Part 67

He deduced his negotiation from the beginning of his Treaty to the conclusion of it, with all the reasons and circumstances of his transactions. They took cognizance of all, narrowly searched into and examined everything, comparing all particular passages and actions with the rules and instructions given him; and upon the whole matter they acknowledged that Whitelocke had given them full satisfaction in every point, and all his proceedings were by them, and upon their report to the Protector and Council afterwards, fully approved and commended by them.

July 8, 1654.

Whitelocke again solicited the Committee of the Council that his accounts might be examined and stated, and order given for the payment of what remained due to him, which he had expended out of his own purse in their service, and was reasonable for him to expect a reimbursement of it. The Committee were pleased to take great pains in pursuing and examining his papers, books, and accounts, not omitting (with strictness enough) any particular of his actions and expenses; and after all their strait inquisition and narrow sitting, they again acknowledged, which upon their report was confirmed by the Council, that his management of this affair had been faithful and prudent, his disbursements had been just and necessary, his account was clear and honest, and that he ought to be satisfied with what remained upon his accounts due to him. The remainder due to him was above L500, and, notwithstanding all their promises, Whitelocke could never get it of them.

The sum of all was, that for a most difficult and dangerous work, faithfully and successfully performed by Whitelocke, he had little thanks and no recompense from those who did employ him; but, not long after, was rewarded by them with an injury: they put him out of his office of Commissioner of the Great Seal, because he would not betray the rights of the people, and, contrary to his own knowledge and the knowledge of those who imposed it, execute an ordinance of the Protector and his Council as if it had been a law. But in a succeeding Parliament, upon the motion of his noble friend the Lord Broghill, Whitelocke had his arrears of his disbursements paid him, and some recompense of his faithful service allowed unto him.

His hopes were yet higher, and his expectation of acceptance was from a superior to all earthly powers; to whom only the praise is due, of all our actions and endeavours, and who will certainly reward all his servants with a recompense which will last for ever.

July 9, 1654.

I received this letter from my brother Willoughby:--

"For my Lord Whitelocke, at Chelsea, humbly these.

"My Lord,

"I being this day commanded by the two within-named persons in your letter to consummate their nuptials, and in that to bear the part of a father, am so confident of my power, as (were it not my Lord Whitelocke's request, whose interest with them exceeds a mock father) he might be assured of not failing of his commands; but that done which this morning I am going about, I am by them desired to jog on to Stanstead, so that I fear I shall by that means be disappointed of attending you upon Wednesday; and that, I assure you, will go to Nancy's heart, she being yesterday resolved to have visited you this morning at Chelsea, had she not apprehended your early being in town; but wherever we are, our thankfulness to God for your safe return you shall not fail of, nor of the keeper tomorrow night. So I rest,

"My Lord, "Your affectionate brother to serve you, "WILL. WILLOUGHBY. "July."

I have inserted this and other letters, that you may observe the change of styles and compliments in the change of fortunes and conditions.

July 10, 1654.

I had been several times to visit my Lord Lambert since my coming home, he being a person in great favour with the army, and not without some close emulation from Cromwell; but his occasions were so great, that I could not meet with him. I therefore desired the Earl of Clare, who was very intimate with Lambert, to contrive a conveniency for my meeting with my Lord Lambert, whereupon he sent me this letter, directed

"For the Lord Whitelocke, at Chelsea.

"My Lord,

"Hearing your Lordship had been several times to see my Lord Lambert and missed, and I desiring that there should be no mistakes between you, I sent Mr. Bankes to signify so much to his cousin Lambert, who, being come this morning to town, says he will be very glad to see your Lordship about two this afternoon, and Mr. Bankes will wait on your Lordship to him, if you please to be in the Park, in the walk between the elms on this side the water. So I rest

"Your Lordship's humble servant, "CLARE."

I met Mr. Bankes at the time appointed, who brought me to my Lord Lambert, and he received me with great civility and respect; we had much discourse together about Sweden, and Germany, and Denmark, and the business of my treaty; and we parted with all kindness, and he desired to have my company often.

July 11, 1654.

I received this letter from my Lady Pratt:--

"For my ever-honoured friend the Lord Whitelocke, these humbly.

"My Lord,

"Hearing that it is absolutely in your power to dispose of the time of the Assizes, and an unexpected accident being fallen out, which, will make them extremely prejudicial to us if they begin so soon, my humble suit to your Lordship is to defer them till, etc. This favour, as it will be an extraordinary great one, so it will lay a suitable obligation upon,

"My Lord, your most humble servant, "MARGARET PRATT."

I could not gratify this lady's desire, being not yet sworn a Commissioner of the Great Seal; but I returned her a civil answer and excuse; and I have inserted the more letters, that you may see the style and compliments of divers persons, and note their change upon the change of times.

July 12, 1654.

I received this letter from the Lord Chief Baron Wylde:--