Sources:
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 34 to 39, by Christian Gottfried Franckenstein, 1697
The history of the intrigues & gallantries of Christina, Queen of Sweden, and of her court whilst she was at Rome faithfully render'd into English from the French original, pages 37 to 41, translated by Philip Hollingworth, 1697 (1927 edition in second link)
TEIXEIRA, TEIXEYRA, TEXEIRA or TEIXARA, article written by Isidore Singer and Meyer Kayserling at JewishEncyclopedia.com:
Senior Teixeira, Familie; article at Das Jüdische Hamburg:
Teixeira; article in Neue deutsche Biographie, Bd: 26, Tecklenburg - Vocke, published by Otto zu Stolberg-Wernigerode, 2016
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Above: Kristina.
CONTENT WARNING: MENTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF R*PE, M*RDER AND VIOLENCE.
The account:
Cependant le Marquis Delmonte sçût si bien s'insinuer dans l'esprit de la Reine, qu'il devint l'arbitre de la maison, mais il n'y faisoit pas moins de scandale que l'Abbé Santoni, il sembloit que ces deux hommes eussent l'autorité de seduire les femmes qu'ils pouvoient frequenter. Leurs insolences n'arrivoient pas toûjours aux oreilles de la Reine, & quand elle en recevoit des plaintes, ou elle n'en faisoit que rire, ou elle leur faisoit des reprimandes si douces, qu'ils les recevoient comme une permission de continuer leurs desordres. Le Marquis outre la débauche ne songeoit qu'à rapiner, l'avarice n'ayant pas moins d'empire sur lui que les autres vices. La premiere preuve qu'il donna de sa valeur de bandi, fut de faire tuer un pauvre François qui ne sachant pas moderer sa langue, fut lui même cause de sa mort. Celui-ci étoit un souffleur de profession qui s'étoit introduit aupres de la Reine, à la faveur de cette digne science, dont la Reine faisoit grand cas, espérant se dedommager de la cession du trône par le moyen de la Pierre Philosophale. Elle fit donc construire un laboratoire dans son hôtel à Hambourg, où le Chymiste François commença à faire ses operations. Le Marquis voyant que la Reine étoit assez facile pour convertir tous les jours une grosse somme d'argent en fumée, crut bien faire d'en sauver pour le moins la moitié, ainsi il détournoit adroitement le plus qu'il pouvoit d'espéces d'or & d'argent que le Chymiste devoit calciner, lui ordonnant de trouver des inventions pour faire entendre à la Reine, que cette dissipation venoit d'une autre cause, l'assurant au reste de sa protection, & de sa bien veillance. Cela dura quelques mois, mais l'Intendant de la maison de sa Majesté voulut enfin sçavoir ce que devenoient de si grosses sommes, car la Reine qui ne sçavoit pas la moitié des choses, se contentoit de quelques petites experiences, en se fiant aux promesses trompeuses du Chymiste qui lui promettoit des monts d'or. On voulut donc obliger le souffleur à rendre compte, & il y eut tant de bruit, qu'il fut contraint de s'enfuir de Hambourg & de se refugier sur les terres du Dannemarck qui en sont fort proches, d'où il écrivit à la Reine que le Marquis Delmonte avoit détourné la plus grande partie de l'argent: Le Marquis qui étoit hardi se purgea de cette pretenduë calomnie, & tout le mal entendu fut jetté sur le pauvre Chymiste, auquelle Marquis fit écrire une lettre sous un nom supposé, par laquelle l'invitant d'aller en un certain endroit où il trouveroit de l'employ, le Chymiste y alla bonnement, mais il y fut tué par les ordres du Marquis. Nôtre Barbon ayant manqué cette rente trouva une autre invention pour avoir de l'argent: on l'appelloit Barbon par corruption, au lieu de Bourbon, qui est son nom de famille. Il y avoit à Hambourg un riche Juif, Portugais d'Origine, nommé Teixere, qui étoit un fameux negociant lequel possedoit plusieurs millions. Comme il avoit beaucoup d'argent comptant, il étoit le Fermier General de la Reine, & la payoit souvent d'avance à gros interest. Le Marquis se declara d'abord son grand amy, mais dans l'intention d'en excroquer quelque somme. Ce Juif avoit un neveu nommé Abraham, qui étoit fort bienfait, le Marquis lui fit present d'un beau cheval, sur lequel ce jeune homme sortoit quelquesfois de la Ville, & alloit à une maison de Campagne qui appartenoit à son oncle, pour prendre l'air & se divertir; le Marquis lui envoyoit des collations, & des joüeurs d'instrumens pour se rejoüir avec ses Maîtresses. Le jeu ne dura pas long tems, car un soir le Marquis fit enlever Abraham