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... In the name of the most holy and individual Trinity:
Be it known to all, and every one whom it may concern, or to whom in any
manner it may belong, That for many Years past, Discords and Civil Divisions
being stir’d up in the Roman Empire, which increas’d to such a degree,
that not only all Germany, but also the neighbouring Kingdoms, and France
particularly, have been involv’d in the Disorders of a long and cruel War:
And in the first place, between the most Serene and most Puissant Prince
and Lord, Ferdinand the Second, of famous Memory, elected Roman Emperor,
always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia,
Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola,
Marquiss of Moravia, Duke of Luxemburgh, the Higher and Lower Silesia,
of Wirtemburg and Teck, Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol, Kyburg
and Goritia, Marquiss of the Sacred Roman Empire, Lord of Burgovia, of
the Higher and Lower Lusace, of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon
and Salines, with his Allies and Adherents on one side; and the most Serene,
and the most Puissant Prince, Lewis the Thirteenth, most Christian King
of France and Navarre, with his Allies and Adherents on the other side.
And after their Decease, between the most Serene and Puissant Prince and
Lord, Ferdinand the Third, elected Roman Emperor, always August, King of
Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Arch-Duke of Austria,
Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Marquiss of Moravia,
Duke of Luxemburg, of the Higher and Lower Silesia, of Wirtemburg and Teck,
Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol, Kyburg and Goritia, Marquiss
of the Sacred Roman Empire, Burgovia, the Higher and Lower Lusace, Lord
of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon and Salines, with his Allies
and Adherents on the one side; and the most Serene and most Puissant Prince
and Lord, Lewis the Fourteenth, most Christian King of France and Navarre,
with his Allies and Adherents on the other side: from whence ensu’d great
Effusion of Christian Blood, and the Desolation of several Provinces. It
has at last happen’d, by the effect of Divine Goodness, seconded by the
Endeavours of the most Serene Republick of Venice, who in this sad time,
when all Christendom is imbroil’d, has not ceas’d to contribute its Counsels
for the publick Welfare and Tranquillity; so that on the side, and the
other, they have form’d Thoughts of an universal Peace. And for this purpose,
by a mutual Agreement and Covenant of both Partys, in the year of our Lord
1641. the 25th of December, N.S. or the 15th O.S. it was resolv’d at Hamburgh,
to hold an Assembly of Plenipotentiary Ambassadors, who should render themselves
at Munster and Osnabrug in Westphalia the 11th of July, N.S. or the 1st
of the said month O.S. in the year 1643. The Plenipotentiary Ambassadors
on the one side, and the other, duly establish’d, appearing at the prefixt
time, and on the behalf of his Imperial Majesty, the most illustrious and
most excellent Lord, Maximilian Count of Trautmansdorf and Weinsberg, Baron
of Gleichenberg, Neustadt, Negan, Burgau, and Torzenbach, Lord of Teinitz,
Knight of the Golden Fleece, Privy Counsellor and Chamberlain to his Imperial
Sacred Majesty, and Steward of his Houshold; the Lord John Lewis, Count
of Nassau, Catzenellebogen, Vianden, and Dietz, Lord of Bilstein, Privy
Counsellor to the Emperor, and Knight of the Golden Fleece; Monsieur Isaac
Volmamarus, Doctor of Law, Counsellor, and President in the Chamber of
the most Serene Lord Arch-Duke Ferdinand Charles. And on the behalf of
the most Christian King, the most eminent Prince and Lord, Henry of Orleans,
Duke of Longueville, and Estouteville, Prince and Sovereign Count of Neuschaftel,
Count of Dunois and Tancerville, Hereditary Constable of Normandy, Governor
and Lieutenant-General of the same Province, Captain of the Cent Hommes
d’Arms, and Knight of the King’s Orders, &c. as also the most illustrious
and most excellent Lords, Claude de Mesmes, Count d’Avaux, Commander of
the said King’s Orders, one of the Superintendents of the Finances, and
Minister of the Kingdom of France &c. and Abel Servien, Count la Roche
of Aubiers, also one of the Ministers of the Kingdom of France. And by
the Mediation and Interposition of the most illustrious and most excellent
Ambassador and Senator of Venice, Aloysius Contarini Knight, who for the
space of five Years, or thereabouts, with great Diligence, and a Spirit
intirely impartial, has been inclin’d to be a Mediator in these Affairs.
After having implor’d the Divine Assistance, and receiv’d a reciprocal
Communication of Letters, Commissions, and full Powers, the Copys of which
are inserted at the end of this Treaty, in the presence and with the consent
of the Electors of the Sacred Roman Empire, the other Princes and States,
to the Glory of God, and the Benefit of the Christian World, the following
Articles have been agreed on and consented to, and the same run thus. ...
