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JOURNAL OF
THE SWEDISH EMBASSY
IN THE YEARS 1653 AND 1654.
IMPARTIALLY WRITTEN BY THE
AMBASSADOR BULSTRODE WHITELOCKE.
FIRST PUBLISHED
FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT
BY
DR. CHARLES MORTON, M.D., F.S.A.,
LIBRARIAN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
_A NEW EDITION_,
REVISED BY
HENRY REEVE, ESQ., F.S.A.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOLUME II.
"A wicked messenger falleth into mischief, but a faithful ambassador
is health."
PROVERBS xiii. 17.
LONDON:
LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS.
1855.
PRINTED BY
JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, LITTLE QUEEN STREET,
LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS.
JOURNAL
OF
THE SWEDISH EMBASSY
IN THE YEARS 1653 AND 1654.
MARCH 1, 1653.
[SN: Whitelocke continues the negotiation.]
Now was the heat of Whitelocke's business, and many cross endeavours used
to render all his labours fruitless, and to bring his treaty to no
effect. But it pleased God, in whom his confidence was placed, to carry
him through all his difficulties, and to give his blessing and success to
this negotiation.
Whitelocke gave a visit to the Count de Montecuculi, to give him the
welcome home from his journey with the Queen; who said he had commands to
kiss the hand of the Prince of Sweden, and took the opportunity of
accompanying her Majesty when she went to meet the Prince. He
communicated nothing of the business to Whitelocke, nor did he think to
inquire it of him.
After Whitelocke returned home, the Resident of France and Woolfeldt met
at his house to visit him, and staid with him three hours. They had much
discourse of France, and of the Duke of Lorraine, and of the policy of
the Spaniard in entertaining that Duke in his service; by means whereof
the country where the Duke's soldiers were quartered was better satisfied
than with the Spanish forces, so that there was no tax levied for them,
only they took free quarter, and sometimes a contribution upon the
receiving of a new officer. And Woolfeldt said, that whereas all other
Princes give wages to their officers and soldiers, the Duke gives no pay;
but when he makes an officer, the officer pays money to the Duke for his
commission; and that he knew a captain of horse who gave a thousand
crowns for his commission, which the captain afterwards raised upon the
country, and the Duke connived at it. He told how he was employed to
treat with the Duke for the transportation of five thousand foot and
three thousand horse into Ireland, to assist our King; which the Duke
undertook on condition to have a hundred thousand crowns in ready money,
and ships to transport his men from some haven in France, none of which
could be effected.
[SN: Advances from France.]
After Woolfeldt went away, the French Resident asked Whitelocke whether
France were comprised in the treaty with Holland. Whitelocke said he had
no information thereof. The Resident replied, that his master would
willingly entertain a good friendship and correspondence with England;
and Whitelocke said, he believed England would be ready to do the like
with France. The Resident said, he observed by their discourse that
Whitelocke had been in France, and that the late King would have given
him the command of a troop of horse in France; and he hoped that
Whitelocke would retain a good opinion of that country, and be their
friend. Whitelocke replied, that he was very civilly treated in France,
and believed that he should have served the late King there, if, by a
sudden accident or misfortune, he had not been prevented, and obliged to
return for England sooner than he intended; and that he should be always
ready (as he held himself engaged) to pay all respects and service to
that Crown, as far as might consist with the interest of the Commonwealth
whom he served.
_March 2, 1653._
[SN: Senator Schuett explains the delay in the negotiation.]
Notwithstanding his great words against the Commonwealth and present
treaty, yet Monsieur Schuett was pleased to afford a visit to Whitelocke,
and they fell (amongst many other things) upon the following discourse:--
_Schuett._ My father was formerly ambassador from this Crown in England,
where I was with him, which occasioned my desire to be known to you.
_Whitelocke._ Your father did honour to this country and to ours in that
employment, and your Excellence honours me in this visit.
_Sch._ England is the noblest country and people that ever I saw: a more
pleasant, fruitful, and healthful country, and a more gallant, stout, and
rich people, are not in the world.
_Wh._ I perceive you have taken a true measure, both of the country and
her inhabitants.
_Sch._ This is my judgement of it, as well as my affection to it.
_Wh._ Your country here is indeed more northerly, but your people,
especially the nobility, of a much-like honourable condition to ours;
which may cause the more wonder at her Majesty's intention of leaving
them, who are so affectionate to her.
_Sch._ Truly her Majesty's purpose of resignation is strange to
foreigners, and much more to us, who are her subjects, most affectionate
to her.
_Wh._ It is reported that she hath consulted in this business with the
Senators, whereof you are one.
_Sch._ Three Senators are deputed to confer with the Prince of Sweden,
upon certain particulars to be observed in the resignation; and I hope
that your Excellence will consider the importance of that affair, and
will therefore attend with the more patience the issue thereof, being
necessary that the advice of the Prince be had in it.
_Wh._ Have the three deputed Senators any order to confer with the Prince
about my business?
_Sch._ I believe they have.
_Wh._ I had been here two months before the Queen mentioned this design
of hers to the Council, and have staid here all this time with patience,
and shall so continue as my Lord Protector shall command me; and as soon
as he requires my return I shall obey him.
_Sch._ The occasion of the delay hitherto was the uncertainty of the
issue of your Dutch treaty; and at this season of the year it was
impossible for you to return, till the passage be open.
_Wh._ I believe the alliance with England meriteth an acceptance, whether
we have peace or war with Holland; and for my return, it is at the
pleasure of the Protector.
They had much other discourse; and probably Schuett was sent purposely to
excuse the delay of the treaty, for which he used many arguments not
necessary to be repeated; and he came also to test Whitelocke touching
advice to be had with the Prince about this treaty, whereunto Whitelocke
showed no averseness.
[SN: Treacherous reports to England.]
Whitelocke received his packet of two weeks from England. In a letter
from his wife he was advertised that the Protector had spoken of his
voyage to Sweden as if Whitelocke had not merited much by it, though he
so earnestly persuaded it; and his wife wrote that she believed one of
Whitelocke's family was false to him; and upon inquiry she suspected it
to be ----, who gave intelligence to the Protector of all Whitelocke's
words and actions in Sweden, to his prejudice, and very unbeseeming one
of his family. This Whitelocke, comparing with some passages told him by
his secretary of the same person, found there was cause enough to suspect
him; yet to have one such among a hundred he thought no strange thing,
nor for the Protector to alter his phrase when his turn was served. And
though this gave ground enough of discontent to Whitelocke, yet he
thought not fit to discover it, nor what other friends had written to
him, doubting whether he should be honourably dealt with at his return
home; but he was more troubled to hear of his wife's sickness, for whose
health and his family's he made his supplication to the great Physician;
and that he might be as well pleased with a private retirement, if God
saw it good for him, at his return home, as the Queen seemed to be with
her design of abdication from the heights and glories of a crown.
Part of the letters to Whitelocke were in cipher, being directions to
him touching the Sound. He had full intelligence of all passages of the
Dutch treaty, and a copy of the articles, from Thurloe; also the news of
Scotland, Ireland, France, and the letters from the Dutch Resident here
to his superiors in Holland, copies whereof Thurloe by money had
procured. He wrote also of the Protector's being feasted by the City, and
a full and large relation of all passages of moment. The Protector
himself wrote also his letters to Whitelocke under his own hand, which
were thus:--
[SN: Letter from the Protector.]
"_For the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke._
"My Lord,
"I have a good while since received your letters sent by the ship
that transported you to Gothenburg, and three other despatches
since. By that of the 30th of December, and that of the 4th instant,
I have received a particular account of what passed at your first
audience, and what other proceedings have been upon your
negotiation; which, so far as they have been communicated to me, I
do well approve of, as having been managed by you with care and
prudence.
"You will understand by Mr. Secretary Thurloe in what condition the
treaty with the United Provinces is, in case it shall please God
that a peace be made with them, which a little time will show; yet I
see no reason to be diverted thereby from the former intentions of
entering into an alliance with Sweden, nor that there will be
anything in the league intended with the Low Countries repugnant
thereunto, especially in things wherein you are already instructed
fully. And for the matter of your third and fourth private
instructions, if the Queen hath any mind thereto, upon your
transmitting particulars hither such consideration will be had
thereof as the then constitution of affairs will lead unto. In the
meantime you may assure the Queen of the constancy and reality of my
intentions to settle a firm alliance with her. I commend you to the
goodness of God.
"Your loving friend,
"OLIVER P.
"_Whitehall, 3rd February, 1653._"
_March 3, 1653._
[SN: The son of Oxenstiern formerly sent to England.]
Grave John Oxenstiern, eldest son of the Chancellor, came to visit
Whitelocke; a Ricks-Senator, and had been Ricks-Schatz-master, or High
Treasurer, a place next in honour to that of his father. He had been
formerly ambassador from this Crown to England; but because he was sent
by the Chancellor his father, and the other Directors of the affairs of
Sweden in the Queen's minority, which King Charles and his Council took
not to be from a sovereign prince; and because his business touching the
Prince Elect's settlement, and the affairs of Germany relating to Sweden,
did not please our King; therefore this gentleman was not treated here
with that respect and solemnity as he challenged to be due to him as an
ambassador; which bred a distaste in him and his father against the King
and Council here, as neglecting the father and the good offices which he
tendered to King Charles and this nation, by slighting the son and his
quality.
The discourse between this Grave and Whitelocke was not long, though upon
several matters; and he seemed to be sent to excuse the delay of the
treaty with Whitelocke, for which he mentioned former reasons, as his
father's want of health, multiplicity of business, the expected issue of
the Dutch treaty, and the like; and the same excuses were again repeated
by Lagerfeldt, who came to Whitelocke from the Chancellor for the same
purpose.
Whitelocke had occasion to look into his new credentials and instructions
from the Protector, which were thus.
[SN: Whitelocke's new credentials and instructions.]
"_Oliver, Lord Protector, etc., to the Most Serene and Potent
Prince Christina, etc., health and prosperity._
"Most Serene and Potent Queen,
"God, who is the great Disposer of all things, having been pleased
in His unsearchable wisdom to make a change in the Government of
these nations since the time that the noble B. Whitelocke,
Constable, etc. went from hence, qualified and commissioned as
Ambassador Extraordinary from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of
England unto your Majesty, to communicate with you in things tending
to the mutual good and utility of both the nations, we have thought
it necessary upon this occasion to assure your Majesty that the
present change of affairs here hath made no alteration of the good
intentions on this side towards your Majesty and your dominions; but
that as we hold ourself obliged, in the exercise of that power which
God and the people have entrusted us with, to endeavour by all just
and honourable means to hold a good correspondence with our
neighbours, so more particularly with the Crown of Sweden, between
whom and these nations there hath always been a firm amity and
strict alliance; and therefore we have given instructions to the
said Lord Whitelocke, answerable to such good desires, earnestly
requesting your Majesty to give unto him favourable audience as
often as he shall desire it, and full belief in what he shall
propound on the behalf of these dominions. And so we heartily
commend your Majesty and your affairs to the Divine protection.
Given at Whitehall this 23rd of December, Old Style, 1653.
"Your good friend,
"OLIVER P."
The following instructions were under the hand and private seal of the
Protector:--
_"An Instruction for B. Whitelocke, Constable, etc., Ambassador
Extraordinary from the Commonwealth of England to the Queen of
Sweden._
"Whereas you were lately sent in the quality of Ambassador
Extraordinary from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England
unto her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, for the renewing and
contracting an alliance and confederation with that Queen and Crown,
according to the commission and instructions you received from the
said Parliament and the then Council of State; And whereas, since
your departure hence, the then Parliament hath been dissolved, and
the Government is settled and established in such a way that you
will understand by letters from Mr. Thurloe, Secretary of the
Council, who is directed to give unto you a full account hereof: Now
lest the work you are upon (which is so necessary in itself to both
the nations, and so sincerely desired on our part) should be
interrupted or retarded by reason of the said change of affairs, and
the question that may arise thereupon concerning the validity of
your commission and instructions, I have thought fit, by advice of
the Council, to write unto her Majesty new letters credential, a
copy whereof you will receive herewith, which letters you are to
present to the Queen. And you are also, by virtue of these presents,
to let her Majesty know that the alteration of the Government here
hath made no change in the good intentions on this side towards her
Majesty and her dominions; but that she shall find the same
readiness in me to maintain and increase all good intelligence and
correspondence with that Queen and Crown as in any the former
governors of these nations. And to that end you are hereby
authorized to proceed in your present negotiation, and to endeavour
to bring the treaty with her Majesty to a good conclusion according
to the tenour and effect of the commission, powers, and instructions
you have already received, and which I shall by any further act
ratify and confirm according as the nature of the business shall
require.
"Before your Lordship deliver these letters credential to the Queen,
or make any addresses to her, you are to inform yourself fully of
the reception you are like to have, and whether her intentions be to
come to a treaty of amity with this State as the Government is now
established, that no dishonour may befall us or these dominions in
your addresses upon these letters and instructions. Given at
Whitehall this 23rd of December, 1653.
"OLIVER P."
Whitelocke made many despatches this day to England.
_March 4, 1653._
[SN: The Queen talks of visiting the Protector.]
Whitelocke waited on the Queen and showed her part of the letters which
he received from England, whereupon she again asked him if the Protector
were _sacre_? Whitelocke said, No, and that his letters mentioned only a
solemnity of entertaining the Protector by the City of London. Whitelocke
also communicated to her Majesty the Protector's letter to him, and the
expression that Whitelocke should assure her Majesty of the Protector's
constant and real intentions to settle a firm alliance with the Queen;
which, she said, she was also most ready to make with the Protector.
Whitelocke then said it might be fit to make some progress in his treaty
upon his articles, and particularly in those which concerned amity and
commerce, and had no dependence on the issue of the treaty with Holland,
and therefore might be had in consideration before the other were fully
concluded, and the rest of the articles might be considered afterwards;
which the Queen said should be done, and that she would send an
ambassador to the Protector. She was very inquisitive concerning London
and our Universities; by her discourse gave him to imagine she had
thoughts of travelling into France, Spain, Italy, and into England; and
asked Whitelocke if he thought the Protector would give way to her coming
thither. Whitelocke answered, that the Protector would bid her Majesty
very welcome thither.
He was alone with her near two hours, and at his taking leave she desired
him to come to her again on Monday next, and that then she would read
over with him his articles, both in Latin and English, which they would
consider together; and such things as she could consent unto she would
tell him, and what she could not consent unto he should then know from
her, and they might mark it in the margin as they went along. Yet she
said she would have him to proceed in his conference with her Chancellor
as before, and that nobody should know of that conference between her and
Whitelocke; but she would so order the business that what they consented
unto should be effected afterwards, and that in two hours they might go
over all the articles. Whitelocke told her Majesty he presumed that she
would admit of a free debate upon any of them. She said, by all means,
that was reasonable; and in case the peace between England and Holland
did not take effect, that then the ambassador, whom she intended
howsoever to send into England, might conclude upon such other articles
as should be thought fit. Whitelocke asked her if she had any thoughts of
being included in the Dutch treaty. She said, No, for she had not meddled
with the war, and therefore desired not to be included in the peace with
them.
[SN: Reports of the Dutch Resident adverse to Whitelocke.]
From the Queen Whitelocke went and visited Piementelle, who showed him a
letter he received from a great person in Flanders, mentioning that
Beningen had written to his superiors that the English Ambassador and the
Spanish Resident were often together, and had showed great respect to
each other, which his Highness the Archduke liked very well, and gave
Piementelle thanks for it; and though Monsieur Beningen did not like of
their being so friendly, yet his superiors endeavoured all they could to
have amity with England. When Whitelocke told him of the English fleet at
sea, he said it was great pity the same was not employed. He then showed
Whitelocke a letter from Beningen to his superiors, wherein he taxed
Whitelocke with omitting the ceremony of meeting Prince Adolphus at his
door. Whitelocke repeated to Piementelle the carriage of that business as
before; and Piementelle said, that neither the Queen nor himself had ever
heard the Prince express any dislike of Whitelocke's carriage; and that
the Queen, seeing Beningen's letter, said there were many things in it
concerning Whitelocke which upon her knowledge were not true. It was also
said in the letter that the English Ambassador had many long audiences
with her Majesty, and conferences with the Chancellor, but that he could
not in the least learn what passed between them; with which Whitelocke
had no cause to be displeased.
_March 5, 1653._
_The Lord's Day._--Whitelocke had two good sermons in his house, at which
divers English and Scots, besides those of his family, were present. In
the evening the Queen passed through the streets in her coach, with
divers other coaches and her servants waiting on her, to take the air,
though upon this day; and in the night, many disorderly drunkards were
committing debaucheries and insolences in the town, and at Whitelocke's
door.
_March 6, 1653._
[SN: Further excuses for delay.]
Whitelocke visited Senator Schuett, who spake in excuse of the delay of
his business. Whitelocke said--
_Whitelocke._ I have already staid long in this place, and nothing is yet
done in my business.
_Schuett._ Your stay here hath been of more advantage to England than if
they had sent 10,000 men into Holland, who, by your stay here, will be
brought on with the greater desire of making peace with you.
_Wh._ They know nothing of my negotiation.
_Sch._ That makes them the more jealous; the slowness of one person is
the cause that hitherto you have received no satisfaction, and I doubt
not but ere long you will have answers to your contentment.
Whilst Whitelocke was with him the Queen sent one of her gentlemen
thither to him, to desire him to put off his visit of her Majesty till
the next day, by reason she had then extraordinary business; and the
messenger being gone, Schuett said,--
_Schuett._ The Queen is busy in despatching three senators to the Prince,
Grave Eric Oxenstiern, Monsieur Fleming, and Monsieur Vanderlin, who are
deputed for the business of the Queen's resignation; and I, in a few
days, shall be sent to the Prince.
_Whitelocke._ I pray do me the favour to present my service to his Royal
Highness, whom I am very desirous to salute as soon as I can gain an
opportunity; and do hope that his resort to this place will be before I
shall be necessitated to return, that I may give myself the honour to
kiss his hand.
[SN: Whitelocke visits the Chief Justice of Sweden.]
Whitelocke visited the Ricks-Droitset Grave Brahe, who is of the noble
family of Tycho Brahe. He was President of the College of Justice, and
the First Minister of State of the kingdom: the name of his office is as
much as Viceroy, and his jurisdiction is a sovereign court for the
administration of justice, and he hath power both civil and military. The
office is in effect the same with that ancient officer with us called the
Chief Justice of England. The habit of this Chief Justice of Sweden was a
coat, and a furred cap of black, a sword and belt, and no cloak; two
soldiers sentry at his chamber-door, which Whitelocke had not observed
elsewhere but at the Court. They had much discourse of Whitelocke's
business, wherein he testified affections to the Commonwealth of England,
though Whitelocke had been informed that he was not their friend; but he
the rather chose to visit him first, and found him very civil: he spake
Latin very readily, and no French, although Whitelocke was told he could
speak it well.
He inquired much of the Commonwealth and affairs of England, and
government of it, and seemed well pleased by Whitelocke's relation of it.
He informed Whitelocke of the Swedish Government, and particularly of
his own office. He discoursed much of the Prince of Sweden, which
Whitelocke judged the fitter for him to approve, because Prince
Adolphus's lady was this Grave's daughter. He told Whitelocke that he had
been Governor of Finland ten years together, which province he affirmed
to be greater than France, and that the Queen's dominions were larger
than France, Spain, Italy, all together. Whitelocke asked him if those
countries were well peopled, and flourished with corn and good towns. He
answered that Finland was well peopled, and had store of corn, and good
towns; but that it was not so with Lapland and other countries further
off. But he said that no part of Sweden had such towns as were in
England, where he had been when he was a young man, which country he much
praised; and Whitelocke had no cause to gainsay it.
Piementelle sent to Whitelocke an atlas, in four great volumes, in
acknowledgment of a vessel of Spanish wine which Whitelocke had before
sent to him for a present.
_March 7, 1653._
The Governor of Upsal, Monsieur Bannier, presented to Whitelocke three
Latin books:--1. The Story of Sweden; 2. Of the Laws of Sweden; 3. Of Sea
Affairs; which were not ordinarily to be had.
[SN: Whitelocke takes the air with the Queen.]
The Queen sent one of her servants to invite Whitelocke to take the air
with her in the fields; and being come to the castle, she excused her not
being yet ready to confer with him upon his articles, as she had
promised, but told him that she had ordered something to be written down
on that subject to show to him. She took him into her coach, where was
the "Belle Comtesse," the Countess Gabriel Oxenstiern, Prince Adolphus,
Piementelle, Montecuculi, Tott, and Whitelocke. The Queen was very merry,
and they were full of cheerful discourse. Being returned to the castle at
night, she desired to hear Whitelocke's music, whom he sent for to the
castle; and they played and sang in her presence, wherewith she seemed
much pleased, and desired Whitelocke to thank them in her name. She said
she never heard so good a concert of music, and of English songs; and
desired Whitelocke, at his return to England, to procure her some to play
on those instruments which would be most agreeable to her.
[SN: The Chancellor falls ill.]
Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke in the Court, and told him that the
Chancellor intended to have had a meeting with him this day, but was
hindered by falling sick of an ague; but in case his health would not
permit him to meet, that then his son Eric Oxenstiern, by the Queen's
appointment, would meet and confer with Whitelocke about the treaty in
place of his father. But Whitelocke was not glad of this deputation,
wishing much rather to confer with the old man upon this subject, who was
good-natured, civil, and affectionate to Whitelocke, than with the son,
Grave Eric, who was of a more rugged and self-conceited humour, and not
so soon gained by reason and convinced by arguments as the good old man
his father used to be.
_March 8, 1653._
[SN: The Chancellor's son resumes the negotiation.]
Grave Eric Oxenstiern visited Whitelocke, and spake much to excuse the
delay of his treaty; and said that his father was very sick of an ague,
and he believed the Queen would depute some other to confer with him, in
case his father's health would not permit him that liberty.
_Whitelocke._ I am very sorry for the indisposition of your{1} father,
and for the delay of my business. I have been here about three months,
and nothing is yet concluded.
_Gr. Eric._ The uncertainty of your Dutch affair, and the Queen's desire
to know the issue of it, hath occasioned this delay.
_Wh._ As the points of amity and commerce, they concern not our Dutch
treaty.
_Gr. Eric._ You will be sure to receive all satisfaction and contentment
on that subject; but there are many particulars of the commerce to be
considered.
_Wh._ I cannot say much upon those particulars; but I was sent hither by
my Lord Protector to testify his respect to the Queen and kingdom of
Sweden, and to offer to them the amity of England, which I suppose that
wise and experienced persons as you are will accept of; and for commerce
my proposals are general.
_Gr. Eric._ I confess the particulars thereof may more conveniently be
treated on by merchants; and we do not so much desire a confederation
with any nation as with England.
It was supposed by Whitelocke, that by the deferring of his business
here, the Hollanders would be in the more suspense and doubt of the issue
of it, and might thereby come on the more freely in their treaty with
England; whereas, if the issue of his business here were known, it might
perhaps seem less to them than it was now suspected to be. Upon this
ground, though he spake of the delay, yet he did not so much press for a
positive answer, but that he imagined the Dutch treaty might be brought
to an issue; he intended to put on his business here, and the default
hitherto rested on their part, as was acknowledged by their own excuses.
[SN: Discourse with the Chief Justice.]
Whilst Eric was with Whitelocke, the Chief Justice came in. And after
Grave Eric was gone the Chief Justice discoursed much concerning the
Protector and his family, his extraction and pedigree, his former quality
and condition, and his present state and manner of living: to which
Whitelocke answered truly, and with honour to the Protector; and as to
his present post, attendants, and ceremonies of his Court, he could not
give so punctual an account, it being altered since his coming from
England. He also inquired particularly concerning the Parliament, the
forms of their summons, sitting, debating, voting, power, and authority;
in all which Whitelocke was the better able to satisfy him, having been a
Member of Parliament for almost thirty years together: and then the Chief
Justice inquired further:--
_Chief Justice._ What opinions of Calvin are most in estimation in
England? and what is the state of your religion there?
_Whitelocke._ Neither Calvin's opinion nor Luther's are esteemed in
England further than they are agreeable to the Holy Scriptures of the Old
and New Testaments, which are the rules and contain the state of religion
professed in England. But by what state of religion is the profanation of
the Lord's Day, and of images and crucifixes in churches, permitted?
_Ch. Just._ No recreations or works are permitted on Sundays till after
divine service ended, and then Calvin permits them; and Luther is of
opinion for the historical use of images and crucifixes, but not to pray
to them.
_Wh._ Herein both the opinion of Calvin and that of Luther are expressly
contrary to the Holy Scripture, and therefore not esteemed in these
points in England.
The Chief Justice eagerly asserted these opinions not to be contrary to
the Scripture, but alleged no proof, either from thence or out of human
authors, to make good his assertion. After much argumentation hereupon,
the Chief Justice offered to Whitelocke that he would move the Queen for
a speedy despatch of his business; and said, he did not doubt but that
satisfaction would be given him therein.
Whitelocke was the more desirous to get a conclusion of his business
while Piementelle was here, because of his great favour with the Queen;
which, with her respects to Montecuculi, both great Papists, caused
Whitelocke to have the more doubt of her inclinations.
Prince Adolphus made a great entertainment for Montecuculi, Piementelle,
and most of the grandees in town; but Whitelocke was omitted, his humour
and principles as to their jollities and drinking of healths not being
agreeable to theirs; and he held this neglect no affliction to him.
_March 9, 1653._
Whitelocke visited the Ricks-Admiral Oxenstiern, the Chancellor's
brother, who received him with great civility; and they discoursed very
much of Whitelocke's business to the effect as others did.
[SN: Whitelocke visits the Chancellor's eldest son.]
He also visited Grave John Oxenstiern, the Chancellor's eldest son, whose
carriage was elated. Two of his pages were sons of Earls, and had the
title of Earls; his servants were some of them set at his outer door to
receive Whitelocke; himself vouchsafed to meet him at the inner door,
and, with supercilious reservedness of state, descended to say to
Whitelocke that he was welcome. They discoursed of England, where this
Grave had been, as is before remembered, and the distaste he there
received, which possibly might cause his greater neglect of Whitelocke,
who took little notice of it. He took upon him to be fully instructed in
the affairs of England, and of the laws and government there; wherein
Whitelocke presumed to rectify some of his mistakes.
When he offered to move the Queen for despatch of Whitelocke's business,
he answered, that he had done it himself already, and there would be no
need to trouble any other. This occasioned some discourse about the
treaty, to which, with great gravity, this General declared his judgement
concerning contraband goods, that great care was to be taken therein, not
to give any interruption to trade. Whitelocke said, that concerned
England much more than Sweden. Then he took care that the English rebels
and traitors might have favour in his country; but Whitelocke, knowing
that he was neither employed nor versed in the business of his treaty,
spent the fewer words in answer to his immaterial objections.
[SN: Whitelocke confers with the Queen on the articles.]
In the afternoon, Whitelocke attended the Queen, who excused her not
having conferred with him about his treaty. Whitelocke told her, that,
if it were now seasonable, he had them ready, and they might read them
over together; whereunto she consented, and he read them to her.
She took out a paper of notes, written with her own hand in Latin, her
observations upon the articles.
1. After Whitelocke had read the first article, she said there was
nothing therein which needed explanation.
2. The second, she said, would require consideration, and read out of her
notes the words "communis interesse," which she desired Whitelocke to
explain what was meant by them. He told her those words included matter
of safety and matter of traffic. She then demanded why the Baltic Sea was
named as to free navigation, and not other seas likewise. Whitelocke said
the reason was, because at present navigation was not free in the Baltic
Sea; but if she pleased to have other seas also named, he would consent
to it. She asked if he would consent to freedom of navigation in America.
Whitelocke told her he could not, and that the treaties of the
Commonwealth were comprehended within the bounds of Europe. She asked him
what he thought the Protector would do in case she demanded that liberty.
He said, his Highness would give such an answer as should consist with
the interest of England, and show a due regard to her Majesty.
3. This third article she said she would agree unto, but she thought it
necessary that a form should be agreed upon for certificates and letters
of safe-conduct, that ships might pass free upon showing of them.
Whitelocke said, he thought there would be no need of them, especially if
the peace with the Dutch were concluded. She replied, that if the war
continued it would be necessary.
4. She said she thought there would be no need of this article, and read
another which she herself had drawn in Latin to this effect--"That if any
hereafter should commit treason, or be rebels in one country, they should
not be harboured in the other." Whitelocke said, the article was already
to that purpose, and he thought it necessary for the good of both
nations. She said, it would be too sharp against divers officers who had
served her father and herself, and were now settled in Sweden. Whitelocke
offered that amendment which he before tendered to the Chancellor, which
when she read, she told Whitelocke, that might include all those men whom
she mentioned before. Whitelocke said, that, upon inquiry into it, he
found not one excepted by name from pardon. She said, for anything to be
done hereafter, it was reasonable, and she would consent to it.
Whitelocke said, that if any hereafter should come into her country, who
were excepted from pardon, it was also reasonable to include them in this
article.
5. She said that this and the second article would require further
consideration; because if she should consent thereunto, it would declare
her breach of the neutrality which she had hitherto kept. Whitelocke told
her, if the peace were concluded with the Dutch, that neutrality would be
gone; and if the war continued, he presumed she would not stick to
declare otherwise then that neutrality. She said that was true, but she
desired that this and the second article might be let alone until the
issue of the Dutch treaty.
6. The sixth article, she said, was reasonable.
7. She took exception to the words "bona a suis cujusque inimicis
direpta," which, she said, was a breach of her neutrality. To that
Whitelocke answered as before upon the fifth article; and she desired it
might be passed over as the second and fifth articles, till the issue of
the Dutch treaty were known. She said she would desire the liberty of
fishing for herrings. Whitelocke told her that upon equal conditions he
presumed his Highness would consent to that which should be fit. She
asked what conditions he would demand. Whitelocke said, those matters of
commerce would be better agreed upon with the advice of merchants.
8. The eighth article she said was equal.
9. There was no difference upon it.
10. She judged fit to be agreed upon.
11. She made some short observations, which by explanation Whitelocke
cleared, and she agreed.
12. The like as upon the eleventh article.
13. To this article she read in Latin an objection to the proviso, and
said it was reasonable that, if they did break bulk, they should pay
custom for so much only as they sold. Whitelocke told her that objection
showed that there were great men merchants in Sweden, and that the
objection was more in favour of the merchants than of herself. She said
the merchants were crafty indeed; and she did not much insist upon it.
14. The last article which Whitelocke had given in. To this she said it
was fit that the men-of-war that should come into the other ports should
be to a number ascertained, to avoid suspicion. Whitelocke said he would
agree thereunto, with a caution, as in the first article, to be added: if
they should be driven by tempest, force, or necessity, then to be
dispensed with.
Whitelocke desired her Majesty to give him a copy of her objections. She
told him, they were only a few things which she had written with her own
hand, upon her apprehension of the articles, and that he should have them
in writing; but she desired him not to acquaint any person here with this
conference.
_March 10, 1653._
[SN: Whitelocke's despatches to England.]
Upon yesterday's conference with the Queen, Whitelocke wrote the passages
thereof at large to Thurloe, to be communicated to the Council in
England, and to pray their direction in some points which are set down
thus in his letters:--
"I shall desire to know the pleasure of my Lord Protector and
Council, whether, in case I shall conclude those articles of amity
and commerce, omitting the second, fifth, and seventh articles, if
his Highness will be pleased to approve thereof. I confess my humble
opinion is (unless I receive commands to the contrary) that in case
the peace be concluded between us and Holland, and Denmark included,
it will be no disadvantage to us to conclude the alliance here,
omitting the second, fifth, and that part of the seventh article
against which her Majesty objected, if she shall insist upon it.
"Another point wherein I pray direction is upon the sixteenth
article of your treaty with the Dutch, that either Commonwealth
shall be comprehended, if they desire it, in treaties with other
Princes, and notice to be given of such treaties; whether in case
your treaty with the Dutch shall be agreed, that then notice ought
to be given to them of the treaty with the Queen of Sweden, and the
Dutch to be offered to be comprehended therein; or whether, the
treaty here being begun before that with the Dutch concluded, there
will be any cause to give such notice to them, or to give notice to
the Queen of your treaty with the Dutch; which you will be pleased
to consider.
"I am very willing to hasten homewards when I may obtain my Lord's
order; and that it will be no prejudice here to your service, as I
conceive such a conclusion would not at all be.
"I presume you have heard of the news at Antwerp, which is very
fresh here this week, that the Archduke hath imprisoned the Duke of
Lorraine in the castle of Antwerp, which caused the gates of the
town to be shut; and that hath occasioned to your friends here the
loss of the comfort of this week's letters from England, the post
being stayed there, as I was certified from your Resident at
Hamburg."
Many despatches were made by Whitelocke to his friends in England, as his
constant course was.
_March 11, 1653._
[SN: Admiral Oxenstiern visits Whitelocke.]
The Ricks-Admiral visited Whitelocke. He discoursed of the treaty here,
and said that the Queen had not yet informed the Council of it in
particular. He much inquired of the nobility of England, of the Earls and
Barons, and of their privileges, and what rank their children had, and of
the several orders of knights, and of their original; in which matters
Whitelocke was able to give him some satisfaction. He told Whitelocke
that the Duke of Lorraine was imprisoned for conspiring with the Count de
Bassigni to betray three strong towns to the King of France.
[SN: Interview with Prince Adolphus.]
Whitelocke visited Prince Adolphus, who also discoursed of his business,
as others did. Whitelocke told him of his long being here without any
answer. The Prince said, the Queen's designs to introduce a mutation
might cause it. Whitelocke said he believed that the amity of England
deserved so much regard as to be embraced; and that it would be all one
whether the treaty should be agreed upon by the Queen or by her
successor, for it concerned the people and State of both nations; and he
presumed that if the Queen should consent to it, that his Highness's
brother would have the like good opinion of it. The Prince said it would
be most agreeable to his brother, who very much respected the English
nation, as generally the Swedish people did. He said that he never was
present at the Council, nor did meddle with any public business; but he
doubted not but that Whitelocke would receive contentment. Whitelocke
said he promised himself so much, being the Protector had sent him hither
to testify his respects to the Queen and to the kingdom of Sweden, and to
offer them the amity of England.
The Prince also discoursed of the late King of England, and of the
proceedings between him and the Parliament, with great dislike thereof;
to which Whitelocke gave him an account, and a modest answer declining
that argument with the Prince, and telling him that every nation had
their particular rights and laws, according to which they were governed.
He testified great respect to Whitelocke; and when he took his leave the
Prince conducted him as far as the great court, which he used not to do
to others of Whitelocke's quality.
_March 12, 1653._
[SN: The treaty delayed by reason of the Queen's abdication.]
Mr. Bloome--who had been formerly a servant to the old Duke of Buckingham
in England, and after that coming to Sweden, was entertained by the
Chancellor, and his great creature, and had been employed by him as a
public minister--did the honour to Whitelocke to be often with him, and
now, after dinner, discoursed much of the revolution which was likely to
happen in this country by the Queen's resignation; upon which subject
Whitelocke thought not fit to speak much in company.
Afterwards in private Whitelocke asked Mr. Bloome if he had heard the
Chancellor speak of deferring his business till the Prince were crowned.
Bloome confessed he heard the Chancellor say that he thought it would be
more convenient to have Whitelocke's business resolved after the King
should be crowned than at present. Whitelocke told him (which he supposed
Bloome would again relate to the Chancellor) that all acts of such nature
concluded by the Queen before her resignation would be held authentic by
her successor. Bloome said he believed so, but, being the change would be
so soon, he thought it might be better to have the business put into the
hands of the new King. Whitelocke said it would require a long time to
expect the new King's settlement, before which he believed his return
home might be commanded. Bloome said the business would be soon done
after the meeting of the Ricksdag, which did not use to sit long. By this
and other discourses Whitelocke found that there was a purpose in some to
defer the conclusion of his treaty to the King, which he therefore
prepared to prevent.
La Belle Comtesse made a great entertainment and ball for Montecuculi and
the rest of the gallants this night, though it were the Lord's Day; but
Whitelocke nor none of his company were present at it.
_March 13, 1653._
[SN: Whitelocke confers with Count Eric Oxenstiern on the articles.]
Grave Eric came to Whitelocke to confer about his treaty, and said to
him.
_Grave Eric._ The Queen hath commanded me to come to you and to have some
conference with you about your proposals, wherein she is pleased to make
use of my service, because at this time my father is very ill of an ague,
and is not able himself to meet with you; and his former indisposition of
health and extraordinary affairs hath been some occasion of hindrance of
the despatch of your business, as have also the uncertainty of the issue
of your treaty with Holland, and our great business of the Queen's
intentions here.
_Whitelocke._ I have long expected some answer to be given in my
business, the greatest part whereof hath no dependence upon the treaty
with Holland, and the Queen's intentions here have been but lately made
known. I have been three months in this place without any answer to my
business, although I presume that the amity of England is grateful to
this nation, and may merit the acceptance.
_Gr. Eric._ So is the friendship of Sweden.
_Wh._ My Lord Protector hath testified that by sending me hither.
_Gr. Eric._ The Queen hath likewise sent several public ministers to
England, and Mr. Lagerfeldt was a long time there without effecting
anything.
_Wh._ He had answers to his proposals very often, and it was on his part
that a conclusion was not had with him. But if you please to proceed to a
conference upon my proposals, I am ready to treat with you, as I have
always been to treat with my Lord Chancellor, your father, for whose
ill-health I am heartily sorry.
_Gr. Eric._ I am ready in the same way of secresy as it hath been carried
with my father, so that Mr. Beningen in his letters to his superiors
saith that the English Ambassador did treat with none but the Queen
alone, and sometimes alone with the Chancellor, whereby he could not
possibly give any account of those transactions; for he thought that not
one person in Sweden, except the Queen and the Chancellor, knew what they
were.
_Wh._ The gentleman hath done me an honour in that expression.
_Gr. Eric._ My coming to your Excellence is to proceed in your business;
and I desire a consideration may be had of the great losses which the
Queen's subjects have sustained by the seizing and detaining of their
ships by the English.
_Wh._ This is a new objection, and I am neither empowered nor have
ability to cast up such accounts or to take such examinations; but there
is a court of justice in England, which I presume has done, and will do,
right to any who have cause to complain; and I know that my Lord
Protector will command that justice shall be done to all the Queen's
subjects; and if any of them have received any injury, they ought to
receive a just satisfaction from the parties that did them wrong; and, if
you please, I shall mention these things in my letters to England, and
when I come thither myself I will personally endeavour that the same may
be had fully.
_Gr. Eric._ I hope a just satisfaction will be given herein, without
which there can be no solid foundation of amity between the two nations
and their people.
_Wh._ The same is reasonably and mutually to be expected; and I make no
question but my Lord Protector will order right to be done therein.
_Gr. Eric._ The Queen's subjects have received great losses under colour
of contraband goods, when the same hath not been proved.
_Wh._ And many of our allies have been found to colour our enemies' goods
to the damage of England; but these matters will be proper for an
examination elsewhere.
They proceeded to the particular articles.
1. This, Eric said, was equal.
2. He made the same objections as the Queen had done, and Whitelocke gave
the same answers; and Eric said that this article depended upon our
treaty with the Dutch.
3. Eric desired an explanation of the words "omnibus in locis quibus
hactenus commercium exercebatur,"--whether that were not intended to
include the English plantations in America, because traffic thither,
without special license, was prohibited by our Commonwealth; and he said
it would be unequal for the English to have the full traffic in the
Queen's dominions, and her subjects not to have the like in our
Commonwealth. Whitelocke answered, that the English desired no traffic in
any of the Queen's dominions out of Europe, and therefore it was equal
not to consent to their traffic in America; and that the opinion of the
Council of State in England had been made known to Mr. Lagerfeldt in
England, in this point; which paper Whitelocke then showed, and the Grave
urged many other arguments, but Whitelocke kept himself to the paper of
the Council.
Eric said, those transactions of Lagerfeldt were remitted to Whitelocke's
Embassy. Whitelocke said, that whatever his instructions might warrant,
yet it would not become him to do anything contrary to that wherein the
Council of State had declared their judgement. The same answer Whitelocke
gave him concerning the herring-fishing, which Eric much insisted upon;
and as to the pre-emption of the commodities of Sweden, mentioned in the
Council's paper, which Whitelocke showed him, Eric said that could not
be, because those commodities were of very great value, and belonged to
several private persons; and he demanded of Whitelocke if he thought
England would be contented to give a pre-emption of all their cloth.
Whitelocke said, the cloth of England was likewise of very great value,
and there would hardly be found one stock to buy it all, and there were
several staples in other countries to vent it at; and he said he thought
the best way would be, first to agree upon the general amity and commerce
between the two nations, and afterwards, if Sweden held it fit, when they
sent an ambassador to England, or otherwise, to propound anything
concerning the fishing for herrings or the traffic in America, or
touching a staple at Narva, Revel, or Gothenburg (which Eric likewise
discoursed of at large), that the Protector would give a fair and just
answer.
4. Eric made the same objections that the Queen had done, and had the
same answers.
5. The like discourse was upon this article.
6. The sixth, Eric said, was the same in effect with the fourth article,
and might be adjoined to it. Whitelocke showed him the difference,
chiefly in the beginning of this article; and so they passed on.
7. They had many arguments touching contraband goods, wherein Whitelocke
held himself to the paper given by the Council to Lagerfeldt; and Eric
passed it over, as depending upon the success of the treaty with Holland,
especially in the words "bona a suis cujusque inimicis direpta."
8. This, Eric thought, would need explanation of the words "in quolibet
suorum marium." Whitelocke told him that was intended in Europe only.
9. Eric said the words "armatis vel inermibus" were not necessary,
because by the law of Sweden any might carry their arms with them.
Whitelocke told him that it was not permitted in England for so many
together without license.
10. Eric made no objection to this article.
11. Nor any to this article.
12. Nor was anything objected to this article.
13. Eric said the proviso needed explanation as to the point of breaking
bulk, as the Queen had objected; and Whitelocke gave the same answer.
14. The like objections and answers as before, and consent to the like
amendment.
Eric and much other good company dined with Whitelocke, and after dinner
they had further discourse on the same subject. And Eric promised to give
his objections to Whitelocke in writing, and to let him know the Queen's
pleasure upon their conference; which Whitelocke intended to know also
from the Queen herself.
The company being gone, Whitelocke visited Piementelle, who discoursed
much touching the Duke of Lorraine, and of the insolencies of his
soldiers, for which the Duke would give no right; but if a poor
countryman complained to him, that his wife had been ravished by his
soldiers, and his goods taken away, the Duke would laugh at the poor man,
and say to him, "It is my condition: the King of France hath ravished my
wife and my estate, and I have got another wife, and maintain myself with
the goods of others; and I advise thee to do the same as I have done."
Piementelle informed Whitelocke of a carriage of Beningen of much more
incivility towards the Queen than that which he attributed to Whitelocke
towards Prince Adolphus; and Whitelocke imparted to Piementelle some
passages between Grave Eric and Whitelocke, supposing he would tell it to
the Queen.
_March 14, 1653._
[SN: Interview with General Wrangel.]
Four of the Queen's servants did Whitelocke the honour to dine with him;
and after they were gone, Whitelocke visited the Field-Marshal Wrangel, a
gentleman of an ancient noble family in this country, son to General
Wrangel, of whom so often and so honourable mention is made in the German
wars under Gustavus Adolphus, the Queen's father.
This Field-Marshal was about thirty-five years of age; his person proper
and burly, his countenance martial and ingenuous, and his discourse
answerable; his behaviour courteous, and full of cheerfulness in his
words and actions. His education was liberal; some time he had spent in
foreign parts, and had attained languages and the military part of
learning. He was full of knowledge of the mathematics, and well read in
story. His genius led him most to warfare, and the sea affairs seemed
most suitable to his affections; whereof he would much discourse with
Whitelocke, and admired his relations of the English fleets and havens.
His valour and conduct had commonly the best associate, good success,
which he used to improve, not parting with the least advantage. This
brought him to the favour of his Queen and honour of his country, wherein
he was a Ricks-Senator, and as a Field-Marshal commanded the army, and
was Ricks-Vice-Admiral, which charge he attained in the late war with
Denmark; and he it was that took the King of Denmark's ships in the late
fight with them. Whitelocke gave him thanks for his favours to
Whitelocke's son at Stockholm; they discoursed of the English navy,
whereof Wrangel knew many of the ships by name. He told Whitelocke that
Middleton was arrived in Scotland with two hundred officers and six
thousand arms, which he brought from the Low Countries.
From Wrangel Whitelocke went to visit Woolfeldt, to congratulate his
recovery of health. He told Whitelocke that, by letters which he received
from one of his servants in the Low Countries, he was advertised that the
States had sold above twenty of their ships of war, and that his servant
heard the Admiral de Witt speak of it. He also told Whitelocke that he
had spoken with many officers of the army, and found all of them wish
that the war between England and Holland might continue; by which they
hoped they should join with the English, and gain advantage by it, and
themselves good employment and plunder. But he said that the Chancellor
and his sons, and their party, desired that a peace might be between the
two Commonwealths, because they were rich enough, and had an interest in
trade, and were no soldiers; and that the Queen desired peace among all
her neighbours, and although she was very courageous, yet she loved not
the wars.
_March 15, 1653._
[SN: Further conference with the Queen.]
Whitelocke waited on the Queen, and gave her an account of the conference
between Grave Eric and him. The Queen said that Grave Eric had told her
the same things. Whitelocke replied, that her Majesty should never find
other than truth from him. Upon the point of damages she seemed
satisfied, though she were informed that those matters were remitted to
Whitelocke's negotiation. To which he answered as he had done before to
Eric; and she was contented, and said she would send an ambassador to
England, by whom the affairs touching the herring-fishing and the
erection of a staple and the trade in America might be concluded; and she
told Whitelocke that she had ordered those things which she judged fit to
be added to his articles, to be written down and given to him.
