could do that they were flanked in a Lane and about 70 of their Number slain which was almost all the Opposition they meâ with in passing the River that way But when they advanced forwards they found the Enemy drawn up in 2 Lines Whereupon the English drew up in 2 Lines also being 24 Squadrons of Horse and Dragoons and but six Batallions of âoot which being too few Douâlas sent for more and in the mean time according to my Lord Portland's Advice the Horse and Foot were mix'd Squadron with Batallion for their greater Security However more Foot coming up this Figure was altered and all the Horse drawn to the Right by which they out-flanked the Enemy considerably They found the Ground very difficult to pass by reason of a great Bog and some Ditches that were in the way but the Horse moving to the Right and the Foot taking
40000 strong and in Expectation of considerable Re-inforcements With this he designed to have taken some âorts that opened a Passage into Wirtemburg a Province that had not yet been ransacked by the Army and consequently would afford abundant Subsistance for his Men But the Elector of Bavaria would not give him leisure to put that Project in Execution and therefore without losing of time he returned back with long Marches and joining the Saxons the two Electors marched directly towards the Enemy but all that ever they could do could not engage the Dauphine to fight who as industriously by hard Marches and Stratagems declined a Battle as they every way sought it And the rather in that they were superiour to him in Forces upon his sending away a Detachment of 12000 Men towards the Mosselle to oppose the Designs of the Lunenburgers and Hessians who were got near Coblentz with a purpose to pass the Rhine and so fall into the Arch-bishoprick of Treves and expell the French out of that Country Thus unactively or at least without any memorable Action ended the Campaign on the German-side and now we shall take a step into Catalonia and see whether they have shewed any more Vigour there The beginning of the Year was attended with an Insurrection in that Country that wrought no small trouble both to the Vice-Roy and the Court of Spain The Pretence was that the Spaniards kept too great a Number of Troops in that Province and gave them Reason to fear they might be invaded more and more in their Priviledges of which they were very Jealous since the usual Impositions were hardly tollerable and the manner of the Revolt was thus Two wealthy Country-men had Credit enough to draw together about a 1000 more and with that Body they stopped up all the Avenues to Barcelona where the Duke d Villa Hermâsa the Vice-Roy resided seized upon 4 Troops of Horse that âay in the Villages round about and committed some Spoil But the Duke â ' Villa Hermosa had no sooner sent out a Party of the Garrison of Barcelona against them than they fled to the Mountains and from thence in a short time after sent to beg Pardon of the Vice-Roy which was granted them and all things thereupon were concluded to have been intirely appeased But they were greatly mistaken in the matter for the Sedition was only raked up in the Ashes the Rebels had shewed themselves too soon in regard the French who were to have seconded them were not within reach to do it So that the Catalins kept fair for a time till they had Assurance of Assistance and Protection from France when they threw of their Masks acted more daringly than before and increased in Numbers every day So that the Spaniards were obliged besides the Forces that Province had which were not sufficient to send for more out of Navarre to suppress them by which they were reduced to great Necessity that tho' the Duke de Noailles posted with all Expedition to Perpignan and used all the Industry imaginable to draw his Army together yet they had before in a manner dwindled into nothing and he found little other benefit of their Revolt than the Advantage of being before-hand with the Spaniards in the Field as he was the Year before when he took Campredon from them which spent them that whole Campaign in the retaking of it though they could not prevent the Demolishing thereof by which means he had the Opportunity to take San Juan Ahassus a small Fort 2 Leagues beyond Campredon and 6 from Gironne which incouraged him to go on and so making himself Master of divers small Castles that gave him Annoyance he advanced as far as Foulen about 4 small Leagues from Girone which he also took in and then turned his thoughts upon Gironne But finding himself not strong enough to attack the City yet being desirous to take advantage of the slowness of the Spaniards he left Gironne npon the left hand and advanced near the City of Vich maintaining his Soldiers at the expence of the Catalins and destroying all he could not make use of But I 'll warrant you you are in an amazement what was become of the Spaniards must we say they were idle all this while By no means For you must know that by the Month of Aug. they had got between 10 and 12000 Men together with which the Duke de Villa Hermosa march'd towards the Enemy to call them to an account for all the Ravage they had committed but they did not think fit at this time to abide the trial of a Battle and therefore hastned to retire by the way of Rousillon which they did effectually and with which ended that mighty Campaign The Court of Spain being more taken up with the Jollities occasioned by the King's Marriage with the Princess of Neuburg than with the Cares and Fatigues of a Campaign for which of late Years they have shewed no great Stomach And now it will be time to say something of the Affairs of Italy since the Flames of War began to kindle here this Year You have heard before how the Duke of Savoy threw off the Neutrality and closed in at length with the Confederates and that thereupon the Emperor had ordered divers Troops to succour him but there was no depending for the present upon them who were so remote and the Enemy so near And therefore the Duke making up what Force he could and joyning himself with the Milanese Troops made up an Army very near as strong as the French yet they thought it not proper after several Councils of War to go in quest of the Enemy The Duke indeed was impatient of Battle being not able to endure the Enemy in the midst of his Territories and therefore continually testified his Impatience thereof But the Count de Lovignier who commanded the Spanish Troops was continually laying before him That Mounsieur Catinat could not receive Supplies but with great difficulty and that his Army-wasted every Day by Desertion or Diseases Whereas the Duke's Army increased with new Re-inforcements every Month and wanted for nothing and therefore a little Patience would produce assured Victory Thus Matters stood when Monsieur Catinat being sensible of the Fault he had committed in removing from that place which afforded him means to repass the River Po and Forage on the other side of it used his utmost Endeavours to make himself Master of it a second time but he must have some Blows for it For when the Duke of Savoy understood his Design and that the Forces which he he had posted upon the Banks of the Po were not able to stop the Enemy he resolved to decamp with his Army to observe the Motions and Attempts of the French And therefore quitting the Neighbourhood of Turin June 17th he encamp'd at Calalarga which is over-against Montcallier not above half a League from the Enemy the Po being between both Armies Here the Duke lay for some
as to offer the Enemy Battel which the other did not decline For upon the 18th Catinat gave the Signal and by 11 in the Morning ordered the Italians to be attack'd by the way of the Morass which he had caused to be sounded before and found firm enough to bear his Men So that the Duke 's Left Wing not expecting to be attack'd in Flank the Morass being to the Left of them made not such a stout Resistance as they might have done had they been forewarned However they killed several of the Enemy but at length the Cavalry began to give way being maul'd both with the firings of a Body of Reserve and with the great Cannon that plaid directly upon them But the Right Wing stood firm till 3 in the Afternoon when being not able to bear the whole brunt of the Enemies fire they were constrained to betake themselves to flight and several of them thinking to facilitate it by taking the Po in their way were drowned The Duke himself retired with part of his Troops to Carignan to compute his Loss which the Enemy affirmed to be 4000 slain out-right 11 great Guns good store of Baggage some Colours and a considerable quantity of Ammunition taken and that themselves had not above an 150 killed and about 100 wounded This Account tho' it be not altogether probable yet the Advantage every way was the French's past all doubt and what was intended to have been saved by the Duke of Savoy in hazarding this Battle was the Consequence of Catinat's Victory who the very next day possessed himself of Salusses as he did soon after of Savillana a large City 15 Miles from the former Villa Franca and divers other Places and then march'd with his Army to Raiconoggi with a Design to set upon the Duke of Savoy's Men that were retired to Carignan after their Defeat or at least to make himself Master of Carmagnoli But the Duke not finding himself in a state to abide his coming retreated to Monclair to recruit his Army and to wait for the German Troops that were coming to his Assistance after he had put 4000 Men into Carignan and secured Carmagnola The Germans or at least part of them some time after joyned the Duke with which Reinforcement besides some Milanese Troops being near 20000 strong he decamp'd on the 16th of Sept. from Monclair and advanced towards Catinat who also having been strengthened with some Regiments from France was not at all startled at his Approach but stood his Ground while Monsieur St. Ruth was reducing Tartantasia and Morienna with all Savoy excepting Montmelian under the Obedience of the French King whose Cities swore Allegiance to him and whereof Monsieur St. Ruth for his good Services was made Governour with an annual Pension as 't was said of 40000 Livres And as the French Forces had in a manner made a compleat Conquest of the Dutchy of Savoy this Season you have already an account how far a Progress they have made in Piedmont the most valuable part of the Duke's Dominions and now you will hear of what was more afflicting to his Royal Highness than any one thing that perhaps befel him since the Rupture Suza is a City very considerable for its Situation as being that which opens a Passage out of the Dauphinate into Piedmont whenever the French should think it requisite For every time the Kings of France design'd a War in Italy they always coveted to be Masters of that Post Now Catinat had had an Eye upon it for some time and made some secret Paces towards accomplishing his Design which yet he could not carry so covertly but that the Duke had notice of it so that he did all he could to prevent the misfortune To this purpose he sent away the Count of Lovigniez with 6 Batallions of Foot and some Horse to secure the Place Of which Monsieur Catinat being advertised he did not take the ordinary Road but hasted towards the Mountains marching his Men with wonderful Application and Celerity for 6 Days together without Intermission This Motion of his when the Duke heard of he mistakingly thought the Siege of Suza had been a feign'd business but that the true Design of the French was to give him Battle and therefore sent Orders to Lovigniez to leave Suza and forthwith to joyn him with all his Forces This was no sooner done but the French immediately begirt the City where there was only 6 or 700 Men in Garrison under the Count de Lande who seeing no likelihood to defend himself in such a weak Post with such an inconsiderable Force against a numerous Army or rather being of a base and dastardly Nature made shew of putting himself first in a Posture of Resistance but presently after surrendred the City upon Terms of marching out with Arms Baggage and 3 Cannon and to be convey'd to the Gates of Turin With this Action the Campaign ended in Italy for Catinat divided his Army thereupon sending one part of them into Winter-Quarters in Savoy and the other into Provence But while the Duke of Savoy was struggling in this manner with his adverse Fortune at home without its having been in the Power of his new Allies the Germans and Spaniards hitherto to bear him up under the Weight that oppress'd him he bethinks himself of making Application to some other oâ the Confederates and therefore first sends the Count de lâ Tour his Envoy into Holland who was kindly received by the States and promised some Support tho' this was the first that ever came from a Duke of Savoy to them ever since they had been a State and had Orders from thence to go into England to congratulate the King and Queen's Accession to the Throne having done his main business with the King's Envoy before at the Hague and delivered himself to the King in the following Terms which I am the more inclined to takâ notice of because of something in consequence and whereâ you will have an Account in due place that quite contradict what in substance is contained herein SIR HIS Royal Highness congratulates Your Majesties glorious Access to the Crown due to your Birth merited by your Vertue and maintain'd by your Valour Providence ordain'd it for your sacred Head for the Accomplishment of Heavens Designs from all Eternity that Providence which after long forbearance raises up chosen Instruments at length to suppress Violence and protect Justice The wonderful beginnings of your Reign are assured Presages of the Blessings which Heaven is preparing for the Integrity of your Intentions which have no other Aim than to restore this flourishing Kingdom to that Grandeur which it anciently enjoyed and to break off those Chains under the Weight of which all Europe at present groans This magnanimous Design so worthy the Hero of our Age soon fill'd his Royal Highness with unspeakable Joy tho' he were constrain'd to keep it undisclosed for a time in the privacies of his Heart and if afterwards he
Irish and all Officers and Soldiers now in Arms under any Commission of King James or those Authorized to grant the same in the several Counties of Limerick Clare Kerry Cork and Mayo or in any of them and all the Commissioned Officers in their Majesties Quarters that belong to the Irish Regiments now in Being that are Treated with and who are not Prisoners of War or have taken Protection and who shall return and submit to their Majesties Obedience their and every of their Heirs shall hold possess and enjoy all and every their Estates of Free-hold and Inheritance and all the Right Title and Interest Privileges and Immunities which they and every or any of them held enjoyed or were rightfully and lawfully Intituled to in the Reign of K. Charles the II or at any Time since by the Laws and Statutes that were in Force in the said Reign of K. Charles the II and shall be put in Possession by order of the Government of such of them as are in the King's Hands or the Hands of their Tenants without being put to any Suit or Trouble therein And all such Estates shall be freed and discharg'd from all Arrears of Crown-Rents Quit-Rents and other publick Charges incurred and become due since Michaelmas 1688. to the Day of the Date hereof And all Persons comprehended in this Article shall have hold and enjoy all their Goods and Chattles Real and Personal to them or any of them belonging or remaining either in their own Hands or the Hands of any Person or Persons whatsoever in Trust for or for the Use of them or any of them And all and every the said Persons of what Trade Profession or Calling soever they be shall and may use exercise and practise their several and respective Professions Trades and Callings as freely as they did use exercise and enjoy the same in the Reign of K. James the II Provided that nothing in this Article contained be construed to extend to or restore any Forfeiting Person now out of the Kingdom except what are hereafter comprized Provided also that no Person whatsoever shall have and enjoy the Benefit of this Article that shall neglect or refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance made by Act of Parliament in England in the First Year of the Reign of their present Majesties when thereunto required III. ALL Merchants or reputed Merchants of the City of Limerick or of any other Garrison now possessed by the Irish or of any Town or Place in the Counties of Clare or Kerry who are absent beyond the Seas that have not born Arms since their Majesties Declaration in February 1688_9 shall have the Benefit of the Second Article in the same Manner as if they were present provided such Merchants and reputed Merchants do repair into this Kingdom within the Space of Eight Months from the Date hereof IV. THESE following Officers viz. Colonel Simon Lutterel Capt. Rowland White Morrice Eustace of Gormonstown Cheevers of Mayestown commonly called Mount-Leinster now belonging to the Regiments in the aforesaid Garrisons and Quarters of the Irish Army who were beyond the Seas and sent thither upon Affairs of their respective Regiments or of the Army in General shall have the Benefit and Advantage of the Second Article provided they return hither within the Space of 8 Months from the Date of these Presents and submit to their Majesties Government and take the Above-mentioned Oath V. THAT all and Singular the said Persons comprized in the 2d and 3d Articles shall have a general Pardon of all Attainders Outlawries Treasons Misprisions of Treason Premunires Fellonies Trespasses and other Crimes and Misdemeanors whatsoever by them or any of them committed since the Beginning of the Reign of King James the II and if any of them are Attainted by Parliament the Lords Justices and the General will use their best Endeavours to get the same repealed by the Parliament and the Outlawries to be reversed Gratis all but Writing-Clerks fees VI. WHEREAS the present Wars have drawn great Violences on both Parties and that if Leave were given for bringing all Sorts of private Actions the Animosities would probably continue that have been so long on Foot and the publick Disturbance last For the Quieting and Settling therefore of the Kingdom and avoiding those Inconveniences which would be your Necessary Consequence of the Contrary no Person or Persons whatsoever comprized in the foregoing Articles shall be Sued Molested or Impleaded at the Suit of any Party or Parties whatsoever for any Trespass by them committed or for any Arms Horses Mony Goods Chattles Merchandize or Provision whatsoever by them seized or taken during the Time of the War And no Person or Persons whatsoever in the 2d or 3d Articles comprised shall be Sued Impleaded or made accountable for the Rents or mean Rates of any Lands Tenements or Houses by him or them received or enjoyed in this Kingdom since the Beginning of this present War to the Day of the Date hereof nor for any Waste or Trespass by him or them committed in any such Lands Tenements or Houses And it is also agreed That this Article shall be mutual and reciprocal on both sides VII EVERY Nobleman and Gentleman comprised in the said 2d and 3d Articles shall have liberty to Ride with a Sword and Case of Pistols if they think fit and keep a Gun in their Houses for the Defence of the same or Fowling VIII THE Inhabitants Residents of the City of Limerick anâ other Garrisons shall be permitted to remove their Goodâ Chattels and Provisions out of the same without being vieweâ or searched or paying any manner of Duty and shall not be compelled to leave their Houses or Lodgings they now haââ therein for the Space of 6 Weeks next ensuing the Date hereof IX THE Oath to be administred to such Roman-Catholicks as submit to their Majesties Government shall be the Oath abovesaid and no other X. NO Person or Persons who shall at any time hereafter break these Articles or any of them shall thereby make or cause any other Person or Persons to forfeit or lose the Benefit of the same XI THE Lords Justices and General do promise to use their utmost Endeavours that all Persons comprehended in the abovementioned Articles shall be protected and defended from all Arrests and Executions for Debt or Damage for the Space of 8 Months next ensuing the Date hereof XII LASTLY The Lords Justices and General do undertake that their Majesties will ratifie these Articles within the Space of 8 Months or sooner and use their utmost Endeavours that the same shall be ratified and confirmed in Parliament XIII AND whereas Colonel John Brown stood indebted to several Protestants by Judgments of Record which appearing to the late Government the Lord Tyrconnel and Lord Lucan took away the Effects the said John Brown had to answer the said Debts and promised to clear the said John Brown of the said Debts which effects were taken for the publick use of
for their March they paying for the said Provisions or else that they may take it out of their owâ Magazines XII THAT all the Troops of Horse and Dragoons that aâ in the Counties of Cork Kerry and Clare shall have the Benefit of this Capitulation and that such as will pass inâ France shall have Quarters given them in the Counties ãâã Clare and Kerry a-part from the Troops commanded by General Ginckle until they can be Shipped and within theâ Quarters they shall pay for all things excepting âorragâ and Pasture for their Horses which shall be furnished Grââis XIII THOSE of the Garrison of Sligo that are joyn'd to thâ Irish Army shall have the Benefit of this Capitulation anâ Orders shall be sent to them that are to Convoy them ãâã to bring them hither to Limerick the shortest way XIV THE Irish may have Liberty to Transport 900 Horse including Horses for the Officers which shall be transportâ Gratis And as for the Troops that stay behind they shâ dispose of themselves as they shall think fit giving ãâã their Arms and Horses to such Persons as the General ãâã appoint XV. IT shall be permitted for those that are appointed to take care for the Subsistence of the Horse that are willing to go into France to buy Hay and Corn at the King's Rates where-ever they can find it in the Quarters that are assign'd for them without any Lett or Molestation and to carry all necessary Provisions out of the City of Limerick And for this purpose the General will furnish convenient Carriages for them to the Place where they shall be imbarked XVI IT shall be lawful to make use of the Hay preserved in the Stores of the County of Kerry for the Horses that shall be imbarked and if there be not enough it shall be lawful to buy Hay and Oats where-ever it shall be found at the King's Rates XVII THAT all Prisoners of War that were in Ireland the 28th of September shall be set at Liberty on both sides and the General promises to use his Endeavours that the Prisoners that are in England and Flanders shall be set at Liberty also XVIII THE General will cause Provisions and Medicines to be furnished to the Sick and Wounded Officers Troops Dragoons and Souldiers of the Irish Army that cannot pass into France at the first Imbarkment and after they are cured will order them Ships to pass into France if they are willing XIX THAT at the Signing hereof the General will send a Ship express into France and then besides will furnish two small Ships of those that are now in the River of Limerick to Transport two Persons into France that are to be sent to give Notice of this Treaty and that the Commanders of the said Ships shall have Orders to put a Shore at the next place of France where they shall make XX. THAT all those of the said Troops Officers and Others of what Character soever that would pass into France shall not be stop'd upon the Account of Debt or any other Pretence XXI IF after Signing this present Treaty and before the Arrival of the Fleet a French Packet-Boat or other Transport-Ship shall arrive from France in any other part of Ireland the General will order a Pass-port not only for such as must go on board the said Ship but to the Ships to come to the nearest Port to the Place where the Troops to be Transported shall be quartered XXII THAT after the Arrival of the said Fleet there shall be a free Communication and Passage between it and the abovesaid Troops and especially for all those that have Passes from the chief Commanders of the said Fleet or from Monsieur Tumeron the Intendant XXIII IN Consideration of the present Capitulation the Town of Limerick shall be delivered and put into the Hands of the General or any other Person he shall appoint at the Time and Days hereafter specified viz. the Irish Town except the Magazines and Hospital on the Day of Signing the present Articles and as for the English Town it shall remain together with the Island and the free Passage of Thomond-Bridge in the Hands of those of the Irish Army that are in the Garrison or that shall hereafter come from the Counties of Cork Clare Kerry Slego and other Places above-mentioned until there be Convenience found for their Transportation XXIV AND to prevent all disorders that may happen between the Garrisons that the General shall place in the Irish Town which shall be delivered to him and the Irish Troops that shall remain in the English Town and Island which they may do until the Troops be imbarked on the first 50 Ships shall be gone for France and no longer they shall intrencâ themselves on both Sides to hinder the Communication of the said Garrisons And it shall be prohibited on both Sides to offer any thing offensive and the Parties offending shall be punished on either Side XXV THAT it shall be lawful for the said Garrison to march out all at once or at different times as they can be imbarked with Arms Baggage Drums beating Match lighted at both ends Bullet in Mouth Colours flying Six Brass Guns such as the Besieged will choose two Mortar-pieces and half the Ammunition that is now in the Magazines oâ the said Place And for this purpose an Inventory of all the Ammunition of the said Garrison shall be made in the presence of any Person that the General shall appoint the next day after the present Articles shall be Signed XXVI ALL the Magazines of Provisions shall remain in the Hands of those that are now imployed to take care of the same for the Subustence of those of the Irish Army that will pass into France And that if there shall not be sufficient iâ the Stores for the Support of the said Troops while they stay in this Kingdom and are crossing the Seas that upon giving Account of their Number the General will furnish them with sufficient Provisions at the King's Rates and that there shall be a free Market at Limerick and other Quarters where the said Troops shall be And in case any Provisions shall remain in the Magazines of Limerick when the Town shall be given up it shall be valued and the Price deducted out of what is to be paid for the Provisions to be furnished to the Troops a Ship-board XXVII THAT there shall be a Cessation of Arms at Land and also at Sea with respect to the Ships whether English Dutch or French design'd for the Transportation of the said Troops until they be return'd to their respective Harbours and that on both Sides they shall be furnish'd sufficiently with Pass-ports both Ships and Men And if any Sea Commander or Captain of a Ship or any Officer Troop Dragoon Soldier or other Person shall act contrary to this Cessation the Persons so acting shall be punished on either side and Satisfaction shall be made for the Wrong done Officers shall be sent to the Mouth
