d probably be taken off. After
more palaver, Margaret signed a document accepting the offer assumed to
have been made by Sweden; namely, that vessels of the emperor might
enter all the rivers and harbors of Sweden, paying only the same duties
that were paid by Swedish subjects, salt, however, to be admitted free.
She expressed a hope, moreover, that other articles might be exempt from
duty too. To this document she attached her seal, July 29, 1527.[129]

It is particularly to be noted that Lubeck did not raise her voice
against the treaty. A probable solution is that she wished beyond all
else to secure her money, and felt that Sweden would be more able to
meet the debt in case she were allowed to trade with Holland. All
through the winter of 1527 Gustavus struggled to raise funds. Some
portions of the country seem to have responded freely, but in Dalarne
and other northern provinces it appeared likely that the levy would end
in actual revolt. In January Gustavus warned the people that all
responsibility in the matter lay with them. If Lubeck made war upon the
kingdom, it would be because of their unwillingness to pay the debt. As
a matter of fact, the Dalesmen had much reason for delay. The monarch,
by his ill-judged privileges to Lubeck, had kept the country in a state
of famine, from which it now was just beginning to emerge. Many of the
people were utterly devoid of means, and the new levy seemed like
wringing water from a stone. This in the course of time Gustavus
learned, and in March he prudently suggested to his officers that the
tax be modified in special cases. The Dalesmen, however, were not so
easily to be appeased. Other causes of complaint were rife among them,
and they formed a compact to the end that no tax should be paid until
these grievances had been redressed. On the 2d of April Gustavus
asserted that the Dalesmen had not contributed a cent. Brask, for
reasons that will be manifest later on, was in sympathy with the people,
and declared: "I fear danger, for the Dalesmen are reported to be
incensed, and rightfully incensed, against the king. If it lay with me,
I should remit a portion of the tax rather than give occasion for this
revolt." Gustavus, however, was still harassed by Lubeck, and dared not
take this step. As there were several matters to be straightened out in
Dalarne, he summoned a general diet of the realm. The Dalesmen showing
opposition, Gustavus urged the people in the south of Sweden t