She asked Whitelocke by what way he purposed to return to England. He
said he was doubtful of going by land, and thought the passage from
Stockholm to Luebeck would be the shortest and most convenient for him.
She replied, that would be his best way, and that she would give order
for some of her ships to be ready to transport him; for which Whitelocke
thanked her Majesty.
She discoursed much of England, and asked many questions about the
Thames and other rivers of England, and of their havens and armies;
whereof Whitelocke gave her a full account. She asked him in how many
days one might go from Plymouth to St. Sebastian, and many other things
on that subject. They also discoursed of religion and the worship and
service of God; wherein Whitelocke spake plainly and freely to her
Majesty, and told her that those who made a mock at religion, and were
Atheists in their opinion, were not only most miserable in their own
condition, but brought others likewise into misery; and all of them would
find that God would not be mocked, nor such conversation be excused, but
would be brought into a sad account in the end; and that there was no
foundation in any such people, or in their opinions, but what was sandy
and would fail, and all building thereupon would totter and fall down and
become rubbish; that the only solid comfort and true wisdom lay in the
sincere worship and service of God, which was not only agreeable to the
doctrine of truth, but to reason itself. To this, and much of the like
discourse, the Queen was very attentive, and seemed pleased with it.
_March 16, 1653._
[SN: Despatches from England.]
Whitelocke received his letters from England, and in those from Thurloe
he writes thus:--
"The particular account your Excellence gives of your negotiation is
very acceptable here, as is also your dexterous management thereof.
The paper you were pleased to send to me shall be represented to the
Council; and your Excellence may be assured that a due care will be
taken of that business, as well for justice' sake as that your
present business be not hindered by things of this kind. The bales
of the Queen's goods shall also be taken care of, and any omissions
which have been therein rectified; and I do assure your Excellence
that the Queen's Commissary here hath such speedy and effectual
despatches in everything he makes application for, that I know he
cannot but give notice of it to the Queen."
Then he gives in his letters a full relation of the state of the Dutch
treaty, and all particulars of it, and the likelihood of its taking
effect; and gives intelligence of the French news; and sends copies of
Beningen's letters from Upsal to the States, and of the posture of
affairs in England, Scotland, and Ireland: and concludes,--
"Therefore, with my humble thanks for your Excellence's favour to me
of your weekly letters, and hearty wishes for your safe and
honourable return to your friends and relations here, I rest,
"Your Excellence's most humble and faithful servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_February 16, 1653._"
Whitelocke received many letters from his private friends, his
brothers-in-law, Mr. Hall, Mr. Cokaine, Mr. Eltonhead, Sir Charles
Woolsey, Colonel Sydenham, and one from Mr. Selden, which for the
extraordinary respect thereof, and the person's sake (of whom the Queen
made often inquiry), is fit to be remembered, and was thus:--
[SN: Letter from Selden.]
"_To his Excellence the Lord Whitelocke, Lord Ambassador to her Most
Excellent Majesty of Sweden._
"May it please your Excellence,
"There is nothing happens here that can be worthy of your knowledge
but you meet with it doubtless long before I could send it,--indeed,
I think, long before I know it,--so that I cannot present you with
any English news: my still keeping in from the open cold air makes
me a mere winter stranger in my own country. The best news I have
heard since I had the honour to see you, and that which brought me
with it an ample store of gladness, was the assurance of your
Excellence's safety, which a false rumour with great confidence had
utterly destroyed here. There is none living can with more hearty
affection wish all happiness to you, and good success in your great
employment there, and a safe and timely return, than doth most
really,
"Your Excellence's most obliged
"and most humble servant,
"J. SELDEN.
"_Whitefriars, February 10, 1653._"
The occasion of that passage in his letter of a false rumour was news
brought into England that Whitelocke was stabbed and murdered in Sweden;
and thus his death was with much confidence reported from several hands,
and from divers intelligences out of several parts of Christendom.
Whitelocke's friends were much startled at this news, and the more
because of former intelligences of designs of that nature against him,
whereof they wrote him word; and he was glad to read the news, and that,
through the goodness of God, he was able to confute those reports. They
were kept from Whitelocke's wife by the care of his friends, till one in
gladness came to give her joy that the ill news of her husband was not
true; which brought the whole matter to her knowledge, and herself to
great perplexity upon the sudden apprehension and fright of it, though
there was no truth in it.
Whitelocke, that he might not seem wholly to neglect the Queen's favour,
had sent a packet of his letters which had no secrets unto Monsieur
Bonele, the Queen's Commissary in England, who wrote back an account to
Whitelocke of his care of them, and of the command he had received from
the Queen so to do, and prayed Whitelocke to speak to the Queen on
Bonele's behalf.
_March 17, 1653._
[SN: Prince Adolphus visits Whitelocke.]
Prince Adolphus visited Whitelocke, and they discoursed much of England
and of Whitelocke's business; whom the Prince persuaded to stay in
patience for an answer, and he doubted not but that he would receive
satisfaction. Whitelocke said that hitherto he had been very patient, and
would continue so, and not importune anybody to speed his answer, being
it concerned both nations; and he believed that Sweden would be as well
disposed to entertain the amity of England as England had been in the
offer of it. But Whitelocke thought fit to inform the Prince and some
others that he thought his residence here would not be long, and that as
soon as my Lord Protector should send his letter for his return to
England (which he expected in a short time), he would presently take his
journey. They discoursed also touching his brother, who was to succeed,
and of the brotherly affection between them; as also of the proposal
which had been heretofore made in the Ricksdag of the Queen to marry his
Royal Highness, and the Council's advice and endeavours to further the
same; and how it was not brought to pass, the Queen being wholly adverse
to marriage, but causing the succession of the Prince Palatine to be
enacted by the Ricksdag after her Majesty, if she had no children. And
in these particulars the Prince was free in his discourse, but Whitelocke
thought not fit for him to be so.
[SN: Letter of Jonathan Pickes.]
Whitelocke communicated to some of his company a letter which he received
from a member of a congregation in London, which was thus:--
"_For his Excellence the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke at Sweden._
"My Lord,
"The wise and holy carriage of Solomon before the Queen of Sheba are
more lasting monuments of his praise than his targets of gold, or
magnificent temple. The glory of saints is a glorious name, by
which, though dead, yet they speak. God will not be ungrateful, nor
unfaithful to forget or not to recompense any labour of love. The
interest of Christ,--what greater jewel in the world! and yet how
little liked and loved by the world! All seek their own, not the
things of Jesus Christ. The best, the noblest, the most lasting, yet
not minded: our own things, poor, low, uncertain, unsatisfactory,
yet pursued. The heart runneth after the wedge of gold, and the mind
seeks for greatness. Give me honour, or else I die: a crown here is
more desired than heaven hereafter. Divine love hath great danger
accompanying it, but the recompense is answerable: 'Be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' Learned Paul
counts all things but dung and dross to holy Christ; and Moses
esteemed reproaches for Christ, and afflictions with the people of
Christ, greater riches than the treasures of Egypt or the honours at
Court. And now, Sir, will you have the meaning of all? It is only a
Christian motive to you to eye the highest Lord and the best
interest with the greatest industry; that his honour, which is best
of all, be dearer to you than all country honour: life, world, are
not to be named in the day of his glory. Oh mind him who will not
forget you in the least! There's none in heaven like him: can there
be anything on earth compared to him? Two things are chiefly to be
minded in all actings,--the springs from whence, and the centre to
which, all moves. If love to God be the spring of all, and glory for
God the centre of all, then the heart is upright in all. Remember
the blessed sound, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou
hast been faithful in a little, but thou shalt be enjoyer of much;
enter into thy Lord's joy.' And truly, Sir, you have been not a
little in my thoughts to God for you; so hath it emboldened me thus
to speak to God for you. My soul and many more have been set
a-praising God on your behalf, for that noble Christian testimony
and dislike of that wicked custom of cup-health pledging; whereas a
Christian's health is God, and his cup salvation. And blessed be the
Lord, that did give you to dislike the ball of pleasure, and that
the Lord of that day was so precious. Go on nobly for the Lord; give
your testimony against the wicked customs of a strange country or
dying world; bear his image in all your transactions, and follow his
steps who was the most glorious Ambassador that ever was; and in
this motion the Lord fill your sails with his gales, make you holily
successful, and give you to see your land and relations full of
heavenly fruition, is the humble and hearty desire of one of the
least sons of Zion, ready to serve the Lord in you or yours.
"JONATHAN PICKES."
_March 18, 1653._
Doctor Whistler made a copy of Latin verses upon the Queen's abdication,
which, for the ingenuity and fancy, were worthy the sight of a Prince;
and Whitelocke sent them to the Queen, who was much taken with them.
Whitelocke was so pleased with those verses that, having a little
leisure, himself turned them into English.[41]
Whitelocke having sent to know if the Queen were at leisure that he
might wait upon her, she returned an excuse that she was not well: she
came away sick from the public schools, where she had been to grace the
disputations of a young Swedish Baron with her presence.
[SN: Effect of the peace with Holland.]
Senator Bundt visited Whitelocke, and discoursed with him in English,
which he spake indifferently well, and was the only Swede he conversed
with in that language. Part of their discourse was to this effect:--
_Bundt._ Mr. Beningen, the Holland Resident in this Court, acquainted me
that his superiors have concluded the agreement with England: only some
provinces desire a more express inclusion of the King of Denmark than is
yet contained in the articles; and they are much troubled that, being
upon the conclusion of the treaty, you make so great preparations of war,
and have so powerful a fleet at sea; and we here do much wonder what
should be your design to have so strong a fleet, and so soon out at sea.
_Wh._ The design is for the defence of the Commonwealth; and it is our
custom not to trust to the success of any treaties, which is uncertain,
but to prepare for all events. If the treaty be agreed, it will be
religiously observed on our part, and the navy will be employed to scour
the seas of pirates and enemies, that trade may be free and safe; and we
always use in time of peace to have a fleet at sea; and if the war
continue, we shall be the more ready, by the blessing of God, to maintain
our right. But what suspicion have you here of our navy?
_Bundt._ We suppose it may be employed to open the passage of the Sound,
and make the trade and navigation there free.
_Wh._ The hindrance of navigation there is more prejudicial{2} to Sweden
than to England. We can have our commodities at Gothenburg and in other
places, without passing the Baltic Sea.
_Bundt._ Many amongst us know not what to think of your fleet, and it
troubles some.
_Wh._ I hope we shall be in nearer amity, and then you will be pleased at
it. Have the Senators consulted about the matters of my treaty, or of
remitting it to the new King?
_Bundt._ We have not advised any such thing, but believe the best way for
effecting your business will be by the Queen herself; and if any tell you
the contrary, they are much mistaken in the affairs of this kingdom, and
do not give you a right understanding of them.
This being wholly contrary to what was informed by Monsieur Bloome, the
Chancellor's creature, caused Whitelocke the more to mind it, and
endeavour to obviate that prejudice of delay to his business; and finding
by this discourse with Bundt how much the Dutch Resident and others here
were amused at the English fleet now at sea, he made use thereof, and
gave advice of it to his superiors in England.
_March 19, 1653._
[SN: Intrigues of the Dutch Resident against Whitelocke.]
Whitelocke sent to inquire of the Queen's health; and it being the Lord's
Day, she was in her chapel. Divers English and Scots of the town came to
Whitelocke's house to hear sermons there; and among them was Monsieur
Ravius, who acquainted Whitelocke that one of the Queen's chaplains asked
Ravius how long Whitelocke intended to stay in Sweden. Ravius said he
would shortly return to his own country. The chaplain replied, he did not
believe that, but he thought Whitelocke would stay here a long time, and
that he durst not return to England because of the displeasure of the
Protector against him. And when he was answered that Whitelocke came
hither not in the posture of a man out of favour, and that the Protector
since his accession to the Government had sent him new credentials, and
expressed much favour to him, and sent to be certified what respect the
Queen gave him, the chaplain replied that Whitelocke was sent hither
purposely to be removed out of England, and because he had been of the
former Parliament; to which Ravius said, that many who were of the former
Parliament were now in public offices, as Whitelocke was.
There was cause to believe that this and many the like stories were
feigned by the Holland Resident and other enemies of the Commonwealth, to
asperse Whitelocke and his business, and to give some obstruction to it;
but Whitelocke took little notice of such things, only he thanked
Monsieur Ravius for his defence of Whitelocke and of the truth.
It was also related to Whitelocke that the inauguration of his Royal
Highness could not probably be performed till the feast of St. John the
Baptist, and that then nothing could be concluded in his business till
the feast (as they expressed it) of the Holy Archangel St. Michael next
following, because it was fit to be remitted to the Prince for his final
agreement thereunto; and so the treaty must necessarily receive a
deferring till that time, which, they said, would be best for
Whitelocke's affairs. Whitelocke told them that it would be somewhat
difficult to persuade him that such a delay of his business would be
best; he was sufficiently convinced of the contrary, and that such an
obstruction would render his treaty wholly fruitless both to England and
Sweden, and that he hoped to be himself in England long before the time
which they prefixed for the beginning of his treaty with the new King;
and that he daily expected the commands of the Protector touching his
return home, which he should readily and willingly obey, whether his
treaty here should be concluded or not. He spake the more to this effect,
and the oftener, that the same might come to the ear of the Chancellor
and other senators.
_March 20, 1653._
[SN: Peace signed between England and the United Provinces.]
Whitelocke visited Piementelle, who communicated to him the news of the
Duke of Lorraine, and that the United Provinces of the Netherlands had
ratified the articles with England. Whitelocke asked if Groningen had
consented. He said yes, but with this restriction, that the Prince of
Orange should be comprised in the treaty, which might yet cause some
obstruction in it. Whitelocke imparted to him some of his news, and
imparted such passages of his conferences and business as he desired
might by him be related to the Queen.
[SN: Senator Schuett affects to be favourable to the treaty.]
Senator Schuett visited Whitelocke, and staid with him above two hours.
They discoursed of many things unnecessary to be remembered; some was
thus:--
_Schuett._ I am sorry that the business of your treaty goes on so slowly;
but I hope you will excuse it, in regard the Chancellor is not quick in
despatches, and affects long deliberations in great matters.
_Whitelocke._ That is an argument of his prudence and well weighing of
things before he come to a resolution; and certainly he hath had
sufficient time of deliberation in my business.
_Sch._ The Chancellor sometimes may take more time than is necessary for
one business, and borrow it for another; he knows the advantages of times
and seasons, and how to improve them.
_Wh._ I have found it so; but methinks my business should have been so
acceptable as to have prevented such great delays.
_Sch._ Your negotiation as to the amity with England was in consideration
with the Council here before your arrival; and all of us agreed that it
was more desirable than any other.
_Wh._ I believe it would be agreeable to you, who are persons of great
experience, knowing the interest of your own country, and how
considerable the English nation is; and this caused a belief in me that I
might promise myself an answer to my proposals before my departure from
hence.
_Sch._ The great affairs of this kingdom, and the change likely to
happen, have put a stop to all other business; and in case your
negotiation cannot be brought to a conclusion during your stay here, yet
it may be agreed upon afterwards by an ambassador to be sent from hence
to England.
_Wh._ My Lord Protector having testified so much respect to the Queen, as
he hath done in sending me Ambassador hither, for me, after four or five
months' residence and negotiation in this place, to be sent home again
without any conclusion of my business, but the same to be remitted to the
sending of an ambassador from hence to England, would be no answer to the
respect of the Protector in sending me hither.
_Sch._ The Parliament sent your Excellence hither, as I understood, and
not the Protector.
_Wh._ My coming hither was at first by my Lord Protector's desire, he
being then General, and without his earnest request to me I had not
undertaken it; and since his access to the Government I have received new
credentials from him, by virtue whereof only I have negotiated, and am
the first public Minister employed by his Highness.
_Sch._ It is a very great respect which the Protector hath manifested to
you, and by you to our Queen and nation, and that which you say carries
reason with it. I shall do all that possibly may lie in my power to
testify my respects and service to his Highness and Commonwealth of
England, and to your Excellence their honourable Ambassador.
_Wh._ You are pleased to express a great honour and esteem for my Lord
Protector and for his servant, whereof I shall not fail, by any service
in my power, to make acknowledgment to your Excellence.
There were many other compliments and discourses between them; and the
Senator fell into a relation of Russia, where he had been, and of the
Great Duke's bringing at one time into the field an army of 200,000 men,
divided into three parties, whereof one part fell upon Poland, and had
lately taken divers considerable places in that kingdom; and much more he
spake of this exploit, which is omitted.
_March 21, 1653._
[SN: Senator Schuett's duplicity.]
Whitelocke was somewhat surprised by the carriage of Senator Schuett to
him yesterday, and with his freedom of discourse, which showed him either
to be a courtier and versed in the art of simulation, or the reports made
of him to Whitelocke to be untrue. Now he seemed clearly for the league
with England; before, he expressed himself against it; now he showed
civility and respect to Whitelocke and to his superiors; before, he spake
disdainfully of them and their affairs.
But an ambassador must hear and see many things, and yet take no notice
of them; must court an enemy to become a friend, as he believed he had
done to Schuett, who, after acquaintance between him and Whitelocke,
became very friendly. But Whitelocke held it requisite to keep at
somewhat more distance with him than with others, because he had been
informed that there was not much of kindness between the Chancellor and
this gentleman, which was confirmed by discourse this day with
Lagerfeldt.
_Lagerfeldt._ I entreat your Excellence's excuse for my long absence,
which hath been occasioned by an employment lately bestowed on me by her
Majesty, which takes up my time in the discharge of it.
_Whitelocke._ I do congratulate the honour and favour of the Queen
towards you, in this part of a reward for your good service in England,
whereof I was a witness and have affirmed it to her Majesty. What is the
office she hath given you?
_Lag._ It is the Vice-President of the College of Trade.
_Wh._ I suppose the office is profitable as well as honourable.
_Lag._ A competent salary is annexed to the office, and with us no person
doth serve in any office or public employment, but he hath a salary for
it from the State.
_Wh._ That is honourable, and for the advantage of the State. One of your
Ricks-Senators was here with me yesterday, and I had much discourse with
him about my business.
_Lag._ Which of them was with your Excellence?
_Wh._ The Senator Schuett, whom I saw not before.
_Lag._ I wonder at his visit; did he express much respect to your
Commonwealth?
_Wh._ As much as any I have met with.
_Lag._ I much wonder at it; but shall advise your Excellence not to
depend much upon this gentleman, nor to be over-free in your discourse
with him; for he hath been under a cloud, and is very intimate with the
Holland Resident.
_Wh._ I thank you for your caution; but I have communicated nothing to
him but what might be published.
_Lag._ My Lord Eric Oxenstiern hath, by the Queen's command, some papers
touching your business to be imparted to you.
_Wh._ Do you remember the effect of them?
_Lag._ They contain some explanation of the articles given in by your
Excellence, and some additions offered to them, but not much differing
from those exhibited by you.
They had much discourse about these additions and explanations, whereof
Whitelocke endeavoured to get as much knowledge from Lagerfeldt as he
could beforehand, that he might be the better prepared to debate upon
them when they should be produced; and he declared his sense positively
against some of them to Lagerfeldt, which proved an advantage. Some of
those additions mentioned by Lagerfeldt, being upon his report to Grave
Eric of Whitelocke's judgement upon them, were left out of Grave Eric's
paper.
[SN: Further conference with Grave Eric Oxenstiern.]
In the afternoon Grave Eric came to Whitelocke, and they had this
discourse together:--
_Gr. Eric._ Here is a paper, which I shall read unto you, containing some
matters wherein I desire your consideration, being they relate to the
treaty, as touching contraband goods; that there may be such a liberty,
that trade be not impeached, that prizes may not be brought into the
ports of friends, nor enemies admitted into the havens of the friends and
allies of either nations; that the fishing for herrings and the trade in
America may be free for the Swedes, and that they may have satisfaction
for the wrongs done to them by the English at sea.
_Whitelocke._ Here is very much in these particulars to which I have
formerly given my answer, and can give no other. England hath had no
reason to give a liberty of contraband goods when their enemies deny it,
and it were hard to forbid friends to bring prizes into the ports of
friends, being no prejudice to the owner of the port, but a discourtesy
to the friend; neither is it reason to deny a friend to enter into my
harbour because he is an enemy to another that is my friend also, whose
quarrel I am not bound to wed. For the liberty of herring-fishing, it may
be had from our Commonwealth upon reasonable conditions; and for the
trade in America, I am not instructed to assent to anything therein, but
I supposed it had been intended to send from hence to the Protector about
it. And for satisfaction of wrongs, I know none done by the English to
the Queen's subjects, and imagined that her Majesty had been satisfied in
these points.
_Gr. Eric._ I have order to acquaint you with these particulars, and to
confer with you about them, being esteemed by us just and reasonable.
_Wh._ After my attendance here three or four months without any answer to
my proposals, I did not expect to receive new ones from you so different
from those which I gave in with equal respect to the good of both
nations; and I having offered the friendship of England to you in
general, you answer that it will be accepted, but upon particular and
hard conditions.
_Gr. Eric._ I confess there hath been too much delay in your business,
but it hath been occasioned by the uncertainty of the issue of your
treaty with Holland.
_Wh._ The issue of that treaty is not yet known, and the articles given
in by me had no relation thereunto, and were proposed three months since.
_Gr. Eric._ At present we take it for granted that the peace is concluded
between you and Holland, and that now you are good friends.
_Wh._ I wish we may be so; and if that peace be concluded, there is the
less need of your proposals touching prizes, contraband{3} goods, etc.
_Gr. Eric._ Though the peace be concluded between you, yet it is prudent
to make those provisions, in case of a new war with them or others.
_Wh._ I shall desire a copy of your particulars.
_Gr. Eric._ You shall have them; and I desire you to read this paper,
which is an order of the Council of State in England, delivered to Mr.
Lagerfeldt when he was there, whereby these particulars are remitted to
your negotiation.
_Wh._ This paper bears date after my departure from England, and I never
saw it before, nor received any particular instructions on this subject.
_Gr. Eric._ If you are not satisfied touching the point of damages
sustained by her Majesty's subjects in the taking of their ships and
goods by the English, there may be witnesses examined here for proof
thereof.
_Wh._ I cannot erect a Court or Commissioners, or consent to examination
of witnesses, in this place and upon this occasion; nor can I take
accounts of merchants; I confess my ignorance.
_Gr. Eric._ It may be contained in the treaty that justice shall be done,
and satisfaction given to my countrymen for the wrongs done to them.
_Wh._ That cannot be so expressed without accusing our Commonwealth, and
at least confessing wrongs done, and implying that justice hath not been
done; but I can assure you that the Commonwealth hath done, and will do,
justice to their friends and to all persons, and I shall do all that lies
in my power for that end.
_Gr. Eric._ I shall inform the Queen what hath passed in our conference,
and know her Majesty's pleasure therein.
_March 22, 1653._
Monsieur Lyllicrone informed Whitelocke that Prince Adolphus had taken a
solemn leave of the Queen, and was gone into the country. Whitelocke
asked if it was upon any discontent; Lyllicrone said he knew not.
Whitelocke asked if he would not be at the Ricksdag; Lyllicrone said he
believed the Prince did not intend to be at it, but to travel _incognito_
with a few servants into France and Italy.
[SN: The French advances resumed.]
The French Resident visited Whitelocke in the afternoon, and seeing his
coaches and horses ready to go abroad to take the air, offered, with many
compliments, to bear Whitelocke company, which he could not refuse. The
Resident acquainted Whitelocke that Monsieur Bordeaux, now in London, had
received a commission from the King of France to be his Ambassador to the
Protector, and that Bordeaux had written to this gentleman here, to
salute Whitelocke on his part, and to signify to him that Bordeaux would
be willing to entertain a correspondence with Whitelocke, and had
expressed much affection to his person. Whitelocke answered that he
should be ready to testify all respect and service to Monsieur Bordeaux,
and desired the Resident to testify the same to him at his next
opportunity. Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke, who had some trouble in
discourse with them both together,--the Resident speaking only French,
and Lagerfeldt only Latin, and he must answer them in their respective
languages.
After the Resident was gone, Lagerfeldt discoursed with Whitelocke about
the treaty, particularly of the new proposals showed him by Grave Eric.
Whitelocke gave the same answers to Lagerfeldt as he had done to Eric:
then Lagerfeldt said, that by command of the Queen, he was to tender to
Whitelocke a copy of articles. Whitelocke asked if they were the same
that Grave Eric yesterday imparted to him, and whether Lagerfeldt had any
speech with the Queen this day about them. Lagerfeldt said they were
altered in some part, so as to make them the more acceptable to
Whitelocke, and that he had a few words with the Queen about them.
This caused Whitelocke to marvel that the Queen should pretend to him
that she was sick, and therefore put off the audience which he desired
this day, and yet her Majesty found herself well enough to peruse and
debate with Lagerfeldt these articles; but he said nothing thereof to
others, only made thereof his own observations and use, as he saw
occasion. Lagerfeldt and he perused these new articles, and had much
discourse upon them, and in effect the same as with Grave Eric.
[SN: Whitelocke's amusements in his household.]
In the long winter-nights here, Whitelocke thought fit to give way to
some passages of diversion to please his people, and to keep them
together in his house, and from temptations to disorder and debauchery in
going abroad, besides the danger of the streets in being late out. He
therefore had music, both instrumental and vocal, in concert, performed
by those of his own family, who were some of them excellent in that art,
and himself sometimes bore his part with them. He also gave way to their
exercise and pleasure of dancing in his great chamber, that he might be
present at it, and admitted no undecent postures, but seemly properties
of habits in their shows. He encouraged public disputations in Latin
among the young men who were scholars, himself present in the great
chamber, and appointing a moderator; and this exercise they found useful
and pleasant, and improving their language. To this end likewise they had
public declamations in Latin, himself giving them the question, as "an
quodcunque evenerit sit optimum," etc., so that his house was like an
academy.
_March 23, 1653._
[SN: Whitelocke again negotiates with the Queen.]
Whitelocke attended the Queen; and after some discourses of pleasantries,
they fell upon the treaty, and Whitelocke said to her:--
_Whitelocke._ My business, Madam, is now brought to a conclusion.
_Queen._ Is it to your liking?
_Wh._ Pardon me, Madam, if I say it is not at all to my liking; for in
the articles which Grave Eric sent me there were many particulars to
which I could not agree, and I much wondered to receive such articles
from him, being persuaded that your Majesty was before satisfied by me in
most of the particulars in them.
_Qu._ What are those particulars?
The articles Whitelocke had in readiness with him, and his observations
upon them, having taken pains this morning to compare their articles with
his own, and to frame his objections upon them. The Queen wrote down the
objections with her own hand, and then entered into a debate with
Whitelocke upon the whole, and seemed to be satisfied in most of the
points insisted on by Whitelocke; but was stiff upon the law relating to
ships of war which is mentioned in her eleventh article, and upon some
other particulars. After the debate, she desired that Whitelocke would
the next morning bring to her his objections in writing; and then she
said, "We will not be long before we come to a conclusion of this
business."
Whitelocke thought it convenient to make his addresses to the Queen
herself, and, as much as he could, to decline conferences with her
Commissioner Grave Eric, whom he found more than others averse and cross
to him in his treaty. And the Queen was pleased to admit Whitelocke to
this way, and was not displeased to have applications in this and other
affairs of the like nature to be made upon her person; whereof Whitelocke
had private information before from Piementelle, Woolfeldt, and others,
whose advice he pursued herein with good success.
Her Majesty also permitted Whitelocke to have a free debate with her upon
the points controverted, and would return answers to every argument with
as much reason and ingenuity as any of her Ministers of State, and be
sooner than they satisfied with what was reason. She told Whitelocke that
she marvelled that he, having received those long articles but late the
last night, should be able to make objections, and to enter into a debate
upon all of them this day, when her people had much longer time to frame
these articles. Whitelocke answered, "Yes, by two or three months." After
some other discourse, Whitelocke left her in a pleasant humour.
Being returned home, Lagerfeldt came again to him to sift him, and to
know what answer the Queen had given to his objections upon the new
articles. But Whitelocke fitted his inquiry, and thought not convenient
to communicate to him more than what might advantage his business to be
reported to Grave Eric; and because, in all conferences with the Queen,
no person was admitted to be present with them, not her own
Commissioners for the treaty, or any of the Senators, for the secresy of
the business, which was much to the liking of Whitelocke, and furtherance
of the treaty. They had much discourse upon the new articles, to the same
effect as formerly; and Lagerfeldt said he doubted not but the Queen
would in a short time conclude it to Whitelocke's satisfaction.
After this discourse Whitelocke inquired of Lagerfeldt how the
Chancellor's health was, and what physicians were about him. Lagerfeldt
said he was still sick of his ague, and had no physician attending him
but one who had been a chirurgeon in the army, and now constantly lived
in the house with the Chancellor as a humble friend, sat at his table,
and had a pension from him of four hundred rix-dollars a year; who had
some good receipts, especially for the stone, which agreed with the
Chancellor's constitution, which this chirurgeon only studied and
attended. And so it was generally in this great and large country.
Whitelocke met with no doctor of physic or professed physician in any
town or country, not any attending the person of the Queen herself; but
there are many good women, and some private persons, who use to help
people that are diseased by some ordinary known medicines; and their
diseases are but few, their remedies generally communicated, and they
live many of them to a great age.
[SN: Letters and despatches from England.]
Whitelocke received letters from England, which were always welcome,
especially bringing the good news of the welfare of his relations. He
received very respectful letters from the Earl of Clare, Sir Charles
Woolsey, Colonel Sydenham, the Master of the Rolls, Mr. Reynolds, Lord
Commissioner Lisle, and divers others, besides his usual letters from his
wife, Mr. Hall, Mr. Cokaine, his brothers-in-law, and divers other
friends. In those from Thurloe he had the particular passages of the
Dutch treaty, and that he believed the peace with them would be
concluded; and in those letters Thurloe also writes thus:--
"Your Excellence's of the 27th of January I communicated to his
Highness and to the Council, who, although they do not by this
transaction of the Queen very well understand her intentions as to
the peace, yet they are very much satisfied with the management
thereof on your part, and commit the issue thereof unto the Lord,
who will either bless your endeavours by bringing things to a
desired issue, or otherwise dispose of this affair to the glory of
God, the good of the Commonwealth, and the comfort of yourself who
are employed in it.
"The Council, upon consideration of the whole matter, did not find
it necessary to give you any further directions, nor did his
Highness, especially seeing his last letters but one did express his
sense upon that treaty, and nothing hath occurred since which hath
given any cause of alteration.
"The French King and Cardinal, seeing themselves disappointed at the
Hague as to their inclusion in that treaty, endeavour to effect it
here; and to that purpose the Cardinal sent hither one Monsieur Le
Baas to congratulate his Highness, and to assure him of the
friendship of the King; and that, if he pleased, the King would
banish Charles Stuart and his family out of his dominions, and
proclaim the Protector in France; and hath since sent a Commissioner
to Monsieur Bordeaux to be Ambassador.
"The Spanish Ambassador doth also very much court his Highness and
the present Government. Don Francisco Romero, Captain of the Guard
to the Archduke, arrived here the last night, to congratulate his
Highness in the Duke's name.
"I have moved the Council in the two papers your Excellence trusted
to my care. What order the Council hath been pleased to make
thereupon you will see by their enclosed order, and my care shall
not be wanting to see an effectual execution thereof.
"Your Excellence's humble and faithful servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_24th February, 1653._"
The Council's Order was this:--
"AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, WHITEHALL.
"_Friday, 24th of February, 1653._
[SN: Order in Council on the Swedish prizes.]
"On consideration of several papers which came enclosed in a letter
from the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke, and were this day presented to
the Council, containing some complaints made by divers of the
subjects of her Majesty of Sweden, viz. concerning a Swedish galliot
called the 'Land of Promise,' and a ship called the 'Castle of
Stockholm,' and certain goods taken out of the 'Gold Star' of
Hamburg, and claimed as belonging to Alexander Ceccony, gentleman,
principal officer of the Queen's wardrobe: _Ordered_, That several
copies of the said papers be forthwith sent to the Judges of the
Court of Admiralty and to the Commissioners for Prize Goods, to whom
it is respectively referred, diligently to inform themselves of the
true state of the said ship and goods, and what proceedings have
been had in the Court of Admiralty or Prize Office touching the same
or any of them, and thereof to make report to the Council. And it is
especially recommended and given in charge to the said Judges that
both in these and in all matters concerning the said Queen or her
subjects, which do or shall depend before them, all right and fair
respect be given upon all occasions; and that whatsoever of the said
goods belonging to her Majesty's servant they shall discover, be by
them ordered to be forthwith delivered.
"Ex^r W. JESSOP,
"Clerk of the Council."
This Order Whitelocke caused to be translated into Latin, and sent
copies of it to the Chancellor, to Grave Eric, to Mr. Ceccony, and to
others; and he showed it to the Queen, and all were pleased with it,
hoping for further fruit of it, and esteeming Whitelocke to be in good
credit with his superiors.
_March 24, 1653._
[SN: Reports of the negotiation to England.]
Whitelocke made his despatches for England, and wrote above twenty
letters to several of his friends there, finding it grateful to them to
receive letters from him at such a distance; and that answers to letters
are expected, and ill taken if neglected; that they cost little, and
please much. He was hindered by Woolfeldt, who made a long visit to him,
though upon the post day; at which he wondered, in regard Woolfeldt had
been himself often employed as a public minister, and knew so well what
belonged to the making of despatches.
To recover his lost time, Whitelocke (as he often used when business
pressed him) wrote one letter himself and dictated two others to his
secretaries at the same time, and so, in effect, wrote three letters at
once. The letter which he now wrote to Secretary Thurloe contained his
whole transactions since his last letters to him; and the conclusion of
the letter, showing the state of his negotiation, was this:--
"This afternoon Grave Eric came to me from the Queen, who desired
that my audience, appointed this day, might be put off till the
holidays were past, and said that by reason of the sacrament upon
Easter Day, this day and tomorrow were to be spent in preparation
thereunto; but he told me that she commanded him to receive my
objections to his articles in writing, the which I gave him
according to that large paper which you will receive herewith. We
had very much debate upon the particulars, much of it according to
what I have mentioned before.
"I have thought fit to send you this large paper that you might see
the whole business before you at one view, and it hath cost me some
pains. I shall continue my best endeavours to bring your business to
a good effect. I am put to struggle with more difficulties than I
could expect, and their policy here is great. One may soon be
overtaken with long, intricate, and new proposals; but I hope God
will direct me, whom I do seek, and shall not wilfully transgress my
instructions.
"When I speak with the Queen, she seems to be satisfied; and then
some of the grandees seek to persuade her to a contrary opinion, and
to keep me from her, and lay objections in the way to cross it (for
we want no enemies here). I then endeavour again to satisfy the
Queen, and break through their designs as well as I can; to do
which, and to get a good despatch against all opposition, and yet so
as not to supplicate anything from them, nor in the least to
prostitute the honour of my Lord Protector and of the Commonwealth,
or to prejudice them, is a task hard enough for a great favourite,
much more hard for a stranger, and whose differing principles may
render him the less acceptable. However, I shall hope that the Lord
will direct me for the best, whether they agree with my judgement or
not.
"If I can conclude with them, I shall presently be upon my return,
and hope within a week or two to receive his Highness's order to
give me leave to come home. What I cannot consent to or obtain at
present, I presume they will be contented to have referred to a
future agreement, wherein there can be no prejudice (in my humble
opinion) to your affairs.
"I ask your pardon for my tedious informations, wherein I take no
pleasure; but supposing the business to require it, I presume you
will excuse
"Your very affectionate friend to serve you,
"B. WHITELOCKE.
"_Upsal, 24th March, 1653._"
Most of the night was spent by Whitelocke in making his despatches for
England; neither did he neglect any one friend from whom he had received
the favour and kindness of their letters to him here; by which civility
he obtained the more advice and intelligence from England, and made good
use of it in this Court. His constant letters from his wife and other
private friends he also found of much comfort and advantage to him.
_March 25, 1654._
[SN: New Year's Day, Old Style.]
This day, by the Swedish computation as well as that of England, is the
first day of the year 1654.
Mr. Bloome came to Whitelocke with a compliment from the Chancellor, that
he was sorry he could not visit Whitelocke before his going out of town,
because he was ill, and retired himself into the country, to be quit from
business and to recover his health; and at his return he would come to
Whitelocke and confer with him.
This gentleman Whitelocke apprehended to be often sent to him as a spy,
to inquire of his intentions, and therefore he thought good to make use
of him by telling such things to him as Whitelocke thought and wished
might be again reported by Bloome unto the Chancellor. Therefore, among
other discourses, Whitelocke told Bloome that France, Spain, Portugal,
Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Denmark, and other princes and states, had
sent their public ministers to the Protector, desiring friendship with
him; but his Highness having sent his Ambassador into this kingdom, they
had testified so little respect to him, that in three or four months'
time they had not vouchsafed to give him an answer to his proposals.
Mr. Symonds, an Englishman, excellent in his art of graving and taking
off pictures in little, in wax, for which he had regard in this Court and
promises of money, this person often frequented Whitelocke, his
countryman, and his house, and after some time made a request to
Whitelocke to speak to the Queen in his favour. Whitelocke, knowing that
ambassadors' offices ought not to be cheap, told Symonds in a kind of
drollery that surely he could not expect such a courtesy from him, since,
being an Englishman, he had not acquainted the English Ambassador with
any matter of consequence, nor done any service to his country, since
Whitelocke's arrival here; that when he should deserve it, Whitelocke
would be ready to do him service.
_March 26, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke reproves the English for disorder on the Lord's Day.]
_The Lord's Day._--Divers English and Scots came to the public duties of
the day in Whitelocke's house; and amongst other discourse Whitelocke
learnt from them that Waters, one of his trumpets, going late in the
evening to his lodging, was set upon by some drunkards with their swords,
and wounded, whereof he continued very ill. Whitelocke examined and
reproved some of his company for disorders committed by them on the
Lord's Day and other days, which he told them he would not bear; and it
was the worse in their commitment of those crimes, and the less reason
for them to expect a connivance thereat, because Whitelocke had so often
and so publicly inveighed against the profanation of that day in this
place; but among a hundred some will be always found base, vicious, and
wicked.
_March 27, 1654._
[SN: Festivities of Easter Monday.]
This being Easter Monday, some of Whitelocke's people went to the castle
to hear the Queen's music in her chapel, which they reported to
Whitelocke to be very curious; and that in the afternoon was appointed an
ancient solemnity of running at the ring. Some Italians of the Queen's
music dined with Whitelocke, and afterwards sang to him and presented him
with a book of their songs, which, according to expectation, was not
unrewarded.
Whitelocke went not abroad this festival-time to visit anybody, nor did
any grandees come to visit him; he had an imagination that they might be
forbidden to do it, the rather because Piementelle and Woolfeldt, who
were accustomed to come often to him, had of late refrained to do it, and
had not answered Whitelocke's last visit in ten days. The Queen had also
excused her not admitting Whitelocke to have audiences, by saying she was
busy or sick, when, at the same time, Piementelle and others were
admitted to her presence, and for two or three hours together discoursed
with her. This was resented and spoken of by Whitelocke so as it might
come to the Queen's ear.
_March 28, 1654._
[SN: The Swedes desire to defer the treaty until the new reign.]
After the master of the ceremonies had dined with Whitelocke, and was in
a good humour, he desired Whitelocke to withdraw from the rest of the
strangers, and that he might speak privately with him; and going into the
bedchamber, the master told him that he had heard from some that
Whitelocke had expressed a discontent, and the master desired to know if
any had given him offence, or if there were anything wherein the master
might do him service. Whitelocke said he apprehended some occasion of
discontent in that he had attended here near four months, and had not yet
obtained any answer to his proposals. The master excused the delay in
regard of the Queen's purpose of quitting the Government. Whitelocke said
he believed that occasioned much trouble to her Majesty, and which gave
him cause to doubt that his frequent visits of her Majesty might give her
some inconvenience. He replied that Whitelocke's company was very
agreeable to the Queen, though at present she was overcharged with
business.
_Whitelocke._ I do acknowledge the favours I have received from her
Majesty, and your civilities to me, for which I shall not be ungrateful.
_Mast. Cer._ Would it not be of advantage to your business to attend for
the conclusion of it until the coronation of our new King, to be assented
to by him; by which means the alliance will be more firm than to have it
done by the Queen so near her quitting of the Government?
_Wh._ I shall hardly stay so long a time as till the beginning of the
reign of your new King, nor have I any letters of credence or commission
but to the Queen; and I believe that all acts done by her before her
resignation will be held good, and particularly this touching the
friendship with England, which, I suppose, will be also very agreeable to
his Kingly Highness, and be inviolably observed by him.
_Mast. Cer._ I do not doubt but that the new King will observe the
alliance which the Queen shall make with England, but perhaps it might
better be made with the new King himself; and although you have no
letters of credence to him, yet you may write into England and have them
sent to you.
_Wh._ That will require more time than I have to stay in this place. I
believe the new King will not be crowned yet these two or three months;
and it will be two months from this time before I can receive new
credentials from England, and two or three months after that before I can
return home; by which account I shall be abroad yet eight months longer,
which will be till the next winter; and that would be too long a time for
me to be absent from my family and affairs in England.
_Mast. Cer._ I shall speak with the Queen in this business, and shortly
return to you.
It was imagined by Whitelocke that the master of the ceremonies was
purposely sent to him to sound him touching the deferring of the treaty;
and the like errand Mr. Bloome came to him about; and Whitelocke fully
declared to them his distaste of any thought thereof, and the more at
large and positively because he knew what he said would be reported to
the full to her Majesty and to the Chancellor.
_March 29, 1654._
The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke from the Queen to excuse
Whitelocke's not having had audiences when he desired them; which he said
was because her Majesty had been so full of business, which had hindered
her, and particularly because of the holidays; but he said, if Whitelocke
pleased to have his audience tomorrow, the Queen would be glad to see
him. Whitelocke desired the master to return his thanks to her Majesty
for her favours, and to let her know that he should be ready to attend
her at such time as she should appoint. The master said he would acquaint
her Majesty herewith, and so went away in the midst of dinner.
[SN: Lord Douglas visits Whitelocke.]
The Lord Douglas, a Scotsman, came to visit Whitelocke. He is an ancient
servant to this Crown; he was a page to King Gustavus Adolphus, and by
him preferred to military command, wherein he quitted himself so well
that he was promoted to be General of the Horse, and was now a Baron and
Ricks-Stallmaster, or master of the horse, in Sweden. He excused himself
that he had not oftener visited Whitelocke, being hindered by his
sickness of an ague, which had held him thirty weeks, and had not yet
left him. He said that the next day after his arrival here the Queen
asked him if he had been to see the English Ambassador, and that
Whitelocke was much obliged to the Queen for her good opinion of him:
whereof Whitelocke said he had received many testimonies, and of her
respects to the Protector and Commonwealth as well as to their servant.
Douglas said, that besides her respect to the Protector, she had a
particular respect for Whitelocke; with much discourse of that nature.
[SN: Further excuses for delay.]
He then went to visit his old comrade Colonel Potley, who was ill and
kept his chamber. He fell upon the discourse that it would be convenient
for Whitelocke to stay here till the coronation of the new King, that the
treaty might be concluded by him: to which the same answers were given by
Whitelocke as he had before given to the master of the ceremonies.
Whilst the Lord Douglas was in Whitelocke's house, Grave Eric came to
Whitelocke by command of the Queen, to excuse the delay of his business,
and that some of his audiences had been remitted. He said, her Majesty
had been informed by the master of the ceremonies that Whitelocke should
say he had demanded audiences three times, and could not obtain one.
Whitelocke answered, that there was a little mistake therein, though
there was something near it, and said, it was not his desire to occasion
trouble to her Majesty. Eric answered, that the Queen desired Whitelocke
would excuse her by reason of the holidays, during which time they did
not use in this country to treat of any business, and that the Queen had
likewise many other hindrances; but that whensoever it should please
Whitelocke to come to her Majesty, he would be very welcome. He said, he
was going out of town to his father to conduct him hither, and that
within a day or two he would visit Whitelocke, and that his business
would have a speedy despatch. Whitelocke wished him a good journey, and
that he and his father might have a safe and speedy return hither.
Piementelle sent to Whitelocke to move the Queen to grant her pardon to a
Swede who had killed another, for which by the law he was to die; and
Piementelle offered to second Whitelocke, if he would entreat the Queen
for her pardon to the homicide. Whitelocke desired to be excused herein,
alleging that he, being a public minister, it was not proper for him nor
for Piementelle to interpose with her Majesty in a matter of this nature,
and particularly touching her own subjects, and in a matter of blood; but
this denial Piementelle seemed to take ill, and to be more strange to
Whitelocke afterwards.
The holidays being past, Piementelle had his audience appointed this day
to take his leave of the Queen. Whitelocke sent his son James and some
others of his gentlemen to be present at it, who reported to Whitelocke
that Piementelle spake to the Queen in Spanish, and that she answered him
in Swedish, which was interpreted by Grave Tott; that Piementelle
observed very much ceremony, and when he made his public harangue to the
Queen he grew very pale and trembled, which was strange for a man of his
parts, and who had been so frequent in his conversation with her Majesty.
But some said it was a high compliment, acted by the Spaniard to the
life, to please the Queen, who took delight to be thought, by her majesty
and presence, to put a dread and daunting upon foreigners; which in a
truth she was noted often to do when public ministers had their audiences
in solemnity with her Majesty.
