from the Generals of the opposite Armies through part of which we were necessitated to passe His Lordship in the interim made entry upon his Commission by visiting the great Chancellour of Suethen Axelius Oxenstierne at Mentz and by delivering to him the Letters he had from his Master directed to the said Chancellour and to his Son John Oxenstierne who sometime before had been employed as Ambassadour into England from himself as President and in the name of the fore-mentioned Directorium or great Counsell of the Protestant Associated Princes and Cities of Germany which Letters he received with great testimony of respect and thankfulnesse for the honour therby done unto him expressing the same at length and with great Eloquence And as concerning his Son he much rejoyced at his Majesties expressions of favour towards him both in this and at the time of his being in England albeit it were over long to tell the Condoleances he used for the frigidnesse as he termed it his Son then found in relation to his Employment but this having proceeded partly from things already glanced at I forheare to insist upon He further insinuated how glad he was of his Lordships being employed in a businesse that so much concerned their Prince and Country of whose integrity they had formerly received so good proof Yet it is not improbable and his Lordship did so conceive that they would not unwillingly have declined our intervention if it had been in their power knowing that Englands interest in the point of Trade and Commerce on which their Toll in the Balthick Sea lay so heavy would bring him in to crosse their designes and pull from them a Bit which they had found so sweet as they were loth to part with The Chancellor began then to discourse of the Treaty that was to ensue wherin he demonstrated at length the difficulties that would occur even at the first meetings touching Ceremonies and Titles as hath plentifully appeared in that Treaties Narration He afterwards insisted upon the trouble the main businesse would produce being no lesse then the question of a Kingdome and of the strangest nature that had been disputed in many Ages wherby those that were strangers and not vers't in the fundamentall Rights the ancient Priviledges and Jus Suecorum would he said come in a manner with prejudicate minds sympathizing with their own Governments which as they would not presume to judge of but leave every one to their own so he hoped that others would do the like to them and not expect that they should let fall a Controversie which had cost them so much treasure and blood for any arguments drawn from the opinions and example of others which concerned not them they being to take their own way and to follow their particular grounds to the last drop of blood What he set forth of the wrongs they had suffered under King Sigismundus which had constrained them to the extreamest courses may be ghessed by such as shall have read the first part of this Treatise and therfore needs here no repetition As to King Vladislaus then Raigning in Poland he having he said no right but from his Father had lost all in him and with what arguments he alleadged that his pretensions were lesse valid at that present then his Fathers in his life-time were over tedious here to relate His Lordship on the other side was not wanting in replyes but shewed that extreame Counsells have extreame Events that Obstinate Warrs were ever accompanied with troubles and Calamities and alwayes heavy even to the prevailing side that as their issues were uncertaine so their vicistitudes many whereof themselves had already received sufficient proofes That as the vertues of the present King Vladislaus were to be respected so his Forces and that great Successe which had but late before attended him against most potent Enemies was no lesse to be feared besides many other respects which might induce them to steere at least a midle course The restitution of such Territories as they had wone by their Armes was likewise touched upon in their discourse which his Lordship found to be by them taken for so good a Title as they were not like to give back for a Song They parted with great fairenesse the one professing much thankfulnesse affection and all other respects to the King of great Brittaine and his Allies the other assuring him of all reciprocall and respective offices to the young Queene and Crown of Suethen from his Master and every Minister of his Herewith his Lordship returned to Francfort His traine and equipage being in a readinesse his Lordship began his journey from Francfort in December 1634 having taken leave of the Ambassador Sir Robert Anstruther with all possible expresions of mutuall respect and affection and was met before he came to Hanaw a great and strong Citie about three Leagues distant by Sir James Ramsay before-named Governour thereof attended with foure Troopes of Horse the whole Garrison in Armes the great Ordnance upon the walls also going off from the Gate to the Governours Quarter where his Lordship was lodged during foure dayes of his aboad there to dispatch an Expresse for England The Governour howbeit but late before his Commander as hath been touched not disdayning to hold the Towell to his Lordship at washing before meales as to the Representer of his Prince which office he would perforce and did performe his Lordship in vaine opposing it Departing from Hanaw He made no Halt untill he arrived at Berlin the Electorall Court of Brandenburg where by that Prince he was lodged in the Palace and for eight dayes that that he stayed there was entertained with all the Magnificencie that might testify an entire respect to the King his Master Between his Electoral Highnesse and his Lordship there passed some Communication upon the points like to occur in the Prussian Treaty between the principall Parties as also what concerned his own Interest which suffered but overmuch every where After the Curialia by word of mouth the Elector returned a large Memoriall in writing in answer of some heads propounded by his Lordship by all which it was easie to perceive what the Chancellour had before intimated that there would not want difficulties to bring the businesse to an equall accord for they who had been hitherto on the losing hand would be loth to sit by it still nor the adverse party lesse unwilling as was conceived to quit ought already gotten but on termes not much to the others honour for which cause the King of Poland having a good Army in readinesse was then personally at Danizig to take order for all provisions necessary giving out that he would either have a perpetuall Peace or else declare the War And here his Lordship received information that he was by that King expected with much longing From Berlin his Lordship came to Stettin in Pomerania the old Duke wherof being sick he visited him not
to thrust ones Sicle into another mans Harvest and to meddle with things that properly belong to the State and Orders of Suethland who have never had ought in more or more ancient estimation then their fidelity and obedience toward their Kings and then whom it concerns none more that the right forme of Government should not be changed and if it were to have it restored The Sudercopian Parliament was convened by his Highness to whom with the Senators the King had committed the kingdome Not upon light grounds as the Ambassadours may have partly perceived by the Acts for it was necessary to call a Parliament neither was ought therein concluded derogatory to the regall Dignity or to the Patriall Rights nor were new Laws enacted but the old put in execution That which preserves tranquility of Religion generally received in a kingdome which executes the Laws abolisheth civill dissention establisheth the regall Oath and the hereditary Covenants doth more confirme then weaken the Regall Rights No man therefore will doubt but that his Majesty vvill have it unviolably observed and will thinke nothing can more conduce to the illustration and amplification of his Dignity It was called for his good not for sedition or disobedience neither was it unwitting to him for hee had been certified of the motives by Artizouskie in August preceding he protested indeed but the thing was done The power of calling Parliaments is knowne to be in the Supreme Prince when within the Kingdome but if otherwise it hath never been observed that Treason was imputed if they to whom the Government was committed did call a Parliament in the Regall absence so long as nothing was acted contrary to their Faith and Oath given This Kingdome hath some Presidents as in the times of Christian the first and John the second when the effects of the Regall Oath began to languish which may easily happen in the Kingly absence Forraign examples are not wanting nor argumentative proofs of the best learned in Politicks many years past as well of the Roman as of our Religion that the King being absent Parliaments may be kept without derogating from Majesty According to Cominaeus they swarve from the Law of Nations and the custome of their Ancestors who plot to root out the most laudable institution of celebrating common Counsels the greatest strength and establishment of a Kingdome Under Edward the second of England Charles the eighth and Lewis the eleventh of France and these also are Hereditary Kingdomes Parliaments have been called the King present In Germany it is no new thing for the States to convene against the Emperors mind and it is yet fresh in memory that the like hath been done in Poland the King even this Sigismund the third not only unwilling but also prohibiting and protesting against it which is not here mentioned to accuse others for all men have judged Parliaments to be lawfull when publikely called for weighty causes and not contrary to the good of King and Kingdome albeit against his mind being absent Confederacies opposite to the Regall Dignity Praeeminencie and Rights have not been undertaken as is unjustly objected Such savour of Sedition which never entred into the thoughts of the Suethes Conspiracy is close treacherous distructitive to King and Country but Parliaments are lawfull and do fortifie both It is therefore Illegall to taxe the Suethes of treason for so convening when as the same appeares not to be forbidden them by any Law but unto Kings is not permitted to Enact Lawes without the Peoples consent no more then to governe the people contrary to the Law and without the assent of the Senators The more weighty inducements to that Parliaments indiction were the publike Debts the unpaid stipends of the Soldery whose Military Vertue is not unknown to any the setling of Dowries whereunto extraordinary collection was necessary which by the Lawes of Suethland the King himself when present cannot compell without a Parliament His Majesty was absent whose part it was to cleere the debts of his Father and the Kingdome which cannot stand safe without salving the publike Faith Another motive was that in the Form of Government prescribed severall things seemed wanting in conformity to the Lawes and Regall Oath whereunto the Orders of the Kingdome conceived they ought to adhaere the more constantly by reason of discords about Religion which were not when the right of Hereditation was conferred upon the Regall Family To the said Form the Senatoriall Votes were also requisite without which the King is by our Laws forbidden to settle ought of the Kingdoms more weighty Affaires These reasons may suffice for the calling of that Parliament albeit more might be given Let us now discusse the heads of what was therein concluded It is reputed treason that some are removed from Office that the Regall Letters receive not due regard that appeales to the King are prohibited with sundry others To all which articulate answers shall be made that so the innocency of the Suethes may appeare to equall minds That some are reduced is not denied and if the Ambassadors were acquainted with the reasons not unjustly for some could not be admitted to beare rule without infringing the Regall Oath Others refractory to the publike peace had like members lost from the body not only separated themselves from the Sudercopian Decree but from others also of greater antiquity which had been by Regall Oath confirmed not without suspition of innovation which is mostly studied by such as esteem nothing more then to be pleasing to the Supreme Majestrate without discerning what is just and commodious for the Common Weale and so to grow upon the ruines of others yet these are permitted to enjoy the benefit of the Lawes and ordinary Priviledges It is moreover to be considered that the more honourable Offices of this Kingdome cannot be immediatly rightly conferred by the King howbeit fixed within the Kingdome unlesse that first if One be to be admitted into the Senatoriall Counsell if into any other great Office the Provinciall Votes have conceded to One of Three Neither can Judges the King even present be otherwise appointed But he remaining out of the Kingdome by his Vice-gerent which Office the Kingdomes Sewer as they here term it did anciently by vertue of a certain Law discharge in the Regall absence This is testified by the Laws themselves by the priviledges of sundry Kings and famous Constitutions of the Kingdome for above five hundred years as also by the union of these three Kingdomes in the Raignes of Queen Margaret and of the Kings Ericke Christopher John the second and Christierne the first and second Come we now to the point of appealing It is not unknown to any that the most High God hath Instituted the Supream Magistrate for a Sanctuary and refuge to the oppressed So that appeales to the King and to those that beare rule and such as the King hath appointed as chief in his absence are lawfull even by the
the Equestriall Order who were imbued by those Counsellours of the kingdome that what the Senators should do the said Order was to subscribe unto and follow whereby many of the chief Nobility Military Commanders Clergie and Burgesses through the wicked perswasions of those Senators declined their appearance as did those Senators themselves none reparing to the same Count Axell of Rasborg excepted albeit the generality of the Equestriall Order Counts Barons Gentry Prelates Military Officers Burgesses and common people flocked thereunto without regard to the example or Malignant inducements of the Senators The particular transactions in that Parliament I omit referring as before the curious to the Acts themselves the most materiall being an exclusion of all mixt religions as displeasing to God pernicious to Soules tending to persecutions mutuall hatred and dissentions with an asseveration or assurance of remaining constant God assisting in the Doctrine received and that they would not permit the exercise of any other Religion to be received in any part of that Kingdome the Kings private Chappell when he should be within the kingdome onely excepted and whosoever should secretly or openly transgresse this decree and generall agreement by acting contrary to their Subscriptions and Signatures they were to be reputed as perfidious persons and to be shunned by all honest and ingenious people The reiteration of their assurances of fidelity to their King followed next in order according to the Union of Hereditary Succession the Testament of King Gustavus or his last Parliament An. 1560. celebrated at Stocholme as also conform to their owne late conclusions at Sudercopia for the confirmation whereof this convention was chiefly instituted wherein was further enacted that all Dissenters from their and the Sudercopian Decrees who should not declare themselves within six weeks excepting those of the remoter Provinces to whom longer time was allotted should be reputed as Disturbers of the Common-wealth and to be cut off from the body Politick On whom after due information and exhortation fit punishment was by his Highnesse with consent of the Senatoriall and other Orders to be inflicted The like for all of whatsoever condition or degree who should for any respect desert or fall off therefrom The Commotions in Finland were also resented and the sufferings of the people there in order whereunto it was decreed that some persons of good repute should be sent thither with severe Injunctions to all parties to depose their Armes and demeane themselves peaceably and where any just cause of complaint was the same to be legally discussed and decided and that his Majesty should be humbly moved by those who should be deputed towards him that by his Royall Authority there might be a ceasing of these disturbances and provinciall devastations but if it should be certainly found by faithfull Messengers that those tumults did not end but rather encrease and that counsell nor admonition would not take place that then other proceedings corresponding to the Regall Oath and to the Sudercopian Constitutions should be made whereby the Kingdome might not be further damnified Provision was likewise made for the ease of the Subject in certaine particulars untill a totall alleviation might ensue They also bound themselves to Unity and mutuall defence with lives and fortunes against all persons who should offer or attempt any violence towards the observers of those things which were in that Convention established yet still with reservation of the fidelity due to their Supream Majestrate and the concord wherein they were by Law and right bound unto each other This Transaction was as aforesaid at Arbogia the fifth of March 1597. But this Parliament was not more pleasing to King Sigismundus then that of Sudercopia Dissentions say the Suethes being raised up in each corner of the Kingdome the Orders therof declined by troops the conventional Conclusions That brood of Senators not to digresse from their owne words perswading the severall States not to adhaere unto or repute the Arbogian decrees for legall albeit concurring with those of Sudercopia and feeding all degrees of people with hopes of the speedy returne of King Sigismundus to the great emolument of the Country and Inhabitants thereof and that the Arbogian Constitutions were to be the lesse esteemed in regard the Senators with certaine chiefs of the other Orders did not assist at or subscribe unto them With the like allurements and fucatious perswasions say the Suethes they seduced many of the severall Orders which done they with their Wives and Children abandoned the Kingdome maliciously pretending they neither could nor would assent unto the Arbogian results But chiefly as understanding that the Plenipotentiary for Government with the Defensoriall Letters obtained from King Sigismundus that they six or seven Senators Duke Charles in a manner excluded should manage the Government in the Regall absence would not attaine that Authority hoped for the same importing that if Duke Charles were not therewith contented those Senators assisted by the Malitia of the Kingdome should prosecute him and his partakers as open Enemies their Goods to become a prey as the more curious may see in the said Plenipotentiary dated at Warsaw the thirteenth of January 1597. and the Defensorialls likewise of the twenty third of May next following Neither contented onely to have sowed seeds of dissention between the Inhabitants of Suethland Poland and Lithuania they perswaded the States of Poland without cause or praemonition to undertake with their King a Military expedition against his Native Country to oppresse contrary to right the Duke and his Assistants without admitting those equitable conditions sundry times tendred by himself and followers conducing to his Majesties and the kingdomes good Nor were they without succesfull hopes if the king had gained the Finlandian forces he daily expected thence The miserable condition of the Inhabitants there may be conceived say they by the butchery of many thousands of innocent persons which mischief beginning in Finland did extend even to Suethland also the face of things being such in that Province as that many Colonies with their Wives and Children abondoning their Habitations were constrained to flye unto the Duke for relief which also turned to the greater hurt of some For the fore-named Governour of Finland with his Accomplices diligently watched to hinder them from informing the Duke of their condition some for the like complaints being cruelly put to death infringing thereby the Protectiorall Letters which the Duke as Governour of the Kingdome had by the Lawes of Suethland full power to give in the Regall absence Neither was the King unacquainted with the afflictions of Finland those with other grievances having been signified unto him by the Duke by Letters at large from Nycopia the twenty second of May 1597. yet no redresse was granted but the same rather approved and the said Governour reputed and saluted by the name of his most faithfull Subject and Counsellour The King remained as the Suethes assert not onely unmoved with those
