of Italy should be accepted or the General Peace Concluded because a great number of Troops would be altogether useless and burthensom to his Royal Highness and that besides the Excessive Charges for keeping them it is often an occasion of misunderstanding the maintaining of more standing Forces than are necessary either for the Defence and Preservation or the Dignity of the Sovereign his Royal Highness obliges himself not to keep and maintain in time of Neutrality above Six Thousand Men of Foot on this side the Mountains and Fifteen Hundred beyond the Mountains for the Garrisons of Savoy and County of Nice and in all Fifteen Hundred Horse or Dragoons which last Obligation of his Royal Highness shall not take place before the General Peace We the above-mentioned Plenipotentiaries have Concluded and Signed the present Articles and we do Promise and Engage to cause the same to be Ratified and Confirmed by His Majesty and his Royal Highness Moreover We do promise that they shall be religiously kept secret till the end of the Month September next at which time if others be made of the same Substance and Tenor the present ones shall be suppressed Done at Turin the 29th of August 1696. Rene de Frouillay Tesse de St. Thomas A Translation of the full Power of their Excellencies the Ambassadors of His Catholick Majesty CHARLES by the Grace of God King of Spain c. We make it known and declare That having no greater Passion and Desire than to see the end of this present and fatal War and a speedy and solid Peace restored in Christendom We do acknowledge with due Affection and Thankfulness the charitable and laudable intentions which have moved the most serene and mighty Prince our Brother Cousin and most dear Friend the Lord Charles by the Grace of God King of Sueden Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Scania Esthonia Livonia Carelia Bremen Wherden Stetin Pomerania Cazubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugia Lord of Lingria and Vismaria Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria Juliers Cleves Deuxponts c. To take upon him the Office of Mediator and use all his Endeavours and good Offices to restore the publick Tranquility And that nothing may be wanting on our side that may contribute to so good and salutary an Intention assoon as we have been inform'd that it had been agreed by all the Parties concerned to pitch upon and name Ryswick as the most fit and convenient Place to treat of a General Peace We have without any delay named and appointed for our Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries and as we name and appoint by these Presents Don Francisco Bernardo de Quiros one of our Council of Castille and our Ambassador to the States-General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries and Don Alexander Schockart Count of Tirimont one of the State and Privy Council of the Low-Countries of Flanders that they may treat that Negotiation from us and in our Name And being fully assured and perswaded and entirely trusting to their Fidelity Prudence and Experience in the management of Affairs We do specially Charge and Command them to go and repair with all possible speed to the Village of Ryswick and enter upon the Conferences and Treaties of Peace with the Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the most high and mighty Prince Lewis the most Christian King of France our most dear Brother and Cousin together with all the other Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of our most high and mighty Allies and by the intervention and good Offices of the Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the most high and mighty Prince Charles King of Sueden our most dear Brother And that they may have a lawful and sufficient Faculty for the same end We also give and grant a full and entire Authority and all the Power requisite for the same purpose to our said Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries Don Francisco Bernardo de Quiros and the Count of Tirimont to them both together and each of them in particular in case of absence or indisposition of either to Settle Conclude and Sign for Us and in our Name the Treaty of Peace betwixt Us and our most Potent Allies and the most high and mighty Prince the most Christian King of France As also to draw dispatch and deliver all Deeds and Instruments necessary for that purpose and generally to do promise and stipulate and conclude Acts and Declarations to exchange Agreements and do all other things belonging to the said Negotiations of Peace with the same liberty and faculty as We could do our Selves if We were present Even also in those Affairs and Acts that may require a more special and explicite Order than what is contained in these Presents And We promise assure and plight our Faith and royal Word That We shall solemnly ratifie in the best form and manner that can be and within the time agreed on by common Consent whatever our said Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries shall have done Treated Promised Signed and Concluded together or separately in the form aforesaid In Testimony of which Premises and for their greater Force and Validity we give these Presents Signed with our own Hand Sealed with our Privy Seal and Countersigned by our Secretary of State Madrid the 21st of April 1697. Sign'd I the King Concordat cum Originali Don Crispin Gonsales Botello Full Power of their Excellencies the Ambassadors of His most Christian Majesty LEWIS by the Grace of God King of France and Navarr