par six Cavaliers armez qui l'enfermérent tout de son long, dans un grand coffre qu'on avoit percé par les deux bouts, pour lui donner de l'air afin qu'il pût respirer. Ils le menacérent de le tuer s'il crioit, ou même s'il lui échapoit quelque parole, & on le conduisit dans un bois au pais de Brunswick. Cependant Teixere surpris de ne voir point revenir son neveu, aprés un jour ou deux d'absence, envoyé à sa maison de Campagne pour en avoir des nouvelles, on dit qu'il en étoit parti le même jour qu'il y étoit venu, pour retourner à la Ville. Il le fait chercher par tout, le Marquis Delmonte s'empresse à le servir, & fait semblant de remuer ciel & terre pour trouver Abraham; un Anspessade de la Reine nommé Cleuter, fils à ce qu'on disoit d'un cordonnier de Liege, s'offre d'en faire une recherche si exacte qu'il en apprendra des nouvelles. La Reine plus duppe que les autres, promet un présent considérable, & le Juif de son côté s'engage à donner une bonne recompence à celui qui lui ramenera ce cher neveu. Aprés quinze jours de recherche, toûjours aux dépens du bonhomme, on apporte des nouvelles d'Abraham trouvé dans un bois à la mercy de six hommes masquez, qui se disent de pauvres Officiers sans argent, pour remonter leurs Compagnies, & ils font entendre qu'ils ne relâcheront point leur prisonnier, à moins de vingt mille risdalles; qu'ils ont encore une trentaine de camarades à leur commandement, & qu'en cas qu'ils fussent forcez, ils tueront plûtôt Abraham que de le relâcher à moins. Le Juif à ces tristes nouvelles se desespere, la Reine se met en colere, & veut envoyer toute l'armée Suedoise qui étoit dans le pais de Breme pour exterminer ces voleurs, mais le General Vrangel qui étoit un vieux routier, & qui se doutoit du tour, n'en faisoit que rire, en representant à sa Majesté que les Cavaliers refugiez dans une forest, étoient des desesperez, & qu'étant cantonnez dans le fonds d'un bois, c'étoit autant de bêtes farouches, qu'on perdroit bien des braves gens, avant que de les de busquer, & sans rien avancer, car quand ils auroient tué Abraham, on n'en seroit pas mieux. Pour abreger l'histoire aprés bien des pas, & des paroles perdues, on opporta dix milles risdalles sur les lieux qui furent partagées entre ces honnêtes gens, selon la distribution qu'en fit le Barbon, qui retint le gros lot pour lui. Abraham retourna aussi tôt à Hambourg d'où il n'est plus sorti de crainte d'un second accident semblable. ...
With modernised spelling:
Cependant le marquis del Monte sut si bien s'insinuer dans l'esprit de la reine, qu'il devint l'arbitre de la maison, mais il n'y faisait pas moins de scandale que l'abbé Santoni; il semblait que ces deux hommes eussent l'autorité de séduire les femmes qu'ils pouvaient fréquenter. Leurs insolences n'arrivaient pas toujours aux oreilles de la reine, et quand elle en recevait des plaintes, ou elle n'en faisait que rire, ou elle leur faisait des reprimandes si douces qu'ils les recevaient comme une permission de continuer leurs désordres.
Le marquis, outre la débauche, ne songeait qu'à rapiner, l'avarice n'ayant pas moins d'empire sur lui que les autres vices. La première preuve qu'il donna de sa valeur de bandit fut de faire tuer un pauvre Français qui, ne sachant pas modérer sa langue, fut lui-même cause de sa mort. Celui-ci était un souffleur de profession qui s'était introduit auprès de la reine à la faveur de cette digne science, dont la reine faisait grand cas, espérant se dédommager de la cession du trône par le moyen de la pierre philosophale. Elle fit donc construire un laboratoire dans son hôtel à Hambourg, où le chimiste français commença à faire ses operations.
Le marquis, voyant que la reine était assez facile pour convertir tous les jours une grosse somme d'argent en fumée, crut bien faire d'en sauver pour le moins la moitié; ainsi il détournait adroitement le plus qu'il pouvait d'espèces d'or et d'argent que le chimiste devait calciner, lui ordonnant de trouver des inventions pour faire entendre à la reine que cette dissipation venait d'une autre cause, l'assurant au reste de sa protection et de sa bienveillance. Cela dura quelques mois, mais l'intendant de la maison de Sa Majesté voulut enfin savoir ce que devenaient de si grosses sommes, car la reine, qui ne savait pas la moitié des choses, se contentait de quelques petites expériences en se fiant aux promesses trompeuses du chimiste, qui lui promettait des monts d'or.
