Extremely rare pamphlet with the text - in French - of the Anglo-Dutch defensive alliance of 3 March 1678. In May 1672, French forces had invaded the Dutch Republic and initially seemed to have achieved an overwhelming victory (the so-called "Rampjaar 1672"). England supported France in what became the Second Anglo-Dutch (maritime) war (1672-1674). By late July 1672, however, the Dutch position had stabilized thanks to the new Stadholder Willem III. Concern about French gains led to the August 1673 Treaty of the Hague between the Republic, Brandenburg-Prussia, the Emperor Leopold and King Charles II of Spain; in early 1674 England and the Dutch made peace in the Treaty of Westminster. In November 1677 Willem III married his cousin Mary, niece of King Charles II of England. In the meantime, peace talks had begun in 1676 in Nijmegen resulting in an Anglo-Dutch defensive alliance, concluded on the 3rd of March 1678, almost a half year before the treaty was signed in August. But English troops arrived in significant numbers only in late May, allowing King Louis XIV to improve his negotiating position by capturing Ghent on the same day the alliance was concluded, on 3 March.
Untrimmed and with bolts unopened. In good condition. Muller 7609*; STCN 160843154? (2 copies); not in Knuttel; VD17.