_March 30, 1654._
[SN: An interview with the Queen.]
One of the Queen's lacqueys came to Whitelocke's house in dinner-time, to
desire him, from the Queen, to come to her at two o'clock. Whitelocke
was a little sensible of the quality of the messenger, and therefore
himself would not speak with him, but sent his answer by one of his
servants, and accordingly waited on the Queen.
He was met at the guard-chamber by Grave Tott and divers of the Queen's
servants, with more solemnity than ordinary, and presently brought to the
Queen. After her excuse of his not having had audiences she fell into
discourse of his business. Whitelocke presented to her a form of
articles, according to his own observations upon those articles he had
formerly given in, and upon those he received from Grave Eric. Thereupon
the Queen said to him, "You will not consent to any one of my articles,
but insist upon all your own." Whitelocke showed her wherein he had
consented to divers of her articles, and for what reasons he could not
agree to the rest. They had discourse upon the whole, to the same effect
as hath been before remembered.
The Queen told Whitelocke, that if those articles should not be
concluded, that nevertheless the amity between the two nations might be
continued. Whitelocke answered, that it would be no great testimony of
amity, nor proof of respect to the Protector and Commonwealth, to send
back their servant after so long attendance, without effecting anything.
The Queen said she would despatch his business within a few days, and,
she hoped, to his contentment. Whitelocke told her it was in her
Majesty's power to do it; that he could not stay until the change whereof
people discoursed, and that he had her Majesty's promise for his
despatch, which he knew she would not break.
Then the Queen fell into other discourses, and in particular of poetry;
which occasion Whitelocke took to show her a copy of Latin verses made by
an English gentleman, a friend of Whitelocke's, and sent over to him
hither, and which he had now about him, and knew that such diversions
were pleasing to the Queen.[71]
At his leisure hours, Whitelocke turned these verses into English, which
ran thus:--
"_To the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord, the Lord
Whitelocke, Ambassador Extraordinary to the Most Serene Queen of
Sweden. An Ode._
Whitelocke, delight of Mars, the ornament
Of gownmen, from thy country being sent,
Tribunals languish; Themis sad is led,
Sighing under her mourning widow's bed.
Without thee suitors in thick crowds do run,
Sowing perpetual strife, which once begun,
Till happy fate thee home again shall send,
Those sharp contentions will have no end.
But through the snowy seas and northern ways,
When the remoter sun made shortest days,
O'er tops of craggy mountains, paths untrod,
Where untamed creatures only make abode,
Thy love to thy dear country hath thee brought,
Ambassador from England. Thou hast sought
The Swedish confines buried in frost,
Straight wilt thou see the French and Spanish coast;
And them fast bind to thy loved Britany
In a perpetual league of amity.
So wilt thou arbitrator be of Peace,
Her pious author; thou wilt cause to cease
The sound of war, our ears it shall not pierce;
Thou wilt be Chancellor of the universe.
Christina, that sweet nymph, no longer shall
Detain thee; be thou careful not to fall,
Prudent Ulysses, under those delights
To which the learned Circe thee invites.
Thy chaste Penelope doth call thee slow;
Thy friends call for thee home; and they do know
New embassies, affairs abroad, at home,
Require thy service,--stay till thou dost come.
Thou, Keeper of the Seal, dost take away
Foreign contentions; thou dost cause to stay
The wars of princes. Shut thou Janus' gate,
Ambassador of peace to every state."
The Queen was much delighted with these and other verses which Whitelocke
showed her; read them over several times, and desired copies of them,
which Whitelocke sent her; and in this good humour she wished Whitelocke
to leave with her a copy of his articles as he had now revised them, and
to come to her again the next day, when she would give him a further
answer, and, she hoped, to his contentment.
[SN: Spain suspected of intriguing against the treaty.]
Woolfeldt visited Whitelocke, and excused his long absence by reason of
the holidays. He informed Whitelocke with much freedom, that it was
against the interest of Spain that England and Sweden should be in
alliance together, and that Whitelocke's negotiation had been hindered by
the Spanish Resident here, more than by any other. Whereunto Whitelocke
said little positively, but compared his words with the late carriage of
Piementelle,--especially since Whitelocke did not so heartily entertain
the Queen's motion (which probably Piementelle put her upon) to have the
Spaniard included in the league with England and Sweden, which Whitelocke
was not empowered to treat upon, and Whitelocke also remembered the
deferring of his audiences lately desired.[73] But these things he was to
keep to himself, and to court Woolfeldt, which he did, and Piementelle
likewise, who came to visit Whitelocke whilst Woolfeldt was with him, and
made the same excuse as he had done for his long absence. They had much
general discourse, but nothing (as usually before) touching Whitelocke's
business. Piementelle said he purposed to depart from Upsal within seven
or eight days; that yesterday he had taken his leave of the Queen, and
came in the next place to take his leave of Whitelocke, who gave him
thanks for this honour, and said he was sorry for the departure of
Piementelle, whereby he should have a very great loss in being deprived
of the acceptable conversation of so honourable a friend.
[SN: Despatches from England complaining of delay.]
Whitelocke received many letters from England; in those from Thurloe he
saith:--
"I am sorry your last letters give us no greater hopes of that which
we so much long for, to wit, your Excellence's speedy return home;
it seeming by them that the treaty was not much advanced since your
last before, notwithstanding the great care and diligence used by
your Excellency for the promoting thereof, as also the great
acceptance you have with the Queen and Court, as is acknowledged by
other public ministers residing there. It is now more than probable
they will expect the issue of the Dutch business before they will
come to any conclusion; as also to see what terms we are like to be
upon with France, that so the Queen may manage her treaty with
England accordingly, which I suppose she may not be long ignorant
of. In the meantime his Highness thinks he is somewhat delayed on
her part."
Then Thurloe relates all the passages of the Dutch Ambassadors, and that,
in effect, they had agreed to the articles; of the endeavours of the
French to have a league with the Protector, and no less of the Spaniard.
And he writes at large the news of the Archduke, as also that of Scotland
and Ireland, and confutes the rumour of a discontent in the army of the
Protector.
In another letter from Thurloe of a later date, received by the same
post, he saith thus:--
"His Highness understands by your Excellence's last letters, that
the treaty with the Queen of Sweden will much depend upon the treaty
with the Dutch here, and until the issue of that be known no great
matter is to be expected from your negotiation: concerning which, it
being very probable that before the next ordinary it will be seen
what issue the Dutch treaty will be brought unto, his Highness will
refer his further directions to you till then; leaving it to your
Excellence to proceed upon the former instructions as you shall find
it convenient, and for his service according as affairs now stand."
The clause in this letter, of referring further directions till after the
issue of the Dutch treaty, was some trouble to Whitelocke's thoughts,
fearing it might delay his return home; but he laid hold upon the latter
part of this letter, whereby it is left to Whitelocke to proceed upon the
former instructions as he should find it convenient and for his
Highness's service; which, as it reposed a great trust in Whitelocke, so
it gave him warrant to conclude his treaty, and obliged him to the more
care to perform that trust which they had so fully put in him.
[SN: Claim on behalf of the Swedish ships in England.]
Mr. Bonnele representing to the Protector the losses which the Swedes
suffered by the ships of England, the Protector caused an answer
thereunto to be returned, the copy whereof was sent by Thurloe to
Whitelocke, and was thus:--
"Whereas Mr. Bonnele, Resident of the Queen of Sweden, hath, by a
paper of the 4th of March, remonstrated to his Highness that several
ships and goods belonging to the said Queen and her subjects are
taken at sea by the ships of this State, and brought into these
parts, contrary to the declaration of the Council of State, 1st
April, 1653, whereby they did declare, that for preventing the
present obstruction of trade, all ships truly belonging to the
Queen or her subjects, of Sweden, that should bring with them
certificates from her said Majesty, or the chief magistrate of the
place from whence they come, grounded upon the respective oaths of
the magistrates and loaders that the said ship and lading do belong
_bona fide_ to the said Queen or her subjects, and to no stranger
whatsoever, should and might freely pass without interruption or
disturbance. His Highness hath commanded that it be returned in
answer to the said Resident, that although the said declaration was
to be in force for the space of three months, in which time a form
of passport and certificates was to be thought of for preventing
fraud and collusion, yet no provision of that nature having been yet
agreed upon, and it being contrary to his intention that the goods
and ships belonging to her said Majesty or subjects (with whom he
desires to conserve all good correspondence) should in the meantime
suffer inconvenience or prejudice by the ships of this State, hath
renewed, as he doth hereby renew, the said declaration with respect
to the present treaty now on foot between the two nations, wherein
some course may be provided for preventing the said frauds.
"And to the end there may be the better effect of this declaration,
his Highness hath given order to the Judges of the Admiralty that if
any ships or goods be brought into these parts belonging to her
Majesty or subjects, that the producing of certificates according to
the said declaration, in open Court and upon oath made by them that
do produce such certificates, that they are good and authentic, and
obtained without fraud or deceit, that the Judges shall thereupon
(there being no proof before them to the contrary) discharge the
said ships or goods without further delay. Provided that such ships
were not bound with contraband goods to the ports or harbours of any
of the United Provinces.
"For the herring-buss, there having been proceedings thereupon in
the Court of Admiralty, and a sentence of condemnation given
against her as belonging to the enemies of this State, his Highness
does not conceive that it can be expected from him to interpose in
matters belonging to the decision of that Court; besides, the law
having in the ordinary course provided a remedy, by way of appeal,
in case of wrong or injustice done by that Court.
"For the goods of Mr. Alexander Cecconi, supposed to be taken by a
ship belonging to this State, orders have been given by the Council
concerning them, and some return made upon those orders; and the
said Commissary may rest assured that speedy and effectual justice
will be done in that particular.
"JO. THURLOE.
"_March 10th, 1653._"
These orders of the Council Whitelocke caused to be translated into
Latin, that he might communicate them as he saw occasion.
_March 31, 1654._
[SN: Reports to England.]
Whitelocke despatched a great number of letters to his friends in
England: in those to Secretary Thurloe he gave a full account of all
transactions of his negotiations and passages here since his last
letters.
This day, though the post-day, Woolfeldt again visited Whitelocke, to his
no little interruption in his despatches; yet from him Whitelocke learned
many things in relation to Denmark, for the advantage of England, and
Woolfeldt testified great affection and respect to the Protector and
Commonwealth. He was also interrupted by his attendance upon the Queen,
according to her appointment. The Chancellor came forth from her as
Whitelocke went in, and he told Whitelocke that the Queen, hearing of his
being without, had sent to desire him to come in to her. Whitelocke read
some of his news to the Queen, and the paper which the Protector had
caused to be given to her Commissary Bonnele at London; upon which
Whitelocke took the boldness a little to paraphrase, and her Majesty was
well pleased with it. They fell into discourse of the treaty, much to the
same effect as formerly; but Whitelocke staid the less time with her
Majesty, because he presumed that the Chancellor and his son waited
without to speak with her about his business. She promised Whitelocke to
send him an answer of his business the next day, and that one of her
ships should be ready at the Dollars (the mouth of the haven of
Stockholm) to transport him to Luebeck when he should desire it; which was
acceptable to Whitelocke to think on, and he thanked her Majesty for it.
Thus was March passed over, full of trouble, yet nothing effected in his
business.
FOOTNOTES:
[41] [The Ambassador's verses I have ventured to omit, as alike destitute
of elegance, point, or metre.]
[71] "_Ad Illustrissimum et Excellentissimum Dominum, Dominum Whitelocke,
Legatum Angliae Extraordinarium apud Serenissimam Sueciae Reginam. Ode._
"Vitloce, Martis deliciae, decus
Gentis legatae; te sine, languidum
Moeret tribunal, et cubili
In viduo Themis ingemiscit.
Denso cientes agmine cursitant,
Et sempiternas te sine consuunt
Lites, neque hic discordiarum
Finis erit, nisi tu revertas.
Sed te nivosum per mare, per vias
Septentrionum, per juga montium,
Inhospitales per recessus
Duxit amor patriae decorus.
Legatus oras jam Sueonum vides
Bruma sepultas; mox quoque Galliam,
Hispaniam mox cum Britannis
Foedere perpetuo ligabis.
Sic pacis author, sic pius arbiter
Gentes per omnes qua sonuit tuba
Dicere; cancellariusque
Orbis eris simul universi.
Christina, dulcis nympha, diutius
Ne te moretur: qui merito clues
Prudens Ulysses, sperne doctae
Popula deliciasque Circes.
Te casta tentum Penelope vocat,
Vocant amici, teque aliae vocant
Legationes, te requirunt
Ardua multa domi forisque.
Custos Sigilli tu dirimes cito
Pugnas forenses, bellaque principum
Legatus idem terminabis:
Tu (sera candida) claude fanum."
[73] [This change was probably the consequence of the negotiations then
going on between Louis XIV. and Cromwell in London, which had excited the
jealousy of the Spanish Court, as is stated by Thurloe in the next page.]
APRIL.
_April 1, 1654._
[SN: A capital execution in Sweden.]
In the morning, in the market-place, near Whitelocke's lodging, was an
execution of one adjudged to die for a murder. The offender was brought
into the midst of the market-place, which was open and spacious, and a
great multitude of people spectators. The offender kneeled down upon the
ground, a great deal of sand being laid under and about him to soak up
his blood, and a linen cloth was bound about his eyes: he seemed not much
terrified, but when the company sang a psalm, he sang with them, holding
up his hands together, and his body upright, his doublet off. He prayed
also with the company, but made no speech to them; nor did any other
speak to the people. The executioner stood behind him, with a great naked
sword in his hand and a linen apron before him, and while the offender
was praying the headsman in an instant, at one back-blow, cut off his
head, which fell down upon the sand; and some friends took it from the
executioner, and carried it away with the body to be buried. Presently
after this execution was past, two other offenders for smaller crimes
were brought to the same place, to suffer the punishment of the law,
which they call running the gauntlet,--a usual punishment among
soldiers.
[SN: Running the gauntlet.]
The people stood in length in the market-place about a hundred yards,
leaving an open space or lane between them of about five yards' distance;
then the offender, being naked to the waist, was brought to one end of
the lane or open place. The people had rods or switches of birch given to
as many as would take them; the offender was to run or go, as he pleased
(and one of them walked but a Spanish pace), from one end of the lane of
people to the other, twice or thrice forward and backward; and all the
way as he went, the people who had the switches lashed the offender as he
passed by them, harder or softer, as they favoured him. These are the
most usual ways of executions which they have for criminal offences, and
they do not execute men by hanging, which they say is only fit for dogs;
but in cases of great robberies and murders sometimes they execute
justice by breaking the offenders upon the wheel, and leave the quarters
of the body upon it; some whereof were in the way as Whitelocke passed in
his journey by the great wilderness.
[SN: Vestiges of the Scandinavian mythology.]
In the afternoon Senator Schuett came to Whitelocke and invited him to
take the air to see the town of old Upsal, about a mile off; and being
there, Schuett showed him three great mounts of earth, cast up by the
hands of men, for monuments in memory of their ancient famous kings,
whose seat had been here, and the place of their coronation. These mounts
had been dedicated to three of their Pagan gods: the one to the god whom
they call Teuo, who was Mars, and from him they have the name of the day
of the week _Teuosdag_, which we call Tuesday, and the Germans
_Tuisconsdaeg_, and the Latins _Dies Martis_; the second mount was
dedicated to their god Woden, so they called Mercury, and from thence
their day of the week is named _Wodensdag_, which we also call Wednesday,
the Germans _Wodensdaeg_, and the Latins _Dies Mercurii_; the third mount
was dedicated to their goddess Freya, so they called Venus, and from
thence comes the name of their _Friedsdag_, which we call Friday, the
Germans _Frigdaeg_, and the Latins _Dies Veneris_.
There were also other relics of decayed mounts, which Whitelocke guessed
to have been dedicated to their other gods, from whom they gave the names
of the other days of the week: as, to Thor, whom they called Jupiter,
and, from whence the day _Thoresdag_, which we call Thursday, the Germans
say _Thorsdaeg_, and the Latins _Dies Jovis_; another mount dedicated to
their god Setorn, from whence they call _Setornsdag_, as we say Saturday,
the Germans _Saeternsdaeg_, and the Latins _Dies Saturni_; another mount
dedicated to Sunnan, as they call the Sun, and from thence that day
_Sunnandag_{4}, as we say Sunday, the Germans _Sunnandaeg_, and the Latins
_Dies Solis_; the last mount dedicated to Monan, that is the Moon, and
from thence the name of their _Monandag_, which we call Monday, the
Germans _Monandaeg_, and the Latins _Dies Lunae_.
[SN: The war between Muscovy and Poland.]
In discourse upon the way, Schuett informed Whitelocke of the matter of
the embassy from the Great Duke of Muscovia to the Queen of Sweden, which
was to acquaint her Majesty that the Great Duke had begun a war against
the King of Poland, because in a letter of his to the Great Duke he had
omitted one of his great titles,--a heinous offence, and held by the
Great Duke a sufficient ground of war, and of his resolution to
sacrifice the blood of his fellow-Christians to satisfy his wicked pride.
Another ground of the war was because a certain Governor of a province in
Poland, in a writing, had placed the name of the father of the Great Duke
before the name of the present Great Duke; which was so great an
indignity, that for the same the now Great Duke demanded of the King of
Poland to have the head of that Governor sent to him, and that not being
done, was another cause of the begun war. To this the Queen answered,
that it did not appertain to her to give her opinion in a matter of this
nature, whether she did approve or disapprove of what was done by the
Great Duke, but she did presume that the King of Poland would therein
give fitting satisfaction to the Great Duke; and that she did wish that
there might be peace between these two Princes and all the Princes of
Christendom. And with this answer the Envoys of the Great Duke returned
as wise as they came.
[SN: Denmark threatens Hamburg.]
Schuett also communicated unto Whitelocke an intelligence that the King of
Denmark had levied some forces which he designed against
Hamburg,--pretending injuries done to him by that city in relation to his
pretensions of dominion there, which probably might occasion a war
between Denmark and that free city, which had strength and riches and
people and wisdom to defend themselves; and Schuett advised Whitelocke
that if this should be so, that then he should take his voyage some other
way, and that it would be a great disturbance and danger to him to go by
Hamburg and those quarters, which would be infested with soldiers, and
that then it would be his best way to return by Gothenburg; but he did
persuade Whitelocke by all means to salute the Prince of Sweden by the
way of his return. Whitelocke said he thought it not probable that the
King of Denmark would at this time engage in a war against Hamburg, and
that his levying of soldiers might breed a jealousy in the Crown of
Sweden; that the certainty thereof could not be long undiscovered, and
accordingly he should govern his own resolutions; that it would be
difficult for him to stay in his journey to salute the Prince, but he
much desired and intended it before his departure.
_April 2, 1654._
Although the Lord's Day, yet the English and Scots who were in the town,
and not of Whitelocke's family, went abroad to take the air, and did not
resort, as they used to do, to Whitelocke's house to the exercises of
divine worship, which were duly performed in his private family; and
after those _sacra peracta_, Whitelocke retired himself to his private
studies and meditations upon the word of truth. This day likewise the
Queen went abroad to take the air, and passed through the town in her
coach, attended by many gentlemen and others in her train, to the ill
example of her people, and after the bad custom of this place.
_April 3, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke takes the air with the Queen.]
The Queen sent to Whitelocke to invite him to accompany her to take the
air.
By the way Whitelocke visited Woolfeldt, who had much discourse with him
about the English fleet then at sea. From him Whitelocke went to Court,
and attended the Queen in her coach to take the air. They had not much
discourse about his business, and he thought not fit to interrupt her
Majesty's pleasures with serious discourses, but sought to delight her
with matters of diversion and mirth. When they were come back to the
castle, the Queen said to Whitelocke:--
_Queen._ Tomorrow my Chancellor will present you with the articles drawn
up by him, with some alterations which I judge to be reasonable; and that
shall be my final resolution about them.
_Wh._ Hath your Majesty commanded any mention in those new articles
concerning contraband goods?
_Qu._ There is a specification of them.
_Wh._ Indeed, Madam, I can hardly consent to any alteration upon the
subject of contraband goods, whilst the edict of the Hollanders is in
force thereupon.
_Qu._ After you have considered these new articles, we will speak
together again about them.
Then the Queen retired to her chamber, and Whitelocke being come home,
the Secretary Canterstein came to him from the Chancellor to excuse his
not coming to visit Whitelocke, and said that, by the Queen's command,
the Chancellor had sent a new copy of articles to Whitelocke. He
presently read them, and had much discourse with the secretary upon them,
who said he did not doubt but that, after communication with the
Chancellor, Whitelocke would receive satisfaction.
_April 4, 1654._
Whitelocke visited Piementelle, and they had this discourse:--
_Piementelle._ The Ambassador of Denmark did me the honour to visit me,
and we had much discourse together about the English fleet now at sea; he
told me that in it were ten thousand foot soldiers embarked for the
North, which would occasion great trouble to the King his master, if it
should be so, which I acknowledged.
_Whitelocke._ Your Excellence knows that I have not been at the Council
of State in England for six months last past, so that I know not the
secret designs of my Lord Protector; but I believe it is no very
difficult matter to land men in Denmark.
_Piem._ What progress hath the French Ambassador made in the treaty
between you and France?
_Wh._ If the Queen will be pleased to give my despatch, I hope to be upon
the place before the treaty with the French be concluded. I have somewhat
to communicate to the Protector touching a treaty with Spain, which your
Lordship very well knows; and it would be to purpose that his Highness
should know it before the conclusion of a treaty between England and
France.[85]
_Piem._ I am assured that the Queen will despatch you in good time. But I
advise your Excellence in your return not to pass by Denmark, for it is
ill trusting of that King; but your better way will be to Luebeck, and
from thence to Hamburg, and if you do not find ships ready there, you may
travel by land to Cologne, and from thence to Dunkirk; which will be much
better than to go by Holland, where they do exceedingly exact upon
strangers, and your Commonwealth hath more enemies there than in any
other place, besides the common people are rude and insolent.
_Wh._ I am engaged to you for your good advice, which I intend to follow.
After their discourse, Whitelocke presented Piementelle his medal in gold
very like him, and it was received by Piementelle with much affection.
Then Piementelle entreated Whitelocke to give him a passport for his
servant, who had the charge of conducting his baggage by sea to Dunkirk,
that he might freely pass the men-of-war of England; the which was
willingly done by Whitelocke, under his hand and seal.[86]
_April 5, 1654._
[SN: Conference with the Chancellor.]
In the morning Whitelocke went to the Chancellor's lodging, and found his
son Grave Eric with him. The Chancellor made a long apology to excuse the
delay of the treaty, and said:--
_Chancellor._ My indisposition of health hath chiefly occasioned the
delay, yet was I so solicitous of your business, that I entreated the
Queen to appoint some other person in my stead, who might confer with
your Excellence; and her Majesty was pleased to appoint my son for that
service.
_Whitelocke._ I was very sorry for your Excellence's want of health, both
in regard of my affection to your person, and in respect of the
protraction of my business; yet I was glad that your son, my Lord Eric,
was appointed to confer with me, and had rather have the transaction of
my business by yourself or some of your family than by any other. I am
now come to you to confer upon those articles which yesterday I received
from you.
Then Whitelocke gave the Chancellor a paper of his animadversions upon
his articles. The debate began upon the ninth article; and as to the sale
of goods taken from enemies and prohibiting the buying of arms, the
Chancellor said this would abolish their trade, and would be of no
advantage to England, because those arms, and equally as good, might be
had from other places; and if the English did light upon them, they would
have the benefit by it. Whitelocke said it would be a great inconvenience
to furnish the enemies of either nation with arms which could not be had
elsewhere than in England or Sweden, and that this clause would put a
bridle in the mouths of the enemies of either nation. The Chancellor and
his son replied that arms might be had in the province of Liege,[88] and
in many other places in Germany; that Sweden scarce afforded any other
commodities but arms, or such things as were serviceable for war; and
that the Queen would by no means be induced to that clause as Whitelocke
would have it.
Then they debated upon the eleventh article, the issue whereof was for
Whitelocke to consent to a special designation of prohibited goods.
Whitelocke desired that the catalogue and designation of them might be
referred to his return into England, and he would agree that within two
months after that there should be a specification of prohibited goods in
the name of the Protector.
The Chancellor urged that the specification might be now agreed upon, and
produced a paper specifying them, which they alleged was delivered by the
Council in England unto Bonnele. Whitelocke said he did not remember the
same, and that he was ignorant what goods were prohibited by the Dutch
placard, which was fit to be known before any specification made by him.
Upon the twelfth article Whitelocke urged, that as to the form of the
letters of safe-conduct, it might also be referred to his return into
England. They produced a form exhibited by Lagerfeldt to the Council in
England, and desired that the same form might be now agreed upon.
Whitelocke answered that the Council of State had not approved the form
given in by Lagerfeldt, and therefore it was not fit for him to consent
to it; nor could he apprehend any reason why they should not consent to
refer the agreement of a form unto his return to England; and the rather,
because in the meantime the subjects of the Queen might enjoy the benefit
of an edict made by the Protector in great favour of them, which
declaration Whitelocke had caused to be delivered to the Chancellor.
To the thirteenth article, as to satisfaction of damages, their debate
was to the like effect as formerly.
Upon the sixteenth article they had also debate. Whitelocke desired that
the words "de usu littorum in piscatione" might be altered to these
words, "de piscatione et usu littorum." They alleged that this would seem
to deny their fishing upon their own coasts. Whitelocke said, the other
would seem as if England had given up their right as to the fishing, and
left all at liberty to those that pleased to take it.
This was the sum of the debate of near three hours. The conclusion was
that they would certify the Queen of all these matters, and in short
acquaint Whitelocke with her answer; which he desired might be as speedy
and positive as they pleased, because if they should reduce him to that
necessity, that before he could agree he must send to the Protector to
know his pleasure, he could not receive an answer of his letters in less
than two months' space, within which time the Queen purposed to resign
her government, and then his commission would be at an end. The
Chancellor said he desired Whitelocke should be speedily in England, not
only for the sake of his wife and children, but likewise because then
they could promise themselves that they had a good friend in England.
[SN: Alarm excited by the English fleet.]
Whitelocke visited the French Resident, who was very inquisitive what
might be the design of the English fleet now at sea; whereunto, as to
much other of his discourse, Whitelocke did not much study for answers,
only he was careful not to let fall any words which might lessen their
amusement about the fleet.[90]
In the evening Woolfeldt visited Whitelocke and discoursed of the same
matter; whereof Whitelocke made some use and of this gentleman, to
heighten their jealousies about this fleet. Woolfeldt acquainted
Whitelocke that the Ambassador of Denmark had made a complaint against
him to the Queen, that Woolfeldt had deceived the late King of Denmark of
certain sums of money, which he should have disbursed for the late King
of England against the Parliament; and that the present King of Denmark
having been informed that Woolfeldt had lost his papers at sea, and so
could not produce his acquittances, the King took the advantage thereof
against Woolfeldt, and now, by his Ambassador, charged him before the
Queen for those moneys: but that he disappointed the Danish Ambassador by
producing before the Queen his papers and acquittances, which his enemies
believed had had been lost; and so was justified before the Queen, to the
great discontent of the Ambassador. Whitelocke said he was very glad that
Woolfeldt came so well off, and that he perceived the Queen had, by the
the treaty, a capacity, as well as by his residence, to examine and do
right in such matters.
[SN: Conversation of a Danish gentleman who betrays his country.]
This day Whitelocke had discourse about Norway and the Sound with a
Danish gentleman of great quality and experience whom he had obliged, who
desired to have his name concealed;[91] but part of this discourse
follows:--
_Dane._ Now is a good time for the Protector to send some ships towards
these parts.
_Whitelocke._ What places are there in Norway considerable as to the
interest of England?
_Dane._ There are two places in Norway not far from Gothenburg which are
easy to be taken, and are excellent harbours, wherein England might keep
some ships constantly, and command all that pass by to the Baltic Sea.
_Wh._ What are the names of those places?
_Dane._ The one of those havens is called Marstrang; but that I do not
like so well because of the Paternoster Rocks, which are very dangerous
for coming out if the wind sit northerly, and the fort there is commanded
by the hills near it. But the other place, called Flecker Town, is an
island, and hath a going-in and coming-out two ways; it is an excellent
harbour, and ships may ride in it at such a distance from the land (being
a broad water) that none from the land can hurt them. There is a little
fort in this island which may easily be taken, not having above forty or
fifty men in it, and the works decayed. Those who assail it must land
their men on the south-east side of the island, the fort being on the
other side, and they may easily be masters of it; and from thence having
some ships, they may go in and out at their pleasure, and command all
passing by; and none can come into the harbour to them if they make up
the fort, which is soon done, and the passage not above musket-shot to be
commanded, and there are no guns there of any consideration at this time.
_Wh._ How shall they do for victuals there to get fresh from the land?
_Dane._ There is plenty of butter and cheese, sheep and hogs; and the
poor country people will be no trouble to you, but be willing to be
commanded by you.
_Wh._ What towns are there near it?
_Dane._ Higher in the country is Bergen, the chief town for trade there,
and rich enough. Your ships may easily come into that harbour, and
plunder the town and get a great booty, and return to Fleckeren Town
again.
_Wh._ Is there anything to be done at Iceland?
_Dane._ I wonder you do not send, in August or September, four or five
ships to Iceland, being men-of-war. They may have twenty or thirty Dutch
ships, laden with fish, butter, and hides, which will make no resistance
at all; and it would be a rich prize, and might be had without danger or
difficulty.
_Wh._ Is the castle of Elsinore so strong a piece that it cannot be taken
without much expense and danger?
_Dane._ This will not be the best design for England: it is a small,
strong castle, and doth not signify much; though it be esteemed a piece
of importance, it is not so.
_Wh._ It commands the passage of the Sound.
_Dane._ Most men believe so, but it is mistaken. I have seen an
experiment to the contrary, that a boat, being placed in the middle of
that narrow passage of the Sound, they shot at it from the castle of
Elsinore, and likewise from the castle of Helsingborg on the other side,
with the greatest guns they had, and yet they could not reach the boat
from either side by two thousand paces; nor is it so narrow in the
passage but that a ship may, when she pleaseth, sail by those castles in
despite of them.
_Wh._ What harbour is there at Elsinore?
_Dane._ There is no harbour for ships to ride in, and in foul weather
they will be in danger to be all lost, because they must ride in the
open sea, which there is extreme perilous; and therefore Elsinore is not
worth the keeping, if England had it. But their best design would be to
go directly to the town of Copenhagen with fifty or sixty good ships,
with landsmen in them; and it is easy enough to take that town, for the
works of it are not strong, nor is it well guarded, and it would be
easier to take that town than Elsinore; and if England were masters of
it, the castle would quickly come in to them; and at the town they should
have a good haven for their ships, and a small matter would build a
better fort near the town than Elsinore is, and would command the passage
more than the castles do, and make you masters of the Sound and of all
the trade of the Baltic Sea.
_Wh._ What revenue would be gained thereby?
_Dane._ More than will maintain your ships and forces there, and will
command all the island of Zealand.
_Wh._ I should be glad to meet you there.
_Dane._ If you summon me by your letters, I will give you a meeting at
Copenhagen, or those whom the Protector will send thither; and if you
will meet me there, I doubt not but to show you a way to get that town
without much difficulty; and then you will have all the isle of Zealand,
which is the best part of Denmark, and the rest will follow, being weary
of the present tyranny and ill-usage of their King. And if you were
masters of Zealand, you might thereby keep in awe the Swede, the
Hollander, and all the world that have occasion for the commodities of
the Baltic Sea.
_Wh._ Why then doth not the King of Denmark now keep them in such awe?
_Dane._ Because he hath neither the money nor ships nor men that England
hath.
_Wh._ What is the ground and reason of payment of the tolls at Elsinore,
if ships may pass by without the leave of the castles there?
_Dane._ Because that is known but to a very few; and what I have told you
is under secresy, and I desire that none but the Protector may know it
from you; and as for the grounds of paying the tolls at Elsinore, it is
rather from the keeping of the lights in Jutland and upon that coast,
than from any command that Elsinore hath of the ships that go that way.
_Wh._ I have heard those lights are very useful.
_Dane._ Unless they were kept, it would be impossible for ships to sail
there in the long nights in winter; and the trade doth enforce them to
come that way in October and November, when the nights are very long,
because of bringing wine into those parts after the vintage, which is in
September.
_Wh._ They are likewise to carry home corn, which is not inned till
August and September. Did not the Hollanders refuse to pay the toll?
_Dane._ Once they did, and thereupon the last King of Denmark, by advice,
commanded that the lights upon the coast should not be kept; and the
Hollanders in that autumn lost above thirty ships upon the Danish coast,
and came and entreated the King that the lights might be kept again, and
promised to pay the tolls as formerly, and have done so ever since.
_Wh._ Let me say to you, in freedom, how can you, being a native of
Denmark, satisfy yourself to discover these things to me, whereby
prejudice may come to your country?
_Dane._ I do not think I betray my country in this, though, my country
having left me to be an exile, I might justly leave them; and
wheresoever I breathe and am maintained is more my country than that
where I was born, and which will not let me breathe there; yet in this I
think I may do good service to Denmark, to free them from the tyranny
they are under, and to bring them into the free government of the
Protector, to whom I shall do any service in my power. But for the King
of Denmark, he is governed by his Queen and a few of her party, men of no
honour nor wisdom nor experience in public affairs, but proud and
haughty, according to the way of these parts of the world.
_Wh._ I shall not fail to make known to the Protector your great
affections to him.
_April 6, 1654._
[SN: Effects of the English fleet in the North.]
Monsieur Miller, who had been Resident at Hamburg for her Majesty, came
to visit Whitelocke, and after dinner discoursed much of the English
fleet now at sea, which, he said, did amuse all the northern parts of the
world, what the design thereof might be. Whitelocke did not lessen the
wonder, especially in relation to Denmark; yet affirmed nothing
positively, as indeed he could not. He inquired of Monsieur Miller if the
King of Denmark were making any preparations at sea, or of land forces,
or had any design towards Hamburg. Miller said he knew of none, and in
his discourse gave Whitelocke good information of the government,
strength, and trade of that Hanse Town.
The Secretary Canterstein came to Whitelocke from the Chancellor, and
brought to him the articles upon which they had last treated, now
altered according to Whitelocke's desire, except that which concerned the
forbidding of our enemies to buy arms in the countries of our
confederates. He also delivered to Whitelocke the draft of a preamble for
the articles, and another article for the ratifying of all the rest;
whereunto Whitelocke consented, and thanked God that his business was
brought so near to a good conclusion. Whitelocke received his packet from
England, and Thurloe wrote that the Protector was sensible of the Queen's
delaying of Whitelocke, but approved his proceedings. He sent this
enclosed order:--
"AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, WHITEHALL:
"_Friday, 17 Martii, 1653._
[SN: Order in Council in the matter of a Swedish prize.]
"On consideration of a letter, this day read in Council, sent from
the Lord Ambassador Extraordinary with her Majesty of Sweden,
mentioning, among other things, the taking of the ship 'Charity,'
Paul Paulsen, master, by a private man-of-war, and the carrying of
her into Dover, and the hard usage of the master and mariners, which
ship is claimed by some citizens of Gothenburg, subjects of the said
Queen:
"_Ordered_, That it be referred to the Commissioners of the
Admiralty speedily to put this matter in a way of examination; and,
for their information in the premises, to send for the commander of
the said man-of-war, and to receive a particular account and
satisfaction concerning the disposal of the ship and goods, and the
usage of the master and mariners, and thereupon to state the whole
case and report it to the Council, to the intent speedy justice may
be done therein; and the said Commissioners are likewise to take
order that all further proceedings touching the said ship, or her
lading or disposal of any part thereof, be stayed and forborne till
their report made and further order thereupon shall be given by the
Council.
"W. JESSOP, Clerk of the Council."
Thurloe wrote that in case the information given to Whitelocke were found
to be true, that the parties offending would be severely punished and
right done to those who were injured; and that the Council were very
sensible hereof, as a hindrance to Whitelocke's proceedings and a
dishonour to the Protector. He also wrote unto Whitelocke that there was
little scruple now of an agreement upon the Dutch treaty, which was as
good as concluded; and he sent the news of France and of Scotland and
Ireland, as well as that of England, as he constantly used to do.
Whitelocke caused this order to be translated into Latin, and made use of
it for the advantage of his business.
A description was given to Whitelocke, in writing, of the manner of
making gunpowder in these parts, and of their mills and vessels for it,
not unlike in many things to their way in England.
_April 7, 1654._
[SN: The Queen's plans after abdication.]
Whitelocke waited on the Queen, and she was pleased to discourse with him
to this effect:--
_Queen._ I am resolved to retire into Pomerland, and this summer to go to
the Spa to drink the waters for my health.
_Whitelocke._ Give me leave, Madam, to put you in mind of two things to
be specially taken care of: one is the security of your own person, the
other is the settling of your revenue. Your Majesty, being of a royal and
bountiful spirit, cannot look into such matters so much beneath you as
expenses or accounts; and if care be not taken therein, and good
officers, your Majesty may be disappointed and deceived.
_Qu._ I thank you for this counsel. I intend to have Mr. Flemming with
me, to take charge of my revenue; he is a discreet, wise man, and fit for
that employment, and to order the expenses of my house; I believe he will
neither deceive me himself nor permit others to do it, for he is faithful
to me.
_Wh._ Such a servant is a jewel. I hope care is taken that your Majesty's
revenue be secured in such a manner that you shall not depend upon the
pleasure of any other for the receipt of it, but to be in your power as
mistress of it, not as a pensioner.
_Qu._ It shall be settled according to the advice you gave me, and I
thank you for it.
_Wh._ Madam, I account it a happiness if in anything I may be serviceable
to your Majesty. Whom doth your Majesty take with you beside Mr. Flemming
of that quality?
_Qu._ I desire the company of Mr. Woolfeldt and his lady, if they will go
with me.
_Wh._ I suppose they will be very serviceable to your Majesty; and I hope
it will not be long, after the business here effected, before you
transport yourself into Pomerland, lest any designs should be against
your liberty, for, Madam, in this age there be few persons to be trusted.
_Qu._ That is too great a truth, and I thank you for the caution. I could
freely trust yourself with any of my concernments; and if you will come
to me into Pomerland, you shall be as welcome as any man living, and we
will be merry together.
_Wh._ I humbly thank your Majesty for your great favour to your servant,
who hath a wife and children enough to people a province in Pomerland,
and I shall bring them all thither to do your Majesty service.
_Qu._ If you will bring your lady and all your children and family
thither, and settle yourself there, you shall want nothing in my power,
and shall be very welcome to me.
_Wh._ I am your Majesty's most humble servant; and I pray, Madam, give me
leave to ask your Majesty, whether you judge it requisite for me to wait
on the Prince of Sweden before my going out of this country.
_Qu._ I think it very fit and necessary for you to see the Prince before
you leave this country; it will be taken as a respect from the Protector
to him, and if you do not, it will be looked upon as a neglect of him.
_Wh._ I am obliged to do all that lies in my power to enlarge the
Protector's interest.
_Qu._ The Prince being to succeed in the Crown, and in so short a time,
it will be fit to keep a fair correspondence with him and to show respect
to him, whereof your visit will be a good testimony.
_Wh._ Madam, your opinion will be a great direction to me in my affairs.
_Qu._ I think it will be an advantage to your business for you to speak
with the Prince himself, who will take it in good part, and hold himself
the more obliged to the observance of what shall be agreed upon in your
present treaty, being acquainted therewith by you that made it.
_Wh._ I hope the treaty which your Majesty shall make will be observed by
any who shall succeed you; but I acknowledge it is very advisable for me
to have some discourse with his Royal Highness, to give him an account of
the treaty, and I shall inquire where I may attend him.
_Qu._ You must go from hence to Stockholm, and so to Nordkoeping, and the
castle where the Prince now resides is within a league of that town; you
may have my coaches and horses to transport you, and my servants to guide
you thither.
_Wh._ I humbly desire your Majesty to make choice of any of my
coach-horses or saddle-horses that may be useful for you, and to command
them; they are all at your Majesty's service.
_Qu._ I shall not make choice of any; but if you bestow any of them upon
me, they will be very acceptable.
_Wh._ I humbly acknowledge your Majesty's great favour in affording a
despatch to my business.
_Qu._ I wish you with the Protector, because I see you are a faithful
servant to him, and worthy to serve any prince in Christendom.
_Wh._ Your Majesty ever had a favour for me, and in nothing more than in
my despatch.
_Qu._ I think it not fit for you to be in Sweden too near the time of the
coronation of the new King; and then to go away, and not to see him,
would be worse.
_Wh._ I do intend, upon your Majesty's advice, to salute him before my
going away, and shall desire that the ships may meet me near the place
where his Royal Highness is.
_Qu._ I will give order for it, and will be gone myself not long after;
if I had staid here I should have been glad of your longer stay.
Whitelocke took his leave of the Queen, and, being returned home,
Field-Marshal Wrangel visited him, and after dinner, being in a good
humour, discoursed freely and much of the English fleet at sea.
Whitelocke showed him a draught of the ship 'Sovereign,' with her
dimensions, guns, and men, wherewith he was much pleased. He told
Whitelocke that, by command of the Queen, he had prepared ships for
Whitelocke's transportation from Stockholm to Luebeck.
[SN: Whitelocke reports on the treaty to Thurloe.]
Whitelocke made his despatches for England, and in his letters to Thurloe
gave this account of the treaty:--
"1. Their first article differs not in substance from the first
which I proposed, and therefore I did not object against it; but as
to all of them, I reserved a liberty to myself of further
consideration and objection. I did a little stick upon the word
'colonias' in this article, lest it might tend to anything of
commerce in America; but finding it only to relate to the amity, I
passed it over.
"2. The first part of it agrees in substance with my sixth article,
the latter part of it with my fourth article; only I objected
against their words in this article, 'in damnum illius,' who should
be judge thereof, and the omission of that part of my fourth article
against harbouring of enemies and rebels.
"3. Their third article agrees in substance with my second article,
but is more general, not naming the Sound, and explaining the word
'aliorsum' in my second article; and I desired that the word
'populos' might be added after the word 'subditos.'
"4. Their fourth in the beginning agrees with my third article; that
of it touching the trade of America and the fishing I answered, as I
gave you a former account, and thereupon denied it, as also that
part of it which concerns importation of goods in foreign bottoms,
being contrary to our Act of Parliament. In this latter end of
their fourth article they likewise bring in again the business of
fishing implicitly in the words 'maribus, littoribus,' etc., and
therefore I desired that all that part might be left out, and in
lieu thereof I offered the latter part of my third article beginning
with the words 'solutis tamen,' etc., and the last of my reserved
articles to be admitted; or else, I desired that this whole article
of theirs might be omitted, and in lieu thereof my third article,
and the last of my reserved articles to be admitted; and they
likewise insist to have these words added if that part of their
fourth article be omitted, viz. 'quoad Americae commercium,
piscationem halecum, et mercium importationem, de his in posterum
erit conventum.'
"5. Their fifth article agrees in substance with my eleventh, only
hath more words to express the same matter.
"6. Their sixth agrees in substance with my thirteenth article, with
the addition of words for kind usage, and the omission of the
proviso in my thirteenth article as to breaking of bulk; which yet
seems to be supplied by the latter part of their sixth article, of
conforming to the ordinances of the place.
"7. Agrees with my reserved article, marked with fifteen, only the
words 'nihil inde juris' I thought fit to be omitted, because in the
treaty we are not to meddle with particular rights; yet the sense
and desire thereof is answered in the words for restitution. I
offered them, if they liked not this, my fifteenth article, which is
one of those reserved, omitting only that part as not conducing to
this article, viz. 'Et si lis,' etc.
"8. Agrees in substance with my twelfth article, only the
expressions here are longer; and that for justice to be had agrees
with the latter part of my reserved article fifteenth.
"9. In the general differs not in the substance from my seventh, and
the beginning of my reserved articles; and the laws in this ninth
article, first, second, third, and fourth, are not contrary to the
substance of mine; but to the fifth I excepted, as contrary to part
of my seventh article, and to their sixth law, as to bringing in of
ships and goods from enemies; both which nevertheless, in case we
have peace with the Dutch, will be more to our advantage, in my
humble opinion, to continue in than to be omitted; as also that not
to contend in the harbours; and so the first, second, third, and
fourth laws. The seventh law, I humbly conceive, not differing in
substance from my articles, nor disadvantageous to England. To their
sixth law I desired that my seventh article might be added, the
which they denied, as to forbid enemies to either to buy arms, etc.
"10. Agrees in part with my ninth, only the latter part of it seems
to bring in the trade of America, and a liberty contrary to the Act
of Navigation; but they insist that the same is saved by the latter
words of this article, 'modo consuetudines antiquae;' but I was not
satisfied herewith, and desired that that part of it which is marked
might be omitted, and the latter part of my ninth article, viz.
'utrisque utrinque observantibus,' etc. inserted, which I humbly
conceive will help it; or else I desire that this tenth article may
be wholly omitted, and in lieu thereof my ninth may be agreed.
"11. To this article of theirs I wholly excepted, because it agrees
not with any of mine, nor with reason, that when our enemies have
forbidden any to bring contraband goods to us, that yet we should
permit them to be brought unto our enemies. They told me that the
Queen had sent unto the States to repeal that placard of theirs. I
answered, that when I was certified that that placard was repealed,
I would then desire to know the Protector's further pleasure herein;
but before that be done, I thought it would be in vain to trouble
him about it.
