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
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
his Nephew His first Act was to call to Stocholme and reconcile to himself sundry Counsellours of the Kingdom with others of the Senatoriall Order who had been long in the late Kings displeasure and who had likewise provoked himself To them passing by former Injuries he granted Letters of security An. 1592. and both from the one and other received Letters Obligatoricall dated January 1593. to joyne unanimously in Counsell and endeavours for the publike good and to be in all things assisting and subservient to him the said Duke reserving their fidelity and obedience to their lawfull hereditary King Duke Charles had advertised his Nephew King Sigismundus of his Fathers decease by Letters from Stocholme of the twenty fifth of November 1592. and desired his acceleration withall due conveniency to receive the Crown of his Native Kingdom The like he did from Vbsall by Olaus Suerkerus the seventh of March following to him he gave instructions to assure his Majesty that he would contain the Kingdom in peace and tranquility and so resign the same into his Majesties hands That he hoped likewise and expected that his Majesty would maintain his Subjects of what condition soever in the true Religion and Divine Worship as also preserve inviolably the Laws of Suethland with all the Priviledges granted by his Predecessors in each and all the points and Articles of every of them with severall other circumstances contained in those Instructions the whole in thirteen Heads or Sections Not long after King Sigismundus so desiring Turo Bielke of Nynes was by Duke Charles sent Ambassador into Poland with Letters and Instructions dated the 26th of May 1593. importing as before preservation of Religion as established in the latter times of Gustavus Erickson and the first of King John and as the same had been lately approved and confirmed at a generally Synod held at Vbsall the maintenance of Laws and Liberties to great and small poor and rich were likewise inserted and security therof with other points touched in the said Instructions to be by the Ambassador humbly desired under the Royall Signature The twenty seventh of July following Ericus Sparre and Claudius Bierke were sent to Dantzig with other Letters and a Fleet to receive and attend his Majesty honourably into Suethen Sigismundus returned answer by Turo Bielke referring the Peace to ensue with the Russian which had likewise been touched upon in the fore-cited Instructions and the security desired by the Prince and Counsellours of State in the name of all the Orders of Suethen untill his arrivall and Coronation there at which time he would confirm to every one freedom of his Religion observation of the Suethish Laws retention of ancient Priviledges and Liberties not prejudiciall to the Regall and Ducal Succession with all other things convenient to be secured unto them under his hand and Seal and that the same might be then done much better and more commodiously then at such a distance These were dated at Dantzig the eighteenth of August 1592 But the Suethes complain in that he gave not present assecuration in the point of Religion and those other things desired in the Ambassadoriall Instructions but that over-passing them he proceeded on his Voyage wherby say they he not obscurely discovered that either he would not give or not observe when given any such security especially touching Religion It was likewise observed that the Duke meeting King Sigismundus and his Queen upon their landing at the Bridge of Stocholme after congratulation of their safe arrivall with a long Oration did admonish him so to receive and govern his Hereditary Kingdom as he might with a good conscience answer before God and the World and particularly those of the Suethish Nation Wherunto the King gave but small regard and made but a short reply The Coronation time approaching and the chief of all the Orders repairing to Stocholme to attend the King to Vbsall where that Solemnity is usually performed They besought him to confirm their Liberties and Priviledges Which he whilest there remaining delayed with uncertain hopes wherwith the whole Politicall and Ecclesiasticall Orders being moved did by Letters and Emissaries Solicite the Duke to mediate with his Majesty not to procrastinate longer but to dispatch those and other Emergent Affairs lest longer delaies might beget some stop to the Regall Ceremony and some of the said severall Orders were in the name of the rest deputed unto his Highness then at Gripshold Castle to request his repair to the Solemnity and his Intervention with the King for their satisfaction Wherupon the Duke by Letters of the nineteenth of January 1594. did in most faithfull and friendly manner advise his Majesty to take the desires of the States into his serious consideration King Sigismundus nevertheless still delayed untill almost the Coronations Eve from whence they gathered that he had no propension to their desires especially in the matter of Religion seeing that notwithstanding all instances used both by the Duke and Senators seven weeks were wasted before ought could be effected or the Coronation celebrated Which consumption of