“Je répute à grand bonheur l’opportunité qui m’est présentée de baiser les mains de votre Altesse Royale, et la saluer de la part de Monseigneur le Protecteur de la République d’Angleterre, d’Écosse, et d’Irelande, avant mon départ de ce royaume; ce que j’eusse fait plus tôt et en autre lieu, sinon que la nécessité d’attendre l’issue de ce qui m’a été donné en charge m’en avait empêché: mais depuis sa conclusion, j’ai tardé exprès pour ajouter à ma satisfaction celle d’avoir rendu mes devoirs à votre Altesse Royale, et lui témoigner l’amitié et les respects de sa Sérénissime Altesse mon maître.”
After Whitelocke had done speaking the Prince staid a little time, and then in French answered him to this purpose:—
“Monseigneur l’Ambassadeur,
“Ce m’aurait été un grand trouble si, après la conclusion de vos affaires en cette cour, vous aviez été dans l’inconvénience d’attendre mon arrivée en cette place; je suis bien aise de me trouver ici devant votre départ de ce pays, qui m’a donné le contentement de vous connaître, et l’occasion de témoigner le grand respect que j’ai à Monseigneur le Protecteur et à la République que vous servez, et je reçois beaucoup de satisfaction qu’une amitié et alliance soit contractée entre ce royaume et votre République, de laquelle j’espère et crois qu’elle sera pour le bien des deux nations, et pour l’intérêt des Protestants.
“Il n’y a personne qui a plus d’estime de Monseigneur le Protecteur que moi, et de votre République; et j’ai tant entendu de votre honorable et prudent maniement des affaires que vous aviez ici, que ce m’a fait désirer de vous connaître et d’avoir l’opportunité de converser avec vous, que vous m’avez présentement alloué, et je vous en remercie, et pour les respects de Monseigneur le Protecteur, qu’il vous a plu me présenter en son nom, et qui me sont fort agréables.”
After the speeches were ended, the Prince spake to Whitelocke to go with him into his cabinet, which he did, and staid discoursing with him there above an hour together, all the company staying in the outer room. They soon fell into a freedom of discourse, but at this time chiefly concerning the affairs of England, the peace with the Dutch, and the English fleet now at sea; also somewhat in particular to the Protector, his management of affairs, and of their late troubles; in all which Whitelocke endeavoured to give the Prince satisfaction, without doing injury to any one. The Prince brought Whitelocke back again to the same place where he met him; and his servants went with him to his coach, and the Master of the Ceremonies brought him to his own house.
After Whitelocke was returned home, Lagerfeldt came to him, and told him that the Prince was very much pleased with the discourse between them, and with Whitelocke’s deportment; and Lagerfeldt said he believed that the Prince would visit Whitelocke tomorrow; who said he could not expect such an honour, but was glad that anything of his discourse was grateful to his Royal Highness.
Lagerfeldt informed Whitelocke that Grave Eric and Lagerfeldt were to go to Stockholm upon some public occasions by command of the Ricksdag. Whitelocke asked him what the business was; but Lagerfeldt was not forward to declare it, nor Whitelocke to press it; but he learned from another that the Ricksdag had deputed two of every State to go to Stockholm to extract out of the public records and acts the special privileges granted to the people at the coronation of any king, and of the present Queen, which they judged fit to be now considered and ratified before the coronation of their new King. They were also to bring hither the acts of the Ricksdag when the Prince was declared heir of the crown, and such other things as pertained to this business. Whitelocke desired Lagerfeldt to do somewhat for him at Stockholm touching the sending away of his copper from thence for England.
May 18, 1654.
The Ladies’ message to Whitelocke. The ladies who were at Whitelocke’s house to see the entry of the Prince, sent thanks to Whitelocke for his noble treatment of them, which was done by Woolfeldt and the master of the ceremonies, whom Whitelocke desired to make his excuse to the ladies, and to intercede with them to pardon the affront which Whitelocke had put upon them by entertaining such noble ladies with so mean a collation. The master said he durst not deliver any such message to them, who were so well pleased with Whitelocke’s treatment of them; which appeared the more, in that the Lady Woolfeldt sent to him to bestow upon her, being great with child, some of his English cheese. Whitelocke sent her all he had left, and to other ladies what they desired, his English sweetmeats and other cakes, which with them were of great esteem.