who undoubtedly would therupon conclude and ordain so as might be most conducing to the honour and advantage of his Majesty and the Kingdom according to the Oathes and Assecurations alternatively given It was concluded also that no trouble or molestation should accrue to the King by seeking or desiring any determination or resolution in Poland concerning the Affairs of Suethland in regard his Majesty had not there those persons neer him to whom he might commit the expediting of the Suethish Affairs for which cause they concluded that all Juridicall Process Grievances and Controversies should be examined defined within the Kingdom conform to the Laws of Suethland and the Decree relating therunto published at Vbsall An. 1593. which the King himself had confirmed And that they should not be transmitted into Poland nor that any sentence or resolution touching them should be expected thence but that if any one thought himself injured therby he might appeal unto the Kings return whether that any Regall Sentence given without the Kingdom should obtain execution within the same Otherwise no man to be prohibited to repair or seek unto the King about his private Affairs or other things lawfull and rationall not tending to the prejudice of any especially of those who sate at the Helme Provided that as aforesaid the Kings Mandates and Writs should be first directed and addressed unto his Highness and the Senatoriall Order the execution of them not to be immediatly committed unto any other Concerning the Offices of the Kingdom it was decreed that his Highness and the Senatoriall Colledge with the counsell and consent of the chief other Orders whom the matter might concern should as occasion required in his Majesties absence consider of meet persons so that such men and Servants might be preferred to Offices and Charges in the Kingdom respectively as did rightly belong and were tied by Oath to the King and to the Common-wealth and that speciall and serious regard were had to ancient and well deserving persons As also that none of the Prime Offices of the Nation should be entirely committed to any one before the Provinciall Inhabitants where such an Officer was requisite and any others therin concerned might have free Sufferages or Votes by whom three Candidati or persons elective were to be named as the Laws of Suethland to the observation wherof his Majesty had sworn concerning the chief Offices do in some sort mention which three persons elected were to be signified unto his Majesty out of which number he might appoint one whom he best approved of and if it should so happen that the King had no rationally lawfull objections against them and did nevertheless defer the approbation of some one of them perhaps not without detriment to the Kingdom and the Government therof his Highness had power to place one of the three so elected in the said Office yet that no Officials formerly perferred by his Majesty should be dismissed unless lawfull causes were found wherby upon due inspection and examination they might appear worthy of deprivation neither that any one should be advanced to a greater Plurality of Offices then he could commodiously and with utility to the Kingdom undergo These things being by them enacted the Duke on the other part did stipulate in these words We Charles by the Grace of God hereditary Prince and Governour of the Kingdom of Suethland Duke of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia do promise that we will diligently assisted by the Senatoriall Order as well of Spirituall as Secular Persons endeavour to the utmost of our abilities so to manage the Kingdoms Affairs as we shall know or conceive to be most advantageous to his Majesty commodious to this our most dear Countrey beneficiall to the Orders and faithfull Subjects therof and Emolumentall to all persons wherby every one may be maintained and protected in the pure Evangelical Religion according to the Augustane Confession and the Profession of faith instituted at Ubsall and agreeable to the Laws of Suethen and those Priviledges and Prerogatives which each man conform to his condition enjoyeth and hath obtained from precedent Kings and Governours As also that we will govern the Kingdom of Suethen and the Affairs therof wholly according to the Oath which his Majesty at his Coronation at Ubsall did swear to his Subjects and did secure unto them by writing and as We with Our best and cleerest judgment shall find or can imagine may be profitable to his Majesty and Emolumentary to the Orders and Subjects of the Kingdom as well of the Clergy as the Laiety even as we desire God assisting to answer for the same before God his Majesty and the respective Orders of the Kingdom Whatsoever likewise shall by Vs with the free advice of the Senators which without any prejudice they may safely communicate be approved and concluded as We will not decree ought in weighty Affairs relating to the Kingdom without the Senatoriall Sufferage We will unanimously maintain and defend that the same may be preserved firm and irrevocable to the present and future times And that We will accordingly All as One and One as All profess and protect the same if in process of time it shall be needfull and requisite Lastly in testimony that We do willingly constitute and approve of this Transaction in manner as aforesaid for the good of his Majesty our most gratious King the prosperity of the Kingdom and the Inhabitants therof and do ordain the same to be unviolably observed word for word according to the cleer literall sense therof without prejudice or violation to the Regall Eminency and Jurisdiction and our Oath as the Laws of Suethen require We Charles by the grace of God Hereditary Prince and Governour of the Kingdom of Suethland Duke of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia And We the Orders of the said Kingdom fore-mentioned have hereunto affixed our Seals and subscribed the same with our hands And if We or others present or absent who have not assisted at this Convention which We are not willing to impute as proceeding from pertinaciousness or disobedience shall refuse to approve with Vs of what before recited concluded for the Common good of his Majesty and our Countrey wherof the Parliament being ended intimation shal be given to all the Provinces and that by previous information and admonition they shall not offer or produce any lawfull reasons in contradiction hereunto which they have free liberty to do We certainly will send Messengers unto them and will hold them for non-conforming and disturbing Ministers of the Kingdom and whosoever shall not adjoyn themselves hereto if constituted in any of the Eminent Offices of the Kingdom We will endeavour to diminish their publike Authority and Power as We shall judge consentaneous to equity and reason least the Kingdom of Suethland should from thence receive detriment and seeds of dissention In like manner they who shall detract or apostatize from this our generall free and unanimous Transaction Whether
present execution Lastly his Majesty had promised by Oath to governe that Kingdome during his absence in Poland by the Counsell of the Duke and the Senators of the Kingdome That new Exactions Structures of Edifices and burthensome entertainments are imposed That since his Highnesse undertooke the Government he had altogether endeavoured an alleviation of the Subjects former pressures as could be witnessed by themselves That the contribution condescended unto at Sudercopia had been by joynt consent of the Subjects unanimously concluded upon the Senators report to the other Orders concerning the Kingdoms debts w ch without their assistance could not be discharged wherupon their result was desired that himself had given charge to the Collectors not to require more from any Subjects then their estates would bear and themselves willingly undergo That the same was more tollerable then those new exacting waies whereby the Subjects Goods were ensnared and they reduced to extream poverty That those Leavies had not been made but in cases allowed by the Lawes and that albeit peace had been concluded with the Russian yet the Souldiers and others who had lent great summs of money for waging that War were not payed their Salery and Debts This was the cause of that imposition as if in the Exigency of War in regard the Debts therein contracted were not satisfied Next that there were some Illustrious Persons also Kings Daughters who demanded their Dowries from the Kingdome yea that the King himself had required the Duke to impose a contribution upon the Subject for the marrying of the Princess Anna a Regall Virgin So that his Highness was injured whilest blamed for onerating the Subject with new exactions and the more in regard the Subjects willingly consented to those contributions and affirmed that by Law they ought to pay them Hereto is added that the Kingdomes necessities which are above all Law required them As to new Structures his Highness remembred not any to have been by him commanded otherwise then by the Laws of Suethen the Subjects were obliged unto Viz. Repairing the Forts Frontiers and Navy with other like for defence of the Kingdome and the repulsion of hostile Irruptions Nor that in them he had not exceeded the constitution made by his Majesties late Father and left when dying to his Majesties performance But that if his Majesty thought good they should be wholly neglected he would surcease That for the entertainments insisted on how or by whomsoever obtruded and whether right or wrong his Highness was confident that neither of him nor his Servants any just complaint could be made in that matter That the Crown Kevenues were not rightly administred and the Duke therefore desired to render account That what he had received had been by him issued toward the discharge of the Kingdomes debts and necessary expences and that he therein referred to the Auditors accounts But the Copper Butter and other Merchandizes received by his Ministers he challenged to himself for payment of money and other things lent sundry years past unto his Majesties Father and the Kingdome whereof a considerable summ was yet unsatisfied as might appeare by the respective Instruments That if his Majesty would reflect upon the profusions made of the Crown Revenues by his Largesses and Mandatory Epistles he should find but small cause to call him to account That the Demaines of Finland had been so lavished and the Inhabitants Estates so attenuated and exhausted by Souldiery entertainments as they could render no Debit either to the King or Kingdome That himself had contracted envy from many for endeavouring a right conservation of the Kingdomes Rents and had likewise improved them as was evident by the Revenue of the Mines which might have yeilded yet more profit had not the same been obstructed by the disobedience of certain persons That Innovation in Religion was endeavoured That he had not altered ought in Religion But that the Senators Bishops and other Orders remembring the dissentions and discords of former years during the Raign of his Majesties Father had convened at Vbsall to compound controversies and settle uniformity in Religion as the strongest bond for conciliating the minds of Subjects as on the other side no greater distraction could be of wills and affections nor greater disturbance to the publike then proceeded from difference and disparity in Religion That what had been there concluded he had left to them and was therfore unjustly aspersed therwith but that the same might more deservedly be retorted upon his Majesty who had contrary to his Oath and Assecuration planted his Emissaries Romish Priests to disperse Pontificiall Superstitions and books in publike as Stocholme with the Monasteries of Dortningolmense and Vastena could witness That moreover in latter daies his Majesty had by writing exhorted his Subjects to embrace the Papall Superstition of Elevation Salt and Tapers with other like not grounded on Sacred Writ And unbyassed Judgments might discern whether this rather were not an attempt upon Religion Which a godly and free counsell if called by his Majesty in imitation of that Synod would not have been but his Oath and Regall Assecuration had remained unviolated The dispersing of Popish books seducing the Children of honest Natives nor practising upon the illiterate youthfull Menie would not then have needed as hath been in former years and still is done That his Highness was also confident that if any useless or scandalous Ceremonies resembling Romish Idolatries had been abrogated the same could not be called innovation in Religion That he rendred thanks to the most High for so inlightning his mind by the Divine Word that he could discern the true word of God from the traditions of men and that the constitutions of their Church did permit those abrogations that had therein been made That his Highness had Ministred occasions of mutation in the State of the Common-wealth That he was ignorant of any such occasion administred by him That by Gods goodness he had studied the pure Religion and without boast had maintained the Lawes and good Order in the Kingdome That by these no motives to alteration could be tendred but that by their neglect or violation a Kingdome becomes lyable to ruine And that therfore he entreated his Majesty not to afford matter of change as not being ignorant how often his Majesties Oath and Assecuration with the Lawes of Suethland both in Ecclesiasticks and Politicks had been trespassed upon That the Duke had degenerated from his Fathers Vertues whereby the Hereditary Right had been obtained That this reflected more upon his Majesty as having but meanly traced his Grand-fathers steps had acted much contrary to the Auital Testament which was the ground-work of the Hereditary agreement That such Unions are not attained to the end a King should neglect his Oath Right and Justice Act Arbitrarily and abolish things constituted for the Countries good but preserve them unviolated and that therby Hereditary Unions retained their
