Berkman came to Whitelocke to give him an account of a message wherein he had employed Berkman to the Marshal Wrangel, to desire him, in Whitelocke’s name, that the ship appointed to transport him might fall down from Stockholm to the Dollars, for Whitelocke to come on board her there, which would save him a hundred miles by sea from Stockholm thither, there being a nearer way by a third-part from Stockholm to the Dollars for boats to pass.  Berkman said he found Wrangel very civil, and ready to do what Whitelocke should desire of him for his accommodation, and that he had ordered the ship forthwith to fall down to the Dollars; for which Whitelocke desired Monsieur Berkman to return his thanks to the Marshal.

The Ricks-Admiral sent to Whitelocke, expressing much civility and readiness to serve him, and desired to know if one ship would be sufficient for his transportation; that, if he pleased, there should be more provided for him.  Whitelocke returned thanks, and that he hoped he should not have occasion to put them to the trouble of more ships for his transportation than that already ordered for him.

[SN:  Whitelocke invited to the ceremony of abdication.]

The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke, by the Queen’s command, to know if he and his company pleased to see the meeting of the Ricksdag; that he had provided a place for that purpose, where they might be unknown and unseen, and yet see all the ceremony and hear all the harangues; that if Whitelocke would see it, the master would call him at eight o’clock in the morning and wait upon him to the place; but he said that the Danish Ambassador had some thoughts of being there also, and if he came first to the place he would take the uppermost seat.  Whitelocke then desired the master to call him early enough that he might be there first, because he should hardly permit the Danish Ambassador to sit above him.  The master said he would be sure to call Whitelocke early enough, but he believed that the Danish Ambassador would not be there because of his ill health.

The master told Whitelocke that Monsieur Bloome had informed him that some of Whitelocke’s gentlemen took exceptions to the presents sent them by the Queen.  He protested, upon his soul and his honour, that he had no hand in the disposing of these presents, but that all was done by the officers of the Chamber of Accounts, and that the Queen did not meddle with it; but when he showed her a catalogue of the officers of Whitelocke’s house, she marked them how she would have the presents bestowed; that how the matter might be altered afterwards he was wholly ignorant, and that he had order, under the hands of the officers, to make the distribution as he had done; and he hoped none of the gentlemen would be offended with him, who had done nothing but as he was ordered by those over him.  Whitelocke told him that, in so great a family as his was, it would be difficult to please every one; that these presents were the Queen’s favours, which she might distribute as she pleased, and every one ought to be contented therewith; that some of his company had discoursed hereof more than belonged to them, but that he would take order in it himself.  They had also this further discourse:—­