time was chiefly imputed to the obstinacy of Francisco de Malaspina the Pontificiall Legate who by injunction from the Romish Prelate severely prohibited his assent but was at last constrained to advise and perswade the King to grant unto the States of Suethland the Assecuration desired which he was the rather induced unto as having on his Holiness behalf one starting hole remaining to wit That Faith was not to be kept towards Hereticks which say they was afterwards verified and that King Sigismundus observed no Covenant contained in his Coronation Oath or in his Letters of Assecuration It is by them and not without detestation likewise affirmed that Sigismundus intending mischief to the Duke his Uncle appointed some Ensigns of Heyduckes to lye in wait to murther him which had been effected but that a certain person Hieronimo Strozzi discovered the design and that this not succeeding a second plot was hatched to have been perpetrated by Italians in disguise by means of a Comedy to have been by them acted with naked Swords a thing unusuall amongst whom was Salvator Fabriz Authour of an Actor in that Scene which should have ushered in the fatall Tragedy and that this cursed Plot is testified and confirmed by James Tipotius a great Sectator of the Romish Religion and not ignorant of the designs of the Jesuites and Polanders himself being then at Vbsall But the Duke by his absence from those sights contrary to expectation prevented the intended butchery Neither say they were those Trayterous Counsellours who afterwards induced King Sigismundus to infest his Native Soil with armed Bands unwitting of these treacherous devices But that it was they who did first blow the coals of this pernicious discord albeit they kept close somtime that so if the Tragedy had taken the wished effect they might have seemed innocent and with Pilate have justified themselves but that God of his
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
not an honest man to fit his Cap with such a Crest he returned this answer That they who so upbraided and objected were to be blackt with the same Coale of calumny untill they had really proved that his actions were dissenting from his professions And that his performances should ever be such toward his Majesty and all other men as might become an honest Prince whose words and deeds were consentaneous That whereas his Majesty charged the Declaration by him delivered to the Electorall and Ducall Ambassadors who had interposed in that transaction of containing intollerable conditions hee referred unto the Acts themselves which he was perswaded would testifie otherwise That as to the Crimi nations couched in the answer he pretermits them as not being here competently urged but when things should come to be rightly discussed he would then make such reply as every honest man should acknowledge his allegations to be just That his Protest had no other meaning then that if the meanes for peace that had been should be tendred did not take effect and that Waves of discord should arise thence he desired to be excused before God and the World as being innocent thereof and that those onely who sowed and nourished the seeds of this dissention might be reputed guilty of its effects That the fidelity and obedience tendred by him to the King and his Heires never had been nor could be violated but preserved entire provided he might securely enjoy what of right he doth and ought to possesse Lastly that nothing on his part might be wanting as if equitable conditions for Peace and Concord were by him rejected he willingly consented to the meeting of so many honest men of the Equestriall and Military Order as his Majesty required with those that his Majesty should assigne for a full decision of all matters and that he wished for nothing more then to be admitted to a personal conference with his Majesty whereby he hoped to cleer himselfe to his Majesties satisfaction Duke Charles by his Commissioners sent also the Declaration ensuing whereunto he resolved to adhere constantly THat forasmuch as the Electorall and Ducall Ambassadors were departed whose subscriptions he had desired to the Letters of Assecuration of King Sigismund he thought not meet to trust to Paper and Inke onely but as a Pledge demanded the Fort of Elfenburg and the Vastenan Castle wherein he might place not his owne but his Majesties sworne Servants not disaffected to himself the Orders of the Kingdome who should there remain unto the end of the next ensuing Parliament If this were denied he desired he might retain the Navy with the Ammunition reserved in the Castle of Gripsholme untill the conclusion of that Assembly but if this also should not be consented unto then the Ships of War onely were to be insisted on And if that proposition were likewise rejected by the King those Senatorial persons formerly by him desired or three of them at least Viz. Ericke Sparre Gustavus Baner and Turo Bielke were to be required as pledges Lastly that his Majesty might understand his Highnesse had no other intentions then were conducing to Peace and Unity he would rest contented with his Majesties particular assecuration conditionally that therein were expresly inserted That the States of the Kingdome should be obliged to oppose