it's neighbouring bounds which kept firme therunto and would not admit of a Newtrality with the Suethes albeit they had been once if report err not upon a Treatie For which their fidelity they have since obtained no small priviledges from that Crown prejudiciall not onely to the Neighbour Cities as that of Elbing where formerly the English Merchants of the Eastland Company had a flourishing residence but also to those Merchants and their Nation in the point of trade by their Stample upon all wollen cloaths imported to be dispersed through Poland which Monopoly hath been and is no small greivance unto that Society Neither hath that yoake been taken off notwithstanding Englands merits towards that Crown and the intervention and earnest Solicitation of Englands Ambassadors and other Ministers as will hereafter further appear But returne we now to what is yet remaining that so we may proceed unto the promised Treatie The Polanders as hath been said being wholly on the losing hand and having other ancient constant enemies as the Turk and Tartar and the Russian no assured friend to cope withall besides the Sueths a Peace or if that could not be a truce was mediated Neither was King Gustavus reluctant thereunto as having then a designe upon the main body of the Roman Empire as well to revenge the Injuries he pretended to have received from the Austrian Family for aiding the Polander against him as to assist and succour the all-most totally oppressed Protestant Princes of Germany sundry of whom were his Allaies and who had secretly re clamed his power for their Protection GVSTAVVS ADOLPHVS D. G. SVECORVM GOTHORVM ET VANDALORVM REX MAGNVS PRINCEPS FINLANDIAE etc. The Most Illustrious Puisant and Victorious Prince GVSTAVVS ADOLPHVS by the grace of GOD. King of the Swethens Goths and Vandals great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia Carelia Lord of Ingria c sould by P Stent Tho Cecill sculp The King of France deputed the Baron of Charnace The Elector of Brandenburg also had his Ambassadors there and by the Mediation of those publike Ministers interposing the Authority of their Potent Principalls a Truce was upon the sixteenth of September 1629. concluded between those jarring Crownes upon the tearmes that the Curious may see in the Articles themselves long since exposed to publike view and not necessary to be here inserted Before the expiration of this Truce King Sigismundus paying the Debt that all men owe to Nature left the Polanders free to a new Election and three Sons the Princes Vladislaus and Casimir the name of the third Brother I remember not to the hopes thereof Also one Daughter Which three besides their mutuall relations of Brothers and Sister by the same Father might also be said to have been Cousin Germanes to each other by their respective Mothers who both were Sisters to the then Germane Emperour King Sigismundus after the decease of the elder whom he had first married Espousing also the younger by Papall dispensation The more Superstitious and Jesuited Faction which there is very powerfull in prejudice of the accustomed way of Elective Succession to that Crown would have baulked Vladislaus the elder howbeit not for want of merit but as by them conceived to be more favourable towards Protestanisme then they desired and would have chosen Casimirus the younger at present their King by his Brothers decease whom they thought as having amongst them received his Education would prove more inclining toward them but were vigorously opposed by the Illustrious Prince Christopher Radzivill Duke of Bierze and Dubinskie Palatine of Vilnen and great Generall of Lithuania who is said to have brought five thousand Horse to that Parliament a prevaling Argument by whose meanes the elder Prince obtained his Elective Right and was Crowned by the name of Vladislaus the fourth He was a Prince of great Courage and Vigour both of mind and body and inherited not only his Fathers pretensions unto his Hereditary Crown of Suethland but the fame desires for its recovery and hatred against the Detainer thereof Nor is it likely but that upon the terminating of the truce currant he would willingly have entred into a War for the re-gaining of the Right devolved unto him from his Paternall Ancestors had not the States of Poland shewed themselves more willing to a Treatie as having been but late before engaged against the Russian from whom he had gained the Citie and Dukedom of Smolensko with other Territories as also against the Turke and Tartar whom by the losse of two set Battels he had forced unto tearmes of accommodation by means wherof the Crowne of Poland had sustained a vast Charge with other Inconveniencies incident and might therfore require a time of breathing Yet not withstanding they also raised a powerfull Army to countenance the Cause and not without resolution for a vigorous Engagement in case the means used for obtaining a Peace or longer Truce should have proved uneffectuall It is certainly much to be lamented that the Spirit of Discord hath so much power over the minds of Christian Princes as that their Emulations and Dissentions which are the steps whereby the Othoman Empire hath mounted unto its present formidable height should be rendred perpetuall to the prejudice of Christendome the reproach of the Christian Profession and the advantage of insulting Infidells as then it did for the Polish Army at that time had the Turkish Forces at such a bay as that the great Generall of Poland Kaenigspolskie in the hearing of this Relator afterwards told the Ambassadour of Great Brittaine that but for the difference like to ensue between the two Crownes of Poland and Suethland by reason of the then neer expiring Truce hee would have convoyed those Miscreants unto the Gates of Constantinople but leaving this digression As the Crown of Poland might be not unwilling for the reasons pre-alledged to admit of Peace so likewise may the Suethes be conceived not to have been averse thereunto as having lost their Coesar in that famous Feild of Lutzen and being still engaged in the Germane War their Forces were then in decadence constrained to retire toward Pomerania and to keep a long the Sea Coast So as both parties being apparently willing a second Treaty was consented unto and those Princes who had assisted at the former as also the States of Holland were by the interessed Crownes invited to resume the Mediatoriall Office whereunto none of them being backward no more then to contribute their endeavours for a Worke so pious and beseeming Christians Sir George Duglass Knight Ambassadour from the late King of Great Brittaine Claudius de Mesme Baron D'Avaux from the King of France the Prince Sigismundus of Brandenborg Uncle to that Elector from his said Nephew with others of the Electorall Counsell as also Ambassadours from the States Generall of the united Provinces did accordingly howbeit at severall times as opportunity by reason of distance of places would permit meet in Prussia the
Province designed for the Treaty with the Commissioners from the fore-mentioned Crownes where each unfolded his utmost abilities for the composure of all differences by most powerfull and rationall arguments and as formerly interposed the Authority of their respective Princes and Principalls to bring the gauled minds of the parties whom a long continued Enmity had rendred in a manner implacable to a condescention for a finall peace or at least a Truce for so long a term as might indeed give some considerable ease to those Countries already so much exhausted by former Wars which is the Treaty formerly promised then which none at least in those parts did ever produce difficulties more numerous knotty or frequently tending to absolute rupture The Succinct and true relation whereof is next to be proceeded unto The Pourtraicture of the most renowmed Vladislaus Sigismundus King of Poland Great Duke of Lithuaniae etc etc sould by P. Stent R E scul THE TREATY OF PACIFICATION Upon the fore-related TROVBLES Concluded in the yeare 1635. BETWEEN The Most Illustrious and Puisant PRINCES ULADISLAUS the fourth KING OF POLAND Great Duke of LITHUANIA c. c. AND CHRISTINA AVGVSTA QUEEN OF SUETHES GOTHES and VANDALS Great Princesse of FINALND c. c. Faithfully related by J. F. an Eye-Witnesse of the daily Passages LONDON Printed for Hen Twyford and Tho Dring 1656. Christina Queene of Swethland Goths Vandalls sould by P Stent R Gaumond fecit A BRIEF RELATION Of the Passages at the Treaty OF PACIFICATION Between the CROWNES of POLAND AND SUETHEN Concluded at Stumbsdorff in Pruissia in the Month of September 1635. The Sueo-Polonian Treaty of Pacification HAVING already shewed the Alliance and ensuing Controversie between the jarring Crownes and Kingdomes of Poland