Correspondence and papers of Thomas Thynne, 1st Viscount Weymouth, relating to his...

Correspondence and papers of Thomas Thynne, 1st Viscount Weymouth, relating to his embassy to Sweden in 1667-1674 viz. Correspondence, 1667-1674, 1685. ff 1-228.

Papers, 1631-1672. ff.229-455.

Lord Weymouth's original instructions are dated 28 Sept. 1666 and in an accompanying paper explaining more in detail the objects of the embassy a short account of affairs as they then stood in Sweden "and how that Crowne appeares affected both to us and our enemies" is given. Sweden had become exhausted with the wars of the last King, Charles X, and has had a Regency so that their policy was to rest and recuperate rather than undertake further wars. Their relation with France "our greatest enemy" was friendly, with Denmark "our next enemy", most hostile, and with Holland "our next enemy" was only openly friendly. Lord Weymouth is told how to behave towards the Queen Dowager and the Regents and he is specially to pay court to the Chancellor. As to negotiations he can only at present keep the Swedes to the treaty already made "and if the war continues to enter into another and a stricter alliance".

Among his correspondents are the following-

1. E. Jollyvet, Agent at Hamburg: 8 Jan.-26 July, 1667. ff. 3,8,14,20,26,30,46,49,58,65,100,109,113.

2 [Charles Howard, Earl of] Carlisle: 4 March, 1666[7]. f.12.

3. Henry Frederick Thynne his father: 22 Feb., 9 May 1667. ff. 10,54.

4. John Paull, English Resident in Denmark: Elsenburg, etc. 7 March, 1666[7] - 5 Apr. 1668. ff.16,28,44,52,61,67,69,77,83,86,96,105,111,120,130,142,162.

5. Sir William Morice, Secretary of State: 1667, 1668. ff.22,24,34,37,40,63,92,103,116,134,140,144,146,149,154,160,163,175,183.

6. W. Swann, ?Agent at Hamburg: 30 May, 1667 - 24 Jan. 1668. ff. 76,90,151,154,156,189.

7. M. Biorncklou, Senator of Sweden: - May 1667 - 27 Dec. 1668. French. ff.79,114,186.

8. William Griffith, at Breda: 4-14 July, 1667 - 29 May 1668 ff. 81, 118,166.

9. [Henry Bennet, Earl of] Arlington, Secretary of State: 23 Aug. 1667 - 11 Oct. 1668. ff.121,165,173,179.

10. John Cooke, Under-Secretary of State: 2 Oct. 1668 - 5 Feb 1668[9]. ff.177,181,202.

11. Sir John Trevor, Secretary of State: 16 Oct. 1668.f.185.

12. Thomas Chafin, Secretary to T. Thynne at Stockholm: 24 Feb., 17 March, 1668[9]. ff.207, 210.

13. George Shuttleworth: 31 March, 1669 - 8 March, 1671[2]. ff.212,217.

In addition, the copy of a letter from T. Thynne to Secretary Coventry gives his views of Sweden resulting from the Peace of Breda: 2 Sept. 1667. f.123.

Among the papers having relation to Sweden and this embassy are the following:-

1. Letter of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden to Charles I. - Sept. 1631. Latin. Copy. f.229.

2. Defensive alliance between Denmark and the States General of Holland: 1650. Dutch. Copy of the tract printed at Middleburg. f.230.

3. Considerations and propositions to be represented to the Lord Protector for the managing the Trade of Sweden and the King of Denmark. [1653-1658.] f.238.

4. Letter of Charles II to Charles XI, King of Sweden: Whitehall, 26 May, 24 Nov. 1665. Latin. Copies ff.262,266.

5. Letter of Hedwig Eleonora, Queen Dowager, in the name of her son Charles XI of Sweden: Stockholm, 21 Oct. 1665. Latin. Copy. f.264.

6. "Florentissimi regni Sueciæ brevissima delineatio moderni status anno 1665": f.268.

7. Defensive treaty between Sweden and the Elector of Brandenburg: Stockholm. 20 March, 1666. f.270.

8. Instructions to Thomas Thynne sent to Sweden as Envoy: 28 Sept. 1666. Vellum. Signed at top by Charles II. and at foot by William Morice, Secretary of State. Followed by further and more detailed instructions on paper. ff.281,282.

9. Defensive alliance between Denmark, the States General of Holland, Brandenburg and Brunswick-Luneburg: 26 Oct. 1666. f.290.

10. Commission to T. Thynne giving him authority in the affairs of Prizes in the Port of Stockholm: 14 Nov. 1666. Signed by Lords St Alban, Ashley, Angelsey and Holles: with seals. Vellum. Followed by further instructions "for the better execution of the powers derived to him by the annexed Commission." ff.299, 300.

11. Newsletters from Paris: May - Nov. 1667. ff317,325,327,337,339.

12. "Brief vande Sweetsche Heeren ambasadeurs mediateurs aen de Sweedsche ministers ins 'sGrauen-hage over den Brief van de ..... Staten generael aen den Koninck van Engelandt" Printed at Schiedam. 1667. f.354.

13. Letters of Charles II to Count Charles Gustavus Wrangel, Lieutenant-General in Germany: 10 April, 1668. Signed and with paper signet. f.366.

14. Power of attorney from William Cranstoun, Lord Cranstoun to Thomas Thynne to receive moneys due to him from the King of Sweden: Signed and sealed, in the presence of Ralph Delaval and Robert Delaval. Latin. f.368.

15. Expenditure of T. Thynne in his journey from Gothenburg to Stockholm by land "the season of ye yeare and the then warr with the Dane not permitting his Maties ships to passe farther then that Port". 1668. f.398.

16. A Latin-Swedish vocabulary and grammar. ff.422,424.

17. Papers relating to a suit at Gothenburg against that Town by George Shuttleworth, "commendatarius" of Nathaniel Palmer respecting the capture of his ship: ff.427-442.