and resist that side who attempted ought in prejudice of the Premisses BUt to the assecuration required by the Duke the seventeenth of September the King would not consent and in lieu thereof declared That whereas his beloved Uncle Duke Charles had promised obedience to him and his Heires and was by writing bound to remit into his hands his Kingdome Castles Townes Houses c. his Navy with all the Marine Provisions and Stores and all other things to him and the Crowne of Suethland belonging and to restore to liberty his Subjects with such of his Domesticks as he detained who should be neverthelesse obliged to answer all Objections in full and free Parliament as also to disband his Forces and retire into his Dukedom there to remain quietly and be ready with his Domesticks and Subjects against whom there should be cause of complaint to appeare in Judgment when all causes and controversies should be examined and decided in free Parliament before equall and sincere Arbitrators according to the assecutoriall Letters of his Highnesse given in that behalf He also had on the other part promised and secured and did by these his Leters Patents and on his Kingly faith and truth promise and secure that he would governe his Hereditary Kingdome according to his Oath and assecuration That he would dismisse his alien forces and not permit the intromission of any other except necessity did urge and the Duke and the States of the Kingdome were thereunto consenting Finally that all his sworne Servants whom the Duke had any way preferred in his absence should enjoy their former condition with all the Goods and Possessions committed unto them untill in the said Parliament the greivances his Majesty had against them were examined That moreover he would release all the Dukes Servants or his own who in the Dukes name and behalfe were in detention either within or without the Kingdome to be forth-coming as aforesaid To which end and that all Controversies and causes of complaint might be legally and justly heard and decided he would speedily indict a Parliament to be held within the space of foure months in which all things should be examined and judged before equall Arbitrators and Electorall and Ducall Ambassadors who should be thereunto invited In the meane time he promised not to permit violence or injustice to be offered to any of the Dukes Subjects Servants or followers of what condition soever nor to impeach or sentence any one for ought which by generall advice and consent had been concluded and enacted nor to forbid the defence thereof or to reject or persecute any who had adhered to his Highnesse nor permit any hinderance or stop to be given to his Highnesse or others whom he should send into any parts of the Kingdome untill that all things were decided in Parliament and that no further proceedings should be made then was in Parliament justly and legally pronounced That for the further security of the Premisses he had with his owne hand signed and sealed the same And consented that if beyond expectation it should happen that himselfe or his said Uncle should recede from or violate this agreement in the least The States of the Kingdome were impowred to resist and oppose the party violating Dated from Stegeburg the seventeenth of September 1598. Duke Charles not satisfied with this literary assecuration wrote back unto the King to the effect that notwithstanding all waies of application made by him for Peace indignation and a sinister construction of his actions encreased daily by instigation and counsell of perverse and turbulent men who had given beginning and continuance to this Tragedy so as
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
resignation and restitution then by having an equall regard to the Honour and Dignity of his Majesty of Poland and to the security of the State of Suethen In reference to the King it would be necessary that the Lawes made in Suethland wherby King Sigismundus and his Posterity had been deprived of the Inheritance and Succession to that Crown should be repealed and nullified and as violent Edicts to be razed out of the publike Records Concerning the State and Kingdome of Suethland it would be sufficiently secured if his Majesty of Poland in regard of the neernesse of consanguinity between him and the Princesse Christina did remit to her during her life the right he had to that Crown conditionally that the lawfull Heirs of his body might enjoy their right of Succession in the future or those failing Heirs And in case such Issue should faile on both sides that then the right of Election should return to the States of the Kingdome Hereunto it would also be requisite that in the point of the Queens future Marriage the King of Polands consent should be in friendly manner required and in case of doubts or scruples arising the approbation of his Electorall Highnesse of Brandenburg might be desired That it would be conducing hereunto if King Vladislaus should joyn in marriage with a Family allied to the Kingdome of Suethen by friendship or confederacy the consent of the States of Suethland concurring Neither could there be a better way to remove all doubts and jealousies then if the young Queen of Suethland were joyned in marriage with Prince Casimirus