to the inn, the Lords of
the town sent one of their officers to him, to know what time he would be
pleased to appoint for them to come and salute him. Whitelocke answered,
that whensoever they thought fit to do him the honour to visit him they
should be welcome, and left to them the time which should be most
convenient for their own occasions.

Being settled and at a little quiet, he read his letters from England.
Thurloe acquaints him that the issue of his negotiation, and the prudent
conduct of it, had very good acceptance in England, whither his return
was much wished and prayed for. Then he informs him of all the news both
foreign and domestic, and the readiness of the Protector to send ships
for him to Hamburg. From Mr. Cokaine he had several letters about his
bills of exchange, and other particular affairs. He had also letters from
Mr. Taylor, from Resident Bradshaw, from his wife, and from several
loving friends in England.

_June 8, 1654._

[SN: Whitelocke receives the Senate of Luebeck.]

In the morning the Lords of Luebeck sent again to Whitelocke, to know what
time they might come to visit him. He answered, at their own time, and
that they should be welcome to him within an hour. There came to him
Martin Bokel, Doctor of the Laws, Syndic of the city, of good reputation
for his learning and abilities, Jerome Bilderbeck, and Matthew Rodde,
Senators and Lords of the city. The Syndic spake in French to Whitelocke
to this effect:--"That, by command of the Lords of this city, those
gentlemen, part of their number, and himself, were come in the name of
the Lords of Luebeck to salute Whitelocke, and to bid him welcome to their
city; that they rejoiced at his safe arrival here, and for the good
success of those affairs wherein he had been employed." Whitelocke
answered them in French, the same language in which they spake to him,
and which is expected in these parts, to this effect:--"That the Lords of
Luebeck had testified much respect to the Protector of England by the
honour done to his servant, of which he would inform his Highness; and in
the meantime he thanked them for the favour of this visit."

After many compliments, Whitelocke gave them the precedence into his
lodging, which is the custom here, as in Sweden, and their discourse was
in French in these matters of ceremony. Being sat together in his
bedchamber, the Syndic told Whitelocke that he had a message to deliver
to him from his Lords; and, accor