"Sir,
"I esteem it an honour to receive this respect from the Lords of
Lübeck, your masters, for which ere long I hope to have the
opportunity to give them thanks; and in the meantime give me leave
to acknowledge your civility."
This person they call the Marshal of the town, whom the Lords sent to
meet Whitelocke, to answer his civility of sending to them, which they
took kindly. Then a young gentleman, well mounted and habited, met
Whitelocke on the way with a packet of three weeks' letters from England,
which he said Mr. Missenden, his father, received from Mr. Bradshaw, the
Protector's Resident at Hamburg, with order to send them to Whitelocke to
Lübeck.
Whitelocke went into the coach of the Lords of Lübeck; with him were the
Marshal, and Colonel Potley to interpret for him. The country through
which they passed was pleasant and fruitful, stored with groves, and
fields of corn not enclosed, but much like the champaign counties of
England, only more woody, and seemed the pleasanter to those who were
lately come out of Sweden and from the Baltic Sea. Part of the country
was the Duchy of Mecklenburg, and part of it Holstein.
When they drew near the city Whitelocke ordered that his staffiers and
lacqueys, in their liveries, should walk by his coach bare, and his pages
after them; then his gentlemen and others in the other coaches and
waggons, in which equipage they entered the city. At the first fort they
saluted Whitelocke with three pieces of ordnance, and at the gates of the
city were good guards, with their muskets. The streets were filled with
people, and many in the windows--not so many men as women; and those of
the best rank and habit were with their bodies and smock sleeves, like
the maids in England in hot weather. Here the best women, whose age will
bear it, are thus habited, and with it sometimes rich clothes and jewels.
When they were come into the city, the Marshal took his leave of
Whitelocke, saying that he must go to the Lord, to advertise him of
Whitelocke's arrival.
Whitelocke passed through a great part of the town before he came to the
inn appointed for his reception, which was fairer without than within
doors, the rooms for eating and lodging neither handsome nor well
finished. About half an hour after he was come 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 Lübeck.]
In the morning the Lords of Lübeck 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 Lübeck 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
Lübeck 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, according to the custom in matters of
business, he desired to deliver what he had to say in Latin, and then
spake to him in the following oration:--
"Illustrissime et Excellentissime Domine Legate,
"Amplissimus Senatus Lubicensis grato animo recognoscit celeberrimam
nationem Anglicanam multiplici favore à multis retro annis populum
mercatoresque hujus civitatis affecisse, atque etiam sæviente inter
utrasque respublicas durissimo bello, incolas nostras gratiam, et,
ex occasione suarum navium ad mare captarum, justitiam accepisse:
amplissimus Senatus humillimè gratias suas refert, quas melius
testari non potuerunt, quam erga personam illius conditionis
tantæque eminentiæ quantæ Excellentiam vestram esse acceperant, suo
speciali respectu, ad hæc cum etiam Extraordinarii Legati munere à
clarissimo illo statu nunc dignissimè fungatur. Gratulatur
amplissimus Senatus negotiationis ab Excellentia vestra peractæ
felicem successum, ut et tanti viri in suam civitatem adventum. Quod
si apud se in sua civitate aliquid sit Excellentiæ vestræ acceptu
dignum, illud quicquid sit offerre in mandatis habemus.
"Dolore etiam afficitur Senatus, se tam sero de Excellentiæ vestræ
adventu certiorem esse factum, ut rationes unde tantus hospes, et
qui in ipsius comitatu sunt, pro merito exciperentur; melius inire
non potuerit, se tamen sperare à clementia vestra ipsis id crimini
non datum iri. Per nos rogant hujus urbis magistratus, Excellentiæ
vestræ placeat, cervisiæ Lubicensis vinique Rhenani (quod
officiariis Excellentiæ vestræ tradi curaverant) parvulum utut munus
boni consulere.
"Excellentissime Domine, candore vestro freti speramus, non nobis id
vitio datum iri, si etiam hoc temporis articulo paucula ex rebus
nostris vestræ Excellentiæ consideranda proponamus: intempestivè
fatemur importuni sumus, sed certiores facti, non diuturnam fore
vestram in civitate nostra moram, id solliciti timemus, ne
aliquando nobis similis offeratur opportunitas; ideo à dominis
nostris jubemur Excellentiam vestram certiorem facere, quam plures
hujus urbis naves inter navigandum negotii causâ, occurrentes
navibus præliaribus Anglis, ab iisdem examen subiisse, liberatas
tamen extemplò et dimissas, quod nihil suppetiarum hostibus vestris
contulisse deprehendebantur; nihilominus easdem naves à quibusdam
privatis vestris captoribus, _capers_ dictis, non multò post
apprehensas fuisse, et hucusque detentas esse, magno dominorum
detrimento.
"Sperat amplissimus Senatus, intercedente Excellentia vestra, ex
justitia et favore Domini Protectoris, restitutionem earundem
secundum jus et æquum suo populo futuram, quem in finem, tam
magistratus, quem hujusce civitatis populus suppliciter rogat
favorem et amicitiam Celsitudinis suæ Domini Protectoris, et
illustrissimæ reipublicæ Angliæ, in iis, quæ vel commercia vel etiam
alia spectant, posse sibi continuari."
After a little pause Whitelocke made answer in Latin to the Syndic's
speech, to the effect following:--
"Spectatissimi viri,
"Rectè à vobis observatum est, antiquam fuisse inter populum
Anglicanum civesque Lubicenses amicitiam et mutuam officiorum
benevolentiam; nec defuisse unquam nobis, data occasione, Domini mei
Domini Protectoris reipublicæ Angliæ, Scotiæ, et Hiberniæ, animum
benevolentissimum, quem integrum adhuc à Serenissima sua Celsitudine
erga vos conservari nullus dubito. Nec suspicio mihi est, quin
amplissimus Senatus, hujusque celeberrimæ urbis liberi cives,
Dominum meum Dominum Protectorem honore omni debito prosequentur, et
benevolo affectu quotquot Anglorum, commercii aut conversationis
causâ, apud vos appellere voluerint.
"Referte, quæso, meo nomine, amplissimo hujus civitatis Senatui,
gratias ob respectum erga Dominum meum Dominum Protectorem
rempublicamque Anglicanam, in honorificâ mei eorum ministri
receptione significatum, tam in appulsu meo ad suum portum, quam ad
civitatem suam aditu, necnon in munere quod mihi offerre ipsis
placuit: honori duco quod per me, in suis negotiis, Dominum
Protectorem compellare ipsis visum est, quod munus in me libenter
recipio præstandum, quamprimum Deo placuerit ad Serenissimam suam
Celsitudinem mihi reditum indulgere, cui id curæ est, ut unicuique
quod est juris uniuscujusque tribuatur. Non equidem dubito, quin
particularia favoris et respectûs erga hanc celeberrimam civitatem
specimina reipsa effecta comperiamini."
The Syndic replied in French, that they did give many thanks to
Whitelocke, in that he was pleased to take in so good part the respect of
this City to him, and desired that if there were anything here which
might do him service, that he would command it. Whitelocke said he came
by this City in a desire to see it and the fortifications of it, which,
if they pleased to give him leave to do, he should take it as a favour.
They said, that even now the Senate had ordered Monsieur Bilderbeck and
the commander of their forces to wait upon Whitelocke at such time as he
should appoint, to view the city, with their fortifications and
magazines, and whatsoever here should be thought by him worthy of his
sight. Whitelocke thanked them, and discoursed touching the government of
the City, and what laws they used, to which the Syndic answered, that
their government was chiefly and generally by the municipal laws and
customs of the city.
[SN: The franchises of Lübeck.]
Of these gentlemen and others Whitelocke learned this city is the chief
and most ancient of the Hanse Towns of Germany, and a kind of free State;
that they have power to send Commissioners as public ministers to any
foreign prince or State, to treat and conclude with them about any
matters relating to their city, and that without the leave or knowledge
of the Emperor.
The people of the city chiefly are the merchants and artificers, most of
them tradesmen; and both they who are masters, and their servants, being
constantly employed in trades and personal businesses, they are the less
troublesome in the government of them; as to the criminal part, idleness,
being the mother of mischief, causeth quarrels and debaucheries, from
whence pilferings, robberies, fightings, and murders do arise; but where
people are kept to occupations, traffic, and employments, as they are
here, it breeds civility, peaceableness of disposition, desire of rest
and quiet, and a plentiful subsistence, and gives less occasion of
proceedings in criminal offences. But as to suits upon bargains and
contracts, they are the more, because there be so many contracts as
merchants and tradesmen must make; yet those suits are here brought to a
speedy determination within themselves by their ordinary judges, which
are three, and usually assisted with a doctor or licentiate in the laws,
who are in great esteem in this country. These judges commonly sit thrice
a week, to determine civil controversies, which they do by their own laws
and customs, which also have much affinity to the civil law, especially
as to the forms and manners of their proceedings; and where the matter
contended for exceeds the value of a thousand rix-dollars, there the
party grieved may, if he please, appeal from the sentence of these judges
to the Imperial Chamber at Spires, as they also do in capital causes; but
civil causes under the value of a thousand dollars are finally determined
within themselves, and no appeal lies from them.
They acknowledge the Emperor as their protector, but afford him no
gabels or taxes but what their deputies, whom they elect and send to the
general Diet of the Empire, do assent unto. Their chief officers are a
Burgomaster, like our Mayor, twenty-four Senators, like our Common
Council, and a Syndic, as our Recorder. These are the chief Council and
Judicatory of the city, and order all the public affairs thereof; only in
some extraordinary occasions of making laws or foreign treaties, matters
of war and peace, the people of the town make choice of deputies,
sometimes forty or fifty,--more or less, as they please,--who sit and
consult with the Senate, and by their votes by the people, who willingly
submit thereunto.
The town-house of their Guildhall is reasonably fair, not extraordinary.
