A letter written by the Prince Elector of Brandenbourgh unto the King of France, declaring the reasons inducing his Electoral Highnes to take up arms against the King of Sweden. Translated out of the Latine coppies.

A LETTER VVritten by the PRINCE ELECTOR of BRANDENBURGH, Unto the King of FRANCE: Declaring the Reasons inducing his Electoral High∣ness to take up Arms against the King of Sweden.

Translated out of the Latine Coppie.

Most Serene and Potent King, our Lord Cousen, and most honoured Kinsman.

IT cannot choose but be known unto your Majestie, as chief Mediator, what labour and pains hath been im∣ployed to compass the Peace and Friendship, betwixt the Kings of Swed••n, and Denmark, and to beget a repose and Tranquility in the Provinces of Denmark, and those other his Territories which are situated in the Roman Empire. So likewise the other Mediators, as well as your Majestie, and e∣very body else, did conceive, That by the said Peace, the King and Kingdome of Sweden, were sufficiently provided for: whose Power was not onely thereby greatly augmented, but Denmark was there∣by so streightned, and bound up, as that none, no not the Swedes, needed to have dreaded the attempts of a Kingdome, which was in a manner Rent asunder, and to perpetuity blocked up within it self: Especially when as the King of Denmark, had entirely fulfilled the

Conditions which were agreed on; though to his own, his King∣domes, and his Successors great Prejudice; And moreover (by way of Constraint) did grant unto the Swedes severall other most consi∣derable things, according to their own good Likeings, and in con∣formity to their prescriptions; relying on the hopes, that the Publike Faith given by the Swedes, confirmed by such sufficient Securityes, and by the Religious promises of a King, and a Christian, would have been performed.

But even as many others, so also this good King, and his people were sufferers, during the Swedish Publike Faith and Peace; For as they have often, and yet do complain, the Swedish Forces op∣pressed them as much if not more, both in Denmark and Holstein, since the War was appeased, as during the greatest Violence of the same. And as if they heeded not at all the breach thereof, they neither observed Peace, nor agreement: although it could hardly have been immagined that the Swedish Impiety would have transported them to what they have done; and whereat doubtlesse both your Majestie, and all Christian Potentates, as well as our selves, will be amazed.

Since it hath been reported by the King of Denmark's Ministers; That by an unheard of example, amongst Christians, there was a Con∣spiracy hatch't against the most Serene King of Denmark, his Children, Kingdomes, Provinces, and even against those of his Territores, which are sittuated in the Roman Empire; as also against the Liberty and Lives, and Fortunes, of his Innocent Subjects, who being in a peace∣able and quiet manner of living, not apprehending any such matter, should under the Pretence of Friendship and Brotherly love, have bin all put to the Sword: or excluding the King & his posterity, out of his Kingdom and Provinces, & out of his territoryes situated in the Roman Empire, to carry him and his progenie away into Capti∣vitye, and to have reduced his subjects under a perpetuall servitude; Contrary to the late peace concluded on, and performed by the King of Denmark; Contrary to the Publike Faith given: Contrary to the Honour and Reputation of the most powerfull Mediators: and finally contrary to all Laws both Divine, and Humane; And

that on the same day when as this Conspiracy brake forth unex∣pectedly, The King of Sweden himself did in a Hostile way, not only fall into the Island of Sealand, and assailed the King of Denmark in Coppenhaghen, his Chief Cittye, and place of Residence; But by his hostile Armed Forces, did invade and assault the provinces of the Roman Empire, which are comprised in the Westphalian treaty of Peace, Contrary unto the same, and contrary to the last Peace between Sweden and Denmark, Continuing to Exercise the same Hostilities and far greater, and thereby to infringe the Publike Peace.

Which pernitious change of affaires, when we maturely considered, and also with anxiety Pondered, by what meanes the Publike, and our own security might be best Provided for, during this so great a breach of the Publike Faith. We en∣countred with so many and weighty Considerations, as we thereby clerely perceived, that most eminent and suddain ensuing dangers threatned both our Neighbours, and our selves, unlesse they were timely prevented, by serious Consultations, and that by the Almighties assistance, that ambition were bound, which till this present, had freely and unhindered, usurped and dominered o∣ver it's Neighbours-heads, and Fortunes, as it's self pleased: And that in the first place, the Kingdome of Denmark might be freed from those unjust oppressions, so that at length, peace, and quietnesse, might be restored unto it, and to it's Neighbours.

And whereas till this present time, those endeavors which have been used with the King of Sweden, towards the Mediating of a peace, were so little regarded, although urged and promoted by all posible industry, and means, as that they have allwaies proved fruitlesse, but especially when as he seemed to perswade others to peace. Besides which he hath most unworthily, and undeservedly Threatned us in a Hostile way: And hath now also infringed the Peace with Den∣mark, which was but lately so religiously, and solemly concluded; Insomuch as that there being no more hopes left for an agree∣ment, and an upright Peace. We could therefore no longer de∣ferr that whereunto we are obliged, both to the Common, and our own cause, unlesse we would render our selves accessory, that

our Neighbours being overcome, and subdued, our selves might also deservedly be overrun.

And therefore we have been constrained to put our selves into a posture, and Equipage, towards the Compassing of no lesse glori∣ous, and righteous atchievements, according to the Laws and Di∣ctates of God, and of all Nations.

