Folio 180. Recess of the Electoral circle, or circle of the Lower Rhine, convened...

Folio 180. Recess of the Electoral circle, or circle of the Lower Rhine, convened by Francis Lothar prince Schönborn, elector and archbishop of Mayence for January 7 and attended by delegates of Mayence, Trèves, the elector palatine and the [Teutonic order] commandry of Coblenz. Being in the main, an act of accession to the main and collateral recesses of the six 'upper' circles of Jan 13/23, with certain modifications formulated in seven articles, concerning:- 1. Absent, or non-invited estates to be notified of conclusions without prejudice to their position; 2. all six circles to be represented at any forthcoming peace negotiations; 3. only those men that can be spared after adequate securing of forts and towns within the circle will be sent to join the combined circle forces for battle; 4. these forces are to serve under any commander-in-chief who might succeed margrave Louis William of Baden-Baden in the event of the latter's being unable to carry on, the clausula reservatoria of the main recess should be dropped; 5. the general regulations for victualling and foraging should be amended to make matters easier for soldier and farmer alike; 6. the calibre of muskets should be standardized, and it should be made possible to supply pieces of heavier field ordnance to the supreme command; 7. financial aid should be accorded to the unarmed estates by depositing certain sums with the 'operational' chests ('cassa'). [Inscribed cover page].

Date and Place: 1697 April 4 Frankfurt