... In the name of the most holy and individual Trinity:
Be it known to all, and every one whom it may concern, or to whom in any
manner it may belong, That for many Years past, Discords and Civil Divisions
being stir’d up in the Roman Empire, which increas’d to such a degree,
that not only all Germany, but also the neighbouring Kingdoms, and France
particularly, have been involv’d in the Disorders of a long and cruel War:
And in the first place, between the most Serene and most Puissant Prince
and Lord, Ferdinand the Second, of famous Memory, elected Roman Emperor,
always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia,
Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola,
Marquiss of Moravia, Duke of Luxemburgh, the Higher and Lower Silesia,
of Wirtemburg and Teck, Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol, Kyburg
and Goritia, Marquiss of the Sacred Roman Empire, Lord of Burgovia, of
the Higher and Lower Lusace, of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon
and Salines, with his Allies and Adherents on one side; and the most Serene,
and the most Puissant Prince, Lewis the Thirteenth, most Christian King
of France and Navarre, with his Allies and Adherents on the other side.
And after their Decease, between the most Serene and Puissant Prince and
Lord, Ferdinand the Third, elected Roman Emperor, always August, King of
Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Arch-Duke of Austria,
Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Marquiss of Moravia,
Duke of Luxemburg, of the Higher and Lower Silesia, of Wirtemburg and Teck,
Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol, Kyburg and Goritia, Marquiss
of the Sacred Roman Empire, Burgovia, the Higher and Lower Lusace, Lord
of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon and Salines, with his Allies
and Adherents on the one side; and the most Serene and most Puissant Prince
and Lord, Lewis the Fourteenth, most Christian King of France and Navarre,
with his Allies and Adherents on the other side: from whence ensu’d great
Effusion of Christian Blood, and the Desolation of several Provinces. It
has at last happen’d, by the effect of Divine Goodness, seconded by the
Endeavours of the most Serene Republick of Venice, who in this sad time,
when all Christendom is imbroil’d, has not ceas’d to contribute its Counsels
for the publick Welfare and Tranquillity; so that on the side, and the
other, they have form’d Thoughts of an universal Peace. And for this purpose,
by a mutual Agreement and Covenant of both Partys, in the year of our Lord
1641. the 25th of December, N.S. or the 15th O.S. it was resolv’d at Hamburgh,
to hold an Assembly of Plenipotentiary Ambassadors, who should render themselves
at Munster and Osnabrug in Westphalia the 11th of July, N.S. or the 1st
of the said month O.S. in the year 1643. The Plenipotentiary Ambassadors
on the one side, and the other, duly establish’d, appearing at the prefixt
time, and on the behalf of his Imperial Majesty, the most illustrious and
most excellent Lord, Maximilian Count of Trautmansdorf and Weinsberg, Baron
of Gleichenberg, Neustadt, Negan, Burgau, and Torzenbach, Lord of Teinitz,
Knight of the Golden Fleece, Privy Counsellor and Chamberlain to his Imperial
Sacred Majesty, and Steward of his Houshold; the Lord John Lewis, Count
of Nassau, Catzenellebogen, Vianden, and Dietz, Lord of Bilstein, Privy
Counsellor to the Emperor, and Knight of the Golden Fleece; Monsieur Isaac
Volmamarus, Doctor of Law, Counsellor, and President in the Chamber of
the most Serene Lord Arch-Duke Ferdinand Charles. And on the behalf of
the most Christian King, the most eminent Prince and Lord, Henry of Orleans,
Duke of Longueville, and Estouteville, Prince and Sovereign Count of Neuschaftel,
Count of Dunois and Tancerville, Hereditary Constable of Normandy, Governor
and Lieutenant-General of the same Province, Captain of the Cent Hommes
d’Arms, and Knight of the King’s Orders, &c. as also the most illustrious
and most excellent Lords, Claude de Mesmes, Count d’Avaux, Commander of
the said King’s Orders, one of the Superintendents of the Finances, and
Minister of the Kingdom of France &c. and Abel Servien, Count la Roche
of Aubiers, also one of the Ministers of the Kingdom of France. And by
the Mediation and Interposition of the most illustrious and most excellent
Ambassador and Senator of Venice, Aloysius Contarini Knight, who for the
space of five Years, or thereabouts, with great Diligence, and a Spirit
intirely impartial, has been inclin’d to be a Mediator in these Affairs.
After having implor’d the Divine Assistance, and receiv’d a reciprocal
Communication of Letters, Commissions, and full Powers, the Copys of which
are inserted at the end of this Treaty, in the presence and with the consent
of the Electors of the Sacred Roman Empire, the other Princes and States,
to the Glory of God, and the Benefit of the Christian World, the following
Articles have been agreed on and consented to, and the same run thus. ...
