Sir Thomas Widdrington, and
your confrater my Lord Lisle. His Highness is very much resolved
upon a good and solid reformation of the law, and proceedings in the
Courts of Equity and Laws: the matter of law he hath committed unto
Mr. Justice Hale and Mr. John Vaughan; the reformation of the
Chancery to my Lord Widdrington, Mr. Attorney-General, and Mr.
Chute,--being resolved to give the learned of the robe the honour of
reforming their own profession, and hopes that God will give them
hearts to do it; and, that no time may be lost, the next term is
adjourned.

"The French Ambassador desires very much to get a despatch of his
business. His Highness hath at length appointed him commissioners to
treat, but no progress hath been yet made thereupon. The speech that
he made at his first audience your Excellence will receive by this.

"The Portugal presseth much now to come to an agreement also, and to
close the treaty which hath hanged so long; and so doth the
Spaniard.

"I pray for your Excellence's safe return home and rest.

"Your Excellence's humble servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_April 7th, 1654._"

Whitelocke's new instructions from the Protector:

"O. P.

"_Additional Instructions to my Lord Whitelocke, our Ambassador
Extraordinary to her Majesty the Queen of Sweden._

"Having considered the particular account you have given by your
letters weekly of your negotiation in Sweden, and the delay which
hath been on the part of that Court in the treaty you are upon, we
might well have given you positive orders for your speedy return.

"But observing that the letters and despatches between this and
Sweden are a month in their way, and not knowing how affairs may
alter in that time with you, and the pretence of their delay--to
wit, the uncertainty of the issue of the treaty between us and the
United Provinces--being removed, as you will see by these letters,
which will assure you of the full conclusion thereof, we have
thought it more convenient to leave you a latitude in that
particular, and to give you liberty (as we do hereby) to return home
at such time as you shall find it for the service of the
Commonwealth.

"2. Whereas, by your letter of the 10th of March, 1654, you have
represented the particular d