A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
agreement before the deputed Commissioners on both sides about the limits
of the colonies, and other rules of friendship that shall be requisite,
together with other affairs of particular persons. Which matters, that
they may be enjoined to all and singular the subjects and citizens of
either State, and may be observed by them, I have fully taken upon me by
these presents, by virtue of my commission, and do confirm by
subscription of my hand, and by my seal."
[268] [Whitelocke, in his zeal to exhort the Heir-apparent to the service
of God and the observance of the Lord's Day, appears to have appreciated
very imperfectly the extraordinary character and the political capacity
of the Prince who paid him so signal a mark of deference. Yet in the
romantic and chivalrous annals of the House of Vasa, scarcely any reign
is more remarkable than that of the sovereign to whom Christina ceded the
throne. In the course of the ensuing five years Charles Gustavus, at the
head of a chosen band of Swedish veterans, conquered Prussia, and
compelled the Great Elector to acknowledge himself to be a Swedish
vassal; invaded Poland, and commenced the partition of that republic;
allied himself to Rakoczy, to the terror of the House of Austria, and
attacked Denmark with such success that he crossed the Little Belt on the
ice and laid siege to Copenhagen, which was only saved by the mediation
of the Maritime Powers. Such was the splendid career of Charles Gustavus
between the period of his accession to the throne and the year 1660, when
he died, not having completed his thirty-eighth year. More than any of
his predecessors or of his successors on the Swedish throne, he may be
said to have held the Empire of the North; and the favour here shown to
Whitelocke indicates the importance attached by the Swedish Prince to
secure at least the goodwill of Cromwell during the prosecution of these
Extraordinary enterprises.]
[283] [Oxenstiern died about three months afterwards.]