" is nowe called to a place, whcare the knowledge of what paffeth in our negotiation, is a littell more neceffary unto you, then formerly, which will, I hope, perfwade your lordship, to pardon the trouble I now giue you. By the action of the Hollanders in detaining the Swedish fhips, contrary to the conditions of the ceffation, and theire faith giuen to the Swedes, and to us, they had put themfelus out of the mediation. The French ambaffador, and wee, thinking both Swedes and Danes well enough inclined to peace, the principall obftacles ftill proceeding from the Hollanders, did undertake the me diation by our felues; in which work, wee haue fo well fucceeded, that the conditions are all agreed upon in Latine, tranflated according to the couftume,, of theis parts, into the Swedish and Danish languages, and theare is nothing now remaining, but to haue them written out faire to be figned. The Hollanders may then comme in to fign the treaty, and the guaranty, releafing firft the Swedish fhips, which, I think, they will of themfelues offer to doe. The queene of Denmark hath mediated for theire reception, that fhee may haue fomme part in the conclufion of the peace; and more particularly in this, that hauing bin (as is thought) the cause of theire fault, fhee may alfoe be the meanes of reconciling them to thoes they had thearby offended, and of bringing them out of the ftreight into which they had very unaduifedly caft themfelues. The conditions granted to Denmark, are more easy than thoes offered for them by Holland, unto which the Swedes weare induced, that they might oblige the king of Den mark mark to be theire friend, as well as at peace with them! and to make the peace without the internention of the Hollanders: By this meanes, I hope that theis tow kingdomes, finding the mischiefes both receaue by theire disagreements, will growe to be better friends then they haue bin in many former ages. Wee haue proposed unto them both, an alliance between themfelues, for theire mutual defence, unto which in generall, both partyes feeme much inclined; the particular conditions are referred unto a conferrence betweene the commiffioners of both parts, when the treaty of peace is figned. Hauing compofed the quarrell betweente the tow kings, our next bufineffe must be to improue this peace to the good of our owne nation. The firft is, to breake the alliances, that either of them haue made to our preiudice; which are principally with the Vnited Prouinces; that ftate, hath euer fince the warre with England, endea aoured to ftrengthen it felf, with defenfiue alliances, with allmost all the princes of Europe. The northerne kings weare not forgotten; they haue made fuch with either of them. Wee now endeauour to break them, or foe to explaine them, that theare remaine nothing that can be drawne to our preiudice. We are now in treaty with both crownes upon this point, and haue agreed upon the fubftance. The French ambaffador demands the like for France. The next work will be how to ioing theis tow crownes to us, as if the Hollanders would make warre upon us, which is too much to be fufpected they intend, we may haue more help and fatour from them, ther is giuen unto our enimycs, which will be noe hard hard matter, perhaps, to obtaine heare, if England be in foe quiet a condition, as to look after things abroade, and make use of the aduantages that are offered. Wee heare they haue the like alliances with Poland, and the elector of Brandenburgh. The intention of the embaffy to be fent into France, upon pretence of a complement, is to make a defenfiue alliance theare alfoe; and, as I heare, Van Beuning, one deftined for that imployment, hath drawne a proiect for that pourpose, whearein are many points directly intended against England. The tow first, I think, may be inualidated theare, or, at least, that of Poland; the other requires your care at home. The Hollanders had, by a treaty with Denmark, in the year 1645, and in one with Sweden at Elbing, in the yeare 1656, and the elucidations agreed upon at Thorne, and the last yeare confirmed at Elfinore, gained fo great aduantages in all the prouinces of Sweden, Demark, and Norway, that the whole trade of thoes kingdomes must neceffarily comme into theire hands, if others did not participate the fame with them, which wee haue obtained. for our nation. In the agreement with Sweden, wee haue this claufe, To enioy all priuiledges which now are, or hearafter fhall be granted unto any ftate whatfoeuer. Befides thoes things which haue happened heare, to ineline Denmark unto England, the change of gouernment that is theare expected, is not a small inducement: this king expects much kindneffe from him that is likely to be the head of it, both for the nearneffe of blood, and feueral acts of friendship fhewed unto him, when he was in his diftreffe. One of the dukes of Lunenburgh, brother to this queene, hath lately been at Breda, and fent letter hither of what paffed theare, which giues very much faisfaction. The tow kings defire we should stay heare untill the treaty be ratified, executed, and the evacuation of the Swedes forces out of Denmarke, and the Danes out of the duke of Holfteines territoryes made and perfected; which wee hope will be all done before the end of June. In the meane time, wee may take leaue of both courts, and then immediately take our journey homewards, if wee receaue noe commands to the contrary. I haue written all things that hate paffed heare at large to Mr. Thurloe. I hope your lordship will haue reason to be pleased with this reentry upon the stage of the world; and that you may in all changes, find as much fatisfaction and aduantage, as your ownc hart can' with, is, and cuer fhall be, the conftant defire of Your Lordships, etc. Copenhagen, May 22, 1660. Álg. Sydney: I doe not fay any thing of my owne intentions, in relas tion unto the changes that are fallen out already, or the others that are dayly expected. The truth is, I knowe them not, the businesse is too difficult to iudge of at this diftance, especially, not knowing what will be in my power, or choice. If I doe not receaue newe orders, I Shall returne Speedily home, and fhall then followe that way, which your lordship shall command, and my beft friends aduife, as farre as I can, without breaking the rules of honour or confcience, which I am fure will neuer be expected from me, by your lordship, nor thoes subaes whoes opinions I confider. While I am heare, I ferue England, and will, with as much care and diligence as I can, endeavour to aduance its interefts, and followe the orders of thoes that gouerne it. I referue the determination of other points to councells upon the place. ALGERNON SYDNEY to his Father ROBERT EARL OF LEICESTER. My Lord, I DOE not knowe wheather I haue erred in my opinion or not, in thinking it more neceffary for your lordship to knowe what paffeth now in theis parts of the world, then formerly; but that hath perfwaded me to giue your lordship of late, more exact relations of my motions, and actions, then before I thought your lordship would willingly receaue: I am now at the utmost point of my iourney northward, and have nothing more in my thoughts, then to returne into England with as much expedition as I can, according to the liberty granted unto my colleage and me, by the councell of state. We could not think it at all reasonable, to leaue the work in which wee weare employed, when wee sawe a certainety of accomplishing it within a fhort time, unlesse wee had receaued a pofitiue command: now the peace is concluded, I think we may very well iuftify making use of that conceffion: I am heare alone, my colleague intended to make the fame iourney, but the gout confined him unto his bed. I looke I looke upon all the powers granted APPENDIX. B unte |