E. of Sommerſet to K. JAMES.

BY this Gentleman your Majeſties Lieutenant, I underſtand of ſome halt you made, and the Cauſe of it, at ſuch time as he offered to your Majeſtie my Letters. But ſoon after, your Majeſtie could reſolve your ſelf and behold me nothing ſo diffident of you, but in humble language petitioning your favour; for I am in hope, that my condition is not capable of ſo much more miſery, as that I need to make my ſelf a paſſage to you by ſuch way of interceſſion. This which followes after, I offer your Majeſtie, though not as to your ſelf, for upon leſſe motive you can find favour for me: Now I need onely move, not plead, before your Majeſtie, as my Caſe doth ſtand, for what I ſeek to have done, followes upon what you have already done, as a Conſequence and ſucceeding growth of your own act. But to the effect, that your Majeſtie may ſee that there is enough to anſwer thoſe (if any ſuch there be) as do go about to pervert the exerciſe of your Power, and to turn it from its own clear excellency, for to miniſter unto their paſſions: I have preſumed to this end to awake your Majeſties own Conceipt upon this ſubject, which can gather to it ſelf better, and more able defences in my behalf upon this view; for though the acts of your mercy which are not communicable, nor the Cauſes of them with others, as derived from thoſe ſecret motives, which are only ſenſible and privie to your own heart, and admit of no ſearch or diſcovery to any general ſatisfaction, and that under this protection I might guard my particular ſufficiently; yet my Caſe needs not hide it ſelf, but attend the diſpute with any, that would put upon it a monſtrous and heavy ſhape. For though that I muſt acknowledge, that both life and eſtate are forfeit to you by Law, yet ſo forfeited, as the ſame Law gives you the ſame power to preſerve, as it doth to puniſh, whereby your Majeſties higher prerogative doth not wreſtle with it, nor do you infringe thoſe grounds by which you have ever governed; ſo as the reſiſtance is not great that your Majeſtie hath, for to give life, and which is leſſe, in the gift of eſtate, for that the Law caſts wholly upon your ſelf, and yields it as fit matter for the exerciſe of your goodneſſe. Once it was your Majeſties guift to me, ſo it may be better not taken then a ſecond time given; for it is common to all men for to avoid to take that which hath been once their own. And I may ſay farther, that Law hath not been ſo ſevere upon the ruine of innocent poſterity, nor yet Cancelled, nor cut off the merits of Anceſtors, before the politique hand of State had contrived it into thoſe ſeveral forms, as fitted to their ends and government. To this I may adde, that that whereupon I was judged, even the Crime it ſelf might have been none, if your Majeſties hand had not once touched upon it, by which all acceſſe unto your favour was quite taken from me. Yet as it did at length appear, I fell, rather for want of well defending, then by the violence or force of any proofes: for I ſo far forſook my ſelf, and my Cauſe, as that it may be a queſtion whether I was more Condemned for that, or for the matter it ſelf which was the ſubject of that dayes Controverſie. Then thus far nothing hath appeared, wherein your Majeſtie hath extended for me your power beyond the reaſonable bound, neither doth any thing ſtand ſo in the way of your future proceedings, but rather make eaſie the acceſſe of your Majeſties favour to my relief.

What may then be the cauſe, that Malice can pitch upon, wherefore your Majeſtie ſhould not proceed for to accompliſh your own work? Aſperſions are taken away by your Majeſties letting me become ſubject to the utmoſt power of Law, with the lives of ſo many of the offendours, which yieldeth the world ſubject of ſorrow rather then appetite to more bloud, but truth and innocency protect themſelves in poor men, much more in Kings. Neither ever was there ſuch aſperſion (God knowes) in any poſſibility towards your Majeſtie, but amongſt thoſe who would create thoſe pretences to miſlead your Majeſtie, and thereby make me miſerable. If not this (whereof the virtue, and uſe, was in the former time and now determined) there is not any but your pleaſure. It is true, I am forfeited to your Majeſtie, but not againſt you by any treaſonable or unfaithful act. Beſides, there is to be yielded a diſtinction of men as in faults; in which I am of both under the neereſt degrees of exception; yet your Majeſtie hath pardoned life and eſtate to Traytors, and to ſtrangers, ſometimes the one, ſometimes the other; Nay to ſome concerned in this buſineſſe wherein I ſuffer, you have pardoned more unto, then I deſire; who as (it is reported) if they had come to the teſt, had proved Copper, and ſhould have drunk of the bitter Cup as well as others. But I do not by this envy your favours to any perſon, nor ſeek I to draw them in the yoak with my ſelf, but applaud your Majeſties goodneſſe,m. Sir W. Elviſh. being in that reſpect in a neerer poſſibility to come at me. Beſides this, to Elviſh your Majeſtie hath given eſtate, which is a greater gift then life, becauſe it extends to poſterity, who was the worſt deſerver in this buſineſs; an unoffended inſtrument might have prevented all after-miſchief, who for his own ends ſuffered it, and by the like arts afterwards bewrayed it. To this I may adde Treſham in the Powder Treaſon, Sir Lewis Treſham. upon whoſe ſucceſſours I do not caſt any of his infamy, yet he preſerved himſelf to poſterity, ſo as what he, or others ſuch as he, have defrauded by the arts of Law, and whom their own unfaithfulneſſe made ſafe, I have much adoe to hold by ingenuity, and Confidence. How may it be that becauſe I diſtruſted not your Majeſtie, or becauſe it returned in your power from whom I had it, it is in danger to be broken or diſmembred. Let me hope that there is nothing which by favour may be excuſed, or by induſtry might have been avoided, that will fail me, where your Majeſtie is to determine. It is not I who thus put your Majeſtie in mind importunely: It is he that was your Creature, it is Sommerſet, with all your honours, and envious greatneſſe, that is now in queſtion. Kings themſelves are protected from the breach of Law by being Favorites and Gods anointed, which gives your Majeſtie the like priviledge over yours;Dr. Dunne. As I took from Dr. Dunne in his Sermon, that the goodneſſe of God is not ſo much acknowledged by us in being our Creator, as in being our Redeemer; nor in that he hath choſen us, as that nothing can take us out of his hands, which in your Majeſties remembrance let me challenge, and hope for: For the firſt acceſſes of favour, they may be aſcribed to ones own pleaſing themſelves, but that appears to be for our ſakes and for our good, when the ſame forſakes not our civil deſerts. This redemption I crave, not as to my own perſon, but with your benefits once given; nor do I aſſume them very deep, for I have voluntarily departed from the hopes of penſion, place, office; I only cleave to that which is ſo little, as that it will ſuffer no pairing, or diminution.

And as in my former Letters, ſo by this I humbly crave of your Majeſtie not to let the practiſes of Court work upon your Son the Prince, not fearing your ſufferance of my loſſe in that particular ſo much, (for I cannot loſe it, but willingly all with it) as for to take off the Stage, that which in the attempt may prove inconvenient. And conſider I pray your Majeſtie, that my hope in deſiring to paſſe theſe bad times, was to be reſtored to my fortunes; others are made unhappy by me, if otherwiſe, and then I loſe my end. I ſpeak of impairing, of changing, or ſupplying, as of any other way, all ſuch alterations, and ruine, are alike, without I be worthy of your gift, and that I can be worthy of all, that Law can permit you to give, or caſt upon your Majeſtie by a more neerer title, as it doth by this; I ſhall account them equal evils, that leave nothing, or a patched and proportioned one, changed or tranſlated from one thing to another.

But if your Majeſtie have any reſpects to move you to ſuſpend your good towards me; let that which is mine reſt in your own hands, till that you find all oppoſite humours conformed to your purpoſe. I have done wrong to my ſelf, thus to entertain ſuch a doubt of your Majeſty; but the unrelenting of adverſaries, which when you will have them, will ſooner alter; and that all this while I have received nothing of preſent notice for direction, or to comfort me, from your Majeſty, hath made me to expoſtulate with my ſelf thus hardly. For God is my judge Sir, I can never be worthy to be; if I have theſe markes put upon me of a Traytor, as that tumbling and diſordering of that eſtate would declare the divorce from your preſence, laies too much upon me, and this would upon both.

I will ſay no farther, neither in that which your Majeſty doubted my aptneſſe to fall into, for my Cauſe, nor my Confidence is not in that diſtreſſe as for to uſe that mean of interceſſion, nor of any thing beſides, but to remember your Majeſtie, that I am the Workmanſhip of your hands, and bear your ſtamp deeply imprinted in all the characters of favour; that I was the firſt plant ingrafted by your Majeſties hand in this place, therefore not to be unrooted by the ſame hand, leſt it ſhould taint all the ſame kind, with the touch of that fatalneſſe; And that I was even the Son of a Father, whoſe ſervices are regiſtred in the firſt honours and impreſſions I took of your Majeſties favour, and laid there as a foundation ſtone of that building; Theſe and your Majeſties goodneſſe for to receive them, is that I rely upon. So praying for your Majeſties proſperity, I am in all humbleneſſe

Your Majeſties loyal ſervant, and Creature, R. Sommerſett.

The Lo. Chancelour Bacon to the Lords. If it may pleaſe your Lordſhips,

I ſhall humbly crave at your Lordſhips hands a benigne interpretation of that which I ſhall now write; for words that come from waſted ſpirits, and an oppreſſed mind, are more ſafe in being depoſited in a noble Conſtruction, then in being Circled with any reſerved Caution. Having made this as a protection to all, which I ſhall ſay, I will go on, but with a very ſtrange entrance (as may ſeem to your Lordſhips at the firſt) for in the midſt of a ſtate of as great affliction, as I think a mortal man can endure, (honour being above life) I ſhall begin with the profeſſing gladneſſe in ſome things.

The firſt is, that hereafter the greatneſſe of a Judge or Magiſtrates, ſhall be no Sanctuary, or protection to him againſt guiltineſſe, which in few words is the beginning of a golden world.

The next, that after this example, it is like that Judges will flie from any thing in the likeneſſe of Corruption (though it were at a great diſtance) as from a Serpent, which tendeth to the purging of the Courts of Juſtice, and reducing them to their true honour and ſplendour. And in theſe two points God is my witneſſe (though it be my fortune to be the anvile upon which theſe good effects are beaten and wrought) I take no ſmall comfort. But to paſſe from the motions of my heart, whereof God is onely Judge, to the merits of my Cauſe, whereof your Lordſhips are onely Judges, under God, and his Lievtenant; I do underſtand, there hath been expected from me heretofore ſome juſtification, and therefore I have choſen one onely juſtification inſtead of all others, out of the juſtification of Job, for after the clear ſubmiſſion and Confeſſion, which I ſhall now make unto your Lordſhips, I hope I may ſay, and juſtifie with Job in theſe words, I have not hid my ſin as did Adam, nor concealed my faults in my boſome. This is the only juſtification I will uſe. It reſteth therefore that without fig-leaves, I do ingenuouſly confeſſe and acknowledge, that having underſtood the particulars of the charge, not formally from the houſe, but enough to inform my Conſcience and memory, I find matter both ſufficient and full, to move me to deſert the defence, and to move your Lordſhips to condemn and cenſure me. Neither will I trouble your Lordſhips by ſingling out particulars, which I think may fall off. Quid te exempta juvat ſpinis de millibus una? Neither will I prompt your Lordſhips to obſerve upon the proofes, where they come not home, or the ſcruples touching the Credit of the Witneſſes: Neither will I preſent unto your Lordſhips, how far a defence might in divers things extenuate the offence, in reſpect of the time, or manner of the gift, or the like circumſtances, but onely leave theſe things to ſpring out of your own noble thoughts, and obſervations of the evidence, and examinations themſelves, and charitably to wind about the particulars of the charge here and there, as God ſhall put in your minds, and ſo ſubmit my ſelf wholly to your piety and grace.

And now that I have ſpoken to your Lordſhips, as Judges, I ſhall ſay a few words unto you, as Peers, and Prelates, humbly commending my Cauſe to your noble Minds, and magnanimous affections.

Your Lordſhips are not onely Judges, but Parliamentary Judges, you have a farther extent of arbitrary power, then other Courts: and if you be not tied to the ordinary courſe of Courts, or preſidents, in point of ſtrictneſſe and ſeverity, much more in points of mercy and mitigation. And yet if any thing I ſhould move might be contrary to your honourable and worthy ends to introduce a reformation, I ſhould not ſeek it. But herein I beſeech your Lordſhips to give me leave to tell you a ſtory. Titus Manlius took his ſons life for giving battail againſt the prohibition of his General. Not many years after the like ſeverity was purſued by Papirius Curſor the Dictator againſt Quintus Maximus, who being upon the point to be ſentenced, was by the interceſſion of ſome principal perſons of the Senate ſpared; whereupon Livie maketh this grave and gracious obſervation, Neque minus firmata eſt diſciplina militaris periculo Quinti Maximi, quam mirabili ſupplicio Titi Manlii, The diſcipline of War was no leſſe eſtabliſhed by the queſtioning onely of Quintus Maximus, then by the puniſhment of Titus Manlius. And the ſame reaſon is of the reformation of Juſtice; for the queſtioning of men of eminent place hath the ſame terrour, though not the ſame rigour with the puniſhment. But my Caſe ſtayeth not there, for my humble deſire is, that his Majeſtie would take the Seal into his hands, which is a great downfal, and may ſerve I hope in it ſelf for an expiation of my faults.

Therefore if mercy and mitigation be in your Lordſhips power, and do no wayes croſſe your ends, why ſhould I not hope of your favours and Commiſerations? Your Lordſhips may be pleaſed to behold your chief Pattern the King our Soveraign, a King of incomparable Clemencie, and whoſe heart is inſtructable for wiſdom and goodneſſe. You well remember, that there ſate not theſe hundred years before in your Houſe a Prince (and never ſuch a Prince) whoſe preſence deſerveth to be made memorable by records, and acts, mixt of mercy and juſtice. Your ſelves are either Nobles (and Compaſſion ever beateth in the veins of noble bloud,) or Reverend Prelates, who are the ſervants of him, that would not break the bruiſed reed, nor quench ſmoaking flaxe.

You all ſit upon a high Stage, and therefore cannot but be more ſenſible of the changes of humane Condition, and of the fall of any from high places. Neither will your Lordſhips forget that there are vitia temporis, as well as vitia hominis, and that the beginning of reformation, hath a contrary power to the pool of Betheſda; for that had ſtrength onely to cure him, that was firſt caſt in, and this hath ſtrength to hurt him onely, that is firſt Caſt in; and for my part, I wiſh it may ſtay there, and go no further.

Laſtly, I aſſure my ſelf, your Lordſhips have a noble feeling of me, as a member of your own body; and one, that in this very Seſſion, had ſome taſte of your loving affection, which I hope was not a lightning before the death of them, but rather a ſpark of that grace which now in the Concluſion will more appear. And therefore my humble ſuit to your Lordſhips is, that my voluntary Confeſſion be my ſentence, and the loſſe of the Seal my puniſhment, and that your Lordſhips will ſpare any farther ſentence, but recommend me to his Majeſties grace and pardon for all that is paſt. And ſo, &c.

Your Lordſhips, &c. Francis St. Alban Can.

Five Letters more of my Lord Bacons.

Bacon to the King, July 31. 1617.

Lord Keeper Bacon to his Majeſtie.I Dare not preſume any more to reply upon your Majeſtie, but reſerve my Defence till I attend your Majeſtie at your happy return, when I hope verily to approve my ſelf not onely a true ſervant to your Majeſtie, but a true friend to my Lord of Buckingham, and for the times alſo I hope to give your Majeſtie a good account, though diſtance of place may obſcure them. But there is one part of your Majeſties Letter, that I could be ſorry to take time to anſwer; which is that your Majeſtie conceives, that whereas I wrote, That the height of my Lords Fortune might make him ſecure; I mean that he was turned proud, or unknowing of himſelf. Surely the opinion I have ever had of my Lord (whereof your Majeſtie is beſt witneſſe) is far from that: But my meaning was plain and ſimple; that his Lordſhip might through his great fortune, be the leſſe apt to Caſt, and foreſee, the unfaithfulneſſe of friends, and the malignity of enemies, and accidents of times. Which is a judgment (your Majeſtie knoweth better then I) that the beſt Authors make of the beſt, and beſt tempered ſpirits, Ʋt ſunt res humanae; Inſomuch as Guicciardine maketh the ſame judgment (not of a particular perſon) but of the wiſeſt ſtate of Europe, the Senate of Venice, when he ſayeth their proſperity had made them ſecure, and under-weighers of perils. Therefore I beſeech your Majeſty, to deliver me, in this, from any the leaſt imputation to my dear and Noble Lord and friend. And ſo expecting, that that Sun, which when it went from us, left us cold weather, and now it is returned towards us, hath brought with it a bleſſed harveſt, will when it cometh to us diſpel and diſperſe all miſts, and miſtakings.

I am, &c.

Lord Chancellour to his Majeſtie, 2. Jan. 1618. It may pleaſe your moſt excellent Majeſtie,

I Do many times with gladneſſe, and for a remedy of my other labours, revolve in my mind the great happineſſe which God (of his ſingular goodneſſe) hath accumulated upon your Majeſty every way, and how Compleat the ſame would be, if the ſtate of your meanes were once rectified, and well ordered, your people militarie, and obedient, fit for war, uſed to peace, your Church illightened with good Preachers, as an heaven of Stars, your Judges learned, and learning from you, juſt, and juſt by your example, your Nobility in a right diſtance between Crown and People, no oppreſſors of the people, no overſhadowers of the Crown, your Councel full of tributes of Care, faith, and freedom, your Gentlemen, and Juſtices of Peace, willing to apply your Royal Mandates to the nature of their ſeveral Counties, but ready to obey, your ſervants in awe of your wiſdome, in hope of your goodneſſe; The fields growing every day by the improvement and recovery of grounds, from the deſert, to the garden; The City grown from wood to brick, your Sea-walls or Pomerium of your Iſland ſurveyed, and in edifying; your Merchants imbracing the whole compaſſe of the World, Eaſt, Weſt, North, and South; The times give you Peace, and yet offer you opportunities of action abroad: And laſtly, your excellent Royal Iſſue entayleth theſe bleſſings and favours of God, to deſcend to all poſterity. It reſteth therefore, that God having done ſo great things for your Majeſtie, and you for others; You would do ſo much for your ſelf as to go through (according to your good beginnings) with the rectifying and ſettling of your eſtate and means, which onely is wanting. Hoc rebus defuit unum. I therefore whom onely love, and duty to your Majeſtie, and your royal line, hath made a Financier, do intend to preſent unto your Majeſtie a perfect book of your eſtate, like a perſpective glaſſe to draw your eſtate neer to your ſight; beſeeching your Majeſtie to conceive, that if I have not attained to do that, that I would do in this which is not proper for me, nor in my element, I ſhall make your Majeſtie amends in ſome other thing in which I am better bred.

God ever preſerve, &c.

The Lord Chancellour to the Marqueſſe of Buckingham, 25. March, 1620. My very good Lord,

YEſterday I know was no day; Now I hope I ſhall hear from your Lordſhip, who are my anchor in theſe flouds. Mean while to eaſe my heart, I have written to his Majeſtie the incloſed, which I pray your Lordſhip to read adviſedly, and to deliver it, or not to deliver it, as you think Good. God ever proſper your Lordſhip.

Yours ever what I am Fr. St. Alban. Canc.

The Lord Chancellour to the King. March 25. 1620. It may pleaſe your moſt excellent Majeſtie,

TIme hath been, when I have brought unto you Gemitum Columbae from others, now I bring it from my ſelf. I flie unto your Majeſtie with the wings of a Dove, which once within theſe ſeven daies, I thought would have carrried me a higher flight. When I enter into my ſelf, I find not the materials of ſuch a tempeſt as is come upon me. I have been, as your Majeſtie knoweth beſt (never authour of any immoderate Counſel; but alwaies deſired to have things carried ſuavibus modis. I have been no avaritious oppreſſor of the people. I have been no haughty, or intolerable, or hateful man in my converſation, or carriage. I have inherited no hatred from my father, but am a good Patriot born. Whence ſhould this be? for theſe are the things that uſe to raiſe diſlikes abroad.

For the houſe of Commons, I began my Credit there, and now it muſt be the place of the Sepulture thereof. And yet this Parliament upon the Meſſage touching Religion, the old love revived, and they ſaid I was the ſame man ſtill, onely honeſty was turned into honour.

For the Upper Houſe, even within theſe daies, before theſe troubles, they ſeemed as to take me into their arms, finding in me ingenuity, which they took to be the true ſtreight line of nobleneſſe without Crooks or angles.

And for the briberies and guifts wherewith I am charged; when the books of hearts ſhall be opened, I hope I ſhall not be found to have the troubled fountain of a corrupt heart, in a depraved habit of taking rewards to pervert Juſtice, howſoever I may be frail, and partake of the abuſes of the Times.

And therefore I am reſolved, when I come to my anſwer, not to trick my innocency (as I writ to the Lords) by Cavillations, or voidances, but to ſpeak to them the language, that my heart ſpeaketh to me, in excuſing, extenuating, or ingenuous confeſſing; praying God to give me the grace to ſee to the bottom of my faults, and that no hardneſſe of heart do ſteal upon me, under ſhew of more neatneſſe of Conſcience, then is Cauſe.

But not to trouble your Majeſtie any longer, craving pardon for this long mourning Letter; that which I thirſt after, as the Hart after the ſtreams, is, that I may know by my matchleſſe friend that preſenteth to you this letter, your Majeſties heart (which is an abyſſus of goodneſſe, as I am an abyſſus of mercy) towards me. I have been ever your man, and counted my ſelf but as an uſufructuary of my ſelf, the property being yours. And now making my ſelf an oblation to do with me as may beſt conduce to the honour of your Juſtice, the honour of your Mercy, and the uſe of your Service, reſting as

Clay in your Majeſties gracious hands, Fr. St. Alban. Canc.

Magdibeg to his Majeſtie. May it pleaſe your moſt excellent Majeſtie,

I Make bold after a long ſilence, to proſtrate my ſelf before your Majeſtie, and being the Ambaſſadour of a great King, that counteth it an honour to ſtile himſelf your friend, I do beſeech you to afford me that juſtice, which I am ſure you will not refuſe to the meaneſt of your Subjects.

At my firſt arrival into this your happy Kingdome, I was informed by the general relation of all that had recourſe unto me, that one here (who had the title of Ambaſſadour from my Maſter) did vainly brag that he had married the King of Perſia's Neece, which kindled in me ſuch a vehement deſire to vindicate my Maſters honor, from ſo unworthy and falſe a report, that at my firſt interview with him, my hand being guided by my dutie, I endeavoured to faſten upon him a Condigne diſgrace to ſuch an impoſture. But the caution that I ought to have of my own juſtification, when I return home, biddeth me the more ſtrictly to examine the truth of that which was told me (whereon my action with Sir Robert Shirley was grounded) and to have it averred in the particulars, as well as by a general voice. Therefore I humbly beſeech your Majeſtie, that out of your Princely goodneſſe you will be pleaſed to give ſuch order, that this point may be fully cleared. Wherein for the manner of proceeding, I wholly and humbly remit my ſelf to your Majeſtie: And this being done, I ſhall return home with ſome meaſure of joy to ballance the grief which I have, for having done ought, that may have clouded your Majeſties favour to me. And ſo committing your Majeſtie to the protection of the greateſt God, whoſe ſhadowes, and elect inſtruments, Kings are on earth, I humbly take my leave, and reſt, &c.

The Copy of a Letter written by his Majeſtie to the Lord Keeper, the Biſhops of London, Wynton, Rocheſter, St. Davids, and Exceſter, Sir Henry Hubbert, Mr. Juſtice Dodderidge, Sir Henry Martin, and Dr. Steward, or any ſix of them, whereof the Lord Keeper, the Biſhops of London, Wynton, and St. Davids to be four.

IT is not unknown unto you, what happened the laſt Summer to our truſty and welbeloved Councellour, the Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury, who ſhooting at a Deer with a Croſſebowe in Bramzil Park, did with that ſhoot, caſually give the Keeper a wound, whereof he dyed. Which accident (though it might have happened to any other man) yet becauſe his eminent rank and function in the Church hath (as we are informed) miniſtred occaſion of ſome doubt, as making the Cauſe different in his perſon, in reſpect of the ſcandal (as is ſuppoſed,) we being deſirous (as it is fit we ſhould) to be ſatisfied therein, and repoſing eſpecial truſt in your learnings, and judgments, have made choice of you to inform Us concerning the nature of this Cauſe, and do therefore require you to take preſently into your Conſiderations the Scandal that may ariſe thereupon, and to certifie Us what in your Judgements the ſame may amount unto, either to an irregularity, or otherwiſe. And laſtly, what means may be found for the redreſſe thereof (if need be) of all which points, we ſhall expect to have your Reports, with what diligence and expedition you may. Dated at Theobalds, Octob. 3d. 1621.

The Archbiſhop of York to King James. May it pleaſe your Majeſtie,

I Have been too long ſilent, and am afraid that by ſilence, I have neglected the duty of the place it hath pleaſed God to call me unto, and your Majeſtie to place me in. But now I humbly beſeech, that I may diſcharge my Conſcience towards God, and my dutie towards your Majeſtie. And therefore I beſeech you Sir, to give me leave freely to deliver my ſelf, and then let it pleaſe your Majeſtie to do with me as you pleaſe.

Your Majeſtie hath propounded a Toleration of Religion, I beſeech you to take into your Conſideration, what your Act is, and what the Conſequence may be. By your act, you labour to ſet up that moſt damnable and heretical doctrine of the Church of Rome, the Whore of Babylon. How hateful will it be to God, and grievous to your Subjects (the true profeſſours of the Goſpel) that your Majeſtie who hath often defended, and learnedly written againſt thoſe wicked hereſies, ſhould now ſhew your ſelf a Patron of thoſe doctrines which your Pen hath told the world, and your Conſcience tells your ſelf are ſuperſtitious, idolatrous, and deteſtable: Alſo what you have done in ſending the Prince without Conſent of your Councel, and the privitie and approbation of your People: For although Sir, you have a large intereſt in the Prince, as the Son of your fleſh, yet have your People a greater as the Son of the Kingdom, upon whom (next after your Majeſtie) are their eyes fixed, and their Welfare defends. And ſo ſlenderly is his going apprehended, that believe Sir, how ever his return may be ſafe, yet the drawers of him unto that action, ſo dangerous to himſelf, ſo deſperate to the Kingdome, will not paſſe away unqueſtioned, and unpuniſhed.

Beſides, this Tolleration you endeavour to ſet up by your Proclamation, it cannot be done without a Parliament, unleſſe your Majeſtie will let your Subjects ſee, that you now take unto your ſelf a libertie to throw down the Lawes of the Land at your pleaſure. What dreadful Conſequence theſe things may draw after, I beſeech your Majeſtie to Conſider.

And above all, leſt by this Tolleration, and diſcountenance of the true profeſſion of the Goſpel (wherewith God hath bleſſed us) and under which this Kingdome hath flouriſhed theſe many years) your Majeſtie doth draw upon the Kingdom in general, and your ſelf in particular, Gods heavy wrath and indignation.

Thus in diſcharge of my dutie to your Majeſtie, and the place of my Calling, I have taken the humble boldneſſe to deliver my Conſcience. And now Sir, Do with me what you pleaſe.

Next of all, in order, follow the Letters that paſſed between the King and his Agents, about the Spaniſh Tranſactions.

The firſt Letter written, per anonymum, brings newes of the Princes arrival.

Here next follow the Letters of my Lord of Briſtol concerning the buſineſſe of the Match.

Here next of all follow divers Diſpatches and Letters from Sir Walter Aſton to the Duke.

Dr. Williams to the Duke. My moſt noble Lord,

IT hath pleaſed God to call for the Biſhop of London. I am ſo conſcious of mine own weakneſſe and undeſervings, that, as I never was, ſo now I dare not be a ſuiter for ſo great a charge. But if his Majeſtie by your Honours mediation, ſhall reſolve to call me to perform him the beſt ſervice I can in that place, I humbly beſeech your Honour to admit me a ſuiter in theſe three circumſtances.

Firſt, that whereas my Lord of London hath ſurvived our Lady day, and received all the profits, that ſhould maintain a Biſhop until Michaelmaſſe, I may by his Majeſties favour retain all my own means until the next day after Michaelmas day; this is a Petition which I ſhall be neceſſitated to make unto his Majeſtie (if his Majeſtie by your favour ſhall advance me to this place) and injureth no man elſe in the world.

Secondly, that whereas the Commiſſioners challenge from the Biſhops revenues a matter of 200. l. per annum, (this Biſhoprick being already very meanly endowed in regard of the continual charge, and exhauſtments of the place) it would pleaſe his Majeſtie to leave in my hands (by way of Commendam) one Benefice of mine, which falls into his Majeſties diſpoſe upon my remove, until it be determined by the ſaid Commiſſioners, whether any part of the Biſhops means be due unto the Fabrique. My humble ſuit is for Walgrave, a Benefice with Cure in North-hamptonſhire, where I have laid out all my eſtate in temporal Lands.

Laſtly, that if it be found, that the Biſhop is to joyn with the Reſidentiaries of Pauls in the repair of the Church, his Majeſtie would qualifie me by a commendam to hold one of my own Prebends, when it ſhall fall to be a Reſidentiarie alſo; that if I be charged with the burthen of Reſidentiarie, I might enjoy the profits of a Reſidentiarie.

Theſe three requeſts do (I confeſſe) adde unto me, but do not prejudice any one elſe whatſoever. I ſubmit them and my ſelf to your Honours wiſdom, &c.

The names of ſuch Eccleſiaſtical promotions as I now retain, and will fall to be diſpoſed of by the King, if I ſhould be removed.

1. Deanery of Weſtminſter. 2. Rectorie of Dinam. 3. Rectorie of VValgrave. 4. Rectorie of Grafton. 5. Prebendary of Peterborough. 6. Chaunter of Lincoln. 7. Prebendary of Asgarbie. 8. Prebendary of Nonnington. 9. Reſidentiaries place of Lincoln.

Lord Keeper to the Duke, 27. July, 1621. My moſt noble Lord,

AN unfortunate occaſion of my Lords Grace his killing of a man caſually (as it is here conſtantly reported) is the cauſe of my ſeconding of my yeſterdayes Letter unto your Lordſhip. His Grace (upon this accident) is by the Common Law of England to forfeit all his eſtate unto his Majeſtie, and by the Canon Law (which is in force with us) irregular, ipſo facto, and ſo ſuſpended from all Eccleſiaſtical function, until he be again reſtored by his Superiour, which (I take it) is the Kings Majeſtie in this rank, and order of Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction. If you ſend for Dr. Lamb he will acquaint your Lordſhip with the diſtinct penalties in this kind. I wiſh with all my heart, his Majeſtie would be as merciful, as ever he was in all his life; but yet I held it my duty to let his Majeſtie know by your Lordſhip, that his Majeſtie is fallen upon a matter of great advice, and deliberation. To adde affliction to the afflicted (as no doubt he is in mind) is againſt the Kings nature; to leave virum Sanguinum, or a man of bloud, Primate and Patriarch of all his Churches, is a thing that ſounds very harſh in the old Councels, and Canons of the Church. The Papiſts will not ſpare to deſcant upon the one and the other. I leave the knot to his Majeſties deep wiſdom to adviſe and reſolve upon. A rheume falne into mine eye (together with the rumour I laſt wrote unto your Lordſhip about) hath faſtened me unto my bed, which makes this Letter the more unhandſome. But I will take nothing to heart, that proceeds from his Majeſtie, or from that King, who hath raiſed me from the duſt, to all that I am. If the truth were ſet down, 1. That my ſelf was the firſt mover for a temporary Keeper. 2. That his Majeſtie hath promiſed me upon the relinquiſhing of the Seal (or before) one of the beſt places in this Church, as moſt graciouſly he did. 3. The year and a halfs probation left out, which is to no purpoſe, but to ſcare away my men, and to put a diſgrace upon me. 4. That my aſſiſting Judges were deſired, and named by my ſelf, which your Lordſhip knowes to be moſt true: Such a declaration would neither ſhame me, nor blemiſh his Majeſties ſervice in my perſon. And it were fitter a great deal, the penning thereof were referred to my ſelf, then to Mr. Secretarie, or the Lord Treaſurer, who (if he had his demerit) deſerves not to hold his ſtaffe half a year. I do verily believe, they will haſten to finiſh this act, before I ſhall hear from your Lordſhip, which if they do, God ſend me patience and as much care to ſerve him, as I have, and ever had to ſerve my Maſter; And then all muſt needs be well. I ſend your Lordſhip a Copy of that ſpeech I have thought upon, to deliver at London upon Munday next at the Commiſſion of the Subſidies: If his Majeſtie have leiſure to caſt his eye thereupon, and to give direction to have any thing elſe delivered, or any point of this ſuppreſſed, I would be directed by your Lordſhip whom I recommend in prayers to Gods good guiding and protection. And do reſt, &c.

The E. of Southhamptons Letter to the Biſhop of Lincolne. My Lord,

I Have found your Lordſhip already ſo favourable, and affectionate unto me, that I ſhall be ſtill hereafter deſirous to acquaint you with what concerns me, and bold to ask your advice, and councel; which makes me to ſend this bearer to give your Lordſhip an account of my anſwer from Court, which I cannot better do, then by ſending unto you the anſwer it ſelf, which you ſhall receive here encloſed. Wherein you may ſee what is expected from me, that I may not onely magnifie his Majeſties Gracious dealing with me, but cauſe all my friends to do the like, and reſtrain them from making any extenuation of my errours, which if they be diſpoſed to do, or not to do is impoſſible for me to alter, that am not likely for a good time to ſee any other then mine own family. For my ſelf, I ſhall ever be ready (as is fit) to acknowledg his Majeſties favour to me, but can hardly perſwade my ſelf, that any errour by me committed, deſerved more puniſhment then I have had, and hope that his Majeſtie will not expect, that I ſhould not confeſſe my ſelf to have been ſubject to a Star-chamber ſentence, which God forbid I ſhould ever do. I have, and ſhall do according to that Part of my Lord of Buckinghams advice to ſpeak of it as little as I can, and ſo ſhall I do in other things to meddle as little as I can. I purpoſe (God willing) to go to morrow to Tychfield (the place of mine confinement) there to ſtay as long as the King ſhall pleaſe.

Sir William Parkhurst muſt go with me, who hoped to have been diſcharged at the return of my Meſſenger from Court, and ſeemes much troubled, that he is not, pretending that it is extream inconvenient for him, in regard of his own occaſions. He is fearful he ſhould be forgotten. If therefore when your Lordſhip writes to the Court, you would but put my Lord of Buckingham in remembrance of it, you ſhall (I think) do him a favour. For my part it is ſo little trouble to me, and of ſo ſmall moment, as I meane to move no more for it. When this bearer returns, I beſeech you return by him this incloſed Letter, and beleive that whatſoever I am I will ever be,

Your Lordſhips moſt aſſured friend to do you ſervice. H. Southampton, &c.

The Lord Keepers anſwer to the E. of Southhamptons Letter. 2. Auguſt, 1621. My Lord,

I Have peruſed your Lordſhips Letter, and that encloſed I return back again. And doubt nothing of my Lord Admirals remembring of you upon the firſt opportunity. Great works (as I hope this will be a perfect reconciling of his Majeſties affections to you, of your beſt ſtudies, and endeavours to the ſervice of his Majeſtie) do require ſome time: They are but poore actions, and of no continuance that are Slubbered up in an inſtance. I know (my Lord) mens tongues are their own, nor lieth it in your power to preſcribe what ſhall be ſpoken for you, or againſt you. But to avoid that Complacentia (as the Divines call it) that itching, and inviting of any interpretation, which ſhall ſo add to your innocencie, as it ſhall derogate from the Kings mercie, which (I ſpeak as I would do before God) had a great cloud of jealouſies, and ſuſpitions to break through, before it came to ſhine upon you. This (I take it) is the effect of my Lords exhortation, and I know it ever hath been your Lordſhips reſolution. How far you could be queſtioned in the Star-Chamber, is an unſeaſonable time to reſolve. The King hath waved off all judgment, and left nothing for your meditation, but love and favour, and the increaſing of both theſe. Yet I know (upon my late occaſions to peruſe Preſidents in that Court) that ſmall offences have been in that Court (in former times) deeply cenſured. In the ſixteenth of Edward the ſecond (for the Court is of great antiquity) Henry Lord Beaumont, running a way of his own about the invading of Scotland, and diſſenting from the reſt of the Kings Councel, becauſe of his abſenting himſelf from the Councel Table was fined and impriſoned: though otherwies a moſt worthy and deſerving Noble man. But God be thanked your Lordſhip hath no cauſe to trouble your head about theſe meditations. For (if I have any judgment) you are in a way to demean your ſelf as you may expect rather more new additions, then ſuſpect the leaſt diminution from his Gracious Majeſtie. For mine own part, aſſure your ſelf, I am your true and faithful ſervant, and ſhall never ceaſe ſo to continue, as long as you make good your profeſſions to this Noble Lord. Of whoſe extraordinary goodneſſe, your Lordſhip, and my ſelf are remarkable reflections. The one of his ſweetneſſe in forgetting of wrongs, the other of his forwardneſſe in conferring of courteſies.

With my beſt reſpect to your Lordſhip and my Noble Lady, and my Commendations to Sir William Parkhurſt, I recommend your Lordſhip, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke concerning the E. of South-hampton. 2. Aug. 1621. My moſt noble Lord,

I Humbly crave your pardon for often troubling your Honour with my idle Lines, and beſeech you to remember, that amongſt many miſeries my ſudden greatneſſe comes accompanied with, this is not the leaſt, that I can no otherwaies enjoy the happineſſe of your preſence. God is my witneſſe, the Lord Keeper hath often (not without grief of heart) envied the fortunes of a poor Scholar, one Dr. VVilliams, late Dean of VVeſtminſter, who was ſo much bleſſed in the free acceſſes in that kind, as his Lordſhip (without a great quantity of goodneſſe in your ſelf) may ſcarſe hope for. This incloſed will let your Lordſhip underſtand, that ſomewhat is to be finiſhed in that excellent piece of mercy, which his Majeſtie (your hand guiding the Pencil) is about to expreſſe in the E. of Southhampton. It is full time his Attendant were revoked in my poor opinion, and himſelf left to the Cuſtody of his own good Angel. There is no readier way to ſtop the mouthes of idle men, nor to draw their eyes from this remainder of an object of Juſtice, to behold nothing but goodneſſe and mercy. And the more breathing time you ſhall carve out between this total enlargement and the next acceſſe of the Parliament, the better it will be for his Majeſties ſervice. Onely remember this, that now you are left to be your own Remembrancer. Of all actions forget not thoſe of mercy, and Goodneſſe, wherein men draw nigheſt to God himſelf: Nor of all Perſons, priſoners and afflicted Joſephs. Celerity doth redouble an act of mercy. But why do I turn a Preacher of goodneſſe unto him, who (in my own particular) hath ſhewed himſelf to be compoſed of nothing elſe? Remember your Noble Self, and forget the aggravations of malice, and envy, and then forget if you can the E. of Southhampton. God bleſſe you, and your royal Gueſt, and bring you both, after many years yet moſt happily run over here upon earth, to be his bleſſed gueſts in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, concerning the Lord of St. Albons, October 27th. 1621. My moſt noble Lord,

I Have received your Lorſhips expreſſion concerning the Pauſe I made upon the two Patents. The Proclamation of writing to the Kings hand, and my Lord of St. Albons pardon. The former I have ſealed this morning in duty, and obedience to your Lordſhips intimation. The latter I have not yet ſealed, but do repreſent (in all lowlineſſe and humility) theſe few Conſiderations by your Lordſhip to his ſacred Majeſtie, wherein let your Lordſhip make no queſtion, but I have adviſed with the beſt Lawyers in the Kingdom. And after this repreſentation, I will perform whatſoever your Lordſhip ſhall direct.

His Majeſtie and your Lordſhip do conceive, that my Lord of St. Albons pardon and grant of his fine came both together to my hands, and ſo your Lordſhip directs me to paſſe the one and the other. But his Lordſhip was too cunning for me. He paſſed his fine (whereby he hath deceived his Creditors) ten dayes before he preſented his pardon to the Seal. So as now in his pardon, I find his Parliament fine excepted, which he hath before the ſealing of the ſame obtained and procured. And whether the houſe of Parliament will not hold themſelves mocked and derided with ſuch an exception, I leave to your Lordſhips wiſdom. Theſe two Grants are oppoſite and contradictory (in this point) the one to the other.

The King pardons in particular words, All ſums of money and rewards taken for falſe judgments or decrees. And therefore the exception of the Parliamentary Cenſure (being inflicted but for the ſame taking of moneys and rewards) coming a good way after falleth too late in Law, and is of no force to ſatisfie the Lords (as I am informed) and I believe this clauſe was never ſeen in any other pardon.

The King pardoneth in my Lord of St. Albon, the ſtealing away, altering, raſing, and interlining of his Majeſties Rowles, Records, Briefs, &c. which are more in a Lord Chancellors pardon, then the imbezeling of his Majeſties jewels in a Lord Chamberlains. And yet the Lord Chancellour Elsmore could not indure that clauſe in my Lord of Sommerſets Pardon, unleſſe he would name the jewels in particular.

I will not meddle or touch upon thoſe miſtakings which may fall between the Parliament and his Majeſtie, or the mis-interpretation that enemies may make hereof to your Lordſhips prejudice, becauſe I ſee (in his Majeſties great wiſdom) theſe are not regarded. Onely I could have wiſhed, the Pardon had been referred to the Councel board, and ſo paſſed. I have now diſcharged my ſelf of thoſe poor ſcruples, which (in reſpect onely to his Majeſties ſervice, and your Lordſhips honour) have wrought this ſhort ſtay of my Lord of St. Albons Pardon. Whatſoever your Lordſhip ſhall now direct, I will moſt readily (craving pardon for this not undutiful boldneſſe) put in execution. Becauſe ſome ſpeech may fall of this dayes ſpeech, which I had occaſion to make in the Common Pleas, where a Biſhop was never ſeen ſitting there theſe 70. years, I have preſumed to incloſe a Copy thereof, becauſe it was a very ſhort one.

Your Lordſhip ſhall not need to take that great pains (which your Lordſhip to my unexpreſſible comfort hath ſo often done) in writing. What Command ſoever your Lordſhip ſhall impoſe upon me as touching this pardon, your Lordſhips expreſſion to Mr. Packer or the bearer ſhall deliver it ſufficiently. God from heaven continue the ſhowring and heaping of his bleſſings upon your Lordſhip, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 22. July, 1621. My noble Lord,

VVIth my trueſt affections, and thankfulneſſe premiſed. I do not doubt but his Majeſtie and your Lordſhip do now enjoy the general applauſe of your goodneſſe to the Earl of Southhampton. Saturday laſt he came, and dined with me, and I find him more cordially affected to the ſervice of the King, and your Lordſhips love and friendſhip, then ever he was, when he lay a priſoner in my houſe. Yet the Sunſhine of his Majeſties favour, though moſt bright upon others (more open offenders) is noted to be ſomewhat eclipſed towards him. What directions ſoever his Majeſtie gave, the order is ſomewhat tart upon the Earl. The word of Confinement, ſpread about the City (though I obſerved not one ſyllable ſo quick to fall from his Majeſtie) his Keeper much wondred at. The act of the Councel publiſhed in our names, who were neither preſent thereat, or heard one word of the ſame: yet upon my credit the Earl takes all things patiently, and thankfully, though others wonder at the ſame.

Mr. Secretary ſigned a Petition of one Rookwood a Papiſt, and priſoner in the Fleet upon five ſeveral executions, that I ſhould grant him his liberty. The Kings name is uſed, and the mediation of the Spaniſh Embaſſadour. If I breaking rules ſo fouly in favour of a Papiſt, (which I am reſolved to keep ſtraight againſt all men whatſoever) I ſhall infame my ſelf in the very beginning. If his Majeſtie will have any ſpecial indulgence in this kind, I expect intimation immediately from the King, or your Lordſhip, and no third Perſon. Your Lordſhip will not expect from me any account of Councel buſineſſe, nor the ſetting at liberty of the late priſoners. Mr. Secretary is ſecret enough for imparting any thing unto me, ſo as I muſt remain in a neceſſary ignorance.

There is a Country man of mine one Griffith, a ſuiter unto the Court for the reverſion of an Auditors place, recommended thereunto by his Maſter the Lord Treaſurer. The place is of great Conſequence for the diſpoſing of his Majeſties revenewes. The man is unfit for this, as preſumptuous and daring for any place. Sir Robert Pye ſaith, he hath already written to your Lordſhip, and I doubt not of your care thereof. Doctour Lamb (the bearer) is a very ſufficient, and (for ought I ever heard of him) an honeſt man. The King hath imployed him in diſcovery of counterfeit Witchcrafts, in reforming of no ounterfeit, but hearty Puritanes, and he hath done good ſervice therein. If his Majeſtie (now in our pure ayr of Northhamptonſhire) do not ſhew him ſome favor, or grace, either by Knighting, or by uſing him courteouſly, The Brethren (having gotten out their Yelverton again) will neglect and moleſt him too unſufferably. God from Heaven bleſſe you. Remember your Deanerie, and Dean of Weſtminſter, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke concerning the Earl Marſhals place, 1. Septemb. 1621. My moſt Noble Lord,

I Beſeech your Lordſhip to interpret this Letter well, and fairly, which no malice (though never ſo provoked) but my duty to his Majeſtie, and love to your Lordſhip hath drawn from me: both which reſpects as long as I keep inviolably, I will not omit for the fear of any man, or the loſſe of any thing in this world, to do any act, which my Conſcience ſhall inform me to belong unto that place, wherein the King by your favour hath intruſted me. I received this morning two Commands from his Majeſtie, the one about a Penſion of 2000 l. yearly, and the other concerning the office of the Earle Marſhal, both conferred on the Right Honourable the Earle of Arundel. For the former, although this is a very unſeaſonable time to receive ſuch large Penſions from ſo bountiful a King, and that the Parliament ſo ſoon approaching is very like to take notice thereof, and that this penſion might (under the correction of your better judgment) have been conveniently deferred until that Aſſembly had been over. Yet who am I that ſhould queſtion the wiſedom, and bounty of my Maſter? I have therefore ſealed the ſame, praying ſecretly unto God to make his Majeſtie as abounding in wealth as he is in goodneſſe. But the latter I dare not ſeale (my good Lord) until I heare your Lordſhips reſolution to theſe few Queſtions.

Whether his Majeſtie by expreſſing himſelf in the delivery of the ſtaffe to my Lord of Arundel, that he was moved thereunto for the eaſing of the reſt of the Comiſſioners, who had, before, the execution of that office, did not imply, that his Majeſtie intended to impart unto my Lord no greater power, then was formerly granted to the Lords Comiſſioners. If it were ſo, this Pattent ſhould not have exceeded their Pattent, whereas it doth inlarge it ſelf beyond that by many dimenſions.

Whether it is his Majeſties meaning, that the Pattent leaping over the powers of the three laſt Earles, Eſſex, Shrewsbery, and Sommerſet, ſhould refer onely to my Lords own Anceſtors, Howards, and Mowbrayes Dukes of Norfolk, who clamed this place by a way of inheritance. The uſual reference of Pattents being unto the laſt, and immediate predeceſſour, and not unto the remote, whoſe powers (in thoſe unſettled and troubleſome times are vage, uncertain, and unpoſſible to be limited.

Whether it is his Majeſties meaning, that this great Lord ſhould beſtow thoſe offices, ſettled of a long time in the Crown, Sir Edward Zouch his in the Court, Sir George Reinel's in the Kings Bench, and divers others. All which this new Pattent doth ſweep away, being places of great worth and dignity.

Whether that his Majeſties meaning, and your Lordſhips, that my Lord Stewards place ſhall be (for all his power of Judicature in the Verge,) either altogether extinguiſhed, or at leaſtwiſe ſubordinated unto this new Office? A point conſiderable, becauſe of the greatneſſe of that perſon, and his neerneſſe in bloud to his Majeſtie, and the Prince his Highneſſe.

Laſtly, Whether it be intended, that the offices of the Earl Marſhal of England, and the Marſhal of the Kings houſe, which ſeem in former times to have been diſtinct offices, ſhall be now united in this great Lord? A power limited by no Law, or Record, but to be ſearcht out from Chronicles, Antiquaries, Heralds, and ſuch obſolete Monuments, and thereupon held theſe 60 years, (for my Lord of Eſſex his power was clearly bounded, and limited) unfit to be revived by the policy of this State.

Theſe Queſtions, if his Majeſtie intended onely the renewing of this Commiſſion of the Earl Marſhals in my Lord of Arundel are material and to the purpoſe. But if his Majeſtie aymed withal, at the reviving of this old office, A la ventura, whoſe face is unknown to the people of this age; upon the leaſt intimation from your Lordſhip, I will ſeal the Patent. And I beſeech your Lordſhip to pardon my diſcretion in this doubt, and irreſolution. It is my place to be wary what innovation paſſeth the Seal. I may offend that great Lord in this ſmall ſtay, but your Lordſhip cannot but know, how little I loſe, when I loſe but him, whom without the leaſt cauſe in the world, I have irreconcileably loſt already. All that I deſire is, that you may know what is done, and I will ever do what your Lordſhip (being once informed) ſhall direct as becometh, &c.

That there is a difference betwixt the Earl Marſhal, and the Marſhall of the Kings houſe; See Lamberts Archiron: or of the High Courts of Juſtice in England

Circa Medium.

The Marſhal of England, and the Conſtable are united in a Court, which handleth onely Duels out of the Realm, matters within the Realm, as Combats, Blazon, Armorie, &c. but it may meddle with nothing tryable by the Lawes of the Land.

The Marſhal of the Kings Houſhold is united in a Court with the Seneſchal or Steward, which holds plea of Treſpaſſes, Contracts, and Covenants made within the Verge, and that according to the Lawes of the Land, Vid. Artic. Super Cart. C. 3. 4. 5.

We do all of us conceive the King intended the firſt place only for this great Lord, and the ſecond to remain in the Lord Stewards managing. But this new Patent hath comprehended them both. This was fit to be preſented to your Lordſhip.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 16. Decemb. 1621. Moſt Noble Lord,

I Have ſeen many expreſſions of your love in other mens Letters (where it doth moſt naturally and purely declare it ſelf) ſince I received any of mine own. It is much your Lordſhip ſhould ſpare me thoſe thoughts, which pour out themſelves in my occaſions: But to have me and my affaires in a kind of affectionate remembrance, when your Lordſhip is ſaluting of other Noble men, is more then ever I ſhall be able otherwaies to requite then with true prayers and beſt wiſhes. I received this afternoon (by Sir John Brook) a moſt loving Letter from your Lordſhip, but dated the 26th. of Novemb. imparting your care over me for the committing of one Beeſton for breach of a Decree. My Noble Lord, Decrees once made muſt be put in execution, or elſe, I will confeſſe this Court to be the greateſt impoſture, and Grievance in this Kingdom. The damned in Hell do never ceaſe repining at the Juſtice of God, nor the priſoners in the Fleet, at the Decrees in Chancery; of the which hell of priſoners this one, for antiquity and obſtinacy may paſſe for a Lucifer. I neither know him, nor his cauſe, but as long as he ſtands in Contempt, he is not like to have any more liberty.

His Majeſties laſt Letter, though never ſo full of honey (as I find by paſſages reported out of the ſame, being as yet, not ſo happy as to have a ſight thereof) hath notwithſtanding afforded thoſe Spiders which infeſt that noble Houſe of Commons, ſome poyſon, and ill conſtructions to feed upon, and to induce a new diverſion, or plain Ceſſation of weightier buſineſſes. His Majeſtie infers, (and that moſt truly, for where were the Commons before Henry the firſt gave them authority to meet in Parliaments?) that their priviledges are but Graces and favours of former Kings, which they claim to be their inheritance, and natural birthrights. Both theſe aſſertions (if men were peaceably diſpoſed, and affected the diſpatch of the common buſineſſes) might be eaſily reconciled.

Theſe priviledges were originally the favours of Princes, and are now inherent in their perſons: Nor doth his Majeſtie go about to impair or diminiſh them. If his Majeſtie will be pleaſed to qualifie that paſſage with ſome mild and noble expoſition, and require them ſtrictly to prepare things for a Seſſion, and to leave this needleſſe diſpute, his Majeſtie ſhall thereby make it appear to all wiſe and juſt men, that theſe perſons are oppoſite to thoſe common ends, whereof they vaunt themſelves the onely Patrons. But do his Maieſtie what he pleaſe, I am afraid (although herein the Lord Treaſurer and others do differ from me) they do not affect a Seſſions, nor intend to give at this time any Subſidie at all.

Will the King be pleaſed therefore to add in this Letter (which muſt be here neceſſarily upon Munday morning) that if they will not prepare bills for a Seſſion, his Majeſty will break up this Parliament without any longer Prorogation, and acquainting the Kingdom with their undutifulneſſe and obſtinacy, ſupply the preſent wants by ſome other meanes. Or will his Majeſty (upon their refuſal) preſently rejourn the the Aſſembly until the appointed 8th. of Feburary. This courſe is fitteſt for further advice, but the other to expreſſe a juſt indignation. I dare adviſe nothing in ſo high a point, but humbly beſeech almighty God to illuminate his Majeſties underſtanding to inſiſt upon that courſe, which ſhall be moſt behoveful for the advancement of his ſervice. In our houſe his Majeſties ſervants are very ſtrong, and increaſe every day, nor is there the leaſt fear of any Malignant oppoſition. God reward all your Lordſhips goodneſſe and affection towards. &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke about Mr. Thomas Murrayes Diſpenſation, &c. 23. Febr. 1621. My moſt Noble Lord,

I Should fail very much of my duty to his Majeſtie, if before the ſealing of Mr. Thomas Murrayes Diſpenſation, I ſhould not acquaint his Majeſtie explicitely, and freely, with the nature of this act, far differing from any diſpenſation in this kind, ever granted by his Majeſtie, ſince his happie coming to the Crown of England. For (to ſay nothing of the right of the election of this Provoſt, which being originally not in the King, but in the fellowes, and now by their neglect devolved unto me, ſhall be fully and abſolutely at his Majeſties command) the place is a living with cure of ſouls, and I am to inſtitute and admit him to the cure of ſouls of the Pariſh of Eaton by the expreſſe Letter of the Statute; without admiſſion, it is impoſſible he ſhould receive any real or rightful poſſeſſion of the ſame. Now that his Majeſtie or any of his Predeceſſors, did ever diſpence with a Lay-man to hold cure of ſouls, I think will be hard for any man to ſhew by any warrantable preſident, or record whatſoever. And I know his Majeſtie to be as much averſe from giving any ſuch preſident, as any Prince in Chriſtendome living this day. This is altogether differing a Deanery, or an Hoſpital, which being livings without cure, have been, and may be juſtly conferred by his Majeſtie upon Lay-men with diſpenſations de non promovendo. If Sir Henry Savil's example be objected, I anſwer, (beſides that the Queen made Clayme to the guift of the place by lapſe, occaſioned through the promotion of the Provoſt to the Biſhoprick of Chicheſter, whereas his Majeſtie hath no ſuch Clayme thereunto at this time) That Savil never durſt take true poſſeſſion of the place, but was onely ſlipt in by the Biſhop, (who for fear of the Earl of Eſſex made bold with the conſcience) Ad Curam et regimen Collegii, that is, to the care and government of the Colledge. Whereas by the expreſſe words of the foundation, he is to be admitted, Ad Curam annimarum Parochianorū Eccleſia Aetonianae, to the Cure of the ſouls of all the people of the Pariſh of Eaton. Secondly, I hold it no Diſparagement to Mr. Murray (nor do find him all together averſe from the ſame) to enter into orders in the raign of a King ſo favourable to our Coat, as (Gods name be praiſed for it) raigns now over us. This will give ſatisfaction to all the Church, bring him into this place according to ſtatute, and the foundation of that dead King, prevent ſuch a dangerous preſident for a Lay-man to poſſeſſe cure of ſouls in the Eye, and Center of all the Realm, and by an everlaſting teſtimony of his Majeſties Piety to the Church of England. Thirdly, what opinion this Gentleman hath of our Church government is better known to his Majeſtie, then to me. If he ſhould be averſe thereunto, it were ſuch a blow unto the Church (the number of the Fellowes and Students there conſidered) as the like were never given by publique authority theſe 50. Years. Fourthly, howſoever his Majeſtie, and the Prince his Highneſſe ſhall reſolve thereof (at whoſe feet I lie to be wholly diſpoſed) I hope it is neither of their royal intendments to transfer the Biſhopprick of Lincolne upon the Fellowes of that houſe, who have raſhly uſurped a Power of admitting their Provoſt by any example ſeen before. Whereas all Provoſts as well the Churchmen, who come in by Election, as the Lay-men recommended by the late Queen, were (as the foundation exactly requires it) admitted by the Biſhop of Lincolne their Diocaeſand and Viſitor. I hope it was Mr. Murraies inexperience, rather then neglect (never deſerved by me) that directed them to this ſtrange courſe; ſubſcription, and other conformities, to be acted in the preſence of the Viſitor, are eſſentially to be required before he can be admitted Provoſt of Eaton. Laſtly, Mr. Murraie hath hitherto miſtaken all his courſe. He muſt be firſt diſpenſed withal (If his Majeſtie in his wiſedom ſhall hold it fit) and then Elected firſt Fellow, and then Provoſt of the Colledg (if he will come in regularly, and ſafely) whereas now contrary to Savils preſident, he is firſt Elected, and then goes on with his diſpenſation.

All this I moſt humbly intreat your Lordſhip to make known to the Prince his Highneſſe, and as much as your Lordſhip thinks fit thereof, to his Majeſtie. I will only adde one note, and ſo end. It will be no more diſparagement for Mr. Murray his Highneſſe Schoolmaſter to enter into orders, then it was for Coxe King Edwards Schoolmaſter, a Maſter of Requeſts, and Privie Counſellour, to do the like, who afterwards became a worthy Prelate of this Church. I have diſcharged my duty to the King, Prince, and the Church of England. It remains now, that I ſhould (as I will) religiouſly obey whatſoever I ſhall be directed in the ſequel of this buſineſſe. And ſo I reſt, &c.

Poſtſcript.

MY Lord, Mr. Murray ſince came unto me, to whom I ſhewed this Letter, and told him I would ſend it unto you to be ſhewed unto the King, and the Prince. I find him willing to run all courſes, Prieſthood onely excepted. If the King will diſpence with him, my Letter notwithſtanding, I humbly beſeech his Majeſtie, to write a Letter unto me, as a warrant to admit him only Ad Curam et Regimen Collegii, inſtead of the other words, Ad Curam animarum. I ſchooled him ſoundly againſt Puritaniſme, which he diſavowes, though ſomewhat faintly; I hope his Highneſſe and the King will ſecond it.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke about the Liberties of Weſtminſter, 6. May. 1621. My moſt Noble Lord,

I Humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to be a little ſenſible of thoſe injurious affronts, offered without any ſhew of equity unto this poor Liberty of VVeſtminſter. And for Gods ſake let me not want that protection, which not your Lordſhip only, but the two Cicils, and the Earl of Sommerſet, who neither regarded the Church, Learning, nor Honour in any meaſure as you do, have ever afforded every Dean of this Church. When I had (to my thinking) given the Knight Marſhal full, and too much ſatisfaction, this day a Letter was offered to the Table (in my preſence) violently purſued by the Lord Steward, and the Earl Marſhal, to command this liberty, (which had ſtood unqueſtioned theſe 700 years) to ſhew reaſon to Mr. Attourney, and Mr. Solliciter, why they preſcribe againſt the Knight Marſhal. A Courſe (as my Lord Preſident ſaid openly) not to be offered to any ſubject of England. It is our Charter, and freehold of inheritance, to be ſhewed only in a Court of Juſtice, and at the Kings Bench, which we are very ready to do. And we may as well be queſtioned by a Letter from the Councel, for all the Land we have, as for this. My Lord, the juriſdiction of this place brings not a penny to my purſe, but it hath brought much ſorrow to my heart, and now teares to my eyes, that I ſhould be that unfortunate Contemptible man, who for all the King, and your Lordſhips favour, and the true pains I take in anſwer thereunto, muſt be trampled down above all the Deans that lived in this place. Nor would it ever grieve me, if I had deſerved it from theſe Lords by the leaſt diſreſpect in all the world. I beſeech you for the Churches ſake, and your Honours ſake to be ſenſible hereof, and to know of the Biſhop of Wincheſter, London, Dureſme. Mr. Packer, or Sir Robert Pye, whether ever any queſtion hath been made to this liberty in this kind. If a Letter had been recorded to queſtion the ſame, when the Lord Admiral was Steward, and the Lord Keeper Dean thereof, judge you in your Wiſdom what would become thereof in future poſterity, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, Aug. 23. 1622. My moſt noble Lord,

YEſterday upon the receipt of your Lordſhips Letters of the 19th. of this inſtant concerning the haſtning of the buſineſſe of the original Writs, I ſent preſently for Mr. Attourney, and Mr. Solliciter, who were altogether unprovided for their parts of the diſpatch, and are caſually forced ſo to be, becauſe three ſeveral Officers, in whoſe records they are to ſearch, are now out of Town, and do not return yet theſe 7. daies. But your Lordſhip ſhall not fail to have all things concluded 3. weeks before the Term, and I will (of purpoſe) put off all general ſealing until it be effected.

In the mean time (your Lordſhips Letter notwithſtanding) it will be nothing for your Lordſhips caſe to have Sir George Chaworth any way intereſted in this office of the originals; but I hold it fitter to leave it (as it is in Law and Equity) forfeited for non-payment of rent in his Majeſties hands; for upon that iſſue I do not doubt but my Lord of St. Albons, and Sir George will be content to hear reaſon.

I have received extraordinary reſpects, and expreſſions from my Noble Lord the Lord Marqueſſe Hamilton, which doth exceedingly comfort and encourage me to go on, with ſome more alacrity through the difficulties of this reſtleſſe place. I beſeech your Lordſhip (who is Cauſa Cauſarum, the firſt Cauſe, that ſets all theſe other Cauſes of my Comforts in Going) to take notice of the ſame, and to undertake this favour to be placed upon a poor honeſt hearted man, who would (if he were any way able) requite it. Gods bleſſings, and the prayers of a poor Biſhop ever attend your Lordſhip, &c.

Poſtſcript.

THe Spaniſh Embaſſadour took the alarum very ſpeedily of the titulary Romiſh Biſhop, and before my departure from his houſe at Iſlington, (whither I went privately to him) did write both to Rome and Spain to prevent it. Sir Tobie Mathewes. But I am afraid, that Tobie will prove but an Apocryphal, and no Canonical intelligencer, acquainting the State with this project, for the Jeſuites rather then for Jeſus ſake.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke about the Lord Treaſurer, Septemb. 9th. 1622. My moſt Noble Lord,

THat I neither wrote unto your Lordſhip, nor waited upon your Lordſhip ſithence my intolerable ſcandalizing by the Lord Treaſurer, this is the true and only cauſe: I was ſo moved to have all my diligent ſervice, pains, and unſpotted juſtice thus rewarded by a Lord, who is reputed wiſe, that I have neither ſlept, read, written, or eaten any thing ſince that time; until the laſt night, that the Ladies ſent for me (I believe of purpoſe) to VVallingford houſe, and put me out of my humour. I have loſt the love, and affection of my men, by ſeizing upon their Papers, peruſing all their anſwers to Petitions, caſting up their moneys, received by way of fees, (even to half Crowns, and two ſhillings) and finding them all to be poor honeſt Gentlemen, that have maintained themſelves in my ſervice by the greatneſſe of my pains, and not the greatneſſe of their fees. They are moſt of them landed men, that do not ſerve me for gain, but for experience, and reputation. And deſire to be brought to the Teſt to ſhew their ſeveral books, and to be confronted by any one man with whom they contracted, or from whom they demanded any Fee at all; The greateſt ſumme in their books is five pounds, and thoſe very few, and ſent unto them from Earls, and Barons. All the reſt are ſome 20 s. 10 s. 5 s. 2 s. 6 d. and 2 s. And this is the oppreſſion in my houſe, that the Kingdom (of the Common Lawyers peradventure, who have loſt I confeſſe hereby 20000 l. at the leaſt, ſaved in the purſes of the Subjects) doth now groan under.

Now I humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to peruſe this paper here incloſed, and the iſſue I do joyn with the Lord Treaſurer, and to acquaint (at the leaſt) the King, and the Prince, how unworthily I am uſed by this Lord; who (in my ſoul and conſcience I believe it) either invents theſe things out of his own head, and ignorance of this Court, or hath taken them up from baſe, unworthy, and moſt unexperienced people. Laſtly, becauſe no act of mine (who am ſo much indebted for all my frugality) could in the thoughts of a devil incarnate breed any ſuſpition, that I gained by this office, excepting the purchaſe of my Grandfathers Lands, whereunto my Lord Chamberlains nobleneſſe, and your Lordſhips encouragement, gave the invitation. I do make your Lordſhip (as your Lordſhip hath been often pleaſed to honour me) my faithful Confeſſor in that buſineſſe, and do ſend your Lordſhip a note encloſed what money I paid, what I borrowed, and what is ſtill owing for the purchaſe.

I beſeech your Lordſhip to caſt your eye upon the paper, and lay it aſide that it be not loſt. And having now poured out my ſoul, and ſorrow unto your Lordſhips breaſt, I find my heart much eaſed, and humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to compaſſionate the wrongs of.

Your moſt humble and honeſt ſervant, J. L. C. S.

The Fair and Familiar Conference which the Lord Treaſurer had with the Lord Keeper after ſome Expoſtulations of his own, and the iſſue joyned thereupon, at White-Hall, Septemb. 7. 1622.

Object. 1 THere is taken 40000 l. for Petitions in your houſe this year.

Sol.Not much above the fortieth part of the money for all the diſpatches of the Chancery, Star-Chamber, Councel-Table, Parliament, the great Dioceſſe of Lincoln, the juriſdiction of VVeſtminſter and St. Martins le Graund; All which have reſort to my houſe by Petitions.

Object. 2 You have your ſelf a ſhare in the money.

Sol.Then let me have no ſhare in Gods Kingdom; it is ſuch a baſeneſſe as never came within the compaſſe of my thoughts.

Object. 3 It is commonly reported you pay to my Lord Admiral 1000 l. per menſem.

Sol.As true as the other. The means of my place will reach to no more then two moneths.

Object. 4 You never receive any Petitions with your own hands, but turn them to your Secretaries, who take double Fees, one for receiving, and the other for delivering.

Sol.Let the Cloyſters at Weſtminſter anſwer for me. I never to this day received any Petition from my Secretaries, which I had formerly delivered unto them with my own hands. This is a new faſhion which my Lord hath found in ſome other Courts.

Object. 5 You ſell dayes of hearing at higher rates then ever they were at.

Sol.I never diſpoſed of any ſince I came to this place, but leave them wholly to the Six Clarks, and Regiſters, to be ſet down in their Antiquity. Unleſſe his Lordſhip means hearing of motions in the paper of Peremptories, which I ſeldom deny upon any Petition, and which are worth no money at all.

Object. 6 You uſually reverſe Decrees upon Petitions.

Sol.I have never reverſed, altered, explained, or endured a motion, or Petition, that touched upon a decree once pronounced: but have ſometimes made orders in purſuance of the ſame.

Object. 7 You have 3. Door-keepers, and are ſo locked up, that no man can have acceſſe unto you.

Sol.I have no ſuch officer in all my houſe, unleſſe his Lordſhip meanes the Colledge Porters; nor no locks at all, but his Majeſties buſineſſe, which I muſt reſpect above Ceremonies and Complements.

You are cryed out againſt over all the Kingdom for an unſufferable Object. 8 oppreſſion and grievance.

His Lordſhip (if he have any friends) may hear of ſuch a Cry,Sol. and yet be pleaſed to miſtake the perſon cryed out againſt.

All the Lords of the Councel cry out upon you, and you are a Object. 9 wretched and a friendleſſe man, if no man acquaints you with it.

I am a wretched man indeed if it be ſo.Sol. And your Lordſhip (at the leaſt) a very bold man if it be otherwiſe.

I will produce particular witneſſes, and make all theſe Charges Object. 10 good.

I know your Lordſhip cannot, and I do call upon you to do it,Sol. as ſuſpecting all to be but your Lordſhips envie and malice to that ſervice of the Kings, and eaſe of his Subjects, which God hath enabled me to accompliſh, and perform in this troubleſome Office.

J. L. C. S.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 21. of September. 1622. My moſt noble Lord,

MY Lord Brook diſwarning me (from his Majeſtie) from coming to Theobalds this day, I was enforced to trouble your Lordſhip with theſe few lines. My moſt humble thanks for your Lordſhips moſt free, and moſt loving Letter, I do willingly confeſſe my errour, yet ſtill of the mind, that your Lordſhip only, who juſtly taxed it, hath made it to be an errour. If your love to me had not exceeded all reaſon, and deſert of mine, my complaints were not effects of melancholy, but of a real ſuffering, and miſery. I do confeſſe (and reſt ſatisfied withal) that his Majeſties Juſtice, and your Lordſhips love are anchors ſtrong enough, for a mind more toſſed then mine is, to ride at. Yet pardon me, my Noble Lord, upon this Conſideration, if I exceeded a little in paſſion, the natural effect of honeſty, and innocency. A Church-man, and a woman, have no greater Idol under heaven, then their good name. And yet they cannot fight at all. Nor with credit, ſcold, and leaſt of all recriminate, to protect and defend the ſame. Their onely revenge left them, is to grieve, and complain.

My miſery I took to be this. I am one of thoſe that labour in his Majeſties Cole-mines under the earth, and out of ſight. My pains from five a clock in the morning to 10. or 12. at night are reſtleſſe, and endleſſe, but under earth, and out of his Majeſties ſight. What other men do (or but ſeem to do,) it is ever before the Kings face, and if his Majeſtie will not look on it, if he hath eares about him, he ſhall be told of it ſo often by the parties themſelves, that he muſt hear of it whether he will or no.

And as my ſervice (by this remoteneſſe is hidden from the King, ſo is it liable to be traduced to the King, and my relief (as in diſpatching the motions of poor men by Petitions allowable to my orders,) made to be a Grievance to the Common Wealth. But in all theſe fourteen dayes (wherein by the voice of the City, I have remained a priſoner in my houſe,) where is that one party grieved, that hath troubled his Majeſtie with Complaints againſt me? Onely my Lord Marſhal hath dealt with my noble Lord Marqueſſe Hamilton, my Lord of Carlile, my Lord Treaſurer (as your Lordſhip may ſoon know by asking the queſtion) to make a faction to diſgrace the poor Lord Keeper, who never dreamt thereof.

Sir Gilbert Haughton hath complained to my Lord Treaſurer of my men for taking, (Hugh Holland was by and heard him;) If your Lordſhip do but ask him his reaſon, I think it will appear how well grounded their complaints be. Upon thoſe two former Anchors I will therefore reſt, and that ſo far from Cowardlineſſe, that I will either challenge them before his Majeſtie to make good their ſuggeſtions, or elſe (which I hold the greater valour of all, and which I confeſſe I wanted before this check of your Lordſhips) go on in my Courſe, and ſcorn all theſe baſe, and unworthy ſcandals as your Lordſhip ſhall direct me.

I have ſent a Copy of a Letter of mine to my Lord Anan, which his Majeſtie hath ſeen, and given his aſſent it ſhould not be kept private; yet I would humbly crave your Lordſhips opinion thereof (by Mr. Packer) before any Copy goeth from me.

I am ever, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 12th. Octob. 1622. My moſt Noble Lord,

I Will ſpeak with the Jeſuit to morrow, and deliver him his admonition from the King, but do ſend your Lordſhip here incloſed a Copie of the Conference which I procured from him without his privity, onely to make his Majeſtie, and your Lordſhip merrie. I have alſo received a Letter concerning the French Embaſſador which I will be ready to put in execution as your Lordſhips ſervant, and Deputy but not otherwiſe. Yet your Lordſhip will give me out of that freedom (which was wont to be well interpreted by your Lordſhip) to let your Lordſhip underſtand, that I find all buſineſſes of reſtitution of ſhips, and goods thus taken, to have been handled before the Councel in Star-chamber all the reigns of Henry 7th. and H. 8th. without any contradiction of the Lord Admiral for the time being. But this to your Lordſhip in ſecret. I will be very careful of the Earl of Deſmond, that neither his cauſe, nor your Lordſhips reputation ſhall ſuffer thereby. And this is the account I can yet give of your Lordſhips Letter, ſave that I humbly expect that anſwer, which your Lordſhips own Luckie hand hath promiſed in the poſtſcript of one of them. I would eaſe your Lordſhip in this place, but to prevent complaint that (peradventure) may be firſt invented, and then preſented. Your Lordſhip ſhall heare of a long narrative of our Councel Table diſpatches. That paſſage of our letter, which (as it now goeth) doth hope that his Majeſtie will ſpare to confer any ſuites of moment in Ireland until the return of the Iriſh Committee, was a blunt requeſt to the King, to grant no ſuites there without our advice. Againſt this (concluded in my abſence the firſt day of the Tearm) I ſpake firſt to the Prince privately (who allowed of my reaſons) then (when the Preſident would not mend it) at the Table openly, that I did utterly diſlike we ſhould tutour his Majeſty, how to grant ſuits eſpecially in Letters, that are to remain upon record. My Lord of Cantuar and the, Earle Marſhal ſaid, they had many Preſidents in that kind. I anſwered, I knew they had none but in the Kings time, and that I wiſhed them (as I do) all torn out of the book and caſt into the fire. I concealed my reaſons, which now I will reveal unto your Lordſhip, becauſe this is the third time, I have expreſſed unto your Lordſhip under my hand, my diſlike of this kind of Limiting his Majeſtie otherwiſe then by word of mouth. Firſt if his Majeſtie (which we ſee ſo often done) ſhall diſpoſe of theſe ſuites otherwiſe, here are ſo many records remaining to malitious men to obſerve his Majeſties averſeneſſe from following the advice of the Councel board.

Secondly, if your Lordſhip ſhall procure any ſuit in this kind here are records alſo in time to come, that you croſſe and thwart the government of the Kingdom. And I pray God this be but mine own jealouſie. The paſſage in the Letter with my Prating, and his Highneſſe help was altered, and for fear of miſreporting, I make bold to relate the truth hereof to your Lordſhip.

My Lords proceeded very reſolutely in thoſe reformations, which concerned other men. The Commiſſion of fees enables the Committees to call before them all the Judges, as well as their under Officers (which was more then the King expreſt at Hampton Court) amongſt whom, the Lord Keeper is one, who from the Conqueſt to this day, was never ſubjected to the call of any power in the Kingdom, but the King and the Parliament. And although I have not one Pennie of Fee, which hath not continued above one hundred years, yet for the honour of the Prime place in the ſtate (though now diſgraced by the contemptibleneſſe of the Officer) I am an humble ſuiter unto your Lordſhip, that my Perſon may be exempted from the command of Sr. Edwin Sandys, or indeed any man els, beſides the King my Maſter. Otherwiſe I ſhall very patiently endure it, but the King hereafter may diſlike it. The Juſtices of the Peace are alſo appointed, but (if the Judges and my ſelf be not utterly deceived) to no purpoſe in the world, nor ſervice to his Majeſtie. But when their Lordſhips came to ſurrender the under Leivtenantſhips to his Majeſties hands, whom the Lord Preſident, and I held fit to be created henceforward by ſeveral Commiſſions under the Great Seal, it was ſtiffly oppoſed, and ſtood upon, that the King ſhould name them in their Lordſhips Commiſſions onely (according to a Preſident in the late Queens time) that is, the King ſhall have the naming, but they ſtill the appointing of them. And now it was preſſed, that his Majeſtie intended not to diſgrace his Lords &c: and your Lordſhip is to have a Letter from Mr. Secretarie to know his Majeſties mind herein. If his Majeſtie ſhall not ordain them to be created by ſeveral Pattents, it were better a great deal they ſhould continue as they do. I am very tedious in the manner and (peradventure) in the matter of this Letter I humbly crave pardon &c.

