the English Fleet delivered to those two Captains which the said Admiral had sent ashore to them together with the Admirals Answer thereunto Letter D. HIs Kingly Majesty our gracious Lord and King hath given us charge to intimate to his Excellency the Admiral of the Parliaments Fleet belonging to the Republique of England now lying here That it seemeth very strange to his Majesty that the Parliament of England should send such a mighty Fleet of ships into the midst of his Majesties Land and not at all given his Majesty warning aforehand nor desired permission to do it the like was never before this present attempted of any that had not resolved to begin hostility seeing those that are in Treaty or Aliance with his Majesty may not do it except they do advertise thereof three weeks before any such Fleet should be suffered to come into the Streams it was indeed reported to his Majesty that such a Fleet should come but all the while neither his Majesty himself nor his Embassador in England were made privy to it nor had any warning thereof his Majesty could not conceive that the Parliament would resolve upon any such thing as never was done by any of the Friends or Neighbors of this Crown His Majesty profers it to themselves to consider how it would be taken in England if such a mighty Fleet came into the Thames without any foregoing warning or permission to come there Also his Majesty had done the English Republique that honor to send an honorable Embassage thither and did proffer a Treaty and all good friendship but hath not hitherto perceived that the Parliament have revealed themselves in any thing that might satisfie yet did he not at all expect that in the place of a like honorable Embassage from the Republique of England or some full satisfactory Resolution otherways his Majesty should be constrained to behold and that before his Kingly House and Castle such a mighty Fleet of Ships which men were uncertain what might be expected from them And what charge it would put his Majesty upon as all Potentates in such cases usually do to put by all hostility from his Streams so much as in such haste could be made towards preparing his Fleet they may judg Wherefore his Majesty desireth they will not attempt to begin any act of hostility upon his Streams but rather retire themselves further off and not be found so neer his Majesties Castles with so great a power which can do no other but give cause of suspicion and mistrust Now according to his Majesties Command we desire the Admirals Answer in Writing hereunto and do as to our persons remain Your Excellencies willing Servants Axel Vrup Otte Krag From Helsingor the 21 of Septemb. 1652. With a desire that it might be delivered to the Admiral and we might as soon as possible receive from him a satisfactory Answer wherewith we will presently repair to his Majesty and also solicite for a further Resolution for him toward his expedition wherewithall the said Captains went aboard late toward evening and afterward in the morning being the 24 of Septemb. about six of the clock did come again on shore with the said Admirals Answer to the last writing delivered him dated about nine a clock at night wherein he referreth himself to his former Letter assuring that his coming thither with that Fleet was to no other intent but only to Convoy those English Ships that lie in Copenhaven saying also that his Fleet was not of such force as we declared desiring also that he might receive an absolute Answer if the Ships might be suffered to follow him or not that he might be gone back again hoping that he had carryed himself here with all civility and respect what more was required in our Letter he did excuse himself that he could not answer unto as his foresaid Letter signed N. 2. doth further shew And when they gave us to understand that they were again come to Town we repaired unto them in the aforesaid Borgemasters house where they delivered us the said Admirals Letter and therewithall desired we would visit the said Admiral aboard his Ship and excused himself for his not coming ashore to us was because he durst not adventure himself at that time from his Fleet desiring earnestly that we would expedite and further them such an Answer as that they might have the English Fleet with them which they were sent for and said also that their Fleet was of no such consideration as it was look'd upon to be for as much as it consisted of but eighteen ships only whereupon were few or no Soldiers excused also that the Parliament had not given notice of their coming for that he feared it would be declared and known to the Hollander and then they with force would watch for them if there had been intelligence given before especially for that they knew the Hollander lay here with a party of Ships so they could not adventure themselves hither with fewer ships That the Parliament had sent no Embassador hither they desired it might not be ill taken for their thoughts abounded in friendship towards his Majesty and had honorably received his Embassadors and also well