of the River of Limerick to give notice to the Commanders of the English and French Fleets of the present Conjuncture that they may observe the Cessation of Arms accordingly XXVIII THAT for the Security of the Execution of this present Capitulation and of each Article herein contain'd the Besieged shall give the following Hostages And the General shall give XXIX IF before this Capitulation is fully executed there happens any change in the Government or Command of the Army which is now commanded by General Ginckle all those that shall be appointed to command the same shall be obliged to observe and execute what is specified in these Articles or cause it to be executed punctually and shall not act contrary on any Account whatsoever Octob. 91. Baron De Ginckle To say nothing of other things in this Place you see that âs many of the Irish Army as were willing of themselves to âe transported into France might freely do it But the General on the 5th of Oct. receiving a Letter from a Lieuâenant-Colonel in the Irish Army wherein he complained âe was imprisoned for denying to go into France he took it âery ill and ordered 4 Guns to be carried down immediately and planted upon Bolls-Bridge saying in some Heat He would teach them to play Tricks with him which Sarsfield hearing he came to the English Camp and several sharp Wordâ passed between the General and him Sarsfield saying aâ last That he was then in the General 's Power Not so replied the other but you shall go in and do the best you can But at last all things were quiet and the Prisoner enlarged and as many of the Irish as would go were some time after shipped off for France where upon their Arrival they were saluted with a comforting Letter from the late King James directed to Lieutenant-General Sheldon then the Oâficer in Chief with them which was to this Effect JAMES REX HAving been informed of the Capitulation and Surrender ãâã Limerick and of the other Places which remained to ãâã in our Kingdom of Ireland and of the Necessities which foââ the Lords Justices and the General Officers of our Forces theâ unto We will not defer to let you know and the rest of the âââficers that come along with you that we are extreamly satisâ with your and their Conduct and of the Valour of the Soldieâ during the Siege but most particularly of your and their Decââration and Resolution to come and serve where we are And ãâã assure you and order you to assure both Officers and Soldiers ãâã are come along with you that we shall never forget this ãâã Loyalty nor-fail when in a Capacity to give them above othââ particular Marks of our Favour In the mean time you are ãâã inform them that they are to serve under our Command and ãâã our Commissions and if we find that a considerable number is ãâã with the Fleet it will induce us to go personally to see them ãâã Regiment them Our Brother the King of France hath alreââ given Orders to Cloath them and furnish them with all Necesâries and to give them Quarters of Refreshment So we bid ãâã heartily farewel Given at our Court at St. Germââ the 27th of November 1691. And thus ended this famous Irish War with so much ãâã more Glory and Advantage to the English in that the ãâã were so powerfully supported in it by the French Kiââ who thought it much to his Interest to divert their ãâã that way whose Ancestors had done such terrible things ãâã his Country and had sent a good Fleet of Men of War ãâã Store-Ships to the Relief of this last Town which arriââ in Dingle-Bay but a day or two after the Articles were ãâã The Scotch Affairs were so inconsiderable this Season thâ there is nothing worth mentioning from thence neithââ was there any thing extraordinary hapned by Sea tho' the Fleets on each side were very powerful and that one should think the French elated with their last Years Success might have adventured a second Fight now But they knew what they did well enough for they had another-guess Force and Admiral too to deal with now and they had another Game to Play which was to intercept our Turkey Fleet which was exceeding Rich and to that end cruised a long time upon the Irish-Coast But as Providence would have it they had been gone but about 10 days from hovering about Kingsale before the other came having all that time been held back by contrary Winds in their Passage from Cales The English Grand Fleet all this time kept another Course but it was not for want of Zeal or Fidelity in the brave Admiral but of Intelligence Yet as soon as the brave Admiral Russel now Earl of Oxford understood that they were got safe into Kingsale he took all the care imaginable for their being convoy'd safely to their respective Ports whither they were bound and then set sail in quest of the Enemy whom he was inform'd were turn'd to their own Coasts But being come within some Leagues of Brest he understood they lay at Bell-Isle secured in such a manner that it was impossible to attack them and so returned towards the English Shore but met with such tempestuous and stormy Weather that the Coronation a brave Ship and to the best of my Remembrance one or two more Ships of less Consideration were lost and the Admiral himself had much ado to get the rest of the Fleet safe into Harbour where now we leave them and come to see where King William was all the while We have already given you an account of the Congress at the Hague the Progress of the French Arms in the Spring both in Savoy and in Flanders and how the King could not engage them then in the latter and so he went for England where he made no long stay before he returned again into the Netherlands to head the Confederate Army which in Foot was somewhat superiour to that of France but in Horse the latter was stronger But tho' his Majesty did all that Man could do to bring Monsieur Luxemburg to an Engagement by several Marches and Countermarches he made as well as Umbrages he gave him of attacking Maubâge or Mons yet all would not do the other as industriously avoiding fighting and would give no Opportunity for it but upon the greatest Disadvantage so that the King after he had first blown up the Fortifications of Beaumonâ marched the Army towards Aeth from whence he parted on the 16th of Sept. for Loo leaving the Forces under the Command of Prince Waldeck who continued about the aforesaid Place for some time But moving off about the 17th of Sept. towards Benair Monsieur Luxemburg thought it a good Opportunity to fall upon their Rear with a good Body of Horse and the best in France and continued his design'd March so swiftly that upon the 19th he came up with their Rear-guard as they were marching towards
good Officers but of the Infidels they reckoned no less than 18000 Men to have perished in this Battle and almost all their Officers were killed wounded or taken Prisoners and to compleat this terrible Loss there were found not only the Serasquier and principal Aga of the Janizaries among the slain but even the Grand Visier Cupergli who was the most accomplish'd Person in all the Ottoman Empire And this great Defeat of Mahomet's Followers was so much the more remarkable in that their overthrow has been many Years ago calculated by the Learned Brightman out of the Revelations for the present Year However the Successes that attended this great Victory were not so considerable as might have been expected 't is true General Caprara retook Lippa and the Duke of Croy in Sclavonia after he had possest himself of the Castle of Broda march'd to Grandisca which the Turks abandon'd and fir'd upon his Approach as they had done before by Possega and from thence he went to Bagaros whose Garrison after some small Resistance were made to surrender at Discretion by which means all Sclavonia became entirely reduced under the Emperor's Obedience Yet there was but little Progress made in the Siege of Great Waradin tho' the Imperial Troops attack'd it with much Vigour which after all they were forced to turn into a Blockade With this ended the Campaign in Hungary during which Sir William Hussey the King of England's Embassador at the Ottoman Port was negotiating a Peace between the 2 Empires tho' with but little appearance of Success There being nothing at all either considerable as to the War or otherwise memorable as to the Venetians this Year I shall pass on from them to the Poles whose King at the Head of his Army that were about 20000 strong once more fell into Moldavia with a further design of marching that way into Budziack yet the Poles had not advanced far into the former Country but that they were informed a great Body of Tartars had taken the Field and roam'd about their Camp to snap their Convoys which made the King send Prince Lubomirski Mareschal of the Crown with 1500 Horse to observe their Motions Of this the Tartars having Intelligence they laid an Ambuscase for him which succeeded so well on their part that the Prince found himself quickly invironed on both sides and no possibility of retreating without cutting his way thro' Wherefore he sent to give the King immediate Information of his Condition who judging well there was no time to lose set forwards towards the Tartars with all speed But they retreated so fast that he could but do very little Execution upon them Hereupon the Polish Army advanced to Jassi which the Hospodar had again quitted and who stood still firm to the Turkish Interest for all the King of Poland could do to bring him off of it and of which Place the Poles not only took Possession but also of divers others as Roman Nimick and Novacran and after having provided for the Security of them the King thought it convenient to retreat with the whole Army the Season being too far spent to advance any further so that his principal design which was to fall into Budziack came to just nothing However the Castellan of Chelm after having with a Body of Cossacks routed 4000 Tartars who came to relieve it took the Fortress of Sorock seated upon the Neister and this was all that was done before the Army went into Quarters So that now having run through the Course of the Progress of the several Armies this Season there is nothing more remaining but to observe a few Remarkables this Year On the 1st of February died Alexander VIII Pope of Rome being aged 81 Years after he had sat 15 Months and 21 Days in St. Peter's Chair as they call it being Elected the 16th of October 1689. And after 5 Months and an halfs Dispute Cardinal Pignatelli was on Thursday the 12th of July chosen into his Room being then 76 Years and 4 Months old He took the Name of Innocent XII upon him in remembrance of Innocent XI who had promoted him to the Cardinal Dignity on the 1st of Sept. 1681 and of whose Inclination and Interest he had been a long Observer The 16th of July has been very noted for the Death of Monsieur Louvois chief Minister and Secretary of State in France and tho' without Contradiction one of the ablest Heads in Europe yet the Confederates did not find such an Alteration in the French Politicks upon it as some have expected which clearly shews France is a Country not barren of great Statesmen as well as brave Soldiers to say nothing of his Capacity who is at the head of them all The Death of this great Man was sudden for having dined with the Prince d' Espinoy and Madam de Soubize and found himself ill in the King's Chamber he retired to be let Blood but not finding any ease by bleeding in one Arm and being extremely oppressed he would needs be bled in the other and died at the same time This Year was also fatal to John George Elector of Saxony who having the Command of the Confederate Army upon the Rhine dyed at Tubing on the 22d of Sept. He had by Anna Sophia Daughter of Frederick III. King of Denmark John George IV. that succeeded him who was born on the 17th of Oct. 1668. and Frederick Augustus born on the 12th of May since by the Death of his Brother become Elector of Saxony and now confirmed King of Poland year 1692 Now again in conformity to the method we have all along pursued we shall inspect a little into the Affairs of our own Country in the first place before we look into those abroad In Nov. last Year the Parliament began to sit before whom the King laid the Success of his Arms in the intire Reduction of Ireland hoping it was an earnest of future Successes which their timely Assistance to him might procure to them then he urged to them the necessity of a strong Fleet and lastly recommended to them Dispatch of Business which if neglected an opportunity would be lost which could never be reasonably hoped for again But tho' the Parliament upon this occasion promised the most speedy Supplies that could be yet his Majesty did not think there was hast enough made answerable to his Designs abroad and therefore as early as the 10th of Jan. this Year he was pleased after returning his hearty thanks to the Houses for what they had already done to quicken them in their pace with such cogent Arguments that all Bills were ready for signing by the 5th of March when his Majesty passed several Acts and among others one for raising Mony by a Poll-tax and then having told his Parliament of his Intentions to go beyond Sea the two Houses were given to understand that it was his pleasure they should adjourn to the 12th of April The King in
to my Affairs But howsoever it pleases over-ruling Heaven to dispose of Me and Mine or into whatsoever Recess I may be thrown I can assure your Majesty That I shall always preserve to the last Gasp of my expiring Breath that due Acknowledgment which I still retain of your Favours and constant Friendship Nor can any thing more contribute to my Consolation than to hear as I hope to do when I have wholly quitted your Dominions of the quick Return of all your wonted Triumphs both by Sea and Land over Your Enemies and Mine when my Interest shall be no longer intermixed with yours I am Monsieur my Brother Yours c. JAMES REX While we are now thro' the Blessing of God secure from any Foreign Invasion by the good Success of our Fleet against the French there was a Conspiracy as dangerous and of a much baser Nature contrived abroad by one Granvale a French Officer to assassinate his Majesty's Person who when he came to the Camp at Bethlehem-Abby about the 28th of May was inform'd of the Design and the foresaid Person secured for the present but of this you will hear more by and by when we come to his Tryal In the mean time how unsuccessful soever the French Fleet had been at Sea that King was bent upon keeping up the Reputation of his Arms by Land by making some further Progress this Campaign in the Spanish Netherlands tho' now in a much better state than formerly since the Elector of Bavaria became Governour as he did the beginning of this Year And therefore on the 22d of May he invested Namur a strong Frontier-Garrison in Person before which the Trenches were opened on the 1st of June and tho' upon the News of our Sea-Victory King William caused all the English Artillery to be drawn in his Camp at Bethlehem to the top of an Hill upon the Right of the Army that looked towards Namur and placed the Dutch Artillery upon the same Hill to the Left and that the whole Army was drawn out to express their Joy for the same by a triple Discharge of all the Cannon and small Shot yet it was said the French King took so little notice of it that he should say Here is a mighty pudder indeed about burning 2 or 3 Ships But how light soever he might seem to take it the Consequence shewed it was the unhappiest Blow that befel that Nation in the whole Course of the War who never after durst look our Fleet in the Face and hereby left all their Sea-Coast to be insulted by us as we pleased I shall not enter into the Particulars of the Siege of Namur which was carried on with great Vigour and which King William was no less sollicitous to relieve resolving if possible to fight the Duke of Luxemburg who covered the Siege and who upon Information that the King moved towards the River Mehaign marched that way likewise and upon the 8th of June the two Armies which were very strong and pretty equal as to number the Confederates being reckon'd at 80000 Men came in sight of one another the River remaining between them The Confederates possessed themselves of all the Posts upon the River on their side as the French did of two Villages surrounded with strong Hedges and Thickets on theirs but the Confederates by Planting of Batteries at all their Posts were so far Masters of that River that the French Soldiers could not come for a drop of Water to it And that same Evening the King gave Orders to build Bridges over the Mehaign in order to pass it the next day to attack the Enemy which was so ordered that the whole Army might pass in a Front at the same time but the great Rains that begun that Evening and held on for several days that it broke the Bridges made it unpassable for the Cannon and rendred this glorious Undertaking abortive the Consequence whereof was the Surrender of the Castle of Namur on the 30th of June for the Town had been given up before which considering the Strength and Importance of the Place with the shortness of the Siege made most People believe there was some fellow-feeling in the Case However it were some did then report who pretended to understand the Affairs of the Court of Brussels That the King had desired the Elector of Bavaria to withdraw the Prince of Brabaââson from his Government of Namur and gave him his Reasons for it and that it was thereupon agreed the Prince should make the Campaign with the Elector And this went on so far that the Prince was at Brussels in order to it But the French threatning to sit down before Namur before the opening of the Campaign on the Elector's side he could not refuse his going to his Government when the Prince desired it lest he should discover the Mistrust he had of him However the Elector at the same time ordered the Count de Thian to accompany him in this Siege and gave him some particular Instructions therein The King's Camp was at Melle when Namur was given up where he formed a Design to surprize Mons and was very near being executed when the Enemy having Information of it took care of their own Preservation From Melle the Army march'd to Genap thence to Notredame de Hall and on the first of August passed the River Senne in several Columns when they were joined by the Hanover Troops to the number of 8000 all fine Men. The French encamped at the same time at Engheim with their Right extended to Steenkirk and where the King resolved to attack them In the Evening Orders were given out for 6 Battalions to be ready to march an hour before day and to parade at the Head of Prince Waldeck's Regiment The Battalions were the 2d of the 1st Regiment of Guards the 1st of Sir Robert Douglass's Col. Fitz-Patrick Col. O Farrel's a Battalion of the Danish Guards and the Queens Orders were likewise given for 17 Men in each Battalion in Churchil's Brigrade to be ready at the Time and Place and to be commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Manwayring their business being to make the Ways through the Desiles they were all to receive a Ducat a Head for their Labour and as they were to join with the Van-guard in time of business they carried their Arms with them as well as Hatchets and Spades All this Detachment was to be commanded by the Duke of Wirtemberg as the Van-guard of our Army Orders were likewise given for the whole Army to march very early in the Morning the General to beat at break of Day and the Army to be ready at Sun-rising All these Preparations were in order to attack the French the next day in their own Camp at Enghein who the same Day as we march'd from Gennap to Hall decamp'd from Soignes and made all haste to Enghein lest we should get that Ground from them and thus oblige them to get farther to their own Conquests Luxemburg's Right
to bethink themselves of a new Captain General and this Trust and Honour they unanimously devolved on the serene Doge Morosini who had formerly served the Republick so successfully and which nothing now but his great Age made him seem unwilling to accept of As for the Polish Army I think they made a shift to get into the Field by Sept. and in Oct. to block up Caminiec and 't is well had they done that to purpose for as to any thing else they never went about it And now having run thro' the several Transactions of Europe it 's time to close this Year with a few Particulars About the beginning of the Year died the famous Robert Boyle Esq who was a Philosopher under a particular Character as being addicted to the Study of Natural Philosophy and perhaps never any Man dived so deep into the Knowledge of Nature as himself which yet was so far from being attended in him with that Atheism that is too too usual for such speculative Heads that he was always in his Life time esteemed a very pious Man and sincere Christian of which he gave a most convincing Testimony at his Death by the Legacy he left to have a Monthly Sermon preached against Atheism On the 7th of June hapned a most terrible Earthquake in the Island of Jamaca in the West-Indies which did most prodigious Damage especially at the Town of Port-Royal the best of all the English Plantations and the greatest Mart in that part of the World which was in a manner entirely ruined and not only so but 't was computed no less than 1500 People perished in it And upon the 8th of Sept. following about 2 a Clock we felt an Earthquake also in England and particularly in London the like no Man living knew before but blessed be God it did no harm with us nor upon the Continent where it was felt in the same time and manner On the 24th of Dec. died the most serene Electress of Bavaria at Vienna in the 23d Year of her Age after she had undergone several Discomposures from the 28th of Oct. when she was brought to bed of an Electoral Prince This Year was also fatal to Prince Waldeck Camp-Master-General to his Imperial Majesty and the States and on whom the Emperor conferred the Dignity of a Prince by reason of his Merit for he was a Politick and Able as he was unfortunate and the Services he had done him in Hungary and other places but the same died with him Neither ought we to forget that this Year the Duke of Hanover a Protestant Prince had been advanced to an Elector of the Empire and so a Ninth Electorate constituted thereby year 1693 It may be remembred we left King William in the close of the Campaign going to his Diversions in Holland from whence he returned into England before whose Arrival things were so managed in Ireland by my Lord Sidney Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom that the Parliament there made not only an Act of Recognition of their Majesty's title to that Crown and another to get other Protestants to settle in that Kingdom but one for an additional Duty of Excise upon Beer Ale and other Liquors for the Support of the Government And Scotland seemed very zealous and forward to contribute new Levies or whatever else their Majesties desired And to be sure the Parliament of England that had hitherto on all occasions been ready to promote the King's just designs would not be behind-hand now but took his Majesty's Speech so effectually into their Consideration that before the end of Jan. they passed the Act of Granting to their Majesties an Aid of 4 s. in the Pound for carrying on a vigorous War against France and soon after another that granted certain Rates and Duties of Excise upon Beer Ale or other Liquors for securing Recompences and Advantages in the said Act mentioned to such Persons as should voluntarily advance 1000000 l. for the purposes declared in the Act by paying into the Receipt of his Majesties Exchequer the fore-mentioned Summ before the 1st of May 1693. upon the terms expressly mentioned in the said Act neither did they stop their Handâ here but proceeded chearfully to other Methods for compleating the necessary Supplies and by the 14th of March the King among others signed two Mony Acts more viz. An Act for Granting to their Majesties certain additional Impositions upon several Goods and Merchandizes for prosecuting the present War with France and an Act for a Review of the Quarterly Pole granted to their Majesties the last Session of Parliament After this the King made a Speech to thank them for what they had done to recommend the Publick Peace to them and Equity in levying what they had so freely given then prorogued the Houses to the 2d of May and in the mean time went himself for Holland But before his Departure did by what Advice I will not determine lay aside Admiral Russel who had beaten the French Fleet last Year and received the Thanks of the House of Commons for it whereof he was then a Member but since made a Peer by the Stile and Title of Earl of Oxford and last Year one of the Lords Justices of England and constituted Henry Killigrew Esq Sir Ralph Delavall and Sir Clovesley Shovel to command the Fleet this Summer The Fleet was numerous and ready pretty early as was also a great Fleet of Merchant-men near 400 Sail in all of English Dutch Hamburgers c. prepared to sail to the Streights under the Convoy of Sir George Rook with a strong Squadron of Men of War with whom the grand Fleet was to keep company till they came to such a Latitude or as was given out in those times by some till they had certain Information where the French Fleet was Which made their Orders discretionary and Sir George who seemed to have some foresight of the Danger exprest himself very loath to part with them But however seeing he could not help it he sailed on and leaving by the way the Vessels bound for Bilboa Lisbon Sr. Tubes and other Ports under Convoy of 2 Men of War which made Sir George have no more with him than 21 now The account of his Expedition as himself sent an Express of it was briefly thus That indeed he had discovered the French Fleet about 20 Leagues short of Cape St. Vincent which made him call a Council of War wherein it was resolved that the Wind being fresh Westerly and giving a fair opportunity to hasten their Passage to Cadiz the Merchants should make the best of their way That upon the Discovery of the Enemies whole Fleet upon the 16th he brought too and stood off with an easie Sail to give what time he could to the heavy Sailors to work away to the Windward sending away the Sheerness to order the small Ships that were under the Shore that they should endeavour to get along the Shore in the Night
least as great as ours and 't is only to their Numbers that the Victory is to be attributed We have of their Prisoners Col. Montrevel Quarter Master-General of the Horse the Marquiss de Montmorenci Colonel and other Officers as well as a great many private Soldiers We have likewise taken divers Colours Standards and Kettle-Drums and except in the Left Wing the Victory was on our side to the last The Troops who are most of them again rallied have Orders part of them to stay at Moncalier and the rest to encamp before this City The Enemy have not made any motion since their Victory and are still in their Camp they have only burnt some Houses about Bainasco This Day was brought hither from Villa Franca by the Po the heavy Artillery that was made use of against Pignerol We apprehended the Enemy would have sent a Detachment thither before it was embark'd All the Baggage which was likewise sent from Villa Franca is come to Moncalier As I am closing my Letter I understand that Col. Montaubon is arrived with about 500 Horse which he rallied and brought from Villa Franca along the Po to cover the Artillery I just now mentioned Turin Octob. 5th But while France was thus Triumphing every where over the Confederates she felt a most dangerous Enemy within her own Bowels that swept away a multitude of her Inhabitants which was Famine which for all the Care the King could take made the Face of the Kingdom look with a most ghastly Countenance and which with something else made her pretty early make Proposals of Peace to the Emperor that in themselves were not contemptible But it was impossible to disjoin him from his Allies and therefore finding it would not do that way it was given out then and I am apt to believe it was so or raised with an Intention that it should be so That new Proposals of Peace were made to the King of Spain the Empire King of England and the Duke of Savoy by which it was offered to restore all the Places taken since the Treaty of Nimeguen and withal to surrender some as they were then fortified But whatever there was in it the Event shew'd it came to nothing And now having in a manner done with the Affairs of the Allies and France we 'll see a little how the Emperor and his Confederates have fared with the Turks this Campaign As for the Poles and Venetians they were so far from doing any thing memorable in their respective Stations against the Insidels that the former instead of favouring the Designs of the Imperialists in Hungary and keeping tight to their Obligations seemed inclinable as was supposed by the Instigations of the King of France to clap up a Peace with the Port And to make such a Disingagement the more plausible the Polish Embassador at Vienna made some odd Propositions by way of Complaint to the Emperor the Purport whereof we can no otherwise give than by the Answer his Imperial Majesty made in these Words HIS Sacred Imperial Majesty our most gracious Lord by the Relation humbly made to him has been acquainted with the Proposals made to his Imperial Ministers at the Conference upon the 8th of May last by the most Serene King of Poland's Extraordinary Embassador the Lord Samuel Proski Knight of Malta and Commendador of Posonia and first with a deep Sense of Gratitude he acknowledges the Glorious Inclination of your Royal Majesty to carry on and indefatigably continue this Sacred War and that Succour so seasonably afforded at the Siege of Vienna Which nevertheless in the most prudent Judgment of your Royal Majesty was deemed more advantagious and more necessary than any other Expedition for the Preservation and Security of the Kingdom of Poland it self However his Imperial Majesty considers it as a Kindness solely conferred upon himself and shall to perpetuity recain the Memory of it most ardently wishing that the same Danger may never so nearly threaten the Kingdom of Poland and more especially Craccovia the Metropolis of it yet faithfully engaging himself to be most ready upon all Occasions even with the Hazard and Detriment of his Provinces to repay the same Assistance and Favour according to the Claim of mutual Confederacy as has not only been formerly granted by him in the most desperate Extremities of the Polish Affairs at what time the said City with the Effusion of much Blood was ransom'd to the Kingdom as many are living yet to remember but what he has the Satisfaction to prove not only by the Testimony almost of all the World but of his own Conscience that is to say That in the present War he has not fail'd in any Duty of a Sincere Friend a Neighbour and Confederate Wherefore though that same unexpected and so little deserved yet so plain an Accusation has been laid to his Charge wherein for so many and much greater Acts of Royal Fraternity as the Lord Embassador alledges no reciprocal regard has been had to the Demands of the most Serene King but that he could enumerate many and those not ordinary Specimens of most Cordial Love Friendship and Good Will Nevertheless though such Commemorations diminish rather the Merit of the Benefit than augment the mutual Correspondencies of Friendship his Imperial Majesty setting those aside has commanded several Answers to be given to the rest of the Heads of the Lord Ambassador's Propositions But whether this or somewhat else gave the K. of Poland full Satisfaction or that some other Accident diverted that Crown from proceeding in the separate Negotiation of a Peace with the Turks there was little more heard of it But which way soever things stood with the Imperial Court in relation to their Allies they were not a whit daunted but after having carried the Fortress of Jeno in Vpper Hungary towards the beginning of the Summer they made all things ready to besiege Belgrade The Duke of Croy had the chief Command of the Imperial Army this Year who towards the latter end of July invested the Town but the Trenches were not opened till the 13th of Aug. at Night which were carried on towards the Counterscarp the Besieged the same Day making a numerous Sally as they did also on the 17th but were repulsed both times with considerable Loss as they were also the two following Days upon the same occasion while the General in the mean time ordered a strong Detachment of Horse and Foot to go and lay a Bridge over the Danube and to raise 5 Forts on each side the River to stop the Enemies Fleets On the 21st they began to build the said Bridge from whence as well as from the Imperial Fleet they play'd furiously upon that of the Enemy while they carried on their Trenches within 100 paces of the Counterscarp and finished a great Battery on which they planted 32 Cartouches and some other Pieces of Cannon which being on the 25th reinforced with 10 Mortars they battered the Place next Day with