Their Court of Justice is below at the upper end of a large hall, made
four-square, with seats like the Court of Exchequer in England; above
this is another Court or Council-house, greater than that below, which is
for the meeting of the Deputies of the Hanse Towns, who usually all
assemble here; they have also several other chambers for the meetings and
consultations of their own Senators and officers about the affairs of the
city.
[SN: Aspect of the city.]
In the afternoon the Commander or Lieutenant-General of the forces of the
town, whom they call Obrist Lieutenant, Monsieur Andreas Keiser, and the
Senator Bilderbeck, came, with four of the city coaches, to accompany
Whitelocke to see the town and fortifications of it. The Senator spoke
only Latin, the Lieutenant spoke good French. They went through most
parts of the town, and found the figure of it exactly done in painting in
a table in their magazine, with the fortifications of it: upon the view
of the whole town, it seemed a pleasant and noble city. It is of great
antiquity, freedom, privileges, trade, polity, and strength, few in these
parts exceeding it; not unhealthful in the situation, beautiful in the
buildings, profitable in the commerce, strong in the fortifications, and
rich in the inhabitants.
The streets are large and fair, kept clean and sweet; the houses built of
brick, generally uniform, most in the frontispieces, and covered with
tile; at the entry into them, usually the first and lower room is
largest, paved with Orland stone, full of streaks of red and white, and
some with black and white rich marble. In this first room they use to set
their best household stuff, as the chief room for entertainment; yet they
will also in some part of the room have a partition with boards, above a
man's height, for a kitchen, where they dress meat and hang their bacon
and other provision{9}, which are not out of sight nor smell; and here
also, in this room, some of their goods of merchandise are placed; but
the better sort keep their houses more neat, and have kitchens and
larders out of view. In the second story are ordinarily the
lodging-rooms, and some for entertainment; the third and fourth stories
are granaries and storehouses, which they hold better for such uses than
cellars and lower rooms, which, they say, cause damage to the
commodities.
The country about, for a league, and in some parts two leagues or more,
belongs to the city, is within their jurisdiction, and is fruitful and
pleasant, sweetly watered by the Trave, adorned by the groves and
meadows, and many pleasant summer-houses for the recreation of the
citizens.
[SN: Fortifications and arsenal of Lübeck.]
The town is regularly and strongly fortified, the more being situated in
a plain and low country, with the rivers and waters about it; the grafts
of the works are large and deep, full of water on all sides; between the
bulwarks are large places, sufficient to draw together five hundred men
in each vacant place; and on the banks of some of the ditches are low
thorn hedges, kept cut, as good for defence as palisades. There be many
pieces of ordnance mounted on several parts of the works, chiefly on the
bulwarks, and divers of them are demi-cannon: the fortifications are
about a league in compass; the Trave furnisheth water for all the grafts,
and the earth with which the lines are made is of a good sort and well
turfed. They are well stored with arms and ammunition, which Whitelocke
was admitted to see in their arsenal, which is a large house; in the
lower room were twelve mortar-pieces of several sizes, and two hundred
pieces of brass ordnance, founded in the town, some of them great
culverin, one of an extraordinary length; but there was neither powder
nor ball--that was kept elsewhere; but here were the utensils to load and
cleanse the guns, hung up in order, and the carriages were strong and
good. The story above this was furnished with arms, few for horse or
pikemen, but many muskets and swords, disposed in ranks the whole length
of the room, with bandoliers between, and cases for bullets beneath; at
the upper end of the room hung certain great swords, with which traitors
had been beheaded; at the lower end of the room were many halberds;
divers of the muskets were firelocks, others for match, and some with
double barrels. There was in all, by conjecture, arms for twelve thousand
foot, few pikes or horse-arms, but muskets, as most useful for a town,
and according to the custom in these parts, where the companies in the
town militias are only musketeers, they holding pikes not proper but in
the field and against horse.
The forces of this city constantly in pay are fifteen hundred men,
besides twenty-five companies of the citizens, each company consisting of
two hundred men, and two troops of horse of the citizens. Their chief
strength, under God, consisting in the bodies of their citizens, proper
and stout men, who, if they come to fight _pro aris et focis_, for
religion, liberty, wives and children, and estates, for their all, are
full of courage; not like mercenary, unfixed, unfaithful men, whose trade
is in blood, and who are pests to mankind.
[SN: Honours paid to Whitelocke.]
At their Guildhall they entertained Whitelocke and his company with wine
and sweetmeats, but not profusely. After a long and large tour, they
brought Whitelocke back to his inn, and did him the honour to sup with
him; and, with much respect and civility, the Obrist-Lieutenant and
Senator after supper took their leaves of Whitelocke. Divers men and
women of the best quality of the citizens came with their children to
Whitelocke's inn to see him, and many of them would stand by whilst he
was at meals. He caused his people to show all civility to them, as
himself did, saluting the gentlemen and seeming to offer to kiss the
women's hands, the salutation of the lip not being in these countries
allowed.
The Lords sent a guard of twelve musketeers to attend Whitelocke, which
were placed at his door and in the street, and relieved by others during
the time of Whitelocke's stay here, as an expression of their respects
to him. The town musicians, who were masters, well accoutred and behaved,
and played some English lessons, and the town trumpets and drums, came
likewise to show their respects to Whitelocke, but the more readily in
expectation of some reward from him, which expenses cannot honourably be
avoided. Whitelocke's four pages, eight lacqueys, and four grooms,
besides the gentlemen's lacqueys, in his livery, walked bare by his
coach-side when he went abroad; himself was in his plain grey English
cloth suit, with the Queen of Sweden's jewel at his breast. The people
were full of respect to him in their salutations as he passed by them.
The secretary of the English company at Hamburg came to Whitelocke from
the Resident and company there, to invite him to the English house there,
with expression of much ceremony and respect to him as their countryman.
Whitelocke was not willing to stay longer than one day in this town, and
therefore ordered his officers to make preparations of horses and waggons
to remove from hence tomorrow; and understanding that it was forty
English miles from hence to Hamburg, and much of the way bad, he thought
it too long a journey for him, with so great a train and hired horses, to
travel in one day, and therefore ordered to go from hence tomorrow in the
afternoon, to lie at a village midway between Lübeck and Hamburg. The
Lords of Lübeck, with much courtesy, offered him to lodge in a house of
theirs three leagues from hence, and to make use of their horses; but he
thought it not convenient, the house not being furnished and their horses
not used to travel, and he having sent before to the village midway to
take up his quarters; for which reasons he excused it to the Lords, yet
with many thanks for their courteous offers.
_June 9, 1654._
[SN: The Lutheran Church at Lübeck.]
Several gentlemen of the English company at Hamburg, and among them his
nephew, Sir Humphry Bennett's son, came hither to visit and accompany
Whitelocke to Hamburg. The Senators and Syndic and Obrist-Lieutenant, who
had been before with Whitelocke, came to take their leaves of him. From
them and others Whitelocke learnt, that the religion professed in this
city is after the doctrine of Luther and the Augsburg confession; yet
some Calvinists are permitted, though not publicly, among them, and some
Papists are also connived at, though not publicly tolerated to exercise
their worship; yet some of them live in a college of Canons, who have a
fair house and good revenues in this city.
They have many images and crucifixes in their churches: one, made of
earth, of the Virgin Mary, very exactly, is believed by many goodwives of
the town, that, upon worshiping and praying to it, they shall become
fruitful. In the same church is a rare tablet of the passion of our
Saviour, admired by artists for the rare painting and lineaments of it.
Above the altar is a little image of our Lady, so contrived with wires
fastened to it, that one, being hid on the other side of it, may make it
turn forward and backward, to the admiration of the multitude of
spectators, who know, by the motion of the image, whether the offerings
which they make, and lay upon the altar, be acceptable or not; if one
gives a small offering, the image turns away from it in disdain of it;
if it be a fat offering, it turns towards it in token of acceptance; and
though they tell these stories themselves, yet still they retain these
images and trumperies among them. This church is of a good length and
breadth, but the height is not proportionable: it hath few monuments of
note, only some of their Bishops and Canons, among which one is indeed
remarkable, which they will needs have to be believed, where a Canon was
buried some hundreds of years since, yet now sometimes is heard to knock
in his grave, whereupon instantly some one or other of his surviving
brethren, the Canons, gives up the ghost, and comes to the dead Canon at
his call.
From hence Whitelocke went and viewed the other churches, all alike
furnished with images and crucifixes, and full of pews, fitted according
to the quality of the parishioners. The churches are built of brick, and
some of them covered with copper, which they brought from Sweden in older
times. They use a liturgy, not much differing from our old Book of Common
Prayer; their ministers are grave and formal; they commend them for pious
and learned and good preachers; but Whitelocke, not having the favour to
see one of them at his lodging, can give the less particular account of
them.
[SN: The trade of Lübeck.]
Whitelocke also learnt that the trade of this city is the most of any
town on this side the Baltic Sea, having a convenient port or road at
Tremon, belonging to this city, from whence they send into all parts of
that sea, and have the advantage for the commerce of copper, deal, hemp,
flax, pitch, tar, and all the commodities of those parts; and by this
port, they save the trouble and charge of going about through the Sound,
which southern merchants do.