and Suethland and hinted at the mischiefs following the same as also at the sixe yeares Truce concluded An. 1629. and expiring in July 1635 for the preventing whereof a second Treaty for a finall Peace or longer Truce was set on foot the particular passages thereof as formerly promised we now enter upon The mediating Princes and States were the late King of Great Brittaine the King of France the Elector of Brandenburg with the States Generall of the united Provinces by their respective Ambassadors But here before we enter upon the main difference it will not be amiss to mention those things which to Some may seem of lesser moment as the Procuratoriall Letters of the Commissioners from the interessed Crownes the reciprocall Instruments of security Acts usuall in Treaties of that nature which neverthelesse took not up lesse of time but caused even more trouble to the Mediators then the businesse it self in reconciling the differences about Titles mutuall suspitions of advantage or prejudice between the interessed parties afterwards the main businesse in order according to the severall meetings and conferences shall be faithfully and briefly related The first of the more remote Mediating Ministers the Electorals being but neer Neighbours comparatively who arrived at Dantzig was Sir George Duglas Knight Ambassador from the late King of England his repaire thither after a long and tedious Winter Journey from Franckfort on the Main accompanied w th all the inconveniencies of waies weather incident to that Season besides the almost daily passing through one or other part of those opposite Armies which then miserably infested Germany was about the ninth of January 1634. His Lordship understanding that the Commissioners for the Crown of Poland had their residence at a little Town called Morung in Prussia forthwith dispatched Letters to the Lord Chancellour Zadzicke chief in the Commission to certifie his arrivall as he also did to the Commissioners for Suethen at Elbing and to crave their opinion whether it would be more necessary first to go and salute the King of Poland then at Warsaw or to hasten towards the place nominated for the Treaty being a Town in that Province named Holland The Chancellours answer was congratulatory as well in regard of his wished safe arrivall as in consideration that his Master the King of Great Brittaine out of his sincere affection to their King and State had delegated him to this Treaty which he wished might prove auspicious for the diversion of the Tempest then likely to fall between them and the Crown of Suethland He likewise wished that his Lordship had arrived during the King of Polands late being at Dantzig where he might without further trouble to his person have acquitted himself of what his Master had committed unto him and accordingly have received a Princely answer but that forasmuch as the trouble and distance of the waies had hindred his sooner coming into those parts he believed there was no necessity of undergoing the like molestation by a new journey to his Majesty to whom it would be most gratefull if his Lordship should first repaire to the place appointed for the Treaty there by his Masters authority and his own endeavours to effect those things that might be conducing to the matter in hand and to their Princes dignity Lastly He wished that his Lordship having refreshed himself some time might come in safety to the place of meeting concluding with offers of Service and Curtesies in such cases accustomed By way of Postcript he added that at the instant of signing those Letters he was certified by their Subdelegates that the adverse party had altered some things formerly agreed upon complaining that almost daily from the 12th of that present month whereon they began to handle the Preparatories the other side had done nothing but protracted time by propounding new conditions which course if they should longer persist in themselves should be constrained having first solemnly protested before the Mediators to depart thence and commit their King and Countries cause to the Divine Justice I have given this Letter at length to shew in what state the businesse was and how far advanced when his Lordship arrived in those parts but shall not in the course of this relation insist so particularly on each of the severall Letters that passed between his Lordship and the respective parties My intention being to use as much brevity as the necessary circumstances of the Treatie will permit And here by the way is to be noted that the answer from the Commissionners of Suethland to his Lordships Letters was not lesse courteous nor lesse stuffed with complaints then the other The treatie had already taken commencement from the Alternal Security as the Basis and ground work of the maine affaire to which end the Commissionners of Poland and Suethen had sent their Subdelegates those Christopher Lode and Daniell Nawarousky Secretaries these John Necodemie of Ahausen Commissarie for Prussia to Holland a small Town nominated to be the Mansion of the Mediators and the place of meeting for the parties to settle and draw up a particular instrument of the security aforesaid between whom after much debate and many mutations on
to the Mediators drawn up in Substance as followeth That whereas the late truce for six yeares between the high and mighty Princes and States the Kings and Kingdomes of Poland and Suethen or Viceversa was now almost expired and that the Treatie of Pacification happily begun could not in that scantness of time attaine a wished issue the Ambassadors of the Mediating Princes and States had thought good to propound to each of the Parties a Prorogation of the said Truce Whereupon the foresaid Truce for six yeares remaining in full force and vertue in all the circumstances and clauses thereof the Commissioners of either Party had consented as they doe by these presents consent and agree unto a prorogation of the said Truce untill the first day of August September November next ensuing that in the meane time by the intervention and industrie of the Mediators the present Treatie for an entire and perfect Peace might by Gods assistance be happily finished And it was also hereby enacted that during the said Prorogation no acts of hostility should by either of the Parties be used or permitted to be used toward the other for the greater assurance and better observation whereof the Commissioners deputed from either of the Parties together with the Mediating Ambassadors had signed and sealed the same the eighteenth day of June 1635. The Ambassadors of the States Generall undertooke the care of sending this instrument to the Suethes by their Secritary for Signature they being still at Jonas dorff who promised to returne it the next day by their Subdelegate in perfect mannner Here by the way we may touch that the end of the Sequestrations approaching certain places of Prussia as Marienburg Stume Lochstadt c. which had been during the six yeares Truce entrusted by way of Sequestration into the hands of the Elector of Brandenburg were to be restored unto the Suethes the 12 23 June as also the Memeln and Brunsberge by them to his Electorall Highnesse within three dayes after the Marquesse Sigismund with the other Electorall Ministers as also the rest of the Mediators began to consider of some new residence Risenberg a little Towne in Prussia the Ducall was pitch't upon whereupon the Marquesse Sigismund taking leave went thether the same day Yet here may not be omitted that the Commissioners of Poland insisted earnestly against the exchange of Sequestrations affirming the same to be Ipso facto a breach of the Treaty and as it were a Summons to the War if made before the Treaty were finished and in their favour the Mediators chiefly his Lordship endeavoured what they could yet could not perswade the Suethes to hearken therunto But let us return to that from whence we have digressed Whilest the Mediators expect the Subdelegate from the Suethes they send the other Copy of the Instrument of Prorogation by the foresaid Secretary unto the Commissiones of Poland to be by them signed and sealed which was done without delay In the Interim Secretary Lording came to Marienburg with a new form of Prorogation which not being conform to the other Copy drawn in manner of a Patent nor the full time of the Prorogation unto the first of August inserserted as also that the Subscription of Count Brahe alone did not correspond to the plurall number of Commissioners mentioned in the beginning and middle of the said Instrument it was rejected and the foresaid Secretary of the Hollanders returning with full satisfaction from those of Poland who were to begin their journey toward their King then at Thorne the next day early