From Jakob Spens to Axel Oxenstierna

Axel Oxenstierna's works and letters

Contents

Contents Spens received Gustav II Adolf’s and AO’s letters on February 14th and handed over the King’s letter to James I about satisfaction to the merchants. James had no objection. Gustav II Adolf has asked Spens to prevent private persons from troubling him with letters of recommendation from James I supporting their claims. – Spens has informed James I about Gustav II Adolf’s success against the Russians and declared that Gustav II Adolf was pleased to hear about the peace (if good terms were offered), but that he had neither got any answer from the Russians nor heard anything from Merrick [cf. Spens’ letter of 1614-06-24, 3507]. James sends his warmest congratulations on Gustav II Adolf’ success and promises his support. He gives the Swedes permission to hire soldiers in Great Britain against Russia and Poland and advises Gustav II Adolf to inform Christian IV that he will be transporting soldiers and to ask him not to stop their transit. As regards Merrick, James is not surprised that Gustav II Adolf has not heard from him, for, due to the unrest in Russia, Merrick is not certain with whom to negotiate. – Spens also informed James about the two years’ truce between Sweden and Poland. During that time a secure peace could be concluded. James gave his approval and promised his support. – James had learnt about the treaty between Sweden and the Dutch Republic. Since Spens had not been briefed, he could not answer, but he tried to convince James that the treaty would not imply any loss for Christian IV or any other friend of his. – Spens has learnt that the false report, given to James that Gustav II Adolf had taken more severe measures against British subjects than any other foreigners, emanated from some Dutchmen from Amsterdam who wanted to make mischief between Sweden and Britain in order to keep the trade with Sweden to themselves. – There is peace in France, but the decision that the Pope has no secular power in France and no right to bestow ecclesiastical benefices is not final. The Spanish match is postponed. – The war between Spain and Savoy is still raging. – The Cleves-Jülich conflict is not yet settled. James is working for peace. To avoid war, the ambassadors of Spain and the Archduke have promised to restore Wesel and some other cities and the States General to restore Cleves and other places in their possession. James has promised to help the States General, if Spain does not fulfill the promises. – Spens has been commissioned by James to inform Gustav II Adolf about the reasons for Anstruther’s mission to Christian IV, the States General and Lübeck. Since James has learnt that the King of Spain has two armies ready, one on land and the other on sea, and believes that the aim is to overthrow some Protestant prince, perhaps himself, he has equipped and trained his armed forces and is trying to make a general alliance with Sweden, Denmark, Venice, the Dutch Republic, Savoy, the Protestant Princes in Germany, the Protestant Hanseatic Cities and the Protestant Swiss Cantons. Since Christian IV, however, refuses to make an alliance with the Dutch Republic and Lübeck until their differences with him are settled, James has sent Anstruther to negotiate settlements and pave the way for the general alliance. To keep the true aim of Anstruther’s mission secret, he has announced that Anstruther has been instructed to ask for permission for some English merchants to fish for whale in their waters. Spens has been asked to inform Gustav II Adolf about these plans, so that when it comes to the general alliance, he cannot claim that he was not informed. James suggests that Gustav II Adolf be crowned. – Duke Radziwill’s business seems to have been to consult James as to how to behave towards Sigismund III, who, he claims, wants to bring about his destruction. Kokowitz is in the same situation, and they are going to plead the same cause against Sigismund. James’ advice to Radziwill, who is one of James’ favourites, is that he attends the Polish Parliament and remain calm unless provoked. Kokowitz’ agent, Captain Buck, claims that he has come to obtain a letter from James to Sigismund requesting the payment of what is owed to him. – Spens is indignant about not having got his pay. Six thousand thalers were to be handed over to him in part payment of the 16,000 owed to him in March. The letter of exchange had been refused at Lübeck, and Spens asks to be paid in copper or in cash, adding that as long as the King gives him charge of his affairs, some means should be found of his being paid in England at the times stipulated in his commission, so that he will not have to spend most of his time recovering the reminder. – Spens intercedes for the following persons, hoping AO will give proper consideration to their cases: Sir Robert Stewart, Sir Richard Bingley, Captain Learmonth, Lord Medhope, Sir Patrick Gordon and Captain Papla. Medhope, who is a Councillor of Scotland, intends to send a brother of his to Sweden to track down the man who murdered his brother, Captain James Drummond. Gordon, formerly tutor of Gustav Stenbock and his brother, is James’ representative to Poland and the City of Danzig. Spens suggests that the Swedes employ him for his knowledge about Polish matters.