Before the Swedes had much traffic, and built their own ships, and
employed their own mariners, which is not ancient, Lübeck did more
flourish, and had the sole trade of Sweden, and of vending their
commodities again into all parts of the world; whereby the Lübeckers grew
great and rich, especially by the copper and iron which they brought from
Sweden hither, and wrought it into utensils and arms, and then carried it
back to Sweden for the use of the inhabitants there; who, growing in time
more wise, and learning to work their own materials, and to build and
employ their own ships in trade, and the city of Hamburg growing up and
increasing in trade, and particularly by the staple for English cloth
being there settled, and those of Lübeck not admitting strangers among
them, their town began to decay, and to lessen in their trade and wealth,
and is not now so considerable as in former times, yet still they drive a
good trade into the Baltic Sea and other parts, but not with so great
ships as others use, which they build at home, of about a hundred and
fifty and two hundred tons; and they affirm that they have built here
ships of four hundred tons, but there is difficulty for them to go down
to the river, by reason of the shallows, which yet serves to bring up
their commodities in great boats by the river, from the ships to this
town. They find the smaller vessels useful for their trade, and to build
them they are provided of good store of timber out of Germany, Denmark,
and Sweden; and, by their consent, the King of Denmark doth sometimes
make use of their town and carpenters to build ships for himself.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, the baggage and most of
Whitelocke's inferior servants went away. The Lords offered Whitelocke a
party of their horse for the guard of his person; but he, with thanks for
their courtesy, refused it, having store of company well armed of his own
retinue, besides some English of Hamburg who were come to him. The
Lübeckers commended the sobriety and plainness of Whitelocke and his
company; only they said his liveries were very noble; and they wondered
that they saw no more drinking among them, and that he had so constant
exercises of religious duties in his family.
[SN: Whitelocke proceeds to Hamburg.]
The Senators and Syndic came again to compliment Whitelocke for the
Lords, and to wish him a good journey; and, after ceremonies passed,
about four o'clock in the afternoon, Whitelocke took his coach for
Hamburg; he had another coach and four waggons for his people. As he
passed through the streets, multitudes of all sorts stood to see him go
by, respectively saluting him. At the gates were guards of soldiers, and
having passed the last port, they saluted him with three pieces of
ordnance, according to their custom, but with no volleys of small-shot;
and so he took his leave of Lübeck. Being come into the road, and his
pages and lacqueys in the waggons, he made what haste he could in his
journey with hired horses, and so much company.
The country was pleasant and fruitful, groves of wood, fields of corn,
pastures, brooks, and meadows adorning it: it is an open champaign; few
hedges, but some little ones made with dry wood, like our hurdles, for
fencing their gardens and dividing their corn-grounds. The way was
exceeding bad, especially for this time of the year, full of deep holes
and sloughs in some places and of great stones in others. This Duchy of
Holstein seems to take its name from _holt_, which, with them and in
Sweden and with us, signifies wood, and _stein_, which is a stone; and
this country is very full of wood and stone; yet is it fruitful, and,
like England, delightful to the view, but it is not so full of towns,
there not being one in the way between Lübeck and this night's quarter,
which is five German, twenty English, miles. But a few small houses lie
scattered by the way; and about four miles from Kettell, this night's
lodging was a fair brick house by the side of a large pond, which is the
house belonging to Lübeck, where they offered Whitelocke to be
entertained, and he found cause afterwards to repent his not accepting
their courtesy.
When they came to the lamentable lodging taken up for him this night,
they found in all but two beds for their whole company. The beds were
made only of straw and fleas mingled together; the antechamber was like a
great barn, wherein was the kitchen on the one side, the stable on the
other side; the cattle, hogs, waggons, and coaches were also in the same
great chamber together. They made themselves as merry as they could in
this posture, Whitelocke cheering and telling them that it was in their
way home, and therefore to be borne with the less regret. They of the
house excused the want of accommodations, because the war had raged
there, and the soldiers had pillaged the people of all they had, who
could not yet recover their former happy and plentiful condition; which
was not helpful to Whitelocke and his people, who must take things as
they were, and make the best shift they could. His officers had provided
meat sufficient for them; he caused fresh straw enough to be laid all
over the room, which was the more tolerable in this hot season. He
himself lay in one of his coaches, his sons and some of his servants in
straw, near him; the rest of the company, men and women, on straw, where
they chose to lie in the room, only affording place for the horses, cows,
sheep, and hogs, which quartered in the same chamber together with this
good company.
_June 10, 1654._
[SN: Journey through Holstein.]
In his coach, through God's goodness, Whitelocke slept well, and all his
people on the ground on fresh straw, yet not so soundly as to hinder
their early rising this morning, when they were quickly ready, none
having been put to the trouble of undressing themselves the last night.
His carriages, twelve great waggons, went away about four o'clock this
morning, some of the gentlemen's servants in the van, one upon each
waggon; his porter, butlers, and others, in a waggon in the rear, with
store of pistols, screwed guns, swords, and other arms, for their
defence. Whitelocke came forth about six o'clock with his own two
coaches, and eight waggons for the rest of his followers. In some of
their waggons they drive three horses on-breast, and each waggon will
hold eight persons. They passed by better houses in this dorf than that
where they quartered, which the harbingers excused, coming thither late
and being strangers.
The country was still Holstein, of the same nature as yesterday. In the
lower grounds they saw many storks, one whereof was killed by one of
Whitelocke's company with his gun,--a thing not endured here, where they
are very superstitious, and hold it an ill omen where any of them is
killed. But Whitelocke, blessed be God! found it not so; yet he warned
his people not to kill any of them, to avoid offence to the country, who
report that these birds will not resort to any place but where the people
are free, as in the United Provinces, where they have many of them, and
do carefully preserve them, and near to Hamburg and other Hanse Towns.
About a mile from Kettell is a great gate cross the highway, where they
take toll for the Duke of Holstein of all the waggons and carriages, a
loup-shilling apiece (that is, little more than an English penny). This
gate they shut against Whitelocke, but being informed who he was, they
presently opened it again, and a gentleman came to Whitelocke's
coach-side, excusing the shutting of the gate, being before they knew who
it was that passed by. He told Whitelocke the custom and right of this
toll, but that nothing was demanded of ambassadors, who were to pass
freely, especially the Ambassador of the Protector and Commonwealth of
England, to whom the Duke, his master, he said, was a friend. Whitelocke
thanked the gentleman for his civility, acknowledging the Protector to be
a friend to the Duke, and so they passed on.
About a mile and a half before they came to Hamburg, Captain Parkes, of
the 'President' frigate, and Captain Minnes, of the 'Elizabeth' frigate,
met Whitelocke on the way, and told him all was well in England, and that
by command of the Protector they had brought those two frigates into the
Elbe to transport him into England. Whitelocke told them he was very glad
to see them, especially on this occasion. As they were walking and
discoursing of the ships and their voyage, a great number of persons and
coaches, the Resident Bradshaw, with the treasurer, the doctor, their
minister, and almost all the English company, with twenty-two coaches,
came to meet Whitelocke on the way, and to bring him with the more
respect to Hamburg. All alighted out of their coaches, and, after
salutations, the Resident told Whitelocke that the occasion of their
coming forth was to testify their respects to Whitelocke, and to desire
him to do their company the honour to accept of the English house at
Hamburg for his entertainment. Whitelocke gave them hearty thanks for
their respects to the Protector and to the Commonwealth whereof they were
members, in this honour which they did to their servant. He accepted of
their courteous offer, desiring the company and conversation of his
countrymen above all others. They walked a little on foot together, where
the Lord Resident (so they styled him) showed Whitelocke his last week's
letters from Thurloe, mentioning the imprisonment of many upon suspicion
that they were engaged in a plot against the Protector, and that the
serious considerable malignants discovered it. He also delivered to
Whitelocke private letters from his wife and other friends.
About a mile from the place where they met was a fair inn by the wayside,
where the Resident moved Whitelocke to make a halt and rest himself,
because if he should then go directly to the town, he would come into it
just at dinner-time, which would not be convenient. Upon his persuasion,
and perceiving that a preparation was here made, Whitelocke went in,
where the English company entertained him with a plentiful dinner at a
long table holding above sixty persons. From hence, with Whitelocke's
approbation, the Resident, as from himself, sent to the Governor of the
Militia at Hamburg, as Whitelocke had done before to the Lords, to
advertise them of his coming. The Governor returned thanks, and said that
two senators were appointed to receive Whitelocke at the Port. After
dinner they all took their coaches. With Whitelocke was the Resident and
Treasurer; the rest in the other coaches, the pages and lacqueys riding
and walking by.
The country is here low and rich, sprinkled with rivers, and adorned with
many neat and sweet houses belonging to the citizens of Hamburg, who
resort to those houses in the summer-time with their families to have the
fresh air.
[SN: Arrival at Hamburg.]
Almost an English mile before they came to the town, the highway was full
of people come forth to see Whitelocke pass by. At the port were no
Senators to receive him, but great guards of musketeers and multitudes of
all sorts of people, there and through all the streets unto his lodging
thronging so that the coaches could not pass till the guards made way.
The people were very courteous, and Whitelocke answered to the meanest
their civility, which is pleasing and not costly. The windows and doors
were also crowded, which showed the populousness of the place and their
expectation as to the Commonwealth of England. They brought Whitelocke to
the English house, which is fair and large, the first room below,
according to the fashion of Lübeck; the chambers, especially where
Whitelocke lay, handsomely furnished.
[SN: Reception of the Senate of Hamburg.]
Within half an hour after his arrival, an officer of the town, in the
nature of a master of the ceremonies, came from the Lords of the town to
bid Whitelocke welcome thither, and to know what hour he would appoint
for admittance of some of the Lords to visit him. Whitelocke returned
thanks to the Lords for their respects, and prayed the gentleman to tell
them that whensoever they pleased to give him the honour of a visit, they
should be welcome to him. Within half an hour after came two Senators,
Herr Jurgen van Holtz and Herr Jacob Silm. After ceremonies passed, Holtz
spake in French to Whitelocke, to this effect:--
"Monseigneur, qui êtes Ambassadeur Extraordinaire de sa Sérénissime
Altesse Oliver, par la grâce de Dieu Seigneur Protecteur de la
République d'Angleterre; aussitôt que les Messieurs de cette ville
ont été avertis de votre intention de passer par cette ville-ci, ils
ont été désireux de témoigner leurs très-humbles respects à Monsieur
le Protecteur et à votre personne en particulier, en suite de quoi{10}
nous avons reçu commandement de vous venir saluer, et faire à votre
Excellence la bienvenue en cette ville. Ils sont extrêmement aises
de l'heureux succès que Dieu vous a donné en votre négociation en
Suède, et qu'il lui a plu aussi vous donner un bon passage, et
favoriser votre retour jusqu'en ce lieu, après avoir surmonté
beaucoup de difficultés, et échappé beaucoup de dangers, et nous
prions sa Divine bonté qu'il vous rende en sauveté dans votre pays.