Paſſages between the Lord Keeper and Don Franciſco.

HE was very inquiſitive if I had already, or intended to impart, what he had told me the night before in ſecret, to any man, to the which he did adde a deſire of ſecreſie.

Becauſe 1. The King had charged him and the Frier to be very ſecret. 2. The Embaſſadours did not know that he had imparted theſe things unto me. 3. The Popes were ſecret inſtructions which they gave to the Fryer to urge and preſſe the ſame points, which himſelf had done to the King.

He confeſſed, that the greateſt part of the Friers inſtructions were to do all the worſt offices he could againſt the Duke, and to lay the breach of the marriage, and diſturbance of the peace upon him.

He excuſed the bringing the Copy of that paper unto me, becauſe the Marqueſſe had it yet in his cuſtody, but ſaid he would procure it with all ſpeed. I deſired him to do it, the rather becauſe, beſides my approbation of the form, and manner of the writing; I might be, by it, inſtructed how to apply my ſelf, to do his Majeſtie ſervice therein, as I found by that Conference, his Majeſties bent, and inclination.

He having underſtood, that there was, though a cloſe, yet an indiſſoluble friendſhip betwixt the Duke and my ſelf, deſired me to ſhew ſome way, how the Duke might be won unto them, and to continue the peace. I anſwered I would purſue any fair courſe, that ſhould be propoſed that way; but for my ſelf, that I never meddled with matters of State, or of this nature, but was onely imployed (before this journey of the Prince's) in matters of mine own Court, and in the Pulpit.

He deſired to know if they might rely upon the King, whom onely they found peaceably addicted; otherwiſe they would ceaſe all mediation, and prepare for War. I anſwered, That he was a King that never broke his word, and he knew what he had ſaid unto them.

He commended much the courage and reſolution of the Lord Treaſurer, which I told him we all did, as a probable ſign of his innocency.

He ſaid that the Marqueſſe had diſpatched three Curreos, and expected large Propoſitions from Spain to be made unto his Majeſtie, concerning the preſent reſtitution of the Palatinate. And that if this failed, they were at an end of Treaty, and the Embaſſadours would forthwith return home.

11th. April, 1622.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Received your Graces Letter by Mr. Killegrew, ſo full of that ſweetneſſe, as could never iſſue from any other Fountain, then that one breaſt ſo fraught with all goodneſſe, and virtue; Dick Winne may write freely, (as he talks) but alas! what can my wretched ſelf perform, that ſhould deſerve the leaſt acknowledgment from him, to whom I owe ſo infinitely much more then the ſacrificing of my life amounts to? onely my love makes me ſometimes write, and many times fear, fondly and fooliſhly, for the which I hope your Grace will pardon me. I have been frighted more about three weeks ſince (about quarrels and jarres, which now Dick Greyhams hath related in part unto the King) then at this preſent, I am. For Gods ſake be not offended with me, if I exhort you to do that, which I know you do, to obſerve his Highneſſe with all lowlineſſe, humility, and dutiful obedience, and to piece up any the leaſt ſeam-rent, that heat, and earneſtneſſe might, peradventure, ſeem to produce. I know (by looking into my ſelf) theſe are the ſymptomes of good natures. And for Gods ſake I beg it, as you regard the prayers of a poor friend, if the great negotiation be well concluded, let all private diſagreements be wrapped up in the ſame, and never accompany your Lordſhips into England, to the joy and exultation of your enemies, if any ſuch ingrateful Divels are here to be found: I am in good earneſt, and your Lordſhip would believe it, if your Grace ſaw but the tears, that accompany theſe lines.

I beſeech you, in your Letter to the Marqueſſe Hamilton, intimate unto him your confidence, and reliance upon his watchfulneſſe, and fidelity in all turns, which may concern your Grace. I have often lied unto his Lordſhip, that your Grace hath in many of my Letters expreſſed as much, and ſo have pacified him for the time. If we did know, but upon whom to keep a watchful eye for diſaffected reports concerning your ſervice, it is all the intelligence he and I do expect. His Majeſtie (as we conceive) is reſolved to take certain oaths, which you have ſent hither, and I pray God afterward no farther difficulties be objected. I have had an hours diſcourſe with his Majeſtie yeſterday morning, and do find him ſo diſpoſed towards your Lordſhip as my heart deſireth; yet hath been informed of the diſcontentments both with the Conde de Olivarez, and the Earl of Briſtol. Here is a ſtrange Creation paſſed of late, of a Vice-Counteſhip of Maidenhead, paſſed to the Heires Males, who muſt be called hereafter Vice-Counteſſe Fynch. But my Lady Dutcheſſe hath the Land, and (as they ſay) hath already ſold it to my Lord Treaſurer, or ſhared it with him. I ſtayed the Patent until I was aſſured your Lordſhip gave way thereunto.

My good Lord, becauſe I have heard, that they have in thoſe parts a conceipt of our church, as that they will not believe we have any Liturgie, or Book of common prayer at all, I have (at mine own coſt) cauſed the Liturgy to be tranſlated into Spaniſh, and fairely Printed, and do ſend you by this bearer a Couple of the Books, one for his Highneſſe, the other for your Grace. Not ſending any more unleſſe your Grace will give directions. His Majeſtie was acquainted therewith, and alloweth of the buſineſſe exceedingly. The Tranſlator is a Dominican, a zealous Proteſtant, and a good Scholer, and I have ſecured him to our Church, with a Benefice, and a good Prebend. Becauſe we expect every day the diſpatching of Sr. Francis Cottington thitherward, I will not trouble your Grace farther at this time, but do earneſtly pray unto God to bleſſe your Grace both now and ever hereafter with all his favours and bleſſings ſpiritual and temporal. And reſt &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 30. Aug. 1623. My it pleaſe your Grace,

I Have no buſineſſe of the leaſt Conſideration to trouble your Grace withal at this time, but that I would not ſuffer Mr. Greyham to return without an expreſſion of my reſpect and obligation. I would advertize your Grace at large of the courſe held with our Recuſants, but that I know Mr. Secretary is injoyned to do ſo, who beſt can. His Majeſtie at Salisbury having referred the ſuit of theſe Embaſſadors to the Earl of Carlile, and Mr. Secretary Conway, ſent (by their reſolutions) ſome articles unto us (the Lord Treaſurer, Secretary Calvert, Sir Richard VVeſton and my ſelf) to this effect.

1. To grant a pardon of all offences paſt, with a diſpenſation for thoſe to come to all the Roman Catholiques, obnoxious to any laws made againſt the Recuſants.

2. And then to iſſue forth two general Commands under the Great Seal, the firſt to all the Judges, and Juſtices of the Peace, anp the other to all Biſhops, Chancellours and Commiſſaries not to execute any Statute made againſt them.

Their general pardon we have paſſed, and ſent unto his Majeſtie (from whence it is not returned) in as full and ample manner as they could deſire, and pen it. The other general and vaſt prohibition, I prevailed with the reſt of the Lords to ſtop as yet, and gave (in three dayes conference) ſuch reaſons to the 2. Embaſſadors, that (although it is no eaſie matter to ſatifie the Caprichiouſneſſe of the Latter of them) yet they were both content it ſhould reſt until the Infanta had been ſix Months in England. My reaſon, if it may pleaſe your Grace, was this. Although this general favour, and connivence, whereof there are 20. of the Prime Councel know nothing as yet, muſt at laſt be known to all the Land: yet is there a great difference between the publiſhing thereof A Golpe, at one puſh, as it were, and that inſtilling of it into their knowledg by little, and little by reaſon of favours done to particular Catholiques. The former courſe might breed a general impreſſion, if not a mutinie. This Letter will but looſen the tongues but of ſome few particulars, who underſtand of their neighbours pardon, and having vented their diſlikes, when they have not many to Sympathiſe with them, they grow coole again, ſo as his majeſtie afterwards may enlarge theſe favours without any danger at all.

Secondly, to forbid Iudges (againſt their oaths) and Juſtices of the Peace (ſworn likewiſe) to execute the law of the Land, is a thing (unpreſidented in this Kingdom et Durus Sermo a very harſh and bitter pill to be digeſted upon a ſuddain, and without ſome preparation. But to grant a pardon, even for a thing that is Malum in ſe, and a diſpenſation with Penal Lawes (in the profit whereof the King onely is intereſted) is uſual and full of preſidents, and examples. And yet is this Letter onely tending to the ſafety, the former but to the glory and inſolencie of the Papiſts, and the magnifying the ſervice of the Embaſſadors ends too dearly purchaſed, with the indangering of a tumult in three Kingdomes.

Thirdly and Laſtly, his Maieſtie uſeth to ſpeak to his Biſhops, Judges and Juſtices of the peace, by his Chancelour, or Keeper (as your Grace well knoweth) and by his Great Seal; and I can ſignify his Majeſties pleaſure unto them, with leſſe noiſe and danger, which I mean to do hereafter, (if the Embaſſadors ſhall preſſe it,) to this effect, unleſſe your Grace ſhall (from his Highneſſe, or your own judgment) direct otherwiſe.

That whereas his Majeſtie being at this time to mediate for favour to many Proteſtants in forraign parts, with Princes of another religion, and to ſweeten the entertainment of the Princeſs into this Kingdom, who is as yet a Roman Catholique, doth hold a mitigation of the rigour of thoſe lawes made againſt Recuſants, to be a neceſſary inducement to both thoſe purpoſes, and hath therefore iſſued forth ſome pardons of Grace, and favour to ſuch Roman Catholiques, of whoſe faithfulneſſe and fidelity to the ſtate he reſts aſſured. That therefore you the Lords, Biſhops, Judges, and Juſtices, (each of thoſe to be written unto by themſelves) do take notice of this his Majeſties pardon, and diſpenſation, with all ſuch penal Lawes, and demean your ſelves accordingly, &c.

Thus have I been too tedious and troubleſome unto your Grace, and Crave your pardon therefore, and ſome directions (which you may cauſe Sir Francis Cottington or ſome other to write, without your Graces trouble) if there ſhall apeare any cauſe of alteration. Doctor Biſhop, the new Biſhop of Calcedon is come to London privately, and I am much troubled thereabouts, not knowing what to adviſe his Majeſtie in this poſture, as things ſtand at this preſent. If you were ſhipped (with the Infanta) the onely Councel were to let the Judges proceed with them preſently, hang him out of the way, and the King to Blame my Lord of Cantuar: or my ſelf for it. But before you be ſhipped in ſuch form and manner I dare not aſſent or Connive at ſuch a courſe. It is (my gracious Lord) a moſt inſolent Part, and an offence (as I take it) Againſt our common Law (and not the ſtatutes onely which are diſpenſed withall,) for an Engliſh man to take ſuch a conſecration without the Kings conſent, and eſpecially to uſe any Epiſcopal Jurisdiction in this Kingdom without the royal aſſent, and Biſhops, have been in this State put to their fine, and ranſom for doing ſo three hundred years ago.

I will ceaſe to to be further troubleſome and pray to Almighty God to bleſſe your Grace, and in all humbleneſſe take my leave, and reſt &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 14th. of October, 1621. My moſt Noble Lord,

I Humbly thank your Lordſhip for your moſt ſweet and loving Letter, which (as Sir George Goring could not but obſerve) hath much revived me drooping under the unuſual weight of ſo many buſineſſes. Let God ſuffer me no longer to be, then I ſhall be true, plain, faithful and affectionately reſpectful of your Lordſhip, as being moſt bound unto your Lordſhip for theſe ſo many fruits, but far more for the tree that bore them, your love and affection.

If your Lordſhip ſhall not think it inconvenient, I do beſeech your Lordſhip to preſent this Petition incloſed, either by word or writing unto his Majeſtie, and to procure a ſpeedy diſpatch thereof, becauſe we are to meet on Thurſday next. Alſo to acquaint his Majeſtie, that I ſtumble at the Proclamation (now coming to the Seal) againſt any, that ſhall draw, or preſent any bill for his Majeſties ſignature, beſides thoſe Clarks which uſually draw them up, by virtue of their places. It is moſt prejudicial to my place, the Lord Treaſurer, and the Judges itinerant who are often occaſioned to draw up, and preſent to his Majeſtie divers matters, and eſpecially pardons of Courſe. It is alſo too ſtrong a tie upon your Lordſhips hands; being intended by his Majeſtie againſt Projectors and Scriveners only. If it ſhall pleaſe his Majeſtie therefore to make an exception of the Lords of his Councel, and Judges of Aſſize, it may paſſe to the contentment of all men. Mr. Attourney ſaith he meant this exception, but I find it not ſufficiently expreſſed in the Proclamation.

Alſo I humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to meddle with no pardon for the Lord of St. Albons, until I ſhall have the happineſſe to confer with your Lordſhip; the pardoning of his fine is much ſpoken againſt, not for the matter, (for no man objects to that) but for the manner, which is full of knavery, and a wicked preſident. For by this aſſignation of his fine, he is protected from all his Creditors, which I dare ſay was neither his Majeſties, nor your Lordſhips meaning.

I have preſumed to ſend your Lordſhip a true Copy of that ſpeech, which I made at VVeſtminſter Hall at my entrance upon this office; becauſe ſomewhat was to be ſpoken at ſo great a change, and alteration in ſo high a Court; And I was never ſo much troubled in my life, not how, but what to ſpeak. I humbly crave pardon, if I have failed in points of diſcretion, which a wiſer man (in ſuch a caſe) might eaſily do.

With my heartieſt prayers unto God to continue all his bleſſings upon your Lordſhip, I reſt deſervedly, &c.

Poſtſcript.

MY Lord, I find my Lord Treaſurer affectionately touched with removing from the Court of Wards; and do wiſh with all my heart, he may have contentment in that, or any thing elſe, but orderly, and in a right method. Let him hold it, but by your Lordſhips favour, not his own power, or wilfulneſſe. And this muſt be apparent, and viſible: Let all our greatneſſe depend (as it ought) upon yours, the true original. Let the King be Pharaoh, your ſelf Joſeph, and let us come after as your half-brethren. God bleſſe you, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, concerning Sir John Michel, 8. Aug. 1622. My moſt noble Lord,

IN the cauſe of Sir John Michel, which hath ſo often wearied this Court, vexed my Lady your Mother, and now flieth (as it ſeemeth) unto your Lordſhip, I have made an order the laſt day of the Tearm, aſſiſted by the Maſter of the Rolls, and Mr. Baron Bromley in the preſence, and with the full conſent of Sir John Michel, who then objected nothing againſt the ſame; but now in a dead vacation, when both the adverſe party, and his Councel are out of Town, and that I cannot poſſible hear otherwiſe then with one ear, he clamours againſt me, (moſt uncivilly,) and would have me contrary to all conſcience and honeſty reverſe the ſame. The ſubſtance of the order is not ſo difficult and intricate, but your Lordſhip will eaſily find out the equity or harſhneſſe thereof.

Sir Lawrence Hide makes a motion in behalf of one Strelley (a party whoſe face I never ſaw,) that whereas Sir John Michel had put a bill into this Court againſt him, and one Sayers, five years ago for certain Lands and Woods, (determinable properly at the Common Law) and having upon a certificate betwixt himſelf, and Sayers, without the knowledge of the ſaid Strelley, procured an injunction from the laſt Lord Chancellour for the poſſeſſion of the ſame, locks up the ſaid Strelley with the ſaid injunction, and never proceeds to bring his cauſe to hearing within five years.

It was moved therefore, that either Sir Johns bill might be diſmiſſed to a tryal at the Common Law, or elſe that he might be ordered to bring it to hearing in this Court, with a direction to ſave all waſtes of Timber trees (in favour of either party, that ſhould prove the true owner) until the cauſe ſhould receive hearing.

Sir John being preſent in Court, made choice of this laſt offer, and ſo it was ordered accordingly. And this is that order, that this ſtrange man hath ſo often, of late, complained of to your Mother, and now, as it ſeemeth, to your Lordſhip. God is my witneſſe, I have never denyed either juſtice, or favour (which was to be juſtified,) to this man, or any other, that had the leaſt relation to your good and moſt noble Mother. And I hope your Lordſhip is perſwaded thereof. If your Lordſhip will give me leave (without your Lordſhips trouble) to wait upon you, at any time this day, your Lordſhip ſhall appoint, I would impart two or three words unto your Lordſhip, concerning your Lordſhips own buſineſſe. Remaining ever, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

NOw that I underſtand by Sir John Hipſley how things ſtand between your Grace and the Earl of Briſtol; I have done with that Lord, and will never think of him otherwiſe, then as your Grace ſhall direct. Nor did I ever write one ſyllable to that effect, but in contemplation of performing true ſervice to your Grace.

I was much abuſed in the Lady Hennage her Vice-Counteſhip, being made to believe, it was your Grace's act, or elſe I had ſtayed it finally, (until the Princes return) as I did for a time. If your Grace will give any directions in matters of that nature, I can purſue them. My Lord Treaſurers ſons Wardſhip is a thing of no moment at all, and not worthy your Graces thinking of. And in good faith as far as getting, and Covetouſneſſe will give him leave, I do not ſee, but that Lord is (ſince your abſence) very reſpective of your Grace, eſpecially in your own perſon, and affairs. I never received any anſwer from your Grace concerning the Provoſtſhip of Aeton, nor was it good manners for me to preſſe for the ſame, becauſe in my Letters I did preſume to name my ſelf. The place is mine to beſtow for this time, and not his Majeſties, nor the Colledges. But I do very willingly reſerve the Collation of the ſame, to be diſpoſed as your Grace ſhall pleaſe. Yet this will be a ſufficient anſwer to any former promiſe, or any reaſonable Competitor.

His Majeſtie (as your Grace beſt knoweth) promiſed me at the delivery of the Seal a better Biſhoprick, and intended it certainly, if any ſuch had fallen. My Charge is exceeding great, my Bribes are very little, my Biſhoprick, Deanery, and other Commendams do not clear unto me above one thouſand pounds a year at the uppermoſt. It hath pleaſed God, that the caſualties of my office, (which is all the benefit of the ſame, and enriched my Lord Elſmor,) hath not been worth to me theſe two years paſt one ſhilling. It may mend when it pleaſeth God.

I leave all theſe, and my ſelf, who am your Vaſſal, at your Lordſhips feet, and do reſt, &c.

Your Graces, &c. J. L. C. S.

Poſtſcript.

MAy it pleaſe your Grace, I troubled his Highneſſe with a long relation of the Conſulto we had about his Majeſties taking of the Oath. Which I had written to your Grace, and not to his Highneſſe, but that I was frighted by great men, that I had done his Highneſſe a diſpleaſure in preſſing his Majeſties aſſent unto the ſame. And I proteſt I was ſo poorly accompanied in my opinion, that I was truly afraid I had not done well. And therefore I took occaſion to write my reaſons at large unto the Prince. Which I heard by Sir John Hipſley from your Grace was well taken. I humbly thank your Grace, who I know forwarded the ſame. And ſo I perceive by a Letter from his Highneſſe ſo full of ſweetneſſe, as I am overwhelmed.

J. L. C. S.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 6. January. 1623. May it pleaſe your Grace,

DOn Franciſco being with me this night, about a pardon for a poor Iriſh man, whom I reprieved from execution, at the ſuit of thoſe Gentlemen of Navarra, which are here with the Marqueſſe, let fall by a kind of ſuppoſition (affirming the matter to be as yet in the womb, and not fully ſhaped, and digeſted) words to this effect.

That if the King of Spain ſhould make a double marriage with the ſecond Brother of France, and his Siſter, and beſtow the Palatinate as a Dower upon his ſiſter, in what caſe were we then?

I anſwered, That we ſhould be then, in no worſe caſe (for ought I knew) then we are now: but that Germany might be in a far better caſe. Peradventure it was but a word let fall to terrifie me withal.

But your Grace may make that uſe of it, as to underſtand the language, if your Grace ſhall hear any mention thereof hereafter. I am very glad, and do give God thanks par le mejora de ſu hijucla hermoſiſſima. And do reſt, &c.

Surely the French Embaſſadour is ſecret and more ſuſpected then formerly by the People.

Mr. John Packer to the Lord Keeper, 21. January, 1623. May it pleaſe your Lordſhip,

SInce my coming hither, finding my Lord at good opportunity, I have acquainted him in what perplexity I found your Lordſhip at my coming from Weſtminſter, and upon what reaſon. And though I am ſorrie I can make no comfortable relation of his anſwer, yet becauſe it ſo much importeth your Lordſhip to know in what terms you ſtand, I could not conceal it from you, being agreeable to thoſe reports your Lordſhip hath already heard, ſaving that his Grace told me, he doth not ſeek your ruine (as ſome others had related) but onely will hereafter ceaſe to ſtudy your fortune, as formerly he hath done; and withal added the reaſon, that your Lordſhip hath run a courſe oppoſite to him, which though he had cauſe to take ill at your hands, yet he could have paſſed it over, if it had been out of conſcience, or affection to his Majeſties ſervice, or the Publique good, but being both dangerous to your countrie, and prejudicial to the cauſe of religion (which your Lordſhip above all other men ſhould have laboured to uphold) he thought, he could not with reaſon continue that ſtrictneſſe of friendſhip, where your Lordſhip had made ſuch a ſeparation, eſpecially having divers times out of his love to you, aſſayd to bring you into the right way, which once you promiſed to follow; but the two laſt times you met in Councel, he found, that you took your kue juſt as other men did, and joyned with them in their opinions, whoſe aim was to tax his proceedings in the managing of the Princes buſineſſe. But inſtead of laying it upon him, they did no leſſe, then throw dirt in the Princes teeth. For either they would make him a minor, or put the refuſal of the Ladie upon his Highneſſe, and to lay an aſperſion upon his carriage there. His Lordſhips Concluſion with me was, that for any carriage of his, he deſireth no other favour, but that the greateſt Councel in England may be judge of it, and the like he wiſheth for other mens actions. Yet I did what I could to perſwade his Grace to expoſtulate the matter with your Lordſhip, which he told me, he would no more do, having done it already, but found no other ſatifaction, but that by your practiſe you rejected what he had ſaid, and beſides, divulged what had paſſed between you, as he evidently perceived meeting with it among others. Whereby you gained onely thus much, that they eſteemed of you, as of a man fit, by reaſon of your paſſion, to ſet all on fire, but held you not worthy of truſt, becauſe you, that would not be true to him, would never be ſo to them.

My Lord, this is a part I would never have choſen, but being impoſed by your Lordſhip, I could do you no better ſervice then faithfully, and plainely to diſcharge it, leaving the uſe to your Lordſhips wiſedom, and ever reſting

Your Lordſhips moſt humbly at command, J. P.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 2. Feburary, 1623. May it pleaſe your Grace,

NOt preſuming to write unto your Grace being ſo offended at me, but reſolved with ſorrow, and Patience, to try what I was able to ſuffer, without the leaſt thought of oppoſition againſt your abſolute pleaſure; his Higneſſe hath encouraged, and commanded the contrary, aſſuring me (which I cannot repeat again without teares) that upon his credit, your Grace neither did, nor doth conceive any ſuch real diſtaſt againſt me, but did onely ſuſpect I had conceived his Highneſſes mind in that full manner, which his Highneſſe himſelf, is now fully ſatisfied. I did not. In the which errour, and miſtake of the Prince his reſolution, for want of conference with your Grace, or ſome other, I did (as I freely confeſſed) offend his Highneſſe, but not your Grace at all. Being ever reſolved to ſtand, or fall (though diverſified in opinion) Your Graces moſt faithful and conſtant ſervant. I humbly therefore beſeech your Grace firſt to receive back this encloſed Letter of Mr. Packers, and to burn the ſame, then to receive my ſoule in gage and pawn.

1. That I never harboured in this breaſt one thought of oppoſition to hurt your Grace from the firſt hour I ſaw your face.

2. I never conſulted (much leſſe practiſed) with any Lord of that Commitee to vote on the one or the other ſide.

3. I do not know that Lord in England, that hath any deſign againſt your Grace, and when I ſhall know any ſuch, whoſoever it be, I ſhall be his enemy as long as he continueth ſo unto your Grace.

4. I do not know (nor do I believe,) but that your Grace ſtands as firm in his Majeſties favour, and in his Highneſſe as ever you did in all your life.

5. I never made the leaſt ſhew of ſiding with any oppoſite Lord unto your Grace, and I defie any man, that ſhall avow it.

6. I never divulged your Graces, or the ſecrets of any man.

In the next place, I do moſt humbly and heartily crave your Graces pardon, for ſuſpecting (that is the utmoſt of my offence), ſo true, real, and Noble a friend. Yet that I may not appear a very beaſt, give me leave once to remember and ever after to forget, the motives, which drew me ſo to do. And I will do it in the ſame order they came into my head.

1. Your Graces charge upon me at York houſe, that I was a man odious to all the world.

2. Michels Voluntary Confeſſion, that my Lord Mandevil ſhewed him a Letter from Spain, avowing, that the firſt action your Grace would imbarque your ſelf in, ſhould be to remove me out of this place, which the leaſt word of your mouth unto me, is able to do.

3. A report of the Venetian Embaſſador, that amongſt others, your Grace intended to ſacrifice me this Parliament to appeaſe the diſlike of immunities exerciſed towards the Catholiques.

4. Your Graces motion unto my ſelf concerning my place (which now I abſolutely know proceeded out of love) at White-hall.

5. A moſt wicked lie, that one told, he heard your Grace move his Highneſſe to ſpeake unto me to quit my place, after your Graces profeſſions of friendſhip to me.

6. Mr. Secretarie Conwaies and my Lord Carlile's eſtrangedneſſe from me, which I ſuſpected could not be (for I ever loved them both) but true copies of your Graces diſpleaſure.

I have opened to my trueſt friend all my former thoughts, and being fully ſatisfyed by his Highneſſe how falſe they are in every particular, do humbly crave your Graces pardon, that I gave a nights lodging to any of them all.

Although they never transported me a jott further, then to look about how to defend my ſelf, being reſolved (as God ſhall be my protector) to ſuffer all the obloquie of the world, before I would be drawn to the leaſt ingratitude againſt your Grace. All that I beg is an aſſurance of your Graces former Love, and I will plainely profeſſe what I do not in the leaſt beg or deſire from your Grace.

1. No Patronage of any corrupt or unjuſt act which ſhall be objected againſt me this Parliament.

2. No defence of me, if it ſhall appear I betrayed my King, or my Religion in favour of the Papiſt, or did them any real reſpect at all, beſides ordinary complements.

3. No refuge in any of my cauſes, or clamours againſt me (which upon a falſe ſuppoſal of your Graces diſpleaſure may be many) otherwiſe then according to juſtice, and fair proceeding.

And let this paper bear record againſt me at the great Parliament of all, if I be not in my heart, and ſoul, your Graces moſt faithful and conſtant poor friend and Servant.

His Highneſſe deſires your Grace to move his Majeſtie to accept of my Lord Sayes commiſſion, and to procure me leave to ſend for him. Alſo to move his Majeſtie that my Lord of Hartford may be in the houſe, accepting his fathers place, and making his proteſtation to ſue for his Grandfathers, according to his Majeſties Lawes, when the King ſhall give him leave. His Highneſſe, and my Lords do hold this a modeſt and ſubmiſſive Petition.

His Highneſſe upon very deep reaſons, doubts whether it be ſafe to put all upon the Parliament, for fear they ſhould fall to examine particular Diſpatches, wherein they cannot but find many Contradictions. And would have the propoſition onely to ayd for the recovery of the Palatinate. To draw on an engagement I propound it might be, to adviſe his Majeſtie how this recovery ſhall be effected, by reconquering the ſame, or by a War of diverſion. This will draw on a breach with Spain, without ripping up of private diſpatches. His Highneſſe ſeemed to like well hereof, and commanded me to acquaint your Grace therewith, and to receive your opinion. I humbly, crave again two lines of aſſurance, that I am in your Grace's opinion as I will ever be indeed, &c.

The Heads of that Diſcourſe which fell from Don Franciſco, 7. Die Aprilis, 1624. at 11. of the clock at night. This Relation was ſent by the Lord Keeper to the Duke.

HOw he came to procure his acceſſes to the King. The Marqueſſe putting Don Carlos upon the Prince and Duke in a diſcourſe, thruſt a Letter into the Kings hand, which he deſired the King to read in private; The King ſaid he would, thruſt it into his pocket, and went on with his diſcourſe, as if he had received none. The effect was, to procure private acceſſe for Don Franciſco to come and ſpeak with the King, which his Majeſtie appointed by my Lord of Kelley; and he by his ſecreſie, who deſigned for Don Franciſco time and place.

At his firſt acceſſe, he told the King, That his Majeſtie was a priſoner, or at leaſtwiſe beſieged, ſo as no man could be admitted to come at him. And then made a complaint againſt the Duke, that he aggravated, and pretended accuſations againſt Spain; whereas its onely offence was, that they refuſed to give unto him equal honour, and obſervance, as they did unto his Highneſſe. And that this was the only cauſe of his hatred againſt them.

At the laſt acceſſe, which was ſome 4. dayes ago, he made a long invective, and remonſtrance unto the King, which he had put into writing in Spaniſh, which he read unto me, corrected with the hand of Don Carlos, which I do know. It was ſomewhat general, and very rhetorical, if not tragical for the ſtile. The heads of what I read were theſe, viz.

1. That the King was no more a freeman at this time, then King John of France when he was priſoner in England, or King Francis when he was at Madrid. Being beſieged and cloſed up with the ſervants and vaſſals of Buckingham.

2. That the Embaſſadours knew very well, and were informed 4. moneths ago, that his Majeſtie was to be reſtrained, and confined to his Country houſe, and paſtimes, and the Government of the State to be aſſumed and diſpoſed of by others, and that this was not concealed by Buckinghams followers.

3. That the Duke had reconciled himſelf to all the popular men of the State, and drawn them forth out of priſons, reſtraints, and confinements to alter the Government of the State at this Parliament, as Oxford, South-hampton, Say, and others, whom he met at Suppers and Ordinaries to ſtrengthen his popularity.

4. That the Duke to breed an opinion of his own greatneſſe, and to make the King grow leſſe, hath oftentimes brag'd openly in Parliament, that he had made the King yield to this and that, which was pleaſure unto them. And that he mentioned openly before the Houſes his Majeſties private oath, which the Embaſſadors have never ſpoken of to any creature to this hour.

5. That theſe Kingdomes are not now governed by a Monarch, but by a Triumviri, whereof Buckingham was the firſt and chiefeſt, the Prince the ſecond, and the King the laſt; and that all look towards Solem Orientem.

6. That his Majeſtie ſhould ſhew himſelf to be, as he was reputed, the oldeſt and wiſeſt King in Europe, by freeing himſelf from this Captivity, and eminent danger wherein he was, by cutting off ſo dangerous and ungrateful an affecter of greatneſſe and popularity, as the Duke was.

7. That he deſired his Majeſtie to conceal this his free dealing with him, becauſe it might breed him much peril and danger. And yet if it were any way available for his ſervice, to reveal it to whom he pleaſed, becauſe he was ready to ſacrifice his life to do him acceptable ſervice.

And this was the effect of ſo much of the penned ſpeech as I remember was read unto me out of the Spaniſh Copy.

His Majeſtie was much troubled in the time of this ſpeech.

His Offer to the King for the reſtitution of the Palatinate.

TO have a Treaty for three moneths for the reſtitution, and that money was now given in Spain to ſatisfie Bavaria. That in the mean time becauſe the people were ſo diſtruſtful of the Spaniard, the King might fortifie himſelf at home, and aſſiſt the Hollanders with men or money at his pleaſure. And the King of Spain ſhould not be offended therewith.

His opinion of our preparing of this Navie.

IT was a deſign of the Duke, to go to the Ports of Sevil, and there to burn all the Ships in the Harbour, which he laught at.

Speeches which he ſaid fell from his Majeſtie concerning the Prince.

1. THat when he told the King, that his greatneſſe with the Duke was ſuch, as might hinder his Majeſtie from taking a courſe to repreſſe him. His Majeſtie replyed; He doubted nothing of the Prince, or his own power to ſever them two, when he pleaſed.

2. His Majeſtie ſaid, That when his Highneſſe went to Spain, he was as well affected to that Nation as heart could deſire, and as well diſpoſed as any ſon in Europe; but now he was ſtrangely carried away with raſh, and youthful Councels, and followed the humour of Buckingham, who had he knew not how many Devils within him ſince that journey.

Concerning the Duke.

1. THat he could not believe yet, that he affected popularity to his diſadvantage. Becauſe he had tryed him of purpoſe, and commanded him to make diſaffecting motions to the houſes, which he performed, whereby his Majeſtie concluded, he was not popular.

2. That he deſired Don Franciſco, and the Embaſſadours (and renewed this requeſt unto them by Padre Maeſtro two dayes ago,) to get him any ground to charge him with popular courſes, or to increaſe a ſuſpition of it, and he would quickly take a courſe with him.

3. That he had good cauſe to ſuſpect the Duke of late, but he had no ſervant of his own, that would charge him with any particular; nor knew he any himſelf.

The end (as was conceived) of Don Franciſco's deſiring this Conference.

HE had heard that the Duke had puſht at me in Parliament, and intended to do ſo again, when he had done with the Treaſurer, and therefore ſhewed, that if I would joyn to ſet upon him with the King, there was a fit occaſion.

I anſwered, that the Prince and the Duke had preferred me into my place, and kept me in it, and if I found them purſuing I would not keep it an hour. That what favour ſoever I ſhewed the Embaſſadour, or Catholiques, I did it for their ſakes, and had thanks of them for it. And that I would deal by way of counſel with the Duke to be temperate, and moderate; but to be in oppoſition to my friend, and Patron, I knew he (being one that profeſſed ſo much love unto me) would never expect from an honeſt man. Upon the which anſwer he ſeemed ſatisfied, and never replyed word in that kind.

I made an end of writing theſe notes about two of the clock in the morning.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, concerning Sir Richard Weſton, 24. May. 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Hold it my duty to give your Grace a preſent account of this Patent made for Sir Richard Weſton. Having put off the ſealing of the ſame as fairly as I could (though not without the clamour of one Lake, a ſervant of Mr. Chancelours, Mr. William Lake. who very ſaucily preſt for a diſpatch,) this morning, Mr. Chancelour ſpake with me himſelf, to whom I made anſwer, That I would ſeal his Patent, according to his Majeſties Warrant, but would retain it in my hands (as I was directed,) until I either ſpake with the King, or received his farther Command in that behalf. He told me he would write unto your Grace concerning the ſtay thereof, and the ſtand of the Kings buſineſſe, until it were delivered, which courſe (I told him) was very fair. After I acquainted his Highneſſe with my ſealing and retaining of the Patent, and asked him, if he knew thereof. His Highneſſe anſwered, he did know thereof, but gave no approbation of the courſe, and (although he durſt not ſpeak to croſſe it) he hoped I ſhould have directions from the King to pull off the Seals again. Three houres after I went to his Highneſſe the ſecond time, and asked him, if he meant really as he ſpake, or intended onely to make me believe ſo. I deſired to know his mind, leſt I might ſteer my courſe contrary to his intendment. His Highneſſe anſwered, He meant really, and would endeavour to effectuate all that he ſpake. Which I thought very ſitting for your Grace to know with all ſpeed.

But for the man himſelf, I muſt deliver unto your Grace my conſcience. For ought I ever ſaw in him he is a very honeſt, and a very ſufficient man, and ſuch a one, as I never in all my life could obſerve to be any way falſe, or unfaithful unto your Grace. He was brought in by your Grace ſore againſt my will, (as your Grace may call to mind, what I ſaid to your Grace at Woodſtock to that effect) not that I diſliked the Gentleman, but becauſe I was afraid he would be wholly the Treaſurers, who began then to out-top me, and appeared to my thoughts, likely enough by his daring and boldneſſe, (two virtues very powerful and active upon our Royal Maſter,) in time to do as much to your Grace. From that time to this, I never obſerved in VVeſton any unworthineſſe, or ingratitude to your Grace. Nay, craving pardon, I will proceed one ſtep farther, I know no fitter man in England for the office, if he come in as a creature of the Prince, and your Grace's; nor unfitter, if he ſhould offer to take it, without your likings. I think your Grace will remember, that this fortnight, this hath been my conſtant opinion.

Upon the death of one Mr. Read, the Secretaries place for the Latine tongue is void. The Dean of Wincheſter, and I moved the King for Patrick Young, the fitteſt man in England for that place. And the Prince did, and will ſecond the motion. I Beſeech your Grace to aſſiſt us, or els the immodeſty of his Competitor (that Lake I ſpake of in the beginning of this Letter) will bear down this moſt honeſt, and baſhful creature.

God be thanked for your Graces recovery and ſtill preſerve it. And ſo &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 22. Auguſt. 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Humbly thank your Grace for your favourable and Gratious remembrance, ſent by my Neighbour Sir George Goring. Though I deſpaire to be able to make any other requital, yet will I never fail to ſerve your Grace moſt faithfully, and when I grow unuſeful in that kind, to pray for you.

I beſeech your Grace, that I may receive from the Prince's Highneſſe, and your Grace, ſome directions how to demean my ſelf to the French Embaſſador, in matters concerning Recuſants, and that Mr. Secretary may either addreſſe himſelf to Mr. Atturny General in theſe cauſes, or elſe write unto me plainely what I am to do.

His laſt letter required of me, and the Judges (who neither are, nor will be in town theſe ſix weeks yet,) an account of this their ſuppoſed perſecution, neither ſo much as intimating unto me what, or when I ſhould return an anſwer, and ſuppoſeth ſome directions his Majeſtie ſhould give me therein, the which (particularly, or dividedly from the Judges) I never received.

I adventured out of mine own head to write that anſwer, I imagine your Grace hath ſeen, whether I did well, or ill therein I know not, but conceived his Majeſtie expected ſome anſwer. Yeſterday the Embaſſador ſent unto me, to know if I had received any order from his Majeſtie to ſtay this (as he tearmed it) perſecution. I aſſured him, there was no ſuch matter in this ſtate, and that as yet, I had received no order from his Majeſtie of late, but was in expectation to hear from the Court very ſhortly. I humbly crave your Graces directions, what I am to ſay, or do in the premiſes, being otherwiſe a meer ſtranger in all theſe proceedings. I write to no bodie herein beſides your Grace, ſo as if I receive no direction, (which upon my head, and livelihood I ſhall burie in all ſecreſie) I ſhall be in a pitiful perplexity, if his Majeſtie ſhall turn the Embaſſador upon me, altogether unprovided how to anſwer. And ſo with my hartieſt prayers for your Graces health, I reſt

yours, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 21. July. 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Could not ſuffer Sir George Goring to depart without theſe few lines, although the greateſt matter of their contents muſt be this, to expreſſe unto your Grace my ſorrow, and affliction, that I have no matter or occaſion at all, wherein to ſhew actuallie my affections and earneſt deſires to comply with my bounden duty in ſerving your Grace, and humbly to deſire your Grace to believe, that there is no ſoul living ſhall do it more ſincere-ly, and faithfully to the utmoſt of my underſtanding, then my ſelf will do. I add this Caution the rather, becauſe if ever I have offended your Grace, I take Almighty God to witneſſe, it was onely forwant of a perfect underſtanding of thoſe high matters, and the perſons bent, whom they concerned, not out of any corruption of affections towards your Grace, or the leaſt ſtaggering in a conti nued reſolution to live, and die, your Graces moſt conſtant, and moſt faithful ſervant.

This, God in heaven (who ſeeth what I now write,) and the King, and Prince upon earth, do perfectly know, and I (nothing doubt it) will acknowledg unto your Grace. And thus with my moſt humble thanks unto your Grace for that aſſurance I received, that I remain (though unimployed and unprofitablely) yet in your Graces good affection, I beſeech Almighty God to preſerve your health, and to increaſe your favour day, by day with God, with the King, with the Prince, and with all good men. The daily vowes of &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke concerning the Counteſſe of South hampton 17. Novemb. 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Know how few arguments I need to uſe to perſwade your Grace to works of Nobleneſſe, and charity. Your faſhion hath been ever ſince my happineſſe of dependance upon you, to outrun, and prevent all petitions in this kind. Yet pardon my boldneſſe to be an humble ſuitor unto your Grace to go on, as I know you have already begun, in extending your Grace, and goodneſſe towards the moſt diſtreſſed widdow, and children of my Lord of South-hampton. Your Grace cannot do any work of charity more approved of by God, more acceptable unto men, and that ſhall more recommend the memory of your Nobleneſſe to future poſterity. Sir VVilliam Spencer (the onely Sollicitor this ſorrowful Lady hath now to imploy,) will preſent ſome particulars unto your Grace, whom God ever preſerve in all health, and happineſſe. And ſo, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 11. Octob. 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

VVIth my moſt humble and hearty thanks for all your favours extended, and multiplyed daily towards me in ſickneſſe and health, which are ſuch, and ſo many, that (although I truſt in God I ſhall never prove ſo inhumane as to fail in any ſervice, or faithfulneſſe to your Grace,) I muſt for all that ever live, and die ungrateful. I thought fit to return unto your Grace this account of the meſſage received by your Grace's Steward.

I ſpake with that Lord, and although he ſeemed to be quite off from the buſineſſe, and had (to my knowledg) diſpoſed of his money for a great, and a fair purchaſe here in London, and was reſolved never to touch any more upon VVatt Steward, (who had touched ſomewhat, of his,) and with whom he had agreed for 4000 l. yet hearing the propoſition to come ſo intirely from me, as proceeding immediately from your Grace, whoſe good favours this Lord (I proteſt unto your Grace) hath earneſtly deſired, and if at any time he hath ſtraggled aſide from the Prince's deſires, and yours, it was merely and ſolely becauſe he thought he was not ſo much relied upon as others of his rank. He promiſeth me ſometime to morrow a reaſonable anſwer.

Poſtſcript.

MAy it pleaſe your Grace, this Lord hath returned his anſwer, which in good faith ſeemeth to be with due reſpect unto your Grace.

1. That although the place was offered him for 4000 l. yet becauſe the Offer proceeds from your Grace, (which he voweth to eſteem as an eſpecial favour as long as he liveth) he will pay to whom you ſhall aſſign 5000 l. and account it a real obligation of ſervice to your Grace for ever, if you ſhall remit him the other thouſand pound.

2. That for the time, with humble thanks for your noble favour (which becometh not him to take in appointing the time) he returns it to your Grace to nominate two daies of payment, as your Steward, or the perſon aſſigned ſhall think meet and fit for your Graces occaſions, deſiring ſome ſmall reſpite for the former, but as little as the party pleaſe afterwards for the ſecond payment: for his Lordſhip will ſend in for his moneys forthwith. And he will give his bonds, or (which I hold ſuperfluous from ſo ſure a Card) his Morgage in preſent for both payments.

3. If your Grace ſhall make him your ſervant with this favour ſo nobly condition'd, he hopes your Grace may proceed on with his Patent thus forward, without any ſtay for any other Corrival, which notwithſtanding he humbly refers.

4. But deſires, if his preſentment be accepted, he may have leave by me to render his thanks unto your Grace perſonally ſometime to morrow.

And ſo I leave your Grace for this time in Gods protection. And reſt

Yours, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 24. December, 1624. My moſt Gratious Lord,

I Moſt humbly beſeech your Grace for Gods ſake, and his Churches, to conſider of this motion, which I do make unto your Grace, concerning the Deanerie of York now vacant, the Dean being ſtruck dead ſuddenly, by a Letter, which one Dr. Scot procured from his Majeſtie, to be his Coadjutour.

It is not for any man in particular; but againſt Doctor Scot, that he may not by the importunity of any one upon your Grace be promoted to this place, being the ſixth, or ſeventh place of preferment Eccleſiaſtical within this Kingdom, but that your Grace would be pleaſed to remove Doctor White, or Doctor Hall, or whom your Grace ſhall pleaſe, unto this great Deanery, and beſtow the leſſer Deanerie (far above his merit) upon him.

For theſe Reaſons.

1. I know that he hath ſold away all his Livings which he hath had in this Church, and hath at this day never an one.

2. I am credibly informed, he oweth 5000 l. at the leaſt. A vaſt ſumme for a poor Scholar, and too much to be got up in a poor Church. And moſt of this money in York.

3. I know he is a great Gameſter, and of no fitting converſation for a Church-man; but of very mean parts, either of Learning, or government.

4. I am certified at this time, that he is a man often overſeen in drink; but this I do not know.

If therefore your Grace ſhall be pleaſed, upon my Lord Mordant's importunity to procure him any Deanerie, I do not doubt but his Lordſhip will be ſatisfied, and that Church eternally obliged unto you for that Commutation. And I beſeech your Grace to believe him, that is no way intereſted herein, that it concerns your Grace very much in credit, and reputation, that ſo mean a man (amongſt ſuch a choice as the Church of England doth afford,) be not by your favour preferred to ſo high a dignity. God be merciful to my ſins, as I have no end herein but your Honour, and the good of that Church, and therefore I recommend no particular man unto your Grace, but do reſt

Yours, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, concerning Dr. Scott, 4. January, 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Humbly beſeech you to interpret favourably, what I ſaid unto his Majeſtie or his Highneſſe, as intending to put off Dr. Scott from this place. And no way (God be my witneſſe) to croſſe your Grace, nor to hurt Scot, who might have been otherwaies ſufficiently provided for.

But I ſhould have written or ſpoken unto your Grace? ſo I did in this Letter encloſed, upon Chriſtmaſſe Eve. But I confeſſe I durſt not ſend it, for fear of offending your Grace, which I do take all poſſible diligence to avoid.

But, I ſpake unto the King, and Prince? I did ſo; but with this caution, (which I know they do remember,) that if your Grace would not upon the motion exchange Scot to ſome other preferment, I did not hold it fit to preſſe theſe charges againſt him, but would do my endeavour to ſtill and quiet thoſe of the Church of York, who (I confeſſe unto your Grace) are the men that have written againſt him.

But I recommended Dr. VVhite, and another to the Prince, and Dr. VVarner to your Grace: I confeſſe it, but muſt diſtinguiſh the times, and the manner. I commended Dr. VVarner, when I was informed Dr. White had his anſwer, and denial, and that your Grace was off from Dr. Scot, and did deſire to hear from me, what Doctor Warner was, whom I recommended onely in general terms upon the ſuit of another. What I ſaid of him, I believe, and know to be true, but he is ſo far from being any creature of mine, that I proteſt before the Almighty God, I never ſpake one word with the man to this very hour in all my life. I did conceive ſo meanly of Doctor Scot, that no worthy man in the Kingdom ſhould have failed of my recommendations in this particular.

Now I know your Grace's reſolution, I do alter my opinion, and humbly crave your Grace's pardon for my meddling therein, although I know his Highneſſe will bear me witneſſe, it was with all dutiful reſpect unto your Grace. I ſhall be very careful of giving your Grace the leaſt cauſe of jealouſie in this kind again. And whereas I had put a poor ſuit in your Grace's hands about the helping of my poor fortunes, I will let that, and all others fall, and deſire onely to be accounted

Yours, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 2. March, 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

THis heavy, and unexpected accident of my Lord Stewards death, makes me to be troubleſome unto your Grace at this time. In ſafety and diſcretion, I might very eaſily ſpare this labour: but my obligation to your Grace is ſuch, as if that I conceal any thing, which but my ſelf apprehends fit to be repreſented to your Grace, whileſt I affect the title of a reſerved, cloſe, and wiſe, I may loſe the other of an honeſt man, which I more eſteem.

Thus much by way of preface.

I repreſent this office of a Lord Steward, as a place to be either accepted of by your ſelf, or elſe to be diſcontinued (as for many years towards the latter end of Queen Elizabeth, and the beginning of our Maſters raign it was) and in any caſe, not to be placed upon another, without the deliberation of ſome few years at the leaſt. Being an office, that none but the Kings Kinſmen, or Favorites, or Counter-favourites (raiſed up of purpoſe to ballance the great one) have anciently poſſeſſed: I could deſire your Grace had it in your own perſon; for theſe Reaſons.

1. It is an office of fair, and very competent gettings, but that is ſcarce conſiderable.

2. It keeps you in all changes and alterations of years neer the King, and gives unto you all the opportunities, and acceſſes, without the envie of a favorite. I beſeech your Grace pauſe well upon this, and call to mind, if the Duke of Richmond was not in this caſe.

3. It Gives you opportunities to gratifie all the Court, great and ſmall, Virtute Officii in right of your place. Which is a thing better accepted of, and interpreted, then a courteſie from a favorite. Becauſe in this you are a diſpenſer of your own; but in the other (ſay many envious men,) of the Kings goodneſſe, which would flow faſt enough of it ſelf, but that it is reſtrained to this Pipe and channel onely.

4. There muſt be one day an end of this attendance as a Bed-chamber man, but I hope never of being next unto the King, as a great Counceller, and officer, and above all others, which you cannot be, but by this office. The Maſter of the horſe is but a Knights place at the moſt, and the Admirals (in time of action) either to be imployed abroad Perſonallie, or to live at home in that ignominie, and ſhame, as your Grace will never endure to do ſo.

I will trouble your Grace with a tale of Dante the firſt Italian Poet of note. Who being a great, and wealthie man in Florence, and his opinion demanded, who ſhould be ſent Embaſſador to the Pope, made this anſwer, that he knew not who Si jo vo chiſta, Si jo ſto chi va. If I go, I know not who ſhall ſtay at home; if I ſtay, I know not who can perform this imployment. Yet your Grace ſtaying at home in favour, and greatneſſe with his Majeſtie, may by your deſigns and directions ſo diſpoſe of the Admiral, as to injoy the glory, without running the hazard of his perſonal imployment, My Gracious Lord, if any man ſhall put you in hope, that the Admiralty will fill your Coffers, and make you rich, call upon them to name one Admiral that ever was ſo. As in time of hoſtility there is ſome getting, ſo are there hungry and infatiable people preſently to devoure the ſame. God made man to live upon the land, and neceſſity onely drives him to Sea. Yet is not my advice abſolutely for your relinquiſhing of this, but in any caſe for the retaining of the other place though with the loſſe of the Admiraltie.

5. I beſeech your Grace obſerve the Earl of Leiceſter, (who being the onely favorite in Queen Elizabeths time, that was of any continuance) made choice of this place onely, and refuſed the Admiralty two ſeveral times, as being an occaſion, either to withdraw him from the Court, or to leave him there, laden with ignominie. And yet being Lord Steward, wiſe, and in favour, he wholly commanded the Admiralty, and made it miniſterial, and ſubordinary to his directions.

6. Remember, that this office is fit for a young, a middle, and an old man to injoy, and ſo is not any other that I know about his Majeſty. Now God almighty having given you favour at the firſt, and ſince a great quantity (I never flattered your Grace, nor do now) of wit, and wiſe experience, I would humbly recommend unto your Grace this opportunity to be neereſt unto the King in your young, your middle, and your decreaſing age, that is to be on earth, as your piety will one day make you in heaven, an everlaſting favorite. There are many objections, which your Grace may make, but if I find any inclination in your Grace to lay hold upon this propoſition, I dare undertake to anſwer them all. Your Grace may leave any office you pleaſe (if your Grace be more in love with the Admiraltie, then I think you have cauſe,) to avoid envie. But my final concluſion is this, to deſire your Grace moſt humbly to put no other Lord into this office, without juſt, and mature deliberation. And to pardon this boldneſſe, and haſte, which makes me to write ſo weakly in a theame, that I perſwade my ſelf I could maintaine very valiantly; I have no other copie of this Letter, and I pray God your Grace be able to read this. I ſend your Grace a Letter delivered unto me from Conde Gondomar, and dated either at Madrid, or (as I obſerve it was written firſt,) at London. There is no great matter at whither of the places it was invented. I humbly beſeech your Grace to ſend by this bearer the reſolution for the Parliament. And do reſt

Yours &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke about Sr. Robert Howard. 11 March 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

SIr Robert Howard appeared yeſterdy, and continues obſtinate in his refuſal to ſwear. When we came to examin the commiſſion for our power to fine him for this obſtinacie, we found that Sir Edward Cook, (foreſeeing out of a prophetical, how near it might concern a Grandchild of his own day) hath expunged this clauſe (by the help of the Earle of Salisburie,) out of the commiſſion, and left us nothing but the ruſtie ſword of the church, excommunication, to vindicate the authority of this Court. We have given him day until Saturdy next, either to conform, or to be excommunicated. She hath anſwered wittilie, and cunningly, but yet ſufficient for the Coniſance of the Court. Confeſſeth a fame of incontinencie againſt her, and Howard, but ſayeth it was raiſed by her Husbands kindred. I do not doubt but the buſineſſe will go on well, but (peradventure) more ſlowly, if Howard continue refractory, for want of this power to fine, and amerce him. I beſeech your Grace, either to procure me the favour to come, or to excuſe my not ſeeing his Majeſtie in this time of his indiſpoſition, which I hear ſtill continueth. I beſeech Almighty God (as in eternal duty I am bound) preſently to eaſe him, and reſtore him to his perfect health Mr. Packers being away makes me unmannerly. I am humbly to deſire your Grace to be pleaſed to move his Majeſtie (at your firſt opportunity) to ſign this Commiſſion, for the proroguing of the Parliament, and to read unto his Majeſtie this paper of names here incloſed, (which his Majeſtie is not to ſign,) knowing his pleaſure, whether he alloweth of them for Commiſſioners for the laſt ſubſide of the Lords. I have added to the former the Earl of Montgomerie according to your Graces direction, whom God almighty ever preſerve. It is the prayer of &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke 13. March. 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

FOr your Brothers buſineſſe, this is all I have to acquaint your Grace with. Sir Robert Howard appeared yeſterday at Lambeth, pretended want of Councel, (the Doctors being out of town) deſired reſpite until to morrow, and had it granted by my Lords Grace. Moſt men think he will not take his oath at all; I do incline to the contrary opinion, becauſe (to my knowledge) he hath ſent far, and near for the moſt able Doctors in the Kingdom to be feed for him, which were great follie if he intended not to anſwer. He is extreamly commended for his cloſeneſſe and ſecreſie by the major part of our auditors, (the Hee and Shee good fellowes of the town,) and though he refuſeth to be a Confeſſor, yet is ſure to die a Martyr, and moſt of the Ladies in town will offer at his ſhryne. The Lady Hatton ſome nine dayes ſince, was at Stoke, with the good Knight her Husband for ſome counſel in this particular. But he refuſed to meddle therewithal, and diſmiſt her Ladiſhip, when ſhe had ſtayed with him very lovingly half a quarter of an hour.

The cauſe of my troubling your Grace is this. The French Embaſſador is fired with ſome complaints of our Recuſants, who (I verily believe) work upon him purpoſely, finding him to be of a combuſtible diſpoſition. To morrow he is reſolved to come upon you, and our Maſter with Complaints, for lack of performances to the Papiſts. And becauſe I would furniſh your Grace with as much anſwer, as I am acquainted with, (nothing doubting but your Grace is otherwaies better provided,) I make bold to preſent your Grace with theſe particulars.

1. With a Letter from my Lord Archbiſhop of York in anſwer to another of mine; which ſhews how really his Majeſties promiſe hath been in that kind performed. I beſeech your Grace to keep it ſafe in your pocket, until I ſhall have the honour to wait upon your Grace, when you have made uſe of the ſame.

2. If your Grace ſhall hear him complain of the Judges in their charges, and of their receiving of Indictments; your Grace may anſwer, That thoſe charges are but orations of Courſe, opening all the penal Lawes, and the Indictments being preſented by the Country, cannot be refuſed by the Judges. But the Judges are ordered to execute nothing actually againſt the Recuſants, nor will they do it, during the negotiation.

3. Your Grace may put him in mind, that my Lord Keeper doth every day, when his, (the Lord Embaſſadours) Secretary calls upon him, grant forth Writs to remove all the perſons indicted in the Country into the Kings Bench, out of the power and reaches of the Juſtices of the Peace. And that being there, the King may, and doth releaſe them at his pleaſure.

4. That the Spaniſh Embaſſadour never had, nor deſired more then theſe favours.

5. That you are informed, that Copies of Letters written from the King to both the Archbiſhops are ſpread abroad in Staffordſhire, to his Majeſties diſadvantage (for ſo it is) and that thereby my Lord Embaſſadour may perceive the bent of the Engliſh Catholiques, which is not to procure eaſe and quietneſſe to themſelves, but Scandals to their neighbouring Proteſtants, and diſcontentments againſt the King and State.

I humbly crave your Graces pardon for this boldneſſe, and tediouſneſſe, and with my hearty prayers for your health, do reſt

yours, &c.

The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 22. March, 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Send your Grace here incloſed, the Kings Commiſſion, and the Prince's Proxie, not fairly written, (which the Embaſſadours upon the place may procure in a frech hand,) but yet legibly, and paſſably. The Prince's Proxie refers the manner unto the articles, and particularly to the ſecond, third, and fourth Section of thoſe Articles; which gives me occaſion to begg of your Grace pardon, to deſire your Grace to think ſeriouſly upon the third Section, to adviſe with the Prince, and to give Mr. Packer charge to inform your Grace punctually what he knoweth, and may inform himſelf concerning thoſe particulars. That is, How the Queen Margaret of France was married to Henry the fourth, and how Madam his ſiſter was married to the Prince of Lorrain. For although they are both made alike in the article, yet ſurely they were not married after the ſame faſhion. For the Dutcheſſe of Barr was married in a cloſet, without a Maſſe, by words onely of the Preſent tenſe, as I believe, I have read in the Hiſtorie of Thuanus. A favour, which will hardly be granted to your Grace. And how Queen Margaret was married, my Lords the Embaſſadours will ſoon learn, if your Grace will be pleaſed to write unto them.

I hold it (in a manner) neceſſary, that your Grace do carrie over with you in your company one Civilian to put your Grace in mind of the formalities required; and if your Grace be of that mind, your own Doctor, Dr. Reeves is as fit as any man elſe, who is a good Scholar, and ſpeaks that language. Your Grace hath revived my Lord of Clare, ſithence I ſpake with your Grace. And I beſeech your Grace to follow that reſolution, and to let Mr. Packer draw up a warrant of 3. or 4. lines ſigned by the King to me to place him with the reſt of the Councel of War. It will be an occaſion to take up more of that time, which he now ſpends with the Lady Hatton. For now I am reſolved, that I was of the right in my conjecture to your Grace, that his Lordſhip had utterly refuſed my Lady Purbecks cauſe (of the which the very common peopple begin to be aſhamed) but is deeply ingaged againſt my Lady of Richmond, Dutcheſſe of Richmond. in the buſineſſe of that famous (or rather notorious) foeminine Contract, and bargain, of ſixteen hundred pounds by the year for a houſe to ſleep in.

When your Grace ſhall draw up your Inſtructions, you will be pleaſed to uſe the words, To Contract, Eſpouſe and marrie Our Welbeloved Son, &c. becauſe they do in thoſe parts contract alwaies before marriage. And your Grace will be pleaſed to expreſſe his Majeſties pleaſure, that this is to be done by your ſelf, and no other: Becauſe although the two Earls upon the place, have ſome ſuch general words in their Commiſſion, yet your Grace only is named in the Prince's Proxie, and now ſolely imployed by the King to that purpoſe. Although I conceived this reſtraint to be fitter a great deal for the inſtructions, then the Commiſſion.

I am extream ſorry to hear what a grievous fit his Majeſtie had this laſt night. But I hope it is a farewel of the Agues, and I pray God it be the laſt fit. And now am an humble ſuitor again, that I may come and look upon his Majeſtie, reſolved to ſay nothing, but that which I will never ceaſe to ſay, God bleſſe him. If your Grace holds it inconvenient, I beſeech your Grace to excuſe me, and to account me as I will ever be found,

Yours, &c.

The Biſhop of Lincoln to the Duke, 7th. of January, 1625. Moſt Gratious Lord,

BEing come hither, according unto the dutie of my place, to do my beſt ſervice for the preparation to the Coronation, and to wait upon his Majeſtie for his Royal pleaſure and direction therein; I do moſt humbly beſeech your Grace, to crown ſo many of your Grace's former favours, and to revive a Creature of your own, ſtruck dead onely with your diſpleaſure, (but no other diſcontentment in the univerſal world,) by bringing of me to kiſſe his Majeſties hand, with whom I took leave, in no disfavour at all. I was never hitherto brought into the preſence of a King, by any Saint, beſides your ſelf: Turn me not over (moſt noble Lord) to offer my prayers at new Altars. If I were guiltie of any unworthy unfaithfulneſſe for the time paſt, or not guiltie of a reſolution to do your Grace all ſervice for the time to come, all conſiderations under Heaven could not force me to beg it ſo earneſtly, or to profeſſe my ſelf, as I do before God, and you,

Your Grace's moſt humble, affectionate, and devoted ſervant, Jo. Lincoln.

The Biſhop of Lincoln to his Majeſtie. Moſt Mighty, and dread Soveraign,

I Have now theſe four moneths, by the ſtrength of thoſe gracious ſpeeches your Majeſtie uſed, (when I took my leave of your Majeſtie at Salisbury,) and the conſcience of mine own innocencie from having ever wilfully or malitiouſly offended your Majeſtie, comforted my ſelf in theſe great afflictions; to be thus injoyned from your Majeſties preſence (the onely heaven wherein my ſoul delighted,) having ſubmitted my ſelf (I hope dutifully, and patiently) to the diſcharge from that great Office (for the execution whereof I was altogether unworthy;) My required abſence from the Councel Table; my ſequeſtration from attending your Majeſties Coronation: And your Majeſties favourable pleaſure (for ſo I do eſteem that,) to ſpare my preſence at this next Parliament. And I truſt in God I ſhall moſt readily obey any other Command, that bears the image and ſuperſcription of your Majeſtie, without any deſire of ſearching after the hand that helps to preſſe and ingrave it. Yet becauſe I ſuffer in ſome more particulars then peradventure is explicitely known to your Majeſtie: And that I have no friend left about your Majeſtie, that dares for fear of diſpleaſure relate unto your Majeſtie my griefs, and neceſſities, I humbly crave your gratious Pardon to make ſome two repreſentations, and ſome few Petitions unto your moſt excellent Maieſtie.

Firſt, I humbly ſhew unto your Majeſtie, that beſides my former Calamities, I am not paid that part of my Penſion, which ſhould pay the Creditors, who lent me money to buy the ſame; notwithſtanding your Majeſtie hath been gratiouſly pleaſed to order otherwiſe.

Secondly, I have not yet received my Writ of Summons unto the Parliament (denied to no Priſoners, or condemned Peers in the late raign of your bleſſed Father,) that I might accordingly make my Proxie, the which I cannot do, the Writ not received; nor can I my ſelf go into the Countrie, as I had done long ere this, had not the expectation of this Writ, together with the ſpecial ſervice of my Lord Duke, and no other occaſion whatſoever detained me.

Theſe two particulars I preſent with all ſubmiſſion unto your Majeſtie, and ſhall reſt ſatisfied with what royal reſolution your Majeſtie ſhall make therein.

Theſe petitions that follow I muſt earneſtly beg at your Majeſties hands, and for Gods ſake, and your bleſſed Fathers ſake, whoſe Creature, and moſt painful ſervant I was.

Firſt, that your Majeſtie would be pleaſed to mitigate, and allay the cauſeleſſe diſpleaſure of my Lord Duke againſt me; who is ſo little ſatisfied with any thing I can do, or ſuffer, that I have no means left to appeaſe his anger, but my prayers to God, and your Sacred Majeſtie.

Secondly, I beſeech your Majeſtie for Chriſt Jeſus ſake not to believe newes, or accuſations againſt me concerning my carriage paſt, preſent, or to come, whileſt I ſtand thus injoyned from your Royal preſence, before you ſhall have heard my anſwer, and defence unto the particulars. Thoſe that inform your Majeſtie may (God he knoweth) be oftentimes mis-informed.

My laſt ſupplication unto your Majeſtie is, That in my abſence this Parliament, no uſe may be made of your ſacred name to wound the reputation of a poor Biſhop, who beſides his Religion and Dutie to that Divine Character you now bear, hath ever affectionately honoured your very Perſon above all the objects in this world, as he deſires the ſalvation of the world to come. But I crave no protection againſt any other accuſer, or accuſation whatſoever. So ſhall I never ceaſe to pray to the Almighty God to make your Majeſtie the Happieſt and Greateſt King, that ever was Crowned, and Anointed: which ſhall be the continual oriſons of

Your Majeſties moſt dutiful and moſt humble Vaſſal, Jo. Lincoln.

The Lord Keeper to the Lord Viſcount Anan. 17. Septemb. 16. Right Honourable,

I Owe more ſervice to that true love, and former acquaintance, which your Lordſhip hath been pleaſed to afford me, now theſe full ten yeares, then to be ſparing, or reſerved in ſatisfying your Lordſhip about any doubt whatſoever, the reſolution whereof ſhall lie in my power. Concerning that offence, taken by many people, both on this ſide the borders and in Scotland, from that Clemencie which his Majeſtie was pleaſed to extend to the impriſoned Lay-Recuſants of this Kingdom, and my Letter written unto the Juſtices for the reigling of the ſame, which your Lordſhip did intimate unto me yeſterday at Mr. Henry Gibbs his houſe, out of ſome newes received from a Peer of Scotland. This is the plaineſt return I can make unto your Lordſhip. In the general, as the Sun in the firmament appears unto us no bigger then a Platter, and the Stars but as ſo many nails in the pummel of a ſaddle, becauſe of the Elongement and diſproportion between our eyes, and the object; ſo is there ſuch an unmeaſurable diſtance betwixt the deep reſolution of a Prince, and the ſhallow apprehenſion of common and ordinary people, that as they will be ever judging and cenſuring, ſo muſt they be obnoxious to errour and miſtaking.

Particularly, for as much as concerns my ſelf, I muſt leave my former life, my profeſſion my continuall preaching, my writing, (which is inſtant in the hands of many,) my private indeavours about ſome great perſons, and the whole bent of my actions, (which in the place I live in cannot be concealed, to teſtifie unto the world, what favour I am likely to importune for the Papiſts in their religion. For the King my Maſter, I will tell you a ſtorie out of Velleius Paterculus. A Surveyor bragging to M. Livius Druſus, that he would ſo contrive his houſe Ʋt Libera à conſpectu immunis ab omnibus arbitris eſſet, that it ſhould ſtand removed out of ſight, and be paſt all danger of peeping, or Eves-dropping; was anſwered again by Druſus, Tu vero, ſi quid in te artis eſt ita compone domum mean, ut quicquid agam ab omnibus Conſpici poſſit, Nay my good friend, if you have any devices in your head, contrive my houſe after ſuch a manner, that all the world may ſee what I do therein. So if I ſhould indeavour to flouriſh up ſome artificial Vault, to hide and conceal the intentions of his Majeſtie, I know I ſhould receive the ſame thanks, that the Surveyor did from Druſus. I was not called to Councel by his royal Majeſtie, when the reſolution of this Clemencie to the Lay-Recuſants was firſt concluded: But if I had been asked my opinion, I ſhould have adviſed it without the leaſt haeſitation. His Majeſtie was ſo Popiſhly addicted at this time, that (to the incredible exhauſtments of this Treaſurie) he was a moſt zealous interceder for ſome eaſe and refreſhment to all the Proteſtants in Europe, his own Dominions, and Denmarks onely excepted.

Thoſe of Swithland (having lately provoked the Pole) had no other hope of peace; thoſe of France of the exerciſe of their Religion; thoſe of the Palatinate, and adjoyning Countries of the leaſt connivencie to ſay their prayers, then by the earneſt mediation of our gracious Maſter. And adviſed by the late Aſſembly of Parliament to inſiſt a while longer in this milkie way of interceſſion, and Treatie. What a prepoſterous argument would this have been to deſire thoſe mighty Princes (armed, and victorious) to grant ſome liberty, and clemencie to the Proteſtants, becauſe himſelf did now impriſon, and execute the rigour of his lawes againſt the Roman Catholiques, I muſt deal plainely with your Lordſhip. Our viperous countrymen the Engliſh Jeſuits in France to fruſtrate theſe Pious endeavours of his Majeſties, had many months before this favour granted, retorted that argument upon us, by writing a moſt malitious book (which I have ſeen, and read over) to the French King, inciting him, and the three Eſtates, to put all thoſe ſtatutes in execution againſt the Proteſtants in thoſe parts, which are here enacted, and (as they falſely informed) ſeverally executed upon the Papiſts. I would therefore ſee the moſt ſubtile State-monger in the world chalk out a way for his Majeſtie to mediate for Grace, and favour for the Proteſtants, by executing at this time the ſeverity of the Lawes upon the Papiſts. And that this favour ſhould mount to a Toleration, is a moſt dull, (and yet a moſt diveliſh) miſconſtruction.

A Toleration looks forward, to the time to come: This favour backward onely, to the offences paſt. If any Papiſt now ſet at liberty ſhall offend the lawes again, the Juſtices may, (nay muſt) recommit him, and leave favour and mercy to the King, to whom onely it properly belongeth. Nay let thoſe 2. writs directed to the Judges, be as diligently peruſed by thoſe raſh Cenſures as they were by thoſe grave, and learned, to whom his Majeſtie referred the penning of the, ſame and they ſhall find, that theſe Papiſts are no other-otherwiſe out of priſon, then with their ſhackles about their heels, ſufficient ſureties, and good recogniſances to preſent themſelves again at the next aſſiſes. As therefore that Lacedemonian poſed the Oracle of Apollo, by asking his opinion of the bird which he graſped in his hand, whether he were alive, or dead, ſo it is a matter yet controverſed, and undecided, whether thoſe Papiſts (cloſed up, and graſped in the hands of the law) be ſtill in priſon, or at libertie. Their own demeanours, and the ſucceſſe of his Majeſties negotiations, are Oracles that muſt deſide the ſame. If the Lay-papiſts do wax inſolent with this mercy, inſulting upon the Proteſtants, and tranſlating this favour from the perſon to the cauſe, I am verily of opinion his Majeſtie will reman d them to their former ſtate, and condition, and renew his writ no more. But if they ſhall uſe theſe graces modeſtly, by admitting Conference with learned Preachers, demeaning themſelves neighbourly and peaceably, praying for his Majeſtie, and the proſperous ſucceſſe of his pious endeavours, and relieving him bountifully (which they are as well able to do as any of his Subjects,) if he ſhall be forced and conſtrained to take his ſword in hand, then it cannot be denied, but our Maſter is a Prince, that hath (as one ſaid) plus humanitatis penè quam hominis, and will at that time leave to be merciful, when he leaves to be himſelf. In the mean while, this argument fetcht from the Devils topicks, which concludes a Concreto ad abſtractum from a favour done to the Engliſh Papiſts, that the King favoureth the Romiſh Religion is ſuch a compoſition of follie, and malice, as is little deſerved by that gracious Prince, who by word, writing, exerciſe of Religion, acts of Parliament, late directions for catechizing, and preaching, and all profeſſions, and endeavours in the world hath demonſtrated himſelf ſo reſolved a Proteſtant. God by his holy Spirit open the eyes of the people, that theſe aierie repreſentations of ungrounded fancies ſet aſide, they may clearly diſcern, and ſee how by the goodneſſe of God, and the wiſdom of their King, this Iſland of all the Countries in Europe is the ſole neſt of peace and true Religion, and the inhabitants thereof unhappie onely in this one thing, that they never look up to heaven to give God thanks for ſo great a happineſſe.

Laſtly, for mine own Letter to the Judges, (which did onely declare, not operate the favour,) it was either much miſ-penned, or much miſconſtrued. It recited four kinds of recuſancies onely capable of his Majeſties clemencie not ſo much to include theſe, as to exclude many other crimes bearing amongſt the Papiſts the name of Recuſancies, as uſing the function of a Romiſh Prieſt, ſeducing the Kings liege people from the Religion eſtabliſhed, ſcandalizing and aſperſing our King, Church, State, or preſent Government. All which offences (being outward practiſes, and no ſecret motions of the conſcience,) are adjudged by the Lawes of England to be merely civil, and political, and excluded by my Letter from the benefit of thoſe Writs, which the bearer was imployed to deliver unto the Judges.

And thus I have given your Lordſhip a plain account of the carriage of this buſineſſe, and that the more ſuddenly, that your Lordſhip might perceive it is not Aurea Fabula, or prepared tale, but a bare Narration, which I have ſent unto your Lordſhip. I beſeech your Lordſhip to let his Majeſtie know, that the Letters to the Juſtices of Peace concerning thoſe four heads recommended by his Majeſtie, ſhall be ſent away as faſt as they can be exſcribed. I will trouble your Lordſhip no more at this time, but ſhall reſt ever

Your Lordſhips ſervant and true friend, Jo. Lincoln. C. S.

The Biſhop of Menevenſis to the Duke: Dr. Laud. My moſt Gratious Lord,

I May not be abſent, and not write. And ſince your Grace is pleaſed with the trouble, I muſt profeſſe my ſelf much content with the performance of the dutie. I am not unmindful of the laſt buſineſſe your Grace committed to me, but I have as yet done the leſſe in it, becauſe I fell into a relaps of my infirmitie, but I thank God I am once more free, if I can look better to my ſelf, as I hope I ſhall.

My Lord, I muſt become an humble ſuitor to your Grace. I hear by good hand that my Lord of Canterbury intends ſhortly to renew the High Commiſſion. Now I am to acquaint your Grace, that there is never a Biſhop that lives about London left out of the Commiſſion but my ſelf, and many that live quite abſent are in, and many inferiours to Biſhops. The Commiſſion is a place of great experience for any man, that is a Governour in the Church. And ſince by his Majeſties gratious goodneſſe, and your Grace's ſole procurement, I am made a Governour, I would be loath to be excluded from that which might give me experience, and ſo enable me to perform my dutie. I am ſure my Lord of Canterbury will leave me out, as hitherto he hath done, if his Majeſtie be not pleaſed to Command that I ſhall be in. This I ſubmit to your Grace, but humbly deſire even againſt my own eaſe and quiet, that I may not be deprived of that experience which is neceſſary for my place. I moſt humbly beſeech your Grace to pardon this boldneſſe, and to know, that in my daily prayers for your Grace's happineſſe, I ſhall ever reſt

Your Grace's moſt devoted and affectionate ſervant, Guil. Menevenſis. Novemb. 18. 1624.

The Biſhop of Menevenſis to the Duke: Dr. Laud. My moſt Gracious Lord,

I Am heartily glad to hear your Lordſhip is ſo well returned, and ſo happily as to meet ſo great joy. God hath among many others his great bleſſings (and I know your Grace ſo eſteems them) ſent you now this extraordinarie one, a ſon to inherit his fathers honours, and the reſt of Gods bleſſings upon both. So ſoon as I came to any end of my journey, I met the happie news of Gods bleſſing upon your Grace, and it ſeaſoned all the hard journey I have had out of Wales through the Snow. When I had reſted my ſelf a little at my friend's houſe in the Forreſt (Mr. Windebank a ſervant of your Grace's, whom I made bold to make known to your Honour) I came to Windſor in hope to have been ſo happie, as to meet your Grace at the great ſolemnitie: but when I came, I found that which I ſuſpected, that your Grace's greater joy would carrie you farther. Which journey, and the cauſe, and the end of it, I heartily wiſh, and pray may be full of joy, and all contentment to your Grace. I made bold to trouble your Grace with a Letter or two out of VVales, which I hope Mr. VVindebank took the beſt care he could to ſee delivered. I have no means to do your Grace any ſervice, but by my prayers, and they do daily attend, and ſhall ever, while I breathe to utter them. I hope though I have miſſed this opportunitie, yet I ſhall be ſo happie as to ſee, and wait upon your Grace at London. In the mean time, and ever, I leave your Grace, and all your home-bleſſings to the protection of the Almightie, and ſhall ever be found

Your Graces moſt devoted and affectionate ſervant, Guil. Meneven. VVindſor, 13. Decemb. 1625.