he was sent to Elbing to acquaint the Suethes therewith and to move them to subscribe the Instrument drawn by the Mediators which at last they did This Remora removed the Mediators also repaired towards Thoronia a faire City belonging to the French and the States Ambassadors not having as yet saluted his Majesty They with the Electorals were honourably and magnificently received each severally according to their Dignities his Lordship also by young Prince Radzivill great Chamberlain of Lithuania and Baron Gildenstierne was received in the Kings Coach many others attending with a great Troop of the Polish Nobility on Hors-back and so conveyed to his lodging not far from that where the King then lay The Mediators in their particular audiances declared the true State of the Treaty and that without absolute resignation all hopes of Peace were desperate neither was any argument left unused wherby something might be gathered from the Kings own mouth or be moved to afford his Commissioners more ample Instructions But to a Courageous and a Victorious Prince such Solicitations being disrellishing they were also ineffectuall Wherfore the usuall Visites and Complements being added the main conclusion was that the meetings at the fore-specified place and time should be again resumed His Lordship having taken leave of the King by a private Audiance set forwards with the Hollanders towards Risenberg The French Ambassador doing the like as also the Brandenburgers about two daies after The Mediators being now altogether and understanding that the Commissioners of Poland were likewise returned to Marienwerder the Marquiss Sigismund as neerest concerned undertook to invite by Letters the Suethes to meet again on Munday the 29. June 9. July at a Villagenamed Honigsfeldt equi-distant from Mar 〈…〉 nburg Risenberg and Jonas Dorff but sundry of those Commissioners being gone to the Pillaw to receive the Generall Jacobus de la Garde who was newly arrived from Suethland with a Navy and an Army the meeting was therby retarded The French Ambassador signified the same to those of Poland who to gain time Duke Radzivill now hastning his journey towards Littaw to make provision for the War in case it should so fall out desired a conference at a Village named Leutznaw where a Polish Gentleman had a house fit to receive them Being met the Polanders were urged by the Mediators joyntly by all fair perswasions to declare in a word their Kings sinall resolution touching the resignation it being to be feared that if the last former condition which mentioned the restitution entire of Prussia and Leifland for the said resignation were still insisted on the first meeting would be the last The Commissioners of Poland having retyred themselves about an hour returned and sayd they wondered much to heare the Mediators desire of them a more full Declaration that themselves stood firme to the former and that Prussia and Liefland should not onely be absolutely restored but that the Laws also made in Suethen against King Sigismund and his Heirs should be utterly abolished and satisfaction made to the King out of the Provinces of Suethland all which things they urged as Sine quibus non The other conditions as restoring of Ships Ordnance and exiled persons would be more easily reconciled Whereunto the French Ambassador made answer in the name of his Colleagues that apparently upon these termes Peace was rather to be
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
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
same therin expressing that albeit most willing as by duty obliged to procure his dear Countries good yet the same seemed a work of no small difficulty the King having prescribed no direct form of Government especially in those disturbed times wherin the publike Treasure was much exhausted the Kingdom obvious to the inconveniencies of a Russian War and uncertain of obtaining a wished Peace the Crown Revenues so diminished during his Majesties being there as they appeared not a little deficient That nevertheless he would not be wanting to afford his utmost of counsell and assistance for the redress of things amiss wherunto his Propinquity of blood and maturity of years invited him conditionally that they would joyn with him for the Weal of his Majesty and the Kingdom wherof he desired their speedy resolution and compliance to those things that for the said ends should be decreed and that they would not separate untill conclusions were taken concerning the frame of future Government to which effect he would upon their intimation speedily repair to Stocholme These were dated from Nicopia In pursuance hereof they again instance unto him that his presence was both their hope and expectation renewing their requests that he would assume the Government Promising that they would not be wanting to their power in Counsell Assistance security and Obedience for the good of the Kingdom the glory of God and the Emolument of the Natives This was dated the ninth of August 1594. and signed by Nicolaus Gyldenstierne Gustavus Baner Turo Bielke Hogenschildus Bielke Claudins Bielke and Gustavus Gabrielis Duke Charles thus invited repaired to Stocholme where no sooner arrived but he cleared the Arconsian Temple the City and the Queens Island of the Romish Priests and likewise deprived their great Patron Count Ericke of his Command of the Regall Castle for he being a strong Promover of the Papall Creed was formidable to those of the contrary Profession by reason of his power and great Alliances within the Kingdom His Sister being Wife to Ericke Sparre the Chancellour his Aunt married to Claudtus Flemingius Governour of Finland and his Uncles Ericke Gustavus Aruidus Gustavus and Carolus Gustavus were Rulers and Governours of the Westro-gothes the Ostro-gothes and Smaland with others of no mean power To the former Criminations against their King they add that contrary to his Regall Oath and promise under his hand and Seal to protect from injury the Poor as well as the Rich he permitted without punishment or inquisition made the Nightly Watches to be abused and beaten The Polanders of his Train to be day and night in Armes by whom with others of the Natives who delighted in such mischiefs sundry of the said Night-watches being frequently murthered were so found lying in the Streets others miserably wounded yea even their houses were unsecure from violence and notwithstanding complaints were many times preferred yet no redress was granted nor Justice executed upon the Murtherers Sundry other things to the same purpose they repeat as the Concession formerly mentioned of Leisland to the Crown of Poland as also the diminishing of the Navy and Ordenance to the great damage of the Common-wealth And that unwitting to the Duke or States of the Kingdom in prejudice also of the Gustavian Testament and the Constitutions of Calmar An. 1587. he had transacted with the Neighbour Princes touching certain most weighty Affairs of Suethland the peculiar Badge or Cognisance wherof he had alienated requiring by Ericke Sparre his Ambassadour a dilation or prolonging of the compromissoriall transaction about the said Badge viz. The three Crowns which in the year 1591. at the Treaty with the Dane by the River Flakesiobecke had been at their earnest and most instant request suspended untill An. 1597 And that Sigismundus by that Embassie sought to attain by entreaty from the Dane that which he had formerly not without much difficulty and suit obtained from the States of Suethland therby alienating the right of the Suethes to those three Crowns the proper and peculiar Badge and one of the chief Regalities of the Kingdom which he ought not to have done And this he did say they by the perswasions of his said Counsellour Ericke Sparre the better to compass his hostile intensions towards his Uncle the Duke to the notorious breach of the foresaid Testament the express words wherof are viz. Our dear Sons not only he who with his posterity shall succeed us in the Regall Chair but the rest likewise of our dear Sons shall neither by themselves apart or with their familiar Counsellours Servants or Subjects attempt treat or decide any Affairs wherin the welfare and honour of the Kingdom are concerned by concluding of War Peace Leagues or other Concernments of the Common-wealth of weight and moment except by the counsell and consent of them all with approbation of the Prime States of the Kingdom joyntly They further objurgate his causing of Arrest to be made at Lubecke and other Maratine Cities of their Ships and Goods and spoyling them of their said Goods and Merchandizes And that some years past Suethland being afflicted with a great dearth of Corn wherby many thousands perished and the residue much exhausted