father and son engaged to Whitelocke that there was nothing aboard the
vessel, nor any design in her voyage, against England; that she was
freighted for Portugal only, and that they should esteem the favour as
done to themselves, because they had a share in the goods on board this
ship. Whitelocke, though he were hardly persuaded to give his passports
to Swedish ships or to any other, yet considering the time when this was
desired, and the persons desiring it, he thought not fit to deny it, but
gave it in this form.[130]

Whitelocke gave an account in his letters this day to Thurloe of all
passages of moment since his last, and wrote further:--

[SN: Letters to Thurloe.]

"My letters, I confess, have been tedious heretofore, but I ask your
pardon, and do hope that my business is now at such a period that I
shall not have occasion to trouble you with the like.

"There is little to do here at this time; almost all the great lords
and courtiers are gone out of town, so that here is a lamentable
silent place. I shall be heartily glad to receive my Lord's order to
authorize my return; but my business being now ended, I presume I
may expect his pleasure at any other place. I purpose to visit the
Queen-mother and the Prince of Sweden, because other ambassadors
have done it, and I have been particularly invited to it. I think it
will be a respect from my Lord Protector which they will take very
kindly, and may be some strength to the alliance, and is not the
less requisite for me, because our enemies report that none but
mechanics are of our party; but since our being here the Swedes
acknowledge the contrary.