to all those to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas it is our most ardent Desire to see the War which now afflicts Christendom concluded and ended by a good Peace and whereas through the Endeavours and Mediation of our most Dear and most Beloved Brother the King of Sueden the Cities of Delf and the Hague have been pitched and agreed upon by all Parties there to hold the Conferences necessary for that purpose we out of the same desire to put a stop as far as in us lies and with the assistance of Divine Providence to the Desolation of so many Provinces and the Effusion of much Christian Blood make it known and declare That we fully and intirely trusting in the Experience Capacity and Fidelity of our beloved and trusty Harlay de Bonnevil Counseller in Ordinary in our Council of State of our well beloved Verjus Count of Crecy Baron of Couvay Lord of Boulay the Two Churches Manillet and other Places and of our well beloved De Caillieres Lord of Roche-Chellay and Gigny by the trial we have made and the pregnant Proofs we have had of them in the several important Employments wherewith we have entrusted them both within and without our Kingdom For these Reasons and other weighty Considerations us moving we have committed ordained and deputed the said de Harlay de Crecy and Cailliers and we do commit ordain and depute them by these Presents Signed with our own Hand and have given
interchangeably here agreed on and to procure the Exchange of the Letters of Ratifications in this same place within the space of six Weeks to begin to reckon from this very day or sooner if possible LX. In Witness and confirmation whereof the Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries as well Imperial as those of the King of France as also the Plenipotentiaries of the Electors and Deputies from the States of the Empire have to this effect subsigned this present Treaty with their own hands and have annexed their Seals thereto Done at the Royal Palace of Ryswick in Holland the Thirteenth of October in the year One thousand six hundred ninety and seven L.S. D. A. C. de Kaunitz L.S. Hen. C. de Stratman L.S. J. F. L. B. de Seilern L.S. de Harlay Boneuil L.S. Verjus de Crecy L.S. de Callieres In the Name of the Elector of Mentz L.S. M. Frederic Baron de Schinborn Embassador L.S. Ignatius Antonius Otten Plenipotentiary L.S. George William Moll Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Elector of Bavaria De Prielmeyer Embassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary L.S. In the Name of the House of Austria L.S. Francis Radolphe de Halden L. Baron of Trasberg c. In the Name of the Great Master of the Teutonick Order L.S. Charles B. de Loe Knight of the Teutonick Order In the Name of the Bishop of Wurtsbourg L.S. John Conrard Philip Ignatius de Tastungen In the Name of the Elector of Triers L.S. John Henry de Kaisarsfeld Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Prince and Bishop of Constance L.S. Frederic de Durheim In the Name of the Bishop and Prince of Hildesheim L.S. Charles Paul Zimmerman Chancellour to his Highness Counsellour of the Privy Counsel and Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Elector of Cologn in quality of Bishop and Prince of Liege L.S. John Conrade Norff Deputy Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Prince and Bishop of Munster L.S. Ferdinand L. B. Plettenberg de Senhausen respectively Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Paderb Munster and Hildes In the Name of the Elector Palatine as Duke of Newbourg L.S. John Henry Hetterman Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Duke of Wirtemberg L.S. John George Noble de Kulpis Knight of the Roman Empire intimate Counsellour of State and Director of the Counsell L.S. Anthony Guntor de Hespen Counsellour in the Supreme Council and Plenipotentiary to the Serene Duke In the Name of the Prince of Baden L.S. Charles Ferdinand L. B. de Plettersdorff Reserve l'Ordre alternatif In the Name of the Abbatial College of Suabia L. S. Joseph Anthony Eusebius de Hâ—lden de Neidtborg L. Baron de Antenriedt Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Counts of the Bench of Weteraw L. S. Charles Otton Count de Solms L. S. F. G. de Eclesheim Counsellor of Hannaw and Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Free and Imperial City of Cologne L. S. Herman Joseph Bullingen Burgomaster and Plenipotentiary In the Name of the City of Ausbourg L. S. John Christopher de Dirheim Plenipotentiary In the Name of the Imperial City of Francford L.S. John James Muller Plenipotentiary L.S. John Melchior Lucius Lecturer of Civil and Canon Laws Burgomaster and Plenipotentiary THE FULL POWER OF THE EMPEROUR Translated from the Latin WE LEOPOLD by the Grace of God elected Emperour of the Romans Semper Augustus and King of Germany Hungary Bohemia of Dalmatia Croatia Slavonia c. Archduke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant Stiria Carinthia and Carniola c. Marquis of Moravia Duke of Luxembourg of the High and Low Silesia of Wirtemberg and of Teck Prince of Suabia Count of Habsbourg Tyrol Ferrette Kybourg and of Goricia Marquis of the Holy Roman Empire Burgaw of the High and Low Lusatia Lord of the Sclavonian Marches Port Naon and Salins c. do certifie and make known That desiring nothing more ardently than that the present War wherewith Christendom hath been afflicted for some Years last past may speedily be converted into an Honourable and Equitable Peace and that it hath seemed good to all the Parties