May 29, 1654.
Sir G. Fleetwood returns to the King’s coronation at Upsal. Whitelocke with longing desires attended the coming about of the wind for his voyage; but he must stay God’s time, which is always best. He could not persuade Sir George Fleetwood to stay longer with him. He thought it necessary for him to go to Upsal, to be present at the King’s coronation; and at his request Whitelocke sent by him to Wrangel this letter:—
“A son Excellence le Feld-Maréchal Wrangel à Upsale.
“Monsieur,
“Je n’ai pu retenir plus longtemps le Général Major Fleetwood avec moi, son désir le portait si fort de se trouver à Upsale, au couronnement, de crainte qu’il ne semblerait négligent, et manquer à son devoir envers son Altesse Royale; mais la raison de ce qu’il a présenté ma requête à votre Excellence est qu’il vous plaise moyenner envers son Altesse Royale, afin qu’il retourne à Stockholm; et que je puisse jouir de sa compagnie jusqu’à mon départ, qui en apparence sera différé plus longtemps que je ne le souhaiterais, à raison de la contrariété des vents.
“Je supplie votre Excellence de me faire la faveur de baiser en mon nom les mains de sa Majesté et de son Altesse Royale, et d’accepter, pour tant de faveurs que votre Excellence m’a faites, tant à Upsale qu’en ce lieu, les actions de grâce de celui qui est,
“Monsieur, à votre Excellence
“Très-humble serviteur,
“B. Whitelocke.
“Stockholm, May 29, 1654.”
Berkman went from hence 17th May at night, and returned this morning hither, and brought to Whitelocke this letter:—
Lagerfeldt’s letter on the Swedish prizes. “Illustrissimo Domino Domino Bulstrode Whitelocke, Extraordinario Reipublicæ Angliæ in Sueciam Legato, officiocissimè.
“Illustrissime et Excellentissime Domine Legate,
“Quanquam valde dubitem, an Excellentiam vestram hæ litteræ in Sueciam inveniant, nolui tamen, accepta hac occasione, vel meo officio deesse, vel refragari quorundam Suecorum petitioni, nam cum naves duæ Suecicæ, quarum naucleri Bonders et Sibrand follis vocantur, nuper ceptæ et in Angliam delatæ sint, sperant fore, ut, per hanc meam intercessionem, cum primis autem per benevolam Excellentiæ vestræ commendationem, quantocius dimittantur. Nisi igitur mihi satis perspecta esset Excellentiæ vestræ integritas, pluribus ab ea contenderem, ut dictarum aliarumque detentarum in Anglia Suecicarum navium liberationem, atque per se æquam ac amicitiæ fœderique mutuo conformem sibi haberet commendatam; sufficit nunc saltem indicâsse Excellentiæ vestræ, quippe cui nihil jucundius esse scio, quam ut amicæ confœderatæque gentes, sancta fidei justitiæque observantia, inter se strictius colligentur. De cætero Excellentiæ vestræ felicem in patriam reditum exopto, ut me nostrumque Barkmannum officiose commendo. Dabam Upsaliæ, 27 Maii, anno 1654.
“Excellentiæ vestræ
“Ad quævis officia paratissimus,
“Israel Lagerfeldt.”
In the evening Whitelocke walked abroad to take the air, the time of his stay here being very tedious to him, attending for a good wind, that he might proceed in his longed-for return to his native country and relations; but he submitted to the good pleasure of God, who orders all times and seasons and all things for the best. At night the wind came about a little towards the east, favouring his voyage.