opinion is (unless I receive commands to the contrary) that in case
the peace be concluded between us and Holland, and Denmark included,
it will be no disadvantage to us to conclude the alliance here,
omitting the second, fifth, and that part of the seventh article
against which her Majesty objected, if she shall insist upon it.

"Another point wherein I pray direction is upon the sixteenth
article of your treaty with the Dutch, that either Commonwealth
shall be comprehended, if they desire it, in treaties with other
Princes, and notice to be given of such treaties; whether in case
your treaty with the Dutch shall be agreed, that then notice ought
to be given to them of the treaty with the Queen of Sweden, and the
Dutch to be offered to be comprehended therein; or whether, the
treaty here being begun before that with the Dutch concluded, there
will be any cause to give such notice to them, or to give notice to
the Queen of your treaty with the Dutch; which you will be pleased
to consider.

"I am very willing to hasten homewards when I may obtain my Lord's
order; and that it will be no prejudice here to your service, as I
conceive such a conclusion would not at all be.

"I presume you have heard of the news at Antwerp, which is very
fresh here this week, that the Archduke hath imprisoned the Duke of
Lorraine in the castle of Antwerp, which caused the gates of the
town to be shut; and that hath occasioned to your friends here the
loss of the comfort of this week's letters from England, the post
being stayed there, as I was certified from your Resident at
Hamburg."