but with this alteration that they should pay half as much more, as they did formerly. This Government the _Birkarli_ exercised over the _Laplanders_ which they got by subtility, had their autority from the King of _Sweden_, preserved it in their own family, and delivered it down to their children for near 300 years, till _Gustavus_ the first, by reason of their insulting over the common People, deprived them of this state; for when their riches encreased they oppressed the poorer sort, and extorted so much from them that they left them very little, but that which was worth nothing. Upon this, complaint was made to _Gustavus_, who thereupon committed _Henricus Laurentii_ to prison, and confiscated most of his estate, taking then the tribute from the _Laplanders_ into his hands, and granted to all People free trading with them. This _Henricus Laurentii_ was without doubt in that time the head of the _Birkarli_, and I believe the brother of _David Laurentii_, who, together with _Jonas Nicolas_, concluded the Treaty with _Gustavus_ in the name of the _Birkarli_, in the year 1528, for setling the tribute, and other affairs. From hence we may collect they lost their priviledges, not long after this Contract; now it was not only just to deprive them of those priviledges, which they abused in oppressing others, but prudent, as well from the jealousy of too great a power granted to private persons over so large and populous a part of the Kingdome, as out of consideration of its wealth, which was more necessary to the Kings, for driving out the common enemy, ane establishing the Kingdomes liberty, then to maintain the pride of the _Birkarli_, who besides their injustice, were inconsiderable both in number and strength. _Gustavus_ the first having thus deposed the _Birkarli_, sent Deputies to gather the tribute, and manage all things in the Kings name; the Deputies are called by the _Swedes_, _Lappfougder_, by the _Laplanders_, _Konunga Olmai_, that is the Kings men; of these there is mention made in the patent granted by _Gustavus_ the first to M^r _Michael_, the first Priest in _Lapland_ in 1559, the words are to this purpose, _We commend all the Inhabitants of_ Lapland, _as well Deputies, as others_, &c. These had at first the charge of all public affairs, as will appear in the following Chapter, as for collecting taxes, as executing justice among them. But afterwards, when _Charles_ the ninth divided the Countrey into several parts, and formed it into better order, more were added to the former, for examining causes, convicting of criminals, and other such like things, till at last the state of Government was little different from what it is now. Next under the King, they have a Provincial Judge called by the _Swedes_, _Lagman_, under him one of the Senators, _Underlagman_, next an Interpreter of the Laws, _Laglæsaren_, and divers others which enquire into causes, and do justice; then they have a Governour