to us, that yett we should permit them to be brought unto 1654. our ennemies they told me that the queen had fent unto inn Aprill 7. the states to repeale that placart of theirs. I anfweared, that, when I was certefyed that that placart was repealed, I would then defire to know the protector's further pleasure heerin, butt before that be done, I thought it would be in vaine to trouble him about it.

"12. Is not expreffeley in any of my articles, butt agreed by the councell of state unto Monfieur Lagerfeldt, only the forme of the letters of fafe conduct not fully affented unto; therfore I defired that the fame might be remitted to a future agreement: butt as to the rest of this article, it is not repugnant to the substance of mine, that the naviga tion and commerce may be free.

"13. In the first part of it agrees almost verbatim with my tenth article; the latter part of it, concerning fatisfaction for loffes, is much altered from what it was att first exhibited, and is now putt on both parties, and referred to future agreement, wherin there can be no prejudice to our common-wealth; butt before, it was reproachfull to the justice therof, and laid on our part only; now it is no more then what the councell and ftate promised in their papers to Monfieur Lagerfeldt..

"14. Agrees in fubftance with my ninth article..

15. Containes the substance of my fifth article, butt is: expreffed more generally; and, as I humbly believe, no leffe: to the advantage of our common-wealth.

"I found more readynefs in the queen to confent to what I proposed, then in her commissioners; butt fome things flre

told

April 7.

1654. told me she could not confent to, bicause they were against the intereft of her people, and were not confiderable to England. I gave her thankes for my difpatch: the faid the had an ambition to have the honor of making an alliance with the protector herfelfe, before the quitted the governement, and that she might teftify her refpects to him, and therfore had gone as farre as poffibly fhe could; and indeed there is now very little difference, but only in words and expreflions, from the fence and fubftance of what I firft proposed; and I prefume that what is heer agreed by me will give good fatisfaction and contentment to the protector and councell, and I apprehend it cleerly within my instructions; acknowledging the goodnes of God to me in this buifnes, where I "mett with fo many difficulties, and of fo great weight, that yett in a fortnight's time, it fhould be brought to a full conclufion, with honor and advantage to the protector and prefent governement, for which I have taken all care.

"The articles are not yet drawn up, butt I hope we fhall fign them the next week, and prefently after I intend to demaund audience to take my leave, and to remove from hence, and as foon as I can to come to Lubec, and from thence to Hambourgh; and I have by this poft humbly defired my lord protector to appoint fome of his fhips to meet me att Hambourgh as foon as they can, for my tranfportation from thence to England: and I humbly intreat your favour to putt his highnes in mind of it, and that you will take care that the orders may be had, and the fhips to come as foon as may be to the Elbe, to Hambourgh, where I fhall ftay for them, or till I receive his highnes's further commaunds; and I choose this way as the fhorteft, and where I fhall meet with any difpatches that may come from England. I prefume you will be troubled with an importunate fuitor for haftening my returne.

"I received your letters of the 17th March, and the 1654. order of the councell concerning the fwedifh fhip, for Aprill 7. which I returne my humble thankes; the queen, and the chancellor, and others heer, were much fatisfyed with it: the chancellor and his fon have bin very civill to me, and lately furthering my dispatch. I hope the fame goodnes of God, which hath hitherto brought me through this great buifnes, will give me a fafe returne to my deare countrey and friends, where I may have opportunity, with thankfullnes, to acknowledge your conftant favour and kindnes to

Ubfale, 7th April, 1654.

your affectionate friend

to ferve

you.

B. W."

The mafter of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke from 8. the queen, to defire his company this evening att a masque ; and they had this discourse.

Wh. Prefent my thankes to her majesty, and tell her I will waite uppon her.

Mr. What would your excellence expect in matter of precedence, as in cafe you should meet with any other ambaffador att the mafque?

Wh. Ifhall expect that which belongs to me as ambassador from the common-wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and I know no other ambassador now in this court befides myfelfe, except the ambaffador of the king of Denmarke, who I fuppofe hath no thoughts of precedence before the english ambaffador; who is refolved not to give it him, if he should expect it.

Mr.

1654.

Aprill 8.

Mr. Perhaps it may be infisted on, that he of Denmarke is an ambaffador of an anointed king, and you are only ambassador to the protector, a new name, and not facrée.

Wh. Whofoever shall insist on that distinction will be miftaken; and I understand no difference of power between king and protector, or anointed, or not anointed; and ambaffadors are the fame publique minifters to a protector or common-wealth, as to a prince or fultan.

Mr. There hath always bin a difference observed between the publique minifters of kings, and of common-wealths, or princes of inferior titles.

Wh. The title of protector (as to a foveraign title) hath not yett bin determined in the world, as to fuperiority or inferiority to other titles; butt I am fure that the nation of England hath ever bin determined fuperior to that of Denmarke. I represent the nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the protector, who is chiefe of them; and the honor of these nations ought to be in the fame confideration now, as it hath bin formerly; and I must not fuffer any diminution of that honor by my perfon to please any whatfoever.

Mr. I fhall propofe an expedient to you, that you may take your places as you come; he who comes firft, the firft place, and he who comes laft, the lower place.

Wh. I fhall hardly take a place below the danifh ambaffador, though I come into the roome after him.

Mr.

Mr. Butt when you come into the roome, and find the 1654. danish ambassador fett, you cannot help it, though he have upper place.

the

Wh. I fall indeavour to help it rather then fitt below the danish ambaffador.

Mr. I prefume you will not ufe force in the queen's prefence.

Wh. Master, it is impoffible for me, if it were in the prefence of all the queens and kings in Christendome, to for beare to use any means to hinder the difhonor of my nation in my perfon.

Mr. I believe the danish ambaffador would not be so high

as you are.

71

Wh. There is no reason why he fhould: he knows his nation never pretended to have the precedence of England; and you, being master of the ceremonies, cannot be ignorant of it.

Mr. I confeffe your nation alwayes had the precedence of Denmarke when you were under a king.

Wh. I should never give it from them, though they were under a constable.

Mr. If you infift uppon it, the danifh ambaffador must be uninvited againe, for I perceive that you two must not

meet.

Aprill 8.

1