(Annexation of Nassau to Prussia.]

No. 395.-PATENT of the King of Prussia, for taking possession of the Duchy of Nassau.

October, 1866.

Babelsberg, 3rd

(Translation.)

WE, William, by the Grace of GoD, King of Prussia, &c., hereby proclaim to every one:

Whereas, in consequence of a War begun by Nassau in alliance with Austria, and in violation of the Federal law then in force, a War which we, in just defence, have victoriously concluded, the Territories formerly united to the Duchy of Nassau have been occupied by us, and we have determined to unite them with our Monarchy; for which purpose we have, with the assent of both Houses of the Landtag, issued and proclaimed the law of the 20th September last (No. 390).

We, therefore, by this Patent, take possession of the Territories which formed the late Duchy of Nassau, with all Rights of Sovereignty and Supremacy, and incorporate them with our Monarchy, including all their appurtenances and claims.

We will add the corresponding Title to our Royal Title.

We command that the Prussian Eagle be set up on the Frontiers to indicate our Sovereignty; that the Arms hitherto displayed be replaced by our Arms, and that the official Seals be provided with the Prussian Eagle.

We command all inhabitants of the late Duchy of Nassau, now united with our Monarchy, to acknowledge us in future as their rightful King and Sovereign, and to observe with dutiful obedience our laws, ordinances, and commands.

We will protect every one in the possession of his justly acquired personal rights, and leave the officials, who are to be sworn into our service, in the enjoyment of their salaries, on condition of faithful performance of their duties. Pending the introduction of the Prussian Constitution, we will exercise the legislative power ourselves.

We will maintain the laws and institutions of the lands hitherto belonging to the Duchy of Nassau, in so far as they are the expression of authorised peculiarities, and can remain in force

[Annexation of Nassau to Prussia.]

without prejudice to the unity of the State, and the requirements.

of its interests.

Our present Civil Governor is directed by us to take possession accordingly.

Such is our will.

Given at the Palace of Babelsberg, 3rd October, 1866.

[Annexation of Frankfort to Prussia.]

No. 396.-PATENT of the King of Prussia, for taking possession of the Free Town of Frankfort.* Babelsberg, 3rd October, 1866.

(Translation.)

WE, William, by the Grace of GoD, King of Prussia, &c., hereby proclaim to every one:

Whereas, in consequence of a War begun by Austria and her Allies, and by us, in just defence, victoriously concluded, we have occupied the Free Town of Frankfort-on-the-Main, and have determined to unite it with our Monarchy, for which purpose we have, with the assent of both Houses of the Landtag, issued and proclaimed the Law of the 20th September last (No. 390).

We, therefore, by this Patent take possession of the late Free Town of Frankfort-on-the- Main, with all Rights of Sovereignty and Supremacy, and incorporate it in our Monarchy, together with the localities of Bonames, Bornheim, Hausen, Niederrad, Niederursel, and Oberrad, and all their appurtenances and Claims. We will add the corresponding Titles to our Royal Title. We command that the Prussian Eagles be set up on the Frontiers to indicate our Sovereignty; that the Arms hitherto displayed be replaced by our Arms; and that the official Seals be provided with the Prussian Eagle.

We command all inhabitants of the late Free Imperial town of Frankfort-on-the-Main and the localities belonging to its Territory, to acknowledge us in future as their rightful King and Sovereign, and to observe with dutiful obedience our laws, ordinances, and commands.

We will protect every one in the possession and enjoyment of his justly acquired personal rights, and leave the officials, who are to be sworn into our service, in the enjoyment of their salaries, on condition of the faithful performance of their duties. Pending the introduction of the Prussian Constitution, we will exercise the legislative power ourselves.

We will maintain the laws and institutions of the late Free Town of Frankfort-on-the-Main, in so far as they are the expression of authorised peculiarities, and can remain in force without

The Inhabitants of Frankfort protested against the Annexation of their Territory to Prussia on the 24th September, 1866.

[Annexation of Frankfort to Prussia.]

prejudice to the unity of the State and the requirements of its interests.

Our Acting Civil Commissioner is directed by us to take possession accordingly.

Such is our will.

Given at the Palace of Babelsberg, 3rd October, 1866.

[Peace.]

No. 397.-TREATY OF PEACE between Prussia and Saxe-Meiningen. Signed at Berlin, 8th October, 1866.

1. Accession of Saxe-Meiningen to Preliminary Treaty of 26th July, 1866, and Treaty of Alliance of 18th August, 1866.

2. Renewal of Treaties.

3. Suppression of Tour and Taxis Post.

4. Use of Telegraph Lines and Stations.

5. Cession to Prussia of Village of Abt-Löbnitz.

6. Cessions to Prussia by Saxe-Meiningen.

7. Ratifications.

Right of Duke of Saxe-Meiningen to make Private Telegraphs.

(Translation.)

His Majesty the King of Prussia, and His Highness the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen-Hildburghausen, animated by the desire of restoring the reciprocal friendly relations which have been interrupted by the War, and regulating them for the future, have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries, with a view to a Treaty of Peace to be concluded for that purpose;

His Majesty the King of Prussia, his actual Privy Councillor, Chamberlain, and Envoy, Charles Frederick von Savigny, &c.;

His Highness the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, his Resident Minister, Count von Beust, &c.;

Who, after exchanging their Full Powers, which were found in good order, have agreed upon the following Treaty Stipulations:

Accession of Saxe-Meiningen to Preliminary Treaty of 26th July, 1866, and Treaty of Alliance of 18th August, 1866.

ART. I. His Highness the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen-Hildburghausen, whilst he acknowledges and accepts the Stipulations of the Preliminary Treaty concluded between Prussia and Austria at Nikolsburg, on the 26th July, 1866 (No. 383), in so far as they affect the future of Germany, accedes on his own part and for the Duchy, to Articles I to VI of the Treaty of Alliance concluded at Berlin on the 18th August last,* between His Majesty

*See note, page 1710.