greatest Offenders And this is a custome practised in the Romane Provinces and observed by other Kings whose Extents are large but if it were free for guilty and indebted persons to make continuall appeales to the King what end would there be of Suites When should Crimes be punished Appeales to the King ought to be of the more weighty causes only and the maine matters of the Common-wealth nothing is done herein contrary to the manner of other Nations Portugall and Naples are governed by Vice-royes the Belgian Provinces by Governours yet no appeales from either are made unto the Spanish Court albeit each of those Countries have Senatoriall persons there residing who solicite the Affaires of the Nation according to their Lawes and Priviledges But who remaine in Poland negotiating for Suethland the Ambassadors can tell Or will they judge that those being in another Kingdome can duely provide for the Emergencies of Suethen yet admit that sundry of our Senatoriall Patriots were there were it lawfull for them to draw the controversies of the Suethes thither Neither is this a Right peculiar to us but equally observed amongst all Nations for what King hath desided the causes of one Kingdome in another unlesse the one were subject to the other The declining a competent Court within a kingdome loses the cause Appeales to the King are not abscinded but reserved in the Tribunall proper for the Majestie of the Kings of Suethland untill the Kings returne Neither can he alone even within the Kingdome give sentence without able and unbyassed Assistants no more then without a just hearing of the Plaintiff and Defendant Nor is any appeale admitted by Law from the chief Tribunall unto the King even in the most weighty Affaires when he is within the kingdome the Courts of Justice being administred according to custome and our written Law how much lesse lawfull then is it the King remaining out of the kingdome And if permitted would it not be dishonourable and prejudiciall to Regal Majesty and to an unconquered kingdome when the chief Court of Justice should seem to wander like an exile in a strange Land without fixation of place many other inconveniencies might be apprehended by Appeals into Poland as tediousnesse of way vastness of expence and at length the undoubted extinction of the most ancient Right of a kingdome which is sacred and unviolable to all Nations Next it is complained That the Royall Letters and Patents are slighted whereunto is answered that those Letters which are the Kings are had in reverence but others that is such as are contrary to the mind dignity and good of the King and Kingdome are received as if the Suethes were assured that his Majesty desires nothing that is not conformable to the Laws confirmed by the Regall Oath and conducing to the preservation and emolument of their mutuall most ancient dignities Such are indeed suspended that due honor may be exhibited to the Royal hand and Seal and that his Majesty may deliberate more maturely But some may say thus more wisdom and power is attributed to the Subject then to the Soveraign in no wise No question is made of the Regal Power which nevertheless Alphonsus of Arragon did most rightly define when he said unto Kings whatsoever is honest is permitted and that they may do what they may legally do It was a Royall Speech of the Emperour Honorius when he professed that he a Prince was bound by the Lawes by those the Kings of Suethland are confined Things unequall howbeit small at first prove in the end obnoxious to Cities and Kingdomes In France an hereditary Monarchy excessive bounty is frequently restrained without derogating from Majesty even in Suethen the meanest may by protection of Law defend himself and his against the King by whom if ought upon false information be ordered at the instance either of Plaintiffe or Defendant the same without consulting or derogating from Majesty is ejected and abrogated Kings have sometimes entertained Advocates for poore men who not onely have boldly refused to obey the Regal permissions or inhibitions but have openly unblamed opposed them If this be tollerable in private persons how can that be obtruded in the Government of a Kingdome the King absent which by the Law may be overthrown and may prove prejudiciall even to Majesty it self The Prince and Senators are charged moreover with Treason because they had decreed not to have regard to such Letters as many times are by bad men unversed in the Suethish Affairs extorted from a gracious Prince to the prejudice of himself and the Kingdome sometimes by private persons who neither have nor deserve any power to enjoyn obedience What is this but putting the feet to do the work of the hands whence that must necessarily follow which the Lords Ambassadours most prudently did alledge viz The Office of the Members would be confused all would languish their Order would be disturbed and the dissolution of the whole body must necessarily ensue If his Maiesty will have ought of moment acted within the Kingdome may not his pleasure be better signified to those that are over the same as is usuall in all Nations The Provinciall Rulers have ever had such respect from kings that the Royal Mandates are directed to them for execution according to right or advertisement if Noxious or unjust How much more unseemly is it to over-passe them to whom the care of the whole Kingdome is committed yet so it is mostly that the first understanding must be from others and that Letters are heaped to divers persons from whom most favour may be expected not for what is expedient for the King and Kingdome but themselves A certaine person is said to have brought Letters out of Poland not long since surreptitiously obtained from the King for present payment of a certaine summ of Dollars as a due debt which summ had been satisfied some yeares before Do not such Letters deserve regard Some are brought into the Kingdome manifestly taxing the Prince and others of Infidelity toward his Majesty the names concealed tending to incite the Popularity especially to insurrection by which like instigations probably the Governour of Finland hath dared to oppose the whole Kingdome of Suethland The King consented yet doubtlesse not of his owne accord but by the counsels of wicked men and to his owne and the kingdomes detriment For then discord nothing is more pernicious in kingdomes especially if it proceed so far that by one faction he thinks to oppresse that which but undeservedly he conceives to be another But thus in destroying one by another he ruines the kingdome even his Country The examples of France and the Netherlands alledged by the Lords Ambassadors serve here very fitly For the French fell not into so many Calamities by any Nationall disobedience towards their King but by the quotidian violent subtle snares set for expulsion of the Protestant Religion whence that kingdome was so many years afflicted with mutuall Slaughters Rapines Rapes
miseries of his people but by Letters from Warsaw of the twenty eight of Aprill preceding had incited the Finlandians with their Governour thereunto so as the Duke was necessitated to make an expedition into Finland where assisted by Divine providence he freed that suffering Province from oppression the 〈…〉 osers neither daring to try it in the Field nor to defend 〈◊〉 Forts they were possest of whereby the Tumults in Finland were so appeased in the year 1597. as they needed not any more to apprehend the like Notwithstanding all these things with others fore-mentioned perpetrated as the Suethes alledge by King Sigismundus and his evill Counsellours The Duke with the Senators of the Kingdome by Letters he of the fourteenth they of the twentieth of February 1598. dated from Vbsall seriously invited his Majesties returne in quiet and peaceable manner to settle the Affaires of his Native Kingdome But contrary hereunto say they he repaired thither with an Army of eight thousand horse and foot and a hundred Sail of Ships to which extraneous forces no smal number of Suethish Souldiers with sundry of the Nobility and Military Commanders hoping thereby to gaine great Stipends joyned themselves through the crafty allurings and seducements of those unfaithfull Counsellours as themselves found when too late for things not succeeding to the Kings desire he deserted them without refuge or comfort King Sigismundus landing at Calmar with his Army Duke Charles likewise raised forces and approached toward Stegeburg and desired by severall Letters and Messengers to be certified of the cause inducing his Majesty to returne into his Native Country with such a numerous armed attendance and withall that he might be admitted to a conference with his Majesty but the King also marching toward Stegeburg soone gave notice say they of the ends he came for by a sudden on-set wherein some hundreds were slaine on either side Which hostile Act the Duke would not revenge albeit power was not wanting but shewed himself willing to embrace a friendly composure and pacification with the King and those unfaithfull Counsellours There were at the same time present with the King severall Ambassadors from the Prince Elector of Brandenburg the Marquesse of Ansbach and Duke Vlricke of Mecklenburg with whom those Counsellours were earnest at least in pretence to endeavour a pacifying of the differences between the King and Duke Charles which they did to their utmost but seeing their labours fruitlesse they departed and were by his Highnesse Order honourably conveyed unto the borders of Denmarke The Duke also made offer of answering before equitable and competent Arbitrators to whatsoever could be objected against him and desired that the King would make choice of six persons of the Nobility and so many of the Military Officers to meet with an equall number to be elected by himself for a friendly compos 〈…〉 of all differences but the King as they forthwith permitted the Marquesse of Baden and Wejerus to discharge his Ordinance against the Dukes Forces and gave order to the Generall of his Army Georgius Farensbecius to charge into the Dukes Camp in the silence of night with his whole Forces and to slaughter all he should meet with and albeit the Duke and those of his side attempted nothing that was not lawfull and consentaneous to their Oath yet they reape no other reward then open enmity secret hatred and treacherous machinations for by deferring all amicable transactions they onely waited the approach of Auxiliary Forces from Finland for the more commodious execution of their tyranous intentions At last King Sigismundus perceiving that assistance from Finland was in vaine expected and that a gallant Navy of the Dukes approached his Army was therewith so terrified as that not daring to make longer stay he with his whole power withdrew secretly under night from Stegeburg toward Lincopia abandoning his Ships and Ordinance with other things of great moment yet for the better understanding of the History let us view the heads of the whole passage before he left Stegeburg beginning at the time of the rendition of Calmar And first we will premise the instructions given by Duke Charles unto Prince Gustavus Duke of Saxony and Westphalia with George Claudius and Olaus Hard for the Government of Calmar the same dated the tenth of June 1597. in the severall Articles whereof is contained 1. THat they preserve the sayd Fort for his Majesty and the good of the Common-weale and that they admit not of any Person of what degree soever to enter the Castle without Letters from his Highnesse to that effect nor suffer any dissipation to be made of the Ammunition or other necessaries to the Castle appertaining 2. That they containe the Inhabitants in due obedience to his Majesty and his Heirs and to his Highnesse during his Majesties absence 3. That they maintaine the Subjects there in their former Liberties and Priviledges without violence injustice or extortion by bribery 4. That they endeavour the preservation of the Crowne rights from diminution and that all things imbezelled may be restored 5. That his Majesty coming to Calmer in peaceable manner like a gracious King conforme to his Coronation Oath and the Lawes of Suethland the Gates of the Castle be open to receive him with all due reverence and honour But that if his Majesty should approach with armed Bands in a way of violence to devast and destroy his native Soile contrary to his sayd Oath the Laws of Suethland and of Nature they should not then permit his Majesty or any in his Name to enter the sayd City or Castle but should defend the same with all their might untill upon advertisement they received answer from his Highnesse that the King and he were reconciled And that in the meane time they admonish his Majesty to desist from violence and if any extraneous force should attempt the place they were to oppose the same to the utmost of their power 6. That they repaire the Walls and Towers c. according to their abilities and the necessities emerging not permitting the Baths or Stoves to perish 7. That as need should require they order the Souldiers commanded by Abraham Nicolas John Gustavus and Nicolas Finno to keepe the City watch carefully that no sudden irruption or other violence happen therein 8. That by the helpe of the Citizens and Souldiers the Fabricks begun should be continued and finished and that the Money by his Highnesse thereunto ordained be imployed about the same 9. That they behave themselves friendlike and peaceably toward the neighbour Nations Viz. the Dane according to the agreements between those flourishing Kingdomes 10 That they pacifie all quarrels and contentions and that they speedily certifie his Highnesse of those difficulties which of themselves they could not reconcile and that they extend not punishment of death unto any without first acquainting him therewith THat they should adhere to their former Instructions to wit that if the King should
of the same date reiterated his desire for an examination of all differences before equal Arbitrators and complained that his former Letters had not attained the wished answer That by these delaies he could not but conjecture that no good was intended toward him That having hitherto tried albeit in vaine all meanes conducible to the well-fare peace and concord of his Majesty and the Kingdome he should be forced to seek other meanes whereby to provide for the security of his person Wife and Children Possessions and People That as he had ever been most faithfull to his Majesty and had procured his prosperity to his utmost power so he should be grieved whereof he called God to record that ought contrary thereunto did befall his Majesty to whom he wished long life with a happy a healthfull and peaceable Raigne That things being so he did faithfully advise and diligently admonish his Majesty not to appeare abroad in the Feild nor to betake himselfe any whither by water but containe himselfe within the Castle least that if any tumult should happen between the two Armies or his Majestie chance into the Navy approaching some danger contrary to his desire might befall him and that if ought thereof did accrue to his Majesties person Army or Fleet himselfe was blamelesse before God and the World as having given timely warning whereby to prevent any such misfortune if credite had been attributed to his Counsell rather then to the pernicious instigations and seducements of wicked men herewith he commended his Majesty to the Divine protection Dated from the Memmian Feilds the third of September 1598. Duke Charles approaching by night neerer to the Royall Camp gave the King notice thereof by Letter of the eighth of the said moneth sent by two Trumpeters importing that seeing it appeared sufficiently his Majesty was not returned into the Kingdome to governe them according to the Municipall Laws but rather by force and violence in burthening and molesting his Native Soile with forraigne and homebred Forces in reproaching and prescribing him throughout the Realme seising and imprisoning his Servants as also in that he had not hitherto obtained satisfactory answer to his former Letters but that new calumnies were daily imposed upon him in publike and private he had drawn neerer not to use any hostility unlesse provoked but to discover whether his Majesty would not desist from such courses and permit him and his followers to enjoy their rights according to equity by securing their Goods and Possessions unto them as the condition of the times then required All which if his Majesty would do without delay as he did most earnestly and humbly desire he was ready with all his Traine to attend advice and render to his Majesty all manner of duty according to his Obligations of Oath and blood But if otherwise that he was resolved not to dismisse his Troops nor depose his Armes untill their desires were confirmed in most sure and ample manner which he hoped could not be forbidden either by Law or reason Herewith he protested that unlesse the same were granted within the space of two houres and that any tumult should break forth between the two Armies to the detriment of his Majesty and his followers his Kingdome or people he was innocent thereof before God and the world these as aforesaid were dated from his Campe the eighth of September 1598. About foure daies after King Sigismundus sent Letters of Assecuration containing that whereas the most Illustrious Duke Charles had divulged rumours of his arrivall into the Land with an extraneous Army to the spoyling of the Kingdome and the offering of violence to his Highness and followers and by those rumours had drawn unto his party many of his Servants and Subjects who daily flocked unto him into whose minds the Duke had injected and spread a great terrour of his approach albeit he had declared by many former Letters that he was returned into his Native Kingdome and Country not to wage War but as a rightfull King who neither deserved nor apprehended any Rebellion in peaceable manner according to their joynt desires and requests as might be testified by severall Letters which intention of his might have given them sufficient satisfaction Neverthelesse to the end his candour and sincerity might appeare and his aversenesse to intestine discord by a Civill War If the Duke would forth with resigne up and restore unto him his Servants Souldiers Kingdome Houses Territories Navy and Ammunition with all other things belonging to him and the Common-wealth as also the Captives and Servants of his Subjects would in like manner disband his Troops retire and remaine quiet in his Dukedomes appeare readily when cited in Judgment with such of his followers as were obnoxious to blame and thereof give present assecuration He also would as by these his Letters Patents he now did promise and ensure the dismission of his alien forces and would not attempt any violence against his Highnesse his people or Servants but permit every one to enjoy the benefit of the Lawes of Suethland conforme to reason and Justice and that all persons adhering to himselfe against whom his Highnesse might have any cause of complaint should reciprocally appear in Judgment In confirmation whereof these were given under his hand and Seale at the Castle of Stegeburg the twelfth of September 1598. This Assecuration seeming to the Duke unsatisfactory he wrote back to the King within two daies saying That his Majesty having sufficiently understood by the Electorall and Ducall Ambassadours what had hitherto past between them it was needlesse to use repititions and therefore he diligently and faithfully admonished his Majesty not to suffer evil Counsellours to draw him into any inconveniencies That the dispute was not about Pears or Apples but that the well-fare of his Majesty and himselfe of the Realme and people were therein concerned He further advertised that having resolved to send some of his faithfull Servants to see whether any hopes of better things were yet remaining he desired that Letters of safe conduct might be granted for them freely and without molestation to repaire to his Majesty and having delivered what they had in charge to returne without hurt or disturbance These were dated at the Campe the fourteenth of September 1598. THe Kings answer was returned by the same Messenger wherein recapitalating things fore specified and taxing the Duke of continued propounding new and lesse tollerable conditions as also of imputing the same to him albeit he had offered none but such as were lawfull and fitting He said further that he very well perceived his well being the Kingdome and people was now the point in question and not Pears or Apples as his Dilection had rightly hinted but that he had never expected nor deserved that any such measure should be meted unto him the examination whereof he referred to God and to Divine Justice Lastly that he was contented to admit of such as his Dilection
