“ When we trusted the regency of our kingdoms of Spain to the Queen our dearest confort, that we might go and command our armies in the kingdoms and states of Italy, the Princess of Ursini redoubled her zeal and assiduity about her person, she has always assisted her with her care and her counsel, with equal prudence and affection, and in all times, and on all occasions, we have experienced the happy effects of so judicious, so faithful, and so valuble conduct. ”

“ We are sensible, as King, and as Father, how much it were to be desired that the general peace could have been concluded without a renunciation, which makes so great a change in our Royal House, and in the ancient order of succeeding to our crown; but we are yet more sensible how much it is our duty to secure speedily to our subjects a peace, which is so necessary for them. ”

“ All the Powers of Europe finding themselves almost ruined on account of the present wars, which have carried desolation to the frontiers, and into many other parts of the richest monarchies, and other dominions, it has been agreed, in the conferences and treaties of peace, which are negociating with Great Britain, to establish an equilibrium and political boundaries between the kingdoms, whereof the interests have been, and are still, the sad occasion of a bloody dispute ”

“ And we desiring on our side to concur towards the glorious end, which is proposed for re-establishing the public tranquillity, and for preventing the fears which the rights of our birth, or all others which might appertain unto us, might occasion, have resolved to make this relinquishment, this abdication, and this renunciation of all our rights, for ourselves, and in the name of all our successors and descendants ”

“ This great event does not hinder us from carrying our views beyond the time present, and when our succession appears the best established, we judge it to be equally the duty of a King, and of a Father, to declare for the future our will conformably to the sentiments which these two qualities inspire in us. ”

“ Wherefore, being persuaded that the King of Spain, our grandson, will always preserve for us, for our House, for the kingdom wherein he is born, the same tenderness, and the same sentiments whereof he has given us so many proofs, that his example, uniting his new subjects to ours, is going to form a perpetual amity, and the most perfect correspondence between them ”

“ ARTICLE XIII Whereas the Queen of Great Britain has continually pressed and insisted with the great earnestness, that all the inhabitants of the principality of Catalonia, of whatever state or condition they may be, should not only obtain a full and perpetual oblivion of all that was done in the late war, and enjoy the entire possession of all their estates and honours, but should also have their ancient privileges preserved safe and untouched ”

“ The King's Letters Patents of the Month of December, 1700 LEWIS, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre; to all present and to come, greeting. The prosperities which it has pleased God to heap upon us during the course of our reign, are so many motives to us to apply ourselves, not only for the time present, but also for the future, to the happiness and tranquillity of the people whereof Divine Providence has entrusted to us the government. ”

“ ARTICLE XXIV It has been thought good to comprehend in the present treaty, the most Serene Republic of Genoa, which, by a constant neutrality during the war, hath cultivated the ancient friendship with the crowns of Great Britain and Spain, that the benefit of this peace may be extended to every thing that concerns that republic, and the subjects thereof may in all things, and every where, fully enjoy the same liberty of commerce hereafter, as they enjoyed formerly, and during the life of Charles the Second Catholic King of Spain. ”

“ Our said sister caused it to be represented to us that without a formal and positive assurance upon this point, which alone could be the bond of peace, Europe would never be at rest; all the Powers which share the same being equally persuaded, that it was for their general interest, and for their common security, to continue a war, whereof no one could foresee the end, rather than to be exposed to behold the same Prince become one day master of two monarchies, so powerful as those of France and Spain. ”

“ But as it is however his will, that the Kings, whom he chuses to lead his people, should foresee afar off the events able to produce disorders, and the most bloody wars; that they should make use of the lights which his divine wisdom pours upon them; we fulfil his designs, when, in the midst of the universal rejoicings of our kingdom, we look upon as a possible thing, a sad futurity, which we pray God to avert for ever. ”

“ ARTICLE X The Catholic King does hereby, for himself, his heirs and successors, yield to the Crown of Great Britain the full and entire propriety of the town and castle of Gibraltar, together with the port, fortifications, and forts thereunto belonging; and he gives up the said propriety to be held and enjoyed absolutely with all manner of right for ever, without any exception or impediment whatsoever. ”

“ Whereas Europe has, through the unsearchable judgments of God, suffered a more bloody and obstinate war than ever yet was seen, to the ruin of the people and provinces, the rage of which no human means have been able to extinguish, till this present time, when, by the grace of the Divine goodness, manifest signs have been given of a certain disposition to restore peace and quiet so much desired by the whole Christian world, but more especially by us, for the sake of what our dominions have reflectively suffered. ”

“ ARTICLE IX It is further agreed and concluded as a general rule, that all and singular the subjects of each kingdom shall, in all countries and places, on both sides, have and enjoy at least the same privileges, liberties, and immunities, as to all duties, impositions, or customs whatsoever, relating to persons, goods, and merchandizes; ships, freight, seamen, navigation and commerce; and shall have the like favour in all things as the subjects of France, or any other foreign nation, the most favoured, have, possess, and enjoy, or at any time hereafter may have, possess, or enjoy. ”

