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Most Dear, Great Friends, Allies, and Confederates,
You will easily judge, after all that we have done toward the Facilitating of a Peace, that we were very well satisfied to understand by
your Letter, that before the time which we had agreed to allow for a Cessation of Arms, you had sent instructions to your Plenipotentiary Ambassa∣dor at Nemiguen, to Sign the Treaty of Peace be∣fore the end of this month. And by the assurance which you give us, that at the same time those of the Catholick King will accept of it, we see your inclinations are well disposed toward the general quiet of Europe. We Promise our selves likewise that it cannot be long retarded by those of your Allies, that hitherto, notwithstanding all the good Offices which you have done towards it, re∣fuse to joyn with you in the procuring so great a good and so universally desired. In the mean time as the Peace, which we doubt not but will immedi∣ately be concluded with you at Nimeguen, since we have your word for it, puts us into a condition of rendring you our entire affection, of which we take delight in letting you feel the effects, we are willing at your desire from hence forward to surcease all acts of hostility to the Low Countreys, and whatever obstruction our Men of War, or Privateers may give to your Commerce. Common usage would re∣quire, that things should continue in the same posture they now are, till the Peace were fully con∣summated by exchange of the Ratifications and publication of Treaties: but without staying till they, that are now to be Signed betwixt our Plenipotentiaries Ambassadors at Nimeguen, those of the Catholick King and yours, shall be come to our hands; out of our respect to you, we will send or∣der immediately to the Duke of Luxemburg, to retire our Army from about Brussells into that part of the Country, that is now under our subjection. We will charge him to concert upon this subject
with the Duke De Villa Hermosa, and even with your Envoy there, and to settle some regulation for those Officers to be under, that shall command the Troops which we are obliged to leave about Mons, and on what manner they may continue without any acts of hostility on either side, but in a good understanding, and so as the country may be open, till the Ratifications are exchanged with Spain. Having thus quieted all things at Land, we are willing at your instance to do the same by Sea. The Treaty which Our Ambassadors must Sign with Yours, will ascertain the Places and Times, within which what ever shall be taken on either side, shall be deemed lawful Prize. But for the present security of such Vessels as shall Sail out of your Ports, whether for Trade, or Fishing, we think good to send a competent number of Pass∣ports to our Ambassadors at Nimeguen, whom we will order to deliver them to Yours, as there shall be occasion. They shall do the same to the Am∣bassador of Spain. But upon this condition, that when the Ambassador of the Catholick King and your Ambassador shall receive them, they shall be obliged at the same time to put into my Ambassa∣dors hands such quantities of Passports as they shall demand of them. We are well satisfied in not suf∣fering more tedious forms, though ordinarily ob∣served in Treaties of Peace, to impair the benefit that ought to accrew to your people by this, and in letting them tast the sweetness of Peace from this very time, and in procuring the same ease to those of the Catholick King, for your Sakes. You may see by this new testimony of our Friendship, that we retain the same good disposition towards your Com∣mon-Wealth, which our Predecessors have had, who
did so much toward the Raising of it, and which we hope will help to render it more happy and flourishing for the future. We pray God to take you, Most Dear, Great Friends, Allies and Confe∣derates, into his Holy Protection. Written at St. Germain in Laye, the 30th of June, 1678.
Your Good Friend, Allie, and Confederate, LOUIS.
Underneath was Signed, Arnauld.