engaged in the present War to enter upon a Treaty and Conference of Peace in a Place that shall be by them chosen and appointed by unanimous Consent Wherefore being desirous with all our Heart to contribute all that lies in our Power to procure the Repose of the Christian Commonweal and we confiding in the Fidelity and Prudence of our Trusty and Well-beloved the Illustrious and Magnificent Dominic Andrew Count de Kaunitz Hereditary Lord of Austerlitz Hungarischbrod Mahrispruss and of Great Orzechau our Counsellor of State Chamberlain and Vice-chancellor of the Empire Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece of the Illustrious and Magnificent Henry John Count de Stratman Lord of Peurbach Orth Smiding of Spatenbrun and Carlsberg our Imperial Aulique Counsellor and Chamberlain and of the Magnificent John Frederick Free-Baron of Seilern c. our Imperial Aulique Counsellor and Con-Commissioner Plenipotentiary in the Imperial Diets have nominated appointed chosen and constituted them as we do by these Presents nominate chuse appoint and constitute them our Extraordinary Embassadors and Plenipotentiaries in the aforesaid Assemblies and Conferences of Peace that are to be held To whom we give in charge and command them in especial manner to repair with all expedition imaginable to the Place agreed upon between the Parties and being there to enter into a Conference of Peace either directly or by the Interposition and Means of a Mediator acknowledged by both Parties with the Embassadors or Deputies of the most High most Mighty and most Christian Prince LEWIS King of France our most Dear Cousin and Brother the said Embassadors being authorized with sufficient Power to terminate and put an end to the present War and regulate the Differences that relate thereto by a good and solid Peace We also grant a Full and Absolute Power with all Authority thereunto necessary to our said Extraordinary Embassadors and Plenipotentiaries to all Three together or to Two in case the Third chance to be absent or employed and busie elsewhere or to One alone in the absence of the other Two or their being busied and employed elsewhere to make conclude and sign for us and in our Name a Treaty of Peace between us and the foresaid Serene and most Puissant Prince the most Christian King to cause to be dispatch'd and deliver'd all Acts necessarily conducing to this End and effectually to promise stipulate conclude and sign the Acts and Declarations to exchange the Articles agreed upon and to perform all other Things appertaining to the said Business of the Peace as freely and in as ample a manner as we our Self could do being there present altho' a more special and more express Order might seem necessary than that which is contained in these Presents Promising upon the whole and faithfully bona fide and upon our Imperial Word declaring to accept and consent to confirm and ratifie whatsoever hath been transacted concluded
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 Subjects of both the said Kings that they may carry away and transport the foresaid 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 Tenth 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 any 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 The Treaty of Peace Concluded between the most Christian King and the late Elector of Brandenburgh at St. Germains in Laye the 29 June 1679. shall be Restored in all its Articles and remain in its former Vigour between His Sacred most Christian Majesty and His Electoral Highness of Brandenburgh 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 August 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 Lewis 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 Sueden by the Interposition 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 Sueden 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 both sides and mutually and duly Exchanged at the Royal Palace of Ryswicke in the Province of Holland within the space of Three Weeks to be reckoned from the Day of the Subscription or sooner if it can be In Testimony of all and every the things before mentioned and for their greater Force and to give them all the Vigour and full Authority they ought to have the Under-written Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries together with the most Illustrious and Excellent the Extraordinary Ambassador Mediator have Signed and Sealed the present Instrument of Peace Done c. Signed by the English and French Ambassadors and by the Mediator Separate Article Besides all that is Concluded and Stipulated by the Treaty of Peace Signed this present Day the 20th of September It is moreover agreed by the present Separate Article which shall have the same Force and Effect as if it was inserted word for word in the said Treaty That the most Christian King shall Covenant and Agree and by the present Article he does Covenant and Agree That it shall be free for the Emperor and the Empire until the First Day of November next to accept the Conditions of Peace lately proposed by the most Christian King according to the Declaration made on the First Day of this present Month unless in the mean time it shall be otherwise agreed between His Imperial Majesty and the Empire and His most Christian Majesty And in case His Imperial Majesty does not within the time prefixed accept those Conditions or that it be not otherwise agreed between His Imperial Majesty and the Empire and His most Christian Majesty the said Treaty shall have its full Effect and be duly put in Execution according to its Form and Tenor And it shall not be lawful for the King of Great Britain
