1698.] PEACE OF RYSWICK. 423 



Our Faithful and Beloved, — The moment lias arrived 

 ordained by Heaven to reconcile the nations. The ratification of 

 the treaty concluded some time ago by our ambassadors with 

 those of the Emperor and the Empire, after having made peace 

 with Spain, England, and Holland, has everywhere restored 

 the tranquillity so much desired. Strasbourg, one of the chief 

 ramparts of the empire of heresy, united for ever to the Church 

 and to our Crown ; the Rhine established as the barrier between 

 France and Germany ; and, what touches us even more, the 

 worship of the True Faith authorized by a solemn engagement 

 with sovereigns of another religion, are the advantages secured 

 by this last treaty. The Author of so many blessings manifests 

 Himself so clearly that we cannot but recognize His goodness ; 

 and the visible impress of His all-powerful hand is as it were 

 the seal He has affixed to justify our intent to cause all our 

 realm to serve and obey Him, and to make our people happy. 

 We have begun by the fulfilment of our duty in offering Him 

 the thanks which are His due ; and we have ordered the arch- 

 bishops and bishops of our kingdom to cause Te Deiwi to be 

 sung in the cathedrals of their dioceses. It is our will and our 

 command that you be present at that which will be sung in the 

 cathedral of our city of Quebec, on the day appointed by the 

 Count of Frontenac, our governor and lieutenant-general in 

 New France. Herein fail not, for such is our pleasure. 



Louis. 1 



There was peace between the two crowns ; but 

 a serious question still remained between Frontenac 

 and the new governor of New York, the Earl of 

 Bellomont. When Schuyler and Dellius came to 

 Quebec, they brought with them all the French 

 prisoners in the hands of the English of New York, 

 together with a promise from Bellomont that he 

 would order the Iroquois, subjects of the British 

 crown, to deliver to him all those in their possession, 

 and that he would then send them to Canada under 



1 Lettre du Roy pour fair e chanter le Te Deum, 12 Mars, 1698. 



