such an uncertain condition, that it was
very hard to make a judgement concerning the issue of it. In the end
of the last and beginning of this week it was more probable that the
war should continue than otherwise; and your Excellence will see by
the enclosed papers, which passed between the Commissioners of his
Highness and the Ambassadors (which I have sent to you because there
is contained in them the true state of the treaty as it stood whilst
the differences lasted); the last of those papers will let your
Excellence see that they are now very near a closure; and the truth
is, that there is now nothing wanting but the drawing up of things
into form, and the signing on both sides, which I believe will be
effected within three or four days at furthest. But because we
cannot rely upon the peace as made until it be actually signed, his
Highness will defer the sending instructions to you in reference
either to your present negotiation or returning home until the next,
when your Excellence may certainly except them; and in the meantime
your Excellence may rest assured that there hath been no other cause
in delaying instructions to you upon this subject but the desire
that there is in everybody to give you clear directions in so
doubtful a case as this. If your staying or returning did depend
upon your own negotiation there, it were easy to leave you to your
own guidance; but when it rests merely upon the conclusion of the
present treaty here with the Dutch, it is not possible to give you
any instructions which you may with safety act upon until the issue
thereof be perfectly known; and after that, your Excellence shall
not be an hour without the knowledge of his Highness's pleasure
thereupon.

"It is certain this State hath moved upon Christian grounds only in
making this peace: we have not been beaten or frightened into it;
the Dutch have not yet any fleet at sea, nor can have this month, if
the war should continue. In the meantime we have a hundred and forty
sail at sea, and better ships than we have had at any time
heretofore, which gives occasion to all our neighbours to wonder at
our intentions thereby.

"Since I began my letter I have been with the Dutch Ambassador, and
every article is agreed word for word, so that nothing now remains
to be done but to write them over and