A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. | Page 8

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