Doctor Mountague Biſhop of Chicheſter to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

YOur Highneſſe vouchſafed at VVindſor to let me underſtand, that his Majeſtie my gracious Maſter and Soveraign, had taken me off from that trouble and vexation, which by ſome mens procurement, I was put unto in the Houſe of Commons. They as I underſtand, think not ſo, but intend to proceed againſt me ſo far as they can, as having returned his Majeſtie no other anſwer, but that I was freed from impriſonment. It is true, that beſides 20 l. which the Serjeant had of me by exaction for fees, they bound me unto him in a bond of 2000 l. to appear before them, the firſt day of the next Seſſions. I beſeech your Grace, that as you have been pleaſed to tie me unto your excellent not onely ſelf, but alſo moſt honourable Siſter in that bond of obligation, as never was poor Scholar to ſuch Worthies; ſo you would be pleaſed to let his Majeſtie underſtand the caſe, that by your means I may be abſolutely diſcharged, with the redeliverie of my bond from them, whom I never offended, who (under correction) have nothing to do with me; and as his Majeſties ſervant be left unto himſelf, eſpecially for that which was authoriſed by himſelf, and commanded by his Father, my late Maſter of ever bleſſed memorie. If his Majeſtie will be pleaſed to call for their accuſations againſt me, if I do not really and thoroughly anſwer whatſoever is, or can be imputed to me out of my books, I will no further deſire favour and protection of his Majeſtie, and your Gracious ſelf, but be willingly left unto my enemies. I muſt crave pardon for preſuming thus to trouble your Grace, the rather becauſe through a grievous affliction of the Collick and Stone, I am not able perſonally to attend your Grace, whom according unto my moſt bounden dutie, I daily recommend unto the Almightie, being more obliged unto your noble ſelf, then ever to any one. So remaining

Moſt humbly at your Graces ſervice ever, Ri. Mountague. Petworth, 29. July.

1. IF any or all the Papiſts living can prove, that the Roman Church, as it now ſtands in oppoſition to the Church of England, is either the Catholique Church of Chriſt, or a found member of the Catholique Church,

I will ſubſcribe.

2. If any or all the Papiſts living can prove unto me, that the Church of England as it ſtandeth at this day, is not a true member of the Catholique Church,

I will ſubſcribe.

3. If any or all the Papiſts living can prove unto me, that any one point at this day maintained by the Church of Rome againſt the Church of England, was the received Doctrine of the Catholique Church, or concluded by any general Councel, or particular approved Councel, or reſolved of by any one Father of Credit to be ſuch, for 500. years at leaſt after Chriſt,

I will ſubſcribe Ri. Mountague.

The Biſhops of Rocheſter, Oxford, and St. Davids, to the Duke, concerning Mr. Mountague. May it pleaſe your Grace,

VVEE are bold to be ſuitors to you in the behalf of the Church of England, and a poor member of it Mr. Mountague, at this time not a little diſtreſſed. We are not ſtrangers to his perſon, but it is the Cauſe which we are bound to be tender of.

The cauſe we conceive (under correction of better judgment) concerns the Church of England merely; for that Church when it was reformed from the ſuperſtitious opinions broached, or maintained by the Church of Rome, refuſed the apparant and dangerous errours, and would not be too buſie with every particular School point. The cauſe why ſhe held this moderation was, becauſe ſhe could not be able to preſerve any unitie amongſt Chriſtians, if men were forced to ſubſcribe to curious particulars diſputed in Schooles.

Now may it pleaſe your Grace, the opinions which at this time trouble many men in the late Book of Mr. Mountague, are ſome of them ſuch, as are expreſly, the reſolved doctrine of the Church of England, and thoſe he is bound to maintain. Some of them ſuch as are fit onely for Schooles, and to be left at more liberty for learned men to abound in their own ſenſe, ſo they keep themſelves peaceable, and diſtract not the Church. And therefore to make any man ſubſcribe to Schoole opinions, may juſtly ſeeme hard in the Church of Chriſt, and was one great fault of the Councel of Trent. And to affright them from thoſe opinions in which they have (as they are bound) ſubſcribed to the Church, as it is worſe in it ſelf, ſo it may be the Mother of greater danger.

May it pleaſe your Grace farther to conſider, that when the Clergie ſubmited themſelves in the time of Henry the 8th. the ſubmiſſion was ſo, that if any difference doctrinal, or other fell in the Church, the King and the Biſhops were to be Judges of it in a national Synode, or Convocation, The King firſt giving leave under his broad Seale, to handle the points in difference.

But the Church never ſubmitted to any other Judge, neither indeed can Shee, though Shee would. And we humbly deſire your Grace to conſider, and then to move his moſt Gracious Majeſtie (if you ſhall think fit) what dangerous Conſequences may follow upon it. For firſt, if any other Judge be allowed in matter of Doctrine, we ſhall depart from the ordinance of Chriſt, and the continual courſe and practiſe of the Church.

2. Secondly, if the Church, be once brought down beneath her ſelf, we cannot but fear what may be next Strook at.

3. Thirdly, it will ſome way touch the honour of his majeſties dear Father, and our moſt dread Soveraign of Glorious, and ever bleſſed memorie, King James, who ſaw and approved all the opinions in this Book, and he in his rare wiſdom and judgment would never have allowed them, if they had Croſſed with truth and the Church of England.

4. Fourthly, we muſt be bold to ſay, that we cannot conceive what uſe there can be of Civil Government in the common Wealth, or of preaching, and external miniſtrie in the Church, if ſuch fatall opinions as ſome which are oppoſite, and contrarie to theſe delivered by Mr. Mountague are, ſhall be Publiquely taught and maintained.

5. Fiftly, we are certain, that all or moſt of the contrarie opinions were treated of at Lambeth, and ready to be publiſhed, but then Queen Elizabeth of famous memorie, upon notice given, how little they agreed with the Practice of pietie, and obedience to all Government, cauſed them to be ſuppreſſed, and ſo they have continued ever ſince, till of late ſome of them have received countenance at the Synod of Dort. Now this was a Synod of that nation, and can be of no authority in any other National Church, till it be received there by Publique authority. And our hope is that the Church of England will be well adviſed, and more then once over, before Shee admit a forraign Synod, eſpeciallie of ſuch a Church as condemneth her diſcipline and manner of Government, to ſay no more.

And further we are bold to commend to your Graces wiſdom this one particular. His Majeſtie (as we have been informed) hath already taken this buſineſſe into his own care, and moſt worthily referred it in a right courſe to Church-conſideration. And we well hoped, that without further trouble to the ſtate, or breach of unity in the Church it might ſo have been well, and orderly compoſed, as we ſtill pray it may, Theſe things conſidered we have little to ſay for Mr. Mountagues perſon: onely thus much we know. He is a very good Scholler and a right honeſt man. A man every way able to do God, his Majeſtie, and the Church of England great ſervice. We fear he may receive great diſcouragement, and which is far worſe, we have ſome cauſe to doubt this may bred a great backwardneſſe in able men to write in the defence of the Church of England againſt either home, or forraign adverſaries, if they ſhall ſee him ſink in fortunes reputation, or health upon his book occaſion.

And this we moſt humbly ſubmit to your Graces judgment, and care of the Churches peace, and welfare. So recommending your Grace to the protection of Almighty God,

We ſhall ever reſt At your Graces ſervice Jo. Roffens. Jo. Oxon. Guil Meneven. 2. Auguſt 1625.

Doctor Field Biſhop of Landaffe to the Duke. My Gracious Good Lord,

IN the great Library of men, that I have ſtudied theſe many yeares, your Grace is the beſt Book, and moſt Claſſick authour that I have read, in whom I find ſo much goodneſſe, ſweetneſſe, and nobleneſſe of nature, ſuch an Heroick ſpirit, for boundleſſe bounty as I never did in any. I could inſtance in many, ſome of whom you have made Deanes, ſome Biſhops, ſome Lords, and Privy Councellours. None that ever looked toward your Grace did ever go empty away I, need go no farther then my ſelf (a gum of the Earth) whom ſome 8. years ago you raiſed out of the duſt, for rayſing but a thought ſo high as to ſerve your Highneſſe. Since that, I have not played the Truant, but more diligently ſtudied you then ever before. And yet (Dunce that I am) I ſtand at a ſtay, and am a Non-proficient, the book being the ſame that ever it was, as may appear by the great proficiencie of others. This wonderfully poſeth me, and ſure there is ſome guile, ſome wile in ſome of my fellow Students, who hide my book from me, or ſome part of it. All the fault is not in mine own blockiſhneſſe, that I thrive no better. I once feared this before, that ſome did me ill offices. Your Grace was pleaſed to proteſt no man had, and to aſſure me no man could. My heart tels me, it hath been alwaies upright, and is ſtill moſt faithful unto you. I have examined my actions, my words, and my very thoughts, and found all of them ever ſince moſt ſound unto your Grace. Give me leave after ſo long Patience (for which vertue you were once pleaſed to commend me to my old Maſter King James, and I have not yet loſt it) now that for theſe 12 Months almoſt, I have been not onely upon the Stage, but upon the rack of expectations, even diſtracted between hope and fear, to comfort my ſelf with recordation of your Loving kindneſſes of old, when on that great feaſt day of your being inaugured our Chancellour, my look was your booke, wherein you read ſadneſſe, to which I was bold to anſwer, I truſted your Grace would give me no cauſe. You replyed with (loſſe of blood rather,) that was your noble expreſſion. But God forbid ſo precious an effuſion. (I would emptie all my veins rather then you ſhould bleed one drop) when as one blaſt of your breath is able to bring me to the haven where I would be. My Lord I am grown an old man and am like old Houſehouldſtuffe, apt to be broke upon often removing. I deſire it therefore but once for all, be it Eli, or Bathe and Wells, and I will ſpend the remainder of my dayes in writing an Hiſtory of your good deeds to me and others, whereby I may vindicate you from the envie, and obloquy of this preſent wicked age wherein we live, and whileſt I live in praying for your Grace,

Whoſe I am totallie and finallie, Theophilus Landaven.

The Biſhop of Landaffe to the Duke. My moſt honourable good Lord,

IT is meet before I beg a new, that I ſhould firſt acknowledge thoſe benefits, and more ſpecially give thanks for the laſt noble favour your Lordſhip did me in ſtanding up the laſt day of Parliament, and pleading my cauſe. Never was poor man more bound to a gracious Lord for protecting his innocencie: and it came ſeaſonable, like a ſhowr of rain in the time of drouth. My very heart was parched with grief till it came, and it had ere this been broken, had not your Lordſhips ſpeech then dropt comfort, in ſtrength whereof it yet lives. For an abortive thought, which never came into act, ſome 2. or 3. years ago conceived, and that tending to a work of mercy, and charitie, a deed of juſtice, and due thankfulneſſe, how far? how foulie have I been traduced? your Honour cannot imagine how deeply I have been wounded in my good name, as if I had deſerved deprivation, degradation, yea to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. This can none cure but God, or the King, Deus in monte, God hath done his part in providing an occaſion. Beſides London (which is too high for me to look after) and the removes which may be thereby, Hertford the next Seat to mine, (whither my Predeceſſors have oft been removed) is ſaid to be now void. Now good my Lord, ſpeak once more ſeaſonably. It is a doubled, and redoubled, an infinitely multiplied benefit, which is ſo given. Never had I more need of the Cordial his Majeſtie gave me at my going into Wales, which was that I ſhould not ſtay long there. It would be a reſtorative too, not onely of my Credit, ſo cruelly crackt with the ſharp teeth of the wide mouth of vulgar lying fame, but of my eſtate alſo, alwaies poor, but lately much more impoveriſhed, and made crazie by occaſions of the Church, which drew me to London (a place of great expences, as the buſie times were) to little purpoſe: And the Parliament overtaking me, which have held me long, and longer yet are like to hold me here, even to the undoing of my ſelf, my wife and ſix children, from whom I have now lived 6. or 7. moneths. And what ſhall I carry home with me but diſgrace and infamie? Yet my good Lord, at leaſt procure me of my Lord the King a Nunc dimittis, leave to depart. I ſhall be further out of the reach of purſuing malice, there in the Countrie, do his Majeſtie better ſervice in gathering up his Subſidies, praying, and teaching my children (whileſt I read a Lecture to them, my ſelf was never yet able to get by heart) of parcimony, which muſt be to them inſtead of a patrimonie, to pray for his Majeſties long life, health, and happineſſe. In which prayer ſhall your Lordſhip ever be duly remembred by

Your Lordſhips daily devote Beadsman, Theophilus Landavenſis.

Dr. Corbet to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

TO conſider my two great loſſes this week; one in reſpect of his Majeſtie to whom I was to preach; the other in reſpect of my Patron, whom I was to viſit. If this be not the way to repair the latter of my loſſes, I fear I am in danger to be utterly undone. To preſſe too near a great man, is a means to be put by; and to ſtand too far off, is the way to be forgotten: ſo Eccleſiaſticus. In which mediocrity could I hit it, would I live and die. My Lord, I would neither preſſe near, nor ſtand far off, chooſing rather the name of an ill Courtier, then a ſaucie Scholar,

From your Graces moſt humble ſervant, Rich. Corbet.

Poſtſcript.

HEre is news, my noble Lord about us, that in the point of Allegiance now in hand, all the Papiſts are exceeding Orthodox, the onely Recuſants are the Puritanes.

The E. of Worceſter, Arundel and Surrey, Montgomery to the King. May it pleaſe your moſt excellent Majeſtie,

ACcording to the Orders and Conſtitutions made and eſtabliſhed by your Majeſtie, and all the Companions of the Order at the laſt general Chapter held at White-Hall the 21. of May laſt paſt, we are bold to inform your Majeſtie, that we having diligently viewed divers of the Records of the ſaid Order, do in the black book find, that the keeping of the little Park at VVindſor, next adjoyning unto the Caſtle, is in direct words annexed for ever to the Office of the Uſher for the ſaid Order. So humbly kiſſing your Royal hands, We reſt

Your Majeſties moſt humble and faithful Subjects, and ſervants, E. Worceſter, Arundel and Surrey, Montgomery. White-Hall, 1. July, 1622.

The Lord Chancellour Bacon to the Duke. My very good Lord,

MY Lord of Suffolk's cauſe is this day ſentenced. My Lord, and his Lady fined at 30000 l. with impriſonment in the Tower at their own charges. Bingley at 2000 l. and committed to the Fleet. Sir Edward Cook did his part, I have not heard him do better, and began with a ſine of an 100000 l. But the Judges firſt, and moſt of the reſt reduced it as before. I do not diſlike that things paſſe moderately, and all things conſidered it is not amiſſe, and might eaſily have been worſe. There was much ſpeaking of interceding for the Kings mercie, which (in my opinion) was not ſo proper for a ſentence: I ſaid in concluſion, that mercy was to come ex mero motu, and ſo left it. I took ſome other occaſion pertinent to do the King honour, by ſhewing how happy he was in all other parts of his Government, ſave only in the manage of his treaſure by theſe Officers.

I have ſent the King a new Bill for Suſſex: for my Lord of Nottingham's Certificate was true, and I told the Judges of it before, but they neglected it. I conceive the firſt man (which is newly ſet down) is the fitteſt. God ever preſerve and keep you, &c.

The Earl of Suffolk to his Majeſtie. Gratious Soveraign,

IN this grievous time of my being barred from your preſence, which to me is the greateſt affliction that can lie upon me; and knowing by my former ſervice to you, the ſweet and Princely diſpoſition that is in you naturally, together with that unmatchable judgement which the world knoweth you have, is the occaſion, that I preſume at this time to lay before your Majeſtie my moſt humble ſuit; which is, that you would be pleaſed to look upon the Caſe of your poor ſervant, who after ſo many faithful deſires of mine to do you ſervice, I do not ſay that ſucceſſe hath fallen out as I wiſhed, ſhould now not only have ſuffered for my weakneſſe, and errours, but muſt be further queſtioned to my diſgrace. I would to God your Majeſtie did truly underſtand the thoughts of my heart, and if there you could find one the leaſt of ill affections to you, I wiſh it pulled out of my body.

Now to adde to my miſeries, give me leave to let your Majeſtie know the hard eſtate I am in; for I do owe at this preſent (I dare avow upon my fidelitie to you) little leſſe then 40000 l. which I well know will make me and mine poor and miſerable for ever.

All this I do not lay down to your Majeſties beſt judging eyes, that I mean this by way of complaint; For I do acknowledge the reaſon that your Majeſtie had to do what you did: neither do I go about to excuſe errours to have eſcaped me, but will now and ever acknowledge your Gracious favourable dealing with me, if you will be pleaſed now to receive me again to your favour after this juſt correction, without which I deſire not to enjoy fortune of Goods, or life in this world, which in the humbleſt manner that I can I beg at your Princely feet, as

Your, &c. T. Suffolk.

The E. of Suffolk to the Duke. My Honourable good Lord,

AT the firſt minute of mine, and my wives delivery out of the Tower, I had returned ſuch acknowledgment due for ſo great a favour, but that Sir George Coring only deſired to be the Meſſenger, as well as he was of the other, Let not (my Lord) my late misfortunes make me or mine more unable to ſerve, and thank you, then any hee, that thus takes advantage thereby to wrong me in your belief: for what I have both received in abatement of my fine, and ſpeedy libertie, I muſt confeſſe to come from your Noble mediation to his Majeſtie, whoſe diſpleaſure hath been more grievous to my ſoul, then all the reſt this world can inflict upon me.

As your Lordſhips kindneſſe hath begun to eaſe me, ſo now let the ſame hand cure, and preſerve me from a worſe relapſe wherein I am like to fall, if your power prevent it not. The motion of his Majeſties for my perſwading my ſons out of their places, was the grievouſeſt ſound that ever entred me, for thereby I ſtill breathed under the heavy weight of all my afflictions, not deſpairing but their Care (charged upon them with my bleſſing) might ſomewhat redeem my errours, and aſſure his Majeſtie, that my will was never tainted with offending him.

I know my Lord, there is little benefit in ſerving againſt Maſters minds, but they are unworthy ſervants that will leave ſuch Maſters upon any conditions. Such as make ſuit to chop or change for their own advantage, are better loſt then kept: But as for mine, my curſe ſhould follow them, if ever I could think, they followed his Majeſtie with ſuch indifferencie. My obedience to his Majeſtie was ever of more force with me, then mine own ends any way layed, nor ever joyed I more then in running to his Commands. But this (my Lord) rends my heart to think, that, unfortunate I, ſhould bury my ſons alive, and pronounce that ſentence, which would make me and them Scorns to poſteritie. Whileſt I have knee to bend, eye to lift up, or tongue to begg, I muſt implore his Majeſties pardon, and mercy in this kind. As for that more droſſie part of my eſtate, it ſtill lies at his Majeſties feet, and if he now pleaſe to recal, what he remitted, without further condition, I muſt obey, and let his Majeſtie ſee, no change of time or place can change me, my love, my dutie, or my zeal to him.

My Lord, here you may read me in my greateſt griefs that ever did fall to me: weigh them well, and think that one day you may be a father, and be as neerly touched, as now I am. The favour you ſhall do me herein ſhall prove no hidden talent, for the increaſe ſhall not onely be the happineſſe of a good work well done, but the hearty acknowledgment of a whole family, and all theirs, that ſhall as faithfully ſerve and honour you, as the beſt of thoſe, that would ſucceed them, which I hope your Lordſhip will believe from me, who will ever be

Yours, &c. T. Suffolk.

The Earl of Suffolk to his Majeſtie. Moſt Gracious Soveraign,

Your Princely favour in dilivering me, and my wife out of the tower, muſt, and ſhall ever be acknowledged of us with all humble thanks. And now be pleaſed to give me leave to be an humble ſuitor to your Majeſtie, that out of the tender compaſſion of your Princely heart, you will be pleaſed to caſt your eye upon the miſerable eſtate of your diſtreſſed, afflicted, and old Servant, now brought into fear of never recovering of your Majeſties favour, and ſo wretced my caſe is, as the little hope, that remained in me to live in your memorie, was by my two ſons ſervice to your Gracious ſelf, and the Prince. It is now required of me to impoſe upon them the reſignation of their places, which with all humility I beſeech you to give me leave to ſay, I would ſooner uſe my power over them to will them to burie themſelves quick, then by any other way then enforcement to give up their places of ſervice, which onely remaines to me to be either my dying comfort, or my living torment.

Beſides, they are now paſt my government, being both married, and have children, onely I have a Paternal Care of them, which I humbly beſeech your beſt judging Majeſtie to weigh reſpectively, how unhappie I muſt of neceſſity think my ſelf, if I ſhould be the perſwader of that misfortune to my children, that their children within a few years would curſe me for, either living, or dead. Upon all theſe juſt conſiderations (moſt Gracious Maſter) give me leave to turn my cruel, & unnatural part of perſwading them to yield to that, for which I ſhould deteſt my ſelf, to my humbleſt deſire upon the Knees of my heart to beg humbly of your Majeſtie, that whatſoever favour you have ever had to me for any ſervice done, that your Majeſtie will be pleaſed to ſpare the ruine of theſe two young men, whom I find ſo honeſtlie diſpoſed in their deſire of ſpending their fortunes, and lives in your Majeſties, and your Princely ſon's ſervice, as if your diſpleaſure be not fullie ſatisfyed with what I have ſuffered already, that you lay more upon me, and ſpare them. I have written to my Lord of Buckingham to be my mediator to your Majeſtie in this behalf, which I aſſure my ſelf he will noblie perform, as well as he hath formerly done, in being my means to your Majeſtie in obtaining this great begun favour. To conclude with my prayer to God, that your Majeſtie may ever find the ſame zeal, and Love to your perſon in whomſoever you ſhall imploy, that my hearts Sole-affection did, and ever ſhall carrie unto you, which God knowes was, and is more to your Majeſtie then to my wife, and children, and all other worldy things which God meaſure unto me according to the truth, as

Yours, &c. T. Suffolk

The Lady Elizabeth Howard to the King.

VVHen I waited upon you at Theobalds to beſeech your Majeſty that my Lord of Suffolk might not come into the Star-chamber, you proteſted that you loved the man, but that you muſt ſhew cauſe to the world why you took the Staffe from him, but for his fortune, that your Majeſtie would not meddle with it; the ſame my Lord of Buckingham told me, with this aſſurance of your promiſe I went away ſecure in that poynt. Sithence his cauſe was heard, he moved all that heard it with much compaſſion to him, and the people did think, that when you ſent him to the Tower, you would have ſent for him to have kiſſed your hand. But your Majeſtie is abuſed, for they do not let you know, what is thought of the proceeding againſt this good man, knowing how truely he loveth you, with the truth of his cauſe, that you would not follow him, and his children with crueltie.Which might have been better ſpent. My Lord hath ſpent in running a Tylt, in Maſques, and following the Court above 20000. And Sir ſhall his reward now be to be turned out of his place without any offence committed. Sir I am the child of your old Servant, and am now great with child, I know it will kill me, and I ſhall willingly die rather then deſire life to ſee my unfortunate ſelf, and mine thus miſerably undone. Sir I beſeech your Majeſtie remember my Father that is dead, and me his diſtreſſed child; for if he could know any worldly thing, he would wonder to ſee me, and thoſe that ſhall come of me, thus ſtrangly uſed. But my hope is ſtill in your Majeſties goodneſſe, and that you will not be carried away with the malice of other men. In this confidence I reſt with my daily prayers for your health and happineſſe, as

Yours &c. E. H.

The Lady Elizabeth Norris to the Duke. My Lord,

EVer ſince your Lordſhips firſt recommendation of my husband to me, I have thought my ſelf much ingaged to your Lordſhip; for I muſt confeſſe after he had taken his leave of me, I did love him never the leſſe: for immediately after my fathers death (when in my Conſcience he leaſt expected to hear from me) I did both ſend and write to him, which he might interpret an incouragement, or rather an invitation. I did it the rather, becauſe I did not believe thoſe which did him ill offices; for thoſe which were moſt for him, on a ſudden were moſt againſt him. I muſt confeſſe, that pitie did confirm my affection, and I truſt your Lordſhip will commiſerate his eſtate, as you do the fall of all mankind, for I was the Eva, and he was the Adam: and I pray God the King and your Lordſhip may forgive us, as I am confident God will pardon us. Your Lordſhip may imagine my Mother was of the plot, but I take God to witneſſe, that ſhe was not only againſt it, but contrarily. I did believe ſhe was wholly for your Brother: And for your Brother, my Mother recommended him to me, whom I uſed like a Gentleman of high worth and qualitie. But I did by no means abuſe him by promiſe, or taking guifts, which I falſely ſuffer for, in the opinion of the world. I only took a ring by my mothers appointment, which came as a token from my Lady your mother, which was of very ſmall value. My husband and I am reſolved rather to ſuffer in the opinion of the world, then contradict any thing which ſhall be aggravated againſt us. We muſt both honour you, and think our ſelves much ingaged to your Lordſhip. After God, I proteſt you are the onely authour of it: for by your means, I firſt ſettled my affection. I know there are thoſe which do my husband and me ill offices. I have reaſon to be jealous of the Lord Montgomery, for he would have put tricks upon me in making me deny the Contract; and when he failed in that, he went about to make me believe Mr. Wray had denied his. And to tell your Lordſhip true, his violence and over-earneſtneſſe made me the more averſe. If my husband had not fetched me, I would have come to him, and ſo I ſent him word.

Thus humbly beſeeching your Lordſhip as you are happie in your wife, that you would be pleaſed to make our peace with the King; and ſeeing it is Gods act, that you would honour us with your favour. We ſhall be both bound to joyn in prayer, that you may be ever happie in your Wife, and in your Childrens Children. And ſo with my humble reſpect to your Lordſhip, I reſt

Your Lordſhips humble ſervant, Elizabeth Norris.

Sir Edward Cecyl to the Duke. My very good Lord,

HOw much my affection and ambition hath been to ſerve your Lordſhip before other men, I hope I ſhall not need now to expreſſe, conſidering it hath been clear and manifeſt to your own trial, whereof I do bear ſtill the teſtimonie, and the continuance in mine own heart. But in your nobleneſſe it will not appear impertinent to your Lordſhip, that I put you in mind, how much I ſuffered in the diſgrace my enemies caſt upon me about the imployment for the Palatinate, when I was under your protection; whether I ſuffered for mine own ſake, or for your Lordſhip, I know not: howſoever of this I am aſſured, the greateſt cauſe I gave them, that had leaſt reaſon, was becauſe I ſought not them, but your Lordſhip only. And for the ſucceſſe, you may ſee by the miracles the imployment hath brought forth, that it was carried another way, rather for private malice, then for any great zeal to the advancement of the publique Cauſe.

Now my Lord, for your own honour, and for the upholding of your ſervant, make me ſo happie, if there be any imployment for men of my profeſſion (as there is opinion) that I may be the man by your Lordſhips means, wherein you ſhall make me your obliged, as I am now your affectionate ſervant. For which you ſhall be aſſured of as thankful heart, as any breathes in the whole world. In the enjoying of which kind of ſervice, though you are accounted the moſt happie among great men, yet you cannot have too much of it. I could remember your Lordſhip of his Majeſties gracious promiſe for my imployment before any other in the preſence of the Prince and your Lordſhip, and that I am the firſt General his Majeſtie ever made, and that I had no ill ſucceſſe in the perfecting of that ſervice; yet for all this, I will onely truſt in your Nobleneſſe, if you reſolve to make me your Creature.

And if it ſhall pleaſe his Majeſtie to hold me worthy of this honour, I will undertake to ſave his Coffers (as I have heretofore done) the ſixth part of the imployments charge and coſt, that any other man ſhall require, who makes not a computation for the managing of it, by a ſufficient expence of his own.

I will not write more at this time, but to wiſh your Lordſhip as much happineſſe as your heart can deſire, and that you will give me an occaſion to ſhew how much I am, and will be

Your Lordſhips moſt faithful and affectionate ſervant, Ed. Cecil. From our Army this 20. of Novemb.

Sir Edward Cecil to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Excellency,

THis Gentleman Sir George Blundel hath now cleerly quitted the ſervice of the States, for this eſpecial reaſon (as he aſſures me) to be the more abſolutely imployed in your Excellencies ſervice. This I know, his friends here that love him (which are many) are very ſorrie to part with him, for there is no melancholy where he goes. And therefore conſidering the condition of this place, we ſhall be great loſers, being upon a melancholy place, and ſervice, ill payed, ſick of all diſeaſes in the world, in a place that is next neighbour to hell, if the book printed ſay true, which ſaith, that the Low-Countriemen are next neighbours to the devil. And I am ſure, we are now ſeated lower then any part of theſe Countries; for the waters are above us, and about us, and we live in more fear of them, then of the enemy; for we may be drowned at an hours warning, if we do not continually work againſt it, and yet, and it ſhall pleaſe your Excellencie, this is the Seat for a Winter War. Many more inconveniencies we are daily ſenſible of, of which I have endured ſo much, as I dare ſay without vanitie, that few of my rank and fortune have ſuffered more, or longer then I have done in theſe Countries; having ſerved theſe 27. years together without intermiſſion; and all this for no other end (for I am 900 l. a year the worſe for the Wars) then to make me able to ſerve my Prince and Countrie when occaſion ſhould be offered.

But ſince the time is come, that opinion doth ſo govern, as ſtrangers get the Command, and new Souldiers imployed, which was never heard of before amongſt men of our occupation, It is high time for me to retire, and wiſh I had been of any other profeſſion then this. For if long ſervice can get no honour, nor reward, not imployment, but the contrary; it would touch a mans diſcretion to be more and more unfortunate: All my comfort is, that I ſhall have the honour and good fortune in my retreat, to draw neerer to your Excellencies ſervice, if not in my profeſſion, (which I deſire above all) yet in ſomething whereof your Excellencie may make uſe of me. For I am ambitious of nothing more, then to prove my ſelf by action, and not by recommendation,

Your Excellencies moſt faithful devoted, and humble ſervant, Ed. Cecyl. From our Army at Wallike the 4th of Decemb.

Sir Edward Cecil to Mr. Secretary Conway. My very good Lord,

IT hath pleaſed your Lordſhip to write me three Letters lately: the one a particular liſt of officers, that ſhould be ſent from hence; the ſecond for Mr. Hapton, the third an acknowledgement onely of the receipt of my Letter to your Lordſhip. The firſt I have put in execution, and have written to your ſon, Sir Edward Conway to give them all notice of your Lordſhips Care of them. And to let them know how welcome any one ſhall be to me, that you think fit to be imployed. For one of them called Enſign Rainesford, I had ſet him down, becauſe I received your Lordſhips direction from himſelf. For Mr. Hopton I have written unto him according to your deſire, with your Letter incloſed; concerning the laſt, I give your Lordſhip many humble thanks for having expreſſed the acceptance by your anſwer. Touching your buſineſſe here: the State hath ben as contrary to us, as the wind. For though they ſee a great action likely to be performed to their own good, with little coſt to themſelves; yet they deſire to be ſo wiſe, as to make benefit, both wayes, and not to balk any advantage: which makes them ſtand ſo ſtiff upon the denying of us Officers, and Soulders by election, and will yield to ſend none but whole companies, onely to abate ſo much upon the repartitions. But Sir William St. Leiger and I, have utterly refuſed their offer as a propoſition againſt his Majeſties ſervice: for by this ignorant winter war our Companies are grown half new men, having loſt moſt of our old, and of thoſe new men the half are ſick beſides: So that his Majeſtie ſhould be beholden to them, rather for names, then men: And again for the Officers, and Soulders, it is like they ſhould be moſt of them the worſt in the regiment, from whence they are to come. Whereas if we might have had thoſe Officers we made choice of, which were but ten Captaines, and other inferiour Officers to the number of thirty, they might have been fit for imployment upon a double enemy. And I could wiſh, that whenſoever his Majeſtie ſhall be once furniſhed with Good Officers, it would pleaſe him to make account of them, as theſe men do, who have had long experience, and known their Value.

It pleaſed my Lord the Duke to write to me a Letter, and to let me know he had choſen me his Officer, to attend, and obey him this journy: an honour too great for me, becauſe I did never expect it, but nothing ſhall excuſe my faults, ſaving my life. And among many other directions he commanded me to provide for the Army ſuch neceſſary things as cannot be had in England. Whereof I have thought of many, which I fear, I ſhall not have the time to get. In my care belonging to theſe proviſions, I have conſidered the uſe of our ſmall pieces of Ordinance here, which they call Drakes, that ſhoot 70. Musket bullets. They will be of great uſe in this ſervice, both in regard of the quick landing, and of the paſſing of ſuch mountainous places, as perhaps we may meet withal, and likewiſe in reſpect of the little hope we have to get any good muſquetiers, or at leaſt any great ſtore of them. But they are in ſuch favour here, as we can obtain none from hence, and ſo are forced by a general conſent to buy ten of them here, that were provided for the King of France. And the reputation they carrie is ſuch, as they are readie mony every where. They coſt not much more then 400. ſterling, and I hope they will prove the profitableſt pieces that were ever uſed in the quarrel of his Maieſties Friends. We have likewiſe conſidered of what ſervice a company of Firelocks would be to the action, but the time is ſo ſhort, we cannot raiſe them. Howſoever we are promiſed of the States to have leave for a companie of Harquebuſſiers, which are of ſuch uſe upon all occaſions, that we cannot miſſe them. And we have choſe a brave and worthie Gentleman his Majeſties Servant and Subject who is willing to leave any ſervice for this, being the ſervice of the King. If they ſhould have been raiſed in England, his Majeſtie muſt have payed for the horſes, armes, ſaddles, and piſtols, and yet not find any able to have ſerved in that kind.

The wind (as yet) holds contrary, which hath made me ſend this by Sir Henry Vane, who goes a way, that I dare not paſſe. But (I hope) if the wind ſerve, not to be many dayes behind him to receive your Lordſhips command, more particularly which I will obey as

Your Lordſhips moſt humble Servant, Ed: Cecyl. Hagh 2. June. 1625.

Poſtſcript.

MY Lord, now in this time of neceſſity for the getting of good Musquetiers, there are many hundred to be found in England that have ſerved in this Land, which by proclamation and promiſe of mony in hand, or more pay, will eaſily diſcover themſelves, whom ſome of the new men (to be releaſed) will be glad to ſatisfy, without charge to his Majeſtie.

Sir Edward Cecyl to the Duke. My moſt excellent Lord,

THere are ſome Letters of mine, that had come to your Lorſhips hands, a good many dayes ſince, had not the wind been contrary and withſtood their paſſage. The ſubſtance whereof was onely to ſhew you how thankful I hold my ſelf to your excellencie for ſo great and infinite a favour as it hath pleaſed your excellencie to think me worthie of. But as is it a favour that will ſet me on work all the dayes of my life:: ſo is it greater then I can ever deſerve. Howſoever my reſolution is to do my beſt. And I humbly beſeech your Excellencie to believe, that with my diligence, and the beſt underſtanding I have, I will ſeek nothing but to pleaſe you, and to honour you; and if God ſay Amen to make the world ſpeak of your deſign as much (I hope) as ever our Nation hath given cauſe. And for the faults of my ſelf, and thoſe I ſhall bring with me, they ſhall not be excuſed, but with our lives, and bloods: for I hope I ſhall bring none, but ſuch as know what to do, and when they come to it will bite ſooner then bark. I do promiſe my ſelf your Excellencie will have no cauſe to doubt or repent you of your favours, for I know what men have done, and what they can do in my occupation. But God is God, and men are but men.

All my diſcouragement is, that the States anſwer not his Majeſties expectation being fearful (eſpecially ſince the loſſe of Breda) to part with any of their old Officers, or old Souldiers; but my hope is now better, for we have put them to another reſolution, by anſwering all their objections. By this diſpoſition of the States to the keeping all their old Souldiers, I wiſh your Excellencie will be pleaſed to be as careful in your choice, as you are deſirous of great deſigns. For otherwiſe the honour, and the charge will both be caſt away, as your Excellencie may perceive in ſome of our latter expeditions, ſeeing that although there are many called Souldiers in the world, yet but a few there be, that are ſo: for ſo long a man muſt live in the profeſſion to inable him ſufficiently, that many grow unable to perform, what they know, before they have attained to the knowledge of what to perform. The knowledge of war being the higheſt of humane things that God ſuffereth mans underſtanding to reach unto.

I have according to your Excellencies command made as many proviſions as I can for the ſhortneſſe of the time, of ſuch things as cannot be gotten in England. And I could have wiſhed I had known of this imployment but ſome months ſooner; for then I could have ſaved his Majeſty ſomewhat, and have added many things that would very much have advanced the ſervice. For in our profeſſion the preparing of things belonging to the war, doth more ſhew a mans experience and judgment, then any thing elſe, by reaſon the firſt errours are the begetting of many more, that afterwards cannot be avoided. Your Exellencie may be pleaſed to inform your ſelf of all the exployts, and undertakings of our nation, that none of them hath ſuffered (for the moſt part) more then through the negligence of proviſions, as in victual, munition, boats for Landing, and for the receiving of ſick men, to keep the reſt from infection. In this point of proviſion, it is not good to truſt upon a particular man, for gain is a corrupter where the care is not publique. And in ſo great an expedition, one muſt do with living men, as they do with the dead, there muſt be overſeers and executors to have a true intent well performed.

I have preſumed to write thus much, to ſhew my thankfulneſſe to your Excellencie, and my great affection to his Majeſties ſervice, whereof I am infinitely poſſeſſed. I hear your Excellencie is in France, but my prayers to God are to ſend you ſafe, and happie home, for the World holds you the ſoule of advancing his Majeſties affairs, wherein his Honour is ingaged as it is, eſpecially in this action, being the firſt, and a Great One.

And as for my ſelf, who am now a creature you have made, I know not what I ſhall do when I come to England, being your Excellencies ſhadow only.

I have here attended the wind, and ſince I cannot force it, I am glad of the opportunitie to ſend the Letters by Sir Henry Vane, who goes over Land, a Paſſage I am not capable of, having been ſo long their enemie. But I hope God will ſend me ſoon after, leaving Sir William St. Leiger here for the diſpatch of that which remains. I have written more particularly to my Lord Conway which I dare not ſet down here for fear of being tedious, and knowing his Lordſhip will give your Excellencie an account of it. And ſo in all humbleneſſe and dutie, I pray God ſend your Excellency honour, and length of life for his Majeſtie's affairs, and for the happineſſe of

Your Lordſhips moſt humble, faithful and obedient ſervant, Ed. Cecill. Hagh the 3d. of June, 1625.

Sir Edward Cecil to the Duke. My moſt Excellent Lord,

THe occaſion of my boldneſſe in preſenting your Excellency with theſe lines, is for that, contrary to my expectation, I hear that there is a Commiſſion a drawing to make Sir Horace Vere a Baron of England. It is ſtrange to me at this time to hear it, for that I know not what worth there is more in him, then in thoſe, that are equal in profeſſion, and before him in birth. If your Excellencie have made choice of me to be your ſecond in this journey of ſo much charge, and expectation, and to make me leſſe then I was, what courage ſhall I have to do you ſervice? or what honour will redound to your Excellencie? But although I write it, yet I cannot believe it, for that I know you of that judgment and nobleneſſe, that you will rather adde to your faithful ſervants, although they beg it not, then to diſgrace them, and make them leſſe. Therefore I will continue my belief, and reſt

Your Excellencies moſt humble, and devoted ſervant, Ed. Cecill. 19. of July, 1625.

My Lord Wimbledon to the Duke. My Gratious Lord,

IT hath not a little troubled your faithful ſervant at my laſt being with your Excellencie in White-Hall Garden, to underſtand (after I had attended ſo long) that I had ill offices done me to his Majeſtie, and yet the World is of opinion, that I have your Excellencies favor. I preſently went home, and ever ſince I have muſed and conſidered, and can find no reaſon or policie for my being kept from his Majeſties preſence, which maketh me and my neer friends aſtoniſhed. For hitherto I have received no favour, but rather the moſt ſtricteſt proceeding, that ever was uſed (and without example) to any man, that had ſuch a charge.

And whereas there is no Commiſſion of any force, or validitie, without the aſſiſtance of the State, and Prince he ſerveth, for he that Commandeth is but one man, and the reſt are many thouſands, which are great oddes, yet I have been publiquely heard before the whole body of the Councel (my adverſaries ſtanding by) ſo curiouſly, as no inquiſition could have done more.

For firſt, I was examined upon mine inſtructions, then upon my acts of Councel, then upon my journal, then upon a journal compounded of by ten ſundry perſons, which were under my Command both Landmen and Seamen, which was never heard of before, and I did not only anſwer in particular to all points that were demanded, but by writing which is extant: yet cannot I get any judgment or report made to his Majeſtie, but rather time is given to my enemies (as I hear) to make an ill report of me and my actions to the King. But when I was to be accuſed, there was no time delayed nor deferred, and ſuch men as I have proved guilty, and failed in the principal point of the ſervice, to have fired and deſtroyed the Shipping, are neither examined, or any thing ſaid againſt them, which is ſtrange, eſpecially Sir Michael Geere. So that I know not how my Lord of Eſſex can take any thing ill from your Excellencie, unleſſe it be to have you do injuſtice, or againſt all reaſon. He may rather give your Excellencie many thanks, that his Lordſhip is not called into queſtion for letting paſſe the King of Spain's ſhips, that offered him fight, which would have been the chief ſervice, having inſtructions not to let any flie, or break out, without fighting with them.

Now (my Lord) I humbly beſeech your Excellencie to conſider my Caſe, that hath been ſo ſeverely examined, and no body elſe, and that after my Examination, I have lingred ſo long in my wrongs and diſgraces, and by the ill offices your Grace doth ſee are done me to his Majeſtie, which will rather increaſe then diminiſh, ſo long as I ſhall be kept from the preſence of his Majeſtie, that is I know of himſelf the juſteſt Prince in the world, and yet to be in your Excellencies favour.

And I hold my ſelf clear of all imputations in deſpight of all malice and practice, that hath been againſt me, to obſcure all my endeavours which my adverſaries in their conſciences can beſt witneſſe, that when they ſlept I waked; when they made good chear, I faſted; and when they reſted, I toyled. And beſides, when they went about to hinder the journey at Plimouth, by railing on the beggerlineſſe of it, and diſcrediting of it, I was content to take it upon me, though againſt my judgment, as I did ſecretly deliver both to his Majeſtie and your Grace, before I departed from the Coaſt: Nominating in my Letter to his Majeſtie all the inconveniencies that did after happen unto the Fleet: for had it not been in my obedience to his Majeſtie, and my good affection to your Excellencie, (that I did ſee ſo much affect it, and was ſo far ingaged) I would have been rather torn in pieces, then to have gone with ſo many ignorant and malicious people, that did ſhew ſo little affection or courage to his Majeſties ſervice, or any affection at all to your Excellencie. Yet for all this, all hath been laid upon me, having had rather hard courſes taken againſt me, then any way maintained in my Commiſſion which was given me, which no State, that I have ever heard of, did before. I pray God his Majeſties future ſervice do not ſuffer for it; for where his Majeſties Officers are not obeyed, he can never be ſerved.

Wherefore my ſuit is, that if I have any ill offices done me to his Majeſtie, that I may clear my ſelf before him by your favour, which I have ſo long attended after; or by way of Petition, which the meaneſt Subject is not to be hindred in; for as I continue now, I have not onely wrong done to me, but I ſuffer as much puniſhment (without any fault) as if I had been condemned.

And that your Excellencie will do me the favour to deal plainly with me, to let me know, why I am deferred from his Majeſties preſence, which is not denied to any, having received ſo much wrong.

If my ſuffering be to adde any ſervice to your affaires in theſe troubleſome times, let but this honeſt friend of mine know ſo much, and I will ſuffer any inconvenience, as I have, miſery, danger, and decay of my fortunes for your Excellencies ſake. And ſo I reſt

Your Excellencies moſt devoted, and faithful and thankful ſervant and Creature, Wimbledon. 28th. Apr. 1626.

My Lord Wimbledon to the Duke. My Gracious Lord,

I Underſtand that it pleaſed the Lords to grant the Colonels leave to accuſe me a new, and they have taken to them the moſt diſcontented Seamen they could get to help their malice forward. I had thought, that before my coming, they ſhould have had time and advantage ſufficiently to have ſhewen all their envie. And I was perſwaded, that they could not have deſired more, then to have been preſent when I ſhould be examined, and my journal read. At the reading whereof they took all the exceptions that might be, and I did anſwer them all in your Excellencies preſence, as I thought fully, whereupon they ſeemed to be ſo content, as they had no more to ſay; neither did they at that time deſire to make a journal, or to ſay any more.

Then the Lords reſolutions were only to hear the Seamen ſpeak, upon whom all the buſineſſe did lie. If they may be ſuffered upon new Combinations, to bring new ſlanders upon me, I cannot tell what to think of it. But this I can ſay, that if this courſe be taken, his Majeſtie will never be without a mutinous Armie. (which all States in policy do ſhun) For when the Common Souldiers ſhall ſee their Chiefs give them ſuch examples, they will ſoon follow, being that all Armies are ſubject to it, eſpecially a new Armie. I had thought that one Trial had been ſufficient, being it was before ſuch an Aſſembly. But if I ſhould be accuſed, I ſhould deſire to have new accuſers, and not the ſame that have already accuſed me, (for ſo there would be no end) & that upon their Petition, I might have been heard what I could juſtly ſay, why they ſhould not have leave to make a journal, and not to give them leave before I were heard. I am afraid there was never any ſuch preſident before, and what inconveniencies may come of it time will ſhew.

I have ſought to none of the Lords as I fear my enemies have done, (I know not whether I ſhall ſuffer for it or no) but my truſt hath only been in your Excellencie and the juſtneſſe of my Cauſe. I have been your Excellencies Officer in as difficult and as miſerable an action as ever any one hath undertaken, and with as little aſſiſtance as ever any one had. For many of thoſe that ſhould have aſſiſted me, were more careful in betraying me, then in forwarding his Majeſties ſervice. And if this courſe be held to encourage them, there is no man ſhall ſuffer more then his Majeſties ſervice will. For it will be folly for any man to look to his Majeſties ſervice, or to take any pains to prevent, or hinder that which may be committed againſt it; But to let every man do what he will, ſo all will be pleaſed, and he that Commands ſhall have no man to ſlander him, which is the way to live in quiet.

Thus much I thought was fit for me to let your Excellencie underſtand, and withal, that I held it a great unhappineſſe for me (that have taken ſuch toyl and pains, and ſuffered ſo many ſlanders) to be kept back by my enemies from that honour, that never any one of my rank and place was hindered in, which is from kiſſing the hand of my Soveraign Lord the King All Power is in your Lordſhips hands; whether you will uphold me in my juſt cauſe, or no, or let me be ruinated for want of it. So that I can ſay no more, but that if I ſuffer, I ſhall be your Excellencies Martyr, if not, I ſhall all my life reſt

Your Excellencies moſt humble, and moſt thankful ſervant and Creature, Wimbledon.

Sir John Ogle to the Duke. Right Excellent and moſt Gratious Lord,

ANd becauſe you are ſo, why ſhould not I put my ſoul in your hand? that I have not done it ſooner was not through want of will in me, but it hath been the will of God, that mine acknowledgment ſhould be the fuller, your goodneſſe the greater. Your Grace cannot be ignorant of the many motions I have had thereto, but my judgment hath been made irreſolute by ſeveral diſtractions. I lay now my ſelf, and the fortunes of me and mine at your Graces feet. Take me up then (nobleſt Lord) as becometh the fame which you have, and the confidence which I have of you with a hand of goodneſſe. If I had wilfully ſinned againſt you (when I was wickedly inſnared and beguiled by that wretch at Ʋtrecht, to whom I gave ſome Extract out of your Letters, as alſo out of the Lord Embaſſadours,) or did yet with obſtinacie maintain ſuch indiſcreet proceeding, your Grace might in juſtice reject me as unworthy.

But ſince you have long diſcerned in me a propenſion to crave your pardon, though ſtill unhappily diverted till this time; I truſt your true Nobleneſſe, generouſneſſe and goodneſſe to be ſuch, as you will not only not turn this heartie ſubmiſſion to any diſadvantage on my part; but looking upon mine ingenuitie, with a right eye of gracious inclination, both pardon my fault, and follie towards your ſelf, and alſo (to bind my prayers to be offered in the greater zeal for you, for I ſhall not be able to do you better ſervice then in prayer) be a ſtrong mediator to his gracious Majeſtie, that my errours of weakneſſe, and want of diſcretion, committed then towards his late Majeſtie of ever bleſſed memorie, and his Embaſſadour, with what other overſights may have been gathered up ſince, may be freely and fully forgiven and remitted, that ſo my ſoul being diſcharged of all fear of diſpleaſure againſt me, I may with a cheerful heart and quiet conſcience, go on in ſuch a vocation as the Lord ſhall have appointed for me. My Lord, this wound hath long feſtered neer my heart, and though falſe skins have been drawn over it ſometimes by unskilful hands, yet have I ever judged it the ſureſt cure to rip it up by Confeſſion, and heal it by Contrition. And ſure I judge that it favours more of a right generous ſpirit to confeſſe a fault, then to conceal it, eſpecially when the party offending is free from malice, and the party offended of a nature ſo noble and full of goodneſſe, as nothing can be wiſhed to be added unto it, and which is yet more; and this have you graciouſly done to me, (my Lord) ſigned himſelf with his own hand a true and faithful friend unto him, the more to invite him to truſt him. And truſt you I do my Lord, and in you (next my Gracious Soveraign) as much as may be in any arm of fleſh. The God of Heaven (I hope) will ſpeak peace to my ſoul, if the King, and your Grace will ſend peace to my heart. I truſt you will, and will pray to God you may, that I may in all cheerfulneſſe and thankfulneſſe ever remain

Your Grace's moſt humble, and faithful, and obliged ſervant Jo. Ogle. Exeſter 3. June, 1625.

Poſtſcript.

I Beſeech your Grace to ſend ſome other man to take this Charge which I too weakly for fear of offending by denial have thus far undergone, but upon hope of being withdrawn. Yet ſtill ſubmit my ſelf to your Graces good pleaſure.

Sir Robert Manſel to the Duke. Right Honourable and my ſingular good Lord,

HAving uſed all the poſſible ſpeed I could to repair to Algier, where I ſhould have been by the 15. of March laſt, I held it my dutie humbly to preſent unto your Lordſhip the particular account of my proceedings.

Before my arrival I furniſhed the two Prizes, three Brigandines, and a fourth Boat with Firelocks, and combuſtible materials for the burning of the Pyrats ſhips within the Moal, and had trained my men in the execution of their ſeveral duties, and likewiſe appointed a ſquadron of boats with ſmall ſhot to reſcue the veſſels of execution in their advancement and retreat.

The firſt night of my arrival being the 21. of May laſt, the veſſels of execution were all advanced, but by reaſon of contrary winds they were commanded to retire.

The ſecond and third nights they were alſo in a readineſſe, but were withheld with calmes.

The fourth night it pleaſed God to bleſſe us with a fair Gale, and they being advanced again, and the two ſhips with the fire-works, having almoſt recovered the mouth of the Moal (the wind to our great grief) turned to the oppoſite point of the Compaſſe.

The boats performed their directions in towing of the ſhips, but conſidering, that by the continuance of the courſe, they ſhould expoſe their principalleſt men to hazard, by reaſon of the great ſtore of Ordnance and ſmall ſhot, which plyed upon them, they debated amongſt themſelves what to do, Capt. Hughes (who commanded one of the Brigandines) replyed, Go on, and give the attempt with the boats, which they cheerfully purſued, crying out without ceſſation, King James, King James, God bleſſe King James, and fearleſſe of danger (even in the mouth of the Canon, and ſmall ſhot, which ſhowred like haile upon them) they fired the ſhips in many places, and maintained the ſame to the great comfort of us, that were ſpectatours, ſo long as they had any powder left in their bandileers, ſtriving in the end who ſhould have the honour to come off laſt, the which at length, as a due to his former reſolution and courage, they left to captain Hughes, and ſo retired, all the ſhips continuing ſtill their cheerfull cry, King James, with the loſs of 20. that were ſlain, and hurt, and leaving the fire flaming up in 7. ſeveral places, which continued in ſome of them long after their retreat, and being aboard his Majeſties ſhips.

The cowardly Turks, who before durſt not ſhew themſelves to ſo weak a force, but from the walls or the tops of their houſes, ſo ſoon as they perceived all the boats retyred, opened their ports, and Sallied out in 1000. and by the help of ſo great multitudes, and a ſuddain ſhower of rain, ſeconded with a calme which then happened, the fire was after extinguiſhed, without doing any more hurt then making two of their ſhips unſerviceable.

During that Stay, there there came out of the Moal only one Frigot, which we forced to run on ſhoare.

Other ſervice by us there performed, was the ſinking of one of their beſt men of war by Sir Thomas Wilford, and Captain Chidleigh, ſhe was mann'd with a 130. Turks and 12. Chriſtians, whereof 12. onely eſcaped, the reſt were either ſlain or drowned, which appeared both by the relation of divers Chriſtians which nightly eſcaped aboard us, and by divers of the dead bodies that floted upon the water by our ſhips. We took likewiſe before their faces in the Bay a Fly-boat, which the Pyrats had formerly taken from the Chriſtians and ſold to Ligorn. In her Merchandize to be exchanged for Pyrats goods, and ſome mony amounting to 2000. and odd pounds, the exact account whereof I ſhall not fayl to addreſſe to your Lordſhip as ſoon as the ſame is perfected by the councel of War.

The Turks hereupon preſently manned out three Gallyes to reskue here, but Captaine Giles, and Captain Herbert, with the help of three Brigandines, which I ſent out to ſecond them, ſoon fetcht her up, and brought ther unto me, and the Gallies were put to flight by Sir Thomas Wilford, Captain Pennington, and Captain Childlegh.

During the time of my aboad there, after the attempt made by the boates, I attended ten dayes for an opportunity to ſend in the ſhips with the fire workes, to finiſh the ſervice begun by the boats; but in all that time there happened not a breath of wind fit for their attempt, notwithſtanding the ſhips were allwayes ready at the inſtant, that they ſhould receive my directions to advance. But at laſt underſtanding by the Chriſtians (that eſcaped by ſwimming) aboard me, how the Pyrats had boomed up the Moales with Maſts, and Rafts, ſet a double guard upon their ſhips, planted more ordnance upon the Moale, and the walls, and manned out twenty Boats to guard the Boome, and perceiving likewiſe, that they had ſent out their Gallies, and boates both to the Eaſtward and Weſtward to give advce to all the ſhips upon the Coaſt, that they ſhould not come in during my aboad there, and ſo finding no hope remaining, either by ſtratagem to do ſervice upon them in the Moale, or to meet with any more of them, in the regard of the daily complaints brought unto me, both from ſome of the Kings ſhips, and moſt of the Marchants of their want of victuals, I reſolved by the advice of the Councel of war to ſet ſail, whence I made my repair to this place, where I met my Brother Roper with your Lordſhips dirrections which I have received, and at the inſtant obeyed, by ſignifying his Majeſties pleaſure declared by your Lordſhips Letter unto the worthie Commanders of thoſe four ſhips whom his Majeſtie hath pleaſed to call home.

But my Lord, in the duty I owe your Lordſhip, and my zeal to his Majeſties honour and ſervice, I humbly beg your Lordſhips pardon to advertize your Lordſhip, that ſeeing we have now made this attempt upon the Pyrates, and that they perceive that our intent is to work their utter ruine and confuſion, the recalling of theſe his Majeſties Forces before the arrival of others in their ſtead, and the bereaving us of ſo many worthy and experienced Commanders, I fear may prove more prejudicial to the ſervice, then upon one daies conſideration I dare preſume to ſet down in writing, by encouraging the Pyrats to put in execution ſuch ſtratagems upon us, as to my knowledge they have already taken into their conſideration. My reaſons for the ſame, I ſhall be bold upon more mature deliberation to offer in all humbleneſſe unto your Lordſhips judicious view, either by the Commanders that are to return unto your Lordſhip, or by a meſſenger which divers of the Councel of War adviſe to be addreſſed over land on purpoſe with the ſame.

And ſo being ready (ſo ſoon as we have received in our water, and diſpatched divers other buſineſſes, which of neceſſity muſt be ordered in this place) to ſet fail for Malega, there to receive in our remainder of Victuals, and to take my leave of theſe 4. Ships, and ſuch other of the Merchants as cannot be made ſerviceable in theſe parts. With my endleſſe prayers for your Lordſhips increaſe of all honour, I ceaſe your Lordſhips farther trouble for the preſent; And reſt

Your Lordſhips moſt humble, moſt faithful and ſad ſervant, Robert Manſel. From aboard the Lion in Alegant Rode. 9th. June. 1621.

Sir Robert Manſel to the Duke. Right Honourable and my ſingular good Lord,

IT is not unknown unto your Lordſhip, that Sir Thomas Button before his coming out, thought himſelf much wronged in that he did not hold the place of Vice Admiral in this Fleet, whereof I muſt acknowledge him very worthy, and that for my part I had ingaged Sir Richard Hawkins, a very Grave, Religious, and experienced Gentleman, before I was aſſured whether Sir Thomas Button would leave his imployment in Ireland, or no; and that afterwards Sir Thomas Button by your Lordſhips mediation, was contented to undertake the charge he now holdeth, which God knowes I laboured for no other end, then for the ſecuritie and advancement of his Majeſties ſervice, by reaſon of the experience I have had of his ſufficiency and ability.

Since that time, I have doubled that injury. A wrong was done unto him which cannot be denied, he patiently appealed to me for juſtice, which I muſt confeſſe I denied him. But the name of the perſon that offered the wrong, and the reaſons why I denied him Juſtice, I muſt leave unto Sir Richard Hawkins and Sir Henry Palmer to relate unto your Lordſhip, and if that will not give your Lordſhip ſatisfaction, I muſt humbly ſubmit my ſelf to your Lordſhips Cenſure.

Notwithſtanding the impreſſion that theſe injuries took with him, yet thus much I muſt truly confeſſe in his behalf, That there was no man more zealous to advance his Majeſties ſervice, nor more forward to undergo any danger or hazard then himſelf, whereof he hath given aſſured teſtimonie to the World in theſe three particulars.

Firſt, in the ſervice performed by him on a Chriſtmaſſe day at night, whereof I have formerly advertized your Lordſhip at large.

Secondly, Then in going over to Algier cheerfully, without complaining, when his Ship was ſo grievouſly infected, that he had not able men in her to manage her Sailes.

Alſo in imploying the moſt choice men in his Ship under the command of his Nephew, for the firing of the Pyrates ſhips within the Moale of Algier.

And laſtly, in his joyning with Sir Richard Hawkins in the towing off one of the Prizes, when ſhe was becalmed within muſquet ſhot of the Moale.

My Lord, I muſt proteſt unto your Lordſhip, that I had no ends of mine own for the injuries done to Sir Thomas Button, and therefore your Lordſhip cannot caſt a greater honour upon your poor ſervent then in repairing him, which I humbly begg of your Lordſhip.

If Sir Richard Hawkins do return unto me, then I ſhall be an humble ſuitor unto your Lordſhip in the behalf of Sir Thomas Button that he may return to his imployment in Ireland, from whence in my earneſt deſires to enjoy his company and aſſiſtance, I was the only means to withdraw him, and that he may receive ſuch allowance and entertainment as was formerly uſually paid unto him, by which means your Lordſhip will take away the Curſes of his children, whoſe blouds are neer unto me, and oblige me with my continual prayers for your Lordſhips increaſe of honour, ever to remain

Your Lordſhips moſt humble and faithful ſervant, Robert Manſell. From aboard the Vantguard the 10. of July. 1621.

Captain John Pennington to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

MY laſt to your Lordſhip was of the 18. of this preſent from Stokes Bay, ſince which time I have received two from your Grace, at Deep one by your Secretarie Mr. Nicholas, whereby your Grace commands me to deliver up his Majeſties Ship, and the reſt under my Command, to the hands of ſuch Frenchmen as his Chriſtian Majeſtie ſhall appoint, according to his Majeſties pleaſure ſignified by my Lord Conway. And that I and the reſt of the Maſters take ſecuritie of them for our ſhips ſeverally according to the true valuation. And to ſee this put in execution, you ſent your Secretarie Mr. Nicholas. And the other by Mr. Ingham in anſwer of mine written from Stokes Bay. The former part whereof being only a command to put your former in practice, and the latter a denial of my humble ſuit for my being called home from this Service. Which ſaid part confirms abſolutely, that it was not your Graces pleaſure that I ſhould yield up the ſhips into their hands, and diſpoſeſſe my ſelf and companie of them: for I truſt your Grace had no ſuch unjuſt thought as to continue me here alone after.

The French had poſſeſſion of her to be their ſlave, as I am ſure they would have made me if they had their wills. To give your Grace an account of what I have done ſince I came to Deep (which was the 21th. at this inſtant about nine of the clock at night) would be too tedious for this time. The 22th. in the morning Earlie I ſent my boat aſhoare with my Lievetenant to find out your Graces Secretarie, to receive my Letters, whereby I might know your Graces pleaſure, and to kiſſe my Lord Embaſſadours hands from me, and to let him know I was come with his Majeſties ſhip to do him ſervice, but could not command the reſt to come along with me, their Maſters not being there, and all their companies in a mutiny. But his jelouſie was ſuch, that he would not ſuffer your Graces Secretary to come aboard, or to ſend me your Letters, or that my Lievtenant ſhould ſpeak to him, but in his preſence, but preſently ſent a Gentleman aboard to me, commanding me to come aſhoar to him, which I confeſſe I was very loath to do, in regard my people were much diſcontented, and readie daily to mutiny, being all wonderous unwilling to go againſt Rochel, or thoſe of their religion. And beſides, I never having been a ſhoare, ſince I came into my command, neither on our own Coaſt, or elſe where. (It being not my uſe) yet notwithſtanding theſe particulars knowing his Greatneſſe, and your Graces pleaſure, for the giving him all due reſpect, I preſently went to him, where he taking me into a roome apart with your Graces Secretary, he firſt delivered me my Lord Conwaies Letter, or rather a warrant, (for ſo he tearms it himſelf) for the delivery of the ſhip into their hands (as they interpreted it) and then your Graces Letter, commanding me to ſee his Majeſties pleaſure (ſignifyed by my Lord Conwaie) put in execution. And laſtly a letter from the King of France, thereby willing me to receive his Souldiers aboard that he had provided, and his Couſin the D. de Mommorencie, and to go preſently, and to joyn with his Great Fleet againſt his rebellious ſubjects. This is the effect of that Letter. Having read all theſe letters, he would preſently have poſſeſſion of the ſhip that night, for that he could not ſtay longer. I told him, that I did not underſtand it ſo, but that I was torender all ſervice to his moſt Chriſtian Majeſtie; but nothing would ſerve him, ſave the preſent poſſeſſion, which becauſe I would not yield unto, he grew into a ſtrange furie, telling me, that your Grace had ſent your Secretary to ſee her delivered, and ſecurity to be taken for her. My anſwer was, that I was ready to obey, according as I underſtood the warrant, which was to do his Chriſtian Majeſtie ſervice, and to receive a convenient number of Souldiers aboard me. But to diſpoſſeſſe my ſelf of my command, I had no ſuch order: but ſtill nothing wold ſatsfie him but the ſhipe, telling me, he would not entertain at the moſt (if they were willing) above 60. or 80. of our people. My anſwer was, I had no order to diſcharge a man of them, neither could I, but if they were diſcharged, what they ſhould do, or how they ſhould get home, having neither meat, mony, nor clothes, I know not. To the firſt of theſe, he told me, that Mr. Nicholas had order by word of mouth from your Grace to diſcharge us, which Mr. Nicholas confirmed, as alſo to ſee the ſhip delivered, which he commanded me to do. But with your Graces pardon I durſt not do it upon words, it being a buſineſſe of too high conſequence, neither if I had been willing, would my companie ever have condeſcended to it. To the ſecond, for our paſſage, he promiſed to have provided barques for us; but to conclude this, and not to inſiſt upon the reſt of the particulars (they being too tedious) his rage and fury was ſuch, that I muſt of neceſſity give a little way thereto, or elſe I think he would have kept me aſhoare, ſo as I told him I was content if my company would yield thereunto, and therefore deſired to go aboard to ſpeak with them, and to give order for the drawing up of the inventorie. And upon this he ſuffered me to depart, but not without promiſes of a large ſumme of mony which ſhould be given me at the ſurrender, beſides a royal penſion during my life, he ſending his Secretarie, and many others aboard with me to ſee all things put in execution, and your Graces Secretary to perſwade me to do it. But when I had them aboard, I told them it was a thing not preſently done, neither was my companie willing to deliver over the ſhip without a more ample warrant, yet I would do my beſt to bring both to paſſe ſo ſoon as I could. So uſing them with the beſt reſpect I could, and fair promiſes, that I would uſe all diligence for the accompliſhing of their deſires; though I muſt confeſſe I never meant it, till I ſhould hear further from your Grace, and have an eſpecial Warrant from his Majeſtie, or your Grace for it, it being a buſineſſe of ſo high a nature. Vpon theſe hopes they departed, and went a ſhoare, where they had not been long, till ſome of them returned back with a ſtrange allarum from his Lordſhip, that he would preſently have poſſeſſion of her, or my reſolution to the contrary. And althoug I alleadged that the inventory, and other buſineſſe would not be diſpatched in two dayes, it would not ſuffice, except I would receive 400. Souldiers aboard in the mean time till things were perfected.

Thus ſeeing I could not delay him till I heard farther from your Grace, I was forced to give him this reſolute anſwer, That upon this Warrant, I would not deliver over the ſhip unto him, neither if I would, would the company give way unto the ſame, we not holding it a ſufficient diſcharge for us: But that we were ready to receive a competent number of Souldiers aboard, with a chief Commander, and to go upon ſuch ſervice, as his Chriſtian Majeſtie ſhould direct us, according to the agreement with the King my Maſter; but nothing would ſatisfie him but to have her delivered over to him, which if I did not preſently, my head ſhould pay for it. I deſired his patience for two or three daies, till I had written and ſent to your Grace, and that he would let me have a Shallop for that purpoſe; but he denied both the one and the other; notwithſtanding ſent away a Barque himſelf with one to your Grace, but would not ſuffer me to ſend thereby, which made me the more jealous of the real intent of the buſineſſe. The 23. he ſent your Lordſhips Secretarie aboard to work and perſwade me, but I could not give other anſwer, then I had done formerly, only that I would attend until I heard farther from your Grace; though I muſt confeſſe I had much ado to perſwade my Company, who were very unwilling to it. But I had hope ſtill to have a more ample Order how to proceed in this great and weighty buſineſſe. And upon the 24. at two of the clock in the morning, Mr. Ingham (whom I ſent from Stokes Bay to your Grace) returned unto me with two Letters, one from your Grace, and another from my Lord Conway, the former part of both commanding me to put your former Commands in execution: but the latter part prohibiting me to depart with my charge, gave me the more courage to ſtand upon my former tearms.

This day your Graces Secretarie came aboard me again, after I had ſent your Graces Letter to him, being ſent by the Embaſſadour to proſecute the buſineſſe, for the deliverie of the ſhip unto them. But after I had ſhewed him, that part of your Graces Letter, he knew not what to ſay to it. I willed him to tell the Embaſſadour, that this Letter was nothing but an anſwer of mine written from Stoken Bay, concerning the not coming of the reſt of the ſhips. I further offered his Lordſhip this day for the more expedition of the buſineſſe, to take 150 of his men aboard, and to run over for the Coaſt of England, and to ſend preſently to your Grace, that we were ready to ſurrender over there, upon an authentique Warrant from his Majeſtie, or your Grace. His anſwer to this was, That he would not put his men in to be priſoners, nor that we ſhould be the major part. I then offered him to take in as many French as I had Engliſh man for man, but without arms, yet nothing would ſatisfie him, but the poſſeſſion of the Ship, either by delivering of her over into their hands, or by receiving 400 armed men aboard, wherewith they would quickly have taken her from us, as you may plainly ſee their intent by their proceeding. Which I refuſing to do, this night about ten of the clock, he ſent his Secretarie aboard with three or four others to make a proteſtation againſt me, as a Rebel to my King and Countrey, as you may perceive by the Copie of it, which I ſend your Grace herewith, and this he ſaid was the laſt he would have to do with me, for that on the morrow, he would away for Paris. Whereupon the next morning I ſent this Gentleman Mr. Ingham unto him to know, what farther ſervice he would command me, and whether he would have me attend his pleaſure longer here, for that I was ready to go upon any ſervice they would command according to the former agreement, and to receive as many men aboard as poſſibly I could; but he ſaid he had nothing to do except I would either deliver up the ſhip, or take in the 400. Souldiers. In the interim came his Secretarie, with the ſame company he had before, and made another proteſtation againſt me, in regard I would not take in his 400. men, and therewithal brought me a Letter from your Graces Secretarie, (for he is ſo jealous that he will not ſuffer him to come aboard but when he liſteth) which Letter was, That the Embaſſadour would ſtay till Thurſday next, if I would give it him under my hand to deliver up the ſhip then, if I had not order to the contrary before, which I had as good have done at the preſent; for I expect no Letters from your Grace, in regard they would not ſuffer me to write to you, as I deſired. And if your Grace ſhould write to me by his meſſenger, they would be ſure not to deliver them, till the day were paſt, except ſuch as were for their turn.

In all which your Grace may ſee their intents, that there hath been no ſlights or wayes left unaſſayed to bring their purpoſe to paſſe: firſt by fair words, then by ſeeking to get me become the French Kings ſervant, with promiſes of a great Penſion, and brave employment, with offers of good ſums to be laid down upon the ſurrender of the ſhip as aforeſaid. And when none of theſe courſes could prevail with me, then followed their threatnings of having my head, and ſuch like. All which (I thank God) I have withſtood; for I had rather live all my life with bread and water, then betray my King and Country of ſo precious a Jewel as this; and had rather the King ſhould take my life, then to have a hand in the ſurrender, or valuing of ſuch a Bulwark of the Kingdom.

Upon the making of the laſt Proteſt, and with the threats they gave us, my Company grew into ſuch a fury and tumult, that they got up their Anchors, and ſet ſail for England, without acquainting me with it, or order from me, ſaying, They would rather be hanged at home, then ſurrender the Kings Ships, or be ſlaves to the French, or fight againſt thoſe of the Religion. But I muſt confeſſe, I heard what they were a doing, but let them alone, becauſe I ſaw they had reaſon; otherwiſe, I ſhould rather have died amongſt them, then to have ſuffered it.

And thus I have related the principal paſſages unto your Grace, wherein, if I have offended his Majeſtie, or your Grace, it hath been for want of diſcretion, and not of true zeal to do his Majeſtie, your Grace, and my Countrey ſervice, which if it be found to be an offence, I humbly crave pardon.

I am now come to an anchor in the Downs, where I ſhall attend your Grace's farther pleaſure, to be diſpoſed of as his Majeſtie, and your Grace ſhall pleaſe. But to return again to France, I can aſſure your Grace, that all the people in the ſhip will rather be hanged then do it, they have been ſo well uſed there. Thus praying for your Graces many happie and proſperous daies, I humbly reſt

Your Graces moſt humble, and faithful ſervant, Jo. Pennington. From aboard the Vanguard in the Downs, 27. July. 1625.

Captain Pennington to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

TO take into your Conſideration theſe particulars following:

Firſt, That there is no clauſe in the contract for our quiet injoying, and celebrating our Divine ſervice to God morning and evening, according to the ancient order of the Seas.

Secondly, That they may bring as many of their own Nation aboard as they will, and they ſpeak of putting in as many French as Engliſh, which will amount to 500. in all, which the ſhip is neither able to carry, neither will it be for the health of thoſe that go in her, or ſafety of the ſhip to his Majeſtie. All which I deſire may be conſidered of, and a courſe ſettled with the Embaſſadour of the juſt number I ſhall receive aboard.

Thirdly, That we are bound to fight againſt any Nation, that they command us, except our own; which you may likewiſe pleaſe to conſider of.

Fourthly, That there is no Clauſe for the ſupply of the Victuals, and other proviſions before the ſix moneths be expired, ſo that they may keep us till that time, and then turn us off naked and deſtitute of all proviſions to be a prey to our enemies.

Fifthly, That we may know where we ſhall receive our ſupplies of powder, and other munition from them, for that the three laſt, which we have in here, with the appurtenance, is not ſufficient to maintain a fight of three hours.

The former five Articles I humbly deſire your Grace judiciouſly to conſider of; and what your Grace will have me therein perform, may be inſerted in my inſtructions.

Now further I humbly deſire your Grace;

Firſt, That all we Engliſh may be of a ſquadron, and not ſeparated upon any occaſion, the accidents of the Sea excepted, and that we may be ready at all times to ayd and aſſiſt one another.

Secondly, That I may have power in my inſtructions, or otherwiſe, for the command of the reſt of the Engliſh that go along with me, if not, every man may take his courſe, and do what liketh him beſt, which may prove prejudicial to the ſervice, diſhonourable to the State, and dangerous for the ſafety of his Majeſties ſhip.

Laſtly, I humbly deſire, that your Grace will be pleaſed to give order, that there may be ſome proviſion of Cloathes laid in for naked men, (whereof there are many in the ſhip) as hoſe, ſhoes, and ſhirts (at leaſt.) As alſo ſome proviſion of ſtore for ſick men, of Oatmeal, Rice, Sugar, and fruit, and ſome little ſtock of money, to relieve them if neceſſitie require it. It may afterwards be deducted out of their wages, if your Grace will have it ſo.

Your Graces Loyal, and faithful ſervant ever to be commanded, Jo. Pennington.

Mr. Trumbal to the Secretarie. Right Honourable,

VVIth my former dated the 11th. of this moneth, I ſent your Honour two Letters for his Majeſtie, and promiſed by my next to write unto your Honour at large, about the matter they did contain.

In performance whereof, and for the diſcharge of my dutie, I will now deſire permiſſion hereby freely to deliver my mind, for ſo much as is yet come to my knowledge, and I judge meet to be committed to paper concerning the ſame. And ſeeing this Packet is to be ſent by an expreſſe Meſſenger, and aMr. Carie. perſon of truſt, I will for your Honours greater eaſe abſtain from the uſe of a Cipher.

After I had been at Lovain, and Antwerp to take ſome depoſitions for the diſcovering of the authours and correctors of that moſt pernitious Libel, Corona Regia, (as by a diſpatch to the late Mr. Secretarie Lake I did advertize his Majeſtie,) there came unto me a certain perſon, living about this Town, going by the name of Nicholas de Laken, and brought me the Packet, which a good while ſince I ſent to your Honour. Amongſt other things, he told me, that heretofore by accident, he fell into the company of a Cannon of Lovain, with whom he had ſome ſpeech about that diveliſh book, and that if I would ſend thither, he was very confident, he ſhould penetrate farther by his private induſtrie in the ſpace of a few dayes into the myſterie then I had been able to do in the compaſſe of divers years, with my publique information.

