They often threw difficulties in his way, hoping that the Regents of Sweden, tired out with these disputes, would recall him.  We are assured[290], that when he went to see the Chancellor Seguier, one of the Cardinal’s creatures, Seguier seated himself in the higher place; which obliged Grotius to take his chair himself to place it above the Chancellor.  Besides the vexation which they endeavoured to give him in France, he met with some disgust even from the Swedes.  It was intimated to him at the Court of France, that the High Chancellor’s nomination to the embassy of Paris was not sufficient; it must be approved of by the Regency of Sweden.  This difficulty gave him uneasiness:  he writes to Schmalz, Feb. 28, 1636[291], “I know the High Chancellor has authority enough to maintain me in the post to which he has raised me; but I think I should be better able to defend the interest of the crown, if it were made to appear that what the High Chancellor has done for me is approved of in Sweden.  He is mortal; and besides I find his power of sending Ambassadors is sometimes called in question here.”  Grotius was soon after satisfied, the Regency of Sweden confirming his nominations[292].

Having been some time without receiving letters from the Swedish Ministers, it gave him much chagrin, because it disabled him from serving them effectually:  besides, he looked on it as a want of respect.  August 31, 1635, he wrote to the High Chancellor[293], “Since your Sublimity set out for Hamburg, I have received no letter from you, nor from any of your attendants:  what grieves me is, that not knowing the actual state of things, I scarce have assurance to speak to those to whom I must recommend the affairs with which I am charged.”  Eight days after, he renewed his complaint in a more bitter tone:  “I have desired nothing so much, says he, as to give proofs of my zeal and fidelity to the kingdom of Sweden, and to your Sublimity, in this embassy:  I have not yet failed in my duty, and I hope I never shall fail; but it is impossible for me to discharge it properly, if I am kept ignorant of those things which an Ambassador ought to know.  I have no accounts from Sweden.  If I have not received letters from your Sublimity since you set out for Hamburg, I ascribe your silence to the multiplicity of your affairs:  but Schmalz has not written to me since; and for some time I have had no letter from Camerarius or Grubbius.  If they imagine my enemies so powerful, that I ought to remain here Ambassador only in name, without being let into affairs, and without doing any thing; that will not suit me.  I am not a man that would be chargeable or a dishonour to those who nominated me to my employment.  Besides, they are mistaken if they think my enemies have so much credit in my native Country; and those who know what passes there think as I do.  I humbly beg you would be pleased to indemnify me for the expences I have been obliged to be at, and let me at liberty:  wherever I go, it will be a sufficient recommendation not to have displeased your Sublimity.”