6.  The sixth article, she said, was reasonable.

7.  She took exception to the words “bona a suis cujusque inimicis direpta,” which, she said, was a breach of her neutrality.  To that Whitelocke answered as before upon the fifth article; and she desired it might be passed over as the second and fifth articles, till the issue of the Dutch treaty were known.  She said she would desire the liberty of fishing for herrings.  Whitelocke told her that upon equal conditions he presumed his Highness would consent to that which should be fit.  She asked what conditions he would demand.  Whitelocke said, those matters of commerce would be better agreed upon with the advice of merchants.

8.  The eighth article she said was equal.

9.  There was no difference upon it.

10.  She judged fit to be agreed upon.

11.  She made some short observations, which by explanation Whitelocke cleared, and she agreed.

12.  The like as upon the eleventh article.

13.  To this article she read in Latin an objection to the proviso, and said it was reasonable that, if they did break bulk, they should pay custom for so much only as they sold.  Whitelocke told her that objection showed that there were great men merchants in Sweden, and that the objection was more in favour of the merchants than of herself.  She said the merchants were crafty indeed; and she did not much insist upon it.

14.  The last article which Whitelocke had given in.  To this she said it was fit that the men-of-war that should come into the other ports should be to a number ascertained, to avoid suspicion.  Whitelocke said he would agree thereunto, with a caution, as in the first article, to be added:  if they should be driven by tempest, force, or necessity, then to be dispensed with.

Whitelocke desired her Majesty to give him a copy of her objections.  She told him, they were only a few things which she had written with her own hand, upon her apprehension of the articles, and that he should have them in writing; but she desired him not to acquaint any person here with this conference.

March 10, 1653.

[SN:  Whitelocke’s despatches to England.]

Upon yesterday’s conference with the Queen, Whitelocke wrote the passages thereof at large to Thurloe, to be communicated to the Council in England, and to pray their direction in some points which are set down thus in his letters:—­

“I shall desire to know the pleasure of my Lord Protector and Council, whether, in case I shall conclude those articles of amity and commerce, omitting the second, fifth, and seventh articles, if his Highness will be pleased to approve thereof.  I confess my humble opinion is (unless I receive commands to the contrary) that in case the peace be concluded between us and Holland, and Denmark included, it will be no disadvantage to us to conclude the alliance here, omitting the second, fifth, and