He was also willing to persuade himself that the new instructions would extend only to the order of his return, and was so to be taken by Thurloe’s letter, and to the close of his whole negotiation; wherein he had done nothing, and resolved not to do anything, but what he believed to be just and honest.  He was also troubled lest the Queen should put off the treaty upon some distaste about the secret article, and yet pretend only the absence of her Chancellor; but Whitelocke left all to the providence of God, and His blessing upon honest and diligent means, wherein he resolved not willingly to be wanting.  And whether to put it off or to proceed to the despatch of it seemed the more difficult, because of a letter from his wife, wherein she wrote that Thurloe said to her, that it was fit her husband should receive certain instructions what to do before his coming away, because, if he should do anything too suddenly, without good warrant, it might cost him his life.  This indeed were a worthy and meet recompense for all the hardships, perils, and faithful services undergone and performed for those who were then in power; but his hope and expectation of reward was from above the highest of them.

April 21, 1654.

[SN:  Despatches to Thurloe.]

Whitelocke made his despatches for England, and part of his letters to Thurloe was this:—­

“The Queen and Court being out of town, this is a solitary place.  The Danish Ambassador and the Dutch Resident are still here.  The Spanish, German, and Muscovite Envoys are gone away.  My business remains in a readiness to be signed, which is appointed upon the Queen’s return; and she is looked for every day.  If they be not signed within these few days, it cannot be done by her at all, because she intends to resign the Government the beginning of May, and perhaps the Prince may be crowned in June; and two or three months after that will pass before new credentials can be sent from his Highness, and it may be two or three months in ceremony and despatch of the business, by which time another winter will be here.

“Upon which considerations I humbly conceive it much more for the service of my Lord to despatch my business here out of hand, and the rather because of the conclusion of the Dutch treaty, which I hope will prove very prosperous to our nation.

“My articles had been signed before the Queen’s going away but that she was willing to communicate them to the Prince before her Commissioners signed them, which I likewise thought very fit to be done, in regard he is so near the succession; and I likewise intend to salute him from my Lord Protector before my going out of this country.

    “I am now only in expectation of his Highness’s further commands and
    instructions concerning my return, which I hope for by the next
    post.