Account of Suedish Merchant Ships – 1697 | First Edition Pamphlet, French Trade

A Short Account of the True State of the Case of the Suedish Merchant-Fleet is a 1697 first edition addressing the capture of a Swedish merchant-fleet on its return from France by George Rooke. This short work raised questions of maritime law, neutrality, and trade regulations at the end of the Nine Years’ War.

This work highlights accusations that Swedish and French merchants acted together in questionable commerce, with an appendix exposing how foreign merchants purchased and flew Swedish flags by paying a two percent fee.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Short Account of the True State of the Case of the Suedish Merchant-Fleet: Lately Brought Up, on Their Voyage from France, by Admiral Rooke, and Sent into Plimouth
• Author(s): Anonymous
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s):
• Publisher: London: Printed, and are to be sold by Eliz. Whitlock
• Edition: First edition, 1697.
• Format: (12mo), pamphlet
• Binding: Modern leather binding
• Size:  7.5 in x 6 in (19 cm x 15 cm)
• Collation: [2], 14 pp.
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • Account of Admiral Rooke’s seizure of Swedish convoy
  • Notes on Franco-Swedish commercial collaboration
  • Appendix describing Sweden’s two percent fee for foreign use of its flag
• Provenance: provenance
• Reference(s): ESTC R 11326

Condition:

Near Fine. Modern leather, secure and tight, with only slight rubbing at corners. Pages complete and clean

Why Collect This?

• Early printed record of a high-profile maritime dispute
• Reflects Anglo-Swedish trade tensions in the late 17th century.
• Appeals to collectors of naval history and European diplomacy

Item Number: # 29443