deported themselves towards his Subjects so that it was not forborn for any other reason but for that their former Messengers sent to Holland and Spain were ill-entreated and slain whereupon the Parliament resolved to send no more Embassadors abroad till further considerations also declaring that the Hollanders had in many ways delt ill with them so they had good cause to be aware of them that they might not in process of time mock them and after we had answered them such things as were necessary according to our Instructions and their former desire of quick expedition again repeated we took our leaves of them and went presently to his Majesty to Ibstrup and after to the Privy Councel and delivered in both places verbal relation of what had passed A Resolution given to the Commander of the English Republique Fleet lying upon our Streams Letter E. WHereas we understand by a Letter written from the Commander of the English Esquadron delivered us the 23. of Sept. late at night that he was sent hither by the Councel of State of the Republique of England with 18 Ships of War to convey all the English Ships that now have layn here a long time and therefore desireth to know if he might have liberty to come up with his Fleet to fetch them or that an Order might pass for their safeguarding down to his Fleet whereunto our gracious Resolution is That as it was altogether unexpected of us that such a mighty Fleet without warning much less permission or Letter unto us from their Principals should come into our Streams in sight of our Castles so have we neither let nor given occasion that the English Ships now lying in the Haven should retire hither but they themselves by supplication to our Stateholder have sought
THE King of Denmark HIS DECLARATION Concerning The English Merchants Ships Lying In COPENHAGEN Translated out of the Danish Speech into English by EDVVARD SMITH May 17. 1653. Printed at COPENHAGEN Anno 1653. AND Re-printed at London for Henry Cripps and Lodowick Lloyd and are to be sold at their Shop in Popes-head Alley 1653. THE King of Denmark HIS DECLARATION AFter the difference between the two mighty Powers in England and the United Provinces was broke out to an open War and that all common Liberty and Freedom of Traffique upon the Sea was thereby hindered and taken away so that none except by force of weapon could be allowed that freedom which unto Commerce is necessary then did the States General appoint certain Convoys which should guard their Merchant Ships hither into the Sound and also back again whereby here did alway happen to be a quantity of States Ships of War lying which were commanded to continue some time about the Lap and some time upon this side Crownborg so that the English Merchants Ships comming out of the East Sea durst not adventure themselves into the North Sea but according to their own Superiors Command sought leave for security of their Ships that they might bring them into the Haven within the Blockhouse here as their supplication the 10. of August delivered letter A. doth make appear which was granted them for as much as they in a high measure did give thanks therefore as their under written writing letter B declareth Thereafter came into the Sound an English Admiral with 18 Ships of War which by an Officer upon the 23. of Sept. at four a clock in the afternoon did send a Letter to be delivered from himself unto his Majesty the Contents whereof are recorded as letter C. And though his Majesty at that time was not in the Town but at Ibstrupe a mile therefrom yet the said Officer did intimate that he had order to tarry no longer for an answer but until noon the next day where accordingly when the next day at noon he could not have his will and so hasty an answer as he desired he would no longer be delayed but went hence In the mean time for as much as it was altogether unheard and unexpected that such a Fleet should dare without notice or leave given suffer themselves to be found upon his Streams and that so near his Castles his Majesty sent Sir Axel Wrip of Beltberg Knight Commander of Copenhagen Castle and Otte Krag of Wollberg chief Secretary and Commander of Bouffling Castle down to Hel siengor to understand from the Admiral or his Assigns by what leave they came upon his Streams with other Circumstances which they were commanded to enquire and what they effected with those two English Captains which the Admiral had sent to them ashore and also the Admirals Answer thereunto with Letter D recorded doth further declare And after that his Majesty sent his final Answer and Resolution to the English Admiral as will herewith in Copia of Letter E be found Wherewith the Admiral prepared to sail away And as soon as the Parliament of England had understood that the English Merchant Ships were not come away with the said Convoy but did remain lying here they suffered by publique Edict that all the Ships of his Majesties Subjects which could be found in England not only to be arrested but their Ships and Goods over-powering all the mony therein found