would depute unto him not exceeding the number of eight persons to whom he thereby granted safe conduct and security Dated as before The Duke upon this answer desired a more exact forme of safe conduct for secure return from as well as repaire unto his Majesty which was accordingly granted at Stegeburg the fifteenth of September 1598. Hereupon Duke Charles delegated the same day three Noble men of his Counsell Maurice Steno Earl of Rasburg c. Ludbert Caverus and John Ericke unto whom he committed sundry things to be communicated to his Majesty in the name of himselfe and the Orders of Suethland earnestly desiring by his Letter of the same date that his Majesty would afford them private audience and give credite to what they should deliver and returne such answer as might be for the Kingdomes good and concluded with assurance of fidelity and brotherly affection from himselfe Their Instructions imported that his Majesty would graciously ponder the present miserable condition of his Native Countrey and not suffer himself to be induced to ought that might be prejudiciall to his Royall Person to the Duke the Regal Family and the whole Kingdome That as the resolution lately given at his Majesties instance to the Electorall and Ducall Ambassadors was not lesse Christian then Legal so as his Highnesse and the Orders of Suethland could not enlarge themselves any further they therefore earnestly desired his Majesty to rest therewith satisfied and to grant them the security they had submissively demanded That otherwise and if their humble suit could not find place they desired to be excused before God and the Christian world as having sought after those things that pertained to peace and concord Yet that the brotherly and friendly inclination of his Highnesse toward his Majesty might further appear he humbly desired as formerly that securely and in place convenient he might be admitted to Speech with His Majesty which if granted his Majesty would surely know that many things were imputed to his Highnesse whereof he was altogether free The said Commissioners were likewise to insinuate that his Highnesse and the States of the Kingdome were seve 〈…〉 and joyntly most willing and ready to render to his 〈…〉 jesty all possible respect and obedience according to their Oath of Fidelity and the written Laws of the Land neither should his Majesty find ought by his Higness other then tended to the welfare of himand his heirs for whom they would esteem nothing overmuch that was within their power as on the other side they hoped that his Majesty would shew himself a meek gracious and peaceable Prince Given as aforesaid King Sigismundus returned Answer that he had received what by the Commissioners of his Highness had been delivered but that they having left their Instructions with him and desired an Answer unto them in writing he did by these Letters return his answer and desire That twelve of the Equestrial and six of the Military Order of his part might meet an equall number of the Dukes to consult of and compound the whole matter And wished that his Dilection would have the same regard to the Patriall Regal and Ducal prosperity which he exhorted him unto not doubting but so all dissension would have a speedy wished end These were of the sixteenth of the said Moneth and accordingly ample Letteers of safe conduct of the same date were alternatively given by the King and Duke for the forementioned number of the said Orders respectively THe Royall Answer to the Dukes Legation contained that the amiable salutations and tenders of obedience were most welcome especially if deeds did correspond with words That albeit he had neither deserved nor expected such a reception into his hereditary Kingdome as well by intollerable conditions as by inconvenient propositions he had neverthelesse concluded upon the assecuration more fully as well in reference to his Highnesse as his followers then of Right ought to have been demanded the Act it self witnessing the same to all that desired peace and unity But that the Duke had no way consented to the Kings desires the Declaration delivered to the Ducall and Electorall Ambassadors not having regard unto nor any promising performance therof but rather adding certain unsufferable conditions the resolution it self lately exhibited to those Germane Ambassadors and tendred to his Majesty did evidently testifie That his Highnesse Admonition might have been spared in regard the King had offered no violence to him his Army or partakers nor had demanded ought save what was his own whereas his Highnesse had compelled the Regal Subjects and Servants to take up arms had appointed Military Stations within the Royall Territory exhausted his Majesties Subjects detained and consumed the annuall R 〈…〉 Revenue imposed Taxes and auxiliary exactions on the 〈◊〉 habitants prohibited provisions from being brought unto the Royal Camp for money and after several Marches had pitched his Tents his Army and Canon before the Regal gates had in the Ranensian fields and elsewhere seized as prisoners sundry of the Regal Servants and domesticks commanded the goods and moveables of them that repaired unto their lawfull King to be made Prey and unto this very day used the Title and Authority of Governour of the Kingdome albeit the King were present a thing never before practised from all which things collection might easily be made who had first administred matter to these mischiefs He therefore admonished his Highnesse to sur-cease these courses and to permit unto him the free enjoyment of his owne that otherwise he should have cause to protest if so manifest unjustice produced any misfortune That he desired never thelesse to understand what his Highnesse intended by his protesting and whereat the same aimed that so he might accommodate his Interest thereunto That he was not averse to the desired enterview and when his Highnesse should give a resolution condigne to his desires and peaceable demands he would in due place and time consent to the Colloquie required That the many professions of fidelity and obedience to his Majesty and his Heirs were most acceptable from his Highnesse and that a correspondency of effects was wished wherby this dissention might be the better sooner and more peaceably composed That he thought not the hurt of any person but was willing to give clear testimony to all men of his Kingly clemency and favour He therefore desired his Highnesse to weigh the whole matter seriously and not to make intollerable and dishonourable overtures which would not conduce to peace and concord but afford more ample cause of strife which he prayed God to divert and professed he for his part would decline The Dukes reply hereunto by Nicolas Nicolai Mauritius Georgij and Nicolas Rask the Kings Commissioners was to this effect THat touching the exprobations used as if his actions were not corresponding to his words he holds his Majesty excused as not being ignorant from what Fountaine they flowed that neverthelesse in regard it beseemed
King Sigismundus returned Answer the day following that he had received his M 〈…〉 tory Letters touching assecuration That he wondred why his Dilection would so long time varnish over his unjust cause before the promiscuous ignorant multitude seeing he could not prove but that fit assecuration had been offered but not accepted and that whilest one demand was granted others were made far different as the last Articles might testifie That he followed him with a strong Army having seised the Castle of Stegeburg his Ships and severall other things which notwithstanding his promised preservation of them would have been more safe in his own custody That in Answer to his Letter he desired that his Dilection would rest satisfied with that assecuration which as consentaneous to reason and his dignity he had already offered But if not that he might proceed to do what it seemed he would not leave undone yet with what fame he left to the Judgement of all honest and unbyassed minds That himself committed the decision of the whole matter to the Justice of God Lincopia 23. September 1598. DUke Charles replyed That there being no remedy but that all Admonitions proved vain through the prevalency of perverse and wicked Counsellours he also committed the matter to God before whom he protested that he was not the cause of these troubles nor of the effusion of blood like to ensue wherefore he desired to know whether his Majesty would absolve him of his Oath of fidelity which done he would endevour to repell unjustice and violence by fit wayes and means But that if possible he besought his Majesty by the love of God to weigh the matter more seriously and not permit this mischief to spread further to his own and the Kingdomes prejudice and that nothing might be by him be omitted he had sent a draught of the assecuration desired by him and his followers wherein he hoped nothing unjust would be found Campe 24. September 1598. TWo dayes after Duke Charles writes againe to the King that seeing the conditions tendred were not admitted and that he could not conveniently propound any other as also that he hoped his Majesty would so resolve as might be honourable for both sides He therfore desired that his Majesty would transmit a draught of the assecurations he would give and receive whereupon he would so declare himself as might be satisfactory to his Majesty these were dated the 26. of the said Moneth THe day following King Sigismundus sent Letters of safe Conduct for such of the Nobility with their Servants as the Duke shâ—â—ld send to treat with him importing Security in coming â—elivering what they had in Commission and saâ—e return Duke Charles also did the like for his Nephew Prince Edward Marquesse of Baden with other Lords to be sent to him from the King BY all that hath been said it may be easily discerned say the Suethes whether Duke Charles received from King Sigismundus answers condigne to his Letters wherein he desired nothing but the good of the King and Kingdome and that if he would have listned to the Dukes faithfull advice and counsel he needed not to have fled when none pursued Or that if he had loved Justice he might judicially have prevented those evils by a decision by equall Arbitrators before whom the Duke and Orders of Suethland were willing to answer to whatsoever could rightly be objected against them They say further that they had oftentimes just occasion given them of renouncing all fidelity and obedience towards him in regard he came not unto them as a good and peaceable King but as an Enemy and Persecuter offering violence and injustice to those that would not submit to his wicked intentions nor admit of his perverse Religion and that he had absolved them from their Oath of fidelity in the former Letters whereby they had just cause to have tried the utmost which yet they did not his Highnesse and they having desired that twelve of the Nobility of each side men qualified prudent judicious and lovers of peace should meet examine and decide the whole controversie and restore and settle peace concord and brotherly love whereunto King Sigismundus did likewise consent but that the same was by him observed as other things had formerly been and according to the ancient manner of keeping faith in promises by Jesuites and Romish Priests For the night following the Royall Army conducted by Wejerus made an on-set upon the Ducall Camp dispersed the night guards killing some and seising others Prisoners as was done not onely at Lincopia but at Stegeburg also but seeing their attempt prove unsuccesfull both Polanders and Suethes who fought under the Kings Ensignes began to cry and ingeminate Peace Peace which the King say they with his followers might have enjoyed if the Officers thereof had been timely embraced but that it was then over-late to treat when many thousands of men lay slaine on both sides each intending on his Enemy the revenge of his fellow Souldier Duke Charles and the Suethes as themselves assert had then both cause and advantage sufficient to have utterly ruined their Advarsaries yet they suffered themselves to be entreated to shew more mercy and mildnesse then they had deserved by abstaining from that revenge was then in their power to have taken upon King Sigismundus with his whole Army to the great detriment and misfortune I use their owne words of themselves and the Kingdome of Suethland as hoping for better things in the future from King Sigismundus from whom they found worse by an ensuing cruell War with the Polanders and Lithuanians touching a finall end wherof no certaine conjecture could be made But that if they had as then they affirme they might destroyed him and his Forces those tumults had happily sooner ceased and many gallant men who afterwards perished in those Wars had survived Nor had his Highnesse and themselves been defamed by so many unjust aspersory Libells as were spread in all parts which neverthelesse they hoped to confute All which things hapned by suffering King Sigismundus then say they to escape to the further prosecution of his Country contrary to the practise of all Magnanimous Potentates who expose their lives to defend theirs from Spoile and Rapine The cruell fight being over King Sigismundus entred into agreement with the Duke for the restoring and confirming of mutuall friendship brotherly confidence with administration of right and justice between his Majesty and his Highnesse whereof I give here the heads onely referring as in all Narations of Acts the more curious to the Instrument it self dated at Lincopia the twenty eighth of September 1598. And first THat whereas the Duke his most deare Uncle and all those of his party had religiously promised unto him and his Heires due obedience fidelity and brotherly affection according to their respective Oaths and the obligations of blood proximity and their tyes of duty and subjection He likewise did by
capable of the government and so manage the same as might tend chiefly to the honour of God and the good and welfare of their most deare Countrey Promising that if he would so do they would continue even to the death his Majesties most faithfull and obedient Subjects And as their dutie did in like manner oblige to the young Prince as to their hereditary King And that as they hoped his Majesty would grant this their just and sincere Petition so they with equall humility and observancie entreated that his Majesty would release and send back certain innocent persons viz. George Claudius Olaus Hard Andreas Sweno and others who contrary to his Regall Oath right and Justice had been imprisoned and conveighed out of the Countrey But that if his Majesty contrary to their expectation should refuse to grant these desires which contained nothing but what was consentaneous to Christianity to the Lawes to Concord and the Regal Oath they w th all the Orders of the Kingdom would then protest before God claer their innocency towards all Christian Monarchs and the whole world that they were compelled to renounce their former obedience to his Majesty as seeing evidently that their longer continuance under his Soveraignty tended to the rejecting of the Divine word To the persecution of Subjects the abolition of legally acquired priviledges and prerogatives and the bringing of them under the yoake and Servitude of strange Lords Thus farr omitting the Criminations at the beginning out of the letter it selfe Hereunto King Sigismundus returned no answer but more then ever say they by open force and secret practices stirred up discord and dissention within the Kingdome For w ch cause with unanimous consent a Parliament was appointed to be held at Stocholme the moneth of July next following to consult upon these and other important affaires of State In that assembly the Senators and Orders of the Kingdome of Suethland the Earles Barons Bishops Gentrie Clergie Burgesses and Corporations there convened declared that forasmuch as their Ancestors the Orders of Suethland had at Arosia An. 1544. Framed certain constitutions for that Common Weales future government which were afterwards confirmed by each particular condition of the inhabitants importing that whereas in former times many discords mischeifes and inconveniences had sprung up in the Land partly because stranger Princes had been preferred to the Crowne of Suethland who exercised much violence and tyranny toward the Suethes partly also because concord could seldome flourish among the Kingdomes native Colonies whilst the choice and election of Kings rested in the Swethish Patriall Families according to the customary Lawes of the Kingdom and that the Royall Diadem did not discend to any certaine race wherefore it had been thought necessary to pitch upon the linage of some certaine Family whereon the Regall Dignity might be setled for ever so long as it should please God that any one of the Male issue thereof should remaine whereby the entrance into such dissensions in Suethland might be for ever closed and that they had not found any more worthy of that Regall eminency nor who had better deserved the Diadem both for himself and his Successors then their then present King Gustavus Erikson as who through Divine assistance