good View of it and got out again without any Damage tho' warmly fired at by Camaret-Fort they returned and gave the Lord Berkeley an Account of the Posture of the Bay and the Situation of the Castle which was very advantageously placed to defend the Landing-places against any that should attempt to set Footing on Shore Thereupon it was thought convenient that the Monk of 60 Guns and the Diamaten of equal Force should go in for that purpose But the Marquess who had viewed the Place not believing that those two Men of War would be sufficient to cover the Boats at their Landing from the Shot from the Fort nor to assist the Land-Forces at their Landing by playing upon the Enemy who were better prepared and more numerous than was expected and ready to be seconded upon all Occasions with 14 Squadrons of Horse all regular Troops so far as they could discern by their Habit Therefore upon the 8th after a Consultation of the English and Dutch Flags and the General-Officers of the Land-Forces it was resolved That 6 more Men of War should be added to the 2 former viz. the Greenwich of 54 Guns the Charles-Galley of 32 the Shoreham of 32 the Darkenstein of 44 the Wesep of 30 and the Wolf of 30 Guns All which the Marquess undertook to post so as to bear upon the Castle to the best Advantage and to perform those other Services for which they were designed This was a Work of great Labour Difficulty and Danger for no sooner was the Monk come within reach of the Enemy's Mortars but the Enemy began to fling their Bombs at her from Point des Fillettes and the Western Point of Camaret-Bay insomuch that when she came within 3 Quarters of a Mile of the latter one of the Bombs broke just over her and a great piece of it striking through her Poop and two Decks more flew out again into the Water near one of the Stern-Ports and killed 2 of the Marquess's Marine Company and wounded a third who stood close by him on the Poop So soon as she got into the Bay and came up a-brest with the Western Point Camaret-Fort fired thick and threefold at her and she being forced to stand with her Stern right upon it the Shot from thence raked her fore and aft and did her a great deal of Damage More than this after all the Ships were got pretty well into the Bay they were surprized with three Batteries more all firing upon them which they never perceived till they felt their Shot But notwithstanding all these Difficulties the Marquess made a shift to post the 8 Ships in such a manner as gave great Succour to the Land-Forces and did the Enemy considerable Mischief For these Ships so soon as they had dropped their Anchors in the Bay fired continually upon the Enemy and forced the French to run twice out of Camaret-Fort From these Ships it was easie to perceive the Enemy very advantageously entrenched at every place where there was any possibility of Landing and great Numbers of Foot drawn behind the Trenches On the Other side Lieutenant-General Talmash with a small Number of Well-boats went a-shore in a confused manner under a little Rock on the South-side of the small Bay Nor was there any Prosecution of that regular Way of Landing which the Lord Cutts proposed and had been agreed on Here his Lordship excuses himself for not being able to give an Account of what passed close by the Shore and goes on That when he saw the Boats and small Vessels in which the Land-Forces were embarked had made their Retreat from thence excepting such as stuck fast wherein a great many were killed and taken Prisoners and the Signal given to bring off the Ships he applied himself to undergo the greatest Difficulty he had in all the Action for that all their Rigging was cut in pieces and most of their Sails and Yards disabled The Shoreham not so much disabled as the rest got clear out of Danger with little Assistance But it cost the Marquess a world of Labour and hard Venturing to get off the rest but more especially the Charles-Galley and the Monk that was within half her length of dashing against a Rock as having no other Motion but what the Sea and Tow-boats afforded her But at length he being indefatigable in his Labour and undaunted in his Courage performed what he undertook and brought of all clear but the Tesep a small Dutch Man of War of 30 Guns which he found with 12 Foot Water in her Hold and all the Men killed that were left with the Lieutenant but himself a Drummer and one Man more As for the Loss sustained at Sea his Lordship acknowledges 400 Men lost in the 3 English and 4 Dutch Ships under his Command As for the Loss of the Land-Forces he says he was not acquainted with it But the Report was That the Killed Wounded and Taken amounted to about 700 more But what Error soever that brave Man Lieutenant General Talmash might have committed in his Landing he paid very dear for it with the loss of his Life as did I doubt a much greater number of Men killed and wounded than my Lord talks of in his unfortunate Expedition which for my part I think could not be otherwise than so since the French by such strong Works Batteries and great Forces had taken so much Precaution to defend themselves against this Attempt of which and the place of Landing they had no doubt timely information enough which they could not well be without since it was no secret in England but a Town-talk at this time that Brest was the place we designed to Land at But how unsuccessful soever we proved in this Expedition the King had managed his Affairs so well both at home and abroad this Season that he began now to beard the French and this since the beginning of the War was the first time they seemed to be upon the decline in Flanders Its true the Death of the Bishop and Prince of Liege towards the beginning of this Year gave the French a mighty Prospect to imbroil the Affairs of the Confederates on that side For as the Death of the Elector of Cologn in 1688 and the Contests between the Empire and France in the two Persons of Prince Clement of Bavaria and Cardinal Furstemburg gave the first Occasion to the Flame of this War to break forth in Germany that soon after by divers concurring Accidents spread it self over the Face of almost all Europe So if the French could have got the Cardinall de Bovillon to have been advanced into the Principality of Liege they did not doubt but to have brought the Confederates to be more humble and to have accepted of the Conditions of Peace the French King would allow them but this did not happen neither For notwithstanding all Bovillion's Protestations the major part of the Chapter first made Choice of the Elector of Cologn and the other of the
as the French did not a little Triumph they had warded this Blow the King was resolved they should not always have occasion to do so and therefore finding the Enemy very intent to watch his Motion in a new seat of War he laid hold of the Advantage and in pursuance of it the Prince Serclas de Tilly passed the Meuse at Thilen with all the Horse and Dragoons of the Diocess of Liege being followed by a party of Brandenburg Horse and some Battalions of Foot and the same day invested Huy where the next day arrived 16 Regiments of Foot with the Duke of Holstein Ploen who was appointed to Command the Siege The Place was no sooner invested on both sides the Meuse but the Town surrendred to the Confederates and by the 19th of Sept. the Batteries were raised against the Castle and the Artillery that consisted of 60 Pieces of Cannon and 30 Mortars came up when the French made a Sally upon Major-General Cohorn's Quarters in hopes to have taken 3 Field-pieces but they were repulsed with loss and so the Works went on briskly till the 21st at Night when the Besieged opened their Trenches These they carried on with great Vigour till that on the 24th in the Morning the Brandenburg under-Officer of the Regiment of Anhault mounted the Counter-scarp of Fort Piccard at the head of 15 Soldiers only and that with so much Courage and Bravery that they killed the few French that were there threw a Tunful of Granadoes into the Water and took away a Barrel of Powder and some Arms which he brought into the Camp And all this in the sight of the Duke of Holstein Ploen and other Generals who were so satisfied with his Bravery that the Brandenburg General immediately wrote to the Elector to desire him to bestow a Captain's Place upon the young Officer The Besiegers the same day continued firing upon the Castle and two Forts both which last were taken by 700 Brandenburghers by dint of Sword who in the heat of their Fury put 150 French to Death but gave Quarter to 70 others that were mostly wounded and all this with the loss only of 20 Men So that being flush'd with Success they pushed on the Siege of the Castle with wonderful Vigour wherein they had made a considerable Breach and had all things ready for an Assault by the 27th when the Governour beat a Parly and the Articles were soon agreed on whereby the Garrison was to be convoy'd into Namur which was done accordingly and the French thereby totally expelled out of the Diocess of Liege Dinant at that time being accounted a part of France Thus ended the Campaign in Flanders not very pleasing to the French tho' perhaps all Circumstances considered with less disadvantage than themselves expected however they made amends for it to purpose in Spain as has been already hinted and of which we shall now briefly run over the Particulars The French Army under the Command of the Mareschal de Noailles being about 30000 strong and consequently much superiour to the Spaniards and very early in the Field to boot arrived on the 26th of May on the Banks of the River Ter in Catalonia which notwithstanding they found the Spaniards intrenched on the other side they resolved to pass and having to that end sounded all the Fords that same Evening they forced their way through after about half an Hours Dispute and constrained the Spanish Foot to quit their Retrenchments without any great Resistance But the Cavalry shewed a more than ordinary Valour and great Conduct in their Retreat which they performed in the best manner they could to cover their Foot yet this could not prevent the loss of their Baggage though what with the Defence the Horse made and the Narrowness of the Ways the French made no far pursuit However this point of passing the Ter was enough gained for them to besiege Palamos a Town by the Sea-side about 22 Leagues from Barcelona to the S. E. which was invested on the 30th of May and by the 2d of June at Night the Trenches were opened and the Works carried on a good way though not without Disturbance both from the small Shot and Cannon of the Besieged which killed a great many Men and next Day they made a Sally at first with good Success but they were at length repulsed and ply'd close with Mortars and Cannon both by Sea and Land so that by the 7th in the Morning all things were in a readiness to attack the Covert-way This the Granadeers did with great Fury and were so far from losing time to make Lodgments that they pushed forward and finding a way to enter at two Breaches where only one could pass in Front they entred the City plunder'd it and put all they met to the Sword and of those that were saved all were made Prisoners of War Only part of the Officers that were most wounded were sent to Gironne upon their Paroles Not only said Monsieur Noailles in his Letter because they seemed to desire it but because he considered the Terror that would strike among the Soldiery and People And what he said was true enough for the Spaniards quickly withdrew their Garrison out of St. Felix Quinola and the Castle of St. Elme and though they pretended to make a stout Resistance at Gironne a well-fortify'd City that Noaâlles had actually laid Siege to by the 19th of June Yet they could scarce hold it for 10 Days for they surrender'd the Place on the 29th of the same Month and that upon very ignominious Terms too For the Garrison was to march out without Cannon and the Cavalny except 10 in a Troop to march away on Foot with the Infantry without their Horses and all the Ammunition and Provision to be left behind in the City This being effected successfully the next thing was to attack Ostralick a little City upon the Road to Barcelona which they quickly mastered without any great Resistance and thereby enlarg'd the French Territories 20 Miles in extent But the Army because of the violent Heats beginning now to be sickly they went into Quarters of Refreshment upon the Banks of the River Terdera which is a very plentiful Country and full of Fruit-trees and where they continued in a manner as unmolested from the Spaniards as if they had been in the middle of France But it was not so with the Spaniards on the part of the French for after they had refreshed themselves they bethought of taking in Castle Folet a Town a little to the W. of Gironne which they took having first routed a Body of Country Militia that came to relieve it and made the Garrison Prisoners of War But tho' the Spaniards thought to profit themselves of this Opportunity by re-taking Ostralick which they actually besieged with 4000 Foot and 1500 Horse and had reduced it to that Condition that the Governour was up on Articles of Surrender and Hostages were given on both sides yet
little that we were in a manner left disconsolate and next to Despair And what could that be alas but the Death of the best of Queens the best of Wives nay the best of Women our most Gracious Sovereign Lady Mary Queen of Great Britain France and Ireland which happen'd on the 28th of December at her Palace of Kensington after she had lain some few Days sick of the Small-Pox To attempt her Character would be Arrogance in me since it has been done so well by so many learned Pens But I cannot omit remarking the Answer as I have heard His Majesty who knew her best was pleased to make the Archbishop of Canterbury when he went to comfort him for his great Loss That he could not chuse but grieve seeing she had been his Wife for 17 Years and yet he never knew her guilty of an Indiscretion And to add what most People are apt to pass over untouched That she was certainly a Princess of real Piety which I should not say if I had not known some Circumstances my self concerning her upon that Account that were evident tokens of it Wherefore I shall end this unhappy Year with the Parliament and Nation 's Condolance of the King upon this great Loss as himself was pleased to express it and their Protestations to stand by him against all Opponents whatsoever both at home and abroad And the Truth of it is if ever Addresses were real and unfeigned they were those made upon this Occasion since it has been obvious to any Man of Observation that that sad Providence did very much heighten Men's Affections to His Majesty's Person which being before as it were divided between him and that beloved Princess were now entirely cemented into one year 1695 But tho' the Nation laboured under this great Sorrow for our unretrievable Loss as we did also from the Badness of our Coin which had been a long growing Evil upon us and began now to be very intolerable yet there was no going back And therefore the Parliament went roundly to work and besides some other useful Bills had by the 11th of Feb. prepared for the Royal Assent An Act for Granting 4 s. in the Pound to His Majesty And for Applying the Yearly Summ of 300000 l. for Five Years out of the Duties of Tunnage and Poundage and other Summs of Mony payable upon Merchandizes Exported and Imported for Carrying on the War against France with Vigour But what Zeal soever the two Houses in general shewed for the common Cause there was such a Brangle at this time among them especially in the Upper House about sending of the Fleet to the Streights that tho' some under the specious Pretence of Good Will towards the Government took upon them to shew the Inconvenience of it Yet the major part of that most honourable Assembly shewed themselves to have far different Sentiments by their Address of Thanks to the King for so ordering it And it happen'd â little favourably as if it had been a Confirmation of their Lordships Judgments that News came soon after which gave an Account that some Frigats which Admiral Russel had sent out to cruise had taken 2 French Men of War of the bigger Size near Messina So that the other Party was now obliged to acquiesce and the Lovers of the Government to go on with the King's Business But it was the middle of April or thereabout before there were any more Mony-Bills ready when His Majesty signed among divers others An Act for enabling such Persons as had Estates for Life in Annuities payable by several former Acts therein mentioned to purchase and obtain farther and more certain Interests in such Annuities And in Default thereof for Admitting other Persons to purchase or obtain the same for Raising Moneys for Carrying on the War against France An Act for Granting to His Majesty certain Rates and Duties upon Marriages Births and Burials and upon Batchellors and Widowers for the Term of 5 Years for Carrying on the War against France An Act for Granting to His Majesty several Additional Duties upon Coffee Tea Chocolate and Spices towards Satisfaction of the Debts due for Transport-Service for the Reduction of Ireland And then he was pleased to tell them that the season of the Year was so far advanced and the circumstances of affairs so pressing that he very earnestly recommended unto them the speedy dispatching of such business as they thought of most importance for the publick good because he was to make an end of the Sessions in a few Days which was done accordly after the signing of some other Bills which the Parliament had dispatched and among the rest An Act to grant unto the King certain Duties upon Glass-wares Stone and Earthen Bottles Coal and Culm for carrying on the War as before Then it was that he told them the necessity there was for his Presence abroad but that he would take care to have the administration of Affairs during his Absence put into such Persons hands on whose care and fidelity he could entirely depend and that he doubted not but they both Lords and Gentlemen in their several Stations would be assisting to them and that what it was he required of them was to be more than ordinarily vigilant in preserving the publick Peace In pursuance to this His Majesties Resolution he was pleased before his Departure which was on the 12th of May to appoint in Council the Lord Archbishop the Lord Keeper the Earl of Pembrook the Duke of Devonshire the Duke of Shrewsbury the Earl of Dorset and the Lord Godolphin to be Lords Justices of England for the Administration of the Government during his Absence beyond the Seas where as before he was Commander in Chief of all the Confederate Forces which were this Campaign very strong and out-numbred the French 20000 Men which yet was no such odds as to act offensively as they did as the Duke de Villeroy was over the Armies of France in the room of the Duke of Luxemburg who died towards the beginning of this Year There were two Camps formed for the Confederate Army the one was at Arseel to be commanded by the King in Person and under him by the old Prince de Vaudemont to whom His Majesty had given last Winter the Command in chief of his Armies and the other at Ninove under the Elector of Bavaria and the Duke of Holstein Ploen The King after his usual Divertion went on the 27th of May from Breda to Ghent where the Inhabitants made great preparations to receive him with demonstrations of Joy suitable to what they owed to so great a King and the Protector of their Country and could not have done more to their own Sovereign the King of Spain had he come among them But though the King ordered the Rendesvouz of his Army in the foresaid place and that the Elector himself advanced towards the Scheld yet it is very likely that at the very beginning of the Campaign His
Confederates a breathing time for the Siege of the Castle and see how it fared with the French else-where But if the Confederates seemed thus to grow over the French by Land the latter were much more despicable by Sea where they had no Fleet in the Channel and the English and Dutch at full Liberty to insult them in their own Ports as they did divers ways And first they began with St. Malo's where the Lord Berkley with the Fleet under his Command arrived on the 4th of July gave the Signal next day for the Frigats to stand in to the Channel with the Bomb Galliots and to attack the Town Whereupon Captain Bembow going on Board the Charles Gally by 6 in the Morning was ready to Sail as Captain Durley at the same time Commander of the Fire-ship called the Charles and a Dutch Fire-ship had Orders to bear up with the Rock de la Coucâee and attack it and afterwards to set fire to the Vessel which was vigorously put in Execution and a little after the Fort took Fire but whether by the burning of the Fire-ships or the fall of the Bombs is uncertain However it were the Fire lasted for two Hours but this was not enough for our Galliots and Frigats having got in about 7 in the Morning the former stood in so near that in charging the Bombs they were forced to lessen the weight of the Powder otherwise they would have gone beyond the Mark So that about 10 the Fire took in several parts of the East-end of the Town and about 2 in the Afternoon they could see a great Fire kindled in the middle of the Town that continued burning till Night and could not be quenched without blowing up several Houses that were near They threw no less than 900 Bombs into the place a great part of which was reduced to Ashes and the English were perhaps the more forward in putting this design in Execution because we had suffered more in our Traffick and Navigation by the Privateers of this place than from all the Ports of France besides But though the English might and really did Exaggerate in some measure the French loss they on the other hand made it so diminitively little as to appear in it self very ridiculous Granville another Town not far from it ran the same fate and some of the French themselves have frankly acknowledged this place to be reduced to Ashes But how different soever the Relations may be in respect to these places as they were afterwards as to the Bombing of Calais which hapned to be about the middle of Aug. and the design upon Dunkirk the French Court did not like them as we shall see by and by to whose Army under Mounsieur Villeroy we are now returning and see whether their Acquisitions did in any degree counterballance the Losses they had already sustained and whereof more was to follow After the Mareschal had failed in his Design upon Prince Vaudemont as also against Newport as we have before Noted he chose rather to play at a small Game than to stand out and therefore he order'd Montal to lay Siege to Dixmude which though of it self but a very weak Place yet considering the Goodness of the Garrison it might have made a better Defence or at least have got better Conditions than to be made Prisoners of War But if there was any Treachery in the matter the Governour Major General Ellenburg paid dear for it with the Loss of no less than his Head and the Garrison with hard Usage and a tedious Imprisonment by the French who would not release them according to the Cartell till another Accident hapned that brought them to a better Temper Deinse also a Defenceless place and its Garrison ran the same Fate but though this came vastly short of Namur yet the Damage done to Brussells as it was of the same nature with our attacking the Maritime Towns of France so the same was very considerable But Monsieur Villeroy being come to Anderleck would first to shew his Civility and his Master's Goodness send a Letter to the Governour the Prince of Berghen Dated Aug. 13th to this Purpose THE King being full of Goodness towards his Subjects and Care to contribute to their Defence seeing the Prince of Orange sends his Fleet upon the Coasts of France to Bombard his Sea-Port Towns and endeavour to Ruin them without getting any other Advantage by it has thought that he could not put a stop to such Disorders but by using Reprisals which is the Reason that His Majesty has sent me an Order to come and Bombard Brussels and at the same time to declare that 't is with Reluctancy that the King has put himself upon it and that as soon as he shall be assured that the Sea-Ports of France shall be no more Bombarded the King likewise will not Bombard any Places belonging to the Princes against whom he is at War reserving nevertheless the Liberty on both sides to do it in such Places as shall be Besieg'd His Majesty has resolved upon the Bombarding of Brussels with so much the more Pain that the Electress of Bavaria is there If you will let me know in what part of the Town she is the King has commanded me to forbid to fire there I shall stay for your Answer till Five of the Clock in the Evening after that I shall obey the Orders the King has given me without delay The Contents of this Letter were looked upon very strange and as it gave an evident Proof of the Damages done their Sea-Port-Towns by our Fleet and that the same did very much affect them so the Compassion pretended for the safety of this City was irreconcileable to the Course of their Actions during the whole Management of the War However the Prince after having Communicated this Letter to the Elector of Bavaria who was come in great haste to Brussels upon this Occasion from the Camp before Namur sent the following Answer THE Declaration you have sent me of the Orders you have from the King your Master to Bombard the Town of Brussels and the Reason which his said Majesty does alledge upon which you demand an Answer it cannot be given by his Electoral Highness who is just now arriv'd since it regards the King of Great Britain who is before the Castle of Namur but his Electoral Highness will acquaint him with it to have an Answer in 24 Hours if you agree to it As for the Consideration his Most Christian Majesty has for the Electress she is at the King's Palace I need not tell the World the Fate of this poor City the French Bombs having had but too much Success in reducing a great part of it to Ashes But with this they were not yet satisfied to relieve Namur was their great design to which end Villeroy being reinforced with all the Troops that could be spared out of the Garrisons and the Forces from the Sea Coasts and in Expectation