brother to his Majesty of Poland Concerning the restitution of the other Lands and Provinces taken in War which those of Poland demanded the main question of the Kingdome being decided that would follow of it self Quoniam sublata causa tollitur effectus those pretences having been the cause of that War Neither could the Suethes in lieu of the said restitution demand any re-imbursment of charges for then the Polanders and his Electorall Highnesse of Brandenburg and others might with far more reason require reparation of their losses and restitution of the Tolls extorted beyond measure even contrary to the Articles in the late six years Truce that it was now time to cease and abrogate those unjust oppressions and exactions upon forraign Trade and to reduce commerce to its former freedome That in like manner it was consentaneous to reason that the Elector of Brandenburg having sustained damages so great as not equall compensation could be hoped for should now at least have a full restitution of all his Ports Fortresses Towns Lands and Possessions Lastly that regard was to be had also of the Duke of Curland who having by means of the War received infinite prejudice ought in reason to share in the benefit of the Peace His Lordships Proposition being read in presen 〈…〉 of the Mediators Berkman heretofore named in the name of Marquesse Sigismund and the rest of the Electoralls exhibited one somewhat more breife but in effect the same The French and States Ambassadors delivered theirs by word of mouth these later named varying little if any thing from what the others had delivered in writing The French Ambassador a Cavelier of admirable endowments and singular Eloquence at first opposed his Lordship representing that it would be of no advantage and would be inconvenient likewise to bring againe upon the Stage and to determine that unrellishing and odious question of the Kingdome that it were otherwise if this were a case which could be easily decided or that might be tryed before a Tribunall On the other side it was mainely insisted on as notoriously injurious and prejudiciall to other like Governments At last it was unanimously consented that the day ensuing a proposition should be made to the respective Parties by way of question onely Whether his Majesty of Poland would be pleased as also the young Queen Christina to renounce both for himselfe and his Relations their right in Suethen under these two Conditions I. That the young Queen Christina and her Issue fayling King Vladislaus and his lawfull Heirs might obtaine the right of succession unto the Crown of Suethen II. That restitution be made of all such places and Territories as during the War had been taken either in Leifland or Prussia from the King and Crown of Poland Hereupon the consultation ending all the Mediators the Electoralls excepted retyred from the Castle to their severall lodgings in the Town The severall mediating Ministers and Parties interessed meet the second time at Stumbsdorff where as at first they divide themselves his Lordship with the Brandenburgers repaire to the Suethes the French and States Ambassadors to the Poles and urge the Sequestration of the Procuratories that so they may more confidently proceed in the maine businesse The Polanders affirmed they had new Procuratories but refused to consigne them unlesse their acceptance were secured by attestation as also their restorement in case of Peace or Warr. On the other side the Suethes delivered up theirs with a protestation in writing and the draught of an attestation which his Lordship with the Electorall Ministers rejected not permitting any prescription of their Acts to be made to them by any but their owne attestation to be sufficient The Commissioners of Poland understanding that the Suethes had delivered up their procuratoriall Letters sent theirs to the French Ambassador then in the Mediatoriall Tent but committed their protestation to the Ambassador of great Brittaine and intimated their expectancie of an attestation with the first opportunity Hereupon the Mediators exhibite to each of the Parties the Procuratories received from the other Those of Poland would not once overlooke that of the Suethes saying that without seeing they gave credite thereunto as not being incredulous and would not so much as take notice of their Protestation But on the other side the Suethes did deliberately Supervise and ponder the Polish Procuratories and againe complained that their Queenes titles were imperfectly couched the word Great relating to Princess of Finland being omitted neither would accept thereof notwithstanding all the perswasions the French Ambassador could use He with the Hollanders made relation of this unthought of difficultie to the Commissioners of Poland who hearing it were somewhat troubled imputing the errour to the ignorance or heedlesness of the writer affirming that they were free therefrom but to remove that rubb the Lord Chancellor Zadzick did offer to supply the defect with his owne hand in presence of the Mediators there being no other meanes to rectify the same nor any possibility of recovering other Procuratories This offer of his was excepted against by those of Suethland who alledged that the Chancellor had no power or authority to change or correct ought after the King had once signed the same as also that the Procuratory would be therby imperfect and blemished in regard nothing could be added without interlining At last through the