directly or indirectly on any account or cause whatsoever to act contrary to the said Treaty The Substance of the full Power and Authority of the Lords Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of the King of Great Britain WIlliam III. by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these Presents shall come or in any wise appertain Greeting The Affairs of Europe being at this Juncture in so good Condition and the Persons therein concerned so very well Disposed We have just reason to hope that together with the Assistance of the Divine Providence and the good Offices of Our dearest Brother the most Serene and most Potent Prince the King of Sueden who is pleased to Officiate as Mediator the War that has so long afflicted Christendom may at length by a firm Agreement be brought to a happy Conclusion We having no other thoughts then of a just and lasting Peace which from the bottom of Our Heart We wish may be speedily Effected and as exactly Observed We joyfully lay hold on this Occasion to Reestablish the Publick Tranquility And whereas Our Ministers together with those of the Allies and those of the most Christian King are at present Convened to Negotiate a General Peace between Us and Our said Allies on one part and the said most Christian King on the other And since for the accomplishing of a Work so good and beneficial for the repose of Christendom it is an absolute Necessity to choose Persons of try'd Abilities and known Experience We give therefore to understand That having an entire Confidence in the Fidelity Capacity and Prudence of Our Trusty and Welbeloved Cousin and Councellor Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery Baron Herbert of Cardiffe c. Keeper of Our Privy Seal and one of Our Privy Council Edward Viscount Villers Our present Ambassador in Extraordinary to their High and Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces Robert Lord Lexington Baron of Averam one of the Gentlemen of Our Bed Chamber and Our Ambassador in Extraordinary with the most Serene and most Potent Prince the Emperour of the Romans and lastly of Our Faithful and Welbeloved Sir Joseph Williamson Knight a Member of Our Privy Council and Keeper of the Records of Parliament And moreover being well satisfied of their Abilities which have been sufficiently demonstrated by the different Imployments Functions and Negotiations which they have executed from time to time both at home and abroad and of which they have so well acquitted themselves as well within the Kingdom as without We have Named Made Constituted and Appointed and by these Presents do Name Make Constitute and Appoint the aforesaid Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery Edward Viscount Villers Robert Lord Lexington and Sir Joseph Williamson Our True and Faithful Ambassadors Extraordinary Commissioners Deputies Ministers and Plenipotentiaries giving to them or any Two of them in case the others should be either Sick or Absent full Power and Authority with express Command both General and Special the General not derogating from the Special or the Special from the General to Repair to _____ or any other Place that shall be Agreed upon to Meet at to Perform and Celebrate the Treaty and Negotiations of Peace and to Confer and Negotiate the said Peace with the Commissioners and Plenipotentiaries of the Allies on one part and those whom the most Christian King shall please to Depute on the other part as likewise with all such as shall be sent to the Conference from the other Kings Princes Republicks or Free Towns being always provided with a sufficient Authority to Debate and Determine amicably and entirely all the Differences and Disputes which have happened during this present War as likewise to Conclude a firm and lasting Peace and to Sign for Us and in Our Name all the Conditions and Articles which shall be Agreed therein and moreover to Draw up and Dispatch all sorts of Acts and Instruments in such manner and number as there shall be occasion found and further to Give and Receive them from one anothers hands reciprocally when drawn We Grant moreover to Our said Ambassadours a power to make Passes and such like Securities for all Persons and Things which shall be imployed in the Service of this Treaty as also to renew their Dates from time to time whenever they see convenient Our Ambassadors in a word are hereby Impowered to Sign Grant and Exhibit and generally to Treat of all the aforesaid Matters as likewise to Promise Stipulate Agree and Do in Relation to the abovementioned Premisses whatever they shall find necessary and in such Manner and Time as they shall think fit and with the same Force and Virtue as We could do if We Our Selves were present at the said Conferences We promise moreover on the word of a King That We will Approve of and be Concluded by whatever Our aforesaid Ambassadours and Plenipotentiaries or any Two of them in case the others should be either Sick or Absent shall do in Our Name And lastly to give the greater Force and Authority to these Presents We have Signed them with Our Royal Hand and caused them to be Sealed with the Great Seal of England Given at Our Palace at Kensington the Sixteenth of February in the Year 1697. and the Ninth of Our Reign Signed William Rex The Full Powers of the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of His Most Christian Majesty LEwis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to