Garrisons of Dixmude and Deynse which were detained Prisoners in France contrary to the Cartel and how the Confederates found themselves in a Condition to get Reparation for the same The 26th of Aug. being the day prefixed for the Garrison to march out 4 Brigades of Foot were commanded to make a Lane on both sides the Terra Nova up the Hill and so down again to the Muese to the way that leads to Givet a Bridge of Boats being laid over the Sambre between the Faâx Bourgh St. Croix and the Town for the King to come over to be present at the Marching out of the Garrison and likewise for the Troops encamped on the other side if there had been Occasion About 10 a Clock the March began The Mareschal de Boufflers's Guard du Corps went out first then his Domesticks and next himself with the Count de Guiscard the Governor at the Head of the King 's and Alfeld's Dragoons as many as were mounted being between 70 and 80 in all His Majesty was on Horse-back with the Elector of Bavaria before the Breach and were saluted by the Mareschal and Count with their Swords when presently Monsieur Dickvelt who had been acquainted with the Mareschal in his Embassies in France accosted him and rid with him to the Top of the Hill where Monsieur L' Etâng Brigadier of the Brigade of the Life Guard rid up to him with about 12 Gentlemen of the Life Guard and Arrested him in his Majesty's Name for Satisfaction for the Garrisons of Dixmude and Deynse At which the Mareschal seemed at first very much incensed alledging the Publick Faith of the Capitulation wherein he was expresly mentioned saying That the French King his Master would resent this Treatment of a Man of his Character and revenge it to the utmost of his Power And that for his part he had defended the Place liââ a Man of Honour and did not deserve it To whom Monsieuâ Dickvelt replied That the French King his Master by detaining the Garrisons of Dixmude and Deynse contrary to the Câpitulations which made them Prisoners of War and consequenâââ should have been discharged within the Time limitted paying theâ Ransom which was offered had forced them to that Way of demanding Satisfaction for the Infractions of the said Capitulations That tho' he was Arrested it was not out of any Dis-respect ãâã his Person and Character but on the contrary for when it ãâã proposed to his Majesty of Great Britain to detain the whole Garrison by way of Reprisal the King had expressed so much Value for his Person that he looked upon him as a sufficient Caution to Answer for 6000 Men the Number of the two Garrisons of Dixmude and Deynse But at the same time he offered him his Liberty by his Majesty's Order if he would pass his Word for sending back the said Garrisons or return himself a Prisoner within a Fortnight c. To which the Mareschal answered That he could not pass his Word of Honour in a Matter which he could not execute himself but that it was in vain to resist Whereupon he put up his Sword and went back with his Domesticks to Namur where the Earl of Portland gave him a Visit and told him as from himself That he made no doubt of his Releasement upon his Paroll of Honour as aforesaid To which the Mareschal answered That in regard he knew not the Reasons why his Master detained those Garrisons he could not engage for any thing From Namur he was conducted to Maestricht and treated in both Places with all the Civility and Respect due to his Quality But his Confinement was of no long Duration for upon the Return of his Gentleman of the Horse whom he had sent to give his Master an Account of what had happen'd who thereupon gave the Confederates an Assurance of the Discharge of the fore-mentioned Garrisons he was immediately released as our Men were in some convenient time after With this concludes the Campaign Flanders which we shall leave for this Year as we do his Majesty to go to his usual Diversion and then for England Whether by a Sympathy of Success in the several Parts of their Dominions the Spaniards who all along had been on the losing Side in Catalonia and more especially the last Year as we have already noted in its proper place seemed now contrary to most Men's Expectations to Bully the French And to this purpose 4 Squadrons of Miquelets receiving Advice that a Detachment of French were marching from Bagnoles to Gironne they encounter'd them in the Way and put them to the total Rout. With this Success they were so flush'd that understanding that St. Silvester was upon his March with 8000 Men to re-victual Castle-Follet with a Convoy of all sorts of Provisions the Lading of 3 or 400 Mules a Body of Spaniards in Conjunction with the Miquiâets advanced towards the French and attacked them with so much Courage that they killed above 2000 upon the place ând took between 5 and 600 Prisoners besides all the Mules âxcept about 30 which escaped into the Castle during the Heat of the Fight which lasted 6 Hours And this News was so much the more welcome to Spain in that it was seconded with the Catalonians and Miquelets routing another âody of about 2000 French who were marching from Pras de Melo to join the 8000 that were beaten before If the Spaniards had gone on as they begun they would have made something of it 'T is true that after this Action they more closely blocked up Castle-Follet with a Design to starve it and not to take it by Force But alas they could not hinder the Duke of Vendosme from putting Relief into it after all and to make their Forces retire from it with some Loss Neither had they any better Success before Palamos tho' the Place was invested by Sea by the Fleet under the Command of Admiral Russell as well as by Land by the Spanish Army with the Additional Force of near 5000 Men from on Board the Fleet. The French Accounts were That the Duke of Vendosme marching to the Relief of it the first time found himself too weak but being re-inforced with more Troops for that purpose the Spaniards no sooner understood his Intentions but they drew off their own Forces and the Re-inforcement from on Board the Fleet returned thither again But the Truth of the Matter was that the Place must have been given up in a day or two at farthest had not the Fleet been constrained to bear away upon Information received That Monsieur Tourville with the French Fleet was upon coming out of Thoulon with a Design to sail for the Ocean though after all it proved to be only an Amusement of the French as appeared by the Consequence The Campaign was not so inconsiderable in Catalonia but that it was much more so upon the Rhine where the French being at first superiour to the Prince of Baden would ãâã have made
them give over their Villany and therefore they had several Meetings about it and one particularly where were my Lord Aylsbury my Lord Montgomery Sir John Friend Sir William Perkins Sir John Fenwick Mr. Charnock Mr. Cook Captain Porter and Mr. Goodman who came in after Dinner There they consulted of the best way to restore the late K. James and all agreed to send a Messenger over to the late King to desire him to procure of the French King 10000 Men viz. 1000 Horse 1000 Dragoons and 8000 Foot Mr. Charnock was the Person to manage this Affair who said he would not go on a foolish Errand and therefore would know what the Company would do if Foreign Forces could be procured whereupon they all unanimously promised if the late King would come over with such a number of Men as was desired they would meet him at the head of 2000 Horse where-ever he would appoint At the latter end of June 1695. or the beginning of July they had another meeting when after many publick Discourses and private Whisperings Mr. Charnock desiring the Company to acquaint him whether they continued their former Resolutions they assured him they did and would meet him with the number of Men promised at the former Meeting Upon which Mr. Charnock told them he would begin the Journey in a few Days The Invasion being thus promoted by dispatching Mr. Charnock into France that the Assassination might not lag behind it some of the Assassins called to mind that nothing would be attempted in that kind till the Commission which Crosby said was upon the Road was come to their Hands Captain Porter and Mr. Goodman communicated the Project to Sir George Barclay who was then in England and upon his Departure for France telling him what Difficulties they laboured under for want of it and that a longer Delay of the Commission would extreamly embarrass the Affair Sir George not only approved but commended the Design and that such an hopeful Project might not miscarry he promised to use all his Interest when he came to St. Germain's that such a Commission should no longer be wanting This Encouragement from so considerable a Favourite as Sir George Barclay whose Bigottry to the Romish Perswasion and the late King's Interest would prompt them to any thing in favour of him employed all their Heads and opened all their Purses to contribute the last Assistance for the Accomplishment of the Assassination The Beginning of Aug. 1695. brings Mr. Charnock again to London with the unwelcome News That the French King was not in a Condition to spare the Jacobites such a Number of Men as they desired Which being imparted to the Chief of that Unruly and Blood-thirsty Faction the two Branches of the Conspiracy to overthrow the established Government were both laid aside till the approaching Winter should give them another Resurrection But in Nov. 1695 Sir George Barclay with several Officers and Soldiers and 800 l. in Mony came into England and and brought with him a Commission from King James all written with his own Hand to seize King William which Sir William Perkins confessed to a Committee of Parliament he saw But neither Sir George Barclay nor the Commission being yet in the Hands of the Government and the Jacobites ashamed to set up their late King and themselves under the infamous Title of Murtherers they minced the Matter into more relishable Terms and that it was only To levy War upon the Prince of Orange and all his Adherents Others said it was to attack the Prince of Orange in his Winter-Quarters All which are meer Tricks and Evasions invented by the Party to disguise the Horrour of the Action for the very Gloss which they themselves put upon it sets it in its true Light for all the Party knew the meaning of Attacking of the Prince of Orange as appears by Monsieur de la Rue's Oath who deposeth That when the Musquettoon was lent by Mr. Porter to Mr. Pendergrass which would carry six or eight Bullets Mr. King desired him when he shot at His Majesty not to be afraid of breaking the Glasses Sir George Barclay after his Arrival at London lodged in Covent-Garden and kept himself very private till he could speak with Sir William Perkins Captain Vaughan and Mr. Charnock and that the 22 Men who were sent by King James out of France and appointed to obey his Orders were come to London also And now they endeavoured to strengthen their Party by the Addition of more Friends as Mr. de la Rue Mr. Pendergrass Mr. Rookwood Major Lowick Mr. Knightley Mr. Bertram Chambers Durant Cramburne Kendrick Grimes Waugh and Goodman some of which were engaged in the designed Assassination the Year before and were now again confirmed in it As for Captain Porter who has now so honourably and honestly attoned for his former Offences they were sure of him already But to others in whom they had no more than ordinary Confidence they discoursed of the Assassination at a distance and if they found in them any Reluctancy or Indisposition to the Assassination they turned them over to the Invasion-Plot and desired them to be ready to meet their old Master at his Landing But to those whom Wickedness had made fit for any Impression they imparted their Villany in Words at length and so secured the whole Party either to be Rebels or Murtherers Those that came from France knew not what Affair they were sent upon till they arrived at London but were kept in a blind Obedience to Sir George Barclay's Orders as appears by the Depositions of Mr. George Horn who saith That he this Deponent was an Ensign of Foot under the late King James in Scotland and has since served in the Second Troop of Guards in France And about the 14th of Jan. 1695 King James sent for this Deponent and Michael Hore his Comrade and in the Queen's Bed-Chamber told him That he had now an Opportunity of doing something for him as a Reward of his faithful Services That he would send him into England where he should be provided for and that he should follow Sir George Barclay's Orders and in so doing he should take care of him That he had ordered them Mony for their Journey which they should receive from Mr. Caryll the late Queen's Secretary And he farther told this Deponent That he should find Sir George Barclay every Monday and Thursday between Six and Seven at Night in Covent-Garden Square whom they should know by a white Handkerchief hanging out of his Pocket He also told this Deponent That when he came to England he must go by the Name of Jenkins and his Comrade Hore by the Name of Guiney And farther this Deponent saith That Colonel Parker was present and heard all that the late King said and went with this Informant and his Comrade to Mr. Caryll and told him that the King had ordered each of them Ten Lovis de' Ors which would be sufficient to carry them
a Line of Battle passing by Dover-Castle from whence he was saluted by the Earl of Rumney with his Guns and standing over directly for the Coast of Calais and Dunkirk more to the Terror and Amazement of the Enemy than the sudden News of their design was to us And here again I cannot but remark the wonderful Providence of Almighty God for our outward-bound Merchant-ships and their Convoys together with the Squadron design'd for the Streights had been a long time detained by contrary Winds which was very afflicting to our Merchants and all were sorry Sir George Rook could not for this Reason be so soon reinforced as was necessary to enable him to defend the Passage of the Streights against the Naval Preparations that were made at Thoulon But at the same time that they appeared so much concerned at the Obstinacy of these Westerly Winds that had now been fix'd for 2 Months God who sees all things and even the most secret Machinations and Designs of Men provided them for our safety and made that wholsome Physick for us which we imagined to be Poison Thy Way O God! is in the Sea and thy Paths in the great Waters and thy foot-steps are not known In the mean time while these things were doing upon the Sea and that the Admiral was bearding of the French upon their own Coast who durst not now as much as peep out of their lurking Holes The King thought fit to acquaint the two Houses of Parliament with the Conspiracy and what he had done in order to obviate the same and this he did in the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen I Came hither this Day upon an extraordinary Occasion which might have proved fatal if it had not been disappointed by the singular Mercy and Goodness of God and may now by the Continuance of the same Providence and Our own prudent Endeavours be so improved as to become a sufficient Warning to Vs to provide for our Security against the pernicious Practises and Attempts of Our Enemies I have received several concurring Informations of a Design to assassinate Me And that Our Enemies at the same time are very forward in their Preparations for a sudden Invasion of this Kingdom I have therefore thought it necessary to lose no Time in acquainting My Parliament with these Things in which the Safety of the Kingdom and the Publick Welfare are so nearly concerned that I assure My Self nothing will be omitted on your Part which may be thought proper for Our present or future Security I have not been wanting to give the necessary Orders for the Fleet and I hope We have such a Strength of Ships and in such a Readiness as will be sufficient to disappoint the Inventions of Our Enemies I have also dispatched Orders for bringing home such a Number of Our Troops as may secure us from any Attempt Some of the Conspirators against My Person are already in Custody and Care is taken to apprehend as many of the rest as are discovered And such other Orders are given as the present Emergency of Affairs do absolutely require at this time for the Publick Safety My Lords and Gentlemen Having now acquainted You with the Danger which hath attended Vs I cannot doubt of Your Readiness and Zeal to do every thing which you shall judge proper for Our common Safety And I perswade my self We must be all sensible now necessary it is in Our present Circumstances that all possible Dispatch should be given to the Business before You. The Parliament were so far from being backward to congratulate His Majesty upon the Deliverance that they lost no time in going upon such Methods as might secure him against the like Villanous Attempts for the future To which end they did on the 25th of February enter into an Association to defend his Person and revenge his Death And to that of the Commons the King was pleased to give this Answer That he took it as a most convincing and acceptable Evidence of their Affection and as they had freely associated themselves for their common Safety he did himself heartily enter into the same Association and would be always ready with them and the rest of his good Subjects to venture his Life against all those who should endeavour to subvert the Religion Laws and Liberties of England But because they thought this was not sufficient they proceeded to make other Laws more binding for the King 's and Our Security And First That such as should refuse to take the Oaths of Fidelity to His Majesty should be subject to the Forfeitures and Penalties of Popish Recusants Convict Secondly To inflict Penalties on all that by Writing or otherwise declared that King William was not lawful and rightful King of England Thirdly To ratifie and confirm the Association to disable any from being capable of any Office of Profit and Trust that should not Sign the Association and that whenever it should please God to afflict these Nations by the Death of his present Majesty that the Parliament then in being should not be dissolved thereby but should continue till the next Heir to the Crown in Succession should dissolve them Which last was undoubtedly as great a Stroak to our Enemies abroad as any thing that has fallen out since the Revolution For it cannot be thought the late King should ever flatter himself to that degree of being restored by a Free Parliament But while we were thus securing our selves within the Parliament was not unmindful of raising the necessary Supplies to carry on the War abroad and therefore there were several good Bills prepared for that purpose and signed at several times by his Majesty before the end of April While in the mean time divers of the Assassins were Tried And first Robert Charnock Edward King and Thomas Keys came to their Tryals on the 11th of March and upon a full Hearing and Evidence were all found Guilty of High Treason and having received Sentence of Death accordingly they were upon the 18th of the said Month executed at Tyburn But before they were turned off each of them delivered a Paper to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex wherein every one of them respectively confess'd himself Guilty of the Crime he was accused of But for the fuller Satisfaction of the Reader and in pursuance to the Design of this Treatise we 'll give you their Papers delivered by them to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex at the Place of Execution March the 18th Mr. CHARNOCKE's Paper THAT I might avoid Distractions and be Composed as much as possible at the time of my Execution I thought it much more proper to Communicate This to the Sheriffs than to give my self the Uneasiness of speaking leaving it to them to publish if they think convenient for the Satisfaction of the World and in what I have to say I have taken as much care as I could to be short that I might not lose time in my greatest Concern As concerning an
Invasion intended by King James upon England and that there was certain Intelligence of it from Abroad I presume every Body was satisfied and to the facilitating of which I own that my Self and some Others did agree upon the Undertaking To Attack the Prince of Orange and his Guards for which I am now to Suffer but I think my Self obliged by all the Tyes imaginable both of Conscience and Honour to declare That as for any Order or Commission of King James's for Assassinating the Prince of Orange I neither saw nor heard of any but have had frequent Assurances of his having rejected such Proposals when they have been offer'd I confess I did hear that there was a Commission arrived for Levying of War and which was natural to believe if the King was in such a readiness to come over as was reported but if there was any such Authority as that I declare I never saw it As to what regards the Body of the Roman Catholicks I must do them the Justice and which I dare to be positive in That they had no manner of Knowledge of this Design nor do I believe it was Communicated to any other Party of such as are reputed the King's Friends but carried on meerly by a small Number without the Advice Consent or Privity of any Parties whatsoever I ask forgiveness of all the World for what Offences or Injuries I have done to them and I am I bless Almighty God in perfect Charity with all Mankind Robert Charnocke Mr. KING's Paper I Am now within a few Moments of Eternity brought to this Place by the Just Hand of God in Punishment of all my Crimes but particularly of that of which I have been lately Arraigned and for which I stand here Condemn'd but I hope that Goodness of God which has given me a Sense of my Wickedness will accept my Repentance and shew Mercy on me which I hope to obtain thro' the Passion and Merits of my Redeemer upon whom I intirely cast my self And that I may find his Mercy I think my self oblig'd to do Justice to my Neighbour that so none may suffer wrongfully on my Account and therefore as I am soon to Answer the Truth of what I say before the Tribunal of God I First declare That I never saw any Order or Commission of King James's promoting the Asââssination for which I am Condemned Neither do I know of any such Order or Commission Secondly That this Design was not undertaken with any General Knowledge or Approbation of any Body of Men either Catholick or Protestant Lastly That I did not engage in it on Presumption of any King-killing Principles that cou'd justifie such an Undertaking but was drawn into it by my own Rashness and Passion for which and all other Sins I heartily beseech God to forgive me And I hope that such who think the Misfortune of their Imprisonment or Trouble is deriv'd from my having been engaged in this Enterprize or such to whom it has any ways given scandal that they will admit me to their Pardon as I freely and heartily forgive all Mankind In this Disposition of a sincere Repentance and true Charity I commend my Soul into the Hands of God and hope to find Mercy from him And for this I beg all your Prayers Edward King Mr. KEY 's Paper I Am now going to appear before the Living God I trust in his Mercy that he will forgive all my Sins committed to this last moment of my Life God is just in all his Judgments and I accept of this Death as the Punishment of my Iniquities I forgive all my Enemies and hope through a hearty Repentance and the Merits of my Saviour to obtain Mercy Have Mercy on me O Father of Mercy and through thy only Son forgive me all my Sins Thomas Key The next turn was Sir John Friend's and Sir Will. Perkins both Tried Condemned and Executed in like manner for the same complicated Fact of the Assassination and Invasion which was owned by them also as appears by their own Words the first in these Terms Sir JOHN FREIND's Paper KNowing that I must immediately give an Account to God of all my Actions and that I ought to be especially careful of what I say in these last Hours I do solemnly profess That what I here deliver is from my very Soul with all the Heartiness and Sincerity of a dying Christian The Cause I am brought hither to suffer for I do firmly believe to be the Cause of God and True Religion and to the best and utmost of my Knowledge and Information agreeable to the Laws of the Land which I have evermore heard to require a firm Duty and Allegiance to our Sovereign and that as no Foreign so neither any Domestick Power can alienate our Allegiance For it is altogether new and untelligible to me that the King's Subjects can depose and dethrone him on any account or constitute any that have not an immediate Right in his Place We ought I think not to do this and surely when it is done to assist him in the Recovery of his Right is justifiable and our Duty And howsoever things may seem at present I do believe I am sure I heartily pray That he shall be one day restored to his rightful Throne and Dominions As for any sudden Descent of his Majesty upon these his Dominions in order to the Recovery of them I declare I had no certain knowledge of it nor can I tell what Grounds there was to believe it so little Reason had I to be in a present Preparation for it I suppose it is not expected I should endeavour to clear my self out of the Assassination which was not the thing alledg'd against me however it was mentioned through what means I know not As it was insinuated to my disadvantage I forgive such as were therein instrumental And I do also from the very bottom of my Soul freely forgive and beg of God to do so too suce as were any ways accessary towards the taking away my Life which I really look upon to be their Misfortune more than mine I profess my self and I thank God I am so a Member of the Church of England though God knows a most unworthy and unprofitable part of it of that Church which suffers so much at present for a strict adherence to Loyalty the Law and Christian Principles For this I Suffer and for this I Die Though I have a perfect Charity for People of all Professions and do heartily wish well and would endeavour so to do to all my Fellow-Subjects of what Persuasions soever And indeed I have met with a great deal of Uprightness and Sincerity among some People of very different Opinions in Religious Matters And I hope and desire it may not be taken as an uncharitable Censure or undue Reflection that I objected to the Legality of the Popish Evidence being advised so to do for my better Security upon the Foundation of a Statute-Law Having own'd
my self a Member of the Church of England I must take this Opportunity and I do it for God's Glory to apply my self to you that are Royalists of that Church of the same Faith and Principles with my self and I beg of you for God's sake and the Love of your Souls to be very constant and serious in all Religious Offices and holy Duties of Divine Worship and Service which I have too much neglected as I own to my great Sorrow Let no Excuse no Dangers prevent or hinder you in these most necessary and serious Matters and be I beseech you very careful and circumspect in all your Actions Behaviour and Conversation as I earnestly exhorted all that came to me I have I thank God a great deal of Satisfaction in my present Sufferings and have found it so ever since I have been under them And blessed be God it doth continually increase upon me And I do now lay down my Life with all Chearfulness and Resignation in sure and certain Hope of a Resurrection to Eternal Life through our Lord Jesus Christ through whose Merits alone I hope for the Pardon of my Sins and the Salvation of my Soul And so O Lord into thy Hands I commend my Spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of Truth And I do heartily and humbly beseech thee Almighty God and my most Gracious âather to forgive and bless this sinful Nation deliver it from the Guilt of Rebellion Blood and Perjury ãâã is now on all sides more than ever and from all those other heinous Sins which cry aloud Preserve and bless this Church Comfort our distressed King Restore him to his Right and his mislead Subjects to their Allegiance Bless also his Royal Consort our Gracious Queen Mary his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales That he may grow in Stature and in Favour with God and Man Support and Strengthen all those that suffer in any kind for a good Cause give them Patience under all their Afflictions and a happy Deliverance out of them Forgive all mine Enemies Pardon my former Neglect and remissness in Religious Worship and Holy Duties and all the Sins I have been guilty of to this very moment Consider my Contrition accept my Tears And now Thou art pleased to take me hence take me into thy Favour and grant that my Soul may be without Spot presented unto Thee through the Merits of thy Most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen John Freind Sir WILLIAM PERKYNS's Paper IT hath not been my Custom to use many Words and I shall not be long upon this Occasion having Business of much greater Consequence to employ my Thoughts upon I thank God I am now in a full disposition to Charity and therefore shall make no Complaints either of the Hardships of my Tryal or any other Rigours put upon me However one Circumstance I think my self oblig'd to mention it was Sworn against me by Mr. Porter That I had own'd to him that I had Seen and Read a Commission from the King to Levy War upon the Person of the Prince of Orange Now I must declare That the Tenour of the King's Commission which I saw was General and directed to all his Loving Subjects to Raise and Levy War against the Prince of Orange and his Adherents and to seize all Forts Castles c. which I suppose may be a customary Form of giving Authority to make War but I must confess I am not much acquainted with Matters of that Nature But as for any Commission particularly levelled against the Person of the Prince of Orange I neither saw nor heard of any such It 's true I was privy to the Design upon the Prince but was not to act in it and I am fully satisfied that very few or none knew of it but those who undertook to do it I freely acknowledge and think it for my Honour to say That I was entirely in the Interest of the King being always firmly persuaded of the Justice of his Cause and looked upon it as my Duty both as a Subject and an Englishman to Assist him in the Recovery of his Throne which I believed him to be deprived of contrary to all Right and Justice taking the Laws and Constitution of my Country for my Guide As for my Religion I die in the Communion of the Church of England in which I was Educated And as I freely forgive all the World so who-ever I may any ways have Injured I heartily ask them Pardon April 13. 1696. William Perkyns Here the Bigottry of these poor and wretched Men cannot but be admired and pitied that they should justifie their Treasons to the last Gasp which hot-headed Charnock did not think fit to do But this can be attributed to nothing else save the blind Zeal and rebellious Principles of those Clergy-men that were with them and who fairly if they had had their Desert should have been hang'd for Administring Absolution to them without any precedent Confession in direct Opposition to the Laws of that Church whereof they would be thought Members which thereupon was condemned by 14 Bishops being all that were then in London and assented to by all the rest that were Absent It 's well they liv'd under so mild a Government though they were unworthy of it had they been guilty in the late Reigns of any that had come near the pitch of their Crime they had infallibly swung for it when Julian Johnson was so severely Whipped and barbarously Used for his honest Address to the English Soldiery and Seamen The other 3 that followed viz. Cranborn Rookwood and Lowick all confessed the Crime though in a different manner but the 2 latter who were Roman Catholicks somewhat more modestly than the former tho' a pretended Protestant who called it a righteous Cause for which he suffer'd The Papers they deliver'd were these Major LOWICK's Paper In the Name of the most Holy Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost Amen IN the first place I die in the Religion I was Baptized viz. Roman Catholick and humbly beg the Prayers of all Good People for a happy Resurrection and of all Catholicks for the Good of my Soul As for being ingag'd in this for which I die it was never so positive that I had a Horse from the beginning to the very last nor never see any allotted me or the two Men I was to provide as was sworn against me at my Tryal nor had I any on that Account nor was I at any of their Meetings when they settled any such thing And as for any Order of Commission from King James I never see any since I came last into England which is now above 5 Years and I am confident none that knows King James will believe he would give any such Order Indeed I must confess I believe King James was a coming to assert his own Right and I should if on Shore have done any thing in my Power to have assisted him and in order to