Commissioners that with all conveniency those excesses might be abstained from the things being in themselves unjust and derogating from their Masters Dignities to be practised they present and not able to relieve the injured Plaintiff Count Brahe in the name of the rest made auswer that indeed sundry complaints had been made unto him about the Tolls but so far as he knew none had ever proved that any new exaction or burthen had been introduced contrary to the agreement that moreover they had no Commission to treat of this matter untill the businesse of the Pacification were ended which done they would conforme themselves strictly unto their Instructions in that point That in the mean time they would send Peter Speiring their Toll-Master to inform their Lordships of all things and that they would enjoyne him to cease all extraordinary burthens if any had crept in Thus ended that conference The same night his Lordship certified the Polish Commissioners of the meeting to be as formerly appointed The time being come their first work was to see what the Polanders would declare upon the Mediatoriall conditions last propounded who to his Lordship and the Electoralls returned the same answer as to the former Viz. That they rejected them not but found them not such as might move their King to renounce a Kingdome which was no small matter and therefore desired the Mediators either to supply the defects of those or to propound others This answer being repeated in the Mediatoriall Colledge what before seemed strange was now judged wholly impossible none knowing what to propound of new that might be acceptable to both Parties whom therefore they resolved not to smooth any longer but that if themselves had ought to propound they might do it Hereupon they part his Lordship to the Suethes the French to the Polanders each accompanied as before but when the Suethes found themselves againe frustrated of the promised resolve from them of Poland they began not without passion to rehearse how much they had already granted to the adverse party Whereas we sayd they desire nothing from the King of Poland but an empty Title we are content to surrender the most noble and rich Province of Prussia which compared together was but as a Feather to a Wedge of Gold That they were sorry they had declared themselves so farr and assured that so soon as their Army should arrive from Suethen they would not onely retract Prussia but likewise treat in tearms much more difficult That as touching Leifland they would not part with the least â—lod thereof neither was it once so much as mentioned in their Instructions The Commissioners of Poland were no lesse stiff toward the French and Hollanders repeating what they had formerly spoken but being somewhat pacified they yeilded so far as to deliver to the Mediators those things under trust which as a supplement they thought fit to be added to the five fore-mentioned Conditions 1. That the young Queen dying King Vladislaus might be chosen King of Suethland 2. That the Suethes should consider how compensation should be made to the Kings Brothers and Sisters 3. That it might be free for them to Elect the Posterity of Vladislaus 4. That Prince Casimir the Kings Brother might Raign in the Regall absence 5. That the young Queen Christina might be married with the Kings advice 6. That Esthonia should be surrendred as a part of Leifland 7. That all the Ordinance taken away in the great Dutchy of Lithuania should be restored 8. That the Ships detained in Wismar and else where should be set free 9. That they should abstain from Extortions hitherto practised in the Customes 10. That reparation should be made for the losses sustained by particular persons in their Possessions and Priviledges and Exiles to be restored to their former Estates The Mediators conferring hereupon and finding the answer of both sides tending to a breach they conclude to tell the Suethes that those of Poland seemed to give some hopes of a renunciation seeing they had not hitherto absolutely denied the same That in order therunto they had added some supplies to the Conditions last propounded about which the Mediators being willing to consult seriously desired the next generall meeting might be deferred for foure daies wherunto the Sueshes yet not without reluctancy consenting the others did so likewise The said day being the 29 8 May June they congregated the sixth time and the Mediators pains were the greater by how much the parties dissenting in extreams seemed to breath nothing but present War No new Counsell remained no mediate means could be more found out neither was it doubted by the Mediators but that the supplements added by the Polanders as aforesaid would cause a certain breach Yet that they might not be wanting to their Mediatoriall Office they agreed setting the Polish conditions aside to demand of each party as for the last time their finall Declarations and how far their Commissions extended From the Suethes whether by their Instructions they had not power to treat of an entire