Source:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, pages 461 to 464, Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772
The entry:
The queen returned from Westraas, where she met the prince, and conferred with him.
Whitelocke waited on the queen to bid her wellcome in her returne from Westraas; she spake nothing of her abdication to Whitelocke, nor did he think fitt to mention it to her: they had much discourse touching the treaty, and she againe promised, that it should be expedited in a short time after the certainty should be known of the conclusion of the dutch treaty; which, she told, some did report that it was agreed, and others, that it was broken of, butt that she would believe no intelligence butt Whitelocke's.
She inquired of him touching the buisnes of the highlanders in Scotland, and of the defeate which was reported they had given the English; and asked Whitelocke, if he had not heard of it? he said, nothing was mentioned of it in his letters; and that there was the lesse reason to believe it, bicause it was reported, that the Highlanders had pursued the English as farre as the town of Newcastle, which is above 100 miles from them, into England.
The queen told Whitelocke, that she had understood, that the king of Scotts was come to Breda, or neer therabouts, to some place in the united provinces to receive assistance from them, and to be in a readines uppon the coast to transport himselfe for England or Scotland, as his affayres should require; and that he would soon be landed on our side, when he should see a fitt opportunity for it.
Whitelocke said, that the english fleet would be ready to attend uppon him in his voyage, and some good fellowes would be ready to intertaine him, and his company, att their landing. Of this intelligence Whitelocke thought fitt to give notice to the councell in England.
Att this conference, the queen discoursed with Whitelocke concerning Spayne, and said, she thought it would be of great advantage, both to Sweden and England, to have an alliance togither with Spayne; and she asked Whitelocke, if he would treate about it.
He answeared, that he had no commission concerning a treaty about Spayne; and that he had heard out of England, that the spanish ambassador there had begun a treaty of alliance with England, and that the protector had appointed some commissioners to treat with him uppon that subject.
The queen replyed, that it would be good to have all the three nations comprehended in one treaty of alliance, which would be to the mutuall advantage of them all; and that she would send an ambassador into England, by whom it might be effected.
Whitelocke said, he was of the same opinion as to the mutuall advantage of the three nations by such a treaty, in regard of the addition of strength, and increase of trade, which thereby would come to all of them; and that he believed, the generous disposition of those three nations had much of affinity to one another, which would make such a treaty of the greater force, and more durable.
The queen said, that was a great argument to rayse those thoughts which she had of it; and desired Whitelocke to further it what he could.
He replyed, that he could not yett tell what would be the issue of the treaty already begun in England with the spanish ambassador, and that he apprehended, it would be best first to conclude the treaty heer between England and Sweden: and, afterwards, if both these nations did see it fitt, the Spanyard might be taken in as there should be cause, wherunto the conclusion of the treaty heer would be a furtherance.
The queen said, that was true; and desired Whitelocke to acquaint the protector with her opinion heerin, which he promised her majesty to doe.
Then the queen discoursed with Whitelocke about the english plantations and territories in America, of which he gave her majesty a full account, as to the Caribee islands, Virginia, New-England, Maryland, and that of his brother-in-law, the lord Willoughby, in Surinam, wherof they had much discourse; and the queen seemed to wonder, that the English should have so many and so large territories in those remote parts of the world. Whitelocke told her the occasions and successes of those discoveries and plantations, and, with them, mentioned the trade of the English in Guinee, for gould, and the forts which they had made and kept there.
Then the queen told Whitelocke, under secrecy, that some of her people had a footing in Guinee, and that she had a purpose of buying in a priviledge, which she had graunted to some of her subjects concerning trade to Guinee, which would be very beneficiall; and that if any in England would buy her right there, she would be willing to part with it.
Whitelocke offered, that, if her majesty pleased, he would write to the Guinee company of marchants, and to others in London, about this matter, and give her an answear therunto; which she desired him to doe, and said, that if any would deale for it, they should have a good bargaine.
Whitelocke then told the queen (as seasonable uppon this occasion) the buisnes which he had in charge, concerning the Guinee company in London, and of an injury which her majesty's subjects had done to the English in Guinee; wherin (he said) he presumed that her majesty would cause right and justice to be done.
The queen answeared, that was very fitt, and that she could wish, England would take care to hinder the king of Denmarke from the trade of that place; for which, she was informed, that he was now preparing ships to be sent thither, and would indeavour therby the distruction of the interest both of the Swedes and English in that place: she desired Whitelocke to give notice therof to the protector, and to those perticular persons who were concerned in the trade of Guinee, that some course might be taken to prevent the prejudice which therby would arise to that plantation; and heerin Whitelocke gave notice accordingly.
Above: Kristina.
Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.
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