as also such monies as the Shippers had in their Lodgings to be taken away and moreover all such Ships as they in the Channel could light upon of his Subjects to be brought in and detained and ill entreated not affording the Mariners food to sustain life although the English had command and power of their Ships and Goods in this Haven and no hurt at all done them but were secured from their Enemies as they in their Supplication with thanks acknowledged and the English Admiral also mentioneth in his writing that they have by the Hollander been here kept in After which the Parliament in England sent their Resident in Hamberg Bradshaw hither with Credentials to his Majesty and those Propositions which upon the 28 of Decemb. were in publique audience to some that were deputed of his Majesties Councel delivered His Majesty had in thoughts to afford him his own personal audience but seeing that Henrick Williamson whom his Majesty had formerly sent with Credentials to the Parliament might not be admitted to that honor to be heard in Parliament for that he was not an absolute Embassador but be content to make his Propositions before some that were of their Councel deputed thereunto which example the Parliament cannot in reason take ill at our hands that we follow seeing they themselves had shewed the way and beginning The Proposition that was delivered is found herewith entered with letter E. And that it might be known what power he had to give his Majesty satisfaction for the hurt done his Majesties Subjects and what security against such wrong for time to come was to be expected there was sent to him Ote Krag his Majesties Chief Secretary and Henrick Williamson as their Memorial and his Answer thereunto following with letter Gentered doth further declare whereupon his Majesty then finally resolved to give him answer as followeth letter H. 1. Of that which in brief hath been related is to be seen First As concerning the English That the Parliament hath given the English Shippers order to seek protection in his Majesties Haven 2. That the Masters have therefore petitioned whereupon they have actually received all the protection from their Enemies that could be desired so that they have given thanks therefore 3. After that a Fleet is sent hither into our Streams without any foregoing Intimation given us or any leave granted or any Letter sent from the Parliament to his Majesty the like was never heard before of those that would be counted friends 4. The Parliament have first in October by a publique Edict suffered all his Majesties Subjects Ships which could be found in England to be arrested and also suffered all his Subjects to be taken hold on in the Channel though they came from neutral places and carryed them to London their Loading and what mony they had took away and allowed them not sustenance for their liver 5. In December did the Parliament send their Resident Bradshaw hither which not only had no Order to thank for that Protection the English had here nor to excuse the former Fleets unexpected approach into our Streams nor to desire leave that such a Convoy might come hither again to fetch the Merchants Ships away that lay in the Haven nor any proffer of restitution of his Majesties Subjects Ships nor Goods much less any security that the like should not happen hereafter But only to make known and desire that the English Ships in the Haven lying might under Kingly hand and seal without damage be delivered to an English Admiral at
what time and in what manner he should desire them And therein will the English have the preheminence to chuse the time when they pleased to bring a Fleet into these Streams and how strong they should be and above all to have the freedom to declare to his Majesty the manner how they will have their Ships delivered which could as little suit it self to promise as it did ill become it self for them to desire On the contrary besides that wearisom Embassage which his Majesty with all proffers of friendship to no purpose was at charge with to England he did a long time also afford the English Shippers here in the Haven all the protection they desired suffering themselves to have the power and ordering of their ships and goods permitting them also to sell a great part therefore and imploy to their own use also did by the Castle of Crownborg protect them from those that would have taken them nor ever suffeâ—ed any English either in Denmark or Norway to be arrested or ill-entreated notwithstanding all those solicitations preferred against them but always all friendship continued towards them not suffering himself by any means to be perswaded to the contrary neither did regard the charge his Majesty had been at to fit and prepare certain ships of War seeing it was not great though it was expended upon so many as in such haste could be provided while the English ships were here nor his Majesties own honor and respect which in that business was not a little in danger Of that which is written may easily be judged of all that are not parties in the