had with exceeding diligence toyle and care and many hazards of his Person freed their Countrey from the servitude it groaned under of forraine Kings and had restored all the Orders of the Kingdome from the highest to the lowest to their ancient condition and liberty and not that alone but had likewise delivered the same from the unsupportable yoak of Romish Superstition and in stead of that false worship had restored the true Evangelicall Doctrine conforme to the Divine Word whereunto he had also commanded his Successors to adhere as they would avoyd the eternall losse of their Soules The present Parliament did confesse themselves obliged to observe the same as they had hitherto done by the Crowning of Ericke his eldest Son after his decease and he for most cruell tyranny and unworthy Government being with his Successors worthily deprived of the Scepter the same had been conferred upon Duke John the second Son of King Gustavus with his Male issue and he deceasing upon the present King Sigismundus notwithstanding the just objections they had for his imbracing the Romish Superstition contrary to the Godly admonitions left by his Grand-father as also for his accepting a forraine Crowne without the knowledge and consent of the Orders of Suethland with conditions so prejudicall to his native Conntrey as the same would never have admitted and his departure therfrom without their privity But not to insist here upon all their criminations consisting mostly of things formerly mentioned that Parliament further declared that for the sayd reasons and for that King Sigismundus had not daigned to returne any answer to their desires signified unto him from Jenecopia the preceding Winter they had unanimously and with one consent concluded not to acknowledge him any longer for their King or to be thenceforward obedient or subject to his government but renounced him and resumed and dissolved their Oath of fidelity and obedience wherein they had been hitherto bound by Law and the Acts of Hereditary union That albeit they had just cause to remove in like manner his Heirs Males from the Crown yet would not they impute the faults of the Father to the Son but had and did thereby decree to accept and receive Prince Vladislaus his Majesties Son for their Lord and King conditionally that within the space of one half year his Majesty would declare whether or not he would send his said Son into the Kingdome and commit him to the tutory of Duke Charles as his nearest in blood with other honest faithfull Men to the end he might be educated in the true Evangelicall Profession whereunto they in that Kingdome had bound themselves as also in the language and custome of the Countrey and would accordingly transmit him thither within six months next ensuing the half year fore-specified That this being thus done they would admit of and receive the said Prince before all others for their lawfull Lord and King when he should have attained those years wherein according to Law the ancient Jurisdiction and laudable custome of the Kingdome he might secure and govern them and it and that in the mean time they would acknowledge Duke Charles for their Hereditary Governour untill the Prince should attain to lawfull age But that if his Majesty should not do what before expressed within the prefixed times they would then also reject him so as neither he nor his Heirs should ever be admitted to sway the Scepter of Suethland but as the Father so the Son to be forever deprived thereof themselves being the causers of their prescription from the Royall Throne and their own dispoylers of all Authority and Dignity in Suethland wherof the said Orders were innocent before God and the World as not
Bartholomew-tide For the better satisfaction in all which particulars the curious are referred to the Acts as also the Proceedings made in order to Hogenschield and Claudius Bielke with the other Prisoners and Fugitives their Children and Posterity In like manner their Ordinance for the leavy and maintenance of nine thousand Foot and Horse for three yeares against the Polander the Military Salary to be monthly paid besides the other Souldiers to be maintained by his Highnesse out of the Crown Revenues are therein more fully to be seen the present intention being only to mention the Parliamentary conclusious relating to the former differences between the King his Nephew and the Kingdome In Order hereunto they shew that Duke Charles for sundry considerations by him alleadged was willing to decline the Soveraign Rule and had made unto them these two ensuing Propositions That either they would be reconciled to King Sigismundus or otherwise accept of his Brother Prince John for their King Wherunto they had answered that they utterly rejected the first as being willing to run any hazard rather then to return under his obedience And as for Duke John albeit he was neerest in blood according to the Hereditary Union yet forasmuch as he was of under age and had likewise upon the sixth of that present month in presence of sundry of the States of the Kingdome renounced his right therunto resolving to adhere to the Lincopian Constitutions and had entreated Duke Charles to accept of the Scepter and had likewise sealed this Norcopian Decree religiously promising never to act in prejudice therof under the penalty of losse of his successive right unto the Crown of Suethland as also of his Dukedome and those Hereditary Goods which he possessed in Suethland In like manner that he would never make any Transactions with King Sigismundus his Sons or Successors but to resist them vigorously protecting preserving and defending Duke Charles his Consort Children and Successors in the Jurisdiction at that present designed unto them And therfore for those and other lawfull causes some of which were mentioned in the Lincopian Decrees they could not admit of Prince John unto the Kingdomes rule for which cause they had most humbly and earnestly reiterated their desires to his Highnesse not to reject the Soveraignty which his Highnesse at last moved with their assiduall and unanimous Suit had assented unto And that forasmuch as in consideration of the causes fore-specified in the renunciation and others elsewhere mentioned the Male Line of King John was wholly deprived of the Suethish Diadem and the same designed and conferred upon Duke Charles and his lawfull Heirs they had therfore now renewed their ancient Hereditary Union and had framed and fitted the same unto the condition of the time present They further decreed that if any person at any time therafter should secretly or openly act contrary to the Union and constitution then made by endeavouring to translate the Crown unto any other Family so long as any of the Progeny of their designed King or of Duke John should survive or to render it as formerly Elective by which State many mischiefs as their Annals made mention had sprung up Or finally excluding the Gustavian Race should himself surprise the Regall Chaire they would with joynt Forces endeavour that he or they should incur the punishment of Traytors to their Country and their Goods to be confiscated And if their Children were of years to be knowing and conscious of those Treasons and did not discover them they were to undergo like punishment But upon discovery of their Parents Nefarious practises they should undesputably enjoy their Parents Estate the Parent punished as aforesaid But if they had not attained the years of discretion so as not to be guilty of those treacherous Devices they should not by their Fathers act or suffering losse of life and goods be defamed yet should enjoy only the goods of their Maternall not their Paternall Inheritance If the Mothers were in like manner conscious of the Conspiracy and Treason with their Husbands the Inheritance of the Wife as well as of the Husband should be confiscated and accrue to the Crown without any regard had to the Children This was the substance of the Norcopian Parliament confirmed by the hands and Seales of Prince John Duke of Ostrogothia and Hereditary Prince of Suethland together with the severall Orders therof respectively the twenty second of March 1604. The same likewise Coroborated with the Seales of the Towns and Provinces from whence any of them had been delegated The Reformed hereditary union forementioned was of the same date equally subscribed and Sealed by the Senators and Orders of Suethland Earles Barons Prelates Gentrie Clergie Commanders Burgesses and others who were present at the Norcopian Convention as well in the names of their respective Provinces as in their own and imported that from the time of the Arosian Convention An. 1544. the Kingdome of Suethland formerly Elective had been under Gustavus Erickson of excellent memory rendred hereditary to him his heires Males and their line Masculine so long as any one of them should survive in consideration of the desolations intestine Seditions Sanguinolent profusions multiferous destructive detriments sustained by that Kingdome whilest Elective without regard to a lawfull regall succession One Person or Party preferring one Prince the other Party another to the Royall throne from whence multiplicious discords and pernicious dissensions had overflowed the inhabitants to the almost ruine of the whole Kingdome That the motives inducing thereunto had been his vindicating them from the immanity of Christierne the second of Denmarke That before his migration hence he had composed a certain last Will and Testament for the regulating of his children toward each other and toward their Subjects Upon which Testament the Orders of the Kingdome had grounded their hereditary union and as a marke had made it their aime not obscurely insinuating that unlesse the Gustavian succession made that their rule they could not therby pretend any advantage nor any right unto the Crowne more then that Testament conveyed unto them The close whereof contained that his Children and Successors should cherish and maintaine divine worship and the precious word of God without any superstition or traditions of men according as himselfe had endeavoured to promote and publish the same Next that they should embrace each other with continued mutuall affection governing and protecting their Subjects rightly and justly and according to their legally acquired priviledges That according to the hereditary Union grounded as aforesaid they had crowned Ericke the Eldest of that line But in regard his rule was not corresponding to the Paternall Testament and Laws of Suethland they had deprived him and his heires of the Crowne of Suethland and substituted in his Stead the late King John of laudable memory as the neerest in Order to that Covenant of hereditary Union That he albeit retarded by the impulsions of perverse persons who suggested
solely under God hath been their Protector who to the extream hazard of your life trouble and charge have diligently endeavoured to free them from the Papall darknesse and that external Yoake and Servitude which was impending over our heads And that you have neither spared your Possessions nor life it selfe in watching for the Wel-fare and Emolument of us all as well in spiritual as in temporal Affairs And that you have preserved and protected all and singular Clergy and Laiety high and low each according to his state and condition in the Christian Religion And have governed them wholly according to the Lawes of Suethland and each ones rightly acquired Priviledges The Orders therefore of this Kingdome have I say for these and other weighty considerations as also by the Authority and Jurisdiction devolving unto them from their Ancestors designed and made choice of your Dilection for our King Which Election certainly I neither by my selfe nor others openly or secretly either now or when I shall have attained the full age of twenty foure yeares nor at any time afterward will never endeavour to annihilate or overthrow but will alwaies rest contented with those things which have been at once and by all the Orders of the Kingdome unanimously constituted and decreed and do willingly consent that the Renovation of the Hereditary Union have that successe which your Dilection hath required from these Orders In reference whereunto if your Dilection shall change his mortall life which God be pleased to prolong for many yeares I will endeavour with all my might that no injury be done in any sort unto your most beloved Consort or to your most Illustrious Children and moreover to my power wil procure that the most Illustrious Prince Gustavus Adolphus my most beloved Brother may enjoy the Crown of Suethland And if he shall decease without legitimate Heires Males I will in like manner endeavour that my most deare Brother the Prince Charolus Philippus be preferred to the vacant Government of the Kingdome towards each of whom I will so demean my selfe as becometh a most loving Brother Wherefore I most humbly beseeeh your Dilection to consent at length to the desires of the Orders of the Kingdome and compassionating the sad condition of our Country speedily accept of the Crown of Suethland by meanes whereof your Dilection may easily free the Suethish Common-wealth from Tumults Discords and intestine Dissentions which otherwise may encrease unlesse our Requests be seasonably granted Your Dilection may likewise attend the Government more securely and henceforward as heretofore procure the Kingdomes good Your Dilection so doing I shall hope that your Dilection together with the Orders of the Kingdome will permit that I enjoy the Dukedome assigned unto me at Lincopia with those Hereditary Goods which may rightly accrue unto me when I shall attaine unto full yeares In the mean time I neither will nor can prescribe to your Dilection how they are to be ordered I only humbly entreat that as heretofore so for the future your Dilection will so patronize and dispose of what is mine as to your Dilection shall seeme good and unto me commodious herewith from the most inward of my heart I wish unto your Dilection the happy successe of your intentions a long and prosperous life with a most happy and peaceable Raigne And in confirmation of all things aforesaid I here in presence of the Orders of the Kingdome do give you my hand For these say they and other fore-mentioned reasons as also in regard of the transaction at Orobrogia An. 1606. between their new King and Duke John that he would rest contented with the Dukedome of Ostrogothia and not pretend unto or seek either for himselfe or his Heires any further Jurisdiction before those Revolutions should happen which were couched in the Norcopian renewed Hereditary Union as also that he had now attained the age of nineteen yeares and therefore could rightly discerne of those things that concerned his good they did hope that his Highnesse had no cause to impute any Injury unto them the rather for that they had chiefly and seriously considered what the condition of those times in that Nation required to wit That the afflicted State thereof did speedily require a Governour who could prudently steer the Kingdomes Helme and that otherwise a totall ruine would have over-flowed the Realme That they were likewise compelled by those dangerous and subite Machinations whereby the Country was continually incompassed to choose him for their King their Lord and Governor who was adorned with Prudence Experience and ripeness of years Charles the 9 th Crowned Ao. 1607. King of Suethes Gothes and Vandalls Great Prince of Finland c. c. Lastly Albeit formerly touched in their History they cannot say they but here also rememorate his most inhumane designe of murthering his Uncle at the time of his Coronation in which by instigation of the Papall Legate and other depraved Counsellours he decreed violently to deprive his Uncle of life on the first day of the Solemnity by the ministry of certain treacherous Villains as was evident out of the History of James Tipotius and by the confession of Jeronimo Strozzi and that to the same end he caused Christopher Clabon one of his Musitians to compose a Song ending with and repeating Non curo non curo c. During the singing whereof the watch-word being privily given the Murtherers should have rushed forth and most wickedly murther his Highnesse and his Train but that God by his singular providence prevented the mischief intended For these causes and reasons do the Suethes ubmitting the same to the judgement of all sincere and candid Arbitrators justifie their abdication for ever of King Sigismundus and his Heirs from the Crown of the Suethes Gothes and Vandals and their election to the same of the often forenamed Charles Duke of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia whom as aforesaid they Crowned in the year 1607. by the name of Charles the ninth For conclusion to the whole wherewith we also conclude this Epitomized Narrative they earnestly entreat all Christian Monarchs Emperours Kings Princes and Electors to make a candid and sincere construction a benigne and favourall acceptation of this their legitimate defence and to vindicate them and their most equall cause against all calumny During the Raign of this King Charles which continued sundry years there were almost continued Wars between the Polanders who with the Lithuanians imbraced the quarrel of their Prince and the Suethes who resolutely maintained their owne Acts in favour of their new election Neither were they intermitted by his death for his Son Gustavus Adolphus Succeeding to the Crown of Suethland An. 1617. did so vigorously prosecute the same as the Polanders lost not onely the greater part of their interest in Leifland but likewise the best as well Maritime as inland Townes with most of the territorie of that part of Prussia belonging to the Crown of Poland Dantzig excepted with
