"Monseigneur,
"Je n'ai rien par voie de retour que mes humbles remercîmens pour le
grand honneur que vous m'avez fait, par vos très-agréables visites,
tant à Hambourg qu'en ce lieu, comme aussi en m'envoyant ce noble
gentilhomme qui m'a apporté les lettres de votre Excellence. Je ne
manquerai pas, quand il plaira à Dieu me ramener en Angleterre, de
contribuer tout ce qui sera en mon pouvoir pour votre service, et
j'espère que l'issue en sera à votre contentement, et que dans peu
de temps je saurai vous rendre bon compte de ce dont vous me faites
mention en vos lettres. Ce petit témoignage du respect que je porte
à votre Excellence, que je rendis à votre départ de mon vaisseau, et
qu'il vous plaît honorer de votre estime, ne mérite pas que vous en
teniez aucun compte; je serai joyeux de vous témoigner par
meilleurs effets que je suis
"De votre Excellence
"Le très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur,
"B. WHITELOCKE.
"_A bord le Président, Rade de Glückstadt,
20 Juin, 1654._"
Many other letters passed between them, not necessary for a recital.
_June 21, 1654._
[SN: Still detained by the wind.]
The wind continued in the same quarter as before, very high, and contrary
to Whitelocke's course. The English cloth-ships came down to him,
desiring to be in his squadron homewards. Whitelocke knew no reason why
his ships might not as well have fallen down lower in the river as these;
about which he consulted with the officers and pilot of his ship, who
agreed that this morning, the wind being come a little more moderate, the
ships might have fallen down with the tide, but that the time was now
neglected; which the officers excused because of the fog, which was so
thick that they durst not adventure to go down the river. He resolved,
upon this, to take the next opportunity, and went aboard the 'Elizabeth'
to see his company there, who were well accommodated.
Here a petition was presented to Whitelocke from two mariners in hold for
speaking desperate words,--that they would blow up the ship and all her
company, and would cut the throat of the Protector, and of ten thousand
of his party. One of them confessed, in his petition, that he was drunk
when he spake these words, and had no intention of the least harm to the
ship, or to the Protector, or any of the State; both of them acknowledged
their fault, and humbly asked pardon. After Whitelocke had examined them
severally, and could get from them no confession of any plot against the
Protector or State, but earnest asseverations of their innocences; yet
having news of a plot in England against the Protector and Government, he
held it not fit for him absolutely to release them; but, because he
thought it only a business and words of drunkenness, he ordered them to
be had out of the hold, but their Captain to see that they should be
forthcoming at their arrival in England, that the Council, being
acquainted herewith, might direct their pleasure concerning them.
About noon the wind began again to blow with great tempestuousness, and
flat contrary to Whitelocke's course. In the evening a gentleman came
aboard Whitelocke's ship, with letters from Monsieur Schestedt from
Glückstadt to the same effect, and with compliments as formerly, to which
Whitelocke returned a civil answer by the same messenger; and by him he
also sent letters of compliment and thanks to the Resident Bradshaw,
which likewise he prayed the Resident, in his name, to present to the
English Company of Merchants at Hamburg, for their very great civilities
and noble respects to Whitelocke while he was with them.
_June 22, 1654._
[SN: A visit from Count Ranzau.]
The wind continued contrary and extraordinary violent all the last night
and this morning; and Whitelocke had cause to acknowledge the favour of
God to him, that during these rough storms he was in a good harbour and
had not put out into the open sea.
Early in the morning a gentleman came from Glückstadt on board to
Whitelocke, and told him that Grave Ranzau, the Governor of the Province
of Holstein, had sent him to salute Whitelocke on his part, and to know
when he might conveniently come to Whitelocke; who answered that he
should be always ready to entertain his Excellence, but in regard the
time was now so dangerous, he desired the Governor would not expose
himself to the hazard for his sake.
About an hour after came another, in the habit of a military officer,
from the Grave to Whitelocke, to excuse the Grave's not coming by reason
of the very ill weather, and that no boat was to be gotten fit to bring
the Grave from shore to Whitelocke's ship; but he said, that if
Whitelocke pleased to send his ship-boats and mariners for the Governor,
the wind being somewhat fallen, he would come and kiss his hand.
Whitelocke answered in French to the gentleman, who spake Dutch, and was
interpreted in French, that he was glad his Excellence was not in danger
of the violent storms in coming on board to him this morning, but he
should esteem it great honour to see the Governor in his ship, and that
not only the boats and mariners, but all in the ship was at the service
of his Excellence. The gentleman desired that one of the ship-boats and
the ship-mariners might carry him back to land, and so bring the Governor
from thence to Whitelocke, who commanded the same to be done. And about
an hour after came the Grave Ranzau, a proper, comely person, habited as
a soldier, about forty years of age; with him was another lord, governor
of another province, and three or four gentlemen, and other followers.
Whitelocke received them at the ship's side, and at his entry gave him
nine guns. The Grave seemed doubtful to whom to make his application,
Whitelocke being in a plain sea-gown of English grey baize; but (as the
Governor said afterwards) he knew him to be the Ambassador by seeing him
with his hat on, and so many brave fellows about him bareheaded. After
salutations, the Governor spake to Whitelocke to this effect:--
"Monseigneur,
"Le Roi de Danemarck, mon maître, m'a commandé de venir trouver
votre Excellence, et de la saluer de sa part, et la faire la
bienvenue en ses hâvres, et lui faire savoir que s'il y a quelque
chose dans ce pays-là dont le gouvernement m'est confié par sa
Majesté, qu'il est à son commandement. Sa Majesté aussi a un extreme
désir de voir votre Excellence, et de vous entretenir en sa cour,
désirant d'embrasser toutes les occasions par lesquelles il pourrait
témoigner le respect qu'il porte à son Altesse Monseigneur le
Protecteur."