From Jakob Spens to Axel Oxenstierna

Axel Oxenstierna's works and letters

Contents

Although Rusdorf, to whom Bellin has written from Paris, has promised to write to AO, Spens reiterates two points: 1. Louis XIII is willing to enter an alliance, to send his ambassador to a meeting in The Hague on April 25th, and to support the German princes and pay the contribution for the first four months in advance, but he proposes some hard terms. 2. If Christian IV is entrusted with the direction of the war, he will supply 6,000 foot soldiers and 1,000 horses. James I should raise 6,000 foot soldiers and 1,000 horses. In addition, Christian promises to persuade the princes of Lower Saxony to raise 8,000 foot soldiers. When Anstruther asked Spens whether Gustav II Adolf is willing to submit all conflicts between him and Christian to James’ decision, Spens answered that since everything had been settled at the border meeting between the two kings, there was no occasion for submitting anything to James’ arbitration. – It is the general opinion in Britain 1. that Christian IV is more anxious to have Gustav II Adolf’s friendship than vice versa, 2. that James and Charles try to stay on friendly terms with both Gustav II Adolf and Christian, and 3. that the Germans do not much care who is given the direction of the war, if only they can recover freedom for Germany. Spens’ advice is that Gustav II Adolf takes nothing for granted and does not expend any special funds until he sees the outcome of the meeting at The Hague, when probably the director of the war will be elected and other matters concerning the war decided. – Finally, Spens reports some news: the Pope’s dispensation for the marriage [of Prince Charles with a French princess] has arrived, but the terms are stiff and James is not satisfied. The French army has crossed the mountains of Savoy and will probably invade the Duchy of Milan, whereas another French army has taken the Valtelline. James I has 100 ships fully equipped for war. Some ships from Hamburg bound for Spain by way of England with provisions for the Spanish fleet have been seized. James I has asked his ambassador in Constantinople to try to persuade the Sultan to encourage Gábor Bethlen to continue the war with the Emperor. Mansfeld is in Zeeland with the infantry waiting for the arrival of the cavalry from France.