Source:
A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq;, volume 2, pages 22 to 23, published by Thomas Birch, 1742; original at Indiana University
The letter:
May it please your HIGHNES:
... The rix chauncellor came hither on Satturday last, and on Monday last came to visit me. He stayed about three howers with me, discoursing in Lattin of many thinges, butt especially of the affayres of England, and perticularly of your highnes; and with much expression of respect to you he seemed pleased with the discourse by his long stay, which his followers sayd they never before saw him doe with any embassadour. Himselfe told me, that he had received great contentment and satisfaction from me; with other expressions concerning me, which I loked uppon as complements rather then materiall to trouble your highnes with them. He desired an intimacy of friendship with me, and that we might often meete; that the commonwealth of England had manifested great respect to the queene, in sending me hither; and that he would not be wanting to expresse his perticular respects to them, and to your highnes, and to bring my busines to a good effect.
Wednesday last I waited on the queene, with whome I was alone above two howers. She is pleased to allow me to sitt, which she doth not use to afforde to other embassadours; and discourses in great freedome with me. She was pleased to tell me, that she received great satisfaction from me concerning our affayres, relating to ourselfes, to Holland, and to other states. She sayd, she intended to take a journey for about eight dayes; and in the meane tyme, that my busines might not be delayed, she had appointed her chauncellor to conferre with me: and bicause I was a straunger to him, she would tell me his temper; which she did, and said, that if we did not agree, it must come to her agayne; for which great favour and testimony of her good inclination, I thanked her majesty.
Tuesday I visited the rix chauncellor, with whome I stayed neere three howers; and when I desired him to appoint a time of our meeting, according to the queene's directions, he sayd, it could not be till after her going out of towne; butt in the meane while he desyred to be informed by me concerning the setlement of our commonwealth and governement; which I endeavoured to cleare unto him. He told me, that what I desired would speedily be taken into consideration. I answeared, that I desired nothing, and came not ut cliens, sed ut amicus, to make tender unto the queene of the friendship of the commonwealth. He desired me to excuse him, and sayd, that he meant no otherwise; and that hee did not only desire the friendship betweene the two nations, butt that hee might have an intimacy of friendship betweene us. Att my parting I intreated to know, whither he were satisfyed concerning the settlement of our commonwealth; or else it would be in vayne to treate uppon perticulars before a satisfaction first had in the generall; which he apprehended had not bin wanting, bicause her majesty had sent her publique ministers to our commonwealth, and had one there now residing. He told me, that my information had fully satisfyed him in those points, and concerning all our affayres.
This morning came the newes from England hither, whereof there was much discourse, especially with the Dutch and Scotch. I presently sent to the queene to desire an audience, to see how she would treat me. Before my messenger returned, count Tot came to me: he is the first gentleman of her bedde-chamber, and great captaine of her guards, and in much favour with her. He told me, that the queene had sent him to me to congratulate the accession of honnour to my generall, and of happines to my countrey; for which her joy was so great, that she could not omitt the sending to me expresse it. I returned my thankes to her majesty, for the continuance of her respects to my generall, and to my countrey. After this the master of the ceremonyes brought the queene's coaches about three a clocke, and carryed me to the courte, where the queene sent for me into her bedde-chamber, which she had not done att any time before. She told me the newes with much joy, and said, Boneale and divers others wrote it from London; and asked, if I had my letters: I sayd "noe"; butt by other letters I had reason to beleeve the newes, and to expect her majesty's inclination thereuppon towards me. She sayd, "par Dieu", she bore the same respect and more, to my generall, and to me, than she did before; that she had rather have to doe with one man than with many. She told me, she doubted my letters might be intercepted; and therefore if I would att any time send any in her packett, her secretary should take care of them; and she would promise me, that they should not be medled with. After I was come home, she sent one of her secretaryes to me with the same messauge; and whilest he was with me, my joyfull letters came, which in parte I communicated to the secretary, and told him, that I desired to waite uppon the queene agayne, when her leisure would permitt. He went presently to the castle, and brought me word from the queene, that she desired I would come to her this night; which I did, though very late: and although I had before received those testimonyes before-mentioned of her good liking of this newes: yett before I would deliver your highnes letters to her, I discoursed in the generall of the buisnes; and she being very pleasant, I told [her] that in case my lord protector should write unto her majesty, I presumed his highnes letters would have a good reception from her. She answeared, that they should be most wellcome to her. Whereupon I presented my credentialls to her; and after she had read them, she asked me, how it came, that my lord protector's name was putt first in the letter? I answeared, that it was the constant forme in England used to all other princes and states. She sayd, that if it was used to other princes and states, she was satisfyed. I told her, that my lord's name signed himselfe was subscribed; and she was verie well pleased, giving me her hand to kisse. She told me, that she would write herselfe to my lord protector, and desired me in my letters to acquaint your highnes, that no person had a greater esteeme and respect of your highnes than she had; which she would be readie to manifest, and was verie joyfull of this good newes from England.