Nous sommes aussi commandés de reconnaître les faveurs que
Monseigneur le Protecteur d'une si grande République a faites à
notre ville et aux habitans d'icelle, et particulièrement durant la
guerre entre l'Angleterre et les Pays Bas, en libérant et
déchargeant nos navires. Nous souhaitons à ce fleurissant état la
continuation et l'accroissement de la faveur Divine pour leur
conservation et accroissement de plus en plus, et nous espérons que
Monseigneur le Protecteur continuera avec la République ses faveurs
envers notre ville, qui sera toujours prête de leur rendre tous
offices et humbles respects."
After a little recollection, Whitelocke answered in French to the
Senator's speech thus:--
"Messieurs, j'ai grande occasion de louer le nom de Dieu, de sa
protection de moi et de ma suite, en notre long et périlleux voyage,
et pour l'heureux succès qu'il m'a donné en ma négociation, et ma
sauve arrivée en ce lieu, en mon retour en mon pays. Je vous désire
de remercier Messeigneurs les Sénateurs de cette ville du respect
qu'ils ont témoigné envers sa Sérénissime Altesse mon maître et la
République d'Angleterre, par l'honneur qu'ils ont fait à leur
serviteur, de quoi je ne manquerai d'en informer: j'avais grande
envie de voir cette illustre ville, et mes compatriotes qui par
accord vivent ici, desquels j'ai appris avec beaucoup de
contentement que leurs priviléges ici étaient maintenus par
Messeigneurs les magistrats, lesquels je désire d'être informés que
son Altesse mon maître prendra en fort bon part le respect et la
justice qu'on fera aux Anglais qui se trouvent ici, chose que je
croie tournera en avantage aux uns et aux autres. Je vous rends
grâces aussi de vos bons souhaits pour la prospérité de notre
nation, à laquelle Dieu a donné tant de preuves de sa présence, et
je prie le même Dieu aussi pour l'heureux succès de cette ville, et
de tous les habitans d'icelle."
After Whitelocke had done, the Senator again spake to him, desiring him,
in the name of the Lords of the town, to accept a small present which
they had sent, in testimony of their respects towards him, and said that
it was somewhat for his kitchen and somewhat for his cellar. The present
which they sent for his kitchen, and was laid upon the pavement in the
hall, was this:--four great whole sturgeons, two great fresh salmons,
one calf, two sheep, two lambs. The present for the cellar was a hogshead
of Spanish wine, a hogshead of claret wine, a hogshead of Rhenish wine, a
hogshead of Hamburg beer, a hogshead of Serbster beer. Whitelocke ordered
the men that brought this present to be rewarded with ten rix-dollars. He
desired the senators to return his hearty thanks to the Lords for the
noble present which they sent him; and after many compliments and
ceremonies Whitelocke, giving the Senators the right hand, conducted them
to their coach, and so they parted.
The English company entertained, with a great supper, Whitelocke and his
company, who had more mind to sleep than to eat. Monsieur Hannibal
Schestedt, late Viceroy of Norway, sent a gentleman to Whitelocke to know
what time he would appoint for him to come and visit Whitelocke, who gave
the usual answer, that whensoever he pleased to come he should be
welcome.
_June 11, 1654._
[SN: Divine service at Hamburg.]
_The Lord's Day._--The English company and the Resident Bradshaw desired
Whitelocke that one of his chaplains might preach in the chapel belonging
to the English in their house, which they said was a respect to the
Ambassador of England; and accordingly Mr. Ingelo preached in the
morning, and a very pertinent and good sermon. The doctor, minister to
the company here, preached in the afternoon, who far exceeded Mr. Ingelo
in the strength of his voice and lungs, the which was not necessary for
that chapel, not being large, but convenient and handsomely made up with
pews and seats fit for their company.
_June 12, 1654._
[SN: Interview with the Swedish Envoy to the Emperor.]
The Resident sent to the Governor to inform him that Whitelocke had a
desire to see the fortifications of the town. He answered that he would
send one of his lieutenants to wait on Whitelocke for that purpose; but
Whitelocke and the Resident took this for no great compliment that
himself came not to Whitelocke. Much company did Whitelocke the honour to
dine with him; and after dinner Monsieur Bernelow, who was Ambassador
from the Queen of Sweden to the Emperor, and was now upon his return
home, came to visit Whitelocke, and they had this discourse in Latin.
_Bernelow._ I desire your Excellence to excuse me that I cannot express
myself in French or Italian, but, with your leave, I desire to speak to
you in Latin.
_Whitelocke._ Your Excellence is welcome to me; and if you choose to
express yourself in Latin, you have your liberty, and I shall understand
something of it.
_Bern._ When I heard of your Excellence's arrival in this city, though I
purposed to have gone from hence, yet I deferred my journey, to the end I
might see you, because I have heard in the Emperor's Court, as well by
letters from her Most Serene Majesty of Sweden as from the Chancellor and
other senators of that kingdom, what great satisfaction they had in the
English Ambassador, etc. Now the league of friendship being concluded
between the two nations, I hold myself obliged to make this salutation to
your Excellence.
_Wh._ I have very many thanks to return to your Excellence for the
honour you have done me by this visit, and for these expressions of
affection and respect to the Protector, my master. I do acknowledge
myself much engaged to the Ricks-Chancellor and senators of Sweden, and
in the first place to her Majesty the Queen, for their favourable respect
towards me whilst I was in my negotiation with them, whom I found full of
honour, wisdom, and justice, in their transactions with me.
_Bern._ I have been for some time in the service of the Queen, my
mistress, in Germany.
_Wh._ You met some of my countrymen in the Court of the Emperor,
particularly a noble lord, whom I have the honour to know.
_Bern._ I met there the Earl of Rochester, who was at the Diet at
Ratisbon.
_Wh._ What proposals did he make there?
_Bern._ He made a kind of precarious proposal in the name of the King,
his master.
_Wh._ Did he obtain what he desired?
_Bern._ He did not much prevail in it, only he obtained a verbal promise
of some money, but had no performance.
_Wh._ What occasion hath drawn your General Koningsmark with his forces
at this time before Bremen?
_Bern._ It was thus by mistake occasioned. The Earl of Lüneburg had
covenanted with the Spanish Ambassador to levy some soldiers for the
service of the King of Spain, which levies he began without acquainting
the Governor of that Circle with it, who taking this occasion, and
bearing ill-will to the Earl, drew out some forces to oppose those
levies. Koningsmark understanding this, and jealous that the Governor of
the Circle designed to fall upon the fort of the Queen of Sweden in those
parts, he drew out some forces to oppose the Governor. Those of Bremen,
being informed that Koningsmark drew out his forces against them, sent
some troops, who forced the Queen's subjects to a contribution and built
a fort upon the Queen's land, which coming to the knowledge of
Koningsmark, and that the Governor of the Circle of Westphalia intended
only to suppress the levies of the Duke of Lüneburg, and not to oppose
the Queen of Sweden, Koningsmark thereupon marched with his forces to the
new fort built by those of Bremen, took it in and finished it, and left
there a garrison for the Queen, not disturbing the trade of that city.
_Wh._ Here were mistakes one upon another, which might have engaged that
city and the neighbours, as well as the Crown of Sweden, in a troublesome
war.
_Bern._ All is now peaceable and well again.
They had much other discourse touching the right of the Crown of Sweden
to the Duchy of Bremen; and after many compliments, the Ambassador took
his leave.
[SN: Whitelocke visits the fortifications of Hamburg.]
About four o'clock in the afternoon the senator Holtz and an ancient
gentleman, one of the captains of the town forces, came and accompanied
Whitelocke, to show him the town and the fortifications of it, and said
that the Lords had commanded them to do him this service. Whitelocke went
out with them in his usual equipage, his gentlemen walking before the
coach, his pages and lacqueys by it, all bareheaded, and with their
swords. They viewed most parts of the city, the streets, buildings,
public-houses, churches, the arsenal, the fortifications, the ships, the
waters, rivers, and what was remarkable throughout the town. Great
multitudes of people, especially at their Exchange, came forth to see
them as they passed by, and all were very civil to them. To the works a
great many of people also followed them, and continued there with them.
They brought him first to see their arsenal, which is a large house; in
the lower rooms thereof lay about two hundred pieces of ordnance mounted
on good carriages, fitted and useful. They were not founded in this
place, but brought from other parts; two of them were double cannon, each
carrying a bullet of forty-eight pounds weight; most of the others were
demi-cannon and culverin. There were besides these many smaller pieces
and divers mortar-pieces, some of which were near as large in the
diameter as that at Stockholm. In another place were many shells of
grenades and heaps of cannon-bullets. The pavement of the room was all
lead, two feet deep, in a readiness to make musket bullets if there
should be occasion. In the rooms above were arms for horse and foot,
completely fixed and kept; the greatest part of them were muskets.
Between every division of the arms were representations in painting of
soldiers doing their postures, and of some on horseback. Here were many
cuirasses and a great quantity of corselets, swords, bandoliers, pistols,
and bullets. Here likewise hung certain old targets, for monuments rather
than use, and many engines of war; as, a screw to force open a gate, an
instrument like a jack, with wheels to carry match for certain hours'
space, and just at the set time to give fire to a mine, petard, or the
like. There were, in all, arms for about fifteen hundred horse and
fifteen thousand foot. They keep a garrison constantly in pay of twelve
hundred soldiers, and they have forty companies of their citizens, two
hundred in each company, proper men; whose interest of wives, children,
estate, and all, make them the best magazine and defence (under God) for
those comforts which are most dear to them.
