Wh. I have not observed, either in England or elsewhere, that after an agreement upon a treaty, and nothing remaining but to sign and seal, that they have used afterwards to delay it three weeks together; yet I am willing to promise myself that the servant of the Protector may expect from this Crown as much respect as any other public minister.

Gr.  Eric. There hath been more respect showed to you than hath been accustomed to any other.  I believe your business may be despatched in half an hour; and if my father return this evening time enough to do it, it may be done this night; if not, then without fail tomorrow morning.

Wh. I am the more earnest herein, looking upon it as my duty to the Protector and my respect to this Crown, to avoid any occasion of discontent between the two nations; and therefore I shall freely tell you that it will be very material to have the articles signed this day or tomorrow, before I receive this week’s letters, by which I expect to understand that the articles between England and Holland are signed; among which articles one is, that neither the one nor the other confederate shall make any alliance with any other prince or state, without first giving notice thereof to the other confederate.  Now if the articles between the Protector and the Queen be signed before I have notice of this by the Dutch articles being signed, the signing of our articles here first will be without exception in this point; but if I receive this information from England before the articles be signed here, it will be doubtful whether then I shall be in a capacity afterwards to sign the articles here, whereupon sundry inconveniences will ensue, which I would willingly prevent.

Gr.  Eric. This is indeed a material point, and I am much startled at it.  I shall go and see if my father be come to town, that I may acquaint him with it, and doubtless the business may be finished tomorrow.

Wh. What do you resolve to do in the matter I proposed touching Guinea?

Gr.  Eric. The person concerned in that business is now in town; I shall bring him to you to give you information therein, and upon speaking together we may come to some conclusion in it.  I think the best way will be to prepare an article to this purpose, that all injuries done by the one or the other party in the several plantations in Guinea, and the satisfaction and damages to be given to the parties grieved, be upon the whole matter remitted to the consideration and arbitrement of persons to be chosen, as well by the company of English merchants trading to those parts as of the merchants of this country having interest in the plantations there.