On voulut donc obliger le souffleur à rendre compte, et il y eut tant de bruit qu'il fut contraint de s'enfuir de Hambourg et de se refugier sur les terres du Danemark, qui en sont fort proches, d'où il écrivit à la reine que le marquis del Monte avait détourné la plus grande partie de l'argent. Le marquis, qui était hardi, se purgea de cette prétendue calomnie, et tout le mal entendu fut jetté sur le pauvre chimiste, auquelle marquis fit écrire une lettre sous un nom supposé, par laquelle l'invitant d'aller en un certain endroit où il trouverait de l'emploi. Le chimiste y alla bonnement, mais il y fut tué par les ordres du marquis. Notre Barbon, ayant manqué cette rente, trouva une autre invention pour avoir de l'argent; on l'appellait Barbon par corruption au lieu de Bourbon, qui est son nom de famille.
Il y avait à Hambourg un riche Juif, portugais d'origine, nommé Texeira, qui était un fameux négociant, lequel possédait plusieurs millions. Comme il avait beaucoup d'argent comptant, il était le fermier-général de la reine et la payait souvent d'avance à gros intérêt. Le marquis se déclara d'abord son grand ami, mais dans l'intention d'en excroquer quelque somme. Ce Juif avait un neveu nommé Abraham, qui était fort bien-fait. Le marquis lui fit present d'un beau cheval, sur lequel ce jeune homme sortait quelquefois de la ville et allait à une maison de campagne qui appartenait à son oncle pour prendre l'air et se divertir; le marquis lui envoyait des collations et des joueurs d'instruments pour se réjouir avec ses maîtresses.
Le jeu ne dura pas longtemps, car un soir le marquis fit enlever Abraham par six cavaliers armés, qui l'enfermèrent tout de son long, dans un grand coffre qu'on avait percé par les deux bouts, pour lui donner de l'air afin qu'il pût respirer. Ils le menacèrent de le tuer s'il criait ou même s'il lui échappoit quelque parole, et on le conduisit dans un bois au pays de Brunswick. Cependant Texeira, surpris de ne voir point revenir son neveu, après un jour ou deux d'absence, envoyé à sa maison de campagne pour en avoir des nouvelles, on dit qu'il en était parti le même jour qu'il y était venu, pour retourner à la ville. Il le fait chercher par tout, le marquis del Monte s'empresse à le servir et fait semblant de remuer ciel et terre pour trouver Abraham.
Un anspessade de la reine, nommé Cleuter, fils à ce qu'on disait d'un cordonnier de Liège, s'offre d'en faire une recherche si exacte qu'il en apprendra des nouvelles. La reine, plus dupe que les autres, promet un présent considérable; et le Juif, de son côté, s'engage à donner une bonne récompense à celui qui lui ramenera ce cher neveu.
Après quinze jours de recherche, toujours aux dépens du bonhomme, on apporte des nouvelles d'Abraham trouvé dans un bois à la merci de six hommes masqués, qui se disent de pauvres officiers sans argent pour remonter leurs compagnies. Et ils font entendre qu'ils ne relâcheront point leur prisonnier, à moins de vingt mille riksdalers, qu'ils ont encore une trentaine de camarades à leur commandement, et qu'en cas qu'ils fussent forcés, ils tueront plutôt Abraham que de le relâcher à moins.
Le Juif, à ces tristes nouvelles, se désespère, la reine se met en colère et veut envoyer toute l'armée suédoise, qui était dans le pays de Brême, pour exterminer ces voleurs; mais le général Wrangel, qui était un vieux routier et qui se doutait du tour, n'en faisait que rire en représentant à Sa Majesté que les cavaliers refugiés dans une forêt étaient des désespèrés, et, qu'étant cantonnés dans le fonds d'un bois, c'était autant de bêtes farouches qu'on perdrait bien des braves gens, avant que de les de busquer, et sans rien avancer, car quand ils auraient tué Abraham, on n'en serait pas mieux.
Pour abréger l'histoire après bien des pas et des paroles perdues, on opporta dix milles riksdalers sur les lieux qui furent partagées entre ces honnêtes gens, selon la distribution qu'en fit le Barbon, qui retint le gros lot pour lui. Abraham retourna aussitôt à Hambourg, d'où il n'est plus sorti de crainte d'un second accident semblable. ...
