Whitelocke made use of this intelligence as far as it would go; and some others in this town had the same news from Holland.

April 28, 1654.

[SN:  The signing of the treaty.]

At the time appointed Whitelocke and his company came to the Chancellor’s lodging, with whom was his son Grave Eric and Secretary Canterstein.  Whitelocke’s son James and his secretary Earle were admitted into the room.  All the time of their being there Secretary Canterstein was uncovered and did not sit.  Whitelocke’s son James was also bare, as became him, but was admitted to sit down at the lower end of the table, on the same side with his father, who sat at the upper end, and the Chancellor over-against him, and Grave Eric by his father.

The Chancellor acquainted Whitelocke that the Queen had shown the articles to the Prince, who did well approve of them, and desired to have a strict league and friendship with the Protector, and that the Prince was ready in what should appertain to him to contribute to that end.  Whitelocke answered that the Protector would esteem the friendship of the Prince a great honour to him; and to show his desire of it, that Whitelocke intended to salute the Prince from the Protector.  The Chancellor and his son said that it would be very necessary for Whitelocke to do so, and that the Prince intended to come nearer to this city, and then Whitelocke might have the better passage to his Court by water by the lake Meter, than to go to him by a land-journey; and that from the Prince he might, by the same lake, be transported to Stockholm.

After many ceremonies and compliments, with apologies for the delay of the sealing of the articles, they fell to their business.  Grave Eric read the articles prepared by Whitelocke, and his father overlooked them; Whitelocke’s son James read the articles prepared by the Chancellor, and Whitelocke overlooked them; and some mistakes being amended, Whitelocke asked whether the Queen’s commission to give them power were sealed.  They answered, it was prepared, and that the Queen would seal it, and it was usual to be done at any time after the sealing of the articles; that yesterday it was not fully ready for the Queen before her going out of town, but that she intended to be here again this day, and all would be ready for her sealing.

The Chancellor directed Canterstein to read the copy of the instrument for giving power to the Queen’s Commissioners, and desired Whitelocke to give to him the commission of the Protector to Whitelocke, who said that he had formerly delivered to them a copy of it, which was then read; and the Chancellor took exception to it, because there was no mention in it of ratifying what should be here agreed upon by Whitelocke; who answered that this clause of ratification was in his first commission under the Great Seal of England, unto which the commission and powers given him since by the Protector do refer; and he offered to deliver