Some pains were taken by Whitelocke to view their fortifications, which
are large, of about two German (ten English) miles in compass; they are
very regular and well kept. Within the grafts are hedges of thorn, kept
low and cut, held by them of better use than palisades. The bulwarks are
of an extraordinary greatness; upon every third bulwark is a house for
the guards, and they are there placed. There is also a building of brick,
a great way within the ground upon the bulwark, and separate by itself,
where they keep all their gunpowder; so that if by any mischance or
wicked design it should blow up, yet it could do no hurt to the town,
being so separated from it. On every bulwark there is space enough to
draw up and muster a thousand men; beyond the grafts are divers
half-moons, very regularly made. The grafts are broad and deep, filled
with the Elbe on the one side, and with another smaller river on the
other side.
The works are stronger, larger, and more regular than those at Lübeck.
Above the works is a piece of ground of above five hundred yards of low
ground, gained by industry from the Elbe; here they have mills to keep
out or let in more or less water, as they find useful for the town and
works. The lines of one side of the works are higher than on the other
side, and the works better and stronger made. Here are also mounds of
earth raised very high to command without; there wanted no pains nor
expense to put together so great a mass of earth as is in these
fortifications. Upon every bulwark is mounted one demi-cannon, besides
other great guns; in other places are smaller pieces. Round about the
works are great store of ordnance, well fitted, mounted, and kept; and
the platforms are strong and well planked.
Having made a large tour through the greatest part of the city,
Whitelocke found it to be pleasantly situated in a plain low country,
fertile and delightful, also healthful and advantageous for trade; and
notwithstanding the great quantity of waters on every side of it, yet the
inhabitants do not complain of agues or other sicknesses to be more rife
among them than in other parts.
Upon one side is a small river, the which comes a great way down the
country to this town, where it loseth itself in the Elbe, having first
supplied the city with wood and other provisions brought down hither by
boats, for which this river, though narrow, is deep enough and navigable.
On the other side of the town is the stately river of Elbe, one of the
chief of these parts of Germany, which also by boats brings down out of
the country great store of all sorts of provisions and merchantable
commodities; and which is much more advantage to them, affords a passage
for merchants hither, and from hence to vent their merchandises to all
parts of the world. It is the best neighbour they have, and the branches
and arms of it run through most of their streets by their doors, to the
great advantage of their commerce; and although sometimes, upon an
extraordinary rising of the Elbe to a great flood, these branches of it
cover the lower rooms of the houses near them, to the damage of some
owners, yet it makes amends by the constant benefit which it brings with
it. The buildings here are all of brick, only some few of brick and
timber put together, and are generally fashioned and used as is before
described touching the Lübeck houses.
The district or territory belonging to the town is in some places two, in
others three, in some more, German miles distant from the city, in which
precinct they have the jurisdiction and revenue; and near the town are
many pleasant little houses and seats, with gardens and accommodations,
belonging to the citizens, to refresh themselves and their wives and
children in the summer-time, to take the fresh country air, and to have a
diversion for their health and pleasure. It may be said of this town,
that God hath withheld nothing from them for their good. They have plenty
of provisions, health, profit, and pleasure, to their full contentment,
in a peaceable and just government, with freedom, strength in their
magazines, fortifications, and bodies of men for their defence and
protection, conveniences for their habitation and commerce, and, which is
above all, a liberty to know the will of and to worship God, for the
health of their own souls.
_June 13, 1654._
[SN: The Diet of Germany.]
This morning Whitelocke returned a visit to the Swedes' Ambassador,
Bernelow, at his lodging, where he learnt of him the manner of the
sitting of the General Diet of Germany, at which he was present:--That
they have three colleges or chambers: the first is the College of the
Electors, where they only assemble; the second is the College of the
Princes, where the Archbishops, Bishops, Dukes, Graves, and Barons meet,
to the number of about one hundred and forty; the third is the College of
the Free Cities, where their Deputies, about two hundred, do meet. When
they consult, the Chancellor of the Empire, the Archbishop of Mentz,
sends the proposal in writing to each college severally. When they are
respectively agreed, then all the colleges meet together in the great
hall, at the upper end whereof is a chair of state for the Emperor. On
the right-hand of the chair the Electors sit, on the left-hand the
principal officers of the Emperor's court; on the right side of the hall,
upon seats, are the Ecclesiastic Princes, Bishops, and Abbots; on the
left-hand are the Temporal Princes, upon their seats; and on the seats
below, one before another, are the Deputies of the towns.
The Archbishop of Mentz, as Marshal of the College of the Electors,
begins and reads the proposal, and the resolution thereupon in writing of
that college; after him, the Marshal of the College of the Princes doth
the like; and lastly, the Marshal of the College of the Free Towns, who
is always the chief magistrate of the place where the Diet sits. If the
resolution of the three colleges agrees, or of the College of the
Electors and one other of the colleges, the business is determined
accordingly; if the colleges do not thus agree, then they meet all
together and debate the matter; whereupon, if they come not to an accord,
the business is remitted to another day, or the suffrage of the Emperor
decides it.
Whitelocke asked him, whether the advice of the Diet, being the supreme
public council, were binding to the Emperor. He said, that the Emperor
seldom did anything contrary to that advice, but held himself bound in
prudence, if not in duty, to conform thereunto. Whitelocke asked him what
opinion they had in the Emperor's court of the present King of Sweden. He
answered, as was expected, and most true, that they have a great opinion
of the King, especially for military affairs. Upon Whitelocke's
invitation, he did him the honour to dine with him, and they had much and
good discourse together.
[SN: Visit of M. Woolfeldt's brother-in-law.]
In the afternoon Whitelocke received a visit from Monsieur Hannibal
Schestedt, whose wife was sister to Woolfeldt's lady, one of the
daughters of the late King of Denmark by his second wife,--as they term
it, his left-handed wife; this relation, and his own good parts, brought
him in high esteem with the King, his brother-in-law, till by jealousies
(particularly, as was said, in some matters of mistresses), distaste and
disfavour was against him, and he was put out of his office of Viceroy of
Norway, and other advantages; upon which he retired himself into these
parts, and lived upon a pension of six thousand dollars yearly, allowed
by the King unto his lady. Whitelocke found him a gentleman of excellent
behaviour and abilities, which he had improved by his travels in most
countries of Europe, and had gained perfectly the French, Italian, Dutch,
English, and Latin tongues. His discourse was full of ingenuity and
cheerfulness, and very free touching his own country and King, on whom he
would somewhat reflect; and he spoke much of the Queen of Sweden's
resignation, which he much condemned, and as much extolled the assuming
of the Government by the Protector of England, and said he had a design
shortly to see England, and desired Whitelocke, that when he came into
England he would move to the Protector to give him leave to come into
England to serve the Protector, which he would willingly do, being forbid
his own country; but he prayed Whitelocke, that none might know of this
his purpose but the Protector only. He told Whitelocke, that Williamson,
the King of Denmark's Ambassador now in England, had been his servant,
etc.
When Monsieur Schestedt was gone, Whitelocke wrote to Secretary Thurloe,
and to his other friends in England, to give them an account of his being
come thus far in his voyage homewards, and of the two frigates being
arrived in the Elbe, that as soon as the wind would serve he would hasten
for England.
[SN: A banquet to Whitelocke.]
The Resident invited Whitelocke and several Senators to a collation this
evening, whither came the four Burgomasters, and five other Senators; a
thing unusual for so many of them to meet a foreign public minister, the
custom being in such case to depute two or three of their body, and no
more; but they were willing to do more than ordinary honour to
Whitelocke. And of these nine Senators every one spoke French or Latin,
and some both, a thing rare enough for aldermen of a town; but the reason
of it was given, because here, for the most part, they choose into those
places doctors and licentiates of the laws, which employments they
willingly accept, being for life, attended with great authority, and a
salary of a thousand crowns yearly, besides other profits. They had a
banquet and store of wine; and the Senators discoursed much with
Whitelocke touching England, and the successes of the Parliament party,
and the many thanksgivings for them; of which they had heard with
admiration, and commended the return of thanks to God.
Upon this occasion, Whitelocke gave them an account of many particulars,
and of God's goodness to them, and exhorted these gentlemen, in all their
affairs, to put their trust in God, to be thankful for his mercies, and
not to do anything contrary to his will. They asked how the Parliament
could get money enough to pay their forces. Whitelocke told them that the
people afforded money sufficient to defray the public charges both by sea
and land; and that no soldiers were paid and disciplined, nor officers
better rewarded, than those who have served the Parliament.
Whitelocke asked them concerning the religion professed among them, and
of their government and trade, wherein they gave him good information;
and he told them he hoped that the agreement made by this city with the
merchants, his countrymen, would be carefully observed, and the
privileges accorded to them be continued, which would be acceptable to
the Protector. They answered, that they had been very careful, and should
be so still, that on their part the agreement should be exactly observed.
They desired Whitelocke to speak to the Protector in favour of a ship
belonging to this town, in which were some moneys belonging to
Hollanders, and taken by the English two years since. Whitelocke promised
to move the Protector in it, and assured them that his Highness would
cause right to be done to them.
At this collation Whitelocke ate very little, and drank only one glass of
Spanish wine, and one glass of small beer, which was given him by a
stranger, whom he never saw before nor after, and the beer seemed at
that instant to be of a very bad taste and colour; nor would he inquire
what it was, his own servants being taken forth by the Resident's people
in courtesy to entertain them.[371] After he came to his lodging he was
taken very ill, and grew worse and worse, extreme sick, with pains like
the strokes of daggers, which put him in mind of a former passage; and
his torment was so great that it was scarcely to be endured, the most
violent that he ever felt.
