Source:
Memoirs of Christina, Queen of Sweden, volume 1, pages 237/238 to 240, by Henry Woodhead, 1863; original at the University of Michigan
The council meeting of March 27/April 6 (Old Style), 1648 is here:
Salvius' letter of April 24/May 4 (Old Style), 1648 to Kristina is here:
The account:
[The Chancellor no longer tried to check his son's arrogance. He gave up the attempt to be the moderator of the aristocratic party, and he showed how far his sympathies were for the order which he had hitherto kept within bounds. He spoke vehemently against Salvius in the Council, in the Queen's presence. Christina interrupted him, and said "that she would not suffer an absent man, who could not defend himself, to be so attacked."]
In March, 1648, Christina proposed in the Council that Axel Lilje and Salvius should be made Senators. The votes were unanimous in favour of the former, who had been through all the campaigns in Germany, and was considered one of the Paladins of the Swedish army. An anecdote was told of his coolness and courage, which no doubt outweighed many services of Salvius. In one of the first actions fought in 1631, Lilje lost his leg by a cannon-shot. In a subsequent engagement another cannon-shot carried away his wooden leg. The veteran looked at it with perfect composure, and remarked, "Ah, it was the other leg you meant to hit!"
The election of Salvius was carried by the Queen with much difficulty. The proud nobles admitted his merit, but, to use a Swedish expression, it was a nail in their eyes to see a low-born man raised to such a dignity.
They attempted to raise a legal quibble quite unworthy of high-minded gentlemen. They said that, by the law of 1634, Salvius was not eligible to become a Senator, as that dignity was confined to native-born nobles. Salvius was native-born, and a noble; but he was created, and not born a noble. Brahe said that Salvius had done good services, but that he ought to have such a reward as was suitable to his station. Christina said, "When good advice is required, it is useless to ask whether a man can boast of sixteen quarterings. I require men of ability for my service; if you, my Lords, have sons who possess the requisite knowledge and capacity, they shall have their turn, but only their turn. The offices of the State are not heirlooms." Oxenstiern said — "Salvius has served well, and has also been well rewarded. The rank of senator is the highest reward your Majesty can give." Christina replied, "If my father had lived, Salvius would have been a senator long ago." Notwithstanding the opposition, Christina's influence prevailed. Seven of the Council voted for Salvius, and only four voted against him. He wrote to thank the Queen, and said that as he was an old man, and had no children, he hoped all reasonable people would allow him to enjoy for a little while the rank which would lapse at his death. "The right of ennobling", he added, "belongs as much to your Majesty, as it did to King Magnus Ladulås, in the thirteenth century; and why should your Majesty's servants be respected less than his?"
Above: Kristina.
Above: Johan Adler Salvius.
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