March 16, 1653.
Despatches from England. Whitelocke received his letters from England, and in those from Thurloe he writes thus:—
“The particular account your Excellence gives of your negotiation is very acceptable here, as is also your dexterous management thereof. The paper you were pleased to send to me shall be represented to the Council; and your Excellence may be assured that a due care will be taken of that business, as well for justice’ sake as that your present business be not hindered by things of this kind. The bales of the Queen’s goods shall also be taken care of, and any omissions which have been therein rectified; and I do assure your Excellence that the Queen’s Commissary here hath such speedy and effectual despatches in everything he makes application for, that I know he cannot but give notice of it to the Queen.”
Then he gives in his letters a full relation of the state of the Dutch treaty, and all particulars of it, and the likelihood of its taking effect; and gives intelligence of the French news; and sends copies of Beningen’s letters from Upsal to the States, and of the posture of affairs in England, Scotland, and Ireland: and concludes,—
“Therefore, with my humble thanks for your Excellence’s favour to me of your weekly letters, and hearty wishes for your safe and honourable return to your friends and relations here, I rest,
“Your Excellence’s most humble and faithful servant,
Jo. Thurloe.
“February 16, 1653.”
Whitelocke received many letters from his private friends, his brothers-in-law, Mr. Hall, Mr. Cokaine, Mr. Eltonhead, Sir Charles Woolsey, Colonel Sydenham, and one from Mr. Selden, which for the extraordinary respect thereof, and the person’s sake (of whom the Queen made often inquiry), is fit to be remembered, and was thus:—
Letter from Selden. “To his Excellence the Lord Whitelocke, Lord Ambassador to her Most Excellent Majesty of Sweden.