"12. Is not expressly in any of my articles, but agreed by the
Council of State unto Mr. Lagerfeldt, only the form of the letters
of safe-conduct not fully assented unto; therefore I desired that
the same might be remitted to a future agreement; but as to the rest
of this article, it is not repugnant to the substance of mine, that
the navigation and commerce may be free.
"13. In the first part of it agrees almost _verbatim_ with my tenth
article; the latter part of it, concerning satisfaction for losses,
is much altered from what it was at first exhibited, and is now put
on both parties, and referred to future agreement, wherein there can
be no prejudice to our Commonwealth; but before, it was reproachful
to the justice thereof and laid on our part only; now it is no more
than what the Council and State promised in their papers to Mr.
Lagerfeldt.
"14. Agrees in substance with my ninth article.
"15. Contains the substance of my fifth article, but is expressed
more generally, and, as I humbly believe, no less to the advantage
of our Commonwealth.
"I found more readiness in the Queen to consent to what I proposed
than in her Commissioners; but some things she told me she could not
consent to, because they were against the interest of her people,
and were not considerable to England. I gave her thanks for my
despatch. She said she had an ambition to have the honour of making
an alliance with the Protector herself before she quitted the
Government, and that she might testify her respects to him, and
therefore had gone as far as possibly she could; and indeed there is
now very little difference, but only in words and expressions, from
the sense and substance of what I first proposed. And I presume that
what is here agreed by me will give good satisfaction and
contentment to the Protector and Council, and I apprehend it clearly
within my instructions; acknowledging the goodness of God to me in
this business, where I met with so many difficulties, and of so
great weight, that yet in a fortnight's time it should be brought to
a full conclusion, with honour and advantage to the Protector and
present Government, for which I have taken all care.
"The articles are not yet drawn up, but I hope we shall sign them
the next week, and presently after I intend to demand audience to
take my leave and to remove from hence, and, as soon as I can, to
come to Luebeck, and from thence to Hamburg; and I have by this post
humbly desired my Lord Protector to appoint some of his ships to
meet me at Hamburg as soon as they can, for my transportation from
thence to England. And I humbly entreat your favour to put his
Highness in mind of it, and that you will take care that the orders
may be had, and the ships to come as soon as may be to the Elbe, to
Hamburg, where I shall stay for them, or till I receive his
Highness's further commands; and I choose this way as the shortest,
and where I shall meet with any despatches that may come from
England. I presume you will be troubled with an importunate suitor
for hastening my return.
"I received your letters of the 17th March, and the order of the
Council concerning the Swedish ship, for which I return my humble
thanks. The Queen, and the Chancellor and others here, were much
satisfied with it. The Chancellor and his son have been very civil
to me, and lately furthering my despatch. I hope the same goodness
of God which hath hitherto brought me through this great business
will give me a safe return to my dear country and friends, where I
may have opportunity with thankfulness to acknowledge your constant
favour and kindness to
"Your affectionate friend to serve you,
"B. W.
"_Upsal, April 7th, 1654._"
_April 8, 1654._
[SN: A masque at Court.]
The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke from the Queen, to desire
his company this evening at a masque; and they had this discourse:--
_Whitelocke._ Present my thanks to her Majesty, and tell her I will wait
upon her.
[SN: Precedence claimed by Denmark.]
_Mast. Cer._ What would your Excellence expect in matter of precedence,
as in case you should meet with any other ambassador at the masque?
_Wh._ I shall expect that which belongs to me as Ambassador from the
Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and I know no other
ambassador now in this Court besides myself, except the Ambassador of the
King of Denmark, who, I suppose, hath no thoughts of precedence before
the English Ambassador, who is resolved not to give it him if he should
expect it.
_Mast. Cer._ Perhaps it may be insisted on, that he of Denmark is an
ambassador of an anointed king, and you are only ambassador to the
Protector--a new name, and not _sacre_.
_Wh._ Whosoever shall insist on that distinction will be mistaken, and I
understand no difference of power between king and protector, or anointed
or not anointed; and ambassadors are the same public ministers to a
protector or commonwealth as to a prince or sultan.
_Mast. Cer._ There hath always been a difference observed between the
public ministers of kings and of commonwealths, or princes of inferior
titles.
_Wh._ The title of Protector, as to a sovereign title, hath not yet been
determined in the world as to superiority or inferiority to other titles;
but I am sure that the nation of England hath ever been determined
superior to that of Denmark. I represent the nations of England,
Scotland, and Ireland, and the Protector, who is chief of them; and the
honour of these nations ought to be in the same consideration now as it
hath been formerly, and I must not suffer any diminution of that honour
by my person to please any whatsoever.
_Mast. Cer._ I shall propose an expedient to you, that you may take your
places as you come: he who comes first, the first place, and he who comes
last, the lower place.
_Wh._ I shall hardly take a place below the Danish Ambassador, though I
come into the room after him.
_Mast. Cer._ But when you come into the room and find the Danish
Ambassador set, you cannot help it, though he have the upper place.
_Wh._ I shall endeavour to help it, rather than sit below the Danish
Ambassador.
_Mast. Cer._ I presume you will not use force in the Queen's presence.
_Wh._ Master, it is impossible for me, if it were in the presence of all
the queens and kings in Christendom, to forbear to use any means to
hinder the dishonour of my nation in my person.
_Mast. Cer._ I believe the Danish Ambassador would not be so high as you
are.
_Wh._ There is no reason why he should: he knows his nation never
pretended to have the precedence of England, and you, being master of the
ceremonies, cannot be ignorant of it.
_Mast. Cer._ I confess that your nation always had the precedence of
Denmark when you were under a king.
_Wh._ I should never give it from them though they were under a
constable.
_Mast. Cer._ If you insist upon it, the Danish Ambassador must be
uninvited again, for I perceive that you two must not meet.
_Wh._ I suppose the gentleman would not expect precedence of me.
_Mast. Cer._ I can assure you he doth.
_Wh._ I can assure you he shall never have it, if I can help it. But I
pray, Master, tell me whether her Majesty takes notice of this question
of precedence, or did she wish to confer with me about it?
_Mast. Cer._ The Queen commanded me to speak with you about it, hoping
that the question might be so composed that she might have the company of
you both at her entertainment.
_Wh._ I shall stay at home rather than interrupt her Majesty's pleasures,
which I should do by meeting the Danish Ambassador, to whom I shall not
give precedence, unless he be stronger than I.
_Mast. Cer._ The Queen makes this masque chiefly for your Excellence's
entertainment, therefore you must not be absent, but rather the Danish
Ambassador must be uninvited; and I shall presently go about it.
[SN: Order on the Swedish ships.]
Whitelocke returned a visit to Grave Eric, and showed him the Order of
the Council touching the Swedish ships, much in favour of them, and which
seemed very pleasing to the Grave; but he also showed to Whitelocke
several letters which he had received from masters of Swedish ships, of
new complaints of taking of their ships; and he desired that the Order
showed him by Whitelocke might be extended to those whose ships had been
since taken; which Whitelocke promised to endeavour, and said that he
should be in a better capacity to serve him, and to procure discharges
for their ships and goods, when he should be himself in England; and
therefore desired that, by his despatch, they would hasten him thither,
which the Grave promised to do. At his going away, Grave Eric invited
Whitelocke to dine with him on Monday next, and to come as a particular
friend and brother, and not by a formal invitation as an ambassador.
Whitelocke liked the freedom, and promised to wait on him; and was the
more willing to come, that he might see the fashion of their
entertainments, this being the first invitation that was made to him by
any person in this country.
General Grave Wirtenberg visited Whitelocke. He is a Finlander by birth,
of an ancient family, who had applied himself wholly to the military
profession, wherein he became so eminent, and had done so great service
for this Crown, that he was had in great esteem, especially with the
soldiery. He was a Ricks-Senator, and one of the College of War, and at
present had the charge of General of the Ordnance, which is of higher
account here than in England, being next in command to the Generalissimo,
and over the soldiery which belong not to the train, and is often
employed as a general. This gentleman seemed worthy of his honour; he was
of a low stature, somewhat corpulent, of a good mien, and plain
behaviour, more in the military than courtly way. His discourse declared
his reason and judgement to be very good, and his mention of anything
relating to himself was full of modesty. He took great notice of the
English navy and soldiery, and of the people's inclinations and violent
desires of liberty. He spake only Swedish and High Dutch, which caused
Whitelocke to make use of an interpreter, his kinsman Andrew Potley.
[SN: The masque.]
In the evening, according to the invitation from the Queen, Whitelocke
went to Court to the masque, where he did not find the Danish
Ambassador. But some of the Court took notice of the discourse which had
been between the master of the ceremonies and Whitelocke touching
precedence, and they all approved Whitelocke's resolution, and told him
that the Queen highly commended him for it, and said that he was a stout
and faithful servant to the Protector and to his nation, and that she
should love him the better for it; nor was the contest the less pleasing
because with the Dane in Sweden.
From eight o'clock at night till two the next morning they were at the
masque, which was in the usual room fitted for the solemnity, in which
the Queen herself was an actor. The floor where they danced was covered
with tapestry and hung about with red velvet, but most adorned by the
presence of a great number of ladies richly dressed and beautified both
by nature and habit, attending on their mistress; and there were also
many senators, officers, courtiers, and nobility,--a very great presence
of spectators. The music was excellent, especially the violins, which
were many, and rare musicians and fittest for that purpose. The Queen
herself danced very well at two entries: in the first she represented a
Moorish lady, in the second a citizen's wife; in both the properties were
exactly fitted, and in all the rest of the actors and dancers.
There were no speeches nor songs; men acting men's parts, and women the
women's, with variety of representations and dances. The whole design was
to show the vanity and folly of all professions and worldly things,
lively represented by the exact properties and mute actions, genteelly,
without the least offence or scandal.
It held two hours; and after the dances the Queen caused her chair to be
brought near to Whitelocke, where she sat down and discoursed with him of
the masque. He (according to his judgement) commended it and the
inoffensiveness of it, and rare properties fitted to every
representation, with the excellent performance of their parts by all,
especially by the Moorish lady and citizen's wife; at which the Queen
smiled, and said she was glad he liked it. He replied, that any of his
countrymen might have been present at it without any offence, and he
thanked her Majesty for the honour she gave him to be present at it. The
Queen said she perceived that Whitelocke understood what belonged to
masques and the most curious part of them, the properties,--with much
like discourse; after which she retired to her chamber, and Whitelocke to
his lodging.
_April 9, 1654._
Monsieur Bloome came to dine with Whitelocke, and to put him in mind of
Grave Eric's request{5} to him to dine with him the next day. He also
sent to invite Whitelocke's two sons and Colonel Potley.
[SN: The Spanish Envoy departs with rich presents.]
In the afternoon Piementelle came to take his leave of Whitelocke, and
said he intended to begin his journey the next morning. Whitelocke
offered himself or his coaches and servants, to attend him out of town;
but he said it was not the custom when a public minister departed from a
place to use any ceremony, but to leave him to the liberty of ordering
and taking his journey, but thanked Whitelocke for his favour.
Though it were the Lord's Day, yet Piementelle fell into discourse of the
last night's masque, which he could not be present at publicly as
formerly, because he had taken his leave of the Queen and Senators, yet,
being desirous to see it, was admitted into the tiring-room; and he told
Whitelocke that after the Queen had acted the Moorish lady and retired
into that room to put off her disguise, Piementelle being there, she gave
him her visor; in the mouth whereof was a diamond ring of great price,
which shined and glistered gloriously by the torch and candle light as
the Queen danced; this she bade Piementelle to keep till she called for
it. Piementelle told her he wondered she would trust a jewel of that
value in the hands of a soldier; she said she would bear the adventure of
it. And when the masque was ended, Piementelle offered the ring again to
the Queen, who told him that he had not kept it according to her
commands, which were till she called for it, which she had not yet done,
nor intended as long as she lived, but that he should keep it as a
memorial of her favour. The Spaniard had cause to rest satisfied with the
Queen's answer and her real and bountiful compliment, the ring being
worth ten thousand crowns, which he brought away with him, besides many
other jewels and presents from the Queen of great value, not publicly
known. He took leave of Whitelocke and of his sons, Colonel Potley, and
the gentlemen, with great civility.
_April 10, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke dines with Grave Eric Oxenstiern.]
Between eleven and twelve o'clock, the usual dining-time here,
Whitelocke, with his sons and Potley, attended only by two gentlemen, one
page, and two lacqueys, went to Grave Eric's lodging to dinner. His
rooms were not stately nor richly furnished, but such as could be had in
that place. The outer room for servants was like a little hall; within
that was a larger room, narrow and long, where they dined; within that
was a smaller room hung with tapestry, used for a withdrawing-room: all
below stairs, which is not usual in these parts.
Grave Eric met Whitelocke at the door of the lodging; in the dining-room
was his father the Chancellor, and divers friends with him. The father
and son went in with Whitelocke to the withdrawing-room, where, after a
quarter of an hour's discourse, they were called to dinner, the meat
being on the table; then a huge massy basin and ewer of silver gilt was
brought for them to wash--some of the good booties met with in Germany.
After washing, one of the pages (after their manner) said grace in
Swedish.
The table was long and narrow; in the middle of it, on the further side,
under a canopy of velvet, were set two great chairs: Whitelocke sat in
the right-hand chair, and Woolfeldt in the other, on his left-hand. On
the other side of the table, over against these, were set two other like
great chairs; in the right-hand chair sat the Ricks-Droitset, and in the
left-hand chair the Chancellor. By Whitelocke sat Grave Gabriel
Oxenstiern and Senator Vanderlin in lesser chairs, and by Woolfeldt sat
Whitelocke's sons and Potley. On the other side, in lesser chairs, by the
Droitset, sat the Senators Beilke and Bundt the younger; by the
Chancellor sat Senator Bundt the elder and Baron Douglas; at the upper
end of the table sat Grave Eric, and at the lower end stood the carver.
The dishes were all silver, not great, but many, set one upon another,
and filled with the best meat and most variety that the country did
afford; and indeed the entertainment was very noble--they had four
several courses of their best meat, and fish and fowl, dressed after the
French mode.
They had excellent Rhenish wine, and indifferent good sack and claret;
their beer very thick and strong, after the manner of the country. When
the four courses were done, they took off the meat and tablecloth, and
under it was another clean cloth; then they brought clean napkins and
plates to every one, and set a full banquet on the table, and, as part
thereof, tobacco and pipes, which they set before Whitelocke as a special
respect to him, and he and two or three more of the company took of it as
they sat at table; and they so civilly complied with Whitelocke as not to
observe their own customs, but abstaining from healths or any excess.
They all sat bare at the table, according to their usage, chiefly (though
no occasion were for it at this time) to avoid the trouble of often
putting off and on their hats and caps in healths. They were full of good
discourse, more cheerful than serious. Most at the table spake or
understood somewhat of English, for which reason they were chosen to
accompany Whitelocke here, as a compliment to his nation; they discoursed
also in several other languages, as Swedish, High Dutch, French, and
Latin.
After dinner, which was very long, they sat yet longer at the table,
Whitelocke expecting when they would rise; till Douglas informed him,
that he being the guest, and an ambassador, they used it as a respect to
him, that none of the company would offer to rise till he first arose
from the table. As soon as this was known to Whitelocke, he presently
rose and the rest with him, and the Chancellor and he retired into the
withdrawing-room; where, after compliments and thanks for his noble
treatment (which it was said the father made, though put out in the son's
name, and was full of respect and magnificence), Whitelocke thought fit
to show to the Chancellor his powers to treat, and they had conference to
this effect.
[SN: Whitelocke exchanges his full powers.]
_Whitelocke._ Father, if you please to peruse this writing, you will be
satisfied that the Protector, since the late change of Government in
England, hath thought me worthy to be trusted and furnished with
sufficient power as to this treaty.
_Chancellor._ My dear son, this is very full, and a large testimony of
the good opinion your master hath of you. All your powers and the
originals of your commissions (according to custom) are to be left with
us, to be registered in our Chancery.
_Wh._ I suppose you will also deliver to me the originals of your powers,
to be enrolled (according to the English custom also) in our Chancery.
_Chan._ That shall be done.
_Wh._ The like shall be done on my part; and the Protector will be ready
to do whatever shall be judged further necessary for the ratifying of
this business.
_Chan._ It will be requisite that you let me have in Latin your
instructions from the Protector.
_Wh._ I shall cause it to be done, except such part of them as are
secret.
_Chan._ That which is to be reserved in secresy I desire not to see;
there will be sufficient besides to show your powers.
_Wh._ They will fully appear.
_Chan._ I should counsel you, before your departure out of this kingdom,
to make a visit to the Prince of Sweden; he will take it in good part,
and it will testify a respect of the Protector to him, and render the
alliance the more firm.
_Wh._ It is my purpose to visit the Prince; not that I am in doubt of the
validity of the treaty made with the Queen, unless the Prince approve of
it, but, as you advise, to show the respect of the Protector to his
Kingly Highness, and to acquit myself of a due civility.
_Chan._ It will be fit for you to do it; and I shall advise you, at your
return home, to put the Protector in mind of some particulars which, in
my judgement, require his special care.
_Wh._ I shall faithfully do it, and I know they will be received with
much the more regard coming from you: I pray do me the favour to let me
know them.
[SN: Oxenstiern's advice to Cromwell.]
_Chan._ I would counsel the Protector to take heed of those dangerous
opinions in matters of religion which daily increase among you, and, if
not prevented and curbed, will cause new troubles, they never resting
till themselves may domineer in chief.
_Wh._ Will not the best way to curb them be to slight them, and so they
will fall of themselves?
_Chan._ I doubt they have taken too much root to fall so easily; but if
they be not countenanced with preferments, they will the sooner wither
and decay.
_Wh._ That will surely lessen them.
_Chan._ The Protector must also be careful to provide money and
employment for his soldiers, else he will hardly keep them in order.
_Wh._ That is very requisite; and for money there is good provision
already made.
_Chan._ He must likewise be watchful of the King's party, who will be
busy at work, especially upon the new change.
_Wh._ The care thereof is the life of our affairs, and his Highness is
most vigilant.
_Chan._ It behoves him to be so, for they that could not vanquish him by
arms will endeavour to do it by craft and treachery of your own party,
which you must look to.
_Wh._ He hath good intelligence of their plots.
_Chan._ It will also be prudence in him to let the people see that he
intends not to rule them with an iron sceptre, nor to govern them by an
army, but to give them such a liberty and enjoyment of the benefit of
their laws that the continuance of his government may become their
interest, and that they may have no cause to desire a change; else,
though they must bear the yoke for a time, yet as soon as they meet with
an opportunity they will shake it off again.
_Wh._ This is counsel proper to come from such a mind and judgement as
yours is, and I shall not fail to report it to his Highness; and your
Excellence hath rightly stated the disposition of my countrymen, who love
peace and liberty, and will hardly brook slavery longer than they are
forced to it by necessity; and the best way to govern them is to let them
enjoy their laws and rights, which will rule them better than an iron
sceptre.
_Chan._ It is the disposition of all generous and free people, as the
English are, whom I truly respect, and him that is their head, that
gallant person the Protector.
They had much other discourse; and after being together till six
o'clock, the father and son, and the Chancellor and Whitelocke, called
one another, and all the company parted.
_April 11, 1654._
[SN: The Queen proposes a secret article.]
The Chancellor had promised to procure Whitelocke his despatch in a few
days. He sent Canterstein to communicate to him the articles drawn in
form, with the amendments, to see if there were any mistake in them.
Whitelocke and the secretary perused them together, and agreed on all
except two or three points, in which was some small difference; and
Canterstein promised to hasten the engrossing of them.
Many strangers dining with Whitelocke made him the later in his visit to
the Queen, to take his leave of her Majesty before her intended journey
to see her mother. She promised Whitelocke that during her absence she
would leave order with the Chancellor and his son to conclude the treaty,
and at her return she would do what belonged to her for the speedy
despatch of Whitelocke, to his contentment. She promised also to give
order to her Chancellor about the business of Guinea, whereof they had
much discourse.
She was pleased to propound to Whitelocke a secret article to be between
her and the Protector, and not to be in the treaty between her
Commissioners and Whitelocke, nor to be known to any of them. She said,
that if it might be done, she should take it in very good part; but if
Whitelocke thought it not likely to be done, then she would think no more
of it. She said the substance of what she desired was that it might be
agreed, by a particular article between the Protector and her, that in
case those here should not perform what they promised to her upon her
resignation of the government, that then it should be in the power of the
Protector to break the treaty now made, and not to be bound by it.
Whitelocke was much troubled at this proposal, and upon a great
difficulty in it--that if he should deny it, the Queen might be distasted
and break off from his treaty; and to consent to it he had no commission,
nor held it reasonable; but he told the Queen that it was a matter of
great weight, deserving her Majesty's serious thoughts what to do in it.
He said he had no instructions upon any such article as this, nor could
agree to it; but if her Majesty pleased to have such an article drawn up,
and to sign it herself and send it to the Protector, he promised to use
his best interest to persuade his Highness to a consent thereunto, and to
sign it at Whitelocke's return to England, and so to return it to her
Majesty.
She said that Woolfeldt should confer with Whitelocke about the drawing
up of such an article, whom she would trust in it, but not any of the
Swedes, because it might concern them, and occasion prejudice to them.
Whitelocke agreed that Woolfeldt was a fit person to be trusted in this
business, and one with whom he should willingly confer about any service
for her Majesty; that he believed something might be done herein to the
Queen's advantage, but whether in this way of a secret article, and as
part of the treaty, he doubted, lest thereby offence might be given, and
the treaty thereby, as to both parts, be weakened. The Queen replied that
it would keep those here in some fear lest if they should break with
her, that then the Protector would not keep the treaty with them.
Whitelocke thought it best to be at some reserve in this article of
secresy, not wholly to dissuade the Queen from it, lest she might be
distasted. He saw advantage to the Protector to have it put into his
power to break the treaty upon this occasion; but he doubted the honour
and clearness of it, and therefore he judged it best to say the less at
this time. Only he observed what a condition the Queen had brought her
affairs unto when she thought not fit to trust any of her countrymen in
this business; and before her resignation she distrusted the performance
of the conditions of it towards herself, and therefore would have this
secret article as a bridle to them. But as she distrusted her own party,
so she testified great confidence in the Protector and in Whitelocke, to
whom she propounded this secret article of so much concernment to her.
Whitelocke persuaded her Majesty to appoint faithful persons to order her
revenue for her, and not to stay long here after her resignation, because
she would then find a great difference in the carriage of persons to her.
She said she had taken care about her revenue as he had advised her, and
that she would be gone out of Sweden presently after her resignation;
that she expected the alteration of men's carriages towards her after it,
but it would not trouble her; that the world was of such a condition,
that nothing of respect was to be looked for but where advantage was
hoped for by it. She never esteemed the fawnings of men for their own
ends, but her own private contentment and satisfaction.
Whitelocke sent his son James and his secretary (Earle) to Canterstein
with a copy of the form which Whitelocke intended to follow in the
instrument intended to be delivered by him, where he put the Protector's
name first, and some other small variations, as usage required; wherewith
Canterstein promised to acquaint the Chancellor and to return an answer.
Whitelocke employed his son for his experience to be gained in these
affairs.
_April 12, 1654._
[SN: Woolfeldt opposes the secret article.]
Mr. Woolfeldt having done Whitelocke the favour to dine with him, they
retired and discoursed privately to this effect:--
_Woolfeldt._ The Queen was pleased the last night to send for me, and to
communicate to me the matter of a secret article which, she said, she had
before imparted to you.
_Whitelocke._ What is your opinion of such an article?
_Woolf._ Truly, I dissuaded her from it, as not convenient, in my poor
opinion, for either party.
_Wh._ I know your judgement is grounded upon solid reason.
_Woolf._ My reasons are, because this article is to be kept secret, and
to be added as a part of the treaty by her Majesty without the knowledge
of those here, which, when it shall come to be known, will give them the
more cause of objection and hatred against her for it, and expose her to
more inconveniences than it can bring advantage to her; and therefore I
thought it better for her Majesty to forbear it.
_Wh._ Your reasons were the true ones: was her Majesty convinced by
them?
_Woolf._ She seemed to make more doubt of it than at first, but told me
that you were not much against it, and desired to confer with me about it
while she was out of town, and she wished me to prepare something against
her return.
_Wh._ As I told her Majesty, I can consent to nothing in this point,
having no instructions in any matter of this nature, as you will easily
believe; but if her Majesty shall think fit to have anything drawn up by
way of a secret article, all that I can do will be to present it to the
Protector at my return home, and I know he will be as ready as any person
to show respect to the Queen; but what he will do as to a consent in this
particular I cannot tell, but am doubtful lest it may be apprehended as a
weakening of the treaty and alliance.
_Woolf._ That is a great and true objection against it; and, in my
opinion, it would be better for the Queen to write a letter to the
Protector in general compliment, and in it to desire him to be a friend
to her, and to give her his assistance upon any occasion that may fall
out concerning her; and this letter may be sent by you, and delivered by
your hand to the Protector, when you may acquaint him with anything
further or more particularly relating to her Majesty.
_Wh._ I think this will be much the better way; and if such a letter be
sent by me, I hope I shall be able to procure such an answer, or, upon
any occasion, such a return as will be to the contentment of her Majesty.
But in case the Queen should sign such an article, and then the Protector
should not approve it, it would distaste the Queen and her friends, and
she would be censured to have done too low an act in it.
_Woolf._ I had yesterday a long discourse with the Chancellor about your
affairs of England, and particularly of your fleet now at sea--what
should be the design of having so strong a fleet at sea, the sea-war
between you and your enemies being reported at an end, and peace
concluded; and whether your design might be for France or Spain or
Portugal.
_Wh._ Or for the defence of England.
_Woolf._ He was much amused about it.
_Wh._ I hope that was not lessened by you.
_Woolf._ No indeed; I endeavoured to amuse him more, and told him, that
for France, England did not care to have it; it would be but a charge and
no benefit to them, and embroil them in a long chargeable war.
_Wh._ England hath had experience thereof formerly when they were masters
of France, and many of us think our own country as good as France.
_Woolf._ I am of that opinion; and I told him there was as little
probability for any design against Spain because of its distance, and
little advantage to England by a war with them.
_Wh._ I hope you commended a kingdom called Denmark?
_Woolf._ I first told him that for Portugal or the Indies the like
objections were against any design for them; but as for Denmark, I told
him that England had just cause to make war upon that king, and that it
would be no hard business to gain upon him; and the advantage of traffic
made me think that to be the most probable design of any other to be
intended by this great fleet of England, wherein it is most likely for
you to gain advantage to your Commonwealth and to give offence to none,
having a just cause of quarrel against him.
_Wh._ Your brother the King of Denmark hath given cause indeed to be
visited.
_Woolf._ I shall inform you of one thing, of which you may now make
advantage. Your King James made a treaty with the last King of Denmark
concerning the Isles of the Orcades, which were claimed by the Dane as
part of their territories; and after the death of King James and our last
King, that then, upon payment of L13,000 by the Dane, he should have the
Orcades again. Now both these kings being dead, according to that treaty
it is in the liberty of the King of Denmark to redeem those islands; and
it would be good for you, in the treaty with that Crown, who would be
included in your treaty with the Hollanders, to have a clause for the
present King of Denmark to quit his pretences to the Orcades upon the
treaty with King James.
_Wh._ This is a very material thing, and I shall not fail to do somewhat
in it, if I can return to England time enough; and I thank you for
putting me in mind of it.
[SN: Discussion on the Guinea settlements.]
Grave Eric came to Whitelocke, who had much discourse with him touching
Guinea, and the injuries done by the Swedes to the English there.
_Grave Eric._ One of the principal persons of the Swedish plantation
there is now in this country, and complains of injuries done by the
English to the Swedes there. I think it may be fit to hear both the
complaints of the one and of the other part, and thereupon to come to
some agreement upon the whole matter.
_Whitelocke._ I have here many examinations taken upon oath concerning
this matter.
_Gr. Eric._ Those complaints ought to be determined by the King of that
country, who sold the lands to the planters, and can resolve all
differences about that matter.
_Wh._ I believe that the complaints of this nature are properly to be
made to the Queen, whose subjects are concerned in them, and they are
always under her rule.
_Gr. Eric._ The Queen will make no difficulty to do justice in this case,
and I hope that the Protector will do the like.
_Wh._ You need not at all to doubt it.
_Gr. Eric._ This messenger, now come to me, hath brought me letters from
the Queen, in which there is mention of this business.
_Wh._ Why may not an article touching Guinea be inserted with the rest?
_Gr. Eric._ That will not be convenient, because the articles are
entirely concluded and engrossed on our part; and this of Guinea is but a
particular business, which till now came not under consideration, nor
hath been examined, and it will be better to have an article by itself
upon this subject.
_Wh._ I am satisfied with your reason, and think this way will be no
disadvantage to the merchants of either nation. I desire an addition to
the article touching passports, that none shall do anything contrary to
the letters of passport.
_Gr. Eric._ I cannot consent to that, for it will render the whole
article fruitless in both parts; and there is another article, that in
case any shall act anything in prejudice of the treaty, he shall be
punished.
In consideration of this article, and in regard that the agreement
touching the form of passports was remitted to something to be done
therein afterwards, and he found Eric stiff against any alteration,
Whitelocke did not think it material to insist further upon it. As to
that which Whitelocke desired to the last article of ratification, that
the words "vel successoribus suis" might be omitted, Eric said he would
consent thereunto if he found it material, and desired the business might
be finished; and he desired Whitelocke to excuse a little small delay at
present by his absence for a few days, he being necessitated to go out of
town tomorrow, but at his return all should be concluded; and as soon as
the Queen came back, the whole business should be finished, which had
been done before, but by reason of the Queen's unexpected journey.
_April 13, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke confers with the Chancellor, and invites him to dinner.]
In the morning the Chancellor came to Whitelocke and staid with him near
three hours. They had much debate touching Guinea, to the like effect as
before with his son; they had also debate about the amendments which
Whitelocke had desired might be inserted in the articles, chiefly that
touching passports, to which the Chancellor would by no means agree. He
likewise said to Whitelocke:--
_Chancellor._ The Queen caused the articles to be copied out, to the end
(as I believe) to communicate them to the Prince, which will be for the
greater validity of the treaty and alliance.
_Whitelocke._ I am glad her Majesty is pleased to take the advice of the
Prince in this business, and am willing to promise myself that nothing is
contained in the articles which he will not approve.
_Chan._ I believe the same.
_Wh._ This might be the occasion that my business was not finished before
her Majesty's going out of town.
_Chan._ I myself am also going into the country, and come now to take my
leave of you.
_Wh._ I hope you will return before her Majesty.
_Chan._ I purpose to stay abroad but four or five days; and I find that
frequent exercise and change of air tendeth very much to the improving of
my health.
_Wh._ I do heartily wish your health, and hope that the Queen and you
will shortly be in town again, and that then my business will be
finished.
_Chan._ There is no doubt but that your business will be despatched
within a very few days after the Queen's return.
They had much other discourse touching the affairs of England, in which
the Chancellor testified much respect to England and to the Protector.
Whitelocke invited the Chancellor to dinner to his house, but he excused
himself, alleging that his age and infirmities would not permit him to
take a meal out of his own house, or at the houses of some of his
children, where he might enjoy the same liberty as at his own house.
Whitelocke told him that he should have the same liberty at his house,
who was one of his sons, as he could take at the houses of any other of
his children; but the Chancellor earnestly desired to be excused, and
Whitelocke thought not fit further to importune him, but desired him to
hasten his return hither, which he promised to do.
Whitelocke received his letters from England, and in that from Thurloe he
writes:--
[SN: Letters from Thurloe.]
"There hath been consideration taken of your return home, but the
issue of the treaty with the Dutch not being yet known, his
Highness's resolutions as to your return are deferred until the
next; the difficulty of that business lies in the article relating
to the Danes, etc. All things else remain as they did by my last, so
that your Excellence will be saved this week the labour of reading
my long letter. This day we have a fast for the great drought.
"My Lady was here with me to hasten your return, wherein I should be
glad to be instrumental. I pray God preserve your Excellence, and
bless the affairs under your hand. I am,
"Your Excellence's humble servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_March 24th, 1653._
"I saw a letter to his Highness from Upsal, wherein some expressions
were used as if your Excellence were like to be removed from the
Seal. His Highness commanded me to assure you that there are no such
intentions, but much the contrary, whereof your Excellence will have
real demonstrations upon all occasions."
_April 14, 1654._
[SN: Passport given to a Swedish ship.]
Grave Eric desired Whitelocke to give a passport to a Swedish ship bound
from Stockholm to Portugal. The Chancellor requested the same, and both
father and son engaged to Whitelocke that there was nothing aboard the
vessel, nor any design in her voyage, against England; that she was
freighted for Portugal only, and that they should esteem the favour as
done to themselves, because they had a share in the goods on board this
ship. Whitelocke, though he were hardly persuaded to give his passports
to Swedish ships or to any other, yet considering the time when this was
desired, and the persons desiring it, he thought not fit to deny it, but
gave it in this form.[130]
Whitelocke gave an account in his letters this day to Thurloe of all
passages of moment since his last, and wrote further:--
[SN: Letters to Thurloe.]
"My letters, I confess, have been tedious heretofore, but I ask your
pardon, and do hope that my business is now at such a period that I
shall not have occasion to trouble you with the like.
"There is little to do here at this time; almost all the great lords
and courtiers are gone out of town, so that here is a lamentable
silent place. I shall be heartily glad to receive my Lord's order to
authorize my return; but my business being now ended, I presume I
may expect his pleasure at any other place. I purpose to visit the
Queen-mother and the Prince of Sweden, because other ambassadors
have done it, and I have been particularly invited to it. I think it
will be a respect from my Lord Protector which they will take very
kindly, and may be some strength to the alliance, and is not the
less requisite for me, because our enemies report that none but
mechanics are of our party; but since our being here the Swedes
acknowledge the contrary.
"I hope within two or three weeks to be at sea, and that my God, who
hath hitherto been so good to me, will give me a safe return to my
Lord and to my native country, to whom I wish all prosperity.
"Your affectionate friend to serve you,
"B. W.
"_Upsal, 14th April, 1654._
"I hope you will pardon the importunity of my wife's solicitation,
being for my return. I have been informed this week that some
Holland ships are loading here with ordnance and other provisions of
war. I hope his Highness hath been pleased to give order for two or
three ships to be at Hamburg for my transportation into England, and
therein I entreat your favour.
"B. W."
In this letter Whitelocke also gave advice, what he had been informed
touching the treaty between King James and the last King of Denmark
concerning the Orcades, with his humble opinion what was fit to be done
in that business, upon the comprehension of the Dane in the Dutch treaty,
yet nothing was done therein; however, Whitelocke was satisfied in the
acquittal of himself to have done his duty.
Upon the earnest request of some Scots and English gentlemen on the
behalf of Colonel Halsall, now in this town, Whitelocke gave him this
pass.[131]
_April 15, 1654._
[SN: Excursion with the French Resident.]
The Resident of France having desired Whitelocke that when he went abroad
to take the air he would give him leave to accompany him, Whitelocke sent
to him, this fair day inviting and leisure not hindering it. They went
together in Whitelocke's coach to a wood, about an English mile from
Upsal, full of pines, fir-trees, and juniper, and very fair and pleasant
walks in it. The beauty of the day and place had also invited thither at
this time the Ambassador of Denmark and the Holland Resident, who,
perceiving Whitelocke's coaches and company, crossed out of the way where
they were, and betook themselves to another walk; but Whitelocke kept on
in his, and with the French Resident had much general discourse, but
little of matters of state, because they could not trust one the other;
yet Whitelocke learnt from him the condition of several persons in
principal credit in the Court of France, and the way of their management
of affairs. This gentleman was very civil and courteous and good company,
desiring the conversation of Whitelocke, which he afforded him both going
abroad and in his house, to which the Resident did him the favour to be
no stranger.
Whitelocke told him he purposed to go by Nordkoeping, and by the way to
visit the Queen-mother and the Prince, and to have his ship meet him
there. The Resident said the ship could not easily come to Nordkoeping,
being no good harbour; but his best way would be to go from thence to
Calmar, and his ship to meet him there, the haven being open and the ship
may come near the town; and that Nordkoeping was the midway between
Stockholm and Calmar, and the ship might be as soon at Calmar as at
Nordkoeping; that the passage to Luebeck was much easier from Calmar than
from Nordkoeping, and with a good wind might be made from Calmar in two
days. But hereof Whitelocke intended to have the advice of some Swedes.
_April 16, 1654._
[SN: Great wealth of the Oxenstiern family.]
Monsieur Bloome this Lord's Day dined with Whitelocke, and told him that
the Chancellor had left him in town to keep Whitelocke company in the
absence of the Chancellor, and to assure him that the Chancellor would
return again in a very few days. Whitelocke made much of him, and had
good informations from him. He said that Grave John Oxenstiern, the
Chancellor's eldest son, had at that time, whilst his father was alive,
above L20,000 sterling of yearly revenue, which he had from his father
and by his wife, an inheritrix; and that Grave Eric, the second son, had
in his father's lifetime near L10,000 sterling of yearly revenue, besides
what both of them might expect from their father: and therefore both
father and sons might, as they did, live in great state and with
attendance of much port and ceremony.
Grave Leonhough bestowed a visit on Whitelocke. He is a senator and one
of the College of War, a person of great esteem and good parts; his
conversation was full of civility; his discourse (in French) was
rational, and for the most part upon matter of war, history, and the
mathematics. In his company was an officer, his brother-in-law, who had
served the King of Portugal in his late wars, and was a civil person, and
seemed a gallant man. This Grave had been long bred up in the wars, and
was now a Major-General; and his discourse showed him to be knowing and
modest. He demanded of Whitelocke many questions touching the affairs of
England, and particularly of the late civil dissensions there, and had a
full account thereof from Whitelocke, by which he seemed to receive much
satisfaction, and acknowledged that he had not heard the truth before,
and that this relation justified the proceedings of the Parliament. He
spake nothing to Whitelocke touching his business of the treaty, nor did
Whitelocke mention it to this Grave, whom he never saw before, and
because it was a day for other duties.
_April 17, 1654._
[SN: A serenade to Whitelocke.]
Upsal being very empty, by the absence of the Queen and all the great
Lords, who were retired to their country-houses, but most of them to
Stockholm, it was given out that her Majesty would not return to this
place, but remain at Stockholm, and that the General Assembly should be
held there; which was not believed by Whitelocke, because the Queen had
assured him that she would return to Upsal within eight or ten days, and
she never brake her word with him.
Her absence, and the leisure which they had thereby, gave opportunity to
some of her musicians (Italians and Germans) to pass a compliment on
Whitelocke, to come to his house, and with great ceremony to entertain
him with their vocal and instrumental music, which was excellent good;
and they played many lessons of English composition, which the gentlemen
who were musical of Whitelocke's family brought forth unto them.
_April 18, 1654._
[SN: The Swedish army.]
Whitelocke returned a visit to the Grave Leonhough, whose lodgings were
but mean, such as the town would afford, but his treatment was with great
civility. Amongst other discourse he inquired touching the discipline of
war and ordering the soldiery in England, who, he said, must be well
paid, or else they could not be kept in good order. Whitelocke
acknowledged that to be very true, and said that in England special care
was taken for the constant and due pay of the armies much beyond other
countries, by which means they were kept in the best and strictest
discipline of any armies in the world; that violence or plunder, contrary
to the articles of war, was severely punished.
The Grave acquainted Whitelocke that he was to go out of town the next
day to a general muster, about four leagues from hence, within the
province where he had the government; which occasioned Whitelocke to
inquire of him, and to be informed that this was the standing militia of
the country, and that the manner of it was thus:--
The whole militia of Sweden in the country, besides the standing forces
of their armies in service, doth consist of 50,000 horse and foot,
whereof 12,000 horse and 38,000 foot in the several provinces are
constantly in a readiness to be drawn forth in fourteen days' time. In
Sweden are about 5000 horse and 20,000 foot, and in Finland and the other
provinces about 8000 horse and 20,000 foot: in all, above 50,000. That
the Crown is not at any charge for the pay of these militia forces,
unless they are drawn forth into actual service, and then they are paid
as their other army forces are, which is not very much or constant; but
when they are in an enemy's country they live upon the country, and take
contribution, if not plunder; and somewhat is allowed them by the Crown,
as so much in money (which is a very small proportion) and such a weekly
quantity of bread, butter, and cheese for every foot-soldier, and a like
proportion for the horsemen; whose charge may be guessed at by that of
their officers, of whom it was affirmed that the allowance to a captain
of horse was his stove and his stable, and twenty rix-dollars a year. His
stove they call his fire, candle, and entertainment for himself; his
stable, that is horse-meat, and room, and shoeing; and for himself from
the Crown (besides what he gets from the country) but twenty rix-dollars
a year, with the like proportion for other officers and soldiers.
The manner of maintaining their militia forces in the country was said to
be this:--A horseman was quartered in the house of a boor, or husbandman;
if the man will work himself and his horse with the boor, to help him in
his husbandry, then the boor gives the man and his horse entertainment
freely, and hath their work for it, which is more worth than their meat,
and the boor will give the man perhaps some small sum of money besides.
By this way the boor hath an advantage--the work of a man and a horse for
their meat only; and the horseman hath an advantage--his own and his
horse's meat, besides what the Crown allows him, and himself and horse
kept in better condition by it; and without his work, the boor is not
compellable to find him but his lodging only.
In like manner it is for the foot-soldier. He is quartered with a boor,
and must work for the boor, or have no diet from him; but they do work
generally, and by that means the soldier is kept out of idleness. The
countryman hath a benefit by his work for his diet only, whereas he must
give diet and wages to a servant; and the soldier by his work hath his
diet besides what the State allows him, and so he and his landlord are
both well pleased. But the Crown hath the greatest advantage, which
hereby saves the great pay which otherwise they must allow; and yet these
forces are constantly in a readiness when the occasions of the Crown
require their service.
The officers of these militia forces have no pay at all but when they are
in actual service, neither do they expect any pay, being gentlemen of
quality and interest in the country: the chief of whom, who are fit for
it, are made colonels; the next to them lieutenant-colonels, majors,
captains, and inferior officers, according to their rank of the country
gentlemen, known and beloved among their neighbours, with whom their
interest and power, increased by their command, makes them the better
followed and obeyed. When they write out any from the militia to serve in
the armies, these officers and the lords of the boors appoint them; and
if any offend, they are presently written out to send abroad into Russia,
Poland, Germany, and other parts, from whence they do not all return
safe, but are kept in great awe and obedience.
This day here fell a great quantity of snow, and was in one night so hard
frozen that it would bear a cart; the English wondered at it, but not
this country men, the like being here usual at this time of the year and
after.
The Countess of Brahe, wife of the Ricks-Droitset, sent a gentleman to
Whitelocke to acquaint him that there was a parcel of timber, cut and
lying ready within four miles of Gothenburg, which did belong to her
former husband, and was cut for the building of a ship; but by reason of
her husband's death the ship was not built, and she offered the timber to
Whitelocke at a reasonable price. But he, finding that it had been cut
four years, and lay far from the water-side, made an excuse that it would
be necessary to have it viewed, which his hastening away would not now
permit; but he returned thanks to the Countess for her respects in the
offer of it.
_April 19, 1654._
[SN: Preparations for the abdication.]
Monsieur Bloome and divers others, having dined with Whitelocke,
acquainted him that the Chancellor intended to return hither the next day
after the Queen. Whitelocke said he hoped the Chancellor would have been
here before her Majesty; but this was an argument to confute the report
that the Queen would stay at Stockholm and hold the Ricksdag there.
Another argument was, the Queen's officers removing and altering some of
the hangings in Whitelocke's house, being longer and fitter for the rooms
to be furnished in the castle for the Ricksdag than those which they put
up in their places in Whitelocke's lodging.
_April 20, 1654._
[SN: Swedish mines.]
In pursuance of former discourse with Monsieur Bloome, and by the desire
of Mr. Bushel in England to Whitelocke to inquire into it, he received a
paper in French, from a person here employed about the mines, to inform
him by what means this person might be treated with to be brought into
England for improving of our mines there.
[SN: Hawks.]
Whitelocke also, by desire of a worthy friend in England, furnished
himself with a direction how he might procure some hawks out of this
country, and chiefly from the isle of Deulandt, where the best hawks are;
and he had gained much acquaintance with Grave Gabriel Oxenstiern, Great
Falconer and Master of the Queen's Hawks, who promised his furtherance of
Whitelocke's desires herein, and to assist and direct any servant whom he
should send hither for that purpose.
[SN: Mrs. Penn.]
One Catharine Penn, an Englishwoman, the widow of an officer of the
Queen's army, entreated Whitelocke to present for her a sad petition to
the Queen for some arrears due to her husband, which matters Whitelocke
was not forward to meddle with; but this being his countrywoman, and of
the ancient family of Penn in Buckinghamshire, to which he had an
alliance, Whitelocke did undertake to present her petition to the Queen.
He undertook the like for a decayed English merchant residing at Hamburg,
who petitioned the Queen for moneys owing to him at Bremen, where he
could have no justice from the Governor, Vice-Chancellor, and others in
authority; and this he undertook to move to the Queen, upon the earnest
request of Mr. Bradshaw, Resident for the Protector at Hamburg, by his
letters this day received.
He was also presented with a Latin epistle from one Jonas Olaii, begging
for some charity, and who, to be sure to go high enough, gave throughout
his letter the style of "illustrissime Comes and Celsitudo tua," for
which his gift from Whitelocke was the less.
[SN: Trade with Muscovy.]
