Wh. I do heartily wish your health, and hope that the Queen and you will shortly be in town again, and that then my business will be finished.

Chan. There is no doubt but that your business will be despatched within a very few days after the Queen’s return.

They had much other discourse touching the affairs of England, in which the Chancellor testified much respect to England and to the Protector.

Whitelocke invited the Chancellor to dinner to his house, but he excused himself, alleging that his age and infirmities would not permit him to take a meal out of his own house, or at the houses of some of his children, where he might enjoy the same liberty as at his own house.  Whitelocke told him that he should have the same liberty at his house, who was one of his sons, as he could take at the houses of any other of his children; but the Chancellor earnestly desired to be excused, and Whitelocke thought not fit further to importune him, but desired him to hasten his return hither, which he promised to do.

Whitelocke received his letters from England, and in that from Thurloe he writes:—­

[SN:  Letters from Thurloe.]

“There hath been consideration taken of your return home, but the issue of the treaty with the Dutch not being yet known, his Highness’s resolutions as to your return are deferred until the next; the difficulty of that business lies in the article relating to the Danes, etc.  All things else remain as they did by my last, so that your Excellence will be saved this week the labour of reading my long letter.  This day we have a fast for the great drought.

“My Lady was here with me to hasten your return, wherein I should be
glad to be instrumental.  I pray God preserve your Excellence, and
bless the affairs under your hand.  I am,

“Your Excellence’s humble servant,
“JO.  THURLOE.
“March 24th, 1653.

“I saw a letter to his Highness from Upsal, wherein some expressions were used as if your Excellence were like to be removed from the Seal.  His Highness commanded me to assure you that there are no such intentions, but much the contrary, whereof your Excellence will have real demonstrations upon all occasions.”

April 14, 1654.

[SN:  Passport given to a Swedish ship.]

Grave Eric desired Whitelocke to give a passport to a Swedish ship bound from Stockholm to Portugal.  The Chancellor requested the same, and both father and son engaged to Whitelocke that there was nothing aboard the vessel, nor any design in her voyage, against England; that she was freighted for Portugal only, and that they should esteem the favour as done to themselves, because they had a share in the goods on board this ship.  Whitelocke, though he were hardly persuaded to give his passports to Swedish ships or to any other, yet considering the time when this was desired, and the persons desiring it, he thought not fit to deny it, but gave it in this form.[130]