rs.

_July 6, 1654._

[SN: Whitelocke give an account of his Embassy to the Council.]

Whitelocke went in the morning early to Whitehall. At Secretary Thurloe's
lodging he found most of his company, the gentlemen in their habits, the
others in their liveries; and in a short time they were all come
together, to attend their Ambassador to his last audience, who was put to
the patience of staying an hour and a half at Master Secretary's lodging
before he was called in to his Highness; then, being sent for, he went,
attended in the same manner as he used to go to his audiences in Sweden.
Being come to the outward room, he was presently brought into the
Council-chamber, where the Protector sat in his great chair at the upper
end of the table, covered, and his Council sat bare on each side of the
table. After ceremonies performed by Whitelocke, and great respect shown
him by the Protector and his Council, Whitelocke spake to this effect:--

"May it please your Highness,

"I attend, by your command, to give an account of the discharge of
that great trust and weighty burden which, through the assistance of
God, I have undergone in my employment to Sweden, and with the
success of that negotiation, wherein I shall not waste much of your
time, for which you have other great affairs; but, in as few words
as I can, I shall with clearness and truth acquaint your Highness
and your Honourable Council with those matters which I apprehend
most fit and worthy of your knowledge.

"After the receipt of my commission and instructions from the
Parliament then sitting, to go Ambassador to Sweden, I neglected no
time, how unseasonable soever, to transport myself to that country.
Upon the 5th of November I embarked at the Hope, and after ten days'
voyage, through many storms, enemies, and dangers, it pleased God on
the 15th of November to bring me in safety, with all my company,
into the port of Gothenburg. The next day I despatched two of my
servants to the Court with letters to Prince Adolphus, the Grand
Master, and to the Ricks-Chancellor of Sweden, to advertise them of
my arrival, and to desire their advice whither to direct my journey
to attend the Queen.

"In this city I received many civilities and testimonies of respect
to your Highness and this Commonwealth from the magistrates,
officers, and others there; and a small contest I had with