house at Hamburg for his entertainment.  Whitelocke gave them hearty thanks for their respects to the Protector and to the Commonwealth whereof they were members, in this honour which they did to their servant.  He accepted of their courteous offer, desiring the company and conversation of his countrymen above all others.  They walked a little on foot together, where the Lord Resident (so they styled him) showed Whitelocke his last week’s letters from Thurloe, mentioning the imprisonment of many upon suspicion that they were engaged in a plot against the Protector, and that the serious considerable malignants discovered it.  He also delivered to Whitelocke private letters from his wife and other friends.

About a mile from the place where they met was a fair inn by the wayside, where the Resident moved Whitelocke to make a halt and rest himself, because if he should then go directly to the town, he would come into it just at dinner-time, which would not be convenient.  Upon his persuasion, and perceiving that a preparation was here made, Whitelocke went in, where the English company entertained him with a plentiful dinner at a long table holding above sixty persons.  From hence, with Whitelocke’s approbation, the Resident, as from himself, sent to the Governor of the Militia at Hamburg, as Whitelocke had done before to the Lords, to advertise them of his coming.  The Governor returned thanks, and said that two senators were appointed to receive Whitelocke at the Port.  After dinner they all took their coaches.  With Whitelocke was the Resident and Treasurer; the rest in the other coaches, the pages and lacqueys riding and walking by.

The country is here low and rich, sprinkled with rivers, and adorned with many neat and sweet houses belonging to the citizens of Hamburg, who resort to those houses in the summer-time with their families to have the fresh air.

[SN:  Arrival at Hamburg.]

Almost an English mile before they came to the town, the highway was full of people come forth to see Whitelocke pass by.  At the port were no Senators to receive him, but great guards of musketeers and multitudes of all sorts of people, there and through all the streets unto his lodging thronging so that the coaches could not pass till the guards made way.  The people were very courteous, and Whitelocke answered to the meanest their civility, which is pleasing and not costly.  The windows and doors were also crowded, which showed the populousness of the place and their expectation as to the Commonwealth of England.  They brought Whitelocke to the English house, which is fair and large, the first room below, according to the fashion of Luebeck; the chambers, especially where Whitelocke lay, handsomely furnished.

[SN:  Reception of the Senate of Hamburg.]