Here upon to make a tryall, and deſiring to imploy Le ſee et Le verd, for the manifeſting of a truth, which I knew his Majeſtie ſo much longed to underſtand, I furniſhed him with mony, and ſome inſtructions, and ſent him to Lovain. At the end of ſix or ſeven dayes, he returned from thence, and as his own letters do teſtify, and (he hath proteſted with many oaths) he avouched to me, that he had diſcovered that ſecret to the very bottom. I inquired of him, by what meanes? He made anſwer by the help of the ſaid Canon, and ſome young Schollars his countrie men, Students, in that univerſity, who had brought him to the acquaintance of a certain Italian living there, that had ſerved the author of the book both while he did compoſe it, and while it was in printing. He averreth alſo that Puteanus, and ſome others, had their fingers in that unſavorie Pye. And he ſaith, that when I began to make ſearch for thoſe perſons, which had done his Majeſtie that intollerable wrong, that the principal authour, and Flavius the Printer were ſecretly warned, to get them out of this country, and had ſome meanes given them to maintain them abroad. He affirmeth likewiſe, that both of them ever ſince that time have remained, and are at this preſent remaining out of the territories of the Archdukes. That he hath often ſeen the ſayd authour in this Citty, and knoweth his name, and Surname, and his perſon ſo well, as no change of his apparrel, nor diſguiſing of his body, can cauſe him to miſtake or be deceived. By his report, that party is no Clergie man, though he be a good Schollar, and reputed to have an excellent Latin pen. But thoſe commendable quallities, are drowned by his greater vices, he being much addicted to lewde women, and unſatiable drinking. He is now (by this mans information) reſident in a town upon the Frontiers of Germany, And as for Flavius, he can (if he truly) declare where he lurketh, and aſſureth me, that his wife is at a place within ten leagues of this town. The Cannon that did overſee the preſſe, and withdrew the leaves of this booke, as they were printed, is called (as he heard) Mr. Claud. and dwelleth at Noſtre Dame de Halles, whither I purpoſe to ſend him this Eaſter holidaies to make farther inquirie. More then theſe, and ſome other particulars (which are ſo tranſcendent, as I dare neither believe, nor ſet them down in writing) he will not impart unto me, until he be aſſured of his Majeſties protection, by a Letter under his hand, and a competent reward for his labours. And the reaſon he alledgeth therefore is, that if once it be known, he did meddle in this matter, there can be no more ſafety for him to continue in theſe provinces. He doth further undertake, that in caſe his Majeſtie will be pleaſed to grant him his demands, allow mony for the expences of the journy, and give him two perſons of courage, and fidelity to accompanie him, he will either loſe his life, or put the ſayd author into their hands who may carry him (as he thinketh) with little danger, either into the Pallatinate, or the united Provinces. Hereupon I gueſſe, that (if this report be well grownded) that wicked fellow muſt be in, or near about the town of Cullen. I cannot amongſt all thoſe of my acquaintance, and his Majeſties ſubjects here call to mind any one ſo fit for this interprize, as the Gentleman whoſe name is written in Cipher in my letter to his Majeſtie. For he is univerſally well ſpoken of for his honeſtie, and other good Parts, and in ſundry occaſions hath given good teſtimony of his ardent deſire to do his Majeſtie ſome remarkeable and meritorious ſervice. And his ſufficiencie being better known to his Majeſtie then to my ſelf, I will not commend it any further. The want of imployment and ſome diſguſtes he received in Holland, while he ſerved there, compelled him by neceſſity to looke for preferment under the King of Spain. But hitherto his religion, the reſpect he beareth to his Majeſtie, and my perſwaſions, have detained him from thoſe Courſes. By him I am told, that he hath heard out of the mouths of one Captain Carpentine, and his ſon in law Captain Hamilton, pencioners to the King of Spain (but ſubjects to his Majeſtie, that they being one day walking in a ſtreet at Antwerp called the Major Brugg (where they reſide) with 4. or 5. others in their companie, and there happening ſome ſpeech amongſt them, about a book his majeſtie had then publiſhed againſt the Pope, it fell out that one of them apprehending that opportunity ſaid, that he had ſubject enough to furniſh a book which ſhould more vex the King of great Brittain, then his Majeſties book could offend his Holineſſe, and if he could meet with a Schollar, that were able to put it into a method, and good latine, he would be ready to perform his word. Another of the troop made anſwer, that he would undertake the work upon that condition, and they both (for a great whiles after) were abſent at Lovain, even about the ſame time that the Libel was forged. Perhaps ſome part of this, may draw neer to the verity. But they both depending upon the King of Spain (as is before mentioned) and being averſe in religion, I am much afraid, I ſhall do little good upon them by examining then before the Arch Dukes Commiſſioners, ſeeing they may delude me, and the truth with equivocation, and mental reſervation. Although he conceiveth, that if they were called before a judge, and ſummoned upon their oathes to ſpeake the truth, they would not refuſe to diſcharge their conſciences. I have ſeriouſly intreated him to beſtow his beſt indeavour in attempting what he can further learn about this relation, and he hath accepted to perform my requeſt. The ſaid Gentleman from whom I had it is not willing to be brought publiquely upon the Stage, for this buſineſſe, leſt thereby he ſhould incurre the note of an informer, then which nothing is, or can be more odious in theſe parts. Nevertheleſſe he hath promiſed (if his Majeſtie like to have it ſo, and will be pleaſed to give commandement for it) to juſtifie what is before rehearſed to their faces.

Whether both theſe parties encounter upon one, and the ſame authour, or underſtand them to be divers men, I can neither judge, nor fortell: yet it ſeemeth that one of them may hit on the right. And as I will not ſpare any paines, charges, nor peril whatſoever to bring the parent of this child of darkeneſſe into the light, ſo I hope his Majeſtie (whoſe cauſe it is) will not refuſe to hazard a little mony to give himſelf ſatisfaction.

Theſe things having paſſed in this manner, I humbly beſeech your Honour at a fit opportunity, when the King is alone to acquaint him with theſe particulars, and intreat his Majeſtie to keep them ſecret; for I am of opinion (being ſpoken under humble correction, and without offence) that had not his Majeſtie by communicating this buſineſſe at the firſt to Mounſieur Borschot, given him meanes to advertize it to his wife (who by tatling divulged it, and foyled the way) we had never been put to half this trouble, but had taken Flavius, in the form, and by him diſcovered the authour. My intention is not, that his Majeſtie ſhould be induced to put 2000. Piſtols (or the ſumme that ſhall be allotted Laken) into his hands, before the ſervice be done; but that his Majeſtie would vouchſafe (if he approve the project) to cauſe ſo much mony, as in his profound wiſdom, he ſhall think meet for this occaſion to be forthwith remitted to me by Mr. John More, by the meaner of Mr. Ducket, a Marchant dwelling in Milk-ſtreet in London, to be repayed at Antwerp by Mr. Lionel Wake trading there, or by the companie of our Engliſh Marchants at Middleborough in Zealand in the name of reward for ſervice done, or to buy Tapeſtries, or linnen for his Majeſtie. And I will either return it back again by exchange, if this deſign cannot be effected, or defaulk the remaines thereof upon my entertainment. All that I would venture in this caſe, ſhould only be for thoſe mens neceſſary expences that are to be imployed therein; and that alſo I would have not to exceed, but to be limitted within the compaſſe of 200. pounds ſterling.

By apprehending theſe men, the Arch-Dukes cannot take any juſt occaſion of offence againſt his Majeſtie or his Miniſters, ſeeing one of them is not their Vaſſal, and both are out of their Dominions.

It may (for theſe Conſiderations) pleaſe your Honour to adviſe with his Majeſtie, whether it be fitter to proceed herein Via facti, or Via Juris: to ſend Laken to ſeek out the Author and others to apprehend him, or the Printer, or upon promiſe of a reaſonable recompence for his pains, to deal with him effectually to declare their names, and habitations, and afterwards leave it to his Majeſties gracious and Princely pleaſure to proſecute or let fall his action. In either of which kind, I will yield humble obedience to his Majeſties Commands, and your Honours directions, as things to my ſelf indifferent. But I am doubtful, that by continuing of the courſe formerly holden in the carriage of this buſineſſe, we ſhall never attain our deſired ends. I am not ſo ſlight as to give credit to all reports, nor ſo prodigal as to part with money for nothing.

My moſt humble and earneſt ſuit is, that his Majeſtie, and your Honour after mature deliberation upon the ſeveral points of this Letter, will vouchſafe to ſend me by my ſervant Marſham (who is now at London) particular, and diſtinct anſwers for my better direction. I have been the more prolixe upon this ſubject, in hope that this I have written ſhall ſerve once for all.

In that matter concerning the Counteſſe of Argile, which it pleaſed your Honour to recommend unto my Care, I have done as much already as I can for the preſent. We muſt of neceſſitie with a little patience expect the ſucceſſe, whereof your Honour ſhall in due time be punctually advertized. In the mean while, I do with all reverence, deſire your Honour to excuſe the tediouſneſſe of this Letter; And ſo take my leave,

Your Honours very humble, and ready to be commanded, W. Trumball. Bruxels 21/31. of March, 1618/1619.

Mr. Trumball to the Secretarie. Right Honourable,

THoſe that are employed in ſuch place as I am, muſt admit all manner of men into their company. And the Oath I have taken to his Majeſtie, will not permit me to conceal any thing from his knowledge that cometh to mine, and may in any ſort have relation to his Royal ſervice. For theſe Conſiderations I aſſume the boldneſſe ſo ſoon to renew your Honours trouble, after the diſpatch of thoſe Volumes of Letters which I ſent you yeſterday by one of my ſervants.

This Bearer de la Forreſt is better known to your Honour, then to my ſelf, although I remember many years ago to have ſeen him in England. During his ſtay in this Town, he brought unto me a certain French Gentleman, calling himſelf the Viſcount of L'orme, and Sir De la Pommeraye; who hath (by his own relation) been a great Navigator, and been authorized by 18. of the chief Pyrats in the Levant, to ſearch for their pardon, and retreat into ſome Chriſtian Countrey, being ſorry for the ill they have done, and deſirous to ſpend the reſt of their daies in peace. With this Commiſſion he came into France, and there travelled ſo far with the King and his Miniſters, as he obtained a general abolition for the ſaid Pyrates, a ſafe Conduct to bring them into his Dominions, and a procuration (which I have ſeen under the great Seal of France) to treat, and conclude with them upon certain conditions. But he being envied by ſome Grandees of that Kingdom, and by misfortune happening to kill a man, he was forced (as he pretendeth) for the ſafety of his life to flie into theſe Countries, before he could bring that work to perfection.

And being now disinabled to return thither again, he deſireth to make a tryal, whether his Majeſtie will vouchſafe to lend his ear to that Treatie, and grant unto the ſaid Pyrates a general Pardon. To which effect, he ſendeth over La Forreſt, and hath intreated me to accompany him with my Letters to my Lord Admiral, your Honor, and Mr. Secretarie Calvert. For retribution of this grace, the ſaid Pyrates offer to give 45000 l ſterling to be ſhared amongſt you three, or to be diſpoſed of as his Majeſtie ſhall appoint. But your Honour may ſee the Conditions propoſed to the French King were more advantagious. For they were to give him their Ships, Artillerie, and Munition, and to furniſh means to ſet out ſome men of War for his ſervice.

And I ſee no reaſon (in caſe his Majeſtie ſhould encline to ſuch capital offenders, and common enemies) why he ſhould not have as much, or more benefit then another Prince, the greateſt part of them being his Vaſſals.

Your Honour if you pleaſe may peruſe theſe adjoyned Papers, and impart the contents of them to my Lord Admiral. They agree with their Originals; and if his Majeſtie do not taſte this overture, there is no more harm done (for any thing I can perceive) then the loſſe of my labour to peruſe and ſubſcribe them.

There remaineth onely two points, wherein I ſhould ſpeak to your Honour, the one is, that this matter may be concealed from the French Embaſſadour Mounſieur le Count de Tilliers, for fear of ruining de L'Orme. The other with gratifying La Forreſt with the pay of a Pacquet (if your Honour ſhall think it meet) for the carrying of theſe Letters, who ſaith your Honour is his great Patron, and hath promiſed him a good turn.

Mounſieur de L'Orme hath given him power to ſollicite this buſineſſe, and procure him an anſwer; wherein I joyn my humble prayer, that the poor man may not here languiſh in hopes, and ſpend his money to no purpoſe.

When I ſhall know whether his Majeſtie will relliſh this overture, or not, I will write thereof more largely (if there be cauſe) otherwiſe let it remain as it was before. In the mean while, I humbly take my leave; And reſt

Your Honours In all humbleneſſe to be commanded, W. Trumball. Bruxels 23. of Octob. 1619.

Sir Thomas Roe to the Marqueſſe of Buckingham Lord Admiral. My Lord,

I Can give your Lordſhip no great account of any thing that hath occurred ſince my departure. I was bold to write to Mr. Secretarie Calvert from Maliga of the great increaſe of the Pyrates in thoſe Seas, and of the danger of the Merchants; with my own thoughts, if his Majeſtie have any farther purpoſe to attempt their deſtruction, which is both honourable and neceſſarie; if theſe Trades, or the other of Spain to the South of the North-Cape be of any conſequence to his Majeſties Kingdomes: if they be ſuffered to increaſe, they will brave the Armies of Kings at Sea in a few years, and attempt even the Coaſts and Shoares with peril. And becauſe they carry the name only of Thieves, they are yet contemned, or neglected; but they will become a dangerous enemie, when they ſhall rob with Fleets, and therefore would be in time conſidered. The Spaniards now make great offers to continue the Contract, though their performance be ſlow, and their own Eſtates chiefly intereſſed, yet beſides the danger and ruine of the Merchant it is conſiderable, that this Army increaſing is at the obedience of the Grand Seignior the common Enemy, who hath no ſtrength but Gallies. I know your Lordſhip will collect enough out of this without further preſſure. The Armado's of Spain, Naples and Sicily, have been in the Archipelago, the Turks Forces abſent in the black Sea. Yet they have done nothing of conſequence, taken a few Carmiſales and ſlaves, and are returned to the Port, where Don Philibert of Savoy Generaliſſimo is preſent, who is made Viceroy of Sicily, with abſolute power to diſpoſe of all offices, without attendance from Spain, which is more then Vice-Re. He hath uſed me for his Majeſties honour with very great reſpect, as I have in particular adviſed Mr. Secretarie. Among many courteſies, finding 13. Engliſh Captives in the Gallies, I thought it my duty to ſuccour them. His Highneſſe at the firſt inſtance, to expreſſe his good affection to my Maſter, gave them to me all free, which I think is a good work, and not ordinary. I beſeech your Lordſhip, that his Majeſtie may be pleaſed to take knowledge of it into Spain for the Princes honour, that he may in the like occaſion, not think himſelf neglected.

The advice from Conſtantinople is ſeconded of the overthrow of the Turk. God grant it be true, and yet the pride of the Grand Seignior is not aſſwaged, but he threatens a new attempt in the ſpring. I hope I have hitherto done his Majeſtie no diſhonour, nor can I boaſt of ſervices; but being under your Lordſhips protection, I will hope for a good interpretation, beſeeching you to preſent my name to his Majeſtie, that I be not forgotten in theſe great diſtances, wherein my humble fortune hath kept me, and as I have obſerved your Lordſhip to be the Amparo of thoſe that pretend to virtue and honour, and not to deſert them till they have forſaken themſelves: So I beſeech you take me upon thoſe conditions which cannot ſhame you, and leave me, when I am other, then

Your Lordſhips faithful, and honeſt ſervant, Tho. Roe. Meſſina, 7/17. Decemb. 1621.

L. R. H. to the Duke of Buckingham. My dear Lord,

I Have ſince my departure from you uſed all diligence in the Princes ſervice, and punctually obſerved all his Commands. Onely with the King I have dealt ſo freely in my relation of the Prince his carriage, and your extraordinary care of working his content in all points, that I did move him to ſhed tears in expreſſing his happineſſe for ſuch a ſon, and likewiſe his good fortune in having a Favourite, who is framed according to his own heart in all points. Neither have I preſſed any thing to injure any farther then my dutie bound me, and my faithful love to your ſervice, which ſhall alwaies have a prime place in my heart.

My Lord, there are contrary opinions in Court and City, by the one you are much admired for your noble expreſſions of true honor, and love to your King, Prince, and Country, with many obſervations of your ſpecial care and zeal to Religion, and your immovable reſolution to Conteſt with all oppoſitions to the contrary. By the other you are maligned, and they give it out, That you have with your wilfulneſſe occaſioned theſe delayes, by diverting and changing their waies wherein they had begun to treat: but the falſeneſſe hereof hath been ſhewen, and it appears malice without ground, the which, (though heretofore I have told you) not out of any other end then to do you ſervice, yet have you ſo ſlightly regarded me for it, and ſo much reſpected thoſe ill-deſerving Great ones, (as if you had intended to receive your enemies into your boſome, and to caſt off your faithfulleſt friends;) yet ſhall not any uſage diſcourage me from diſcharging the office of a moſt loving and zealous affected friend, and ſervant, yea inſomuch, that I will rather diſpleaſe you, in doing you that faithful ſervice, that both my honour and love obligeth me to, then be ſilent, and they let you run into apparent danger.

My Lord, amongſt the proteſtants your are divulged (as much as ill diſpoſed ones dare) a Papiſt. Among the Papiſts, it is avowed you are the greateſt enemy they have. For which reports, I am not troubled, for they have made you the much more pittyed, and as highly eſteemd, and honoured amongſt the moſt juditious, and beſt deſerving ſubjects, as any thing could do. And I dare aſſure you, that ſince your being at Madrid you are much better beloved of all people (who have not ends) then you were before. Noble Lord, I find the King both reſolute, and couragious, but wiſe, and ſecret, to my own hearts joy, and not to be won upon by the ſubtil and falſe policie of any I made it my humble ſuit upon my knees, that he would conſent to no propoſition of this Spaniſh Embaſſadour concerning peace or war, till the Princes return. Which ſuite he tooke well at my hands, and granted. I have told him freely what I obſerved in Spain, both of their manners, uſage, and honeſtie, and left it to his wiſedom to make what uſe he pleaſed. His Majeſtie longs to ſee the Prince, and you, and ſo do all the ſubjects, and will not be ſatisfyed with any thing, but your ſpeedy return. Except you have jelouſies put into the Spaniards heads, and prevent the danger, which will be by haſting the marriage with all poſſible ſpeed; for there are ſome whoſe buttons break with venom, that you have got ſo much honour, and ſo well deſerved of the King and Prince. But you believe me not, but think I ſpeak of Spleen, when God knowes I never bore any to any man, but for your ſake. Your moſt vertuous lady mourns for your abſence, and will not be comforted. Your fair Daughter deſerves your ſtaying withall, and your faithful friends and the good of the Kingdom want you moſt of all

And for your greater comfort, the King is ſo reſerved in the Princes affaires, as that he neither imparts the buſineſſes of Spain, nor his intents therein to any of hit privie Councel, Since your pattent, the Earl Marſhal is become a great ſtranger at the Court. But all men find you ſo faſt revited into the Kings, heart that they ſee it is an impoſſibility to work you any way diſpleaſure in your abſence, and therefore forbear to expreſſe, what willingly they would effect, but find it in vain to go about it. But let not the Kings love to you or their ſmall ability to do you harm, make you too careleſſe, or too credulous of thoſe your enemies, laſt it give too great incouragement to them, and too great diſhartning to your faithful friends. I am ſorrie at my being with you at Madrid that you durſt not impart thoſe ſecrets, wherein I am ſure my faithfulneſſe, and love unto you, would have done you all ſervice (as the thing I moſt deſire) but I ſee the zeale of my heart to you, is not rightly conſidered, yet am I confident that time will make me beſt known, and better eſteemed by you as one whoſe true heart, is alwayes watchful of taking all opportunities to do you ſervice. My Lord, you ſhall find me not only a word-friend, but an active, who never am better pleaſed, then when I find moſt oppoſition. And for concluſion, I am ſo far from ſhunning dangers to do you ſervice, as that I would willingly wade in blood at any time to manifeſt my ſelf yours. And therefore) I ſhould receive great content, if you knew, how truly I were yours, becauſe then I am ſure in the Nobleneſſe of your nature, it would be impoſſible for any to be able to do me wrong in your Honourable, thoughts. My dear Lord, pray ſuffer no longer delayes in Spain, but either diſpatch, what you went for quickly, or elſe return ſpeedily; for aſſure your ſelf, their deſire to have you continue there, is for no love to you, but to further thereby their own deſigns elſewhere. Nay I dare juſtifie it out of my own weak judgment, that the longer you ſtay, the farther off you ſhall be from obtaining, what you deſire. And if you reſolutely purpoſe your return with ſpeed, you will force them out of their dull pace, and put them upon the rock, from which they cannot eſcape, except they fulfil your deſires. Beſides, your preſence is moſt neceſſary here for home-affairs, for your abſence hath cauſed too great inſolencie in the Court, by ſuch as bear themſelves very loftily, and inſu • very much over yours, eſpecially your poore ſervant Mewtis is much threatned as being yours, and muſt ſuffer till you come back. Some other things likewiſe are otherwiſe carried in your abſence, then would be in your preſence, therefore for Gods ſake return, but with the Prince, and count delayes, denyals. And the longer you ſtay there, the ſtronger you make them and your ſelves the weaker. My Lord of Briſtol hath a great, and more powerful party in Court, then you imagine, in ſo much, that I am confident were the King a newter, he would prevail, and I do not much marvail at it, for you truſt upon the honour, and juſtification of all your actions, deſirous to make no friends, becauſe you need none, but he deales with a great deal of cautelous wiſedom, and as he hath wrought into the Kings opinion, by reaſon of ſome pleaſing ſervices, ſo hath he into all thoſe, who are about the King, or powerful, that they may better his good ſervices, and ſmother his bad. Beſides the man who is ſuſpitious (as he muſt needs be) hath far greater care of after-reckonings, how to make fair gloſſes, then he who doth all things with the avowment of all honour, and the only intent of ſervice to his King, and Country. It grieves me I am not thought worthie to hear from you any word by theſe laſt meſſengers, eſpecially being promiſed the imployment, from which I was put. Farewell (dear Lord) and the Almightes protection be upon our unmatchable Prince, upon whoſe worth, and brave atchievements all eyes are fixed, and the ſame protection light upon you his right hand, and give you the good fortune, to make as brave a return, as you did voyage thither, to the eternal praiſe of your future memories. And upon theſe hopes, I reſt happie to think my ſelf

Yours H. R.

Sir George Carie to the Marqueſſe of Buckingham. 8. December, 1619. Your Lordſhip

VVIll be ſatisfied, before this of mine will have the happineſſe to kiſſe your noble hands, that the great Myſterie of iniquity in the Star-chamber is now revealed, and as many as could be diſcerned to have the mark of the beaſt upon them, have undergone their cenſure. Some I muſt confeſſe, and great fiſhes too, have broken out of the nett. But that eſcape muſt be objected to the errours of ſome of the purſuers, whoſe courſes in ſome things were not enough direct to warrant, what otherwiſe might have been done. And your Lordſhip who is a good Woodman well knowes, unleſſe the Wind-lace be well carried, the Bowes which ſtand up can never ſhoot.

Notwithſtanding all the defaults of the meaner Agents, the Court maintaining the honour of their own uprightneſſe, and integritie hath with moderation too, (yet ſuch as leaves ſubject to his Majeſties mercy to work upon ſome particulars,) raiſed in Fine ſome 130000 l. or thereabouts. If no errours had been committed, (whereupon thoſe Defendants, which eſcaped, took advantage to be ſafe) by this which is done, you may imagine what it would have amounted to. For my part, I rejoyce to conceive, how with the ſhorteſt of the daies, we are at the worſt of our eſtate, hoping by this means with the return of the Sun, to ſee ſome ſuch return of the money, (the riches of his Majeſties Treaſurie, and bloud of the Common-Wealth) as that the Exchequer may flow, and the Veins of the State may fill again, and both with the Spring renew their ſtrength, luſtre, and complexion. I have now ſtayed here ſo long attending this buſineſſe, that I hold it too late to wait upon you at Newmarket, That gives me cauſe to crave your pardon for this preſuming imperfect Accompt of this daies action, and withal to deſire the aſſurance, that I live in your eſtimation, the ſame, I will ever be

Your Lordſhips Moſt ſincerely honeſt and humble ſervent, G. Cary.

To King James, ab ignoto. Your Majeſtie,

BOth in the eminencie of your regal dignitie, and in the excellencie of your judgment, doth truly repreſent the common ſenſe, whoſe part it is to judge and diſcern of all things; whereas the other ſenſes do but report their particular objects. And in that manner do I humbly offer to your Majeſties Conſideration in this importune Chriſis of the affairs of Chriſtendom, ſo much as I have obſerved in France, that may now concern your ſervice, in which place I have been heretofore imployed in your affaires.

And firſt conſidering the preſent eſtate of things in France, and weighing againſt it, the ſeizure made of the Valtoline by the King of Spain, the late invaſion of the Palatinate, and now this new defeat arrived in Bohemia, I do put this for an infallible ground, that either the King of France will reſolve out of jealouſie of the progreſſions of the houſe of Auſtria effectually to ſuccour the Palatinate, or elſe abandoning the affairs of Germany to their own ſucceſſe, and neglecting the increaſe of the houſe of Auſtria on that ſide, he will think more then to recompence himſelf, by taking this opportunity to extinguiſh the body of thoſe of the Religion in France. And as undoubtedly he will reſolve on one of thoſe two points, ſo on both of them for ſundry reaſons he cannot. To move him to the ſuccour of the Palatinate, the main motive will be, the jealouſie between thoſe two Monarchies, which can never die, ſo long as they do both ſubſiſt in no greater a diſproportion of ſtrength and power; As alſo that France ſhall by their uſurpation of the Palatinate, be on all ſides Circled by the houſe of Auſtria, and particularly on that part where France hath before uſurped on the Empire; in which regard his intereſt of eſtate is greater then your Majeſties in the Conſervation of the Palatinate, though your perſonal intereſt be incomparable with his. Then he cannot but think of the loſſe of his Correſpondencies, and breach of his Confederacies in Germany, which have been very ancient, and very particular with the houſe of the Palatine. And if the reaſon of mutual gratitude, and vindication of injuries, may move Frenchmen, there are plentiful arguments on both kinds to move them to defend the Houſe of the Palatine, againſt that of Auſtria. But now on the other ſide to move him againſt thoſe of the Religion at home, firſt doth preſent it ſelf, his ſucceſſeful beginning againſt them in the buſineſſe of Bearn, then which nothing could be more unjuſt, both in regard of the matter it ſelf, and of his own faith, and promiſe, and of the deſert of thoſe of the Religion towards him, in theſe late troubles, nor could any thing be more ſuddenly, or violently (I do not ſay cruelly) executed, then that was. And again the preſent tearms, wherein that King, and thoſe of the Religion do ſtand, will puſh him on. Then there will not want to this purpoſe, the powerful perſwaſions of the Pope, and his adherents, both by propounding overtures to lay aſleep the jealouſies of the houſe of Auſtria, and offering huge ſummes towards the charge of the War, which if he ſhould attempt, and prevail therein, it would prove of far greater prejudice for many reaſons that may be given in the intereſt of Eſtate, to your Majeſtie, though not in the intereſt of your affection, then the loſſe of the Palatinate.

What may in France be reſolved upon theſe motives, is uncertain.

But I do conceive hereupon, that it may be uſeful for your Majeſties ſervice effectually to propound in France, a Confederacie for the Conſervation of the Palatinate, to which if they do hearken, your Majeſtie ſhall proceed in that deſign with greater ſtrength and reputation, and occaſion the King of Spain to proceed with greater remiſſeneſſe, or elſe abſolutely to relinquiſh the Palatinate by a Treaty. But if in France it be not hearkened to, your Majeſtie may take it for an aſſured argument, that they mean to proceed againſt thoſe of the Religion, in which caſe your Majeſtie may make uſe of the ſame Embaſſage to revive again ſome of their factions in the Court, whereby thoſe of the Religion may be ſtrengthened in their defence, and it will not be hard to effect, if it be well proceeded in. And herein doth properly offer it ſelf the perſon of the Duke of Bovillon, who for his great experience and wit, and intelligence in that Court, is beſt able to guide and further your Majeſties intentions; and for his intereſt in the perſon of the Palatine, and in the converſation of thoſe of the Religion, doth preciſely ſquare with your Majeſties ends, whoſe advice you may firſt ſuddenly and ſecretly enquire.

&c.

Sir Walter Aſton to the Duke, 10. December, 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

THe Arch-Duke Don Carlos, brother to the Emperour, made his entrie into this Town on the 15th. of the laſt moneth, Stil. Vet. He was met by the Almirante of Castile two daies journey from this place, who went from hence well accompanied, and attended by many Liveries richly ſet forth. Some 400. paces without a Gate of this Town called Alcala, the Arch-Duke was received by the two Infants Don Carlos and the Cardinal, and about 200 paces without the ſaid Gate by the King himſelf, who came attended with the greateſt part of this Court, and in his Coach accompanied with the Duke of Newbergh, and the Conde of Olivarez: The King lighted out of his Coach to receive the Arch-Duke, and ſome complements being paſt between them, returned into his Coach, and ſet the Arch-Duke by him on his left hand; in the other end of the Coach ſet the two Infants; in one boot the Duke of Newbergh, and the Conde of Olivarez; and in the other the Emperours Embaſſadour, and the Almirante; the Almirante taking place of the Embaſſadour. Being come to the Palace, the King accompanied the Arch-Duke to the Queens Quarter, where his Majeſtie left him to be conveyed from thence to his own Quarter (which is the ſame was given to the Prince his Highneſſe at his being in this Court,) by the Infants his Brothers, as he was, having finiſhed his complements with the Queen, and the Infanta Dona Maria. There were preparations here making for the honouring his reception with ſeveral feaſts, and entertainments after their manner here. But theſe have been ſtopped by the Arch-Dukes ſickneſſe, who felt himſelf indiſpoſed the day after his arrival, and applying ſome Phyſical remedies by the advice of a Phyſitian which he brought along with him, his diſtemper increaſed, and as it is pretended by theſe Phyſitians by a wrong courſe held with him. What hath been the true cauſe of his infirmity, I leave to be diſputed by them; He hath been held divers dayes with a terrible Calenture, which proved at laſt a Tabardillo, whereupon there was little hope conceived of his life; but he hath ſince received ſome eaſe, and is now in a good way of amendment. In reſpect of the Emperours unworthy proceedings with the King our Maſter, I have not dared to viſit him, untill I ſhall have notice of his Majeſties pleaſure therein, which I ſhall be glad to underſtand from your Grace.

Since the expiring of the Truce betwixt this Crown and the Hollanders, this King hath given Licenſe to divers Port Towns on the Coaſts of Biſcay to arm out what ſhips they ſhall think good, and to make prize to their own particular benefit of what they ſhall light upon belonging to the enemies of this Crown: by which meanes it is here hoped, That theſe Coaſts will be much the better ſecured from the daily pillages of the Holland men of War, and the Turkiſh Pyrates. For the advancing whereof upon requeſt made of thoſe of Sevil, there is Licenſe given unto them to arm what men of War they can find means. The Duke of Maqueda likewiſe with leave hath lately ſet forth ſix ſhips which are abroad in Pyracie.

There is advice given hither, that the Duke of Brandenbergh hath given his conſent to the conferring of the Electoral dignitie upon the Duke of Bavaria, which I can hardly believe, though I find it aſſured from very good hands.

The Duke of Newborgh remains ſtill in this Court, and preſſes to carry a cleer reſolution in his buſineſſes from hence; but for any thing I can yet learn his negotiation remains in the ſame eſtate as I advertiſed in my laſt to Mr. Secretarie Conway.

The Armada prepared in Portugal for the recovering of Braſil is gon to Sea, and whereas, they were to have ſtayed at the Cape St. Vincent for the Armado of Caſtile, upon advice, that is given hither, that the Hollanders in Braſil are not able to make any reſiſtance of conſideration, they have order to proceed in their journey. Twenty ſhips of war, and 4000. land Souldiers (which is the force of that Fleet) being here held ſufficient for that enterprize. The Armado in Cadiz is not yet departed, but hath her men aboard, and there is daily expectation of newes that it is gone to Sea. The Duke of Saxonie having received letters from the King our Maſter, and the King of Denmark, ſent preſently coppies of them unto the Emperour, with his anſwers unto their Majeſties, and accompanied them with a letter of his own unto the Emperour. All which the Emperour ſent unto the King. The carriage of the Duke is much eſteemed here, for having given (as I am informed) by his Letters unto the King our Maſter, and the King of Denmark ſuch an anſwer as they are here much ſatisfied withal. Nothwithſtanding in this Letter to the Emperour with many reaſons, and much inſtance, he adviſes him to apply himſelf to the ſetling of the peace in Germany, and expreſſing much affection to the compoſing of the affaires of the Prince Palatine doth earneſtly intreat his Majeſtie not to deſtroy that ancient houſe. In the mean time the Duke of Bavaria uſes all diligence to combine himſelf with this Crown, and now doth offer to caſt off all other thoughts of leagues, and to depend wholly upon Spain, ſo that this King will protect him in his Electoral dignity, and what he hath lately poſſeſſed himſelf of in thoſe parts. This offer of the Dukes hath been ſeveral dayes debated in Councel, where the Marqueſſe Ynoioſa hath been buſie in the behalf of the Duke: but the wiſer part of this Councel ſeeing how prejudicial, the increaſe of the Dukes greatneſſe may prove to the Empire, do no way favour his pretentions. They likewiſe hold fit to continue the ſtate of things in a poſſibility of an accommodation without our Maſter.

The Arch-Duke Don Carlos hath brought power from the Emperour to proceed to the conſummation of a marriage betwixt the Emperours ſon and the Infanta Donna Maria, wherein he ſayes, he hath nothing to Capitulate, but brings them a blanck paper, and hath power, and order to confirm what conditions they ſhall here ſet down. The Emperour's Embaſſadour doth much preſſe to proceed to the Capitulations, but there is yet nothing done. The Infanta of Bruſſels hath lately written hither, importing this King to admit of a treaty of marriage betwixt the Prince of Polonia, and the Infanta his Siſter, extolling with many expreſſions the worth, and parts of that Prince.

There hath been ſome moneths a general ſtop of their proceedings here in all ſuites of Engliſh Merchants depending in this Court; but I have at laſt procured a Junto to be aſſigned for the hearing of all Engliſh Cauſes, wherein I am promiſed there ſhall be a ſpeedy Reſolution taken of whatſoever is at preſent in Queſtion.

The Duke of Feria hath lately advertiſed hither from Millain, that the French King, and the Duke of Savoy do miniſter much occaſion of jealouſie, that they intend to attempt ſome novelty in thoſe parts, and doth therefore deſire, that his Troops may be augmented; whereupon (above the ordinary charge) there was inſtantly remitted unto him 2000. Duckets.

The great annual Aſſiento which this King makes with the Genoueses is newly concluded, it is for 7. millions, whereof 4. are remitted for Flanders, to be paid by monethly portions.

In a late meeting of the Councel of State upon a diſcourſe that paſſed amongſt them, taking into conſideration this Kings wants, and the preſent diſtemper of his affairs, the Inquiſidor General expreſſing how neceſſary a time it was for his Majeſties Subjects to aſſiſt his preſent occaſions, made offer of 100 Duckets for his part, which the Conde of Olivares followed with a tender of 300; the Conde of Monterrey of 100; all the reſt of the Councel of State following their example gave according to their quality. Notice being taken of this abroad, the Condeſtable wrote a Letter unto this King, wherein he made tender of 200 Duckets, the Marqueſſe of Caſtel Rodrigo of 100, the Marqueſſe of Carpio of the like ſumme. Divers others have likewiſe declared themſelves in this donative, and it is hoped that it will go over the whole Kingdome, and bring in an extraordinary Treaſure into the Kings purſe. Thus with the remembrance of my duty, I reſt

Your Graces, &c. W: A.

Archbiſhop Abbots to Secretarie Nanton, 12. Septemb. 1619. Good Mr. Secretarie,

I Have never more deſired to be preſent at any Conſultation, then that which is this day to be handled, for my heart, and all my heart goeth with it. But my Foot is worſe then it was on Friday, ſo that by advice of my Phyſitian, I have ſweat this whole night paſt, and am directed to keep my bed this day.

But for the matter, my humble advice is, That there is no going back, but a countenancing of it againſt all the world; yea ſo far as with ringing of Bells, and making of Bon-fires in London, ſo ſoon as it ſhall be certainly underſtood that the Coronation is paſt. I am ſatisfied in my Conſcience, that the Cauſe is juſt, wherefore they have rejected that proud and bloody man, and ſo much the rather, becauſe he hath taken a courſe to make that Kingdom not elective, but to take it from the donation of another man. And when God hath ſet up the Prince that is choſen to be a mark of honor through all Chriſtendom to propagate his Goſpel, and to protect the oppreſſed, I dare not for my part give advice but to follow where God leads.

It is a great honour to the King our Maſter, that he hath ſuch a Son, whoſe virtues have made him thought ſit to be made a King. And me thinks I do in this, and that of Hungary foreſee the work of God, that by piece and piece the Kings of the earth, that gave their power unto the beaſt, (all the Word of God muſt be fulfilled) ſhall now tear the Whore and make her deſolate, as St. John in his Revelation hath foretold. I pray you therefore with all the ſpirits you have to put life into this buſineſſe, and let a return be made into Germany with ſpeed, and with comfort, and let it really be proſecuted, that it may appear to the World that we are awake when God in this ſort calleth us.

If I had time to expreſſe it, I could be very angry at the ſhuffling which was uſed toward my Lord of Doncaſter, and the ſlighting of his Embaſſage ſo, which cannot but touch upon our Great Maſter who did ſend him, and therefore I would never have a Noble Sonne forſaken, for reſpect of them who truly aym at nothing but their own purpoſes.

Our ſtriking in will comfort the Bohemians, will honour the Palſgrave, will ſtrengthen the Union, will bring on the States of the Low Countries, will ſtirre up the King of Denmark, and will move his two uncles the Prince of Orange and the Duke of Bovillon, totogether with Tremoville (a rich Prince in France) to caſt in their ſhares. And Hungarie as I hope (being in that ſame cauſe) will run the ſame fortune; for the meanes to ſupport the war, I hope Providebit Deus. The Parliament is the old, and honourable way, but how aſſured at this time I know not, yet I will hope the beſt; certainly if countenance be given to the action, many brave ſpirits will voluntarily go. Our great Maſter in ſufficient want of mony, gave ſome ayde to the Duke Savoy, and furniſhed out a prettie army in the cauſe of Cleve. We muſt trie once again what we can be done in this buſineſſe of a higher nature, and all the mony, that may be ſpared is to be turned that way. And perhaps God provided the Jewels that were layd up in the Tower to be gathered by the Mother for the preſervation of her Daughter who like a noble Princeſſe hath profeſſed to her Husband not to leave her ſelf one Jewel rather then not to maintain ſo religious, and righteous a cauſe. You ſee that lying on my bed I have gone too far, but if I were with you this ſhould be my language, which I pray you humbly and heartily to repreſent to the King my, Maſter telling him, that when I can ſtand, I hope to do his Majeſtie ſome ſervice herein. So commending me unto you I remain

Your very loving friend, Geo. Cant.

The Lord Brook to the Duke, 11. November, 1623. May it pleaſe your Grace,

OUt of Spain we hear, the world comes ſo faſt after you (ſince your departure,) as we aſſure our ſelves this great work is at a good end, with contentment to our bleſſed Prince, and like a Princely treaty, with addition of honour to the Monarchie, he intends to match with.

But Sir, we hear of a new treaty ſprung up between the Palſegraves Eldeſt ſon and the Emperours youngeſt Daughter. A Labrynth into which, what hope ſoever leades us, I fear no one thread will be able to guide us well out. Becauſe in the paſſages between theſe for diſtant Princes education of children ſeemes like to be demanded, Ballancing of Councels to the jelouſie of friends, Queſtion whether the Palatinate ſhall be delivered in the Nonage before marriage, or after. Then whether ſequeſtred into a Catholique, or Proteſtants hands. If into a Catholique, a probable argument that both it, and the Valtoline are equally reſerved free to fall with aſſociated forces upon our ancient Bulwark the Neither Lands at pleaſure Laſtly whether the Myter, and the Scepter thus united, with their advantage in number of ſwords, and Deskes aboard, their new ſpringing partie at home, ſtrengthes by ſea and land, Conſtant ambition of adding Crown, to Crown, and perfect Auditt of their neighbours powers, and humors (even while the ſecond Heire male of this Kingdom ſhall live in the hands of enemies, and ſtrangers) I ſay whether theſe will not prove fearful in equalities, caſual to the lives of our King and Prince, dangerous to the Crown by changing ſucceſſive rights into tenures of Courteſie, and charging of the peoples conſciences with viſions of confuſion or bondage.

Againſt (Sir) admit this new project ſhould vaniſh into ſmoak as undigeſted vapours uſe to do, yet give me leave to queſtion, whether to your Grace you have overtlie proteſted againſt the intricate Courſes of the Spaniard, even the ſpecitious iſſue of the Palatinates delivery before conſummation of marraiage, but not like to prove Mother of many Colourable and unavoydable delayes. Becauſe, ſuppoſe the propoſition ſhould be granted, yet who ſees not that the effecting of it will prove an act of ſo many parts. Viz: the Pope, Emperour, King of Spain, Duke of of Bavaria &c. and of ſo great conſequence joyntlie, and ſeverally to them all, and muſt of neceſſity require divers aſſemblies, commiſſions, perchance Dietts &c. And then what time the execution of the Minutes under theſe Heads will demand, he that knowes the divers natures of Nations in treating may eaſily conceive.

To begin with the leaſt; what mony or other conditions can be offered like to ſatisfie the honour, humour, and huge expence of the Bavarian, for quitting his Conqueſt to ſo unreconcileable a neighbour: and if there be poſſibility, yet out of whoſe eſtate or treaſury are theſe conditions, or large proportions of Dowrie probably to be expected? touching the Emperour? Is there any forraign alliance able to perſwade this Prince, who having by an untimely war, changed all tenures of Election into ſucceſſion, and thereby ſhaken the ancient freedom of our Germany Princes, what I ſay can in likelihood winn him to reſtore theſe dead forces of his Enemies, to the prejudice of all he injoyes, or aſpires. Beſides what ſhall move this Emperour to take away the Bann from the Palſegraves perſon, who hath ſo deſparately hazarded not only his own private Kingdomes, and Provinces, but by his undertaking, waved the main ambition of of the Auſtrian familie. For the Spaniſh King if he be preſt, his anſwer will be ready and fair, that he hath no right in him (but mediation) as appeares by the diviſions already made. Notwithſtanding how little right ſoever pretends, yet his Councel, his inſtruments, his charge, by diverſion, Overt Ayde, inſenſible ſuccours (the world ſees) have been uſed in all theſe wars; ſo as this together with his right by ſtrong hand gotten (and kept by arts of depoſiting) upon the Voltaline may lead us to diſcern clearly, that he finds the paſſage of his forces through them, equal, and ſo reſolves both, to over-run the Low countries when he pleaſe. Againſt which little State (whether out of revenge, or ambition of greater conqueſts by them, he will conſtantly carry a warchfull and Griping enemies hand.

Concerning the Pope, who knowes not that his univerſal affected ſupremacie (howſoever diſſembled) yet hath, doth and ever will urge his Holineſſe to ſtir up colourable Warres of Religion. Since Warres, Contentions, and tumults among Princes have been his old way of adding more wealth, and power to his ſanctified Sea. How I ſay this new faſhion'd Monarch, ſhallbe won to ſuffer Heidelberg (the moſt dangerous neſt of Heretiques after Geneva) to return to her former ſtrength is a poynt beyond my Capacity.

By theſe ſhort, haſtie and imperfect images your Grace may yet judg, that except the reſtitution of the Palatinate be inſtantly preſſed (and like a work of Faeries either furniſhed, or broken off at once) we may eaſily be over-ſhot in our own bowes, by having the ſtrengths and free Councels of England, Scotland, and Ireland during this treaty kept under a kind of Covert-baron, and ſo long made a forge for other Princes ends, as my Bleſſed Soveraigns truſt may perchance find it ſelf compelled to play an After-Game, amongſt diſcouraged friends, and combination of powerful enemies, ſuch as under characters of Allyance will think they have won one great Step towards their inveterate Ambition of a Weſterne Monarchie.

Noble Duke, If you find me lifted above my earth, in handling a ſubject to which I am utterly a ſtranger, yet bear with a Monks humour, in a man that is priſoner to old age. Hide my follie from the eyes of Critiques. And pardon my freedom that hath wearied you, with a mind ever to remain

Your Graces loving Grandchild and humble ſervant, Tho. Brook.

Dr. Balcanquel to Secretarie Nanton, 26. of March. Right Honourable,

THe reaſon why I have not of late written to your Honour, is the diſcontinuance of our Seſſions of the Synod this great while; but ſince my laſt unto your Honour, we have thus ſpent our time. The publique reading of all the Collegial judgments upon the 5. Articles was made an end of. In which (God be thanked for it) there was a greater harmonie and conſent then could almoſt be hoped for, in ſuch variety of learned men, who did not know one of anothers judgment. The onely difference was in the ſecond Article. After that the Preſident, (never asking advice from the Synod) took upon him to conceive, and dictate the Canons himſelf to us; but we who were ſent by his Majeſtie, conceiving that courſe to be altogether againſt the dignity of the Synod, conſulted with ſome of the Delegates, who approved our Counſel, and thought it fit, that there ſhould be ſome deputed by the Synod, and joyned to the Preſident for conceiving of the Canons, that ſo whatſoever was done, might be done by publique authority. This motion did trouble the Preſident not a little, who hath all the Provincials at his beck, and ſome of the forraign Divines too, but eſpecially the Palatines. Yet there was a publique Synode called for this purpoſe, where the Preſident of the Delegates did make a ſpeech, deſiring the Synode to depute ſome who joyned with the Preſident and the Aſſeſſours, might take pains for moulding of the Canons. In the delivering of the voices moſt teſtified their diſlike of this courſe, and their ſingular reſpect to the Preſidents Credit; but Scultetus did by many reaſons approve the courſe which the Preſident had begun, and diſprove this new courſe, which was ſuggeſted, yet he taxed no man perſonally. But Sibrandus (when he came to deliver his voice) like a mad-man did inveigh againſt thoſe, who were the ſuggeſters of this change, and ſaid, That ſtrangers ſhould not take upon them to preſcribe what was good for the eſtate of their Church, and that ſome others who had joyned in that, were worthy to be noted Cenſurâ Eccleſiaſticâ: therein he aymed at the South Holland, who did likewiſe much diſlike the Preſident his Courſe. Sibrandus ſpake ſo furiouſly, that both the Praeſes Politicus, and the Praeſes Eccleſiaſticus, deſired him either to hold his peace, or elſe ſpeak that which might not diſturb the peace of the Synode. Yet ſince it was the Delegates pleaſure, the whole Synode added to the Preſident, and the Aſſeſſours three forraign Divines, viz. my Lord of Landaff, Scultetus, and Deodatus; 3. Provincials, viz. Poliander, Vallaeus, and Triglandius; who ſhould mould and conceive the Canons upon every Article, and then ſend a Copie of what they have done to every Colledge, that they may adde power, and change what they will, the Colledges obſervations being conſidered by them, and the Canons according to them amended, they are to be returned to the Colledges, and the Colledges to return them again, and ſo to keep the courſe ever till there be no exceptions againſt them. When they are thus agreed upon by all ſeveral Colledges, they ſhall publiquely be concluded, and approved by the Synode.

We are now hard at poliſhing the Canons, which theſe Deputies ſend us. All our trouble is in the ſecond Article: The moſt part of the Synode would cry us down with voices for the reſtriction of the general propoſitions in Scripture, and the Confeſſions of the Reformed Churches concerning Chriſts death, ad Solos Electos. We ſtand for leaving them unexpounded, and unreſtricted as we found them, and rejoyce exceedingly, that the Directions which my Lord Embaſſadour ſent us from his Majeſtie concerning this point, agreeth ſo fully with our judgment ſubſcribed with our hands, given in to the Synode, upon the ſecond Article. By this doing we firſt leave a found and ſufficient ground for preaching of the Goſpel to all men. Next we ſhun a great deal of offence, which otherwiſe we muſt needs have given to the Lutheran Churches. Thirdly, we retain the ſame phraſes, and forms of ſpeaking which thoſe Fathers did, who wreſtled with the Pelagians in the ſame point. If this Article be well looked into, I hope there ſhall moderation enough be obſerved in all the reſt. If it were not for the moderation of the forraign Divines, we ſhould have ſuch Canons as I think have not been heard of: for there is never a Provincial Miniſter here, who hath delivered any rigid Propoſition, and hath been taxed by the Remonſtrants for it, but he would have that Propoſition thruſt into one Canon or another, that ſo he may have ſomething to ſhew for that which he hath ſaid. As ſoon as the Canons are agreed upon, I ſhall by Gods grace with all expedition ſend them unto your Honour. Our next work will be Vorſtius, whoſe book they would cenſure, without citation of himſelf. The Preſident wrote to our Colledge in the Delegates name to know, whether we thought it fit to have him perſonally cited; but eſpecially to know what we thought would be moſt agreeing to his Majeſties mind.

To the latter, concerning his Majeſties mind, we anſwered, That we thought my Lord Embaſſadour could give them the beſt reſolution for that point.

For the former, we thought it would be evil taken, If any man ſhould be condemned, not being firſt heard. But becauſe they, that Vorſtius would keep them as long as the Remonſtrants had done; We told them, That we deſired they would not ſuffer him to make any defences, or explications of his blaſphemous propoſitions, but ſimply to anſwer per ita vel non, whether he would plainly abjure them, or not; And ſo accordingly proceed againſt him, and ſo we ſhould make no great loſſe of time; ſo I think he ſhall be perſonally cited.

This is all, for we have had no Synodical meetings theſe 12. daies. I can ſee no end of the Synode before Whitſontide. With my beſt prayers for your Honours, and the remembrance of all my faithful reſpects. I take my leave; And am

Your Honours In all true obſervance and ſervice, Walter Balcanquel.

Sir William Beecher to his Majeſtie, 4th. of February. Moſt Gracious Soveraign,

BEſides the relation of the apparance of change in the affairs of the Court, wherewith my Diſpatch to Mr. Secretarie Lake will acquaint your Majeſtie: I thought it my duty to give you particular account, that being yeſterday with the Prince of Jain ville, after ſome earneſt proteſtations made to me of his deſire to do your Majeſtie ſervice, falling into diſcourſe of thoſe occurrences, he grew into theſe terms. That the complaints of the Queen Mother were founded upon good reaſon; that if ſhe had offended the King, or the State, why did they not make her proceſſe? if ſhe had not offended, why ſhould ſhe not ſee the King, and her children? that when the Queen fell upon theſe Complaints, they thought to fright her, by Pretending to bring forth the Prince of Conde; but that the Queen had aſtoniſhed them, by telling them, That ſhe was ſo far from oppoſing, as ſhe deſired the liberty of the Prince. That the Queens friends would be glad of his liberty, for that it could not be prejudicial, but rather advantagious, at the leaſt, it would be honourable for them, if his liberty were wrought, if not by their interceſſion, at leaſt by their occaſion; further he told me, That he was confident, that the Queen would not be gained by their fair words, but would perſiſt in her reſolution. Which diſcourſe of his with ſome other advertiſements, doth perſwade me, that this matter hath a farther root, and is likely to bring forth ſome great alteration here, in no long time. And I doubt not but that Monſieur de Luine will find with repentance, how much better it had been for him, to have furthered your Majeſties advice for the delivery of the Prince, whereby he might have acquired to the King a reputation of Juſtice, and to himſelf an obligation of a powerful friend in the Prince, rather then to leave him to the adventure of the changes, that time may produce. But if your Counſel did prove fruitleſſe to them by their miſconceit of it, yet it doth, and will every day prove more honourable to your Majeſtie, who by your wiſdom have foreſeen, and by your goodneſſe have premoniſhed all your neighbours of the miſchiefs that threatned them.

Peradventure they may overcome this effort of the Queenes by fair words to her Perſon, and threats ſignified afar off, and continue the ſtate of affairs in the ſame condition that now it is, which is in few words extreamly Romiſh, Jeſuitiſh, and by conſequence Spaniſh.

Mounſieur de Luine ſeemeth to me a man in himſelf capable of reaſon, and by the death of the Marſhal d'Anchre, eternally bound to be a good Patriot, but that he applyes himſelf wholly to the Kings perſon, and that diſtruſting his own judgment, relies upon the judgment of the Miniſters of the State, and principallyDu Ageu. Du Augen the Chancellour, and the Gardeſeaux.

They utterly neglect all the Alliances of our Religion abroad, and care not how inconſiderately they oppreſſe it at home. Onely they ſeem deſirous to entertain themſelves well with the King of Spain, by the intervention of the Nunce, and do think that no advantage which they can give the Spaniard by this proceeding in other parts, can equal that which they pretend to receive at home, by ſuppreſſing the State, and doctrine of thoſe of the Religion.

If they proceed long in this train, it will undoubtedly breed miſchievous deſignes, which there is no ſo ready way to prevent, as to let them generally perceive, that they are diſcovered, whereby the proceedings of the Miniſters of State will grow ſo deteſtable to all thoſe here, that have any ſenſe of the love of their Countrey, that it will produce either a change of their perſons, or of their Councels.

But I do humbly ſubmit the Cenſure hereof to your Majeſties moſt exquiſite judgment, whom I do beſeech the Almighty long to preſerve in health, and all perfect happineſſe.

Your Majeſties Moſt humble Subject, and Loyal Servant, Will. Beecher.

To King James, ab ignoto. Moſt wiſe, and Glorious Prince,

BEcauſe the departure of your Majeſtie doth not permit me to hope for the honour of ſeeing you, and that the advertiſements, and orders which I have to communicate unto you, do merit your ſpeedy review and magnanimous reſolution, I have preſumed to truſt them unto this paper, which I do humbly deſire may reſt in the hands of your Majeſtie alone.

The treaty of reſtoring all that had been taken by Sea (which by a motion from Spain, was put into the hands of ſome Miniſters in Rome) is accompanied with ſo little hope of obtaining the end, that was pretended, that by reaſon of their continuing at Naples to diſſipate, and waſte ſuch goods as they had taken in our ſhips, and the Cardinal Borgias reſervedneſſe to promiſe any thing, that negotiation may be held as vain, and as an inſidious invention to gain time. Nevertheleſſe my Maſters marching ſtill with a conſtant deſire of purchaſing the publique tranquillity, have been content to render all ſuch veſſels as they had taken within their Gulph, in hope that having gotten the advantage of the cauſe by this honeſt proceeding, they might prevail in which they had made at Naples, for the reſtitution of their Galeaſſes, and of the ſhip called Roſſe.

But the actions and operations of the Spaniards do not anſwer unto what is deſired, and hoped. For in the Kingdome of Sicilie Naples, and Calabria, they do muſter new Souldiers, and they make great preparations for a war by the Sea. The ſubjects of thoſe Kingdomes are taxed with extraordinary Contributions of mony, and in daily councels held by the duke of Oſſuna, the Marqueſſe Santa Croce, and other miniſters they do conſult of the meanes of making war, and doing hurt. But that which is moſt important is, that in the conjuncture, there is likewiſe in divers parts of Spain a terrible concourſe of great proviſions. For they have put in a readineſſe armour for 30000. men, they have ingroſſed all the ammunition that could be purchaſed, and have put in good equipage 60. tall ſhips which being added unto thoſe they have already in the Streights make 80. at Naples they have 20 ſhips more beſides all their own Gallies, and an order they have obtained for the Gallies of Malta, Florence, and the Pope to joyn with them.

All the Italian Souldiers are quartered along the Coaſt of Apulia, which is oppoſite to our Gulphe, and they have 14000. foot of Walloons, French, and Spaniards lodged within the Kingdom of Naples. In Flanders at this preſent, they make a new Leavie of 6000. foot, and a 1000. horſe. And in the ſtate of Millan, they do retain ſtill 3000. horſe ſupernumeraries. All which forces, and proviſions, as they do deſerve for their greatneſſe to be regarded, and looked upon with a jealous eye of every one; ſo thoſe, who do ſuffer at the preſent many jnjuries and acts of hoſtility at the hands of the Spaniards, and in particular the State of Venice, which is betrayed by their fraudulent treaties, cannot chuſe but fear, and doubt more then any other. Neither can any pretences of enterpriſes or deſigns againſt the Turk ſecure thoſe, who ſet the ſword bended againſt their breaſts, and the fire kindled in their own houſes.

Whereupon your Majeſtie is humbly deſired that you will be pleaſed to conſider ſeriouſly of what hath been remonſtrated, and to take ſuch a reſolution, as may beſt befit your wiſdom, and Greatneſſe, and the ſafety, and indemnity of a State ſo obſervant of your Majeſty as ours is, and of a member ſo important of the liberty of Italie, and of Europe. There is not, at this day (Invincible Sir) any Prince in the whole world upon whom the Conſervation of the publique tranquillity doth more rely then upon your Majeſtie. For there being none that doth equal your Majeſtie in wiſdom, and experience, poſſeſſing your Kingdomes in perfect peace, quietneſſe, and plenty, to the infinite praiſe of your name, and being free from the moleſtation of all ſtormes and tempeſts, it ſeemeth that the eyes of all men are turned towards your Majeſtie as towards a Sun, that ought to clear the Skie, and that they expect deliverance onely from your hand. Theſe reſolutions (oh moſt wiſe King) will be the ſtrongeſt walls upon which your eternity can be reared. Theſe will be the Jewels, and the crown, which will adorn you in earth, and in Heaven. Theſe will be the immortal Glorie of your powerful name.

The reſolutions in caſes of ſuch weight, and danger ought to be magnanimous, quick, and powerful. The very noiſe of your putting in order your royal Navie, the ſending a perſon of quality to the place, from whence the danger is feared, and the declaring your ſelf in favour of thoſe, whom you ſhall find to have the right on their ſide, may perhaps prove ſufficient to procure a peace. If words will not prevail deeds muſt follow, and ſuch a reſolution will prove the true Antidote to all their poyſons. For the better effecting whereof the world doth attend with great devotion to ſee a good correſpondencie renewed betwixt your Majeſtie and the French King; and for the diſpoſing your Majeſties heart thereunto, the State of Venice doth joyn her humble prayers unto the earneſt intreaty of many others.

In the mean time, I am to requeſt your Majeſtie, that you will be pleaſed to forbid the exportation of Artillerie, ſhips and Marriners out of our Kingdomes for the ſervice of the Spaniards, it being neither juſt nor agreeable to your Majeſties Piety, that your Arms ſhould be ſtayned with the blood of a State, and Prince, that hath no equal in love to your Royal Crown, and that will ever teſtifie to all the world by effects of their obſervance, the pure, and ſincere devotion that they have to your Glorious name. For my own particular, I humbly crave leave to kiſſe your royal hands.

Sir Iſaac Wake to the Secretarie. Right Honourable,

I Have ſafely received the Letter, wherewith your Honour hath been pleaſed to favour me, dated at Theobalds the 19th. of July Stil. Vet. and have to my ſingular comfort underſtood, that you have been pleaſed not onely to give favourable acceptance unto ſuch weak diſpatches as I have made bold to addreſſe unto you, but done me the honour likewiſe to acquaint his Majeſtie with the contents of them, and to direct my proceedings in in this intricate buſineſſe, which inſtructions dictated by his Majeſties wiſedom, this light will be ſufficient to direct my ſteps in the middeſt of an Egyptian darkneſſe, which doth not only obſcure the Horizon of this Province where I reſide, but almoſt the whole face of Europe, by reaſon of the great miſts, which are caſt artificially in all mens eyes to cover the deſigns of thoſe, who do preſume, that they have in all places arbitrium Belli et Pacis.

I moſt humbly crave pardon of your Honour, if you do not receive my anſwer ſo ſoon as perhaps you might expect. For yours having ſtayed upon the way a month and a day, did not come to my hands until the 20th. of Auguſt Stil. Vet. At which time it was brought unto me by Mr. Rowlandſon, whom I had diſpatched into Germany, to advertize thoſe Princes of the motion made to the Duke of Savoy for the paſſage of Spaniſh forces through his State. My Lord of Doncaſter under whoſe Cover I received that Letter, did not think fit to ſend it to me by an expreſſe meſſenger for fear of increaſing the ſuſpition of ſome in thoſe parts, who are jealous that his Majeſty doth favour the Duke of Savoy more then they could wiſh. And I muſt confeſſe, that the ſame reaſon induced me likewiſe to ſend that Gentleman of the Duke of Savoy's into Germany, rather then any ſervant of mine own, for fear leaſt allees, and vennes of meſſagers betwixt my Lord of Doncaſter, and me in theſe doubtful times might ſo far injealous the contrary party, as might prejudice the ſervice of his Majeſtie in that Negotiation.

The inſtructions that your Honour hath been pleaſed to give me from his Majeſtie, concerning my treating with 52.52. c. the Duke of Savoy. 93. a. the Bohemians. 95 a. the Emperour Ferdinand. 51. a. the King of England. 97. a. Germany. 99. a. the King of the Romans. 71. c. the Agent of England. 51. b. the Prince Palatine. 52. b. the Marqueſſe Brandenbergh. 54. b. the Marqueſſe Auſpach. 50. b. the Princes of the Union. 56 b. Count Erneſt Mansfelt. c. in favour of 93. a. having reference unto the inclination of 95. a. to peace, or the probability of defence to be made by 93. a. I held it more ſafe for me to govern my ſelf by ſuch informations of the ſtate of thoſe affairs as I have received from the favour of the 1. 32. 7. 5. 47. 48. 2. 10. 40. 45. of 51. a. in 97. a. And for the better juſtification of my proceedings, I ſend your Honour here incloſed the Copie of his Letter unto me, wherein you will ſee, that I have no reaſon as yet to ſpend the name of 51. a. in favour of 93. a. nor to imbargue 52. c. in a buſineſſe, which may draw a great charge, and envie upon himſelf, and not much advantage the 93. a. I muſt confeſſe that the 50. b. in general, and particularly the 54. b. and the 41. 45. 23. 34. 9. 12. of 5. 35. 22. 4. 30. 50. have repreſented the ſtate of thoſe affairs at this preſent unto 52. b. in a manner not onely different from the advertiſements ſent me, but almoſt contrary, and they do ſeem not only to be confident of the prevailing of 93. c. but likewiſe they continue to give hope that the 10. 51. 29. 15. of 48. 3. 59. 15. will concur with 51. b. and 52. b. in the 12. 30. 13. 9. 50. 27. 40. 35. of 99. a. But becauſe I have reaſon to ſuſpect that they make relation of thoſe affairs, rather as they wiſh they were, then as they be indeed, and that their intention to draw ſomewhat from 52. c. towards the ſuccours of 93. a. I will forbear to joyn with them therein, until I can have ſome better ground then their advertiſements, which may be thought to ſavour of partiality, and I have reaſon to be backward therein, becauſe I know that 5 • c. would preſently take me eu mot, and put to the account of 51. a. that which he is moſt willing to do of himſelf. I do not affirm this out of conjecture, but upon good ground; for beſides, that he did ſignifie ſo much unto me at my return out of England, I do know that within this fortnight he hath ſent unto 56. b. 3000. 41. 24. 48. 49. 40. 30. 47. in part of 42. 2. 60. 32. 15. 35. 50. and in the conveyance of this 33. 39. 34. 35. 61. there was extraordinary diligence uſed to conceal it from the knowledge of the 71. c. whereof no other conſtruction can be made, but that 52. c. would fain be intreated by 71. c. to do that, which he hath already a mind to do.

If upon more freſh Letters, which I expect from my Lord of Doncaſter, I ſhall find that the affairs there have changed face ſince the writing of his laſt unto me, I will govern my ſelf accordingly, as I ſhall receive warrant from him.

We are here at a ſtand, expecting with devotion the iſſue of the affairs of Germanie. The Army in the Kingdom of Naples is ſtill retained, and no order given, either for the diſmiſſing of thoſe Troops, or the employing them in any ſervice. Prince Philibert is at Meſſina with the Gallies, and hath with him 10. or 12000 men. The Ships and Gallions remain at Naples, and the Walloons, Lombardes and Neapolitanes which ſhould have come to Vado, are ſince their diſimbarquing again, quartered round the City of Naples. It is impoſſible to gueſſe what they mean to do; but the moſt probable conjecture is, that under the colour of ſuſpecting the Duke of Oſſuna, the Spaniards will keep their potent Army on foot, and by that means keep all Italy in awe, and as it were ſub Ferulâ, and delude the reiterated promiſes and oathes that have paſſed by them, to aſſure the Duke of Savoy and the Venetians, that they would diſmiſſe thoſe Forces. The ſeaſon is now paſt for any enterpriſe by Sea, ſo that Prince Philibert muſt be forced to return without doing any thing. And many are of opinion, that the Duke of Oſſuna had ſecret order to counterfeit madneſſe, and to croſſe the Kings Commandement expreſſely to deprive Prince Philibert of the honour which would have redounded unto him, if he had been poſſeſſed of the abſolute Command of ſo potent an Armie. The Duke of Savoy on the other ſide, would fain make you believe, that undoubtedly Oſſuna hath entertained rebellious thoughts, and that if Don Octavio D'Arragona do not bring a good anſwer out of Spain, he will break out into open contumacie. His demands of the King of Spain are theſe:

Firſt, That he may be continued in the Government four years longer.

Secondly, That he may be permitted to enter with his Fleet into the Gulph of Venice, and to diſpute his Majeſties Title to that Sea by the force of Arms.

Laſtly, That in caſe the King of Spain will not let him Conteſt ſo far with the Venetians, that there may then be ſent him ſo much money out of Spain as may licenſe his Army, conſidering that the Kingdome of Naples is ſo far exhauſted, as that they cannot contribute any longer either to the maintaining, or to the diſmiſſing of thoſe Forces.

The Venetians did lately chaſe a ſmall Gallie of the Vicocchi, which was entred into the Gulph to rob and ſpoyl, and followed her unto the ſhoares of Apuglia, where Ferlitick the Captain of thoſe Thieves ſaved himſelf and the moſt part of his fellowes by flight into the mountains, but Signior Filippo Belegno recovered the Gallie, and carried her away as a prize, having found two banners diſplayed, the one with the arms of Spain, the other with the arms of Oſſuna; And not onely a formal Patent and Commiſſion to take any thing, that he could from the Venetians, but ſome Letters likewiſe from ſome principal Miniſters of Ferdinand, wherein this Capo di Banditi is encouraged, and requeſted to do the Venetians as much hurt and dammage, as he might be able. Now the Duke of Oſſuna is fallen into a great rage with the Venetians, quod non totum telum corpore acceperunt, and he doth threaten to be revenged upon them for not ſuffering theſe Vicocchie to rob and ſpoyl their ſubjects.

The Duke of Savoy hath done me the honour to intreat my company with him into Savoy, whither he doth purpoſe very ſhortly to go, that he may receive at the confines of his eſtate, the Prince of Piedmount, and Madam his wife. And becauſe his requeſt hath the power of a command over me in Licitis, et honeſtis, I muſt be enforced to paſſe the Mountaines again at an unſeaſonable time, before I have ſufficiently refreſhed my ſelf after my laſt voyage, and I know not whether I ſhall have the opportunity of writing unto your Honour again before my going, which is uncertain, as depending upon the going of the Duke. So with my hearty prayers unto Almighty God for the preſervation of his Majeſtie in health, and the proſperity of his Eſtate, in all humility I take leave; And reſt

Your Honours moſt faithfully to command, Iſaac Wake. Turin 27. Septemb. 1619. 22. Auguſt. 1619.

Sir Iſaac Wake to Mr. Secretarie. Right Honourable,

I Have received the Letter, wherewith your Honour hath been pleaſed to favour me, dated at White-Hall the 27. of February, and having to my ſingular comfort underſtood, that his Majeſtie hath declared his gracious approbation of my proceedings here, with the Duke of Savoy, and the Venetians. And I do with all thankfulneſſe acknowledge to receive that favour from the hand of your Honour, as my only Gratum faciens—

I will not fail to govern my ſelf preciſely by the rule of thoſe Inſtructions which you have been pleaſed to give me. And as you have favoured me with paſſing your word for me, that I will not ſpend his Majeſties name without particular Warrant, and direction; ſo will I promiſe faithfully to perform as much, as you have undertaken for me, and both in this, as in all things elſe you may aſſure your ſelf, that his Majeſties revealed will, and that only, ſhall be a Law unto me.

Your Honour will have underſtood by my former Diſpatches, that the Duke of Oſſuna is re-confirmed in his Government of Naples: He hath not (as far as I can learn) any certain time prefixed, but is to remain there durante Regis bene — placito; And when his Patent was preſented unto him, he had likewiſe order (which was delivered by word of mouth) that the King his Maſter did require him immediately to diſmiſſe all his Army, and to ſend the Walloons, and Neapolitanes into Germany to the ſuccours of the Emperour. The ſame party did likewiſe ſignifie unto him, that as the King of Spain had ſhewed, to have a care of the honour of the Duke of Oſſuna in eſtabliſhing him anew in that Regencie, at this time, when the world had made ſome doubt, that his late actions had not been conformable to the will and pleaſure of his Maſter, ſo he did expect that he ſhould voluntarily, and of himſelf, ask leave to go into Spain, and offer to give an account of all his proceedings. Which courſe, the King did recommend unto him as moſt honourable, for the juſtification of his own innocencie, and the confuſion of his enemies. This Meſſage the ſaid Duke hath wiſely ſuppreſſed, and hath publiſhed the Patent of his Confirmation, without taking notice of the private Articles, which were annexed thereunto, and delivered verbally. He doth profeſſe to underſtand very well, that in Spain they wiſh him ill, and that their deſign is under the fair bait of this eſtabliſhing him in that Government, to make him ſwallow the hook of diſmiſſing his armie, that ſo they may afterwards diſpoſe of him at their pleaſure, when he hall remain utterly diſarmed. But his heart did not ſerve him to throw away the ſcabbard when he had drawn his ſword: and I am perſwaded, that as in Spain they will judge of his proceedings by the rule of Tacitus. Qui deliberant deſciverant: ſo he will repent of not having obſerved, that other Maxime, Aut nunquam tentes, Aut perfice. His beſt hope is, that Chi ha tempo ha vita, and if he can make his peace at home upon any conditions, he will not much care to turn honeſt, and change his dangerous deſigns into faithful ſervice of his Maſter. To play Le bon valett, he hath now obeyed his Maſters Commandment in ſending the Walloons and Nepolitans into Lombardie, and they are all ſo ſafely arrived at Vado upon 19. Gallions, being in number 6. or 7000,

The landing of theſe troops, and their paſſing along the skirt of this State doth not onely give a little jealouſie to the Duke of Savoy, but put him likewiſe to ſome Coſt, and trouble. For as he doth well know, how dangerous it is to ſtand to the diſcretion of a reconciled enemy, ſo doth he evidently ſee, that their ill talent towards him, doth not only continue, but increaſe; and therefore to aſſure himſelf, and his State, he hath cauſed at this preſent a general muſter to be made of all his Cavallarie, and trained Infanterie, which he doth ſend to the confines of his State, that way, which theſe newly landed Troops are to paſſe. And although their order beto mach to wards Swiſſerland, and to paſſe that way into Germany, yet will this Prince ſtand upon his guard until they are quite gone out of Lombardie, and hath given order to the Count Guido St. George in his abſence, not to let him lodge in Monferrat upon any terms whatſoever, nor to linger too long neer the confine of this Province. He hath this reaſon to conclude, that the Spaniards wiſh him ill, becauſe he doth ſee that they do miſtruſt him. For wheras they had a fair promiſe of the paſſage for their armie through this State, in vertue of antient capitulations betwixt the King of Spain, and the Duke of Savoy, they have choſen rather to buy the paſſage at the hands of the Swiſſes at a very dear rate, then adventure to take it here Gratis. Whereby it may appear unto all the world how little confidence they have in this Prince, and how much they miſtruſt him for being partiallie affected to the Prince Palatine, and all that party. Howſoever your Honour doth conceive, that the ſeaſon of the year is too far paſſed for the tranſportation of this army of the Spaniards into Germany, yet you will ſee that neceſſity doth make men ſtrive with many inconveniencies, for they muſt paſſe whatſoever weather happen; and indeed the Alpes are paſſable enough until the months of January and February, if the Souldiers be well cloathed, for there is no danger but of cold, untill the deluges of Snow which fall late do ſhut up the paſſages.

Perhaps they will not find the paſſages of Suiſſerland ſo favourable as they do conceive, and as is figured unto them, for they have bought it only of the little Popiſh Cantons, without asking leave of the Seigniorie of Zurich, and Berne, and it is to be ſuppoſed, that the State of Berne will take a hot Alarum, conſidering that their controverſie with Friburge is not accommodated, and that the Governor of Millan hath made offer unto thoſe of Friburge, and the little Cantons, of all this armie for the defence of the Catholique religion in the Bailiage of Eſchalens, whereof I have given notice to our Signiorie of Berne by an expreſſe Currier that they may have time to ſave themſelues from a ſurpriſe.

The voyce doth run currant over all Italie, that the Duke of Parma is to undertake a voyage ſhortly for the ſervice of the King of Spain, but whither he is to go they cannot tell; for ſome ſend him into Germanie, others into Flanders, and the moſt men into Spain. For all which diſcourſe, I know no other ground, but that his brother the Cardinal Farneſe hath asked leave of the Pope to retire himſelf for a time to Parma, and I do imagin that the Speculativi have concluded thereupon, that he is to govern the State in the abſence of his brother.

Prince Philibert having failed of the enterpriſe of Suſa, did intend in his ſcond ſetting out from Sicily, to meet with the Turkiſh Fleet and fight with them. The firſt part of his deſign ſucceeded happily, for he had the good fortune to encounter the whole Fleet between Zaat and Cephalonia, but finding them more ſtrong then he was aware, and well reſolved to give him battaile, he was counſailed to retire to Meſſina, where he is at this preſent, without having effected any thing. The two armies of Venice, and the Turk, did likewiſe meet on thoſe Seas, not far from Corfu, but as ſoon as they did know each the other, the two Generals, and all the principal Officers, did interchangeably preſent one the other with wine, and Rinfres Camenti, and ſo much kindneſſe paſſed betwixt them, that the Viſier Baſſa did offer to joyn his Fleet with the Venetian, and to ſet upon the Spaniſh Armado, which charitable offer, the Venetian General had ſo much chriſtianity as to refuſe with modeſt thanks.

Signiour Antonio Donato hath ſent a ſervant of his hither, who had the fortune to arrive in an ill Conjuncture. For the Duke of Savoy having lately called upon the Venetians for that money which is wanting in Signiour Donato's account, they did excuſe themſelves upon his pleading not guilty, and did ſend unto the Duke a Copy of his Letter written to the Senate, when he was yet Embaſſadour, and not convicted. This Letter arrived here from Venice the very day before Signiour Donato's ſervant, and if your Honour will be pleaſed to caſt an eye upon the Copy which I ſend here incloſed, you will not blame the Duke of Savoy for refuſing to give him audience, or to receive his Maſters Letters; for he doth give the Duke the Lie three ſeveral times in that Letter, which is ſtrange language to be uſed of a Prince; and I do much wonder, that the Venetians would upon any occaſion whatſoever publiſh ſuch a Petulancie, committed by one, that was their Embaſſadour at that time.

He brought me a Letter from his Maſter of meer Ceremonie, and Complement, and had his principal addreſſe unto the Popes Nuntio in this Court, whereat I did wonder ſomewhat formally at the firſt, as conceiving that in Congruity he ought to have interrupted his Correſpondence with the Popes Miniſters, as long as he doth live under the protection of his Majeſtie; but when I underſtood, that the Duke had lodged him in a priſon, with an intent to ſend him to Venice, I was glad that I had ſo little to do with him, and the Nuntio ſo much.

The Duke of Savoy doth aſſure himſelf, that when his Majeſtie ſhall have peruſed this Letter of Signiour Donato's, he will withdraw his countenance, and protection from him, and account him unworthy of any favour, for having wronged in ſo high a degree a Prince, that is ſo much a ſervant of his Majeſtie.

I may not likewiſe conceal from his Majeſties knowledge, that Signiour Donato hath not been wanting to ruine (as far as he could) Padre Paolo, and Fulgentio in Venice; two perſons that have done his Majeſtie very long and faithful ſervice, as by an incloſed Paper, your Honour may ſee, which is an abſtract of a Letter written from Fulgentio.

The Prince of Piedmont having made a poſting voyage hither to receive his Fathers bleſſing, before he bring his Lady in the Country, I did preſent unto him his Majeſties Letters of Congratulation, whereunto he hath returned an anſwer, which I ſend here incloſed. So with my hearty prayers unto Almighty God for the preſervation of his Majeſties Perſon in all happineſſe and proſperity, in all humility I take leave, And reſt

Your Honours Moſt faithfully to command, Iſaac Wake. Turin 5/15 of Octob. 1619.

Sir Iſaac Wake to the Duke. Right Honourable, and my very ſingular good Lord,

IN theſe parts we have nothing of moment worthy the relating, the ſtorms which do vex our neighbours round about us keeping us here in calme, and quiet, as it were per antiperiſtaſin. Howſoever I am of opinion, that we ſhall enter into the Dance either actively or paſſively before the next ſummer paſſe over. All over Italy there doth raign a great dearth, which did lately cauſe in Naples a dangerous Cullevation of the people againſt the Cardinal Zappata Vice-Roy, who had ſomewhat to do to ſave himſelf from the fury of the Popolarzo.