in repute in that Kingdome and that a Law lately there enacted remits to him the whole matter of the Treaty with Poland whether he may not nullifie all the Acts that shall be done in as much as himselfe hath not signed the said Commission And albeit he may have consented that some other signe the same for him yet is this of lesse force in regard that one Tutor cannot substitute another On the other side to passe by smaller ones the Suethes complained of these maine errours in the Polish Procuratorials which they affirme must necessarily be corrected before any meeting could be granted 1. That the King of Poland did usurpe the Title of King of Suethland not onely in the beginning but in the end also of his Procuratory 2. That the name say they of their gracious Lady and Queen is wholly omitted and in lieu thereof the Suethish Commissioners which phrase amongst the Polanders by reason of their Kings pretensions is of a double sense and the like are intermingled 3. In either of the Procuratorialls as well that of the King as of the Common-wealth the Commissioners of her Majesty are not obscurely albeit by way of Amphibologie or doubtfully called the Commissioners of the King of Poland as in the peculiar Commission of the King it is sayd Wee do also promise that whatsoever by Ours and the Commissioners of the Kingdomes c. As also in the Procuratoriall of the Common-wealth it is expressed thus Promising that whatsoever by the Commissioners of both Parties shall be concluded We and the Common-wealth shall most willingly approve and ratifie the same Which notwithstanding they may by the adverse party be smoothed over in a contrary sense are yet so clear as they admit of no palliation Whilst thus each side insisting on their owne reasons argue and dispute these errours and shew their zeale in maintaining the rights and titles of their Principalls they appear so strict in the observation of their Instructions that at this very beginning a present rupture rather then a continuance was to be expected insomuch as the Suethes that same day retired to Elbing and the Polanders being about to depart on the morrow his Lordship after a long conference with them severally and in company of the Brandenburgers joyntly concluded that he would go thence to Elbing and there employ his utmost endeavour to perswade the Suethes to more conformity as he with the Electoralls did the day following where he was honourably received The next morning the Commissioners of Suethen with the Electorall Ministers came to his Lordship to finde out if possible some way of reconciling the differences arising from the Alternall Procuratories It would be overmuch to particularize the arguments used to that effect seeing they could not be prevalent the Commissioners protesting as they had formerly that bound by the strictnesse of their Instructions they could not admit of those mediate wayes propounded by his Lordship and at last onely condescended to send to their Principalls for Instructions more complying then those they then had and thought that at least six weeks would overpasse before they could receive an answer by reason of the Winter season crosse Winds and the passage in many places stopt with Ice And this they agreed unto conditionally that the Polish Commissioners would in the meane time procure other Procuratories from their King and therein not onely abstaine at least during the Treaty from all title to the Kingdom of Suethland but also in the same give their Queen her full and due titles it being otherwise in vaine to hope for any further meeting These things being by his Lordships Letters signified to the Polish Commissioners they would not listen to any mutation of their Procuratorials affirming that they dared not so much as once motion the same to their King much lesse offer to perswade him thereunto for which cause necessity so requiring and rather then a work so profitable for the State of Christendome should remain unperfected for the meer scrupulosity of Titles his Lordship hoping by his Solicitations in the name and Authority of his Master to dispose the King of Poland to some milder strain offered himself to undertake a journey with them to Warsovia and to that end commended to them his Letters for his Majesty of Poland in which with due respect he acquainted the King with his arrivall and intention for his Court. His Lordship the day following returned to Dantzig the Commissioners of Poland having remained still at Morung waiting for milder resolutions from the adverse party or imagining that at length they would accept of those Mediate waies w ch by the Ambassadors of great Brittaine and Brandenburg had been propounded unto them or at least that some such thing should by the Subdelegates have been proposed whereby an inclination to peace might have appeared But seeing that none of these things were done all hopes of peace excluded they resolved upon their return so to be present at the Parliament to be held at Warsaw and therein to give the King the States of Poland and great Dutchy of Lithuania an account of their actings according to their Commission and of the pains prudence and industry his Lordship had used to promove the Treaty and as before so now againe they solemnly by Letters protest their sincere and reall inclination unto the desired Peace and that they were not the causers of the Treaties dissolution not doubting but that his Lordship would signifie unto the King his Master the readinesse of their King and State unto the so much wished accord and on the other side the refractorinesse of the adverse Party The Declaration often urged by the Subdelegates for the renuing of the Treaty they suspend untill their Kings intention be knowne yet so that they are content to remit the same to the authority and intervention of Great Brittains Ambassador conditionally that the contrary Party leaving aside differences of smaller moment will returne to the Treaty observe the former Articles of the Truce and abstaine from unjust Marine exactions All which they signified unto his Lordship and that they expected an answer from their King and so to proceed toward Warsaw His Lordship was certified within few dayes that his Letters were most acceptable to the King of Poland as well in regard of the assurance he thereby had of his safe arrivall as of the King his Masters sincere affection testified in lending his helping hand to this Pacification which reall friendship as he had ever promised to himselfe so he could not but take his Lordships endeavours in good part Wishing withall that they might be so effectuall as to breake the contumacious perversnesse as he tearmed it of the adverse Party and to vindicate his injuries now manifest to all the World concluding that as the notice of his Lordships arrivall was most welcome so to see him at Warsaw would be no lesse gratefull To this effect were the Kings
despaired of then hoped for and to use his own words Se de pace perpetua tantum desperare quantum hodie Caelum cum terra coiturum videatur That things being so they should do well to convert their thoughts to the sole remaining refuge to wit a longer Truce This reply was but little to the Commissioners of Poland who affirmed they had no Commission to treate of longer Truce which was not to be mentioned untill hopes of Peace were utterly extinct and that albeit such a Treatie should follow yet could not they condescend to any other conditions Yet said they it will not be amiss to sound the Suethes once more before things were quite despaired of which was concluded on by all parties After the generall conference ended the Chancellor Zadzick complained that the former six yeares Truce had been sundry times broken by the Suethes but that unwilling to trouble the Mediators with repetition of particulars they would onely insist upon one which being of late might prove their allegation and that was the taking of a Shipp but the day before wherin was a publike Minister named Forbas sent by their King to the King of Denmarke by the Shipps of Suethen guarding the Tools which had seazed the same coming out of the Port of Dantzig and had not onely examined but contrary to the Law of Nations that allowes to such free egresse and regresse had also detained the same which was not onely injurious to them but likewise a disrespect to the authority due to the Mediators and their Principalls in whose favour the prorogation had been granted That he therefore earnestly desired them to put the adverse partie in mind of their articles and promised faith and that they would forbeare such hostilities unlesse they would constraine them to a requitall and repulsion of injury with injury as consonant to the rules and law of Nature Herein the Mediators promised their utmost favour and assistance and so taking leave of them all but particularly of Duke Radzivill who was to begin his journey for Littaw the day following they returned to Risenberg About two dayes after his Lorship being informed of the returne of the Suethes to Marienburg went thither and during three hours stay used all the arguments he could for concluding the Peace but at the naming of Leistand the Commissioners of Suethen became more fierce than at any time formerly and the Treatie appeared plainely to be in Terminis Desperatis Neither could the other Ambassadors prevaile any further with them so as nothing now remained save the hopes the Mediators had of effecting a longer Truce to which end the Ambassador of great Brittain sent unto them the day following shewing that no other refuge being left he desired they would freely communicate with him about a longer Truce that he might accordingly deale with the Polanders whom he intended to visite about the same at Marien Werder that afternoon that unlesse they had rather make choice of warre this was the best advice he could now give them whereunto if they so pleased he would contribute his best endeavours but if otherwise and that they did not approve therof he should be forced by taking leave to put a period to the Treaty They after long deliberation sent Lording their Secretary to his Lordship with their resolution which imported That the King of Polands Titles pretended to the Crown of Suethen as also to Leisland remaining in the same state they were at present they would admit of a Truce so it might be for a long time to wit an hundred years and that they would therupon restore Prussia entirely with which Declaration his Lordship repaired to Marien werder informing the Chancellour therof the same night as the next day he did the other Polanders who albeit they shewed by many reasons that a Truce was much prejudiciall unto them said neverthelesse that they would write to their King touching the same It is not to be here omitted that amongst other arguments used by his Lordship shewing the difficulty of regaining Prussia by War One was that so long as the Suethes were strongest by Sea they would be hardly beaten out of it and that they suspected nor feared none but the King his Master but what said he if he should be otherwise engaged all his Neighbour Princes being then in Armes or if that were not and that they might assure themselves of any assistance they should desire he then demanded where they would assign a Port capable of receiving our Ships in case the Adverse Party as was suspected would not restore Memeln for said he to send a Fleet without assurance of convenient harbour which those parts scarcely afforded for Ships of the burthen of ours would endanger both Ships and men and yet not availe those in whose assistance they were sent and certaine of their Cavaliers making great vaunts his Lordship instanced the example of the Low Countries and how difficult a matter it was to overcome and expell an enemy who kept himselfe only upon the defensive I have set downe this discourse because these arguments used by his Lordship to mollifie the minds of the Parties proved the seed-plot of those future discontents which happened between his Lordship and them of Poland for some there present did relate those arguments to his Majesty of Poland but in farr other sense as appeared afterward by a Letter from a great Personage amongst them who taxed his Lordship as if he had deprived them of hope of any assistance from England albeit need should require and had affirmed that the King his Master had particular occasion for his Ships and Forces and that he had also detracted from their Armes which so moved the King as he sent one of trust about his Person to the Commissioners for certaine information what satisfaction be received is uncertaine but his Lordship having notice thereof endeavoured not long after in a conference with the King to clear himselfe of those imputations where with his Majesty seemed satisfied howbeit more coldnesse was afterwards seen in the countenance of his Commissioners which as he knew no cause for so he could not but resent as he did in his answer to the forespecified Letter wherein he touched that the sincerity of his proceedings had not found deserved acceptance and that the adverse Party albeit more often and vehemently contradicted yea menaced with the displeasure of the King his Master if they should not condeseend to equall conditions the argument of assistance with his Fleet having been a more powerfull one to them then all the consideration of the Polish Forces yet they were so generously respective toward the truth as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that what he so urged proceeded onely from his earnest desire of effecting that whereunto he was there employed for the advancement whereof he spared not to use to to either side the most forcible arguments that his judgment could suggest unto him But I returne to that
from which I have digressed The p 〈…〉 d delatory answer had so moved the Sueths as they talked of nothing save a present departure and a most just War whereby to requite the contempts and delusions as they called them of the Polanders committing their cause to the Divine Justice his Lordship who had imparted the same having lost his labour certified those of Poland thereof by an expresse who in their answer protested their own sincerity and accused the obstinacy and arrogancy of their Adversaries alledging that in duty it behoved them to acquaint their King with this new proposition of a Truce whose mind therin they expected by Saturday following the 11 21 July which having received they would immediatly communicate unto the Mediators and that done they would also be ready to depart They likewise recommended again to his Lordship their Ship detained as aforesaid in the Rode of Dantzig These things being shewed to the Suethes they changing their minds were contented to expect the Kings answer untill the Sunday next saying withall that if any of them should go to Elbing in the interim they would return by the day prefixed The 12 12 July the electoral Ministers whom the Marquis Sigismund had imployed to Marien werder came to Marienburg whither the Mediators were now returned bringing the Kings Declaration concerning the Truce propounded which was to this effect That albeit he rather inclined to a perpetuall Peace yet to shew his desire to Concord he would condescend to a Truce so it were for ten at most for fifteen years reserving unto himself a part of Leifland by the River Dyna Hereunto the Suethes would not consent nor to any Truce but with these three inseparble Conditions 1 The time to be for fifty years 2. The King of Poland to forbear during the same the Title of King of Suethland 3. A summ of money to be given unto them for the transporting of their Army These Conditions seeming intollerable the Mediators vehemently contradicted them but finding the Suethes unmovable they judged this Treaty for a longer Truce to be likewise in desperate tearms and the rather because the Suethes taking leave at the same instant retired to Elbing About three daies after his Lordship with the States Ambassadors repaired to Elbing to salute the newly arrived Generall Jacobus de la Garde as also to confer about the Treaty and about the Tolls They met with the French Ambassador returning thence who shewed them what new and not small difficulty he fore-saw about the Title of Suethen which was wholly to be omitted of the Polish side or that otherwise there could be no Treaty and that he was then meditating upon a journey to the King about the same Herein his Lordship gave a short but very sound advice saying that the King of Polands Title in things relating to Suethland might be concealed under an c. c. wherby the same was neither totally excluded nor included This counsell was pleasing both to the French and Hollanders wherwith they parted Being entred the Town his Lordship visited the Generall and ceremonials being ended they had a long conference about the fore-passed Negotiation of perpetuall Peace and of the longer Truce in present agitation as also about the disorders and exactions used in the Tolls The States Ambassadors then also entring they unanimously require a longer prorogation of the Truce currant Afterwards his Lordship propounded the Mean of abbreviation about the Title by an c. c. as abovesaid and as the main of all he desired that the number of years might be reduced to thirty which yet he thought that those of Poland would not or hardly consent unto neither within the memory of man could the example of any Truce be produced exceeding thirty years With exceeding humanity and courtesie did the Generall De la Garde reply to the Mediators assuring them that so far as his authority or power could extend he would endeavour and employ the same for Peace and the publike good and said that to the same end he would confer with the Commissioners that very day and certifie the Mediators of their resolution early the next morning by the Commissary Nicodemie Whilest there his Lordship received Letters by an expresse from the Commissioners of Poland containing that moved with the arrogancy of the Adverse Party who as they understood were retired to Elbing they were now ready to depart likewise committing their cause to the Supream Judge who abaseth the proud not doubting withall but that his Majesty of Poland who desired but could not obtain an equall Peace being forced to take up just Armes should prosper victoriously Withall they rendred thanks to the Mediators for their unwearied pains wherby they had obliged the King the Common-wealth and themselves in particular and by way of Postcript desired that their Procuratorials might be restored unto them The French Ambassador received the like Letters at Marienburg wherwith he being troubled acquainted De la Garde by an expresse that so the Suethes informed of the resolution of the Polanders might obviate the same in time The communication therof served probably to bring the Suethes to milder termes for the next day they declared to his Lordship and the Hollanders that they were contented to make Truce for forty years and absolutely to restore Prussia Leifland they would wholly retain as having wonne it by the Sword withall that the King of Poland must forbear the Title of Suethen that in order therunto they would prolong the cessation of Armes untill the fifth of August in which time the Mediators might if they thought good repair to and return from Thorne Herewith his Lordship and the Hollanders returning to Marienburg set forth the day ensuing for Thoronia whither the French Ambassador was gone before the day of their arrival all the Mediators had successive audience and joyntly pressing and obtaining the Suspention accorded by the Snethes they certifie them therof by Letters referring the rest to relation The next day all the Mediators together with the Commissioners and certain of the principall Senators of Poland assembled before the King to receive the last resolve which after long dispute the Parties and Mediators concurring was dilated unto these heads 1. That the Truce should continue for twenty years 2. That entire restitution should be made to the King and Kingdome of Poland as also to the Elector of Brandenburg Duke in Prussia of all places that had been taken in Prussia by the Suethes in the same State they now are with the Ordnance and all other things belonging to the Crown of Poland as Church Ornaments Bells c. 3. That neither at nor before departure ought should be exacted or taken away from the Inhabitants nor they to be burthened publikely or privately 4. That during the Truce the Suethes should possesse all the places they now hold in Leifland yet so that the River Evest