matter what a difference there is between what hath been done to his Majesties Subjects in England and what hath been done to the English in this Kingdom and seeing that the Parliaments Resident Bradshaw before he came hither had no Command to speak of any Reparation for what Damage his Majesties Subjects had suffered much less to give any security that such for the time to come should not happen and also not knowing how soon this begun misunderstanding could be taken up and for that some part of the Commodities in the English ships were not fitting to be left longer aboard except they should be suffered utterly to perish therefore it was thought fit to cause a right Inventory to be taken and the Goods registred and unloaden and so layd aside and kept till further Order and Resolution which seeing it is a case of indifferent weight or concernment and it may be is not rightly understood how all things have been carryed therefore also it is thought necessary for mens knowledg and information that it should be so contrived and published A Copy of the English Shippers Supplication to his Majesty of Denmark and Norway Translated out of Engl. High and Mighty King May it please your Kingly Majesty seriously to consider what is here under-written WHereas we English Shippers whose names are here under-written have our Ships lying at anchor upon your Majesties Streams and Haven before your Kingly Seat and City of Copenhaven being richly laden with Merchants Goods belonging to our Nation and are come for protection and security hither by a special Order from our Honorable High Councel of State at White-Hall in London dated the 17. of June Having understood not only peril and danger in the Sea but also upon the Road before Helsingor we therefore in all humility beseech your Kingly Majesty that according to the Law of Nations we may have protection upon your Majesties Streams and if occasion happen that any Enemy should be so insolent to fall upon us hurt or violate us That your Majesty then will graciously take us into protection and in the mean while for better security give us leave to hale our Ships within your Majesties Bom and Blockhouse for which your Majesties favor we will always be ready in all humility not only our selves in person to acknowledg your Benefaction but further to refer it to the States of our Natives Country And we will always pray for your Kingly Majesties long blessed and peaceable Government The Ship Elizabeth and Mary Anthony Wolward Mr. The Ship Richard Henry Sheir Mr. The Ship Mary Bonaventure Richard Bromwell Mr. The Margaret and Sarah Iohn Wither Mr. The James Andrew Raikes Mr. The Amity George Acklam Mr. The Imployment John Tuly Mr. The Ann and David Charls Boomer Mr. The Adventure Robert Michelson Mr. The Fellowship William Brunton Mr. The Satisfaction Matthew Southwell Mr. The Edward and John Solomon Clark Mr. The Plenish Philip Noyse Mr. The James Samuel Ramond Mr. The Ship Mary Ann William Bexby Mr. The Charity William Iames Mr. The Adventure William Harding Mr. The Friendship William Danby Mr. To the High and Mighty King of Denmark and Norway the VENDERS and GOTTERS King The English Shippers being now in Copenhaven their humble Petition Leter B. Humbly Sheweth THat we according to an Order from the Republique of England which we have humbly obeyed were commanded to cast our selves with our Ships and Goods under your Kingly Majesties gracious protection and we are hitherto protected wherefore we are obliged to give your Kingly Majesty all hearty thanks humbly beseeching your Majesty of your gracious goodness to suffer us to repair to our Convoy which now lieth below Helsingor whose errand and message hither is nothing but to conduct us home from hence to our Land again This is all that is commanded us from him who hath the command of that same Fleet to give your Majesty to understand and to pray and desire from your Majesty this liberty if it be admitted us we will always pray for your Kingly Majesty Anthony Wolward John Tuly Andrew Raikes Robert Dren Thomas Robinson Solomon Clark Samuel Ramond William James William Harding Matthew Southwell William Bigby John Withers Henry Shier George Acklim William Danby William Brunton Philip Noyse Richard Bromwell Robert Michelson Charls Boomer Edward Nickson A Copy of the Letter from the Admiral of the English Fleet to his Majesty Translated out of English into Danish Letter A. May it please Your Majesty I Have received Order from the Councel of State of the Republique in England to sail into the Sound with this Squadrant of Ships containing 18 in number to Convoy all such English Ships and Barques as have been now a long time kept in by the Hollander My humble request is That seeing your Majesty hath been pleased graciously to protect them unto this present in safety that I might know your Majesties gracious Will whether I may be permitted to come up with our Fleet to fetch them or that it will please your Majesty to give Order they may be safe-guarded down hither to our Fleet where we lie ready to receive them That is all that is desired of him who desireth leave to subscribe himself Your Majesties most humble Servant ANDREVV BALL A Copy of Sir Axel Urups and the right worshipful Otte Krags Letter to the Admiral of
