Johan Adler Salvius

Johan Adler Salvius came from modest origins to the highest ranks of the state. He was a diplomat of long service, having negotiated Sweden’s subsidy treaty with France in 1630 and subsequently residing in Hamburg from 1636 until moving to Osnabrück in 1643. During that time, he not only negotiated two treaties of alliance with France (both called the Treaty of Hamburg, one in 1638 and one in 1641), but also administered finances for the Swedish army, often advancing funds on his own credit. This was possible because he had married a wealthy widow who resided with him in Hamburg and remained there during the Congress of Westphalia handling finances.

Salvius did not get along with his younger, less experienced, but higher-ranking colleague, Johan Oxenstierna. At times, the two seemed to be following different policies at the congress, with Salvius more inclined to make concessions. Their differences were exacerbated by the struggle at court between Oxenstierna’s father Axel and Salvius’s patron, Queen Christina. Christina’s assertion of power at home worked to Salvius’s advantage, leading to his appointment to the royal council in March, 1648. He had a major role in the negotiations, especially the partition of Pomerania with Brandenburg and the religious negotiations, on which he took the part of German Protestants.