ual monopoly of
Swedish trade. In an earlier century, when these so-called Vend Cities
controlled the Baltic trade, Lubeck would have claimed the monopoly even
without a grant. But another branch of the Hanse Towns had ere this
grown up in Holland, with a power so formidable that the Vend Cities
dared not assert their claim. So long, however, as the privileges
granted Lubeck were unrepealed, the Dutch Towns were reluctant to incur
her enmity by sending ships to Sweden. The result was that practically
all imports came from Lubeck, and when relations between that city and
Gustavus became a trifle strained, great difficulty was experienced in
obtaining food. To remedy this evil, the envoys sent to Lubeck in 1525,
finding themselves too late for the congress with the Danes, entered
into negotiations with the Dutch envoys that happened to be there. They
found at once that Holland wished to trade in Sweden, and was ready to
do so if the terms could be arranged. As a provisional measure, the
ambassadors on both sides promised, August 17, that the two nations
should remain at peace during the next three years, and before the end
of that time another congress should be held to make a more systematic
treaty. It was agreed further that in the coming autumn a consignment of
salt and other wares should be forwarded by the Dutch to Sweden.
Apparently this consignment did not come till the spring of 1526, but
both parties were eager to arrange a treaty, and it was agreed that a
congress for this purpose should be held in Bremen, May 20, 1526. This
congress was afterwards postponed, though the Swedish envoy brought a
ratification of the former treaty signed by Gustavus under date of May
12, 1526, and promised further that salt should be admitted into Sweden
free. A similar ratification was signed by Charles V., Sept. 19, 1526.
This accomplished, Holland opened negotiations with Sweden to the end
that all articles of commerce be placed upon the free-list along with
salt; and she requested further that all the Swedish harbors be open to
her ships. So ambitious a proposal terrified Gustavus. He would have
been rejoiced to grant it, but he feared by doing so to irritate Lubeck.
It is somewhat amusing to trace the steps by which he convinced himself
that such a course was right. Brask, as usual, was the first to question
whether Lubeck would consent. On the 9th of December, 1526, he wrote:
"I advocate the treaty, but I doubt much whether Lube