https://www.british-history.ac.uk/thurloe-papers/vol1/pp212-222#h3-0020
The letter:
We Christina, by the grace of God queen of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals, great princess of Finland, duchess of Esthonia, Carelia, Bremen, Verden, Stetin, Pomerania, Cassubia, and Vandalia, princess of Ruga, and lady of Ingria and Wismar, to the parliament of the commonwealth of England, health and prosperous success in their affairs.
Whereas great complaints of our subjects at several times have been brought to us of the loss, which they sustain at sea by the commanders of your fleet; while almost all their ships of burthen meeting with your navy, or ships of war, are seized upon by your men, as if they were enemies, and are detained long in your ports, and sometimes against all law and right are pillaged; according to the charge which lies upon us, we have often recommended to you, and in a friendly manner urged the cause of our subjects, that not only their seized ships might be restored, but also that satisfaction might be afforded them for the losses they have sustained; being confident, that even to yourselves, by reason of the mutual friendship that is between us (which we have also always religiously kept, and strictly commanded our subjects to do the same) such acts of hostility attempted cannot but be displeasing, and borne with indignation; but now being certified by our subjects and the governors of the African company, that two ships of theirs returning from Guinea laden with merchandize belonging only to our subjects, and authorized by our letters of safe conduct; were in the narrow seas between England and France, not only seized on by your ships of war, and carried to Plymouth, but also all the gold, which they brought from thence; was taken away by your command and appointment, and against the will of our governor of that coast H. Carloef was brought to London; we could not enough marvel how it should come to pass, that our subjects are so hardly used by yours; and that the seas, which otherwise ought to be free and safe by law of nations to friends, should be so dangerous to them, and all their commerce so disturbed; especially when as these ships coming from Africa may exclude all suspicion of having used any juggling with the enemies of your commonwealth; for although our subjects and the governors of that company have constituted the noble, and to us sincerely faithful, Lawrence de Geer, our minister and commissary in Holland, residing in Amsterdam, their fellow governor and deputy; this cannot therefore hurt the company of the said trade, by any pretext of equity, more than that they using their own right without injury to yours, have by the consent and will of the lawful lord of that country traded on the coast of Africa. We therefore intreat you earnestly and friendly, that you would seriously give command to the commanders of your fleet, and others in your obedience, and your ministers, that they would so use our subjects, to whom the said ships and freight belong, that it may hereafter be manifest, they are accounted friends, as they are; and that they may not only for the future forbear to do wrong and spoil, but may also make reparation and satisfaction for what they have already done; and that they may restore and let go those ships and goods, which they detain. So shall you appoint that which becomes friends, and we shall return equal good will to those under your obedience in our kingdoms and dominions. It remains, that we heartily commend you to the divine tuition. Given in our palace at Stockholm in the year 1652, November the 13th.
Your good friend,
Christina.
Above: Kristina.
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