... That Processes which have been hitherto enter’d
on this Account, together with the Transactions and Promises made for the
Restitution of Debts, shall be look’d upon as void; and yet the Sums of
Money, which during the War have been exacted bona fide, and with a good
intent, by way of Contributions, to prevent greater Evils by the Contributors,
are not comprehended herein. ...
... And as to the Affair of the Succession of Juliers,
those concern’d, if a course be not taken about it, may one day cause great
Troubles in the Empire about it; it has been agreed, That the Peace being
concluded it shall be terminated without any Delay, either by ordinary
means before his Imperial Majesty, or by a friendly Composition, or some
other lawful ways. ...
... And since for the greater Tranquillity of the
Empire, in its general Assemblys of Peace, a certain Agreement has been
made between the Emperor, Princes and States .of the Empire, which has
been inserted in the Instrument and Treaty of Peace, concluded with the
Plenipotentiarys of the Queen and Crown of Swedeland, touching the Differences
about Ecclesiastical Lands, and the Liberty of the Exercise of Religion;
it has been found expedient to confirm,and ratify it by this present Treaty,
in the same manner as the abovesaid Agreement has been made with the said
Crown of Swedeland; also with those call’d the Reformed, in the same manner,
as
if the words of the abovesaid Instrument were reported here verbatim. ...
... As for the finding out of equitable and expedient
means, whereby the Prosecution of Actions against Debtors, ruin’d by the
Calamitys of the War, or charg’d with too great Interests, and whereby
these Matters may be terminated with moderation, to obviate greater inconveniences
which might arise, and to provide for the publick Tranquillity; His Imperial
Majesty shall take care to hearken as well to the Advices of his Privy
Council, as of the Imperial Chamber, and the States which are to be assembled,
to the end that certain firm and invariable Constitutions may be made about
this Matter And in the mean time the alledg’d Reasons and Circumstances
of the Partys shall be well weigh’d in Cases brought before the Sovereign
Courts of the Empire, or Subordinate ones of States and no body shall be
oppress’d by immoderate Executions; and ail this without prejudice to the
Constitution of Holstein. ...
... As for the finding out of equitable and expedient
means, whereby the Prosecution of Actions against Debtors, ruin’d by the
Calamitys of the War, or charg’d with too great Interests, and whereby
these Matters may be terminated with moderation, to obviate greater inconveniences
which might arise, and to provide for the publick Tranquillity; His Imperial
Majesty shall take care to hearken as well to the Advices of his Privy
Council, as of the Imperial Chamber, and the States which are to be assembled,
to the end that certain firm and invariable Constitutions may be made about
this Matter And in the mean time the alledg’d Reasons and Circumstances
of the Partys shall be well weigh’d in Cases brought before the Sovereign
Courts of the Empire, or Subordinate ones of States and no body shall be
oppress’d by immoderate Executions; and ail this without prejudice to the
Constitution of Holstein. ...
... For the greater Validity of the said Cessions
and Alienations, the Emperor and Empire, by virtue of this present Treaty,
abolish all and every one of the Decrees, Constitutions, Statutes and Customs
of their Predecessors, Emperors of the sacred Roman Empire, tho they have
been confirm’d by Oath, or shall be confirm’d for the future; particularly
this Article of the Imperial Capitulation, by which all or any Alienation
of the Appurtenances and Rights of the Empire is prohibited: and by the
same means they exclude for ever all Exceptions hereunto, on what Right
and Titles soever they may be grounded. ...
... For the greater Firmness of all and every one
of these Articles, this present Transaction shall serve for a perpetual
Law and establish’d Sanction of the Empire, to be inserted like other fundamental
Laws and Constitutions of the Empire in the Acts of the next Diet of the
Empire, and the Imperial Capitulation; binding no less the absent than
the present, the Ecclesiasticks than Seculars, whether they be States of
the Empire or not: insomuch as that it shall be a prescrib’d Rule, perpetually
to be follow’d, as well by the Imperial Counsellors and Officers, as those
of other Lords, and all Judges and Officers of Courts of Justice. ...
... In Testimony of all and each of these things,
and for their greater Validity, the Ambassadors of their Imperial and most
Christian Majestys, and the Deputys, in the name of all the Electors, Princes,
and States of the Empire, sent particularly for this end (by virtue of
what has been concluded the 13th of October, in the Year hereafter mention’d,
and has been deliver’d to the Ambassador of France the very day of signing
under the Seal of the Chancellor of Mentz) viz. For the Elector of Mayence,
Monsieur Nicolas George de Reigersberg, Knight and Chancellor; for the
Elector of Bavaria, Monsieur John Adolph Krebs, Privy Counsellor; for the
Elector of Brandenburg, Monsieur John Count of Sain and Witgenstein, Lord
of Homburg and Vallendar, Privy Counsellor. ...