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
He then went to visit his old comrade Colonel Potley, who was ill and
kept his chamber. He fell upon the discourse that it would be convenient
for Whitelocke to stay here till the coronation of the new King, that the
treaty might be concluded by him: to which the same answers were given by
Whitelocke as he had before given to the master of the ceremonies.
Whilst the Lord Douglas was in Whitelocke's house, Grave Eric came to
Whitelocke by command of the Queen, to excuse the delay of his business,
and that some of his audiences had been remitted. He said, her Majesty
had been informed by the master of the ceremonies that Whitelocke should
say he had demanded audiences three times, and could not obtain one.
Whitelocke answered, that there was a little mistake therein, though
there was something near it, and said, it was not his desire to occasion
trouble to her Majesty. Eric answered, that the Queen desired Whitelocke
would excuse her by reason of the holidays, during which time they did
not use in this country to treat of any business, and that the Queen had
likewise many other hindrances; but that whensoever it should please
Whitelocke to come to her Majesty, he would be very welcome. He said, he
was going out of town to his father to conduct him hither, and that
within a day or two he would visit Whitelocke, and that his business
would have a speedy despatch. Whitelocke wished him a good journey, and
that he and his father might have a safe and speedy return hither.
Piementelle sent to Whitelocke to move the Queen to grant her pardon to a
Swede who had killed another, for which by the law he was to die; and
Piementelle offered to second Whitelocke, if he would entreat the Queen
for her pardon to the homicide. Whitelocke desired to be excused herein,
alleging that he, being a public minister, it was not proper for him nor
for Piementelle to interpose with her Majesty in a matter of this nature,
and particularly touching her own subjects, and in a matter of blood; but
this denial Piementelle seemed to take ill, and to be more strange to
Whitelocke afterwards.
The holidays being past, Piementelle had his audience appointed this day
to take his leave of the Queen. Whitelocke sent his son James and some
others of his gentlemen to be present at it, who reported to Whitelocke
that Piementelle spake to the Queen in Spanish, and that she answered him
in Swedish, which was interpreted by Grave Tott; that Piementelle
observed very much ceremony, and when he made his public harangue to the
Queen he grew very pale and trembled, which was strange for a man of his
parts, and who had been so frequent in his conversation with her Majesty.
But some said it was a high compliment, acted by the Spaniard to the
life, to please the Queen, who took delight to be thought, by her majesty
and presence, to put a dread and daunting upon foreigners; which in a
truth she was noted often to do when public ministers had their audiences
in solemnity with her Majesty.