Folio 76. Recess of the convention of the circle of Upper Rhine, summoned by Francis...

Folio 76. Recess of the convention of the circle of Upper Rhine, summoned by Francis Louis of Pfalz-Neuburg, count palatine, bishop of Breslaw and Worms and grand-master of the Teutonic Order [Later successively archbishop and elector of Trèves and Mayence] and John William, elector palatine, to Frankfurt for Nov 23, 1696 (see f.91), consisting of a programmatical preamble, fifteen articles, delegates' signatures and divers enclosures. Purpose of the assembly: to consider means to restore and reintegrate the circle, now dismembered and nearly ruined by the French Crown, to obtain satisfaction for losses and damages sustained by the estates affected, to seek assistance by joining the defence association of the adjoining circles, to remove the motives for spreading distrust between them and to prepare for peace based upon security; [delegates of] estates [presently] under enemy jurisdiction cannot be prevented from attending if able to be present but this will not prejudice the position of those who have to stay absent by force of circumstances. - Summary of articles: 1 & 2. Clarification of the position of the Protestant estates within the circle, i.e. elimination of difficulties arising from the condirectorium Evangelicum to which they regard themselves entitled by virtue of the instrument of the peace of Westphalia [1648] and other 'pragmatic sanctions'; since some of them have submitted reservations [Encl. Lit. C], it is unanimously resolved that at the forthcoming peace negotiations not only the circle be represented by fully instructed [Enc. 'Lit. D', probably a draft instruction, not copied here] pleni-potentiaries to safeguard their interests especially concerning re-integration and reparations to be made to the 'damnified' estates, but that the likely delegate, the elector's court chancellor [Francis Melchior] baron Wiser should be assisted by a diplomat of the Protestant confession, trusted by his co-religionists among the estates and the assignment go to M. de Savigny, councillor to the court of Nassau - Weilburg, who should have the rank and character of an envoy. 3. Drawing-up of a constitution of the circle, to remain in force during the war until a 'real' peace is secured, to maintain the safety of the circle and give reassurance to the estates. 4-6. The circle to raise and maintain a defence force of six regiments, i.e. four infantry, one cavalry and one of dragoons; the princes and other estates to contribute 200 'Roman months' ['Roman Month', Römermonat, was a month's campaign of a territorial contingent on the (matricular) assessment. Cf. Bennecke, l.c., 290] in accordance with the estimate of the 'Matricul'; in imposing prests upon the estates due regard is to be had to the non-attendance of several of them; the appointment of a circle commander is to be postponed until the next convention though the count of Nassau-Weylburg should be judged as the most experienced and efficient, yet he would during the campaign, and operationally, be under orders of the imperial commander-in-chief, margrave Louis William of Baden-Baden; in local matters connected with quarters, levies, recruitment and [subaltern] officers, the 'crayss general' would be under circle direction. 7-8. Concerning the miles perpetuus, i.e. the defence force to be maintained not merely in war but also in peace, to ward off sudden assaults from abroad as well as to combat internal strife and commotion, the present 'ruined' state of the circle does not allow raising 8,000 men; therefore, the circle has joined the Association whose main and collateral recesses of Jan 13/23 (see f.24) have been ratified. For the rest, the estates must maintain peace and tranquillity among themselves and keep good 'intelligence', disturbers to be proceeded against cunctis viribus. 10. Regarding the 'condirectorial' disputes referred to in art. 1, it is resolved to leave it for this time at the reservations lodged. 11. To lessen the injurious effects of marching through of troops, counter marches, stationing [of units] and putting up of rehabilitation quarters, the circle will conform to the measures to be taken by virtue of art. 15 of the main recess (see f.24) but issue further regulations by a special 'ordonnance'. 12. For financial and other, but not military, assistance, the circle is to turn to those of its estates that are able to give aid. 13. Estates trying to evade the obligations imposed upon them by the circle 'matricul' [i.e. prescribed contingent levy], such as Burg Friedberg, to be reminded of their liabilities. 14 & 15. Postponed for consideration at the next circle convention: amendments to implementing regulations [concerning constitutional law(s) of empire; rectification and re-integration of the empire 'matrikel'; 'dolliery' [i.e. value of 'Reichsthaler' or 'Rix-dollar' currency] and monetary system in accordance with the last recess of the imperial diet; presentation of assessors [in law] in pursuance of the last circle recess of 1655; estates interested in 'moderation' of the [circle] 'matrikel' to submit their complaints to the writ office; matters of precedence and procedure to be left unchanged for the time being. Follow signatures. Notandum: some houses of counts, i.e. Solms, Isenburg, Holberg and Leiningen, were each represented by several delegates; the 'pluralitas votorum' created thereby will be inconsequential; they will, at the next convention, have no more votes than they had legimately and of old.

Date and Place: 1697 Mar 1/11 Frankfurt