Treaty of Alliance among Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Swedenall attacks, infults, and oppreffions of the enemy whatfoever ; fo
that, as foon as any one of the confederates is molefted, the
other two fhall haften to his defence, according to the condi-
tions of the treaty already entered into with him, and to the ftip-
ulations of the prefent league: and if the fuccours promifed by
thefe treaties be not fufficient, all the neceffary forces that can
be raifed, fhall be employed in the defence of him who fhall be
injured, and for procuring him due fatisfaction.
V. And becaufe the abovementioned confederates are of
opinion, that the fecurity of their kingdoms, ftates, provinces,
jurifdictions and territories, depends, in a great meafure, on
the prefervafion of a general peace among the chriftian princes
; and forafmuch as it highly concerns them, that their king-
doms, ftates and provinces, be not difturbed in a tract of time,
by oppreffions and attacks from any other powers, and that
they be not involved with them in war, they have therefore
promifed one another, and do by thefe prefents promife each
other, that they will defend and ftand by the particular treaties
following, viz.
VI. The treaties of Ofnabrug and Munfter, Anno 1648 ; the
treaties of Nimeguen, Anno 1678, and 1679; as alfo the treaty of
peace between the Emperor and Empire, and the kingdom of
France, concluded at Ryfwicke, the 20th day of October, Anno
1697, as far as the fame does not differ from the treaties of peace
at Ofnabrug, Munfter and Nimeguen.
VII. As alfo the treaties of peace concluded at Ryfwicke, the
20th of September, 1697, between the king of Great Britain, the
king of France, and the lords the States General of the United
Netherlands.
VIII. And that the faid engagement or guaranty may have its
full efficacy and effect, the aforefaid contracting parties fhall ufe
all their endeavours, that the covenants mentioned in the for-
mer articles may remain entire and inviolable ; and if they hap-
pen to be infringed or violated in any manner whatfoever, they
fhall endeavour, by amicable ways and means, feparately and
jointly, to obtain reparation of the violation and infringement
of the faid treaties of peace. But if thefe endeavours and offices
prove fruitlefs, or if a war fhould be excited before the parties
can be reconciled, each of the confederates fhall furnifh 6000
foldiers for performing the faid engagement or guaranty, and
for obtaining reparation of the violation and infringement of
the faid treaties of peace, as foon as they fhall be required by any
one of the confederates, or as foon as it fhall be thought necef-
fary, till the violations and infringements committed are
repaired, and the peace is reftored.
IX. Provided neverthelefs, that the faid 6000 foldiers fhall not
be required as fuccour by any of the confederates any more than
once ; fo that if they be fent to one of the allies by virtue of this
common league, no more are to be fent ; but the confederates
fhall agree among themfelves, about the place where they are
moft neceffary.
X. That if any of the confederates, upon an exigency, fhall
furnifh another with the fuccours ftipulated by private
conventions, either in whole or in part, then he fhall not be
obliged to give fuccours to the faid confederate, by virtue of this
common league ; unlefs the furplus which remains over and
above the number of fuccours ftipulated by the common
league, exceeds the number determined by the private treaty.
XI. But if it fhall happen, that thefe fuccours are not fuffi-
cient to eftablifh peace, or if the aforefaid confederates, or any
one of them, be involved in a war, in that cafe the confederates
fhall treat with one another for increafing the fuccours, accord-
ing to the contents of the fourth article of this treaty.
XII. The confederates alfo bind themfelves, that they will not
furnifh fuccours, or give affiftance to the enemies of him or
them who fhall be involved in war ; but, on the contrary, that
they will make it their bufinefs to weaken the enemy’s forces :
and to this end the allies fhall confult together, for prohibiting
commerce with the enemies of fuch confederate or confed-
erates ; or how fuch enemies may be weakened, and how all
approach of their forces may be prevented.
XIII. In cafe that the fuccours abovementioned are to be fent
to a certain place, the confederates fhall unite their endeavours
to render the paffage of the foldiers fafe and eafy ; and to this
end they fhall ufe their beft offices with the princes whofe coun-
tries they are to pafs through.
XIV. The faid auxiliary forces, fent as is already faid, fhall be
under command of the general of the confederate who is
required to fend them, and fhall alfo remain united in one and
the fame body, as long as the nature of the war will admit of it ;
but the faid general fhall be obliged to obey the chief com-
manding officer, or general of the confederate that requires
them.
XV. Thofe confederates who happen to be involved in war,
fhall fincerely and faithfully communicate to one another, every
thing that is done, and undertake no negotiation, nor make any
truce or peace, without mutual confent.
XVI. They fhall likewife confer about all matters with that
confederate who happens not to be engaged in war, and fhall
alfo comprehend him in the future treaty of peace ; and, in the
mean time, they fhall confer with him, in what manner the fuc-
cours fent may be made moft effectual.
XVII. It fhall be lawful for other kings, princes, and ftates, to
accede to the prefent treaty, as far as their acceffion may, by the
joint opinion of the confederates, be thought conducive to pro-
mote, and affert the public tranquility.
XVIII. This league fhall continue 18 years, and the ratifica-
tions fhall be exchanged at the Hague in two or three months,
or fooner, if poffible.
In witnefs whereof, we the plenipotentiaries abovenamed,
have figned and fealed the prefent treaty, of which fix inftru-
ments are drawn, viz. I Nicholas, free baron de Lillienroot, for
the king of Sweden, at the Hague, January , 1700 ; I Jofeph
Williamfon, for the king of Great Britain, at London, January ,
1700; and we the deputies of the Lords the States General for
their High Mightineffes, at the Hague, January^1323.(^2030)
(^1323)