In this day's packet Whitelocke received letters from the Muscovia
Company in England, signed by the Governor and Consuls, in which they set
forth the decay and loss of their trade in Muscovia by supplantation of
the Dutch, and the Great Duke's disfavour to them, which they hope may be
altered upon the late change of government in England; that they
understand there is now in this Court an Ambassador from the Great Duke
to the Queen; and they desire Whitelocke, that if this ambassador do
visit him, or if he think fit to visit the Russian Ambassador, that he
would intimate this matter to him, which they hope may much further their
purpose of sending to the Great Duke for recovery of their trade.
By this post Whitelocke received these letters from the Secretary
Thurloe:--
[SN: Despatch from Thurloe.]
"_For his Excellence my Lord Ambassador Whitelocke, at Upsal, in
Sweden. These._
"My Lord,
"Your letters of the 24th of February arrived here five or six days
later than usual, and this day's post is not yet arrived. The peace
with the Dutch hath been in such an uncertain condition, that it was
very hard to make a judgement concerning the issue of it. In the end
of the last and beginning of this week it was more probable that the
war should continue than otherwise; and your Excellence will see by
the enclosed papers, which passed between the Commissioners of his
Highness and the Ambassadors (which I have sent to you because there
is contained in them the true state of the treaty as it stood whilst
the differences lasted); the last of those papers will let your
Excellence see that they are now very near a closure; and the truth
is, that there is now nothing wanting but the drawing up of things
into form, and the signing on both sides, which I believe will be
effected within three or four days at furthest. But because we
cannot rely upon the peace as made until it be actually signed, his
Highness will defer the sending instructions to you in reference
either to your present negotiation or returning home until the next,
when your Excellence may certainly except them; and in the meantime
your Excellence may rest assured that there hath been no other cause
in delaying instructions to you upon this subject but the desire
that there is in everybody to give you clear directions in so
doubtful a case as this. If your staying or returning did depend
upon your own negotiation there, it were easy to leave you to your
own guidance; but when it rests merely upon the conclusion of the
present treaty here with the Dutch, it is not possible to give you
any instructions which you may with safety act upon until the issue
thereof be perfectly known; and after that, your Excellence shall
not be an hour without the knowledge of his Highness's pleasure
thereupon.
"It is certain this State hath moved upon Christian grounds only in
making this peace: we have not been beaten or frightened into it;
the Dutch have not yet any fleet at sea, nor can have this month, if
the war should continue. In the meantime we have a hundred and forty
sail at sea, and better ships than we have had at any time
heretofore, which gives occasion to all our neighbours to wonder at
our intentions thereby.
"Since I began my letter I have been with the Dutch Ambassador, and
every article is agreed word for word, so that nothing now remains
to be done but to write them over and sign, which will be done upon
Monday next. It is not possible for me to send unto your Excellence
a copy of the articles as they are now agreed; I hope to do it by
the next, when you will be satisfied concerning the reports I hear
there are in Sweden, concerning the honourable terms the Dutch have
gotten by this treaty. I know not what men may expect in matters of
honour; I am sure the true interest of the nation, both in point of
trade and otherwise, is provided for more fully than ever hath been
in any treaty made between these States.
"The French Ambassador had a public audience on Monday last. There
is joined with him in commission one Monsieur le Baas, in quality of
a Commissary, who is a great confidant of the Cardinal's, and a very
crafty man. The French doth certainly intend by all means to make a
league with his Highness, and offers very frankly and considerably
as to our present interest. The Spaniard thinks he saith more to
invite the Protector to look that way and embrace an alliance with
him; and sure he is the steadier friend, and hath the better and
more considerable trade.[142]
"The news I have either from France or Holland this week your
Excellence will receive enclosed. The affairs in Scotland do not
much alter: Middleton is very active to get an army, but keeps in
the most northerly parts. We never met with any of their forces but
we beat them--the last letters being that we fell upon a party and
took forty prisoners and sixty horse, which is all we have from
thence.
"I have done my utmost to get the Swedish ships released; but to say
the truth, although some of the Swedes are innocent, yet many of
them appear to be deceivers, which makes the rest fare the worse. I
endeavoured to get a resolution of the case your Excellence wrote
about by your former letters, so as to have sent it by this post,
but could not; the orders which have been made about it since my
last I have sent, whereof your Excellence may see the care that is
had to do justice therein.
"What your Excellence is informed concerning the preferring of the
Agent of the Swiss to Lagerfeldt in their farewell, is a great
mistake. I know no honour done to him at his going away, but the
sending the answer of his letter to him by the master of the
ceremony; he had neither gift nor entertainment that I know of.
"I hope the copy of the articles of the Dutch treaty, which I
formerly sent, your Excellence hath received before now. I am sorry
to hear that your entertainment in Sweden begins to be like my Lord
St. John's in Holland; but I trust the Lord will continue his
protection to yourself and family, which is the prayer of
"Your Excellence's humble servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_March 31, 1654._
"Monsieur Bonnele, the Queen of Sweden's Commissary, hath desired
audience to deliver a letter congratulatory to his Highness from the
Queen. The superscription is not very right; besides, your
Excellency having writ nothing about it, some difficulty hath been
in the delivery of it; but yet at last resolved to receive it as it
is."
This letter is inserted to show by it the constant way and course of
intelligence, and the generality and clearness of it, between Thurloe
and Whitelocke, whereby his business and reputation in this Court was
very much advanced, and Whitelocke made great use and advantage by it.
The papers usually enclosed in Thurloe's letters were many, and contained
all particulars of moment touching the Dutch treaty, as also relating to
the affairs of England and of most parts of Christendom. One clause in
this letter of Thurloe's, that, after the Dutch treaty had concluded, his
Highness would send new instructions to Whitelocke, for his direction to
proceed in the treaty in Sweden,--this gave much trouble and perplexity
of thoughts to Whitelocke. He could not imagine what those new
instructions should be. If they should be contrary to what he had already
agreed, it would be not only to the dishonour of Whitelocke, but of the
Protector likewise and of the English nation, for him to go back from
what he had before assented to, and to go out here with a snuff,
retracting his former agreement, or else he must proceed contrary to his
instructions, which would not be ratified; and both of these mischiefs
great enough. He was in suspense whether he should seal the articles here
beforehand, or expect the receipt of these instructions before he signed
them. He considered that if he should defer the signing of the articles
till after the receipt of those new instructions, that then they could
not at all be signed by the present Queen, who intended to continue but
one week in the government, and if she did not sign in that time she
could not sign at all; but the whole must be remitted to a new treaty
with the new King, upon new credentials, commission, and instructions,
which would require much time and trouble.
He thought not fit to communicate his doubts, but resolved with himself
to proceed to the finishing of the treaty without staying for new
instructions from England, because otherwise all his negotiation would
become fruitless; and he held himself obliged, in honour and conscience,
to make good what he had already assented unto before any mention of new
instructions came to him, and what he had done being pursuant to his
former instructions, and in his judgement for the advantage and good of
England.
He was also willing to persuade himself that the new instructions would
extend only to the order of his return, and was so to be taken by
Thurloe's letter, and to the close of his whole negotiation; wherein he
had done nothing, and resolved not to do anything, but what he believed
to be just and honest. He was also troubled lest the Queen should put off
the treaty upon some distaste about the secret article, and yet pretend
only the absence of her Chancellor; but Whitelocke left all to the
providence of God, and His blessing upon honest and diligent means,
wherein he resolved not willingly to be wanting. And whether to put it
off or to proceed to the despatch of it seemed the more difficult,
because of a letter from his wife, wherein she wrote that Thurloe said to
her, that it was fit her husband should receive certain instructions what
to do before his coming away, because, if he should do anything too
suddenly, without good warrant, it might cost him his life. This indeed
were a worthy and meet recompense for all the hardships, perils, and
faithful services undergone and performed for those who were then in
power; but his hope and expectation of reward was from above the highest
of them.
_April 21, 1654._
[SN: Despatches to Thurloe.]
Whitelocke made his despatches for England, and part of his letters to
Thurloe was this:--
"The Queen and Court being out of town, this is a solitary place.
The Danish Ambassador and the Dutch Resident are still here. The
Spanish, German, and Muscovite Envoys are gone away. My business
remains in a readiness to be signed, which is appointed upon the
Queen's return; and she is looked for every day. If they be not
signed within these few days, it cannot be done by her at all,
because she intends to resign the Government the beginning of May,
and perhaps the Prince may be crowned in June; and two or three
months after that will pass before new credentials can be sent from
his Highness, and it may be two or three months in ceremony and
despatch of the business, by which time another winter will be here.
"Upon which considerations I humbly conceive it much more for the
service of my Lord to despatch my business here out of hand, and the
rather because of the conclusion of the Dutch treaty, which I hope
will prove very prosperous to our nation.
"My articles had been signed before the Queen's going away but that
she was willing to communicate them to the Prince before her
Commissioners signed them, which I likewise thought very fit to be
done, in regard he is so near the succession; and I likewise intend
to salute him from my Lord Protector before my going out of this
country.
"I am now only in expectation of his Highness's further commands and
instructions concerning my return, which I hope for by the next
post.
"I give you most hearty thanks for the papers, which are not only a
comfort but very useful to me here. I received formerly from you a
copy of the Dutch articles, and if I did not return you thanks for
them, I confess I forgot myself, and likewise if in one of my
letters I did not acquaint you that the Queen had an intention (as
she told me) of sending a congratulatory letter to my Lord the
Protector; but how the direction of it was I know not, because I
never saw it; but I take it as a particular favour to me, that his
Highness was pleased to receive it, though it were not as it ought
to have been, wherein he hath answered the respect of the Queen, who
excepted against my credentials, but yet received them.
"I am exceeding glad of your good conclusion of the Dutch business,
which, I am persuaded, will be of great advantage to our nation; and
I look upon the issue of my business here being agreed before the
issue of our treaty with the Dutch was known, to be both a
particular respect to the Protector and Government, and less
difficult than it would have been if transacted after our agreement
with the Dutch.
"They are much amused in these parts at our gallant fleet, and so
early at sea; and I permit them all their conjectures, neither have
they gained much allay of them from me by their inquisitiveness.
"I had a compliment sent me the last night from the Dutch Resident,
that he hoped ere long to have an opportunity to come and visit me;
I answered, that I should not be wanting in that civility which
became me.
"I was entreated by the citizens of Stockholm to receive this suit
of theirs in the enclosed paper.
"B. W.
"_April 21, 1654. Upsal._"
_April 22, 1654._
[SN: University Library at Upsal.]
The French Resident visited Whitelocke, and, seeing him ready to go take
the air, offered him his company, which Whitelocke could not refuse. They
went together to the Library of this University, where there are many
good books, for the most part brought out of Germany; but it is not
extraordinary, nor exceeding the public libraries in England and
elsewhere. One of Whitelocke's gentlemen held it not exceeding his
lord's private library at his own house in England, as he affirmed to
some of the scholars here, who were not pleased therewith, nor would
easily believe that the English Ambassador's library in his private house
was to be compared to that of their University.
The keeper of this library is one Doctor Lovenius, there present, a
learned and civil person, who hath published several books in print,
touching the laws and government and antiquities of his country, in good
Latin; and both himself and his works are worthy of esteem. He was
attending upon Whitelocke all the time of his being in the library and in
the public places of the University, and informed him of such things as
he inquired touching the same; and, to gratify their civility, Whitelocke
sent them twenty of his own books which he had in his house, all of them
English authors, as the Primate of Armagh's works, Sir Henry Spelman,
Selden, and others; which was a present very acceptable, and kindly
received by the University from him.
[SN: University of Upsal.]
They affirm this University to be very ancient; but there are no colleges
or public houses for the maintenance of the scholars, or public revenue
belonging to them; so that they do not live together in bodies or
companies by themselves, but every one severally as he can agree or find
for his convenience. But here are divers public rooms or schools where
the professors and scholars use to meet and perform their exercises
openly; and the rooms of their library are three, about twenty foot
square apiece.
There are all sorts of professors for the arts and sciences, who are
promised good salaries, but they complain that they are not well paid;
and though some of them be very learned, yet they take not much pains; it
may be according to the proverb, "mal paye mal servi"--he that is ill
paid doth but ill service. Some counted the number of scholars to be
about three hundred, which is not more than may be found in one college
in England. They make great preparation by printing their theses and
publishing them, and inviting the grandees to their disputations, where
the Queen in person is sometimes present, though the exercise is only the
art of well disputing, except in some of their professors and eminent
persons.
Their University is a kind of corporation, like others, their want of
supplies not affording them so much perfection, and their defect of
government giving them liberty and temptation to disorder, to which they
are much addicted; but in their sermons, whilst the English were among
them, they would propose them as a pattern of civility and pious
conversation. Their government is by a Chancellor, who at present is the
Ricks-Chancellor; and it hath constantly been in the hands of some
eminent and great person.
[SN: Cathedral of Upsal.]
Whitelocke and the Resident visited the Cathedral Church, which is fair
and large, built with brick, and covered with copper. They affirm it to
be one of the most ancient churches of Europe, and that the Gospel was
here early planted, but earlier in the church of old Upsal, which is of a
quadrangular form, and formerly dedicated to their heathen gods. Their
cathedral, they say, was the seat of an arch-flamen; and in the places of
arch-flamens and flamens, upon their conversion to Christianity (as in
England, so here), bishops and archbishops were instituted; and now
their cathedral, as other churches, is full of images, crucifixes, and
such other furniture as the Lutheran churches tolerate, and is little
different therein from the Popish churches.
The Resident and Whitelocke took also a view of the castle and city of
Upsal. The castle is near the town, seated upon the point of a hill; it
is built of brick, plastered over, strong and beautiful. If it had been
finished, the design was to have had it four-square; but two sides of it
only are built. It had been very large and noble if it had been
perfected. As it is, it contains many rooms, and sufficient for the
Court; some of them are great and stately, but up two stories, after the
fashion of that country. If it had been finished, it would have equalled
any other, if not the castle of Stockholm itself.
[SN: Environs of Upsal.]
The prospect from the castle is very beautiful; the country round about
it pleasant and fruitful, and distinguished into meadows, pastures, and
arable fields, and the river Sale passing through them, which loseth
itself about half a league from thence into a great lake. The river is
navigable with boats of about twenty or thirty tons, many leagues
together, going through the lake also; it is not muddy, nor unfurnished
with the fish of those parts, and is about half as broad as the Thames at
Henley. It runs at the foot of the hill on which the castle stands, and
the town is built upon it; and it waters most part of the streets, to
their great commodity. It is for this reason called Upsal, because
Ubbo--who, they say, was the son of Gomer, the son of Japhet, the son of
Noah--this Ubbo built this town upon the river Sale, and therefore called
it, after his own name, Ubbo Sale, by contraction of speech now called
Upsal. All agree it to be one of the most ancient of their cities, the
metropolitan see of their archbishop, and in old time the residence of
their kings, and where they were invested with the regal dignity. The
country about it seemed one of the most pleasant and fruitful of these
parts. The town itself is not much beautified with stately buildings, not
above nine or ten houses being built with brick; the rest of them, after
the fashion of their country, built with great bodies of fir-trees, and
covered with turf; the fairest of their brick houses was that where the
English Ambassador lodged.
This city hath not much trade, and therefore not much wealth. The
government of it is according to the municipal law of the country, and as
other cities are; their head officer is a Burgomaster, who hath for his
assistants a council, in the nature of the common councils in our
corporations in England, consisting of the principal burgesses and
inhabitants of the city, who have power, with the Burgomaster, as to
making of ordinances, and in the government.
In their journey to take the air the Resident and Whitelocke had much
discourse touching the images in their church, and about the observation
of their Sabbath; wherein the Resident was furnished with the usual
arguments of the Papists, and was answered by Whitelocke, and was not so
positive as most of his persuasion use to be. He discoursed also about
the Dutch treaty in England, to get from Whitelocke what he could to
report to the Danish Ambassador and Dutch Resident; for which he was
fitted by Whitelocke's answers to him.
_April 23, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke punishes two of his retinue for neglect of the Lord's
Day.]
This being the Lord's Day, many gentlemen of the English and Scots nation
then in town came to Whitelocke's house to the morning sermon, and most
of them staid the afternoon sermon also. And so many strangers being
there attentive in the holy duties, it gave the greater cause of scandal
and offence to Whitelocke that divers of his own family were absent,
whereas, by his orders, they were all enjoined to a constant attendance,
especially at those religious exercises; nevertheless some of them
(particularly Mr. Castle and Andrew Potley) were therein more in fault
than others, and, after many admonitions, would not reform, but made it
their common practice almost every Lord's Day in the afternoon to be
absent, and to go abroad and take the air. Whitelocke considering the
reproach and scandal, and the ill example hereby to his family, and the
doing of that by some of them against which he had spoken so much here to
the people of this place, upon which it would be collected that either he
had not the power over his own people to order them as he judged fit, or
else that he and the rest of his company were dissemblers, and found
fault with that in others which they either acted or tolerated in
themselves;--Whitelocke finding two absent on this day, he gave order to
his steward to see their trunks and goods carried out of his house, and
themselves dismissed of further attendance on him, and removed from his
family. Yet afterwards, upon the interceding of others for them, and
their own submission, the punishment was suspended; and when they
perceived that Whitelocke was in earnest, it caused a reformation, both
in those two and in others, as to this duty and in other particulars.
[SN: The Queen returns to Upsal.]
About nine o'clock this evening the Queen came to town. She had in her
train but one coach with six horses, and three horsemen; so little
ceremony did she observe as to her own port, but would rather make this
sudden and private return than break her word with Whitelocke, whom in a
compliment she had promised to be here again within a few days; and she
kept her word honourably and constantly. But Whitelocke was sorry that
she continued her old custom, too frequent here, of travelling upon the
Lord's Day.
_April 24, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke pays his court to the Queen.]
Whitelocke waited on the Queen to give her the welcome home, and found
her lodgings changed, leaving the better rooms for the Prince. She
excused her long stay out of town, and said she would now have no more
delay in his business, but it should be forthwith despatched. Whitelocke
told her that the Chancellor and his son were not yet come to town, but
he humbly thanked her Majesty for the speed of her return. She assured
him that her Chancellor and his son would be in town the next day, and
that she should not have come to town so soon but for his business; that
the day after her Chancellor's coming the articles might be signed. She
likewise discoursed with him about the secret article, that in case those
here should not perform justly with her, that then the Protector should
not be bound by this treaty. Whitelocke told her that Woolfeldt and he
had conference about it, and had fully considered it, and were both of
opinion that it would be unfit for her Majesty to make such an article,
and it might turn to her prejudice; but Whitelocke said, that if she
pleased to write to the Protector, and to leave her letters with
Whitelocke to procure an answer from his Highness to her Majesty, whereby
his care for her good and assistance to her might appear, and the letter
to be fit to be shown, it might be of more advantage to her than such a
secret article, to which he was not empowered to assent, but it must be
remitted to the Protector; and whether he would consent to it in that way
or not, was doubtful; and when it should be known to those here, it would
be distasteful. Upon this the Queen seemed fully satisfied as to the
secret article to be laid aside and not more thought on.
Whitelocke advised her as formerly touching her liberty, and not long
continuing here after her resignation; and she thanked him for his
advice, and said, that in case those here should not deal justly with
her, she hoped she should find the Protector a friend to her, and that
she did put herself upon his nobleness and friendship. Whitelocke told
her, that the Protector was a great lover and maintainer of justice and
honour, and had a particular affection to her Majesty, which he believed
she would find him ready to manifest upon this or any other occasion, and
find him a true friend to her; wherewith (poor lady!) she seemed much
comforted, having brought her affairs to so low an ebb as this was, and
thus high was the Protector's reputation here. As to the general business
of the treaty with Whitelocke, she said it would be fit to have the
articles signed tomorrow, and that Whitelocke soon after should have his
audience, and she would give order to have it done accordingly.
She asked Whitelocke if he would bear her company to take the air, which
he did; and she riding a horse managed to the great saddle, who was
troublesome, she came into her coach, and caused Whitelocke to sit in the
same boot with her, that they might discourse the more privately. There
were also in her coach the Senator Rosenhau, Grave Tott, and Steinberg.
[SN: Whitelocke presents his black horses to the Queen,]
The Queen freely told Whitelocke that if he would not sell his horses, as
she understood he would not, that yet she should take it for a favour if
he would let her have one of his sets of coach-horses, which would do her
great service in her intended journey, they being fitter for travel than
any she had. Whitelocke told her they were all at her Majesty's service;
that he thought it not becoming him to sell them, but if she pleased to
accept them, she should freely have them; that he thought his black
horses fittest for her and best, and there were eight of them, and the
other set he intended to present unto the Prince{6}; that, she said,
would be very well, and she kindly thanked him and accepted of his
compliment.
[SN: some distilled waters,]
Whitelocke also told the Queen that he had a small cabinet of glasses of
spirits of waters, essences of excellent kinds, extracted; but he
believed that her Majesty did not much esteem such things, and they were
too inconsiderable to make a present of them to the Queen-mother, if she
had any liking of them. The Queen said her mother was much pleased with
such essences, and that she would send them to her from Whitelocke. He
asked when he should bring them, and an English Bible which he promised
to the Queen. She said, tomorrow if he pleased, and that at all times he
should be welcome to her.
_April 25, 1654._
Grave Eric sent his secretary to Whitelocke to inform him of his being
come to town purposely for the despatch of his business, and for the
signing of the articles; and he desired to know what time this afternoon
he might have the liberty to come and visit Whitelocke, after he had been
with the Queen. Whitelocke told the secretary that he should be glad to
see his lord after Whitelocke had likewise been at the Court; and there
they met.
Whitelocke went in to the Queen and presented her with the cabinet of
essences, which was of green velvet, lined with silver lace very richly;
within it were about twenty glasses of spirits of the rarest kinds, each
glass stopped with a silver head of English silver, to screw off and on,
and a lock and key of the same; and opening the cabinet the Queen smelt
of most of the glasses, but tasted none of them; she highly commended
them and the cabinet, especially the English silver, whereof she had some
discourse, and said she would send them to her mother, who would be very
glad of them.
[SN: and an English Bible;]
Then according to his promise he presented her Majesty with an English
Bible, of a very fair print and richly bound; and upon that they had this
discourse:--
_Whitelocke._ If your Majesty would be pleased to spend some time in
reading this Bible, and comparing it with those in other languages, it
would be a great help to your understanding of the English, if your
Majesty have any further thoughts thereof.
_Queen._ My desire still is to gain the English tongue, and I think this
which you mention will be a good way to learn it. I ask your pardon that
you staid so long before you came in to me; nobody told me of your being
without, and I am ashamed of this incivility.
_Wh._ The incivility, Madam, is on my side, by interrupting your greater
affairs; but I come not now as an ambassador, but as a particular servant
to bring this Bible to your Majesty.
_Qu._ It is a noble present, and there was the less reason to make you
stay for admittance with it.
[SN: and exhorts her Majesty to read it.]
_Wh._ This book was presented to me by an English doctor, with a letter
mentioning the text that the Beraeans were accounted the more noble
because they received the word with gladness, as I hope your Majesty
will.
_Qu._ I receive it from you with much thankfulness, and shall gladly make
use of it as the best of books.
_Wh._ Your Majesty, by often reading it, and comparing it with other
Bibles, will not only thereby gain advantage as to the language, but the
highest comfort to your soul.
_Qu._ I have used to read much in the Bible, and take great contentment
in it.
_Wh._ Your Majesty will find more contentment and comfort in the study of
this book than of all other books whatsoever, and therefore I do humbly
recommend the often reading of it to your Majesty.
_Qu._ I doubt you have an ill opinion of me that you so earnestly
persuade me to this, as if you thought me too backward in it.
_Wh._ I only give my humble advice to your Majesty, out of my own
experience, of the great comfort, wisdom, and true pleasure which is to
be met with in this book, and nowhere else, and that all things out of it
are of no value.
_Qu._ I am full of the same opinion; but there are too many who have not
so venerable an opinion of it as they ought to have.
_Wh._ There are indeed, Madam, too many who mock at this book, and at God
himself, whose book it is; but these poor worms will one day know that
God will not be mocked, and that they and their reproaches will sadly
perish together; and I am glad to hear your Majesty's distaste of such
wicked ones.
_Qu._ Surely every good Christian ought to distaste such men and such
opinions.
They had much more discourse upon the same subject, wherein Whitelocke
spake the more, because he found the Queen more inclined to it now than
he had perceived her to be at other times.
Being come from the Queen, he spake with Grave Eric in another room,
whose opinion was that it would be fit to sign the articles on the
morrow, and said that his father would be returned time enough to do it.
Whitelocke doubted that, by reason of his weariness after his journey, it
might not be then convenient. Eric replied, that there would be nothing
to be done that would occasion trouble, the signing and putting the seals
to the articles already prepared and agreed on was all that was to be
done. Whitelocke demanded if the power given by the Queen to her
Commissioners were sealed. Eric said it was not, but that Canterstein
would be in town this evening, and would see all done.
_April 26, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke complains of further delays.]
Grave Eric came to Whitelocke's house, and this discourse passed between
them:--
_Whitelocke._ It seems to me somewhat strange that after all things
agreed between her Majesty's Commissioners and me, I should yet attend
three weeks to obtain one half-hour for the signing of the articles.
_Grave Eric._ The Queen's going out of town hath occasioned it, and the
great business touching her resignation, which hath so taken up all men's
thoughts and counsels, that there hath been hardly room left for any
other matter; and when the Queen goes away, those of the Council also
take the liberty to go into the country; and upon such extraordinary
changes as these are, it is no strange thing for public ministers to be
retarded; and the same thing hath been practised upon your changes in
England.
_Wh._ I have not observed, either in England or elsewhere, that after an
agreement upon a treaty, and nothing remaining but to sign and seal, that
they have used afterwards to delay it three weeks together; yet I am
willing to promise myself that the servant of the Protector may expect
from this Crown as much respect as any other public minister.
_Gr. Eric._ There hath been more respect showed to you than hath been
accustomed to any other. I believe your business may be despatched in
half an hour; and if my father return this evening time enough to do it,
it may be done this night; if not, then without fail tomorrow morning.
_Wh._ I am the more earnest herein, looking upon it as my duty to the
Protector and my respect to this Crown, to avoid any occasion of
discontent between the two nations; and therefore I shall freely tell you
that it will be very material to have the articles signed this day or
tomorrow, before I receive this week's letters, by which I expect to
understand that the articles between England and Holland are signed;
among which articles one is, that neither the one nor the other
confederate shall make any alliance with any other prince or state,
without first giving notice thereof to the other confederate. Now if the
articles between the Protector and the Queen be signed before I have
notice of this by the Dutch articles being signed, the signing of our
articles here first will be without exception in this point; but if I
receive this information from England before the articles be signed here,
it will be doubtful whether then I shall be in a capacity afterwards to
sign the articles here, whereupon sundry inconveniences will ensue, which
I would willingly prevent.
_Gr. Eric._ This is indeed a material point, and I am much startled at
it. I shall go and see if my father be come to town, that I may acquaint
him with it, and doubtless the business may be finished tomorrow.
_Wh._ What do you resolve to do in the matter I proposed touching Guinea?
_Gr. Eric._ The person concerned in that business is now in town; I shall
bring him to you to give you information therein, and upon speaking
together we may come to some conclusion in it. I think the best way will
be to prepare an article to this purpose, that all injuries done by the
one or the other party in the several plantations in Guinea, and the
satisfaction and damages to be given to the parties grieved, be upon the
whole matter remitted to the consideration and arbitrement of persons to
be chosen, as well by the company of English merchants trading to those
parts as of the merchants of this country having interest in the
plantations there.
_Wh._ I think this may be a good expedient for this business; and I shall
rather submit to it than depart from hence, without any agreement at all,
to have this matter, either now or at some other time, to be taken into
consideration; and therefore if you please to direct an article to be
drawn up to the effect proposed by yourself, and to send it to me to be
perused, I shall be willing to consent to any reasonable settlement of
this business; so as my countrymen, the English merchants interested in
that plantation, may have no cause to believe that I have neglected what
was specially recommended to me on their behalf, and that my superiors
may see my care in this as well as in other matters.
In the evening Monsieur Bloome sent word to Whitelocke that the
Chancellor was come to town, and that Canterstein was expected this
night.
Presently Whitelocke sent to the Chancellor to know how he did after his
journey, and when he might have the liberty to visit him. The Chancellor
answered that he was well, and purposed this evening or tomorrow morning
to go to the Queen, and afterwards he would send to Whitelocke to let him
know what time they might meet to finish his business. This seemed to
Whitelocke a little different from the ordinary rules of civility--that
when he sent to the Chancellor to know at what time he might come to
him, the Chancellor answered that his purpose was to go to the Queen;
but Whitelocke hoped that the intent was to receive her Majesty's
direction in his business.
_April 27, 1654._
[SN: Signing the articles again deferred till the morrow.]
Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke from the Chancellor to tell him that the
Chancellor was come to town purposely for the signing of the articles.
Whitelocke said he was much obliged to the Chancellor for so great a
favour, and that, after three weeks elapsed since the articles were
agreed, he might now hope it would be thought seasonable to confirm that
agreement with hand and seal. Lagerfeldt answered that it might be done
this day, and therefore he came to Whitelocke that his secretary might
meet with the Queen's secretary, and they together might examine the
books, which in the evening may be signed and sealed by both parties.
_Whitelocke._ Hath Monsieur Canterstein procured the Queen's patent to
authorize her Commissioners to conclude this treaty?
_Lagerfeldt._ It must be done before the signing of the articles, and
then you may have your audience when your Excellence pleaseth.
_Wh._ It were fit to have that done.
_Lag._ I know not whether the presents which her Majesty intends to make
to your Excellence and your company be yet ready; and I know the Queen
intends to express as much honour to you as she hath done to any
ambassador whatsoever.
_Wh._ I desire no greater honour than the despatch of my business, and
liberty to return home.
_Lag._ I shall serve your Excellence therein to the utmost of my power.
In the afternoon Whitelocke sent his son James and his secretary Earle,
and Swift, with the articles and papers touching his business, unto
Canterstein, where they examined them and corrected what was mistaken.
They asked at what hour Whitelocke might repair to the Chancellor for
signing the articles. Canterstein answered, that the Chancellor was weary
with his journey; but he went to him and brought word that, if Whitelocke
would come to the Chancellor about five or six o'clock this evening, he
would be ready to confer with him. This being reported to Whitelocke by
his son, he sent him back to Canterstein to know whether the Queen had
sealed the grant of power to her Commissioners, who brought word that it
was not done, and that the Queen went out of town this evening, and
returned not till tomorrow.
After this message, and when Whitelocke saw that his letters of this week
were not come, he sent to the Chancellor to let him know that he feared
it might be troublesome to him for Whitelocke to come to him this
evening, and that, if he pleased, Whitelocke would come to him the next
morning. To which the Chancellor willingly agreed, and appointed their
meeting tomorrow, betwixt eight and nine o'clock in the morning. The
Chancellor inquired whether Whitelocke had yet received his letters from
England. The servant of Whitelocke said that the letters were not yet
come, but that by the last week's letters the news came that the peace
between England and Holland was certainly concluded; to which the
Chancellor said, I desire to be excused.
By these passages Whitelocke perceived that their little design was,
notwithstanding all he had endeavoured, that before they would sign the
articles they desired to see this week's letters; which he took as
directed by the good hand of Providence, in regard that by this means he
should be the more excused in what he intended to do, having staid for
this week's letters and received none, and the politicians here would be
deceived in their expectation. He wondered at the Queen's going out of
town before she sealed the commission to her deputies: some thought the
reason to be, because her intended presents were not yet ready.
Whitelocke received a letter from the Protector's Resident at Hamburg,
wherein this was part:--
"_For his Excellence my Lord Ambassador Whitelocke, Extraordinary
Ambassador from England with the Queen of Sweden. Humbly these._
"The English letters are not yet come, but from Holland they write
that two expresses were come on the 21st instant, with letters
assuring that the peace was concluded and mutually signed, and that,
as soon as the ratification could arrive in England from the States
General, hostility should cease.
"I am, my Lord,
"With tender of my humble service,
"Your Excellence's most humble servant,
"RI. BRADSHAWE.
"_Hamburg, 15th April, 1654._"
Whitelocke made use of this intelligence as far as it would go; and some
others in this town had the same news from Holland.
_April 28, 1654._
[SN: The signing of the treaty.]
At the time appointed Whitelocke and his company came to the Chancellor's
lodging, with whom was his son Grave Eric and Secretary Canterstein.
Whitelocke's son James and his secretary Earle were admitted into the
room. All the time of their being there Secretary Canterstein was
uncovered and did not sit. Whitelocke's son James was also bare, as
became him, but was admitted to sit down at the lower end of the table,
on the same side with his father, who sat at the upper end, and the
Chancellor over-against him, and Grave Eric by his father.
The Chancellor acquainted Whitelocke that the Queen had shown the
articles to the Prince, who did well approve of them, and desired to have
a strict league and friendship with the Protector, and that the Prince
was ready in what should appertain to him to contribute to that end.
Whitelocke answered that the Protector would esteem the friendship of the
Prince a great honour to him; and to show his desire of it, that
Whitelocke intended to salute the Prince from the Protector. The
Chancellor and his son said that it would be very necessary for
Whitelocke to do so, and that the Prince intended to come nearer to this
city, and then Whitelocke might have the better passage to his Court by
water by the lake Meter, than to go to him by a land-journey; and that
from the Prince he might, by the same lake, be transported to Stockholm.
After many ceremonies and compliments, with apologies for the delay of
the sealing of the articles, they fell to their business. Grave Eric read
the articles prepared by Whitelocke, and his father overlooked them;
Whitelocke's son James read the articles prepared by the Chancellor, and
Whitelocke overlooked them; and some mistakes being amended, Whitelocke
asked whether the Queen's commission to give them power were sealed. They
answered, it was prepared, and that the Queen would seal it, and it was
usual to be done at any time after the sealing of the articles; that
yesterday it was not fully ready for the Queen before her going out of
town, but that she intended to be here again this day, and all would be
ready for her sealing.
The Chancellor directed Canterstein to read the copy of the instrument
for giving power to the Queen's Commissioners, and desired Whitelocke to
give to him the commission of the Protector to Whitelocke, who said that
he had formerly delivered to them a copy of it, which was then read; and
the Chancellor took exception to it, because there was no mention in it
of ratifying what should be here agreed upon by Whitelocke; who answered
that this clause of ratification was in his first commission under the
Great Seal of England, unto which the commission and powers given him
since by the Protector do refer; and he offered to deliver into their
hands that commission under the Great Seal. And if they should require
that Whitelocke might yet have a larger power, whereof he thought there
was no need, (they might perceive by the Protector's letters that he
would not scruple to give it,) Whitelocke said that he would take it upon
him, at his return to England, to procure it to be done; but he said he
could not leave with them the Protector's letters and instructions to
him, because part of them was secret.
The Chancellor said it was the custom to deliver the original letters of
power into the hands of the other party, that they might be registered in
the public acts of the Chancery, and that Whitelocke should receive their
commissions to carry with him into England; that if he would pass his
word that, at his return to England, he would procure new and larger
powers, and take care to send the letters of them hither from the
Protector, they should be satisfied therewith: which Whitelocke promised
to do, and desired that the Queen would ratify all that should be done
here before her resignation, and keep the ratification by her until the
Protector should seal letters of ratification on his part, and then they
might be exchanged and mutually delivered. The Chancellor consented
hereunto, and asked what seal the Protector used in these public
businesses. Whitelocke said he used his own seal. The Chancellor asked if
he did not use the seal of the Commonwealth, in regard that this league
was between the Queen and kingdom of Sweden and the Protector and
Commonwealth of England. Whitelocke said that the Protector might, if he
pleased, command the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed to the
letters of ratification, which he believed would be done if they desired
it; and that, by the same reason, it was fit that the letters of
ratification here should be under the Great Seal of Sweden.
The Chancellor said that in Sweden, when the Government was in the hands
of Commissioners, the King or Queen not being crowned, it was usual for
some chief men, of alliance to the deceased King, to make use of his
private seal, and of no other; that if this treaty were with the Poles
or Danes, or others, that being wanting in their letters which was in
Whitelocke's, he would not proceed any further with them until they
should procure a fuller power and commission; and he said he had been
present at many treaties which had been broken off upon a less defect
than appeared in Whitelocke's letters. But in regard their business was
with the Protector, whom the Queen and himself did so much honour and had
so great a confidence in him, and upon Whitelocke's promise to procure
such a power as they desired to be enlarged to him from the Protector,
the Chancellor said they were ready to confirm the articles with their
seals. Whitelocke took upon him what they desired, and then the
Chancellor and his son Eric sealed that part of the articles which
Whitelocke had prepared, and Whitelocke sealed the other part of the
articles which had been prepared by the Chancellor and his son Grave
Eric.[168]
The Queen's Commissioners insisted to have the date of these articles
11th of April, because then they were fully agreed, and the time after
was for engrossing and preparing them to be signed and sealed; and
Whitelocke did not oppose their desire herein.
Thus, after a long and intricate (it might be said vexatious)
transaction of this great affair for near five months together, all
bitter oppositions, cunning practices, and perplexed difficulties being
removed and overcome, through the goodness and assistance of the only
wise Counsellor, the Prince of Peace, it pleased Him to give a good issue
and happy success in the conducting of this treaty by him who accounts
his great labour and hazards in this transaction well bestowed, and
humbly prays that this treaty may prove to the honour of God, the
interest of the Protestant cause, and the good of both nations therein
concerned.
_April 29, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke's passport through Flanders.]
Though Whitelocke received no letters this week from England, yet he had
some from Hamburg and from Flanders, among which was one from Don
Piementelle full of civility and compliment, giving Whitelocke notice of
his safe arrival in Flanders, and advising him to take that way in his
return; and in it was a letter in Spanish from Piementelle to the Prince
of Mamines in Flanders, to be made use of by Whitelocke if he should have
occasion there, for the more safety and accommodation of his journey.
This letter Whitelocke caused to be translated:--
"Most excellent Sir,
"My Lord Whitelocke, the Lord Ambassador Extraordinary of England,
having finished his embassy in this Court, is resolved to return
through this province, having passed from Hamburg to Cologne, and
that he may go to Brussels with better security, he desires a
passport from your Highness to the Lord Archduke. I, having written
that it may be despatched, and added that it may be remitted to your
Excellence, do entreat you to order that the said despatch may be
delivered to the party whom the said Lord Ambassador shall send from
Cologne for it; and that, he passing through this town, his
Lordship, by his civil entertainment, may understand the favour your
Excellence doth afford me, I owing to this honourable person many
and singular respects, which I desire to manifest and acknowledge. I
am confident your Excellence will assist me herein, and will be
disposed to employ me in many services of yours in Madrid, whither I
am commanded to go, by order from my Lord the King, and shall begin
my journey within three or four days, by way of Brussels, where I
hope to find your Excellence's commands, which I assure you I shall
esteem in all places and obey with the highest punctuality. God
preserve your Excellence the many years of my desires.
"Your Excellence's greatest servant,
"ANT^O PIMENTEL."
In the letter which Whitelocke wrote to Thurloe, after an account of the
passages since his last, he wrote thus:--
[SN: Report of the signing of the treaty to Thurloe.]
"Having received no letters by the post yesterday from England, I
was contented to seal the articles of our treaty; for if but a few
days should be intermitted, they could not have been signed at all,
because upon Tuesday next the Ricksdag, or Parliament here, is
appointed to meet, and within two or three days after their meeting
the Queen intends to resign her Government, and it will be some time
after before the Prince be crowned. I shall have much to do to
despatch the necessary ceremonies here of my public audience, to
take my leave of the Queen, with the many visits I am to perform,
according to the custom to which I am to conform, in regard of the
honour of his Highness and our nation; for he who neglects these
ceremonies here is censured for a mechanic or a boor. I intend from
hence to go to the Prince of Sweden, to salute him from my Lord
Protector, as I am advised that the Prince expects and desires it.
From thence I purpose to go to Stockholm, where I am to take ship
for Luebeck; and from thence to Hamburg, where I shall attend his
Highness's further commands, or some ships to be sent for my
transport into England, which I earnestly entreat you to procure in
time.
"I hope, before my going from hence, to receive his Highness's
order, which I long since wrote for, concerning my return; but
however, my business being effected here, I presume I may, without
displeasure to his Highness, be upon my return homewards; the
rather, because upon the change which is shortly to be here my
commission will be at an end.
"The Queen intends, shortly after her resignation, to go to the Spa,
which I have cause to believe. In those parts they say the King of
the Romans will wait upon her, but that I doubt.
"Her Majesty hath showed extraordinary affection and respect to my
Lord Protector; so hath the Chancellor and his son Grave Eric, and
my Lord Lagerfeldt, etc."
[SN: Whitelocke's interview with the Queen after the signing of the
treaty.]
Whitelocke waited on the Queen, and gave her an account of the signing
and sealing of his articles; whereupon she said:--
_Queen._ I am glad that this business is done to your satisfaction.
_Whitelocke._ There remains only your Majesty's sealing your letters of
full power to your Commissioners who treated with me.
_Qu._ I sealed them this morning.
_Wh._ Then my humble suit is, that your Majesty would appoint a day for
my audience to take my leave.
_Qu._ This is Saturday, but if you desire it you may have it on Friday
next.
_Wh._ Would your Majesty's leisure permit to give me audience on Tuesday
or Wednesday next, they being no holidays?
_Qu._ The Assembly is to sit on Tuesday, and at their first meeting I
shall have a great deal of business with them, which will hinder me from
any other affairs.
_Wh._ I humbly pray your Majesty to appoint it as soon as your own
leisure will permit, for I shall have many businesses and ceremonies
after it to perform, before my going away.
_Qu._ On Monday next I will appoint a day; and touching the secret
article, about which I formerly discoursed with you, I have now altered
my opinion, and am resolved to follow the advice that you and Mr.
Woolfeldt have given me. I will write a letter under my own hand to the
Protector to the effect you advised, and deliver it to you to be
presented to him.
_Wh._ This will be much the better way.
_Qu._ I desire you to be careful of the letter; and before I seal it I
will show it to you for your advice in it.
_Wh._ Madam, I shall have a special care of it, and to procure an answer
of it from the Protector, I hope, to your Majesty's contentment, that you
may make use of it if there shall be occasion; and I believe the
Protector will be a firm friend to your Majesty.
_Qu._ I doubt it not, nor your respects to me.
_Wh._ I am engaged by your many favours to serve your Majesty with all
faithfulness.
_Qu._ I had some clothes in a ship coming hither, and the ship is taken,
and my clothes detained in England, so that I cannot get them to wear.
_Wh._ If your Majesty want clothes, I have a piece of English stuff at my
house, which cost two shillings a yard; and, if that were not too dear
for your Majesty's wearing, I would send it to you.
_Qu._ Two shillings a yard is dear enough for me: I pray send your stuff
hither, and I shall willingly accept of it, and thank you for it.
_Wh._ Will your Majesty be pleased on Monday next to go into England?
_Qu._ Hardly so soon; yet perhaps I may one day see England. But what is
your meaning in this?
_Wh._ Madam, Monday next is the first day of May, a great day in England;
we call it May-day, when the gentlemen use to wait upon their mistresses
abroad to bid the Spring welcome, and to have some collation or
entertainment for them. Now your Majesty being my mistress, if you will
do me the honour, that, after the custom of England, I may wait on you on
May-day, and have a little treatment for you after the manner of England;
this I call going into England, and shall take it as a very great favour
from your Majesty.
_Qu._ If this be your meaning of going into England, I shall be very
willing, as your mistress, to go with you on Monday next, and to see the
English mode.
Lagerfeldt and the master of the ceremonies dining with Whitelocke, he
inquired of them what was to be done by him as to presents to any of the
Queen's servants or officers who had done him respect in his business, or
being here, and what other things were requisite to be done by him,
according to the usage of ambassadors in this Court before their going
away, and when he might obtain his audience to take his leave. The master
of the ceremonies gave him good and chargeable instructions; and
Lagerfeldt agreed in most points with him, and, upon Whitelocke's
entreaty, undertook to see that the letters of full power to the Queen's
Commissioners, and the recredentials to Whitelocke, should be perfected
and brought to him, and a day of audience appointed.
Lagerfeldt told Whitelocke that the Queen was willing to present him with
some of this country's commodities, as copper, to carry with him into
England, if it would be as acceptable to him as other presents of
diamonds and the like; and he said he hoped there was no order of the
Commonwealth of England to forbid the receiving of such presents by their
public ministers. He said, that formerly he asked of Monsieur Chanut, the
French Ambassador here, if he would accept a present of copper, and he
willingly accepted it, and carried it with him, saying, that he rather
desired copper than diamonds or jewels, because he could better sell the
copper than jewels, and make money of it.
Whitelocke said, that whatsoever her Majesty pleased to bestow on him
should be welcome to him, and that he liked the commodities of this
country as well as those of the Indies, and that for Chanut's reason. He
said that the Protector had not forbid him to receive any testimonies of
the Queen's respect to him, as she used to do to all public ministers;
that the order of the Commonwealth forbidding gifts or presents to public
ministers was not now in force; that he thought her Majesty's bounty to
him, and his justification of the acceptance of it, might be the more
from such valuable presents as her Majesty had done him the honour to
receive from him, and his intention to bestow all his horses upon her,
and such as she would appoint, which, for the honour of the Commonwealth,
he would not sell.
_April 30, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke accepts a present of copper.]