all Persons to whom these Presents shall come Greeting As We desire nothing more earnestly than that this War which has so long afflicted Christendom may conclude by a good Peace and since the Towns of Delft and the Hague have been Agreed upon through the Care and Mediation of Our Dearest and Welbeloved Brother the King of Sueden for the Conferences to that purpose We being mov'd with the same good Inclinations to prevent as much as in Us lies the Ruin of so many Provinces and the Effusion of so much Christian Blood do make known that upon entire Confidence in the Experience Capacity and Fidelity of Our Trusty and Welbeloved Councellor in Ordinary of Our Privy Council the Sieur de Harlay de Bonneuil Our Trusty and Welbeloved the Sieur Verjus Count of Crecy Baron of Couvay Lord of Boulay the two Churches Menillet and other Places and of Our Trusty and Welbeloved the Sieur de Caillieres Rochechellay and Gigny and by the several Advantagious Proofs which We have had of their Abilities as well within the Kingdom as withouâ— and for several other good Causes and Considâ—rations Us thereunto moving have Constituted Appointed and Deputed and by these Presents Signed with Our Hand do Constitute Appoint and Depute the said Seiurs de Harlay de Crecy and de Caillieres Our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries for the Peace giving them full Power and Authority and moreover Commanding them expresly to Confer with in the
City of Delft or elsewhere where they shall be actually either directly or through the Mediation of Ambassadors Receiv'd and Accepted for that purpose the Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries and Ministers of Our Dearest and Welbeloved Brother the King of Great Britain and his Allies each being provided with Power sufficient to Treat of and Determine the several Differences which have occasion'd this War Our said Plenipotentiaries have also Power either all Three together or Two of them in case of Absence Sickness or any other Impediment or One if the other Two be not able to be Present to Agree upon Conclude and Sign a Firm and Lasting Peace and generally to Do Negotiate Promise and Grant whatever they shall think Necessary to Effect so good a Work with the same Authority that We Our selves could Act if We were present at the said Conferences in Person although there had been something which was not Contain'd in these Presents which Required a more especial Authority Hereupon We Promise on the Faith and Word of a King to Keep inviolably and to Confirm whatever the said Sieurs de Harlay de Crecy and de Caillieres or Two of them in Case of the Absence of the other on Account of Sickness or any other Impediment or of One only in Case of the Incapacity of the rest shall Stipulate Promise or Grant in Our Name And We likewise give Our Royal Word that We will Dispatch the Letters of Ratification in the Time Promis'd by Our said Ministers for such is Our Pleasure In Testimony whereof We have caus'd these Presents to be Seal'd with Our Seal Given at Fontainebleau the 26 of Septemb. in the Year of Our Lord 1697. and of Our Reign the Fifty fifth Lewis And upon the Fold By the King Colbert The Substance of the King of Great Britains Ratification of the Peace WIlliam III. by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Persons to whom these Presents shall come Greeting It having pleased the Divine Providence that after a War wherewith the greater part of Christendom was not long since Afflicted a true and sincere Peace should be Concluded by means of the Mediation of the most Serene and most Potent Prince Charles XI late King of Sueden and since his Death by that of the most Serene and most Potent Prince Charles XII his Son and Successor as likewise by the Conferences held at Our Palace at Ryswick in the Province of Holland between Our Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries together with those of the Allies on one part and the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of the most Serene and most Potent Prince Lewis XIV the most Christian King on the other part The Conditions whereof are these That there be an Vniversal Peace c. We after having Seen and Examined the said Treaty have Approved and Ratified all and every of the Articles and Clauses thereof as by these Presents We do Approve Ratifie and Declare them Valid against Us Our Heirs and Successors Promising and Obliging Our Selves upon the Word of a King to Fulfil and Observe Sincerely and Faithfully all Matters therein Contained And further to give the greater Credit and Force to this present Ratification We have caused it to be Sealed with the Great Seal of England Given at Our Palace at Loo in the Province of Guelderland the Twenty fifth of September in the Year of our Lord 1697. and in the Ninth of Our Reign Signed William Rex His Most Christian Majesties Ratification of the Peace LEwis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to all Persons to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas Our Trusty and Welbeloved Councellor in Ordinary Nicolas Augustus de Harlay Knight Lord of Bonneuil and Count of Cely Our Trusty and Welbeloved Lewis Verjus Knight Count of Crecy Marquis of Freon Baron of Couvay Lord of Boulay the two Churches Fort-Isle and Menillet and Our Trusty and Welbeloved Francis de Caillieres Knight Lord of Rochechellay and Gigny Our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries by Virtue of full Powers granted them by Us have Concluded Agreed on and Signed a Peace