in their Substance he by the counsell of Steno Baner Olaus Suercherus and Lindormias Bond severely prohibited those of Dantzig and other Sea Ports of the Polish Dominion from administring relief to those of Suethen and at the same time enjoyed those of Rivell albeit incorporated into Swethland not to furnish them with any provision and sollicited the like with other Marine Places belonging to the Romish Empire By all these things they shew that his second departure produced no better fruite then his first both being without the privity of the States and that as his first discession to receive an Extraneous Crowne accasioned a conceding of Leifeland to the Polander So his second left them in a confusednesse without any prefect forme of Government contrary to his promise which Comedie say they was commenced by those Counsellours who were unwilling to be longer ruled by the Gustavian Line but that themselves might prevent each other in the domination of the parts whereby would have ensued the ruine of the whole King Sigismundus say they precipitating his departure had sent to his Uncle then at Nycopia by Ericke Gustavus and Claudius Slatte a certain Plenipotentiarie importing that induced by his urgent Affairs and by his promise he now intended to repair into Poland and that to the end his Native Country might not be destitute of good Government and Administration of Justice untill God should grant him a return he committed the same unto him his said Uncle as being a Prince Hereditary and chief among the other Orders of the Kingdom together with others the faithfull Senators therof to whom with him this Plenipotentiary was joyntly given to be governed and administred accordingly Provided that in the first and chief place he and they should honour and
certified the same by Letters to the Suethish Commissioners engaging his word that other Procuratorials should be exhibited by those of Poland either at the first meeting or within few daies after The Commissioners of Suethland returned a thankfull answer for his Lordships engaged word upon the trust wherof they would meet at the time appointed they only desired that his Lordship would intimate unto the Commissioners of Poland the necessity of signing a new the Instrument of Security formerly drawn at Holland by their Subdelegates as an inducement to the rest of the Treaty which his Lordship deferred not and the next day all parties being agreed the said former Instrument was renewed with this clause added That it should remain in full force in all points except the places of aboad and meeting which by the consent of all parties were changed hereunto the Subdelegates Christopher Lode and Daniell Nab arowskie on the one side George Lording on the other signing his Lordship and the Marquesse Sigismund of Brandenburg were Witnesses The same night late there arrived at Mariemburg the French Ambassador Claudius de Mesne Baron D' Avaux who came from Stocholme where by extreamity of Weather and the Ice he had been detained six months From the States Generall came likewise Rochus van Honart chief Counsellor in the high Courts of Holland Zeland and West Freizeland Andreas Bicker Burg-Master of Amsterdam and Joackim And rè chief Counsellour in the high Court of Frieze who were all invited hy the Suethes as also by Berkeman one of the Electorals from the Marquesse Sigismund unto the next daies generall Convention at Stumbsdorff The next morning early his Lordship and the Marquesse Sigismund according to the usuall custome severally visited the before named Ambassadors congratulating their safe arrivall and then repaired to Stumbsdorff the place of meeting The French Ambassador with those from the States following soone after and whilst they take up Quarters as the poverty of a devasted Villiage would permit the Commissioners Parties being equally distant from the place measure out their way and steps with such exact slownesse fearing even thereby to give each other the least pre-eminency that at one and the same time they enter their Tents which were placed at the two entries into the sayd Villiage Their Traine was according to the dignity of the Parties and as hath been set downe at their entry into Holland The accustomed visits and civilities performed between the Mediators and the Parties took up the time untill four in the afternoon At length all the Mediators met in the quarter of the Marquis of Brandenburg as the more spacious and the more equall so to make way into the maine businesse having consumed already so much time in the Preparatories onely and night hastning on lest the day and this first meeting should be without fruit the Mediators agreed to propound the present Sequestration of the Procuratories which had been hetherto delayd that so they might enter upon the things of more moment And that there might be a timely obviatingof competitions that might arise between the Ambassadors of great Brittaine and France as also between the Electorall Ministers and those of the States Generall it was thought good that his Lordship with the Electoralls and the French Ambassador with the others the Marquis Sigismund remaining still in the Mediatoriall Tent which for the reception and consultation of the Mediators was placed in the midst of the Village should repaire by course as occasion required to the Parties Commissioners of each side Accordingly his Lordship with the Brandenburgers going to the Suethes the others went to the Polanders and conforme to agreement the Sequestration was propounded to both The Polanders made no exception the Suethes affirmed that in regard the promised Procuratories were not yet come they could not consent therunto But yet that time might not be unprofitably trifled they were contented to lay aside the point of the Procuratories for that day and were desirous to make entrance into the Principall Treatie whereunto that a way might be opened it behoved them said they first to know whether or not the King of Poland would absolutely renounce the right he pretended unto Suethen which they beleeved to be the cheife and onely mean to perfect the Treatie of Pacification This was by the Mediators related to the Commissioners of Poland who without further deliberation replyed that it was expedient for them also to understand whether a resignation supposed but not granted the others would restore the Kingdome of Suethland with all other things wherof the King had been deprived seeing that where the same right is it may be by the same reasons disputed The Mediators perceiving the difficulties wherin by these extreams the parties did involve themselves at this first beginning from which they could not be freed unlesse some mediate waies were found out and it being their part and office to propound such waies unto the parties disagreeing they concluded the better to stop these beginnings which in things of weight and moment are wont to encrease to demand from the parties three daies respite within which time they might happily conceive some waies and reasons for bringing the businesse neerer to a composition This was agreed unto howbeit unwillingly by the Suethes because the Poles hereby deferred the producing of their promised Procuratorie and the Mediators for that first daies conclusion thought meet that as a good Omen to the happy issue of the Treaty in agitation the parties should meet and salute each other wherby their minds as yet alienated might by degrees and mutuall civilities be prepared to Peace and Amity and that to the end the same might be without prejudice or preheminence to either side they should issue forth of their respective Tents at one and the same instant and accompanied by the Mediators meet in the mid-way of the Village without any mention of the businesse in question which might sound harshly to either side This was gratefull to both parties they professing themselves most willingly ready to any act of courtesie and humanity Wherupon they met in most friendly manner and having so greeted and congratulated each other each party returned to their residence those of Poland to Marienwerder the Mediators to Marienburg the Suethes to Jonas Dorff The next day the Mediators convene in the Castle of Marienburg to consult and to return prepared with some mediate means of reconciling the differences touching the resignation or restitution of the Kingdome of Suethen But that there might arise no dispute competitionary between the Ambassadors of Great Brittaine and France a Table was so equally placed as the Session could give no precedency to either They being set and having discoursed some time of severall means for compounding the matter in question his Lordship exhibited his mind in writing which imported That he saw no better way for reconciling the extreams of
