A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
Whitelocke went into the coach of the Lords of Luebeck; 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 Luebeck.]