on the 20 th of September last at Ryswick with Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery Baron Herbert and Cardiffe Keeper of the Privy Seal of England and Privy Councellor to Our Dearest and Welbeloved Brother the King of Great Britain and moreover one of the Lords Justices in the Kings Absence Edward Viscount Villers and Dartford Baron of Hoo Knight Marshal of England and one of the Justices of Ireland Robert Lord Lexington Baron of Averam and one of the Lords of the King of Great Britains Bed-Chamber and lastly Sir Joseph Williamson Knight one of His Britannick Majesties Privy Council and Keeper of the Records of Parliament Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries of Our said Brother the King of Great Britain for that purpose The Particulars whereof follow Here were Incerted the Articles at length Now We being well pleased with the abovesaid Treaty in every Point and Article thereof have as well for Our Self as for Our Heirs Successors Kingdoms Countreys Lands Lordships and Subjects Accepted Approved Ratified and Confirmed and by these Presents do Accept Approve Ratifie and Confirm the same and moreover do Promise on the Faith and Word of a King and under the Obligation and Mortage of all and every Our Goods present and to come that We will Observe and Keep Inviolable the said Treaty nor will ever Act any thing to the contrary either Directly or Indirectly in what manner or kind soever In Testimony whereof We have Signed these Presents with Our Hand and Affixed Our Royal Seal Given at Fontainebleau the Third day of October in the Year of our Lord 1697. and of Our Reign the 55. Signed Lewis And lower By the King Colbert Sealed with the great Seal of Yellow Wax Articles of Peace betwixt His Catholick Majesty and the Most Christian King Concluded at the Royal Palace of Ryswick the 10 20th September 1697. IN the Name of God and the Most Holy Trinity Be it known to All both present and to come that during the Course of the most Bloody War that ever afflicted Europe for these many Years past it has pleased the Divine Providence to prepare the End of the Miseries of Christendom by preserving an ardent Desire for Peace in the Hearts of the Most-High Most-Excellent and Mighty Prince Charles II. by the Grace of God Catholick King of Spain c. and of the Most High Most-Excellent and Mighty Prince Lewis XIV by the Grace of God the Most Christian King of France and Navarre who wishing equally and concurring heartily to contribute as far as in them lies to the Restoration of the Tranquility of Europe and having no other Aim than to make the said Peace firm and lasting by the Equity of its Conditions Their said Majesties have consented and agreed in the first Place to own the Mediation of the Most-High
and do give them full Power Commission and special Command to go and repair to the said City of Delft in Quality of our Plenipotentiaries and Extraordinary Ambassadors for the Peace and there to confer either directly or through the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively received and approved with all the Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries and Ministers as well of our most dear and most beloved Brother the Emperor of the Romans as of our most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousin the Catholick King as also of our most dear and great Friends the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries and of all other Princes their Allies being all provided with sufficient Powers And there to Treat of Means to adjust and pacify those Differences which are at present the occasion of the War and our said Plenipotentiaries all Three together or Two of them in case the other be absent through Sickness or any other hindrance or One of them the other Two being absent in the like Case of Sickness or through any other hindrance shall have Power to agree upon the said Means and accordingly conclude and Sign a good and firm Peace and in general to do negotiate promise and grant all that they shall think necessary for the said Work of the Peace with the same Authority as we should and could do our selves if we were there in Person altho' there may be something that should require a more special Command not contained in these Presents and we do promise upon the Faith and Word of a King to hold good and perform whatever by the said de Harlay de Crecy and Caillieres or by Two of them in case the other be absent through Sickness or other hindrance shall have been stipulated promised and granted and for that purpose to cause our Letters of Ratification to be dispatched within the time that they shall promise in our Name to exhibit and deliver them in for such is our Will and Pleasure in Testimony whereof we have caused these Presents to be Sealed with our Seal Given at Versailles the 25th of February 1697. in the Year of our Reign 54th Signed LEWIS And on the Fold By the King COLBERT And sealed with the Great Seal in Yellow Wax Treaty of Peace Made Concluded and Agreed at Ryswick in Holland the 10 20th of September 1697. Between the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty on one Part and the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of Their Lordships the States-General of the Vnited Provinces of the Low-Countries on the other Part. IN the Name of God and the Most Holy Trinity Be it known to All both present and to come that during the Course of the most Bloody War that ever afflicted Europe for these many Years past it has pleased the Divine Providence to