He was not well after his journey from Lübeck to Hamburg, having been
extremely jolted in the coach in that way full of holes and sloughs, made
by their great carriages in time of the war, and not yet amended: his
weariness when he came to Hamburg reprieved his pain, which highly
increased this evening; and the last of his ill beer still remained with
him.
_June 14, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke's indisposition.]
The fierce torment continued on Whitelocke above thirteen hours together
without intermission. About four o'clock this morning his secretary Earle
was called to him, who waited on him with care and sadness to see his
torment; nature helped, by vomits and otherwise, to give some ease, but
the sharpness of his pain continued. About five o'clock this morning Dr.
Whistler was called to him, who gave him several sorts of physic, and
amongst the rest a drink with a powder and a great quantity of oil of
sweet almonds, suspecting, by the manner of his sickness and some of the
symptoms, that he might have had poison given him, which was the jealousy
of most about him; and whether it were so or not the Lord only knows, who
nevertheless in his goodness preserved Whitelocke, and blessed the means
for his recovery. The drink working contrary to what was intended, and
turning to a vomit, the doctor, perceiving the operation of nature to be
that way, followed by giving of vomits, which within two hours gave some
ease and brought him to a little slumber, and in a few hours after to
recovery. Thus it pleased God to exercise him, and to cast him down for a
little time; and when he had no expectation but of present death in a
strange land, God was pleased suddenly, and above imagination, to restore
and recover him; the which, and all other the mercies of God, he prays
may, by him and his, be thankfully remembered.
A doctor of physic, a Jew in this town, hearing of Whitelocke's being
sick, came to his lodging, and meeting with Dr. Whistler, told him in
Latin, that, understanding the English Ambassador to be dangerously sick,
and to have no physician about him but a young inexperienced man,
therefore this Jew came to offer his service. Dr. Whistler, smiling, told
Whitelocke of this rencounter, who presently sent his thanks and
discharge to the Jewish doctor. Several Senators came and sent to inquire
of Whitelocke's health, and to know if he wanted anything in their power
to supply him for his recovery, and offered the physicians of the town to
wait upon him. He returned thanks, but kept himself to the advice and
care of his own doctor, whose endeavours it pleased God to bless, so that
in two days Whitelocke was abroad again.
[SN: Feast given by the English Company.]
The English Company had invited divers to bear Whitelocke company at
dinner this day, where they had a very great feast, and present at it the
four Burgomasters and ten Senators. So many of that number had scarce
been seen at any former entertainment; which though purposely made to do
Whitelocke honour, yet his sickness had brought him to an incapacity of
bearing them company; but whilst they were at the table, Whitelocke sent
his secretary to the Resident, praying him to make his apology to the
Lords, that extremity of sickness the night before had prevented him of
the honour of accompanying them at this meeting; that being now somewhat
recovered, he sent now to present his hearty thanks to their lordships
for this great favour they had done him, wished them all health, and
entreated them to be cheerful. The Lords returned thanks to Whitelocke
for his civility, and about an hour after the Resident came to Whitelocke
from the Lords to see how he did, to thank him for his compliment, and to
know if, without inconvenience, they might be admitted to come to his
chamber to see him. Whitelocke said he should be glad to see them, but
privately told the Resident that he hoped they would not stay long with
him by reason of his indisposition.
The Senators sat at the table from twelve o'clock at noon till six
o'clock in the evening, according to the fashion of Dutchland, and were
very merry, wanting no good meat or wine, nor sparing it. About six
o'clock they rose from dinner, and came to Whitelocke's chamber to visit
him, with many compliments, expressing their sorrow for his sickness,
their wishes for his health, and offers of anything in their power which
might contribute to his recovery. Whitelocke used them with all civility,
and heartily thanked them for this extraordinary honour they had done
him, by so many of their lordships affording him the favour of meeting at
this place, and excused by his violent sickness his not bearing them
company. After many compliments and a short stay they left his chamber,
praying for the recovery of his health again.
Among this company of fourteen senators were no young men, but all grave
and comely persons; and every one of them did particularly speak to
Whitelocke, either in French or Latin, and some in both, which were hard
to be met with in so many aldermen of towns in other countries. Divers of
them staid in the English house till nine o'clock at night, making a very
long repast of nine hours together; but it was to testify the more
particular respect and honour to the English Ambassador, and is according
to the usage of these parts, where, at such public entertainments, they
eat and drink heartily, and seldom part in less than ten or twelve hours,
cheerfully conversing together. Whitelocke took great contentment in the
civility and respects of these and other gentlemen to him in this place,
and in the affection, care, and attendance of his children, friends, and
servants, about him in his sickness.
_June 15, 1654._
[SN: The ecclesiastical state of Hamburg.]
The Lords sent a gentleman to inquire of Whitelocke's health, with
compliments as before. He took some physic, yet admitted visits and
discourse, from which, and those he formerly had with Senators and
others, he learned that as to matter of religion they are here very
strict to maintain a unity thereof, being of Plutarch's opinion, that
"varietas religionis, dissolutio religionis;" and they permit no other
religion to be publicly exercised by their own citizens among them but
what in their government they do profess, which is according to the
Augsburg confession; and Luther's opinions do wholly take place among
them, insomuch that the exercise of religion in any other form or way is
not admitted, except to the English Company of Merchants in the chapel of
their house, and that by stipulation. Thus every one who differs from
them in matters of religion must keep his opinion to himself, without
occasioning any disturbance to the Government by practice or publication
of such different opinion; and although many are inclined to the tenets
of Calvin, yet their public profession is wholly Lutheran; answerable
whereunto Whitelocke observed in their churches many images, crucifixes,
and the like (not far removed from the practice of the Popish churches);
particularly in their great church, which is fair and large, built with
brick, are many images, rare tablets of painting, crucifixes, and a
perspective of curious workmanship in colours. Their liturgy (as ours in
England was) is extracted from the old Mass-book, and their divine
service celebrated with much ceremony, music, and outward reverence.
Their ministers are pensioners, but, as themselves affirm, liberally
dealt with, and have bountiful allowances if they are holy men and good
preachers; whereof they much satisfy themselves that they are very well
provided in this city, to the comfort and blessing of the inhabitants.
[SN: The trade of Hamburg.]
Touching the trade of this place, Whitelocke learnt that as they are
very populous, so few are suffered in idleness, but employed in some way
or other of trading, either as merchants, artificers, shopkeepers, or
workmen. They have an exchange here, though not a fair one, where they
daily meet and confer about their affairs and contracts.
The several branches and arms of the river Elbe, which pass along by
their houses, afford them the better means and advantages for bringing in
and carrying forth their commodities. There is a partition between the
old and the new town; the old is but a small part of it, and few
merchants reside there. The ships of greatest burden come up within two
miles of the city; the lesser ships, whereof there be a great number, and
the great boats, come up within the town to the very doors of their
houses, by the branches of the Elbe, to the great advantage of their
trading.
This city is much greater than Lübeck, fuller of trade and wealth, and
better situated for commerce, being nearer to England, the Netherlands,
France, Spain, and all the southern and western parts; and they are not
to pass the Sound in coming home again. The staple of English cloth is
here, and the cloths being brought hither for the most part white, it
sets on work many hundreds of their people to dress and dye and fit them;
and the inhabitants of all Germany and other countries do send and buy
their cloth here. At this time of Whitelocke's being here, there lay in
the Elbe four English ships which brought cloth hither; one of them
carried twenty-five pieces of ordnance, the least fifteen, all of good
force; and the English cloth at this time in them was estimated to be
worth £200,000 sterling.
In consideration of this trade and the staple of English cloth settled
here, which brings wealth to this city, the Government here hath granted
great privileges to the English merchants residing in this place, and
they are part of the company or corporation of Merchant Adventurers of
England,--an ancient and honourable society, of which Whitelocke had the
favour honorarily to be here admitted a member.
_June 16, 1654._
[SN: The judicial institutions of Hamburg.]
Whitelocke, being, through the goodness of God, well recovered of his
distemper, went abroad this day, and was shown the Town-house, which is a
fair and handsome building, of the like fashion, but more large and
beautiful, than that at Lübeck, and much better furnished. Here are many
chambers for public councils and tribunals; some of them have their
pillars covered with copper, and pavements of Italian marble; they have
also rich hangings, and chairs of velvet, blue, and green, and rare
pictures. The Chamber of Audience, as they call it, is the court of
justice, where the Right-herrs, who are in the nature of sheriffs, do sit
to despatch and determine the causes of the citizens; and if the cause
exceed the value of a hundred dollars, an appeal lies to the Senate, as
it doth also in all causes criminal.
From the Senate there is no appeal in cases of obligations, letters of
exchange, contracts, debts, and matters of merchandise, but therein a
speedy remedy is given for the advantage of trade; but in all other
cases, where the value exceeds a thousand dollars, and in all causes
capital, an appeal lies to the Imperial Chamber: and in the judicatories
of the city, the proceedings are according to the municipal laws and
customs thereof, which nevertheless have great affinity with the Imperial
civil laws, especially in the forms and manner of proceedings; and in
cases where the municipal laws and customs are defective, there the
proceedings are according to the civil law. They do not proceed by juries
of twelve men to try the fact; but the parties contending are heard on
both sides, either in person or by their advocates or proctors, as they
please, and the witnesses on either side are examined upon oath; after
which, the judges taking serious consideration of the whole matter and of
all circumstances and proofs therein, at a set time they pronounce their
sentence; and commonly the whole process and business is determined in
the space of three weeks, except in cases where an appeal is brought. The
judges sit in court usually twice in every week, unless in festival
times, when they keep vacations, and with them their holidays are not
juridical: their equal and speedy administration of justice is commended
both by their own people and by strangers who have occasion to make trial
of it.
[SN: Municipal Government of Hamburg.]