that I should have been very glad to have had a Horse but never had any And as for being concern'd in any Bloody Affair I never was in my Life but have done my Endeavour to prevent as much as I could on all Occasions and if the Killing the most miserable Creature in the World or greatest Enemy would now save my Life restore the King and make me one of the greatest Men in England I first would chuse to die because against the Law of God If any who are now Sufferers on this Account think I have been too forward and a Promoter of this Design I do now declare it was never my Inclination to do any rash thing However I beg their Pardons and of all the World I have offended either in Thought Word or any Action whatsoever and do freely forgive my Enemies and hope through the Mercy of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have Remission of all my Sins Good God preserve the King Queen Prince and Princess and all that Royal Blood of Stewards and may England never want one of that direct Line to Govern them and make them once more Happy I have had the Honour to serve my Royal Master in several Commissions and the last as Major and strove ever to serve him to the best of my Power and even to be Just to those who I had the Honour to Command Lord Jesus into thy Hands I recommend my Spirit O Jesus receive my Soul Robert Lowick Brigadier ROOKWOOD's Paper HAving committed the Justice of my Cause and recommended my Soul to God on whose Mercies through the Merits of Jesus Christ I wholly cast my self I had once resolved to die in Silence but second Thoughts of my Duty to others chiefly to my True and Liege Soveraign King James moved me to leave this behind me I do therefore with all Truth and Sincerity declare and avow That I never knew saw or heard of any Order or Commission from King James for the Assassinating the Prince of Orange and Attacking his Guards but I am certainly inform'd That he the best of Kings had often rejected Proposals of that Nature when made unto him Nor do I think he knew the least of the particular Design of the Attacking the Guards at his Landing so much talk'd of in which I was engaged as a Soldier by my immediate Commander much against my Judgment but his Soldier I was and as such I was to obey and act according to Command These twelve Years I have served my true King and Master King James and freely now lay down my Life in his Cause I ever abhorr'd Treachery even to an Enemy If it be a guilt to have complied with what I thought and still think to have been my Duty I am guilty No other guilt do I own As I beg all to forgive me so I forgive all from my Heart even the Prince of Orange who as a Soldier ought to have consider'd my Case before he Sign'd the Warrant for my Death I pray God may open his Eyes and render him sensible of the much Blood from all Parts crying out against him so to prevent a heavier Execution hanging over his Head than what he inflicts on me Amb. Rookwood But I confess after all that the Shouting of the People at the Execution of some of these wretched Assassins was cruel and inhumane and two base a Triumphing over Misery which always deserves our Christian Compassion As soon as the News reached Flanders that the King was safe and England happily delivered from the two bloody Tempests that threaten'd her the Generals and it was thought to be the particular Contrivance of Prince Vaudemont bethought themselves of making an extraordinary Bonfire for Joy by burning the French Magazine at Givet To which End after several Orders and Countermands given to the Garrison of Namur the greatest part of them were ordered to march with Provision for six Days and being joined by several other Troops they crossed the Meuse on the 12th of March and were followed the next Day by the Horse under the Conduct of the Earl of Athlone and Major-General Cohorne and having crossed the River Leile the Earl with one part of this Body marched towards Dinant while Cohorne with the rest sate down before Givet And having got all things ready by the 16th in the Morning he began his Work about Seven a Clock with Bombs and Red-hot Bullets which first set fire to the Forage and at the same time a certain Number of Soldiers were commanded to enter the Town with lighted Flambeaux in their Hands who fired the Cazerns and other Edifices where the Magazines of Oats and other Provisions lay So that that vast Magazine was utterly consumed and all this performed with the Loss of not above 9 or 10 Men. But notwithstanding this considerable Advantage to the Confederates the Conspiracy in England and other more than ordinary Affairs before the Parliament had spun out so much Time that the King could not be so early in the Camp this Year as was designed who was himself also unwilling to leave his Kingdoms till the Arrival of the Fleet from Cales under Sir George Rook who had upon occasion of the first breaking out of the Plot Orders sent him to return home and safely came upon the Coast towards the latter end of April to the dissipating of the great Fears we were in lest the French Fleet from Thoulon should overtake and ruine him And indeed they were not far behind for before the Junction of those Men of War we had then in the Downs with some of Sir George's Squadron and that he could get upon the Coast of Brest in order to intercept and fight them they were got safe into that and the other Harbours of France So that the French took the Field before the Confederates to whom they were superiour at first in number till the Junction of the German Troops who ever came late which was at all times a prodigious Disadvantage to the Confederates So that what with these things but most of all for the extream Want of Mony to pay the Army now our Coin was called in the Confederates could not act Offensively as they had done the preceding Year But about the time that the King arrived at the Hague there happen'd something to fall out which began to savour of somewhat else than the Toils and Inconveniences of War for Monsieur Caillieri was come thither from France with Proposals towards concluding a general Peace by setling such Preliminaries as might be a sufficient Basis to ground a Treaty upon I do not know whether there was any real Disposition in the French Court to a general Peace before the Year 1695 but the loss of Namur Casall and other Disadvantages did without all doubt powerfully operate towards it and nothing could have retarded their Motions in order to it but the Plausibility of the Invasion against England and that in such an hazardous Juncture when our Coin was
the Po which being once effected the French could not think of Bombarding the Place or forcing the Confederates to a Battle But tho' this Treaty was concerted before amidst the Devotions at Loretto where such a Business could be managed without being observed by the Ministers of the Allies yet all the Artifice imaginable was made use of to cover the Matter for a Time To this End Catinat as we have said came from the Mountains of Savoy into the Plains of Turin threatning the Extirpation of the Name of the Piedmontois but stopped on a sudden till he had slipped the Opportunity And when he found he had given the Duke Time enough to fortifie himself and under pretence of strengthening the Army had got his Fortresses clear of the Confederate Troops the Mareschal removed farther off towards Pignerol which occasioned various Speculations And the more Clear-sighted began to suspect there was an Agreement under-hand patched up between the two Parties And there was an Adventure which happen'd much about the same time that sufficiently discovered the Secrecy of the French Court in the Matter as well as the Assurance they had of their Work being done on that side There was a Discourse of some Mis-understanding between the Mareschal de Caâinat and the Grand Prior of France while the Army lay at Rivalta For the Grand Prior urging two or three several times that the Mareschal had favourable Opportunities to have gained considerable Advantages over the Confederates and still desiring the Mareschal to make use of the Benefit of of Fortune's Offer the Mareschal as often put him off with Refusals which made the other in the height of his Zeal as believing the Mareschal to be guilty of Negligence or Cowardice to write his Accusations to the French King who could not forbear smiling all the while he read the Letter However he was so kind as to send him an Answer and to let him know that the Mareschal had obeyed his Orders and that he would soon see the Reasons of his pretended Negligence unravelled Not long after this on the 12th of July a Truce was concluded on for a Month the Consequence whereof was the Exchanging of Hostages and at last the final Conclusion of a Peace Which if it had been gained on the Duke's part without any Violation of his Honour was very advantageous to him and the rest of hâly For the French made a Restitution to him of all the new Conquests they had made as also of Pignerol demolished gave him 4000000 of Livres towards the Reparation of the Damages he had sustained during the War engaged to assist him at the Charge of the French King with 8000 Foot and 4000 Horse and because the Knot should be tied fast enough his Daughter was to be married to the Duke of Burgundy without any Portion But I will not curtail the Treaty which was sign'd Aug. 29. and runs as follows THE Most Christian King having all along during this War maintained a sincere desire of procuring the Quiet of Italy and it having pleased Almighty God to inspire his Royal Highness with the same Thoughts his Majesty has given his full Power Commission and Command to the Sieur Rene de Troullay Count de Tesse Knight of the Orders of the King Lieutenant General of his Armies Colonel General of the Dragoons of France Governour of Ipres Lieutenant General for the King in the Provinces of Maine and Perche and at present Commanding for the King in the Countries and Places on the Frontiers of Piedmont His Royal Highness having likewise on his Part given his Power and Commands to the Sieur Charles Victor Marquess de Saint Thomas Minister of State and his said Royal Highness's Principal Secretary of State the said Plenipotentiaries having reciprocally Exchanged the Original of their Commissions by virtue of which they Treat have agreed on these following Articles I. That there shall be from henceforth and for ever a firm and sincere Peace between the King and his Kingdom and his Royal Highness the Duke of Savoy and his Dominions as if the said Peace had been never interrupted and the King resuming the same Sentiments of Bounty he hath heretofore had for his Royal Highness which he desires his Royal Highness to be perswaded of his Royal Highness doth by this present Treaty entirely renounce all Engagements and all Treaties made with the Emperor with the Kings and Princes comprehended under the Name of the League or Confederacy and doth undertake to employ all his Endeavours and to do all that he can in order to obtain of those Sovereign Powers at least of the Emperor and King of Spain a Neutrality for Italy until the General Peace shall be Concluded and to signifie their Consents by a particular Treaty which shall be made to that purpose or for want of such a Treaty by Declarations which the said Emperor and the King of Spain shall make to the Pope and to the Republick of Venice and which shall be at the same time followed by the Retreat and Withdrawing of all the Forces which the Allies have at present in Italy as it shall be hereafter more particularly specified And in case the above-mentioned Princes do not Consent to such a Neutrality in Italy at his Royal Highnesses's Instance to the Emperor and to the King of Spain his Royal Highness doth engage to enter into an Offensive and Defensive League with the King until a General Peace be Concluded acting jointly with his Majesty's and his own proper Forces as becomes good and sincere Allies for the Common Interest and to make War against the State of Milan and against all those who shall oppose this present Treaty's taking effect And as an evident Demonstration of a Return of the King's Amity towards his Royal Highness his Majesty does willingly Consent and doth Promise That the City and Cittadel of Pignerol the Fort of St. Bridgit the Perouse with other Forââ depending on the same shall be Demolished as to the Fortifications only at the King's Charges and after the aforesaid Fortifications are Demolished they shall all be restored to his Royal Highness as well as all the Territories and Dominions comprised under the Name of the Government of Pignerol and which did belong to the House of Savoy before the Cession or Surrender that Victor Amadeus the first Duke of that Name made unto Lewis the XIIIth The which City dismantled Cittadel and demolished Forts and Territories shall be likewise Surrendred to his Royal Highness to be held in Soveraignty and to be by him enjoyed fully and perpetually by him and his Successors from henceforth as things to him of Right belonging By virtue of which present Surrender his Royal Highness doth Engage and Promise as well for himself his Heirs and Successors or others by any ways Claiming neither to Re-build noâ cause to be Re-built the aforesaid Fortifications nor to cause any new ones to be Built upon and in the Space and Limits of the said Territories Funds
and Rocks neither in any Place whatsoever so surrendred by this present Treaty according to which his Royal Highness or the Inhabitants of the said Town of Pignerol shall be allowed to enclose it with a bare Wall only not Terrassed and without Fortifications That notwithstanding these mention'd his Royal Highness shall be free to Build any strong Places and Fortifications in this said Territory now delivered up as he thinks fit without the King 's taking any Exception at it That moreover the King shall restore to his Royal Highness the Countries Castles and Places of Montmelian Nice Villefranche Suza and all other the Conquer'd Places without Exception entire and undemolish'd or damag'd and with the same quantity of Ammunitions of War Provisions Stores Canon and Artillery and such Places to be left furnished as they were when they fell into his Majesty's Hands and so that the Buildings Fortifications Inlargements and Improvements made by his Majesty shall not be touched but left as they are After the said Places are restored it shall be lawful for his Royal Highness to repair and enlarge the Fortifications as things belonging to himself that the King may not therefore molest him or be displeased thereat Provided nevertheless That the King shall carry off from Pignerol all the Artillery Ammunition of War and Provisions Arms and all moveable Effects belonging to him of what Nature soever they be That as for the Revenues and Incoms of Pignerol and its Dependencies the King does yield them up to his Royal Highness in the same manner as the King enjoys them at present and the Leases or Settlements which the King has made of any of the said Lands shall stand good according to the Form of the respective Contracts Tenures or Acquisitions That the said Restitution of these Countries and Places belonging to his Royal Highness as also the delivery of Pignerol with its Dependencies above-mentioned shall be made after the signing of this present Treaty the Foreign Troops being first quite retired out of Italy and after that the Germans the Troops of Bavaria the Brandenburg Protestants in the English Pay and other Auxiliary Troops are actually arrived in Germany and that the Spaniards and others which are paid by his Catholick Majesty are returned into the Territories of Milan so that the Execution of any of these Articles nor the Restitution of any of those Places shall not take Effect till after the said Troops are all of them and entirely retired in such manner as has been now exprest Which notwithstanding it is to be so understood as that the Evacuation of the said Foreign Troops out of Italy shall be deemed to be fully compleated altho' the Spaniards should take out as possibly they may some Men out of those Foreign Regiments to fill up those that are in their own Pay or that some of those Foreign Troops should List themselves and enter on the Territories of the Republick of Venice it shall be taken as if they were arrived in Germany as soon as they are upon the Venetians Ground and are delivered over to the Service of that Common-wealth And after the Ratification of the present Treaty Labourers shall be immediately set at work to sink Mines and to do all other things that are necessary to the demolishing of the said City Cittadel and Forts of Pignerol But in case his Royal Highness should think fit to keep this Treaty as yet secret beyond the time limitted for the said Ratification it is agreed upon that to avoid the Noise which the working of such Mines might create that they shall be begun but at such time after the Ratification as his Royal Highness shall think fit The said demolishing Work shall continue and go forward in such a manner as that in two or three Months after the Evacuation of the said Troops above-mentioned all shall be delivered up into his Royal Highness's Hands whereupon it shall be allowed to send a Commissary to assist upon the Place until the Execution of the said Work His Majesty is also willing for his Royal Highness's greater Satisfaction to send him when he shall require it two Dukes and Peers of France to remain as Hostages in his Royal Highness's Hands who shall treat them according to the Dignity of their Rank II. His Majesty shall make no Treaty of Peace or Truce with the Emperor or the King of Spain without comprehending his Royal Highness in suitable and effectual Terms and the present Treaty as well as those of Querasque Munster the Pirerees and Nimeguen shall be included in the General Peace not only as to the Four Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Crowns of Gold which are particularly mentioned in that of Munster in Discharge of his Royal Highness and for which the King continues still a Guarrantee to the Duke of Martua but also as to all other Matters contained in the said Treaties not contrary to the present Treaty which are to be irrecoverable and to remain in full Force and Validity notwithstanding the present Delivery of Pignerol and its Dependencies And as for other Interests Claims or Pretensions which concern the House of Savoy his Royal Highness reserves to himself a Power of Treating about them by way of Protestations of Memorials or by Envoys so that this Treaty may in no ways be prejudicial to the said Protestations III. That a Marriage between the Duke of Burgundy and the Princess his Royal Highness's Daughter shall be treated on out of Hand to be consummated when they are of Age and the Contract between them to be made so soon as this present Treaty takes effect after Publication whereof the Princess shall be put into the King's Hands That in the said Marriage-Contract which shall be consider'd as an essential part of this Treaty and wherein the Princess shall make the usual Renunciations with a Promise to pretend to nothing of his Royal Highness's Estate or Succession further than the following Portion His said Royal Highness shall give as a Portion to the Princess his Daughter Two Hundred Thousand Crowns of Gold toward the Payment of which his Royal Highness shall give a Discharge for One Hundred Thousand Crowns of Gold which remained due by France to the House of Savoy as part of the Dutchess-Royal's Portion together with the accruing Interest of that said Sum which was also promised to be paid And the Remainder viz One Hundred Thousand more which the Duke of Savoy shall pay to France to make up the Portion aforesaid the King doth Remit in Consideration of the present Treaty his Royal Highness engaging more-over to give to the Princess his Daughter at the Celebration of the Marriage that which in the Language of Piedmont is called Fardle and in French the Bundle or Marriage Present for Cloaths and in the Contract of Marriage the Dowry shall be agreed upon which the King will give according to the Custom of France IV. That his Royal Highness renouncing from this present time truly and
effectually and sincerely as he hath done in the fore-mentioned Articles all the Engagements which he might have had with the Enemies doth likewise hope that his Majesty will answer thereunto with all the Sentiments which his Royal Highness craves and wishes for and that having the Honour to be so nearly related to the King and of entring into a new and glorious Alliance with him his Majesty doth Grant and Promise to his Royal Highness as he doth demand his powerful Protection as formerly in all its Extent and as his Royal Highness is desirous to maintain a perfect Neutrality with the Kings Princes and Sovereign Powers who are at present his Allies his Majesty doth promise not to put any manner of Restraint on the Inclinations which his Royal Highness hath of continuing and using towards them all the external Measures of Decency and Freedom that are becoming a Sovereign Prince who hath Embassadors and Envoys at the Courts of those Princes and receives and entertains at his own Court Envoys and Embassadors from them and that the King shall in no ways take ill his so doing comprehending under that Word Princes the Emperor Kings and Sovereign Powers of Europe V. His Majesty doth ingage and declare That the ordinary and extraordinary Embassadors of Savoy shall receive at the Court of France all the Honours without Exception and with all the Circumstances and Ceremonies that are paid to the Embassadors of Crowned Heads that is to say they shall be received as Embassadors from Kings and that his Majesty's ordinary as well as extraordinary Embassadors in all the Courts of Europe without Exception and even the King's Embassadors at Rome and Vienna shall likewise treat and use the said ordinary and extraordinary Embassadors and Envoys from Savoy as they do those from Kings and Crowned Heads But in regard that this Addition of Honour as to the Treatment of the Embassadors from Savoy has been never hitherto settled nor raised to that Degree that his Majesty doth now allow it his Royal Highness is sensible and doth acknowledge that it is in Consideration of this Treaty or Contract of Marriage of the Duke of Burgundy with the Princess his Daughter and his Majesty doth promise that this Augmentation of Honour shall take Place from the Day that the aforesaid Treaty of Marriage is Signed VI. That the Trade between France and Italy shall be renewed and maintained in the same manner as it was settled before this War from the time of Charles Emanuel II. his Royal Highness's Father and the same shall be observed and practised in all Points and in all Places between the Kingdom and the several parts of his Majesty's Dominions and those of his Royal Highness's which was used and practised in all things in the Life-time of the said Charles Emanuel II. on the Roads of Suza in Savoy and Pont Beauvoisiâ and Villefranche every one paying the Duties and Customs on both Sides the French Ships shall continue to pay the ancient Duties at Villefranche as it was wont to be paid in the time of the said Charles Emanuel about which there shall be no Contest or Opposition made any more than used to be done in those Days The Couriers and ordinary Poââs of France shall pass as formerly through his Royal Highness's Estates and Countries and according to the Regulations there they shall pay the Duties for the Merchandizes wherewith they shall be charged VII His Royal Highness shall cause an Edict to be published by which he shall upon the Penalty of severe corporal Punishments forbid the Inhabitants of the Vallies of Lucern called Vaudois to have any Communication in Matters of Religion with the King's Subjects and his Royal Highness shall engage not to suffer at any time from the Date of this Treaty any of his Majesty's Subjects to make any Settlement in the Protestant Vallies under Colour of Religion of Marriage or for any other Pretence of Settlement Conveniency taking Possession of Inheritances or any other Pretence whatsoever and that no Protestant Minister shall come thence into any of his Majesty's Dominions without incurring the severest corporal Punishments That however his Majesty shall take no Cognizance of his Royal Highness's Usage towards the Vaudois in regard of their Religion yet his Royal Highness shall be bound not to suffer the Exercise of the Reformed Religion in the City of Pigneroâ nor in the Territories that are restored to his Royal Highness in like manner as his Majesty neither doth nor will allow the Exercise of it in his Kingdom VIII That there shall be on both sides a perpetual Act of Oblivion and Indemnity of all that has been done since the beginning of this War in what Place soever the Acts of Hostility have been committed That in this Act of Grace all those shall be comprehended who have served his Majesty in what Station soever although they were his Royal Highness's Subjects so that no Prosecution shall be made against them neither shall they be molested either in their Persons or Estates by Reprisals Executions or Judicial Processes or upon any pretext whatsoever and the King's Subjects that have served his Royal Highness shall be used in the like manner IX That Ecclesiastical Benefices in such parts of his Royal Highness's Country as hath been conquered by the King having been filled up by his Majesty from time to time as the same became vacant during the time that his Majesty possessed the said Countries it is agreed that the said Collation to Benefices shall be valid and the Persons who have been promoted by the King and invested by Authority of the Pope's Bulls shall remain in full Possession thereof But as to the Promotions to the Livings belonging to the Military Order of St. Maurice or to the Places of Judicature or Magistracy his Royal Highness shall have Liberty to alter the Nominations made by the King and all Grants made by his Royal Highness of Offices in the Law become vacant by the Person 's leaving them during the War shall remain good and valid X. As for Contributions that were imposed on the Lands of his Royal Highness's Dominions altho' they are lawfully imposed and are become due and that they amount to considerable Sums his Majesty does out of his Liberality fully discharge his Royal Highness of them so that from the Day of this Treaty's Ratification the King will not pretend to nor require any of the said Contributions leaving his Royal Highness in full Possession of his Revenues throughout his Dominions as well as in Savoy Nice about Pignerol and Suza his Royal Highness on the other side not demanding any Contributions of the King XI As to the Pretensions of the Dutchess of Nemours on his Royal Highness his Majesty leaves those Controversies to be determined among themselves by due Course of Law without concerning himself further therein XII That it shall be lawful for his Royal Highness to send Intendants and Commissaries into Savoy the Country of Nice the