restitution of all things taken away that if they had ought in reserve they should produce it if otherwise that they would do well to have recourse to their Principals the States of Suethland by Letters wherby they might happily be moved to send them instructions more complying Unto the Commissioners of Poland it was remonstrated that albeit the Mediators had duely considered the Supplements delivered unto them they could not conceive that any good would be effected by them and therfore if they had ought remaining touching the resignation that they would entrust them with it for otherwise there would never be an end of going to and from which being tedious in it self they also began to grow weary therof The Suethes to whom the French Ambassador had repaired replyed that seeing nothing had been hitherto offered unto them from the contrary party they had already enlarged themselves too far by a tender of the restitution of Prussia wherunto they could add nothing That they wondred much that these and the like things were almost daily required of them wheras they could not heare of ought from the other side tending toward a Peace That they sufficiently knew the States of Suethen would not be induced to grant any other Commission or Instructions then what they had already That Parliament could not be called in lesse then foure months and that some time would be wasted in making a journey into Suethen but that it might so happen as that their Generall Jacobuâ— de la Garde whom they ere long expected with a Navy might bring them some further power The Commissiones of Poland complained that the Mediators had relinquished the conditions they had tendred affirming that their King would never be perswaded to a resignation for the restitution of Prussia and Leifland meerly neither had they ought in their Commission more then what they had already declared To
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
thousand Foot and Horse to their recruit wherby those places being surrendred by the Enemy were by him as the rest had been delivered into the hands of the Electorall Administrator But to return from whence I have not unnecessarily digressed the Suethes and the Confederate Princes fell not long after into a decadence of fortune for the Cardinall Infanta with an Army of old tryed Souldiers though bent for Flanders taking Germany in his way and joyning with the Imperiallists neer the City of Norglingen the Associates by this Conjunction received a great defeat wherin most of their Ensigns were seised their Commanders either slain or taken of which latter Calamity their brave Generall Gustavus Horne was partaker The scattered relicks found no sure retreat untill they recovered the formerly wasted Palatinate under Duke Bernard of Weymar where deprived of Colours and Commanders they continued in a manner without Discipline so as that Country was in a most sad condition and England thereupon solicited as aforesaid the Counsell wherof judging it expedient to send an Agent thither the fore-named Lievtenant Colonel Duglass was made choice of as one who in his reports would not be over partiall and he being first dignified with the Honour of Knight-hood accordingly received Credentials and Instructions The fore-mentioned Ambassador Sir Robert Anstruther who after his departure from Saxony had been with the Elector of Brandenburg at Berlin and from thence with the Queen of Suethen at Wolgast to condole the death of the King her Husband whose body was then to be transported into Suethland and had likewise been with the Duke of Holstein and the Dutchesse Dowager his Mother as also with the King of Denmark Treating with sundry of that Kings Counsell who were thereunto appointed he intimated unto them omitting particulars not so necessary to be here inserted that their Masters Conjunction with the Protestant Princes of Germany would much conduce to the generall tranquility as without which the Emperour and his adherents would hardly be moved to a constant and universall Peace in the Empire but rather hope that the Divisions and Separations of those Princes and States would be apt to produce unto him new advantages They after much reasoning acknowledged it was most necessary but prayed him to consider the hazards their King their Country and themselves had in the last Wars been exposed unto so as had they not made a peace with the Emperour they might by that time have gone a begging with their Wives and Children And that having thus made their Peace they ought not in equity to be the breakers of it the rather for that their Master was now acting the Mediators part They wished that Saxony were really as Brandenburg was united in the Alliance of Heylbrun the better to Ballance the Affaires there whereby a good Peace which their Master was still ambitious to be an Instrument of might more probably be expected His Lordship urged no lesse to their King himself upon occasion of some discourse soon after of the then present state of Germany and the King expressing how much he longed to see a good Peace established He replied that his Majesties Authority and Power if interposed with the Duke of Saxony might be very usefull for obtaining of the wished end in that Conjuncture and that if the three