Berkman and Monsieur Bloome dined with Whitelocke, and took occasion to
magnify the respects of the Chancellor and his son, Grave Eric, to the
Protector and to Whitelocke, who was not backward to join in those
eulogies, and to acknowledge the respects. Berkman said that Canterstein
was to bring some writings to Whitelocke, and that Lagerfeldt had spoken
to the Queen to present Whitelocke with some copper; that she had given
order for two hundred ship-pound of copper to be brought from the mines
to Stockholm, to be put aboard Whitelocke's ship, ready to be carried
away with him; that every ship-pound was here worth forty dollars, and
was as much as three hundred English pounds, which he cast up in the
whole to the value of about L2500 sterling. And Whitelocke was satisfied
in his own conscience that he might honourably receive it, having given
to the Queen as many presents already as were worth L1000, and engaged to
her his horses, which were worth about L2000 more, besides the gifts and
gratuities which he had liberally given, and intended to give, to the
Queen's servants and officers; and that, in recompense of above L3000
given away, he might well receive a present of the value of L2500.
Grave Leonhough visited Whitelocke, and had much discourse with him, not
so proper for this day.
FOOTNOTES:
[85] [An ingenious device of Whitelocke's to lead the Spaniard to hasten
the business of the treaty with Sweden, which he was suspected of having
retarded.]
[86] The French, and English copies of the passport were these:--
"Comme ainsi soit que Don Antonio Piementel de Prado, Envoye
Extraordinaire de sa Majeste le Roi d'Espagne a sa Majeste la Reine de
Suede, soit maintenant sur son retour de ce lieu a Neufport en Flandres,
dont son Excellence est Gouverneur; et qu'il ait juge a propos d'envoyer
partie de son train et bagage par mer de Hambourg a Dunquerque, ou public
autre port des Provinces Unies a present sous l'obeissance de sa dite
Majeste le Roi d'Espagne; et pour leur procurer d'autant plus sur convoi,
m'ait desire, comme Ambassadeur Extraordinaire de son Altesse Monseigneur
le Protecteur de la Republique d'Angleterre, d'Ecosse, et d'Irlande, vers
sa Majeste la Reine de Suede, de lui donner passeport: ces presents sont
pour requerir tous ceux qui ont commandement par mer ou par terre, et
tous officiers et autres de la dite Republique auxquels il peut
appartenir, de permettre le porteur des presents, Joos Froidure,
serviteur du dit Don Antonio Piementel, avec son navire et biens sous sa
charge (a savoir, vingt caisses contenantes toutes sortes de meubles,
comme vaisselle d'argent, tapisseries, linges, habits, lits de camp, et
autres coffres et choses pareilles, et tout conduit par le susdit Joos
Froidure, et les caisses marquees D. A. P.), de passer paisiblement et
sans empechement quelconque jusqu'au dit Dunquerque, ou autre port des
Provinces Unies de present sous l'obeissance de sa dite Majeste le Roi
d'Espagne. Donne sous ma main et sceau, a Upsale en Suede, ce 4eme
d'Avril, 1654. B. WHITELOCKE."
"Whereas Don Antonio Pimentel de Prado, Envoy Extraordinary from his
Majesty the King of Spain unto her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, is now
upon his return from this place unto Newport, in Flanders, whereof his
Excellence is Governor, and hath thought fit to send part of his train
and goods from Hamburg by sea unto Dunkirk, or some other port now in
obedience to his said Majesty the King of Spain, in the Low Countries;
and, for the better conveyance of them, hath desired a pass from me,
being Ambassador Extraordinary from his Highness my Lord Protector of the
Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, unto her said Majesty the
Queen of Sweden; these are therefore to desire all commanders by sea or
land, and all officers or others, of the said Commonwealth, whom it may
concern, to permit the bearer hereof, Joos Froidure, servant unto the
said Don Antonio Pimentel, with the ship and goods under his charge, viz.
twenty chests or packages, containing all sorts of household stuff, as
vessels of silver, tapestries, linen, apparel, field-beds, and other
coffers and such like things, marked with D. A. P., to pass unto the said
port of Dunkirk, or any other port now in obedience unto his said Majesty
the King of Spain in the Low Countries, quietly and without any
molestation. Given under my hand and seal, at Upsal, in Sweden, this 4th
day of April, 1654. B. WHITELOCKE."
[88] [It is curious to remark at the present time (1855) how the same
questions have arisen out of the state of war. The list of contraband
articles established by Whitelocke's treaty is still in force as between
England and Sweden, and Liege is still the great resource of the
Continent for arms.]
[90] [Cromwell was already preparing the two armaments at Portsmouth, one
of which afterwards became the Mediterranean fleet, under Blake, of
thirty-five ships, and the other, of thirty-two ships, sailed in the
following year under Penn and Venables for the West Indies.]
[91] [This gentleman is doubtless the same M. Woolfeldt whom Whitelocke
frequently refers to; for in a manuscript addressed to his children,
Woolfeldt is mentioned by name as a person entertaining similar
sentiments towards his native country. He was a Danish nobleman nearly
connected by marriage with the King of Denmark, but who had incurred the
displeasure of the Court, and been driven into exile on account of this
marriage.]
[130] "Whereas Peter Gerbrant, citizen of Stockholm, and commander of a
ship belonging to her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, called the
'Sudermanland,' loaden with corn and other Swedish merchandises, is now
bound for Lisbon, in Portugal, and, for his better passage, hath desired
of me, being Ambassador Extraordinary from his Highness the Lord
Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, unto her
Majesty the Queen of Sweden, to give him my pass and letters
recommendatory: These are therefore to desire all commanders and officers
by sea or land, and all others of the said Commonwealth whom it may
concern, to permit the said Peter Gerbrant, together with his said ship
and lading, to pass unto the said port of Lisbon quietly and without any
molestation; and so to return from thence unto Stockholm, with such
lading as the said master shall there think fit to take into his ship.
Given under my hand and seal at Upsal, in Sweden, this 14th day of April,
1654. B. W."
[131] "Whereas the bearer hereof, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Halsall, had
a pass from Colonel Robert Lilburne, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in
Scotland under his Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of
England, Scotland, and Ireland, to transport himself, his servant, and
necessaries into Sweden upon his occasions, and, having despatched his
business, he hath made his request to me, being Ambassador from his said
Highness the Lord Protector to her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, to grant
him my pass for his return into Scotland: These are therefore to desire
all commanders by sea or land, and all officers and others of the said
Commonwealth whom it may concern, to suffer him, the said
Lieutenant-Colonel Halsall, quietly to pass into Scotland, he acting
nothing prejudicial to the Commonwealth aforesaid; and further I desire
that the Commander-in-Chief in Scotland will be pleased to show unto him,
the said Lieutenant-Colonel, such favour at all times as he shall there
deserve. Given under my hand and seal, at Upsal, in Sweden, this 14th of
April, 1654. B. WHITELOCKE."
[142] [These words show that the contest between the French and Spanish
alliance in London was still going on; but they did not convey the truth
to Whitelocke, for it was against Spain that the great armament
previously mentioned was destined to be used, in the expedition to St.
Domingo and the conquest of Jamaica.]
[168] The treaty thus signed ran in the following terms:--
[SN: Text of the treaty.]
"We whose names are subscribed, Axel Oxenstiern, Chancellor of the
Kingdom and Provincial Judge of the West Norlanders, of Lapland,
Heredalia, and Jemptia, Earl of South Morea, free Baron in Kimitho,
Lord in Tiholme and Tydoen, Knight of the Golden Spur; and Eric
Oxenstiern, son of Axel, General President of the College of Trade,
Earl of South Morea, free Baron in Kimitho, Lord in Tydoen, Viby, and
Gorwallen, Senators of the Kingdom of Sweden, and Plenipotentiary
Commissioners of the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lady the
Lady Christina, by the grace of God Queen of the Swedes, Goths, and
Vandals, Great Prince of Finland, Duke of Esthonia, Carelia, Bremen,
Veherden, Stettin, Pomerland, Cassubia and Vandalia, Prince of Rugia,
and Lady of Ingria and of Wismar; do make known and testify that
formerly there hath been a great amity between the Swedish and
English nations, for which, to renew and increase the profit of it,
it very well happened that the most illustrious and most excellent
Lord Bulstrode Whitelocke, Constable of Windsor Castle, and at this
time one of the Keepers of the Great Seal of England, being
sufficiently authorized to treat of the following affairs, came to
the S.R.M. our Lady, by commandment and in the name of Oliver, Lord
Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland,
Ambassador Extraordinary from these countries and of the aforesaid
Commonwealth. The same also our most S.R.M. hath benignly commanded
us, who have the same and sufficient power, that after we should have
considered with the aforesaid Lord Ambassador about the things which
would be judged the most convenient to establish the liberty of
commerce and navigation, and to corroborate the mutual amity in this
time, that some certain things should be determined and written in
form of articles of mutual alliance.
"Therefore we, after a good deliberation together, agreed touching
the affairs hereafter written, as they are by these following laws
which are in this treaty, and by their clear words and without
difficulty expressed. That is:--
"1. That hereafter there be a good, sincere, firm peace and
correspondence between the Queen and Kingdom of Sweden and the Lord
Protector and the aforesaid Commonwealth, and between all and every
one of the dominions, kingdoms, countries, provinces, islands, lands,
colonies, towns, peoples, citizens, inhabitants, and all and every
one of the subjects of either of the party, so that they may mutually
embrace in entire love and affection.
"2. The aforesaid confederates and subjects, people and inhabitants
of either, shall, when occasion shall be presented, advance the
common profit, and shall, if they know of any imminent danger or
conspiration or machination of the enemies, admonish one another, and
shall hinder them as much as lies in their power. Neither shall it be
permitted to any of the confederates to do or treat by him, or by any
other whatsoever, to the prejudice or damage of the lands and
dominions of either, whatsoever they be, or in whatsoever place,
either by sea or land. The enemies or rebels or adversaries shall in
nowise be suffered, neither shall the rebels or traitors who
undertake under the State of the other be received in his countries,
and shall much less give them counsel, aid, or favour, nor shall
admit that his subjects, people, or inhabitants should do anything
like.
"3. The Queen and Kingdom aforesaid and the Lord Protector and
Commonwealth aforesaid shall, as much as in them lies, endeavour to
take care, with all candour and affection, to remove all the
hindrances which hitherto have interrupted the liberty of navigation
and commerce between both the nations, as much in the dominions,
lands, seas, and rivers of either of the confederates with other
people and nations. They shall also endeavour to advance and defend
the liberty of navigation and commerce against all sorts of
disturbers for the reasons agreed upon in this treaty, or upon which
hereafter they may agree, nor shall suffer, either through
themselves, their subjects, or people, any offence to be committed or
done against this institution.
"4. For it is consented and agreed that the inhabitants and subjects
of the aforesaid confederates be free to travel by sea or land into
the kingdoms, countries, provinces, lands, islands, towns, cities,
villages, walled or unwalled, fortified or no, ports, dominions
whatsoever freely, or without safe-conduct, general or special, to go
and thence to return, and thence to stay or pass over, and all the
while to buy victuals and things necessary for their use, and are to
be treated with all benevolence. And also it shall be lawful for the
subjects, citizens, and inhabitants of either of the confederates to
exercise merchandise and commerce in all places wherein any commerce
hath hitherto been exercised, and the same merchandise may be carried
in or forth according to their pleasure, paying nevertheless the
usual tax, and observing the laws and ordinances of the aforesaid
Kingdom and Commonwealth; supposing on both sides that the people,
subjects, and inhabitants of either of the confederates shall have
and possess in the countries, lands, dominions, and kingdom of the
other as full and ample privileges, and as much freedom, liberty, and
immunity, as any stranger possesseth, or shall possess, in the said
dominions and kingdoms.
"5. The merchants, masters of ships, pilots, seamen, and others,
their ships, merchandise, and all goods in general of the said
confederates and their subjects and inhabitants, shall not be
apprehended or detained in the lands, ports, shores, harbours, or
dominions whatsoever in alliance with the other, for any public use,
expedition of war, or other cause, much less for any private man's
use by virtue of any edict, general or special; neither shall they be
molested or constrained by violence or injury or anything of that
kind: provided that arrests be not prohibited if they are made
according to the ordinary form of law, justice, and equity; they
shall not neglect the punishment of any for private affection.
"6. And if one or more ships of the subjects, citizens, or
inhabitants, be they of war or of burden and private men's, shall be
forced by tempests, or pursued by pirates and enemies, or any urgent
necessity to the harbour or shores of the other confederate, and be
forced to call for protection, they shall be received there with all
benignity, humanity, and friendship, and at no time to be hindered,
and all victual, reparation, and things fit for use at the ordinary
price; they shall not be prohibited to depart or go out of the port
or harbour by any pretence whatsoever, as long as they have not
committed anything against the statutes, ordinances, and custom of
the place where their ships are brought and where they shall sojourn.
"7. Likewise, if one ship or more of war or of private men of the
other confederate, and of the subjects and inhabitants, shall be
shipwrecked or cast on the coast of the dominions of the other
confederate, or for the future may suffer detriment, they may be
relieved and helped at a price agreed on, so that whatsoever shall be
saved from the shipwreck shall be preserved and restored to the true
owner or his factor.
"8. And if the subjects and inhabitants of the other confederate,
whether they be merchants, their factors, servants, masters of ships,
pirates, seamen, or others, have occasion to travel into the
dominions of the other confederate, or if anything shall come in
their name before a court of justice, or suits for their debts, or
for any other lawful reason wherein they may need the help of the
magistrate; in these things he shall be benign and ready for equity's
sake, and shall administer justice without delay or unnecessary
circumstances, and they shall not be hindered in their journey by any
pretence, but whithersoever they go are to be used friendly, and
shall have the liberty either in going or returning to carry and wear
arms for their private defence, and to walk into the harbours,
seaports, and in any public place of the other confederate armed;
provided they give no occasion of just suspicion to the governors or
magistrates of any place of any design against the public or private
peace, but chiefly they are to behave themselves modestly, and to
live without any injury.
"9. It is lawful for the foresaid confederates and both their people
to buy and export out of any of their countries, dominions, and
kingdoms, all sorts of arms and provision of war, and freely and
safely to carry their ships into what ports, stations, and harbours
of the other confederate they please, and there to sojourn and from
thence to go; and they are to carry themselves modestly, peaceably,
and conform to all the laws and customs of the place, and they may
trade there without any hindrance; likewise the ships of war have
free leave to come to the ports, havens, and stations of the other
confederates. But nevertheless, if there be a manifest suspicion in
their number, they may forbid their access, without they have
obtained leave of the confederate in whose ports they are (unless
they are drawn in by tempests, or force, or danger, or chief
magistrate), and are not to stay longer than the governor or chief
magistrate will give them leave.
"10. It shall be lawful for the subjects and inhabitants of the
kingdom of Sweden to travel into all the countries of England,
Scotland, and Ireland, and likewise to pass beyond land or sea, and
other people that commerce with them, to exercise trade in all kind
of merchandise, and to bring them thither and carry thence at their
pleasure. The people of the aforesaid Commonwealth shall enjoy the
same liberty in the kingdoms, dominions, and territories of the Queen
and kingdom of Sweden, but upon condition that they shall observe the
respective laws, ordinances, and particular rights of both nations,
and of those things which concern the traffic.
"11. Although it be prohibited by the former articles of this league
and friendship, that neither of the confederates shall give aid or
assistance to the enemies of the other, nevertheless it is no way to
be understood that it is denied to the confederate and his subjects
and people who is not in war to have commerce and navigation with the
enemies of that confederate who is in war: provided only in the
meantime, until it may be more fully agreed upon, all laws hereunto
pertaining, that none of those commodities called contraband (of
which a special designation or catalogue shall be agreed upon within
four months from this time) shall be carried to the enemies of
either, upon peril that if they be found out by the other
confederate, they shall be taken as prize without hope of
restitution.
"12. But lest this free navigation or passage by land or sea with
other nations, of the one confederate, his subjects, or people,
during the war of the other confederate, should be a deceit to the
other confederate, and may conceal commodities and hostile goods by
deceit, pretending the name of a friend, for that reason, to remove
suspicion and fraud, it is thought fit that the ships, waggons,
merchandises, and men belonging to one of the confederates, in their
journeys and navigations shall be armed with letters of safe-conduct,
commonly called passports and certificates, which shall be signed by
the chief governor or magistrate of the province or city from whence
they come, and in all them those forms to be observed which shall be
agreed upon within the space of four months next ensuing; but where
the merchandises, goods, shipping, and men of one of the
confederates, or of his subjects or people, in the open sea, straits,
ports, stations, lands, and places whatsoever, shall be met with by
the ships of war, public or private, or by the men, subjects, and
people of the other confederate, or by any means shall be in one
place together, then exhibiting only their letters of safe-conduct
and certificates, nothing shall be further required of them, nor
inquired of them, nor inquiry made as to their goods, shipping, or
men any further, much less shall any injury, damage, or trouble be
offered to them, but, as is before signified, they shall be freely
dismissed to proceed in their intended journey. And in case anything
be done by either party contrary to the genuine sense of this
article, either of the confederates shall cause severe punishment to
be inflicted upon those who shall do contrary hereunto, their
subjects and people, and shall take care that satisfaction be made
without delay to the other grieved confederate, or his subjects and
people, fully of all their losses and expenses.
"13. Also, if it shall fall out hereafter during this friendship and
league, that any of the people and subjects of either of the
confederates shall take part with, or design anything against this
league, the agreement between the aforesaid confederates shall not
thereby be interrupted or dissolved, but nevertheless shall continue
and wholly remain; but those particular persons only who have broken
this league shall be punished, and right and justice shall be
administered to those who have received injury, and satisfaction
shall be made of all damages and wrong within a twelvemonth's time
after restitution demanded. And if the foresaid delinquents and
persons guilty of the violence committed shall not yield themselves
and submit to justice, or within the prefixed time shall refuse to
make satisfaction, they, whosoever they are, shall at length be
proclaimed enemies to both States, and their estates, goods, and
whatsoever things they have shall be confiscated and sold for a just
and full satisfaction of the wrongs by them done, and those offenders
and guilty persons, where they shall come into the power of either
State, shall suffer also deserved punishment according to the nature
of their offence. But restitution and satisfaction for the losses and
damages which either of the confederates hath suffered by the other
during the war between England and the United Provinces of the
Netherlands shall be made and afforded without delay to the party
wronged, or to his subjects.
"14. The present treaty and confederation shall not at all derogate
from the pre-eminence, right, and dominion whatsoever of either of
the confederates in their seas, straits, and waters whatsoever; but
they shall have and retain the same to themselves in the same fulness
as they have hitherto enjoyed the same, and of right belongs unto
them.
"15. Whereas therefore it is the principal purpose of this league
that the same freedom of navigation and merchandising as is expressed
in the former articles should be and remain to either confederate,
his subjects and people, in the Baltic Sea, the Strait of the Sound,
the Northern, Western, British, and Mediterranean Seas, and in the
Channel and other seas of Europe, it shall therefore earnestly be
endeavoured by common counsel, help, and assistance, that the
foresaid mutual freedom of navigation and commerce shall be
established and promoted in all the before-mentioned seas, and, if
occasion require, shall be defended against disturbers who would
interrupt it, prohibit, hinder, constrain, and force it to their own
will and the injury of the confederates; and both the confederates
shall willingly and mutually afford their goodwill and readiness to
promote the benefit and to take away the prejudice of either of the
confederates, always saving to either nation the leagues with other
kingdoms, commonwealths, and nations which have been heretofore made
and are in force; but neither of the confederates for the future
shall make any league or alliance with any foreign people or nations
whatsoever to any prejudice of this present mutual league, without
the knowledge beforehand and consent of the other confederate; and if
anything shall hereafter be agreed otherwise, it shall be void, and
shall wholly give way to this mutual agreement; but of the manner of
mutual aid or assistance to be given for defence of this league, and
freedom of commerce and navigation, where it shall be necessary and
reason shall require it, it shall be specially agreed upon according
to the circumstances of time and all other things.
"16. Concerning other advantages to be enjoyed, and rules according
to which the ships of war shall demean themselves which shall come
into the ports or stations of the other confederate, of the trade to
be had in America, also of the commodities of fishing for herrings
and other fish whatsoever, of the staples and marts to be appointed
for trade, and of other matters and conditions which may be required
for the greater evidence of the former articles, as by a particular
treaty and mutual contract shall be hereafter agreed.
"17. But those matters which we have agreed in the former articles
shall forthwith from this moment of time obtain full force and be
sincerely and rightly observed by either party, and by all who are
under their obedience, faith, and command. And to the end that for
the time to come they may be the more established, and remain firm as
well by her Royal Majesty as also by the Lord Protector of the
Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the territories
thereunto belonging, in the name of his Highness and the said
Commonwealth, these presents, with the proper subscriptions of the
hands of her Majesty and of his Highness, shall be subscribed,
signed, and ratified.
"In confirmation of all these things which are above written, and for
sufficient testimony thereof that on the part of her Royal Majesty
our most clement Lady they shall be most religiously and fully
observed, and be ratified within the time prefixed, we have
subscribed these presents with our proper hands, and armed them with
our seals. Dated at Upsal, the 11th day of April, in the year 1654.
"AXEL OXENSTIERN,
"ERIC OXENSTIERN AXELIUS."
MAY.
_May 1, 1654._
[SN: Preparations for departure.]
Lagerfeldt, Berkman, and the Syndic of Gothenburg, after dinner with
Whitelocke, discoursed and advised him touching his departure. Lagerfeldt
said he believed the Queen would give Whitelocke audience on Friday next,
before which time her presents would not be ready for Whitelocke and his
company; he said also, that he heard the Prince intended to be in this
town within a few days, and if it should be so, then it would be better
for Whitelocke to stay here, and expect his coming hither to salute him
here, than to go out of his way so far as to the Prince's Court; in which
matter Whitelocke said he would entreat the Queen's advice. Lagerfeldt
said further, that the Queen had commanded some copper to be brought to
Stockholm, and to be put aboard the ship where Whitelocke was to be
embarked, or in some other ship as he should appoint, it being a present
intended for him by the Queen.
The Syndic acquainted Whitelocke that the city of Gothenburg would send
into England, to prepare there for an accord concerning traffic between
the English merchants and that town, wherein they hoped to have the
assistance of Whitelocke at his return to England, wherein he promised
his advice and furtherance.
A Danish gentleman of quality and experience gave a visit to Whitelocke,
advised him the way of his journey, and gave him good information
touching Denmark, to be communicated to the Protector, as that the
English merchants might pass the Sound without paying any tax, if the
Protector would insist upon it. Whitelocke, in drollery, asked him why he
would discover these things to a stranger, which turn so much to the
prejudice of his own country. He answered that he did this to testify his
respects to the Protector, and that he did not betray his country, but
his country had betrayed him; and that was his country where he breathed
and had present nourishment.[184]
Mr. Woolfeldt visited Whitelocke, and, among other discourses, related to
him the story of this gentleman and his lady, which was to this effect,
by his and others' relation:--
[SN: Woolfeldt's history.]
This gentleman was of a noble family and extraction in Denmark, grew
into great favour with the last King, whose daughter by a second
wife he married; and the present King, her brother, made him Viceroy
of Norway, Governor of the Isle of Zealand and of the Sound, and a
Senator of the kingdom and Great Master of Denmark; and he had been
employed thirteen times as an ambassador.
"His lady, the daughter and sister of a king, was of excellent
comeliness of person and behaviour, humbly knowing her distance, of
a sweet disposition, and of rare parts, both of mind and body;
especially deserving praise for her high and entire affection to her
husband, who, notwithstanding his great parts and abilities, and the
many perils he had undergone in the service of his king and country,
yet after all, by the whisperings and false suggestions of
backbiters, his enemies, was traduced to the King for being too much
a friend to the people's liberty, and an opposer of the King's
absolute power; but beyond all this (as some gave it out), that he
was too familiar with one of the King's mistresses; so it was that
the King took high displeasure against him. Parasites took the
occasion to please the King by invectives against one under a cloud;
his parts attracted envy, and his merits were too great for any
other recompense but his own ruin.
"To avoid the King's wrath and his enemies' malice, and to preserve
his life, which was aimed to be taken away with his fortune, he was
compelled to fly from his country and seek his security in foreign
parts. His lady, though a tender, modest woman,--though the sister
of the King regnant, high in his favour and the interest of her
alliance; though pressingly enticed to cast off her affection to her
husband; though unacquainted with any hardships,--yet so entire was
her conjugal love and piety, that, rather than part with her
husband, she would leave all her relations and pleasures of a court
and her dear country, and put herself, though with child, into the
disguise of a page, to attend him in his flight as his servant.
"It may be imagined that such a servant was not unkindly used; but
the greatest trouble was, that being on shipboard to cross the
Baltic Sea, the poor page whispered the master that she had a
longing desire to some cherries which she saw in the town as they
came to the ship. Here was the difficulty: if her lord did not go on
shore and procure some cherries for the page, it might cost her
life; if he did go on shore, and in the meantime the ship should go
off, he and his page would be parted, and his own life endangered.
It was reason and honour that persuaded him rather to hazard his own
than such a page's life; therefore, having effectually dealt with
the master of the ship for a little stay, he soon found out a
pretence to go on shore, and neglected not to hasten back again with
his provision of cherries, and to find out a way of distributing a
large share of them to her that longed for them. After which they
happily set sail and arrived in Sweden, where, by articles between
the two Crowns, those in his condition have sanctuary and
protection."
In the afternoon Whitelocke went to Court, where he met with Canterstein,
who excused himself that he had not yet brought to Whitelocke the Queen's
letters of full power to her Commissioners, which he said the Queen had
signed two days before, and that he had been sick, otherwise he had
delivered them before this time. Whitelocke asked him if his
recredentials were prepared. He said they were ready for the Queen to
sign when she pleased, and that nothing in his charge concerning
Whitelocke should receive any delay by his occasion. Whitelocke gave him
thanks for his care, and promised his remuneration.
[SN: Whitelocke entertains the Queen on May-day.]
This being May-day, Whitelocke, according to the invitation he had made
to the Queen, put her in mind of it, that, as she was his mistress, and
this May-day, he was, by the custom of England, to wait upon her to take
the air, and to treat her with some little collation, as her servant. The
Queen said the weather was very cold, yet she was very willing to bear
him company after the English mode. With the Queen were Woolfeldt, Tott,
and five of her ladies. Whitelocke brought them to his collation, which
he had commanded his servants to prepare in the best manner they could,
and altogether after the English fashion.
At the table with the Queen sat "la Belle Comtesse," the Countess
Gabrielle Oxenstiern, Woolfeldt, Tott, and Whitelocke; the other ladies
sat in another room. Their meat was such fowl as could be gotten,
dressed after the English fashion and with English sauces, creams,
puddings, custards, tarts, tansies, English apples, _bon chretien_ pears,
cheese, butter, neats' tongues, potted venison, and sweetmeats brought
out of England, as his sack and claret also was. His beer was also brewed
and his bread made by his own servants in his house, after the English
manner; and the Queen and her company seemed highly pleased with this
treatment. Some of her company said she did eat and drink more at it than
she used to do in three or four days at her own table.
The entertainment was as full and noble as the place would afford and as
Whitelocke could make it, and so well ordered and contrived that the
Queen said she had never seen any like it. She was pleased so far to play
the good housewife as to inquire how the butter could be so fresh and
sweet, and yet brought out of England. Whitelocke, from his cooks,
satisfied her Majesty's inquiry, that they put the salt butter into milk,
where it lay all night, and the next day it would eat fresh and sweet as
this did, and any butter new made, and commended her Majesty's good
housewifery; who, to express her contentment in this collation, was full
of pleasantness and gaiety of spirit, both in supper-time and afterwards.
Among other frolics, she commanded Whitelocke to teach her ladies the
English salutation, which, after some pretty defences, their lips obeyed,
and Whitelocke most readily. She highly commended Whitelocke's music of
the trumpets, which sounded all supper-time; and her discourse was all of
mirth and drollery, wherein Whitelocke endeavoured to answer her, and the
rest of the company did their parts.
It was late before she returned to the castle, whither Whitelocke waited
on her; and she discoursed a little with him about his business and the
time of his audience, and gave him many thanks for his noble treatment of
her and her company.
_May 2, 1654._
[SN: The Swedish full powers.]
Whitelocke sent to the master of the ceremonies to know if he had desired
a time for his last audience, who promised to do it.
Canterstein brought to Whitelocke the Queen's letters of full power to
her Commissioners, under her hand and the great seal of Sweden, which
were of this tenour.[188] Having received this commission, Whitelocke
delivered to Canterstein his commission under the Great Seal of England,
and the copy of his new instructions from the Protector, except what was
secret in them.
Canterstein, the master of the ceremonies, and Monsieur Bloome, were
frolic at dinner with Whitelocke, and made many caresses to him, and
extolled the Chancellor's care and high respect to Whitelocke, in
bringing his treaty to so good an issue; and after dinner Bloome told
Whitelocke that the Chancellor had advised the Queen to make a noble
present to Whitelocke, which was not yet ready, and that had retarded his
last audience. The master of the ceremonies, from the Queen, desired
Whitelocke to have a little patience for a few days; that she expected
the arrival of the Prince within six or seven days in this town, by which
means Whitelocke would have a fair opportunity to salute him here,
without further trouble; and that the Queen would give him audience
within two days before the arrival of the Prince, and so he should
receive no disturbance in his voyage. Whitelocke saw no other remedy for
this but patience.
_May 3, 1654._
[SN: The Guinea question.]
Whitelocke visited Grave Eric. They fell into discourse, among other
things, touching Guinea, to this effect:--
_Whitelocke._ It is requisite that we come to some conclusion about the
business of Guinea.
_Grave Eric._ I think it fit; and for your further information, here is
the answer in writing of the Swedes who are concerned therein unto the
complaints of the English company in that business.
_Wh._ Will you leave the writing with me?
_Gr. Eric._ I shall send you a copy of it.
_Wh._ The complaints of the English have been proved by depositions of
witnesses.
_Gr. Eric._ Those depositions were taken in the absence of the other
party; and, if you please, witnesses may be produced here on the part of
the Swedes.
_Wh._ Witnesses produced here will be also in the absence of the other
party, though I had leisure and commission to examine them on oath.
_Gr. Eric._ You may see in this map of Guinea how the plantations of the
Swedes, English, and Hollanders do lie, and are mingled and near to one
another.
_Wh._ The King of that place made a grant to the English, for them only
to dwell and traffic in that country; and the Swedes afterwards drove the
English, by force, out of their fortifications.
_Gr. Eric._ The English had no fortifications there; all the fort they
had was a little lodge with two rooms only in it, out of which the Swedes
did not force them; and both the Hollanders and Swedes were planted in
this place before any grant made to the English, and the Swedes had a
grant from the same King, whereof this is a copy.
_Wh._ It will be material to compare the dates of these two grants: if
that to the English was first, then the other to the Swedes was of no
validity; and the like of the contrary. If you will favour me with a copy
of the grant made to the Swedes, I will compare it with that made to the
English, and return it to you.
_Gr. Eric._ You shall command it.
Mr. Woolfeldt, being visited by Whitelocke, told him that the Queen was
extremely pleased with his treatment of her. Whitelocke excused the
meanness of it for her Majesty. Woolfeldt replied, that both the Queen
and all the company esteemed it as the handsomest and noblest that they
ever saw; and the Queen, after that, would drink no other wine but
Whitelocke's, and kindly accepted the neats' tongues, potted venison, and
other cates which, upon her commendation of them, Whitelocke sent unto
her Majesty. Woolfeldt showed a paper of consequence written by himself
in Spanish, and he read it in French to Whitelocke, being perfect in
those and other languages. He said, that whatsoever he wrote he did it in
a foreign language, to continue the exercise of them. The paper showed
how the English might be freed from paying tolls at the Sound. Whitelocke
entreated a copy of this paper in French, which Woolfeldt promised.
A great quantity of snow fell and covered the houses and fields, and was
hard frozen: a matter at this time strange to the English, but ordinary
here.
_May 4, 1654._
Mr. Boteler, a Scotsman, confidently reported great news to the
disparagement of the affairs of England, that the Highlanders of Scotland
had given a great defeat to the English and killed five hundred of them,
which news was soon confuted by Whitelocke.
[SN: A literary dinner party.]
The Senator Vanderlin, and his brother the master of the ceremonies; Dr.
Loccenius, a civilian, Keeper of the Library in this University; another
gentleman, Professor of Eloquence here; Mr. Ravius, Professor of the
Eastern tongues; and a French gentleman, captain of one of the companies
of Guards, doing Whitelocke the honour to dine with him, had very learned
discourse, particularly of languages and of the affinity between the
Swedish, English, Danish, and High Dutch tongues, whereof they gave many
instances, and Whitelocke was able to add to them. The professors
discoursed only in Latin, as most proper for them; the others in French;
and they hold it a discourtesy if a man be not answered in the same
language which he speaks. They also extolled the Prince and the
Protector; and the Senator said that there was not any person who came so
near to the eminency and grandeur of the Protector as the Prince of
Sweden did.
[SN: The Dutch Resident salutes Whitelocke on the peace.]
The company being gone, Whitelocke went to the accustomed place, the
great wood, to take the air; and as he was walking in the broad way
there, he perceived the coach of the Dutch Resident coming towards him;
and perceiving the English Ambassador to be walking there, the Resident
alighted out of his coach and came on foot towards Whitelocke. Whether he
came after Whitelocke in a handsome design or contrivance for their first
salutation, or that it was by accident, Whitelocke did not examine, but
thought fit to answer the civility of the Resident by walking back
towards him to meet him.
They saluted each other and their company with great respect. The
Resident began the compliment to Whitelocke in French, telling him that
he was very glad of the opportunity to have the happiness to salute
Whitelocke, which he would not neglect to do, perceiving him in this
place; and that he would take the first occasion to do himself the
honour to visit Whitelocke at his house. Whitelocke answered, that the
Resident should be very welcome when he pleased to do that honour to
Whitelocke as to bestow a visit on him; and that he was also very glad of
the opportunity which had now presented itself, whereby he had the
contentment of being acquainted with the Resident. They fell into general
discourses, and, among the rest, of the conclusion and ratification of
the treaty between the two Commonwealths, and of the advantage which
thereby would arise to both of them, and to the Protestant party.[193]
As they were walking together the Queen passed by them, being in that
wood also to take the air. When she came near, she saluted them with
great respect, and spake to them aloud, "Je suis ravie de vous voir
ensemble, je vois que la paix est faite." And so the Queen went on her
way, and Whitelocke took leave of the Resident.
[SN: A despatch from Thurloe.]
At his return to his house Whitelocke found his packet from England ready
to entertain him, and Thurloe's letter was this:--
"My Lord,
"Your letter of the 10th of March arrived here this morning, whereby
you are pleased to give a very particular and exact account of all
proceedings in this treaty you are upon; I presently communicated
the contents thereof to his Highness and the Council, with whom he
was willing to advise, and thereupon he was pleased to send you the
instructions which your Excellence will receive herewith, which are
fully agreeable to your own desire in that behalf. The former
instructions had come sooner, if the issue of the Dutch treaty had
been sooner known; now, through the blessing of God, it is fully
concluded, and your Excellence will receive herewith the articles,
as they are signed by the Commissioners of his Highness and the
Lords Ambassadors of the United Provinces. They signed them upon
Wednesday, at night, and the next morning the ambassadors sent them
away to be ratified by their superiors, which they will do without
difficulty or scruple, as we believe.
"Your Excellence will see by those articles made with the Dutch,
that the second and fifth article is omitted out of your
instructions; that these two treaties will very well stand together;
and for the notice to be given to the Dutch, it is clear to me that
it will not be necessary, in respect that this treaty was not only
begun, but as good as finished, before the conclusion with the
Dutch.
"And for the fourth article, and the proviso your Excellence is
pleased to send, that being so clearly within the substance of your
former instructions, I thought it needless to add any instruction
about it now.
"His Highness in the beginning of this week was pleased to send for
the Great Seal, and kept it in his own custody two days, and now
hath disposed it unto your Excellence, Sir Thomas Widdrington, and
your confrater my Lord Lisle. His Highness is very much resolved
upon a good and solid reformation of the law, and proceedings in the
Courts of Equity and Laws: the matter of law he hath committed unto
Mr. Justice Hale and Mr. John Vaughan; the reformation of the
Chancery to my Lord Widdrington, Mr. Attorney-General, and Mr.
Chute,--being resolved to give the learned of the robe the honour of
reforming their own profession, and hopes that God will give them
hearts to do it; and, that no time may be lost, the next term is
adjourned.
"The French Ambassador desires very much to get a despatch of his
business. His Highness hath at length appointed him commissioners to
treat, but no progress hath been yet made thereupon. The speech that
he made at his first audience your Excellence will receive by this.
"The Portugal presseth much now to come to an agreement also, and to
close the treaty which hath hanged so long; and so doth the
Spaniard.
"I pray for your Excellence's safe return home and rest.
"Your Excellence's humble servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_April 7th, 1654._"
Whitelocke's new instructions from the Protector:
"O. P.
"_Additional Instructions to my Lord Whitelocke, our Ambassador
Extraordinary to her Majesty the Queen of Sweden._
"Having considered the particular account you have given by your
letters weekly of your negotiation in Sweden, and the delay which
hath been on the part of that Court in the treaty you are upon, we
might well have given you positive orders for your speedy return.
"But observing that the letters and despatches between this and
Sweden are a month in their way, and not knowing how affairs may
alter in that time with you, and the pretence of their delay--to
wit, the uncertainty of the issue of the treaty between us and the
United Provinces--being removed, as you will see by these letters,
which will assure you of the full conclusion thereof, we have
thought it more convenient to leave you a latitude in that
particular, and to give you liberty (as we do hereby) to return home
at such time as you shall find it for the service of the
Commonwealth.
"2. Whereas, by your letter of the 10th of March, 1654, you have
represented the particular debates which you have had upon all the
articles of the treaty, and the exceptions taken by the Queen upon
the second, fifth, and seventh articles, you are hereby authorized
to omit the second and fifth articles out of the treaty, as also the
words 'bona a suis cujusque inimicis direpta' out of the seventh
article, if the Queen shall still insist thereupon; and as for the
comprehending the Dutch in this treaty with the Queen of Sweden,
notice shall be given from hence, if it shall be found necessary.
"3. You have hereby power to agree with the Queen of Sweden that she
and her subjects may fish freely for herrings in the seas of this
Commonwealth, paying the recognition of the tenth herring, or for a
lesser recognition, so as it be not less than the twentieth herring,
or the value thereof in money.
"_Whitehall, 7th April, 1654._"
The Order of the Council touching the Great Seal sent by Thurloe was
this. The title of the order was thus:--
[SN: Whitelocke, Widdrington, and Lisle reappointed of the Great Seal.]
"_Order of the Council approving of the Commissioners of the Great
Seal._
"_Tuesday, 4th April, 1654._
"AT THE COUNCIL AT WHITEHALL:
"_Resolved_, That the Council doth approve of the Lord Ambassador
Whitelocke to be one of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal.
"_Resolved_, That the Council doth approve of Sir Thomas
Widdrington, Knight, Serjeant-at-Law, to be one of the Lords
Commissioners of the Great Seal.
"_Resolved_, That the Council doth approve of John Lisle, Esquire,
to be one of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal.
"By the command of his Highness Mr. Serjeant Widdrington and Mr.
Lisle were called in, and being come to the table, his Highness
declared that the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke and themselves had been
nominated by his Highness, and approved by the Council, to be
Commissioners for the Great Seal; and his Highness did deliver unto
the said Mr. Serjeant Widdrington and Mr. Lisle the said Great Seal;
and then the oath appointed by the ordinance was read by the Clerk
of the Council, and was taken by each of them.
"Ex^r W. JESSOP,
"Clerk of the Council."
The Guinea Company sent by this packet a letter to Whitelocke of thanks
for his care of their business, and that they could not buy the Swedes'
interest in Guinea, and referred the whole matter wholly to Whitelocke.
The examinations in the Court of Admiralty touching the ship 'Charity,'
enclosed in Thurloe's letters, made it appear that the Swedes had not
injury done them, as they complained, and that the goods belonged to
Hollanders, and not to the Swedes; but only coloured by the Hollanders
under the name of Swedish ship and goods, though they were not so.
Whitelocke made use of these examinations as he saw cause, and found that
Martin Thysen had an interest in these goods.
[SN: Reception of the French Ambassador in London.]
The enclosed speech of the French Ambassador to the Protector was full
of compliment, giving him the title of "Serene Altesse," and as much as
could be well offered by the French, seeming to desire a league and amity
with the Protector. The Ambassador was received with great state and
solemnity, answerable to the honour of his master the King of France,
with whom the Protector had a good mind to close at this time, the rather
to frustrate the hopes of the King of Scots of assistance from thence,
where he was now entertained, caressed, and made believe he should have
all aid and furtherance for his restitution, which the Protector sought
to prevent by the interest of the Cardinal Mazarin, whose creature this
Ambassador was.
_May 5, 1654._
[SN: The Queen's presents to Whitelocke and his suite.]
Lagerfeldt acquainted Whitelocke that the Queen intended to gratify him
with a gift of as great value as had been bestowed upon any ambassador
before; and that she having received from Whitelocke many brave horses
and many native goods of England, and Whitelocke having undertaken, at
his return to England, to provide for her Majesty several other
commodities, she held it reasonable to requite him with some commodities
of this country, if Whitelocke thought fit to accept of them. Whitelocke
answered that it did not become him to prescribe bounds to her Majesty's
favour, but only to refer himself to the Queen's judgement herein.
Lagerfeldt replied that the Queen intended to bestow her gift upon him in
copper, and gave order that it should be put aboard a ship, to be
consigned by him to some of his friends at London, or as he pleased to
dispose it.
Whitelocke desired of Lagerfeldt that although the articles were signed,
that yet he in the instrument might prefix to the title these words
"Serenissimi ac Celsissimi Domini," which words Whitelocke did observe to
be in the Protector's title to the Dutch articles, which was not known to
Whitelocke before the articles were signed here. Lagerfeldt promised to
acquaint the Chancellor herewith, and to bring his answer.
Whitelocke waited upon the Queen, and acquainted her with his news from
England, and of the consummation of the treaty of peace between England
and the Dutch, whereof she said she was very glad, and thanked Whitelocke
for his news. He then entreated her Majesty to appoint a day for his
audience to take his leave of her Majesty, which she told him should be
shortly done; then she desired his company with her in her coach, to take
the air. He waited on her, and besides there was in the coach Grave Tott,
Grave Vandone, and the Countess Christina Oxenstiern. The Queen was not
very pleasant, but entertained some little discourses, not much of
business; and after a short tour, returning to the castle, retired into
her chamber, and Whitelocke to his lodging.
_May 6, 1654._
Lagerfeldt returned answer to Whitelocke, of his motion to insert the
words "Serenissimi ac Celsissimi Domini" into the Protector's title, that
he had acquainted the Chancellor with it, who also had communicated it to
her Majesty, and she willingly assented thereunto; and it was inserted
accordingly. He brought with him Monsieur Carloe, Governor of the
Swedish Company for Guinea, with whom Whitelocke had much discourse upon
the same points as he had before with Grave Eric; and Carloe denied all
that the English merchants had affirmed, and he continued before and
after dinner very obstinate in it.
Secretary Canterstein brought to Whitelocke the Queen's letters of the
grant of two hundred ship-pound of copper for a present to him, which
letters were thus.[200]
In the afternoon the master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke's house,
and presented to him, from the Queen, a handsome jewel, which was a case
of gold, fairly enamelled, and having in the midst of it the picture of
the Queen, done to the life, and very like her. It was set round about
with twelve large diamonds, and several small diamonds between the great
ones. He told Whitelocke that, by command of her Majesty, he presented
her picture to him; that she was sorry it was not made up so as might
have been worthy of his reception; but she desired, if he pleased, that
he would do her the honour to wear it for her sake, and to accept the
picture in memory of the friend that sent it. Whitelocke answered that
the Queen was pleased to bestow a great honour upon him in this noble
testimony of her favour to him, of which he acknowledged himself
altogether unworthy; but her Majesty's opinion was otherwise, as appeared
by such a present as this. He did with all thankfulness accept it, and
should with great contentment give himself occasion, by the honour of
wearing it, to remember the more often her Majesty and her favours to
him, her servant, for which he desired the master to present his humble
thanks unto her Majesty.
After he had been with Whitelocke, the master went to Whitelocke's two
sons, and in the Queen's name presented to each of them a chain of gold
of five links, and at the end of the chain a medal of gold of the Queen's
picture; the chains and medals were valued at four hundred ducats apiece.
Then he presented, in the Queen's name, to Colonel Potley, to Dr.
Whistler, to Captain Beake, and Mr. Earle, to each of them a chain of
gold of four links, and at the end of each chain a medal of gold of the
Queen's picture; these chains and medals were valued at two hundred
ducats apiece, or thereabouts.
Then he presented, in the Queen's name, to Mr. Stapleton, Mr. Ingelo, and
Mr. De la Marche, to each of them a chain of gold of three links, with a
medal of gold of the Queen's picture at the end of each chain; the chains
and medals were valued at about a hundred and sixty ducats apiece. To Mr.
Walker he presented a chain and medal of gold of three links, shorter
than the rest, of about the value of a hundred and thirty ducats; to
Captain Crispe and to Mr. Swift, to each of them a chain of gold of two
links, with a medal of gold to each of them, of about the value of a
hundred ducats apiece.
[SN: Disputes caused by the Queen's presents.]
Walker the steward, and Stapleton, gentleman of the horse to Whitelocke,
were discontented, because their chains were not of four links apiece;
and they and others took exceptions because their chains were not so good
and valuable as those given to Potley and Beake,--so seditious a thing is
gold. But Whitelocke endeavoured to satisfy them by the reasons why the
chains of Potley and Beake were better than theirs: the one having been
an ancient servant of this Crown, and the other being commander of the
guards of the Protector; and nothing was due to them, but only the
Queen's free gift and bounty was in all of them, and therefore not to be
excepted against by any of them. Notwithstanding this admonition, they
met and discoursed together in discontent about this business, and gave
thereby occasion of displeasure to Whitelocke.