afterwards produce The Mediators and the Commissioners of Poland remained that night in Stumbsdorff the Suethes retyred to Stume the same being neer adjoyning that so they might begin the more early the next morning To this sixth meeting if not rather a continuance of the fifth all Parties assembled and the French Ambassador the sole of all the Mediators addicted to the Romish profession took upon him the patronizing thereof in Leifland and growing zealous therein earnestly pleaded that cause with the Commissioners of Suethland who observing with what fervency he pressed it answered positively in the Negative and gave these reasons First that in their Instructions they had not one word touching the same neither as they conceived had their Principalls so much as once thought of it Next that they knew not that there were any of the Romish Creed in that Province and therfore it was but a needlesse trouble to faigne things that were not in being And lastly that albeit some of that profession might be found there yet they could not for their consideration grant a free exercise of that Religion the Statutes and fundamentall Lawes of their Kingdome being expresly against it These passages were by the French Ambassador related to the Commissioners of Poland all of whom but chiefly the Chancellor took the matter hainously affirming that unlesse provision were made for the free exercise of Religion to those poor Soules whose Salvation said they they tendred more then the losse of all Leifland all the Treaty and the labour that had been employed therin would turn to nothing His Lordship and the other Mediators would not at first intermeddle in that businesse as not appertaining unto them but finding the same to grow so difficult as not to be easily composed but rather likely to overthrow whatsoever had been done before they also thought good to interpose their Authority and the whole day being almost spent in arguments and hot dispute about the same they propounded unto the Polanders a draught for the reconcilement therof if so be that accepted by them the Suethes could be drawn to give consent therunto But here because in the whole Treaty no one point was contested with more sharpnesse on both sides as also that none was more likely to have caused an absolute dissolution therof and that the greatest difference in the severall means propounded for reconcilement consisted for the most part in the distinction of words and phrases I have thought good to couch the severall formes placing in the Mergent the Latine wherin they were word for word then conceived wherby the Reader may with more satisfaction to himself settle his judgment therupon The first therfore administred by the Mediators was in these words The Suethes shall permit unto the Roman Catholike in Leifland their Worship and Ceremony in private during the whole time of the Truce and no enquiry shall be made upon them as formerly had been neither shall the professing of that Catholike Religion be a Crime or prejudice to any person there for the future This form written in a Scroll was by the Mediators delivered to the Commissioners of Suethland each of them adding perswasions thereunto yet all proved in vain for the Draught was rejected and night drawing on an end was made for that time The next day being the seventh all parties assembling the former dispute about the point of Religion in Leifland was continued wherin the French Ambassador employed his whole endeavours sharply checking the Suethes for this their cruell and as he termed it unheard of way of proceeding setting before them how that the King his Master at their late Kings consideration had granted to the Lutherans even in Paris the free exercise of their Religion which if they should obstinately persevere and that the matter so required he doubted not but he might by Letters easily disturb but the Suethes nothing moved with these threats yea rather the more exasperated replied that they were not bound to conform themselves unto or to be judged by the examples or reasons of others but by their own fundamentall Lawes and Statutes which without indangering their heads they might not swarve from as they should do mainly by condescending to the form propounded which included not only private but publike exercise also by those captious words Worship and Ceremonie yet they professed that they would not be so severe as to make inquisition upon or trouble the Catholikes but as heretofore would permit them to enjoy their private liberty of Conscience The Commissioners of Poland were no way contented with this Declaration as well in regard said they that Religion without Worship Rights and Ceremonies due at Divine Service was but in a manner a dead Image as also that the liberty of Conscience enjoyed untill then by the Catholikes there was indeed none at all but a meer bondage feare and trembling during which neither could those who were forced to conceal themselves celebrate or partake of the Masse nor would their Children who should be afterwards borne become initiated into their Church by Baptisme That yet not to break off the Treaty they thought good to refer this something which they esteemed as nothing unto their King in a smuch as untill this point were settled they could not proceed unto the other Articles onely at the instance of the Mediators by mutuall consent of parties the cessation was prorogued for three daies During the time of respite the French Ambassador endeavoured to bring the Commissioners of Suethen to more complying termes shewing the just cause their Adversaries had relating to the point in question that from thence only a most cruell War was like to arise and that they would therby procure the hatred and the enmity of others but all in vain for in the space of four houres he gained nothing The day prefixed for the eighth meeting being come the Parties and the Mediators assembled at the wonted Village where the Commissioners of Poland authorized by their King insist more mainely then before upon the foresayd forme of Covenant in the point of the Romish Religion and for the more assurance desired that the same might be ratified under the Hands and Seales of the Mediators and affirmed that unlesse it were granted there remained nothing but Warr which they sayd they esteemed to be so much the more just by how much it was more glorious to contest to the last gaspe yea even to imbrace an honourable death for the liberty of conscience and Religion These things with other like being by them delivered the French Ambassador earnestly pleaded their cause with the Commissioners of Suethland and as he was endowed with singular Eloquence so he endeavoured to move them by the strongest and most dexterous arguments he could to admit of the foresaid form of Stipulation Yet the Suethes inflexible in their resolve reject the same as captious and including under a specious forme of
words a free exercise of the Romish Religion which they might not assent unto and added that they also should have thereby a most just cause of Warr in maintaining by force and armes the liberty of Religion which by the Divine goodnesse they had obtained and in conserving the Lawes of their Kingdome without violation which it would be more dishonourable for them to forego then if they had never had the same With this repulse the French Ambassador at first astonished afterward chafed began to expostulate and to blame their hard heartednesse as he tearmed it but being unable to obtaine any further he though seeming thereto unwilling takes a hopelesse farewell departing from them to the Polanders whom his Lordship and the Hollanders had in the interim assayed to perswade Whilst he related the last and absolutely negative reply of the Suethes some of them being moved with indignation spoke aloud the words of War War which albeit uttered within the Tent were heard without and in a moment spread among their attendants and it so hapning this being about the time of departure that the Suethes Trumpeters then sounded to Horse the Polish Lanciers commonly called Hussars of whom the Commissioners had for their ordinary Guard two Troops as the Suethes the like Number of Finlanders waxing suddenly and over-rashly enraged did set upon some of the meaner unarmed Suethes who happily to gaze upon their strange Equipage had advanced into the Village and pursuing hurt and wounded some of them with their Shables nor therwith contented began to gather into a body preparing as it were for a more forcible on-set upon the Suethish Foot of whom two Companies guarded their Lords Tents The tumult being heard Generall Wrangle who had untill then contained himself seeing the disorder like to encrease from whence danger might ensue came forth of their Tent with a Partizan in his hand and began to act his part of a resolute Commander as well as of a Politick Commissioner and having placed the Hors-men in order but with a charge not to advance yet if pressed to repay blood with blood he went immediately to draw up the foot so to be ready if the contrary party should assail them This unexpected tumult as it was strange so it might have proved equally dangerous to the Mediators engaged between the parties as to the parties themselves both sides suspecting Treachery Wherfore the Hussars being ready to make an irruption with their Lances the Suethish foot on the other side presenting their Musquets their Matches ready cockt and the two Finland Troops clad in hard Iron with their Pistols in like manner expecting the charge his Lordship and the Hollanders hastned to the Suethes the French and Brandenburgers doing the like to the Polanders exhorting each side to desist from further outrage and to retire to their severall residences The Suethes were obedient not only to the words but to the becks of their Commanders the Poles neither regarding commands nor entreaties and hardly enduced to forbeare by the perswasions of the grave Chancellor who called upon themby the name of Brethren albeit at other times he was of great repute as being next in authority to the King yet at last this tumult was appeased the Suethes departing environned with their Guards wroth and resolving to abandon the Treaty complained of reviled yea cursed the injuriousnesse and perfidious proceeding as they termed it of the Polanders The Commissioners of Poland having caused their Troops to withdraw made their addresse to the Mediators to purge themselves from the preceding accident protesting their innocency and ignorance by whose rashnesse the same had fallen out whom they would neverthelesse endeavour to discover and punish They professed themselves exceedingly grieved for the trouble perill and apprehension they had undergone and intreated them to clear their innocency towards the adverse party who they conjectured might harbour a prejudice against them by sinisterous Suspitions Lastly they desired that a meeting might be granted the next day The Mediators willingly condescended but for preventing the like evils in the future they desired that the T 〈…〉 ps might be restrained and a severe punishment denounced against such as should exceed their bounds Taking leave the Mediators returned toward Marienburg and his Lordship first overtaking the Suethes met the Generall De la Garde who upon notice of the tumult had issued with some forces to assist the Commissioners if need should have required His Lordship perswaded them to a meeting the day following and slighted the disorder that had hapned as being a casualty not worthy of mention but as this was a way-faring discourse it received no resolution they seeming rather to decline any present meeting least that the bitternesse being still fresh in memory the minds of each side might be exasperated and thought it would be better to try by Missives what would be the conclusion about the point of Religion in Leifland Hereupon his Lordship and the Hollanders agree to appoint a conference with the P 〈…〉 sh Commissioners at the place where they had met once before called Newendorff which his Lord did signifie unto them by writing In the mean time as formerly the rumour of a Peace had been divulged so the last disorder had spread the noise of War wherupon from severall parts the Canon began to play very thick on both sides but the Mediators fearing least such fiery flashes might prove the incendiaries to an unextinguishable flame his Lordship meeting the Commissioners of Poland at the place appointed desired them to abstain from such praeludiums which the Suethes interpreted as a commencement of hostility least by the breach of Truce the Mediators travelling about the publike might incur danger The Chancellour replied with a long Oration resuming the excuses of the former daies tumult from thence he descended to the matter in question and produced Letters from the Colonell Articentkie which affirmed that he had been provoked by the Suethes Whilest they thus argue the French Ambassador came also from Marienburg who being desirous to finish the dispute about the fore-mentioned point of Religion first endeavoured to refute the rumour that was spread as if he had hindred the Peace when it was in a manner at the point of concluding next he professed that according to the zeal wherwith God had endowed him towards his Religion he had ever maintained the same his meer conscience not permitting him to abandon so just a cause and lastly he enquired what the Commissioners had determined touching that particular Neither was this Apology wholly unnecessary or the vulgar opinion altogether improbable for by reason of the strickt confederacy between the King his Master and the Crown of Suethen 〈…〉 way of mutuall assistance against the Austrian Family it was conceived that he would from the beginning be obnoxious to the designs of the Polanders for which cause he was the lesse desired by them as
