condition vouchsafe his presence with us.

"Whilst the occasions of your Excellence shall stay you here, we
most freely offer our services for your accommodation with
whatsoever this place will afford, which your Excellence may
command; and as a small testimony of the respects of our superiors,
they have caused us to present a vessel of wine unto your
Excellence, whereof they entreat your favourable acceptance."

Whitelocke presently answered them in English, which Berkman interpreted
to them in Swedish, to this effect:--

"Gentlemen,

"I rejoice with you in the mercy and goodness of God to this city,
who hath caused to cease that contagious disease which lately raged
among you, so that your friends (of which number I take the honour
to reckon myself) may freely and safely resort to you, and converse
with you as formerly. I have also some share in your joy for the
friendship and alliance contracted between my Lord the Protector of
the Commonwealth of England, and the Queen and kingdom of Sweden;
wherein I doubt not but, through the blessing of God, both nations
and the whole Protestant interest will have cause to rejoice
likewise: and as my poor endeavours have not been wanting, so my
hearty prayers to God shall be put up that it may come to this
issue; and I shall pray for the continuance of health and prosperity
to this noble city.

"I return you many thanks for your respects to my Lord the Protector
and the Commonwealth whom I serve, whereof I shall not fail (when it
shall please God to give me a return to my own country) to acquaint
them, and to do all offices of respect in my power for your city;
and I desire my thanks may be presented to your honourable Senate
for their particular favour to me, and for their salutation, which I
receive with all gratitude."

Whilst the citizens were with Whitelocke, Wrangel, Vice-Admiral Thysen,
Vice-Admiral Clerke, Sinclair, captain of the 'Amarantha,' and others,
came and did Whitelocke the honour to dine with him, and in the afternoon
carried him to see the cannon which the Swedes had taken from their
enemies, now laid up in a magazine for themselves; there were of them
brass cannon 1100; among them were two pieces taken from the Muscovites,
each of them weighing 18,000 lbs. weight, and carrying a bullet of 96
lbs. weight, as much more as the greatest whole can