Swedish translation (my own):
Emellertid visste markisen del Monte så väl hur han skulle insinuera sig i drottningens sinne att han blev hushållets skiljeman, men han orsakade inte mindre skandal där än abboten Santoni; det verkade som om dessa två män hade auktoriteten att förföra kvinnorna de kunde umgås med. Deras oförskämdheter nådde inte alltid drottningens öron, och när hon fick klagomål över dem, skrattade hon antingen bara åt dem, eller så gav hon dem så milda tillrättavisningar att de fick dem som tillåtelse att fortsätta sina störningar.
Markisen, förutom utsvävningar, tänkte bara på våldtäkt, girighet hade inte mindre makt över honom än andra laster. Det första beviset han gav på sin tapperhet som bandit var att döda en stackars fransman som, utan att veta hur han skulle moderera sitt språk, själv var orsaken till hans död. Den sistnämnde var en glasblåsare till yrket som hade presenterat sig för drottningen till förmån för denna värdiga vetenskap, som drottningen hade en hög uppfattning om, i hopp om att kompensera sig för sitt tronavträdande med hjälp av de vises sten. Hon lät därför bygga ett laboratorium i sitt hus i Hamburg, där den franske kemisten började utföra sina operationer.
Markisen, som såg att drottningen var facil nog att omvandla en stor summa pengar till rök varje dag, ansåg att det var bra att spara åtminstone hälften av den; sålunda avledde han skickligt så mycket han kunde av de arter av guld och silver som kemisten skulle kalcinera, och beordrade honom att finna uppfinningar för att få drottningen att förstå att detta försvinnande kom från en annan orsak, vilket försäkrade honom om resten av sitt skydd och välvilja. Detta varade några månader, men intendenten av Hennes Majestäts hushåll ville slutligen veta vad som blev av så stora summor, eftersom drottningen, som inte visste hälften av sakerna, nöjde sig med några små experiment och förlitade sig på kemistens vilseledande löften, som lovade henne berg av guld.
Man ville därför tvinga glasblåsaren att redogöra för det, och det blev så mycket oväsen att han tvingades fly från Hamburg och ta sin tillflykt till landet Danmark, som ligger mycket nära det, varifrån han skrev till drottningen att markisen del Monte hade förskingrat det mesta av pengarna. Markisen, som var djärv, rensade sig från detta låtsades förtal, och allt det onda som hördes kastades över den stackars kemisten, till vilken markisen lät skriva ett brev under ett antaget namn, som uppmanade honom att gå till en viss plats där han skulle hitta sysselsättning. Kemisten gick dit, men han dödades där på markisens order. Vår Barbon, efter att ha missat denna ränta, fann en annan uppfinning för att få pengar; man kallade honom Barbon av korruption istället för Bourbon, som är hans familjenamn.
Det fanns i Hamburg en rik jude av portugisiskt ursprung som hette Texeira, som var en berömd köpman och ägde flera miljoner. Eftersom han hade gott om pengar var han drottningens generalförpaktare och betalade henne ofta i förskott med hög ränta. Markisen förklarade sig först som sin store vän, men med avsikten att pressa honom en summa. Denne jude hade en nevö som hette Abraham, som var mycket välformad. Markisen skänkte honom en fin häst, på vilken denne unge man ibland lämnade staden och gick till ett lanthus, som tillhörde hans onkel, för att ta luften och roa sig; markisen skickade honom kollationer och instrumentspelare för att glädjas med sina älskarinnor.
Leken varade inte länge, ty en kväll lät markisen Abraham föras bort av sex beväpnade kavaljerer som låste in honom i full längd i en stor kista som hade genomborrats i båda ändarna för att ge honom luft så att han kunde andas. De hotade att döda honom om han ropade eller om ens ett ord undgick honom, och de tog honom till en skog i landet Braunschweig. Emellertid skickade Texeira, förvånad över att inte se sin nevö återvända efter en eller två dagars frånvaro, till sitt hus på landet för att få nyheter om honom; det sades att han reste samma dag som han kom dit, för att återvända till staden. Han hade letat överallt, markisen del Monte skyndade sig att tjäna honom, och han lät sig flytta himmel och jord för att finna Abraham.
En anspessad av drottningen, som hette Cleuter, en son till en så kallad skomakare från Liège, erbjöd sig att göra en så exakt sökning efter honom att han kunde få reda på nyheterna om det. Drottningen, mer lurad än de andra, utlovade en ansenlig present; och juden på sin sida åtog sig att ge en god belöning till den som förde tillbaka sin käre nevö till honom.