“ That it being one of the principal positions of the treaties of peace, depending between the crowns of Spain and of France, with that of England, for the rendering it firm and lasting, and proceeding to a general one, on the maxim of securing for ever the universal good and quiet of Europe, by an equal weight of power, so that many being united in one, the balance of the equality desired, might not turn to the advantage of one, and the danger and hazard of the rest ”

“ And lastly, that for securing and establishing the strength of these treaties, these kingdoms oblige themselves, with all their power and force, to cause to be maintained the royal resolutions of his Majesty, sacrificing in his royal service, even to the last drop of their blood, offering to his Majesty their lives and fortunes, in token of their love. ”

“ And we relinquish all means, ordinary or extraordinary, which by common right, or any special privilege, might appertain to us, our children, and descendants; which means we renounce absolutely, and in particular that of evident, enormous, and most enormous prejudice, which may be found in the renunciation of the succession to the said crown of Spain ”

“ On the contrary, their Royal Majesties shall be obliged the one to promote the advantage, honour, and interest of the other, and to direct their councils to that end with all care, that by mutual proof of friendship, the peace which is now made may daily receive new additions of strength. ”

“ And if in fact, or under any colour, we should endeavour to seize the said kingdom by force of arms, by making, or moving war, offensive or defensive, from this time for ever, that is to be held, judged, and declared, for an unlawful, unjust, and wrongfully undertaken war, and for violence, invasion, and usurpation, done against reason and conscience ”

“ Now it is certain, that without this equilibrium, either the states suffer from the weight of their own greatness, or envy engages their neighbours to make alliances to attack them, and to reduce them to such a point, that these great Powers may inspire less fear, and may not aspire to an universal monarchy. ”

“ We will, that in conformity to the said act of renunciation of our said brother and grandson the King of Spain, he be from henceforth looked upon and considered as excluded from our succession, that his heirs, successors, and descendants be likewise excluded for ever, and looked upon as incapable of enjoying the same. ”

“ Since it has pleased God to bless our Royal House, and to secure the succession of it by a happy issue, she has likewise taken upon her to bestow her most tender and effectual care on the education of our dearest and most beloved son the Prince of the Asturias, in whom we already observe the benefit and progress of it. ”

“ WE Jerome d'Argouges, Knight, Lord of Fleury, counsellor to the King in his councils, honorary master of the requests of his household, civil lieutenant of the city, provostship, and vicounty of Paris, do certify to all to whom it shall appertain, that master Anthony le Moyne, and Alexander le Fevre, who have signed the act of renunciation on the other side, are counsellors to the King, notaries at the Chatelet of Paris, and that faith ought to be given, as well in judgment as out of the same, to the acts by them received. ”

“ Don John de Browkoven, Count of Bergueych, our counsellor and minister of war, and superintendent general of our finances in Flanders; and Don Isidore Cazade de Rosales, Marquis of Monteleon, our kinsman, and senator in our royal council of the Indies, our ambassadors and plenipotentiaries: Because we know that your persons are adorned with prudence, experience, zeal, and love for our interest, and the high qualities which are chiefly necessary to the direction and disposal of an affair of so great and important a consequence ”

“ We will and consent, for us and our descendants, that from this time, and for ever, we be held, we and ours, for excluded, disabled, and incapacitated, in whatever degree we may happen to be, and in what manner soever the succession may fall to our line, and to all others, whether of the House of France or of that of Austria, and of all the descendants both of the one and the other House, which, as it is said and supposed, ought likewise to hold themselves for cut off and excluded ”

“ His impenetrable judgments let us only see, that we ought not to place our confidence neither in our forces, nor in the extent of our dominions, nor in a numerous posterity, and that these advantages, which we receive from his goodness alone, have no other solidity than what it pleases him to give them. ”

“ We further swear and promise, that we have not made, neither will we make, either in public or in secret, any protestation or reclamation to the contrary, which may hinder that which is contained in these presents, or lessen the force thereof, and if we should make any, what oath soever they may be attended with, they shall not have either force or virtue, or produce any effect. ”

“ Know ye therefore, that, out of our full power, mere motion, and royal and absolute authority, we have given, yielded, and transferred, as we do give, yield, and transfer by these presents, to our dearest and most well-beloved cousin, Mary Anne de la Trimouille, Princess of Ursini, for herself, her heirs, successors, and assigns, the dutchy, town, and castle of Limbourg, being part of the Spanish Netherlands, with the towns, boroughs, villages, castles, houses, lands, and other appurtenances of the said dutchy, to enjoy the same to herself the said Princess of Ursini, her heirs, successors ”

“ Nay in such case as that it should be granted me, I make another the like oath, that there may always be and remain one oath above and beyond all dispensations which may be granted me. And I deliver this writing before the present secretary, notary of this my kingdom, and I have signed it, and commanded it to be sealed with my royal seal; there being provided, and called as witnesses, the Cardinal Don Francisco de Judice, inquisitor general, and archbishop of Montreal, one of my council of state ”

“ I promise and oblige myself, on the faith of a King's word, that as much as shall relate to my part, and that of my sons and descendants, which are and shall be, I will take care of the observation and accomplishment of this writing, without permitting or consenting that any thing be done contrary thereunto, directly or indirectly, in the whole, or in part ”