In the State of Millan likewiſe ſome inſurrections were beginning to be made in Novarra, Alleſſandria, and Cremona, both for want of bread, and for the inſolencie of the Garriſon Souldiers, who having had no pay for many moneths, did commit many violent exceſſes upon the people, which did drive them into deſpair; but thoſe Commotions were appeaſed betimes, and no great matter of Conſideration hath enſued, although there are ſome neighbour Princes who did ſtand aux Eſcoutes, and would be ready to have acted a troubleſome part, if the ſcene had been ready.

The Duke of Parma hath impriſoned his natural ſon Don Octavio, the myſterie whereof is not well known, but it muſt needs be for ſome great matter, becauſe he did make ſhew to love him paſſionately. The Infanta Iſabella of Modena hath been in danger of her life, by being ſurprized with a violent feaver, neer the time of her childbirth: from hence the Duke of Savoy ſent his Phyſitians to help her, and we hear now that ſhe hath eſcaped that danger, and is ſafely delivered of a daughter.

Count Mansfelt is grown formidable, and doth daily increaſe in ſtrength and reputation. Although he hath hitherto intitled his armes unto the ſervice of the King of Bohemia, yet I believe he will neither diſarm, nor ſuſpend his arms, when he ſhall be commanded ſo to do by that King. For being now intertained by the State of Venice with an honourable proviſion of 12000 Crowns per annum in peace during his life, and the pay of 10000 Foot, and 2000 horſe in the time of War, he will try what he can do for the infranchiſing of the Griſons, when the affairs of the Palatinate ſhall be accommodated. And if the Auſtriaci do not bend all their forces againſt him very ſpeedily, and break his Armie before it grow more ſtrong, he is like to give them a greater blow then they have had theſe many yeares. That which he hath gotten already in Alſatia, is much more worth, then the lower Palatinate; and although he hath hitherto made thoſe people to ſwear Allegiance unto the King of Bohemia, yet when the ſaid King ſhall make his peace with the Emperour, it may be doubted whether Count Mansfelt will reſign up what he hath conquered; and it is thought, that he will either keep it for himſelf, or intitle ſome other Prince thereunto. The Auſtriaci were never ſo matched as with Count Mansfelt, for he is a perpetual motion, and doth not ſtand upon the defenſive (as others have done hitherto, and loſt by the bargain) hut he is alwaies ſetting upon them, and doth make War at their coſt; let them take heed how they proceed with him; for he, who hath nothing to loſe, is ready to hazard the Paquet upon all occaſions; And if he do chance to overthrow them once in battel, they will run danger, or loſe all that they have in Germany. Let me in all humility beſeech your Lordſhip to continue me in the honor of your good opinion, and to favour me with your honourable protection, eſpecially with a good word to my Lord Treaſurer, for the ſending me ſome relief, without which I cannot poſſibly ſubſiſt, having for want of my pay, conſumed all that I had in the world. God Almighty increaſe upon your Lordſhip all happineſſe and proſperity, as is unfainedly wiſhed unto you by him that is

Your Lordſhips moſt humble obliged Creature and Servant, Iſaac Wake. Turin 13/23. of Febr. 1621.

Sir Iſaac VVakes Propoſition for the King of Denmark.

IT ſeemeth that the Glorie of this State, which at all times was great, doth ſhine brighter now adayes; ſince that beſides ſo many Neighbouring Kings and Princes, whereof ſome are in a made league with us, and ſome do keep a good correſpondence, and all a good intelligence with us. Now the friendſhip of your Highneſſe is ſought by the mighty King of Denmark, a monarch of thoſe nations, that in time paſt have left their remembrance of their proweſſe in Italie, France, Spain, and in whole Europe behind them. This Great King of the North, who like a Second Atlas holds up the Artick-pole, rich in treaſure, numerous in men, dreadful for his invincible generoſity and Courage, doth here offer himſelf unto your Highneſſe. And acquainting you of his actions, doth confidently promiſe you to ſtand firm, and ſtout in the defence of the common cauſe, if ſo be that he receive that aſſiſtance as he hath reaſon to expect from thoſe, that are intereſted in the ſame cauſe. His Majeſtie of Denmark hath had from the King my Maſter, as much as can be given, and it is no ſmall matter, that his Majeſtie of great Brittain doth ſtill continue the ſame aſſiſtance, having withall ſtill thoſe great expences, that are required for the ſurety of his Realmes, and for the offence of the common enemie.

His Majeſtie of France hath alſo contributed to this good work ſomewhat, and there is great hope, that he will bring forth in a ſhort time ſome fit remedie againſt this evill. The Lords States do as much as they are able. And the Princes of Low Saxonie do not want in their duties. There remaineth now, that your Highneſſe put alſo your powerful hand to this work, and with a vigorous ſuccour, worthie of your great heart do incourage all the reſt to continue their Empreſe. The two Kings are not ignorant of the great ſincerity wherewith this moſt Excellent State, doth obſerve the capitulations made with Allies of the league, and that rather then to be wanting in things agreed upon, you have ſurpaſſed in neceſſarie proviſions for the advancement of the deſigns, and that you have not been partakers, nor agreers of the treaty made at Moncon. But that you do continue to keep ſome forces in your Dominions, and likewiſe ſome troops in the Valtoline for the effecting (as much as is in you) of what was firſt thought fit, and of the agreement of the League.

And as that generous reſolution and conſtancie of this State is never enough praiſed, ſo there is great hope that you will not bring this ſame in the reckoning of the two Kings, who never will miſſe to praiſe the wiſdome and generoſitie of this State, though not obliged for their particular for any thing whatſoever done till now, either by the league in general, or by whomſoever of the united in particular, becauſe that the league was made two years and more before his Majeſtie of great Brittain broke with Spain, or that the King of Denmark had declared himſelf. Since the time that theſe two Kings are come to the Dance, your Highneſſe hath not levied one man, and the Forces which you do yet keep, as they were not levied, ſo are they not maintained in Contemplation of the two Kings, but onely for the firſt reaſons of the League.

The onely thing here ſought for is to go with a common pace, that thoſe that are now too heavily laden, may be ſupported by their friends, either by way of diverſion, or by way of aſſiſtance. And therefore your Highneſſe and other Princes are now requeſted to help, ſeeing there is ſmall appearance of diverſion. And ſet the caſe, that the Peace between Spain and France ſhould be firm, would it not turn againſt the Common Cauſe? Italiae incendium ruina Germaniae extinguere? To quench a little fire in Italy by the ruine of whole Germany? In Chronical diſeaſes Phyſitians do not ſo much reſpect the ſymptomes and accidents as they do the cauſes of the evil.

The Valtoline, Palatinate, Huſſia, Marchiſat of Baden, Dukedome of Brunſwick, and ſo many other Countries attempted, and oppreſſed by the Spaniſh and Auſtrian uſurpation, are grievous and dangerous ſymptomes and accidents: but the Cauſe, and fewel of the evil remains yet in the ambitious bowels of the Spaniard, who now with ſpread ſailes goeth on towards the univerſal Monarchie; unleſſe there be applied betimes ſome fit remedies, all topick remedies will do but little good.

The King of Denmark doth offer himſelf ready to apply ſuch an iſſue, whereby he may be brought back to terms of modeſtie, and with the aſſiſtance he doth expect from your Highneſſe and other intereſſed Princes, he hopeth to bring his good intent to paſſe. And being prodigal of his great Soul, there is no doubt he will ever go back, unleſſe he be forſaken.

Thus there remains the Common liberty almoſt in your hands, and if this moſt excellent Senate reſolves to give ayd unto that King, that libertie will be preſerved. If you do forſake him, that will alſo be indangered, yea loſt. I therefore beſeech your Highneſſe to ponder well this matter, and to grant ſuch an aſſiſtance, as is requeſted by the King of Denmarks Embaſſadour.

Sir Henry Wootton to the Duk. My moſt Noble Lord,

I Will be bold by this opportunity to give his Majeſtie through your Lordſhips hands, an accompt of a Command which I had from him at Theobalds, about ſounding how the Venetian Embaſſadour ſtood ſatisfied with the late determination touching his predeceſſour Donato.

I did viſit the ſaid Embaſſadour immediatly at my return from the King, and ſaluted him as by expreſſe Commandment; interjecting ſome words of mine own gladneſſe, that he had received contentment in this tender point, which would ſignalize his beginnings. This I ſaid, becauſe in truth I had found him alwaies before the more paſſionate in it by ſome reflection upon himſelf. His anſwer (after due thanks for his Majeſties gracious remembrance of him from abroad) was, That for his own part, he was Contentiſſimo, and had repreſented things home in the beſt manner. He hoped likewiſe it would be well taſted there alſo, though with ſome doubt, becauſe the State out of their own devotion towards his Majeſtie might form a confidence of expecting more. I replyed, that the King upon the matter (if we conſider diſgrace) had done more then themſelves: for he was but once baniſhed at Venice, and twice here; viz. once from the Verge of the Court, and ſecondly, from London, which was as much as could be done with preſervation of National immunities, and more then would have been done at the ſuit of any other Embaſſadour here reſident, or perhaps of any of their own hereafter if the like caſe ſhall occur. For (as I told him) it was the Kings expreſſe will, that his particular reſpect to the republique, and to him in this buſineſſe ſhould not be drawn into examples. With this point he was not a little pleaſed for his own glory, and ſaid, that indeed Mr. Secretarie Nanton had told him ſo. This was the ſumme of what paſſed between us, omitting impertinencies. Let me end (my dear Lord) as I am bound in all the uſe, either of my pen, or of my voice, with an humble and hearty acknowledgment of my great obligations towards your Lordſhip, which will make me reſolve, and in good faith unhappy, till I can ſome way ſhew my ſelf

Your Lordſhips moſt thankful and faithful ſervant, Henry Wootton. 25th. of January, 1619.

Sir Henry Wotton to the Duke. My moſt honoured Lord, and Patron,

THeſe poor lines will be preſented unto your Lordſhip by my Nephew (one of your obliged ſervants) and withal ſome deſcription (as I have prayed him) of my long infirmities, which have caſt me behind in many private, and often interrupted even my publique Duties; with which yet I do rather ſeek to excuſe ſome other defects of ſervice then my ſilence towards your Lordſhip.

For to importune your Lordſhip ſeldom with my pen is a choice in me, and not a diſeaſe, having reſolved to live at what diſtance ſoever from your ſight, like one who had well ſtudied before I came hither, how ſecure they are whom you once vouchſafe any part of your love. And indeed I am well confirmed therein by your own gracious lines: for thereby I ſee that your Lordſhip had me in your meditation, when I ſcant remembred my ſelf.

In anſwer of which Letter after ſome reſpite from mine own evils, I have deputed my ſaid Nephew to redeliver my fortune into your Noble hands, and to aſſure your Lordſhip, that as it ſhould be cheerfully ſpent at your Command if it were preſent and actual (from whoſe mediation I have derived it) ſo much more am I bound to yeeld up unto your Lordſhip an abſolute diſpoſition of my hopes: But if it ſhould pleaſe you therein to grant me any part of mine own humour, then I would rather wiſh ſome other ſatisfaction, then exchange of Office; yet even in this point likewiſe ſhall depend on your will, which your Lordſhip may indeed challenge from me, not onely by an humble gratitude, and reverence due to your moſt worthy perſon, but even by that natural charity and diſcretion, which I owe my ſelf: For what do I more therein, then onely remit to your own arbitrement the valuation of your own goodneſſe? I have likewiſe committed to my foreſaid Nephew ſome Memorials touching your Lordſhips familiar ſervice (as I may term it) in matter of art and delight.

But though I have laid theſe Offices upon another, yet I joy with mine own pen to give your Lordſhip an account of a Gentleman, worthier of your love, then I was of the honour to receive him from you.

We are now after his well ſpent travailes in the Townes of purer language, married again till a ſecond Divorce, for which I ſhall be ſorry, whenſoever it ſhall happen. For in truth (my good Lord) his converſation is both delightful, and fruitful, and I dare pronounce, that he will return to his friends, as well fraught with the beſt obſervations as any that hath ever ſifted this Countrie, which indeed doth need ſifting; for there is both flower and bran in it.

He hath divided his abode between Sienna and Rome: The reſt of his time was for the moſt part ſpent in motion. I think his purpoſe be to take the French tongue in his way homewards, but I am perſwading with him to make Bruxels his Seat, both becauſe the French and Spaniſh Languages are familiar there, whereof the one will be after Italian a ſport unto him, ſo as he may make the other a labour: And for that the ſaid Town is now the ſcene of an important Treatie, which I fear will laſt till he come thither: but far be from me all ominous conceit.

I will end with cheerful thoughts and wiſhes; beſeeching the Almighty God to preſerve your Lordſhip in health, and to cure the publique diſeaſes. And ſo I ever remain

Your Lordſhips Moſt devoted obliged ſervant, Henry Wotton. Venice 29. of July, 1622.

Sir Henry Wotton to the Duke. My moſt honoured, and dear Lord,

TO give your Lordſhip occaſion to exreciſe your Noble nature, is withal one of the beſt exerciſes of mine own duty, and therefore I am confident to paſſe a very charitable motion through your Lordſhips hands, and mediation to his Majeſtie.

There hath long lay in the priſon of Inquiſition a conſtant worthy Gentleman, viz. Mr. Mole; In whom his Majeſtie hath not only a right as his ſubject, but likewiſe a particular intereſt in the cauſe of his firſt impriſonment. For having communicated his Majeſties immortal work touching the alleagiance due unto Soveraign Princes with a Florentine of his familiar acquaintance, this man took ſuch impreſſion at ſome paſſages, as troubling his conſcience, he took occaſion at next ſhrift to confer certain doubts with his Confeſſor, who out of malitious curioſity, enquiring all circumſtances, gave afterwards notice thereof to Rome, whither the ſaid Mole was gone with my Lord Roſſe, who in this ſtorie is not without blame; but I will not disquiet his Grave.

Now having lately heard, that his Majeſtie at the ſuite of I know not what Embaſſadours (but the Florentine amongſt them is voiced for one) was pleaſed to yield ſome releaſement to certain reſtrained perſons of the Roman faith: I have taken a conceit upon it, that in exchange of his clemencie therein, the Great Duke would be eaſily moved by the Kings Gracious requeſt, to intercede with the Pope for Mr. Moles delivery. To which purpoſe if it ſhall pleaſe his Majeſtie to grant his Royal Letters, I will ſee the buſineſſe duely purſued. And ſo needing no arguments to commend this propoſition to his Majeſties goodneſſe, but his goodneſſe it ſelf, I leave it (as I began) in your Noble hand.

Now touching your Lordſhips familiar ſervice (as I may term it) I have ſent the complement of your bargain upon the beſt provided and beſt manned ſhip, that hath been here in long time, called the Phoenix, and indeed the cauſe of their long ſtay hath been for ſome ſuch ſure veſſel as I might truſt. About which ſince I wrote laſt to your Lordſhip, I reſolved to fall back to my firſt choice. So as now the one peece is the work of Titian, wherein the leaſt figure (viz the child in the Virgins lap playing with a bird) is alone worth the price of your expence for all four, being ſo round, that I know not whether I ſhall call it a piece of ſculpture, or picture; and ſo lively, that a man would be tempted to doubt, whether nature, or art had made it. The other is of Palma, and this I call the ſpeaking piece, as your Lordſhip will ſay it may well be tearmed: for except the Damoſel brought to David, whom a ſilent modeſty did beſt become, all the other figures are in diſcourſe, and action. They come both diſtended in their frames; for I durſt not hazard them in rowles, the youngeſt being 25. yeares old, and therefore no longer ſupple, and pliant. With them I have been bold to ſend a diſh of Grapes to your Noble Siſter, the Counteſſe of Denbigh, preſenting them firſt to your Lordſhips view, that you may be pleaſed to paſſe your cenſure, whether Italians can make fruits as well as Flemmings, which is the common Glorie of their pencils. By this Gentleman, I have ſent the choiceſt Melon ſeeds of all kinds, which his Majeſtie doth expect, as I had order both from my Lord of Holderneſſe, and from Mr. Secretary Calvert. And although in my Letter to his Majeſtie (which I hope by your Lordſhips favour himſelf ſhall have the honour to deliver together with the ſaid ſeeds) I have done him right in his due attributes; yet let me ſay of him farther as Architects uſe to ſpeake of a well choſen foundation, that your Lordſhip nay boldly builde what fortune you pleaſe upon him, for ſurely he will bear it virtuouſly. I have committed to him for the laſt place a private memorial touching my ſelf, wherein I ſhall humbly beg your Lordſhips interceſſion upon a neceſſarie motive. And ſo with my heartieſt prayers to heaven for your continuall health and happineſſe, I moſt humbly reſt

Your Lordſhips Ever obliged devoted Servant, Henry Wotton. Venice 2/15. Decemb. 1622.

Poſtſcript.

MY Noble Lord, it is one of my duties to tell your Lordſhip, that I have ſent a ſervant of mine (by profeſſion a Painter) to to make a ſearch in the beſt townes through Italie for ſome principal pieces, which I hope may produce ſomewhat for your Lordſhips contentment, and ſervice.

Sir Henry Wotton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

HAving ſome daies by ſickneſſe been deprived of the comfort of your ſight, who did me ſo much honour at my laſt Acceſſe, I am bold to make theſe poor lines happier then my ſelf. And withal to repreſent unto your Grace (whoſe noble Patronage is my refuge, when I find any occaſion to bewail mine own fortune) a thing which ſeemeth ſtrange unto me. I am told (I know not how truly) that his Majeſtie hath already diſpoſed the Venetian Embaſſage to Sir Iſaac Wake; from whoſe ſufficiency if I ſhould detract, it would be but an argument of my own weakneſſe.

But that which herein doth touch me, I am loath to ſay in point of reputation, ſurely much in my livelihood (as Lawyers ſpeak) is that thereby after 17. years of forraign in continual imployment either ordinary or extraordinary, I am left utterly deſtitute of all poſſibility to ſubſiſt at home, much like thoſe Seale Fiſhes which ſometimes (as they ſay) overſleeping themſelves in an ebbing water, feel nothing about them but a dry ſhoare when they awake. Which compariſon I am fain to ſeek among thoſe Creatures, not knowing among men that have ſo long ſerved ſo gracious a Maſter, any one to whom I may reſemble my unfortunate bareneſſe. Good my Lord, as your Grace hath vouchſafed me ſome part of your Love, ſo make me worthy in this of ſome part of your Compaſſion. So I humbly reſt

Your Graces, &c. Henry Wotton.

Sir Henry Wotton to the Duke. My moſt Noble Lord,

WHen like that impotent man in the Goſpel, I had lyen long by the Pooles ſide, while many were healed, and none would throw me in, it pleaſed your Lordſhip firſt of all to pity my infirmities, and to put me into ſome hope of ſubſiſting hereafter. Therefore I moſt humbly and juſtly acknowledge all my ability and reputation from your favour. You have given me encouragement, you have valued my poor endeavours with the King, you have redeemed me from ridiculouſneſſe, who had ſerved ſo long without any mark of favour. By which arguments being already and ever bound to be yours till either life or honeſtie ſhall leave me, I am the bolder to beſeech your Lordſhip to perfect your own work, and to draw his Majeſtie to ſome ſettling of thoſe things that depend between Sir Julius Caeſar and me, in that reaſonable form, which I humbly preſent unto your Lordſhip by this my Nephew; likewiſe your obliged ſervant, being my ſelf by a late indiſpoſition confined to my Chamber, but in all eſtates ſuch as I am

Your Lordſhips Henry Wotton.

Sir Henry VVotton to the Earl of Portland, Lord Treaſurer. My most honoured Lord,

I Moſt humbly preſent (though by ſome infirmities a little too late) a ſtraying new years guift unto your Lordſhip, which I will preſume to term the cheapeſt of all that you have received, and yet of the richeſt Materials.

In ſhort, it is only an image of your ſelf drawn by memorie from ſuch diſcourſe as I have taken up here and there of your Lordſhip among the moſt intelligent, and unmalignant men. Which to portraict before you, I thought no ſervile office, but ingenious and real. And I could wiſh, that it had come at that day, that ſo your Lordſhip might have begun the new year ſomewhat like Platos definition of felicity with the contemplation of your own Idea. They ſay, that in your forraign imployments under King James your Lordſhip wan the the opinion of a very able and ſearching judgment, having been the firſt diſcoverer of the intentions againſt the Palatinate, which were then in brewing, and maſqued with much art, and that Sir Edward Conway got the Start of you both in title, and imployment, becauſe the late Duke of Buckingham wanted then for his own ends a Martial Secretarie.

They ſay that under our preſent Soveraign you were choſen to the higheſt charge at the loweſt of the State, when ſome inſtrument was requiſite of indubitable integrity, and provident moderation, which atributes I have heard none deny you.

They diſcourſe thus of your actions, ſince, that though great exhauſtations cannot be cured without ſuddain remedies no more in a Kingdom then in a natural body: yet your Lordſhip hath well allayed thoſe bluſtring clamours, wherewith at your beginning, your houſe was in a manner daily beſieged.

They note, that there hath been made changes, but that none hath brought to the place a judgment ſo cultivated, and illuminated with various erudition as your Lordſhip, ſince the Lord Burleigh under Queen Elizabeth, whom they make your paralel in the ornament of knowledg.

They obſerve in your Lordſhips divers remarkable combinations of virtues and abilityes rarely ſociable.

In the character of your aſpect, a mixture of Authority, and Modeſtie. In the faculties of your mind quick apprehenſion and ſolidity together, in the ſtile of your Porte, and Trayn, as much dignity and as great dependencie as was ever in any of your place, and with little noiſe, and outward form.

That your Table is very abundant, free, and noble, without Luxurie; That you are by nature no flatterer, and yet of greateſt power in Court. That you love magnificence and frugality both together. That you entertain your Gueſts and Viſitours with noble Courteſie, and voyd of Complement. Laſtly, that you maintain a due regard to your perſon and place, and yet no enemy to froath-formalities.

Now in the diſcharge of your function, they ſpeak of two things that have done you much honour, viz. that you had alwaies a ſpecial care to the ſupply of the Navie; And likewiſe a more worthy and tender reſpect towards the Kings only ſiſter for the continual ſupport from hence, then ſhe hath found before.

They obſerve your Greatneſſe as firmly eſtabliſhed as ever was any, of the love (and which is more) in the eſtimation of a King who hath ſo ſignalized his Conſtancie: beſides your additions of ſtrength (or at leaſt of luſtre) by the nobleſt alliances of the Land.

Amongſt theſe notes, it is no wonder if ſome obſerve, that between a good willingneſſe in your affections to ſatisfie all, and impoſſibility in the matter, and yet an importunity in the perſons, there doth now and then, I know not how, ariſe a little impatience, which muſt needs fall on your Lordſhip, unleſſe you had been cut out of a Rock of Diamonds, eſpecially having been long before ſo converſant with liberal ſtudies, and with the freedom of your own mind.

Now after this ſhort Collection touching your moſt honoured Perſon, I beſeech you give me leave to adde likewiſe a little what men ſay of the Writer.

They ſay I want not your gracious good will towards me, according to the degrees of my poor talent, and Travailes; but they ſay, I am wanting to my ſelf. And in good faith (my Lord) in ſaying ſo, they ſay the truth. For I am condemned I know not how by nature to a kind of unfortunate baſhfulneſſe in mine own buſineſſe, and it is now too late to put me in a new Furnace.

Therefore, It muſt be your Lordſhips proper work, and not onely your Noble, but even your charitable goodneſſe, that muſt in ſome bleſſed hour remember me. God give your Lordſhip many healthful and joyful years, and the bleſſing of that Text Beatus qui attendit ad attenuatum. And ſo I remain with all humble and willing heart

At your Lordſhips command, Henry Wotton.

Sir Richard Weſton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Lordſhip,

I Fear I have taken too much of that liberty of not writing, you were pleaſed to allow me by Sir George Goring, but I hope your Lordſhip will meaſure my devotion to ſerve you by no other rule then your own intereſt and deſert. For as I underſtand by Sir George Goring how often I come in your thoughts, and how great a part I have in your Cares; ſo is there no man to whom I would more willingly give daily account of my ſelf then to your Lordſhip, to whoſe grace and favour I owe ſo much.

I forbear to trouble your Lordſhip with any relation of buſineſſe, becauſe I preſume your Lordſhip is acquainted with all my diſpatch, and it is not long ſince I intreated my Lord Treaſurer to tell your Lordſhip what I thought of things then. I have yet little reaſon to change my opinion.

And if your Lordſhip pleaſe to know the ſtate of things now, I have ſent this Gentleman the Bearer hereof eſpecially to do your Lordſhip reverence in my name, and to give you full information. For my return or ſtay, I humbly ſubmit it to his Majeſties pleaſure.

Though this Negotiation be like to ſpin it ſelf out into much length, I weigh not my own intereſt. I ſhall willingly be there, where I ſhall be thought moſt able to do his Majeſtie ſervice. And ſo intreating that I may be continued in that good opinion and grace, wherein your Lordſhips own affection, not any merit of mine hath placed me, I humbly kiſſe your hands; And remain

Your Lordſhips Faithful and devoted ſervant, Rich. Weſton. Bruxels 26. June, 1622.

Sir Richard Weſton to the Duke My very good Lord,

I Have underſtood by my Lord Treaſurer the way you have made with his Majeſtie for my calliing home, for which this preſent doth give your Lordſhip moſt humble thanks, though I have forborn to preſſe or ſollicit it, becauſe I would approve my obedience to his Majeſtie, and take away from them all occaſion, who otherwiſe might have accuſed my departure, and imputed the want of ſucceſſe here to my want of patience to expect an anſwer.

I have almoſt in all my Diſpatches ſince we entred into this Treaty, ſignified what opinion I had of their proceedings here, and my chief comfort was, that whatſoever the ſucceſſe were, that the clearneſſe of his Majeſties intentions would appear to the whole world, and that the failing is not of his ſide, which I think is manifeſt enough: for notwithſtanding that his Majeſtie hath followed them in all their deſires, and the Prince Electour hath conformed himſelf to what was demanded, that the Count Mansfelt, and Duke of Brunſwick, the pretended obſtacles of the Treatie, are now with all their Forces removed. No face of an enemy in the Palatinate, but his Majeſties power in the Garriſons; All other places repoſſeſſed which Mansfelt had taken. No cauſe of continuing any War now, nor any cauſe of jealouſie or fear for the future, conſidering his Majeſties fair and honourable offers: yet are they ſo far from a ceſſation, that they are fallen upon Heidelbergh, and either want the will, or power to remove the ſiege. And all I can get is two Letters of intreatie from her Highneſſe to the chiefs of the Emperour to proceed no further; and after ſome 18. daies ſince I made my propoſition for the Ceſſation, I have yet no anſwer: ſo that being able to raiſe no more doubts, they make uſe of delayes. I have ſaid, and done, and uſed all diligences within my power to bring forth better effects, and can go no farther; and therefore I humbly beſeech your Lordſhip that I may have leave to return, when I ſhall hear that they will not remove the ſiege at Heidelbergh. For their pretending to reſtore all, when all is taken, is a poor comfort to me, and as little honour to his Majeſtie; and how far they are to be believed in that, is to be examined more exactly then by writing, by weighing how the weak hopes given me here, agree with the ſtrong aſſurances given by my Lord Digbie out of Spain.

I hope therefore his Majeſtie will be pleaſed to think it reaſonable to ſpeak with me, and as your Lordſhip hath ever been a happie and gentle ſtar to me; ſo have I now more need of your favourable aſpect then ever, that his Majeſtie may receive my obedience as a ſacrifice, and interpret well of all my endeavours, what ſucceſſe ſo ever I bring home with me. Wherein humbly intreating your Lordſhips wonted grace and favour, I humbly kiſſe your hands, and vow unto you the faithful obſervance of

Your Lordſhips Moſt humble and devoted Servant, Richard Weſton. Bruxels 3d. of Septemb. 1622.

Sir Richard Weſton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

YOur Grace ſhall adde much to the infinite favours I have received from you to read a few lines from me, much more to vouchſafe them an anſwer, which I am the more bold to begg, and the more hopeful to obtain, becauſe I underſtand by Sir George Goring, that howſoever I have had many ill offices done me, your Grace will not eaſily depart from that opinion, you have hitherto conceived of me, for which I humbly thank your Grace, and intreat the continuance of it no longer, then I ſhall be able to make good the integritie of my heart unto you. But that, which with all humilitie, and importunitie I ſue for at your Graces hands, is to let me know my Accuſer, and if your Grace think it unſeaſonable now, that I may have a promiſe to know him at your return. Whatſoever, or how great ſoever he be, (though reſpect, and reverence of thoſe eyes which ſhall read theſe lines make me forbear ill language now) I ſhall dare to tell him, whatſoever becomes a wronged innocence to ſay. In the mean time, I deſpiſe him, if there be any ſuch that hath accuſed me ſince your Graces departure, to have done, or ſaid, or given way to the hearing of any thing that may be wreſted to the impeachment of my faith and ſincere profeſſions towards your Grace; and yet till it come to the tryal, I relie (as I wrote to Sir George Goring) no leſſe upon your Graces wiſdome and goodneſſe, then my own innocencie, that ſuch Calumnies ſhall not leſſen the eſtimation I had with you; wherein being moſt confident praying for the continuance and increaſe of your Graces honour and happineſſe, I remain

Your Graces Moſt humble and devoted ſervant, Richard Weſton. 17. July, 1623.

Sir Richard Weſton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Humbly thank your Grace for the Meſſage I received from you yeſterday by Mr. Packer. And withal I humbly beſeech your Grace to believe, that no man ſhall condemn me more, then I would my ſelf, if I had omitted any poſſible diligence either to intereſt, or acquaint your Grace with the Commiſſion of the Treaſurie. Wherein I appeal to Mr. Secretarie Conway, who firſt declared his Majeſties pleaſure unto me, which I could not aſcribe more to any Cauſe, then your Graces favour, and good opinion of me. And at my laſt being with your Grace, I began to ſpeak with you of it, but finding your Grace to grow into ſome indiſpoſition, I forbore, thinking it not only incivilitie, but a violence to have ſpoken any thing of my ſelf to your Grace at that time. This I intreated Sir George Goring to relate unto your Grace, and withal to renew the profeſſions of my love and reverence to your Graces perſon, which I had rather make good by real performances then by words, and therefore I will trouble your Grace no longer upon this ſubject.

I am now extreamly importuned by the Earl of Middleſex to ſollicite his Majeſtie for the firſt teſtimonie of his gracious diſpoſition towards him. And your Grace remembers, that in the beginning of his Lordſhips troubles, his Majeſtie commanded me to deliver unto his Majeſtie, whatſoever his Lordſhip ſhould petition of him.

Now I humbly beſeech your Grace to direct me what to do: His Lordſhip ſues for his enlargement, and I know deſires to derive that favour from his Majeſtie by your Graces mediation. And I am careful to perform all duties, my obedience to his Majeſtie, my reſpect to your Grace, and my care of him (that relieth upon me) being in affliction. And therefore I humbly beſeech your Grace to vouchſafe me an anſwer to this particular, becauſe his Majeſtie goeth from hence to morrow, and the Earl of Middleſex will languiſh with expectation till he receive ſome comfort from him. And ſo continually praying for the increaſe of your Graces health, I remain

Your Graces Moſt humble ſervant, Richard Weſton. 29. May, 1624.

Sir Richard Weſton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Have according to his Majeſties Command ſignified to me by Mr. Secretarie Conway, delivered to the Earl of Middleſex his Majeſties pleaſure concerning his Fine. The news of it did extreamly diſmay him, as being far contrary to his expectation. He uſed not many words; but thereof I having given Mr. Secretarie a particular account in anſwer of the charge I received from his Majeſtie, I will not trouble your Grace with the repetition of them.

The chief cauſe of this unto your Grace is, to acquaint your Grace with a ſhort Dialogue that paſſed between Mr. Brett and me touching his Penſion.

He ſent his man to me this week to demand it; to whom I made this anſwer, That the charge of the Progreſſe being ſettled, I would conſider of the payment of his Maſters penſion amongſt others, before which time I could not in that caſe give ſatisfaction to any. He went away with this anſwer, and immediately after (within leſs then a quarter of an hour) Mr. Brett himſelf came to me, and asked me at the firſt word, Whether I had any Command to ſtay his Penſion. I replied, No other command then the want of money. He told me, That the reſt of his fellowes were paid: I ſaid it was true, I was to have care of them that immediately, followed his Majeſtie, when I was forced to intreat others to have patience till more moneyes came in. He asked me again, Whether I had any Command to ſtay his? I anſwered as before; wherewith he parted from me, as it ſeemed, not pleaſed.

This peradventure is not worth troubling your Grace withal, but that becauſe his Majeſtie was pleaſed to acquaint me with his juſt indignation againſt him at VVanſteed, I would be glad to receive ſome direction, what anſwer I ſhall make upon his next importunitie. And ſo humbly intreating your Grace ever to number me amongſt thoſe that do moſt honour and pray for you, I remain

Your Graces Moſt humble and faithful ſervant, Richard VVeſton. Chelſey 23. July, 1624.

Sir Richard Weſton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I did ſcarce eſteem my Letter worthie your Graces reading, much leſſe worthie your paines to anſwer it. It is my duty upon all occaſions great and ſmall, to pay unto your Grace thoſe obſervances I owe you. And when your Grace vouchſafes to take knowledge of them, it is your favour, and therefore I humbly thanke your Grace for vouchſafing an anſwer.

I have according to his Majeſties commandement ſignified by your Grace unto me, taking the beſt order I can about the Wardſhip of the Ladie Cravens Son. The moſt of the Officers of the Court of Wardes being out of the town, I have ſpoken with Sir Benjamin Ruddier, who aſſured me, that there is nothing yet done, nor can be, till there be a maſter, or that the Officers meet together, and that he will take care that nothing ſhall be done to the prejudice of his Majeſtie.

And for the more Caution, I have commanded the Clerk of Court, if any man petition, or ſue about the Wardſhip, that there be no proceeding till he acquaint me with it. This is all can be done for the preſent, and thereof I think fit to give your Grace account, in anſwer of the charge I have received from his Majeſtie. And ſo humbly craving leave to kiſſe your Graces hands, I wiſh your Grace continuall increaſe of honour and happineſſe, and remain

Your Graces Moſt humble and faithful Servant, Richard Weſton. Chelſey 12th Auguſt 1624.

Sir Francis Cottington to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Honour,

MY laſt unto you was of the 23. of September by Mr. Berrie, who that day departed from hence towards England, with intention to take paſſage by Sea from St. Sebaſtians: and although I conceive, that this conveyance will be much ſpeedier (it being by an extraordinarie diſpatched for Flanders) yet for that I hold the other to be ſure, I will not forbear to trouble your Honour with any repetition of that diſpatch.

The ſtrength and boldneſſe of the Pyrats (or rather of the Turks) is now grown to that hieght both in the Ocean, & Mediterranean ſeas, as I have never known any thing to have wrought a greater ſadneſſe and diſtraction in the Court, then the daily advice thereof. Their whole Fleet conſiſts of 40. Sail of tall ſhips, of between 200. and 400, tuns a piece; Their Admiral of 500. tuns. They are divided into 2. Squadrons, the one of 18. Sail remaining before Malaga (in ſight of the Citie) the other about the Cape St. Marie, which is between Lisbone, and Sevil. That Squadron within the Straights entred the rode of Mostil (a Town by Malaga) wherewith their ordnance, they beat down a part of the Caſtle, and had doubtleſſe taken the town, but that from Granado there came Souldiers to ſuccor it; yet they took there divers ſhips, and amongſt them 3. or 4. of the weſt part of England. Two bigg Engliſh ſhips they drave on ſhoar, not paſt four Leagues from Malaga; and after they went on ſhoar alſo, and burnt them, and to this day they remain before Malaga, intercepting all ſhips, that paſſe that way, and abſolutely prohibiting all trade into thoſe parts of Spain. The other Squadron at the Cape St. Marie doth there the like, intercepting all ſhipping whatſoever. They lately met with ſeven ſail of Engliſh ſhips, (all of London as I take it) but loaden only with pipeſtaves, which they had taken on the Coaſt of Ireland by the way. Five of theſe, viz. the Marie Anne, the Marie and John, the Rebecca, and Gibbs of Sandwich, and one John Cheyney of London they took, and the other two eſcaped. They robb'd them onely of their victuals, their Ordnance, and of ſome ſayls, and ſo let them go, but in their company was alſo taken a great Ship of Lubeck, ſayd to be very rich, which they ſtill keep with all the men. They have few or no Chriſtians aboard them, but all either Turks, or Moores, and the moſt part are of thoſe, which of late years were turned out of Spain for Moriſcos. They attend (as it ſeems) and as themſelves report to them that have been aboard them (the coming of the Weſt Indian Fleet, which is now very near.) But from hence they have commanded the Armada (which was divided into three Squadrons) to be joyned together, and advice is brought that it is ſo, and now conſiſts of twenty ſtrong ſhips; Don John Faxardo (the General) hath alſo expreſſe order to fight with the Pyrats, not admitting any excuſe whatſoever, but the common opinion is here, that we will be able to do them little harm, becauſe his ſhips are of great burthen, and they will be able to go from him at their pleaſure. And the other Squadron within the Straights will alwaies be able to ſecure their retreat thither. I doubt not but in my next diſpatch, I ſhall be able to tell your Honour what Don John Faxardo either hath or will do to them. If this year they ſafely return to Argier (eſpecially if they ſhould take any of the Fleet) it is much to be feared, that the King of Spains forces by Sea will not be ſufficient to reſtrain, them hereafter, ſo much ſweetneſſe they find by making prize of all Chriſtians whatſoever. The Secretary of the Councel of war, hath hereupon diſcourſed much unto me, and by him I perceive, that here is an intention, to move his Majeſtie (the King our Maſter) that he will be pleaſed to joyn ſome of his Sea-forces (upon good terms) with this King, for the ſuppreſſing of theſe Pyrats, if they ſhould hereafter grow, and increaſe as hitherto they have done. Seeing they now profeſſe themſelves the common enemies of Chriſtendom. Many reaſons he gave me, that he thought might move his Majeſtie thereunto; but that whereon for my part I moſt reflect is, that theſe courſes of the Pyrats, do but exerciſe the forces of the King of Spain by Sea, and put an obligation on him by all meanes to ſtrengthen, and increaſe his Armada, and keep in practiſe his Sea-ſouldiers, without doing him any great harm, for that the greateſt dammage will alwayes fall upon the Merchants that trade into thoſe parts (of which the Engliſh will ever be the greateſt number, and the greateſt loſers) And as for the taking of his Fleet, it is not to be imagined, for that beſides, that they come very ſtrong (conſiſting of 50 great ſhips, of which eight are Gallions of war) they ſhall alwayes be meet, and guarded by the Armada. Your Honour may be pleaſed to acquaint his Majeſtie with what I here write, for I perceive it is expected, that I ſhould advertize what the Secretarie hath diſcourſed to me, which I would have done more at large; but I am ſtraightned with want of time. Yet I may not forbear to advertize your Honour, that the ſaid Secretarie told me withal, that the laſt year the States deſired leave of this King for certain ſhips of war (which they had armed to Sea againſt Pyrats) might have ſafe recourſe into theſe parts, which was accordingly granted them, but that inſtead of offending the Pyrats, the ſame ſhips ſold in Argeir as much Powder, and other warlike proviſion (eſpecially powder) unto the Turks, as furniſhed the foreſaid Fleet which they have now at Sea, a thing which is here (he ſayes) very ill taken. I doubt not but from Piemount your Honour hath better advertizement (at leaſt more ſpeedier) then I can give you from hence, yet have I thought it fit to advertize you, that in a late ambuſh, which the Duke of Savoy had layed, at Don Pedro de Tolledo's entrance into Piemount, the Maeſtro de Campo of the Spaniſh armie was ſlain; the Son of the Prince of Aſtoli was hurt: ſo was the Prince of Morveles (who ſerves this King there) and many other Captaines, and Gentlemen of note ſlain and hurt. They here ſay that the number of men Don Pedro loſt was but few, but their cuſtome is to diſſemble their loſſes, howſoever it is to be conceived, that when ſo many principal men were touched, the common Souldiers could not well eſcape.

At Lisbone there is arrived two Caracks, and a Gallion from the Eaſt-Indies, the Caracks very rich, and much richer then in former years, but (as in a former Letter I advertiſed you) two others as rich as they, and that ſhould have come in company with theſe, were caſt away coming home.

Don Roderigo Calderon (now the Marqueſſe de Las Siete Igleſias) is ſuddenly commanded from this Court, and confined to a ſmall Village, and Judges are appointed to examine by what means he is ſo ſuddenly grown to ſo great an eſtate (which in my time is riſen from nothing to above 60000. Duckets a year rent, beſides an infinite treaſure in moveables) and doubtleſſe ſome heavie ſentence will fall upon him, for he hath many enemies, and I underſtand that the Duke of Lerma hath much withdrawn his favour.

New ſupplies of Souldiers are here raiſed for the Governour of Millan, and 30. Companies are ready to be embarqued at Valentia, where the Gallies attend them.

Here is lately come hither one who calls himſelf Sir James Mackonel a Scotchman, and ſayes he is Couſin german to the Earl of Arguile: I have not ſeen him, but I hear he diſcourſes of his breaking out of the Caſtle of Edenborough, of the unjuſtneſſe of his impriſonment there, of his integritie in the Popes Religion, and ſo deſires to be entertained into this Kings ſervice, which doubtleſſe he ſhall obtain if he can make it here be believed, that he hath a true fugitives heart.

My Lord Roſſe is now much hearkened after, and they think he ſtaies very long. By the ordinarie (God willing) I ſhall write again to your Honour. And ſo for this time I humbly take my leave

Your Lordſhips to be Commanded, Fran. Cottington. Madrid the firſt of Octob. 1616. Stil. Vet.

The Lord Viſcount Rochfort to the Duke of Buckingham. My Lord,

I Have received great wrongs about my Lord of Oxford by reports, which can find no authour: yet have they wrought ſuch impreſſions in the hearts of ſome, that it is hard to remove thoſe Calumniations: for divers are poſſeſſed, that I am to be his accuſer, which is ſo ſtrange, and ſo malitiouſly bruited, that it is ſomewhat ſuſpected; yet know I not any one particular, for which he is in the Tower, neither if I knew any ſuch ſlip (in ſo noble a perſon as might deſerve the Kings diſpleaſure) would my nature give me leave to play the Informer, except it neerly concerned the ſafetie, or the honour of my King, and then ſhould my diſcoverie be publique to the face, and not private behind the back, for that I account too baſe to be found faultie in.

Sorry I am to be ſo much as ſuſpected, but ſince ill diſpoſed perſons will raiſe ill rumours without any ground, the cleerneſſe of my heart is ſufficient content unto me; and as my heart hath been alwaies moſt faithful and watchful to do you ſervice; ſo good my Lord, let me intreat you, that for my ſake, my Lord of Oxford may receive ſome teſtimonies of your great favour for his ſpeedy enlargement, and that it may appear, you are the more willing to do it, for my earneſt intreatie. My Lord, you ſhall not onely hereby oblige all my Lord of Oxford's friends, but likewiſe the Lady Diana's, who doth loſe a great deal of precious time by my Lords impriſonment, and therefore let all be arguments to excite your noble heart to procure his freedome. And ſo I kiſſe your hands, and reſt

More yours then his own, H. R.

Poſtſcript.

PRay make all haſte from Spain, for neither are your pleaſures and contents ſo great there, as you may find them here, neither have you ſo faithful friends there as you deſerve; but ſure I am you have many falſe ones. For I have work enough both in Court and Citie to falſifie their reports of you; yea ſome of them (about women) very baſe ones, and much tending to your great diſhonour. And it goes currant among very great ones, that the Prince hath been ſomewhat diſpleaſed with you of late. I have ſent you another Letter of larger contents, and I ſhould be glad to hear from you.

King James to Pope Gregorie 15th. 30. September, 1622. James by the Grace of God King of great Brittain, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith, &c. To the moſt Holy Father Pope Gregorie the the 15th. greeting, and all manner of Felicitie. Moſt Holy Father,

YOur Holineſſe will perhaps marvel, that we differing from you in point of Religion ſhould now firſt ſalute you with our Letters. Howbeit ſuch is the trouble of our mind for theſe calamitous diſcords and bloudſheds, which for theſe late years by paſt, have ſo miſerably rent the Chriſtian World, and ſo great is our care, and daily ſollicitude to ſtop the courſe of theſe growing evils betimes, ſo much as in us lies, as we could no longer abſtain, conſidering that we all worſhip the ſame moſt bleſſed Trinitie, nor hope for ſalvation by any other means, then by the bloud and merits of our Lord and Saviour Chriſt Jeſus; but breaking this ſilence to move your Holineſſe by theſe our Letters friendly and ſeriouſly, that you would be pleaſed together with us to put your hand to ſo pious a work, and ſo worthy of a Chriſtian Prince.

It is truly to be wiſhed, and by all means to be endeavoured, that this miſchief creep on no farther, but that theſe ſtorms at the laſt ceaſing, and the rancor being removed, by which they were at the firſt raiſed, the hearts of theſe Princes, whom it any way concerns, may be re-united in a firm and unchangeable friendſhip, and as much as may be knit together in ſtricter obligations then before, one unto another.

This we have alwaies had in our deſires, and to bring it to paſſe, have not hitherto ſpared any labour, or pains, not doubting but your Holineſſe out of your ſingular pietie, and for the credit and authoritie that you have with the parties, both may and will further this work in an extraordinary manner. No way can any man better merit of the ſtate of Chriſtendome, which if it ſhall take the deſired effect in your daies, and by your aſſiſtance your Holineſſe ſhall worthily reap the glorie and the reward due to ſo excellent a work.

That which remains for us further to ſay concerning this matter, this Gentleman our Subject George Gage will deliver unto you more at large. Praying your Holineſſe, that you will give him in all things full credence and belief, beſeeching Almightie God from our heart to preſerve you in ſafetie, and to grant you all other happineſſe.

From our Palace at Hampton Court the laſt of Septemb. 1622.

Pope Gregorie the 15th. to the Prince of Wales. Moſt Noble Prince, Health and light of Divine Grace, &c.

GReat Brittain abounding with worthy men, and fertile virtues, ſo that the whole earth is full of the glorie of her renown, induceth many times the thoughts of the great Shepherd to the conſideration of her praiſes. In regard that preſently in the infancie of his Church, the King of kings vouchſafed to chooſe her with ſo great affection for his inheritance, that almoſt it ſeems there entred into her at the ſame time the Eagles of the Roman Standard, and the Enſigns of the Croſſe. And not few of her Kings indoctrinated in the true knowledge of Salvation gave example of Chriſtian pietie to other Nations, and after-ages, preferring the Croſſe to the Scepter, and the defence of Religion to the deſire of Command. So that meriting heaven thereby (the Crown of eternal bliſſe) they obtained likewiſe upon earth the luſtre, and glorious ornaments of ſanctitie. But in this time of the Brittanicks Church, how much is the caſe altered? yet we ſee that to this day the Engliſh Court is fenced and guarded with moral virtues, which were ſufficient motives to induce us to love this Nation, it being ſome ornament to the Chriſtian name, if it were likewiſe a defence and ſanctuarie of Catholique virtues.

Wherefore the more the glorie of your moſt Serene Father, and the property of your naturall diſpoſition delighteth us, the more ardently we deſire, that the gates of Heaven ſhould be opened unto you, and that you ſhould purchaſe the univerſal love of the Church. For whereas, that the Biſhop Gregorie the Great of moſt pious memorie introduced amongſt the Engliſh people, and taught their Kings the Goſpel, and a reverence to the Apoſtolical Authority, we much inferiour to him in virtue, and ſanctity, as equal in name, and height of dignity, it is reaſon we ſhould follow his moſt holy ſteps, and procure the ſalvation of thoſe Kingdomes, eſpeciallie (moſt Serene Prince) there being great hopes offered to us at this time of ſome ſucceſſeful iſſue of your determination.

Wherefore you having come to Spain and the Court of the Catholique King, with deſire to match with the houſe of Auſtria, it ſeemed good to uſe moſt affectionatetly to commend this your intent, and to give clear teſtimony, that at this time your perſon is the moſt principal care that our Church hath. For ſeeing you pretend to match with a Catholique Damoſel, it may eaſily be preſumed, that the antient ſeed of Chriſtian pietie, which ſo happilie flouriſhed in the minds of Britiſh Kings, may by Gods Grace reverberate in your breaſt. For it is not probable, that he, that deſires ſuch a wife, ſhould abhor the Catholique religion, and rejoyce at the overthrow of the holy Romane Church. To which purpoſe we have cauſed continual prayers to be made, and moſt vigilant oriſons to the Father of Lights for you (fair flower of the Chriſtian world, and only hope of great Brittain) that he would bring you to the poſſeſſion of that moſt Noble inheritance, which your Anceſtors got you by the defence of the Apoſtolique authority, and deſtruction of monſters of haeriſies. Call to memorie the times of old; ask your forefathers, and they will ſhew you what way leades to heaven, and perceiving what path mortal Princes paſſe to the Heavenly Kingdom, behold the Gates of heaven open. Thoſe moſt holy Kings of England, which parting from Rome accompanied with Angels, moſt piouſly reverenced the Lord of Lords, and the Prince of the Apoſtles in his Chair. Their works and examples are mouthes wherewith God ſpeaks, and warneth you, that you ſhould imitate their cuſtomes in whoſe Kingdomes you ſucceed.

Can you ſuffer that they be called Heretiques, and condemned for wicked men, when the faith of the Church teſtifieth, that they reign with Chriſt in Heaven, and are exalted above all the Princes of the Earth, and that they at this time reached you their hands from that moſt bleſſed Country, and brought you ſafely to the Court of the Catholique King, and deſire to turn you to the womb of the Romane Church; wherein praying moſt humbly with moſt unſpeakable groans to the God of mercy for your ſalvation, to reach you the arms of Apoſtolical charity to imbrace moſt lovingly your children, ſo often deſired, and to poynt out as it were with a finger the bleſſed hopes of Heaven. And truly you could do no act of greater comfort to all Nations of Chriſtendom, then to return the poſſeſſion of thoſe moſt Noble Iſles to the Prince of the Apoſtles, whoſe authority for ſo many ages was held in England for the defence of the Kingdom, and divine Oracle, which will not be uneaſie to do if you open your breaſt (upon which depends the proſperity of thoſe Kingdoms) to God who is knocking. And we have ſo great deſire of the honour and exaltation of your Royal Name, that we wiſh, that you ſhould be called through thee whole world (together with your moſt Serene Father) the Freer of Great Britain, and reſtorer of her antient Religion. Whereof we will not loſe all hopes, putting them in mind in whoſe hands the hearts of Kings lie, and he that rules all nations of the world, by whoſe Grace we will with all poſſible diligence labour to effect it. And you cannot chooſe but acknowledge in theſe Letters the care of our Apoſtolical charity to procure your happineſſe, which it will never repent us to have written, if the reading thereof ſhall at leaſtwiſe ſtir ſome ſparks of Catholique religion in the heart of ſo Great a Prince, who we deſire may injoy Eternal comfors, and flouriſh with the Glorie of all virtues. Given in Rome in the Palace of St. Peter the 20. of April 1623. In the third of our Pontificado.

The Princes anſwer to the Popes Nuntio that brought him this Letter.

I Kiſſe his Holineſſe Feet for the favour and honour he doth me, ſo much the more eſteemed, by how much the leſſe deſerved of me hitherto. And his Holineſſe ſhall ſee what I do hereafter, and I think my Father will do the like. So that his Holineſſe ſhall not repent him of what he hath done.

The Prince of Wales his Reply to the Popes Letter. Moſt Holy Father,

I Received the Diſpatch from your Holineſſe with great content, and with that reſpect which the pietie and care wherewith your, Holineſſe writes, doth require: It was an unſpeakable pleaſure to me to read the generous exploits of the Kings my predeceſſours, in whoſe memorie, poſterity hath not given thoſe praiſes and Elogies of honour as were due to them: I do believe that your Holineſſe hath ſet their examples before my eyes, to the end I might imitate them ſhall my actions, for in truth they have often expoſed their eſtates and lives for the exaltation of the holy Chair; and the courage with which they have aſſaulted the enemies of the Croſſe of Jeſus Chriſt, hath not been leſſe then the care and thought which I have, to the end that the peace and intelligence which hath hitherto been wanting in Chriſtendom, might be bound with a true and ſtrong concord: for as the common enemy of the peace watcheth alwaies to put hatred and diſſention amongſt Chriſtian Princes, ſo I believe that the glory of God requires that we ſhould endeavour to unite them: And I do not eſteem it a greater honour to be deſcended from ſo great Princes, then to imitate them in the zeal of their piety. In which it helps me very much to have known the mind and will of our thrice honoured Lord and Father, and the holy intentions of his Catholique Majeſtie to give a happy concurrence to ſo laudable a deſign: for it grieves him exceedingly to ſee the great evils that grow from the diviſion of Chriſtian Princes, which the wiſdom of your Holineſſe foreſaw, when it judged the marriage which you pleaſed to deſign between the Infanta of Spain and my ſelf, to be neceſſary to procure ſo great a good; for 'tis very certain, that I ſhall never be ſo extreamly affectionate to any thing in the world, as to endeavour alliance with a Prince that hath the ſame apprehenſion of the true Religion with my ſelf: Therefore I intreat your Holineſſe to believe, that I have been alwaies very far from Novelties, or to be a partiſan of any faction againſt the Catholick, Apoſtolick Roman Religion: But on the contrary, I have ſought all occaſions to take away the ſuſpition that might reſt upon me, and that I will imploy my ſelf for the time to come, to have but one Religion and one Faith, ſeeing that we all believe in one Jeſus Chriſt. Having reſolved in my ſelf, to ſpare nothing that I have in the world, and to ſuffer all manner of diſcommodities, even to the hazarding of my eſtate and life, for a thing ſo pleaſing unto God: It reſts onely that I thank your Holineſſe, for the permiſſion you have been pleaſed to afford me, and I pray God to give you a bleſſed health and his glory after ſo much pains which your Holineſſe takes in his Church. Signed,

Charles Steward.

The Pope to the Duke of Buckingham. Gregorie P. P. XV. Nobleman, health and the light of Divine Grace.

THe authority wherein we have underſtood your Nobleneſſe to flouriſh in the Brittiſh Court, is accounted not onely the reward of your merits, but alſo the patronage of virtue; certainly an excellent renown, and every way ſo worthy, that the people deſire a diuturnity to be annexed unto it. But it is almoſt ineffable, what an increaſe of glory thoroughout the world would be annexed unto it, if by Gods favour it ſhould become the defence of Catholique Religion.

Certainly you have gained an opportunity by which you may inſert your ſelf into the Councels of thoſe Princes, who obtaining an immortal name, have attained the Celeſtial Kingdom.

Suffer not then (O Nobleman) this occaſion preſented to you from God, and commended by the Biſhop of Rome, to ſlip out of your hands.

You that are privie to their royal Councels cannot chooſe but know in what eſtate the affaires of Brittain at this time ſtand, and with what voyces of the Holy Ghoſt (ſpeaking in them) they daily ſound in the ears of your Princes. What Glorie would redound unto your Name, if by your exhortation and perſwaſion, the Engliſh Kings ſhould again recover their Celeſtial inheritance of that Glorie left unto them by their Anceſtours in thoſe Kingdomes in abundant manner, by providing for the increaſe of Gods Worſhip, and by not only defending, but propagating the jurisdiction of the Pontifical authority. There have been many, and ſhall be hereafter, whom the bountie of Kings hath enriched with fading riches, and advanced to envied titles, and yet mindful poſterity will not celebrate your name with eternal Prayſes for having attayned theſe: but if your Councels ſhould reduce thoſe moſt powerful Kings and people unto the boſom of the Romane Church, the name of your Nobleneſſe would be written in the book of the living, whom the torment of Death toucheth not, and the Monuments of Hiſtories, ſhall place you amongſt thoſe wiſe men in whoſe ſplendor Kings walked; but with what comforts in this life, and what rewards in the life to come, God who is rich in mercy would reward you, they eaſily ſee, who know the art, and force by which the Kingdom of heaven is conquered. It is not only our Pontifical charity (to whoſe care the ſalvation of mankind pertaineth) but alſo the piety of your Mother, who as ſhe brought you into the world, ſo ſhe deſireth to bear you again to the Romane Church, which ſhe acknowledgeth for her mother, that moved us to deſire, that you were made Partakers of ſo great felicity. Therefore when our beloved ſon the religious man Didacus de la Fuente, who hath wiſely adminiſtred the affaires of your Princes in this City) prepared his journie for Spain, we commanded him to come unto your Nobleneſſe, and preſent theſe our Apoſtolical Letters, by which the Greatneſſe of our Pontifical charity, and the deſire of your ſalvation may be declared. Your Nobleneſſe may therefore heare him as the interpreter of our mind, and as one indued with theſe virtues which have won him the love of forraign nations being a Catholique, and religious prieſt: He certainely hath reported thoſe things of you in theſe parts of the world, that he is worthie to be imbraced of you with ſingular affection, and defended by your authority being a ſervant to the Glorie, and ſalvation of the Brittiſh Kings, and people. This thing truly will we pray for to the father of mercies that he will open to your Nobleneſſe the gates of his Coeleſtial kingdom, and afford you frequent Documents of his Clemency. Given at Rome at St. Marie the Greater under the Ring of the Fiſherman the 19. of May. 1623. and of our Popedom the third,

John Champolus.

To his Sacred Majeſtie ab ignoto. My moſt Gratious King,

THeſe things which your Majeſtie did lately command to be ſpoken unto you, and now to be repeated in writing, are not ſuch as they can be made by legal and Judicial proofes, both becauſe they by whoſe teſtimony they may be confirmed, do for fear of a moſt potent adverſarie withdraw themſelves. And alſo becauſe they think it a crime to come into the Embaſſadours houſe, yea even they are afraid to do it, who have commandement from your Majeſtie; but neither was it lawful for the Embaſſadours themſelves to ſpeak theſe things, eſpecially not to ſuch as they directed, when the order of the affaires required it, becauſe they had never the freedom to ſpeak unto your Majeſtie, and no audience was given or granted them in the abſence of tht Duke of Buckingham. An example certainly unuſual with other Kings, and never to be taken in good part, unleſſe it be perhaps, when the King himſelf wanting experience, and being of weak judgment and no wiſedom, ſome one, that is familiar, and inward with the King, a man wiſe and circumſpect, of great judgment and no leſſe experience, ſupplies the Kings place. But here, when all things go prepoſterouſly, and the King himſelf being a moſt prudent, and experienced Prince, he that is familiar, or favorite doth in all things ſhew himſelf, a raſh, headie young man, a Novice in managing of buſineſſe, and to the Crown of Spain moſt offenſive. Certainly by all juſt right, this man was to be kept away from the audience of the Embaſſadour of the State. We may alſo be bold to ſay, that his preſence ſo earneſtly deſired of him doth argue a great fear in him and a great diſtruſt in him, as well of his own upright conſcience, as alſo the Kings wiſdom. Hence therefore it is come to paſſe, that your Majeſties moſt faithful Vaſſals dare not ſo much as indirectly diſcloſe their minds to the King, though they take it in very ill part, that a very good King ſhould be driven into ſuch ſtreights. And that a man pleaſing himſelf in his own deſigns, ſhould uſe the favours of Princes ſo ſiniſterly, that he doth of ſet purpoſe ſtir up breach of friendſhip, and enmity between moſt Mighty Kings.

Beſides, who can without a diſcontented mind endure, that the greateſt affaires, and of greateſt moment (if any in the Chriſtian world can be ſo tearmed) ſhall be ordered, or concluded at the pleaſure of your Parliament, and from thence all things carried on with a headlong violence, at his will and pleaſure, and a moſt deadly war to be preferred before a moſt happie Peace. When as nevertheleſſe, I am not ignorant, that not ſo much the reſtitution of the Palatinate, as the very claime to it, will very difficultly be obtained, or recovered by force of armes. Let your Majeſtie exactly conſider as it uſeth to do, whether this be not an evident argument of that I have ſaid, that the conference, or treatie about the Palatinate was taken from the Councel of State, a ſociety of moſt prudent men, only for this cauſe, that almoſt everie one of them, had with one conſent approved the propoſition of the moſt Catholique King, and did not find in it any cauſe of diſſolving that treaty. Hereupon the Parliament of this Kingdom was procured by the Duke, becauſe he thought his plots would be moſt acceptable to the Puritans, not without great injury to your Councel of State, from which he fled, and diſclaimed by way of an appeale, and with ſuch ſucceſſe, that we may be bold to ſay, that the Parliament is now above the King; Nay, which is more, that this daring Duke propounded many things to the Parliament in the Kings name, your Majeſtie being neither acquainted with them nor willing to them. Yea and that he propounded many things contrary to your Majeſties ſervice. Who is there that doth not ſee, and commend the royal diſpoſition of the Prince, adorned with ſo great endowments, of his mind, that he doth not in them all ſhew, and approve himſelf to be a very good ſon, of a very good King. And yet nevertheleſſe, that the Duke doth ſo much preſume upon his favour, that he contemneth all men, as knowing that thoſe, who are obedient to his Highneſſe, will alſo ſubject themſelves to his will. I would to God, he did direct thoſe his actions, to the good of the Prince. But that is a thing ſo far from the opinion of good men, that they rather believe, that he, who hath overthrown the marriage with Spain, will be of no leſſe power to the breaking of any other marriage, and that is it which many do propheſie.

They knew in Spain, that very ſame day, that he had received Letters from the moſt illuſtrious Prince Palatine, that he cauſed the procuration to be revoked, and in a few dayes after, when the comming of the foreſaid Princes Secretarie, and the confirmation of his hope of having his Daughter married to her Highneſſe ſon, all things were utterly daſhed in pieces. Let your Majeſtie have a care of your ſelf, and the Prince, and foreſee the hurts, and damages, which a man of ſuch a turbulent humour may ſtir up; whoſe headie ſpirit your Majeſtie ſaith you have noted, and have deſired to mittigate.

A man (I ſay) that is ambitious of popular ayr, as plainly appeared in Parliament, when the caſting of all odious matter upon your Majeſtie, he did arrogate the thanks of all things that were acceptable, to himſelf, being ſtiled the redeemer of his countrie. I ſay again, a man that hath envied ſo great a good to the Chriſtian world, and principally to the kingdomes of England and Spain, having uſed ſome certain meanes, which do argue, that he aymed at ſuch an end, as many already do fear, and to propheſie in it the worſt event that can be, if the Puritans deſire a kingdome (which they do againſt their wills) they wiſh it not to the moſt illuſtirous Prince, the beſt and true Heir of your Majeſtie, but to the Prince Palatine, whoſe ſpie and Scout Mansfelt is, what ſhew ſoever he makes. He that makes theſe things known to your Majeſtie diſchargeth the part of a good man, as well towards God, as your Majeſtie, and the illuſtrious Prince, whom it now ſtandeth in hand to foreſee the vengeance of God provided by the Dukes plots, and the furie of the Parliament, there having been ſo many, and ſo great teſtimonies publiſhed againſt Spain contrarie to truth, ſo many, and ſo frequent infamous Libels begotten and brought forth, and many ſuch other things ſo full of bitterneſſe, and ignominie, that they cannot be read even of our enemies, without ſome taint upon the Engliſh Nation.

It is moſt apparent, and ſtories will teſtifie, that here Leagues have been broken by the will and pleaſure of them, whom it eſpeciallie concerneth to provide for your peace, and quiet, and to with from the bottom of their hearts, that after many, and theſe moſt happie, yeares, that Motto of yours (bleſſed be the Peace-makers) might be verified in Letter of the perſon of your Majeſtie, and to propound the ſame Counſel to the moſt illuſtrious Prince to be imitated, which your Majeſtie hath done to the whole world to be commended, and admired. A happie Prince will he be, if he comes, and ſuccceeds peaceably into the haereditarie poſſeſſion of his kingdom, and which will be of no leſſe advantage to him, having his peace eſtabliſhed with thoſe Princes, whoſe friendſhip and amitie your Majeſtie hath procured, and deſerved. He would certainly love and commend thoſe that had given him thoſe Counſels of peace. Peace and tranquillitie are by haereditarie right devolved to the moſt illuſtrious Prince, in as much as he is born of the Father, who hath with ſo much induſtrie procured them, not onely to this Iſland, but to the continent alſo, eſteeming them at a higher value, then his kingdomes themſelves.

Which ſince it is thus, and that the blood of his Father, which is in him, and the love wherewith he is carried towards your Majeſtie, and the experience of this your moſt happie Government, and that great example wherewith your Majeſtie hath drawn, and won the Chriſtian world to an admiration, and love of you, did all direct the moſt illuſtrious Prince with a kind of connatural motion to the ſame Counſel, and purpoſe of peace, as might have heretofore been likewiſe hoped. Certainly this Machination is very ſtrong, violent, and mighty, which doth ſuddainely labour to turn him into a clean contrarie courſe.

And queſtionleſſe if the very entrance into a war, the war it ſelf if it want juſtice, it will want alſo happie ſucceſſe. It cannot be unknown to your Majeſtie, that the Duke of Buckingham carrieth himſelf ſo lofty; that he would have all men perſwaded that he hath, and doth exerciſe a kind of dominion over the will of your Majeſtie, and of his Highneſſe. All things ſhall be made manifeſt to your Majeſtie, if you will have them ſo; for there are not meanes wanting, whereby you may free your vaſſal from fear and diffidence, who will otherwiſe dare nothing, nor ſay nothing, which certainely appeares ſo far to be true, that when all things ſtanding as they do, it is an eaſie matter to find who will ſpeak againſt your Majeſtie, yet there is none that dare ſpeak againſt the Duke.

Let your Majeſtie call ſome certain men unto you, and ſift out of them, the opinion of the more moderate Parliament, and enquire of thoſe that come out of Spain, who did firſt give the firſt cauſe of falling out? whether the Complaints againſt the King of Spain be true, or no? whether that foreſaid King were not deſirous to ſatisfie the deſire of the Prince his Highneſſe? Whether he did not faithfully endeavour to effect the marriage? Whether the Duke of Buckingham did not many things againſt the authoritie and reverence due to the moſt illuſtrious Prince? Whether he was not wont to be ſitting, whileſt the Prince ſtood, and was in preſence, and alſo having his feet reſting upon another ſeat, after an undecent manner? Whether when the Prince was uncovered, whileſt the Queen, and Infanta, looked out at the Windowes he uncovered his head, or no? Whether ſitting at the Table with the Prince he did not behave himſelf unreverently? Whether he were not wont to come in to the Princes Chamber with his cloathes half on, ſo that the doors could not be opened to them that came to viſit the Prince from the King of Spain, the Door-keepers refuſing to go in for modeſties ſake? Whether he did not call the Prince by ridiculous names? Whether he did not diſhonour and prophane the Kings Palace with baſe and contemptible women? Whether he did not divers obſcene things, and uſed not immodeſt geſticulations and wanton Tricks with Players in the preſence of the Prince? Whether he did not violate his faith given to the Conde Olivares? Whether he did not preſently communicate his diſcontents, offences and complaints to the Embaſſadours of other Princes? Whether in doing of his buſineſſe, he did not uſe frequent threatenings unto the Catholique Kings Miniſters, and to Apoſtolical Nuns? Whether he did not affect to ſit at Playes preſented in the Kings Palace after the manner and example of the King, and Prince, being not contented with the honour that is ordinarily given to the High Steward, or Major domo of the Kings houſe. Beſides all theſe things which have heretofore been told your Majeſtie, there is yet this more, that is new:

That the Duke of Buckingham (with what intention let others judge) hath divulged in Parliament ſome ſecret Treatie negotiated betwixt your Majeſtie and the King of Spain touching the affaires of Holland; the ſecreſie whereof, nevertheleſſe your Majeſtie had ſo recommended, that beſides the King, and the Conde of Olivares, no man in Spain knew of it.

If the Duke do not appear guilty of all theſe things, let him be ſtill your Majeſties moſt faithful ſervant, and let your Majeſtie yet confer upon him greater Honours, if you can. For I would have theſe things conceived to be ſpoken for the ſecuritie of your Majeſtie; not for the hurt of him, to whom I wiſh proſperitie, if by him the Chriſtian world might be in proſperitie.

It onely remaineth, that your Majeſtie will be pleaſed to take in good part this my ſervice and obedience ſhewed to your Commandements.

To the King, ab ignoto. Beſt, and moſt excellent King,

YOu will wonder that he who at firſt proteſteth to be neither Papiſt nor Puritan, Spaniard nor Hollander, or yet in any delirium fit, ſhould preſume in this Libel-like way, to lay down to your Majeſtie the ſtrong zeal he beareth to the ſafetie of your Majeſtie, and his Countrie, by ſhewing in this dark Tablet (drawn by the worſt Painter) the common opinion of all thoſe which are not poſſeſſed as above.

They ſay, the buſineſſe of greateſt conſequence, that ever your Majeſtie handled, is now at point to go well, or ill. The marriage, or none, and (as it is carried) a preſent War, or a continued Peace. The match of your ſon, they wiſh you may perfect in your own time, and think that for the quiet of your ſelf and Kingdomes, the ſhorteſt time the beſt: And that this already traced will far ſooner piece, then any new one have beginning and accompliſhment.

They fear this ſuſpenſion carried by Killegrew was brought by Buckingham, not for what he pretends, and plainly ſay, It was not onely to prevent his Highneſſe marriage there, but any where.

Whereby, 1. His particular greatneſſe may ſtill ſtand abſolute.

2. His Wife, and Tribe ſtill preſent the Princeſſe perſon.

3. And your Majeſtie be, and remain their Pupil.

The Parliament ſo much urged, they ſay, is to be a marrying his Mightineſſe unto the Common Weal, that as your Majeſtie is his good Father, It may be his Mother, and ſo he ſtand not only by the King, but by the People, and popular humour, that he hath lately ſo earneſtly courted, and eſpecially from thoſe who are noted to be of the moſt troubled humour.

How your Majeſtie ſhould gain upon a Parliament they cannot imagine, ſeeing all are reſolved to ſell your Courteſies at the deareſt rate both by ill words, and for double as much again, the humour of it being ſo inconſtant, that twenty to one, but thoſe very tongues, which in the laſt did cry War, War, War, will now curſe him that urgeth for one poor Subſidie to raiſe a War. And miſerable is he, that is to make a War, or to defend againſt it, with money that is to be given, and gathered from them.

They ſay, our Great Duke hath certainly a brave deſire to War, but in that alſo, he hath ſome great end of enriching himſelf, which he too well loveth, being carried away with that ſweet ſound, how Nottingham gained yearly during that ſickneſſe 40000 l. by his Admirals place; but what his Majeſtie gained, they find not in the Exchequer or Kingdome.

Somewhat alſo they fear this his Graces precipitate humour, and change of humour, hath of pride, to ſhew his power as great here, as is Olivares his there, as alſo of revenge againſt him in particular. For were it love to his now much beloved Countrie, they ſay, there was as much reaſon for breach both of the Match, and Peace when the Parliament urged it, as there is now.

They ſay, There is a rumour of his Graces, a match for his Mary with the young Palatine. It is no Gorgon; and will concern his Highneſſe, if they that are now our beſt friends the Hollanders ſhould change their Copie.

In this his Highneſſe coming off from Spain, they ſay, He hath adviſed him to no worſe then he did himſelf; for how many did he deflour, abuſe, and couſen with marriage, by his grace in Court, and power with your Majeſtie?

In ſhort, your Subjects that have ſence of your eſtate, do moſt earneſtly beſeech your Majeſtie, to have more eſpecial care of your own preſervation, then ordinarily you have, both in reſpect of the deſperate ſtaggering which their Prieſts now ſtand in, and of your own Phaeton himſelf, who in truth wanteth nothing of man enough but a good nature, and being in cuſtome to carry all with a high hand, muſt be deſperate if he fail in any Punto of his violent will.

We know your Majeſtie according to the ſweetneſſe and virtue of your Nature, agreeing with Gods bleſſed Will, hath long preſerved your people in all peace and plentie. And all good and ſenſible people pray you even for Gods ſake not to be couſened of your own life and liberty. Oh be not miſlead to trouble your own Kingdoms quiet, but that after many and many a happie year you may die happily in peace.

To his Sacred Majeſtie, ab ignoto. May it pleaſe his moſt excellent Majeſtie to conſider,

THat this great oppoſition againſt the Duke of Buckingham is ſtirred up and maintained by ſuch, who either malitiouſly, or ignorantly and concurrently ſeek the debaſing of this free Monarchie, which becauſe they find not yet ripe to attempt againſt the King himſelf, they endeavour it through the Dukes ſide. Theſe men though agreeing in one miſchief, yet are of divers ſorts and humours, viz.

1. Medling, and buſie perſons, who took their firſt hint at the beginning of King James, when the union was treated of in Parliament. That learned King gave too much way to thoſe popular ſpeeches, by the frequent proof he had of his great abilities in that kind.

Since the time of H. 6. theſe Parliamentary diſcourſings were never ſuffered, as being the certain ſymptomes of ſubſequent rebellions, civil Wars, and the dethroning of our Kings. But theſe laſt 20 years moſt of the Parliament men ſeek to improve the reputation of their wiſdomes by theſe Declamations, and no honeſt Patriot dare oppoſe them, leſt he incur the reputation of a Fool, or a Coward in his Countries Cauſe.

2. Covetous Landlords, Incloſers, Depopulators, and Juſtices of the Peace, who have got a habit of Omniregencie, and an hope to extend the ſame againſt the King in Parliament, as they do on his Subjects in the Countrey. Hereby the King loſeth 24000 l. in every whole Subſidie; for Anno 1600. it was 80000 l. and now it is but 56000 l. which cometh by the decay of the yeomandry, who were three and four pound men. And theſe Gentlemen (moſt of them of the Parliament) do eaſe themſelves to afflict thoſe who are the true Commons, and yet perſwade them, that the grievances are cauſed by the Duke, and the ill government of the King.

3. Recuſants and Church Papiſts, whoſe hatred is irreconcileable againſt the Duke for the breach of the Spaniſh Match. The French Lady, though as zealous a Catholique, doth not pleaſe him, for they were tyed to Spain by their hopes of a change of Religion that way. All the Prieſts are ſent from the Spaniſh Dominions, and the ſons and daughters of the Papiſts remain as hoſtages of their fidelities in the Colledges and Nunneries of the King of Spain. And though the Papiſts have no place in the houſe of Commons, yet privately they aggravate all ſcandals againſt the Duke, to kindle a ſeparation between the King and his people, and avert them from enabling the King to reſiſt, or be avenged of our great enemy. Remember the courſe held by theſe men in the Parliament of undertakers; alſo Dr. Egleſham and all the Prieſts daily practice libelling againſt all great men about the King.

4. Needy and indebted perſons in both Houſes, who endeavour by theſe Parliamentary ſtirres not ſo much the Dukes overthrow, as a rebellion, which they hope will follow if it be not done. This is much to be ſuſpected, as well by their Calumniations againſt his Majeſtie, as for their own wants; many of them being outlawed, and not able to ſhew their heads, but in Parliament time by priviledge thereof, and they know, that there are enough to follow them in the ſame miſchief.

5. Puritans and all other Sectaries, who though ſcarce two of them agree in what they would have, yet they all in general are haters of Government. They begun in Parliament about Anno 23. Eliz. and ſpit their venom not only againſt the Biſhops, but alſo againſt the Lord Chancellour Hatton, and others, the Queens favourites, and Councellours, as they do now againſt the Clergie and the Duke. But their main diſcontentment is againſt the Kings Government, which they would have extinguiſhed in matters Eccleſiaſtical, and limited in Temporal. This is a fearful and important Conſideration, becauſe it pretends Conſcience and Religion, and they now more deadly hate the Duke, becauſe he ſheweth himſelf to be no Puritan, as they hoped he would at his return from Spain.

