The Prince also discoursed of the late King of England, and of the proceedings between him and the Parliament, with great dislike thereof; to which Whitelocke gave him an account, and a modest answer declining that argument with the Prince, and telling him that every nation had their particular rights and laws, according to which they were governed.  He testified great respect to Whitelocke; and when he took his leave the Prince conducted him as far as the great court, which he used not to do to others of Whitelocke’s quality.

March 12, 1653.

[SN:  The treaty delayed by reason of the Queen’s abdication.]

Mr. Bloome—­who had been formerly a servant to the old Duke of Buckingham in England, and after that coming to Sweden, was entertained by the Chancellor, and his great creature, and had been employed by him as a public minister—­did the honour to Whitelocke to be often with him, and now, after dinner, discoursed much of the revolution which was likely to happen in this country by the Queen’s resignation; upon which subject Whitelocke thought not fit to speak much in company.

Afterwards in private Whitelocke asked Mr. Bloome if he had heard the Chancellor speak of deferring his business till the Prince were crowned.  Bloome confessed he heard the Chancellor say that he thought it would be more convenient to have Whitelocke’s business resolved after the King should be crowned than at present.  Whitelocke told him (which he supposed Bloome would again relate to the Chancellor) that all acts of such nature concluded by the Queen before her resignation would be held authentic by her successor.  Bloome said he believed so, but, being the change would be so soon, he thought it might be better to have the business put into the hands of the new King.  Whitelocke said it would require a long time to expect the new King’s settlement, before which he believed his return home might be commanded.  Bloome said the business would be soon done after the meeting of the Ricksdag, which did not use to sit long.  By this and other discourses Whitelocke found that there was a purpose in some to defer the conclusion of his treaty to the King, which he therefore prepared to prevent.

La Belle Comtesse made a great entertainment and ball for Montecuculi and the rest of the gallants this night, though it were the Lord’s Day; but Whitelocke nor none of his company were present at it.

March 13, 1653.

[SN:  Whitelocke confers with Count Eric Oxenstiern on the articles.]

Grave Eric came to Whitelocke to confer about his treaty, and said to him.

Grave Eric. The Queen hath commanded me to come to you and to have some conference with you about your proposals, wherein she is pleased to make use of my service, because at this time my father is very ill of an ague, and is not able himself to meet with you; and his former indisposition of health and extraordinary affairs hath been some occasion of hindrance of the despatch of your business, as have also the uncertainty of the issue of your treaty with Holland, and our great business of the Queen’s intentions here.