entreaties of the French and States Ambassadors and the perswasions of his Lordship they yeilded thus far that they would accept of the foresaid correction of that defect conditionally that forasmuch as new Procuratories from the States of Poland could not be obtained without a Parliament first called others were procured from the King within ten dayes space that otherwise and save onely to gratifie the Mediators they would not have so easily accepted the same This sharpe answer exceedingly irritated the Commissioners of Poland who spared not to say that they had made peace with sundry Nations even Barbarous and Infidels and had not found so much difficultie with them as with the Suethes affirming withall that they were not lesse ready for a War in case of rupture then the adverse party with which constancy of theirs or rather by the endeavours of the Mediators the Suethes somewhat mollified accepted of the interlyning before offered the Mediatoriall attestations being deferred untill their return to Marienburg The disputes and differences about the Procuratories being thus determined it will not be amisse to shew briefly in what forme they with the Acts relating to them were couched the scope of the sayd Letters Procuratoriall being to either party That whatsoever they or the greater part of them the absence of one or more notwithstanding shall each with other agree or conclude upon either touching perpetuall peace or longer Truce the same should be fully accepted of and ratified with all due and requisite formes The full Titles of either of the Princes interessed were abreviated with an c. c. as no way derogatory The Protestation of the Polish Commissioners was to this effect That the King of Poland c. albeit his Hereditary right to the Crown of Suethland for the maintaining whereof there had been so long and bloody Wars was no lesse cleare then the Sun and could not be impaired by any arguments to the contrary had notwithstanding at the instant requests of the mediating Ministers of so many and potent Princes and to manifest his a version to the effusion of Christian blood condescended so far as in his Procuratoriall Letters to his Commissioners to permit that to the most illustrious Christina the Title of Designed Queen of Suethes Goths and Vandalls Great Princesse of Finland c. c. should be inserted and the sayd Title in the adverse Procuratorialls to be by his Commissioners accepted of yet without prejudice to his Hereditary right and therefore they the sayd Commissioners of Poland did in his Majesties name make this solemn protest in the most ample and usuall form in such cases accustomed and required in presence of the Ambassadors of the Princes mediating for the indemnity of his sayd Majesties Hereditary right of succession to the Crown of Suethland in evidence and testimony wherof as well for the present as future they desired attestation from the sayd mediating Ministers under their hands and seals The Protest of the Suethish Commissioners imported That they having observed that the King and Re-publike of Poland in their severall Procuratoriall Letters had omitted certain Titles due to their Queen as Esthonia Carelia and Ingria which hither to they could not be induced to give no more then to raze out of their own the Title of Suethland ascribed to the King of Poland for the effecting wherof they had long and earnestly endeavoured yet now at length and at the earnest requests and intervention of the mediating Ambassadors to shew their propensity to Peace as also that the adverse party might be more equitably complying in the future they had assented to the acceptation therof With this solemn Protest interposed and consigned into the hands of the Mediators and by them fully accepted as appeared by their attestation therupon That the same should not either in present or future time any way prejudice or diminish the Right and Dignity of their Queen and of the Kingdome of Suethen much lesse that any Title or Right was therby conceded or given to his Majesty of Poland either directly or indirectly expressed or implied And thus ended the second meeting at Stumbsdorff The Mediators and the Parties being assembled now the third time in the foresaid place the former according to promise delivered their respective attestations that of his Lordship and the Electorals containing That forasmuch as it had pleased the parties to commit their Plenipotentiaries into the hands of the Mediators untill the Negotiation being brought to a happy Peace if it should so please God the same might be framed to the satisfaction of both parties and accordingly re-delivered They had received the Plenipotentiary of the Lords Commissioners of Suethland with a Protest and this Caution therin inserted That in case the Treaty should not have the wished end the said Plenipotentiary should be restored and the Mediators receive back their present attestation That they had also accepted of the said Protest the same to be referred to the publike Acts. The French with the States Ambassadors gave the like to the Commissioners of Poland Thus at last these difficulties about the Procuratorials were after the consumption of foure months by the Mediatoriall endeavours removed and a proceed unto the Principall and more weighty businesse of the main Treaty intended To which end the Mediators dividing themselves remonstrated to the severall parties what had been three daies before concluded at Marienburg The Suethes at the first overture answered Negatively to both the Conditions wherby the Kingof Poland as had been conceived might be moved to a resignation affirming that as to the Succession and Hereditary Right pretended by King Vladislaus and his Heirs unto the Crown of Suethland there was a decree of the States of that Kingdome expresly against the same which they might no way contradict and added withall that of future contingencies to which sense the Posterity to ensue might be referred there could be no certainty determined And to the other Viz. the restitution they would not once treat thereof unlesse they were first assured of an absolute and entire resignation that being the ground-work of the whole Affaire which being obtained they would declare themselves in most effectuall and friendly manner This was all that his Lordship could obtain by way of answer notwithstanding many arguments used to have gained further which he with the Electorals referred to the judgment of the Mediators in generall And from the Polish Commissioners by the Ambassadors of France and Holland was delivered an answer in almost the same termes by way of conversion to wit that the meer motion of a renunciation was no lesse odious to them and that they were as far from consenting therto unlesse a restitution were first conceded The Mediators pondring these extreams feared least the relating of them might further exasperate the parties who appeared already more prone to War then Peace and therfore resolved to return and desire of them that forasmuch
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
of Sables black Foxes Banthers and Leopards Skins the Furniture of their Horses answerable and garnished with rich Stones which by the Horses motion make a pleasant terrour They are a Courageous people most violent in a charge but once broken not easily rallying yet against the Turk and Tartarian the Bulwark of Christendome on that side over whom as formerly alledged by the Chancellour King Vladislaus had lately gained two famous Battels and had it not been for the difference ready to break out between them and the Suethes as their Generall himself at a Conference delivered to his Lordship they might have driven the Turke back to the very Gates of Constantinople A sadnesse it is and sorely to be lamented that the discords between Christian Princes who professe one God one Christ should make them more intensive against each other then against the professed Enemy of that blessed name wherunto they all professe their Baptization They were esteemed to be fifteen thousand Horse Effective but by themselves reputed more their Foot in all not exceeding six thousand After this and indeed delectable shew ended the King gave audience to all the Mediators joyntly concerning the years he would not add a day to the terme he had formerly prefixed Nor did the other particulars propounded give him any satisfaction so as he seemed enclining rather to War then Peace The day following his Lordship remained behind the other Mediators returned to Marienburg and related the Kings resolution to the Suethes who replied that for so small a matter as five years of time they did not conceive that either their principals or the Adversaries who stuck mainly therat did intend to broach a bloody War for the prevention whereof they would by severall waies dispatch two expresses into Suethen and that they might expect an answer within three weeks during which time the Truce might be continued and in the interim the other Articles might be discussed but if this were not approved they having no power to exceed their Instructions could not proceed unlesse that being by the Mediators secured of the concession of the other Articles by the Polanders and the Truce continued for eight daies longer they might therby take the point into further consideration These being related to the King in his Camp were not unpleasing and besides the eight daies of Prorogation a meeting was granted at Stumes Dorff the 4. 