Protestant Electors and their Houses were firmly linked together by a perfect friendship and sence of common Interest they would soon grow so Considerable as that other Princes would be glad of their Association And then Caesar himself would in all likelyhood the better hearken to reasonable Conditions of Peace besides many other good effects which he inferred might ensue so happy a Conjunction The King professed to concur with his Lordship in opinion yet not without objecting some impediments But I shall wave further insisting hereupon This as not material to the Subject mainly here intended being onely to shew how far England did then interess it self in the Protestant cause of Germany and the concernments of its Allies there His Lordship returning to Hamburg to expect further Orders was soon after re-manded back to Francfort on the Mayne to interpose his Masters Authority as cause should be offered Return We now to Sir George Duglass who there met with his Lordship and during his Agency in the Palatinate had given an account so satisfactory as well in order to that Electorall Principality and its condition with the whole state of Affaires relative to that concernment as of the Associated Princes and Cities and likewise of the Suethes as was well rellished at home and therby gained to himself the opinion of one capable of a greater and more weighty Negotiation And as if all things should conduce to his advancement it so fell out that the expiration of a six years Truce concluded as hath been said by the intervention of Sir Thomas Roe Ambassador from the late King An. 1629. between the Crownes and Kings of Poland and Suethen was then drawing neer and the late King was by the Polander again solicited to the same effect with intimation of a desire of neerer conjunction by Allyance This motion was plausible and the more credulous of Englands Court were thereby wrought to cry up that Kings Cause albeit the same his Turne once served proved but a Fucus and like an Apparition vanished into Aire For this employment of no mean moment Sir George Duglass then Agent in Germany as aforesaid was thought a fit Minister and the rather because haying formerly served the late King of Suethland in those parts he was not unacquainted with their interests in Prussia and Leifland and might accordingly make use of arguments to induce them to a moderate and equitable compliance it being conjectured that they would not easily be won to restore either much lesse both of those rich and fertile Provinces but as to any resignation of the Crown of Suethland which the Polander claimed as his Hereditary Right it was fore-seen that however the same might be brought upon the Carpet it could not be with any hope of condeseension Credentials and Instructions were then drawn up and sent enclosed within a dispatch to the fore-named Ambassadour Sir Robert Anstruther to beby him delivered as was forthwith done unto Sir George Duglass whereby the Title of Lord Ambassadour Extraordinary from the King of Great Brittaine to the Kings and Crownes of Poland and Suethland became due unto him In this new Condition his first work was to furnish himself with Necessaries and Attendants suitable to that high Employment into the number wherof he was pleased to desire the Relator from Sir Robert Anstruther of whose Secretaries he then was and in the same capacity entertained him for that Embassy which is only mentioned to shew the ground he had for the present and precedent Narrative Whilest some weeks of time were spent in such like preparations Letters of safe conduct and Convoyes were desired
stand for her Majesties safety her good and welfare as well as for that of the Kingdome even to the danger of their lives and losse of their goods Provided that her Majesty when shee should attaine to perfect years and full possession of the Government of the Kingdome did secure unto them and the whole State whatsoever might concerne the maintaining of all their Lawes Liberties and Priviledges c. as the like had been done by former Kings especially by her late Royall Father and had by the State of the Kingdome been approved Secondly that if any Suethe or other subject to the Crown therof of what degree dignity or quality soever should refuse to subscribe and submit to this establishment or dare to oppose their present Act or seek to advance any other whether native or forraigner They did esteem and declare that party to be a member separated from their body an Enemy yea Traytor to the Kingdome and upon conviction of a Crime of that nature to be punished without mercy Thirdly They confirmed and ratified the Acts formerly concluded against King Sigismundus with his Children and Discendants and declared them to have no right or interest in the Crown of Suethland or any part of the Dominions or Jurisdictions therto belonging and that all their right and pretensions were lost void forfeit and in the lapse for ever And that if any Sueth or other person under that Crown should endeavour the admittance of any of the aforesaids into the Kingdome or to yeeld them any footing within the Jurisdictions or upon the Frontiers therof They would hold that person of what quality soever he were for a pernicious and hainous Traytor to them and to the whole