Bloome confessed he heard the Chancellor say that he thought it would be
more convenient to have Whitelocke's business resolved after the King
should be crowned than at present. Whitelocke told him (which he supposed
Bloome would again relate to the Chancellor) that all acts of such nature
concluded by the Queen before her resignation would be held authentic by
her successor. Bloome said he believed so, but, being the change would be
so soon, he thought it might be better to have the business put into the
hands of the new King. Whitelocke said it would require a long time to
expect the new King's settlement, before which he believed his return
home might be commanded. Bloome said the business would be soon done
after the meeting of the Ricksdag, which did not use to sit long. By this
and other discourses Whitelocke found that there was a purpose in some to
defer the conclusion of his treaty to the King, which he therefore
prepared to prevent.

La Belle Comtesse made a great entertainment and ball for Montecuculi and
the rest of the gallants this night, though it were the Lord's Day; but
Whitelocke nor none of his company were present at it.


_March 13, 1653._

[SN: Whitelocke confers with Count Eric Oxenstiern on the articles.]

Grave Eric came to Whitelocke to confer about his treaty, and said to
him.

_Grave Eric._ The Queen hath commanded me to come to you and to have some
conference with you about your proposals, wherein she is pleased to make
use of my service, because at this time my father is very ill of an ague,