prepare the End of the Miseries of Europe by preserving an ardent Desire for Peace in the Heart of the Most High Most-Excellent and Mighty Prince Lewis XIV by the Grace of God the Most Christian King of France and Navarre and his Most Christian Majesty having no other Aim or Prospect than to make it firm and perpetual by the Equity of its Conditions and their Lordships the States-General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries being desirous to concur sincerely and as far as in them lies to the Restoration of the publick Tranquility and to return to the antient Friendship and Affection of his Most Christian Majesty they have first consented and agreed to own for that purpose the Mediation of the Most High Most Excellent and Mighty Prince Charles XI of Glorious Memory by the Grace of God King of Sueden Goths and Vandals but a sudden Death having frustrated the Hopes which all Europe had justly entertained of his Councils and good Offices his Most Christian Majesty and the said Lords the States-General still persisting in the Resolution to put a stop assoon as possible to the Effusion of so much Christian Blood have thought they could not do better than to acknowledge in the same quality the Most High Most Excellent and Mighty Prince Charles XII King of Sueden his Son and Successor who on his part has continued the same Endeavours to further the Peace betwixt his Most Christian Majesty and the said Lords the States-General in the Conferences held for that purpose in the Royal Palace of Ryswick in the Province of Holland betwixt the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors named on both Sides To wit by his Most Christian Majesty Nicolas Augustus de Harlay Knight Lord of Bonneuil Count of Cely Counsellor in Ordinary to His Majesty in his Council of State Lewis Verjus Knight Count of Crecy Counsellor in Ordinary to His Majesty in his Council of State Marquis of Treon Baron of Couvay Lord of Boulay the Two Churches Fort Isle Menillet and other places and Francis de Caillieres Knight Lord of Caillieres Roche-chellay and Gigny and by the said Lords the States-General Anthony Heinsius Counsellor Pensionary of the States of Holland and West-Friesland Keeper of the Great Seal and Super-intendant of the Fiefs of the same Province Everhard de Weede Lord of Weede Dyckvelt Rareles and other places Lord of the Mannor of the Town of Oudewater Dean and Rector of the Imperial Chapter of St. Mary in Vtrecht President of the States of the said Province and William de Haren Grietman of Bilt Deputy from the Nobility to the States of Friesland and Curator of the University of Franeker Deputies in their Assembly from the States of Holland Vtrecht and Friesland who having first implored the Divine Assistance and Communicated to each other their respective Full-Powers the Copies of which shall be inserted Word for Word at the end of this Treaty and duly exchanged the same by the Intervention and Mediation of the Baron of Lillieroot Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the King of Sueden who has discharged the Function of a Mediator with all the necessary Prudence Capacity and Equity they have agreed to the Glory of God and for the good of Christendom upon the following Conditions I. THere shall- be for the future betwixt his Most Christian Majesty and his Successors Kings of France and Navarre and his Kingdoms on one Part and their Lordships the States-General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries on the other Part a good firm sincere and inviolable Peace and upon account of the same all Hostilities of what kind soever they be shall cease and be left off between the said Lord King and the said Lords the States-General as well by Land as by Sea and on fresh Waters in all their Kingdoms Countries Lands Provinces and Lordships and between all their Subjects and Inbitants of what Quality or Condition soever they be without any Exception of Places or Persons II. There shall be an Oblivion and general Amnesty of all that has been committed on both Sides on the occasion of the late War either by those who being born Subjects of
most Beloved Brother the King of Sueden the Cities of Delft and the Hague have been pitched and agreed upon by all Parties there to hold the Conferences necessary for that purpose we out of the same desire to put a stop as far as in us lies and with the assistance of Divine Providence to the Desolation of so many Provinces and the Effusion of much Christian Blood make it known and declare That we fully and intirely trusting in the Experience Capacity and Fidelity of our beloved and trusty Harlay de Bonneuil Counseller in Ordinary in our Council of State of our well beloved Verjus Count of Crecy Baron of Couvay Lord of Boulay the Two Churches Manillet and other Places and of our well beloved De Caillieres Lord of Roche-Chellay and Gigny by the trial we have made and the pregnant Proofs we have had of them in the several important Employments with which we have entrusted them both within and without our Kingdom For these Reasons and other weighty Considerations us moving we have committed appointed and deputed the said de Harlay de Crecy and Cailliers and we do commit appoint and depute them by these Presents Signed with our own Hand and have given and do give them full Power Commission and special Command to go and repair to the said City of Delft in Quality of our Plenipotentiaries and Extraordinary Ambassadors for the Peace and there to confer either directly or through