admired his relations of the English fleets and havens.  His valour and conduct had commonly the best associate, good success, which he used to improve, not parting with the least advantage.  This brought him to the favour of his Queen and honour of his country, wherein he was a Ricks-Senator, and as a Field-Marshal commanded the army, and was Ricks-Vice-Admiral, which charge he attained in the late war with Denmark; and he it was that took the King of Denmark’s ships in the late fight with them.  Whitelocke gave him thanks for his favours to Whitelocke’s son at Stockholm; they discoursed of the English navy, whereof Wrangel knew many of the ships by name.  He told Whitelocke that Middleton was arrived in Scotland with two hundred officers and six thousand arms, which he brought from the Low Countries.

From Wrangel Whitelocke went to visit Woolfeldt, to congratulate his recovery of health.  He told Whitelocke that, by letters which he received from one of his servants in the Low Countries, he was advertised that the States had sold above twenty of their ships of war, and that his servant heard the Admiral de Witt speak of it.  He also told Whitelocke that he had spoken with many officers of the army, and found all of them wish that the war between England and Holland might continue; by which they hoped they should join with the English, and gain advantage by it, and themselves good employment and plunder.  But he said that the Chancellor and his sons, and their party, desired that a peace might be between the two Commonwealths, because they were rich enough, and had an interest in trade, and were no soldiers; and that the Queen desired peace among all her neighbours, and although she was very courageous, yet she loved not the wars.

March 15, 1653.

[SN:  Further conference with the Queen.]

Whitelocke waited on the Queen, and gave her an account of the conference between Grave Eric and him.  The Queen said that Grave Eric had told her the same things.  Whitelocke replied, that her Majesty should never find other than truth from him.  Upon the point of damages she seemed satisfied, though she were informed that those matters were remitted to Whitelocke’s negotiation.  To which he answered as he had done before to Eric; and she was contented, and said she would send an ambassador to England, by whom the affairs touching the herring-fishing and the erection of a staple and the trade in America might be concluded; and she told Whitelocke that she had ordered those things which she judged fit to be added to his articles, to be written down and given to him.

She asked Whitelocke by what way he purposed to return to England.  He said he was doubtful of going by land, and thought the passage from Stockholm to Luebeck would be the shortest and most convenient for him.  She replied, that would be his best way, and that she would give order for some of her ships to be ready to transport him; for which Whitelocke thanked her Majesty.