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\65i.]
Instructions of the chan-
cellor to the CHRISTINA’S ADMINISTRATION. Swedish commissioners at
the congress.
327
I
satisfaction from tlie emperor and the estates, we
yet place our chief guarantee in the well-grounded
freedom of the estates. If the whole restitution
shall he limited by the peace of Prague, or the
amnesty of Ratisbon in 1641, we can set no value
on all the promised security. Urge this more
moderately in proportion as ye see the estates dis-
approve the resolution of the emperor; yet prick
them on, and if they show themselves slack, terrify
them with the consequences. Secure the assistance
of France ;
tell the French, that if they will not
assist in this, we must be compelled to press the
more sharply in respect to our own satisfaction;
urge that matters in Germany be restored to their
state before the war. If that pass not, ye may
make new reference to us ^, knowing that we will
not recede from this plan, but by means of it, as a
matter wholly favourable, enforce our own satisfac-
tion. Keep, firstly, to the universals of our right,
for which we were compelled, after the peace of
Prague, to continue the war; if it come to par-
ticulars, touching indemnity, let them make the
first offer. If they repeat the usual proffer of re-
imbursement of the expenses of the war in money,
tell them that such would be impracticable, both for
the quantity and the terms of payment, as well as
the security. We must have a real compensation,
so large that it may be adequate in itself, and so
situated that it may be profitable to Sweden.
Mention Pomerania, the see of Camin, Wismar,
Bremen, several sees in the circles of Lower Saxony
and Westphalia, as also Silesia (this was about the
extent of the Swedish possessions). If ye come
in earnest to negotiation, ye may, by degrees, let
drop first the see of Magdeburg, then Halberstadt,
then Minden and Osnaburg, holding fast by Pome-
rania, Camin, Wismar, Bremen, and Verden, all as
fiefs of the German empire. Lastly, ye may con-
sent that the elector of Brandenburg be compen-
sated in Silesia for his losses in Pomerania; as also
that the emperor may be obliged to satisfy duke
Frederic, son of the king of Denmark, for Bremen
and Verden. In reference to the admission, or ex-
clusion, or intervention of the estates in the treaty
between us and the Imperialists, ye must urge that
no estates at amity with us be excluded. But con-
duct your correspondence directly with the Impe-
rialists, not through the estates, or, if these aim at
7
July 8th, 1640, the ministry write to the commissaries :
" Ye may accommodate yourselves to the estates in the
terms of extension of the amnesty, and the possession of
ecclesiastical goods." Reg. A letter of May 30th, in the
same year, says: "If the elector palatine cannot be re-
stored, which will hardly come to pass, seek at least to
throw the bl.ime of it on the Imperialists." Reg.
e To the commissaries in Osnaburg, Nov. 10th, 1645. Reg.
We have, as usual, given the main substance.
9 " I perceive from your note to me, as also from, a letter
of Salvius to her majesty, that ye partly advise, with similar
arguments, for the acceptance of Fore Pomerania, with the
consent of the elector of Brandenburg, and a sum of money
for Stettin. And you add, that there is danger as to the
satisfaction of the crown of Sweden, and that an unfortunate
issue otherwise impends for the treaty ; besides what you
further discourse and suggest in this matter; as I also
learn what one and the other, especially your colleague
(Salvius), judges of me and my counsels. Dear sou, it may
well be that you, on the spot, may see and better observe
some diflSculties; but in so far as I understand and can
judge of the case, I see no satisfaction for the crown of
Sweden worthy consideration, if we give up Pomerania,
the latter, it may be done in corpore ; but let no
single state act as your mediator. We remark,
that the duke of Longueville lias spoken of a truce
with Bavaria, and we have now for some time per-
ceived that France has long aimed at opening ne-
gotiations with Bavaria. There are full
grounds
for saying, that much advantage would result from
the emperor losing such a confederate, if
only
things went toward in earnest. But Bavaria is in
too close league with Austria, and besides wishes
but to gain time. Dissuade therefore this neu-
trality with all reasons, which can be heard with-
out too great displeasure. If France reproach to
you our own truce with the electors of Saxony and
Brandenburg, rejoin that both these princes were
formerly our confederates in this war, but fell off
from our alliance, whence it is not unfair to seek
to draw them back. If the neutrality of Bavaria
cannot be averted, ye may let that run on which is
not to be changed; but yet suggest that mistrust of
all kinds may thereby arise. In respect to the
satisfaction, it is our last word, that for the secu-
rity of Sweden nothing is to be compared with
Pomerania *."
The chancellor was I’esolved to abandon any part
of Pomerania only under extreme necessity, and
expresses his dissatisfaction with the envoys for
having acceded to a proposition supported by
France, according to which Sweden was to receive
money for Stettin, if it would cede Fore Pome-
rania^. On the 19th September, 1646, the envoys
received instructions, that they should by degrees
yield in the question of Hinder Pomerania, yet see
that Sweden retained the command of the mouths
of the Oder; and on the 19th December of the
same year, the last resolution of the government,
to demand Fore Pomerania, Rugen, Wollin, Stet-
tin, Damm, Golnau, Tiefenau, and their dependen-
cies, with the addition,
" to cede not one hamlet
more, nor one foot’s breadth of land ’." Thus far
extended the chancellor’s influence on the work of
the peace. The following year his disfavour with
the queen was divulged, of which more in the sequel.
The three last years of the war filled up the cup
of misery. It was not only the territorial indemnities
of Sweden which were desolate, as the ministry
wrote on the 23d May, 1646 -. The correspondence
which is so noble a part of the sea-coast. All Pomerania,
without the elector’s consent, would be more acceptable to
me than Fore Pomerania with his consent, even if Stettin
were added. Formerly, also, the Imperialists, especially
Trautmannsdorf, ofTered all Pomerania, and the French
plenipotentiaries were inclined to this ; now all this is dis-
pleasing, or at least is so represented. It is to be considered
how little France ceded to the Kaisar and the Roman em-
pire, for the cession of so precious a province as Alsatia,
with Brisach and Philipsburg." To John Oxenstieriia, Jan.
2, 1646. The Swedish commissioners write, that Traut-
mannsdorf promises the emperor’s assent to all Pomerania,
with princely privileges ; and Bremen and Verden with epis-
copal privileges, with Wismar in permanency ;
but advises,
that on account of Brandenburg and Meclilenburg, they
should be content with Fore Pomerania only, and the con-
domitiium of Wismar, Bremen, and Verden. But Branden-
burg would not abandon Fore Pomerania, except the district
of Barth; and Mecklenburg would not give up Wismar.
1
Reg.
2 " Since the territories which we obtain for the satisfac-
tion of the crown are desolate, and we must hence look
to the sea-ports for our advantage, ye may therefore urge
that the tolls should be granted to us at the cession." Reg.
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