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
Whitelocke visited Sir George Fleetwood at his lodging in Stockholm, and
finding with him Vice-Admiral Thysen and Peterson, both Hollanders and in
service of the Crown, Whitelocke brought them all home with him to
dinner, and advised with them about his voyage. The wind came more
contrary to Whitelocke this day than yesterday, but he knew no other way
but a patient submission to the will and time of God. Here he bestowed on
a German clock sixty-two rix-dollars.
[SN: The government of Stockholm.]
From some of the magistrates and others of this city Whitelocke learned
that the government thereof is by four Councils, and a Senate of the
citizens, as their Common Council, consisting of twenty-four chosen
yearly in this month by suffrage of the inhabitants, and justice is
administered to the people by them in like manner as in other cities.
Besides these officers there is a Castellan, or governor of the castle of
Stockholm, who, by a peculiar authority over the city, takes care of the
walls and buildings thereof, as he doth of the castle and other the
King's buildings there. He is to defend the privileges of the town, and
is chief in their political administration. He also orders and keeps up
the revenue and trade, and suffers not the royalties of the Crown to be
diminished, nor any of the public treasure, without the license of the
King, to be expended. He is always one of the Ricks-Senators, and hath
joined to him a Vice-Castellan, of the equestrian order, who is chief in
the judgements of the city within the Senate and Councils, and is intent
to the execution of justice.
[SN: The defence of Stockholm.]
The strength of this city is chiefly in the situation of it among the
waters, which are no small defence, and in the bodies of their
inhabitants, who make a considerable number of the soldiery, many of whom
have been in foreign service. The Castellan commandeth them, sees their
musters, and that they be provided with arms and in a posture of defence;
and under the Castellan is a captain, who hath the military charge next
under him. The main body of the town hath somewhat of a wall about it,
but the suburbs and other islands are encircled with the waters, with
bridges for communication.
The castle is of indifferent strength, and notably provided of arms and
ammunition, as is before remembered, which adds to the strength and
safety as well as command of the city. They have not a formed garrison in
the town; but divers companies of the King's guards, when the Court is
there, and sometimes of other regiments of the army, are quartered there,
as occasions do require. The castle commands a good part of the town, and
may be as a citadel upon any emergent business; and in case of any
troubles at sea, the ships of war lie here in readiness forthwith to be
manned, are provided with ammunition, provisions, and all things
necessary for the defence and safeguard of this port and city from any
attempts which may by sea be made against it.