A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
Lagerfeldt and the master of the ceremonies dining with Whitelocke, he
inquired of them what was to be done by him as to presents to any of the
Queen's servants or officers who had done him respect in his business, or
being here, and what other things were requisite to be done by him,
according to the usage of ambassadors in this Court before their going
away, and when he might obtain his audience to take his leave. The master
of the ceremonies gave him good and chargeable instructions; and
Lagerfeldt agreed in most points with him, and, upon Whitelocke's
entreaty, undertook to see that the letters of full power to the Queen's
Commissioners, and the recredentials to Whitelocke, should be perfected
and brought to him, and a day of audience appointed.
Lagerfeldt told Whitelocke that the Queen was willing to present him with
some of this country's commodities, as copper, to carry with him into
England, if it would be as acceptable to him as other presents of
diamonds and the like; and he said he hoped there was no order of the
Commonwealth of England to forbid the receiving of such presents by their
public ministers. He said, that formerly he asked of Monsieur Chanut, the
French Ambassador here, if he would accept a present of copper, and he
willingly accepted it, and carried it with him, saying, that he rather
desired copper than diamonds or jewels, because he could better sell the
copper than jewels, and make money of it.
Whitelocke said, that whatsoever her Majesty pleased to bestow on him
should be welcome to him, and that he liked the commodities of this
country as well as those of the Indies, and that for Chanut's reason. He
said that the Protector had not forbid him to receive any testimonies of
the Queen's respect to him, as she used to do to all public ministers;
that the order of the Commonwealth forbidding gifts or presents to public
ministers was not now in force; that he thought her Majesty's bounty to
him, and his justification of the acceptance of it, might be the more
from such valuable presents as her Majesty had done him the honour to
receive from him, and his intention to bestow all his horses upon her,
and such as she would appoint, which, for the honour of the Commonwealth,
he would not sell.
_April 30, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke accepts a present of copper.]