please our King; therefore this gentleman was not treated here
with that respect and solemnity as he challenged to be due to him as an
ambassador; which bred a distaste in him and his father against the King
and Council here, as neglecting the father and the good offices which he
tendered to King Charles and this nation, by slighting the son and his
quality.

The discourse between this Grave and Whitelocke was not long, though upon
several matters; and he seemed to be sent to excuse the delay of the
treaty with Whitelocke, for which he mentioned former reasons, as his
father's want of health, multiplicity of business, the expected issue of
the Dutch treaty, and the like; and the same excuses were again repeated
by Lagerfeldt, who came to Whitelocke from the Chancellor for the same
purpose.

Whitelocke had occasion to look into his new credentials and instructions
from the Protector, which were thus.

[SN: Whitelocke's new credentials and instructions.]

"_Oliver, Lord Protector, etc., to the Most Serene and Potent
Prince Christina, etc., health and prosperity._

"Most Serene and Potent Queen,

"God, who is the great Disposer of all things, having been pleased
in His unsearchable wisdom to make a change in the Government of
these nations since the time that the noble B. Whitelocke,
Constable, etc. went from hence, qualified and commissioned as
Ambassador Extraordinary from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of
England unto your Majesty, to communicate with you in things tending
to the mutual good and utility of both the nations, we have thought
it necessary upon this occasion to assure your Majesty that the
present change of affairs here hath made no alteration of the good
intentions on this side towards your Majesty and your dominions; but
that as we hold ourself obliged, in the exercise of that power which
God and the people have entrusted us with, to endeavour by all just
and honourable means to hold a good correspondence with our
neighbours, so more particularly with the Crown of Sweden, between
whom and these nations there hath always been a firm amity and
strict alliance; and therefore we have given instructions to the
said Lord Whitelocke, answerable to such good desires, earnestly
requesting your Majesty to give unto him favourable audience as
often as he shall desire it, and full belief in what he shall
propound o