A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. | Page 2

was very
civilly treated in France, and believed that he should have served the
late King there, if, by a sudden accident or misfortune, he had not been
prevented, and obliged to return for England sooner than he intended;
and that he should be always ready (as he held himself engaged) to pay
all respects and service to that Crown, as far as might consist with the
interest of the Commonwealth whom he served.
_March 2, 1653._
[SN: Senator Schütt explains the delay in the negotiation.]
Notwithstanding his great words against the Commonwealth and
present treaty, yet Monsieur Schütt was pleased to afford a visit to
Whitelocke, and they fell (amongst many other things) upon the
following discourse:--

_Schütt._ My father was formerly ambassador from this Crown in
England, where I was with him, which occasioned my desire to be
known to you.
_Whitelocke._ Your father did honour to this country and to ours in
that employment, and your Excellence honours me in this visit.
_Sch._ England is the noblest country and people that ever I saw: a
more pleasant, fruitful, and healthful country, and a more gallant, stout,
and rich people, are not in the world.
_Wh._ I perceive you have taken a true measure, both of the country
and her inhabitants.
_Sch._ This is my judgement of it, as well as my affection to it.
_Wh._ Your country here is indeed more northerly, but your people,
especially the nobility, of a much-like honourable condition to ours;
which may cause the more wonder at her Majesty's intention of leaving
them, who are so affectionate to her.
_Sch._ Truly her Majesty's purpose of resignation is strange to
foreigners, and much more to us, who are her subjects, most
affectionate to her.
_Wh._ It is reported that she hath consulted in this business with the
Senators, whereof you are one.
_Sch._ Three Senators are deputed to confer with the Prince of Sweden,
upon certain particulars to be observed in the resignation; and I hope
that your Excellence will consider the importance of that affair, and
will therefore attend with the more patience the issue thereof, being
necessary that the advice of the Prince be had in it.
_Wh._ Have the three deputed Senators any order to confer with the
Prince about my business?
_Sch._ I believe they have.

_Wh._ I had been here two months before the Queen mentioned this
design of hers to the Council, and have staid here all this time with
patience, and shall so continue as my Lord Protector shall command me;
and as soon as he requires my return I shall obey him.
_Sch._ The occasion of the delay hitherto was the uncertainty of the
issue of your Dutch treaty; and at this season of the year it was
impossible for you to return, till the passage be open.
_Wh._ I believe the alliance with England meriteth an acceptance,
whether we have peace or war with Holland; and for my return, it is at
the pleasure of the Protector.
They had much other discourse; and probably Schütt was sent
purposely to excuse the delay of the treaty, for which he used many
arguments not necessary to be repeated; and he came also to test
Whitelocke touching advice to be had with the Prince about this treaty,
whereunto Whitelocke showed no averseness.
[SN: Treacherous reports to England.]
Whitelocke received his packet of two weeks from England. In a letter
from his wife he was advertised that the Protector had spoken of his
voyage to Sweden as if Whitelocke had not merited much by it, though
he so earnestly persuaded it; and his wife wrote that she believed one of
Whitelocke's family was false to him; and upon inquiry she suspected it
to be ----, who gave intelligence to the Protector of all Whitelocke's
words and actions in Sweden, to his prejudice, and very unbeseeming
one of his family. This Whitelocke, comparing with some passages told
him by his secretary of the same person, found there was cause enough
to suspect him; yet to have one such among a hundred he thought no
strange thing, nor for the Protector to alter his phrase when his turn was
served. And though this gave ground enough of discontent to
Whitelocke, yet he thought not fit to discover it, nor what other friends
had written to him, doubting whether he should be honourably dealt
with at his return home; but he was more troubled to hear of his wife's
sickness, for whose health and his family's he made his supplication to
the great Physician; and that he might be as well pleased with a private

retirement, if God saw it good for him, at his return home, as the Queen
seemed to be with her design of abdication from the heights and glories
of