another article, that in case any shall act anything in prejudice of the treaty, he shall be punished. In consideration of this article, and in regard that the agreement touching the form of passports was remitted to something to be done therein afterwards, and he found Eric stiff against any alteration, Whitelocke did not think it material to insist further upon it. As to that which Whitelocke desired to the last article of ratification, that the words "vel successoribus suis" might be omitted, Eric said he would consent thereunto if he found it material, and desired the business might be finished; and he desired Whitelocke to excuse a little small delay at present by his absence for a few days, he being necessitated to go out of town tomorrow, but at his return all should be concluded; and as soon as the Queen came back, the whole business should be finished, which had been done before, but by reason of the Queen's unexpected journey. April 13, 1654. confers and invites dinner. In the morning the Chancellor came to Whitelocke Whitelocke and staid with him near three hours. They had much with the debate touching Guinea, to the like effect as before Chancellor, with his son; they had also debate about the amend him to ments which Whitelocke had desired might be inserted in the articles, chiefly that touching passports, to which the Chancellor would by no means agree. He likewise said to Whitelocke: Chancellor. The Queen caused the articles to be copied out, to the end (as I believe) to communicate them to the Prince, which will be for the greater validity of the treaty and alliance. Whitelocke. I am glad her Majesty is pleased to take the advice of the Prince in this business, and am willing to promise myself that nothing is contained in the articles which he will not approve. Chan. I believe the same. Wh. This might be the occasion that my business was not finished before her Majesty's going out of town. Chan. I myself am also going into the country, and come now to take my leave of you. Wh. I hope you will return before her Majesty. Chan. I purpose to stay abroad but four or five days; and I find that frequent exercise and change of air tendeth very much to the improving of my health. Wh. I do heartily wish your health, and hope that the Queen and you will shortly be in town again, and that then my business will be finished. Chan. There is no doubt but that your business will be despatched within a very few days after the Queen's return. They had much other discourse touching the affairs of England, in which the Chancellor testified much respect to England and to the Protector. Whitelocke invited the Chancellor to dinner to his house, but he excused himself, alleging that his age and infirmities would not permit him to take a meal out of his own house, or at the houses of some of his children, where he might enjoy the same liberty as at his own house. Whitelocke told him that he should have the same liberty at his house, who was one of his sons, as he could take at the houses of any other of his children; but the Chancellor earnestly desired to be excused, and Whitelocke thought not fit further to importune him, but desired him to hasten his return hither, which he promised to do. Whitelocke received his letters from England, and in that from Thurloe he writes: from "There hath been consideration taken of your return Letters home, but the issue of the treaty with the Dutch not being Thurloe. yet known, his Highness's resolutions as to your return are deferred until the next; the difficulty of that business lies in the article relating to the Danes, etc. All things else remain as they did by my last, so that your Excellence will be saved this week the labour of reading my long letter. This day we have a fast for the great drought. My Lady was here with me to hasten your return, wherein I should be glad to be instrumental. I pray God preserve your Excellence, and bless the affairs under your hand. I am, "Your Excellence's humble servant, "March 24th, 1653. "I saw a letter to his Highness from Upsal, wherein some expressions were used as if your Excellence were like to be removed from the Seal. His Highness commanded me to assure you that there are no such intentions, but much the contrary, whereof your Excellence will have real demonstrations upon all occasions." April 14, 1654. given to a Grave Eric desired Whitelocke to give a passport Passport to a Swedish ship bound from Stockholm to Portugal. Swedish The Chancellor requested the same, and both father ship. and son engaged to Whitelocke that there was nothing aboard the vessel, nor any design in her voyage, against England; that she was freighted for Portugal only, and that they should esteem the favour as done to VOL. II. K Letters to themselves, because they had a share in the goods on board this ship. Whitelocke, though he were hardly persuaded to give his passports to Swedish ships or to any other, yet considering the time when this was desired, and the persons desiring it, he thought not fit to deny it, but gave it in this form.* Whitelocke gave an account in his letters this day to Thurloe of all passages of moment since his last, and wrote further: "My letters, I confess, have been tedious heretofore, but I ask your pardon, and do hope that my business is now at such a period that I shall not have occasion to trouble you with the like. "There is little to do here at this time; almost all the great lords and courtiers are gone out of town, so that here is a lamentable silent place. I shall be heartily glad to receive my Lord's order to authorize my return; but my business being now ended, I presume I may expect his pleasure at any other place. I purpose to visit the Queenmother and the Prince of Sweden, because other ambassadors have done it, and I have been particularly invited to it. I think it will be a respect from my Lord Protector "Whereas Peter Gerbrant, citizen of Stockholm, and commander of a ship belonging to her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, called the Sudermanland,' loaden with corn and other Swedish merchandises, is now bound for Lisbon, in Portugal, and, for his better passage, hath desired of me, being Ambassador Extraordinary from his Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, unto her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, to give him my pass and letters recommendatory: These are therefore to desire all commanders and officers by sea or land, and all others of the said Commonwealth whom it may concern, to permit the said Peter Gerbrant, together with his said ship and lading, to pass unto the said port of Lisbon quietly and without any molestation; and so to return from thence unto Stockholm, with such lading as the said master shall there think fit to take into his ship. Given under my hand and seal at Upsal, in Sweden, this 14th day of April, 1654. B. W." which they will take very kindly, and may be some strength to the alliance, and is not the less requisite for me, because our enemies report that none but mechanics are of our party; but since our being here the Swedes acknowledge the contrary. "I hope within two or three weeks to be at sea, and that my God, who hath hitherto been so good to me, will give me a safe return to my Lord and to my native country, to whom I wish all prosperity. "Your affectionate friend to serve you, 66 Upsal, 14th April, 1654. "B. W. "I hope you will pardon the importunity of my wife's solicitation, being for my return. I have been informed this week that some Holland ships are loading here with ordnance and other provisions of war. I hope his Highness hath been pleased to give order for two or three ships to be at Hamburg for my transportation into England, and therein I entreat your favour. "B. W." In this letter Whitelocke also gave advice, what he had been informed touching the treaty between King James and the last King of Denmark concerning the Orcades, with his humble opinion what was fit to be done in that business, upon the comprehension of the Dane in the Dutch treaty, yet nothing was done therein; however, Whitelocke was satisfied in the acquittal of himself to have done his duty. Upon the earnest request of some Scots and English gentlemen on the behalf of Colonel Halsall, now in this town, Whitelocke gave him this pass.* "Whereas the bearer hereof, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Halsall, had a pass from Colonel Robert Lilburne, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Scotland under his Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, to transport |