The Lord’s Day.—­Monsieur Bloome, and Mr. De Geeres, the rich merchant of Sweden, after dinner with Whitelocke, discoursed much about matters not so proper for the day.  Walker and Stapleton attending Whitelocke and walking in the evening, he again spake to them about their presents as formerly; but found Stapleton stiff in his opinion, and to intend to send back his present to the master of the ceremonies as refusing it; but Whitelocke required him not to do so, lest it should be taken as an affront to Whitelocke and to the Protector himself, as well as a disdaining of the Queen’s present, which was her Majesty’s free gift without any obligation.

May 8, 1654.

[SN:  Warrant for the copper.]

The warrant formerly inserted was sent to the officers of the Treasury, who thereupon made their order to the under-officers for the delivery of the copper accordingly, which order was brought to Whitelocke in the Swedish language.

[SN:  The Guinea case.]

The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke to inform him that the Queen had appointed Wednesday next, the 10th of this month, for his last audience to take his leave.  Whitelocke said he was sorry it could not be sooner.  The master excused it by reason of the great affairs of the Queen upon the meeting of the Ricksdag.  Grave Eric and Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke and debated with him the business of Guinea.

Grave Eric. I shall read to you this paper, which is in Latin and in French,—­an answer to the complaints of the English, and denies all their allegations.

Whitelocke. The allegations of the English are proved by oath; here are the depositions.

Gr.  Eric. The answers of the Swedes are upon oath likewise.

Wh. But the English are in the affirmative.

Gr.  Eric. The Swedes have like complaints against the English, which are to be proved by oath in the affirmative also; and in such case the parties or their procurators must appear before the ordinary and competent judges, which will require a great deal of time; but we being to treat with you as an Ambassador, we propose that there may be an abolition of all past injuries of the one side and the other, and that there may be an agreement and friendship, and free trade there for the future.

Wh. This will be very proper for the time to come, but it will be no satisfaction for the injuries already done.  I have no power from the Protector or Company of English Merchants to make any such agreement; but for what concerns the public, I can make an accord with you, and the satisfaction of damages for wrongs past may be remitted to the determination of the Commissioners.

Gr.  Eric. I shall show you a project in writing, that all the houses and possessions of the one part and the other may continue in the same estate for the time to come as they are in at present.