Sources:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, pages 473 to 474, Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 2 (appendix), Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772
Riksarkivet, page 36 in Parlamentets och protectorernas originalbrev till svenska konungahuset, Diplomatica Anglica 1559-1809
The letter:
Olivarius Dominus Protector Reipublicæ Angliæ, Scotiæ, et Hiberniæ, earumq; ditionem; serenissimæ potentissimæq; principi, et Dominæ unæ, Christinæ Dei gratia Suecor', &c. salutem et prosperos rerum Successus.
Serenissima Potentissimaq; Regina,
Postquam Deo optimo maximo, qui cuncta nutu suo dirigit et gubernat, pro inscrutabili sua sapientia visum est regiminis imperiiq; formam in his nationibus mutuare, à quo prænobilis Bulstrode Whitelocke constabularius castri de Windsor, atque unus è custodibus magni Sigilii Angliæ hinc concessit utiq; legatus extraordinarius à parliamento reipublicæ Angliæ ad majestatem vestram missus, quo de iis quæ utrique genti è re futura sunt vobiscum communicaret. Necessarium idcirco duximus certissimam majestati vestræ fidem facere, nihil ex hac præsenti rerum mutatione, sincero studio, et benevolentia hujus reipublicæ versus majestatem vestram, ejusve dominica, derogatum iri. Verum sicuti in illius authoritatis exercitio quæ à Deo et populo nobis concreditur est, nos teneri duximus ad bonam cum vicinis intelligentiam colendam: ita cum corona Sueciæ primo et potissimum; inter quam et has nationes, arctum fœdus firmaque amicitia nullo non sæculo intercessit. Atque ea propter dicto domino Whitelocke, ea mandata dedimus quæ consimilem bonum affectum comprobent; summo opere rogantes, ut ei quoties cumq; petierit, benignam audientiam concedere, et iis quæ à parte nostra propositurus est indubiam fidem adhibere velitis. Et sic divino summi rectoris numini majestatem vestram resq; vestras animitus commendamus. Dab. ex Alba Aula 23tio Decr. Stylo Veteri Anno 1653.
Vester bonus amicus,
OLIVARIUS P.
English translation (from source 1):
Oliver lord protector, &c. to the most serene and potent prince Christina, &c. health and prosperity.
Most serene and potent queen,
God (who is the great disposer of all things) having bin pleased in his unsearchable wisdom to make a change in the governement of these nations, since the time that the noble B. Whitelocke, constable, &c. went from hence, qualifyed and commissionated as ambassador extraordinary from the parlement of the common-wealth of England unto your majesty, to communicate with you in things tending to the mutuall good and utility of both the nations; we have thought it necessary uppon this occasion to assure your majesty, that the present change of affayres heer hath made no alteration of the good intentions on this side towards your majesty and your dominions; butt that as we hold ourselfe obliged, in the exercise of that power which God and the people have intrusted us with, to indeavour, by all just and honorable means, to hold a good correspondence with our neighbors, so more perticularly with the crown of Sweden, between whom and these nations there hath alwayes bin a firm amity and strict alliance: and, therfore, we have given instructions to the said lord Whitelocke, answearable to such good desires, earnestly requesting your majesty to give unto him favourable audience, as often as he shall desire it, and full beliefe in what he shall propound on the behalfe of these dominions: and so we heartily commend your majesty and your affayres to the divine protection. Given att Whitehall, this 23d of December, Old Stile, 1653.
Your good friend,
OLIVER P.
Above: Kristina.
Above: Oliver Cromwell.
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