“The French Ambassador desires very much to get a despatch of his business. His Highness hath at length appointed him commissioners to treat, but no progress hath been yet made thereupon. The speech that he made at his first audience your Excellence will receive by this.
“The Portugal presseth much now to come to an agreement also, and to close the treaty which hath hanged so long; and so doth the Spaniard.
“I pray for your Excellence’s safe return home and rest.
“Your Excellence’s humble servant,
“Jo. Thurloe.
“April 7th, 1654.”
Whitelocke’s new instructions from the Protector:
“O. P.
“Additional Instructions to my Lord Whitelocke, our Ambassador Extraordinary to her Majesty the Queen of Sweden.
“Having considered the particular account you have given by your letters weekly of your negotiation in Sweden, and the delay which hath been on the part of that Court in the treaty you are upon, we might well have given you positive orders for your speedy return.