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.

The Kings Majesty of Denmark and Norway his resolution delivered the English Parlia∣ments Resident, the Worshipfull Richard Bradshaw, unto that Proposition he verbally uttered, and in wri∣ting delivered, the 28. Decemb. 1652. Letter H.

FOrasmuch as in the said Proposition is first set downe, that some English Ships of great value were in this Harbour de∣tained, and might not be suffered to depart hence with the Eng∣lish Admiralls Fleet that was sent hither to convoy them, and that the Parliament by such an unexpected action which hap∣pened at the time of treaty for Union, were much troubled, and therefore to prevent great inconveniences that might thereup∣on arise, had sent him hither to desire, which he also did in the Parliaments name, that all the ships belonging to English men, with their ladings, and which by Kingly decree were so de∣tained, may presently be set free, and fully licensed to saile to such place where they are designed; and that his Kingly Majesty will under his hand and seal assure to him their servant, that all the aforesaid ships, with their ladings, shall be fully delivered to the English convoy or Fleet, which the Parliament will send and authorise there unto, at such time, and in such manner, as the said Admirall so sent shall desire.

Secondly, that all the guns, and other things belonging to the ship Antilop, that was lost upon the shore of Jytland, where she was run ashore, may be delivered, which at present are de∣tained or preserved of any in Inteland, to him or his Assignes, and also by his Majesties recommendation he may be furthered to take up, and save as many more of the said guns, and other materialls belonging to the said ship, as may be saved.

Before an answer can be given to the first, it is necessary to be known, and it cannot be denied, but that the shippers of the English ships did in August l••st petition, that they might be permitted to come here into the Haven to save them from their enemies, and afterwards did presently give thanks, for that it

was granted them, both with supplication and thanks, giving in their Orignals, were shewn the Resident; and that they by a∣ny Kingly Decree should have been arrested, or their freedome to rule over their goods here in the Haven taken away, that can never be made appear, forasmuch as each sh••pp••r is yet with his ship, and hath power over his goods, so that th••y need not re∣quire any restitution to their freedome, but that feare onely which they had and have of their enemies which lay upon the streames, hath detained or arrested th••m▪ and nothing else, since which, there came in September before Crownborow, an Admi∣rall with a mighty F••eet, which without any warning given, li∣berty obtained, or letter from the Parliam••nt, did desire he might fetch the said ships without Cobenhaven, or that they might be securely conveyed unto him, all which seemed just as wonderfull to his Majesty, that while his Amb••ss••dors lay in England and treated, they then without any in imation o•• con∣sent, would unexpected send such a F••eet hither into his land and streams, even as it did admire the Parliament that their Ad∣miralls desire was not accomplished; but that the English ships, which by the shippers own confession in writing came into this Harbour by the Parliaments Order, were not delivered to such an Admirall, as neither had leave to come hither with his Fleet, nor any writing from the Parliament, nor could get the said ships to him, except he first became M••ster of the Hollands Fleet, which lay upon the stream, between Kobenhaven, and the said English Fleet; his Majesty hath as good an excuse for, as a∣ny Potentate can have, that will not indure such an affront to permit strangers in his land, upon his streams, and close in his very presence, to wage war and fight, who shall be Lord and Master in anothers house and land; and as his Majesty never but this time observing a Fleet of English and Hollanders at one instant here upon his streames, was not willing the English should sail hence, so hath he never since forbid them, but to in∣gage himself to deliver the said ships securely to the English Fleet, at such a time, and in such a manner as the English Admi∣rall would prescribe and desire, is so unreasonable a demand, that his Majesty cannot in any manner comprehend: For in the

first place, there is never any permitted, or hath that freedome to come here into the Sound with an armed Fleet, no more then to come into the Land with an Army, which by speciall treaty have not gained consent; and those that by such treaties have gained consent, may neither come stronger then is agreed upon, nor upon the time agreed, without giving warning some weeks before hand; and moreover there is not the least excuse made, for that the Fleet came hither without notice given us, nor any request made that it might come hither againe, seeing that the Resident himselfe doth acknowledge he hath no instru∣ctions so to do, so that it appeareth, as if the Parliament would take unto themselves more then all others, and might against all right and custome come upon these Coasts, Streames, and Towns when they pleased, which his Majesty can no ways give consent unto: Moreover his Majesty hath had no thanks for that protection the English ships have had in this Haven, which doubtlesse had been in their enemies hands, if they had not here been secured: but on the contrary, his Majesties Subjects Ships in England, by an open Edict of Parliament in all their Havens, have been arrested, and one ship by force taken in the Channel, and afterward spoiled, which will cause other resolution, un∣lesse in short time, by due satisfaction, and assurance for the fu∣ture it be remedied: As touching that ship that was lost neere Inteland, his Majesty doth give Order to his Officers there, to let the Resident or his Assig••es have all the guns o•• other things that were saved, when those that have taken pains to saving them are paid what is accustomed and fitting to be paid, and al∣so doth further Order, that they help and further the saving of as many more of th•• guns as can be p••ssible sav••d. Given at our Kingly Seat Copenhaven, the 29. Jan. An. 1653. under his Kingly Majesties Hand and Seal.

FINIS.