iolence down upon the planks into
the sea, near a slight shoot, by force of the weight and swing wherewith
she fell down. In the sea were boats ready, which came to her, and put
men aboard her; and as she went off, a great shout of a multitude of
people, standing by as spectators, was sent after her.

Wrangel, as an honour and compliment to Whitelocke, desired him to give
the name to this ship. Whitelocke would have called her the 'Wrangel,'
but the master of that name entreated it might not be so, possibly to
avoid the envy of it at Court; but he desired it might be called the
'Whitelocke,' which Whitelocke thought not expedient, lest it might argue
too much height in himself; nor would he call her 'Cromwell,' or the
'Protector,' because she carried but thirty guns; but seeing the mark of
her guns to be the falcon, and asking whether they had any other ship of
that name, they said, No; whereupon, the falcon being Whitelocke's coat
of arms and the mark of the ship's guns, and she being built swifter of
sail than ordinary, Whitelocke gave her the name of the 'Falcon.' This
pleased Wrangel very much, and the seamen and workmen were most pleased
with the gratuity which Whitelocke bestowed on them; and this ceremony
and compliments being passed, Whitelocke gave many thanks to Wrangel for
this honour, and so they parted.

The packet from England was brought to Whitelocke. Thurloe wrote thus:--

"I have acquainted his Highness with your Excellence's letters
received yesterday, wherein he takes little content, more than that
he did on his part sincerely intend a peace and union with that
Crown and Kingdom, and committed the management of it to a person
who hath performed his trust with honour, wisdom, and fidelity. We
hope that your instructions, giving you liberty to return, are by
this time arrived, etc."

By this packet Whitelocke also received letters from his wife, full of
affection and piety, and from Colonel Bulstrode, his brother Wilson, Mr.
Attorney Hall, Mr. Cokaine, Mr. Eltonhead, especially from his great
friend Dr. Winston; and all of these letters, and several others which he
received, were so many testimonies of the affection and hearty kindness
of these his worthy friends.

_May 26, 1654._

After Whitelocke had walked a tour in the Norden Mallum,--that is, the
north suburbs of this city,--Sir George Fleetwood came to him, with whom
he had much conversation in the latter time