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 Canzler.
Iag hafwer fått twänne Edra skrifwelser, hwilke mig mycket fägnat hafwa, och medan iag denna gången intet hafwer för tidens korthets skuld legenhet därpå at swara; beder fördenskuld at j på mina wägnar och på det aldra högste tacke Mons: d'Avaux för den stora och remarquable tienst, han mig har bewist, och giörer min enskyllan på det flitigaste, at Jag icke denna gången kan swara. Iag har så mycket at giöra, så at iag icke nog kan skrifwa. Iag hoppas at han aldrig lär twifla om min tacksamhet. Med nästa post skal iag intet manquera at complimentera honom. Hwad freds tractaten wedkommer, har iag optäkt Eder bägge min mening och resolution. Pousserer den saken som hon sig best giöra låter. Iag räds at iag lär få så mycket skaffa här hemma, så at iag wäl må tacka Gud at kunna få någorlunda en god fred. J förstån bättre än iag, quam arduum, quamque subjectum fortunæ regendi cuncta onus. Mera intet för denna gången, utan iag beder j wille skrifwa mig Edert råd, om jag skulle kunna benåda, utan min præjudice, Gref Magnus med Benfeld hälst ... låter ingen meniskia få weta däraf, men communicerer det sub fide silentii Comte d'Avaux, och låter Gref Gustafson icke häller få wetat. ...
Christina
English translation (from source 2):
Sir Court Chancellor,
I have received two letters from you which have pleased me greatly. I have not time to answer them as they deserve; accordingly, I beg you to thank M. D'Avaux for the essential service he has done me, and make my very particular excuses to him for not being able to write to him to-day. I have so much to do just now, that time is not sufficient for all my business. I hope he will never doubt my gratitude. I will not fail to thank him by the first courier. As to the Treaty of Peace, I have declared to both of you my opinion and my determination. Push matters on as best you can. I expect to have plenty to attend to here, so much so that I shall thank God if I am able to obtain, by hook or by crook, a good peace. You know better than me, quam arduum quamque subjectum fortunæ regendi cuncta onus! Nothing more at present; only this, please give me your advice as to whether I can, without prejudice to myself, gratify Count Magnus with Benfeld. ... don't tell anyone about this, but let M. D'Avaux know it, sub fide silentii; and don't say anything about it to the Graf Gustafson. ...
Kristina
The letter in full:
Herr Hof Canzler. Iag hafwer fått twänne Edra skrifwelser, hwilke mig mycket fägnat hafwa, och medan iag denna gången intet hafwer för tidens korthets skuld legenhet därpå at swara; beder fördenskuld at j på mina wägnar och på det aldra högste tacke Mons: d'Avaux för den stora och remarquable tienst, han mig har bewjst, och giörer min enskyllan på det flitigaste, at Jag icke denna gången kan swara. Iag har så mycket at giöra, så at iag icke nog kan skrifwa. Iag hoppas at han aldrig lär twifla om min tacksamhet. Med nästa post skal iag intet manquera at complimentera honom.
Hwad freds tractaten wedkommer, har iag optäkt Eder bägge min mening och resolution. Pousserer den saken som hon sig best giöra låter. Iag räds at iag lär få så mycket skaffa här hemma, så at iag wäl må tacka Gud at kunna få någorlunda en god fred. J förstån bättre än iag, quam arduum, quam subjectum fortunæ regendi cuncta onus. Mera intet för denna gången, utan iag beder j wille skrifwa mig Edert råd, om iag skulle kunna benåda, utan min præjudice, Gref Magnus med Benfeld hälst medan iag måste gå det qwitt med tractaten, och Iag är försäkrad om hans trohet mot mig mer än om någon ting i werlden. Han wet intet af detta, och jag wil icke at han häller skal få wetat förän jag hafwer intagit Eder mening, om det för allehande considerationer kan ske: och låter ingen meniskia få weta däraf, men communicerer det sub fide silentii Comte d'Avaux, och låter Gref Gustafson icke häller få wetat: härmed Gud befallandes förblifwer Eder altid nådigste
Christina.
Stockholm den 13. Febr. 1647.
English translation (my own):
Sir Court Chancellor,
I have received two of your letters, the content of which gave me great pleasure. This time I cannot answer them properly, because I am running out of time. This is why I ask you to thank on my part and in the best way Monsieur d'Avaux for the essential service he has rendered me and to apologise very expressly for that I cannot answer him today. I have so much to do at present that there is not enough time for all my occupations. I hope he will never doubt my gratitude. I will not fail by the first courrier to pay him my compliments.
Concerning the peace treaties, I have declared to you both my feeling and my resolution. Push things the best you can. I dread having a lot of occupations here, so much that I will give thanks to God if I can somehow obtain a good peace. You know better than I how the burden of governing all things is painful and subject to chance. I have nothing more to ask you this time. I beg you only to give me your good advice by telling me if I can, without prejudice, grant the Count Magnus of the seigniory of Benfeldt, especially if I have to cede it by the treaties. I am also more assured of his loyalty to me than anything else in the world. He doesn't do any of that, and I don't want him to be angry until I hear your feeling, if it can come from all kinds of considerations. Do not let anyone know anything about it, but communicate it to Monsieur d'Avaux under the faith of silence. Don't let Gustafson find out either. I recommend you to God, and I always remain your most gracious
Kristina.
Stockholm, February 13, 1647.
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