“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.
May 30, 1654.
Preparations for departure. The wind continued this morning, as it was last night, easterly, but not sufficing for Whitelocke to go on his voyage. The Vice-Admiral Clerke coming to Whitelocke, he advised with him touching his voyage, and asked him if he thought the ‘Amarantha’ might with this wind be gotten to the Dollars. He answered that there could be no assurance thereof, but that possibly it might be so; whereupon Whitelocke replied, that he had a great desire to go down himself to the Dollars, before the news came of the ‘Amarantha’s’ arrival there, because the wind might come good, and within six hours carry them out to the open sea, which, if neglected, might retard their voyage fifteen days or more. Clerke said that if Whitelocke desired to do so, that he would not advise him to the contrary, but he believed that this might expedite his voyage; only he said that Whitelocke must be content to lie on board the ship till the wind should come fair, because there was no accommodation to be had for him and his company at the Dollars. Whitelocke said he should be well contented to lie on ship-board, and prayed Clerke to cause boats to be provided for his passage to the Dollars the next day, and ordered his officers and servants to prepare all things in readiness for his departure accordingly. Wrangel came back this night from Upsal, and several other persons, though very late, having staid the solemnity of the Queen’s resignation and the coronation of the new King, which they related to Whitelocke to be done this day, and in this manner and solemnity.
Relation of the ceremony of the Queen’s resignation. About nine o’clock this morning the Queen, being attired in her royal apparel and robes of purple velvet, with her crown upon her head, and attended by all her officers and servants, came into the room prepared for that occasion, where was set a table with a rich carpet, and five great cushions laid upon it. Most of the grandees and officers were present.
Upon one of the cushions was laid the sword of state; upon the second cushion was laid the sceptre; upon the third cushion was laid the ball; and upon the fourth cushion were laid the keys.
The Queen being come into the room, after a little pause made a short speech to the company, to this effect:—