Gr. Eric. Those complaints ought to be determined by the King of that country, who sold the lands to the planters, and can resolve all differences about that matter.
Wh. I believe that the complaints of this nature are properly to be made to the Queen, whose subjects are concerned in them, and they are always under her rule.
Gr. Eric. The Queen will make no difficulty to do justice in this case, and I hope that the Protector will do the like.
Wh. You need not at all to doubt it.
Gr. Eric. This messenger, now come to me, hath brought me letters from the Queen, in which there is mention of this business.
Wh. Why may not an article touching Guinea be inserted with the rest?
Gr. Eric. That will not be convenient, because the articles are entirely concluded and engrossed on our part; and this of Guinea is but a particular business, which till now came not under consideration, nor hath been examined, and it will be better to have an article by itself upon this subject.
Wh. I am satisfied with your reason, and think this way will be no disadvantage to the merchants of either nation. I desire an addition to the article touching passports, that none shall do anything contrary to the letters of passport.
Gr. Eric. I cannot consent to that, for it will render the whole article fruitless in both parts; and there is another article, that in case any shall act anything in prejudice of the treaty, he shall be punished.
In consideration of this article, and in regard that the agreement touching the form of passports was remitted to something to be done therein afterwards, and he found Eric stiff against any alteration, Whitelocke did not think it material to insist further upon it. As to that which Whitelocke desired to the last article of ratification, that the words “vel successoribus suis” might be omitted, Eric said he would consent thereunto if he found it material, and desired the business might be finished; and he desired Whitelocke to excuse a little small delay at present by his absence for a few days, he being necessitated to go out of town tomorrow, but at his return all should be concluded; and as soon as the Queen came back, the whole business should be finished, which had been done before, but by reason of the Queen’s unexpected journey.