Sources:
Mémoires concernant Christine, volume 1, Johan Arckenholtz, 1751
Christina, queen of Sweden (1890), by Francis William Bain
Above: King Kristina of Sweden, painted by David Beck.
Above: Johan Adler Salvius, by Pieter de Jode II.
The letter:
Herr Hof Cantzler.
Jag ser at nu mera freds Tractaten är så godt som helt stannad, och at alle man afwenta denne Campagnies utslag, twiflar intet med mindre j på Eder sida lära giöra eder yttersta flit, at bringa detta lång samma werket til endskap, det den högste Gud nådeligen förläne! ... Jag innesluter här hos et bref till Servien det honom med första må öfwersändas. Jag har intet kunnat med höflighet förbigå, at swara honom på sit bref, som för en tjd sedan han har skrifwit mig till. Jag wore den ohöfligaste på werlden, där iag låte det obeswaradt, medan han däri så högt offerarar sig til min avantage. Det är nödigt at J försäkrar honom om min affection och at iag håller god correspondence med honom; ty J måtte Considerera at han är hos Cardinalen Creatur. Jag wet wäl Fransosernes lag, at de mäst civile äro i complimenten, men genom civilité lappas intet, och man betalar dem med samma mått som de utmäta. Jag wet nog at det är lutter flatterie som de skrifwa och tala, ty mine meriter kan alle sådane lof-ord intet förtiena, doch finner iag mig obligerad at giöra civilité igen; caresserer då fordenskuld den ena och andra, temoignerandes altjd min affection, både mot drottningen, så wäl som mot Cardinalen; ty det är han som alt regerar, och måtte j fördenskuld giöra hans Creatur bonne mine. Iag beder j willie skaffa mig copian af detta hos gående bref, ty iag har henne intet sielf. ...
Christina
English translation (from source 2):
Sir Court Chancellor,
I see that the Treaty is in the same condition as if it had stopped, and that everybody is waiting for the end, nevertheless I hope that on your side you will use your utmost diligence to conclude this long business, which may the Almighty graciously accord. ... I enclose a letter for M. Servien, send it to him as soon as possible: civility compels me to answer his letter, otherwise I should be the rudest person in the world, since he offers himself so cordially to my service, and speaks too much in my favour in his quarter; thus it behoves me to assure him of my good will and keep up a good correspondence with him, for you must recollect he is a creature of the Cardinal. I know, too, the French ways, and that their manners consist chiefly in compliments; but one loses nothing by being civil, and one pays them in their own coin. The compliments that they and others make me are pure flattery, I do not deserve such praises; nevertheless I find myself obliged to return their civilities in kind, therefore be courteous to him and others; bear witness of my affection for the Queen, as well as for the Cardinal, for he it is that governs all, that is why you must faire bonne mine to his creatures. Please get me a copy of the enclosed, as I have none here. ...
Kristina
The letter in full:
Herr Hof Cantzler. Jag ser at nu mera freds Tractaten är så godt som helt stannad, och de alle man afwenta denne Campagnies utslag, twiflar intet med mindre j på Eder sida lära giöra eder yttersta flit, at bringa detta långsamma werket til endskap, det den högste Gud nådeligen förläne! Jag hafwer denne gång intet synnerlig at skrifwa, utan recommenderar eder på nytt de ärender, som Eder nogsamt kunnige är. Giörer eder flit at alt uträtta till mit contentement så mycket utan freds brått skie kan. Jag innesluter här hos et bref till Servien det honom med första må öfwersändas. Jag har intet kunnat med höflighet förbigå, at swara honom på sit bref, som för en tjd sedan han har skrifwit mig till. Jag wore den ohöfligaste på werlden, där iag låte det obeswaradt, medan han däri så högt offerarar sig til min avantage. Det är nödigt at J försäkrar honom om min affection och at iag håller god correspondence med honom; ty J måtte Considerera at han är hos Cardinalen Creatur. Jag wet wäl Fransosernes lag, at de mäst civile äro i complimenten, men genom civilité lappas intet, och man betalar dem med samma mått som de utmäta. Jag wet nog at det är lutter flatterie som de skrifwa och tala, ty mine meriter kan alle sådane lof-ord intet förtiena, doch finner iag mig obligerad at giöra civilité igen; caresserer då fordenskuld den ena och andra, temoignerandes altjd min affection, både mot drottningen, så wäl som mot Cardinalen; ty det är han som alt regerar, och måtte j fördenskuld giöra hans Creatur bonne mine. Iag beder j willie skaffa mig copian af detta hos gående bref, ty iag har henne intet sielf. Adieu. Försäkrar Eder om min nåd
Christina.
English translation (my own):
Sir Court Chancellor,
I see that the peace treaty is in the same state as if it had ceased, and that everyone is waiting for the outcome of the campaign. Nevertheless I hope that on your side you will use all possible care to put an end to this long work, which the Almighty wishes to grant by His grace!
I have nothing in particular to write for now, if not that I recommend you friends that you are known. Give your care and your attentions so that everything ends to my satisfaction, as much as the thing will be possible without breaking the peace.
I enclose here a letter for Mr. Servien. Send it to him instead. I cannot help responding out of civility to his letter; otherwise I would be the most uncivil in the world, because he offers himself so kindly to my service, and he also talks a lot, where he is to my advantage. So it is necessary that I assure him of my affection and that I maintain a good correspondence with him, because you must consider that he is the creature of the Cardinal. Besides, I am very familiar with the manners of the French, and that the greater part of their manners consist of compliments. However by civility nothing is lost, and one pays them with the same currency as they pay the others. The compliments they and others give me are pure flattery, and I do not deserve such praise.
However, I recognize myself obliged to return civilities for civilities. For this reason pet him and others too. Testify also the affection that I have for the Queen as well as for the Cardinal, for it is he who governs everything. This is why you must make his creatures look good. Please get me a copy of this included letter, as I don't have one here. Farewell, I assure you of my grace.
Kristina.
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