"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.