and give in a clearer Project For they would not allow of Mental Reservations nor obscure or equivocal Terms But for all this the French in the beginning of July required the Mediator to Exhort the Allies to admit of no delay and apply themselves effectually to the Terminating of this tedious Work To whom the Mediator made answer That he did not see how the Allies Retarded the removing of those Points that were undecided but that it behoved the French to look to that for all their Complaints and added further that the Allies had for a long time declared the sincere Intentions they had towards it but that the French had not done answerable thereto and that they had sent those Points to Paris in order to Consult the King thereupon That the sincere Intention of the Allies was manifested from their having desired other Extraordinary Days should be appointed to hold their Conferences which the French on their part had declined That the Allies were not ignorant therein of the Designs of the French Court who had nothing in view save the Peace of Nimeguen and if that failed endeavoured to delay things till such time as the Allies had found out a Mean that was not altogether contrary to the said Treaty tho' there might be some accidental Differences in it As soon as the Mediator had given an account of all this to the Allies they resolved to Confer with one another Daily in order to find out a way to shorten their Business and in the first Conference it was concluded the French should answer to every Point in Difference as proposed by the Allies which when the other came to know they desired to be informed according to what manner the Allies were willing to decide the first Point to the end that having once seen the beginning of the Treaty they might be able to Conjecture whether they had Power enough to Treat and Conclude without any further Order from their King But the French at the next Meeting had still somewhat of the old haunt and insisted that in order to add a greater Weight to the Business nothing was more likely to do it than to Treat according to the Peace of Nimeguen and to change some Articles therein according to the desire of the Allies But the Mediator at the Request of the Allies reply'd That they were not to Treat alone according to the Treaty of Nimeguen but also according to that of Westphalia as being them two together that had been reciprocally Proposed and Accepted of in the Preliminaries as the Basis of this Negotiation and that consequently the Allies required that the French should Form a Project according to those two Treaties to the which the Imperialists would promise a quick Answer The Answer of the French was that this requir'd time to deliberate upon it which while they were doing the Imperial Embassadors promised to those of the Electors that they would soon Communicate to them all the Articles they should put forwards to the end all Differences between them might be removed The French after divers Consultations declared They had not sufficient Power to answer to the different Proposals of the Imperialists but that they would give in a Project to the Spaniards if they would accept of it which the Mediator acquainted the Allies with as also that the French said they had no other Power to Treat than according to the Treaty of Nimeguen But the Allies astonish'd thereat came in a particular Conference to an unanimous Resolution never to consent to it the same Treaty being contrary to the Interests of almost all the Allies And tho' they would not entirely Reject the said Treaty yet they had rather that a Project should be Formed according to it and that of Westphalia In the mean time the Electoral Ministers could not well digest this Proposal of the Imperialists that in Dignities and Cessions there should be no regard had to any other save the Embassadors of the highest Characters for they insisted that they ought to be Treated with upon an equal Foot with the rest Hereupon the French declared they would use the Elector's Embassadors in the same manner as the Emperor's Plenipotentiaries did and that they would Honour the rest in all Publick Acts in such a manner as should give no occasion of Complaint But to the main of the Treaty the Spaniards did at last consent that the French should give in their Project to which they would make an Answer which they were brought to do upon an Assurance from the Mediator that the same should be made up of the Treaty of Westphalia and Nimeguen But the Mediator at the same time put the French in mind that they ought to propose their Articles in such a manner as to leave no Repugnancy between them and the Plenipotentaries and to be regulated according to those two Treaties upon Default whereof there would be no Advance made therein And now it was given out at least and I believe there was something in it that the King of Sweden and Denmark had both declared to the French That they should be constrained to declare War against them without they went more seriously on with the Business and cut short all unnecessary Difficulties And here the Mediator represented to the French Plenipotentiaries as his last Advice because he found them as it were Deaf to the last Proposal what he had said to them before in relation to the Spaniards and assured them the others would accept of such a Project But the French said That they had given the Spaniards Time enough to deliberate And for the same Reason they required the same for themselves Upon which the Mediator reply'd That their Courier was already returned from Paris and that without him they had sufficient Orders from their King to treat However some Days elapsed before they were brought to it In the Interim the Elector of Brandenburgh's Minister was very earnest to have the French Ambassadors to get a full Power to treat with him in particular since his Master had formally declared War against France And the Deputies of the Circles of Suabia and Franconia required That Satisfaction should be made by France to the said Circles for the Damages they had sustained during the War But all this was to little purpose At length on the 20th of July the French gave in their Project of Peace founded upon the fore-mentioned Treaties of Westphalia and Nimeguen It would be too tedious to give the Particulars of it in this place but in short the main of it as to the Empire was An Offer to make void several Re-unions made of âands on that side by the Chamberâ of Metz and Bezanson and the Sovereign Council of Brisaâ since the Treaty of Nimeguen To restore the City of Straâburg or to give an Equivalent for it of the City and Castle of Friburg and the Town of Brisac To demolish the Fortifications of Hunninghen on the other side of the Rhine âo restore
Occasion and that most truly to in their own Justification That they had bore alone the Burthen of the War by keeping of great Fleets and numerous Land-Forces which they had set out at their own Charge for the common Good and notwithstanding so many States and Princes of the Empire they had paid almost alone the Expences of the War all along the Rhine And that Trade not having its ordinary Course all this bore very hard upon them To this may be added the advantageous Conditions of Peace granted them and first to begin with that of the English for whom and himself no Man surely in his Wits will deny but King William made as honourable Terms as could in Reason under the Circumstances of things be expected But a better View hereof will be had by the Articles themselves which follow I. That there be an Universal Perpetual Peace and a Truce and Sincere Friendship between the Most Serene and Mighty Prince William the Third King of Great Britain and the most Serene and Mighty Prince Lewis the Fourteenth the most Christian King their Heirs and Successors and between the Kingdoms States and Subjects of Both and that the same be so Sincerely and Inviolably observed and kept that the one shall promote the Interest Honour and Advantage of the other and that on both sides a faithful Neighbourhood and true Observation of Peace and Friendship may daily Flourish and Encrease II. That all Enmities Hostilities Discords and Wars between the said King of Great Britain and the most Christian King and their Subjects cease and be abolished so that on both sides they forbear and abstain hereafter from all Plundring Depredation Harm-doing Injuries and Infestation whatsoever as well by Land as by Sea and on fresh Waters every where and especially throughout all the Kingdoms Territories Dominions and Places belonging to each other of what Condition soever they be III. That all Offences Injuries Damages which the said King of Great Britain and his Subjects or the said most Christian King and âhis Subjects have suffered from each other during this War shall be forgotten so that neither on Account of them or for any other Cause or Pretence neither Party or the Subjects of either shall hereafter do cause or suffer to be done any Hostility Enmity Molestation or Hindrance to the other by himself or others Secretly or Openly Directly or Indirectly by Colour of Right or Way of Fact IV. And since the most Christian King was never more desirous of any thing than that the Peace be firm and inviolable the said King Promises and Agrees for himself and his Successors That he will on no account whatsoever disturb the said King of Great Britain in the free Possession of the Kingdoms Countries Lands or Dominions which he now Enjoys and therefore Engages his Honour upon the Faith and Word of a King that he will not give or afford any Assistance directly or indirectly to any Enemy or Enemies of the said King of Great Britain And that he will in no manner whatsoever favour the Conspiraces or Plots which any Rebels or ill disposed Persons may in any place Excite or Contrive against the said King And for that end Promises and Engages That he will not assist with Arms Ships Ammunition Provisions or Money or in any other way by Sea or by Land any Person or Persons who shall hereafter under any pretence whatsoever Disturb or Molest the said King of Great Britain in the free and full Possession of his Kingdoms Countries Lands and Dominions The King of Great Britain likewise Promises and Engages for himself and Successors Kings of Great Britain That he will inviolably do and perform the same towards the said most Christian King his Kingdoms Countries Lands and Dominions V. That there be a free use of Navigation and Commerce between the Subjects of both the said Kings as was formerly in the time of Peace and before the Declaration of the late War so that every of them may freely come into the Kingdoms Marts Ports and Rivers of either of the said Kings with their Merchandizes and may there continue and Trade without any Molestation and shall use and enjoy all Liberties Immunities and Priviledges granted by solemn Treaties and ancient Custom VI. That the ordinary Administration of Justice shall be restored and sât open throughout the Kingdoms and Dominions of both Kings so that it shall be free for all the Subjects of either to claim and obtain their Rights Pretensions and Actions according to the Laws Constitutions and Statutes of each Kingdom VII The most Christian King shall Restore to the said King of Great Britain all Countries Islands Forts and Colonies wheresoever Situated which the English did possess before the Declaration of this present War And in like manner the King of Great Britain shall restore to the most Christian King all Countries Islands Forts and Colonies wheresoever Situated which the French did Possess before the said Declaration of War And this Restitution shall be made on both Sides within the Space of Six Months or sooner if it can be done And to that end immediately after the Ratification of this Treaty each of the said Kings shall Deliver or cause to be Delivered to the other or to Commissioners Authorized in his Name for that Purpose all Acts of Concession Instruments and necessary Orders duly made and in proper Form so that they may have their Effect VIII Commissioners shall be appointed on both sides to Examine and Determine the Rights and Pretensions which either of the said Kings hath to the places Situated in Hudsons-Bay But the Possession of those Places which were taken by the French during the Peace that preceded this present War and were retaken by the English during this War shall be left to the French by virtue of the foregoing Article The Capitulation made by the English on the 5th of September 1696. shall be Observed according to its Form and Tenor The Merchandises therein mentioned shall be restored The Governour of the Fort taken there shall be set at Liberty if it be not already done The Differences arisen concerning the Execution of the said Capitulation and the value of the Goods there lost shall be adjudged and determined by the said Commissioners who immediately after the Ratification of the present Treaty shall be Invested with sufficient Authority for settling the Limits and Confines of the Lands to be restored on either side by virtue of the foregoing Article and likewise for exchanging of Lands as may conduce to the mutual Interest and Advantage of both Kings And to this end the Commissioners so appointed shall within the space of 3 Months from the time of the Ratification of the present Treaty meet in the City of London and within six Months to be reckoned from their first Meeting shall Determine all Differences and Disputes which may arise concerning this matter After which the Articles the said Commissioners shall agree to shall be Ratified
by both Kings and shall have the same Force and Vigour as if they were inserted Word for Word in the present Treaty IX All Letters as well of Reprisal as of Marque and Counter-Marque which hitherto have for any cause been granted on either side shall be and remain null and void Nor shall any the like Letters be hereafter granted by either of the said Kings against the Subjects of the other unless it be first made manifest that Right hath been denied And it shall not be taken for a denial of Right unless the Petition of the Person who desires Letters of Reprisal to be granted to him be first shewn to the Minister residing there on the part of the King against whose Subjects those Letters are desired That within the space of 4 Months or sooner he may inquire into the contrary or procure that satisfaction be made with all speed from the Party offending to the Complainant But if the King against whose Subjects Reprisals are demanded have no Minister residing there Letters of Reprisal shall not be granted till after the space of 4 Months to be reckoned from the Day on which his Petition was made and presented to the King against whose Subjects Reprisals are desired or to his Privy Council X. For cutting off all matter of Dispute and Contention which may arise concerning the Restitution of Ships Merchandises and other moveable Goods which either Party may complain to be taken and detained from the other in Countries and on Coasts far distant after the Peace is concluded and before it be notified there All Ships Merchandises and other moveable Goods which shall be taken by either side after the Signing and Publication of the present Treaty within the space of Twelve Days in the British and North Seas as far as the Cape St. Vincent Within the space of Ten Weeks beyond the said Cape and on this side of the Equinoctial Line or Equator as well in the Ocean and Mediterranean Sea as elsewhere Lastly within the space of six Months beyond the said Line throughout the whole World shall belong and remain unto the Possessors without any Exception or further Distinction of Time or Place or any consideration to be had of Restitution or Compensation XI But if it happens through Inadvertency or Imprudence or any other Cause whatever that any Subject of either of the said two Kings shall do or commit any thing by Land or Sea or on fresh Water any where contrary to the present Treaty or that any Particular Article thereof is not fulfilled this Peace and good Correspondence between the said two Kings shall not on that account be Interrupted or Infringed but shall remain in its former Force Strength and Vigour and the said Subject only shall answer for his own Fact and undergo the Punishment to be Inflicted according to the Custom and Law of Nations XII But if which God forbid the Differences now Composed between the said Kings should at any time be renewed and break out into open War the Ships Merchandises and all kind of moveable Goods of either Party which shall be found to be and remain in the Ports and Dominions of the adverse Party shall not be Confiscated or brought under any Inconveniency but the whole space of six Months shall be allowed to the Subject of both of the said Kings that they may carry away and transport the aforesaid Goods and any thing else that is theirs whither they shall think fit without any Molestation XIII For what concerns the Principality of Orange and other Lands and Dominions belonging to the said King of Great Britain the separate Article of the Treaty of Nimeguen concluded between the most Christian King and the States General of the United Provinces the 10th Day of August 1678. shall according to its Form and Tenor have full effect and all things that have been Innovated and Altered shall be restored as they were before All Decrees Edicts and other Acts of what kind soever they be without Exception which are in a manner contrary to the said Treaty or were made after the conclusion thereof shall be held to be null and void without any revival or consequence for the future And all things shall be restored to the said King in the same state and in the same manner as he held and enjoyed them before he was dispossessed thereof in the time of the War which was ended by the said Treaty of Nimeguen or which he ought to have held and enjoyed according to the said Treaty And that an end may be put to all Trouble Differences Processes and Questions which may arise concerning the same both the said Kings will name Commissioners who with full and summary Power may compose and settle all these matters And forasmuch as by the Authority of the most Christian King the King of Great Britain was hindred from enjoying the Revenues Rights and Profits as well of his Principality of Orange as of other his Dominions which after the conclusion of the Treaty of Nimeguen until the Declaration of the present War were under the power of the said most Christian King the said most Christian King will restore and cause to be restored in reality with Effect and with the Interest due all those Revenues Rights and Profits according to the Declarations and Verifications that shall be made before the said Commissioners XIV That Treaty of Peace concluded between the most Christian King and the late Elector of Brandenburg at St. Germains in Laye the 29 June 1679. shall be restored in its Articles and remain in its former Vigour between his Sacred Most Christian Majesty and his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg XV. Whereas 't will greatly conduce to the publick Tranquility that the Treaty be observed which was concluded between his Sacred most Christian Majesty and his Royal Highness of Savoy on the Ninth of Aug. 1696. 't is agreed that the said Treaty shall be confirmed by this Article XVI Under this present Treaty of Peace shall be comprehended those who shall be named by either Party with common consent before the Exchange of Ratifications or within six Months after But in the mean time the most Serene and Mighty Prince William King of Great Britain and the most Serene and Mighty Prince âewis the most Christian King gratefully acknowledging the sincere Offices and Indefatigable Endeavours which have been employed by the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles King of Sweden by the inter position of his Mediation in bringing this happy work of the Peace with the Divine Assistance to the desired Conclusion and to shew the like Affection to him 't is by consent of all Parties stipulated and agreed That his said Sacred Royal Majesty of Sweden shall with all his Kingdoms Countries Provinces and Rights be included in this Treaty and comprehended in the best manner in the present Pacification XVII Lastly The Solemn Ratifications of this present agreement and alliance made in due Form shall be delivered on
the Hearts of the Most High Most Excellent and Most Potent Prince Lewis XIV by the Grace of God Most Christian King of France and Navarre and the Most High Most Excellent and Most Potent Prince Charles II. Catholick King of Spain who desiring cordially and as much as in them lies to concurr toward the Re-establishment of the Publick Tranquility and more-over not having any other Design than to render it solid and perpetual by the Equity of the Conditions their said Majesties unanimously consented to submit for that purpose to the Mediation of the Most High Most Excellent and Most potent Prince of Glorious Memory Charles XI by the Grace of God King of Sweden the Goths and Vandals c. but sudden Death having cross'd the Hope which all Europe had conceiv'd of the happy Issue of his Counsels and his good Offices their said Majesties persisting still in a Resolution as soon as might be to stop the Effusion of so much Christian Blood believed they could not do better than still to acknowledge in the same Quality the Most High the Most Excellent and Most potent Prince Charles XII King of Sweden his Son and Successor who on his part has continu'd the same Cares for the advancing of the Peace between their Most Christian and Catholick Majesties in the Conferences that have been held at the Castle of Ryswick in the Province of Holland between the Extraordinary Embassadors and Plenipotentiaries appointed on both sides That is to say on the part of his Most Christian Majesty the Sieur Nicholas Augustus de Harlay Knight Lord of Bonneuil Count de Cely the King's Counsellor in Ordinary in his Council of State the Sieur Lewis Chevalier Verjus Count de Crecy the King's Counsellor in Ordinary in his Council of State Marquiss de Freon Baron of Cauvay Lord of Boulay the two Churches of Fort Isle du Muillet and other Places and the Sieur Francis de Callieres Knight Lord of Callieres de la Rochellay and Gigny and on the part of his Catholick Majesty Senior Don Francisco Bernardo de Quiros Knight of the Order of St. James the King's Counsellor in his Royal and Supream Council of Castille and the Sieur Lewis Alexander de Stockart Count of Tirlemont Baron de Gaesbeke Counsellor in the Supream Council of State for the Low Countries at Madrid in the Councils of State and Privy-Council within the said Countries who having first implor'd the Assistance of Heaven and respectively imparted their full Powers Copies of which shall be inserted Word for Word at the end of this present Treaty and duly exchang'd 'em by the Interposition and Mediation of the Sieur Nicholas Baron de Lilienrââ Embassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of his Majesty the King of Sweden who has discharg'd his Office of Mediator with all requisite Prudence Capacity and Equity they agreed for the Glory of God and the Good of Christendom upon the Conditions following I. It is agreed and consented That for the future there shall be a good firm and lasting Peace Confederacy and perpetual Alliance and Amity between the Most Christian and Catholick Kings their Children born and to be born Inheritors Heirs and Successors their Kingdoms States Countries and Subjects that they shall reciprocally love each other like Brothers procuring to the utmost of their Power the Good Honour and Reputation of each other sincerely and as much as in them lies avoiding what-ever may cause the Damage either of the one or the other II. In pursuance of this Peace and good Union all Acts of Hostilities shall cease between 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 has been carry'd on by their Majesties Arms as well between their Armies as between the Garrisons of their Strong Holds and if it were transgress'd by the taking of one or several Places either by Attack by Surprize or by Correspondence or if any Prisoners were taken or if any other Acts of Hostility were committed by Chance or otherwise the Breach shall be sincerely repair'd on both sides without scruple or delay restoring without Dimunition what shall have been possess'd and delivering the Prisoners without Ransom or Payment of Charges III. All Causes of Enmity or Misunderstanding shall be extinguish'd and abolish'd for ever There shall be on both sides a perpetual Oblivion and Amnesty of what-ever has been done during this present War or by reason thereof so that there may be no Prosecutions on either side directly nor indirectly upon any Pretence what-ever nor shall their said Majesties their Subjects Servants nor Adherents testifie any Resentment nor pretend to any sort of Reparation IV. The Strong Holds Gironne Roses and Belver shall be restor'd and left in Possession Demesne and Soveraignty of his Catholick Majesty as they were when taken with the Artillery which was found there at the same time and in general all the other Cities Strong Holds Forts Places and Castlewicks which have been possess'd during this War by his Most Christian Majesty's Arms and since the Treaty of Nimeguen within the Principality of Catalogna or other where in Spain their Appurtenances Dependencies and Annexes shall be restor'd in the Condition as now they are without retaining reserving weak'ning or impairing any thing Also the City of Barcelona Fort and Fortifications thereupon depending with all the Artillery shall be surrender'd back into the Power Demesne and Soveraignty of his Catholick Majesty in the Condition wherein the whole was found at the Day of taking thereof with all Appurtenances Dependencies and Annexes V. The City and Fortress of Luxemburg in the Condition as it is now without demolishing changing or weak'ning any thing or impairing the Works Forts or Fortifications thereof together with all the Artillery that was there at the time of taking as also the Province and Dutchy of Luxemburg and County of Chiny in all their Consistencies and all that they comprehend with their Appurtenances Dependencies and Annexes shall be sincerely and faithfully restor'd and surrender'd back into the Power Demesne Soveraignty and Possession of the Catholick King for the said King to enjoy as he did or might do then and before the Treaty of Nimeguen without detaining or reserving any thing but what was yielded up to his Most Christian Majesty by the preceding Treaty VI. The Fortress of Charleroy shall be likewise surrender'd back into the Power and under the Soveraignty of his Catholick Majesty with its Dependencies in the Condition it now is without breaking demolishing weak'ning or impairing any thing as also the Artillery that was at the time when it was taken VII Also the City of Mons the Capital of the Province of Hainault with the Works and Fortifications belonging to it shall be restor'd to the Soveraignty Demesne and Possession of his Catholick Majesty in the Condition as they are now without breaking demolishing weak'ning or impairing any thing together with the Artillery which was there
