t that your business will be despatched
within a very few days after the Queen's return.

They had much other discourse touching the affairs of England, in which
the Chancellor testified much respect to England and to the Protector.

Whitelocke invited the Chancellor to dinner to his house, but he excused
himself, alleging that his age and infirmities would not permit him to
take a meal out of his own house, or at the houses of some of his
children, where he might enjoy the same liberty as at his own house.
Whitelocke told him that he should have the same liberty at his house,
who was one of his sons, as he could take at the houses of any other of
his children; but the Chancellor earnestly desired to be excused, and
Whitelocke thought not fit further to importune him, but desired him to
hasten his return hither, which he promised to do.

Whitelocke received his letters from England, and in that from Thurloe he
writes:--

[SN: Letters from Thurloe.]

"There hath been consideration taken of your return home, but the
issue of the treaty with the Dutch not being yet known, his
Highness's resolutions as to your return are deferred until the
next; the difficulty of that business lies in the article relating
to the Danes, etc. All things else remain as they did by my last, so
that your Excellence will be saved this week the labour of reading
my long letter. This day we have a fast for the great drought.

"My Lady was here with me to hasten your return, wherein I should be
glad to be instrumental. I pray God preserve your Excellence, and
bless the affairs under your hand. I am,

"Your Excellence's humble servant,
"JO. THURLOE.
"_March 24th, 1653._

"I saw a letter to his Highness from Upsal, wherein some expressions
were used as if your Excellence were like to be removed from the
Seal. His Highness commanded me to assure you that there are no such
intentions, but much the contrary, whereof your Excellence will have
real demonstrations upon all occasions."

_April 14, 1654._

[SN: Passport given to a Swedish ship.]

Grave Eric desired Whitelocke to give a passport to a Swedish ship bound
from Stockholm to Portugal. The Chancellor requested the same, and both
father and son engaged to Whitelocke that there was nothing aboard the
vessel, nor any design in her voyage, against England;