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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. ...
... Since the Arrest the Emperor has formerly caus’d
to be made in the Provincial Assembly, against the moveable Effects of
the Prince Elector of Treves, which were transported into the Dutchy of
Luxemburg, tho releas’d and abolish’d, yet at the instance of some has
been renew’d; to which has been added a Sequestration, which the said Assembly
has made of the Jurisdiction of Burch, belonging to the Archbishoprick,
and of the Moiety of the Lordship of St. John, belonging to John Reinbard
of Soeteren, which is contrary to the Concordat’s drawn up at Ausburg in
the year 1548 by the publick interposition of the Empire, between the Elector
of Treves, and the Dutchy of Burgundy: It has been agreed, that the abovesaid
Arrest and Sequestration shall be taken away with all speed from the Assembly
of Luxemburg, that the said Jurisdiction, Lordship, and Electoral and Patrimonial
Effects, with the sequestred Revenues, shall be releas’d and restor’d to
the Elector; and if by accident some things should be Imbezel’d, they shall
be fully restor’d to him; the Petitioners being refer’d, for the obtaining
a determination of their Rights, to the Judge of the Prince Elector, who
is competent in the Empire. ...
... Since the Arrest the Emperor has formerly caus’d
to be made in the Provincial Assembly, against the moveable Effects of
the Prince Elector of Treves, which were transported into the Dutchy of
Luxemburg, tho releas’d and abolish’d, yet at the instance of some has
been renew’d; to which has been added a Sequestration, which the said Assembly
has made of the Jurisdiction of Burch, belonging to the Archbishoprick,
and of the Moiety of the Lordship of St. John, belonging to John Reinbard
of Soeteren, which is contrary to the Concordat’s drawn up at Ausburg in
the year 1548 by the publick interposition of the Empire, between the Elector
of Treves, and the Dutchy of Burgundy: It has been agreed, that the abovesaid
Arrest and Sequestration shall be taken away with all speed from the Assembly
of Luxemburg, that the said Jurisdiction, Lordship, and Electoral and Patrimonial
Effects, with the sequestred Revenues, shall be releas’d and restor’d to
the Elector; and if by accident some things should be Imbezel’d, they shall
be fully restor’d to him; the Petitioners being refer’d, for the obtaining
a determination of their Rights, to the Judge of the Prince Elector, who
is competent in the Empire. ...
... Since the Arrest the Emperor has formerly caus’d
to be made in the Provincial Assembly, against the moveable Effects of
the Prince Elector of Treves, which were transported into the Dutchy of
Luxemburg, tho releas’d and abolish’d, yet at the instance of some has
been renew’d; to which has been added a Sequestration, which the said Assembly
has made of the Jurisdiction of Burch, belonging to the Archbishoprick,
and of the Moiety of the Lordship of St. John, belonging to John Reinbard
of Soeteren, which is contrary to the Concordat’s drawn up at Ausburg in
the year 1548 by the publick interposition of the Empire, between the Elector
of Treves, and the Dutchy of Burgundy: It has been agreed, that the abovesaid
Arrest and Sequestration shall be taken away with all speed from the Assembly
of Luxemburg, that the said Jurisdiction, Lordship, and Electoral and Patrimonial
Effects, with the sequestred Revenues, shall be releas’d and restor’d to
the Elector; and if by accident some things should be Imbezel’d, they shall
be fully restor’d to him; the Petitioners being refer’d, for the obtaining
a determination of their Rights, to the Judge of the Prince Elector, who
is competent in the Empire. ...
... Further, that all the Palatinate House, with all
and each of them, who are, or have in any manner adher’d to it; and above
all, the Ministers who have serv’d in this Assembly, or have formerly serv’d
this House; as also all those who are banish’d out of the Palatinate, shall
enjoy the general Amnesty here above promis’d, with the same Rights as
those who are comprehended therein, or of whom a more particular and ampler
mention has been made in the Article of Grievance. ...
... And tho Madam the Landgravine has only demanded
Restitution and Reparation of the Arch-bishopricks of Mayence, Cologne,
Paderborn, Munster, and the Abby of Fulden; and has not insisted that any
besides should contribute any thing for this Purpose: nevertheless the
Assembly have thought fit, according to the Equity and Circumstances of
Affairs, that without prejudice to the Contents of the preceding Paragraph,
which begins, Conventum praterea est, &c. IT HAS BEEN FURTHER AGREED,
the other States also on this and the other side the Rhine, and who since
the first of March of this present Year, have paid Contributions to the
Hessians, shall bear their Proportion pro Rata of their preceding Contributions,
to make up the said Sum with the Arch-bishopricks, Bishopricks and Abby
above-named, and forward the Payments of the Garisons of the Cautionary
Towns. If any has suffer’d Damage by the delay of others, who are to pay
their share, the Officers or Soldiers of his Imperial Majesty, of the most
Christian King, and of the Landgravine of Hesse, shall not hinder the forcing
of those who have been tardy; and the Hessian Soldiers shall not pretend
to except any from this Constraint, to the prejudice of this Declaration,
but those who have duly paid their Proportion, shall thereby be freed from
all Charges. ...
... As to the Differences arisen between the Houses
of Hesse Cassel, and of Darmstadt, touching the Succession of Marburg;
since they have been adjusted at Cassel, the 14th of April, the preceding
Year, by the mutual Consent of the Interested Partys, it has been thought
good, that that Transaction, with all its Clauses, as concluded and sign’d
at Cassel by both Partys, should be intimated to this Assembly; and that
by virtue of this present Treaty, it shall be of the same force, as if
inserted word by word: and the same shall never be infring’d by the Partys,
nor any other whatsoever, under any pretence, either by Contract, Oath,
or otherways, but ought to be most exactly kept by all, tho perhaps some
of the Partys concern’d may refuse to confirm it. ...
... And as His Imperial Majesty, upon Complaints made
in the name of the City of Basle, and of all Switzerland, in the presence
of their Plenipotentiarys deputed to the present Assembly, touching some
Procedures and Executions proceeding from the Imperial Chamber against
the said City, and the other united Cantons of the Swiss Country, and their
Citizens and Subjects having demanded the Advice of the States of the Empire
and their Council; these have, by a Decree of the 14th of May of the last
Year, declared the said City of Basle, and the other Swiss-Cantons, to
be as it were in possession of their full Liberty and Exemption of the
Empire; so that they are no ways subject to the Judicatures, or Judgments
of the Empire, and it was thought convenient to insert the same in this
Treaty of Peace, and confirm it, and thereby to make void and annul all
such Procedures and Arrests given on this Account in what form soever. ...
... They shall enjoy without contradiction, the Right
of Suffrage in all Deliberations touching the Affairs of the Empire; but
above all, when the Business in hand shall be the making or interpreting
of Laws, the declaring of Wars, imposing of Taxes, levying or quartering
of Soldiers, erecting new Fortifications in the Territorys of the States,
or reinforcing the old Garisons; as also when a Peace of Alliance is to
be concluded, and treated about, or the like, none of these, or the like
things shall be acted for the future, without the Suffrage and Consent
of the Free Assembly of all the States of the Empire: Above all, it shall
be free perpetually to each of the States of the Empire, to make Alliances
with Strangers for their Preservation and Safety; provided, nevertheless,
such Alliances be not against the Emperor, and the Empire, nor against
the Publick Peace, and this Treaty, and without prejudice to the Oath by
which every one is bound to the Emperor and the Empire. ...