Sources:
A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq;, volume 2, page 377, published by Thomas Birch, 1742; original at Indiana University
Christina of Sweden, pages 120 to 121, by Ida Ashworth Taylor, 1909; original at the University of Toronto
Kristina Wasa, Queen of Sweden, article written by Susanna Åkerman for A History of Women Philosophers: 1600-1900, page 31, edited by Mary Ellen Waithe, 1991
The letter:
... Amsterdam, the 26. June, 1654. [N. S.]
THE coronation in Sweden is already passed, and madam Christina hath resigned her government. We shall see now, whether she will be permitted to go out of the kingdom to squander away so vast a sum of money, which might pay some of those many debts, which she hath contracted. I cannot believe it; but time will shortly determine our conjectures. At Ratisbon it was asserted, that she would travel by the way of Vienna to Rome, and there make open profession of the Popish religion. Those, that have had a personal and near relation to her, count her a very atheist. I shall long to hear what kind of report and character the lord embassador Whitelocke will give of her, when he is returned: for my part, I can make no more the best sense and construction of her person.
With modernised spelling:
... Amsterdam, the 26 June, 1654. [N. S.]
The coronation in Sweden is already passed, and Madame Kristina hath resigned her government. We shall see now whether she will be permitted to go out of the kingdom to squander away so vast a sum of money, which might pay some of those many debts which she hath contracted. I cannot believe it, but time will shortly determine our conjectures.
At Ratisbon it was asserted that she would travel by the way of Vienna to Rome and there make open profession of the Popish religion. Those that have had a personal and near relation to her count her a very atheist. I shall long to hear what kind of report and character the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke will give of her when he is returned; for my part, I can make no more the best sense and construction of her person.
French translation (my own):
... Amsterdam, le 26 juin 1654. [Nouveau style.]
Le couronnement en Suède est déjà passé, et Madame Christine a démissionné de son gouvernement. Nous verrons maintenant si elle sera autorisée à quitter le royaume pour dilapider une somme aussi importante, qui pourrait payer une partie des nombreuses dettes qu'elle a contractées. Je n'y crois pas, mais le temps nous éclairera bientôt sur nos conjectures.
A Ratisbonne, on affirmait qu'elle se rendrait à Rome par Vienne et y ferait profession de foi papiste. Ceux qui l'ont côtoyée de près la considèrent comme une athée convaincue. J'attends avec impatience de connaître le rapport et le caractère que Monsieur l'ambassadeur Whitelocke fera d'elle à son retour; pour ma part, je ne peux pas me faire une idée plus précise de sa personne.
Swedish translation (my own):
... Amsterdam, den 26 juni 1654. [Nya stilen.]
Kröningen i Sverige är redan avgjord, och madam Kristina har avgått från sin regering. Vi får nu se om hon får tillåtelse att lämna konungariket för att slösa bort en så stor summa pengar som skulle kunna betala en del av de många skulder hon har ådragit sig. Jag kan inte tro det, men tiden kommer snart att avgöra våra konjekturer.
I Regensburg hävdades det att hon skulle resa via Wien till Rom och där öppet bekänna sig till den påvliga religionen. De som har haft en personlig och nära relation till henne räknar henne som en stark ateist. Jag längtar efter att höra vilken sorts rapport och karaktär herr ambassadören Whitelocke kommer att ge om henne när han återvänder; för min del kan jag inte längre beskriva och tolka hennes person på bästa sätt.
Above: Kristina, year 1657.
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