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, 1653.

The Lord’s Day.—­Whitelocke had two good sermons in his house, at which divers English and Scots, besides those of his family, were present.  In the evening the Queen passed through the streets in her coach, with divers other coaches and her servants waiting on her, to take the air, though upon this day; and in the night, many disorderly drunkards were committing debaucheries and insolences in the town, and at Whitelocke’s door.

March 6, 1653.

[SN:  Further excuses for delay.]

Whitelocke visited Senator Schuett, who spake in excuse of the delay of his business.  Whitelocke said—­

Whitelocke. I have already staid long in this place, and nothing is yet done in my business.

Schuett. Your stay here hath been of more advantage to England than if they had sent 10,000 men into Holland, who, by your stay here, will be brought on with the greater desire of making peace with you.