Treaty of Westphalia

I.

That there shall be a Christian and Universal Peace, and a perpetual,
true, and sincere Amity, between his Sacred Imperial Majesty, and his
most Christian Majesty; as also, between all and each of the Allies, and
Adherents of his said Imperial Majesty, the House of Austria, and its
Heirs, and Successors; but chiefly between the Electors, Princes, and
States of the Empire on the one side; and all and each of the Allies of
his said Christian Majesty, and all their Heirs and Successors, chiefly
between the most Serene Queen and Kingdom of Swedeland, the Electors
respectively, the Princes and States of the Empire, on the other part.
That this Peace and Amity be observ’d and cultivated with such a
Sincerity and Zeal, that each Party shall endeavour to procure the
Benefit, Honour and Advantage of the other; that thus on all sides they
may see this Peace and Friendship in the Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of
France flourish, by entertaining a good and faithful Neighbourhood.

II.

That there shall be on the one side and the other a perpetual Oblivion,
Amnesty, or Pardon of all that has been committed since the beginning of
these Troubles, in what place, or what manner soever the Hostilitys have
been practis’d, in such a manner, that no body, under any pretext
whatsoever, shall practice any Acts of Hostility, entertain any Enmity,
or cause any Trouble to each other; neither as to Persons, Effects and
Securitys, neither of themselves or by others, neither privately nor
openly, neither directly nor indirectly, neither under the colour of
Right, nor by the way of Deed, either within or without the extent of the
Empire, notwithstanding all Covenants made before to the contrary: That
they shall not act, or permit to be acted, any wrong or injury to any
whatsoever; but that all that has pass’d on the one side, and the other,
as well before as during the War, in Words, Writings, and Outrageous
Actions, in Violences, Hostilitys, Damages and Expences, without any
respect to Persons or Things, shall be entirely abolish’d in such a
manner that all that might be demanded of, or pretended to, by each other
on that behalf, shall be bury’d in eternal Oblivion.

III.

And that a reciprocal Amity between the Emperor, and the Most Christian
King, the Electors, Princes and States of the Empire, may be maintain’d
so much the more firm and sincere (to say nothing at present of the
Article of Security, which will be mention’d hereafter) the one shall
never assist the present or future Enemys of the other under any Title or
Pretence whatsoever, either with Arms, Money, Soldiers, or any sort of
Ammunition; nor no one, who is a Member of this Pacification, shall
suffer any Enemys Troops to retire thro’ or sojourn in his country .

IV.

That the Circle of Burgundy shall be and continue a Member of the Empire,
after the Disputes between France and Spain (comprehended in this Treaty)
shall be terminated. That nevertheless, neither the Emperor, nor any of
the States of the Empire, shall meddle with the Wars which are now on
foot between them. That if for the future any Dispute arises between
these two Kingdoms, the abovesaid reciprocal Obligation of not aiding
each others Enemys, shall always continue firm between the Empire and the
Kingdom of France, but yet so as that it shall be free for the States to
succour; without the bounds of the Empire, such or such Kingdoms, but
still according to the Constitutions of the Empire.

V.

That the Controversy touching Lorain shall be refer’d to Arbitrators
nominated by both sides, or it shall be terminated by a Treaty between
France and Spain, or by some other friendly means; and it shall be free
as well for the Emperor, as Electors, Princes and States of the Empire,
to aid and advance this Agreement by an amicable Interposition, and other
Offices of Pacification, without using the force of Arms.

VI.

According to this foundation of reciprocal Amity, and a general Amnesty,
all and every one of the Electors of the sacred Roman Empire, the Princes
and States (therein comprehending the Nobility, which depend immediately
on the Empire) their Vassals, Subjects, Citizens, Inhabitants (to whom on
the account of the Bohemian or German Troubles or Alliances, contracted
here and there, might have been done by the one Party or the other, any
Prejudice or Damage in any manner, or under what pretence soever, as well
in their Lordships, their fiefs, Underfiefs, Allodations, as in their
Dignitys, Immunitys, Rights and Privileges) shall be fully re-establish’d
on the one side and the other, in the Ecclesiastick or Laick State, which
they enjoy’d, or could lawfully enjoy, notwithstanding any Alterations,
which have been made in the mean time to the contrary.

VII.

If the Possessors of Estates, which are to be restor’d, think they have
lawful Exceptions, yet it shall not hinder the Restitution; which done,
their Reasons and Exceptions may be examin’d before competent Judges, who
are to determine the same.

VIII.

And tho by the precedent general Rule it may be easily judg’d who those
are, and how far the Restitution extends; nevertheless, it has been
thought fit to make a particular mention of the following Cases of
Importance, but yet so that those which are not in express Terms nam’d,
are not to be taken as if they were excluded or forgot.

Author: international

Mentioned in these Entries

Constitutions, Treaty of Westphalia, country.