A collection of all the acts, memorials & letters, that pass'd in the negotiation of the peace with the treaties concluded at Nimeguen / translated from the French copy, printed at Paris with privilege ; The articles of peace between the Emperor and the French King, and those between the Emperor and the King of Sweden, translated from the Latin copy, printed at Nimeguen.

A Memorial of the Deputies Extra∣ordinary, of the States General, &c. to the Duke de Villa Hermosa, &c. of the 14th of May.

THE Lords, the States General of the United Provinces, having seen and perused your Ex∣cellencie's Answer to the Memorial, that we, their under-written Deputies Extraordinary, presented the 8th of this Moneth, could have wished, That your Excellence had not only considered the Condi∣tions offered by the King of France, as they are in themselves, but had also made reflexion upon the

present state of Affairs, and considered, that the King of France, being become Master of all the Frontier Towns of his Catholick Majestie's Nether∣lands, was entred into the heart of them, and had made himself Master even of the Town of Gand, be∣ing very strong in the Field, and at the Head of a very formidable Army, ready for any enterprize, and in the greatest appearance in the world of suc∣ceeding and conquering where he will: Whereas the Troops of the Allies, not being yet come toge∣ther, much less in a condition to make Head against him, and oppose his designs. Hence it is, that their Hi. and Mi. apprehend with great reason, that what remains to the King of Spain in the Low-Countries, will infallibly be lost, if it be not saved, by accept∣ing the Conditions of Peace that are offered; and it would be a thing very sensible to their Hi. and Mi. if what his Catholick Majesty has yet left in the Low-Countries, should be so lost, after such infi∣nite expences, and so much blood spilt, for their preservation. Your Excellence knows but too well, by what has lately happened, what Account one has to make of the Troops of the Confederates, upon occasion. The Assistance which is expected from his Majesty of Great Britain, is very considerable, and will be of great support to our Party; but it deserves your Excellencie's consideration, that those Troops are but newly raised, and that it will require some time to enure them to the War, that as yet there are but few of them in these Parts, and we are uncertain when the rest will come; whereas on the other side, every moment is precious, and great misfortunes may happen in a short space. And moreover, the States, as they have made it to be declared to your Excellence, are not in a condition

to carry on the War, in such manner, and with so much vigor, as they have done hitherto, seeing their Treasures are exhausted, and their People not able to contribute so much any longer.

As the Lords, the States General, will always acknowledge to have received, in the beginning of this War, very important and useful Succours from his Catholick Majesty, so they hope, your Excel∣lence will do them the justice to confess, that they have not been wanting in the sequel of it, to testifie their acknowledgment, by using their endeavours, and being at extraordinary charges to assist this Country; and at least that it is not to be imputed to them, that the King of France has made so great a progress, and that he will not make Peace, but upon such disadvantagious Conditions, as whereby the Country will indeed be much weakned, and hardly able to maintain necessary Troops for its de∣fence; but on the other hand, the Places will not be so dis-joyn'd, nor the Country so divided, as it was before the War, which will make it easier to be kept and preserved. These Defects may likewise be supplyed by Alliances, and a little time may do much toward a redress of Affairs, and making the King's Subjects, and particularly those of the Uni∣ted Provinces, capable of assisting one another; who at present are in so lamentable a condition, and so utterly unable, that they cannot be obliged to a continuance of the extraordinary charges, without great hazard, and without exposing them to the ut∣most extremity, and finding our selves reduced to a necessity, either of accommodating with the Enemy, whether we will or no, or of lying down under the burden. To which they do not think your Excel∣lence will be of opinion, That they stand obliged by

those Treaties, that had no other end, than the good of the Allies, and the safety of their People. The said Lords, the States General, have also thought fit, to have it represented to your Excellence, That being informed, That the Ambassadors and Plenipo∣tentiaries of the King of France, would be authori∣zed to conclude upon a Truce, to the very last Day of December next; they have Ordered their Pleni∣potentiaries at Nimeguen to discourse it with them, and see whether they would make one for six Weeks, or three Months at most: Hoping, that if it can be obtain'd, your Excellence will not be dis∣pleased with it, but agree to it, for such Reasons as have been alledged to your Excellence, by word of mouth, and as your Excellence may consider with your self.

Delivered this 14th of May, 1678.

Jacob Boreel.

De Weede.