Efter femton dagars letande, fortfarande på mannens bekostnad, kom nyheten att Abraham hade funnits i en skog på sex maskerade mäns nåd, som sa att de var fattiga officerare som inte hade några pengar för att samla ihop sina kompanier. Och de lät förstå att de inte skulle släppa sin fånge om inte tjugutusen riksdaler lämnades kvar åt dem, att de fortfarande hade ett trettiotal kamrater på sitt befall, och att om de tvingades till, skulle de snarare döda Abraham än släppa honom.
Juden var vid denna sorgliga tidende förtvivlad, drottningen blev arg och ville sända hela den svenska armén, som var i landet Bremen, för att utrota dessa rövare; men general Wrangel, som var en gammal stråtrövare och som misstänkte kneppet, skrattade bara åt det i framställande för Hennes Majestät att kavaljererna, som tog sin tillflykt i en skog, var desperata och att, eftersom de var inkvarterade djupt inne i skogen, det fanns så många vilda djur där att man skulle förlora många goda män innan man dödade dem, och utan att föra fram något, för om de dödade Abraham, skulle man ju inte ha det bättre.
För att förkorta berättelsen, efter många steg och bortkastade ord, fördes till platsen tio tusen riksdaler, som delades mellan dessa hederliga människor, enligt den utdelning som gjorts av Barbon, som behöll det stora priset för sig själv. Abraham återvände genast till Hamburg, varifrån han aldrig mer reste, av rädsla för en andra liknande olycka. ...
English translation (by Hollingworth):
In the mean time the Marquiss del Monte knew so well how to Insinuate himself into the Queen's Mind, that he became the Arbitrator or Master of the House. But he was as Scandalous as the Abbot Santoni; and it seem'd as if these two Men had an absolute Authority to Seduce all the Women they came near. The Queen often heard of their Insolencies, but when People complain'd, did nothing but Laugh, or gave such gentle Reprimands, that they took them as a permission to commit further Disorders.
The Marquiss was not content with his Debauchery only, but plotted and contriv'd to commit Violence and Rapine; Covetousness having no less the Dominion over him than other Vices. The first proof of his priveledg'd Valour, was to cause a poor Frenchman to be Kill'd, who not knowing how to moderate his Tongue, was the cause of his own Death: His Office was a Lungs or Bellows-blower, introduc'd to the Queen's Service in favour of that worthy Science, which her Majesty had in so great Esteem, for she hop'd by it to recompence the giving up her Crown, in getting the Philosopher's Stone. And for this purpose, she built a Laboratory in her Lodgings at Hamburgh, where this French Chymist begun his Operations. The Marquiss seeing the Queen was so easily perswaded to convert a large Sum of Money into Smoak, thought he might do very well to save one half of that Expence, and so keep as many of the Gold and Silver Pieces for himself, which the Chymist had to calcine, as he could conveniently; ordering him to find out an Invention to make the Queen believe, that the loss of them happened some other way, and for so doing, assur'd him both of his Protection, and his future Kindness to him. This lasted for some Months; but the Intendant of her Majesty's House, required at last, to know what was become of all the Money; for the Queen who was only made acquainted with things by Halves, contented her self with some Experiments, trusting to the deceitful Promises of the Chymist, who promis'd her Mountains of Gold. Well then, this Bellows-blower was obliged to come to an Account, and his inability to answer it, struck him with such Fear, that he was fain to run from Hamburgh, and fly into the Territories of Denmark, which were very near; from whence he wrote to the Queen, that the Marquiss del Monte had embezled and misapplied the greatest part of the Money. The Marquiss being a Bold and and [sic] Confident Man, clear'd himself of this Calumny, and all the Reproach was thrown upon the poor Chymist, to whom the Marquiss caused a Letter to be written under a false Name, inviting him to go to a certain Place, where he should find an Employ: The Chymist went readily thither, thinking no harm, and was there Murder'd by the Marquiss's Orders.