therein but shall be forced immediately to repair to the Territories belonging to the Crown of France XXII There shall be likewise restored to his Imperial Majesty and the Holy Roman Empire the Town of Philipsburg in its best Condition with the Fortifications adjoining thereto that are on the right Hand of the Rhine and all the Ordinance and Artillery that was there when France seized on it the last time with this Proviso That the Right of the Bishop of Spires be altogether excepted upon the account of which the fourth Article of the Treaty of Peace at Nimeguen is to be look'd upon as repeatable in this place in express Terms But the Fort that was built on the Left side of the Rhine and the Bridge that was made by the Most Christian King's Order after the taking of it shall be utterly demolished XXIII The Most Christian King shall take care to cause the Fortifications built over against Hunningen upon the Right side in the Isle of the Rhine to be razed at his own proper Cost and Charges restoring the Grounds and Edifices to the Family of Baden The Bridge also built in this place upon the Rhine shall be demolish'd likewise XXIV They shall likewise destroy the Fort that was built on the Right side of the Rhine over against the Fort called Fort Louis the said Fort and Isle remaining in the Power of the Most Christian King and as for the Ground of the demolish'd Fort it shall be restored together with the Houses to the Marquess of Baden They shall more-over destroy that part of the Bridge that goes from the said Bridge to the Isle which shall never be repaired hereafter by either Party XXV The Most Christian King shall likewise cause to be demolish'd the Fortifications added after the Peace of Nimeguen to the Castle of Trarbach and the Fortress of Montroyal upon the Moselle without any Body's presuming to repair them for the future yet leaving the Fortress of Trarbach intire to be wholly restored with the City and its Appurtenances to its former Possessors XXVI They shall likewise demolish the Fortifications added by the Most Christian King to the Fortress of Kernburg after which demolishing the City of Kernburg being left intire and untouched as also the other Goods and Chattels belonging to the Prince of Salm and to his Cousins the Rhinegraves and Vildgraves and other things shall be restored to be possessed in the same manner and with the very same Right they did possess them before they were turn'd out of them Upon which it is agreed and consented to by the present Treaty XXVII The New Fortifications added by the Most Christian King to the Fortress of Ebernburg shall also be demolished and the Fortress to be afterwards restored to the Barons of Sickenguen with other Estates belonging to them which are to be restored to them by both Parties XXVIII The Duke of Lorrain having been united to his Imperial Majesty in this War and having a desire to be comprehended within this present Treaty he shall be accordingly re-instated for himself his Heirs and Successors into the free and full Possession of the States Possessions and Goods which Duke Charles his Uncle by the Father's Side was possest of in the Year 1670. at such time as the Most Christian King seized upon them excepting notwithstanding the Alterations and Changes explain'd in the following Articles XXIX His Most Christian Majesty shall particularly restore to the said Duke the Old and New City of Nancy with all its Appurtenances and the Artillery that was found in the Old City at the time of its being taken upon this Condition nevertheless That all the Ramparts and Bastions of the Old City remaining intire with the Gates of the New the Ramparts and Bastions of this latter as also the whole exteriour Fortifications of both shall be intirely razed at the sole Charge of the Most Christian King never to be any more re-built for time to come Except the said Duke and his Successors shall have a mind when they please to enclose the New City with a single dry Wall without a Flank XXX His Most Christian Majesty shall likewise cause the Castle of Bitsch to be evacuated with all its Appurtenances as also the Castle of Homburg by causing all the Fortifications to be razed before-hand that they may never more be repaired yet so that the foresaid Castles and Cities that are adjacent thereto may receive no Damage thereby but may remain totally untouch'd XXXI Upon the whole Whatsoever hath been ordered as above-said in the IVth Article in reference to Unions and Re-unions shall be as serviceable and advantageous to the said Duke as if it had been here repeated verbatim in what Place and after what Manner the foresaid Unions and Re-unions have been made and ordained XXXII His Most Christian Majesty reserves to himself the Fortress of Saar-Louis with half a League round about it which shall be marked out and limitted by the Commissioners of his said Majesty and by those of Lorrain by him to be possess'd Sovereignly for ever XXXIII The City and Prefectship of Longwi together with all its Appurtenances and Dependences shall also remain in the Power of the said Most Christian King his Heirs and Successors with all Superiority Sovereignty and Property without the said Duke his Heirs or Successors pretending henceforward to claim any Right therein but in exchange of the said City and Prefectship his said Most Christian Majesty will put another Prefectship into the Hands of the said Duke in one of the three Bishopricks of the same Extent and Value whereof the said Commissioners shall bona fide agree upon And the said Prefectship so made over and conveyed by the Most Christian King to the said Duke he the said Duke as well as his Heirs and Successors shall possess it to the Words end with all the Rights of Superiority Sovereignty and Property XXXIV The Passage shall be always open through the Territories of the said Duke without any Obstacle or Impeachment to the Most Christian King's Troops who shall go or come from the Frontiers upon Condition nevertheless that timely Notice of it shall be given before-hand that the Soldier that passes shall not go out of his Way but may pursue the shortest and usual Way and duly continue his Road as he ought without delay He shall not commit any Violence nor do any Damage to the Places and Subjects of the Duke and shall pay ready Money for Victuals and other Necessaries that shall be delivered to him by the Commissioners of Lorrain Mutually abolishing and causing the High-ways and Places that his Most Christian Majesty had reserved to himself by the Peace of Nimeguen to return to the Power and Jurisdiction of the Duke without any Exception XXXV The Ecclesiastical Benefices conferred by his Most Christian Majesty till the very day of the present Treaty shall remain in the Enjoyment and Possession of those who possess them at present and who have obtained
Arbitrators shall adjudge to her in case they do adjudge any thing at all but if so be they adjudge nothing or less than the said Sum then there shall be a restitution and this compensation allowance or restitution as also the fund and charges of the Process shall be regulated by the Sentence of the Arbitrators But if Madam the Dutchess of Orleans do not give satisfaction to the form of the Compromise either in the Instruction of the Process or in the Answer that shall be produced by the Elector Palatine or if she delays it the course of the said yearly payment shall be interrupted only during that same time the Process going on still according to the form of the Compromise Done at the Palace of Ryswick the 30th of October 1697. 'T is not my Business to answer the foolish Objections some ill-willed Persons have made against the stability of this Peace However I shall observe That tho this Peace with the Empire was not so advantageous to it and the Restitution of Lorrain not in so ample a manner as could have been wished for yet if it be considered that France has given up very considerably on this side and some places she had long been possessed off particularly Brisac which hath appertained to that Crown for very near 60 Years That by the Taking of Casal and the Peace with Savoy she is entirely precluded out of Italy that the same Barrier is left in Catalonia as before And that there is a stronger Frontier in the Low Countries by her Restitution of all she took since the beginning of the War with the Addition of Dinant and Luxemburg If these be put together it 's not likely that Crown will begin another War in hast whatsoever our Male-contents at home or any Enemies we have abroad may âatter themselves with especially considering the inward weakness of that Kingdom and the strong Union there is between the Crown of England and the Republick of Holland whose Naval Powers are so Formidable and Interests so great in all the Parts of the World Over and above all this we are to note His Most Christian Majesty is now in an advanced Age which is usually attended with an ill Habit of Body and too wise a Prince easily to be brought to engage himself in the Toils and Uncertainties of another War especially in that there was so little gained or I should have rather said so much lost by this To say nothing of that Regard he will undoubtedly have to the Interests of his Posterity as well as his Dominions whose Affairs at his Death he will be very unwilling to leave embroiled with those of their Neighbours It remains therefore now that I take notice that his Majesty King William staid in Holland till all was over and after having very Honourably paid off all the Forreign Troops who by this time were Marching to their respective Homes after the Toyls of this long War He returned to England and upon the 16th of November at the Citizens request made His Publick Entry thro' London being attended by all the Men of Quality in very great State and never I am sure in one Day saw so many People and all of them His own Subjects in all His Life-time and in whose Affections He Triumphed as much as ever he had done at any time over His Enemies and may He always do the first and never have occasion for the second but may we long live under the Benign Influence of His Reign who hath Rescued our Religion and Liberties out of the Jaws of Hell and Destruction so intrepidly âought our Battles for us and now at length restored unto us the Comforts and Blessing of a Firm and Honourable Peace Having now run thro' all the Transactions both of War and Peace that fell out within the revolution of this Year we shall draw towards a closure of it with the meeting of the English Parliament December the 3d And see how his Majesty was pleased to deliver himself to them upon this Conjuncture and this he did in these Terms My Lords and Gentlemen THE War which I Entred into by the Advice of my People is by the Blessing of God and their Zealous and Affectionate Assistance brought to the End We all proposed an Honourable Peace which I was willing to Conclude not so much to Ease My Self from any Trouble or Hazard as to free the Kingdom from the Continuing Burden of an Expensive War I am heartily sorry My Subjects will not at first find all thâ Relief from the Peace which I could wish and they may expect but the Funds intended for the last Year's Service have fallen short of Answering the Sums for which they were given so that there remain considerable Deficiencies to be Provided for There 's a Debt upon the Account of the Fleet and the Army The Revenues of the Crown have been anticipated by My Consent for Publick Vses so that I am wholly destitute of means ãâã support the Civil List and I can never distrust you 'll suffer thâ to turn to My Disadvantage but will provide for Me during my Life in such a manner as may be for my Honour and for the Honour of the Government Our Naval Force being increased to near double what it was at My Accession to the Crown the Charge of maintaining it wilâ be proportionably augmented and it is certainly necessary for the Interest and Reputation of England to have always a great Strength at Sea The Circumstances of Affairs Abroad are such that I think My Self obliged to tell you My Opinion that for the present England cannot be safe without a Land Force and I hope We shall not give those who mean us ill the Opportunity of Effecting that under the Notion of a Peace which they could not bring to pass by a War I doubt not but you Gentlemen of the House of Commons wil take these Particulars into your Consideration in such a manner ãâã to provide the necessary Supplies which I do very earnestly Recoâmend to you My Lords and Gentlemen That which I most delight to think of and am best pleased ãâã own is That I have all the Proofs of My People's Affection thâ ãâã Prince can desire and I take this Occasion to give them the ãâã Solemn Assurance That as I never had so I never will nor ãâã have any Interest separate from theirs I Esteem it one of the greatest Advantages of the Peace that I shall now have leisure to rectifie such Corruptions or Abuses as may have crept into any part of the Administration during the Wâ and effectually to discourage Prophaness and Immorality and I shall employ My Thoughts in Promoting Trade and Advancing ãâã Happiness and Flourishing Estate of the Kingdom I shall conclude with telling you That as I have with the Hazard of every thing Rescued your Religion Laws and Liberties when they were in the Extreamest Danger so I shall place the Glory of My Reign in preserving them
the 19th the Parliament of Scotland met and during the short time of their sitting which was but to the beginning of September made several good Acts and were then prorogued to the 25th of November following Neither were the Lords Justices in Ireland wanting in their Duties to his Majesty and the Country for they took a Progress this Summer in order to view the State of several Places in the Kingdom and give such Instructions as theâ saw convenient for the Security of the Government and good of the Subject But how Prosperous soever things went with us at home the Apprehensions of the Death of the King of Spain who was sick more or less for a great part of this Year made all Europe uneasie for fear of another War It will be impertinent for me to enter upon the particulars of the King's Sickness and Distemper that being fitter for a Physitian 's Diary than an History However it is my part to observe that a Fleet of French Men of War and Gallies coming into Caâiz-Bay and afterwards their giving out they would Winter there to say nothing of those Gallies that went to Naples gave no small Umbrage to their Neighbours And tho' I will not say the Arrival of the English and Dutch Squadron in Cales-Bay some time after made them think fit to return to their own Ports yet it is certain that that with the King's Recovery made their Affairs in that Country look quite with another Aspect than they had done a little before when nothing was less expected than that the Duke of Berry should succeed the Marquess of Harcoââ the French Embassador valuing himself much upon the Paces he thought he had made to that end But while all this was in Agitation towards Spain the French were busie in the North to perfect an Allyance with the Crown of Sweden which at length was brought to bear and the same was notified by M. de Lissenheim his Swedish Majesty's Minister to the Envoys of other Courts residing at Hamborough and other Places The main Intention of what was made publick of this Allyance is to preserve the Repose of Europe and the Articles were to this purpose I. THat the Ancient Alliance is renew'd between the two Kings their Heirs and Successors II. That the Aim and Intention of this Treaty is to preserve and secure the Common Peace by such means as shall be adjudg'd most proper and convenient III. If it should come to pass that it should be disturb'd by any Breaches and Hostilities that the two Kings will make it their Business to repair the wrongs in an amicable way IV. And if their Cares prove ineffectual they will joyntly consider of ways to defend the Rights of the Country injur'd V. In case any Prince or State will enter into this Treaty within a Year they shall be admitted by the consent of both Kings VI. Neither the one nor the other shall make Peace or Truce without comprehending the other therein VII The Articles of the Treaties formerly concluded by either of the two with other Kings Princes or States shall remain in their full Strength and Vertue so far as they shall not be contrary to this VIII The Freedom of Commerce between the Subjects of the two Kings shall be preserv'd as formerly without any Impeachment as well in time of War as in Peace paying the usual Duties IX In pursuance of which all Ports Cities and Provinces shall be open to the Subjects of both Crowns according as the Laws and Customs shall permit both to sell their Commodities in those Places and buy others X. This particular Treaty shall continue Ten Years with Liberty to prolong this Term if it be judg'd convenient by the two Kings who by consent shall have a watchful Eye upon the means to preserve the Peace against the Dangers that threaten it XI This Treaty shall be exchang'd by both sides within three Months after the Signing or sooner if it may be Given at Stockholm the 9 th of July O. S. 1698. I shall not meddle here with the Mock-Battle at Compeign nor the more violent persecution of the Reformed since the Peace both of them being Subjects ungrateful to my Pallate but pass on into Germany where to say nothing yet of the Discourse concerning the Marriage of the King of the Romans with the Princess of Hanover we find a mighty disposition in the Emperor and his Confederates also to a Peace with the Turks after the continuance of a War for above fifteen Years wherein perhaps there has been as much variety of Action as in any other whatsoever but now it seems to draw to a period and things look in the World as if Janus his Temple was once more to be shut up And tho the Armies in Huâgary on both sides were considerable in number and Strength yet there seemed no great disposition in either for Action but much more in the Parties concerned to set up a Treaty of Peace under the Mediation of his Britannick Majesty and the States General by their Ministers the Lord Paget and M. Colliers who towards the middle of August arrived in the Turkish Camp near Belgrade and by their good Offices got the Place to hold the Conferences to be between Peter Waradin and Salankemen the Emperor and Confederate Ministers being to reside at Cârlowitz the Sultan's at Salankamen and the Mediators between the two Places The Emperor's Plenipotentiaries were the Count of Ottengen General Sââlick and the Count de Marsigli those of the Port were the Effendi or Chancellor of the Ottoman Empire and Mauro Cordato for Venice came Signior Ruzzini Embassador in Ordinary from the Republick to the Court of Vienna and Seignior Wicolasi Secretary of the said Republick for Poland appear'd the Sieur Malokowski Palatine of Posnania and for the Moscovites Procopius Pogdanowitz Vosnicin I shall now leave the Plenipotentiaries to meet and not enter upon the Particulars of the Negotiation my design being to reserve that for the closing up of this Work nor shall I take any Notice of the Conspiracy which was said to have been formed by the Army under General Rabaâin in Transilvania to kill him and the rest of the Officers and then to go over to the Turks because I believe there was more Noise than Truth in it But I shall return where I left off last Year with the Polish Affairs and observe that tho' the King's Competitor was now gone without any likelihood of ever returning again and that the potent City of Danzick were firm to his Interest yet other Difficulties from the Obstinacy of the Cardinal Primate and his Adherents and from the present Necessity he lay under to be guarded in Poland with his own Troops made his Affairs much perplex'd However he set forward and arrived at Warsaw January the 14th in great State The King us'd all imaginable Endeavours to bring the Primate to submit and the Offices of the Brandenburg Minister were indefatigable to this
end but the stubborn old Gentleman shew'd altogether as much Aversion on the other hand and ordered the Senators Lords and Gentlemen that were confedederated in the Rocosche to meet the 18th of February To encounter which in some measure the King thought of no better way than to issue out his Circular Letters to summon the Dyet of Pacification to Assemble on the 16th of April But this being thought not sufficient as soon as the Rocosche was met at Lowitz the King sent the Grand Mareschal of the Crown and the Great Treasurer of Lithuania as his Deputies thither with a Letter also from his Majesty to the Assemby But the Title of Commissioners and some Expressions in the Letter which were thought too smart offended the Rocosche to that degree that they not only refused to admit the Deputies but they were also forced to retire to the Castle of Lowitz after a narrow Escape from some Danger Nay the Common People grew so insolent that they fired upon the Windows of the Brandenburg Envoy's Lodgings notwithstanding his publick Character and the Prohibitions of the Cardinal Primate to the contrary The Deputies hereupon sent presently Advice of what had passed to the King who sent them another Letter with new Powers However after some Contestation they received the Letter and then drew up the following Articles 1. POsitive Assurances were demanded from Rome of the Change of the King's Religion 2. That the Queen should embrace the same Religion 3. That it should be also settl'd in Saxony 4. That the Provinces dismember'd from the Crown should be re-united 5. That an account should be given of the Money that had been expended 6. That the Pacta Conventa should be drawn up by themselves and presented by the Marshall of the Rocosche 7. That the vacant Employments which had been dispos'd of should be confirm'd by new Pattents 8. That all the Foreign Forces should be sent away 9. That in consideration of the Damages done by the Saxon Soldiers the Elector should grant Winter-Quarters to the Polanders in the Countries under his Dominion 10. That no Employments should be given to Foreigners 11. That the Indigenat granted to the House of Saxony should not extend beyond the Electoral Branch 12. That being acknowledg'd for King he should not assume the Title of Elector 13. That the Damages done by the Army should be repair'd at the Expences of the Grand General 14. That all the Officers of the Army and of the King's Guards should be Roman Catholicks 15. That all unprofitable Foreigners should be sent away 16. That the City of Danzick should have Reparation for the Damages sustain'd by the War upon the Account of his Electoral Highness 17. That a Decree should be publish'd against the Bishop of Cujavia by which he should be forbid to Crown any King 18. That Enquiry should be made into the Violence that was made use of in forcing the Treasury that the like Attempt may be prevented for the future 19. That the Ecclesiasticks shall not be molested in the Enjoyment of their Estates 20. That General Brandt shall be prosecuted in the Courts of Justice for the Damages done by his Men for which Satisfaction shall be given 21. That all Acts made during this Fraction or Division of the Republick shall be cancell'd and made void Some there were for all this who submitted to the King who notwithstanding the ill Success of the said Assembly and their exorbitant Demands resolved upon his Journey into Prussia And on the 17th of March arrived near Danzick into which place he made his Publick Entry with great Magnificence was treated most splendidly and on the 25th received the Homage of the City after he had confirm'd their Privileges and taken an Oath to maintain them according to the usual Form But his Majesty all this while did not forget to notifie his Advancement to the Polish Throne in all the Courts of Europe and Major General Jordan was more particularly sent into France upon that occasion In the mean time Seignior Paulucci the Pope's Extraordinary Nuncio arrived at Warsaw And because the King was then absent at Danzick he sent to Lowitz to give the Primate notice of his Arrival and presently after went to Visit his Eminency at the same time consigning the Pope's Brief into his Hands whereby he was exhorted to employ his utmost Care to settle the Tranquility of Poland and to preserve and procure the farther Advantage of the Roman Catholick Religion Assuring him That he had ordered his Nuncio to omit nothing upon all Occasions that might tend to the Preservation of the Rights and Priviledges of his Eminency To which the Cardinal answered That he would always submit to his Holiness in Spirituals That if his Holiness after he had seriously examined the State of things were of Opinion the Roman Catholick Religion was safe he was willing to believe so too But as to what concerned the Temporal Interests of the Republick he could not quit them without Injury to his own Character and Dignity without drawing upon himself the Reproach of the Nation and without being brought under a Necessity of becoming answerable for it in his own Person However that he accepted the Mediation of the Holy Father with a filial Obedience This was a pretty good Pace for tho' the Dyet of Pacification upon the King's return meeting upon the time appointed made but a very small Appearance and that some of them flung out of the Assembly with a Protestation and persisting in their Demands of a Dyet to be held on Horse-back Yet the Cardinal Primate who was to have held the Assembly of the Rocosche April 15th put the same off till the 5th of May And when they then met there was but a very small Appearance and all the Opposition they pretended to make signified nothing For the good Offices of the Nuncio at length so far prevailed that on the 16th of May the Treaty of Accommodation was fairly writ publickly read with all its Explanations and then signed by the Commissioners as the King 's Plenipotentiaries by the Cardinal Primate Marshal of the Rocosche Deputies of the Palatinates that were present and by Seignior Paulucci as Mediator and Guarrantee of the Treaty The Articles consisted of twelve Particulars to this purpose 1. THat the King shall use his utmost Endeavour to bring over the Queen to the Catholick Religion and that he shall prove by visible uncontroulable and authentick Testimonies and such in a word which the Primate and the Pope's Nuncio shall deem proper that he has effectually embrac'd the Catholick Religion 2. That he shall dismiss all the Lutheran Ministers that are in his Army 3. That he shall give an Authentick Act to the Republick by which he shall consent that the Liberty of Suffrages and Elections shall be restor'd and promise never to re-demand the vast Sums which the Crown has cost him 4. That he shall pay all the Arrears which are due to
The Keys of the City shall remain in the Custody of the President Burgomaster who shall also give the Word 15. The Old City shall be guarded by the City Soldiers except the Burgesses Gate and the Middle Post 16. If any of the Inhabitants will remove to any other Place they shall be permitted to depart with their Families and Effects 17. All Hostilities committed on either side shall be abolish'd by an Amnesty and the Soldiers that shall be oblig'd to quit some Posts shall do it with Drums beating lighted Matches and other Marks of Military Honour granted upon the like Occasions 18. General Brandt promises to obtain a just Ratification of the Articles above-mention'd These the Elector ratified with some Variation wherein in respect to the first Head he consented that the Oath which the City had taken to the King of Poland should remain inviolable he contenting himself for the present with the Assurances which the Magistrates gave him of their âidelity But in case of a Rupture between him and the King and that their City was to be attack'd the said Article was to be void and they were to take the same Oath of Fidelity to him The Elector was also willing to contribute all that he had promised on his part for the Preservation and Defence of the City in case it were attack'd and to satisfie the Inhabitants for any Losses they might sustain by any new Fortifications he might be obliged to raise for the Defence of the Place he is farther content that the President of the Burgomasters should have the Custody of the City-Keys and give the Word and that the Guard of the old Town c. should be entrusted with the Soldiers in their Pay except the Burgesses Port and another Post granted to the Brandenburgers so long as the City should not be attack'd But if otherwise he would have his own Soldiers employ'd in all the Posts where there should be occasion for the Security and Defence of the City The Poles have blustred mightily about this Matter and the King at least wise in outward appearance shewed a mighty concern at it So that with many of them nothing but a War upon the Elector must serve However 't is hoped things are somewhat cooled and that the Interposition of the Emperor King of Denmark and the States General may bring all things again to an amicable Composure either to bring the Poles to pay the Elector his Money or confirm Elbing to him I confess as it fell out I do not think Elbing unhappy in the Change of Masters the Elector being a Protestant Prince who is under no Obligation to disturb her in the Exercise of her Religion and withal so famous for his Prudence Moderation and other admirable Qualities that he cannot but promote the Interests of it However I cannot without some sort of Indignation think of that Liberty some Princes have assumed to themselves of Mortgaging or out-right Selling of Cities and their Subjects as Men do Horses and Cows and not only so but many times also their Religion Lives and Properties Tho' by what divine or humane Right is beyond my Capacity to understand But to leave this ungrateful Subject and return to Lithuania We told you before of Oginski's Defeat and Flight which by the Consequence thereof did not appear to be so entire as was at first represented For he quickly recovered again and most part of the Nobility joyning in with him he in his turn before the end of November with a body of 15000 Men fights and defeats the General Sapieha's Army consisting of about 8000 and slew to the number of 2000 of them But tho this Loss began to open the Eyes of several of the chief Leaders of them and that being inferiour in Number they plainly saw the Dangers they expos'd themselves too if they persisted longer to trouble the Repose of the Dutchy and that thereupon they began to lend an Ear to the Remonstrances and good Offices of the Bishop of Wilna for the Re-union of the contending Parties Yet such was the Obstinacy of Prince Sapieha that he got what Troopâ he could together and posted himself at some distance from the City of Grodno while the other Quartered himself on the other side of the said City with the Nobility of the Country and his other Adherents who far surpassed the Prince in Strength and where they seemed to be ready to engage when General Fleming suddenly came and posted himself with 28 Saxon Companies between both Armies with Orders to fire upon those that committed the first act of Hostility This he had no sooner done but he sent Orders to Prince Sapieha in the King and Republick's Name to disband his Army upon the Place Which tho' the Prince at first made a scruple to obey yet considering the pernicious Consequences of a Refusal and the vast inequality of Force between them his Enemy being computed to be thrice his Strength he resolved to yield Obedience Upon which Commissioners were appointed on both sides in the Presence of General Fleming whom the King had appointed as Mediator and a Treaty of Accommodation was signed December the 20th Importing That Sapieha's Army which was the chief Cause of the Contest in so severe a Season should be forthwith disbanded 2620 Foot should be kept still in Pay comprehending the Regiment allow'd by the Republick That the Officers should Swear an Oath of Fidelity and engage never to Attempt any thing against the Republick and faithfully to serve the King That the Hungarian Troops should be disbanded 1140 Dragoons should be kept on foot That the Soldiers as well disbanded as otherwise should be promised free Quarters in lieu of all their Pretensions That all Hostilities committed on both sides should be obliterated by a General Amnesty That the Money which the King had promised the Army by the Pacta Conventa should be paid and that the Republick should press the Performance of the said Pacta Conventa But as for the four Quarters promised by the Republick Deputies should be sent to the next Dyet that the Money might be paid to the Respective Companies No new Levies should be made without the Dyet and that till the same met all possible care should be taken that the General of Lithuania might exactly observe the Institution of the Coaequation And whereas some Palatines had hitherto refused Winter Quarters and other Contributions Commissioners should be sent to the Dyet to demand Satisfaction That the Right of Coaequation Partition c. as also the Tribunal of Lithuania should be preserved inviolable and that all Manifesto's for that end should remain in full Force as to that particular But should be annull'd in every thing that concern'd the General of Lithuania his Family and other Persons in particular comprehended in the said Manifesto's and that all possible security should be procured for their Persons Estates and Dignities That the Government of General should subsist upon the Terms of