understood of private exercise onely had not declined from their obstinacie and accepted of the forme last specified only they requested his Lordship and the Ambassadors of Holland to afford them an attestation under their hands and seales that they had consented but to a private liberty of conscience without inquisition to be made thereupon and not to the free exercise of Religion which the said Mediators consenting unto this difficultie also was reconciled at last and hereof the French Ambassador certified the Commissioners of Poland desiring their appearance the next day at the accustomed place which the Suethes had likewise agreed unto Stumbs-dorff after a long intermission saw now the ninth congregating of the Mediators and Parties who having concluded satisfactorily about the point of Religion thought good to continue the examination of the Articles begun at Newendorff with those of Poland Certain slight scruples were moved but the cheife dispute was about the burthens and exactions which the late warr had Introduced as the fortifications at Mountispitz the abrogation of the Dantzig stample upon cloath the returne of the English society to Elbing the restoring to that Citie of the Prussian Land-seal with their prerogative of Session The razing of Mountispitz was referred to the decision of the question depending The abrogation of the Dantzig stample and the freedome of the English Society was earnestly disputed and pressed by his Lordship whose part it was as also a part of his Commission who cleerly shewed that the said Stample being no other than a Monopoly had been fraudulently procured by those of Dantzig to the disturbance of free trade and to the great prejudice and hinderance of the Merchants of great Brittaine Subjects to the King his Master the fourth part of cloath not being then transported which formerly had been to the no small losse even of the Polish Nobility and Gentrie who had been accustomed to buy such commodities at easie rates and now suffered exceedingly thereby as themselves affirmed but to the immense gaine of the Dantzigers contrary to the freedome of commerce and to common reason which forbids that one man should be enriched by the detriment of another The Brandenburgers and the Hollanders pressed each their interest The French Ambassador pleaded in some measure the cause of the Elbingers touching the Prussian Land-Seale The Poland Commissioners answered his Lordships proposition by an acknowledgment that the Dantzig stample upon cloath granted by King Sigismundus was unjust and severall wayes prejudiciall and promised to employ their endeavours at the next Parliament for the abrogation therof conforme to their Kings promise to his Lordship but they affirmed that for the present they neither had power neither that any out of Parliament could be given them against an Act therof such as the grant of the stample was that as all Nations were bounded by their proper lawes so it likewise behoved them to govern themselves by their Statutes his Lordship was not contented with this plausible answer and indeed it was no more but replied that the like words had been given to Sir Tho. Roe formerly Ambassador there from the King his Master and to sundry other Ministers who had pressed the same freedome he now urged for the English Merchants from that oppression and therefore againe instanced even the Truce it selfe now in a manner concluded as a maine argument for that liberation in regard that the countrey being thereby freed from the inconveniencies and miseries attending War it was not reasonable that strangers dwelling peaceably amongst them and by whose trafficke they reaped profit should still grone under the burthen of a yoake which themselves acknowledge to be unjust and that the same having been introduced as a calamity incident to the prejudice of the publike ought to vanish and end with it's originall and therefore he earnestly moved that not onely a bare endeavour might be promised but that a reall abrogation might be obtained and that the same might be inserted in the Acts and Articles of the present Treatie yet all this was fruitlesse for the Commissioners of Poland betook themselves to their former refuge impossibility against which all reasons were invaled They onely assented to continue the cessation for three dayes longer and to a meeting the second following These Passages were communicated to the Suethes and the Marginall notes were by them cursorily run over whereupon those Commissioners thinking it would be much to their dishonour to abandon the Elbingers and their interest earnestly commended to the Mediators the care of the points above mentioned concerning the Towne of Elbing viz. The abrogation of the Dantzig stample cheifely and the restoration of the Prussian Seale from which they assured them they would not shrink but night drawing on they reserved the Polish corrections and exceptions to be scanned at Marienburg and so consented as well to the meeting as to the prorogation and the next day the Commissioners of Suethland being demanded their resolution concerning the Articles deferred the same to be produced at the meeting The tenth congresse being come the Suethes exhibited their Articles in presence of the Mediators which were examined and scanned for almost six houres some things being added others taken away but all other difficulties were shadowes in comparison of that about the forementioned Stample for the cancelling wherof his Lordship againe endeavoured with all his might evincing the Justice and necessity thereof by most forcible reasons and arguments yet unsuccesfully for after a long and harsh expostulation the Senate of Dantzig some of which body were alwayes present and not lesse vigilant in things that concerned their Weale-common hindred the same by such wayes and meanes as were facile and easie to that Opulent Citie And notwithstanding that his Lordship but whether then or formerly is not remembred had urged that in regard the diffierence in question meerly concerned the Merchants Subjects of the King his Master and the Citie of Dantzig under the jurisdiction of the King of Poland the Parties interessed might be free to right themselves upon each other in vindication of their Priviledges and freedome of commerce without offence to be taken by either of their Princes to which ours would subscribe answer was made by the Commissioners of Poland that their King could not abandon his Subjects so that in conclusion he obtained nothing but a reiteration of their former promise to contribute their endeavours for it's abolition at the next Parliament which his Lordship seeming to doubt of by reason of the liberty of opposing by each one who hath Session and vote in those generall assemblies which rendred the issue uncertaine albeit he made himselfe confident of the reall performance of their promised endeavours the said Commissioners for his further satisfaction were willing to assure him that their votes and fuffrages preceding as guides the rest would follow his Lordship seeing that more could not be then obtained was forced to desist
thousand Foot and Horse to their recruit wherby those places being surrendred by the Enemy were by him as the rest had been delivered into the hands of the Electorall Administrator But to return from whence I have not unnecessarily digressed the Suethes and the Confederate Princes fell not long after into a decadence of fortune for the Cardinall Infanta with an Army of old tryed Souldiers though bent for Flanders taking Germany in his way and joyning with the Imperiallists neer the City of Norglingen the Associates by this Conjunction received a great defeat wherin most of their Ensigns were seised their Commanders either slain or taken of which latter Calamity their brave Generall Gustavus Horne was partaker The scattered relicks found no sure retreat untill they recovered the formerly wasted Palatinate under Duke Bernard of Weymar where deprived of Colours and Commanders they continued in a manner without Discipline so as that Country was in a most sad condition and England thereupon solicited as aforesaid the Counsell wherof judging it expedient to send an Agent thither the fore-named Lievtenant Colonel Duglass was made choice of as one who in his reports would not be over partiall and he being first dignified with the Honour of Knight-hood accordingly received Credentials and Instructions The fore-mentioned Ambassador Sir Robert Anstruther who after his departure from Saxony had been with the Elector of Brandenburg at Berlin and from thence with the Queen of Suethen at Wolgast to condole the death of the King her Husband whose body was then to be transported into Suethland and had likewise been with the Duke of Holstein and the Dutchesse Dowager his Mother as also with the King of Denmark Treating with sundry of that Kings Counsell who were thereunto appointed he intimated unto them omitting particulars not so necessary to be here inserted that their Masters Conjunction with the Protestant Princes of Germany would much conduce to the generall tranquility as without which the Emperour and his adherents would hardly be moved to a constant and universall Peace in the Empire but rather hope that the Divisions and Separations of those Princes and States would be apt to produce unto him new advantages They after much reasoning acknowledged it was most necessary but prayed him to consider the hazards their King their Country and themselves had in the last Wars been exposed unto so as had they not made a peace with the Emperour they might by that time have gone a begging with their Wives and Children And that having thus made their Peace they ought not in equity to be the breakers of it the rather for that their Master was now acting the Mediators part They wished that Saxony were really as Brandenburg was united in the Alliance of Heylbrun the better to Ballance the Affaires there whereby a good Peace which their Master was still ambitious to be an Instrument of might more probably be expected His Lordship urged no lesse to their King himself upon occasion of some discourse soon after of the then present state of Germany and the King expressing how much he longed to see a good Peace established He replied that his Majesties Authority and Power if interposed with the Duke of Saxony might be very usefull for obtaining of the wished end in that Conjuncture and that if the three Protestant Electors and their Houses were firmly linked together by a perfect friendship and sence of common Interest they would soon grow so Considerable as that other Princes would be glad of their Association And then Caesar himself would in all likelyhood the better hearken to reasonable Conditions of Peace besides many other good effects which he inferred might ensue so happy a Conjunction The King professed to concur with his Lordship in opinion yet not without objecting some impediments But I shall wave further insisting hereupon This as not material to the Subject mainly here intended being onely to shew how far England did then interess it self in the Protestant cause of Germany and the concernments of its Allies there His Lordship returning to Hamburg to expect further Orders was soon after re-manded back to Francfort on the Mayne to interpose his Masters Authority as cause should be offered Return We now to Sir George Duglass who there met with his Lordship and during his Agency in the Palatinate had given an account so satisfactory as well in order to that Electorall Principality and its condition with the whole state of Affaires relative to that concernment as of the Associated Princes and Cities and likewise of the Suethes as was well rellished at home and therby gained to himself the opinion of one capable of a greater and more weighty Negotiation And as if all things should conduce to his advancement it so fell out that the expiration of a six years Truce concluded as hath been said by the intervention of Sir Thomas Roe Ambassador from the late King An. 1629. between the Crownes and Kings of Poland and Suethen was then drawing neer and the late King was by the Polander again solicited to the same effect with intimation of a desire of neerer conjunction by Allyance This motion was plausible and the more credulous of Englands Court were thereby wrought to cry up that Kings Cause albeit the same his Turne once served proved but a Fucus and like an Apparition vanished into Aire For this employment of no mean moment Sir George Duglass then Agent in Germany as aforesaid was thought a fit Minister and the rather because haying formerly served the late King of Suethland in those parts he was not unacquainted with their interests in Prussia and Leifland and might accordingly make use of arguments to induce them to a moderate and equitable compliance it being conjectured that they would not easily be won to restore either much lesse both of those rich and fertile Provinces but as to any resignation of the Crown of Suethland which the Polander claimed as his Hereditary Right it was fore-seen that however the same might be brought upon the Carpet it could not be with any hope of condeseension Credentials and Instructions were then drawn up and sent enclosed within a dispatch to the fore-named Ambassadour Sir Robert Anstruther to beby him delivered as was forthwith done unto Sir George Duglass whereby the Title of Lord Ambassadour Extraordinary from the King of Great Brittaine to the Kings and Crownes of Poland and Suethland became due unto him In this new Condition his first work was to furnish himself with Necessaries and Attendants suitable to that high Employment into the number wherof he was pleased to desire the Relator from Sir Robert Anstruther of whose Secretaries he then was and in the same capacity entertained him for that Embassy which is only mentioned to shew the ground he had for the present and precedent Narrative Whilest some weeks of time were spent in such like preparations Letters of safe conduct and Convoyes were desired
but sent a civill Message to his Counsell by Monsieur Philip Freherr his Secretary for the Dutch and Latine Tongues whom he also sent from thence into Suethland with the King his Masters Letters to the designed Queen Christina and one from himself likewise wherin he excused his not attending her Majesty in person by reason of the Winter already advanced and the time for the commencing of the Treaty neer approaching the like he also did to certain of the Grandees there with whom he had been formerly acquainted Leaving Stettin he arrived at Danizig the ninth of January 1634 5. and after some daies of refreshment for himselfe and Traine having sustained so tedious a Winter journey his Lordship buckled himself to the Treaty already begun at a Town in that Province of Prussia named Holland the passages of which Treaty having been deduced at large in the preceding Narrative shall be here passed over and those things proceeded unto which afterwards fell out In the close of that Treaties Narration it was shewed that his Lordship at his taking leave of the King of Poland in his Camp had observed some alteration in the countenance of that King and those about him but that knowing no cause to have been given by himself he was the lesse troubled therat thinking it onely to be some little Cloud which would soon vanish yet staying that night in the Camp he for the more speedy removing therof sent the next morning to the Lord Casinowskie great Chamberlaine of Poland to desire a private Audience of the King which was promised and that notice should be given him of the time but performance did not ensue wherupon having seen the Army drawn into Battalia he retired to Marienburg The French Ambassadour who had received as hath beene touched a more friendly farewell came likewise to Marienburg the day following and his Lordship having heard that contrary to the publike agreement of the Commissioners and the Mediating Ministers he had in the Regal Tent under Signed that Copy of the Articles given by the Suethes to those of Poland did send the Relator with his Dutch Secretary fore-named to know of himself whether it were so or not which he acknowledged to have done at the instance of that King who he said presented the Copy unto him Propria manu Our Ambassadour understanding it was not a little moved at the indignity offered to his Master therby but rather to themselves as being done contrary to their publike Stipulation and therupon visiting the Suethish Commissioners he desired they would not admit of the like which they assured him of as having already dispatched their Instrument of the said Articles into Suethland by an Expresse Before his Lordship removed from Marienburg the Lord Zavatskie came to him pretending only a visit but sent as was conceived of purpose to explore whether he had any inckling of what had been done and how he resented the same To him our Ambassadour could not so well containe himself but that he entred into expostulations so high as gave no small distast taxing them of swarving from things by themselves consented unto and agreed upon in publike and of silence in others which they not We had propounded and seemingly sought after the particulars wherof as not necessary to be here inserted are forborn Adding withall that after so unworthy a requitall of his Masters affection and respects testified to their King and Crown he could do no lesse in duty then to give those advertisements that were requisite Zavatzkie heard him with patience and with fair words endeavoured to pacifie and to confirm in his Lordship a belief of the King his Masters sincere and reall affection towards his Majesty of Great Brittaine with his constant persevering in his former intentions of which the said Lord had from the King of Poland been the first Intimator and Propounder telling him withall that undoubtedly there behoved to be some mistake in the report he had received for otherwise he said it could not be but that himself being usually so neer the King and of his Secretaries should have known somewhat therof desiring withall that his Lordship would not precipitate any advertisement unto the King his Master and assured him that he would forthwith post unto their Court where having understood the matter fully he would by Letters or a speedy personal return faithfully certifie his Lordship of the truth either there or at Dantzig within few daies Towards that Citie his Lordship retired soone after daily expecting the effects of the promises forementioned but in vaine Neverthelesse upon Zavatzkie's perswasions and his owne unwillingnesse to render ill-offices by the returne of any report as being desirous that some Apology might have come for cleering those doubts which their late proceedings and coldnesse had given him cause to harbour whereby any distance or disaffection between the two Kings might be prevented he desisted for the space of three weekes to send home any account of that Treaties issue contrary to the faithfull advice of some neere about him who as much as with fitting respect they might urged a present dispatch of that relation into England as a thing most necessary not onely for satisfaction to the State and the great Persons therein concerned but likewise for his owne discharge Instancing also the French Ambassador who would not stirr from Stumbsdorff the Village where the Treaty had been concluded untill he had by an expresse into France sent a Narrative of that whole affaire But to all this he sent a deafe Eare. At Dantzig he received soone after a Honorarium or Present from the Eastland Company by the hand of Mr. Richard Jinkes their Secretarie in acknowledgment of their gratitude for his Reall endeavours in behalfe of that Societies restorement to their former freedome of Trade Yet nothing lesse then was promised was by the Polander intended in stead whereof advantage of his Credulity being taken a strong complaint against his Lordship was sent into England which for the time gave an evill rellish of him to his Master The First notice he had of their distast was by a letter from the Lord Andrea Rey Starrost of Libonza dated the twenty fourth of September 1635. who repeating the very words of his Lordships expostulation with Zavatzkie closed them up with this expression viz. That if any such were spoken he wished they never had been Whereunto his Lordship returned an answer the sixth of October following with so cleer a vindication of himselfe but in such a stile as beseemed his Ambassadoriall Office as might have given them in reference to him ample satisfaction yet without sparing againe to represent his sence of their more unfaire then expected or deserved dealing About this time or not long after Mr. Richard Gordon Great Brittaines Agent for those parts who in June foregoing had been by that King sent for England returned to Dantzig and thence to the Polish Parliament at