6. Malecontents cenſured or decourted for their deſerts, as the kindred and dependants of the Earl of Suffolk, and of Sir Henry Yelverton, Coke, Lake, Middleſex, though all of them (the laſt excepted) were dejected by King James without any Concurrencie of the Duke. Others becauſe they are not preferred, as they do imagine that they deſerve, as the Lord Say, Earl of Clare, Sir John Eliot, Selden, and Glanvile, Sir Dudley Diggs, and the Biſhops of Norwich and Lincoln. Theſe, and many others, according to the nature of envy, look upon every one with an evil eye, eſpecially upon the Duke, who either hath, or doth not prefer them to thoſe places, or retain them in them, which their ambition expecteth.

7. Lawyers in general, for that (as Sir Edward Cook could not but often expreſſe) our Kings have upholden the power of their Prerogatives, and the rights of the Clergie, whereby their comings in have been abated. And therefore the Lawyers are fit ever in Parliaments to ſecond any Complaint againſt both Church, and King, and all his ſervants, with their Caſes, Antiquities, Records, Statutes, Preſidents, and Stories. But they cannot, or will not call to mind, that never any Nobleman in favour with his Soveraign was queſtioned in Parliament, except by the King himſelf in caſe of Treaſon, or unleſſe it were in the nonage, and tumultuous times of Rich. 2. Hen. 6. or Edw. 6. which happened to the deſtruction both of the King and Kingdom. And that not to exceed our own, and Fathers memories, in King Hen. 8. time Wolſies exorbitant power and pride, and Cromwels contempt of the Nobility and the Lawes, were not yet permitted to be diſcuſſed in Parliament, though they were moſt odious and grievous to all the Kingdom. And that Leiceſter's undeſerved favour, and faults; Hatton's inſufficiency, and Rawleigh's inſolence far exceeded, what yet hath been (though moſt falſly) objected againſt the Duke: yet no Lawyer durſt abet, nor any man elſe begin any Invectives againſt them in Parliament.

8. The Merchants and Citizens of London convinced (not by the Duke, but) by Cranfield and Ingram, to have deceived the King of Impoſts and Cuſtoms, and deſervedly fearing to be called to accompt for undoing all the other Cities and good Towns, and the poor Colonie of Virginia, as alſo for tranſporting of our ſilver into the Eaſt-Indies; theſe vent their malice upon the Duke in the Exchange, Pauls, Weſtminſter-Hall, with their ſuggeſtions, and therein they wound, both to Subjects and ſtrangers the honour of his Majeſtie, and his proceedings.

9. Innovators, Plebicolae, and King-haters. At the latter end of Queen Elizabeth it was a phraſe to ſpeak, yea to pray for the Queen and State. This word (State) was learned by our neighbourhood and Commerce with the Low-Countries, as if we were, or affected to be governed by States. This the Queen ſaw, and hated. And the old Earl of Oxford his Propoſitions at her death, they awakened King James to prevent this humour, and to oppoſe the conditions and limitations preſented unto him by the Parliaments.

The Lawyers, Citizens, and Weſtern men (who are moſt hot infected with Puritaniſme) ſtood ſtrong againſt him under a colour of Parliaments, and Parliamentary priviledges. His Majeſtie therefore ſtrengthened himſelf ever with ſome Favourite, as whom he might better truſt then many of the Nobility tainted with this deſire of Oligarchie. It behoveth without doubt his Majeſtie to uphold the Duke againſt them, who if he be but decourted, it will be the Corner ſtone on which the demoliſhing of his Monarchie will be builded. For, if they prevail with this, they have hatched a thouſand other demands to pull the feathers of the Royalty, they will appoint him Councellours, Servants, Alliances, Limits of his expences, Accompts of his Revenue, chiefly if they can (as they mainly deſire) they will now dazle him in the beginning of his reign.

10. King James and King Charles laſtly, are the Dukes Accuſers; (my meaning is, with all humble reverence to their Honours, and Memories, and to ſpeak in the ſence of the Houſe of Commons) both their Majeſties are Conjuncta Perſona in all the aſperſions that are laid upon the Duke. For inſtance, The Parliaments money deſtined for the Wars, ſpent in the Treaties, Meſſages, Embaſſadours, and Entertainments of the Kings marriage, and the burial of his Father, and the War in the name of the Count Palatine, the Breach of both the Treaties, which then Canonized the Duke, but now is made evidence againſt him; the Honours and Offices conferred upon him by King James, That his Majeſtie might with his own Councels direct their managing, the ſetting forth of the Navy, though to the Duke's great charge by both their Commandments; the Match with France, and generally whatſoever hath not been ſucceſſeful to mens expectations. All theſe, though the Acts of the Kings, are imputed to the Duke, who if he ſuffer for obeying his Soveraigns, the next attempt will be to call the King to accompt for any thing he undertakes, which doth not proſperouſly ſucceed as all men would deſire it.

If it pleaſe his Majeſtie to remove, and ſet aſide all theſe diſadvantages, He ſhall find the Charge laid againſt the Duke will prove very empty, and of ſmall moment. And for them, if his Majeſtie and the Duke's Grace think it no impeachment to their Honors, all that the Parliament hath objected againſt the Duke, is pardoned at the Kings Coronation, which benefit every poor Subject enjoyeth. Three things onely excepted which may moſt eaſily be anſwered.

Mr. Ch. Th. to the Duke of Buckingham. My Lord,

IT is intimated to your Lordſhip, firſt, that you would procure his Majeſtie to deſire the Lords to chooſe ſix (or ſo many as you ſhall think fit) of whom they have moſt confidence to attend him to morrow morning, to whom his Majeſtie may be pleaſed to declare; That he hath endeavoured to divert the charges againſt your Lordſhip, becauſe his Majeſtie hath had ſound knowledge, and experience of the ſervice, and fidelity (though in outward ſhew the contrarie might juſtly appear) and becauſe alſo he ſaw, it was urged with a great deal of private ſpleen, and perhaps not without ſome Papiſticall device of troubling his Majeſties buſineſſe in Parliament, but ſeeing no ſuite, or perſwaſion could prevail to appeaſe the diſtempered courſe, his Majeſtie is now forced, and ſo pleaſed to reveal ſome ſecrets, and Arcana of State, which otherwiſe in the wiſedom of Kings were unfit to be opened. Here his Majeſtie may let them know, that the King his Father finding the Palatinate more then in danger to be loſt, and after his Majeſtie being in Spain, and there deluded, and his abode, and return, both unſafe. It was a neceſſity of State to ſweeten, and content the Spaniards with a hope of any thing that might ſatisfie, and redeem thoſe ingagements, and therefore willed your Lordſhip to yield diſcreetlie to what you ſhould find they moſt deſired, and this was chiefly the point of religion; ſo as in this and all of the like kind, your Lordſhip (upon his Majeſties knowledge) was commanded, and but the inſtrument truſted by your Maſter in this exigent, or (if you will) extremitie. And this with other more Potent overtures (ſuch as your Lordſhip beſt underſtands) may Cancel all thoſe objections of that nature. Upon this ſame ground, though not in ſo high a degree, the ſending of the ſhips to Rochel may be excuſed (and this is not the leaſt fault objected in the opinion of the wiſeſt.) Touching the vaſt creation of Nobility his Majeſtie may ask thoſe ſix Lords (whereof perchance ſome of them may be concerned in this article,) whether they conceive any reaſon of King James his doing herein; to which I ſuppoſe, they will ſtand mute. Then his Majeſtie may ſay, I will tell you, and therein diſcover a truth, and a ſecret of State. My Father who was born a King, and had long experience of that Regiment, eſpeciallie more traverſed in this point, then perhaps ever any King, found that this State inclined much to Popularitie, a thing apparent univerſallie in all the Courts, viz. in that of Star-chamber, which was at firſt erected to reſtrain the inſolence of Great men, in great outrages, but now for every pettie offence, the meaneſt Tennant may be bold to call thither his Lord. A thing alſo appearing in the ſawcie approaches of the Puritans upon the Biſhops and plainely in the boldneſſe of the houſe of Commons againſt the Kings pattents, and edicts, which in all good times (out of their neceſſity) have been powerful. And eſpeciallie this humour hath been comforted by the ſturdie example of the Neighbour States of the Low-countries, as in their inſolencies in the Eaſt-Indies &c. From this place an inticing voice hath ſounded in our eares of libertie and freedom, though indeed a feigned voyce, and (but in ſound) unſound. I ſay when the king my Father had well beheld theſe things, he could not foreſee a remedie more proper, or eaſier, as being unſerviceable and in his own gripe, then to inlarge the number of his Nobles, that theſe being diſperſed into ſeveral Counties might as lambs of Soveraigntie, in protection of their own degrees, and at their own charge inure the people with reſpect, and obedience to greatneſſe; and yet not to amate, and diſcourage them, he thought good to raiſe ſome neer, or of their own rank, whereby they might ſee themſelves in poſſibility of the like honour, if either by virtue, wealth, or honeſtie they make themſelves worthie. This I proteſt was a child of my Fathers beſt judgment in this poynt, and the Duke but the inſtrument thereof. And if you ſay, that there was mony many times given for theſe Honours, nay if you ſay, that mony hath been given for places of Clergie, and Judicature; I pray take this of me, that this is ſo in all other Countries, as in France, and Spain. And thoſe Councels ſeem a little to ſmile at our dulneſſe, that we have ſo lately apprehended their ſoundneſſe herein; for (ſay they) when men pay well for ſuch places, it is the beſt kind of ſecurity for their honeſties, eſpecially when fayling in their dutie, they ſhall be ſure to be as much puniſhed as they were advanced. Howbeit I am not ſatisfied in this opinion. And if it be ſaid that the King ſhould have had the mony, which the Duke took to his own uſe; I believe this laſt is more, then any can prove, neither will I deliver what I know therein. Howſoever, it matters not much being no popular diſburſment. Only this I will ſay, that I know the Dukes particular ſervice, and affection to me, and that he, and his will lay down themſelves, and all they have at my Feet. Neither is this bare opinion, ſince the Duke alone hath diburſed, and ſtands engaged more for my affaires, and the States, then any Number of Noblemen of England whatſoever, and therefore there is reaſon, that from a King he would receive his own and more.

And now (my Lords) ſince I have thus far opened a Kings Cabinet unto you at leaſt by the meaſure of this foot of anſwer, you may diſcover, what may be ſaid concerning that great bodie, and bulk of accuſations of the Higheſt kind made againſt the Duke. I deſire you would take it to heart, remembring, that it is your King, that ſpeaketh this, who therefore expects your ſervice, and love herein, and who will requite the ſame aſſuredly; hoping you will believe me indeed, and do accordingly indeed, and that you will alſo reſt aſſured, that my ſpirit is not ſo young (though a young King) as that I would bring this teſtimony in mine own wrong, were not that I ſay, true in my own knowledge. And being ſo, you alſo will grant, that it is not for a King to uſe his Servant, and Inſtrument as he doth his Horſes, which being by hard riding in his ſervice foundred, and lamed, to turn them off to graſſe, or to the Cart. I muſt therefore in right of the King my Fathers Honour and my own, protect a man (though I have ſaid juſtly ſeeming guiltie, yet) in mine own knowledge innocent, and free as I have delivered it; will you then deny the King to ſavour whom he pleaſe, which the King hath never denyed you, that are his ſubjects? will you controle me your Head and Governor in things wherein your ſelves have taken liberty uncontroled? would you that I ſhould require accompt of your liberalitie? nay of all your failings, which are liable to my authority? well commend me to my Lords, and tell them, that if any thing had been formerly done amiſſe by others, I have power, and will to redreſſe it, and to prevent the like. I ſpeak it in the word of a King, neither Lords, nor Commons can deſire of me any thing that is honeſt, which I am not ready to give them. Let not therefore the world by theſe miſtakings make Table-talk any longer of your King and his negotiations? nay of his ſecrets and neceſſities; for alas what great wrong, or indignity can the Glorie of the State receive, then that the private grudges of ſubjects (accuſing to the ignorant, when in their conſciences they could excuſe) ſhould be the buſineſſe of our Parliament, and that the King himſelf ſhould be forced to appear us a partie? No doubt this is a Cocatrice egge, that craftie heads of our enemies ſeek to hatch, whileſt the weightie affaires that in preſent concern the Honour, and welfare of the King and State, and the peace of all Chriſtendome are by us utterly neglected.

I end, hoping your Lordſhip (now privy to theſe things) will be tender of your Soveraigns honour, and will ſo ſatisfie, and treat with the reſt, that thoſe particular janglings may be by ſome other courſe, and in ſome other place and time diſcuſſed and determined, that ſo our minds and time may be employed in the care of better things, which earneſtly invoke our ayd at this inſtant.

Thus much ſpoken, or written, or the like, (for I ſeek but to awaken your Lordſhips higher ſpirit and invention) I conceive it may get this effect: That theſe 6. Lords won by theſe reaſons, and by other the Kings invitations, may deliver to the Houſe, that for their parts, they have received unexpected ſatisfaction in thoſe greateſt points of the accuſation againſt your Lordſhip, and of ſuch ſecret nature as are not fit to be publiſhed without further deliberation. Wherefore ſince it pleaſed their Lordſhips, to have made choyce of them to be truſted in this imployment, they have faithfully ſerved accordingly, and do upon their Honours freely, and without any ingagement or reſpect, proteſt the ſame. And therefore humbly deſire their Lordſhips, that they would intreat his Majeſtie to be Preſident in advice with their Lordſhips: What further were to be done in this private Contention betwixt your Lordſhip and the Lord Digbie; which obtained, ſomething may then follow for your Lordſhips good, by yeelding up that Cauſe into the Kings hands. And his Majeſtie hath great reaſon to bend it that way, becauſe it is conceived, that the Lords will be loath to admit the King to be ſupream Judge, and Accuſer; which point will much touch his Majeſtie. And his Majeſtie were better give ſome eaſe to the Lord Digbie, then permit that diſpute.

And now for my ſelf, I beſeech your Lordſhip to pardon my ſtrange boldneſſe; I know I am a mere ſtranger to you, and if ever you have heard of me, it muſt be as of a friend of ſuch you then did not love. I know it ſhewes me a medler in buſineſſe, or an inſinuator, which are ſuſpitions, that may diſtaſt you, and make you ſuſpect my pretences, though they were not altogether witleſſe. I know this diſadvantage, and am in my own nature offended for putting my ſelf thus into your notions. But yet I reſolved to undergo all this; Firſt, becauſe you made my Brother a Captain in Ireland, who had otherwiſe periſhed. Next, for the favour you did to my Lord of Northumberland, and the retiring of disfavour from my Lord of Sommerſet. And laſtly, for your firm hand, that advanced the now Lord Treaſurer. To all which Lords I am familiarly known, and bound. But (neereſt to you) your Lordſhip may hear of me from the Lord Treaſurer.

I am confident of your Lordſhips noble interpretation, ſince I ſeek no ends, no acquaintance, no other thanks, being one that have no Court-ſuits to your Lordſhip; but being one that loves not ruines, (which my friends have taſted) nor that the publique ſhould wreſtle with a private Inturn of Spleen. And I offer it but as a ſimplicity, yet with good will enough; for what can a man, that is not privy to the Elements of State, demonſtrate any concluſion thereof; yet I hear ſometimes how the world goes as other men do.

I conceive I have ſaid ſomething to your Lordſhip, and though perhaps ſhort, yet enough to occaſion, and ſtir up your deeper thoughts. I alſo may have deeper, but alſo I know, that little pinnes of wood do ſuſtain the whole building. More I could have ſaid touching the other points, but theſe greateſt elided, the fall of the others may be eaſily directed. What I have ſaid againſt thoſe objections I touched, doth ariſe from grounds of truth, and they muſt win, and prevail, and my conceit is fitted to the Kings part, and to the occaſions now on foot.

I humbly ceaſe your Lordſhip further trouble, and with you all good, deſiring your Lordſhip alſo to pardon my tedious and haſty ſcribled hand.

Your Lordſhips unknown ſervant, Ch. Th.

Poſtſcript.

YOur Lordſhip ſhall be pleaſed to take off ſome part of my boldneſſe, and impute it to the obligation and ſervice I owe this worthy Lady, the Bearer.

To Count Gondomar. My Lord,

I Thought my hands bound that I could no ſooner have occaſion to write unto you, being forced againſt my will to delay my writing from day to day in expectation of the news of your arrival at that Court, aſſuring my ſelf, that I ſhould then receive from you ſome ground whereupon to write. But after a long expence of time before that I could hear of your arrival, and in the Pacquet that his Majeſties Embaſſadour ſent thereafter, receiving no Letters nor word from you as I expected, I do now by theſe break my long ſilence unto you.

As for news from hence, I can in a word aſſure you, that they are in all points, as your heart could wiſh: for here is a King, a a Prince, and a faithful friend and ſervant unto you, beſides a number of your other good friends, that long ſo much for the happy accompliſhment of this match, as every day ſeems a year unto us, and I can aſſure you in the word of your honeſt friend, that we have a Prince here, that is ſo ſharp ſet upon the buſineſſe, as it would much comfort you to ſee it, and her there to hear it. Here are all things prepared upon our parts; Prieſts and Recuſants all at liberty: all the Roman Catholiques well ſatisfied, and which will ſeem a wonder unto you, our Priſons are emptied of Prieſts and Recuſants, and filled with zealous Miniſters for preaching againſt the Match; for no man can ſooner now mutter a word in the Pulpit though indirectly againſt it, but he is preſently catched, and ſet in ſtraight priſon. We have alſo publiſhed Orders both for the Univerſities, and the Pulpits, that no man hereafter ſhall meddle, but to preach Chriſt crucified; Nay it ſhall not be la •• ul hereafter for them to rail againſt the Pope, or the Doctrine of the Church of Rome further then for edification of ours; and for proof hereof you ſhall herewith receive the orders ſet down, and publiſhed. But if we could hear as good news from you, we ſhould think our ſelves happy men; but alas! Now that we have put the ball at your feet, although we have received a comfortable Diſpatch from his Majeſties Embaſſadour there; yet from all other parts in the world, the effects appear directly contrary. For Mr. Gage brings us news from Rome, that the diſpenſation there is at a ſtand, except a number of new Conditions be granted, which we never dreamed of, and ſome of them can tend to no other end, but to bring our Maſter in jealouſie with the greateſt part of his Subjects; nay which is ſtrangeſt of all, we find ſome points yeelded unto by us, (which would have given the Pope good ſatisfaction) to be concealed from him by the King your Maſters miniſters there. We were never more troubled to put a good face upon an ill Game, then we were upon Gage's arrival here, which in your phraſe is to put a good ſauce to an unſavoury diſh.

For the whole world being in expectation of bringing the Diſpenſation with him, we are now forced to make him give it out here to all his friends, that 'tis paſt in Rome, and ſent from thence to Spain. And from Bruſſels we find, that notwithſtanding, both of the King your Maſters promiſes, and undertaking of the Infanta there, who hath long ago acknowledged to have had power from the Emperour for granting of this long-talked of Ceſſation, yet now after innumerable delayes on her part, Heidelbergh is beſieged by Count Tilley, and that at ſuch a time, as his Majeſtie cannot imagine what ground or ſhadow of excuſe can be found for his Commiſſion. For the Treaty hath been twice reformed at her deſire, and all the Auxiliaries ſuch as Brunſwick and Mansfelt have taken another courſe: His Majeſties ſon in law ſtaying privately in Sedan, ready to obey all his Majeſties directions; and the places in the Palatinate, which are not already in his enemies hands, being onely poſſeſſed by his Majeſties Souldiers. So as now if the War ſhall continue, it muſt be directly between the Emperour, and our Maſter, his Majeſtie having ſent a Commandment to his Embaſſadour at Bruſſels, that if Tilley will needs go on with that ſiege, that he return hither with all ſpeed. For his Majeſtie in honour cannot endure, that whileſt he is treating for a ceſſation of Arms at Bruxels, the Wars ſhould go on in the Palatinate, eſpecially when they have no body to invade, but his Majeſties own Subjects and ſervants; And indeed his Maieſtie thinks he is very ill dealt withal, for all that great ſincerity an •• and our, wherewith he hath conſtantly carried himſelf from the very beginning of this buſineſſe, that no leſſe can ſatisfie the Emperours revenge then the utter extermination of his children both of honour and inheritance, and not without a direct breach of his former promiſe, avowedly ſet down in his laſt Letter to his Majeſtie.

And now let me I pray you in the name of your faithful friend, and Servant, beſeech you to ſet apart all partialitie in this caſe, and that you would be pleaſed indifferently to conſider of the ſtreights we are driven into, if the Emperour ſhall in this faſhion conquer the Palatinate, the antient inheritance of his Majeſties children: what can be expected but a bloudie and unreconcileable war between the Emperour, and my Maſter wherein the King of Spain can be an Auxiliarie to the Emperour againſt any other partie but his Majeſtie. And therefore as my Maſter lately offered to the Infanta for ſatisfaction of her deſire, that in caſe the Auxiliaries would not be contented with reaſon, but ſtill perturbe the treatie, he offered in that caſe to aſſiſt the Emperour and her againſt them; ſo can he in juſtice expect no leſſe of the King your Maſter, that if the Emperour will contrarie to all promiſes both by his Letters, and Embaſſadours, proceed in his conqueſt, and refuſe the ceſſation, that the King your Maſter will in that caſe, and in ſo juſt a quarrel aſſiſt him againſt the Emperour, in imitation of the King my Maſters juſt and reall proceedings in the buſineſſe from the beginning, who never looked (as you can well be witneſſe) to the riſing, or faling hopes of his ſon in Law his fortunes, but conſtantly keep on that courſe, that was moſt agreable to honour and juſtice, to the peace of Chriſtendom; and for the faſtning of a firm & indiſſoluble knot of amity, and alliance betwixt the king your Maſter and him, which was begun in the time of the treatie with France, and then broken at your deſire, that we might imbrace this alliance with you; you are the perſon, that many times before your departure hence, beſought his Majeſtie once to ſuffer himſelf to be deceived by Spain. We therefore do now expect to find that great reſpect to honour in the King your Maſter, that he will not take any advantage by the changing of fortune, and ſucceſſe of time, ſo to alter his actions, as may put his Honour in the terms of interpretation. You ſee how all the reſt of Chriſtendom, envie and maligne this match and wiſhed conjunction; How much greater need then hath it of a haſtie and happie diſpatch? And what comfort can the Prince have in her, when her friends ſhall have utterly ruined his Siſter, and all her babes? you remember how your ſelf prayſed his Majeſties wiſdom in the election of ſo fit a Miniſter, as Sir Richard Weſton in this buſineſſe, but you ſaw what deſperate Letters he writes from time to time of their cold and unjuſt treating with him in this buſineſſe; you could not but wonder at any ſpark of Patience could be left us here; and to conclude this point in a word, we ever received comfortable words from Spain, but find ſuch contrary effects from Bruxelles, together with our intelligences from all other parts of the world, as all our hopes are not only cold, but quite extinguiſhed here. Thus far for the By, and yet ſuch a By, as may put by the main, if it be not well and ſpeedily prevented. As to the Main, which is the match, his Majeſtie, and we all here, thought we had done our part, and put the ball at your foot, when wee agreed upon the twentie, and five Atticles more: whereupon as your ſelf often anſwered, and aſſured us the beſt Divines in Spain concluded that the Pope, not only might, but ought to grant a diſpenſation to this marriage, but now we are ſurcharged with a number of new Articles from Rome, and in the mean time the Diſpenſation is as far off as ever it was.

His Majeſtie hopes that you are not ignorant, that the treatie is between him, and your Maſter; He hath no treatie with Rome, neither lyes it in his way to diſpute with them upon this queſtion; yet that his readineſſe to imbrace your Maſters friendſhip may the better appear, he is contented to yield to ſo many of their demands, as either his Conſcience, Honour, or ſafetie can permit, if ſo the King your Maſter ſhall think it neceſſarie. But on the other part we three remember, that when as you firſt moved this match unto him, and perſwaded him to break off with France, you then promiſed, that he ſhould be preſſed to nothing in this buſineſſe, that ſhould not be agreeable to his conſcience, and honour, and ſtand with the love of his people. As to the particular Articles new added at Rome, I will not clogg this paper with them, which I fear without them, will be too troubleſome unto you. For what his Majeſties opinion is of them, his Majeſties Embaſſadour there will particularly acquaint you.

But whereas the Pope deſires in the end of his Articles, that he may ſee what ponum publicum, the King our Maſter will grant unto, that may perſwade to grant this diſpenſation, I will remit it to your conſcience and knowledge, whether if the favours his Majeſtie daily grants to thoſe of his religion, and is reſolved ſtill to continue, if not to increaſe them, if they ſhall by their good behaviour deſerve it, be not a real bonum publicum, conſidering that if the match ſhould break off (which God forbid) his Majeſtie would be importunatly urged by his people (to whoſe aſſiſtance he muſt have his recourſe) to give life and execution to all the penal Lawes now hanging upon their heads.

It only reſts now, that as we have put the ball to your foot, you take a good, and ſpeedie reſolution there to haſten a happy concluſion of this match. The Prince is now two and twenty years of age, and ſo a year more, then full ripe, for ſuch a buſineſſe: the King our Maſter longeth to ſee an iſſue proceed from his Loins; and I am ſure you have reaſon to expect more friendſhip from the poſterity that ſhall proceed from him, and that little Angel, your Infanta then from his Majeſties Daughters Children. Your friends here, are all diſcomforted with this long delay: your enemies are exaſperated, and irritated thereby; and your neighbours, that envie the felicity of both Kings, have the more leiſure to invent new Plots for the Croſſe, and hinderance of this happy buſineſſe; And for the part of your true friend and ſervant Buckingham, I am become odious already, and counted a betrayer both of King and Countrey.

To conclude all with; I will uſe a ſimilitude of hawking (which you will eaſily underſtand, being a great Faulkoner;) I told you already that the Prince is (God be thanked) extreamly ſharp ſet upon this Match; and you know that a Hawke, when ſhe is firſt dreſſed, and made ready to flie, having a great will upon her, if the Faulkoner do not follow it at that time, ſhe is in danger to be dulled for ever after.

Take heed therefore, leſt in the fault of your delayes there, Our Prince, and Faulcon-gentle, (that you know was thought ſlow enough, to begin to be eager after the Foeminine prey) become not ſo dull upon theſe delayes, as in ſhort time hereafter, he will not ſtoop to the Lure, though it were thrown out to him.

And here I will end to you my ſweet friend, as I do in my prayers to God, (Onely in thee is my truſt,) and ſay as it is written on the outſide of the Pacquets, Haſte, Haſte, Poſt-haſte.

Conde de Gondomar to the Duke, 13. Febr. 1625. Moſt Excellent Sir,

AT laſt Sir, the Earl of Gondomar goes for England; There will be many good diſcourſes made in Holland about this voyage: But the truth is, that the intention of his journey is not to offend any one, but only to deſire, and procure peace, and the publique good. And onely with this intent the King my Maſter Commands me to go thither, and I go with a great deal of joy as well for this as for to kiſſe his Majeſties and his Highneſſe his hands, and your Excellencies in particular.

And therefore I do appoint for the field of our Battail your Excellencies Gallerie over the Thames, where I hope your Excellencie ſhall ſee, that the Earl of Gondomar is an honeſt man, and that he hath been, is, and ever will be, a faithful and true ſervant and friend to Sir George Villiers Duke of Buckingham, whom God preſerve many happy years.

The Counteſſe my Wife, and my ſelf, kiſſe my Lady the Counteſſe, and my Lady Dutcheſſe their hands.

Your Excellencies Conſtant and faithful ſervant, Gondomar.

Padre Maeſtre at Rome to the Spaniſh Embaſſadour in England, 12. June, 1621. My Lord,

I Have received two Letters from your Lordſhip, the one of the 15th. of March brought me by Mr. George Gage, and the other of the 30. of April which came by the Ordinarie. In both which Letters I have received a ſpecial favour from you, and much comfort. The coming of Mr. Gage hath given me infinite contentment, then which there could nothing have happened more fitly and to the purpoſe, for the matter which is in negotiation, nor any man have come hither that could better advance the buſineſſe then he, as well in reſpect of his good affection, as for his wiſdom and dexterity in all things. And if the King of Great Brittain will withal help now a little, the buſineſſe will be quickly done, and in a good manner. I beſeech your Lordſhip preach to him a Chriſtian Sermon as is moſt needful: for there comes from thence divers wayes ſuch reports thither, that I am aſhamed, and out of countenance in the ſtreets as I go, and they do me a favour, that they do not ſtone me, knowing that I am treating, and labouring this buſineſſe at the ſame time, when the poor Catholiques are ſo cruelly uſed in England, Scotland, and Ireland. And when I excuſe it, that it is not by the Kings order, but by the abuſe and malice of ſome ill affected Miniſters, it will not be received; neither do they want Replies. Beſides, there is a rumour all over Rome, that the King in a Speech which he made at the beginning of the Parliament, affirmed publiquely, That for all this marriage with Spain, the Catholique party in England ſhould not be in one jott better condition then they are.

But I cannot be yet diſcouraged; My confidence is in the King, and in the deſire which I know he hath to procure a good Wife for his Son. And now that the time is come, let him play the part of a Couragious Wooer, and fruſtrate the intentions and deſires of all thoſe, that are adverſe to it. It is a comfort unto me, that I do not find here an impoſſibility; but that though there be difficulties, yet I find many here that deſire to overcome them. And above all, I hope that God will aſſiſt this buſineſſe as his own Cauſe. I am going to prepare my ſelf for the Congregation of the Cardinals, and a Conſultation of Divines, to whom I underſtand we ſhall be remitted this next week. I ſhall give your Lordſhip an account punctually of all things that happen in thoſe Conferences. Ous Lord, &c.

Your Lordſhips, &c. Padre Maeſtre.

Don Carlos to the Lord Conway, 3. September. SIR,

I Have underſtood by Mr. Strada with particular contentment the newes of your good health, which God continue for many years. I ſee by yours received by Strada, what his Majeſtie hath been pleaſed to order concerning the ſhips of the Indies, which is as much in effect as could be hoped for from ſo great a King, ſo zealous of Juſtice and Equitie.

In the Conduct of this buſineſſe, we will obſerve the order given by his Majeſtie, in confidence that the Subjects of the King my Maſter ſhall obtain their ends, and his Catholique Majeſtie receive the contentment to know, that the exceſſes of thoſe that ſhall be convinced have been puniſhed.

By the laſt Currier of Flanders, we received neither from the Infanta, nor any other perſon any other newes, then what Mr. Trumbal ſent by his Letters.

I confeſſe freely, that the Marqueſſe, and my ſelf have been much troubled, both of us being exceedingly deſirous, that his Majeſtie ſhould receive in every thing (even in words, and formalities) the ſame ſatisfaction, which we hope he ſhall receive in the effects. Nevertheleſſe in diſcharge of her Highneſſe, I will ſay that which is fit for me as I am her ſervant, and which I pray you from me to deliver unto his Majeſtie; but thus underſtood, that it is onely my own particular diſcourſe.

By the diſpleaſure his Majeſtie hath been pleaſed to teſtifie unto me upon many occaſions of the Prince Palatines refuſal to ſign, and ratifie the Treatie of ſuſpenſion of Armes; He may be alſo pleaſed to judge how it may have been taken by the King my Maſter in Spain, and the Infanta in Flanders, and the rather becauſe of the continual reports, that at the ſame time went up and down and increaſed (as ordinraily it falls out) of the deſcent of Alberſtat with a mighty Army of 20000 foot, and 6000 horſe, not any more to make war in Germany, but to joyn with the Prince of Orange, and fall upon thoſe Provinces in obedience to his Catholique Majeſtie, which was no other but directly to aym at the vital parts of the Spaniſh Monarchie.

If for theſe juſt fears (which cannot certainly be held vain, being conſidered with thoſe of the year paſt, proceeding from one and the ſame Cauſe, both of which have been ſcattered by the Almighty hand of God, in his ſecret Judgments) it hath not onely been lawful, but alſo neceſſary to conſerve the ancient alliances, and procure new, I leave it to the judgment of every man of underſtanding, not doubting but for this reſpect you will be of the ſame opinion with me: And much more his Majeſtie, whom God hath endowed with ſo great knowledge, and royal qualities, as are known to all the world.

Morover, let us ſee if in the Law of gratitude, the Infanta could do leſſe then acknowledge towards the Duke of Bavaria, the valour wherewith his Army had reſiſted the pernitious deſigns of Alberſtat, having hazarded his own eſtate to hinder the imminent danger of the King my Maſters.

Again let us conſider if the Infanta ſending to viſit, and give him thanks could excuſe her ſelf from giving him all thoſe titles, which the Duke of Bavaria gives himſelf, and deſires ſhould be given him. And if he might not, if ſhe had done otherwiſe have thought the ingratitude the greater, then the acknowledgement. And therefore things being in this ſtate, the Infanta could not excuſe her ſelf from ſending to viſite him, ſeeing he had ſuccoured her in a time of need, and in viſiting him to give him that, which he deſired ſhould be given him. And the like is to be ſaid for the King my Maſter in caſe he hath done the like as Mr. Trumbal writes the Infanta ſhould tell him, and with a great deal more reaſon becauſe the Countries are his own. And therefore ſince his Majeſtie of Great Brittain is ſo great a King, and hath ſo great a reputation of the exact performing of his royal obligations, I doubt not but he will judge, that in this formality, the King my Maſter, and the Infanta his Aunt, have but acquitted themſelves of their obligations. For the reſt, if at the conferrence of Cullen, which his ſaid Majeſtie, and her Highneſſe have deſired, and do yet deſire his Majeſtie of great Brittain ſhall ſee, that they are wanting on their part to proceed with that ſincerity and truth, which they have ſo often offered, and which the Marqueſſe of Ynoioſa doth ſtill offer on the behalf of the King my Maſter, ſo that only the Prince Palatine make the ſubmiſſions due to the Emperour as his natural Lord, and reſolvie to follow the Paternal counſels of his Majeſtie of great Brittain, his Majeſtie ſhall then have reaſon to complain. And in the mean time the Prince Palatine ſhould do but well not to entertain thoſe Amities he endeavours to conſerve, nor to ſollicit thoſe Leagues which he labours to procure, not only with the declared rebells of the King my Maſter, and of the Houſe of Auſtria, but alſo with the enemies of all Chriſtendom. I will ingage my head if following this way his Majeſtie and his ſon in law find themſelves deceived.

You know Sir, that I treat in truth, and freedom, and do therefore hope you will impute my excuſes to that, and will not call this libertie of my diſcourſe, raſhneſſe, but an immortal deſire in me in all things to procure the ſervice of our Kings, laying aſide all occaſions of miſunderſtandings, now we treat of nothing els, but uniting our ſelves more by the ſtrickt bonds of love, over and above thoſe of our Alliance.

I do humbly beſeech you to ſay thus much to his Majeſtie, and to aſſure him from me, that when he ſhall be pleaſed to imploy me in this matter, as in all other, he ſhall ever find me faithful and real, as I have offered my ſelf, and alwayes continue, being well aſſured, that even in that I ſhall ſerve my Maſter. And I pray you to believe in your particular that I am, and will be eternallie

Yours &c.

The Marqueſſe Ynoioſa to the Lord Conway, 5. September, 1623.

I Anſwered not long ſince to both your Letters, and now I will add this, that only the ſport, and pleaſure that Don Carlos, and I conſider his Majeſtie hath in his progreſſe, may make tollerable the deferring (by reaſon of that) and not hearing the newes we expect to hear of his Majeſties good health. For by that meanes we might not onely ſatisfie more often our deſires in this point (having his Majeſtie neerer) but alſo our deſire to bring theſe buſineſſes to an end, which are ordinarily more delayed, and leſſe well executed, when they are to paſſe through the hands of Miniſters (though they be very zealous, and well affected to it) as theſe Lords are with whom we treat here; who are deſirous that the King ſhould be known for juſt, though unneceſſarily, when nothing is pretended contrarie to that which is agreed upon. This knowledge whereupon I ground my reaſons may perhaps make me (Sin Embargo) incurre the Cenſure of an impatient man; But I am perſwaded, that if that which hath been done here, had been ſetled there by your Honour, and the Lord Count of Carleil (whoſe good diſpoſition, and proceeding is as much to be eſteemed as it is prayſed by Don Carlos and my ſelf) we would have made an end, and thoſe things, which I have ſeen, and obſerved here had not happened unto us. For in the conference, in which my Lord Keeper did aſſiſt, it was agreed (as we thought) that his Majeſtie ſhould give order to the Judges and Juſtices of Peace, Arch-biſhops and Biſhops ſigned with his royal hand under the little Seale within three months, or at the Princeſſe her arival. He hath perſiſted afterwards, as alſo Sir George Calvert in that (though it was plain) that his Majeſtie would give the ſaid warrant, afterwards, there being no tearm nor day appointed. Nevertheleſſe at laſt we have condeſcended, that it ſhould be within ſix months, or at her Highneſſe arrival, if ſhe comes afore that time, that we may ſhew how happie we think our ſelves in being Servants to his Majeſtie, whom God ſave.

The diſpatches that we are to have are contained in the relation here encloſed. I pray you to take order, that thoſe that are to be ſent back to that effect, may be ſubſcribed, and Sealed; for I have differred the diſpatching of a Currier (with an evident danger that he will now arrive too late, and put in hazard a buſineſſe of mine of conſideration, which obligeth me to diſpatch him) that he may not go without them; And that it may not be an occaſion to doubt of the aſſurance we have given of his Majeſties good will and intention; whoſe Royal hands, I, and Don Carlos do intreat your Honour to kiſſe in our name, and to continue us in his Majeſties good Favour, and your Honour likewiſe in yours; for we deſerve it with a particular affection, and equal deſire to ſerve you. God ſave your Honour, as I deſire

Your Honours ſervant, The Marqueſſe, Ynoioſa.

Sir Arthur Chicheſter to the Duke, the 25. January, 1623. May it pleaſe your Grace,

WHen you went laſt from White-Hall I waited on the Prince and you into the Gallery, where your Lordſhip ſpake ſomething unto me which I underſtood not, to wit, Are you turned too? As I knew not the ground of the Demand, I could make no preſent anſwer; nor now but by Conjecture. When I turn from the Prince, (whom I know to be the worthieſt of Princes) or from you, (who by your favours have ſo bound me to ſerve you) or from the truth (as I conceive it) God I know will turn from me; until then I humbly pray your Lordſhip to believe that I am your honeſt ſervant.

The Sunday after your Lordſhips departure, the Embaſſadours of the King of Spain came unto me under the pretext of a viſit. I have herewith ſent your Grace a brief of what paſſed between us. I judge ſome man hath done me an ill office, by inſinuating me into their good opinions of me; ſure I am, I never ſpake of them, nor of the affaires they have to manage, but what I have ſaid, when the ſelected Councel were aſſembled. I cannot be ſo dull, but to know that they meant your Grace to be the Interpoſer of their deſires, and the Man, whom they wiſhed to be abſent when they have their private audience. They are exceeding Cautelous, and I conceive the late Diſpatch from Spain is like a gilded bayt to allure and deceive; your Lordſhip perceiving their Malice, will be warie to avoid their Venom I am

Your Graces Humble, and faithful Servant, Arthur Chicheſter.

The Collections of the Paſſages and Diſcourſes between the Embaſſadours of the King of Spain, and Sir Arthur Chicheſter, 18. Jannary, 1623. Theſe Paſſages were ſent to the Duke, incloſed in the last foregoing Letter.

ON Sunday the 18. of this preſent January, the two Embaſſadors of Spain came to viſit me at my Houſe in Drury-Lane. At their firſt entrance they took occaſion to ſpeak of the profeſſion of Souldiers, and of the Spaniſh Nation, affirming them to be the braveſt Friends, and the braveſt Enemies. I approved it in the Souldier, and contradicted it not in the Nation.

When they were come into an Inner Room, looking upon the Company as if they deſired to be private; I cauſed them to withdraw, but noting that they had brought an Interpreter with them, I prayed Sir James Blount, and Nathaniel Tomkins Clark of the Princes Councel, (who doth well underſtand the Spaniſh tongue) to abide with me.

Being private, they ſaid they came to viſit me, becauſe of the good intention, and well-wiſhing they underſtood I had to the accommodation of buſineſſes, and becauſe I ſtood named by his Majeſtie for the imployment into Germanie.

I acknowledged their coming to viſit me as a particular Favour, profeſſing my ſelf to be one of thoſe, who was able to do leaſt, but that I muſt and would in all things conform my ſelf to the will, and good pleaſure of the King my Maſter.

They were pleaſed to remember, and to take for argument of his Majeſties good opinion of me, to make me one of the Junta (as they called it) of the ſelected Councellours, and his imployment given me the laſt year as his Extraordinary Embaſſadour into Germany.

I told them I had been bred a Souldier, as their Excellencies had been, but that I wanted the capacity and abilities which they had, and that for want of Language (not affecting to ſpeak by an Interpreter) I had for born to wait on their Excellencies, as otherwiſe I would have done.

To that they returned the like Complement, and then ſaid, Their Maſter had ſent a good anſwer touching the Palatinate, and they aſſured me, that he would perform what he had promiſed with advantage.

I ſaid if it were ſo, I then hoped all things would ſort to a good end.

They then asked me how his Majeſtie, and the Lords were affected, and whether therewith they were ſatisfied, or no?

I anſwered, That I conceived their Excellencies knew his Majeſties mind as well as the Lords, for that they had ſo lately audience of him.

They ſaid. It was true, they had ſo, but not a private audience; nor could they obtain any, though they had much deſired the ſame, but that others were ſtill preſent.

I ſaid merely that they were two, and I believed that the King their Maſter had ſent as able and experienced Miniſters as he had any, and therefore his Majeſtie might peradventure think fit not to hear them alone.

They ſaid his Majeſtie might alone hear a thouſand Miniſters of any Kings, but if he ſhould be otherwiſe pleaſed, they well liked of the Princes being preſent; but they ſaid there were alſo other great Miniſters of the Kings, who wiſhed not well to their Maſters affairs.

I ſaid, There might therein be a miſtaking, or miſunderſtanding on their part; for if the King their Maſter mean ſo really as they ſaid, I conceived that no body would be willing to remove his Majeſtie from thoſe purpoſes, and that good affection which he bore unto his dear Brother the King of Spain.

The Marqueſſe ſaid in Engliſh, The King was a good King, and the Prince a good Prince, but ſome of their Miniſters they doubted were ill willers to them.

I asked if greater demonſtrations of reality could be deviſed, then had been given on the part of the King and Prince, inſtancing in the Prince his going in Perſon into Spain.

They confeſſed it, but as the times now were, they ſaid ill offices were done them.

I aſſured them, That I neither knew, nor underſtood of any; neither did I ever hear them ſpoken of, but with due reſpect had unto them, as to the Miniſters of a great King, and his Majeſties dear Brother.

They ſaid their meaning was not, that the ill offices were done to their Perſons, but to the great Buſineſſes, which a certain Perſon had ſhewed a willingneſſe to diſturb; but they hoped, that the intended amity between our Maſters would hold, and proceed nevertheleſſe.

I profeſſed, that I knew nothing to the contrary, neither underſtood I the particular at which they aymed.

The Marqueſſe ſwore as he was a Chriſtian, he knew that the King his Maſter did ſo truly, and really eſteem his dear Brother the King of England, and the Prince of Wales, that if they needed part of his blood, they ſhould have it for their good: But he complained, that they could not have their Meſſages delivered nor returned from the King of late, but qualified according to the pleaſures of others.

I ſaid, They miſconceived it, for I thought they had no cauſe to complain, ſeeing they now had, or might have (as I ſuppoſed) the Kings Ear when they craved it in due, and befitting times.

They ſeemed to deny it, alledging, That they could not get their Meſſages and Papers anſwered as aforetime.

I ſaid, When the Prince was in Spain, they had free acceſſe to his Majeſtie, whenſoever they deſired it.

Yea ſaid the Marqueſſe in Latine Tunc; but now, he ſaid, the caſe was altered.

I ſaid the King had given many teſtimonies to the world of his willingneſſe to comply with their Maſter, and Them: And if either his Majeſtie or the Prince ſeemed now more reſerved, and deliberate in their actions then heretofore, it might be that his Highneſſe had learned that wary and circumſpect proceeding in Spain, where they are ſaid to uſe it in matters of far leſſe moment.

They ſmiled hereat, and prayed me to continue my good intentions, and reſpects towards them, and to the joynt affairs of both our Maſters.

I ſaid, I would alwaies ſerve the King my Maſter, with a true and faithful heart, and ſo far as ſhould be agreeable to his deſires, and good liking, I would to my ſmall power be ready to ſerve them.

In Concluſion they ſaid, They came but to viſit me, but being come, they could not chooſe but ſay ſomething, and touch upon buſineſſe.

Arthur Chicheſter.

22. of May, 1624. Having made viſits at ſundry times to the Spaniſh Embaſſadours, I do here under my hand declare, what paſſed betwixt them and me, ſo neer as my memory ſerveth; leſt in my abſence any ſuch ma ter ſhould fall in queſtion, I now intending to travel for a ſpace.

VVHen his Highneſſe was in Spain, being upon my journy in Scotland, I went to Elie-Houſe to take my leave of Don Carlos, where Vanvail was preſent, I expreſſing much joy of the match, which in my mind would without all queſtion be perfected, did find no ſuch humour, nor inclination on their part, which did much aſtoniſh me; for they grumblingly did alleadge, that the King my Maſter did perform nothing that he promiſed, or how could any thing be expected the Infanta being here, whereas nothing was performed the Prince being in Spain? I beſought them to do better offices, then without reaſon to put jealouſies betwixt my Maſter, and theirs, who would never have ſent his ſon to Spain without a real intention. Which onely act was reaſon ſufficient to remove all doubts.

Yet did they ſtill continue their challenge of divers Bracks, ſpecially, anent the ſending of ſhips to Scotland to bring away the two Dunkirkers, and not perfecting ſuch conditions as were promiſed to Catholiques. I did intreat them again, that ſuch conceits of my Maſter might be removed, for they might be confident of full performance of what he had promiſed, by reaſon he had never broke his promiſe to any. I deſired them likewiſe to conſider with what love our Prince was gone, and what a ſtain it ſhould be to the State of Spain, if uncourteouſly he ſhould return with diſtaſt; Beſides, it might fall out to be the worſt act that ever they committed, where anent if they had love to their Maſter they would prove good Inſtruments. What was ſpoke by me in Engliſh was related in Spaniſh to Don Carlo, ſo was it to me what they ſpoke in Spaniſh. Sometimes Don Carlo ſpoke in French, ſo that not a word paſſed which each man did not know.

I went again after the Treaties were given up, and did remember Don Carlo of what I had foreſpoke, when the Marqueſſe was preſent and took the ſpeech; they did demand of me whether I was come of my ſelf, or by Commiſſion, for they profeſſed to account me their friend.

I anſwered that I came mee • ly of my ſelf, and was ſorrie that by their own deſerving, they had procured ſuch alterations and I thought ſtrange of ſuch demands as they had made at Hampton Court, which did both expreſſe much ſpleen, and lack of good intelligence. They did avow their demands were reaſonable; but, from that time they would make viſits to the Duke and love him better then before, becauſe they were in doubt before, but now they know him to be an Enemie. I did anſwer, that I was ſorrie for their proceeding, and was their friend ſo long as they were friends to my Maſter.

After a few haughty words, ſuch (as it was a wrong waie to deal with their Maſter by threatnings, who gave pay daily to 300000. Souldiers that they had followed the wars a long time, and had ſeen men killed by the Cannon, Musket, Pike, and ſword, but never ſaw men killed with words, they deſired me to ſpeak to his Majeſtie, that they might either be diſmiſſed, or have freedome to go about their buſineſſe with ſecurity. They did deſire me likewiſe to ſpeak to his Majeſtie, that the treatie for the Palatinate might continue.

I did demand of them how theſe two things did agree, both to threaten and intreat? whereupon they paſſed upon me with odd complaints. I went once more of late to give them a farwel. I ſaid, they proved themſelves good Servants to their Maſter in preſſing to raiſe jealouſies in this State, but they were now too well known to do harm. The Marqueſſe ſwore, that by this time the Infanta had been here, & the Palatinate reſtored, if the blame had not been on our Part. I did intreat I might be excuſed not to believe that. I did ask whether they did not condemn their own judgments in accuſing the Duke of Buckingham of that whereof he was cleared, both by the King, and State. Their anſwer was, He was cleared by thoſe who were his confiderates, all as guiltie as himſelf.

I demanded, why they ſhould ſtill expreſſe their malice againſt the Duke of Buckingham. Did they not think but our Prince was a man ſenſible of what injuries he had received? their anſwer was, if the Duke were out of the way, the Prince would be well diſpoſed. They ſaid farther, his Highneſſe was an obedient ſon before the Duke guided him, but ſince, he was not. So that when we ſpeak of his Majeſtie, they ſpeak with much reſpect, but for the Prince did not uſe them kindly, they did make the leſſe accompt of him. So after I took my leave and parted.

Nithisdail.

MUch I have omitted for brevitie, wherein they did expreſſe much reſpect to his Majeſtie, much of their threatning to the Duke of Buckingham.

The Lord Nithisdail to the Duke, 22 June, 1624. My moſt Noble Lord,

FInding matters at great uncertainty when I came hither, I reſolved to make farther tryal before I ſhould part from hence. What thanks is due to the Embaſſadours for their paineful, and diſcreet Carriage can hardly be expreſſed.

Matters now being drawn to ſuch a conformity (which I confeſſe I thought impoſſibilities, though withall I found much reſpect alwayes to the Prince with a ſenſible deſire of the Match expreſſed, both by the King, and thoſe I ſpake withal) our Embaſſadours ſeem ſtill to be diſcontent, that all things are not remitted to our Maſters verbal promiſe, which though it may be aſſurance ſufficient to all Catholiques, who have the ſence to conſider, that it muſt be our Maſters, and the Princes gracious diſpoſition muſt be our ſafety, more then either word or writ: yet the writ being deſired privately (as they pretend) merely to draw the Popes conſent (without the which nothing is to be finiſhed) the difference is not ſo great, their Princely promiſe being given already.

What cauſe of jealouſie the refuſing hereof ſhould procure, you may conſider: beſides, my judgment failes me, if a more eaſie way ſhall be aſſented unto upon this ſide. If the Embaſſadours have beſtirred themſelves to get this out of the publique Articles, I can bear witneſſe. Thus much I dare avow, that neither time nor place have been omitted by them to do good; though I muſt confeſſe, what intelligence I had in the proceeding, hath rather been from the French then from them. Their Reaſons (as I conceive) was their doubts, that did bring me hither, having neither Letters from the King, the Prince, nor your Grace.

Whereupon to remove theſe conceits, I ſhewed them, that I did onely take this in my way, intending to go ſee the Jubilees, wherewith though his Majeſtie, nor the Prince, neither yet your Grace were acquainted with at my parting, you will be pleaſed to make my excuſe. I am infinitely beholding to the Embaſſadours noble Courteſie, which I know hath proceeded from that relation which they know I have to you.

My Lord, let the happineſſe which ſhall come to the Prince by matching with ſuch a Lady, as I proteſt before God, hath thoſe perfections, to my thinking, can hardly be equalled, be a means to haſten a happy Concluſion; And let not matter of Ceremonie draw delayes where the ſubſtance is agreed upon. So ſhall all that belong to our Maſter be made happy, in general, and you in particular, for that love which thex expreſſe here to your ſelf.

Once more I humbly begg, you will conſider particularly upon each one of the Articles, and I hope you ſhall not find ſuch unreconcileable difference as an affected Puritan may pretend. Whereupon if I have looked more with eyes of a Papiſt then was fitting, it is my lack of judgment, and not of zeal to my Maſters Honour, which of all earthly things ſhall be preferred. Beſeeching God to give a happy ſucceſſe hereunto, with a ſound recovery of your own health, I humbly take my leave.

Your Graces Faithful ſervant, Nithisdail. Dated at Compion.

Sir Tobie Mathew to the King of Spain.

DOn Tobea Mathei Cavallero Yngles y Catholico Romano beſeecheth your Catholique Majeſtie with all humility and reverence, to give him leave to ſpeak theſe few words unto you.

He underſtandeth that the Theologos have perſiſted preciſely upon the Voto, which they gave before, and he findeth clearly that the Prince conceiveth, that he can by no means ſubmit himſelf thereunto with his Honour. And beſides, my Lord the King hath expreſly required him to return with all poſſible ſpeed, in caſe that Voto ſhould not be qualified. And it is certain that he will depart for England within very few daies. And whoſoever ſhall inform your Majeſtie, that the Treatie of this marriage may be really kept on foot after the departure of the Prince upon theſe terms, doth deceive your Majeſtie through the ignorance wherein he is of the State of England. So that the Prince departing thus, the Catholique Subjects of all my Lord the Kings Dominions are to be in lamentable caſe. For although the Prince did yeſterday vouchſafe to have Compaſſion of me in reſpect of the grief wherein he ſaw I had upon theſe occaſions, and to ſay, That although the marriage were broken, yet he would procure that his Catholique Subjects ſhould not fare the worſe for that; yet I know that it is morally impoſſible for that honourable deſign of his to take place in reſpect of the People, and the importunitie and malice of the Puritans, and eſpecially becauſe it will now be a caſe of meer neceſſitie for my Lord the King, to run in a courſe of very ſtraight Conjunction with them of his Parliament, that he may be able the better to ſerve himſelf of them in other occaſions: from which Parliament, as now the caſe will ſtand, what Catholique can expect any other then the extreamitie of rigour?

In conſideration whereof I caſt my ſelf with a ſad heart at the feet of your Majeſtie, beſeeching you, that you will take into your royal remembrance the love, which you owe, and procure to paie to our holy Mother, the Church, and that ſome courſe may be taken, and with ſpeed (for otherwiſe it will be too late to give the Prince ſome foot of ground upon which he may be able to ſtand in ſuch ſort, as that without loſſe of honour, and breach of that word, which he hath given to the world, and without prejudice to that obedience, which he oweth to the leaſt commandement of the King his Father; his Highneſſe may be inabled to comply with the incomparable affection which he beareth the Infanta your Majeſties Siſter. And that by meanes hereof the two Crowns may be kindly in perfect union, and the Catholique religion may be highly advantaged, not only in the Dominions of my Lord the King, but in many other parts of Chriſtendom, into which the Authority of theſe Dominions doth flow.

For my part, I take the eternall God to witneſſe, whom I procure to ſerve, and who hath given me a heart, which diſclaimeth from all other intereſſes then to ſerve God, and my King, that I conceive my ſelf not to comply with a good conſcience without laying this proteſtation under the Eye of your Majeſtie, that if the Catholique ſubjects of the King my Lord ſhall grow liable to perſecution, or affliction by occaſion of breaking this Match, through the diſguſt of the King my Lord and his Councel, or through the power, which infallibly the Puritans aſſembled in Parliament will have with him upon this occaſion, that blood, or miſerie whatſoever, it may partly be required at their hands who have adviſed your Majeſtie not to accept of thoſe large conditions for Catholiques which my Lord the King and the Prince have condeſcended to, and of that more then moral Securitie which they have offered for the performance thereof.

And on the other ſide, I undertake to your Majeſtie, under the pain of infamie, in caſe that be not made good which here I affirm, that if your Majeſtie will be pleaſed to give ſome ſuch ground to the Prince, as whereupon he may with Honour ſtay, and perfect the Treatie of the Marriage by any ſuch way, or means, as may occur to your Majeſties royal wiſdom, the whole bodies of the Catholiques in England both religious, and ſecular, ſhall acknowledge it as a great bleſſing of God, and ſhall oblige themſelves to pray inceſſantly for your happie Eſtate &c.

Sir Tobie Mathew to the Dutcheſſe of Buckingham, 9. June 1625. Madam,

THere was no cauſe till now, why I ſhould trouble your Ladyſhip with preſenting my unprofitable ſervice to you: but now I ſhall venture to do it, by reaſon of the good newes I ſhall ſend with it.

For our Queen arrived here yeſterday, and I was glad at the heart to ſee her ſuch, as ſhe had ſeemed; ſhe is more grown then I had thought, being higher by half the head then my Ladie Marqueſſe. And whatſoever they ſay, believe me, ſhe ſits already upon the very skirts of womanhood. Madam, upon my faith ſhe is a moſt ſweet lovely Creature, and hath a countenance which opens a window into her heart, where a man may ſee all Nobleneſſe and Goodneſſe; and I dare venture my head (upon the little skill I have in Phyſiognomie) that ſhe will be extraordinarily beloved by our Nation, and deſerve to be ſo; and that the actions of her ſelf, which are to be her own, will be excellent. Me thought I diſcerned in her countenance a little remnant of ſadneſſe, which the freſh wound of parting from the Queen Mother might have made, yet perhaps I was deceived. Her Aattyre was very plain, for ſo Great a Queen can be thought to have nothing mean about her. But I hope that amongſt many other bleſſings, which God, will have provided for us by her means, her example will be able to teach our Countrie wit in this kind.

I had the happineſſe to ſee, and hear her at a ſhort diſtance, by the Commandement which my Lady of Buckingham laid upon me to interpret for her, and believe me, ſhe is full of wit, and hath a lovely manner in expreſſing it. But I confeſſe I was ſorrie with all my heart, to hear that her courage was ſo great, as to carry her inſtantly (after my Ladie of Buckingham had taken her leave for that time) to Sea in a poore little boate in the company of her brother, whom yet, I have not had the honour to ſee. I dare give my word for her, that ſhe is not afraid of her own ſhadow, who could find in her heart to put her ſelf at the firſt ſight, upon an element of that danger, and diſeaſe for meer paſtime; Unleſſe it were perhaps that ſhe might carrie ſome Steel about her, and that there is ſome Adamant at Dover, which already might begin to draw her that way.

I am extreamly ſorrie, that we have loſt the hope of ſeeing the two other Queens, for if they had come, we might have had beautie here as well in the preterperfect, and in the preſent tenſe, as now we have in the future.

But the Queen Mothers indiſpoſition hath arreſted her at Amiens in puniſhment of that malice, wherewith ſhe diſſembled it too long at the firſt, through the extream deſire ſhe had of coming hither.

Our Queen received my Lady of Buckingham with ſtrange courteſie and favour, and now there is no remedy but that the King will needs defray and treat her after a high manner. And I have been told that Mounſieur will needs deſcend ſo much as to viſit her in her lodging; and the Dutcheſſe of Chevereux (being that great Princeſſe, as ſhe is, both by match, and bloud) will perforce give precedence not onely to my Ladie of Buckingham, but to my Ladies her daughters alſo: And I aſſure my ſelf, that a leſſe puiſſant example then this will ſerve to convert our Great Ladies, even to exceed in England towards the Ladies which are ſtrangers, and do but come, and go.

But the while this Court doth ſo apply it ſelf to do my Lady of Buckingham all imaginable honour, I look on it ſo, as that I am no way diſcouraged thereby from bearing devotion to the bleſſed Virgin, when I ſee that men, who are ſick of love towards the Son, are put even by a kind of Law of nature into pain, till they revenge themſelves upon the Mother. I beſeech Jeſus, &c.

From Bulloign. • .

Dr. Sharp to King James. The Complaint of Europe our Mother, aged, and oppreſſed,

TO whom? To the Kings and Princes of Europe. Of whom? Of the Pope of Rome. For what matter? For cauſing by his Catholique League ſo much bloud to be ſpilt within theſe few yeares in Europe. To this effect, as that excellent Poet ſpeaks, with a little change of his words, Quis non Europaeo ſanguine pinguior. Campus ſepulchris impia praelia Teſtatur? auditum que Turcis Europaeae ſonitum ruinae? Qui gurges aut quae flumina lugubris Ignara belli? quo Mare Civicae Non decoloravere caedes? Quae Caret ora cruore noſtro?

And what further danger is it like to breed? Even to bring the Turk into Auſtria, Italy, Germany, into Vienna, and into Rome it ſelf, as it hath brought him into Pannonia, and of late into Pollonia to the great danger of all Chriſtendome. Which danger ſhe doth foreſee, and lament, and telleth, That no European King hath ſought to compound theſe bloudy home-quarrels but the King of Great Brittain. She moſt humbly deſires the reſt of the Princes, that they would Commiſerate her moſt afflicted eſtate; her Cities taken, her houſes ſpoiled, her children murthered, her Matrons and Virgins defloured, her waies full of Thieves, her Seas of Pyrates, all the helps of life taken from her in many parts, her flocks and herds ſcattered, her Tillage ceaſed, her Trade decayed, the Lawes ſilent, Learning fallen, good manners ruined, neither fear of God left, nor care of men, that all things ſeem to tend to the firſt Chaos, &c. And therefore ſhe doth beſeech the Princes to whoſe truſt God hath committed, not to whoſe power he hath permitted his two Wards, two Twins, the Common Wealth, and the Church as to Guardians, that they will look better to their charge.

And firſt, not ſuffer the Common Wealth of Chriſtendom by their armes (at the Popes ſecret inſtigation) to be deſtroyed, and to this end ſhe firſt uſeth the example of good Heathen Emperours to perſwade them as Auguſtus, Vespaſian, Titus, Nerva, Trajan, Antoninus, Marcus Aurelius, Alexander Severus, Probus; that they will ſettle peace at home, and by joynt Forces make War abroad upon the Common enemy of their Kingdomes, and ſo make the Common-Wealth to Honour them, being made by them, rich in wealth, ſtrong in power, famous in glory, honeſt in manners, the felicity of every earthly Common-Wealth.

Now for the other Ward, or Twin, the Church, the Heavenly Common-Wealth, becauſe ſhe hath before profeſſed, that as ſhe had been long a Pagan, ſo now by the Grace of God, hath long been a Chriſtian, and did take this to be her greateſt honour, to be the harbour of the Chriſtian Church, ſhe ſtirres them up to be more careful by the example of the beſt Chriſtian Emperours, Conſtantine, Jovinian, Gratian, Theodoſius, Arcadius, Honorius, Charlemaign, and his Sons Lotharius, and Lodovicus, to defend her from hereſies within, and from violence without.

And now ſhe begins to tell them, That as one walking with others in the Sun; not thinking on it, muſt needs be Sun-burned; ſo ſhe walking with her reformed children in this new-riſen Sun of the Goſpel of Chriſt, did feel her ſelf coloured (as it were) with the Spirit of Chriſt, by obſerving the differences between the two Churches with great indifferencie.

Here becauſe ſhe hath before challenged the Pope and the Jeſuites of cruelty, and perſwading firſt, that as men they ſhould ſpare humane bloud.

Secondly, as Europeans they ſhould ſpare European blood.

Thirdly, as Chriſtians they ſhould ſpare Chriſtian blood.

She is firſt thus anſwered by the Pope ſpeaking for himſelf, and his Jeſuites, That they are not the authors of ſhedding Chriſtian blood, but haeretical blood: And that her reformed ſonnes (as ſhe terms them) are not Chriſtians, becauſe they be no Catholiques; And therefore Hereticks to be taken away by death, according to the ſentence of St. Paul, Haereticum hominem post unam aut alteram admonitionem devita; Hoc eſt de vita tolle, as Cardinal Allen doth expound it, and according to the Decree of the Councel of Lateran.

And where I pray you was this your Reformed Church before Luther? And as for my Jeſuites you call them bloudy, even as you call your Phyſitians bloodie, who for driving away a Peſtilential Feaver, do take more corrupt and putrified blood from the party then they would.

And thereupon, he doth twitt Europe as an old doting Sibylla, in her youth, being the Concubine of one Taurus, whom ſhe feigned to be Jupiter, to cover her fault, with the greatneſſe of her lover, who did alſo give her the name of this divided World, that by the honour of her title, ſhe might excuſe the ſhame of her fact; And bytes the fond Oratour, that put this perſon upon her, a whelp of Luthers, that makes this Minion to accuſe him before the Princes of Homicide, or an inſenſible piece of Earth to plead his Cauſe.

To which Europe anſwereth,

Firſt, for her ſelf;

Then for the Church.

This Summe I thought good to preſent to your Majeſtie, if it pleaſe your judgment, I ſhall bring the whole work to your Majeſtie when I am recovered.

And thus craving pardon of your Majeſtie for troubling your greater thoughts, though this tend to the good of Chriſtendome which you intend, I reſt

Your Majeſties Moſt humble Chaplain, Leonel Sharp.

Dr. Sharp to the Duke of Buckingham. May it pleaſe your Grace,

IT is not my purpoſe to adviſe, but to attend what others ſhall determine of the Match of the Palatinate; but if that be broken off, and this not reſtored according to promiſe, every one may conceive that Peace muſt give place to War abroad; but with whom, and where, and how it is to be made, it is for an higher Councel, then for any private man to reſolve.

Peace were beſt, if it had Nihil infidiarum, as Tully ſaith; but it is to be feared that the malice of the Catholique League doth, and will hinder the work of the Kings moſt Noble and Chriſtian heart, and then it will be a War wrapt in the name of Peace.

A juſt War is the exerciſe of Faith, as Peter Martyr well collects out of thoſe Wars which thoſe Worthie Kings and Princes Heb. 11. fought for their God and his Iſrael: ſo war is juſt which is made for the maintenance of Gods true religion, and for the ſafety of the Common Wealth, either for the keeping of that we have, or recovering of that we have loſt.

Every one therefore doth rejoyce to ſee the King and his Subjects ſo joyned in love together, and in the purpoſe of this defence, every one I mean that is a true Chriſtian, and good ſubject; and do wiſh that two things preſently were added, care at home to Coupe up all falſe-hearted Subjects, that are known, and proviſion to meet with the ſecret, and open practiſes of ſuch forraign Enemies, as are like to abet them

The good policies of the former reign in ſuch times is the beſt preſident for this at this time. The heads were then committed liberali Cuſtodiae, divided from their inferiour parts, the Papiſts diſarmed, their clawes pared, that they might not hurt us, the lawes executed upon the Jeſuites and Prieſts, fire-brands of ſedition, and rebellion withal: Or if not blood drawn of them, yet cloſe impriſonment, or baniſhment enjoyned them.

Large ſubſidies granted to prepare the Navie, and pay the armies. And a great while no war proclaimed, but brave Adventurers ſent forth as to Portugal, the Groine, to the Weſt-Indies, &c. And before Letters of repriſal granted to the Marchants to make up their loſſes, a Rowland, for an Oliver, becauſe they had granted Letters of Mart againſt us. By this meanes Carricks were brought in, the treaſure of their Weſt-Indian mines laid for at their return, ſo to make war upon them with their own mony, till they had made the enemie bankerout,Auſb • ug. and to break with their banquers of Auſpurg, and Genua, that he was not able to pay his Souldiers, and garriſons; and ſtill the Low-countries ſtrongly aſſiſted, and war made upon the enemie there, or at home, at his own doores, which was more Noble, gainful and ſafe for us; for we ſtill had peace and plenty at home, though war abroad.

I know not how the eaſe ſtands now between us, and the Spaniards, but me thinks it ſhould not be very well, when nothing will ſatisfie him, but the head of him, that ſpake the truth for the good of the King and kingdom. Certainly if we break with him, as they which ſit at the Helm know what is beſt to do, he is readie to ſtrike, and will peradventure ſtrike quickly before we be fully prepared, therefore our preparations had need to be more ſpeedie, & thorough, loſt we fall into the ſnare. While they were treating of peace in 88. they did even then invade us. I pray God they have not uſed this treatie of marriage to as bad a purpoſe; for it ſeemes they never did intend it, but for delayes, and to make it ſerve their turn, they have plainly abuſed us in the Palatinate therereby. But I can ſay nothing for the preſent, yet what is to be done, it is proper to an higher judgment; onely I tell what was then, when we were enemies.

I remember in 88. waiting upon the Earl of Leiceſter at Tilbury Camp, and in 89. going into Portugal with my Noble Maſter the Earl of Eſſex, I learned ſomewhat fit to be imparted to your Grace.

The Queen lying in the Campe one night, guarded with her armie, the old Lord Treaſurer Burleigh came thither, and delivered to the Earl the examination of Don Pedro, who was taken, and brought in by Sir Francis Drake, which examination the Earl of Leiceſter delivered unto me to publiſh to the armie in my next ſermon. The ſum of it was this.

Don Pedro being asked what was the intent of their coming,Don Pedro's Confeſſion. ſtoutly anſwered the Lords, What? But to ſubdue your Nation, and root it out.

Good, ſaid the Lords, and what meant you then to do with the Catholiques? He anſwered, We meant to ſend them (good men) directly unto Heaven, as all you that are Heretiques to hell. Yea but ſaid the Lords, what meant you to do with your whips of cord, and wyer? (whereof they had great ſtore in their ſhips) What? ſaid he, We meant to whip you Heretiques to death, that have aſſiſted my Maſters Rebels, and done ſuch diſhonours to our Catholique King, and people? Yea, but what would you have done (ſaid they) with their young Children? They (ſaid he) which were above ſeven yeares old, ſhould have gone the way their fathers went, the reſt ſhould have lived, branded in the forehead with the Letter L. for Lutheran, to perpetual bondage.

This I take God to witneſſe I received of thoſe great Lords upon examination taken by the Councel, and by commandement delivered it to the armie.

The Queen the next morning rode through all the Squadrons of her armie, as Armed Pallas attended by Noble Footmen, Leiceſter, Eſſex, and Norris then Lord Marſhal, and divers other great Lords. Where ſhe made an excellent Oration to her armie, which the next day after her departure, I was commanded to redeliver to all the Armie together, to keep a Publique Faſt.

The Lord Cromwell to the Duke, 8. Septemb. 1625. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Am now returned from mine own home, and am here at Fulham neer Mr. Burlemachi, making my ſelf ready to attend your Command in the beſt manner my poor fortunes will give me leave, and with what ſpeed I may. Some things I have ſent to Plymouth, and ſome Gentlemen, ſo as when I come there, I hope to find that your Lordſhip hath appointed me a good ſailing ſhip, and one, that ſhall be able to play her part with the beſt and proudeſt enemy, that dare look danger in the face.

Though your Grace hath placed a Noble Gentleman in the Regiment was intended to my Lord of Eſſex, yet I will not deſpair of your favour, or that you will not give me ſome taſte of it as well as to any other. I will ſtudy to be a deſerving Creature, and whether you will pleaſe to look on me with an affectionate eye or no, I will love, honour, and ſerve you, with no leſſe truth, and faith, then thoſe you have moſt obliged. What concerns me, I will not here ſpeak of for fear I offend. My prayers ſhall ever attend you, and my curſes thoſe, that wiſh you worſe then their own ſoules. Divers I do meet, that ſay your Grace hath parted with your place of the Maſterſhip of the Horſe, which makes the world ſuſpect, that ſome disfavour your Lordſhip is growing into: And that this prime feather of yours being loſt, or parted with (be it as it will) it will not be long ere the reſt follow.

They offer to lay wagers, the Fleet goes not this year, and that of neceſſitie ſhortly a Parliament muſt be, which when it comes, ſure it will much diſcontent you. It is wondered at, that ſince the King did give ſuch great gifts to the Dutcheſſe of Chevereux, and thoſe, that then went, how now a ſmall ſumme in the Parliament ſhould be called for at ſuch an unſeaſonable time: And let the Parliament ſit when it will, begin they will, where they ended. They ſay the beſt Lords of the Councel knew nothing of Count Mansfelts journey, or this Fleet, which diſcontents even the beſt ſort, if not all; They ſay it is a very great burthen, your Grace takes upon you, ſince none knowes any thing but you. It is conceived, that not letting others bears part of the burthen you now bear, it may ruine you; (which heaven forbid) Much diſcourſe there is of your Lordſhip here, and there, as I paſſed home, and back, and nothing is more wondered at, then that one Grave man is not known to have your Ear except my good, and Noble Lord Conway. All men ſay, if you go not with the Fleet you will ſuffer in it, becauſe if it proſper, it will be thought no act of yours; and if it ſucceed ill, they ſay it might have been better, had not you guided the King. They ſay your undertakings in the Kingdom, and your Engagements for the Kingdome, will much prejudice your Grace.

And if God bleſſe you not with goodneſſe as to accept kindly, what in dutie and love, I here offer; queſtionleſſe my freedom in letting you know the diſcourſe of the world, may much prejudice me. But if I muſt loſe your favour, I had rather loſe it for ſtriving to do you good in letting you know the talk of the wicked world, then for any thing elſe, ſo much I heartily deſire your proſperitie, and to ſee you trample the ignorant multitude under foot.

All I have ſaid is the diſcourſe of the world, and when I am able to judge of your actions, I will freely tell your Lordſhip my mind. Which when it ſhall not be alwaies really inclined to ſerve you, may all noble thoughts forſake me. Becauſe I ſeldom am honoured with your Ear, I thus make bold with your all-diſcerning eye, which I pray God may be inabled with power and ſtrength, daily to ſee into them that deſire your ruine. Which if it once be, I will never believe, but ſo good a King will conſtantly inable you daily with power to confound them.

Many men would not be thus bold and ſaucie. If I find you diſtaſte me for my reſpect to you. I will reſpect my poor ſelf (who ever hath honoured you) ſo much as hereafter to be ſilent. So I kiſſe the noble hands of your Grace.

Your Lordſhips ſervant, during life, Tho. Cromwell.

Sir Robert Philips to the Duke of Buckingham, 21. Auguſt, 1624. May it pleaſe your Grace,

BEfore the receipt of that Diſpatch, with which you were pleaſed to honour me from Apthorp, dated the laſt of July, I was fully determined at your return to Woodſtock, to have preſented your Grace my moſt humble and faithful ſervice, and by that means to have obtained the knowledge in what ſtate and condition of health you had paſſed this part of the progreſſe. Your former weakneſſe, together with the dangerous temper of the ſeaſon, giving me cauſe both to doubt, and pray againſt the worſt; But I found my ſelf then to be more ſtrictly obliged to the performance of this dutie, when I received from your Grace ſo clear, and abundant a teſtimonie, as well of your good opinion, as of the truſt you repoſed in me. Obligations certainly of that nature, and of ſo large an extent as do with reaſon deprive me of all degree of libertie, and juſtly ſubject me to a perpetual ſtate of ſervitude, and obedience to all your Graces Commandements.

I have diligently peruſed my Lord of Briſtols anſwer, which it pleaſed your Grace to communicate unto me. And although it become me not, neither will I preſume to give my opinion of the ſtrength, or weakneſſe thereof, yet will I take the liberty to ſay thus much, That I find in his caſe that to be verified which I have obſerved at other times, (to wit) That when able and prudent men come to act their own Parts, they are then for the moſt part not of the cleareſt ſight, and do commonly commit ſuch errours, as are both diſcernable and avoidable, even by men of mean abilities.

Being now fallen to ſpeak of this Lord, I humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to give me leave plainly and briefly to ſet before you ſome Cogitations of mine own, touching his preſent occaſion.

Firſt, that it may be maturely conſidered, Whether the tendring him any further charge, unto which he may be able to frame a probable ſatisfactorie anſwer, will not rather ſerve to declare his innocencie, then to prepare his Condemnation, and ſo inſtead of preſſing him, reflect back with diſadvantage upon the proceeding againſt him.

Secondly, That your Grace would be pleaſed to conſult with your ſelf, whether you may not deſiſt from having him further queſtioned, without either blemiſh to your Honour, or manifeſt prejudice to the ſervice: Conſidering that you have (to your perpetual glory) already diſſolved and broken the Spaniſh partie, and rendred them without either the means, or the hope of ever conjoyning in ſuch ſort together again, as may probably give the leaſt diſturbance or impediment to your Graces waies and deſigns.

And laſtly, Although his Lordſhip in ſundry places of his anſwer, eſpecially in the latter part, doth ſeem directly to violate the rule of theProvident. prudent Marriner, who in foul weather, and in a ſtorm, is accuſtomed (to prevent ſhipwrack) rather to pull down, then to ſet up his ſailes. Nevertheleſſe as this caſe ſtands, it deſerves to be thorowly pondered, which of the two waies will moſt conduce to your Graces purpoſe, and is likely to receive the beſt interpretation and ſucceſs, either to have him dealt with after a quick and round manner, or otherwiſe to proceed ſlowly and moderately with him, permiting him for a time to remain where he is, as a man laid aſide, and in the way to be forgotten. A ſtate of being (if I miſtake not his complexion) which will be by him apprehended equivalent to the ſevereſt and ſharpeſt cenſure, that poſſibly can be inflicted on him.