and other Proceedings of the Parliamentsf The Affairs of Scotland The Jacobites Plot. The Irisâ Affairs Col. Woolsâey routs the Irish Charlemont Castl blocked up Charlemont surrendred K. William landed in Ireland K. William wounded The Battle of the Boyne L. G. Hambletân hâs Character at the Boyne D. Schâmberg's Character and Age. The late K. James ãâã for Fraâââe ãâ¦ã Athlone besieged in vain by L. G. Dâuglass Waterford surrendred The Kings Proceedings in Ireland The Army march to ãâã 2. The first siege of Limerick The English Train surprized by the Irish Thâ Siege raised and the King goes for England ãâã besieged and ãâã Coâk surrendred Kingsale beâsieg'd Surrendred The Duke of Savoy enters into the Confederacy and the manner of it The Treaty between the Emperour and the Dâke of Saâoy The Treaty between the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy The Campagne in Flanders The Battle of Flerus Arch-duke Joseph chosen King of the Romans The death of the D. of Lorrain The Campaign in Germany The Insurrection of the Catalins The Freâch prevail in Catalânia The French repulsed at Carignan The Vaudoââ roât the French Caâours taken by Catinat The Battel of Salusses Suza besieged and taken by the French Canisia surrenâred Nissa and Widin besieged by the Turks Teckely possesses himself of Transilvania and routs Heuster Nissa surrendred Widin surrendred Belgrade besieged by the Turks The Turks take Belgrade by storm Esseck besieged by the Turks in vain P. of Baden reduced Transâlvania and expels Tekeley The King of Poland tempted to make Peace with the Turks The Tartars harrass Poland The Poles unactive in the Prosecucution of the War Neapli di Malvasia besieged by the Venetians and taken Vallona besieged by the Venetians Vallona deserted by the Turks The Venetians beat the Turks at Sea Attempts made by France for a Peace with the Emperor The Remarkables of this Year The Congress at the Hague The King's Speech to the Congress The Resolution of the Congress Nice besiâged and taken The siege of Mons. Mons surrendred The War in Ireland Baltymore surrendred to the English The English Town of Athlone taken The English pass the Shannon The Irish Town of Athlone taken The Battle of Aghrim Galloway surrendered Limerick besieged K. James's Letter to the Irish The Irish War ended Our Sea-Affairs noted The Campaâgâ in Flanders The Campaign in Catalonia The Campaign on the Upper Rhine Carmagnolae besieged and taken Coni besieged Coni relieved Carmagnola retaken Montmelian Fortress surrendred The Battle of Saâankemen Duke of Croy succesfull in Sclavonia Great Waradin blockaded The King of Poland's Campaign Pope Alexander VIII his Death Monsieur Louvois Death The Elector of Saxony's Death Parliament meets Parliament adjourned Conspiracy in England Admiral Russel's Letter The French Fleet beaten K. James's Letter to the French King Namur surrendred The Battle of Steenkirk The English Forces imbark English Forces ãâã in Flanders The Campaign on ãâã the ãâã Rhine The Siege of Reinfâld The Duke of Savoy invades the Daupbinate and his Progress The Duke of Savoy's Sâckness The Duke recovers Great Waradin besieged Great Waradia surrendered Cânea besieged by the ãâã The Siâge rais'd The Pââes do little Mr. Boyle's Death Earthquake in Jamaca and England Ninth Electorate The Proceedings of the English Parliament The Smyrna Fleet attach'd ' by the French The Campaign in Flander's Huy taken by the French The Battle of Landen Charleroy besieged and surrendred to the French Roses taken Heidelburg taken and destroyed by the French The Dauphine inclined to attack the Prince of Baden A Letter from Turin to the States General of the United Provinces about the Battle of Marsiglia Belgrade besieg'd by the Imperialists The Siege rais'd The King his Speech to the Parliament The Proceedings of the English Parliament Sir Francis Wheeler lost Acts of Parliament signed Admiral Russell with the Fleet âails for Spain The death of the Prince of Liege and Choice of another The Campaign in Flanders Diep and Havâe de Grace Bombârdâd by the English The Confederates and French in motion towards Flanders The French King his Letter to the Army Huy besieged by the Confederates and taken The French Progress in Catalonia The French Fleet confined to Thoulon The Campagne in Germany The Campagne in Savoy The Affairs of Poland The death of the Elector of Saxony The death of Queen Mary The English Parliament's Proceedings Thâ ãâ¦ã Flanders Namur Besieg'd by the Confederates ãâã Fortifications P. Vaudemont's gallant Retreat The King his Letter to Prince Vaudemont The Siege of Namur continued to the Surrender of the Town The Maritime Towns of France Bombarded by the English Dixmude and Deinse Surrendred to the French Brussells Bombarded Villeroy fails to relieve Namur The Fort and Castle of Namur surrendred The Campaign on the Rhine inconsiderable Casall besieged and taken by the Confederates Sultan Ackmet's Death Sultan Mustapha takes Lippa and Titull A Letter concerning the Defeat of General Veteranâ Scio quited by the Venetians The Battle of Magâs Parliament Dissolv'd and another call'd The King's Speech The death of the Elector of Mentz An Act to remedy the ill state of the COin The Assassination discoverâd The King's Speech to the Parliament The Parliaments Pâocââdings there upon The Confederates buru the French Magazine at Givet The Bombing of Calais St. Martins c. The Fight between the French and Spaniards ãâã Cataâonia The Campaign in Germany The separate Peace of Savoy and the Management of it The Envoy of Savoy's Harange to the late K. James Valentia Beâieged by the French and Savoyards The Articles of Neutrality for Italy Themeswaer Besiegâd by the Imperialists and quitted The âattle between the Imperialists and the Turks Liberachi brought over to the Venetianâ ãâã Dulcigno Besieged by the Venetians The Seâge raised Tâe Venetians Beat tâe Tuâks by Sâa The death of the King of Poland The Czar of Moscovy routs the Turks by Sea and takes Asoph The Substance of the King his Speech to the Parliament The death of the Qu. Mother of Spain The Parliaments Proceedings The Preliminary Articles The Treaty at Reswick Aeth taken by the French The Spanish Aâbassaâ râpresent thâir ãâã The Elector of Saxony chosen King of Poland Alterations about the Basis of the present Treaty Other Altercations about the Bâsis of the present Treaty An Extraordinary Congress held The Lord Portland and the Mareschal de Boufflers their Interview and the Consequence thereof The Peace signed between England Spain Holland and France The Articles of Peace between England and France Mr. Ponti's Expedition Takes Carthagena Descryes and Escapes Admiral Neville * A Jurisdiction three Leagues in Compass Eberenburg âaken by the Germans And a Cessation of Arms. The Battle of Zenta * Is the XLVI â Is the L. * Is the LI. * It is the XLVI The Parliament Addâess the King Whitehall burât Parliament proceedings King's Speech Parl. dissolved another called K goes for Holland The Affairâ of Spain Articles of Alliance between France and Sweden Overtâres of Peace with the Turks The troubled Affairs of Poland The Proposals of the Rocosche The Nuâcio his Mediation Brings the Primate to submit The Primare's Speech to the King The Troubles of Lituania A Fight in Lithuania The Czar's Travel 's A Fight between the Poles and Tartars Elbing invested by the ãâã of ãâã The Electors Letter to Elbing The Articles of Eâbing Sapieha defeated The Lithuanian Troubles appeased The death of the Duke of Courland The death of the Duke of Hanover The Dukes of Holstein and Lorrain married Conference of Peace with the Turks Altercations between the Venetians and Turks
Nephew did not only retain that Dutchy but is generally allowed to have been a Prince that aspired not so much at being Emperor of Germany as Universal Monarch of Europe Yet neither would the Conjuncture of the Times nor the Strength of his Cotemporaries by any means admit of it in his Person And as for the succeeding Princes of the House of Valois tho' H. II. made an Attempt to unite Scotland to France by the Marriage of Mary Queen of Scots to his Son Francis the Dauphine which would have been a great Blow to England yet no Issue coming from that Match they were henceforward so far from doing any Thing memorable as to the Extent of their Dominion and Conquest that the Kingdom fell into an unhappy Civil War which though at first it had its Rise from the Humours and Passions of the Princes of the Blood and the Ministers yet it proved at length to be a Religious War between the Roman Catholicks or the League and the Huguenots which never could be extinguished till H. IV. of the House of Bourbon and by Right K. of France upon the Death of Hen. III. the last Prince of the House of Valois had renounced the Protestant Religion and thereupon was confirmed in the Supream Authority before belonging to him This Prince did anew lay the Foundation of the French Greatness which was carried on in his Son's Reign Lewis XIII tho' of himself no otherwise a wise Prince than by his Steadiness to his Ministers by the wonderful Management of Cardinal Richlieu both by Sea and Land to a very great Heighth by whose wise Conduct Spain long before languishing under a diseased Body was brought lower and lower and what the Emperor Ferdinand II. aimed at in the Reduction of Germany by the War that was begun there being no other than an absolute Sovereignty as well as the Swedes whose best Pretensions under the Brave King Gustavus Adolphus was to rescue the Religion and Liberty of it tho' in the Consequence it appeared to be no other than a Conquest of it redounded in a great Measure to the Advantage of France and the same was confirmed into her by the Westphalian Treaty in 1648. And all this done upon the Continent while we our selves were seemingly enfeebled rather than strengthned by the Conjunction of Scotland tho' in reality it must be attributed to the weak Administration of our Princes which terminated in the cruellest Intestine War that ever befel any Nation and was attended with the saddest Catastrophe And the Government it self after various Commutations of Form and subsequent Revolutions degenerated into Anarchy of which France failed not to make Advantage under the Ministry of Cardinal Mazarine But our Unsettlement at last terminating in the Restoration of our ancient Form of Government in the Person of Charles II. about which time hapned the Death of Mazarine in France who left this Legacy to his Prince That he should Govern himself and not entirely trust to any Favourite tho' Charles quickly discovered that the Remembrance of his adverse and exiled Fortune which usually makes Men wise upon a Change of Condition had been quite effaced by the prosperous State his Restoration brought him to yet Lewis never fail'd to stick close to the Advice of his Minister and what Effects it has had since upon the Affairs of Europe is better past over in silence than raked up in this place However we were weak enough to quit our entire Interest upon the Continent by the Sale of Dunkirk to the French which as it gave an Accession of Strength into that Nation to the Sea-ward as Lorain did to the Land-ward so it weakned both our own and the Spanish Hands as did also the Dutch War that succeeded between us and the Republick of Holland in 1665 neither Nation having gotten any Thing but Blows at Sea while the French by the Irruption they made into Flanders into 1667 got all by Land And tho' they were for a short time coup'd up by the Tripple Alliance of England Sweden and Holland yet they having Artifice enough to disjoin the first from the rest as that also did by the second the third was left single to be invaded by the other in 1672 and that with such a Torrent of Success that nothing but the Providence of God and the Success of the young Prince of Orange now in this Hurry and common Calamity of his Country restored to the Honours and Commands of his Ancestors could have saved that distressed State from falling under the French Dominion But tho' the Blow was suddam and almost unexpected yet the Commonness of the Danger not only awaken'd Spain the Emperor and the Empire to come out of their slow Pace to the Relief of it but the French Progress so alarmed the People of England that the King thought it high time to slink himself out of the French Alliance But instead of falling in with the Weight of the rest of the Confederacy which was the Subjects Desire and his true Interest he was contented to set up his Mediation of Peace between the Contending Parties with the Reception whereof by all that were engaged in the War we shall conclude this Introduction that brings us down to the Year 1676 from whence our present History commences its Original and comprehends a Period of about Two and Twenty Years A Compleat History OF EUROPE From the Beginning of the Treaty of Nimeguen c. year 1676 NIMEGVEN is a City of the Low-Countries seated upon the Side of an Hill which is the last of Germany and stoops upon the River Woal that washeth the lower Part of the Town and divides it from the Betow an Island lying all upon flat low Ground between the Woal and the Old Rhine which is esteemed to be the ancient Seat of those People whom the Romans called Batavians and whom for their Bravery and love of Liberty they took into their Confederacy when they had subjected all the Neighbouring Parts of Gaul and Germany It stands to the South of Arheim and is about two Leagues distant from it six from Vtretch which is on the East of it three from Cleves to the West and twenty from Cologn to the same It was in the Year 1591 taken by Prince Maurice of Orange for the States after it had endured a sharp Siege and in 1672 fell into the Hands of the French amongst the greatest part of the Dutch Towns and Provinces tho' to its Glory it must be said that it was almost the only Place in all those Provinces that fought for its Liberty Here it was this mighty Treaty was set on foot between the most Serene Confederates on the one Hand and the French Monarch on the other by the single Mediation of Charles the II King of Great Britain that of the Pope's after much Delay and many Debates being at last rejected by all the Parties concerned in the Negotiation which Treaty spun out into a great length and of which
together with the intervening Actions of the War we shall endeavour to give as clear and satisfactory a View as is consistent with the Nature and Circumstance of Things and compatible to the Design of this Treatise which extends it self much further even to our present Time The Congress may be said to have been opened from the time of the Arrival of the Two English Mediators who were Sir William Temple and Sir Lionel Jenkins upon the Place of Treaty where they found only Two of the Parties engaged in the War present viz. the French and Dutch Plenipotentiaries the former of which were exceeding eager to set the Negotiation on foot and therefore pretended very quickly to enter upon Points and Terms of great Confidence with one of the Mediators and upon Matters that gave Light to the whole Design of France which was no other in the main than to procure a Separate Peace if possible with Holland and that by the Intervention of the Prince of Orange without whom they thought it could not be well effected And when they found the Nail would not drive that way they quickly turned their Battery upon Pensionary Fagel tho' with as little hopes of Success But the latter did not shew so much Forwardness in the Matter for the French soon after their Arrival demanding Audience of the Mediators declared they came to make the Offer of exhibiting their full Powers into their Hands not doubting as they said of the Dutch being ready to do the same They upon being acquainted with that Overture replied That it was in the Choice of the French Embassadors to do it when they pleased but they did not conceive the hastening of it would gain any time since they had no Orders to make that Pace without a previous Concert with their Allies and consequently tho' the French should do it yet they would at present neither exhibit their own nor make any Reflections as might be necessary upon those of the French which gave the French occasion to press the other extreamly upon making Instances to all their Allies to hasten the Treaty or else to declare they would enter upon the Negotiation without them intimating withal That their Master was resolved to recal them if there was any much longer Delay which the Dutch promised to acquaint the States with to endeavour to dispose them to fix some time and expect their Orders accordingly In the mean while the Allies found or took as many Occasions as they could of delaying the Dispatch of their Ministers to the Congress while they had Hopes of hindring the Dutch from proceeding without them and this they believed might be effected till the Campagne were over from the Events whereof the several-Princes might the better take their Measures for the Conditions of a Peace that should be proposed or insisted on in this Treaty Insomuch that this Disposition of theirs was so well pursued that no other Embassadors arrived at Nimeguen till the ând of Nov. following besides those above-mentioned and the Swede who was of the French side nor had then neither in all probability but that about the End of Sept. the French Embassadors gave the Mediators notice That their Master having made so many Advances towards the Peace but having been so ill seconded by the Proceedings of the Confederates and observing their Slowness in coming to the Treaty he was resolved to recall his Embassadors unless the Confederates should repair to Nimeguen within the Space of one Month Tho' after all Count Kinkski the second Person in the Imperial Embassie whether through real Indisposition or under Pretence thereof is uncertain staid at Cologne till the new Year began and neither of his Colleagues came in many Months after without one of which to wit the Bishop of Gurck the first in Commission Count Kinkski had no Power to agrëe on any thing further than Preliminaries In the mean time several Actions happened before the Campagne ended but not of that concurring Nature as to dispose all Parties to promote this great Work in Earnest The Prince of Orange in Concert with the Spaniards and German Princes near the Lower Rhine resolved about the End of July to lay Siege to Maestricht the only Town of the Dutch Provinces remaining in the French Hands of all their Conquest during the Course of this War and which tho' the strongest of the Dutch Frontiers when it was taken by them yet had been fortify'd by the French since it fell into their Hands with all the Advantages both of Art and Expence besides a Garrison in it of Eight Thousand chosen Men under a daring Commander Monsieur Calvo The Trenches were no sooner opened but the Siege was carried on with such Bravery with so many and desperate Assaults for the Space of about Three Weeks that it was generally believed the Place would at last be taken The Prince or the Rhinegrave who was designed for Governour of the Town as his Father before had been were ever in the Head of the Attacks and made great Use as well as Proofs of the great Bravery of the English Troops upon all those Occasions Many of the Outworks were taken with a great Slaughter on both sides but they were still supplied with new Retrenchments and them made by all the Art and Industry of a resolute Captain and brave Soldiers within It happened that about the middle of Aug. as the Prince was exposing himself upon all Occasions to carry on the Siege he received a Musket Shot in his Arm at which perceiving they that were about him were much daunted he immediately pulled off his Hat with the Arm that was hurt and waved it about his Head as a Signal it was only a Flesh-Wound and that the Bone was safe wherewith they were all revived and the Prince went on without Interruption in all the Paces of the Siege But a cruel Sickness falling into his Army weakened it more than all the Assaults they had given the Town which together with the Germans not coming up with the Supplies they had promised and upon which Assurance the Siege had been undertaken and the Rhinegrave who next to the Prince was the Spring of the Action happening to be wounded soon after and so forced to withdraw into a Neighbouring Castle from the Camp where he died all unfortunately concurred to dishearten the Army very much and consequently the Siege grew very faint and this not only gave Monsieur Schomberg an Opportunity to besiege and take Aire but Encouragement to march even through the Heart of the Spanish Low-Countries to the Relief of Maestricht Upon whose Approach it was agreed in a Council of War that the Siege should be raised with which the Campagne ended in the Dutch and Spanish Provinces However to counterbalance this Disappointment in some measure and to revive the Hopes of the Allies that the Forces of Germany would henceforward be vigorous and gain some considerable Advantages over the French Philipsburg was this Year
very obstinate Fight which lasted till night But though Mackay lost the Field and retreated that night to Sterling after having lost a great many Men yet the Death of Dundee who was slain in this Battel did more than compensate the other's Loss seeing he was the Life of that Party who dwindled away ever after and were worsted every where and particularly once and again at St. Johnstown in the last Conflict of which the single Regiment of the Earl of Angus under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Cleeland gave so entire a Defeat to their whole Power which amounted to near 4000 Men that they never appeared in any considerable Body ever after and many of the Chief of them thereupon made their submission though this hapned with the Death of that brave Lieutenant Colonel who if it had pleased God deserved a better Fate But how prosperous soever King William's Affairs went in Britain where still there were a little rascally Conspiracies against him they did not do so in Ireland for there Tirconnel was setting all things in order to secure that Kingdom for the late King with whom Hambleton a profest Papist who by a fatal Mistake was sent over from England to induce him to lay down the Sword traiterously joined in and so the Opportunity for the present was lost and an advantage given to the late King to endeavour that way to regain the rest of his lost Dominions since he was like to receive little Assistance from any other Prince save what the French King might do For the Emperor to whom he wrote his Complaint and whose Assistance he craved was so far from complying with his Desires that though he pittied his Condition yet he reprimanded him for his Folly as you may see by his Letter to him upon the Occasion which was to this purpose The Emperor of Germany's Account of K. James's Misgovernment in joining with the K. of France the common Enemy of Christendom in his Letter to K. James LEOPOLD c. WE have received your Majesties Letter dated from St. Germains the 6th of February last by the Earl of Carlingford the Envoy in our Court by whom we have understood the Condition your Majesty is reduced to and that you being deserted after the landing of the Prince of Orange by your Army and even by the Domestick Servants and by those you most confided in and almost by all your Subjects you have been forced by a sudden flight to provide for your own safety and to seek shelter and protection in France lastly that you desire Assistance from us for the recovering your Kingdoms We do assure your Majesty that assoon as we heard of this severe Turn of Affairs we were moved at it not only with the common sense of humanity but with much deep impressions suitable to the sincere Affection which we have always born to you and we were heartily sorry that at last that was come to pass which though we hoped for better things yet our own sad thoughts had suggested to us would ensue If your Majesty had rather given credit to the friendly Remonstrances that were made you by our late Envoy the Count De Kaunitz in our Name than the deceitful Insinuations of the French whose chief aim was by fomenting continual Divisions between you and your People to gain thereby an opportunity to insult the more securely over the rest of Christendom and if your Majesty had put a stop by Force and Authority to their many infractions of the Peace of which by the Treaty at Nimeguen you are made the Guarantee and to that end entred into Consultations with us and such others as have the like just Sentiments in this matter we are verily perswaded that by these means you should have in a great measure quieted the minds of the People who were so much exasperated through their aversion to our Religion and the publick Peace had been as well preserved in your Kingdoms as here in the Roman Empire but now we refer it even to your Majesty to judge what condition we can be in to afford you any assistance who being not only engaged in a War with the Turks but finding our selves at the same time unjustly and barbarously attack'd by the French contrary to and against the Faith of Treaties they then knowing themselves secure of England and this ought not to be concealed that the greatest Injuries which have been done to our Religion have flowed from no other than from the French themselves who not only esteem'd it lawful for them to make perfidious Vows with the sworn Enemies of the Holy Cross tending to the Destruction both of us and the whole Christian World in order to the checking our endeavours which were undertaken for the Glory of God and to stop those Successes which it hath pleased the Almighty God to give us hitherto but further have heaped one Treachery upon another even within the Empire it self The Cities of the Empire which were surrendred upon Articles signed by the Dauphin himself have been exhausted by excessive Impositions and after their being exhausted have been plundered after plundering have been burned and raced the Palaces of Princes who in all times and even in the most destructive Wars have been preserved are now burnt to the ground the Churches are robb'd and such as submitted themselves to them are in a most barbarous manner carried away as Slaves In short it is become a Diversion unto them to commit all manner of Insolence and Cruelty in many places but chiefly in Catholick Countries exceeding the Cruelties of the Turks themselves who having imposed an absolute necessity upon us to secure our selves and the holy Roman Empire by the best means we can think on and that no less against them than against the Turks we promise our selves from your Justice readily to assent to this that it ought not to be imputed to us if we endeavour to procure by a just War that security to our selves which we could not hitherto obtain by so many Treaties and that in order to the obtaining thereof we take measures for our mutual Defence of Preservation with all those who are equally concerned in the same Design with us It remains that we should beg of God that he would direct all things to his Glory and that he would grant your Majesty true and solid Comforts under this your great Calamity We embrace you with the tender affection of a Brother At Vienna the 9th of April 1689. But though his Imperial Majesty declined to give him any helping hand and that other Catholick Princes in imitation of his Example made it no difficulty to do so too yet he was so elated with an Opinion of the Bravery and Fidelity of the Irish that he embark'd at Brest and landed in that Kingdom March 12th with about 1800 Auxiliary French This pace of the French besides the English Nation 's desire the King's Obligations to his Allies and many other weighty Reasons brought