State And upon perseverance therin should meet with the mercilesse punishment due to such a one And that whosoever should listen unto or harbour or lodge any such person without timely discovery unto Authority should be liable to the like punishment As also that the Orobrogian Acts of February 1617. against all such should remain as inviolable as if they were here Verbatim expressed And all Lords Judges and other Officers were to see execution and performance of the same as he would otherwise answer it at his perill Fourthly That they unanimously and deliberatly confirmed and renewed what had been formerly enacted concerning the Service of God and his Church by other Assemblies and Diets and did generally oblige themselves to remaine in the same Form Truth and Discipline of Religion according to the Revealed truth of Gods holy Word and the Articles of Christian Faith contained in the Apostolical Nicene and Athanasian Creed together with the Confession of Auspurg and as formerly concluded in the Counsell of Vssall Fifthly That in regard of the Queens under age and insufficiency therby to defend and govern the Realm by her owne self and ability They did unanimously desire and ordaine that his Majesties Decree and Ordinance concerning this matter formerly committed to the Counsell and Lords of the State for their judgment and the conceiving of a right Order therupon which had been also by them tendred unto and approved of by his Majesty but by reason of his suddain â—eath and other occasions impeding had not had its full effect notwithstanding their want of sundry necessary instructions and appurtenances which through straitnesse of time could not be inserted should be put in execution and performed for the good of the Realme by the five chief States and Officers therof Viz. 1. The Lord high Steward 2. Marshall 3. Admirall 4. Chancellour 5. Treasurer And in the absence of one or other or of any the eldest of the Counsell of State to supply the place And these five to govern the Kingdome of Suethen for her Majesty untill shee should have attained perfect years And they five or as aforesaid the eldest of the Counsell of Stockholme being of the same Colledge and Assembly supplying the place of any of them absent should have the Tuition of the Queen and should bear rule during her Minority and Nonage onely in her name and stead without prejudice to the Realm or State or violation or breach of the Lawes Rights and Priviledges therof And should for her Majesty powerfully maintain the five Brotherly Offices and State Ranks That is Court-right Counsell Counsell of War Admiralty Chancery and Treasury or Exchecquer according to the institution and establishment of former Kings and especially of their late King Gustavus the second And should to their power uphold and maintain the Rights Lawes Justice and Policy of Suethen Defend and protect the Realm with all the depencies theron so as they might conscientiously answer before God the Queen and the State when therunto called as those by Oath were therunto obliged So on the other side the Lords and Peers of the Realm did promise to yeild and perform unto those persons Selected as aforesaid all due respect honour obedience and submissive Subjection in whatsoever they should require and command tending to the Glory of Almighty God the good and welfare of the Queen of the State and Common-weale And that in case any person or persons should either in word or deed thwart and oppose the present proceeding and government They would withall their powers endeavour to suppresse such Insolencies punish the parties and constrain them to better obedience Sixthly They would to their utmost prosecute the War against the Emperor and Popish League in Germany which their King had sealed with his blood untill it should please Almighty God to settle a happy and desired Peace for the good of his Church As also the Kingdomes necessity so requiring whether by reason of their present Wars or of any new Enemies against their Queen and State they would with their lives and Fortunes maintain their Rights and Liberties and with their utmost abilities oppose all such as should confront or withstand their proceedings Seventhly That forasmuch as no Kingdome could subsist without meanes or War be rightly managed without great charges They did likewise thinke good that the Tolls and Customes should be continued for the good of the Kingdome in the same manner as then raised and received c. Moreover If the Germane War should continue Or if their Kingdome and Countrey should fasten upon some other War or trouble They did promise and oblige themselves that whensoever required by the Peeres States and Lords of the Realme They would with all their power and meanes stand and fight for the Religion Queen Kingdome and Liberties That in all the particulars before specified they were resolved and had unanimously generally and particularly in their owne and in the behalfe of their brethren present and absent as well unborne as borne freely and willingly consented agreed approved and concluded and therein sufficiently accorded and did promise as faithfull religious and true sincere meaning Subjects to performe the same They the Councell State c. of Sueden did underwrite and seale