The acts and negotiations, together with the particular articles at large of the general peace, concluded at Ryswick, by the most illustrious confederates with the French king to which is premised, the negotiations and articles of the peace, concluded at Turin, between the same prince and the Duke of Savoy / translated from the original publish'd at the Hague.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Savoy's Letter to the Pope, concerning the Peace of Italy.

Most Holy Father,

I Cannot but think my self oblig'd to acquaint your Holiness (who always vouchsafed to be so kindly concern'd for the Welfare of my Fami∣ly) with the first News of the Offers that have been made me by Mareschal de Catinat, in order to establish a Neutrality in Italy. This humble Letter is to let your Holiness understand that Count Gubernati, my Resident at Rome, will declare to your Holiness the Particulars of this Affair by Word of Mouth. The Substance whereof Con∣sists in the Restitution of all that has been taken from me during this War, and even of Pignerol it

self, whose Fortifications are to be demolished, the Importance of which Place your Holiness is well acquainted with. A Marriage is al∣so proposed between the Princess, my Daughter, and the Duke of Burgundy, to be consummated when they are of Age, and in the mean time she is to be received and conducted into France, where the King assigns her a Dowry, and gives her a Portion without putting me to the least Charges, besides many other Advantages, (which I need not here mention) on Condition that I shall concur to settle a Neutrality in Italy. But if the House of Austria should delay giving their Consent to it, af∣ter being thereunto exhorted by your Holiness and the Republick of Venice; in such case, I am to joyn my Forces to those of France, in order to make them comply. Having made serious Re∣flections on this Matter, and thinking that the House of Austria can have no Intentions to force me to reject these advantagious Offers made me by France, I have taken a Resolution to let the Principals of the Confederacy know that I cannot possibly let slip this present favourable Opportuni∣ty of recovering Pignerol; neither can I think it proper to commit a Matter of so great Importance to the House of Austria, to all Italy, and to my self, to the uncertain Event of War and Futurity. It is to this purpose that I intend to write to the Al∣lies, especially to the Emperor and to his Catho∣lick Majesty, earnestly intreating them not to be against a Proposal that is of such Advantage to them as well as to me. The Assurance I have that your Holiness does extreamly wish for such a Neu∣trality, has not a little contributed to determine me so much in its Favour. It is also that which makes me most humbly and earnestly to beg of

your Holiness, that you will please to give Orders to your Nuncio's at Vienna and Madrid, to second your Fatherly Offices by their vigorous Sollicitati∣ons for obtaining the speedy Consent of those Crowns for a Neutrality in Italy, which would be a welcome Fore runner to acquaint the World with the so much long'd-for Tidings of an ap∣proaching Peace, whereof Christendom stands so much in need. I wait impatiently for this Favour from your Holiness's Bounty. As soon as your Holiness's Orders are come to my Hands by this Courier, I will forthwith send Dispatches to the aforesaid Courts. In the mean time I continue to implore the favourable Influences of the Paternal Protection of your Holiness, to whom I wish a long Life, accompanied with all manner of Pro∣sperity, and I do also in a most humble manner kiss your Holiness's most Holy Feet, as being

Turin, July 16. 1696

Tour Holiness's Most Humble and Most Affectionate Son and Servant Victor Amadeus.