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
_Woolf._ I first told him that for Portugal or the Indies the like
objections were against any design for them; but as for Denmark, I told
him that England had just cause to make war upon that king, and that it
would be no hard business to gain upon him; and the advantage of traffic
made me think that to be the most probable design of any other to be
intended by this great fleet of England, wherein it is most likely for
you to gain advantage to your Commonwealth and to give offence to none,
having a just cause of quarrel against him.
_Wh._ Your brother the King of Denmark hath given cause indeed to be
visited.
_Woolf._ I shall inform you of one thing, of which you may now make
advantage. Your King James made a treaty with the last King of Denmark
concerning the Isles of the Orcades, which were claimed by the Dane as
part of their territories; and after the death of King James and our last
King, that then, upon payment of L13,000 by the Dane, he should have the
Orcades again. Now both these kings being dead, according to that treaty
it is in the liberty of the King of Denmark to redeem those islands; and
it would be good for you, in the treaty with that Crown, who would be
included in your treaty with the Hollanders, to have a clause for the
present King of Denmark to quit his pretences to the Orcades upon the
treaty with King James.
_Wh._ This is a very material thing, and I shall not fail to do somewhat
in it, if I can return to England time enough; and I thank you for
putting me in mind of it.
[SN: Discussion on the Guinea settlements.]
Grave Eric came to Whitelocke, who had much discourse with him touching
Guinea, and the injuries done by the Swedes to the English there.
_Grave Eric._ One of the principal persons of the Swedish plantation
there is now in this country, and complains of injuries done by the
English to the Swedes there. I think it may be fit to hear both the
complaints of the one and of the other part, and thereupon to come to
some agreement upon the whole matter.
_Whitelocke._ I have here many examinations taken upon oath concerning
this matter.
_Gr. Eric._ Those complaints ought to be determined by the King of that
country, who sold the lands to the planters, and can resolve all
differences about that matter.
_Wh._ I believe that the complaints of this nature are properly to be
made to the Queen, whose subjects are concerned in them, and they are
always under her rule.
_Gr. Eric._ The Queen will make no difficulty to do justice in this case,
and I hope that the Protector will do the like.
_Wh._ You need not at all to doubt it.
_Gr. Eric._ This messenger, now come to me, hath brought me letters from
the Queen, in which there is mention of this business.
_Wh._ Why may not an article touching Guinea be inserted with the rest?