After the fitt ceremonyes performed att my house, I held it requisite to give this trouble to your highnes; and it being extreame late, I hope it will obteine my pardon for my faultes in this letter.
Upsall, Jan. 13. 1653 [sic].
Your highnesse most faithfull and most humble servant,
B. WHITELOCKE.
With modernised spelling:
May it please Your Highness,
... The Rixchancellor came hither on Saturday last and on Monday last came to visit me. He stayed about three hours with me, discoursing in Latin of many things, but especially of the affairs of England, and particularly of Your Highness; and with much expression of respect to you, he seemed pleased with the discourse by his long stay, which his followers said they never before saw him do with any ambassador.
Himself told me that he had received great contentment and satisfaction from me, with other expressions concerning me, which I looked upon as compliments rather than material to trouble Your Highness with them. He desired an intimacy of friendship with me and that we might often meet, that the Commonwealth of England had manifested great respect to the Queen in sending me hither, and that he would not be wanting to express his particular respects to them and to Your Highness and to bring my business to a good effect.
Wednesday last I waited on the Queen, with whom I was alone above two hours. She is pleased to allow me to sit (which she doth not use to afford to other ambassadors) and discourses in great freedom with me. She was pleased to tell me that she received great satisfaction from me concerning our affairs relating to ourselves, to Holland and to other states.
She said she intended to take a journey for about eight days; and in the meantime, that my business might not be delayed, she had appointed her Chancellor to confer with me; and because I was a stranger to him, she would tell me his temper, which she did, and said that if we did not agree, it must come to her again, for which great favour and testimony of her good inclination I thanked Her Majesty.
Tuesday I visited the Rixchancellor, with whom I stayed near three hours; and when I desired him to appoint a time of our meeting, according to the Queen's directions, he said it could not be till after her going out of town; but in the meanwhile he desired to be informed by me concerning the settlement of our Commonwealth and government, which I endeavoured to clear unto him. He told me that what I desired would speedily be taken into consideration. I answered that I desired nothing and came not ut cliens, sed ut amicus, to make tender unto the Queen of the friendship of the Commonwealth.
He desired me to excuse him and said that he meant no otherwise and that he did not only desire the friendship between the two nations, but that he might have an intimacy of friendship between us. At my parting I entreated to know whether he were satisfied concerning the settlement of our Commonwealth, or else it would be in vain to treat upon particulars before a satisfaction first had in the general, which he apprehended had not been wanting because Her Majesty had sent her public ministers to our Commonwealth and had one there now residing. He told me that my information had fully satisfied him in those points and concerning all our affairs.
This morning came the news from England hither, whereof there was much discourse, especially with the Dutch and Scotch. I presently sent to the Queen to desire an audience, to see how she would treat me. Before my messenger returned, count Tott came to me; he is the first gentleman of her bedchamber and great captain of her guards, and in much favour with her. He told me that the Queen had sent him to me to congratulate the accession of honour to my General and of happiness to my country, for which her joy was so great that she could not omit the sending to me express it. I returned my thanks to Her Majesty for the continuance of her respects to my General and to my country.