Our Barbon now wanting this Income, was obliged to find out another way to get Money: He was called Barbon, by a corruption of the word, instead of Bourbon, which is the real Name of his Family. There was at Hamburgh a very rich Jew, a Portuguese by Nation, Named Teixero, who was a famous Merchant, and worth many Millions: This Man having a great deal of ready Money, was the Receiver General of the Queen's Revenue, and used to advance her Money at a large Interest. The Marquiss at their first Acquaintance pretended himself his great Friend, but with an intention some way or other to screw Money out of him. This Jew had a Nephew whose Name was Abraham, a very handsom young Man, to whom the Marquiss presented a fine Horse, on which this young Gentleman would sometimes Ride to a Country House belonging to his Uncle, to take the Air, and Divert himself; thither the Marquiss would often send him little Presents, and Musicians for him to make Merry with his Mistresses: Which Kindness was continued for some time, till at last one Night the Marquiss caus'd Abraham to be Seiz'd by six Horsemen all Arm'd, whom they took and lifted up at his whole length, and put him in a great Coffer, which they boar'd at both ends on purpose to give him Air, threatning to Kill him if he cried out or spoke one word, and so conveyed him into a Wood in the Country of Brunswick. In the mean time Teixero was extreamly troubled that he could not see his Nephew return; and after two or three days Absence, he sent to his Country-House to enquire News of him; and word was brought back, that the young Gentleman parted from thence the same day he came, with intent to return to the City. The Uncle caused great Search to be made for him every where, and the Marquiss del Monte was not a little Officious to serve him in it, making shew as if he would rumage every corner of the whole World to find out his dear Friend Abraham. Now, there was one Cleuter a Servant of the Queen's, said to be a Shoomaker's Son of Leige, who undertook to make so strict and narrow a Search, that he would not fail to bring some News of him. The Queen promis'd a considerable Gratuity; and the Jew on his part engaged to give a good Reward to the Person that could bring back his dear Nephew. After five days Search (altogether at the Expence of the good Man) Tidings were brought, that Abraham was found in a Wood, at the Mercy of six Men Masqued, who said, They were poor Officers that wanted Money to Re-mount their Companies; and gave the Searchers to understand, that they would not release their Prisoner at a lower Rate than Twenty thousand Rix Dollars; That they had Thirty Comrades more at their Command, and in case they were forced, they would sooner Kill Abraham, than release him for a less Sum. The Jew when he heard this sad News, was driven almost to Despair; and the Queen was so much incensed at it, that she would have sent the whole Suedish Army into the Country of Bremen to have destroyed those Thieves; but General Wrangel, who had been an old Experienc'd Officer, and had no mind to undertake the Exploit, could not forbear Laughing, and represented to her Majesty, that these Troopers contained in the Forest, were a pack of Desperate People, like so many furious Wild Beasts, and that a great many could be able to hunt them out of the Wood, or get any advantage of them; and that if they should kill Abraham, his Friends would be never a whit the better. To make short the Story, after a great many Treaties and Offers, they were at last forced to carry Ten thousand Rix Dollars, which were divided among these honest People, according to the Distribution of Barbon, who kept the greatest share for himself. Abraham returned presently to Hamburgh, from whence he durst not go abroad any more, for fear of such another Accident. ...
With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:
In the meantime, the Marquis del Monte knew so well how to insinuate himself into the Queen's mind that he became the arbitrator or master of the house. But he was as scandalous as the Abbot Santoni; and it seemed as if these two men had an absolute authority to seduce all the women they came near. The Queen often heard of their insolencies, but when people complained, did nothing but laugh, or gave such gentle reprimands that they took them as a permission to commit further disorders.
The Marquis was not content with his debauchery only, but plotted and contrived to commit violence and rapine, covetousness having no less the dominion over him than other vices. The first proof of his privileged valour was to cause a poor Frenchman to be killed, who, not knowing how to moderate his tongue, was the cause of his own death. His office was a lungs or bellows-blower, introduced to the Queen's service in favour of that worthy science, which Her Majesty had in so great esteem, for she hoped by it to recompense the giving up her crown in getting the philosopher's stone. And for this purpose, she built a laboratory in her lodgings at Hamburg, where this French chemist begun his operations.
The Marquis, seeing the Queen was so easily persuaded to convert a large sum of money into smoke, thought he might do very well to save one half of that expense and so keep as many of the gold and silver pieces for himself, which the chemist had to calcine, as he could conveniently, ordering him to find out an invention to make the Queen believe that the loss of them happened some other way, and for so doing, assured him both of his protection and his future Kindness to him. This lasted for some months, but the intendant of Her Majesty's house required at last to know what was become of all the money, for the Queen, who was only made acquainted with things by halves, contented herself with some experiments, trusting to the deceitful promises of the chemist, who promised her mountains of gold.
Well then, this bellows-blower was obliged to come to an account, and his inability to answer it struck him with such fear that he was fain to run from Hamburg and fly into the territories of Denmark, which were very near, from whence he wrote to the Queen that the Marquis del Monte had embezzled and misapplied the greatest part of the money. The Marquis, being a bold and confident man, cleared himself of this calumny, and all the reproach was thrown upon the poor chemist, to whom the Marquis caused a letter to be written under a false name, inviting him to go to a certain place where he should find an employ. The chemist went readily thither, thinking no harm, and was there murdered by the Marquis's orders. Our Barbon, now wanting this income, was obliged to find out another way to get money. He was called Barbon by a corruption of the word instead of Bourbon, which is the real name of his family.
