A. D. 1648. ^03 



increared in fuch parts of Sweden as were not within the hmits of that 

 company's patent, which almoft ruined them. However, by frefti aids 

 they recovered again, and fo lately as the beginning of the eighteenth 

 century, their monopoly brought fome diftrefs upon this kingdom, 

 which in the end was produdtive of much good, as will appear under 

 the year 1703. 



The long and bloody wars between the houfe of Auftria on one fide, 

 and France and Sweden on the other fide, at length brought on the 

 famous treaty of Weftphalia. England had indeed no concern therein, 

 being too deeply engaged at home ; yet as this memorable pacification 

 confiderably afFedted all the other great potentates of Chriftendom. it 

 well deferves a due aniraadverfion in this work, as far as more imme- 

 diately relates to our fubjedl. 



I) In the German empire France obtained a confiderable accefllon 

 of dominion. Sweden got a great part of Pomerania, with the arch- 

 bifhopric of Bremen, now fecularized and converted into a dukedom, 

 and alfo the bifhopric fince called the principality of Verden : the 

 duke of Bavaria gained all the upper palatinate, and was made an elec- 

 tor of the empire. 



II) Spain, growing continually more feeble, by this treaty found her- 

 felf obliged to conclude a iolid and perpetual peace with the ftates-general 

 of the feven United provinces of the Netherlands, by renouncing all for- 

 mer claims and pretenfions, and acknowleging them to be free and inde- 

 pendent fovereigns. And indeed if the Spaniards had good reafons for 

 agreeing to this peace with the Dutch, as it was commonly believed 

 that their war with them had coll no lefs than 1,500,000,000 of 

 ducats, the Dutch on the other hand had ground to be equally pleafed 

 therewith, not only for the immediate advantage and honour thereby 

 redounding to them, but likewife becaufe they now began too plainly 

 to perceive the fcale of France to preponderate ; and that, if Spain (hould 

 be reduced too low, France might become (as Las fince been often ex- 

 perienced) a very dangerous neighbour to them, by robbing Spain of 

 many of the nobleil: and ftrongell towns of her Netherlands. 



III) This treaty adjufted the fecurity of the trade and navigation to 

 both the Eaft and Weft Indies. The rule of uti pojfidetis being now to 

 take place between Spain and Holland, not only in both the Indies, but 

 alfo (with refped to Holland and Portugal) in Brafil, and on the weft 

 coaft of Africa, as far as Spain had any claims. Spain was moreover 

 hereby to keep her navigation to the Eaft-Indies in the lame manner 

 they then held it, without being at liberty to extend it farther *. Nei- 



* Spain's only communication with the Eaft- Tin's condition was iherifor prud.-ntly ftipiilattd 

 Indies, then and ever Cnce, vtos from New Spafn. by the Dutch, yf. 



Vol. II. 3 I 