the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively received and approved with the Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries and Ministers of our most dear and great Friends the States General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries and being all provided with and authorized by sufficient Powers And there to Treat of Means to adjust and pacify those Differences which are at present the occasion of the War and our said Plenipotentiaries all Three together or Two of them in case the other be absent through Sickness or any other hindrance or One of them the other Two being absent in the like Case of Sickness or through any other hindrance shall have Power to agree upon the said Means and accordingly conclude and Sign a good and firm Peace and in general to do negotiate promise and grant all that they shall think necessary and conducing to effect the said Peace with the same Authority as we should and could do our selves if we were there in Person altho' there may be something that should require a more special Command not contained in these Presents and we do promise upon the Faith and Word of a King to hold good and perform whatever by the said de Harlay de Crecy and Caillieres or by Two of them the other being absent through Sickness or other hindrance or One of them the other Two being absent in the like Case of Sickness or through any other hindrance shall have been stipulated promised and granted and for that purpose to cause our Letters of Ratification to be dispatched within the time that they shall promise in our Name to exhibit and deliver them in for such is our Will and Pleasure in Testimony whereof we have caused these Presents to be Sealed with our Seal Given at Versailles the 25th of February 1697. in the 54th Year of our Reign Signed LEWIS And on the Fold was written By the King Signed COLBERT The Tenor of the full Powers of the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of Their High and Mightinesses the States-General THE States-General of the United Provinces of the Low-Countries to all those to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas it is the most ardent of our Wishes to see the War which now afflicts Christendom concluded and ended by a good Peace and whereas through the Endeavours and Mediation of the most serene King of Sweden the Palace of Ryswick has been pitched and agreed upon by all Parties for the place of Conference We out of the same desire to put a stop as far as in Us lies to the Desolation of so many Provinces and the Effusion of so much Christian Blood have been willing to contribute to it all that is in our Power and for that purpose Depute to the said Assembly some Persons out of the Body of ours who at several times have given sufficient Proofs of their Knowledge and Experience in publick Affairs as likewise of their Affection for the good of our States And whereas James Boreel Lord of Duynbeeck Westhoven and Meresteyn Senator and Burghmaster of the City of Amsterdam and Counsellor Deputy of the Province of Holland Everhard de Weede Lord of Weede Dyckvelt Rateles c. Lord of the Mannor of the Town of Oudewater Dean and Rector of the Imperial Chapter of St. Mary in Vtrecht Dyckgrave of the River Rhine in the Province of Vtrecht President of the States of the said Province and William de Haren Grietman of Bilt Deputy for the Nobility in the States of Friesland and Curator of the University of Franeker Deputies in our Assembly for the States of Holland Vtrecht and Friesland have signalized themselves in several important Employments for our Service wherein they have given Proofs of their Fidelity Diligence Address and Skill in the management of Business For these Reasons and other Considerations Us moving We have committed ordained and deputed the said Boreel de Weede and de Haren and We do commit ordain and depute them by these Presents and have given and do give them full Power Commission and special Command to go and repair to Ryswick in Quality of our Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries for the Peace and there to Confer either directly or through the interposition of the Ambassadors Mediators respectively received and approved with the Extraordinary Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries of his Most Christian Majesty and his Allies being provided with sufficient Powers and there to treat of Means to determine and compose the Differences which are the occasion of this present War And our said Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries or Two of them in Case the other be absent through Sickness or other hindrance or One of them the other Two being absent in the like Case of Sickness or through any other hindrance shall have Power to agree upon the said Means and accordingly Conclude and Sign a good and firm Peace and in general to do negotiate promise and grant all that they shall think necessary to Effect the said Peace and do in general all that We could do our Selves if We were there present altho' for that purpose there should be required a more special Power and Command not contained in these Presents And We do sincerely and faithfully promise to approve and hold firm and constant whatever by the said our Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries or by Two of them in Case the Third be absent through Sickness or other hindrance or by One of them the other Two being absent in the like Case of Sickness or through any other hindrance shall have been stipulated promised and granted and to