Whitelocke being in the mood to take the air, the Holland Resident came
thither, where they walked and discoursed together; and in their return
the Resident and two of his gentlemen, Vorstius and another, went in
Whitelocke's coach, who brought the Resident to his lodging, and there
had a civil treatment, and found by discourse that the Resident was not
well satisfied with his being in this Court. Whitelocke did not hitherto
make a visit to any person since he had received his presents from the
Queen, after which, in ceremony, he must first visit her Majesty to give
her thanks, and then he is at liberty to visit others.
_May 7, 1654._
_The Lord's Day._--Monsieur Bloome, and Mr. De Geeres, the rich merchant
of Sweden, after dinner with Whitelocke, discoursed much about matters
not so proper for the day. Walker and Stapleton attending Whitelocke and
walking in the evening, he again spake to them about their presents as
formerly; but found Stapleton stiff in his opinion, and to intend to send
back his present to the master of the ceremonies as refusing it; but
Whitelocke required him not to do so, lest it should be taken as an
affront to Whitelocke and to the Protector himself, as well as a
disdaining of the Queen's present, which was her Majesty's free gift
without any obligation.
_May 8, 1654._
[SN: Warrant for the copper.]
The warrant formerly inserted was sent to the officers of the Treasury,
who thereupon made their order to the under-officers for the delivery of
the copper accordingly, which order was brought to Whitelocke in the
Swedish language.
[SN: The Guinea case.]
The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke to inform him that the
Queen had appointed Wednesday next, the 10th of this month, for his last
audience to take his leave. Whitelocke said he was sorry it could not be
sooner. The master excused it by reason of the great affairs of the Queen
upon the meeting of the Ricksdag. Grave Eric and Lagerfeldt came to
Whitelocke and debated with him the business of Guinea.
_Grave Eric._ I shall read to you this paper, which is in Latin and in
French,--an answer to the complaints of the English, and denies all their
allegations.
_Whitelocke._ The allegations of the English are proved by oath; here
are the depositions.
_Gr. Eric._ The answers of the Swedes are upon oath likewise.
_Wh._ But the English are in the affirmative.
_Gr. Eric._ The Swedes have like complaints against the English, which
are to be proved by oath in the affirmative also; and in such case the
parties or their procurators must appear before the ordinary and
competent judges, which will require a great deal of time; but we being
to treat with you as an Ambassador, we propose that there may be an
abolition of all past injuries of the one side and the other, and that
there may be an agreement and friendship, and free trade there for the
future.
_Wh._ This will be very proper for the time to come, but it will be no
satisfaction for the injuries already done. I have no power from the
Protector or Company of English Merchants to make any such agreement; but
for what concerns the public, I can make an accord with you, and the
satisfaction of damages for wrongs past may be remitted to the
determination of the Commissioners.
_Gr. Eric._ I shall show you a project in writing, that all the houses
and possessions of the one part and the other may continue in the same
estate for the time to come as they are in at present.
_Wh._ To agree to this were to give up the right of the English
merchants, and to acknowledge that they have no cause of complaint;
whereas I demand in justice a reparation and satisfaction for those
injuries whereof they complain.
_Gr. Eric._ Then the business must be decided before the judges,
witnesses on both sides must be heard, and we must insist upon it that
the houses and possessions continue in the same estate as they now are.
_Wh._ You must pardon me that I cannot assent hereunto.
Thus their debate broke off.
Monsieur Ravius came to Whitelocke in the name of the Bishop of Stregnes,
to acquaint him that if he had any English horses which he would bestow
upon the Prince, that they would be very acceptable to him, and that
Whitelocke would very much gratify himself thereby. Whitelocke said that
his saddle-horses were not worth the presenting to his Royal Highness,
the best of them being already given away; but he had a set of
coach-horses which he intended to reserve and to present unto the Prince,
if he pleased to accept them. Ravius said they would be very acceptable
to him.
_May 9, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke compliments the Danish minister on the peace.]
The King of Denmark being included in the treaty between England and the
Dutch, and so become a friend, Whitelocke was advised to send first a
compliment to the Danish Ambassador now residing in this Court; which,
when Whitelocke doubted lest thereby he might diminish the honour of
England by sending to the Dane before the Dane had first sent to him, the
master of the ceremonies and others instructed him that it was the
constant custom for the ambassador that comes last to send first a
compliment to him that had been in the Court before; whereupon Whitelocke
did send one of his gentlemen to the Danish Ambassador, to visit and
compliment him.
Now the secretary of the Ambassador of Denmark came to Whitelocke, in
the name of his lord, to give him thanks for the honour he had done him
in sending one of his servants to salute him, and to congratulate the
good news of the agreement between England and the Dutch, wherein the
King his master was comprised. The secretary said that the confirmation
thereof was also come to his lord by the way of Holland and of Denmark,
for which news his Lordship was very joyful, and would himself have given
a visit to Whitelocke but that his want of health detained him in his
lodging. Whitelocke told the secretary that he was very sorry for his
lord's indisposition of health, and wished his good recovery; that he was
heartily glad of the news which gave him occasion to send to his lord to
congratulate with him, and that he would take an opportunity to visit him
in person when it might be without prejudice to his Excellence's health.
Berkman came to Whitelocke to give him an account of a message wherein he
had employed Berkman to the Marshal Wrangel, to desire him, in
Whitelocke's name, that the ship appointed to transport him might fall
down from Stockholm to the Dollars, for Whitelocke to come on board her
there, which would save him a hundred miles by sea from Stockholm
thither, there being a nearer way by a third-part from Stockholm to the
Dollars for boats to pass. Berkman said he found Wrangel very civil, and
ready to do what Whitelocke should desire of him for his accommodation,
and that he had ordered the ship forthwith to fall down to the Dollars;
for which Whitelocke desired Monsieur Berkman to return his thanks to the
Marshal.
The Ricks-Admiral sent to Whitelocke, expressing much civility and
readiness to serve him, and desired to know if one ship would be
sufficient for his transportation; that, if he pleased, there should be
more provided for him. Whitelocke returned thanks, and that he hoped he
should not have occasion to put them to the trouble of more ships for his
transportation than that already ordered for him.
[SN: Whitelocke invited to the ceremony of abdication.]
The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke, by the Queen's command,
to know if he and his company pleased to see the meeting of the Ricksdag;
that he had provided a place for that purpose, where they might be
unknown and unseen, and yet see all the ceremony and hear all the
harangues; that if Whitelocke would see it, the master would call him at
eight o'clock in the morning and wait upon him to the place; but he said
that the Danish Ambassador had some thoughts of being there also, and if
he came first to the place he would take the uppermost seat. Whitelocke
then desired the master to call him early enough that he might be there
first, because he should hardly permit the Danish Ambassador to sit above
him. The master said he would be sure to call Whitelocke early enough,
but he believed that the Danish Ambassador would not be there because of
his ill health.
The master told Whitelocke that Monsieur Bloome had informed him that
some of Whitelocke's gentlemen took exceptions to the presents sent them
by the Queen. He protested, upon his soul and his honour, that he had no
hand in the disposing of these presents, but that all was done by the
officers of the Chamber of Accounts, and that the Queen did not meddle
with it; but when he showed her a catalogue of the officers of
Whitelocke's house, she marked them how she would have the presents
bestowed; that how the matter might be altered afterwards he was wholly
ignorant, and that he had order, under the hands of the officers, to make
the distribution as he had done; and he hoped none of the gentlemen would
be offended with him, who had done nothing but as he was ordered by those
over him. Whitelocke told him that, in so great a family as his was, it
would be difficult to please every one; that these presents were the
Queen's favours, which she might distribute as she pleased, and every one
ought to be contented therewith; that some of his company had discoursed
hereof more than belonged to them, but that he would take order in it
himself. They had also this further discourse:--
_Whitelocke._ Do you expect the arrival of the Prince here on Friday
next?
_Mast. Cer._ The Queen is not assured of his arrival that day, but she
will go out on horseback, accompanied with all her nobility, to meet him.
_Wh._ Will it be expected that I go out likewise to meet him?
_Mast. Cer._ That cannot be, because it will be after your last audience,
and when you have taken your leave of the Queen, so that you cannot then
appear in public nor in any public action, because it will be to present
yourself before those of whom you had taken your leave before.
_Wh._ But after my last audience I may in private see the Queen?
_Mast. Cer._ Yes, for that is but a particular visit; and so you may
visit any of your friends after your last audience.
_Wh._ I intend likewise to salute the Prince after my last audience.
_Mast. Cer._ You may do it, because it will be but a particular visit.
_Wh._ I hope his Royal Highness will treat me with the same civility and
respect as he useth to any other ambassador.
_Mast. Cer._ That he will infallibly do. Monsieur Chanut, the French
Ambassador, when he was in this Court, did always give the right hand to
the Prince after the proposal had been made of declaring him
Prince-heritier of the crown, though the Ricksdag had not then confirmed
it. But Chanut made difficulty of it at the Prince's lodging, because he
was not the son of a king, yet afterwards he did it both there and
elsewhere.
_Wh._ There is more reason for me now to do it, because the proposal is
to be made of investing him with the Crown. What was the manner of the
Prince's reception of Chanut, where did he meet Chanut at his coming, and
how far did he go with him at his taking leave?
_Mast. Cer._ The Prince received Chanut at the door of the chamber where
he had his audience; and when the Ambassador went away, the Prince
brought him to the same place and no further; and I believe he will give
the same respect to your Excellence, and as much to you as to any public
minister.
_Wh._ I can desire no more.
_May 10, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke attends a wedding at Court.]
Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke and acquainted him that there was a
special article to be agreed upon touching the business of Guinea, which
the Queen and the Chancellor were willing might proceed for the despatch
of Whitelocke, and that Grave Eric would have come to him about it, but
that he was ill and had taken physic. He told Whitelocke that the Queen
said he might have his last audience that day if he pleased; but if he
would be present at the solemnity of the nuptials which were this evening
to be celebrated at Court between the Baron Horne and the Lady Sparre,
and if he desired to see the assembling of the Ricksdag tomorrow, then it
would be requisite to defer his audience till Friday, because when he had
taken his leave of the Queen it would not be proper for him afterwards to
appear in public. Whitelocke said he had rather be dismissed than to be
present at any solemnities; that her Majesty had taken him captive by her
noble presents, so that it was not fit for him to come abroad in public.
He asked Lagerfeldt if the Prince would be here on Friday next; if so,
then it would not be convenient to have his audience put off to that day.
Lagerfeldt said he doubted that the Prince would not be here so soon.
An officer on horseback, accompanied with several other horsemen, with
four kettle-drums and eight or ten trumpets beating and sounding before
them, made proclamation in several parts of the town that all persons who
were summoned to appear at the Ricksdag should give their attendance at
the place appointed in the Queen's castle of Upsal tomorrow by eight
o'clock in the morning, upon pain of half-a-dollar mulcted for every
default.
The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke from the Queen, and
acquainted him to the same effect as Lagerfeldt had done, touching his
last audience. The master also, by the Queen's command, invited
Whitelocke to the wedding at Court this night; and if he pleased to see
the manner of the assembling of the Ricksdag, that he had order to take
the care of it, and that it would be no hindrance to his going away,
because the Prince did not come hither till Tuesday next. Whitelocke said
he was sorry that the Prince would come no sooner to this place, but
since it was the pleasure of the Queen that he should wait upon her this
evening, he would obey her commands; and as to the time of his audience,
he submitted to her pleasure.
The Ricks-Admiral sent again to Whitelocke, to know if he would have any
more ships provided for his transportation. Whitelocke returned his
thanks, and that he intended not to take any of his horses with him, and
therefore should not need any more ships than were already ordered.
Studely, one of Whitelocke's servants, returned to him from Stockholm
with an account that the ship appointed for his transportation was not
yet ready, which retarded his voyage to his trouble.
Between ten and eleven o'clock at night the master of the ceremonies came
to Whitelocke's house, with one of the Queen's coaches, to bring him to
the wedding at Court. He desired Whitelocke's two sons to go into that
coach, who excused themselves that they had not been in that coach
formerly. The master said that when one went to an audience there were
certain formalities to be observed, but going to a wedding was another
thing; that now the Queen had sent her coach for Whitelocke as her
guest, and it was proper for his sons to go with him. Whitelocke wished
them to observe the direction of the master, who governed in these
things.
They went to the bridegroom's house, where were many of his friends; his
uncle the Ricks-Admiral, Marshal Wrangel, and other senators and
noblemen. As soon as Whitelocke alighted out of the coach, the
bridegroom's brother was there to receive him and bid him welcome; near
the door the bridegroom met him, and gave him thanks for the favour in
honouring his wedding with his presence. Whitelocke said he was very
ready to testify his respects to the nobility of this country, and
particularly to himself, and took it for an honour to be invited into
such company.
Whitelocke was instructed by the master of the ceremonies, that by the
custom of this country the bridegroom takes place of the King, and the
bride of the Queen, during the solemnities of the wedding; accordingly
Whitelocke gave the right hand to the bridegroom.
After a little discourse they took their coaches;--first the gentlemen,
then the Lords, then the Senators, then the Ricks-Admiral and Senator
Bundt, who, being next of kin, was to give the bride in marriage; after
Bundt went Whitelocke, and after him the bridegroom, who had precedence
in the Queen's coach, which went last, and Whitelocke next before it, and
the other coaches in their order; the bridegroom's coach last of all, as
the best place. The like order they observed in their going in the
castle. At the head of the stairs the master of the ceremonies met them,
and brought them to the presence-chamber, where the Queen was with the
bride and a great company of gallant ladies. The bridegroom kissed her
Majesty's hand, and then the bride's hand; the rest of the company did
the like. Between the Queen and Whitelocke passed a little discourse.
_Whitelocke._ Madam, I give you humble thanks for your invitation of me
to these solemnities.
_Queen._ It is an honour to us that such an Ambassador will be present at
our ceremonies.
_Wh._ I likewise return my most humble thanks to your Majesty for your
many favours, and the noble presents you have been pleased to bestow on
me and on my company.
_Qu._ Sir, you mock me; I am troubled I could not do according to that
respect which I bear you. This is only a custom of our country to persons
of your condition, and I hope you will take it in good part.
_Wh._ It is more suitable to your Majesty's bounty than to anything I can
call desert in me, who have a most grateful sense and acceptance of your
Majesty's favours.
[SN: Ceremony of the marriage.]
The bride and bridegroom were both clothed in white tabby, his suit laced
with a very broad gold and silver lace. The bride had on her head a
coronet set full of diamonds, with a diamond collar about her neck and
shoulders, a diamond girdle of the same fashion, and a rich diamond jewel
at her breast, which were all of them of great value, and by some
reported to be the Queen's jewels, lent by her to the bride for that
time.
They went all to the great hall; first the noblemen, then the senators,
then the bridegroom between Bundt and Whitelocke, then the bride between
two Graves, then the Queen and her Guards. Then the Queen presently took
her chair of state; at her right-hand at a little distance sat the bride
against her; at the Queen's left-hand sat the bridegroom, next to him
Whitelocke, and then Bundt. After they were all sat, Bundt rose up and
went towards the Queen, and spake in Swedish with a loud voice to this
effect, as it was interpreted to Whitelocke:--That Baron Horne, a
gentleman there present, of an ancient and noble family, desired to have
in marriage a lady who was servant to her Majesty, of the ancient and
noble family of the Sparres; then he spake much of the pedigrees and in
the praise of both the families; after that he addressed himself to the
bride and bridegroom, giving them good counsel as to the condition which
they were entering into, and their demeanour to one another. Then some
friends led the bridegroom to a place in the midst of the hall purposely
railed in, and then they fetched the bride thither also and placed her by
the bridegroom; then a grave churchman, one of the Queen's chaplains,
turning himself to the Queen, pronounced the words of marriage after a
form in a book which he read, and being interpreted to Whitelocke, he
found it the same in effect with the words of marriage in the English
Liturgy. The ceremony of joining them in marriage being ended, two Graves
with torches came to the bridegroom and bride and led them around; two
other Lords with torches followed after them, many ladies two by two. The
bride being brought to her seat by the bridegroom, he then took the Queen
by the hand and they walked between the torches; then the bride came and
took Whitelocke by the hand and they walked after the Queen. Whitelocke
brought the bride again to her place, and being instructed that he was to
take the Queen and march the round with her also, Whitelocke did it, and
all this was a solemn walking to the sound of drums and trumpets. After
which, every one returned to their places, and then they set to dancing
of the brawls; and the Queen came to Whitelocke to take him out to dance
with her, who excused himself.
[SN: Whitelocke dances with the Queen.]
_Whitelocke._ Madam, I am fearful that I shall dishonour your Majesty, as
well as shame myself, by dancing with you.
_Queen._ I will try whether you can dance.
_Wh._ I assure your Majesty I cannot in any measure be worthy to have you
by the hand.
_Qu._ I esteem you worthy, and therefore make choice of you to dance with
me.
_Wh._ I shall not so much undervalue your Majesty's judgement as not to
obey you herein, and I wish I could remember as much of this as when I
was a young man.
After they had done dancing, and Whitelocke had waited upon the Queen to
her chair of state, she said to him--
_Qu._ _Par Dieu!_ these Hollanders are lying fellows.
_Wh._ I wonder how the Hollanders should come into your mind upon such an
occasion as this is, who are not usually thought upon in such
solemnities, nor much acquainted with them.
_Qu._ I will tell you all. The Hollanders reported to me a great while
since that all the _noblesse_ of England were of the King's party, and
none but mechanics of the Parliament party, and not a gentleman among
them; now I thought to try you, and to shame you if you could not dance;
but I see that you are a gentleman and have been bred a gentleman, and
that makes me say the Hollanders are lying fellows, to report that there
was not a gentleman of the Parliament's party, when I see by you chiefly,
and by many of your company, that you are gentlemen.
_Wh._ Truly, Madam, in this they told a great untruth to your Majesty, as
I believe they have done in several other particulars. I do confess that
the greatest part of our nobility and gentry were of the King's party,
but many of them likewise were of the Parliament's party; and I, who am
sent to wait upon your Majesty, can, without vanity, derive to myself an
ancient pedigree of a gentleman. They would not have given the honour to
any but a gentleman to kiss your Majesty's hand, and you are pleased to
do your servant right, and his company, by acknowledging that our
superiors have commanded gentlemen to wait on you.
_Qu._ I assure you that I esteem it the greater honour done to me, and
you are the more welcome to me because you are a gentleman; and had I not
known and found you to be so, your business would not have been so well
despatched as it is. I see you have all the qualities of a gentleman, and
I believe that you were excellent in your music and dancing in your
younger days.
_Wh._ I was bred up in the qualities of a gentleman, and in my youth was
accounted not inferior to others in the practice of them; but it is so
long since I used this of dancing, especially after we learned to march,
that had it not been to obey your Majesty, I should hardly have been
drawn to discover my deficiencies.
_Qu._ You have discovered nothing but what tends to your honour and to
my contentment; and I take it as a favour that you were willing to lay
aside your gravity and play the courtier upon my request, which I see you
can do so well when you please.
After the dancing ended, there was brought into the hall a sumptuous
banquet, the Hof-Marshal with his silver staff ushering it, and after
that distributed. The Queen and all the company went back in the same
order to the presence-chamber, and there the Queen bid the bride and
bridegroom good-night, and so all went to their lodgings, divers of the
nobles waiting on the bride to her chamber.
The Queen told Whitelocke that she believed the Prince would be here on
Tuesday next, and that Whitelocke should have his audience on Friday
next. Whitelocke took his coach, after it had waited nine hours at the
castle.
_May 11, 1654._
[SN: The abdication of Queen Christina.]
Early in the morning the master of the ceremonies came to accompany
Whitelocke to the castle, to see the manner of the assembly of the
Ricksdag, and brought him and his company to the castle to an upper room
or gallery, where he sat privately, not taken notice of by any, yet had
the full view of the great hall where the Ricksdag met, and heard what
was said. The Danish Ambassador did forbear to come thither, as was
supposed, because of Whitelocke being there. The French Resident sat by
Whitelocke, and conversed with him.
The great hall, two stories high, was prepared for the Assembly. An outer
chamber was hung with cloth of Arras; in the antechamber to that were
guards of the Queen's partisans; in the court was a company of
musketeers. The great hall was hung with those hangings which were before
in Whitelocke's lodgings, with some others added, and was very handsome.
On each side of the hall, from the walls towards the middle of the room,
forms were placed, covered with red cloth, for seats for the Members, and
were all alike without distinction, and reached upwards. Three parts of
the length of the hall, in the midst between the seats, was a space or
lane broad enough for three to walk abreast together. At the upper end of
the hall, on a foot-pace three steps high, covered with foot-carpets,
stood the chair of state, all of massy silver, a rich cushion in it, and
a canopy of crimson velvet richly embroidered over it. On the left side
of the chair of state were placed five ordinary chairs of crimson velvet,
without arms, for the five Ricks-officers; and on the same side below
them, and on the other side from the foot-pace down to the forms, in a
semicircular form, were stools of crimson velvet for the Ricks-Senators.
About nine o'clock there entered at the lower end of the great hall a
plain, lusty man in his boor's habit, with a staff in his hand, followed
by about eighty boors, Members of this Council, who had chosen the first
man for their Marshal, or Speaker. These marched up in the open place
between the forms to the midst of them, and then the Marshal and his
company sat down on the forms on the right of the State, from the midst
downwards to the lower end of the hall, and put on their hats. A little
while after them entered at the same door a man in a civil habit of a
citizen, with a staff in his hand, followed by about a hundred and
twenty citizens, deputies of the cities and boroughs, who had chosen him
to be their Marshal. They all took their places upon the forms
over-against the boors in the lower end of the hall, and were covered.
Not long after, at the same door, entered a proper gentleman richly
habited, a staff in his hand, who was Marshal of the Nobility, followed
by near two hundred lords and gentlemen, Members of the Ricksdag, chief
of their respective families, many of them rich in clothes, of civil
deportment. They took their seats uppermost on the right of the State,
and whilst they walked up to their forms the citizens and boors stood up
uncovered; and when the nobility sat and put on their hats, the citizens
and boors did so likewise. A little after, at the same door, entered the
Archbishop of Upsal with a staff in his hand, who by his place is Marshal
of the Clergy. He was followed by five or six other bishops and all the
superintendents, and about sixty Ministers, Deputies, or Proctors of the
Clergy. While they walked up to their places all the rest of the Members
stood up uncovered; and when they sat down on the uppermost forms on the
left side of the State, and put on their hats and caps, the rest of the
Members did the like; these were grave men, in their long cassocks and
canonical habit, and most with long beards.
All the Members being thus sat, about a quarter of an hour after entered
the Captain, followed by divers of the Queen's Guard, with partisans.
After them came many gentlemen of the Queen's servants, uncovered, with
swords by their sides and well clad, two and two together. After them
came the Ricks-Senators in their order, the puisne first. After them the
Ricks-officers, all bare. After them came the Queen, and kept off her
hat in the hall, some of the officers of the Court and pages after her.
In this order they went up in the open place in the midst of the forms,
all the Members standing up uncovered. The Queen's company made a lane
for her to pass through, and she went up to her chair and sat down in it;
and all the company, except the members of the Council, went out of the
hall, and all the doors were shut; the Members sat in their places
uncovered.
After the Queen had sat a little, she rose, and beckoned to the
Chancellor to come to her, who came with great ceremony and respect; and
after a little speaking together he returned to his place, and the Queen
sat down again a little time; then rising up with mettle, she came
forward to the utmost part of the foot-pace, and with a good grace and
confidence spake to the Assembly, as it was interpreted to Whitelocke, to
this effect:--
[SN: The Queen's speech.]
"The occasion, my friends, wherefore you are called together to this
Diet will in some sort appear strange to you; for being so unusual,
and as it were unheard of, it cannot be understood without great
astonishment. But, Gentlemen, when you shall a little reflect upon
what hath passed some years since, you will then perceive that it is
no new thing, but long since premeditated, and by me wished and
intended.
"It is sufficiently known to you what hath formerly passed as to the
succession of my most dear cousin to this kingdom; and I esteem
myself very happy that all things at present are in such a posture
that thereupon I may bring my purpose to effect, which is, to offer
and to give into the hands of my most dear cousin our most dear
country and the royal seat, with the crown, the sceptre, and the
government. I need not repeat this subject to you; it sufficeth
that all may be done for the good of the country and the prosperity
and security of my most dear cousin, to whom you have formerly given
this right, and have found him capable to govern you and this
kingdom, which he deserves by his great spirits and rare qualities,
joined with his heroic actions, witnessed by divers encounters.
"And since there is nothing wanting but time to put in execution the
succession of my most dear cousin to the government of this kingdom,
which depends only upon myself,--and of my purpose nothing remains
but to make you parties, which is the only occasion of my calling
you together, and which I shall more at large declare unto you by my
proposal,--I doubt not but you will consent thereunto, whereby you
will testify at this time, as you have done at all times before,
your faithfulness and obedience to me.
"Also I give you thanks that, with so much duty, you are come to
this Diet, and that with so much affection and loyalty you have
demeaned yourselves towards me and our most dear country during my
government, so that I have received much content by your deportment;
and if in these ten years of my administration I have merited
anything from you, it shall be this only which I desire of you, that
you will consent to my resolution, since you may assure yourselves
that none can dissuade me from my purpose.
"You may be pleased also to take in good part what hath passed
during the time of my government, and to be assured that herein
also, as well as in all other things, my intention hath been always
to serve our most dear country. There remains nothing but my wishes
that all may work to the glory of God, to the advancement of the
Christian Church, and to the good and prosperity of our most dear
country and of all her inhabitants."
[SN: The Archbishop's speech.]
After the Queen had spoken she sat down again, and after a little pause
the Archbishop of Upsal went out of his place into the open passage, and
making his obeisance to the Queen, he, as Marshal of the Clergy and in
their name, made an oration to her Majesty, which was somewhat long; but
the effect thereof was interpreted to Whitelocke to be an acknowledgment
of the happy reign of her Majesty, whereby her subjects had enjoyed all
good, peace, and justice and liberty, and whatsoever were the products of
a blessed government. He then recited the great affections of this people
to the King her father, and to her Majesty his only child; their duty and
obedience to her in all her commands; that no prince could be more happy
than her Majesty was in the affections and duty of her subjects, nor
could any people be more contented in the rule of their sovereign than
her people were; he therefore used all arguments and humble entreaties to
her Majesty to desist from her intention of resigning the government, and
to continue to sway the sceptre of this kingdom, wherein he did not doubt
but that the blessing of God would be with her as it had been, and that
it would be to His honour and to the good of this kingdom if her Majesty
would hearken to the humble desires of the clergy in this particular.
Then he acknowledged the virtues and admirable abilities of the Prince,
whose succession would come in due time; that, her Majesty reigning at
present with so much satisfaction both to this Church and State, he
humbly desired, in the name of the clergy, that she would be pleased,
though to her own trouble, yet for her subjects' good, to continue still
to be Queen over them. After he had ended his speech, making three
congees, he went up to the Queen and kissed her hand, and with three more
congees returned to his place.
Then the Marshal of the Nobility, going forth into the open place
between the forms, made his oration in the name of the nobility, much to
the same purpose as the Archbishop had done, and, after his oration
ended, with the like ceremony kissed her Majesty's hand, and returned to
his place. Then the like was done by the Marshal of the Burgesses, and
all to the same effect.
[SN: The Boor's speech.]
In the last place stepped forth the Marshal of the Boors, a plain country
fellow, in his clouted shoon, and all other habits answerable, as all the
rest of his company were accoutred. This boor, without any congees or
ceremony at all, spake to her Majesty, and was interpreted to Whitelocke
to be after this phrase:--
"O Lord God, Madam, what do you mean to do? It troubles us to hear
you speak of forsaking those that love you so well as we do. Can you
be better than you are? You are Queen of all these countries, and if
you leave this large kingdom, where will you get such another? If
you should do it (as I hope you won't for all this), both you and we
shall have cause, when it is too late, to be sorry for it. Therefore
my fellows and I pray you to think better on't, and to keep your
crown on your head, then you will keep your own honour and our
peace; but if you lay it down, in my conscience you will endanger
all. Continue in your gears, good Madam, and be the fore-horse as
long as you live, and we will help you the best we can to bear your
burden.
"Your father was an honest gentleman and a good king, and very
stirring in the world; we obeyed him and loved him as long as he
lived; and you are his own child, and have governed us very well,
and we love you with all our hearts; and the Prince is an honest
gentleman, and when his time comes we shall be ready to do our
duties to him as we do to you; but as long as you live we are not
willing to part with you, and therefore I pray, Madam, do not part
with us."
When the boor had ended his speech, he waddled up to the Queen without
any ceremony, took her by the hand and shook it heartily, and kissed it
two or three times; then turning his back to her, he pulled out of his
pocket a foul handkerchief and wiped the tears from his eyes, and in the
same posture as he came up he returned back to his own place again.
When the orations were all ended, one of the Queen's secretaries, by her
command, read unto the Assembly a paper, which Whitelocke procured to be
given to him in a copy, and translated into English.
[SN: The Queen's declaration to the Diet.]
_The Proposition of her Majesty of Sweden to the Estates assembled
at Upsal the 11th of May, in the year 1654._
"Since for certain reasons her Majesty found it good and necessary
to assemble the Estates of the Kingdom at this time, and that they
have given testimony of their obedience in their coming together,
her Majesty hath great cause to rejoice that the good God hath
preserved our country from all apparent harms, and principally from
the contagious sickness of the plague, which spread itself in divers
places the last autumn, but at present is ceased, so that we may
meet together in all safety. Her Majesty rejoiceth in the good
health of her faithful subjects; and this obligeth us not only to
return humble thanks to our good God, but the more to supplicate Him
for the future to avert his fatherly chastisements from us.
"Also her Majesty understands with great joy, that the scarcity and
dearth in the late years is now changed into fruitfulness and
abundance, so that the last year there was not only very great
abundance of all things which the earth produceth, but further,
thanks be to God, we have cause, according to appearances, to hope
this year will be no less fruitful; the which great blessing of God
to this country clearly shows us the great obligations which we have
to Him.
"Also her Majesty calls to mind, that which she graciously mentions
to her faithful subjects, how the country, within the limits
thereof, is at present in a good and peaceable condition, and so
hath been kept by Divine Providence, and the faithful care of her
Majesty, in times of danger; and when war, and the imminent perils
accompanying the same roundabout us, had the sway, yet we always
continued in quiet without taking part in others' quarrels, and for
this end hath always endeavoured to entertain a sincere friendship
and good correspondence with her neighbours and allies.
"And as to the neighbourhood of Denmark, her Majesty hath nothing to
fear, since she hath given no occasion in anything but of sincere
friendship and firm peace.
"In like manner, with all possible care, by her Commissioners, hath
composed the differences touching the limits between her and the
Great Duke of Muscovy; and although the said Duke hath signified to
her Majesty by divers envoys that he would justify the expedition of
war newly made by him against the Polanders, with all the reasons
thereof, yet since that is a business which can no way involve her
Majesty and the Crown of Sweden, there is no cause to fear it;
provided their actions be watched, and{7} that, by little and
little, preparation be made, if there shall be cause to apply some
remedies.
"With the King and Crown of Poland is continued the amnesty for
twenty-six years, formerly accorded; and although her Majesty
wisheth that this amnesty had been converted into a perpetual
peace,--and for this end she hath caused pains to be taken twice at
Luebeck, by the mediators and her Commissioners, and although they
are not yet agreed,--nevertheless her Majesty understands so much on
the part of Poland that they are not disaffected to the renewing of
the treaties for a longer time, so that her Majesty hath no cause
but to promise herself at length a favourable success therein.
"With the Emperor and Roman Empire her Majesty, since the peace
executed in Germany, hath continued and maintained good amity and
correspondence; and for this end she hath her ambassadors there,
who have their places in the present Diet for the principality of
Bremen, Verden, and Pomerland, among the other members of the empire
who do there maintain and observe the interests of her Majesty; and
for the conclusion of the peace of Germany her Majesty hath
resolved, by a great embassy, to accept the possession and
investiture, from the Emperor, of the conquered countries.
"Also her Majesty hath a good correspondence and friendship with
France and Spain by fit means and a good alliance.
"But particularly her Majesty rejoiceth that the perilous war made
in the ocean between the powerful Commonwealths of England and the
United Provinces (by which we have received very great damage in our
trade throughout, as it appeareth) is appeased and ended; and that,
since, her Majesty hath made an alliance with the Commonwealth of
England for the security of navigation and commerce, so that the
faithful subjects of her Majesty may thereby hope to have great
advantage and profit.
"In this posture and state of affairs, her Majesty thinks it fit to
prosecute her intention, which she hath conceived some years since,
and to put the same in execution, that is, to give up the kingdom of
Sweden and her sceptre to his Royal Highness, the most high, most
illustrious Prince Charles Gustavus, by the grace of God designed
hereditary Prince of the kingdom of Sweden, Count Palatine of the
Rhine in Bavaria, Prince of Juelich, Cleves, and Bergen; and this is
the only business which her Majesty hath to propose to her faithful
subjects at this time.
"Her Majesty also hath this gracious confidence in all the Estates
here now assembled, that when they shall consider with what
dexterity, pains, and travail her Majesty for ten years hath managed
the affairs of this kingdom, and with such good fortune that all the
counsels and intentions of her Majesty have been followed with such
happy success, that the State, with great honour and reputation,
hath escaped many difficulties of war, and yet enjoys such quiet,
that they cannot judge or conclude that her Majesty would now make
any alteration were it not for the good and safety of this nation.
"The Estates, which have been formerly assembled, know very well how
earnestly her Majesty pressed that the kingdom and government might
be provided of a successor, thereby to avoid and cut off the sudden
accidents which happen when a government is uncertain; for which
reason the Estates in that point did agree and think good heretofore
that his Highness should be chosen and made hereditary Prince and
successor to the crown. All this her Majesty did propose and urge
till it was brought to the effect which that time produced.
"And to the end that her Majesty, during her life, may have the
pleasure to see the happy effect of this design, and that the entire
government may be rendered into the hands of his Royal Highness,
therefore her Majesty hath resolved to quit the crown and the
privileges of it, and to put them into the hands of his Royal
Highness.
"And although this resolution of her Majesty may seem strange and
unexpected to the Estates of the kingdom, nevertheless, according to
her gracious confidence, she believes that they will consent to her
quiet in retiring herself from so heavy a burden, by their
contributing an assent to the proposed alteration.
"Her Majesty likewise assures herself (as the Estates by their
former acts have always testified) of the esteem which they have of
the person and of the rare virtues and well-known qualities of his
Royal Highness; and that they will find that he will employ them to
a prudent government and to their great advantage, and that at
length they will not be deceived by this change, or any ways
prejudiced: for which end her Majesty promiseth and offereth to
contribute all her advice and counsel and endeavour,--chiefly that
his Royal Highness, before his entry into the government, may assure
the Estates and effectually do that which the Kings of Sweden upon
the like occasions have used to do, and are by the laws and customs
obliged unto.
"And on the other part, that the Estates and all the subjects of
Sweden be obliged to render unto his Royal Highness that respect,
obedience, and all those rights which appertain to a King, and which
they are obliged to perform.
"And as her Majesty hath considered and resolved upon the means
whereby her Majesty may enjoy a yearly pension to be settled upon
her during her life, and having communicated her purpose therein to
his Royal Highness the successor to the crown, so she graciously
hopeth that her faithful subjects and the Estates will be content
therewith, humbly receiving and consenting to what her Majesty hath
graciously disposed.
"Her Majesty graciously requires all the Estates of the kingdom that
they would, as soon as may be, consider this business, to the end
that the resolution taken by her Majesty may in a short time be
brought unto effect.
"Her Majesty most graciously thanks all her faithful subjects for
the obedience, honour, and respect which every one of them hath
faithfully testified to her Majesty during the time of her
government; so that her Majesty hath received full contentment by
their most humble demeanour, which hereafter, upon all occasions,
she will acknowledge with all gratitude.
"Her Majesty also hopeth that her most faithful subjects will be
satisfied, and give a good construction of the faithful care which
her Majesty hath employed for all in general and their happiness,
and chiefly for the gracious affection which she hath testified
towards every one in particular.
"Her Majesty wisheth that the most high and most powerful God would
conserve and protect our dear country, with all the inhabitants
thereof and all the subjects, from all harm; and to conclude, that
the estates of the kingdom, as well in general as in particular, may
continue and increase from day to day, and may for ever flourish."
After this proposition was read, the Queen's servants were called in,
and she went out of the hall, attended by them and the Ricks-Senators in
the same way and manner as she came in; and after she was gone, first the
Archbishop of Upsal and the clergy following him; second, the Marshal and
Nobility; third, the Marshal and Burgesses; fourth, the Marshal and
Boors, went out of the hall in the same order as they first came in; and
when they were all gone, Whitelocke returned to his lodging.
[SN: The solemnities of the marriage resumed.]
About eleven o'clock in the evening, the master of the ceremonies came to
bring Whitelocke to the remainder of the solemnities of the marriage.
Whitelocke, in no good condition to go abroad, having sat up the last
night, yet rather than discontent the Queen and the nobility, who had
sent for him, he went with the master in the Queen's coach to the
bridegroom's lodging in the castle, who met him in the outer chamber and
brought him into another room where were many senators and lords; they
all took their coach, and went in the same order as the day before to the
Queen, where the bride and ladies were expecting them.
They came all to the great hall, where the Queen and the company took
their places, and the drums beating and trumpets sounding. A gentleman
entered the hall carrying a spear or pike covered with taffeta of the
bridegroom's colours, all but the head, which was silver, worth about
twenty crowns; he stood by the bride, holding the spear in the middle,
both ends of it about breast-high, and the bridegroom was brought and
placed by his bride. Then Senator Bundt made a solemn speech to the
Queen, which (according to the interpretation made to Whitelocke) was to
thank her Majesty for the favour which she did to the bride and
bridegroom in permitting the nuptials to be in her Court; and he
acquainted the Queen, and published to the company, what dowry the
bridegroom had given that morning to his bride, with two thousand ducats
for her provision; and that twelve of the nobility, of the alliance and
friends to them both, were witnesses thereunto, and were to take care
that the money should be disposed to the use of the wife and children, in
case she survived her husband.
Then a gentleman read aloud the names of the twelve witnesses, who, as
they were called one after another, making their honours to the Queen,
went and laid their right hands on the spear; and then was published the
dowry and augmentation thus by these twelve witnesses. After this the
spear was laid down at the feet of the bride, and all, making their
solemn reverences to the Queen, took again their places. Then the same
gentleman that laid down the spear, took it up again and threw it out of
the window into the great court; where a multitude of people stood
expecting it, and scrambled for the head of it, and for the taffeta,
which they tore in pieces and wore in their hats as the bride's favours.
After this ceremony ended, the bridegroom came and took the bride by the
hand, and they marched after the torches to the sound of the drums and
trumpets; after that the bridegroom took the Queen by the hand, and the
bride came and took the English Ambassador by the hand, and other
noblemen took their several ladies, and they marched two and two amidst
the torches and to the same loud music as they had done the night
before. After this the noblemen and ladies went to dance French dances
and country dances; but Whitelocke having watched the night before, and
not being well, he privately withdrew himself from the company and
retired to his house, wondering that the Queen, after so serious a work
as she had been at in the morning, could be so pleased with this
evening's ceremonies.
_May 12, 1654._
[SN: Despatches from England.]
About one o'clock the last night, Whitelocke, coming from the solemnities
of the Court, received two packets of letters from England. He had the
more cause to remember the time, because then, although midnight, he
could perfectly read his letters without any candle or other light than
that of the heavens, which in this season of the year scarce leaves any
night at all, but so as one may well read all the night long with the
help of twilight.
The letters from Thurloe of the first date acquainted Whitelocke that now
he had sent duplicates of the last instructions by a ship going to
Sweden. In Thurloe's second letters, dated 13th of April, he mentions the
instructions sent formerly to Whitelocke, and acquaints him again with
the effect of them, and the Protector's order, by which he leaves it to
Whitelocke to return home when he shall judge it fit; and that if he
should stay the ceremonies of the coronation of the new King, it would
occasion great delay. And he writes further:--
"But in truth we cannot believe, notwithstanding all that is said,
that her Majesty will quit her crown, being so well qualified in
all respects to govern as she is, and seems to be very well accepted
of her people."
Then he again mentions the signing of the peace with the Dutch, and that
the Protector had appointed Commissioners to treat with the French,
Spanish, and Portugal Ambassadors, but had not yet declared himself to
any of his neighbours.
"That the business in Scotland was well; that the Protector had
taken away Colonel Rich's commission, whereof the officers of his
regiment were glad; that many congratulatory petitions to his
Highness came from divers counties, one from Bucks; that the
Protector proceeded to reformation of the law and ministry, and I
hope he will merit as well in that as in the military affairs. I
return your Excellence my humble thanks for your acceptance of my
endeavours to serve you; I can say they come from an honest heart,
which very really embraceth every opportunity wherein I may manifest
myself
"Your Excellence's faithful humble servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_Whitehall, 13th April, 1654._"
Whitelocke received several letters in these packets from Mr. Cokaine;
one, dated the 2nd of April, saith thus:--
"You will have leave from his Highness to take your first
opportunity to come away, and I hope it will not be without bringing
your business to a happy and an honourable issue, which is the
constant subject of our requests to the Lord for you, and I doubt
not but we shall have a comfortable answer. In the meantime I think,
as I have hinted to your Excellence in former letters, it will not
be amiss if you draw good store of bills upon us, though but _pro
forma_, that we may get as much money for you as we can before your
return, and that you may have a sufficient overplus to pay all
servants' wages off, which I believe will amount to a considerable
sum; and upon this peace I hope it will be no hard matter to get
your bills paid, especially if your Excellence please withal to
write to my Lord Protector and Mr. Thurloe and some of the Council
about it. I could wish that you would make what haste you can home,
for I am informed by a special hand that there is great labouring to
make a Chancellor whilst you are absent, and to take that
opportunity to put you by, whom I believe they doubt to be too much
a Christian and an Englishman to trust in their service; but I hope
God will give you a heart to submit to His will, and to prize a good
conscience above all the world, which will indeed stand us in stead
when all outward things cannot in the least administer to us.
"Your Excellence's most humble servant,
"GEO. COKAINE.
"_April 2nd._"
In another letter from Mr. Cokaine he saith:--
"Mr. Thurloe was pleased to acquaint me that it was his Highness and
the Council's pleasure to make some alteration in the Chancery; that
it was determined that your Lordship and Sir Thomas Widdrington and
my Lord Lisle should have the custody of the Great Seal, and I
believe an Act to that purpose will pass within few hours; but I
perceive this business was not done without some tugging; but my
Lord Protector and John Thurloe are true to you, and now I am out of
all fears that any affront should be offered you in your absence.
Mr. Mackworth deserves a letter from you; but nothing, I pray, of
this business. Indeed Mr. Thurloe hath played his part gallantly and
like a true friend, for which I shall love him as long as I live."
In other letters from Mr. Cokaine in this packet, dated 14th April, he
saith:--
"Your old servant Abel is much courted by his Highness to be his
Falconer-in-Chief; but he will not accept it except your Excellence
had been here to give him your explicit leave to serve his Highness,
and told me, without stuttering, he would not serve the greatest
prince in the world except your Excellence were present, to make the
bargain that he might wait upon you with a cast of hawks at the
beginning of September every year into Bedfordshire. It is pity that
gallantry should hurt any. Certainly it is a noble profession that
inspires him with such a spirit.
"My Lord Protector this week hath expressed great respect to your
Excellence upon the death of the Clerk of the Peace of Bucks. Some
of the justices came up and moved his Highness to put one into his
place, who thereupon asked who was _Custos Rotulorum_. They
answered, the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke. He thereupon replied that
the place should not be disposed of till his return. They urged it
again with many reasons; but he gave them the same answer, only with
this addition, that he was to return sooner than perhaps they were
aware of."
By this packet Whitelocke received letters from Mr. Selden, which were
thus:--
"_For his Excellence the Lord Whitelocke, Lord Ambassador from the
State of England to her Majesty of Sweden._
"My Lord,
"Your Excellence's last of the 3rd of February brought me so
unexpressible a plenty of the utmost of such happiness as consists
in true reputation and honour, as that nothing with me will equal or
come near it. First, that her most excellent Majesty, a Prince so
unparalleled and incomparable and so justly acknowledged with the
height of true admiration by all that either have or love arts or
other goodness, should vouchsafe to descend to the mention of my
mean name and the inquiry of my being and condition with such most
gracious expressions. Next, that your Excellence, whose favours have
been so continually multiplied on me, should be the person of whom
such inquiry was made. All the danger is, that your noble affection
rendered me far above myself. However, it necessitates me to become
a fervent suitor to your Excellence, that if it shall fall out that
her Majesty and you have again leisure and will to speak of any such
trifle as I am, you will be pleased to represent to her Majesty my
most humble thanks, and my heart full of devotion to her, of which I
too shall study to give, if I can, some other humble testimony. God
send her most excellent Majesty always her heart's desires, and the
most royal amplitude of all happiness, and your Lordship a good
despatch and safe and timely return.
"My Lord, your Excellence's most
"obliged and humble servant,
"JO. SELDEN.
"_Whitefriars, March 2nd, 1653._"
Whitelocke had also in this packet letters from his old friends Mr. Hall,
Mr. Eltonhead, the Lord Commissioner Lisle, his brothers Wilson and
Carleton, Mr. Peters, Sir Joseph Holland, and divers others; also letters
from Hamburg, from Mr. Bradshaw, the Protector's Resident there, with
some intercepted letters from the King's party, as Sir Edward Hyde and
several others.