There was at Hamburg a very rich Jew, a Portuguese by nation, named Texeira, who was a famous merchant and worth many millions. This man, having a great deal of ready money, was the receiver-general of the Queen's revenue and used to advance her money at a large interest. The Marquis, at their first acquaintance, pretended himself his great friend, but with an intention some way or other to screw money out of him. This Jew had a nephew whose name was Abraham, a very handsome young Man, to whom the Marquis presented a fine horse, on which this young gentleman would sometimes ride to a country house belonging to his uncle, to take the air and divert himself. Thither the Marquis would often send him little presents and musicians for him to make merry with his mistresses.
Which kindness was continued for some time till at last one night the Marquis caused Abraham to be seized by six horsemen all armed, whom they took and lifted up at his whole length and put him in a great coffer, which they bored at both ends on purpose to give him air, threatening to kill him if he cried out or spoke one word, and so conveyed him into a wood in the country of Brunswick. In the meantime, Texeira was extremely troubled that he could not see his nephew return, and after two or three days absence, he sent to his country house to enquire news of him; and word was brought back that the young gentleman parted from thence the same day he came, with intent to return to the city. The uncle caused [a] great search to be made [for] him everywhere, and the Marquis del Monte was not a little officious to serve him in it, making shew as if he would rummage every corner of the whole world to find out his dear friend Abraham.
Now, there was one Cleuter, a servant of the Queen's, said to be a shoemaker's son of Liège, who undertook to make so strict and narrow a search that he would not fail to bring some news of him. The Queen promised a considerable gratuity, and the Jew on his part engaged to give a good reward to the person that could bring back his dear Nephew.
After five days' search (altogether at the expense of the good man), tidings were brought that Abraham was found in a wood at the mercy of six men masked, who said they were poor officers that wanted money to remount their companies and gave the searchers to understand that they would not release their prisoner at a lower rate than twenty thousand riksdalers, that they had thirty comrades more at their command; and, in case they were forced, they would sooner kill Abraham than release him for a less sum.
The Jew, when he heard this sad news, was driven almost to despair; and the Queen was so much incensed at it that she would have sent the whole Swedish army into the country of Bremen to have destroyed those thieves. But General Wrangel, who had been an old experienced officer and had no mind to undertake the exploit, could not forbear laughing and represented to Her Majesty that these troopers contained in the forest were a pack of desperate people, like so many furious wild beasts, and that a great many could be able to hunt them out of the wood or get any advantage of them; and that if they should kill Abraham, his friends would be never a whit the better.
To make short the story, after a great many treaties and offers, they were at last forced to carry ten thousand riksdalers, which were divided among these honest people, according to the distribution of Barbon, who kept the greatest share for himself. Abraham returned presently to Hamburg, from whence he durst not go abroad anymore, for fear of such another accident. ...
English translation (my own; this is more accurate):
In the meantime, the Marquis del Monte knew so well how to insinuate himself into the mind of the Queen that he became the arbiter of the household, but he caused no less scandal there than the Abbot Santoni; it seemed that these two men had the authority to seduce the women they could associate with. Their insolencies did not always reach the Queen's ears, and when she did receive complaints about them, she either only laughed at them, or she gave them such gentle reprimands that they received them as permission to continue their disorders.
The Marquis, besides debauchery, thought only of rapine, avarice having no less sway over him than other vices. The first proof he gave of his valour as a bandit was to kill a poor Frenchman who, not knowing how to moderate his language, was himself the cause of his death. The latter was a glassblower by profession who had introduced himself to the Queen by favour of this worthy science, of which the Queen had a high opinion, hoping to compensate herself for her cession of the throne by means of the philosopher's stone. She therefore had a laboratory built in her hostel in Hamburg, where the French chemist began to carry out his operations.
The Marquis, seeing that the Queen was foolish enough to convert a large sum of money into smoke every day, thought it well to save at least half of it; thus he adroitly diverted as much as he could of the species of gold and silver which the chemist was to calcine, ordering him to find inventions to make the Queen understand that this dissipation came from another cause, assuring him for the rest of his protection and benevolence. This lasted a few months, but the intendant of Her Majesty's household finally wanted to know what became of such large sums, because the Queen, who did not know half of the things, contented herself with a few little experiments, relying on misleading promises misleading from the chemist, who promised her mountains of gold.
