“Le très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur,
“B. Whitelocke.
“A bord le Président, Rade de Glückstadt,
20 Juin, 1654.”
Many other letters passed between them, not necessary for a recital.
June 21, 1654.
Still detained by the wind. The wind continued in the same quarter as before, very high, and contrary to Whitelocke’s course. The English cloth-ships came down to him, desiring to be in his squadron homewards. Whitelocke knew no reason why his ships might not as well have fallen down lower in the river as these; about which he consulted with the officers and pilot of his ship, who agreed that this morning, the wind being come a little more moderate, the ships might have fallen down with the tide, but that the time was now neglected; which the officers excused because of the fog, which was so thick that they durst not adventure to go down the river. He resolved, upon this, to take the next opportunity, and went aboard the ‘Elizabeth’ to see his company there, who were well accommodated.
Here a petition was presented to Whitelocke from two mariners in hold for speaking desperate words,—that they would blow up the ship and all her company, and would cut the throat of the Protector, and of ten thousand of his party. One of them confessed, in his petition, that he was drunk when he spake these words, and had no intention of the least harm to the ship, or to the Protector, or any of the State; both of them acknowledged their fault, and humbly asked pardon. After Whitelocke had examined them severally, and could get from them no confession of any plot against the Protector or State, but earnest asseverations of their innocences; yet having news of a plot in England against the Protector and Government, he held it not fit for him absolutely to release them; but, because he thought it only a business and words of drunkenness, he ordered them to be had out of the hold, but their Captain to see that they should be forthcoming at their arrival in England, that the Council, being acquainted herewith, might direct their pleasure concerning them.
About noon the wind began again to blow with great tempestuousness, and flat contrary to Whitelocke’s course. In the evening a gentleman came aboard Whitelocke’s ship, with letters from Monsieur Schestedt from Glückstadt to the same effect, and with compliments as formerly, to which Whitelocke returned a civil answer by the same messenger; and by him he also sent letters of compliment and thanks to the Resident Bradshaw, which likewise he prayed the Resident, in his name, to present to the English Company of Merchants at Hamburg, for their very great civilities and noble respects to Whitelocke while he was with them.
June 22, 1654.
A visit from Count Ranzau. The wind continued contrary and extraordinary violent all the last night and this morning; and Whitelocke had cause to acknowledge the favour of God to him, that during these rough storms he was in a good harbour and had not put out into the open sea.