14. August provided the Garrison of Suethes then at Stume were removed The Mediators except the French who remained in the Leagure returning back to Marienburg acquainted the Suethes who by a visite prevented his Lordship with what they had concluded they willingly assented to the Prorogation and to the pre-appointed meeting which was to be the day insuing as also they restrained the Garrison at Sâ—ume by shutting up the Gates without any tumult or disorder Thus by the unwearied endeavours and not without the exceeding toile of the Mediators by frequent journey 's between the Parties the long intermitted meetings were resumed the 4 14 August at Stumbsdorff forenamed where at the first a new difference arose between the States Ambassadors and those of Brandenburg the former not willing to give the others the least precedencie refusing to come into the tent of the Marquesse Sigismund which in all former meetings had been the place of the Mediators joynt resort and consultation The other Mediators unwilling to make this competitionarie controversie theirs than which nothing could be more impeding to the present affaire and desirous to make the best use of time proceeded unto the matter before them concluding that the fore-specified conditions should be indifferently propounded to either of the Parties whereby each might the better explaine themselves by adding or diminishing what they should think meete his Lordship went to the Sueths the French and Brandenburgers to the Commissioners of Poland the former consented to most of the propositions tendred unto them but thought them to be over-breife and succinctly drawen and therefore for the more plaine understanding they delivered to his Lordship the whole matter of the Treatie comprehended in sundry Articles wherewith he presently repaired to the Polanders and which the French Ambassador and the Electoralls being present were instantly quoted with Marginall notes of such things as they either rejected or added or substituted in the place of others and having done they referred the whole to the Kings pleasure consenting to meete againe upon the second day ensuing and the Marginall Annotations being communicated to the Sueths and over-long to be then examined were also by them deferred to the said meeting One particular was by the last named recommended to the Mediators in especiall manner to be insinuated unto the other Partie to wit that a Parliamentarie ractification of what should be finally concluded might be procured from the Republike of Poland as without which the Treatie would be invalid Hereupon the Mediators and the Parties returned to their severall quarters Upon the day of intervall his Lordship visited the Sueths and consulted with them how to compound the competition between the Electorall and States Ambassadors that the publike Treatie might thereby receive no let nor hinderance at last it was concluded that besides the Prince his Tent an other should be pitch't the choice whereof should be given to the Hollanders whereunto his Lordship and the Commissioners of Suethland by an expresse visite that afternoon perswaded them to condescend The Mediators and the Parties assembled now the second time and the most urgent point of the Treatie consisting in the desired ratification the Mediators conceived it meete to cleer that rub the rather in that the Sueths mainely insisted that without the same all the Treatie and labour employed therein would be of no availe because a meanes of retracting there from would be remayning to the Polanders These on the other side demonstrated the impossibilitie therof in as much as a Parliament could not be called and held in lesse than four moneths affirming withall that the Kings ratification with theirs and that of the Senators placed by Parliament about the King in the name of the Republike would be sufficient they having from the same a full and absolute power of treating and concluding That in the mean time Prussia should be restored and then a Parliament for obtaining the ratification from the States of the Kingdome might be held in convenient time But the Suethes being herwith not satisfyed and it being unpossible for the Polanders to give any other present security the Mediators endeavoured by all meanes to remove this obstacle also and propounded that first the forces of each side should be dismissed and next that such places as the parties of either side should agree upon might be by way of Sequestration consigned into the Mediators hands untill the ratification were procured as also that Pledges might be given and the like Which propositions albeit
by them be hindred and that albeit they had not received hitherto from the Commissioners of Poland any certain resolution and therfore could not expect much good by the next daies meeting they would neverthelesse be present therat This his Lordship signified in writing to the Commissioners of Poland and requested from the Palatine of Belzes a larger Tent wherin the parties and the Mediators might assemble together His Lordship with the Hollanders prepared for the fourth meeting so much the more early to take order for placing the Mediatoriall Tent in equall distance from those of the severall parties and for the bringing of theirs neerer to ease the Mediators of part of their trouble These things set in order the Mediators concluded that to either party should be reiterated the Arbitration of the aforesaid differences by the Mediators Those of Poland to whom his Lordship and the Hollanders had applied themselves absolutely refused the same and the Suethes appeared to the French and the Electorals lesse inclining therto then before and thus the Treaty seemed to hang by a small twist which caused the Mediators to labour so much the more earnestly with the severall parties The Polanders professed themselves willing to hearken to equall conditions if they were propounded neither was there any means left for compounding the difference of the Parliamentary ratification save onely an equall division of the places that were to be restored or kept and at last not without the uncessant trouble of the Mediators in goings between they condescended unto these Conditions 1. That the Truce should be for twenty six years the Suethes requiring that one year should be added by way of compensation for their consent to the restoring of one halfe of Prussia without the strickt necessary form of Parliamentary ratification whereof the Polanders gave no positive assurance but promised their endeavours for its procurement the French Ambassador offering also to repaire to the King about the same 2. That upon the Regall and Senatoriall Commissioners ratification onely untill that of the Republike might be had the Suethes should forth with restore Marienburg Stume Braunsberge and Tolkemyth with the greater Island and the Territories to each of them belonging and that Elbing the Pillaw with the lesser Island and their Territories should still be retained by them 3. That the Fort made in the Wistle by the Suethes and the Fortifications made on the bord therof by those of Dantzig should be demolished hereupon the cessation was prolonged for four daies Thus at last the aversnesse of the parties admitted of shews of reconcilement and by how much the Treaty had seemed neer to vanish into nothing by so much the hopes of its happy issue began to beam forth more bright wherunto the Mediators thought it might be conducible that the parties accompanied by them as at the first should re-salute each other in the midst of the Village that so by a publike contest for Peace and Concord by mutuall interviews the wished end might be the more easily attained neither was the motion unpleasing to either of the parties who now seemed equally desirous of Peace This Ceremony being performed the Mediators and the parties take leave of each other and the vulgar not containing their contentment published the Peace as if already concluded In the mean time the French Ambassador obtained of the King the grant