Folio 142. Puncta', i.e. set of five questions put by the delegates of the six 'upper'...

Folio 142. Puncta', i.e. set of five questions put by the delegates of the six 'upper' circles in Frankfurt assembled to the [council] of the city of Frankfurt, to which questions a 'resolution', i.e. a reply in writing is requested. 1. Whether they have been madeaware of the danger threatening the territories situate on and near the Rhine by an early French assault on them, the enemy forces estimated to be 112,000 men? 2. Whether they are aware of the importance attached by the estates of the circles to the preservation of their city whose own forces are inadequate to meet an attack or stand a siege? 3. Have they duly considered the well-meaning proposition to receive troops from neighbouring territories, sufficient to defend their fortifications in the event of a siege? 4. Will they follow the example of other capital and imperial cities who have, though not without some initial reluctance, acceded to the assistance of extraneous troops? 5. It was noted that the city was not represented at the convention of the circle of Upper Rhine of which she is a member though she was formally invited and the convention met at her city hall; this showed little respect for the writ office; if this attitude has its cause in the rôle adopted by the Protestant estates towards the [Catholic] directorate of the circle, they ought to remember that that matter cannot immediately be conclusively discussed since it concerns the whole empire; as, however, the constitutional work of the circle brooks of no delay, will they now do as other Protestant estates have done and take their part in urgent deliberations and decisions.

Date and Place: 1697 no date [?Jan (At any rate before the recess of Jan 13/23)]; Frankfurt