could not consent unto he should then know from
her, and they might mark it in the margin as they went along. Yet she
said she would have him to proceed in his conference with her Chancellor
as before, and that nobody should know of that conference between her and
Whitelocke; but she would so order the business that what they consented
unto should be effected afterwards, and that in two hours they might go
over all the articles. Whitelocke told her Majesty he presumed that she
would admit of a free debate upon any of them. She said, by all means,
that was reasonable; and in case the peace between England and Holland
did not take effect, that then the ambassador, whom she intended
howsoever to send into England, might conclude upon such other articles
as should be thought fit. Whitelocke asked her if she had any thoughts of
being included in the Dutch treaty. She said, No, for she had not meddled
with the war, and therefore desired not to be included in the peace with
them.

[SN: Reports of the Dutch Resident adverse to Whitelocke.]

From the Queen Whitelocke went and visited Piementelle, who showed him a
letter he received from a great person in Flanders, mentioning that
Beningen had written to his superiors that the English Ambassador and the
Spanish Resident were often together, and had showed great respect to
each other, which his Highness the Archduke liked very well, and gave
Piementelle thanks for it; and though Monsieur Beningen did not like of
their being so friendly, yet his superiors endeavoured all they could to
have amity with England. When Whitelocke told him of the English fleet at
sea, he said it was great pity the same was not employed. He then showed
Whitelocke a letter from Beningen to his superiors, wherein he taxed
Whitelocke with omitting the ceremony of meeting Prince Adolphus at his
door. Whitelocke repeated to Piementelle the carriage of that business as
before; and Piementelle said, that neither the Queen nor himself had ever
heard the Prince express any dislike of Whitelocke's carriage; and that
the Queen, seeing Beningen's letter, said there were many things in it
concerning Whitelocke which upon her knowledge were not true. It was also
said in the letter that the English Ambassador had many long audiences
with her Majesty, and conferences with the Chancellor, but that he could
not in the least learn what passed between them; with which Whitelocke
had no cause to be displeased.

_March 5,