A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. — John Locke — John Shaqi
A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
_Chan._ The Ricksdag may complain to the King of any offence or
misdemeanour committed by any great officer, and of any public grievance
to the people; whereupon the King and Senate are very ready (as it
behoves them in justice and prudence) to give a remedy, which they are
the more induced to do, because otherwise the people's Deputies, who have
the power of the purse, may be the more backward to supply the King's
occasions with money or men; and this is a good tie upon the Court, to
procure justice and redress of grievances.
_Wh._ Your laws are founded upon great reason and prudence, and in these
and most other main parts and particulars of them, ours are the same in
England; but a liberty of proposing anything in our Parliament belongs to
every member of it.
_Chan._ That hath been a great occasion of all your troubles.
_Wh._ I expected to have heard my father, the Ricks-Chancellor, to have
made an harangue in the Ricksdag, to have acquainted them, as it is with
us, with the causes of their meeting.
_Chan._ I confess it belongs to my place to have done it; but, by reason
of an oath I had taken to my king, to endeavour to keep the crown on his
daughter's head, and this assembly was called that she might resign it;
therefore I desired to be excused from making that proposal.
_Wh._ Indeed her Majesty spake herself with an excellent grace and
spirit, which was a wonder to see it done by a young lady to so great and
grave an assembly; and the matter of her speech, as it was interpreted to
me, was pertinent and full of weight.
_Chan._ Indeed she spake very well and materially, and like a prince.
_Wh._ I am sorry my time calls me away from further enjoyment of my
father's excellent conversation.
_Chan._ I shall be glad if my noble son would afford me more of his
company, in which I take so much contentment.
_Wh._ My journey tomorrow hastens me away, and occasions your less
trouble.
_Chan._ I pray assure the Protector of the respect and high value I have
for him, and of my devoted mind to serve him in anything within my power
in this kingdom.
_Wh._ You have been pleased largely to testify this in my transactions,
and your noble favours and respects to your son.
_Chan._ You may be confident of my affection and love to you; and I
desire you to be a friend to my countrymen in England, and to take upon
you their patronage in all just causes.
_Wh._ I shall be ready upon all occasions to perform all good offices to
your Excellence and to your family, and to all of this nation; and shall
satisfy the Protector of your affections for him, and of your kindness to
his servant.
_Chan._ I am now an old man, and whilst I continue alive I shall do all
that lies in my power to serve the Protector and the Commonwealth of
England, and shall embrace your Excellence with a special bond of
friendship, and will leave it in charge to my sons, when I am dead, to do
the same.