This day the wind came about reasonable good for Whitelocke’s voyage, who thereupon ordered the captains away to their frigates and his people to prepare all things in readiness for his departure tomorrow; his baggage was carried down and put on board the frigates. He gave his most hearty and solemn thanks to the Resident, and to all the gentleman of the English Company of Merchants here, who had very nobly and affectionately entertained Whitelocke at their own charge all the time of his being in this city. He ordered his gratuities to be distributed among their servants and to all who had done any service or offices for him, both of the English house and of the townsmen, and ordered all things to be in readiness to proceed in his voyage.
June 17, 1654.
Whitelocke takes leave of the Senate. The baggage and inferior servants of Whitelocke being gone down before unto the frigates, and the wind being indifferent good, Whitelocke resolved this day to set forwards in his voyage, and to endeavour, if he could, before night to reach the frigates, which did attend his coming in the Elbe about Glückstadt. The Resident had provided boats for Whitelocke and his company to go down unto the frigates, and had given notice to some of the Senators of Whitelocke’s intention to remove this day; whereupon Monsieur Müller, the chief Burgomaster of the town, came to Whitelocke’s lodging in the morning to visit him and to inquire of his health, as one that bare a particular respect to him, and was now come to take his leave of him. He was a wise and sober man, and of good conversation, and testified much respect to the Protector and Commonwealth of England, and much honour to Whitelocke in particular. Whilst he was with Whitelocke, the two Senators who came first to Whitelocke to bid him welcome hither, came now also to him from the Senate, to bid him farewell. The elder of them spake to Whitelocke to this effect:—
“My Lord Ambassador,
“The Senate hath commanded us in their name to salute your Excellence, and to give you thanks for taking in good part the small testimonies of their respect towards you, which they are ashamed were no better, and entreat your pardon for it.
“They understand that your Excellence is upon your departure from this town, which gives them great cause of sadness, as they had of joy at your arrival here; but since it is your good pleasure, and your great affairs oblige you to depart, all that we can do is to pray to God for your safe arrival in your own country, and we doubt not but that the same God who hath hitherto preserved you in a long and perilous voyage, will continue his goodness to you in the remainder of your journey.
“We have a humble request to make to your Excellence, that you will give us leave to recommend our town to your patronage, and that you would be pleased to peruse these papers, which concern some of our citizens; and that your Excellence will be a means to my Lord Protector and to the Court of Admiralty, that justice and favour may be shown to them.”
As this gentleman spake of the testimonies of respect from this city to Whitelocke, he looked back to the table, upon which stood a piece of plate covered with sarsenet. A little after the Senator had done speaking, Whitelocke answered him to this purpose:—
“Gentlemen,
“I have cause to acknowledge that God hath been very good and gracious to me, and to all my company, throughout our whole voyage unto this place; for which we desire to bless His name, and hope that He will be pleased to continue His goodness to us in the rest of our journey. I desire you to return my hearty thanks to my Lords the Senators, who have honoured me with their very great respects during the whole time of my being with them, and have bestowed noble testimonies thereof upon me. I shall not fail to inform the Protector, my master, hereof, to whom, and to the Commonwealth of England, this respect is given in my person.