the Estates in that point did agree and think good heretofore that his Highness should be chosen and made hereditary Prince and successor to the crown.  All this her Majesty did propose and urge till it was brought to the effect which that time produced.

“And to the end that her Majesty, during her life, may have the pleasure to see the happy effect of this design, and that the entire government may be rendered into the hands of his Royal Highness, therefore her Majesty hath resolved to quit the crown and the privileges of it, and to put them into the hands of his Royal Highness.

“And although this resolution of her Majesty may seem strange and unexpected to the Estates of the kingdom, nevertheless, according to her gracious confidence, she believes that they will consent to her quiet in retiring herself from so heavy a burden, by their contributing an assent to the proposed alteration.

“Her Majesty likewise assures herself (as the Estates by their former acts have always testified) of the esteem which they have of the person and of the rare virtues and well-known qualities of his Royal Highness; and that they will find that he will employ them to a prudent government and to their great advantage, and that at length they will not be deceived by this change, or any ways prejudiced:  for which end her Majesty promiseth and offereth to contribute all her advice and counsel and endeavour,—­chiefly that his Royal Highness, before his entry into the government, may assure the Estates and effectually do that which the Kings of Sweden upon the like occasions have used to do, and are by the laws and customs obliged unto.

“And on the other part, that the Estates and all the subjects of Sweden be obliged to render unto his Royal Highness that respect, obedience, and all those rights which appertain to a King, and which they are obliged to perform.

“And as her Majesty hath considered and resolved upon the means whereby her Majesty may enjoy a yearly pension to be settled upon her during her life, and having communicated her purpose therein to his Royal Highness the successor to the crown, so she graciously hopeth that her faithful subjects and the Estates will be content therewith, humbly receiving and consenting to what her Majesty hath graciously disposed.

“Her Majesty graciously requires all the Estates of the kingdom that they would, as soon as may be, consider this business, to the end that the resolution taken by her Majesty may in a short time be brought unto effect.

“Her Majesty most graciously thanks all her faithful subjects for the obedience, honour, and respect which every one of them hath faithfully testified to her Majesty during the time of her government; so that her Majesty hath received full contentment by their most humble demeanour, which hereafter, upon all occasions, she will acknowledge with