After this, the master of the ceremonies brought the Queen's coaches about three o'clock and carried me to the court, where the Queen sent for me into her bedchamber, which she had not done at any time before. She told me the news with much joy and said Bonel and diverse others wrote it from London, and asked if I had my letters. I said "no", but by other letters I had reason to believe the news and to expect Her Majesty's inclination thereupon towards me.
She said, "par Dieu", she bore the same respect and more to my General and to me than she did before; that she had rather have to do with one man than with many. She told me she doubted my letters might be intercepted, and therefore, if I would at any time send any in her packet, her secretary should take care of them, and she would promise me that they should not be meddled with.
After I was come home, she sent one of her secretaries to me with the same message; and whilst he was with me, my joyful letters came, which in part I communicated to the secretary and told him that I desired to wait upon the Queen again when her leisure would permit. He went presently to the castle and brought me word from the Queen that she desired I would come to her this night, which I did, though very late; and although I had before received those testimonies before-mentioned of her good liking of this news, yet before I would deliver Your Highness' letters to her, I discoursed in the general of the business; and she being very pleasant, I told [her] that in case my Lord Protector should write unto Her Majesty, I presumed His Highness' letters would have a good reception from her. She answered that they should be most welcome to her.
Whereupon I presented my credentials to her; and after she had read them, she asked me how it came that my Lord Protector's name was put first in the letter. I answered that it was the constant form in England used to all other princes and states. She said that if it was used to other princes and states, she was satisfied. I told her that my Lord's name, signed himself, was subscribed; and she was very well pleased, giving me her hand to kiss.
She told me that she would write herself to my Lord Protector, and desired me in my letters to acquaint Your Highness that no person had a greater esteem and respect of Your Highness than she had, which she would be ready to manifest, and was very joyful of this good news from England.
After the fit ceremonies performed at my house, I held it requisite to give this trouble to Your Highness; and, it being extreme late, I hope it will obtain my pardon for my faults in this letter.
Uppsal, January 13, 1653 [sic].
Your Highness'
most faithful and most humble servant,
Bulstrode Whitelocke.
French translation (my own):
Qu'il plaise à Votre Altesse,
... Le grand chancelier est venu ici samedi dernier, et lundi dernier, il est venu me rendre visite. Il est resté environ trois heures avec moi, discutant en latin de nombreux sujets, notamment des affaires d'Angleterre, et plus particulièrement de Votre Altesse. Avec beaucoup de respect pour vous, il a semblé satisfait de son entretien et de son long séjour, ce que ses partisans ont dit ne jamais l'avoir vu faire auparavant avec un ambassadeur.
Il m'a dit lui-même qu'il avait reçu de moi une grande satisfaction, et m'a fait part d'autres témoignages à mon sujet, que j'ai considérés comme des compliments plutôt que comme de quoi ennuyer Votre Altesse. Il souhaitait une amitié intime avec moi et que nous puissions nous rencontrer souvent, que la République d'Angleterre avait témoigné un profond respect à la reine en m'envoyant ici, et qu'il ne manquerait pas de leur témoigner ses respects particuliers, ainsi qu'à Votre Altesse, et de veiller à ce que mon affaire aboutisse.
Mercredi dernier, j'ai rendu visite à la reine, avec laquelle j'ai été seul pendant plus de deux heures. Elle a bien voulu me permettre de m'asseoir (ce qu'elle n'accorde généralement pas aux autres ambassadeurs) et de m'entretenir en toute liberté. Elle a eu le plaisir de me dire qu'elle avait reçu une grande satisfaction de ma part concernant nos affaires, celles de la Hollande et celles des autres États.
Elle dit qu'elle avait l'intention de faire un voyage d'environ huit jours; et qu'en attendant, pour que mes affaires ne soient pas retardées, elle avait chargé son chancelier de conférer avec moi; et comme je lui étais étranger, elle voulait me parler de son tempérament, ce qu'elle fit, et elle dit que si nous n'étions pas d'accord, il faudrait lui en parler à nouveau, pour laquelle grande faveur et témoignage de sa bonne inclination j'ai remercié Sa Majesté.