Contents

Spens received Gustav II Adolf’s and AO’s letters on February 14th and handed over the King’s letter to James I about satisfaction to the merchants. James had no objection. Gustav II Adolf has asked Spens to prevent private persons from troubling him with letters of recommendation from James I supporting their claims. – Spens has informed James I about Gustav II Adolf’s success against the Russians and declared that Gustav II Adolf was pleased to hear about the peace (if good terms were offered), but that he had neither got any answer from the Russians nor heard anything from Merrick [cf. Spens’ letter of 1614-06-24, 3507]. James sends his warmest congratulations on Gustav II Adolf’ success and promises his support. He gives the Swedes permission to hire soldiers in Great Britain against Russia and Poland and advises Gustav II Adolf to inform Christian IV that he will be transporting soldiers and to ask him not to stop their transit. As regards Merrick, James is not surprised that Gustav II Adolf has not heard from him, for, due to the unrest in Russia, Merrick is not certain with whom to negotiate. – Spens also informed James about the two years’ truce between Sweden and Poland. During that time a secure peace could be concluded. James gave his approval and promised his support. – James had learnt about the treaty between Sweden and the Dutch Republic. Since Spens had not been briefed, he could not answer, but he tried to convince James that the treaty would not imply any loss for Christian IV or any other friend of his. – Spens has learnt that the false report, given to James that Gustav II Adolf had taken more severe measures against British subjects than any other foreigners, emanated from some Dutchmen from Amsterdam who wanted to make mischief between Sweden and Britain in order to keep the trade with Sweden to themselves. – There is peace in France, but the decision that the Pope has no secular power in France and no right to bestow ecclesiastical benefices is not final. The Spanish match is postponed. – The war between Spain and Savoy is still raging. – The Cleves-Jülich conflict is not yet settled. James is working for peace. To avoid war, the ambassadors of Spain and the Archduke have promised to restore Wesel and some other cities and the States General to restore Cleves and other places in their possession. James has promised to help the States General, if Spain does not fulfill the promises. – Spens has been commissioned by James to inform Gustav II Adolf about the reasons for Anstruther’s mission to Christian IV, the States General and Lübeck. Since James has learnt that the King of Spain has two armies ready, one on land and the other on sea, and believes that the aim is to overthrow some Protestant prince, perhaps himself, he has equipped and trained his armed forces and is trying to make a general alliance with Sweden, Denmark, Venice, the Dutch Republic, Savoy, the Protestant Princes in Germany, the Protestant Hanseatic Cities and the Protestant Swiss Cantons. Since Christian IV, however, refuses to make an alliance with the Dutch Republic and Lübeck until their differences with him are settled, James has sent Anstruther to negotiate settlements and pave the way for the general alliance. To keep the true aim of Anstruther’s mission secret, he has announced that Anstruther has been instructed to ask for permission for some English merchants to fish for whale in their waters. Spens has been asked to inform Gustav II Adolf about these plans, so that when it comes to the general alliance, he cannot claim that he was not informed. James suggests that Gustav II Adolf be crowned. – Duke Radziwill’s business seems to have been to consult James as to how to behave towards Sigismund III, who, he claims, wants to bring about his destruction. Kokowitz is in the same situation, and they are going to plead the same cause against Sigismund. James’ advice to Radziwill, who is one of James’ favourites, is that he attends the Polish Parliament and remain calm unless provoked. Kokowitz’ agent, Captain Buck, claims that he has come to obtain a letter from James to Sigismund requesting the payment of what is owed to him. – Spens is indignant about not having got his pay. Six thousand thalers were to be handed over to him in part payment of the 16,000 owed to him in March. The letter of exchange had been refused at Lübeck, and Spens asks to be paid in copper or in cash, adding that as long as the King gives him charge of his affairs, some means should be found of his being paid in England at the times stipulated in his commission, so that he will not have to spend most of his time recovering the reminder. – Spens intercedes for the following persons, hoping AO will give proper consideration to their cases: Sir Robert Stewart, Sir Richard Bingley, Captain Learmonth, Lord Medhope, Sir Patrick Gordon and Captain Papla. Medhope, who is a Councillor of Scotland, intends to send a brother of his to Sweden to track down the man who murdered his brother, Captain James Drummond. Gordon, formerly tutor of Gustav Stenbock and his brother, is James’ representative to Poland and the City of Danzig. Spens suggests that the Swedes employ him for his knowledge about Polish matters.