might be permitted to come here into the Haven to save them from their enemies and afterwards did presently give thanks for that it was granted them both with supplication and thanks giving in their Orignals were shewn the Resident and that they by any Kingly Decree should have been arrested or their freedome to rule over their goods here in the Haven taken away that can never be made appear forasmuch as each shâ—ppâ—r is yet with his ship and hath power over his goods so that thâ—y need not require any restitution to their freedome but that feare onely which they had and have of their enemies which lay upon the streames hath detained or arrested thâ—m and nothing else since which there came in September before Crownborow an Admirall with a mighty Fâ—eet which without any warning given liberty obtained or letter from the Parliamâ—nt did desire he might fetch the said ships without Cobenhaven or that they might be securely conveyed unto him all which seemed just as wonderfull to his Majesty that while his Ambâ—ssâ—dors lay in England and treated they then without any in imation oâ— consent would unexpected send such a Fâ—eet hither into his land and streams even as it did admire the Parliament that their Admiralls desire was not accomplished but that the English ships which by the shippers own confession in writing came into this Harbour by the Parliaments Order were not delivered to such an Admirall as neither had leave to come hither with his Fleet nor any writing from the Parliament nor could get the said ships to him except he first became Mâ—ster of the Hollands Fleet which lay upon the stream between Kobenhaven and the said English Fleet his Majesty hath as good an excuse for as any Potentate can have that will not indure such an affront to permit strangers in his land upon his streams and close in his very presence to wage war and fight who shall be Lord and Master in anothers house and land and as his Majesty never but this time observing a Fleet of English and Hollanders at one instant here upon his streames was not willing the English should sail hence so hath he never since forbid them but to ingage himself to deliver the said ships securely to the English Fleet at such a time and in such a manner as the English Admirall would prescribe and desire is so unreasonable a demand that his Majesty cannot in any manner comprehend For in the first place there is never any permitted or hath that freedome to come here into the Sound with an armed Fleet no more then to come into the Land with an Army which by speciall treaty have not gained consent and those that by such treaties have gained consent may neither come stronger then is agreed upon nor upon the time agreed without giving warning some weeks before hand and moreover there is not the least excuse made for that the Fleet came hither without notice given us nor any request made that it might come hither againe seeing that the Resident himselfe doth acknowledge he hath no instructions so to do so that it appeareth as if the Parliament would take unto themselves more then all others and might against all right and custome come upon these Coasts Streames and Towns when they pleased which his Majesty can no ways give consent unto Moreover his Majesty hath had no thanks for that protection the English ships have had in this Haven which doubtlesse had been in their enemies hands if they had not here been secured but on the contrary his Majesties Subjects Ships in England by an open Edict of Parliament in all their Havens have been arrested and one ship by force taken in the Channel and afterward spoiled which will cause other resolution unlesse in short time by due satisfaction and assurance for the future it be remedied As touching that ship that was lost neere Inteland his Majesty doth give Order to his Officers there to let the Resident or his Assigâ—es have all the guns oâ— other things that were saved when those that have taken pains to saving them are paid what is accustomed and fitting to be paid and also doth further Order that they help and further the saving of as many more of thâ— guns as can be pâ—ssible savâ—d Given at our Kingly Seat Copenhaven the 29. Jan. An. 1653. under his Kingly Majesties Hand and Seal FINIS Postscript to the Reader IT was intended that this Declaration should not have been published without some Animadversions rightly to inform the judgment of such persons as understand not the true state of things betwixt the States of England and the King of Denmark But forasmuch as many have been solicitous for its speedy publication that so they might understand upon what pretended ground he made so unjust a seizure I could no longer detain it from thy view not doubting but thou art able to discover his fallacies falsities and undue insinuations scattered through all his Declaration