Copy of the Resolution of the Elector of Saxony

and to pass unhindered / and also to show every kindness in this matter / as is shown by the N. 10. most humble letter of thanks from the Count [Tilly] to His Electoral Serenity / of which copies are available / even though His Electoral Serenity, had he so desired, could have—with God's help—easily hindered his passage / and could have boldly faced original: "den Kopff... bieten"; literally 'to offer the head,' meaning to stand one's ground or offer battle him and the people he had with him with his own army / and thereby could have somewhat weakened the power—which His Electoral Serenity feared might turn to evil—before they could join together.

But His Electoral Serenity's faithful and obedient devotion, as well as his great love toward His Imperial Majesty and his fellow Electors / as well as his firm trust / and high desire original: "Desiderium" for beloved peace / likewise assured him of the best outcome / just as he then / as soon as General Count von Tilly most humbly informed His Electoral Serenity / that he had received most gracious orders from His Imperial Majesty / to negotiate original: "tractiren" with him regarding the state of the Empire / either in person or through his sub-delegates original: "Subdelegirte"; lower-level envoys or deputies acting on behalf of a superior / designated the city of Merseburg for the meeting / and even traveled there in his own high Electoral person / to demonstrate his dutiful respect and peaceableness all the more / and despite the fact that the written instruction submitted by the Lord sub-delegates was quite forceful and heated / and the demand was in substance directed toward this: that His Electoral Serenity should not only cease recruitment original: "Werbung"; the levying and hiring of new soldiers on his own behalf, but also [hand over] his troops on all sides to His Imperial Majesty so that she might more quickly bring an end to the war with Sweden,