ame to a resolution that part of
their people should go forth from them, as a colony, to seek for a new
habitation, as is usual in these northern countries; that they should
find out a place, and build them a new city to dwell in; and how to find
out and agree upon this place was thus determined: they took a great
block or piece of wood, to which they fastened some gold, and set the
block a-swimming in the water, and agreed that there they would build the
new town where their gods (to whom they had committed this affair) should
cause the block to stay; this block floated, and, descending down the
lake, at length staid at a little island about the midst of this city.

Such an island here (as in our north parts) is called Holm, and such a
great block or piece of wood is by them (as with us) called a stock; and
because this stock staid at this Holm, therefore here they built their
city, and called it Stockholm; which, by degrees, and adding one holm or
island to another, became of its present greatness.

_May 23, 1654._

[SN: The Magistrates of Stockholm address Whitelocke.]

Berkman brought to Whitelocke's lodging this morning two of the
magistrates of this city, deputed by their body, and in their name, to
salute Whitelocke and bid him welcome to this place. One of them made a
speech to Whitelocke, which was interpreted out of the Swedish by Berkman
into French, to this effect:--

"My Lord Ambassador,

"The Senate of this city have deputed us in their name to salute
your Excellence, and to bid you welcome to this place, where the
magistrates and citizens are desirous to embrace any occasion
presented to them, whereby they may testify the great respect and
honour which they bear to his most Serene Highness the Lord
Protector, and to the Commonwealth of England.

"They are likewise very glad of the occasion given them to express
their joy for the happy alliance and friendship concluded between
this kingdom and the Commonwealth of England, which we hope will be
to the advantage and good of both nations, and of the Protestant
interest, which is heartily wished by us. We look upon it as a very
great comfort and blessing to this city, that after the misery in
which we have lately been, when it pleased God to visit us with the
pestilence, that the same is now so well and fully removed through
Divine mercy, that we have the happiness to see a person of your