of State in England for six months last past, so that I know not the
secret designs of my Lord Protector; but I believe it is no very
difficult matter to land men in Denmark.

_Piem._ What progress hath the French Ambassador made in the treaty
between you and France?

_Wh._ If the Queen will be pleased to give my despatch, I hope to be upon
the place before the treaty with the French be concluded. I have somewhat
to communicate to the Protector touching a treaty with Spain, which your
Lordship very well knows; and it would be to purpose that his Highness
should know it before the conclusion of a treaty between England and
France.[85]

_Piem._ I am assured that the Queen will despatch you in good time. But I
advise your Excellence in your return not to pass by Denmark, for it is
ill trusting of that King; but your better way will be to Lübeck, and
from thence to Hamburg, and if you do not find ships ready there, you may
travel by land to Cologne, and from thence to Dunkirk; which will be much
better than to go by Holland, where they do exceedingly exact upon
strangers, and your Commonwealth hath more enemies there than in any
other place, besides the common people are rude and insolent.

_Wh._ I am engaged to you for your good advice, which I intend to follow.

After their discourse, Whitelocke presented Piementelle his medal in gold
very like him, and it was received by Piementelle with much affection.
Then Piementelle entreated Whitelocke to give him a passport for his
servant, who had the charge of conducting his baggage by sea to Dunkirk,
that he might freely pass the men-of-war of England; the which was