Mardi, j'ai rendu visite au grand chancelier, chez qui je suis resté près de trois heures. Lorsque je lui ai demandé de fixer une date pour notre rencontre, conformément aux instructions de la reine, il m'a répondu que cela ne pouvait avoir lieu qu'après son départ de la ville; mais qu'en attendant, il désirait être informé par moi de la situation de notre République et de notre gouvernement, ce que je me suis efforcé de lui expliquer. Il m'a dit que ce que je souhaitais serait rapidement pris en considération. Je lui ai répondu que je ne désirais rien et que je n'étais pas venu ut cliens, sed ut amicus, pour offrir à la reine l'amitié de la République.
Il me pria de l'excuser et me dit qu'il n'avait aucune intention contraire et qu'il souhaitait non seulement l'amitié entre les deux nations, mais aussi une amitié intime entre nous. Au moment de mon départ, je le priai de savoir s'il était satisfait de l'établissement de notre République, sans quoi il serait vain de traiter des détails avant d'avoir obtenu une satisfaction générale, ce qui, il le craignait, n'avait pas manqué, car Sa Majesté avait envoyé ses ministres publics dans notre République et y avait un ministre résidant actuellement. Il me dit que mes informations l'avaient pleinement satisfait sur ces points et concernant toutes nos affaires.
Ce matin, des nouvelles d'Angleterre sont arrivées, ce qui a suscité de nombreux discours, notamment avec les Hollandais et les Écossais. J'ai immédiatement envoyé demander audience à la reine pour voir comment elle me traiterait. Avant le retour de mon messager, le comte Tott est venu me trouver; il est le premier gentilhomme de sa chambre et le grand capitaine de ses gardes, et jouit d'une grande faveur auprès d'elle. Il m'a dit que la reine l'avait envoyé me féliciter de l'accession de mon général aux honneurs et du bonheur de mon pays, dont sa joie était si grande qu'elle ne pouvait s'empêcher de me l'exprimer. J'ai remercié Sa Majesté pour le maintien de ses respects envers mon général et mon pays.
Après cela, le maître des cérémonies apporta les carrosses de la reine vers trois heures et me conduisit à la cour. La reine me fit alors venir dans sa chambre, ce qu'elle n'avait jamais fait auparavant. Elle m'annonça la nouvelle avec une grande joie, me disant que Bonel et plusieurs autres l'avaient écrite de Londres et me demanda si j'avais mes lettres. Je répondis «non», mais d'autres lettres me laissaient croire et m'attendaient à l'attitude de Sa Majesté à mon égard.
Elle dit, «par Dieu», qu'elle avait le même respect, voire plus, pour mon général et pour moi qu'auparavant; qu'elle préférait avoir affaire à un seul homme plutôt qu'à plusieurs. Elle me dit qu'elle doutait que mes lettres soient interceptées et que, par conséquent, si jamais j'en envoyais dans son courrier, sa secrétaire s'en occuperait et me promettrait qu'elles ne seraient pas manipulées.
Après mon retour, elle m'envoya un de ses secrétaires avec le même message. Pendant qu'il était avec moi, mes lettres pleines de joie arrivèrent. Je les communiquai en partie au secrétaire, lui disant que je désirais retourner voir la reine dès que son temps le lui permettrait. Il se rendit aussitôt au château et me rapporta un message de la reine, lui demandant de venir la voir ce soir, ce que je fis, quoique très tard. Bien que j'eusse déjà reçu les témoignages mentionnés de son accueil favorable à cette nouvelle, avant de lui remettre les lettres de Votre Altesse, je lui discutai de l'affaire en détail. Comme elle était très aimable, je lui dis qu'au cas où Monsieur le protecteur écrirait à Sa Majesté, je présumais que les lettres de Son Altesse seraient bien reçues. Elle me répondit qu'elles lui seraient les bienvenues.