Thus have I over-boldly adventured to preſent unto your Grace, theſe few Queries and Propoſals, which they might be both inlarged, and more forcibly urged; yet to avoid the being too tedious, I have choſen to omit the further inſiſting upon them, till ſuch time, as I may have the honour and felicitie of being neer your perſon. At this preſent it ſhall ſuffice, humbly to beſeech your Grace, to be aſſuredly perſwaded, that what I have now delivered in this ſubject, doth not proceed from any over indulgent reſpect I bear either to the perſon, or fortune of my Lord of Briſtol; though I ſhould not be ſorry, that like a prudent man he might by his diſcreet application to your Grace, render himſelf capable to be again readmitted to your love and favour. But the motive which hath induced me principally to uſe this plainneſſe and libertie, is the Conſideration, how importantly (as I conceive) the well ordering and diſpoſing this particular, doth concern your Graces ſervice. Unto the advancement and furtherance whereof, if I may be able now, or at any time to contribute the leaſt proportion, I ſhall eſteem my ſelf moſt happie, and more then abundantly rewarded, in caſe that my right humble endeavours in that kind may receive from your Grace a favourable and acceptable conſtruction.

I will conclude this Letter with a twofold prayer; firſt to you for my ſelf, that your Grace will be pleaſed to pardon this boldneſſe. Next to God for you, that he will give you health, and length of daies for his Majeſties ſervice, and the good and honour of this Common-wealth. I humbly crave leave to remain

Your Graces Moſt obedient and devoted ſervant, Rob. Philips.

The Earl of Middleſex to the Duke. Right Noble, and my most honoured Lord,

I Have received divers Letters from your Lordſhip ſince your going from Theobalds, which though they concern ſeveral men, and in ſundry kinds, yet they all conclude upon diminution of his Majeſties eſtate, contrary to your general ground, when his Majeſtie delivered me the Staffe, and contrary to your Lordſhips private directions given me at Theobalds, with which I did your Lordſhip the right to acquaint the King.

I have of late had cauſe to take into conſideration the miſerable condition of my preſent eſtate, who ſince I received the ſtaffe, have led ſuch a life, as my very enemies pity me, which I foreſaw, the diſtraction of the Kings eſtate, and burthen of that place, would of neceſſitie throw upon me. Yet my dutie, love and thankfulneſſe to his Majeſtie, and my love and thankfulneſſe to you, contrary to my own judgment, and advice of my friends, made me undertake it, little expecting theſe Croſſe accidents, which have lyen heavy upon me, and more troubled me, then the continual cares and vexations of my place.

I do moſt freely and willingly acknowledge one man cannot be more bound unto another, then I am to your Lordſhip; and if I do not make a thankful return, let me be held an ungrateful Monſter, which is the worſt of Villains.

I have been ſo ambitious as to deſire to extend my gratitude ſo far, as that the King may have cauſe to thank you for preferring me, and that your Lordſhip may bleſſe the time you did it. To effect that, I ſhall delight to live a miſerable life for a time. The courſe which muſt of neceſſitie be held to do it, I will acquaint your Lordſhip with very ſhortly, which I hope you will be pleaſed to approve, and aſſiſt me in. And then I will expreſſe my thankfulneſſe to you that way: If that courſe ſhall not like you, I will not onely deliver you up my places, but whatſoever I hold from the King, and live privately upon mine own eſtate. For I will never ſell ſo good and gracious a Maſter, nor ſo noble and conſtant a friend ruined, and undone. God bleſſe you, and ſend you your hearts deſire. As for my ſelf, I never deſired to quit the World, and all the fooleries in it, till now.

Your Lordſhips Faithfulleſt ſervant, and Kinſman, Middleſex.

The Earl of Middleſex to his Majeſtie, 26. April, 1624. Sacred Majeſtie, and my moſt gracious Maſter,

YOur goodneſſe is ſuch to me your oppreſſed ſervant in this my time of perſecution, as I know not how to expreſſe my thankfulneſſe otherwiſe then by pouring forth my humble and heartie prayers to the great God of heaven and earth, to grant your Majeſtie all happineſſe here, and everlaſting happineſſe hereafter.

Between 5. and 6. of the clock upon Saturday in the evening, I received my Charge from the Lords aſſembled in Parliament, with an Order, by which I am commanded to make my appearance at the Bar upon Thurſday next by 9. of the clock in the morning with my anſwer: And in the mean time to examine my witneſſes.

This Charge of mine hath been in preparing, by examining of witneſſes upon oath, and otherwiſe, 23. daies. And hath been weighed by the Wiſdom of both Houſes, and doth concern me ſo neerly in point of honour, and faith to your Majeſtie to anſwer well, as I value my life at nothing in compariſon of it.

I may grieve, though I will not complain of any thing my Lords ſhall be pleaſed to Command; but do hope, that upon a ſecond conſideration they will not think three daies a fitting time for me to make my Anſwer, and to examine witneſſes in a cauſe of ſuch importance, and ſo neerly concerning me, when twenty three daies hath been ſpent almoſt from morning until night in preparing my Charge.

I know the Houſe (whoſe Judgment I ſhall never deſire to wave) is the proper place for me to move to be reſolved herein, and therefore ſhall upon Wedneſday morning make my humble motion there to have 7. daies longer time, as well to make my anſwer, and apparance, as to examine my witneſſes, which are many, and upon ſeveral heads.

But becauſe the Prince his Highneſſe, and many of the Principal Lords are now with your Majeſtie at VVindſor, my moſt humble ſuit to your Majeſtie is, That you would be pleaſed to move them on my behalf, to yield me ſo much further time, that my Cauſe may not ſuffer prejudice for want of time to make my juſt defence, that which I have propounded being as moderate as is poſſible.

With my moſt humble and heartie prayer to Almightie God for continuance of your health with all happineſſe, I humbly kiſſe your Royal hands, and will ever reſt

Your Majeſties moſt humble, &c. Middelſex.

The Earl of Carlile to his Majestie, 14. February. 1623. My it pleaſe your moſt Excellent Majeſtie,

THough my preſent indiſpoſition deprives me of the Honour to attend your Majeſtie with the reſt of the Commiſſioners, with whom your Majeſty was pleaſed to aſſociate me; yet I moſt humbly beſeech your Majeſtie to give me leave in all humility to repreſent unto your Majeſtie, what my heart conceiveth to be moſt for your Majeſties ſervice in the preſent conjuncture of your affaires. During this time of my diſtemper, I have been viſited by divers Gentlemen of quality, who are Parliament-men, none of thoſe popular, and plauſible Oratours, but ſolid, and judicious good patriots, who fear God, and honour the King. Out of their diſcourſes I collect, That there are three things, which do chiefly trouble your people.

The firſt, that for the ſubſidies granted, the two laſt Parliaments, they have received no retribution by any bills of Grace.

The ſecond, that ſome of their Burgeſſes were proceeded againſt after the Parliament were diſſolved.

And the third, that they miſdoubt, that when they ſhall have ſatisfied your Majeſties demands and deſires, you will nevertheleſſe proceed to the concluſion of the Spaniſh match. It would be too much importunity to trouble your Majeſtie with the ſeveral anſwers, which I made to their objections, and would be too great preſumption in mee to adviſe your Majeſties incomparable wiſdome what ſhould be fitteſt to be done for your Majeſties honour, and the contentment of the people; yet if it would pleaſe my Lord the King to give his humbleſt Creature leave to give vent to the loyal fervour of his heart, reſtleſſe, and indefatigable in continual meditation of his Gracious Maſters honour and ſervice, I would thus with all humble ſubmiſſion explain my ſelf. That there is nothing which either the enemies of this State, or the perverſe induſtry of falſe-hearted ſervants could invent more miſchievous, then the miſunderſtandings which have grown between your Majeſtie, and your people: nothing that will more diſhearten the envious Maligners of your Majeſties felicity, and incourage your true hearted friends, and Servants, then the removing of thoſe falſe feares, and jealouſies, which are meer imaginarie Phantaſmes, and bodies of ayr eaſily diſſipated, whenſoever it ſhall pleaſe the ſun of your Majeſtie, to ſhew it ſelf clearly in its native brightneſſe, luſtre, and goodneſſe.

God and the World do know the ſcope, and the end of all your Majeſties pious affections, and endeavours to have been no other, then the ſetling of an univerſal peace in Chriſtendom; (a felicity only proper for your Majeſties time, and only poſſible to be procured by your incomparable goodneſſe, and wiſdom) but ſince the malice of the Divel, and deceitful men, have croſſed thoſe fair wayes wherein your Majeſtie was proceeding, abuſing your truſt, and goodneſſe, (as Innocencie, and goodneſſe are alwayes more eaſily betrayed then wilineſſe, and malice) you muſt now caſt about again, and ſail by another point of the compaſſe, and I am confident your Majeſtie will more ſecurely, and eaſily attain, your Noble and pious end, though the way be different.

The meanes are briefly theſe three.

Firſt let your Majeſties enemies ſee, that the Lion hath teeth, and clawes.

2. Next, imbrace and invite a ſtrict, and ſincere friendſhip, and aſſociation with thoſe whom neighbourhood and alliance, and common intereſt of ſtate and religion have joyned unto you.

3. And laſt of all, caſt off, and remove jealouſies, which are between your Majeſtie and your people.

Your Majeſtie muſt begin with the laſt, for upon that foundation, you may afterwards ſet what frame of building you pleaſe. And when ſhould you begin (Sir) but at this overture of your Parliament by a gracious, clear, and confident diſcovery of your intentions to your People. Fear them not (Sir) never was there a better King, that had better ſubjects, if your Majeſtie would truſt them. Let them but ſee, that you love them, and conſtantly rely upon their humble advice and readie aſſiſtance, and your Majeſtie will ſee, how they will tear open their breaſts, to give you their hearts, and having them, your Majeſtie is ſure of their hands, and purſes. Caſt but away ſome crums of your Crown amongſt them, and your Majeſtie will ſee thoſe crums will make a miracle, they will ſatisfie many thouſands. Give them aſſurance that your heart was alwayes at home, though your eyes were abroad; invite them to looke forward, and not backward, and conſtantly maintain, that with confidence you undertake, and your majeſtie will find admirable effects of this harmonious concord. Your Majeſtie as the head directing, and your people as the hands and feet, obeying and co-operating for the honour, ſafety, and welfare of the bodie of the State. This will revive, and reunite your friends abroad, and diſmay, and diſappoint the hopes of your enemies, ſecure your Majeſties perſon, aſſure your eſtate, and make your memorie glorious to poſterity.

Pardon I moſt humbly beſeech your Majeſtie, this licentious freedome, which the zeal of your ſafetie and ſervice, hath extorted from a tongue-tyed man, who putteth his heart into his Majeſties hand, and humbly proſtrateth himſelf at your Royal feet, as being

Your Majeſties Moſt humble, moſt obedient obliged Creature, Subject, and Servant, Carlile.

The Earl of Carlile to the Duke, the 20. of November, 1625. My moſt Noble dear Lord,

SInce my Laſt to your Lordſhip by Mr. Endimion Porter, there hath not happened any matter of great moment, or alteration here, ſaving the reſolution (which his Majeſtie hath taken by the advice of his Councel) for the diſarming of all the Popiſh Lords. In the execution whereof there fell out a brabble at the Lord Vaux his houſe in, North-hamptonſhire, wherein there were ſome blowes exchanged between the ſaid Lord, and Mr. Knightly, a Juſtice of the Peace, who aſſiſted the Deputie Lievtenant in that action. Whereof complaint being made, his Majeſtie was pleaſed himſelf in Councel to have the hearing of the buſineſſe, and upon examination to refer the judgement thereof to the Star-Chamber the next Term. But at the iſſuing out of the Councel Chamber, the Lord Vaux taking occaſion to ſpeak to Sir William Spencer, (who with the reſt had given information in favour of Mr. Knightly,) told him, that though he neglected his reputation before the Lords, yet he doubted not, but he would have more care of his oath when the buſineſſe ſhould come to Examination in the Star-Chamber. Herewith Sir VVilliam Spencer finding his reputation challenged, preſently complained, and thereupon the words being acknowledged, the Lord Vaux was committed priſoner to the Fleet.

In the diſarming of the Lords-Recuſants, there was as much reſpect had of ſome, who have relation to your Lordſhip, as you your ſelf would deſire.

The Papiſts in general here do give ſome cauſe of jealouſie by their Combinations and Murmurings, wherein it is ſuſpected, that they are as fondly, as buſily encouraged by the pragmatical Mounſieurs. But his Majeſties temper and wiſdom will be ſufficient to prevent all inconveniencie, which their follie or paſſion may contrive. There is one Sir Thomas Gerrard a Recuſant brought up hither out of Lancaſhire, being accuſed of ſome treacherous deſign againſt his Majeſties Perſon. Rochel is ſo ſtraightly blocked by Sea and Land, as no Intelligence can be ſent into the Town. We have not as yet any clear Categorical anſwers touching the reſtitution of our ſhips. As ſoon as any thing more worthy of your Lordſhips knowledge ſhall occur, you ſhall not fail to be advertiſed from him that is eternally vowed

Your Graces Moſt faithful friend, and moſt humble ſervant, Carlile.

The Earl of Carlile to the Duke. My moſt Noble dear Lord,

I Muſt ever acknowledge my ſelf infinitely obliged to your Lordſhip for many Noble favours; but for none more, then the freedome, and true cordial friendſhip expreſſed in your laſt Letter touching my ſon; And I ſhall humbly beſeech your Lordſhip in all occaſions to continue that free and friendly manner of proceeding, which I ſhall ever juſtly eſteem as the moſt real teſtimonie of your favour towards me. Your Lordſhip will now be pleaſed to give me leave with the ſame freedom and ſinceritie to give your Lordſhip an account, that it is now 4. moneths ſince the Count of Mansfelt made the propoſition to me, to nominate my ſon to be one of his Colonels, as he did likewiſe to my Lord of Holland for his Brother Sir Charles Rich; which at the firſt (I muſt deal plainly with your Lordſhip) I took for a piece of art, as if he knowing, that next to the benefit and aſſiſtance he received from your Lordſhips favour and protection, we were the moſt active inſtruments imployed in his buſineſſe, and therefore he ſought to ingage us ſo much the farther by this intereſt. But afterwards I found, that under the ſhadow of this Complement put upon me, he had a deſire to gratifie Sir James Ramſey, whom he deſigned to be my ſons Lievtenant, having regard to his former deſerts, and the courage and ſufficiencie he hath found in him. I profeſſe unto your Lordſhip ſincerely, that he received no other encouragement, or acceptance from me then a bare negative; Inſomuch as he afterwards ſent a Gentleman to tell me, That he perceived whatſoever he ſhould expect from me in the furtherance of his buſineſſe, muſt be onely for the reſpect I bare to my Maſters ſervice, and nothing for love of his perſon, ſince I accepted not the proffer of his ſervice. My Lord of Holland can juſtifie the truth of this aſſertion, who alone was acquainted with that which paſſed: for I proteſt upon my ſalvation, that I neither ſpake of it to any creature living, not ſo much as to my ſon, neither have I written one word thereof to the Count Mansfelt, neither knew I any thing of his proceedings, till by the laſt Currier Mr. Secretarie was pleaſed to acquaint me with the nomination of my ſon. If I had ſeriouſly intended any ſuch thing, I want not ſo much judgment and diſcretion, as not firſt to diſcover my deſire to my gracious Maſter, humbly craving his leave, and allowance: And I ſhould not have failed to have recourſe to your Lordſhips favourable aſſiſtance therein. And thus (my Noble Lord) have I given you an account what entertainment I gave to the Count Mansfelts Complement. And I will be bold alſo to give your Lordſhip this further aſſurance, that no particular intereſt, or conſideration of mine own ſhall have power to alter my conſtant courſe of ſerving my gracious Maſter faithfully, and induſtriouſly. And ſo humbly ſubmitting all to his Majeſties good pleaſure, and your Lordſhips wiſdom, I remain eternally

Your Graces moſt faithful friend, and humble ſervant, Carlile.

Poſtſcript.

I Moſt humbly beſeech your Lordſhip that this unfortunate Complement put upon my ſon, may be no prejudice to the deſerts of Sir James Ramſey.

The Lord Kenſington to the Duke. My Nobleſt Lord,

I Find the Queen Mother hath the onely power of governing in this State, and I am glad to find it ſo, ſince ſhe promiſes, and profeſſes, to uſe it to do careful, and good offices in the way of increaſing the friendſhip that is between us, and this State, and likewiſe to relieve, and aſſiſt the united provinces, the which they are preparing to do fullie, and bravely; for ſhe hath now a clear ſight of the pretentions of the King of Spain unto the Monarchie of Chriſtendom; during the abſence of the King, who went out of this town earlie the next day after I arrived here (before I was prepared to attend him) I have been often at the Louure, where I had the honour to entertain the Queen Mother. She was willing to know upon what terms ſtood our Spaniſh alliance; I told her that their delayes had been ſo tedious, that they had ſomewhat diſcouraged the King, and had ſo wearied the Prince, and State, which the dilatorie proceedings in it, as that Treatie (I thought) would ſoon have an end; She ſtreight ſaid of marriage, taking it that way; I told her I believed the contrarie, and I did ſo the rather, becauſe the Spaniſh Embaſſadour hath given it out ſince my comming, that the Alliance is fully concluded, and that my journey had no other end, then to haſten his Maſter unto it, only to give them Jealouſies of me, becauſe he at this time feares their diſpoſitions ſtand too well prepared to deſire, and affect a conjunction with us. And truly his report, and inſtruments have given ſome jealouſies to the perſons of power in this State, eſpecially ſince they find I can ſay nothing directly unto them; yet thus much I have directly from them, Mounſieur de Vievielle, and others, (but he is the chief guider of all affaires here) That never was the affection of any State ſo prepared to accept all offers of amitie and alliance, ſo we will cleerly, and as diſingaged perſons ſeek it, as is this; but as a wiſe miniſter he ſaies, that until we have whollie, and truly abandoned the treatie with Spain, they may loſe the friendſhip of a brother in law, that is alreadie ſo, in hope of gaining another that they may fail of. But when we ſhall ſee it reallie by a publique Commiſſion, that may declare all diſſolved, that touches upon the way of Spain, we ſhall then underſtand their hearts not to be capable of more joy, then that will bring them. And the Queen Mother told me ſhe had not loſt thoſe inclinations, that ſhe hath heretofore expreſſed to deſire her Daughter may be given to the Prince, with many words of value unto the King, and perſon of the Prince, and more then this ſhe could not (ſhe thought) well ſay, it being moſt natural, for the woman to be demanded and ſought. It is moſt certain, that under-hand Spain hath done all that is poſſible to procure this State to liſten to a croſſe-marriage, but here they are now ſo well underſtood, as this baite will not be ſwallowed by them. This I have from a grave, and honeſt man, that would not be brought to juſtifie it, therefore he muſt not hear of it. It is the Savoy Embaſſadour, that is reſident here, a wiſe, and a Gallant Gentleman, who vowes this to be moſt true. So general a deſire was never expreſſed, as is here for alliance with us: and if the King and Prince have as many reaſons of State at this time, beſides their infinite affection here, to have it ſo continued, let it be roundly, and clearly purſued, and then I dare promiſe as reſpective, and ſatisfactorie a reception, as can be imagined, or deſired. And if it were not too much ſaucineſſe for me to adviſe, I could wiſh that the propoſitions of a league, and marriage may not come together, but may be treated a part. For I doubt whether it may not be thought a little diſhonourable for this King to give his ſiſter conditionallie, that if he will, make war upon the King of Spain his brother, we will make the alliance with him; on the other part, if the league ſhould be propounded here, with all thoſe reaſons of State, that are now preſſing for them to make it, they have cauſes to doubt, and ſo have we too, that we may both be interrupted in that; for certainly the King of Spain, will (if he can poſſibly) pleaſe one ſide, the which they think here may be us, with the reſtitution of the Palatinate, and we may likewiſe fear may be them, with the rendring of the Valtoline, theſe being the only open quarrels we muſt ground upon. Now as long as theſe doubts may poſſeſſe us both, this will prove a tedious, and jealous work of both ſides; But if we fall ſpeedily upon a treatie, and concluſion of a marriage, the which will find (I am perſwaded) no long delayes here: neither will they ſtrain us to any unreaſonableneſſe in conditions for our Catholiques (as far as I can find) then will it be a fit time for to couclude a league, the which they will then for certain do, when all doubts, and feares of fallings off, are by this conjunction taken away, and the neceſſity of their own affaires, and ſafety will then make them more deſire it then we, and ſo would they now, if they could think it ſo ſure, and ſo honourable for them. For the King of Spain hath ſo imbraced them of all ſides, as they fear, and juſtly, that he will one day cruſh them to their deſtruction. My Lord, I do not preſume to ſay any thing immediately to the King, thorough your hands, this I know will paſſe unto him, and if he ſhould find any weakneſſe in this that I have preſumed to ſay, let the ſtrength of your favour exerciſe thoſe accuſtomed Nobleneſſes that you have alwayes expreſſed unto

Your Graces moſt humble and obliged Servant, Kenſington.

Poſtſcript.

VVIthin theſe few dayes your Grace ſhall hear again from me, for as yet I have not ſeen the King, no otherwiſe then the firſt night I arrived here. This night he is come unto the Town again.

The Lord Kenſington to the Prince, 26. February, 1624. May it pleaſe your Highneſſe,

I Find here ſo infinite a value of your Perſon, and virtue, as what Inſtrument ſo ever (my ſelf the very weakeſt) having ſome commands (as they imagine) from you, ſhall receive exceſſe of honours from them. They will not conceive me, ſcarce receive me, but as a publique Inſtrument for the ſervice of an Alliance, that above all the things in this world, they do ſo earneſtly deſire. The Queen Mother hath expreſſed, as far as ſhe thinks is fit for the honour of her Daughter, great favour and good will in it. I took the boldneſſe to tell her (the which ſhe took extreamly well) that if ſuch a propoſition ſhould be made, your Highneſſe could not believe, that ſhe had loſt her former inclinations, and deſires in it; She ſaid, your truſt of her ſhould find great reſpect; there is no preparation I find towards this buſineſſe but by her, and all perſwaſions of amitie made light, that look not towards this end. And Sir, if your intentions proceed this way, as by many reaſons of State, and wiſdom there is cauſe now rather to preſſe it, then ſlacken it) you will find a Ladie of as much Lovelineſſe and Sweetneſſe to deſerve your affection, as any creature under Heaven can do. And Sir, by all her faſhions ſince my being here, and by what I hear from the Ladies, it is moſt viſible to me, her infinite value, and reſpect unto you. Sir, I ſay not this to betray your belief, but from a true obſervation, and knowledge of this to be ſo; I tell you this, and muſt ſomewhat more, in way of admiration of the perſon of Madam, for the impreſſions I had of her were but ordinary, but the amazement extraordinary to find her, as I proteſt to God I did, the ſweeteſt Creature in France. Her growth is very little, ſhort of her age; and her wiſdom infinitely beyond it. I heard her diſcourſe with her Mother, and the Ladies about her, with extraordinary diſcretion, and quickneſſe. She dances (the which I am a witneſſe of) as well as ever I ſaw any Creature; They ſay ſhe ſings moſt ſweetly, I am ſure ſhe looks ſo. Sir, you have thouſands of ſervants here, that deſire to be commanded by you, but moſt particularly the D. of Chevereux, and Mounſieur Le Grand, who ſeek all opportunities to do you ſervice, and have Credit and power to do ſo. Sir, if theſe that are ſtrangers are thus ambitious of your Commands, with what infinite paſſion have I cauſe to beg them, that am your Vaſſal, and have no other glory but to ſerve you; as your Highneſſe, &c.

Kenſington.

Poſtſcript.

SIr, The obligations you have unto this young Queen are ſtrange, for with that ſame affection, that the Queen your ſiſter would do, ſhe asks of you with all the expreſſions that are poſſible, of joy, for your ſafe return out of Spain, and told me, that ſhe durſt ſay, you were wearie with being there, and ſo ſhould ſhe: though ſhe be a Spaniard, yet I find ſhe gives over all thought of your Alliance with her ſiſter. Sir, you have the fortune to have reſpects put upon you unlookt for; for as in Spain the Queen there did you good offices: ſo I find will this ſweet Qeeen do. Who ſaid, She was ſorry, when you ſaw them practiſe their Maſques, that Madam her ſiſter (whom ſhe dearly loves) was ſeen at ſo much diſadvantage by you, to be ſeen afar off, and in a dark room, whoſe perſon and face hath moſt lovelineſſe to be conſidered neerly. She made me ſhew her your Picture, the which ſhe let the Ladies ſee with infinite Commendations of your Perſon, ſaying, She hoped ſome good occaſion might bring you hither, that they might ſee you like your ſelf.

The Lord Kenſington to the Duke. My Lord,

YEſternight being Sunday, I arrived ſafe here at Paris. I was informed as ſoon as I came, that the King was reſolved after ſight of the Queens Maſque (that was to be performed that ſame night,) that he would go a private journey for 5. or 6. daies to Shautelie, a houſe of Mounſieur de Memorancies.

Being deſirous therefore to kiſſe his hands before his going, and to ſee the Court in that glory and luſtre, as muſt for certain be found upon ſuch an extraordinary occaſion, I went to the Louure to the D. of Chevereux Chamber, where I found him and his Ladie apparrelling themſelves for the Maſque, and in ſuch infinite riches of Jewels, as I ſhall never be a beholder of the like worn by Subjects. I had not been there above an hour, but the Queen and Madam came thither, where they ſtaid a great while. And it was obſerved, that Madam hath ſeldom put on a more cheerful then that night. There were ſome that told me, I might gueſſe at the cauſe of it. My Lord, I proteſt to God, ſhe is a lovely, ſweet, young Creature. Her growth is not great yet, but her ſhape is perfect, and they all ſwear, that her ſiſter the Princeſſe of Piemount (who is now grown a tall and a goodly Ladie) was not taller then ſhe is at her age. I thought the Queen would have put a faſhion of reſervation upon me, as not pleaſed with the breach, and diſorder of the Spaniſh Treatie; but I found it far otherwiſe. She is ſo truly French, as (it is imagined) ſhe rather wiſhes this alliance, then with her own ſiſter. The King (that was ſo early to go out of the Town) took his reſt, while the Ladies were making themſelves ready; but as ſoon as he waked, he ſent for me, and purpoſed to have received me as an Embaſſadour. But I intreated the D. of Chevereux before I went, to let him underſtand, that I came as an humble and thankful ſervant onely to kiſſe his Majeſties hands, and had no other end then to do him ſervice. He then received me with much freedom and cheerfulneſſe, with many queſtions how the King is ſatisfied with his Preſent by Mounſieur de Bonevan, who when I related the Kings liking, and value of it, he was infinitely pleaſed. He commanded me to attend him to the Maſque, which was danced by 16. of the greateſt Princeſſes of France, St. Luke only being by the Queen received amongſt them, to put a ſingular honour, and value upon her. The King with his Brother had danced a Maſque the laſt Tueſday, with the ſame number of perſons of the beſt quality; who this night were to caſt Lots, who ſhould dance with the ſixteen Ladies, they onely being allowed to dance with them. And all thoſe were ſo infinitely rich in Jewels, (embroiderie of gold and ſilver being here forbidden) as they had almoſt all imbroidered their cloathes as thick with Diamonds, as uſually with purle.

I cannot give your Lordſhip any particular account of my ſervice in any thing, yeſternight being an unproper time for any ſuch thing: But I am adviſed by the Prince Jenvile to ſtay here till the Kings return, and I ſhall underſtand how all things ſtand, and that no mans affection is ſo ſtraight and true for the ſervice of the King and Prince as his is, who of himſelf falls into paſſionate wiſhes for an Alliance, but tells me in much libertie, they have been informed the cauſe and plot of my journey was to ſet an edge upon Spain, rather to cut off their delaies, then to cut the throat of the buſineſſe. But I gave him great ſatisfaction in that point.

My Lord, theſe are paſſages of my firſt nights being here, matters of ceremonie; and yet I omit much of that. I thought theſe too ſlight to trouble his Majeſtie, or the Prince with, yet I thought it fit ſince this Meſſenger goes, to let you ſee this outward ſhow, and face of this Court, to have as much ſweetneſſe, ſmoothneſſe, and clearneſſe towards our deſigns as is poſſible. My next Letters ſhall inform you of a further ſearch made by me, the which I am confident will be of the ſame nature. And I conceive it the rather, becauſe I find them in a great alarum at the newes, that they have received from Leige, that the King of Spain makes a Fort upon the ruine there to command both that, and the Town. This they ſay hath made them more clearly ſee his vaſt ambition to inlarge his Monarchie, and do all ſpeak the careful and honeſt language of our Lower houſe men how it may be prevented.

I have ſaid enough, the Meſſenger I dare ſay thinks too much; yet this I will add, That I will ſtudy to make it appear to the world, and your ſelf, by a thankful heart, and to God himſelf in my prayers for your Lordſhip, that I am

Your Lordſhips Moſt devoted, and moſt humble ſervant, Kenſington.

Poſtſcript.

IF the French Embaſſadour, or my Lord of Carlile wonders I have not written unto them, I beſeech your Lordſhip, let them know this Meſſenger is not of my ſending, and in ſuch haſte as he cannot be ſtayed.

The Lord Kenſington to the Prince. May it pleaſe your Highneſſe,

I Cannot but make you continual repetitions of the value you have here, to be (as juſtly we know you) the moſt Compleat young Prince and perſon in the world. This reputation hath begotten in the ſweet Princeſſe Madam, ſo infinite an affection to your fame, as ſhe could not contain her ſelf from a paſſionate deſiring to ſee your Picture, the ſhadow of that perſon ſo honoured, and knowing not by what means to compaſſe it, it being worn about my neck; for though others, as the Queen and Princeſſes would open it, and conſider it, the which ever brought forth admiration from them, yet durſt not this poor young Ladie look any otherwiſe on it then afar off, whoſe heart was nearer it then any of the others, that did moſt gaze upon it. But at the laſt (rather then want that ſight the which ſhe was ſo impatient of) ſhe deſired the Gentlewoman of the houſe where I am lodged, that had been her ſervant to borrow of me the picture in all the ſecreſie that may be, and to bring it unto her, ſaying, She could not want that Curioſitie as well as others towards a perſon of his infinite reputation. As ſoon as ſhe ſaw the party that brought it, ſhe retired into her Cabinet, calling onely her in; where ſhe opened the picture in ſuch haſte, as ſhewed a true picture of her paſſion, bluſhing in the inſtant at her own guiltineſſe. She kept it an hour in her hands, and when ſhe returned it, ſhe gave with it many praiſes of your perſon. Sir, this is a buſineſſe ſo fit for your ſecreſie, as I know it ſhall never go farther, then unto the King your Father, my Lord Duke of Buckingham, and my Lord of Carliles knowledge. A tenderneſſe in this is honourable; for I would rather die a thouſand times, then it ſhould be publiſhed, ſince I am by this young Lady truſted, that is for beautie and goodneſſe an Angel.

I have received from my Lord of Buckingham an advertiſement, that your Highneſſe opinion is to treat of the General league firſt, that will prepare the other.

Sir, whatſoever ſhall be propounded will have a noble acceptation; though this give me leave to tell you, when you are free, as by the next newes we ſhall know you to be, they will expect, that upon thoſe declarations they have here already made towards that particularitie of the Alliance, that your Highneſſe will go that readier and nearer way to unite and faſten by that knot the affection of theſe Kingdomes.

Sir, for the general they all here ſpeak juſt that language that I ſhould, and do unto them of the power and uſurpation of the Spaniards, of the approaches they make to this Kingdom, the danger of the Low-Countries, the direct Conqueſt of Germany and the Valtoline. By which means we have cauſe to joyn in oppoſition of the Ambitions, and mightineſſe of this King. The which they all here ſay cannot be ſo certainly done as by an Alliance with us. This they ſpeak perpetuallie, and urge it unto my conſideration.

Sir, unleſſe we proceed very roundly, though they be never ſo well affected, we may have interruptions by the arts of Spain, that make offers infinite to the advantage of this State, at this time. But they hearken to none of them, untill they ſee our intentions towards them. The which if they find to be real indeed, they will give us brave ſatisfaction.

But Sir, your Fathers and your will, not my opinion muſt be followed; and what Commandments your Highneſſe ſhall give me, ſhall be moſt ſtrictly obeyed by the moſt devoted,

Your Highneſſe Moſt dutiful and humbleſt ſervant, Kenſington.

The Lord Kenſington to the Duke, the 14. of March, 1624. My Lord,

I Have already acquainted your Grace how generally our deſires are met with here, much more cannot be ſaid then I have already for that purpoſe. There was never known in this Kingdome ſo intire an agreement for any thing, as for an Alliance with England, the Count of Soyſons onely excepted, who hath had ſome pretenſions unto Madam, but thoſe are now much diſcouraged, upon a free diſcourſe the Cardinal of Rochfalcout made unto the Counteſſe his Mother, telling her, That if ſhe or her ſon believed, or could expect, the King would give him his ſiſter in marriage, they would (as he conceived) deceive themſelves: for he imagined upon good grounds, that the King would beſtow his Siſter that way, that might be moſt for her honour and advancement, and likewiſe for the advantage of his Crown and Kingdom; and he profeſſed for his part, although he much honoured the Count as a great Prince of the bloud, yet was he ſo faithful unto his Maſter, as he would adviſe him to that purpoſe.

The Queen Mother and Mounſieur Le Grand have adviſed me to ſay ſomething unto the King concerning my buſineſſe. I told them, I could ſay nothing very directly unto him, and yet would I not ſo much as deliver my opinion of the King my Maſters inclinations to wiſh an alliance with him, unleſſe I were aſſured, his anſwers might make me ſee his value, and reſpect unto him. They then ſpake unto him, and aſſured me, I ſhould in that be ſatisfied. Having that promiſe from them, I told the King, that I had made this journey of purpoſe to declare unto him my humble ſervice and thankfulneſſe for all his Honours and favours, the which I thought I could not better expreſſe, then by informing his Majeſtie, that our Prince whom he had ever ſo much valued, would be as I conceived free, and diſ-ingaged from our Spaniſh Treatie, by reaſon that the King could not find them anſwer his expectation in thoſe things that made him principally deſire their Conjunction; the which your Lordſhip ſeeing you have exerciſed your intereſt and credit with the King your Maſter, and the Prince to convert thoſe thoughts towards his Majeſtie, from whom, you were perſwaded nothing but truth and honour would be returned, the which at this time more then ever, would be an infinite advantage to both theſe Kingdoms, and that I believed if his Majeſtie would ſhew a diſpoſition, as affectionate to receive Propoſitions to this purpoſe, as the King my Maſter had to make them, a long time would not paſſe before the effects of this might appear, the which would ſhew the report raiſed here of the ends of my coming to be falſe, and me to be free of all other deſigns, then thoſe which I had expreſſed unto him. He told me, that he had not heard, that the Spaniſh Match was yet broken, the which juſtly might give him cauſe to be reſerved; yet thus far he would aſſure me in the general, That whatſoever ſhould be propounded unto him from the King of Great Brittain, he would moſt heartily and affectionately receive it: but this was with ſuch a faſhion of Courteſie, as ſhewed that he deſired cauſe to have ſaid more, and I am fully ſatisfied not onely from him, but the Queens, and moſt of all of Madam her ſelf, who ſhewes all the ſweetneſſe and contentment that may be, and likewiſe from all the Officers of the Crown, and State, that they can deſire nothing equal with this alliance. A better and more large preparation then this my inſtructions cannot make, and I wonder to ſee it thus fair, conſidering the hinderances and defacings the Spaniſh Embaſſadour deſires to caſt upon it, who beſides the Rodomontado's and threatenings of the preparations of his Maſter, doth here take a contrary, but cunning way, letting them know, that the Prince cannot have two Wives, for their Infanta is ſurely his, onely to create a jealouſie and ſhieneſſe in them towards me, that he ſuſpects labours to do offices that are not to his liking.

You will therefore I hope ſpeedily put this State out of theſe doubts, and clearly and freely proceed with them. Upon my credit and reputation, they are all of that diſpoſition, that we can wiſh them to be, and it appears by their tender care of the States, and their reſolution to ayd them: And likewiſe in ſending Captain Coborn, that came from the Duke of Brunſwick to demand a ſupplie of men, who is returned with anſwer unto him, that he ſhall have double what he required, and great ſatisfaction to the Count Mansfelt, that ſent a Gentleman hither, to let the King know, he was not yet in ſuch diſorder, but that he could aſſemble his Troops to ſuch a number, as might do his Majeſtie good ſervice, if he would be pleaſed to take him into his protection and favour.

And the King hath ſent a Gentleman of the Religion a Sedanois to Leige, to give information to this State of the proceedings of the Spaniards there, and to be ready to receive (if the Town ſhall ſeek it) the protection of them. But theſe paſſages I am ſure you continually underſtand from our Embaſſadour, the which makes me omit many particularities in this kind that I could inform you of. I have ſent this Bearer of purpoſe, the which I beſeech your Grace return with ſome ſpeed, and with him the reſolutions of our dear and Sacred Maſter, whom God ever bleſſe and keep to our glorie and comfort.

My Lord I am The humbleſt and moſt obliged of all your Graces ſervants, Kenſington.

The Lord Kenſington to the Secretary the Lord Conway. Right Honourable,

ACcording to his Majeſties order which your laſt of April the 14. derived unto me, I have repreſented ſuch reaſons to the King, and his miniſters of State here, againſt the ſending of any perſon, in what quality ſoever, to the Duke of Baviers, as they acquieſce in them; ſpeciallie for that they come commanded under his Majeſties deſire, which they profeſſe to be very willing to comply with, not only in this, but in any other occaſion wherein his Majeſtie may directly, or indirectly be any way intereſſed.

I took the ſame opportunity of preparing the way a little farther to a formal treaty of alliance, by feeling once again their pulſe in matters of religion, and find, that it beats ſo temperately, as promiſes a very good Criſis of any thing that may concern that particular.

I dealt plainely with the Marqueſſe de la Veiville touching the courſe that his Majeſtie may be driven to hold againſt Jeſuites and Prieſts, of baniſhing them the Kingdom; and of quickning the lawes againſt the other Catholiques, as well out of neceſſity of reducing them within the bounds of ſobriety and obedience, as of keeping good intelligence with his Parliament, without which he could not poſſibly go thorough with ſuch a weighty work, as he is now to undertake. He approved of the courſe for the ends ſake; under hope notwithſtanding that his Majeſtie would not tie his own hands from ſome moderate favour hereafter, which is all they pretend unto, and deſire it may flow from the mediation of this State upon an alliance here, for the ſaving of their honour, who otherwiſe will be hardly reputed Catholiques.

In repreſenting a facility in theſe things, I leave no other difficulties to be imagined.

Their good inclination to the match in general they are willing to demonſtrate, (as by many other evidences, ſo) by the care, they are now under of lodging, and defraying my Lord of Carlile, and my ſelf in a more ſplendid and Magnifique manner, then ever yet they did any Embaſſadour whatſoever, for ſuch is the language that Ville-aux Cleres holds to me upon that ſubject.

The Count of Soiſſons ſees it, and ſtormes, and manifeſts his diſcontent towards me (who am the inſtrument) more fellie then diſcreetly. I encountred him the other day, and gave him the due that belonged to his rank, but inſtead of returning me my ſalute, he diſdainfullie turned back his head. I was ſomewhat ſenſible thereof, and I told Mounſieur de Grandmont of it, and as he, and I were diſcourſing of it the day following, Soiſſons offered himſelf full butt upon us a ſecond time. I again repeated my courteſie, and he is childiſh in civility. Grandmont found it ſtrange, and intimated to the Marqueſſe de la Valette a familiar, and confident of the Counts both my obſervation, and his own diſtaſte of ſuch an uncivil kind of proceeding. Valette conveyes the ſame to Soiſſons himſelf, who anſwered that he could not afford me a better countenance, not for any ill will he bore unto my perſon, but to my errand and negotiation; which (were it not in the behalf of ſo great a Prince) went ſo near his heart, as he profeſſed, he would cut my throat if he could. Nay, were any Prince of Savoy, Mantova, or Germany here in perſon to ſollicit for themſelves in the like nature, he would hazard his life in the cauſe. Such is the language that deſpaire brings forth, which put me into an expectation of no leſſe then a challenge to decide the quarrel. And I once verily believed it ſent, for the Count de Lude came very ſoberly to me, and told me, he had a meſſage to deliver me from a great Perſonage, which he intreated he might do without offence.

I deſired him to ſpeak freely what it was, and from whom He told me he was ſent by the Count of Soiſſons, and I preſently replyed that nothing ſhould come amiſſe from him. In concluſion the errand was to ſignifie an extream liking, that the Count took to one of my Horſes, which he was deſirous to buy of me upon any rate. I anſwered, that if the Count would expreſſe to me his deſire himſelf, and receive him of guift, he ſhould be at his ſervice, otherwiſe he ſhould remain ſtill as he was. Since that I have met him, & been prevented with a very courteous ſalute from him. I have been thus ample in theſe particular paſſages betwixt the Count and my ſelf, that by the trouble you find in his diſconſolate breaſt, you may judge of the conſtancie of Madams heart towards our Prince, upon whom aſſuredly it is moſt ſtrongly ſet, (as ſhe continually expreſſes upon all occaſions.) Yeſterday I had the honour to entertain her two hours together, and received ſo many teſtimonies of reſpect, as witneſſed very warm affections towards the Perſonage I did repreſent. Amongſt other diſcourſe, She fell to ſpeak of Ladies riding on horſeback, which ſhe ſaid was rare here but frequent in England, and then expreſſed her delight in that exerciſe.

There is lately arrived here a French Genleman (Duport by name) with commiſſion from the King of Bohemia to ſollicit this Kings favour (in conſequence of his Majeſties generous, and Gracious declaration in his behalf) for the recovering of his rightful inheritance, to intreat that Baviers may no wayes be countenanced in his unjuſt pretenſions, and to crave (in this his extreamity) a reimburſement of the remainder of that ſum, which his father lent to Henry the fourth in the times of his neceſſities, which may ariſe to the ſum of 30000 Crownes; the facilitating of this negotiation is recommended unto me, who contribute what I can to the good ſucceſſe thereof. There hath happened here this laſt Munday a diſpute between the Marquis de Courtenvant one of the firſt Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber, and the Colonel de Ornano (Mounſeiurs Governour) about a lodging, which this pretended unto as moſt convenient for him, in regard that it adjoyned to that of Mounſeiurs; but the other claimed a right unto it by a former aſſignation, and poſſeſſion. Ornano at the firſt prevailed, till the other complained to the King, who commanded the Colonel to quit the lodging to him; which his people refuſing (out of a preſumption perhaps, that the commandement was rather formal then real) the King ſent 3. or 4. of his guard to reiterate the commandement, and in caſe of refuſal to obey, to caſt out all the ſtuff, and to kill all ſuch as ſhould oppoſe. Thus Courtenvant got the day; perhaps by Vievilles recommendation in oppoſition of Toirax, between whom, there hath been lately a little conteſtation upon this occaſion. Vieville being deſirous to ſtrengthen himſelf, and to ſtand upon the ſureſt bottom he could, endeavoured to joyn a confident of his in equal commiſſion with the Garde des Seaux, that ſo he might in time work it out, and prevail himſelf of that office at his devotion. The Garde des Seaux finding feeble reſiſtance in himſelf, addreſſed his courſe to Toirax to ſeek under his Covert ſhelter from that diſgrace, and injurie. Toirax undertakes his defence; Vieville expoſtulates the matter with him, and alleadges many reaſons to juſtifie his intentions, which the other gaineſaying, with ſome little warmneſſe, hath occaſioned by that heat, a coldneſſe of affection between them ever ſince, and that ſo far forth, as it hath grown to be notorious.

To the ſame original, I reduce the Cardinal de Richlieus introduction into the Councel of the Cabinet by the favour of Vieville (being made alſo an Inſtrument thereunto by the Queen) that by making his own partie ſtrong in Councel, he may the more eaſily cruſh any adverſarie, that ſhall grapple with him. Yeſterday he was admitted; ſo that now that Councel is compoſed of the Queen Mother, the Cardinal de la Rouch-foulcant, Richlieu, the Conſtable Vieville, and the Garde des Seaux.

Before I had finiſhed this Letter, I had occaſion to viſit the Conſtable, to whom I uſed the ſame language, that formerly I had done to la Vieville, and with the like approbation. And when I touched upon the point of diſpenſation, how it might be paſſed over, he aſſured me in general, that ſuch was the diſpoſition of this King, and State to give the Prince content, as he might be (in a manner) his own Carver how he pleaſed.

This is the account I can give you of the publique: but how ſhall I expreſſe the deep ſenſe I have of my obligations to your favour in particular? ſhall I multiply in thanks? It is too ordinary a payment for ſo many Noble expreſſions of your love. I will rather endeavour by my deeds conſtantly and continually to witneſſe unto you, that I intirely reſt

Your moſt faithful and moſt Humble Servant, Kenſington.

The Lord Kenſington to the Duke. My moſt dear, and Noble Lord,

BEſides that joynt Letter to your Lordſhip from my Colleague, and my ſelf, I think fit to add this particular account of what paſſed yeſterday at Ruel betwixt Queen Mother, and me; whither going to give her double thanks; as for the libertie, ſhe had given me of acceſſe at all times to Madam, to entertain her henceforth with a more free, and amorous kind of language from the Prince; ſo for having ſo readily condeſcended to an humble ſuit of mine in the behalf of my Lord of Carlile for a favourable Letter for him to your Lordſhip; ſhe was pleaſed to oblige me farther in telling me ſhe did it meerly for my ſake. I redoubled my thanks, and added, that I knew your Lordſhip would eſteeme it one of the greateſt happineſſes that could befal you to have an occaſion offered, whereby you might witneſſe, how much you adored her Majeſties royal virtues, and how infinitely you were her Servant, readie to receive law from her, whenſoever by the leaſt ſyllable of her bleſſed Lips or Penn, ſhe ſhould pleaſe to impoſe it. And this I did (as on the one ſide to gratifie my Colleague, who would be infinitely ſenſible of the diſgrace he apprehends in the miſſe of the Ribbon, being thus brought upon the Stage for it) as alſo to help to meſnage that your Gratious favour which Mounſieur de Fiatts to my Lord repreſents unto him, by giving you meanes withal to oblige this ſweet & bleſſed Queen, who hath your Lordſhip in a very high account, and would be glad to find occaſions how ſhe may witneſſe it. The mention of my Lord of Carlile upon this occaſion refreſhed her remembrance of the late falling out betwixt the Cardinal and him; and though ſhe were ſufficiently informed of the particulars by the Cardinal himſelf, yet ſhe would needs have a relation from me, who in a merrie kind of faſhion obeyed her command, and ſalved every thing the beſt I could. She would needs know my opinion of the Cardinal, who ſo magnified to her his wiſdom, his courage, his courteſie, his fidelity to her ſervice, his affection to our buſineſſe as pleaſed her not a little. Neither did my heart and my tongue differ, for I eſteem him ſuch. This diſcourſe ſhe left to fall upon a better ſubject, the Prince, concerning whoſe voyage into Spain, the cenſure of Italie (ſhe ſaid) was, that two Kings had therein committed two great errours. The one in adventuring ſo precious a pledge to ſo hazardous an enterpriſe, the other in badly uſing ſo brave a gueſt. The firſt, Madam, (anſwered I) may be excuſed from the end, the common good of all Chriſtendom, which then ſtanding upon deſperate tearmes, had need of a deſperate remedie. The ſecond had need of a better advocate then I, to put any colour of defence upon it.

But his Highneſſe had obſerved as great a weakneſſe and follie as that, in that after they had uſed him ſo ill, they would ſuffer him to depart, which was one of the firſt ſpeeches he uttered after he was entred into the ſhip. But did he ſay ſo? ſaid the Queen. Yes Madam I will aſſure you (quoth I) from the witneſſe of my own eares. She ſmiled, and replyed, Indeed I heard he was uſed ill. So he was (anſwered I) but not in his entertainement, for that was as ſplendid as that countrie could afford it, but in their frivolous delayes, and in the unreaſonable conditions, which they propounded, and preſſed (upon the advantage they had of his Princely Perſon.) And yet (ſmilingly added I) you here (Madam) uſe him far worſe. And how ſo? preſently demanded ſhe? In that you preſſe (quoth I) upon that moſt worthie, and Noble Prince, (who hath with ſo much affection to your Majeſties ſervice, ſo much paſſion to Madam ſought this Alliance.) The ſame, nay more unreaſonable conditions then the other, and what they traced out for the breaking of the match you follow, pretending to conclude it very unſeaſonablely in this Conjuncture of time, eſpeciallie when the jealouſies, that ſuch great changes in ſtate, are apt to beget, are cunningly fomented by the Spaniſh Embaſſadour in England, who vaunts it forth, that there is not ſo great a change in La Vievilles particular perſon, as there is in the general affections, which did but follow before the ſtream of his Greatneſſe and credit.

Thus caſting in the Kings mind the ſeed of doubts, whereunto the Conde de Olivares in Spain hath been willing to contribute by this braving ſpeech to our Royal Maſters Embaſſadour there, That if the Pope ever granted a diſpenſation for the match with France, the King of Spain would march with an armie towards Rome and ſack it. Ʋrayement nous l'en empeſcherous bien (promptly anſwered She) Car nous lui taglierous aſſez de beſongne ailleurs. Mais qu'est-ce qui vous preſſe le plus. I repreſented unto her the unfitneſſe of the ſeventh Article (even qualified by that interpretationt, hat it is) and the impoſſibility of the laſt which requires, and preſcribes an oath. And deſired that the honour of the Prince (with whom ſhe pretended a will to match her Daughter) might be dearer to her, then to be ballanced with that, which could add nothing to their aſſurance. I alſo humbly beſought her to imploy her Credit with the King her ſon, her authority to the Miniſters for a reformation of thoſe two Articles eſpecially, and a friendly, and ſpeedy diſpatch of all.

And if we muſt come to that extreamitie, that more could not be altered, then already was, yet at leaſt ſhe would procure the allowance of this proteſtation by the King our Maſter, when he ſhould ſwear them, that he intended no further to oblige himſelf by that oath, then might well ſtand with the ſafety, peace, tranquility, and conveniency of his State. This ſhee thought reaſonable, and promiſed to ſpeak with the King and Cardinal about it. And if you ſpeak as you can (replied I) I know it will be done, Though when all is done, I know not whether the King my Maſter will condeſcend ſo far yea, or no. Here I intreated I might weary her Majeſtie no further, but take the libertie ſhe had pleaſed to give me in entertaining Madam with ſuch Commandments as the Prince had charged me withall to her. She would needs know what I would ſay. Nay then (ſmiling quoth I) your Majeſtie will impoſe upon me the like Law that they in Spain did upon his Highneſſe. But the caſe is now different (ſaid ſhe) for there the Prince was in perſon, here is but his Deputie. But a Deputie (anſwered I) that repreſents his perſon. Mais pour tout cela (dit elle) qu' eſt ce que vous direz? Rien (dis-re) qui ne Soit digne des oreilles d'vne ſi vertueuſe Princeſſe. Mais qu' eſt ce? redoubled ſhe? Why then Madam (quoth I) if you will needs know, it ſhall be much to this effect; That your Majeſtie having given me the libertie of ſome freer Language then heretofore, I obey the Prince his Command, in preſenting to her his ſervice, not by way of Complement any longer, but out of paſſion, and affection, which both her outward, and her inward beauties (the vertues of her mind) ſo kindled in him, as he was reſolved to contribute the uttermoſt he could to the Alliance in queſtion, and would think it the greateſt happineſſe in the world, if the ſucceſſe thereof might miniſter occaſion of expreſſing in a better, and more effectual manner his devotion to her ſervice; with ſome little other ſuch like amorous Language. Allez, Allez, Il n'y a point de danger en tout cela (ſmilingly anſwered ſhe) je me fie en vous, je me fie en vous. Neither did I abuſe her truſt, for I varied not much from it, in delivering it to Madam, ſave that I amplified it to her a little more, who drank it down with joy, and with a low Curteſie acknowledged it to the Prince; adding, that ſhe was extreamly obliged to his Highneſſe, and would think her ſelf happie in the occaſion, that ſhould be preſented of meriting the place ſhee had in his good Graces.

After that, I turned my ſpeech to the old Ladies that attended, and told them, That ſith the Queen was pleaſed to give me this liberty, it would be henceforth fit for them to ſpeak a ſuitable Language. I let them know that his Highneſſe had her Picture, which he kept in his Cabinet, and fed his eyes many times with the ſight, and contemplation of it; ſith he could not have the happineſſe to behold her perſon. All which and other ſuch like ſpeeches, ſhe (ſtanding by) took up without letting any one fall to the ground.

But I fear your Lordſhip will think I gather together too much to enlarge my Letter thus far: but it is, that by theſe Circumſtances your Lordſhip may make a perfect judgment of the iſſue of our negotiation, which I doubt not but will ſucceed to his Majeſties, his Highneſſe, and your Lordſhips contentment: And ſo yeeld matter of triumph to you, and infinite joy to me

Your Lordſhips Moſt moſt humble, moſt obliged, and moſt obedient ſervant, Kenſington.

The Lord Kenſington to the Duke. My moſt dear Lord,

THis Bearer your Couſen's going is in ſuch haſte, as what you receive from me muſt be in very few words. I was yeſterday with the Marqueſſe de Vieville, whom I find cordial to do good offices between ours, and this Kingdome; and he aſſures me by all the promiſes and proteſtations that may be, he will ever uſe his credit and power to do ſo, knowing theſe Kingdoms can (as the King of Spain's power and ambition increaſes) have no true ſafetie and good, unleſſe we joyn in friendſhip and alliance. He is very free to me, telling me, That to prevent this, the King of Spain offers now the largeſt conditions of ſatisfaction and friendſhip that can be imagined, but their thoughts here are wholly bent towards us; And although as yet, the King cannot with honour or wiſdom ſay more then he hath done, yet we may be aſſured when we are free, to be ſatisfied in all we can deſire.

This day I underſtand the Earl of Argile is like lightning paſſed by for Spain, and by a ſpecial Command from the King it is to put us in more terrour; That he will uſe his ſervice in Scotland, where I believe he hath little credit and power to offend us. But howſoever they omit nothing that may diſhearten us, but we are of too noble and conſtant a temper, either to fear their cunning or power.

My Lord, give me leave to beſeech you, not to defer our buſineſſe, for never can this State be found ſo rightly and truly inclined in love and affection towards us. And the rather haſten it, becauſe all the art that may be is daily uſed from Spain to prevent us, and if we go not roundly and clearly with them here, they may have jealouſies and diſcouragements that may change them: Take them therefore now, when I dare promiſe they are free, very free from thoſe thoughts. My Lord, pardon the haſte of this Letter, that hath no more time given me but to tell you, that you never can have any ſervant more devotedly yours, then is

Your Graces Moſt obliged and moſt humble ſervant, Kenſington.

The Earl of Holland to the Duke. My deareſt Lord,

VVEE have made a final concluſion of this great Treatie. Upon what terms the diſpatch at large will ſhew your Grace: We have concluded honourably, that which we could not do ſafely; for to receive words, that obliged not, would have appeared an unwiſe, and unperfect Treatie of our part, and no way worthy of the greatneſſe of our Maſter, nor the paſſion of his Highneſſe, the which now hath a brave expreſſion, ſince his Miſtreſſe is only conſidered, and deſired, and the only object of our Treatie. But I muſt tell you, that ſince we have proceeded thus, they ſay, they will out-go us in the like braverie, doing ten times more then we expect, or they durſt promiſe, fearing the World would conceive all their doings conditionally; the which would be diſhonourable for Madam. But that being ſafe, they now ſay their intereſt is greater then ours for the recovering of the Palatinate, and they will never abandon us in that action. I hope we ſhall ſhortly have the honour and happineſſe to ſee your Grace here; where you will be (as juſtly you deſerve) adored. You muſt make haſte, for we are promiſed our ſweet Princeſſe within ſix weeks. I beſeech you let me know your reſolution, that I may contrive which way I may beſt ſerve you againſt your coming. I have carefully laboured according unto your Commands in that which the Marqueſſe de Fiat. You may aſſure him of a ſpeedie and good ſucceſſe in it, the which he will more fully underſtand, when Mounſieur de la Ville-aux-Cleres ſhall be in England. He begins his journey from hence within 3. daies. He is worthy of the beſt reception that can be given him, having throughout all this Treatie carried himſelf diſcreetly and affectionately. I beſeech you put the Prince in mind to ſend his Miſtris a Letter: And though I might as the firſt Inſtrument imployed in his amours, expect the honour to deliver it; yet will I not give my Colleague that cauſe of envie. But if his Highneſſe will write a private Letter unto Madam, and in it expreſſe ſome particular truſt of me: And that my relations of her, have increaſed his paſſion, and affection unto her ſervice, I ſhall receive much honour, and ſome right, ſince I onely have expreſſed what concerned his paſſion and affection towards her. If you think me worthy of this honour, procure a Letter to this purpoſe, and ſend it me to deliver unto her, and likewiſe your Commands, the which I will receive for my greateſt comforts: living in unhappineſſe untill I may by my ſervices expreſſe how infinitely, and eternally I am

Your Graces Moſt humble, and moſt obliged and devoted ſervant, Holland.

Poſtſcript.

THe Preſents that the Prince will ſend unto Madam, I beſeech you haſten.

The Earl of Holland to his Majeſtie. May it pleaſe your moſt excellent Majeſtie,

VVE are in all the pain that may be, to know what to anſwer to the malicious and continual complaints made by Blanvile of wrongs and violences done him, even to the aſſaulting of him in his own lodging, the which he hath repreſented with ſo much bitterneſſe, as it took great impreſſion here in the hearts of all, eſpecially of the Queen Mother, whom yeſterday I ſaw in the accuſtomed priviledge hath ever been given me, to have at all times my entrance free into the Louure. And I the rather went, becauſe I would not ſhrink at all their furies and clamours, and it came to ſuch a height, as Petitions were given by Madam de Blanvile, that ſhe might for the injuries done to her husband his Embaſſadour, have ſatisfaction upon our perſons. But ſhe was (as ſhe deſerved) deſpiſed for ſo paſſionate a follie, yet was it in conſideration (as I ſuſpect) by a word that the Queen Mother uttered in her paſſion to me, who with tears before all the World, being accompanied by all the Princeſſes and Ladies, told me, (but ſoftlie) That if your Majeſtie continued to affront, and ſuffer ſuch indignities to be done to the Embaſſadour of the King her Son, your Majeſtie muſt look that your Embaſſadours ſhall be uſed a la pareylie. I confeſſe this ſtirred me ſo much, as I told her, That if the intentions of your Majeſtie were no better conſidered by the King here, your Majeſtie commanding us for the good and happineſſe of his Kingdom, to endeavour to bring, and give him (the which we have done) the greateſt bleſſing in this World, Peace in his Countrie, then to be ballanced with a perſon, that in requital hath ſtirred up, and dailie deſires to do it, diſputes, and jarres, even between your Majeſtie, and the Queen, we had reaſon to believe your Majeſtie moſt unjuſtly, and moſt unworthily requited. And it might take away upon any ſuch occaſion, the care, that otherwiſe you would have had to do the like. And for my part, it took from me all deſire ever to be imployed upon any occaſion hither, where our Actions, that their acknowledgments have been acceptable but a few daies paſt, are now of ſo little conſideration, as we are of no more weight, then the unworthieſt Miniſter that ever was imployed. Upon that I found, ſhe was ſorrie for having expreſſed ſo much. But this day we had from her a more favourable audience, and from the King the effects and circumſtances of that which we have in our Diſpatch preſented unto my Lord Conway.

Sir, the malice of this Blanvile is ſo great unto your worthie ſervant my Lord Duke, as he hath written a private Letter unto the King, the which I ſaw by the favour of a friend, that he is in a condition of danger to be ruined by the furie and power of the Parliament. And to confirm him in that opinion, hath ſent all the paſſages amongſt them that concern my Lord Duke; adding to that, of great factions againſt him at the Councel Table, and naming ſome Lords, the which makes me ſee, he hath intelligence with all thoſe, that he believes may contribute any thing towards the miſchieving of him. But thoſe that know the magnanimitie and nobleneſſe of your Majeſties heart, know that ſo noble a veſſel of honour and ſervice as he is, ſhall never be in danger for all the ſtorms that can threaten him: when it is in your Majeſties hands not onely to calm all theſe tempeſts, but to make the Sun, and beams of your favour to ſhine more clearly upon his deſervings then ever, the which upon this occaſion your courage and virtue will no doubt do, to the encouragement of all deſerving, and excellent ſervants, and to his honour and comfort that is the moſt worthie that ever Prince had: And ſo affectionate, that the world hath no greater admirations, then the fortunes that the Maſter and ſervant have run together. And certainly our good God will ever preſerve that affection, that in ſo many accidents, and one may ſay afflictions, hath preſerved your Perſons.

Sir, this boldneſſe, that I take, proceeds not from the leaſt doubt theſe fooliſh rumours give me of changes, but out of a paſſionate meditation of thoſe accidents, that your courage and fortune hath carried you through, bleſſing God for your proſperitie, the which will be by his grace moſt glorious, and laſting, according to the prayers of

Your Majeſties Moſt humble, and moſt obedient Subject, and ſervant, Holland. Paris 1/13. March, 1625.

The Earl of Holland to the Duke. My dear Lord,

THis Meſſenger is ſo rigid, and ſuch an enemie to all Jantileiſe, as by him I will not ſend any news in that kind; but when the little Mercurie comes, you ſhall know that which ſhall make you joy, and grieve that you cannot injoy what your fate and merit hath ſo juſtly deſtined unto you. We have ſuch daily alarums here out of England from Blanvile, of the beating of his ſervant, and at the laſt the danger, that of late he himſelf hath been in, of being aſſaſſinated in his own houſe; for the firſt word that his ſervant ſaid unto the King, and the whole Court was, The Embaſſadour had run ſuch a hazard of his life, as no man that heard him believed he had eſcaped with leſſe then 5. or 6. wounds. Inſomuch as your friend Bouteve asked, Fait vn belle fine: And this hath ſo animated this Court, being (as your Lordſhip knowes) apt upon all occaſions to be fired, and ſtirred up, as the King hath been moved to forbid us our entries, and liberties here. And yeſterday Madam de Blanvile did openly petition the King to impriſon us for the wrongs and injuries done unto her husband, and his Embaſſadour, that ſhe feared was by this time dead. But that had no other effect but to be laught at. I never (I confeſſe) ſaw the Queen Mother in ſo much diſtraction and paſſion, for ſhe never ſpeaks of her Daughter but with tears, and yeſterday with ſome heat and bitterneſſe to me about it: the Circumſtances I have taken the boldneſſe to preſent unto his Majeſtie. That which diſtracts me infinitely, is to hear, that they do traduce you, as the cauſe of all theſe misfortunes, and that you ſtirre up the King to theſe diſpleaſures. And ſo much impreſſion it hath made into the Queen Mother, as this day at the audience ſhe told me, That you had made the marriage, and were now, as ſhe imagined, and was informed, reſolved to deſtroy your work. I asked her what particularitie could make her ſay, and believe ſo againſt the general, and continual actions and endeavours, that the whole world ought to be ſatisfied of your infinite care, and affection, to faſten and tye together a good, and conſtant intelligence and friendſhip between theſe Crowns. She told me, that you intreated Madam de St. George to do ſome ſervice for you to the Queen, the which ſhe did, and inſtead of giving her thanks, you threatned the ſending of her away. I told her, Though I had as yet heard nothing of this particularitie, yet I knew your nature to be ſo generous, as you would never do any action unjuſt. I told her, that ſhe muſt diſtinguiſh between what you ſay as Commanded by the King, and what you ſay of your ſelf: for if it be his pleaſure to make the inſtrument to convey his will upon any occaſion of his diſpleaſure, you are not to diſpute, but to obey his Command in that, and in all other things. I told her farther, that I ſaw the continual malice of the Embaſſadour, that invents daily injuries and falſhoods of your Lordſhip, to unload himſelf from his inſolencies and faults; but I hoped that nothing ſhould light upon your Lordſhip, but what you deſerved, the which to my knowledge was more value and eſteem, then any man in the world could, or can ever merit from this Kingdome. And I deſired her, not to entertain the belief of theſe things too haſtily, until we had newes out of England, that we knew would contradict all theſe malitious diſcourſes. And I muſt tell your Grace, that by a friend (whom I am tyed not to name) I was ſhewed the private Lettter that Blanvile wrote to the King, in the which he ſent him the whole proceedings of the Parliament; and concludes they will ruine you, naming great factions againſt you, and as it were a neceſſitie to deſtroy you. But I hope he, and the whole world here will fall, before any misfortunes ſhould fall upon ſo generous, and ſo noble a deſerver of his Maſter, and ſo excellent a friend and Patron unto

Your Graces Moſt humble, and moſt obedient ſervant, Holland.

Poſtſcript.

THough the Embaſſadour deſerves nothing but contempt and diſgrace as Blanvile, yet I hope as Embaſſadour he ſhall receive (for publique Honours and accuſtomed reſpect to Embaſſadours) all poſſible ſatisfaction, and it will be conceived a generous action.

My deareſt Lord,

ALL the joy I have, hath ſuch a flatneſſe ſet upon it by your abſence from hence, as I proteſt to God, I cannot relliſh it as I ought; for though beautie and love I find in all perfection and fulneſſe, yet I vex, and languiſh to find impediments in our deſigns and ſervices for you: firſt in the buſineſſe, for I find our mediation muſt have no place with this King concerning a Peace. We muſt only uſe our power with thoſe of the Religion, to humble them to reaſonable Conditions, and that done, they would as far as I can gueſſe have us gone, not being willing that we ſhould be ſo much as in the Kingdom, when the Peace is made, for fear the Proteſtants may imagine, we have had a hand in it. For our Confederation, made by you at the Hague, they ſpeak ſo of it, as they will do ſomething in it, but not ſo really or friendly as we could wiſh. But for theſe things, you allow me, (I truſt) to refer you to the general Diſpatch: I come now to other particulars; I have been a careful Spie how to obſerve intentions, and affections towards you. I find many things to be feared, and none to be aſſured of a ſafe and real welcome. For the

fleur-de-lis (?)

continues in his ſuſpects, making (as they ſay) very often diſcourſes of it, and is willing to hear Villanes ſay, That

heart

hath infinite affections, you imagine which way. They ſay there is whiſpered amongſt the fooliſh young Bravado's of the Court, That he is not a good Frenchman that ſuffers

anchor

to return out of France, conſidering the reports that are raiſed, many ſuch bruits flie up and down. I have ſince my coming given Queen Mother by way of diſcourſe occaſion to ſay ſomewhat concerning your coming, as the other night when ſhe complained to me, That things were carried harſhly in England towards France; I then ſaid, That the greateſt unkindneſſe and harſhneſſe came from hence, even to forbid your coming hither, a thing ſo ſtrange, and ſo unjuſt, as our Maſter had cauſe, and was infinitely ſenſible of it. She fell into diſcourſe of you, deſiring you would reſpect, and love her daughter; and likewiſe that ſhe had, and would ever command her to reſpect you above all men, and follow all your Councels (the matter of her Religion excepted) with many profeſſions of value and reſpect unto your Perſon; but would never either excuſe what I complained of, or invite you to come upon that occaſion. But though neither the buſineſſe gives me cauſe to perſwade your coming, nor my reaſon for the matter of your ſafetie; yet know you are the moſt happie, unhappie man alive, for

heart

is beyond imagination right, and would do things to deſtroy her fortune, rather then want ſatisfaction in her mind. I dare not ſpeak as I would, I have ventured I fear too much, conſidering what practiſes accompany the malice of the people here. I tremble to think whether this will find a ſafe conveyance unto you. Do what you will, I dare not adviſe you; to come is dangerous, not to come is unfortunate. As I have lived with you, and only in that enjoy my happineſſe, ſo I will die with you, and I proteſt to God for you, to do you the leaſt ſervice, &c.

Poſtſcript.

HAve no doubt of the partie that accompanied me, for he is yours with his ſoul, and dares not now (as things go) adviſe your coming.

Mr. Lorkin to the Duke, the 30. of Auguſt, 1625. May it pleaſe your Grace,

FRom an honeſt and truly devoted heart, to receive the ſacrifice of moſt humble thanks, which come here offered for that exceſſe of favour, which I behold in thoſe gracious lines, that you are ſo nobly pleaſed to honour me withal; and which derive unto me farther, the height of all contentment, his Majeſties gracious acceptance of my poor endeavours; which howſoever they cannot ſhoot up to any high matter from ſo low an earth, yet (in their greateſt force) are eternally vowed (with the price of my deareſt blood) as to his Maſters faithful ſervice in the firſt place, ſo to your Graces in the next; who have received I doubt not ere this, what my former promiſed in the Savoyard Embaſſadours behalf, and that as well from his own pen, as mine. But this State is very Euripus, that flowes, and reflowes 7. times a day, and in whoſe waies is neither conſtancie, nor truth. The changes your Grace will find in my Letters to my Lord Conway, whereunto I therefore make reference, becauſe I ſuppoſe, there will be but one Lecture thereof to his Majeſtie, and your ſelf.

Therein likewiſe your Grace will ſee a ſuddain comandement laid upon Mounſieur de Blanvile premire Gentilhome de la chambre du Roy ſpeedily to provide himſelf to go extraordinary Embaſſadour into England. The cauſe thereof I rove at in my diſpatch, taking my aime from two darke ſpeeches to Queen Mother, and the Cardinal. I have ſince learned the interpretation of the riddle, not from the Cardinals lips (who yet being ſounded by me, pretended a further end then Ville-aux-cleres had done, viz; to entertain good intelligence betwixt the Queen of England, and your Grace, and to do you all the beſt offices, and ſervices that are poſſible;) but from the Duke de Chevereux, who (whatſoever pretexts may be taken) makes the true ends of that Voyage to be, firſt, to try whether this man can mend what (they conceive here) the Duke hath marred, in ſhewing himſelf more a ſervant to the King of England, then to his own King and Maſter. Secondly, to ſpie and diſcover what he can; and (according as he ſhall find cauſe) to frame Cabals, and factions, whereunto he is eſteemed very proper, being charactarized with the marks of a moſt ſubtile, prying, penetrating, and dangerous man.

And therefore as an Antidote againſt the poiſon he brings, the Duke gives this Caveat aforehand, That every one keep cloſe, and covert towards him, and avoid familiaritie with him, though (otherwiſe) he wiſhes a kind and honourable entertainment.

Thus much I received from the Dukes own lips yeſternight; (Bonocil being witneſſe, perhaps Counſellour of all that paſſed) he promiſed a memorial in writing this day, which I have attended till this evening, and even now receive it.

I have not touched the leaſt ſyllable hereof to my Lord Conway, becauſe I think both your Graces, and the Duke de Chevereux's will may concur in this, that theſe things be not ſubject to many eyes.

Even now the Savoyard Embaſſadour ſends an expreſſe Meſſenger unto me to haſten to Fountain-Bleau. Perhaps it may be to facilitate the Treatie with Rochel, by either ſome Letter, or Journey of mine thither.

But upon the conference I have had with the Duke de Chevereux, I ſhall temporiſe, till I hear his Majeſties pleaſure, or ſee good evidences of generous effects like to enſue. Being deſirous to ſhape my courſe ſo, as may be moſt acceptable to his Majeſtie, and pleaſing to your Grace, whoſe virtues I adore, in qualitie of

Your Graces Moſt humble, moſt faithful, and moſt obedient ſervant, Tho. Lorkin.

Poſtſcript.

THe Duke de Chevereux expects the Cypher from your Grace, if I be not deceived.

Mr. Lorkin to the Duke 17. September, 1625. May it pleaſe your Grace,

TO read and conſider two contrary advertiſements; the one given me on Munday evening by des Porches, who repeating what he had told me before, (D'avoir deſtrompé la Royne mere en mil, et mil choſes) aſſured me, that her thoughts were now ſo far changed from what they were, as ſhe remitted every thing to his Majeſties pleaſure to do what he liſt, (provided, that he attempted not upon the conſcience of the Queen her Daughter, which was the only point ſhe was tender in, and ſcrupulous) that ſhe had written a very ſharp Letter, full of good leſſons, and inſtructions to her, that ſhe had as clear a heart to your Grace, as was poſſible; had ſent for Blanvil expreſſely to alter his inſtructions, and that howſoever he (like a hollow-hearted man) had uttered in confidence to a friend of his, That he would perſwade the Queen of England to put on a reconciled countenance for a time, till the way ſhould be better prepared to give your Grace a dead lift, yet the Queen Mothers intentions were aſſuredly ſincere and good. The Savoyards Embaſſadours voyage was not then reſolved, but his Secretarie prepared to make it in his room. Of whom Pocheres (by the way) gave this touch, That there was a great correſpondence between Madamoiſelle de Truges, and him (contracted upon occaſions of frequent viſits, that had paſſed betwixt her Mother, and the Embaſſadour) and that therefore a careful eye was to be had of him.

Another (who muſt be nameleſſe) ſent for me yeſterday in the forenoone to tell me, that Pore Berule's errand hither was only to make out-cries againſt the decree, or proclamation againſt the Catholiques, and to accuſe your Grace as the Principal, if not the only author, who was now of a ſeeming friend become a deadly foe. That the Earl of Arundel had (out of his reſpect unto this State) purpoſely abſented himſelf, that he might not be guilty of ſo pernicious a Councel. That your Grace and my Lord of Holland, had both but very ſlippery hold in his Majeſties affections; that if this King would imploy his credit as he might, it would be no hard matter to root you both out thence, that there were good preparatives for it alreadie, and that my Lords Arundel, and Pembroke would joyn hands and heads together to accompliſh the effect. Whereupon Blainville was ſent for back to be more particularly inſtructed in the waies how to compaſſe it; and would ſpeedily poſt away in diligence. The ſame party added, that the propoſitions which the Marqueſſe de Fiatt had made bout the League, and Fleet, were before Brule's arrival ſomewhat well taſted, but ſince ſlighted, as thoſe, that became cheap (by their offer to divers others, as well as them) that the ſaid Marqueſſe ſhould have viſited Blainville at Paris, and ſounded him about his errand after this manner.

Firſt, whether he had order to diſneſtle Madam de St. George? Whereto the anſwer was, No; and that it was againſt all reaſon of State ſo to do; and when the other replyed, that the world was come to a bad paſſe, if reaſon of State deſcended as low as her, Blainville remained ſilent.

Secondly, whether he had commiſſion to introduce the Dutcheſſe of Buckingham and the Counteſſe of Denbigh into the Queenes bed-chamber. Anſwer was made, that it was a nice, and tender point, and if that were once condeſcended to, they would be continually whiſpering in the Queenes ear, how dear ſhe would be to the King her Husband, how plauſible, and powerful among the people, how beloved of all, if ſhe would change her religion, againſt which they were in conſcience here bound to provide, and therefore conclude with a refuſal of that likewiſe.

Thirdly, whether he carried any good inſtructions about an offenſive, or defenſive league whereunto the negative was ſtill repeated; but that he carried brave offers for the entertainment of Mansfelt. And when the Marqueſſe replied, that if that were all the contentment he carried, he feared ſhe would find but a very cold welcome; the other added, that perhaps he might be an Inſtrument to make the Queen and Duke friends. This were good (quoth the Marqueſſe) if the Queen had not as much need of the Dukes friendſhip, as the Duke of hers, and upon theſe terms they parted. The ſame lips that utterred all this, gave caution likewiſe againſt the Savoyard Embaſſadour, as a cunning, deep, hollow-hearted man. And being felt by me, how his pulſe beat towards Porcheres, told me he was a mercenarie man, and no wayes to be truſted. In the iſſue of all this, his Councel was, That your Grace would conſider well your own ſtrength, and what ground you have in his Majeſties favour, If it be ſolid, and good, then a Bravado will not do amiſſe (may be powerful here, to make them to ſee their own errour, and to walk upright) ſo it end with a good cloſe: but if your ſtation be not ſure, then he Counſels to prevent the ſtorm; for to break with all Spain, France, Puritanes, Papiſts, were not wiſdom; And deſires that by any meanes you inſtantly diſpatch a Currier to me to repreſent the true ſtate of things at home, and how you deſire matters ſhould be ordered for your ſervice here abroad, ſo that there may be fabriqued a more ſolid contentment to your Grace whoſe, hands I moſt humbly kiſſe in quality of

Your Graces Moſt humble, moſt faithful, moſt obeent, and moſt obliged Servant, Tho. Lorkin.

