To the Duke of Oldenburg,

Word has come to Vienna of your unprovoked aggression against the Free City of Bremen, which has caught our imperial majesty quite by surprise. Such violence is not to be tolerated against those cities under our protection. Therefore, we demand that you cease any hostilities immediately. Any money or property you have plundered from Bremen must be returned immediately. Failure to comply with our demand will result in the pronouncement of an Imperial Ban upon the Duchy of Oldenburg. We warn you that such action will open your duchy to aggression from your neighbors sanctioned by Imperial law.

We will give you three months to reply to this request. We expect that you will reply in person in Vienna. Failure to appear will result in a Ban. Further prosecution of hostilities will result in an immediate Ban.

Do not test our patience.

Joseph II

Holy Roman Emperor and many other titles