of the year demanded whilest his Lordship and the Hollanders at Marienburg employ themselves with the Sueths about those things which might further the Pacification These promising to exhibite at the next meeting certaine Articles of the whole Treaty wheron the agreement might be perfected The time appointed for the fifth meeting and all the parties being come the Mediators thought good that the Conditions then exhibited by the Suethes as fore-promised should be communicated to the Commissioners of Poland touching the Substance they were all one with the former some only altered and some added for their own availe all the Mediators being present they were accurately discussed by the Polanders not a word or title which might be wrested to their prejudice left unexamined or corrected The French Ambassador quoting in the Mergent the severall exceptions made by them Therwith they also tendred to the Mediators such things as they would have to be inserted importing that forasmuch as the present Truce was chiefly ordained and concluded to the end that during the same a perpetuall Peace might be the more commodiously treated and effected therefore within the space of two years next insuing the date of the said Truce Commissioners should be appointed of both sides with full power and instructions to meet treat and conclude the sayd generall and assured Peace by the intervention of those Kings and Princes whom the Parties should make choice of And if the sayd Peace should not be then effected the same to be resumed within the next two years and if not then the like within the two years ensuing and so consequently the Truce still continuing firme untill the expiration of the twenty six years Also that no Taxes or Customes should be exacted upon the River Dyna from the Inhabitants of the great Dutchy of Lithuania or the Dukedome of Curland That likewise the Rights and Possessions of the Duke of Curland should remaine in the same state they were before the Warr. That in like manner it should be lawfull for those that had been exiled out of Suethland or Leifland to return into their Countrey and to recover their goods and Inheritance and that if they should not like to abide there it should be free for them to sell or otherway dispose of their sayd Goods That Ambassadors or Messengers of either side should have free egresse and regresse That the Fugitives of the great Dutchy of Lithuania the Dukedome of Curland and the Pilten Territory or so many of them as should be found in Leifland should be restored and so reciprocally That foure Ships appertaining to his Electorall Highnesse of Brandenburg should be restored That there should be also freedome of Navigation from the Dutchy of Curland These Conditions were shewed to the Commissioners of Suethland by the French Ambassador and the Brandenburgers followed soon after by his Lordship and the Hollanders the Polish Emendations and additions night now approaching are cursorily by them run over and those appearing to be things but of small moment are referred untill the next day so as all things seemed to go forward according to the general desire One thing only bred some hesitation the French Ambassador reasoning by way of discourse about the restitution of the Romane Religion in Prussia urged by consequence as from the Commissioners of Poland the free exercise thereof in behalfe of those of that Religion remaining in Leifland but that also was remitted to be handled the day following neither was it then conceived that so much trouble would have ensued as that particular did
Commissioners of whom Colonell Peblitz being chiefe sate above all the Princes at the upper end of the Table all the Propositions were directed to him and he in right of the Elector Palatine had the opening of all Letters which was an absolute concession of the Electorall Title and Dignity and as great an Exauthorization of the Bavarian and his pretences as that Assembly could give For the effecting hereof the prudent intervention of Sir Robert Anstruther Lord Ambassador Extraordinarie from great Brittaine to that Dyet who had with good approbation discharged the like high trust under King James and the late King to severall Princes of Germany to the King of Denmarke as also to the Emperor Intervallatim by the space of thirteen yeares was not meanly prevalent There were present besides the Ambassadors of other Princes and the Deputies of the Imperiall Cities in the forenamed foure Circles as Noremberg Strasburg Francefort Auspurg and others the Lord Chancellour Oxenstierne also whose Title in this Dyet was Councellor Chancellor and Extraordinary Ambassador for the most Illustrious and High borne the Hereditarie Heyre and Princesse of the Crown of Suethen The restitution of the Palatinate ad integrum was decreed in this Dyet and for the regaining of some places as yet possessed by the Enemy the Chancellor engaged his word as General of all the Forces which charge he having modestly refused at the first offer accepted at the second Whereupon the direction of the whole War and affaires of State was committed unto him in the name of the Imperiall States and the Crown of Suethen Neither did this Union receive small luster by the conjunction of the French King represented by the Marshall de Feuquier's there present As also by the Declaration o◠the Duke Elector of Brandenburg which followed soone after in favour of what there transacted Account of the whole passages of that Assembly but especially of that restitutionary decree was by his Lordship upon his returne to Francfort sent into England by Mr. Richard Hurst One and the First of his Secretaries His Lordships Negotiation with the Landtgrave of Darmestadt to whom he soone after repaired for the gaining of his concurrence with that Assembly was uneffectuall albeit he left no stone unmoved But interest and ambition are maine obstacles to the attaining of just desires That Landtgrave had been much entrusted by the house of Austria and in recompence of his affection was by the same invested with the spoiles of his Neighbours Two Mannours or Lordships belonging to the House Palatine had been committed into his of his Fathers hands by the late King of Bohemia they being then good friends but disputes arising afterwards between them grew to a quarrell whereupon Count Mansfeldt invading the Landtgraves Countrey took him prisoner and so detained him certaine dayes but his liberty being regained and the Emperors affaires prospering he procured as a recompence for his sufferings a grant from the Emperor not onely of those two Mannours but of severall other Lands likewise belonging to the Counts of Solmes Isenberg Lewensteyne and others followers and domesticks of the Prince Elector Palatine The Elector Duke of Saxony one of whose Daughters the foresaid Land-Grave had Married was next Solicited by great Britaines Ambassador yet neither would he joyn in the Transactions of Heylbrun or in the attribution of the Electoral Title Dignity or Possessions to the yong Prince Palatine nor afford the Title of Administrator to his Uncle the Duke of Simmern Albeit as he professed to his Lordship he did not ommit the same out of any want of respect to the King his Master or of affection to the House Palatine but as not having then consulted the States of his Countrey which he said it was necessary for him to do before he could performe so publike an Act and that he hoped to obtaine the same by Treatie Whereby the Troubles of Germany as he conceived would sooner be ended Hereupon Replyes were reiterated but nothing save words gained The King of Suethens death seemed to have much altered that Elector from his former professed intentions But it was indeed conceived that he the rather declined those rights to the house Palatine to worke a concession from the young Prince unto his said Son in Law of the two forementioned Manno 〈…〉 s Next that himselfe might enjoy the Cheife direction of Affaires amongst the Protestant Princes of Germany which of right belonged to the house Palatine As also to thwart what the Circles had done in the Assembly at Heylbrun with the particular account of the Electorall and Land-gravian Treaties the Relator was by his Lordship sent for England from Dresden that Electors Chiefe and Residentiall City In the mean time the Confederate Princes and Cities having constituted amongst themselves a Directorium or settled Counsell for the better carrying on of the Work gave the Presidency thereof as aforesayd to the Great Chancellour of Suethen Axelius Oxenstierne as well in contemplation of the merits of that late Great Monarch as of the necessity they stil had to retaine the assistance of the Suethes untill the interest of the Princes and Cities of that Union and of the