Je lui ai alors présenté mes lettres de créance; après qu'elle les eut lues, elle m'a demandé comment il se faisait que le nom de Monsieur le protecteur figurait en premier dans la lettre. Je lui ai répondu que c'était la formule habituelle en Angleterre pour tous les autres princes et États. Elle a dit que si c'était le cas pour d'autres princes et États, elle était satisfaite. Je lui ai dit que le nom de Monsieur, signé en personne, était souscrit; et elle en fut ravie, me donnant sa main à baiser.
Elle me dit qu'elle écrirait elle-même à Monsieur le protecteur, et me pria dans mes lettres d'informer Votre Altesse que personne n'avait une plus grande estime et un plus grand respect pour Votre Altesse qu'elle, ce qu'elle serait prête à manifester, et elle était très joyeuse de cette bonne nouvelle d'Angleterre.
Après les cérémonies convenables accomplies chez moi, j'ai cru devoir donner cette peine à Votre Altesse; et, comme il est fort tard, j'espère qu'elle obtiendra mon pardon pour mes fautes dans cette lettre.
Upsal, le 13 janvier 1653 [sic].
De Votre Altesse
le très fidèle et très humble serviteur
Bulstrode Whitelocke.
Swedish translation (my own):
Må det behaga Ers Höghet,
... Rikskanslern kom hit förra lördagen och förra måndagen kom han för att besöka mig. Han stannade hos mig i ungefär tre timmar och diskuterade på latin många saker, men särskilt om Englands angelägenheter och i synnerhet Ers Höghet; och med stor respekt för Er verkade han nöjd med samtalet under sin långa vistelse, vilket hans anhängare sade att de aldrig tidigare sett honom hålla med någon ambassadör som helst.
Han berättade själv för mig att han hade fått stor tillfredsställelse från mig, med andra uttryck angående mig, vilka jag betraktade som komplimanger snarare än material för att besvära Ers Höghet med dem. Han önskade en intim vänskap med mig och att vi ofta skulle träffas, att Republiken England hade visat stor respekt för drottningen genom att sända mig hit, och att han inte skulle underlåta att uttrycka sin särskilda respekt för dem och Ers Höghet och att hjälpa mig med mitt ärende.
Förra onsdagen väntade jag på drottningen, som jag var ensam med i över två timmar. Hon låter mig gärna sitta (vilket hon vanligtvis inte tillåter med andra ambassadörer) och tala fritt med mig. Hon berättade gärna att jag uppskattade våra angelägenheter, som rörde oss själva, Holland och andra stater.
Hon sade att hon ämnade företa en resa på ungefär åtta dagar; och under tiden, för att mitt ärende inte skulle bli försenat, hade hon utsett sin kansler att överlägga med mig; och eftersom jag var en främling för honom, ville hon berätta för mig om hans temperament, vilket hon gjorde, och hon sade att om vi inte kom överens, måste det komma till henne igen, för vilken stora ynnest och betygelse om hennes goda inställning jag tackade Hennes Majestät.
På tisdagen besökte jag Rikskanslern, hos vilken jag stannade i nästan tre timmar; och när jag bad honom bestämma en tid för vårt möte, enligt drottningens anvisningar, sade han att det inte kunde ske förrän efter att hon lämnat staden; men under tiden önskade han bli informerad av mig om vår Republiks och regerings upplägg, vilket jag försökte klargöra för honom. Han sade mig att vad jag önskade snart skulle tas i beaktande. Jag svarade att jag inte önskade något och inte kom ut cliens, sed ut amicus, för att visa drottningen öm vänskap till Republiken.
Han bad mig ursäkta honom och sa att han inte menade något annat och att han inte bara önskade vänskapen mellan de två nationerna, utan att han också ville ha en intim vänskap mellan oss. Vid mitt avsked bad jag att få veta om han var nöjd med vår Republiks upprättande, annars vore det förgäves att behandla detaljer innan en allmän tillfredsställelse först uppnåtts, vilket han förstod att han inte hade saknats eftersom Hennes Majestät hade skickat sina ministrar till vår Republik och nu hade en där bosatt. Han berättade för mig att min information hade tillfredsställt honom helt i dessa punkter och i alla våra angelägenheter.