One therefore wanted to force the glassblower to give an account of it, and there was so much noise that he was forced to flee from Hamburg and take refuge in the land of Denmark, which is very close to it, from whence he wrote to the Queen that the Marquis del Monte had embezzled most of the money. The marquis, who was bold, purged himself of this pretended calumny, and all the evil heard was thrown on the poor chemist, to whom the Marquis had a letter written under an assumed name, inviting him to go to a certain place where he would find employment. The chemist went there, but he was killed there on the orders of the Marquis. Our Barbon, having missed this rent, found another invention to get money; one called him Barbon by corruption instead of Bourbon, which is his family name.
There was in Hamburg a wealthy Jew, of Portuguese origin, named Texeira, who was a famous merchant and owned several millions. As he had plenty of cash, he was the Queen's farmer general and often paid her in advance at high interest. The Marquis at first declared himself his great friend, but with the intention of extorting some sum from him. This Jew had a nephew named Abraham, who was very well-formed. The Marquis presented him with a fine horse, on which this young man sometimes left town and went to a country house which belonged to his uncle to take the air and amuse himself; the Marquis sent him collations and players of instruments so as to rejoice with his mistresses.
The game did not last long, for one evening the Marquis had Abraham carried off by six armed cavaliers, who locked him in full length in a large chest, which had been pierced at both ends to give him air so he could breathe. They threatened to kill him if he cried out or if even one word escaped him, and they took him to a wood in the land of Brunswick. In the meantime, Texeira, surprised not to see his nephew return after a day or two of absence, sent to his country house to have news of him; it was said that he left the same day he came there, to return to the city. He had there be searches everywhere, the Marquis del Monte hastened to serve him, and he made himself seem to move heaven and earth to find Abraham.
An anspessade of the Queen, named Cleuter, a son of a so-called shoemaker from Liège, offered to make such an exact search for him that he could learn news of it. The Queen, more duped than the others, promised a considerable present; and the Jew, on his side, undertook to give a good reward to whoever brought his dear nephew back to him.
After fifteen days of searching, still at the expense of the man, news was brought that Abraham had been found in a forest at the mercy of six masked men, who said they were poor officers with no money to reassemble their companies. And they let it be understood that they would not release their prisoner unless twenty thousand riksdalers were left for them, that they still had about thirty comrades at their command, and that if they were forced to, they would sooner kill Abraham than release him.
The Jew, at this sad news, was in despair, the Queen got angry and wanted to send the whole Swedish army, which was in the land of Bremen, to exterminate these robbers; but General Wrangel, who was an old highwayman and who suspected the trick, only laughed at it by representing to Her Majesty that the cavaliers, who were taking refuge in a forest were desperate and that, them being quartered deep in the woods, there were so many savage beasts that one would lose many good men before killing them, and without advancing anything, because if they killed Abraham, one would be no better off.
To shorten the story, after many steps and wasted words, ten thousand riksdalers were brought to the spot, which were divided among these honest people, according to the distribution made by the Barbon, who retained the grand prize for himself. Abraham immediately returned to Hamburg, from whence he never left again, for fear of a second similar accident. ...
Notes: I am sure that Santoni is a misspelling and misremembering of Santini.
The identities and names of the two Texeira men seem to have been confused by the author. The elder Texeira was Diego Texeira Sampayo (Abraham Senior Texeira); he died in Hamburg on January 6, 1666. He spent some time in Antwerp and even in Brazil, but he spent most of his life in Hamburg. He was of Jewish ancestry but did not identify as such until he converted in 1647 or 1648. He and his family met and became close friends with Kristina in 1654, and he served as her/his/their banker until his death.
The younger man was not Diego's nephew, but his son: Manuel Texeira (Isaac Hayyim (Chaim) Senior Texeira), who was born in Lisbon, Portugal in either 1625 or 1631 and died in Amsterdam in the Netherlands on June 5, 1705. He served as Kristina's financial agent and resident minister until 1687.
Manuel was never abducted or held for ransom, whether at the Marquis del Monte's orders or otherwise. If the rumour did not already exist before the time this book was written, the author probably made it up himself to make the story of Kristina's life and friendships more dramatic. Biographies and even autobiographies of famous or controversial people in the 17th century were often prone to including exaggerations, half-truths and even outright fabrications in the telling of someone's life story and the accompanying anecdotes, usually for the purposes of impressing the reader and/or as some kind of personal or political agenda or propaganda.
In the 17th century, the word "accident" could variously be used to mean a bout of illness or a disturbing or violent incident or action regardless of whether or not it was done intentionally.
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