Their public government, by which their peace is preserved, disorders
restrained, and men kept from being wolves to one another, makes them the
more to flourish, and consists of four Consuls or Burgomasters and twenty
other Senators, of whom twelve were called Overholts, and the other
twelve Ricks-herrs. Upon the death or removal of any Senator, the choice
of a new one is with the rest of the Senators. The choice of the
Overholts is by the people, and they are as tribunes of the people; they
have power to control the Senate through the supreme magistracy, but they
do it with all respect and tenderness, and no new law is made nor tax
imposed without their consent. But the execution of the present laws, and
the government of the people, and the last appeal in the city, is left
unto the Senate; as also negotiations with foreigners, the entertainments
and ceremonies with strangers, and generally the care of the safety of
their State.
In cases of extraordinary concernment, as of war and peace, levying of
money, making of new laws, and matters of extraordinary weight and
consideration, of which the Senate are not willing to take the burden
wholly upon themselves, or to undergo the envy or hazard of the
consequences thereof; in such cases the Senate causeth the Overholt to be
assembled, and, as the weight of the business may be, sometimes they
cause to be summoned an assembly of the whole body of the burgesses of
the city, before whom the business in the general is propounded, and they
are desired by the Senate to make choice of some deputies, to be joined
to the Senate and to assist them in the matters proposed. Then the whole
body of the freemen do commonly make choice of eight, sometimes more and
sometimes fewer, as they please, out of their own number, and these
deputies have full power given to them by this assembly to despatch and
determine, together with the Senate and the Overholt, their matters thus
proposed to the general consideration of that public assembly; and what
this Council thus constituted do resolve in these matters, the same is
put in execution accordingly, obligeth, and is freely submitted unto by
all the citizens, who look upon themselves by this their election of
deputies to have their own consents involved in what their deputies
determine.
In the evening Mr. Stetkin, with whom Whitelocke had been acquainted in
England, when he was there, a servant of the late King for his private
music, wherein he was excellent, came to Whitelocke, and with Maylard,
one of Whitelocke's servants, made very good music for his diversion.
This day the wind came about reasonable good for Whitelocke's voyage, who
thereupon ordered the captains away to their frigates and his people to
prepare all things in readiness for his departure tomorrow; his baggage
was carried down and put on board the frigates. He gave his most hearty
and solemn thanks to the Resident, and to all the gentleman of the
English Company of Merchants here, who had very nobly and affectionately
entertained Whitelocke at their own charge all the time of his being in
this city. He ordered his gratuities to be distributed among their
servants and to all who had done any service or offices for him, both of
the English house and of the townsmen, and ordered all things to be in
readiness to proceed in his voyage.
_June 17, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke takes leave of the Senate.]
The baggage and inferior servants of Whitelocke being gone down before
unto the frigates, and the wind being indifferent good, Whitelocke
resolved this day to set forwards in his voyage, and to endeavour, if he
could, before night to reach the frigates, which did attend his coming in
the Elbe about Glückstadt. The Resident had provided boats for Whitelocke
and his company to go down unto the frigates, and had given notice to
some of the Senators of Whitelocke's intention to remove this day;
whereupon Monsieur Müller, the chief Burgomaster of the town, came to
Whitelocke's lodging in the morning to visit him and to inquire of his
health, as one that bare a particular respect to him, and was now come to
take his leave of him. He was a wise and sober man, and of good
conversation, and testified much respect to the Protector and
Commonwealth of England, and much honour to Whitelocke in particular.
Whilst he was with Whitelocke, the two Senators who came first to
Whitelocke to bid him welcome hither, came now also to him from the
Senate, to bid him farewell. The elder of them spake to Whitelocke to
this effect:--
"My Lord Ambassador,
"The Senate hath commanded us in their name to salute your
Excellence, and to give you thanks for taking in good part the small
testimonies of their respect towards you, which they are ashamed
were no better, and entreat your pardon for it.
"They understand that your Excellence is upon your departure from
this town, which gives them great cause of sadness, as they had of
joy at your arrival here; but since it is your good pleasure, and
your great affairs oblige you to depart, all that we can do is to
pray to God for your safe arrival in your own country, and we doubt
not but that the same God who hath hitherto preserved you in a long
and perilous voyage, will continue his goodness to you in the
remainder of your journey.
"We have a humble request to make to your Excellence, that you will
give us leave to recommend our town to your patronage, and that you
would be pleased to peruse these papers, which concern some of our
citizens; and that your Excellence will be a means to my Lord
Protector and to the Court of Admiralty, that justice and favour may
be shown to them."
As this gentleman spake of the testimonies of respect from this city to
Whitelocke, he looked back to the table, upon which stood a piece of
plate covered with sarsenet. A little after the Senator had done
speaking, Whitelocke answered him to this purpose:--
"Gentlemen,
"I have cause to acknowledge that God hath been very good and
gracious to me, and to all my company, throughout our whole voyage
unto this place; for which we desire to bless His name, and hope
that He will be pleased to continue His goodness to us in the rest
of our journey. I desire you to return my hearty thanks to my Lords
the Senators, who have honoured me with their very great respects
during the whole time of my being with them, and have bestowed noble
testimonies thereof upon me. I shall not fail to inform the
Protector, my master, hereof, to whom, and to the Commonwealth of
England, this respect is given in my person.
"I have received much contentment in my being here, not only by the
sight of so fair and flourishing a city as this is, so well
fortified, and manned, and traded, and governed, but in your
civilities, and the honour I have had to be acquainted with your
worthy magistrates. And I have had a singular satisfaction to
understand from my countrymen living amongst you that their
privileges are by you entirely continued to them, which I recommend
to you as a thing most acceptable to my Lord Protector, who takes
care of the whole Commonwealth, and will expect that I give him an
account of what concerns the English merchants and their commerce in
this place. The wind being now good, I am obliged, according to the
commands of the Protector, my master, forthwith to return for
England, and do resolve this day to proceed in my voyage towards my
ships. I hope my God will conduct me in safety to the place where I
would be, and where I shall have the opportunity to testify my
gratitude to the Lords and people of this city, and to take care of
those affairs wherein they may be concerned, which I esteem as an
honour to me."
[SN: Presents of the Senate.]
After Whitelocke had done speaking, the Senators, with the accustomed
ceremonies, took their leaves of him. The piece of plate which they now
presented to him was a vessel of silver, like a little cabinet, wrought
with bosses of beautiful figures, curious and rich, of the value, as some
prized it, of about £150 sterling. Whitelocke was somewhat surprised with
this present of plate, and doubtful whether he should accept it or not;
but considering that it was only a testimony of their respects to the
Protector; and as to Whitelocke, he was not capable of doing them service
or prejudice, but as their affairs should deserve; and if he should
refuse this present, it would be ill taken by the Lords. Upon these
considerations, and the advice of the Resident and other friends,
Whitelocke took it, and returned his hearty thanks for it.
Another Senator, one Monsieur Samuel, hearing that Whitelocke had a
little son at home, sent him a little horse for a present, the least that
one hath seen, yet very handsome, and managed to the great saddle, which
Whitelocke brought home with him; so full of civility and courtesy were
the magistrates of this place.
After much difficulty to get away, and the earnest request of the
Resident and English merchants to the contrary, entreating him to stay
longer, yet Whitelocke kept his resolution to leave the town; and boats
being in readiness, he went down to the water-side, accompanied with a
great number of his countrymen and his own people, and took his boats to
go down the Elbe to his ships. The Resident and some others went in his
boat with him. Vice-Admiral Clerke would not yet leave him, saying that
Wrangel had commanded him to see Whitelocke on board the English
frigates, either for a compliment or desiring to see the frigates, which
were so much discoursed on in these parts, and thereby to be enabled to
give an account to Wrangel of the dimensions and make of them, which he
longed to know.
[SN: Whitelocke embarks in boats on the Elbe,]
The boat in which Whitelocke went was large, but not convenient, open,
and went only with sails. The streets, as he passed to the water-side,
and the windows, and on the bridges, were full of people to see him as he
went, and gave him courteous salutations at his farewell. In his own boat
he had six trumpets, which sounded all along as he passed through the
city and the haven, which was then very full of ships, and they also very
civil to make way for Whitelocke's boats. Upon the bridges and bulwarks
which he went by were guards of soldiers in arms; and the bulwarks on
that side saluted him with all their cannon, about twenty-one pieces,
though they used not to give strangers above two or three guns. Thus
Whitelocke parted from this city of Hamburg, recommending himself and his
company to the blessing and protection of the Almighty.
A little below the city they came by a small village called by them _All
to nah_ (Altona), that is, "All too nigh," being the King of Denmark's
territory, within half a league, which they thought too near their city.
When they came a little lower, with a sudden strong blast of wind the
boat in which Whitelocke was, was in great danger of being overset; after
which it grew to be a calm; whereupon Whitelocke sent to the English
cloth-ships, which lay a little below, to lend him some of their
ship-boats and mariners with oars, to make better way than his boat with
sails could do. This they did readily; and as Whitelocke passed by them,
they all saluted him with their cannon.
[SN: but lands at Stadt.]
Having changed their boats and discharged the great ones, they went more
cheerfully down the river till they came within half a league of the town
of Stadt; when being almost dark, and the mariners not accustomed to the
river out of the channel, the boat in which Whitelocke was, struck upon
the sand, and was fast there. Presently the English mariners, seven or
eight of them, leaped out of the boat into the river, "up to their chins,
and by strength removed the boat from off the sands again; and they came
to their oars again, within an English mile of Stadt, when it was very
late, and the boats were two German miles from the frigates, and the tide
turning. Whitelocke thought it impossible to reach his ships this night,
and not prudent to proceed with unexperienced men upon this dangerous
river by night; and understanding by General Potley, and one of the
trumpets who had been formerly here, of a house upon the river that goes
to Stadt, within a quarter of a mile of the place where they now were,
Whitelocke ordered the mariners to make to that house, who, with much
difficulty, found out the mouth of the river; but for want of water,
being low tide, they had much trouble to get the boat up to the cruise,
or in there. The master of the house had been a soldier and a cook; he
prepared a supper for them of salt eels, salt salmon, and a little
poultry, which was made better by the meat and wine that the Resident
brought with him; yet all little enough when the rest of Whitelocke's
company, in three other boats, came to the same house, though they could
not know of Whitelocke being there; but he was very ill himself, and this
was a bad quarter for him, who had been so lately very sick at Hamburg;
yet he contented himself without going to bed. His sons and company had
some fresh straw, and God in his wonted mercy still preserved him and his
company. The host sent word to his General, Koningsmark, that the English
Ambassador was at his house this night.
