A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. | Page 3

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