Effect of

the peace with Holland.

Whitelocke having sent to know if the Queen were at leisure that he might wait upon her, she returned an excuse that she was not well: she came away sick from the public schools, where she had been to grace the disputations of a young Swedish Baron with her

presence.

Senator Bundt visited Whitelocke, and discoursed with him in English, which he spake indifferently well, and was the only Swede he conversed with in that language. Part of their discourse was to this effect: :

Bundt. Mr. Beningen, the Holland Resident in this Court, acquainted me that his superiors have concluded the agreement with England: only some provinces desire a more express inclusion of the King of Denmark than is yet contained in the articles; and they are much troubled that, being upon the conclusion of the treaty, you make so great preparations of war, and have so powerful a fleet at sea; and we here do much wonder what should be your design to have so strong a fleet, and so soon out at sea.

Wh. The design is for the defence of the Commonwealth; and it is our custom not to trust to the success of any treaties, which is uncertain, but to prepare for all events. If the treaty be agreed, it will be religiously observed on our part, and the navy will be employed to scour the seas of pirates and enemies, that trade may be free and safe; and we always use in time of peace to have a fleet at sea; and if the war continue, we shall be the more ready, by the blessing of God, to maintain our right. But what suspicion have you here of our navy?

Bundt. We suppose it may be employed to open the

passage of the Sound, and make the trade and navigation there free.

Wh. The hindrance of navigation there is more prejudical to Sweden than to England. We can have our commodities at Gothenburg and in other places, without passing the Baltic Sea.

of

Bundt. Many amongst us know not what to think your fleet, and it troubles some.

Wh. I hope we shall be in nearer amity, and then you will be pleased at it. Have the Senators consulted about the matters of my treaty, or of remitting it to the new King?

Bundt. We have not advised any such thing, but believe the best way for effecting your business will be by the Queen herself; and if any tell you the contrary, they are much mistaken in the affairs of this kingdom, and do not give you a right understanding of them.

This being wholly contrary to what was informed by Monsieur Bloome, the Chancellor's creature, caused Whitelocke the more to mind it, and endeavour to obviate that prejudice of delay to his business; and finding by this discourse with Bundt how much the Dutch Resident and others here were amused at the English fleet now at sea, he made use thereof, and gave advice of it to his superiors in England.

March 19, 1653.

the Dutch

Whitelocke sent to inquire of the Queen's health; Intrigues of and it being the Lord's Day, she was in her chapel. Resident Divers English and Scots of the town came to White- Whitelocke's house to hear sermons there; and among them

against

locke.

was Monsieur Ravius, who acquainted Whitelocke that one of the Queen's chaplains asked Ravius how long Whitelocke intended to stay in Sweden. Ravius said he would shortly return to his own country. The chaplain replied, he did not believe that, but he thought Whitelocke would stay here a long time, and that he durst not return to England because of the displeasure of the Protector against him. And when he was answered that Whitelocke came hither not in the posture of a man out of favour, and that the Protector since his accession to the Government had sent him new credentials, and expressed much favour to him, and sent to be certified what respect the Queen gave him, the chaplain replied that Whitelocke was sent hither purposely to be removed out of England, and because he had been of the former Parliament; to which Ravius said, that many who were of the former Parliament were now in public offices, as Whitelocke was.

There was cause to believe that this and many the like stories were feigned by the Holland Resident and other enemies of the Commonwealth, to asperse Whitelocke and his business, and to give some obstruction to it; but Whitelocke took little notice of such things, only he thanked Monsieur Ravius for his defence of Whitelocke and of the truth.

It was also related to Whitelocke that the inauguration of his Royal Highness could not probably be performed till the feast of St. John the Baptist, and that then nothing could be concluded in his business till the feast (as they expressed it) of the Holy Archangel St. Michael next following, because it was fit to be remitted to the Prince for his final agreement thereunto; and so the treaty must necessarily receive a deferring

till that time, which, they said, would be best for Whitelocke's affairs. Whitelocke told them that it would be somewhat difficult to persuade him that such a delay of his business would be best; he was sufficiently convinced of the contrary, and that such an obstruction would render his treaty wholly fruitless both to England and Sweden, and that he hoped to be himself in England long before the time which they prefixed for the beginning of his treaty with the new King; and that he daily expected the commands. of the Protector touching his return home, which he should readily and willingly obey, whether his treaty here should be concluded or not. He spake the more to this effect, and the oftener, that the same might come to the ear of the Chancellor and other senators.

March 20, 1653.

ed between

and the

Provinces.

Whitelocke visited Piementelle, who communicated Peace signto him the news of the Duke of Lorraine, and that the England United Provinces of the Netherlands had ratified the United articles with England. Whitelocke asked if Groningen had consented. He said yes, but with this restriction, that the Prince of Orange should be comprised in the treaty, which might yet cause some obstruction in it. Whitelocke imparted to him some of his news, and imparted such passages of his conferences and business as he desired might by him be related to the Queen.

Schütt

Senator Schütt visited Whitelocke, and staid with Senator him above two hours. They discoursed of many things affects to be unnecessary to be remembered; some was thus :Schütt. I am sorry that the business of your treaty

favourable to the treaty.

goes on so slowly; but I hope you will excuse it, in regard the Chancellor is not quick in despatches, and affects long deliberations in great matters.

Whitelocke. That is an argument of his prudence and well weighing of things before he come to a resolution; and certainly he hath had sufficient time of deliberation in my business.

Sch. The Chancellor sometimes may take more time than is necessary for one business, and borrow it for another; he knows the advantages of times and seasons, and how to improve them.

Wh. I have found it so; but methinks my business should have been so acceptable as to have prevented such great delays.

Sch. Your negotiation as to the amity with England was in consideration with the Council here before your arrival; and all of us agreed that it was more desirable than any other.

Wh. I believe it would be agreeable to you, who are persons of great experience, knowing the interest of your own country, and how considerable the English nation is; and this caused a belief in me that I might promise myself an answer to my proposals before my departure from hence.

Sch. The great affairs of this kingdom, and the change likely to happen, have put a stop to all other business; and in case your negotiation cannot be brought to a conclusion during your stay here, yet it may be agreed upon afterwards by an ambassador to be sent from hence to England.

Wh. My Lord Protector having testified so much respect to the Queen, as he hath done in sending me Ambassador hither, for me, after four or five months'