And whereas your Majesties honour, and Kingly dignity, is also highly engaged, to cause those things to be Religiously observed and inviolably performed, which as it were upon our suretyship were Publikly concluded, and agreeded on; And that betwixt your Ma∣jestie and our self, there hath been hetherto an entire and upright Friendship maintained: that we are equally engaged to each other by the alliance betwixt us; We counted it a part of our Duty, Sum∣marily, to declare unto your Majestie, as far as the bounds of an E∣pistle will permit us, the reasons which have induced us to under∣take this defensive Expedition.

Because we were deserted in Porussia and Poland, by the King of Sweden, contrary to the agreements, engagements, and reall pro∣mises, and left to the discretion of our then enemies, as all the world and your Majestie doth know: notwithstanding which, we persisted in our Friendly affection, continued and observed the Peace hindered Enmityes, urged and promoted the Treatyes of peace, which Poland proffered on reasonable conditions, and finally, did send our Am∣bassadors to procure, and settle peace, but all in Vaine.

Because our Ambassadors, were indeed well received in the Kings Name; But to our disgrace, were treated withall in a new and un∣heard of Manner, were refused audience, and without cause given or shown (and therefore unjustly) they Proclaimed, and declared us en∣nemies.

Because the King of Sweden, had made a Peace with the King of Denmark; Had received the satisfaction which was agreed on, ap∣propriated unto himself the Titles of the Provinces which he had so ac∣quired, Injoyed, and made use of them, and did Publikely professe himself to be his Friend, and allye; and though he retained the satisfaction, yet he performed not the agreements, and having framed a Conspiracy, he Broek

the said Peace, and beyond all expectation, especially, under the pretence of Friendship (whereas they dream't of no such thing) he caused them to be kild, and led away Captives.

Whereas therefore the Common tye of Society, and Christianity doth oblige and constrain all and every one, towards the assisting, re∣leiving, and defending, of the unjustly oppressed, not doubting but this so hainous Premeditated a conspiracy, will move all good Kings & Princes: but especially your Majestie; so likewise have we several others reasons, motives inducing and enforcing us, to the present undertaking.

For besides the constant & sincere, reall friendship betwixt the King of Denmark and our Electorall house, & that both fami••ies are allyed to each other by a straihter tye of Consanguinity, so likewise both the King of Denmark & the states Provintiall of the Territories of Holstein, have in this their extremity, & unjust oppression, required & deman∣ded of us, that lawfull defensive help, which they might justly expect.

Moreover as concerning Holstein, the Westphalian Peace of the Em∣pire, and the other Germain statutes, and decrees, do command us to be in a readiness whether we be called upon or no, Contrary whereunto Holstein being a Province of the Empire, is troubled, oppressed wasted and as∣sayled, by an unjust and premeditated power and force.

Finally, the succession of the best part of the said Territories, be∣ing designed for, and acquired by our Predecessors, and our selves, and to be left to our successors, which if we should wilfully permit to be alienated, and cut off from our selves, or from the Roman Em∣pire, (of which we are not the least member) and should not opose all our strength, and might against the same; We should greatly fail in what we owe to our selves, and to our Posterity, and might be ac∣cused by the Roman Empire, to have neglected our duties, nor should we perform those things which behoove an Elector & a Prince of Ger∣many, in the behalf of his Country.

Therefore, since there is no hopes left, save in the taking up of arms, we have prepared a defensive force against him, who wilfully hath declared himself to be our Enemy: who only waits an occasion to over-run us, and our Provinces: who hath religi∣ously entred upon Treatyes and Agreements, but hath deserted

his Allyes and Abetters, against all equity, and hath exposed them to the mercy of their Enemies, who solemnly made a peace, and reaped great benefit thereby; but retaining the profits thereof, most rashly brake the same again: who most unjustly oppresseth his Neighbouring Kings, and Princes: who engaged his Publick Faith, but as publickly infringed the same again; who by no means desires peace, who is an Incendiary, and Fomenter of all Wars, and Troubles among Christians: and who therefore de∣serves the wrath and curse of Christendom.

As therefore these forces are raised by us, on a just and legal cause, not intending so much as to move an Arm, or a Foot, to in∣trench upon the Rights of others; But chiefly, to relieve those who are unjustly oppressed, to restore the disturbed and infringed Peace and Tranquility, unto its former splendor again, and thereby to in∣duce the King of Sweden, the sooner to hasten and promote the same. So we do most assuredly and earnestly hope and believe, that by the Almightyes assistance, and the piety, love, faith, and justice of the cause, as also by the assistance of all Christian Kings, Princes, and Common-wealths, but especially by your Majesties (who by a suc∣cessive and particular due beareth the Title of the most Christian and Equitable King) this design will be seconded: remaining also con∣fident that your Majesty will joyn with us herein; that all the Mer∣chants, and Negotiants, throughout the whole world, may not, by the Swedes, attaining to the absolute Dominion of the Baltick Seas, be made Tributaryes, and enforced to pay Taxes, & Impositions, unto them to all perpetuity. To the great prejudice, and damage of all other Kingdomes.

Herewith we recommend your Majesty to the Almighty's Pro∣tection, wishing you all happiness and prosperity in your underta∣kings.

Given in our Castle at Collen on the Spree, on the seventeenth day of September, 1658.

FINIS.