Sweden and Denmark. But Mr. Whitelocke was not willing to undertake this service, especially being joined by those whom he knew would expect precedency of him who had formerly been ambassa

State, to acquaint them with the restitution of the Parliament, the officers of the several ships assembled, and sent an acknowledgment of their authority, with all possible demonstrations of satisfaction. Notwithstanding which, being highly sensible of how great importance the sea-affairs are to this nation, we ordered six frigates to be equipped with all diligence, and gave the command of them to Lawson, making him at the same time viceadmiral of the fleet. And this we did, as well to prevent an invasion from Flanders, with which the Cavalier party threatened us, as to balance the power of Montague's party, who we knew was no friend to the commonwealth. We treated also with Mynheer Nieuport, ambassador from the States of Holland, that a good correspondence might be maintained between the two commonwealths, and that an accord might be made between the two kings of Denmark and Sweden, (who were then enemies,) by the interposition of the two States; who, agreeing upon equitable terms, might be able to impose them on the refuser. And this we were in hopes to accomplish the rather, because neither the Dutch nor we pretended to any more than a freedom of passing and repassing the Sound, which could not well be if the command of it were in the hands of either of those Princes. The Dutch ambassador seemed very desirous to finish the treaty, but by several demands which he made in the behalf of their merchants, delayed it so long, that our agent in Holland had already concluded an agreement with the States, whereby the two commonwealths became engaged to compel that king that should refuse to accept of the conditions which they thought just and reasonable. In order to put this resolution in execution, the States of Holland appointed their plenipotentiaries, and we on our part did the same, sending thither Colonel Algernon Sydney, Sir Robert Honeywood, and one Mr. Boone, a merchant, to that end.

Memoirs of Edmund Ludlow, fol. edit. p. 254.

dor extraordinary to Sweden alone; and therefore he endeavoured to excuse himself by reason of his old age and infirmities: and accordingly Mr. Thomas Boone was appointed in his room. The three plenipotentiaries set out for the Sound in July following, and arrived at Elsineur on the 21st of that month; where they were attended by Admiral Montague, afterwards Earl of Sandwich, who, in prospect of a revolution in favour of Charles II. to whom he was secretly engaged, resolved to return to England the month following, with the whole fleet. Colonel Sydney, who was averse to that resolution, wrote to the Council of State, from Copenhagen, to complain of the Admiral's conduct in that point. His letters to his father, printed from the Sydney papers, and those written by him in conjunction with the other plenipotentiaries, published among Secretary Thurlow's state papers, give us a distinct account of his negociations.

As things soon after were evidently tending to the restoration of Charles II. Colonel Sydney wrote thus in the postscript of one of those letters to his father...." I doe not say any thing of my owne intentions, in relation unto the changes that are fallen out already, or the others that are dayly expected. The truth is, I knowe them not; the businesse is too dif ficult to iudge of at this distance; especially, not knowing what will be in my power or choice. If I doe not receaue newe orders, I shall returne speedily home, and shall then followe that way which your lordship shall command, and my best friends aduise,

as farre as I can, without breaking the rules of honour or conscience; which I am sure will neuer be expected from me by your lordship, nor thoes whoes opinions I consider. While I am heare, I serue England, and will, with as much care and diligence as I can, endeauour to aduance its interests, and followe the orders of thoes that gouerne it. I reserue the determination of other points to councells upon the place."

In another letter, dated at Stockholm, June 16th, 1660, he writes...." I am now at the utmost point of my iourney northward, and have nothing more in my thoughts, then to returne into England with as much expedition as I can, accordingly to the liberty granted unto my colleage and me by the Councell of State. We could not think it at all reasonable, to leaue the work in which wee were employed, when wee sawe a certainety of accomplishing it within a short time, unlesse wee had receaued a positiue command: now the peace is concluded, I think we may very well iustify making use of that concession. I am heare alone: my colleague intended to make the same iourney, but the gout confined him unto his bed. I looke upon all the powers granted unto us, as extinguished by the comming in of the King, and doe not take upon me to act any thing as a publique minister, except it be giuing notice unto the crownes of Sweden and Denmark, of the restitution of the auncient gouernment in England, and the proclaiming of the King. Vpon this occasion I accept of a publique audience, which is heare offered unto me;

I should haue auoided it upon all other occasions.... I am detained heare somme dayes longer then I did expect; the Queene and Senate hauing bin out of towne when I arriued heare. I doe not at all knowe in what condition I am theare [in England] nor what effects I shall find of Generall Monk, his expressions of kindnesse towards me, and his remembrance of the auncient friendship that was between us; but the Lord Fleetwood's letters to the Senate and priuate persons here, mention discourses that he makes much to my aduantage. I doe receaue neither more nor lesse ciuility heare then is ordinary, unlesse the excuses I receaue for receauing noe more may deserue that name. I am in priuate told, they feare to offend the King by any extraordinary expressions towards me: your lordship may easily imagine how powerful that consideration will be, when thoes in my condition can pretend to no ciuilityes upon any other account, but as they are respects unto theire superiors and masters."

In his letter of July 22, 1660, he observes, that he and his colleague, had the day before, taken their leave of the King of Denmark; and that himself was taking his way by Hamburgh and Holland; but did not yet very well know, in what place he should stay, until he heard further from England. "I did hope," says he, to his father, "that upon such occasions as thoes that haue lately befallen me, your lordship would have bin pleased to send me somme commands, and advices how to dispose of myself more particularly then by such a one as I had sent ouer with letters."

His father's answer to him, dated at London, August 30, the same year, was as follows.*

"Disuse of writing, hath made it uneasy to me; age makes it hard; and the weakness of sight and hand makes it almost impossible. This may excuse me to every body, and particularly to you, who have not invited me much unto it; but rather, have given me cause to think, that you were willing to save me the labour of writing, and yourself the trouble of reading my letters. For after you had left me sick, solitary and sad, at Penshurst; and that you had resolved to undertake the employment, wherein you have lately been; you neither came to give a farewell, nor did so much as send one to me, but only writ a wrangling letter or two about money, &c.... And though, both before and after your going out of England, you writ to divers other persons; the first letter that I received from you was dated, as I remember, the 13th of September; the second in November; wherein you take notice of your mother's death: and, if there were one more, that was all, until Mr. Sterry came; who made such haste from Penshurst, that coming very late at night, he would not stay to dine the next day, nor to give me time to write. It is true, that since the change of affairs here and of your condition there, your letters have been more frequent. And if I had not thought my

Familiar Letters written by John, late Earl of Rochester, and other persons of honour and quality.