The Reasons of Motive Forces

An ornate horizontal woodcut headpiece features repeating symmetrical patterns of scrolling foliage and floral motifs, characteristic of the decorative style used to mark the beginning of official royal documents in the early 17th century.

LOUIS, by the grace of God King of France and Navarre, to our beloved and faithful Councilors, the members of our Courts of Parliament, Bailiffs, Seneschals, Provosts or their Lieutenants, and our other Justices and officers to whom it may concern, greetings. Our well-beloved Salomon de Caus, Master Engineer The title "Ingénieur" at this time referred to a specialist in hydraulics, fortifications, and mechanical arts., currently in the service of our dear and well-beloved cousin the Prince Elector Palatine Frederick V, for whom De Caus designed the famous "Hortus Palatinus" gardens in Heidelberg.. He has made it known and represented to us that for some time, he has been occupied in the composition of several books, namely: one titled The Reasons of Motive Forces, with several machines both useful and pleasing; one on the Theory and Practice of Music; another, a third, in which the Constructions of several hydraulic machines are demonstrated; and the fourth contains several designs for artificial grottoes and fountains, all of said books being useful and profitable to the public. But insofar as he fears that, following the copies he might have printed, other booksellers and printers of this, our kingdom, might take it upon themselves to print and offer them for sale—thereby frustrating him of his expenses and labors—he humbly requests our letters necessary for this purpose. FOR THESE REASONS, desiring to gratify the said DE CAUS as being our subject, and to incite him all the more to continue to benefit the public, and even so that he may be reimbursed for the expenses he has incurred both for the printing of said books and for the copperplate engravings original: "tailles doulces." This refers to the fine-line engraving technique on copper plates used for the detailed technical illustrations in the book. of the figures within, we have permitted and granted him, as by our special grace, full royal power and authority. We permit and grant him by these presents to have said books printed by such printer as he shall see fit, and even to have them sold and distributed by such persons as he wishes to choose, and this during the term of six years starting from the day that said books are finished printing. During this time, we forbid all printers and booksellers of this our kingdom to print or have printed said books or any of them, under penalty of an arbitrary fine—one third to us, the other to the poor, and the third to the informant—and even the confiscation of all said books which they are found to possess. SO WE COMMAND YOU that you allow the contents of our just permission to be enjoyed and used fully and peacefully by him or those who have permission from the said DE CAUS, without allowing any hindrance to be placed upon them. For such is our pleasure. Given at Paris, the seventeenth day of October, in the year of grace one thousand six hundred fourteen, and of our reign the fifth.