[SN: His audience of leave-taking.]
This day being appointed for Whitelocke's last audience, he was habited
in a plain suit of very fine English cloth of musk-colour, the buttons of
gold, enamelled, and in each button a ruby, and rich points and ribbons
of gold; his gentlemen were in their richest clothes; his pages and
lacqueys, above twenty, in their liveries. In the afternoon two of the
Ricks-Senators, with the master of the ceremonies, came with two of the
Queen's coaches to Whitelocke's house, to bring him to his audience. He
received them with the usual ceremony, and after they had sat a little
while in his bedchamber, one of the Senators said that by the Queen's
command they were come to him to accompany him to his audience which he
had desired this day, and that her Majesty was ready to receive him.
Whitelocke answered, that he was always desirous to wait upon her
Majesty, and not the less now because it was in order to return to his
own country. They made no long compliments, but went down and took their
coaches.
The noblemen's coaches sent thither to accompany him went first, then
followed his two coaches, and last the Queen's coaches. In the last of
them sat the two Senators in the fore-end, Whitelocke in the back-end,
and the master in the boot; the gentlemen in the several coaches, the
pages and lacqueys walking and riding behind the coaches. At the bridge
of the castle was a guard of musketeers more than formerly, of about two
companies, with their officers; they made a lane from the bridge to the
end of the Court. As soon as Whitelocke was alighted out of the coach,
the Ricks-Hofmeister with his silver staff met him at the stairs' foot,
very many of the Queen's servants and courtiers with him very gallant.
Whitelocke's gentlemen went first, two and two up the stairs; after them
the Queen's servants, then the master of the ceremonies, then the
Hof-Marshal, then the two Senators and Whitelocke between them, followed
by his sons, his chaplains, physician, secretaries, and steward, and
after them his pages and lacqueys. In this order they mounted the stairs,
and through the great chamber to the guard-chamber, where the Queen's
partisans stood in their rich coats, with the arms of Sweden embroidered
with gold, their swords by their sides, and rich halberds gilded in
their hands; they stood in a fixed posture, more like images than men.
When they came to the audience-chamber, there was scarce room for any of
Whitelocke's gentlemen to come in; but by the civility of the Queen's
servants room was made for them, and they made a lane from the door of
the chamber to the upper end near the Queen, who was upon a foot-pace
covered with carpets, and a rich canopy over her head. Her habit was
black silk stuff for her coats, and over them a black velvet jippo, such
as men use to wear; she had upon her breast the jewel of the Order of the
Knights of Amaranta; her hair hung loose as it used to do, and her hat
was after the fashion of men. A great number of senators and of civil and
military officers and courtiers,--many more than ordinarily did appear at
any audience,--stood all bare about her, and a few ladies were behind
her. She stood upon the carpets before the state with her hat on; and
when Whitelocke came first into the room, and pulled off his hat, the
Queen presently pulled off her hat; and when Whitelocke made his honours,
she answered him, though at that distance, with a short curtsey. After
his three obeisances, being come up to the Queen, he kissed her hand;
then the Queen put on her hat, and Whitelocke{8} put on his hat, and
after a little pause, with high silence and solemnity in all the company,
Whitelocke took off his hat, and the Queen took off her hat likewise, and
all the time of his speaking both of them were uncovered. Whitelocke,
having made his ceremonies, spake to the Queen thus:--
[SN: Whitelocke's farewell speech.]
"Madam,
"I confess that the time of my absence from my relations and
concernments in my own country would have seemed very tedious, had
I not been in the public service and honoured with admittance into
your Majesty's presence, whose favours, answerable to your greatness
though above my merit, have been enlarged towards me during the
whole time of my residence under the just and safe protection of
your Majesty; the which,--with the civilities of those most
excellent persons with whom I treated, and of those who have been
pleased to honour me with their acquaintance in your Court,--I shall
not fail to acknowledge with all respect.
"But, Madam, to your Majesty I shall not presume to return any other
acknowledgment than by the thanks of my Lord the Protector, who is
able to judge of the affection shown to him, and to the Commonwealth
whereof he is the head, by the honour done unto their servant.
"Madam, it is your great judgement in the public interest, and your
desire to advance the good of your own State and that of your
neighbours, and the particular respect that you bear to my master,
whereby the business trusted to my care by his Highness is brought
to such an issue as I hope will be a solid foundation of great and
mutual prosperity to both these nations.
"I have nothing to add on my part, but to entreat that my failings
and errors, not wilfully committed, may be excused; to take my leave
of your Majesty, and to assure you that there is no person who
honours you more than I do, and who shall be more ready to lay hold
on any opportunity whereby I may endeavour, to the utmost of my
power, to contribute to the happiness and prosperity of your royal
Majesty and of your people."
As it was done at Whitelocke's first audience, so he now ordered it, that
Monsieur De la Marche, one of his chaplains, did, at the end of every
sentence, as Whitelocke spake, interpret the same to the Queen in French.
During all the time of his speaking to the Queen she looked him wistly in
the face and came up very near unto him, as she had done at his first
audience,--perhaps to have daunted him, as she had done others, but he
was not daunted; and when he had made an end of speaking, after a little
pause the Queen answered him in the Swedish language, which was then
interpreted in Latin to Whitelocke, to this effect:--
[SN: The Queen's reply.]
"My Lord Ambassador,
"It may well be that your stay in this place, where you have been so
ill accommodated, and your absence from your near relations and
native country, hath been tedious to you; but I can assure you that
your residence in my Court hath been a contentment to myself and to
those who have had the honour to converse with you in this place;
and it would have been a blemish to me and to all under my
government if in this time anything of injury or danger had fallen
out to your person or to any of your people. I hope I may say that
there hath been no such thing offered to you, and I am glad of it.
"I do not know that your judgement hath deceived you in anything but
this, that you have too great a value of my understanding of public
affairs. It hath been your prudent management of the business
committed to your trust by the Protector, and my particular respects
to him and to your Commonwealth, with the good inclinations of the
people of this country towards you, and the general interests of the
Protestant party, which have brought your business to effect, and
which, I hope, will occasion much good and happiness to these
nations and to all the Evangelical party. And truly, Sir, your
demeanour on all occasions requires from us this testimony, that we
have found much honour and great abilities to be in you; and I
should be very unwilling to part with so good company, were it not
in order to your own satisfaction for your return to England.
"I know no errors committed by you here, but desire your excuse of
the want of those expressions of our respect which this place would
not afford. The thanks are due to you for your patience, and for the
affection which you have testified to me and to this nation, from
whom you may depend upon a firm friendship and amity, with a true
respect to the Protector and Commonwealth of England, and an
honourable esteem of yourself in particular, to whom we wish a safe
and prosperous return to your own country."
After the Queen had done speaking, Whitelocke had some private discourse
of compliment with her in French, to give her Majesty thanks for her
noble treatment of him and many favours to him; then, according to the
usage of this Court, he delivered to Mr. Lagerfeldt, standing by, a copy
of his speech, in English, signed by him with his hand, and another copy
of his speech in Latin, not signed by him, to be presented to the Queen.
Then Whitelocke took his leave, and kissed her Majesty's hand, who gave
him the _adieu_ with great respect and civility. He was conducted back to
his coach with the same ceremony as he was brought to his audience; and
the same two senators, with the master of the ceremonies, returned with
him to his house, and after usual compliments passed between them, they
returned to the Court.
The trouble of the day was not yet ended; but after Whitelocke had come
from the Court, Lagerfeldt brought to him the articles touching Guinea
which were agreed upon and signed and sealed by the Queen's
Commissioners, as the other part of them was by Whitelocke.[240]
After the great toil of this busy day, a yet greater toil must be
undergone by Whitelocke to make his despatches for England. By his
letters to Thurloe he again acquainted the Council with the good
conclusion of his treaty, and with his taking leave of the Queen in his
last audience; and sent him copies of the speeches, and gave an account
of the business of Guinea, with all material passages since his last
letters, and his resolution and way of return home. He also answered the
letters of every one of his friends, which were very many; but that to
his wife, as he was afterwards informed, caused much trouble and passion,
that by this date of the letter, 12th May, she perceived that he was not
removed from Upsal in his journey to return homewards.
_May 13, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke takes leave of his friends.]
Whitelocke began his visits and compliments to take his leave of his
friends in this Court; and herein he was to be very exact, and not to
omit any one who had given him the honour of former visits. He, to be the
less subject to mistakes, set down in writing the names of those whom he
was to visit, which made a long catalogue; but he must get through it, as
part of the business of an ambassador. And this day he began by visiting
the French and Holland Residents, and the Grave Leonhough, whose
discourses were concerning the peace between England and the Dutch, the
English strong fleet at sea, of the Queen's resignation, and other
general themes not necessary to be repeated.
[SN: The Sound Dues.]
Woolfeldt gave a visit to Whitelocke and discoursed on the same subjects,
but more particularly of the interest of England and the payment of toll
to the King of Denmark at the Sound, wherein Whitelocke had good
information from him, and such as, if it had been hearkened unto, would
have been of great advantage to the Protector and Commonwealth of
England. So great an interest Whitelocke had gained in the affection and
friendship of this gentleman, that he would not conceal from him anything
that he knew, who knew more than any other that Whitelocke met with
concerning the Sound, the King of Denmark, the Court and courtiers here,
or whatsoever related to Whitelocke's business and to England.
_May 14, 1654._
This Lord's Day Sir George Fleetwood did Whitelocke the favour to bear
him company at his house, and told him that the Queen and her Lords were
pleased with his deportment at his last audience, and with his speech
then made, which they commended, but is here omitted. He and others also
acquainted Whitelocke that the Queen took great pleasure at his carriage
at the solemnity of the nuptials at Court, and that he would dance with
them; and both the Queen and her courtiers said that the English
Ambassador knew how to lay aside the gravity of an ambassador when he
pleased, and could play the courtier with as good a grace as any one that
ever they saw, with much to the like effect.
_May 15, 1654._
[SN: A private audience of the Queen.]
Whitelocke visited Marshal Wrangel and General Wittenberg, and went from
thence to the castle to visit Grave Tott, who told him that the Queen had
altered her purpose of sending him into England, and would do him the
honour to retain him with her, but that yet he hoped in a short time to
see England. Whitelocke said he should be glad to meet him, and to do him
service there. They discoursed of the Queen's residence in Pomerland, or
some other place near this country, and of the discommodities and
inconveniences which would arise thereby. Whitelocke told him that if the
Queen had leisure, that he should be glad to wait on her; and Tott went
presently to know her pleasure, and promised to bring word to Whitelocke
if he might see the Queen, and did it at the Lady Jane Ruthven's lodging,
whither Whitelocke was gone to take his leave of that lady; whence he
brought Whitelocke to the traverse of the wardrobe, where her Majesty
came to him and conducted him into her bedchamber, where they thus
discoursed:--
_Whitelocke._ I humbly thank your Majesty for admitting me to be present
at the meeting of the Ricksdag.
_Queen._ How did you like the manner and proceedings of it when you were
there?
_Wh._ It was with the greatest gravity and solemnity that I ever saw in
any public assembly, and well becoming persons of their quality and
interest.
_Qu._ There be among them very considerable persons, and wise men.
_Wh._ Such an assembly requires such men, and their carriage showed them
to be such; but, Madam, I expected that your Chancellor, after he spake
with your Majesty, should, according to the course in our Parliaments,
have declared, by your direction, the causes of the Council's being
summoned.
_Qu._ It belongs to the office of the Chancellor with us to do it; and
when I called him to me, it was to desire him to do it.
_Wh._ How then came it to pass that he did it not, when his place and
your Majesty required it?
_Qu._ He desired to be excused, and gave me this reason, that he had
taken an oath to my father to use his utmost endeavour to keep the crown
on my head, and that the cause of my calling this Diet was to have their
consents for me to quit the Crown; that if he should make this
proposition to them, it would be contrary to the oath which he had taken
to my father, and therefore he could not do it.
_Wh._ Did not your Majesty expect this answer?
_Qu._ Not at all, but was wholly surprised by it; and when the Ricksdag
were met, my Chancellor thus excusing himself, there was nobody appointed
by me to declare to them the cause of their meeting; but rather than the
Assembly should be put off, and nothing done, I plucked up my spirits the
best I could, and spake to them on the sudden as you heard, although much
to my disadvantage.
_Wh._ Indeed, Madam, you were much surprised; and I cannot but wonder
that you should have no intimation given you beforehand of your
Chancellor's resolution; but your Majesty will pardon me if I believe it
proved no disadvantage to you, when I had the honour to see and hear with
how excellent a grace and how prince-like your Majesty, in so great an
assembly and on a sudden, delivered your mind and purpose.
_Qu._ You are apt to make the best construction of it; you see I did
adventure upon it, remembering that they were my subjects, and I their
Queen.
_Wh._ Madam, you spake and acted like yourself, and were highly
complimented by the several Marshals, but above all the rest by the
honest boor.
_Qu._ Was you so taken with his clownery?
_Wh._ It seemed to me as pure and clear natural eloquence, without any
forced strain, as could be expressed.
_Qu._ Indeed there was little else but what was natural, and by a
well-meaning man, who has understanding enough in his country way.
_Wh._ Whosoever shall consider his matter more than his form will find
that the man understands his business; and the garment or phrase
wherewith he clothed his matter, though it was rustic, yet the variety
and plain elegancy and reason could not but affect his auditors.
_Qu._ I think he spake from his heart.
_Wh._ I believe he did, and acted so too, especially when he wiped his
eyes.
_Qu._ He showed his affection to me in that posture more than greater men
did in their spheres.
_Wh._ Madam, we must look upon all men to work according to their present
interest; and so I suppose do the great men here as well as elsewhere.
_Qu._ Here I have had experience enough of such actings; I shall try what
they do in other places, and content myself, however I shall find it.
_Wh._ Your Majesty will not expect to find much difference in the humours
of men, as to seeking themselves, and neglecting those from whom they
have received favours.
_Qu._ It will be no otherwise than what I am armed to bear and not to
regard; but your particular respects I shall always remember with
gratefulness.
_Wh._ Your Majesty shall ever find me your faithful servant. Do you
intend, Madam, to go from hence to Pomerland?
_Qu._ My intentions are to go presently, after my resignation, to the
Spa; but wheresoever I am, you have a true friend of me.
_Wh._ There is no person alive more cordially your Majesty's servant than
I am.
_Qu._ I do believe it, or else I should not have communicated to you such
things as I have done.
_Wh._ Your Majesty hath therein expressed much confidence in me, which I
hope shall never deceive you, however my want of abilities may not answer
your Majesty's favours to me.
_Qu._ I have no doubt of your faithfulness, and you have sufficiently
manifested your abilities. Give me leave to trouble you with the company
of a gentleman, my servant, whom I purpose to send over with you to
England, to take care for those things which I desire to have from
thence.
_Wh._ He shall be very welcome to me and my company, and I shall give him
my best assistance for your Majesty's service.
_Qu._ I shall thank you for it, and command him to obey your directions.
_Wh._ Madam, if you please to accept a set of black English horses for
your coach, I shall take the boldness to send them to your stables; and
pray your Majesty that the Master of your Horse may furnish me for my
journey to Stockholm.
_Qu._ I do thankfully accept your kindness, and all mine are at your
service.
_Wh._ I have interrupted your Majesty too long. I desired the favour of
this opportunity to present my most humble thanks to your Majesty for all
your noble favours to me and my company.
_Qu._ I entreat your excuse for the meanness of my presents. I could not
do therein what I desired, nor after your merit.
_Wh._ Madam, there is nothing of my merit to be alleged; but your Majesty
hath testified much honour to the Protector and Commonwealth whom I
serve.
_Qu._ England is a noble country, and your master is a gallant man. I
desire you to assure him, on my part, of all affection and respect
towards him.
_Wh._ Your Majesty may be confident of the like from his Highness; and
your humble servant will heartily pray for your Majesty's prosperity,
wherever you are.
_Qu._ I wish you a happy voyage and return to your own country.
After he came from the Queen, Whitelocke met with the Baron Steinberg,
Master of her Horse, whom he acquainted with what he had moved to her
Majesty, and he was very forward to accommodate Whitelocke.
[SN: Discourse with Grave Eric on the customs of Swedish nuptials.]
From hence he went and visited Grave Eric Oxenstiern, who discoursed with
him about the solemnity of the nuptials at Court, and asked him how he
liked it.
_Wh._ They were very noble; but I pray, my noble brother, instruct me
what the meaning was of the dowry given by the bridegroom to the bride
the next morning; and what do you call that dowry?
_Gr. Eric._ By the ancient custom of this country, the next morning after
the wedding-night the husband bestows upon his wife a gift of money
according to his estate, to show how he is pleased with the cohabitation,
and to make some provision, in case of his death before her, for the
wife, and children which he shall have by her; and this we call a
_morgen-gaven_--a morning's gift.
_Wh._ The same word _morgen-gaven_ is in the old terms of our English
laws, and expounded to signify a second dowry, and hath much affinity
with this of yours and in that of your twelve witnesses who testified the
contract of marriage and the _morgen-gaven_; to which our trials by
twelve men, whom we call juries because they are sworn, are somewhat
like, and they are so many witnesses as well as judges of the fact.
_Gr. Eric._ I believe your customs and ours had the same original.
_Wh._ I find much resemblance between them and yours. What do you call
the twelve that laid their hands on the spear?
_Gr. Eric._ We call them the twelve witnesses (_les douze temoins_).
_Wh._ What do you call the spear or pike which the gentleman held?
_Gr. Eric._ We call it _weppun_.
_Wh._ We have the same word, weapon, for all manner of arms and warlike
instruments. What do you call the laying of their hands upon the spear?
_Gr. Eric._ We call it _tack_,--_weppun-tack_, to touch the spear.
_Wh._ We have also the word _tack_, for touching; and we have, in the
northern parts of England, a particular precinct or territory which we
call a Wapentake, and a territorial court of justice there which we call
a Wapentake Court; and a very learned gentleman from whom I received
letters in my last packet, Selden, derives the name of Wapentake from
_weapon_ and _tack_; and saith they used to come to that court with their
weapons, and to touch one another's weapons, from whence came the
appellation of Wapentake.
_Gr. Eric._ Tacitus observes that at the public assemblies and councils
of the Germans, they used to meet with their weapons, and when anything
was said that pleased them they would touch one another's spears or
weapons, and thereby make a noise, to testify their consent and
approbation.
_Wh._ Your ceremony of laying down the spear at the feet of the bride
puts me in mind of another passage in Tacitus, 'De Moribus Germanorum;'
that when a man was married, he used to bring his arms and lay them at
the feet of his bride, to signify that he would not take them up nor go
forth to war, being newly married, without the leave of his wife, to whom
he had now given the command of himself and of his arms.
_Gr. Eric._ Our customs and those of the ancient Germans have much
resemblance; but I never heard so good observations upon the ceremonies
of a wedding as your Excellence hath made.
_Wh._ I am delighted with these antiquities; but your Excellence shows
your opinion to be that of a brother.
From Grave Eric, Whitelocke went to visit the Senator Schuett, and Lynde,
who lodged in one house, and met him at the door; and this day he made
seven visits, besides his attendance upon the Queen, hastening to get
over these matters of compliment and ceremony, that he might be upon his
journey to Stockholm.
_May 16, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke entertains a party of ladies.]
Whitelocke visited General Douglas, who had been to visit him before, and
now showed great respect unto him, and gave him many thanks for the
English horse which Whitelocke had bestowed on him. After this,
Whitelocke visited the Ricks-Admiral and the Senators Rosenhau and Bundt.
In the afternoon he visited Woolfeldt, who brought Whitelocke into the
room where his lady and other ladies of great quality were with her.
Whitelocke imagined some design to be herein, because it was a thing so
unusual to bring gentlemen and strangers into the company of their
ladies; and it fell out to be so, for Whitelocke, discoursing with the
Lady Woolfeldt, who spake perfect French, she complained that she knew
not where to have a place to see the entry of the Prince into Upsal.
Whitelocke knowing his house to be conveniently situate for that purpose,
and understanding the lady's complaint, he, to free her from the danger
of not seeing that solemnity, offered to her and to the rest of the
ladies in her company, to command his house, which if they pleased to
honour with their presence to see the entry of the Prince, he should take
it as a great favour from their Excellencies; and the ladies readily
accepted of his offer.
They presently came to Whitelocke's house. With the Lady Woolfeldt was
the Countess John Oxenstiern, the Countess Eric Oxenstiern, the Countess
Tott, the Baroness Gildenstiern, and seven or eight other ladies of great
quality. Before the Prince came into the town, Whitelocke caused a
collation to be set on the table for the ladies, all after the English
fashion, creams, tarts, butter, cheese, neats' tongues, potted venison,
apples, pears, sweetmeats, and excellent wine. They ate heartily, and
seemed to be much pleased with it and with the Ambassador's discourse,
who strove to be cheerful with the ladies, and found it not unacceptable
to them.
[SN: The entry of the Prince.]
The Prince's entry and reception into Upsal this evening was thus:--The
day before, by the Queen's command, notice was given to all the senators,
the nobility, gentry, and persons of quality about the Court and in town,
to come in their best equipage on horseback, at one o'clock this
afternoon to the castle, to attend the Queen on her going out to meet the
Prince. They accordingly resorted to the Court, a very great number, and
attended the Queen forth in this order, all passing and returning by
Whitelocke's window. First, Major-General Wrangel marched in the head of
four troops of horse of Upland, proper men and well armed, their horses
not tall but strong; every horseman carried ready in his hand one of his
pistols, and his sword by his side, and most of them were well habited.
Then marched Colonel Bengt Horne in the head of the gentlemen and
servants of the senators and other volunteers, marching three and three
abreast. After these rode about six of the Queen's kettle-drums and
twelve trumpets. Then came Mr. Eric Flemming, Governor of Copperberg,
Marshal of the Nobility, followed by the heads of the families of the
nobles in the same order as they are matriculated in the Ricksdag. They
were generally very rich in clothes and well horsed, lords and gentlemen
of principal note and consideration in their country, and members of the
Ricksdag; they also rode three and three abreast. After them rode Mr.
Gabriel Gabrielson, Marshal of the Court, and was followed by all the
senators then in town, being about thirty, riding two and two abreast,
grave in their habits for the most part, and well horsed. Then came the
Ricks-Stallmaster and the Hof-Stallmaster--that is, the Master of the
Horse of the Kingdom, and the Master of the Horse of the Court--riding
bareheaded. After them came the Queen, gallantly mounted, habited in her
usual fashion in grey stuff, her hat on her head, her pistols at her
saddle-bow, and twenty-four of the Gardes-du-Corps about her person.
After the Queen followed the Great Chamberlain, Grave Jacob de la Gardie,
and Grave Tott, Captain of the Guards, both bareheaded. After them the
Grave Donae, Gustavus Oxenstiern, and Gustavus Jean Banier, riding
bareheaded. Then rode all the gentlemen of the Queen's chamber, then the
pages of her chamber. After them, in the last place, marched Colonel
Line, in the head of four companies of the Guards, well armed, and
indifferently well habited.
In this order they marched about half a league out of town, to the place
appointed to meet the Prince, who was there attending. When they came
thither, Major-General Wrangel marched to the left, leaving sufficient
room that the Guards might pass to the right hand, the volunteers and
Queen's servants likewise turned to the left hand, and the Marshal of the
Nobility to the right, with the Hof-Marshals; and all this train kept
excellent order and discipline, as did the Prince's train, which was also
very great.
The Prince was alighted from his horse before the Queen came very near
to him. When the Queen alighted, all the senators likewise alighted from
their horses, but the nobility did not alight from horseback. After his
Royal Highness had kissed the Queen's hand, she discoursed a little with
him, he being bareheaded all the time, and showing great respect to her
as to his Queen. Then the Queen mounted again on horseback, the Prince
waiting on her. The troops marched back to the town in the same order as
they came forth, with great addition to their numbers. The Prince's
gentlemen and servants, who were a great number, fell into the troop
where those of the Queen were, betwixt her gentlemen and the senators'
gentlemen,--his pages after the Queen's. Himself rode after the Queen,
and sometimes she would call him (as she did in the street) to speak with
him, and then he rode even with her, but all the way bareheaded whilst he
rode by the Queen and she talked with him.
The Prince was in a plain grey cloth suit of a light colour, mounted upon
a very brave grey horse, with pistols at his saddle and his sword by his
side. The Queen's lacqueys were in rich yellow liveries; the Prince's
lacqueys in blue liveries, near twenty, walking by them. There were many
led horses of the Queen's and of the Prince's, and seven or eight
sumpter-horses of the Prince's; the sumpter-clothes all of blue velvet,
with the Prince's arms embroidered on them, and rich silver fringe about
them; the grooms and sumpter-men in the same livery, about twenty of
them.
In this equipage they marched through the streets of Upsal, multitudes of
people being spectators of their entry in the ways and windows. When
they came to the Castle court, the nobility and volunteers alighted, and
walked two and two before the Queen up into the great hall and to the
antechamber; and the Queen being come into her withdrawing-room, after
some little discourse there with the Prince and compliments passed, he
went to the lodgings prepared for him, with not a few waiting on him who
was the rising sun.
Whitelocke had spoken to the master of the ceremonies touching the
saluting of the Prince and the manner of his reception, whereof he wished
to know somewhat beforehand, to govern himself accordingly, and to avoid
any indignity or dishonour to be put upon the Protector and Commonwealth
by his person. The master having spoken to the Prince about it, brought
word now to Whitelocke, that when he moved his Royal Highness touching
Whitelocke's reception, the Prince said that the English Ambassador
should have no cause to complain of any want of respect in his reception.
The more to manifest this, about ten o'clock this evening, the Prince
sent one of the gentlemen of his bedchamber, who came attended with three
lacqueys, and spake to Whitelocke in French, that the Prince, his master,
commanded him to salute Whitelocke in his name, and to inform him of the
Prince's arrival in this place, and that it was a great satisfaction to
him to hope that he should have the contentment to see the English
Ambassador, and to entertain him before his departure from Sweden.
Whitelocke desired that his thanks might be returned to his Royal
Highness for this honour, and that he hoped to obtain from him the favour
to give him leave to salute him and to kiss his hand; that to do this on
the part of the Protector, his master, was at present the only occasion
of Whitelocke's continuance in this place; and for this end he had moved
the master of the ceremonies to know the pleasure of his Royal Highness,
and to inform Whitelocke what time might be convenient to wait upon the
Prince. The gentleman replied, that Whitelocke's company would be very
acceptable to the Prince his master, and he doubted not but an account
would be given thereof to Whitelocke to his full contentment.
Whitelocke had sent this day to Grave John Oxenstiern, to know what time
he might give him a visit; and the Grave returned a proud answer, that it
would not yet be convenient.
_May 17, 1654._
The Resident of Holland came to visit Whitelocke near dinner-time, which
gave him occasion to invite his stay; and he and Sir G. Fleetwood, Mr.
Bloome, Colonel Hambleton, Monsieur Lyllicrone, and two Dutch gentlemen,
did Whitelocke the favour to be at his table. Whitelocke gave the
Resident the respect of the upper end of the table, as he had formerly
done to the French and Spanish Residents; and the Dutch gentleman was
well pleased with it, and with the English entertainment.
[SN: Whitelocke's audience of the Prince.]
Whitelocke, having received so great a respect from the Prince, did again
desire the master of the ceremonies to know what time might suit with the
Prince's leisure to give Whitelocke leave to wait on him. This afternoon
the master came to Whitelocke, and informed him that the Prince had
appointed four o'clock this afternoon to give Whitelocke audience, and
the master said that he would come with the Queen's coaches to bring
Whitelocke to the castle when it was time; and accordingly he came
between five and six o'clock this evening. Whitelocke and his company
went with the master to the castle, and as soon as he was alighted out of
his coach, he was received by the Marshal and gentlemen of the Prince, a
great number of them, at the foot of the stairs; some of them were very
richly habited. They walked first up the stairs, and those of
Whitelocke's train followed them; the master of the ceremonies was on
Whitelocke's left hand. When they came to the guard-chamber, the Prince
in person came thither to receive Whitelocke at the door thereof, the
same place where the Captain of the Queen's Guard used to meet and
receive Whitelocke, who was a little surprised, not expecting such a high
favour as to be met by the Prince so far from the room of audience.
The Prince was plain, in his habit of black silk, accompanied by a great
number of the senators, officers, and nobility, which caused Whitelocke
to know him, and with due respect to salute him, as he did Whitelocke;
and after a few compliments between them, the Prince desired Whitelocke
to advance, who excused himself, but the Prince pressed it; the contest
was almost half an hour who should go first, till the master of the
ceremonies, by command of the Prince, whispered to Whitelocke to give way
to the pleasure of the Prince, who was resolved to give Whitelocke the
precedence, thereby to testify the great respect and honour which he had
for the Protector, and for Whitelocke his servant. Thereupon Whitelocke
said to the Prince, that since he understood it to be the pleasure of his
Royal Highness, he would obey his commands; and so they went on
together, the Prince giving Whitelocke the right hand; and there was no
occasion (by reason of the largeness of the doors) for one to go before
the other.
In the third room from the place where the Prince met Whitelocke was the
audience chamber; there were set two rich chairs upon foot-carpets one
against the other under a canopy of state; here was also much ceremony
between the Prince and Whitelocke, who should take the right-hand chair;
but the Prince would have Whitelocke to sit there; and the room was full
of senators, officers, noblemen, courtiers, and others of quality.
Whitelocke had advised in what language to speak to the Prince. He held
it not fit to speak in English, because he came not to him as ambassador,
nor in Latin, there being nothing of treaty between them; but being a
matter of ceremony, he was advised and informed that it was the Prince's
desire that Whitelocke should speak to him in French, the which he
understood very well: and accordingly, being both set, and their hats on,
after a little pause Whitelocke put off his hat, and then the Prince did
so likewise; then both putting on their hats again, Whitelocke spake to
the Prince to this effect:--
"Monseigneur,
"Je repute a grand bonheur l'opportunite qui m'est presentee de
baiser les mains de votre Altesse Royale, et la saluer de la part de
Monseigneur le Protecteur de la Republique d'Angleterre, d'Ecosse, et
d'Irelande, avant mon depart de ce royaume; ce que j'eusse fait plus
tot et en autre lieu, sinon que la necessite d'attendre l'issue de ce
qui m'a ete donne en charge m'en avait empeche: mais depuis sa
conclusion, j'ai tarde expres pour ajouter a ma satisfaction celle
d'avoir rendu mes devoirs a votre Altesse Royale, et lui temoigner
l'amitie et les respects de sa Serenissime Altesse mon maitre."
After Whitelocke had done speaking the Prince staid a little time, and
then in French answered him to this purpose:--
"Monseigneur l'Ambassadeur,
"Ce m'aurait ete un grand trouble si, apres la conclusion de vos
affaires en cette cour, vous aviez ete dans l'inconvenience
d'attendre mon arrivee en cette place; je suis bien aise de me
trouver ici devant votre depart de ce pays, qui m'a donne le
contentement de vous connaitre, et l'occasion de temoigner le grand
respect que j'ai a Monseigneur le Protecteur et a la Republique que
vous servez, et je recois beaucoup de satisfaction qu'une amitie et
alliance soit contractee entre ce royaume et votre Republique, de
laquelle j'espere et crois qu'elle sera pour le bien des deux
nations, et pour l'interet des Protestants.
"Il n'y a personne qui a plus d'estime de Monseigneur le Protecteur
que moi, et de votre Republique; et j'ai tant entendu de votre
honorable et prudent maniement des affaires que vous aviez ici, que
ce m'a fait desirer de vous connaitre et d'avoir l'opportunite de
converser avec vous, que vous m'avez presentement alloue, et je vous
en remercie, et pour les respects de Monseigneur le Protecteur,
qu'il vous a plu me presenter en son nom, et qui me sont fort
agreables."
After the speeches were ended, the Prince spake to Whitelocke to go with
him into his cabinet, which he did, and staid discoursing with him there
above an hour together, all the company staying in the outer room. They
soon fell into a freedom of discourse, but at this time chiefly
concerning the affairs of England, the peace with the Dutch, and the
English fleet now at sea; also somewhat in particular to the Protector,
his management of affairs, and of their late troubles; in all which
Whitelocke endeavoured to give the Prince satisfaction, without doing
injury to any one. The Prince brought Whitelocke back again to the same
place where he met him; and his servants went with him to his coach, and
the Master of the Ceremonies brought him to his own house.
After Whitelocke was returned home, Lagerfeldt came to him, and told him
that the Prince was very much pleased with the discourse between them,
and with Whitelocke's deportment; and Lagerfeldt said he believed that
the Prince would visit Whitelocke tomorrow; who said he could not expect
such an honour, but was glad that anything of his discourse was grateful
to his Royal Highness.
Lagerfeldt informed Whitelocke that Grave Eric and Lagerfeldt were to go
to Stockholm upon some public occasions by command of the Ricksdag.
Whitelocke asked him what the business was; but Lagerfeldt was not
forward to declare it, nor Whitelocke to press it; but he learned from
another that the Ricksdag had deputed two of every State to go to
Stockholm to extract out of the public records and acts the special
privileges granted to the people at the coronation of any king, and of
the present Queen, which they judged fit to be now considered and
ratified before the coronation of their new King. They were also to bring
hither the acts of the Ricksdag when the Prince was declared heir of the
crown, and such other things as pertained to this business. Whitelocke
desired Lagerfeldt to do somewhat for him at Stockholm touching the
sending away of his copper from thence for England.
_May 18, 1654._
[SN: The Ladies' message to Whitelocke.]
The ladies who were at Whitelocke's house to see the entry of the Prince,
sent thanks to Whitelocke for his noble treatment of them, which was done
by Woolfeldt and the master of the ceremonies, whom Whitelocke desired to
make his excuse to the ladies, and to intercede with them to pardon the
affront which Whitelocke had put upon them by entertaining such noble
ladies with so mean a collation. The master said he durst not deliver any
such message to them, who were so well pleased with Whitelocke's
treatment of them; which appeared the more, in that the Lady Woolfeldt
sent to him to bestow upon her, being great with child, some of his
English cheese. Whitelocke sent her all he had left, and to other ladies
what they desired, his English sweetmeats and other cakes, which with
them were of great esteem.
[SN: The Prince visits Whitelocke.]
Whitelocke having this forenoon visited several Senators and great Lords,
and being returned home, a servant of the Prince, a Baron of great
esteem, came to him from the Prince, to know if Whitelocke's leisure
would permit to receive a visit from his Royal Highness in the afternoon.
Whereunto Whitelocke answered, that if the Prince had any service to
command him, he would wait upon his Royal Highness at his Court; the
Baron replied, that the Prince intended a visit to Whitelocke at
Whitelocke's house, who said he could not expect nor admit of such a
condescension in the Prince and high favour to him, but that he would
wait upon the Prince in the afternoon. The Baron said that must not be,
but that it was the resolution of the Prince to testify that
extraordinary respect to the Protector and to Whitelocke, as to come in
person to visit Whitelocke at his own house; who said, that if it were
the pleasure of the Prince to have it so, he should attend the receiving
of that great honour at such a time as his Royal Highness should think
fit to afford it to him.
Woolfeldt, and Douglas, and several others, being with Whitelocke at
dinner, they discoursed of this extraordinary high respect of the Prince
to the Protector and to Whitelocke, and said that it was partly
occasioned by the exceptions taken by the public Ministers in this Court
at the reception which the Prince gave unto Whitelocke yesterday beyond
what he used to afford them of respect and honour; and this coming to the
Prince's ear, he said that if they were offended with him for that, he
would yet give them further cause of being displeased, and thereupon sent
to Whitelocke that he would this afternoon visit him; they also informed
Whitelocke, as Lagerfeldt had done, that the Prince was much satisfied
with the discourse of Whitelocke, and his demeanour.
About three o'clock in the afternoon the Prince came to Whitelocke's
house, attended with a very great train. He was in one of the Queen's
coaches, which was followed by several of his own coaches, all with six
horses apiece, and sundry gentlemen on horseback, with the principal
officers of the Court and of the army, besides his own gentlemen,
officers, servants, pages, and lacqueys to a great number, waiting on
him. It fell out to be on the day of a fair, kept in the open place
before Whitelocke's house, so that, with the people coming to the fair,
and the Prince's train, the streets were exceedingly crowded.
As the Prince alighted out of his coach, Whitelocke was there to receive
him, all the gentlemen of Whitelocke's train attending on him, and his
servants in livery making a lane, about twenty on each hand, from the
Prince's coach to Whitelocke's house, through which the Prince and he
passed, Whitelocke giving the Prince the right hand, which he scrupled
not to take in that place. They went together covered into Whitelocke's
house, sat down in his bedchamber, and fell into much freedom of
discourse for above two hours together. In the meantime the lords and
gentlemen of the Prince's train being in several other rooms, according
to their respective qualities, Whitelocke had taken order to be
entertained by his officers and servants, not only with discourse, but
with good wine brought from England, and such collation as was then to be
had and was pleasing to them.
The Prince and Whitelocke had variety of discourses; and Whitelocke
looking upon this as an opportunity whereby he might speak in such things
as might tend to the honour of God, and which his own subjects perhaps
would not so plainly make known to him, Whitelocke used the more freedom,
and part of their discourse was--
_Prince._ I am very glad that your affairs have permitted you a stay in
this place so long as to give me the opportunity of your company, wherein
I take much contentment.
_Whitelocke._ Your Royal Highness doth very much honour me in esteeming
my company worth your notice, and herein you are pleased to testify great
respect to the Protector, my master, and to the Commonwealth whom I
serve.
_Pr._ I have a very true honour for the Protector, and for England,
where I have been, and account it one of the best countries in the world.
_Wh._ It is indeed, Sir, a very good country, and honoured by your
knowledge of it and having been upon it.
_Pr._ But I doubt that by your late troubles it may be much damaged.
_Wh._ Truly, Sir, God hath so ordered it that those desolations which
usually attend on war, especially a civil war, have not been so much in
our country as others have felt who have been plunged in those miseries.
_Pr._ It is a great blessing to you, especially considering your change
hath been so great and your troubles so lasting.
_Wh._ Our troubles endured a long time, but, blessed be God, at present
we enjoy peace and settlement after our changes. The discourse here is
now altogether of the voluntary change like to be in your Highness's
country.
_Pr._ Her Majesty is pleased to take a resolution to resign her
government, and I am commanded hither upon that occasion, though
altogether unsought for by me.
_Wh._ You are, Sir, every way worthy of it, and the more for not seeking
it; and being the will of God is to bring you to such an increase of
power as to the royal dignity, it will turn most to your own and your
people's good, to employ your power to the honour of Him that gives it,
and to prefer His service by whom kings reign before any other
concernments.
_Pr._ I must acknowledge that throughout the whole course of my life God
hath been very good to me, and I am the more engaged to honour Him and to
do Him service in any station wherein he shall be pleased to set me.
_Wh._ Your Royal Highness will be pleased to pardon my freedom of
speaking to you what I understand may be most for the honour of God and
your service.
_Pr._ Such discourse is most pleasing to me, especially from a person of
such piety and honour as I esteem you to be, and who can have no private
ends thereby.
_Wh._ We have observed in England, and it is so everywhere, that the
blessing of God follows those that serve Him.
_Pr._ That is a true rule; but our service must be in heart, and not in
profession or outward show only.
_Wh._ It is true that the enemies of the Parliament use to reproach them
with hypocrisy in their profession of religion and with their preaching
to their soldiers; yet that our profession is real doth appear somewhat
in this, that the blessing of God hath accompanied our profession and our
practice; and when our enemies are in debauchery and injuring the people,
our officers and soldiers meet together, exhorting one another out of the
Scripture and praying together, and God hath given His blessing
thereupon.
_Pr._ I do very well approve that course, and your profession and
practice in matters of religion; but we hear of too much difference of
opinion among you in those matters.
_Wh._ We have indeed too much difference of opinion among us in matters
of religion; but yet the public peace is not broken, but carefully
preserved.
_Pr._ But if there be not a uniformity among you in those matters, your
peace will be endangered.
_Wh._ We do not yet find that danger; and we look upon it as a liberty
due to all Christians to take what way of worship they think best for the
good of their own souls.
_Pr._ Suppose the way they take be not agreeable to the Word of God?
_Wh._ The consequence thereof will be their own misery.
_Pr._ But should not the magistrate lead them and constrain them in the
right way?
_Wh._ We hold the better way to be, by meek exhortations and instructions
to endeavour to reclaim them from any error, and not by force to compel
men's consciences, as is used in these parts.
_Pr._ What if mild means will not work upon them?
_Wh._ They will have the worst of it; but as long as they do not break
the public peace, it is hard for the magistrate imperiously to command
and force his brethren to worship God after his opinion; and it is not
imaginable that he should take more care of men's souls than they
themselves, whose consciences ought to be free.
_Pr._ We are somewhat strict in this point in our country.
_Wh._ But I have heard that your Royal Highness hath shown moderation,
and indulged this liberty, in other countries where you commanded.
_Pr._ I did not think fit to be so severe in this point in Germany as we
are in Sweden.
_Wh._ I think your Highness did therein according to the mind of God, who
will not have a restraint upon His children in the worship of Him; and I
hope you will in time take off the severity of your laws here in this
particular.
_Pr._ I am no friend to severity of laws upon men's consciences; but
reformation among us is not soon to be brought about, where there hath
been a long usage of the contrary.
_Wh._ In England we have of late obtained great reformation in many
things, particularly touching the observation of the Lord's Day; and
pardon me, Sir, if I wish the like reformation in this kingdom, and that
the Lord's Day were not so much neglected, nay profaned, as I have seen
in this place. I hope and humbly advise your Royal Highness that, when
God shall place you in the sovereignty over this people, you will take
care to provide a remedy and reformation herein, and also of that sin of
excessive drinking and swearing with which the people are so much
infected, and which may cause a fear lest the anger of God should go
forth against this nation; but it will be very much in your power to
apply a fit remedy to these evils, and doubtless God will require it at
your hands, as his vicegerent.
_Pr._ I have not heard many soldiers discourse in this strain; but I like
it well, and it becomes you; and I hope God will assist me, if He shall
call me to the government of this people, to acquit my duty to Him and to
His people for the restraining of these sins, which I acknowledge are too
common among us.
_Wh._ In doing so, you will render service to God, and find His blessing
to accompany such most pious, most honourable, and truly royal
endeavours; and I hope your Highness will not think amiss of this liberty
which your servant hath taken, to speak to you of these things.
_Pr._ I am so far from thinking amiss of it or taking in ill part what
you have said to me, that I do most heartily thank you for it, and do
promise that I shall be mindful to put in practice the good counsel you
have given me, as soon as it shall please God to give me an opportunity
for it, and that the temper of this people will bear it; being convinced
of the duty which lies upon me herein, and the service and honour which
will thereby be done to God and to the people of this kingdom, both in
respect to their temporal and eternal estate.
_Wh._ I am very glad to find your Royal Highness so sensible hereof, and
shall humbly and earnestly leave it to your thoughts.
_Pr._ I hope I shall not forget it.[268]
They had other discourse touching the princes and states of Christendom,
particularly of the House of Austria, and of the design of the Papists
against the Protestants, the which, and the increase of the interest of
Rome, Whitelocke said could not be better prevented than by a conjunction
of the Protestants; to which the Prince fully agreed. The Prince took
his leave of Whitelocke with very great respect and civility.
After the Prince was gone, there came to Whitelocke Grave Eric Oxenstiern
and Lagerfeldt, to take their leaves of Whitelocke, they being to go to
Stockholm by command of the Ricksdag; and Grave Eric gave unto Whitelocke
a paper, in French, of damage sustained by a Swedish ship taken and
brought into London, which he recommended to Whitelocke to be a means
that satisfaction might be procured.
[SN: Whitelocke goes to a running at the ring.]
Whitelocke being informed that now at the Court, among other solemnities
and entertainments to welcome the Prince, the gallants used the exercise
and recreation of running at the ring, a pleasure noble and useful as to
military affairs, improving horsemanship, and teaching the guidance of
the lance, a weapon still used by horsemen in these parts of the world;
this generous exercise having been in use in England in Whitelocke's
memory, who had seen the lords, in presence of the King and Queen and a
multitude of spectators, in the tilt-yards at Whitehall and at St.
James's House, where the King, when he was Prince, used also that
recreation: it made Whitelocke the more desirous to see the same again,
and whether, as they used it here, it were the same with that he had
seen in England. He went _incognito_ in the coach of General Douglas,
without any of his train, to the place where the running at the ring was.
He would not go into the room where the Queen and Prince and great lords
were, but sat below in a room where the judges of the course were, with
divers other gentlemen, who, though they knew Whitelocke very well, yet
seeing him cast his cloak over his shoulder, as desiring not to be known,
they would take no notice of him--a civility in these and other countries
usual.
The Senator Vanderlin, Grave Tott, and the Baron Steinberg were the
challengers to all the rest; and of the other part were Marshal Wrangel,
Grave Jacob de la Gardie, and nine or ten others. All were well mounted;
Wrangel upon an English horse, given him by Whitelocke. Their clothes,
scarfs, feathers, and all accoutrements, both of men and horse, were very
gallant. They ran for a prize which the Queen had ordained, and they
comported themselves with much activeness and bravery; and it was the
same exercise which Whitelocke had formerly seen in his own country.
_May 19, 1654._
[SN: The Sound Dues.]
Woolfeldt visited Whitelocke in the morning, and brought with him a paper
concerning the Sound, written in French with his own hand, wherein he
showed muc |