House Palatine together with that of the whole body of the Germane Protestants might be settled either by Treaty or otherwise and not the least in regard of the great Sagacity and deep insight in the managing of Affaires acquired by a long experimented practice and grounded upon the Rock of a most sound and well fortified judgment wherwith that great Personage was endowed The various successe of the Armies and their continuance drawing upon the associated Princes Circles and Cities a vast expence of Treasure wherby those Countries became exhausted and the Palatinate being upon its restitution assessed at a monthly Contribution which howbeit lesse in proportion then the other Contributary Countries were rated at that devasted Principality was not able to furnish the late King was solicited in deficiency of his Nephews Estate yet no way therto obliged by any Stipulation or other Act publike or private so cautiously had his fore-named Minister managed his Masters Interest Hereupon by the Privy Counsell of England it was thought meet that some one should be sent over to scrutinize into the condition of the Palatinate as also into the Deportments of the Suethes concerning whom I may say upon certain knowledge that during the Assembly at Heylbrun as also before and after the Chancellour made great expressions of respect to his Majesty and his Relations in Germany the reality wherof was not meanly testified by the free restitution of the Palatinate after their King had recovered the same from the Spaniard and by his promise that the Forces then before Frankendale if I mistake not and Heidelberg should not be withdrawn but re-inforced untill those two strong Peices were likewise regained which he performed at his return to Francfort by sending the Prince Birkenfeldt with six
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
Warsovia held in November 1635. his Lordship not thinking fit to repaire thither in Person untill the former misunderstandings were removed Yet would he not omit to write by him to the Lord Palatine of Belzkie as also to the forenamed Starrost de Libonza intimating to each the continuance of his Masters good affection toward their King as they would perceive by his answers to all their propositions sent by Mr. Gordon and that the same merited a better acknowledgment then was given at the conclusion of the late Treaty wherby he professed himself to be discouraged from undertaking a journey to the present Parliament notwithstanding the Orders he had received but was willing rather to refer the whole matter to Mr. Gordon untill the jealousies he had reason to conceive were cleered It hath been said that perswaded by the Lord Zavatzkie his Lordship had forborn to advertise home for three weekes Space and it is to be added that those letters being sent by Sea Subject to the inconstancy of winds and the movings of that other uncertain Element were above six weekes longer before they came to the hands they were directed unto Whereupon confused rumours of things coming to those who in England bore a chief sway in managing of the late Kings Privy Counsell Sir John Coke principall Secretary of State did by Letter taxe his Lordship of remisnesse in his dispatches shewing that from France they understood the Treaty was concluded and that he had received some disgust but the particulars they were not acquainted with Hereby he first perceived that in one and the same thing he had committed two not small Errours But in time all grudges being either buried or seemingly layed to sleep and the King of Poland coming to Dantzig his Lordship had severall Audiences and was once in company of the King with sundry of the Polish Nobility feasted by the fore-named Mr Gordon And from that King obtained albeit not without reluctancy of his Lords who complained that our Ambassadours Remonstrances were over-tart a Mandate Declaratory under the Royall hand and Signet dated the sixth of February 1635. 6. wherby our Merchants of the Eastland Company were promised relief against the molestation of the Stample or Seal upon their Cloath procured by the Dantzigers during the Wars and the Suspension therof untill it might be abrogated in the next ensuing Parliament the last having beene called for the ratification onely of the late Treaty as was affirmed by their Commissioners who publikely gave their Faith Stipulata manu for the disannulling thereof The King soon after departing from Dantzig his Lordship took leave not without seeming fairnesse of each side and the fore-named Lord Zavatzkie was designed Ambassadour for England pretentionally for proceeding upon the motions formerly albeit in a more private way by himself in the name and by warrant from the Polander propounded to the late King with whom Agent Gordon was associated and as himself vainly believed and spared not to give out with more Trust from that King then the other But notwithstanding all these specious shewes his Lordship was still doubtfull of their true meaning and advertised home accordingly yet could he not particularly conclude in whose breast the dissimulation lay For even they who professed the same Religion with us and were at first most earnest in the pursuance of those motions were now become as cold as oothers albeit they were intimate with that King and of his neerest Counsells so as it might seem that their Masters intention decreed especially in matters so neerly concerning himself should have been the point of the Compasse by which they were to steer Yet by the way it may be demanded whether our Ambassadours Suspitions were not causelesse or whether by his jealousies he did not injure that Prince and so provoke him justly wherunto is answered that the Ambassadour of Poland Zavatzkie when with Gordon he arrived in England did not give that full and particular satisfaction which was expected albeit the Professions out wardly and in generall were as high as ever so as doubtfull conjectures began upon his arrivall to be made at Englands Court and his dismission was visibly more cold then his reception had been And considering it was with him that his Lordship made the disrellishing fore-mentioned expostulation it may be and was then by sundry conceived that the maine part of his Errand was to have boulstered out the former complaint if he had not been prevented by his Lordships death The same appeared more fully afterwards when it was certainly known that the King of Poland had proceeded even to consummation of things directly contrary to his former propositions without previous advertisement of his reasons for declining them in excuse wherof Post factum he sent the fore-named Lord Andrea Rey Starrosta de Libonza as Ambassadour to the late King who understanding before his arrival what his Master had done in prejudice of his own proposalls would not admit him to his presence so that he returned without Audience not being permitted to come higher then Greenwich the Court being then at Winsor Our Agent was also soon after discharged from further Negotiating there neither hath England since that time had any person publikely impolyed to that Prince or State By all which circumstances it may be gathered that his Lordship did dive more deep into their intentions then self-interest and avarice two maine evills in whomsoever they infect but most pestilent in publike Ministers would permit the over credulity of others His Lordship having received Order for his return began his journey from Dantzig the first of March Old Stile and on the thirteenth therof came to Damin a Town in Pomerania of which Colonell Robert Cuningham his Kinsman was Governor for the Crown of Suethen who came forth about two English miles accompanied with his Officers to meet his Lordship and they alighting he did the like walking into the Town on foot where by the way his Lordship and the Governour discoursing together the Officers made relation to us of a certain accident which had hapned in their Garrison the preceding evening and for the time had caused some disturbance to their thoughts It was thus Upon the Eve before being Saturday the twelfth of March 1635 6 for the space of neer two houres between those of eight and ten at night an unwonted sound of Bells was heard in the Steeple of that Towns Church called Saint Bartholomew and the Governour sending to enquire the cause thereof at an undue houre received answer That the Church doors were shut Hereupon the Magistrates were sent for and Order given that some of the Garrison with others of the Town Officers with Torches lighted should search the Church and Steeple to see if there were not some persons concealed who by such meanes might attempt to give a privy Signall to any Enemy neer hand But return being made that no Person was to be