_June 18, 1654._
[SN: Embarks in the President.]
Whitelocke resolved to remove from the cruise early this morning, and the
rather because he was informed that Koningsmark intended to come hither
this morning to visit him, which Whitelocke did not desire, in regard of
the late accident at Bremen, where Koningsmark was governor, and that his
conferring with him, upon his immediate return from Sweden, might give
some jealousy to those of Bremen, or to the Hanse Towns, or some of the
German Princes thereabouts. Whitelocke therefore held it best to take no
notice of Koningsmark's intention to come and visit him, but to avoid
that meeting by going early from hence this morning; which he had the
more reason to do because of his bad entertainment here, and for that the
tide served betimes this morning to get out of this river. He therefore
caused his people to make ready about two o'clock this morning, and took
boat within an hour after, the weather being very fair and the country
pleasant. On the right-hand was Holstein, on the left-hand was the Duchy
of Lüneburg, and below that the Bishopric of Bremen; in which this river
comes from Stadt near unto Bremen, more considerable heretofore when it
was the staple for the English cloth, but left by our merchants many
years since, partly because they held themselves not well treated by the
inhabitants of Stadt, and partly by the inconvenientness of this river to
bring up their cloth to that town.
Two miles from this cruise Whitelocke came to the frigates, where they
lay at anchor. He himself went on board the 'President,' who, at his
entry, saluted him with above forty guns, the 'Elizabeth' but with
twenty-one, and her Captain, Minnes, came on board to Whitelocke to
excuse it, because, not knowing Whitelocke's time of coming hither, he
had no more guns ready to bid him welcome.
[SN: Glückstadt.]
Right against the frigates lay the fort and town of Glückstadt, that is
Luckystadt, or Lucky Town. Whitelocke being desirous to take a view of it
and of the fortifications, and his baggage not being yet come to the
frigates, he with the Resident and several others went over in one of the
ship's boats to see it. The town is situate in a marsh, having no hill
near to command it. The fortifications about it are old, yet in good
repair. It belongs to the King of Denmark, as Duke of Holstein, and he
keeps a garrison there at the mouth of a river running into the Elbe,
like that of Stadt. The late King of Denmark built there a blockhouse in
the great river upon piles, to the end he might command the ships passing
that way, but the Elbe being there above a league in breadth, the ships
may well pass notwithstanding that fort.
At Whitelocke's landing in the town, which is about a bow-shot from the
mouth of the river, he sent to acquaint the Governor therewith, and that
he desired only to see the town and then to return to his ships. The
Governor sent a civil answer, that he was sorry he could not accompany
Whitelocke, to show him the town, by reason of his being sick, but that
he had sent one of his officers to show him the fortifications, and
desired him to command anything in the town; for which civility
Whitelocke returned thanks.
The town is not great nor well-built, but of brick, and some of the
houses very fair; chiefly one which they call the King's house, which
might fit an English knight to dwell in. The town seems decaying, and the
fortifications also in some places. The late King designed to have made
this a great town of trade, and by that means to have diminished, if not
ruined, his neighbours the Hamburgers; to whom this King having done some
injuries, and endeavouring to build a bridge over the Elbe near to
Hamburg, to hinder the ships coming up thither, and their trade, the
citizens pulled it down again, and came with about twenty vessels to
Glückstadt upon a design against that town; but the King's ships of war
being there, the Admiral of Hamburg cut his anchors and returned home in
haste. The King's men got up the anchors, and at this time Whitelocke saw
them hung up in their church as great trophies of a small victory thus
easily gained. At Whitelocke's return, Glückstadt saluted him with three
pieces of cannon.
When he was come back to his ships he found all his people and baggage
come up to him, whereupon he resolved to weigh anchor the first
opportunity of wind serving, and gave orders accordingly to his captains.
The Resident Bradshaw, Vice-Admiral Clerke, the treasurer and secretary
of the English Company at Hamburg, who accompanied Whitelocke to his
ships, now the tide serving, took their leaves of him, with much respect
and wishes of a happy voyage to him; and so they parted.
The wind came to north-east, flat contrary to Whitelocke's course, and
rose high, with violent storms and much rain, so that it was not possible
for Whitelocke to weigh anchor and proceed in his voyage; but he had
cause to thank God that he was in a safe and good harbour.
_June 19, 1654._
The wind continued very tempestuous and contrary to Whitelocke's course,
so that he could not budge, but lay still at anchor. The mariners, in
their usual way of sporting, endeavoured to make him some pastime, to
divert the tediousness of his stay and of the bad weather. He learned
that at Glückstadt the Hamburgers pay a toll to the King of Denmark, who
submit thereunto as other ships do, rather than enter into a contest or
war with that King.
[SN: Whitelocke writes to the Queen of Sweden.]
Whitelocke thought it becoming him in civility and gratitude to give an
account by letters to the Queen of Sweden of his proceeding thus far in
his voyage, for which purpose he had written his letters at Hamburg, and
now having too much leisure, he made them up and sent them to
Vice-Admiral Clerke to be presented to the Queen. The letters were to
this effect:--
"_A sa Sérénissime Majesté Christine, Reine de Suède._
"Madame,
"Les grandes faveurs que j'ai reçues de votre Majesté m'obligent à
lui rendre compte de ce qui me touche, celui en qui vous avez
beaucoup d'intérêt. Et puisque par votre faveur, sous Dieu, j'ai
déjà surmonté les difficultés de la plus grande moitié du voyage que
j'ai à faire par mer, j'ai pris la hardiesse d'entretenir votre
Majesté de mon succès jusqu'en ce lieu. Le premier de Juin, le beau
navire 'Amaranta' nous fit flotter sur la Baltique, et nonobstant
les calmes, le vent contraire, et un terrible orage qui nous
exercèrent, par l'adresse de l'Amiral Clerc, du Capitaine Sinclair
(de l'honnêteté, respect, et soin desquels envers moi et ma suite,
je suis redevable, comme de mille autres faveurs, à votre Majesté),
comme par l'obéissance du navire à ses experts conducteurs, nous
mîmes pied à terre à Tremon, le port de Lubec, Mercredi le 7 Juin.
Samedi nous arrivâmes à Hambourg, où je suis à présent, dans la
maison des Anglais. Ce matin j'ai pensé ne voir point le soir, ayant
été travaillé d'un mal soudain, et tempête horrible qui m'a cuidé
renverser dans ce port. Mais il a plu à Dieu me remettre en bonne
mesure, ainsi j'espère que je ne serai empêché d'achever mon voyage.
Je prie Dieu qu'il préserve votre Majesté, et qu'il me rende si
heureux, qu'étant rendu en mon pays, j'aie l'opportunité selon mon
petit pouvoir de témoigner en effet que je suis
"De votre Majesté
"Le très-humble et obéissant serviteur,
"B. WHITELOCKE.
"_Juin 14, 1654._"
_June 20, 1654._
[SN: Whitelocke detained by contrary winds.]
The wind continued in the same quarter as before, very high and contrary
to Whitelocke's course, both the last night and this morning, which gave
him and his company much trouble; but they must submit to the time and
good pleasure of God.
About five o'clock this morning (an unusual hour for visits) Mr.
Schestedt came on board Whitelocke's ship from Glückstadt, whither he
came the day before by land. They had much discourse together, wherein
this gentleman is copious, most of it to the same effect as at his former
visits at Hamburg. He told Whitelocke of the Lord Wentworth's being at
Hamburg and his carriage there, and that he spake with respect towards
the Protector and towards Whitelocke, but was full of wishes of ruin to
the Protector's party. Whitelocke inquired of him touching the levies of
soldiers by the Princes in the Lower Saxony now in action, with whom Mr.
Schestedt was very conversant. He said that the present levies were no
other than such as those Princes made the last year, and usually make
every year for their own defence in case there should be any occasion,
and that he knew of no design extraordinary. Whitelocke asked him several
questions about this matter, that he might be able to give information
thereof to the Protector; but either there was nothing, or this gentleman
would discover nothing in it. He was entertained in Whitelocke's cabin at
breakfast, where he fed and drank wine heartily, and at his going away
Whitelocke gave him twenty-one guns, and ordered the 'Elizabeth' to give
him nineteen, and sent him to shore in one of his ship-boats. The wind
being very high, and not changing all this day, to the trouble of
Whitelocke and hindrance of his voyage.
In the evening, a messenger from Monsieur Schestedt brought to Whitelocke
these letters:--
"Monseigneur,
"Votre Excellence aura reçu, par un de ses serviteurs, un petit
billet de moi partant de Glückstadt, sur ce qu'avions parlé,
suppliant très-humblement votre Excellence d'en avoir soin sans
aucun bruit. Et si la commodité de votre Excellence le permettra, je
vous supplie de vouloir écrire un mot de lettre au Résident d'ici
pour mieux jouir de sa bonne conversation sur ce qui concerne la
correspondance avec votre Excellence; et selon que votre Excellence
m'avisera je me gouvernerai exactement, me fiant entièrement à la
générosité de votre Excellence, et m'obligeant en homme d'honneur de
vivre et mourir,
"Monseigneur, de votre Excellence
"Très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur,
"HANNIBAL SCHESTEDT.
"_20 Juin, 1654._
"Votre Excellence aura mille remercîmens de l'honneur reçu par ces
canonades, et excusera pour ma disgrace de n'avoir été répondu."