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
But an ambassador must hear and see many things, and yet take no notice
of them; must court an enemy to become a friend, as he believed he had
done to Schuett, who, after acquaintance between him and Whitelocke,
became very friendly. But Whitelocke held it requisite to keep at
somewhat more distance with him than with others, because he had been
informed that there was not much of kindness between the Chancellor and
this gentleman, which was confirmed by discourse this day with
Lagerfeldt.
_Lagerfeldt._ I entreat your Excellence's excuse for my long absence,
which hath been occasioned by an employment lately bestowed on me by her
Majesty, which takes up my time in the discharge of it.
_Whitelocke._ I do congratulate the honour and favour of the Queen
towards you, in this part of a reward for your good service in England,
whereof I was a witness and have affirmed it to her Majesty. What is the
office she hath given you?
_Lag._ It is the Vice-President of the College of Trade.
_Wh._ I suppose the office is profitable as well as honourable.
_Lag._ A competent salary is annexed to the office, and with us no person
doth serve in any office or public employment, but he hath a salary for
it from the State.
_Wh._ That is honourable, and for the advantage of the State. One of your
Ricks-Senators was here with me yesterday, and I had much discourse with
him about my business.
_Lag._ Which of them was with your Excellence?
_Wh._ The Senator Schuett, whom I saw not before.
_Lag._ I wonder at his visit; did he express much respect to your
Commonwealth?
_Wh._ As much as any I have met with.
_Lag._ I much wonder at it; but shall advise your Excellence not to
depend much upon this gentleman, nor to be over-free in your discourse
with him; for he hath been under a cloud, and is very intimate with the
Holland Resident.
_Wh._ I thank you for your caution; but I have communicated nothing to
him but what might be published.
_Lag._ My Lord Eric Oxenstiern hath, by the Queen's command, some papers
touching your business to be imparted to you.
_Wh._ Do you remember the effect of them?
_Lag._ They contain some explanation of the articles given in by your
Excellence, and some additions offered to them, but not much differing
from those exhibited by you.
They had much discourse about these additions and explanations, whereof
Whitelocke endeavoured to get as much knowledge from Lagerfeldt as he
could beforehand, that he might be the better prepared to debate upon
them when they should be produced; and he declared his sense positively
against some of them to Lagerfeldt, which proved an advantage. Some of
those additions mentioned by Lagerfeldt, being upon his report to Grave
Eric of Whitelocke's judgement upon them, were left out of Grave Eric's
paper.
[SN: Further conference with Grave Eric Oxenstiern.]
In the afternoon Grave Eric came to Whitelocke, and they had this
discourse together:--