Poſtſcript.

IF my ſtay be intended long, it will be neceſſary that I uſe a Cypher, which I humbly beſeech your Grace to ſend me, or to give me leave to frame one as I can.

As I was cloſing up my Letter, Mr. Gerbier arrived, who hath been ſomewhat indiſpoſed in his health by the way, but now is reaſonably well God be thanked. His coming is very ſeaſonable, and I aſſure my ſelf will be uſeful.

By the diſcourſe, I have had with Mr. Gerbier, I ſee a little clearer into the ſtate of things here, and think Porcheres his advertiſement may be truer, as being perhaps grounded upon knowledge, the other ſpringing only upon conjecture, built upon Berule's clamours, and overtures, and the ſuddain ſending for Mounſieur Blanville back. Your Grace will ſee day in all ſhortly. But aſſuredly the latter advice comes from a heart that is affectionately devoted to your Graces ſervice. This Bearer will kiſſe your Graces hands from the Authour, and thereby you will know his name, which he ſtipulated might not come in writing.

The Lord Herbert to his Majeſtie. My moſt Gracious Soveraign,

NOw, that, I thank God for it, his Highneſſe according to my continual prayers, hath made a ſafe, and happie return, unto your Sacred Majeſties preſence, I think my ſelf bound by way of Compleat obedience to theſe Commandements I received from your Majeſtie, both by Mr. Secretary Calvert, and my Brother Henry, to give your Majeſtie an account of that ſenſe, which the general ſort of people doth entertain here concerning the whole frame and Context of his Highneſſe voyage. It is agreed on all parts, that his Highneſſe muſt have received much contentment, in ſeeing two great Kingdomes, and conſequently in enjoyning that ſatisfaction, which Princes, but rarely, and not without great peril, obtain. His Highneſſe diſcretion, diligence, and Princely behaviour every where likewiſe is much praiſed. Laſtly, ſince his Highneſſe journey hath fallen out ſo well, that his Highneſſe is come back, without any prejudice to his perſon, or dignity, they ſay the ſucceſſe hath ſufficiently commended the Councel. This is the moſt common cenſure (even of the biggeſt party, as I am informed) which I approve in all, but in the laſt point, in the delivery whereof I find ſomething to diſlike, and therefore tell them, that things are not to be judged alone, by the ſucceſſe, and that, when they would not look ſo high as Gods providence, without which no place is ſecure, they might find even in reaſon of State, ſo much, as might ſufficiently warrant his Highneſſe perſon, and liberty to return.

I will come from the ordinary voice to the ſelecter judgement, of the Miniſters of State, and more intelligent people in this Kingdom, who, though they nothing vary from the above recited opinion, yet as more profoundly looking into the ſtate of this long treated of Alliance betwixt your Sacred Majeſtie, and Spain, in the perſons of his Highneſſe, and the Infanta, they comprehended their ſentence thereof (as I am informed) in three Propoſitions.

Firſt, that the proteſtation which the King of Spain made to his Highneſſe upon his departure, whereby he promiſed to chaſe away, and disfavour all thoſe, who ſhould oppoſe this marriage, doth extend no further, then to the ſaid Kings Servants, or at furtheſt, not beyond the temporal Princes, his Neighbours, ſo that the Pope being not included herein, it is, though his conſent muſt be yet obtained, and conſequently, that the buſineſſe is in little more forwardneſſe then when it firſt began.

Secondly, that the Pope will never yield his conſent, unleſſe your Sacred Majeſtie, grant ſome notable priviledges and advantage to to the Roman Catholique religion in your Sacred Majeſties Kingdomes.

Thirdly, that the ſaid King of Spain would never inſiſt, upon obtaining thoſe priviledges, but that he more deſires, to form a party in your Sacred Majeſties Kingdomes, which he may keep alwaies obſequious to his will, then to maintain a friendly correſpondence between your Sacred Majeſtie, and himſelf. I muſt not in the laſt place omit to acquaint your Sacred Majeſtie, very particularly, with the ſenſe which was expreſſed by the bons Francois, and bodie of thoſe of the Religion, who heartily wiſh, that the ſame Greatneſſe which the King of Spain doth ſo affect over all the world, and ſtill maintaines even in this country, which is to be Protector of the Jeſuited, and Bigott partie, your Sacred Majeſtie would imbrace, in being defender of our faith. The direct anſwer to which, though I evade, and therefore reply little more, then that this Counſel was much fitter, when the union in Germany did ſubſiſt, then at this time? Yet do I think my ſelf obliged to repreſent the affection they bear unto your Sacred Majeſtie. This is as much as is come to my notice, concerning that point, your Sacred Majeſtie gave me in charge, which therefore I have plainely layd open, before your Sacred Majeſties eyes, as underſtanding well, that Princes never receive greater wrong, then when the Miniſters, they put in truſt, do palliate and diſguiſe thoſe things, which it concerns them to know. For the avoiding whereof let me take the boldneſſe to aſſure your Sacred Majeſtie, that thoſe of this Kings Councel here, will uſe all meanes they can, both to the King of Spain, and to the Pope (In whom they pretend to have very particular intereſt) not only to interupt, but if it be poſſible to break off you Sacred Majeſties Alliance with Spain. For which purpoſe the Count de Tilliers hath ſtrict command, to give al punctual advice, that accordingly they may proceed. It reſts, that I moſt humbly beſeech your Sacred Majeſtie to take my free relation of theſe particulars in good part, ſince I am of no faction, nor have any paſſion, or intereſt; but faithfullie to perform that ſervice, and dutie which I owe to your Sacred Majeſtie, for whoſe perfect health, and happineſſe, I pray with the devotion, of

Your Sacred Majeſties moſt obedient, moſt Loyal, and moſt affectionate Subject and Servant, Herbert. From Merton Castle the 31. of October, 1623. Stil No.

Mr. Edward Clark to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

I Have been hitherto very unfit (by reaſon of my ſickneſſe) to give your Lordſhip any account of my time at Madrid. So that without your Lordſhips favourable conſtruction, I may be thought forgetful of the truſt committed to my charge, and the rather, in that as yet your Lordſhip hath only heard what I have done, but not why. I preſume I have faithfullie followed the Princes direction, and on ſuch probable inducements, as will I hope both in your Highneſſes and your Lordſhips opinion plead my excuſe at leaſt. The verie day the Prince arrived at St. Anderaet, my Lord of Briſtol, ſeeing me verie weak, told me he was verie ſorrie, I was not able to perform the journie for England, for that now there was an extraordinary occaſion of a diſpatch, not only in reſpect of the ratification come the night before; but becauſe alſo they were almoſt come to a final concluſion of all articles, which were to be engroſſed, and ſigned the next day. Hereupon I was inquiſitive to know what aſſurance he had the Ratification was come: He anſwered, that, that verie day, he had been ſummoned to attend the Junto, and that there they had earneſtlie preſſed him, that the Articles might be ſpeedilie drawn up, and ſigned, ſince they had now received full warrant to authorize them to proceed; And that the next day was appointed accordingly. Thereupon unwilling to omit the preſent opportunitie, conceiving withal the purpoſe of the Princes Letter to be, either to expreſſe his Highneſſe further pleaſure before the meeting of the Junto, or to prevent the concluding of ſome other particular Article they might otherwiſe fall upon: I delivered his Letter to his Lordſhip (pretending it came to my hands amongſt other Letters that ſame day) I found him exceedinglie troubled in reading it, nor did he forbear to tell me, it muſt for a time be concealed; for he feared, if they ſhould come to the knowledge of it they would give order to ſtay the Prince. Upon theſe motives, and in this manner I parted with it, wherein I humbly ſubmitting my ſelf to his Highneſſe Conſtruction, I remain

Your Graces humbleſt ſervant to command, Ed. Clark. Madrid, 1. Octob. 1623.

Mr. Edward Clark to the Duke. My Lord,

THe Infanta's preparation for the Dispoſorio was great, but greater ſorrow (good Ladie) to ſee it deferred. It hath bred in them all ſome diſtraction. The multitude know not what to conjecture, what to ſay, but cry Piden el Palatinato. They confeſſe the demand juſt, but unſeaſonable, and do publiſh, that (the Dispoſorio paſt) the Infanta on her knees ſhould have been a ſuitor to the King to reſtore it, making it thereby her act, and drawing the obligation wholly to her. I muſt confeſſe, I want faith to believe it, and the rather, becauſe I ſee it reflect ſecretly, and malitiouſly upon your Lordſhip, who are made the authour of all the impediments that happen, not by your enemies onely, but by thoſe that ſhould ſuppreſſe it. Which troubles me ſo much, that I haſten all I can my return, ſince I know no other then to be

Your Graces faithful ſervant, Edw. Clark. Madrid, 6. Sept. 1623.

Sir Anthony Aſhley to the Duke. May it pleaſe your good Lordſhip,

IF any thing had happened worth your knowledge, I had either come or ſent to Theobalds in your abſence, being aſcertained that your Lordſhip had been already particularly informed of what paſſed in the Higher Houſe betwixt the Earl of A. and the L. S. which is the onely thing of note, and is thought will beget ſome noveltie.

Your Lordſhip may be moſt aſſured, that your Adverſaries continue their meetings and conferences here in Holborn, how to give his Majeſtie ſome foul diſtaſte of you, as making you the onely authour of all grievances and oppreſſions whatſoever for your private ends. And I hope to be able within few daies (if promiſe be kept) to give you good overture of a mutual oath taken to this purpoſe amongſt them.

The rumour lately ſpread touching his Majeſties untimely pardon of the late Lord Chancellours Fine and Impriſonment, with ſome other favours intended towards him, (ſaid to be procured by your Lordſhips only intimation) hath exceedingly exaſperated the rancor of the ill affected, which albeit it be falſe, and unlikely, becauſe very unſeaſonably; It doth yet ſerve the preſent turn, for the increaſe of malice againſt you. I can but inform your Lordſhip of what I underſtand, you may pleaſe to make uſe thereof as your ſelf thinketh beſt.

I moſt humbly intreat your good Lordſhip to keep Letters of this nature either in your own Cabinet, or to make Hereticks of them: for I am well acquainted with the diſpoſition of ſome Pen-men in Court. Upon Meſſage even now received of my poor Daughters ſuddain dangerous ſickneſſe, I am conſtrained unmannerly to poſt unto her, being the onely comfort I have in this world, and do purpoſe God willing a ſpeedie return. In the mean time, and even with my heartie prayer I commend your good Lordſhip to Gods merciful and ſafe keeping. This 12th. of May, 1621.

Your honourable good Lordſhips faithfully devoted, A. A.

Sir Wa. Rawleigh to the Duke, 12. Aug.

IF I preſume too much, I humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to pardon me, eſpecially in preſuming to write to ſo great and worthie a perſon, who hath been told that I have done him wrong. I heard it but of late, but moſt happie had I been, if I might have diſproved that villanie againſt me, when there had been no ſuſpition, that the deſire to ſave my life, had preſented my excuſe.

But my worthie Lord, it is not to excuſe my ſelf that I now write: I cannot; for I have now offended my Soveraign Lord: for all paſt, even all the world, and my very enemies have lamented my loſſe, whom now if his Majeſties mercie alone do not lament, I am loſt. Howſoever, that which doth comfort my ſoul in this offence is, that even in the offence it ſelf, I had no other intent then his Majeſties ſervice, and to make his Majeſtie know, That my late enterpriſe was grounded upon a truth, and which with one Ship ſpeedily ſet out, I meant to have aſſured, or to have died; being reſolved (as it is well known) to have done it from Plymouth, had I not been reſtrained. Hereby I hoped not onely to recover his Majeſties gracious opinion, but to have deſtroyed all thoſe malignant reports which had been ſpread of me. That this is true, that Gentleman whom I ſo much truſted, (my Keeper) and to whom I opened my heart, cannot but teſtifie, and wherein if I cannot be believed living, my death ſhall witneſſe: Yea that Gentleman cannot but avow it, that when we came back towards London, I deſired to ſave no other Treaſure, then the exact deſcription of thoſe places in the Indies. That I meant to go hence as a diſcontented man, God I truſt, and mine own Actions will diſſwade his Majeſtie. Whom neither the loſſe of my eſtate, thirteen years impriſonment, and the denial of my pardon could beat from his ſervice, nor the opinion of being accounted a fool, or rather diſtract, by returning as I did, ballanced with my love to his Majeſties perſon, and eſtate, had no place at all in my heart.

It was that laſt ſevere Letter from my Lords for the ſpeedie bringing of me up, and the impatience of diſhonour, that firſt put me in fear of my life, or enjoying it in a perpetual impriſonment, never to recover my reputation loſt, which ſtrengthened me in my late, and too late lamented reſolution, if his Majeſties mercie do not abound: if his Majeſtie do not pitie my age, and ſcorn to take the extreameſt and utmoſt advantage of my errours: if his Majeſtie in his great charitie do not make a difference between offences proceeding from a life-ſaving-natural impulſion, without all ill intent, and thoſe of an ill heart; and that your Lordſhip, remarkable in the world for the Nobleneſſe of your diſpoſition, do not vouchſafe to become my Interceſſour, whereby your Lordſhip ſhall bind an hundred Gentlemen of my kindred to honour your memorie, and bind me for all the time of that life which your Lordſhip ſhall beg for me, to pray to God that you may ever proſper, and over-bind me to remain

Your moſt humble ſervant, W. Rawleigh.

Sir Henry Yelverton to the Duke, 15. March, 1623. May it pleaſe your Grace,

MY humble heart and affection hath wrote many lines, and preſented many Petitions to your Grace before this time, though none legible but one ſent by my Lord Rochford, within five daies after your moſt welcomed arrival from Spain.

I have learned the plain phraſe of honeſt ſpeech. My Lord, I have honoured your name long, and your own virtue much. I never found misfortune greater then this, that ſtill ſailing after you in all humble deſires of dutie, I was ſtill caſt behind you. I excuſe nothing, wherein your Grace may judge me faultie, but will be glad to expiate my errours at any price.

Your noble heart (I hope) harbours no memorie of what did then diſtaſte you. Your own merits which have ſo much ennobled you, will be the more compleat, if I may but merit your forgetfulneſſe of wrongs paſt. If I ſeek your Grace before I deſerve it, enable me I beſeech you to Deſerve, that I may ſeek. If any, on whom you have caſt your eye moſt, endear himſelf more to your ſervice, then I ſhall; let me not follow the vintage at all. Till this day I feared the relliſh of ſowr Grapes, though I have ſought you with many broken ſleeps. But this Noble Earl, whoſe honour for this work ſhall ever with me be ſecond to yours, hath revived me, with the aſſurance of your gracious pardon, and libertie to hope, I may be deemed your ſervant.

I proteſt to God, it is not the affluence of your honour makes me joy in it, nor the power of your Grace, that trains me on to ſeek it, but let the trial of all your fortunes ſpeak thus much for me, that I will follow you, not as Cyrus his Captains and Souldiers followed him, the one for ſpoil, the other for place: but if with ſafetie to your Grace, though with peril to my ſelf, I may ſerve you, let me die if I do it not, rather then want any longer, what my humble love ever led me to, and I ſtill affect the honour

To be yours, Henry Yelverton.

Sir John Eliot to the Duke, 8. Novemb. 1623. Right Honourable,

WIth what affection I have ſerved your Grace, I deſire rather it ſhould be read in my actions, then my words, which made me ſparing in my laſt relation to touch thoſe difficulties, wherewith my Letters have been checkt, that they might the more fully ſpeak themſelves. I ſhall not ſeek to gloſſe them now, but as they have been, leave them to your Graces acceptance, which I preſume ſo noble, that ſcandal or detraction cannot decline it. It were an injurie of your worth, which I dare not attempt, to inſinuate the opinion of any merit by falſe colours, or pretences, or with hard circumſtances to endear my labours, and might beget ſuſpition, ſooner then aſſurance in your credit, which I may not hazard. My innocence I hope needs not theſe, nor would I ſhadow the leaſt errour under your protection. But where my ſervices have been faithful, and not altogether vain, directed truly to the honour and benefit of your place, onely ſuffering upon the diſadvantage of your abſence, I muſt importune your Grace to ſupport my weakneſſe, that it may cauſe no prejudice of your rights and liberties, which I have ſtudied to preſerve, though with the loſſe of mine own. My inſiſtance therein hath expoſed me to a long impriſonment, and great charge, which ſtill increaſeth, and threatens the ruine of my poor fortunes, if they be not ſpeedily prevented. For which, as my endeavours have been wholly yours. I moſt humbly crave your Graces favour both to my ſelf, and them; In which I am devoted

Your Graces thrice-humble Servant, J. Eliot.

The Earl of Oxford to the Duke. My Lord,

I Cannot but believe that I have had ſome undeſerved ill offices done me unto your Lordſhip, otherwiſe I ſhould not find this difficultie in being preferred, if not afore, at leaſt equally in ballance with my Accuſers. It is common unto all mens underſtanding, that it is not the guilt of the accuſed, but the legal and juſt proceeding, which cleares the Kings honour, and this I do, and ever will acknowledge to have been held towards me. Neither was it ever known, that the Kings Grace, the more it came ſweetned with his favour, did leſſen or diminiſh his honour, but rather ſeemed as a luſtre to make his goodneſſe ſhine brighter, and oblige the Receiver in a more ſtrict Tye of gratitude. My Lord, it cannot wrong you to oblige me to your ſervice, nor add reputation to you throw me upon Rocks. I appeal to the King, and your own Conſcience, whether ever I have harboured any treaſonable thoughts, either againſt his Majeſtie, or his iſſue, that ſhould make me uncapable of receiving his grace, without imputation to thoſe faithful and dutiful reſpects, with which I have ever ſerved his Majeſtie; If it ſhall pleaſe him to line me out my path to death (the period whither we muſt all travel to) by impriſonment, I ſhall be far from repining at the ſentence, but with all humbleneſſe, will undergo it, and employ my heartieſt prayers for the long continuance of his honour and happineſſe.

I beſeech your Lordſhip receive my Character of what I am, and have ever been towards you, not from Conjectures and reports of others, but from my own mouth, and actions. For yet I have reaſon to ſuſpect your opinion of me, elſe ſure I ſhould have found better fruits of your power. I was alwaies (as much as lay in me) deſirous to outſtrip, rather then come ſhort of any in doing you ſervice, and the ſame affections ſtill remain with me, of the truth of which I pray you be confident.

To this onely I will add one requeſt more, which is, That ſince your Lordſhip is pleaſed to mediate with his Majeſtie for my freedom, you will procure it ſo free from rubs, as that my obligation may be the greater, which I will ever willingly and faithfully pay unto your Lordſhip in all reſpects, like him, who truly is

Your Lordſhips, &c. H.O.

The Lady Purbeck to the Duke. My Lord,

THough you may judge what pleaſure there is in the converſation of a man in the diſtemper you ſee your Brother in; yet the dutie I owe to a husband, and the affection I bear him, (which ſickneſſe ſhall not diminiſh,) makes me much deſire to be with him, to adde what comfort I can to his afflicted mind, ſince his onely deſire is my Companie. Which if it pleaſe you to ſatisfie him in, I ſhall with a very good will ſuffer with him, and think all but my dutie, though I think every wife would not do ſo. But if you can ſo far diſpenſe with the Lawes of God, as to keep me from my Husband, yet aggravate it not by reſtraining from me his means, and all other contentments, but which I think is rather the part of a Chriſtian, you eſpecially ought much rather to ſtudie comforts for me, then to adde ills to ills, ſince it is the marriage of your Brother makes me thus miſerable. For if you pleaſe but to conſider not only the lamentable eſtate I am in, deprived of all Comforts of a husband, and having no means to live of: beſides falling from the hopes my fortune then did promiſe me, for you know very well I came no beggar to you, though I am like ſo to be turned off.

For your own honor, and Conſcience ſake, take ſome courſe to give me ſatisfaction, to tye my tongue from crying to God, and the world for vengeance for the unworthy dealing I have received. And think not to ſend me again to my Mothers, where I have ſtayed this quarter of a year, hoping (for that my Mother ſaid you promiſed,) order ſhould be taken for me, but I never received pennie from you. Her confidence of your Nobleneſſe made me ſo long ſilent; but now believe me, I will ſooner begg my bread in the ſtreets to all your diſhonours, then any more trouble my friends, and eſpecially my Mother, who was not onely content to afford us part of the little means ſhe hath left her, but whileſt I was with her, was continually diſtempered with deviſed Tales, which came from your Familie, and withal loſt your good opinion, which before ſhe either had, or you made ſhew of it; but had it been real, I cannot think her words would have been ſo tranſlated, nor in the power of diſcontented ſervants Tales to have ended it.

My Lord, if the great honour you are in, can ſuffer you to have ſo mean a thought as of ſo miſerable a creature as I am, ſo made by too much Credulitie of your fair promiſes, which I have waited for performance of almoſt theſe five years: And now it were time to deſpair, but that I hope you will one day be your ſelf, and be governed by your own noble thoughts, and then I am aſſured to obtain what I deſire, ſince my deſires be ſo reaſonable, and but for mine own. Which whether you grant or no, the affliction my poor husband is in (if it continue) will keep my mind in a continual purgatorie for him, and will ſuffer me to ſign my ſelf no other, but

Your unfortunate Siſter, F. Purbeck.

Dr. Donne to the Marqueſſe of Buckingham, 13th. Septemb. 1621. My moſt honoured Lord,

I Moſt humbly beſeech your Lordſhip to afford this ragg of paper a room amongſt your evidences. It is your evidence not for a Mannour, but for a man. As I am a Prieſt it is my ſacrifice of prayer to God for your Lordſhip; and as I am a Prieſt, made able to ſubſiſt, and appear in Gods ſervice by your Lordſhip, it is a ſacrifice of my ſelf to you. I deliver this paper as my Image; and I aſſiſt the power of any Conjurer, with this imprecation upon my ſelf, that as he ſhall tear this paper, this picture of mine, ſo I may be torn in my fortune, and in my fame, if ever I have any corner in my heart, diſpoſſeſſed of a zeal to your Lordſhips ſervice. His Majeſtie hath given me a royal Key into your Chamber, leave to ſtand in your preſence, and your Lordſhip hath already ſuch a fortune, as that you ſhall not need to be afraid of a ſuitor, when I appear there. So that I proteſt to your Lordſhip, I know not what I want, ſince I cannot ſuſpect, nor fear my ſelf for ever doing, or leaving undone any thing by which I might forfeit that title, of being alwaies

Your Lordſhips, &c. J. D.

Dr. Donne to the Duke. My Honoured Lord,

ONce I adventured to ſay to the Prince his Highneſſe, That I was ſure he would receive a book from me, the more gratiouſly, becauſe it was dedicated to your Grace: I proceed juſtlie upon the ſame confidence, that your Grace will accept this, becauſe it is his by the ſame title. If I had not overcome that reluctation, which I had in my ſelf of repreſenting devotions, and mortifications to a young and active Prince, I ſhould not have put them into your preſence, who have done ſo much, and have ſo much to do in this world, as that it might ſeem enough to think ſeriouſly of that. No man in the bodie of ſtorie, is a full preſident to you, nor may any future man promiſe himſelf and adaequation to his precedent, if he make you, his. Kings have diſcerned the ſeeds of high virtues in many men, and upon that Gold, they have put their ſtamp, their favours upon thoſe perſons: But then thoſe perſons have laboured under the jealouſie of the future Heire; And ſome few, have had the love of Prince, and King, but not of the Kingdom, and ſome of that too, and not of the Church; God hath united your Grace ſo to them all, that as you have received obligations from the King, and Prince, ſo you have laid obligations upon the Church and ſtate. They above, love you out of their judgement, becauſe they have loved you: and we below, love you out of our thankfulneſſe, becauſe you have loved us. Gods privie Seal is the teſtimonie of a good conſcience, and his broad-Seal is the outward beſſings of this life. But ſince his Pillar of fire, was ſeconded with a Pillar of Cloud, and that all his temporal bleſſings have ſome partial Eclipſes, and the pureſt conſciences ſome remorſes: ſo though he have made your way to Glorie, Glorie; and brought you in the armes and boſome, of his Vicegerent, into his own arms and boſome, yet there muſt come a minute of twilight in a natural death. And as the reading of the actions of great men, may aſſiſt you for great actions, ſo for this one neceſſarie deſcent of dying, (which I hope ſhall be the onely ſtep of Lownes, that ever you ſhall paſſe by, and by that late) you may receive ſome Remembrances, from the Meditations and Devotions of

Your Graces Devouteſt Servant, J. Donne.

Sir John Hipſley to the Duke. My Noble Lord,

I Find that all my Lord of Briſtols actions are ſo much extolled, that what you command me to ſay is hardly believed. I will ſay no more in it, but leave the reſt to Mr: Greihams, only this, that you have written much to the King in ſome mans behalf, and Mr. Greſley hath a 100. a year given him during his life, all which I think is without your knowledge; And Mr. Killegrew hath the like, that came for your ſake after the other was granted. Mr. Greihams can tell you how that came. My Lord of Southampton hath offered his ſon to marrie with my Lord Treaſurers Daughter, and tells him this reaſon, that now is the time he may have need of friends, but it is refuſed as yet; the event I know not what that will be.

I have ſpoken to the King of all that you gave me in command, and he doth proteſt, that what he hath done, was meerly for your ſake, and indeed he is very careful of all your buſineſſe, as if you were here your ſelf; but yet for Gods ſake make what haſte you may home for fear of the worſt. For the carriage of Captain Hall, I will not trouble you till you come home, only this by the way, that my Lord Treaſurer hath it; but upon what tearms I know not nor indeed deſire you ſhould be troubled with it. Sir George Goring came home but this laſt night, and is gone to the Court, and deſires to be excuſed for writing to you. My Ladie Hatton, and my Ladie Purbeck came home with him from the Hague.

My Lord of Arundel hath not been at Court ſince the death of his ſon. I fear the newes, that Charles Gleman did ſhew you was true. For I can aſſure you Marqueſſe Hamilton was much troubled till I had ſpoken with him. There be ſome have done no good offices betwixt you. Pray have a care of the Letter, I mean the man Mr. Gleman did ſhew you, and keep as many friends as you may. I have ſpoken with no man, but my Lord Keeper who is yours, or not his own as he ſweares. And Mr. ſecretarie Conway is yours bodie, and ſoul; I never heard of the like of him, for he flies at all men, that be not yours. Here is much admiration, that they hear not from you, but I thank God, the King is not troubled at it, for I do aſſure him, that it is the better, that he heares not from you: for now he may be confident, that you keep your day in comming away, which doth much pleaſe him. I will write nothing of my own buſineſſe, though there be nothing done in it, but do hope, that you will not ſee your Servant periſh.

If I be too tedious, I pray pardon mee, it is my love that makes me ſo, and yet I have an humble ſuite unto you, which is to begg at your hands for patience; for now is the time to ſhew it or never; for all the eyes of the world are upon you and this is the time to win Honour, and fame; and for Gods-ſake carrie the buſineſſe with patience betwixt my Lord of Briſtol, and you; for here be thoſe that do laugh in their ſleeves at you both. I beſeech you let me hear from you, what you will command me, for I will do nothing (as near as I can) but what will give content: For you have that power in me, that you need but ſay, and it is done (if it lie in my power) ſo ſhall you ever command

Your faithful, and obedient Servant, till death, Jo. Hipſley London 1. Septemb. 1623.

Sir Dudley Carleton to the Marqueſſe of Buckingham. Right Honourable,

BY the diſpatch of the fourteenth of this preſent (which I ſent by Jonſon the Poſt) I advertiſed your Honour at large in the two ſeveral Letters of the occurrents of theſe parts, and therewith ſent a copie of my ſecond propoſition which I made the day before in the Aſſemblie of the States General touching the buſineſſe of Cleves, and Juliers in conformitie to your Honours Letters of the 30th. of the laſt.

The anſwer thereunto was deferred until yeſterday, and then brought me only by word of mouth from the States by Mounſieur Magnus of Zealand, and Mounſieur Zuleſtein of Ʋtrecht, and was to this effect, That the States having ſent my former propoſition of the third of December to their ſeveral provinces, from which this latter did differ in ſubſtance, ſave onely in reſpect of the time for the reſtitution of the Townes, which was prolonged for the ſpace of a month, all they could do according to the conſtitution of their government, was to ſend this my ſecond propoſition likewiſe unto their provinces, which they had done the day after I made the ſame, and until they receive more expreſſe order from their principals, they were to reſt upon their former anſwer. Wherein they declared their good intentions to accommodate this buſineſſe, ſo it might be with ſafetie to themſelves, and ſatisfaction of their neighbours. And herein they were to expect the reſolution of the Elector of Brandenbergh, from whom the time did not yet ſerve to know his mind. Mean while they humbly beſeech his Majeſtie to make a gracious conſtruction of their proceedings.

I was the day before with Mounſieur Barnevelt, (who is Preſident this week) to ſollicite their anſwer, who excuſed himſelf upon the ſmalneſſe of their number, many of the States being abſent, and of two Provinces all the Deputies: So as to give a determinate reſolution according as was required, they could not: And to make anſwer in general terms, ſince his Majeſtie reſted not ſatisfied with the former, he doubted another of the ſame kind would not pleaſe him. So as it ſeems this Meſſage in place of an anſwer in writing, proceeded of his Councel.

By diſcourſe both with him, and thoſe which came unto me, upon this ſubject, I find their diffidence of the purpoſe of the Spaniard rather increaſed then otherwiſe, upon the news of Leavies intended on the Arch-Dukes ſide, to the number of 9000 foot, and 1000, or 1200 horſe; and their delay in taking a determinate reſolution, no way diſſwaded, but rather counſelled by all other Princes, who have intereſt in this buſineſſe. Their Embaſſadour at Paris having advertiſed them by reiterated Letters, That Don Pedro di Sarmientos his offer to his Majeſtie touching the execution of the Treatie of Zanten is abſolutely diſavowed by both the Kings of France and Spain. And this French Embaſſadour Mounſieur du Maurier, having made it appear unto them, that at Bruſſels they have the ſame conceit of it, as a thing done without authoritie. Beſides, the Princes of the Union have written lately expreſſe Letters to the States, wherein they perſwade them to extraordinarie vigilance upon the Spaniards, and particularly in this buſineſſe of Cleves, and Juliers, the tranſlated Copies of which Letters, I ſend your Honour herewith. And the Prince of Brandenbergh being young himſelf, and having his Councel divided in opinion, doth nothing abſolutely without reference to this State, and he when I put them in mind, how they themſelves were the authors and framers of the Treatie of Zanten, they ſtick not to ſay plainly, Tempora mutantur, et nos: ſo as I am daily more and more confirmed in my former opinion, That there is no way left to accommodate this buſineſſe, but by a private agreement between the Princes Pretendents. But Strickius, the Agent of Brandenbergh, being abſent at Cleves, I do not hear how this Negotiation proceeds.

Amongſt the particularities which paſſed in diſcourſe between Mounſieur Magnus, and my ſelf, I inſiſting upon reſtitution of the Townes, as the meanes to prevent an imminent war upon the quarrel, He asked to whom they ſhould reſtore them, unleſſe the Princes were agreed, and that they might know, which of the Princes ſhould receive him, and whom they ſhould have for their neighbour. Whereby it appeares, this courſe will on this ſide remove all difficulties.

It is advertiſed hither, by Mounſieur Langrack, the States Embaſſadour at Paris, that the apprehenſion they had in the Court, to have this buſineſſe ended without the French Kings intervention, cauſed Mounſieur de Refuges to be ſummoned to make an other journey expreſſely hither, in regard he had formerly the managing thereof, Notwithſtanding thta Mounſieur de la Nove was already named for this extraordinarie Embaſſage: But Refuges excuſing himſelf upon his indiſpoſition, ſent all his memorial of what paſſed, when he was here in the treatie of Zanten, with his private opinion upon the whole matter to ſerve as an inſtruction to la Nove.

By the other Letters of the 28. of this preſent Stil No. Mounſieur Langrack hath given this State many important advertiſements, as firſt, that he hath obtained of the French Kng a continuance of the ſuccours of the 3. Regiments of foot, and 2. Troops of horſe of that Nation for one year longer, notwithſtanding the oppoſition of the Spaniſh, and Arch-Dukes Embaſſadours, who adviſed the recalling of them upon occaſion of the preſent troubles in France. That there is order given and aſſignation for 120000 Crownes towards the arrearages of their pay. That a reſolution is taken in that Court by the advice of the new Councellours, contrarie to the opinion of the old, to proſecute the Princes by war, and maintain the Kings authority henceforward by force. That to this effect the King deſires the State ſhould perform their promiſes of ſending towards the river of Burdeaux 5. men of war. That he likewiſe requires of them in conformitie of the laſt treaties betwixt the Crown, and this Star, an aſſiſtance of men to the number of the French, which are here in ſervice, under ſome good Commander; But the French themſelves, the King will not have, for fear, when they ſhall come into France, of their revolting to the Princes. That he demands free paſſage through theſe Countries down the Mauſe, and the Rhene of 3000. Souldiers, with their armes, which are leaived by the Count John Giacomo Belioyoſa in Luke-Land, and thereabouts, and ſhipping to tranſport them into France.

All theſe particulars were moved unto him (as he writes) by the Marſhal de Anchre, to which he adds, That the King is ſo much incenſed againſt the Duke of Bovillon, for ſeeking to this State for protection, by theſe Letters whereof I advertiſed your Honour in my laſt, that there is a reſolution taken to declare him Criminel de leſe Majeſtate.

Theſe Grauntes are ſo ſcantie (the continuance of the French Troops in the ſervice of the State, being but for a year only, and the payment of them arriving only to the tenth part of what is alreadie due) that they here interpret them to proceed from the Marſhal de Ancre Pour tenir (as they ſay) le bee en Leau, and the demands are ſo large and extravagant, that they are thought iniquum petere, ut aequum ferant; Whereby on the one ſide to keep this State in devotion to the French King, and on the other to prevent the like requeſts of the Princes: for there is ſmall appearance, they will give paſſage to ſo many men through their Countries armed, and commanded by an Italian, who hath born armes againſt them, and is married into the Arch Dukes Countrie. And when it comes to queſtion of ſending forces of their own thither, it is like they will find as good excuſes for that point, as they have hitherto done for the ſending of the ſhips, now three months ſince promiſed, and ſtill ſolicited: For howſoever the chief Perſons here have been long particularly intereſted and ingaged (as your Honour knowes) by neer dependance on this Crown, I find them of late very much alienated in conſideration that it is ſo much governed by Spain, which in the end they apprehended will turn to the ruine of this State.

In France they are jealous of this coldneſſe, and have of late expoſtulated the matter with Mounſieur Langrack, as if they here did incline to the Princes, there being, a bruite raiſed in Paris, that Count Maurice would go in Perſon to their aſſiſtance; whereof the Queen Regent was very ſenſible; but I do not find here, that there was any ground for that report.

Here hath been lately a fame ſpread, and nouriſhed by ſuch as deſire to weaken the correſpondence betwixt his Majeſtie and this State, that his Majeſtie is in neer terms of matching our Prince with Spain. Which report is now the more credited, by an adviſo out of Spain from a ſecret Miniſter, this State entertaines, under colour of ſolliciting Merchants cauſes. That this match hath been there, by order of the King of Spain debated in the inquiſition, and judged neceſſarie in regard it would ſerve for introduction of Poperie into England.

This I find to be the Remora of my chief affaires with this State, my preſſing the reſtitution of the Townes in Cleves and Juliers being thought by many of theſe jealous people to hang on this thread, as a thing very acceptable, and agreeable at this time to the King of Spain, and much advantagious in this preſent conjuncture to his affaires; and my inſiſting upon ſending of Commiſſioners to his Majeſtie in the buſineſſe of our Merchants, they applie the ſame way, as if the opinion which would be conceived of this Embaſſage, (howſoever Merchants affaires were pretended, the chief intent was to play Davus in Comaedia) ſhould according to the uſe of Nitimur in Vetitum, rather kindle, then quench the deſire of the Spaniard, and draw the match to a more ſpeedie concluſion.

At my laſt being with Mounſieur Barnevelt, I did expoſtulate the States delay of ſending Commiſſioners to his Majeſtie upon this occaſion, as neither anſwereth to Sir Noel Caron's word and promiſe to his Majeſtie, nor to that, which from his mouth, I did advertiſe your Lordſhip of the States inclination in general, and the reſolution in particular of thoſe of Holland. To which he anſwered me, That with much difficultie and oppoſition, he had obtained the aſſent of Holland, and that now the matter reſted with Zealand, but he doubted, that his Majeſties reſtoring the old Company of Merchants, would make a ſtay of any farther proceeding, as now leſſe requiſite, howſoever, that Sir Noel Carone had advertiſed, that notwithſtanding this change, he thought the ſending of Commiſſioners very neceſſary.

The Queſtions here about Religion, reſt in the ſame ſtate as I advertiſed your Lordſhip in my laſt, the Aſſembly of Holland being ſeparated untill the end of February ſtil. no. when they are to meet again. Mean while a proviſional order is taken, that the Contra-Remonſtrants ſhall continue their preaching in our Engliſh Church, which they have accommodated with Scaffolds, to make it more capable of their number.

There was much queſtion in this Aſſemblie, whether his Excellencie ſhould be preſent, or no: but in the end he was called by the major part of voices, contrary to Mounſieur Barnevelt's opinion, and his authoritie over-ſwayed the matter in favour of the Contra-Remonſtrants for the continuance of their preaching, which it was propoſed to hinder by ſome violent Courſes.

By example of this place, there is the like proviſional order taken for preaching at the Brill, and Rotterdam, and certain of the Burghers are eſtabliſhed in Tergow, who were put from their Trade and Commerce, for their expoſtulating with the Magiſtrate upon this quarrel.

I have been ſpoken unto by divers particular perſons well affected in this cauſe, to procure a Letter from his Majeſtie to his Excellencie, whereby to comfort and encourage him in his Zeal for the maintenance of the true doctrine, and the profeſſours thereof, againſt theſe Novelliſts and their opinions. Which I moſt humbly refer to his Majeſties wiſdom, (in caſe he judge this office neceſſarie) whether it be ſit to be done by Letter or Meſſage, the former of which, will be of greater vertue, but the latter leſſe ſubject to croſſe conſtruction of the Arminian faction, which your Honour knowes how potent it is here amongſt thoſe who have chief rule in this State. Thus I humbly take leave, ever reſting

Your Lordſhips moſt faithfully to be commanded, Dudley Carleton. Hague this 24. Febr. 1616. Stil. Vet.

Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke of Buckingham. My moſt honourable Lord,

IMmediately upon receipt of your Lordſhips Letter concerning Sir John Ogle, I moved the Prince of Orange not onely for his leave for Sir John to go into England, but likewiſe for his Letters of recommendation, whereby to give your Lordſhip ſubject, upon ſome ſuch teſtimonies of his Excellencies good ſatisfaction, to ſet him upright in his Majeſties favour, both which he granted unto me: though againſt the firſt, he alledged the abſence of all the Engliſh Colonels; and touching the latter, he called to mind old matters; which notwithſtanding (upon what I undertook for Sir John's future intentions) he was content to forget. I did once again upon Sir John's inſtance, put his Excellencie in mind of his diſpatch, wherein I found no difficultie. Since I find Sir John hath changed his purpoſe of going, and his excuſe will be made at his intreatie by his Excellencie, who hath ſince let me know, Though he would not deny me his leave, yet he is better content (in regard he is ſo ſlenderly accompanied with Colonels, in a time when the State hath need of their ſervice with his ſtay. So as Sir John hath the obligation to your Lordſhip of a favourable recommendation and for his not prevailing himſelf of his leave when it was granted, I muſt leave to himſelf to render a reaſon. For my part, having accompliſhed what I find by your Lordſhips Letter, to be agreeable both to his Majeſties pleaſure, & your Lordſhips, I thought it my dutie to advertize, That there is an ancient difference between Sir Horacio Vere, and Sir Edward Cecyl, about the extent of their Commands; whereupon followeth a great inconveniencie to the diſhonor of our Nation, (which as it appears when they were laſt in the field before Reez) are divided hereby, and march, and lodge in ſeveral bodies, and quarters. Much endeavour hath been formerly uſed in theſe parts to reconcile them, but all in vain, by reaſon of ſome ill Inſtruments, who wrought upon both their diſcontents to ſet them farther aſunder. Now, they are both in England, and are both written for, to come over; It were a work worthy of your Lordſhip to make them underſtand one another better, and what they will not yeeld to of themſelves, to over-rule by his Majeſties authoritie. I may not conceal from your Lordſhip, that I am intreated by the Prince of Orange himſelf to do this office, both with his Majeſtie, and your Lordſhip, wherein he would not be ſeen himſelf, becauſe having dealt between them fruitleſly heretofore, he doubteth of the like ſucceſſe now. But when their agreement ſhall be made, he will acknowledge his obligation to your Lordſhip, and for the better proceeding therein, I ſent your Lordſhip a Copie of an order formerly ſet down betwixt them, with the tranſlate of Sir Horacio Vere's Commiſſion, (both which I had of his Excellencie) and likewiſe the beginning, and proceeding of their difference, as I have collected the ſame in brief out of other mens reports.

The projects I ſent your Lordſhip with my laſt, of a Weſt-Indian Companie having been propoſed to the States of Guelderland for their ratification (who have the leading voice in the Aſſemblie of the States general, end were ever leaſt forward in that buſineſſe) hath thus far their allowance, that they will concur therein with the reſt of the Provinces. But withal I do underſtand, they have given their Deputies ſecret charge not to give way thereunto, in caſe they find it prejudicial to the Truce. Which makes the matter evident, that the project of the Company (though it be never ſo advanced) will ſtand or fall, according to the proceeding of the Truce. The expiration whereof approaching ſo neer, and here being advertiſements from Paris, that a French Gentleman one Belleavium (who was lately imployed hither to the Prince of Orange about the difference betwixt him, and the Prince of Conde) had ſecret inſtructions to ſound the States, how they ſtood affected to the renewing thereof. I have uſed all diligence to know how far he went; and am well informed, he hath done nothing therein of Conſideration: onely this paſt between him, and his Excellencie.

He telling his Excellencie from Mounſieur Deſdiguieres, and ſome of the French Kings Councel, how acceptable the extraordinarie Embaſſage intended from hence will be in that Court and thereupon perſwading a ſpeedie imbracing the opportunitie.

From whence (ſaid his Excellencie after his round manner) cometh this alteration?

To ſpeak plainly (ſaid he) they fear in France you will renew the Truce without them, and therefore by your Embaſſadours, they would interpoſe themſelves.

Here are good advertiſements both from Bruxels and Paris, that the Spaniards intent is not to renew the Truce, but to have a Peace propoſed with theſe plauſible conditions; That the King of Spain will pretend nothing in the Regiment of theſe United Provinces, nor require any thing of them in the point of Religion, but leave all in terms as it now ſtands, with recognition onely of ſome titular Soveraigntie, which he cannot in honour relinquiſh.

This is already propoſed to France, as a glorious work to eſtabliſh a ſettled Peace in theſe parts of the world, but with this condition, That if it be not imbraced here, then France ſhall refuſe to give this State any further ſupport, or countenance, of which it is here believed, that Spain hath already obtained a firm promiſe in that Court. And that either the like overture is already made, or will be within few daies to his Majeſtie.

Under which doth lie hidden many myſteries much to the advantage of the Spaniard, and prejudice of this State: for the very propoſition of a new Treatie will diſtract them here very much, in regard of their unſettledneſſe, and aptneſſe upon any diſpute to relapſe into faction, beſides many Conſiderations of importance belonging properly to the Conſtitution of their Government, but the acceptation of the old, by renewing of the Truce upon the former terms, for ſo many years, more, or leſſe, as ſhall be thought ſitting, will (in my poor opinion (which notwithſtanding is not ſlenderly grounded) take place, without much difficultie. The importance of this buſineſſe, hath made me give your Lordſhip this trouble, and your Lordſhip may be pleaſed to let his Majeſtie underſtand as well that little as is done by Mounſieur Belleavium, as what they here conceive to be further intended by the Spaniard. So I moſt humbly take leave, ever reſting

Your Lordſhips Moſt faithful ſervant, Dudley Carleton. Hague this 10th. of June, 1620.

Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. Moſt Honourable,

NOt to give your Lordſhip the trouble of often Letters, I render an account of his Majeſties Commandments by the ſame hand I uſually receive them. One I had lately by an expreſſe Letter from his Majeſtie, accompanied with another from your Lordſhip, touching my Lord of Buckleugh, to demand full ſatisfaction of the States, for all his Lordſhips pretentions, and to that effect to procure Inſtructions and Commiſſion to be ſent to Sir Noel Carone to end this buſineſſe.

To which effect I have moved both his Excellencie and the States, and whileſt they were treating thereof, Colonel Brogue arrived here out of Scotland: with whom they are now handling to put him to Penſion, and to give my Lord the Command of his Regiment in lieu of his Pretenſions. Which when they come to calculate, my Lord will find a ſhort reckoning of them, and to ſend accounts out of their accountants hands, and refer them to others, they will never be moved.

Wherefore if the courſe they now take can be gone thorough with (which Colonel Brogue doth moſt unwillingly hear of) it will be then in my Lords choice, whether he will remain ſatisfied, or not. And within few daies I hope to return my Lords Secretarie with advertiſement of what is done. Mean time I aſſure your Lordſhip nothing is omitted in my endeavours to procure him that, which may be moſt to his contentment.

In the preſent condition of publique affaires, your Lordſhip knoweth well how at this inſtant we have all buone Parolle out of Spain, and Cattivi-fatti of all the reſt of the Houſe of Auſtria. In ſo much as theſe Low-Countrie Troops under the governance of the Infanta, aſſiſt in the blocking up of a poor town, all which remaines of his Majeſties only Daughters Jointure in the Palatinate. And the Emperour not content with having chaſed her Husband out of the Empire, in the Propoſition of the Diett of Ratisbone, makes this one Article, to make war upon theſe Provinces, becauſe (amongſt other quarrels) they give refuge to the Prince Palatine. Where will this perſecution ceaſe? And what place in the world to which they are driven from hence (and is eaſily gueſſed in all their extreamitie, whither they will be forced to flie) is not ſubject to the ſame quarrel? within this week that I now write (betwixt Sunday, and Sunday) we were here in that ſtate, if God had not prevented it, this Countrie had been too hot for them to remain in, and it had been a happineſſe for them, if they could have got a poore skeveling boat to have tranſported them elſe-where. This Bearer my Nephew will inform your Lordſhip more particularly thereof.

Now, de agendis, there reſts no more, then queſtion of maintaining the Army of Mansfelt, and Brunſwick, which is lodged at the preſent in a place, out of which, it can hardly match, and more hardly be removed. If it have pay, and countenance, it may do good ſervice in Germany; if not, I will tell your Lordſhip what I conceive may be the conſequence. It will be hedged into East-Friſeland by Tillie, (whoſe Troops alreadie draw that way) Cordova and Anholt, againſt which keeping it ſelf within that Countrie, it will be able to make reſiſtance, as the poore Peaſants thereof did heretofore againſt the Spaniſh Armie, by reaſon of the difficultie of acceſſe. From this State it will have all aſſiſtance, and though it be kept in by land, it will have the Sea open betwixt Griett and Norden, (both which places are in Manſ-felts poſſeſſion) a Haven fit for a Fleet of Gallions. If by that meanes they, with correſpondencie with this State may ſupport themſelves, it will be very ill for many important conſequences. If they and this State, (which will be forced to run a fortune together) be overcome, much worſe; for what can keep the reſt of Europe from ſubjection to the Auſtriaci? Wee ſee how in Terra firma, the Walloons joyned to Spaniards, both make and maintain their Conqueſts. Joyn the Hollanders to them by Sea, they will reap the like ſervice by them. The fruit we have reaped heretofore of the ſhiping of theſe Provinces, both for defence in the year 88. and offence in the Cadiz journey, ſheweth what a ſtrong addition this is to a greater power.

My moſt honourable Lord, I am ſo full of ſuch like ſpeculations, that theſe have broken out ex Plentitudine Cordis, ſurcharged with grief to ſee in Plenitudine temporis, that to come to effect in the publique affaires which was diſcovered long ſince, by the Emperours intercepted letters ſent by the Capuchin into Spain, and to hear the judgment made every where, that the publique oppoſition of the Spaniſh Embaſſadour (D'Ognates) words to the Emperours proceeding de facto, is but a patelinage, with ſecret underſtanding to abuſe his Majeſties goodneſſe. Of which it lyeth yet in his Majeſties power to vindicate himſelf; but there is no time to ſpare. I humbly crave pardon for this libertie of diſcourſe I uſe with your Lordſhip, who am

Your Lordſhips, moſt humble, and moſt faithful Servant, Dudley Carleton. Hague, 31. Jan. 1622.

Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. Moſt Honourable,

I Obſerve in ſuch Letters from the Prince Electour to her Highneſſe, with the ſight of which, ſhe is pleaſed ſometimes to favour me, a miſ-underſtanding betwixt him, and his Uncle the Duke of Bovillon, who groweth wearie of his Gueſt, doubting leaſt in his Conſideration ſome danger may be drawn upon his Town of Sedan; And the jealouſie the Prince conceiveth, what may be done with him in caſe of a Siege; (againſt which, that is no place to make long reſiſtance) beſides the diſcomforts of living in another mans houſe, and being ill looked on, makes him wiſh himſelf any where elſe; but chiefly here, where he is as much deſired, as miſſed by her Highneſſe, his children, and Familie: And where the Prince of Orange, and the States (apprehending very well his preſent danger, and incommoditie) will give him very willingly his wonted welcome. Your Lordſhip may be pleaſed to make thus much known to his Majeſtie: And if your Lordſhip can ſo diſpoſe of the matter, that with his Majeſties good liking, he may return hither again, I know nothing your Lordſhip can do more agreeable to her Highneſſe, though ſhe doth whollie ſubmit her affections and deſires to his Majeſties pleaſure.

The wars were never warmer then they are alreadie, and now likely more and more to kindle in theſe parts: The Siege of Oſtend, by thoſe which were preſent there and are now in Berghem, being eſteemed ſport in compariſon of the furie is uſed in diſputing the outworks of that Town. Where on Munday laſt in the night an aſſault was given, and maintained ſix hours by the Spaniards upon a half Moon kept by the Dutch on the North ſide; out of which they were three ſeveral times repulſed, with the loſſe of betwixt 3. and 400 men of their beſt, and on this ſide under 40. All that they gained being (after the ſame manner as their former attempt on the other ſide wherein Colonel Hynderſon was ſlain) to lodge in the foot of the work. Two of our old Captaines, Sir Michael Everard, and Lovelace (hurt in that, and the like aſſault given on that ſide within few daies after) are both dead of their wounds within theſe two daies. One at Dort, the other at Rotterdam, whither they were retired to be cured: which is imputed by the Chyrurgeons to ſome malignity is uſed to the bullets: but that is not to be believed amongſt Chriſtians, yet I have ſeen ſome brought hither ſhot by the Enemie, ſufficient to break all quarter.

We ſhall have now queſtionleſſe many and ſharp encounters in the field; Count Mansfelt being on his way hitherwards with his Armie, much weakned during his abode in the Frontiers of France; but of ſtrength ſufficient to march through the open Countries of Henault, and Brabant. Which courſe he takes directly with intention to come to Breda. And where by computation, he ſhould be by Munday, or Teuſday next at the fartheſt, unleſſe he be overtaken by Don Conzales de Cordova, or met with by the Count Henric Vandenbergh, or the Marqueſſe Spinola, in any of which there is ſmall appearance. Cordova going forward at leiſure with 16. peices of Canon, and the 18th. of this preſent, when Mansfelt paſſed a bridge at Marpent over the Sambre in Henault (which was the onely paſſage of difficultie, and that as our advertiſements here ſay, he croſſed without reſiſtance) being ſome hours March behind him, who having three field pieces onely, and ſmall ſtore of baggage, and in effect his whole Armie on horſeback, may make great expedition.

If Vandenbergh ſtir, he will be followed by the Prince of Orange. And the Marqueſſe Spinola cannot go ſtrong enough to incounter him without raiſing his Siege at Berghen, which though he ſhould do, the Campaigne is large enough, and Mansfelt lightly laden to take, and leave at pleaſure, it being in his power, (if his way to Brdea be ſtopped) to fall down towards ſuch places, the State hold in Flanders.

The States furniſh him with 6000 Florins for the time of three moneths, they entertain him and his Army. In which ſpace, the ſervice they hope to draw from him, is, the raiſing the Siege of Berghen, by cutting off the Convoyes betwixt Antwerp, and the Spaniſh Leaguer, which can no longer continue in the place it now remains, then it can keep the way of Antwerp open, by which only their victuals and Munition is conducted.

This time of three moneths expired, there is ſmall appearance of longer entertainment of Mansfelt by this State, who doth then purpoſe to retire to the Duke Chriſtien of Brunſwick's old Quarter at Lipſtadt: Where they intend to winter their Army, and augment the ſame againſt the next Spring, to return again into Germany, if the Peace of thoſe parts be not concluded, or ſome miſchance do not happen in the mean time. Which reſolution of theirs, for ſuch it is (as I am very well informed) deſerves the more to be cheriſhed, by how much the more diſreſpect is ſhewed his Majeſties Embaſſadour in the Palatinate, by burning and ſpoyling her Highneſſe Joynture even in his view, (as Don Gonzales did whileſt he remained in thoſe parts) and ſince beſieging his Majeſties Garriſon Heidelbergh; before which place, we underſtand here by Letters of the 14th. from Frankford, that Baron Tillie began his approaches the 12th. of this preſent.

I have not heard what is the iſſue of Captain Brett's buſineſſe, but hope the beſt. Colonel Hynderſon's Regiment was given upon the firſt newes of his death to Sir Francis Hynderſon by the Prince of Orange, with which the States are much diſpleaſed, as contrarying their Act. And I have lamented my ſelf to them, as a wrong done my Lord of Buckleugh, and his Majeſtie, in his behalf: which they promiſe me to repair, as they poſſibly may be able. And I preſſe them to it by thoſe means which your Lordſhip will find contained in an abſtract of a Letter I wrote lately to his Excellencie, chiefly to this purpoſe.

Her Highneſſe having received a fair Preſent from the Prince her Brother, doth render his Highneſſe thanks by the incloſed. I know not ſo great a Ladie in the world, nor ever did, though I have ſeen many Courts) of ſuch natural affections: An obedient Daughter; A loving Siſter; And a tender Wife, whoſe care of her Husband doth augment with his misfortunes.

Your Lordſhip cannot therefore ſhew your care of her more, then by bringing them again together with the ſooneſt. Of which I beſeech your Lordſhip, that with the ſooneſt I may know what hope there is, and that (if your Lordſhip pleaſe) by Mr. Aſhburnham, whoſe return with a favourable diſpatch is daily expected. Thus I moſt humbly take leave,

Your Lordſhips Moſt humble, and moſt devoted Servant, Dudley Carleton. Hague 23. Auguſt. 1622.

Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

THe general knowledge the Queen of Bohemia received from your Grace, by my Nephew, of the diſpoſition of our affairs at home, ſince his Highneſſe, and your Graces return out of Spain, upon the true underſtanding you have bred in his Majeſtie of the Spaniſh proceedings, being more particularly both for the ſtate of the matter, and the manner fit to be held here in diſpoſing theſe men to ſuch overtures as are neceſſarie, expreſſed unto me by Sir George Goring with ſpecial caution of ſecreſie and celeritie.

I have thought fit to ſet down at large (whileſt it is freſh in my memorie) an opportunitie as properly given unto me this day by the Prince of Orange, who is the onely perſon of power and confidence we have here to treat withal) as I hope your Grace will judge it ſeaſonably taken.

And that was an occaſion of buſineſſe concerning a mutinie at Breda, which drew the Councel of State, (where I have my Seance) to the States general, with whom we found the Prince. That buſineſſe ending in good time, gave him a long hours leiſure with me afterwards in his Garden, which he himſelf deſired of me, becauſe ſomewhat was farther to be digeſted betwixt us concerning the Engliſh Troops, which ſhewed themſelves moſt in this Mutinie: And hereupon the conſideration of the neceſſity of this State, and impoſſibility of giving their Troops full contentment, gave us ſubject of further diſcourſe, both of the means of better payment they have here at home, and the helps they might conceive from abroad, which making appear unto me to be coldeſt from England, as long as our Match with Spain is ſtill in treatie, he asked me bluntly (after his manner), Qui at'il de voſtre Mariage? I told him, it was now at a ſtay upon this point, That the reſtitution of the Palatinate muſt be firſt concluded. And that the Queen of Bohemia was not onely well comforted with this aſſurance, but pleaſed her ſelf with a further conceipt, that the opportunity was never fairer for this State to regain the King her Fathers favour, and return to the antient ſupport of his Crownes, which by the way of gratitude for her good uſage, ſince ſhe had her refuge into theſe parts, ſhe could not but admoniſh his Excellencie of, and adviſe him not to let it ſlip. This he did not ſo ſuddenly lay hold of, as not firſt to caſt many miſdoubts, as if the alienation were too great, and his Majeſtie too much wedded in affection, if not in Alliance to new friends, to be ſo ſoone reconjoyned to his old, as their neceſſities did require.

Here I took occaſion to play my own Part, and to remember unto him how things had paſſed within the compaſſe of my experience from the beginning; letting him know what friendſhip his Majeſtie had ſhewed this State, in the making their Truce; what ſinceritie in rendring their Cautionarie Townes according to contract, when they were demanded; what affection in ſupporting their affaires during their late domeſtique diſputes; what care in ſettling our Eaſt-Indian differences: finallie, what Patience in conniving at all the miſdemeanours, and inſolencies of their Sea-men, without ſeeking revenge.

And hereupon concluded, that I found them here in the ſame errour as men are, which put firſt from Land to Sea, and believe the Land paſſes from them, not they from the Land, in that the Alienation, which hath long been nouriſhed betwixt his Majeſtie and this State, ſprang originally from them.

Firſt, by Barnevelt and his faction of Arminians carrying the State to new Alliances, with the Hans-Townes, and otherwiſe by themſelves, refuſing ſo much as the knowledge of them to my Predeceſſour in this place, Sir Ralph Wynwood, with much ſcorn, and contempt.

Next, by a harſh and peremptorie ſtile, uſed in all we had then to do with them, ſavouring rather of Pride and preſumption, then any due reſpect or deſire of friendſhip.

Laſtly, by a precipitate courſe taken at Sea by their ſhips of war and Merchants againſt his Majeſties Subjects, making prize of ſome, ſhouldering others out of their places of trade, and entring in the Eaſt-Indies into open hoſtilitie, avowed by a publique Act of the States General. This ill courſe begun and purſued for ſome yeares continuance, breeding a deſerved diſtaſte in his Majeſtie on this ſide; and on the Spaniſh part fair overtures of friendſhip, being continuallie made, and confirmed by the tender of a Match of a potent Prince, None can marvel that his Majeſtie did imbrace the ſame, unleſſe it ſhould be expected of him, that for love of this State how ill ſoever deſerving, he ſhould lend a deaf eare to all other friendſhips, that did not concurre with the intereſt of this State. And the remembrance of theſe things not being ſo old as to be worn out, they might here very well conceive, that the ſuſpition of Alienation and diſaffection, is as ſtrong on our ſide for their giving the cauſe of our leaning another way, as on theirs for the effect which hath ſince followed. And now the cauſe is removed, the effect may poſſibly ceaſe in like manner, if we may have good aſſurance, that breaking with our new friends upon the occaſions now preſented, we might faſten after the wonted manner with an old: and the King be ſatisfied in ſuch doubts, he may upon good reaſon caſt, and know certainly what to truſt to. To this concluſion he anſwered (confeſſing firſt their many obligations to his Majeſtie, both for his favour, and ſufferance,) that nothing could be more certain, then the affection of this State to a Prince embracing their cauſe of oppoſition to Spain. And if his Majeſtie could take that reſolution, he might diſpoſe of them, their lives and their fortunes. I told him, that more (in a caſe of this importance, when there was queſtion of alteration of the whole courſe of a great Princes affaires) would be required then bare profeſſions and proteſtations, and the rather, becauſe he knew I was not ignorant, how many Billets, and Papers have been heretofore brought hither byAn old Popiſh Gentlewoman of this towne, who by paſſeport on both ſides trots ſo often to and fro betwixt this and Bruxells, (where ſhe hath private acceſſe to the Infanta) that ſhe is known by the title of la Maquerelle de la Treſur. Madam Serclaus, and others, tending to Truce, or peace, and how much ſuch a matter was thirſted after by their Frontier Provinces; which being free for them to take, or leave, after their own humours, it was not likely his Majeſtie would diſcharge them of their burthen, to pull it upon his own Shoulders; But to enter into the common cauſe of defence, and add a powerful hand in ſupporting them, might be faiſable in the preſent conjuncture, upon good aſſurance, he ſhould never be left ſingle in the quarrel. Whereunto he anſwered, that true it was, the woman I named, and divers others, had been tampering heretofore about ſuch Treaties, & that he had continually put their Papers into his Pocket, and ſo ſuppreſſed (them with conſent of ſome of the States, of whom he was moſt confident) leſt ſuch propoſitions, being brought into their publique Aſſemblies, might have driven them into diſtraction, and diſpute one with another according to their ſeveral affections, either to Peace, or War, and thereby ſlacken their Contributions, wherewith they pay their Army, and by conſequence expoſe them to the mercie of the enemy.

And that this courſe of his being finally diſcovered by the Merqueſſe Spinola, and Peckius, their purpoſe now was (as he is privately advertized from Bruxels) to ſteal over ſome perſon hither by the uſual meanes of Paſſe-ports for Merchants and Travailers, to make ſome ſuch like Propoſition at the ſeveral Aſſemblies of the States of theſe united Provinces: which it ſhould be his ſtudie to prevent, becauſe of the miſchief may be bred thereby amongſt them; And this he aſſured me for concluſion, That as their affections and affairs now ſtand, nothing but deſpair can bring theſe Provinces to Peace, or Truce with Spain.

To this I yielded, but ſaid, That was not enough becauſe of ſuch changes, to which the world was daily ſubject. Neither did Queen Elizabeth undertake their protection upon ſuch bare preſumptions, wherefore ſome further aſſurance muſt be thought on; which he conſented unto, as a thing requiſite on both ſides, and joyned iſſue with me in this point, That when the King would be to this State, as Queen Elizabeth was; this State would be to him, as it was to Queen Elizabeth.

This being opus unius diei, not unlike the firſt day of the Creation of the world in diſtinguiſhing light and darkneſſe, I will give your Grace this further light, of what belongs to negotiation with this State.

The preſent opportunitie of the Prince of Orange's good affection and ſtrength of theſe Provinces both by Sea and Land, as it yet ſtands, (but not poſſible ſo long to continue) being ſeaſonably laid hold of, his Majeſtie may have with this State a firm and fruitful alliance.

But if the Prince of Orange ſhould die, (as he is much broken, and the laſt year at this time, we did not think he could live till May) or the enemy break into the borders of this State, (as this laſt Summer, if the Imperialiſts had joyned with the Spaniards, they had undoubtedly done; and unleſſe ſome Change or Alteration happen, as is feared will do this next year) the beſt link we have for a bond of friendſhip would fail, and as much difference be betwixt this State, as it now is, and what it is like to be upon any ſuch ill accident, (as was now feared, and ſtill hangs over them) as betwixt a ſtrong Staffe, and a broken Reed. So I ceaſe to give your Grace any further trouble.

Your Graces Moſt humble, and moſt faithful ſervant, Dudley Carleton. Hague, 9. Decemb. 1623.

Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

WHat Comfort and Contentment the Queen of Bohemia receives in your Graces Meſſage and Letter by my Nephew, I leave to her own expreſſion, which never failes her, when her heart goeth with her hand, as I can aſſure your Grace, it doth in this ſubject. And this I will ſay more, who can ſay nothing but truth, I never knew your Grace ill with this good and gracious Princeſſe; but now you are ſo well ſettled in her good opinion and favour, that I know none hath more intereſt therein.

And this uſe your Grace may make thereof to his Majeſties ſervice, that now this King and Queen are both of them no leſſe confident of your affection, then they are of your ſinceritie; what you adviſe them in their affairs will be of much weight to ſway them in the ballance of their judgment.

Which now a Propoſition is made unto them, on which their whole eſtate doth depend as well for themſelves, as their poſteritie, full of doubtful circumſtances on both ſides, (the choice not being, as they conceive, betwixt one thing certain, and another uncertain; but betwixt two unequal uncertainties) it is hard to ſay which way they incline: but if they be left to themſelves, I perceive they will rather ſtand to the hazard of the latter, with preſervation of their honour and lawful pretenſions, then ſubmit themſelves to the former with ſhame and diſgrace, and no aſſurance of better dealing then was uſed to the deported Houſe of Saxe, by a better Emperour then this accounted, of which we have the Heir (one of the worthieſt Princes in Germanie) here in hard Conditions amongſt us. And he ſerves as a ſpectacle to theſe Princes of their fortunes by the ſame way as his Predeceſſors took, of ſubmiſſion. Yet other things being before agreed of, and ſettled in that ſort as his Majeſtie hath alwaies aſſured theſe Princes to be his full intention of reſtitution to their Patrimonial Honours and eſtate; This King I find will conform himſelf, to what his Majeſtie ſhall think fit, touching a due ſubmiſſion.

But this being a matter of ceremony, the other of ſubſtance, he judgeth, that if this precede, (that is, the Submiſſion) the other of reſtitution will never follow. Neither can it be well ſeen, how in poſſibility it may be effected, conſidering that (whileſt things have been held ſometimes in terms, alwaies in talk of accommodation) the Electoral is given to Bavier by the Emperour, and avowed by a Congratulatory Embaſſage from Bruxels: the upper Palatinate ſetled in his poſſeſſion, with ſome portion to Newburgh for his Contentation, and ingagement. A principal part of the lower Palatinate (the Bergſtrate) given to the Elector of Mentz, with the conſent of thoſe of Bruxels, (where he was lately in perſon to obtain it) though they groſſely diſſemble it, and promiſes of parts of the reſt made to other Princes.

So as what is now pretended (I muſt deal plainly with your Grace) is no otherwaies interpreted, then as experience doth teach of theſe three former years proceedings: Ever new Overtures in Winter, and new Ruptures in the Summer. And as of two former Treaties with this Prince, which paſſed my hands, (one a Conſent to a Submiſſion ſent to Vienna, the other a Ratification of a Suſpenſion oftentimes ſent to Bruxels) no other uſe was made, but with the firſt to accelerate Bethlem Gabor in his Treatie of Peace with the Emperour as then on foot, and with the ſecond to intimidate both the Electours Saxe, and Brandenburgh, with the Princes of the Nethes, Saxe, and Creyes from entring into Armes, to which they were well diſpoſed, upon the diſcontentment they received of the prepoſterous courſes that were taken in the Diet at Ratisbone; (and to this effect Copies of the very projects of the ſaid Treaties were diſperſed by the Imperialiſts, before the Inſtruments themſelves were perfected,) ſo it is here believed, that now Gabor is again in armes, and other Princes ready to imbrace any good occaſion of redreſſe of affaires, time is onely ſought to be gained by this new Overture, and the King of Bohemin's Credit, with his friends and well wiſhers in Germanie to be weakned, if not loſt; for if once he ſubmit himſelf allowing the tranſlation of the Electoral, he ſhall thereby avow the Emperours undue procedings in that cauſe (which have been proteſted againſt by Saxe, and Brandenbergh, and all the other Germane Princes, excepting thoſe onely of the Catholique league) and by whom afterwards upon any ill dealing can he expect to be befriended, who forſakes himſelf and his own cauſe? This is the diſcourſe of theſe Princes upon this occaſion; but when they are asked, What then can you truſt unto? their recourſe is to his Majeſtie, who they hope knoweth the meanes to effect in their behalf, what he hath ſo long, and ſo conſtantly undertaken for them. And though for theſe three or four years paſt, affaires on this ſide have gone in a continual decadence, and now threaten a final ruine, unleſſe it be withſtood by ſome Princelie Reſolution; (not of pettie, but of great Princes) yet here is no ſuch diſcouragement: but that it is thought there is yet ſtrength and vigour enough left in the good Party, not onely to ſubſiſt, but to riſe and flouriſh again as well as ever. And in this cogitation the King and Queen remain, not preſcribing any thing to his Majeſtie, nor willing to ſubmit themſelves anew to the ſame rod, with which they have been ſo often ſcourged.

Your Grace was lately invited with my Lord of Richmond to chriſten their young Son, which being excuſed by my Lord of Richmond in both your names, And the King of France undertaking that office, it was performed by that King, and the King of Swede yeſterday was ſeven-night (repreſented by the French Embaſſadour here reſident, and the Prince of Orange) in the ſame manner, and the ſame Church, as the Princeſſe Louiſe, bearing the ſame name, was chriſtned the laſt year: when the Duke Chriſtien of Brunſwick being invited to be Godfather, though abſent, and for ſome reſpects of precedence could not have a Deputie, was underſtood notwithſtanding to be one of the Parrins; and ſo do the King and Queen hold both your Grace, and my Lord of Richmond.

I muſt now render your Grace my humble thanks for your manifeſtation of your favour to my ſelf, which you are pleaſed to do in ſuch ample manner, as to tell me farther for my Comfort who are my friends; And a farther effect of friendſhip, I could not expect of them, then to procure me the aſſurance I now receive from your Grace, who have won the reputation by your Conſtancie to thoſe you take into your Care, that your word is taken for your deed. And though that, which I thought fitteſt for my ſelf failes me, if your Grace can think me fit for any thing elſe towards the amendment of my poor fortune, I ſhall attend the ſame with much patience of mind, though great extreamitie otherwiſe, by reaſon of a ſmall eſtate charged with great debts, (which are no ſmall burthen to an honeſt mind,) And ever remain

Your Graces Moſt faithful devoted ſervant, Dudley Carleton. Hague, 13th. Decemb. 1623.

Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. May it pleaſe your Grace,

THe Queen of Bohemia deſirous to draw the Prince of Orange to more then general profeſſions of ſervice to his Majeſtie, hath ſometimes in my preſence, when I waited on her highneſſe, given occaſion of diſcourſe her ſelf, and at other times I have ſpoken in her name with his Excellencie to the like effect, as in my former Letter to your Grace: which cauſed his Excellencie to take three of the States, ſuch of whom he is moſt confident (one of Guelderland, another of Holland, the third of Zealand) unto him, to ſtrengthen himſelf by their concurrence in that, which is his own inclination, of carrying this State to a ſtrict alliance with his Majeſtie, in which he told them, That firſt their minds muſt be known, and next ſuch aſſurance thought of, as not onely muſt give his Majeſtie preſent Contentment, but likewiſe free him from all miſdoubt for the future, that either upon offers from Spain to theſe Provinces, or any ſiniſter accidents of War, they ſhould be induced to make Peace or Truce without his Majeſties conſent.

Whereunto they anſwered him, (as I have it from himſelf this day) That nothing could be more agreeable to their affections, and Intereſts in all reſpects, then to be under his Majeſties protection: And for aſſurance of their remaining conſtant to that courſe, they doubted not, but when the matter ſhould be treated of, the Provinces would willingly condeſcend to what ſhould be neceſſary to that purpoſe.

His Excellencie in relation hereof unto me went ſo much further, as to inſtance in their new reſolution here, now finally put in practice of making Voyages into the Weſt-Indies after the ſame form, as they have done into the Eaſt; both which joyned together, make them irreconcileable with Spain. Yet if his Majeſtie will have a further tye on them, they will not refuſe it; but he ſaith, The States will expect that ſuch obligation be mutual, and that they in like manner may reſt aſſured, when they put themſelves wholly under his Majeſties wings, his Majeſtie will not flie from them, and make his peace without them.

I told him the caſe was not equal betwixt his Majeſtie, and them, they being actually in War, his Majeſtie in Peace: ſo as to come to a conjunction, his Majeſtie muſt change condition, not they, and therefore hath the more reaſon to look before he leap out of Peace into War. And ſo did Queen Elizabeth, who had raigned 27 years before ſhe openly took upon her the protection of theſe Countries; but after continued her War in their Cauſe to her dying day. This he confeſſed, but remembred withal, That there was a Treatie of Burburck, with which the States were much ſtartled, and he thought that when this buſineſſe ſhould be more particularly ſcanned amongſt them, as they would willingly give, ſo they would expect to receive good aſſurance.

In this point of declaration of their affection, and willingneſſe to warrant his Majeſtie ſufficiently, I asked him, How far I might go not to be diſavowed: ſo as if his Majeſtie ſhould take any ſuddain reſolution, according as affaires require, he might confidently build upon the concurrence of this State. He anſwered me, That a reſolution in this kind would require a further proceeding, then was fit, untill his Majeſtie would be content to make his mind known, by ſuch private means as might ſeem beſt to his own wiſdom, and then according to his own liking, they would inlarge this matter here, to more mens knowledge, then the ſmall circle, in which it hitherto walked, and guide it in that manner as may be fit for the form of it to his Majeſties honour, and for the ſubſtance to his full contentment. Which he offered to do now if I would preſſe him to it; but withal told me his opinion, that it would raiſe nothing but bruit and noiſe without effect, when we had here no better ground to work upon, and therefore wiſhed the buſineſſe might expect a return from his Majeſtie, if he could be content it ſhould be proceeded in. In theſe terms remains this buſineſſe, not free from many Cautions, and nice Circumſtances; and yet on this ſide, (I can aſſure your Grace) full of good affection; but theſe are the true reaſons of their coming on no faſter. They hold it for a maxime, That Spain will never match with his Majeſtie for love, but either for hope, or fear. If Spain can entertain hope of reducing theſe Provinces to obedience by the Match, or fear, that unleſſe the Match proceed, his Majeſtie will joyn with theſe Provinces in oppoſition to Spain: They hold in either of theſe Caſes the Match as made. And therefore leſt ſome uſe ſhould be made of their preſentations of themſelves, to their own prejudice, they are thus ſhie, and circumſpect. Beſides, as they have had ſome help of money out of France this laſt year, ſo they are entertained with hopes of more againſt the next: which they fear would be excuſed upon any offer they ſhould make of themſelves towards his Majeſtie, and therefore are loath to adventure the exchange of a ſubſtance, for that which appears unto them hitherto, no better then a ſhadow; And they are indeed very umbragious; for they ſuſpect, that Tentatives of this kind, of which ſome have been made heretofore amongſt them, tend to no other end, then to endear our Merchandize with Spain, and let the Miniſters of that Crown know, that we refuſe in their Contemplation. But when his Majeſtie ſhall reſolve in his own heart, and be pleaſed to make himſelf ſo underſtood, it will be no hard matter by his Excellencies means (who is a Prince full of good intentions and real affections to his Majeſtie, and his royal Family) to make theſe men lay by their Jealouſies, and be as true to his Majeſtie, and the ſupport of his Crowns, as his own Kingdomes. Which is no more then they owe for the protection which theſe that are now in Government had of his Majeſtie, when they were lately ſinking under the burthen of a contrary faction; and no more then upon a good knowledge of their Intereſts and affections I can undertake for them, they will really and readily pay, if the matter be well managed. In which the confidence and freedom I have uſed with this Noble Gentleman, Sir George Goring, may give your Grace ſome further light, as any doubts ſhall ariſe concerning the buſineſſe. So I moſt humbly take leave,

Your Graces Moſt humble, and moſt faithful ſervant, Dudley Carleton. Hague, 18. Decemb. 1623.