AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, CONGRESSES OF. Three con gresses have met at Aix-la-Chapelle—in 1668, in i748 and in 1818.
1. The treaty of 1VIay 2, 1668, which ended the War of Devo lution, was the outcome of that of St. Germain signed on April is by France and the representatives of the Triple Alliance. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle left to France all the conquests made in Flanders during 1667, with all their "appartenances, dependances et annexes," a vague provision of which, after the peace of Nim wegen (168o), Louis XIV. took advantage to occupy villages and towns adjudged to him by his Chambres de reunion as depend encies of the cities and territories acquired in 1668. On the other hand, France restored to Spain Cambrai, Aire and Saint-Omer, as well as Franche Comte. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was placed under the guarantee of Great Britain, Sweden and Holland, by a convention signed at The Hague on May 7, 1669, to which Spain acceded.
See Jean du Mont, baron de Carlscroon, Corps universel diplo matique (Amsterdam, 1726-31).
2. On April 24, 1748, a congress assembled at Aix-la-Chapelle to end the War of Austrian Succession. The definitive treaty was signed on Oct. 18. Its most important provisions were those stip ulating for (I) a general restitution of conquests, including Cape Breton to France, Madras to England and the barrier towns to the Dutch; (2) the assignment to Don Philip of the duchies of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla; (3) the restoration of the duke of Modena and the republic of Genoa to their former positions; (4) the re newal in favour of Great Britain of the Asiento contract of March 16, 1713, and of the right to send an annual vessel to the Spanish colonies; (5) the renewal of the article of the treaty of '718 recog nizing the Protestant succession in the English throne ; (6) the recognition of the emperor Francis and the confirmation of the pragmatic sanction, i.e., of the right of Maria Theresa to the Haps burg succession; (7) the guarantee to Prussia of the duchy of Silesia and the county of Glatz.
Spain having raised objections to the Asiento clauses, the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was supplemented by that of Madrid (Oct. 5, 175o), by which Great Britain surrendered her claims for a sum of Lioo,000.
See Comte G. de Garden, Hist. des traites de paix, p. 373 (1848-87).
3. The congress or conference of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1818 was primarily a meeting of the four Allied Powers—Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia—to decide the question of the with drawal of the army of occupation from France and the consNuent international relationships of the Powers. The congress, which opened on Oct. 1, was attended by Alexander I. of Russia, Fran cis I. of Austria, and Frederick William III. of Prussia, in person. Great Britain was represented by Lord Castlereagh and the duke of Wellington, Austria by Prince Metternich, Russia by Counts Capo d'Istria and Nesselrode, Prussia by Prince Hardenberg and Count Bernstorff. The duc de Richelieu, by favour of the allies, was present on behalf of France. The evacuation of France was agreed to in principle at the first session, the consequent treaty being signed on Oct. g. The rest of the time of the congress was mainly occupied in discussing the form to be taken by the Euro pean alliance, and the precautions to be adopted against a fresh outburst on the part of France. The proposal of Alexander I., to establish a "universal union of guarantee" on the broad basis of the Holy Alliance, broke down on the opposition of Great Britain; and the main outcome of the congress was the signature, on Nov. 15, of two instruments: (I) a secret protocol confirming and re newing the Quadruple Alliance established by the treaties of Chau mont and Paris (Nov. 20, 1815) against France ; (2) a public "declaration" of the intention of the Powers- to maintain their intimate union, of which the object was to preserve peace on the basis of respect for treaties. The secret protocol was communicated in confidence to Richelieu; to the declaration France was invited publicly to adhere.
The congress also concerned itself with the questions of the suppression of the slave trade and the Barbary pirates. In neither case was any decision arrived at, owing (I) to the refusal of the other Powers to agree with the British proposal for a reciprocal right of search on the high seas; (2) to the objection of Great Britain to international action, which would have involved the presence of a Russian squadron in the Mediterranean. A great variety of lesser questions was considered, but an attempt to introduce the subject of the Spanish colonies was defeated by the opposition of Great Britain. The congress represents the highest point reached in the attempt to govern Europe by an international committee of the Powers.
See W. Alison Phillips, The Confederation of Europe (2nd. ed. 1919).
(W. A. P.) AIX-LES-BAINS, thermal spa and fashionable resort, east France, in the department of Savoie, near the Lac du Bourget, 9m. by rail N. of Chambery. Pop. (1931) 8,951. The sulphur springs were known as Aquae Gratianae by the Romans, and the neighbourhood has numerous ancient remains. Over 5o,000 visitors are attracted annually ; the main season is July–September, but Aix also serves as a base for Alpine winter sports.