I morse kom nyheterna från England, om vilka det diskuterades mycket, särskilt med holländarna och skottarna. Jag skickade strax bud till drottningen för att be om en audiens för att se hur hon skulle behandla mig. Innan mitt budbärare återvände kom greve Tott till mig; han är hennes överkammarherre och den store kaptenen för hennes garde, och i stor gunst hos henne. Han berättade för mig att drottningen hade skickat honom till mig för att gratulera min generals hedersbestigning och lyckan i mitt land, för vilken hennes glädje var så stor att hon inte kunde låta bli att skicka det till mig. Jag återgav min tacksamhet till Hennes Majestät för hennes fortsatta respekt för min general och mitt land.
Efter detta hämtade ceremonimästaren drottningens karosser vid klockan tre och bar mig till hovet, där drottningen skickade bud efter mig till sin sovkammare, vilket hon inte hade gjort någon gång tidigare. Hon berättade nyheten för mig med stor glädje och sade att Bonel och diverse andra skrev den från London, och frågade om jag hade mina brev. Jag sade »nej«, men genom andra brev hade jag anledning att tro på nyheten och förvänta mig Hennes Majestäts välvilja gentemot mig.
Hon sade, »par Dieu«, hon hyste samma respekt och mer för min general och för mig än hon hade tidigare; att hon hellre hade att göra med en man än med många. Hon sade att hon tvivlade på att mina brev kunde bli avlyssnade, och därför, om jag någon gång skickade några i hennes paket, skulle hennes sekreterare ta hand om dem, och hon skulle lova mig att de inte skulle bli inblandade.
Sedan jag kommit hem skickade hon en av sina sekreterare till mig med samma budskap; och medan han var hos mig kom mina glada brev, vilka jag delvis delgav sekreteraren och berättade för honom att jag önskade betjäna drottningen igen när hennes tid tillät. Han gick genast till slottet och överlämnade besked från drottningen att hon önskade att jag skulle komma till henne i natt, vilket jag gjorde, om än mycket sent; och även om jag tidigare hade mottagit de tidigare nämnda betygelserna om att hon gillade dessa nyheter, så föredrog jag, innan jag skulle överlämna Ers Höghet breven till henne, en allmän diskussion om saken; och eftersom hon var mycket vänlig, sade jag till henne att om herr protektorn skulle skriva till Hennes Majestät, antog jag att Hans Höghet brev skulle tas emot väl av henne. Hon svarade att de skulle vara mycket välkomna av henne.
Varpå jag presenterade mina kreditivbrev för henne; och efter att hon hade läst dem frågade hon mig hur det kom sig att herr protektorns namn stod först i brevet. Jag svarade att det var den ständiga formen som i England användes om alla andra furstar och stater. Hon sade att om det användes om andra furstar och stater, var hon nöjd. Jag berättade för henne att min herres namn, undertecknat av honom själv, var skrivet; och hon var mycket nöjd och gav mig sin hand att kyssa.
Hon berättade för mig att hon själv skulle skriva till herr protektorn, och bad mig i mina brev att meddela Ers Höghet att ingen hade större aktning och respekt för Ers Höghet än hon, vilket hon skulle vara beredd att visa, och var mycket glad över dessa goda nyheter från England.
Efter de lämpliga ceremonierna som utförts i mitt hus, ansåg jag det nödvändigt att besvära Ers Höghet med detta; och eftersom det är ytterst sent, hoppas jag att det får min ursäkt för mina fel i detta brev.
Uppsala, den 13 januari 1653 [sic].
Ers Höghets
trognaste och ödmjukaste tjänare
Bulstrode Whitelocke.
Above: Kristina, year 1650.
Above: Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna.
Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke, year 1650. Image courtesy of National Portrait Gallery via Wikimedia Commons.
Above: Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England.
Note: In the 17th century, the British Isles and the British colonies abroad, since medieval times and until 1752, the New Year was civilly and legally considered to begin on March 25 (Lady Day/the Feast of the Annunciation) in the Julian (Old Style) calendar. This is why Whitelocke's letters in the early part of 1654 are dated 1653.
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