The King of Denmark his declaration concerning the English merchants ships lying in Copenhagen.: Translated out of the Danish speech into English by Edvvard Smith, May 17. 1653.

A short Relation of what on the behalf of his Kingly Majesty of Denmark and Norway, was verbalit spoken to the English Republiques Parliaments Re∣sident, the honest and worshipful man Richard Bradshaw; and afterward at his request deli∣vered him in writing by us whose names are under-written, and out of Latin put into English. Letter G.

AFter that some English Ships for some few Months past were returned out of the East Sea into Oresound, they concluded there to remain, thereby to avoyd that great danger they other∣wise might fall into, if they adventured themselves towards Eng∣land, by reason of the Hollands Fleet, that at that present they found lying there, waiting a more seasonable time, that they with more safety might sail hence; at which time his Kingly Majesty not only afforded them open freedom, but also in a large measure protected them, for as much as some Holland Ships would hastily have fallen upon them, some Guns were shot off from Crownborg Castle: nor is there from that time hitherto any token of friend∣ship neglected to be shewn them: Wherefore it is altogether ad∣mirable to his Majesty, that the English Republiques Parliament neither by writing, nor Resident in the least measure, have mention∣ed such Kingly favor and affection as is shewed to their Subjects; but after all, in the Harvest following a Fleet of 18 Ships of War is sent into this Kingdom, to that end, as is formerly declared, that they should for more safety convey the said Merchant Ships, among which some part are so well fitted, that they might well be used in the stead of Ships of War; and those Ships, not only without any preceding desires or permission, which yet ought to have been ob∣tained, but also without any intimation of their coming, did come to anchor upon his Kingly Majesties Streams, which verily, of none of his Majesties Neighbors, or those in Union with him, before this time hath the like been done; for as much as amongst lordly per∣sons, to avoyd all mis-interpretation, it is usual not to enter into

any of their open or common wayes, much less into such a nar∣row passage, with warlike and weaponed power, except they have desired or obtained leave thereunto: which seeing the English Republikes Parliament have forborn to do, therefore doth His Majesty with all equity and reason expect from their Resident, for such unlawfull Process, in the behalf of the Par∣liament some satisfaction. Seeing His Kingly Majesties Sub∣jects ships, as many as they could f••nd within the English Re∣publikes jurisdiction, not onely are detained and forbid to de∣part, but also one of them in the open Sea lately by a Parlia∣ments ship surprized, brought to London, and a part of her la∣ding plundered away; therefore doth His Kingly Majesty de∣sire to know from the Resident the cause why such arrests and enemy like proceedings were used against his Subjects: of this and the former Propositions a speedy answer is expected.

• Otte Krag.
• Henry Williamson.
• Rosenwing.